Thobile Sharon Zikhathile
Lecturer, Environmental And Waste Management Consultant, And Environmental Health Practitioner
Waterfall
Summary
Accomplished Waste Management Consultant and Trainer, Environmental Health Practitioner, and Lecturer with extensive experience in sustainable waste management, environmental health and policy, pollution control and academic research. Skilled in designing and implementing waste management strategies, Waste Management Training, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and ensuring regulatory compliance in waste and public health sectors. Expertise in hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, circular economy principles, pollution control, and occupational health. Experienced in training, curriculum development, student mentorship, and delivering engaging lectures on waste reduction, waste management innovations, circular economy principles, and environmental sustainability. Passionate about integrating training, policy, research, and practical solutions to drive sustainability, improve public health, and promote effective waste management systems. Experienced in collaborating with government agencies, scholars, industries, and communities to develop and implement impactful environmental and health initiatives. Committed to promoting sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship through education, training, and research.
Results-driven Management Consultant adept at helping companies improve operational efficiency, team productivity and employee motivation. Hands-on leader with exceptional organizational, critical thinking and prioritization skills. Possessing 24 years of related experience and passion for contributing to business success.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
15
15
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Language
8
8
Certificates
Work History
Environmental and Waste Management Consultant
Country Pride Trading
Durban
01.2021 - Current
- Providing Waste Management consulting services
- Advise businesses and organizations seeking to improve waste handling
- Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment Studies
- Disaster risk assessments and emergency planning
- Improving waste management for business to benefit the environment
- Compiling Waste Management and Environmental Impact Assessment reports
Lecturer
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Durban
01.2006 - Current
- Courses lecturing: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health
- Supervision of 4th year Research Projects
- Subjects lecturing: Sociology & Anthropology I, Waste Management III, Disaster Management IV, Environmental Management IV
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Developed curriculum
- Conducted individual research projects to actively contribute to institution's research work.
Environmental Health Practitioner
Environmental Health Department
Durban
08.2001 - 01.2006
Environmental Health
- Enforcing regulations: Monitoring and enforcing environmental laws and regulations
- Conducting inspections: Visiting workplaces to assess potential hazards and ensure compliance with regulations
- Investigating incidents: Looking into accidents, complaints, and outbreaks to determine root causes
- Educating the public: Providing information on health and safety through courses and other means
- Managed projects: Overseeing projects related to waste management, and environmental health and safety
- Writing reports: Documenting findings from inspections, incidents, and other activities
- Recommending policy changes: Advising on changes to policies and programs to reduce environmental exposures
- Training employees: Designing and delivering health and safety training programs for employees
- Championed environmental health initiatives, contributing to cleaner air, water, and improved living conditions for residents.
- Educated the general public on various health-related topics through presentations at schools, community centers, or other settings where groups convene regularly.
- Developed strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.
- Trained staff members on best practices in public health practice delivery ensuring a competent workforce capable of addressing emerging challenges.
