Update

GEORGE NEWS - It is clear that Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) is serious about greening and excellence in service delivery. On 27 November, the municipality was given the Greenest Municipality award for a fifth consecutive year at a ceremony in the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West.

The Department Community Services at Eden DM, led by Clive Africa, received a cheque to the amount of R130 000 prize money. 

Premier Helen Zille and Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, handed over the awards to municipalities. 

Eden DM achieved an overall score of 80,07%. 

The first runner-up, Overberg DM, achieved 66,89%, while West Coast DM achieved 63,89%.

Africa said that we live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world and it is our duty to protect it for now and for future generations. "It is ours to treasure, protect and enjoy," he said. 

Johan Compion, senior manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, said the award money will be spent on more environmental management projects. 

Councillor Khayalethu Lose also attended the event and said that he is aware of all the hard work that is done by all the staff involved. 

"I am immensely proud of the unit," said Lose.

Monde Stratu, municipal manager of Eden DM, has extended his congratulations to all the departments of Eden DM for their commitment and hard work. Stratu said the fellow B-municipalities, Knysna and Hessequa, also did really well. 

From left are Johan Compion (Eden DM), Clive Africa (Eden DM), Monde Stratu (Eden DM), Helen Zille ( Western Cape Premier), Cllr Khayalethu Lose (Eden DM) and Anton Bredell (Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning).

"We are privileged to share a district with such talent and commitment to environmental performance management," said Stratu.

Eden DM won the following "district themes": Waste Management; Water Conservation & Management; Air Quality Management; Coastal Management & Urban Beautification.

Other district municipalities who took part in the competition include Cape Winelands, Overberg and West Coast District Municipality.

Thirteen local municipalities participated, including Cederberg, Swartland, Drakenstein, Langeberg, Stellenbosch, Saldanha Bay, Overstrand, Mossel Bay, George, Bitou, Knysna, Breede Valley and Hessequa.

Read a previous article | Greenest Municipality: 5th win for Eden

ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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