Walter Sisulu Local Municipality Hosts Another Successful Clean-Up Campaign
Story: Sinazo Bonongo | Photo: Sinazo Bonongo
Walter Sisulu Local Municipality hosted yet another successful Clean-Up Campaign , this time adding empowerment and reinforcing the dignity of the trade to the initiative. Before taking to the streets, the programme began with a training/workshop session for recyclers and waste pickers, aimed at equipping them with vital knowledge and skills in waste management and recycling practices.
The training which was held in Eureka Burgersdorp was led by Palesa Sonama from PET Recycling Company(PETCO)who shared valuable insights on the different types of recyclable materials, proper sorting techniques, and the economic value of recycling. Sinazo Mdleleni from Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) further highlited the regulatory framework and benefits that are available. The session was both informative and empowering, highlighting the importance of treating waste not just as refuse but as a resource that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods.
The campaign saw the participation of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), and the Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM), among others. Their presence reinforced the importance of collective responsibility and intergovernmental collaboration in environmental management. Speaking during the event, Sivuyile Mbobo, Waste Manager at Walter Sisulu Local Municipality, applauded the successful display of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) in action, emphasizing that such collaboration yields substantial and lasting benefits. “Today showed how working together can produce meaningful results for both the environment and our communities,” she said.
When the workshop concluded, the clean- up session began, where recyclers, waste pickers and officials alike separated into teams to clean the identified sites. Thus fufilling the purpose of the day to engage and empower wastepickers/recyclers and continuing the pursuit of a clean and sustainable environment