An assessment of the experience of small town local economic development in the Eastern Cape Midlands
- Authors: Pio, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Small cities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City planning -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:4888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015464
- Description: This thesis is an assessment of the experience of small town local economic development in four towns namely Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East, Aberdeen and Pearston situated in the Eastern Cape Midlands, South Africa. It aims firstly to provide a critical overview of these selected small town economies before evaluating their local responses to the changing economic climate. The study is contextualized within the framework of locality development and emphasizes the heterogeneity of small towns with regards to physical, socio-economic, demographic and historical elements. From this, the original economic reasons for existence of these small towns are ascertained and then the major changes that occurred are identified. Amongst other aspects, the changes in the agricultural sector, the demographic changes particularly with regard to the significant increase in the urban population and the fluctuations in the quantity and types of businesses have all played a part in transforming the small towns' economies. As a result of these changes and many external driving forces such as changes in the regional and national economy, there are many severe challenges facing these small towns especially regarding the high unemployment rate, the associated poverty, HIV/AIDS and the low volume or absence of private investment into these localities. The responses of these small towns to the daunting challenges that they face have been considered in terms of Local Economic Development (LED) strategies that have been implemented. The LED initiatives in each town are examined in the context of their general characteristics, objectives, achievements and challenges. Emphasis is placed on Somerset East as it is the only town in the study area that has a development agency actively promoting various forms of LED. What has ultimately been established is: in all four towns, LED is not making a significant or meaningful difference and that natural market and economic forces play an important role in shaping and dictating the local economy. Somerset East is the only town where the economy could potentially be restructured with the proposed mega market-led approach to tourism and planning in the form of the Boschberg Development node. Four sectors perceived to be required for locality development are considered in this study, namely the export sector, the human resources, the local service sector and the government agencies. It is ascertained that although these sectors need to be part of a symbiotic relationship to promote and enhance economic development, they are not present in all the towns and as a result development, at both a household and a macro town level, is further hindered. Ultimately, these small towns in the Eastern Cape Midlands defy the notion that they are dying. 'Growth' and 'decline' have been two central features throughout this thesis and one of the biggest contradictions and challenges that these small towns face is the population growth with a declining or stagnant economy that cannot accommodate the increased number of people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Pio, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Small cities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City planning -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:4888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015464
- Description: This thesis is an assessment of the experience of small town local economic development in four towns namely Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East, Aberdeen and Pearston situated in the Eastern Cape Midlands, South Africa. It aims firstly to provide a critical overview of these selected small town economies before evaluating their local responses to the changing economic climate. The study is contextualized within the framework of locality development and emphasizes the heterogeneity of small towns with regards to physical, socio-economic, demographic and historical elements. From this, the original economic reasons for existence of these small towns are ascertained and then the major changes that occurred are identified. Amongst other aspects, the changes in the agricultural sector, the demographic changes particularly with regard to the significant increase in the urban population and the fluctuations in the quantity and types of businesses have all played a part in transforming the small towns' economies. As a result of these changes and many external driving forces such as changes in the regional and national economy, there are many severe challenges facing these small towns especially regarding the high unemployment rate, the associated poverty, HIV/AIDS and the low volume or absence of private investment into these localities. The responses of these small towns to the daunting challenges that they face have been considered in terms of Local Economic Development (LED) strategies that have been implemented. The LED initiatives in each town are examined in the context of their general characteristics, objectives, achievements and challenges. Emphasis is placed on Somerset East as it is the only town in the study area that has a development agency actively promoting various forms of LED. What has ultimately been established is: in all four towns, LED is not making a significant or meaningful difference and that natural market and economic forces play an important role in shaping and dictating the local economy. Somerset East is the only town where the economy could potentially be restructured with the proposed mega market-led approach to tourism and planning in the form of the Boschberg Development node. Four sectors perceived to be required for locality development are considered in this study, namely the export sector, the human resources, the local service sector and the government agencies. It is ascertained that although these sectors need to be part of a symbiotic relationship to promote and enhance economic development, they are not present in all the towns and as a result development, at both a household and a macro town level, is further hindered. Ultimately, these small towns in the Eastern Cape Midlands defy the notion that they are dying. 'Growth' and 'decline' have been two central features throughout this thesis and one of the biggest contradictions and challenges that these small towns face is the population growth with a declining or stagnant economy that cannot accommodate the increased number of people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Community based natural resource management systems : an evaluation of the campfire programme in Zimbabwe : with special reference to Omay, and Makande Communal Lands in Nyaminyami District
