Insights

“Harness the Positive” – When Madiba spoke for sustainability

Details: Published: Thursday, 18 July 2024 16:03

On 17 August 1995, President Nelson Mandela gave the opening address at the Conference on National Environment Policy. In it, he emphasised South Africa's urgent need to develop industries sustainably, balancing development with environmental protection.

He had foreseen the need for policies that consider the rights to a healthy environment, resource balance, sustained development, and careful management of resources. By acknowledging global challenges and past mistakes, he advocated for many of the reforms around waste management that enable collecting and recycling to thrive today.

These are his words.

Amongst the most challenging goals which the world has set itself for the twenty-first century is to try to combine development with sustainable use of the environment. South Africa needs urgently to develop our industries and to feed and house our people. Therefore, developing a sound environmental policy will call for an exceptional combination of wide-ranging consultation together with scientific and technical expertise

One of the hallmarks of the democracy which South Africans are creating is the spirit of partnership which permeates our society. In policy matters in particular, the readiness of government to consult, and of civil society to share responsibility, are amongst the most striking ways in which we have broken with the past. The new ethos if fully captured in this national environmental forum as well as all the processes that will follow. They present a unique opportunity for society to participate in policy formulation.

Our environmental policy must take account, amongst other things, of the following:

The reasonable rights of people to live in an acceptable environment, balancing the rights of present and future generations

The need to establish an equilibrium between the demand for natural resources and their availability

The need for sustained economic development

The maintenance of renewable natural resources

The judicious use of non-renewable resources

The curtailment of pollution.

South Africa has environmental problems that could jeopardise our future. Our minerals will not last forever; our energy resources are limited; our marine resources are vulnerable, and water has already become a growth limiting factor. These are enormous challenges; challenges which cannot be surmounted by government alone, but for which we will need inputs from the whole South African community.

Nelson Mandela clearly understood South Africa’s need to maintain a delicate balance between development and environmental sustainability. He also encouraged the creation of robust sustainability policies bolstered by extensive consultation and scientific expertise. His vision remains highly relevant today.

This address serves as a powerful reminder of the need to integrate economic growth with environmental stewardship. Our policies must equate the rights of current society with that of future generations, ensuring that development today doesn’t impede on the wealth, and well-being of those who will eventually take over. This principle lies at the heart of sustainability and recycling – improving the environment and the economy for our benefit, and the benefit of our children.

The depletion of minerals, limited energy resources, vulnerable marine life, and critical water shortages, all very real issues today, were all mentioned. Madiba also stressed the land mismanagement problem, which manifests itself today with so many landfill sites at near-capacity while posing a critical threat to water sources and ecology. To paraphrase our former president, soil loss or inappropriate land use has permanent consequences, making careful spatial planning and responsible land use imperative.

While not specifically mentioned by Madiba, recycling, composting, and responsible waste disposal emerge as key answers to the questions he posed. By conserving natural resources, diverting materials from landfills, boosting the economy through myriad profitable businesses, and offering communities avenues for honest work, these sustainable waste management solutions become one of the forces bringing Mandela’s overall dream to fruition. Take, for example, Mandela's emphasis on connecting economic development, social upliftment, and environmental management; it aligns with all the current objectives of recycling and other circular programmes today.

The spirit of partnership, that was mentioned in this address, is crucial for successful sustainability initiatives. He also mentioned how government policies should encourage such work. Today we have the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008) and the resulting implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility as policy. This law has seen the rapid development of the recycling industry and infrastructure. Interest promotion, and participation in recycling programmes, at the consumer and corporate level, is at all-time high too, ensuring sustainability efforts are comprehensive and inclusive.

Innovative solutions to environmental challenges, as Mandela envisaged, are also essential. Advances in recycling technology, and the rapid adoption of circular production in industry, are just two practices of many that can significantly reduce waste and create new economic opportunities. A recent example is a PAMSA, Department of Science and Innovation, and Stellenbosch University technology project, that’s able to convert paper sludge into biofuel. This demonstration plant (which is planned to come to Mpact Paper mill in Springs) stands to change the complexion of paper waste in South Africa while also giving citizens access to cheap, clean bio-fuel, and creating new economic opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Nelson Mandela's vision for balancing development with environmental sustainability provides a strong framework for modern South Africa. By utilising the positive connections between development and the environment through effective recycling practices, we can honour his legacy and ensure a dignified existence for future generations. His words remind us that although the challenges are great, the combined efforts of the government, society, and the business sector can lead to transformation.

This transformation protects our environment, bolsters our economy, and promotes a better quality of life for all South Africans. And it’s made through recycling, composting and other sustainable, circular practices. It’s peaceful, pragmatic, and positive. We reckon the father of our nation would be proud.

Happy Nelson Mandela Day.