Solutions to drought and flood in Southern Africa

Waste management problems

Waste management is a major problem across Southern Africa, with most collected rubbish heading for landfill sites and too little of it recycled. In Mozambique, around 98-99% of collected waste is dropped at uncontrolled dumpsites, leading to emissions of 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. Scientists have also demonstrated how open-air waste burning leads to greenhouse gas emissions and impacts public health.

Many countries, such as South Africa and Mozambique, have struggled to keep up with their growing populations, with poorer areas afforded the least development attention. Underserved areas often lack access to kerbside collection, waste services and recycling facilities, so refuse gets dumped around communities and in waterways.

Throughout the region, recycling is often run through the informal sector – unpaid waste pickers sort through rubbish and sell what they can to recycling plants. In South Africa, there is no nationwide recycling programme, so waste is not usually divided at home.

It is estimated that waste pickers save municipalities up to R749m (£38m) in landfill space at no cost. Experts have called for informal industry waste pickers to be included in future waste management strategies, whilst improving their conditions and providing payment for their services.

Many Southern African countries have policies to reduce plastic waste. Namibia taxes the use of single-use plastic bags, while Malawi banned thin plastics in 2019.

On a larger scale, ambitious co-financed operations work to overhaul entire waste management systems. By eventually creating a circular economy in Mozambique, the NAMA Support Project aims to reduce emissions by 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024, and 2.8 million tonnes by the end of 2030.

Land degradation and biodiversity

Many people in Southern Africa depend on rural land for agriculture and wildlife tourism. But factors including erosion, deforestation and poor farming methods have degraded environments across the whole region.

Restoring land isn’t a quick fix and there isn’t a silver-bullet solution. Instead, each piece of land must be considered in its own right, bearing in mind the needs and rights of communities and the environment. 

In countries such as South Africa, land use issues are intertwined with those of historic injustices and the redistribution of land taken during periods of colonialism and apartheid.

Simply removing agricultural practices to let the land recover may impact food security, another matter of concern in Southern Africa. A focus on regenerative agriculture is likely to be more sustainable in viable farming areas.

One regional success story is that of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, which formed a frontline of the civil war from 1977 to 1992. Projects to restore the war-torn park and uplift the surrounding communities began in the mid-1990s. 

Today, wildlife populations have recovered, with some species reintroduced. Sustainable farming projects (coffee, honey and cashew) have been established around the park borders. And it’s hoped new safari properties opening in 2022 will boost eco-tourism.