Campaign for a cleaner town

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A massive nation-wide campaign to encourage all residents to ensure their environment and neighbourhoods are clean, green and safe was launched in Graaff-Reinet on Friday, 15 March, by local government.

Representatives of the local office of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) accompanied by Good Green Deeds Ambassadors, the Dr. Beyer's Naudé Municipality, local Community Development workers and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) took to the streets on Friday morning to raise awareness about the Good Green Deeds campaign which was launched by President Ramaphosa on Friday, 8 March.

Friday's programme engaged community members from all walks of life - from car guards, petrol attendants, street vendors and students to businessmen and pensioners - they were all informed about the campaign and encouraged to participate in helping to create a cleaner and greener Graaff-Reinet.

According to Natasha Peterson of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the department coordinating the campaign locally, the Good Green Deeds campaign aims to change people's attitudes and behaviours towards the responsible management of waste.

GCIS's Natasha Petersen engaging with a hawker outside one of the shops in Caledon Street to promote the 'Good Green Deeds' programme.

"The focus of the campaign locally will be on cleaning up Graaff-Reinet and surrounds. There has been an outcry about the state of cleanliness of the town and the attitude of the community towards the cleanliness of their environment," Peterson said.

"It's a call for all Graaff-Reinetters to take charge and make it a habit to clean their living environment."

According to Peterson, most of the community members they interacted with on Friday said that they were glad that the government has developed this programme and that they would do what they could to assist in making the town cleaner.

Good Green Deeds Ambassador ... from the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, promoting the ‘Good Green Deeds’ programme to local resident on Friday.