Minutes

Meeting with Mr. Charl Botha, Knysna Municipality

Dec 1, 2009

Rheenendal

Purpose of Meeting

A meeting was held between members of the Litter/Recycling Project of the Phantom-Homtini Nature Conservancy and Mr. Charl Botha, Director of Community Services, Knysna Municipality to discuss ways to minimize and maintain a litter-free Rheenendal Roadside, and also ways by which to encourage recycling.

Discussion Points:

§ Howard Butcher, Chairman of the Conservancy, opened the meeting and provided a background to the Conservancy’s concerns around litter and recycling.

§ There have been sporadic clean-ups happening along the road, but the conservancy is looking for long-term solutions to keep our area looking clean.

§ 20 bags of litter were picked up during the latest clean up that took place on the 23^rd of November.

§ This was only 2 weeks after the clean up before that and the covered area was only between the N2 turn off and Portland Mini Market.

§ A lot of littering happens when people are waiting for taxis.

§ The proposition of placing bins at specific locations along the road was pointed out as a possible way to minimize litter.

§ The bins would have to be baboon proof.

§ Mr. Botha mentioned that as part of a poverty-alleviation scheme and job creation there are bi-monthly ward clean ups in Keurhoek

§ Although Rheenendal falls under the Eden Municipality, Mr. Botha could look in to the possibilities of extending the clean up to include the Rheenendal roadside.

§ Mr. Botha also mentioned that there is a new waste-minimization scheme being developed, under the new Waste ACT passed in July this year, and he would keep us up to date with that.

§ Regarding recycling both the Knysna and Sedgefield Recycling Depots are run on contract basis.

§ There are new tenders out for both sites.

§ A newly-opened recycling depot, KULANI, has been set up in Concordia

§ Discussion was held around the possibility of setting up a local recycling depot which would also inspire job creation.

§ However, this would require a proper permit if one is to process recyclables.

§ The alternative suggested was to have a central collection point for recyclables to be brought to and then either picked up by the Municipality on a certain day or by KULANI.

§ KULANI pays/solid weight which could again inspire jobs.

§ Mr. Botha’s department also includes roadside signage and youth; brief discussion was held about the Environmental Youth Project and the Signage the executive committee is busy developing.

Conclusions/Decisions

ü 20 (85)-ltr bins have been ordered with Mr. Jaftha, from the Waste Mgt services, Municipality.

ü All materials to render the bins baboon proof will be supplied by the Municipality and constructed by members of the conservancy.

ü The bins will be placed at crucial littering points between keurhoek and the N2.

ü Mr. Botha will look in to ways to alter the monthly ward clean-ups to include the Rheenendal roadside.

ü The executive committee will establish contact with the Ward councilor in Keurhoek.

ü The conservancy will continue to work closely with Eunice Lodewyk, community development officer in Keurhoek to ensure collaboration at all levels.

ü Conservancy treasurer will establish contact with KULANI to enquire about recycling.

ü The conservancy will establish contact with lead taxi owners to extend littering awareness to their passengers and appropriate use of bins.

ü Mr. Botha has agreed to cover snacks and transport costs for the first youth nature excursion scheduled for 21^st December.

ü The conservancy secretary will establish contact with the department to obtain the fund by 14^th of December.

ü Mr. Botha agreed to review the conservancy’s sign and inform the executive committee about any changes needed to be made prior to planting of the sign around the middle of December.

ü Mr. Botha advised that all further correspondence regarding litter/recycling needs to be made through Mr. Jaftha (ph: 044 302 6405/7 cell: 0825598196