Dumping is a serious matter

Victoria Makgoo and Mpho Thobejane

Victoria Makgoo

Mpho Thobejane

Morapaneng village

Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality

Limpopo Province

Dumping is a serious matter

On the 26 April while walking in the street I noticed a pile of bottles after passing a tavern which is located between Morapaneng and Dikhopheng villages and is on a mountain, I spoke to tavern owner about the litter of bottles .

” I need help to get waste bin or a dumpster for the bottles and need people who are collecting bottles for recycling to come and collect them, because the community is complaining that the bottles are injuring their goats” he said.

There is also an illegal dumping site where people dump wastes like bottles, sharp objects, ceiling materials etc. The problem is when it rains, the waist goes into the river and the community’s livestock drink from the river, this is dangerous as livestock may die. Community and livestock owners do not know how they can resolve this matter because our mine and municipality takes time to assist.

We tried to engage with Twickenham Platinum mine, due to the mine being placed under maintenance they do not give solution. The other challenge encountered is after mobilizing the community and then engaging the mine, some community members became silent and we suspect they are bribed for their silence.

People are struggling because they are unemployed, we are unable to plant crops because our soil and water are contaminated and now the water is killing our livestock. The municipality is also dragging it’s feet to assist people with waist management, the bottles are not only dangerous to livestock also our children who sometimes collect rubbish to play with from the dump site that is filled with sharp objects.

Solution:

1. Mobilize and organize a march to the Mine and Municipality for assistance.

2. The mine must offer training that is mine related so that after completion people will be able to apply for jobs or be employable.

3. Dumpsters should be provided or placed next to tavern’s because drinking people throw bottles and this causes problems.

4.Municipality and the mine should come up with programs and campaigns to teach people about waste and safety, as activists we are available but need them to assist us so that we can be able make our villages clean and safe.

5. People who dump waste in the donga must be reported and if found they must be charged for putting lives of people and livestock in danger.