GREATER Kokstad Municipality was presented with a R50 000 cheque and a trophy after it was named the “greenest” and the “cleanest” municipality in the Harry Gwala District for 2015/2016.
The presentation took place at the Greenest Municipality Competition awards at the Peace Initiative Hall in Ixopo last Thursday.
Harry Gwala District Municipality Mayor, Mluleki Ndobe stressed the importance of preserving the environment for the sake of future generations.
“Right now we are experiencing a terrible drought due to climate change and global warming. A few decades ago, when authorities spoke about preserving the environment, and saying that South Africa was a dry country with even less water resources, it was like a mystery and we didn’t understand it.
“Today we have learnt the hard way. It is as a result of our actions that we are experiencing all these changes,” said Ndobe.
Municipalities and towns in Harry Gwala have been encouraged to build parks and plant trees.
At the awards Umzimkhulu Municipality came second and Ubuhlebezwe, third.
They won R30 000 and R20 000 respectively, which the mayor advised should be invested into “greening” projects in their communities.
