List of Titles

'Visible hectares, vanishing livelihoods': a case of the fast track land reform and resettlement programme in Southern Matabeleland- Zimbabwe

- Mabhena, Clifford

Authors: Mabhena, Clifford
Date: 2010
Subjects: Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land reform beneficiaries -- Zimbabwe , Livestock -- Breeding -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Zimbabwe
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D Soc Sc
Identifier: vital:11423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001193 , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural poor -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land reform beneficiaries -- Zimbabwe , Livestock -- Breeding -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Zimbabwe
Description: Land reform has been going on in Zimbabwe since the state attained independence from Britain in 1980 as a way of enhancing agrarian livelihoods for the formerly marginalized people. This study argues that, the Land Reform Programme in Southern Matabeleland rather than enhancing agrarian livelihoods, well established livelihoods have actually been drastically reduced. This has been exacerbated by the state programme of land re-distribution that prescribes a „one size fits all‟ model. Yet this is contrary to the thinking in development discourse that equitable land distribution increases rural livelihoods. As a way of gathering data this study utilized ethnography and case study methodologies. I spent two years interacting and interviewing purposively selected new resettles, communal residents, migrant workers and gold panners in this region. Results from this study confirm that, land reform has greatly reduced livelihoods, particularly agrarian livelihoods. Also, this research has found out that, the majority of residents now depend on off-farm livelihoods such as gold panning and migration to neighbouring South Africa. This thesis therefore concludes that, despite a massive expropriation of former commercial farms, people of Southern Matabeleland have not benefitted much as the village settlements (A1) and the small size farms (A2) have not received support from this live-stocking community. People in this region pin their hopes on livestock rearing to sustain their livelihoods and this study therefore recommends that, any agrarian transformation programmes should address the issues that promote livestock rearing
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Date Issued: 2010

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Gender oppression and possibilities of empowerment: images of women in African literature with specific reference to Mariama Ba's So long a letter, Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of motherhood and Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous conditions

- Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin

Authors: Nyanhongo, Mazvita Mollin
Date: 2011
Subjects: African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
Identifier: vital:11503 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/522 , African literature -- Women authors , Women -- Africa Literary collections , Women and literature -- Africa , Sex discrimination -- Africa
Description: This study consists of a comparative analysis of three novels by three prominent African women writers which cast light on the ways in which women are oppressed by traditional and cultural norms in three different African countries. These three primary texts also explore the ways in which African women's lives are affected by other issues, such as colonialism and economic factors, and this study discusses this. An analysis of these novels reveals that the inter-connectedness of racial, class and gender issues exacerbates the oppression of many African women, thereby lessening the opportunities for them to attain self-realization. This study goes on to investigate whether there are possibilities of empowerment for the women in the primary texts, and examining the reasons why some women fail to transcend their situations of oppression. The primary novels will be discussed in different chapters, which explore the problems with which various women are beset, and discuss the extent to which the various women in the novels manage to attain empowerment. In conclusion, this study compares and contrasts the ways in which the women in the primary texts are oppressed and highlights the reasons why some women are able to attain empowerment, whilst others are unable to do so. It also shows that many women are beset with comparable forms of oppression, but they may choose to react to these situations differently. Over and above these issues, the study seeks to draw attention to the fact that women need to come together and contribute to the ways in which they can attain various forms of empowerment.
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Date Issued: 2011

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The developmental role of migrant worker remittances: A case study of Tsholotsho District in the Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe

