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Faculty of Management Sciences

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Social capital (Sociology)

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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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    Technical efficiency differentials among HIV/AIDS affected farm households in Malawi : evidence from time variant and invariant inefficiency models
    (African Crop Science Society, 2012) Simkawa, Kisu; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Ferrer, S.
    The Malawi Government has made various attempts to raise the productivity of the agricultural systems in the country. However, the impact of this effort within the context of HIV/AIDS epidemic has not been investigated. This paper examines the levels of efficiency for affected and non-affected small-scale farm households in Malawi. Time-variant and invariant inefficiency models of production were used. Results show that the technical efficiency levels for non-affected households were higher than those of the affected households. In general, Malawian farmers are technically efficient, implying that government policy of subsidising hybrid maize seeds and fertilisers since the 2006/06 agricultural season enhanced technical efficiency of small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, there was more scope for improvement of the productivity as some farm households, particularly affected female headed households that had cases of mortality of a prime adult member, were still operating at low levels of efficiency. Two main policy issues emerge from this study. First, all types of obstacles that could limit the use of farm inputs should be removed. This should include complete liberalisation of purchase and distribution of such inputs and the development of some low-cost technology to reduce labour constraints on the farm. Second, there is need to develop social capital in smallholder farming through the recommencement of farmers’ clubs, or by setting up agricultural cooperatives.