- Implemented health promotion campaigns to raise awareness of health-related issues.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Environmental Science
University of South Africa (UNISA) & Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
South Africa And England 01.2022 - Current
Master of Science - Environmental Science
University of South Africa (UNISA)
South Africa 10.2018 - 10.2018
Diploma - Human Resources
Unischool College
Durban 08.2004 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Technology - Environmental Health
Durban University of Technology
South Africa 04.2004 - 04.2004
National Diploma - Environmental Health
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 - 04.2001
Skills
Professionalism
undefinedPresentations
- Impact of Climate Change on Human Health in African Coastal Cities: Case Study from Durban, KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Province, South Africa., Poster session, International Medical Geology Association conference, 07/25 - 07/31/2015, Universidade de Averio, Portugal
- Management of Health Care Risk Waste Generated by Home-Based Care Givers: A case study of Umlazi Township., Women in STEM conference, 10/24 - 10/27/2018, Washington, USA
- Health Care Risk Waste Generated in Domestic Settings Through Home Health: A Review of the Health and Environmental Impact in South Africa., 10th Int'l Conference on Advances in Science, Engineering, Technology & Healthcare (ASETH-18), 11/19 - 11/20/2018, Cape Town, South Africa
- Assessment on Management Practices and Knowledge of Community Health Workers on Health Care Risk Waste., 17th International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, 09/30 - 10/04/2019, Forte Village, Cagliari, Italy
- Health Care Sector’s Contribution to Climate Change: A Review of Recycling Health Care Risk Waste to Reduce Carbon Footprint., International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste - Virtual event, 11/16 - 11/19/2020, Venice, Italy
- Decontamination of Health Care Risk Wastes by Using a Solar Energy Based Approach., 07/01 - 07/05/2022, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
- Climate change – an exacerbator of human health problems in coastal areas., 07/10 - 07/12/2022, 12th Construction Industry Development Board Postgraduate Research Conference, International Convention Centre East London, South Africa
Technical Skills
Maintaining professionalism when engaging with stakeholders, communities, and regulatory bodies, Demonstrating respect, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity in training and professional settings, Waste classification, segregation, and disposal methods, Hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, Circular economy and sustainable waste practices, Landfill management and leachate control, Waste-to-energy technologies, Recycling and composting techniques, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, Waste policy development and enforcement, Environmental impact assessments for waste projects, Data analysis for waste generation and reduction strategies, Leading by example with strong work ethics, professionalism, and reliability, Ensuring clear, ethical communication in reports, research, and public engagements, Curriculum development and instructional design, Research methodology in waste management, Academic writing and publication in environmental sciences, Integration of case studies and real-world applications in teaching, Student mentorship and supervision, Use of digital tools for online and in-person teaching, Stakeholder engagement and industry collaboration, Development of training materials for professionals in waste management, Designing and delivering training programs for waste management professionals, Curriculum development for waste management and environmental health courses, Written, visual and oral communication, Conducting workshops and seminars on waste reduction and sustainability, Promoting equal access to waste management services and environmental health resources., Advocating for marginalized communities affected by poor waste management practices., Environmental health risk assessments, Occupational health and industrial hygiene, Advocacy for disease prevention through influencing for proper waste management., Public health policy and regulatory compliance, Health and safety audits and inspections, Disaster risk management and emergency response, GIS and remote sensing applications in environmental health, Community health awareness and education
Affiliations Memberships
- Health Professions Council of South Africa
- South African Institute of Environmental Health
- Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa
- Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Work Supervised
- An Investigation of the attitudes, knowledge and awareness of waste management and practices amongst first year students at Mangosuthu University of Technology., Bachelor's degree with honours dissertation, 2021, Mangosuthu University of Technology
- An Investigation of the Health Effects of Inadequate Sanitation Facilities in Informal Settlements- A Case Study in Emhlabeni, Umlazi., Bachelor's degree with honours dissertation, 2022, Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Solid waste management challenges in informal settlements, a case study of Emhlabeni (Umlazi D-section)., Bachelor's degree with honours dissertation, 2022, Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Investigating Risks of Poor Medical Waste Management Practices to Human Health at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital., Bachelor's degree with honours dissertation, 2025, Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Investigating if the current waste management practices might lead to rodent infestation in Umlazi section D., Bachelor's degree with honours dissertation, 2025, Mangosuthu University of Technology
Papers Reviewed
- SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, A qualitative evaluation of a stress management program for HIV and AIDS home-based care workers in Tshwane, South Africa.
