Illegal dumping of waste can be classified as a considerable risk to the sustainability of the environment and the well-being of the people in the urban local area, including the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSDM) in South Africa. In spite of the intervention of regulatory regimes to alleviate this, cases of illegal dumping still occur, wherein low-income neighborhoods are over-represented. The current mixed-methods study evaluates the success of the use of municipal interventions to reduce the incidence of illegal dumping within the KSDM communities. A multi-dimensional approach, which consisted of a set of semi-structured interviews with the municipality officials and community representatives, as well as closed-ended questionnaires used to examine 80 selected residential citizens in four localities, was applied. The results of the SPSS analysis based on quantitative data provided a descriptive statistic of community perceptions, and the thematic analysis of qualitative responses allowed producing the categories of their descriptive characteristics. The ArcGIS mapping and proximity analysis were deployed to rate the spatial location of the dumping sites; bins known as skipper and notice boards. The results obtained show that enforcement methods are significantly effective in areas with high incomes, Southridge and Southernwood, where compliance with waste-management rules is consistent and, in these regions, the municipal waste services are not disrupted. In comparison, the lower-income regions, especially Mandela Park and Ngangelizwe have limited resources which inhibit compliance and further frustrate dumping. The research concludes that the current regulatory responses are likely to focus on symptomatic, rather than structural causes of illegal dumping, and therefore make long-term effectiveness a challenge. In this respect, a more combined resource-sensitive model is advised to enhance enforcement across the socio-economic lines.

Across the world, millions of individuals rely on waste recovery and recycling as a means of survival. For those lacking marketable skills, formal education, or alternative revenue sources, waste picking provides a crucial livelihood opportunity. This study adopts the sustainable livelihoods framework to evaluate the daily experiences and occupational challenges of metal waste pickers in OR Tambo District Municipality, and its contribution to community development. The research employed closed-ended questionnaires for data collection, with crosstabulation analysis to determine statistically significant associations between data variables. The findings reveal that metal waste picking serves as a means of income for many households, enabling them to meet basic needs. Consequently, this has contributed to the reduction of poverty within their households and the community through the creation of job opportunities. However, the potential for human and community development requires support and assistance from government structures such as municipalities and businesses. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

This study examined the scale of informal metal recycling in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality and evaluated its socioeconomic and environmental impacts through a circular economy lens. While formal recycling programs have received research attention, informal recycling systems have been less examined despite their critical contribution. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and material measurements with qualitative field observations. Data were collected through focus groups and surveys administered to 48 active recyclers operating along the N2 and R61 highways, supported by systematic field observations and quantification of all recovered materials. The results showed that steel and aluminum were the most recovered metals at 41.7% and 20.8%. Recyclers collected an average of 15.3 kg/day (SD = 4.2) during periods of high material availability and accessibility and the materials are close to market points. The study underscores the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of informal recycling within the circular economy framework, with most participants (85.42%) indicating that recycling was a significant livelihood while 74% cited difficulty transporting bulky materials, often manually. Therefore, the study emphasizes that informal recyclers play a vital role in sustaining the local economy by offering key waste management and resource recovery services. Acknowledge of these informal systems will contribute to a more inclusive understanding of waste management in developing contexts.

Mountain regions in Sub-Saharan Africa are ecologically important yet socio-economically vulnerable, with livelihoods increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, and limited development investment. Despite their significance, research on sustainable livelihoods in these mountain systems remains fragmented and geographically uneven. This study examines trends, geographic patterns, and thematic priorities in livelihoods research in Sub-Saharan African mountain regions from 2002 to 2024 using Scientometric and Bibliometric analysis. An initial Scopus search identified 61 relevant publications; after excluding two non-English records, 59 documents were retained for final analysis. Using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20), the study assessed publication growth, leading authors and institutions, country contributions, disciplinary coverage, and keyword co-occurrence networks. Results show a gradual increase in research output, with strong concentration in East Africa particularly Ethiopia and Kenya and limited representation from Southern and West African mountain regions. Environmental Sciences and Social Sciences dominate the literature, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of livelihood research. Major themes include agriculture, climate change, food security, land management, smallholder farming, and household income, reflecting the centrality of climate-sensitive and agro-based livelihoods. However, significant gaps persist, including regional imbalances, limited integration of indigenous knowledge systems, and insufficient comparative and policy-relevant studies. The study concludes that while scholarly interest in mountain livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing, the evidence base remains modest relative to the scale of socio-ecological challenges. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding research in underrepresented mountain systems, and aligning future work with the Sustainable Development Goals could enhance policy relevance and support more resilient livelihood strategies.

This study examines the spatial and temporal patterns of metal theft in Mthatha, South Africa, through an analysis of police-reported incidents, using a quantitative research design. Official police records from Mthatha Central Police Station covering a one-year period were analyzed to identify the patterns, frequency, and spatial distribution of metal theft incidents. The dataset included variables such as type of metal stolen, location, and time of occurrence. Data were cleaned, standardized, and categorized before analysis to ensure reliability and comparability. Descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, and geospatial mapping using GIS including Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Local Moran’s I, and Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis, were applied to examine temporal and spatial trends. The findings indicate that copper pipes (39.4%) and electrical cables (32.7%) were the most frequently stolen materials. Temporal analysis indicated that 56.3% of incidents with valid time-of-day information occurred at night. Spatial analysis revealed an uneven geographical distribution, with concentrations of reported incidents within and around Mthatha’s urban center. The study concludes that metal theft exhibits distinct spatial, temporal, and target-specific patterns that can inform place-based crime prevention strategies. Strengthening infrastructure protection, targeted policing, inter-agency coordination, and scrap metal transaction traceability may contribute to reducing infrastructure-related theft and enhancing sustainable urban governance and resilience.