Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, has launched an e-waste collection and recycling pilot project in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Swarts described the initiative as a “practical and timely intervention” aimed at strengthening waste management, protecting the environment, and creating local economic opportunities.

Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, is considered the fastest-growing waste stream globally due to the increasing use of electrical and electronic equipment. 

Swarts warned that discarded devices often contain hazardous substances that can pose serious risks to human health and the environment if not properly managed.

According to the Deputy Minister, South Africa generates more than 360 000 tonnes of e-waste annually, while only a small proportion is formally recycled. 

She said government’s prohibition on disposing e-waste at landfill sites, together with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, demonstrates a commitment to increasing reuse, recycling, and recovery of electronic waste.

Swarts said municipalities such as King Sabata Dalindyebo face ongoing waste management challenges due to limited infrastructure, insufficient waste minimisation initiatives, and low public awareness around e-waste recycling. 

She said the pilot project seeks to address these issues by creating accessible collection systems and encouraging stronger community participation.

The Deputy Minister outlined the department’s broader e-waste collection programme, which began during the 2024/25 financial year as part of Extended Producer Responsibility implementation. 

The programme was first introduced in Mpumalanga in the Bushbuckridge and Nkomazi local municipalities before expanding to Rustenburg and Madibeng in the North West Province, followed by the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng.

Swarts also referred to recent community engagements in the Northern Cape’s Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, noting that e-waste initiatives in rural and peri-urban areas had resulted in more than 86 000kg of e-waste being collected nationwide. 

Communities participating in the programme received more than R267 700 in incentives.

She said the outcomes demonstrated the environmental and public health benefits of partnerships between government and Producer Responsibility Organisations.

The Eastern Cape project is being implemented through a partnership involving the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Eastern Cape Department of Environment, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, and Producer Responsibility Organisations.

Swarts said the collaboration would improve coordination between different spheres of government while ensuring implementation aligns with national policy and regulatory frameworks.

Community involvement, she added, would be central to the project’s success through the establishment of drop-off and collection points, collaboration with local small businesses, and targeted awareness campaigns to promote responsible recycling practices at household level.

Beyond environmental protection, Swarts said the initiative could contribute to job creation, skills development, and increased participation of small enterprises in the recycling economy.

She added that the project supports the objectives of the National Waste Management Strategy by reducing waste sent to landfill sites, increasing recycling rates, and promoting inclusive economic growth. 

The initiative is also expected to serve as a model for similar programmes in other municipalities across the Eastern Cape.

The department will monitor the project’s progress using indicators such as volumes of e-waste collected, levels of community participation, SMME involvement, and employment opportunities created.

Swarts called on residents, industry partners, and community structures across King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality and the wider OR Tambo District to support the initiative.

“Through collective effort, we can reduce environmental risks, recover valuable resources, and create sustainable livelihoods,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The State Visit to Botswana is not merely a diplomatic formality, but a “coming together of brethren from the same family”.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who delivered remarks at a State Banquet hosted by Botswana President Duma Boko on the first day of the two-day visit to the country.

“Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for the distinct privilege and honour of being invited for this historic State Visit.

“This is no ordinary State Visit. It is a coming together of brethren from the same family. We are one people, born of the same soil and bound together by a shared history,” President Ramaphosa stated on Wednesday.

He underscored the historical debt owed to Botswana, which served as a crucial frontline state and sanctuary during South Africa’s painful liberation struggle against apartheid.

“Together, we are part of SADC [Southern African Development Community], a community of nations that played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa from the crime of apartheid. 

“Botswana was an ally and friend of the South African people in our quest for justice, democracy and human rights for all.

“Botswana provided solidarity, support and refuge to our people during our days of need, sometimes at a great cost to yourself,” the President noted.

Years later, President Ramaphosa added, the two countries “continue to experience the dynamism of the ties between our peoples forged through a common history, heritage and geography”.

Looking ahead to the Bi-National Commission which will be held on Thursday, the President emphasised the need to seize the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and to strengthen cooperation within the Southern African Customs Union.

“Our fortunes are intertwined and the possibilities of our cooperation are endless.

“The levels of trade and investment between our two countries are substantial. There is much scope to expand commerce between our countries and to achieve greater balance in the volume and value of trade.

“The sixth session of the Bi-National Commission [BNC], which we will co-chair…will deliberate on the many and diverse areas of bilateral cooperation that underpin our collaboration,” he said.

Concluding with a toast, President Ramaphosa raised his glass to President Boko’s health, Botswana’s prosperity and the “enduring bonds of friendship and partnership between the peoples of South Africa and Botswana”, insisting that the two neighbouring nations would remain “forever together”.

Earlier on Wednesday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola called for deeper and more practical cooperation between South Africa and Botswana, as the two countries convened the Ministerial Session of the Sixth BNC in Gaborone.

READ | South Africa and Botswana deepen cooperation

Delivering opening remarks, Lamola emphasised that the identification of new and impactful areas of cooperation remains critical.  – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, says government has intensified preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

Delivering the 2026/27 Budget Vote for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Parliament on Wednesday, Hlabisa said several key milestones had already been achieved to ensure the polls are conducted smoothly.

These include the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Municipal Elections, the finalisation of councillor numbers, delimitation of 4 488 wards nationally, and ongoing voter registration work by the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

Hlabisa said government remained committed to ensuring that the elections uphold democratic principles and public confidence.

“The key principle guiding us is simple: the elections must be free, fair, credible, and beyond reproach,” he said.
The Minister said preparations are progressing steadily through collaboration between government departments and electoral authorities ahead of the nationwide municipal polls.

The Minister stressed that capable municipalities are essential for a capable state, warning that local government institutions cannot not function effectively where appointments are irregular, leadership is unstable, and accountability is weak.

Government is therefore strengthening competency-based recruitment, the professionalisation of municipal administration, performance management systems, and ethical leadership.

Hlabisa tabled a combined R423.4 billion budget for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the 2026/27 financial year. Of the total allocation, R422.5 billion has been earmarked for Cooperative Governance, while R900 million will go towards Traditional Affairs.

Traditional Affairs reforms
On Traditional Affairs, Hlabisa said government continued to address the Constitutional Court ruling through the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill of 2025, which has now been introduced in Parliament.

In June last year the Minister welcomed the Constitutional Court’s ruling to extend the validity of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act (TKLA) for an additional two years, allowing more time to finalise replacement legislation.

READ | Minister welcomes Constitutional Court’s decision on Leadership Act

“Progress is also being made on recognition of Khoi-San communities; strengthening customary governance; and integrating traditional leadership into development planning,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

On customary initiation, the Minister said government remained committed to achieving zero fatalities linked to customary initiation practices, emphasising that no cultural practice must result in loss of life.

“We are strengthening regulations, enforcement, and accountability. We are also exploring stronger legal consequences for negligence,” Hlabisa said.

Hlabisa said government is also strengthening the role of traditional leadership in governance through participation in development planning, structured collaboration with municipalities and alignment with the revised White Paper.

“Development in rural areas will not succeed without this partnership,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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