There are a number of different factors that are increasing the numbers of children on the streets in Durban. These factors include globalisation, macro-economic policy, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. On arrival, these children are faced with abuse and harassment, yet in this tough environment, children of the street are able to make a home and live as small family units who employ livelihood strategies in order to survive. The present study investigates whether there are alternatives to the institutionalisation of street children and discusses alternative, rights-based approaches. Furthermore, this study seeks to engage with street children and overcome their homeless, minor status and believes that children of the street have valuable knowledge of their own situation, which if unearthed, can be invaluable when planning future interventions. With this in mind a participatory methodology was employed which encouraged the children to speak for themselves. The present study utilised Participatory Rural Appraisal tools as a way of generating information and insight and it also draws on Participatory Action Research in that it involved young field workers. The present study discovered that children of the street are like other children and poor people in general but are often portrayed as deviants on a way-ward path. In spite of this, children of the street are unswerving in their efforts to survive. The presentation of data reveals that children of the street are generally ingenious and resourceful although their efforts are often hampered by dangers and threats inherent to street life. With this in mind, a community based vulnerability assessment was employed to suggest ways of reducing risk. The present study concludes that a supportive policy environment, a change in attitude and practical recommendations are all needed for improved street-based interventions and the livelihood security of street children. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

This thesis examines the plight of street children in Dar es Salaam. Common features that characterize street children worldwide, especially the way they are viewed in the eyes of the public, law enforcement agencies and the authorities, were explored. The main causes of street children phenomenon in Dar es Salaam were examined with specific emphasis on poverty, abuse, urbanization and the effects of HIV/AIDS. The strategies employed by the children in order to cope with their predicament both physically and emotionally were examined. The problems that street children face in terms of their interaction with the public, especially the law enforcement agencies as well as service providers, were also discussed. While government policies advocating the rights of children are in place, there were reports of street children being treated unfairly particularly being denied their right to participate in matters that impact their lives and widespread victimization was also reported in the name of 'cleaning up' the urban areas. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

This was a study made in an attempt to understand the opportunities and challenges of church sponsored community income-generating activities, in the form of a case study of the Ukwega community dairy project in Iringa, Tanzania. The purpose of this study was: • To explore and understand the reasons why such church-initiated projects fail to raise the income of the rural communities in a sustainable manner; • To understand the opportunities and challenges that the church encounters when initiating, implementing and managing church-sponsored community incomegenerating interventions; and • To make recommendations on how the church could improve project management and ensure the sustainability of community income-generating activities. Here the research aims to suggest better processes of planning that could lead to effective and sustainable church-initiated / sponsored community development projects. A qualitative research method was employed to address the research questions. This included the use of focus group discussions, key informant interviews, questionnaires, direct observation and a documentary review. The following themes were established and discussed: top down approaches to project management, representative planning, vested interest, the lack of financial and business management skills, the lack of working capacity, a donor-driven approach, prioritisation, project abuse, conflicting interest and health and food security as an outcome of sustainable livelihood. The study concludes that the project was successful in Kimala and Ipalamwa. It failed in Ukwega and this was caused by poor project planning and the abuse of power by the congregation leader. Finally, the study identified two areas for further research. These include: • The impacts of faith organisations on the material world. There are a number of research papers done by theologians on the spiritual side, little is researched on the material impacts. • Secondly, there is a need for researching more on the impacts of the church management styles in project planning and implementation. This research could not go in deep due to the reasons given on the introductory part of this section. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

The issue of democratisation and development in Africa is among the most explored and debated field by African and non African scholars. Since the beginning of post African state in the 1960' s, scholars have outlined democracy and development as an important issue for African states. In this ongoing debate, African traditional institution has been identified as a key factor that can shape the nature and relationship between democracy and development. African traditional institution is interpreted in a way that it either compliments or obstructs the link between democratisation and development. To some, it is a dead institution that has no place in this era of African development. The role of the traditional institutions in this contemporary era has been open to doubt. This study attempts to look at the role and significance of African traditional institution at this epoch with a case study of a rural community in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. This community offered a viable case study to understanding the manner in which the communities view the traditional institution and this will give a better meaning to the role of the African traditional institution. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

