The Eastern Cape branch of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) marked a major milestone on 22nd July, combining its 50th Anniversary celebration with the 2026 Recycling Awards, honouring schools and informal waste reclaimers who have made an outstanding contribution to recycling in the province. The event was held at African Sky’s and was attended by branch members, sponsors, and guests from local government and business.

The event carried double significance for the branch: half a century of service to waste management in the Eastern Cape, and recognition of the everyday heroes driving recycling on the ground – from schoolchildren to informal reclaimers whose work keeps tonnes of recyclable material out of landfill each year.

Sponsors Toyota Forklifts and Volkswagen were among those supporting the celebration, alongside Pamela Mabentsela and Nonurse Mlungu of the Mbhashe Local Municipality, and Lithalethu Ngcingane of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

The occasion also marked a changing of the guard for the branch, with Rochelle Clarke stepping in as incoming chairperson of the IWMSA Eastern Cape branch, succeeding outgoing chairperson Mervin Olivier, whose leadership has shaped the branch’s work in recent years.

Recognising the recyclers of tomorrow

The Schools and Recycling Awards were presented by Zingisa Mabangula of EnviroServ, who paid tribute to the dedication shown by learners and waste reclaimers alike. Her evident passion for these projects set the tone for the awards, and she was joined by Mervin Olivier in presenting the certificates and prizes to winners.

Top-performing schools recognised on the night included:

• Buffalo Flats Primary – 4 795kg of recycling collected
• Khumbalani High School – 4 451kg of recycling collected
• Westering High School – 3 390kg of recycling collected
• Kwezi Lomso Comprehensive School – 3 132kg of recycling collected
• Cape Recife High School – 3 045kg of recycling collected

Honouring the province’s waste reclaimers

The event also recognised the contribution of informal waste reclaimers, whose collection totals for the year included:

• Sibusiso Maqanda – 11 637 of recycling collected
• Fundeka Mkomiyaphi – 10 367kg of recycling collected
• Anna Mvanana – 10 045kg of recycling collected

Winning schools and reclaimers received vouchers and cash prizes in recognition of their efforts.

Beyond the numbers, the reclaimers in attendance shared deeply personal stories of how their work has restored dignity and improved their quality of life – a reminder of the human impact behind the Eastern Cape’s growing recycling economy.