Browsing by Subject "townships"

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    Accessing health care in impoverished communities: The experiences of women living with hypertension and related conditions in the townships of Kwatsaduza, Gauteng province
    (2024) Mashala, Cleopatra Matshidiso; Abdullah, Somaya
    This study explores the experiences of women living with hypertension and related medical conditions in accessing healthcare services in the townships of Kwatsaduza in Gauteng. The objectives of the study are to: understand the effects of hypertension and related conditions on women living in poverty in Kwatsaduza; explore the impact of poverty on treatment adherence for hypertension and related conditions; explore the experiences of accessing healthcare services by women living with hypertension and related conditions in Kwatsaduza; and to examine how women cope with their diagnosis. The participants in the study received supplementary services from Itshudu Projects, an NGO that provides psychosocial and nutritional support to women living with hypertension and other health conditions. A qualitative research design and purposive sampling technique were implemented to recruit participants using the services of the organisation. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted to gather in-depth data from 20 participants. All participants were females aged between 18 and 35 who had been diagnosed with hypertension or a related medical condition, which included diabetes, hypertensive retinopathy, gestational hypertension, aneurysm, anxiety and obesity. The main findings of the study revealed that the diagnosis of hypertension and related conditions caused feelings of fear, stress, and self-blame. The study found that the required lifestyle changes that came with the diagnosis resulted in the participants losing close relationships with family and friends. In addition, the study found that the participants struggled to adhere to treatment due to lack of support from family and friends and inability to afford food. The study further revealed that while some participants had good experiences in the healthcare facilities, others received poor treatment and lack of confidentiality from nurses and doctors. The main recommendations are that there is a need for collaboration between individuals, families, and various government and non-government organisations in supporting women living with hypertension and related conditions in Kwatsaduza.
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    Creating shared value: Investigating how micro-property developers in townships can collaborate with impact investors
    (2022) Ngakane, Boipelo; Nilsson, Warren
    Micro-property developers are social entrepreneurs operating in townships and offer high quality rental units that upholds the dignity of community members. Although they are making a valuable contribution they are also faced with many challenges and the biggest being access to funds. This study looks at how impact investing, an emerging funding model can be used to address this challenge. Impact investing can be described as a cross-sectional initiative that involves the professional participation of various stakeholders; to drive social entrepreneurship to a level which can drive the socio-economic impact within communities, to create a social good that optimises financial, social and environmental returns ( Annual Impact Investor Survey, 2019). This research study seeks to explore and understand collaboration strategies that can be employed by micro-property developers in the context of South African townships. This study investigates how micro-property developers, through institutional systems and a multi-stakeholder approach can collaborate with impact investors by applying the concept of collective impact effort in township areas. Further on, this study highlights the importance of impact investing and unpacks the successes and challenges in township areas by illuminating how risk-taking, organisational values and funding contribute to corporate considerations in generating measurable, social and environment impact combined with financial return. Through relevant literature consulted and the use of in-depth interviews this study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Research participants included micro-property developers, impact investors and intermediaries. The research findings indicate that in the corporate ambit of social entrepreneurship and impact investing; variables such as income, risks, impact measurement, the situated area of human settlement and investor readiness are key considerations in the successful acquisition of funding opportunities. In addition, although impact investment in township areas is still an untapped market in South Africa, community leadership and partners should equally advocate the need of inclusion and innovation to steer sustainable impact investment opportunities in such communities. This study suggests that impact investors and funders should work toward cross-sectional initiatives that are scalable and inclusive, and that can create a positive impact in township communities. This study also recommends that a level of deeper knowledge is required through informed research, to understand the value and the impact of impact investments in township areas. This way, scientific data can override all stereotypical notions linked to township investments, as stigmas of crime and risks still hinder investment opportunities in townships compared to their urban counterparts.