Spade work underway to turn illegal dumping hotspots into vegetable gardens
Tshwane in collaboration with Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE) is pioneering this unique initiative that seeks to deter further dumping in while simultaneously promoting food security.
With communities still grappling with illegal dumping, plans are in place to turn illegal dumping hotbeds into vegetable gardens across the city.
Tshwane in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE) is pioneering this unique initiative that seeks to deter further dumping while simultaneously promoting food security.
Tshwane metro said the plans will be put in place in the next 2024/25 fiscal year.
Mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman said the plan is to address food security, greening and protecting the environment while conducting educational awareness throughout the city.
“It is expected that the food gardens will deter perpetrators from dumping again at cleared sites. It is anticipated that the beneficiaries will protect the sites.”
Stuurman said currently the city with GDARDE has compiled a list of dumping hotspots marked for vegetable gardens.
“These are the sites which have experienced repeated dumping after clearing,” he said.
Stuurman said the sites identified have topography suitable for food gardens and are close to dwellings to enable the care of these gardens.
He said there are well over 650 identified illegal dumping hotspots across the city. This number is not static, and it changes as new spots emerge and/or existing ones are cleared and remain clean.
According to him, the city plans to implement 13 vegetable gardens in the 2024/25 financial year if approval to utilise an identified hotspot is granted.
He said the project will follow a public-private partnership funding model and funds allocation will be based on the developed business plan to cater for maintenance and management of the gardens.
Stuurman said the produce from these sites will be given to interested indigent groups and unemployed youth.
“It is envisaged that the surplus produce will be sold to low-income members of the society and donations to the needy.”
Stuurman said ward councillors will be roped in to spread the message of the programme to the broader community about its benefits.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said spade work is underway to pilot the project of turning illegal dumping hotspots into vegetable gardens to deter further dumping around all regions in Tshwane.
Mashigo said the programme will pull resources from the government in different spheres, businesses and the community.
He said this programme has multi-pronged objectives that encompass environmental stewardship and protection, greening, enhancing food security, and promoting urban agriculture through food gardens.
Illegal dumping remains an ongoing problem with a lot of negative impacts on the environment and health.
He said it is the Tshwane metro’s responsibility to make residents live in a clean and safe environment.
Residents can report illegal dumping to:
– Tshwane Metro Police Department on 012 358 7095.
– City of Tshwane’s Waste Management Department: wastemanagement@tshwane.gov.za
– Tshwane Metro Police Department’s Environmental Unit: env-unit@tshwane.gov.za
– Tshwane Municipality’s Customer Service Centre: customercare@tshwane.gov.za
– City’s Call Centre: call.centre@tshwane.gov.za
The following waste disposal facilities in Pretoria are accessible to clients:
– Ga-Rankuwa and Soshanguve Garden Refuse site
– Dorandia Garden Refuse site.
– Mountain View in Japie Peens Street
– Philip Nel Park in Sytze Wierda Road
– Hatherley Landfill Site, located on M10 Solomon Mahlangu, Nelmaphius.
– Waltloo Garden Site, located on Alwyn Street, Waltloo.
– Eersterust Garden Site, located on St Josephs Street, Eersterust.
– Menlo Park Garden Site, located on 26th Avenue, Menlo Park.
– Kruger Avenue Garden Site on Kruger Avenue, Centurion.
– Rooihuiskraal Garden Site on Rooihuiskraal Road, Centurion.
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