The Community Development Worker (CDW) Programme has linked a group of six residents in the Sir Lowry’s Pass community with business support to help get their recycling initiative off the ground.

The group received training covering basic aspects of business management such as accounting and marketing that will help them make money from recycling in their area. Protective wear, overalls, gloves, masks, refuse bags, recycling bags, spades, brooms and wheelbarrows have also been donated to the group. The total budget assigned for this training is R26 000.

Going forward participants are now empowered to coordinate recycling efforts in their community to create jobs and to spread awareness around what can be recycled. This will also hopefully lead to lower levels of litter and dumping in the area.

In the future, it is hoped that this model can be replicated in other communities, and the City can facilitate a network of community-based recycling initiatives throughout Cape Town.

‘In South Africa, grassroots recycling initiatives like this have a lot of potential to divert waste from landfill and protect the environment. There are many jobseekers that can use recycling to sustain themselves, but they just need some guidance on how to maximise the income from these activities.

‘Providing a link between communities and the government services that are available for them is the key role of the CDW programme. Very often communities are not sure where to go or who to speak to for assistance with the good work they are doing, and in these cases the community development worker can act as a facilitator,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

Anyone else who would like to explore what assistance the City might be able to offer their small business can contact their local sub-council and request engagement with the local community development worker for their area.

Caption1:  Clint Daniels; Claudia Britz; Cillia Hendricks; Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management; Councillor Norman MacFarlane; Lucy Martins; Phumeza Makundayi and Maria Eeden.

Caption 2:  (left to right) Councillor Norman MacFarlane and Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.

Caption 3:  Patricia Sibani; Claudia Britz; Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management; Clint Daniels; Maria Eeden; Phumeza Makundayi; Councillor Norman MacFarlane; Lucy Martins and Cillia Hendricks.

Source: City Of Cape Town