The Air Quality Matters project can play a vital role in raising awareness about air quality issues and the impact on people’s health, as well as in educating the community on ways to mitigate pollution.

Air is something we depend on every second of our lives, yet it is often taken for granted. Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air around us is, and it plays a critical role in our health, environment and overall quality of life. In many parts of South Africa, especially in urban townships like Soweto, poor air quality is a serious and ongoing challenge that requires urgent attention and community action.

Having had the opportunity to attend a three-day youth workshop, facilitated by the Youth@SAIIA team, that combined policy learning with hands-on action, I was empowered to drive change on air quality in local communities. Participants began by unpacking key policy frameworks, including the South African Air Quality Act and the relevant G20 Sherpa Track on Environment and Sustainability, before moving on to practical skills such as climate campaigning and digital advocacy. Through an interactive ‘model parliament’ simulation and a design-thinking process, participants translated policy into practice, ultimately creating youth-led social media campaigns and educational workshops. The programme equipped young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to turn ideas into action in their communities.

My journey as a Youth Air Champion began as an opportunity to grow beyond learning and step into action. After the workshop, I participated in a two-day training programme for the eight identified Youth Air Champions, which deepened my skills while strengthening my commitment to advocating for communities affected by environmental injustice.

The first day of the training focused on equipping us with practical skills that we rarely have access to as young activists. The Youth@SAIIA team taught us how to manage projects, draw up a budget and facilitate our own local air quality campaigns. For me, this was a turning point; it encouraged my passion for something very meaningful. The second day took learning out of the classroom and into lived realities through a community site visit. Seeing how negatively the community in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, was affected, engaging with a grassroots organisation working directly with those affected made the issue of air pollution deeply personal. It highlights why youth voices matter and why advocacy must be grounded in lived realities.

The Reality of Air Pollution in Soweto

A significant factor contributing to air pollution in Soweto is the burning of coal and wood for heating and cooking, especially in winter. This is a common practice in many Soweto households, as is burning waste. As in any urban area, vehicle emissions also contribute to air pollution.

Poor air quality can lead to respiratory illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. It can also exacerbate existing conditions like asthma. Many residents rely on coal and wood for heating and cooking due to economic constraints, making it difficult to shift to cleaner energy sources. In addition, there is limited access to information on air quality and what can be done to improve it. The Air Quality Matters project can play a vital role in raising awareness about air quality issues and the impact on people’s health, as well as in educating the community on ways to mitigate pollution.

Partnerships with local healthcare providers could play a critical role in the success of the initiative by serving as trusted entry points into the community and linking air quality issues directly to health outcomes. Clinics and healthcare workers could help to identify pollution-related health issues, such as respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, thereby strengthening data collection and informing targeted interventions. Through patient consultations, health talks and outreach programmes, healthcare providers could reinforce education on the health impacts of air pollution and practical prevention measures, making the information more credible and relatable. Such partnerships could enable the distribution of educational resources, increased participation in community workshops and supported advocacy efforts by amplifying community concerns through respected medical voices. This would ultimately strengthen public health protection and community engagement. The formation of community groups dedicated to monitoring and improving air quality is essential. With greater knowledge, the community will be able to identify the main sources of pollution in their area, as well as the associated health risks.

Impact on the Community

The effects of poor air quality in Soweto are visible in local clinics and hospitals. High rates of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory infections place a heavy burden on healthcare facilities such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Families are forced to spend money on asthma pumps, nebulisers and medication, placing additional financial strain on households that may already be struggling.

Air pollution also contributes to climate change. The large volume of emissions from household fires and vehicles releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This not only affects local air quality but also contributes to global warming, extreme weather events and long-term environmental damage. The South African Air Quality Information System has a website and an app that provide data for all working government pollution monitoring stations. It shows results for areas, such as Soweto, by means of a face emoji – green and smiling for healthy air, red and frowning for ‘very unhealthy’ air. Recently, weeknights in Soweto have shown sad faces.

Steps Towards Cleaner Air

While air pollution is a serious problem, change is possible through small, daily actions. At home, families can reduce pollution by not burning garden refuse and household waste. The fumes from burning trash are highly toxic and slow to disperse, affecting everyone. Open and respectful conversations are also important. Talking to elders, neighbours and friends about how smoke affects breathing can help raise awareness and encourage healthier choices. When air quality becomes a shared concern, communities are more likely to work together toward solutions.

Young people have a powerful role to play. By becoming ‘Youth Air Champions’, they can help monitor and report pollution in their areas. Safely taking photos or videos of vehicles emitting exhaust fumes or of illegal dumping and sharing them via community platforms can help bring attention to harmful practices. Youth involvement not only spreads awareness but also builds a sense of responsibility and leadership. By the end of the programme, I felt more confident, capable and connected. This journey did more than build my knowledge – it empowered me with the tools and perspective to design and lead awareness campaigns and educational workshops of my own. Most importantly, it reminded me that real change begins when young people are trusted, supported and equipped to lead. Clean air is not a luxury; it is a basic human right.

Researched by Ntokozo Hlatshwayo, a Youth Air Champion with the Youth@SAIIA programme

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs