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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
21

FARMER STRATEGIES TOWARDS CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE IN ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIA

Mubaya, Chipo Plaxedes 22 March 2011 (has links)
There is wide scientific consensus that concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are increasing due to human activities, causing global climate change. Climate change exerts significant pressure on the agricultural sector and economic development of Africa. Despite a growing number of country-level case studies, knowledge gaps continue to exist at the level of impact analysis. In addition, while adaptation and coping with climate variability and change have become key themes in current global climate discussions and policy initiatives, literature on adaptation in Zimbabwe and Zambia appears to be still limited. In this regard, this study addressed the following objectives: ⢠To investigate farmer perceptions of threats from climate variability and change and how these may differ across countries; ⢠To identify and analyse the impacts of climatic variability and change on farmer households in the two countries; and, ⢠To identify coping and adaptation strategies to climate variability and change employed by farmers and investigate factors influencing choice of adaptation/ coping strategies across the study districts Methods used to collect data for this study are both qualitative and quantitative methods. The specific method used in the Quantitative approach is the survey. Qualitative methods used include Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), specifically, resource mapping, historical trend lines, seasonal and daily activity calendars and matrix scoring and ranking. FGDs and indepth case studies were also used. Conclusions drawn from the findings of the study are listed below: ⢠While farmers report changes in local climatic conditions consistent with climate change, there is a problem in assigning contribution of climate change and other factors to observed negative impacts on the agricultural and socio-economic system ⢠While there are multiple stressors that confront farmers, climate variability and change remain the most critical and exacerbate livelihood insecurity for those farmers with higher levels of vulnerability to these stressors ⢠There are variations in manifestations of direct and structural impacts from climate variability and change as a result of differences in types of farming systems and general economic and political contexts ⢠Apart from its overwhelmingly negative effects, climate variability might also have a positive impact and localised benefits in the context of structural changes in communitiesâsocial organization and economic activities-under certain circumstances ⢠Significant responses to climate variability and change involve organizing agriculture and related practices, than switching to off farm initiatives ⢠While farmersâ selection of coping and adaptation strategies to climate variability and change and the associated outcomes may be intrinsic, this selection tends to be overwhelmingly shaped by diverse factors such as demography, access to information and assets and vulnerability levels Following the above conclusions, the study recommended that there is need to: ⢠Strengthen the capacity of farmers and institutions for identifying and assessing climate changes through programmes to educate farmers and other relevant stakeholders on climate change and variability and their potential impacts on farmersâ livelihoods ⢠Make a transition from designing policies that target climate change issues as a distinct entity to policies that address climate change issues as an integral component of multiple stressors that confront farmers ⢠Design appropriate policies that buttress farming systems against climate variability and change through taking into account variations in these farming systems and other relevant factors ⢠Make a transition from conceptualisation of climate change impacts in the policy framework as being inherently negative, to research and policy making with an openminded lens that dissects climate change and variability impacts in order to enhance alternative livelihoods for farmers ⢠Provide support for appropriate agricultural innovations and development of new livelihood activities emerging as farmers respond to climate variability and change ⢠Integrate sectors through interventions that target agricultural extension, meteorology, academic research and other developmental activities through civil society organisations
22

UKUTHWASA INITIATION OF AMAGQIRHA: IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION AND THE TRAINING OF XHOSA WOMEN AS TRADITIONAL HEALERS

