The United Democratic Movement (UDM) noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that government will start a massive clean-up campaign to get rid of the litter and waste that lay by our road-sides and fouls our communities. We welcome this move, as it is in line with the UDM’s environmental policy and this year’s election manifesto.
Every city, town, suburb, township, informal settlement and rural areas are filthy and is in desperate need of intervention. Many places have over the years turned into slums, because of the non-existing waste management.
We are happy that he joins the coalition government in the City of Johannesburg, under the leadership of Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, in the clean-up programme that it has started on a city-wide scale. It is good that Citizen Number One has committed himself to lead this campaign.
Government must play its role to ensure that there are adequate dumping sites, skips, and trash cans, which are easily accessible.
Industries and big business should be severely punished for not adhering to laws and regulations, but this means that government at all levels must enforce these laws and regulations.
A green and healthy culture should be inculcated in our communities. Our people need to understand the health risks that come with dirty and waste ridden streets. The culture of not littering starts at home and the drivers of cars, taxis and buses, etc. should hold themselves responsible to ensure that their passengers don’t throw garbage out of their windows.
Property owners in our CBDs should take responsibility for cleaning their immediate surroundings. The current state of repair of buildings leaves much to be desired, this also includes government properties and buildings.
Issued by:
Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
