How are waste reclaimers surviving the coronavirus pandemic

Because of the High unemployment in South Africa, we have seen in recent years a number of people taking up waste reclaiming as a means of survival. These workers are sometimes up from as early as 3am going to the dustbin to find items that can be recycled and re-used. On The Covid Report today, we look at how the Corona virus has affected the sector as waste reclaimers cannot travel as freely, and some economic activities are suspended. Siphosihle Mbulu speaks to Luyanda Hlatshwayo who says they have not been able to sell their collected material. Hlatshwayo who heads the African Reclaimers Organisation, says they have organized themselves to ensure that they survive through the pandemic. He says government’s relief for the sector during the pandemic leave out the majority of the people as a majority of them are not South African and do not have IDs.