Endumeni (Dundee/Glencoe) landfill site rated one of the best

Endumeni has achieved a great score in AfriForum’s landfill audit in KZN, with the municipality getting 74% to make it the second best-run landfill in the province.
The civil rights organisation audited 161 landfills nationwide this year as part of their national project to determine the condition of landfills in South Africa.
“Only one out of the 10 landfill sites audited in KwaZulu-Natal met the national standards.
Under applicable legislation and regulations, including the National Environmental Management Act: Waste 59 of 2008, a landfill must meet certain requirements,” said Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s co-ordinator for KwaZulu-Natal.

“Most landfills in KZN are in a terrible state.
“This can mainly be attributed to the fact that landfill sites are increasingly poorly managed as a result of limited budgets.

“The most common problems that AfriForum branches in the province noticed during this audit is that officials who are responsible for service delivery do not consider the maintenance of landfill sites a necessity.
“This is a major source of concern because the municipal officials – who, according to our constitution, are obliged to ensure that landfills are a safe environment – are not being held to account,” said Van Aswegen.
He added that municipal decay is the order of the day and it is clear that smaller municipalities in particular suffer from large-scale mismanagement.
“This situation can be attributed to the fact that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DBFO) is controlled by three different spheres of government.
“The national department only has power to establish laws, policies, norms and standards at national level, but they have no power at provincial or municipal level.
“Province reports to the provincial MEC, not to the minister. Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and DBVO also do not communicate with each other, and this therefore brings another challenge.”
Amanzimtoti was rated to have the best-run landfill site in KZN, with a score of 76%, while the worst rated landfill is in Vryheid that returned a score of 0%.
Reacting to the news of at least one great achievement by Endumeni, Municipal Public Accounts Committee chairman Cllr Naresh Gopie said, “Endumeni’s landfill site serves as a beacon of hope amid the prevalent challenges faced by many municipalities in South Africa. The recognition by AfriForum highlights the importance of prioritising waste management and the positive impact it can have on communities and the environment.
“However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the success of Endumeni’s landfill site should not be viewed in isolation. It is a reminder of the urgent need for all municipalities, particularly those struggling with mismanagement and limited resources, to prioritise waste management and allocate adequate budgets to ensure the safe and sustainable disposal of waste.
“Efforts should be made to create a supportive environment at national level, with increased collaboration between government bodies, civil society organisations, and private sector entities. This collective approach will enable the sharing of best practices, knowledge and resources to foster a nationwide culture of responsible waste management.
“Endumeni’s achievement should inspire other municipalities to emulate its success and strive for excellence in waste management.”

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