Community Development

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An analysis of emerging relationships in water provision: an analysis of emerging relationships in water provision in South Africa.
(1999) Van de Ruit, Catherine.
South Africa has one of the highest levels of inequality in the world, and the government has attempted to redress extensive material, social and political deprivation. It has been confronted by the tension between the need for rapid delivery of essential services and the aspiration for people-centred development. Limited resources and insufficient capacity have led the state to contract out service provision to the private sector. There has also been a shift toward self-sufficiency which has placed pressure on service users to manage their own development. 'Public-private Partnerships' have come to be a common feature of many development projects. These partnerships must be understood in relation to prevailing conditions within South Africa. Extensive poverty, social turbulence, an unaccountable state bureaucracy particularly in local government, and vested interests which do not support the goals of redistribution envisaged in the constitution all exist. Public-private partnerships are relatively new to South Africa. Four issues were raised about these relationships: Will they lead to the promotion of efficient and effective service delivery? Do they promote good governance? Is there a specific role for NGOs in public-private partnerships and finally what are the conditions for genuine participation by local communities within public-private partnerships? A study of public-private partnerships in the water sector, involved in the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programme was undertaken. A variety of research methods, notably formal and semi-formal interviews and focus group discussions were employed to explore these relationships. Fieldwork was conducted between November 1998 and January 1999. The research involved familiarisation with new South African policy legislation which is set to alter the entire institutional environment. The study also drew upon international literature in order to assess the influence of global changes upon the water sector in South Africa, and also to locate the forms of water service provision within broader theoretical contexts. The key organisations which were investigated, and those which played a role in the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programme were: the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry; the Mvula Trust, a large national non government organisation (NGO); various water committees supported by the Mvula Trust; and the Build, Operate, Train and Transfer (BOTT) consortia, which are joint ventures between the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), private firms and the Mvula Trust. Turning first to the question of the efficiency and effectiveness of public-private partnerships in service delivery, the findings of this study reveal that there are gaps in service delivery in the water sector which are not being filled by public-private partnerships. Poor performance by project managers, cases of exploitation by project and training agents of community organisations, and insufficient accountability (especially on the BOTT projects) towards the water users, are widely in evidence. Key leadership and managerial functions within these ventures are missing. The findings of the study reinforce the need for the state to play an active role in managing and leading public-private partnerships. The second issue concerning the relationship between public-private partnerships and good governance, reflects confusion in state priorities. The Water Services Act stipulates the importance of local government managing water service provision. Yet public-private partnerships currently bypass this level of governance. Turning to the third issue of the role for NGOs in public-private partnerships, it could be argued that like other NGOs in South Africa Mvula has to deal with various contradictions. In many ways it operates as a parastatal, not as an NGO. Mvula is dependent on the state for funding, the recent funding crisis has highlighted the dangers of such reliance upon the state, and Mvula can be criticised for being short sighted and too trusting. It has also meant that Mvula has had to adopt DWAF's policy objectives which differ markedly from those of the Trust. At another level, though, Mvula's ability to introduce innovative approaches to water service delivery and to influence policy on water service delivery proves that there are ways in which state and non-state actors can engage in useful relationships. The debate about participation has also been woven into the discussion about public-private partnerships. The basis for public-private partnerships in South Africa has been that local communities would manage their own development processes. Radical participation has been entrenched both in the constitution of SA and in the goals of the RDP. Yet none of the actors (even the Mvula Trust) promote radical participation. At best a watered down version based on community consultation was applied, although in numerous projects participation was token. For the foreseeable future participation will remain a central element of service delivery. Service providers will have to allocate more resources and time toward supporting community organisations to manage their own development. This in tum will increase the costs of service delivery. In the long term these functions should be handed over to local government, in order that rural dwellers may concentrate on their livelihoods. The most critical project in the next ten to fifteen years will be to build strong local government. The biggest challenge will be to change the organisational mindset of these presently conservative and weak structures. A theme, which has underpinned this dissertation, has been the debate between efficiency and equity. Questions remain as to whether it was possible to reconcile these perhaps conflicting goals. In essence: was it possible for public-private partnerships to deliver basic services, both speedily and by redistributing resources to the poorest. This research has found that public-private partnerships in the water sector have failed to excel with either of these goals. The Mvula trust is concerned with the participation of the poorest, yet these projects are much slower than the services provided by the BOTT consortia. The BOTT consortia are able to undertake rapid service delivery although there is limited involvement by local communities, which in turn threatens the long-term sustainability of the BOTT projects. The lessons to be learnt from this case study are that privatisation and the contracting out of state services need to be accompanied by the simultaneous development of strong institutions. These include NGOs, CBOs, private contractors and local and national state institutions.
The incorporation of indigenous healers in the fight against HIV/AIDS : an exploratory case study of the collaboration between Izangomas and the formal health system operating through the Valley Trust.
(2002) Ayres, Sherry.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.; Bornstein, Lisa.
