Browsing by Author "Schenck, Rinie"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
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    A conceptual framework for sustainable waste management in small municipalities: The cases of Langebaan, South Africa and Swakopmund, Namibia
    (Springer, 2023) Kadhila, Timoteus; de Wit, Martin P.; Schenck, Rinie
    Municipal waste management is a major challenge for local governments in South Africa and Namibia, as in other developing countries. The circular economy concept in waste management is an alternative sustainable development framework that has the potential to combat resource depletion, pollution, and poverty while achieving the SDGs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current waste management systems in Langebaan and Swakopmund municipalities resulting from municipal policies, procedures, and practices in the context of a circular economy. A mixed method approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data through structured in-depth interviews, document analyses, and direct observation. The study found that the Langebaan and Swakopmund municipalities have not yet fully implemented the circular economy concept into their waste management systems. A mix of waste consisting of papers, plastics, cans, tyres, and organic products is dumped into landfills weekly at a rate of about 85%. The main challenges to implementing the circular economy concept include: lack of technical solutions, inadequate regulatory frameworks, insufficient financial resources, lack of private sector involvement, insufficient human resource capacity, and inadequate information and knowledge. A conceptual framework was therefore proposed to guide the municipalities of Langebaan and Swakopmund in implementing the circular economy concept in their waste management systems.
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    The economic impact of NGOs on the well-being of extended households in Soweto
    (UNISA Press, 2016) Rooderick, Mojalefa; Blaauw, Phillip; Schenck, Rinie
    Extended households, usually in the form of an elder or grandparent, have always provided a safety net for orphaned children. However, the high rates of HIV (AIDS) infection, unemployment and poverty have weakened their capacity to fulfil this vital role. The majority of extended households live in poverty and, therefore, lack sufficient resources to care for these children. In addition to receiving government social grants, some extended households are also receiving financial and non-financial assistance from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These local NGOs provide basic needs such as food, clothes and medical care to orphans living in extended family units. Little has been done to quantify their economic impact. This paper, therefore, investigates the economic impact of NGOs in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children living in extended households in Soweto. Using Foster, Greer and Thorbecke’s (FGT) poverty indices, we found that the help of NGOs was statistically significant in reducing the level and extent of poverty in such dwellings. The results of FGT are supported by those of the logit econometric model.
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    Enabling factors for the existence of waste pickers: A systematic review
    (2016) Schenck, Rinie; Blaauw, Derick; Viljoen, Kotie
    The paper reports on a systematic review research process to determine the enabling factors for waste pickers to operate in the informal economy in South Africa. Twenty-eight South African journal articles, theses and position and policy papers were sourced and appraised. The results indicate that recognition of the waste pickers in the waste system is the most enabling factor for them to operate. The concept of recognition is analysed, described and explained as assisting waste pickers to become more visible, having a voice and to be validated.
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    Happy in the informal economy? A case study of well-being among day labourers in South Africa
    (Clute Institute, 2013) Blaauw, Phillip (Derick); Botha, Ilse; Schenck, Rinie; Schoeman, Christie
    Past research provided evidence of the negative effect that individual unemployment can have on subjective well-being. The persistent high levels of unemployment and poverty in South Africa have been well documented. Many people are forced into the informal economy, where they engage in a variety of survivalist activities such as day labouring. As no previous study has been conducted on the well-being of day labourers, the aim of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the well-being of South African day labourers. Objective and subjective functions are compared to determine the role of income and other variables in the wellbeing of day labourers. The determinants are categorised according to economic, comparison and attitudinal variables. The objective function uses income and the subjective function uses the binary measure of ‘experiencing a good week in terms of wages’ as dependent variables. The results showed that comparison variables are important determinants for the subjective measure of well-being, and attitudinal variables are important for the objective measure of well-being. The economic variables were important in both functions. The findings of this paper confirm other research findings showing that personal income is important for well-being in a poor community. The difference between these functions indicates that the subjective and objective measures of well-being both capture valuable characteristics of SWB in a poor community.
