Lanquedoc residents are frustrated with the severity of pollution, which has been a long-term issue, in their area.
This is according to Kenneth Mtamiri, a Lanquedoc resident.
“This stuff makes everyone unhappy,” claimed Mtamiri, in reference to the pollution next to Wildeklawer Street in Lanquedoc.
Due to pollution and illegal dumping, the river near Wildeklawer Street occasionally gets blocked, claimed two residents who live next to the river who requested to remain anonymous. This blockage leads to water overflowing onto residential properties, the residents told MatieMedia.
A large yellow skip bin close to Wildeklawer Street (pictured above) in Lanquedoc is used for bulk waste collection. However, this area is prone to illegal dumping and water pollution, according to residents who live close to this area. “It’s a problem for everyone,” said one resident, who requested to remain anonymous. Pollution can also be seen in the other two areas, Protea and Bergsig Street, where skip bins are placed. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
Health concerns
This kind of water pollution “could result in [Escherichia coli], increased chemical oxygen demand levels, leading to foul air and stagnant water”, according to Lorren de Kock, a project manager for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), via email correspondence with MatieMedia. This increases the risk of insects that carry diseases, she stated.
The pollution near Wildeklawer Street is an eyesore and a health risk for their children, said one of the anonymous residents. “It smells like death here,” they claimed.
The two anonymous residents also claimed that the bodies of four small pigs and a dog were found in this area.
Along with kerbside waste collection, Stellenbosch Municipality collects waste in bulk through large yellow skip bins in Lanquedoc. Skip bins in Lanquedoc are placed on Wildeklawer, Bergsig (pictured above) and Protea Street. This is according to Sizeka Monakali, manager of area cleansing and collection for Stellenbosch Municipality. The municipality also provides wheelie bins to residents and clears possible illegal dumping sites, added Monakali. The clearing of bins is scheduled three times a week, said Monakali. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
A community problem
One of the anonymous residents called the pollution and illegal dumping a “community problem” and not specifically a failure of Stellenbosch Municipality.
“The municipality comes, they clean up, but tomorrow it looks like this again,” said this anonymous resident.
“Illegal dumping is an issue across the entire country and is something that all towns and municipalities are constantly battling with,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The improper disposal of materials can pose health risks to economically disadvantaged communities, but so can the production of these materials. This is according to Lorren de Kock, a project manager for the World Wide Fund for Nature. “Waste is visible, especially in lower income communities, but this is only a symptom of a larger problem of unsustainable production and consumption,” said De Kock via email correspondence with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
The municipality clears illegal dumping where needed, according to Sizeka Monakali, manager of area cleansing and collection for Stellenbosch Municipality.
In Lanquedoc, the municipality collects kerbside waste and provides large skip bins in Wildeklawer, Bergsig and Protea Street for bulk waste collection, according to Monakali.
However, Mtamiri believes that the municipality is not doing enough to resolve the issue.
Locals also often dump their waste next to the designated skip bins, adding to the pollution, claimed one of the anonymous residents.
Communities in the Stellenbosch area should report illegal dumping and littering and refrain from polluting, said Grobbelaar.