Memorandum of Understanding signed to drive sustainable development and decent work in Waterberg District

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries Environment (DFFE), Waterberg District Municipality, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing sustainable development, decent work, and inclusive economic growth in the Waterberg District and Limpopo Province.

This collaboration aligns with the Government of South Africa’s District Development Model (DDM), a nationwide effort to improve service delivery and drive integrated development at local level. This partnership reinforces the commitment to strengthening municipal capacity in waste management and promoting innovative, people-centred solutions.

The ILO expressed its sincere appreciation to its valued partners for their support. These include the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Waterberg District Municipality, Mogalakwena and Lephalale Local Municipalities, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), PETCO and other Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), the South African Waste Pickers’ Association (SAWPA), the Mogalakwena and Lephalale Waste Pickers’ Forums, COSATU, and the Waterberg Chamber of Commerce, among others.

The MoU established a framework for cooperation among the partners to jointly implement projects that restore and protect the natural environment, create inclusive job opportunities—particularly for youth, women, and persons with disabilities—and maximise community benefits through coordinated action.

This collaboration supports the Waterberg District Municipality’s mandate to address socio-economic challenges through sustainable development and efficient waste management. It also reflects the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s vision of a prosperous, equitable society in harmony with nature, driven by environmental leadership and conservation for the benefit of all.

Together, these efforts aim to create green jobs, foster entrepreneurship, build local skills, and embed environmental stewardship through circular economy principles.

Call to Action
Stakeholder collaboration remains vital. The collaborating partners encourage local communities, businesses, and workers to actively participate in these initiatives to ensure long-term, inclusive, and sustainable development in the Waterberg District Municipality.