Damelin Student Representative Council (SRC) members and staff gathered at the campus in the early hours of the morning, hopped onto the Pretoria FM minibus and set out to the cleaning site.
The Damelin staff, together with Ward 78 councillor Peter Suttan and the Tshwane Waste Management team took to the street with their pick-up sticks and plastic bags to clear out the area. Community members also rallied together and joined in.
Themed ‘Think, Eat, Save and Reduce your food print’, the national 2017 theme is focused on spreading awareness on the impact that food waste has on the environment.
Damelin Administrator Anne-Marie Cloete, who participated in the initiative, said, “When I received the call from Pretoria FM inviting us to participate in the campaign, I was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity. As we approached the site, it was horrific to see. There were fruit peels, food items, cartons, and so much more thrown out onto the street. What was ironic, however, was how close this litter was to the dustbins. It was so disappointing to know that there is no effort made to ensure that these items are disposed of properly.”
She added, “Our team ensured that we did whatever it took to clean the area and make a difference. At the end of it all, it was definitely an empowering and fulfilling experience.”
General Manager for Damelin Menlyn, Liza Rootman, said that it was truly a privilege for their campus to be a part of such an important event in Pretoria. She said, “It was so wonderful to see the community unite in a bid to rid our streets of waste. With June being National Environment Month, our campus aims to continue to positively contribute to our community.”
Ward 78 councillor Peter Suttan said to the Centurion Rekord that it was a revelation to realise that the city had a serious waste backlog and thus required the community to assist. He said, “We appreciate the efforts of private institutions and the help of the community to help clean our city.”
Communities are encouraged to make an effort to understand the impact that waste has on the environment and change their mindset to improve the situation. Throughout the month of June there will be a number of environmental awareness campaigns taking place in your area, so use this opportunity to do something good.
Damelin Menlyn looks forward to hosting their own clean-up initiative later this month.
For further information on Damelin and its course offerings, visit www.damelin.co.za.
