The role of civil society and good governance in effective air quality management in the South Durban Industrial Basin, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Globally, industrial developments have continued to affect people's health with limited research in this space. The South Durban Industrial Basin in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is an area where industrial activities are undertaken close to residential areas and continues to be a challenge since the democratic transition. Drawing on democratic and good governance frameworks, this paper aims to understand why addressing air pollution is still a challenge in the democratic dispensation and the role of civil society and good governance in addressing air quality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders to identify practices employed since the advent of democracy to address air pollution and understand challenges that prevent air pollution reduction. Despite the efforts of civil society, air pollution continues to be a challenge due to poor local governance to enforce and monitor air pollution and establish democratic platforms to genuinely include and address citizen concerns.