Polokwane Mayor John Makoro Mpe in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) launched the cleaning and greening programme that created 2000 jobs.
The much projected programme was officialy launched on December 5 , 2023 at Polokwane Municipality meant to welcome the new workers, was also in response to the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to plant 10 million trees in order to green South Africa by the year 2025.
Launching the programme, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Makoro John Mpe said it is pleasing that Polokwane is part of the 14 municipalities across the country to implement this EPWP programme.
“The launch of this greening and cleaning programme is not by accident or coincidence. It is in recognition of the good work that the Municipality is doing to protect the environment. We are proud to mention that Polokwane is a winner of the Greenest Municipality Competition at the District and Provincial level as announced in September this year,” Mpe said during the much anticipated launch also geared to combat unemployment in Limpopo.
“As we launch this initiative, we are sure that we will rid ourselves of illegal dumping hotspots in communities across the municipality and be able to combat environmental degradation.”
Polokwane Mayor said illegal dumping poses a health hazard to communities and undermines community morale and good governance.
“From an environmental perspective, illegal dumping poses serious risks to livestock, wetlands, rivers and our beautiful and naturally progressive City of Stars. What is more interesting and beneficial about this programme is that the beneficiaries will not incur the travelling costs since they will be placed within their living area.”
Mayor Mpe said this programme is a massive investment by government and the workers must ensure that they do their work diligently to ensure a cleaner municipality.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala told The Azanian that all 45 Wards of the Municipality will have 40 beneficiaries each, who are going to work and be able to provide for their families.
“Polokwane's CBD streets were today painted orange by 2000 cleaning and greening EPWP workers who moved through the city to clean up areas that are a challenge to keep clean including taxi ranks,” Selala concluded.
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