Download the logo
The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries learned with shock that Mr Simon Mbata, who was the South African Waste Pickers Association’s national coordinator, has died.
One day prior to the tragic accident, Mr Mbata gave a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on informal waste management.
Ms Faith Muthambi was the committee chair and stated that Mr Mbata represented the waste pickers as a zero-waste champion. He was instrumental to helping waste pickers create cooperatives and ran awareness campaigns about the separation waste in communities so that those without jobs could have a source of income.
He was active in the fight for the protection and promotion of waste picker jobs. He said that waste incineration will result in people losing their jobs because people who work on dump sites provide a living for their families.
Mbata saw the environmental impact of waste pickers as an essential service worker. He also identified business opportunities, such as the picking and transporting of waste materials and the recovery thereof, which helped many poor communities.
Ms Muthambi spoke highly of Mr Mbata, describing him as a leader and champion for the environment. He will be greatly missed. His contributions to the environment will be remembered in the cooperatives he helped to organize. The committee extends condolences and sympathies to the Mbata family, friends, and communities that worked with him.
Distributed by APO Group, Republic of South Africa: Parliament.
APO has issued this Press Release. The content has not been reviewed by African Business. This announcement is solely the responsibility of the issuer.
