Here is the platform: speak out!

“I think we deserve more”

“I hate it”

“They are not doing their job”

These are just a few of the responses we received when we sent out surveys asking what people thought Makana Municipality was doing for the environment. These surveys were conducted in both English and Xhosa as we aimed to gain the viewpoints of students, local residents and residents within the location. The answers even though different in magnitude were generally the same. There was either a complete lack of knowledge as to what Makana’s environmental plans are or there was outrage at the municipality’s lack of implementation of these plans.

Our aim however is not to simply criticize Makana municipality but rather undertake some investigative reporting to see what is being done and offer the people a form of constructive criticism. Yet after the surveys were completed we realized there is a severe lack of knowledge concerning LEAP, Makana’s environmental action plan. Therefore we also hope to educate the public on the role of the municipality in the environment and showcase what is being done. We hope to engage all citizens of Grahamstown in municipal problems and raise a platform for citizen debate.

We also want to do human interest pieces, hopefully reaching audiences on an emotional level. Even though some of these issues of waste, electricity and waste apply to all large sectors of the community, it is through the story of one individual whose life is harmed or has been made better due to the municipalities projects. We have met with the municipality, in specific Kevin Bates, and he has agreed to act as a source of information. We do not want to simply align ourselves with the municipality, nor do we want to criticize them. As our slogan says we want to get people to know their municipality and make people aware of both the good and bad being done. It is about involving the people in the issues that concern them and creating awareness.

Alongside helping with education pamphlets on LEAP and an investigative look at Makana’s environmental policies, we will be following a story on the goat village. This project appears to be a great source of income for farmers as well as creating eco tourism in the area. I would like to focus on the impact this sort of project can have on an individual life, and I hope I can illustrate what such a project can do to turn one persons life around.

Ultimately we want to make a platform for the community to speak about their environmental concerns, and raise awareness as to what has been done yet at the same time what still can be done.