Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Community development Malaya'

The government of Malawi established the community based childcare (CBCC) programme with the aim of addressing early childhood problems and achieve national development in the long run. The CBCC programme, as one of the approaches to early childhood development (ECD), is guided by the national early childhood development policy. It promotes some practices that somehow deviate from the traditional childcare ways that communities have always known. Experience has shown that programmes that have elements of conflict with commonly held beliefs are bound to meet with resistance in society. The study employed a mini survey, focus group discussion, observation and document review to understand how the CBCC childcare practices in Malili intersect with commonly held beliefs about childcare as well as how they reflect on the national ECD policy. The study also focused on understanding the perceptions of community members on the CBCC programme. The study revealed that while some aspects of CBCC delivery conform to commonly held beliefs about childcare in the area under study, others diverge from such beliefs. Such convergence and divergence appear to be in line with the propositions of transformalist globalisation theory- one of the perspectives adopted for the study. The study also found that care practices at CBCC are not a true reflection of the national ECD policy as community members’ perceptions, poor community participation, poverty and lack of caregiver training in ECD contribute towards poor quality of care in CBCC, contrary to what is defined in the national ECD policy. The study also found that while both CBCC caregivers and sampled community members perceived the quality of care at the centers as poor, caregivers had a more positive perception towards the CBCC than community members. The study indicated that CBCC are centres of desperation for low economic status communities. Findings from the research have revealed that cultural values and commonly held beliefs, and exposure to new knowledge through globalisation play a role in determining childcare practices as well as perceptions towards them. In this sense the study has indicated that meanings that communities attach to development interventions influence their actions and perceptions towards it.

This research investigated the impact of decentralisation on participatory development in the Nsanje District of Malawi from 2009 to 2014. Existing challenges in realising effective participation were identified by acquiring information from documents at three spheres of government, namely local, district and national. The literature explains decentralisation and local government; the theories of state-local relations; the nature, types and determinants of participation; the legislative framework of local government; and decentralisation reforms being implemented in Malawi. A descriptive approach was used in the study, with the emphasis on collecting data from primary sources such as minutes, reports, newspapers, and secondary sources such as the District Council and local government department records, books, academic journals, completed and unpublished post-graduate research theses, and legislation. From the acquired information, a number of recommendations are made to deal with various challenges faced to achieve effective participatory development in the District.

The study was carried out to assess the extent to which the intervention of traditional leaders is effective in mobilising support for community development projects and to examine the perceptions that communities have about the role of the traditional leaders in development projects. The study has been guided by the critique of neoliberalism which exposes the negative effects of implementing the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) in Third World countries. The literature that has been reviewed has looked at the historical and political background of the role of chiefs and other traditional leaders in order to assess the nature of participation that is promoted through their involvement in development projects. An overview of the neo-liberal prescription and its critique has been made in order to expose the effects of the oil embargo of 1973 and the debt crisis of the 1980s on the economies of Third World countries in general and Malawi in particular. On the basis of evidence which has been gathered through a survey and focus group discussion, the study has found that the intervention of traditional leaders is very effective in mobilising communities for development projects. It has further been established that communities have high regard for their traditional leaders and that they perceive them as crucial role players in the conception and implementation of development projects. The study has however established that traditional leaders use unorthodox means such as threats of punishment to solicit the cooperation of the community members which in essence is counterproductive to the participatory approach to development.

Standard economic models often emphasize inputs, outputs and an examination of the structures in order to conduct an economic performance evaluation. This study applies the Institutional and Development Framework (IAD) in the broader context of New Institutional Economics (NIE) in order to examine the transaction costs of delivering Community and Home Based Care and Support (CHBC) to HIV/AIDS sufferers. For purposes of unveiling the empirical reality guiding decision making processes in the CHBC service delivery, comparative qualitative research techniques of normative variable and concept formation have been adopted to draw out the relative institutional influences from the HIV/AIDS national response partnerships. The study identifies the conflict between the predominantly standardized and more rigid formal management techniques adopted by key members of the national response and the informal cultural techniques familiar to the rural communities, and a lack of motivational incentives in the CHBC structures as the key factors against CHBC capacities to draw external funding for service delivery. CHBCs are also weakened by incoherent governance structures at the district level for facilitation of funding and information flow exacerbating the community vulnerability. Rationalization of the institutional arrangements and a clarification of roles from district to community levels, a shift of focus to facilitation of informal techniques and an integration of performance enhancing incentives are the critical policy insights envisaged to spur CHBCs to work better.

Contrary to earlier beliefs and media theories such as the hypodermic needle or magic bullet, the audience of public communication is not a passive homogenous mass that easily succumbs to media influence. The audience is active, that is, it makes an effort to interpret media content. Depending on predisposing cultural, political, religious, or economic factors the audience makes different meanings from media texts. Media messages are not wholly controlled by producers, although the producers have their preferred and expected readings. Using qualitative research techniques associated with ethnographic and cultural studies (notably focus group discussions), this study sought to explore the meanings rural people in Malawi make out of human rights and gender messages broadcast on radio and through music. Interpreted against Stuart Hall's (1974b) Encoding and Decoding model, the study concludes that while rural communities understand and appreciate the new sociopolitical discourse, they take a negotiated stance because they have their own doubts and fears. They fear losing their cultural identity. Additionally, men, in particular, negotiate the messages because they fear losing their social power over land, property and family.

This thesis resituates the Community Development programme as the key social intervention attempted by the British Colonial Office in Africa in the late 1940s and early 1950s. A preference for planning, growing confidence in metropolitan intervention, and the gradualist determination of Fabian socialist politicians and experts resulted in a programme that stressed modernity, progressive individualism, initiative, cooperative communities and a new type of responsible citizenship. Eventual self-rule would be well-served by this new contract between colonial administrations and African citizens. The thesis focuses on the implementation of the Mass Education programme in Nyasaland, and, more specifically, on a small but significant Mass Education scheme at Domasi, that operated between 1949 and 1954 in Nyasaland??s south. The political and social context in which the Mass Education scheme was implemented in Nyasaland is important. The approach taken by the government of the Protectorate before the mid-1940s is discussed, and previous welfare interventions described and critically assessed. The initial approach to Mass Education in Nyasaland is also dwelt upon in some detail. The narrative concentrates upon the scheme itself. Three themes emerge and are discussed successively ?? the provision of social services adapted to the perceived needs of Africans, the enforcement of environmental restrictions and inappropriate social and agricultural models, and the attempted introduction of representative local government. All three interventions were intended to promote the precepts of Mass Education, but instead resulted in the extension of state administrative power. The manner in which this occurred is explored throughout the thesis. Mass Education at Domasi did not result in the creation of a new form of citizenship in Nyasaland. It contributed instead to a breakdown in the narrative of social development and eventual self-rule that had legitimised British rule. The riots that occurred in 1953 tore at the precepts that underpinned the Mass Education programme. The immediacy of self-rule and independence resulted in a shift in emphasis within the Colonial Office and the colonial government in Nyasaland from social intervention and to constitutional reform and political development. There simultaneously emerged a new rural transcript, one that privileged open opposition to the colonial social prescription over subtle and hidden rural resistance. At a time when nationalist politics was in disarray in Nyasaland, rural Africans spoke back to colonial power.

