Nelson Mandela Bay is taking a stand against illegal dumping and environmental neglect.
The once-blighted areas of Zwide and Veeplaas in Wards 27 and 28 are now showing visible transformation, thanks to the Ward-Based Cleaning and Greening Campaign, spearheaded by Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and MMC for Public Health, Thsonono Buyeye.
According to a media statement, prior to this initiative, these communities were plagued by illegal dumping, vandalised infrastructure, sewage and water overflows, and overgrown vegetation, making daily life challenging for residents. The campaign focuses on targeted monthly interventions, tackling urgent service delivery issues, rehabilitating the environment, and raising community awareness about proper waste management.
Real progress is visible on the ground. Large illegal dumping sites, some blocking key roads, have been cleared. Overgrown vegetation has been trimmed. Municipal Water and Sanitation teams have repaired burst pipes, fixed leaks and unblocked drains.
Streets benefiting from clean-ups include Khoza, Sokwana, and Rholihlahla (Ward 27); Sakuba and Vusumzi (Ward 28); and Gaika Street, at the Ward 20 boundary. In Koyana Street, tree planting and beautification projects have created spaces for informal traders and community engagement.
Additional efforts have been extended to Meke, Mankayi, Menze, Asijiki, Scheepers, Mnyanda, and Haula Streets, covering ward boundaries and key thoroughfares.
Community involvement is central to the campaign. Residents are being educated about the dangers of illegal dumping, how to prevent it, and how to report it. Schools, including Funimfundo, Esitiyeni, and Mzihlophe Primary Schools, have joined, teaching children from an early age the importance of environmental responsibility.
Lobishe stressed the campaign’s goal: “Residents deserve to live in dignity and in healthy environments. We’ve made tangible progress in these wards, and we’re empowering communities to take ownership of their neighbourhoods. This campaign will continue in every ward across the city.”
Buyeye added, “Improving environmental conditions is also improving public health. By engaging schools and communities, we are fostering a culture of environmental responsibility that will secure a cleaner, healthier future for Nelson Mandela Bay.”
Residents, businesses and NPOs are urged to join the fight against illegal dumping by doing the following:
• Keep your streets clean and dispose of waste responsibly.
• Report illegal dumping through municipal hotlines or community channels.
• Support local greening and beautification projects to enhance shared spaces.
• Partner with municipal initiatives to create lasting impact in your ward.
“Together, we can restore dignity, health, and beauty to every neighbourhood in Nelson Mandela Bay. The campaign in Zwide and Veeplaas proves that with coordinated action, municipal support, and community participation, we can transform our city, one ward at a time,” the statement read.
