Theses and Dissertations (Anthropology, Archaeology and Development Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/32241

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 170

Die metaalbewerkers van Phalaborwa
(University of Pretoria, 1989) Meyer, Andrie; Coertze, Roelof Dewald; Pistorius, Julius Cornelius
English: In a regional survey in an area around Loolekop which represents the central carbonatite pipe of the Palabora Igneous Complex, about fifty historical known sites were identified and divided into three groups according to the metalworking and occupational remains on these sites. Test excavations were conducted on eleven of the sites in order to gain information on the nature and extent of metalworking in the research area, viz. the Loole site complex, while the archaeological remains were also coupled with ethnohistorical evidence regarding early baPhalaborwa communities. The excavations indicated that iron and copper had been worked in different processes and with different furnaces. The working of the metals indicate certain areas of preference - although this may have been influenced by the destruction of archaeological sites due to modern mining activities. Oral tradition couples the metalworkers with different early baPhalaborwa communities, while the different groups of sites were arranged in a relative chronology aided by radiocarbon dating, historical information and the characteristics of sites.
Foragers and trade at Little Muck Shelter, middle Limpopo Valley
(University of Pretoria, 2024-07-29) Forssman, Tim; chante1999barnard@gmail.com; Barnard, Chanté
Southern African trade has primarily been examined through farmer archaeological sequences. One reason for this approach is that trade opportunities along the East African coastline, and the subsequent appearance of trade wealth in the interior, are thought to have been a factor that prompted structural changes within farmer communities. For example, in the middle Limpopo Valley trade was one of the main factors that led to the emergence of a state-level society at Mapungubwe Hill, c. AD 1220. Foragers, who were present during this period, are generally not considered participants of, or contributors to, the socio-political and economic changes that occurred on the southern African landscape. However, research at shelter sites such as Little Muck and Dzombo challenges the notion of foragers’ exclusion from the regional economy. Instead, evidence suggests an intense forager involvement in the socio-economic landscape. The presence of trade wealth at these shelters, its continued growth alongside forager occupation, and its impact on forager society remains under-developed. But recent analyses on the appearance of exotic goods, local trade goods and craft production processes at Little Muck provide a better understanding of the shelter’s resident forager community and their participation in local trade economies throughout the first millennium AD. This is associated with a notable intensification and specialisation of craft goods until around AD 900, where after the expansion of regional and international trade networks around AD 1000 coincided with a rapid decline in forager-associated sequences at the shelter. These findings also show a different use of Little Muck compared to other forager-occupied sites, particularly Dzombo, and demonstrate variable access to wealth. And while it is unclear to what extent foragers contributed to larger socio-economic structures across the landscape, it is evident that foragers, at least at Little Muck, were economically resilient and actively participating in the local market throughout the first millennium AD. Challenging doctrines surrounding foragers, particularly their exclusion from local and international economies, allows for a more nuanced, regional perspective and emphasises the role that southern Africa’s indigenous communities occupied within the broader socio-economic landscape of the first millennium AD.
Unlearning and relearning fresh produce markets : a study of the social and economic forces that shape the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Wegerif, Marc; nwamalungane@gmail.com; Malungane, Makhanana
The Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market (JFPM) is the largest fresh produce market in Africa, in terms of volume and turnover, and plays a central role in making fresh produce accessible across Gauteng and surrounding areas particularly to the urban poor through the multitudes of informal traders that source produce at the JFPM. As it is such a large and important market, it is surprising to find that there is limited literature available that unpacks actor interactions at the JFPM, giving special attention to the social and economic forces that shape it. This dissertation attempts to do so by identifying and examining how these social and economic forces at the JFPM shape the distribution of power among the actors involved, as well as the contribution of the JFPM in making food accessible in light of the state of food insecurity in South Africa. The findings are drawn from a mixed-methods approach using primary and secondary data sources collected between 2019 and 2021. This included the triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data collected. Presented here, the findings show that the functioning of the JFPM involves a complex interaction between economic and social forces within a regulatory environment that combines free market discourse with high levels of regulation that continue to be influenced by apartheid era governance arrangements, which have not changed much through the decades. Among other factors, this influence is evident in the long-term social relationships among actors of the same ethnic and cultural background. Moreover, these findings highlight the importance of the Market as a source of supply to the informal sector, the role of which is often neglected in policy and development planning in South Africa, and their role in ensuring food accessibility to the urban poor through, among other things, lower prices. At the broader level, the study suggests that there is a need for the JFPM to be transformed to better fit the changed social conditions and remain economically competitive. This can be achieved through the adoption of policies, planning, market maintenance, and regulations that are supportive of the JFPM and the nature of operation of the informal traders active in the food system. Moreover, the findings of the study show the importance of unlearning conventional economic understandings of food markets to give more attention to the people and social relations that are just as important for the function of markets and the food system. Interventions should equally consider the implication of economic and social forces on the food system.
