This dissertation looks at the role cities and towns played in the incorporation of Natal into the capitalist world-system. It looks at which urban network came into existence and how this interacted with the development of the economy. It also looks at the cities themselves and how these were the locus of important class and racial struggles. The period that was researched is the second half of the nineteenth century, more concretely from 1837, the year that the voortrekkers crossed the Drakensberg into Natal, to 1899, the year that the Boer War started. The main economic activity in Natal for most of this period was the transit trade. This was also at least partly by default, as commercial settler agriculture was not very successful. This resulted in a pattern of settlement that was characterised by two primate cities, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and very little urban development in most of the countryside. The pattern of settlement also followed the main trade route. The nature of railway development entrenched this pattern by not fostering agricultural development as the railways were mainly built to serve the trade. The dominance of the commercial elites led to policies that were rather beneficial for the merchants than for the settler farmers, the labour and 'native' policy and the railway development illustrate this. By the end of this period things however started to change, the settler elite became more influential and the pattern of settlement started changing. The urban history of colonial Natal also shows that things do not just turn out as they are planned by governments, elites or 'capital'. The ideal of the white city turned out to be impossible to achieve and also providing a large docile, dependent and cheap black labour force was not a straightforward task. The cities offered Africans and Indians plenty of opportunities to eke out an independent existence in or on the fringes of town, which put them in a strong bargaining position. This led the administration to use a wide range of techniques of social engineering, which in the twentieth century evolved into almost complete urban segregation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1985.

This study aimed to investigate the experiences of women living in a rural area who participate in a microfinance programme called SaveAct. Microfinance programmes have been established to assist people, financially, living on a low income. Their primary focus is women because of the high level of poverty amongst them. Microfinance programmes seek to promote entrepreneurship in order for people to start income generating activities and to be more self-sufficient. This initiative intends to empower women by making funds available to them, so that these funds can transform into something more sustainable and help them in improving their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 female participants from the rural areas of Richmond and Obonjaneni, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. A thematic analysis showed that women have experienced some change in their lives, as a result of getting access to funds and participating in SaveAct. Some of these changes included increased personal autonomy, self-confidence and business knowledge. These changes suggest that this sample of women has been empowered despite the backdrop of a patriarchal society. Women felt more in control of their lives and had gained some independence in their homes in terms of contributing to household income. Despite these changes more integrated services are still needed so that both genders are equipped with financial information as it affects the household, so that there is more equality in the household economically. More quality financial services are also needed in rural contexts in order for communities to be more knowledgeable about finances and to build businesses that will feed into the economy in the long term. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

A study into the influence of household and family structure on children in the Chatsworth area with special reference to primary school learners was undertaken. The main objective of the study was to understand the prevailing household/family structure in the Chatsworth area in view of the increasing divorce rate and the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to assess the relationship between household/family structure and outcomes which included access to healthcare, education, shelter, food and adult supervision. The participants consisted of 335 grade 7 learners from 11 primary schools who were selected using stratified random sampling and simple random sampling. The majority of the learners were Indian (67.7%), followed by Black learners (30.7%), Coloured learners (1.2%) and White learners (0.3%). A quantitative research method was implemented involving the administration of questionnaires to the sample of grade 7 learners from schools in the Chatsworth area. The research strategy employed was descriptive-explanatory. The main finding of the study was that for 63.8% of the participants the household structure was that of children residing with both parents-these results support the findings of other research in that South Africa may not yet have felt the full impact of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic in respect of orphan-hood and child-headed households- there should be further research in respect of identifying households affected by HIV/AIDS. Of great concern is that the findings revealed that over one-third of the participants are without adult supervision after school. There is a need for intervention in respect of care and protection of these children as the lack of adequate supervision places these children at risk of abuse and other forms of exploitation. The findings of this study as presented here will contribute towards developing intervention strategies to assist children and families at risk and to more effectively understand and meet the needs of children and families in this community as well researched information is critical in ensuring that responses are effective and adequate. Further studies should be undertaken on a larger scale to determine the prevalent household structure in this community and more extensively on a national scale given the national concerns about the impact of HIV/AIDS on family and households. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The dissertation presents an economic analysis of tourism in the Southern Maputaland Biosphere Reserve. The aim of the study was to gather relevant information on the benefits and costs associated with the existing tourism operations in the sub-region, and to determine the broader impact of tourism on the local economy. The study sampled twenty private tourism operations ranging from upmarket game lodges to bed and breakfast facilities. The results of the study present a comparison of indicators of the economic impact and efficiency of tourism, such as revenue generation, annual rates of return on investment, employment creation and wage levels, between various types of tourism operations as well as between tourism as a land use option and other land use options. They also highlight the economic importance of the protected areas to the local tourism industry. In addition, the nature and extent of interaction between the sampled tourism operations and the local communities, as well as possible constraints on the expansion of the tourism industry in the region are examined. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

