Browsing by Author "Muswema, Aubrey Patrick."

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An audit of veterinary waste management in Durban.
(2003) Muswema, Aubrey Patrick.; Watson, Helen Kerr.; McLean, Michelle.
Since 1994, there have been sweeping changes made to South African policy and legislation, including environmental rights for all people, environmental protection and the consideration of sustainability in all activities. A national policy for medical waste management is being developed and guidelines for the South African Veterinary Council are currently being revised. By auditing contemporary veterinary waste management in one of South Africa's largest cities, this study sought to provide appropriate input into these initiatives. As a study area, the Durban Unicity provided the opportunity to audit a large population of veterinary clinics within a relatively short distance of each other arid also the opportunity to ascertain whether waste management practices were dependent on the socio-economic status of the clinics catchment area. A pilot study was used to inform the design of a questionnaire, which was then administered to thirty-two clinics sampled to represent a range in size of clinic, predominant type of patient treated and catchment socio-economic status. Another questionnaire was administered to four waste disposal companies and one veterinary diagnostics laboratory that removed waste for disposal from veterinary practices. The main findings suggest that there is a health risk to staff and the public, due to the incorrect separation, storage, handling and disposal of sharps, anatomical, contaminated domestic and infectious material. Staff at 6.3% of clinics sampled are not provided with any safety equipment. Most veterinarians (63%) as well as two of the five waste disposal companies audited were not aware of their responsibilities in terms of waste management policy and legislation. Sixty nine percent of the practices sampled reported that employees have either never been trained or have not received training in waste management in the past five years. Domestic waste contaminated with other potentially hazardous waste forms 12% of the total waste stream reported by practices. Even though the results indicate that a, few veterinary practices are mismanaging their waste this has the potential negative impact on staff, the public and the environment. The findings of the study would suggest a need for well communicated, enforceable guidelines outlining sustainable veterinary waste management for practices and waste disposal companies. The study highlights the similarities between veterinary and medical waste and the need to consider this in planning an effective waste management strategy. It also provides guidelines for a sustainable approach to veterinary waste management.
An investigation into the waste management practices of emerging livestock farmers : the case of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
(2015) Sankar, Sasha.; Ahmed, Fathima.; Muswema, Aubrey Patrick.
Livestock waste management is a growing global concern in terms of its contribution to climate change, environmental sustainability and quality of animal products. In South Africa, poor waste management is a chronic problem, yet it has not been an area of concern for the government, with the agricultural sector receiving the least attention. In communal and rural areas, livestock provides food and livelihood security for poor emerging farmers (small-scale producers or the second economy), in addition to monetary benefits. However, the lack of waste management infrastructure, coupled with insufficient hygiene translates into a sanitation problem, which could result in environmental health impacts and compromise the sustainability of the sector. However, studies conducted in Africa and Asia indicate less pessimistic scenarios, where emerging farmers have turned waste into resources by drawing on indigenous knowledge systems such as improved animal husbandry techniques and nutrient use efficiency from animal wastes, among other strategies. With the emerging livestock sector poised to transition into commercialization in South Africa, these constraints and opportunities provide the need for this study. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate current waste management strategies used by emerging livestock farmers in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where livestock farming is practiced. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. In terms of the former, key informant interviews were conducted with industry professionals, considered to be relevant stakeholders in the waste management cycle from prevention to disposal. In terms of the latter, a sample of 50 emerging farmers was randomly surveyed using a questionnaire, in an attempt to address the interconnectedness of livelihoods, socio-cultural, environmental, health, economic, and technical spheres, considered relevant to assessing waste management practices in developing countries such as South Africa. The objectives of the study were therefore to illicit information from the emerging livestock farmers in terms of waste management practices and environmental impacts; waste management technology needs; the knowledge network that is used in waste management practices; the contribution of the industry to local food security; and the role of policy in the sustainability of the sector. The study utilized the sustainable livelihoods approach as a theoretical framework to gauge how waste disposal, management and re-use impact poor people’s livelihoods. The key findings of the study indicate that cost and ease of implementation govern the waste management practices implemented by emerging livestock farmers. The rural regions of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are defined by vast distances in addition to a lack of municipal disposal services and waste authority. This has led to burning and illegal dumping of waste on vacant sites. In contrast, the results indicate that farmers would be open to best practices provided that there are resulting benefits. For example, many farmers implemented composting as a means of recycling with the intentions of producing manure to fertilize crops. The study recommends that farmers be educated on the effects of improper waste management to understand the consequential threat to their livelihood security. In addition, emerging farmers require support with the implementation of sustainable husbandry practices, land remediation, slaughter practices and market access before they are capable of implementing proper waste management practices.