NEWS

He didn’t want to go back home. Instead he wanted to go back to the dumpsite. When we got there I found a group of young men playing chess and I was impressed. I have been thinking that if activities like these can be supported and strengthened to help develop these young people, and how initiatives like these can contribute towards improving Grahamstown’s economy.

The driveway into the dump is a dirt road surrounded by shrubs covered in dust that have grocery bags clinging onto their branches. The area looks like a disaster. Except for a tiny security room at the gate, and a grader that occasionally levels heaps of waste, there is no municipal presence. There is no infrastructure or ablution facilities to practice basic hygiene.

In many cities across the Global South, waste pickers play a vital but often invisible role in managing urban waste. These individuals collect, sort, and sell discarded materials, contributing significantly to recycling and reducing landfill volumes. Despite their important environmental and economic contributions, waste pickers operate in informal and insecure conditions, lacking formal recognition or support.