Browsing by Author "Maharaj, Bridgemohan."

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Abandoning the Ark in Durban: development, displacement, resettlement and livelihood struggles.
(2021) Fitzgerald, Tara Jade.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Forced removals, the theme of this thesis, through evictions, clean-up campaigns and development-induced displacement, results in the ‘hygienisation’ of public space and the ‘violent un-homing’ of vulnerable communities. The Ark Christian Ministries Church (ACMC) was established in 1982 in Durban’s notorious Point Precinct, offering shelter and rehabilitation opportunities for socially excluded and marginalised persons in the inner city. As the city forged ahead with the Point Waterfront Development mega-project and prepared to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Ark was shut-down in 2004. Notwithstanding a spirited resistance, one hundred families were forced to relocate to Welbedacht East, 30km from the Point Precinct. The aim of this study is to examine the implications of Development-Induced-Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR) on the livelihoods of those displaced from the Ark homeless shelter in the Point Precinct in Durban, and their survival strategies after relocating to the urban edge in Welbedacht. Influenced by theories of displacement, social justice and human rights, this thesis analysed the displacement, resistance, relocation and livelihood struggles of the Ark dwellers. A mixed-method approach was adopted in this study, drawing from qualitative and quantitative techniques and information from documents. The study found that those displaced remained socially excluded and marginalised in Welbedacht and expressed a deep sense of detachment and hopelessness. Their lives were characterised by unemployment, poverty and social pathologies. The former Ark residents failed to restore their livelihood opportunities and remain in a constant state of precarity. The study identified a new form of displacement. ‘New-Place Displacement’ refers to the inability to adapt to the new environment or integrate with surrounding communities. Instead, the ‘Arkians’ remained in a constant state of alienation in Welbedacht.
An assessment of the viability and sustainability of the use of humanure for household agricultural purposes : a case study in Cottonlands, eThekwini Municipality.
(2014) Harilal, Vyasha.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Many South Africans face problems relating to poor sanitation and inadequate nutrition. This is especially prevalent in the peri-urban and rural areas of the country. Whilst urban areas are provided with water borne sewage, the provision of this service to peri-urban and rural areas has been neglected due to topography, water issues, high cost and apartheid legacy. The use of sanitation facilities that allow for composting of faecal matter is a viable option, which, if properly managed, can address sanitation issues and food security by providing compost for household agriculture. The aim of this research is to gauge the perception of people in the Cottonlands community, located within the eThekwini Municipality, on the use of humanure for household agriculture; as well as to determine the safety of food crops grown with humanure. Questionnaires and microbiological testing was used to determine community perceptions and food safety, respectively. Acceptance levels of using humanure for household agriculture ranged from total to non-acceptance. Observation showed visible impact with the use of humanure with crops appearing to produce more fruit, and seeming healthier overall. Microbiological food safety tests indicated unsafe levels of bacteria and pathogens associated with food borne illness. Overall, it is recommended that further research and tests be conducted as there is a great potential from this study to improve the quality of life for many, as well as contribute to sustainable environmental practices.
The church and poverty reduction : the case of the Hope Empowerment Scheme of Durban Christian Centre Church.
(2006) Icheku, Jude Emeka.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
In recent times, the church has been involved in various development programmes. Church based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have emerged in response to development needs especially in the developing countries. Among the issues engaging the attention of the church, the problems of HIV/AIDS and poverty seem to be most prominent. In South Africa, the activities of Christian organizations in response to these problems are evident. This study evaluated the role of the church in poverty reduction with special reference to the Help Our People Everywhere (HOPE) Empowennent Scheme of the Durban Christian Centre Church, in KwaZulu-Natal. It examined the poverty reduction programme of the church and explored how Christian theology has shaped the church's response to the problem of poverty and associated problems. The study was based on primary infonnation obtained from interviews with the managers and beneficiaries of the projects of the Empowennent Scheme. Qualitative analysis was used to gauge the extent to which the projects ofthe scheme have improved the well-being ofthe beneficiaries. Significant improvement in the well-being of the respondents was found. First, there was a restoration of self-esteem, confidence to achieve success despite odds, and hope for a prosperous future. Second, and more measurable, there was an improvement in the incomes of the beneficiaries. Although the scheme showed promises of a sustainable progress in poverty reduction, there were a number of challenges and shortcomings particularly with funding of the projects and the reach or coverage of the scheme's activities.
