The strategies for enhancing Waste Management Service Delivery in Thulamela Local Municipality, in Limpopo Province

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate strategies to improve the efficacy of waste management service provision in Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo Province. Waste management is a critical municipal function, central to environmental sustainability, public health, and socio-economic development. Despite its importance, Thulamela Local Municipality faces ongoing challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, constrained budgets, and limited community involvement. Guided by the New Public Management (NPM) theoretical framework and grounded in the interpretivist research paradigm, this study adopts a qualitative, desktop research design to explore existing strategies, policy implementation, and institutional capacity. The study used purposive sampling to select relevant secondary sources, including government reports, policy documents, academic journals, and legislation published between 2020 and 2025. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis, allowing the researcher to identify recurring patterns and issues in the provision of waste management services. The study found that waste management in Thulamela Local Municipality is hindered by limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and weak policy implementation. Institutional capacity remains low, enforcement of bylaws is inconsistent, and coordination across departments is poor. The study also revealed minimal community participation, contributing to illegal dumping and reduced effectiveness of municipal initiatives. Overall, the findings show a clear gap between policy and practice, highlighting the need for stronger capacity, better resource allocation, and improved community engagement to enhance waste management services. This study contributes to the broader discourse on local government performance and sustainable service delivery, offering insights that may inform policy reform and implementation at the municipal level.