The need to empower women responds to the growing recognition that, especially in developing countries, many poor women lack control over resources and the self-confidence or opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. Women use various approaches and systems in order to survive, including self-help practices and kinship networks, informal moneylenders, rotating savings and credit associations, and accessing micro-finance. In South Africa, many rural women and their families would struggle to survive without the social security grants they receive from the government. This research, conducted with five Self-help Groups (SHGs) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, assesses the effectiveness of a Self-Help Group Approach in empowering poor women in rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal, socially and economically, by determining if the elements of resources, agency and achievements were evident within the groups. The main findings from the study suggest that there seems to be a positive relationship between SHG loans and government grants accessed with one complementing the other; and there was evidence, to varying degrees, to suggest that the determinants of empowerment existed in the SHGs involved in the study as well as within the wider SHG programme in KwaZulu-Natal. The study also highlights some weaknesses within the SHG approach that were identified. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The property relations of the amaHlubi customary marriages were studied among the women in the Maluti villages around Matatiele. These villages are situated along the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape of South Africa. These relations were investigated through the use of in-depth interviews with 39 women and six government officials. Of the 39, 26 were individually interviewed and 13 women were in three focus group discussions. The respondents were asked about their experiences and perceptions regarding the current practices in the division of property between the husband and wife. An analysis of these experiences, was carried out and were translated and transcribed into English. It was evident that during marriage there is an assumption among the women that property is equally owned between husband and wife during marriage. Secondly, on the death of the man, the women are allowed to inherit property from their husbands even in the absence of marriage certificates as long as there is enough evidence that the woman is the rightful heir. In addition, it was revealed that a significant proportion of marriages are dissolved informally, without using the traditional and legal structures of dissolution. As a result of this, women do not inherit property from their dissolved marriages. This study reveals infrastructure problems that woman in the area encounter when they need to visit the Home Affairs offices since the Maluti and Matatiele offices are not able to assist them with registration of customary marriages, Resulting in significant number of customary marriages not being registered. The evidence from the study supports the argument that women had equal access to property and its use in the traditional customary marriage. Currently, women's conditions have worsened due to the weakening of traditional structures. Results indicate that positive developments in law have not yet benefited women since property relations in rural areas are mediated by traditional tenure systems and customs. The lack of monitoring the proper implementation of the laws poses another challenge. That has resulted in little being achieved in terms of the provisions of the Customary Marriages Act due to implementation problems. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Entrepreneurship is vital to any economy, more so in those looking to develop their small business sectors. Growth of the South African small business sector is being hampered by a lack of entrepreneurs that have the necessary capacity to initiate significant levels of new venture creation. In this study the franchising concept is looked at as means of developing and nurturing such entrepreneurial capacity in those with no entrepreneurial experience. A qualitative investigation is conducted amongst a sample of first-time franchisees with no previous business ownership experience, with the intention of determining the extent of their development as entrepreneurs through the course of their franchise ownership. The results suggest that franchise ownership does result in the enhancement of entrepreneurial capacity in those with no prior experience. This enhanced capacity is also seen to be transferable to environments outside of the franchise system. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

The journey to school for a significant number of South African learners is characterised by long travel times, unsafe modes of travel and exposure to weather and traffic related dangers. A review of the literature suggests that poor access to schools impedes both the accumulation of human capital and the right to a basic education. This research, conducted in a peri-urban municipal district near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is an impact evaluation of an existing school transport intervention. The intervention consists of an arrangement between a school in the llembe District and several locally managed transport providers. The intervention has two parts: first, school officials have negotiated a reduced taxi fare for learners travelling to and from the school and, second, the school has arranged for the local bus company to synchronise its schedule with the start and finish of school each day. The overall objective of the intervention is to reduce the travel times and walking distances of the learners attending the school. The approach of the study is to employ an appropriate evaluation methodology to assess the intervention and to interpret the findings in a rights based context. Impact evaluation is a rigorous methodology that aims to reliably test the effectiveness of interventions, policies and programmes. The findings from the study suggest that, if "scaled up", a similar intervention could potentially improve travel times, reduce excessive walking distances, improve the safety of travel to schools and curb the rates of absenteeism in the nation's schools. The study, however, also uncovers several impediments to the implementation of such an intervention within the existing policy environment. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.