​By Koketso Maraba
 
Deputy President Paul Mashatile launched the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign in Kliptown, Soweto, on Friday, 6 June 2025 which focuses on tackling urban waste, promoting environmental responsibility, and encouraging pride in public spaces.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, joined the Deputy President to show full support for the initiative. The Gauteng Department of Health is backing the campaign, which aims to create cleaner, safer environments and improve public health.
The initiative will be introduced across all nine provinces in partnership with local municipalities, government departments, and community groups.
A key part of the campaign is the "Bontle ke Botho" programme, which encourages friendly competition between municipalities to keep towns and cities clean and well-maintained. The programme also aims to inspire local pride and build a culture of shared responsibility among residents.
Deputy President Mashatile called on communities to actively participate in the campaign, urging them to do their part in maintaining cleaner spaces. In his address at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, he said, "We call upon all communities to come on board and do their part in ensuring cleaner spaces."
This campaign aligns closely with an ongoing initiative by the Gauteng Department of Health to promote healthier, cleaner communities across the province. As part of this commitment, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko handed over a vegetable garden to the community of N12 informal settlement in Benoni last year. 
The garden is the result of a promise made by the MEC in September 2023 to transform a dumping site into a sustainable source of food for local residents. This project reflects the shared goals of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign to improve well-being and environmental health. 
"There is a strong link between clean environments and public health, and such efforts made by the Deputy President play a vital role in preventing illness and promoting well-being in communities," highlighted the MEC.
The launch took place at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, a location chosen for its historic importance and symbolic value. It reflects the campaign's goals of unity, progress, and community-led change.
The campaign supports the District Development Model, which seeks to improve service delivery through better cooperation between different levels of government.
With strong leadership and public support, the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign sets out to make a lasting difference in how South Africans live, work, and take pride in their surroundings.