Browsing by Author "Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent."

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An analysis of how socioeconomic issues affect the performance of learners in rural schools: a case study of Ga-Sekgopo high schools grade 8-10 learners.
(2020) Baloyi, Mapula Emily.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
Rural Schools in South Africa are characterised by poor service delivery and low academic achievements. The learners in rural schools face several challenges that lower their chances of attaining academic excellence. Some of these issues include low socioeconomic status, inadequate service delivery which leads to a lack of basic infrastructure, such as classrooms, libraries, and other resources such as textbooks and computers, which would assist to advance learners. Despite the government’s efforts of implementing different policies in the Department of Education, rural schools continue to struggle because of their disadvantage of being in a remote rural area, were there is a lack of access of basic resources. This study reveals that most rural communities attempt to assist the learners in rural schools, some communities have engaged in protest action to remove educators which were not advancing the learners. In other instances, the communities donate funds to assist schools in meeting their needs. Although, the involvement of the local community is essential, the gap in schools remain, as the rural communities are also in a disadvantage situation and therefore their impact can be minimal. Also, the communication from the schools and the communities is not efficient, this depends on the School Governing Body structure, the leadership of the school and the overall involvement of parents. This study investigated how socio-economic issues affect the academic performance of rural learners, focusing on the schools in the Ga Sekgopo Village in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology to answer the research questions. In depth interviews were used to explore the views and the perspectives of the educators and the former learners of Ga Sekgopo.The sample consisted of one representative of the educators, the School Governing Body (SGB) from each of the five schools from Ga Sekgopo as well as 5 former learners who previously attended the High schools in Ga Sekgopo village were interviewed. The findings of this study revealed that external factors such as socioeconomic issues, a lack of infrastructure, poor participation of the parents in the learners schooling, HIV/AIDs infection and poor government service delivery and poor implementation of policies. All have a significant impact in affecting the teaching and learning process, in essence affecting the level of achievements produced by the learner. This study revealed that schools in rural areas are at a disadvantage as they experience different challenges such as, poor service delivery from the government, poor infrastructure, an issue with obtaining good educators and more. Learners in rural schools are affected by those challenges that are predominant in the schools, and also have to face the challenges that they have at home which may be associated with their socioeconomic status. Therefore, this study recommends a strategy or a model for rural schools, that will help in retaining Education graduates in rural school. Also for the government to prioritise service delivery in rural schools, and to formulate programs or workshops to train the educators on how to deal with learners from rural schools. Partnering with Non-Profit Organisations which are interested in developing learners academically, would be a viable solution to cover the gap that rural learners experience.
Assessing the viability of humanitarian intervention as the shield for human rights: Case studies of Kosovo, Libya, and Iraq.
(2018) Tutu, Owethu Johnson.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
On one hand, the end of the Cold War hatched new forms of wars and conflicts. On the other, oppressive regimes intensified their unromantic treatment towards their citizens, in so doing, misusing their sovereignty as the curtain behind which they hide their nefarious actions. It is through those wars and malicious actions by certain regimes that human rights are gravely violated. In an attempt to end those human rights violations, the international community through the United Nations Security Council employs humanitarian military intervention. However, there are heavy criticisms levelled against the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention as the shield for human rights. Moreover, the international community is divided into two, as those with the military and economic capacity to intervene deem humanitarian intervention as an effective mechanism to bring about an end to human rights violations and ultimately human suffering. However, on the other hand, weak states contradict that view, advancing the position that humanitarian intervention is just a Trojan horse through which powerful states pursue their nefarious agendas in weak countries. This research aims to assess the viability of humanitarian intervention as the shield for human rights. In assessing that effectiveness, it acknowledges the fact that, humanitarian intervention entails the employment of force. Therefore, argues that the employment of force is synonymous to war, as it involves life taking risks inconsequential of its magnanimity. However, this study does not ignore the fact that human rights are being violated virtually on a daily basis and therefore, there is a compelling need for the mechanism through which human rights ought to be shielded and humanitarian intervention is that mechanism in current international politics. But factors that influence humanitarian intervention as the shield for human rights tend to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in protecting the rights of the vulnerable populations. This assessment is pursued through examining case studies where intervention for humanitarian reasons was exercised. Moreover, factors that influence the carrying out of humanitarian military intervention are also examined. Among these factors, national interest takes priority, as it influences intervention in the most negative fashion and leads to more human rights violations. Eventually, this study closes by offering possible recommendations on how humanitarian intervention as the tool to shield human rights can be improved.
