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Assessing the role of decentralisation in rural development: A case study of Elundini Local Municipality (ELM)
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-07) Maya, Nothemba; Maqubela, A
Despite decentralisation efforts, rural development remains a critical problem facing local government. To this end, there are no tangible results addressing the challenges of underdevelopment in rural areas. Mohan (2006) states that rural areas are still challenged by high unemployment rates, which leads to urban migration. Poverty in rural areas remains high. This study investigated the role of decentralisation in rural areas of the Elundini Local Municipality. The study was guided by the Sustainable livelihood approach and Capability approach theories, using qualitative research methodology. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews guided by an interview guide. The total number of participants was 30, all from Elundini Local municipality. Participants included Ward councillors (7), municipal manager (1), LED manager (1), LED practitioner (1), and community members (20). The findings of the study reveal that decentralisation has improved water and sanitation systems in rural areas of ELM. The provision of water foundations, such as taps and water tanks, has been provided. The study also discovered that decentralisation has resulted in the provision of electricity to several rural communities under ELM. The study found that ward-based plans that meet the needs of different wards are needed to better understand alternative interventions that can be implemented to improve rural development. Participants emphasized the importance of developing ward-based plans so that the municipality is aware of the various services required by different wards or communities. Finally, ELM, as a local government encountered challenges of a lack of resources, specifically financial resources, as they are rural based, unable to produce their own revenue, and lastly, they exclusively rely on national government grants.
An appraisal of gender-focused non-governmental organizations as agents of women empowerment and gender equality in Zimbabwe : A case of Harare City
(University of Fort Hare, 2017-09) Mafa, Itai
It is the realization that women around the globe are alienated in terms of accessing resources and opportunities essential for their holistic development that has necessitated the crafting of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Number 3 by the United Nations as well as other relevant gender instruments such as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 5. Zimbabwe, the focal country of the current study is not immune to the prevalence of gender inequality as it is a signatory to both commitments. Due to the overwhelming and arduous nature of the task, the government of Zimbabwe has long borrowed a hand from developmental agents such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other philanthropic organizations. Apart from NGOs' different visions and missions, a National Gender Policy (NGP) has also been put in place as a benchmark and a guideline to the eradication of gender disparities in Zimbabwe. It is against this background that this research has been undertaken in order to appraise gender-focused NGOs in Harare city on their interventions to promote women empowerment and gender equality in Zimbabwe. This broad aim was broken into four objectives: to investigate the gender issues prevalent in Harare; to find out how women NGOs are fighting such disparities, to discuss perceptions pertaining to NGOs' interventions as well as discussing the challenges faced by these gender
NGOs. In order to achieve this, the utility of the mixed method paradigm was preferred in the current study with the focus group discussion, a key informant method and a mini-survey chosen as data collection techniques. The feminist theory and its concomitant branches together with the political-economy theory were selected as lenses framing the study.
The findings· revealed that women in Zimbabwe continue to suffer infringement of their rights as social injustice and subjugation continue with a manifestation of gender disparities such as domestic violence, susceptibility to poverty, HIV/AIDS and economic exclusion. The findings further unearthed the emergence of 'pornographic revenge' and the spreading of violence against women in public places. Moreover, women NGOs have been found tilting away from traditional methods of interventions, taking advantage of the advancement in technology and the popularity of the social media. Findings from the current study again discovered that there was little evidence to trace and pin-point the impact of NGOs in promoting women
empowerment and gender equality mainly because of the immeasurability nature of some of the achievements by NGOs. Additionally, research participants opined that
Zimbabwe's political and economic environment, religious and cultural factors appeared to largely thwart the efforts by NGOs thereby compromising the effectiveness of NGOs interventions. Again, the paucity of resources made it almost impossible for them to operate and translate their visions into practical programs and projects. From these findings, it can then be concluded that gender NGOs in Harare lack the necessary resources, support and an enabling environment to adequately annihilate gender disparities for the empowerment of women, and the attainment of gender equality in Zimbabwe. The principles of empowerment for self-reliance as emphasized in Social Work Practice are not adequately implemented for the holistic development of women - the very factors necessary for sustainability. Salient recommendations forwarded include NGOs initiating indigenous ways of fundraising
and shunning the dependency on international donors; putting in place tracking systems or panels that can ensure that policies such as gender-sensitized budgeting are effectively implemented; adopting innovative-advocacy methodologies such as a gender call centre and perhaps a gender TV show; including gender issues in the basic educational curriculums in order to socialize children into gender parity attitudes. Such radical shifts as supported by radical feminists may increase the effectiveness of the interventions being made by women NGOs in Harare.
