M.A. (Social Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M. Comm. / No country's economy can survive if the majority of its population remains without income, basic services, and tangible assets that will allow for a secure and sustainable livelihood. Addressing poverty and its causes is therefore a core developmental challenge facing the world economy. Throughout history, various explanations and theories have been advanced in the attempt to understand the causes and persistence of poverty. These theories have evolved into an understanding of the complex phenomenon of poverty, as it is perceived today. The importance of these theories is evident in the creation of poverty alleviation strategies and policies, thus a sound understanding of poverty and its complexities is essential. The new poverty agenda formulated by the DFID in conjunction with other international agents has developed strategic guidelines for the alleviation of poverty that have been based on past experience and theoretical literature. These guidelines include the need for economic growth, equality, security, participation, opportunities, and sustainability. South Africa has effectively incorporated these guidelines into its own poverty activities that consider the nature of South Africa's poverty situation. South Africa has a high incidence of poverty, and its society is characterised by extreme inequality. Poverty is disproportionately divided between South Africa's nine provinces, localities, race groups, genders, and age groups. Inequalities and high poverty rates are caused by political, social, economic, and environmental factors. Politically, South Africa was shaped by the apartheid regime that manifested inequality amongst race groups by oppressing and exploiting the black population in favour of the white minority. Social dimensions, such as the inadequacy of food security, lack of education and other basic needs have also contributed to impoverishment. Contributing economic factors include the poor growth of South Africa's economy since the 1980s that has inevitably lead to increases in poverty and unemployment rates. Poor and inadequate living conditions common in South Africa have resulted in environmental degradation, and this has further impoverished the population.

Thesis (LLM. (Development)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The purpose of the investigation is to research the contribution of Fetakgomo Local Municipality in alleviating poverty through poverty alleviation projects. Poverty and inequality have reached unacceptable proportions and the most hit are people living in rural areas and as a results the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Eighty respondents filled in the questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with Fetakgomo Local Municipality management and other relevant stakeholders. The research findings indicate that the communities around Fetakgomo Local Municipality specifically Nkwana, Nchabeleng, Strydkraal, Apel, Mohlaletse and Mashilabele are partly benefiting from Fetakgomo Local Municipality. The findings also show that Fetakgomo Local Municipality is partly contributing positively towards poverty alleviation within the municipality. The major findings of this research study are that poverty alleviation projects are partly effective in alleviating poverty, especially among needy families. The final results from the study show that most of the rural poverty alleviation projects are not sustainable. The main reasons leading to poor performance of rural poverty alleviation projects are lack of participation of key stakeholders, lack of financial management, inefficient management and lack of planning. The study recommends that committed stakeholders, individuals and poverty alleviation projects who take part in poverty alleviation projects should be considered for funding and training rather than providing state grants only to groups of people. Resources such as transport should be provided to poverty alleviation projects in local areas to access any type of market. All the local economic development projects should install palisade, surveillance systems and electric security fences around the projects to prevent theft. The study also recommends that a stipend of R1500.00 should be paid to each project member to encourage and attract those who are interested. The research study also recommends that there must be a continuous monitoring and evaluation of poverty alleviation projects on a regular basis by government officials.

This thesis examines the structure and flow of public funding between the public and private sectors in the South African health system and the consequences thereof for the achievement of equity. The conceptual framework used to undertake the analysis derives from Richard Titmuss’ core theoretical framework, the Social Division of Welfare. The application of the Social Division of Welfare applied to the South African health care context demonstrates how state resources end up benefitting the non-poor and, as a result, reproduce inequality. Those who access public institutions such as public health care are assumed to be ‘dependent’ on the state, whilst those who access private health facilities claim to be ‘independent’ of the state. However, this thesis shows that these assumptions are flawed. Access to the formal labour market, and subsequently the paying of taxes, authorises one to access state subsidies not available to those who do not. The application of the Social Division of Welfare shows that tax-paying private health care patients benefit considerably from state resources. This thesis argues that due to cost escalation in the private health sector, a consequence of the commodification of health care, these private health care ‘consumers’ as well as the private health industry in general are dependent upon state resources. This thesis analyses the role played by the profit motive present in the private health industry and the consequences for equity, quality, access and efficiency in health care provision