4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions

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Breaking the Chains of Intergenerational Childhood Poverty: A Narrative Retrospective Study of Resilience
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Wong , Caitlyn; Jithoo, Vinitha; Besharati, Sahba
The experience of poverty is well-documented, however, there is a notable gap in the existing research concerning the unique narratives of university students who have undergone experiences of poverty during childhood. These students have been successful in gaining admission into university despite facing major financial hardships stemming from their experiences of intergenerational childhood poverty. These university students identified with having experiences of childhood poverty as well as resilience, thus becoming an important and under-researched sample. This qualitative study aims to explore these students’ narratives of childhood impoverishment, with an emphasis on the identification and understanding of resilience within these experiences. This topic was investigated through the utilisation of the resilience theoretical framework. The study employed a Narrative Analysis (NA) to assess the experiential and retrospective narrative accounts of emerging adults within the university student demographic using semi-structured interviews. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) narratives within the living environment; (2) the nexus of poverty, education, and opportunity; and (3) participants’ constructions of resilience. The results illustrated that the narrative experience of childhood poverty contained great levels of experienced difficulties within the home and schooling environment, and with emotional implications of poverty resulting in difficulties with coping and social exclusion. However among this plethora of hardship, participants constructions of resilience related to motivation, strength, acceptance, adaptation, and rewriting the narrative towards positive meaning-making. Therefore this study provided further subjective insight into the topic of poverty and resilience by way of presenting the data as experienced by the research participants, as well as having made recommendations for future research.
Can Land Redistribution Aid in Reducing Poverty and Inequality in South Africa?
(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) More, Itumeleng; Lange, Jérôme
Land allocation has been a thorny issue in South Africa. Post-democracy, the ANC government promised to redistribute land to poor citizens with the main aim of eradicating poverty, ensuring employment of citizens, and enhancing economic development in the nation. This paper looks at different land redistribution approaches that can been used in land reforms with the main focus on the market-led approach and government-led approach. A systematic review has been utilized in the research to identify land reform processes in South Africa. Out of the twelve reviewed articles, eight indicate that land redistribution had a positive impact on addressing poverty, unemployment, and economic development. The articles also indicate that market-led land distribution did not achieve its intended objectives. The paper concludes that there is a need for comprehensive government intervention in land-redistribution and -allocation in South Africa.
Digital Collaborative Consumption in an emerging market: South African food delivery services
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Tinayeshe, Shumba; Saruchera, Fanny
Many consumers have complained about food delivery services. The applications make double payments, and sometimes, the call centres are not easily accessible. Orders get mixed up, and sometimes food is delivered to the wrong addresses. Digital collaborative consumption (DCC) enables consumers to share products and services instead of owning them. A new and rapidly growing class of business models uses digitally mediated platforms to facilitate the DCC of goods and services. Smartphones' development and their rapid spread suggest that these business models could address typical low capital formation and high unemployment in emerging markets (EMs). However, although DCC is integral to daily life in emerging marketplaces, very little is known about DCC business models. The research aimed to evaluate the impact of DCC in the food delivery industry in emerging markets, focusing on South Africa. To achieve this goal, the study specifically aimed at assessing the drivers and deterrents of digital collaborative consumption in the food delivery industry, the impact of the DCC business model and develope a conceptual model which explains and predict consumer attitudes and buying intentions in EMs. Data was collected from 828 participants using validated instruments from South Africa. The theorised relations were assessed simultaneously using structural equation modelling. Models were fit to item covariance matrices using robust maximum likelihood estimation in Mplus, version 7. The research advanced the understanding of DCC to make conceptual, methodological, empirical, and practical contributions. Conceptually, the study included cognitive response and attitudes as potential mediators of DCC drivers in EMs. Empirically, the study brought together variables and relations not previously studied in EMs, including environmental influences and individual differences influencing consumer adoption. Methodologically, a new scale measuring DCC was developed from existing scales, assessed rigorously using confirmatory factor analysis, and showed good measurement properties. Home delivery, economic benefits, social benefits and security assurance strongly influenced the intention to continue using the DCC business model, while trust in the platform showed a non-significant relationship. Practically, the effect size estimates suggested that home delivery, economic benefits, Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and security assurance have practical relevance for marketing strategies and reshaping public policy in DCC. The study recommends approaches that the research institutes, government, policymakers and business leaders can use to unlock opportunities and get new guidance on this rapidly growing business model in EMs
Exploring informal cross border trading and poverty reduction in Harare
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Chadambuka, Rumbidzai Ann; Lynge, Halfdan
