Effects of substance abuse among the youth : the case of Dimbaza Township, King Williams Town Eastern Cape
- Authors: Manyonta, Ayanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth -- Substance use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Substance abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9389 , vital:34338
- Description: Youth substance abuse is a major social and health concern globally, South Africa notwithstanding. The effect of using substances among the youth does not only impend overall personal development of the youth, but it also limits their aspiration for the future and creates an environment that exacerbates to social ills. This study explored the effects of substance abuse among the youth in Dimbaza King Williams Town. The study intended to achieve the following specific objectives: (i) to establish the extent of the effects of substance abuse among the youth in Dimbaza township; (ii) determine the impact of the effects of substance abuse towards the development of Dimbaza Township; (iii) document interventional strategies to mitigate the effects of substance abuse. The study used a qualitative approach, where explorative and descriptive designs were used. Specifically, the case study design was used. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups, secondary data and key informants methods. The study used non-probability sampling techniques, but specifically purpose sampling technique was used. Twenty eight (28) participants were sampled which comprised of (12) youth faced with substance related challenges, (6) family members, and (10) key informants. Data was analyzed qualitatively through content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following: preponderance of marijuana (dagga) and alcohol, peer pressure as precursor to substance abuse, antisocial behaviours attributable to substance abuse, youth engagement in various criminal activities, evidence of moral decay in Dimbaza, state of poverty aggravating substance abuse habits, paucity of community intervention for social ills. The study made the following recommendations: a need for government to intensify awareness of the impact of substance abuse among the youth; the need for social practitioners to mitigate dysfunctional families facing substance related challenges; strategic educational intervention targeting potential addicts are needed so as to curb the proliferation the effect of substance abuse; establishment of family educational programs are needed to capacitate communities in order to mitigating substance related behaviors;; special police force is needed to strengthen substance abuse campaigns as primary intervention so as to educate pre-adolescents about the aftermaths of substance abuse; moral regeneration initiatives are needed to instill the significance of Ubuntu and worth of human being; intensify of moral regeneration campaigns facilitated by faith-based organizations; and lastly, the government and other stakeholders should fund youth development programs that will equip them with skills to afford them opportunities to bolster their lives and contribute to improving their country’s economy.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Empowerment of women victicms of domestic violence in Ntabethemba ,Tsolwana Municipality:an ecclesiastical function of Evangelical Presbyterian church of South Africa
- Authors: Mraji, Thomakazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Church work with abused women - - South Africa Abused women -- Pastoral counseling of Family violence -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10382 , vital:35443
- Description: This research study investigated the empowerment of women victims of domestic violence in Ntabethemba, Tsolwana Municipality: An Ecclesiastical Function of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa. The study intended to achieve the following objectives: (i) to examine the intervention and involvement of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa in social development of women victims of domestic violence; and (ii) to investigate whether there are any available programs within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa to empower women victims of domestic violence in Ntabethemba. This study used a qualitative paradigm and an exploratory research approach. It also employed in-depth one-on-one interviews complemented by focus group discussions as a method of data collection. The study used non-probability sampling, specifically purposive sampling technique. 32 participants were sampled, including: participants from Focus Group Discussions, which consisted of 7 clergy members, 7 members of Association of Presbyterian Women Executive Committee, 6 members of Men’s Christian Guild Executive Committee, 7 members of Imanyano Yee-Ntombi ZamaRabe Avangelayo Executive Committee, 5 members of Presbytery Council and 65 participants from Focused Group Discussions. These 65 participants derive from four congregations, namely; Trinity congregation, St. James congregation, St. Phillips congregation and Calvin congregation and from three associations, namely; APW, IYZA and MCG. The data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic analysis which used the interpretative approach and textual presentation.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the effects of foster care placement on childhood development : a study of Berlin location, Buffalo City municipality
- Authors: Mbonda, Mamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foster home care Orphans Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15343 , vital:40399
- Description: The number of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa is drastically increasing which leads to most children being put in a foster care system. Yet there are great lacunae within its implementation; facilitation and monitoring which effectively affect the children involved. This evoked interest to the researcher on evaluating the effects of foster placement on childhood development; a study of Berlin Location, Buffalo City Municipality. The study intended to fulfil the following objectives: 1. To document environments that challenges foster care placement as an intervention of child placement; 2. To understand the negative impacts of foster care on a child’s psychosocial development; 3. To explore the impact of host parent’s culture to the child’s adaptation; 4. To establish the strengths and weaknesses of the South African child protection system. The study utilized qualitative paradigms guided by the qualitative research approach by adopting a case study cum phenomenological design. It employed in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informants as data collection