EMALAHLENI — Mpumalanga MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), Khethiwe Moeketsi has called for stronger partnerships between government and the private sector and to build climate resilience and unlocking opportunities within the circular economy.
Speaking at the Nkangala Environmental & Waste Circular Business Breakfast held at the Dome in eMalahleni on 03 March 2026, where business leaders, farmers, waste recyclers, government officials and civil society organisations gathered to discuss practical solutions for the province's emerging green economy.
A call to the business sector to comply with environmental laws
MEC Moeketsi said mining, agriculture and tourism remain the key sectors sustaining and driving the growth of Mpumalanga’s economy. She called on these industries to continue investing in strategies aimed at countering the impact of climate change and to strengthen partnerships with government to grow the economy and create employment opportunities.
She urged businesses to leverage opportunities arising from challenges such as climate change, pollution and waste by investing in solutions that create jobs, support small enterprises and contribute to community development.
“Thousands of waste materials end up in our landfill sites unnecessarily. Eighty percent of household waste, for example, can be translated into thousands of sustainable jobs and small businesses through waste management and recycling, while also supporting buy-back centres and protecting the environment,” said Moeketsi.
Leaders from the business and mining sectors shared strategies and programmes already being implemented to address the effects of climate change, emphasising that building climate resilience requires collaboration across sectors.
Floods highlight climate risks
Officials delivered a sobering assessment of recent floods that severely impacted agricultural communities across Mpumalanga. An estimated 96 agricultural projects were affected, with damages reaching approximately R681 million.
The Nkangala District Municipality accounted for about R124 million in losses, affecting more than 2000 farmers. Crops were submerged for days, livestock were killed, irrigation systems destroyed and access roads were washed away.
Entire harvests of maize, soya beans, sunflower and vegetables destined for school nutrition programmes were wiped out. In one instance, 60 cattle were struck by lightning, while another farmer lost 300 hectares of soya beans.
In her keynote address, Moeketsi said the floods demonstrate that climate change is no longer a distant threat. “Climate change is a real threat, manifesting through extreme events such as floods and droughts, which undermine livelihoods, human health, food security and economic stability,” she said.
She stressed the importance of proactive planning. “We must move from reactive responses to proactive planning. Climate resilience must be embedded in municipal planning, infrastructure investment and budgeting processes.”
Temvelo from provincial initiative to national benchmark
Central to the discussions was the Temvelo Flagship Programme, a Mpumalanga initiative designed to promote environmental stewardship and circular economy practices.
Programme representative Marilyn Sibiya said Temvelo focuses on research, awareness and practical environmental action.
“We speak about climate change, but do we all understand what it means? Temvelo seeks to create awareness, build capacity and empower action,” Sibiya said.
The programme, which was first launched in Mpumalanga, is now being prepared for expansion into other disaster-prone provinces.
“It is not an event. It is not a principle. It is a programme open to all of us because we are all affected by the environment,” she added.
Moeketsi emphasised that the programme is designed to deliver measurable results rather than symbolic compliance.
“Temvelo is not about compliance for its own sake; it is about changing behaviour, influencing investment decisions and creating sustainable livelihoods.
She added that women, youth, children and persons with disabilities should not only benefit from environmental programmes but participate as leaders in the green economy.”
Waste-to-Wealth proposal
One of the major proposals emerging from the breakfast was the establishment of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) — a regional recycling hub that would convert waste into economic opportunity.
Currently, much of Mpumalanga’s recyclable waste is transported to Johannesburg, resulting in lost revenue and employment opportunities for the province.
“In Mpumalanga we do not have a recycling hub. We take our waste to Johannesburg. That is a cost to business and a loss of economic opportunity for our communities,” the MEC said.
The proposed facility aims to:
· Divert 60–80% of household waste from landfill within five years
· Create 150–300 direct jobs
· Support buy-back centres and youth-led recycling enterprises
· Reduce illegal dumping and environmental degradation
“Environmental compliance is a moral responsibility. We cannot continue withdrawing from the environment without replenishing it,” Moeketsi said.
She urged the private sector to view waste innovation as an investment opportunity.
“The circular economy is not a slogan; it is a pathway to job creation, enterprise development and climate mitigation.”
Industry perspective: sustainability in manufacturing
Adding an industry perspective, Riaan van Coller, Chief Operating Officer of Columbus Stainless, said highlighted how large-scale manufacturing is adapting to sustainability imperatives while remaining competitive.
“Columbus Stainless is the only stainless steel plant in South Africa and the largest producer on the African continent, supplying roughly 50% of the regional market,” Van Coller said.
“About 40 to 50% of our production is exported, while the rest supports the local market . Our operation employs around 1,400 permanent staff and approximately 600 contractors, with a melting capacity of about 600,000 tonnes of steel annually.”
Van Coller said the company has implemented a five-year sustainability strategy aimed at reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO₂ emissions.
“We aim to reduce electricity consumption by 45%, which is important given that electricity costs for industry have increased by more than 900% since 2009.”
He added that recycling plays a major role in stainless steel production.
“Around 90% of stainless steel is recyclable, and between 80% and 90% of the material we melt comes from recycled sources, making stainless steel one of the most sustainable industrial materials available.”
The company is also exploring ways to reuse by-products from its production processes.
“Through our operations we generate slag and dust, but we recover valuable metals from these materials and return them to the furnace. We are also exploring opportunities to convert some of these by-products into paving bricks and other construction materials, while certain processed materials can be used in agriculture.”
Van Coller added that water conservation is another critical area. “We are proud to operate as a zero-effluent plant, meaning most of the water used in our processes is treated and reused internally.”
Despite global market pressures and rising energy costs, he said the company continues to explore renewable energy options, including solar and wind power.
Business urged to match government efforts
Government representatives also outlined plans to integrate climate resilience into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and Local Economic Development (LED) strategies.
Businesses were urged to integrate environmental considerations into Social and Labour Plans (SLPs), Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes and operational strategies
“The government creates the enabling environment, but sustainable growth requires business to integrate environmental stewardship into core strategy, not treat it as an add-on,” Moeketsi said.
The mining sector, a cornerstone of the provincial economy, was urged to invest in climate mitigation initiatives. “If we do not act decisively, global pressures will dictate the future of our industries. Let us lead the transition responsibly and protect both jobs and the environment.”
Temvelo symposium and awards
The breakfast also promoted the upcoming Temvelo Symposium, Expo and Awards, scheduled for August, which will feature 11 categories and 62 awards recognising environmental leadership across sectors including mining, construction, logistics, agriculture and waste management.
Projects demonstrating best practices in waste separation, energy efficiency, water conservation and land rehabilitation are encouraged to participate.
“Recognition drives change. When we celebrate responsible practices, we inspire replication and raise standards across all sectors,” Moeketsi said.
A call for collaboration
The breakfast concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
Delegates acknowledged the swift response from businesses during the recent floods including donations, relief efforts and infrastructure support, but emphasised that long-term resilience will require sustained partnerships.
These include investments in climate-smart agriculture, wetland preservation, waste innovation and youth-driven green enterprises.
“Temvelo yindzaba yetfu sonkhe, Temvelo is everybody’s matter,” Moeketsi concluded.
With Mpumalanga set to become the first of four disaster-prone provinces to roll out the Temvelo programme, stakeholders left with a clear message: collective action, responsible investment and strong partnerships will be essential to building a resilient and green economy. As part of the programme, MEC Moeketsi also joined delegates on a site visit to Columbus Steel near Middelburg, where they toured the facility and gained first-hand insight into the company’s waste management practices.
