OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "Social Development"

Browsing by Subject "Social Development"

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Open Access
A capability approach to examining the experiences and perceptions of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) among homeless women in Cape Town
(2021) Mhlongo, Ayanda; Kubeka, Khosi
Homeless women face many challenges. They lack adequate housing and financial support and are confronted with the daunting challenge of securing sanitary products when menstruating (Parrillo and Feller, 2017). Menstruation is a crucial part of women's sexual and reproductive health (Reams, 2001). It is a significant biological experience that signifies a woman's transition from childhood to womanhood (Reams, 2001). For homeless women, purchasing menstrual products is an unreasonable financial burden (BRAWS, 2018). Homeless women end up using items such as rags, old socks, tissue paper, paper towels, torn pieces of clothing, or diapers to satisfy their menstrual needs (Mason et al., 2013). Often, homeless women go without menstrual protection altogether (Mason et al., 2013). This lack results in period poverty. Period poverty refers to a lack of sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand-washing facilities, and/or waste management (Sanchez and Rodriguez, 2019). Period poverty manifests in the absence of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). MHM is a term used to refer to menstruating females having absorbents to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as many times as required, having soap and water to wash the body, and having facilities to dispose the used menstrual management materials (Sommer and Sahin, 2013). The purpose of the research study was to qualitatively explore the experiences and perceptions of period poverty among homeless women in Cape Town (South Africa) using the capability approach. As a result, the study was guided by a qualitative research design. Nonprobability sampling was used in recruiting participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 homeless women who experienced period poverty and received assistance from two organisations in Cape Town. The findings revealed that homeless women experience period poverty due to a lack of sanitary products and poor MHM. One of key challenges faced by the participants was that they do not have access to an adequate supply of water when having their period. Participants would then make use of dam, water under the bridge, public toilets or make use of a bucket in order keep clean during their period. This affected the confidence of the participants, making them feel inadequate. As a result, they developed unhealthy behaviours to survive the harsh realities of being homeless. This made them vulnerable to different forms of violence and affected their perception of the opportunities they believed they had access to. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that addressing period poverty amongst homeless women requires multifaceted policies and responses. Furthermore, there needs to be intense support from all stakeholders so that the issue of period poverty amongst homeless women is addressed as a wider public-health initiative. The financial burden of sanitary products should be eliminated across the globe. Essentially, free menstrual products should be made available to all menstruating individuals, including homeless women.
Open Access
A Capability Approach to Understanding the Intersections between Language, Educational Opportunities, and Identity in South Africa: A Xhosa Speaking Youth Perspective
(2021) Gonthier, Oceane; Kubeka, Khosi
The education system is a source of language discrimination and exclusion for many young people in South Africa. In South Africa, African languages are spoken by more than 70% of the population, while the colonial languages English and Afrikaans represent less than 25%. However, most South African schools use English or Afrikaans as the main language of instruction. Learners' transitioning to using and learning in a colonial language, and the role languages plays in youth education and development are the root cause of many challenges, including poor academic performance, unequal access to opportunity, social exclusion, and challenging identity formation. This qualitative study aimed to explore the intersection between language, educational opportunities, and identity from an isiXhosa speaking youth perspective in Cape Town, Western Cape. In depth individual interviews were conducted with 12 black African Xhosa youth, between the ages of 18 and 29. The researcher sought to examine the effects of the language challenges faced by isiXhosa speaking youth during their education journey and to gauge the perspective of isiXhosa speaking youth regarding the role of language in their academic performance, opportunities, and social identity. The researcher adopted the following three concepts as a framework for analysis: Sen's capability approach (1999), social identity theory by Tajfel and Turner (1979), and Soudien's work on language in post-apartheid education (2012). This study was important in order The findings revealed that participants faced various challenges in relation to language use in education, specifically transitioning to English as the main medium of instruction. The participants' experiences differed depending on the age at which they transitioned to using English in the education system, but the outcomes of this transition were similar. Their academic performance was negatively impacted by needing to learn in a different language. They had unequal opportunities throughout their education compared with native English speakers, putting them at higher risk of social exclusion and impacting negatively their access to higher education and employment. The participants' advocated for the need to decolonise education, specifically in regard to perceptions and use of languages, because of the prejudices and judgments based on their ability to speak English rather than their actual skills and capabilities. Participants tended to compare languages and look down on isiXhosa, then facing identity crises when returning to their Xhosa families. They had to navigate multiple identities depending on the language and context in which they found themselves. This study recommended reducing inequities by implementing inclusive language policies and measures to accommodate learners with non-colonial first languages, provide support through their transition to a new language, and not weighting incorrect English against them in non-English class. The recommendations also included the need to adapt national exams and grading systems to ensure all learners' have the opportunity to perform to their best ability. The government must also increase its investment in South African languages to promote their use in professional and public spaces. Finally, institutions must be encouraged to use multiple languages in schools, universities, and workplaces.
