TRANSNET National Ports Authority partnered with eThekwini Municipality for a successful Environmental Awareness and Clean-up Day at the Bayhead Natural Heritage site on Friday, 11 October.
The Bayhead Natural Heritage site is a significant conservation site which covers an area of about 20ha.
The purpose of the clean-up was to promote the conservation of the city’s natural resource, and highlight the ecological and economical importance of the mangrove swamps and coastal grassland. The city will work in partnership with a range of stakeholders in an effort to jointly ensure a clean and well-maintained environment.
The site, a haven of plant and birdlife, saw the team get their hands dirty to rid the area of litter to protect the ecosystem. The clean-up operation is part of the Clean and Maintain my City Programme that is also currently underway. The long term programme seeks to preach the culture of cleaning up and keeping the area in pristine condition.
Officials and partners donned their cleaning gear and set about picking up litter in the blistering Durban heat.
Councillor William Zenzile of Ward 32 said, “One must appreciate nature and we applaud Transnet for joining the city in this initiative. Having an area like this in the inner city where we only see grey and the proof of industrialisation, is amazing.” He said it was important for the community to look after their inherited natural environment.
“All stakeholders, citizens and our children must take ownership of our natural heritage to protect it,” he added while cleaning up the site.”
Brian Mthembu, coordinator of the Clean and Maintain My City programme said, “We are coming up with long term solutions to keep Durban beautiful and we are excited to be a part of this day.”
Zama Mncwabe, Transnet’s corporate affairs manager said the clean up was “a phenomenal success.
“We look forward to future partnerships with eThekwini Municipality,” she added.
Meanwhile the eThekwini Municipality held a clean up and general maintenance of infrastructure of the Durban CBD last Thursday and Friday in a bid to restore the city to its former glory.
The area along Soldiers Way, Bertha Mkhize (Victoria), David Webster (Leopold), Johannes Nkosi (Alice ) Streets, Durban Station, Kolling Street and the Greyville area which are areas infested with many challenges such as dirt and dysfunctional infrastructure were targeted.
The city manager, Sibusiso Sithole said the Clean My City task team would shift its focus to the CBD until February 2014. “This is to ensure that we root out all forms of dirt, dysfunctional infrastructure, non compliance to city’s bylaws, keeping the city clean, sustainable and well maintained,” said Sithole.
