Magister Artium - MA / In South Africa, poverty engendered by the apartheid regime has long been part of the fabric of the economy. Against this background of social marginalisation, material deprivation and individual vulnerability, tourism has over the years increasingly been mooted as a strategically important and lucrative sector that, if fully explored and exploited, would lead to sustained poverty alleviation in the Republic of South Africa. The central aim of this study was to establish whether tourism as evident in the Spier Tourism model is a sustainable poverty-reduction strategy. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the socio-economic impact of Spier tourism initiatives on its workers (previously disadvantaged individuals) and the local population, to assess the pro-poor tourism practices as implemented by Spier in relation to Rogerson's pro-poor approach, to identify the challenges that Spier is facing in its pro-poor tourism approach with respect to poverty reduction goals, to provide recommendations on how the challenges can be met most effectively and to examine how pro-poor tourism can be promoted and enhanced in South Africa. The study employed both the qualitative and quantitative research designs. Data were collected through different qualitative and quantitative techniques (in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaire). Summary findings indicate that Spier has positively contributed to the socio-economic improvement in the living standards (contribution to livelihood - increased income, enhanced health and food status), through job creation, improved education/healthcare, empowerment through training and skill development, investment in the corporate social responsibility. However, Spier is still grappling with challenges such as racial disputes, insufficient income of employees and unqualified staff to mention a few. This study makes several recommendations which are based on the findings. / South Africa

Magister Economicae - MEcon / Livelihoods are essential for poverty alleviation. A poor person’s life cannot be transformed at all if the person has no means of earning a substantial income to sustain daily living. In today’s world many people rely on human capital for livelihoods. This is usually in the form of skills or educational qualifications that permit an individual to find employment. However, not every person is able to get meaningful employment which can generate an income to allow the person to live above the poverty lines. Generating an income from employment is not a livelihoods strategy that is available to many South Africans as the country has high unemployment rates and an economy that is performing poorly. In addition the overspill of institutionalised inequality from the apartheid era has many South Africans living in poverty. The South African government is promoting Small Micro and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMMEs) as a key strategy for job creation, economic growth for poverty alleviation and a reduction in inequalities. Many poor people in urban areas adopt micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy. The research assessed the impact of micro enterprises on the livelihoods of low income households in Khayelitsha. The objectives of the research were; (a) to determine the impact that micro enterprises have on the livelihoods of low income households; (b) to ascertain how low income households identify micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy; (c) to identify how household assets were allocated to livelihoods strategies; (d) to determine how low income households operate micro enterprises; and (e) to identify challenges faced by low income households in earning a livelihood through micro enterprises. A qualitative research design was used for the study because the aims of the research were to get an insight as to how people’s lives had transformed by adopting micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy. To this end, in-depth interviews and observation data collection methods were employed. A study sample of 22 participants was drawn using non-probability sampling. Grounded theory was used for data analysis. Coded data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet which was used to generate graphs and tables. The findings indicate that micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy have a positive impact on the livelihoods of many households in Khayelitsha. The impact is more significant because many households who engage in micro enterprises do not have other options for livelihoods strategies. Furthermore, many households reported to be better off operating a micro enterprise rather than being employed. Some households reported dissatisfaction with micro enterprises because they could not determine beforehand how much income would be generated making it difficult to plan monthly household expenditure. None the less micro enterprises enabled households to provide shelter, food, education for children and family members, health care and provision of household furniture. The results also indicate that for many micro enterprise owners the lack of financial capital was the biggest challenge because it prevented capital investment. High competition was also a challenge that a few owners were not able to overcome. On the whole the study concluded that micro enterprises are a good livelihoods strategy for the poor and could keep many South Africans above the poverty line.