Open Access
A critical examination of the concept of welfare dependency: its assumptions, underlying values and manifestation in social policy, internationally and in South Africa
(2006) Di Lollo, Adrian; Taylor, Viviene
[page 38, 54, 81 missing, page 97 duplicated] Concern over "welfare dependency" has featured prominently in the public discourse around social assistance programmes in numerous countries for many years. The notion that social assistance payments tend to sap the recipient's initiative, independence and propensity for securing paid employment is widespread and is often assumed to be an objective fact (rather than a concept) by public officials, social commentators and the media. Consequently, charges of "welfare dependency" have often been used as the basis for cutting social assistance expenditure, restricting eligibility or preventing new initiatives. In South Africa, for example, the concept has been used in opposition to developing a universal Basic Income Grant (BIG). With the aid of case studies focusing on recent social welfare developments in South Africa, Australia and Brazil, this study attempts to critically analyse the term "welfare dependency" to determine which social values and assumptions inform the concept. In addition, the study aims to determine how "welfare dependency" manifests in contemporary social welfare policy and, most importantly, determine if the utilisation of the concept is related to other socio-economic agendas.
Open Access
A first order assessment of the moving granular panel filter
(1987) Shaw, Gareth D. H; Petrie, Jim
The capabilities of a specific moving granular panel bed filter are investigated, highlighting FBC flue gas cleanup. The continuous operability offers some advantages over the discontinuous operating mode of the static filter bed but the effects of moving granular medium are found to introduce other disadvantages not originally anticipated. Movement of granular medium resulted in significantly reduced filtration efficiencies with respect to static granular beds for the same operating conditions. Pressure drop analysis indicated voidage increases within the bed with granular movement but the increases were not considered significant enough to explain the reduced efficiencies suffered by the moving filter medium . Reentrainment at high Stokes numbers is considered to be the main contributor for reduced filter ability. An empirical correlations was developed to model the re-entrainment effects. The causes and effects of non uniform granular flow were highlighted resolved by modification to the panel design. The modifications involved the inclination of the panel a few degrees off the vertical. The precise angle was found to depend on fluid flowrate through the filter medium. The ability of the continuous medium replenishment to maintain low fluid pressure drop was demonstrated. The concept of initial collection efficiency, used in static granular beds as a conservative measure of the filter efficiency in granular filter design, is shown not to be applicable to moving granular beds. Collection efficiencies were found to deteriorate progressively from initial clean granule conditions. Increase in panel thickness is shown to be necessary to improve the filter efficiency to that required to meet the emission regulations. The resulting increased operating pressure drop is calculated to be in the order of that imposed by an equivalent electrostatic precipitator making the design, an attractive low pressure drop filter, assuming sufficient improvement in collection efficiency can be achieved with the increased panel thickness. Order of magnitude cost estimates are presented at two different scales. Comparisons of costs with conventional filter designs show the design to be worth further investigation.