The purpose of this study was to get a better sense of what collaborative efforts between the allopathic and indigenous health systems to address HIV/ AIDS look like 'on the ground' with the hope that revealed successes and failures could inform other initiatives. The pilot investigation took the form of a small case study of the Community Health and HIV/AIDS project at the Valley Trust in KwaZulu Natal's Valley of a Thousand Hills where HIV/AIDS collaboration with traditional healers has taken primarily three forms: 1) incorporation in the formal primary health care system as CHWs (TH/CHWs); 2) formal short-term HIV/AIDS training (Trained); and 3) informal second-hand HIV/AIDS training or information sharing (Untrained). The investigation focused primarily on how the indigenous healers' involvement in the Valley Trust's varying training programs affected their knowledge ofthe disease, their engagement in HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention efforts, their treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, and their perception and relationship with the formal medical system. The findings show that collaboration between traditional and formal health services, in the form of the Valley Trust's training, results in 'better' HIV/AIDS work by participating traditional healers through enhanced performance on HIV/AIDS knowledge tests. As indicated by their superior performance on correlating knowledge indices, TH/CHWs engaged in the most effectual community prevention activities of the three groups. Additionally, the TH/CHW group appeared to have the most confidence and experience in treating patients with HIV/AIDS. Additionally as compared to the other two groups, their treatment methods were more varied, induding psycho-spiritual ceremonies, diet, traditional medicinal herbs, and support of biomedical efforts. Given the comparative success of TH/CHWs, it was ironic that only the healers' themselves indicated wanting more izangomas to serve as Community Health Workers. As leaders among participating healers, TH/CHWs were critical to the success of the Valley Trust's collaborative project. The findings of this case study suggest that the nature of the varying trainings offered by the Valley Trust accounted for the primary difference in the effectiveness of the healers' subsequent HIV/AIDS work. The study implies that both the skills-based nature and long-term supervision of the CHW training were instrumental in their superior performance. These findings point to the fact that indigenous healers can not function effectively as extension services without investment in infrastructure development and ongoing support. In terms of the collaboration between biomedical and indigenous health systems operating at the Valley Trust, the primary point of contention between the participating parties was the collaboration's unidirectional referral system (healers would refer patients to the clinic and not vice versa). Discrepancies in the collaborative partners' perceptions of one another, which were revealed in the study, point to the need for greater dialogue and formal linkages between participating groups. A referral system of some content and magnitude appears to be the most critical and pressing issue the new structure needs to address.
Development deficiency in the midst of abundance : indigenous knowledge and development in the communities of Mpembeni and Mdletsheni abutting Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
(2006) Ngubane, Thandi Precious Lindi.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.
The state of the environment in South Africa is deteriorating and the province of KwaZulu-Natal is no exception to the situation. KwaZulu Natal is experiencing soil erosion, has inadequate policies for environmental protection, and current environmental measures lack mass support (Ndimande, 2001 :6). This is so because the beliefs of the past ascribed overpopulation as the main factor for the degradation of the environment and many conservation projects disregarded human needs, rights and dignity. For instance, the establishment of many game reserves meant forced removal and social dislocation of indigenous people (Ngobese and Cock, 1995:17-21). Forced removal and social dislocation in any situation can instigate conflict. Conservation agencies in South Africa, such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), can be very effective in their conservation efforts if they create a platform that allows indigenous knowledgeable communities to participate in the management of protected areas. This participation could be in the form of allowing and encouraging communities abutting protected areas to contribute relevant Indigenous Knowledge (lK) for use to authorities of EKZNW. This effectiveness could be enhanced if the result of community participation will be sustainability in the community. According to Shragge (1993), a community has a heart, and its lifeblood is its authentic culture, its shared experiences of the past and its local ways of doing things (1993:39). Utterances such as the one below by Masuku (1999) do not stand conservation agencies in good stead. ' ...the lack of good understanding of people's way of life by my organizations (EKZNW) in areas that are today recognized as protected areas is occasionally pointed as one of the sources of conflict around conservation issues... (1999: 1), The aim of this study was to explore ways in which EKZNW could position itself to be an integral part of saving the decline of indigenous knowledge, and to nurture and stimulates its production as a starting point towards improving the lives of rural poor communities adjacent to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, with specific reference to communities of Mpembeni and Mdletsheni Traditional Authorities. For the purpose of this research, communities' animal and plant indigenous knowledge was chosen as the yardstick for assessment of contribution that communities can make to biological diversity conservation and development. The choice was informed by an understanding that the diversity of plants and animals provide us with a resilient natural system, which in turn provides a crucial life support system such as purification of air and water. On the other hand, poverty drives the rural poor, who also benefit from this life support system, into poaching and unsustainable resource harvesting. These illegalities, although the only option, play a negative role in the viability and sustainability of biological diversity conservation. Research findings revealed that plant and animal indigenous knowledge is present in the communities, and they face a great challenge that there is no systematic documentation of this knowledge, and its oral transmission is inconsistent. It was through the urgent need dictated by the status quo that this research project was conceived. An attempt was made to tap into this knowledge by conducting a study in the two communities and bring it to the forefront of biological diversity conservation, and into development projects funded through community levy fund by EKZNW, in order to uplift the communities' standard of living.
