By Swelihle Mkhize
Late one weekday morning, a man wheels a rusty barrow filled with black bags to a familiar open field in KwaMakhutha Township. Without thinking twice, he tips the rubbish onto a growing pile of waste and walks away. “The truck didn’t come,” he mutters over his shoulder.
It’s been a year since South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed, a historic coalition between political parties that promised to turn things around and improve basic services. But for residents of KwaMakhutha, not much seems to have changed.
The municipality does collect waste more regularly now compared to a few years back, with trucks coming around weekly in most parts of KwaMakhutha. But even with that improvement, illegal dumping hasn’t gone away, in fact, in some spots, it’s getting worse. You’ll find piles of rubbish in open fields, next to roads, and even near people’s homes. Frustration is growing, and some residents are beginning to question whether the promises made by the Government of National Unity have brought any real change to their daily lives.
Illegal Dumping Reality
Even though the municipality hands out black refuse bags and sends collection trucks weekly, illegal dumping is still part of everyday life in KwaMakhutha. For some, it’s about missing the early truck. But for many others, it’s more than that.
Resident, Malusi Zulu, who lives near one of the well-known dumping spots, said, “People know the collection days, but they still throw their rubbish in the veld like it’s nothing. Some have just stopped caring; they don’t think anything will happen.”
Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, stated that the issue goes deeper. “There’s no punishment. No one gets fined, and the dumping keeps piling up. It’s been happening for so long that it just feels normal now.”
This sense of frustration and routine dumping isn’t only unique to KwaMakhutha.
In a 2024 study of Ngwelezana Township, by Khuluse and Leonard, they found that non-compliance with waste laws, a lack of enforcement, and limited awareness campaigns were among the biggest contributors to illegal dumping. According to the study, most offenders continued to dump waste because there were no visible consequences, no fines, no law enforcement, and very little follow-up from local authorities.
The study also pointed out how poor communication between municipalities and communities can fuel the problem. When residents feel that they’re being ignored, they may stop engaging with services altogether.
Back in KwaMakhutha, a similar feeling is brewing. Community members stated that while officials often talked about clean-ups and campaigns, little seemed to change in the area, and those who dumped illegally did so knowing that no one was monitoring them.
Many Ngwelezana residents hadn’t joined awareness campaigns or even knew about them. Without regular clean-ups or education, dumping feels normal, just part of daily life. This pattern is now repeating in KwaMakhutha, where some feel disconnected from local government and don’t see why they should follow the rules.
The GNU’s Vision
After the 2024 national elections, South Africa ended up in a new situation, no party had a clear majority.
In response, ten parties, including the ANC, DA, IFP, and others, came together to form a Government of National Unity (GNU). According to a statement released on the official State of the Nation website, this unity was meant to reflect the will of the people, who had called on their leaders to rise above politics and work together to fix the country’s problems.
President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed this message in his opening of Parliament address on 18 July 2024, where he said the GNU was born from the public’s hopes for unity and progress. He announced that the GNU would focus on three key priorities over the next five years: boosting economic growth and job creation, lowering the cost of living, and building a more capable, ethical government.
While the GNU’s launch brought a wave of hope, some analysts believe the pace of change has been underwhelming. In a February 2025 media statement, the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) said the coalition was still yet to present a clear plan of action, even months after coming together. CDE’s executive director, Ann Bernstein, pointed out small wins in certain state departments, such as Eskom and Home Affairs, but warned that deeper reform is still missing. She added that tweaking old policies won’t solve long-standing problems, and that fresh, bold solutions are needed to address everyday issues like inconsistent public services, including waste collection in many communities.
CDE also criticised the President for not using the opportunity to reduce the size of his Cabinet, arguing that a leaner leadership could have been more effective. The organisation said South Africa still lacks a clear strategy for improving services, boosting small businesses, and fixing weaknesses in the justice system. Without firm action in these areas, CDE warned, the GNU risks failing to deliver on its promise of real change, and communities could continue to face issues such as littering and illegal dumping despite regular refuse collection.
