JUST SA Gauteng — Motlanalo Mautla

In this episode of the TIPS Podcast series, host Nothembi Mahlangu speaks with Motlanalo Mautla, Project Manager within the Environmental Resources and Waste Management Department at the City of Ekurhuleni, about how municipalities can embed Just Transition principles into waste management, environmental planning, and climate resilience strategies. Mautla explains how the City of Ekurhuleni is working to integrate sustainability into infrastructure planning, landfill management, recycling systems, and environmental compliance processes, while aligning these efforts with broader climate action goals. The conversation highlights how the Just Transition framework encourages “systems thinking” across departments, requiring collaboration between waste management, transport, energy, land use planning, and environmental management rather than silo-based approaches.The episode also explores practical opportunities linked to circular economy initiatives, waste diversion, methane reduction, composting, and the formal integration of waste pickers into municipal systems. Mautla emphasises that a truly just transition must remain people-centred, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups such as informal waste reclaimers and unemployed youth.The discussion further reflects on the major challenges facing municipalities, including increasing waste generation, limited landfill space, illegal dumping, ageing infrastructure, funding constraints, and gaps in environmental data systems. Despite these pressures, Mautla argues that municipalities have a critical opportunity to transform waste management into a driver of inclusive economic development, environmental protection, and climate resilience.