Collusion, cadres and corruption : a critical study of the procurement sector and corruption in local government : the case of eThekwini Municipality.
(2016) Rajah, Shanice.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Corruption is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that takes various forms and functions in different settings. With the transition to a democratic dispensation in South Africa, there has been an escalation in corruption which is frequently associated with the manipulation of tender practices in the public procurement sector. The aim of this study was to critically investigate corruption in the procurement sector in local government with specific reference to the case of the eThekwini Municipality. The objectives of the study were: to review international trends in corruption in the procurement sector; to investigate specific cases of corruption in the procurement sector in the eThekwini Municipality; to assess the social, economic and political implications of corruption in eThekwini Municipality; and to examine the instruments and mechanisms that are used in preventing, detecting and responding to corruption and the effectiveness of such measures. Influenced by the Human Rights based approach, this study adopted a qualitative approach. This study found that corruption in the public procurement sector in the eThekwini Municipality is rife. The Supply Chain Management (SCM) faces numerous challenges including councillors and officials conducting business with eThekwini Municipality; councillors and officials incompetency due to limited knowledge of policy; unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure; abuse of Section 36; unfair procurement process; inadequate and inefficient contract management and inadequate SCM controls. Hence, the SCM is synonymous with loopholes, kickbacks, cronyism and „tenderpreneurship‟. Numerous social, economic and political consequences of corruption were evident in this study, however, the main result of corruption in the procurement process is poor service delivery to citizens. This has resulted in human rights violations and citizens taking to the streets in violent service delivery protests in order to highlight their grievances regarding the poor quality of life they experience. It is the poor of the eThekwini Municipality who face the detrimental impacts of corruption as they are reliant on the government for basic services for their survival. A holistic approach to corruption needs to be adopted in order to fully address this pandemic. An area that needs serious attention in procurement reform is blacklisting. Councillors and officials need to be educated about corruption and ethics. Greater oversight and transparency is needed throughout the procurement process to allow for fair and an equitable distribution of tenders in the Municipality.
Crumbling housing and failed promises : a critical study of corruption in low cost housing in the Phoenix area.
(2015) Ellero, Justin Pietro.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Since the ending of apartheid the new South African government inherited a country with a critical shortage of low income housing. While great lengths have been made to address the housing challenge, a major obstacle to this has been corruption. The aim of the study was an investigation of corruption in low cost housing in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, with a case study on complexes built in Phoenix. The objectives of the study were to assess the scale and types of corruption in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, investigating corruption in low cost housing provision, assess government’s response to corruption in Phoenix and proposing methods to combat it. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study found corruption levels to be high in the low cost housing process in KwaZulu-Natal. The worst impacted sector was procurement, with cronyism and nepotism common. Contracts were awarded to friends and family, which led to the growth in a small elite amassing huge fortunes. The consequence of corruption in procurement was poor workmanship. While many homes have been built across the province, up to R1 billion might be needed to rectify shoddy work. Other instances of corruption included bribery to pass shoddy work, corruption in the waiting list system, housing subsidy fraud and BEE fronting. The case study of Phoenix mirrored what was happening across the province. Poor workmanship and non-compliance with building standards emerged. The company involved in the project was linked to a controversial businessman, who had been previously convicted of corruption. Residents were forced into unrealistic rental tenancy agreements, which cost more than it would have to but the unit. Many residents fell behind on payments and were evicted, had their water and lights cut off or had items stolen from their homes. It furthermore emerged that the developer had illegally received government funding. Corruption is a major problem in South Africa and impacts on the poor and most marginalized in a society. Corruption impacts on the homeless and is helping to entrench the high poverty levels across the country. Thus corruption must be combated to rectify the historical housing legacy of inequality in South Africa.
Developers versus Ratepayers? : contravening land use, zoning and development controls in Berea, Durban.
(2021) Boodhoo, Sunayna.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Land use has been and continues to be a subject of conflict, conquest, and expropriation. The demand for urban space for residential occupation has resulted in the creation of high-rise structures proliferating in number and height in recent years. The aim of this study is to determine the level of compliance with, and enforcement of existing development controls within the Berea and the impact development at 317 Currie Road has on the surrounding community. The empirical data obtained from qualitative research suggested that various inconsistencies exist within the eThekwini Municipality and development control measures have rarely been enforced at 317 Currie Road. Serengeti Rise has violated several by-laws and regulations in the construction of their project and the ratepayers of the locality bear the brunt of these violations. This study revealed that the developer had not complied with the system of land use regulations in the Municipality. Also, there was weak enforcement of the statutory laws that govern the city to curtail the excesses of the developers and respond to the land use and zoning violations raised by residents. Based on the controversies, arguable concessions, and lack of transparency by the Municipality and developer, findings suggest that the Municipality has been inconsistent in enforcing stringent by-laws. The city appears to be privileging the interest of the private sector developer by approving amendments and implementing planning policies that are detrimental to the ratepayers of the Berea community.
