Team

Prof. Catherina Schenck

Prof Catherina Schenck

is the incumbent of the interdisciplinary DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, hosted by the University of the Western Cape

Prof Catherina Schenck is the incumbent of the interdisciplinary DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, hosted by the University of the Western Cape. She brings more than 30 years of experience in social sciences to the Chair. Previously, she was the HOD of the Department of Social Work. Prior to her appointment at UWC, she worked at Unisa for 25 years and at the University of Pretoria for six years. She supervised and co-supervised over 50 Master and PhD students and acted as examiner for PhD and Masters students. Her research interests include waste management, waste recycling, community development, poverty, unemployment and the informal sector of the waste economy. Catherina is a NRF-rated researcher. She has published over 80 articles in peer reviewed journals in South Africa and internationally. She has edited, co-authored and authored several books and book chapters.

Prof Schenck’s research interests include waste management, waste recycling, community development, poverty, unemployment and the informal sector of the waste economy.

Selected publications:

1.  Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M., Swart, E.C. & Mudavanhu, N. 2019. Managing landfills and waste pickers on them in South Africa: Toward recognition, access and dignity. Development Southern Africa. DOI:10.1080/0376835X.2018.1483822

 

2. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M. & Swart, E.C. 2019. Exploring the potential health risks faced by the waste pickers on landfills in South Africa: A socio-ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.16(11):1-21

 

3. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2019. The opportunity and value adding activities of buy back centres in South Africa’s recycling industry: A value chain analysis. Local Economy.34(3): 294-315

 

4. Blaauw, P.F., Pretorius, A.M., Viljoen, C.J. & Schenck, C.J., 2019. Adaptive expectations and subjective well-being of landfill waste pickers in South Africa’s Free State Province. Urban Forum.

 

5. Blaauw, P.F., Pretorius, A.M. & Schenck, C. J. 2019. The economics of Urban waste picking in Pretoria. AREF 11(2):129-164

 

6. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2018. “Sometimes you don’t make enough to buy food”: An analysis of South Africa street waste pickers’ income. Submitted to South African Economic and Financial sciences.11(1)

 

7. Schenck, C., Theodore, N., Blaauw, P.F., Swart, E.C. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2017. The N2 scrap collectors: Assessing the viability of informal recycling using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Community Development Journal. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsx018

 

8. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M. & Swart, E.C. 2017. Social Work and food security: Case study of the nutritional capabilities of the landfill waste pickers in South Africa. Submitted to International Social Work

 

9. Schenck, R., Blaauw, D. & Viljoen, K. 2016. Enabling factors for the existence of waste pickers: A Systematic review. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk52(1):35-53

 

10. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2016. The socio-economic differences between landfill and street waste pickers in the Free State Province, South Africa. Development Southern Africa 33(4):532-547

 

11. Viljoen, K., Blaauw, P. & Schenck, R. 2016. “I would rather have a decent job”: Potential barriers preventing street waste pickers from improving their socio-economic conditions. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 9(2):1-13.

 

12. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2016. “Sometimes you don’t make enough to buy food”: An analysis of South Africa street waste pickers’ income. Economic Research South Africa(ERSA) Working Paper 603

 

13. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2016. “Generation Nowhere”: The youth in South Africa’s informal economy – the case of day laborers and waste pickers. In: Petmesidou, M., Delamonica, E., Papatheodorou, C. & Henry-Lee, A. (eds). Child Poverty, Youth (Un)employment, and Social Inclusion Stuttgart: Ibidem Press.

 

14. Viljoen, K., Blaauw, P. & Schenck, R. 2015. “I would rather have decent job”: Barriers preventing street waste pickers from improving their socio-economic conditions. Economic Research Southern Africa(ERSA) WORKING PAPER 498

 

15. Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M., Schenck, C.J. & Swart, E.C. 2015. To “spot” and “point”: Managing waste pickers access to landfill waste in the North West Province. Africa Growth Agenda. 12(2):18-21

 

16. Viljoen, J.M.M., Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2012. The role and linkages of buy back centres in the recycling industry: Pretoria and Bloemfontein (South Africa). Acta Commercii online: 12(1):1-12 ISSN: 1680-7537

 

17. Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2011. Living on what others throw away: a preliminary exploration into the socio-economic circumstances of people collecting and selling recyclable waste. The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher. 27:135-152.

