KwaDukuza Mayor to use upcoming cabinet visit to tackle environmental challenges



KwaDukuza Mayor Siduduzo Gumede has indicated to the Deputy Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Bernice Swarts that he will be using the upcoming Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet visit to be hosted by KwaDukuza Municipality on 22 July 2026, as an opportunity to appeal for support in tackling environmental challenges, specifically illegal dumping.


“The cabinet of KwaZulu-Natal will be descending to KwaDukuza in two weeks, one of the messages that I will be advancing and which is also on top of the list of my priorities is the war on illegal dumping that we are seeing spiralling out of control”.


Gumede was addressing was addressing the Ministerial Electronic-Waste (E-Waste) Recycling Imbizo at Chris Hani Hall, which the deputy minister handed over 700 indigenous tress to local traditional communities within KwaDukuza.


Gumede expanded, “The reality is that South Africa faces escalating climate risks; including rising sea levels threatening our coasts, extreme weather events disrupting communities, and the urgent need to reduce emissions while building economic growth.




The disruptive floods of April 2022 taught us harsh lessons. We can no longer treat environmental health as peripheral; it is central to climate resilience.

 

The municipality has allocated resources where it can, while working to communicate to potential investors, its plans to protect wetlands to improve water availability and limit flooding whilst creating jobs.

 

1.⁠ ⁠The municipality has partnered with PETCO, FIBRE CIRCLE, EWASA, Circular Energy and R2E2 in driving education and awareness through workshops, schools and community visits.

2.⁠ ⁠The municipality has also initialised the process of signing MoU’s with respective PRO’s as part of formalising partnerships and improve recycling.

3.⁠ ⁠On a quarterly basis, the municipality conducts e-Waste collection drives on selected locations, partnering with R2E2. Households do also receive house call collection for their e-waste. 

4.⁠ ⁠The municipality has previously received sponsorships from PROs to bust recycling within the municipality and assist waste pickers with necessary PPE and storage receptacles.

 

Over and above that, we are taking care of our streams through our Transformative Riverine Management Programme (TRMP), in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs where we are clearing waste from rivers and stormwater channels, creating jobs, protecting infrastructure, and rehabilitating wetlands.

 

Minister, as KwaDukuza we are not waiting for another disaster to rear its ugly head and overwhelm us, we face unique vulnerabilities, but we are actively committed to low-emissions development in mitigating risks.

 

We also appreciate that we are one amongst three KZN municipalities recognised for the 2025-2026 Blue Flag season, where KwaDukuza earned four flags within its coastline. This coveted status does not only underline that we are passionate about sustainable tourism but also attests to the fact that we are amongst the leading coastal destinations that cares about public safety, and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems.


KwaDukuza is steadfast about becoming the face of the province, not only in becoming a destination of choice but the tourism heartbeat of KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline.

 

He described the Imbizo as a practical expression for a more efficient turnaround against the degenerative impact of climate change that has become great threat to food security, the economy, livelihoods", said Gumede.


Ends


Issued by the Office of the mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality
Enquiries: Sphe Ngobese | 0737847822 | sphelelon@kwadukuza.gov.za

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