Programme Director
Executive Mayor of Mopani District: Councilor Joshua Matlou
Executive Mayor of Greater Giyani:
Traditional Leadership
Our Chiefs
Councilors
CEO of Indalo Yethu: Ms Josephs-Langa
Members of the community
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
We are gathered here in Giyani on Mandela Monday. This day invites people from everywhere to give small amounts of their time every week to do a good deed to benefit their fellow human beings, the community or the environment in which they live. It also marks the peak of Mandela Week activities as a build up to Mandela day.
People from all walks of life are urged to make everyday a Mandela day, it is a call to action for people to take responsibility for making the world to be a better place, just as the father of the Nation, our icon, Madiba did.
In heeding this call, we are here today to launch the Department of Environmental Affairs’ R65.5 million Greater Giyani Street Cleaning, Waste Management and Greening projects.
The breakdown of these projects is as follows:
Street cleaning and greening
The R39 million project is part of the Buyisela Eco-Towns implemented by Indalo Yethu. It entails the installation of street bins and furniture, street cleaning and collection of waste, composting and food gardens, open space grass cutting, construction of east-west gateways, upgrade of public conveniences, environmental awareness creation, planting of trees and ornamental plants, repair & cleaning of storm water structures and construction of a buy-back center. This project has created 295 jobs.
The project beneficiaries have undergone several non-accredited training to enhance their productivity on the project and such training includes Basic Occupational Health and Safety and Life Skills. It has also supported local Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in the field of construction, protective clothing and waste management facilities.
The department also procured 4 trucks to enhance the street cleaning and sweeping. The trucks are designed to promote recycling within the municipality with the aim to create permanent work opportunities.
Greening Giyani Municipality
The R14 million project aims to develop recreational areas within Giyani townships. This project includes the establishment of two recreational parks and planting of trees, development of open space management plan. This project has created 131 jobs.
There is a continuous process of removing plastic and sorting the many piles of building rubble; removing of rubble and waste. Furthermore, there is also gathering of grass for compost making from adjacent areas and to date the project has made six piles of compost, Mopani Waste Recycling and Buy back Centre.
The R11 million project is meant to encourage waste sorting and recycling. The deliverables for the project include Waste sorting, construction ofadministration block with offices and ablution facilities, boundary fence, main entrance gate with guard house, access road, parking area and pavement and installation of bulk infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer and electricity) in each site. This project has created 69 jobs.
In addition some of the employees have undergone some accredited training in Construction, Plumbing and Assistant Housekeeping. The project has also supported local Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in the construction field.
The Department of Environmental Affairs under the Social Responsibility program is currently implementing projects valued at R190.6 million and have created 1032 jobs in the Limpopo province. The department reconfirms its commitment to continue with its mandate to fight poverty through this program.
This morning we visited Mavalani Village whereby we planted indigenous and fruit trees, donated garden tools and seeds at Mavalani High School and at two identified indigent households.
In conclusion, I would like to invite the community members to join us tomorrow here in Giyani during the clean up campaign and all the other activities leading to Mandela Day.
Nelson Mandela once said, “We can change the world and make of it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference”
I thank you.
Keynote address by Honourable Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mme Rejoice Mabudafhasi, during the launch of the Giyani Street cleaning and greening projects on Mandela Monday at Giyani Golf Course, Giyani, Limpopo
