The Keeping Soshanguve Clean Campaign marked its first anniversary on Friday, with community members, stakeholders, businesses and local leaders gathering to celebrate a year of promoting environmental awareness and cleaner neighbourhoods across Soshanguve.

The initiative, which was launched in June 2025, has grown into a community-driven movement focused on cleaning public spaces, educating young people about environmental responsibility and encouraging residents to take pride in their surroundings.

Speaking at the anniversary celebration, campaign initiator Lesego Ramaite said the project was inspired by the founder and CEO of Botshilo Private Hospital, Dr Mabitje Rampedi, who became concerned about the deteriorating state of the environment in Soshanguve.

“It was a call for help from our CEO and founder, who is also a resident of Soshanguve. As he walked from work to home, he noticed that the environment was deteriorating.

“He felt that after building a major hospital in the area, they could not simply stand by and ignore the conditions around them,” said Ramaite.

She explained that the campaign was founded on the belief that communities should take responsibility for their environment instead of relying solely on government intervention.

“The main objective was to instil a sense of belonging in the community. We wanted to educate young people, especially primary school learners, that cleanliness starts with each individual and should not be left to someone else,” she added.

Since its launch, the campaign has conducted clean-up activities at several schools in Soshanguve.

Ramaite said four schools have been identified for 2026, with one already completed and another scheduled for June 19.

Despite its successes, the initiative has faced challenges, particularly regarding resources.

“When we visit schools, we often find issues that require heavy machinery and equipment. We can clean litter and clear smaller areas with the tools we have, but some schools expect larger interventions that are beyond our current capacity,” she said.

Ramaite said the campaign hopes to transform illegal dumping sites into productive community spaces such as gardens and parks.

Discussions are already underway with local farming groups interested in adopting and developing rehabilitated sites.

The campaign also aims to expand beyond Soshanguve into neighbouring communities such as Mabopane and Hammanskraal.

Botshilo Private Hospital representative Dr Shoki Rampedi highlighted the link between environmental cleanliness and public health.

“Our community belongs to all of us, and we must take care of our environment. This initiative has brought together various stakeholders and created opportunities for collaboration.

“One of the most important outcomes is that a clean environment contributes to a healthier community,” she said.

Rampedi noted that some health conditions treated at the hospital are directly influenced by the environments in which people live.

“With cleaner surroundings, we reduce health risks and create safer spaces for residents.

“We are grateful to all the stakeholders and businesses that have supported this campaign and helped it grow over the past year,” she added.

The campaign has attracted support from numerous organisations, businesses and community groups, creating a strong network of stakeholders committed to environmental improvement.

Harold Matjene from the office of the ward councillor reflected on some of the campaign’s achievements over the past year.

These include clean-up operations at several primary schools, community awareness programmes and participation in large-scale environmental initiatives such as the cleaning of the Soshanguve Cemetery.

“We have worked with teachers, learners and stakeholders across various schools and community spaces.

“These programmes have not only improved cleanliness but have also educated residents about the importance of maintaining a clean environment,” he said.

Matjene said the campaign had successfully demonstrated how collective action can bring about positive change.

Resident Bokamoso Aphane believes the campaign’s greatest achievement has been changing the attitudes of young people.

“The schools we visited are cleaner than they were before. The most important thing is teaching children.

“We learn through what we see. When children see people taking care of their schools and surroundings, they learn to do the same,” he said.

Aphane believes illegal dumping remains one of the community’s biggest challenges.

“The root cause is that many people are still not taking responsibility. We have municipal bins, but some residents continue dumping illegally.

“We need to address behaviour at household level if we want lasting change,” he said.

As the campaign enters its second year, stakeholders are calling for greater participation from businesses, churches, schools, non-profit organisations and residents.

“Soshanguve is one of the biggest townships in Tshwane. We can do better. We need more stakeholders, more programmes and more people involved. Together, we can continue building a cleaner and healthier community,” concluded Aphane.

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