Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. / One of the greatest problems Mozambique is currently facing is the increased involvement of sectors in producing large amounts of solid waste on a daily basis. These sectors are involved in activities that take place in homes, industry, mining, agriculture and commerce. As a result, this problem needs to be treated efficiently by the Municipality of Maputo. Solid waste produced each day in Maputo is not only an aesthetic problem but poses a threat to citizens' health and it damages the environment. With the production of large amounts of waste each day, the Municipality of Maputo is faced with an ineffective solid waste management system. This ineffectiveness is due to a number of reasons, which include lack of resources, inadequate or no staff training, poor management of solid waste by both the municipal and the government, inappropriate laws to regulate solid waste collection, poor control of such laws in terms of removal and disposal of the waste, using past colonial methods for dealing with solid waste and poor community involvement, The problem not only affects the Municipality of Maputo but it also affects both citizens and the environment. Ineffective solid waste management is linked to poor management, lack of resources, poor staff training, and unskilled public officials. The city gets dirtier as the amount of waste increases day by day, due to the fact that citizens living in rural areas have immigrated to the city looking for work after the civil war, which took place between 1977 and 1994. Emerging from a severely damaged war-torn economy, Mozambique is still in the process of reconstituting many of its public institutions. Communities, local government, industry, commerce, civil society, academics and religious organisations can no longer turn a blind eye to poor solid waste management. Instead, they need to join to fight against poor management of solid waste. The current situation demonstrates that too few individuals, non-profit organisations and private companies are involved in solid waste management activities. Effective solid waste management can only be effective if it engages all producers of waste and captures the policy strategies, planning and challenges of sustainable development.

Poverty in its many guises - poor housing, no employment, indifferent health and hunger is a driving force for scavenging. In most developing countries, the informal recovery of material from waste is a common survival strategy for the poor. In fact, up to 2% of populations in developing countries depend on recovering, re-using and selling waste materials from streets, dumpsite or landfills for their livelihood. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the socio-economic conditions affecting the scavengers and scavenging activities at the Hulene dumpsite in Maputo. This study set out to develop a conceptual framework depicting scavenging, its problems and opportunities. This was used to structure the research. The main issues addressed were: • The driving forces of scavenging where poverty is the major factor. • The organization of scavengers and scavenging activities showing that there is no formal organization of scavengers, which leads to exploitation of vulnerable groups. • The reaction from the national and local authorities, with the prevalence of a repressive policy and absence of support. • The gender dimension on scavenging activities; and • The perception of health risks. The findings are that scavenging constitutes a means of livelihood for poor people. These activities respond to the market demand and not to environmental considerations. However, in performing scavenging activities which results in informal recycling and resources recovery, people generate environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits. Other findings are that the informal organization of scavengers increases the exploitation and the health risk of scavengers. Thus, organization is a key to the success of scavengers and indirectly to the municipal economy. It is concluded that the framework set out in this thesis is useful in the sense that it illustrates the factors which influence scavenging activities. This framework can be used for further research in similar situations. It is also concluded that prohibition of scavenging activities would have undesirable consequences for the economy of Maputo in particular and of Mozambique in general. Thus, since this activity brings benefits to scavengers and to society, the government should support and stimulate this activity and not persecute those who provide this service. Consequently, as a recommendation, government, local communities and NGOs are called upon to support scavengers. The formation of scavenger co-operatives can promote sustainable grassroots development in this sector of the population. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-Unversity of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.