AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was hoofsaaklik om 'n volledige opname te maak van alle fases van die gemeenskaslewe in die verafgeleë en geïsoleerde distrik van Namakwaland. Gegewens oor die gemeenskap is sover moontlik kwantitatief ingesamel en dit is aangevul deur objektiewe waarnemings en ondervindinge van die skrywer en van ou inwoners in die distrik wat geod bekend is met die Namakwalandse samelewing. Dit is deurgaans gevind dat die gebore Namakwalander 'n besonder goeie verteller is, veral as hy toegelaat word om oor homself en sy eie moeilikhede en lewensgebruike te gesels. Deur hierdie vertellinge kon waardevolle data saamgestel word. Die vernaamste bron waaruit gegewens oor die samelewing verkry is, was die familie in die gemeenskap self en besonderhede oor die familielewe is ingesamel deur middel van 'n opmetingskedule. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Not available

Magister Artium - MA / Water is an indispensable source of life - it should not only be regarded as a social good, but also as a valuable economic resource. Since two thirds of South Africa are highly dependent on groundwater as a result of the lack of perennial rivers, it is essential that this resource be conserved and protected for the future at all costs. The value of groundwater is therefore thoroughly realised in the sparsely populated and semi-arid Namaqualand. The main objective of this study was to make a survey of the availability and the quality of groundwater in the rural areas of this region, so that ultimately, a consumption strategy could be developed for the area. Since sanitation and factors associated with it cannot be separated from the water provision problems in the selected areas, it also formed part of the study. Aspects like the availability of water and sanitation facilities were scrutinised and strongly linked to social aspects around groundwater consumption and health conditions. Two small towns were used as case studies, namely Paulshoek in the Leliefontein rural area and Bulletrap in the Steinkopf area. These towns have a lack of both physical and social infrastructure, while the area as a whole is characterised by poverty. The region is inhabited by culturally homogeneous groups of people with one language and faith, who also share very similar historical backgrounds.

Introduction: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) living in rural areas are known to have a higher risk of living in poverty as they have the lowest levels of employment. To assist persons with disabilities to overcome these challenges, the South African government has developed interventions such as social assistance programmes which aim to prevent poverty and assure the basic minimum standard of living. Over the past five years minimal research has been published which focused on the disability grant in the South African context. More specifically, no research has been conducted in the Northern Cape, home to a high proportion of persons with disabilities. Of the research conducted in other parts of South Africa, no studies have sought to understand the experiences of persons with disabilities while engaging in the disability grant process. The research question for this study was, “How are PWDs experiencing the disability grant processes occurring at the SASSA Springbok branch in the NC?” This study therefore aimed to describe the experiences of disabled persons with the disability grant processes as they occurred at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Springbok, Northern Cape. Method: A single instrumental case study research design was utilised. Five participants were purposively sampled. Data were collected through document review of pertinent SASSA documents, non-participant observation, and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed inductively, taking a thematic approach. Findings: The theme that emerged was Respecting differences is part of humanity. The main findings reveal that engaging with persons with disabilities as humans and not disregarding their humanity because of their disability are imperative to how they experience the disability grant process. Two categories, For us, human dignity matters, and the Impact of context on occupational rights, encapsulate two specific areas that relate to the theme. Conclusion: The experience of the disability grant process in this case study was influenced by stakeholder engagement with participants, mandatory protocols implemented due to the novel coronavirus, and the administrative aspects of the process. Recommendations for an improved overall experience of the disability grant process include streamlining the disability grant application process, the implementation of consistent Batho Pele principles by all stakeholders, suitably accommodating the disability grant application process for all types of disabilities, as well as maintaining the logistical structures put in place (albeit unintentionally) from the year 2020.