Informal sector in Africa is a major source of income and entrepreneurship for those with less skills and the unemployed. ICBT is a common informal activity for poor households, and it is a survival strategy for the marginalised, especially women. ICBT is mainly attributed to failing economies and poverty in Africa. This study explores how ICBT contributes to the socio-economic needs of Harare households. There is scant literature on ICBT's contributions to day-to-day basic needs. Thus, this study sought to fill this gap in literature by exploring the contributions of ICBT in Harare households. A qualitative study was conducted with twenty participants consisting of thirteen women engaged in ICBT, five family members and two agents. Participants were recruited using snowball and purposive sampling and, on the basis that they were female, resided in Harare, engaged in ICBT between Harare and Johannesburg or a family member staying with the female trader or an agent of the trader. Face-to-face and telephonic interviews were conducted with participants using narrative approach and were audio-recorded. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis ICBT has made positive and negative socio-economic impact in the home. Due to failing economic conditions in Zimbabwe, both the employed and unemployed, educated and less educated, find themselves in ICBT to generate income and to supplement their low salaries. ICBT has empowered women in Harare by making them financially independent to cater for their family needs. Women’s role has been changing from unpaid household chores to being breadwinners and this earns them respect they never had before. The sector has its own challenges mainly due to changes in economic trends, government regulations, societal and cultural expectations, and Covid-19 pandemic. These challenges do not necessarily stop ICBT because traders always find other ways to continue in business. Strengthening context-specific and context-driven policies that are supportive and not hostile to ICBT should be prioritized in empowering women and curbing the challenges they face in ICBT.
South Africa’s legal framework to eradicate period poverty
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Jonker, Vivienne
A teenage girl attempting to complete high school in a low-income setting in South Africa is likely impeded by period poverty. Period poverty is the circumstance of women and girls1 being unable to manage their periods due to their socio-economic conditions. It compromises a plethora of human rights, such as the rights to education and equality. The South African state is legally obliged to ensure, at the very least, that these rights are not compromised. This paper equips the reader with an understanding of South Africa’s legal framework to address period poverty. It tells the story of the state’s measures to address period poverty; identifies their pertinent shortfalls and proposes amendments to the framework. Activists campaigning for the eradication of period poverty are encouraged to advocate for these amendments
Studies on philanthropy and impact investment in Ghana
(2021) Osei, Dennis Boahene
Anecdotal evidence of practices and institutions has accumulated over the years through oral traditions and all over the psyche of the African. While giving to good causes is not new in the Ghanaian traditional system and culture, there is a general paucity of literature regarding recent developments on the topic. Studies regarding investments that simultaneously generate financial, as well as social and /or environmental returns, are equally lacking. Using Ghana as a case study, this thesis contributes to the literature on three thematic areas in accordance with identified gaps in the philanthropy and impact investment literature. Specifically, the thesis relies on quantitative (instrumental variable probit model) and qualitative (content analysis, multiple-case study) research techniques to examine the relationships, and determinants of formal and informal charitable giving; uncover the motives, priorities, strategies, opportunities, and challenges of corporate foundation giving; and explore the approach to impact investing. These are critical issues whose understanding is theoretical and western-oriented, lacking empirical attention in the emerging literature of African philanthropy and impact investment. Given this, the thesis produced three independent essays to address these salient gaps in the philanthropy and impact investment literature. Empirical findings evolving from these essays are instructive and generally present crucial insights on African philanthropy and impact investment which is relevant for policy and practice. The first essay examines the extrinsic (socio-demographic) and intrinsic (personality) determinants of both formal and informal charitable giving. In addition, it explores whether the relationship between different types of charitable giving –cash and in-kind donations as well as time donations (volunteering) – is substitutable or complementary. Our findings, based on survey data from 1,533 households and instrumental variable probit model revealed that while marital status, education, v household size, religiosity, ethnicity, and empathic concern are important predictors of formal cash and in-kind giving, informal giving of cash and in-kind is driven by income, religiosity and empathic concern. On the other hand, it was evident that formal volunteering is mainly determined by income, household size, religiosity, and empathic concern, whereas gender and religiosity influence informal volunteering. We established that, in both spheres of formal and informal giving, the relationship between cash and in-kind giving and volunteering is complementary. Premised on these findings, we recommend non-profits and policymakers to recognise the complementary role and distinctive determinants of the spheres of giving in designing tools and policies to raise the levels and effectiveness of fundraising and volunteering campaigns. In the second essay, the practice of corporate philanthropy was explored through the lens of corporate foundations. Specifically, we investigate the motives, priority areas, strategies, opportunities, and challenges of corporate foundation giving. Based on qualitative content analysis, our findings revealed that corporate foundations are influenced by both altruistic and instrumental motives of giving, and that, their approach to giving prioritises multiple areas of national interest such as education, health, economic