SOSHANGUVE celebrates one year of keeping the kasi clean.
A campaign aimed at creating a cleaner and healthier Soshanguve in Tshwane has reached a significant milestone, with residents, local organisations and Botshilu Private Hospital celebrating the first anniversary of the Keeping Soshanguve Clean campaign.
Partners gathered on Friday, 5 June 2026, to reflect on a year of environmental action, community involvement and efforts to tackle littering and illegal dumping in the township.
Milestone celebration
The celebration, which coincided with World Environment Day, included a cake-cutting ceremony and renewed commitments to expanding the campaign's impact across Soshanguve.
Botshilu Private Hospital manager Gerrit van den Berg described the campaign as a growing movement that requires continued support from the community.
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"Think of this campaign as a child who has just turned one year old. The child needs to be nurtured and helped to grow. The more people who become involved, the greater the impact we can have on our communities," he said.
Van den Berg urged residents to take pride in their surroundings and consider the legacy they leave for future generations.
"What kind of environment are we leaving behind for our children? We must continue this work and encourage others to join us in keeping our communities clean," he said.
Building a healthier community
Dr Shoki Rampedi of Botshilu Private Hospital said the campaign reflects the hospital's commitment to giving back to the community it serves.
"We're celebrating one year of keeping Soshanguve clean, and we're grateful to all the stakeholders who've supported this initiative. We'd like to see it grow even further in the years ahead," she said.
Rampedi added that the campaign aligns with the objectives of World Environment Day and promotes healthier living conditions for residents.
The campaign was launched by Botshilu Private Hospital founder and chief executive officer, Dr Jacky Rampedi, after identifying environmental challenges affecting the area.
Education and community involvement
Lesego Ramaite, a partner in the campaign, said the initiative aims to equip communities with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain cleaner surroundings.
"We've worked with schools and young people to teach the importance of cleanliness and discourage littering. Education is key to changing attitudes and creating lasting change," she said.
Speak Life Youth Movement president Bokamoso Aphane praised the progress made over the past year and highlighted the health benefits of cleaner environments.
"We're excited to have reached this milestone. Cleaner communities contribute to healthier lives, especially for people who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma," said Aphane.
Resident Jimmy Mbonane said community members have already started seeing positive results.
"There has been noticeable improvement in the cleanliness of our township. We now want to see more illegal dumping sites cleared and more people joining the campaign," he said.
Organisers said the campaign will continue focusing on community clean-ups, environmental education, school outreach programmes and the eradication of illegal dumping sites as they work towards building a cleaner and more sustainable Soshanguve.