 

18. Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2011. The work and lives of street waste pickers in Pretoria: Recycling in South Africa’s urban informal economy. Urban Forum 22:411-430. This article is also published in the Encyclopedia for Quality of Life. Springer (2014).

Prof. Derick Blaauw

Prof Derick Blaauw

is a professor in the School of Economic Sciences at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus. He forms part of the Chair’s core interdisciplinary team of researchers.

Prof Derick Blaauw is a professor in the School of Economic Sciences at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus who forms part of the Chair’s core interdisciplinary team of researchers. Prior to joining the North-West University, he lectured in Economics at the University of Johannesburg and the Soweto and Bloemfontein Campuses of Vista University. Prof Blaauw’s research interests and experience largely lie in labour and development economics. His current work focuses on the socio-economic dynamics of vulnerable groups in the informal economy, such as car guards, day labourers and waste pickers. Prof Blaauw has an extensive list of publications in accredited national and international journals to his credit, and he has presented many conference and research papers at local and international forums.

Prof Blaauw’s research interests and experience largely lie in labour and development economics. His current work focuses on the socio-economic dynamics of vulnerable groups in the informal economy, such as car guards, day labourers and waste pickers.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  1. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M., Swart, E.C. & Mudavanhu, N. 2019. Managing landfills and waste pickers on them in South Africa: Toward recognition, access and dignity. Development Southern Africa. DOI:10.1080/0376835X.2018.1483822

 

  1. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M. & Swart, E.C. 2019. Exploring the potential health risks faced by the waste pickers on landfills in South Africa: A socio ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.16(11):1-21

 

  1. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2019. The opportunity and value adding activities of buy back centres in South Africa’s recycling industry: A value chain analysis. Local Economy.34(3): 294-315

 

  1. Blaauw, P.F., Pretorius, A.M., Viljoen, C.J. & Schenck, C.J., 2019. Adaptive expectations and subjective well-being of landfill waste pickers in South Africa’s Free State Province. Urban Forum.

 

  1. Blaauw, P.F., Pretorius, A.M. & Schenck, C. J. 2019. The economics of Urban waste picking in Pretoria. AREF 11(2):129-164

 

  1. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2018. “Sometimes you don’t make enough to buy food”: An analysis of South Africa street waste pickers income. Submitted to South African Economic and Financial sciences.11(1)

 

  1. Schenck, C., Theodore, N., Blaauw, P.F., Swart, E.C. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2017. The N2 scrap collectors: Assessing the viability of informal recycling using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Community Development Journal. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsx018

 

  1. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M. & Swart, E.C. 2017. Social Work and food security: Case study of the nutritional capabilities of the landfill waste pickers in South Africa.Submitted to International Social Work

 

  1. Schenck, R., Blaauw, D. & Viljoen, K. 2016. Enabling factors for the existence of waste pickers: A Systematic review. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk52(1):35-53

 

  1. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2016. The socio-economic differences between landfill and street waste pickers in the Free State Province, South Africa. Development Southern Africa33(4):532-547

 

  1. Viljoen, K., Blaauw, P. & Schenck, R. 2016. “I would rather have a decent job”: Potential barriers preventing street waste pickers from improving their socio-economic conditions. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences9(2):1-13.

 

  1. Viljoen, J.M.M., Blaauw, P.F. & Schenck, C.J. 2016. “Sometimes you don’t make enough to buy food”: An analysis of South Africa street waste pickers income. Economic Research South Africa(ERSA) Working Paper 603

 

  1. Schenck, C.J., Blaauw, P.F. & Viljoen, J.M.M. 2016. “Generation Nowhere”: The youth in South Africa’s informal economy – the case of day laborers and waste pickers. In: Petmesidou, M., Delamonica, E., Papatheodorou, C. & Henry-Lee, A. (eds). Child Poverty, Youth (Un)employment, and Social Inclusion Stuttgart: Ibidem Press.