Climate change is now real. Both scholars and scientists agree that the earth‟s climate is changing and therefore argue that developing countries of Africa and Asia, which are considered to be especially vulnerable because of their overdependence on climate sensitive resources and low adaptive capacity, should focus on adaptation programmes to build the capacity of affected communities to adapt to and cope with the effects of climatic change. But climate change adaptation programmes do not happen in a vacuum. Among other things they require proper institutional frameworks to succeed. The study therefore analyzed climatic events affecting Salima district in Malawi, the causes and effects of these climatic events, the nature and role of various institutions in climate change adaptation programmes in the district and the institutional coordination of players at different levels. The study findings reveal that the major climatic events affecting Salima district are droughts, floods, dry spells and hailstorms. Various institutions supporting and implementing climate change adaptation programmes and their roles are also highlighted. The study findings further reveals that weak coordination between institutions at all levels (national, district and community) is one of the challenges affecting effective implementation of climate change programmes. The study recommendations have therefore emphasized the need to review and strengthen climate change management structures at all levels.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents the conscientization of the people in the rural areas, on how the church in Malawi as a community-based organisation can be an effective vehicle in bringing change in their livelihoods. It is an endeavour to answer the question: How can the Church as a community-based organization respond to community challenges in order to be an effective vehicle for community development and sustainable rural living in the light of the problem of urbanization? The researcher argues that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives in responding to community challenges, livelihoods can be positively changed. Chapter one: The first chapter is an introduction of this dissertation and it presents the goals of undertaking this study. It emphasises the fact that urbanization has become a big challenge in developing countries such as Malawi, leading people to flock to the cities, hoping to find an easy life, where they instead find life very difficult. Many people, who have migrated to the cities, find it difficult to meet their daily basic needs, due to lack of access to income. The church as a community-based organisation has a role to play in helping to bring a positive impact, on the people for the betterment of their own life. If the church can play an active role in unlocking awareness in people in the rural areas to not migrate to squalid urban settings, the desire to move to the cities can be minimized. Chapter two: The second chapter briefly describes the context of this research. It presents a brief discussion of the historical background of the church of Nkhoma Synod CCAP. It also gives a brief explanation of the country of Malawi and its geographical location. Along with this general historical background, the chapter draws an exclusive attention to the major contributions of the church to the community, and the unique role that it played in bringing change in the developing countries like Malawi. Through its holistic approach the church reached many people in the communities, and also its emphasis on community development made a major contribution to civic life in the rural as well as urban areas. Chapter three: The third chapter discusses the poverty situation and the Malawian church existence in this context. It further presents the problems that are caused by poverty in the communities, including the challenges posed by the prevalence of HIV/AIDS which Malawi as one of the developing countries is facing due to urbanisation. The church has a huge role to play to the community in regards to community development. Chapter four: Chapter four deals with the specific role of the Church in sustainable development, and it explores the importance of rural sustainability in sustainable development. The church by nature is missional and has been called to serve the triune God, and it needs to participate in sustainable development which reflects God‟s reign in the world, for it has the nature of serving God. It has been given the task to take care of the community, and its role is to place itself with the poor in taking the responsibility of identifying and dealing with the forces that are destroying the communities, in order to bring change. The chapter also deals with how the church can sensitize people living in rural areas, and the importance of staying in the rural areas rather than migrating to urban areas. The terms like "Sustainable development", "Community development" have been defined in order to appreciate on how the church as a community-based organization can indeed be an effective vehicle in community development, and help to create a sustainable rural living. The church has a unique role to play in community development. Chapter five: This chapter gives a careful contextual analysis of rural-urban areas, the challenges that the people in those communities are facing and what should be done in a sustainable rural living. It also discusses and explores on how the church as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle to Community Development and sustainable rural living. In order to help raise the level of awareness of rural sustainability in human beings, especially those living in rural areas, this chapter has also carefully investigated the factors which attract people to migrate to urban areas and find out the solutions to these challenges. Lastly in order to understand how the church in Malawi as a community-based organization can be an effective vehicle in community development, the chapter has developed a theory of the four steps. These four steps are: Conscientization, Empowerment, Participation and Sustainability. In this chapter it has been emphasized as to how the church could/should engage with the people in order to be an effective vehicle to a sustainable rural living and help people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives. Chapter six: The final chapter summarizes the whole discussion on this study. The study emphasizes the fact that, if the Church can take a deliberate part, in helping people in self-development and bringing a positive impact on their lives, livelihoods can be positively changed. If the church in Malawi, Nkhoma Synod, can take part in conscientizing the people in the rural areas to the importance and advantages of living in the rural, the number of the people migrating to cities can be reduced.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie skripsie handel oor die bewusmaking van Malawiërs in die landelike gebiede en oor hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig van verandering in hulle lewensbestaan kan wees. Dit is 'n poging om die vraag te beantwoord: Hoe kan die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, reageer op die gemeenskapuitdagings om 'n effektiewe voertuig vir die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap te word en volhoubare landelike voortbestaan bevorder? Die navorser betoog dat indien die kerk doelbewus kan meewerk om mense te help met self-ontwikkeling wat 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens in landelike gebiede sal hê, dan sal lewensbestaan ten goede verander. Hoofstuk een: Die eerste hoofstuk is 'n inleiding tot hierdie betoog en bespreek die doelwitte van hierdie studie. Dit beklemtoon die feit dat verstedeliking 'n groot uitdaging is in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi. Mense stroom na die stede met die hoop op 'n makliker lewe, maar vind dan dat hulle nie in hul basiese behoeftes kan voorsien nie by gebrek aan toegang tot inkomste. Die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n rol speel om te help om 'n positiewe impak te maak en verandering te bring in hierdie mense se bestaan. As die kerk 'n aktiewe rol kan speel in die bewusmaking en ontwikkeling van mense in die landelike gebiede kan die hunkering van mense om te migreer na die stede beperk word. Hoofstuk Twee: Die tweede hoofstuk beskryf die konteks van hierdie navorsing. Dit behels 'n kort bespreking van die historiese agtergrond van die kerk van Nkhoma Sinode CCAP, ook inligting oor Malawi en sy geografiese ligging. Klem word gelê op die groot invloed van die kerk op die gemeenskap en die unieke rol wat dit in die verlede gespeel het om verandering in die ontwikkelende lande soos Malawi te bring. Deur sy holistiese benadering en klem op ontwikkeling het die kerk baie mense bereik en 'n belangrike bydrae tot die burgerlike lewe in landelike sowel as stedelike gemeenskappe gemaak. Hoofstuk Drie: Die derde hoofstuk bespreek die armoede-situasie waarbinne die Malawiese kerk himself bevind, insluitende die voorkoms van MIV / Vigs wat Malawi in die gesig staar as gevolg van verstedeliking. Die kerk het 'n groot taak met betrekking tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hoofstuk vier: Hoofstuk vier handel oor die spesifieke rol van die Kerk in volhoubare ontwikkeling en ondersoek die belangrikheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die kerk behoort van nature missionêr op te tree, aangesien die kerk geroep is om die Drie-enige God te dien. Volhoubare ontwikkeling moet deel wees hiervan. Dit behoort die versorging van die gemeenskap en identifisering van die probleme van armoede in die gemeenskap in te sluit, ten einde die vernietiging van die gemeenskap teen te werk. Hierdie hoofstuk handel ook oor hoe die kerk mense wat in landelike gebiede woon kan sensitiseer en bewus maak van die belangrikheid daarvan om nie na stedelike gebiede te trek nie. Die terme "volhoubare ontwikkeling" en "gemeenskapsontwikkeling" is omskryf om te bevestig hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe instrument in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees om volhoubare landelike bestaan te bevorder. Die kerk het 'n unieke rol te speel in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap. Hoofstuk vyf: Hierdie hoofstuk gee 'n versigtige kontekstuele analise van landelik-stedelike gebiede, die uitdagings wat die mense in daardie gemeenskappe in die gesig staar en wat gedoen moet word met die oog op volhoubare landelike lewe. Dit bespreek en ondersoek ook hoe die kerk, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, 'n effektiewe voertuig kan wees tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling en volhoubare landelike bestaan. Ten einde te help om die vlak van bewustheid van landelike volhoubaarheid in mense te verhoog, veral dié in landelike gebiede, is in hierdie hoofstuk noukeurig ondersoek gedoen na die faktore wat mense lok om te migreer na stedelike gebiede. So kan die oplossings vir hierdie uitdagings gevind word. Ten slotte, om te verstaan hoe die kerk in Malawi, as 'n gemeenskap-gebaseerde organisasie, kan 'n effektiewe voertuig in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap kan wees, word in hierdie hoofstuk 'n teorie van vier stappe ontwikkel, nl. Bewusmaking, Bemagtiging, Deelname en Volhoubaarheid. In hierdie hoofstuk word beklemtoon hoe die kerk kan / moet betrokke raak ten einde 'n effektiewe instrument van volhoubare landelike lewe te wees en mense te help in self-ontwikkeling. Hoofstuk ses: Die laaste hoofstuk bevat 'n opsomming van hierdie studie. Die studie beklemtoon die feit dat, indien die kerk doelbewus kan deelneem om mense te help in selfontwikkeling en 'n positiewe impak op hul lewens bring, lewens positief kan verander. As die kerk in Malawi, Nkhoma Sinode, kan deelneem aan die bewusmaking van mense in die landelike gebiede van die belangrikheid en voordele van die lewe daar, kan die getal mense wat na die stede migreer verminder word.

