By Levy Masiteng
Young people in Johannesburg are moving into environmental policymaking after a city-backed workshop aimed at preparing them to help shape the metro’s response to air pollution, the City of Johannesburg said.
The Air Aware Pre-Conference Workshop on Air Pollution Policy and Implementation was held on Monday at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) headquarters in Braamfontein, ahead of the Air Aware: Youth-Led Conference on Air Pollution Policy and Implementation on 26 February at the Wanderers Club.
The workshop included group engagements in which participants provided written inputs for a youth statement on air pollution and health impacts in Johannesburg, which the city’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), working with Breathe Cities and the SAIIA Youth Programme, said would be presented directly to policymakers.
Musa Mahlatji, deputy director for air quality management at the city, said the metro remained committed to inclusive environmental governance.
“By creating space for youth voices in air quality management and policy dialogue, we are building a generation that understands the impacts of pollution and is ready to champion cleaner, safer air for everyone,” he said.
In its statement, the city said discussions covered air quality and public health impacts, clean mobility solutions, waste-to-value and no-burn alternatives, youth accountability and governance, 2030 clean air futures, and the development of school-level air quality action platforms.
“It enabled them to gather credible air quality evidence and learn how to communicate it effectively in advocacy and policy spaces,” the city said.
One participant, Paseka Molejane, said the engagement was both educational and necessary.
“These conversations are vital. We have learned more about air pollution and the solutions the city is implementing. Improving air quality requires educating communities and sharing this information widely,” he said.
The city said air pollution remains one of Johannesburg’s most serious environmental and public health challenges, disproportionately affecting children and young people in marginalised communities.
Youth@SAIIA Project Coordinator and Youth Air Champion, Lehlohonolo Jack, said young people should be included in environmental governance.
“Young people bring lived experiences and future-focused solutions that strengthen policy platforms. Their inclusion ensures that decisions taken today reflect the realities and aspirations of the next generation,” Jack said.
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