empowerment, environment/social amenities, and sports. We also found that corporate foundations rely on a combination of strategies (request, media-lead, adoption, and contest) to identify potential beneficiaries and implement their giving programmes. Further evidence indicates that giving of corporate foundations presents opportunities to both foundations (serve society, get partnership offers from other companies, and obtain goodwill from the public) and their parent companies (indirect business and advertising opportunities). However, corporate foundation giving is constrained by insufficient funding, lack of support from stakeholders, managing expectations of individuals, poor maintenance culture, and cultural rites. The findings have implications for practitioners as it presents insights which could vi serve as a model to guide new entrants into the corporate foundation landscape of developing economies. In addition, the findings could assist the development of government interventions necessary to foster greater corporate giving. The third essay applies a change in perspective to explore the approach to impact investing from a supply-side standpoint. This contrasts existing studies which are mostly theoretical and provide an understanding that is western-oriented and from a demand-side viewpoint. Using multiple-case study design and qualitative data from two Ghanaian organisations, we provide evidence of an impact investment approach characterised by concurrent motive of financial and social/environmental returns, longer time horizon, and engagement or provision of non-financial support. We conclude that this approach leverages the tools of venture capital to realise social or ecological purposes. The findings can potentially assist investors and entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and navigate the complexity surrounding the emerging impact investment environment in Ghana and economies of similar nature. Additionally, it can help in developing explicit policies to regulate the sector, increase its awareness, widens its appeal, and use to serve the intended purpose of a
The conceptualisation of food security based on programme evaluations in Sub-Saharan Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Reddy, Prinesa; Mapitsa, Caitlin
This study contributes to the emerging literature on household food security by employing food security programme evaluations, conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, to understand how food security is conceptualised on the ground. This is done through the analysis of programme evaluations against five key conceptual approaches to food security namely the availability, entitlement, capability, sustainable livelihoods, and food system approach. The findings indicate that programmes have conceptualised food security across all five approaches and supports the description of food security being a multidimensional and interdisciplinary phenomenon. The findings also show that the conceptualisation of food security also includes other socioeconomic challenges such as gender inequality and HIV. Lastly, the findings highlight the need for programmes to consider building in sustainability and self-resilience into their conceptualisations of food security.
The contribution of non-governmental organisations to the fight against poverty in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe
(2022-06) Kabonga, Itai
The study explored the contribution of NGOs to the fight against poverty from an asset accumulation perspective. The research was motivated by the paucity of studies in Zimbabwe examining NGOs and poverty reduction from an asset accumulation perspective. The reality in Chegutu District reflects asset challenges emanating from income struggles, vulnerability to economic shocks and infrastructural shortages. Some of the problems are caused by politics and broader poor governance practices in the district and country at large. The study deployed a qualitative approach; given the goal of capturing NGOs’ beneficiaries, staff, and government officials' perspectives, lived realities and experiences. Data to answer the research questions were collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary analysis. It emerged that NGOs in Chegutu District rely more on supply side asset accumulation interventions to fight poverty. They include household economic strengthening (HES), vocational training, community apprenticeship, nutritional gardens as well as service provision, with only referral strategy and lobbying resembling demand side interventions. Several asset accumulation strategies mentioned above generate income (financial assets) in poor households; enabling them to buy food, pay for children's school fees, afford medical care, and meet other daily needs. As households build financial assets, their investments in children's health and education improve, a view supported by many scholars. Guided by a theoretical framing – the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), which argues that poverty is a function emanating from lack of access to five forms of assets–financial, social, physical, natural, and human (Arun, Annim, and Arun, 2010) –findings suggest the need to widen the framework. NGOs also facilitate the building of informational and psychological assets which are key factors in the process of poverty reduction. This research also established that asset accumulation interventions by NGOs hinge on both institutional and non-institution enablers such as government ministries, partner NGOs, community volunteers and community leaders. The study argues that for NGO beneficiaries to reap benefits from NGO interventions, agency taken to be a component of the SLF human assets in the form of patience, resilience, innovation and thinking outside the box plays a critical role. Asset building interventions by NGOs are not operating without challenges and drawbacks. Asset accumulation at household level supported by NGOs is being slowed by bad governance induced macro-economic challenges such as inflation as well the advent of COVID-19 which disrupted asset accumulation interventions like household economic strengthening, nutritional gardens, and educational support. While the supply side interventions are key in fighting poverty, this study recommends that NGOs need to intermix their interventions with more demand side interventions that include watchdog and advocacy to deal with structural causes of poverty. This may call for NGOs to re-examine their orientation.
