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The Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) has announced the winners of its 2025 Greenest Municipality Competition, celebrating local governments that excel in sustainable practices. The announcement, made on 21 October 2025, recognized Makana Municipality as the overall district winner, followed by Kouga and Sundays River Valley.
What Happened?
The Greenest Municipality Competition is one of SBDM’s flagship initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, innovation, and good governance across its local municipalities.
Five municipalities — Makana, Kouga, Sundays River Valley, Ndlambe, and Blue Crane Route — qualified for the final evaluation phase. The competition assessed performance in six key categories:
- Waste Management
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation
- Water Management
- Landscaping and Beautification
- Public Participation and Empowerment
- Leadership and Institutional Arrangements
- Makana emerged as the 2025 district champion, Kouga secured second place, while Sundays River Valley placed third. Ndlambe and Blue Crane Route followed in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Official Response
At the awards announcement, SBDM Executive Mayor Councillor Deon de Vos congratulated all the winners and praised Makana for its exceptional effort.
“Despite the many challenges experienced in Makana, this recognition reflects real progress on the ground,” said Mayor de Vos. “It shows that committed teams are working hard to improve environmental management and service delivery.”
He further explained that the independent assessment team, made up of officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), and SBDM, ensures transparency and fairness throughout the evaluation process.
Community Impact
The competition has sparked renewed motivation for local municipalities to invest in long-term sustainability program. Communities within the district are expected to benefit from improved waste management, cleaner public spaces, and better access to water-saving and energy-efficient systems.
The results reflect a growing awareness of the need for local action against climate change. With Makana leading the way, the district continues to cement its reputation as a model for green innovation in the Eastern Cape.
