Our Portfolio
FOOD SYSTEMS
South Africa's food waste voluntary agreement
Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)
Funder: SA-EU Dialogue Facility
Pinpoint was commissioned by the CGCSA and DTI (in partnership with Dr Julian Parfitt, Anthesis Group) to develop a business-led voluntary agreement on food waste for South Africa.
- Undertaking a gap analysis of our current understanding of food waste in the country
- Developing recommendations for a voluntary agreement road map
- Developing and consulting on a business plan for implementation
Food for Us: Reducing on-farm food waste using a cellphone app
Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: United Nation’s One Planet Sustainable Lifestyles & Education (SLE) Trust Fund
The aim of the 1st phase of the project was to develop and trial a cell phone app in South Africa through which surplus food is traded. Another key component was the setting up of communities of practice around which the app could be tested and adopted. Pinpoint managed a project partner team of 8 organisations, and provided an advisory role on food loss and waste. The 2nd phase of the project aims to increase uptake, and further develop the app’s functionality.
Visit www.foodforus.co.za for further information or to download the app. The 1st phase project report is available here.
Shifting consumer behaviour towards sustainable seafood consumption
Client: WWF South Africa
Funder: United Nation’s One Planet Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Trust Fund
WWF-SA commissioned Pinpoint to examine seafood consumption trends, associated consumer behaviours and recommendations to inform their Sustainable Seafood Initiative’s (SASSI) consumer campaign. The research formed the basis of a wider United Nation’s Environment One Planet Sustainable Food System’s project. An article on millennials and the key role they play in preserving threatened fish was published as a research output in the Business Day.
Access the article here.
Food loss and waste: Facts and futures
Client: WWF South Africa
The food loss and waste: Facts and futures report sketches out the state of food loss and waste in South Africa. Pinpoint undertook research and contributed as an author on:
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- Food loss and waste in the public sector
- Characteristics of the formal and informal food system in relation to food waste
- Future recommendations to reduce food waste
The report can be downloaded here.
Reducing food waste in the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) member countries
Client: UDA Consulting, Turkey
Funder: Standing Committee for Economic & Commercial Co-operation of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC)
Pinpoint was commissioned by UDA Consulting as part of their research team to understand the scale of consumer and hospitality food waste in Islamic states. Pinpoint undertook research, led the report writing process and presented the findings at the 9th Meeting of the COMCEC Agriculture Working Group in February 2017 in Ankura. Turkey.
The report can be downloaded here.
Food waste associated with South Africa's horticultural produce exports
Client: Feedback Global, UK
Funder: The Rockefeller Foundation
Pinpoint undertook research to identify on-farm and pack house food waste associated with fresh produce exported from South African farms to the UK and United States. Evidence was gathered to assess the scale of the issue, how and why food waste arises, and documented solutions. The study forms part of a series of global case studies published by Feedback Global on the causes of food waste in international supply chains.
A copy of the study can be downloaded here.
Mapping food loss along Woolworths' spinach supply chain
Client: WWF South Africa
Pinpoint adapted and trialed the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Food Loss & Waste Protocol on the retailer Woolworths’ spinach supply chain. Outputs included a methodology which is suitable for South African use to determine where in a supply chain food loss and waste occurs, the volumes and why. A summary of findings was presented in Woolworths’ 2016 Annual Integrated report, and as a case study in WWF’s Food loss and waste.
Facts and futures report can be downloaded here.
Soft cheese losses & waste hotspot mapping
Client: Woolworths
Following food loss and waste mapping exercises on fresh produce, a decision was made to explore a protein-based product. This piece of work unpacked losses and waste along Woolworths soft cheese products and provided recommendations for improvement. In addition, the research provided an opportunity to strengthen the analytical model for analysing products with a high moisture content.
Halving food loss & waste by leveraging economic systems (FLAWLESS)
Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
Funder: Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G)
Following on from the development of an implementation plan to deliver South Africa’s food loss and waste initiative, FLAWLESS provided funding to implement the agreement. Specialising in food loss and waste, Pinpoint provided expertise to bring on board new signatories, engage with signatories to mitigate losses, assist with annual reporting, and the development of good practice case studies.
Tenderstem® broccoli waste & surplus hotspot mapping
Client: Woolworths
Pinpoint undertook research to provide Woolworths with an understanding of where and why food waste and surplus arises along their tenderstem® broccoli supply chain. The results provided insights on areas of greatest impact, potential for improvement and solutions to add value to byproduct and surplus.
