Browsing by Author "Desai, Sumaiya Amod."

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Are non-governmental organisations effective in increasing access to agricultural markets within rural communities? A comparative study of female smallholder farmers within the eMazabekweni, KwaNokweja, Hopewell and Carisbrooke communities, Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2019) Hansrod, Laila.; Desai, Sumaiya Amod.; Nkomo, Sphumelele Lucky.
Background: Poverty within rural areas encourages females to practice smallholder farming as a poverty alleviation strategy. Whereby female smallholder farmers provide for themselves and are able to sell their produce to sustain their livelihoods. Female smallholder farmers often do not have the capability to participate in agricultural markets due to their lack of access to these markets, resources, inputs and extension services. These limitations decrease the ability of a rural female smallholder farmers to be able to maintain their livelihoods, whilst ensuring food security within their households. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) claim to provide farming assistance to minority groups, such as women. The objective of this thesis was to determine whether NGOs are actually making a difference among rural communities. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of NGOs in increasing access to agricultural markets as a poverty alleviation strategy amongst female smallholder farmers. Methods: Comparative research was undertaken among female-headed households from two smallholder farming communities that received agricultural assistance from NGOs and two smallholder farming communities who were unable to access any assistance from NGOs. These communities fell within the Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, and are the eMazabekweni, KwaNokweja, Hopewell and Carisbrooke communities. A purposive sampling strategy was utilised. The study employed triangulation, utilising both quantitative and qualitative data collection strategies. Quantitative methods included a structured questionnaire which was followed by statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. Qualitative methods included participatory exercises and focus group discussions. Results: While NGOs are present within the eMazabekweni and KwaNokweja communities, their presence has not majorly assisted women to overcome institutionalised barriers such as access to agricultural markets. It was found that the Hopewell and Carisbrooke communities, who do not receive any assistance, lie in a state of disrepair as compared to those communities who do receive assistance. Therefore it must be noted that while assistance from NGOs within the eMazabekweni and KwaNokweja communities have had a minimal trickledown effect among female smallholder farmers, they were still able to make a minuscule difference. However, the implementation of these programmes are not sustainable for the future and only provide a short-term band-aid solution. Conclusion and recommendations: Programmes for the provision of extension support need to be designed to specifically target women within rural communities while taking institutionalised barriers to agricultural market access into consideration. Additionally, communities need to be involved in the development of programmes that are going to be initiated within their communities.
Assessing the condition of unpaved rural road networks and the associated impacts on the livelihoods of rural communities : a case study of four rural communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
(2018) Nkomo, S'phumelele Lucky.; Peerbhay, Kabir Yunus.; Desai, Sumaiya Amod.
Unpaved road networks, also referred to as gravel or unsealed roads, form an integral function in terms of sustaining the well-being of rural livelihoods, particularly in remote rural areas. The socioeconomic spinoffs of improved rural road networks have been extensively researched in Asia, but not to the same extent in the African continent. Even though the South African economy has consistently been stronger than many countries in Africa, there is more research conducted in Kenya and Ghana on unpaved road network conditions when compared to South Africa. The present study therefore assesses the condition of rural road networks and the associated socioeconomic impacts on the livelihoods of rural areas within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This study was conducted in four rural areas namely Emazabekweni, Dukuza, Mkhunya and Mhlwazini within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Due to the complex nature of the research, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted in order to address the aim and objectives of this study. In addition, This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods in the data collection and analysis. The first part of this study was an assessment of the physical conditions of the gravel road networks in rural communities in order to understand the physical, environmental and anthropogenic factors that influence the state of rural roads. Results showed that there was a direct relationship between road surface characteristics, drainage and maintenance conditions. The results further showed that the nature of road surface distresses was an indication of the influence of traffic and climatic conditions. The second part of this study focused on investigating some of the primary causes of poor road conditions on unpaved road networks. An assessment of surface material quality was performed on the road classes selected for this study in order to understand their susceptibility to surface deterioration. The results obtained indicated that there was a need for better material selection during the construction of unpaved road networks. Most of the road classes assessed had poor material quality, thus making them vulnerable to increased surface deterioration and maintenance costs. The third part of this study assessed local respondents' perceptions on the socioeconomic role of their unpaved road networks on their livelihoods. The findings obtained perceived that local respondent’s perceptions on the socioeconomic role of unpaved road networks on their livelihoods are influenced by the effectiveness of their roads in servicing their needs. Less than ten percent of all the respondents perceived direct economic spinoffs as a result of road networks improvements. Majority of the respondents perceived social spinoffs such as improving access to healthcare, education and market services. Finally, this study identified and assessed the effectiveness of Community Based Maintenance Strategies that were utilised for routine maintenance of unpaved rural roads. The findings emphasised that Community Based Road Management Strategies such as the Zibambele Road Maintenance programme provides an alternative approach that was useful and can be effective on the maintenance of unpaved rural road networks. The major criticism for Community Based Road Management Strategies was that they lack sufficient prioritisation of personnel training and this justification was observed during the assessment of the Zibambele maintenance programme on the selected road lengths. The overall findings of this study showed that community proximity to towns biasedly determined amongst others, quality of unpaved roads, access to services and the availability of opportunities for income diversification. In this study, the communities that are located close to a town had better quality road access in comparison to communities that are further away from a town. Similarly, these communities had better services and access to services in comparison to communities that are further away from the town. The findings of this study could be used to reassess some of the primary challenges affecting rural economic growth as well as social stability.
