OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "social development"

Browsing by Subject "social development"

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Open Access
A qualitative exploration of blackness among black South African university students
(2018) Albert, Wanelisa Geraldin; Kubeka, Alvina
Since the fall of Apartheid, the new mandate of the democratic South African government has been to provide equal quality education for all and to desegregate the education system in South Africa. The desegregation of tertiary education afforded Black students the opportunity to navigate different campuses with vast institutional origins and cultures. This qualitative study aimed to explore Black students' experiences of Blackness while navigating two university campuses in the Western Cape. Drawing upon Black Consciousness and Double Consciousness as the theoretical frameworks, this study examined the experiences and perceptions of Blackness of 20 Black male and female students from two Universities in the Western Cape Province. The aim was to gauge the participants’ sense and understanding of Blackness and how it is shaped and reshaped as they navigate the university space. First, the findings revealed that that Black students exhibited racial pride and ascribed positive traits to Blackness. The students were proud to be Black and asserted that Black people had a good work ethic. Students reported that being Black afforded them an opportunity to change their socio-economic circumstances and improve their communities. Second, Black students who navigated historically White neighbourhoods, schools and university experienced South Africa as untransformed and unequal. On the other hand, Black students who navigated historically Black neighbourhoods, who went to historically Black schools and who attended a majority Black University viewed South Africa as a Rainbow Nation. Black students who attended a historically White university had a heightened sense of Blackness and experienced marginalisation within the university context compared to the Black students who went to a majority Black university Third, universities are not neutral spaces and their historical origins characterise their institutional cultures and the academy. Black students who attended the university founded during colonialism reported that the campus had colonial symbolism and the culture of the university favoured White students. The students reported that the curriculum was Eurocentric and needed to be decolonized. Fourth, Blackness is shaped and reshaped differently on university campuses. Students who went to a majority Black university expressed they were in the majority and the university was a comfortable environment. Black students at both universities experienced racial discrimination and alienation from White and/or Coloured academic staff. Despite progressive policies, this study revealed that much more work need still needs to be done to right the wrongs of the past.
Open Access
An evaluative case study of the YiPSA prison post-release programme in Cape Town, South Africa
(2022) Osbourn, Clinton; Ward, Catherine
This research study explored the perceptions of a group of young men that participated in a prison post-release programme implemented by Young in Prison South Africa (YiPSA) based in Cape Town, South Africa, that used primarily arts-based methods to engage the participants. It aimed to explore their perceptions of whether or not participating in the programme affected their attitudes and behaviour, with a particular focus on factors that are associated with desistance. It also aimed to explore which aspects of the programme they considered to be the most significant in affecting their attitudes and behaviours. The research was conducted using an evaluative case study approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 respondents that had participated in the programme between 2013 and 2015, in order to gain an understanding of their perceptions about how their behaviour had changed and what aspects of the programme they thought were most influential in bringing about these changes. The research found that nearly all the respondents reported that their behaviour had shifted to become more empathetic, and their life skills had improved, most particularly their communication skills. They also reported a decrease in criminal activity and changes in their aspirations to more prosocial ambitions as well as improved self-esteem and a newfound purpose. They also reported that they had experienced a shift in their identities, which many scholars believe is necessary for desistance to be maintained. They attributed these changes to a combination of various factors. This included the sense of belonging that they felt while participating in the programme, which was nurtured by the supportive relationships with staff and the non-judgemental environment. They also referred to learning new skills and exposure to new experiences, which were linked to the creative projects that they completed while attending the programme. The findings of the research indicate that the creative methods that were utilized were an effective way of engaging the young people when they left prison, as they appealed to their interests and gave them opportunities to learn new skills as well as practice behaviours that are associated with desistance. Recommendations are made for the Department of Correctional Service as well as nongovernmental organisations and social service professionals who are working with this target group.