Driven to waste: The global impact of food loss & waste on farms
Client: Anthesis
Funder: WWF-UK and Tesco
Pinpoint gathered insights to inform South African case studies on farm food loss and waste for avocados and citrus grown in the country. This work contributed to a larger report to estimate global farm stage food losses, to analyse the environmental, social and economic impact of associate losses, and to identify food loss drivers and mitigating actions.
The final report can be accessed here.
STRATEGY & CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
The Beach Co-op funding & income-generating strategy
Client: Beach Co-op
Following the impact of Covid-19 on access to funding, and the growth in the organisation, members of the Beach Co-op’s board took part in a Pinpoint facilitated workshop to review and refine the organisation’s income generation strategy. This involved identifying core businesses activities that require funding, the identification of funders and income generation opportunities and development of a proactive approach to accessing funds. This included getting to know different funders better, and what is of value to them.
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation corporate responsibility strategy
Client: Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
As a research associate at the Sustainability Institute, Nicola Jenkin worked with and supported AGOF to understand its sustainability impacts to improve internal operations and extended programme impacts. The project included the development of an environmental baseline to understand the impacts of key resources such as energy, water, transport, waste and procurement. Building on the baseline, a set of strategic interventions and ambitions were developed. The aim is to further develop the strategy with a focus on social dimensions.
Madron Farming corporate responsibility strategy & implementation
Client: Madron Farming
Madron Farming is one of South Africa’s largest growers of leafy vegetables. Pinpoint was contracted to develop Madron’s corporate responsibility vision and ambitions. Through a staged process of collaboration these were refined, and a set of objectives identified against the themes of conservation, community and commercial. For each theme aims, areas of focus and actions were identified. This strategy has provided a base against which ambitions and activities are implemented and monitored.
Targeted funding strategy for The Long Run
Client: The Long Run
The Long Run is a UK-based not-for-profit that brings together a global community of nature-based tourism enterprises committed to protecting biodiversity and improving the lives of people where they operate. Pinpoint assisted The Long Run with the development of a focused strategy to seek and elicit financial support to enable their ambitions for growth. This involved the development of a compelling generic proposal, and the identification of key funding organisations, initiatives and philanthropists that mirror their growth ambitions.
Grootbos Foundation fundraising strategy
Client: Grootbos Foundation
The Grootbos Foundation is a non-profit organisation whose vision is to conserve the Cape Floral Kingdom and uplift communities who live within it. They do this through sustainable livelihood programmes, ecotourism and sports development, and education. Pinpoint took the fundraising team through a series of workshops to align their vision and mission with a targeted local, national and global fundraising strategy. Outcomes included a targeted list of potential funders and donors, advice on getting to know their target audience and a focused approach for doing so. In addition, Pinpoint ran a proposal writing workshop with their broader project management team.
Designing climate-compatible industrial strategies for South Africa: The textiles value chain
Client: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS)
Funder: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Pinpoint was commissioned to lead research to investigate scalable and viable solutions, and a pathway to mitigate climate-related impacts associated with South Africa’s textiles sector. Key areas of intervention were identified, including reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and improving water management, optimising manufacturing energy efficiency and consumption, fibre-to-fibre recycling, reducing single-use sanitary wear, adopting clothing and footwear leasing models, and increasing the legal second-hand clothing market. These solutions are proposed within the context of supporting local production and the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Value Chain Master Plan, decent job creation, and achieving international textile sector net-zero 2050 commitments.
Tswalu Kalahari regional socio-economic landscape
Client: Nianova / Oppenheimer Generations
Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest privately-owned reserve. While conservation has been very much an emphasis, Tswalu has however invested in important social projects. To build on this, Tswalu procured the services of Pinpoint to undertake a review of the regional socio-economic landscape within which the reserve is situated, and to understand the perceptions of their current community-related initiatives. This research informed a 5-year sustainability and community strategy.
Financial sustainability scoping study & development of a financial framework for resourcing biodiversity stewardship implementation in South Africa
Client: Redflank
Funder: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Pinpoint undertook research to identify and better understand the international and South African biodiversity and conservation grant landscape, and best practice models of implementation, to inform the development of a financial model for SANBI to enhance biodiversity stewardship in the country.
