School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (ETDs)

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Browsing School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (ETDs) by Author "Grab, Stefan"

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    The role of institutional arrangements in post-flood disaster management in South Africa, focusing on Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, Mphela Township and Ncakubana Communities
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-10) Nyide, Sindisiwe; Grab, Stefan; Simatele, Mulala Danny
    South African officials and communities grapple with various matters after flood disasters. This thesis used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches to explore possible systematic and structural weaknesses in addressing post-flood disasters in South Africa. The study investigated whether post-disaster management in disaster-vulnerable urban and rural communities contributes towards disaster resilience and adaptive capacity to achieve sustainable development. The need stemmed from the Country's high frequency and magnitude of disasters, including floods, droughts, and fires. The Government implemented different policies and strategies after 1994 to address flood disasters. While acknowledging some success in managing these disasters with the current adaptive measures, the frequency and intensity of disasters have increased, causing significant loss of life, environmental damage, and properties, particularly among the vulnerable population. Since this was a national study, participants came from across South Africa. The random sampling selected 35 Ncakubana Village and Mphela Township community members. Other selected participants were seven and six focus group members, respectively. In contrast, purposive and snowball samples chose 34 disaster management officials. Moreover, the purposive sampling selected two ward councillors and six advisory forum members. There were open-ended and closed-ended questions in the interview schedules and questionnaire surveys. The researcher also used observation to gather information on variables of interest during transect walks in the study areas. The study conducted an intensive documentary analysis to obtain more information. Descriptive statistical techniques, Microsoft Excel, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences were employed to examine the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was for qualitative data analysis to review data from open-ended questions and literature. The study employed Atlasti software for inductive content analysis to identify research codes and themes and the Word Cloud tool to visualise textual data. For quantitative results, 33 disaster management officials responded that disaster-specific Acts and Policies are in place. According to 21 disaster management officials, or 62% of all participants, their organisations have vulnerable groups' specific policies. Multistakeholder complications were the most frequently mentioned challenge by participants. They mentioned them 23 times, 68% of the total participants. Challenges stated, among others, included funding and administrative matters. Most of the respondents, 75% identified funding as the biggest problem. Qualitatively, the thesis uncovered that disaster management is a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary field. Although various institutional arrangements exist, they do not seem appropriate for assisting vulnerable groups post-disaster. Floods appeared to be the most frequent natural disaster in South Africa. Floods severely affected vulnerable people, particularly women, the elderly, children, and people with physical disabilities. While officials have made some progress on implementing post-flood disaster projects, they appear inadequate to assist vulnerable groups in dealing with floods. Furthermore, regrettably, despite the level of success in addressing disasters, most measures have failed to achieve the intended results for various reasons. The participants identified multiple tangible and intangible opportunities. They subsequently proposed that Disaster Management Centres develop various noteworthy documents, intensify the dissemination of post-disaster information across numerous platforms, obtain post-disaster funding and adequate personnel, and establish or revitalise structures. The suggested consolidated long-term measures by the participants yielded a proposed South African Post-flood Disaster Checklist or Model, which was non-existent in South Africa. By implementing more effective and efficient post-disaster measures, the proposed tool can help policymakers and strategic partners standardise post-disaster resilience and adaptive capacity in various sectors' sustainability contexts. The aim is to have post-flood disaster resilient communities with adaptive capacity to achieve sustainable development.