Employing developmental mentorship to enhance the livelihoods and entrepreneurial capabilities of waste pickers

Abstract

Waste pickers are individuals who collect waste from household and commercial bins as well as at landfills. The vast majority are unskilled with a low-level of education. Waste pickers find themselves in poverty for various reasons associated with the South African economy and their life trajectories, including a lack of skills. The consequence of this is that these individuals are unable to find secure employment in the formal economy. The income they obtain is from the recyclable items that they collect, which are then sold to buy back centres or parties who are interested in buying their valorised items.