The effect of land restitution on protected areas : an analysis of the co-management model in operation at the Mkambati Nature Reserve

Includes bibliographical references.With the advent of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and having been faced with a huge number of land claims on protected areas, the South African Government adopted a co-management system as a way of informing the settlement of land claims lodged within protected areas. Through a case study of the Mkambati Nature Reserve (MNR) in the Eastern Cape, this dissertation seeks to critically analyse the co-management conservation model that is in operation in the MNR, in order to provide a proper perspective on whether it provides a satisfactory model for reconciling both the country’s protected area regime and its land reform regime. The dissertation commences with a brief analysis of South Africa’s socioeconomic and environmental realities, in order to contextualise the analysis. It then turns to consider South Africa’s constitutional framework, and, particularly, the environmental right and the property clause, which have largely been responsible for shaping and informing South Africa’s contemporary conservation and land reform regime. Thereafter, it seeks to briefly outline these two relevant regimes, with a view to critically analysing the manner in which they complement, or do not complement, one another. It then critically reviews recent initiatives taken by the country’s conservation and land reform authorities to bridge the apparent divide between South Africa’s protected areas and land reform regimes. These initiatives include both a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the erstwhile Minister of Land Affairs and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and the recent National Co-Management Framework adopted by these authorities. Thereafter, the dissertation turns to critically reflect on the effectiveness and equitability of the co-management model advocated by these initiatives, through the lens of a case study – namely, the MNR in the Eastern Cape. This section of the dissertation starts by providing a background to the reserve, and the history form and nature of the settlement agreement implemented to resolve the land restitution claim within it. It then turns to the evaluation of the governance regime that is in operation in the MNR (specifically in respect of its land tenure, management, access/use and benefit-sharing arrangement), with a view to drawing lessons which could possibly inform the resolution of the many outstanding land restitution claims in protected areas

Basement and alluvial aquifers of Malawi: An overview of groundwater quality and policies

This paper highlights the quality of groundwater in basement and alluvial aquifers of Malawi through literature assessment. Groundwater in these aquifers serves about 60% of Malawian population. Alluvial aquifers yield high groundwater in excess of 10 L/s and more mineralized than basement aquifers. The values from literature are presented as ranges. The geochemical quality of both aquifer types are classified as good. However, in some cases values higher than maximum permissible limits (MPL) are worrisomely apparent. Significant levels for some elements have been demonstrated. Although groundwater policies and instruments are available, more groundwater research, monitoring, data archiving is needed.Key words: Alluvial aquifer, basement complex, groundwater quality, borehole water, shallow wells, Malawi

Determinants of active ageing in Zambia

This study assesses the 2002 world health organisation Active Ageing Framework and how it applies to developing countries using data from Zambia. Up to date, there is little or no evidence of studies conducted to answer whether or not the 2002 world health organisation Active Ageing Framework is applicable to developing countries like Zambia. This study set out to (1) explore which of the determinants of the active ageing framework apply to Africa and Zambia in particular and, (2) the influence of HIV/AIDS on active ageing in general. A non-experimental exploratory research design was used to collect data for this paper. Snowball and purposive sampling was employed to select 690 respondents (284 males and 406 females) for the study. The study reveals that income accessibility (Economic Determinant), functional limitations (Health Determinants), low self-esteem and loneliness (Personal/Behavioural Determinants), low family and peer interactions (Social Determinants) and HIV/AIDS apply to Zambia in determining active ageing. The study suggests that focused research is needed to clarify and specify the role of each determinant, as well as the interactions between determinants in the active ageing process. In fact, the framework proposes that for such studies, a life course approach is required so as to take advantage of transitions and “window of opportunity” for enhancing health, participation and security at different stages. The study also recommends that policies on ageing should be structured to incorporate the applicability of the 2002 world health organisation active ageing framework’s main determinants of active ageing to reflect the Zambian context

Determinants of Active Ageing in Zambia

This article investigated determinants of active ageing proposed by the WHO 2002 Active Ageing Framework using data from a developing country -­‐ Zambia. Up to date, there is little or no evidence of studies conducted to answer whether or not determinants proposed by the Active Ageing Framework of 2002 apply to developing countries like Zambia. This article set out to (1) explore which of the determinants of active ageing apply to Africa and Zambia in particular and (2) the influence of HIV/AIDS on active ageing in general. A non-­‐experimental cross-­‐sectional research design was used to collect data for this article. Snowball and purposive sampling was employed since there is no available sampling frame for the aged population. The article reveals that income accessibility (Economic Determinant), functional limitations (Health Determinants), low self-­‐esteem and loneliness (Personal/Behavioural Determinants), low family and peer interactions (Social Determinants) and HIV/AIDS determine active ageing in Zambia. The article suggests focused research needed to clarify and specify the role of each determinant, as well as the interactions between determinants in the active ageing process. In fact, the framework proposes that for such studies, a life course approach is required so as to take advantage of transitions and ‘window of opportunity’ for enhancing health, participation and security at different stages. The article also recommends that policies on ageing should be structured to incorporate main determinants of active ageing to reflect the Zambian context

A critical study of the authentication requirements of section 2 of the Computer Evidence Act No. 57 of 1983

