KNYSNA NEWS - Municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba and municipal staff members "held a productive engagement with representatives from AfriForum on Thursday 23 January", says the municipality.

"The open and frank discussions laid the groundwork for potential collaboration, focusing on tapping into AfriForum's expertise and exploring project management opportunities to benefit the town," it said.

Memorandum of understanding

"A formal proposal, which will serve as the foundation for a Memorandum of Understanding between the organisations, is expected to follow soon.

"The meeting emphasised the importance of working with organisations and individuals who share a vested interest in Knysna's future, reinforcing our vision of fostering partnerships for an inclusive, innovative and inspired Greater Knysna.

"We are now awaiting AfriForum's formal proposal, after which a follow-up meeting will be scheduled.

"As a legislated entity, the municipality must ensure that all agreements align with policy and legal requirements."

AfriForum said Mapholoba "emphasised the importance of involving community organisations who share a vested interest in Knysna's future, and welcomed AfriForum's expertise".

'Future collaboration'

"The frank and open discussions laid the groundwork for future collaboration, and we look forward to making a formal proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding soon," Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum's district coordinator for the Southern Cape, said.

"In 2024, AfriForum found that the Sedgefield (landfill) site achieved only 22% compliance with the minimum legal requirements for the management of landfill sites, while the Knysna site achieved a shocking 12% compliance.

"These results are indicative of the overall mismanagement that prevails at these sites and highlight the seriousness of the situation.

'Share findings'

"We look forward to working with the municipality in 2025 to put the residents' interests first.

"AfriForum will again audit the sites in Sedgefield and Knysna in February as part of our annual landfill audit project to determine if there is improvement.

"We will share our findings with the municipality so that solutions can be put in place."

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