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A recent Waste Management campaign in the City of Johannesburg sparked children’s creativity as they were taken through elements of managing waste.

A closing celebration was held on Friday, 5 May 2023, at the Orange Farm Multipurpose Centre in to celebrate the success of the campaign that began in April 2023.

The campaign is an initiative by the City’s Environmental Health Department that is aimed at raising awareness about proper waste management and its benefits to health, the economy, and the environment.

“This was all about turning waste into art through dances, portraits, speeches, and fashion items,” explains Tlhompho Mabukela, an Environmental Health Practitioner and one of the facilitators of the event.

The event attracted a sizeable crowd. 

“It was exciting and internal departments like Pikitup, CRUM, NGOs, and learners attended. The learners were excited to travel to the event, perform and were inspired and amazed by the Environmental Health Departmental stalls with waste art and health education given to them,” says Mabukela.

He was also excited about the outcome of the campaign. “I am grateful that these schools inspired each other, regardless of background. They were educated about environmental health and waste management in particular and can help resolve waste management problems in their communities today and in the future,” Mabukela adds.

Ntombifuthi Maseko, the Deputy Director of Environmental Health, says the campaign was about instilling the message of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

“The campaign aims to reduce illegal dumping, promote proper waste management practices, and educate children about waste management so that they can become environmental activists for the benefit of present and future generations,” says Maseko.

Maseko adds that the campaign focused on primary schools. A total of 18 schools across the regions were part of the campaign.

“The campaign is in line with the City’s priority number one: A city that gets the basics right by promoting cleaner environments, safeguarding inhabitants’ health and enhancing their quality of life.”

Issued by City of Johannesburg