In November 2009, the United Nations officially declared Madiba’s birthday, July 18, an annual international celebration in honor of Nelson Mandela.
Founded in February 2020, Clean City South Africa is a non-profit company focused on protecting the environment from waste pollution and fighting hunger in local communities. Clean City SA currently operates on the Joburg suburbs of Berea and Hillbrow, with a view to extend its operations to other parts of South Africa.
In celebration of the Mandela Day 2022, Clean City South Africa has organized the Mandela Day 2022 Hillbrow Clean-up, from 10am – 1pm, under the theme – Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are. Following which, the engagement about climate change and prize giving event, will take place at Constitution Hill at 2pm.
Says Clean City SA founder and CEO Dalu Cele: “We are honored to work in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on this historic initiative. Section 24 of our Constitution provides that everyone has a right to an environment that is not detrimental to their health and well-being. We are excited to bring the spotlight to Hillbrow on Mandela Day 2022, to enable everyone to do what they can, and play their part with what they have, where they will be in Hillbrow. Each participant on Mandela Day 2022 will contribute towards raising public awareness about the implications of litter to the environment and climate change.”
The aim of this initiative is to invite and bring together property owners, the packaging industry, the Hillbrow community, and businesses with their employees, to raise public awareness about climate change, promote zero tolerance on littering, illegal dumping, in a safe and secure event.
The Mandela Day 2022 Hillbrow Clean-up initiative includes two historic elements to it, which are Constitution Hill and Claim Street, which is at the heart of Hillbrow. Despite its rich history and existence of over 120 years, Hillbrow is affected by urban decay, litter, illegal dumping, and crime. Constitution Hill is the home of the Constitutional Court, it also has the historical museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy, which also includes the Old Fort Prison where Nelson Mandela served time before being transferred to the Pretoria Prison for the Treason Trial.
Gushwell Brooks, Head of the Mandela Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation says “The Nelson Mandela Foundation welcomes the initiative taken by Clean City South Africa, in organizing a cleanup in Hillbrow on Mandela Day, the 18th July 2022. The initiative falls squarely within the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s call to action to: “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are”. This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation is specifically focusing on enhancing efforts to stall and reverse global climate change by planting one million trees as well as addressing food insecurity by enhancing community gardens across South Africa. By taking action in ensuring that residents have a clean environment within which to live and thrive, the Nelson Mandela Foundation calls on everyone to contribute in their own way on Mandela Day.“
The event mechanics for this initiative includes safe parking at Constitution Hill, park, and ride from Constitution Hill to the respective blocks which will be allocated to the participating organisations. Each allocated block will be staffed by security personnel, on Claim Street in Hillbrow. The ride from Claim Street back to Constitution Hill will be also provided, where the formal and prize giving event will be held at 2pm.
Play your part on Mandela Day 2022.