Somkhanda Community Development
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Race, Class and Community Development in South Africa
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Somkhanda Community Development
- 1. Somkhanda Community Development Universities of California & Durban University of Technology
- 2. Goal Assess how Somkhanda Game Reserve affects the employees, their households, as well as the surrounding communities economically, socially, and educationally.
- 3. Method Surveyed and interviewed 38 employees of Somkhanda Game Reserve and 49 randomly selected community members from Cottlands, Hlambinyathi, Candover, Zonyama, and Sovane
- 4. Process Data gathered on: Demographic characteristics and household size Employment history Educational opportunities General understanding of conservation activities and impacts of the reserve
- 7. Under 18 46% Age 18-59 48% Age 60+ 6% Non-Employee Households Age Composition Under 18 41% Age 18- 59 55% Age 60+ 4% Employee Households Age Composition
- 8. Personal Income Employees stated that their expenses exceed their salary, creating difficulties saving money Purchasing food was the primary use of salary Employees and Non-Employees grow food and have livestock – very dependent on time of year and water availability Other than income from Somkhanda, sources of income are limited Vast majority have no other sources of income Examples of other income: crafters, street vendors, traditional healers Combined income often does not meet the needs of household
- 9. 0 Emplo yed 0% Only 1 Emplo yed 44% More than 1 Emplo yed 56% Employee Households Adult Employment 0 Emplo yed 33% Only 1 Emplo yed 47% More than 1 employ ed 20% Non-Employee Households Adult Employment
- 10. 0.6 2.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 Pensions Per Household Child Grants Per Household Non-Employee Households 0.4 2.2 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 Pensions Per Household Child Grants Per Household Employee Households
- 11. Education Primary school is typically easily accessed but lack of finances and transportation make attending high school difficult Many students drop out which affects future employment opportunities Other reasons for lack of education include: death of parents, lack of finances, low priority in homes, pregnancy Not many opportunities for training Opportunities available are limited to those who have completed Grade 12
- 12. Less than 8 years 35% 8 to 11 years 31% 12 or more 34% Non-Employee Households Adult Educational Attainment Less than 8 years 38% 8 to 11 years 28% 12 or more 34% Employee Households Adult Educational Attainment
- 13. Views on Conservation Responses about the use of land were mixed, regardless of employment status some believed a game reserve was the best use of the land others thought part of the land could be used for agriculture or grazing livestock
- 14. Somkhanda’s Impact on Local Communities A majority of interviewees felt that only employees benefited from the reserve Non-employees were unclear about the purpose and functions of the reserve. Expressed lack of communication widely felt on many levels Some community members felt their concerns weren’t being heard Desires for greater and better distributed job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and support for school children
- 15. Employee Concerns Inadequate housing Lack of proper equipment and personnel for efficient security Promises of training and certification not met Uncertainty about extent of employment contracts Lack of knowledge and instruction about conservation Inability to afford necessities and difficulty saving
- 16. Recommendations to Improve Staff Relations Greater communication and participation with all staff Greater accountability for the recommendations employees have to the management Create more realistic expectations clearly i.e. staff receiving certifications Create a more structured work environment Improvements to salary and job safety
- 17. Recommendations to Improve Community Relations Create community spaces and/or meetings to improve communications and encourage engagement with the entire community Revisit hiring practices and make them more readily available to the community when jobs are available Create more clear expectations about game reserve ownership Products (i.e. meat) from the reserve should be more available to the wider community
Editor's Notes
- No one sends money, only one case – very insignificant (no regular support from other family members) Wish they had more room for cattle to roam and they primary reasons used was for milk, traditional uses, sell only if they had to – for financial security Somkhanda employees tend to be the head of the household economically
- Difference between employees and non-employees; employees typically can afford to send their children to high school Makes it difficult for families who have little education to ever attain valuable employment cycle of poverty
- Many community members, employed or not, have never been on a game drive and have little knowledge of conservation practices