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Nexus between coping strategies and households' agricultural drought resilience to food insecurity in South Africa
No full textFarmers in Africa, including those in South Africa, rely on rain-fed agriculture, which exposes them to the risks of agricultural drought. Agricultural drought has become a major threat to agricultural production, including the extreme mortality of livestock in recent years, thus negatively impacting household food security. Hence, this paper is aimed at (i) assessing the coping strategies employed by smallholding livestock-farming households during food insecurity shocks, and (ii) assessing the relationship between coping strategies and agricultural drought resilience to food insecurity in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Interviews, more specifically survey interviews, were conducted with 217 smallholder livestock farmers. The data was analyzed using the agricultural drought resilience index (ADRI), the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), and structural equation modeling. Smallholder livestock farming households utilized various coping strategies, ranging from selling livestock (21%) to leasing out their farms (1%). The coping strategies of farming households included using alternative land (20%), storing food (20%), requesting feed for their animals (16%), searching for alternative employment (6%), migrating (6%), raising drought-tolerant breeds (5%), receiving relief grants (3%) and using savings and investments (2%). A statistically significant relationship between coping strategies and agricultural drought resilience to food insecurity means that these strategies have important policy implications. Implementing strategies that encourage households to protect their livelihood and utilize their assets (selling livestock) to increase their resilience is crucial for reducing food insecurity and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end hunger and poverty.Publisher's versio
The role of socio-economic development projects by renewable energy companies in the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, Upington, in the Northern Cape Province
No full textDissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2022This study examines the socio-economic and economic development undertaken by renewable energy projects under the REIPP programme in Upington, in the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (DKLM) in South Africa. The researcher analysed secondary data and applied a qualitative methodology. The semi-structured key informants' interviews and focus groups were used when collecting the data. The research participants, who were mostly community members, detailed their views and experiences of how the renewable energy sector affects their daily lives through the projects they have in their vicinity. This study revealed significant changes in renewable energy South African policies and strategies from the White Paper on Renewable Energy, promulgated in 2003, up to the REIPPP programme established in 2011. The REIPPP programme is a government-led procurement programme that aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid by procuring energy from IPPs, especially now that the country is faced with energy insecurity challenges. The study continued in discussing participants' views about renewable energy projects. For decades it has been a known fact that renewable energy addresses the ever-growing demand for electricity while addressing climate change issues. In particular, both off-grid technologies and large-scale utility projects offer great potential for both rich and poor communities. Also, it contributes to economic development criteria, which includes local job creation, local ownership, social and economic development. However, community members raised concerns in relation to job creation, environmental impacts and socio-economic challenges. Some of the views are that there is limited job creation for local communities, there are negative environmental impacts and there are also negative consequences in relation to socio-economic aspects in host towns. In mitigating the adverse effects raised by community members, the study recommends that projects must have community acceptance and support from all stakeholders, including local municipalities. All host communities must be engaged, there must be a proper consultation, and all members must be aware of the positive effects and negative effects of projects. In relation to socio-economic issues, renewable energy companies need to fund and implement related projects that will address community needs and the negative consequences emanating from project implementation. It is therefore recommended for local communities to be vested in the long-term presence and success of renewable energy projects and also acceptance, and they need to see tangible and authentic benefit sharing from the projects. They need to be involved in all project stages
First-year students’ experiences of adjusting to university: a self-compassion approach
No full textDespite the high access rate at universities, the number of South African first-year students who discontinue their studies is a cause of concern. Thus, it is important to explore the possible reasons behind the high discontinuation rate among first-year university students and investigate ways to support their adjustment to university. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore first-year students’ experiences of adjusting to university with specific reference to the challenges they faced during their first year. Their experiences of self-compassion as a possible mechanism to facilitate their adjustment to university were also investigated. An exploratory and descriptive design was utilised to gain a deeper understanding of the participants’ experiences. Qualitative data were collected from 12 students, who registered for the first time at a local university during 2019. They were recruited through purposive sampling and invited to participate in two rounds of semi-structured interviews. Twelve students participated in the first round in the first semester, and nine in the second round in the second semester. As part of the interview process, participants were provided with a vignette that served as a prompt. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Three main themes with two subthemes each emerged from the data analysis: (1) exercising agency as part of the adjustment process; (2) tensions in students’ experiences of self-compassion; and (3) the processes of self-compassion within student experiences. The subthemes that were identified related to the effects of agency on experiences of hope and helplessness, the role of self-compassion in exercising personal responsibility, students’ contradictory experiences of self-compassion, the role of self-compassion when engaging in upward social comparison, the twin process of the yin and yang of self-compassion in adjusting to university, and the reciprocal relationship between social support and selfcompassion. As most studies to date have been quantitative in nature, the findings of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge of self-compassion by describing how students practised and experienced self-compassion while adjusting to university. Insights gained from this research might have important implications for university intervention programmes focused on first-year students as self-compassion was found to contribute to successful adjustment to university
