Foundation, volunteers join hands to clear illegal dumping site

Residents of wards 23, together with the Matsidikanye Moswane Foundation and volunteers came together on Saturday morning to clean up the illegal dumpsite at Rumani sports ground on the corner of Tsomo and Matlhare streets in Mamelodi East SNS.

This follows the growing number of illegal dumping sites in Mamelodi and residents complaining about unhygienic conditions being created, putting their health at risk and causing a bad smell.

The foundation’s Matsidikanye Moswane said Mamelodi as a whole has been turned into an illegal dumping site almost every day, due to the ongoing strike by municipal workers.

He said the clean-up campaign kicked off with more than 50 volunteers in the early hours since the area was filthy.

The campaign ended that afternoon.

Moswane said the foundation was joined by the Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Eersterust stakeholder’s forum.

He said the clean-up campaign was also a platform to introduce the foundation to the community of Mamelodi.

“This is the first-ever event of the foundation and being the new kid on the block, we want to make a difference in the community.”

Moswane said they decided to start with the clean-up project, but also have a lot of projects aimed at uplifting the community of Mamelodi.

“We could not fold our arms and watch while our beloved Mamelodi slowly turns into a dumping site and watch residents living in an unhealthy environment,” he said.

“My heart bleeds and it pains me and I want to see our township back to its former glory. No illegal dumping and our people must live in a clean environment and not worry about disease.”

Maisela Moselakgomo said they were there to support a good cause in the community. He said Moswane saw it fit to start cleaning up Mamelodi’s streets.

“We must teach our people not to litter,” said Moselakgomo.

He said it was frustrating because when the bins were full they had to be emptied and people didn’t have transport to take rubbish to the Heatherly dumping site and were forced to dump rubbish on the nearest corner.

“We are appealing to the public to stop littering anywhere. Let’s try to dump waste at the right places or the proper dumping sites,” said Moselakgomo.

“We know these are difficult times for everyone but let’s try and keep our township clean by burning the dirt when our waste bins are full and we have nowhere to go,” he said.

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