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
A Qualitative Exploration of the Personal, Schooling and Structural Factors Contributing to High School Learner Dropout in Philippi
(2019) Vushe, Lovemore; Kubeka, Khosi
This study, "A qualitative exploration of the personal, schooling and structural factors contributing to high school learner dropout in Philippi” was carried out on a sample of fifteen young people who dropped out of school in Philippi, a township in Cape Town in the Western Cape. Guided by the research questions that sought to explore participants’ own views on the issue, an exploratory qualitative approach was used. A research sample of thirteen females and two males who dropped out of secondary school before completing grade 12 in Philippi was chosen using a snow balling sampling method. The study used a semi-structured interview schedule for face to face interviews with the school dropouts. The findings revealed that learners in Philippi drop out due to a combination of factors personal, schooling and structural. Personal factors like struggling academically, personal negative views on the importance of education, grade repetition shame, teen pregnancy, delinquent behaviour and alcohol and substance abuse contributed to learners’ decisions to quit school before matriculating. School factors included overcrowded classrooms, poorly trained teachers, lack of learning materials and associated poor educational quality, long distances to school and the unsafe learning environments in which some schools were viewed as gang battle grounds also contributed to participants’ decisions to quit school. Structural factors, barriers beyond learners’ control, also contributed to the high learner dropout. These included social, cultural, and economic circumstances. Social factors included lack of social and educational support at home. Participants stated that they dropped out of school because their parents did not encourage and motivate them to complete Matric, did not actively support their academic life and failed to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure they remained focused. Some participants left school in order to respond to cultural issues that needed their attention. Cultural practices like forced marriages, responding to calls to be a traditional healer and behavioral changes emanating from traditional male circumcision created subjective norms and expectations that were not in line with academic progression. Economically, the learners ‘poor financial backgrounds presented an unfair disadvantage in which both absolute and relative poverty strongly influenced their decisions to drop out. Without school uniforms, food and transport fares, some participants opted to drop off in order to look for employment or self sustenance. Recommendations targeted at different stakeholders at different levels to address this early school dropout problem are also discussed. Some recommendations targeted the youths’ attitudes themselves in order to address some personal or individual characteristics, whilst others focused on schools improvement and policies that address existing structural causes. More parental involvement in learners’ educational matters, greater social workers contribution, infrastructure development in poor schools in Philippi, strategic partnerships among civil sector, government departments, parents and schools as well as enhanced teacher support constitute part of the recommendations.
Open Access
Abuse suffered by selected elderly persons prior to admission to an old age home
(2002) Mashamba, Iris; Graser, Roland
Elder abuse is one of the major problems in South Africa. Elderly people are being abused by their family members, children and members of their communities This problem remains hidden in that most cases are not reported to the officials, and if they are reported, officials are doing little or nothing about them. Although the communities are trying to address the issue, due to underreporting it is very difficult to determine the actual number of the elderly who are being abused daily . Traditionally, the young generation is expected to respect their elderly people, whether they know them or not. However, nowadays it appears that little respect is shown to the elderly. Instead they are often being financially robbed, physically attacked, sexually abused and emotionally threatened. As a result they move to old age institutions or places of safety for safety and security. This paper focuses on those elderly who suffered abuse in their families and communities. The study is conducted in an institution for the elderly. The abused elderly are encouraged to talk about what happened to them and who their abusers are, with the aim of finding out what brought them into an institution. The findings of this research were obtained through focus group and in-depth individual interviews. Access to the institution was given at St. Monica's Home and seven elderly persons, which is 50% of the residents, were interviewed. The same persons participated in both the in-depth individual and focus group interviews as a form of primary data collection. Information was elicited in the form of a focus group discussion and interviews with individuals. The results of this paper indicate that: a) Family and community members are sometimes guilty of abusing the elderly. b) Elderly persons have lost trust in reporting their problems to officials, especially the police. c) The elderly prefer to be at the institution than to be at home, where they were abused by their 'loved' ones. d) Society has, to a large extent, lost traditional and cultural values in respect of caring for the elderly. e) There is a lack of knowledge among people regarding resources that could assist elderly people with their problems. The research results show that there are elderly persons who move to institutions for the aged for safety and security, not because they prefer living there. However, one cannot generalize the findings of the study, as it covered only a small number of persons, and is, therefore, not representative of the elderly in general. The study focused on one institution with a limited population, as it had fourteen elderly people.
