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Faculty of Management Sciences

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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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    Reducing intertribal conflict and violence : a mediation project with the Bukusu and Nandi micro-nations, Kenya
    (2022) Wanjala, Silas Siboe; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia
    Tribal clashes in Africa continue to be an hinderance to peaceful coexistence between ethnic communities in proximity. In Kenya the leadership has been in denial of this reality, or at times key leaders abet the vice for selfish political expediency. This is a dangerous trajectory unless proper interventions are adopted in order to transform cultures of violence into a culture of peace. The thesis takes a critical look at the relations of the Bukusu and Nandi residing in Trans Nzoia County of Kenya. It is a mediation strategy to minimize ethnic tensions that usually to explode into violence with slight stimulation. It reiterates the verity that there are alternatives to violence, which is nonviolence. conflict transformation is the best route to take as communities are sensitized to embrace justice for all and live in an atmosphere of positive peace. This calls for creativity, sacrifice, patience and financial investment. The communities are called upon to reach out to each other as they work for positive peace. The thesis developed a dialogue project that involved 24 participants taking part in eight dialogue sessions that aimed at reducing prejudice and creating new friendships between members of the Bukusu and Nandi communities. By the end of the dialogue sessions, friendships and new networks had been formed. Group members endeavor to work together in doing peacebuilding throughout the county. This proofed that Dialogue is as a great tool for conflict resolution and conflict transformation. The thesis champions for dialogue opportunities to be encouraged throughout the country and continent. This will enable communities to have conversations over pertinent issues that split them and most times lead to animosity. Dialogues will open up room for contact, clarification of ideals, reduction of chauvinism and enhancement stronger uniting bonds.
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    Developing and testing new interventions to prevent violent service delivery protest in South Africa
    (2020-11) Zimuto, Prince Charles; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    Previous studies on violent service delivery protests in South Africa are mainly concerned with the causes of violent service delivery protests. Investigating the causes of violence alone in order to map out violence prevention strategies is a narrow approach to the problem of violence.
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    The role of children in preventing recurrence of xenophobia in Umbilo, KwaZulu-Natal
    (2020-11) Nyamadzawo, Ruth T.; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
    South Africa has witnessed a lot of conflict and violence in the post-independence era. The country has been characterised by direct, cultural and structural violence. As the country that is economically powerful in the SADC region, it has attracted a lot of migrant nationals through its borders.
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    Local peace committees in communities affected by transboundary violence : the case of RENAMO incursions in Chipinge, Zimbabwe
    (2021-02) Muchanyuka, Muneyi Rewayi; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
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    Sustaining local peace infrastructures in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
    (2021-04) Mwanza, Jean-Pierre Mfuni; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    For more than two decades the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has known acute violence which has killed millions of people.
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    Preventing violence against dementia sufferers in Mapotu, Lesotho
    (2020-11-20) Thafeng, Makoena Theresia; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    The study sought to establish the interventions that can help in the prevention of violence against dementia sufferers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to prevent violence against dementia sufferers in Mapotu, Lesotho. The research used an action research approach and a qualitative research design. The data collection methods that were used were interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicated that dementia sufferers are subjected to violence, discrimination, and stigma, and their family members are being discriminated against and stigmatised by community members. It was revealed that most of the people in Mapotu do not know about dementia, and they attribute the symptoms of the disease to witchcraft, which leads them to subject the sufferers and their families to violence, discrimination, and stigma. This misinformation and behaviour are country-wide phenomena.
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    Reducing gender-based violence : an action research among Zimbabwean youth
    (2018) Maphosa, Buhlebenkosi; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    Gender-based violence is an issue with high global concern. Research has principally focused on the adult population’s responses to existing definitions of violence, particularly gender-based violence in the search for effective and sustainable violence prevention strategies. Few studies have examined how young people themselves define violence and the aspects that lead to their acceptance and application of violence. This doctoral thesis reports on the findings derived as part of an action research conducted in two secondary schools in Zimbabwe, urban and rural respectively, with young people between the ages of 14-18 years. The study examined young people’s attitudes towards gender-based violence and their tolerance towards it, in an effort to engage youth in proactive strategies in preventing gender-based violence and empower them to be actively involved in developing an environment free from violence for themselves as well as their peers. The study involved questionnaires and focus group discussions, a subsequent prevention intervention and an evaluation of the intervention implemented in their schools using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study revealed that gender roles, norms and stereotypes form a corpus of aptitudes of what violence involves and the tolerance surrounding violence. Particular forms of violence were identified as gender-based violence and also their level of acceptability. Young people’s perceptions and attitudes where constructed by gender socialisation and what they believed to be normal gender behaviour. The evaluation revealed that there was need for more gender-based violence prevention education interventions in schools.
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    Economic inequality as a source of interpersonal violence : evidence from sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa
    (SAJEMS, 2015) Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Vermaak, Claire
    This article examines whether the close association of income inequality and violence identified for high income countries applies also to sub-Saharan Africa and, in particular, to South Africa. Cross sectional analysis across sub-Saharan countries provided no evidence of such an association. However, using homicide rates and several measures of inequality across South Africa’s 52 districts does provide evidence of a significant positive relationship between homicide rates and expenditure inequality. A one percent increase in inequality is associated with an increase in the homicide rate of 2.3 to 2.5 per cent. This relationship remains significant after controlling for other characteristics of the district.