OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Abdullah, Somaya"

Browsing by Author "Abdullah, Somaya"

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Open Access
A qualitative assessment on the impact of the youth development programme of the Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town on the lives of past participants
(2019) Davids, Thandiwe; Abdullah, Somaya
Youth unemployment and crime is a serious problem in South Africa. Young people form the majority of the South African population (Barrar, 2010) and as future leaders and decision makers, it is vitally important to focus on youth and their future prospects. It is for this reason that this study examines youth development in the context of South Africa’s young democracy. This research explored the experiences of young people who had completed a skills training programme at the Chrysalis Academy in Cape Town. Chrysalis Academy is an initiative of the Western Cape Provincial Government. The programme was developed to address crime in poor communities as a preventative measure rather than a rehabilitative one; it aimed to provide skills training to youth to enable them to obtain employment in the hope of preventing their engagement with a life of crime, gangsterism, and drug and alcohol abuse.This study was based on a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design and therefore in depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 past students who had graduated from the academy within the past five years. The findings of the research showed that the Chrysalis programme was unique in many respects. Its approach and subject matter as well as the learning techniques offered were different to those many of the participants had previously encountered. The programme offered the students valuable knowledge and skills, which they were able to utilize in their lives after the completion of the programme. There were, however, limitations identified in the programme and recommendations in response to these limitations are made at the conclusion of this paper.
Open Access
A qualitative exploration of the factors affecting the capabilities and integration of Algerian immigrants into French society
(2022) Thiollet, Albane; Abdullah, Somaya
Immigration to Europe from many parts of Africa and the Middle East has intensified over the past years. It highlights the need for these populations to integrate into new cultures and countries. This study explores the factors affecting the capabilities and integration of Algerian immigrants into French society. The Northern suburbs of Marseille, an area where large communities of Algerians live, was selected as the study area. A sample of 14 individuals from different households who had been in France for at least a year were purposely selected to participate. The capabilities and social exclusion approaches were used to understand the experience of Algerian immigrants as a result of their being foreigners in a new country. The findings revealed that Algerian migrants experienced several deprivations related to money and finances, safety, social contact with other citizens, and jobs. This situation has a negative impact on their life choices and opportunities as well as their social integration. Effective provision of support and social assistance is needed, as well as a reflection about immigration in France to facilitate the integration of immigrants into French society.
Open Access
An exploration of menstruation hygiene management among high school learners: the case of Fezeka High School, Gugulethu
(2020) Chirambo, Tereza; Abdullah, Somaya
Menstruation is an issue of great importance. Today, despite menstruation being a natural process, it affects the education of girls. A qualitative study was conducted in Gugulethu, where face to face interviews were conducted with nineteen girls from Fezeka High school. The purpose of the study was to explore menstruation hygiene management among high school learners. Specifically, the study explored the experience of menstruation hygiene, the challenges faced during menstruation, coping mechanisms during menstruation and the support system available for menstruating girls. The study adopted a qualitative design because such an approach helps in examining a phenomenon from the subject's perspective. The findings established that girls knew about menstruation before the first onset. A mother or grandmother was a commonly mentioned source of information on menstruation. The study further showed that most girls use sanitary materials supplied by a mother or guardian, during menstruation. It showed that challenges that girls experienced include: emotional changes; physical discomfort (stomach cramps, tiredness, and loss of appetite); public shame; changes in social interactions and inadequate sanitation hygiene facilities. Additionally, the study showed that most girls still attend school during menstruation. The girls coped by wearing many clothes to prevent leaks; constantly checking their skirts; sitting differently on the chairs and taking medication to relieve menstrual pain. Friends were also found to help in alleviating the challenges faced by the girls; they were the main social support system for girls during menstruation. However, while school attendance was maintained, class participation was shown to be affected because of discomfort and menstrual pains. Based on the research findings, the study concluded that there is inadequate sanitation and hygiene for girls to comfortably change sanitary materials and there is a lack of communication on menstrual hygiene management between the girls and their teachers. As such, integrating menstruation hygiene management in the curriculum and providing for appropriate facilities to ensure privacy is recommended.
