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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.
411

Effectiveness of nonprofit organisations in the City of Tshwane: an evaluation of the poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods

Kekana, Kerotse Marilyn 06 1900 (has links)
The roles of non-profit organisations in South Africa have evolved, leaving these organisations with an increased role to play in service delivery and community development. The purpose of the current research was to assess the effectiveness of non-profit organisations in the City of Tshwane to render services to communities by evaluating the Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Livelihood Programme for the period of 2015 to 2018. This research adopted a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants in the study according to time in the programme and the number of years non-profit organisations have been receiving funding from government. Using semistructured interviews and document analysis, this study found that, despite the efforts of the Gauteng Department of Social Development to decentralise services, poverty levels in South African communities remain high. This study further found that, although national, provincial and local poverty alleviation or sustainable livelihood programmes have been established, these programmes have been insufficient in making an impact in job placements and poorly reflect poverty reduction challenging communities. While non-profit organisations still face a plethora of challenges with regard to limited funding, capacity challenges and a lack of meaningful training and support, these organisations have however shown to be effective in achieving poverty alleviation in terms of the Sustainable Livelihood Programme outcomes in addition to meeting the needs of the poor. This success has been achieved through the offering of skills development programmes to the youth, implementing government food security interventions, fostering entrepreneurship skills, and promoting access to information on social development opportunities in communities. This study recommends that, for government to see considerable results and a change in the fight against poverty alleviation, there is a need to establish one national and uniform poverty alleviation programme that could be implemented across all spheres of government. In addition, this study concluded that, in strengthening the usefulness of non-profit organisations, there is a need to extend the current role played by the NPO Directorate, not only where staff capacity is concerned but also to introduce a functional model for managing the funding of all NPOs in South Africa. / Public Administration and Management / M. Admin (Public Adminitration)
412

Exploring how internal saving and lending (ISAL) services assist households affected by HIV and AIDS to sustain livelihoods : case of households in a rural area of Zimbabwe

Hamadziripi, Alfred 15 December 2019 (has links)
The study was an exploration of how internal savings and lending (ISAL) influenced the way in which persons affected by HIV and AIDS earned and spent income. The researcher engaged with the life stories of participants belonging to HIV and AIDS support groups that practised ISAL in rural Bikita district in Zimbabwe. The negative changes brought about by HIV and AIDS were found to influence the way participants generated and spent their income. The initial illness of family members reduced the participation in productive activities of the ill and family members providing care. Compounding effects included reduced attention to and increasing abandonment of productive activities, reduction in the scale of production, the use of inappropriate inputs, forced disposal of assets, increased household debts, reliance on social networks, and dependence on begging and piecework for income. The low productivity from activities meant that households generated less produce and income. This triggered changes in the prioritisation of spending, with healthcare and associated transportation needs superseding all, followed by spending on food. Expenses that were not prioritised during the period of illness included the purchase of improved agricultural inputs, spending on education and clothing and, in some cases, food purchases. In the findings, ISAL is associated with restoring past and starting up new productive and income-generating activities. Regular access to loans allowed storytellers to invest in activities that improved the levels and frequency of income that they earned. Loans were used to directly cover daily family needs, reducing reliance on risky coping mechanisms. Lump sum payments and bulk grocery purchases helped storytellers to invest and manage their cashflow. Overall, households that practised ISAL improved and increased their incomes and ability to spend on healthcare and satisfy other daily needs to levels similar to and better than those experienced before they had to cope with the effects of HIV and AIDS. Recommendations from the study include enabling persons testing HIV positive to access social protection, adapted agriculture technologies and financial education tailored to those affected by HIV and AIDS. Areas for potential further research include a quantitative and qualitative analysis of income and expenditure changes for persons affected by HIV and AIDS and the effects on children of dropping out and being re-enrolled at school. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology) (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)) / 1 online resource (ix, 153 pages)
413

Diffusion and adoption ofrenewable energy products forenhanced societal wellbeing : Minor field study in Handeni, Tanzania