China South Africa relations : examining gains and hidden challenges in economic and diplomatic relations.
(2015) Moinogu, Perminus.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
According to Samuel Huntington’s clash of civilizations whereby he gave a prediction that there will be a sudden decline of the Western economies and sudden rise of the Asian economies, paving a way for the Chinese dragon economy to rise and become a force to be reckoned with. The Chinese economy’s sudden rise has caused it to expand thereby needing more trading partners from its neighbors and more partners from developing countries especially in Africa. Of which, the African continent is famous of its vast mineral wealth and natural resources from different countries, therefore making it a region that is not only rich but also fertile with visible challenges such as those of poor infrastructure, underdevelopment and ethnic conflicts. Moreover, apart from Africa’s challenges, China’s largest bilateral trading partner in Africa is South Africa, making it the single most important player in not only the Sub-Saharan region but also in the African continent as a whole. Nonetheless, it through a displaying of different approaches in this research that an understanding and conclusion is arrived at, the approaches to be explored in this research will be realism, idealism, Stolper-Samuelson theory, Power relations, Unipolar, Bipolar. Other approaches to be use will be derived from international relations and International political economy in order to adequately explore the South Africa China economic and diplomatic gains and hidden challenges. Trading partnerships between both players are centralized around economic, political and socio-economic fabric of both countries. South Africa is enjoying its strengthened economic and political relations with China, while the Chinese are also enjoying improved trading, socio-economic and cultural relations. This research will be mainly conducted using a qualitative research methodology, with all the data being sourced from secondary sources. However, the study’s structure will explore on three sections, namely 1st section is going to tackle the economic, diplomatic and cultural relations between South Africa and China. Second section is going to discuss the challenges and benefits that both players are experiencing in their relations. Third section is going to explore if there is equilibrium in the benefits and challenges experienced by both players during economic, diplomatic and cultural relations.
An exploration of the holistic development and wellbeing of children at Clouds of Hope home KwaSani Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Andam, Nche Hostencia.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.; Tschudin, Alain Jean-Paul Charles.
Children wellbeing is strongly linked to their holistic development and both dependent to the parental support and environmental as well as socioeconomic situation of the country. South Africa is one of the third world countries where the number of orphaned children is growing following HIV/AIDS and the socioeconomic situation of the country is deteriorating. This study explored factors that promote the holistic development of children in Clouds of Hope Home (CHH) taking into consideration the quality of their diets, cognitive growth, psychosocial wellness and the children’s participatory contribution in their wellbeing. It used a case study of the CHH on the basis that the centre hosts children who formed part of the study. A qualitative methodology was adopted in this study and data were collected through 33 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. Data for the study was collected at the CHH in KwaSane municipality. Data was analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Findings in this research study suggested that children at the CHH are predominantly orphans and vulnerable. They face the day to day challenges of dealing with their situation both at school and at the centre. Their responses suggest that they are bullied at school and others face stigma and discrimination due to their HIV status that they live with. As reported during the focus group discussions, the children at CHH, indicated the need to be taken care of by a biological parent instead of a caregiver at the CHH, which unfortunately was impossible as many of the children are dominantly orphans. We conclude that rural South Africa continues to struggle with situations of orphans and vulnerable children. While their number is on increase, this research finding suggested that not much is being done for them to face their future if they failed to complete their studies. Moreover, the children in CHH had limited choices as to where to further their studies as they depended most on what the centre management could only afford.
