The City of Johannesburg’s Environment, Infrastructure and Services Department (EISD) successfully hosted an environmental by-laws workshop on 4 December 2025 at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre.
The workshop formed part of the City’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about residents’ rights and responsibilities, improve understanding of how environmental by-laws are applied and create an open platform for constructive engagement between communities and the City.
More than 100 participants attended the session, including community-based and non-profit organisations, environmental ambassadors, residents and eco guides from regions B, D, E and F. Attendees represented multiple wards across these regions.
As the first in a series of planned workshops focusing on environmental by-laws, the session featured three key presentations covering Air Pollution Control By-laws, Waste Management By-laws, and Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement. Presenters highlighted how poor waste management and air pollution negatively affect health, safety and overall quality of life, with waste mismanagement contributing directly to poor air quality.
Justice Netshandama, Sub-Head Air Quality: Permitting and Regulation, emphasised the role of legislation in protecting residents. “The Air Pollution Control By-laws provide a crucial tool for regulating emission sources that impact the health and comfort of our citizens. Effective enforcement will increase awareness of prohibited activities and support improved air quality across the City.”
He further encouraged residents to report air pollution complaints to the department.
Senior Specialist, Waste Policy and Regulation, Phindile Maphanga, outlined the objectives of the City’s ongoing awareness programmes. “These initiatives aim to educate communities, including school learners, on waste management, illegal dumping and the importance of maintaining healthy, liveable environments. We encourage active citizen participation in waste solutions and promote awareness of the essential role of public open spaces and the need to protect and conserve them.”
Community members also expressed appreciation for the workshop. Elroy Daniels from Westbury, Ward 82, said: “I am part of a community organisation involved in local clean-ups, and this workshop has helped me better understand environmental by-laws. In my area, we encourage residents not to litter and to take responsibility for keeping our environment clean. I invite all residents to join our clean-up efforts under the banner ‘My Kasi is Your Kasi’ because charity begins at home.”
The City remains committed to equipping communities with information and resources available through its departments and entities to address illegal dumping, vandalism of public spaces and the destruction of municipal infrastructure.
Through strengthened regulation, increased community participation and ongoing education, the City of Johannesburg continues to advance efforts that protect public health, preserve the environment, promote recycling and reuse initiatives.
Written by Dudu Lushaba