Open Access
An exploration into statutory Social Workers' perceptions and experiences of their child protection work
(2019) Atkins, Georgina; Bruyns, Cindee
The South African statistics for child abuse, neglect, and death is extreme by international measures (UNICEF, 2016). Concurrently, skilled Social Workers are in demand in South Africa but subject to complex social dynamics while working under immense pressure (DHET, 2018; Calitz, Roux, & Strydom, 2014). The purpose of this study was to explore Statutory Social Workers’ perceptions and experiences of their Child Protection Work. The objectives of this study was to gain insight into the role, responsibilities and experiences of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers in order to identify their perceived challenges and rewards within the profession and to make recommendations to improve Statutory Child Protection Work. The study used a qualitative research design. A purposive non-probability sampling method was used to select the 19 respondents in this study. All respondents were Statutory Child Protection Social Workers from Government and Non-Government Child Protection organisations. The data was collected using a semi-structured interview schedule to conduct one-on-one interviews. The interviews were analysed using Tesch’s (2013) approach and NVIVO 12 data analysis software. Overall, the study found that while respondents experience challenges in their profession, there are rewarding aspects in Social Work that motivate them to continue in the work. More specifically, the study has found that the main responsibilities and roles of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers are embedded in the context of Statutory Social Work. In this context, Social Workers’ Child protection interventions are mandated by Social Work and Child Protection legislation to respond to social problems. Main social issues reported by respondents are poor parenting, substance misuse, gangsterism, domestic violence, school dropouts, unemployment, and teen pregnancies. The study revealed the importance of effective collaborative work with the stakeholders of Child Protection Work. Most respondents reported that collaborative work in Child Protection Work can be more effective when there are clearly defined roles and responsibilities and good working relationships between collaborators. The study found that there are both extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of the work that are perceived as challenging and rewarding for respondents. The most challenging extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are poor working conditions, namely: concern for safety, lack of resources to do the work, high caseloads and dissatisfaction with the salary. The most challenging intrinsic experiences perceived by respondents are lack of recognition received from collaborators, the public and government. The most rewarding extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are; support received at work and good working relationships and support received from colleagues. Intrinsic aspects experienced as most rewarding by respondents are; achievements at work, recognition received for their work, motivation to do SW and remaining in SW, and experiencing a sense of personal and professional growth in their work. Based on the results of the study, recommendations can be made to inform Social Work Practice (workers and employers), Social Work Education and Training, Government, and future Social Work research. The study found that self-care is an important coping mechanism for the respondents to manage emotional exhaustion and the challenges of the work. Respondents’ recommendations to employers include their plea for better resources, effective supervision, support and acknowledgement. Recommendations that respondents had for improvement of statutory child protection service delivery is; improved working relationships with collaborators and clarification of roles and responsibilities of collaborators, and a need for forums and networking. Recommendations that respondents had for Social Work education and training institutions included better preparation for the work while studying at university. The main recommendations that respondents echoed to government are justice for victims of abuse and neglect, better working conditions for Statutory Child Protection Social Workers and the inclusion of Social Workers’ voices when Child Protection policy and legislation is developed.
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 investigation of the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa: the role of substance use
Shishane, Kwanele; John-Langba, Johannes
Theoretical models of crime underlying the deterrent approach to crime control often fail to account for the role of mental health in mediating deviance. Nor does this approach account for the role of system responses, unique to a post-apartheid context. There is paucity in the literature on the role of mental health on recidivism in South Africa. This study was therefore designed to determine the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa and the role of substance use. The Ecological Systems Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. A cross-sectional quantitative exploratory research design was used. 280 youth offenders (male and female, aged 18-35) incarcerated at a Durban Maximum Correctional Service in KwaZulu-Natal who do not have a known psychiatric diagnosis were sampled, using multi-stage random sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The final instrument consisted of six sections. Section 1 consisted of socio-demographic data. Section 2, measured the history of imprisonment. Section 3, is the Hopkins symptoms checklist (HSCL-25), which measures depression and anxiety disorder. Section 4, measures youth offenders' attraction to crime using an adapted version of the appetitive aggression scale. Section 5, is a measure of substance use using the CRAFFT measure (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble). Finally, section 6 was an adapted version of the Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates scale (MCAA). Data were analyzed using SPSS. Several statistical analyses were used in this study to include, descriptive analysis, multiple regression, binary logistic regression, factor analysis, cluster analysis and chi-square analysis. The minimum age for participants was 19 and maximum age is 35, the majority of participants were aged 32 and the average age is 30. The majority of participants have secondary school education (65.8%, n=171), and participants who have not received any formal education are (3.5%, n=9). The majority of participants are black (91.4%, n=245), and Coloured (6.3%, n=17), male (93.0%, n=251) and from KwaZulu-Natal (87.1% n=237). Descriptive analysis also showed that the rate of recidivism (re-offending) among this offender population is 32.4% (n=82), while 67.6% (n=171) of the participants have not recidivated. This study promotes social change by highlighting the need for the further exploration of combined factors that increase recidivism. Findings from this study are helpful to health and criminal justice organizations as they indicate the need for strengthening the provision of programs that address mental health screening, diagnosis and treatment as well as programs that address appetitive aggression issues in efforts to curb recidivism.