Illiteracy among black adults in South Africa has reached levels unacceptable for economic development in the country. The problem of illiteracy prevents adults and youth from contributing effectively and meaningfully to the social, economic and political life of the new democratic South Africa. As a result of the political change in South Africa, there is a growing awareness of the need to provide adult basic education and training to everyone who has had very limited schooling because of socio-economic problems – largely attributable to the legacy of apartheid. The goal of the then Government of National Unity was to ensure that all individuals received at least a minimum level of education as a matter of basic human rights as enshrined in the Constitution. The main research problem of the study is, What would be a suitable strategy to alleviate the high rate of illiteracy among blacks in South Africa? From the literature study a mass literacy campaign was particularly identified as a suitable strategy for the alleviation of illiteracy among blacks in South Africa. It was therefore important to provide guidelines, which could facilitate successful implementation of a mass literacy campaign. The research underpinning this study in South Africa has revealed that it is not enough to embark on a mass national literacy campaign to alleviate illiteracy. A campaign, which does not address the social ills characteristically associated with people who are illiterate cannot be termed successful. This study has demonstrated that shortcomings in the formal education system, insufficient state commitment, inadequate funding and a lack of provision of other resources, not enough co-operation and co-ordination amongst the various providers of adult basic education and training and lack of universal primary school education are some of the main causes of illiteracy. These problems cannot be ameliorated by a mass literacy campaign. The high incidence of illiteracy in South Africa calls for a comprehensive approach to the social, economic and civil relationships in the country: the universalisation of primary school education and early childhood development programmes, serious government commitment and strong partnerships would be a good foundation for success. The alleviation of illiteracy requires an iron political will and national mobilisation of the masses to support a mass literacy campaign. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao.pdf: 124408 bytes, checksum: 2dba37d7fab4bd0df712ac4fc58210d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-29 / Brachiaria genus is native of African tropical savannahs. Important pasture species have been found in this genus as Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens and recently the hybrid of Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. The principal form of propagation of this species are seeds and these frequently exhibited dormancy. The objective of these experiments was the evaluate the effect of neutralization of acid scarified seeds of B. brizantha cv. Marandu and Brachiaria cv. Mulato II stored during six months after scarification. Different times of exposition to sulfuric acid were used, followed by neutralization or not with calcium hydroxide after washing. Germination at 7 and 21 days was evaluated (G7 and GT). Dormant remaining Seeds (SRD) were evaluated by tetrazolium test in the seeds that did not germinate after 21 days. Acid scarification by a period ranging between 5 and 15 minutes was efficient to promote the germination of dormant seeds of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, with the best results at 10 minute time of scarification with washing in water alone. Storage for six months was also efficient to dormancy release. Non dormant seed of the hybrid cv. Mulato II exhibited an increase in germination after acid scarification. Neutralization, in this cultivar, was efficient to keep high germination even after six months of storage. / O capim-braquiária é uma gramínea forrageira do gênero Brachiaria originária das savanas tropicais da África, as forrageiras de maior importância são a Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis e b .decumbens e mais recentemente um hibrido a Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. O objetivo dos trabalhos foi avaliar a neutralização da escarificação ácida e seus efeitos sobre o armazenamento de sementes de B. brizantha cv. Marandu hibrido de Brachiaria cv. Mulato II por seis meses após o tratamento. Foram utilizados diferentes tempos de imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico para a escarificação química, seguida, ou não, da neutralização do ácido em água ou em água seguida de hidróxido de cálcio. As avaliações foram feitas através do teste de germinação. Avaliou-se a germinação aos 7 e 21 dias (G7 e GT). As sementes remanescentes dormentes (SRD) foram avaliadas pelo teste de tetrazólio nas sementes que não germinaram após 21 dias. A escarificação com ácido sulfúrico concentrado por períodos variáveis de 5 a 15 minutos foi eficiente em promover a germinação das sementes dormentes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, obtendo melhor resultado como tratamento ácido por 10 minutos aos seis meses de armazenamento, com neutralização do ácido apenas por água. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico em tempos de imersão de até 15 minutos promoveu aumento de germinação. A neutralização com hidróxido de cálcio foi eficiente em manter a germinação elevada após seis meses de armazenamento

