Browsing by Subject "Human Geography"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    The neo-liberalisation of nature : contextualising the resolution of land claims in the Kruger National Park
    (2014) Shabangu, Medupi; Ramutsindela, Maano
    The history of the nature conservation in South Africa’s protected areas is marked by the unfortunate reality of forced removals and land dispossession. Ultimately landlessness created an unequal society in terms of land holding, use and ownership. Nature conservation was also not spared. The land reform program in South Africa more especially the land restitution in the Kruger National Park re-defined the relationship between nature and society. However, such redefinition of nature and society takes place at the confluence of neo-liberalisation of nature and neoliberal land reform. The thesis provides insight into variants of neo-liberalism which point to ways in which nature conservation is increasingly being incorporated into market conditions and ideals. In the case of South Africa, the neo-liberalisation of nature takes place through a market-based approach to land reform. This brings together two threads of neo-liberalism, namely, the neo-liberalisation of nature and neo-liberal land reform. The study focuses on the land restoration debate which revolves around whether it is feasible to restore all land that was lost as a result of apartheid’s discriminatory practices; the appropriate method for achieving an equitable land restitution; and the method by which such restitution can be achieved with due consideration to all other national imperatives and long term goals.
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    The role of street committees in the governance of informal settlements : a case study from Waterworks Township, Grabouw
    (2009) Mngqibisa, Ncedo Ivan Ntsasa; Daya, Shari; Winter, Kevin
    Community participation has become a key concept in research on the development and governance of underprivileged communities. It is on these grounds that the post-apartheid South African government has encouraged meaningful participation between local communities and the state, particularly through structures of local government. However, the role that street committees can play in the realisation of this ideal has received little attention from either government or academic scholars. For this reason, this study examines the role that the street committee in Waterworks, Grabouw, in the Western Cape plays in community governance. It analyses data from a qualitative study which took place between 2007 and 2008. In this thesis I argue that while the street committee has a role to play in the governance of the community, that role is limited by their lack of power. The street committee is not a statutory body and this hinders their ability to participate in local government issues. Despite these restrictions, the street committee in Waterworks was largely perceived by the local residents as doing their best in addressing pertinent issues. However, there were some who accused members of the street committee of nepotism and seeking political patronage.
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    Urban agriculture and the youth: The youth's responses to urban agriculture projects in both the Du Noon and Joe Slovo Park townships (Milnerton)
    (2013) Szewczyk, Joanna; Battersby-Lennard, Jane
    Urban agriculture has been advocated by NGOs and development agencies as being a food security strategy, and an effective poverty alleviation measure. This view is reflected within the City of Cape Town, as the City's 2007 Urban Agriculture Policy illustrates. Since the initiation of the Policy, many urban agriculture projects have been established by the local government in the low income areas of Cape Town. The urban agriculture projects set up in the townships of Du Noon and Joe Slovo Park are two of the projects established by the city. While these projects have provided primary livelihoods for some participants, the City has expressed concern regarding the age demographic of this practice, as a lack of youth involvement is noticed. Academic literature within this discourse highlights a gap in knowledge concerning the urban youth, and this increases the importance of understanding why the younger generation is hesitant to partake in this activity. The main aim of the study is to explore two City established urban agriculture projects, one in which youth involvement is visible, whilst in the other it is not. The study interrogates whether there are any barriers which could prevent the youth from participating within this activity. The City of Cape Town's Urban Agriculture Policy and projects were examined in order to explore how they engage with urban agriculture, and in turn how they understand the youth and their lived experience. In addition, the existing urban farmers' perceptions of the youth were examined in order to explore what role these perceptions play in youth involvement. Lastly, the study narrowed its focus onto the youth themselves in an attempt to understand their own opinions of urban agriculture, and explore what underlies these perceptions.