Cape Town – Kaden Arguile, the national youth chairperson of the GOOD party, warns that South Africa is falling behind in its commitment to eradicate poverty and inequality.

“Time is of the essence for the United Nations (UN) Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Arguile cautioned on New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1, 2025).

Signed in 2015 by 193 UN member nations, the 2030 deadline for achieving the Agenda’s goals is swiftly approaching.

“South Africa is not meeting its obligations to eliminate poverty and inequality, protect the environment, and ensure that every individual has access to health, justice, and prosperity,” Arguile stated.

“Neglecting these international climate targets could have substantial economic and diplomatic repercussions, ultimately impacting the youth the most.”

“Effective waste management is a key area putting pressure on this deadline.”

Arguile highlighted that South Africa is struggling to make significant reductions in waste generation through effective prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse strategies.

“It’s important to understand that nearly two thousand waste disposal, management, recycling, and export facilities registered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment play a crucial role in defining our environmental future,” he said.

“Should these facilities fail to manage and report their waste levels accurately, our future is at risk.”

Arguile warned of the dangers of inaccurate waste reporting, emphasizing that it could lead to misguided investments in infrastructure.

“Without accurate data, environmental decisions will be flawed, potentially resulting in a disastrous system failure,” he stated.

“Currently, only one-third of these 2,000 facilities are reporting their waste data accurately to the department’s SA Waste Information Centre (SAWIC).

“As a result, millions of tons of waste remain unaccounted for.

“The consequences of this negligence will affect the environments around these facilities as well as the communities that depend on them.”

Arguile underscored that the department must ensure these facilities provide accurate data.

However, he noted that some “accountability” has been established for those branches that fail to report.

In this regard, Arguile called for complete transparency concerning the disciplinary processes and their outcomes.

Industry specialists, academics, and members of organizations like the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa have referred to the remaining third of data as “useless.”

Arguile asserted, “A lack of equipment, provincial resources, and internet connectivity, combined with high staff turnover at facilities, has contributed to the present circumstances.

“Immediate action is essential to confront this escalating crisis.

“We cannot allow a total breakdown in waste management, as we have witnessed with Eskom, Water, and the Postal Service.”

Arguile added, “The repercussions of this will affect future generations. The loss of biodiversity deprives children of essential environmental experiences.”

The national youth chairperson of the GOOD party called on the department to disclose data on non-compliant facilities, promptly rectify the shortcomings of the SAWIC system, and initiate the development of a new or revised system to be implemented as quickly as possible.

“The youth of our nation cannot afford to let waste jeopardize our future,” concluded Arguile.