- The Open Public Health Journal, Sanitary and Hygienic Aspects of the Covid-19: Self-Isolation
- Recent Innovations in Chemical Engineering., Utilization and Management of Waste Derived Material for Sustainable Energy Production: A mini review
First Names
Thobile Sharon
Province
KwaZulu-Natal
Race Group
Black
Personal Information
- Maiden Name: Makanya
- ID Number: 7908230619089
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code 8
Publications
- Zikhathile, T. & Atagana, H., Challenges Facing Home-Based Caregivers in the Management of Health Care Risk Waste., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2018, 15, 12, 2700
- Zikhathile, T. & Atagana, H., Health Care Risk Waste Generated in Domestic Settings through Home Health: A Review of the Health and Environmental Impact in South Africa., 2018, 10th Int'l Conference on Advances in Science, Engineering, Technology & Healthcare (ASETH-18), 57-65
- Zikhathile T.S. & Atagana H.I., Assessment on Management Practices and Knowledge of Community Health Workers on Health Care Risk Waste., 2019, 17TH International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, 30 Sept - 04 Oct 2019, Forte Village, Cagliari, Italy, CISA Publisher, 588-598
- Zikhathile, T., Atagana, H., Bwapwa, J., & Sawtell, D., A Review of the Impact That Healthcare Risk Waste Treatment Technologies Have on the Environment., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19, 19, 11967, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911967
- Zikhathile, T., Aghimien, D., Atagan, H., Climate Change—An Exacerbator of Human Health Problems in Coastal Areas., Towards a Sustainable Construction Industry: The Role of Innovation and Digitalization, Aigbavboa, C., Thwala, W., Aghimien, D., 2023, Springer, Cham, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22434-8_48
Training
- Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, Online, Waste Legislation, 2023
- Sardinia Academy of Waste Management, Sardinia, Italy, Waste Management Sustainability in Developing Countries & Policies and Strategies in Waste Management, 2019
- University of South Africa (UNISA), National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 9, Proposal writing, Project management, Research Methodology, Publication writing, 2015 - 2019
- Universidade De Aveiro, Averio, Portugal, Environmental Risk Assessment on Medical Geology, 2015
- Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 9, Environmental Law & Environmental Management System, 2010 & 2013
- Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 9, Service Learning and Community Engagement, 2012
- Various Training Institutions, Academic: Facilitation, Assessment and Moderation, Administration: Project Management, Policy Development, Performance Management, Supervisors’ Courses, Report Writing and Time Management., Environmental Management: Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management, Climate Change, Environmental Planning, Environmental Pollution and Management (Water, Waste, Land and Air). Waste Management (Integrated Waste Management, Waste Act, Waste Management for Waste Managers, Solid Waste, Health Care Risk Waste, Hazardous Waste, landfilling)., 2001 - 2023
Affiliations
Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
Certification
Waste Legislation
Timeline
Waste Legislation
09-2023
Doctor of Philosophy - Environmental Science
University of South Africa (UNISA) & Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
01.2022 - Current
Environmental and Waste Management Consultant
Country Pride Trading
01.2021 - Current
Waste Management Sustainability in Developing Countries
09-2019
Policies and Strategies in Waste Management
09-2019
Master of Science - Environmental Science
University of South Africa (UNISA)
10.2018 - 10.2018
Environmental Risk Assessment on Medical Geology
07-2015
Environmental Law
06-2013
Project Management
05-2013
Service Learning & Community Engagement
05-2012
Environmental Management System
02-2010
Lecturer
Mangosuthu University of Technology
01.2006 - Current
Diploma - Human Resources
Unischool College
08.2004 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Technology - Environmental Health
Durban University of Technology
04.2004 - 04.2004
Environmental Health Practitioner
Environmental Health Department
08.2001 - 01.2006
National Diploma - Environmental Health
Mangosuthu University of Technology
04.2001 - 04.2001
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
isiZulu
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Afrikaans
Upper intermediate (B2)
Accomplishments
1. Collaborated with lecturers from University of Johannesburg, Faculty of Engineering in working on Climate change project. A research paper was published from the project.
2. Obtained research funding from National Research Fund, University of South Africa, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and SA-UK University Staff Doctoral Programme.
3. Supervision of research students and assist them with time and financial management for their research projects
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Software
Onilne Learning Platforms
PowerPoint
Spreadsheet
Interests
Mentoring and Coaching
Volunteering
Reading
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