There has been only limited scholarly analysis of Malawi’s foreign policy since its independence in 1964 with key texts focusing primarily on the early years of the new state. Perhaps due to its relatively small stature – economically, politically and militarily – in the region, very little attention has been paid to the factors informing Malawi’s apparently uncritical foreign policy response to the Zimbabwe crisis since it began in the late 1990s. This thesis addresses this deficit by locating its understanding of Malawi’s contemporary foreign policy towards Zimbabwe in the broader historical and contemporary context of bilateral relations between the two states and the multilateral forum of SADCC and SADC. It is argued that the Malawi’s long-standing quest for socio-economic development has forced it to manoeuvre a pragmatic but sometimes contentious foreign policy path. This was also evident until the end of the Cold War and the concomitant demise of apartheid in South Africa in the early 1990s. Malawi forged deliberate diplomatic and economic relations with the region’s white-ruled Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) and South Africa in pursuit of its national economic interests while the majority of southern African states collectively sought the liberation of the region by facilitating the independence of Zimbabwe and countering South Africa’s apartheid and regional destabilization policies. In the contemporary era, there has been a convergence of foreign policy ambitions in the region and Malawi now coordinates its regional foreign policy within the framework of SADC, which itself prioritizes the attainment of socio-economic development. However, to understand Malawi’s response to the Zimbabwe crisis only in the context of SADC’s “quiet diplomacy” mediation efforts obscures important historically rooted socioeconomic and political factors that have informed relations between Malawi and Zimbabwe and which cannot, it is argued, be ignored if a holistic understanding of Malawi’s position is to be sought. This study argues that the nature of historical ties between Malawi and Zimbabwe and the role of Malawi’s leaders in driving its long-standing quest for socioeconomic development have not only informed its overall foreign policy behaviour in the region but underpin its contemporary relations with Zimbabwe.

Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents the empowerment of the laity in the church as a strategic key activity to bring transformation within the Malawian Church and its context. It is an attempt to answer the question: How can the laity of the CCAP Nkhoma Synod be empowered to become missional agents of transformation? The researcher contends that, if the clerical leadership can engage faithfully in the task of equipping all members for service in the Church and community, a phenomenal improvement in the quality of life in Malawi can take place. The first chapter serves as an introduction to the whole work. It describes the problem in three related questions, all of which demand a practical theo-logical response to the described scenario. Along with other introductory essentials, this chapter establishes the epistemological framework for doing theology in congregations as overarching for the study. It basically defines theology in a practical way. Chapter 2 describes the physical features of Malawi, as well as a historical background of the Church in Malawi. While it presents a general historical background, it pays special attention to the contributions of the laity in the development of the Malawian Church. The role of the laity in Church development and growth throughout the Church's history is quite remark-able, must be appreciated, and actually deserves a special study. Chapter 3 deals with the analysis of the context in which the Malawian Church exists and ministers. It exposes the suffering caused by poverty and HIV/AIDS, that people in the Church and society experience. The situation, as described, provides the motivation and driving force for this study. The identity analysis of the Nkhoma Synod dominates Chapter 4, which discusses the influence of identity on the way the Church equips its members. The picture that it portrays proves that identity should be used to promote empowerment of the laity. Chapter 5 discusses the Church's missional nature and explains the Church's position in the society, as well as its biblical mandate to serve. This discussion is taken further in Chapter 6, which deals with the specific role of the Church in sustainable development. The Church, with its missional nature, is viewed as a capable catalyst and participant in community development. Chapter 7 develops a detailed explanation of the laity‟s empowerment as a key activity of the Church in its practice of theology. This empowerment is approached from different perspectives and also receives an African view. This chapter prepares the research with the basic theory used in the case study that Chapter 8 presents. The final chapter summarizes the whole discussion as a way of commenting on the findings that climax in the case study. This study asserts that, if the clerical leadership in the Malawian Church in the Nkhoma Synod can empower the laity and utilize their spiritual gifts, then the missional identity of the Church can come to the fore.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis handel oor die bemagtiging van lidmate as ʼn strategiese sleutel tot transformasie binne die Malawiese Kerk en sy konteks. Dit is ʼn poging om die vraag te beantwoord: Hoe kan die lidmate van die CCAP Nkhoma Sinode bemagtig word om missionêre agente van transformasie te wees? Die navorser beweer dat, indien die leierskap getrou die taak kan uitvoer om alle lidmate toe te rus vir diens in die Kerk en die gemeenskap, ʼn merkwaardige verbetering in die lewenskwaliteit in Malawi kan plaasvind. Die eerste hoofstuk dien as ʼn inleiding tot die hele werk. Dit beskryf die pro-bleem in drie verwante vrae wat al drie ʼn praktiese teologiese reaksie tot die scenario wat beskryf is, bied. Tesame met ander inleidende noodsaaklik-hede, verduidelik hierdie hoofstuk die praxis metodologie van praktiese teologie. Hoofstuk 2 beskryf Malawi en vertel die geskiedenis van die kerk. Terwyl dit ʼn algemene historiese agtergrond bied, skenk dit spesiale aandag aan die bydraes van lidmate in die ontwikkeling van die Malawiese Kerk. Lidmate se rol in die Kerk se ontwikkeling en groei is werklik merkwaardig, moet waardeer word, en verdien eintlik ʼn spesiale studie. Hoofstuk 3 handel oor die analise van die konteks waarin die Malawiese Kerk bestaan en dien. Dit toon die lyding, veroorsaak deur armoede en MIV/VIGS, wat mense in die Kerk en samelewing verduur. Die situasie is die motivering en dryfveer vir hierdie studie. Die identiteitsanalise van die Nkhoma Sinode is die inhoud van Hoofstuk 4. Die stelling wat dit maak, is dat identiteit gebruik moet word om die bemagtiging van lidmate te bevorder. Hoofstuk 5 bespreek die kerk se missionêre wese en verduidelik die kerk se posisie in die samelewing asook sy Bybelse mandaat om te dien. vi Hierdie bespreking word verder gevoer in Hoofstuk 6 wat handel oor die rol van die Kerk om volhoubare ontwikkeling te verseker. Die Kerk, met sy missionêre wese, word gesien as ʼn belangrike rolspeler in gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Hoofstuk 7 verduidelik hoe lidmate bemagtig word om die missio Dei te volvoer. In teologiese teorie en die bedieningpspraktyk behoort dit tot die wese van kerkwees. Bemagtiging kan vanaf verskillende perspektiewe benader word, maar ʼn kontekstuee, eie, Afrika benadering, word voorgestaan. Dié hoofstuk is voorbereidend tot die beskrywing van die proses wat die navorser gevolg het om die teorie in die CCAP gemeente Nkhoma toe te pas en te evalueer: Hoofstuk 8. Die slothoofstuk som die hele bespreking op as ʼn manier om kommentaar te lewer op die bevindinge wat hul klimaks in die gevallestudie bereik. Hierdie studie bewys dat waar kerklike leierskap lidmate bemagtig en hul gawes benut, die missionêre identiteit van die Kerk daadwerklik sigbaar word.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In most African communities, local community leadership is highly esteemed and plays a crucial role in community development. Local community leaders, especially in rural areas, have much power and authority over community members and in most cases act as contact persons with development agents. They are key to the development of their communities. However, most communities experience a number of leadership challenges. A number of leaders are corrupt, oppressive, self-seeking and incapable of serving their communities. This hinders transformation in communities. Therefore, this thesis presents the need for transformational local community leadership for community transformation in rural areas, Lilongwe rural (Malawi) in particular. It contends that for community transformation to take place there has to be a leadership that is transformational to guide such change. The local church is deemed as an ideal change agent that can model transformational leadership and reach out to local community leaders because of its nature, call and strategic position in local communities despite its imperfections. To have a deeper understanding of the theme of this research, an empirical study was conducted in “Mgwayi” community in Lilongwe rural, Malawi, using a case study research strategy. An interdisciplinary approach was employed to gather primary and secondary data, which was analysed from a practical theological perspective. The results clearly indicate that the community experiences a number of leadership and general challenges caused by internal and external factors. The local church is playing some significant role in addressing these challenges; however, it can do better. Therefore, this study suggests that there is need for the local church to reclaim both its nature and its call so that it can take its rightful position and role in the community. There is need for the local church to exercise transformational leadership as modelled by Christ Jesus. Development agents can partner and work alongside the local church to empower it towards transformational leadership and being what it ought to be.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die meeste Afrika-gemeenskappe is die plaaslike gemeenskapsleiers hoog aangeskrewe en speel hulle ‘n belangrike rol in die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap. Plaaslike gemeenskapsleiers, veral in landelike gebiede, het baie mag en gesag oor die lede van die gemeenskap en tree in die meeste gevalle as kontakpersone op tussen die gemeenskap en ontwikkelingsagente. Hulle is die sleutel tot die ontwikkeling van hul gemeenskappe. Die meeste gemeenskappe ervaar egter ‘n aantal uitdagings t.o.v. leierskap. ‘n Groot aantal is korrup, onderdrukkend, soek hul eie belang en nie in staat om die gemeenskap te dien nie. Dit verhinder transformasie in gemeenskappe. Daarom bespreek hierdie tesis die behoefte aan transformerende plaaslike gemeenskapsleiers in landelike gebiede, in besonder landelike Lilongwe (Malawi). Dit beweer dat daar transformerende leiers moet wees om ‘n gemeenskap te begelei deur verandering vir gemeenskaps-transformasie om plaas te vind. Die plaaslike kerk is die ideale agent vir verandering om transformerende leierskap te modelleer en uit te reik na plaaslike gemeenskapsleiers as gevolg van die aard, roeping end strategiese posisie in die plaaslike gemeenskappe ten spyte van die kerk se tekortkominge. Om ‘n groter begrip te ontwikkel vir die onderwerp van navorsing is ‘n empiriese studie gemaak van die “Mgwayi” gemeenskap in landelike Lilongwe, Malawi, met behulp van ‘n gevallestudie navorsing strategie. ‘n Interdissiplinêre benadering is gebruik om primêre en sekondêre data in te samel, wat van ‘n prakties-teologiese perspektief ontleed is. Die resultate dui duidelik aan dat die gemeeskap ‘n aantal leierskap en ook ander algemene uitdagings ervaar. Dit word veroorsaak deur interne faktore en eksterne faktore. Die plaaslike kerk speel ‘n belangrike rol in die hantering van hierdie uitdagings, maar kan verbeter hierop. Hierdie studie dui aan dat dit nodig is vir die plaaslike kerk om beide sy aard en roeping weer ernstig op te neem sodat hy sy regmatige plek en rol in die gemeenskap kan vervul. Daar is ‘n behoefte vir die plaaslike kerk om transformerende leierskap te modelleer, volgens die voorbeeld van Jesus Christus. Ontwikkelingsagente kan saam met die plaaslike gemeente werk om die kerk te bemagtig tot transformerende leierskap sodat dit die instrument kan wees wat dit behoort te wees.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of implementing capacity building strategies on the provision of health services in the central region of Malawi. The study intended to determine why a lack of quality services is still prevailing in the health services in the central region despite implementing capacity building strategies aimed at improving the delivery of health services. In addition to this, to come up with recommendations to improve the implementation of the existing capacity building strategies so that the implementation results in the intended impact, that is efficient and effective provision of health services in the central region of Malawi. The studies reviewed what various scholars have written on capacity building in order to ground capacity building in Public Administration and provide the study with a conceptual, theoretical and legislative framework. This enabled the researcher to describe the nature and place of capacity building in Public Administration. It was evident from the review that the implementation of capacity building strategies is a systematic process which requires that chief officials follow all the steps in order to effectively and efficiently implement the capacity building strategies so that the intended impact is achieved. In this regard, capacity building is a management function which requires that chief officials play an enabling role by providing the necessary resources (both human and financial) and policies that support the implementation of capacity building strategies. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods whereby thirty-five respondents composed of political office-bearers and chief officials from Lilongwe, Dedza, Mchinji and Dowa districts and Ministry of Health Headquarters in the central region of Malawi were given self-administered questionnaires to complete. Face-to-face interviews and document analysis were also used as research methods. The intention was to determine the problems that are being experienced in the implementation of the existing capacity building strategies and find out if the strategies are resulting in the intended impact. The study findings confirmed that there are indeed problems being experienced in the implementation of the existing capacity building strategies, namely: inadequate human and financial resources, corruption, political interference, lack of consultation with stakeholders and lack of political will to make sure that the implementation of the capacity building strategies is effectively and efficiently done. It was also revealed that the implementation of the existing capacity building strategies is impacting negatively on the provision of health services in the central region of Malawi, hence indicating a need to change in approach. The study concludes that in order for the capacity building strategies to achieve the intended impact there is a need to broaden the scope of the legal framework on health capacity building strategies in Malawi, enforce the use of performance standards and improve the operational framework to gain efficiencies and effectiveness from current investments in capacity building.

