The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Messe Muenchen South Africa, organisers of IFAT Africa, to collaborate on the 2019 exhibition and conference.

The event, which gathers industry stakeholders from across the water and waste value chain, is set to take place in Johannesburg from July 9-11 this year at the Gallagher Convention Centre and focus on water, sewage, refuse and recycling.

Collaboration strategy  

IWMSA President Leon Grobbelaar says this collaboration with IFAT Africa is in line with the Institute’s new strategy to expand its collaborative efforts across the industry.

“The Institute is exploring opportunities as a new country member of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), which is in line with our stated goals to reach out and engage more stakeholders to address South Africa’s waste challenges,” he says.

As part of IWMSA’s participation in IFAT Africa 2019, ISWA is planning an inaugural launch event together with IWMSA, where IWMSA members will have the opportunity to meet some of the ISWA team and experts.

Master classes

IWMSA will also offer waste master classes at IFAT Africa, covering key issues in waste management today. “We have approached leading academic institutions to collaborate with us in delivering master classes on topical issues such as landfill air space, waste to energy and the need for public-private partnerships to overcome the waste crisis,” says Grobbelaar.

In 2019, the event will be co-located with food & drink technology (fdt) Africa and analytica Lab Africa, which Grobbelaar believes is an important step in bringing together the entire value chain to share knowledge and find solutions to the growing waste problem.

Addressing SA’s waste challenges

“While South Africa has excellent waste legislation in place, enforcement mechanisms are not in place. Finding solutions to these challenges means everyone in the industry must work together with the authorities to discuss concrete implementation plans, and consider ways to drive investment into new waste projects. A forum such as IFAT Africa presents a good opportunity for stakeholders to do this,” he says.