methods. The study used both non-probability and probability sampling methods of which purposive and simple random sampling technique was utilised. The population of study was made up of twenty (20) participants who were incorporated of five (5) foster parents, five (5) key informants and ten (10) foster children. The data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings: (i) challenges pertaining to adjustment to home milieu, (ii) lack of knowledge on foster parents’ rights and responsibilities, (iii) inadequateness of foster grant, (iv) cultural deviance, (v) prevalence of drug use and teenage pregnancy, (vi) dire lack of awareness raising sessions for the foster parents and their children, (vii) identity crisis disposition displayed by foster children, (viii) lack of individualizing cases of foster care placement by the social workers, (ix) efficiency of alternative care in comparison to residential care, (x) internalization of emotions by foster children, (xi) continued void for the biological mother’s love and affection,(xii) paucity of monitoring services to children, (xiii) information sharing and capacity building workshops for social workers a prerequisite, (xiv) Effectiveness of authoritative parenting a successful method and difficulty with telling foster children about their background. The study findings made the following recommendations: Strengthening inter-sectoral relationships and capacitate different stakeholders; Emphasis on early intervention and preventative programmes; Enforcement of punishment measure for incompliance; Implementation of training for foster parents and children; Foster care process made a specialization for social workers, Government to invest on psychosocial support and capacitating workshops for social workers. The researcher, therefore, hopes to have fulfilled the study objectives and further explored all the requirements of the study during data collection. More-so, fulfilment of objectives will assist the government and relevant stakeholders in bridging the gaps that exist with child protection.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exit strategies in social protection and the role of the social worker : a case study of exited households from the harmonised social cash transfers in Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muwoni, Leon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social security -- Zimbabwe Social service -- Zimbabwe Households -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8364 , vital:32389
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the strategies utilised in exiting households from the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer in Zimbabwe and also the role of the social worker in facilitating and ensuring a smooth readjustment thereof. The study area was Goromonzi District, where the research sample and participants were drawn. The data were collected with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. It emerged in the study that besides the financial constraints and general challenges characterising social protection in Zimbabwe, there have been some significant improvements in the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. For example the beneficiary households increased their food consumption in terms of quantity and quality, reduction of poverty among other positive outcomes. The study however noted that despite having registered some positive outcomes on the beneficiaries, the programme was designed without a clear cut exit/graduation strategy. Upon being exited from the HSCT, beneficiaries are supposed either to be supported to maintain their livelihoods or to be graduated into other social protection programmes so that the shock of being exited is minimised. In addition to the above, the study found that, graduation of social protection is hardly possible for the nature of HSCT programme beneficiaries, therefore ‘programme exit’ is the only most realistic thing to talk about in the programme. The study makes a case for curving a role for social workers in managing exit for beneficiaries of social protection programmes and helping families with the readjustment process post cash transfers. Furthermore, this study recommends that programmes should be designed either as ‘graduation’ focused programs or with a clear plan and road map of how beneficiary or programme exit would be handled. This will not only help in planning for the end-phase but also for the nature and approach for programme implementation. In addition, the study recommends that during implementation of social transfer programs, particularly cash, it is of essence to link the cash benefits with livelihood and asset building interventions to ensure sustainability. Families need to be encouraged through ‘soft messaging’ or supported to structure either group or individual savings and or investments in assets and livestock that will help cushion them in the event of sudden programme discontinuation or when faced with shocks and hazards.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Expanded Public Works Programme as a poverty alleviation strategy in Nyandeni local municipality in South Africa : an experiential study
- Authors: Xhongo, Khanya
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13587 , vital:39682
- Description: South Africa is faced by huge societal problem of poverty and unemployment, twenty one years after the dawn of democracy. These societal problems have been addressed by policy interventions such as Expanded Public Works Programme. The programme targets Youth, women and people with disabilities. However it appears that the mainstream of the programme the employment creation through infrastructure does not accommodate all the targets especially the disabled. The study sought to investigate the role played by EPWP in alleviating poverty in Nyandeni Municipality and to find out to what extent it really alleviate poverty. The study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to collect data from forty eight respondents, by way of in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in Nyandeni Local Municipality, there is rampant empowerment exclusion in the area, the wage rate paid to beneficiaries is too little to pull them out of poverty and the effects of poor exiting strategy are unbearable to beneficiaries as they find it hard to find other means of employment once they exit the programme. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream empowerment security in relation to EPWP are that ,the government needs to improve the information dissemination about proposed interventions to alleviate poverty and that communities should partner with them to alert them about their needs and what best interventions could impact real change. The government should be mobile and take services to people and there should be consideration to review wage rate. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring employees' need for the development of an employee assistance programme at a welfare organisation
