Thoth distribution@thoth.pub 20260402

urn:uuid:7659d2fe-0e39-4bcf-bc1f-50199dbf6e59 03 01 01 urn:uuid:7659d2fe-0e39-4bcf-bc1f-50199dbf6e59 15 9781990982323 06 10.4102/aosis.2025.BK565 DG 002 01 Thoth WorkID urn:uuid:7659d2fe-0e39-4bcf-bc1f-50199dbf6e59 29 Publisher's website: download the title https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7ZXCW8 29 Publisher's website: download the title https://books.aosis.co.za/index.php/ob/catalog/book/565 1 B01 Joyce Mnesi Mdiniso 01 ORCID 0000-0001-9618-4956 2 B01 Allucia Shokane 01 ORCID 0000-0002-2928-1526 3 B01 Mapule Cheela 01 eng 00 108 03 93 JHB B2 SDG 1 93 JBF B2 SDG 5 93 JKSN B2 SDG 8 01 06 47 Open access - no commercial use 46 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ 03 03 <p><p>Empowering women is at the heart of sustainable development. Ukonga among women in rural spaces: A Nelson Mandela Children's Fund‑inspired community project showcases how women’s self‑help groups in Eshowe within the uMlalazi Local Municipality in KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa, have risen as driving forces of change, transforming lives, strengthening families, fostering financial independence and building resilience in rural South African communities.<break/>When the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund was founded in 1995, Nelson Mandela contributed from his own pocket towards establishing an organisation that continues to exist in his honour for nearly 30 years. In the same spirit of self‑reliance and discipline, the Fund introduced the Sustainable Livelihoods Project, implemented in partnership with the KwaZulu‑Natal Christian Council and their community facilitators, supporting these women’s self‑help groups that encourage saving, collective action and sustainable livelihoods. These initiatives enable women to overcome poverty, access education and health care and develop entrepreneurship skills. The project has directly contributed to strengthening families through community‑based initiatives that improve the care and support of infants, children, youth, expectant mothers and caregivers. Despite limited resources, training and logistical challenges, communities have built homes using locally‑produced cement blocks and initiated income‑generating projects, such as poultry farming and vegetable cultivation and trading to sustain their livelihoods.<break/>This book combines rigorous qualitative and quantitative research from scholars at the University of Zululand, telling the stories of the lived experiences of these women in rural KwaZulu‑Natal, offering real-world evidence of the positive socioeconomic impact. It is a vital resource for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and all who are committed to supporting women’s empowerment, sustainable community development and reducing dependency on state grants. Above all, the book tells a story of the power of collaboration between communities, civil society and academia, creating lasting change for women, children and families living in rural South African communities.</p></p> 04 01 https://books.aosis.co.za/index.php/ob/$$$call$$$/submission/cover/thumbnail?submissionId=565&random=5656983319888d34 ITUTA Books 01 AOSIS https://aosis.co.za/ AOSIS, Durbanville, Cape Town 04 20251121 2025 02 WORLD 06 15 9781990982293 06 15 9781990982309 06 15 9781990982323 06 15 9781990982316 AOSIS 09 99 R Open access 01