The impact of corruption in recruitment and procurement within local government and its impact on service delivery, using the KwaZulu-Natal department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as a case study.
(2018) Mchunu, Ngqapheli Obadia.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
The dawn of democracy in 1994 may have signalled a new beginning for South Africa politically. Economically, however, it was not going to be the case unless the socio-economic inequalities that the apartheid regime had left behind could be sufficiently addressed by the incoming government. In a bid to redress the social imbalances of the past, the ANC-led government has embarked on a journey that seeks to get rid of structural inequalities that faced South Africans and also to provide adequate service delivery. Since the democratic dispensation, South Africa has faced various challenges ranging from rampant crime in local communities, inequality and unemployment, combined with the ever-rising cost of living, In addition, the HIV/AIDS epidemic also posed a major threat to the livelihood of many South Africans. Remarkable progress has been made in fighting the disease and significant strides have also been made in dealing with other socio-economic challenges that the country has been faced with. Corruption, however, is the challenge that is being seen as next on the South African horizon. Moreover, research conducted by various research institutions points to an ever-increasing concern about corruption in the South African government. In addition, further research conducted points to an increase in public sector corruption over the past 10 – 15 years. This research looks at challenges of corruption within recruitment and procurement units in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, particularly in the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Using a mixed-method research methodology, this research looks at perceptions of corruption from potential young public servants and corruption challenges from a senior public official’s standpoint and how this impacts on service delivery in the province. The study takes place in Pietermaritzburg, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal campus where the questionnaire is conducted and the qualitative interviews are done in the respective participants’ offices. Findings from this research indicate that there is huge perception of the existence of corruption in the department. Moreover, corruption within the department seems to affect service delivery directly through the way in which services through procurement are disrupted by corruption activities such as bribery, extortion and nepotism.
Land reform in South Africa : dismantling the historical legacy of the racially skewed land dispensation.
(2013) Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.; Malimela, Langelihle.
In some parts of the African continent, colonialist left a long time ago but the legacy they left exist to this day. In one way or the other they ensured that their legacy lives on even beyond independence of the African people. This is the case also in Southern Africa and particularly in South Africa. The legacy of white settlers who came into the country in the early colonial days is still evident in the characteristics of the contemporary South African society. The racially skewed distribution of land started centuries ago and up until today, such disproportionate in land distribution has not been corrected. At the end of apartheid, the newly elected democratic government placed on top of its agenda the issue of addressing the land question. Land reform programme was drawn and deadlines for achieving certain goals were set. But since then, land reform has been slow and fallen short of its targets. Main contributors to the slow progress of land reform were the policies and mechanism with which the government seeks to implement the programme and achieve its objectives. There has been a plethora of laws enacted with the aim of improving the implementation of the land reform programme in South Africa, but progress has remained slow. Many questions and concerns have been raised as to whether land reform is necessary or not in a democratic South Africa. This thesis argues that land reform is indeed necessary if South Africa is interested in rectifying the injustices and the inequalities of past land distribution. The thesis also argues that a properly implemented land reform would not only bring justice but it will also help in the reduction of poverty which is rife in the South African society and particularly the rural poor. But both the latter and the former will be realizable if the society is aware and have a full understanding of the ever developing laws which guides land reform programme and the acquisition of land in general.
