Sascha-Lee Joseph
While many are still waking up, people like Lucas Chiloane are already having a quick cup of coffee before heading to because the city’s waste doesn’t wait for anyone.
Pikitup truck driver Lucas’ dedication to his job is commendable, arriving promptly at 7am every morning to kickstart his day of tasks at the Southdale depot. Whether he’s collecting waste in a municipal truck, managing a tipper truck, cleaning up illegal dumping sites, or making drop-offs at the city’s landfill sites, his role is vital in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the city.
“My job is keeping the city’s streets clean. It involves driving the trucks that are used to collect, manage, and dispose of the waste. Every day is a new day at the depot. You take your schedule and pick a truck depending on your tasks and off you go,” he says.
At the depot, Lucas joins his fellow drivers for a briefing. They discuss the day’s route, any special pickups, and safety reminders. He also conducts a thorough inspection of his truck, ensuring that everything is in working order. Safety is paramount in this line of work.
Some days he’s manning the streets of Johannesburg with a collection truck driving through the suburbs of the city, from Jeppe, Bruma, Kensington to Soweto, all depending which area is scheduled for collection.
“The waste management truck is an old-time favourite. We drive through the streets while my other colleagues collect the bins for emptying. The process is automated with a lever at the back where the bins are lifted and tilted to empty the waste,” Lucas explains.
He notes that once the truck is full, they head out to empty the container before resuming to the area and to continue collection. Lucas knocks off around 2pm.
He adds that on other days he spends his time at illegal dumping sites and landfills with a tipper truck cleaning one pile at a time.
“The tipper truck is another one of my favourites. My three children also like this truck and always ask me how I’m able to control a vehicle of this size,” he says.
Lucas enjoys his job to the fullest. He says starting as a contract driver in 2013 and becoming a permanent employee in 2015, has allowed him to build a career at Pikitup.
His positive outlook on his job highlights its importance. His commitment ensures that residents can enjoy a clean and pleasant environment, contributing to the overall quality of life in the city.
“Every day presents new challenges and rewards, but hard work and being grateful for a job motivates me to keep our cities running smoothly, one pickup at a time,” says Lucas.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
