Geography and Environmental Studies

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10530/361

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 61

Perception of natural recreation resources at Inanda
(University of Zululand, 1984) Nkosi, Lawrence Jabu.; Magi, L.M.
The study is focused to a peri-urban area (Inanda) with its variety of natural outdoor recreation resources which a large part of Inanda population seem not to utilize. These, as for the concern of the study are as follows: picnic areas, camping areas, fishing areas, wilderness areas and watersport areas. Recreation supply is gradually diminishing and demand for recreation space is increasing. Seemingly, that is due to urban encroachment that is rapidly affecting the area.
Recreation areas and facilities at Esikhawini : the present and the future
(University of Zululand, 1986) Mkhize, Isidore Bandile.; Magi, L.M.
This study has the primary objective of scrutinising recreation facilities which are found at Esikhawini as well as looking into the possibility of providing additional facilities. The study seeks to find out what those in charge of the recreation system think about the provision of recreation areas and facilities at Esikhawini. It also purports to establish what recreation planning strategy is envisaged for the present and future by the Esikhawini recreation Authorities.
Black people's cognitions of natural recreation resources in the Natal North-Coastal region
(1986) Magi, Lindisizwe Maurice.; Butler-Adam, J.F.; Nieman, W.A.
This study was designed to investigate how Black people in the Natal north-coastal region cognize natural recreation resources as they are defined at present. The basis of the research is modeled on the premise that because of existing spatial and socio-economic inequalities in South Africa, Black people may well have a negative attitude towards natural recreation resources. In essence the aims of the study are to: (1) Identify value systems strongly associated with and involved in the formulation of the images and cognitions which Black people have towards natural recreation resources and facilities. (2) Reveal the cognitions which Black people have with regard to the identification, management, utilization and conservation of natural recreation resources and facilities. The procedure used two separate sample populations. The first survey (N=515) investigated the general population's cognitions of and behaviour towards natural recreation resources and facilities. The second survey (N=35) sought to establish the actual background material from organizations or agencies engaged in the administration and management of recreation resources. Data was computer-analyzed using frequencies, univariate procedures and cross tabulations which contained a chi-square test and measures of correlation. These procedures were used to analyze data acquired by means of cognitive statements, photographic images from 24 photographs depicting recreation resources and through use of semantic differential scales. Some of the broad, basic hypotheses the study considers are: (1) That Black people have negative cognitions of natural recreation resources in general; (2) that Black people have a positive frame of mind relating to the aesthetics and conservation of natural recreation resources; (3) that Blacks have a negative cognition of the management of natural recreation resources; and (4) that the current cognitions of natural recreation resources are related to the respondent's "place of residence, standard of education, occupation, sex, age and religion. The study is broadly structured around eight chapters. The first chapter gives an overall orientation to the study and is further methodologically elucidated in Chapter 5. Chapters 2 and 3 discuss the conceptual sources and relationships which exist between geography, recreation, psychology and philosophy. Chapter 3 specifically treats the African philosophical perspectives of the natural recreation environment. On the other hand, chapters 4, 6 and 7 deal with empirical sources in the form of field survey materials of recreation authorities, the general population and their interpretation, respectively. Overall summaries of the study, and of its implications and conclusions are presented in Chapter 8. The major conclusions of the study are: First, that Black people within the north-coastal region of Natal cognize the natural recreation resources positively. Secondly, that whereas there was a positive association of the cognized utilization of natural recreation resources with aesthetic constructs, there was a negative association of the management of these resources with functional constructs such as "inadequate" and "restricted". Thirdly, there were, in general, no significant differences by age, sex, education, occupation and place of residence which affected the cognition and use of resources and facilities either positively or negatively. However, on categorizing the cognitive constructs of recreation resources into "aesthetic" and "functional" attributes, these tended to vary by socio-economic variables. Fourthly, on the strength of the preponderence of cognitive constructs that were aesthetic and abstract, it was concluded that philosophical and cultural value systems are strongly associated with the natural recreation image formulation amongst Black people in the study area. The study has important implications for the management, planning and research of the recreation system in the north-coastal region of Natal. The evaluation of Black cognitions of natural recreation resources is a necessary exercise if the general recreation system in South Africa is to be made equitable and remodelled to cater for every person within the population.
