Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37945

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Democratic governance in a selection of cooperatives in Tshwane Metropolitan area
(2019) Kgosinyane, Pogisho Godfrey; Abrahams, Caryn; Mackett, Odile
Cooperative principles and values are hailed as the guiding light that ensures that cooperatives serve their members and improve their economic conditions rather than maximise profit. This study explored the views of cooperative members on how they understand the meaning of the cooperative principle of democratic member control. The study also considered whether cooperatives adhere to cooperative principles and what the role of the state is within the cooperative businesses in the study. The cooperative identity as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was examined as well as the economic pressures and challenges that threaten the distinct cooperative character, especially the democratic member control principle. Purposive sampling was used to gather data from participants using semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that members of cooperatives are unaware of the cooperative principles and values. While members of the cooperatives are aware that a cooperative should be run democratically and collectively by its members, the study revealed that a minimalist form of democracy was practiced in the day-to-day life of the cooperatives.
Intersecting Public- Private and Civil Sector Governance of Gender Transformation in Sports in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Ndzala, Vuyelwa; Abrahams, Caryn
South Africa is a developing country with gender equality being one of the leading priorities since the democratic transition of 1994. is ushered by several stakeholders who have an important role in the governance of gender transformation. As an essential element for development, sports require for an implementation of coordinated strategies, wherein which multi- stakeholders both in the public, private and civil sector can play prescriptive, regulatory, technical as well financial support roles. Some of these roles could include leadership in sports. Yet, issues of inequality, inadequate sports women professionals and administrators is engulfed for more than two decades into democracy in the country. Unequal representation in decision-making positions, pay parity, femicide and gender-based violence, inadequate investment, repetitive negative stereotypes as well as codified norms are some of the visible ills experienced by women in the society as well as in sports. The research began with gender transformation phenomenon as a background to the study drawing into the governance of sports and role players in the sports system in South Africa to provide a summative framework for gender transformation in sports. The theoretical argument suggests that good governance in sports is largely dependent on the how adequately and transparently defined are roles and responsibilities and functions of the partaking stakeholders. Also, on how well the monitoring and evaluation strategies are enforced by the governing organization. Mainstreaming gender equality polices, and strategies is key, and, unless all stakeholders adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate these, gender mainstream in sports could have long-lasting impact for women. In this regard, women and girl players across sports codes should not have unequal opportunities in sports relative to their male counterparts. Women have been deprived access to sports participation or being in sport leadership positions. The literature review shows that some underlying factors including exclusions on account of social beliefs and expectations, socio-cultural expectations, inadequate publicity and media coverage, access to participation, funding and poor governance affects optimal participation of women and young girls in sports in South Africa. The primary research objective was to examine the roles and responsibilities of the public-private and civil sector in gender transformation in sports, how the roles and responsibilities intersect and what interactions are involved between the various stakeholders to ensure gender transformation in sports. The study used a qualitative research approach to gain better understanding of the problem, further, applied a purposive sample of knowledge experts including government sector, private sector, sport federation and non-government organisations (administrators/activists, decision- makers, employees, and sport persons) current and retired players, sports journalist, coaches, and clubs (women led, school, and community sports club) to participate in the empirical part of the study. To collect data, the researcher used semi-structured interviews (n=12), audio-recorded the interviews, transcribed and analysed the data using thematic analysis. The following six themes were identified from the data such as: (i) structural support for women and girls in sports, and (ii)gendered meanings of sporting inclusion, (iii) systemic and gendered exclusion, (iv) partnership and collaboration for social change and gender empowerment, and (v) re-shaping the imaginary of sport sponsorship and support. The findings confirmed that: a) public- private and civil sector organisations have a role to play in the transformation agenda and in sports, b) that there is inadequate support and coordination between the role players in favour in ushering gender transformation in sports, c) there is no central coordination of the roles and responsibilities. There is no clear strategy for collaboration of efforts between the role players, each of the entities work in isolation of the other d) there seems to be challenges in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the gender mainstream initiatives and affects the optimal of participation women sports in South Africa. The study enabled the researcher to develop a conceptual framework to address the problem. The framework suggests that all stakeholders (especially sports organisations) adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate regulatory measures with the view to promote equality between women and men in sports. Adopt an intersectionality approach that will help to determine the differences the participation rates between the marginalised groups and to those among dominantly situated groups with a view to redress the patriarchal norms and systemic gendered exclusion in sports. Develop equality policies that are monitored and evaluated using scientific research and integrate those into actions that will contribute to progressive long-term change and amenable to respond to changes in response to local situations and specific environments. Develop a structured implementation platforms with concrete actions necessary to strengthen and structure of cooperation between stakeholders to develop their instruments, capacities, policies, and actions, while facilitating dialogue and exchange of experience. It is therefore concluded that women participation in sports in South Africa can only benefit from an investment (implementation) in such a framework that will demand all role players (public, private, and non-governmental organisations) to lead and cooperatively work together to change gender norms and stereotypes in sports in South Africa.