- Authors: Mncunzwa, Gcobisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5554 , vital:29325
- Description: The study was conducted in order to determine the employee needs for an employee assistance programme in a welfare organisation in East London, Eastern Cape. This study was born out of a need from the management of this welfare organisation in East London who identified a need for an employee assistance Programme (EAP) within their organisation. According to management, there was a decline in productivity, and high stress levels due to high caseloads and societal demands (Leeuw, May 15, 2015). The theoretical framework that guided this research was systems theory. The rationale for using systems theory is that this study deals with individuals within an organisation who must coexist on a daily basis. There is a general belief that people and their physical-social-cultural environment interact in processes of mutual reciprocity and complementary exchanges (Merton, 2009). A qualitative approach was used in this study. Eight (8) employees from various levels in a welfare organisation were purposively selected to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the interviews took more than forty-five (45) minutes each and this enabled the acquisition of rich information which is described in the findings and is used as a basis for the recommendations in the study. After the examination of the needs of employees for an EAP from the observations of both the employer and the employee it was clear that there is a need for employee assistance programmes in welfare organisations. Employees in this organisation are experiencing stress, burnout and were highly concerned about high caseloads that makes them feel incompetent to render adequate and quality services to their employees. The study also revealed that both employees and management of this organisation have different needs, experience different types of problems and view the EAP in different contexts. Despite the differences in their outlook on the situation, the evidence indicates that both employer and employee perceive that there is a need for an EAP, especially clinical services. At the same time, the issue of funding such a programme is also a concern. Recommendations were made for the organisation to develop an EAP to address the needs identified by employees, and for a clear communication strategy be developed to make all levels of employees within the organisation aware of the existence of such a programme. Another recommendation was made for the organisation to identify specific days on which they will conduct preventative awareness and debriefing sessions for the employees. It was also recommended that the South African Council for Social Services Professionals must standardise, regulate and monitor caseloads for the social work profession.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring psycho-social effects of behaviour modification programmes on children with behavioural challenges : a case study of Gali Thembani Child and Youth Care Centre Queenstown Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Fulani, Anathi Simnikiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social case work Behavior modification Behaviorism (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9853 , vital:35072
- Description: This research study explored and examined the psycho-social effects of behaviour modification programmes on children with behavioural challenges, at Gali Thembani Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was premised by four objectives, firstly to investigate the effects of behaviour modification programmes on children, secondly to investigate the challenges faced by children who are on behaviour modification programmes, thirdly examine the support systems available from the social networks of the children, and lastly, to examine the intervention strategies provided by professionals. The researcher adopted a qualitative research method as it provides for an in-depth understanding of the research topic furthermore qualitative research provides for a more thick, descriptive, and detailed, interpersonal research findings which perfectly aliens with the psycho-social understandings and human centred research findings as compared to the more numerical and statistic producing results of a more quantitative study. The study employed an array of qualitative research methods including but not limited to in-depth interviews, open ended questions group discussions and sessions and observations. The study has been underpinned by both the social learning and behavioural theory respectively. The population in this study was made up of fifteen participants. The participants come from different towns in the Eastern Cape. The researcher has utilized a non-probability sampling method specifically purposive technique. The data was analysed using a qualitative approach in a comprehensive thematic way. A collection of psycho - social effects of behaviour modification programmes on children with behavioural challenges in Gali Thembani Child and Youth Care Centre were the study outcomes.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring the contributions of youth development programme as a poverty eradication strategy: The case study of the National Youth Development Agency in Ezibeleni Township; Queenstown
- Authors: Vazi, Thembelani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6502 , vital:30137
- Description: Youth development programmes in South Africa stirs a lot of debates on whether youth development programmes reach all the young people of South Africa even the rural youth. The youth involved in these programmes argue that even though these youth development programmes were created for all the young people of South Africa, some of them do not get the opportunity to be part of such programmes and they are not getting the proper skills that they need in order to create employment opportunities for themselves. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the contributions of the youth development programme as a poverty eradication strategy. The data in the study was collected qualitatively through interviews in which the youth, Social Workers, the ward Councillors and NYDA officials were interviewed. The total sample size in the study was 26 participants. The study established that the lack of youth skills is one of the causes of youth unemployment and poverty. Generally, the quality of these youth development programmes are not up to standard for assisting young people, most importantly these youth programmes lack resources. The study revealed that, even though the youth programmes are available, they do not cater for all the young people of Ezibeleni Township and they do not alleviate poverty for all the youth of Ezibeleni Township. Furthermore, those that are part of these youth programmes further complain about the lack of skills within the staff employed in these youth development programmes.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Financial decision-making of fathers with social grants in Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Ketani, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Decision making Dependency Public welfare
