A MAJOR clean-up campaign in New Brighton’s Sheya Kulati Drive and surrounding industrial area has birthed a promising future for the area, recently misused by residents and businesses to dump waste illegally.
New plans for a more vibrant future, short to long term, were recently announced by various stakeholders who took part in day three of the five-day clean-up campaign in the area, led by Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Eugene Johnson, and public health MMC, Thsonono Buyeye.
The first plan in terms of a partnership in the NMBM between major businesses, government entities, non-profit organisations, the Mandela Bay Development Agency and residents, was a pledge of their support to fight the crisis of illegal dumping that can be seen across the city.
The partners include Continental, Isuzu SA, Ford, recycling company, Waste Trade, Timber Solutions, NGOs, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Johnson said that it was a historic day in NMBM, where all stakeholders were committing to work together towards sustainable solutions for the crisis of illegal dumping in the city.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed their pledges and support towards this initiative. Most of us want the same thing for our city: we want to live in a clean environment that will attract businesses and investments that will see us prosper, but more than anything, we want an environment that is clean and healthy for our children to grow up in,” Johnson said.
“Illegal dumping has reached a crisis level, posing a health risk to the public, especially our children. This challenge has not only seen household refuse being dumped on open spaces, but also dangerous medical waste, animal carcasses and builders’ rubble.
“The culprits that have been caught in the act include both members of the public and private manufacturing and construction companies. Be warned: we will no longer tolerate illegal dumping here or in any other area in our city,” she added.
Some of the pledges that were made include fencing off the area and the donation of waste skips and containers by the MBDA; the planting of trees that are drought resistant and the ‘adoption’ for cleaning up of illegal dump sites by the DFFE; as well as the continued education of communities by Isuzu SA.
MBDA operations executive, Debbie Hendricks, said, “We will be fencing off the area and providing containers for office space and skips for recycling to take place. We will also build ramps for cars to be able to drive in and drop the waste off. We are looking at plans to beautify this area: possibly the construction of a soccer field or a garden to show that this space can be useful and should not be desecrated.
“We don’t want to clean today, only to find that tomorrow we are faced with the same problem. We have to replace the dirt with something positive. If we don’t do something, people will just resume their dumping activities tomorrow.”
Local artists that have been tasked to beautify the walls with artwork, said that they were excited to be part of the change that would beautify the face of New Brighton.
Continental’s managing director, Martin Buday, who was also part of the clean-up, said, “We are pleased to be engaging with the municipality, the MBDA and various stakeholders in support of this initiative. At Continental Tyres, we are committed to being a responsible manufacturer and employer.
“Our commitment also extends to the people of New Brighton. We see today’s launch as a start and we look forward to a sustainable solution in uplifting the community and the environment.”
The city’s public health directorate has committed to roll out the project to other areas faced with illegal dumping within the city.
