The town is clean, the streams and rivers run clear, everyone gardens, everyone walks or uses bicycles to get around, the municipality is efficiently run by competent administrators and politicians who have the citizens' interests at heart and who have a good relationship with the local media.
The town is clean, the streams and rivers run clear, everyone gardens, everyone walks or uses bicycles to get around, the municipality is efficiently run by competent administrators and politicians who have the citizens' interests at heart and who have a good relationship with the local media.
These were some of the things Councillor Nomhle Gaga observed during her recent trip to Raseborg, in Finland, where she attended working sessions on municipal water management.
"They are strong with their by-laws. There is no illegal dumping," Gaga said. As chair of Makana Municipality's Technical Services portfolio, which incorporates water, she said she was particularly impressed by the clean waterways.
She said that despite the fact that they were surrounded by abundant water, Fins assiduously saved water. "Gardening is part of their life. They are very environmentally conscious. They have bio-fuel plants which they use as back-up.
"In Finland people don't use their cars. The old and young walk or use their bicycles.
"For us, from Checkers to Pick n Pay we use our cars."
Gaga also pointed out that Finnish homes used dry toilet systems.
The Raseborg municipality supported and worked well with co-operatives, said Gaga, and they were contracted to manage key areas such as the water-supply. She said people took their jobs seriously and one plant might have a workforce of just three people.
"There is a good relationship between the media and the municipality," Gaga said. "They really report what we say to them," she said, saying they always reported positively.
"I was impressed with their recycling system. They use three bins to separate waste. Everybody knows about it. They even control their waste at home."
She said in Finland, cleanliness was very important – they even took off their shoes before walking into their houses.
"Finland people live a simple life. I did not see a distinction between the rich and poor."
She observed that they loved music and fish and there were saunas just about everywhere – even in factories, where the workers could take a break. "They really look after their workers," she said.
"I was impressed with the education. The teachers and lecturers are all committed, you can see that they have the best education."
She said she was also impressed with students who did research in the community and worked hand-in-hand with the municipality. She said high school pupils were taught about the stock market and got to know about money while they were still young.
"On our last day, we were lucky to see the preview of the Miriam Makeba movie [Mama Afrika, directed by Finn, Mika Kaurismaki]. After the movie, we were quiet for 30 minutes. I won't tell you why, I want you to go and see and you will know why."
