The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) is delighted to report a resoundingly successful WasteCon2012. The biggest waste conference to have been hosted in East London thus far brought together municipal as well as private entities to deliberate and to set up processes which will move our nation ahead in addressing crucial issues pertinent to the waste management industry.

Recently appointed president of the IWMSA, Deidré Nxumalo-Freeman is passionate about the role of the IWMSA as an organisation which aims to educate its membership, private and government sectors and to set new standards for its members in terms of certification and accreditation.

Nxumalo-Freeman says, “In order to effectively implement sustainable waste management processes, the IWMSA needs to be proactive, especially at grass roots level. As an organisation as well as personally, I believe that the challenges faced by those working on the ground on a day-to-day basis must be addressed in order to effect real change in the industry.

“We, at the IWMSA, believe that we are on the brink of change, and that we are ready to face exciting new opportunities and challenges. Establishing a quality assurance framework for our membership base is foremost on the agenda, which will not only result in that base having acquired sound knowledge, but also serve to enhance the reputation and credibility of the IWMSA.

“We simply have to move away from landfill as the primary option for waste disposal.  In order to achieve the desired result, we will continue to focus on the principles of Re-use, Recycling and Recovery. The IWMSA also seeks self-regulation for its members within an appropriate legal framework. We understand that it is crucial for the IWMSA to serve its members by engaging with the various stakeholders who determine legislation and to provide education in the form of workshops and training that is both relevant and informed.

“The IWMSA is pleased to have established a much greater rapport with government. Collaborative efforts resulted in the attendance of more municipal delegates than ever before at WasteCon and is evidence of the progress being made in this regard. We are excited too, to have received inputs from young delegates attending WasteCon2012 who were there as a result of concern for the environment and for their future. We need to nurture and encourage such interest wherever possible in order to keep open effective lines of communication with our communities at large.  We hope that this will lead to transformation from the ground up.

Nxumalo-Freeman concludes, “In the past five years, the IWMSA has made significant progress in appointing sponsored and accredited assessors and moderators to facilitate accredited training programmeswhich are run by the IWMSA. These individuals are professionals in their respective fields who give voluntarily of their time and expertise and are, as such, truly invested in combatting our waste management crises. We thank and salute them all.”