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

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 Portfolio 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 behavior 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.

Issued on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality by Media
Liaison Officer, Mamela Ndamase. For more information please do not hesitate to
contact 0760254692 or mndamase@mandelametro.gov.za.