Information gathering was performed using the following methods.
5.4.1 Secondary data
Documents from the DLA and DoA were obtained regarding the LRAD programme and the Loteni Sibonginhlanhla Project. This information was vital in providing some background to the case and data for comparison purposes.
5.4.2 Semi-structured interviews (SSD with key informants
SSIs were held with key informants involved with the Sibonginhlanhla Project. This process assisted in confirming information obtained from_the secondary data as well as providing new information, perceptions, concerns and issues about the LRAD programme and,specifically, the Sibonginhlanhla Project.
A SSI with each Sibonginhlanhla Project farmer was undertaken to obtain their perceived issues and concerns about the Project. The structure and content of the questions posed to all 15 of the Sibonginhlanhla Project beneficiaries was loosely informed by the sustainable
livelihoods framework (SLF). Basic demographic and household information about the Sibonginhlanhla Project beneficiaries was also captured through these SSIs.
SSIs were held with three key informants engaged with the Sibonginhlanhla Project including the DLA, the DoA, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. These informants were selected primarily on the basis of their involvement with and knowledge of the Sibonginhlanhla Project. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife was also chosen as a key informant on the strength of the regional manager for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife being closely involved with commercial farmers in the area. The set of questions for these SSIs was based on the information obtained from the secondary data.
Therefore, three distinct sets of information emanated from the SSI process. The first set of information provided insight into the issues and concerns of the Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers. The second group of information was about the institutional arrangements and processes of implementing LRAD at Loteni obtained from the DLA and DoA. A third set of information was obtained from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife providing the perspective of established, predominantly white, commercial farmers on farming in the Loteni area and their concerns about black emerging farmers.
5.4.3 Focus groups
The first two sets of information were the subject of focus group discussions. This process enabled for consensus between farmers, on certain issues and concerns, to be reached and a rich picture (see Section 6.2) to be drawn of the agreed upon concerns and issues affecting the Sibonginhlanhla Project. Three methods of interactive data collection were used: rich picturing,visioning and a planning matrix.
The data collected from the SSIs with the farmers was represented in the form of a rich picture. The aim of this rich picturing exercise was to provide a visual representation of the concerns and issues affecting the Project from the collective perspective of the farmers.
This construction of the farmers' reality is in keeping with the constructivist paradigm. A discussion of the rich picture enabled the farmers to improve their understanding and awareness of the Sibonginhlanhla Project and provided a basis from which they could pose interventions for future development of the Project. This process was aimed at being
emancipatory in nature. Human improvement was considered important in the research process.
Rich picturing is a tool taken from Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). SSM, informed by the constructivist paradigm, is an approach that recognises that problems do not exist separate from the people involved in them and appreciates the multiple viewpoints of those participants (Checkland, 1993). This tool was used to collect a range of qualitative information about the complex situation of the Project. Rich picturing was chosen, not only because it combines insights into and different perspectives of a complex situation, but also because it has the ability to engage illiterate and semi-literate people as full participants in the process of depicting the situation. It is important to note that rich picture only depicted the Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers' perspective. This was done intentionally to ascertain the farmers' awareness of factors that affected them. However, other stakeholders' perceptions have been included separately in order to ensure that a representative reality of the LRAD project at Loteni is understood.
A visioning exercise was used to determine what the Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers wanted to achieve. A vision was described as the most ideal situation for the Sibonginhlanhla Project to be in. Due to the literacy barrier, the farmers depicted, on a flipchart, their vision for the Sibonginhlanhla Project.
A planning tool was introduced to the Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers as a proposed intervention. This tool was provided so that the farmers could start to plan a direction towards obtaining their vision. The planning tool took the form of a conventional matrix shown in Figure 1.
Fig!!re l: Planning matrix
Picture reference Date
I
ObjectiveI
Action Person responsiblel
Start lend
I I l
The rich picture and vision were used as two ends of a spectrum (shown in Figure 2, p84).
The planning matrix was intended to provide the means for achieving the vision.
Figure 2: Research process with Sibonginhlanhla Project fanners
Rich picture:
Current situation (e.g. broken fences, no crop production)
Planning matrix
Vision:
Future (where Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers want to go)
The purpose of the planning matrix was to develop objectives and appropriate action for the achievement of the vision identified by the farmers for the Sibonginhlanhla Project.
Table 3 below shows the phases of research conducted at Loteni. In the first phase of research, the investigation phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted at the Sibonginhlanhla Project site. This process enabled for information about and issues affecting the Project to be exposed. Second phase research provided the Sibonginhlanhla Project fanners with visual representations of (1) the present situation of the Project, in the form of a rich picture and (2) a vision of what they wanted to achieve. Finally, follow up research allowed for a comparison ofthe Sibonginhlanhla Project over time.
Table 3· Phases ofthe research at Loteni
Investigation Conceptualisation Follow up of issues
Date June - October 2004 November 2004 November 2005
Data Secondary data, semi- Focus group Semi-structured interviews collection structured interviews
method and observation
Outputs Background and Rich picture, Update on the changes at description of vision, planning Sibonginhlanhla Project Sibonginhlanhla tool
Project, institutional implementation problems, perceptions of fanners and
commercial farmers
Sample Sibonginhlanhla Sibonginhlanhla Sibonginhlanhla Project Project farmers, DoA, Project fanners farmers, Ezemvelo KZN
DLA, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, DLA,DoA, DoH,
Wildlife Indlovu district planner,
KZNSGA
Secondary data and the three sets of information provided by the SSIs are reported in Chapter 6. The farmers' perspective is explained through the rich picture. Further information and extrapolation on information already set out in the rich picture is provided by the DLA, DoA and the perception of commercial farmers in the latter part of Chapter 6.
This provides for a broader constructed representation of reality, beyond that of the farmers' perspectives contained in the rich picture, so that comparison of these different perceptions can occur. Analysis of the research occurs in Chapter 7. The four groups of key informants remain the primary information resources but other information from role players is used to enrich the data and thus the analysis. This research specifically focuses on analysis from information obtained from the three stakeholders: the Sibonginhlanhla Project farmers, the DLA and the DoA. Examination of the Sibonginhlanhla Project over time (June 2004 -November 2005) enables for analysis of LRAD implementation at Loteni and challenges posed for the Sibonginhlanhla Project. Further, the M&E activities proposed in Section 3.4.3 are reported on and a policy analysis is performed by drawing on secondary data and information from SSIs. As a result of these analyses recommendations are made.
Chapter 6