The Palmer Street Recycling Facility: Creating change in Informal Recycling

Priyanka Govender Many have seen a woman pulling a mountainous heap of stacked cardboard on a trolley, straining to navigate the hot and cluttered Durban sidewalk as we drove past on our way to somewhere else. It’s a natural occurrence where we live that not many have spared this more than a passing thought. But … Read more

Toward Zero Waste: Profile of a Recent Community Event on Mitigating Climate Change and Zero Waste Champion Presenters

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Asiye eTafuleni (AeT), alongside groundWork and the Urban Futures Centre, hosted “Towards Zero Waste” at KZNA Gallery. Glenwood residents were invited to come and learn ways of reducing their carbon footprint by managing their household waste. The stars of the event were the two dozen or so Waste Pickers who … Read more

Champions as a model of systemic change in urban public spaces

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Asiye eTafuleni (AeT), alongside groundWork and the Urban Futures Centre, hosted “Towards Zero Waste” at KZNA Gallery. Glenwood residents were invited to come and learn ways of reducing their carbon footprint by managing their household waste. The stars of the event were the two dozen or so Waste Pickers who … Read more

FUEL HIKES – How has this affected the informal workers on the streets of Durban?

Sithulisile Moyo “On Monday, 4 July, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, which is responsible for confirming petrol price adjustments every month, confirmed new increases that will worsen the cost of living crisis for cash-strapped consumers. The price of 93 octane petrol will rise by R2.37 a litre and 95 octane by R2.57 a … Read more

Informality and the Law: Narratives of informal workers in Warwick, Durban

Sithulisile Moyo PART 1: #narratives of an informal worker: Treat us with dignity    “They need to stop impounding our goods. Find other ways to harass us. Sondl’ imndeni ngalamatafula”.  It’s in the wee hours of the day at an informal settlement in Kwandengezi, MaNgcobo is busy preparing for the long day ahead working at … Read more

Licenses and Permit Moratorium for Informal Workers

Sithulisile Moyo Licenses and permits that expired between March 2020 and June 2021 will remain valid until 31 December 2022. Disaster Management Act, 2000; Directives Regarding Business Licenses and Trade Permits; Government Notice 615 of 2021 published in Government Gazette no. 44853 on the 15th of July 2021. COVID-19 crisis exposed the disparities and vulnerabilities experienced … Read more

Women recyclers taking care of the city

Misiwe Maphumulo and Sarah Heneck Recycling has a multitude of benefits; it protects the environment, saves the municipality money, and helps many people sustain their livelihoods. Let’s unpack this a little bit: Protecting the environment: Recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, cans and glass that are not recycled either ends up as litter in … Read more

Impact of the pandemic on informal workers in Durban: Stories from the street

Misiwe Maphumulo & Sarah Heneck A WIEGO-led COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy survey was conducted in 12 cities worldwide, with the aim of assessing the impact of the pandemic on informal workers.  Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) surveyed 185 informal workers across three sectors in Durban, namely, waste pickers, market traders and street traders. The COVID-19 pandemic … Read more