 

  1. Viljoen, K., Blaauw, P. & Schenck, R. 2015. “I would rather have decent job”: Barriers preventing street waste pickers from improving their socio-economic conditions. Economic Research Southern Africa(ERSA) WORKING PAPER 498

 

  1. Blaauw, P.F., Viljoen, J.M.M., Schenck, C.J. & Swart, E.C. 2015. To “spot” and “point”: Managing waste pickers access to landfill waste in the North West Province. Africa Growth Agenda. 12(2):18-21

 

  1. Viljoen, J.M.M., Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2012. The role and linkages of buy back centres in the recycling industry: Pretoria and Bloemfontein (South Africa). ActaCommerciionline: 12(1):1-12 ISSN: 1680-7537

 

  1. Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2011. Living on what others throw away: a preliminary exploration into the socio-economic circumstances of people collecting and selling recyclable waste. The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher.27:135-152.

 

  1. Schenck, C.J. & Blaauw, P.F. 2011. The work and lives of street waste pickers in Pretoria: Recycling in South Africa’s urban informal economy. Urban Forum 22:411-430. This article is also published in the Encyclopedia for Quality of Life. Springer (2014).

Staff3

Dr Rissa Niyobuhungiro

is a postdoctoral fellow at the DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.

Dr Rissa Niyobuhungiro’s Master’s thesis and PhD dissertation focused on issues pertinent to the South African context, namely energy poverty reduction, the environment and sustainable development. In particular, she investigated air pollution related to energy poverty. Her research used a Cleaner Production Approach to show how the negative consequences on health and the environment can be cost effectively reduced. She gained over seven years  experience working with poor communities, where she developed multicultural and interactional insights regarding solid waste management. She has published five papers in local and international journals and conferences. Her postdoctoral research focuses on the problem of illegal dumping in South Africa. Specifically, exploring the reasons for and solutions to illegal dumping in Fisantekraal, Cape Town. She is using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology to induce behavioural change toward illegal dumping. It is hoped that her research will bring special contributions to South African and African sustainable development questions.

Niyobuhungiro, R. & Von Blottnitz, H. Resource-Efficiency and Pollution Reduction Effects of Wood Stoves in Road-Side Food Preparation. Presented at the 6th World Sustainability Forum from the 27 th -28 th January 2017 in Cape Town (forthcoming).

 

Niyobuhungiro, R. & Von Blottnitz, H. 2018. Biogas production from blood and rumen content of sheep slaughtering waste under psychrophilic conditions. In: Godfrey, L.K., Görgens, J.F. and Roman, H. (ed.). Opportunities for Waste Biomass and Organic Waste Valorization – Seeking alternative solutions to disposal. Pretoria: UNISA Press & London & New York: Routledge 77-87. ISBN 978-1-77615-010-6

 

Niyobuhungiro, R., Favish., J & Von Blottnitz, H. 2015. Scientific Research Tied With Social Science Research: Challenges to Expect and Ways to Overcome Them. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations 3(2): 5-9. Available at: www.researchpublish.com

 

Niyobuhungiro, R., Naidoo, S., Dalvie, A. & Von Blottnitz, H. 2013.  Occurrence of CCA-treated timber in caterers’ fuelwood stocks in the Cape Town region. South African Journal of Science 109 (1/2), Art. #1015. Available at: http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/sajs.2013/101.

 

Niyobuhungiro, R. &; Von Blottnitz, H. 2013. Investigation of arsenic airborne in particulate matter around caterers’ wood fires in the Cape Town region. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 13: 219–224.

Takunda

DR TAKUNDA CHITAKA

is a postdoctoral fellow at the DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town.

Dr Takunda Chitaka’s research is driven by the desire to develop specific knowledge surrounding the myriad of sustainable development challenges faced by developing countries. This includes research experience in minerals beneficiation, multi-criteria decision making, life cycle assessment and sustainability performance assessment. In addition, she has years of experience working with stakeholders in different value chains, gaining insights into decision making approaches and the consideration of sustainability issues in strategy development. Her postdoctoral research focusses on investigating job opportunities along the e-waste value chain. This includes analysing challenges and opportunities for players in the chain.

