The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality recently hosted a Waste Indaba with the aim of improving solid waste management and safeguarding the environment.
The event, which was a cooperative effort between the City and the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, sought to develop sustainable waste management through partnerships, and the exchange of information on best practices. Delivering the keynote address, Executive Mayor Xola Pakati said the event was important for the City because waste management was one of its main mandates as a local government institution. “The importance of this event is also owed to the fact that we know adequate waste management is linked to increased economic fortunes for the City and its people,” said Pakati.Protecting the coastline
He also highlighted that being a coastal City increases the need for an effective waste management service. “Our coastline is full of fragile ecosystems that could easily be wiped out if our waste management is not in order. Whilst the protection of species in the coast is a responsibility of several stakeholders, the municipality plays a central and leading role in relation to waste management in its coastline,” said Pakati.Talking about the importance of a clean City, Portfolio Head for Community Services Helen Neal-May said, “Poorly managed waste spreads disease, contaminates water resources, pollutes the air, and repulses tourists, for these reasons it is important to ensure that we strive towards a clean City so that we can attract and retain investment.”
