MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

NMBM’s cleaning and greening programme makes a change in Zwide

By

Piles of waste that had blocked Mbobela Street in Zwide, causing a health hazard for hundreds of Mnqophiso Primary School pupils was cleared by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality on Tuesday, 8 November 2022.

This formed part of the City’s Cleaning and Greening programme which includes an extensive education and awareness drive in areas that are illegal dumping hotspots. During the clean-up, NMBM Public Health Portfolion Head, Cllr Thsonono Buyeye urged residents to partner with the Municipality and its stakeholders to root out illegal dumping in their communities.

“The illegal dumping taking place very close to Mnqophiso Primary School is an ongoing challenge, one that continues to bother us as a Municipality as this illegal behaviour affects children and the elderly most in this community. In March we were in the same area for two days doing a massive clean-up and education drive and we left this space spotless clean. To be back here doing the same service is disheartening to us as it shows that the community is not working with us in fighting this crime.”

“There is no reason why residents should continue dumping illegally in this space. We collect refuse in this area every Wednesday on a weekly basis as per the normal waste collection schedule for this area, but residents continue to dump illegally. There are so many implications to illegal dumping, we are worried about these young children who are subjected to this stench because people refuse to do the right thing,” Buyeye said.

He further urged residents to rather contact the ward councillor’s office if they have bulk waste that needs to be removed.

Residents were also introduced to The Waste Trade Company’s Packa-Ching recycling project, which encourages residents to recycle waste in exchange of money or shopping vouchers.

Mnqophiso Primary School Principal, Luvuyo Booi welcomed the programme.

“We are very happy to see such progress made today. The unbearable stench is gone and we will be able to drive in this area now. I had stopped using this route as the waste had closed the street. We are looking forward to working with the Municipality to find a sustainable solution to this problem, even if this area is fenced off. We also urge residents to refrain from dumping next to the school as so many of our pupils suffer health problems as a result,” Booi said.

Go On – Share the Gqeberha Love!

Views Since 15 July 2022: 50

Gqeberha’s Latest News and Events can be accessed on MyGqeberha.com.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.