Clean-up on 8th street

On 7 September, James and her team were out on 8th Street in Noordwyk clearing the street of litter which had been carelessly thrown on the dirt road.

The councillor said the initiative came as a remedy to Pikitup being short-staffed. “At one point they had 56 workers for the whole of the Midrand area, now they have 16,” said James.

James said this prompted her as councillor of Ward 112 to act. She and her team are calling on residents of Midrand to notify them of problematic streets in their areas. “All we need to know is the street names that need some tender loving care and once a month we will pick a street to clean up,” she said.

“Pikitup is [overwhelmed] with the work they have to do for all these areas with the little manpower that they do have.”

James called on active citizenship as well. They welcome any volunteers that might want to help during these clean-up campaigns. Laraleigh Swart is one such volunteer who lended her hand to 8th Street’s clean-up. Swart said the behaviour of residents in the Midrand area was important to keep the small town clean. “I believe it is an education issue. People are not aware of the impact that their littering has on our environment.”

Swart said she has witnessed countless residents, although not malicious, callously throw their rubbish out of their moving vehicles.

“I feel like everyone has this mentality of why should they bother,” she said. “It is important for each and everyone of us to care enough to make a change, our combined effort will bring about change.”

Pikitup had not responded to media inquiries at the time of publication.

Details: candy@jozi112.co.za

Also read Residents to keep garbage at home

Will you notify councillor Candice James of a littered street in your area? Share your views on the Joburg North Local News WhatsApp group. To join the group, just send a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 079 439 5345