On Tuesday, 24 July, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, handed over R11.4 million to Mopani District Municipality, as part of Mandela Month celebrations in Maruleng, Limpopo.

The Department of Environmental Affairs through its Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) is funding the implementation of Mopani Waste Recycling and Buy Back Centre Project in Mopani District Municipality, using labour intensive methods as per the requirements of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

“The objective of waste recycling is to save resources as well as to reduce the environmental impact of waste by reducing the amount of waste disposed at landfills. To meet these objectives, waste separation at source should be pursued, as the quality of recyclable materials is higher when separated at source. In addition, recycling has the potential for job creation and is a viable alternative to informal salvaging at landfills, which is undesirable due to problems of health and safety associated with salvaging,” said Mabudafhasi.

The project is focused on establishment of waste recycling and buy-back facilities in Maruleng, Greater Giyani and Greater Letaba Local Municipalities respectively. Each facility comprise of the waste sorting area, administration block, boundary fence, main entrance gate, guard house, access road, parking and paving, signage, bulk infrastructure, ramp for loading and off loading. To this effect, the project has employed 96 local people. Amongst the people employed, 58 are women and 56 are youth.

Deepening the Mandela Month activities, the deputy minister visited Maatla Primary School whereby she led a team of government officials and community members in executing the following activities, planting trees, painting of classrooms, rehabilitating of borehole, connecting water tank, etc.

Speaking at Maatla Primary School, Mabudafhasi, urged people to make a difference in other people’s lives and encouraged everyone to make every day a Mandela Day.