Mlisa, Lily-Rose Nomfundo 30 March 2010 (has links)
The study explores ukuthwasa initiation process amongst amaXhosa women in the Eastern Cape Province. The focus is on the training of women amagqirha in three areas in the Eastern Cape. The study looks at how the women are trained as amagqirha and how they construct their multifaceted identities during their tedious five-year training process. The Komanisi iphehlo is used as a paradigmatic model school for the training of amagqirha. The ritual of ukuthwasa is analysed as a transformational practice that operates changes in those who undergo it. A brief review of the interface between ukuthwasa and Christianity is included and reflections in specific historical and socio-cultural contexts are provided. AmaXhosa have been shaping and reshaping their ethnicity, religious culture, their identities and political systems during the course of political instability and economic and social-cultural challenges, including challenges during the democratic government. Such challenges affected amaXhosa as a nation and their religious life, as traces of such can be observed in transformations that have affected ukuthwasa practice. The study reveals the structure of the training process and incidents that led to the evolution of ukuthwasa, ritualism, symbolism, myth or magic and possible inexplicable realities of the world of ukuthwasa, to reveal the epistemologies and existential realities of ukuthwasa and female experiences. The polymorphism of ukuthwasa demands the use of various theoretical approaches to explain the process and practice of ukuthwasa. Consequently, that led to the use of a triangulation approach as a method of choice to collect, analyse and interpret the data. The grounded theory method was used. The life histories of four trainers and the spiritual journey of the researcher are used as retrospective data to explain the process, existential experiences and practice of ukuthwasa. In total, 115 participants, including amagqirha, faithhealers, public community members, family members of those who thwasa, initiates and key public figures have been interviewed through structured and unstructured interviews. Verification and soundness of data collected are maintained by means of verifying data through focus groups. Results reveal that the amaXhosa experience ukuthwasa as a cultural initiation process that helps in nurturing, awakening and stimulating the personâs umbilini (intuition), which is an inborn gift used in divining. Umbilini is the only skill used to assess, diagnose and treat their clients and patients. Therefore amagqirha use inductive ways of assessing their clients. Through ukuthwasa initiation, women are able to understand their âselfâ better. Ukuthwasa also instils maturity and opens up insights into their other gifts such as âleadershipâ skills. In that way, ukuthwasa enhances their identities. In addition, amaXhosa understand ukuthwasa as a reality and an inborn gift that runs in families. The result is also that ukuthwasa is a complex and abstract phenomenon that unfolds as a long process and is never completed fully in its entirety; only death relieves a person from its demands. It is fraught with various crises and to reject it is to invite continuous crises and ultimately madness and death; the best way is to accept it. To treat ukuthwasa as a possession and as a psychological phenomenon or syndrome is to underestimate the primary factor of the inborn dispositionâs importance as cultural text and cultural discourse. Variations in the structure and procedures carried out in ukuthwasa are identified within the cultural group and other Nguni cultures, as well as at national and international level. Furthermore, there is an inevitable interface between ukuthwasa and Christianity. The amaXhosa believe in one, universal world. The infusion of cultural doctrines with Christian values leads amagqirha to construct their multiple identities as amagqirha, faith-healers, powerful healing women as well as women leaders in the cultural and Christian healing profession.
23

THE INCORPORATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN LAND REFORM PROJECTS: THE BASOTHO LETJHABILE AND MAOLOSI TRUST AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

Akenji, Maghah Josephine 30 August 2010 (has links)
Indigenous peoples around the world have sought knowledge of physical reality throughout the ages. Their understanding of the physical universe is codified in their knowledge systems. However, often the content of agricultural information in less developed countries is devoid of inputs from the indigenous people. It is based on the need to modernise agriculture without consideration of the goals and strategies of indigenous people. Indigenous agriculture, however, as it was originally applied prior to colonisation and apartheid, as is the case with South Africa, can neither be fully resumed nor would it satisfy the world food needs and recession crisis of the ever-increasing world population. It will, however, if taken on a solemn note, have a significant impact on the world food production (World Bank 2005). Despite the enormous value of IKS in the sustainable management of natural resources, the world has suffered and continues to suffer from a profound loss of indigenous peoples, rural groups, and their knowledge about the natural world, which has been constructed from their intimate ties to land and place. This loss has been accompanied by neglect and the marginalisation of their practices and beliefs often figured as inferior forms of knowing that should be replaced by universalised knowledge derived from the western scientific traditions (Hardison 2005). This study is an exploration of how indigenous knowledge, which has been marginalised over the years, is incorporated in Land Reform Projects of agricultural development. It is an attempt to help indigenous people regain the value of their knowledge. Employing a multidisciplinary method, the work presents an analysis of indigenous knowledge practices in agricultural land reform projects (Basotho Letjhabile and Maolosi Trust), and how indigenous knowledge contributes to sustainability and transformation with these two community projects.
24