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11773 , vital:39105
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine the role of fathers receiving social grants in family decision-making processes within households in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. The study also investigated how money from social grants is utilised by fathers, taking into consideration, the impact of such decisions on the well-being of family members. A methodological triangulation approach was adopted for data collection. One hundred and seventy questionnaires were administered to beneficiaries of social grants, selected using multi stage sampling. The data was then coded on Microsoft excel package and run using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for analysis. These yielded quantitative results which were then complemented by qualitative results obtained from 25 in-depth interviews conducted with caregivers residing with respondents. The major findings of the study revealed that most fathers earning social grants, made family decisions with their partners. Co-operative bargaining, resulting in the distribution of power in the decision-making process is relatively more prominent in most poor rural households. The effect of bargaining power emphasises the importance of gender empowerment in family decision-making processes. On the other hand, it is established that economic factors (such as income and employment status and age as a social factor) play a critical role in positioning other household members in decision-making within the family. As a result, children and unemployed household members have very limited decision power. The findings also revealed that social grants are the main source of income, if not, the only source of income in most households. Beneficiaries spend the money received on basic needs such as food, school fees, clothing and health, thus reducing hunger and suffering among beneficiaries. Therefore, social grants play a significant role in improving food security among poor households. Additionally, social grants are not only used for meeting individual needs of target groups of people in the household but for the entire needs of the household. The poverty gap been on the decline and such drop has been significant among poorest of the poor. Consequently, they impact positively beyond individual recipients and thus, strengthening intergenerational relations within poor families. Furthermore, it is established from the study that the role of male caregivers is an important one, and it is anticipated that many fathers will be involved in caregiving in the future. This is due to a variety of social demographic factors such as divorce, substance abuse, incarceration of parents, child abuse and neglect, health problems and death. Consequently, fathers receiving social grants, represent an important resource for poor households, especially for children. In a nutshell, with high incidences of poverty, coupled with HIV/AIDS epidemic, economic hardships, high rate of unemployment, absent parents and orphan crisis; the experiences and contributions of social grant earning fathers in caregiving, need to be acknowledged as they play a significant and benevolent role in well-being of family members, especially in the lives of children from vulnerable and poor homes. It is recommended that government should focus on promoting developmental policies that will contribute to poverty alleviation and reduce income inequalities in rural communities. Intervention plans should seek to develop exit programmes that capacitate households and communities to empower themselves. On the other hand, the development of support for male caregivers in private, public and community initiatives are commended to build capacity and empower fathers to cope with challenges associated with parenting.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Impediments to the implementation of employee health and wellness policy : a study of Social Development - Eastern Cape, Amathole District
- Authors: Lutuli, Nondwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Health education|xGovernment policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5473 , vital:29269
- Description: The White paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery no 1459 of 1997 stipulates that the wellbeing of employees needs to be accounted for. A directive to have employee health and wellness programmes established in all government departments was given by the director-general of the Department Public Service Administration in 2008. The Employee health and wellness programme is aimed at promoting and improving employee wellbeing, which is also linked to organizational wellness. The primary aim of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is to make a positive contribution towards maximum employee productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. Employee health assessment conducted by the Department of Social Development in 2006 and 2009 confirmed that South African organizations, including the Department of Social Development, experience high levels of employee poor health. Studies suggest that both employees and the employers need to pay attention to the improvement of employee health and wellness. In 2012, an integrated employee health and wellness policy was developed to improve the Department of Social Development employee wellness. The interest to conduct the study emanates from the researcher‟s own supposition that the policy has not been fully implemented, this deduction is based on the fact that, although the policy has four critical focus areas, some of these areas, such as counselling, are not rendered. Literature reviewed includes the process of policy implementation and description of employee health and wellness, benefits of employee health and wellness programme for both employees and employer. A mixed method study was conducted to explore the implementation of the employee health and