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Friday, September 22, 2023
UKZN Master of Social Sciences graduate Ms Nontobeko Nxele examined the role of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) within the community of Elandskop in Pietermaritzburg. Nxele was determined to improve the quality of the lives of people who are exposed to poverty and need state support, working with disadvantaged groups who are the primary target of the SRD grant, listening to their views and discovering new ways to improve.
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Sinoyolo Mahlasela
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, September 22, 2023
The activities of some new religious movements (NRMs) in Zimbabwe tend to benefit pastors, their families and a few elites and often involve allegations of “believers being defrauded”.
This was among the findings of research by Dr Francis Marimbe who graduated from UKZN with a PhD in Development Studies for his investigations in Harare among believers of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, Grace Oasis Ministries (GOM) and Emmaus Encounter (EE).
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Melissa Mungroo
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Friday, September 22, 2023
UKZN Master of Social Sciences graduate Ms Andisiwe Dlamini researched the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the livelihoods of Cato Manor citizens and explored the use of social grants such as the Child Support Grant and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD).
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Sinoyolo Mahlasela
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, September 22, 2023
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant has the potential to significantly relieve extreme poverty as well as kick-start entrepreneurial activities.
This was the finding of graduate Mr Ndumiso Mthalane during research for his Master’s degree in Social Sciences which, he says, shows that the use of the grant to launch ventures has a disproportionately positive impact on the livelihood strategies of the poor, making them self-sufficient, job creators, and not just job seekers.
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Sinoyolo Mahlasela
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, September 22, 2023
Mr Lungisani Shange graduated with a Master's in Development Studies.
His research entitled: Saving Lives or Saving Livelihoods? Exploring the Impact of South Africa’s Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Informal Sector in the Durban Central Business District dealt with the real and sensitive issue of how the livelihoods of informal traders were affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
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Jennene Naidu
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, September 22, 2023
Achieving his Master’s in Development Studies is the realisation of a dream for Mr Ronald Bafana.
An environmentalist, Bafana obtained his undergraduate and Honours degree in Environmental Science from Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. It was while completing these studies that he wanted to understand why environmental goals clash with developmental goals.
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Jennene Naidu
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, June 09, 2016
Dr Mvuselelo Ngcoya of UKZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) shared his personal account of hyperapartheid as part of a seminar series at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
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Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, June 02, 2016
UKZN academics Dr Myriam Velia and Mr Glen Robbins recently reported the research results from their study on manufacturing firms in greater Durban to local business leaders and those who participated in the survey.
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Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, April 28, 2016
A UKZN researcher recently presented his work investigating the networking activities or the lack of them between co-operatives and privately owned businesses in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures by Shivani Durgiah
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, April 28, 2016
Professor Frances Lund of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies addressed the topic of extending social protection to informal workers when she spoke at the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA) World Labour Congress and Labour Conference in Cape Town.
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Words & Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, April 11, 2016
‘As a young black woman, I’ve always seen education as the key to empowerment and independence.’
Those are the words of Ms Ayanda Tshabalala who was overjoyed when she recently graduated with a Master’s in Development Studies degree from UKZN.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, April 11, 2016
Research on nutrition for people living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe led to Ms Nobuhle Moyo graduating with a Master’s degree in Development Studies.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, April 11, 2016
Homelessness was the focus of Ms Mbalenhle Dube’s Master’s Degree in Population Studies.
‘I have always been curious about who homeless people are and the factors that have led to their situation,’ said Dube. ‘This study fed my curiosity as I examined their lives, gaining an understanding of hardships they have endured.’
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, March 31, 2016
A paper titled: Public Employment Programmes: A Comparative Analysis of their Impact on Socio-Economic Welfare of Households and Individuals in Argentina, India and South Africa, was presented by an Associate Professor in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, Professor Oliver Mtapuri, as part of the School’s seminar series.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures by Shivani Durgiah
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, March 24, 2016
The relationship between hope and subjective assessments of life expectancy among a group of young people in Durban were discussed during a public seminar by micro-economist, Dr Gerard Boyce.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures by Shivani Durgiah
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, March 17, 2016
The College of Humanities recently hosted a two day workshop to facilitate the formation of an international collaboration on capacity building and poverty reduction.
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Words by Kathleen Diga and Andrew Okem, Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, March 11, 2016
UKZN academics - Ms Catherine Sutherland of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, Dr Sabine Stuart-Hill of the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Science and Mr Duncan Hay of the Institute of National Resources (INR) - recently conducted a workshop at the INR that focused on water governance research in the uMngeni River Basin.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo & Catherine Sutherland, Pictures by Highway Mail
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, February 25, 2016
Holder of the SARCHi Chair in Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment within the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS), Professor Sarah Bracking, was part of the recent provincial ANC Dialogue on non-racialism held at the Howard College Theatre.
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Words & Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, September 28, 2015
This trip could not have come at more opportune moment. In the middle of an exhausting first semester, it was a welcome reprieve to participate in a special field trip that followed our Agriculture and Rural Development module. Our lecturer Dr. Ngcoya said he wanted us to “see, smell, and taste the issues we covered in class.” The positive mood, the excitement and the ecstasy of exploring Mtubatuba had gathered from the day it was announced that the Special Module II would take the format of a trip to a project in Mtubatuba.
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By Mzimkhulu Sithetho: MA Student, Development Studies
Field Trips
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Thursday, August 27, 2015
A two-day inception workshop was hosted by UKZN’s South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) on Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment within the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS).
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Words & Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
Visiting students and staff from the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany were officially welcomed by the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently.
