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Livelihoods in the Lake Gariep region
a study of socio-economic conditions in post -1994 rural South Africa "ubomi obungcono"
Hermine Stelzhammer
Art der Arbeit
Dissertation
Universität
Universität Wien
Fakultät
Fakultät für Sozialwissenschaften
Betreuer*in
Walter Schicho
DOI
10.25365/thesis.19829
URN
urn:nbn:at:at-ubw:1-29741.71913.465555-3
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Abstracts
Abstract
(Deutsch)
The core empirical research of this thesis investigates livelihoods in three rural communities at Lake Gariep, South Africa’s biggest water body. More than 6000 people are living within the study area: Venterstad and Oviston, situated in the province of the Eastern Cape; and Gariep, in the province of the Free State. Severe poverty characterizes all three locations. The fish stock at Lake Gariep is one of the most important food resources for locals. This study constitutes the first social research undertaken in the area. It contributes to the existing body of knowledge on livelihood studies and natural resources in general and in post-apartheid South Africa in particular.
A mixed methodology, combining the livelihood approach with extensive in situ surveys is applied. Wide-ranging socio-economic data and qualitative material on life satisfaction were generated through two large household surveys conducted in 2007 and 2011. The methodology enables a comprehensive assessment of the role of fishing for rural communities, its contribution to their well-being, and the constraints fishermen have to face. The analysis is extended to the relationship between the micro-level represented by the case study and the macro-level of the political and economic situation in contemporary South Africa. The thesis argues that the rural poor at Lake Gariep are a localised example of a broader failure to make substantial progress towards achieving major national policy objectives of economic development, food security and poverty eradication since 1994. In stark contrast to these proclaimed goals, South Africa is characterized by increasing inequality and poverty. The reasons for this are manifold: historical and global economic pressures, but principally it is a result of political and administrative failure.
Abstract
(Englisch)
The core empirical research of this thesis investigates livelihoods in three rural communities at Lake Gariep, South Africa’s biggest water body. More than 6000 people are living within the study area: Venterstad and Oviston, situated in the province of the Eastern Cape; and Gariep, in the province of the Free State. Severe poverty characterizes all three locations. The fish stock at Lake Gariep is one of the most important food resources for locals. This study constitutes the first social research undertaken in the area. It contributes to the existing body of knowledge on livelihood studies and natural resources in general and in post-apartheid South Africa in particular.
A mixed methodology, combining the livelihood approach with extensive in situ surveys is applied. Wide-ranging socio-economic data and qualitative material on life satisfaction were generated through two large household surveys conducted in 2007 and 2011. The methodology enables a comprehensive assessment of the role of fishing for rural communities, its contribution to their well-being, and the constraints fishermen have to face. The analysis is extended to the relationship between the micro-level represented by the case study and the macro-level of the political and economic situation in contemporary South Africa. The thesis argues that the rural poor at Lake Gariep are a localised example of a broader failure to make substantial progress towards achieving major national policy objectives of economic development, food security and poverty eradication since 1994. In stark contrast to these proclaimed goals, South Africa is characterized by increasing inequality and poverty. The reasons for this are manifold: historical and global economic pressures, but principally it is a result of political and administrative failure.
Schlagwörter
Schlagwörter
(Englisch)
Lake Gariep Livelihood research South Africa
Schlagwörter
(Deutsch)
Süd Afrika Armut Lake Gariep
Autor*innen
Hermine Stelzhammer
Haupttitel (Englisch)
Livelihoods in the Lake Gariep region
Hauptuntertitel (Englisch)
a study of socio-economic conditions in post -1994 rural South Africa "ubomi obungcono"
Publikationsjahr
2012
Umfangsangabe
200 S. : Ill., Kt.
Sprache
Englisch
Beurteiler*innen
Walter Schicho ,
Walter Sauer
Klassifikation
89 Politologie > 89.00 Politologie: Allgemeines
AC Nummer
AC10855822
Utheses ID
17703
Studienkennzahl
UA | 092 | 300 | |