The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in partnership with the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSDM) and the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, hosted an Imbizo and officially launched the E-Waste Recycling Pilot Project at Rotary Stadium on Wednesday, 23 May 2026.
The initiative aims to strengthen efforts towards creating a clean, safe and healthy environment while simultaneously creating employment and economic opportunities for local communities. The programme also served as an awareness platform to educate communities about the importance of collective action in tackling electronic waste (e-waste).
Addressing community members during the event, DFFE Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts highlighted the growing challenge of e-waste in South Africa. She noted that while the country generates large volumes of electronic waste annually, only a small percentage is recycled, posing serious risks to both human health and the environment if not properly managed.
“Government intends to divert this waste towards increasing reuse, recycling and recovery. The DFFE has embarked on e-waste collection projects to ensure the safe collection and recycling of e-waste across the country,” said the Deputy Minister.
She further explained that the programme has already been introduced in several municipalities across Mpumalanga, Northwest and Gauteng provinces. Through these initiatives, Buy-Back organisations have successfully collected more than 86 000 tons of e-waste, with over R250 000 paid to communities as incentives.
Deputy Minister Swarts encouraged young people and women to establish Buy-Back Centres in their communities where waste pickers can sell recyclable materials. She described the initiative as an important driver for job creation and improving livelihoods.
During the event, community members were afforded an opportunity to sell collected electronic waste to participating electronic Buy-Back companies. Residents also engaged directly with stakeholders by asking questions regarding waste collection, recycling processes and environmental management.
In his closing remarks, Executive Mayor N. Nelani commended the DFFE for bringing the programme to KSD, saying it would significantly contribute to the Municipality’s waste management efforts and local economic development initiatives.
The Mayor reaffirmed the Municipality’s commitment to supporting waste collection and recycling programmes, noting that KSDM has already begun working closely with local waste pickers to promote environmental cleanliness across communities.
Community members were also urged to dispose of waste responsibly and refrain from illegal dumping, which remains a punishable offence.