This thesis examines historical and contemporary artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Kadoma-Chakari, Zimbabwe in order to identify effective strategies to reduce mercury loss and exposure and to increase miners’ incomes by improving gold recoveries. Cyanidation of mercury-rich tailings and the use of nitric acid to leach mercury from cathode sludge and amalgams are identified as significant pathways for losses of mercury into the environment in Zimbabwe. Indirect evidence suggests that as much as 90% of the mercury contained in amalgamation tailings at mills in Kadoma-Chakari is dissolved during passive vat cyanidation. Mercury traps placed after copper amalgamation plates and centrifuges could reduce the amount of mercury subjected to cyanidation, but mercury can be kept out of cyanidation circuits altogether by replacing whole ore amalgamation with vinyl loop carpets. The optimal cyanide concentration for passive vat leaching is between 0.1 to 0.15%. Better management of nitric acid waste solutions can also significantly reduce mercury losses. The current political and socio-economic crisis significantly limits the effectiveness of ASGM programs in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, strategies for more effective management of ASGM interventions are suggested by a review of the history of didactic theatre (Theatre for Development) in Africa. Theatre used as an awareness building tool is exemplified by “Nakai”, a drama produced in Kadoma-Chakari to increase knowledge of the hazards of mercury use. Theatre can also be a means to ensure horizontal communication between donors and project beneficiaries if it is used to stimulate discussions that give communities a real voice in development programs. It is proposed that community participation in project design, implementation and evaluation increases the likelihood of project success and sustainability because community-identified problems and solutions are more realistic than those defined by donors, and because community “buy in” and ownership increases pressure on project administrators to deliver the services communities need.

This paper examines the extent to which the economic gains derived from gum and resin commercialization impact rural livelihood improvement under different resource management regimes in the drylands of Ethiopia and Sudan. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 240 randomly selected small-scale producers in four regions with gradients of resource management regimes. The survey was supplemented by secondary data, group discussions and key informant interviews. In the four regions, gum and resin income contributes to 14%–23% of the small-scale producers’ household income. Absolute income was positively correlated with resource management regime and commercialization level. It was higher from cultivated resources on private lands, followed by regulated access to wild resources. In open-access resources, the producers’ income was the lowest, although accessed by the poor and women. However, dependence on gum and resin was higher in open-access resource areas. Households’ socioeconomic characteristics, resource access, production and marketing variables determining income from gum and resin were identified and their variation across the cases is discussed. Overall, gum and resin commercialization in the study areas play a potential poverty alleviation role as a source of regular income, a safety net, and a means of helping producers move out of poverty.

Across the world, war has been declared against poverty because of its devastating effects on local communities. The world has made a concerted effort to fight the effects of poverty through developmental agencies and regional integration bodies such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organisation (WTO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In an effort to complement the efforts of the above–mentioned agencies and bodies, the South African government has developed its own poverty alleviation strategies, policies, initiatives and Acts that focus primarily on alleviation of poverty on the level of local government. The Constitution of South Africa, 1996 provides the guidelines to several regulations and Acts (such as the Development and Facilitation Act, 67 of 1995, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, and the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998.) that support the alleviation of poverty on the local sphere of government. The Integrated Development Planning programme was formulated and implemented to alleviate poverty at this level. The purpose of this study was to determine how the level of poverty within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality could be alleviated through effective integrated development planning. A quantitative approach was followed because the target population response rate was expected to be large. In addition, the research design for this study included a literature review, analyses of official documents, observation and data sampling through questionnaires and scientific analysis of the responses. The study found that IDP objectives aligned to service delivery targets were unclear and did not depict the aspirations and needs of the community. The programmes aimed at the infrastructure coupled with skills development programmes and job creation initiatives could assist in the alleviation of poverty. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This dissertation studies the role of clothing manufacturing co-operatives in job creation and poverty alleviation in Sharpeville. Ttie study focuses on three areas, namely, the theories of unemployment, poverty and clothing manufacturing, the state of unemployment and poverty in Sharpeville and clothing manufacturing co-operatives as one of the contributors to the solution to unemployment and poverty. Unemployment is identified, among others, as a major determinant of poverty; therefore, the main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should focus on employment creation. The clothing industry being the most labour-intensive industry in South Africa with low capital entry requirement creates opportunities for entrepreneurially driven employment creation in Sharpeville. The approach in the dissertation was to define and measure unemployment and poverty and determine the profile of the poor in Sharpeville. This is done by employing household-level indicators. For measuring poverty the following tools are used: the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) as poverty line, the, headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. Unemployment is also used to determine poverty levels. The dissertation shows that Sharpeville experiences high unemployment rates and low levels of poverty based on the indicators employed. Compared to Bophelong, most indicators (except for unemployment) show that Sharpeville is better off. Comparing the operations of clothing businesses in Sharpeville and Mitchell's Plain, the dissertation shows that clothing manufacturing has the potential to create job opportunities in Sharpeville if assistance could be offered. Assuming that assistance is offered to form clothing manufacturing cooperatives. The dissertation shows that 374 jobs could be created and that the unemployment rate could decrease from 59.2 percent to 52.9 percent. The expenditure of the whole population of Sharpeville on clothing (also considering nearby communities) shows a potential big market for clothing manufacturing co-operatives in the township. At an average income of R600 per month the impact will be that the poverty rate will be reduced from 43.1 percent to 40.8 percent and at an average income of R1 500 the impact will be that the poverty rate decrease from 43.1 percent to 39.1 percent. Finally, the dissertation concludes that clothing manufacturing co-operatives can indeed create job opportunities and alleviate poverty, but assistance from different structures is needed. The dissertation suggests major support systems like involvement by industry and training institutions, the formation of associations working directly with operators, the addressing of the problem of geographic location of service providers and government involvement. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