Open Access
An exploration of the care needs of frail older persons in Namibia: perspectives and experiences of formal and informal caregivers
(2022) Zamuee, Charmill; Abdullah, Somaya
The adequate care of older persons is a major global concern and countries are examining ways to respond to these needs, especially the needs of frail older persons in the care environment. Important strides have been made in developed countries but progress has been slow in less developed countries in the Global South and limited information exists on the care needs of frail older persons and lived experiences of formal and informal caregivers. This thesis examines the care needs of frail older persons in Namibia. Namibia has only recently been liberated from colonial rule by Germany and apartheid South Africa. During this time black communities were disenfranchised, resource-scarce and living under poor conditions. For older persons, this meant unequal treatment, social exclusion and denial of access to decent care. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth understanding of the needs of frail older persons in the care environment in Namibia by examining the lived experiences of caregivers and analysing policy. Using a qualitative methodology, the study collected primary data from formal and informal caregivers based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The data analysis relied mainly on coding strategies under Atlas-ti and qualitative content analysis. The secondary data were collected from legislation, government policy documents, journals and other public reports. The finding revealed that Namibia's history has entrenched the current situation of unmet needs of frail older persons, exacerbated by inadequate policy protection. These limitations were highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also found that the effective care of frail older persons is only possible through stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration. The study therefore recommends that government should undertake a process of social reforms to ensure that the needs of this group are prioritised, that a performance framework should be implemented to ensure delivery and that all stakeholders should be mobilised. The study has contributed to these outcomes by suggesting a model for needs assessment of frail older persons, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This model could be used to improve care practices, serve government in evidence-based policy making and provide a useful analytical tool for scholarship.
Open Access
An exploratory study of the employment prospects of Deaf individuals in Zimbabwe
(University of Cape Town, 2020) Maposa, Diana R; Abdullah, Somaya
The purpose of this research was to explore the employment prospects for Deaf individuals in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is known to have one of the highest numbers of educated people in Africa. However, this does not include the deaf people who are often informally employed because of the poor quality of education afforded to them. The research explored the employment prospects for Deaf individuals using a quality research design to understand their experiences in this context. Twenty participants were purposefully selected in two cities, namely Bulawayo and Gweru. They had completed their secondary level of education and sat for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) ordinary level exams which are Zimbabwe's national exams, while others sat for Higher Education Examination Council (HEXCO). The findings revealed limitations and inconsistencies in the education process, which restricted their progress for further studies as well as future employment prospects. These limitations include that Deaf learners are required to write exams that are separate from other hearing learners in terms of content. Educators do not take into consideration the Deaf leaners' limited comprehension of the English language. There is a lack of knowledge of sign language by educators and limited exposure to training to get the knowledge. These factors affected their work prospects as they were more likely to end up working in the informal sector, where they also faced oppression and exclusion based on their unique mode of communication. They also experienced the latter when accessing public services like hospitals. The challenges they face leave them disempowered, excluded and incapable of personal and social development. The research offers knowledge on issues that need to be addressed in order to foster empowerment amongst the deaf individuals as social development is for the Deaf too.
Open Access
An exploratory study of the experiences of refugees receiving assistance from Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in the City of Cape Town Metropolitean Area
(2020) Ngwara, Kudzai; Abdullah, Somaya
The plight of refugees has become a global social problem due to continuous political unrest, war and natural disasters worldwide. People are forced to migrate to other countries for safety and better living conditions in the hope that their basic human rights will be upheld. However, many destinations chosen by refugees face social problems of their own and are failing to provide basic services to citizens leaving the onus of service provision on charitable or Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs). South Africa is no exception as it has become a popular destination for refugees from other African countries and Asia but is not able to adequately provide for their needs. In this situation, NPOs have taken a central role in ensuring refugees are integrated into the South Africa society. This exploratory research examined the experiences of refugees accessing services from NPOs in Cape Town. A qualitative design and purposeful sampling are used to delve deeper into the experiences of refugees to amplify their voices about service provision. Refugees from six different NPOs in Cape Town namely: Adonis Musati Project, Triangle Project, PASSOP, MRASA, VIDEFI and Kwesu Women's organisation were interviewed about their experiences of accessing services. Participants had to be recipients of one or more of the services from any of the NPOs chosen for the research study. Their experiences related to the benefits and challenges faced when accessing services from NPOs and negotiating and navigating the challenges faced in accessing services from NPOs. The study revealed that refugees benefit from services offered to them although the challenges outweigh the benefits due to lack of funding and failure to provide adequate resources. The refugees mainly needed services to help them secure employment, documentation, and access to healthcare and basic education. They needed referrals to access these services from other NPOs or government institutions otherwise it was difficult to obtain. The refugees shared their experiences and on this basis recommendations on improving the services needed to ensure basic human rights are included in this study.
