The 2006/2007 Vodacom Beach Clean Up campaign has surpassed expectations by clearing a total of 43, 914 bags of marine litter from the South African coastline over the festive season. The project started on December 16 and ran until January 8 at twenty-three selected beaches, and provided work for over 240 previously unemployed individuals.
“One of the campaign’s objectives was to spread the message that prevention is better than cure in the hopes of collecting less waste than last year’s figure of 47, 000 bags.
“We are proud of the second annual national clean up which proved to be a resounding success and would like to thank the Vodacom cleaners, municipalities, Blue Flag beach representatives and also members of the public who took their turn to make a difference,” commented Palesa Chabula Vodacom’s Executive Head of Corporate Communications.
Western Cape cleaners gathered a whopping total of 22, 639 bags over the 23 day period. This high figure can be attributed to the fact that cleaners at Strand Beach averaged 5, 500 packets of marine litter per week as they were not only clearing rubbish but also kelp and they helped to empty out municipal bins.
KwaZulu Natal Vodacom Beach Cleaners amassed the second highest tally of 16, 366 bags. Heavy rains and stormy weather over the festive season caused debris to wash up on the shore at certain spots.
The Umgeni River banks and Blue Lagoon in Durban reflected this with the highest KZN bag count of 2, 903 packets gathered; Margate beach came in a close second with 2, 897 bags. Ballito cleaners collected the smallest amount with 1, 746 bags counted.
In the Eastern region, the Vodacom Beach Clean Up yielded a negligible 4, 909 bags.
Vodacom’s efforts combined with the teams of workers from the municipalities ensured clean beaches were provided for holidaymakers and international tourists and the project also ensured that beach sport athletes were able to enjoy a safe and welcoming training ground over this busy period.
A number of surfers, divers, anglers, lifesavers, soccer and beach volleyball players expressed their gratitude to Vodacom.
The Vodacom Beach Cleaners went over and above the call of duty. In the Western Cape at Mnandi beach cleaners assisted in the removal of snakes which were then collected by nature conservation officials.
In the Eastern region cleaners helped to reunite seals that were separated from their families by sharks at beaches like Hartenbos. The seals were eventually returned by the Aquatic Rescue Group to their island.
Cleaners also went the extra mile by sieving sand at certain spots to ensure the removal of all glass and hazardous items from the shoreline. In addition to this, workers handed in mislaid items to the law enforcement officers on duty such as watches, passports and cell phones.
The Vodacom Beach Clean Up helped to maintain blue flag status at the existing blue flag beaches.
For previously unemployed individuals, the project created an opportunity to earn an income and get a head start financially for 2007.
The much needed pay cheque was put to good use by the cleaners; to pay for school fees, rebuild houses as well as provide food and medical assistance for their families. Workers were recruited by NGO’s in their area.
Vodacom is appealing to members of the public to enjoy themselves responsibly and to clean up after themselves long after the end of the beach clean up campaign and to make every day a clean up day in every public space.
The Vodacom Beach Clean Up formed part of Vodacom’s Yebo Feva “Take Your Turn to Make a Difference” campaign held over the festive season.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
