A local independent environmentalist, Jack Magongo, had the opportunity to represent rural communities from Mpumalanga at the second International African Marine Waste Network Conference (AMWN).

This AMWN programme of Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), titled “Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa” started on May 23 and ended on May 27.
It was held at the Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Conference Centre in Durban.

Magongo’s love of nature and passion to keep the environment clean are what got him to this conference.

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He is originally from Buyelani Village and his love of keeping rural areas clean became apparent in 2013.

Sharing the experience he had at the conference, he could not hold back the joy of being the only person from the province who was there.

“The conference was an eye-opening experience and I plan to share what I learnt with others; this way we can all be able to bring change in our communities.”

According to Magongo, he now understands the importance of keeping the small streams clean better.

“If we all keep the small streams and rivers that feed water into big dams clean we will be able to keep the dams clean. This is because when we pollute the small rivers they still flow into the big dams, carrying some of the refuse with them.

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“The public needs to know that when we stop illegal dumping we keep nature balanced. A clean environment keeps the small animals alive too; animals such as frogs and all the animals are all important for the circle of life. ”
He did a presentation titled “Rural waste minimisation”.

“My presentation focused on our rural communities. This is because my journey started in my home and areas around my village. In 2010 I used to clean the Luphisi, Mluti, Tekwane and Hluvukani rivers. Before the Mbombela Stadium was constructed I used to clean that area too because there was a wetland and community members would use it as a dumping area. I then registered the NGO in 2013, because I needed assistance with equipment and I wanted people to join me in my journey.

“Plastic South Africa gave me refuse bags and gloves so that I could continue doing what I enjoy.

“The NGO is also under Petco, a well-known recycling company, which operates throughout the country.”

Magongo said these cleaning campaigns that he did in the past helped him reach the level that he is at now. “When Petco selected me to represent Mpumalanga they looked at what I had done in the past.”

He said he hopes that various stakeholders and community members join him in his plan to keep rural communities clean.