Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The study was conducted to investigate the impact of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme on poverty alleviation in the Muyexe village of Greater Giyani Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The objective of the programme was to alleviate poverty in the village. The researcher collected data in and observed the projects which were being executed there. The methodology involved interviewing community members who are projects beneficiaries of the programme as well as the implementers of the programme. As such, the sample consisted of 33 project beneficiaries, three implementers and six participants from the food security wing of the CRDP. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to explore, describe and understand the nature of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme in poverty alleviation. The study found out that the project beneficiaries do not have skills to mobilize funds from other organisations as they depend on the budget which is specifically earmarked for the community. The same budget is also meant to sustain the infrastructure after the handing over of the programme. The study recommends the re-alignment of the timeframe for the programme to be successfully implemented and for the district departments to be the ones responsible for implementing the programme at the local level. This will also assist the government to implement projects in a longer timeframe and to have implementers who have in-depth knowledge about the area. The CRDP has also changed the livesof the community members from depending on social grants to monthly wage income and they no longer travel long distances for basic services. The food security situation of the households which were participating in the food security project has improved. The study also recommends that the CRDP must be implemented in other areas which are struggling from poverty as the CRDP has alleviated poverty in Muyexe village.

Thesis (LLM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / The world, more especially countries in Africa are battling with the effects of poverty, unemployment and destitution. South Africa is one African country that succumbed to racial inequality brought about by apartheid wherein black people were denied participation into any form of income generating endeavours that would ensure their sustenance. The South African Government after attaining independence in 1994 put in place policies meant to emancipate and empower the Historically Disadvantaged People (HDP). In line with that approach, the government deemed it fit to empower the South African populace through Co-operatives. This study analyses and critiques the Co-operative Banks Act, 40 of 2007 as the focal instrument regulating financial co-operatives in South Africa and its contribution towards economic growth and poverty reduction. The study further exposes some of the imminent challenges experienced in the field of financial co-operatives as far as registration of such cooperatives is concerned. The Act since its inception has only managed to have only two co-operative banks established and the rest of the Co-operative Financial Institutions (CFI’s) are not registered and are operating under an exemption notice. Therefore, this study brings to light some of the challenges leading to the failure to become co-operative banks, and also delves into the act itself to assess whether its provisions are the reason for this ultimate failure to register financial co-operatives. The challenges experienced by financial co-operatives in South Africa would be addressed by drawing lessons from countries such as Kenya and Canada which have managed to establish a strong and vibrant co-operative industry so as to suggest ways in which they may also improve and graduate to become successful Co-operative Banks.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This mini-dissertation articulates the socio-economic challenges faced by South Africans, such as poverty, unemployment and lack of infrastructural development. The mini- dissertation establishes that tourism is an engine that drives socioeconomic transformation thus elimination poverty, creating employment and bringing about infrastructural development. It highlights tourism law, policies and international instruments that ensure that factors such as environmental protection, travelling, skills development, and so on ensure that tourism is promoted and thrives to transform the lives of historically disadvantaged South Africans. It identifies tourism impediments that stand as obstacles hindering tourism to provide socio-economic transformation and makes a moderate attempt to offer sustainable solutions. It recommends that the Department of Tourism through co-operative governance with other organs of state should strengthen implementation of legislation, institutions and policies vested within its power to ensure that tourism is developed to create employment and alleviate poverty. As a comparative analysis the approaches of Australia and Canada were utilised and useful lessons were drawn from them.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The South African agricultural sector plays an important role in creating jobs, alleviating food insecurity and poverty, and also contributes to exports. Agricultural produce from smallholder farmers is often lost after production due numerous marketing challenges which make it difficult for smallholder farmers to explore full market potentials. This, among other challenges, reduces smallholder farmers’ motivation to participate in formal (commercial) or high-value markets. The study aimed at assessing factors hindering marketing among smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers in the Polokwane Municipality. The objectives of the study were to: identify and describe socio-economic characteristics of smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers; examine the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers; identify factors hindering marketing among smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers and constraints faced by smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers in the study area. Primary data with a sample size of hundred and twenty smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers was used. Descriptive statistics, the Marketing Hindrance Index and Tobit Model were employed as analytical tools to achieve the objectives of the study. Results of data analysis revealed that there are factors hindering marketing among smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers in the Polokwane Municipality. The major factors affecting smallholder farmers are source of water and types of vegetables grown, respectively. From the Tobit Model results, access to credit, access to reliable information about marketing, age, access to storage and farming experience in years were found to be significant. In view of the research findings, the recommendations of this study include: encouraging youth participation in agriculture, improved access to agricultural information and formal market access, improved access to credit and enabling accessibility through the development of better infrastructure in the form of storage facilities.

