Sustainability of indigenous methods of solid waste management in Sikhunyani Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Most rural areas do not have access to basic amenities such as municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal services and use various indigenous methods of solid waste management and disposal. Most communities in developing countries also lack adequate infrastructure and financial resources to achieve sustainable levels of waste collection and proper disposal. Without these systems in place, the impact on these communities can be devastating. Therefore, it is important to further explore indigenous knowledge (IK) systems as a possible alternative to current MSW management systems and assess the sustainability of their waste management methods. This study seeks to examine the variables of indigenous knowledge (IK) systems, classify waste streams generated, identify indigenous methods of solid waste management, and evaluate the sustainability of the identified indigenous methods of solid waste management. A mixed method was used to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from selected households. This study used survey and observation for different research questions. Structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the data to answer the research objectives. Observations were used to support the survey by identifying waste streams and methods used by households. This study also included an in-depth review of peer-reviewed journal articles to evaluate the sustainability of indigenous solid waste management methods practised by households. Non-probability sampling was used to select households from non-urban households of Sikhunyani Village. A total of 108 questionnaires were collected from Sikhunyani village. The data were analysed through descriptive and cross-tabulation statistics. Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS were used to analyse the data and establish statistical relationships. The study brought to the fore the influence of language, cultural practices, and religious beliefs as vital in dispersing IK in Sikhunyani village. The study also established the influence of language (as a proxy for local culture and traditions) on the adoption of traditions and cultures, including language transition and language dominance between the household head, the general household and intercultural marriage dynamics within a household setting. The influence of formal schooling (a proxy of Western knowledge systems) and the resilience of IK sources within the community were also unravelled. This study highlights the significance of IK and shows that any knowledge system is indigenous to a community of its origin, thus neutralizing the strength of the discourse about IK. The study also revealed that for some knowledge to the classified as Indigenous, it must be locally developed; accumulated through experiences; it is a body of knowledge, is influenced by culture; it is unique; encourages socio-ecological interaction, promotes sustainability, and is a practice or skill or technique. The study unearthed that organic waste is the most common waste stream and hazardous waste is the least common waste stream in Sikhunyani village. Various indigenous waste management practices including selective burning of waste were identified. Selective burning of waste was the most preferred indigenous method for managing various waste streams and it is only performed in the morning and evening to minimize human health risks. Indiscriminate dumping of disposable diapers in open spaces and streams is also prevalent in the study area. However, the empirical study found that most of the implemented indigenous methods adhere to the requirements of sustainability.