The participation of women in the preparation and formulation of Local Council budget : a case study of Enseleni Community in uMhlathuze Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2007) Shozi, Dizline Mfanozelwe.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.
This thesis focuses on the participation of women in the preparation and formulation of local council budgets: A case study of the Enseleni Community in uMhlathuze Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. It examines whether or not uMhlathuze municipality enables women to participate in the preparation and formulation of the municipal budget. The questions that this research will be trying to answer are the following: 1. Are women participating in the preparation and formulation of the local council budget, and if so, to what extent? If not, what barriers hinder the participation of women? How can these barriers be removed? 2. What can be done to improve the participation of women in preparation of the local council budget? 3. What structures exist that can enhance the participation of women in the preparation of the local council budget? Through an analysis of data obtained from questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observations this research reveals the following findings: The perceptions of women's role, by both men and women, coupled with women's traditional domestic responsibility impedes their ability to participate. In addition, there is a complex array of factors, which range from financial constraints to institutional cultures, poverty, little knowledge about local government, and gender issues, in addition to the traditionally acknowledged self-denial and lack of confidence, that also hinders participation. The municipality does not target women as an important constituency but rather applies a generic approach to involving the public to comment on the preparation and formulation of the local council budget. There are, however, internal and external avenues for participation. There is an internal process, where women who work in the municipality are involved in the preparation of local council budgets, although most of the women who work in the municipality denied that it really happens. There is also external participation, where women from different organizations and communities, as individuals and ordinary citizens, can participate. The impact and benefit of women's participation in the preparation and formulation of local council budgets ensures that they would, in addition, know about tender opportunities and budget issues and this would create job opportunities and boost women's income. The research revealed that the municipality does not have a gender policy. The municipality needs to be gender sensitive in all respects, including budget issues. A gender policy would ensure that a gender forum and gender desk are established. The research demonstrated that the issue of political parties is critical since they are the ones who nominate more males than females to positions in councils. This results in the numerical dominance of males over females. Over and above this, very few women are elected as ward councillors - a key role, since ward councillors are tasked with driving the programmes of the municipality at ward level. The research depicts a nominal presence of women's organizations at grassroots level in rural areas and townships. Rather, women are organized more specifically to perform activities that are to do with daily living. Finally, this research depicts the need for more robust action to ensure that women participate in the preparation and formulation of the local council budget. It is envisaged that the conclusions drawn and suggested way forward in this study will be translated into an implementation plan which could possibly influence future public participation initiatives in uMhlathuze Municipality.
Student entrepreneurship an inquiry into the challenges faced by University of KwaZulu-Natal graduates.
(2012) Mtero, Kudzai.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.
The number of unemployed young university graduates in South Africa is annually on the rise. This is due to a combination of factors which include a lack of the right skills, work experience, type of qualification, low number of available jobs and other macro-economic factors. Different stakeholders have proposed entrepreneurship as a possible solution to graduate unemployment. This study explores the feasibility of entrepreneurship as a way out of unemployment for jobless graduates. It does this by investigating the perceptions of young graduates of the University of KwaZulu-Natal who are engaged in entrepreneurship in Pietermaritzburg. The qualitative method of interviews is used for data collection. Two major areas of investigation in this study are that of the challenges that graduates encounter in their various business ventures as well as their perceptions about the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education at university. Generally the findings of this study seem to suggest that entrepreneurship, if developed properly, could be one of the solutions to the challenge of graduate unemployment. However a number of factors determine successful entrepreneurship. These include personality traits, intelligence, access to finance, good business management skills, family background as well as the general economic environment. The findings could also generally suggest that, in its current form, entrepreneurship education is not effective enough in producing graduates who are successful in business.
Youth diversion for first time offenders : a view from primary caregivers and family members.
(2012) Els, Marlee Louise.; Hargovan, Hema Keshavlal.
In recent years, youth offending has become the subject of widespread public interest and over the past few decades, various child reform movements have taken place. Child justice reform efforts focus on children’s reintegration into their families and communities and the enhancement of prospects for a crime-free life in the future. It is a system that focuses on holding children responsible through restorative justice approaches. The Child Justice Act (75 of 2008) seeks to achieve this balance by reflecting societal concerns and responding reflectively and proportionately to children in the criminal justice system. The Act is based on restorative justice principles and provides the framework for a criminal justice system specifically geared to deal with youth offenders. Section 2 of the Act makes specific provisions for the diversion of children away from the criminal justice system to suitable reintegrative and rehabilitative diversion programmes. Currently diversion programmes are aimed at the youth, with minimal input required from parents and family members. While much has been written and researched about how dysfunctional families can contribute to children turning to crime, the role of parents and families more generally in preventing repeat offending and misbehaviour is under-researched. There is also a dearth of research on the implementation and outcomes of diversion programmes and more specifically on the role of the family before, during, and after the diversion process. An intriguing issue is how parents of children attending a diversion programme view their child’s offending behaviour, the diversion process itself, their involvement in the process, and ways that can be introduced to improve and/or increase their level of involvement. The study found that the majority of the children benefitted from the programme in terms of positive behaviour change and preventing reoffending. Parents who had supported their children during the course of the programme tended to have better relationships with their children, and were able to sustain the outcomes of the programmes more efficiently. This study concludes by making recommendations in respect of how restorative justice values and principles can be adequately incorporated and enhanced through the participation of all children in conflict with the law in Family Group Conferencing.
