3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Sustainable livelihoods and youth empowerment in informal settlements: the case of Lindelani informal settlement, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality(2019-09-26) Mabona, Rachel L.High unemployment rates of 38,2% of youth at age 15-34 in South Africa build substantial difficulties in young people’s ability to become self-reliant. The unemployment of youth remains the biggest challenge in South Africa making youth vulnerable to crime, drugs and violence. The challenges facing the youth call for urgent expansion of livelihood opportunities, through supportive interventions that are based on an understanding of their circumstances. Youth in informal settlements are particularly vulnerable to unemployment and poverty, ill health, and social exclusion and marginalisation than those living in better-located areas. They live in areas where they do not receive basic services. The environment the poor youth life inputs them in vulnerable situations. Informal settlements are prejudiced when it comes to youth support, job creation and policy interventions. Youth livelihoods in the informal settlements are not adequately addressed by research conducted on sustainable livelihoods. Research mainly is done on household and rural livelihoods. The main aim of this study is to understand the livelihoods of youth living in informal settlements as a basis for formulating interventions that are appropriate and well-targeted. By understanding the livelihood strategies and vulnerability of youth in informal settlements, interventions may stand a better chance of promoting poverty reduction, and social cohesion and improving their living conditions. Lindelani informal settlement situated in the urban periphery of Benoni Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was selected as a case study because the area is not developed, people are living under bad conditions with limited basic services. Again, there is no research done on this informal settlement. This study adopted a qualitative approach to research in order to explore the experiences of the youth in informal settlements. In-depth interviews conducted with 15 young men and women aged 19-35 years to fully understand their livelihoods. The sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) suggested by Chambers and Conway (1992) was used as the framework for obtaining and analysing information about the current livelihoods of the youth. The SLA assists in assessing the different capitals or assets that underpin the livelihoods of the youth. For this study, the most significant forms of capital were human capital (i.e. issues of education, skills and health), financial capital (i.e. issues of income), physical capital (i.e. housing) and social capital (i.e. social relations and social networks). To succeed in fighting poverty, it is imperative that livelihoods remain sustainable and/ or be able to cope with and recover from stresses and shocks. In addition, the youth capabilities and assets must be enhanced or developed both now and, in the future, without undermining the natural resource 2 base strengthening the informal sector through skills development can provide employment to the youth and improve income for sustainable economic and social development and thus reducing poverty. The study found that the youth from Lindelani informal settlement are faced with multiple socio-economic challenges. In order to survive, they survived by involving themselves in informal activities, such as tuck-shop, crèche, hair salon, illegal mining, fixing bicycles, shoe repairing and other piece jobs like painting, tiling and lawn mowing. These informal activities are augmented with government support grants received by either parents and children, that is child support grants. While there are municipal programmes available they are not directed to the needs of those living in informal settlements. It is recommended that programmes designed to alleviate poverty and strengthen their self-esteem are necessary. The study recommended that in the absence of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) the youth leaders from different political organisations and the ward committee prepare a detailed understanding of the youth in Lindelani using the SLA in order to assist them appropriately. The youth in informal settlements need access to decent housing with better infrastructure and basic services, that are situated where economic opportunities are available.Item The construction of masculinity for adolescents with absentee fathers and their Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) decision making(2017) Rushwaya, RuvimboBackground: The role of men within the family, particularly in the raising and socialisation of children, continues to be symbolically important but in reality may be diminishing. In South Africa, many black adolescent boys are raised by their mothers who are often single parents and act as heads of households. South African black adolescents are growing up in an environment which is nestled against the backdrop of conflicts because of the various political and social transitions within the country. From this perspective it becomes probable for adolescents to occupy multiple identities of masculinity based on their social contexts, and parents and families are a crucial part of this social environment. There is currently not enough literature that shows how black adolescent boys construct their identities when they do not live with their biological fathers. South Africa has a high HIV prevalence rate of approximately 10,2% of the total population. HIV in South Africa is primarily spread through heterosexual sex and it is argued to be fuelled by the masculinity culture of multiple, concurrent sexual relationships and early sexual debut. The high HIV prevalence prompted the National Department of Health (NDoH) to identify youth as a specific target group for HIV interventions. Voluntary medical male circumcision is one of the prevention tools that is used as part of a preventative package against HIV. The transition from adolescence to healthy adulthood is dependent on the social environment in which adolescents live, learn and earn; parents and families are a crucial part of this social environment. However there is no literature which explains how black adolescent boys with absentee fathers, make the decision to go for VMMC. This study investigates the influence, or lack thereof, of the (absent) father in the construction of masculinity and in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) decision-making for boys who grew up without the father. Method: Data was collected based on the perceptions and experiences of ten adolescent boys, aged between 15 -19 years, who were growing up in homes where their fathers were absent. The participants were recruited from a youth centre in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. A qualitative research methodology was used which is situated in the interpretivist paradigm. Participants were purposively selected bases on a specific inclusion criteria that was provided. Data was collected by means ten of semi-structured, one-to-one, in-depth interviews. The interviews ranged from 12 – 45 minutes. The data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings The following two dominant themes emerged from the data: multiple voices of masculinity and influencers of masculinity. The study findings showed that when adolescent boys grow up without their fathers, their masculine identities were drawn from the different social contexts that they lived in. Mothers and peers had a substantial part to play in how adolescent boys constructed their masculine identities. Popular culture also had a huge impact on the masculine identities that adolescent boys ended up embracing. Peer groups had a significant influence on the way adolescent boys constructed their masculine identities as their endorsements or recommendations were respected Discussion: The findings from this study suggested that the participants occupied various masculine identities. The data revealed that none of the participants simply occupied one of the four positions in relation to a hegemonic standard, instead they positioned themselves through multiple and sometimes contradictory identities. The data showed that in some instances participants would embrace bad boy identities which included drinking alcohol, when they were in the company of peers and good boy identities when they found themselves in a religious set up. The findings from this study also questioned the assumptions that suggested that in the absence of fathers, boys would develop masculine identities that were deficient from the societal norms. The role that mothers played in adolescent HIV prevention, with particular reference to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), were highlighted in the study. Mothers were primarily responsible for ensuring that their sons went for VMMC. The main motivating factors for these mothers were mainly centred on health and hygienic reasons. The participants in turn agreed to their mothers’ suggestions as an act of deference. Conclusion: The study revealed that although Black adolescent boys still practised some forms of hegemonic masculinity, they were developing alternative forms of masculinity, which were neither complicit nor subordinate to the nouveau hegemonic masculinity. Mothers also had an influential role in how adolescent boys with absentee fathers constructed their identities. Mothers were often the first point of call that the participants turned to when they were confronted with a crisis. It was also revealed that mothers influenced the decision for their sons to go for VMMC for mainly health reasons rather than for the process to be a marker of masculinity. The adolescent boys in the study did not question their mother’s decision but in most instances simply followed the instructions they had been given. Recommendations: Peer group workshops should be established that focus on educating adolescent boys about sexual reproductive health with emphasis on the benefits of VMMC. These workshops can also be use used to discourage risky behaviours that are encouraged by certain masculinity types such as izikhothane for urban boys. Communication around VMMC should also be targeted to mothers as they have an influence on the health of their sons.