- Nzima, Divane

Authors: Nzima, Divane
Date: 2013
Subjects: Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Foreign workers -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Sociology)
Identifier: vital:11957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015360 , Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Foreign workers -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
Description: Migrant remittances have been cited as one of the most rising forms of development financing. Migration-development scholarly debates have often made comparisons between migrant remittances and some of the most popular forms of development financing such as development aid. The development-migration debates have often contended that migrant remittances are fast growing and surpassing the popular forms of development financing. This study sought to examine the developmental role of migrant remittances in the rural district of Tsholotsho in Zimbabwe. Given that there are millions of Zimbabwean migrants working in South Africa, the study sought to examine the possible use of migrant remittances in the creation of sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the study focused on examining the skills and opportunities that are necessary in the creation of an enabling environment for investment as well as assessing the multiplier effect that result from the inflow of migrant remittances within the local economy. The study followed a mixed methods methodological approach wherein a quantitative survey and qualitative in-depth interviews were used to gather data. The findings of this study revealed that migrant remittances are central in the livelihoods of poor people in Tsholotsho and they have potential to create sustainable livelihoods. While skills and opportunities to drive entrepreneurial activity exist, there is need to deal with structural barriers in order to create an enabling environment for the creation of sustainable livelihoods through savings and investment. The study recommends the prioritization of education, improved access to the credit system and the development of cooperatives. These could assist in achieving sustainable livelihoods through migrant remittances.
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Date Issued: 2013

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Evaluation of rural sanitation in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

- Marata, Mawethu Nicolas

Authors: Marata, Mawethu Nicolas
Date: 2012
Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sanitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Buffalo City (South Africa)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
Identifier: vital:11944 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005966 , Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sanitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Buffalo City (South Africa)
Description: This research paper is a qualitative evaluation of rural resident’s views in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality regarding the municipalities (BCM) performance in sanitation in rural areas. The study was conducted using interviews and some participant observation as a strategy for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using the basic needs theoretical framework. The study found that sanitation is the least talked about subject because of the stigma attached to it. The study found that Buffalo City Municipality initiatives in sanitation have little impact or has not yet transformed the lives of rural people. It has been found that the municipality is responding slowly in sanitation, and this situation impacts negatively on the lives of rural people as they are exposed to health hazards and diseases. The study questions the sustainability of toilets built in rural areas as many toilets have no roofs and door. It has been found that sanitation is still a challenge in the Buffalo City Municipality as some people still relieve themselves in the bushes. Some people even defecate into plastic bags and then throw the bags as far as they can. The study found that the environment is deeply affected by the lack of sanitation as both air and water are contaminated by waste disposal caused by poor sanitation. The general feeling of the residents of Buffalo City Municipality with regard to sanitation service delivery is that they were not happy at all. The residents are not happy with the state of sanitation services rendered by the municipality. The study calls upon the municipality to speedily address rural sanitation to avoid service delivery protest. The research calls upon organizations and companies to get sanitation issues as part of their function. The research made a number of recommendations in an effort to help municipalities accelerate the delivery of sanitation in rural areas. It is hoped that the recommendations would help the Buffalo City Municipality in ensuring that communities are equipped and empowered to meaningfully participate in making policies, regarding their development. The recommendations will contribute towards encouraging community participation in the decision making within their municipalities. It is the aim of the study for other municipalities to use Buffalo City Municipality example as a benchmark for best practices. In conclusion, the rural areas of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality need more serious commitment from the municipality regarding sanitation and other basic services.
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Date Issued: 2012

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A critical analysis of the isiXhosa translation of Chinua Achebe’s ‘things fall apart’ with specific reference to the translation of cultural phenomena

- Mbatyoti, Pheliwe Yvonne

Authors: Mbatyoti, Pheliwe Yvonne
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (African Languages)
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/701 , vital:26489
Description: Chapter one deals with the aims, objectives, methodology and the structured organisation of the study. Chapter two discusses theories of translation and literature review to supply the necessary theoretical basis of the current study. Chapter three deals with the translation of linguistic concepts using strategies that were applied by Bongela (1993) in the translation of linguistic concepts. Idioms, proverbs, figurative language, symbolism and imagery will be analyzed in this chapter. The extent to which these concepts were translated literally, or were adapted into more familiar IsiXhosa forms, will be analysed. Chapter four critically analyses Igbo cultural practices and norms as found in “Things fall apart”. These will be compared with the amaXhosa cultural practices and analysed using the strategies of translation. The extent, to which these practices have been adapted in order to make them more accessible to the Xhosa reader, will form the main focus of the analysis.
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Date Issued: 2014

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Drug abuse in selected Grahamstown schools

