Geography and Environmental Studies

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    An intersectional analysis of the collective efficacy-drought adaptation nexus by small-scale farmers in uMkhanyakude District Municipality, South Africa
    (2024-10-18) Mzimela, Jabulile H; Moyo, I
    Exploring the collective efficacy-adaptation nexus is urgent given the unprecedented climate change – a phenomenon that has negatively impacted and continues to impact societies and economies. Although existing research has documented the positive association between collective efficacy and climate-related hazards, a considerable gap remains in understanding this relationship in the South African context. Yet collective efficacy and adaptation research in African countries is imperative considering their collectivistic culture, high vulnerability, and low adaptive capacity. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyse the collective efficacy–agricultural drought adaptation nexus by small-scale farmers in uMkhanyakude District Municipality (UKDM), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The specific objectives of the study are to (a) map and quantify agricultural droughts in UKDM; (b) analyse how small-scale farmers in UKDM explain, experience, and adapt (including drawing on indigenous knowledge system) to agricultural drought; (c) assess the influence of drought on small-scale farmers' perceptions of collective efficacy and adaptation to drought in UKDM; (d) analyse the role of local governance in small-scale agricultural drought adaptation in UKDM; and (e) propose a framework to guide an intersectional collective efficacy-agricultural drought adaptation response. To achieve these objectives, a mixed methods approach was employed, drawing theoretical insights from the Protection Motivation Theory, Actor-Network Theory, and an intersectional Feminist Political Ecology perspective. The quantitative component of the study utilised remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems and Python for mapping drought conditions, complemented by a household questionnaire survey that yielded 384 responses from small-scale farmers. These responses were analysed using Microsoft Excel and Python. For the qualitative aspect, data collection included a key informant interview, observation, and document review. This data was then subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. The research findings, first, elucidate the spatio-temporal variability of drought within the UKDM. The results reveal pronounced seasonal fluctuations in VHI and identifies significant historical drought episodes, notably during 2002-2004 and 2015-2016, which correlate with El Niño events. Second, while adversely impacted by agricultural drought, small-scale farmers in the district proactively employ Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in their adaptation measures. This active reliance on IKS challenges conventional Eurocentric paradigms and offers culturally nuanced and efficacious methods for adaptation. However, the potential of IKS have mainly been marginalised in contemporary climate policy discourse, underscoring the need for re-evaluation and inclusion in policy and programmes. Third, the study illuminates the crucial role of collective efficacy in enabling the broader acceptance and integration of IKS, as evidenced by the practices of small-scale farmers in the district. Fourth, the application of IKS provides a pathway for decolonising adaptation approaches, thereby subverting traditional power dynamics and facilitating the development of culturally appropriate and effective adaptation measures. Fifth, the crucial role of local governance in aiding small-scale farmers in adapting to agricultural drought in the district needs to be enhanced. Sixth, the study proposes a framework that could guide an intersectional approach to collective efficacy and agricultural drought adaptation. These findings have implications for policy and practice, offering actionable insights for various stakeholders involved in climate adaptation and governance. This study presents potential areas for further research. These include: the exploration of inter-organisational CE for efficacious adaptation and the analysis of customary land tenure reforms and their contribution to more inclusive and effective adaptation strategies while simultaneously safeguarding gender rights and indigenous knowledge.
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    An assessment of environmental conservation and community participation processes in the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality
    (University of Zululand, 2025) Akpagu, Chukwudi Francis; Moyo, I.
    Environmental conservation practices, processes, and strategies are an active area of scholarly research. This is the context within which this study assessed environmental conservation and community participation processes in the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to: a) examine the environmental conservation practices and community participation processes adopted by the communities in the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality; b) examine the factors influencing community members‘ participation in environmental conservation in the study area, c) analyse the benefits of community members‘ participation in environmental conservation processes in the study area and d) explore community members‘ perception of land ownership and how this influences the environmental conservation processes. A mixed-methods approach was followed to achieve these objectives involving quantitative and qualitative approaches. It utilised questionnaire surveys and later involved interviews with selected research respondents. Qualitative data was analysed following a thematic approach while quantitative was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings of this thesis indicate that residents were knowledgeable about the value of participating in environmental conservation, and their motivation for involvement emanated from the zeal to protect natural heritage and the progression of indigenous knowledge on conservation and were conversant with the monitoring of wildlife and plant conservation. Their perceptions of benefits showed mixed feelings; mostly on the scarcity of alternative sustainable livelihoods provided to augment forest/land resources acquired for conservation, and the issues of combating invasive plant species (water hyacinth) and seasonal flooding due to climate change. They indicated patriarchy as a factor in disfranchising women in socio-economic activities around the protected areas. Their apparent land ownership views indicated community-based ownership, with traditional leaders rather than the royal house or government overseeing land management. These outcomes debunked the trusteeship issues around the study areas, thus, the Common Property and Institutional Choice theories are not practically viable, as community members alleged minimal or non-existent involvement in communal land/forest planning, strategies, and processes in environmental conservation. The recommendations include quality education and financing, utilisation of ecofeminism in curbing socioeconomic aspects of community participation, and consideration in mapping out conservation planning and strategies.
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    Development planning and integration of migration in the city of uMhlathuze, South Africa
    (University of Zululand, 2024) Sibiya, Lindokuhle Denis; Moyo, I.
