The Bultfontein-based Tswelopele Local Municipality has received recognition for being the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province.

The award ceremony, led by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment, Maggy Sotyu, was held in the Bohlokong New Hall, in Bethlehem on Tuesday (19/3). Having championed the cause of a Clean and Green Free State, Sotyu emphasised the importance of the availability of clean running water and smooth sewerage systems.

The Cleanest Town Competition was initiated in 2001 by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment with a primary focus on implementing the National Waste Management Strategy. Sotyu said of the 18 municipalities that took part in the competition, only five met the requirements.

The Tswelopele Municipality was awarded a cash prize of R3 million. The Dihlabeng Municipality was the first runner-up and won R1,5 million while the Mantsopa Municipality was the second runner-up with a cash prize of R1 million.

Winners of the cleanest and greenest municipalities in the Free State alongside provincial government officials and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Maggy Sotyu, Photo: Free State government, Facebook

In 2022, the Mayor of Tswelopele, Phukuntsi Kenalemang, requested an urgent intervention from the national government regarding the challenges of sanitation, which heavily impacted the environment in the area.

Sotyu explained the importance of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) in ensuring municipalities are clean, whilst creating job opportunities. So far the programme has created over 4 000 jobs in the province, with Mangaung being the main beneficiary with 2000 EPWP employees.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg