This paper examines the possibility of extending biodiversity conservation onto the communal lands of the Dwesa-Cwebe area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by investigating the natural resource based factors, the community based factors and the external institutions based factors that have contributed to the perceived success in the on-going biodiversity conservation programme in the Nqabara Administrative Area using the qualitative approach to scientific investigation. To accomplish this, this study developed a conceptual framework to unravel the complex community conservation initiative in the Nqabara Administrative Area to gain a good understanding of the factors that have enhanced its successful implementation. The field work lasted the period July, 2009 and March, 2010. The interview sample composed of thirty participants, with sex ratio of 18 males to 12 females. The number of villages under the umbrella name Nqabara Administrative Area is ten, and each village was represented by three people which made our sample’s spatial allocation even. A focus group discussion was adopted as the data collection method; and the underlying factors that have contributed to the success of the conservation initiative were subsequently identified. Appropriate coding was assigned to each distinct and major factor for proper presentation of the results, and observations were appropriately provided to buffer the explanation of the results. The main findings of the study indicate that for success: (a) there is a major need for any community that desires to participate in biodiversity conservation to possess important biodiversity species on their lands, understand the basic principles and demands of engaging in conservation, and have alternative sources of livelihood to reliance on these important biodiversity; (b) it is important to seek for assistance from reliable and relevant external institutions in the form of finance, community training, coordination, regular evaluation, and adequate representation in the decision-making processes at the government level and (c) it is important to have a common interest and goal by a community on the issue of adopting biodiversity conservative initiative, and to what extent it is to be adopted; and reliable members should be appointed as their Trust Board members who will be charged to direct the affairs of the conservation initiative on behalf of the general community and represent their best interest with the government and other concerned external institutions. Based on the foregoing, this study recommends that the Dwesa-Cwebe area should adequately consider and ensure the above-mentioned factors are in place to achieve successful community biodiversity conservation. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

This thesis explores the contribution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural development processes. Within the framework of social capital theory, and in the context of the information society, the study examines how the collaborative and innovative model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) can enhance social networks and information channels in rural communities, thereby enabling the active participation of rural community members in their own development processes. The study examines networks and information channels both within the rural communities under investigation and between these communities and other sectors in the society. The thesis studies the case of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an ICT4D initiative in the Mbashe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During the investigation, four types of networks were identified: local organisations, social institutions, collective community projects and social ties. It was found that the Living Lab has so far influenced the creation of new forms of networks through the common spaces (computer labs) which have been made available by the Living Lab. The study further showed that the use of computers has enabled other community members to partake in the wider community of online/virtual social networks, allowing them to communicate and share information with those outside their own communities. The study also showed that the Living Lab has enabled the networking of these communities with other sectors such as academia. It was, however, found that so far the existence of the Living Lab has not influenced the already existing local networks in these communities. Also, the study showed that the relationship between these rural communities and their government and industry partners as stakeholders in the Living Lab is currently ineffective. Nevertheless, this situation has a potential to change in the future as there are ICT applications which have been developed through collaboration with rural community members, which will assist in enhancing communication between these rural communities and other stakeholders. The study finally revealed that social networks do contribute to the functioning of communities by providing both monetary and social support to community members, even though, in effect, the monetary benefits are somewhat limited by a number of factors. It is revealed that the engagement of ICT could go a long way in improving social and economic activities, governance and service delivery, as well as education in these communities.

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