President Jacob Zuma has called on South Africans to take part in the Operation Clean Up for Madiba campaign to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day.

The president has urged both the public and private sectors to seriously reflect on how they dispose of waste. He also urged municipalities to use the campaign to discuss further improving refuse removal services in under-serviced communities.

“We call upon learners in particular, as our future, to make their schools clean learning environments, without paper or garbage strewn around, so that they can build a proud nation that is comfortable in its surroundings in future,” said Zuma.

The Operation Clean Up for Madiba campaign will build on existing environmental programmes such as Working on Waste, Wetlands, Water, Fire and the Environmental Youth Services Programme which have created 744 589 work opportunities and 205 005 full time equivalent jobs since 2009.

It is also part of promoting the country’s growing green economy. “For example, last year, we announced the National Green Fund with an R800 million allocation to support and catalyse investment in the green and lower carbon economy. This fund is now completely oversubscribed with applications to the tune of some R10 billion and has already approved investment of over R400 million in job creating green economy projects with municipalities, other organs of state, community organisations and the private sector. We should continue to support these greening and keeping South Africa beautiful campaigns,” said Zuma.

The president will participating in Operation Clean Up for Madiba at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape and other activities there before opening the Mvezo Komkhulu Museum.