- Authors: Sibanda, Backson M C, 1950-
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Zimbabwe -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007432
- Description: Communal Areas Management for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) is an innovative community based natural resource management strategy which transfers management and conservation responsibility from the state to the local communities. This thesis critically examines CAMPFIRE's potential for introducing sustainable natural resource management through the detailed examination of CAMPFIRE's implementation in Nyaminyami District, which is located in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. Comparisons with other districts are made as appropriate. The theoretical framework of this research is based on an examination of common property theories, theories of bundles of rights, globalisation and the notion of global commons. It is also based on critically examining Zimbabwean, African and international literature dealing with the management of natural resources used in common. There are five specific contributions which the thesis makes. Firstly, common property management is redefined and the difference between resources used in common but which are not common property and common property resources is clarified. Secondly, the study shows that CAMPFIRE is not sustainable whilst it remains dependent on wildlife alone and on a single species - the elephant. Thirdly, the thesis has attempted to extricate the CAMPFIRE concept from the wildlife debate in which it has become entangled and, fourthly, it examines the issues of globalisation and the global commons to show how decisions made at the international level impact on resource utilisation and management at the local level. Finally, the study examines what residual Tonga indigenous knowledge still exists and which aspects can be incorporated into present management systems. Overall, the results of the research suggest that while CAMPFIRE is an innovative strategy for sustainable natural resource management it, has not achieved its major objective of becoming a grassroots rural development strategy. It has become a top down elitist programme which is NGO and donor driven and government constrained. Legislation and policy need formally to address this problem. Finally, the thesis recognises the potential of the CAMPFIRE concept, especially if the weaknesses ofthe programme are addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Sibanda, Backson M C, 1950-
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Zimbabwe -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007432
- Description: Communal Areas Management for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) is an innovative community based natural resource management strategy which transfers management and conservation responsibility from the state to the local communities. This thesis critically examines CAMPFIRE's potential for introducing sustainable natural resource management through the detailed examination of CAMPFIRE's implementation in Nyaminyami District, which is located in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. Comparisons with other districts are made as appropriate. The theoretical framework of this research is based on an examination of common property theories, theories of bundles of rights, globalisation and the notion of global commons. It is also based on critically examining Zimbabwean, African and international literature dealing with the management of natural resources used in common. There are five specific contributions which the thesis makes. Firstly, common property management is redefined and the difference between resources used in common but which are not common property and common property resources is clarified. Secondly, the study shows that CAMPFIRE is not sustainable whilst it remains dependent on wildlife alone and on a single species - the elephant. Thirdly, the thesis has attempted to extricate the CAMPFIRE concept from the wildlife debate in which it has become entangled and, fourthly, it examines the issues of globalisation and the global commons to show how decisions made at the international level impact on resource utilisation and management at the local level. Finally, the study examines what residual Tonga indigenous knowledge still exists and which aspects can be incorporated into present management systems. Overall, the results of the research suggest that while CAMPFIRE is an innovative strategy for sustainable natural resource management it, has not achieved its major objective of becoming a grassroots rural development strategy. It has become a top down elitist programme which is NGO and donor driven and government constrained. Legislation and policy need formally to address this problem. Finally, the thesis recognises the potential of the CAMPFIRE concept, especially if the weaknesses ofthe programme are addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
A geographical study of agricultural change since the 1930s in Shixini Location, Gatyana district, Transkei
- Authors: Andrew, Maura
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Agriculture -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei Transkei (South Africa) -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005509
- Description: This study examines the dynamics of agricultural change amongst traditional African smallholder farmers in Shixini location, Gatyana District, Transkei. This entailed an examination of the historical, regional and local causes of agricultural change and the response of the local community. What became evident was that there had been a gradual decline in agricultural output after the 1930s due to a combination of socio-economic and environmental constraints. Pressure on limited resources and land degradation, a consequence of socio-economic pressures on the African peasantry and agricultural expansion, reduced carrying capacities and soil fertility within the African reserves. Racially discriminatory policies also reduced African access to agricultural markets and forced peasants into migrant labour. The initial response to this agricultural decline was to maintain cultivation and pastoral practices, despite declining output, and rely more heavily on migrant labour. However, massive population ~owth from the mid 1950s onwards stimulated a rapid change in cultivation