Community Coping Mechanisms and Reactions to Industrial and

Community Coping Mechanisms and Reactions to Industrial and Political Changes in SA's Artisanal Sector Case Study of Wentworth (Durban) Research Proposal Presented to the 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians Pretoria, South Africa 16 June 2016 Jonathan Brady (SA Delegate) MA Candidate: Population Studies University of Kwa. Zulu-Natal

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY Social networks in SA’s current social and economic climate have become even more pertinent (“it’s not what you know”…. . ) Need to better understand the economic sociology of South Africa’s labour market. See to what extent social networks and social reproduction choices are beneficial or detrimental to communities (job access vs lack of economic diversification) Qualified and Experienced artisan personnel pivotal for development. Focus on artisanal development (especially by Ministry of Higher Education and Training – Dr. Blade Nzimande) at national level 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

IMPEDNING PROJECTS & EVENTS NEEDING ARTISANAL SKILLS - Port Dugout Expansion - DTC Tower Commonwealth Games Olympic Games in future? ? 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 JUne 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY Some researchers (Burns et al: 2009, Standing et al: 1996) posit employers use their existing pools of employees as referrals for up to 41. 1% of their recruits (Stander 1996, quoted in Burns et al 2010). Vetting and recommendation become important (qualified or not) 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

RESEARCH PROBLEM[S] In this case: Multiple Factors may drive and perpetuate social networks in this case study Tacit Job Reservation Skills Reservation Exclusory Web of Social interactions Yet to find where these dynamics lead [exploratory study] 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

HYPOTHESIS • • Youths in certain groups (Wentworth) may be especially reliant on these networks given the current stagnation of the country’s job market. Strong and Weak Ties (Muttzel: 2009) • The social capital available in these networks becomes lineated along kinship (racial lines). • 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa Social networks based on kinship and social capital may serve as community coping mechanisms as a way of ensuring self-preservation. Histories of job delineation (Colour bar in the industrial sector) among different race groups may have legacies which are still pertinent today

ABOUT WENTWORTH • Industrial cluster zone – SAPREF and Engen oil refineries, Mondi & Sappi paper mills. Part of Durban’s South Basin Other industries that make up the Wentworth area include landfills, and water treatment sites. • Site of environmental contestation over industrial effects on health Contestations between corporations and the community increasing over the years. Tensions set to increase as port dugout looks set to increase petroleum related industry (liquid bulk carriage). • Social malaise (inter-gang warfare, drug abuse). • Considerable percentage of employment comes from industrial companies situated in the area (male dominated). • Youth Unemployment high. Secondary and tertiary completion levels are low 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

VISUAL MAP

GEOGRAPHY & PROXIMITY Austerville Source: http: //dotmap. adrianfrith. com/

INCOME DYNAMICS Source: http: //dotmap. adrianfrith. com/

NETWORK THEORY OF SOCIAL CAPITAL Investment in social relations with expected returns” (Lin: 1999). Trust and community ties South Africa’s segregated history lends credence to the assumption that community ties based on race and culture still dictate social capital in communities “Access to information about job opportunities as well as one's perceptions about the buoyancy of the labour market may depend critically on social structures and the social networks to which individuals belong” (Burns et al: 2010: 337) “If social networks are highly segregated and information about jobs arrives in a non-random fashion, then a group with a nonrandom social network can do better than a group with a random social network. The non-random social network can help the group protect the job information they hold and restrict the access of outsiders to their job information. ” (Tssier & Menczer: 2008: 525)

Source: Mukhora. (2008). pp. 67 Commissioned Study by Dept. of Labour and HSRC

Source: Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey National and Provincial Labour Market Trends 2003 -2013. pp. 46

REPRODUCTION OF SOCIAL CHOICE Have such networks (if they are prevalent) become beneficial for some groups and exclusory to others? Larger implications: • • • Aversion of formal recruitment or training mechanisms? Drop out rates in schools? Possible stagnation in the job market? Is the entering of Coloured youths (18 -30 years) based on • • Affinity to these trade professions (personal or identity based, family history? ) Lack of choice / access to opportunity? Geographical location and proximity Family histories in employment – intergenerational networks (Magruder: 2010) What household dynamics in the Wentworth/Austerville community are geared to direct youths into trades sector Distinct demographic histories of sub-groups in the artisanal sector (Mauritians (Lincoln: 1984) and St. Helenians) also to be explored 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 JUne 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

IMPENDING (NATIONAL) POLICY “Despite the government’s investment into schools and education, it is clear the performance (of education) is not where it should be with too many poor learners still unable to achieve basic reading, arithmetic and comprehension” SA Minister of Basic Education: Angie Motshekga: Addressing the African Renaissance Conference (05 May 2016) http: //www. iol. co. za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/sa-pupils-atcorrect-grade-levels-minister-2025732 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa As of next year, pupils deemed academically inadequate will be able to complete their NSC certificate with trade (artisan) specific qualifications. Could this perpetuate singular specialization of coloured [male] youths into industrial/engineering sectors?

PROPOSED METHOD Qualitative inquiry - richer extrapolation of data. meaning behind choices in work and social connections made can be uncovered in greater detail) Five focus groups of 5 youths at different ages and stages of work search or employment (transcription of discussions and coding of data) Identification of common themes and [possible] nodes in social networks. Who supports youth in job search and what links do they hold with coloured youths? Coding of data (transcriptions) to identify common themes. “What” and “who” influences employment prospects for youths in the Wentworth area? 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa

NEW PLATFORMS FOR NETWORKING digital media platforms also serve as vital avenues for accessing opportunity while maintaining kin networks. This is an important area to observe both strong and weak ties (weak ties being more kinship based). Weak ties viewed more important for networking and job related prospects (Muttzel: 2009, White 2002). This ties in with informal networks (community based) for maintaining connections for benefits.

METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES • Accessing different groups of youths who are either searching or employed may become a problem. • Groups of employed youths will have to be accessed either after working hours or during weekends. This may complicate accessing prospective participants • Partisan bias: researcher may become partial to group perceptions and outlooks (I belong to the same social/race group). Impartiality has to be stressed. Questionnaire and interviews have to be designed so as not to be ‘leading’ • Providing incentive[s] for youths to participate in focus group sessions and complete questionnaires • Accessing companies (trade institutions – private firms and colleges) for supplementary may prove difficult (most companies refrain from racial classifications and referencing in their reports as well). Study also not representative of entire coloured population (KZN nor of SA)

CONCLUSION Numerous variables driving, causing and affecting social networks or affiliation to trades among Wentworth (and possibly other coloured communities) Further explorative research needed before empirical studies can be undertaken. Geographic, historical, lineage based factors can all be solely or jointly responsible for entry into the trades by coloured youths Identity formation in and around trades related activities and professions – as a possible offshoot? Outcomes based on interventions in employer policy, along with [mandated] skills transfers paramount. Further research suggestions • • Time lapsed assessment of basic education policy (1 -2 years) ; Migration of skilled artisans (primarily to Western Australia) - another possible avenue 5 th ISIbalo Conference of African Young Statisticians * 13 -17 June 2016 * Pretoria, South Africa