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao.pdf: 124408 bytes, checksum: 2dba37d7fab4bd0df712ac4fc58210d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-29 / Brachiaria genus is native of African tropical savannahs. Important pasture species have been found in this genus as Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens and recently the hybrid of Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. The principal form of propagation of this species are seeds and these frequently exhibited dormancy. The objective of these experiments was the evaluate the effect of neutralization of acid scarified seeds of B. brizantha cv. Marandu and Brachiaria cv. Mulato II stored during six months after scarification. Different times of exposition to sulfuric acid were used, followed by neutralization or not with calcium hydroxide after washing. Germination at 7 and 21 days was evaluated (G7 and GT). Dormant remaining Seeds (SRD) were evaluated by tetrazolium test in the seeds that did not germinate after 21 days. Acid scarification by a period ranging between 5 and 15 minutes was efficient to promote the germination of dormant seeds of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, with the best results at 10 minute time of scarification with washing in water alone. Storage for six months was also efficient to dormancy release. Non dormant seed of the hybrid cv. Mulato II exhibited an increase in germination after acid scarification. Neutralization, in this cultivar, was efficient to keep high germination even after six months of storage. / O capim-braquiária é uma gramínea forrageira do gênero Brachiaria originária das savanas tropicais da África, as forrageiras de maior importância são a Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis e b .decumbens e mais recentemente um hibrido a Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. O objetivo dos trabalhos foi avaliar a neutralização da escarificação ácida e seus efeitos sobre o armazenamento de sementes de B. brizantha cv. Marandu hibrido de Brachiaria cv. Mulato II por seis meses após o tratamento. Foram utilizados diferentes tempos de imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico para a escarificação química, seguida, ou não, da neutralização do ácido em água ou em água seguida de hidróxido de cálcio. As avaliações foram feitas através do teste de germinação. Avaliou-se a germinação aos 7 e 21 dias (G7 e GT). As sementes remanescentes dormentes (SRD) foram avaliadas pelo teste de tetrazólio nas sementes que não germinaram após 21 dias. A escarificação com ácido sulfúrico concentrado por períodos variáveis de 5 a 15 minutos foi eficiente em promover a germinação das sementes dormentes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, obtendo melhor resultado como tratamento ácido por 10 minutos aos seis meses de armazenamento, com neutralização do ácido apenas por água. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico em tempos de imersão de até 15 minutos promoveu aumento de germinação. A neutralização com hidróxido de cálcio foi eficiente em manter a germinação elevada após seis meses de armazenamento

Thesis (M.Dev) --University of Limpopo, 2010. / This study focuses on the poverty alleviation projects established in Fetakgomo Municipality which forms part of the Sekhukhune District in the Limpopo Province. The aim is to assess whether or not these projects are sustainable. The objectives of the study are: to find out how the projects are designed and implemented; to examine project resources used for sustainability; to establish the extent of the benefits which members derive from the projects and to recommend measures which could improve the manner in which the projects are managed. Sustainability concept is seeking more attention throughout the world today. Sustainable development is crucial if the world hopes to use the natural resources in a manner that future generations will also have these resources to fulfil their own demands. This study focuses on the assessment of the sustainability of Poverty Alleviation Projects because they play an important role in job creation and provide food security. It is, therefore, imperative to assess the sustainability of these projects. Furthermore it is important to promote awareness and implementation of sustainable development. The consequences of unsustainable development have a social, economical and environmental negative impact. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires, and interviews. The findings in the study indicate that most poverty alleviation projects are not sustainable. Sustainability and sustainable development need skilled and well trained project coordinators. Most projects are managed by unskilled or semi skilled project co-ordinators because there is no proper recruitment of these coordinators. Furthermore there are no properly trained Financial Officers who can manage the finance and donations of the projects effectively and efficiently. Some of the projects do not have a Financial Officer (treasurer) whereby every project member is responsible for the collection of the money for the sales. The level of education of most project members is low, some of them are illiterate. Crime is another challenge as most projects do not have security. Some of the agricultural implements and projects properties are stolen. Water shortage is another challenge faced by most projects in Fetakgomo. Naturally the area is hot and dry. There is not even a single dam, except Flag Boshielo which is in Makhuduthamaga Municipality. 4 Other findings include poor road infrastructure which makes marketing difficult because of inaccessible roads. Funding for the projects is limited as well as shortage of agricultural extension officers. In conclusion an integrated developmental strategy is needed if the government hope to promote sustainable development. Sustainability of the Poverty Alleviation Projects remains a challenge in Fetakgomo Municipality.

