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Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/14

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    Reducing violence through the seed of greatness youth programme in Empangeni
    (2023-04) Mthabela, Happiness Sonto; Plüg, Simóne
    Youth violence is a major issue all over the world. The prevalence and patterns of youth violence are also common in South Africa, where young people are regularly exposed to violence in their families, schools, and communities. Youth violence can lead to numerous health consequences, including increased rates of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide, anxiety and premature death. Young people who are exposed to violence at such a young age are more likely to become involved in violent cycles, both as repeat victims and as potential perpetrators of violence, or develop other antisocial behaviour. Given the extent of youth violence, unless drastic intervention strategies succeed in breaking the cycles of violence, levels of violence are only likely to rise over time. This study aimed to uncover, understand, and respond to experiences of violence that exist amongst the youth of Empangeni in Northern KZN, by raising awareness of peacebuilding approaches and emphasising how youth involvement in peacebuilding programmes can provide lasting solutions. This study focused on youth from The Seed of Greatness Youth Programme, a youth organization based in the Empangeni area, and adopted a Participatory Action Research approach to engage youth affected by the problem of violence in building a peaceful community. The qualitative research approach was utilised to obtain detailed and rich data. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The information collected was audio recorded and then transcribed. After transcribing, the data was analysed and themes and sub-themes were derived from the collected information. The study reveals that the most prevalent forms of violence youth are experiencing in Empangeni are physical violence and gender-based violence. The main causes of violence were found to be substance abuse, peer influence, ongoing exposure to violence and a lack of economic opportunities. Findings also highlighted the perceptions of the effects of violence which were found to be PTSD and depression, development of coping strategies among victims, vigilantism and desensitisation to violence. Furthermore, in collaboration with the participants, a training workshop aimed at reducing key factors linked to violence was designed, implemented and evaluated. The Participatory Action Research method proved to be an extremely effective approach for this study. The process allowed the youth of Empangeni to be key role players in the research and to participate in all the stages of the research process with the purpose of creating social change. This involvement made youth feel valued which, in turn, yielded positive results as their involvement and participation in the project increased. The insight and experience acquired through the participatory action research process was valuable for both the researcher and youth in that both learned from each other through the sharing of knowledge in the research process
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    Advancing peace building programs to counter violent extremism messaging in Sidi Moumen District, Morocco
    (2023) Khebbaz, Soufiane; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    Digital platforms and communication tools have transformed the way we seek information and interact with others. Extremist groups are effectively using media to spread their ideas, propagate hate, and mobilize youth. This research examines the role of new media in countering violent extremism, preventing youth radicalization and fashioning political and religious discourse throughout the implementation of the “Youth Leaders for Peace” project. Youth from marginalized urban areas of Casablanca in Morocco were engaged in a participatory action research utilizing the power of new media and technology to build peace, deliver impactful messages, and influence positive change in both online and offline spaces. They worked with civil society organizations to identify, engage, and explore issues critical to the effective use of new media to enhance youth participation in political and civic life in their community. Activities were designed and implemented to encourage marginalized urban youth to participate constructively in countering violent extremism using dialogues about the principles and mechanisms of democracy, civic engagement, political participation, peaceful coexistence, and constructive conflict resolution.
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    Building capacity in the development and implementation of nonviolent campaigns in South Sudan
    (2021-05) John, Moses; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
    Civil society’s role and influence in peacebuilding has increasingly been recognized globally. As such, substantive attention has been given towards strengthening civil society capacities, especially in countries experiencing protracted conflicts. This thesis focuses on building the capacity of civil society in the development and implementation of nonviolent campaigns to transform socio-economic and political conflicts in South Sudan. Despite, limited civic space, repression from local authorities and challenges of limited capacity, South Sudanese have demonstrated their audacity to challenge entrenched power and that they are by no means a passive people. The study establishes that the civil society, employees of public and private sectors have on several occasions implemented the techniques of nonviolence. However, South Sudanese campaigns lack strategic focus, have not been sequenced, carried out systematically and in coordinated manner to change the worsening political, economic and social conditions. Following an action research approach, qualitative data was gathered using focus group discussions, interviews, questionnaires and structured observations. This was used to develop a nonviolent action training curriculum and the subsequent training of 24 participants. The short-term outcomes of this study indicate that the action research participants not only learned together, shared information and established sustainable networks, but also used tactics of peaceful marches, petitions, press statements, sit-ins, political non-cooperation and other forms of nonviolent campaigns to advance social, political, and economic change. The study concludes in that supporting civil society with technical skills, knowledge in nonviolent campaigning and coherent peacebuilding and financial resources is critical for building safe, democratic and prosperous country. The CSOs also need to focus on building social and political conscience of society’s members to value, appreciate and consider nonviolent responses to conflicts in order to reduce the culture of violent insurrection in South Sudan.
