Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Development

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The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Development collection provides access to the scholarly and research contributions of staff and students. This collection includes theses and dissertations, research publications, conference papers, and examination question papers. The Department brings together the social sciences to examine human societies, cultures, and development, integrating anthropology, sociology, and development studies with a focus on urbanisation and human settlements. It prepares students to address issues of social inequality, development, and housing in both rural and urban contexts. By preserving and sharing these resources, the collection supports teaching, learning, and research while fostering critical inquiry, social awareness, and community engagement.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 23

Academic-faculty environment and graduate employability: variation of work-readiness perceptions
(Elsevier, 2022) Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma; Nekhwevha, Fhulu H.
Graduates with a high level of competence can cope better with the disequilibria triggered by events such as shifting labor processes and job transitions. This study examined the relationship between prospective graduates' perceived job preparedness and the university's role in preparing students for the workforce. A sample of 335 South African university students was used. We discovered that skill inequalities vary greatly between faculties. Collegiate skill preparation of students for the workplace can explain the disparities in graduate skill development and recruitment opportunities. Universities and their faculties must reimagine themselves as the primary drivers of graduate skill development and expand pipelines for the most vulnerable prospective graduates to contribute to global skills need.
Advanced Language and General Literature: ECL 310, Supplementary Examinations June 2025
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-06) Moran, S.; Zhou, S.; Mkhize, J.; Kirton-Els, T.; Blatchford, M.; Uwah, C.; Klu, E.K.
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.
Between skills development and skills protectionism: The discourse and practice of skills development in the Nigerian multinational corporate sector.
(University of Fort Hare, 2016) Jiboku, Joseph Olutoyin
Against the backdrop of arguments regarding the role of multinational corporations (MNCs) as custodians of modern skills and technology and as agents of socio-economic transformation in developing countries, especially through training and human resource development, this study examined specific claims in this regard in the Nigerian context. Specifically, the study examined how skills development strategies in selected MNCs in Nigeria reflected, or failed to reflect, the “prescriptions” and “idealisations” about national human capital formation as gleaned from the dominant discourses in the country’s official manpower agencies, organised labour and organised private sector. Were there, for instance, specific MNC skills development strategies that potentially could undermine the notion of MNCs as “agents of socio-economic development”? Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from three MNC subsidiaries in Nigeria (Lafarge Cement Wapco, Unilever and MTN Communication), and from relevant national manpower agencies, organised private sector organisations, and two labour federations. One key finding was that, viewed against the backdrop of specific national “prescriptions” and “idealisations” about human capital formation in Nigeria, the terrain of skills development in the multinational corporate sector was one of connects, disconnects and paradoxes. While the MNCs maintained a vast and robust canvas of skills development strategies and professed some of the same “ideals” as national skills agencies and even organised labour about, their skills development strategies were overwhelmingly company- and product-centred, and thus lacked wider (societal) applicability. The findings also pointed to practices that appeared to actively “prevent” Nigerian employees from accessing certain levels of know-how. The study concluded that, at least from a skills development point of view, the idea of MNCs as agents of socio-economic development must always be qualified, as it was based on a failure of analysts to carefully distinguish between “everyday” or even “high level” skills (which were readily accessible to, and acquirable by, locals) and “strategic” skills (which locals were prevented from accessing) and how MNCs thereby helped to perpetuate the skills divide between host country and home country. The study thus raises important questions for both skills development scholarship and policy and further sharpens the focus on how best to appraise (and monitor), from the point of view of skills development, the socio-economic role of MNCs in a developing country such as Nigeria.
Bridging the disconnection between donor support and democratisation in South Africa: The case of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
(Taylor and Francis, 2023-05-01) Bosompem, Henry K.; Nekhwevha, Fhulu H.; Read, R.
This paper is on the role of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in bridging the disconnection in donor assisted projects and electoral administration and the perceptions of state institutions in an interface with donor support, electoral dynamics and democratisation in the municipality. The study on the perception of the BCMM on donor support and democratisation is to ascertain the reciprocal relations the BCMM have with donors, including government and stakeholders in an election and the local community where they operate. This paper argues that donor support to a large extent induces democratisation but no political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of its people remained in poverty, and in a state of inequality and unemployment without real prospects for a better life. Although the state policies ensures and facilitates inter alia the free market economy, the deregulation of public institutions and state sponsorship of infrastructural development, the citizens in the local communities have been mostly impoverished as a result of their inability to access fully the benefits that were supposed to have been administered to them by sub-state institutions and donor managers. The study utilized the qualitative research approach and data was analysed through content analysis. The emerging findings indicate that donor conditionalities promote good governance, transparency and free and fair representation. The findings further shows that donor support in the municipality reduces poverty through academic skills training, vocational skills training, Agricultural entrepreneurship and Agro-processing. Nevertheless, the paper is of the view that the municipality and local communities are at a tipping point with regard to what can only be described as unequal and exploitative relationship between donor elites and community voters. The outcome of this paper and recommendations has great implications and influence for municipal officials, Communities voters, policy makers, Departments and Ministries, the Independent Electoral Commission, Social institutions, organizations and economic managers and administrators in developing countries.
Classical Sociological Theory: SOC 212, Supplementary Examinations June 2025
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-06) Wana, L.; Stofile, Z.