COVID-19 pandemic digitisation lessons for rural women-owned micro and small enterprises
(Bussecon International Academy, 2024-07-25) Donga, Gift; Chimucheka, Tendai
The world economy and ecology have undoubtedly been impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID19) epidemic. Female-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs), particularly those operating in marginalised rural economies, are major victims of the COVID-19 outbreak, mostly due to their restricted usage of digital technologies. Digitalisation thus opens up new opportunities for rural women-owned MSEs and can help them remain competitive. The study explored COVID-19 pandemic digitisation lessons for rural women-owned micro-and small-enterprises. Even though the literature on Women Entrepreneurship is well covered, to the best of our knowledge, the intersection between rural women entrepreneurship and digitisation remains largely unexplored, particularly in African economies. A qualitative approach using personal insights to provide COVID-19 pandemic digitisation lessons for women owned MSEs was used to guide the collection and analysis of the data. The data was collected from a purposive sample of seven women entrepreneurs operating MSEs in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province and analysed through thematic analysis. The results highlight the critical importance of incorporating digital technology into business operations, stressing the need to prioritise data security, adopting a mobile-first approach, recognising the significance of an online presence, and innovatively developing digital or digitally enhanced offerings. The study's insights provide data-informed insights, as we continue to advocate for inclusive and effective responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For rural womenowned MSEs in South Africa, it is clear that digital platforms have been helpful, and while digitalisation alone is insufficient, this research can inform the recovery strategies and policies needed after the pandemic.
Psychological and Social consequences of aggravated robberies on victims: Evidence from selected precincts in the Eastern Cape
(University of Fort Hare, 2015-09) Zondeka, Fikile Michael
This study concerns the psychological and social consequences of aggravated robberies on victims, with the central aim as of understanding, from a victim's perspective, the psychological and social impact of being violently robbed. In South Africa, there has been a steady increase in aggravated robberies which had psychological and social consequences on victims. The purpose of this study was to explore on how aggravated robbery disrupts victim's core assumption of invulnerability, the ability to handle stress after the incident, as well as the kind of support systems employed to overcome the ordeal. The South African nation is struggling to manage with a very high rate of aggravated robberies - a phenomenon that has also increased worldwide. Some aggravated robberies are highly organized . in nature ( e.g. most cash-in-transit (CIT) and bank robberies, as well as truck and carjacking). This is particularly the case when organized criminals are involved. Other robberies are not as well organized as is the case with the majority of street robberies. The dramatic changes of this crime as highlighted, remains worryingly when figures increase in one sub-trend and decrease in another. It is worrying when street robbery decreases and house robbery increases as if the robbers
have moved from the street to residential places.
Research data was gathered by means of a structured questionnaire. Forty two (42) respondents (3%) out of 1410 victims covering all subcategories of aggravated robberies were interviewed. Respondents were selected utilizing the principle of purposive sampling to ensure representativity in terms of gender, age, race and marital status. The researcher had used his own judgement about which respondents to choose, and picked only those who best met the purposes of the study and further relied on his experience, ingenuity to deliberately obtain units of analysis in such a manner that the sample obtained had to be regarded as being representative of the relevant population. Three research sites viz. East London, KwaZakhele and Mthatha, were selected because of the highest recorded incidences of aggravated robberies. All participants reported some effects during and after the attacks. As a result of physical and emotional trauma, specifically where firearms or dangerous weapons were used to threaten the victims, the findings revealed that the impact of aggravated
robberies on victims, accrued in psychological and social consequences followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which prolongs for a long time. Due to the financial losses, ninety eight percent (98%) of victims' psychological distress appeared, and became very intense.
The contribution of rural non-farm economic activities to the livelihoods of women in the Eastern Cape: The case of Keiskamahoek and Alice town in the Amathole District
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-07) Masa, Amanda; Maqubela
Women have often been left behind with limited to non-participation in development. These women are exposed to many injustices, and with limited security, many of them are reliant on their male counterparts for survival and security. Women are vulnerable more especially in marginalised communities where there’s limited to non-education about women’s rights. The study therefore seeks to assess the contribution of rural non-farm economic activities in the on the livelihoods of rural women of Keiskammahoek and Alice. Rural Non- Farm Economy has been practiced widely in the past decades as it came into prominence in the 1970s. developing economies are actively present in this sector but little attention and support have shown to women. The intention of the study is to examine the contributions of the rural non-farm economy as a sustainable tool for their livelihoods in Alice and Keiskammahoek under the Amathole District. The study opted for a snowball sampling as women who are in this sector know one another, and it was convenient enough for the researcher. A sample of 40 participants was selected from both towns and divided in half, 20 in Alice and 20 in Keiskammahoek. The study used the mixed methods approach as the researcher felt that one method won’t do justice to the topic. The study used SPSS version 20 and Excel for the numeric data. For the qualitative data the used thematic analysis and created themes from the research objectives. The sector has indeed proven that with support and monitoring it is a viable opportunity for these women. Even though faced with serious challenges these women are not fazed out by any. More dedication and visits from the office of the rural development and from local municipalities are needed, to educate about possible options to grow in this sector, introduce them to funding initiatives, monitor and advise in ways to grow in this while ensuring sustainability. It is imperative that will not gain formal employment; therefore, the Rural Non-Farm Economy must be adopted as means to address the past and continuous injustices amongst women and ensure development. Even though this research was limited, it still offers valuable information, fresh perspectives, increased understanding, helpful ideas, and encourages positive conversations. All of this is meant to help create and put in place better plans and actions to support the Rural Non-Farm sector. This sector is important for Amathole, as it can help reduce poverty, improve access to food, and boost growth in other parts of the economy. While this study only looked closely at Alice and Keiskammahoek, the results could serve as a useful model for other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa looking for ways to better support the progress of women in rural areas.