VARIOUS schools from The Bluff and Merebank attended an environmental awareness, air pollution and health workshop at the Austerville Community Hall on March 12.

The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness on air pollution in the south of Durban.

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Air quality and health officer for South Durban Environmental Alliance, Bongani Mthembu, raised concerns about the industries in the south of Durban that are allegedly contributing to pollution.

“We have decided to start the year 2026 with a seminar that will educate our children about the dangers of polluted air. We have companies in our community that continue leaking chemicals,” he said.

Mthembu explained to the learners about the importance of living in a clean environment.

“Learners engaged in a lot of activities during the seminar, doing poems and plays relating to issues of air quality and health. The focus was more on looking at industrial pollution and health,” said Mthembu.

Numerous concerns have been raised in the past regarding air pollution affecting residents in the South Durban areas, especially Wentworth and Merebank.

In response to these ongoing challenges eThekwini’s Health Unit’s Pollution Control and Risk Management Department hosted an informative air quality education and awareness programme at the Austerville Community Hall last year.

The aim of the programme is to bridge the knowledge gap by educating communities about air quality and its impacts.

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