WasteCon 2026 will bring together leading voices in South Africa’s waste management and environmental sectors, providing a platform for industry collaboration, professional development and discussions on the future of sustainable waste management.
Hosted by the
Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), the event will feature contributions from industry leaders, environmental specialists and government representatives working to strengthen waste management systems, advance circular economy principles and address the country’s environmental challenges.
Among the key figures featured at WasteCon 2026 are incoming IWMSA President Reon Pienaar, outgoing President Patricia Schröder, incoming Vice President Gareth Goosen, and senior government representatives Mamogala Musekene and Ewan Botha.
Strengthening leadership in the waste management sector
Reon Pienaar Inaugural President’s Address, Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Reon Pienaar will deliver the inaugural President’s Address as he takes over the IWMSA presidency from Patricia Schröder for the 2026 – 2028 term. A civil engineer and environmental management specialist, Pienaar holds a BEng in Civil Engineering and an MEng in Environmental Management/Environmental Engineering from the University of Pretoria.
Patricia Schröder, Outgoing President, Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Actively involved in the IWMSA since 2011, Pienaar has contributed to the Institute’s growth, membership development and engagement with young professionals. His experience in environmental engineering, waste treatment technologies and waste management positions him to lead the Institute into its next term.
Schröder concludes her presidency after serving from 2024 to 2026. With more than 30 years of experience in the environmental services sector, she brings extensive expertise in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), recycling, waste management and circular economy principles. She holds an MBA, a BSc in Chemical Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Management, and is a Chartered Environmental Manager and Certified Director.
Gareth Goosen, Vice President, Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Gareth Goosen, the incoming IWMSA Vice President for 2026 – 2028, will also contribute to the Institute’s leadership transition. Based in KwaZulu-Natal, Goosen is a registered Professional Natural Scientist who has served as the province’s IWMSA Vice Chair and Branch Chair. His interests include sustainable waste management, professional development, collaboration and innovation across the sector.
Government perspectives on chemicals and waste management
Mamogala Musekene, Deputy Director-General for Chemicals and Waste Management
Government representation at WasteCon 2026 will include Mamogala Musekene, Deputy Director-General for Chemicals and Waste Management at the
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Musekene joined the department in 2015 as Chief Director: Integrated Waste Management and has extensive experience in environmental policy, pollution prevention and waste management. Her academic qualifications include a BSc in Chemistry and Physics, a BSc Honours in Chemistry and an Executive Development Programme qualification.
Her work focuses on strengthening waste management systems, tackling pollution and supporting South Africa’s transition towards a circular economy. Her participation brings a national policy and implementation perspective to discussions on the sector’s future.
MEC Ewan Botha Gauteng MEC for Environment
Ewan Botha, Gauteng MEC for Environment and a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, will also feature among the event’s key contributors. Appointed in June 2025, Botha oversees the provincial environment portfolio, including environmental management and waste-related matters.
He holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria and is pursuing an MBA. His professional experience spans legal practice, risk and compliance, municipal government and directorships, bringing a governance and public-sector perspective to environmental management.
Advancing sustainable waste management
The involvement of IWMSA leadership and government representatives highlights the importance of cooperation between industry professionals, policymakers and public institutions in addressing South Africa’s waste management challenges.
As the sector continues to navigate pollution prevention, recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility and the transition towards a circular economy, WasteCon 2026 offers an opportunity to strengthen professional networks, exchange knowledge and explore practical approaches to more sustainable waste management.
Through its programme and leadership contributions, the event will support continued engagement on the policies, technologies and collaborative initiatives needed to advance waste management practices across Southern Africa.