Contemporary Sociological Theory: SOC 312, Supplementary Examinations June 2025
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-06) Wana, L.; Mzileni, P.
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.
Exploring the concepts of decent work through the lens of SDG 8: addressing challenges and inadequacies
(Frontiers Media, 2023-11-20) Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma; Nekhwevha, Fhulu H.; Kerla, M.
Promoting decent work and sustainable economic growth within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) entails addressing gender inequality, the consequences of market economies, and the role of the informal sector while also considering environmental sustainability. Research on SDG 8 remains limited, often adopting an appraisal perspective, and the concept of decent work within this goal remains relatively unexplored. Additionally, the focus on the challenges and inadequacies of achieving sustainable economic growth through decent work in the context of SDG 8 is insufficient, resulting in significant knowledge gaps. To contribute to filling these gaps, this paper adopts a descriptive and critical review perspective, systematically analyzing 108 journal papers and reports to investigate the concept of decent work within SDG 8. The research addresses the challenges and inadequacies related to decent work embedded in SDG 8. The review reveals that while progress has been made in tackling gender inequality in the labor market, gender bias, income discrepancies, and underrepresentation of women in senior positions persist, hindering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all – SDG 8. Moreover, SDG 8’s focus on inclusive and sustainable development falls short of effectively addressing market economies’ structural disparities, insecure working conditions, and exploitative labor practices. Additionally, support for informal sector workers, who lack essential rights such as legal protection and social security, remains insufficient. Ecological destruction is sometimes an unintended consequence of purely market-based labor markets with an emphasis on economic growth, with SDG 8 lacking sufficient integration of environmental sustainability in its framework. The novelty of this study comes from its in-depth, critical, and policy-focused analysis of the ideas around decent employment in the context of SDG 8. The findings underscore the importance of providing fair, safe, and secure employment opportunities to support economic growth and development while upholding workers’ rights. In conclusion, we emphasize the crucial role of promoting decent work and sustainable growth in achieving SDG 8’s overall objectives, as it directly impacts other SDGs.
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.
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.
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.
Introduction to the Concept of Development: DEV 111, Supplementary Examinations June 2025
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-06) Fikeni, T.G.; Maqubela, A.N.
Managers’ perception of ethics in public entities and service delivery using the corporate virtue scale
(Taylor and Francis Group, Routledge, 2023-03) Cheteni, Priviledge; Shindika, Emmanuel Selemani
Ethical culture is the epitome of the success of various organizations and a prerequisite for progress. This study aimed to examine the construct validity of the Corporate Virtue Scale (CEV) and find if there is any association between ethical culture and its impact on employees’ wellbeing. The sample was composed of 277 managers from various government entities in the Buffalo Municipality in South Africa. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the eightfactor CEV scale. The employees’ perceptions of ethical culture in public entities were associated with their stress levels and emotional exhaustion. Thus, the findings of this study revealed that the ethical culture of organizations plays a huge role in the wellbeing of employees. The study concludes that the CEV scale is a proven instrument with construct validity. The recommendation is that the government should focus on simplifying rules and procedures that help to cultivate an ethical culture within public entities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The effectiveness of innovative pedagogy in the industry 4.0: Educational ecosystem perspective
(Elsevier, 2023-01) Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma; Ngwevu, Viwe; Jojo, Avela
Higher education institutions have been aware of the mutually beneficial interaction between Higher Education 4.0 (HE4.0), Industry 4.0 (I4.0), and Work 4.0 (W4.0). Teaching and learning (T&L) are best accomplished through the novel and blended approaches in today’s smart manufacturing, services, and labor processes. The traditional T&L methods no longer complement the fourth industrial revolution and the future of work skills. Little research has focused on innovative pedagogies in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) globally and especially in South Africa from the Learning Ecosystem Framework perspective. This paper begins to address this void via a review of academic literature, aiming to understand new pedagogies of teaching and learning in HEIs and their effectiveness as we move into HE4.0. The emphasis of higher education research worldwide should be on reviewing and synthesizing current research outputs rather than performing new studies since there are fewer systematic literature reviews and a blend of systematic-narrative literature review approaches published in higher education journals. In light of this, exhaustive systematic-narrative literature reviews have been conducted to aggregate research findings within the context of global higher education pedagogy. Combined, this encompasses an analysis of 138 papers across different academic databases. We concluded that integrating teaching and learning methodologies such as flipped classroom, SCALE-UP, and blended teaching and learning are the most effective, sustainable, and student-centered pedagogy. Combining these teaching and learning approaches will ensure that students receive dynamic support, hands-on activities, practical assessments, active collaboration, and inquiry-based learning. Overall, our findings revealed that we need all parts of the learning ecosystem to work together toward teaching and learning that is transgressive, innovative, transformative, diverse, and inclusive with the I4.0, HE4.0, and W4.0 in mind – that is, if we aim to achieve effective blended teaching and learning, and sustainable student-centered academic output. Here, we point out where these discoveries might take us in research and what policies should be revised.
The extent of job automation in the automobile sector in South Africa
(SAGE Publications, 2022) Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma; Nekhwevha, Fhulu H.
This study argues that the automobile sector’s body shop is fully automated, the paint shop is 80% automated, there is about 20% technology utilization in the car assembly line, and the supply for logistics is making a lot more use of machines as well. These percentages are an indicator of how workers have lost the contest with technology in the industry. Many workers are being deskilled and the remaining workers are being reshuffled to assembly lines likely to be automated with time. There should be interventions to ready the workers to adapt to society and the economy, or there will be massive unemployment.

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