The role of food gardens in providing sustainable livelihoods in the Msunduzi Municipality.
(2012) Madlala, Petros Jabulo.; Sithole, Mpilenhle Pearl.
This work examines the notion of food security, how people see and define food security, how institutions and organizational efforts seek to assist people in food security ventures, and whether such ventures can be turned into sustainable livelihoods. The study was predominantly qualitative using a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to determine people’s capabilities and capacities to generate food through food gardens, and the role played by food gardens in providing sustainable livelihoods. Thirty-seven unstructured interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with food garden practitioners, community leaders and development facilitators. The study was done in a rural area of Vulindlela and the peri-urban setting of Imbali Township, both situated in Pietermaritzburg. It was established that irrespective of food availability, and even if nutritious and safe food supplies were adequate and markets were functioning well, food security can still occur, and people can still go hungry if they cannot afford to buy food. The level of education of food garden practitioners was very low, and social grants were the primary source of household income. The respondents defined food security not only in terms of food access and availability, but from the broad perspective of general improvement in their well-being. This includes other factors such as poor health, illiteracy and the lack of access to social services and a state of vulnerability and powerlessness. Access to assets and resources remains a big challenge facing food garden practitioners in the Msunduzi Municipality. Government departments, the business sector and the civil society need to come together to work as a unit in order to speed up service delivery and resource redistribution to the poor in a manner that is effective, efficient and sustainable.
Community-based co-operatives in Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) community (eThekwini Municipality) as an alternative form of economic development : lessons from the Kenyan co-operatives models.
(2013) Bandyambona, Eleazar.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.
Enabling a community with the community based co-operatives for poverty alleviation is a need which has to be given urgent attention. This study examines how community based co-operatives can be an alternative form of economic development in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu area. The objectives of the study were: to investigate the impact of Agricultural and Multipurpose Secondary Co-operatives within the INK (Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu) area of the eThekwini Municipality, which is situated within the province of KwaZulu-Natal, and to draw lessons from the Kenyan co-operative models so as to improve the function of co-operatives within the INK area. A qualitative and quantitative method was used to garner rich information of on how co-operatives operate in INK area and in Kenya give credibility to the sustainable livelihood approach. In this study, the meaning of community development was developed for the understanding of the community's socio-economic life improvement promotion. The study find that despite the important role played by co-operatives worldwide, agricultural co-operatives are experiencing challenges among others lack of access to the land by co-operatives members, lack of access to market, lack of access to finance, lack of knowledge about co-operatives, lack of business skills and lack of infrastructural facilities. Due to these challenges facing co-operatives, the government recommended the eThekwini Municipality and the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Agriculture for funding and other necessaries support to ensure that co-operative development is sustainable in INK. The findings of this study suggest that while the INK Agricultural and Multipurpose Secondary Co-operatives have been there for some time but very little has been done hence the unification of the five associations from the District Farmer's Association in the eThekwini Municipality as a strategy to improve their households' socio-economic situation. Evidence from the Kenyan agricultural co-operatives can be replicated in other developing countries such as South Africa to eradicate failures in the co-operative sector and ensure that they flourish and succeed.
An exploration of the survival strategies of the poor in the Makause community in Primrose (Germiston), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
(2013) Ngonyama, Luyanda George.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.; Witt, Harald Andreas.
Poverty remains a global challenge, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, where there is an increase in the total number of people affected by urban poverty. Despite economic growth and numerous poverty alleviation programmes, the urban poor in South Africa experience high levels of poverty, exacerbated by inequality, unemployment, macroeconomic policies and global politics. The magnitude of poverty is highlighted by poor access to housing, water and sanitation, electricity, health care and education. The latest Census report shows that 13.6 percent of people live in informal settlements in South Africa, 1.3 million households have no access to piped water and 8,242,924 people living in 748,597 households have no toilet at all (Statistics South Africa, 2011). The primarily objective of this study was to understand people’s understanding of poverty in the community of Makause – an informal settlement situated in Primrose (Germiston), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. A purposive sample of 32 participants was selected and field data were collected over a period of two months using in-depth interviews, observations, focus group discussions, documentary reviews and participatory learning and action processes (social maps and ranking). A combination of data collection methods was employed in order to explore different perspectives. This methodology was used to explore poverty and the survival strategies employed by poor urban households in the Makause community within the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. The framework creates space for local people to explore their own views in relation to the conceptualisation of poverty and its impact, and to examine their survival strategies based on available assets in their community. Emerging data illustrate that people’s livelihoods in the community of Makause were adversely affected by forced removals. While the new community of Tsakane was better off in terms of access to basic resources and better quality housing, the people of Makause preferred their informal settlement with its limited resources and services. It was established that, while people were exposed to crime, homelessness, poor health, and a lack of water and sanitation, etc., the community of Makause is physically closer to amenities and job opportunities. Moreover, people have lived in Makause for many years; thus strong social capital exists in the community. Therefore, the case of Makause depicts poverty as a paradox in a context where people have learnt to live with uncertainty and messiness in the eyes of outsiders. This situation depicts poverty as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in a context of vulnerability. The findings further suggest that people resist top-down development even when it is accompanied by the promise of a better life. Active community participation is required to tackle the correlation between underdevelopment and poverty. Overall, the study indicates that perceptions of poverty in Makause relate to a lack of access to basic needs such as proper housing, security, employment and food. The coping strategies adopted by the community reiterate that, despite challenges, people have strengths and assets that can be used to improve their lives. The study concludes that policy reforms and people-centred approaches are required to address systemic poverty.
