Lusaka City Sweepers

Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia. It is a dusty city, and unfortunately there are some people who do not care about their environment and who continue to litter the streets. With the dust and rubbish littering the streets of Lusaka, private companies, known as 'pride tech' and 'time agencies' in partnership with Lusaka City Council, embarked on a partnership to clean the roads and drains. The following two stories look into the lives of the 'sweepers' in Zambia's capital who keepthe streets clean.

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Photostory 1: The Women Sweepers of Lusaka

Women sweepers on their way to work.

Difficult work: Sweeping the busy streets of Lusaka isn't easy. The women face a lot of difficulties, particularly during the rainy season. Drivers tend not to respect these hard working women, as they drive by, and often soak the women with water as they speed by. Women sweepers who were interviewed for this story complained to us that their salaries did not cover all their monthly needs. One woman complained about the lack of care and support from her employer, who deducts money from her monthly salary when she is absent due to sickness, accidents, hospital appointments, etc. They cited an example of one of the women who was 'bushed' (hit by a passing vehicle) whilst sweeping. She was taken to hospital, but the driver would not admit liability. She could not afford to have an x-ray, so spent time recuperating at home. Her employer deducted the time off from her monthly salary. The women reported that their employer does not store their equipment, forcing the women to pay K1,000 (€0.15) per day to store it in the back yards of Indian shop owners within Kamwala, a market area in the city. Sometimes their equipment goes missing.

Estnart Chansa, road sweeper

This is Estnart Chansa. Estnart works along Kafue Road, a busy road taking motorists south of Lusaka towards Livingston. She is a widow with two children - Milimo her eldest, currently in grade three at school, and Mathews, who is two years old.

Gertrude Zulu

Gertrude sweeps the streets in Kamwala close to the local police post. The sweepers generally begin work at 07:00 and finish at 14:00. They would sweep about 5 to 6 times a day. Gertrude is married to a business man and has 3 female children.

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Photostory 2: The story of James and Andrew

James Chisha (front) and Andrew Sililo - road sweepers

James (front) and Andrew work for a company called Time Agency. They highlight some of the dangers of being a road sweeper.

James at work on Freedom Way and Katondo Street heading to City Market - the busiest areas in the city.

James was once 'bushed' by a car. He talks about the continuing pain that he experiences in his legs that sometimes interferes with his work. James has a dream of becoming an engineer.

James shows the damage to his legs.

Andrew busy observing the vehicles while he collects the rubbish that he has swept. Not paying attention could cost him his life.

Andrew and James at the landfill in Kamwala

James and Andres on their way home from work

James at home.

During his time off at the weekend, James washes, cleans and fetches water. From the little that he gets from his monthly salary, he is able to rent a house at K200, 000 (around €30). He lives alone, but is planning to bring his fiancé to his home once he has completed his mission to become an engineer. James lives in Chawama compound, a high density residential area in Lusaka. His friend Andrew, also single, lives in Kanyama.

James studying at home.

James really wants to fulfill his dreams of becoming an engineer. He has been studying extra hard in order to pass the subjects that he didn't do well in during his grade 12 exams - English and combined sciences. He hopes to pass his re-sits this year. James says that when he thinks about his past, he feels 'lost'. He is focused only on the future for himself and his family.

James and Andrew enjoying 'Shake! Shake!' (a local brew) in a nearby tavern in Kanyama. James sometimes visits his friend Andrew to watch football and share a drink.