Deputy Minister Swarts to host a Service Delivery Imbizo and launch the E-Waste Recycling Programme in Gauteng

17 October 2025

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Bernice Swarts, will host a Service Delivery Imbizo and launch the e-Waste Recycling Programme in Gauteng on 21 October 2025 (City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality) and on 22 October 2025 (City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality) respectively. This launch will serve as a starting point for developing long-term recycling habits within the communities in the province.

As part of the E-Waste Recycling Programme launch, Deputy Minister Swarts requests residents to bring their old and unused electronic and electrical waste, such as cell phones, computers, televisions, and other electrical appliances, to the Imbizo for recycling. Vouchers will be given and determined on-site based on weight and market rates for each type of e-waste.

Deputy Minister Swarts will be joined by various Gauteng government leaders including MEC for Environment, Honourable Ewan Botha and the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Dada Morero.

During the imbizo, Deputy Minister Swarts will raise awareness and highlight the importance of responsible and sound management of electrical and electronic waste.

The deputy minister will also lead site visits to the E-Waste Africa Recycling Project in Boksburg and AST Recycling in Johannesburg to inspect recycling work done by the two organisations. The site visit aims to showcase the department's successful intervention and investment into the enterprise and to further encourage the partnership between and among all key and relevant stakeholders for the growth and sustainability of the waste recycling and beneficiation enterprises in general.

Deputy Minister Swarts will also use the Imbizo to plant trees as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's programme to plant Ten Million Trees in five years. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the launch as follows:

Event details

City of Johannesburg Imbizo  

Date: Tuesday, 21 October 2025  
Time: 08h30 – 13h00  
Venue:  Marlboro Community Centre, Marlboro Gardens, Sandton (close to Alexandra Township) 

City of Ekurhuleni Imbizo

Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025  
Time: 08h30 – 13h00  
Venue: Rabasotho Community Hall, Thembisa

To RSVP, please contact:

Michael Mokoena 
Mobile: 082 867 5634 
E-mail: mmokoena@dffe.gov.za or

Banele Mabena 
Mobile: 066 420 0144 
E-mail: smabena@dffe.gov.za

For media enquiries, please contact:

Peter Mbelengwa
Mobile: 082 611 8197
E-mail: pmbelengwa@dffe.gov.za