Green Walk targets pollution in Harding
A clean-up campaign at KwaMazakhele phase 3 in Harding kicked off the celebrations.
Calls to reduce plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment were made at a Green Walk against gender-based violence and pollution in Harding recently.
It was led by the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Musa Zondi, Umuziwabantu Municipality mayor, Siboniso Zungu, and councillors.
The walk also formed part of World Environment Day commemorations.
The event, held under the global theme Beat Plastic Pollution brought together community members, environmental stakeholders, and government representatives to address the critical environmental challenge.
A clean up campaign at KwaMazakhele, phase 3, in Harding kicked off the celebrations.
Zondi said the programme served as both a rallying call and a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to tackle plastic waste and its impact on the environment.
“Plastic pollution threatens our environment, our health, and our economic growth. We must educate and campaign in every community, home, street, school, and business to turn the tide against plastic waste,” he said.
He added that such initiatives by the department have led to the creation of green jobs across the province, contributing not only to environmental sustainability, but also to economic empowerment and youth development.
Zondi said these initiatives include supporting municipalities with waste separation at source initiatives, empowering youth-owned cooperatives involved in recycling and waste collection, and incentivising municipalities and small-scale recyclers through the Cleanest Municipality Competition and the Waste Enterprise Support Programme.
Meanwhile, Zungu, said Umuziwabantu has various programmes to try to avoid the scourge of pollution, including campaigns to clean up their areas and also visits to schools to teach children about cleanliness and the importance of environmental conservation.
“As a region rich in forestry and agriculture, the municipality views nature as a valuable asset in its efforts to create jobs, grow the local economy, and build a prosperous future for the people of Umuziwabantu,” he said.
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