Academic literature on the topic 'Mamelodi (Pretoria, South Africa) – Social conditions'

Domestic violence against women is a serious social and public health problem facing women in South Africa and other countries. This social malaise in South Africa is often seen as “private” – committed within the home space, or “imperceptible” to the public. In other words, domestic violence is framed as a phenomenon that takes place exclusively behind the closed doors of the home. This study contends with this notion of “imperceptibility” in the domestic violence discourse. Using qualitative data from Mamelodi, a black township in Pretoria, South Africa, this paper argues that the notion of imperceptibility is reductionist and helps to perpetuate the act. The commission of domestic violence does not only take place in the privacy of the home; it is also committed in public, and it is visible to the community where it takes place.

Poor living conditions in informal settlements may be attributed mostly, though not exclusively, to the lack of basic services. Informal settlements, which also go by the name of squatter camps, are volatile by nature. Even within relatively fixed settlement boundaries, change in urban fabric continually manifests through altering dwelling configurations. Deemed unstable and unsafe by formal criteria, these environments disclose schizophrenic characteristics: beyond the dirt, grime and smog, exist relatively functional societies capable of survival and self-regulation. Public and private sector investment within informal settlements is restricted as a result of their illegal status. Inhabitants have no incentive to invest their own resources where they have no formal tenure over the land. Due to a rather backward approach to informality in South Africa, innovation in dealing with these settlements has been limited. Despite the fact that the rhetoric has sometimes changed from eradication to upgrading, little has been done with regards to alternative forms of settlement development that has relevance in terms of improving the lives of informal settlement dwellers. With rising anger in poverty-stricken areas and on the peripheries of cities, what is needed is improved service delivery through immediate solutions. This article suggests a service delivery core, an architectural catalyst, rooted to the ‘energy’ of the public realm, stimulating growth of infrastructure networks. This catalyst core aims to instigate the amelioration of the surrounding environment. The concept presented is that of a dynamic service core – universal in principle – while also being contextually-driven by responding to a specific environment and needs of a specific community. A generic architectural solution is thus presented to providing basic services and infrastructure within informal settlements, with focussed consideration for the unique situation of an informal settlement in Mamelodi, Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa. It is important to realise that there is no final product, but rather an organic architecture that adapts in a process of continuous and progressive change.

By the time, you receive this issue of the journal, the joint 5th WONCA Africa and 20th South African Academy of Family Physicians conference would have ended in Pretoria South Africa on 20 August 2017. The theme of the joint conference forms the basis of this editorial. So what is “Social Determinants of Health (SDH)”? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The SDH are mostly responsible for health inequities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. It is acknowledged that “health equity and social determinants” are critical components of the post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDG) global agenda and of the push towards progressive achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). If we have to reduce health inequities, the approach will be to address both SDH and UHC in an integrated and systematic manner.1

In this article we report on research-in-progress. A number of bright black youths are currently studying at the University of Pretoria, thriving in a project that seeks to address the challenges faced by so many children from South Africa who daily face adverse conditions in their struggle to gain education so that they can earn a decent living and contribute to the development of the country. Our article contemplates the multilayered challenges at a South African university signified by diversity. Our hope is to contribute to the current debate on developing a counselling mode giving recognition to social groups belonging to the middle and low ends of society's power structure — especially as played out in the domain of education and psychology.

