Ke Kasi Ya Rona is a community initiative that strives to restore pride and dignity in Alexandra by creating a secure, healthy, and hygienic environment free of rodent infestation. The community participation and partnership programme aims to educate and urge residents of Alex to heed environmental hazards, while taking responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings. This rodent control campaign in the northern Johannesburg township allows the community to take the lead.
”We are excited that this community participation and partnership programme has reached such a milestone within a space of one month of having started,” says Regional Director in Region E, Liziwe Ntshinga-Makoro.
Even the rain couldn’t keep the torchbearers from combating rodent infestations in the first month of the initiative’s launch. Almost 500 rats were eradicated from various hotspots using this method.
“We take pride in the commitment of young people from Alexandra and the partnerships we have been able to establish here. There is definitely more to come”, Ntshinga-Makoro says.
To-date, the Ke Kasi Ya Rona integrated rodent control programme has created employment for 45 ambassadors throughout various wards in Alexandra. Young women fill 95% of these positions.
The Region E Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) department conceptualised the initiative as a blueprint that can be replicated in other townships throughout Johannesburg.
Ntshinga-Makoro says CRUM is excited to be part of the changes that are yet to come in Region E as the campaign intends to galvanise the entire community of Alex against rodent infestation.
She urges residents to take better care of their surroundings to eradicate rat populations.
“The CRUM Region E department would like to invite both the public and business sectors to participate in this phenomenal programme. Let’s show our pride and keep Alexandra clean by eradicating rats,” Ntshinga-Makoro adds.
Keep an eye out for the formal debut of Ke Kasi Ya Rona initiative via the City’s social media platforms. Follow CRUM Region E on Twitter @CoJ_RegionE for more information and updates.
Written by Tumisho Refilwe Matsane
2023-03-02