|
Johannesburg is undeniably the economic hub of Gauteng and arguably, the whole of Africa. It is a city characterised by world-class infrastructure and houses many of the biggest names in global business. It is also an international melting pot of creed and culture, giving it a vibrancy that can only be described as electric.
However along with the economic prosperity and compelling diversity, is a city that is tainted by litter and illegally dumped waste.
That’s where Pikitup comes in. Pikitup Johannesburg (Pty) Ltd, founded in January 2001, with the City of Johannesburg as its sole shareholder, is the City’s official waste management service provider tasked with keeping the city clean and presenting an attractive and hygienic environment to city residents and visitors. However, this simply cannot be a reality without the help of residents and businesses.
The fact of the matter is that it costs the City up to five times more to collect litter and illegally dumped waste, than it does to collect waste from the bins and recepticals provided. This means that millions of tax Rands are being used for something completely unnecessary. If you thought littering creates jobs, think again.
Thankfully, this year sees the beginning of an annual campaign to educate and create awareness of the City’s waste management issues with the objective of making Johannesburg beautiful, leading up to the major upcoming sports events.
It’s called “Clean City. Clean Game.”
As we all want to see sporting contests being played to the rules, with great teamwork and fun, we also want our city to be clean, with all of us playing to the rules. A clean city says that we are progressive — living, working and playing in a healthy, world-class, organised, African city we can proud of.
Our call to action for the campaign is quite simple, “Pitch in and we’ll Pikitup.” In other words, place all your litter into bins and bags in designated areas and Pikitup will collect and dispose of it efficiently and safely.
‘Clean Up Day June 06’
Kicking things off is the ‘Pikitup Day’. On the 6th of June 2009, Johannesburg will be called upon to clean up its act. Citizens are asked to kindly spend a couple hours of their Saturday morning to help pick up Jo’burg’s litter.
How it works
Residents and Businesses can form a teamand register the site they wish to clean up, or alternatively, residents can offer their support to one of the many sites identified by media groups and social associations that will be cleaned up on the day . Pikitup will be providing assistance assistance in the form of bags and bins/skips and all waste collected will be disposed of on the day.
There will also be a number of specific ‘Collection Points” (addresses provided on the web site) throughout Johannesburg’s towns and suburbs on the day. Marshalls will be at these sites to provide bags and assistance. Alternatively, you participants simply pick up a bag or two from the collection site and depart for the site that has been identified for cleaning, be it a street, park, river, dam etc.
Who should help?
Every citizen can help. No matter how small the contribution, it still makes a difference. Churches, NGO’s, Associations, Learning institutions and businesses are also strongly encouraged to get involved as a collective, from cleaning their immediate surroundings to helping with the specific problem areas throughout the city. After all, many hands definitely make for lighter work.
Register now!
To take part, all you have to do is click on the “Clean City. Clean Game Hand” next to this page. Simply click on the registration form, complete it and submit it.
C’mon, pitch in and we’ll pikitup!
|