Open Access
An exploratory study of the experiences of youth transitioning out of Child and Youth Care Centres in Cape Town to independent adult living
(2018) Fredericks, Chanel; Abdullah, Somaya
Every year youth living in child and youth care centres (CYCCs) in Cape Town prepare themselves for independent adult living as they approach the age of majority, eighteen years of age, which enables them to legally leave state care. This research study explored the experiences of Cape Town youth transitioning from CYCCs to independent adult living. The study was conducted with a sample of twenty youth from five different CYCCs in Cape Town, South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative approach using a semi-structured interview schedule for face-to-face interviews with the participants. A purposive sample was used for the selection of participants for this study. Data collected during this study was analysed using Tesch’s eight-step approach to data analysis. The study findings revealed that participants had various perceptions regarding their transition from their CYCCs to independent adult living. Some perceived their exit from state care as a disturbance in their lives which resulted in them experiencing a range of emotions such as fear and anxiety as they anticipated how their lives would change once they leave state care. Others recognised that during this time they would experience some independence which meant taking on more responsibility for their lives such as being accountable for their daily living costs which include groceries, electricity and transport. Participants also viewed this transitional period as a time to actively look for alternative accommodation before leaving state care to avoid potential homelessness. Living in care was also understood as an opportunity for youth to successfully complete their high schooling without any disruptions. In addition to this the study findings revealed that participants had aspirations that they hoped to see come to fruition while they prepare for independent adult living. These included making contact with their families of origin, enrolling into tertiary institutions, finding employment and helping others in need. They also foresaw challenges that may arise while they prepared for independent adult living. These challenges included repetition of negative past behaviours, struggling to find employment, worries about safety, worries about not having support after leaving care and possible financial challenges. The study findings also revealed how youth living in CYCCs can be better supported during their transition to independent adult living. This can occur through improving existing transitional programmes, assigning youth living in CYCCs with mentors during their transitional period and improving the government’s role in supporting CYCCs and youth leaving care by, amongst other things, creating more employment opportunities for youth. The main recommendations of the study include that CYCCs provide youth preparing to leave care for independent adult living with the necessary emotional support such as individual counselling sessions where they can disclose and deal with their fears and anxieties about leaving state care. It is also recommended that CYCCs continue to push their education agenda with youth preparing to leave state care so that they can continue to be ambitious when it comes to furthering their education. Another recommendation is that CYCCs readily support youth wanting to make contact with their family of origin during their transition to independent adult living. Finally, children living in CYCCs should be introduced to transitional programmes soon after their entrance into the CYCC programme rather than too close to their exit from state care.
Open Access
An exploratory study of the influence of an absent father on the identity formation of women
(2019) Varney-Wong, Anna; Abdullah, Somaya
This clinical study explored the significance of the experience of an absent father on the identity formation of women in an attempt to understand the psychological effect of father absence and the role this experience plays in terms of the daughter's, confidence, self esteem, social identity and intimate relationships. The influence on resiliency of the absent father experience is also a critical aspect of this research. The two theoretical frameworks that guide this clinical study are: the psychodynamic approach, more specifically, objects relations, and self psychology, and Bowens’ family systems theory. The research method is a qualitative design to develop an in-depth understanding of the sample population of twenty adult women who had grown up without a father and live in the geographical area of Cape Town. Data was collected using an in-depth, semistructured interview, facilitated by open-ended questions contained in an interview guide. A wide range of conditions affected participants in the study. Presence of a positive caregiver experience in early childhood appeared to play a role in the psychological well-being of the women. The quality of the women's relationships also appeared to be influenced by their early relational experiences. Poverty was the cause of hardship for many of the participants. Some of the women experienced shame and an internal poverty of worthlessness resulting from perceived rejection and abandonment by their fathers. These psychological experiences were found to influence social interactions and they were often less socially engaged than their peers. The women were generally resilient, at least to some degree and received a measure of support from others, however many felt they were their own most reliable resource.
