3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Experiences of youth in agrarian transformation in rural South Africa: a case of Greenplanet Primary cooperative in Orange Farm(2023) Chibonore, Wilma ClarisThis thesis advanced a qualitative approach to analyse the practices, structures and rationalities that inform youth engagement in agriculture drawing on evidence from Orange Farm in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study takes off on the premise that there is low generational renewal in agriculture as the older and ageing generation makes the majority of active farmers yet farming holds great potential for creating youth employment whilst youth engagement in agriculture secures food of the future. The study finds that youth (dis)engagement and (dis)interest in farming is directly related to the availability and easy access to everyday support structures particularly those provided by the state and observes that many young people are in fact interested in farming but are currently operating in a structurally disabling environment amidst poor state support which does not allow for growth or access to key resources. The study finds that youth interest in farming exists although these interests are largely skewed towards technologically advanced farming systems and against backward manual farming systems therefore contradicting existing discourse as well as challenging the general narrative and consensus that youths are not interested in farming or that youth interest in farming is waning. The thesis reveals that young farmers understanding, interpretation and engagement with agricultural technology is based on their levels of exposure, location and access to resources. Poverty, structural limitations and marginalization experienced by the youth contribute significantly to their reception and perception of agriculture as a whole. The thesis argues for an agrarian developmental state approach towards the strengthening of agricultural opportunities and the relevant institutional structures and resources such as land, stipends, extension services, training, technology and market allocation to support youth farming in rural South Africa where the economies are generally stagnant and youth unemployment very high. This study observes that young people as active citizens and through utilising individual agency have the capacity to drive their own innovations within the agricultural sector when awarded the platform, opportunity and support to do so. The study reveals that the young farmers are ‘millennials’ who use their youth agency to engage in social networking facilitated by use of social media as a powerful tool for unity and resistance against unfavourable farming environments. Lastly, two contradictory perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 emerge in this study, one of COVID-19 having presented opportunities for growth and success for the young farmers and another of the pandemic having further marginalized and disrupted the 2 already struggling young farmers with both narratives being shaped directly and indirectly by the pre-existing structural challenges. Methodologically, empirical data was mostly gathered through face to face semi-structured interviews, focus groups and conversations with the young farmers with the remainder of interviews having been conducted virtually via Skype, WhatsApp chats and WhatsApp calls upon the emergence of COVID-19 which converged with this study. Participant observation occurred through attending farmers meetings, agriculture tours, engaging in some farming activities on some sites as well as being part of the young farmers WhatsApp group. The thesis also relied on published journals, statistical reports, media reports, policy documents as well as videos from the public hearings regarding the amendment of the South African Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation in order to bolster the empirical findings.Item The emerging principle of free, prior and informed consent in development: evaluating development projects in the Limpopo Province of South Africa(2019) Mukwevho, Naledzani HendrickThe problem that I wish to address in this thesis is the failure by development agents, be it corporations or government departments, to obtain genuine consent from local communities before developmental projects can be launched in their territories or localities. The research aims to investigate if the application of the emerging principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) could assist in obtaining genuine consent from affected communities; and to capacitate such communities to fully understand the implications of the proposed projects on their lives before they can agree or disagree to such projects taking place. Theoretical and practical research in the form of case studies was conducted to trace development patterns in South Africa and to establish if FPIC, or at least its spirit, has been applied in development projects. The results are that although South Africa has policies and a legislative framework that is in line with FPIC, the country has not formally adopted this principle. Neither has the principle been fully applied by development agents when they carry out their projects in communal lands. Consequent to these observations, I recommended that South Africa considers to formally adopt the FPIC principle as a policy, and if possible, legislate it; corporate organisations or institutes such as the Minerals Council of South Africa, for example, should adopt the FPIC principle and make its implementation by their members compulsory; and Government must ensure that every Act of Parliament that deals with development as well as land and environmental management incorporates public participation and consent pre-requisites for the granting of licences to carry out development project in lands belonging to local communities.Item The urban stage: reinventing interstitial space in Alexandra(2014-12-12) Manala, MariaThis thesis seeks to explore the role of the performing arts in reconfiguring an unjust spatial history. By exploring the performing arts as a vehicle for creativity, freedom and a new consciousness within the city. Alexandra Township is still one of the impoverished settlements with very few public facilities, amenities and public space. The quality of its infrastructure is timeworn and does not meet all the needs of a society that is modernising. Finally there is now an increase in learners passing matric and wanting exposure to potential career options in the performing arts. This thesis will critically explore performance in the city - where the performer is seen as the self of all selves. It will also explore the meaning of public space in Alexandra and how the residents of Alexandra utilise public space for the purpose of performance. The idea of the building is to borrow from Alexandra where the building is seen as backstage and the township as the backdrop; A building that shapes and watches the urban life of Alexandra. This building speaks of an architecture which is connected with pockets of dignified public space. Fused with green spaces to create a theatre which becomes a green node for public space and the celebration of a performance culture found in Alexandra Township.Item Chameleon retail: environment responsive retail in the emerging market(2015-04-29) Matondo, Florence S.Commercial development within the emerging economy needs to simulate, adapt and respond accordingly to its unique environment. By doing so, a mutually beneficial relationship between the different scales of commerce, the community and their host environment is achieved. This thesis will focus on the retail aspect of what is later defined as the vibrant economic node. It will identify the current issues that exist within the community’s retail mode, thereafter, examining the various commercial proposals in similar types of communities. By investigating the area of a proposed development and establishing the status quo and providing the development with information of the brief for the project, this will, in turn, lead to a proposed solution that is more beneficial to the community. Investigations into cost effective and appropriate technologies that not only benefit the development but also provide an alternative solution to the community’s needs are investigated. A design proposal that embodies the ideals of what is defined as an environmental responsive commercial development, is brought forward as a demonstration of how a particular element within a framework can be beneficial.Item The role of telecentres in promoting socio-economic development in Rwanda.