DUNCAN VILLAGE SOLID WASTE PROGRAMME
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA) wishes to clarify its
position regarding progress on the Duncan Village Integrated Solid Waste
Management Programme which includes the construction of a massive permanent
Buy-Back Centre. We are writing this statement in the spirit of transparency and
accountability which has characterised the tenure of the management and the board
of the agency.
At the onset, we would like to indicate that the recent media reports on the project are
untrue, sensationalised and lacking any solid basis. As the management of the
agency, we want to place it on record that we are committed to the successful delivery
of this flagship project, which is the first of its kind and scale in the city. The project is
designed to tackle poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation in Duncan
Village through integrated waste management and enterprise development.
On the Construction Progress
We want to indicate that the construction of the project is on track, and it will be
finalised by the end of July 2026, and the formal launch is scheduled for August 2026.
The media and the public will be invited to see this asset that the agency has built for
the people of KuGompo, in particular residents of Duncan Village. Want to place it on
record that the contract value for the construction of the Buy Back Centre is
R19 839 812.25.
The construction of the permanent Buy-Back Centre is currently at an advanced stage
with 83 percent of the infrastructure development already completed and we are
confident that the rest of the construction will be completed at the end of this month.
The remaining 17 percent of the construction scope involves finalising roof installation,
access roads, fencing, and finishing work. This is work that we believe we will complete
within this schedule.
Ongoing Programme Operations and Benefit
As the agency, we would like to indicate that while the work to build the structure of
the Buy-Back Centre is in progress, the Duncan Village Integrated Waste
Management programme is already delivering tangible social, economic and
environmental benefits for the area. We are already implementing its first three
components which include education and awareness, SMME establishment, support,
and incubation.
In this regard, it should be known that while the permanent Buy-Back facility is still
being constructed, the programme has already made a meaningful difference in the
community. It has supported education and awareness activities, local waste
management SMMEs, waste collection and recycling initiatives, and income
generation opportunities for waste collectors and community beneficiaries. The
programme has created 78 job opportunities and more than 27 364-day jobs through
waste management. Approximately 1,075 community participants and beneficiaries
have been reached through the programme, and waste-management activity has been
supported across Duncan Village and surrounding wards.
We can confirm that around 926 tonnes of recyclable waste have been collected and
processed. These figures represent more than waste diverted from the environment;
they represent work, participation, cleaner spaces and practical community benefit.
This is great news for us as the agency as it proves that the Buy-Back Centre is not
going to be a white elephant but an optimal facility that will further operationalise and
scale-up the already existing environmental management business that has been
established in the community.
The socio-economic value of the programme is also reflected in the income generated
for participating waste collectors whereby beneficiaries have received approximately
R1.339 million in rebates. We do not regard these amounts as abstract financial
figures. For many households, this income contributes to food, transport, school needs
and other daily necessities that affect dignity and quality of life.
The agency is therefore implementing a solid project that is already having massive
socio-economic benefits for the residents in job creation but in also improving the state
of cleanliness of Duncan Village by making people take active responsibility in the
waste value chain.
On the Adjustment in the Project Timeline
We want to place it on record that the project has not had uncontrolled delays but there
had to be minor adjustments in the timeline of the infrastructure construction portion
of the overall project – something that has not stopped the waste recycling services
from being operational. The project timeline was extended to ensure the successful
delivery of the infrastructure component. This is something that has been indicated to
the National Treasury and other relevant authorities.
The initial construction phase was extended to accommodate time lost mainly due to
inclement weather in kuGompo City. The revised finalisation and handover date of the
project is August 31, 2026, and this will see the finalisation of the remaining scope of
works.
We want to confirm that despite the slightly adjusted finalisation timeline, the project
will be completed within the budget with no anticipated cost overruns. The project
construction costs will therefore be within the R19 839 812.25. The amount of R49,
672, 500 is for the overall operation of the Duncan Village Integrated Waste
Management Programme and has been spent over the 5-year period of the project.
As the agency, we continue to adhere to established reporting frameworks, providing
regular quarterly performance reports, monthly financial reports, and infrastructure
progress reports to the parent municipality, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and
to the National Treasury. We are currently finalising the governance processes to
submit the final project completion report.
It is crucial to indicate that the BCMDA remains dedicated to completing this vital
infrastructure, which will ultimately provide a permanent, state-of-the-art facility to
support local waste collectors, formalize recycling businesses, and contribute to a
cleaner and greener Buffalo City. While this is in process, it should be known that the
project is already delivery massive benefits for the residents, businesses and the
environment in Duncan Village.
Issued by the BCMDA CEO – Ayanda Gqoboka