Open Access
Experiences of social service professionals in the iLembe Municipality in rendering services to children with disabilities
(2020) Shekwa, Portia Phumla; Abdullah, Somaya
This study explored the experiences of Social Services Professionals in rendering services to children with disabilities in the iLembe Municipality. The study focused on their overall experiences, any challenges that they may face when rendering these services and any recommendations that they may have regarding the current state of the services they render to children with disabilities. According to the Integrated National Disability Strategy (1997), there is often a low life-expectancy for people with severe disabilities living in rural areas due to inadequate care, support and access to some of the most basic services. A high level of knowledge and access to resources is required when caring for children with disabilities which places more pressure on social workers to seek other forms of alternative care for these children (Mitchell, 2013). The research study utilized a qualitative approach using semi structured interviews with 23 Social Services Professionals from various non-governmental organizations and the Department of Social Development. The non-probability sampling method was used for the selection of participants. The findings of the study revealed that Social Services Professionals find rendering services to children with disabilities to be both rewarding and challenging. Their main challenges in rendering these services included: insufficient facilities; policy limitations; training needs in the field of disability; misuse of the disability grant and a lack of support. They also face various challenges in placing children with disabilities in alternative care. Namely limited facilities and resources; lengthy application processes; reluctant foster parents; a lack of co-operation from stakeholders; and a lack of involvement from the government. Social Services Professionals felt that they were not adequately equipped to provide services to children with disabilities. Which they attributed this to a lack of training. Participants felt that alternative care for children with disabilities should be explored as a last resort and they recommended that state support should be the main intervention in providing better services to children with disabilities. Recommendations from the study are that there should be a prioritization of funding to train Social Services Professionals. Funding that is focused on issues of disabilities in order to educate communities should also be prioritized.
Open Access
Experiences of women who have completed a job skills training programme and their ability to access employment opportunities
(2019) Simanga, Olga; Abdullah, Somaya
Women make up more than half the population of South Africa. Despite the countries’ legislation and policies to promote the rights and social position of women, many remain unemployed and disempowered, face ongoing discrimination and are not able to access resources including educational opportunities. This dissertation reports on the outcomes of a study that was conducted with women to assess their ability to access employment opportunities after having completed a skills training program. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were undertaken with fifteen women who were purposively selected from different backgrounds of Cape Town who had participated in a skills training program to participate in the research. The research integrated a qualitative exploratory approach to explore various experiences of the participants to examine how their involvement with a job skills training programme enabled them to access employment. The research findings revealed that the job skills training programmes enabled most of the women to get employment, and as a result, be able to support themselves financially. Their sense of wellbeing improved, and they were able to access resources like housing. The study also found that policies such as the Employment Equality Act No. 55 of 1998 was well understood and implemented by organisations promoting women’s empowerment through skills training and they implemented the policy to improve the lives of women. However, the study also found existing challenges for women related to the implications of past discriminatory policies and cultural dimensions of family life, especially within black communities, by which women’s role were understood as having to be in the home. The research concludes with recommendations that include further education in communities as well as working spaces about women’s empowerment for both men and women, better enforcement of the rights of women by the state, and further research on how to address the challenges that women face in South Africa society as relates their empowerment.
