Illegal dumping is no longer only a frustration and cause of concern for a minority of Kimberley residents.
From all suburbs, cries of despair, anger and utter frustration are heard on illegal dumping, which keeps increasing.
In Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape, there are nearly no open pieces of land without a heap of rubbish.
This contains garden refuse, household waste, construction material, rotten food, take-away wrappers, bottles, and even items such as broken basins and plastic chairs, as well as dead animals.
In many instances this rubbish is burnt, causing toxic-like smoke and a further fire-hazard.
Kimberley ‘the face of the province’
The premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, said on several occasions that Kimberley is the face of the province, and that it must set an example to the other municipalities.
On Friday, 18 July, which was observed as Mandela Day, cleaning of the city was once again in the spotlight.
That cleaning is not only the responsibility of municipalities, but of every resident, was the overall message of the day.
For the Kimberley City Clean-Up Campaign − joined by amongst other the province’s Department Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Nceda) − a call was made to “every business, resident, and community member to roll up their sleeves and take pride in Kimberley”.
Cleaning campaigns must be introduced from young age
“Clean in front of you, even the businesses. Suburbs must look after their places,” says Venus Blennies-Magage, MEC of the Northern Cape Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.
She says it is high time that campaigns are again introduced in schools and that children are taught from a young age that littering is wrong. People must also be reminded time and time again that dumping rubbish is not acceptable.
Thami Mabija, head of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, says people must be encouraged to keep their own space clean. Mabija emphasises that a cleaner environment, city or town, can attract more tourists. Tourists, he says, do not like dirty environments.
“Cleaning must not only be on Mandela Day and a once-off. It must be an everyday collaboration to bring Kimberley and the Northern Cape back to where tourism can grow.
“It is important to get together to clean. Cleaning is not only the responsibility of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, but of you and me.” This is the opinion of Nompumelelo Mpata, board chairperson of Nceda.
According to her, collaborative efforts of cleaning on a more regular basis will have a positive impact, saying that bylaws need to be strengthened. The importance of a clean environment, and keeping it clean, must be a message that everyone should hear from a young age.
Revising bylaws
Thabo Mothibi, spokesperson and communication head of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, said previously that the municipality is revising the entire bylaws regime.
“A workshop was held in May, and the documents are with lawyers.” Mothibi says the municipality is doing its utmost best to collect refuse as per weekly schedule.
“However, we have had breakdowns recently, and the procurement of new trucks is in the works.”
He also remarked that illegal dumping is becoming a wide-spread problem in the city.
On a question of fires where residents burn rubbish in open spaces, he says that is prohibited and poses a danger.
“We urge communities to utilise WhatsApp groups in raising alarm over the violation of bylaws and to report transgressions to their councillors.”
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