Finally, light at the end of the tunnel 

Northam – In the Platinum Bushvelder issue of 20 September this year, it was reported that a landfill site in Northam caught fire on 10 September. 

For five days the community of Northam had to endure an awful smell and choking smoke that filled every nook and cranny.

After having to endure the smoke for two days, a meeting was called by Northam Rate Payers’ Association (NRPA) and Thabazimbi Rate Payers’ Association (TRPA) to help formulate a plan of action.

Arrangements were made to fence the landfill and on 16 September, Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM) commenced erecting the fence. 

This fence will ensure that you have to drive into the dumpsite and dump your garbage in the  allocated hole, rather than merely next to the road. The municipality also put up several warning signs in Northam stating that no illegal dumping will be tolerated, and offenders will be prosecuted.  

 “If we work together and support each other as a community, things can change for the better,” said NRPA chairperson David Gouveia in interview with Platinum Bushvelder.