Developmental local government in a rural context : a case study of Jozini Municipality.
(2005) Myeni, Sithembiso Lindelihle.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
South Africa is facing a backlog with regard to service delivery in rural areas. Therefore, local government reform has been one of the pertinent issues which has occupied the political landscape since the early 1990s. Key to this transitional period to democracy was a realization that different communities have diverse experiences with traditional leadership depending on their geographical location in South Africa. But to a large extent the changes that took place in traditional leadership were imposed on the local structures by the national government. Thus, most traditional leaders and their advisers found themselves implementing policies which they did not necessarily support. This study seeks to explore developmental local government in a rural context through the use of the case study of 10zini Municipality. A key issue in this study is to look at the nature of the relationship that exists between the modem and traditional structures and the impact thereof on development. This study draws from the development literature, lengthy discussions with different experts in local government in conferences, seminars, and interviews with different stakeholders such as traditional leaders, elected councillors, community members, and municipal officials regarding the relationship between traditional leaders and elected councillors in the implementation of developmental local government. The findings of this study are revealing. After ten years of democracy in South Africa, there is still no consensus among different stakeholders on the roles and functions traditional leaders should play in mainstream politics in general, and in local government service delivery in particular. The findings show that the majority of participants felt that there is a need for traditional leaders and elected councillors to work together for the implementation of developmental local government in rural local government. Officials find themselves in a dilemma in rural local government as a result of what they perceive to be the silence of most local government policies on the roles and functions of traditional leaders. Some local government officials and councillors believe that the role of traditional leaders in local government is important. In the Jozini municipality they work with traditional leaders because of the mandate from the IFP political leadership but this does not mean that tensions do not exist. There are institutional and political implications emanating from the findings as analysis shows that there is a need for a closer look at the two-tier model that currently exists in rural local government. This study revealed that tensions exist between traditional leaders and elected councillors. This study also demonstrates that a confluence of factors and tensions affect the nature of relationship and the implementation of developmental local government starting from the national government to the communities at local level. As reflected in the study, lack of cooperation at each level has detrimental effects on the overall implementation of developmental local government in the rural context. Therefore, it is clear that all stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that there is proper implementation of local government policies in rural areas. However, the government must take a vanguard position because it has got all the powers and resources as compared to other stakeholders.
Displacement and adjustment : Ethiopian environmental migrants in Durban, South Africa.
(2014) Ghebreyohannes, Yibrah Gu'ush.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Notwithstanding earlier scholarly and scientific disagreements, in the 21st century the evidence for climate-induced environmental change is compelling, with little room for doubt, debate or dissent. There are serious negative consequences for water resources, agriculture and food security, human health, terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity and coastal zones. In addition to the devastating environmental consequences, there is also reasonable consensus about the devastating human impacts, especially in terms of population displacement or environmental refugees. The aim of this study is to investigate the displacement and resettlement of Ethiopian environmental migrants in Durban. More specifically, it examines how environmental changes influenced the decision to move and explores the challenges migrants faced while they were crossing borders of different countries. The study also assesses the socio-economic challenges and the survival strategies adopted by environmental refugees in Durban. This study also evaluates the role of refugee agencies in the resettlement and adjustment of migrants. Ethiopia, as a developing country, more than 80 percent of its economy is based on agriculture. However, the country’s vulnerability to environmental events such as drought, land degradation, deforestations, unsustainable agricultural and food security is very high. As a result, almost all surveyed respondents in this study reported that environmentally-induced migration was common in their areas in Ethiopia. Most of the respondents were from rural and semi-urban areas and they were engaged in farming related activities. Legal outmigration of environmental migrants from Ethiopia was very limited. The majority of respondents were forced to leave Ethiopia in a desperate bid to seek alternate survival strategies. Hence, their entire journey from Ethiopia to South Africa was risky and perilous. They were also emotionally intimidated, physically abused and exploited by migrant smugglers. In addition to the participation of non-governmental refugee organisations who provide legal aid and socio-economic assistance to vulnerable foreign migrants, the South African justice system, in theory, promotes the equality of foreign migrants before the law. However, due to the delays and mishandling of the case dockets and appeals, the majority of environmental migrants expressed their discontent and dissatisfaction with government and non-governmental agencies. Police harassment and abuse of foreign migrants was high. The findings also revealed that some Department of Home Affair officials were corrupt and unfriendly. A major concern is the international response, or perhaps, more appropriately, the lack thereof, to the challenges facing environmental refugees. A key contention of this thesis is that 60 years since its initial promulgation, the 1951 Convention should be revised to include environmental refugees.