Open Access
Alternative care options and social protection policy choices to support orphans and vulnerable children : a comparative study of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau
(2016) Shibuya, Tomoko; Taylor, Viviene
The number of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 51,900,000 in 2013. There has been limited research, particularly in the countries of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, on the role of social protection policies, types of alternative care, and fulfillment of basic needsin ensuring the welfare of this vulnerable population. The goal of the present thesis was to examine the interconnections between these factors and their relations to the overall well-being of 122 orphans and vulnerable children between the ages of 10 and 17 yearsin the two countries. Using a mixed-method approach, both quantitative data (health, basic needs fulfillment, domains of well-being) and exploratory qualitative interview-based data were collected. A literature review on the social protection policies of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) was undertaken prior to data collection in the field. Caregivers and local authorities were also interviewed. The results showed a marked difference in the way basic and psycho-social needs were met in the different types of alternative care situations children experienced in the two countries. The well-being of children varied widely among the care centres within each country, and indicated a comparative advantage for those children living in residential centres. The findings also indicated that the efforts to support orphans and vulnerable children were more advanced in Mozambique than in Guinea-Bissau at the policy-level, but this did not necessarily translate into higher overall well-being for children in that country. Significant associations were also found between the overall well-being of orphans and vulerable children and their social situation in the community, food, health, and education situations. Taking these findings into account, the researcher calls for more comprehensive social protection policies in the two countries, promoting community integration of these children.
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 public participation in policy making amongst Cape Town civic organisations
(2021) Patsika, Dahlia Zvikomborero; Gxubane, Gxubane
This study explored the role played by civic organisations in policy formulation through public participation. A qualitative research design was used in which two sample sets were purposively selected to participate in the study. The first sample set comprised of general members of civic organisations, while the second comprised of stakeholders in the community such as members of the business community, nongovernmental organisations, and the municipal council. In-depth interviews were conducted and facilitated through a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were guided by the overall aim and objectives of the study which included exploration of participants' perceptions regarding the following: their understanding of public participation, different forms of public participation, roles of civic organisations in policy making, influence of public participation in decision-making at local level, ways in which public participation can be improved at local level; and public participation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study found that civic organisations' roles were indispensable in policy formulation as they facilitate meaningful public engagement with local government structures, legislatures, and key stakeholders in their communities in the context of policy making. Further, civic organisations enhance democracy through holding local authorities and policy-makers accountable for their actions in development. The findings also show that public participation is a fundamental and inclusive process for citizens in decision-making processes, whether directly as interest groups or individuals, or indirectly through their elected representatives. Participants from civic organisations perceived different forms of public participation as voting, public meetings, and petitions. However, key informants highlighted that most public participation practices were ‘tick-box' exercises because they did not facilitate meaningful participation for citizens. Finally, the study found that the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic severely affected public participation processes. Because many civic organisations' activities had to stop, service delivery in some communities was affected. The study's major recommendation is that local government authorities such as ward councilors and municipal managers should aim to facilitate collaborative governance with civic organisations and citizens. This could be done through forming meaningful partnerships between civic organisations, stakeholders, and the local government. The study argues that this will ensure working towards an Integrated Development Plan and a people-centered approach to development in policy making.
Open Access
An exploration of whether the Policy on Financial Awards for Service Providers (Circular no. 17/2004) is a reasonable solution to the subject of welfare service financing
(2005) Lotvonen, Mari Tuulikki; Cooper, David
[pg28 is missing] Since 1975 the South African government has struggled to find a suitable way to finance welfare services that would meet both the welfare service providers' and the government's needs. In spite of several policy formulating attempts the solution has still to be found. The most recent policy document regarding welfare service financing is the Policy on Financial Awards to Service Providers (Circular No. 17/2004), which intends to transform the social service delivery system in South Africa. The research undertaken was empirical research, aiming to explore whether welfare organisations in the Western Cape can meet the transformation criteria as stipulated in the Policy on Financial Awards (RSA, 2004a) and obtain funding from sources other than the government. The research sample was selected using the purposive sampling method. Sample selection criteria was that an organisation must have received subsidies from the Provincial Administration Western Cape (PAWC) in the financial year 2003/2004, must employ four or more social workers and the head office must be located in an urban area within the greater Cape Town. Only twenty welfare organisations met the sampling criteria therefore the sample became the research population. All twenty organisations participated in the research, resulting in a one hundred percent (100%) response rate. The research design combined three quantitative and qualitative data collection methods - personal questionnaires developed by the researcher, informal interviews with respondents, and document analysis of audited financial statements for the year 2003/2004. The data was collected between May 2005 and August 2005. One transformation criterion is that welfare organisations' employment profiles must be reflective of the communities they provide services for. Based on the research findings, none of the welfare organisations meet this transformation criterion. If the Policy on Financial Awards is strictly applied, this lack of meeting the criterion is illegal in terms of South African labour legislation. In terms of service provision in rural areas the Policy definition was not precise, but the findings suggest that fifteen organisations (75% of the research population) are likely to face difficulties in meeting this transformation criterion. Based on the analysis of financial statements, seven organisations (35% of the research population) can be considered to be financially sustainable. In terms of obtaining funding from sources other than government the findings suggest that nine organisations (45% of the research population) have adequate fundraising strategies.
