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POPULATION’S VULNERABILITY TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN RUNNYMEDE VILLAGE AT TZANEEN LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH AFRICA
Corresponding Author(s) : F.K. Matlakala
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 9 No. 4 (2021): July
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This paper was aimed at determining the population’s vulnerability to natural disasters in Runnymede Village at Tzaneen Local Municipality, South Africa.
Methodology: The researchers used the qualitative research approach and the exploratory research design. A total number of 16 participants took part in the study. The participants consisted of small-scale farmers, social workers, and disaster management members. Data was collected through individual semi-structured and focus group interviews and was analysed thematically.
Main Findings: The study found that impoverished people in the rural areas, people living with disabilities, children, and women are mainly vulnerable to natural disasters. The study thus concludes that people in rural areas are more prone to the impact of natural disasters due to geopolitical, structural, and cultural systems.
Applications of this study: People’s relatives, friends, and others close to them can disappear alongside their livelihoods, homes, hospitals, roads, transport, telecommunications networks, and schools. These effects trigger various emotions such as fear, anger, and grief to community members. To this end, community members will receive holistic intervention from relevant social workers, who will be providing psychosocial support.
Novelty/Originality of this study: This study contributes positively to the field of social service, and provides guidelines to social workers to address natural disasters. Due to their educational background, social workers should fight the injustices that people in rural areas are predisposed to. They could challenge these injustices (inequalities) as these infringe on individuals’ rights to dignity and other associated rights.
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- Anderson, W. A. (2005). Bringing children into focus on the social science disaster research agenda. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 23(3), 159-175.
- Bankoff, G., Frerks, G., & Hilhorst, D. (Eds.). (2013). Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849771924 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849771924
- Baten, M. A., & Khan, N. A. (2010). Gender issue in climate change discourse: theory versus reality. Unnayan Onneshan, Dhaka.
- Bisht, I. S. (2013). Biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and climate change: A complex interrelationship. In knowledge systems of societies for adaptation and mitigation of impacts of climate change, S. Nautiyal et al. (Eds.), Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36143-2_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36143-2_8
- Chisango, F.F.T., & Maposa, A. (2016). Impacts of Erotic Weather Patterns as a Result of Climate Change and Variability on Food Crop Productivity and Food Security in Zimbabwe’s Arid Regions of Matabeleland; A Case of Siabuwa Communal Area in Binga District. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(3), 127-133. http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2016.3.030316054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2016.3.030316054
- Bradshaw, S. (2013). Gender, development and disasters. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.433 7/9781782548232 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781782548232
- Brooks, S. & Loevinsohn, M. (2011). Shaping agricultural innovation systems responsive to food insecurity and climate change. Natural Resources Forum, 35(3), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01396.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01396.x
- CARE International. (2014). ‘The girl has no rights’: Gender-based violence in South Sudan. CARE Emergencies.
- Chanza, N., & Gundu-Jakarasi, V. (2020). Deciphering the climate change conundrum in Zimbabwe: An Exposition. In Global Warming and Climate Change. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84443 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84443
- Chatiza, K. (2019). Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe: An analysis of policy implications for post-disaster institutional development to strengthen disaster risk management. Oxfam. https://doi.org/10.21201/2019.5273 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21201/2019.5273
- Coates, P. (2014). Borderland, no-man's land, nature's wonderland: troubled humanity and untroubled earth. Environment and History, 20(4), 499-516. https://doi.org/10.3197/096734014X14091313617244 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3197/096734014X14091313617244
- Conway, G. (2009). The science of climate change in Africa: Impacts and adaptation, Grantham Institute for Climate Change Discussion Paper, Retrieved 20 September 2016, from http://www.ask-force.org/web/Global-Warming/Convay-Science- Climate-Change-Africa-2008.pdf.
- De Vos, A.S., Strydom, H., Fouché, C.B & Delport, C.S.L. (2011). Research at Grass Roots: For the social sciences and human service professions, (4th ed.). van Schaik Publishers.
- Easton, P.D. & Sommers, G.A. (2003). Scale and the scale effect in Market based accounting research. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, 30(1–2), 25–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5957.00482 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5957.00482
- Enete, A. A. & Achike, A. I. (2008). Urban agriculture and urban food insecurity/poverty in Nigeria: The case of Ohafia Southeast Nigeria. Outlook on Agriculture, 37(2), 131–134. https://doi.org/10.5367 /000000008784648915. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5367/000000008784648915
- Fernandes, G. C. M., Boehs, A. E., Denham, S. A., Nitschke, R. G., & Martini, J. G. (2017). Rural families' interpretations of experiencing unexpected transition in the wake of a natural disaster. Cadernos de saude publica, 33, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00161515 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00161515
- Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. New Sage Publications Limited.
