EMALAHLENI – The importance of living in a clean environment was emphasised during a cleaning campaign held in eMalahleni, combining Wards 6 and 7, on December 18, 2024.
Scores of residents from both wards came together with the aim of maintaining a cleaner environment. Focused on areas with illegally dumped waste, they rolled up their sleeves to collect litter, clear rubbish heaps, and remove dirt from stormwater drains, pipes, and pavements in Extensions 9 and 14.
Crosswall, a resident who took part in the campaign, shared their joy, saying, “It feels good to do something positive for our community.”
Another participant explained the importance of getting involved in such events: “We often complain that our area is dirty and blame the municipality, but we are the ones responsible for dumping the waste,” said the resident. “If we want to live in a clean and healthy environment, it has to start with us. It feels good to do something positive for our community.”
Rudolf Mekoa, Ward 7 councillor, and Tshepo Maseko, Ward 6 councillor, were also part of the initiative.
“Keeping the environment clean is the responsibility of the whole community,” Mekoa stressed.
Maseko added that campaigns like these help create a healthier and safer living space for everyone.
Maseko highlighted several key benefits of living in a clean environment:
- A clean environment helps reduce diseases often carried by rats, cockroaches, and other parasitic insects or worms.
- It reduces pollution, preserves the biosphere, and protects endangered species.
- It helps conserve the earth’s natural resources.
- It makes water cleaner and more enjoyable to drink.
