ON Friday, the City of Ekurhuleni’s Clean Neighbourhood Friday campaign took over the public transport hubs to attempt to rid them of dirt.
The taxi ranks are infested with rodents, overwhelmed by a lingering smell of urine and covered with overgrown weeds and scattered litter.
Members of the mayoral committee, as well as senior managers, officials, members of the business community and members of taxi associations joined hands to tackle the problems at the Kempton Park taxi rank.
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City of Ekurhuleni’s Clean Neighbourhood Friday campaign is an attempt to begin a culture of maintaining a clean environment that is conducive for business.
Kempton Park, Springs and Germiston main taxi ranks and railway stations are being targeted.
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“The main cause for concern was the rodent infestation which poses a health risk to users of the facilities. Owners of informal businesses complained of rats eating and urinating on their stock while commuters fear that their health is at risk when they inhale air polluted by the smell of urine,” said metro spokesman Themba Gadebe.
“To address these concerns, officials responsible for environmental health came prepared to fumigate the areas and applied pest control substances, leaving the facilities purified and smelling fresh and hygienic,” he added.
Adolph Singa, chairperson of the Bonaero Park sub-rank in Kempton Park could not contain his excitement and gratitude upon seeing Ekurhuleni’s top officials rolling up their sleeves and joining citizens to clean.
He said: “This has never happened in our lifetime, now we see senior government officials coming to clean our taxi ranks with us.
“To us the hygiene of our commuters is a priority, hence we have hired cleaning services to come and clean over night when the rank is quiet.
“However, this gesture by the municipality encourages us to keep our facility even cleaner because now we know that even the government takes our business seriously.”
Manaka Ranaka, the Clean City ambassador, said the Kempton Park taxi rank was very dirty and really needed some cleaning up and the campaign was making a difference.
“The fact that were doing something might change people’s mindsets,” she said.
MMC for Water and Energy, Clr Doctor Khakaza said cleanliness was everyone’s responsibility.
“Everyone must take part to ensure the city is clean. Let us not just pick up litter but let us inform people to keep their surroundings clean,” he said.
The Ekurhuleni’s Clean Neighbourhood Friday is an ongoing campaign and takes place every last Friday of the month. Members of the community are requested to play their part in keeping the city clean.