Open Access
An exploration of ‘Gurans' phenomena: The face of Youth Violence in Khayelitsha Township
(2022) Mguzulwa, Sisanda Millicent; Holtzhausen, Leon; Kubeka, Khosi
Youth violence has been troubling the South African society ever since the country's transition to democracy in 1994. Although the problem has been a countrywide phenomenon, certain provinces and cities, predominantly black inhabited townships in the City of Cape Town, have been most afflicted by the new form of youth violence, code-named ‘Gurans'. Cases of Gurans-related violence first appeared in the City of Cape Town's townships around the year 2000 and have exponentially increased. Of these townships, Khayelitsha has been the most afflicted. While there has been significant scholarly attention to this new form of violence, little has been done to expose the finer grains of the factors that cause the problem. Moreso, little attention has been channelled towards documenting the perspectives and feelings of the perpetrators, victims, school children, community members, and educators working in those communities. Lack of such detailed investigations has derailed its eradication. As such, the aim of this study was to proffer new understandings on how youth-related violence have suddenly morphed into the new Gurans phenomenon and how this has affected the community of Khayelitsha in its entirety. This study therefore highlights the centrality of the theories of Social Identity and Violentisation to analysing and understanding violence among youths in contemporary South Africa. A qualitative research design was applied, involving eight focus group discussions with 106 affected youths, 10 interviews with crew members in Gurans, 5 educators from four different schools in Khayelitsha, and 5 community members of Khayelitsha township. This thesis documents Gurans as a new type of youth violence with specific focus on its meaning, causes, effects, as well as the issues and key players that have been involved in its sustenance. This study culminates in policy implications and initiatives that take on board how the violent youths, families, communities and government must conduct themselves to alleviate the problem. It is further suggested the most critical step necessary in the quest to eradicate the scourge of youth violence from communities is for the society to first understand the personal experiences of youth living in malignant communities, which encourages youth to become violent and to associate with violent groups. Such an approach will help to understand the underlying circumstances on why more youth are turning to violence, why they are devising new methods to mete such violence and as well as the broad effects of the violence.
Open Access
An Explorative Study on the Effects of The Fourth Industrial Revolution on Employment in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises
(2023) Jacobs, Gabriella; Chagunda, Chance
The onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution impacted most facets of life. As a services revolution, which was brought about by the merging of various sectors and phenomena such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and Information Communication and technology systems, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will massively end, irreversibly altering the way that things are done, including in the SMMEs sector. Using the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals numbers 8 and 9 and South Africa's National Development Plan as the guiding framework and legislation within which the Fourth Industrial Revolution will unfold in South Africa, this study, set out to carry out an exploitative case study of the fate of SMMEs by focusing mostly on automation and the fate of skilled and unskilled jobs. This study seeks to understand the experiences and perceptions of people working in SMMEs on the effects of automation on employment through their work experience in an SMME. It also seeks to determine the extent of the utilization, or lack thereof, of automation in the SMME sector. Other aims include an examination of the contingency plans to be put in place to prevent or minimise job losses. Overall, the study aims to identify whether the Fourth Industrial Revolution is having a negative or positive effect on employment in SMMEs. The methodology used was a mixture of literature review and key informant interviews conducted by business owners and workers in Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises and also by experts in this sector. The main findings of this study were that without the prerequisite infrastructural development and the necessary digital literacy, South Africa's SMMEs will lose more jobs as a result of technological innovation and automation. This predicament will be exacerbated by the lack of reskilling and upskilling programmes meant to absorb those whose jobs would have been lost to automation. The conclusion reached was that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will not be useful in reducing unemployment, poverty, and inequality. On the contrary, it will widen these gaps and result in more unemployment and unemployability. Instead of being a beneficiary of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the SMME sector will be one of the most affected sectors of the economy.
