An analysis of livelihood of landfill waste pickers in South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorSchenck, Catherina
dc.contributor.authorMudavanhu, Naome
dc.date.accessioned2020-08-12T11:30:22Z
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-07T07:06:58Z
dc.date.available2020-08-12T11:30:22Z
dc.date.available2024-11-07T07:06:58Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionPhilosophiae Doctor - PhDen_US
dc.description.abstractDue to high levels of unemployment many people in South Africa have sought work in the informal sector of the country's economy. The activities of landfill waste pickers therefore came about because of this. Landfill waste pickers recover recyclables on mountains of waste and sell to different Buy Back Centers (BBCs) in their areas. Despite the hardships, working on unbearable working conditions and poor income, landfill waste pickers have managed to sustain their livelihoods. The aim of the study was to conduct an analysis of the livelihoods of landfill waste pickers in South Africa using the sustainable livelihood framework. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approach using multiple case study strategy of inquiry. The population of the study was the landfill waste pickers at the selected landfill sites and material recovery facility. Convenient sampling was used to select the research sample. Data was gathered through observations, semi-structured one-on-one interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and document analysis to involve multiple sources of data. The research study took place in the following provinces of South Africa namely Western Cape, North West, and Eastern Cape. Out of these provinces the following municipalities were selected for the study Stellenbosch and Oudtshoorn (Western Cape), Potchefstroom and Vryburg (North West) and Graaff Reinet (Eastern Cape). Themes were identified using the elements of sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) and thematic analysis. SLF was used to analyse and present findings under the following elements of SLF vulnerability context, livelihood assets, transforming structures and processes, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. After using a robust approach in analyzing the livelihoods of waste pickers the main outcome was that waste pickers are trying to make a living and they are entrepreneurs. The study also showed that it is important that waste pickers need to be integrated into the waste management system but not to formalize or regulate them. But ultimately give them support so that they continue to do their work better in better conditions.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/18711
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of the Western Capeen_US
dc.rights.holderUniversity of the Western Capeen_US
dc.subjectSouth Africaen_US
dc.subjectUnemploymenten_US
dc.subjectLivelihooden_US
dc.subjectSustainable Livelihood Frameworken_US
dc.subjectInformal economyen_US
dc.subjectWaste managementen_US
dc.subjectWestern Capeen_US
dc.subjectNorth Westen_US
dc.subjectEastern Capeen_US
dc.subjectEntrepreneurshipen_US
dc.subjectLandfillen_US
dc.titleAn analysis of livelihood of landfill waste pickers in South Africaen_US

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Social Work)