- Rungani, Judith

Authors: Rungani, Judith
Date: 2012
Subjects: High school students -- Substance use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization , Teenagers -- Drug abuse , Substance abuse -- Youth -- Grahamstown (South Africa)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
Identifier: vital:11759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004784 , High school students -- Substance use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization , Teenagers -- Drug abuse , Substance abuse -- Youth -- Grahamstown (South Africa)
Description: The study explores drug abuse by learners in selected Grahamstown high schools. The study`s main concern is that drug abuse by learners is on the rise but yet there is less research on the drugs which are being used and the factors which motivate the learners to use such drugs. There are several drug abuse prevention strategies which are being implemented but yet they seem not to be very effective. It is in this frame of reference that this study saw it vital to focus on drug abuse by high school learners in Grahamstown. The study aims to identify the most commonly abused drugs by learners in the high schools of Grahamstown and the reasons why they use these drugs. The study made use of the mixed method research that is making use of both qualitative and quantitative research. The questionnaire was the instrument of data collection in quantitative data and interviews for the qualitative data. The packages which were used for the analysis of data include the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) V8 which was used to provide descriptive analysis and correlations. The findings of the study establish that the commonly abused drugs by learners are: alcohol with 58%, followed by cigarettes 22%, hookah-pipe 9%, dagga 7%. The main reasons why learners use drugs are: peer pressure, role models, availability, environment, and curiosity. Differences in drug use between male and female learners were noted. Twenty-five percent of the male learners and 16% of the female learners reported to be using drugs. In the view of these results, the researcher recommends that a comprehensive drug abuse prevention framework be formulated which focuses on preventing drug abuse at individual, family and community levels.
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Date Issued: 2012

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Participation and paradoxes: community control of mineral wealth in South Africa's Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela communities

- Mnwana, Sonwabile Comfords

Authors: Mnwana, Sonwabile Comfords
Date: 2012
Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Sciences)
Identifier: vital:11952 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/526 , Political participation -- South Africa , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
Description: Resource control as a form of community participation in the mineral economy has gained much recognition. One prevailing argument is that direct control of natural resources by local communities is an important precondition for equitable utilisation of the natural resource wealth, peaceful co-existence between mining corporations and indigenous communities, and congenial relations between local communities and the state. Studies have also shown that the absence of direct community control of mineral wealth remains a major factor in the communal resistance and socio-political conflict witnessed in the natural resource-endowed regions of countries such as Nigeria, Ecuador, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, little is known about mineral resource control at the community level. Does community control necessarily translate to equity? How does local involvement in the mobilisation of mining royalties benefit different segments of the community? Indeed, how do different segments of the community “control” the wealth? What is the specific model adopted to engender broad-based community participation in the utilisation of mineral wealth – and does it matter? These theoretical and practical questions were the impetus for undertaking this study in the Royal Bafokeng and Bakgatla Ba Kgafela – two platinum-rich ‘traditional’ communities in South Africa’s North West Province that have significant control over platinum resources in their territories. Utilising ethnographic data collected in the two study communities in 2008 and 2009, the thesis examines the character of community participation in platinum wealth utilisation; specifically, the conditions under which community participation promotes or hinders sustainable community development. The analysis uses a “three-dimensional participation ladder” conceptual scheme, based in part on Sherry Arnstein’s (1969) “ladder of citizen participation” and subsequent typologies of participation. Among the key findings of the thesis are that despite observed benefits, the interface of resource wealth and community development is fraught with tokenistic participation, elite-targeted grassroots anger, and local tensions – all linked to the contradictory nature of participation. The thesis further reveals that in some instances the challenge of platinum wealth-engendered community development tends to undermine existing customary and democratic spaces for participation, and that this is exacerbated by community-level issues such as poverty and inequality. The findings of the study compel a shift of analytical focus from conflict as an epiphenomenon of collective community exclusion and deprivation (as in the case of many natural-rich countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere), to conflict as also resulting from collective community inclusion (in natural resource utilisation). At the policy level, the study generates insights that will, hopefully, assist mineral resource-endowed countries, such as South Africa, in dealing with the challenge of developing appropriate policy frameworks for regulating business and social partnerships between local communities and mining corporations, and within resource-rich communities themselves.
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Date Issued: 2012

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