The study of South African English literature written by black people in the postapartheid period has focused, among others, on the so-called Hillbrow novels of Phaswane Mpe and Niq Mhlongo, and narratives such as Kgebetli Moele's Book of the Dead (2009) set in Pretoria. A number of studies show how the fiction of these writers handles black concerns that some critics believe to have replaced a thematic preoccupation with apartheid, as soon as political freedom was attained in 1994. However, adequate analyses are yet to be made of works produced by some of these black writers in their more rounded scrutiny of the first decade of democracy, apart from what one may describe as an indigenous/traditional weaning from preoccupation with the theme of apartheid. This study intends to fill this gap, as well as examine how such a richer social commentary is refracted in its imaginative critique of South African democratic life beyond its first decade of existence. I consider Mhlongo's novels Dog Eat Dog (2004) and After Tears (2007); together with Moele's narratives reflecting on the same epoch Room 207 (2006) and The Book of the Dead (2009). For the portrayal of black lives after ten years of democracy, I unpack the discursive content of Mhlongo's and Moele's novels Way Back Home (2013) and Untitled (2013) respectively. I probe new ways in which these postapartheid writers critique the new living conditions of blacks in their novelistic discourses. I argue that their evolving approaches interrogate literary imaginaries, presumed modernities and visions on socio-political freedom of a postapartheid South Africa, in ways deserving critical attention.  I demonstrate how Moele and Mhlongo in their novels progressively assert a self-determining indigeneity in a postapartheid modernity unfolding in the context of some pertinent discursive views around ideas such as colourblindness and transnationalism. I show how the discourses of the author's novels enable a comparison both their individual handling of the concepts of persisting institutional racism and the hegemonic silencing of white privilege; and distinguishable ways in which each of the two authors grapples with such issues in their fiction depicting black conditions in the first decade of South African democratic rule, differently from the way they do with portrayals of the socio-economic challenges faced by black people beyond the first ten years of South African democracy.

Unemployment is one of the major problems in South Africa. It is the concern of the government and the people at large to engage in means in order to reduce poverty. In this research, I would like to explore the possibilities of social entrepreneurial activities as a way of social and economic transformation in Tshwane. If this could be a possibility it means the church can go all out to see that the communities and members are encouraged to engage in. People will be able to improve their lives without depending on the grants from the government. Our methodology will be a literature review and intra-disciplinary approach. The method would be community mapping, World Café and focused group.

Background: The development of secondary health conditions (SHCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and can affect an individual’s emotional well-being, and his or her health-related quality of life (QOL). Little is known about relationships between performing health-benefiting behaviours and the presence (or absence) of SHCs and QOL, particularly in South Africa.Objectives: This research study was conducted in order to determine the associations between health behaviour, SHCs and QOL in people with SCI (PWSCI).Method: This cross-sectional study included 36 PWSCI discharged from a private rehabilitation facility in Pretoria, South Africa. The PWSCI completed questionnaires pertaining to lifestyle, independence, presence of SHCs, social support and QOL. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation tests and chi-square test of independence (x2) using the SPSS v25. Moderate, moderately high and high correlations are reported (Pearson r ≥ 0.4). Results were significant if p 0.05.Results: Participation in health-benefiting behaviour was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.457, p 0.01) and increased social support from family and friends (r = 0.425, p 0.01), which was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.671, p 0.001). Not participating in specific neuromusculoskeletal health behaviours was found to be associated with the overall presence of SHCs (r = -0.426, p 0.01).Conclusions: Participating in health-benefiting behaviour can reduce the development of SHCs and subsequently increase QOL in PWSCI. Health professionals must focus on minimising the development of SHCs by providing specific education on good health-benefiting behaviour.

The persistence and enormity of the housing backlog facing the poorest of the poor is an indication of the gravity of the housing crisis in Gauteng. The challenge exists despite government efforts to provide low-cost housing and formalize informal settlements. Against the background of this persistent need, this study investigates the City of Tshwane Municipality’s response to informal settlements in Mamelodi Phase 3, Gauteng. Participants from Mamelodi Phase 3 and officials from the City of Tshwane Municipality were purposively sampled. Research findings indicated that informal settlements in Mamelodi are caused by various factors, which include movement from rural to urban areas, movement from other provinces to Gauteng and natural population growth. Furthermore, the persistence of the informal settlements is caused by poverty. Most people continue to live in informal settlements since they cannot access financial assistance from the banks as per the National Credit Regulation (NCR). Corruption is also a formidable problem as some informal settlement dwellers alleged that officials of the City of Tshwane Municipality allocated houses in contravention of set procedures. This research shows that the City of Tshwane’s informal upgrading policies have failed in terms of providing adequate housing. Further, the housing policy has not succeeded in creating long-term sustainability in the delivery of low-cost housing to deal with the problems of the informal settlements. Although the City of Tshwane has implemented the Re aga Tshwane, which involves a wide range of policies, programmes and strategies to address the developmental challenges facing dwellers in informal settlements, more is required. On this basis, it is recommended that proper consultation with the community should be held to improve the lives of people in informal settlements in line with Section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), regarding every person’s right to have access to adequate housing.
Public Administration and Management
M.B.A. (Public Administration)

