Ekurhuleni’s member of the mayoral committee responsible for Environmental Development, Vuyelwa Mabena, said that this award was symbolic of the municipality’s hard work.
“This is a clear indication that the systems and strategies the municipality has employed when it comes to environmental management, and greening initiatives are beginning to yield fruits,” she said.
The EMM is also a four-times winner of the Blue Drop Award.
According to Mabena, the latest accolade the metro has received is due to the dedicated efforts of various departments within the municipality, including Waste Management Services, Health and Social Services, Water and Sanitation Department, Energy and Electricity Department, Communications and Brand Management Department and Environmental Resource Management.
“The municipality has been actively working with the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA) for some time now, as part of its efforts to make the city more environmentally-sustainable.
“We are pleased that the city’s efforts to encourage resource efficiency and cleaner production (RECP) and other sustainable practices have been recognised in this way,” says NCPC-SA director, Ndivhuho Raphulu.
The GMC also focuses on efforts to get municipalities to be central to the green economy.
The Department of Environmental Affairs awards prizes according to two categories, namely the Metropolitan Municipality and Local Municipality.
The prize money has to be utilised for projects that promote environmental-related projects and Green Economy initiatives.
EMM’s R3.5-m cash prize will be channelled to other green projects.