African tourist potential in the Empangeni-Richards Bay complex
(University of Zululand, 1987) Mwandla, Ndodentsha Daniel; Magi, L.M.
The aim of this project is to analyse scientifically the Black tourist potentially from the geographic perspective. Mitchell (1979) claims that the geographer as an analyst has the ultimate goal of obtaining insight and understanding of the spatial allocation of resources, relationships between a man his environment, or the complexity of regions. The researcher therefore, undertakes such an academic exercise of analysing the spatial aspects of tourism at the Empangeni - Richards Bay Complex.
Role of socio-economic status of the residential patterns at Empangeni and Esikhawini
(University of Zululand, 1988) Mthembu, Wellington M; Lewis, C.A.; Magi, L.M.
The aims of the study are to examine residential patterns in Empangeni and Esikhawini in order to see: ( i) Whether residential patterns are influenced by (or other result of) the socio-economic status and racial composition of the inhabitants of the towns. (ii) Whether they resulted from apartheid planning. Empangeni provides residences for whites while Esikhawini caters for Blacks. During 1988 a White man moved into the latter settlement in which he is prohibited , many Black workers reside temporarily at Empangeni. The two towns then reflects the racial nature of apartheid.
Traditional healing at Umlazi Township as part of informal business
(1990) Mthembu, Johnson Barabas; Maharaj, B.
The aim of this study was to investigate how traditional healers operate at Umlazi township with special reference to their socio-economic status, systems of working and their problems and future plans. The study showed that there were more male healers than female healers at Umlazi. The ages of healers ranged between twenty and sixty—nine. Al1 the healers had dependants, although their numbers varied. Most of the traditional healers at Umlazi did not have family members- The majority of healers lived at Umlazi township. Most of the healers worked at Umlazi-Slebe and kwaMnyandu Station and some used publIC transport to their-places of work such as buses, taxis and trains. There were those who walked to their places of business. The costs of transport were low, between R50 and R79 per month. The healers could not tell with precision what their monthly incomes were, they did not keep records of income and expenditure. Most of the healers had only primary education and their training was informal. Most of the healers were once employed in formal industries. Working hours, working days and payment for services differed greatly. The healers provided more services than the formal healing system. Their main problem was absconding. Same healers ^r& in favour of being incorporated into formal healing system.
Outdoor recreation in KwaNgwanase : a geographical perspective
(University of Zululand, 1991) Mthembu, Amos Thembinkosi.; Magi, L.M.
The study attempted to examine the effect of the development of outdoor recreation on people's agricultural activities in KwaNgwanase and the assessment of the potentiality of the area for outdoor recreation. The investigation of the use of outdoor recreation resources formed an integral part of the study, A clustered random sampling procedure was used which yielded 50 respondents who lived near the outdoor recreation resources. The questionnaire method was used for data collection. The second sample consisted of the authorities in the outdoor recreation resources. It was found that the community members used the recreation resources for the performance of daily living activities but not for recreation purpose. It was also found that the development of outdoor recreation caused ill-feelings to the conmunity members. The study revealed that that the study area has potential for outdoor recreation.The study highlights that: while productive farming areas in South Africa endowed with good agricultural soils can be developed easily for recreation purpose, marginal areas must be seen from a different perspective. More attention needs to be taken in zoning land-use units so that a balance can exist between the basic human activities.
A recreational needs analysis of Eshowe
(University of Zululand, 1991) Maytham, Gail; Magi, L.M.