Early childhood development centres play a major role in supporting the development of children from zero to six years. For sustainability and strengthening ECD Centres funding is provided by government departments, municipalities and the private sector. The City of Tshwane is funding a number of ECD centres in Mamelodi. The CoT has clear guidelines, policies and procedures outlined in the funding strategy. The challenge faced by the CoT is the compliance and accountability of the funded ECD centres. Utilizing the qualitative approach, this study communicates the challenges faced by the eight Mamelodi ECD centres in keeping to the allocated line items outlined by the CoT funding strategy. The study describes the status of compliance of these centres. It further outlines the CoT funding processes, the ECD managers’ understanding, concerns and reasons behind the lack of compliance. Based on the findings, the study makes recommendations for practice, policy and further research studies.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Work)

A study of the relevant theoretical concepts and empirical research was undertaken to explore the role of the social worker pertaining to the problem of epilepsy in the black community of Mamelodi. The sample comprised 40 families in which there was a person with epilepsy. Data were obtained through an interview schedule administered by the researcher. The literature study highlighted the phenomenon epilepsy, causes of epilepsy/ psychosocial effects of epilepsy on the epileptic and his family and the treatment of the epileptic. However/ it became quite clear that a multi-disciplinary team approach is vital importance in the treatment of an epileptic Furthermore/ significant others like traditional healers, faith healers, priests, relatives and friends were identified as some of the important informal support systems. Although the findings of study cannot be generalised to the entire population they can be of great significance for further research.
'n Studie van die relevante konsepte asook empiriese navorsing is gedoen om die rol van die maatskaplike werker met betrekking tot die probleem van epilepsie in die swart gemeenskap van Mamelodi te eksploreer. Die steekproef is saamgestel uit 'n groep van 40 gesinne met 'n epileptikus in hul midde. Inlighting is verkry deur groep van onderhoudskedule. Die literatuurstudie beklemtoon die volgende: die verskynsel van epilepsie, oorsake van epilepsie, psigososiale gevolge van epilepsie op die per soon met epilepsie en sy gesin en die behandeling van die epileptikus. Dit het egter duidelik na vore gekom dat 'n multi-dissiplinere spanbenadering van die uiterste belang is in die behandeling van die epilepsielyer. Dit het ook duidelik geword dat betekenisvolle ander persone soos tradisionele genesers, geloofsgenesers priesters, familie en vriende van die mees belangrike steunstelsels is. Alhoewel bevindinge van die studie nie veralgemeen kan word en van toepassing gemaak kan word op die bevolking as geheel nie, kan dit egter van groot belang vir verdere navorsing wees.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Science)

