Mining-Led Development and Local Politics of Youth Participation in the Mokopane Traditional Authority Area in Limpopo Province, South Africa
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Mining-led Development and Local Politics of Youth Participation in the Mokopane Traditional Authority Area in Limpopo Province, South Africa By Popopo Mohlala A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies Supervisors: Dr Sonwabile Mnwana & Dr Alex Wafer October 2017 DECLARATION I declare that this dissertation is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted for the Degree of Master of Science at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination at any other University. 5th day of October 2017, in Johannesburg 2 ABSTRACT In general, studies on development concur that participatory practice at the local level is influenced by local power relations. The structures of power in local communities are important in the way they determine the extent to which citizens participate in decision-making and development activities. However, there are a few empirical studies examining the impacts of power relations on youth participation in peripheral areas experiencing the rapid expansion of large-scale mining activities. Drawing on detailed ethnographic research conducted in two villages that host Ivanplats’s Platreef Mining Project, this study examines how the structures of power in Mokopane Traditional Authority Area in Limpopo Province shape and influence the character of youth participation in mining-led community development decisions and activities. The study adopts Gaventa’s Power Cube as its primary theoretical tool of analysis. The study shows how the youth, as a social category, hardly participate in mining-led community development because the model of participation adopted by local powerholders encourages the marginalisation of young people. Instead of reducing the power imbalances, the model is used to enhance the power of traditional elites over young people. The study also shows that the youth have not passively endured marginalization from decision making processes. Instead, the youth in the study area have actively sought to create alternative networks and spaces of associational life to counter their marginalization from local decision making structures. Young people at local level are resisting their continued exclusion from mining-led community development. They are mobilizing their identity and power to challenge the power of traditional elites over decision- making and demand attention on issues that affect them. The findings of the study provide insights into the emerging power shifts that take place at local level in communities coexisting with large-scale extractive industries. Power imbalances along social divisions like gender, generation and patriarchy fuel social conflicts and struggles for mineral resources in mining communities in various parts of the world. Insights from the research also shed light on local power configurations and contestations around the distribution of mining benefits. These insights are important for policy makers. Evidence on the socio-economic impacts of mining on different social groups and their access to participatory processes can enhance the efficacy of policy interventions meant to create more inclusive mining regimes. Overall, inclusive mining 3 economies ensure that large-scale investments in this sector uplift local communities through, among other things, the reduction various forms of exclusions and related social conflicts. 4 DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my dearest mother Mampapeng Mohlala. Ke a go leboga Bogotjadi á Ngwato le Mologadi!!! 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this dissertation would not have been possible without the financial support of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Nedbank Foundation and the Society, Work and Development Institute (SWOP) at the University of the Witwatersrand. My deepest and profound thanks also go to the people of Mokopane who welcomed me to their homes and willingly participated in this study. My sincere thanks are also extended to the traditional leaders, community activists, local government officials and mine officials who despite their busy schedules made time to take part in this study. To my supervisors, Dr. Sonwabile Mnwana and Dr. Alex Wafer, thank you very much for your intellectual guidance, criticism and encouragement throughout this research. Your enduring patience and constructive feedback made this work possible. I would like to also thank Katlego Ramantsima and Dr. Farai Mtero for their encouragement and support from the start and successful end of this study. I would not have completed this work had you not shared your research experiences with me. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation again go to all my friends, especially Kabelo Nkadimeng, Sello Moremi, Moeketsi Mashilo, Lesego Kola, Moipone Mohlala, Milton Makola, Moshuti Shika and Donald Legodi for their encouragement and moral support. Special thanks also goes out to my niece Mamphotleng Lesedi Pule for her support throughout the course of this study. Last but not least, to my family, I want to say so much, but I can hardly find the words. Thank you for being with me in this journey. Your unconditional support, understanding and encouragement gave me strength during difficult times. KE A LEBOGA BABINAKGOMO!!! 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ...................................................................................................... 2 ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. 3 DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................... 6 LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................10 LIST OF IMAGES .................................................................................................11 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .............................................12 GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................14 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................15 1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 15 1.2. The geographical location and profile of the study area ................................................ 19 1.3. Research aim and objectives of the study ...................................................................... 23 1.4. Research questions ......................................................................................................... 23 1.5. Significance of the study ................................................................................................ 24 1.6. Definitions of key concepts ............................................................................................ 24 1.7. Theoretical framework: The Power Cube ...................................................................... 26 1.8. Layout of the dissertation ............................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................31 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 31 2.2. Mining and community development: Some key arguments ......................................... 31 2.2.1. Local participation in mining-driven community development ............................. 33 2.3. Youth marginalisation .................................................................................................... 34 7 2.4. Youth marginalization and agency ................................................................................. 37 2.4.1. Violent Resistance .................................................................................................. 37 2.4.2. Participation in civil society groups ........................................................................ 40 2.5. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 41 CHAPTER 3: THE STUDY METHODOLOGY ...............................................43 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 43 3.2. The study villages........................................................................................................... 43 3.2.1. Tshamahansi ........................................................................................................... 43 3.2.2. Ga-Magongoa ......................................................................................................... 44 3.3. Gaining access to the research site ................................................................................. 45 3.3.1. Accessing the villages ............................................................................................. 45 3.3.2. Accessing institutions ............................................................................................. 46 3.4. Qualitative Research Methodology ................................................................................ 48 3.4.1. Case study