The Southern Landfill site in the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality is set to receive much-needed attention.

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Makhotso Sotyu, will be launching a project – the Municipal Cleaning, Greening Programme and Separation of Waste at Source – at the dumping site and cemeteries on Friday. 

The Southern Landfill site recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons after two brothers, aged 19 and 22, nearly lost their lives after being shot at by an assailant.

The metro also had fleet challenges leading to a lack of waste collection around the metro.

Environmental Affairs' media liaison officer, Dimakatso Tsutsubi, said the initiative is dedicated to combating environmental degradation and eliminating litter and illegal dumping throughout our nation.

“The programme's core focus is to achieve these goals through extensive public employment, emphasising the empowerment of women, youth, and individuals with disabilities. At least 2000 participants are being recruited in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality as part of the In-House Model.”

Cleanup campaign under way in the Mangaung Metro. Photo: Facebook 

Meanwhile, Mangaung Mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, called on residents to join hands with the metro to clean the area tomorrow.

“I would like to call upon residents of Mangaung, especially those in Bloemfontein, to please join us tomorrow as we will be cleaning around the Southern Landfill site and cemetery. Please bring your spades, wheelbarrows and bakkies to work with the Deputy Minister. They have also recruited people who will be assisting us, please come in numbers,” pleaded Nthatisi.

Metro workers cleaning the Bloemfontein Central Business District. Photo: Facebook

The Metro recently joined hands with the Central Park management and Mangaung Hawkers Association for a clean-up campaign. A campaign led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for IDP and Performance, Sibongile Tsoleli, kicked off at Hoffman Square last week with participants from these institutions joined by the Cleaning and Greening participants.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi Corné/ testing "  "  '  '  'n