eThekwini Municipality, in the heart of Durban, South Africa, is tackling issues of food insecurity, poverty, water waste management, and climate change through innovative projects such as community gardens, water recycling plants, and waste management.
The One Home One Garden initiative tackles food insecurity by establishing local agri-hubs, where communities learn how to transform everyday materials like old tyres, containers and vertical towers into sustainable gardens. Such low-cost systems have enabled families to grow nutritious food, ensuring food security while selling off product surplus for income.
Additionally, through a partnership between eThekwini Municipality and the non-profit organization, Bioregional, two food gardens were established in Sisonke and Davenport Park. The Sisonke Garden grows herbs for the hotel and restaurant businesses, and in return, the hotels provide food waste which is combined with other organic waste and turned into compost for the garden.
The above projects align with SDG targets such as 1.1 – eradicate extreme poverty and 2.1 – universal access to safe and nutritious food.
Another initiative within the Municipality is the Water Recycling Plant, in operation since 2001 through the city’s first public-private partnership, which reduces water consumption and cuts down on environmental pollution. The treatment of wastewater provides industries with alternative water sources, easing the burden on the city’s freshwater supply, aligning with SDG targets 6.3 – improve water quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse.
Furthermore, the Municipality has undertaken waste management to another level through the KwaMashu Waste Beneficiation Centre, a project by the Green Corridors involving the use of non-recyclable materials to make products such as wall blocks and concrete pavers from dumped building rubble, street sweepings, plastics and fabrics. The centre works hand in hand with waste management companies, different departments within the Municipality and industry partners to reduce carbon footprints, helping achieve SDG targets 8.2 – diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity and 11.6 – reduce the environmental impact of cities.
Together, these projects are shaping a resilient future through innovation and collaboration in different sectors, and supporting the city of eThekwini achieve the SDGs.
