scholarly journals Effective tracking of nationally determined contributions: A case study on South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
K. Ross ◽  
H. Winkler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
Tracking Systems ◽  
Data Reporting ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Advanced System

The Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework requires that all Parties track and report progress toward their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). This paper develops a qualitative, multi-criteria framework that can be used to either design effective NDC tracking systems or evaluate the extent to which Parties are prepared for NDC tracking. The paper also applies the framework to a case study on South Africa, with results indicating that the country is progressing well in terms of selecting appropriate indicators, enacting legislation, and enhancing transparency. In areas of collecting data, reporting on socio-economic outcomes, and making changes in national policy, there is room for improvement, and the paper explores options to this end. Since South Africa has a relatively advanced system for tracking mitigation goals, the findings of the paper suggest that other developing country Parties may require additional resources and capacity to track NDCs effectively.

scholarly journals Adaptation to Climate Change: Status, Household Strategies and Challenges in Lesotho

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kheleli Mareabetsoe Rethabile ◽  
Zhang Jing ◽  
Tsepang Clementine Mofolo ◽  
Edmore Mwandiringana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Persistent Drought ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Grassroots Level ◽  
Adaptation Action

Rural livelihoods across Lesotho have been markedly impacted by climate change, as they are largely agriculture dependent (80%). Adaptation to the events of climate variability especially in agriculturally dependent communities is of importance. In drier districts given the fact that agriculture is the most affected sector, the (Lesotho) state adopted several strategies and measures for climate change adaptation to improve rural livelihoods. To get an overview of adaptation, the study reviewed the National Adaptation Programme Actions (NAPA), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Policy on Climate Change (NPCC) as the instruments specific to adaptation to climate change. A case study of Mafeteng district, an area subjected to persistent drought events was selected to examine adaptation strategies employed. Two prominent strategies highlighted in the study are conservation agriculture and keyhole gardening. Furthermore, a top down approach is found to exist in terms of adaptation planning, not only that but adaptation action is more focused on capacity building of technocrats whilst households are struggling to adapt at grassroots level. Secondly, research is limited to national assessments leading to nonspecific interventions and last adaptation projects are largely donor funded lacking sustainability in turn. This therefore warrants integrated planning and an interdependent stakeholder approach is proposed as a way forward.

scholarly journals Developing Partnerships: How Local Development Organisations can Empower Themselves through the Integration and Management of International Volunteers; A Case Study with Aspire, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kathryn Impey
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
International Partnerships ◽  
International Volunteers ◽  
International Volunteer ◽  
Development Practice

<p>International partnerships between developed and developing country agencies are typically presented as a way of working toward specific development goals that will benefit the local, developing country partner. Sending international development volunteers from developed country agencies to assist, or build the capacity of local partners is an increasingly common practice within these international partnerships. Yet research about international partnerships and international volunteer sending is typically focussed on the perspective of developed country agencies or the returned (developed country national) volunteers. There is a silence in the literature where the perspective of the local 'undeveloped' country partners' voice should be heard. By overlooking the voice and perspective of local partners, who host international volunteers, the success and worth of international partnerships cannot be ascertained. This research addresses the topic; 'Developing Partnerships: How local development organisations can empower themselves through the integration and management of international volunteers, a case study with Aspire, South Africa'. In addressing this topic the research aims to build a better understanding of how host organisations experience international partnerships. Field research was carried out over a three month period and centred on an in depth organisational case study with Aspire; Amathole. Aspire is a rural development agency in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa which has a cosmopolitan and diverse staff team of local and national employees, and international volunteers. This research topic was developed in collaboration with Aspire to build a better understanding of the Aspire experience of international volunteer hosting within its international partnerships. By better understanding local partners' perspectives, wider lessons can be drawn relating to the principles of ownership, partnership and local empowerment which may influence future development practice. The research was underpinned by a participatory ethos, and utilised a mixed methodology with a qualitative emphasis including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analyses. The research found that the 'Aspire approach' of fully integrating and managing international volunteers into a single, unified, staff team, and managing international volunteers within Aspires own employee systems is a strengths-based and assertive approach. This study of the 'Aspire approach' identifies tangible day-to-day measures that local partners in development can take to empower themselves and to promote and assert their ownership of international volunteer hosting partnerships. The 'Aspire approach' ultimately provides a positive model for future development practice and partnership relations.</p>

scholarly journals Developing Partnerships: How Local Development Organisations can Empower Themselves through the Integration and Management of International Volunteers; A Case Study with Aspire, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kathryn Impey
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
International Partnerships ◽  
International Volunteers ◽  
International Volunteer ◽  
Development Practice