- La Greca, A. M., & Prinstein, M. J. (2002). Hurricanes and earthquakes. In A. M. La Greca, W. K. Silverman, E. M. Vernberg, & M. C. Roberts (Eds.), Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism (pp. 107–138). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10454-005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/10454-005
- Ndaki, P.M. (2014). Climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers in rural communities: The case of Mkomazi sub-catchment, Tanzania (PhD dissertation). University of Oldenburg.
- Nyahunda L., & Matlakala, F.K. & Makhubele, J.C. (2020a). Factors impeding the participation of rural women in climate change issues in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa: A requirement for social work intervention. The Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, 14(2), https://doi.org 10.25159/2415-5829/7771.
- Nyahunda L., Matlakala, F.K. & Makhubele, J.C. (2020b). Environmental social work: Accounting for women’s tragedies in the face of climate change induced disasters in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Gender, Society and Development, 9 (4):197-127. https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2020/v9n4a9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2020/v9n4a9
- Nyahunda, L., & Tirivangasi, H.M. (2019). Challenges faced by rural people in mitigating the effects of climate change in the Mazungunye communal lands, Zimbabwe. Jà mbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 11(1), 1-9 https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i1.596 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i1.596
- Nyahunda, L. (2020). Participation of Rural Women in Mitigating the Effects Of Climate Change in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa Unpublished Thesis in Social Work. University of Limpopo.
- Nyahunda, L., Makhubele, J. C., Mabvurira, V., & Matlakala, F. K. (2020). Vulnerabilities and Inequalities Experienced by Women in the Climate Change Discourse in South Africa’s Rural Communities: Implications for Social Work. The British Journal of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa118
- O’Leary, Z. (2017). The Essential Guide to Doing your Research Project. Sage Publications.
- Opondo, M., Abdi, U., & Nangiro, P. (2016). Assessing gender in resilience programming: Uganda. BRACED Resilience Intel, 2(2), 1-16.
- Peek, L. (2008). Children and disasters: Understanding vulnerability, developing capacities, and promoting resilience—An introduction. Children Youth and Environments, 18(1), 1-29.
- South African National Disaster Framework [SANDF]. (2005). Introduction: A policy framework for disaster risk management in South Africa. Government Printer.
- Turpie, J. & Visser, M., 2013. The impact of climate change on South Africaʼs rural areas. Financial and Fiscal Commission, 14, 100–160.
- Zakour, M. J. (2015). Effects of support on evacuation preparedness of persons with disabilities. Journal of social work in disability & rehabilitation, 14(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1536710X.2015.989561 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1536710X.2015.989561
- Zakour, M., & Gillespie, D. (2013). Community disaster vulnerability: theory, research, and practice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5737-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5737-4
- Zastrow, C. (2017). Introduction to social work and social welfare: Empowering people. (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
References
Anderson, W. A. (2005). Bringing children into focus on the social science disaster research agenda. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 23(3), 159-175.
Bankoff, G., Frerks, G., & Hilhorst, D. (Eds.). (2013). Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849771924 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849771924
Baten, M. A., & Khan, N. A. (2010). Gender issue in climate change discourse: theory versus reality. Unnayan Onneshan, Dhaka.
Bisht, I. S. (2013). Biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and climate change: A complex interrelationship. In knowledge systems of societies for adaptation and mitigation of impacts of climate change, S. Nautiyal et al. (Eds.), Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36143-2_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36143-2_8
Chisango, F.F.T., & Maposa, A. (2016). Impacts of Erotic Weather Patterns as a Result of Climate Change and Variability on Food Crop Productivity and Food Security in Zimbabwe’s Arid Regions of Matabeleland; A Case of Siabuwa Communal Area in Binga District. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(3), 127-133. http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2016.3.030316054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2016.3.030316054
Bradshaw, S. (2013). Gender, development and disasters. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.433 7/9781782548232 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781782548232
Brooks, S. & Loevinsohn, M. (2011). Shaping agricultural innovation systems responsive to food insecurity and climate change. Natural Resources Forum, 35(3), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01396.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01396.x
CARE International. (2014). ‘The girl has no rights’: Gender-based violence in South Sudan. CARE Emergencies.
