Documentation of indigenous methods for solid waste management in uThweba Village, Kwaximba Tribal Authority, Republic of South Africa

Abstract

Globally, inadequate solid waste management is a significant environmental and public health challenge, especially in rural and marginalised communities where municipal services are limited or absent. Poor waste management contributes to land degradation, water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and higher health risks. While modern waste management systems are prominent in policy frameworks worldwide, Indigenous knowledge systems have historically provided sustainable, low-cost, and culturally rooted waste solutions cantered on reuse, repurposing, and resource efficiency. In South Africa, waste collection services are still inadequate despite progressive environmental laws. Many rural areas are excluded from formal municipal waste management, resulting in illegal dumping, open burning, and environmental pollution. Although the literature highlights the potential of Indigenous waste practices to assist in reducing solid waste risks, there is however limited documentation on how these systems work today in rural areas or how they can support formal municipal services. This study documents Indigenous solid waste management methods practiced in uThweba Village, Cato Ridge, located in the Outer West of Durban under the KwaXimba Tribal Authority within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province. Using uThweba as a case study. The research aimed to describe the waste types produced, record existing Indigenous waste management practices, evaluate their impact on the accessibility and affordability of waste services, and develop a practical Indigenous waste management model for similar rural communities without municipal waste collection. A qualitative research approach was used, including household questionnaires and field observations. Data were coded and analysed with descriptive statistics, and results were shown in tables and graphs. Findings show that, due to the lack of consistent municipal waste collection, households depend on Indigenous practices passed down through generations. These practices focus on reuse and repurposing of materials and are part of the community’s cultural heritage. However, problems arise with non-biodegradable waste like cans, glass, and tins that cannot be reused. This waste ends up in yards and pits and often scattered by animals, creating environmental and health hazards. The community expressed a need for municipal help, especially in establishing recycling facilities for non-reusable waste. The study concludes that combining Indigenous waste management practices with targeted municipal support could offer a sustainable and culturally suitable solution for rural waste management in South Africa.