From the Camps to Covid : an ethnographic history of Boererate amongst Afrikaans women
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12-21) McNeill, Fraser; jeanie.blackbeard@gmail.com; Blackbeard, Jeanie
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Afrikaans women in South Africa harnessed the power of Boererate not only as a healing tradition but as a living, adaptive agent with the ability to connect people and subtly reshape social dynamics. This thesis traces the roots of Boererate back to the concentration camps during the South African War, where Boer women, due to limited resources and the ban on Dutch medicines, cultivated this enduring indigenous healing practice. Utilising a comprehensive research methodology, including digital ethnography, interviews, and post-lockdown observations, this study reveals the multifaceted nature of Boererate. It acts as a connecting force, safeguarding cultural identity, and providing an alternative lens to challenge – and sometimes compliment – the dominant biomedical narrative. Beyond healing, Boererate subtly influences individuals and communities in alignment with established cultural norms. It provides a unique perspective on the living essence of indigenous knowledge systems and their role in cultural preservation and social transformation. Boererate is shown to be an active agent, uniting and dividing people across generations, promoting cultural resilience. The evidence presented suggests that as people make Boererate, it also – at least partially – makes them.
The stone tool sequence at little muck shelter, middle Limpopo valley : pre- and post-contact forager technologies
(University of Pretoria, 2023-08-31) Forssman, Tim; japentz007@gmail.com; Pentz, Justin
The Later Stone Age of the middle Limpopo Valley is known through several excavated shelters and subsequent lithic analyses. Scholars have argued that it demonstrates a series of changes that appear linked to shifts in the local peopling of the region, in particular the arrival of farmer groups. Little Muck Shelter was one of the first excavated sites in the region with preserved forager material culture and it was studied because of its proximity to Leokwe Hill, an Iron Age site, with the intention of understanding local social relations. The shelter’s occupation dates from the last centuries BC until AD 1300, with several notable changes. However, the sequence was not fully studied, contributing to the site's re-excavation in 2020. This report presents the first analysis of stone tools retrieved from this renewed interest in the site, with two primary goals in mind: first, to compare the assemblage to other assemblages around southern Africa of a similar age and assess if the site’s stone toolkit is similar to other Wilton-period assemblages, including Amadzimba and Bambata, and second, to examine change in stone tools across the contact divide. This is achieved by examining the stone tools using comparable typologies and contrasting stone tool types between different periods and across southern Africa. The study shows that although a number of similar tool types in comparable frequencies were recovered from Little Muck, the site has certain differences to other Wilton assemblages. Of interest is a change in certain tool forms that occurs in the early first millennium AD, but which are morphologically consistent with Wilton tool types, when farmer groups appear in the region. The study concludes by arguing that forager toolkits were equipped to deal with shifts in behaviour and activity patterns in the middle Limpopo Valley.
'Uchuuzi na Umachinga', street business in Dar es Salaam : challenges, problems, and prospects
(University of Pretoria, 2024-03-31) Murray-Cooke, Noeleen; brendaronald1@gmail.com; Lwakatare, Brenda
Street vending business plays a significant role in Dar es Salaam City's informal economy, providing livelihoods and local food accessibility. However, the government still views street vendors as a nuisance to the city rather than a contributor to national economic growth. This study aimed to identify the challenges, problems, and prospects of street vending in Dar es Salaam. It applied a qualitative case study method with a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study utilised purposive and snowball sampling methods to collect data from 50 street vendors at Mwenge Coca-Cola and Bunju B markets in Kinondoni Municipality, as well as seven key government and non-government informants. The study findings showed that the challenges and problems of street vending included a lack of access to credit and financial services from relevant institutions, a lack of unity and cooperation among vendors, environmental adversities, and political discord between stakeholders. The study suggests increasing training and education for capacity building and strengthening a participatory approach for street vending businesses in Dar es Salaam.
Towards financial inclusion? A study of the co-operative and digital lending models in Kenya
(University of Pretoria, 2024-01-22) Sharp, John; eric.magale@gmail.com; Magale, Eric Gwandega
Financial inclusion emerged around the mid-2000s as a developmental strategy that proposed the tailoring of financial services of different kinds to the poor as a means of tackling poverty and inequality. This thesis examines how financial inclusion plays out through the extension of credit to people in Kenya. Besides the traditional banking institutions, there are two important credit providers in Kenya, namely co-operatives and digital lenders. On the one hand, the co-operative sector has a long history in Kenya and has witnessed significant developments over the last two decades. On the other hand, digital lenders have a more recent history but have quickly grown to become significant players in the credit industry. Co-operatives in Kenya began in the colonial period with white settler farmers who brought along the model from Britain where it began. A few decades later, disenfranchised smallholder farmers under the yoke of colonialism were allowed to form co-operatives for their mutual benefit. After independence, the government fashioned co-operatives as a conservative form of African socialism which proved largely successful compared to other aggressive forms of African socialism practiced elsewhere in Africa. Co-operatives have become an enduring feature in Kenya’s credit industry, offering inexpensive loans. The genius of the co-operative model is that it dispensed with the need for collateral in