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    High school learners experiences of gangsterism in Hanover Park
    (UNISA Press, 2016) Magidi, Mufaro; Schenck, Rinie; Erasmus, Charlene
    The culture of gang violence has become deeply entrenched in South Africa. The present study explored the experiences of non-gang school-going adolescents regarding gangs and gangsterism in Hanover Park in the Western Cape. A qualitative exploratory approach was used. Data collection instruments were focus group discussions supported by qualitative semi-structured interviews involving 18 adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 from two secondary schools in Hanover Park, Cape Town. The data were thematically analysed. The results have shown that the presence of gangs affects the learners’ school attendance, restricts their mobility, increases bullying at school and seriously disrupts family and community life.
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    Homeless in Observatory, Cape Town through the lens of Max-Neef's Fundamental Human Needs taxonomy
    (SUN, 2017) Schenck, Rinie; Roman, Nicolette V.; Erasmus, Charlene; Blaauw, Phillip (Derick); Ryan, Jill
    The suburb of Observatory, also affectionately known as ''Obs'', is one of the older suburbs of the City of Cape Town, home to multiple cultures, a student population from the University of Cape Town, a variety of churches, the Provincial Government Groote Schuur Hospital, the Government Psychiatric Hospital Valkenburg, and the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory built in 1897 - hence the name of the suburb. It is one of the oldest areas of Cape Town. Unfortunately Observatory also has a high crime rate and many homeless people. In the beginning of 2014 concerned community members of Observatory approached the authors of this article to conduct a research study to profile the homeless in Observatory. The aim of this article is therefore to describe the profile of the homeless in Observatory, Cape Town and to develop some understanding of the lives of the homeless.
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    Horende moeders en vaders se benadering tot ouerskap van kinders met gehoorverlies
    (Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, 2020) David, Ronel S; Roman, Nicolette V; Schenck, Rinie
    Navorsing toon dat 90% van kinders met gehoorverlies vir horende ouers gebore word (Cole & Flexer 2016; Lederberg, Schick & Spencer 2013). Hierdie ouers kan probleme ondervind om ’n effektiewe benadering tot die grootmaak van kinders te ontwikkel, en hulle kan dit ’n uitdaging vind om ’n kind met gehoorverlies met selfvertroue groot te maak (Calderon, Bargones & Sidman 1998). Studies dui aan dat interaksie tussen gesinslede, familiehulpbronne en ondersteuningsdienste alle areas van die gesinslewe beïnvloed wanneer daar ’n kind met ’n gehoorverlies in die familie is. Boonop ondervind horende ouers nie net uitdagings ten opsigte van hul kind se gehoorverlies nie, maar is daar sprake van verdere uitdagings soos stres, kommunikasie, maatskaplike ondersteuning en toegang tot inligting. Verder beïnvloed gehoorverlies in kinders ouers se vertroue in hulle vermoë om ’n kind met gehoorverlies groot te maak.
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    “I would rather have a decent job”: Potential barriers preventing street-waste pickers from improving their socio-economic conditions
    (AOSIS, 2016) Viljoen, Kotie; Blaauw, Phillip; Schenck, Rinie
    As a result of the high levels of unemployment in South Africa, many unskilled people are forced to resort to a variety of income-generating activities in the informal economy. The activity of collecting and selling recyclables presents virtually no barriers to entry, making it a viable option. Very little research focusing on street-waste pickers has been undertaken, and, when it has been conducted, it has mostly taken the form of case studies. This paper reports the results of the first countrywide research into the potential barriers that prevent street-waste pickers from improving their socio-economic circumstances. The study used a mixedmethod approach. Structured interviews were conducted between April 2011 and June 2012 with 914 streetwaste pickers and 69 buy-back centres in 13 major cities across all nine provinces in South Africa. Low levels of schooling, limited language proficiency, uncertain and low levels of income, as well as limited access to basic social needs make it difficult for waste pickers to move upwards in the hierarchy of the informal economy. The unique set of socio-economic circumstances in which street-waste pickers operate in the various cities and towns in South Africa make the design of any possible policy interventions a complex one. Policymakers will have to take note of the interdependence of the barriers identified in this research. Failing to do so may cause policies that are aimed at supporting street-waste pickers to achieve the exact opposite, and, ironically, deprive these pickers of their livelihood.