JOBS & SKILLS
Linking education & work in the South African energy & water supply sectors
Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Energy & Water Sector Education & Training Authority (EWSETA)
Pinpoint oversaw the management of the research project and research team.
- An in-depth economic, political, social and environmental contextual review
- Research tool development
- Interviews with employers, education providers and EWSETA learners
- Data analysis and delivery of findings
The research provided topical insights into the perceived relevance of education provision through and for work. One of these dimensions included providing education and training that is cognisant of demands for sustainable economic transformation; as opposed to a focus on large-scale infrastructural or one-dimensional projects.
Utilising green manufacture as a tool to address youth unemployment & sustainable local economic development
Client: Redflank
Funder: Local Government Sector Education & Training Authority (LGSETA)
Pinpoint was contracted as a researcher to undertake a preliminary literature review on green economic activity in South Africa, with a focus on waste and energy. In addition, Pinpoint undertook interviews with sector stakeholders to inform the research, and provided guidance in terms of data analysis and interpretation.
Skill needs of small (emerging) businesses & co-operative financial institutions (CFIs) in South Africa's insurance sector
Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Insurance Sector Education & Training Authority (INSETA)
Pinpoint managed this very interesting project, which for the first time delved into the specific skill needs and challenges faced by small emerging businesses and co-operatives operating in South Africa. As with many industries, these two groups were significantly affected by Covid-19, having to swiftly adapt to operating digitally. Other skill challenges emerged, notably the complexity of regulation, and ability to adapt during uncertainty. Two core sectors emerged for further study, these being the significance of burial societies; and the huge potential of micro-insurance.
Manufacturing, engineering & related services sector occupation atlas
Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education & Training Authority (merSETA)
As part of a REAL team, Pinpoint was contracted to oversee the research component and team for this project. This also included research consolidation and writing up of the Atlas. The South African manufacturing sector is in a state of transition, which impacts the sectors’ job landscape. The Atlas provides current and future employees and employers a window into the types of jobs and skills that are and will be required to meet changing trends and their resulting demands. The Atlas will be made available on-line in early 2021.
SADC Researchers Challenge: Covid-19 & the transformation of VET for sustainable futures
Client: JET Education Services Funder: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
Funder: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
Nicola Jenkin, Pinpoint Director, in partnership with colleagues from Wits University’s Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL) acted as a co-lead on this research challenge. This involved providing methodological and subject-matter guidance to young researchers representing six SADC countries. This fascinating piece of research documented how skills supported sustainable livelihoods in response to the initial severe Covid-19 lockdown in March-April 2020. The research also explored the link between sustainable livelihoods, decent work, skills, knowledge and expertise.
A presentation on the findings can be found here.
Developing competencies for a just transition of the South African banking sector
Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Bank Sector Education & Training Authority (BankSETA)
Pinpoint was commissioned by Wits University’s Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL) to manage and undertake research, alongside Creating Sustainable Value, to better understand the potential impact, sustainability and digitalisation will have on jobs and skills in South Africa’s retail banking sector. Pinpoint focused on digitalisation, providing an evidence-base from which BankSETA can set out a plan of action to support its members to transition to a digital future, with reduced impact on jobs.
Occupational study on green skills in the South African petroleum sector
Client: Environmental Learning & Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA)
Under the the Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint was commissioned, along with Creating Sustainable Value (CSV), to investigate the greening of skills in South Africa’s petroleum sector, with a focus on refineries. The contextual drivers facing the industry, how they are responding to climate change and future scenarios were assessed to inform the types of skills and occupations the sector would need to transition to a green economy.
Unlocking jobs in the alien vegetation added value chain
Client: WWF South Africa + Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS)
Funder: WWF Nedbank Green Trust
In collaboration with TIPS, Pinpoint undertook research to understand the job creation and economic potential associated with using alien vegetation as a feedstock for manufacturing wood pellets, and use of the pellets as a replacement for paraffin in non-electrified households.
Download the report here.
Skills audit & needs analysis for the Marine Protection & Ocean Governance (MPG)
Client: International Ocean Institute -African Region (10I-SA)
Funder: South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)
Pinpoint undertook research, and contributed to a study, on behalf of the International Ocean Institute – African Region (10I-SA). As a skills specialist, Pinpoint guided the skills research methodology, undertook interviews and developed surveys to better understand the challenges faced by the sector in terms of scarce skills and capacity to better protect our oceans. Future skills and jobs needs were also identified and mapped.
