KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Ms. Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa was part of the festivities marking the United Nation's 80 years of existence or the so-called 'Oak Jubilee' in Durban. South Africa is one of the 51 founding members of the UN. The African Global Networks facilitated the commemoration of the day by highlighting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDG through promoting awareness on climate change, food security, through a beach cleanup campaign, with a particular focus on UN SDG 6 and 14, specifically clean water and life below water, respectively, which aims to reduce marine pollution on 24 October 2025.

kaMadlopha-Mthethwa joined several private companies and eThekwini Municipality officials who rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty, cleaning debris along banks of the Durban Harbour. "We take pride in participating in the Durban Coastal Cleanup Campaign as we continue to improve our activism against those involved in pollution, causing widespread harm to ecosystems, wildlife and human health, as well as accelerating global warming. Although designated waste disposal sites exist in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, we must still improve on our waste management practices to ensure proper disposal. Despite that, we still battle illegal dumping and inadequate landfill sites to dispose of the waste," said kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.

According to the 2022 Statistics South Africa, 90% of an estimated 122 million tons of general waste produced in South Africa, end up in landfill sites, while only 10% is recycled.