Trash to transformation: Luipaardsvlei set for a green comeback

In the final part of this year’s State of the City Address, the focus shifts to how the municipality plans to address integrated environmental services.

Sele stated that the Department of Integrated Environmental Management continues to act as a custodian of the municipality’s environmental assets and sustainable development goals. He noted in his address that the department adopts a proactive, systems-oriented approach to fulfilling its constitutional and legislative mandates.

“Over the past financial year, they made significant progress in their responsibilities, including environmental governance, sustainable land use management, waste minimisation, biodiversity protection, climate action, and greening. They processed over 100 land use applications, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while facilitating development.”

• Also read: Safety, seniors and services: Sele sets the tone

Sele added that the Parks Management Division maintained over 550 hectares of open grassland and attended to more than 250 hectares of municipal gardens, reaffirming their commitment to creating dignified public spaces.

“Waste management has shown tangible improvement. Through strategic partnerships, we successfully launched the largest material recovery facility in the West Rand, making us a regional leader in recycling and waste diversion.”

“We rolled out four electronic waste recycling containers in high-traffic areas, including the Civic Centre [Town Hall] and Cradlestone Mall, promoting the reduce, reuse and recycle agenda within communities,” he added.

Sele stated that the Luipaardsvlei Landfill Site was successfully reopened, restoring a critical waste disposal service point after sustained engagement with the Gauteng Department of Environment.

• Also read: Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA

“Over 20 000 tons of illegal dumping were cleared through various clean-up campaigns, including interventions at Leratong Hospital precinct, Kagiso, Munsieville, Azaadville, and the Cradle of Humankind precinct,” he continued.

Sele commented that to strengthen operational capacity, R10m was invested in procuring key service delivery equipment, including tractors and other heavy machinery, which are being used for service delivery and enforcement of by-laws.

The cemetery division generated R3m in revenue, and Sele added that they are taking decisive steps towards digitising services. The launch of the SmartMun Cemetery Management System will enable digital booking of services by undertakers and residents, enhancing convenience and transparency.

“The Westhaven Cemetery is currently being commissioned and is expected to be operational before the end of the first quarter of the 2025/ 26 financial year, for accessible, dignified burial spaces,” he added.

He mentioned that, in line with their climate action commitments, the municipality planted 90 trees and submitted a funding application to the Gender Climate Change Organisation, aimed at implementing rainwater harvesting and increasing the resilience of rural water infrastructure.

• Also read: Mayor maps out housing future for Mogale

Biodiversity

Sele said they have secured a category three biodiversity stewardship declaration at Kenmare Kloof for 30 years. Building on this, plans are underway to establish additional protected areas, including the Blougat Nature Reserve and parts of the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. He added that 55 young people will be employed in environmental management roles through a partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

“We have appointed a dedicated environmental awareness officer, with additional support, and we will roll out the South African Local Government Association Waste App to monitor and respond to waste-related complaints. School recycling initiatives and the distribution of trolleys to reclaimers will also be expanded,” he continued.

He reaffirmed their call for active community involvement through programmes such as Adopt-A-Park, aimed at transforming dumping hotspots into rehabilitated and usable green community spaces.

“We will also launch the ‘Kleanamanje’ campaign, a citywide initiative focused on cleaning all wards.”

• Also read: Pollution in the Cradle raises international eyebrows

Their capital investment strategy, funded through the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG), is delivering results.

In the 2024/ 25 financial year, key infrastructure projects included:

• The Robin Road Extension at R2.4m
• The Swaneville Emergency Housing and Disaster Support Programme at R6.8m

By 30 June this year, they had completed:

• Phase three of the Ga-Mogale Sports Complex (R5m)
• PR4 Roads Rehabilitation in Kagiso (R20mn)
• The R10m upgrade of PR5 Rietvallei Extension 5 Roads and Stormwater infrastructure

“Budgeting and increased revenue collection reached 90% efficiency across our five main tariffs, and strengthened financial controls, the city improved its fiscal position. We will maintain this positive trend in the new financial year,” he assured.

Looking to 2025/ 26, they plan to invest R155m into catalytic projects through the IUDG, including:

• Phase 5 of the Luipaardsvlei Landfill Site (R10m)
• Road rehabilitation and resurfacing in Kagiso, Munsieville, Azaadville, and Rietvallei (R48m)
• Upgrades to gravel roads and stormwater systems (R30m)
• Refurbishment of the Percy Stewart and Flip Human Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) (R38.1m)
• Sewer pump station upgrades (R32.2m)

“These are projects in communities that change lives. To support our goal of sustainable water supply and sanitation, R72.5m has been allocated for 2025/ 26, which will fund R35 million for the rollout of conventional and prepaid water meters, and R37.5m to further upgrade the Percy Stewart WWTW, ensuring improved water quality and environmental compliance,” he explained.

“The Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant will inject R62.1m into municipal infrastructure in the upcoming financial year. These funds will improve neighbourhood infrastructure, stimulate local economic activity, and enhance the sustainability of our human settlements. These catalytic investments represent a commitment of R289.5m towards creating integrated, inclusive, and service-oriented urban development. We are grateful to our national and provincial government partners for their continued support of Mogale City’s vision for a capable, developmental municipality,” he concluded.