The local dumpsite has been an eyesore to many residents for many years, but with the current progress and investment of AbaQulusi Municipality, the dumpsite will soon be transformed into a proper landfill site.
In February, a service provider was employed to rehabilitate the current dumpsite. According to Sifiso Mshengu of Footmark, the rehabilitation process is approximately 95% complete. The biggest challenge of the rehabilitation process was to remove all the rubble that had accumulated on the outskirts of the dumpsite. According to Mshengu, the new landfill site will need to be managed properly by a candidate with qualifications in Waste Management. With the correct management, the new cell will sustain the community for the next 10 years, but this is also dependent on the amount of waste being disposed.
Windbreakers will be erected next to the road, which will alleviate the odours coming from the site.
There will also be a weigh bridge at the entrance, which will be monitored by security before entering the site. The filtration system implemented in the cell will be regulated to a leachate pond and the water will be tested regularly to ensure the safety of the community and that of the local water drainage systems.
Currently, the challenge of proper security and electricity to the site has to be dealt with to move forward towards completion.
Ward Councillor Magda Viktor made a pledge to the community when she was elected as a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor to transform the dumpsite into a well-managed functional landfill site. Viktor expressed her appreciation and excitement to especially Director of Community Services Sikhumbuzo Zondo for his part in the success of the new landfill site. She also commended Mshengu from Footmark for his dedication and hard work despite the national lockdown. In addition, she expressed thanks to the AbaQulusi municipal role players for their dedication to this urgent matter.
Administrator Sibusiso Mkhize suggested that a manager be appointed as soon as possible, before the site is completed, in order for him / her to gain extra knowledge on the management of the site. He furthermore indicated that their vision for the new landfill site will be to service the Zululand district, which will create economic growth and AbaQulusi could become an economic hub again. He also reiterated that the new landfill site must be managed properly by a qualified candidate in order for it to be a successful regional landfill site.
He continued that the planning of the next cell has to be prioritised in order to avoid the previous situation.
This new landfill site will hopefully set a standard and compare to the landfill site at Marion Hill when all the systems are in place.

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