Theses and Dissertations

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Pro-Capital Mandatorism and Autocratic Management Style in Labour Relations; The Transkei experience between 1976 and 1994.
(University of Fort Hare, 1998-12) Abankwa, Joseph, Kwadwo
The aim of this research was to investigate labour relations in the former Transkei with the focus on work place relations and the role played by the state in regulating such relations. The questionnaire instrument was employed in this study. Pilot studies were utilised in preparation for the administration of the questionnaires. Simple Random Sampling was employed to select the sample of the representative population for the questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to 636 workers and 120 management staff. All the 636 workers and 80 management staff completed the questionnaires. Nine trade union officials and Dr Bikitsha a minister in Chief Matanzima's government between 1979 and 1983 were also interviewed. To achieve maximum returns assistants were employed to administer the questionnaires. The study revealed that workers in the former Transkei, especially those in industry, were exploited by their employers. This was made possible by Chief Matanzima's refusal to allow the formation, let alone the operation of trade unions in the former homeland. It is worthwhile to note that, the government itself, the largest employer of labour in the Transkei, neither wished to consult nor negotiate with its workforce. Instead, liaison committees were established to liaise between workers and their employers in an attempt to bring about industrial peace at the workplace. An inspectorate division was also established to monitor the goings-on at the various workplaces and to report back their findings to the relevant authorities for action to be taken where and when necessary. Regrettably none of the two institutions performed its function as expected. As a result, workers' legitimate demands were ignored by their employers and in the absence· of trade unions to intervene on their behalf, they (workers) had no means at their disposal to have their grievances attended to. It was also revealed that the two governments that followed Chief Matanzima's government (Chief George Matanzima and Stella Siqcau governments respectively) did nothing to alleviate the plight of the workers until after the overthrow of Siqcau's Government in 1987 and the coming to power of Major General Bantu Holomisa.
Small-Scale Farming of Gqumahashe Village, Alice District, Eastern cape Province
(University of Fort Hare, 2007-04) Komanisi, Mzwandile Paul
The persistence of rural poverty, the underutilization of agricultural resources, and the sluggish innovativeness in many African countries serve to demonstrate, in part, that despite the availability of modem communication techniques, the agricultural extension services in these countries do not effectively reach the target group.
Tolerance in intergroup relations: cognitive representations reducing ingroup projection
(University of Fort Hare, 2008) O’sullivan, Clodagh M.
The Ingroup Projection Model (IPM) states that groups evaluate each other according to how prototypical they are of the superordinate category, the category that includes subgroups. The Ingroup Projection Model predicts that members of the ingroup tends to project their own characteristics onto the superordinate category, and thus see themselves as more prototypical of the superordinate category than the outgroup, which increases the likelihood for intergroup discrimination. Research has shown that this tendency of projection appears to be greater in high-status groups. The phenomenon of ingroup projection is hypothesized to be reduced by undefined cognitive representations of the superordinate category such as a complex representation of the superordinate category and a small-scope prototype. A complex representation of the superordinate category is one that has many distinctive characteristics that are seen as equally prototypical, whereas a small-scope representation includes a few prescriptive norms. The present study tested the reduction effects of complexity and smallscope prototype on ingroup projection using a 2 (Number of dimensions: few vs. many) x 2 (Relatedness of dimensions: orthogonal/independent vs. correlated/related) x 2 (Group: Psychology students vs. Law students) factorial design. The results support the Ingroup Projection Model and related assumptions. However, the results also indicate the importance of the specific characteristics of the intergroup situation.
Heritage Transformation and the role of Museums in Post-Apartheid South Africa:The Case of the East London Museum
(University of Fort Hare, 2010) Sokupa, Thabile
The traditional understandings of museums and the heritage sector in general have been challenged in post-apartheid South Africa. The main challenge has been how to transform meaning making, heritage construction, and knowledge production in these sectors from the colonial and apartheid past to represent the diversity of South Africans. Based on an in-depth study using unstructured interviews from a sample of museum staff, museum visitors and community members; this study investigated the extent to which permanent displays in the East London Museum have transformed to -depict cultural diversity and heritage of all South Africans, in particular the history of black South Africans.
