Story by Aifheli Mudau
IN Beitbridge, residents of the Dulivhadzimu community are generating income by transforming discarded materials into functional and artistic household necessities, demonstrating the potential of waste as a resource for local development.
The recycling initiative involves collecting waste items and converting them into moulded pots, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques. Locals have adapted their methods to make a range of products, from small-sized pots to larger decorative pieces.
“I attend to this makeshift blast furnace as I will be monitoring the fire to make sure every material thrown inside here is heated to the required temperatures before collecting the liquid from the dissolved material to fill our pots,” a crafts moulder said.
“I use alluvial sand to create shapes of the pots that we want, ranging from quarter size to size 35,” another moulder said.
The project has also provided a platform for community-led division of labour, with different groups responsible for collecting materials, moulding the pots, and selling the finished products. Team leader Miss Dambudzo Muganda noted the economic impact.
“We have got division of Labour here, I go out with others to pick the waste material, and others remain here doing the moulding after the other group members. They then start selling the finished products.”
The value-added waste project is stimulating the local economy and creating new employment opportunities while also raising awareness about environmental protection.