The dynamics of undocumented Mozambican labour migration to South Africa.
(2008) Muanomoha, Ramos Cardoso.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.; Preston-Whyte, Eleanor.
Labour migration from Mozambique to South Africa is a historical process in Southern African region that dates from the 18th century. However, its formalisation and regulation took place in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, becoming a part of the Southern African labour market system. Within this labour market system Mozambique is one of the longstanding suppliers, with relatively consistent numbers of contract migrants for the South African mines. In the last two decades the number of contract migrant labourers for the mining industry in South Africa has declined. In contrast, there has been an increase in undocumented migrants from Mozambique to South Africa. The aim of this thesis is to analyse the dynamics of undocumented labour migration to South Africa. The undocumented migrants are mostly male youths from rural areas of southern Mozambique who are pushed by poverty and lack of employment conditions. They enter into the South Africa pulled by a demand for cheap unskilled labour, and they work mainly in the agriculture, construction, informal trade and domestic sector. Their aim is to send or carry back home remittances in cash or kind. However, the presence of undocumented Mozambican immigrants, as well as those from other parts of Southern Africa, has given cause for concern. There is social pressure in South Africa, where in some circles the undocumented migrants are seen as taking jobs from locals, which leads to xenophobic attitudes. The South African government has been forced to adopt restrictive measures, including the repatriation or deportation of undocumented immigrants. Notwithstanding the undocumented migration from Mozambique continues to increase. Findings from the fieldwork in Mozambique and South Africa, obtained through both quantitative and qualitative approaches, confirmed that the undocumented Mozambican labour migration to South Africa was a self-sustaining process through social networks, which helped in the process of adjustment and also allowed migrants to make multiple entries into South Africa. The study concludes that stopping undocumented migration requires the creation of job opportunities in migrant sending areas, particularly in the rural areas, so that people can be employed locally, reducing their dependency on migrant labour. In addition, policies are required that encourage migrants to organize in order to be involved productively in development projects of their communities.
Environmental design, crime and vulnerability : a case study of Wentworth.
(2013) Aboo, Raencine Kathlyn.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Apartheid environmental design and planning was aimed at controlling people rather than emphasising safety and security. This resulted in disadvantaged townships becoming conducive to crime and other social problems. In order to address this problem emphasis has been placed on the role of planning and design of the environment in reducing crime. Thus, the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) model has been suggested as one way of reducing crime and managing the physical environment. The model contends that reducing and preventing actual and perceived crime will improve the quality of life of residents and create quality living environments. This study examined the relationship between crime and planning and design in the Wentworth community, situated in the South Durban Basin of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. A key question was, how the design and planning of the physical environment could directly influence an increase or decrease in safety and vulnerability in Wentworth. This study found residents were aware of crime in the community and did not feel safe. Crime and victimisation was associated with areas that exhibited poor planning and design. In addition, crime hotspots were concentrated around these areas. An analysis of the specific planning and design problems within the Wentworth, indicates that modifying the environment using various design measures will reduce crime and vulnerability. Residents' responses regarding the use of the various CPTED principles to address crime were positive. Local government is tasked with implementing the model in the community, yet only a few projects have actually incorporated it. While officials contend that they are actively engaging in crime prevention, residents' believed that not enough is being done to lower crime, and improve the quality of life. A key issue is that besides crime practitioners, planners are also central to implementing the CPTED model, as it incorporates planning and design. However, lack of cooperation between these individuals has resulted in planners unknowingly using the model in urban renewal and regeneration projects. While this reflects the innovative use of the model, it also highlights the limited use of CPTED in targeted crime prevention initiatives. However, a positive outcome of this use is that even though urban renewal and regeneration projects aim to create quality environments, and not directly influence crime, by virtue of using CPTED, they are also indirectly influencing a decrease in criminality and fear.