favour of guarantees by co-members. Co-operatives have transformed significantly since deregulation of the sector from government control in 1997. The most significant of these changes was the emergence of financial co-operatives which are more formally known as Savings and Credit Co-operative Organizations (SACCOs) and the opening of the common bond and offering of quasi-banking services, all of which took place from the late 2000s. Notably, these changes inspired the innovation of new products and services, including digital loans, making co-operatives assume a more commercial outlook, a significant departure from their solidarity roots. Although opening of the common bond in SACCOs has led to an uptick in the number of new members, this change has attracted only members with moderate to high incomes who are able to pay the minimum share capital and make periodic savings. Fundamentally, the changes in the sector have not made SACCOs more accessible to the people at the bottom of the pyramid. Around the same time that the co-operative sector was experiencing the changes highlighted above, mobile money, M-Pesa, was invented in Kenya. M-Pesa disrupted the financial services sector dramatically, forcing commercial banks to devise ways to cater to the lower end of the market whom the banks had ignored for a long time due to their lack of productive assets and savings and unstable wages. From 2012, commercial banks and other non-bank digital lenders have stepped in to offer unsecured digital loans, leveraging on the mature mobile money market and the fledgling credit rating industry. Over the last decade, digital lending has taken different forms and has transcended industries to include non-financial corporations that previously had no role in the provision of credit. This thesis shows that there are nuances in the use of and the benefit that users derive from digital loans. For high-income borrowers and to a lesser extent moderate-income borrowers, the loans are used as a convenience tool while low-income borrowers use digital loans for their day-to-day consumption needs and emergencies. While the loans can be useful when used for convenience purposes, they become predatory when they are used by low-income borrowers. That the changes in the co-operative sector and the promotion of mobile money and its spin-offs, including digital credit, happened around the same time that financial inclusion was gaining popularity is no coincidence. Notably, the financial inclusion discourse also took shape within the context of a global shift in financialization which also affected Kenya. This shift refers to a change from organizations making money from the production of goods to the current form of capitalism where they make ‘money from money’ by simply positioning themselves in the financial industry. The change in financialization has been facilitated by financial innovations which have made financial services, in this case digital credit, more accessible to users in the pursuit of profit. Proponents of the financial inclusion discourse proposed that financial service providers of all kinds should tailor and make their services more readily available to the poor, arguing that this will help the poor to forge their own paths out of poverty through entrepreneurship and to build their resilience through savings. This thesis argues that financial inclusion has little to do with borrowing for convenience and SACCOs gaining additional members with moderate to high incomes. This thesis argues that a deeper understanding of financial inclusion requires a departure from generalizations of financial inclusion in favour of a keen unpacking of financial inclusion strategies. Given that the targets of financial inclusion are typically the poor in the developing world, financial inclusion strategies must be sound and must not propagate or exacerbate the problems of poverty and inequality
People in spaces : early second millennium AD occupation sequences at the Mbere Complex
(University of Pretoria, 2023-09-25) Forssman, Tim; skkuhlase340@gmail.com; Kuhlase, Siphesihle
Interactions between foragers and farmers in southern Africa has been extensively researched. Their social relations of these two groups, included the introduction of new settlement and subsistence patterns, as well as identities. In the middle Limpopo Valley (MLV), these changes were most evident from the second millennium AD, when farmer society developed new political, social, and economic systems leading to the establishment of state-level society. One notable change that appeared around AD 1000 is the occurrence of forager toolkits in erstwhile farmer settlements. This may indicate that settlement shifts took place at a time when social upheaval in the valley was driving change. To investigate this further, the Mbere Complex (MBC) was excavated. The site contains two distinct spatial areas: a large shelter with Later Stone Age and Iron Age assemblages and features, and an external homestead dating to the Zhizo and K2 periods, from AD 900 to 1220. The aim of this research project is to examine whether foragers residing at the MBC assimilated into farmer society, shared space, or abandoned the site soon after the migration of farmers. A secondary aim is to understand the cultural sequence present at the MBC and contrast it to other shelter assemblages in the area. The findings suggest that foragers were agentive and regulated their settlement patterns to interact with farmers and participate in socio-economic relations.
A praxis of policy : negotiating the ethics of a duty to care among healthcare Workers in Gauteng, South Africa
(University of Pretoria, 2023-11-27) McNeill, Fraser G.; gwahamadwatte@gmail.com; Madwatte, Gwaha A.
This dissertation explores healthcare workers’ praxis of biomedical ethics in a healthcare system that has been ravaged by structural challenges evidenced by poor management, shortages of biomedical supplies, staff, and equipment. By following the narratives of healthcare professionals, I examine the ways in which they attempt to fulfill their duty to care for patients by working around and through situations. I make visible the tools, techniques, practices, and processes they engage in to negotiate and achieve patient care. I argue that although certain actions of healthcare professionals may appear unethical from the bioethical fundamentalist’s viewpoint, my evidence suggests that healthcare workers mostly perceive such situations less as a deviation from clinical ethics but as praxis of it.
