World clean-up day cleans the streets of Soweto
The day was a great success, uniting the community and key stakeholders in a collective effort to clean the environment.
The Doornkop Soweto cleanup campaign, in collaboration with Rand Water Foundation, Pick It Up, and Deep Water Movement, celebrated World Cleanup Day at Impala Road, Lufhereng, on September 19.
The day was a great success, uniting the community and key stakeholders in a collective effort to clean the environment.
Soulbent Project NPO CEO Mashudu Makhado said he saw the importance of bringing this initiative to Doornkop because the community has been battling illegal dumping, pollution, and a lack of awareness about waste management.
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“Today we mobilised 50 dedicated volunteers who came together to restore dignity to the area by cleaning the streets and clearing an illegal dumping site.
This initiative is important not only because it improves the environment, but also because it builds a sense of ownership and unity among residents.
“A cleaner community means healthier families, safer spaces for children, and renewed pride in our surroundings. By taking action, we proved that every small effort counts when people work together, lasting change is possible,” said Makhado.
He said that when our surroundings are free from litter, pollution, and illegal dumping, health risks such as respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and pest infestations are reduced.
“The community should acknowledge that cleanliness builds responsibility and unity. It shows that keeping our environment clean is not just the job of the government or organisations, but a shared duty.
“When residents take ownership, they create safer spaces for children, attract development opportunities, and promote pride in their neighbourhoods,” he said.
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Makhado urged community members to avoid illegal dumping by using proper waste disposal methods, reporting improper dumping sites, participating in community cleanup campaigns, and practising waste separation at home to ease management and reduce landfill pressure.