THE ROLE OF TREATMENT BUDDIES IN THE PUBLIC-SECTOR ANTIRETROVIRAL PROGRAMME IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE

Hlophe, Hlengiwe Isabel 09 September 2011 (has links)
Recent advances in antiretroviral treatments have simplified dosing regimens for people living with HIV. Yet, typical regimens still remain far more complex than treatments for other health conditions and adherence continue to concern health care providers. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy still dominates debates as one of the challenges facing HIV positive patients and the health service delivery. Thus, support for people on antiretroviral therapy becomes fundamental. It sis therefore argued that treatment buddies can be critical element in enhancing adherence and in retaining patients in care Against this background, research was undertaken to assess the role of treatment buddies in the South African public sector antiretroviral treatment programme as implemented in the Free State province. To achieve this aim certain objectives and hypothesis were identified and based on these objectives, five key outcomes for the study were identified. This study used two sources of data: (i) data collected from a longitudinal study conducted among patients enrolled in the public sector antiretroviral treatment programme (patient survey) and (ii) data from once-off individual interviews conducted with treatment buddies of patients interviewed as part of the patient survey (treatment buddy survey). Patients included in the analysis represent the sub-sample of patient respondents in the survey observed at least once in each of the four phases of the treatment career (n=160). Following the completion of the sixth and final round of the patient interviews, telephonic interviews were conducted with treatment buddies (n=55) using a semi-structured interview schedule to supplement information on treatment buddies collected in the patient survey as well as to provide insight into some findings from the patient survey data. Analyses for the purposes of this study focused on an investigation of treatment support and related outcomes over the treatment career. Various bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed separately for point estimates and change outcomes for each of the five main outcomes. Differences and transitions in key explanatory variables were regressed on point estimates of the main outcomes, while point estimates and lagged differences or transitions in key explanatory variables were regressed on differences and transitions in main outcomes respectively to avoid problems of endogeneity and to focus on causal dynamics of cause-and -effect. The study reveals that throughout the study, access to a treatment buddy declined over the treatment duration. As expected, health related quality of life consistently impacted on access to and transitions in access to a treatment buddy. Patients who had access to a treatment buddy had improved health-related quality of life. The treatment career phase featured as a strong predictor of access to a treatment buddy. Access to treatment buddy declined as months on treatment increased. The study reveals that similar to access to a treatment buddy, access to alternative support mechanisms declined as treatment duration increased. However, a significant decline over the treatment career phase was only observed in access to informal, individualised support such as emotional and physical caregivers. Access to more formal support and to group-based support did not exhibit a similar significant declining trend over the treatment career. The findings revealed that access to a treatment buddy was associated with perfect adherence knowledge. Moreover, the frequency of treatment buddy visits declined over the treatment career. Access to other forms of support increased the frequency of treatment buddy visits. Marital status was strongly associated with access to treatment buddy and other key outcomes. Clinical adherence varied significantly across the treatment career, increasing as treatment duration increased. The transition results indicate that patients who had been on treatment for six to twelve months and patients who had been on treatment for 18 to 30 months were less likely to transition from clinical adherence to non-adherence. This statement denotes that patients who have been on treatment for a longer period are more likely to maintain clinical adherence. Overall, the research indicates that treatment buddies represent an important form of informal adherence and psycho-social support in the early phase of the ARV treatment career, particularly among married ART clients. Access to treatment buddies declines later in the treatment career as clientsâ health-related quality of life improves. Policy makers and programme managers should develop suitable adherence support strategies for single clients as well as suitable longer-term adherence support strategies for clients facing challenges with medication adherence later in the treatment career.
25

THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF WORKERS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR OF LESOTHO

Kamara, Ishmail Bassie 23 October 2009 (has links)
Not available
26

THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF RISK-BASED AUDIT APPROACHES

Prinsloo, Jeffrina 22 November 2010 (has links)
The purpose of the study is to trace the development of risk-based audit approaches, in order to understand the complexities and difficulties of these approaches, as well as to evaluate these risk-based audit approaches, with the objective of assisting in the process of improving the risk-based audit approach followed by the audit profession. The only defence auditors have against the anger (or frustration) of stakeholders in instances of corporate failures is sufficient, appropriate audit evidence that proves their innocence. This audit evidence will be the result of a well-planned and performed audit. An audit approach, currently a risk-based audit approach, is therefore a crucial component in the performance of an audit. Changing the risk-based audit approach is a normal consequence of the striving for the improvement and development of the services that the auditing profession provides. In developing the risk-based audit approach, there are certain complexities surrounding an audit that should be considered. The major complexities in the performance of an audit are: first, the expectation gap; second, the uncertainties surrounding the responsibilities of the auditor; third, the provision of reasonable assurance, and fourth, the practical implementation of audit standards. The auditing profession should, during this continuous process of changing the auditing standards and guidance, consider and evaluate changes against the theoretical foundations of auditing to support the credibility of the audit process. The theoretical framework that formed the background of this study is discussed in the second chapter, including the meaning of ârisk-based audit approachesâ. Audit approaches are discussed that developed before the acceptance of the risk-based audit approach, together with audit approaches that were never followed or accepted by practitioners, and which influenced the development of risk-based audit approaches. The development of the first risk-based audit approach, the statistical audit risk approach (audit risk model) that originated from the Elliott and Rogers model is discussed in the third chapter. The critique on the statistical audit risk approach is summarised and consists mainly of the following: that the audit risk modelâs event structure is ill-defined and that the risk components lack independence, which is a basic assumption for the use of the multiplicative formula. The risk components are complex and interdependent and are difficult to assess therefore, practitioners prefer to assess these risk components in linguistic terms e.g. low, medium and high. The multiplicative rule does not provide protection against an understatement of audit risk if the audit outcome space is not completely specified and when a revision of the audit plan is needed. The aggregation of the individual risks is problematic and therefore the audit risk model should be used only for planning purposes. The development of the inherent risk audit approach (audit risk model from a conceptual perspective) is discussed in the fourth chapter. The critique against the inherent risk audit approach includes the unsuccessful decomposition structure of audit risk, due to the interdependency of inherent risk and control risk. The concept of âinherent riskâ is also too broad and vague. The business risk audit approach is also discussed in the fourth chapter. This approach was developed by audit firms as an intended improvement on the inherent risk audit approach and is still widely used. The main critique against the business risk audit approach is the lack of a clear link between business risks and possible risks of material misstatement. The ârisk-process audit approachâ is addressed in the fifth chapter. For the purposes of this study, the name of the current risk-based audit approach is the risk-process audit approach. The reason for this formulation is the emphasis in the audit risk standards on the risk management tasks. The concept of âriskâ in the performance of the task of identification of risks is, in essence, a choice in which the auditor has the freedom to choose an approach, and is referred to as ârisk of material misstatementâ. The concept of ârisk of material misstatementâ is much broader and different from the suggested definition in the auditing standards, and includes the consideration of potential misstatements according to the assertions on the assertion level (assertion-focus), and lacks conceptual clarity. The criteria for the task of âassessment of identified risksâ are as follows: the different types of assertions are used as the criteria for assessing risks of material misstatements through the identification of possible misstatements. The concept of âmisstatementsâ is the criterion used to consider the likelihood of misstatement(s), and the concept of âplanning materialityâ is used to consider the magnitude of misstatement(s). In the sixth and final chapter of this study, the development of risk-based audit approaches is summarised through a comparison of the risk-based audit approaches. In the future development of the current risk-process audit approach it is suggested that a fourth aspect, the significance of audit procedures, additional to the current nature, timing and extent of audit procedures maybe considered in respect of aspects that influence the response to risks of material misstatement included in the audit plan. Furthermore, the definition of the concept of ârisk of material misstatementâ could include the assertionfocus. The importance and possibilities of the division of audit planning in the financial statement level and the assertion level is also not yet fully considered. In conclusion, the author believes that the history of risk-based audit approaches has repeated itself and that the development of the risk-based audit approach and changes thereto were not considered against, and based on a sound foundation of auditing theory.
27