Cette thèse consiste en une analyse de l’État sénégalais en actes et de ses processus de gouvernementalité tels que ceux-ci sont déployés en Casamance. Au travers de la lutte contre le paludisme, comme objet ethnographique, ce travail mène une analyse de la fabrique de la légitimité étatique dans une région où celle-ci est remise en question. Il s'agit, au travers des actes d’État, d'interroger les relations entre les appareils d’État (idéologiques et coercitifs), les partenaires de l’État et les communautés. Les ajustements structuraux des années 1980, la décentralisation qui en découle et la mise en place des appareils communautaires ont participé, auprès de la population, de la dégradation de l'image d'un État fort. Cette dégradation, en contexte casamançais, fut exacerbée par une crise de la légitimité étatique trouvant son origine dans un conflit social. Celui-ci est survenu suite au sentiment éprouvé par les populations d'un État vécu comme pilleur et incapable d'assurer le bien-être de ses administrés. Aujourd'hui, alors que la Casamance reste en proie à un conflit de basse-intensité, l'imaginaire d'un État ayant « abandonné » la région subsiste. Comment, dès lors, l’État fabrique sa légitimité alors qu'il n'apparaît majoritairement aux yeux des Casamançais qu'au travers de ses prérogatives violentes ? Alors que ses appareils coercitifs sont très visibles (contrôles militaires et policiers réguliers), comment apparaît-il sous ses formes bienveillantes lui permettant de légitimer sa présence ? Ainsi, par une analyse du déploiement du biopouvoir, au travers de la mise en place des politiques de lutte contre le paludisme, cette thèse interroge la fabrique de l’État en Casamance. Cette recherche constitue ainsi une anthropologie politique
This thesis consists in a Senegalese State analysis in its works and its governmentality process deployed in Casamance. Through the combat against malaria as an ethnographic field of investigation, this work analyses the fabrication of the State legitimacy in a region where it is challenged. It's about the investigation into the relations between the political apparatus (ideological and coercive), the government collaborators and communities through the State works. The structural adjustment of the 80's which has led to the decentralization and the community apparatus setting up, contributed to deteriorate the State's image for the people. A crisis of the legitimacy of the State rooted in a social conflict, exacerbated this deterioration in a Casamance context. This conflict appeared because the people felt that the State was a looter and was unable to provide for their well-being. Today, the imaginary of a State which has "given up" the region still goes on when Casamance still knows a weakened conflict. Consequently, how does the State build its legitimacy when it mainly reveals itself to the Casamances through its violent prerogatives? How does it appear by its benevolent forms allowing to legitimate its presence when its coercive apparatus are so obvious (military control and legitimate police)? Thus, this thesis questions, through an analysis of the deployment of the bio-powerand through the setting up of the policies to combat malaria, the fabrication of the State in Casamance. This research constitutes in this way a political anthropology

