Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis launched his City-wide Clean Up Campaign in Town Centre, Mitchell’s Plain.
During the campaign launch he picked up dirt, papers and engaged with residents from Katdoring Street, Eastridge and throughout Town Centre CBD.
Over the course of the next couple of months, Capetonians are encouraged to join the mayor and his team on this campaign in various parts of the City and do their part to “Keep Cape Town Clean Together.”
In the January adjustment budget, they have allocated R5 million for a City-wide clean-up campaign.
Every year, more than 180 000 tons of waste are cleared from illegal dumping hot spots across the city. Illegal dumping costs the City more than R300 million, and this is why a sustained focus on changing behaviour is so vital, said Mr Hill-Lewis.
“The vision I’ve spoken about for this beautiful city is to create a sense of civic pride, and have all residents get involved in looking after their communities to ensure that the City is neat and tidy for all,” he said.
“To grow the economy, we need to create a City of opportunity and we will work every day to achieve this for more Capetonians, creating pride amongst residents.
“As another part of that vision to create a sense of civic pride, we would like all residents to get involved in looking after our communities to ensure that the City is neat and tidy for all,” said Mr Hill-Lewis.
Speaking to the Law Enforcement officers on duty with him on Wednesday February 2, Mr Hill-Lewis said they should fine residents who dumped waste illegally.
“The City is looking at implementing an incentive for residents for reporting illegal dumping. Dumping takes away from a sense of civic pride in communities,” he said.
He said this will help the economy and businesses if residents play their part in keeping the community clean and safe from harm. “Pick up the piece of paper when you’re walking by, play your part and keep the City clean,” he said.
Manager at the City’s Solid Waste Department Eugene Hlongwane said it was important to keep the area clean.
“If each of us clean the spaces we’re in, it would impact on the broader community as there is a need for everyone to participate,” he said.
Commenting on those who believe they are creating jobs by littering, Mr Hlongwane said they were actually devaluing their areas and making them unappealing.