practices. Rural households found it increasingly difficult to gain access to arable land in river valleys and growing poverty undermined their ability to cultivate fields. In response to these conditions the rural population abandoned their fields and expanded garden cultivation. Garden cultivation was a more intensive method of cultivation which made more efficient use of household resources, maintained long-term yields and had a less detrimental impact on the soil. This study attempts to make a contribution to southern African historiography and historical geography. Since the rise of radical human geography in the 1970s there has been a growing number of political economy studies focusing on capitalist expansion, racially discriminatory state policies and associated class conflicts in South Africa. However, most of these studies have focused on urban communities. The political economy of African rural areas has been sorely neglected by human geographers despite the enormous growth of such studies amongst historians and other social scientists. This study of agricultural change in Shixini location, Transkei adds to the small collection of geographical research on the political economy of African rural areas. It also adds to the large body of historical research by focusing on the recent past, a much less well documented period. The most important component of the study was an examination of the response of the rural community to socio-economic and environmental changes. This brought the often neglected role of human agency within the world political economy into the study. Environmental factors, often neglected by'historians and human geographers, were also brought into the analysis. The examination of such a broad range of factors was facilitated through the use of a wide variety of source material including historical, anthropological and socio-economic literature, official statistics, archival records, aerial photographs and a sample survey
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Andrew, Maura
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Agriculture -- South Africa -- Transkei Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei Transkei (South Africa) -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005509
- Description: This study examines the dynamics of agricultural change amongst traditional African smallholder farmers in Shixini location, Gatyana District, Transkei. This entailed an examination of the historical, regional and local causes of agricultural change and the response of the local community. What became evident was that there had been a gradual decline in agricultural output after the 1930s due to a combination of socio-economic and environmental constraints. Pressure on limited resources and land degradation, a consequence of socio-economic pressures on the African peasantry and agricultural expansion, reduced carrying capacities and soil fertility within the African reserves. Racially discriminatory policies also reduced African access to agricultural markets and forced peasants into migrant labour. The initial response to this agricultural decline was to maintain cultivation and pastoral practices, despite declining output, and rely more heavily on migrant labour. However, massive population ~owth from the mid 1950s onwards stimulated a rapid change in cultivation practices. Rural households found it increasingly difficult to gain access to arable land in river valleys and growing poverty undermined their ability to cultivate fields. In response to these conditions the rural population abandoned their fields and expanded garden cultivation. Garden cultivation was a more intensive method of cultivation which made more efficient use of household resources, maintained long-term yields and had a less detrimental impact on the soil. This study attempts to make a contribution to southern African historiography and historical geography. Since the rise of radical human geography in the 1970s there has been a growing number of political economy studies focusing on capitalist expansion, racially discriminatory state policies and associated class conflicts in South Africa. However, most of these studies have focused on urban communities. The political economy of African rural areas has been sorely neglected by human geographers despite the enormous growth of such studies amongst historians and other social scientists. This study of agricultural change in Shixini location, Transkei adds to the small collection of geographical research on the political economy of African rural areas. It also adds to the large body of historical research by focusing on the recent past, a much less well documented period. The most important component of the study was an examination of the response of the rural community to socio-economic and environmental changes. This brought the often neglected role of human agency within the world political economy into the study. Environmental factors, often neglected by'historians and human geographers, were also brought into the analysis. The examination of such a broad range of factors was facilitated through the use of a wide variety of source material including historical, anthropological and socio-economic literature, official statistics, archival records, aerial photographs and a sample survey
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Measuring changes in residential segregation in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 1996-2011
- Authors: Odayar, Luveshni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3641 , vital:20532
- Description: Racial segregation and inequality were the prime objectives of the colonial and apartheid spatial planning policies that governed the spatial development of the South African urban landscape. Since South Africa’s democratic transition after 1994, efforts have been made by government to facilitate racial integration and transform the apartheid urban fabric. Research into post-apartheid segregation is crucial to assess the success of governmental actions enacted thus far, while informing future spatial planning strategies. Most studies of these processes have relied solely on dichotomous indices to measure the extent of segregation between two groups. Few have utilized multi-group indices, which are more suited to investigating changes in multi-ethnic cases. Furthermore, the segregation indices used are typically aspatial. This study investigates the extent to which the segregationist legacy prevails in Port Elizabeth, a place widely considered to be the founding city of urban racial segregation. It also aims to investigate the impact of geographical scale on segregation. Theil’s multi-group Entropy Index and Duncan and Duncan’s Dissimilarity Index were