Maintaining the cleanliness of a bustling city like Johannesburg is no small feat, and the City recognises the invaluable role played by waste pickers or informal recyclers in upholding hygiene standards. These dedicated individuals are the unsung heroes of urban sanitation. To honour their service, the Department of Social Development’s Displaced Persons Sub-Unit in Region C commemorated Human Rights Day with waste pickers. The event, held at Westworld Recycling in Roodepoort, centred around this year’s theme: “Three Decades of Respect For and Promotion of Human Rights”. Its aim was to advocate for the rights of those living and working on the streets, ensuring their access to basic services.
Karabo Manaka from the department highlighted the significance of commemorating the day with a marginalised group. “This community often lacks access to essential services due to the nature of their work, so our goal is to raise awareness of available resources while affirming their right to dignity,” he explained.
The event featured various mobile facilities, including rehabilitation services, economic development initiatives, and healthcare support.
Waste pickers eagerly engaged with these offerings, seeking assistance with identity card applications and exploring potential job opportunities.
Lisa Steenkamp, the owner of the buyback centre, emphasised the crucial role waste pickers play in both supporting their families and maintaining the city’s cleanliness through recycling efforts.
She stressed the importance of acknowledging their contributions and combating the stigma often associated with their work.
In addition to providing financial incentives for collecting reusable materials, waste pickers receive training from Petco, a producer responsibility organisation dedicated to recycling PET bottles and Tetra Pak containers.
Lehlohonolo Mohale from the organisation highlighted their efforts to upskill waste pickers, providing accredited training to improve their job prospects in the recycling industry.
For waste picker Tshepo Mokorosi from Bramfischerville, the industry offers a lifeline to support himself and his family. Having been in the industry for two years, he now actively encourages others in his community to join him, sharing the benefits of waste picking as a viable livelihood option.
Through events like this, Human Rights Day serves as a platform to recognise the dignity and contribution of waste pickers, reaffirming their place in the community and advocating for their rights.
Written by Pamela Sibiya
22/03/2024
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