Housing options for mineworkers in arid and semi-arid regions: the case of Kathu
| dc.contributor.advisor | Marais, J. G. L. | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Matabesi, S. Z. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Cloete, Jan Sebastiaan | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2018-01-11T10:35:03Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2018-01-11T10:35:03Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009-05 | |
| dc.description.abstract | English: This dissertation entitled “Housing options for mineworkers in arid and semi-arid regions: the case of Kathu” was conducted against the background of a dearth of research into the provision of housing options for mineworkers in post-1994 South Africa. Furthermore, it was conducted against the background of the influence that arid locations may bring to bear on housing provision. The dissertation calls in question the applicability of current mineworker housing provision, given the realities of being located in an arid mining town. The dissertation initially reviews the international literature regarding development in arid regions and the effects that such arid locations have on the livelihoods of the residents. It is suggested that the residents of mining towns engage in multiple forms of livelihood because of the danger associated with dependence on a single livelihood. The cycles of development and stagnation of resource-dependent towns, which affect livelihoods, are discussed, as is an alternative to settlement. These international perspectives are followed by an investigation of the relevant South African literature to illustrate the effects of past social and economic developments on the historical provision of housing in South African mining towns. The discussion then moves on to more recent attempts by both the mining companies and national government to address the consequences of past injustices. The housing options available to mineworkers are illustrated by reflecting on the formulation and implementation of policies both by mining companies and government. Through reflection on two surveys conducted in Kathu (one among residents of a mining hostel and another among residents of a private housing scheme), it is shown that a significant number of mineworkers prefer not to settle permanently near the mine and would prefer to continue with circular migration between the mine and their areas of origin. While several factors have – for either sample – had an influence on the preference to settle permanently, only the presence of a/another home in their areas of origin indicated a statistically significant relationship for both samples. This gives an indication of both the existence of ties with the areas of origin and of the existence of access to multiple livelihoods. The data from the surveys further reflect the respondents’ preferences in terms of housing and their evident ability to afford such preferences. It is shown that while respondents’ choices are not always a reflection of their housing needs, most would not have problems in respect of affordability. While most respondents indicated that they would prefer to own, the long-term effects of settlement are questioned by reflecting on respondents’ lack of alternative livelihoods. Generally, respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction both regarding the housing scheme and the housing in their areas of origin. Addressing the overcrowding of the hostel should significantly increase the satisfaction of living in them. Against this background, the dissertation proposes that: the roll-out of rental subsidies be increased to those eligible in mining areas; the role of social housing be re-evaluated with a view to providing rental housing to mineworkers; alternative settlement patterns be encouraged in arid regions; alternative systems of infrastructure and service provision in arid regions be investigated; the choices of individuals be facilitated by increasing their range of housing options; current production decisions at the mine be taken into account to improve the benefits and reduce the costs of migrancy; a greater variety of housing options be provided to mineworkers so that they may choose one that is most compatible with their preference and livelihood; and that more education be provided to mineworkers regarding the possible consequences of both ownership and settlement choices for their livelihoods. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.abstract | Afrikaans: Hierdie verhandeling getiteld “Behuisingsopsies vir mynwerkers in ariede en semi-ariede streke: die geval van Kathu” is uitgevoer teen die agtergrond van ‘n gebrek aan navorsing rakende die voorsiening van behuisingsopsies vir mynwerkers in post-1994 Suid-Afrika. Verder is dit uitgevoer teen die agtergrond van die moontlike invloed van ariede liggings op behuisingsvoorsiening. Die verhandeling bevraagteken die toepaslikheid van huidige mynwerkerbehuisingsvoorsiening, gegewe die realiteite van ‘n ligging in ‘n ariede myndorp. Die verhandeling begin deur ‘n oorsig te gee van internasionale literatuur rakende ontwikkeling in ariede streke en die effek van sulke ariede liggings op die lewensonderhoud van die inwoners. Dit word gestel dat inwoners van myndorpe betrokke raak by verskillende vorme van bestaanswyse as gevolg van die gevaar verbonde aan die afhanklikheid van ‘n enkele bestaanswyse. Die siklusse van ontwikkeling en stagnering van hulpbronafhanklike dorpe wat bestaanswyse beïnvloed, word bespreek, asook ‘n alternatief tot vestiging. Hierdie internasionale perspektiewe word opgevolg deur ‘n verkenning van die relevante Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur ten einde die effek van historiese sosiale en ekonomiese ontwikkelinge op die historiese voorsiening van behuising in Suid-Afrikaanse myndorpe te illustreer. Die bespreking beweeg voorts na meer onlangse pogings van sowel die mynmaatskappye as die nasionale regering om die gevolge van die onbillikhede van die verlede aan te spreek. Die behuisingsopsies tot die mynwerkers se beskikking word geïllustreer deur te reflekteer oor die formulering en implementering van beleide deur mynmaatskappye en ook die regering. By wyse van refleksie oor die twee opnames wat in Kathu uitgevoer is (een onder inwoners van die mynhostel en ‘n ander onder inwoners van ‘n privaatbehuisingskema) word daar aangetoon dat ‘n betekenisvolle segment van die mynwerkers verkies om nie permanent in die omgewing van die myn te vestig nie en eerder sal verkies om voort te gaan met sirkulêre migrasie tussen die myn en hul areas van oorsprong. Terwyl verskeie faktore ‘n invloed gehad het op die voorkeur om permanent te vestig, skyn slegs die teenwoordigheid van ‘n huis/nog ’n huis in hulle areas van oorsprong vir beide steekproewe ‘n statisties beduidende verwantskap te toon. Dit gee ‘n aanduiding van die bestaan van bande met die areas van oorsprong, asook van die verskeie bestaanswyses waartoe respondente toegang het. Verder reflekteer die data van die opnames ook die respondente se behuisingsvoorkeure en hulle klaarblyklike vermoë om hulle voorkeur te bekostig. Daar word aangetoon dat terwyl respondente se keuses nie altyd hul behuisingsbehoeftes weerspieël nie, die meeste nie probleme in terme van bekostigbaarheid sal ondervind nie. Terwyl die meeste respondente aangedui het dat hulle sou verkies om eienaars te wees, word die langtermyn gevolge van vestiging bevraagteken deur te besin oor die respondente se tekort aan beskikbare alternatiewe bestaanswyses. Oor die algemeen het respondente hoë tevredenheidsvlakke aangedui ten opsigte van die behuisingskema en die behuising in hul areas van oorsprong. Verder behoort die aanspreek van die oorbewoningskwessie in die hostel tevredenheid aldaar ook beduidend te verbeter. Teen hierdie agtergrond, stel die verhandeling voor dat: die beskikbaarstelling van huur-subsidies na geskiktes in myngebiede verhoog word; die rol van sosiale behuising herevalueer word met die doel om huurbehuising aan mynwerkers te voorsien; alternatiewe vestigingspatrone aangemoedig word in ariede streke; alternatiewe infrastruktuur- en diensverskaffingstelsels in ariede streke ondersoek word; die keuses van individue gefasiliteer word deur die beskikbare behuisingopsies te vergroot; huidige produksiebesluite in ag geneem word om die voordele te verbeter en om die kostes van migrasie te verminder; ‘n groter verskeidenheid behuisingsopsies aan mynwerkers verskaf word sodat hulle dié een kan kies wat die beste in lyn is met hul voorkeure en bestaanswyse; en dat meer opvoeding aan mynwerkers verskaf word aangaande die moontlike gevolge van eienaarskap en vestigingskeuses op hul bestaanswyses. | af |
| dc.description.sponsorship | National Research Foundation (NRF) | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11660/7577 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | University of the Free State | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Housing | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Mineworkers | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Arid regions | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Kathu | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Mining hostels | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Mining towns | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Livelihoods | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Labour migration | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Family housing | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Housing -- South Africa -- Kathu | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Housing development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Kathu | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Dissertation (M.Soc.Sc. (Sociology))--University of the Free State, 2009 | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Housing options for mineworkers in arid and semi-arid regions: the case of Kathu | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Dissertation | en_ZA |