Open Access
An exploratory study of the perceptions and experiences of homeless persons regarding service provision by Khulisa Solutions, a non-governmental organisation in the Western Cape
(2017) Nzula, Nontsikelelo; Abdullah, Somaya
This study explored the perceptions and experiences of homeless people regarding welfare service provision by Khulisa Solutions, an NGO that provides services to homeless people in the Western Cape. To this end, using primarily a social development perspective, the study focused on five objectives: assessing the available services for homeless people related to shelter, food, employment and health services in general; exploring the perceptions and experiences of homeless persons in accessing welfare services at Khulisa; identifying the strengths and weaknesses of available services for the homeless as provided by Khulisa; examining if homeless people were aware of the services available to them, and assessing the overall challenges in service provision for the homeless. An exploratory qualitative methodology was used through the administration of 15 in depth face to face interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule. Purposive non-probability sampling selection was implemented focusing on homeless beneficiaries of Khulisa services and the Carpenters Shop an affiliate service provider to Khulisa. The findings of the study revealed that food services were the most accessible and reliable services to the homeless providing both stability and routine. Shelter services provided a physical and psychological haven as well as opportunities for employment and self-development. The access to shelter benefits was however, limited as the majority of participants found shelter services too expensive or that the shelters were structured to perpetuate the exclusion of homeless families. Participants showed extensive knowledge about where to access health care services which however did not translate into the frequent use of such services. Employment services were criticised for only providing temporary employment and not providing opportunities for skills development. Khulisa Solutions was highly commended for providing long term employment as well as involving beneficiaries in the growth of projects. Beneficiaries indicated a need for a similar emphasis and input on shelter service provision by Khulisa which was not their main focus of service delivery. Recommendations are made based on the findings of the study which are inclusive of solutions proposed by the participants.
Open Access
Exploring perceptions of help-seeking for mental health care among young adults in Maputo, Mozambique
(2022) Nair, Kartheyani; Abdullah, Somaya
The aim of this research was to gain an understanding of the general perceptions, barriers, and facilitators to seeking mental health care among young adults in Maputo, Mozambique. In the context of the pandemic, semi-structured interviews were conducted using the voice note feature on the mobile application WhatsApp. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling, with the initial participants originating from a social media-led mental health organisation based in the city. The participants' ages ranged from nineteen to thirty and all identified as female. The study employed a phenomenological approach and used theoretical models such as the Behavioural Model of Health Service Utilisation and the Social Identity Perspective to conceptualise and analyse the data. In comparison to studies of mental health help-seeking both globally and in low to middle-income countries, the participants shared similar perceptions surrounding perceived attitudinal and structural barriers and facilitators to seeking mental health care. Participants provided accounts of the different attitudinal barriers such as stigma, societal norms, and perceptions of care. Perceived structural barriers included the availability and affordability of care, with the latter pertaining to private services. Although barriers such as stigma and cultural and religious norms did not directly affect most participants, the importance of addressing them in the broader public was acknowledged. Facilitating factors for seeking care, such as social support, financial alternatives, and access to information proved to assist help-seekers in their search for care. The benefits of the internet and social media as sources of information and network were outlined. From this research, it was concluded that multiple aspects of the help-seeking process may be improved to increase better outcomes for those who need care. Increasing public mental health literacy in a socio-culturally sensitive manner, standardising care, and creating more mental health services in clinics and places of employment or education may contribute to the ease of people's journey to look after their mental health.
Open Access
Exploring the experiences of caregivers raising children living with disability
(2022) Kokolo, Busisiwe; Abdullah, Somaya
According to the World Health Organisation, more than a billion people are living with a disability, with the vast majority being in low- and middle-income countries. In low-income communities, caregivers of children with a disability face multiple challenges related to poverty and lack of resources, which make it difficult for them to raise their child. This study explored the experiences of caregivers raising children with disabilities in South Africa. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences and needs of the caregivers of children with disabilities, through gathering sufficient primary and secondary data to reach a deep and broad understanding of the phenomenon. Twenty primary caregivers of children living with disability from the two disadvantaged communities – Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, both Cape Town townships participated in the research. The caregivers were all the biological mother of the child and living with the child at home. This research took the form of a qualitative exploratory study, (which is the research method that will be used in as a form of research method which we will be used in the paper) allowed for obtaining data in a flexible manner and to engage with the participants within their natural setting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with the participants. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to facilitate the discussion, which was recorded using an audio recorder. The findings revealed that caregivers experienced different challenges in caring for a child with a disability. This led to them feeling isolated in their role, which was reinforced by a lack of community resources and social welfare support services; a lack of services delivery from government social services including social work intervention for caregivers of CWD left them often feeling hopeless. In these circumstances, it is recommended that the Department of Social Development incorporate systematic efforts to provide services to caregivers of children with disabilities. In addition, training should be provided to social workers to acquire skills on how to work with families of CWD. Disability should further be incorporated in the curriculum as part of social work studies.
