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This is a thesis about the relationship between gender policy and practice in South Africa, and its effects. Gender is a concept widely used in development policy, but little attention has been paid to precisely how development agents use gender policy in their practice. As a result, we know little about the significance or meanings practitioners attribute to gender policy, or how development actors adapt, transform or manipulate gender policy in their everyday work. Gaps in knowledge about how gender policy is put into practice in specific contexts have led to gaps in knowledge about what effects gender policy has on the politics of gender. This brings about two aims for this study: (1) to map the relationship between gender and development policy and practice in South Africa, and (2) to explore the effects of gender policy on gender politics. Following a multisite approach, this study looks at gender policy as a collection of ‘contested narratives’ (Shore & Wright 1997) about gender. The findings point to a conflict between three different policy frames being drawn on by policy actors as they try to assert their own understanding of gender, define the ‘problem’ that exists and the policies that are needed to solve it. This conflict may diminish the potential for a collective social movement for gender issues in South Africa. However, practitioners are not powerless implementers of policy, but rather use gender policy strategically in their practice by adopting, transforming and manipulating policy frames in a range of different tactical manoeuvres to suit their own objectives. Identifying the tactical manoeuvres being used by development practitioners in South Africa contributes new understandings of the fragmented ways that an alternative gender politics is currently being advanced by practitioners in this context.

Where do the opportunities for gendered institutional change lay in post conflict transitional states? In particular, what processes explain the transformation of gender roles within traditionally male-dominated sectors such as security? The post-conflict South African State provides the institutional backdrop against which the gender equality gains of women in the security sector are explored. The rare opportunities presented in the transitional context are a key factor in understanding the promises and limits of gendered change within the institutional arena, both in terms of the descriptive and substantive representation of women. This thesis explores the processes of gendered institutional change from a feminist institutional perspective, incorporating a range of normatively nuanced variables that examine the mechanisms by which socially-constructed gender norms are altered within the security sector, situating power at the heart of the contextually driven analysis. The thesis argues that the paths which emerged over the course of the liberation struggle as a result of three key historical legacies enabled a transformation of gender roles and institutional norms with respect to security. Specifically, the intertwined legacies of an equality-based liberation movement, the continuous increase in women’s autonomy, and the legacy of militarisation all contributed to the opening of spaces for women’s strategic action. Through process tracing methodology, the thesis reveals how South African women strategically wielded their power to consolidate gender gains embedded within the foundational documents of the new democratic regime. In so doing, women capitalised on a range of timeous exogenous influences within the broader feminist movement, particularly the global shift towards institutionally-focused gender mainstreaming strategies. The focus on the security sector is viewed as a litmus test for the advancement of gender equality within the institutional structures of South Africa, given the rigidly patriarchal and masculine norms permeating the security arena. Among the contextual considerations which produced openings for the gendering of State security structures was the adoption of the human security paradigm, which called for a holistic, people centred vision of security centred around development and stability. The resulting overhaul of the security sector, and the repositioning of the South African military on the national and regional stage, presented further opportunities for strategic interventions by women to transform the institutional culture of the State security structures. Bolstered by exogenous influences such as innovative regional and international instruments and organisations, a new military culture began emerging in South Africa, with women positioned to play a central role in its development. The manner in which women engaged with this process is a demonstration of the extent to which gendered norms have become entrenched in the institutional structures of the post-conflict South African State, revealing the constraints of inherited structures, and the power of institutional layering in restructuring women’s security roles within the State. The successes and failures of the gendering of the security sector are embodied within the complex case of the arms acquisition. This example is analysed as a “case study within a case study”, and clearly highlights the intersection of the multiple variables discussed in the thesis, revealing the manner in which evolving institutional norms promote and foreclose gendered change, and the implications of the struggle between old and new gendered legacies. The infusion of gendered norms into the security sector is also considered through the perceptions of government and civil society respondents, as an indicator of the “stickiness” of the gender equality rhetoric, and of the progress made towards transforming the masculine domain of the security arena. The unique attributes of the South African case yields insights into the opportunities and constraints of post-conflict institutional change, contributing to the broader feminist institutional literature through the focus on the complex processes of gendered institutional change and continuity within the overlooked security structures of the State.