Titanium mining and social displacement in rural Kenya: An ethno-ecological study of Kwale community,Coal Province
(University of Fort Hare, 2012-01) Abuya, Willice Onyango
The literature on community-mining enterprise conflict is currently dominated by discourses on equity, compensation, land ownership and environmental degradation. The present study examines this conflict from an ethno-ecological perspective, bringing into focus the meanings that communities attach to "nature" and cultural artefacts. The study examines how such meanings intersect with local experiences of social displacement, compensation and resource extraction, and how they mediate and catalyse the witnessed conflict. The study was conducted among the indigenes of titanium-rich Kwale, in Kenya's Coast Province, displaced in 2007 to make way for large-scale titanium mining operations.
Decentralization and poverty alleviation: The case of Nkonkobe Murdcipality in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa.
(University of Fort Hare, 2013-01) Mupambwa, Gift
In the quest to make local development participatory, inclusive, transparent, responsive, effective and pro-poor, decentralisation has been seen to be a solution. It is these positive virtues of decentralisation in promoting improved governance and better service delivery which contribute to improved livelihoods and poverty alleviation that have made it a major theme in current development arenas. Hence decentralisation has been considered a significant strategy towards pro-poor development. It is in this regard that the current project sought to assess the relationship between decentralisation and poverty alleviation in the Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. This study attempted to establish the relationship or link between decentralisation and effective poverty alleviation stratagems. It also utilized a deductive research methodology, explanatory in nature to assess the role of decentralisation as a pro-poor development policy mechanism.
The Impact of Beliefs and Values on Agricultural Change: A case of Murom bedzi Irrigation Scheme, Zimbabwe.
(University of Fort Hare, 2013-01-29) Nyika, Emery; Komanisi, M.P.
Since the mid 1970s there has been an increasing effort to raise the level of adoption of agricultural innovations in small-scale farming for improved production. NGOs and governments have engaged in a participatory approach not only to empower local people, but also to give them an opportunity to learn, access, and utilize innovations that have been introduced in the agriculture sector. However due to several factors small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe have failed to fully adopt these changes that would enhance their farming activities. Most of these farmers have rather preferred maintaining and practising their preliterate farming methods. Like most irrigation schemes Murombedzi Irrigation Scheme is self funded due to the fact that the government has failed to fund most of such projects. This has subsequently left projects such as the Murombedzi Irrigation Scheme to provide for their own agricultural needs.
School feeding programmes in Chimutu, Malawi:Opportunities, benefits and challenges
(University of Fort Hare, 2013-12-04) Yasin, Janerose
Developing countries have the highest dropout as well as non enrollment rates among primary school pupils. However there are efforts to reverse the situation through interventions like school feeding programme to improve schooling outcomes. The aim of this study was specifically to find out the details of why school participation is still a problem among primary school children despite provision of food in primary school. This was achieved through discussions on community members' participation, benefits and challenges of the school feeding programme. Data collected from key informants and community members using in-depth interviews revealed the benefits and challenges as well as perceptions on community participation. Data was collected from 46 respondents of whom 14 were key informants from government and NGO implementers and 32 community members who are benefiting from the intervention in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Lilongwe District, Malawi.
International Students in South African Universities: An Examination of their Academic Choices, Challenges and Social Integration at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University.
(2014) Olujobi, Omobola Olaitan
International students have become major role players in international education across the globe. Their enrollment in different universities has increased in the past few decades worldwide. Most of these students bring rich cultural diversity and skills to their various host institutions and countries. These trends signal the need to examine and understand international students within the South African context. Against this background, this study explores the factors that influence academic choices of international students, academic and social challenges they face and the role of social capital in influencing international student integration at the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Thirty international students were selected (and interviewed) using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found that some of the main factors that influence the academic choices of international students include availability of scholarships and funding, recommendations of the institution by family and friends, availability of preferred course and the reputation of the institution. Some of the main challenges faced by international students in these two institutions include language barriers, financial difficulty, expensive but improperly maintained accommodation and culture shock. These challenges impede the smooth integration of international students into their new academic and social environment. However, the students employ several strategies in attempt to address the challenges they face. These include joining a student or community social organization, community engagement and making friends. These social networks and organizations serve as a support system and connection hub for the students. The study recommends that it is pertinent for the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University to meet the needs and expectations of its international students through regular surveys that give them room to speak about their experiences. The need for efficient International Offices at both institutions is crucial as well as the employment of open‐minded multicultural trained staff in these offices. The study also suggests the need for the both institutions to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for its international students.
