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The Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Department has appealed to communities in rural areas to set up small businesses to reduce unemployment.
It has cited businesses such as disposing of electronic equipment without harming the environment.
Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts launched an e-waste recycling programme at the Makonde Stadium outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo.
He also visited an existing E-Waste Buy Back Centre in Njhakanjhaka outside Malamulele.
Swarts has expressed hope that similar centres will be established in more communities.
“And it shows that indeed people are not aware that when you keep these electronics at home, it might be a health hazard. So for us, I think it is going exceptionally well because people are here and they are waiting to get their electronics weighed and get their vouchers, but what is important for us is that when we leave here today, we want the rural communities to set up their own buyback centres so that these e-waste can come and collect from these buyback centres.”
Meanwhile, some residents of Makonde say the initiative has given them knowledge of the harm electronic equipment can cause to the environment.
“In our houses, everywhere there are scrap metals, computers, radios and all this stuff that is not good because some of it has got chemicals, and when they rot in the soil, it causes some chemicals to be in our soil. 2. I bring a TV and fridge because I just want to clean the home and the inside of my house because it is dirty. 3. I am very excited about this campaign. I know everybody wants money, but the important thing is to collect this stuff which is at home. But if these people say we can bring the things and get something, we can support our family, or we can help our children or help each other. Most of the people, they just throw these things, and when the rain is coming, it can take these things and throw them into the river; it has dirt.”
VIDEO | Govt supports E-Waste buy-back centres:
