The Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu has inaugurated the PPC Waste Buyback Centre in Diepsloot. The main objective of the R3.1 million centre, focuses strongly on economic development for the community while building a safer, cleaner and green city.

The shortage of waste management facilities in Diepsloot prompted the City of Johannesburg and PPC to provide a sustainable solution for the community.

“We are confident that this project will see an improved quality of life and development for the Diepsloot community,” said Abigail Ndlovu, Acting Regional Director for Region A at the City of Johannesburg. The City of Johannesburg through its Department of Environmental Management, will oversee the operation and management of the centre while PPC designed and constructed the buildings and purchased the operational equipment for the facility.

PPC’s Transformation and Government Relations Executive, Nolwandle Mantashe said, “PPC is committed to the development and sustainability of the communities in which it operates and will continue to invest in and develop disadvantaged communities.”

Since the project commenced in April 2012, 60 local residents have been employed during construction and seven permanent staff will be running the centre. The Diepsloot community comprises 7 139 households in formal and informal settlements, many of whom are employed at PPC’s Laezonia Quarry, which is situated approximately six kilometres from Diepsloot.

PPC has for the last 40 years, played an active role in local economic development and this project is in line with its Social Labour Plans (SLPs). In 2009, PPC submitted Social Labour Plans to the Department of Mineral Resources. This five-year plan stretched across all ten PPC mines, where the cement supplier committed R60 million to local economic development projects in the communities it operates. This involves 28 projects in 12 communities, partnering with six municipalities in six countries. To date, more than R35 million has been spent on completion of 13 projects, creating 454 direct jobs and supporting more than 1 800 community members.