Students clean up streets to solve pollution problem
ABOUT 100 students set an example for their peers when they held a clean-up drive on Caledon Street in District Six at the weekend.
The students belong to ASEZ, an international volunteer group that consists of Church of God university students from 175 countries.
ASEZ administrator Nokukhanya Ndlovu said: “We think that university students who are heroes of future generations need to go forward to solve the pollution problem we face and protect the environment. Our members are not only on their campus or in their city, they do volunteer activities all over the world. Our purpose is to present a clean and safe environment for the people of the world”.
The students cleaned up the area by picking up trash, pulling weeds and sweeping the streets.
“At the end we collected 140 plastic bags of trash. ASEZ will continually look after the street and will be supported by the City of Cape Town, which will give refuse bags, masks, brooms and other cleaning materials.”
Mayco member for informal settlements, water and waste services and energy Xanthea Limberg, who joined the volunteer activity on Sunday, said she was grateful to be part of the event.
“You are truly a shining emblem and I want to commend your collective action to bring about a meaningful change in your community, it’s truly inspiring. Your role, contribution and energy inspires other young people to play an active role in making our society a better one,” she said.
According to a member, Nkanyezi Mdatyulwa, ASEZ means “save the Earth from A to Z”.
The organisation has since January this year held clean-up campaigns around UCT, CPUT and UWC campuses.
“ASEZ activities have spread throughout the world, so that we even received the gold medal from the Green Apple International Environmental Awards. The US also presented us with the Golden Environmental Award… The people say the activities of ASEZ have become a good example for teenagers and the children who are our future,” said Mdatyulwa.
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