Lind, Fredrik, Åman, Beatrice January 2022 (has links)
This study aims to understand and assess the diffusion and adoption of RES forenhanced societal wellbeing in developing countries. Furthermore, the purpose is tocontribute to a deeper understanding of the drivers and barriers (D&B) to the diffusionand adoption of RES among smallholders in rural Tanzania. The study onlyinvestigated solar energy lamps and not all products within the scope of RE. This wasto draw a more accurate and relevant conclusion from the empirical study. The study took place in Handeni, Tanzania, from March to May 2022. The primarydata for the study was collected through observations and twenty semi-structuredinterviews in four different villages in Handeni's Rural district. The data sets wereanalyzed through a thematic analysis to identify which D&B the smallholders werefacing regarding the adoption of solar energy lamps. These D&B were later furtheranalyzed with the help of the secondary data from literature studies, where theDiffusion of innovations theory and the Sustainable livelihoods approach were themain theories used. Barriers to adopting solar energy lamps were identified as; knowledge, trust, economy,and accessibility. Driving forces for wanting a solar energy lamp were; the reduced riskof health problems, reduced risk for accidents, portability, facilitating householdactivities, no variable costs, and the possibility to study and work at night. Otherfindings were the need for payment plans, charging on cloudy days, and batteriesthrown in nature. By connecting the drivers with elements from DOI, it was concluded that adoptiononly occurred in households where the driving forces were stronger than the barriers.Furthermore, an assessment of smallholders' wellbeing through the five capitals ofSLA discovered that financial, human, and physical capital were considered low in thestudied area. By bridging the gap between barriers and end-user, an increased diffusionand adoption of RES could occur, raising the capital assets identified as low. This risein the smallholders' low capital assets could push the transformation towardsustainability and enhance societal wellbeing in developing countries. The contribution from this study can hopefully be used for future research on howorganizations in practice can implement presented solutions. Furthermore, the study'sfindings can also provide guidelines on how the diffusion and adoption of RES can beincreased in rural areas of other developing countries. / Minor field studies
414

Development of a sustainable land and ecosystem services decision support framework for the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Musetsho, Khangwelo Desmond 05 1900 (has links)
This study aimed to investigate the spatial extent of Land-Use Land-Cover (LULC) change and the implications for ecosystem services in order to develop a sustainable land-use management framework for traditional authorities in South Africa. Effectively, this study undertook an insightful examination of the impacts that arise from policy decisions and practices, which unfortunately were found to be ineffective. The methodologies and approaches used in this study included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The critical quantitative method employed in this research was the use of survey questionnaires to collect primary data. Qualitative approaches, such as one-on-one and key informant interviews, were used to triangulate the findings. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods were used to investigate changes in LULC from 1990 to 2018 through the use of data obtained from the South African National Land-Cover project. Stochastic models were used to predict future LULC changes from 2018 to 2050. The Co$ting Nature Policy Support System was used to identify and undertake economic valuation of services provided by ecosystems. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to identify correlations and the reliability of the data, while graphs and tables were generated to identify patterns and lessons from the research. Between 1990 and 2018, significant changes in land cover were noticed for thickets and dense bush, woodlands, waterbodies, subsistence agriculture, and built-up areas. Woodlands changed by over 1 000 hectares (ha) per year, while thickets decreased by over 900 ha per year. Drivers of these changes include deforestation, among others. Future predictions for LULC revealed that between 2018 and 2050, almost 500 ha of woodlands would be lost to built-up areas. The aggregate value of the services flowing from ecosystems was found to be R9 509 044 608.00. A significant issue was that 90% of the traditional leaders interviewed could not positively respond to whether they knew the extent of the land they presided over, which raised questions regarding the effectiveness of their management systems. Recommendations were made in this study to address the limitations identified in the land-use management practices by adapting elements of the main theoretical frameworks, namely the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework; the Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses framework; the sustainability theory; and the hierarchy of plans, into a new framework designed specifically for traditional leaders, titled the “Traditional leaders land-use decision support framework”. / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Management)
415

The effects of the underutilisation of the restored farmlands in Taung: North West province

Molebiemang, Kaone 17 January 2020 (has links)
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the underutilisation of the restored farmlands in the Taung area of the North West province, South Africa. The study was based on the two communal property institutions: the Sebuemang-Khaukhwe Communal Property Association (CPA) and Rethabile Mosimane Trust. This study was grounded in the theory of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). A qualitative research methodology was used to guide the study, while the SLF was used to guide the study, relevant data gathering methods, and the selection of measuring instruments led to the acceptable findings. The findings of the research study have confirmed that there were some effects of the underutilisation of the land in the two communal property institutions (CPIs). The underlying factors of the underutilisation of the land were found to be the institutional weaknesses of the state, and to a lesser extent, the institutional weaknesses of the CPIs. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the effects on the beneficiaries of the two CPIs, were not as massive as contemplated due to the contribution of the state’s social welfare programme on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. Some of the effects identified were namely: no farm production, no sale and income of farm production, no home consumption of farm produce surplus and no employment. Additional to that host of the factors of vulnerability there are that rose from them i.e.: poverty, destitution, and emotional effects (frustration and anger) and ultimate conflict eruption in the CPIs. In conclusion, the study made recommendations based on key issues which some are: Adequate livelihoods and technical support by state, state’s policies review, retention of the state’s social welfare support, requesting of the private sector to contribute to land reform and rehabilitation of the old gravel road by a relevant state organ (Dept: Public works). / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)
416

