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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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Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Peace-building--Social aspects

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    Utilising action research to build peace at Njobokazi village, Kwazulu-Natal
    (2023-04) Shozi, Dizline Mfanozelwe; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    The rural community of Njobokazi at the remote border of the EThekwini Metro has been the scene of violent conflict for decades. Many people have been killed and many houses and community assets destroyed. Much of the violence was driven by a conquest mentality, informed by ubunsizwa, an aggressive form of masculinity where the winning faction is not satisfied with defeating their opponents but instead would drive them out of the village altogether. Violence has seeped into every aspect of life and was the only way people knew to deal with any dispute or difference. Using an action research approach with strong participation from community members, my aim was to try to build peace in the community. The intervention involved training in conflict resolution skills and psychological support to handle trauma from past violence. People who used to fight before came together in groups; as a result, many relationships were repaired. A full evaluation conducted roughly a year later showed that the group training had a powerful effect in reducing violence in the community. A key factor in this was the contribution of women, who are a major resource for bringing peace.
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    Building social capital for peace : a case of Zimbabwean youth in Durban
    (2021-11) Marima, Runyararo Evelyn E.; Plüg, Simóne; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    The Zimbabwean youth have grown up in a politically polarized and violent environment. For the youth, and indeed most citizens, the challenges have been further increased by the economic turmoil that the country is experiencing. As a result, frustration and the need to ensure their survival have led to the youth becoming more self-centered, lacking a sense of community and becoming intolerant of diversity. The youth have a weak social capital, which manifests itself as violence and a contempt of social and political authorities. This study, therefore, sought to encourage and strengthen social capital among youths and strengthen their sense of community. The study focused on young Zimbabwean migrants living in Durban, South Africa. The study sample comprised of both young men and women, who are studying, formally and informally and employed and others that were not employed. A qualitative research approach was employed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of youth experiences in the pursuit of social cohesion and change. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation were all part of the exploratory study design. Thematic analysis was used in this study to qualify and analyze data collected from participants. While interpreting what was being said and giving evidence to support these interpretations. The researcher was able to identify new patterns, code them, and generate themes. According to the study, the primary issues faced by young Zimbabwean migrants in their experience of living in South Africa include discrimination, mounting pressure to marry, unemployment, and a restrictive documentation framework. The study identified mistrust, competitiveness, and failed and superficial social networks as barriers to (re)building social capital.
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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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    Building a culture of peace in Durban, South Africa : an action research study with youth empowerment programme participants
    (2017) Fudu, Hailey K.; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
    This thesis sought to answer the research question: How can youth programmes in South Africa contribute more effectively to peacebuilding? South Africa is a country suffering from major inequality and violence. The mark left by the previous disempowering system is still affecting South African people and there is a clear need for justice and healing from all forms of violence and inequality. The existing inequalities are largely racial and economic and those under 25 years of age constitute a large percentage of both perpetrators and victims of violent crime (Clark 2012: 78). This study focused on youth in the Durban area who are South Africans of mostly Zulu heritage. The youth are surrounded by violence caused by disadvantaged circumstances, which include economic, racial and emotional damage inherited from the apartheid system. This group is referred to as ‘youth’ throughout this study as it examines the issues of violence in South Africa and how some young people are exploring solutions. Through an examination of literature and action research (AR) with participants from various programmes, this thesis investigates methods for improving the ability of Durban-based youth programmes to respond efficiently to the needs of youth as they endeavour to transform their communities. Following the identification of methods through focus group discussions, interviews and a review of literature, an action team was formed. This team consulted on which methods they wished to use for a collaborative peace project. They took what they learned from this process forward by sharing their experience with their respective empowerment programmes and by continuing to work together on an ongoing basis to bring their peace project to various other groups of children and youth throughout communities in Durban. The study concluded that when youth projects and programmes allow for youth to play a significant role in planning, action and reflection, whilst also receiving sufficient support from a mentor, they are empowered and the programmes are effective. The youth in this study began by discussing the issues surrounding them, brainstorming possible solutions and then designing a peace intervention in the form of a peace promotion performance. The performance was well received and the participants were empowered from the proactive roles they each played in preparing and delivering the performance. Through this transformational learning and service to the community, opportunities for youth to grow, mature and attain self-efficacy were nurtured. This process resulted in the further development of essential life-skills and positive values, and the youth participants learned to identify themselves with positive peers, mentors and purposeful activity. The action research also improved participants’ confidence, their desire to serve others and helped them to achieve a strong sense of positive endurance and strength to overcome the violence and negative influences around them. This peace project allowed the team members to make meaningful contributions to their community and inspired other youth by modelling peace in action.