MAYOR PAKATI LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS R49-MILLION DUNCAN VILLAGE INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
“The waste economy provides tremendous opportunities for all citizens of the Metro to participate in a progressive and innovative economic sector. The value chain of the waste economy offers us a wide range of opportunities across a broad range of skillsets, ranging from easy-entry mass jobs opportunities to more sophisticated value-added jobs”. These were the comments of the Executive Mayor, Mr. Xola Pakati, to a cohort of 77 newly recruited workers participating in the exciting new Duncan Village Integrated Waste Management Services Programme.
“This programme consists of three key components, namely waste collection and sorting; the establishment of a buyback center in Duncan Village; and the establishment of a mini glass or plastic goods processing factory”, BCMDA Programme Manager Ms. Athi Ntshokoma explained.
“These inductees form part of our first component of the project the waste collection and sorting. The second component, the establishment of a buyback center in Duncan Village, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. This buyback center will purchase and sort waste brought in by waste pickers. Our third component will see the establishment of a mini factory that will process all the reclaimed glass and plastics. Our aim is to establish an integrated recycling chain where we are able to take waste from the street and drive the process to the point of a brand-new recycled product”, explained Ms. Ntshokoma.
Commenting further Mayor Pakati stated that “the Duncan Village Waste Project is a testimony to the Metro’s commitment to the Good Green Deeds Programme that was launched by President Ramaphosa 2 years ago. The Metro is committed towards creating and unearthing new and innovative development pathways geared towards the improvement of the livelihoods of our people. We know we cannot go it alone and we will take any opportunity to mobilise resources that improve the living standards of our people. I am pleased to report that we have recruited over 77 participants from Duncan Village, who are already in the waste management space”.
The project is funded by the National Treasury General Budget Support Programme, which is in turn funded by the European Union. Commenting on the project Mr. Bulumko Nelana, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency CEO, stated that “it is a proud moment for the Agency to learn that its application to National Treasury for this coveted project funding support was successful. This selection was made after going through a rigorous and competitive National Treasury process. This R49-million project will be rolled out over three years by the BCMDA, and the Metro’s Solid Waste and Environmental Management Department”.