The role of international community in the protection of civil rights and interests in conflict zones: the case of the Darfur region in Sudan (2003-2016)
(2018) Jori, Denford.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
This is a study of conflict resolution in the Darfur region of Sudan that underpins the gross human rights violations by both the government forces and militia groups.The Darfur conflict constitute one of the known 21st century civil wars which resulted in the deaths and displacements of mainly the civilian population. In light of these human rights violations by the parties to the conflict, the government of Sudan was roundly condemned by the international community for its failure to protect civilians. The researcher will use the qualitative research method while the Constructivism theory will be used as the theoratical framework in conducting the research. An incisive finding by the research is that both the government forces and the rebel groups (militia) participated in the gross human rights violations during the conflict. On the international intervention, the study found that there is an element of selectivity by superpowers regarding their attention to humanitarian crisis. Little attention was given to the Darfur crisis than both in Cambodia and Afghanistan. The researcher in this context recommends that in order for a lasting peace and stability to be attained in the Darfur, both parties to the conflict have to engage and come up with a comprehensive peace agreement which has to be signed by all.The African Union is recommended to take a leading role in bringing the parties to the negotiation table.
The role of traditional leaders in a democratic South Africa : looking back to the past and the present : the case of rural development in Ndwedwe local municipality.
(2016) Ngcobo, Muziwenhlanhla Mduduzi.; Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.
Controversies pertaining to the role of traditional leaders have been and continue to be at the centre of rural development in the democratic South Africa. Legacies of these controversies stemmed from their ambiguous roles in previous regimes which seem to linger in their role in current local governance. Although the institution of traditional leaders is protected by Chapter 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and also preserved by ANC led democratic government but the nature of its roles and powers over rural populace remain as one of challenged governmental approach. The decentralization of administrative power to lower structures of government together with the formation of district and local municipalities has resulted into a questionable credibility of traditional leaders. Moreover, exclusion and underdevelopment of local communities has also attributed to their unprecedented power over land administration in the countryside. South Africa’s distinct history of rural infrastructural underdevelopment and contemporal endeavors towards the remedy of previously excluded communities thus has its costs and benefits. Moving governmental decisions-making processes closer to local communities as an endeavour of democratization of local authorities has also revived discourse of whether democratic government should abandon traditional leaders due to their perceived undemocratic traditional practices. However, land administration and constitutional recognition of the institution of traditional leadership continue to forge its relevance in democratic South Africa especially in rural areas. On the other hand, it has been a common practice in Africa that different domains of authority govern same people where governments conserves traditional authority as a political resource without diminishing the authority of the sovereign state. Likewise, South Africa’s preservation of the institution in question seems to perceive traditional leaders as prone to harmonize with and promote democratic norms and practice in the post-apartheid South Africa. Transformation of involved local institutions together with the promotion of their wider and deeper participation and of citizens at local level seem to have potential of resolving quarreling views while indorsing community based local development.
Transforming local economies through land reform : political dilemmas and rural development realities in South Africa.
(2016) Dlamini, Siyabonga Innocent.; Ndlovu, Joram.
The land/agrarian question has always been at the center of South Africa’s struggle for liberation. Land itself has always been a source from which Africans and particularly the rural inhabitants have derived their livelihood. The sustainability of rural livelihoods therefore largely rely on the availability of productive land. As a result, the inability to access land has always been a great challenge to Africans. In response to the issue of landlessness, the South African government adopted a three pillar Land Reform Programme- land redistribution, land restitution, and land tenure reform. This programme has been created to fend off the inequalities in landholding as well as injustices which emanated from forceful removals that took place in previous decades. This thesis therefore examines the progress made in attaining the goals set in the land reform programme. The thesis mainly focusses on the political dilemmas and rural development realities in South Africa in relation to the impact of land reform in different communities. In an attempt to make sense of how land reform impacts on the lives of the people, particularly the rural inhabitants, this thesis seeks to explore how local economies can be transformed through land reform. The thesis therefore holds that it is through the transformation of local economies that the rural poor can live sustainable lives. The strategy here is therefore to use smallholder farming to deal with immediate food insecurity which is the general problem in the rural areas- at the same time, facilitating their access to markets for the smallholder farmers to sell their produce. The thesis concludes by suggesting that the willing buyer-willing seller has been too costly and failed to avail the amount of land that the state needs for the redistribution programme. As a result, the state should expropriate land for redistribution – starting with the under-utilized and the lands that lie fallow.