scholarly journals The Establishment of Vegetable and Fruit Markets and Nurseries: A Case Study in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Maponya ◽  
D. Modise ◽  
E. Van Heerden ◽  
S. Mahlangu ◽  
N. Baloyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province

Complexities of Leading Rural Schools in South Africa: Learning from Principals’ Voices

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-253
Author(s):  
Phumlani Erasmus Myende ◽  
Selaelo Maifala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
What Works ◽  
Interpretive Paradigm ◽  
Encounter Complex ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Administrative Tasks

This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined what it means to be a principal in the context of rurality. We argue that principals in the 21st century encounter complex work situations that make it hard for them to manoeuvre. Furthermore, for principals in the context of rurality, such complexities pose multiple dilemmas, given that rurality exposes principals to multiple challenges. Using a case study within an interpretive paradigm, we interviewed and observed five principals from rural schools in the Limpopo province. The study found that principals’ leadership focuses dominantly on administrative tasks. It further identified social and institutional complexities that principals encounter and argues that these complexities compel to treat rural schools as systems. While we hail this view of schools, it emerged that some units of the system appear to be thwarting the progress of principals in leading rural schools. We conclude that, at times, principals’ leadership in the context of rurality can be defined as a leadership that shuns policies and issues of social justice for the purpose of finding what works in their contexts.

Sustainable smallholder livestock systems: A case study of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 186-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stroebel ◽  
F.J.C. Swanepoel ◽  
A.N. Pell
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Livestock Systems

Benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder farmers: a case study of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 825 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stroebel ◽  
F. J. C. Swanepoel ◽  
N. D. Nthakheni ◽  
A. E. Nesamvuni ◽  
G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Vhembe District

A survey of livestock production systems was conducted in the Vhembe District, located between 22°85′ latitude and 30°71′ longitude in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the benefits obtained from, and key functions of, cattle production, as well as related breeding objectives in smallholder livestock production in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected by means of a general survey questionnaire and a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise. The results indicate that almost 60% of farmers own < 10 cattle. Female animals constituted the largest component of the herd (55.02%). Although the bull : cow ratio was extremely high (1 : 3.7), the calving rate was low at 35.60%, with an extremely high herd mortality of 15.70% and a low off-take of 8.70%. In a pairwise ranking, the benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder livestock farmers are as follows: selling and meat consumption (4), wealth, status and savings (3), socio-cultural activities (2) and draught power (1). The ‘cattle complex’, where cattle are kept for prestige and status, is still appropriate, but cattle also make significant contributions in respect to selling and meat consumption, and arable inputs such as draft and fertiliser. It is concluded that benefits obtained from cattle form the basis of decision-making by smallholder cattle owners with respect to livestock production.

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