Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.5.2.3. Interpretation and Analysis of Findings The data obtained during the fieldwork was synthesised and analysed in order to reach conclusions regarding the project's feasibility and to make the necessary recommendations. In compiling the responses of the Shewula community for analysis, the frequency with which an issue was raised, was noted as an indicator of the significance which the Shewula community attaches to a particular issue. All responses have, however, been detailed in this report, whether they were an individual's comments or responses repeatedly recorded throughout the study period. The sociological study was conducted based on the assumption that the Shewula community is the primary stakeholder in the development, and that a response from an individual is as valid for the data gathering as numerous responses that are of a similar nature. The environmental feasibility study was undertaken by consulting the relevant legislation and with the administrators of the legislation so as to analyse what the requirements were for the necessary permits for tourism development in Shewula. Generic impacts were identified and assessed, as the specific impacts could not be identified, due to the lack of a finalised site and concept plan. The tourism and marketing feasibility study was undertaken by assessing the original proposal from the tourism and marketing points-of-view. The literature and key tourism and marketing personnel in Swaziland were consulted to guide the analysis of the findings of the assessment. Because of the lack of statistical tourism data from Swaziland, existing SATOUR data was used, from which assumptions were made concerning the tourism trends in Swaziland. Data from neighbouring countries have also been used to determine a more holistic tourism trend surrounding Swaziland. 1.6. LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTHS OF THE STUDY 1.6.1. Limitations The limitations of the study can be classified according to the following categories: • Limitations resulting from the context within which the research took place. • Limitations resulting from the research process. • Limitations identified during fieldwork and through interaction with other people. 1.6.1.1. Limitations resulting from the context of the study The development process is one that is dynamic and evolutionary in nature. The research for this study was conducted within the context of a dynamic development planning process and was therefore limited by an incomplete planning process characterised by a lack of informed decision-making. This was further exacerbated by time constraints on the project and the influence of the broader socio-political context. a) An incomplete project planning process This feasibility study was undertaken at a time when the idea of developing a tourism facility on Shewula land had already been initiated, and funding for the construction of accommodation facilities had already been obtained from the British Council. However, the planning process had not been completed adequately. It became evident during the fieldwork period that there was no finality to the tourism
Chapter 1 - Introduction development concept. This limited the intended research, and it became necessary to take on a more strategic, pre-feasibility focus. b) Time constraints The six-week field research period made in-depth, continuous interaction with the community impossible. As a result there was too short a period to build up strong trusting relationships with community members as a whole. This had an affect on the quality of the qualitative research. The sense of urgency to spend the British Council grant, and meet project deadlines, also placed tremendous pressure on those involved in the planning and development process to produce results, with the potential that the findings of a feasibility assessment could become redundant or be disregarded. c) The broader socio-political and cultural context There was a possibility that the potential advantages and benefits of the proposed tourism development could raise expectations in the Shewula community to unrealistic levels. To avoid creating unrealistic expectations a degree of 'intervention' was required, which could arguably be seen as an impact of the study on the community. While it was the intention of the study team that the research should not have significant negative impacts on the Shewula community, the actions taken to prevent high expectations could be interpreted as placing a limitation on the objectivity of the study. The resistance and negative responses of some members of the community to the proposed project resulted in a degree of resistance to the study, and sometimes resulted in a lack of co-operation with, or deliberate hindrance of, the researchers' activities. 27 Resistance was also experienced because of criticism levelled at the way in which the planning for the development was initiated, which some described as 'not people-driven'. 28 Such comments referred specifically to the contrast between the role of the traditional leadership in initiating plans for the proposed project and the lack of participation by other members of the community. This contrast reflects the larger socio-political and cultural picture in Swaziland. The resistance encountered when attempting to separate issues pertaining to the project from the broader sociopolitical and cultural context, therefore created another limitation for the research. 1.6.1.2. Limitations resulting from the research process The research process itself was limited by the social context in Shewula in terms of the numbers of people involved, language barriers and lack of attendance at meetings. a) People contacted or involved in the research Extensive consultation with all members of the community was not a viable option, since time was a constraint and the whole population of 10,000 could not be involved. However, the study team attempted to obtain opinions and perceptions from as wide a range of people as possible and across as wide a geographical area as possible. b) Translation between English and seSwati The use of translation to overcome the language barrier poses a possible threat to data reliability, especially in terms of the level of detail contained in the translators' interpretation of peoples' responses. Some nuances in what people are saying, for example the linguistic jokes and profound meanings of some proverbs, were 27 This was particularly the case when the issue of poaching was discussed. 28 Alfred Mabila, Shewula Community member, pers. comm.
Page 1 and 2: A Feasibility Study of the Proposed
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c) Re-establishment of game The bel
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) Indirect income generation Sugges
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iome of these assumptions will have
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The following model was formulated
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions 7.1. INTROD
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions and well-be
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Chapter 8 • Recommendations shoul
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Chapter 8 - Recommendations 8.2.4.
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward proposa
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward Notes o
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward communi
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References Obua, J. 1997: The Poten
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The four questions that the study t
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3. Requirements The resources that
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Outreach programme at Mlawula could
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If the tourism development site wer
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