Browsing by Subject "Limpopo"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    Assessement of the progress made to give women access to land and land rights in rural areas in South Africa since 1994: focusing on the Vhembe district municipality
    (2024) Ndou, Mulweliwanga; Msomi, Zuziwe
    The paper investigates the progress that has been made when addressing women's access to land and land rights in the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo since 1994. Which allows us to critically analyze what changes have taken place in rural areas for the marginalized since the transition into democracy. As a member of the Vhembe community, I have great interest to see what democracy looks like for people who recognize both traditional leadership, which comes with customary law, and the constitution built on democracy. So, when we investigate how women interact in a community where both traditional leadership and constitutional government coexist. The paper then looks at how women negotiate the interests of the conflict between traditional leadership and constitutional government (local government). When speaking on traditional leadership, the paper has made it clear the role that traditional leaders played or should play in their community before, during and after the apartheid era. This also sees the need to look closely into what powers legislation has with the aim to ensure equality and equality in the Vhembe District Municipality for women who were seen to be marginalized and oppressed. Examining to what degree the latter is true in a state that has one of the most progressive constitution in the world. Some of these key pieces of legislations that are explored in the paper, are the Traditional Courts Bill and Communal Land Rights Act that addresses problems linked to power, land and gender in rural areas. However, overall through each legislation explored, one can see the lack of accountability on the part of traditional leaders. Much of what should be happening is not due to longevity of leaders who have been in power since 1994, and no desire to instill change that will bring on equality and equity for women and access to land because of what one describes as tradition, customs and values. However, one can see that the state recognizes the need for change as women in rural areas, especially the Vhembe District, rely on the land for their livelihood and development. As, women are taking up the responsibility as heads of households more and more, this has shown the state there needs to be progressive implementation of legislation. Thus, this paper finds that indeed women have been given rights to access land (on paper) in the area where traditional leaders still have a say however, this has also put women in a complicated position where they must speak up towards implementation of legislations. Even though one can argue that they are stuck between what customs and tradition says on the one hand, and what the law is saying about what role they should play in society on the other.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey
    (2025) Morudu, David Moraka; Saunders, Colleen; Khoza, Tshikani
    Introduction: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers face frequent exposure to traumatic incidents. Such exposure can cause vicarious trauma (VT), a psychological condition characterized by symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VT affects individuals empathetically engaged with trauma survivors, resulting in emotional, cognitive, and physical impacts that may lead to burnout. The Vicarious Trauma Scale (VTS) is a validated tool for assessing vicarious trauma. The aim of this study was to measure distress and exposure to VT, and to describe the awareness and utilisation of psychological support services (PSS), by EMS providers in Limpopo Government EMS, South Africa. Methods: A narrative review of the literature pertaining to vicarious trauma and the utilisation of psychological support services among prehospital emergency care providers is provided in Part A. Part B describes an observational cross-sectional study employed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire incorporating the VTS and Satisfaction with Work Scale in EMS personnel in Limpopo province, South Africa. Results: Of the 258 participants (mean age: 46.2 ± 5.8 years), 58.5% were male, and 77.5% were employed in clinical or operational roles. The average VTS score was 36.6 ± 8.6, with 29.8% of participants falling into the high VT category. While 82.6% reported being exposed to distressing material, only 16.3% found it challenging to cope. Job satisfaction was moderate, with a mean score of 23.4 ± 6.0, and 65.5% considered their job to be ideal. Common coping strategies included listening to music (65.5%), reading (62.8%), and participating in debriefing sessions (55.0%). However, 61.2% were not aware of available PSS, and only 11.6% had utilized them. Regression analysis indicated that being female, along with the use of alcohol and non-prescription medications, was associated with higher VTS scores, while age and job satisfaction were linked to lower scores. Conclusion: Limpopo EMS providers encounter VT, yet PSS use seems low, indicating a major gap in mental health interventions, hence the need for removal of access and utilization barriers to ensure well-being of providers and quality of patient care.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    Resilience of small-scale farmers amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: a case study of small-scale farmers in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2025) Ramarumo, Thanyani; Hamann, Ralph
    This qualitative study examines the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on small-scale farmers in Limpopo, South Africa. The closure of various market channels such as street vendors, restaurants, hotels and large social gatherings by the government left these farmers susceptible to market shocks, given their reliance on these channels. Over a span of 17 months, the study observed 21 farmers, exploring their adaptive strategies amidst the crisis. Farmer selection was based on their access to various markets: municipal markets, local informal markets, or alternative channels facilitated by intermediaries. The research underscores a pronounced correlation between market access and resilience. Farmers with market access demonstrated greater resilience compared to their counterparts lacking such access. The study further details the various coping mechanisms adopted by these farmers, including finding alternative markets, starting new businesses, changing crop patterns, and modifying their transport system. This research provides a deeper understanding of the intricate link between market access and farmer resilience, particularly for small-scale farmers facing both supply and demand disruptions. Furthermore, the study highlights that intermediaries can play a crucial role in strengthening farmers' resilience during crises. However, their effectiveness is dependent on the organisation's vision and goals. It also provides practical implications for improving market access and government response to crises. This includes government preparedness for similar future disruptions can be achieved by collaborating with the private sector to establish localised markets in rural communities. Also prioritising the development of these local markets is essential for bolstering both local food systems and farmers' resilience in the face of the shocks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Understanding the Impact of Green Violence on Ndali Village, Zimbabwe
    (2021) Konono, Tichayana; Matose, Frank
    The rise in poaching of wildlife such as the rhino and elephant in the Greater Limpopo Transboundary Park (GLTP) has led state actors to implement strict security measures to eradicate the ‘problem of poachers.' A solution to that problem has been to adopt violent measures that coerce local communities around protected areas to conform to the regulations drafted by park authorities in the name of conservation. This research investigates the different forms of violence that are produced on communities around the Gonarezhou National Park which forms part of the GLTP. The research explored how conservation practices carried out by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust impacts the lives of people around Ndali Village. The study uses the concept of green violence to highlight the violent nature of the conservation practices of protected areas. Secondly, the study uses political ecology approach to examine the relationship between villagers and the GNP in relation to the new arrangement of the management of the park and its impact on access to natural resource use. The results of the study were based on in-depth interviews carried out with a select group of participants and insights gained through informal conversations with villagers and participant observation. The findings of the study reveal that there is a sense of loss from most of the respondents particularly when it comes to the issue of accessing grazing resources and the redrawing of park boundaries that takes away parts of their communal land. The study also illustrates that in relation to accessing natural resources from the park, the villagers' use of wildlife for subsistence is not permitted and leads to prosecution when caught by park authorities. This has had a negative impact on the people of Ndali because subsistence hunting has been an important part of their lives. The restriction from hunting has seen members of the Ndali Village rely on agriculture and livestock rearing which is not improving their wellbeing because of the constant droughts in the area. The study presents evidence that while green violence may not result in direct physical violence, it takes different forms and poses risks for the people in Ndali Village who are dependent on GNP for subsistence and exposes them to indirect violence. This study contributes to debates on the impact of green violence on communities by presenting stories of how the violence manifests together with colonial dispossession.