The author decided to conduct a survey, to determine the recreational needs of all population groups in Eshowe , More attention was given to the residents of Gezinsila because this is "here the needs are by far the greatest and need to be more urgently addressed. It "as envisaged that the results obtained would enable the Town Council to have some idea of "hat sort of facilities are needed by the people. All too often recreation facilities provided in Black townships have been decided on by Whites with no regard for the needs of the people being taken into account. This lack of regard has been mooted as the reason for both under-utilization and misuse of facilities provided in townships (Hugo: 1974, Wilson & Hattingh :1988). this study may therefore environments The aims of follows: 1. to establish leisure the value be summarized as placed on recreation and by different population groups; 2. to establish the recreation and leisure needs of the different population groups of Eshowe; 3. to make suggestions about the extent and place of need of t he recreation and leisure facilities in the study areas according to the views of the respondents.
The three environmentally related diseases endemic in the Ongoye region : pattern and control
(1992) Ntuli, Maurice Vusi.; Magi, L.M.
The prevalence of the three diseases namely malaria fever, typhoid fever and bilharzia (schistosomiasis) comes about as a result of the nature of the environment together with human invasion of such an environment. The most important factor is that, without the human invasion of the environment, there could be no prevalence of these three diseases.· This, therefore, suggests that humans have invaded the mosquito environment and thus contracted malaria fever and spread the same to others. Hum,ans have also invaded the water environment by contaminating water with their excreta and thus spread typhoid fever and bilharzia (schistosomiasis). The three diseases, malaria fever, typhoid fever, and bilharzia
Mtunzini : profile of a recreation town
(University of Zululand, 1992) Untiedt, Steve; Mkhize, I.B.
The study examines the profile of Mtunzini as a recreation town from four points of view: local whites, visiting whites, local blacks and visiting blacks. The study searches for the common denominators and the glaring differences of opinions amongst those utilising the town's recreation facilities. In so doing, the study attempts to describe the details about the profile which, in some cases, are seen by one group but hidden from the other groups. This study is based on the perceptions of these four groups of recreators towards existing recreation facilities in the town of Mtunzini. These groups are: - local blacks - visiting blacks - local whites and - visiting whites. The purpose of the study is to identify and explain these perceptions in order to facilitate planning of future recreation facilities in Mtunzini. This aim will be partially accomplished by: a) Taking a brief look at Africanist and Western recreation philosophies, b) examining the perceptions of 85 respondents and c) examining the management policies of those managing Mtunzini's recreation facilities at present.
Land - use changes in Eshowe 1970 - 1990
(University of Zululand, 1992) Ndosi Cele, Musa P; Mulder, G.J.; Magi, L.M.
The main points underlying the purpose of the study can best be summarized in the following statements : (a) to appreciate the land-use changes in Eshowe and identify the main zones within the area; (b) to reveal the extent of development* which may have occurred within the stipulated time frame (1970 - 1990) ; (c) to identify the relative areas contributing to the different land uses and the changes that have occurred through time; ( d) t o study and disclose how the standard of living has influenced certain land-use changes ; and (e) to show that the character , problems and processes are typical of small town environments .
The creation and development of black townships with special reference to Lamontville Township
(University of Zululand, 1993) Dlungwane, Alison Selby Methenjwa; Makhanya, E. M.
The primary objectives of the project are to cover the following aspects: 1.1 The facts, policies, processes or phenomena and the like which attributes to the emergence and development of Black townships in South Africa, particularly Lamontville. 1.2 The geographical zoning problem as it is opposed to solution. 1.3 The aspiration and attitudes of Black people with regard to township creation and development. 1.4 The existing relationship between a shanty town and township. 1.5 The housing problem prior to emergence of Black townships. and after the 1.6 To show how the policy and practice of urban segregation, control and apartheid have evolved and affected Blacks in townships.
A study of the garbage pickers within the Port Shepstone disposal site
(1994) Naidoo, Jay S. G.; Makhanya, E.M.
The aim of this study is to investigate the socio-economic status of the garbage picker and the nature of the garbage picking activity. The majority of the pickers were found to be housed in the nearby informal settlements and had an earning potential that was far below the Poverty Datum Line. The investigation highlights this poverty and exposes the exploitation in terms of the resale of recuperated items. The items served many purposes and includes the provision of building material for "shacks".
