Alexandra residents, Ntombizodwa Sithole and Bizwephi Buthelezi exemplify a rare and sustained commitment to civic responsibility even amid resistance from some community members who are unwilling to stop illegal dumping.

For the past three years, the two volunteers have dedicated themselves to maintaining Second Avenue between Alfred Nzo and Josias Madzunya, transforming what was once a littered thoroughfare into one of the township’s cleaner spaces. Every day, they sweep and clear illegally dumped refuse and remove hazards such as broken glass.

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Yet their efforts encounter persistent obstacles. While many residents appreciate the visible improvements, a segment of the community remains resistant to behavioural change. “There are some who are stubborn and disrespectful. Some usually say they have been here for years. Those are some of the issues we face,” Sithole said.

This attitude manifests in continued dumping after Pikitup trucks have completed their rounds, parking that obstructs collection vehicles, and a general reluctance to change practices that undermine collective progress.

Sithole said such pushback perpetuates cycles of environmental degradation that affect the entire neighbourhood. In response, supportive residents have begun reinforcing positive norms, urging neighbours to respect collection schedules, secure waste properly, and allow space for service delivery vehicles.

“They know Pikitup times. When the truck has passed, there is no need for someone to leave their rubbish on the street,” resident, Senzo Buthelezi said, noting that such activities undermine the volunteers’ efforts and create breeding grounds for rodents.

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Through their consistent efforts in addressing the accumulation of waste in the area, Sithole and Bizwephi Buthelezi have significantly reduced breeding grounds for rodents and created safer play areas for children who use the street as an extension of their living space. Their work complements the efforts of municipal waste management services, filling critical gaps that persist even after official collections.

What distinguishes these volunteers is their dedication in the face of limited support. After an initial 10-month period during which they received stipends, the contracts lapsed, and many other participants withdrew. But Sithole and Buthelezi chose to continue without compensation, driven by a sense of communal obligation rather than financial incentive.

“We are not working because we get paid, we are just volunteering to keep our place clean,” Sithole concluded.

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