Our Commitment to Cleaner Air

29 August, 2007

eThekwini Mayor, Obed Mlaba

When we promised our people a better life for all, that did not just mean houses, water, electricity, education and job creation that the ANC-led government has brought to South Africans since liberation. A better quality of life also means a sustainable living environment, free from pollution, where people can enjoy happy and healthy lives.

In many instances this is necessitating a major shift in town planning because of existing infrastructure, but we are confident that by working in partnership with the communities concerned and all the other stakeholders, the eThekwini Municipality can bring about the changes that are needed to improve and manage the air quality of our city. I believe that this is a lesson that the rest of the country can learn from Durban - while local government plays its role in air quality monitoring and control, it is through vigilant actions by communities that strategies to keep our city clean and healthy, can be sustained.

Once again, this is a challenge that came along with our history, so there is no magic wand to make it disappear. We can only apply our expertise and commitment with the people of the city to accelerate the solutions and provide that better life that we all deserve.

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