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 social and economic experiences of Zimbabwean youth immigrants in Cape Town
(2011) Masendu,Tatenda Vanessa; Atmore, Eric
This study explored the experiences of Zimbabwean youth when they migrate to Cape Town and the impact of this migration on Zimbabwe's social development. The immigrants in Cape Town, in Khayelitsha and Summer Greens were interviewed. The study was carried out with a sample of seventeen immigrants. It adopted a qualitative, exploratory approach using a semi-structured interview schedule for face-to-face interviews with the immigrants. Snowball sampling was used in this study. Since a large number of people are migrating from Zimbabwe to South Africa, this study was motivated to discover the reasons behind the migration trends. As a Zimbabwean, I wanted to understand what my fellow people are experiencing and have better knowledge of their situations. The findings revealed the following: The absence of convincing answers to the challenging questions about the Zimbabwean situation highlights a lack of realism and failure of leadership within South Africa on the crucial issues of regional migration. There has been an increase in pressure on public services, difficulties in social integration, unemployment and xenophobia. It is not possible to draw any hard conclusions as to how representative this group of respondents is in terms of the general population of Zimbabweans currently in South Africa. As such, it is not possible to make simple extrapolations from this data in relation to the estimated one million plus Zimbabweans that are currently believed to be in South Africa. The main recommendations emerging from this study are: There is need to support the establishment of an institutional and legal framework for the development and implementation of a national strategy for migration and development. A well-managed immigration policy that facilitates and one that is open to contribution, by the public, thus making migration issues more people-centered by having a platform whereby immigrants can present their sentiments is needed. It is essential that every aspect of migration issues; humanitarian, emergency, economic and political should be managed with the decisiveness and effectiveness that brings public confidence.
Open Access
An exploratory study on the educational attainment of youth who have reached eighteen whilst in foster care in Ocean View, Cape Town
(2019) Siyawareva, Benson Tatenda; Gxubane,Thulane
The overall aim of the study was to explore educational attainment of youth who have reached eighteen whilst in foster care in Ocean View, Cape Town. A qualitative research design and a purposive sampling technique were adopted to recruit the participants. Furthermore, nonprobability sampling has been utilised to draw a purposive sampling. Semi-structured one-toone interviews were used in this study. The participants were males and females between the ages of eighteen and twenty years, who had reached eighteen whilst in foster care. Children in foster care associated their goals in life with educational attainment. The study revealed that the youth who turned eighteen whilst in foster care identified importance pertaining to education as the only way that could help themselves to get their desired jobs and achieve their educational goals in life. The study found that children in foster care appreciate social support and kindness they receive from their foster parents, which they considered as crucial in their lives because their biological parents could not provide for them. However, some of the participants expressed great concerns over the treatment they were receiving from their foster parents as a major setback in their lives, which could hinder them from achieving their education goals. The study also shows that the participants in the study encounter financial challenges such as not having money to access tertiary education similar to many children from an impoverished family backgrounds. The main recommendations are that there is a need for collaboration between the foster parents, social workers and the class teachers in offering social support to the participants who are in foster care.
Open Access
An exploratory study on the factors influencing the parenting style choices of parents/caregivers enrolled in a parenting programme in Delf
(2022) Mukoni, Benita; Van Niekerk, Lauren
This research study sought to identify the parenting styles employed by parents/caregivers enrolled in a parenting programme conducted by a non-profit organisation named Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation in the Delft community, as well as the various factors that influenced their parenting styles. Additionally, the study sought to gauge the effectiveness of Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation's parenting programme which was achieved in the form of a minor programme evaluation. This research study employed a qualitative research methodology and made use of semi-structured interviews to elicit the data required to fulfil the desired objectives. The study population comprised 82 parents/caregivers enrolled in Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation's Parenting Programme, and from there a sample of 20 female parents/caregivers were selected using simple random sampling. Additionally, the sample included a combination of biological parents and social parents/caregivers such as grandmothers and aunts. Research findings revealed that the vast majority of the parents/caregivers enrolled in Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation's parenting programme employed an authoritative approach to child rearing with the exception of one participant who displayed more authoritarian tendencies. These findings can be attributed to the participant's upbringing which was a key factor in influencing their parenting style, followed by child temperament. Additionally, the participants' reported that Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation's parenting programme positively influenced their parenting practices as they described an improvement in their relationships with their children. Moreover, the participants demonstrated a shift in their beliefs and practices surrounding parenting as they had discarded their former practices for more proactive practices, such as non-punitive discipline methods, recommended by Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation. Lastly, recommendations were provided to various stakeholders, including Sakha Isizwe Development Organisation, similar establishments conducting parenting programmes, and government. These recommendations include establishing interventions directed at facilitating family reconciliation, supporting parents of troubled adolescents, increasing efforts directed at recruiting more fathers into their parenting programmes, and addressing the absent father phenomenon plaguing low-income communities in South Africa.
