Hlengisa Primary School pupils take action in Black City clean-up campaign

The streets of Black City in Nyanga are now a breath of fresh air after pupils from Hlengisa Primary School teamed up with Meals on Wheels Community Services in Gugulethu for a clean-up campaign on Thursday, February 19.

The school partnered with the hunger-alleviation organisation to spruce up the streets surrounding the school, which had been overrun with illegally dumped waste piling up between residential areas and the school grounds.

Armed with plastic bags, gloves, and masks, the pupils worked enthusiastically under the guidance of teachers and Meals on Wheels volunteers. A few residents also joined in.

Teacher Xolela Peyi said the campaign aimed to teach children about health, hygiene, and the dangers of illegal dumping. He added that the initiative would encourage pupils to pass on the message to their families and the broader community.

“Children should know that we cannot live in such an unconducive environment. This will also encourage the community to learn that dumping is not good,” he said.

He called on the community to stop illegal dumping and challenged other areas to follow suit. “It is about time that other communities clean up their surroundings. We need fresh air to stay healthy,” said Mr Peyi.

Meals on Wheels supervisor Newton Bauleni said the organisation’s work went beyond providing food to the needy and included programmes aimed at empowering young people. Cleaning campaigns form part of those initiatives.

“We are here to teach children about health and safety. We are known for feeding children, but that is not our only focus. We have many programmes, including helping people prepare their CVs if they cannot afford it. We aim to reach communities and encourage them to keep their areas clean. We cannot always wait for the government — this shows that we can do it ourselves,” he said.

Some residents welcomed the clean-up campaign and encouraged the pupils to continue their good work. School governing body member Lumka Mafu expressed pride in seeing the pupils taking the lead in improving their environment.

“I am glad these learners are becoming ambassadors and will leave a legacy at the school. They are setting an example for others to follow. As you can see, the streets are filthy. People clean them, but illegal dumpers show little regard,” she said.

Ms Mafu urged residents to stop dumping waste illegally, noting that the problem affects everyone. She reminded the community that waste containers were available and should be used. 

Ward councillor Sandile Martins congratulated the pupils, teachers, and Meals on Wheels for their efforts. He said it was rare for organisations to step in and assist communities in keeping their streets clean.

Mr Martins called on other companies to partner with communities in similar initiatives, adding that the campaign should encourage residents to maintain the clean environment.

“It is now up to the community to take up similar initiatives and keep their streets clean,” he said.

Pupils collected heaps of waste and gathered it at a central point for the municipality to collect.

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