DA members and activists under the leadership of DA Overstrand constituency head Masizole Mnqasela got their hands dirty for a good cause on Freedom Day.
Mnqasela, Overstrand Mayor Annelie Rabie, Deputy Mayor Lindile Ntsabo and other councillors and activists took to the streets of Blompark in Gansbaai on Wednesday 27 April for a special clean-up operation.
The initiative, said Mnqasela, was intended to encourage residents to be proactive in cleaning up their neighbourhoods to keep the community healthy and free of litter.
“This was a symbolic gesture to say that all communities must be treated equally, are equal and should be equal,” he said. “We are proud of the fact that we have made our community less dirty by picking up the rubbish that others threw on the streets.”
Mnqasela said the success of these clean-up operations would have been impossible without the assistance of all the residents who donned rubber gloves and freely gave up their time to help pick up litter. He added: “We have proved what amazing feats can be accomplished through team work and dedication. Thank you to all!”
He urged people not to litter, but to instead use the bins on the streets or at home to dump their rubbish.
Rabie thanked Mnqasela, who is also the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP), for leading such a campaign.
She said they had always advocated for cleanliness in their areas and added: “A clean community, clean houses, clean schools, clean souls, clean streets, are not just about litter, but about being free of all activities such as drugs, poaching, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and everything that tarnishes the image of this society.”
Ward 14 Councillor Riana de Coning also thanked Mnqasela, and Rabie for their efforts to make sure their communities are safe and free from dirt.
After the clean-up campaign, Mnqasela, Rabie, Ntsabo, local councillors and DA activists visited the home of one of the community activists, the 69-year-old, Edward Nkelenjane at Masakhane. They were welcomed by his 62-year-old wife, Lydia Nkelenjane.