Africa: Day 1 of the programme started with visits to Landfill sites in Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality under Waterberg District Municipality, where the team got first-hand information on waste collection and illegal dumping. The team visited Vaalwater Extension 3, the old Modimolle Dumping site and Modimolle Abbet Marko. The dumping sites are situated in residential areas, posing a great health threat.
Manager for Waste and Environment at Modimolle-Mookgopong LM, Mr Edwin Mokwane, says plans to close residential dumping sites have begun. Mr Mokwane says the residential dumping sites do not meet regulatory compliance standards mainly due to financial constraints. He says the R2.5 million allocation is too little to maintain the three landfill municipal sites.
SALGA climate team consisting of representatives from Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape noted the complaints and vowed to have robust engagements to build a dignified waste reclaiming industry that promotes decent livelihood.
The team also visited Delish Park, owned by Mr Johannes Tau, who turned an open space dumping site into a family park. Mr Tau has 12 employees. His joint services include Uber Eats, WiFi and Solar power.
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, responsible for waste licensing, was also present.
Day 2, led by the working chairperson Cllr Regina Molokomme concludes with discussions to incorporate views from the site visits as well as other matters under environmental planning and climate change.
