Picture: ANC volunteers embarking on Letsema Cleaning campaign in Taung/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some hawkers in the Taung Central Business District (CBD) said a clean environment will ensure that they attract more customers. This comes after the ANC in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District embarked on the Letsema Cleaning campaign in the area on Easter Monday.
One of the hawkers, Mario Kasongo who is a hairdresser from the Democratic Republic of Congo said: “We want to applaud the ANC for embarking on this initiative. I think shoppers littered the area and it was not clean and conducive to our businesses.
“Even though the littering and dirtiness were inevitable, proper management from the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) is key. I think is high time the municipality implements policies, which concern the cleanliness in town because that will also contribute to the rapid growth of the economy.”
Another hawker, Macdonald Maudi who sells sweets, peanuts, and other items shared the same sentiments. Maudi said he wishes the campaign could be implemented every after two weeks.
“Eish my bra, our town was dirty and I think that has a negative impact on our economy. I would also like to urge those who come to town, to make sure that they make use of dustbins strategically placed around town.
“I highly appreciate what the ANC has done. However, as locals, we also have a pivotal role to play to ensure that this initiative pays off. If we do not, our town will remain undeveloped throughout because of our attitude. Look at it now, it is much cleaner and I think it will be free of rodents too,” he said.
ANC regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Motseokae Maje said, this is a national program and will continue to take place across all ANC branches. Maje further said the initiative aims to create a clean and safer environment for the people.
“This is the program that takes place throughout the country. In some instances, you will see the ANC president leading it. So, as the ANC in the region, we have identified Taung CBD because this is where most business activities take place.
“We saw how the place was and decided to sacrifice our Easter Monday to embark on a cleaning spree. Remember, if we have to attract investors to Taung, the first area of concentration will be our CBD. So, it cannot be possible to attract investors in an environment that is unhygienic with no basic services like electricity and water,” he said.
Maje added that, they had other stakeholders on board such as taxi associations and their alliance partners, mainly the South African Communist Party (SACP). He said, they will also support Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and schools across various wards.
“We will also clean gravesites and the essence of this initiative is to ensure that we lead from the front as the ANC. As the governing party, we understand that, our revolution started when the ANC was established and it has not been completed.
“So, we will continue to lead all activities that bring the betterment to the lives of our people. We will not be deterred by those detractors who say we are just doing this simply because there are elections coming,” said Maje.
Meanwhile, SACP’s District Working Committee member, Tshepo Nkwe said: “The Letsema Cleaning campaign will be a continuous program and as the alliance partner of the ANC, we will continue to renew our social contract with the society as well as encourage them to take charge of their environment to be clean.
“The aim of initiatives like these is to bring government to the people as enshrined in the South African constitution. So, we highly appreciate the work done by the ruling party and we will continue to work together in bringing changes to the lives of the masses.”
The Guardian 