The poor in South Africa encounter many obstacles that impact negatively on their wellbeing. These include high rates of unemployment and a lack of financial and material resources. The poor living in informal settlements dwell in conditions that have an adverse impact on family health, due to malnutrition and food insecurity. Post 1994, many poverty alleviation programmes, including the Integrated Food and Nutrition Programme (IFNP) sought to improve the lives of the poor. The objective of the IFNP was to address poverty in Kungwini by increasing household food and income to enable poor households to attain a better standard of living. The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether the IFNP had achieved its objective to reduce poverty in Kungwini and whether programme implementation was effective. Social development, a process of planned social change to promote the well-being of the population, including economic development, formed the theoretical base for the research study. Social development aims to link the promotion of human welfare and economic development, and to make development socially relevant. Policies and programmes such as the IFNP aim to enhance people’s welfare and contribute to economic development. The literature study included the impact of global and national poverty on poor households in terms of poverty levels and unemployment. Gender discrimination and the social marginalization of vulnerable groups which include children, the youth, the aged and the disabled poor, social justice for the poor and the gap between the formal and informal sectors informed the research process. The crucial need for collaborative partnerships to address poverty issues is stressed, including the involvement of the poor in policy processes that impact on their wellbeing and the importance of reviewing policy implementation processes through regular programme evaluation. Poverty challenges include skills development for employment; food security; and policy reforms to ensure effective service delivery. Appropriate skills development should be identified in consultation with the poor. It is imperative that policy makers are equipped with adequate policy development skills to develop stakeholder participation. Efficient communication between relevant departments and community organisations will maintain the collaborative partnership. Public policy implementation and project management remain inter-dependent processes. Public poverty policies are based on the specific Department’s focus. Consequently, fragmented services are rendered by various public sectors, targeting the similar beneficiaries. The IFNP is evaluated against essential policy requirements to create an enabling service delivery environment and programme coordination. This includes good governance, transparency, public participation, and sustainable policy implementation. Achieving a balance between effective service delivery; adequate resources, and efficient monitoring and evaluation processes highlight the principles of successful poverty policies. Evaluation research with a combined qualitative and quantitative research approach was utilized to gather data to evaluate the impact of the IFNP to reduce poverty in Kungwini. The collective case study design was used for the qualitative research and data was collected through focus group interviews. A questionnaire was the data collection method for the quantitative research. The research results indicated that the IFNP’s objective to address poverty in Kungwini required interactive participation from relevant departments and community organisations. The collaborative partnership is essential to address poverty effectively. Research findings include the need to equip the poor with relevant skills for the job market, or to develop their own businesses. Youth mentoring is essential to enable the youth to pursue future goals. Small scale farmers should be trained with improved farming methods. Access to financial institutions and trading markets would improve the economic circumstances of the informal sector. Collaborative partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including the poor, would ensure effective service delivery through shared responsibilities. Service delivery should be based on achievable goals and effective communication strategies. Public policy developers require adequate policy development knowledge and policy implementation skills to ensure cost-effective policy processes. The research recommendations indicate that the Integrated Model is more cost effective than the Organizational Model to reduce poverty as it includes stakeholder involvement in policy development and policy advocacy. Maintaining communication between relevant departments and community organizations remain key policy requirements. Ensuring personnel training in practical project management skills is an essential policy necessity. Appropriate skills development should be identified in consultation with the poor. Efficient communication between relevant departments and community organizations will maintain the collaborative partnership. Policy implementation processes should be regularly reviewed to address policy constraints. Personnel training include policy and practical project management skills to ensure transparency and cost-effective service delivery. Addressing policy constraints through alternative policy options will ensure programmes are on track to achieve policy goals and objectives. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This study sought to investigate the role and impact of social security grant on poverty alleviation on a case of Child Support Grant at Mankweng. Child Support Grant is a poverty alleviation mechanism implemented with the aim of exploring new alternative policy options targeting children and families in South Africa. The grant has proven to be successful as it was able to put about 8 million orphans and poor children in the safety net in 2008. However, although the grant has proven to be successful, not all the deserving children receive the grant. Children‟s access to a full measure of security and the basic needs as prescribed in the Bill of Rights remain agitated with problems as the grant‟s extent of coverage due to the limited amount structure does not provide all the basic needs of the children. The study also revealed that majority of participants due to the grant‟s extent of coverage experienced hardships in terms of inflation rate. The participants‟ stressed about the price of goods which is perennially increasing as they are unable to cope with price trends, which led them to adopt the practice of layby. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilised which adopted structured questionnaires and in-person interviews to hear the participants‟ perspective on the impact that Child Support Grant has as a poverty alleviation mechanism on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries as well as the challenges of Child Support Grant‟s administrative system. The study recommended that the Child Support Grant despite its limited amount structure enables people to participate on economic activities wherein they are able to engage in farming activities in that during harvest time they are able to sell their produce to the market like Pick „n Pay and Shoprite though its seasonal.

