Local NPO holds over 200 clean-ups this year
The Soulbent project currently has 63 volunteers and has identified Saulville, Pretoria West as the area most negatively affected by litter.
The Soulbent project has had a productive year after holding 220 clean-ups around Pretoria West thus far with no signs of slowing down.
The project tasked itself with completing at least 20 clean-ups per month around parts of the area plagued by illegal dumping and litter.
The project, which was founded in 2008, by Mashudu and Millicent Makhado wants to preserve the local environment by addressing rampant pollution around local areas and rivers.
Founder Mashudu Makhado says that after clean-ups are done, the project looks to plant vegetable gardens that will help support the surrounding community.
“We want to put a stop to the illegal dumping in our communities and rivers,” Makhado explained.
“We also want to create awareness about recycling and the vegetable gardens, because, through them, we can create employment opportunities for the less fortunate.”
The Soulbent project currently has 63 volunteers and has identified Saulville, Pretoria West as the area most negatively affected by litter.
“As we clean from Monday to Friday, this year has been rather hectic for us, but our volunteers are committed to making South Africa a litter-free country,” Makhado continued.
Some of the items Soulbent clean-ups come across regularly include discarded nappies, dead animals, clothes, food waste and cigarette butts among others.
The project currently has two operational vegetable gardens and a seedling area which were previously illegal dumpsites.
The project has collaborated with different stakeholders previously and is open to connecting with new potential partners, though would like the metro to play a bigger part in its fight against pollution.
“We want to create jobs for our volunteers whilst keeping our community clean, so we hope that the city of Tshwane and the Department of Water, Sanitation and Environmental Affairs as well as the Department of Public Works can assist our volunteers,” said Makhado.
To find out more about the project visit soulbent.org.za or “Soulbent project recycling and gardening services” on Facebook or email to soulbent1@gmail.com.
“Charity begins at home, let us make our environment clean and teach our kids about clean-ups,” Makhado concluded.
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