Artha Journal of Social Sciences

Editorial

L T Om Prakash — 2024-12-20

Assessing the Relationship between Councilors, Traditional Leaders and Society in Local Governance in Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality

Clifford Mhlanyukwa Duma — 2024-12-20

South Africa, with its heterogeneous population, aims to promote the engagement of all citizens in governance. Section 81 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998) enables traditional leaders to participate in municipal councils. There has been insufficient research and established models of best practices for implementing Section 81 since the national Act was passed. Sections 152(b) and 153(a) of the 1996 Constitution outline the authorised powers of local government. These sections state that one of the objectives of local government, under council members' leadership, is to ensure sustainable services to the public. Additionally, local government is responsible for organising and overseeing the municipality's budgetary, planning, and administrative processes, particularly prioritising the needs of vulnerable citizens. Consequently, ward council members were elected in the rural districts under the jurisdiction of traditional authorities. The rights and responsibilities of elected council members are specified in Section 156 of the Constitution. The Constitution does not provide a clear definition for the role of traditional leaders, who are responsible for managing extensive areas of land and receiving compensation from the government for their role in preserving culture and customs. Hence, this research analyses the correlation between council members, traditional leaders, and society in governance to ascertain compliance with section 152 (1) of the Constitution, 1996. Additionally, it explores the possibility of formulating a constitution and a code of conduct for traditional chiefs and council members, enabling citizens to lodge complaints against the activities of these two officials if required.

The Influence of International Trade Policies on the Economic Growth and Development of South Africa: Free Trade or Protectionism?

Hlanganani Mnguni — 2024-12-20

This paper questioned the influence of International Trade Policies on the economic growth and development of South Africa by examining the effect of free trade and protectionism on economic growth and development. A literature search showed that South Africa follows a policy that seeks a balance between free trade and protectionism in South Africa. The paper applied the Mercantilism theory. Mercantilism is an economic development theory that advocates for home governments to regulate the economy and facilitate international trade so that domestic industries are promoted and protected. To gather relevant information, the paper followed a semi-systematic literature review as a methodology. The paper discovered that amid the current policy stance, which seeks to balance free trade and protectionism in South Africa, communities predominantly suffer from poverty, unemployment, and income inequality. The paper concluded that trade agreements and policies must be reevaluated if governments want to combat poverty, unemployment, and income inequality. Considering the above, the paper recommends that, owing to the power and role of government institutions in South Africa, selected areas of the economy must be reserved for local industries and producers, and MNCs must be brought in where local industries cannot supply.

Understanding Carpentry Trained Youths’ Livelihood: Evidence from Bukoba, Tanzania

Maurice Peter Mmiti — 2024-12-20

Carpentry provides youths with access to income generating opportunities, which improve their quality of life through the products they create. Consequently, it enhances the livelihoods of these youths. This study aimed to understand the livelihood of carpentry trained youths in Bukoba Municipality in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to identify the sources of livelihood for these youths and analyze the role of carpentry in contributing to their livelihoods. A descriptive research design was adopted. The study used a sample of 45 respondents. Semi-structured interview was used to collect data, which were then analysed through thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the livelihoods of carpentry-trained youths relied on carpentry. Besides, the youths were able to accrue assets through their carpentry work, including work plots, permanent houses, transportation, barber shops, work tools and kiosks. Furthermore, carpentry was a source of income that catered for the youths’ family service bills. The study concludes that carpentry results in stable financial earning avenues for youths, enhancing their financial stability and contributing to societal sustainability and well-being.

Children of Female Sex workers: A Study of Situation and Vulnerability in Karnataka

D C Nanjunda — 2024-12-20

The primary objective of this paper is to shed light on the plight of children of female sex workers in Karnataka, South India. These children are currently in a highly vulnerable situation, raising significant concerns for society. As a marginalised group, they face numerous challenges, including deprivation of their rights as children, a high risk of entering the sex industry in the future, and potential threats to social cohesion. This study was conducted in selected districts of Karnataka using a mixed-methods approach in collaboration with local NGOs. The findings indicate that children of female sex workers are at a ‘high risk’ of being subjected to various forms of maltreatment. They suffer from social exclusion, anxiety, depression, deprivation, unmet needs, dissatisfaction, unfulfilled aspirations, and a sense of abandonment. The study emphasises the urgent need to improve the availability and accessibility of essential and mandatory services for these children. It also highlights the importance of implementing geographically and culturally specific rehabilitation programs. In addition to HIV prevention efforts, the National Aids Control Organisation must also extend its focus to address the critical needs of these children.

Recovering Memory, Choosing Forgetting Reading My Family, Partition and Me: India 1947- A Documentary

Etienne Rassendren — 2024-12-20

In this article, we, the authors, wish to explore questions of memory and history through and in an analytical reading of partition narratives and a documentary titled My Family, Partition and Me: India 1947 (2017). Our analysis intends to explore the distinction between memory and history and map its implications for story-telling using ideas from memory studies, partition narratives, and documentary film production. For argument, we intend to engage the cultural and personal choice between memory and forgetting and its implications for reconciliation, restoration, and justice. In conclusion, the authors wish to comment on the underlying purposes and function of memory recovery and the form of documentary storytelling.