    Migration, as a global phenomenon, affects municipalities not only in South Africa but across the globe. Therefore, it must be factored into municipal policy, planning and budget processes. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the extent to which municipal development planning integrated migration at uMhlathuze municipality, Northeast of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to (a) identify the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in sustainable development planning at a municipal level, (b) analyse migration trends within the municipality since 2001, (c) assess the inclusion of migration in sustainable development planning in the municipality, and (d) propose a comprehensive framework for migration and sustainable development planning in the municipality. The study employed the interpretivist research paradigm because it was deemed the most suitable for assisting the researcher in delving into the process of municipal planning. In light of this, the study adopted a qualitative research approach in the form of interviews with the key stakeholders and an extensive document review of municipal strategic plans. The findings of the study indicated that despite the number of migrants increasing in the municipality and the various stakeholders involved, migration was not integrated into municipal development planning. Reasons for this exclusion include the negative attitudes and perspectives of stakeholders towards migration. Some stakeholders believed that the management and planning for migration is not the competence of the local government but that of provincial and national governments. Another reason was the unavailability of up-to-date data about the migrant population mostly undocumented ones. Overall, the municipality has displayed a blinkered attitude towards the importance of integrating migration into existing or new municipal development plans for many years which has and continues to yield undesired consequences like social fragmentation, economic exclusion, and poor planning. Based on these findings, the study proposed a framework to assist in addressing migration-related issues while enhancing the positive contribution of migration to sustainable development in local municipalities. This framework describes various strategies that municipalities could implement to ensure that migrants are integrated into development planning as well as the expected outcomes. Some of the proposed strategies include the provision of educational initiatives, a multi-governmental approach to migration management and strengthening communication mechanisms among the stakeholders involved in municipal development planning. This study suggested that without the integration of migration into municipal planning, sustainable development goals cannot be achieved. Based on all this, the contribution of the study to the discipline of Geography is a different perspective and narrowing of the gap in the literature about the migration-sustainable development nexus at the municipal level where there was a dearth. __________________________________________________________________________
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    Investigating the socio-economic impacts of and community perceptions towards lightning storms and lightning fatalities in uMkhanyakude District Municipality
    (2022) Mthethwa, Nokuphila
    Over the years there have been more and more reports of lightning fatalities in South Africa, with the uMkhanyakude District Municipality being affected the most. Therefore, this study investigates the socio-economic impacts of lightning in selected areas in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. The specific objectives of the study are to; (a) map the fatal lightning strike hot spots in the study area; (b) assess the socio economic and cultural impacts of lightning strikes in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality; (c) explore the perceptions of the community in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality towards lightning strikes; (d) analyse the community’s response to the lightning strikes in the study area and (e) evaluate the response of the government towards the fatal lightning strikes in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. To achieve these objectives, this study followed a qualitative research methodology in the form of qualitative interviews with municipal officials and the rural communities’ members in 5 local municipalities in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. The data was analysed by following strategies of qualitative data analysis. The findings show that lightning has several socio-economic impacts and that people lack adequate and accurate information regarding lightning. The study recommends sustained knowledge dissemination to rural communities about lightning and how it can be prevented.
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    Assessing the socio-economic impacts of rural-urban migration on KwaNokweja, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
    (2022) Lunika, Buhle Adorable
    This study aims to assess the socio-economic impacts of rural-urban migration in KwaNokweja, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The specific objectives of the study are to (a) analyse the causes of rural-urban migration in KwaNokweja, (b) assess the socio-economic impacts of rural-urban migration with a focus on poverty, agricultural production, and education in KwaNokweja and the implication of the COVID-19 pandemic on these, (c) explore the perception of residents in KwaNokweja towards rural-urban migration, and (d) evaluate the local municipality’s responses to the consequences of rural-urban migration in KwaNokweja. A mixed research methodology was adopted to address these objectives. In the qualitative part of the study, interviews were conducted with the relevant authorities including traditional authorities, municipal officers, and the ward councillor. For the quantitative dimension of the study, questionnaires were administered to community members from KwaNokweja. A thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data whereas SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data and generate descriptive statistics. The findings of this study confirm that migration is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that is influenced by a multitude of factors. In terms of the socio economic development impacts, it was found that migration has positive impacts in terms of remittances which enhanced the livelihoods of people in KwaNokweja. The study found that households which received remittances were able to afford to spend more on food, household needs, and education and had more assets than their non receiving counterparts. This implies that migration plays a significant role in enhancing food security and reducing poverty in KwaNokweja. As a result, most of the participants in this study noted that they were in support of migration to urban areas because it improves their socio-economic livelihoods. Most people in KwaNokweja view migration as a route out of poverty, and a positive livelihood strategy. However, some people expressed that they discourage the migration of people from KwaNokweja to urban areas due to several factors including among others, negative experiences, the abandonment of elders and belongings, and the transfer of skills to enhance the development of urban areas at the expense of rural areas. As a result, Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality has devised several strategies aimed at promoting rural development and discouraging the migration of communities from the municipal’s jurisdiction to urban areas. Based on these findings, this study recommends that the xii focus should be on job creation and encouraging entrepreneurship through agriculture, skills development training and investments in small businesses. This will not only decrease dependence on remittances, but it will encourage people to generate their own income, disincentivize migration, promote job creation, attract investments, and enhance local economic development.
University of Zululand