Browsing by Author "Moodley, Vadivelu."

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Females' environmental perceptions of violence and danger in secondary schools : case studies from the Durban Metropolitan area.
(2002) Perry, Edwin C.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
There has been a significant level of outcry opposing violence against females and the development of policies and legislation aimed at reducing this increasing problem that confronts South African society. Yet, violence and the fear of violence, especially gender-based violence, are widespread in South Africa. Despite the considerable research that has been undertaken on violence in South Africa, there remains a weak empirical and conceptual basis to understand females' environmental perceptions of violence and danger in secondary schools. This dissertation contributes to a greater understanding of the relationships between gender, violence and environmental perceptions. Gender specific spatialities, experiences and perceptions are critically examined. Critical concerns in the study include females' environmental perceptions of violence and images of danger in secondary schools, sources of information regarding violence and danger, types of violence that females are aware of, specific experiences of violence among the respondents and the coping strategies adopted by females. To enable a critical examination of the above issues, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken as well as fieldwork was conducted in two secondary schools (Dr A D Lazarus and Ridge Park College). Both female learners and teachers participated in the study. A variety of quantitative and qualitative methods were used including questionnaire surveys as well as mental mapping and ranking exercises to achieve the aims and objectives of this study. The key findings of the research show that violence and the danger of violence constrain the movements and the options of females. Furthermore, the results clearly illustrate discernible patterns of fear of violence, experiences of violence, perceptions of violence and responses to the perceived threat of violence among the respondents. Additionally, a disconcerting finding was that a significant proportion of the respondents at both schools viewed the school itself to be unsafe or located in close proximity to areas that they perceived to be dangerous. Undoubtedly, addressing issues pertaining to gender and violence in secondary schools (and in society more generally) will enhance females' abilities to effectively participate in and benefit from educational and development processes. This study shows that acts of violence generally and gender-based violence particularly need to be understood in their environmental contexts inclusive of the location! spatial, social, economic and political dimensions. Moreover, perceptions and the fear of violence, although they may not match actual risk, need to be responded to constructively.
The geography of health in the Durban Metropolitan Area.
(2002) Moodley, Vadivelu.; Soni, Dhirajlal Vallabh.
In presenting a Geography of Health of the Durban Metropolitan Area, the researcher has chosen a conceptual framework within which to sharply challenge the definition of health in a perfunctory/ functionalist way. Thus, the Geography of Health is, at the outset, locationally positioned in a socio-economic and environmental context of society. This argument is developed through a multi-conceptual approach that leads the thesis into building a framework with the central arching principles of biomedicine, social and humanistic philosophy in three randomly selected informal settlement contexts. The specific focus of this approach is on the growing poverty and homelessness, the inadequate health delivery system and the relationship between disease, physical, social and residential environments and structural inequalities. Thus, this study is embedded in numerous related contexts, the most important of which is the spatial! geographical and the social context in which health and health care is seen in relation to the nature of society and everyday life. To some extent this research endeavour is concerned with health and health care issues amongst specific categories of people within marginalized communities rather than some homogenous, non-existent category called "poor people". The key questions raised in the study relate thus to several variables that impact informal dwellers with the specific objective of determining socio-economic profiles, housing and environmental circumstances; the location and nature of health services; health status of people; the ways in which people conceptualise and prioritise health and the need for and possibility of community involvement in health and health care. In dealing with the above issues, a multi-faceted methodological approach allowed for the generation of 155 tabulations from the quantitative empirical data to be triangulated with the qualitative data produced through focus group interviews and also with the secondary data obtained. The most significant finding emerging from the study was the fact that the relationship between health and abject poverty is bi-directional. Respondents identified numerous factors that affected their health, the most important of which was poverty in respect of poor dwellings, lack of basic services, access to certain health services and the prevalence of disease. It is hardly surprising that a biomedical perspective largely prefaced the respondent's understanding of health. This can be attributed to locational factors but more specifically to the overriding socialising influence of biomedicine in South African society. In the focus group interviews with informal dwellers, the ranking exercises demonstrated that high health risks emerge from multiple and complex factors related to personal, economic, social, environmental and political factors. It is the contention of this thesis that health status improvement and the reduction of health risks of disadvantaged individuals and communities needs a multi-pronged approach with multiple solutions drawing on resources from international, national and local agencies and organisations. Finally, the study concludes by presenting an extensive pool of more concrete systematic and holistic interventions that would not only improve the quality of public health care, but also redefine the Geography of Health in South Africa. These, it is argued are seldom attainable in the short term as it is a continuous process underpinned by priorities, possibilities and planning.
Globalisation, development and community-based tourism in developing countries : a case study of Pondonland, Eastern Cape.
(2010) Giampiccoli, Andrea.; Moodley, Vadivelu.; Brooks, Shirley.
