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Zimbabwe : an assessment of the electricity industry and what needs to be done

Wellness programs with a view to improvement in operational performance at a South African food manufacturer

  • Authors: Motebele, Makhala Mpho , Mbohwa, Charles
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Food industry and trade - Employees - Health and hygiene , Shift work - Health aspects , Employee health promotion
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6179 , ISSN 2010-3778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13786
  • Description: This study betters understanding and provides an outline of the negative effects that shift work has on employee health and wellness in food manufacturing company in South Africa. Given the realities of the modern day employee rights and well-being there is need to consider how these can be achieved whilst concurrently improving organisational effectiveness and performance. It is imperative that we understand the health effects at the work place and more importantly determine what can be done to reduce the negative health impact that shift work has on employee’s wellness. To this end, the objectives of this paper is to: Highlight the negative effects that night shift or irregular shift patterns have on employee health and wellness; Establish what programs can be developed by the employer to reduce the above negative effects; Establish if improved employee health and wellness for shift workers could lead to improved business performance. The paper establishes the relationship between shift work and the negative health effects on employees in a South African Food Manufacturing Company, and determines if programs can be implemented to counteract or limit these negative effects, thereby resulting in an improvement in operational performance.
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Ways to overcome employee resistance in change initiatives

  • Authors: Freddy, Charles , Mbohwa, Charles
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Organizational change , Total quality management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6155 , ISBN 978-93-82242-26-0 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13759
  • Description: Continuous change in leadership creates instability within the business, and more importantly uncertainty amongst employees, hence the reluctance by employees to readily accept change. There are a myriad of reasons for resistance to change. Change programs such as TQM are required within business to ensure that organisations seek continuous improvement in their operational capabilities. Total quality management refers to three main components, namely customer satisfaction; continuous improvement and employee involvement. This study focuses on the employee resistance to change initiatives as a critical component. The lack of employee involvement potentially results in resistance to change initiatives. In many instances employees will not easily adapt to change. It is therefore important to understand that inadequate or no employee involvement will be a waste of valuable resources for any organisation attempting to implement Total Quality Management initiatives.
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Waste to energy technologies from organics fraction of municipal solid waste

  • Authors: Matheri, A.N. , Mbohwa, Charles , Belaid, M. , Seodigeng, T. , Ngila, J.C. , Muzenda, E.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Anaerobic , Co-digestion , Digesters
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214143 , uj:21243 , Citation: Matheri, A.N. et al. 2016. Waste to energy technologies from organics fraction of municipal solid waste.
  • Description: Abstract: With rapid economic growth and increased urbanization, South Africa faces the problem of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal and pressing the need for waste to energy recovery. Nowadays, renewable energy is the key consideration in the discussion of the sustainable worldwide energy system that reduces global climate change, human health problems, and environmental degradation. Sustainable development requires the sustainable supply of clean and affordable renewable energy. The renewable energy source such as bioenergy, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal is usually viewed as sustainable energy sources that drive economic development. Wastes are convertible to useful energy through waste to energy (WtE) technologies. In this study, renewable energy technologies from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and their relation to sustainable development are discussed. Via the application of the simple multi-attribute rating (SMART) technique of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as a decision support tool, the most preferred model option for WtE technology was selected from a list of potential alternatives available in the market base on environmental, sociocultural, technical and economical consideration. From our investigation into the City of Johannesburg Landfill, the OFMSW had the highest fraction that comprises of 34% in portion. From MCDA-AHP results, anaerobic digestion was the most preferred technology of choice, taking into consideration environmental preservation as the ultimate goal.
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Waste to energy bio-digester selection and design model for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Waste management for sustainable development in industrial parks : a case study of Wadeville industrial area, Johannesburg

Waste heat and energy recovery system from smelter off-gas for a platinum processing plant

Vibration based condition monitoring of rotating machinery using fuzzy logic

Vermicomposting of soybean and maize straw residues as an agro waste management initiative