Open Access
Developmental and life-course pathways for antisocial behaviour among young adults in the Western Cape, South Africa
(2021) Campbell, Emma; Holtzhausen, Leon
The aim of this quantitative research project was to explore developmental and life-course theories explaining antisocial behaviour among 413 young adults in the Western Cape, South Africa. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data among 135 youth from lower income communities in Cape Town. A further 278 responses were collected from undergraduate students from the University of Cape Town. The questionnaire included 6 psychological assessment tools that measured childhood adversity, deviant and anti-social behaviours, cognitions, and attitudes as well as pro-social functioning. The responses to the scales were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25, in attempts to answer four key research questions. The four research questions were centred around exploring childhood adversity, anti/pro social behaviours, and five different developmental and life-course theories within a South African context. The results showed that deviant behaviours increased as adverse childhood experiences increased, with physical neglect, witnessing domestic violence, and household incarceration as particularly strong risk factors. The findings also showed that some of the key features of each of the five theories in question could generally be applied to South African youth. Furthermore, there was evidence in this study that adaptive coping was linked to more prosocial attitudes, albeit the correlations were not particularly strong. Finally, findings suggested some issues with the validity of the assessment scales for deviance, antisocial and prosocial functioning in the South African context. This highlights a need for more research into context-specific and culturally relevant assessment scales in South Africa.
Open Access
Disability Studies poster collection from Africa Day 2012
(2012) Disability Studies Division
This poster collection, developed by the Disability Studies Division and presented for Africa Day in May 2012, address the issue of disability from a range of social justice, inclusion and developmental perspectives. Poster 1 looks at the inclusion of disability in the University of Cape Town; Poster 2 explores residential options for intellectually disabled adults in the Western Cape; Poster 3 outlines the roles, purpose and scope of the Disability Studies Unit itself; and Poster 4 explores how the childhood experiences of community disability workers (CDWs) in rural communities in South Africa, Botswana and Malawi influenced their career choices and how their current experiences influence their work.
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
Exploring feminist notions of peacebuilding: experiences of women activists in Northern Uganda
(2022) Clarke, Yaliwe; O'brien, Constance
This qualitative study was undertaken in Northern Uganda, specifically in the districts of Gulu, Lira, and Kitgum. The researcher spent a total of six months collecting field data (over a period of 2 years) from key members of community-based peacebuilding groups as well as from the groups' beneficiaries. This study conceptualised gender from a decolonial, intersectional framing of femininities which considered lineage, age, class, and geographic location of women who founded peace groups during and just after some of the most volatile periods of the war in Northern Uganda. The researcher theorised how women's small- scale community interventions manifested as part of broader peacebuilding efforts undertaken by larger institutions such as government and international development organisations that were present in Northern Uganda at the time of the study. Based on in-depth interviews with seventeen founders and staff of six community-based peace groups as well as seven focus group discussions with 76 beneficiaries, the study explored shifting gendered subjectivities performed across multiple roles and identities. The data collected was further enhanced by follow-on interviews with seven people who worked with larger aid organisations that interacted with the six community-based peace groups. The researcher reviewed organisational documents such as project reports and minutes of staff meetings to corroborate research participants' narration of their community work. Using thematic analysis, the study deconstructs participants' ‘gendered' meanings of peacebuilding. The findings from this study suggest that an African feminist perspective to peacebuilding requires the following: a nuanced intersectional analysis of women's socio-economic and political power within militarised contexts; foregrounding local efforts to build peace by focusing on gendered experiences of survival; a recognition of militarism as a social and economic system that is often intertwined with colonial histories of violence as well as patriarchal values and customs that present masculine power as normative; and finally, unpacking shifts in gendered power, especially with regard to markers of socio-economic and political power.