Contemporary globalisation in developing countries is circumscribed by neo-liberal development approaches, while community-based development seeks to create alternative development strategies. This thesis brings together research in tourism with theoretical perspectives from Gramscian social analysis in order to explore contemporary conflict between these two strategies in the tourism sector. The purpose is to investigate the influence the hegemonic global milieu has exerted on an alternative community-based tourism (CBT) strategy that was initially formally/institutionally supported. Concepts of hegemony, globalisation and divergence/convergence, together with development theories, are explored and applied to the international tourism sector and CBT in particular. A theoretical structure is proposed in which the relationships between hegemony, globalisation, and processes of divergence/convergence are explicated in relation to the tourism sector, and CBT in particular. Global-local linkages, conceptualised in terms of the theoretical framework, are explored in a particular geographical context, namely the Pondoland coast of South Africa. South Africa has recently rejoined the global socio-economic milieu after the isolation of the apartheid period and a European Union-supported tourism project in the Pondoland region is studied in detail. The case study serves to empirically substantiate the proposed theoretical framework. The investigation contributes to ‘initiate’ a global – local oriented paradigm in tourism study that focuses on the relationship between globalisation processes and a CBT development approach by exploiting and conjoining the correlation of the concepts of the proposed theoretical framework. Globalisation processes are set against a specific and local form of tourism, i.e. community-based tourism. The proposition is a ‘new’ double level of interlinkage. General and global policies are interlinked and cross each other with specific and local policies to evaluate a CBT project outcome. The study intends to go beyond existing literature of CBT management and project development. This is achieved by providing an investigation on the ‘unseen’ working mechanisms and influence of globalisation processes in relation to a specific CBT local project supported by a global actor in international cooperation, thus verifying interpretations and commitment on CBT development approaches. The case study findings elucidate and highlight the final effects of the theoretical proposition at a practical level by clarifying and showing the level of influence on, and re-adjustment of, the case study end result in comparison with its initial plan. A shift in the case study project development is individuated and commented on in relation to the proposed theoretical framework. The investigation results allow validating the proposed conceptual basis of the study. Based on the findings, this thesis a proposal is made to construct the interrelationship between development and CBT understanding. A typology and specific nomenclature of CBT approaches is advanced together with their correlation to development concepts. The conclusion also gives further general and specific recommendations by providing possible strategies to permit proper development and better exploitation of CBT possibilities.
An investigation into solid waste management practices in residential areas the case of the Phoenix township.
(2002) Rajpal, Leena.; Onyejekwe, Okey Oseloka.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
The rapid population growth accompanied by urbanisation and industrialisation has resulted in a dramatic increase in the volume of waste being generated by modem societies. This has led to a growing awareness of the serious threats that these wastes pose to the environment. Thus, it has been acknowledged that one of the many environmental challenges confronting authorities in Metropolitan Durban is The Management of Solid Wastes. A number of researchers have found that inadequate and inefficient waste management practices are heavily impacting on the human and natural environment. Although formal townships are supposed to have adequate waste removal services, many of these townships are characterized by wastes being disposed of in streets, open spaces, streams etc. In the light of above, the aim of this study was to assess the Solid Waste Management Practices in the Phoenix Township. Questionnaires relating to the problem of Solid Waste Management Practices were administered to the residents of the Phoenix community. The study identified factors that contributed to the detrimental impacts on the physical and human environment. The study revealed that the current waste management practices (which encompassed the generation, storage, collection, disposal and waste reduction options) are characterized by inefficiency. Furthermore, it was evident, that this inefficiency impacts negatively on the physical and human environments, of which the major impacts are the illegal dumping in the Phoenix area. Therefore, recommendations were made consulting both the residents and local authorities with regards to combating or curbing the problems relating to Solid Waste Management Practices
A needs analysis for sustainable youth development : the case of Folweni Township, KZN.
(2002) Dube, Andile Laureth Maletsatsi.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
Humanistic geography specifies that development of the area should encompass the whole environment, the economical, physical, social and cultural environment. For economical reasons, development should be sustainable. For development to be sustainable thus communities should be developed so as to utilize the natural resources in a way that does not compromise the future. Youth in SA are faced with many challenges which in turn compromise sustainable development. It is thus urgent that the youth be developed so as to be economically active thus lifting the strain off the environment. The purpose of the study is to investigate the needs of the youth of Folweni Township, KZN in order for the attainment of sustainable environmental! community development. The study assumes that for sustainability, the youth should realize the challenges facing them and act on them. It realizes the benefits of youth development within their area, Folweni; in the country and at the international level.
Residential satisfaction as an indicator of quality of life : a case study of Briardale-Newlands West.