wellness policy as a strategy to improve both employee and organizational wellness within the Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape - Amathole District. The population of the study included both DSD management and non-managerial employees from Amathole District; the study also includes the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Amathole District Municipality and South African Police Service (Mdantsane). Themes that were identified from qualitative data through semi- structured interviews by means of audio-recorder were triangulated through questionnaires and document analysis. Since the policy came into effect in 2012, results show that the implementation has been confronted with a number of challenges which include lack of support from the top management. Lack of buy in by DSD management has serious implications on the policy objectives; these include the inadequate distribution of capital, human and physical resources necessary to implement the policy. In order for the DSD to improve the implementation of employee health and wellness policy, the management needs to ensure that there is adequate provision of human and capital resources. Employees should be well-informed on policy guidelines and procedures and benefits to stimulate maximum utilisation. A decentralisation of implementation to Area offices is necessary to promote accessibility of services and prevent unnecessary delays in service delivery.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Informal urbanism : an appraisal of socio-legal and economic dynamics in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Phaxenda Maxwell
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Street vendors -- Legal status, laws, etc Informal sector (Economics) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5763 , vital:29381
- Description: Many cities and towns in the Global South continue to experience the growth of the informal sector. There are a number of reasons which explain the growth of the informal sector. These include formal sector retrenchments, shortage of jobs in the formal sector and lack of skills. Street vendors are the most visible traders in the informal sector as compared to other kind of traders. In many cities, the spaces in which vendors conduct their trading is not allocated to them legally as they are seen as a nuisance or obstruction to commerce and the free flow of traffic. Against this background, this study examines the contestation for vending in the East London Central Business District (CBD) Eastern Cape, South Africa. It specifically explores social processes and vendor decision making when it comes to choosing (or claiming) a particular vending space, the legal instruments (by-laws) that either promote or constrain informal trading activities. Furthermore, it investigates the extent to which street vending contributes to the traders‟ income generation and sustainable livelihoods. This study uses a qualitative research design. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty informal traders. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with all thirty respondents In addition to the thirty respondents, five key informants were interviewed. The study found that street vending plays a major role in providing BCMM people with livelihood opportunities. Trading space in the CBD is strictly competitive and the spaces they acquire are too small for their businesses to expand to another level. Vendors face a lot of challenges but at the epitome of their challenges is the vending by- laws which the vendors view as a major constraint when it comes to operating smoothly in the streets. The study suggested that vending polices and by- laws be reviewed in order to derive a better socio- economic and functional environment for vendors.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Inter-role conflict and coping strategies of employed mothers : a study of selected private schools in the Mthatha area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Tegbe, Dzigbordi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Role conflict Working mothers Women -- Employment , Children of working mothers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7830 , vital:30768
- Description: Working women are finding it increasingly challenging to establish a balance between work and family life. This often results in work-family conflicts which affect women teachers’ well-being. The current study utilised role theory to investigate the effect of work-family conflicts on work related income, using the Mthatha community as case study. The study explored the impact of inter-role conflict on stress related illness and the coping strategies working women can adopt to create work-family balance. The motivation of the study is based on limited research regarding the impact of work-family on South African working mothers, where feminisation of labour force is compelling women to devote more time to their work roles thus neglecting their traditional roles as mothers. The research design used a cross section survey, and the sampling procedure applied a multi-stage concept of data collection, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to delve into the issues of inter-role conflict and coping strategies of employed mother-teachers, to establish causal relationships geared towards explaining the phenomena. The population consisted of working mothers in Mthatha private schools, where data was collected using a work-family conflict questionnaire. The results of the study established a positive relationship between the multi-tasking of mother-teachers and inter-role conflicts, and also confirmed that work roles/tasks have become overwhelming. Consequently, working women families are neglected, while support from extended families is not coming or is insufficient to alleviate the burdens of role conflicts. The conflicts lead to stress-related illnesses and individually, women are not interested in consulting psychologists to manage their stress. The women suffer ailments such as headaches, general pains, sleep dysfunction, high or low blood pressure, heart diseases, and become moody and tearful, expressing low self-esteem. Women teachers in Mthatha were of the view that proper strategies are needed to mitigate their stress. Some of these coping strategies involve a good condition of service at school, refraining from applying medication to solve stress, taking part in exercise and rest, and having a relaxing time with family and friends. The findings of this study can help through suggesting useful strategies that can be utilised by working teachers who are mothers to mitigate their inter-role conflict. It will also lead to more insight into role theories.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Pentecostal and exclusion of women in positions of leadership : a case of Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Guti, Joseph
