Mailbox: An open letter to the President and the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Key topics:

• Proposal for a national monthly 2-hour volunteer clean-up campaign inspired by Rwanda’s success.

• Calls for Presidential leadership and media support to drive participation and social cohesion.

• Aims to tackle litter, boost tourism, and unite South Africans around community service.

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By Prof AP Faure*

Dear Mr President 

This is a serious suggestion and a necessary campaign for our beloved South Africa:

Many years ago, Rwanda introduced a voluntary 2-hour monthly "litter-clean-up" campaign which applies to all citizens.

The period is 09h00 - 11h00, and retailers are not allowed to open-shop before 11h00.It is a huge success and, consequently, Rwanda is one of the cleanest countries worldwide (I have visited many times).

Presidential support and peer pressure in communities ensures success.

South Africa should emulate this. For example, on the last Friday of every month, from 09h00 to 11h14, every citizen, including the President, devotes "2 x 67 Minutes" to a social cause, from collecting litter (as in the case of Rwanda) to improving your elderly neighbour's garden ..... etc.

This is sorely needed in SA, especially as littering is a huge problem here, and it impacts on tourism (a priority of Government - as a major employment creator.

It will also galvanise the public in a common cause, and contribute to Social Cohesion.

In Rwanda's case the campaign was launched by the President, and it was spurred on by extensive media coverage.

*Prof AP Faure: Professor Emeritus, Rhodes University)