Designed to disable? Disability- friendliness of Buffalo city municipal amenities in discourse and experience
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Febana, Ziyanda
According to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the prerequisite of accessibility for people with physical disabilities goes beyond merely ensuring that there are “disabled friendly” resources in a built environment. Accessibility entails the availability of appropriate facilities to accommodate physical disabilities where and when needed. A casual observation of many municipal amenities in South Africa, particularly Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), Eastern Cape, shows that the conceptualisation and design of many public amenities make these amenities "public" only in name and, from a disability point of view, are possibly embedded in a model that is fundamentally exclusionist. Yet few systematic studies have been carried out at the local level to confirm or refute this assumption. Utilising Elinor Ostrom’s adaptation of the concept of common pool resources - a concept which was hitherto restricted to the analysis of shared ecological resources - this study examines the extent to which inclusivity matters within the context of the design and provisioning of municipal amenities that are meant to serve the public. The analysis is based on triangulated data obtained from a mini survey of paraplegic, blind and deaf people, physical observation of the relevant amenities, and key informant interview of officials in relevant BCMM departments. The findings suggest, among other things, that there is a weak perception among municipal officials regarding the rights of people with disabilities and that the perceptions appear to be rooted in a mind-set that regards disability, rather than the ‘engineering’ of the physical (public) space, as the ‘problem’. Even so, the thinking that public infrastructure cannot be ‘altered’ to meet ‘everyone’s needs appears to permeate the municipal bureaucracy. As a result, the Municipality has only attempted to create the bare minimum of accessible environment (catering only for wheelchair users), and this despite the existence of a constitutional mandate that dictates otherwise. The study concludes from these and other findings that for municipal amenities to become common pool resources in the sense advocated by Ostrom and other scholars, a social rather than a medical model of disability must dominate municipal and bureaucratic thinking.
The socio-cultural factors underpinning maize farming in Ethembeni location, King williams town district
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) May, Nokonwaba
Maize is the staple food for most South Africans. This means that if maize crops are damaged that will affect the food security of many South Africans. Maize is an important staple food and a source of food security in Ethembeni location. The study found that maize has multiple uses: including that local farmers (1) use maize to make local drinks as a basic ingredient (including, amarhewu and umqombothi); (2) maize is used as food umxhaxha (a mixture of maize and pumpkin) and inkobe (maize boiled whole, i.e without being previously stamped); (3) and maize is given to livestock as feed. Local farmers also grow maize because the crop offers an avenue to raise money through which they sell at informal markets. The funds from the sale of crops are used to buy fertilizers, hire tractors and help cultivate fields. Also many people use these funds to purchase needed goods and consumables. Despite the significant role and contribution of maize production in the local economy, illiteracy, lack of credit, lack of access to agricultural lands, and desires for employment in the urban centres have added to the decline on maize farming in the study area. This bring us to the question of how we transform a traditional maize farming-system, dominated by socio-cultural constraints into a modern-farming type arrangement, whereby there is potential to advance maize production. Data was collected from 50 smallholder farmers who participated in maize production using purposive sampling and key informant interviews. The main data collection techniques used include participant observation, key-informant interviews, questionnaires, oral history and focus group discussions. Results indicate that land ownership, easy access to farmland, levels of education, age, labour, and infrastructure are essential for the development of maize farming. The researcher suggested strategies which aimed at addressing current socio-economic constraints ought to be addressed by local traditional leaders and government councillors who should view the issue of land ownership seriously and grant women land rights which are essential for any agricultural practices. What is equally important is that the current channels of communication that ought to be developed among government officials and local famers need improvement so that famers can have better assistance and improve on their agricultural production potential and capacity.
