The Provincial Department of Human Settlements is launching a "Most beautified, cleanest and most enhanced neighbourhood" competition on Friday (4 September) at Dutywa as part of Arbour Week 2015.
The Provincial Department of Human Settlements is launching a "Most beautified, cleanest and most enhanced neighbourhood" competition on Friday (4 September) at Dutywa as part of Arbour Week 2015.
The competition is part of a programme designed to change the outlook of Eastern Cape townships and is a call to action for communities to start own their initiatives to improve the appearance of their neighborhoods.
In this era of climate change, say organisers, government is encouraging communities to maintain a clean and green environment by methods such as water harvesting, improved waste management and the planting of trees and vegetable gardens to improve air quality by absorbing carbon gasses.
The department is challenging individuals and community organisations enter and showcase what they've done to contribute to the improvement of their environment.
Winners will be announced at the annual Provincial Govan Mbeki awards that take place in April. Qualifying projects will be scored in the following categories: · Most beautified and cleanest – waste management and recycling.
· Greening – planting of trees, food gardens and environmental friendly neighbhourhoods.
· Most enhanced – use of available natural resources, availability of recreational facilities (informal and formal) roads, clinics etc.
Community projects will be assessed by independent judges and the winning neighbourhood will received prizes that will benefit their community including food and garden implements, waste management tools and sporting equipment.
The competition will be launched in Dutywa on 04 September 2015.
The launch will take place alongside site visits to community enhancement projects and a handover of a new residential settlement.
The department will be collaborating with the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, the House of Traditional Leaders and Department of Social Development to incorporate food security for destitute families.
The competition forms part of the department’s programme on the implementation of Project Enhancements and Community Integration.