A STUDY OF RITUALS PERFORMED AT TWO SACRED SITES IN THE EASTERN FREE STATE

Mensele, M S 17 May 2013 (has links)
Oral tradition and diverse literary sources in Sesotho indicate that African peoples have for centuries been performing rituals for different purposes at the sacred sites, such as caves within their communities as well as their families. Ritual performance has served the Basotho well as a means of celebrating their religious beliefs and communication with God through ancestors (Machobane and Manyeli, 2001: 4). This study, therefore, takes its cue from this common African ritual tradition and aims to examine different rituals performed at the two sacred sites in the Eastern Free State, namely, Badimong near Rosendal and Motouleng near Clarens. These two caves were selected because of their prominence within the Basotho cultural tradition and history. The study mainly highlights the classification of rituals and the use of local language as a mode of typification of different ritual performances. The Sesotho names given to rituals and their meaning have been communicated in Sesotho and in English. Variations in the structure of rituals have been examined and highlighted including how and where as well as when the given rituals are performed. The significance of each ritual performance is also dealt with in the study. Interpretation of the Sesotho language used in ritual performance is important as interviews were conducted in Sesotho and later translated into English while still serving the purpose of the survey in classifying the major kinds and Sesotho names given to ritual performances at the two sacred sites. In this way, the study retains its aim to categorize and classify types of rituals performed at the two sacred sites specified while examining the role of language in ritual performance together with the structure and significance of rituals. The major research questions were: What is the extent and nature of rituals performed at sacred sites in the Eastern Free State? How can the rituals at the sacred sites be classified so that the local user communityâs conceptualization is fully acknowledged? The major research questions directly relate to a survey and clarification of rituals performed at the sacred sites mentioned. Notion was taken that the classification of rituals cannot be done without an exploration of the different rituals in terms of their space, time, actors, audience, structure and materials. All in all, the research design is basically an explorative survey of rituals performed at the two sacred sites mentioned in the Eastern Free State. This study, therefore, employed a qualitative-explorative approach. An increased popularity of the two caves also provided an ideal opportunity to explore a wide range of rituals within centralized geographical localities. The research findings indicates that ritual activities at the sacred sites need to be taken seriously due to their association with ancestral and religious Basotho beliefs which have been an integral and is still said to be an important part in the cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs of most local user communities of the sacred sites under study. The recommendations made are that more literary sources should be made available in which ritual activities at sacred sites are not merely elaborated upon as superstitious or traditional African dilemma but as healthy, informative, religious and valuable practice that should be acknowledged and contextualized with the respect that it deserves. It is also recommended that the two major sacred sites mentioned should be preserved and maintained as sources of African Traditional Indigenous Knowledge in the Eastern Free State.
28

DETERMINING THE WATER QUALITY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE FOR NON-PERENNIAL RIVERS A PROTOTYPE ENVIRONMENTAL WATER ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