derived from racial population data from the 1996, 2001 and 2011 National Censuses, and GIS was used to map changes in racial diversity both at tract level and across a range of geographical scales. To generate a more holistic understanding of the observed trends, statistical tests were performed to relate the observed patterns to socio-economic determinants, and feedback from the relevant government department was obtained. The results from the entropy indices reveal that segregation levels in Port Elizabeth have declined but still remain high: 84.6 % (1996), 79.2 % (2001) to 71.5 % (2011). This is a similar trend to those found in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The integration that did occur was characterized by one-way patterns of movement into former-White areas; this was predominantly confined to the Indian population, and to a lesser extent, the Coloured population. The vast majority of the African population remains confined to their former designated location areas. The White population remains the most segregated group, despite most of the racial integration occurring in former-White areas. Interview results and statistical tests revealed that persisting racial discrepancies in socio-economic factors (income, employment and education) can be considered major drivers influencing the observed trends in racial integration and persisting desegregation, as well as self-segregation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Odayar, Luveshni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3641 , vital:20532
- Description: Racial segregation and inequality were the prime objectives of the colonial and apartheid spatial planning policies that governed the spatial development of the South African urban landscape. Since South Africa’s democratic transition after 1994, efforts have been made by government to facilitate racial integration and transform the apartheid urban fabric. Research into post-apartheid segregation is crucial to assess the success of governmental actions enacted thus far, while informing future spatial planning strategies. Most studies of these processes have relied solely on dichotomous indices to measure the extent of segregation between two groups. Few have utilized multi-group indices, which are more suited to investigating changes in multi-ethnic cases. Furthermore, the segregation indices used are typically aspatial. This study investigates the extent to which the segregationist legacy prevails in Port Elizabeth, a place widely considered to be the founding city of urban racial segregation. It also aims to investigate the impact of geographical scale on segregation. Theil’s multi-group Entropy Index and Duncan and Duncan’s Dissimilarity Index were derived from racial population data from the 1996, 2001 and 2011 National Censuses, and GIS was used to map changes in racial diversity both at tract level and across a range of geographical scales. To generate a more holistic understanding of the observed trends, statistical tests were performed to relate the observed patterns to socio-economic determinants, and feedback from the relevant government department was obtained. The results from the entropy indices reveal that segregation levels in Port Elizabeth have declined but still remain high: 84.6 % (1996), 79.2 % (2001) to 71.5 % (2011). This is a similar trend to those found in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The integration that did occur was characterized by one-way patterns of movement into former-White areas; this was predominantly confined to the Indian population, and to a lesser extent, the Coloured population. The vast majority of the African population remains confined to their former designated location areas. The White population remains the most segregated group, despite most of the racial integration occurring in former-White areas. Interview results and statistical tests revealed that persisting racial discrepancies in socio-economic factors (income, employment and education) can be considered major drivers influencing the observed trends in racial integration and persisting desegregation, as well as self-segregation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Demographic change in the Upper Tsitsa Catchment: the integration of census and land cover data for 2001 and 2011
- Authors: Hodgson, Danuta Lorina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Thematic maps -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Population density -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mzimvubu River Watershed (South Africa) -- Census , Upper Tsitsa Catchment (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57296 , vital:26870
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine if the integration of census and land cover data could provide evidence of spatial patterns and temporal change for the Upper Tsitsa Catchment. This thesis contributed to academic literature with regards to dasymetric mapping and provided a database for the Ntabelanga and Laleni Ecological Infrastructure Project. The study took place in the Upper Tsitsa Catchment which is located in the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape and falls within the uMzimvubu Catchment. South Africa National Population Censuses for 2001 and 2011 and the National Land Cover data sets for 2000 and 2013/14 were used to create dasymetric maps depicting demographic changes over time for the catchment area. Spatial statistics were performed on the dasymetric and choropleth map to determine the accuracy of the data that was created. From the results, it was found that although the statistics were skewed, the method was more accurate in displaying the population densities, which was noted during the sampling process of the spatial analysis. It was found that there had been a decrease in the population density within the catchment. This affected the density of several other variables such as population race group, language and employment status statistics as decreases in these values could be due to individuals migrating out of the catchment as well as socio-economic upliftment, such as having better access to services. The use of dasymetric mapping allowed an accurate representation of the population density from the census data to be created. The results of the dasymetric mapping were more accurate as they depicted where the population within the enumeration areas were located, and recognised that some areas were populated while some areas were not. To conclude, it was found that using dasymetric mapping provided reliable and useful data about population density and enables comparison over time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Hodgson, Danuta Lorina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Thematic maps -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Population density -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mzimvubu River Watershed (South Africa) -- Census , Upper Tsitsa Catchment (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57296 , vital:26870