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pentecostal churches -- Zimbabwe Women and religion -- Zimbabwe Women in church work
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8866 , vital:33692
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the issues relating to women empowerment and their leadership positions in the Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the theoretical findings that women have always been discriminated against, be it, politically, economically, socio‐culturally, and also religiously. It is against this background that this study interrogated the position of women in the Church particularly in African Pentecostal Christianity. Scholars of gender studies assert that even though women are attaining higher levels and developing both economically and politically, they still remain invisible in top church leadership ranks. The study examined how compliant the Pentecostals in Zimbabwe are to the gospel of equality, and check if distinctions still exist even among the Pentecostal Christians. This issue of gender imbalance is a worldwide problem which the church needs to address for the good of humanity. The issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches particularly in Zimbabwe, is a major challenge today because there are more women than men in the churches, yet it seems that in most churches they are excluded in top leadership positions. The Pentecostal Movement is said to be the most significant religious movement in the world which is primarily made up of women, yet it has also been observed that women in most African countries are treated as lower or second class citizens. The Zimbabwean society is male dominated and the Pentecostal churches are also affected, such that gender imbalances are observed and women abuses are prevalent. Therefore the issue of gender and gender imbalance is a global challenge, and as a result it has also become a global agenda in the academic world. This is what motivated the researcher to examine to what extent the Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe perceive the importance of women empowerment, and also determine the impact of the exclusion of women from top church leadership positions. A review of literature on women empowerment and their exclusion from Pentecostal church leadership positions indicated that the challenges that Pentecostal women faced were similar among all religious groups in other African countries outside Zimbabwe. The research study showed that the Pentecostal Church in Zimbabwe needs to address this issue of women empowerment since the church or religious sector is lagging behind when other areas of the society like the economic and political sectors have already embraced the notion. Therefore this study is significant because it seeks to address the gender imbalances in Pentecostal Christianity that has seen women being on the periphery while men being at the centre when it comes to Church hierarchy. In investigating the issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches the researcher proposes that if there is gender balance in the leadership of the church there will be more sound contribution in the ministry of the church that would benefit everyone equally. It has been observed that women like men, have also been given spiritual gifts that should be used to benefit or minister to the body of Christ without limits. Yet currently there seems to be a sense that women in the Pentecostal Churches are not afforded opportunity to exercise their ministry and freely participate in the active ministry of the church. There is also a general feeling among women that their needs are not adequately catered for in the church because men cannot fully understand the needs of women, and as a result women suffer silently. Iidentification of the above challenges would enable the Pentecostal church leaders and other stakeholders to devise specific policies and strategies that assist in empowering women, and thereby creating a better environment which allows for church growth. This research was a descriptive case study that used self-administered questionnaires and interviews as the primary source of data on a target sample of 80 Pentecostal members (among them were pastors, elders, deacons, and ordinary male and female members) from various Pentecostal churches in Harare. The researcher also consulted secondary sources of data for the study including electronic and printed church material, websites, conferences and church services. Data collected for this research was transformed for statistical analysis through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and also Thematic Analysis for further data presentation. Thematic analysis method was used to systematically find answers to research questions, as well as identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns or themes within the data collected. The phenomenological approach was used in this research to understand the behavioural patterns of Pentecostal church members from the view point of the participants, and mostly to allow the voices of the women to be heard. Besides the phenomenological approach, this study employed the Theological Reflection approach to interpret the data since the concerns under investigation are ethical-theological issues. Conclusively, the research findings indicated that women in the Pentecostal churches faced challenges, even though they had capacity just like men. Some of the challenges were due to such factors as the “glass ceiling” that block their access to top leadership ranks, gender role stereotyping, negative societal or cultural influences, inferiority complex of women themselves, lack of acceptance by men, lack of education or access to training, and the challenges of balancing home and family responsibilities. From the study it shows that women have capacity for leadership in Pentecostal churches if they are empowered. Therefore motivational teachings and training programs are needed to correct the wrong mentalities concerning the status of women in African Pentecostalism.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of adolescents and professional on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho child and youth care facilities, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Magoqwana, Yandiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social problems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child care services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12970 , vital:39412