Die sosiale eenhede van die Bakoni ba Dikgale wat die beginsel van verwantkap as grondslag het
(University of Pretoria, 1979-05) Coertze, Roelof Dewald; De Beer, Frederik Coenraad
The Bakoni ba Dikgale seceded from the Bakoni ba Matlala shortly after 1700 and established themselves in the present tribal area, 50 km North-East of Pietersburg, where they came into contact with Venda and Ndebele groups .. The influence of these groups is clearly discerni= ble in Dikgale culture. Marriage among the Dikgale constitutes a relationship between two lineages. The importance of these affinal ties is of an accumulating nature and reaches its hight through the birth of the first child. Adulthood is a prerequisite for marriage, that is to say, marriage partners must be initiated. The organizing of initiation ceremonies today is a ward matter and is not done on a tribal scale anymore. .Marriage is preferred in order of preference with the maternal uncle's daughter, the fa= ther's sisterts daughter, a ba rangwane and a ba ramogolo relative. A man may, however, not marry his direct descendant or ascendant. Secondary conjugal relations such as the sororate and levirate are also to be found. Sororal supplementation is possible where a man claims his deceased wife's sister as a substitute; where a man claims his barren wife's sister as an ancillary and where a marriage is concluded for the maintenance of the lwapa. Post-marital settlement is patrilocal. Among the Dikgale monogamous (nuclear) and polygynous families arc dislinguishcd. A separate lwapa must be provided for each wife that is married. Some malwapa may accommodate female relatives, not married by the head of the malwapa. The family may be regarded as a procreatio= nal, educational, economic, religious, judicial and po= litical unit. The important role fulfilled by a person's kgadi in the establishment of his lwapa and also in re= ligious matters pertaining to the the family, may be ascribed to Venda influence. Relationship patterns in the family are based on patrilineal descent and the form of marriage. Patrilineal relatives dominate the functioning of society because status is lineally determined and patrilineal descendants usually reside together. Matrilineal rela= tives provide a sanctuary in times of threat. Conduct towards them is at all times spontaneous. This is par= ticularly the case in respect of the mother's brother. The formal relations with affinal relatives are normally tempered by the reciprocal presentation of gifts. The leloko concept among the Dikgale embraces all three of these categories of relatives. The key to kinship re= lations and the concomitant behaviour patterns is to be found in the reciprocal terms used by siblings in addres= sing each other. Three residential units based on descent, may be
A different class? Basotho women informal cross-border traders to Botswana
(University of Pretoria, 2023-10-26) Thebe, Vusilizwe; kmaphosa2022@gmail.com; Maphosa, Keneuoe
In the global landscape of informal cross-border trade, Basotho women emerge as a distinctive and dynamic force, defying traditional gender norms and shaping the economic landscape of the Southern African region within Lesotho. This thesis delves into the intriguing phenomenon of Basotho women engaging in informal cross-border trading activities with Botswana. It investigates their motivations, the complexities of their experiences, challenges, and contributions to their economic and social situation. It classifies these women as a unique group of women warranting them to be labeled as a “different class”. By adopting an ethnographic approach, this study provides an understanding of the cultural, social, and economic dimensions that shape the lives of these enterprising women traders. The research method involves immersive fieldwork, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions within the communities of 15 Basotho women traders operating in different categories as part-time and full-time traders, veterans, and newcomers. This approach allows a holistic exploration of their daily lives, trading practices, and the intricate social networks they navigate to sustain their cross-border enterprises. By presenting the voices and lived experiences of Basotho women as informal cross-border traders, the ethnographic exploration seeks to challenge stereotypical representations and illuminate their role as active agents of change. This study used Giddens’s structuration theory as an analytical framework to examine the social behaviour of Basotho women informal cross-border traders. Findings reveal that Basotho women traders often navigate many socio-cultural barriers, including limited access to resources, discriminatory practices, and unequal opportunities, further exacerbated by their marginalized status within their communities. Nevertheless, they demonstrate remarkable resilience, resourcefulness, and adaptability in establishing and maintaining informal trading networks across the Botswana border. The study sheds light on the multifaceted impact of these women's trading activities at household and community levels. Economically, their contributions prove vital to local livelihoods, household incomes, and the overall well-being of the Basotho society. At the same time, their cross-border trade endeavors foster intercultural ties and contribute to regional trade integration, strengthening economic ties between Lesotho and Botswana. The study further revealed that product and market selection are critical factors that influence the success of women traders in informal cross-border trade. Women traders rely on their knowledge of local demand, availability of products, and pricing to select the products or services they will trade. They also select the market where they will sell their products based on their market knowledge, competition, and potential profits. The transportation of products from Botswana to Lesotho is also essential to informal cross-border trade. Ultimately, the study advocates for policies that recognize the importance of inclusive and gender-responsive economic development, harnessing the potential of these enterprising women to drive sustainable growth and foster social transformation in the Southern African region. It further highlights the need for a nuanced approach that recognizes the unique challenges Basotho women informal traders face and their distinct contributions to the broader economy. Governments and stakeholders can unlock their full potential as catalysts for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction by supporting these women through targeted empowerment programs, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives. Moreover, this study calls for re-evaluating the prevailing perceptions of Basotho women as passive victims, challenging the notion that informal cross-border trade is solely a survivalist strategy. Instead, it emphasizes the agency and innovation of these women, positioning them as active agents of change in reshaping economic opportunities within their communities and across borders.
Human social networks and migration patterns in southwestern Zimbabwe into South Africa
(University of Pretoria, 2023-08-31) Thebe, Vusilizwe; lydiateechibwe@gmail.com; Chibwe, Lydia T.