The manifestation of apartheid legacy on housing within the Durban metropolitan region, a case of Kwa-Mashu Township
(1994) Manzi, Jabulani Russell; Makhanya, E.M.
The shortage of housing is an international crisis. It is envisaged in both Third and First World countries. The impact brought about by this crisis is more pronounced in 3rd World and in the South African situation the gravity of the effects is aggravated by the policies of apartheid. Studies of housing, particularly in Third World countries, generally focus on the problems facing low income house holds. South Africa, which is economically fast growing, has the characteristics of both First and Third Worlds. Through the process of industrialization, housing has become an area of major concern. The South African arena needs to be viewed in its proper perspective because of its uniqueness. In South Africa not only is there a high positive correlation between income and race but the legislative framework, administrative procedures and financial pOlicies applicable to each group are different. Housing problems in other countries belong entirely to the building industries, the government is only involved by invitation. Here the situation is inverse. The government uses houses to segregate different population groups and hence a lot of funds are spent on the administration of this policy.
Housing demand and supply in Umlazi township: towards a post apartheid policy
(1995) Gumbi, Bonginkosi Burlington.; Magi, L.M.
Housing demand has been explained in this investigation as the amount of housing perceived to be required by the Umlazi populace. Housing supply is usually determined by the rate of demand, which in many instances supersedes supply. In an ideal situation, a standing post-apartheid housing policy should see to it that all residents of South Africa are supplied with conventional housing, in particular those that are poor. In general, this research inquiry adopted and emphasised the Marxist conceptual framework or approach as its point of departure. This theoretical framework is taken up with an expectation that it would be the most suitable tool for critiquing apartheid capitalism, which has been regarded as the main cause of unequal resource distribution in South Africa. The resulting inequalities have affected the people of Umlazi in their search for housing. The main objectives of this study were: (a) To discover the underlying patterns and causes of the housing crisis in Umlazi. (b) To highlight the extent of housing demand and supply in the township, (c) To suggest strategies that would help improve the quality of spatially related lifestyles of the Umlazi residents, (d) To contribute towards formulating a viable post-apartheid housing policy. Some hypotheses related to the above stated objectives were formulated and discussed. The methods used for collecting data were mainly based on non-probability sampling techniques, in which 152 households were used. These were divided into four income classes: the upper middle; the lower middle; the upper working; and the lower working classes. Other sectors that were interviewed were the squatter settlement dwellers and the housing governmental authorities. The analysis of data was accomplished by using statistical techniques that were computer based. Personal computer based programmes such as the as Lotus 123 and Harvard Graphics were used to generate graphs and frequency tables from the data collected. This research study came up with various findings, the most important of which were that poverty was a creation of apartheid and in turn related to the problems in housing at Umlazi. Moreover, unemployment and underemployment were imbalances which affected Umlazi inhabitants and therefore affected their search for housing. Overpopulation within Umlazi was seen as the results of apartheid and showed itself in spatial adversities such as squatting, lack of infrastructure, and over-priced land. An important finding was that the state should be the major provider of housing, with the private sector and other players taking a supporting role. With varied support from related literature, the broad conclusions which emerged from the study were that: (a) Equalisation of land acquisition and wealth (around employment and resource ownership) could go a long way in addressing the inequalities engendered by apartheid, (b) The state should be the key player in putting together a new housing policy for Umlazi. Other stakeholders such as the private sector, the international community, NGOs, housing experts and the people on the ground should be involved in the formulation of the policy. Finally, this research investigation revealed and concluded that political intolerance and violence in the study area has to be curbed in order to advance housing management and supply.
Blacks and the coast: current demands and future aspirations for coastal recreation in the KwaZulu-Natal north coast
(1995) Mwandla, Ndodentsha Daniel; Magi, L.M.
