UWCScholar

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The role of Urban Agriculture in food security. A case of low-income dwellers in Dangamvura
(University of the Western Cape, 2002) Gogwana, Makhosandile
Changing economic conditions, increasing unemployment and increasing population pressure on urban centers have resulted in heightened food insecurity among low-income urban dwellers in Zimbabwe. In order to ensure food security, urban dwellers have now resorted to intensive use of water and land for the production of food for their livelihood. This paper intends to highlight the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture and to examine the central role played by access to water resources therein. Urban agriculture has not been recognized as a legitimate form of land use. While this form of agriculture has been relegated to the informal sector and challenged by state institutions, it continues to exist as an essential source of food production for home consumption. In our study of Dangamvura- a low-income suburb of Mutare, Zimbabwe - it has been identified that people are utilizing open municipal spaces and their yards to grow crops and vegetables for family consumption and as surplus to sell.
A measure of the investment climate in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Tongai Foto
Investor confidence is a concept many investors are constantly trying to gauge. In practice however, these concepts are usually not easy to measure. This study attempts to capture the total sum of investor perception in South Africa by examining market behaviour. Data from the JSE/FTSE (1995-2009) will be used to determine an Equity Risk Premium. Bond Yield Spreads will also be calculated from data provided by I-NET BRIDGE. An amalgamation of these components will produce the proposed Investment Confidence Index. Similar indices currently on the South African Market are based on subjective surveys and might therefore be biased. The proposed index which is a first in SA will prove invaluable to practitioners in the financial sector.
Stakeholders' experiences of developing health promoting schools: Case studies in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Gaffoor, Ayishabibi
Since the inception of health promoting schools in South Africa, several schools have managed to implement the concept successfully. However, very little research has been done that describes the journey that schools have travelled in their efforts to become health promoting schools. This study aimed to investigate and explore educators' perceptions and experiences of the implementation of health promoting schools in the Western Cape. It also looked at the strategies and factors that contributed to the successful implementation of health promoting schools as well as the challenges that role players faced. Although people's perceptions may be subjective, it could provide leaders in education with applicable models of best practice in building health promoting schools. The literature review includes an examination and analysis of health promoting schools, the Ottawa Charter, the World Health Organisation's guidelines for health promoting schools, an evaluation of health promoting schools, and studies on the effectiveness of these programmes around the world and particularly in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative approach with semi structured interviews conducted with principals, educators and school nurses at three schools in the Western Cape. The findings revealed that stakeholders have a fairly good understanding of the concept, that collaboration, skills development, establishing structures, developing the environment and communication systems as well as using existing resources were key strategies employed. Commitment of role players emerged as the strongest factor. Other factors are effective leadership and community involvement. The key challenges that emerged are in the area of a lack of human resources, lack of training and infrastructure and the socioeconomic circumstances of the learners.
The relationship between childhood trauma and drug dependence at an in-patient treatment centre in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2013) Gerber, Wynand
The outcome of child abuse, i.e. physical, emotional and/or sexual, and child neglect is multifactorial. The severity, duration and nature of abuse and the child's vulnerabilities are all contributory factors with regards the outcome of abuse. Children who are traumatized are likely to be profoundly affected. Studies have shown and nearly every researcher agrees that early childhood traumas lie at the root of many emotional and psychological illnesses. It has been noted that drug abuse is a major problem in the Western Cape. This thesis explored the relationship between subjectively perceived childhood trauma and drug dependence in an in-patient treatment-seeking sample of adults in the Cape Town Metropolitan Area in the Western Cape. This thesis presents the results of a measure of childhood trauma, namely the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire [CTQ] and a measure of drug dependence, the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test [DUDIT]. The sample consisted of 52 participants and included both males and females. Only participants who were identified as drug dependent were included in the study. Patients who were actively psychotic and/or alcohol dependent were not included in the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape's higher degree ethical committee. The anonymity of the participants, the importance of responding openly and honestly and the sensitive nature of the questions were highlighted during the test administration. Questionnaires were administered in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the respective manuals. The data was analysed through correlation. The study found a positive correlation between childhood emotional abuse and drug dependence, and childhood physical abuse and drug dependence.
Assessing the relationship between youth capabilities and food security: a case study of a rainwater harvesting project
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Germaine, Ndoh Owen Bella
The National Water Act of 1998 provides the policy framework for stakeholder participation and the engagement of stakeholders closest to the resource on which they depend to be involved in developing and managing their water resources. Rainwater harvesting presents a viable option for securing water availability in order to increase food production and cash returns from food in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality which is one of the poorest districts in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The study focuses on rural youth (between the ages 18-35 years) in two villages of the Ehlanzeni District, Luphisi and Dwaleni, and seeks to assess the relationship between youth capabilities and food security. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods but with more emphasis on the quantitative data, with qualitative data providing anecdotal evidence to back up the findings. The qualitative data was collected from focus group discussions and the quantitative data was based on a baseline survey within the context of an Integrated Rain Water Harvesting Project implemented by a local NGO. The data drew on indicators in the questionnaire that were to do with social capital and empowerment. The indicators tapped into attributes/capabilities like trust, social cohesion and inclusion and sociability and examined these within the context of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, to consider whether and in what ways these attributes relate to food security. The results show that there are youth have high levels of certain attributes/capabilities such as trust, social cohesion and inclusion, collective action and co-operation, self-esteem, and meaning. The findings also show that in other dimensions there are less opportunities and that, in particular, access to networks, access to knowledge and information and sociability are lacking among youth.