The issue of migration has remained one of the most pressing contemporary issues facing nation-states. To this extent it has become a topic of global, humanitarian, foreign and domestic affairs with some calling for open borders and pitying those who call for securitization of borders (closed border regime). With its focus on the migration of Zimbabweans from the southwest part of Zimbabwe into South Africa, this study joins an expanding corpus of literature that examines how and why Zimbabweans flock to South Africa. Departing from the conventional regional migration literature, this research relies on a unique case study. Furthermore, the study approaches this enduring migration through the sociological and human mobility lens by articulating the driving force and the accommodative factors underpinning the migration of Zimbabwe’s Southwesterners into South Africa. The study draws from a qualitative research approach consisting of life-world interviews, key informant interviews, observations, and informal interactions with migrants, border officials, historians, academics and ordinary citizens from both South Africa and Zimbabwe to gain a deeper understanding why Zimbabwean migrants from the southwest part migrate and settle with ease in South African communities. This is followed by a case study analysis and the analysis of grey literature (material). The study utilises a dyadic approach in considering the push and pull factors and the human social networks. The study findings establish that, although it is a truism that push and pull factors incentivise Zimbabweans (including those from the southwestern parts) to migrate to South Africa, this is not the salient factor. Human social networks play a key role in facilitating not only migration decision-making and journeys, but also the subsequent assimilation and integration into South African society. The study offers both a fine-grain and a granular perspective to understanding the migration patterns of people from the southwest part of Zimbabwe into South Africa through a deeper sociological lens. In doing so the study attends to the empirical and theoretical lacunae that exist in the extant studies, proving that it is somewhat easier for Zimbabweans from the southwest areas to migrate to South Africa owing to the long-standing historical, linguistic, cultural, and familial ties with ethnic groups in South Africa. Whilst contributing to the academic and policy discourse on migration, the study makes a greater plea for a deeper understanding of the human mobility-migration nexus through a wide range of factors including: structure-agency, political economy, securitisation, and bounded relations carved through shared history, culture, identity and human-social networks.
Gender and socio-ecological resilience to climate change : a transformative approach in selected post-fast track resettlement farms in Zvimba East District, Mashonaland West Zimbabwe
(University of Pretoria, 2023-09-10) Thebe, Vusilizwe; pgkaruma@gmail.com; Karuma, Praise Gamuchirai
The study focused on how gender influences the socio-ecological resilience of women to climate change in selected Post-Fasttrack Resettlement Farms (PFTRFs) in Zvimba East District. The study analyses the level of women’s livelihoods’ socio-ecological resilience to climate change in PFTRFs and how these can be improved to be sustainable. The study was premised upon the key question ‘how socio-ecologically resilient are the women’s livelihoods in the wake of climate change? In building the case for this study the nature and trends of climate change in the area were established and how these impacted on women’s lives and their livelihoods. The women’s responses to climate change impacts and the level of socio-ecological resilience of the means adopted were also another driving force to carry out this study. In doing this the study employed the mixed methods methodology hinged on the use of the survey method (337 households), in-depth interviews (30), FGDs (3) and observations conducted across three farms which facilitated an analysis of how genders influence the socio-ecological resilience of women to climate change in PFTRFs. Adopting the gender and socio-ecological resilience framework, the study analyzed the level of socio-ecological resilience to climate change of the women in PFTRFs and the need for a transformative approach to adapting to climate change in these areas. The study revealed a socio-ecological resilience gap in women’s adaptation to climate change. Their practices were discovered to be highly maladaptive owing to the patriarchal nature of the institutions they must report to. Additionally, the study noted that socio-ecological resilience to climate change and gender aspects of communities have an inextricable and conflictual relationship which leads to faulty adaptations in Post-Fasttrack Resettlement Farms if not handled properly. In as much as climate change was perceived to be negatively affecting women in PFTRFs, in their response the impacts have pushed women to be innovative and diversify their livelihood options through the on-farm, non-farm, and off-farm mechanisms. Nevertheless, the responses of these women are not fully socio-ecological resilient to climate change as sustainability remains questionable, hence the need for the existing means to be developed and transformed into being socio-ecologically friendly was emphasized by the study. Based on this the study recommended that there is need for climate proofing of some of the means and ways adopted by women and funding some of these initiatives to be sustainable. Adding on to this training of women in socio-ecological resilience needs to be done as well as putting policies that help women farmer have access inputs and funding to cope with climate change.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women street traders selling food : a case study in the Marabastad area of Pretoria
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12-12) Wegerif, Marc; u15181635@tuks.co.za; Setuke, Tshiamo Caroline
This dissertation explores and analyzes the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women street traders in the Marabastad area of Pretoria. The research for this dissertation was conducted from a socio-economic perspective as it observed the impact of the pandemic on the businesses of women street traders. Qualitative research methods were employed to collect data, which included making use of existing literature, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and observations. There were 20 research participants who were interviewed, consisting of 19 women street traders and one government official. The dissertation concludes that women street traders were negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as they were forced to stop selling food and this meant a loss of income which resulted in them struggling to provide for their families. They then used various mechanisms to react to and survive the Covid-19 pandemic, which included depending on social support grants, borrowing money, and using their savings. This dissertation shows that poor communication and bureaucratic processes were hinderances to the local municipality administering effective service delivery to the informal food traders. The issues that came as a result of the pandemic should challenge the government and other stakeholders to establish strategies and policies that work towards advancing the informal food economy in the City of Tshwane and elsewhere. The government could consider having less onerous requirements and a more enabling environment for street trading businesses and for accessing social relief services in a time of socio-economic crisis. More could also be done to include traders in the policy making process to ensure interventions better respond to their needs.
