Underpinning a move in the country towards prevention rather than control in waste management strategies, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has recently accredited one of the training courses of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA). SAQA has accredited the Basic Waste Management module at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level One, enabling learners to build up points towards recognised qualifications. The new module supports a shift in South Africa’s waste management strategy from control to prevention. The industrial sector also supports the current legal requirement that municipalities have to prepare Integrated Waste Management Plans and execute these plans in an environmentally responsible manner. Vincent Charnley, Deputy President of the IWMSA, said that the course would assist the institute in keeping its work is in line with government efforts.

We are proud to receive the accreditation and we now present the only accredited waste management module in South Africa. We have been working very hard to obtain this accreditation, and hope to include more accredited modules in our portfolio in the near future, he said.

The Basic Waste Management course is the first in a series towards the NQF 1 qualification (SAQA ID No.49552) for practitioners in environmental science, environmental management and waste management. The total qualification amounts to 120 credits and contains five core modules, consisting of:

119303 - Basic Waste Management overview;

119302 - Select, use and care for hand tools and basic equipment in environmentally related contexts;

119304 - Compile a Portfolio of Evidence for Assessment;

119305 - Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of human activities on the environment; and 119306 - Recognise, group and care for materials which can impact on health and the environment.

 IWMSA will be offering all the modules over the next 18 months. Even though all these modules have not all yet been accredited, employers are able to claim Skills Development Levy (SDL) funding for supporting this course.

The IWMSA also provides an introductory training course for local authorities, equipping waste workers with practical skills.

 The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa was established 31 years ago to promote national improvement of solid waste management practices, to co-ordinate the relevant initiatives of private and public bodies, and to develop academic and technical training for practitioners.

 Two years after the founding, the Minister of Environmental Affairs accepted the office of Patron. Recently the Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, became the patron of the IWMSA.

The IWMSA pioneered training courses in solid waste management in 1980 and launched the first national magazine on waste management, titled Resource. Waste sector operators and policy makers are encouraged to join the IWMSA. Membership benefits include:

Networking opportunities and information exchange with experts;

Debate on burning issues; 

 Input into the formulation of legislation;

Participation in IWMSA events;

 Access to the latest waste management technology, trends and  legislation;

Special rates at IWMSA seminars, conferences and workshops;

Special rates at the bi-ennial international congress, WasteCon; Free copy of the Institute newsletter, The Waste Paper;

 Free subscription to the official quarterly journal, Resources;

Special rates for listing in the Buyers™ Guide and Directory; and

Training courses to develop skills within the industry.

For more information on the Institute of Waste Management and waste training courses, contact Tel 011 675 3462 /4, Fax 011 675 3465, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.iwmsa.co.za