Open Access
Multicultural social intervention and nation-building in South Africa : the role of Islamic counselling and psychotherapy
(2002) Abdullah, Somaya; Tayob, Abdulkader; Black, Jeremy; Nizami, Farhan
This thesis explores the role of multicultural counselling in nation-building in South Africa, using Islamic counselling and psychotherapy as a research case study. It merges a number of seemingly disparate disciplines in an innovative analysis of post-Apartheid social reconstruction. Culture, counselling, politics and religion converge and embrace areas of enquiry like Islam, diversity and identity studies, religio-cultural healing, gender studies, democracy, and human and social transformation.
Open Access
Religion and social intervention : towards a model for Islamic counselling and psychotherapy
(1998) Abdullah, Somaya; Tayob, Abdulkader
In the field of social and psychological services delivery, counsellors are often confronted with clients whose lifestyles, being and functioning is informed by a particular culture or religious persuasion. Here mainstream theories of intervention may not be appropriate to facilitate maximum client participation in change processes. Different counselling approaches geared towards being client rather than counsellor or organisation specific becomes necessary and need to be developed. Counselling systems should therefore consider cultural paradigms and encourage the notion of diversity in its approaches. This thesis attempts to contribute to this position by examining the role of lslam in counselling and psychotherapy. It argues that Islam as a religious and cultural tradition can and should form part of cross-cultural counselling approaches.
Open Access
Social Workers' experiences of forensic practice with victims of child sexual abuse in the City of Cape Town
(University of Cape Town, 2020) Pamburayi, Sibonisiwe Pertina; Abdullah, Somaya
The prevalent rates of sexual crimes against children in South Africa require forensic social work as a specialised field to assist the criminal justice system to respond effectively to victims' essential needs. This need has led to the employment of social workers in forensic units in the South African Police Services (SAPS) as an investigative aid under detective services to enhance service delivery in forensic practices. The initiative materialised through previous collaboration between the National Department of Social Development (DSD), tertiary institutions and the South African Council of Social Service Professions (SACSSP), to deliberate on strategies to curb the alarming rates of crime, violence and other related social problems in South Africa. Instituting specialised forensic practice was the outcome and it provided context of this study. This study explored social workers' experiences of forensic practice with victims of child sexual abuse in the City of Cape Town. Forensic social work is an emerging field of practice that requires tertiary training for social workers who want to practice forensic social work to acquire specialised knowledge and skills to practice competently. The study objectives involved; ● To explore the challenges faced by social workers providing forensic services to victims of child sexual abuse. ● To discover concerns involved in generalist social workers providing forensic services to victims of child sexual abuse. ● To describe the social workers' decision making in their intervention in providing forensic social work services. ● To explore the levels of knowledge and skills of social workers in forensic practice with sexual abuse cases. The study adopted a qualitative research approach where data was collected using a semistructured interview schedule. The non-probability purposive sampling approach was implemented based on the researcher's judgement of the role players relevant to this study. The sample interviewed for this study comprised of twenty social workers handling child sexual abuse cases from government departments and non-governmental organisations in the City of Cape Town to explore their experiences in handling child sexual abuse victims. The data was analysed using Tesch's (1990) eight steps of data analysis. The findings revealed that collaborative partnerships are at the core of the criminal justice system and networking with relevant role-players and stakeholders allow the handling of these complex cases effectively. However, with the challenging nature and risk involved in forensic social work practice, social workers' attrition rates were high in a field already suffering from the scarcity of human resources. Social workers in forensic practice experience various challenges with child victims, the justice system and collaborations with other role-players. All these challenges are seen as contributing factors to the delay of cases and low conviction rates of sexual offences in South Africa. There is a need therefore to improve collaborations among role players handling child sexual abuse cases for effective service delivery.

Browsing by Author "Abdullah, Somaya"

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