Anthropology and Development Studies
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- ItemA tracer study on the lived experiences of TVET college graduates in a democratic South Africa: a case of Vryheid, Kwazulu-Natal Province(University of Zululand, 2025) Xulu, Hloniphani Martin; Monyela, Ntsofa ClasperThis research study comprehends TVET graduates’ experiences after graduating from TVET colleges. For instance, in Vryheid, South Africa, most youths enrol and graduate from TVET colleges almost every year. They acquire vocational skills that enable them to participate actively in the job market. It was observed that some of them remain inactive with limited access to job markets after graduating from TVET colleges. Such encounters deepened one's understanding of TVET colleges as social structures in human societies for the development of those societies and individuals. The study is, therefore, underpinned by two theories – rites of passage and structural functionalism to understand the phenomenon being studied. TVET colleges were viewed as a “rite of passage” from one stage of life into another. Becoming a TVET graduate means that one needs to separate from parental dependence first, traverse through a phase of transition, and then become incorporated into a new social state TVET graduate. In the transition process presented by rites of passage theory before the youth acquire their new identity of being TVET graduates, they first enter a “social structure” with its function in a society; namely TVET college. Hence, structural functionalism theory was used to explore the contribution of TVET colleges toward the lived experiences of TVET graduates. This research employed an interpretivism paradigm with a qualitative approach to listen to TVET graduates voicing their experiences after being incorporated into their communities. The study found that various reasons make the youth enrol in TVET colleges, among others, is the lack of funding and failure to meet university admission requirements. Graduates pointed out that teaching and learning in TVET colleges is satisfactory. However, a person needs in-service training before obtaining a national diploma. It became a challenge for some to get their certification in record time because of the delay in in-service training. After graduating, most graduates find difficulties in becoming active participants in the labour market. This puts them in a state of waithood; they cannot meet their needs and that of their families. The study revealed that their families are social grant dependents. This made family members have more expectations. They thought once a person graduates, it guarantees employment, which was not the case. Graduates stressed that it becomes a hassle to apply for jobs due to the lack of resources such as computers and printers. Financial support remains critical. When they return to their communities, peers inquire with expectations to study through TVET College. Some graduates decide to follow entrepreneurial paths as survival strategies. This research study recommends that local and national governments encourage industries to consider TVET graduates during recruitment.
- ItemReconciliation, peace and sustainable development: a case study of the African National Congress’ participatory democracy in Kwazulu Natal Province, 1994 -2009(University of Zululand, 2025) Ndebele, Joel Sibusiso; Masoga, M.A.The study explores the relationship between reconciliation, peace building and sustainable development regarding participatory democracy spearheaded by the African National Congress (ANC) in the KwaZulu-Natal province from 1994 to 2009. It starts with a historical context, explaining the genesis of the political violence that characterised this province in the 1980s and early 1990s. The study critically analyses some discussions, reflections, and findings on the research conducted into reconciliation and the consequences of conflict between the ANC and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal. It attempts to answer the questions on political conflict in parts of the KwaZulu-Natal province and how the ANC-led government worked with civil society organisations, community bodies, and NGOs to broker peace, foster reconciliation, and bring about sustainable peace and development in the post-apartheid era. This study attempts to answer the following questions: How and in what ways have the programs and policies of the government of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, after the 1994 democratic elections, contributed to reconciliation, peace, and development after the conflict? How has social and economic development within the democratic dispensation in the territory been addressed? And what national reconciliation policies were adopted by the democratic dispensation to build peace, avert conflict, and prevent state collapse? The study is an effort to apply a unique five-dimensional theory of change model that specifies agriculture, culture, governance, economic well-being, and social well-being as key characteristics of peaceful and sustainable communities. It explains reconciliation and peace as outcomes of interventions and examines the impacts of chosen development projects through evidence.
- ItemImpact of court-annexed mediation in South Africa: a developmental perspective(University of Zululand, 2024) Mabilo, Ntate Josias; Masoga, M.A; M.O Ndlovu,The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of court-annexed mediation on access to justice, the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system, and maximisation of the benefits of court-annexed mediation in South Africa. Alternative dispute resolution has become a recognised approach to dispute resolution around the world, and its mechanisms, particularly, mediation, and arbitration, have evolved into powerful complementary dispute resolution processes for our courts. Therefore, this study was focused on the introduction of court-annexed mediation in the South African Justice system, a) to improve access to justice for the South African public, especially the poor, b) to improve the efficiency of the system and c) to reduce the ever-increasing case backlog in the civil courts amongst others. This desire to conduct the study was based on the premise that people continue to face barriers to justice despite the initiative to implement court-annexed mediation. The primary theories utilized for this research are mediation and social justice theories. Mediation is one of the consensus-building processes in alternative dispute resolution. According to social justice theory, everyone is entitled to equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. The methodology employed was phenomenology, a qualitative approach, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Sampling was purposive, targeting individuals who had experienced court-annexed mediation, including mediators, individuals familiar with our court processes, and potential users of the service. The focus was on the experiences and preferences of the people of South Africa regarding court-annexed mediation. The study found that challenges raised in the problem statement remain prevalent: Access to justice remains a challenge, and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development initiative to implement court-annexed mediation was not successful. In addition, the court roll remains clogged with extensive backlogs. Furthermore, the study found that the South Africans, indeed, forfeited many benefits due to the failure to implement court-annexed mediation. In other countries, globally and on the African continent, court-annexed mediation has been implemented successfully, and the users have enjoyed its benefits, including the positive impact on their justice systems. The findings of the study enabled the development of a framework for implementing court-annexed mediation in South Africa to solve the pending national problem, to advance the constitutional requirement of access to justice for all and to advance Sustainable Development Goal number 16. All the research questions were answered, and all the study objectives were also achieved.