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Words and pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
Two postgraduate students from the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS), Ms Unathi Beku and Mr Nkeka Tseole, have returned from a month-long intensive course on social research techniques at the University of Michigan in the United States.
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Words & Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, August 17, 2015
Professor Dianne Scott and Dr Tamlynn Fleetwood of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) co-ordinated an eight-day PhD workshop attracting 16 candidates, some from as far away as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Malawi.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures by Judith Shier
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
Masters student in Development Studies, Ms Alice Morrison, recently took up the challenge of helping 101-year-old Mrs Victoria ‘MaMkhize’ Ntuli rebuild her home in Cinderella Park, Pietermaritzburg, after it was destroyed in a fire.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures by Alice Morrison
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
Visiting scholar, Professor Winfred Avogo of Illinois State University in the United States, conducted a workshop at UKZN examining integrating theory and mixed methods in family demography.
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Words and pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, July 23, 2015
The College of Humanities in association with the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) hosted the 10th annual Population Association of Southern Africa (PASA) Conference on the Howard College campus.
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Words and pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Four UKZN College of Humanities academics - Professor Pearl Sithole, Dr Mvuselelo Ngcoya, Ms Nompumelelo Nzimande and Mr Sandile Mbokazi together with Dr Leon Swartz from the National Population Unit of the Department of Social Development recently presented their Government-led Mikondzo Project research at the PASA conference.
Full story
UKZNdaba Online
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Some of our top Masters students have gone on to complete PhDs. These include:
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Current PhD Students
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Some of our Masters students in 2015. In orientation week
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Masters Students
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Congratulations to two of our Masters students, who have recently received scholarships under the EUSA-ID development studies co-operation programme.
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Masters Students
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The late writer Mark Twain once wrote that, ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.’ It is perhaps therefore true to say that there is no greater substitute for improving ones understanding of a given situation than to experience it for oneself.
Full story
Field Trips
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Our students go on to work in a wide variety of situations - in South Africa, and internationally. Some work for local NGOs, research institutes or local and national government, others for international NGO's or government think-tanks.A proportion go on to study further, locally and abroad.
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Masters Students
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Wednesday, July 01, 2015
School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) students were taken on a field trip to Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal so, according to their lecturer, Dr Mvu Ngcoya, they could ‘see, smell and taste things covered in lectures’.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo and Mzimkhulu Sithetho, Pictures by Development Studies
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, June 25, 2015
UKZN secured five grants from the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD Phase II), a partnership between the South African Presidency and the European Union under the programme: Addressing the Poverty and Inequality Challenge.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Pictures Supplied
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, June 11, 2015
There is a lack of detailed data on firms in South Africa, according to studies by a School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) research team.
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Words and pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, May 04, 2015
Professor Frances Lund of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Rhodes University for her work as a welfare activist. ‘It has been a great privilege to have been engaged in social policy research and implementation over the time of dramatic political transition, when the new government had ears to listen, and was thirsty for new ideas.’
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Words by Melissa Mungroo, Picture supplied by Rhodes University
UKZNdaba Online
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Tuesday, April 14, 2015
We are proud to announce that four PhD students and 27 Masters students graduated in the Development Studies and Population Studies cluster on 13th April, 2015.
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Monday, April 13, 2015
Coordinator for the Academic Monitoring and Support/ Mentorship Programme in the College of Humanities, Ms Buyisiwe Khumalo, graduated with a Masters in Development Studies degree.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, April 13, 2015
Despite encountering a series of major setbacks which threatened his chances of graduating, Mr Kamban Hirasen remained focussed and earned his Masters in Population Studies cum laude.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Monday, April 13, 2015
UKZN Masters graduate Ms Nomsa Mahlalela of the College of Humanities explored the use of female condoms among university students in Durban for her degree.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, March 19, 2015
The School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) hosted a seminar - presented by lecturer Mr Glen Robbins of Development and Population Studies - on decentralisation, governance and municipal budgeting in Brazil, South Africa, India and Peru.
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Words and Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, February 26, 2015
The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently hosted two events around challenges and reactions to climate change crises and causes.
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Words and Pictures by Melissa Mungroo
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, February 19, 2015
Mr Mohammed Vawda, a lecturer within the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS), recently spent three weeks in the School of Development Economics at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany where he taught a course titled: Introduction to Population Studies: a Southern African Perspective.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo Pictures by Judith Shier
UKZNdaba Online
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Wednesday, February 11, 2015
The South African Research Chair on Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment (SARChI) team from UKZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently visited the Clairwood Tamil Institute to present the preliminary research findings from the 2013 Clairwood community value survey.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo & Mandy Lombo Pictures by Kathleen Diga
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, February 05, 2015
The South African Research Chair on Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment (SARCHi) team from UKZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently attended the 2nd National Conference on Global Change at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth
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Words by Melissa Mungroo & Mandy Lombo Pictures by Sithembiso Myeni
UKZNdaba Online
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Thursday, February 05, 2015
Community scholar and activist from UKZN’s Centre for Civil Society (CCS), Mr Thando Manzi, was recently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to speak to members of unions affiliated to the CSP Conlutas federation.
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Words by Melissa Mungroo & Nosipho Mngoma Pictures Supplied
UKZNdaba Online
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Friday, June 28, 2013
The Social Policy (Development Studies Masters) class visited LIV-Village on a field trip on 28th May, 2013. Situated in Cottonlands, Verulam, LIV-Village is an organization that seeks to provide 'holistic residential care' for vulnerable children.
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Field Trips