Paper short abstract:

On the Northern fringes of the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe exists an economy that is supported by the city dumpsite. In the vicinity of this dumpsite, a thriving community has sprouted and continues to expand.

Paper long abstract:

On the Northern fringes of the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe exists an economy that is supported by the city dumpsite. In the vicinity of this dumpsite, a thriving community has sprouted and continues to expand. Its main source of living is the refuse collected for dumping from various points by the City council of Bulawayo. Although many people regard the dumpsite, popularly known in the city as 'Ngozi Mine', a filthy and unhealthy area where fleas feed and reproduce, a place that breeds diseases; the community that is directly supported by this dumpsite tell a different story. To this community resident within this 'industrial site', Ngozi Mine is their source of livelihood and a place of 'opportunity'. As an illustration to the 'potential' side of this dumpsite, families have moved in to reside around this dumpsite; homes have been built and courtships, and new marriages have also occurred. This community also has leadership structures, hence the chief and Headman are responsible for organising the community. Early in the morning, men and women can be seen going to work, some carrying big bags for packaging whatever they could scavenge for resale and recycling. This paper looks at the social life of the 'Ngozi Mine' community in order to understand how the community is organised and what role the dumpsite plays in the everyday struggle for survival in the city.

Keywords: Bulawayo, Community, City Council, Dumpsite, Livelihoods, Ngozi Mine, Zimbabwe.