Rossouw, Linda 16 August 2012 (has links)
The South African National Water Act adopted in 1998, is implemented by means of the National Water Resource Strategy. The NWRS provides the framework for the management of the water resources. Some of the protective measures are designated Resource Directed Measures such as the establishment of the Reserve. The NWA establishes the âReserveâ consisting of an unallocated portion of water that is not subject to competition with other water uses. It refers to both the quality and quantity of water and is made up from two distinct parts, namely the basic human needs reserve and the Ecological Reserve. The Ecological Reserve describes the quantity, quality and flow variability required to protect and maintain the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource on a sustainable basis. All other water demands are controlled by permits and licenses and met only after the Reserve is secured. The Ecological Reserve has to be set for every major river in the country to be able to comply with the NWA. Most of the rivers, except the largest rivers in the semi-arid west of southern Africa, are non-perennial with variable flow regimes, governed by stochastic events, with the highest variability in intermittent and ephemeral rivers. This variability is a key factor in shaping the biotic community structure of ephemeral or non-perennial systems. The hypothesis for the research was that the current, existing water quality methodology for determining the water quality component of the Ecological Reserve, which was developed for perennial rivers, could be used for non-perennial rivers. This hypothesis was addressed in a phased approach. The existing methodologies were identified through a literature review and from the information collected it was decided to use the holistic approach methodologies. The Proposed method described and approved by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for use on the perennial rivers was applied to the Seekoei River, an example of a typical non-perennial river. The existing methodology could be used as it is for the water quality component of the Reserve determination. However, the fish, invertebrate and riparian vegetation components of the existing methodology had severe limitations and an alternative methodology was proposed. Six limitations were identified from the Seekoei River study for all the components and were the following: the establishment of reference conditions; suitable hydrological modeling; understanding pools and the connectivity between pools; the surface water/groundwater interactions and the extrapolation of data. When comparing the DWA Proposed methodology (Eight step method) applied to the Seekoei River and the Prototype Methodology (Eleven phase method) as applied to the Mokolo River there were several similarities for the water quality input into both methodologies: ï· An understanding of the catchment to be able to identify the water quality constituent that will be important for that specific river is required. ï· Water quality data, both historical and present day data are required â more data are better and improve the confidence in the output. ï· Standard water quality methods could be applied to both methodologies. ï· Both require input into a model where response curves were drawn based on different future catchment development scenarios. The water quality component did not change from the Seekoei River application as the basic steps were the same. The standard methods could be applied to the Mokolo River. The current methodologies were equally usable to determine the water quality component of the Ecological Reserve for non-perennial rivers as the same basic methods were used to determine the water quality component of the Reserve. The limitations identified in the Seekoei River study were also the limiting in the Mokolo River study. The key issue is the hydrological modelling. Without a suitable hydrological model the other the other limitations can also not be addressed. The lack of water quality data remains the single most challenging aspect of determining the water quality status of a river, perennial and non-perennial, especially the lack of historical data. One should be cautious in interpreting once-off sampling data or patchy historical data. The confidence in the data used for the EWA sites were low in many instances as a result of either very little data to no data or patchy historical data. This underlines the importance of systematic monitoring over time, as sampling once is not sufficient to draw credible conclusions. The only way to compensate for a lack of date is to use expert knowledge, local knowledge and catchment information (land use, potential pollution sources, soil types, land cover and geology).
29

DEVELOPMENT AND PRO-POOR TOURISM: THE LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES OF AMAZIZI IN NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG, KWAZULUNATAL

