We Are Working For the Community – Luphahla

BULAWAYO – Ward 12 community sweepers group leader, Lavender Luphahla, has said while they are contract workers for the Bulawayo City Council, in whatever they do, they are driven by the strong desire to work for the community in ensuring residents live in a clean environment.

Ward 12 covers a portion of Njube, Lobengula Extension 4 and Old Lobengula townships.

“While we are under the city council, we are working for the community,” said Luphahla, who recently invited ZDDT News to Njube Township to tell the story of community sweepers.

He said, owing to their commitment and dedication to serve their community, their ward remains relatively clean.

“We go around picking papers and everything that constitutes litter such as used baby pampers,” Luphahla told the ZDDT News.

“We carry 40kgs bags in which we put the litter that we pick up. We also have collection points where we put those bags once they are filled-up so that the hired trucks collect them by the roadside.”

Luphahla, who leads a group of 10, said at times, they even go to the extent of digging pits in order to bury the rubbish.

“We also pick up metal objects and put them together in one place and then phone the city council if there is a truck to come and pick up that,” said Luphahla.

This dedicated member of the community said the importance of keeping places of residence clean cannot be over emphasized, adding, as they go around picking up the litter they also sensitize people on anti-littering.

“What we do not want is to see litter all over, especially the used baby pampers which are a problem,” he said.

He added that, for them, there is no holiday when it comes to cleaning residential areas.

“We work from Sunday to Sunday between 7 am and 3pm,” explained Luphahla.

“During the weekends we divide ourselves into two groups of five each such that we alternate duties.”