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    Ndebele spirituality as pathways to peace and healing in Zimbabwe
    (2021-11) Moyo, Seth Thembelihle; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Bhagwan, Raisuyah
    Recently there has been a call to deepen an understanding of African spirituality and its implications, in terms of understanding how it can strengthen the lives of Africans. Several scholars have written about different African groups thereby unveiling its richness and potential to act as a resource in dealing with many contemporary problems. Little however was done in relation to Ndebele spirituality, thereby prompting the need for this study. Furthermore, there have been arguments that peace and community building programs implemented in Zimbabwe are elitist, and therefore ignore the needs of ordinary people at grassroots level. This study sought to contribute to the growing body of scholarly work on African spirituality, by exploring Ndebele spirituality in particular. A qualitative research approach was used and was guided by ethnographic principles. Its primary aim was, to explore the values and principles underpinning Ndebele spirituality and to inquire about how its customs and healing methodologies can be used to rebuild community life. Purposive sampling and snow balling sampling were used to choose the sample which consisted of traditional healers and elders and community members. An interview guide was used to collect data, during semi-structured interviews that were held with these participants. The data reflected the following major themes viz. the philosophy underpinning Ndebele spirituality, values related to Ndebele spirituality, customs, rituals and healing methodologies. Ubuntu emerged as the overriding philosophy which guides every aspect of Ndebele spirituality. This means that Ndebele people approach their day-to-day life and spirituality in a collective manner. The Ndebele believe in the collective, hence healing methodologies are designed to restore and maintain both the individual, but mainly the collective. Therefore, the study recommended that people revert to the principles of Ubuntu which ensure working and living together
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    Enhancing capacities for local peacebuilding in Bunyoro sub-region, Western Uganda
    (2018) Kansiime, Noel Kiiza; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
    A central goal of peacebuilding efforts in the 21st Century is to localize peace through involving local actors to achieve sustainable peace. Since the 1990s, in pursuit of sustainable peace, attention has been paid to the renaissance of traditional approaches to peacebuilding, and successes were documented in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana. In Uganda, peacebuilding programmes were registered in three regions of Acholi, Karamoja, and Teso. Since the discovery of oil in Bunyoro sub-region, conflicts have been reported especially land-related conflicts due to land grabbing. Efforts such as the setting up of the National Petroleum Fund (NPF) to regulate exploration, development and production of oil, the National Oil Company (NOC) to enhance the country’s commercial interests in the oil sector, increasing land titling, setting up district land tribunals, and other government efforts and policies on oil and gas which are intended to address the problem, are not yielding expected results. It seems that local actors at the grass roots level are left out. Therefore, using an action research approach, this study implemented activities aimed at local capacity enhancement in order to realize sustainable and peaceful communities. The overarching objective of this study was to enhance capacities for local peacebuilding in Bunyoro sub-region through equipping them with knowledge and skills necessary for preventing, resolving and managing conflicts in their communities. The design for this study had three components: exploratory, action research and evaluation components. Data was collected using focus group discussions and in-depth key informant interviews. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of 23 participants in a case study of Hoima district, Bunyoro sub-region. An action team consisting of traditional chiefs, clan leaders, village leaders (Local Council 1 LC1), civil society organizations, and key informants was formed to prevent, resolve and manage conflicts in their communities. The short term outcomes of this study indicate that local peacebuilding capacities have been enhanced through strengthening of Bunyoro traditional approaches of peacebuilding with an action team that consisted of traditional leaders.