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine if the integration of census and land cover data could provide evidence of spatial patterns and temporal change for the Upper Tsitsa Catchment. This thesis contributed to academic literature with regards to dasymetric mapping and provided a database for the Ntabelanga and Laleni Ecological Infrastructure Project. The study took place in the Upper Tsitsa Catchment which is located in the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape and falls within the uMzimvubu Catchment. South Africa National Population Censuses for 2001 and 2011 and the National Land Cover data sets for 2000 and 2013/14 were used to create dasymetric maps depicting demographic changes over time for the catchment area. Spatial statistics were performed on the dasymetric and choropleth map to determine the accuracy of the data that was created. From the results, it was found that although the statistics were skewed, the method was more accurate in displaying the population densities, which was noted during the sampling process of the spatial analysis. It was found that there had been a decrease in the population density within the catchment. This affected the density of several other variables such as population race group, language and employment status statistics as decreases in these values could be due to individuals migrating out of the catchment as well as socio-economic upliftment, such as having better access to services. The use of dasymetric mapping allowed an accurate representation of the population density from the census data to be created. The results of the dasymetric mapping were more accurate as they depicted where the population within the enumeration areas were located, and recognised that some areas were populated while some areas were not. To conclude, it was found that using dasymetric mapping provided reliable and useful data about population density and enables comparison over time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Learning about water through the African catchment game : the refinement of a role playing simulation game
- Authors: Fraenkel, Linda Anne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water -- South Africa -- Management -- Simulation methods Water -- Management -- Study and teaching Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Simulation methods Simulation games in education Role playing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005518
- Description: This research has undertaken two key mandates. One was to develop modifications to the African Catchment Game (ACG), a role playing simulation game, in order to simulate rainfall and water management processes representative of the southern African context. The other was to understand what, if any, learning associated with water management issues had taken place as a result of playing the ACG. The modification process took the form of an action research process. The initial modifications were trialed with South African students as part of their undergraduate Geography course offered at Rhodes University, South Africa. Subsequent modifications were implemented over a five month period with three diverse participant groups, namely Finnish, American and South African participants. An interpretive research orientation was employed in order to analyse both the qualitative and quantitative data that was generated. Pre- and Post-Game Questionnaires were used in order to identify the learning and understanding which the participants constructed as a result of playing the ACG. The Chi-Square Test was also applied to each of the pre- and post- questions to establish statistical significance. Subsequent analysis of these questions identified and traced patters and trends associated with learning and understanding across the three game runs. This research study draws on social constructivism and experiential learning as the dominant education theory that underpins it. Results revealed that for all three game runs learning took place. Participants identified dominant themes and environmental dimensions both before and after playing the ACG. The analysis of these responses indicated a deeper awareness of water as a contributing factor for sustainable economic development while the game runs enabled the researcher to adjust the water availability within each game run until rainfall and water management processes representative of a southern African context were successfully simulated in the last game run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Fraenkel, Linda Anne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water -- South Africa -- Management -- Simulation methods Water -- Management -- Study and teaching Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Simulation methods Simulation games in education Role playing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005518
- Description: This research has undertaken two key mandates. One was to develop modifications to the African Catchment Game (ACG), a role playing simulation game, in order to simulate rainfall and water management processes representative of the southern African context. The other was to understand what, if any, learning associated with water management issues had taken place as a result of playing the ACG. The modification process took the form of an action research process. The initial modifications were trialed with South African students as part of their undergraduate Geography course offered at Rhodes University, South Africa. Subsequent modifications were implemented over a five month period with three diverse participant groups, namely Finnish, American and South African participants. An interpretive research orientation was employed in order to analyse both the qualitative and quantitative data that was generated. Pre- and Post-Game Questionnaires were used in order to identify the learning and understanding which the participants constructed as a result of playing the ACG. The Chi-Square Test was also applied to each of the pre- and post- questions to establish statistical significance. Subsequent analysis of these questions identified and traced patters and trends associated with learning and understanding across the three game runs. This research study draws on social constructivism and experiential learning as the dominant education theory that underpins it. Results revealed that for all three game runs learning took place. Participants identified dominant themes and environmental dimensions both before and after playing the ACG. The analysis of these responses indicated a deeper awareness of water as a contributing factor for sustainable economic development while the game runs enabled the researcher to adjust the water availability within each game run until rainfall and water management processes representative of a southern African context were successfully simulated in the last game run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An appraisal of the impact of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme on land use practices, livelihoods and the natural environment at three study areas in Kadoma District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chigumira, Easther C