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    Investigating the subjective well-being of the informally employed: a case study of day labourers in Windhoek and Pretoria
    (OASIS, 2020-06-11) Van Wyk, Anthonie; Blaauw, Phillip; Schenck, Rinie
    Orientation: Day labouring is becoming more frequent in developing countries. Long spells of unemployment and the uncertainty of informal wage employment impact negatively on the subjective well-being (SWB) of day labourers. Research purpose: The aim of the article was to investigate the level and possible determinants of the SWB of day labourers in Pretoria and Windhoek. Motivation for the study: Up to now, only one study has been carried out in South Africa on the SWB of day labourers and none in Namibia. This study aimed to start filling this gap in the literature. The choice of the two cities was based on their status as the capital cities of two countries that are both experiencing increasing numbers of day labourers. Research design, approach and method: A mixed-method research design and purposeful sampling were used to obtain representative samples. Data were sourced from comparable surveys amongst day labourers in the two cities between 2015 and 2017. Questionnaires with quantitative and qualitative sections were completed during structured interviews with 290 and 80 day labourers in Pretoria and Windhoek respectively. The ordinary least squares model and ordered-probit analysis were employed to analyse the data. Main findings: In Pretoria, the number of dependents, the living conditions and whether they had a full-time job before were all significant in explaining the SWB of the day labourers. In Windhoek, education levels, total days without food, staying with their families and being a foreigner were also significant. Practical/managerial implications: The needs of the informally employed must be addressed in the integrated development plans of municipalities and integrated with day labour worker centres. Contribution/value-add: This is the first study to analyse SWB amongst day labourers in Namibia and lays the foundation for future expanded studies
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    ’n Verkenning van aardsistemiese kwesbaarheid binne die konteks van afvalstortingsterreine in die Antroposeen
    (Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, 2020) Grobler, Lizette; Schenck, Rinie;
    The Anthropocene refers to a geological epoch dominated by humans. Within this epoch atmospheric, geological, hydrological, biospheric and other earth systemic processes change due to human activity and can no longer only be ascribed to nature. The far-reaching effects of human activity lead to vulnerability of the earth system. One of the consequences of human activity that has a profound impact in the Anthropocene and that acts as a catalyst of vulnerability, is waste
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    Skills-related underemployment amongst South Africa's informally employed and self-employed: A case study of Potchefstroom
    (AOSIS, 2020) Ngwenya, Mosima; Blaauw, Phillip F.; Schenck, Rinie
    Mainstream development theory views the informal sector as a shock absorber in an economic crisis. South Africa’s informal sector is smaller than that of many developing countries and very little research has investigated underemployment in marginal informal economic activities.This study investigated the prevalence of skills-related underemployment as well as the possible determinants and impact thereof on the income and poverty of car guards, day labourers and waste pickers in Potchefstroom.There is a need to expand the debate on skills-related underemployment to the informal sector in order to improve our understanding of the shock absorber role of the informal sector and the implications of underemployment for the labour market.A cross-sectional survey design yielded the data for the analysis. Ordinary least square and probit analysis were used as the statistical methods of analyses to answer the three research questions.
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    Towards a circular economy: A cross-case analysis of recycling in three South African towns
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2023) Pretorius, Anmar; Blaauw, Derick; Schenck, Rinie
    The concept of circular economy includes three aspects from a human perspective, namely Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Studying human behaviour is important in understanding and evaluating the possible success of any of the three elements. We explored the link between household waste practices and local governments’ ability to provide proper waste management, as stipulated in the South African Constitution, as well as the factors linked to different waste management practices through a crosscase analysis using a mixed-method research design. Households in Calvinia, Philippolis and Polokwane handle waste differently due to different levels of municipal waste services rendered and the availability of local recycling options.