Cleanliness takes centre stage in Mamelodi programme
Eddie Mnguni from Tshwane Waste Management encouraged residents and hostel dwellers to take ownership of empty spaces now turned into illegal dumping sites.
Mamelodi has been ground zero for the Expanded Public Workers Programme (EPWP) cleaners in the past three weeks.
The EPWP crew has been cleaning community streets, with the Mamelodi hostel blocks recently taking centre stage.
Eddie Mnguni from Tshwane Waste Management said the programme is all about keeping the township, streets, sections, and other surrounding areas in Tshwane clean.
Mnguni said he was disappointed by the actions of hostel dwellers in the temporary residential units at one of the hostel blocks who folded their arms and watched the EPWP members cleaning their area.
“These residents were supposed to take part in the cleaning programme because they are the ones who must keep the hostel blocks clean,” said Mnguni.
Despite this, Mnguni said the programme was a success as it was all about restoring dignity and promoting health. Other hostel dwellers also joined to keep their area clean.
“The programme is not about the hostel blocks, but we clean wherever there is a need for cleaning illegal dumping, and the public can always contact us for help to clean identified illegal dumping hotspots.”
The hostel dwellers and the community were also encouraged to stop littering but to burn their waste instead.
Mnguni pleaded with the communities to stop littering but instead turn empty spaces into area of enhjoyment for all.
“We are appealing to communities that Tshwane metro has programmes in the city where they can come in without spending money like Adopt a Spot or community upliftment programmes, where they can say they want to use the land.
He concluded by pleading with the communities to take ownership of them and do something that would benefit the whole community.
Resident Jack Mathonsi also encouraged the public and hostel dwellers to keep their area clean at all times.
He said he was fed up with the unbearable stench from the illegal dumpsites all over Mamelodi.
“We should not wait for EPWP to clean; it’s everyone’s responsibility.
“Tshwane Waste Management must clean all illegal dumping sites, and they should not wait for us to report the dumping sites,” said Mathonsi.
Mnguni added that they will organise a waste bin for the hostel dwellers to have a place where they can dump waste.
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