Open Access
Exploring how youth experience and perceive peer social support at a holistic youth development programme in the Western Cape: the Chrysalis academy
(2022) Winsted, Ellyn; Ndangwa, Noyoo
In this study, the main goal was to explore youth experiences and perceptions of peer social support in the Western Cape region of South Africa at the Chrysalis Academy youth programme. The youth in the Western Cape face many obstacles to their development such as gangsterism, drugs, unemployment, lack of social support, volatile living environments and insufficient positive youth development programmes. It was assumed in this study that positive peer social support aligns with the ‘stress-buffer' model which claims social support as a buffer to these types of stressful live events and situations. This study sought to magnify the phenomena of peer social support versus the more researched phenomena of parental and teacher support. Research has emphasised parental and teacher support as playing more important roles of social support buffers for youth. The other goal of this study was to explore the ways in which this social support helps to foster resiliency and positive youth development. This study aimed to add to existing research on youth development by providing personal experiences youth had with peers; a facet of social support the researcher assumed was overlooked and was lacking overall in the context of South Africa. This would aid in creating a more in depth understanding of the role of peer support in youth development and help to create programmes and policies that utilise peer support as a main pillar in development to foster resiliency for youth. To this end, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with twenty participants who lived in different communities throughout Cape Town and the surrounding areas. The participants were graduates of the youth development programme at the Chrysalis Academy; a programme that integrates peer support into their development framework.
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
Job satisfaction across different age groups and tenure at the City of Cape Town's department of social development and early childhood development
(2022) Eksteen, Rudi-Leigh; Atmore, Eric; Campbell Emma
Job satisfaction is an essential factor for all employers and the benefits of a satisfied workforce have been proven. Understanding what the key factors that promote job satisfaction and how this differs amongst different age groups and years in a position is the purpose of this research study. Exploring the association between job satisfaction, performance and retention was a further goal of this study. This qualitative study was conducted with an exploratory and descriptive research design and adopted purposive sampling of seventeen officials employed in the City of Cape Town's Department of Social Development and Early Childhood Development. All participants were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview schedule and the data gathered was presented along with direct quotes from these interviews. The research study found that financial remuneration and benefits, management, organisation culture, nature of work, emotional exhaustion, intrinsic satisfaction and development were key factors to the participants in terms of their job satisfaction. Interestingly, those factors considered basic or lower order, while important do not provide satisfaction, but can cause dissatisfaction if deficits are perceived. Satisfaction is found in those factors considered higher order or motivators and herein the participants felt there was room for improvement. Several distinctions were found between when considering the influence of these factors amongst both age and tenure amongst the participants. Furthermore, associations between retention and job satisfaction were not as evident as those found been job satisfaction and productivity. Key recommendations made for the Department of Social Development and Early Childhood Development centred on clarity on job descriptions and the nature of work and a reassessment of training and development. Finally, the mental health of the officials needs to be viewed as a priority, with considerations around organisation culture, management and communication.
Open Access
Leadership for democratic development in Tanzania: the perspective of Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere during the first decade of independence
(2005) Haussler, Peter; Taylor, Viviene
This study analyses the perspectives about 'good leadership' as spelt out by an outstanding African leader, Julius Karnbarage Nyerere, who ruled Tanzania from independence in 1962 until 1985, and influenced African history until his death in 1999. This research reveals an exciting and interesting time in politics and social development in Africa, and puts questions forward in order to unveil Nyerere's perspectives on leadership. The particular period investigated is the decade of the 1960s, the critical time of independence and nation building. The study is composed of two parts, the understanding of the context of Tanzania's development, and the hermeneutical analysis of Nyerere's perspectives. To understand Nyerere in his context, I randomly selected seven authentic speeches and a handpicked one. I used content analysis (manifest and latent coding) and hermeneutics as my methodological approaches. Key-concepts explored in the study were Democracy, Development, Unity and Peace, and Leadership. The underlying assumption of this study is that 'good leadership' is needed to promote participation, democracy and socio~economic development, creating national stability. The research proves this assumption right. The qualitative character of the research does not allow for generalisation of the results, which is limited by the small sample of speeches. However, recent challenges of economic globalisation and its impact on the 'poor' countries remind us of the social and political responsibility of leaders. Understanding the importance of good leadership for development is one of Nyerere's legacies. Political leadership has to be learnt. Core to the research was a "dialogue' between Nyerere, in his historical, political and personal context, and I, in mine. Hans-Georg Gadamer, a prominent henneneuticaJ philosopher. taught me how to understand first, in order to interpret and then to influence social reality. I have developed a methodological technique, the 'triple•jump', to understand and to interpret the text and to approach the 'truth'. The central research question, "what in Nyerere's perspective is a good lead.er for democratic development?" could be answered through the study: a leader has to be ethical, reliable, knowledgeable, decisive, accountable, humble, hard working and socially responsible. Nyerere's perspectives on good leadership also serve as guidance to contemporary political leaders, who are committed to democratic development. It is hoped that the results of this study will enrich the Youth Leadership Training Programme (YL TP) in Tanzania and other leadership training programmes elsewhere in Africa.
