‘Simply Clean’ campaign a raging success

Primary Schools from around the Amajuba District gathered at Dannhauser Primary School for the first ever Simply Clean Competition.

The competition, which formed part of the Youth Jobs in Waste programme, sought to empower pupils about the importance of recycling and looking after the environment.

Pupils were tasked with either writing an essay or making an artefact about litter and waste management.

Ntandoyenkosi Kubheka, from Sipheni Primary School was adjudged to have written the best essay, while Thabo Dladla from YWCA Special School won the artefact section.

Speaking at the event, Pat Reddy of the Department of Environmental Affairs, said damage done to the earth could not be undone and so it fell on the pupils to be green ambassadors and make a difference.

Sipho Makhasana, from Khabokedi said South Africa was known as a ‘throwaway country’, because all waste is just thrown away.

He said many people in the country had ‘Not In My Back Yard’ (NIMBY) Syndrome – “once it leaves your back yard, you don’t care about what happens to it. However, it impacts on the environment, the municipality and land,” he said.

Mr Makhasana concluded that Simply Clean was an awareness programme sought to educate schools, businesses, communities and leave a legacy.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ndaba thanked the DEA and Khabokedi for organising the campaign in Dannhauser. He also thanked Community Services Manager, Seva Naidoo, for his hard work and dedication in bringing the event to the town. He liked the idea of Simply Clean as it changed mindsets and got people going back to basics.

With Simply Clean a huge success, the Amajuba District is going to be reusing, reducing and recycling for many years to come.