Students at the South African Maritime School and Transport College last week participated in the final clean-up event for the year since they began organising area clean-ups in March this year. Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, handed over certificates acknowledging their contribution to cleanliness in Cape Town.

Since March 2022, the South African Maritime School and Transport College has been organising regular Wednesday clean-up events by students around the Woodstock and Salt River areas. 

A total of 15 events were held resulting in the removal of 1 470 bags of litter that had been dropped on city streets.

These efforts were recognised by the City on Friday, 11 November 2022, in a certificate handover ceremony hosted at the Maritime School campus. Alderman Twigg was joined by the Urban Waste Management Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Councillor Brenda Hansen; Ward 115 Councillor Ian McMahon; the City’s Executive Director for Urban Waste Management, Dr Luzuko Mdunyelwa and Area Cleansing Manager, Eugene Hlongwane.

‘When members of a community come together to pick up litter, it helps inspire others to join the fight. Many communities in Cape Town have simply accepted that dumping is their reality, but when leaders in a community mobilise their resources against the problem, it gives hope that this is a battle they can win.

‘Not only does the effort inspire others, but with 1470 bags of litter removed, it is also making a tangible difference on the ground. I encourage all schools and colleges to follow this example. If we instil a concern for the environment and community health in the youth , we can eliminate the majority of littering and dump sites that plague our communities within a generation. Few people could reasonably argue that they have no choice except littering and dumping. We have facilities in Cape Town for safe and legal waste disposal. The main problem is the choices people make to throw their waste carelessly, and schools can help motivate for better choices,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Source: City Of Cape Town