An analysis of the importance of formal education as migrants' livelihood strategy : a case study of Congolese graduates in Durban.
(2013) Kipili, Kaunda Dieudonne.; Xaba, Thokozani Timothy.
The survival of the majority of refugees in their host countries is characterised by poverty resulting from different sets of vulnerabilities. Formal education/training appears to offer the only opportunity for refugees to improve their survival chances. This study examined formal education/training as a livelihood strategy of Congolese refugees who have graduated in different fields of study in South Africa and are currently living in Durban and what have been its outcomes. This study found that, though formal education/training has the potential to improve the livelihood opportunities of Congolese refugees who graduated in South Africa, by increasing their chances of accessing better pay employment and improving their well-being, it still needs to be strengthened through the protection and promotion of refugees’ rights, a change in public attitude towards refugees and the careful selection of fields of study. In order for formal education/training to effect sustainable positive changes in the lives of respondents, there is also a need to formulate and implement supportive policies and legislations with the view to address specific livelihood challenges pointed out in this study.
Fear of crime, social cohesion and home security systems in post-apartheid South Africa: a case study of Ward 33, Durban.
(2013) Vahed, Yasmeen.; Marks, Monique.
This study investigates the causes of fear of crime amongst residents of Ward 33 in KwaZulu-Natal, and the impact of this fear on their behaviour; the relationship between social cohesion and fear of crime; how residents are trying to make themselves safer in their own homes; and whether these measures are indeed producing feelings of greater safety and security. The research methodology employed for this dissertation is mainly qualitative, in particular the use of storytelling and photographs, which were used as a “canopener” to get respondents to discuss their security choices as well as the choices made by others. The findings indicate that the sources and extent of fear of crime vary amongst residents. Fear of crime emanates from the physical and social environment as well as the kinds of information shared within communities. Embedded within the narratives is a strong association of race with crime, which is deepening divisions in the ward. The findings also question whether greater heterogeneity automatically reduces social cohesion. As far as home security is concerned, the northern part of the ward is generally more affluent and this is reflected in the more diverse security measures adopted by residents. In discussing the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which is based on the idea that crimes are less likely to occur when properties are visible, residents’ attitudes tended to vary according to their respective fear of crime, their financial status, and specific location within the ward. A theme running consistently through the literature and in some of the narratives is the effect of geography on how residents and potential criminals view an area. The regeneration of some parts of the ward and neglect of others shows the differential outcomes when local community members choose whether or not to be proactive and participate in such projects.
Coping with food poverty in cities : the case of urban agriculture in Glen Norah Township in Harare.
(2013) Masvaure, Steven.; Sithole, Mpilenhle Pearl.
Urban agriculture is a common and permanent phenomenon across most African cities. The general trend in urban agriculture is that it is more pronounced among the poor urban households. Poor households often spend more than 60% of their income on food alone. It acts as coping mechanisms to urban poverty. The traditional view of urban agriculture is that it is a temporal activity which has no place in cities. These traditional views emerge from development policies which tried to tailor African countries’ economic development to follow western economic development models. The fact that urban agriculture has been prevalent in African cities before the advent of colonialism shows that instead of viewing it as temporal activity a socio-historical and socio-economic analysis of urban agriculture is necessary to understand the socio-economic mechanisms behind it. The major thrust of this research was to understand the logic behind practising farming in cities. Urban agriculture in this thesis is presented from urban farmers’ perspective. Using data collected and the literature review for this thesis I developed the Urban Livelihoods Coping Model (ULCM). This model acknowledges the fact that the socio-economic conditions and the socio-historical context of Zimbabwe was as a result of the influence of ‘western leaning’ development policies influenced by theoretical framework of modernisation and associated theories. A combination of these theories with cultural factors and the impact of Structural Adjustment Policies resulted in the present situation where urban agriculture plays a critical in the survival of the urban poor as a coping mechanism. The ULCM ascribes the emergence of urban agriculture to necessity, ability and opportunity. Necessity for food emanates from insufficient incomes to purchase food in cities. The ability comes in the form of farming skills transferred from the rural areas to urban areas as households migrate. Opportunity comes in the form of availability of land for cultivation. Increase in poverty in cities will subsequently result in an increase in urban agriculture. It is apparent that without urban agriculture in Glen Norah most of the families will find it difficult to survive. The significance of this study is that it will help in the socio-economic understanding of urban agriculture and how it can be factored into urban planning systems.