HIV/AIDS is a global challenge and its impact is evident. This places a burden on hospitals and health professionals. To ease this burden there are home-based care programmes which, through home-based caregivers, provide patients living with HIV/AIDS with physical and palliative care. However, these HBCGs face various challenges such as poverty, discrimination and stigma when caring for PALHIV, and their own emotional strain, which becomes burdensome without sufficient support from the home-based care centre. The qualitative study undertaken investigates the challenges and coping mechanisms of the HBCGs. Thirteen research participants were drawn from a centre in Mamelodi. Data was gathered through interviews and observations, categorised into themes and analysed. Major findings revealed that social challenges faced by HBCGs include poverty, stigmatisation and discrimination. Emotions experienced by HBCGs include guilt, anger, hopelessness, but they have spiritual reliance through prayer as one of their coping mechanisms.
Sociology
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study was conducted within the pressing social conditions of human vulnerability manifested in a worsening situation of homelessness which forces homeless people into a deplorable life in the inner city of Tshwane. The study is not a detailed strategic plan to design support services that could improve the situation. It is rather about imagining alternative ways to journey with homeless people in their struggle to regain their humanity; hence the title: Facing homeless people in the inner city of Tshwane. Chapter 2 analyses homelessness in the inner city of Tshwane, locating it within the bigger picture of the City of Tshwane. It takes into account the poverty that drives poor people to the margins, resulting in further human degradation. It exposes the adverse conditions that homeless people endure due to the absence of a social support net. The study obtained its information primarily from conversations with homeless people and with practitioners in church based organisations dedicated to addressing homelessness. Out of these conversations, five different causes of homelessness emerged, ranging from economic and political, to health, social and cultural factors. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 develops an urban theological vision in response to this situation, in the light of the notions of holiness and hospitality in the Wesleyan tradition. Contemplating this teaching, a framework was generated for the journey of the inner city church with homeless people in their efforts to regain humanity, by prioritising economic, political, health, social, and educational strategies. This chapter highlights the fact that John Wesley’s Methodist movement campaigned for the abolition of African slavery. It also journeyed with poor and vulnerable people like widows, orphans and prisoners, using Methodist “Societies” and “Classes” to integrate them into society. Finally, Chapter 5 presents an integrative urban theological vision and a set of contextual strategies for the inner city church to journey with homeless people, following the horizons of human liberation developed in earlier chapters.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D.Th. (Missiology (Specialisation in Urban Ministry))

This thesis proposes that the destitute people of South Africa, and specifically Tshwane, comprise an often neglected group of people that can and must be helped by means of missions with the destitute to experience growing degrees of SHALOM. Part of this would include a drive to re-integrate the destitute into society as functioning members of that society. This is undertaken through developing a proposed model that strives to empower destitute people in a variety of ways, using a variety of "movements" and strategies. A model such as this is necessary in the light of the seeming inability of helpers (including churches, CBO's and other non-religious organizations), to come to grips with the complex problem of destitution in our country, and in Tshwane specifically. This perceived inability is addressed by exploring the problem of destitution, in the process seeking a better understanding of a complex problem, followed by considering the responsibility of the church as missiological agent of social healing and ministry. Missiologically, SHALOM is perceived as the aim/ goal of missions with the destitute, where SHALOM refers to wellbeing, justice, relational, completeness, whole-being, peace, etc. The model is intended to serve as a viable strategy in the arsenal of churches that take the missiological call towards social healing seriously, and to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach when dealing with the destitute. It is postulated that the church, more than any other organization, should enjoy an advantage when it comes to social ministry, because of two reasons, namely (1) a strong missiological point of departure as a motivation to be involved in social ministry, where we see the church as a partner in the Missio Dei, and (2) a strong missiological aim, namely SHALOM, which transcends mere charity or welfare, but seeks to empower people holistically.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D. Th. (Missiology)

The aim of this study was to find solutions to problems relating to the fact that many township learners are not optimally prepared for the Grade 12 final examination resulting in them having limited possibilities for further studies and after-school employment. The main research question focused on how Grade 12 learners can be assisted to perform optimally in the final examination. A qualitative research approach was adopted using focus group interviews. School management team members and Grade 12 educators and learners from one township secondary school were selected as participants. The main factors that assist Grade 12 learners to perform optimally in the Grade 12 final examination relate to well executed leadership functions, competent teaching, learner commitment, effective policy implementation and sound school, home and township conditions. A school intervention programme that included formal studying by camping on the school grounds improved Grade 12 performance significantly.
Educational Leadership and Management
M. Ed. (Education Management)

