Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM), in collaboration with the Wits Rural Knowledge Hub, hosted a Science and Service Delivery Symposium on 4 November 2025 at the Wits Rural Campus on Orpen Road. The symposium focused on strengthening research and development to enhance service delivery, particularly in support of BLM’s Rural Metro initiative. 

Chaired by Professor Twine, the symposium was attended by Speaker of Council Cllr Raganya, MMC for Social Development Cllr Mathebula, MMC for Finance Cllr Mzimba, MPAC Chairperson Cllr Lekhuleni, Municipal Manager Mr Ngobeni, municipal directors, Mopani District Municipality’s Research Unit, K2C, AWARD, and academics from WITS and the University of the Western Cape. 

Addressing delegates, Mr Ngobeni thanked Professor Twine for initiating the collaboration, noting that it would significantly assist the municipality in strengthening research-based service delivery. 

The symposium addressed four key service delivery areas: municipal research strategies, planning and economic development, water and natural resource management, and waste management. Research findings revealed widespread illegal dumping, particularly of diapers, including dumping in streams used for domestic water, posing serious environmental and health risks. 

Delegates agreed that follow-up sessions were necessary to monitor progress and address challenges promptly.