Cultural ecosystem services, perceptions and participatory mapping: a case study of Buffellsdraai and Iqadi communities in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Kunene, Hlengiwe Precious.; Desai, Sumaiya Amod.; Nkomo, Sphumelele Lucky.
As the demand for Ecosystem Services (ES) continues to grow, the assessment of ES has become important for conservation management. However when compared to other ES, Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) have been rarely integrated into ES assessments. As a result, research on this particular category of ES is necessary as trade-offs between all types of ES exist. This study assessed the perceived CES in Buffellsdraai and Iqadi communities in KwaZulu-Natal by performing a spatially explicit mapping of these services. These particular communities were chosen because of the two major reforestation projects being carried out within their jurisdiction so as to understand how ecological restoration improves their cultural well-being.Triangulation which is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methodology was used to assess local community and key informant perceptions of CES as well as to determine the spatial variation of these services in Buffellsdraai and Iqadi. The structured questionnaire survery, participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercises, focus group discussions were administered to community participants while the structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from key informants of Buffellsdraai and Iqadi, respectively. CES were identified in both Buffellsdraai and Iqadi communities. Landscape value was identified as the most valued category of CES in both communities. Despite most key informants residing within the communities of Buffellsdraai and Iqadi they showed little interest on the CES subject matter. With the aid of spatial data from the participatory mapping exercices, the study also identified the hotspots and coldspots of CES in both study areas. Hot spots were mainly attributed to landcovers such as forests, bushlands and water bodies while built up dense settlement, grassland and woodlands were hardly attributed to any cultural values thus forming cold spots of CES. The results from this study revealed a vital relationship between the locals and landscape of Buffellsdraai and Iqadi. The locals portrayed a keen interest with interacting with nature which in turn will contribute to maintenance of these landscapes. On this basis, this study proposes the incorporation of CES into ES planning decisions of the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu Natal.
The impact of a change in climate on small-scale farmers: case studies of the Khokhwane, Sizanenjana and Richmond communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2016) Pillay, Simone Elvina.; Desai, Sumaiya Amod.
A large percentage of land use in South Africa is used for agricultural purposes, as this sector serves as the economic backbone of the country. A change in climate is likely to result in an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. This has the potential to place strain on land, water resources and food security in rural areas, where small-scale subsistence farmers are dependent on agriculture to sustain their livelihoods. The objectives of this study were to establish small-scale farmers’ perception of a change in climate, and investigate the perceived impact a change in climate had on their agricultural production and food security. This research explored the current coping strategies small-scale farmers are adopting to build resilience to these impacts, as well as the potential mitigation strategies that could be implemented to improve their standard of living and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. Research was undertaken in three small-scale farming communities. The communities were: Khokhwane, Sizanenjana, and Richmond. The study employed a mixed-method approach using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative methods consisted of structured questionnaire surveys and statistical analysis. The responses from the questionnaires were inputted and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Qualitative approaches consisted of participatory exercises, observations and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that the majority of the respondents residing in the community households were women and children who carried out daily chores and upkeep of farm plots. Without environmental education and training, small-scale farmers have limited knowledge about a change in climate and its projected impact on food security. Overall, a change in climate is understood to have impacts on agricultural production in the three communities. On the one hand, results obtained illustrated that the Khokhwane and Richmond community experienced an improved standard of living and access to services compared to the Sizanenjana community. This was due to the assistance they are receiving from the local municipality and Non-Governmental Organisations through community upliftment, which supported farmers in establishing food gardens. This has aided them in achieving a favourable food security status and provided many employment opportunities for local small-scale farmers. On the other hand, the Sizanenjana community has received very little assistance from the local municipality. Thus, results from the Sizanenjana community reveal that small-scale farmers suffer greatly from the impact of a change in climate, especially on their crop production. Many households have ceased crop production and suffer from poverty and food insecurity. The findings demonstrate that in the future, environmental education and training programmes need to be carried out in communities in small-scale rural farms. Farmers should be educated on the projected impact of a change in climate and trained in sustainable agricultural practices, as a way in which to build resilience towards these changes. This can be achieved through increased stakeholder interaction, especially local government involvement, and the continued support from Non-Governmental Organisations. This has proven to be extremely helpful in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor.
Stakeholder perceptions of ecotourism impacts and management issues in relation to private game parks : case studies of the Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2010) Desai, Sumaiya Amod.; Bob, Urmilla.