Exploring challenges faced by SMMEs in the construction industry in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality of the Free State Province
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2022Since the democratic dispensation, the Small, Medium, and Macro-enterprises (SMMEs) have witnessed significant support from the government, which was not available before 1994. The entrepreneurial support and contribution to the development of emerging businesses were informed by the identified roles these businesses played in a country's economy. The promulgation of the White Paper on National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Small Business in South Africa (1995) contributed to this transformation, which the government saw, fit since millions of citizens live in poverty due to unemployment. In this regard, small businesses, mainly those regarded as SMMEs, play a pivotal role in the mission to address challenges faced by South Africa in absorbing labour, and expanding the economy by penetrating new markets through innovation and creativity. SMMEs are needed to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and equity in South Africa. Small enterprise development in South Africa is envisioned as an engine of employment growth through creating jobs. However, the SMMEs in the construction industry, particularly those in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, is still faced with significant growth challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore growth challenges faced by SMMEs in the construction industry in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality of the Free State Province so that the appropriate strategies can be provided to enhance the performance of these SMMEs as far as growth is concerned. This research followed a quantitative research approach. A self-administered questionnaire (open-ended) was developed to understand these challenges that affect SMMEs in the construction industry. In developing the questionnaire, the supervisors guided the whole process of developing the research instruments, and the Cronbach Alpha test was used to test the reliability and validity of the statements. The approved questionnaires were distributed to 154 participants, all of them SMMEs owners. These participants were selected purposively, which resulted in a 100% response rate. This study found that 55% of SMMEs in the construction industry show some progress, compared to 45% of those still struggling to show good profit margins or grow in the construction industry. Some reasons are linked to this challenge, such as the unavailability of policies guiding SMMEs to operate sustainably lack of access to government financial support. Moreover, this study found that macro-environmental factors such as crime, corruption, inflation, interest, and labour regulations contribute to the slow growth of SMMEs in the construction industry. Furthermore, this research found that the lack of managerial skills (72%), a skilled labour force (72%), acceptance of technology (69%), acquisition of marketing skills (66%), access to finance (64%), and networking and convenient location (63%) have the most significant impact. Therefore, these factors are needed to reduce the impact of the challenges facing SMMEs in the construction industry. This study found that factors such as tendering process are among the factors contributing to the failures of emerging SMMEs in the construction industry (68.2%). On the other hand, a lack of cash flow (47.4%), lack of financial management knowledge (50.6%), lack of communication (29.9%), an increase in equipment factor lease prices (48.7%), and an increase in the cost of skilled labour (49.4%) in the industry are also seen as contributing factors.
From these findings, this study recommends key strategies to mitigate the challenges faced by SMME companies in the construction industry in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State Province. Small to medium enterprises should employ advanced technologies to improve their operations. Technologies offer various benefits to quality and market-related problems. Technologies can also improve small businesses' profitability and sustainability. Small to medium enterprises should improve their participation in municipal incubation contractor programs to mitigate tendering irregularities. These programs can contribute significantly to the success of small businesses in the construction industry. Regarding cash flow financing, it is advised that contractors create a thorough financial plan with efficient controls based on the study's findings to assure plan compliance and prevent cross-financing of several projects. A financial strategy must be created and followed to provide adequate financial management, which will then ensure cash flow stability and, as a result, improve project performance. Given the role of government as stipulated in the White Paper on National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Small Business in South Africa (1995), the government must develop policies and strategies to assist small to medium regional enterprises and access markets, equipment, and research and development services. The government and small businesses must work hand in hand with non-governmental organisations to improve sustainable development challenges. Policy formulation and the implementation of access to financial resources can be made easier for SMMEs through the intervention of the government and other stakeholders. Lastly, this study recommends that local authorities be mandated to create a conducive environment for SMMEs' growth, increase business support and reasonably extend tender support services to SMMEs, and improve sustainable development initiatives or policies