- Description: This research explored the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher cross examined the challenges faced by adolescent in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The research study aimed to explore the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The study was premised by three objectives, firstly to examine the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in the Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. Secondly to investigate the behavioural problems experienced by adolescents in the Bisho Youth Care Centre. Thirdly to examine the kind of support provided by professionals like Social workers, Educators, Professional Nurse, Bricklaying Instructor , Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor and Child and Youth Care Worker . The researcher used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of
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- Date Issued: 2017
Perspectives of social media's influence on university students' social lives : a case study of the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus
- Authors: Mazaiwana, Tanyaradza Sandra
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: University of Fort Hare Social media Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13128 , vital:39467
- Description: The main purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of social media‘s influence on students‘ social life and the study made use of the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus as a case study. The internet and new media technology has brought about communication systems such as social media which has taken over the communication media world and is seen as an important socializing agent that students make use of. The study was therefore based on the premise that social media is enhancing the social interaction of people. It has become clear that most studies look at how social media enrich the life of students but little information is there on the kind of influence that it has on their social life. The study employed a quantitative approach to find out the effects of social media on social lives. The population was drawn from the four faculties at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and the sample size was 190. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire and proportioned stratified random sampling was used to ensure a representative sample. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and descriptive statistics was used to analyse the demographical and general factors on the perceptions of students‘ social life. The perceptions of the respondents about social media and their social life was that it plays a great role in improving their social life as they are able to maintain relationships, they are always up to date with what is going on in their environment and it makes communication a lot more easier. In addition the results and discussion of this study confirmed that there is another dark side of social media which is hardly acknowledged by most scholars. Social media has a negative side towards students‘ social life which include isolation, depression, and distraction from reality, cyberbullying and low self- esteem. The study confirmed that students spent most of their time on social media and that their social life is affected as they have little or no time to socialise.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Rights as trumps in African communitarian ethics
- Authors: Nwogbo, Johnbosco
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Communitarianism Human rights Social values
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12282 , vital:39249
- Description: The notion of rights is among the most basic ideas of contemporary political philosophy on the continent and elsewhere. Although rights are common-place in political philosophy it is fair to say that the discussion around it has been nothing short of contested. On the whole, there have been two kinds of questions to which most of the discussion about rights in political philosophy have been answers, namely, (i) what are rights?, and (ii) to what do people have rights? The first has to do with the nature of rights, while the second has to the nature of that to which people may be said to have rights. This research falls neatly within the parlance of the first kind of questions (i.e., the question of what rights are). Specifically, in this research, I am concerned with the question of whether the radical and moderate African communitarian rights theses of Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye measure up to what rights are commonly understood to be. I argue that if rights are trumps, which override competing societal and communal considerations, then Menkiti’s and Gyekye’s theories of rights fall short of this fairly standard and typical conception of rights.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Strategies, challenges and socio-economic contribution of immigrant entrepreneurship in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal Area
- Authors: Muridzo, Phillemon Dudzai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Minority business enterprises -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17849 , vital:41375
- Description: Immigrants, in whatever country they settle, have always been involved in entrepreneurial activities mainly for survival, remittance and other purposes. Globally, immigrant entrepreneurship has significantly contributed to the economy of host nations. The aim of this research study is to investigate the business strategies, challenges and socio-economic contribution of immigrant entrepreneurship in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal (BCMM) area, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This study builds upon fieldwork undertaken within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal area situated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A Case Study research design was utilised, and it encompassed three kinds of data collection methods – indepth interviews, focus groups and direct observation. The key finding of this study indicated that as a consequence of the challenges they encounter, immigrant entrepreneurs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal area had devised different business strategies to ensure that their businesses remain afloat and profitable. Another key finding of the study is that immigrant entrepreneurs in the BCMM Area make significant socio-economic contributions to their host communities. In addition to other positive contributions, immigrant entrepreneurs add to the revitalization of neighbourhoods and provide employment to their respective communities.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/ AIDS: the case of Chris Hani District Municipality, Cala, Tsengiwe, Eastern cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mati, Similo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: People with HIV and AIDS disease -- healers -- South Africa --Eastern Cape Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5249 , vital:29171