This dissertation studies the role of education and training in job creation and poverty alleviation in the Sicelo Township. The study focuses on three areas, namely, unemployment, poverty and education and training. The actual state of unemployment and poverty in Sicelo is determined and the role of education and training in solving the problems of unemployment and poverty is discussed. Unemployment is identified, amongst others, as a major determinant of poverty. The main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should therefore focus on employment creation. Education and training is found to be important in labour force participation, finding employment and, therefore, in alleviating poverty. Across both genders, individuals with a low level of education have less chance of finding employment than those with a higher level. Both unemployment and poverty is measured and a profile of the poor in Sicelo is given in terms of several household-level indicators. To measure poverty, the following tools are used: the household subsistence level (HSL) as poverty line, the headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. The dissertation shows that Sicelo, compared to Bophelong, experiences lower unemployment rates as well as lower levels of poverty. Most of the indicators show that households in Sicelo are better off than Bophelong. From the analysis it is clear that a high percentage of the poor population have only a primary or incomplete secondary education, which could therefore imply that the lack of education (especially higher education) is a contributing factor to unemployment and poverty in Sicelo. Hence this study shows that access to education is clearly a key component, not only for human resource development, but also of an individual's ability to cope with modern living and to benefit from available opportunities. The unemployment rate amongst the poor was determined at 61.7 percent for Sicelo and the number of poor unemployed persons estimated at 908. If the poor unemployed with skills could be assisted in acquiring further training in the same field in which they already have skills, job opportunities could possibly be found in catering, retail trade, building construction, sewing and welding. Assuming that jobs for all 908 unemployed poor persons in Sicelo could be created at an average monthly income of R600 per month, the impact on the Sicelo community would be that the headcount index would be reduced from 0.50 to 0.23 and the poverty gap index from 0.37 to 0.22. This implies that the percentage of households below their poverty lines would be reduced from the present 50 percent to only 23 percent, and the average shortfall in income of the poor households would be reduced from 37 percent to 22 percent. More training and/or higher qualifications may lead to an increase in the average income, which will result in the reduction of the headcount index. Finally, the dissertation concludes that investing in education and training indeed can create job opportunities and reduce unemployment. This conclusion was drawn from the contention that uneducated individuals have fewer employment opportunities than their educated counterparts. Educated people have also a higher income earning potential, and are better able to improve the quality of their lives. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

This dissertation studies the social cost of pollution in Leitrirn, which is a township in the Vaal Triangle area. Policies and technologies that may be implemented to reduce pollution inc poor communities are also discussed. The study focuses on three areas namely pollution unemployment and poverty. Leitrim experiences a high rate of both unemployment and poverty. Residents in this area also experience high levels of pollution. Compared to Rathanda township which is more rural. Leitrim is worse off in terms of unemployment poverty and pollution. Unemployment is a major determinant of povert in Leitrim. The main component of a policy aimed at alleviating poverty in Leitrim should therefore focus on employment creation. Unemployment and poverty are defined and measured in this dissertation and the poor in Leitrim are profiled in terms of their gender qualification employment, unemployment and their spending methods. For measuring poverty the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) is used as poverty line to determine the headcount index and the poverty gap. Pollution is identified as one the factors which affect the wellbeing of the poor negatively. Reducing the k\el pollution will therefore also reduce the depth of poverty in poor communities. This dissertation focuses on the following types of pollution: land-based pollution (littering), dust pollution, noise pollution and air (indoor smoke pollution & air pollution from coal fire) pollution. Alternative technologies such as BM implemented in full scale can reduce the level of air pollution by more that 50 percent. It will also reduce the monthly household expenditure of poor households on coal by at least J.5 percent. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

