Investigating the socio-economic impacts of and community perceptions towards lightning storms and lightning fatalities in uMkhanyakude District Municipality
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Date
2022
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Abstract
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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Masters in Arts In the field of Geography and Environmental Studies Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Faculty of Science and Agriculture.