<p>International partnerships between developed and developing country agencies are typically presented as a way of working toward specific development goals that will benefit the local, developing country partner. Sending international development volunteers from developed country agencies to assist, or build the capacity of local partners is an increasingly common practice within these international partnerships. Yet research about international partnerships and international volunteer sending is typically focussed on the perspective of developed country agencies or the returned (developed country national) volunteers. There is a silence in the literature where the perspective of the local 'undeveloped' country partners' voice should be heard. By overlooking the voice and perspective of local partners, who host international volunteers, the success and worth of international partnerships cannot be ascertained. This research addresses the topic; 'Developing Partnerships: How local development organisations can empower themselves through the integration and management of international volunteers, a case study with Aspire, South Africa'. In addressing this topic the research aims to build a better understanding of how host organisations experience international partnerships. Field research was carried out over a three month period and centred on an in depth organisational case study with Aspire; Amathole. Aspire is a rural development agency in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa which has a cosmopolitan and diverse staff team of local and national employees, and international volunteers. This research topic was developed in collaboration with Aspire to build a better understanding of the Aspire experience of international volunteer hosting within its international partnerships. By better understanding local partners' perspectives, wider lessons can be drawn relating to the principles of ownership, partnership and local empowerment which may influence future development practice. The research was underpinned by a participatory ethos, and utilised a mixed methodology with a qualitative emphasis including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analyses. The research found that the 'Aspire approach' of fully integrating and managing international volunteers into a single, unified, staff team, and managing international volunteers within Aspires own employee systems is a strengths-based and assertive approach. This study of the 'Aspire approach' identifies tangible day-to-day measures that local partners in development can take to empower themselves and to promote and assert their ownership of international volunteer hosting partnerships. The 'Aspire approach' ultimately provides a positive model for future development practice and partnership relations.</p>

Social Design for Services Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie SARANTOU ◽  
Satu MIETTINEN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Service Design ◽  
Social Design ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World

This paper addresses the fields of social and service design in development contexts, practice-based and constructive design research. A framework for social design for services will be explored through the survey of existing literature, specifically by drawing on eight doctoral theses that were produced by the World Design research group. The work of World Design researcher-designers was guided by a strong ethos of social and service design for development in marginalised communities. The paper also draws on a case study in Namibia and South Africa titled ‘My Dream World’. This case study presents a good example of how the social design for services framework functions in practice during experimentation and research in the field. The social design for services framework transfers the World Design group’s research results into practical action, providing a tool for the facilitation of design and research processes for sustainable development in marginal contexts.

The Socio-Economic Challenges of South African Indigenous Musicians: A Case Study of Venda-Based Vho-Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N G Mugovhani ◽  
Lebogang Lance Nawa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Arts Management ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Indigenous Music ◽  
Entire Country

This article discusses and raises awareness about the socio-economic plight of indigenous musicians in South Africa. Through a qualitative case study of the Venda musician, Vho-Talelani Andries Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo, dubbed the “Father of mbila music,” the article highlights the fact that the welfare of Black South African artists, particularly indigenous musicians in South Africa, is generally a precarious affair. Their popularity, at the height of their careers, sometimes masks shocking details of exploitation, neglect, and the poverty they are subjected to, which are exposed only after they have died. Empirical data identifies this as a symptom of, among other things, cultural policy and arts management deficiencies in the promotion of indigenous music. The article aims to find ways to redress this unfortunate situation, which is partially a product of general apathy and scant regard that these artists have perennially been subjected to, even by their own governments, as well as some members of their societies. All these factors mentioned are compounded by ignorance on the part of South African artists. Part of the objective of this study was to establish whether the exposition of the Vhavenda musicians is a typical example of all Black South African indigenous musicians and, if this is the case, whether the suggested ways to redress this unfortunate situation could contribute to or play a role in alleviating the plight of such artists in the entire country.

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