Culinary Trends at Hindu Weddings That Contribute to Perceptions of Middle-Class Identities among Indian South Africans

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Experiences and Perceptions of Economically Marginalised Women Food Vendors: An Exploratory Study of Informal Food Traders in Durban, South Africa.

Experiences and Perceptions of Economically Marginalized Women Food Vendors: An Exploratory Study of Informal Food Traders in Durban, South Africa.Introduction Informal economies within developing states have become a norm for many societies. It has been estimated that the majority of workers earn their livelihoods the informal way and statistics have indicated that informal employment comprises more than 50% of non-agricultural employment globally. In some regions in South Asia, informal employment is at a rate of 82% and within sub-Saharan African countries it is on a continual increase (Mkhize, Dube, & Skinner, 2013). In South Africa the mainstream economy has been unable to provide sufficient employment opportunities – for youth in particular, and people seeking work more generally. Corresponding author: Sheetal Bhoola ([email protected]). Abstract Informal food vending has grown as a form of employment in South Africa’s cities and rural districts, particularly post 1994. For many, participating in informal food vending is the only option to earn a livelihood. The aim of this study was to describe the conditions of women who live on the margins of society and struggle as informal food vendors. Through purposive sampling, 12 qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with black African women in the Durban central business district. Findings show the majority of participants lack support from their male spouses despite the labour intensive work that they are forced to do. Unorthodox cooking skills are required to prepare meals for customers and efficiency in production and marketing is required because the sales contribute to family livelihoods. Findings highlight the abuse and exploitation these vendors are exposed to by unscrupulous municipal officials and the lack of municipal and organized labour assistance to address their economic marginalization and social repression. This study highlights the challenges that these women face in the informal economy and their negative perceptions of civic organizations in Durban, South Africa

A Comparative Overview of Elements of Political Economy of Urban Governance in the Global South: The cases of eThekwini Municipality (South Africa) and Cochin Municipality (India)

With rapid urbanization and migration to cities, particularly in developing nations, the focus and emphasis on city governance, politics, institutional capacity, and sustainability issues have become paramount in critical analyses and policy discussions. This paper examines the functional complexities of two large Municipalities in two port cities located in South Africa and India, specifically eThekwini (the city of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal) and Cochin (in the state of Kerala). Following a brief overview of the characteristics of the two Municipalities, the paper delves into the system of governance, level of autonomy, participatory structures in place, the extent to which they can respond to the service delivery demands of the public in an inclusive manner, and approaches to addressing climate change concerns. The paper is contextualised with reference to the theoretical concept of the Right to the City

Women's Social Capital and Social Cohesion in Kerala: The Case of Kudumbashree

This paper examines the claim that the Kudumbashree women of Kerala, built around microfinance but now a key actor in Kerala’s economic, social, and welfare landscape, constitute a form of social capital and contributes to social cohesion. The study is based on desk research based on the existing studies supplemented by interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. An overview of Kerala’s society and politics, the rise of inclusive neighbourhood movements as precursors of the Kudumbashree and the functions that the poverty-focused and state-initiated Kudumbashree women’s program is discussed. It then discusses the communal situation in Kerala and how stiff competition between the dominant communities have operated without violence and how the sporadic communal conflicts are contained through accommodation and public disapproval. It then concludes with a critical assessment of the role of Kudumbashree as a form of social capital primarily and as a force for social cohesion