Experiences of a hidden population : life stories of refugees within Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2008) Bollaert, Elizabeth A.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Refugees, as forced migrants, have suffered displacement under conditions not of their own choosing, rather from a lack of choice, finding themselves in new settings, new places and new hardships. When refugees abandon their own home, community and country, they do so because there is a probability of losing all rights and face being murdered, tortured, raped, imprisoned, enslaved, robbed or starved. This thesis investigates the lives of refugees in Pietermaritzburg. More specifically, the thesis examines why and how refugees come to Pietermaritzburg, how refugees are treated (by locals to public officials), the hardships that refugees face, and their livelihood options. The main method used was the life story approach, whereby the refugees wrote their own life story, providing detailed information and an in-depth understanding of their hard and often tragic experiences. After entry into South Africa various hardships are experienced. A major difficulty is the application process, whereby South Africa has failed to adequately manage the flow of asylum seekers into the country and is faced with a serious backlog of refugee claims. In KwaZulu-Natal alone 35 137 applications were received at the Durban Refugee Reception Office with 27 539 of those pending. Refugees in South Africa are perceived by the public as criminals, „job stealers‟ and are often used as a scapegoat for the country‟s social problems. This thesis presents a framework to better understand the problems experienced by refugees, as well as some policy recommendations to remedy the situation. It provides a detailed account of the stories of refugees in Pietermaritzburg and the lack of assistance offered to a growing population of concern.
Governance and service delivery a case-study of sanitation in Inanda, Durban.
(2012) Maharaj, Nuthan.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
The sanitation crisis is a growing pandemic in most developing countries, globally, including in South Africa. It is exacerbated by increasing urbanization, poverty, lack of political will, poor institutional response and limited financial resources to address the increasing demands. The sanitation situation in Inanda in Durban is no different. This study examines a ‘trialogue’ of governance, sanitation and service delivery in Inanda. It investigates the approach to sanitation delivery, capturing the impact of policy implementation through the real experiences of communities in Inanda. The theorisation for this study is built on debates relating to governance as an analytical lens. It also draws on Foucault’s theory of governmentality to understand how government functions in an environment internal and external to itself to manage and distribute public resources as a service to the governed. Government employs the ‘art of governing’ through regulation and the rule of law to achieve its service delivery goals. In the delivery of sanitation in South Africa the government adopts a multi-stakeholder governance approach, requiring inter-spheral and inter-department synergy, together with cooperation from the local communities and other sectors. The predominant qualitative account of sanitation governance is achieved through utilising a case-study design as a methodological approach. The case-study design allowed the researcher to delve deeper into smaller cases employing multi-method data gathering techniques. Triangulation increased the reliability and credibility of the findings presented. The empirical investigation of this research concentrates on the experiences of local communities in Inanda, exploring the impact of policy choices for sanitation delivery. In addition, it captures the application of governance principles by practitioners to meet sanitation demands in the varying geo-spatial formations, different housing typologies and absence of bulk infrastructure in the peri-urban and rural settings in the study area. The study paid special attention to imperatives such as local governance and participation; access to basic services as a Constitutional right; access to sanitation to advance a better quality of life through adequate facilities, improved hygiene education and access to water to complement sanitation goals. The study revealed that sanitation delivery in Inanda was fraught with developmental challenges. The eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit, responsible for the provision of sanitation to the communities of Inanda is challenged with increasing populations, unplanned settlements, weak institutional response to operations and maintenance, limited financial resources, inadequate integrated and spatial planning, and moving targets due to increasing demands for sanitation services in Inanda. Poor sludge management threatens environmental integrity and community health. The Municipality’s interim response to the sanitation needs of informal/unplanned settlements had little impact on user satisfaction as the high cost of infrastructure limits the quantity and quality of facilities provided. Communities find it difficult to utilise governments’ choice of sanitation facilities provided to them due to poor quality infrastructure, inadequate of maintenance and care of facilities, lack of effective sludge evacuation strategies for ventilated improved pit toilets, and inability to use and maintain the eco-san innovations instituted by the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit. Inadequate sanitation facilities exposed communities to the hazards of crime, disease, indignity, perpetuation of poverty and discrimination as well as a perception that, approximately 18 years into the democratic era, government has failed the people, as majority of the households in Inanda still do not have their own toilet facility.