This dissertation studies the role of clothing manufacturing co-operatives in job creation and poverty alleviation in Sharpeville. Ttie study focuses on three areas, namely, the theories of unemployment, poverty and clothing manufacturing, the state of unemployment and poverty in Sharpeville and clothing manufacturing co-operatives as one of the contributors to the solution to unemployment and poverty. Unemployment is identified, among others, as a major determinant of poverty; therefore, the main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should focus on employment creation. The clothing industry being the most labour-intensive industry in South Africa with low capital entry requirement creates opportunities for entrepreneurially driven employment creation in Sharpeville. The approach in the dissertation was to define and measure unemployment and poverty and determine the profile of the poor in Sharpeville. This is done by employing household-level indicators. For measuring poverty the following tools are used: the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) as poverty line, the, headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. Unemployment is also used to determine poverty levels. The dissertation shows that Sharpeville experiences high unemployment rates and low levels of poverty based on the indicators employed. Compared to Bophelong, most indicators (except for unemployment) show that Sharpeville is better off. Comparing the operations of clothing businesses in Sharpeville and Mitchell's Plain, the dissertation shows that clothing manufacturing has the potential to create job opportunities in Sharpeville if assistance could be offered. Assuming that assistance is offered to form clothing manufacturing cooperatives. The dissertation shows that 374 jobs could be created and that the unemployment rate could decrease from 59.2 percent to 52.9 percent. The expenditure of the whole population of Sharpeville on clothing (also considering nearby communities) shows a potential big market for clothing manufacturing co-operatives in the township. At an average income of R600 per month the impact will be that the poverty rate will be reduced from 43.1 percent to 40.8 percent and at an average income of R1 500 the impact will be that the poverty rate decrease from 43.1 percent to 39.1 percent. Finally, the dissertation concludes that clothing manufacturing co-operatives can indeed create job opportunities and alleviate poverty, but assistance from different structures is needed. The dissertation suggests major support systems like involvement by industry and training institutions, the formation of associations working directly with operators, the addressing of the problem of geographic location of service providers and government involvement. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

This dissertation studies the role of education and training in job creation and poverty alleviation in the Sicelo Township. The study focuses on three areas, namely, unemployment, poverty and education and training. The actual state of unemployment and poverty in Sicelo is determined and the role of education and training in solving the problems of unemployment and poverty is discussed. Unemployment is identified, amongst others, as a major determinant of poverty. The main component of any policy aimed at eradicating poverty should therefore focus on employment creation. Education and training is found to be important in labour force participation, finding employment and, therefore, in alleviating poverty. Across both genders, individuals with a low level of education have less chance of finding employment than those with a higher level. Both unemployment and poverty is measured and a profile of the poor in Sicelo is given in terms of several household-level indicators. To measure poverty, the following tools are used: the household subsistence level (HSL) as poverty line, the headcount index, the poverty gap and the dependency ratio. The dissertation shows that Sicelo, compared to Bophelong, experiences lower unemployment rates as well as lower levels of poverty. Most of the indicators show that households in Sicelo are better off than Bophelong. From the analysis it is clear that a high percentage of the poor population have only a primary or incomplete secondary education, which could therefore imply that the lack of education (especially higher education) is a contributing factor to unemployment and poverty in Sicelo. Hence this study shows that access to education is clearly a key component, not only for human resource development, but also of an individual's ability to cope with modern living and to benefit from available opportunities. The unemployment rate amongst the poor was determined at 61.7 percent for Sicelo and the number of poor unemployed persons estimated at 908. If the poor unemployed with skills could be assisted in acquiring further training in the same field in which they already have skills, job opportunities could possibly be found in catering, retail trade, building construction, sewing and welding. Assuming that jobs for all 908 unemployed poor persons in Sicelo could be created at an average monthly income of R600 per month, the impact on the Sicelo community would be that the headcount index would be reduced from 0.50 to 0.23 and the poverty gap index from 0.37 to 0.22. This implies that the percentage of households below their poverty lines would be reduced from the present 50 percent to only 23 percent, and the average shortfall in income of the poor households would be reduced from 37 percent to 22 percent. More training and/or higher qualifications may lead to an increase in the average income, which will result in the reduction of the headcount index. Finally, the dissertation concludes that investing in education and training indeed can create job opportunities and reduce unemployment. This conclusion was drawn from the contention that uneducated individuals have fewer employment opportunities than their educated counterparts. Educated people have also a higher income earning potential, and are better able to improve the quality of their lives. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

This dissertation studies the social cost of pollution in Leitrirn, which is a township in the Vaal Triangle area. Policies and technologies that may be implemented to reduce pollution inc poor communities are also discussed. The study focuses on three areas namely pollution unemployment and poverty. Leitrim experiences a high rate of both unemployment and poverty. Residents in this area also experience high levels of pollution. Compared to Rathanda township which is more rural. Leitrim is worse off in terms of unemployment poverty and pollution. Unemployment is a major determinant of povert in Leitrim. The main component of a policy aimed at alleviating poverty in Leitrim should therefore focus on employment creation. Unemployment and poverty are defined and measured in this dissertation and the poor in Leitrim are profiled in terms of their gender qualification employment, unemployment and their spending methods. For measuring poverty the Household Subsistence Level (HSL) is used as poverty line to determine the headcount index and the poverty gap. Pollution is identified as one the factors which affect the wellbeing of the poor negatively. Reducing the k\el pollution will therefore also reduce the depth of poverty in poor communities. This dissertation focuses on the following types of pollution: land-based pollution (littering), dust pollution, noise pollution and air (indoor smoke pollution & air pollution from coal fire) pollution. Alternative technologies such as BM implemented in full scale can reduce the level of air pollution by more that 50 percent. It will also reduce the monthly household expenditure of poor households on coal by at least J.5 percent. / Thesis (M.Com. (Economics))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.