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Land use -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Natural resources -- Zimbabwe , Environmental policy -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Large -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005489 , Land reform -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Land use -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Natural resources -- Zimbabwe , Environmental policy -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Large -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This research appraises the impact of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme at three resettled communities in Kadoma District, Zimbabwe. In particular it assesses the livelihood practices of land recipients and their effects on the natural environment. Two of the communities, Lanteglos and CC Molina were resettled under the A1 villagised and self-contained settlement scheme and are found in the Natural Farming Region III. Pamene, the third community, was resettled under the A2 small-scale commercial settlement scheme and is found in the Natural Farming Region IIb. Multiple research methods including household surveys, interviews, observations, reviews of literature and map construction through the use of Geographic Information Systems, allowed for the collection of empirical, descriptive, and spatial data to provide for the appraisal. The land use practices included dry land crop production, livestock rearing, vegetable gardening and exploitation of the natural environment for a variety of purposes. Farming was mostly subsistence with the use of traditional equipment by all three communities. Tenure was perceived to be insecure by beneficiaries and although a variety of papers to show ownership were held, none provided for leasing or freehold tenure. Despite acquiring natural capital from the resettlement process, the findings of this research show low levels of financial, physical and social capital amongst beneficiaries. Moreover climatic variability, the declining macro-economic and unstable political environment and little support from government have adversely affected the livelihoods of beneficiaries. The implication of all this has been a reduction in livelihoods that are based solely on agricultural production, leading to off-farm practices primarily exploiting the natural environment. The long term effect would be increased degradation of the environment, leading to reduced arable and grazing land, and thereby hindering sustainable livelihoods from farming. Recommendations are proposed based on this research’s findings being typical in Zimbabwe. Central to this is the need for government to revise its present land policy and, provide for a comprehensive and holistic land policy that should be based on the vision of how agriculture should evolve in Zimbabwe
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Chigumira, Easther C
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Land use -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Natural resources -- Zimbabwe , Environmental policy -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Large -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005489 , Land reform -- Zimbabwe , Land tenure -- Zimbabwe , Land settlement -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Land use -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Natural resources -- Zimbabwe , Environmental policy -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Large -- Zimbabwe , Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This research appraises the impact of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme at three resettled communities in Kadoma District, Zimbabwe. In particular it assesses the livelihood practices of land recipients and their effects on the natural environment. Two of the communities, Lanteglos and CC Molina were resettled under the A1 villagised and self-contained settlement scheme and are found in the Natural Farming Region III. Pamene, the third community, was resettled under the A2 small-scale commercial settlement scheme and is found in the Natural Farming Region IIb. Multiple research methods including household surveys, interviews, observations, reviews of literature and map construction through the use of Geographic Information Systems, allowed for the collection of empirical, descriptive, and spatial data to provide for the appraisal. The land use practices included dry land crop production, livestock rearing, vegetable gardening and exploitation of the natural environment for a variety of purposes. Farming was mostly subsistence with the use of traditional equipment by all three communities. Tenure was perceived to be insecure by beneficiaries and although a variety of papers to show ownership were held, none provided for leasing or freehold tenure. Despite acquiring natural capital from the resettlement process, the findings of this research show low levels of financial, physical and social capital amongst beneficiaries. Moreover climatic variability, the declining macro-economic and unstable political environment and little support from government have adversely affected the livelihoods of beneficiaries. The implication of all this has been a reduction in livelihoods that are based solely on agricultural production, leading to off-farm practices primarily exploiting the natural environment. The long term effect would be increased degradation of the environment, leading to reduced arable and grazing land, and thereby hindering sustainable livelihoods from farming. Recommendations are proposed based on this research’s findings being typical in Zimbabwe. Central to this is the need for government to revise its present land policy and, provide for a comprehensive and holistic land policy that should be based on the vision of how agriculture should evolve in Zimbabwe
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »