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The MEC of Environmental and Cultural Affairs, Mr Glen Adams, will officially launch the Western Cape Clean-up Operation (WECCO) on 5 June 2001. The overriding aim of the operation is to initiate a sustainable clean-up action and to make the provincial government's motto of "Clean, Safe and Hardworking" reach all Western Cape communities. In addition, the Department of Environmental and Cultural Affairs and Sport essentially wants to achieve a mind shift in people's attitudes towards the environment and convince communities to take ownership of their environment and to work in partnership with NGOs, CBOs, private organisations and the government to create a better life for everyone.

The Minister will plant a tree to symbolise the start of the clean-up process. Staff members of the Department of Environmental and Cultural Affairs and Sport (DECAS), members of the community around Miller's Camp, Lusaka, Nyanga, representatives of NGOs and CBOs and representatives of the Unicity will clean up the park in Miller's Camp. Abalimi Bezekhaya (NGO), based in Khayelitsha, has agreed to donate trees for the event. The clean-up process will not be completed on 5 June, but the planting of the tree by the MEC will indicate the start of the process.

The second part of the day will be spent on activities carrying a strong environmental education message through entertainment and drama performed by various youth groups and other role players.

The seriousness of the event can be witnessed in the participation of all of the province's various departments and other organisations such as the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), the South African National Roads Agency (SANRA) and the Unicity. Some of the activities planned for the launch include an environmental exhibition at the V&A Waterfront staged by the Chief Directorate of Cultural Affairs, while the Department of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Tourism plans to clean provincial roads alongside nine experimental farms scattered over the Province. SANRA plans to clean up the N1, N2 and the R300. Posters and T-shirts have been commissioned by the Chief Directorate of Environmental Affairs and the posters will be distributed to all public libraries, museums and schools to make people aware of the importance of cleaning up and protecting the environment.

The Department added that the clean-up campaign should not be seen as a once-off event, but as an indefinite process. Concerted efforts will be made to ensure the sustainability of this campaign.

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Environmental and Cultural Affairs, Western Cape, 31 May 2001