Investigating the effectiveness of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programmes in schools : a case of Ntuzuma G-section in Durban.
(2014) Mbatha, Zilungile Pearl.; Marks, Monique.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.
South Africa has a growing number of orphans and other children made vulnerable by the scourge of HIV and AIDS. Like many other countries in Africa and globally, the fight against this pandemic has been ongoing. Not only have there been interventions to stop the spread of the disease and provide education on preventive measures, but the country has the responsibility to take care of the orphans and ensure that their needs are met as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the South African Constitution. Some interventions are mandated by the United Nations’ (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child and other treaties and declarations that are vital to children. The South African government also has its own strategies to deal with the effects of the pandemic. One such initiative is the establishment and funding of school-based programmes for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The study investigated the effectiveness of this programme within three schools in Ntuzuma G-section, which is situated in the eThekwini Region in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed non-probability sampling procedures. Interviews were conducted with the OVC coordinator in the Pinetown district of the Department of Education, principals and OVC coordinators at the three schools, and OVC caregivers/foster parents at home. Guided by Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystems theory of child development, the results of the study suggest that this initiative is not effective in addressing the needs of OVC. It was established that orphans come to schools with psychological and developmental challenges which the programme fails to address. Emerging data suggest a lack of efficient and effective planning, proper allocation of funding and proper monitoring strategies in implementing this programme. The lack of training of OVC coordinators in schools to ensure the effective running of the programme is also cause for concern. They also lack support from the district office to ensure the sustainability of the programme. Hence, while the study acknowledges that such programmes are a worthwhile government initiative centred on the concept of ‘ubuntu’ (humanism), it is also recognised that a lack of proper systems and processes compromise quality service delivery. Without a conducive environment, it becomes challenging for the OVC Coordinators to respond appropriately, particularly because the nutrition programme is not the schools’ traditional role. Based on Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystems theory of child development, it is recognized that the socio-economic challenges associated with the escalating rate of OVC are structural and systemic; hence, schools should collaborate with other social actors such as families, churches, communities, health agencies, non-profit organizations, and government departments to build OVC’s resilience and bring about genuine development. This approach is also likely to result in a paradigm shift in the schools’ OVC programme from institutionalized to community care and support initiatives. Therefore this study recommends policy reforms in the school education system so as to foster and promote partnerships to ultimately enrich the wellbeing of OVC. This should include, inter alia, ongoing monitoring and evaluation and proper liaison between the Department of Education (DoE) and communities to enhance ongoing care and support of OVC. Continuous OVC training and support for educators are also recommended as socio-economic challenges demand that all educators develop a consciousness of social justice. Currently, training support is limited to educators who are OVC coordinators. It is recommended that all educators be properly trained to understand the needs and strengths of OVC for systems strengthening. The study concludes that the OVC programmes in schools are not a panacea for development. To ensure effectiveness, other development actors should come on board to promote people-centred, community-driven development.
Inner city informal traders as key social agents in governing security : an exploration of policing arrangements in Warwick Triangle.
(2014) Mngomezulu, Eugene Sakhile.; Marks, Monique.; Ballard, Richard James.
This dissertation explores the way in which ordinary citizens in Durban take responsibility for security. The study focused on an organisation, Traders Against Crime (TAC) that was formed in 1996 by informal traders in Warwick Triangle in response to multiple safety challenges in the precinct where they trade. It examined the role played by this non-state security formation in generating safety in the Warwick Triangle precinct in the city of Durban. Drawing on the nodal policing mapping framework developed by Benoit Dupont, this dissertation maps out how this security ‘node’ fits within the broader network of nodal security actors in the Warwick Triangle area, and how the relationships between these actors change as a result of context, resources and power relations. The dissertation demonstrates that the TAC has been a central node in the governance of security in the Warwick Triangle area. Indeed, at times, it has been the primary actor, rather than the state police. The dissertation therefore interrogates the mentalities and technologies used by the TAC in its quest to govern security. While there is little doubt that the TAC generated a greater sense of safety in the area, the ways in which they did so were not always considered ‘legitimate’ or even ‘lawful’ by other actors, such as the public police. Despite this, the nodal relationships between the TAC and the public police are complex and somewhat ‘liquid’. The relationships between the various nodal actors can be characterised as both co-operative and competitive, as the various groupings trade-off and exhibit their ‘capitals’ and capacities. While the TAC provides a ‘bottom-up’ policing service, their effectiveness and sustainability is dependent on the response and support of state bodies such as local government and the public police which are neither guaranteed nor consistent. Furthermore, the sustainability of organisations such as the TAC is dependent on the commitment of volunteers, most of whom are struggling to make a living in the informal economy.