  • Authors: Manyuchi, Musaida Mercy , Mbohwa, Charles , Muzenda, Edison
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Bio fertiliser , Earthworms , Nitrogen
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260136 , uj:27384 , Citation: Manyuchi, M.M, Mbohwa, C. & Muzenda, E. 2017. Vermicomposting of soybean and maize straw residues as an agro waste management initiative.
  • Description: Abstract: In this study, maize waste and soy bean residue were vermicomposted as a way of harnessing bio products from agro waste in a bid to promote sustainability and proper waste management to bio fertilizers. Maize and soy bean residues were vermicomposted in a 9m by 1m vermicomposting bed over a period of 30 days using Eisenia Fetida earthworms at standard conditions. The physicochemical parameters of the organic waste including the organic loading (OC), nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) content as well as trace elements such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) were determined using standard methods. The behavior of the earthworms in terms of mass and length was also quantified. Upon increase in the vermicomposting period, the OC increased by 38%, NPK composition by 50%, 50% and 35% respectively. The Ca, Mg and Na composition by 10%, 23% and 30% respectively. The earthworms mass and length increased by 60% and 20% respectively. From the results obtained, vermicomposting offers a sustainable opportunity for crop waste management to bio fertilizers.
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Value addition of coal fines and sawdust to briquettes using molasses as a binder

Utilization of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as compost: a case study of Florida, South Africa

Using life cycle assessment to assess and identify improvements of the environmental impacts of the vehicle leaf spring

  • Authors: Mbohwa, Charles , Ganyo, Biggie
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Life cycle assessment , Environmental impact assessment , Vehicle leaf springs
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14415
  • Description: This paper discusses an application of the LCA methodology on the vehicle leaf spring, used on trucks, buses and trailers in Zimbabwe. A look at the whole life cycle of the spring from raw material extraction throug manufacturing, use, reuse and final disposal emphasizing the resource consumption, human health and ecosystem quality is done using standard LCA assessment methodology outlined in the ISO 14000 series. SIMAPRO 7 was used to assist in the LCA and also to reduce the complicated and rigorous manual calculations thus eliminating unnecessary errors and enhancing the quality of results obtained.
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Used Vegetable Oil (UVO) as a feedstock for biodiesel production in South Africa

Use of six-sigma concept in discrete manufacturing industry

  • Authors: Mbohwa, Charles , Madanhire, Ignatio
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Manufacturing , Six Sigma methodology
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5031 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13551
  • Description: Efficiency in manufacturing is critical in raising the value of exports so as to gainfully trade on the regional and international markets. There seems to be increasing popularity of continuous improvement strategies availed to manufacturing entities, but this research study established that there has not been a similar popularity accorded to the Six Sigma methodology. Thus this work was conducted to investigate the applicability, effectiveness, usefulness, application and suitability of the Six Sigma methodology as a competitiveness option for discrete manufacturing entity. Development of Six-sigma center in the country with continuous improvement information would go a long way in benefiting the entire industry.
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Unlocking the economic value and potential of design for manufacture and assembly in a developing country for sustainability

Unlocking economic value and sustainable furniture manufacturing through recycling and reuse of sawdust

  • Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Hondo, Allen , Mbohwa, Charles , Madiye, Luxmore
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Briquetting , Economic value , Sawdust
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260441 , uj:27424 , Citation: Nyemba, W.R. et al. 2018. Unlocking economic value and sustainable furniture manufacturing through recycling and reuse of sawdust.
  • Description: Abstract: The various stages in the manufacture of furniture, from cutting through processing to polishing, produces a lot of sawdust of varying grades. The extraction and disposal of such waste in a developing country such as Zimbabwe, with no established or sustainable ways to handle waste, is a growing concern, often posing environmental challenges. Research was carried out at a leading furniture manufacturing company in Zimbabwe to establish the quantum of sawdust produced periodically while carrying out experiments to determine parameters such as compressive strength and density for the viable production of briquettes that can either be disposed of economically or used for the company’s fuel requirements. An affordable briquetting machine was designed based on existing briquetting technologies to handle the waste in a sustainable and economic way. The challenges encountered in the disposal of the waste were turned into opportunities. The company will not only enjoy modest income from the waste but will also save on their current waste management costs and easily pay back for the briquetting machine.
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Transportation demand analysis of coal from Hwange coal fields

  • Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Pretorius, Jan H.C.
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Coal mining - Zimbabwe - Hwange , Coal transportation - Zimbabwe
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4872 , ISBN 978-988-19251-0-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12548
  • Description: This paper seeks to provide a background to the coal and coke manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe after the economical melt down of 2007. It analyses the current situation in terms of coal and coke supply and to identify the factors that affect coal and coke transportation choices. Results of the survey of the coal and coke suppliers were tabulated and factors which affect transportation such as method of loading, payment plans, reliability and strategic alignment of the transporter were analysed. Model recommendations on a strategic supply chain management approach were given for the agricultural sector and for the manufacturing sector with the aim of reducing heavy loads on the road and minimizing emissions by trucks while still maintaining high productivity..
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The use of Total Quality Management as a business improvement strategy in Soweto furniture manufacturing SMMEs, South Africa

  • Authors: Seseni, Lawrance , Mbohwa, Charles
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Supply chain management , product quality , TQM
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241133 , uj:24818 , Citation: Seseni, L. & Mbohwa, C. 2017. The use of Total Quality Management as a business improvement strategy in Soweto furniture manufacturing SMMEs, South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: This study investigates the use of TQM as a business improvement strategy in furniture manufacturing SMMEs and the impact of supply chain management on product quality of furniture manufacturing SMMEs that are situated in Orlando Industrial Park and Freedom Park. It was discovered in this study that supply chain starts with the supplier and end with the customer. The study reveals that furniture manufacturing SMMEs must make relationships with all the stakeholders involved, including other organization as it helps to improve the competitiveness of the enterprise and it further helps with learning from enterprises. A long-term relationship needs to be made with the suppliers of the enterprise. This study adopted a mixed method approach by developing a case study, questionnaires were issued, observations were made and managers and owners were interviewed as well. This study adds knowledge on the impact of the supply chain on product quality. Further research must be made on the effectiveness of TQM on furniture manufacturing SMMEs.
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The use of eco-efficiencies within a cleaner production framework in assessing the overall greenness of a company - a developing country (Zimbabwean) perspective concentrating on food manufacturing companies.

  • Authors: Mugwindiri, Kumbi , Mbohwa, Charles , Ndhlovu, Bhekimpilo
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Food industry and trade - Environmental aspects - Zimbabwe , Clean energy industries - Zimbabwe
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6178 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13785
  • Description: This research seeks to develop an integrated system of EECP options, indices and techniques with less resource usage intensities and higher operational efficiencies for the food manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe. Specifically the research will seek to conserve raw materials as there will be reduced waste accumulation, eliminate contact with toxic raw materials by substituting or disposing them, reduce the quantities and toxicity of wastes and emissions, quantify and stratify wastes generated in Zimbabwean industries, develop an EECP based framework for measuring the greenness of a company. The concomitant result is that the working environment will be cleaner and safe thereby reducing health hazards and will also be more productive and profitable.
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The use of basalt aggregates in the production of concrete for the prefabrication industry: environmental impact assessment, interpretation and improvement

  • Authors: Ingrao, Carlo , Giudice, Agata Lo , Tricase, Caterina , Mbohwa, Charles , Rana, Roberto
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Basalt aggregates , Environmental impact assessments , Life cycle assessment
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4794 , ISSN 0959-6526 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12046
  • Description: This study aims at environmentally assessing the most significant input and output flows related to the production of concrete using basalt aggregates. For this purpose, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was applied according to the ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006. All data used were collected on site based on observations during site visits, review of documents and interviews with technical personnel and management. They were processed by using SimaPro 7.3.3, accessing the Ecoinvent v.2.2 database and using the Impact 2002þ method. The LCIA results show that the most impacting phase is the production of the basalt aggregates, with “Human Health” being the most affected damage category because of the emissions to air, of 2.7 kg of particulates (grain size <2.5 mm). In addition to this, the concrete production causes, mainly, the emission, in air, of 465 kg of Carbon Dioxide and the consumption of 37.37 kg of crude oil, per cubic metre of concrete, affecting, the damage categories “Climate Change” and “Resources” also. Regarding “Ecosystem Quality”, the occurred damage is due to the emission to air, of 29.6 g of Aluminium and of 251 mg of Zinc into the soil per cubic metre of concrete. Based on the obtained results, the increase of the amount of water used for particulates removal during the basalt extraction phase was assessed. Furthermore, the alternative use of limestone aggregates was assessed from both technical and environmental perspectives. The analysis developed highlighted a total damage decrease of 67%.
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