Masters in Public Administration - MPA / In this report, housing development and perticipation of communities are examined. Although houses have been build in certain areas of Khayelitsha , there is a slow delivery and there is a lack of public involvement in housing programme to decide about the future of the community. In order for any development to be sustainable it must be driven by affected people with a sense of ownership being engendered to them. This holistic approach for housing development is in line up with the current government policy on the matter. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / This research endeavours to identify existing participatory structures and explore the role of local government officials, community representatives and other role players in the housing delivery process in Joe Slovo; indicate opportunities for the participation of beneficiaries in the housing process as well as the extent and nature of community engagement; highlight existing barriers to effective community participation and other problems related to housing delivery in Joe Slovo; draw general conclusions within the framework of the government’s housing policy; and provide recommendations to policy makers, urban planners and other stakeholders. Consequently, this research employs qualitative methodological tools as they are most appropriate in the collection of this type of data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with local officials, and observations were used to gather critical information. In addition, secondary data, with a special focus on newspaper articles, were used. / South Africa

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The adolescence period is a time of high risk for health and social problems such as substance use globally and in South Africa. Past research has shown that there is a need to investigate factors such as peer pressure, leisure boredom and substance use as they pose a threat to the social, psychological and physical wellbeing of adolescents in general. Thus, the overall aim of the study is to determine whether peer pressure and leisure boredom influence substance use among adolescents in low-income communities in Cape Town. Accordingly, the current study is guided by the theoretical framework of Jessor’s problem-behaviour theory. This exploratory study employed a correlational research design. The measurement tools included the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test, the Resistance to Peer Influence measure and the Leisure Boredom Scale. Non-probability sampling was used to select 296 adolescents between the ages 16 – 18 years from schools located in two low-income communities. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, t-test, linear regression and multiple regression. Linear regression revealed that leisure boredom is not a significant predictor of substance use whereas peer pressure is a significant predictor of substance use. Multiple regression showed that the combined influence of peer pressure and leisure boredom predicted substance use, while peer pressure emerged as a stronger predictor than leisure boredom of substance use among adolescents. Gender did not moderate the relationship between peer pressure, leisure boredom and substance use among adolescents

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.

The most commonly attributed causes of failure of smoking cessation are non-adherence to treatment, experiencing severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms and post-cessation weight gain. However, there is a lack of information regarding these factors among smokers who attempt to quit in low-income country settings. The main objective of this study was to identify predictors of: 1) adherence to cessation treatment; 2) severity of withdrawal symptoms: and 3) post-cessation changes in body mass index among 269 smokers who attempted to quit in a randomized smoking cessation trial in a low-income country setting (Aleppo, Syria). All participants received behavioral counseling and were randomized to receive either 6 weeks of nicotine or placebo patch and were followed for one year. Findings from logistic regression showed that lower adherence to cessation treatment was associated with higher daily smoking, greater withdrawal symptoms, waterpipe use, being on placebo patch and the perception of receiving placebo patch. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses indicated that throughout the study, lower total withdrawal score was associated with greater education, older age of smoking initiation, higher confidence in ability to quit, higher adherence to patch, lower nicotine dependence, lower reported depression, waterpipe use and the perception of receiving nicotine patches rather than placebo. Further, smoking abstainers gained 1.8 BMI units (approximately 4.8kg) greater than non-abstainers over one year post quitting. In addition, greater BMI was associated with being female, smoking to control weight and having previously failed to quit due to weight gain. In conclusion, nicotine dependence, waterpipe use and expectancies regarding cessation treatment are important factors that influence adherence to cessation treatment and severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, targeted interventions that take into consideration the prevailing local and cultural influences on diet and levels of physical activity are recommended especially for females and smokers with weight concerns prior to quitting. Collectively, these findings will help in conducting future tailored effective cessation programs in Syria and other low-income countries with similar levels of developments and tobacco use patterns.

Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) noted that majority of people particularly in the developing world live in poverty and as a result, the acquisition of proper housing is becoming a major problem. Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) explained that, after the Second World War, many developing countries gained independence and due to political and economic reasons, population exodus in different parts of the world occurred. This coupled with the ever increase in the population growth has contributed to increasing the housing problems in these part of the world. This problem has led governments, private sector and scholars alike to devote time to searching for mechanisms and policies that would lead to the construction of proper dwellings at a cost that would be within the reach of all concerned especially the poor and needy (Malpass & Murie, 1990). Within South Africa, an example of such policies is the social housing policy. Social housing is a relatively new concept in South Africa (SA) (Du Preez & Sale, 2013). The aim for its development is first, to restructure SA societies in order to address structural, economic, social and spatial dysfunctions and secondly, to improve and contribute to the overall functioning of the housing sector in order to widen the range of housing options available to the poor (Department of Local Government and Housing, DLGH, 2005). The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Social Housing Project, the Walmer Links Development, as an affordable and quality housing option for low income earners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan.

The study of the Walmer Links Finance Linked Individual Subsidy (FLISP) is the response to the housing backlogs that have been experienced by the Port Elizabeth area. The ownership programme is the first of its kind in the area and has been met with scepticism, revolt and acceptance as the neighbouring township of Walmer and the nearby suburbs had mixed feelings about the project. The overall feeling and experience of the new FLISP owners far exceeds the scepticism around the project. The project also brought racial integration and improved the quality of life for the poor. It also seems as though the success of the project will be the determinant factor of whether it can rolled out to other provinces as an approach to development and poverty alleviation.

