Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-7: Affordable and clean energy

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    Policy-making and institutional crisis: Formalizing artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe from 2005 to 2017
    (Policy-making and institutional crisis: Formalizing artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe from 2005 to 2017, 2024) Mukonoweshuro, Tonderai Fadzai; https://orcid.org/ 0009-0000-6395-4758
    Artisanal gold mining is a crucial economic activity in Zimbabwe that gained prominence in the post-2000 period when there was a defined shifting interest from agricultural activity by many people to artisanal gold mining, with over a million people engaged in the sector. Artisanal gold mining became a part of a large and complex informal economy, with the potential to address some of the economic challenges by providing the much-needed foreign currency for the ailing economy. However, like most countries, Zimbabwe struggled to regulate the sector to make it more efficient, economical, safe and environmentally friendly. Much existing research seems to suggest that policy on artisanal mining, while being a function of the state, is an instrument or arena of contestation among powerful groups within the state and society. Thus, the study answers the question, “In what ways did politics, power and institutional dynamics influence policy trajectories on artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe between 2005 and 2017?” It further investigated the complex reality of politics and policymaking for informal (artisanal) gold mining in Zimbabwe, seeking to dissect underlying politics, power and institutional dynamics and how these influenced policy trajectories in this growing informal gold mining sector between 2005 and 2017. Through a case study approach, I collected qualitative data through in-depth individual interviews with key informants both nationally and at two mining sites in the District of Chegutu, in Mashonaland, Zimbabwe. By situating the study's findings within theories of informal economies, institutionalism, street-level bureaucracy and human securities, this thesis contributes to the consequences of informality as they relate to production and the miners 6 wellbeing and policy development for ASM. The other is the complex and non-linear reality of politics and policy-making concerning ASM and law enforcement agencies. The local case study demonstrates the struggles between networked actors in amplifying how informal gold mining policy has evolved and the particular effects on policy outcomes for informal gold mining in Zimbabwe. The study concluded that although politics had a bearing on the continued informalisation of ASM during the crisis period, the state actors occupying critical positions in shadow networks drove policy to maximize self-interest. At a local level, policy implementation met the agency of transitional actors, including small-scale artisanal miners, gold dealers, and traders. These networked actors also operated within their own unwritten rules and shaped their policies as they extracted or traded the gold. Therefore, a policy framework for formalizing ASM must be based on enforceable legal systems that provide accountability, transparency, and human rights.
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    Support structures in the career progression of women in mining at Amandelbult Mine
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Singo, Tshifhiwa Peter; Ndhlovu, Hlengiwe; Ngcobozi, Lihle
    Post 1994, South Africa introduced several policies and practices to accommodate inclusion & diversity and measures to address inequalities in the Mining industry. In addition, these policies advocated for the opening of the mining sector to previously disadvantaged South Africans which include women as the strategic pillar of economic empowerment policy. Although this policy had good intensions, integrating women into such a traditional male-dominated industry presented various challenges, including lack of career progression, especially for women. The main objective of this study is to analyse existing support structures beyond policy that Amandelbult mine is using to ensure career progression for women in mining at its operations. The researcher adopted thematic analysis and employed a computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). For this study, NVivo 12 Plus was employed to qualitatively analyse and code all the in-depth data from the eleven participants “Amandelbult Leadership Team - ALT” who took part in the study. The study revealed that women face six (6) salient barriers that impede their career progression in the mining industry. These are (i) the lack of experience in technical roles that endow them with the requisite core competences to progress up the leadership ladder, (ii) the masculinised nature of the mining industry, (iii) stereotyping (iv) life-work balance, (v) the glass ceiling and (vi) nepotism. Finally, the findings also corroborate extensive research that reveals that more women are in junior, administrative and support roles. On the other hand, a small number of women have progressed to senior, mid- senior, and executive level. This suggests that despite some policies, mechanisms and programmes in place, more work still needs to be done to ensure that the mechanisms and policies translate into tangible outcomes where we see more women in senior leadership positions in the nearest future.
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    Investigating Criteria and Indicators to Assess the Sustainability of Renewable Energy Supply in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Tshisela, Zizo; Mapitsa, Caitlin
    Historically, according to Gunnarsdottir, Davidsdottir, Worrell and Sigurgeirsdottir (2020), energy was perceived narrowly in terms of pollution and air quality. Things have progressed, and energy is now regarded as a critical enabler of social and economic growth and sustainable development. As a result of the more progressive understanding of energy, energy problems are no longer seen in isolation but rather in combination with other growth challenges. In their energy for sustainability guidelines and methodologies of 2007, International Energy Agency (IEA, 2007) describes energy as a means to an end, which highlights four areas; a) a clean and safe environment, b) sustainable economy, quality of life, and people’s health. IEA (2007) further indicates there is no good or bad energy source (renewable and non-renewable). Therefore, the benefit is derived from the energy source being able to deliver the end product. The wider interpretation of energy and its cross-cutting influence emphasises its significance and multidimensionality (Gunnarsdottir et al., 2020). Depending on how energy from coal is processed, transported, and used, it could contribute to environmental degradation, climate change, and human health (IEA, 2007; Petinrin & Shaaban, 2015; Khan, 2020). Burning fossil fuels has been found to induce urban air emissions, regional acidification, and the possibility of climate change (IEA, 2007). According to Mathu (2014), the fossil fuels list includes “coal, natural gas, and fuel oil.” Coal emits the most emissions (Mathu, 2014). A sustainable energy sector allows the country and the entire world to participate in economic and social activities by balancing production and energy use with no or negligible effects on the environment (Wang, Jing, Zhang & Zhao, 2009; Oke, Ibrahim & Bokana, 2021). Many countries worldwide have embraced Renewable Energy as an alternative to fossil fuels (Armin Razmjoo, Sumper, and Davarpanah, 2020). Holt and Pengelly (2008) define Renewable Energy as “energy sources that are continually replenished by nature like the sun, the wind, water, the earth’s heat, and plants. Renewable Energy technologies turn these fuels into usable forms of energy, most often electricity, but also heat, chemicals, or mechanical power.” Renewable Energy options such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and ocean energy are sustainable options because they are available, non-replenishable, and proper for use (Armin Razmjoo et al., 2020). Renewable Energy is also considered clean and essential for sustainable development (Manso & Behmiri, 2013; Vanegas Cantarero 2020).