- Description: In South Africa, just like in any other country within the African continent, traditional healing remains an integral part of many communities and this is not just restricted to the rural communities only, as is sometimes assumed. The main aim of this research was to explore the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Chris Hani District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The following research objectives were followed regarding the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS: (i) to assess how traditional healers and people living with HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village understand HIV/AIDS, (ii) to investigate the reasons people living with HIV/AIDS consult traditional healers in Tsengiwe village, (iii) to assess Tsengiwe village traditional healers’ treatment strategies for HIV/AIDS, (iv) to establish how traditional healers view their role in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village. A qualitative research design was utilized, using in-depth interviews with traditional healers and focus group discussions with caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS respectively. A type of non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used. A total of sixteen (16) participants were interviewed. The findings in this research revealed the following themes: (i) HIV/AIDS is incurable and it is understood by symptoms, (ii) belief system entrenched in traditional healing, (iii) cleansing rituals and traditional medicinal remedies and, (iv) strengthening relations between stakeholders. While traditional healers expressed a willingness to work with biomedical professionals in the management of HIV/AIDS, caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS preferred going to clinics and hospitals for treatment. Furthermore, people living with HIV/AIDS in this research never admitted to consulting traditional healers for their ailments, only saying that they choose to self-medicate.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The collapse of the Zimbabwe currency and its soci-economic consequences on the middle class : the case of Msasa Park Suburb in Harare
- Authors: Mambiravana, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Devaluation of currency -- Zimbabwe Currency crises -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8375 , vital:32401
- Description: Currency crashing is one of the recurring problems in emerging economies. The crashes are as a result of the following factors; poor government policies, fiscal imbalances, trade deficits, higher inflations, monetary policies, and liquidity shortage among others. The crashing of currencies poses socio-economic problems that are devastating to different classes of people. To this end, this study sought to investigate the social consequences of currency crash to the middle class in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on the case of Msasa Park suburb in Harare. The study sought to investigate how the middle class households adapted to the situation induced by the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar, to examine how the currency crisis in Zimbabwe affected consumption patterns of the middle class at a household level and to identify the effects of currency crashes to the middle class’ national feeling and identity. The study utilized a qualitative research method in the form of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The process was made possible through the use of purposive sampling and quota sampling to generate the targeted participants of the study. The findings of the study have shown that the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar resulted in massive retrenchments, dwindling work opportunities, shrinkages in salaries and wages of employees particularly the middle class. This led to the rampant growth of the informal sector whereby people ended up engaging into extra economic activities outside their professions so as to supplement their incomes. Moreover, the study has shown that some middle class households began to cut out luxurious goods and prioritize basics. As such, their consumption patterns began to change in that their daily meals were reduced. The main reason given by the participants were that groceries were no longer available in shops. Resultantly, the majority of the participants said that they had to either grow their own food or import it from neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. In addition, the study yields that crash of the Zimbabwean dollar exacerbated migration of the working class to other countries. Last but not least, the study has shown that the crashing of the Zimbabwean dollar had effects on the class identity of the middle class in that the majority of them completely lost their status since they were experiencing downward mobility.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The role of child support grants in enhancing the quality of life of beneficiaries in Dimbaza, Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Nyandeni, Siphe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Child support -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Social security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7775 , vital:30761
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of the Child Support Grant (CSG) in enhancing the quality of life of beneficiaries in the Dimbaza Community, Buffalo city Municipality. The study utilised the quantitative research method through questionnaires to collect data from 150 beneficiaries of Child Support Grant (CSG), using the non-probability sampling method. The findings of the study highlight the fact that indeed, the beneficiaries of the child support grant are truly dependent on the Child Support Grant (CSG) income, and their livelihood depends on the grant and how they use it. Another important finding of the study is that most beneficiaries (CSG) are not fully satisfied with how the Child Support Grant fulfils the gap in terms of their needs e.g. in healthcare and schooling, amongst others. The study recommends that the government should focus more on the issue of healthcare of beneficiaries through access to private doctors whenever there is an emergency - in order to address the issue the of inaccessible doctors in public hospitals.
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- Date Issued: 2017