INK Interfaith Clean-up campaign challenge

THE Municipality partnered with the INK Interfaith sector in the Clean my City clean-up campaign in Ward 46, KwaMashu, recently. This is part of of the Municipality's on-going efforts of keeping eThekwini clean and creating awareness around proper waste disposal. The Municipality has various programmes where communities can be actively involved in learning about proper waste management practices. With these programmes the Municipality aims to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility to residents in keeping their spaces clean. 

Sustaining and cleaning our environment is important for the future generations as well to enjoy the benefits of pollution free environment. 

During the clean-up tons of waste was collected which included general waste, clothing items, old beds, plastic bags, polystyrene food packaging and beverage bottles. This showed that people are still not disposing of litter in the correct manner which poses a threat to humans, animals and the environment. The myth that littering creates employment degrades public areas and health. The bishops and pastors in the interfaith sector are posing a challenge to other denominations to identify an area to clean up and maintain. They can start their own clean-up campaigns and involve the Municipality in them. 

Denominations can also get involved in the adopt a Spot programme. 

The Adopt-A-Spot/ Verge programme is an initiative where residents can approach the municipality to adopt a piece of land owned by the municipality with the intention of maintaining and beautifying it at no cost to the municipality.

Society has a collective responsibility to keep the environment clean in the same manner that they maintain cleanliness in their homes and yards. 

Keeping the City clean, is a collective responsibility. 

For more information call: 

031 322 0780 

U=U Campaign Launched by eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda

 

By Fred Felton | 23 June 2023

The U=U Campaign was launched in Durban on 20 June 2023 by eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda in Durban. This project is in partnership with UNAIDS.

The eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda at the launch of the U=U Campaign in Durban. | Photo: eThekwini Municipality

This launch happened before the 11^th SA AIDS Conference which is taking place in Durban from 20 to 23 June. U=U stands for ‘’Undetectable = Untransmittable’’ and aims to create awareness about new scientific evidence that shows that people living with HIV who are on prescribed treatment, can supress HIV and avoid transmitting it to their partners and their unborn babies.

The aim of this campaign is to empower people living with HIV, and to encourage people to use condoms, be faithful to their partners, to abstain from sexual activity, and to get HIV tests.

Mayor Kaunda stressed the importance of men being open about their health and getting tested and circumcised.

‘’We call on eThekwini residents to join this campaign to end new HIV infections. The City started the Thuma Mina campaign to encourage men to live a healthy lifestyle. This created a platform for men to openly discuss issues that confront them daily and encourage them to undergo voluntary male medical circumcision,’’ said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda.

Children are also an important part of the U=U campaign. Some children are living with the virus and they are not on treatment.  

‘’We encourage young people to get tested and as parents, we must support our children,’’ said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda.

With the help of the City, 27 Peer Educators and 14 Adherence Officers have been placed at health facilities to help with adherence and retention in care.

The eThekwini Municipality has also embarked on a new campaign of tracing previous patients who have defaulted on treatment from various health facilities.

Under the leadership of the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, eThekwini Municipality remains committed to the fight to end AIDS by 2030.