Day by day you see the dedicated teams on the streets of Parys, removing garbage in the residential and business areas. Without exception, they achieve their goals every day – even in rain and stormy weather.
Twenty dedicated men responsible for garbage removal in Parys and Tumahole, and a team that sweeps the streets. Some of them have been working together for years.
The past week, these workers received a certificate from Rotary Parys in recognition of their hard work and dedication. According to Rotary Parys president, Sandra Uys, the decision was unanimous to acknowledge the garbage removal teams.
“They are always available, always willing to help. We wanted to say thank you.”
But what makes this team a winning team? “Communication and team spirit,” they say.
Every morning starts with a meeting, and promptly at 08:00, the waste removal trucks leave for the day’s work.
“The majority of the community is grateful for what we do. Even though some don’t understand the challenges of our work. We have a good relationship with our community,” says Mr. Simon Matseko, supervisor of the Parys and Tumahole teams. On Saturdays and Sundays, they work specifically in the business area, and at the town’s entrances to make sure it is clean for the buzz of visitors seen in town over weekends.
“We work very hard to keep the town clean,” he says.
“There is a schedule for the week. Every day we manage to stick to the schedule,” he says with pride.
“Rainy weather is a huge challenge, but we don’t want to share our challenges, we want to provide a service. We want to serve the community and make them proud,” he says. When there are complaints, they respond to it.
The team reports to the municipality’s director of community services, Mr. Lehlohonolo Masala, who is acting in the position and keeping his finger on the pulse to make sure service is delivered without hiccups.
“If people have complaints, they can report them to the office of the director of community services,” says Mr. Japie Mateis, Ngwathe’s unit manager for Parys, who is very proud of the teams. “We are happy that you have noticed our hard work.”