White poverty in post-apartheid South Africa: The case of West Bank in East London.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Sibanda, Octavia
This dissertation examines the question of poor Whites in the South African context using the case study of a predominantly working-class suburb of West Bank in East London. This study is written within the context of a global and countrywide recession, and within a dominant discourse that portrays White poverty as non- existent and that views White people as predominantly wealthy and ‘normal’. Within this discourse, the benefits and privileges extended to White people during the apartheid era are viewed as having transferred property to Whites, whilst dispossessing Blacks. As the White middle-class retains and expands its dominant position in the economy in contemporary South Africa, poor Whites have become overshadowed, invisible and unwanted. This ethnographic exploration focuses on the existence of poor Whites that dwell on the margins of society. The existence of poor Whites is severely stigmatised because it contradicts the perfect images of ‘normal’ Whites who are not poor. As such, poor Whites suffer from being stereotyped as lazy, drunkards, abnormal, dishonest and trash. This study seeks to understand the social meanings of White poverty and offer a clear interpretation of why it remains invisible and stigmatised. This study details the historical background of poor Whites in order to shed light on how their negative identity, which has been inherited from post-apartheid South Africa, evolved. White poverty is a genuinely feared condition amongst White people as it carries distinct negative connotations. As such, the subject of poor Whites has for a long time been a sensitive issue. Historically, concerted efforts to deal with and cover up this ‘White shame’ were made in order to shield it from the public gaze. If Whites had been allowed to fall into this abhorrent category of poor Whites, what then would have differentiated them from poor Blacks? The colonial and the apartheid mentality influenced the diagnosis and the treatment of poor Whites. I argue that, although there were measures put in place to deal with the plight of poor Whites, their poverty was not eliminated. The poor Whites during that period were uplifted through a wide range of social nets that kept the shame of poverty contained. Job reservations, priority education, and subsidised housing kept White poverty under control. This strategy generated a ‘normal’ image of White lives to the outside world in order to justify White domination and White privileges. Historically, making Whites appear as different and having privileged access to a range of social capital reflected a picture of life filled with abundance. However, the collapse of racial-Fordism, de-industrialisation, the end of racial-based governance and the neo-liberal economic framework in South Africa has re-introduced the poor Whites back into the dreaded reality of White poverty. While it is historically acknowledged that Whites dominated the social landscape in the South African context through the processes of colonialism, settlement and apartheid, thereby leaving a large foot print in the economy and politics, a section of Whites (not so privileged) has continued to exist alongside the mainstream White communities. I therefore argue that in contemporary South Africa the experiences of poor Whites who have been dispossessed through economic fluctuations and changes in socio-political make-up of South Africa have not been fully explored. In the case of East London, the contemporary experiences of poor Whites have overridden the dreams of coastal Whiteness driven by the previous industrial expansion and accumulation of White difference and privilege, and have pushed poor Whites into renegotiating their lives within the rapidly integrating poor sections of previously mono White suburbs. The poor Whites who are mainly working-class casualties have had to adjust and invent creative ways of existing within the informal sections of the economy. It is noted in this dissertation that little pity is given to poor Whites; in fact their condition carries shame. As such, poor Whites have been marked as ‘different’ and referred to as the ‘Other’. The deliberate social exclusion of poor Whites from normal life processes is also a reflection of the boundaries that have been created by the formation of social and cultural fences targeted at keeping out perceived ‘social deviants’. Those excluded from participating in what is considered to be ‘normal’, such as having a job and money and subscribing to middle-class values, have negative labels affixed to them and they therefore carry an identity of rejection, and are the new wounded citizens. Wacquant (2008) in his theory of advanced marginality explains that this state of affairs is common in many urban areas that have or are de-industrialising. I argue that the term ‘poor White’ indicates that its existence is in opposition to the normal/middle-class values and that attracts castigation and despise. This study also seeks to close the literature gaps on poor Whites. Anthropological research that links White poverty to deindustrialisation and neo-liberalism is limited, and smaller cities like East London have not drawn much inquiry. The main aim of this work has, therefore, been to explore and understand the marginal voices of the poor Whites within a context where their very existence is questionable. Drawing from empirical data gathered through ethnography, in-depth interviews and observations, I have constructed a narrative of poor Whites, detailing their experiences in contemporary South Africa. There is an untold story of White poverty which this study seeks to highlight. The dissertation concludes by discussing the paradoxes of citizenship as reflected in the lives of poor Whites.
Spirit possession and social panic: Amakhosi possession and behaviour among learners in selected schools in Mdantsane Township
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Meveni, Siphiwo Douglas
This research sought to investigate the phenomenon of strange behaviour related to spirit possession called amakhosi in Mdantsane Township in East London in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This spirit phenomenon has recently been prevalent in Township schools in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces where school children were said to be possessed by a spirit which caused them to demonstrate a strange kind of destructive behaviour. These occurrences were also reported in the newspapers and community radio stations. All these media communications reported that teachers, parents and community leaders were increasingly concerned over a growing trend wherein children purchase muti called amakhosi which makes them to behave mysteriously and at times climbed school walls with their bear hands and at time becoming violent to the extent of threatening other learners and educators. The informants included community members, learners and educators. In a mainly qualitative research method, empirical data was collected from five selected high schools by means of observations, individual interviews and group discussions. The main aim of this study was to better understand this amakhosi phenomenon and to determine whether it is a spiritual, drug related or a social phenomenon. The findings of the study suggested that amakhosi possession is partly a spiritual phenomenon and should not be overlooked as it can result into serious crimes leading to death just like in the recent cases of satanic killing reported among the youth in South Africa. Secondly, there is also a strong element of drug abuse among the youth associated with amakhosi rituals. Lastly, amakhosi is more than just a spiritual issue. It is a socio-economic problem which mostly involves the youth who are struggling in identifying their roles and positions in the post apartheid South Africa. The main recommendation is that the amakhosi phenomenon needs a „wholistic‟ approach and not to just intervention by involvement of prayers and traditional healers.
