Foreign nationals on the border make ends meet on dumping site
Mozambiqans living near the Lebombo border post collect recyclable objets from rubbish for profit gains.
KOMATIPOORT – Instead of becoming beggars or even turning to criminal activity a lot of foreign nationals living along the Lebombo Border Post between South Africa and Mozambique, have found a hobby in searching the dumping site for recyclable items to make ends meet.
Most of them regard the site, with its rott garbage ranging from rotten tomatoes and cabbage leaves, to smelly nappies and old tins, as their workplace. “Come rain or shine, we always try to collect as much as we can to make extra profit to provide for our families,” they said.
They collect a number of items, including bottle tops, tins and bottles which they compress and sell to businessmen for recycling purposes. Prices range from 50c to R1.
They sell a plastic bag full of bottle tops for R4. They also press metals and tin to trade to the local recycling companies.
This newspaper also learnt that they work as seasonal workers on local farms.
When they are not at work, they make a living from selling these items. Most of them rent the nearby RDP houses at prices ranging from R150 to R250 depending on whether the RDP has electricity or not. Others rent shacks at R60 a month.
“If people can only realise how lucky they are to work or go to school, they can count themselves blessed,” said Lucia, one of these workers.
