Khanya Mthintso
Environmental Management Specialist
Durban
Summary
I am an experienced environmental management specialist with a strong background in environmental legislation, compliance monitoring and enforcement, impacts assessments, and pollution and waste management. Committed to driving sustainable development in the face of global climate change. I have demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate within teams, whilst also able to work independently with minimal supervision. I am also known for analytical thinking, with meticulous attention to detail, and being dependable.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
8072
8072
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Environmental Officer: Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
KZN EDTEA
10.2024 - Current
- Conducting Compliance monitoring of developments and facilities though audits
- Conducting pro-active compliance inspections and sector inspections at industries.
- Responding to environmental complaints and incidences through investigations.
- Facilitating NEMA Section 24G applications for rectification of unlawful developments.
- Developing and maintaining case files and databases for environmental incidences, complaints, audits and investigations.
- Providing enforcement recommendations for identified transgressions.
- Conducting compliance promotion campaigns for different sectors within the eThekwini District.
- Compliance enforcement: Conducting investigations and drafting compliance notices.
- Writing inspection and audit reports.
Environmental Officer Grade A: Pollution and Waste Management
EDTEA
02.2022 - 09.2024
- Facilitating and assessing applications for Waste Management Licenses and registration of waste management facilities in terms of National Norms and Standards
- Conducting Audits and Sector inspections at waste management facilities and other industries to ascertain compliance with environmental and Waste Management legislation and best practices
- Responding to complaints by conducting investigations and site inspections, compiling reports, and issuing decisions, e.g Warning letters or handing over to Compliance Enforcement
- Responding to Section 30 incidents, i.e., conducting investigations to ascertain compliance with legislated procedures and producing written responses
- Responding to enquiries pertaining to Environmental Authorisations, and providing technical and procedural advice to clients
- Serve on and provide technical advice to relevant forums, committees and Programs, and collaborate with stakeholders in resolving Environmental issues in the City
- Promote best practice in waste management: facilitate workshops on waste management hierarchy; Serve on and provide technical advice to relevant forums and committees; work with PROs (Producer Responsibility Organisations) to facilitate extended producer responsibility (EPR) and link small waste businesses with PROs
- Planning and conducting Environmental Awareness campaigns
- Perform administrative functions of the component and ensuring to deliver on IPP targets
- Conducted rigorous audits on environmental permits, identifying areas for improvement and addressing non-compliance issues swiftly.
- Evaluated potential environmental impacts of new projects, ensuring adherence to sustainability principles throughout planning stages.
Intern Environmental Officer
EDTEA
10.2020 - 01.2022
- Managing EIA applications as an Assessing Officer for various applications, i.e., commenting on Basic Assessment Reports, writing acknowledgement letters, liaising with EAPs and drafting Environmental Authorizations (decision) for approved applications.
- Providing technical and procedural advice for enquiries lodged to the Department regarding developments' eligibility for EIA application.
- Conducting pro-active and reactive environmental awareness campaigns and programs and greening campaigns.
- Planning and conducting proactive compliance monitoring for developments with Environmental Authorisations from the Department to monitor compliance with the conditions of Environmental Authorisations and Environmental Management Programs.
- Responding to complaints about transgressions with environmental legislations, and conducting reactive site inspections and investigations to ascertain compliance.
- Compiling audit reports and maintaining POE files for various components.
- Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
Environmental Management Intern
Ugu District Municipality
09.2017 - 08.2018
- Environmental Compliance Monitoring: Reviewing Atmospheric Emissions Licenses (AEL), and monthly reports from industries; Conducting audits and site inspections for compliance
- Environmental Impact Management: compiling NEMA Section 30 incident reports for incidences emanating from the operations of the Municipality
- Air quality management: Managing atmospheric emissions licenses and renewals
- Worked with SANEDI in the pilot project for Carbon Capture and Storage in Ugu District, KZN, a study aimed to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions
- Drafting environmental policies and by-laws: I was involved in drafting the Ugu Municipality Environmental policy, and reviewing waste management by-laws for Local Municipalities
- Public participation processes: Reviewing and commenting Basic Assessment Reports (BARs) and EIA reports for developments within Ugu District, as Interested and Affected Party
- Coastal and marine environmental management: engaging respective stakeholder forums to discuss issues and solutions regarding coastal environmental issues, and taking part in coastal awareness and clean-up campaigns.
- Community support and empowerment: organizing community based environmental programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged population groups.
Education
Bachelor of Science: Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
01-2022
Bachelor of Science: Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
01-2022
Bachelor of Social Science - Geography and Environmental Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01-2017
National Senior Certificate / Matric -
Merlewood Secondary School
Skills
Licensed driver: Code B
Computer literate
Microsoft suite proficient
Project Management
Environmental legislations and EMS
Conducting inspections and auditing
Environmental investigations
Environmental permitting
Waste Management Licensing
Environmental assessment tools
Pollution management and Waste management
Strategic Environmental Management & Planning
Environmental Compliance Monitoring
Public Participation Processes
GIS and Remote Sensing
Technical report writing
Waste Information Management tools
Risk Identification and Assessment
Environmental policy development
Understanding of ESG and Sustainability Concepts and Practices
Climate change adaptation techniques
Environmental education and awareness raising
Natural resource conservation
Affiliations
- EAPASA, 2021/3955
- Environmental Management Inspectorate, Grade 2 EMI
Short Courses
- Landfill and Waste Treatment: Institute of Waste Management South Africa
- Environmental Management Inspectorate Basic Training (EMI Grade 2): National Department of Environmental Affairs
- ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Combined Course: NOSA
- Marine and Coastal Legislations Compliance and Enforcement: National Department of Environmental Affairs
References
1. Mr. Siyabonga Sikhakhane: Manager – Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement: Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Contacts: Siyabonga.Sikhakhane@kznedtea.gov.za; 0815410758
2. Ms. Shireen Mahabeer: Manager – Pollution and Waste Management: Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Contacts: Shireen.Mahabeer@kznedtea.gov.za; 0823221871
3. Ms. Glorious Mhlanga: Supervisor – Ugu District, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Contacts: Glorious.Mhlanga@kznedtea.gov.za; 0829219606
4. Mr. Bright Khumalo: Supervisor-Air Quality Management and Environmental Management: Ugu District Municipality
Contacts: Bright.Khumalo@ugu.gov.za/ 0722710333/ 076145334
Timeline
Environmental Officer: Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
KZN EDTEA
10.2024 - Current
Environmental Officer Grade A: Pollution and Waste Management
EDTEA
02.2022 - 09.2024
Intern Environmental Officer
EDTEA
10.2020 - 01.2022
Environmental Management Intern
Ugu District Municipality
09.2017 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Science: Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Science: Honours - Environmental Management
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Social Science - Geography and Environmental Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
National Senior Certificate / Matric -
Merlewood Secondary School