Meet the volunteers of EcoMobility World Festival
12 October 2015
They are among the most visible features of the EcoMobility World Festival under way in Sandton. Everywhere one turns, one is likely to bump into them.
Always wearing a wide, toothpaste smile and showing the readiness to assist at all times, these are the City of Johannesburg’s EcoMobility World Festival volunteers.
Trained by the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, the volunteers are positioned in strategic places to direct visitors to the nearest free taxi or bus shuttle service, show them the shortest route to a festival venue or how to get out of the concrete jungle that is the Sandton CBD, Africa’s richest square mile.
The “volunteer brigade” comprises mainly unemployed youth from nearby Alexandra. They are, if you like, the “walking information billboards” of the month-long EcoMobility World Festival. They know almost everything there is to know about the festival and why it is important for people to change the way they move.
Twin sisters Bernadette and Bernice Ramaano, 21, volunteer at the exhibition centre.
“It’s very exciting to be involved. We’ve met lots of people, especially parents with curious children who want to try out some of the mobility gadgets on display here,” says Bernadette.
“The kids just want to test-drive these eco-friendly mobility gadgets. We make them sign indemnity forms (just in case). By Thursday we had helped more than 230 people. The children enjoy the Extreme Bikes and Segways,” she says.
Bernadette says visitors ask a lot of questions about the significance of the festival.
“We explain everything. Hopefully, this festival will change people’s behaviour and attitude,” she says.
Her sister agrees.
“This festival is very exciting because it’s an opportunity for all of us to learn about climate change and what we can do to save the world,” says Bernice.
She says the skills they have learned will probably help her and her sister find jobs soon.
“This is a lot of fun; it’s excitement every day. It promotes and paints Jozi in a positive light. We’ve Harambee to thank for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Bernice.
Gladness Bembele, 28, and Tegogo Mathobela, 19, are also hopeful the experience will help them find jobs. Bembele says she has met transport and urban planning experts from Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Cameroon and Uganda during the festival’s dialogue sessions. She says this has enriched her knowledge.
“We need more education, especially in Alex. Very few people know about why EcoMobility is the future. We’ve to change our attitudes to save the environment,” she said.
Mathobela, delicately balanced on a myuniway two-wheeler, which covers a distance of up to 20km at a time, says he appreciates the changes that EcoMobility has brought about. Lydia Lediga, 20, says apart from helping out at the festival, she has overcome her fear and learnt how to ride a bicycle.
“My wow moment was when I conquered that fear. I’m more confident to ride. I’ve also tried out peddling on a Pedalo. It’s so much fun,” she says.