By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Women from Vukani Informal Settlement near the infamous Women’s Hostel (now called Helen Joseph), made history by removing dirt from the area.
A few days ago, the hostel, situated on 4th Avenue, was so dirty that its horrible smell could be felt from the Mandela Museum at 7th Hofmeyer.
The dirty floor, dominated by maggots, had continually abused those who stayed nearby.
This is the same area where former ward 107 councillor Ambe Maseko lived for decades.
Women who live in the hostel feel that their dignity has been erased since the condition continued to dehumanize them.
Maseko, who was replaced by Floyd Ngwenya after serving three terms as a councillor, had tried to address the issue with the authorities, but her cries fell on deaf ears.
The women said that waiting for the government to clean the area was tantamount to committing suicide.
The women said, although they were not tenants in the hostel , the stench left them without no choice, but to take drastic action.
They Mashamba Media that their aim was to prevent their children and other vulnerable members of society from being affected by the contagious smell.
Noncedo Dumile, one of the leaders who initiated the project, said the women from Vukani Informal Settlement were able to clean up all the targeted areas with little resources in their disposal.
However, she said an area that had a storm blockage could not be easily accessible as the water was too deep.
She said that the Johannesburg Water promised to unblock the drain on Monday.
Dumile said that another challenge they had was the failure by the Pik It Up to collect the trash.
“But there were few members of PikItUp who came and explained that they will come on Monday to collect it.”
“We also had a visitor, Tata Linda Twala who came to show his support.
“We are extremely pleased with his support throughout the campaign,” she said.
She said that their initial cleanup campaign was extraordinary.
“We thank the members of our community who took part and supported us in all our struggles.
“Not forgetting ward 107 councillor Mr Floyd Ngwenya, EFF PR councillor Dipolelo Mokoena and her members, Rays of Hope (under the leadership of Khensani), tata Linda Twala, Freedom Supermarket (from Pan African Mall), CWP and Paul Maluleka.
“We would like to thank everyone who responded to our invitation,” said Dumile.
The women are seeking sponsorship as they are willing to continue with the campaign on a monthly basis.
In addition to cleaning, they provide guidance to young girls about how to protect themselves.
The initiative is composed of 15 members and 8 young girls.
Their challenge is a lack of open space to hold meetings. “We currently use my house for meetings.
“We are looking for sponsors to donate sanitary towels and food parcels, because we have unemployed members,” Dumile concluded.
The project was formed on May 15, 2022 to thoroughly clean up places like the hostel .
The executive members are Noncedo Dumile,
Thuliswa Cecilia Dumile, Siphelele Cleo Fubesi and Celiwe Esther Magugu.