Open Access
Leading for sustainability: an exploratory study of founder transitions in nonprofit organisations in the Western Cape
(2019) Kempster, Michelle; Atmore, Eric
The sustainability of the nonprofit sector is vital to social development in South Africa. The sector plays a significant role in the provision of social protection and developmental services to the most vulnerable citizens of our country. Nonprofit organisations operate in an environment which is often complex, volatile and uncertain. With the increasing demand for accountability, sound governance and ever more creative fundraising models, leading and managing nonprofits has become particularly challenging. Most nonprofits survive infancy because of the incredible passion and commitment of nonprofit founders, towards their unwavering belief in a social cause. Without their energy and charisma, the nonprofit sector would not be as influential and substantial as it is today. For an organisation to mature and increase its desired impact, the founder energy needs to be refined and combined with new skills that suit a larger and more effective organisation. However, if this does not happen, some organisations become dependent on the founder, causing risk of trauma, stagnation or demise, particularly when the founder moves on. Even where an organisation remains in operation, a founder transition may result in unnecessary damage to all stakeholders, if not planned and managed well. Founder transitions in nonprofit organisations has not been given the recognition in South African literature that it deserves. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to answer the question, “How do nonprofit organisations in South Africa experience founder transitions?” In this study, an exploratory qualitative research design was used in order to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of founder transitions in nonprofit organisation. Based on a literature review on founder transitions and related succession planning and founder’s syndrome in the nonprofit sector, the research questions and a research methodology were chosen. Ethics clearance was given by the University of Cape Town and a sample of 17 participants were selected to take part in the study by purposive sampling. The participants, all senior leaders in the nonprofit sector with experience of founder transitions, represented eight organisations in the Western Cape. The data was collected using a semi-structured interview schedule, and analysed using Tesch’s (1990) steps of data analysis. The contribution this study makes is to add to the understanding of the founder transition planning and management practices of South African nonprofit organisations, exposing both the opportunities and challenges experienced during the transition. The study makes a number of findings including: 1) the level of risk and challenge to nonprofit organisations during the founder transition is underestimated by their leaders, 2) nonprofit leaders feel they are ill equipped to manage founder transitions effectively, 3) founder transitions are a particularly emotional experience requiring relationships to be managed skillfully, 4) succession planning is a neglected risk management practice, impacting on the magnitude of the founder transition, 5) nonprofit founders and boards are not certain of their distinct roles during the founder transition, which can result in poor leadership and management of the founder transition, and 6) effective founder transitions constitute an additional cost to nonprofit organisations which should be budgeted for. Based on these findings, the study concludes with recommendations for nonprofit boards on how to improve the planning and management of founder transitions in nonprofit organisations.
