In honor of Mandela Day, the staff of Ocean View Library teamed up with young children from Radiance Educare, an early childhood development center in Ocean View, for a community service event on July 18. The City’s waste mascot, Bingo, notably supported the initiative. With great enthusiasm, the children and staff took on the task of cleaning their community and raising awareness about the importance of maintaining a clean, healthy environment.
Spearheading the Initiative
The Ocean View Library staff and Isabel Petersen, the principal of the early childhood development center, spearheaded this project in response to the issue of illegal dumping in the area. The clean-up aimed to demonstrate that even the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community can contribute to combating this problem. By inspiring people to take responsibility and actively participate in cleaning up their surroundings, the group hoped to make a difference.
Encouraging Adult Support
Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, applauded the efforts of these young children. He hoped that their actions would encourage adults in the community to support them in their pursuit of a cleaner and healthier environment. He urged everyone to remember that illegal dumping affects everyone in the community, including children.
Reporting Illegal Dumping
The City offers various ways to report and combat illegal dumping, including:
- Use City drop-off sites located throughout Cape Town. Visit here for the nearest location.
- Call the 24-hour toll-free number (0800 110077) to report illegal dumping activity. Convictions can result in fines up to R5,000, vehicle impoundment, or a two-year prison sentence. The City also offers rewards ranging from R1,000 to R5,000 for reports that lead to fines and convictions.
- Notify the City about dumping that needs clearing by calling 0860 103 089.
The City also supports community-led clean-up events by providing refuse bags and handling the removal of bagged waste to landfill sites. For more details, refer to the relevant guidelines and disclaimers and fill out the application form.
A Reminder of Collective Action
The collaboration between Ocean View Library staff, Radiance Educare, and Bingo the waste mascot serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that a group of young children can have on their community. This Mandela Day clean-up event highlights the importance of collective action in the fight against illegal dumping and the promotion of a cleaner, healthier environment for all. The power of unity and the potential for change when communities come together in the spirit of service and environmental stewardship is indeed remarkable.