Green lung to logistics park: a critical assessment of the rezoning of the Clairwood racecourse.
(2017) Maharaj, Suveena.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
The South Durban Basin (SDB) (located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) is the second largest industrial zone in South Africa, and has one of the highest concentrations of chemical and petro-chemical industries in the country. This of great concern as there is several residential areas that are located adjacent to the SDB. With the vision for the development of the new port in the SDB, the Clairwood Racecourse was identified as a prime location for the development of a logistics park. The aim of this study is to examine the impacts of the sale and rezoning of the Clairwood Racecourse as a Logistics/Distribution Park on the surrounding communities. This research employs a case study approach. It largely utilizes qualitative analysis, and makes use of key-informant interviews as well as in-depth documentary analysis. The development of the Clairwood Racecourse into a Logistics/Distribution Park has been riddled with controversies. This study highlights the challenges facing the communities since the development commenced, which include: the loss of the last green lung in the area, pollution hazards, increase in heavy vehicles in the area, loss of recreational space and a decrease in the biodiversity currently present within the Clairwood Racecourse. An in-depth critique of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), compiled by Kerry Seppings Environmental Management Specialists (KSEMS) revealed that social impacts were not considered. The study also highlights the action taken by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) together with the Clairwood Racecourse Action Committee (CRAC) in opposing the development. A key issue is environmental injustice, which is of great concern, particularly when one takes into consideration the already compromised living conditions of residents of the community.
The Group Areas Act in Durban : central-local state relations.
(1992) Maharaj, Bridgemohan.; McCarthy, Jeffrey J.
Interrogating inclusionary and exclusionary practices : learners of war and flight.
(Perspectives in Education, 2005) Sookrajh, Reshma.; Gopal, Nirmala Devi.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
There has been a significant increase in the number of undocumented people entering South Africa. A number of them include refugees. Many refugees are destitute and often denied basic needs such as health and education. Besides intentional exclusion by citizens and authorities, some immigrant children are precluded from education because they cannot gain access to schooling. This article captures the possibilities and constraints that are experienced by a selected group of refugee learners, in a school in which these children find themselves.The methodology derives from powerful narratives which are used as tools to analyse exclusionary and inclusionary practices, the relationship between which is presented as bi-directional. It is argued that the notion of exclusion and inclusion is multilayered. Different constructs of inclusion are developed around the thought, practices and experiences of refugee learners within the hosting school community. It is argued that what is offered by the school is a strikingly conservative discourse of perceived inclusion in the ways in which refugee learner practices get constructed. A theory of enforced humanitarianism emerges on the part of the school. It is only when we change this perspective on vulnerability that we are able to accept a more creative and effective way of including refugee learners who constantly believe that they are present in one place, but belong somewhere else.
Land restitution and conservation : social capital in the Mkambati community.
(2013) Zeka, Sandile.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.; Breen, Charles Mackie.
This study highlights the role social capital plays in promoting relationships within and between organizations so that they are able to act with common cause. For years relationships between parks and local communities have hinged upon access to, and use of natural resources that are more abundant within parks. Contestation over these resources has overtime led to covert, and in most cases open conflict between these two stakeholders in conservation. Intrinsic in relationship building is social capital. Using the case of the community of Mkambati this study presents both historical and, as developed in recent organizational studies, mental models as critical variables through which social capital evolves and sustains itself within organizations. The argument advanced in this study is that social capital plays an important factor in helping previously displaced communities to regain their land. Relationships play a pivotal role in bonding people, communities, and organizations. Secondly, this study provides a historical perspective of the role played by the community of Mkambati in challenging dispossession of their land. Since the expropriation of their land, the community of Mkambati has relied on bonding social capital in their resolve to regain this land. As this study demonstrates, trust, reciprocity, solidarity and empowerment are some of the properties of social capital that have bonded the community of Mkambati in the struggle for the restitution of their land. The success of the community of Mkambati in regaining their land is also attributed to this community’s resilience to withstand challenges it faced through its protracted battle to have its land back. This resilience, as this study demonstrates emanates from this community’s reliance on social capital. Also, and equally important, the robustness of the community of Mkambati to resist change is founded on relational capital drawn from the shared mental model of injustice – the wish to have their land back. This relational capital was continuously reinforced by the actions this community resorted to achieve this goal. Land restitution and the emergence of a democratic government made redundant the strongly shared mental model that bound people together for many years. With the return of the land to the people of Mkambati, many new opportunities arose around access to, and use of resources. These opportunities are framed as mental models so that whereas in the past the people held a shared mental model, now they differ among themselves according to their preference for access to, and use of resources. It is suggested that, if not managed, opportunistic behaviour could lead to the privatization of resources and an erosion of the present common property regime and a weakening of a community social capital. On this understanding it is prudent for the community of Mkambati to instil a new shared mental model that will enable this community to use relational connectedness and relational capital to enhance collaborative behaviour necessary for the community’s realization of opportunities associated with the return of common property through land restitution. This study highlights the importance of understanding the role of mental models in sustaining social capital and directing collective action. This study suggests that particularly in the context of common property, explicit attention should be given to understanding the diversity of mental models held by stakeholders, and to a process that constructs and sustains a strategic shared mental model. This is because mental models are perceived to provide a foundation for social learning which is necessary to sustain social capital that promotes collective action within the community.
