The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs Ms Barbara Thomson will lead a clean-up campaign around the streets and beaches of eThekwini ahead of conferring awards for the 8th Greenest Municipality Competition (GMC) in Durban on Tuesday 14 August 2018.
As the world recognises the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and our oceans, Deputy Minister Thomson will lead a clean-up campaign that will take place in Durban central (Maritime Place, Margaret Mncadi avenue) and the Mangroves Nature Reserve.
The clean-up will be followed by visits to the Clermont and Westmead buy back centres, and the Greenest Municipality Competition awards ceremony where Deputy Minister Thomson will recognise the efforts of municipalities in addressing environmental protection, social upliftment and economic growth.
In an effort to maintain its City clean, eThekwini Municipality last year launched an operation called Khuculul’iTheku. This is a long term multiplier clean-up campaign aimed at creating a clean environment and a sustainable city. The City undertakes education campaigns working with schools, taxi associations and informal settlements to ensure anti-litter message gets out to communities.
Operation Khuculul’iTheku has yielded positive results to make Durban clean and environmental-friendly. It is ensuring that the level of cleanliness in the city improved drastically.
The Competition has evolved into a significant contributor towards a collective response to the challenges posed by climate change and the government’s course towards a sustainable future. It focuses on sustainable development in areas such good waste management practices, efficient energy use, sustainable water use, public participation and best practice of municipal leadership.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the clean-up activities, the visits to the Clermont and Westmead buyback centres as well as the Greenest Municipality Competition awards ceremony, as per the details below:
Clean-up activities:
Date: 14 July 2018
Time: 10h00
Venue: Mangroves Nature Reserve North Beach, Durban
NB: Transport for members of the media will be available, and shall depart from City Hall car part at 9h15
Greenest Municipality Competition Awards Ceremony:
Date: 14 July 2018
Time: 18h00
Venue: Southern Sun, Elangeni, Durban
To RSVP, contact:
Ernest Mulibana
Cell: 082 263 7372
E-mail: emulibana@environment.gov.za
For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