The self-provision of micro-credit schemes by women’s group in Chókwè: processes, challenges and outcomes.
(2015) Bambo, Mario Enoque.; Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu Stephen.
The majority of poor people in Mozambique have been excluded from getting loans, even from traditional financial institutions since they do not have valuable assets or credit histories to enable them to be legible from those loans. As a means for facilitating alternative financing, a growing number of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Mozambique have engaged in micro-credit projects in partnership with poor Community Based Groups (CBGs). This allows poor communities to meet some of their basic needs. This dissertation focused on the self-provision of micro-credits by the community grouping from the 4th Neighbourhood in Chókwè district as the selected case study. The aim of this study was to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of micro-credit schemes in alleviating poverty as incorporated with the principles of community development. The study found that the principles of community development are crucial in enhancing the self-provision of micro-credit schemes. The beneficiaries were empowered through small business training to better manage their micro-enterprises. They also participated in the decision-making process since the rules and modalities for the functioning of the micro-credit process and the group administrative structure were established by them. The available local resources enabled a comparative advantage to micro-enterprises process. Although the enterprises run by the beneficiaries are at the micro level, the study found that they are not disassociated with environmental problems. This includes cases such as the destruction of vegetation, erosion of the land and elimination of fish species. The internal and inter district business relations have been favourable to micro-enterprises since the trading partners have equal power relations. The study also found that although the beneficiaries of the micro-credit schemes engaged in the survivalist type of micro-enterprise, they generate an income that satisfies their basic needs in a sustainable manner. Nevertheless, those beneficiaries that ran established fledging micro-enterprises had upwards shift of their household socio-economic status when compared to others. This has resulted in their households to move to horizontal social mobility.
Exploring cultural barriers to the transfer of HIV prevention knowledge from the older to the younger generation in South Africa.
(2016) Ngenda, Jacques Mugeyo.; Shangase, Zifikile Phindile Cleverance.
HIV and AIDS risk behaviour remains a critical health concern for younger generation in South Africa. Sexual debut is the key factor in the vulnerability of younger generation to HIV infection. A study conducted in South Africa revealed that there is emerging evidence to suggest that a small proportion of younger generation have stated having sex before the age of 15 years. It was also highlighted that their older generation are not willing to openly discuss issues related to HIV and sex, which could enhance younger generations’ ability to make responsible decisions in order to minimize high-risk behaviour. Central to this study was to explore cultural barriers that affect the transfer of HIV prevention knowledge from older to younger generation, and suggest ways through which the transfer of HIV prevention knowledge from older to younger generation can be improved. This study made use of a qualitative research approach, and data was collected from 12 participants through the use in-depth interviews. The findings from the study indicated that a large majority of older generation are prevented from talking to younger generation about sex and related topics due to cultural barriers. It was revealed that talking about sex remains a taboo. In addition one of the areas that were repeatedly identified by many participants was that a large percentage of older generation does not seem to be aware on how to approach the younger generation and discusses HIV and AIDS. This implies that the message has not reached young generation. Recommendations for further study on the subject under investigation were provided. The study suggested that with the identified barriers and recommendations at their disposal HIV and AIDS campaigners will improve the lives of younger generation. This study draws the conclusion that more awareness campaigns with regard to culture barriers, sex and HIV are needed.
‘Unshared vision’ : decentralisation in Zimbabwe, a special reference to the Harare City Council.
(2016) Masvaure, Steven.; Hargovan, Hema Keshavlal.; Sithole, M. P.
Decentralisation in most African countries is fraught with problems and failures. A few countries in Africa experienced some successes in their pursuit of decentralisation. Several studies on democratic decentralisation have been conducted in the context of one political party controlling both the central state and the decentralised institution, where it is assumed that there is a concordance of vision between the central state and the local decentralised institution. However, a new context of decentralisation is emerging in the African context with opposition political parties capturing the decentralised institutions; thereby creating a disjuncture in vision between the central state and the decentralised institutions. This thesis examined the impact of shared or unshared vision between the local and central government in the event that there are different political parties controlling the two spheres of government. It also examined how service delivery and public participation plays out in the context of ‘unshared vision’. The location of the study was primarily the City of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, where an opposition political party is in power. The main theoretical framework in this study is critical realism. Primary and secondary data was collected from various sources. Primary data was collected through structured and unstructured interviews with various stakeholders in the City of Harare. The key findings of this thesis are that there is ‘unshared vision’ between the decentralised institutions and the central state. This disjuncture in vision is manifested in various contestations between these two spheres of the state; resulting in political battles being prioritised at the expense of services delivery for the residents of the City of Harare. Consequently, the voices of the citizens have been lost. The disjuncture has also resulted in the prime reason for decentralisation, namely; bringing government closer to the people, not being realised. This study contributes to the broad academic debate on decentralisation in situations where there is unshared vision between the local and central state.
The effects of the political violence of the 1980s and 1990s on the families of the political activists of Kwa-Makhutha, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
(2016) Mlambo, Primrose Sibusisiwe.; Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu Stephen.
