The challenges that come with the delay in collecting community garbage bags. The case study of Umlazi (Q-section).

Abstract

The relevance of this study was embedded in knowing that the South African government through its local councilors exists to safeguard that residents within their demarcated wards live in a clean, healthy and hazard-free environment as supported by the South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) and the Municipality Systems Act (32 of 2000). Using theoretical standpoints of the Welfarist theory and the Modernisation theory as well as the qualitative research design as a principal method of data collection, this thesis examined the challenges that come with the delay in waste collection in Umlazi Township (Q-section) and the policy implications therein. The study reveals that the usage of open dumps is the most viable option of solid waste disposal in the study area. Open dumping will continue to be the most widely adopted technique of disposing waste by most towns in Durban due to the inadequate infrastructure which makes it difficult for the municipal truck to collect the solid waste. Secondly, the study reveals that unmaintained dump side encourage communicable diseases which detriments people’s health. The study reports that communicable diseases have conditioned some community members who are also breadwinners to have chronic diseases. This has cost them to lose jobs and deepens them into rife poverty that is confirmed in most people in South Africa. Children of this community are now deprived the right to play outside which benefits their physical growth as parents protect them from contaminated litter. The study concluded that this community is not liberated as it is still oppressed by an unaccountable local sphere of government which does not prioritize adequate sanitation for its people. The study recommends the establishment of a sanitation network or committee which will look at issues of sanitation as a service delivery concern. It contributes in sensitizing people that they must make use of public participation gatherings to discuss or express issues of sanitation in lieu of being passive beneficiaries. The study recommends a sectoral approach which should be steered by the Department of Health and the eThekwini Municipality through which the said population can be empowered in reducing, reusing as well as re-cycling their own litter for health and economic reasons. These findings can be utilised to broaden people’s comprehension of the significance and impact of effective solid waste management or lack thereof.