Joburg to turn dumping sites into youth enterprise hubs, says Morero

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says the City is looking to convert reclaimed illegal dumping sites into community-based waste management and enterprise hubs, arguing that the initiative could stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to gross domestic product (GDP).

Speaking at the launch of the Waste to Work Programme in Braamfontein on Thursday, Morero said the City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), intends to use municipal land to support young entrepreneurs in the waste management sector.

The programme celebrated its first group of graduates, who will receive support to establish waste management businesses.

Morero said the City had established a dedicated team to identify suitable municipal land that could be leased to entrepreneurs for between five and 10 years, allowing them to secure funding from financial institutions.

“I’ve made that decision, and the team is now operational. Every Wednesday they meet