Journal of Social and Development Sciences

Rethinking Artisanal Mining: The Lived Experiences of Rural Artisanal Mining Communities in South Africa

Nonkululeko Melody Zondo — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:08:23 -0500

In South Africa, colonialism and apartheid have left a legacy of a gendered, racially and geographically skewed extractive industry, in which many rural communities endowed with mineral resources face severe economic hardships, marginalization, and socio-cultural disorganization resulting from, among other things, land and mineral resource dispossession. Drawing on a broader doctoral study, this paper seeks to demonstrate the heterogeneity of artisanal mining practices as a response to many calls made by various scholars that there remains a need for greater attention to the complex social, economic and environmental factors underpinning the sector, especially in the South African context. It sheds light on the contextual nature of artisanal mining practices and the lived experiences of artisanal miners in rural South Africa. The study is qualitative in nature and is based on field research that includes in-depth interviews, site observations, and oral histories. Findings indicate that the marginalization of artisanal mining practices in South Africa stems from the history of mineral resources, land dispossession and displacement of indigenous mining practices. As a result, the study highlights the need to delve deeper into the contextualized land and mineral resource struggles and gendered and racialized dynamics that contribute to the marginalization of artisanal mining practices.

Determinants of Market Outlet Choice for Smallholder Broiler Farmers in Leribe District of Lesotho

Khutlang Lekhisa, Brian Muroyiwa — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:09:05 -0500

Smallholder broiler farmers struggle to access lucrative formal markets because of low economies of scale, high transaction costs, a lack of awareness of market demand, poor production practices that are not oriented towards meeting the quality and quantity required in the market, poor infrastructure that raises transaction costs, and post-harvest losses. Therefore, this study examined the socio-economic, market and institutional factors that influence broiler farmers’ choice of market outlets in Leribe. The study adopted a random utility maximization theory and transaction cost theory to explain the farmers’ decision process regarding the choice of marketing outlet available in the study area. A total of 114 respondents for this study were selected from five villages using a two-stage sampling technique. The survey data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The MVP model results revealed that gender, vehicle ownership, stock size, contract agreement and access to extension services significantly influenced the choice of market outlets. Therefore, this study recommends the government and development partners consider interventions that will increase broiler production such as enhancing credit access, promoting contract farming, group membership and providing institutional support. The study also recommends policies that will facilitate the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve farmers’ access to the lucrative formal market outlets available in the study area. The Government of Lesotho should adopt policies that aim at linking smallholder farmers to formal markets, encouraging contract farming and facilitating the adoption of a Market Information System (MIS) to harmonize the flow of market information among exchange partners in broiler marketing.

Understanding and Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Places of Worship: A Case Study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:09:53 -0500

Gender-based violence (GBV) in places of worship is a prevalent issue in societies around the world, including KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. This study investigates the occurrence, nature, and consequences of gender-based violence (GBV) in KZN's places of worship. A quantitative research approach was used to collect data, and 2835 respondents from 11 district municipalities in KZN participated. The outcomes of this study indicate a significant incidence and knowledge of GBV in places of worship. Approximately 55.38% of respondents reported being victims of GBV in places of worship. However, most of these occurrences are carefully concealed to protect the dignity of both the church and the perpetrators. Based on these findings, this study advocates a more robust legal system to protect women and children, the closing of places of worship where abuse has been documented, and the eradication of damaging gendered norms and beliefs as ways to combat GBV. This study also suggests implementing awareness and education programs, training religious leaders and community members, establishing reporting mechanisms, offering support services, advocating for policy changes, empowering marginalized groups, and investing in additional research and monitoring. These efforts are critical for fostering safer and more supportive settings in places of worship where everyone can worship without fear of violence or prejudice.

Exploring the Factors Contributing to Low Women Participation in the Kwazulu-Natal Film Industry

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:10:30 -0500

Globally, there is a stark gender imbalance in the film industry, and this is true for the KwaZulu-Natal film industry. There is an underrepresentation of women in production and executive positions, suggesting barriers to entry that discourage women from pursuing a lucrative career in the film industry. A quantitative research approach and an online structured questionnaire were used as a guide to investigate the causes of the low representation of women in the KZN film industry. The target population for this study was 34 women in the film sector. This study offers valuable insight regarding the status of women's participation in the KZN film industry and the challenges they face in this sector. The results suggest that investors prefer males in the industry and the barriers to entry are favorable to those with financial muscle and connections which has limited women's participation in the industry. Common themes included lack of support, lack of long-term opportunities, lack of funding and limited resources, lack of strong women narratives in the film roles, nepotism, lack of connections, and sexual harassment. This study recommends that there is a need for the industry to foster more female-targeted local and international internship programs and the provision of mentorship programs that pair experienced female professionals with aspiring women in the film industry. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for the establishment of labor unions and policy formulation in the film industry to deal with issues of transformation, inclusivity, diversity, safety of women, and equality.

Apprenticeship as a Work-based Learning in Addis Ababa City Administration of Ethiopia

Yekunoamlak Alemu — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:11:04 -0500

This study aimed to examine apprenticeship from the standpoint of work-based learning and its function in skill development. Considering this, the study attempted to investigate historical settings as well as contemporary behaviors, including the potential and difficulties associated with apprenticeship. A qualitative method and quantitative data from documents were used to address this objective. Interviews were done to assess opportunities and difficulties throughout the apprenticeship. For analysis, the interview data were transcribed. To supplement this, documents and previous works on apprenticeship’s institutional, organizational (employers) and individual (apprentices) contexts were used. The approach and materials consulted were chosen depending on policy relevance and contextual appropriateness. Accordingly, research-based documents were thematically organized and analyzed. Hence, the results showed that the development of skills and work behavior was aided by apprenticeships as a route of skill transition. Because costs were matched by companies (enterprises) in this arrangement, it gave young people a chance to support themselves. However, part of the problem emanates from the traditional nature of apprenticeship, which has a low contribution to economic development. Weak linkage was also observed between vocational institutes and apprenticeship providers. Finally, policy alternatives were suggested to fill the existing deviation in the direction of school-to-work transition.