Rural development is a key policy area in developing countries. Its basic premise boils down to improving the economic well-being and quality of life of rural people. Best practices regarding rural development in developing countries, including Benin, China, Korea and Rwanda, that are known to have been relatively successful in reducing poverty and diversifying the rural economy showed that strong governance, institutional capabilities, active rural communities, and most importantly funding, are all essential for successful rural development. Moreover, land reform and investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education and health play a crucial role in the early stages of rural development. The aim of this study was to examine the concept of rural development as well as policy measures and best practices relating to rural development in order to formulate a rural development strategy for the rural areas of Limpopo Province. To achieve its research objectives, the study used a qualitative research method and secondary data analysis. Before 1995, rural development in South Africa was neglected, resulting in underdevelopment and impoverishment in rural areas. Post-1994, policies for rural development were adopted by the democratic government to improve the economic well-being of people living in rural communities. However, this had thus far limited success as high levels of poverty and inequalities in rural areas still prevails. Those highly affected were rural people in Limpopo Province. In 2018, Limpopo was the most predominantly rural province in South Africa, with over 80% of the population living in rural areas. The study classified Limpopo’s local municipalities into three types of areas, namely predominantly rural area (a local municipality is classified as predominantly rural area if the share of rural population in the local municipal area is above 50%), significantly rural area (that is, a local municipality where the share of rural population in the local area represents between 15% and 49% of the local area’s total population), and predominantly urban area (that is, a local municipality where the share of rural population in the local area is below 15%). Out of 25 local municipalities in Limpopo, 19 were predominantly rural areas, five were significantly rural areas and one was predominantly urban area. Findings show that, in rural areas of Limpopo, there was the prevalence of lower-wage jobs, lower educational attainment, a higher share of low-income households, and more than half of the population depended on government's social grants (including old age grant) and remittances as their income sources. Analysis indicates that educational attainment, household income levels, consumption expenditure and investment tend to be relatively lower, while the unemployment rate is higher, in predominantly rural areas. The economic structure is changing as the share of the primary sector in total Gross Value Added (GVA) is slowly declining, while that of the tertiary sector is gradually increasing. Regarding the contributions to the GVA and employment by sector in predominantly rural areas, agriculture contributed less than 3% to the total GVA, yet it is one of the top employers, contributing 13% of employment. Although mining contributed the most (23,7%) to the total GVA, it only employed 4% of the workforce. To address challenges in rural areas, a rural development strategy for Limpopo Province should contain policy tools that will promote infrastructure development for better access to education, communication, transport, safe water and other basic facilities. It should also encourage capital formation in rural enterprises; promote multi-sectoral development involving reviving agriculture, developing tourism and manufacturing sectors; and promote agro-processing and downstream mineral beneficiation; improve support and access to funding for rural enterprises; and promote the development of the green economy to create decent job opportunities. Access to land and land tenure security are a necessity to stimulate investment needed to accelerate rural development. / Economics / M. Com. (Economics)

This research, with the main focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, was based on data from the literature, and on questionnaire and interview surveys with the main stakeholders: authorities, drug-developers and NGOs/foundations. It revealed the following determinants, which contributed to the occurrence of drug pricing conflicts in Brazil, Thailand and South Africa: governmental constitutional commitments to supply medicines to poor people, the existence of a local pharmaceutical industry capable of producing generic versions of patented medicines and long histories of disease treatment programmes. The research documented the preferred approaches to increase global access to life-saving medicines for the next decade, which were found to be: public-private-partnerships, prevention measures, dedication of >0.5% of GNP to poor countries, and improvement of national healthcare/insurance systems. Those approaches were integrated into a conceptual framework, which could enable country-level organizations to move beyond the conflict mentality via a ¿Public-Private-Partnership for gradual Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Model,¿ (P3S3). Within this framework, rich countries should invest >0.5% of their GNP to help to alleviate poverty in poor countries. With these funds, national governments should implement programmes to expand implementation of disease prevention measures and improve national - 4 - healthcare/insurance systems and the quality of the medicines involved. Public-private-partnerships should act as ¿steering-and-controlling¿ organizations to guide the process and to minimise corruption. As a positive message to all who currently lack access to these medicines, the thesis author¿s conclusion is that the use of this model could help to turn the current unsustainable development policies into sustainable ones, and as a consequence, it would contribute to improvements in the quality of life of millions of people in poor countries. / Tibotec-Virco BVBA