The repeal of the Separate Amenities Act, accompanied by general rise in standard of living among Blacks, greater mobility of people, and the demand for outdoor recreation have brought about the renewed influx of Blacks to seaside or coastal recreation areas. It is, therefore, in this light that this research is undertaken. The focus of the research is on both developed and undeveloped coastal resources whereby recreation needs and aspirations of Black recreators are identified with an aim of providing basic knowledge for future planning, management and development of coastal recreation resources. The reseach problem is formulated within the framework of a demand-and-supply model. It involves the use of coastal recreation resources and facilities by Blacks in KwaZulu-Natal north-coastal region to satisfy their recreation needs. Answers are sought to the following questions: How many people participate in coastal recreation areas and what kind of recreation areas are visited? What is the nature of people who visit coastal locations on recreation trips? What particular characteristics of trips are undertaken by Black recreators? What distances are involved and what is the frequency and duration of visits relating to recreation areas? What characteristic personal and social traits are associated with particular types of participants and non-participants in recreation? Where are the most important recreation resources located and what facilities are offered there? What potential does the region have for future development of recreation? What is the likely role of the coast and seaside in future years? The data was gathered by means of a questionnaire applied to 402 respondents of the Black household population in the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Intuitive and discriminant analytical procedures were used to distinguish characteristics of the outdoor recreation resource potential. The analysis incorporates a variety of statistical and graphical techniques. The most important findings of the enquiry are the following: A relatively large percentage of Blacks (68%) do not visit the beach or sea. Walking (35% of the respondents) is the main means of getting to the sea. The majority of people (82%) show a tendency to dislike visiting undeveloped beaches. Data reveals that swimming (48%) seems the most popular recreation activity as against sophisticated activities like boating, caravanning and fishing. The most preferred accommodation by Blacks when undertaking recreation journeys is the hotel (63.7%) as against hutted camps (8.5%). Richards Bay beach, locally known as Alkantstrand, is the most popular recreation area (41.2%) in the study area. Recreation activities demanding no or less expensive equipment are mostly favoured by Blacks. These activities comprise inter alia swimming, relaxing and walking. On the other hand money-demanding recreation activities such as canoeing, sailing, row-boating, water-skiing and motor-boating, are shunned upon. The final considerations or recommendations in the study are that the coastal recreation resource needs proper infrastructure to handle the imminent mass recreation or tourism; the natural recreation bases should be conserved or ecotourism should be practised; and the indigenous populace be included in the development, management and utilization of the coastal recreation resource.
Spatial estimation of future temperature changes over Africa
(1995) Mkhonza, Wiseman Sinothi.; Kelbe, B.E.; Magi, L.M.
Climate has been changing since time immemorial. However, these long-term changes are very important because of some of the consequences to mankind. Because the changes are small ones in relation to daily experiences, many people find it difficult to perceive and accept these changes. This might cause doubts in the minds of many people in the proclaimed global warming which now occupies numerous agenda of institutions and organisations concerned with the future planning and management of our planet. The first chapters of this thesis review the theories of climate change and attempts to determine temperature change predictions specifically for Africa. This study neither proclaims nor disclaims this notion of global warming. Instead, it restricts itself to estimating the spatio-temporal patterns of temperature changes for Africa from an observational perspective. Analysis of recognised records of annual surface air temperature for numerous weather stations in Africa were obtained and used to derive models of the station temperature changes over the past four decades. These models were used to predict temperature changes up to the year 2000. The individual station predictions were used to derive spatial estimates of temperature change using the IDRISI - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provided by the Clarke University through the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP): Global Change Database Project (GCDP): Pilot Project for Africa. The spatial extent of temperature changes was derived using Theissen polygon approximation. The derived models of climatic temperature change for various stations indicated that 58% of the African main land will not experience temperature change greater than half of a degree(-0.45° to 0.45°C) by the year 2000. There was an even spread (52% and 48%) of the stations showing decreasing and increasing temperature trends, respectively. However, 30% of all the stations showed large increasing (0.46° to 2.45°C) temperatures, while fewer stations (12%) showed decreasing (-3.02° to -0.46°C) temperatures. The spatiai pattern of temperature changes were derived and an attempt was made to compare features of the climate with specific patterns of temperature change. The North-west and Zaire Air Boundaries, which are zones of moisture discontinuity during the month of July, were compared to regional patterns of increasing temperature trends. Attempts to relate predicted temperature changes with rainfall and monthly temperatures showed no significant correlation. Stations with short records and large cyclic variability tend to produce unstable models and the implications of these trends were discussed.
