South Africa: Older Reclaimers Work Without Toilets or Running Water At Free State Landfill

What the report says

Health-e News, as republished by AllAfrica, reports that older waste reclaimers at the Nyakallong landfill in the Free State are working in poor conditions without toilets, running water or security. The article says many of the reclaimers are elderly people who rely on collecting recyclable materials such as paper, plastic bottles and cardboard to supplement very small social grants and support their households.

The report focuses on Tankiso Khamadi, 58, and Elizabeth Mthombeni, 62, among others at the site in Matjhabeng municipality. Khamadi, who has collected recyclables since 2015, says he has respiratory problems, was treated for tuberculosis last year and now uses an inhaler for asthma. Mthombeni says the site has become harder to work at, with reclaimers bringing their own drinking water and having no toilets, forcing them to use nearby trees. Both describe concern that collected material can be stolen because the landfill is unfenced.

The South African Waste Pickers Association’s Free State coordinator, Dingaan Mohapi, visited the landfill and said the conditions were especially troubling because many workers are older. He said the group plans to register the reclaimers so they can be included in advocacy efforts. Ward councillors Paseka Ramatisa and Clement Hanisi said they would raise the matter with the municipality’s waste and refuse department and with reclaimers. Matjhabeng Municipality did not respond to the publication’s questions by the time of reporting.

The case highlights wider challenges faced by waste pickers in smaller towns, including low buying prices, limited waste streams and unsafe working environments.