The Contribution of Non-Governmental Organisations to the Fight against Poverty in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Kabonga, Itai; Moyo, Bhekinkosi; McCandless, Erin
The study explored the contribution of NGOs to the fight against poverty from an assetaccumulation perspective. The research was motivated by the paucity of studies in Zimbabwe examining NGOs and poverty reduction from an asset accumulation perspective. The reality in Chegutu District reflects asset challenges emanating from income struggles, vulnerability to economic shocks and infrastructural shortages. Some of the problems are caused by politics and broader poor governance practices in the district and country at large. The study deployed a qualitative approach; given the goal of capturing NGOs’ beneficiaries, staff, and government officials' perspectives, lived realities and experiences. Data to answer the research questions were collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary analysis. It emerged that NGOs in Chegutu District rely more on supply side asset accumulation interventions to fight poverty. They include household economic strengthening (HES), vocational training, community apprenticeship, nutritional gardens as well as service provision, with only referral strategy and lobbying resembling demand side interventions. Several asset accumulation strategies mentioned above generate income (financial assets) in poor households; enabling them to buy food, pay for children's school fees, afford medical care, and meet other daily needs. As households build financial assets, their investments in children's health and education improve, a view supported by many scholars. Guided by a theoretical framing – the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), which argues that poverty is a function emanating from lack of access to five forms of assets–financial, social, physical, natural, and human (Arun, Annim, and Arun, 2010) – findings suggest the need to widen the framework. NGOs also facilitate the building of informational and psychological assets which are key factors in the process of poverty reduction. This research also established that asset accumulation interventions by NGOs hinge on both institutional and non-institution enablers such as government ministries, partner NGOs, community volunteers and community leaders. The study argues that for NGO beneficiaries to reap benefits from NGO interventions, agency taken to be a component of the SLF human assets in the form of patience, resilience, innovation and thinking outside the box plays a critical role. Asset building interventions by NGOs are not operating without challenges and drawbacks. Asset accumulation at household level supported by NGOs is being slowed by bad governance induced macro-economic challenges such as inflation as well the advent of COVID-19 which disrupted v asset accumulation interventions like household economic strengthening, nutritional gardens, and educational support. While the supply side interventions are key in fighting poverty, this study recommends that NGOs need to intermix their interventions with more demand side interventions that include watchdog and advocacy to deal with structural causes of poverty. This may call for NGOs to re-examine their orientation.