Thesis (M. A. ( Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014. / Land reform is one of the heavily contested issues the world over as reflected in the literature discussion. It is an indisputable fact that land is crucial for human survival across cultures, races, gender, and beliefs. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of land reform on poverty alleviation in Zimbabwe, Mwenezi district in Chikomati and Dungwe villages. The problem which was under investigation was, ‘why is poverty seemed not to be alleviated/reduced despite the era of land reform?’ The impact of land reform on poverty alleviation was pointed out. The respondents were selected through snowballing (one potential respondent leads to the other respondent) and the data was collected through focus group discussions. The analysis was done through thematic analysis. The research found out that land reform alone cannot alleviate the expected fraction of poverty in any country in general and Zimbabwe in particular. There is need for all sectors of the economy to join hands in order to alleviate poverty, for example, education, health, agriculture, finance, and many more. Swathes of land alone had proved that it is not enough to reduce poverty unless underpinned with other sectors. Rapid reforms are needed in social, economic, and political spheres in order for land reform programme to deliver positive results to the beneficiaries and the whole economy at large. Facts on the ground in Zimbabwe are that mere distribution of land cannot on its own alleviate poverty, but the fact remains that land reform is an irreplaceable arrow in poverty reduction.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The management of projects has gained an increasing impetus amongst researchers throughout the world in the last decade. Most of the research projects have focused on which extent can lack of resources affect the implementation of projects in developing countries. Little has been said about the relationship between lack of corporate governance and the management of projects for small scale sugar cane farmers. In this study, the researcher focused on the effects of project management on poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods. The study used a mixed method research design which equally employed case study and descriptive approaches. From the quantitative perspective, structured questionnaires were administered, while in the qualitative approach semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Results indicated that the success of projects aimed at poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods is dependent on the successful implementation of project management skills. The research amongst others recommend that training and financial support be prioritised for the community projects to achieve their intended objectives.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The agricultural sector in the Limpopo Province, comprises both commercial and subsistence farming. The smallholder farmers in the province are mainly producing for subsistence purposes and play an important role in poverty alleviation and livelihood creation. These smallholder farmers produce lower quantities of products that are also of low quality. Consequently, their products are rejected in the markets and by processors, and this affects the extent to which they participate in the market. This presents a challenge since the smallholder farming is highly labour intensive and represent the main source of income-generating occupations and a source of economic relief for the majority of people residing in the former homeland areas of the Limpopo Province. This study examined the factors influencing production and market participation among smallholder tomato farmers in Madibong and Manganeng Villages, at Makhuduthamaga Municipality in Greater Sekhukhune District, using the Multiple Linear and the Logistic Regression Models. The Multiple Linear Regression Model was used to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing tomato production among smallholder farmers in the study area. The results of the model indicated that extension access, fertiliser application, marital status, use of agricultural equipment and income from production output significantly influence tomato production among smallholder farmers. The Logistic Regression Model was used to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing market participation among smallholder tomato farmers in the study area. The Logistic Regression results indicated that factors such as educational level, gender of the farmer, farming experience, marital status, and farm size positively and significantly influence market participation while market distance negatively influences market participation among smallholder tomato farmers in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the local municipality invest more in rural adult education in order for the farmers to adopt new farming skills and utilise the market information provided. In addition, the investment in adult education has the potential to contribute to rural development and job creation in the study area. The study recommends that there should be a comprehensive producer support such as input subsidies, that focuses primarily on subsidising smallholder farmers when purchasing production input such as fertilisers and pesticides. / NRF (National Research Foundation)

The presented work deals with the issue of non-pharmacological pain relief in patients with thermal trauma. Burn pain is considered to be one of the worst, unlike common surgical pain due to numerous surgical procedures and often large dressing changes. The basis of pain treatment is pharmacotherapy, but an important part are also non-pharmacological methods that can be applied by nurses. The main goal of the study was to find out which available and easy-to-use non- pharmacological methods of pain relief are the most effective according to burn patients. The partial goals were evaluating the impact of fear and anxiety on pain and the question of whether patients' pain is adequately managed. The author's questionnaire, which was partly based on a survey conducted among the patients themselves, was used for the research. A total of 98.3% of respondents gave a positive evaluation of the adequacy of analgesia. Apart from analgesics, the following methods were then identified as the most effective: undisturbed sleep, relief position, rest, close people visits and interviews with the caring staff. The research confirmed that apart from quality sleep human contact is the most important for pain relief. In addition to relieving pain, it also affects the mental state of patients and helps reduce the...