Open Access
Psychosocial rehabilitation programmes in mental health: the perceived impact of a psychosocial rehabilitation programme on the recovery of persons with a history of mental illness
(2021) Madatt, Musiegh; Addinall-Van Straaten, Ronald
This study explored psychosocial rehabilitation programmes in mental health and investigated the perceived impact of participation in a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) programme on the recovery of persons with a history of mental illness. The study focused on how their participation in psychosocial rehabilitation programmes impacted the well-being of the mental health users individually and socially as well as their perceptions of the benefits and or disadvantages of participation in the programmes as well as their recommendations for improvements. A qualitative explorative research design was applied. Sixteen participants were selected using purposive sampling and data collected by means of face-to-face semi-structured interviewing. The data obtained was analysed using qualitative methods. Most significantly the findings of this study further supports the value of psychosocial rehabilitation programmes for mental health users. Most notably improved individual personal development and independence. Social wellbeing improvements were found with an emphasis on growth in confidence to approaching further socialisation, improvements in the quality of individual relationships and the expansion of support networks. No significant critique of the programmes was identified and the most significant improvements recommended related to the expanding of interactive activities such as more peer socialisation and recreational activities to further the therapeutic value experienced in them. The most important recommendations from the findings include expanding PSR, incorporating PSR programmes into the public service, encouraging PSR programmes through supportive legislation, integrating families more in PSR programmes, expanding research on the outcomes of PSR within a South African context and exploring research that includes the perspectives of the family members living and caring for individuals with mental illness
Open Access
Social exclusion and mental health challenges: exploring the experiences of mental health challenges among university students from marginalised backgrounds
(2021) Smit, Natasha; Kubeka, Alvina
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of mental health challenges among university students from marginalised backgrounds. The intention was to understand the effects of a university student's socio-economic background and circumstances on their mental health, as well as their access to the necessary mental health resources and services. South Africa continues to be plagued by high levels of poverty and inequality. The legacy of Apartheid persists post 1994, and many black South Africans still face financial and social exclusion (Marais, 2013). Poverty and inequality inhibit young people from having the material and non-material resources they need in order to complete university successfully (Rothmann and Van Zyl, 2012). When focusing on students' mental health challenges, we see that the transition from high school to university is a challenging time and without the relevant support structures, it can lead to an individual experiencing high levels of anxiety and other mental health challenges. The main objectives included determining the ways in which a student's financial and social exclusion affect their transition to university, mental health and the way in which they cope with stress. Ward's (2009) definition of social exclusion and Gamble and Brennan's (2005) stress vulnerability model were used as the lens' to examine the links between socio-economic deprivation and their experiences of mental health challenges. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 students from marginalised backgrounds enrolled at an institute of higher learning. All 18 students were receiving financial assistance in order to cover their university costs. A semi-structured interview schedule was used as the instrument to guide the interviews. This instrument contained open-ended questions and enabled the researcher to gain a detailed picture of a participant's beliefs and experiences. The findings reveal that since inception, NSFAS has played an important part in the transformation of the student population and addressing the inequality in South Africa. However, students from marginalised backgrounds continue to face unique socio-economic challenges at university and require support structures. The findings have also determined that the concept of black tax remains relevant and that the legacy of Apartheid still effects many young black South Africans. This material and non-material related stress renders a student prone to facing mental health challenges and their struggles to cope with their academics. Daily stress combined with previous major life events and predisposed genetics, contribute to mental health challenges. It was also found that although there was still a stigma, most students still sought professional help. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that universities need to involve students in finding practical, long-term solutions to the mental health crisis on campuses. It is also recommended that the university environment and staff be inclusive and also reflect the experiences of university students of colour. In addition, it was recommended that the government include higher learning institutes in their national policy regarding mental health in South Africa. The study aims to create further understanding and interest, as well as the need to better address these inequalities which manifest throughout a student's university life.
