Comparative study of solid waste management in gaMothapo and Seshego in Polokwane Local Municipality Limpopo province, South Africa

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Abstract The constitution of South Africa states that local government must provide waste management services which includes waste removal, storage and disposal services, but local municipalities with combination of urban and rural areas often struggle to find the balance in providing services to both areas. Solid waste collection frequencies are higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Therefore this study sought to compare municipal solid waste management in gaMothapo and Seshego in Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. To achieve the aim and objectives of this study, mixed method research approach was applied. The approach was in a form of qualitative and quantitative methods which were applied concurrently. Study participants were selected using non-probability convenience sampling for gaMothapo and Seshego households and non-probability convenience sampling for municipal workers. The comparison was based on household demographics, household waste management choices and municipal solid waste management services. Structured questionnaires were utilized to arrive at a detailed understanding of how the community of gaMothapo and Seshego manage their solid waste. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to understand how municipality manage solid waste in gaMothapo as compared to Seshego and observations at the collection points were also used to gather more information on solid waste management. This study found that Polokwane local municipality uses different methods to manage waste in gaMothapo and Seshego. The households in Seshego rely mostly on weekly door to door solid waste collection by municipality. The households pay for the waste collection services monthly through the rates which are added to households municipal bill and is payable to the individual municipal account. Households in gaMothapo are provided with weekly nodal waste collection services for free. Shortage of resources and infrastructure together with lack of community awareness in both areas were found to hinder an effective solid waste management by Polokwane Local Municipality. The study also determined that Polokwane Local Municipality prioritise the provision of better waste removal services than waste minimisation through community awareness, recycling and material recovery. This study recommends that waste management awareness in both study areas should be conducted regularly.

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