Research
aoNo Good Story To Tella-Informal Settlements Still As Big As 1994. A Case of Midvaal Municipality in Sedibeng District
The apartheid regime kept the black majority in the informal settlements where they endured the most agonizing brunt of urban underdevelopment. Democratic government of South Africa today continues to shape, reshape and reinforce this underdevelopment albeit in new forms. This paper examines the vulnerability of residents of informal settlement in Midvaal Municipality pursued through a case study of Sicelo Shiceka, an informal settlement. The empirical findings of this study unpacked that informal settlements are largely vulnerable to lack of water, ablation, HIV/AIDS, crime and violence, xenophobia and unemployment amongst others. In response to some the vulnerabilities such as lack of income, informal residents have adopted a range of livelihood strategies including commercialization of sex, domestic work and so on. The study concludes that the vulnerability and lived experiences of residents points to poverty. These findings are projected through in-depth interviews which are a technique of qualitative methodology. Theoratically, the paper is informed by the social sustainability and sustainable livelihood approach.
Exploring Livelihoods of Urban Women Traders in the Context of Socio-Economic And Political Crisis: Evidence From Harare, Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean crisis has involved massive downsizing of the economy and high rate of unemployment levels particularly in urban areas. Urban life has become increasingly unbearable for many poor urban households. Consequently, informal economic activities have blossomed and are making significant contributions to household income and livelihoods. The role of women in the informal economy is particularly pronounced. This paper examines the livelihood strategies and sources of income for women traders at Magaba. The empirical findings identified and unpacked diverse livelihood activities and strategies and the resources (or assets) that women deploy in constructing urban livelihoods. Though their livelihood portfolios complement any earnings from formal employment by household members and though they contribute to their household’s sustenance, there are a number of daily challenges which they face in their trading activities and which they seek to counteract through a range of often ingenious coping mechanisms. These findings were projected through a genre of qualitative and quantitative techniques. (Sustainable livelihoods, livelihoods, livelihood strategies, coping mechanisms).