M.A.
The dissertation focuses on a particular community, religiously defined, residing in a certain area. It characterizes their particular beliefs and customs, and portrays the history and development. For this purpose several sources have been consulted and no less than 37 people interviewed. The Malay community of Gauteng predominantly originated from the Cape and Port Elizabeth. Their ancestors were originally posted to South Africa from the Dutch settlements in the Malay Archipelago during the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and political exiles. Some of them, however, were people of high rank. The Malays settled in Johannesburg and Pretoria towards the end of the 19th century and in Nigel between 1976 and 1977. This area is presently known as Gauteng. The Malay community of Gauteng are all Muslims and predominantly followers of the Shafi‘î madhhab (Islamic School of Thought). They constitute a minority group both religiously and ethnically. The Malays of Gauteng furthermore consist of various ethnical groups who were classified as part of the Coloured population group under the Group Areas Act 41 of 1950. In Johannesburg and Nigel the Malays lived in Coloured residential areas but in Pretoria the Malays rather associated them with the Indian Muslims. In Pretoria the majority of the Malays therefore settled in the Indian residential area Laudium instead of the Coloured residential area Eersterust. The research highlights the prominent early ‘Ulamâ’ (Muslim religious scholars) in both the Cape and Gauteng as well as their contributions towards the preservation, growth and development of Islam in both areas. Unfortunately in the Gauteng province (formerly part of the old Transvaal province) the Malays were often denied their contributions and initiatives in the Islamic field by another Muslim ethnical group. Attention is paid to the Malay communities’ acceptance of various syncretistic elements and innovations in their daily Islamic belief systems and social and religious customs. These include certain practices during pregnancies, ‘aqîqah (birth ceremonies), grave worshipping, engagements, weddings, doopmaal (baptisms), religious celebrations and tamats (Muslim religious school graduations). The research shows how pure Islamic elements were diffused and transformed into a unique local version of Islam since their days of slavery. The said practices also reflect possible elements of Hinduism and local tribal customs in them. It is founded in the research that the Malay community practised syncretism in the spirit of pure Islam. Their syncretistic customs were never intended to show disrespect to Islam or to create a new brand of Islam. It was practiced by the majority of the Malay community rich and poor, educated and uneducated. The Malay community of Gauteng never realised nor were they aware that their various religious customs and cultures were actually syncretistic in nature and not part of pure Islam. It was only during the last fifteen years that they became aware of this fact. To many Malays what they were practising was part of Islam and as such will always be part of Islam and part of their heritage. Their practices, however, brings them into conflict with some of the Malay ‘Ulamâ’. The research also discusses the various dark superstitious beliefs of the Malays of Gauteng. These kinds of superstitious beliefs formed an integral part of the belief system of the Pagans prior to the advent of Islam. Unfortunately even today superstition still forms part of some Malays’ belief system which include elements such as visiting dukums (Malay spiritual doctors), fortune tellers; avoiding double weddings; superstitious beliefs pertaining to pregnant ladies, new born babies and the misperception that the month of Safar (2nd Islamic month) is filled with fear, ill fortune and bad luck. Some Malay ‘Ulamâ’ especially those who are alumni from the Dâr al-‘Ulûms tried and are still trying various methods to rid the general Malay community of Gauteng from their syncretistic practises and superstitious beliefs but unfortunately they are not very successful in it. Wherever and whenever these ‘Ulamâ’ officiate at Malay religious functions they would not participate nor allow or even encourage that any of the Malay syncretistic practices should be part of the proceedings. Since the Malays of Gauteng have moved to new mixed racial areas far from vibrant Malay communities the future of the Malay culture is however unpredictable. The research further focuses on the spiritual, educational and economical development of the Malays of Gauteng. Firstly it focuses on the fact that the Malays were forcibly removed from their homes in Johannesburg and Pretoria and compelled by the government to resettle in new Coloured residential areas. Here they were however afforded the opportunity to purchase their own residential properties and built their own businesses. (Formely the Malays were deprived by the authorities to rent businesses from government owned business enterprices). Secondly it focuses on the growth and development, deterioration and eventual resurgence of the Malay Hifz (memorization of the Qur’ân) tradition. A similar tendency is also reported with regard to the number of ‘Ulamâ’. Most students are nowadays trained locally at the Dâr al-‘Ulûms in South Africa. Formerly they were educated at institutions in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Many Malay ‘Ulamâ’, past and present were known for their extensive academic qualifications. Thirdly the research focuses on the Malay ‘Ulamâ’s inability and unsuccessful attempts since 1923 to establish a recognized ‘Ulamâ’ body (theological council) in Gauteng. The research found that the Malay ‘Ulamâ’ had over the years resisted all attempts to unite on a common ground in Gauteng.

Participation in development is not a new concept as over the years, facilitators of development have realized that meaningful development can only be achieved when the people concerned take part in decision making and implementation of activities affecting them. This study was done to examine the extent to which child participation is being achieved in a development programme area, facilitated by World Vision Malawi, a Non Governmental Organization. The study was done in Chata Area development programme (ADP) located in T/A Chimutu in Lilongwe district. Children are defined as any person below the age 18. The study used mixed methods approach in which quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Through random and purposive sampling, 110 children and 105 adults were interviewed using a questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also done to supplement information collected through the questionnaires. Analysis of the quantitative data collected was done using Scientific Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) tool while the qualitative data was analyzed manually using common themes that emerged from the findings. The findings of the study show that despite the many development activities in Chata area participation of children has been limited. Adults look down upon children as a minority group which cannot meaningfully participate in development activities. Furthermore, the study found such factors as cultural and traditional practices, gender, level of education and other household characteristics to be the major barriers to children‟s participating in development activities. Surprisingly, the findings further indicate that much as the programme has been engaged in advocacy activities, these have focused more on creating awareness on child protection only rather than child participation. The study argues that if children will have to sustain the development gains in communities such as Chata, then they equally need to participate in the development process to enhance their future capacities in related development activities. On the overall, therefore, the study recommends that there is a need to create awareness on the adults to change attitude when they look at children and begin to create room for children to participate in the development process in an age appropriate manner. There is a need to create systems and structures that will enable children be included in the decision making process while building their capacity and self esteem.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

The study assesses effectiveness of CDGs on poverty reduction among individual members. This is based on the concept of sustainable development with context, structures and strategies as factors affecting poverty reduction. Quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. These involved 120 participants, 5 FGDs and 5KIIs. Participants were purposively and randomly sampled. Results reveal CDGs as a potential strategy in effective community development benefiting group members for poverty reduction. Such benefits include; social, economic, physical, human or environmental. However, group composition and processes pose challenges for benefits to trickle down to some members. Structural arrangement requiring leaders and other influential people like educated members to be in the forefront of interventions has proved challenging to the approach. This happens when self interests are at play leading to deprivations of some members to access benefits. Monitoring membership diversity focusing on group composition and operations is recommended for groups to effectively reduce poverty.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

Community-based organizations are considered as one of the major institutions involved in community development apart from the state and non-governmental organizations. The idea of local participation is the one that has resulted into their emergence as participation is considered to be an essential part of human growth. With the advent of democracy in 1994, and the coming in of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Malawi, there has been a mushrooming of community-based organizations in the country. Now that its over fourteen years since their emergence in Malawi, its high time a study was conducted to establish contributions the community-based organizations are making in the development if the country, identify the challenges they are facing and find possible solutions that can help improve their effectiveness. This thesis presents findings of such a study done in Kasungu district in Malawi.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

The study was carried out to investigate the implementation of the Malawian ECD policy in CBCCC in Namatubi Kanyenjere area. Both primary and secondary techniques were used to carry out the research. Literature review was carried out to ascertain the evolvement of ECD over the years and establish the basis of the current policy. Interviews were carried out with three respondent groups namely CBCCC committees, care givers and government officials. This was done to assess perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of the ECD policy among communities as well as the roles played by different stakeholders in the policy implementation. Over 90% of the CBCCC in Chitipa were initiated by communities and duly registered by the government. However there is little monitoring thereof by the government officials which dwindles the activities of the centres. Communities, stakeholders and government face various challenges that require concerted efforts to help improve the implementation of the ECD policy.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

