Dozens join hands in clean-up operation
HUNDREDS of volunteers took part in a clean-up campaign at Lansdowne station after complaints about litter and vagrants making the area their home.
The group that cleaned up the station were volunteers from the World Mission Society Church of God, which conducts volunteering activities that include social welfare and protecting the environment.
Ward 60 councillor Mark Kleinschmidt explained that vagrants and residents would dump their litter at the station all the time.
He said the vicinity had become an eyesore and unhygienic, and it increased the likelihood of the spread of diseases.
“Hopefully, this clean-up will kickstart the cleaning of the area and Metrorail urgently needs to repair the fence at the station,” Kleinschmidt said.
Lesley Damons, from the World Mission Society Church of God, said: “The state of a community can affect the mindsets of the people. Everyone deserves to live in a place that they can be proud of.
“If people in a community come together and take care of their neighbourhood, there can be a big change. It starts at home.
“When we educate a family or community to take pride in their communities and homes, they would think twice about littering in the streets.
“If we educate them on how much the city spends on cleaning up illegal dumping then they can realise that the money could be used for the people.”
Lesedi Mokgautsi, a UCT student who is a member of Save the Earth from A to Z, said the mission was to make South Africa a better place.
“We carry out activities under four main divisions titled SAVE, which stands for social services, awareness-raising, victim relief and environmental protection.
“Our mission is to improve the welfare of the global community,” Mokgautsi said.