(2013-02-21) Buhigiro, SethTelecentres are an important tool for promoting socio-economic development in areas with very low levels of e-access. They have the potential to offer benefits to rural communities in education, health, agriculture and business. The purpose of this study was to explore the strengths and weaknesses of telecentres in promoting specific socio-economic objectives set in Rwanda’s National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI II) plan 2006 - 2010. The findings were that telecentres have been effective in contributing to community development through access to information, skills development, job creation, study opportunities, low cost in telecentre services and increased income. The three main challenges that hinder rural communities from advanced e-access were found to be literacy and level of education, language barriers, and lack of skills and awareness. Future policy requires comprehensive guidelines to guide the deployment of rich local content in telecentres that will enable more effective use of these facilities to promote socio-economic development through e-Soko type projects, Umuganda activities and other community or egovernment initiatives.Item Exploring corporate social responsibility initiatives in South Africa : the case of the TISO Foundation in Johannesburg.(2012-08-27) Malm, Angela EugeniaCorporate social responsibility (CSR) continues to gain attention amongst corporate bodies and is the medium through which the private sector contributes to development. The last decade has seen a significant growth in CSR initiative in South Africa, partly due to the implementation of public polices such as the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Code of Good Practice and the various industry charters that obligate corporate institutions to contribute towards the reconstruction efforts of the nation. As a result many organizations have adopted strategies that include social development projects as part of their core business objectives, thus the initiation of certain projects and programmes as part of their CSR contributions to the reconstruction efforts. Although CSR has roots in philanthropic activities, it has become evident that when CSR initiatives are designed strategically to embody the holistic views of business goals towards profit making as well as community goals that promote positive development. Anecdotal evidence suggests that projects collapse after corporations discontinue funding due to lack of community involvement which renders CSR initiatives unresponsive to the developmental needs of communities. The study sought to explore the extent to which corporate social responsibility initiatives were responsive to the educational needs of beneficiaries in Johannesburg. It also explored beneficiary perceptions on how CSR initiatives can be sustained. The study population was drawn from Tiso Foundation and three partnering organisations. A qualitative case study design was utilised in the study to obtain in depth information from the research participants concerning the CSR initiatives of Tiso Foundation. Semi-structured interview schedules were used to conduct interviews with both beneficiaries of the CSR initiatives and key informants. The research sample consisted of 16 beneficiaries of Tiso Foundation’s CSR initiatives and 6 key informants that were drawn from Tiso Foundation and partnering organizations. The findings revealed that the CSR initiatives were responsive to the needs of the beneficiaries by providing them access to education and skills development. The findings also established the nature of beneficiary participation in CSR initiatives as partially participatory. The study recommended that CSR initiatives should take a developmental approach towards programme executions to ensure full participation of beneficiaries in order to ensure sustainability of the programmes even after funding is discontinued. The study also iv suggests the collaborative partnership of government and the private sector towards sustainable development by enhancing and complimenting each other’s efforts.Item Urban food gardens and community development : a case study of the Siyakhana initiative, Johannesburg.(2012-01-18) Nicolle, Trixie-BelleThe aim of this study is to explore the links which exist between community development and urban food gardens. South Africa has experienced a twenty five percent growth in the urban population from 2005-2010. It is further predicted that this will increase by a further thirty six percent to thirteen million inhabitants by 2015. The practice of urban agriculture is one of the strategies that can assist in addressing development challenges in an urban setting in South Africa and around the world. Urban agriculture has the potential to provide a survival strategy for the poor and thus contribute to poverty alleviation, employment, food security, social integration and skills transfer. This research explores the economic, social and ecological benefits of the activity, questioning the ways in which the Siyakhana food garden (and larger initiative) contributes to the Siyakhana community. For the purpose of the research the Siyakhana community refers to the Siyakhana group (eight women in the inner city of Johannesburg who run Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs)) and the gardeners who work in the food garden. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, in-depth questionnaires, participant observation and informal conversation, as well as primary and secondary sources. The data was collected for a twelve month period from June 2010 to June 2011. In total the food garden was visited thirty times during the field work and the ECDCs twelve to fifteen times each. Because of the initiatives potential in community development, the focus of the research gives in-depth insights into the Siyakhana group, their history with the initiative, details about their ECDCs and their expectations and their perceived benefits of being involved with the Siyakhana initiative. The key findings of the study are that there are two primary ways in which the Siyakhana group benefit from being involved in the Siyakhana initiative. The benefits relate to the supplementary food which the Siyakhana group receive on a weekly basis and the practical learning environment of the Siyakhana food garden. This research shows that through their connection with the Siyakhana initiative the Siyakhana group act as a conduit for inner city community development. The healthy and nutritious food from the food garden and the knowledge obtained from being involved with the initiative is shared with a range of stakeholders within the inner city. The Siyakhana food garden is a unique example of a community project which embraces the concepts of ecological health promotion in a multiplicity of ways – through the distribution of food, training, conscientisation and mobilisation. Finally the study shows that when exploring the links between urban food gardens and community development it is not a pre-requisite for the community to physically engage in the production activities of the garden for empowerment and skills transfer to take place.