Community based targeting mechanism has been widely utilized in the delivery of relief interventions and safety nets. In developing countries like Malawi the approach has been championed as the most effective and efficient way of reaching the most vulnerable. However, very little is known on how community based targeting mechanism actually works. Using the Agriculture Input Subsidy programme as a case study, the thesis attempts to explore whether community based targeting lives to its billing of enhancing social capital. The purpose of the study was to examine community perceptions and experiences about community based targeting approach and how it affects social relations and collective actions in the community. The results demonstrate that while communities have the knowledge and capacity to target the most vulnerable, the approach is largely a top down process. The choice on whether to target or not is a delicate balance of social, economic and political factors. Communities largely participate to fulfil or comply with official requirements so that they can cash in from the benefits. However, given a choice communities would largely share resources equally to prevent social costs. Consequently, a targeted programme at national level becomes a universal programme at community level since benefits are largely shared to all community members. The role and influence of social factors in the community based targeting has been largely underestimated in the targeting literature.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

This thesis is based on a community called Kwena Malapo near Lanseria. It is a group of people that sit between the threat of relocation and the opportunity to develop along with the new proposed development of Cradle City. The land on which the informal settlement exists sits on the border of this development and the community are fighting to stay where they are. They lack basic services and infrastructure have poor education and no skills investment which makes them vulnerable. The aim of this thesis is to put forward the design of a community hub that will serve the community, give them an opportunity for learning and contribution as well as the ability to develop with the new economic growth, instead of facing relocation. Along with skills development and business opportunity the hub aims to serve the 13 informal settlements that surround Kwena Malapo.

Decentralization is an approach Malawi government is using to accelerate development. In order to achieve this, local structures like ADCs were instituted to improve community participation and enhance demand driven type of development. This study examined the effectiveness of the ADCs in decentralization. The study was conducted in TAs Chilowoko and Kalumo in Ntchisi district. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Through random sampling, 97 respondents were interviewed using a household questionnaire. Two focus group discussions and 14 key informant interviews were also done. Analysis of the quantitative data collected was done using Scientific Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) tool while the qualitative data was analyzed manually using common themes that emerged from the findings. The results show that the community members do not commonly know ADCs and that they do not have autonomy to enhance community participation in decision making. ADCs do not have the autonomy to operate as custodians of development. ADCs are also facing many challenges that include lack of operational resources, incentives, transport and political infringement. On the overall, therefore, the study recommends that there is need to create awareness on the existence of the ADCs and other local structures to the community members. Secondly, there is need to review the National Decentralization Policy, Local Government Act and the Guidebook on decentralization in Malawi
Development Studies
M. A. (Development Studies)

Chiefs in Malawi have traditionally been part of the government machinery since colonial days and continue to play a crucial role in development administration even more so in decentralized structures. They are able upon to mobilize communities in rural areas to initiate and implement community development projects with minimal supervision. Malawi Social Action Fund 1 (MASAF 1) project management approach, which centered on community ownership of projects and registered enormous successes, is a case in proof of this. However, distribution of power and roles between chiefs and local government authorities in view of decentralization demand more research and policy debate if chiefs are to be effectively utilized and for the decentralization process to work effectively. Whilst the local authorities derive their power from the control of 5% of revenue collected in the districts, which they are allocated, chiefs derive theirs from the legitimacy they have over their subjects for being in constant touch with the community.
Development Studies
M.A. Social Science (Development Studies)

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg September 2015
The year 2000 witnessed a significant convergence of global policy positions. These positions range from the neoliberal regime which gained traction in the mid-1990s, participatory development models of the 1980s, and the technocratic approach to development of the late 1990s. Despite their ideological differences, these policy positions found co-existence in the (MDGs) and have framed how poverty is globally understood and how it should be addressed, including the use of communication especially the media to promote or fast track poverty reduction projects. This thesis is a critical analysis of the extent to which the United Nations (UN) Communication for Development strategy of 2007 has been used in Kamaila Village in Zambia and Mwandama Village in Malawi to implement MDG-related projects. The two villages were chosen because they have been exposed to different models of poverty reduction activities. The Mwandama Village project is part of the Millennium Village Project where a holistic approach is applied to address poverty, while the Kamaila Village is a beneficiary of a water project which is considered to be important to kick-start village-driven poverty reduction activities. Even though the two villages have been used as units of analysis, the main goal of this study was to examine the two policy documents as texts – the MDG and the UN Communication for strategy – how the discourse and narratives that inform them and their relationship with power, shape social practices and behaviour at national and village level. The study also sought to establish how language operates within the context of power relations by applying theories of global governance, knowledge and power, hegemony, participatory and media communication. The methodology used to gather data consists of a critical discourse analysis on the policy documents and qualitative interviews with different respondents from the villagers, the UN system, NGOs, media and governments. Through a combination of these theoretical frameworks and methodologies, this study has shown that the narratives and discourses that inform the MDGs are influenced by western actors who use the power of money to pursue their neoliberal interests under the guise of reducing poverty. The link between political power, the poverty reduction ideas and interests of elite actors saturates and remotely controls available policy spaces for participation with external knowledge and rules, starting from the UN system down to the villages thereby enabling neoliberal ideas to control the flow of knowledge and the construction of discourses. Despite attempts to harness local modes of social communication to transmit the neoliberal notions of poverty in the villages, individual villagers have discursively devised ways of maintaining their own ‘traditional’ ways of life. This highlights that poverty reduction discussions must not be too obsessed with controlling or changing people’s minds and behaviour but seek to understand the grassroots’ lifestyles as a baseline for informed intervention. Ignoring this baseline knowledge is one of the many reasons development has failed dismally since the 1950s because it is driven by capital interests from the top to bottom with less or no intentions to address poverty. In addition, the ability of media messages to influence practices and behaviour remains a contested arena. But as this study established, the strength of messages to alter social practices has its limitations because behaviour is a manifestation of several factors such as environment, context, biology, genealogy and culture, some of which are not linked to communication. However, communication within the context of the villagers is part of their way of exchanging or transmitting ideas and knowledge in producing and reproducing their culture and not to eliminate it. This thesis makes scholarly contribution through the use of a critical approach to international policy formulation, and participation within a globalised world. While several studies have analysed the link between communication and poverty reduction privileging the neoliberal construction of these themes, this study has demonstrated that the grassroots are not unthinking; they have a well-being, cultural context and communication ecology which needs to be understood first and respected. These findings expose the tensions between the neoliberal interests-driven elite view of poverty and the local way of viewing well-being.