Historical analysis of coffee production and associated challenges in Kenya from 1893 to 2018
No full textCoffee is one of the most important export crops in Kenya, contributing about 22 per cent of the national income and is a source of livelihood for more than 700 000 households. However, despite its immense importance to the Kenyan economy, coffee exports have continued to shrink. This paper explores the introduction and upscaling production of coffee in Kenya from 1893 to 2018 and associated challenges. It assesses the role of white settlers and Kenyans in coffee production during the colonial period (1893-1962) and the post-independence period (1963-2018). This research showcases how a mismatch in policy direction at a local level and insufficient support to coffee farmers in Kenya have led to a downward trajectory of coffee production. The data was collected from secondary sources and was analysed chronologically to historicise coffee production and its associated challenges. The study concludes that the dismal performance of coffee production is partly attributable to coffee prices, marketing channels, coffee financing, coffee regulations, cost of production, management of cooperatives and processing of exported coffee. Thus, it is recommended that the Kenyan government harmonise existing policies regulating the coffee industry in terms of licensing, marketing, and making credit available to farmers.Publisher's versio
Investigation of the food security situation and food consumption patterns in Grassland Phase 4 informal settlement in Mangaung, South Africa
No full textDissertation (M.Sc.(Consumer Science))--University of the Free State, 2022The current food system must provide adequate access to nutritious food for people
in poor communities. An inadequate food system can contribute to food insecurity and
malnutrition affecting low-income households. Poverty in informal settlements
(townships) is the main cause of the lack of physical and economic access to nutritious
food. Challenges such as long distances to grocery shops, transport problems,
increased inflation rates, low incomes, unemployment, and inadequate information
about nutritious food mean that the food system needs to become more effective in
distributing adequate food. Many low-income households rely on cheap and nutrientpoor
cereals such as bread, maize flour, and rice without adding many other nutrientrich
food groups to their meals.
The objective of this study was to investigate the food security and consumption habits
of households in Grassland Phase 4 informal settlement in Mangaung. The study
looked at preparation and consumption patterns, coping strategies, access to water
sources, location of food purchases, total household income, and household transport.
Challenges in the food system prevent adequate access to food, making households
in informal settlements such as Grassland Phase 4 vulnerable to food insecurity and
poor consumption patterns.
The research design is quantitative, with a descriptive and exploratory approach. The
sample size was 300, with compensation for incomplete questionnaires. In this study,
a structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect
the required data. In this study, the software program EvaSys© was used to compile
and construct the questionnaire. The HFIAS score, HFIAP indicator, and CSI score
were used to determine the level of food insecurity. In this study, the FCS method was
used to determine dietary diversity and frequency of food groups consumed. SPSS
version 25 was used for basic descriptive statistics. The data collected were presented
as frequencies and percentages in tables and graphs for each categorical question.
Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated in this study using the
scaled data. The results of the study show that 54% of the respondent population was female, and
78.5% of the household heads were in a productive and economically active age group
of 21 to 59 years. Only 27.9% of the respondents had tertiary education. Most (73.8%)
of the respondents occupied a shack or informal dwelling. The main income of the
household came from social benefits (51.4%) and old age pensions (45.5%). The
results showed that 4.7% of the households had an income of less than R1000 per
month.
In addition, 19.4% of the households had no electricity and used a paraffin cooker to
prepare meals. Many (66.8%) of the respondents used a minibus taxi for grocery
shopping. The study found that 54.1% of households needed access to a water source
for cooking. The HFIAS score of 3.32 showed that households had a medium level of
food insecurity. The HFIAP category showed that 49.9% of households were food
insecure, of which 17.8% were severely food insecure. These households went to bed
hungry and sometimes had nothing to eat for a whole day. The CSI score of 41.8
indicates a moderate level of food insecurity. The FCS value of 31 indicates that the
status of food security in Grassland Phase 4 is borderline (acceptable). This study thus
shows that households are experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity and are
consuming only certain major food groups. This study shows that the most consumed
cereal was maize flour and the least consumed was whole grains. A process such as
nixtamalization, which increases the nutritional value of maize, is essential for
households where maize is consumed as a staple food, as maize contains little fibre
and other nutritional components
A critical investigation of state custodianship and its implications for the South African property regime
No full textThesis (Ph.D (Private Law))--University of the Free State, 2022The South African public is increasingly being exposed to political debates on state custodianship of all rural or agricultural land, particularly within the context of land reform initiatives. However, what first appeared like a surreptitious shift towards state custodianship of land on the part of some political parties is now boldly stated in the objects of the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill, 2021,¹ thereby confirming a potential sociopolitical trend towards state custodianship of land within the land reform context.² If applied to land, state custodianship would entail strict regulatory control over the natural resource, with unique features and legal implications,² which may pose challenges to the existing property regime and security of land tenure. Therefore, this thesis examines the construct of state custodianship and its application to South Africa's natural resources,⁴ its legal implications, and its application to the existing property regime, particularly to transformative land reform
