Professor P.H. Omara-Ojungu
Department of Geography
University of Venda
P/B 5050 Thohoyandou
Venda
SOUTH AFRICA
In the early 1990s, drought became a major feature of the South African weather system. Its severity, between 1990 and 1993, prompted institutions such as the South African Development Bank to extend its relief efforts to many areas in South Africa. Venda, a homeland situated in the north eastern part of the Transveal Province of South Africa, is frequently hit by periodic droughts. Between 1990 and 1993, it experienced one of the worst consequences of drought hazard in many years. The most conspicuous effect has been the increase in water supply problems in both rural and urban areas on the one hand and widespread crop losses and decline in crop productivity from non-irrigated agricultural systems on the other hand.
Notwithstanding these effects, there has been no documentation of how communities in Venda cope with drought hazards. The knowledge of community responses forms an essential basis for rational planning. Like many areas in Africa, Venda society is male-dominated. But because of socio-economics in South Africa, a large proportion of the male population spends the greater part of each year away working in the mines. The absence of men from the home for this and other reasons leaves behind many female-headed households.
Based on research interviews, this paper will discuss the nature and efficiency of responses adopted in female-headed households to cope with the 1990's drought hazard in Venda. The paper will throw light on women's enterprise, plight and needs during the process of natural hazards management.
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