Browsing by Author "Sithole, Pearl Nthombizethu Phumzile."

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Community gardening as a poverty alleviation strategy in rural areas : Ngcolosi community, Emahlabathini area.
(2011) Mkhize, Mbekezeli Comfort.; Sithole, Pearl Nthombizethu Phumzile.
The study seeks to assess the impact of community gardening in alleviating poverty in a rural area, namely, KwaNgcolosi, Mahlabathini. The community gardening in this study is used as a coping or defence mechanism which is used to eliminate poverty. Further, the study aimed to answer some research questions. These were: what is the significance of community gardening? Are community gardens effective in alleviating poverty in a rural area? What are economic and social benefits? In achieving this goal, the study relied solely on using a quantitative research method – namely, a questionnaire. For convenience purposes, selfadministered questionnaires were used where the researcher filled in the questionnaires for respondents because a majority of respondents could not read and write, and semi-structured focus group interviews along with individual interviews to investigate this from the members of community gardens and other members of the community who do not participate in gardening activities. The existing literature shows that ‘gardening’, regardless of whether it is home or community, has various benefits that often accrue to the farmers. These include, amongst other things, social, economic, and environmental benefits, respectively. Interestingly, the literature has been underpinned and strengthened by the key findings of the research. Indeed, key findings have pinpointed social and economic benefits as the reliable end products of gardening. Not surprisingly, the key findings also identified several weaknesses of community gardening that ultimately dissuade people from entering. Lack of resources, and support from relevant structures were amongst the key weaknesses identified. More strikingly, the lack of cooperation between local councillor and farmers was also key challenge. Similarly, the study applied the sustainable livelihoods theory because it provides a comprehensive understanding of the situations under which poor people live. The sustainable livelihoods theory places strong emphasis on poor rural people and what they often do in order to survive. Furthermore, there are policies in place that have sought to measure access to food. Food security has been used to further determine what it means to be poor. Despite the existing policies such as food security, people continue to be subjected to poverty particularly in rural areas. The study, therefore, aims to show the significance of community gardening in fighting poverty.
Factors affecting purchase decisions of online shopping for clothing.
(2013) Sithole, Pearl Nthombizethu Phumzile.; Singh, Anesh Maniraj.
Online shopping is becoming a popular activity, with consumers seeing the benefits, such as lower prices, and convenience. As much as online shopping is growing, it stands to be tested whether online shopping for clothing is also growing in the world of South African consumers. This study aimed to establish factors affecting consumer purchase decisions for online clothing. Furthermore, this study intended to contribute to Ideals Clothing, in helping them determine whether it would be of value to introduce online shopping. Ideals’ core target market is an African female consumer. The research analysed the factors that influence consumers’ attitudes towards online shopping for clothing within South Africa, giving Ideals insight into the attitude of its potential customers for online shopping. A sample of 191 respondents from Durban and Pietermaritzburg Truevine Community Church members was used to obtain data. Because the respondents were geographically scattered, an electronic questionnaire was used for collecting data. The questionnaire was emailed to 340 respondents via a link to QuestionPro, which is a tool used to collect and analyse data. The sample was made up of 60% females and 40% males, with 95% of the respondents being Africans. The majority of the respondents (82%) did not buy clothing online; the main reasons for which included the fact that they can’t try on garments when buying online. The respondents who bought clothing online enjoyed the benefits that come with shopping online, such as the lower prices and the convenience offered by online shopping. It is recommended that online stores offer cheaper prices than traditional stores, and that they also ensure prompt and free delivery of the clothes purchased. It is also recommended that online stores offer a wide selection of clothes from which to choose, ensuring that the online sites are simple to navigate.