Memory, nostalgia and reality: a socio-historical perspective of the Grey Street complex.
(2016) Sharma, Tashmica.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Urban restructuring has become a challenge experienced in every region, modifying both the fabric and forms of cities, and is driven by political and economic forces. Major consequences include socio-spatial, cultural, and economic variations in the urban landscape. Consequently, lived experiences in historic urban environments are lost, and can only be traced in the memories of its former residents. Although the identity of a city (with its urban morphology) is merely history once it is altered, the place-relationship remains perpetual and preserved in the emotional memories of citizens. The South African experience has been no different, especially with regard to forced displacement and relocation of established communities. The aim of this dissertation is to assess the rise and decline of the Grey Street Complex during the apartheid era. More specifically, the study presents an historical background to the Grey Street complex; assesses the impact of the Group Areas zoning on this precinct; and analyzes role of culture, memory and nostalgia in influencing the historical connection of former and current residents to this quarter. This research has employed a case study approach and a variety of qualitative methods, including interviews and documentary analysis. This precinct (currently renamed after Dr. Yususf Dadoo, an anti-apartheid activist) formed the node where many indentured and passenger Indians, in Natal, established cultural bodies, educational institutions and commercial enterprises since the late nineteenth century. Often called “home away from home” for former Grey Street residents, this complex encapsulated a rich cultural ambience (religious, educational and recreational). Sadly, the uncertainty relating to Group Areas zoning, led to the decline of the Grey Street complex, which was perpetuated in the post-apartheid era. It is evident that the community of this precinct still share a spatial connection with the Grey Street Complex as they recall from memory common events, similar experiences at particular locations in the precinct, and a shared yearning and nostalgic sentiment based on their mnemonic attachments.
Motivations to engage in dark tourism : the case of selected sites in South Africa.
(2017) Nhlabathi, Sibonakaliso Shadrack.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
The aim of this study was to understand motivations to visit dark tourism sites, particularly, in South Africa and generally internationally. Dark tourism or tourism to places associated with death, pain and suffering is relatively new and under researched. Although dark tourism literature is growing, there was still some uncertainty in academic circles about its theorisation and conceptualisation. Some have argued that dark tourism was just branding in a competitive academic landscape. Touring places associated with dark events started back in the Middle Ages, however, since the last quarter of the 20th century there had been a notable increase in the organisation of tourism to dark attractions. The negative sightseeing concept appeared to be the first concept to be used in the 1970s to characterise this form of tourism. However, meaningful scholarly endeavour to understand this phenomenon emerged in the 1990s. The concepts that emerged during this time to dominate theorisation of dark tourism are thanatopsis (contemplation of death), and intimations of postmodernity from which the dark tourism concept emerged. The dark tourism concept has become popular in literature. Some of the other terms which have been used to describe tours to places associated with dark events and to describe sites of that nature are: black spots tourism, assassination sites tourism, dissonant tourism, morbid tourism, disaster tourism, conflict tourism, poverty tourism, slum tourism, landscapes of violent tragedy, and, geographies of trauma. This study was conducted at three sites in South Africa: the Robben Island Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum, and the Apartheid Museum. This study was concerned with a deeper understanding of tourists’ motives to engage in dark tourism in general, and to tour the research sites in particular. Further this study explored how tourists and curators (of the museums, the research sites) interpreted them. The research adopted a qualitative research approach which stressed social interaction, social construction, and the creation of meaning. Qualitative research approach is a major tool in the pursuit for a deeper and broader understanding of the meanings of events, activities, situations and actions of research participants. This study revealed that visitors toured dark tourism sites intentionally in order to: pay homage to the victims of difficult pasts; learn, especially history; remember victims of difficult pasts; pay homage to Nelson Mandela, and connect with South Africa’s political struggles. Visitors also toured the dark tourism sites because they were in bigger trips which also involved visiting nature reserves. Tourists labelled visits to nature reserves as safaris; finally, visits were motivated by curiosity and desire to know. This study found that the following intermediaries played important roles in influencing visits to dark tourism sites: tour operators; educational