Ecotourism has generated great interest from governments, tourism enterprises, tourists, conservation groups, the private sector and other stakeholders in the industry. A reason for this interest is the availability of pristine natural environments, especially in Africa. The need for more rigorous data on economic, environmental and social impacts of ecotourism development from different perspectives and stakeholders is central to unpacking key issues related to sustaining ecotourism in Africa that is both responsive to environmental as well as social and economic needs. There seems to be a need for a better understanding of ecotourism’s impacts, and how those impacts are affected by various developmental needs and management strategies. South Africa is a country which is closely linked with disputes resulting from land claims as a result of apartheid. Thus, this thesis attempts to unpack issues relating to the historical legacy, the proliferation of Private Game Parks in South Africa and related issues of privatised concentration of natural resources, access and affordability as well as potential social, economic and environmental impacts. Research was undertaken in two Private Parks in KwaZulu-Natal: Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park. A fundamental ingredient for stakeholder involvement is collaboration among key players. The specific stakeholders identified for this study were: visitors, local communities, tour operators, Park personnel, Park managers and the Private owner of both the private Parks. The research employed both qualitative (participatory approaches) and quantitative (questionnaires) techniques when collecting data. The study revealed that visitors to Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park listed important factors regarding their own efforts to promote ecotourism such as: conserving nature, limiting the over-utilisation of resources, being environmentally conscious, reducing water consumption, being litter conscious, spreading the conservation message via word of mouth and visiting more ecotourism destinations. There is a good level of interaction between the tour operating company (that carries out tours to Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park) and the community. This is attributed to visitors purchasing from cultural villages and the use of local tour guides. The local communities living near the private Parks indicated that no relationship exists between the community, management and staff of the respective private Parks. Participatory exercises (venn diagrams, mental mapping and problem ranking exercises) were conducted with focus groups. These focus group discussions established heterogeneity within the respective communities and emphasised the need for the involvement of all community members who best understand and have the greatest stake in social, economic and political issues linked to the Parks. According to the Park personnel at Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park local communities were somewhat involved in the activities and decision-making of the private Parks. However, the Park owner of both the private Parks stated that the local communities were not involved in the activities and decision-making of the private Parks. To mitigate social, environmental and economic impacts it is imperative that all stakeholders are consulted as this will reduce conflict and enhance consensus.
Tenants perception regarding the social housing rental flats : case study of Acacia Park, Aloe Ridge and Signal Hill in the Msunduzi Municipality, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Hlophe, Syathokoza Portia.; Desai, Sumaiya Amod.; Nkomo, Sphumelele Lucky.
The right to adequate housing was first promulgated in the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights. However, time and experience has shown that the realisation of this right is difficult to attain. The developing regions are the ones that suffer the most when it comes to the provisioning of adequate housing. The most obvious reason in the developing regions is urbanisation and colonialism. Urbanisation has been coupled with overcrowding, unreliable, inadequate infrastructure and services. For South Africa, the housing backlog is attributed to the apartheid government. When the new democratic government the African National Congress (ANC) won the elections, housing was one of the basic needs where there was a backlog. In 1994 a policy called the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was implemented and it was used to address the housing backlog. The RDP policy was providing free fully subsidised houses to the low-income class but in 1996 the RDP office closed due to a financial crisis. In 1996, a new policy called Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) was introduced and it was aimed at boosting the economy but it was criticised for being a neoliberal policy. In 2004, the Department of Human Settlement introduced a new housing policy called Breaking New Ground (BNG). BNG was a housing policy that was used to address the problems which were evident in the low-income (RDP) houses such as size, peripheral locations and structural defects. BNG also had a housing option called social housing. Social housing is a relatively new concept in South Africa, and it is different from the mass housing delivery which was evident in the low-income (RDP) houses. Social housing is a rental or co-operative housing that is aimed at low to middle income households who earn a monthly salary of R 1500 to R 15 000 it is provided by accredited social housing institutions in designated restructuring zones. Social housing can be in the form of flats, houses or townhouses that are located in greenfield, infill areas or inner city blocks that are purchased and renovated. Social housing rental flats tends to be located in neighbourhoods where it is close to social amenities unlike the low-income (RDP) houses which were in peripheral locations. The aim of this study is to assess whether social housing is alleviating the housing backlog and is it affordable for the low-income groups. Social housing was intended to be affordable for the low-income household and create a society that is not dependant on the government for housing. The objectives of this study were to investigate if social housing is a viable option for the low-income class, to assess the tenant’s socio-economic conditions, to assess the tenant’s perceptions regarding the social housing rental flats and to investigate the operating standards of the social housing rental flats. This dissertation evaluated the three social housing rental flats in terms of their affordability, management and safety. The research study sites were Acacia Park, Aloe Ridge and Signal Hill, respectively. This study used a mixed method approach where both the quantitative and qualitative research approach was used. The quantitative research approach consisted of a structured questionnaire surveys. The statistical analysis was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The qualitative research approach consisted of an interview with a social housing official. The main findings from the study revealed that respondents from the three social rental flats were struggling with their monthly rent which is coupled with their monthly utilities. The respondents indicated that the management is very poor, their concerns are not addressed, they feel dehumanised and victimised. In terms of safety the respondents indicated that the crime rate is very high as there are always burglaries. It is recommended that the rent must be increased according to a tenants monthly income, the management needs to fulfil its duties as stipulated in the social housing policy, there needs to be more security presence and there must be consistency between policy and practice. Keywords: affordability, rent, management and crime.