A University of Sussex DPhil thesis Available online via Sussex Research Online: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/ This thesis is protected by copyright which belongs to the author. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Please visit Sussex Research Online for more information and further details The interplay of urban land tenurial systems and its effects on the poor: A case study of Manzini in Swaziland Hloniphile Yvonne Simelane A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies 2012 Institute of Development Studies University of Sussex I hereby declare that this thesis has not been submitted, either in the same or different form, to this or any other University for a degree. Signature: .............................. Date:........................ Picture of Moneni Taken by the Researcher: December 2009 This picture shows part of the SUDP area (an informal settlement of Moneni): captures original homesteads and two temporary structures provided by the project to a family that needed to be resettled in order to accommodate infrastructural developments such as roads. The interplay of urban land tenurial systems and its effects on the poor: A case study of Manzini in Swaziland Abstract This research examines the interrelationships between customary and statutory tenure systems in Swaziland, in relation to urban development. It also focuses on the assumptions, aspirations and practices of modern and traditional authorities in relation to the processes of urban development. The Swaziland Urban Development Project (SUDP) initiated in the late 1980’s, to upgrade informal settlements of Swaziland’s cities, is used to examine the extent to which these land tenure interrelationships impact on the residents and the upgrading of informal settlements. Implementation of the SUDP (insitu upgrading) in Manzini, only took place in 2007 – a decade after the original planned commencement date. This was because the traditional leaders of the informal settlements of Moneni area (an area where the project would be piloted), did not accept the project. Since the Government and the Municipal Council of Manzini did not want to use force (Municipal Council of Manzini, 2004) it entered into further negotiations. This study investigates why the project was not accepted, examines the role of the traditional leaders in the non-acceptance of the project and the changes in attitudes towards the project in 2007. In the process, it explores the diverse responses to the SUDP and the processes of negotiation between the traditional and urban authorities, demonstrating how both authorities fought for retention of their authority over the area and also for their own vision of ’development’. Such contestation resulted in protracted discussions on the part of the urban authorities, whilst the issue of authority remains inconclusive. To investigate the impact of these interactions on the residents of the informal settlements, the study interrogates the assumptions of the development planners (project officials from Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD), City Councils and the World Bank) with regard to the benefits of the project. The different understandings of development priorities, different assumptions about the outcomes of the SUDP and the complex interactions that occur between formal and traditional structures have undermined efforts to improve living conditions of the urban residents. This study demonstrates that these assumptions of policy-makers and planners and their aspirations are colonially inherent and based on western thinking about modernisation. The implementation of grandiose plans and the making of a beautiful city are pursued, whilst residents lament that from their perspective there is ‘no development’. In addition, the study takes cognisance of social differentiation - separately examining how women in the project area were affected by the project. This study therefore demonstrates that the main 1 challenge underlying the process of improving the living conditions of informal settlements’ residents is the existence of different urban land tenure systems, managed by various authorities namely; urban authorities (government, municipalities) and traditional authorities, both asserting their legitimacy over the areas. Acknowledgements This study is a product of not only my effort but also support of many other people acknowledged below. Although it is not possible to list all of them, I do through acknowledgment of the institutions they affiliate with. Important and of great value to me, is that all these people made distinct contributions to this study and this will always resonate with me. I am grateful to all the residents of Moneni and Msunduza who allowed me to do field work in their communities. The permission I received from the leaders of the areas enabled me to freely conduct the study without intimidation. The informed questions the leadership of Moneni asked me (which included how the study will benefit the community) when I sought the permission, stretched me and motivated me to produce a useful piece of work that seek to contribute to development. I am particularly indebted to the Moneni community where I spent many months collecting the data - without their cooperation this study would not have been a success. In essence I am thankful to all the leaders, key informants, interviewees and generally all the community members. This thesis was written mainly with the help of my supervisors, namely, Dr Linda Waldman and Dr Fiona Marshall, who gave relentless guidance through the period of doing the programme. Their patience and commitment to give feedback on my work within a reasonable time frame is one main factor that has made it possible for me to finish this thesis within the Sponsor’s tight time frame. Their commitment in lovingly supporting me served as a motivational factor in the process of producing this work, and made the ‘journey’ less lonely for me, as I always had someone to turn to. I am therefore greatly indebted to them for making such a significant contribution towards my academic development. I am also grateful to the Knowledge, Technology and Society (KNOTS) team, a team I worked with, for providing invaluable critique during preparation of the research proposal and work-in-progress seminars 2 and even providing ideas outside these required structures. I am also thankful to other Research Fellows from different teams and DPhil colleagues who attended the seminars and offered comments on the work. I would like to thank the Manzini City Council for granting me study leave and permitting me to access information available in their offices, during fieldwork. I am also thankful to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which permitted me to do desk study in the SUDP archives available in the Economists’ office; this made an important contribution to this study. Overall, I also acknowledge key informants from City Councils, government ministries and other traditional structures such as Royal kraals. I am grateful to Ms Prudence Hlatshwako and Ms Nombulelo Simelane who willingly served as research assistants when I conducted focus group discussions, thus enabling me to successfully conduct the study with minimal challenges. My sincere thanks go to Angela Dowman, Programme Administrator, who helped me to address administrative issues relating to my work. I am also thankful to the library staff in both libraries that helped me obtain the relevant documents, which informed this thesis. My thanks also go to all other departments in IDS and Sussex, which provided support during the period of doing this research. I am therefore greatly indebted to the management and staff of Sussex University. This dream would not have come to pass without finances therefore I would like to greatly honour and thank the Commonwealth Scholarships for having confidence in my capabilities and granting me the three year full scholarship and half stipend for the subsequent six months. The assurance that I had all basic expenses covered helped me focus on my studying without financial concerns. I am very grateful to Dr Janet Stuart who read and provided valuable comments on an earlier draft and helped sharpen some of my ideas. Special thanks go to Dr Roger Williamson who at the request of my main supervisor helped me prepare for the PhD viva examination. Mr. Andrew Jackson and Ms Naomi Vernom also deserve special acknowledgment for proofreading the draft. I am appreciative to my previous university, Syracuse University, especially, Maxwell School Department where I studied for a Master’s degree and started examining the issue of informal settlements. My Master’s thesis Supervisor Professor John McPeak played a crucial role in that he informed me about 3 the Institute of Development Studies’ development programme and this encouraged me to apply for admission to this University, a decision that I will always be grateful of. The support of my family especially my mother and sisters, is one that will always resonate with me. They did practical things I needed and gave me emotional support even when I needed it the most. The confidence that my father had in my potential is also appreciated. My appreciation also goes to my friends and acquaintances in different parts of the world who sometimes gave a word of encouragement. I am also thankful to the support I received from the Christian community in both Brighton and Swaziland. I am pleased with the sacrifice and forgoing of many other important things I made during the pursuit of this dream and the subsequent determination made to overcome obstacles. Lastly and importantly, I thank the Almighty God who has given me a good health, energy, tenacity and the zeal throughout the period of the study, without which this would not be possible.