3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Robben Island coastal defence 1931-1960(2014-03-24) Weideman, MarindaRobben Island is generally perceived as a symbolic and a literal dumping ground o f all those the ruling powers o f the country had deemed unwanted, be they rebels, lepers, the insane or political opponents. As such the Island has been described as the “dustbin o f South African society”, i Ironically, it was these very “unwanted” who became undermining symbols o f the systems that banished them to the Island, and subjected them to severe isolation, and gross human rights violations. I started this Research Report with the assumption that I was going to write a history o f a period o f the Island’s existence that was fundamentally different from preceding and succeeding ones. A period characterized by co-operation as opposed to isolation, by voluntary service in the interest o f South Africa as a whole, as opposed to banishment, and o f positi ve life experiences as opposed to gross human rights violations. During my research, I became convinced that this assumption had been false. That there were many profound continuities with the periods o f the Island’s history that preceded and succeeded the 30 years under discussion (1931 - 1960). More fundamentally, I became aware that there were many men and women, who had served on Robben Island, and whom had been willing to give their lives in defence o f this country, that had not been given the recognition they deserved. These men and women had contested racist and sexist myths, and were an important element in the transformation o f South African Defence Force Policies, Implicit in this Research Report is a tribute to them, I pay tribute to the men o f the Cape Corps, and to the women o f both the South African Women’s Naval Service, and the Artillery Specialists o f the Women’s Auxiliary Army Service. Without the help, information, and hospitality extended to me by numerous people, this Research Report could not have been written. I wish to thank them all, There are also persons I believe need special mention; Prof Andre Odendaal, for pointing me in the right direction in the first place, and the Odendaal family for their hospitality in letting me stay on the Island with them. The two staff members on Robben Island, who spent hours driving me around the Island, climbing into underground plotting rooms, and onto gun emplacements, throughout the expedition, “protecting” me from countless “harmless” snakes and spiders. Com Vv'.M Bisset for valuable advice and biographical aid, Maj A.G.D Gordon foi houra X patient explanation regarding the coastal guns, and interpretation o f relevant the Editor o f Moth Homefront Magazine for free publication o f a. notice to which many persons responded, Peter James Smith for copies o f his programs on SAFM, for valuable advice, and for putting me in contact with several ex-Robben Islanders, The personnel o f the Johannesburg Military Museum, who were extremely helpful, and who speH many days going through various files, publications and records with me. The foHowing ex-Robben Islanders and their families, for their time, the valuable information, the m?ny letters, the many phone calls, their hospitality, interesting photos, autobiographies, diaii?s, and for sharing their life experiences with me: Captain George Anderson, Mrs IBester. Mr A Calder, Mr W.A and Mrs De Swardt, Vice-Admiral Edwards, Mrs F.M King, Mr H.J Linford, General Magnus Malan, Mr Malan (husband o f the iate Cynthia Malan), Mrv, L Marinaid, Major General G.D and Mrs Moodie, Mrs E Parrott, Miss M Orton, Mrs M.P Shinn, Mr D.F Silberbauer (son of Lt Col H.L Silberbauer), Mrs D Smith, Mrs M.E Stewart, Mr C.H Von Weilligh, and Miss L Schenck (daughter o f Miss E Wood)Item Land reform, equity and growth in South Africa: A comparative analysis(2006-03-23) Weideman, MarindaIn this thesis, the following methods were used to assess the South African Land Reform Programme; historically important documents, policy papers, library research, qualitative interviews and a comparative analysis, which included a wide range of African, Asian and Latin American countries. The aim of the thesis was twofold. First, to assess whether an essentially market-based land reform programme might bring about equity and growth. Second, to draw lessons and make recommendations based on an analysis of land reform programmes in other countries, as well as on South African case studies. Emerging issues related to farm size, food security, poverty alleviation, appropriate credit policies, the limitations of market-based reform, the problems relating to bureaucratic reform programmes, the importance of beneficiary participation, the necessity to develop a gender sensitive programme and, finally, the undeniable relationship between violence and land reform. This thesis highlights the link between the omission of gender in policy development and subsequent policy failures. It highlights the relationship between land reform and violence and, it points to the varied nature of rural livelihoods. There is also a focus on how South African land reform policies developed and an analysis of the influence that the various actors, who participated in this process, had on subsequent