- ItemAn exploration of cultural practices in relation to women’s social experiences in rural communities, a case study of King Cetshwayo District Municipality(University of Zululand, 2021) Mkhize, Nontobeko Mildred; Nojiyeza, I.S.; Masuku, M.M.This study is an exploration of the scale of the harmful impact of the cultural practices on women in rural communities. It explored the impact of: ukuthwala (bride abduction), ilobolo (bride price), female genitals mutilation, virginity testing, ukungena (levirate custom), African rituals, traditional initiation, wife beating and polygamy on women which are cultural practices that the study paid focus on. These practices were explored within King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM), KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. The study set out to achieve six specified objectives: (i) to explore the experiences of women within societies where cultural practices are administered and assist them to reflect on those experiences (ii) to determine the challenges encountered by women due to customary rules, and their coping means (iii) to identify measures put in place to assist women living under customary rules (iv) to determine positions of women in structures in which traditional rules are imposed (v) to put forward interventions which protect women’s rights against discrimination (vi) to determine if the cultural practices discriminate against women and if so how far such discrimination goes and it was premised on theoretical lenses of post-modern feminism which evolved within the third wave of feminism, African feminist theories, patriarchy theorization, critical theory and legal pluralism. Women within the rural community were given a chance to retell their own versions of cultural practices. Methodologically, the study used a qualitative approach which was guided by an in-depth semi-structured style of interviewing, and followed an exploratory research design. Data gathering methods comprised of semi-structured interviews with participants while data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews, narratives, notes taking and a focus group discussion of men. The study used non-probability methods of sample selection, specifically, snowball sampling combined with purposive sampling in order to confirm issues, validate, compare and collect more information. Using these techniques, a total of twenty women comprised the sample plus five men. Data was analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis. The study revealed the following: cultural practices are indeed a reality; they have an immense impact on women and they are viewed as manipulative practices that encourage the subordination of women. These are central to the performance of the rituals that continue to aggravate violence against women. Furthermore, it transpired that culture is incapable of holding its goalposts; the unfriendly policies on cultures are a driving tool to cultural practices’ elevation; political infiltration of cultures and community forums as avenues of cascading the benefits of the practices. The study discovered that despite legislative intervention and policy framework, cultural practices still persist among the African communities in KCDM. The reasons for this persistent existence are discussed, followed by recommendations for possible resolutions. The study concludes that cultural practices play a pivotal role in shaping men to demonstrate authoritative power on women.
- ItemFactors contributing to sustainable water supply at uMhlathuze Local Municipality research report(University of Zululand, 2023) Buthelezi, Fundakubo SiyandaThe present study focuses on the factors contributing to sustainable water supply at uMhlathuze Local Municipality. The shortage of water has a negative impact in gardening, which affects most of rural areas that are more dependent on subsistence farming to secure food. The study questions how to rural people at uMhlathuze Local Municipality generates their livelihood if the water is poorly supplied. Hence, this puts lives of citizens at risk. It is for that reason; the present study focuses on determining factors contributing to water supplies in uMhlathuze Local Municipality. The study used explorative research design which linked with qualitative method. Semi-structured interview was considered for data collection. Regarding sampling method, the study used a purposive sampling, which helped the researcher to obtain data from relevant participants. Relating to findings of the study, factors contributing to sustainable water supply at uMhlathuze local municipality were determined by the study objectives and the research findings. The study shows that the municipality supplies water through water pipes and water tankers. However, there are still communities that are without water and some villages get water for a short time and leaves again while there is no meeting or announcement made regarding that problem. Moreover, the other factor is an insufficient budget which challenges the municipality to be unable to implement new projects to help deal with the backlog. The study also indicated that the municipality does send a truck of water to supply water in some areas; however, the drivers are selling water that was meant to be supplied for free. There is also illegal connection of pipes which makes the distribution of water be difficult in those areas. The findings of the study also show that there are reservoirs built to provide water in the communities within the municipality but cannot be relied upon. Therefore, the study recommends that uMhlathuze Local Municipality should have a proper way to monitor the illegal connection of water pipes in the municipality and have a framework that guide the water truck to deliver water without demanding incentives. The study further suggest that the municipality should learn and train its officials to use it finances equally to ensure that water is allocated to all the households and fund-raise money to ensure sustainability of their projects.