In the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in research on the informal sector in South Africa. Motivating this research, besides academic curiosity, is growing concern over poverty and unemployment amongst South African blacks. The general belief that these factors have contributed significantly to the political unrest now sweeping the country is another encouragement to research. What is being increasingly suggested, not only by academics but also by government officials, businessmen and others, is that the informal sector could be developed in appropriate directions to provide jobs raise living standards and (hence) promote political stability. Attention is now being focused on the question of how best to achieve this objective. In this thesis, proposals for 'developing ' the informal sector in South Africa are examined by a careful analysis of the relevant literature and an in-depth case study of the KwaZulu township, KwaMashu. The first question that needs to be addressed is how to conceptualise the informal sector. There are many interpretations, depending in part on the stage of development attained by the local economy, of what comprises this sector. Does it only consist of the poor, the unlicenced, the untaxed, the unprotected, the harassed? There are many perspectives, too, on whether the informal sector is independent and autonomous or whether it is integrated into the economy in ways that might impede or facilitate its development. It has been argued, for example, that the state and capital determine the parameters of the informal sector at a level most functional to their requirements. These interpretations are critically examined in Chapters One and Two with particular reference to South Africa. Attention is then directed towards the particular case of KwaMashu. The research methodology is discussed in Chapter Three. The approach adopted here combined random-sample questionnaires and case study methods. In order to locate the research in its geographical, temporal and political setting the history of KwaMashu is also briefly reviewed. The research results (which cover the extent, viability, potential and difficulties of the informal sector), are examined in Chapters Four to Six. Chapter Four gives the results of the survey - including three detailed case studies and the findings of the questionnaire survey. In Chapter Five garment makers and retailers (two categories which together make up a large component of the KwaMashu informal sector) are analysed more closely using information obtained from case studies. The field work included interviews, not only with informal sector participants, but also with the officials whose decisions influence the development of the informal sector. The latter is examined in Chapter Six. An important finding particularly relevant for policy decisions - concerned the division in levels of informal sector operation and the policy decisions affecting each level. The concluding chapter combines the findings of literature surveys with the empirical results from KwaMashu in order to assess the opportunities for and the limits to informal sector 'development' in South Africa. Practical and realistic means by which those in this sector might be assisted are also discussed in some detail. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 1985.

South Africa's industrialisation gave rise to the establishment of many small towns in the vicinity of mineral deposits. Today many of these small towns face economic decline as these resources become exhausted. These small towns, however, can play an important role in the new South Africa. With the delivery of services in urban areas coming under more pressure, the lack of infrastructure and services has consequently led to many people being without services. Development in small towns can help reduce the pressure placed on big cities. This has resulted in environmental degradation occurring in urban areas. At the same time one should not run the risk of creating environmental degradation through development initiatives in these small towns. A procedure needs to be put in place that ensures environmental considerations are taken into account in development proposals. Many of these small mining towns have existing facilities that can be utilised for development. These existing facilities should be used instead of using development funds to build such facilities. This case study focuses on the town of Utrecht in north western Kwazulu-Natal, where the town is heavily dependent on Welgedacht Exploration, a coal mine that is the chief employer in the town. Welgedacht faces closure within the next few years and this study attempts to make suggestions on a way forward for this town after closure of the mine. The study explores the possibility of using the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) procedure as a means to initiate development proposals. The study found that IEM can be an effective tool with regard to small town development, since through this process, appropriate sustainable development initiatives can be identified. IEM is appropriate as it makes provision for:- • Environmental considerations, • Ensures community participation, and • Enforces legal compliance thus making it an effective tool in development. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

The recent incorporation of Ximba into a metro boundary (the Outer West substructure of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal) has highlighted the imbalances between rural and urban communities and created the need to redress them. Currently, the main issues facing the AmaXimba are economic generation and job creation. Solutions are possible through development of the industrial, residential, agricultural and/or tourism sectors. Recourse to analysis of the physical environment, as well as stakeholders and their interactions, informs the study and provides the means ofdetermining the best practical developmental option for Ximba. The suggestion is made that none ofthe sectors by themselves are viable and all must be developed in conjunction with each other. As there is a greater inherent tourism potential, the focus ofthe study shifts to the tourism milieu in Ximba. Tourism issues revolve around what type of tourism Ximba should develop as well as the best developmental pathway to pursue. Options open to Ximba include independent development, or development in conjunction with neighbouring areas. Thus, the focus ofthe study broadens to explore the wider tourism milieu in the Outer West, in particular the RI03 (Botha's Hill to Cato Ridge) route. The current status oftourism in the two areas is assessed as is the potential impact from future development projects and commonalities between the two areas are determined. Stakeholder visions provide the means for determining possible constraints to, and considerations for, tourism development. These include attempts to determine the current economic climate prevailing along the RI03; analysis ofthe crime situation and the media's influences thereon; and physical constraints, particularly water quality. Results indicate that a variable economic climate prevails, crime is a problem within the area and factors aggravating the crime perception are considered. Water quality ofthe Msunduzi is not suitable for recreational tourism. Issues raised for consideration included determining developmental routes that could be imposed on the Outer West from a higher authority, the requirements for nature-based tourism incorporating cultural tourism, tour operators' requirements, community characteristics and factors surrounding the bed and breakfast industry. Ideas for the development of a combined and expanded tourism route are provided. An analysis ofthe strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and 11 threats (SWOT) of the tourism milieu highlights factors to be concentrated on and suggestions are made for driving tourism in the combined XimbaIRI03 milieu. The study concludes by considering key factors necessary for devising tourism policy in Ximba, as well as possible means of implementation. Consideration is also given to tourism as an agent of change. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

Submitted to the FACULTY OF ARTS in partial fulfillment of the requirements for MASTERS DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK (Community work) in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, 2005. / In 1996, the South African National Welfare Department estimated that countrywide 67% of female headed-households lived in poverty and that 75.2% of children under 5years were exposed to conditions of poverty. The government planned its developmental programs of women and children under 5years, which was targeted at this high risk group, in order to reduce their potential dependency on the state through child support grants (Social Work Practice Vol 2.96: 3) These pilot programs which were initiated in nine provinces were referred to as flagship programs and Bambanana flagship program in Northen KwZulu/Natal was one of them. Skills development and economic empowerment would be strategies utilized to develop and sustain these programs. The consortium consisting of NGO's and Government departments had initially negotiated with provincial hospitals to purchase the products from the various projects of the flagship programs, thus ensuring a viable market for the products. Eight years have since elapsed following the initiation of these flagship programs. The research investigation undertaken by the researcher aims at evaluating the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the Bam banana flagship program in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal.