The provision of recreation facilities for the youth in Umlazi township a socio-spatial perspective
Loading...
Date
1998
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study has been designed to investigate the detrimental effects that may result from the minimal provision of recreation facilities for the youth in Umlazi The theme that has been addressed by the study is: "The constant growth of anti-social behaviour among the black youth in black townships is associated with the lack or neglect of provision, location and accessibility of recreation facilities and programmes in these townships'". The study, therefore, seeks to inform stake holders who provide youth recreation opportunities about the role that recreation participation plays in positively contributing to youth character building.
More than one tool has been employed in the study for the collecting the data. These tools are questionnaires, interviews, field observation and available data. For soliciting the information about the youth's recreation participation and their opinions towards the provision of recreation facilities and programmes in Umlazi, questionnaires were used (n =226). Other methods mentioned above assisted the researcher in collecting data pertaining to the Umlazi youth total population, the number of provided recreation facilities, as well as the types of recreation programmes that are found in Umlazi. The collected data were manually analyzed using the available statistical methods of analyzing data.
The operational hypotheses of the study are:
(a) The inadequate provision of recreation facilities for the youth in the Umlazi township has a negative impact on their behaviour; and
(b) The lack of recreation programmes for the youth ofUmlazi township leads to the youth neglecting the existing recreation facilities.
The study has 6 chapters. The first four chapters of the study orientates the reader about the research, its rationale and significance; the theory behind research of this nature; the history, and the present state of affairs of the provision of recreation facilities and programmes in the study area; and the detailed discussion of the methods that the study has employed in the collection and analysis of data. In chapter five the actual analysis and interpretation of data is fully treated. The last chapter, chapter six an overall summary, a conclusion and recommendations of the study are presented.
The broad findings of the research are the following:
(a) The youth like to participate in multi-faceted recreation activities but the recreation facilities and programmes in Umlazi are unavailable; and
(b) The provision of "new" recreation facilities for the youth in Umlazi must be accompanied by relevant recreation programmes. The availability of these recreation programmes will ensure the correct and constant usage of the recreation facilities.
The recommendations that are presented by the study take into consideration the following:
(a) For the provision of recreation facilities and programmes in Umlazi, a needs survey to be conducted among the youth is needed;
(b) A recreation office manned by qualified and experienced staff to see to it that youth recreation programmes that are relevant to the needs of the youth are being conducted must be established in Umlazi or in the Durban South Central Local Council.
(c) The location of recreation facilities and programmes must take into
consideration accessibility to the clientele intended to be served; and (d) Private agencies as providers of recreation opportunities and facilities must be encouraged to invest in the recreation field in Umlazi.
The study implies that the once neglected field of the youth recreation among the blacks must be re-addressed. In re-addressing this field thorough surveys need to be conducted about the clientele needs, and how these needs must be addressed using the basic economic principle of demand and supply.
Description
A dissertation of limited scope submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Center for Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, 1998.
Keywords
Recreation facilities--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Umlazi township