Browsing by Author "Nattrass, Jill."

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A core-periphery analysis of population and urbanisation patterns in Natal/KwaZulu.
(1989) Jeffrey, David Mclachlan.; Haarhoff, Errol.; Nattrass, Jill.; Corbett, Peter.
This study aims to expose the impact of racial separation policies on the spatial distribution of the population groups in Natal/ KwaZulu, and on Black urbanisation, within a core-periphery framework. Chapter One focuses on global population and urbanisation trends to highlight the difference between First and Third World characteristics, and applies the First and Third World distinction to South Africa. Chapter Two outlines the impact of colonialism, apartheid and separate development on the spatial distribution of the population in South Africa, and especially Natal/KwaZulu. Chapter Three discusses the Friedmann core-periphery model, and the application of the core-periphery model to the Southern African region, as well as the modernisation/dependency debate in terms of its impact on shaping differing perspectives of the relationship between core and peripheral regions a8d perspectives of the urbanisation process. Chapter Four is comprised of an empirical examination of the coreperiphery structure of the Natal/KwaZulu regional economy, and the core-periphery distribution of its population settlement, both between and within such, regions, as well as the geographical distribution of the types of population settlements and the size of the urban population. An assessment of the size and distribution of the population in the Durban Functional Region is also made. Chapter Five draws the main conclusions of the previous Chapters together, critically examines the validity of the Friedmann model in terms of its application to the Southern African and Natal/ KwaZulu regions and discusses the development/underdevelopment relationship between Natal and KwaZulu and its implications for the immediate future.
Garbage picking as a strategy for survival : a case study of a sub- sector of the informal sector.
(1987) De Kock, Rachelle Elizabeth.; Nattrass, Jill.
In the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in research dealing with the informal sector in South Africa. This research is often motivated by academic curiosity as well as a growing concern over poverty and unemployment among South Africa's blacks. It has increasingly been suggested by academics, businessmen and government officials that the informal sector be developed and encouraged in appropriate directions in order to provide employment opportunities. This thesis is a case study of a group of people who are officially unemployed, and who work in the informal sector in order to survive. The economic activity they are involved with, represents a subsector of the informal sector namely, garbage picking. The first question that is addressed in the study deals with the problems inherent in the conceptualisation of the informal sector. There are many interpretations of what comprises this sector, depending in part on the stage of development that has been reached by the local economy and on the theoretical perspective used in the analysis. There are also many perspectives on whether the sector is independent and autonomous and on the extent to which it is intergrated into the economy of a country. Chapters 1 and 2 contain critical examination of the literature dealing with these aspects. In chapter 3 the characteristics of the informal sector are studied. Several case studies from different parts of the world are examined. Chapter 4 examines the marginality concept in relation to the garbage pickers with a view to determining the extent to which these people are marginalised in society. Attention is then directed towards the particular case study. The characteristics of garbage picking and the people who do this work, as well as the conditions under which they work, are examined in chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the thesis. The results show that there is very little potential for the garbage picker to improve his/her position within the informal sector. The garbage pickers regard formal sector employment as their only way out of their present position and, given present circumstances, it seems that their view is correct. However, since the likelihood of their finding formal wage employment seems very limited, alternatives were examined and it seems that within the garbage industry the potential does exist to create formal sector jobs for the pickers. This potential can, however, only be realised once the garbage industry recognises this and re-organise itself to employ these people on a permanent basis.
The migrant labour system and South African economic development 1936-1970.
(1976) Nattrass, Jill.; Trotter, George Jameson.
No abstract available.
Planning with South African labour statistics : the politics of ignorance.
(1984) Moll, Terence Clive.; Nattrass, Jill.
No abstract available.
Rural poverty : subsistence or dependency.
(1984) May, Julian Douglas.; Nattrass, Jill.
The Republic of Transkei, the first of the "Independent" National States has financed a number of research projects which have attempted to establish a data base on which a Five Year Development Plan can be grounded. A important element of this plan has been the suggestion of the creation of a hierarchy of Service Centres in the rural areas of Transkei. From these, it is envisaged that essential services could be distributed to the rural poor. In addition, these Centres are expected assist with the co-ordination of other projects based in the rural areas, and, further, to contain some inherent growth potential which could stimulate development. It was intended that this thesis should provide a critical analysis development planning in for the rural areas of Transkei. Particular attention has been paid to the existing conditions and structures in the rural areas, and the manner in which these might influence the success or otherwise of a Service Centre Approach. In addition, the relationship between rural households in Transkei, and the South African economy has also been examined. Chapter One of this thesis introduces the importance of development studies in Southern Africa. It goes on to examine the important theoretical approaches to Third World economies, notably, the Dualistic and the Dependency paradigms. The Althussarian concept of an articulation of two or more modes of production is discussed in this section. Thereafter, the Southern African development experiance is reviewed, taking into account the Liberal and Radical interpretations, and placing these within the paradigms discussed earlier. The chapter concludes by situating Transkei within the broader Southern African political economy. Chapter Two discusses the Rural Service Centre concept, and the emphasis which has been placed on it in Transkeian planning. The chapter raises a number a crucial questions regarding this concept and posits that a deeper understanding of the conditions in the rural areas might assist in providing the answers for some of these questions. To this end a household survey was conducted in the Umzimkulu District of Transkei, and the chapter concludes with a description of methodology, and of the areas which were selected for survey. Chapters Three to Five present the findings of the survey, and represent the empirical core of the thesis. Chapter Three describes the demographic characteristics of the sampled population. Chapter Four deals at length with the income generating ability of the rural households, taking into account subistence agriculture, local formal and informal employment, welfare payments and remittances. In addition, a wealth index has been created, and the distribution of wealth examined. Chapter Five briefly introduces the Basic Needs Approach to development, and the remainder of the chapter concerns itself with the fulfilment of essential needs in the Umzimkulu District. Finally, chapter Six draws together the dependnecy theory discussed in chapter One, the data presented in chapters Three to Five, and the politio-economic structure of Transkei. The chapter argues that although the Service Centre Approach may appear to be a suitable strategy for development in purely spatial terms, in fiscal terms the approach contains a crucial flaw. Such an approach requires a redistribution of resources from the urban wealthy to the rural poor. In view of Transkei's dependent status viv-a-vis South Africa, and in view of the nature of the Transkeian bureaucracy , it is argued that such a transfer seems unlikely. However, in order to move away from the overall pessimistic tone of the conclusion, it is suggested the Last Word that, ultimately, it appears that the position of the rural poor will only recieve attention once this group becomes important to politicians in Umtata and Pretoria. Consequently, local development projects should seek ways in which they will be noticed by the government.