The role of coffee-based agriculture in the socio-economic development of Borecha District, Ethiopia

Ayalew Kibret Dessie 10 1900 (has links)
This study was carried out to examine the significance of Coffee-based agriculture in the socio-economic development of rural livelihoods in Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on households in the Borecha District of the Illubabor Zone, Oromia Regional State. In this dissertation, three randomly selected study kebeles2 were considered. The primary data were collected using household questionnaires, observation and key informant interviews. The secondary data were acquired from a review of the diverse and extensive literature contained in journals, textbooks and published and unpublished documents. The target population encompasses 1,600 coffee-growing households in the Borecha District, although the sample included only 120 coffee-growing farmers. Sample selection was performed using a stratified sampling technique to select three kebeles. The data analysis was both qualitative and quantitative, which involved descriptive statistics and general linear model (UNIANOVA, MANOVA). The data are presented as tables, bar charts, and line graphs accompanied by correlations and multiple comparisons that help to interpret the findings and to generate conclusions that support solutions to the identified problems. The findings show that coffee growing has increased the income generated from direct sales and associated employment opportunities. The social contributions realised include that over the past two years, households trend in spending on education increased. Moreover, sampled households access to health facilities changed after they started growing coffee. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)
417

Determinants of rural household food security in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia : case study in Lay Gaint District, Amhara Region

Arega Bazezew Berlie 11 1900 (has links)
This study examines rural household food security and its determinants in drought-prone Amhara Region of Ethiopia by focusing on Lay Gaint district as a case study site. A range of factors from physical environmental circumstances to policy and institutions-related issues determine households‟ vulnerability to food insecurity and livelihood outcomes. The survey results showed that the majority (74%) of the sampled households experienced food insecurity. The situation was worse among female-headed households such that 86% of them were food insecure. The study revealed that, despite the low level of productivity related to local environmental constraints, rural livelihoods remain undiversified with small scale rain-fed agriculture to provide the primary source of livelihood for the large majority of households (~93% of respondents). Only about 25% of the respondents participated in some form of non-farm or off-farm activities, but with only little contribution to their total annual incomes. Food insecurity is a chronic problem in that, on average, households in the study area consume from own production for only about six months. The study found out that the majority of households (about 80%) perceived annual rainfall to be inadequate to support the growing of crops and grazing of animals. The main adaptive strategies employed by the majority of households included diversifying livestock kept, planting trees and diversifying crops. The study revealed that incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity of the food insecure households showed that Woina-Dega and Kolla agro-ecologies are prone to vulnerability to food insecurity. This suggests that development interventions that are geographically differentiated; and build household assets will improve household food security in the study area, and in other similar environments in the country. / Geography / D. Phil. (Geography)
418

Gender roles in households : A case study on gender roles in households in northern Tanzania / Könsroller i hushåll : En fallstudie om könsroller i hushåll i norra Tanzania