(1996) Ramjugernath, Chanderpal.; Soni, Dhirajlal Vallabh.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
The issue of residents' satisfaction with their dwelling units and their neighbourhoods is one of the growing interests in many arenas. The aim of this dissertation was to examine the quality of life of residents in Briardale, Newlands West. The prime intention was to investigate the influence of various life domains on quality of life of the sample populations. The sample population was stratified into three groups, viz. Dwellers in single cottages, semi-detached and duplex units and the flats sector. It has been revealed in the final analysis that neighbourhood deficits influenced neighbourhood satisfaction. It was further established that in addition to dwelling and neighbourhood deficits, socio-economic characteristics influenced the quality of life of residents. The flat dwellers were dissatisfied with their environment and being renters, this influenced their quality of life. Unemployment was highest among this sector. The salient reason for dissatisfaction amongst most residents was the lack of recreational and entertainment facilities, cultural and neighbourhood organizations and the poor quality of the flats and duplex units. The greatest degree of interaction with the neighbours was amongst the flat dwellers and the lowest level of community participation was also among this group. The residents had no confidence in the local civic groups since these groups had done very little in the last decade to improve their quality of life. A great degree of dissatisfaction arose because none of the residents were consulted about their housing needs prior to occupying their dwellings. In spite of the dissatisfactions expressed, most of the residents preferred to remain in this area because of its easy accessibility. In the light of the above, various suggestions and recommendations are tendered in the hope that all stakeholders (planners, policy makers, civic movements and consumers) can utilize this information to improve the quality of life of all residents in the country.
Socio-economic and environmental perceptions and impacts of violence and crime in residential areas in Durban, South Africa.
(2006) Perry, Edwin C.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
Violence and crime are amongst the most difficult of the many challenges facing South Africa. There is widespread concern in all segments of society about persistent and widespread violence and crime. The central aim of the study is to critically examine the socio-economic and environmental perceptions and impacts of violence and crime in residential areas in Durban, South Africa, by utilizing specific case studies. This study contributes to understanding the socio-economic and environmental perceptions of crime and violence at the local level. The actual and perceived spatial distribution and understanding of violence and crime ronn a critical focus of this study. This study adopts a multi-conceptual framework (drawing from the psychological/behavioural perspective, political economy approach and rational perspective of physical environment and crime) that coalesces several themes relating to crime and violence including historical contexts, policy frameworks, stakeholder analyses, environmental aspects, economic facets, distributional concerns as well as social and cultural dimensions. The focus of the study in terms of primary data collection was Durban. Within this area the specific residential localities (from infoffilal settlements to upper income areas) were chosen from the lnnerwest sub-region. The four specific communities/localities chosen reflect the residential settlement type and socio-economic differentiation prevalent in the area as well as to some extent the historical residential classification on the basis of race. These localities are Westville (a historically White, upper income area), Reservoir Hills (a historically Lndian, middle income area), Cleffilont (a historically African, working class township) and the Palmiet and New Germany Road in informal settlements. The case studies reflect a cross-section of experiences contrasting institutional dynamics as well as socio-economic and spatial contexts and experiences. Both quantitative (questionnaire surveys) and qualitative (focus group discussions, key informant interviews and ranking exercises) methods were employed to collect primary data from the following stakeholders: residents, businesses, police, private security companies and community-based organizations/community forums. The main findings of the research were that perceptions of safety and security varied greatly depending on personal, socio-economic, and environmental/spatial factors. Gender, class and race emerged as key socio-economic aspects. Furthermore, violence and the threat of violence severely constrain and influence the movements and options of people. Respondents considered several areas within the communities, especially public spaces, to be unsafe. Respondents, especially those who could afford to do so, used a range of security measures. This study shows that acts of violence and crime need to be understood in their environmental contexts inclusive of the locational/spatial, social, economic and political dimensions. An examination and greater understanding of the socio-economic and spatial manifestations of crime and violence is paramount to develop safe and secure environments.
The socio-economic impacts of the genocide and current developments in Rwanda : case studies of the towns of Butare and Cyangugu.
(2008) Gahima, Alphonse.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
World history has been punctuuted by cycles of violence, regardless of time, region or race. Genocide. which is the worst form of violence has always led to horrible impacts of a social, economic and environmental nature. The last decade of the 20th Century was the most turbulent Rwanda has ever seen. The country was ravaged by civil war,genocide, mass migration. economic crisis. diseases, return of refugees and deforestation. Almost all Rwandan families were affected wherever they were and at multiple levels, by outcomes such as death, disease, disability, poverty, loss of dignity and imprisonment. Fortunately, the people of Rwanda have chosen the path of peace. but arc still faced with a huge task of dealiing with the impacts or the genocide and prior conflicts in the region. This dissertation attempts to investigate the socio-economic impacts of the genocide on current development in Rwanda using primClry and secondary data obtained from fieldwork undertaken in Cyangugu and Rutare Towns. The conceptual basis for the study was the Geography of Conflict, The general conclusion reached was that the causes and consequences of the Rwandan genocide are multidimensional. The Rwandan genocide did not originate from the "ancient hatred" between Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, but from the manipulation of history and bad leadership. Also. the main impacts of genocide in Rwanda are the destruction of human resources. social and cultural structures in the country, especially the relationship between the Hutus and Tutsis ethnic groups. In the same way the genocide resulted in destruction of infrastructure. development facilities and natural resources, However. the effort for reconstruction and development undertaken after the genocide shows that rcconciliation is possible in long term despite what happened. The lasting solution for Rwanda is definitely national reconciliation and its success will depend mainly on good governance, human resource development and poverty alleviation.