By Masilo Malakwane
QWAQWA – As human beings are largely responsible for littering, hawkers in Setsing plaza have raised concerns regarding habitual littering that has increasingly causes pollution which is a major threat to the healthy environment for shoppers.
Many hawkers operating inside the plaza has blamed the lack of public trash awareness for widespread littering within the municipality. One of the hawkers who is also unhappy with the situation, Lebohang Selebedi, says when one sees the dirt and unbearable smell of sewage spillage running across their business. Their clients are mainly becoming victims and suddenly lose interest to buy; “We appeal to the municipality to at least strengthen to implement hygiene regulations programs that aimed to prevent unnecessary diseases”.
She said although cleaning campaign’s are mainly municipal programs, but community but it should be taken to consideration by all parties as they assist in curbing the already existing problem of habitual littering that are happening in Setsing plaza.
According to the Chairperson of Setsing hawkers, Motlatsi Rapetswa, the issue of cleanliness and hygiene is the pillar of their business success, for one to operate as a hawker. “We always encourage neatness to our members at all times, because untidiness does not attract customers” said Rapetswa.
Member of the mayoral committee responsible for Local Economic Development in Maluti a Phofung, Cllr Lebohang Rapuleng, was part of the newly elected Executive Mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung, Gilbert Mokotso’s cleaning campaign in Setsing plaza last week Friday. He told The Guard that “the influx within the plaza will be their first task as the municipality to focus on resolving serious issues of practicing hygiene”. Said MMC Rapuleng.
Mokotso spent the whole day cleaning up several hot spots areas in the plaza where hundreds of shoppers and holiday makers were seen coming and shopping. He told this publication that institutional cleaning and road repairs are among part of his mayoral programs, “before we implement the hygiene regulations, we first need educate our public the reasons and consequences of littering and suggests possible solutions based on local governments guidelines,” Mokotso said.