Chanza, N., & Gundu-Jakarasi, V. (2020). Deciphering the climate change conundrum in Zimbabwe: An Exposition. In Global Warming and Climate Change. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84443 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84443
Chatiza, K. (2019). Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe: An analysis of policy implications for post-disaster institutional development to strengthen disaster risk management. Oxfam. https://doi.org/10.21201/2019.5273 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21201/2019.5273
Coates, P. (2014). Borderland, no-man's land, nature's wonderland: troubled humanity and untroubled earth. Environment and History, 20(4), 499-516. https://doi.org/10.3197/096734014X14091313617244 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3197/096734014X14091313617244
Conway, G. (2009). The science of climate change in Africa: Impacts and adaptation, Grantham Institute for Climate Change Discussion Paper, Retrieved 20 September 2016, from http://www.ask-force.org/web/Global-Warming/Convay-Science- Climate-Change-Africa-2008.pdf.
De Vos, A.S., Strydom, H., Fouché, C.B & Delport, C.S.L. (2011). Research at Grass Roots: For the social sciences and human service professions, (4th ed.). van Schaik Publishers.
Easton, P.D. & Sommers, G.A. (2003). Scale and the scale effect in Market based accounting research. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, 30(1–2), 25–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5957.00482 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5957.00482
Enete, A. A. & Achike, A. I. (2008). Urban agriculture and urban food insecurity/poverty in Nigeria: The case of Ohafia Southeast Nigeria. Outlook on Agriculture, 37(2), 131–134. https://doi.org/10.5367 /000000008784648915. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5367/000000008784648915
Fernandes, G. C. M., Boehs, A. E., Denham, S. A., Nitschke, R. G., & Martini, J. G. (2017). Rural families' interpretations of experiencing unexpected transition in the wake of a natural disaster. Cadernos de saude publica, 33, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00161515 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00161515
Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. New Sage Publications Limited.
La Greca, A. M., & Prinstein, M. J. (2002). Hurricanes and earthquakes. In A. M. La Greca, W. K. Silverman, E. M. Vernberg, & M. C. Roberts (Eds.), Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism (pp. 107–138). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10454-005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/10454-005
Ndaki, P.M. (2014). Climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers in rural communities: The case of Mkomazi sub-catchment, Tanzania (PhD dissertation). University of Oldenburg.
Nyahunda L., & Matlakala, F.K. & Makhubele, J.C. (2020a). Factors impeding the participation of rural women in climate change issues in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa: A requirement for social work intervention. The Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, 14(2), https://doi.org 10.25159/2415-5829/7771.
Nyahunda L., Matlakala, F.K. & Makhubele, J.C. (2020b). Environmental social work: Accounting for women’s tragedies in the face of climate change induced disasters in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Gender, Society and Development, 9 (4):197-127. https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2020/v9n4a9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2020/v9n4a9
Nyahunda, L., & Tirivangasi, H.M. (2019). Challenges faced by rural people in mitigating the effects of climate change in the Mazungunye communal lands, Zimbabwe. Jà mbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 11(1), 1-9 https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i1.596 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i1.596
Nyahunda, L. (2020). Participation of Rural Women in Mitigating the Effects Of Climate Change in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa Unpublished Thesis in Social Work. University of Limpopo.
Nyahunda, L., Makhubele, J. C., Mabvurira, V., & Matlakala, F. K. (2020). Vulnerabilities and Inequalities Experienced by Women in the Climate Change Discourse in South Africa’s Rural Communities: Implications for Social Work. The British Journal of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa118
O’Leary, Z. (2017). The Essential Guide to Doing your Research Project. Sage Publications.
Opondo, M., Abdi, U., & Nangiro, P. (2016). Assessing gender in resilience programming: Uganda. BRACED Resilience Intel, 2(2), 1-16.
Peek, L. (2008). Children and disasters: Understanding vulnerability, developing capacities, and promoting resilience—An introduction. Children Youth and Environments, 18(1), 1-29.
South African National Disaster Framework [SANDF]. (2005). Introduction: A policy framework for disaster risk management in South Africa. Government Printer.
Turpie, J. & Visser, M., 2013. The impact of climate change on South Africaʼs rural areas. Financial and Fiscal Commission, 14, 100–160.
Zakour, M. J. (2015). Effects of support on evacuation preparedness of persons with disabilities. Journal of social work in disability & rehabilitation, 14(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1536710X.2015.989561 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1536710X.2015.989561
Zakour, M., & Gillespie, D. (2013). Community disaster vulnerability: theory, research, and practice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5737-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5737-4
Zastrow, C. (2017). Introduction to social work and social welfare: Empowering people. (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.