Lundh, Ottilia January 2022 (has links)
This case study investigates perspectives and changes in gender roles in household activities from a gender (in)equality context in Tarime, northern Tanzania. The participants in this study part-took in a previous project called the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem Project (SEMA) which aimed to integrate gender perspectives and sustainable livelihoods in rural parts of Tarime. Women in these areas often bear the primary responsibilities of caring for the household. The area is also controlled by male authority, and women are daily exposed to oppression and physical violence. Statistically, girls in the study area often miss the chance to higher education since boys are prioritized. Instead, girls risk the chances of early marriage and are exposed to female genital multination. So far, there has been little research on gender roles in household activities in these areas. Therefore, this case study strived to provide such material for future project operations. The main goal of this study was to investigate gender equality in households, focusing on how women and men describe norms linked to equality and gender roles in households, if norms and roles have changed after the project and if so, which circumstances have led to such a change. Both men and women were interviewed through semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and informal interviews. The empirical data was later analyzed through the lens of the social role theory. Research findings showed that women are still living subordinate to men and unequal distribution of household duties still exists. However, education on equal rights and women empowerment from the SEMA project has changed people's perspectives on the matter, inspiring both women and men to fight for a sustainable change. The study explores root causes that hinder the implementation of equal rights. This study can contribute to more understanding of cultural traditions and finding new ways to sustain the implantation of equal rights. / Nyckelord: Fallstudie, könsroller, Tarime, norra Tanzania, ojämlikhet mellan könen, genusperspektiv, Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem Project (SEMA), hållbar försörjning, förtryck, fysiskt våld, kvinnlig könsstympning, hushållsaktiviteter, utbildning, jämställdhetDenna fallstudie undersöker perspektiv och förändringar i könsroller i hushållsaktiviteter i Tarime, norra Tanzania. Deltagarna i denna studie deltog i ett tidigare projekt kallat Serengati-Mara Ecosystem Project (SEMA) som syftade till att integrera genusperspektiv och hållbar försörjning på landsbygden i Tarime. Kvinnor i dessa områden bär ofta det primära ansvaret att ta hand om hushållet. Studieområdet kontrolleras också av manlig auktoritet och kvinnor utsätts dagligen för förtryck och fysiskt våld. Statistiskt sett saknar många flickor högre utbildning eftersom pojkarna är de främsta prioriterade. I stället ligger fokus på att flickor ska bli bortgifta och undergå kvinnlig könsstympning. Hittills har det gjorts lite forskning om könsroller i hushållsaktiviteter inom dessa områden. Därför strävade denna fallstudie efter att tillhandahålla sådant material för framtida projektverksamhet. Huvudmålet med denna studie var att undersöka jämställdhet i hushållen, med fokus på hur kvinnor och män beskriver normer kopplade till jämställdhet och könsroller i hushållen, om normer och roller har förändrats efter projektet och vilka omständigheter som i så fall har lett till sådan förändring. Både män och kvinnor intervjuades genom semistrukturerade intervjuer och fokusgruppsintervjuer. Den empiriska datan analyserades senare genom teorin om sociala roller. Forskningsresultat visade att kvinnor fortfarande lever under manligt styrande och att det fortfarande finns en ojämn fördelning av hushållsuppgifter. Utbildning om lika rättigheter och kvinnors egenmakt från SEMA-projektet har dock förändrat människors perspektiv på frågan, och inspirerat både kvinnor och män att kämpa för en hållbar förändring. Studien utforskar grundorsaker som hindrar genomförandet av lika rättigheter. Denna studie kan bidra till mer förståelse för kulturella traditioner och hitta nya sätt att upprätthålla införandet av lika rättigheter.
419

Sustaining family life in rural China : reinterpreting filial piety in migrant Chinese families

Mai, Dan T. January 2015 (has links)
This study explores the changing nature of filial piety in contemporary society in rural China. With the economic, social and political upheavals that followed the Revolution, can 'great peace under heaven' still be found for the rural Chinese family as in the traditional Confucian proverb,"make yourself useful, look after your family, look after your country, and all is peaceful under heaven"? This study explores this question, in terms not so much of financial prosperity, but of non-tangible cultural values of filial piety, changing familial and gender roles, and economic migration. In particular, it examines how macro level changes in economic, social and demographic policies have affected family life in rural China. The primary policies examined were collectivisation, the hukou registration system, marketization, and the One-Child policy. Ethnographic interviews reveal how migration has affected rural family structures beyond the usual quantifiable economic measures. Using the village of Meijia, Sichuan province, as a paradigmatic sample of family, where members have moved to work in the cities, leaving their children behind with the grandparents, the study demonstrates how migration and modernization are reshaping familial roles, changing filial expectations, reshuffling notions of care-taking, and transforming traditional views on the value of daughters and daughters-in-law. The study concludes that the choices families make around migration, child-rearing and elder-care cannot be fully explained by either an income diversification model or a survival model, but rather through notions of filial piety. Yet the concept of filial piety itself is changing, particularly in relation to gender and perceptions about the worth of daughters and the mother/ daughter-in-law relationship. Understanding these new family dynamics will be important for both policy planners and economic analysts.
420

Birds, bats and arthropods in tropical agroforestry landscapes: Functional diversity, multitrophic interactions and crop yield

Maas, Bea 20 November 2013 (has links)
No description available.

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