Youth group in eMbalenhle launches clean-up campaign

In a bid to transform their community, a group of young people from eMbalenhle, under the banner of Imbewu Yakusasa (Seed of Tomorrow), used Youth Day on June 16 to clean up their township.

According to Bonginkosi Tshabalala, one of the organisation’s founders, Imbewu Yakusasa was established to bridge the gap in information sharing and access to opportunities, while providing a platform for the community to access essential services and resources.

“Our township is dirty. No matter which direction you enter from, there’s garbage everywhere. That’s why we decided to use Youth Day to launch a campaign titled ‘Be the Change You Want to See’, where we cleaned up illegal dumping sites and removed waste heaps,” said Tshabalala.

He added that the organisation is committed to continuing these efforts to promote environmental sustainability and community development.

ALSO CHECK: Sjef van Secunda ‘kook’ in Drukkoker-program

“We urge all businesses to stop illegal dumping and find responsible ways to manage their waste. It harms the environment, causes pollution, and affects the health and well-being of nearby residents,” Tshabalala said.

Tshabalala explained that Imbewu Yakusasa operates across various sectors and actively collaborates with like-minded individuals and organisations to make eMbalenhle a better place to live. He also highlighted challenges facing local youth, including unemployment, substance abuse and crime.

“As young unemployed people, we noticed many of our peers are involved in drugs and criminal activities. We engaged with them to understand why, and many cited unemployment and difficult home environments as reasons for dropping out of school.

ALSO CHECK: All creatures great and small fascinate Secunda resident

“It is a known fact that young people face many challenges, but that should not stop us from doing good. Through this cleaning campaign, we aim to create opportunities for both young and old. For instance, through recycling, people can earn a living,” Tshabalala said.

He revealed their long-term plan is to fully utilise the local buyback recycling centre, helping recyclers turn waste into income.

“Our community needs to be educated about the importance of the buyback centre. It has the potential to create both jobs and business opportunities. As the eMbalenhle community, we are lucky to have such a facility nearby, but it needs to be used,” said Tshabalala.

Imbewu Yakusasa welcomes partnerships with companies, organisations and individuals who share their vision of community upliftment and sustainable development.