Migration into Margate : a geographical analysis
(1996) Ngwabi, Good-Enough Thembinkosi; Makhanya, E.M.
During the pre-and post election periods large number of African families from the townships and (to a large extent) rural areas migrated to multi-racial suburbs. Usually, this tends to create tension and stress in the society of their places o£ destination - This study concentrates on the place ox origin and why they chose this destination (Margate) The research as such will serve as a guide to Margate Town Board for future development.
The political and economic struggles of the Indian sugar cane farmers of the Sezela mill area
(1996) Padayachee, Karthigasen Kisten; Makhanya, E. M.
This research project will attempt to trace the political and economic struggles of the Indian sugar cane farmers in the South Coast of KwaZuluNatal, with special reference to the Sezela area. An attempt would also be made, by examining present trends in the agricultural sector. of what the future holds for the South African Indian sugarcane farmer.
The relationship between poverty and rural land use in Nongoma
(University of Zululand, 1996) Mpanza, Simon Mbongeleni; Makhanya, E.M.
Nongoma is characterised by a rugged terrain with soils that are unsuitable for agriculture. The rainfall is insufficient and erratic, and the average temperatures are relatively high. There is scanty natural vegetation. For agriculture to thrive under these circumstances would require extensive irrigation. Nongoma is inhabited by an ethnically homogeneous, traditional, conservative and patriarchal Zulu population. There is a preponderance of young people below the age of 18 years, which is associated with a high fertility rate. The economically active population is only 34.6 percent of the total population. Of this economically active population, about 55,5 percent consists of females. The number of potentially active full-time peasant fanners is small compared to the total population, and the dependency rate is high. There is a high unemployment rate in Nongoma and many of the young males eam money through migrant labour. Within Nongoma the cash resources of most peasants are derived from meagre resources such as remittances, pensions, welfare payments, and petty commodity production. Such income is usually insufficient for household subsistence. The present pattern of rural land use among the peasants in Nongoma resulted partly from . the land and agricultural policies of the colonial and post-colonial governments. The two major farming systems identified among the peasants are crop raising and livestock grazing. Due to ecological and socio-economic constraints production in both these farming systems is at subsistence level. The main hypotheses on which this dissertation is based are that there is poverty in Nongoina, and that this poverty is directly related to the failure of agriculture to provide a livelihood for the inhabitants. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between poverty and agricultural land use in Nongoma. The objectives being to determine causal relationships between poverty and agricultural land use. The dissertation is written on the knowledge that there are differences in the conceptualisation of poverty. On the examination of peasant agriculture it was found that there were high population densities among the peasant areas in Nongoma. The average population density on arable land was about 26 people per ha of arable land, and the average size of land per peasant homestead was only 0,4 ha. When considering that the peasants do not have access to irrigation in this arid land, and considering that the major crop produced on this land was maize, a low yielding staple and field crop, it was evident that there was insufficient food produced from agriculture by each homestead. Peasant agricultural activities in Nongoma contribute only a small fraction to household income. The failure of agriculture to provide a living for the peasants has resulted in general poverty. The survival strategy of the peasants lies in cash income from diverse sources such as migrant remittances and petty commodity production. It has been found that there was social differentiation among the peasants in Nongoma, and that it was folly to treat them as a homogeneous group for research purposes. Although their level of well-being differs according to their differing levels of access to land and off-farm income, it is evident that there is general poverty among the peasants,

Browse

Browsing Geography and Environmental Studies by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options