World food security will be one of the greatest global challenges in the 21st century and utilisation of an increased range of food crops is generally regarded as being vital to meeting this challenge, including the use of legumes. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an African indigenous legume that shows great potential to improve the food and economic security of small scale farmers living in semi-arid regions of South Africa. This study sought to investigate the potential for Bambara groundnut to enhance the food and economic security of small scale farmers in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 43 Bambara groundnut producers were interviewed about Bambara groundnut production and their perceived enablers and barriers of utilizing Bambara groundnut. The study found that the majority of Bambara groundnut producers were old (>65 years of age), female small scale farmers who produced the crop for primarily household use. There were however a small number of farmers who produced Bambara groundnut on a larger scale, mostly to sell. Most farmers perceived that local demand was higher than supply and were able to obtain a high market value for Bambara groundnut. There appeared to be potential economic opportunities for many of the farmers to sell Bambara groundnut. The main reason why most farmers in this study did not sell Bambara groundnut was because the yields they obtained were too low. The main enablers perceived by farmers for Bambara groundnut production were a) The high nutritional value of Bambara groundnut; b) The good taste of the seeds; c) The nitrogen fixation properties of this legume and its ability to improve soil fertility; d) The legume intercrops well with maize; e) Bambara groundnuts high drought resistance; f) Cultural traditions associated with Bambara groundnut; and g) Use as animal feed. The main barriers were a) Low yielding characteristics of Bambara groundnut; b) Lack of available farmland; c) Lack of irrigation; d) Poor land management practices; e) Low soil fertility; and f) The crop's susceptibility to water logging. Overall the farmers were positive about Bambara groundnut production and could potentially benefit from advancements made in this sector of agriculture. The study concludes with recommendations to help improve small scale farmers' production of Bambara groundnut with the aim of improving their food and economic security.

Submitted in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Community Work) at the University of Zululand in the Department of Social Work, South Africa, 2008. / This study is about the impact of Ugu Community Foundation in uplifting the community of Mtubatuba. The study was conducted on the progress of the Ugu Community Foundation in uplifting the community .As an evaluative research, unstructured interviews were conducted. A sample of twenty projects members was drawn and interviewed from a number of projects fall under Ugu Community Foundation. Related literature has been reviewed that focuses on poverty alleviation and community upliftment through income generating projects. The findings of the study revealed that the projects were able to generate income to alleviate poverty. The findings also revealed a need for the advanced training for the project members and the market. Recommendations based on the findings were made.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Community Work in the Department of Social Work at the The University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / The study investigated the poverty alleviation involving Land Reform Program (LRAD) Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development at Nhlahlayethu Farm (Umkhanyakude District). Besides land that has been taken back from White farmers and given to Black people; very little has been done to show the difference in poverty alleviation. Observations indicate that agricultural activity in land reform projects (LRAD- Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development) decrease significantly on land that was commercially viable under previous management. Large numbers of people presently own land that was initially owned by one person. Therefore, the first aim of the study was to investigate challenges and opportunities of land reform projects. The second aim of the study was to determine the general perspectives of the target farmers on agricultural farming. The third objective of the study was to investigate the general causes of non- functionality of land reform projects. The fourth objective of the study was to investigate how the whole group of farmers could work the farm up to its full potential and to determine how the Department of Land Affairs and Agriculture, could collaborate to improve development efforts towards sustainable land reform projects. The findings revealed that farmers experience a lot of challenges caused by the lack of funds and farming equipment after the land has been transferred. This ends up making the program of land reform not fully effective in alleviating poverty. Positive perspective of farmers towards farming is hindered by the lack of' farming management skills accompanied by the rate of illiteracy. Policies between the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs need to be aligned so that after transferring the farm to beneficiaries, resources are available for supporting the target farmers. On the basis of the findings of this study, recommendations to the Land Reform Program (LRAD- Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development) as well as for directing future research were made.

