Devoted locals roll up sleeves to clean up streets
The clean-up was a call to action for citizens to proactively solve some of their common challenges.
Over 500 citizens across Gauteng participated in a clean-up campaign in their various neighbourhoods on January 21.
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The event was organised by the Devoted Citizen Movement led by founder, reverend Christopher Mathebula.
The clean-up was a call to action for citizens to proactively solve some of their common challenges in the face of inaction by authorities.
The citizens swept dirty streets, picked up litter, painted road infrastructure and even closed potholes in over twenty communities.
Some of the areas that were covered included Kempton Park, Midrand, Roodepoort and Thembisa.
Speaking from the Nellmapius site where the Devoted Citizens repaired potholes and painted infrastructure, Mathebula said if citizens looked aside as their environment deteriorate, the country would be plunged into a litter- and dilapidated infrastructure crisis over and above other problems it is already facing.
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“While there has been mismanagement in our state-owned entities, there are some problems that we can proactively solve as citizens.
“We are all desperate for change in our country and nothing will change unless we change,” said Mathebula.
Devoted Citizens in Norkem Park were joined by Ward 91 Clr Desmond McKenzie and the MMC for Roads and Transport in Ekurhuleni Phillip Thamahane who commended the work and initiative taken by the organisation.
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“I was amazed to see this initiative. As the government, we cannot do anything without the assistance of the community. This work will encourage other community members to do the same,” said MMC.
He added the issue of poor roads in the area was being looked into. A plan was in the process of being finalised to roll out a pothole remediation exercise for roads in the area.
The Devoted Citizen Movement plans to launch a permanent clean-up campaign across the country which is aimed at encouraging citizens to clean their neighbourhoods. The cleaning exercises will be held twice a month in various areas.
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“As citizens, we have a big part to play in transforming our communities. We simply need to stop littering and relieving ourselves in public. These habits are a breeding ground for communicable diseases.
“Let us not be the orchestrators of our national problems. As citizens, we have the power to model good habits until they become a norm and culture in our society,” said Mathebula.
The board of the Devoted Citizen Movement Board thanked individual volunteers, churches, private companies, sports clubs and non-profit organisations for their contribution towards the success of the campaign.
For more information on the next clean-up campaign, contact the Devoted Citizen Movement on 011 976 0600 or visit www.devotedcitizen.co.za
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