The contributions of Property and Inheritance Rights (PIR) programmes to the empowerment of widows: A study of selected Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Binga, Zimbabwe.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014-01) Tshuma, Roselyn
This study examines the contributions of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) driven Property and Inheritance Rights (PIR) programmes towards the empowerment of widows in Binga District, Zimbabwe. Focusing on two NGOs, Ntengwe and Zubo, this study examine how patriarchal power is legitimized through customary law and the impacts of such on widows after the death of their husbands. It further explores whether the PIR programmes/projects run by Zubo and Ntengwe are providing the necessary knowledge and empowering widows to fight property grabbing after the death of their husbands.
Rural agriculture and youth empowerment: perspectives of the youth and community members in Centane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014-01-27) Mkra, Zuzeka Prudence
The study explores youth perspectives regarding their participation in agriculture and its future in Centane, a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study examines, firstly, the extent to which the assumption that youth lack interest in agriculture is evident in the study community. Secondly, it explores the extent to which youth involvement or the lack thereof defines the future of agriculture in the study community. The third research concern is the extent to which the relevant state-led agricultural policies support youth involvement in rural agriculture.
Designed to disable? Disabilityfriendliness of Buffalo City municipal amenities in discourse and experience.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014-06-25) Febana,Ziyanda
According to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the prerequisite of accessibility for people with physical disabilities goes beyond merely ensuring that there are "disabled friendly" resources in a built environment. Accessibility entails the availability of appropriate facilities to accommodate physical disabilities where and when needed. A casual observation of many municipal amenities in South Africa, particularly Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), Eastern Cape, shows that the conceptualisation and design of many public amenities make these amenities "public" only in name and, from a disability point of view, are possibly embedded in a model that is fundamentally exclusionist. Yet few systematic studies have been carried out at the local level to confirm or refute this assumption. Utilising Elinor Ostrom's adaptation of the concept of common pool resources - a concept which was hitherto restricted to the analysis of shared ecological resources - this study examines the extent to which inclusivity matters within the context of the design and provisioning of municipal amenities that are meant to serve the public. The analysis is based on triangulated data obtained from a mini survey of paraplegic, blind and deaf people, physical observation of the relevant amenities, and key informant interview of officials in relevant BCMM departments.
Unravelling the myths about unplanned pregnancy among female students at University of Fort hare East London campus, South Africa.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Chukwunyere, Amadi P
This research study examined: 1. the attitudes and perceptions of female university students towards unplanned pregnancies, their (pregnancies’) associated influences and their social economic consequences on the participants and their family. 2. The level of knowledge, the sources thereof, and the girls’ attitudes and perceptions toward contraception, abortion and their actual use as possible barriers in the prevention of unplanned pregnancies. 3. The possible interventions in curbing the phenomenon of unplanned pregnancies. Data for the study was gathered through in-depth-interviews with ten female undergraduate students at the University of Fort Hare in East London campus, who had the experience of unplanned pregnancy while studying. Selection of participants was done through snowball sampling. A number of factors responsible for the unplanned pregnancy are revealed, including: Inadequate and inconsistent use of contraceptives, ignorance about contraception or rejection of contraceptive use due to religious beliefs. Influential factors regarding unplanned child bearing include: The role of the mother and the boyfriend, traditional and religious beliefs, and the desire for child bearing and motherhood. Although the majority of the girls are knowledgeable about contraception, and their right to abortion, a number of barriers hinder them from putting this knowledge into practical use. Some of the most highlighted consequences of unplanned/unwanted pregnancy are the financial burden on the family and loss of study time.
