BILLY BIN UNVEILED
President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled Billy Bin, the cheery green mascot who is passionate about keeping the environment clean during the national launch of the Good Green Deeds programme at a packed Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, East London, on March 8.
President Ramaphosa said Billy Bin would be a constant reminder to all South Africans that the responsibility to keep the country clean lies with them.
The President also took a moment to pay tribute to late Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa, who passed away last year and also credited her for being behind the Good Green Deeds concept.
“We are here today to launch a national campaign to mobilise citizens, business, industry, labour and civil society at large towards a common goal – cleaning up South Africa. By performing just one Good Green Deed a day, you can make all the difference.
“Whether it is in recycling your waste, or conducting clean-up activities in your street, your neighbourhood, school, or municipality, you must be the agent of change we want and need,” he said.
President Ramaphosa took part in a clean-up campaign in Buffalo City while a number of other clean-ups took place at taxi ranks in East London and King William’s Town as well as KwaDikela and at eBuhlanti beach and estuary.
A series of other clean-up campaigns also took place across the country in places such as Galeshewe, Mahikeng, Umsunduzi, Ladybrand, Polokwane, Sharpeville, Manenberg and Mamelodi.
President Ramaphosa further stated he hoped that the Good Green Deeds campaign will be embraced with vigour and enthusiasm in all municipalities around South Africa.
“So, let us commit today, right here and right now, that we will each do one Good Green Deed a day, for the sake of ourselves, for the sake of others, and for the sake of our country,” he said.
The President called on young people to be at the forefront of the campaign.
“We want you, the young people of this country, to take the lead in being part of ward-based environmental education and awareness raising. We want you to be at the forefront of clean-up campaigns; and to gain exposure to municipal environmental management functions as a source of attaining work experience,” he said.
LET US COMMIT TODAY, RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW, THAT WE WILL EACH DAY DO GOOD GREEN DEED A DAY