One of the most visible indicators of the increasing global integration of the world economy over the past decade or so has been the phenomenal growth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows and expansion of cross-border activities of multinational enterprises. FDI inflows are considered as channels of entrepreneurship, technology, management skills, and resources that are scarce in developing countries and Southern Africa in particular. Recent developments in growth theory highlight the importance of improvements in technology, efficiency and productivity in simulating growth. In this regard, FDI’s contribution to growth comes through its role as a conduit for transferring its advanced technology from the industrialized to the developing economies and as such FDI inflows could help in the industrialization of the host countries. For instance, Findlay (1978) postulates that FDIs increases the rate of technical progress in the host country through a “contagion” effect from the more advanced technology and management practices used by foreign firms. Since FDI is said to be the most stable source of private capital for developing and transition economies, attracting FDI is at the top of the agenda of such economies around the world as they aim to reduce poverty that is deep and widespread. The paper will look at FDI and its contributions; discuss the relationship between FDI and economic growth; explore the determinants of FDI and economic growth; consider the implications of FDI to economic growth and poverty alleviation; examine Taiwan’s experience when its development was closer to current levels in Africa and Southern Africa in particular; and explore how the Southern African region can attain economic growth through FDI and alleviate its deep and widespread poverty. In trying to assess the extent to which FDI contributes to construction of production facilities, infusion of innovative technologies, management strategies, workforce practices, new employment, and skill transfer, the paper seeks to shed light on appropriate policies to pursue in order to encourage high volumes of FDI and their likely implications for economic growth and poverty alleviation. While economic growth is not synonymous with economic development, it is at least necessary. Provided that mechanisms exist to facilitate some trickle-down of the benefits of economic growth to the impoverished, economic growth can aid in poverty reduction. The most important mechanism by which trickle-down occurs is via employment-creating economic growth. In this way, it is possible that, if FDI serves as a catalyst for economic growth, it will stimulate development and contribute to alleviating poverty (Lipsey, R., 2000). David Dollar (2001) states that Globalization has been a force for growth and poverty reduction in a diverse group of countries and defines globalization as the growing integration of economies and societies around the world as a result of flows of goods and services, capital, people, and ideas. He claims that integration accelerates development and reduces gaps between the developed and developing countries by raising productivity in the developing world. In this way globalization can be a powerful force for poverty reduction. FDI is one element that links the Southern part of Africa to the global economy and as a World Bank report (2001) shows that rapid economic growth and poverty reduction are positive aspects of globalization, the volume of FDI attracted will have an influence on whether the Southern Africa’s poor can benefit from the globalization of markets.

ABSTRACT This paper describes the limitations of the housing policy in Botswana when dealing with poverty alleviation. Botswana is faced with high levels of poverty that does not conform to the country’s economic success since independence. Very few opportunities exist for the urban poor to earn a living and work themselves out of poverty. Efforts to address poverty in the past yielded mixed results and failed the urban poor more especially that the interventions were biased towards rural areas. Evidence has been provided that housing has a critical role to play in poverty alleviation. The Government of Botswana has put in place housing projects (one of which is used for this enquiry) through which poverty can be addressed alongside other human needs such as shelter. An enabling environment has to be created for the successful exploitation of housing for poverty alleviation. It is therefore imperative that the government ensures the existence of such an environment.