  1. Chitaka, T.Y., Russo, V., and von Blottnitz, H. 2020. In pursuit of environmentally friendly straws – a comparative life cycle assessment of five straw material options in South Africa. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

 

  1. Chitaka, T.Y., and von Blottnitz, H. 2019. Accumulation and characteristics of plastic debris along five beaches in Cape Town. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 138, pp 451 – 457.

 

  1. Chitaka, T.Y., Cohen, B., and von Blottnitz, H. 2019. Circular economy local or global? The case of the South African iron and steel industry. In Sustainable development in Africa: Case studies. Al-Hassan, Masinja and Nagao, Eds. Denver: Spears Media Press.

 

  1. Chitaka, T.Y., von Blottnitz, H., and Cohen, B. 2018. The role of decision support frameworks in industrial policy development: a South African iron and steel scrap case study. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 13, pp. 11 – 125.

Staff4

Dr Lizette Grobler

is a postdoctoral fellow at the DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, currently involved in the Clean Cities and Towns project. She holds an LLD in Public Law from the University of Stellenbosch.

Dr Lizette Grobler completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the South African Research Chair in Property Law, hosted by Stellenbosch University. Her dissertation and subsequent publications focused on aspects of transformative property law in the light of the Constitution. Under the auspices of the DSI/NRF/CSIR SARChl Chair in Waste and Society she conducts both desktop and social research on the perceptions regarding waste, waste disposal behaviour and waste management, the causes and consequences of and current responses to undesirable waste diversion activities, as well as best practices in waste management. Her theoretical work explores the intersection between legal theory and waste law. In addition, her research interests include the constitutional aspects of waste law, questions at the nexus between property and waste law and socio-ecological justice.

Dr Grobler’s research focus areas include legislative approaches to municipal solid waste management in the constitutional dispensation and the development of measures to enhance ecological citizenship and ownership of waste and waste landscapes in particular.

Grobler, L. & Schenck, R. 2020 An exploration of earth systemic vulnerability in the context of landfills in the Anthropocene. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe 60(1) :182-204 DOI: 10.17159/2224-7912/2020/v60n1a13

Staff1

Dr Marlin Hoffman

is a postdoctoral fellow at the DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society. He holds a PhD in Management from the University of the Western Cape.

Dr Marlin Hoffman’s PhD dissertation focussed on entrepreneurial intention of students within the commerce faculties, from the University of the Western Cape. He is currently a lecturer within the School of Business and Finance, lecturing all the entrepreneurship modules the School has to offer. At present, his postdoctoral research is focusing on the value chain within waste management and the employment opportunities and threats within the sector. He is also continuing research in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention to determine the best combinations of influences of these intentions.

Dr Hoffman’s research focus areas include the value chain within waste management, employment opportunities and threats within waste management and influences of entrepreneurial intentions

Hoffman,  M.J. and Schenck C J. 2020.  The value chain of PET plastics within the waste economy of South Africa. Local Economy (in press).

Waste and soceity

Prof Linda Godfrey

heads the Waste Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap Implementation Unit on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology.

Prof Linda Godfrey heads the Waste Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap Implementation Unit on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology. She is also a principal scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa and an extraordinary professor at North-West University. Her research interests include the role of the waste sector in transitioning South Africa to a green economy; waste innovation; waste economics; the governance, social and behavioural aspects of integrated waste management; and the role of waste information as policy and behaviour-change instrument. A number of waste and green economy initiatives for the European Union, United Nations, departments of Science and Technology and Environmental Affairs; the Development Bank of South Africa; the Academy of Sciences of South Africa; the Institute of Waste Management and several universities have benefited from her strategic input. Godfrey has authored or co-authored more than 125 research and contract specialist reports, 25 international and local conference papers, 12 peer reviewed journal papers, and five book chapters. She has served as a reviewer for both local and international peer reviewed scientific publications. In addition, she has published several popular articles and policy briefs on waste management.