Silent walk against Illegal Dumping to take place in Thembalethu
A Silent Walk Against Illegal Dumping will take place in Thembalethu on Friday, 27 February 2026, as part of George Municipality’s ongoing Illegal Dumping Awareness Campaign. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental, health and social impacts of illegal dumping, while encouraging residents to take collective responsibility for keeping neighbourhoods clean and safe.
The Silent Walk forms part of the Municipality’s month-long campaign focused on education, visible action and community participation to restore and protect public spaces across George. Since the start of the campaign, municipal cleaning teams, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants, law enforcement officers and community volunteers have worked together to address illegal dumping hotspots through clean-up operations, enforcement actions and public awareness activities.
Particular emphasis has been placed on community education, highlighting the importance of responsible waste disposal and the shared role residents play in maintaining a clean environment. Awareness initiatives, including partnerships with stakeholders and community engagements, continue to promote long-term behaviour change and community pride.
The Silent Walk will be attended by the Executive Mayor and councillors and is hosted in collaboration with the Garden Route District Municipality and Henque Waste.
Event Details
📍 Meeting Point: Outside the Thembalethu Police Station, 7251 Nelson Mandela Boulevard
📅 Date: Friday, 27 February 2026
🕣 Time: 08:30 – 10:15 (followed by clean-up activities)
Programme
• 08:30 – 09:00 Arrival and registration
• 09:00 – 09:10 Opening and welcome
• 09:10 – 09:15 Purpose and overview of the Silent Walk
• 09:15 – 09:45 Silent Walk through identified illegal dumping hotspots
• 09:45 – 10:00 Address by the Executive Mayor
• 10:00 – 10:15 Community commitment and closing remarks
• 10:15 onwards Clean-up and beautification of an identified site
Cleaning tools will be provided, and participants are welcome to bring additional equipment to support the clean-up. Placards will be supplied by campaign partners.
Residents are encouraged to participate and support the initiative as the Municipality continues working with communities and stakeholders to combat illegal dumping and build a cleaner, healthier George for all.
For enquiries, contact: Community Services Directorate – 044 802 2900
Photos:
A look at an illegal dumping spot at the Thembalethu Square Shopping Centre.
What the same spot looks like after cleanup at Thembalethu Square.
Waste strewn outside a block of flats in Meade Street in the CBD.
The Meade Street spot after cleanup.
An illegal dumping spot in Triumph Street, Rosemoor.
After cleanup in Triumph Street.