The study sought to investigate the effects of political violence on the lives of the former activists and their families at Kwa-Makhutha Township in Kwa-Zulu Natal, in South Africa. Political violence in this study was an instrument used by activists as a defence mechanism to cope with the pain inflicted by the state or the political opposition. The aim of the study was to answer the research questions such as, what does political violence and political struggle mean to the former activists. What was the main reason for getting engaged in the struggle and political violence? At what cost did the former activists engage in political struggle or political violence? These questions were answered by employing research techniques that included individual face-to-face interviews and observation. The study was conducted from the 1st August 2014 to 31st March 2015. The sample of the study consisted of 45 interviewees, 35 males and 10 females, all above the age of 30. Key findings highlighted the negative social and economic effects of political violence on the livelihoods of members of the community. The key issues identified in the study were the lack of infrastructural development and the slow pace of service delivery. The study applied the Relative Depravation and Social Action theories that provided a comprehensive understanding of the reasons why the activists engaged in political violence. The study revealed that despite the government policies that address socio-economic development, people continue to live in abject poverty in previously disadvantaged communities such as Kwa-Makhutha.
Appraising the participation of Khula village communities in Isimangaliso Wetland Park tourism initiatives in South Africa.
(2016) Moloi, Marole Nkosikhona.; Khalema, Ernest Nene.
Tourism is one of South Africa’s major drivers of economic growth, which has been growing over the past decade. As such, South Africa remains focused on developing and expanding tourism etiquette to boost the industry in order to stir up and achieve development growth through it. This research explores the effectiveness of tourism in impacting development by looking one of the most impressive centers of tourism in the country, iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Since South Africa has adopted tourism as a developmental strategy, it tries to maximize on the industry to benefit local communities, and reach out to the poor people within those communities especially in rural areas. Therefore, the research utilizes the understanding of Pro-poor tourism (PPT) to bring out an understanding of how strategies in tourism can be considered for generating benefits for the poor in various communities. Others include, responsible tourism, eco-tourism, community-based tourism and sustainable tourism. Therefore, the South African tourism sector is actively taking an upfront approach to proactively pursue sustainable tourism measures that can quickly accrue much benefits to millions of local people ([mostly] in rural areas), particularly poor people living in and around Tourist Destination Areas (TDAs). However, these strategies may face some challenges in reaching their anticipated targeted goals. The research therefore, investigates the various positive and negative environmental and socio-economic impacts that lie behind tourism that have been imparted onto the surrounding communities/areas of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa.
Factors influencing intimate partner violence among women in Clermont : an exploratory study.
(2017) Hleoheng, Mantsali Eunicia.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.
Like many other countries in the world, South Africa still grapples with women’s subordination in society, which leaves them vulnerable to various forms of abuse. Available literature suggests that while policy and legislative frameworks exist to eliminate intimate partner violence (IPV) in the private and public spheres, women continue to experience abuse in their private lives. Strategies and interventions adopted at a global and national level to address the problem have been too limited in addressing IPV in a systemic manner. Based on this premise, a study located in the critical paradigm was conducted to explore the socio-economic factors that make women encounter abuse in their intimate relationships in Clermont – a township situated within eThekwini metro in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed a qualitative research design. Data collection method included in-depth individual interviews. A non-probability purposive sampling method was adopted to select seven individual interview participants. All participants attend counseling sessions at the shelter for abused women in Clermont. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The poststructuralist feminist approach, which identifies the intersectionality of race, gender, class and ethnicity was used as the theoretical framework to guide the study. Guided by the poststructuralist feminist framework, emerging findings demonstrate that the intersectionality of gender, race, class and ethnicity leave women from poor socio-economic backgrounds more susceptible to IPV. Hence, IPV unfolds in a specific context whereby layers of disadvantage keep women in a deprivation trap, resulting in a vicious cycle of poverty. This observation reiterates that women’s everyday realities are context specific. Against this backdrop, the findings suggest that women’s lived experiences influence how they construct the factors that perpetuate IPV in intimate relationships. Furthermore, it was established that, in most instances, emotional and physical abuse of women is interlinked. Again, a patriarchal system perpetuated oppression of women. Ultimately, emerging findings demonstrate that structural inequalities and socialization of women in Clermont contribute to individual and societal tolerance of IPV, thus perpetuating the subordination of women. Shelters for abused women provide protection; however, they fail to address the structural and systemic nature of IPV. Therefore, women who experience IPV lack long-term support that is offered in a transformative and sustainable manner. To promote the emancipation of women, it is recommended that changes need to occur at three levels: 1) at a personal level - women need to take responsibility for their own liberation through decision-making and unlearning destructive social constructs on what it means to be a normal woman; 2) at a community level - different role players and different institutions (shelters for abused women, police stations, courts and health care centres) should collaborate with communities to address the systemic nature of IPV; 3) through policy reforms, the government should tackle structural inequalities that leave women susceptible to IPV. This would mean developing policies that promote the empowerment of women to understand their human rights and address financial dependence on men, thus eliminating the scourge of IPV.

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