Programme Director
Your Worship the Mayor of Mnquma Local Municipality; Cllr Ganjana
Eastern Cape Chairperson of SALGA, Cllr Meth
Councillors
CEO of Amatola Water Board
Officials from the 3 spheres of Government
Beneficiaries of War on Waste and War on Leaks Distinguished guests
Members of the community
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Molweni!
South Africans from all corners of the country both young and old are commemorating the Freedom Month. The theme for the 2014 Freedom Month celebrations is “South Africa - A better place to live in”.
This year’s Freedom Month celebrations happen coincidentally as we mark the milestones achieved since the advent of democracy in 1994. It is indeed a good story to tell about the 20 years of our freedom and democracy.
It is in this Month of April that we are also reminded of our gallant struggle heroes who were brutally killed for pioneering this freedom that we enjoy in South Africa.
I am talking about none other than our very own Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu and Chris Thembisile Hani.
When he was faced with the gallows before he was executed at the age of 23, Solomon Mahlangu said, I quote:
“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight."
Prior to 1994, our people were reduced to the status of being second citizens in their country of birth and denied basic services such as electricity, water , waste removal and a host of others including basic infrastructure necessary to improve our lives.
Today we are gathered here to tell a good story about the fruits of our freedom on how water and environment have improved the lives of the people from Mnquma Local Municipality.
Waste Management
Programme Director for many years Butterworth was one of the dirtiest towns in the country. The Department of Environmental Affairs through Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme have turned that situation around by declaring the War on Waste by implementing the following projects:
In 2012, we implemented the R39 million Street Cleaning project which created 324 work opportunities. It is this project which made Butterworth to be so clean today.
In 2013 a Street Cleaning project which created 60 work opportunities was also implemented. It must be noted that this project was an extension of the Idutywa project which was allocated R9 million for both Idutywa and Butterworth.
In 2013 - we started the Working for the Coast project which covers Great Kei and Mbashe Riversand allocated a budget of R8, 7 million which will be completed in 2015.
Through this project, 64 kilometres of coastline was cleaned, 126 work opportunities created as well as equipping the beneficiaries with a range of skills training, 20 bins installed, 12 informative sign boards erected, ablution facilities constructed, infrastructure and tourism related amenities maintained, existing braai stands refurbished and new ones constructed, lights installed and developed coastal management programmes.
In 2013 we also initiated Youth Jobs in Waste which created 25 job opportunities for young people who are involved in landfill site operations, waste administration, street cleaning and education and awareness.
Over and above the projects we implemented from 2012/13, I am here again to announce and launch the R23,5 million War on Waste project which will create approximately 250 job opportunities in this municipality. The implementation of this project will start in June 2014 and be completed in December 2015.
The objectives of this project are to support to solid waste cooperatives to undertake waste management services in Mnquma Municipality, rehabilitation and closure of Magqudwana, Ngqamakhwe and Centane Landfill Sites, encourage sorting and recycling of waste at Ibika Landfill Site using available recycling facilities, street cleaning in the Mnquma Municipality Towns as well as environmental education and awareness.
In total we have created 785 work opportunities in this Municipality, it is indeed a good story to tell. Indeed, the advent of democracy changed the gloomy picture of this Municipality to the brighter picture.
This multimillion waste management project demonstrates that we walk the talk with tangible initiatives which continue to change the lives and create a vibrant atmosphere for the economy to thrive.
Given the high unemployment rate affecting most South Africans, especially youth we dedicated waste management, war on leaks projects, greening, amongst others, to address unemployment for young people.
I am pleased to share the good news that we have launched National Youth Jobs in Waste in Qwaqwa in 2013. We initially budgeted R20 Million Rand for Youth Jobs in Waste for 11 Municipalities in the Eastern Cape including Mnquma which was increased to R60 Million for all municipalities of the Eastern Cape.
The good story of infrastructure development and job creation in the Eastern Cape is set to continue.
For 2014 to 2017 financial years, we have approved 38 projects and we are committing an investment amount to the value of R474 Million. We are confident that in the near future waste management in this province will go greener and hundreds of young people will be employed.
War on Leaks Project
South Africa is a water stressed country and yet we are losing 37% of water annually through leaks which translates to R7 billion per year.
The little water that we have should be Conserved, Respected, Shared and Enjoyed by present and future generations in our country. If we can fail to do the basics we will alsonot achieve our socio-economic developmental plans.
The President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, gave a directive that we must reduce water leaks by half now in 2014.
Heeding the President’s call the Department of Water Affairs initiated the War on Leaks project which is currently being implemented at different municipalities across the country. This project is aimed at eradicating water leaks in households, schools, clinics and other public buildings, training of unemployed youth with basic plumbing skills, job creation, education and awareness as well as developing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The Mnquma War on Leaks project has been allocated a budget of R2, 2 million and 33 jobs will be created for the local youth to roll out this project.
Ladies and gentlemen, the project that we are launching here today is taking our implementation of interventions a step further in ensuring that the water loss is reduced and our community members are being educated on the importance of fixing leaking toilets and taps. I look forward to seeing a drastic reduction of water loss in this municipality, and would be encouraging to note that the efforts were not in vain.
Remember:
- a dripping tap (one drop per second) wastes up to 30 litres of water an hour, this means that you are wasting 10 000 litres of water per year;
- a leaking toilet can waste up to 30 litres of water per hour;
- report water leaks to the relevant authorities
Chris Hani once said, I quote:
"I belonged to a world, in terms of my background, which I think suffered the worst extremes of apartheid -- a world where our mothers and sisters would walk 3 km, sometimes 6 km, whenever there was a drought to fetch water."
It is a great pleasure to be given an opportunity to tell you a good story about the launch of the Mnquma War on Waste and War on Leaks projects.
In conclusion
I would like to thank the Amathole District Municipality and Mnquma Local Municipality for the support and commitment towards War on Waste and War on Leaks projects.
In the same breath, I would like to thank the Eastern Cape Chairperson of South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Cllr Meth for the partnership on working together to change the lives of our people for the better.
I would also like to thank the officials from all spheres of government for making these projects and this event a success.
I thank you.
