Inhabitants of Grootfontein have recently taken it upon themselves to tidy up their town, which has faced challenges with waste disposal for many years.
In 2021, the town issued a statement letting the public know that the waste collection department was facing delays in solid waste services. The town had outdated and broken-down trucks, and was using smaller equipment to collect waste, which took more time and led to extended working hours.
Waste is disposed of in an outdoor dump site with minimal recycling activities.
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The mayor of Grootfontein, Talitha Garises, states that the cleanup initiatives are a component of the town’s waste management strategy. She emphasizes that it is the duty of the council members to involve the public to maintain the town’s cleanliness.
“The local authority implements awareness initiatives focused on waste management education, and this effort typically involves distributing notifications via public information channels and direct delivery by community volunteers along with students from schools,” she adds.
The spokesperson for Grootfontein Municipality, Luke Salomo, states that earlier clean-up initiatives were primarily response-based, initiated due to comparisons with other towns or grievances from locals regarding litter.
“The initiative went beyond simply eliminating trash; it was about restoring a sense of dignity in their neighborhood, demonstrating that transformation doesn’t always begin in local government offices but with individuals committed to driving improvement,” states Salomo.
Kalenga Primary School, Wilhelm Nortier Primary School, and Shamalidi Kindergarten, along with local companies like Grootfontein Tractors & Implements, Endombo Financial Services, and Northern Arms and Ammo, joined forces with community groups and members of the public for the clean-up initiative.
A local social justice advocate named Benjamin Pablo challenges the city’s responsibility for keeping the area clean beyond the current cleanup initiative.
“Hygiene should not be viewed as a one-time occurrence, but rather as an ongoing duty. Without consistent garbage removal, public awareness initiatives, and effective implementation of regulations, any temporary actions will soon be reversed,” he states.
In the meantime, the army branch of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) also participated in the cleanup initiative alongside local residents.
The cleanup began at the military base, extending through the town and into adjacent informal neighborhoods.
A spokesperson from the NDF, Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, states that the involvement of the military in this effort is considered part of their secondary duty, which involves supporting civilian authorities and civil power during times of peace and when necessary.
“That is not our responsibility; we are not hired for that task. We are simply providing support to local authorities and ensuring our surroundings remain clean,” he states.
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Tagged: Namibia, Urban Issues and Habitation, Environment, Southern Africa
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