Waste Pickers Protest For Recognition From Pikitup And City Of Joburg. The protestors were covered in different masks.
Waste gatherers in Johannesburg marched against Pikitup and the City of Johannesburg today (Thursday). The waste gatherers travelled with their trolleys that had plastic bottles as they protested. One of the males that were protesting said that they want to be recognised by the two organisations as workers.
The protestors were covered in different masks. Some of the protestors had posters that read, “Please see us as workers.” One placard said that the workers are not addicted to nyaope, this is what most waste pickers are accused of.
Luyanda Hlatshwayo, a member of the African Reclaimers Organisation (the organisation of the waste pickers), says the group gathers products to renew all over Johannesburg. The member says the waste pickers go as far as 80km every day, taking approximately 250kg. Hlatshwayo says, “The march that we are doing today is just looking for recognition, because if you are looking at it, we are actually subsidising the municipality.”
According to the man, most of the waste that is being gathered is from the African Reclaimers organisation. Hlatshwayo says they gather approximately 80% of the trash in Johannesburg. He then says they compartmentalise the trash and then have it purchased by the renewal companies in the CBD area of Johannesburg.
He says the City of Joburg is not giving them good material that may help them organise their renewable waste. Luyanda Hlatshwayo says, “We need to move up the value chain. The poorest of the poor are the ones that are not making it.” He says approximately three years ago they used to get R4000 per month but now it is reduced to R1500 per month.”
Michella Hattingh, an employee of Remade Recycling, told TimesLive that their organisation has a specific space for the waste pickers at its Newtown business. She says that the area was bought for the waste pickers and they can renew as much as they want. She also says that 50% of their renewable products come from the waste pickers.
by Alexandra Ramaite