South Africa has among the highest rates of physical and sexual violence against women in the world. Research indicates that understanding the causality of domestic violence is very complex and the measurement of risk factors are deemed challenging. Yet, it is important to understand and identify the risk factors associated with domestic violence to effectively prevent it. This phenomenological research study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of female domestic violence victims and sought to identify risk factors (e.g. alcohol and drug abuse, violence in the family of origin, personality factors, cultural differences, socio-economic factors, and the impact of pregnancy) that may have contributed to the occurrence of domestic violence in their intimate relationships .The participants were selected based on purposive and convenience sampling and also their willingness to participate. The sample consisted of six participants between the ages of 18 – 45 years old, residing in Tshwane, South Africa. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. A qualitative methodological design was used to collect and explore information about the participants’ personal experiences with domestic violence. Hycner’s explicitation process was employed to identify the four main themes, namely the participants’ experience of domestic violence; socio economic factors; cultural differences, and domestic violence during pregnancy. Each main theme was comprised of sub-themes. The findings of this study differed slightly in comparison with the existing body of literature that highlight substance abuse as one of the highest risk factors for the occurrence of domestic violence in intimate relationships. In this study, other risk factors such as pregnancy and socio-economic factors played a much bigger role than substance abuse as the key risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of domestic violence.
INingizimu Afrika ingenye yamazwe omhlaba anamazinga aphezulu odlame nokuhlukunyezwa kwabesimame ngokocansi. Ucwaningo lubonisa ukuthi ukuqondisisa izimbangela zodlame lwasekhaya yinto eyisixakaxaka ukuyiqondisisa kanti futhi kuyinselele ukukala izinto ezinobungozi kwabesimame. Kodwa ngisho noma kunjalo, kubalulekile ukuqondisisa kanye nokwazi izinto ezinobungozi ezihambisana nodlame lwasekhaya ukuze lukwazi ukuvinjelwa. Lolu cwaningo oluhlaziya ngaphandle kokuthatha uhlangothi, lunenhloso yokuphenyisisa indlela abantu besimame abangamaxhoba odlame abalubona nolubaphatha ngayo udlame lwasekhaya kanye nokubheka izinto ezinobungozi (ezifana nokusetshenziswa kabi kotshwala nezidakamizwa, udlame emakhaya okuqala abahlukumezi, izinto eziqondene nomuntu siqu, umehluko kwezamasiko, eziphathelene nomnotho nabantu kanye nomphumela ekukhulelweni), okungaba yizinto ezinomthelela kudlame lwasekhaya ebudlelwananeni basekhaya. Abantu ababambe iqhaza kucwaningo bakhethwe ngokulandela isampuli enenhloso yokukhetha abathile abazohlangabezana nenhloso yocwaningo kanye nokuzimisela kwabo ukubamba iqhaza kucwaningo. Isampuli ibinababambi-qhaza abayisithupha abaphakathi kweminyaka engu 18 ukuya kwengu 45 ubudala, okwamanje abahlala eTshwane. I-data itholakala