Coastal resident raises alarm over growing litter crisis at Vierkantklip

A Swakopmund business owner says overflowing bins, delayed waste collection and illegal dumping at the scenic Vierkantklip coastal area between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are becoming an increasing eyesore and environmental hazard.

Ulla Burd Marten, owner of Ulla’s Cleaning Services, says she has spent years reporting the littering problem to authorities, but little lasting action has been taken.

“It is really saddening me every day because people do not see what is happening there,” she said. “The rubbish is flying everywhere and nothing is being done about it.”

Mater, who launched her company in August 2010, said her passion for cleanliness and environmental protection prompted her to act after repeatedly witnessing growing amounts of rubbish in the area while walking her dogs.

“In 2021, I just could not look at it anymore,” she said. “I got my team together and we cleaned the entire valley area near Vierkantklip.”

She said the clean-up took four to five days and involved removing 18 bags of rubbish from the area. It cost the company approximately N$2 500, which included paying staff members, transport costs, food and refreshments.

Environmental hazard

The rubbish, she explained, mainly originates from overflowing bins at picnic spots and rest areas, which she claimed are not emptied regularly enough.

Strong coastal winds then blow the waste far and wide, polluting the landscape.

She said she has repeatedly contacted various authorities, including the environment and tourism ministry and the Roads Authority, over the years about the deteriorating condition of the area, but the problem continues to worsen. The affected stretch includes the valley between the Swakop River bridge and the Vierkantklip route towards Walvis Bay.

“Sometimes it takes two, three, four or even six days before the bins are emptied,” she said.

She also expressed concern over broken infrastructure in the area, including a damaged signboard that has reportedly been lying on the ground for over a month despite being reported to authorities.

“All they need to do is fasten it with cable ties, but nothing gets done,” she said.

Mater said littering worsens significantly after weekends and public holidays, with jackals often tearing open rubbish bags left in the open, scattering waste further across the coastal landscape.

Verifying claims

Mater has now offered to assist with future clean-up operations through her company if government authorities are willing to support and compensate the work.

When approached for comment, environment ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula said officials would conduct an on-site inspection and contact the complainant to ascertain the exact location where the dumping is taking place.

“Only once we have established the veracity of the reported dumping can we determine the intervention going forward,” he said.