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    The change in lived experiences of Mpame village households using solar photovoltaic electricity
    (2021) Tokosi, Ola
    Electricity and the ability to access it enables heating and lighting for domestic use, and for mechanical, electrochemical and electronic requirements. The purpose of this study was primarily to assess and understand the changes in lived experiences of Mpame village residents after solar photo-voltaic (PV) electricity installations in 2014. The study problem sought was to identify and understand the inability of residents to access electricity from the national grid after twenty-five years of democratic government in South Africa. The constitution guarantees electricity access as a human right for all citizens and all who live within its borders. The government had in 1994, as part of its political campaign promises, suggested ‘Free’ electricity as a dividend of democracy if voted into power. Electricity access using solar photo-voltaic (PV) installations was achieved in 2014, that incidentally was an election year. By October 2019 when this study was undertaken, Mpame village literally had returned to darkness, as a result of non-replacement of the batteries at their end-of-life stage. The secondary purpose of this study was to ascertain who takes responsibility for the project’s sustainability. Battery replacement is essential and pivotal to the success of this strategy and, also ensures the sustainability of electricity access as a human right. A qualitative research methodology approach was used. Data was collected by conducting face-to-face interviews with household heads or representatives who have resided in Mpame village at least two years before and two years after the installations were completed and commissioned. The findings indicate that the residents have a positive perception of government’s effort at enabling electricity access and the upholding of their human rights. The implication of the state of non-functionality is that the village is now in darkness,with concerns raised about the sustainability of the strategy to support sustainable livelihoods strategy. The true intentions of government is under question, creating suspicion and worry about service delivery, an increased fear of vulnerability, a decreased sense of safety and security and a concern of losing out on development opportunities. Considering that there is a strong correlation between electricity access and development, no modern activity like industrialization, daily life, transportation, communication, cooking, heating the home and benefits from cultural activities can occur in Mpame. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that government should assume responsibility to replace the solar batteries at their end-of-life stage or else get grid electricity installed in Mpame village for the residents to enjoy their constitutional human rights.
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    The change in lived experiences of Mpame Village households using solar photovoltaic electricity
    (2021) Tokosi, Ola
    Electricity and the ability to access it enables heating and lighting for domestic use, and for mechanical, electrochemical and electronic requirements. The purpose of this study was primarily to assess and understand the changes in lived experiences of Mpame village residents after solar photo-voltaic (PV) electricity installations in 2014. The study problem sought was to identify and understand the inability of residents to access electricity from the national grid after twenty-five years of democratic government in South Africa. The constitution guarantees electricity access as a human right for all citizens and all who live within its borders. The government had in 1994, as part of its political campaign promises, suggested ‘Free’ electricity as a dividend of democracy if voted into power. Electricity access using solar photo-voltaic (PV) installations was achieved in 2014, that incidentally was an election year. By October 2019 when this study was undertaken, Mpame village literally had returned to darkness, as a result of non-replacement of the batteries at their end-of-life stage. The secondary purpose of this study was to ascertain who takes responsibility for the project’s sustainability. Battery replacement is essential and pivotal to the success of this strategy and, also ensures the sustainability of electricity access as a human right. A qualitative research methodology approach was used. Data was collected by conducting face-to-face interviews with household heads or representatives who have resided in Mpame village at least two years before and two years after the installations were completed and commissioned. The findings indicate that the residents have a positive perception of government’s effort at enabling electricity access and the upholding of their human rights. The implication of the state of non-functionality is that the village is now in darkness, with concerns raised about the sustainability of the strategy to support sustainable livelihoods strategy. The true intentions of government is under question, creating suspicion and worry about service delivery, an increased fear of vulnerability, a decreased sense of safety and security and a concern of losing out on development opportunities. Considering that there is a strong correlation between electricity access and development, no modern activity like industrialization, daily life, transportation, communication, cooking, heating the home and benefits from cultural activities can occur in Mpame. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that government should assume responsibility to replace the solar batteries at their end-of-life stage or else get grid electricity installed in Mpame village for the residents to enjoy their constitutional human rights