OPINION – The dirty truth behind Gert Sibande District’s cleanliness awards

In last week’s edition, Highvelder shone a spotlight on the cleanest towns within the Gert Sibande District Municipality, highlighting the top three prize winners: Mkhondo, Msukaligwa and Chief Albert Luthuli local municipalities.

These municipalities were commended for their dedication to cleanliness.

However, a stark reality check emerges from last year’s landfill audits conducted by AfriForum, focusing on Ermelo, Carolina, Morgenzon and eMkhondo. These findings reveal a concerning discrepancy between the accolades bestowed upon these municipalities and the grim realities of waste management.

Take Mkhondo Local Municipality, for instance, which claimed the prestigious title of the cleanest town. Yet, its landfill audit results from last year paint a less flattering picture, with a mere 22% compliance with national standards, a significant decline from previous years. Their ability to ensure proper waste management casts a shadow over this triumph.

Similarly, Msukaligwa Local Municipality, securing second place in the cleanliness awards, also faces a sobering reality check. With a dismal 0% compliance rate during last year’s landfill audit.

The discrepancy between accolades and actual waste management practices is quite apparent.

Highvelder has extensively reported on illegal dump sites tarnishing Ermelo’s image, and in areas like Wesselton, the situation is even worse, with residents forced to live among the rubbish.

Even Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, proudly claiming third place in the awards, also did not show impressive results. While their 48% compliance rate may seem comparatively better, it still falls short of national standards, emphasising the challenges faced by rural municipalities to properly manage waste.

While these statistics pertain to landfill sites, a simple drive through these towns reveals the extent of the mess they’re in, underscoring that the issue extends beyond just landfill management.

As social media was abuzz with questions and concerns raised by residents, it’s evident that the criteria used to determine cleanliness must include a broader perspective. While waste management activities, energy efficiency and community empowerment are undoubtedly important too, the stark realities revealed by landfill audits and the perceptions of residents living in these towns should also be taken into account.

Perhaps, these awards serve as motivation for our municipalities to do more, but it’s equally important for us as residents to collectively play our part in ensuring our environment and towns remain clean. Too often we assume the responsibility of looking after our towns solely lies with the municipality, when in reality, anyone and everyone can contribute.

Let’s also take responsibility as residents and actively contribute to our towns’ cleanliness, so that we can feel deserving of such accolades when they are bestowed upon our municipalities and share a sense of pride and accomplishment.