Open Access
An exploratory study on the factors that contributed significantly to the criminal behaviour of the first-time youth offenders enrolled in a life skills residential diversion programmes at Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Centre in Gauteng
(2020) Gule, Thembelihle Goodchild; Gxubane, Thulane
The overall aim of the study was to explore factors that could be associated with criminal behaviour of youth offenders diverted in the life skills residential diversion programmes at Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Centre, so as to contribute towards a better understanding of their profile. Therefore the study explored the participants' family backgrounds, the circumstances surrounding the committal of their offences and their responses to the offences they were diverted for in the life skills diversion programmes. An exploratory-descriptive type of a qualitative design was adopted in this study. A semistructured interview schedule was used as the research instrument for conducting in-depth face-to-face interviews with the participants. The study had one set of target population; who were 18 youth offenders (both male and female) between the ages 14-17 attending life skills residential diversion programmes at Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Centre. The profile of the participants seem to indicate that most of them had absent fathers and therefore lacked male figures who could act as role models. The study found that biological fathers of most participants were either deceased, whereabouts unknown, not involved in their financial maintenance or those who had stepfathers, had a bad relationship with them. The findings indicated that the participants' mothers were unavailable and therefore most participants were taken care of by their grandmothers. However, it seems most grandmothers often failed to supervise their grandchildren properly and as such it created an opportunity for the participants to be mischievous with no consequences for their behaviour. It was also found that violence in the family also contributed significantly to the aggressive criminal offences of some of the participants. Lastly, the study showed that the influence of drugs and negative peer pressure also played a significant role in the participants' involvement in criminal behaviour.
Open Access
An Exploratory Study On The Monitoring And Evaluation Systems Of Non-Profit Organisations In The Western Cape
(2023) Thesen, Leila; Van Niekerk, Lauren-Jayne
The implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation (herein referred to as M&E) activities and processes have become a critical tool for accountability, transparency and impact within NonProfit Organisations (herein referred to as NPOs) within South Africa. The study aimed to explore the implementation of M&E systems within NPOs in the Western Cape. The study utilised a qualitative exploratory research design as its purpose was to explore perceptions and experiences of NPOs within the Western Cape region. The sample size consisted of 16 NPOs. All participants were involved in M&E implementation within their organisations. Of the 16 NPOs represented, 5 were M&E personnel, 5 were CEOs/directors and 6 participants performed M&E duties as an added responsibility to their job titles. The study utilised a semi-structured interview guide for in-depth interviews that allowed for engagement between the researcher and participants. Furthermore, the study employed a thematic analysis for the qualitative data collected. The findings of the study showed that the perceptions of participants were influenced by various factors such as experience, training, and the M&E capacity of staff. Participants highlighted that M&E systems were implemented for programme implementation, accountability, and donor requirements. The experience of implementation was characterised by both positives and negatives which to varying degrees affected the implementation of the system. Challenges identified included system challenges; shortage of human and skilled resources as well as financial capacity to undertake M&E within organisations. Participants also highlighted M&E as a beneficial tool that allowed for programme support and implementation, accountability claims and funding opportunities. The findings from the research aims to contribute to the knowledge of M&E within NPOs. It is intended that the study's findings will contribute to the practice of M&E within NPOs as well as the research available on this field of study.

Browsing by Subject "Social Development"

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