institutions in the USA; television, internet, and social media; TripAdvisor; Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom; and friends. This study also found that tourists who toured as a couple, it is usually women spouses who normally initiate the trips. Curators presented the research sites as places where people learned about: past injustices, prejudice, and suffering. Curators further hoped that visits to the research sites would touch visitors intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Visitors interpreted dark tourism sites as: educational and cultural places; sometimes gloomy and emotional, but still educational sites; and, also as special places, sites of freedom, sites of empowerment, and, as shrines. Tourists were generally positive about sites, however, some hoped for platforms that facilitated interactivity as opposed to passive reception of information. This study also found that some tourists had some issues relating to the organisation of the tours to the Robben Island Museum. This study divided recommendations concerning policy and management of the research sites into: recommendations directed to the Government and recommendations directed to the three sites of this study. With respect to the Government this study recommended that wild-life be protected by all means because it is the main draw card for international tourists. This study also recommended that the South African and the Zimbabwean governments cooperate in matters of tourism. This should be so because most tourists combined visits to South Africa with visits to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe which visitors described as safaris. With regards to the three study sites, this study made recommendations that if the research sites wished to attract more tourists, they might consider doing the following: work with tour operators; make use of social media (face book); and integrate the concept of active visitor engagement mostly for purposes of attracting younger visitors. This study also recommended that the Robben Island Museum should revisit their idea of the Museum tourism experience because a few visitors voiced some concerns regarding the organisation of the tours.
The plight of street children : the case of Dar es Salaam.
(2006) Muikila, Charles J.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
This thesis examines the plight of street children in Dar es Salaam. Common features that characterize street children worldwide, especially the way they are viewed in the eyes of the public, law enforcement agencies and the authorities, were explored. The main causes of street children phenomenon in Dar es Salaam were examined with specific emphasis on poverty, abuse, urbanization and the effects of HIV/AIDS. The strategies employed by the children in order to cope with their predicament both physically and emotionally were examined. The problems that street children face in terms of their interaction with the public, especially the law enforcement agencies as well as service providers, were also discussed. While government policies advocating the rights of children are in place, there were reports of street children being treated unfairly particularly being denied their right to participate in matters that impact their lives and widespread victimization was also reported in the name of 'cleaning up' the urban areas.
The politics of megaprojects : assessing the socio-spatial and environmental impacts of the proposed dig-out port in south Durban.
(2017) Mpungose, Aubrey.; Maharaj, Bridgemohan.
Megaprojects are continuing to transform urban landscapes, and take the form of large development projects such as railways, bridges, ports, dams, shopping malls and iconic skyscrapers. For cities, megaprojects act as marketing and branding strategies, promoting the neoliberal quest to be internationally competitive as spaces of investments, consumption and tourism. Adopting a case study approach, and drawing from qualitative and quantitative methods, this study investigates the impacts of one such megaproject, the proposed dig-out port in Durban. Transnet, a railway, port and logistics state-owned company, proposed that the dig-out port should be built at the old Durban International Airport site. Transnet argued that the dig-out port will be a solution to current challenges such as traffic congestion and low turnaround time at the existing port of Durban, while also addressing future demand and supply challenges. By using conceptual approaches such as speculative urbanism and neoliberal urban governance, this study argues that critical issues of participation, impacts such as displacements and environmental costs were ignored during the planning process for the dig-out port. Furthermore, civil society organisations and residents in adjacent zones were not consulted. Similar to many international and national case studies of megaprojects, the proponents of dig-out port overestimated benefits such as economic growth and employment, while undermining critical social and ecological impacts especially in an already environmentally stressed area of South Durban. This study argues that the planning process of the dig-out port reveal the actual existing neoliberalism at the local scale. However, such practices of neoliberalism are varied and are manifested through collaboration between state, municipal and private actors in planning and executing megaprojects.