Thesis (M.Ed.) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / This study is a “description” of a research carried out on the Moletjie Rural Women Club (MRWC) project at the Moletjie (Moshate) village in the Limpopo Province. Moletjie (Moshate) is a rural village found in the Capricorn District under the Polokwane Municipality and it is about twenty (20) kilometers west of the city of Polokwane. In the Polokwane Municipality there are projects for eradicating poverty, eradicating unemployment and for generating income. Some of the incomes generating projects in Polokwane Municipality are Moletjie Matlala Poultry, Thogwaneng People’s Bakery, Moletjie Rural Women Club, and Baitapishi Bricks Making. The researcher decided to do a research to find how the Moletjie Rural Women Club project sustains itself among the income generating projects in Limpopo Province. The findings of this study will contribute towards the realization of factors affecting the sustainability of projects. The following research questions were formulated for this study. Main question  How is the Moletjie Rural Women Club (MRWC) project able to sustain itself? Sub-questions  To what extent is the MRWC project sustainable?  Who are the main role players for the project to sustain itself?  Which are the factors that influence the project to sustain itself? To help the researcher in arriving at some answers to the above-mentioned research questions, he decided to undertake an exploratory and evaluative study. The intention of this study was to evaluate factors affecting the sustainability of income generating projects, particularly at the Moletjie area. The researcher checked the stages of project initiation, planning, execution, control and closing, and finally the researcher realized these stages contribute to the sustainability of projects. During investigation, the researcher realized that if all phases and stages of project implementation could be carried out successfully, then the project would be sustainable. Chapter 1, describes the introduction and background of the study. It outlines the geographical background of the MRWC project and the historical background of South Africa including the ownership of land, provision of health care, education and welfare services. The main aims and objectives of the study were given, as well as the main and sub-guest ions. Chapter 2, describes factors that could be affecting the sustainability of income generating projects in the Limpopo Province. After the preliminary visit and interview with the Moletjie Rural Women (MRWC) project, the following stages and phases that could affect the sustainability of projects were mentioned:  Initiation  Planning  Execution  Control  Closing Chapter 3, describes the instruments used in collecting data from various role players in different phases of data collection. In this chapter there is an explanation of how data was collected from different phases. I outline the importance of having a proposal when doing research work because that helped in research activities. Chapter 4, describes the setting of this study. The chapter outlines the place where the study was undertaken, as well as the description of the project, which is more about the results of my study. The findings started by observing the surrounding and the physical layout of the area where in the project is found. The findings were also based on document review and interviews with the project stakeholders. Factors that could affect the sustainability of projects in the Limpopo Province, specifically to projects in Moletjie area were indicated. The reports on the findings from observation and interview were given. Chapter 5, describes the conclusion and recommendations of this study. The factors that made the MRWC project to sustain itself among the income generating projects in Polokwane and around Moletjie area are mentioned. The recommendations for problems and factors that need to be considered for the sustainability of project were discussed. The recommendations for further research on issues that need to be considered for the sustainability of projects were given.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / The thesis, Gender, Structural Adjustment and Informal Economy Sector Trade in Africa: A Case Study of Women Workers in the Informal Sector of North West Province, South Africa, comprises of five chapters{PRIVATE } CHAPTER 1 is mainly introductory and deals specifically with the general orientation of the study as outlined in the background and problem statement. This chapter presents the motivation for the study, main aim and objectives and the significance of the study. It also deals with methodology and attendant problems. The chapter also addresses stages of research such as research design, population and sampling, data collection techniques, data analysis of this study. Finally the limitations of the study are outlined. CHAPTER 2 comprises the literature background for the study. The literature focuses largely on the theoretical orientation of the study and on the position of women in the economy. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is more general in the sense that it focuses on theorising gender using the gender approach to make a substantive argument. It also focuses on the different definitions of the informal economy sector and the impact of economic reform measures on women in the informal economy sector. This first part further argues the predominance of women in the informal economy sector. Attention in the literature is also focused on women’s employment opportunities in the informal sector and on the marginalization of women through economic reform measures introduced. Such reform measures have been advanced by government means to improve the economy. The second part attempts to illuminate some characteristics of informal work in South Africa. The unit of analysis here is women and their employment or underemployment in the economy. CHAPTER 3 focuses on the effects of macro-economic reform policies on women in the informal economy sector. This chapter discusses the current neo-liberal economic reforms (i.e. Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs); Growth Employment and Redistribution-GEAR) that have been imposed by governments all over Africa and beyond in areas such as Latin America and Asia. The chapter also indicates the negative effects of these on the poor (women in particular) and on why economic reforms have hit women hardest in the mainstream economy and in the informal sector. As a concluding argument and points raised, the chapter argues for alternative policy approaches that could be used as references to means of improving the lot of operators in the informal economy sector, especially with regard to women. The point raised in this chapter is that legislation alone does not change attitudes, traditions, trade relations and power relations. Thus, alternatives from a female perspective are outlined here to position the situation of women in terms of accessing resources in terms of the policy climate in South Africa in particular economically. From this perspective one can understand whether or not there is adequate protection and promotion of women’s rights in the economy. CHAPTER 4 consists of the empirical data for the study. The findings of the study from fieldwork on the impact of neo-liberal GEAR on women in the informal economy sector is reported, analyzed and relevant interpretations are made. The findings in this study are presented as raw totals and in percentages, where useful cross-tabulations are carried out to reflect the relevant data, which influenced the findings.Qualitative data analysis method is used to analyse data from in-depth interviews, audio and visual recordings. The data is coded and variables and their relationships are generated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Key words and phrases are categorised and underlined for the possibility of salient themes and summaries and possible explanatory statements are made. CHAPTER 5 gives a summary of the findings of the study and the implications thereof. A comparative survey of these findings and those discussed in the literature in chapter 2 is made. Finally, a conclusive statement is made and suggestions and recommendations for improving the informal economy sector as a valuable economic entity for women. The conclusion is that the informal economy sector does help to meet the needs of the general low income population while maintaining women’s economic activities to support their families. Thus, change on the thinking and application of socio- economic policies should start by fully refuting the more male oriented economic ideology premise on which current policy approach is based. / Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA)

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / The study entitled The Role of Women’s Economic Contribution in the informal sector of the economy: A case study of women in Mankweng area in the Limpopo Province focuses on the participation of educated women in the Informal Sector of the economy. The participation of women in the economic development has been found to benefit a lot of families headed by women, Black women in particular. In Mankweng, the study found evidence of increased number of women’s participation in the economic development. This mini-thesis is comprised of four chapters. Chapter 1 This chapter is mainly introduction to the study. The chapter includes the problem statement, motivation for the study, aims and objectives and the importance of the study. The chapter also outlines the methodology of the study, the definition of key concepts used in the study and the limitations of the study. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 comprises the literature background for the study. The literature focuses largely on women in the informal sector, their employment opportunities, marginalization in economic activities and constraints on growth that are faced by women in small business enterprises. The literature also reflects on the challenges and limited achievements of women in their respective trading occupations. Chapter 2 looks at the state of women in the economy. The labour market segment theory attempts to explain gender inequalities in employment on the basis that the labour market is compartmentalized. The chapter also looks at the definition of the informal sector. The division of labour and the informal sector focuses on the areas women concentrate in the labour market. Positioning women in the informal sector and the labour market focuses on the role women play in the informal sector. The last part of the chapter deals with the challenges women are faced with and the opportunities available for them in the informal sector. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 focuses on data analysis and interpretation of the findings of the study. The analysis focuses on the respondents’ personal background and their economic activities as recorded during interviews. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 concludes the study by discussing and presenting a summary of the findings of the study and the implications thereof. A conclusive report is made and recommendations for improving the informal sector and for further research are made.