Waste and environmental management has been a problem for some time with people littering all over the place, polluting water, air and environment at large. Goats and cows were swallowing plastics and papers, which made them sick.
Nquthu Municipality is a rural Municipality situated in the Northern region of Kwa-Zulu Natal with a total number of 17 wards or regions.
The Municipality in partnership with Bornem Municipality came up with a waste management initiative, a recycling project for communities and waste pickers.
We began a consultation process with traditional leaders (Amakhosi) as land custodians and all relevant stakeholders in order to get their inputs and support.
We thereafter built a structure, buy back center and procure some equipment in support of the project.
The ward councilors then selected 3 passionate youth in their wards to serve as waste ambassadors. They teach their community about the importance of taking care of the environment and waste management.
This initiative has provided employment to the local youth as waste ambassadors, waste pickers in cooperatives.
We are giving the public trainings and workshops in order to ensure the impact and sustainability of the project.
The situation is currently improving, as some people are now take care of waste a bit better.