South Africa's counhter human trafficking approach : global commitments, domestication, progress and challenges
(University of Pretoria, 2023-11) Thebe, Vusilizwe; Allais, C.; u17086532@tuks.co.za; Sagandira, Tabitha
This study discusses South Africa's commitment to combat the scourge of human trafficking, a pervasive global crime with profound economic and social repercussions. The illicit trade in humans not only results in remittance loss and economic setbacks but also inflicts severe human rights violations. Recognising the intricate nature of this borderless crime, global cooperation emerges as a critical component in its mitigation. Drawing upon diverse perspectives such as gender and human rights, this research explores the multifaceted complexities of human trafficking on a global scale. Within the South African context, the literature portrays the nation as a trafficking hub, attributed to its attractive economy in the continent, internal crime-fighting loopholes, and porous borders that collectively create an environment conducive to criminal activities. A comprehensive methodology was employed, primarily relying on secondary research. The researcher conducted an analysis of existing literature on human trafficking, drawing from diverse sources such as journals, books, newspapers, and official documents related to the subject. Recognising the limitations of existing literature, key informant interviews were conducted to supplement the information gathered from conventional sources. These interviews involved ten individuals, including academics, officials from Organisations engaged in combatting human trafficking, and law enforcement agents. The findings derived from document analysis, particularly examining official documents from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other parties shed light on the efforts made by the SAPS in supporting the government's commitment to global objectives in the fight against human trafficking. The outcomes of the study reveal that South Africa has taken significant steps in combating human trafficking, as evidenced by its commitment to global objectives and cooperation with international and regional member states. The country, as a human rights advocate on the continent, has actively participated in early and present ratifications focused on protecting human rights. However, the research also identifies policy challenges that South Africa faces in addressing the rising crime rate associated with human trafficking. Despite these challenges, the government persists in collaborating with international partners to curb this crime, emphasising the continued importance of a coordinated global effort. This thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse on human trafficking by providing an examination of South Africa's endeavours in countering this crime. The findings underscore the need for ongoing collaboration and the development of effective strategies to address the challenges posed by human trafficking, thereby advancing the collective effort to combat this grave injustice against humanity.
Livestock management strategies in the 13th Century Mapungubwe Hinterland
(University of Pretoria, 2023) Antonites, Alex J.; Hall, Grant; tyronhopf@gmail.com; Hopf, Tyron Denis
Livestock were a key social and economic component of agropastoral Middle Iron-Age societies who occupied Middle Limpopo River valley between during the early second millennium CE. This period witnessed rapid developments in regional social complexity underscored by an increased participation in the global trade network operating off the African east coast. Agropastoral communities draw resilience from the effective management of domesticate stock which is shaped by a range of decisions regarding the mobility and diet of the animal herds. These management practices take place against the backdrop of shifting environments, landscape resources, social networks, and economies. This dissertation presents the results of stable isotope analysis of carbon and oxygen measured from the teeth of 35 domesticate and wild herbivores recovered from five archaeological sites in the hinterland of the Mapungubwe state. The results suggest that cattle and caprines were herded according to different regimes that may relate to their differing socio-economic roles in Middle Iron Age Society. Environmental variations and livestock management strategies among hinterland communities are examined in the rise of complexity that accompanied the transformation of southern Africa’s first state-level civilisation.
Psychiatric treatment at a forensic psychiatric hospital in South Africa : an ethnographic inquiry
(University of Pretoria, 2023-06-20) Pieterse, Jimmy; indirapillay25@gmail.com; Pillay, Indira
The tragic deaths that resulted from the closure of the Life Esidimeni mental health facility in Gauteng, South Africa, questioned many facets of mental health care, patients’ rights, and the agents of power in health care. It also revealed a division between government officials, high level decision-makers, and hospitals responsible for day-to-day care. This caused me to question how mental health care facilities function in South Africa, the power dynamics within and over these institutions, the extent to which patient support networks are recognised, clinicians’ interactions with those patient support networks and within multidisciplinary teams, human rights issues, and the adequacy of funding of mental health care. I also became interested in how mental health care facilities coped with and adapted to COVID-19. With these questions in mind, I focused my research on a forensic psychiatric hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with clinicians in the multidisciplinary team as my participants. I set out to conduct the research using traditional ethnographic fieldwork methods, which characterises anthropological research. However, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic I modified my approach, because I would not be allowed entry into the hospital due to the lockdown. I, therefore, employed a virtual ethnography approach, conducting interviews using digital videoconferencing platforms, and developed a loose set of questions to guide my interviews. The broad themes that emerged threw light on the multidisciplinary team functioning, the agents of power within State mental healthcare and within the hospital, human rights issues affecting mental health care, funding concerns in mental health care, and the hospital’s adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several sub-themes emerged within these thematic areas. Among the broad areas of concern were patients’ rights to discharge and freedom, patients’ right to participate in the country’s elections, and problems related to the funding of mental health care in South Africa. From the perspective of critical medical anthropology, it seems evident that political and economic forces negatively influence patient care, and that change is needed. However, it also seems evident that clinicians coped well with the COVID-19 pandemic, despite financial and structural constraints.
An actor oriented history of Mbare Musika fresh produce market, Zimbabwe 1930-2019
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12-11) Wegerif, Marc; u19408120@tuks.co.za; Hahlani, Stephen
This thesis is an account of Mbare Musika Fresh Produce Market, in Harare, Zimbabwe, since 1930. The study is a response to the dominant notion in literature and media that Mbare Musika is disorganised and chaotic. It assumes that if this was true, Mbare Musika would have collapsed long ago; in contrast, it has grown to be a huge market. Consequently, the thesis’s main aim is to account for the resilience of Mbare Musika and how it feeds people in Harare and beyond. Mbare Musika has remained invisible in mainstream policy, and its activities are largely unrecorded. Mbare Musika is also noticeably absent from Zimbabwean historiography as a result of an overreliance on archival material that is skewed towards white, colonial, elite, and formal sector activity. To fill the gap, the study used historical and ethnographic methodologies to gain insights into the history of Mbare Musika and the actors' contemporary experiences. Oral histories were gathered through interviews, and ethnography was essential to contemporary practises and interactions in Mbare Musika. The thesis initially investigates the history of horticultural production and marketing to contextualise Mbare Musika. The horticultural sector experienced acute production and marketing challenges from the onset and did not get much state support. Mbare Musika was built through the efforts of African farmers and traders, especially women, from the vicinity of Harare (then Salisbury), who produced and sold produce in the city during the early colonial period. The Salisbury Municipality disliked the growing African participation in produce marketing in the city and adopted a plethora of measures to curtail its growth. After a period of confrontation, the Salisbury Municipality recognised African markets in the 1940s by building structures at Mbare Musika. Mbare Musika was expanded after the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 by relocating it to a bigger space and expanding the market infrastructure. The expansion of the market did not meet the demand for stalls as the number of traders continued to rise. The market remains an important source of food in Harare and income generation for women and young people who cannot find jobs in the formal economy. My research found that both economic and non-economic forces contribute to the market organisation and functioning. Networks built on ukama and trust contribute to the flow of produce, credit, information, and other resources. Mbare Musika resembles a symbiotic food system in which actors both collaborate and compete to achieve individual goals. My argument is that Mbare Musika has a deep-seated order based on ukama and trust that is invisible to casual visitors. The market's cultural and social forces influence Mbare Musika's functioning and contribute significantly to its resilience. Mbare Musika is a central market for produce farmers and contributes significantly to Harare's food needs and income generation. Key Words Zimbabwe, Mbare Musika, horticultural, urban food supplies, food markets, food systems, makoronyera
Feminisation of migration, precarious occupations, and workplace-based stokvels. A case of Zimbabwean women migrants working in the hospitality industry in South Africa
(University of Pretoria, 2023-08) Thebe, Vusilizwe; kundayimuzeza@gmail.com; Muzeza, Kundai
Historically in Africa, migration has been a male dominated phenomenon. However, over the past few decades there has been a change of trend in the migration predicament, with an unprecedented number of women joining the migration corridor. This is because women have always been economic beings with the added responsibility of needing to contribute financially to their families. With that in mind, Zimbabwean women have been situationally forced to migrate to South Africa (SA) in search of better employment opportunities. Upon arrival, they are absorbed into precarious jobs in the hospitality industry, due to their lack of proper immigration documentation and relatively low literacy. Precarious occupations are characterised by low and irregular wages, long working hours, and poor terms and conditions, as well as being subject to exploitation. The jobs are unstable and unpredictable. My research shows that the tips and commission remuneration system used in restaurants positions women migrants into financial vulnerability, which motivated this study. The study examines how Zimbabwean women migrants (ZiWoM) managed to navigate financial vulnerability through the use of Work-Place Based Stokvels (WPBS) whilst working under precarious conditions. It explores distinct vulnerabilities women migrant workers encounter, discusses social factors they consider to organise themselves to form WPBS, and reveals socio-economic benefits that emanates from participating in WPBS. The study is ethnographic in nature embedded within a qualitative research approach. The in-depth inquiry is grounded in people’s realities and experiences. Data was collected at “Chloe’s' restaurant situated in Johannesburg, Gauteng province (GT) in SA, through informal interviews and informal focused group discussion, repeated home visits, participatory and non-participatory observations. Chloe’s restaurant is a pseudonym used to represent a big-clientele restaurant that is the site of my study. I will refer to the strong migrant women under study by the acronym ZiWoM (see above). This acronym will be used interchangeably with the terms “the migrant women” and “the Women” for the purpose of writing clarity and flow. The study finds out that ZiWoM face distinct vulnerabilities whilst working at Chloe’s restaurant. These vulnerabilities are categorised as economic, sexual, health and security. ZiWoM are subject to low and irregular wages, work for long asymmetrical hours, being overworked and sexually abused by their managers, co-workers and restaurant customers. They are exposed to stress and depression, do not get paid maternity leave and some have been infected with STIs and HIV. On the other hand, the women suffer from job insecurities, cannot open bank accounts and are subject to xenophobic attacks. Despite being in this stressful situation they have managed to organise themselves to form WPBS to improve their income accumulation and meet their migratory goals. The study found that they considered the following social factors; trust, honesty, reliability, dependability, commitment, self-control, socially networked relationships and ethnicity, when formulating their WPBS. Despite the social factors, they also brought on board economic and demographic factors such as good financial behaviour, hard-working skills and age to aid to their selection process. Furthermore, ZiWoM benefit from participating in these WPBS