Scrap the dirt from our city’s townships

FOR the attention of the mayor of Cape Town, the director of solid waste management, the City of Cape Town and the premier of the Western Cape.

I, and likely many Capetonians, particularly those from poor, dirty areas and whose first language is not English or Afrikaans, would appreciate an open reply from each of you.

The situation in the townships is a travesty, and unhygienic, and I think it is illegal according to the constitution.

Is this not a great opportunity, as administrators of the Cape, to start to address this issue?

I believe it’s something that can make a huge difference to poor and marginalised people, contribute to developing our tourism image, and even encourage township tourism like open streets in Langa and Mzoli’s in Gugulethu?

Either way, it’s something that I believe can unite all Cape Town citizens. Could I urge you three to view this as an opportunity to create a winning story?

My perception is that managers and councillors do not live in these affected areas and may not be aware of how dirty the townships and Cape Flats are.

I suspect that this might also have a mediumterm improvement in schooling results, as well as a decrease in crime and anti-social behaviour.

I do realise that this topic involves challenges and complexities, but I urge you to consider this letter favourably.

Let’s accept the things we can’t change immediately, but address those we can.

I would be happy to meet up with each of you, if you wished to discuss this effort further. I believe us privileged citizens can do more to turn around apartheid-created inequalities.

We have a democracy for wealthy people, but injustice prevails for the poor.