President’s comment

I would like to sincerely thank you all for your confidence in the organisation I represent, the IWMSA, and in my person, to hold the presidency of the Institute till June 2024.

hile it feels like yesterday

Wthat I became a member of the IWMSA in 2013, there is much to reflect on and look forward to in shaping a brighter future. When I joined the IWMSA, I was at a crossroads trying to shape my career and on a quest to find support to ensure that I achieve the goals I set while I was still a university student fascinated by science and environmental management.

The Institute really opened the doors for me to grow in a field I was always passionate about. The training courses undertaken, and conferences attended, clarified my understanding on waste legislation and practices, including strengthening my networks.

This is my fifth year serving in the IWMSA governance structures and it has been a journey of knowledge generation and wealth of experience gained. I encourage our new and existing members to really get involved in the core business of the IWMSA so that you can reap the rewards/ benefits. One of the concerns of the founders of this organisation was the lack of education and training for anyone interested in fields relating to waste management. We will continue with this vision as we transform the industry.

As I take up my presidency, I am grateful to the members who have entrusted me with this position. I look forward to working with the new appointed Council and the administrative team at our offices for next two years. I would like to congratulate Patricia Schroder as the new vice president, together with the branch chairpersons who are part of the IWMSA Council.

To our past president, Brendon Jewaskiewitz, who will still be a member of Council for the coming year, I really appreciated working with him as vice president and he has always given me invaluable support and guidance.

The IWMSA structures, region activities and membership benefits are kept alive by a team of skilled and committed regional branch managers led by our executive officer, Nicolle de Bruyn. Having been through a challenging two years, I believe we are an organisation that will stand together and succeed as we navigate the future.

This edition of the ReSource journal focuses on resource efficiency and recycling. I would like to share three Covid-19 pandemic lessons I have taken in and think we can apply in resource efficiency: 1. Our resource management problems are not unique to us, neither are they limited by borders. Local and international cooperation and collaboration will be key in paving our way to circularity. 2. The weak among us are always the most vulnerable in times of trouble. Transformation and justice are required as we all work towards unlocking the value of waste. 3. Technology has improved and changed our lives.

Our resource efficiency and recycling solutions will be as good as our tech capabilities. I leave the painful memories of the pandemic behind me with delight in seeing the smiles that were hidden behind masks that we used to reduce our exposure to Covid-19 infections. Let us not rush to flood our already strained landfill sites with the unused masks left in our shelves. There are still other usage functions for this resource.

WasteCon (18 to 20 October 2022) – our flagship event – is drawing closer. This is the stage where we display South Africa’s resource efficiency capabilities. An exciting programme, networking and learning opportunities have been prepared.

Our keynote speaker is a respected international guest, Howard Robinson. He is an environmental scientist with 47 years’ experience in landfill processes. Make sure not to miss his presentation, which is titled ‘Politicians, the press, and the public: Can they give us sustainable waste management?’ I encourage you to be a part of – and hope to see you at – this memorable event.