John Dube residents keep their streets clean on Women’s Day
Pila said the cleaning campaign will continue on a monthly basis
In the spirit to celebrate Women’s Day, residents of John Dube Informal Settlement in Ivory Park took to the street on the morning of August 9 to clear storm water drains of sewage and to pick up litter on the streets.
According to the community leader, Frans Pila, organising a cleaning campaign is a great way to get to know your neighbours and neighbourhood better. You also end up with cleaner streets.
Pila said the cleaning campaign will continue on a monthly basis to encourage other neighbourhoods to take charge of their own area and keep it clean.
“Staying at an informal settlement does not mean people should not keep clean or live in a better. more hygienic environment. As residents we should teach our children cleanliness and make the area a better place to be,” added Pila.
He said they also wanted to show women at the informal settlement that they love and appreciate them.
“Women have strength and are better leaders of the Nation. As men we condemn abuse against women and children. We are calling on those men who still abuse women physically and emotionally. to stop it. Nobody deserves to be abused at any level,” said Pila.
Pila said they are not going to tolerate any abuse against women and children in the township.
“We are going to work together as the community to report these perpetrators to SAPS. Couples should learn to resolve problems in the right manner and must not expose their children to violence. Men should stop destroying their children by exposing them to abuse, violence. Instead they need to be their child’s role model,” explained Pila.
The cleaning campaign ended at the Church of Hope in Christ based at Small Park in Riverside where residents were served a free lunch and drinks.
Pastor Simon Maphunga said he was happy to see members of the community reacting as a united front during such a thoughtful campaign and event.
“If our community can continue to act like this we are going to have strongly bonded residents who will bring change to their communities. We must love each other as residents and take charge of our own area,” added Maphunga.
Ward 133 Councillor Julia Gololo said she appreciated men in the community going all out to recognise women by helping them keep the area clean. “They showed us love, commitment and compassion and that we also have a positive impact on the lives of community members. As government we shouldn’t overlook community initiatives such as these as they bring the community together,” added Clr Gololo.