Participatory research in south africa’s socio-economic impact assessment systems (seias)
(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mokone, Plantina Tsholofelo; Abrahams, Caryn
PR is an integral part of the SEIAS methodology. When applied completely and effectively, it can expand the range of alternatives created for decision-making by allowing policymakers to document and interpret a policy challenge with those affected most. 2 PR promotes close collaboration between policymakers and the participants— traditionally considered the ‘subjects’ of a study. PR allows them to establish a research agenda, collect data, conduct critical analysis, and devise activities to achieve social change. According to Booysen (2007:172), participation in public policy (PP) decision-making is crucial. This involvement affords people and groups a ‘transformational voice’, enabling them to affect outcomes. This reasoning has severe implications for the ideals of democracy (Booysen, 2007
Regulating the moto-taxi informal transport industry in Nacala-Porto Municipality, Mozambique
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Caximo, Caximo Paulino Nuno; Abrahams, Caryn
In developing countries, the recent growth of urban population has brought along several challenges to the already limited provision of essential public services. Along with heavier traffic, pollution, and limited access to essential public services, youth unemployment continued to grow and access to urban transport deteriorated. At the same time, the inability by governments to respond to these challenges, has created an opportunity for the emergence of innovative solutions, such as the moto-taxi, which provided affordable transport and created employment opportunities for youth, yet flourishing as an informal industry. Nacala-Porto is among the cities that faced this movement. This research aimed to critically analyse the process that the government of Nacala-Porto, a municipality in northern Mozambique, has followed to regularise the emergence of informal moto-taxi industry, given its accompanying two-folded reality: of a solution to a concrete public provision gap, that brings along, important concerns. The study was designed as qualitative research, with a focus on exploring the beliefs and perceptions of key actors in this informal industry, and enriching the body of knowledge on the subject, which is currently not well documented for that municipality. Building on the rich literature on the subject borrowed from other developing countries, the study has shown that this informality has been seen as contributing to filling the gap in provision of public transport services in the municipality, and thus, important steps have been taken to regularise the sector. Actual steps taken by the municipality, included (i) adjusting the existing policies and regulations (in the form of the municipal stance), to accommodate the novel form of transportation; (ii) capacity building of the moto-taxi drivers, to understand the requirements built into the revised stance; (iii) supporting the creation of a formal structure for the sector, in the form of moto-taxi driver association, despites not having taken-off; and (iv) establishing law enforcement mechanisms through the municipal police, although recognized as being weak. Despites the important steps taken, policy gaps prevail, especially on establishing comprehensive standards for the operators in the sector, but more importantly, on law enforcement, which leads the sector to continue to operate far from the goal of ensuring access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.
Socio-Spatial Disparities in Environmental Health in the City of Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nyangule, Zizipho; Abrahams, Caryn
This research explored socio-spatial disparities in environmental health within the urban context of Johannesburg, specifically focusing on access to environmental health services in both low- income and high-income neighborhoods. The study aimed to comprehend how disparities in access to essential services impact residents' environmental health experiences. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data was collected from two focus groups as part of the Sustainable, Healthy, Learning Cities and Neighborhoods (SHLC) project. A hybrid thematic analysis approach was utilized to examine secondary data from focus groups conducted in both low-income and high- income neighborhoods, illuminating the unique challenges faced by residents in each socio- economic context. The findings reveal shared challenges in both low and high-income areas, encompassing access to sanitation, clean air, healthcare, and civic engagement. However, the manifestations of these challenges differ; low-income neighborhoods experience more acute impacts on basic health and well-being, while high-income neighborhoods may grapple with issues related to the preservation of quality of life and efficient governance. This study contributes to the understanding of environmental health disparities and highlights areas for improvement in enhancing the overall well-being of residents in diverse urban settings. The research findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions tailored to the specific socio-economic context of neighborhoods in the City of Johannesburg. Additionally, the study emphasizes the relevance of Environmental Justice and Social Justice perspectives in addressing these disparities, thereby offering a comprehensive framework for future interventions.