Open Access
Social representations informing discourses of young leaders: a case study of Tanzania
(2005) Salles-Haussler, Valeria Cristina; Collins, Kathleen Jane
This dissertation is a theoretical and textual analysis of the discursive practice of young leaders in Tanzania, as a means to understand the dominant representations of a group that plans to take over the leadership of the country In the future. Representations are collective discursive formations conditioned by historical possibilities and cultural context. The exploratofy approach adopts Constructivism as a major philosophical paradigm for social realities and presents a case study of twenty-five participants who are young political leaders operating in Tanzania and trainees on the Youth Leadership Training Programme (YLTP), run by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a German not-for-profit organization guided by democratic values. All of the participants had 'leadership' positions In their own orginizations. In 2003, they were interviewed and wrote essays on different topics related to leadership in Tanzania, while I was living in that country and working as short-term trainer for the YLTP. As a member of the team of trainers of the first YLTP, I was invited to lead its end-of.programme evaluation, the results of which left open questions regarding the relationship between Tanzanian history and cultural contexts, and the choice of curriculum and method of the YLTP. This research intends, in its analysis of the issues raised by these questions, to contribute to the future design of leadership-training programmes in Tanzania. There are two parts: part I, 'the researcher, the object and the method' gives an account of my philosophical trajectory, formulates the epistemological foundations upon which the analysis is built, and proposes a methodological tool that has not been used in the English-speaking world yet: the discourse of the collective subject (DCS). Conventional explanations ignore the power of discourse and its role in construction, maintenance and resistance to ideologies. The choice of discourse analysis aims at unveiling the Tanzanian culture-specific ideological constructions and the powers that, in interaction, frame and mediate discourses and meaning-making. Part II searches for those 'relationships between history, social representations and contemporary discourses of young leaders', showing how the ideological forces operating in Tanzania determine rules of formation for the young leaders' discourses. Three types of dominant discourses are articulated among the young leaders. One, which I named humanistic discourse, is framed by constructions of socialism and Ujamaa, brotherhood, egalitarianism and Pan-Africanism. This dominant discursive practice is, however, interspersed with liberal discourses, which frame the world within streams of the modernization paradigm, reconstructing meanings in Tanzania. Both discursive practices are found to be mediated by a patriarchal discourse, which weaves through old and new representations of the young leaders in that country. The analysis of the discourses and the conclusions regarding social representations helped develop some recommendations in the form of insights for future leadership-training programmes In Tanzania. Those recommendations aim particularly at linking the domain of the 'personal' to the domain of the 'political', both found to pertain to different, and sometimes conflicting, genres and narratives among the young leaders.
Open Access
TEDI 2 Week 2 - Interview: Facilitating Development in the Deaf Learner
(2019-06-01) Hille, Jeanette; Swift, Odette
In this video, Odette Swift interviews Jeanette Hille on the role of teachers of deaf children in facilitating the social and emotional development of deaf children in the classroom. She discusses the teacher’s pivotal role in building the deaf child’s self-esteem and provides tips on how to do so. She underscores first hand experiences and for constant communication between school and home as valuable for deaf learners. This video lecture 7/11 of week 2 of the course: Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher.
Open Access
The role of social protection programmes in reducing household poverty and vulnerability in Katakwi District - Uganda
(2020) Okello, Julius; Taylor, Viviene; Khosi, Kubeka Alvina
This study examined the role of social protection programmes in reducing household poverty in the post-conflict area of Teso in Eastern Uganda and focused on Katakwi district. Mixed methods, was used in the form of qualitative and quantitative tools drawing on a sample of 200 respondents and 20 key informant interviews and 30 participants who were part of focus group discussions. The study results showed that 45% of the sampled population in Katakwi district was poor; 20% were at risk of being poor if social protection is removed, and 35% not poor. We further established that 53% of the female non-beneficiaries live in poverty compared to 49% of female beneficiaries. In contrast, male beneficiaries (51%) were found to be living outside the poverty line compared to male non-beneficiaries (47%) who live in poverty (see Figure 4.2). This variation in poverty levels among male respondents is attributed to the overreliance of household beneficiaries to social protection services, which in most cases are delayed; hence, they fall back into poverty These findingsfurther show that social protection cash transfers constitute the most direct approach that the Government of Uganda uses to address household poverty and vulnerability. Social protection cash transfers can raise living standards; reduce the severity of poverty and vulnerability at the household level and distribute income to the poorest which, thus, reduces the poverty gap between the rich and poor. We further, established that male heads of households who shoulder the burden of paying school fees do not actually receive cash transfers. Factors that significantly influence the standard of life of households include having a university graduate in the household, receipt of income and access to social services. Access to social protection services such as education, health and water were shown to significantly influence a household's status. Although households in Katakwi district that receive social protection support have better chances of escaping poverty, the district is more susceptible to insecurity as a result of continued the cattle rustling compared to those districts that are not closer to cattle rustling warriors. The value of the study is that it provides a better understanding of social protection services in reducing household poverty in post-conflict areas. This study contributes to the limited body of literature on household heads experiences in dealing with vulnerability poverty and household vulnerability to community poverty in post-conflict settings. It provides a disaggregated analysis of social protection measures in responding to poverty and vulnerabilities at the household level.

Browsing by Subject "social development"

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