“A clean environment, is a healthy environment for us human beings and the community at large.”
Those are the words of Thando Fatyela, co-founder of the Intsika Yethu Foundation. It aims to promote sustainable nature conservation in previously disadvantage communities through recycling, while creating a good relationship between humans and nature, through guided and unguided hikes. The hikes are designed to help people obtain important information about conservation sites.
According to Fatyela, communities need to understand that the rubbish that is dumped affects a lot of people including children. He said: “Our people need to know that the broken bottles, nappies just thrown away are used by the children to play. This can expose them to germs and may also harm them.” Fatyela urged Lwandle residents and the surrounding areas to utilise refuge bags and wheelie bins to discard their rubbish.
He called on residents to acknowledge and take serious the vital role played by waste pickers. “The waste pickers are trying to make a difference in our society, and in return that is a healthy benefit to us as people.”
Fatyela said the foundation now has a container that will act as a contact centre for waste pickers. They are also planning to reimburse those from the community who pick waste.
“Illegal dumping, litter and unsorted waste have become the main drivers that contribute to land and water pollution,” Fatyela said. “This initiative will be used as a catalytic approach to reduce waste pollution through recycling, which will further create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for unemployed individuals.”
He believes a lot of education and awareness is required to effectively deal with dumping.
Fatyela called on anyone who can help the foundation by donating trolleys, gloves and anything to help collect rubbish from this area. You can reach Intsika Yethu Foundation through: Info@intsikayethufoundation.org.za
