GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has a new business partner on board to combat illegal dumping. Kathaka RAW Enterprises will provide skips in areas that still need these urgently and educate communities on how to turn their refuse into money.
Kathaka started with a pilot project in Maraiskamp last week as a part of a social responsibility programme, where they used 20 community members and 25 EPWP workers from the municipality to clean a dumping site on the corner of Kloof and Marlyn streets.
One of the five skips the company made available, was put at this corner. The company paid members of the community a small incentive of R5 per bag they filled with recyclables. This arrangement was only for the one day to encourage people to recycle.
The other four skips will be put up at hotspots in Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, Conville and Rosemoor.
According to Max Modise, director of Kathaka RAW Enterprises (PTY) LTD, 70 % of all South African household waste is recyclable. "People throw money away by dumping electronic waste, plastics, paper, tin, glass bottles and milk cartons."
Modise thanked the municipality for agreeing to partner with his company in this endeavour. "As a corporate business citizen of George, we recognise that what we are attempting to do may have been done before, but we would like to do it slightly differently!"
Modise said they are hopeful that they can set the right example and educate the public, but they also recognise that they will not conquer the scourge of illegal dumping and be able to provide the right alternatives to the communities, if they do not do it as an inclusive partnership.
Director of Kathaka Raw Enterprises Max Modise, George Mayor Leon van Wyk and Portfolio Councillor for Community Services Sean Snyman at an illegal dumping site in Maraiskamp during a clean-up.
George Mayor Leon van Wyk said Kathaka RAW is a company that takes its corporate social responsibility seriously in the communities were they conduct business. The municipality has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Kathak from 1 May for a six-month period as part of a corporate social responsibility.
"We commend them for this initiative and encourage other companies to get into business with the municipality," said Van Wyk. "The community involvement in this project encourages citizens to become active in contributing to making George a better place to live in."
Community members and EPWP workers working away the refuse at an illegal dump site in Maraiskamp.
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is anything you throw away in a place where it does not belong.
• If you know who is dumping illegally, report them to 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
• Information that will help the case for a warning or fine: car description and/or registration number, address of alleged perpetrator, type of waste and address of where it was dumped. A cellphone photo of dumping in action will help, but is not essential.
• Report dumped waste for collection on 044 802 2900 or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
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