ngokwenza ama-interview ahlelekile kodwa angenamkhawulo kakhulu. Kusetshenziswe idizayini yocwaningo esebenzisa i-qualitative method ukuqoqa nokuthola ulwazi maqondana nezipiliyino zababambi-qhaza kudlame lwasekhaya. Kusetshenziswe inqubo ye-Hycner's explicitation ukuphawula izihloko ezine ezinkulu, ukuyizipiliyoni zababambi-qhaza kudlame lwasekhaya, izinto eziphathelene nabantu nomnotho, umehluko kwezamasiko, udlame lwasekhaya ngesikhathi sokukhulelwa. Isihloko nesihloko esikhulu, besihlukaniswe ngezihlokwana ezincane. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo yehlukile kancane uma kuqhathaniswa neminye imibhalo ekhona egqamisa ukusetshenziswa kabi kwezidakamizwa njengenye yezinto ezinkulu eziyingozi nembangela yodlame lwasekhaya kanye nakubudlelwane babantu abasondelene kakhulu. Kulolu cwaningo, ezinye izinto eziyizingozi ezifana nokuhlukunyezwa ngesikhathi sokukhulelwa kanye nokuphathelene nabantu nomnotho kunendima enkulu kunokusetshenziswa kabi kwezidakamizwa notshwala njengezinto eziphezulu kakhulu ezinomthelela kudlame lwasekhaya.
Afrika Tshipembe ḽi vhukati ha phimo ya nṱhesa ya khakhathi dza zwa vhudzekani na dza u huvhadza vhafumakadzi kha ḽifhasi. Ṱhoḓisiso i sumbedza uri u pfesesa vhakwameaho nga khakhathi dza mitani zwi a konḓa nga maanḓa na u elwa ha zwiitisi zwa khombo zwi vhonala zwi khaedu vhukuma. Fhedziha, ndi zwa ndeme u pfesesa na u wana zwiitisi zwa khombo zwine zwa tshimbilelana na khakhathi dza miṱani u itela uri dzi kone u thivhelwa. Iyi ndi ngudo ya ṱhoḓisiso nga tshenzhemo yo livhiswaho kha u ṱhoḓisisa tshenzhemo ye vhafumakadzi vho ṱanganaho na khakhathi dza mitani vha tshenzhema na u ṱoda u wanulusa zwithu zwi vhangaho khombo iyi. (zwine zwa nga vha tshumiso ya zwikambi na zwidzidzivhadzi, khakhathi dza murahu muṱani, vhuvha ha muthu, zwiitisi zwa ikonomi ya matshilisano, phambano ya mvelele, u ḓihwala) zwine zwa nga vha zwo livhisa kha u bvelela ha khakhathi dza miṱani kha vhafunani. Vhadzheneli vho tiwa zwo ḓitika nga ndivho nauri vha tsinisa na lutamo lwa u dzhenelela lwa avho vhathu. Sambula yo vhumbwa nga zwipiḓa zwa rathi zwa vhadzheneli vha miṅwaha ya vhukati ha 18 – 45, vhane zwa zwino vha dzula kha ḽa Tshwane. Data yo kuvhanganywa nga kha mbudziso dzi sa langiho kufhindulele. Nḓila ya u tandula ‘qualitative’ yo shumiswa u kuvhanganya na u ṱhaṱhuvha zwidodombedzwa nga ha tshenzhemo dza vhadzheneli nga ha khakhathi dza miṱani. Kuitele kwa Hycner a songo ḓoweleaho kwo shumiswa u wana ṱhoho dza ndeme nṋa; dzine dza vha tshenzhemo ya vhadzheneli nga ha khakhathi dza miṱani, zwiitisi zwa ikonomi ya matshilisano; phambano ya mvelele, na dzikhakhathi dza miṱani nga tshifhinga vho ḓihwala. Ṱhoho khulwane yo vhumbwa nga ṱhoho ṱhukhu. Mawanwa a ngudo iyi a fhambana nyana na mbambedzo na tshivhumbeo tsha maṅwalo ane a vha hone ane a ombedzela tshumiso ya zwidzidzivhadzi sa tshiṅwe tsha tshivhangi tshihulwane tsha khakhathi dza miṱani kha vhushaka ha vhafunani. Kha ngudo iyi, dziṅwe khombo dzi fananho na u ḓihwala na zwiitisi zwa ikonomi ya matshilisano zwi vha zwivhangi zwihulwane u fhira tshumiso ya zwidzidzivhadzi na zwiitisi zwa khombo zwa ndeme zwine zwa vhanga khakhathi dza miṱani.
Psychology
M.A.(Psychology)