The aim of this dissertation is to show the shortcomings of the Computer Evidence Act No 57 of 1983 , in so far as the requirements of authentication of computer generated documents before their admissibility as evidence in a court of law.LL.M

Playing the race game: a performance-as-research project investigating our complicity in performing race

MA (Dramatic Arts) Research ReportThis research report consists of a performance-as-research project, titled T for Tea, accompanied by a written report. This document serves as fulfilment of the written requirement. The document is written within a Performance-as-Research paradigm, and includes a performance style of writing that reaffirms the intention, ethos and creative performativity established from the onset of the research project. Hence, the document presents an enhanced dialogue about the complexities of race as a social phenomenon, with specific reference to South Africa. The study sought to unravel the inherent complicity that reinforces the on-going notions of ‘race’, ‘racialisation’ and the performance thereof, as essentialist truths. The written document is constructed as a dialogue using the researcher/performer as the vehicle to grapple with the study’s intention of using an auto-ethnographic performance methodology as a critical tool of enquiry into the phenomenon of race in the South African context. This performative writing style is a characteristic of this methodology and is used to express argument while constructively disrupting norms, with the intention of inspiring analysis, reflection and new expression in academia of social phenomena. The reader is introduced to the dilemma of ‘race’ through this dialogue between researcher/ performer as an ‘essentialist performance’ in the prologue. This leads to an interrogation of why the study focuses on the choice of ‘complicity’ as a key to understanding the social performance of race within the South African context. The study then turns its attention to the notion of research and researches the evolution of the researcher from ethnographer to autoethnographer. This sets the stage for an interrogation of the making of the play T for Tea. Here the role of the performer as ethnographer is explored. The writer attempts to demonstrate the move from a representational form of performance to a performance landscape of construction, agency and interpretation. The study concludes, through the performed dialogue, that there is a critical need to find ways to unearth complicit practices of ‘race’ and ‘racialisation’. Performance that embodies race can be both essentialist and complicit in the on-going culture of racism in South Africa. An autoethnographic approach, within a larger Performance Studies paradigm to performance, allows the researcher/performer an opportunity to examine, expose and perform race in ways that can help liberate and move away from a historical paradigm that undermines our greater humanity

Resource Nationalism and Zambia’s Oscillating Mining Taxation Regime

The parcelling and privatisation of the large state-owned mining conglomerate Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) involved the signing of Development Agreements (DAs) between the Zambian government and the new private investors. These DAs were concessionary to the new investors, offering low taxation rates, tax exemptions and deductions. But in 2008, under political pressure from the opposition, then President Mwanawasa abrogated the DAs with a new Mines and Minerals Act, removing exemptions and deductions and increasing taxation rates. This action set in motion a decade long period of contestation over mining taxation in Zambia, with the introduction and retraction of numerous mining taxation policies. This paper endeavours to explore the motivations, constraints, and economic and political implications of these oscillating mining taxation policies, in an effort to better understand the dynamics of resource nationalism in Zambia

Spatial variation of volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide in Blantyre City, Malawi

This study assessed variations of ambient volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in Blantyre City, Malawi. Volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide measurement was done using the Multi-Gas Monitor between August and December, 2010. Rapid urbanization and lack of standard enforcement on air pollution as well as lack of data on pollutant levels in the city prompted this study. The study focused on methane volatile organic compounds and non-methane volatile compounds besides carbon monoxide. Results of the analysis showed that non-methane volatile compound levels were highest at public bus terminuses with 12.40 ± 0.83 ppm, and lowest for industrial locations (2.16 ± 0.09 ppm). However, all points registered zero (0.00) ppm for methane volatile organic compounds. Similarly, mean levels of carbon monoxide were highest at public bus terminuses with 10.92 ± 0.74 ppm, and lowest for industrial locations (1.11 ± 0.13 ppm). With the exception of Ginnery Corner, all the sampling points had levels of both parameters within the air quality standards. The study revealed a spatial and diurnal variation of the pollutants in all sampling points. It further revealed that the sources of these pollutants are diverse with vehicular emissions being the main  source for Masauko Chipembere highway.Key words: Air pollution, ambient, permissible limit, urban, vehicular emission

Public participation in Malawi’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) process

Since the adoption of the Environmental Management Act of 1996, Malawi has been using environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a tool for predicting and assessing the impact of development projects on the environment. This study assessed the extent of public participation in Malawi’s EIA process. Desktop study of relevant documents such as EIA and environmental audit reports, policies and laws, books, journals and internet articles was done. Further information was obtained from relevant stakeholders through interviews and questionnaires. This involved fifteen respondents divided into three categories: five NCE members, five TCE members and five EIA practitioners. This study reveals that public participation is not adequate at most of the key stages of the EIA process in Malawi which puts the human and ecosystem health at risk. There is an urgent need to enforce the EIA provision as stipulated Malawi’s Environmental Management Act. Effort should focus on public awareness and human resource capacity development so that the EIA process is diligently executed and that enforcement and follow-ups are properly done by the Department of Environmental Affairs which is a lead agency on environmental issues in Malawi.Key words: Public participation, environmental impact assessment, Malawi, enforcement