The Gauteng pollution summit that took place on 19 and 20 September 2026 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park was an important first step in moving Gauteng’s growing pollution crisis beyond discussion to decisive action.
The two-day summit, headed by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus)-led Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs of the Gauteng Legislature, brought together a wide range of role players.
The theme was: “Restoring Air, Water and Environmental Integrity in Gauteng: from Oversight to Action”
The summit successfully identified the extent and causes of pollution, emphasised responsibility and accountability, strengthened cooperation between government, municipalities, industries, communities and experts, and outlined practical solutions with follow-up actions.
The message was clear: Pollution should no longer be merely discussed or managed, it has to be decisively curbed.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that legislative oversight is only meaningful if it has a measurable impact and results in actual change.
Pollution hotspots should be identified, responsibilities assigned, recovery plans with clear deadlines implemented and progress continuously monitored.
The summit was the first step. The real test lies in how decisions are implemented, obligations are met and whether all role players are prepared to shoulder the responsibility.
From oversight to action. From excuses to accountability. From pollution to recovery.
As a leading party in the Portfolio Committee, the Freedom Front Plus will keep driving this process forward.
It is our time to bring about change.
Recordings of the entire summit are available at the following links:
Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uC3pXnk7Pw
Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7IYJaK5jv8