Mazibuko, Sibonginkosi Godfrey 11 November 2011 (has links)
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate and analyse the livelihood strategies of AmaZizi, and to identify the constraints preventing the initiatives of the people of AmaZizi --- which is adjacent to the Royal Natal National Park (RNNP) in the northern Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa --- from taking an active part as entrepreneurs in the local tourism economy and derive socioeconomic benefits from such participation. Using the sustainable livelihoods approach, this investigation was done by examining the capital assets people possessed that could help them become active participants as entrepreneurs in the local tourism economy instead of being limited to wage employment. In order to answer the research question, the following objectives were posited: o To analyse the livelihood strategies of AmaZizi o To contribute to the understanding of the sustainable livelihoods approach o To determine the extent to which AmaZizi participated in the local economy o To identify the constraints/barriers acting against local initiatives among the people of AmaZizi o To determine opportunities for integrating local communities into the first economy o To provide key information about the availability of resources which could be of benefit to in the area The sustainable livelihoods framework provided a tool to determine sustainability, not only of lives, but also of the production process in the study area. This framework enabled the research to be people-centered in that it enquired into the capital assets that could be used to escape poverty and unemployment. The framework proved a critical tool, because it queried the assets people possessed and the way in which they could use these assets to better themselves. Pro-poor tourism was considered, as the local people in the study area should have been able to benefit greatly from local tourism. This proved to be an elusive point, however, as many people depended on state social grants and remittances. Although handicrafts had served as a safety net,this had not really alleviated poverty. Wage employment could be obtained from time to time, but it was not sufficient; moreover, it was unsustainable as it had no long term benefits. Consequently, the poor became even more vulnerable in the long run, as the temporary jobs carried no pension benefits, for example. The research argues that pro-poor tourism as a strategy against poverty is unlikely to be of any consequence if not supported by relevant pro-poor policies. Without policies, pro-poor tourism will merely remain a poverty alleviation strategy; a mechanism to provide a safety net against poverty.
30

SELF-HELP HOUSING IN SOUTH AFRICA: PARADIGMS, POLICY AND PRACTICE

Ntema, Lejone John 11 November 2011 (has links)
This thesis entitled Self-help housing in South Africa: paradigms, policy and practice was conducted as the first thorough evaluation of self-help housing policy in South Africa. Selfhelp housing policy and practice in both South Africa and globally are evaluated by means of Turnerâs concept of dweller control. The thesis starts off by analysing the origin and development of low-income housing policies in developing countries, with specific reference to self-help housing policy. It is pointed out that the discussion on the influence of Turnerâs theory and the role of the World Bank are central to the analysis of the origin and development of self-help housing policy in developing countries. Turnerâs theory played a crucial role in the acceptance of self-help housing as an alternative housing-delivery mechanism in the 1960s, while the World Bank provided the necessary funding for its implementation through site-and-services schemes by governments in developing countries in the early 1970s. Despite self-help housing commonly being associated with neo-liberal policy trends, the thesis shows that self-help is practised in both capitalist and socialist countries. The international theoretical background on self-help housing is followed by an assessment of the development and application of various low-income housing policies in post-apartheid South Africa, with specific reference to self-help housing. South African policy on self-help is officially called the Peopleâs Housing Process (PHP) and is implemented through self-help groups called housing support centres. It has been found that though Turnerâs ideas and principles on self-help housing are entrenched in PHP policy, in practice this policy, to a large extent, neither conforms to Turnerâs ideas particularly those on dweller control nor to certain principles stipulated in the policy. Thus, a technocratic rather than a people-centred approach (envisaged in policy documents) dominates the PHP programmes in South Africa. The levels of the influence exerted by local people in project design, project implementation and housing design remain low, and the housing outcomes do not differ much from the conventional project subsidy approach. This leads the author to conclude that self-help housing in South Africa is, in effect, dominated by the state. However, despite state control of the housing process, both the available South African literature on self-help housing and the empirical findings seem to be in agreement that the houses in PHP projects are generally much bigger than those provided by means of the conventional contractor-driven mechanism. The comparison between the laissez-faire self-help project and the aided self-help project using a contractor-driven approach confirms that better housing outcomes have resulted from the laissez-faire self-help example (larger houses, more extension activity). Against this background, the thesis proposes that government officials should become facilitators rather than dominant role players in the application of self-help housing, programmes on consumer education should be emphasised and used as means to enhance community participation and empowerment, the emphasis on sweat equity in the self-help mechanism should be reconsidered, the self-help mechanism inherently needs to accept a certain degree of informality, government should ensure accountability and oversight without necessarily controlling state-funded self-help housing projects, and, the emphasis in self-help should be on embracing housing as a process rather than as a one-off activity.

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