Community Perceptions and Experiences of Air Pollution Monitoring in Soweto, Johannesburg

Abstract

Air pollution remains one of the most urgent environmental and public health issues in rapidly urbanising areas like Soweto, Johannesburg. Despite growing awareness of its adverse effects, community experiences and knowledge remain underrepresented in air quality research and policy frameworks. This study examines community perceptions, lived experiences, and collaborative potential in air pollution mitigation using the Good Participatory Practice (GPP) framework. The study employed a qualitative methodology, drawing on purposive sampling to engage 21 diverse stakeholders, including residents, educators, NGO workers, informal business owners, and government officials. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, analysed thematically to derive key insights into the perceptions of air quality, sources of pollution, health impacts, and current community-level responses. Findings revealed a widespread perception of deteriorating air quality, attributed primarily to domestic fuel burning, waste fires, and vehicle emissions. Participants said that the effects included high rates of respiratory illnesses, mental stress, and damage to the environment. Children, the elderly, and people who lived in shacks were especially affected. Participants expressed frustration with fragmented governance, inaccessible air quality data, and a lack of meaningful participation in environmental decisions. Strong community-driven solutions also emerged, including calls for tree planting, youth engagement, better enforcement, and decentralised monitoring. The study concludes that Soweto functions as a “sacrifice zone”, where systemic neglect compounds environmental injustice. Using the GPP model, the research demonstrates the transformative potential of community participation in air pollution monitoring and governance. Recommendations include institutionalising participatory platforms, improving communication of air quality data, and supporting community-led innovations. This research contributes to the discourse on environmental justice and offers a replicable model for inclusive, grassroots-driven responses to urban air pollution.