Cette étude se focalise sur les mobilités quotidiennes des populations à faibles revenus habitant les quartiers périphériques Nord et Est de Libreville, éloignés des services et des lieux d’emplois. En croisant les outils de la géographie des transports qui éclairent les enjeux sociaux, spatiaux et environnementaux des transports avec ceux de la géographie sociale, qui concernent les représentations de l’espace et leur appropriation par les populations, ce travail tente de renouveler les connaissances sur la manière dont les populations pauvres se déplacent. Il relativise la place importante très souvent accordée à la marche à pied dans les travaux portant sur les villes subsahariennes. Il se dégage de cette étude que les mobilités des plus démunis reposent davantage sur l’usage des modes motorisés, particulièrement les transports dit « suburbains », plus disponibles et moins onéreux pour ces usagers. / This study focuses on the daily mobility of low-income populations, particularly those living in suburbs of the north and east of Libreville, far from remote services and places of employment. By using the tools of geographical transport, which sheds light on the social, spatial and environmental issues of transport, and mobilizing at the same time the concepts of social geography on the representations of space and ownership by the people, this work attempts to renew the knowledge on how poor people are moving. It put into perspective the importance often given to pedestrian mobility within Sub-Saharan cities. It emerges from this study that mobility of poor people rely more on the use of motorized transport especially, so called “suburban transports”, which are more available and less expensive for those users.

This research study investigates the requirements or factors that will influence the acceptance and impact of mobile phone advertising to the urban Bottom of Pyramid (BoP). The framework incorporated awareness, availability, acceptability and convenience as factors for effective mobile phone advertising. Mobile phones have received unprecedented penetration rates across all markets, including LSM 1-4. This presents companies targeting this market with an excellent advertising medium with which to communicate to consumers. Companies have begun advertising via mobile phone and this research investigates the impact of this advertising, in relation to other more established mediums, as well as the most optimal mobile phone service to be used in delivery of the advertising message. The type of advertising being sent to BoP via mobile phone advertising is analysed, along with the type of advertising the urban BoP market would like to receive and possible differences identified. The research examines the recall of advertising message across various advertising media and comparisons are drawn. The research found that all aspects of the framework were applicable. Convenience and acceptability were seen as the highest drivers for effective mobile phone advertising to the South African urban BoP. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / Access to adequate housing is one of the most debated issues in democratic South Africa. The government continues to battle with existing backlogs in the provision of housing and a seemingly increasing demand. At the same time, urban populations take to the streets to register their anger and frustration at the slow progress of service delivery as a whole, including housing and other basic services. Clearly this is an important issue in the country, one that has inspired great public debate and further engagement between the state and the people. Notably, this dissatisfaction endures despite the fact that South Africa’s post-apartheid government discourse on state-society relations has centred on greater participation, especially at local government level, as reflected in the commitment to participatory democracy in the South African constitution. Despite this, in general government housing policy has focused on ensuring the delivery of houses to the people rather than the participatory processes in the provision of housing. The 1994 Housing White Paper took an ‘incremental’ or ‘progressive’ approach to housing, which is a developer driven approach that limits the participation of ordinary citizens in the provision of housing, despite the government’s commitment to enabling participation. The introduction of the People’s Housing Process (PHP) in 1998 (later revised and became the Enhanced People’s Housing Process) was a breakthrough in government’s efforts for the involvement of communities in the housing process. However, even this initiative was criticised for its lack of any meaningful participation, as the contribution of individual residents and communities was limited to the implementation process, while the policy decisions were still in government hands. The revision of this policy and the broadening of the housing policy through Breaking New Ground were meant to encourage community ownership of housing provision and empower them beyond the limitations of the PHP. Notably, the meaning of participation encoded in housing programmes, particularly those such as the PHP, is taken for granted. It is assumed that participation will occur in a straight forward process. However, as this demonstrates, effective participatory processes necessitate particular forms of representation for beneficiaries. Designing an effective participatory mechanism thus requires paying attention to new practices of representation as well as new practices of participation. In the participatory housing processes in particular such representation is essential as the direct participation of communities in decision making might not be feasible at some points in the process, hence, community residents need people that will communicate and make decisions on their behalf in engaging with government. The South African literature on state-society relations is largely silent on the relationship between representation and participatory processes, thus there is limited analysis on local level leaders that become part of these participatory processes. This is the gap that this study explores in relation to housing through a case-study of the role of local community leaders in a People’s Housing Process housing project in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay. It aims to understand the significance of the representative role played by local leaders who are not part of the formal democratic system of representation in development participatory processes. In exploring the Niall Mellon Housing Project as a case study, the research illustrates three main points: first, local leaders played a crucial role in the housing project. They initiated and implemented the programme and contributed to the overall success of the project. Indeed it is sensible to assume that organised and legitimate local leaders are essential to development projects as they are able to provide an effective link between government and the community. Second, since these local leaders are not part of the established democratic system of representation, their status is vulnerable to contestation. Local leaders lack the formal authority that usually occurs in representation modes that require explicit authorisation or those formalised as part of the state system of representation. Their position can easily be challenged and their legitimacy questioned. Third, development projects such as the one under investigation also create these kinds of legitimacy crisis. This is due to the competition for scarce government resources introduced by the development projects. Thus, those who feel excluded from the project may retaliate and question the actions of the local leaders. Hence, even though community leaders are useful in this participatory process, the state of their position is vulnerable and their legitimacy can be undermined by the very process that needs their participation.