This research, has relevance in the wake of dwindling aid channelled to the third world rural poor. This study has explored ways of breaking away from benevolence and economism. The research explores four objectives that are focussed on scanning the boundary, in terms of challenges and possible solutions. This provides some in-depth understanding of challenges that face the process of establishing self-sustaining institutions of development. In the last two objectives, the research explores some programming alternatives that would enhance the establishment of democratic and participatory organisations that maximise social capital and grassroots democratisation. A list of guidelines specific to institutions has been drawn. The results of the survey reveal that sustainability cannot be predicted due to the uncertainties and ambiguities associated with project success. The hypothesis that participation and grassroots democratisation facilitates project success has been validated and there was greater project success in participatory organisations, given the baseline context.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

The study assesses community perceptions of emergency response modality (cash and food aid) on development: a case study of Traditional Authority Lundu in Chikwawa district, Malawi. This is based on the top down approach which is mostly common in humanitarian aid, where practitioners perceive this to be the right mode of aid delivery to affected communities. This research has used mixed methods of research designs. Participants were purposively and randomly sampled and 193 household heads, 2 focus group discussions and 10 key informants were interviewed. The results revealed that food aid is the best response modality in the area. Humanitarian aid enhances community development as it eliminates negative coping mechanisms. Food aid helps to stabilize commodity prices, improve health status of affected people and promote continuation of development intervention in the area. The study recommends that a thorough assessment is required to derive at a response option and resilient interventions that should be included in humanitarian response.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

PhD (Geography)
Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences
Malaria is a climate-change concatenated biological hazard that may, like any other natural hazard, can lead to a disaster if there is a failure in handling emergencies or risks. A holistic solution for malaria mitigation can be provided when indigenous knowledge is complemented with scientific knowledge. Malaria remains a challenge in South Africa and Limpopo province is the highest burdened malaria-endemic region. Specifically, Vhembe District is the highest burdened followed by Mopani District (Raman et al., 2016). This research sought to mitigate malaria transmissions in Mopani District through the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge. The study was carried out in Mopani District of South Africa and 4 municipalities were involved. These are Ba-Phalaborwa, Greater Tzaneen, Greater Letaba, and Maruleng. A pragmatism philosophy was adopted hence the study took a mixed approach (sequential multiphase design). Data was collected from 381 selected participants through in-depth interviews, a survey and a focus group discussion. Participants for the in-depth interviews were obtained through snowballing and selected randomly for the survey, while for the focus group discussion purposive sampling was used. The study applied constructivist grounded theory to analyze qualitative data and to generate theory. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used for quantitative data. Based on empirical findings, it was concluded that temperature and rainfall among other various factors exacerbate malaria transmission in the study area. Results of the study also show that people in Mopani District predict the malaria season onset by forecasting rainfall using various indigenous knowledge based indicators. The rainfall indicators mentioned by participants in the study were used in the developed early warning system. An Early warning system is an essential tool that builds the capacities of communities so that they can reduce their vulnerability to hazards or disasters. In the design of the system, Apache Cordova, JDK 1.8, Node JS, and XAMPP software were used. The study recommends malaria management and control key stakeholders to adopt the developed early warning system as a further mitigation strategy to the problem of malaria transmission in Mopani District.
NRF

M.A. (Politics)
This study examines the four democratic elections that have been held in Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Madagascar in order to establish whether there has been an improvement in the quality of elections over the years, to ascertain the challenges faced in each country, and to determine the possible implications for the future of democracy in each of the countries. The criteria according to which elections are assessed in the SADC region guided the investigation. These are the PEMMO standards which, in contrast to a reliance on generalised terms such as „free and fair‟, offer practical guidelines on establishing progress in the electoral process, as well as the SADC-PF and SADC standards. The discussion has been structured along the lines of the three phases of the electoral process, namely, the pre-election period, the election period, and the post-election period, each with its own set of indicators to be met. The study finds that despite the minimal achievements, the overall management of the electoral processes in Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar has stagnated over the years. The institutional and legal framework is one of the major areas that need improvement in Malawi. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), which was charged with the responsibility of organising the various elections, experienced enormous difficulties in establishing a level playing field as well as in exercising its full mandate. Other problem areas include the voter registration process, the use of state resources by the incumbent party, and the acceptance of the electoral outcome by some opposition leaders. In the case of Zambia, the procedure for the appointment of members of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) undermines the independence of this body. The other difficult aspects (as in the case of Malawi) are the lack of public funding of political parties, the use of state resources by the ruling party, biased media access and coverage for the ruling party, and the acceptance of election results by some of the opposition parties. The inadequate training of the electoral staff has also been a major contributing factor to these challenges. In contrast to the abovementioned countries (including South Africa), the legal framework in Madagascar did not provide for the establishment of an independent electoral management body. Consequently, the various elections resulted in recurrent shortcomings in the voter registration process, the use of state resources, and the management of election material. However, despite the above bleak picture regarding the elections in Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar, there were some marginal improvements in the conduct of the elections over the years. The polling and counting exercises in Malawi, for instance, proved to be generally well-managed by the fourth election. Similarly, the Zambian elections over the years have improved in terms of the voter registration process, and the decrease in acts of political violence and intimidation. In Madagascar the campaign periods were generally peaceful. However, the government has since been overthrown in a coup d’état in 2009. In contrast with Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar, the four elections in South Africa have been of a high standard, notwithstanding the few flaws, particularly during the first elections in 1994. The independence and credibility of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over the years, as well as its continuation of members for all the elections, have among other reasons, contributed to the high standard of elections in the country. The continuous significant flaws in the elections in Malawi and Zambia pose a serious problem for the advancement of democracy in these countries. In other words, if the basic requirements of democracy – that is "free and fair" elections – are not met it does not bode well for the democratic future of these countries. The legitimacy of the elections and that of the resultant governments can be undermined, as has since been illustrated in the instance of Madagascar. The case of South Africa demonstrates the direct link between the "freeness" and "fairness" of elections and the extent to which its political system is labelled a democracy.

This study empirically investigates the key macroeconomic determinants of economic growth in three Southern African Development Community countries, namely: Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa, using annual data for the period 1970-2013. The study uses the recently developed Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds-testing approach to co-integration and error correction model. In Malawi, the study finds that investment, human capital development, and international trade are positively associated, while inflation is negatively associated with economic growth in the short run. In the long run, the results reveal that investment, human capital development, and international trade are positively and significantly associated, while population growth and inflation are negatively and significantly associated with economic growth. In Zambia, the short-run results reveal that investment and human capital development are positively and significantly associated, while government consumption, international trade, and foreign aid are negatively and significantly associated with economic growth. The long-run results reveal that investment and human capital development are positively and significantly associated, while foreign aid is negatively and significantly associated with economic growth. In South Africa, the study results show that in the short run, investment is positively and significantly associated, while population growth and government consumption are negatively and significantly associated with economic growth. In the long run, the results reveal that economic growth is positively and significantly associated with investment, human capital development, and international trade, but negatively and significantly associated with population growth, government consumption, and inflation. These results all have significant policy implications. It is recommended that Malawian authorities should focus on strategies that attract investment: in addition there is a need to improve the quality of education, encourage export diversification, reduce population growth, and ensure inflation stability. Similarly Zambian authorities should focus on creation of incentives that attract investment, provision of quality education: moreover they need to improve government effectiveness, encourage international trade and ensure the effectiveness of development aid. South African authorities are recommended to focus on policies that attract investments, the provision of quality education, and trade liberalisation: concomitantly there is also a need to reduce population growth, government consumption and inflation.
Economics
Ph.D. (Economics)