Skills development for green public supply chain management
Client: Environmental Learning & Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Public Services Education & Training Authority (PSETA)
Through the Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint undertook research, in collaboration with Creating Sustainable Value (CSV) to identify and develop the requisite occupations and related skills to support green supply chain management in the South African public sector. This included an international review of supply chain management practices, value chain and occupational mapping, and a case study on the Department of Environmental Affairs’ purchasing of electric vehicles.
Download the report here.
Green skills in the South African paint sector
Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority
As part of the Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint was contracted to investigate the greening of skills in South Africa’s paint sector. This involved assessing current political, economic, social, technological and environmental trends to inform skills and occupations that will require upskilling for the decorative, automotive and marine paint sectors to adopt more sustainable practices.
An assessment of skills supply & demand for renewable energy, energy efficiency & regional energy integration
Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), University of the Witwatersrand
Funder: International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Research was undertaken to understand the energy sector context, related activities and impacts, and skills provision within six Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. From this, recommendations were presented to inform the development of a skills strategy to increase the uptake of renewable energy, energy efficiency and regional energy integration interventions in Southern Africa.
Opportunities to enhance collaboration in South Africa’s Forestry-products biorefinery innovation system through improved knowledge sharing
Client: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Building on her PhD, Nicola Jenkin, developed a policy paper for the CSIR which provides an overview of the status of forestry-based biorefinery innovation in the country and an assessment of the collaborative efforts within the associated network. This informed a number of recommendations to enhance the uptake of biorefinery activities in the country, and more specifically how to improve local skills and capabilities to do so.
RESEARCH & EVALUATION
Biodiversity human capital development strategy mid-term review
Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) & The Lewis Foundation
Pinpoint was commissioned by the ELRC to lead the research on higher education and occupational trends relating to higher education supply e.g., students graduating, types of courses, relevant to the biodiversity fields. In addition Pinpoint co-ordinated a skills demand and gaps survey with sector stakeholders to evaluate progress regarding availability of suitable skills and individuals within the South Africa’s biodiversity system.
Evaluation of the Resource Smart Food Initiative
Client: WWF South Africa
Pinpoint was contracted to undertake a streamlined evaluation of WWF-South Africa’s Resource Smart Food Initiative. The aim of the review was to ascertain the achievements of intended ambitions, and recommendations for future work and/or strengthening. The evaluation assessed the programme against performance, focus, niche positioning for impact, viability and value to WWF national and international criteria.
Vetting of completed research reports
Client: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA)
Pinpoint is contracted by CHIETA to review and vet previously completed research reports. We draw on our research expertise to assess the reports for quality, methodology appropriateness and use, literature reviewed and analysis thereof, robustness of findings and recommendations, style and referencing. This provides CHIETA with a level of quality assurance for when they use the research to make informed decisions.
External review of WWF South Africa's Environmental Leaders Programme
Client: WWF South Africa
Pinpoint was commissioned by WWF South Africa to undertake a review of their Environmental Leaders Programme (ELP). The aim of the review was to provide an expert opinion and recommendations for the programme’s future. The programme’s performance, focus, niche positioning for impact, viability and value to WWF nationally and globally were assessed. A 4th generation evaluation approach was adopted, which included desktop research and engagement with key internal WWF South Africa staff and external experts.
National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III review
Client: Mzabalazo Advisory Services
Funder: Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET)
Wits University’s Centre for Researching Education & Labour commissioned Pinpoint to undertake research to inform two case studies, as part of a review of NSDS Ill. These included Research and innovation support, and Programmes targeting youth. Research and interviews were undertaken to evaluate the various research, education and training programmes supported by Sector Education Authorities.
The Eco-Furniture Programme: An evaluative review
Client: Creating Sustainable Value (CSV)
Funder: The Jobs Fund / National Treasury
Pinpoint formed part of a team, led by Creating Sustainable Value (CSV), to undertake a mid-term evaluative review of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) Working for Water Eco-Furniture Programme. Pinpoint focused on alien invasive value-add industry opportunities.
Review of the impact of the WWF-SASSI programme
Client: WWF South Africa
In collaboration with Insight Track, Pinpoint, undertook an in-depth review of WWF South Africa’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI). The review assessed SASSI’s intention to shift consumers and actors within the seafood supply chain to transition towards sustainable practices. It also assessed achievements, challenges and learnings to inform the programme going forward, and to enhance other WWF-SA marine programme activities.
