Purpose of the sub-programme
The purpose of the Environmental Sector
Sub-Programme was to develop a labour intensive method to support
Municipalities to undertake domestic waste collection in
under-serviced areas using Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).
Work undertaken
In 2005 the only environment programmes reporting
into the EPWP were the national poverty alleviation programmes
(Working for's…) run by the Departments of Environment Affairs and
Tourism and Water Affairs respectively.
The Support Programme identified that there was significant
opportunity to increase work opportunity creation through application
of labour intensive domestic waste collection.
During 2006, the Support Programme together with the Department of
Environment and Tourism (DEAT) and DPW undertook an initiative to
formulate an approach to household waste collection on a labour
intensive basis, which could be implemented by municipalities in
under-serviced areas. The approach created and supported Small and
Medium Enterprises [SMEs]. Research was undertaken in six
Municipalities [Mbombela, Bushbuckridge, Emfuleni, Thulumela, Nkomazi
and Mafikeng] to determine the feasibility of implementing the model.
The research established that it is feasible to implement the model
however it constitutes an “Expansion of Service” according to the
Municipal Systems Act, 2000, (Act No. 32 of 2000) (MSA). Accordingly
in order to implement the model, the Municipality needs to follow a
decision making process as set out in Section 78 of the Act which
requires the undertaking of a feasibility study to assess the internal
and external capacity of the municipality to render the service.
The research further determined that compliance with the decision
making processes is intensive and requires substantial technical
support together with funding. In addition many Municipalities are
unable to expand services due to amongst others, a lack of finances
and technical expertise. Hence it is essential for Municipalities to
have access to technical, financial and procurement expertise to meet
the obligations stipulated by Section 78 of the MSA.
Proposals were developed for a national programme to support
Municipalities to implement the domestic waste collection model. The
proposals recommended that a pilot project be implemented in one or
two Municipalities, and based on the success of the pilot, additional
funding would be motivated for wider roll out. It was estimated that a
comprehensive programme could create between 400 and 700 SME
opportunities, and between 7,000 and 14,000 permanent jobs. On the
basis of an evaluation process with six municipalities, two were rated
suitable, namely Mbombela and Mafikeng.
At this point in the programme DEAT took over management and no longer
required the support of the Support Programme. DEAT through the Chief
Directorate Social Responsibility Policy and Projects [SRPP] submitted
a request for funding from National Treasury to increase the impact on
waste collection in South Africa, initially through a pilot project
and then through a national programme. In early 2008, R34 million was
earmarked by DEAT for a pilot project. Feasibility studies were
undertaken and business plans developed for both Mbombela and Mafikeng
Municipality. Implementation of the pilot project commenced in 2009 in
Mbombela.
In addition to the above programme the Support Programme also provided
support to an innovative food for waste programme on Hisbiscus Coast.
The support programme assisted in the establishment and implementation
of the programme. This approach is now being applied in other areas.
Achievements
Through this sub-programme the Support Programme
developed a methodology to support Municipalities to provide domestic
waste collection services in un-serviced areas. Taken over by DEAT,
the methodology is being piloted in one municipality and depending on
the success of the pilot may be rolled out nationally.
Lessons learnt
This sub programme showed that in order for support
to be effectively provided, it is necessary to work with the entity
that has implementing authority and funding. In addition, that the
activities undertaken must be agreed with and wanted by this entity.
The entity (in this case DEAT) must be part of the process and must
have the capacity to undertake ongoing implementation of the
activities once the support ceases.
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