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Lidgetton West Semi-Rural Township
Social Impact
About Lidgetton West Semi-Rural Township
Lidgetton West township has a total of 1567 households and is located in Howick, not
only within a tourist attraction area but within commercial farms, which are covered by
approximately 2000 km2 of protected and conserved areas. In addition, the Lidgetton
area encompasses NFEPA (National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas) wetlands and
rivers which form tributaries to the Midmar Dam and Umgeni River.
The Issue
This community is
currently faced with inadequate municipal services e.g. lack of sanitation within
households near rivers, infrequent collection of waste and blocked drains which
overflow directly to the Lions River. In addition, there are illegal dumpsites not far from
the river where the toxins or chemicals from the waste seeps into the ground with the
risk that this reaches the stream during rainy days. The Umgeni Municipality is failing
dismally to manage its landfill site and as a direct consequence, the collection of waste
in the residential areas is delayed resulting in the waste material to be thrown away
hazardously around spaces within communities and ending up as pollution in the rivers.
How is YMAD Helping Lidgetton West Semi-Rural Township?
YMAD NPO started working with the Lidgetton West team in the beginning of 2021, as
one of the pilot projects for the Amanzi Ethu Nobuntu stimulus funding sponsored by
the Department of Science and Innovation as well as Duzi Umgeni Conservation Trust
(DUCT). Therefore, from the 1 February to the end of October 2021, YMAD had a team
of 10 Envirochamps (youth community members) which were based at Lidgetton West
but worked within the Dargle Valley area and Nottingham Road, in Howick.