The Kruger National Park (KNP) is fighting for a cleaner environment hand in hand with the Thulamahashe Hluvukani Arcornhoek Taxi Association (Thata).
Kruger's People and Conservation Department joined Thata in organising a cleaning campaign that involved pupils from five local schools, Matikinya, Mugena, Maluli, Khahlela and Malwana as well as members of Bushbuckridge Municipality and Youth Group.
The campaign began at 08h30 from the Thata Taxi rank, proceeding to the central business district and then ending at the surrounding communities.
"Thank you for making time to be with us. I believe we can achieve our goal if we work as a team. We should realise that the little bit that one can do, goes a long way," said the KNP's social ecologist, Solly Mgiba. Team members were divided into four groups, converging from different ends.
It was a typically hot Lowveld summers day and the teams did extremely well, cleaning up as they did on the day.
"On a daily basis, taxis ferry people from one place to another, therefore it is important that taxi ranks are always free from litter. As the KNP, we will continue to maintain and strengthen our relationship with Thata, assisting and giving each other support where necessary as we believe both our institutions always benefit immensely in projects such as this one. Our mandate is to conserve nature, therefore this is one way of reaching out and educating people especially the young ones about the importance of the environment and keeping it clean," concluded Mgiba.
Laura Mukwevho