socially, economically and also during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) era. The social benefits include moral support such as having a family away from home, when celebrating birthdays, conducting social gatherings, during times of sickness and bereavement. They have managed to boost their families' social confidence, create social capital and socially changed their behaviours. In the economic sense, ZiWoM have cultivated the culture of saving, where heavy spenders have become great savers. With their savings, they manage to meet basic needs such as groceries, clothing, health care and paying school fees for their children and dependents back home. Savings have enabled them to enhance their education and navigate through the difficult month of January popularly known as “January disease’’ in the Black communities. The Women also gained financial independence through their participation in their stokvels, which enabled them to invest into small businesses to boost their income. They bought properties and durable goods with their payouts from the stokvels. When COVID-19 struck, they managed to survive the crisis with the use of their savings and payout from their WPBS. The study concludes that, to a greater extent, ZiWoM managed to achieve their goals through the use of WPBS. However, recommendations were drawn from the findings to improve their situations. There is a need for (a) the formal banking system to tap into these WPBS and assist women migrants to transact and keep their money safe; (b) community based non-governmental organisations (NGO) being sponsored by international NGO dealing with migration, such as International Organization for Migration (IOM), should assist community members in the home countries of the migrants with refresher and practical courses on business know-how management and financial literacy, especially those receiving remittances from diaspora; (c) The South African government should allow the formation of a formally registered policy monitoring and regulatory organisation that protects the rights and humanity amongst migrants at workplaces whether documented or undocumented.
A qualitative analysis of the informal social networks of street traders in the Pretoria Central Business District, South Africa
(University of Pretoria, 2023-12) Thebe, Vusilizwe; fanele26@gmail.com; Khuzwayo, Fanelesbonge
The study investigates informal social networks’ role, contribution, and significance to street traders within the Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). This locale was considered ideal for this study because the City of Tshwane is the single-largest metropolitan municipality in South Africa. Furthermore, the metropolitan is centred around Pretoria, which is a capital city. As such, the city attracts a diverse and large amount of street traders, both local and foreign. Strategically located at the city’s centre, the Pretoria CBD is a bustling locale where multiple street trade discourses are constantly at play. Furthermore, there is a high volume of commuters (entering or leaving the city). As such, it is a crucial hub for transport networks. Street trading is deeply embedded in the urban fabric of most societies, especially in developing nations, contributing to the livelihoods of millions worldwide. However, due to its informal nature, street trading necessitates adaptive coping strategies, where social networks emerge as a pivotal factor influencing traders resilience and success. Therefore, the study focuses on the unique relationships of solidarity developed by informal street traders to mitigate unfavourable social and economic circumstances. Informal traders exist in an uncertain environment characterized by vulnerability because of ‘illegality’, lack of financial security and exclusion, among other factors. The study argues that perceptions of vulnerability shape street traders’ participation in social networks. Vulnerability arises in multiple and complex factors experienced at the global, national, and local levels. The complexity manifests in multiple issues that render street traders vulnerable, ranging from rising unemployment, exclusionary government policies and legislation, and socio-economic deprivations. Armed with these challenges, risks and threats, informal traders have an arsenal of innovative ways to sustain their livelihoods. This study analysed the link between vulnerability and street traders’ use of social networks to adapt to constantly changing circumstances. The resilience of street traders in the Pretoria CBD is highlighted through their ability to canvas a range of innovative informal networks. Self-organization by street traders in social networks represents the coping and livelihood strategies deployed as a survival toolkit. These networks also help street traders to get by and represent the benefits of sociability. It adopts an ethnographic approach to investigate how vulnerability extends beyond the economic aspects to the social element, which has long been the main survival tool kit for informal street traders in urban spaces. As such, informal street trading emerges as a complex social space of interaction where social networks are a crucial part of a street trader’s life. The streets are highly contested economic spaces and are spaces of vulnerability where social capital is crucial for survival. This study has adopted a qualitative approach set within the constructivist paradigm. It is based on a single case study of the Pretoria CBD using participant observation, nonparticipant observation, and open-ended interviews. Thematic analysis is applied to the qualitative data to discern common patterns and emerging themes. The findings reveal that social networks among street traders are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that have the power to benefit traders in several ways. These networks facilitate resource-sharing, access, agency, resilience, a sense of belonging and mutual support. The study also identified challenges and disruptions within social networks, such as vulnerability to external pressures derived from the COVID-19 regulations. Based on the findings, key recommendations and policy implications are proposed to enhance the resilience of street traders. Policymakers are urged to expand targeted and tailored social protection mechanisms. For example, integrating those networks focused on skill development or financial literacy into urban development strategies. Furthermore, fostering an inclusive and supportive regulatory environment can reduce the negative impacts of external shocks. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, and possible future shocks, government is encouraged to facilitate and provide accessible and inclusive socio-economic relief. The study recommends that street traders enhance the positive aspects of social networks as a tool to increase socio-economic security and reduce vulnerability.

Browse

Recent Submissions