The Relationship between Climate Variability, Household Food Security, and Child Nutrition in a Rural Social-Ecological System
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Xuba, Ntshika
Climate change is expected to impact livelihoods and human well-being, with rural areas potentially most at risk. The potential impacts of climate change on food security and nutrition in rural communities are particularly worrying. The socioeconomic disparities that exist in South Africa also drive disparities in food insecurity and undernutrition, with some people being affected more than others. Climate change is believed to threaten food security and nutrition, but only a limited number of studies in South Africa have evaluated the impact of climate change on changing household food security and, hence, the nutritional status of children under five years over time. Therefore, this study evaluated how climate variability (a proxy for climate change because of data limitations), specifically changes in precipitation, affected household food security and the nutritional status of children under five years between 2010 and 2021 in a rural social-ecological system in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. It is the first of its kind to assess the impact of climate variability on the changes in household dietary diversity, the experience of hunger and the prevalence of child undernutrition while considering the impact of household socioeconomic characteristics in the context of a rural social-ecological system. This study is part of the SUCSES (Sustainability in Communal Social-ecological Systems) study, which aims to examine household livelihood and socioeconomic characteristics and how this influences child nutrition. SUCSES is nested within the MRC/Wits Agincourt Health and Sociodemographic Surveillance System site, which consists of 31 villages with households that rely on remittances and government social assistance as their main livelihood strategies. SUCSES, however, comprised 590 households at baseline in 2010. The children’s ages (months), heights (cm) and weights (kg) were available for each household. These measurements were used to calculate the children’s weight-for-height, weight for-age, and height-for-age, respectively, and to categorise the number of children who were wasted, underweight, or stunted according to the United Nations Children’s Fund’s nutritional standards. These numbers were then used to determine the prevalence and severity of wasting, underweightness and stunting. The household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) are two food security indices developed using data from the SUCSES household survey questionnaires. These indices were used to quantify changes and trends in household food security status over time, while household socioeconomic characteristics, such as employment, asset ownership and household head, among others, were assessed as potential drivers of these households’ food security status. Then, utilising these food security and nutrition indices, the association between food security and child nutrition was examined. Seasonal precipitation trends were also quantified after converting rainfall averages to precipitation anomalies. The effects of precipitation were then assessed by comparing the variations in precipitation to indicators of food security and nutrition. Between 2010 and 2021, there was a significant rise in the prevalence and severity of wasting. Similar variations over time were seen in the prevalence and severity of underweightness (low weight-for-age). Stunting (low height-for-age) exhibited the highest mean prevalence and severity compared to wasting and underweightness, which fluctuated over time. The prevalence of stunting had no directional trend over the years, but the severity of stunting has increased dramatically, raising concerns because chronic poverty is a proxy for long-term undernutrition (e.g., stunting). Although the experience of hunger did not change, these households experienced a decrease in the diversity of diets over time. The diversity of diets was only associated with weight-for-height and weight-for-age in girls under five, despite popular research suggesting that food security is a significant contributor to nutrition. Therefore, households with less varied diets reported more wasted and underweight girls. Generally, rainfall stayed above normal between 2010 and 2014 while falling below average in the following years. However, the statistical analysis used in this study did not find evidence to support a downward or upward trend in precipitation over time. Changes in precipitation had little effect on the households’ experiences of hunger or how diverse their diets have been over time, but these precipitation patterns were associated with weight-for-height, with wasting (low weight-for-height) being more prevalent in below-average rainfall years. The study’s findings highlight the potential influence of climate change on nutritional status, regardless of changes in household food security, but the study’s low sample size may have limited this. Future studies need to build on this research, considering this study’s limitations, to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between climate change, food security and child nutrition
The role of the Community Work Programme (CWP) in poverty alleviation: a case of Naledi Local Municipality in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, North West Province
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mongale, Ontiretse
South Africa is of a typical example of countries which adopted development welfare services. Social development approach has been practiced since 1994 in South Africa. Evidently development policies, projects and programmes illustrate such. The Community Work Programme (CWP) was adopted in 2009 to contribute towards poverty alleviation in South Africa. CWP is a Public Employment Programme (PEP) led by government which provide regular employment and social protection to people vulnerable to poverty. Therefore, this study aimed to explore contributions of CWP in poverty alleviation in Naledi Local Municipality (NLM) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, North West Province. The research approach was qualitative in nature, and an instrumental case study design was applied. This research is rooted in interpretivism paradigm hence purposive sampling technique was used to select participants who could provide in-depth examination of the topic. The sample consisted of twenty research participants. These include thirteen CWP participants, four field supervisors and three participants from the office staff and implementing agent. Three different semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data. Data was collected through in-depth face to face interviews to collect data from CWP participants and field supervisor while visual platform called Zoom was used to collect data from office staff members. Covid19 protocols were adhered to during face to face interviews with respondents. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The main conclusion derived from the study is that the CWP provides sufficient benefits to its participants and community of NLM that accelerate government efforts to alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment. The study also established that the CWP has the potential to improve provision of basic social needs and skills required to enter in the job market only if multiple stakeholder partnerships and collaborations are enhanced. The study concludes with an optimistic view that social protection directly reduces the effect of unemployment across South Africa.

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Browsing 4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions by SDG "SDG-1: No poverty"

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