Student Number :0418716K - MA research report - School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies - Faculty of Humanities / As a continuously growing industry worldwide, tourism has often demonstrated its role as a vital tool in the advancement of economies through direct domestic and foreign exchange earnings and through the employment and investment opportunities it can generate. African countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, often over-reliant on one or two sectors for economic development, have recognised the potential of the tourism industry to diversify local economies and contribute to poverty alleviation, economic regeneration and stability, affording many Africans the opportunity to participate in and benefit from tourism. The participation of local populations in Africa’s tourism industries, however, is often limited to employment opportunities. Travel by local tourists is often overlooked by members of the tourism industry, and is often considered a luxury by many in the local population. The role of domestic tourism and its importance for the creation of a sustainable tourism industry has been widely acknowledged, but limited writings on the subject exist and few tourism policies include domestic tourism, neglecting its potential. The emergence of a new African middle-class, equipped with more of a disposable income and influenced by Western lifestyles, has proven that such potential does in fact exist. Those living in Africa as well as members of the Diaspora have shown more of an interest in leisure travel and represent a new tourism market. Globally, the impact of domestic tourism has been shown to have had a great impact on the tourism economies of several countries, demonstrating that African countries can only serve to benefit from participating in domestic tourism. This research report provides a case study of Rwanda, an African country emerging from war and devastation, aiming to rebuild itself economically, socially and politically. The country has chosen tourism as one of its main economic drivers for poverty reduction and economic development. While the industry is succeeding, an over-reliance on international visitors in such a volatile region threatens the sustainability of the industry. The development of a domestic tourism industry, as has been demonstrated in other countries, offers the opportunity to generate a more diverse and economically sustainable domestic tourism industry. This research focuses on the potential impact of such a domestic tourism industry on Rwanda’s tourism economy and as a result, on the country’s economy as a whole.

Thesis (M. Dev) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Literature has shown that focusing on local economic development is one of the best ways to alleviate poverty and unemployment. Municipalities have been tasked with the responsibility of coordinating local economic development initiatives to bring unemployment and poverty under control. This study highlighted the impact of local economic development on the livelihood of communities in Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani, Limpopo Province within a qualitative paradigm. A questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents with key research findings highlighted in Chapter 4 and a summary of the findings presented in Chapter 5. The study recommends, based on its findings, the importance of local economic development initiatives in poverty and unemployment alleviation.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / Refer to document

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2005 / The purpose of this study was to explore women’s involvement in poverty alleviation projects and to examine the benefits that are derived from such projects. The Phutuma Development Project and Gottenburg Women’s Group are the projects which were studied. The methods used to conduct this study involved collecting data through questionnaires and interviews. The various stakeholders, project members as well as government officials from the departments of Health and Social Development were interviewed. This study is significant in that it can help the government in its efforts to assist the poor live a decent life, and to provide better services to communities. This study uncovers the kind of challenges that government departments and communities face when setting up poverty alleviation projects. The study recommends how this should be done to achieve optimum results.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of a community-based agricultural project, the Mabunda Citrus Project in the Greater Giyani Municipality of Mopani District, Limpopo Province, on poverty alleviation and community development within the framework of rural development in the Agricultural Sector. Although there is a general view that community-based agricultural projects have an impact on community development in the literature, very little is known about the impact of community initiatives in Limpopo Province. This study project therefore sought to fill in this knowledge gap and highlight prospects and challenges of these endeavours. Using a qualitative case study design, a series of interviews schedules and focus group sessions were conducted among 21 (n=21) direct beneficiaries who each had about 10 hectares orchard, seven (n=7) civic community structure and seven (n=7) youth structure committee members and one (n=1) Deputy Chief in the Xitlakati Community in the Greater Giyani Municipality. Data collected over a period of a week were captured via field notes and analyzed using thematic and content analyses. The results of the study show three interrelated results. First, the beneficiaries included in the study met the requirements of people below the poverty line, save for one volunteer teacher. Secondly, the findings show that although the project does not meet all the needs of the beneficiaries, it does show many positive impacts on poverty alleviation. This is illustrated by increased employment of the beneficiaries and seasonal workers, donation of uniforms to poor children in both primary and secondary schools in the community, provision of oranges for consumption to workers, deputy chief and schools as well as the acquisition of a community hall in the Xitlakati community. Given these positive findings above, the researcher concluded that community-based agricultural projects in Limpopo are a necessary condition for poverty alleviation in rural areas. However, the researcher has observed that structural and practical challenges, as outlined in the study, may derail the project from reaching its full potential. It is therefore recommended that a full time specialized technician be provided, the beneficiary selection criteria to include more females and disabled persons be revised; budget and salaries be discussed in a transparent way, among other potential threats. Since this is a qualitative research, the conclusions derived are limited due to the sample size. Further quantitative research is necessary to provide quantitative measures of the impact of the project on poverty alleviation.