Residents of Dzanani and other areas of Nzhelele will now have a refuse transfer station of their own, where they will deposit refuse matter for management before it can be transferred to the Makhado dumping site.

This follows after the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Muthavatsindi, launched a refuse transfer station project last Wednesday (20 March).

The construction of the facility, which is estimated to have a completion budget of R1,5 million, includes a waste-separation and storage room, guard room, an office and ablution facilities. “We will also ensure that we erect quality access roads within the facility and provide for the electrification of the station,” said Semono Consulting Engineers' project manager, Mr Harry Sithole.

Semono Consulting Engineers are both the consultants and contractors for this project.

The project will create work for at least 20 persons who will work at the refuse management site at its completion. “These people will come from the local communities,” Sithole said.

Ward 25 councillor John Mamafha said that the construction of the refuse transfer station was long overdue, but mentioned that he was pleased with all the stakeholders who eventually met and finalised the paperwork and structural designs.

“When we see projects like this one in our communities, we know that development is taking place among us,” Mamafha said. “This project comes as good news since our area will get to be cleaner than before. We will be able to manage waste in the area, from disposable nappies that litter the roadsides to cans.”