POLOKWANE – The provincial competition for the cleanest town in Limpopo was launched at the opening function of the Limpopo Environment Fair last Wednesday.

Charles Maluleke, Senior General Manager: Tourism and Environment, for the Limpopo Department of Finance and Economic Development, said the competition is one of the instruments the province is using to implement the National Waste Management Strategy as outlined by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

"The campaign aims to raise awareness of best practice in waste management and is also a vehicle to encourage a clean environment and bring back the pride of the communities in managing their own environment," Maluleke said.

Although held on a smaller scale in Limpopo during the past two years, the competition will now, for the first time, be held on a provincial level, with the aim of involving as many municipalities as possible.

The national criteria will be used in the selection process, which are: the physical conditions of the town, including general cleanliness, management of the waste disposal facility, recreation/public comfort facilities, special social service facilities, green open spaces, tourist attractions and the support systems for waste management.