Tshwane residents will be encouraged to tackle air pollution and safely dispose of electronic waste as South Africa marks International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts and Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya will lead the national commemoration at Molekwa Sports Complex in Atteridgeville on Monday, 7 September 2026.
The event combines environmental awareness with practical community action through a public dialogue and an e-waste collection drive.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen awareness and encourage action to improve air quality, protect public health and support climate resilience and sustainable development.
This year’s campaign draws particular attention to the connection between air pollution and climate change, with many activities that pollute the air also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
In Tshwane, the conversation will bring those global environmental concerns closer to communities by focusing on illegal dumping and the open burning of waste.
Burning discarded materials can create an additional air-quality problem within communities, while improperly discarded electronic equipment presents its own waste-management challenges.
The community dialogue will give Atteridgeville residents an opportunity to raise environmental concerns affecting their neighbourhoods and engage around potential responses.
Alongside the discussions, residents will be able to bring unwanted electrical and electronic equipment to the e-waste collection drive for safe disposal.
The initiative aims to encourage responsible recycling and resource recovery while keeping unwanted electronics out of general waste streams and illegal dumping sites.
Bringing the two activities together also gives the commemoration a practical dimension. Instead of focusing exclusively on awareness, residents are being given an immediate opportunity to take action within their own community.
The event forms part of wider efforts to demonstrate how decisions around waste, recycling and pollution can ultimately affect both environmental conditions and public health.