So, while the GNU began with a strong message of hope and unity, critics are beginning to question whether that promise is turning into real change, especially for communities still waiting for better service delivery.
Political scientist Susan Booysen, writing in the Daily Maverick, points out that South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has been marked by one crisis after another, from power struggles to policy clashes and court battles. Rather than smooth cooperation, the ANC and DA, the coalition’s biggest parties, often seem locked in a “marriage of convenience,” each pushing for control while trying to keep up appearances. Early on, their rushed “Statement of Intent” was mostly symbolic and left decision-making firmly in the ANC’s hands, upsetting the balance the coalition was supposed to bring.
Still, in his July 2024 Parliament speech, President Ramaphosa outlined the GNU’s goals and the promises linked to them.
But despite these promises, analysts remain doubtful. Booysen warns that ongoing coalition tensions and ANC dominance in key positions could mean the GNU is just reshuffling old politics instead of delivering real change.
Everyday Realities
A year into the Government of National Unity (GNU), residents of KwaMakhutha remain divided on whether any real change has reached their streets. While some acknowledge small improvements, many say their daily realities remain the same.
“I do see the DSW trucks coming around more often now, especially this year,” said Zamile Mlotshwa, a mother of three who lives near one of the main roads. “It’s better than before, because for the past few years, we’d go for weeks without waste being collected. But the problem is, people still throw rubbish anywhere, even on the same corner where the truck just passed.” She shook her head and continued; “It’s like people don’t care anymore. Maybe they’ve lost hope, or maybe there’s not enough awareness. Whatever the reason, we’re still surrounded by dirt.”
Mvelo Mbhele, who runs a small tuck shop near the taxi rank, doesn’t believe much has changed.
“Every election year, they say they’ll fix things. They promise roads, they promise bins, they promise a better life,” he said. “But come rain or shine, we still deal with uncollected waste and
blocked drains. The dump near the soccer field has been there for years. I’ve cleaned it myself more times than I can count, not because the government helped, but because I couldn’t stand the smell.” He shrugged. “The GNU sounds fancy, but the change hasn’t made a difference to me.”
Others are cautiously optimistic. Penelope Khuzwayo, a young adult who recently graduated from the local TVET Coastal college, mentioned that the idea of different parties working together gives her a bit of hope.
“It’s not perfect, but at least now we know there are different parties working together, not just one voice making all the decisions,” she said. “Maybe that means someone will finally listen to us. We just want the basics. Rubbish collection, working streetlights, a clean space to live in. That’s not too much to ask for.” She paused. “If this GNU really means to serve the people, then I hope they start with communities like ours.”
Their words reflect what many South Africans feel, hope and frustration together, with small improvements often overshadowed by ongoing problems.
The Bigger Picture
Since the GNU started, promises of better service delivery haven’t been that simple, not just here, but all-over South Africa.
Stats SA’s latest findings show that while most households in South Africa, around 63% have their waste collected once a week, this doesn’t always translate to cleaner communities. In fact, in rural provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, only 8% of households in rural areas receive any formal refuse collection at all. The rest rely on communal dumps or resort to burning their trash, a common but dangerous practice. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest rate of burning household waste, with over 90% of households admitting to doing so at least occasionally.
In July 2025, eThekwini Municipality adopted a new Cleansing and Solid Waste Turnaround Strategy, aimed at fixing long-standing inefficiencies in the system. The plan includes more oversight, better accountability, and a performance improvement plan due next year. While it’s a step forward, many residents say the difference hasn’t been felt on the ground just yet.
National government has also admitted that local municipalities are falling short. During a workshop held in Durban, COGTA highlighted ongoing problems like poor infrastructure, weak leadership, and a lack of communication between municipalities and communities. A full review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government is underway, with hopes of reshaping how basic services like waste collection are delivered.
For communities like KwaMakhutha, where garbage is collected weekly, yet illegal dumping persists, the issue is no longer just about pickup schedules. It’s about trust, follow-through, and whether promises made by the GNU and municipalities are actually being kept.
Unheard Voices