HIV and AIDS youth peer educators : a study of HIV and AIDS youth peer education in East London and Durban
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Molose, Simxolele
HIV and AIDS youth peer education (YPE) in South Africa is largely studied from the point of view of organized institutions, such as schools and workplaces. Moreover, peer education research is frequently directed at measuring the effectiveness of the programmes, neglecting the role of HIV and AIDS youth peer educators (PEs) in the processes of YPE. The latter situation is what this study aimed to address, as the study explored work of community based peer educators from ELHTA in Duncan Village and Scenery Park in East London and HOPE to educate in Durban, looking at particularly the difference that the PEs in the above programmes make through their work. The data used for this study was collected by the means of in depth interviews and focus group discussion methods. The reason for using the latter methods is to ensure authenticity of the experiences and testimonials of the PEs since the main aim of the study is to explore the impact of community based peer educators‟ work on the outcomes of the YPE in Duncan Village, in East London with a view to ascertain how PEs contribute the success or even failure of the YPE in the above community, since current research in South Africa on community based youth peer education is scant. This study aimed to contribute to the scientific work that expands research on peer education with young volunteers in South African communities, rather than just the existing research which centres largely on schools and workplaces. From this study it was found that youth peer educators play pivotal role in peer education in that peer educators are peer education and peer education is peer educators. Monetary incentives were found to be the major motivating factor in peer education. Furthermore interest to know more about HIV and AIDS, family history of members infected with HIV and lastly interest to be agents of change were among some of the motivating factors. Peer educators were found to be faced with so many challenges; ranging from stigma, denial, and delay in uniform provision, risky working conditions and insults from community members, however, passion for peer education motivates peer educators to remain in their programmes, irrespective of the challenges, thus making unique contribution and keeping the youth peer education structure functional. Youth Peer educators were found to be important assets to their communities and also as they face challenges, they need the support from different organisations within communities and they need to be recognised and be empowered. Peer educators were found to be faced with so many challenges; ranging from stigma, denial, and delay in uniform provision, risky working conditions and insults from community members, however, passion for peer education motivates peer educators to remain in their programmes, irrespective of the challenges, thus making unique contribution and keeping the youth peer education structure functional. Youth Peer educators were found to be important assets to their communities and also as they face challenges, they need the support from different organisations within communities and they need to be recognised and be empowered.
HIV and AIDS youth peer educators: A study of HIV and AIDS youth peer education in East London and Durban.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015-02) Molose, Simxolele
HIV and AIDS youth peer education (YPE) in South Africa is largely studied from the point of view of organized institutions, such as schools and workplaces. Moreover, peer education research is frequently directed at measuring the effectiveness of the programmes, neglecting the role of HIV and AIDS youth peer educators (PEs) in the processes of YPE. The latter situation is what this study aimed to address, as the study explored work of community-based peer educators from ELHTA in Duncan Village and Scenery Park in East London and HOPE to educate in Durban, looking at particularly the difference that the PEs in the above programmes make through their work. The data used for this study was collected by the means of in depth interviews and focus group discussion methods.
Assessing risk perceptions, vulnerability and asset adaptation in the context of climate change : a study of peri-urban and rural East London and Port Elizabeth, South Africa
(University of Fort Hare, 2016) Apraku, Amos
This study examined climate change risk perceptions, vulnerability and the significance of assets‘ in climate change mitigation and adaptation in rural and peri-urban Eastern Cape, South Africa. It assessed the levels of local climate change awareness and how such awareness was articulated in local discourses, analysed actual risks (and awareness thereof) against those predicted by relevant statutory agencies, and examined the extent to which local residents drew on local knowledge, culture‘and traditional practices (amongst other assets‘) to mitigate their vulnerability and adapt to adverse climatic changes. The study was conceptualised against the background that most climate change risk and vulnerability studies adopt a global‘ and continental‘ focus and ignore localised variations and specificities – which makes it impossible to craft local climate change impact mitigation strategies that make sense. From survey, interview, focus group and observational data, the study found low levels of local awareness about climate change and its associated risks. It revealed that local residents blamed climate change-related phenomena on gods, spirits and other mystical forces. Agriculture, water resources, human settlements, health, ecosystems and biodiversity were found to be the most affected by climate change. A crucial finding was that, besides economic and other class-based assets, indigenous/local knowledge (ideational assets‘) played an important role in the ways local residents adapted themselves to – and in some ways curbed - the adverse impacts of climate change. The study concluded from these findings that households and communities have different degrees of vulnerability to climate change, depending on awareness levels and degrees of access to specific assets‘. However, in the main, climate change impacts in the communities were potentially curbed by culture, with indigenous/local knowledge and related ideational assets being the main index of adaptation and weapon against disastrous impacts. The study extends current knowledge on the significance and contribution of indigenous knowledge systems to climate change impact mitigation and adaptation, particularly in Africa, and demonstrates how local knowledge can contribute to global‘understanding of one of today‘s critical environmental challenges.

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