Anthropology

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Browsing Anthropology by Author "Goitsemodimo, Relopile Gosiame"

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    Socio-cultural dynamics of a rainwater harvesting project in rural Thaba Nchu
    (University of the Free State, 2015-07) Goitsemodimo, Relopile Gosiame; Esterhuyse, P.
    English: Rural poverty is a major crisis across the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where the majority of the population reside in rural areas. South Africa is no exception, with a rural population that exceeds 40% and is characterised by widespread poverty (unemployment, food insecurity, environmental degradation and resource shortage, particularly water). The study focuses on the largely rural town of Thaba Nchu, with 42 villages, in the Free State Province about 60 km east of Bloemfontein. Water shortage is a major constraint in this semi-arid town with low and erratic rains of about 500 mm per annum, as it affects many of the livelihood strategies practised in the rural areas such as crop production and livestock breeding, which rely mostly on rainwater. The majority of the households are therefore dependent on social grants as the main source of income and the support they receive from their social networks (relatives, friends, neighbours and other acquaintances). In order to enable households in the area to enhance food security and well-being, the Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation project introduced the Infield Rainwater Harvesting (IRWH) technique. However, the acceptance and sustainability of the project as well as the technique applied have been affected by various factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the socio-cultural dynamics and livelihoods in the villages of Potsane and Rietfontein (Thaba Nchu), in order to gain an insight into the impact of the rainwater harvesting and conservation technique on sustainability and food security. Ethnographic research methods such as participant observation, in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions with selected members of the communities and case studies with leading members of the Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation (RWH&C) project were employed in the study. These techniques were favoured because they tend to forge a closer relationship between the researcher and the participants, who are viewed as valuable members of the research.