ICYMI: Residents and NGOs band together to clean up Diepsloot
DIEPSLOOT – During the clean-up 250 bags of litter were collected, 20 trees, 240 vegetables and 60 spekbooms were planted.
Over 50 Diepsloot community members and volunteers from a number of NGOs rallied together to clean up litter and plant trees in Diepsloot on 13 September.
Spokesperson for Armour (Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers) and co-organiser Cara Stokes said that the NGO saw the work being conducted by the Hennops Revival Team in Centurion and wanted to replicate the project in Diepsloot.
“Diepsloot residents suggested that we clean up this space [next to the pedestrian bridge] and create a small, safe park for children to play. Within seven days of hearing their ideas, we arranged a clean-up,” said Stokes.
The event was organised to coincide with Arbor Month and World Clean-Up Day, which is set to take place on 19 September.
Stokes said that there is a serious problem concerning illegal dumping in the area since many residents do not receive service delivery due to overcrowding and lack of roads.
When askes about the alleged illegal dumping, spokesperson for the JMPD Wayne Minnaar said, “I will make the area commander aware of this issue so that police officers can monitor the area to prevent illegal dumping.”
Stokes added, “Ultimately, we are trying to fix the problem of illegal dumping in this area. We also want to raise awareness about the problem of littering. We hope to make this an ongoing project where residents take initiative and created employment opportunities.
“We want to spread the message that it takes one second to throw a bag of rubbish on the ground but one hour for someone to pick up that rubbish.”
Stokes was thankful to Pikitup who conducted some cleaning before the team arrived on-site.
Resident Patience Chuene explained that she wanted to create a safe space for children to play because it is dangerous for them to play in the street.
Another resident Cedric Mphofela said, “People lack knowledge about the damage caused by illegal dumping. We must educate them about saving water, protecting our rivers and not dumping anywhere they like. Dump sites also need to be created in our community to prevent this problem.”
Resident Thulani Ndlangamandla said, “People are not taking responsibility to make townships clean. We have a park, a river and bridges that we can’t even notice because they are dirty.
“We want to clean up and make Diepsloot look better. We also need to start workshops to educate the community about the environment and cleaning.”
Chuene said that the ultimate solution for the space would be to create a park with security measures in place.
Resident Siseko Nkomo requested a day off from his paying job to lend a hand. “Diepsloot is a very polluted place. As a team, you can do more. We must work to clean up our area to live a proper life.”
The team also assisted Reshomile Primary and Rabasotho Combined Schools by planting trees and a vegetable garden to supplement their feeding scheme.
By the end of the morning, they had collected 250 bags of litter, planted 20 trees, 240 vegetables and 60 spekbooms.
Residents are encouraged to join the next clean-up from 9am on 19 September or donate to the project.
Details: Cara Stokes 083 651 8297; cara@csenvironmental.co.za