Local economic development in the context of mine downscaling: the case of Orkney, North West Province, South Africa
No full textDissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2022The discovery of minerals such as gold, diamond, copper, etc. in the 1800s has set the development trajectory of South Africa on an upswing. The dawn of mining as an economic activity resulted in mass migration to areas with rich mineral deposits, which was followed by the establishment of settlements and industrialisation of the sector. Over the years, the mining sector has firmly entrenched itself as the backbone of the South African economy. The mining industry is responsible for the creation of mass job and economic opportunities across the various towns and cities that it operates in. Tied to economic opportunities, mining played a significant part in the social upliftment of communities by providing social housing, skill and empowerment programmes, recreational facilities, etc. At the height of its existence, the mining industry was a darling to the community, the government and civil society to a point that it was a prominent figure shaping the development trajectory of the state. However, as the mineral deposits and reserves started to decrease and downscaling of mining activities across various towns and cities was evident, the relationship between the mining sector and the general populace of South Africa deteriorated. This was a result of massive job losses, the emergence of social ills such as poverty, crime, and substance abuse due to the withdrawal of mine operations and related declines in economic opportunities. This study aims to explore the local economic development interventions that the various stakeholders in the Greater Orkney area have adopted to resuscitate its local economy in light of continuing mine closures. This will look at programmes, plans, actions and roles that the various stakeholders have implemented to curb the negative social and economic impacts of mine closures. The research findings will inform policy discussions and programmes relating to local economic development to mitigate the effects of mine closures
Factors associated with limited vaccine literacy: lessons learnt from COVID-19
No full textCompared to many other developed countries, South Africa has a lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations. Although not widely researched, there is evidence that vaccine literacy (VL) is positively associated with vaccination uptake. Therefore, this study aimed to assess levels of VL among the adult population in South Africa, as well as to identify factors associated with limited VL. A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was conducted during September 2021. The survey, which included the standardized Health Literacy about Vaccination in adulthood (HLVa) Scale, was widely advertised, yielding a total of 10,466 respondents. The average scores for the two HLVa sub-scales were relatively high: functional (M = 2.841, SD 0.799) and interactive-critical (M = 3.331, SD 0.559) VL. A proposed ‘limited’ VL score (score value ≤ 2.50) was observed in 40% of respondents for functional literacy and 8.2% of respondents for interactive-critical literacy. The main factors associated with limited VL included lower levels of education, lower socio-economic status, not being vaccinated against COVID-19, self-identifying as Black/African or Colored (i.e., people of mixed ethnic descent), having poorer health, and being a woman. The significant association between VL and vaccination uptake provides an impetus for policy makers such as the South African Department of Health to promote VL in the attempt to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake.Publisher's versio
The intention and continued usage of mobile banking applications in Zimbabwe
No full textDissertation (M.Com.(Business Management))--University of the Free State, 2022The increase in competition has led to the growth of the Zimbabwean banking sector through the introduction of mobile banking applications by Zimbabwean banks. Despite the growth, the rate of continued usage of mobile banking applications has been slow. The study sought to predict the intention and continued usage of mobile banking applications in Zimbabwe especially with the increase in usage of the internet as customers seek convenience and paperless banking. Such a study is critical in determining the drivers of continued usage of m-banking applications within the banking industry. Practical implications from the study assist banks to tailor make the m-banking applications to suit the different needs of their customers. The study was grounded on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, the technology acceptance model, the theory of planned behaviour model and the user experience model. Part of the empirical objectives of the study was to determine the impact of effort expectancy, social Influence, perceived enjoyment, user experience and perceived interaction on the intention to use mobile banking applications in Zimbabwe and to assess the impact of perceived risk and perceived trust on the intention to use and continued usage of mobile banking applications in Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 377 users that had used any mobile banking applications from any Zimbabwean bank in the past year. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the results and SmartPLS was used to test and assess the validity of the hypothesised relationships in the model. The study sought to test twelve hypotheses, and of the twelve hypotheses tested, nine were significant. Of the constructs tested, effort expectancy and perceived interaction had the most influence on the intention to use m-banking applications, whilst loyalty as an outcome variable was the most significant compared to electronic word-of-mouth. The results indicated that effort expectancy, perceived enjoyment and perceived interaction were empirically supported, whilst social Influence and user experience were not statistically supported. Furthermore, the results showed that customers' continued usage of mobile banking applications on electronic word-of-mouth and loyalty were statistically significant. Perceived risk on the intention and continued usage of mobile baking applications was empirically supported. Whilst, perceived trust on the continued usage of mobile banking applications was empirically supported. However, perceived trust on the intention to use mobile banking applications was not empirically supported