JRA TRAINEES EMPOWER THEIR COMMUNITY

Compiled by Nkosana Lekotjolo

YOUNG people from Alexandra Township are ambassadors for a positive change in their community, by empowering the residents through education. The trainees are currently conducting a house to house Environmental Awareness Campaign as part of their practical work.

The purpose of the campaign is to impart information and promote proper utilization of storm water drainage system through the distribution of educational pamphlets. The information in the educational pamphlets include sources and causes of storm water blockage, risks of damaging or vandalizing the storm water drainage, reporting procedures of complaints, environmental aspects and impacts of blocked stormwater drains and prevention of environmental pollution at the Upper Jukskei River.

Marianne Mekoa, the Operation Manager for Occupational Health and Safety, said she hopes the trainees will help their community to change their mindset and take care of the environment. It all started when the City of Johannesburg Environmental Management initiated the river restoration and rehabilitation of Upper Juskei River Clean-up Project.

 
STREET LESSON: JRA trainee with the resident

The CoJ-Enviromental Management launched Phase1 Project in 2009, in cooperation with Johannesburg City Parks. The JRA and other entities were invited to be a collective in addressing major challenges experienced in Phase1 Project. The Business Planning and Development Department (Health, Safety and Environmental unit) has identified training and awareness as an important contribution in the Alexandra community. The training will focus at community capacitating on storm water and environmental management.

LEAD THE WAY: JRA trainee with the resident