International relations have paid off for Nquthu and its twin Belgium town of Bornem Municipality. Co-operation between the two, separated by over 12,000km, saw them achieve second place in the worldwide 2020 Platforma Awards for their joint project entitled ‘Waste for Employment’.

This year, 26 applicants participated, of which the Nquthu-Bornem co-operation was shortlisted as one of the four finalists. The European Union held the 2020 Platforma Awards for the finalists on June 8 through a Zoom connection due to the restrictions on international travel.

“The European Union introduced the Platforma Awards to reward co-operation efforts which have an impact in changing the lives of the people and also that have contributed in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Nqutu Municipality communications officer Siyabonga Shoba.

“The prize is not in the form of money, but rather recognition of good co-operation with European partners.”
The ‘Waste for Employment’ project started in 2017 when Nquthu Municipality built a Buy Back Centre to encourage recycling. This initiative provided a platform for local communities to sell their reusable waste and resulted in 143 people being employed.

See this week’s Courier for the full report

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