Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research
We present the results from two interactive methodologies (interview and focus groups) that were used as part of a participatory action research (PAR) project to identify the reasons for and solutions to illegal dumping in Fisantekraal, Cape Town, South Africa. Worldwide, PAR has been applied in th...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2022-08-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/12563 |
| _version_ | 1811188123695054848 |
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| author | Rissa V. Niyobuhungiro Catherina Schenck |
| author_facet | Rissa V. Niyobuhungiro Catherina Schenck |
| author_sort | Rissa V. Niyobuhungiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
We present the results from two interactive methodologies (interview and focus groups) that were used as part of a participatory action research (PAR) project to identify the reasons for and solutions to illegal dumping in Fisantekraal, Cape Town, South Africa. Worldwide, PAR has been applied in the context of marginalised groups and in different fields to stimulate dialogue amongst research participants, with the ultimate goal of promoting social change. The opinions expressed by the research participants (community members, NGOs, municipal officials, academics) demonstrate that the voices of the community matter and illustrate the transformative potential of the PAR methodology to change the status of stakeholder engagement in decision making regarding a pressing concern such as illegal dumping in community. The research discussed here led to some planning of initiatives and to planned change because the conversations/interviews/focus groups at least allowed people to come together to discuss possibilities. It helped the community and other stakeholders to come together and share their views of the problem and to plan together for what could work to curb illegal dumping. Community projects were subsequently initiated, and their impact will be evaluated in future research.
Significance:
• This study shows the potential of the PAR process to facilitate conversations about a particular issue between various stakeholders in a community where effective communication is challenging. The inclusivity of PAR allows for the voices of marginalised communities to be heard and allows people to take ownership of an issue in their community, such as illegal dumping.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:15:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fec47fff93c340ec9e31cfc25da366f1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:15:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-fec47fff93c340ec9e31cfc25da366f12022-12-22T04:19:35ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892022-08-0110.17159/sajs.2022/12563Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action researchRissa V. Niyobuhungiro0Catherina Schenck1Postdoctoral Fellow: DSI/NRF/ CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, Department of Social Work, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South AfricaDSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa We present the results from two interactive methodologies (interview and focus groups) that were used as part of a participatory action research (PAR) project to identify the reasons for and solutions to illegal dumping in Fisantekraal, Cape Town, South Africa. Worldwide, PAR has been applied in the context of marginalised groups and in different fields to stimulate dialogue amongst research participants, with the ultimate goal of promoting social change. The opinions expressed by the research participants (community members, NGOs, municipal officials, academics) demonstrate that the voices of the community matter and illustrate the transformative potential of the PAR methodology to change the status of stakeholder engagement in decision making regarding a pressing concern such as illegal dumping in community. The research discussed here led to some planning of initiatives and to planned change because the conversations/interviews/focus groups at least allowed people to come together to discuss possibilities. It helped the community and other stakeholders to come together and share their views of the problem and to plan together for what could work to curb illegal dumping. Community projects were subsequently initiated, and their impact will be evaluated in future research. Significance: • This study shows the potential of the PAR process to facilitate conversations about a particular issue between various stakeholders in a community where effective communication is challenging. The inclusivity of PAR allows for the voices of marginalised communities to be heard and allows people to take ownership of an issue in their community, such as illegal dumping. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/12563illegal dumpingperceptionsparticipatory action researchengagementcommunity |
| spellingShingle | Rissa V. Niyobuhungiro Catherina Schenck Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research South African Journal of Science illegal dumping perceptions participatory action research engagement community |
| title | Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| title_full | Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| title_fullStr | Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| title_short | Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| title_sort | exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in fisantekraal using participatory action research |
| topic | illegal dumping perceptions participatory action research engagement community |
| url | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/12563 |
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