SWAKOPMUND: The annual ‘Project Shine’ clean-up campaign was concluded on a successful note here on Friday.

The campaign is an initiative of the Swakopmund Municipality, and saw members of the public embark on the clean-up in February this year.

Project Shine was launched in 2007 after the Swakopmund community aired their unhappiness about the rubbish next to the road between Arandis and Swakopmund. It took its name from the sun reflecting off broken glass next to the road from things such as bottles tossed out of car windows.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Deputy Mayor of Swakopmund Juuso Kambueshe stated that Project Shine is just a small step in the overall plan for the tourist town to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and to preserve the environment.

He further mentioned that the efforts made by the volunteers involved in the project holds a valuable lesson and said it shows that the coastal community cares for the environment.

“The efforts of those who contributed to Project Shine will aid in promoting tourism, which will move to a subsistence oriented livelihood,” Kambueshe said.

The Deputy Mayor stated that this year, holding the campaign was challenging as funding and sponsorships for the project were difficult to secure.

He however urged the coordinators to be steadfast in their efforts to ensure that the project remains a priority as it raises awareness of the promotion of a sustainable environment at the coast.

“We call on all coastal companies in the Erongo Region to buy into the project and urge them to employ a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of the natural resources. This support will place us in a better position to profit from, and will provide incentives for, the conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity,” Kambueshe said.

He also commended the campaign’s organising committee for extending the project to incorporate the beaches of Swakopmund, the desert area east of the landfill site and the Swakop River.