Turn illegal dumping sites into food gardens and involve the youth in it
July 18 was declared by the United Nations as “Nelson Mandela International Day” (or Mandela Day) in November 2009 with the first UN Mandela Day celebrated in July 2010.
It’s basically a call to action that each individual can play a role in transforming society for the better. The campaign says “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes”.
There have been great projects the world over observing Mandela Day, from 67 blankets for Mandela, to feeding the hungry and locally Mama Jean Spark’s ‘Madiba’s 90 Trees’ alongside the N2 in New Horizons for example.
One of my favourites has been the cleaning campaign where each year we see high profile people cleaning the streets, parks and public centres in epitomizing Madiba’s spirit of goodwill.
This has always fascinated me because it never really solved the problem, because people end up cleaning the same spots each year, mostly illegal dumping sites in our townships. Frustrated, a friend suggested that how about we turn these illegal dumping sites into food gardens rather, which will offer a sustainable solution to this never-ending problem.
I know it’s not July and Mandela Day has long passed, I’m raising the issue now because I’ve recently moved into a new place in Kwano which happens to be next to an illegal dumping site, a horrifying place that I’ll have to see every day unless I and those around it do something about it.
There are a number of these illegal sites across the town, as bad as they are for the environment and for the people inhabiting these areas, they provide us with an opportunity to feed the hungry if we can turn them into successful food gardens.
Another opportunity is the involvement of young people, many of whom are loitering the streets with nothing to do and slowly being attracted to criminal activities.
By this, I implore the municipality and interested parties, to take this call in ending the many illegal dumping sites and transform these spaces into sources of hope and relief for the many.