Tesis sobre el tema "Social participation – South Africa – Northern Province"

Social capital is a concept discussed in recent years in many debates, particularly in the development context. The objective of the study is to investigate empirically whether social capital as part of networks could promote political participation of interest groups in the policy formulation process. This thesis includes a theoretical perspective which is based on an assessment and selection of theoretical material as well as fieldwork.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes and analyses the water governance and developmental water services education and training needs of councillors in water services authorities (WSAs) in the Northern Cape Province in order to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities as required by the legislative framework in the new dispensation in South Africa. The new South African Constitution ushered in a new legislative framework, which recognises that developmental water supply, sanitation facilities as basic services are local government matters, and that they are in the functional area of concurrent national and provincial legislative competence. The Water Services Act No. 108 of 1997 and a number of Acts of Parliament thereafter, which are a spine for a local government developmental agenda (LGDA) in South Africa, give effect to this determination. Collectively, these Acts and policies have set the LGDA or modernisation of local government for change and marked a departure from the selection, recruitment and deployment of councillors without minimum engineering and technical skills in water and infrastructure planning and development portfolios. This invariably imposes new leadership responsibilities upon a range of hydropolitical councillors in WSAs, and creates the need for a redefined model of representation on the part of councillors from ―resemblance to public capability, accountability, responsibility and responsiveness‖ (Sartori 1968: 465). With the current calibre and breed of councillors in water portfolios and infrastructure planning and development, it appears that the country is facing a leadership crisis that can strike at the very roots of the democratic values of the LGDA system. Without effective, innovative, creative and committed leadership, all anti-poverty strategies may just plug in superficial solutions rather than tackle the root of the problem, namely governance crises in WSAs. Accordingly, 'good enough governance' or radical restructuring of the recruitment, selection and deployment policy in the current water crisis in the Northern Cape should act as a "decontaminator or antiseptic in a germ-infested area" (Cloete 2006:6-19). To extend the analogy further in terms of good enough water governance, the selection, recruitment and deployment of appropriately qualified representatives in bulk water infrastructure planning and development may lead to long-term hydropolitical adaptive capacity to respond proactively to water scarcity in the Northern Cape whereby a discernible set of water governance values and principles will benefit all citizens. Using mixed methods, the researcher found that comparative literature evidence clearly underscores the importance of effective leadership by competent and skilled councillors in water portfolios. It is also significant that academic and independent studies have ignored the oversight role of councillors in water governance. The debates only focus on officials who do not have executive powers under the new LGDA and its administration system. Yet, the current water crisis, extreme weather conditions, climate changes, and protests against poor service delivery provide an opportunity to rethink water governance. The dissertation argues that councillors in water portfolios should have minimum engineering and technical qualifications and that they need to be empowered to be adaptive and apply modern technology solutions. Any reform effort is doomed if this aspect is not addressed sufficiently well in the water sector, as it has been established in this dissertation that there is a clear link between effective leadership and excellent water governance and management. The study is not intended to be prescriptive nor can it claim to be exhaustive, as the researcher continually discovered. In many instances, it may introduce water governance complexities under a LGDA administration and political management system that are unwarranted – and misplaced idealism is always a problem. Thus, for water services to remain a viable "instrument of humanity" especially at a municipal level, it is concluded that more effective competency-based water councillor education and training (CBWCE&T) programmes are required to equip current and future councillors with the water governance skills and intellectual competencies to address the complex challenges they face. The essence of the CBWCE&T is that developmental water services need to engage in a broader governance agenda integrated with other basic services and mutually reinforcing areas of social adaptive capacity to water scarcity under the LGDA. Researchers in the water sector have neglected the hydropolitical role of councillors in determining water governance and the use of water for socioeconomic and developmental outcomes now subsumed under various poverty eradication policies. The unique contribution of this dissertation is that it focuses on this critical role of councillors and the skills they need to execute water governance institutional oversight role. The researcher makes recommendations for enriching the hydropolitical sociology of local government studies, to match the skills requirements, given the complexity of the LGDA and the numerous challenges for councillors in WSAs in the Northern Cape.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beskryf en ontleed die waterregerings- en ontwikkelingswaterdienste onderwys- en opleidingsbehoeftes van raadslede betrokke by waterdienste owerhede (WSAs) in die Noord-Kaap provinsie wat hulle in staat sal stel om hulle verantwoordelikhede na te kom soos vereis deur die wetlike raamwerk van die nuwe bedeling in Suid-Afrika. Die nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse Grondwet het 'n wetlike raamwerk ingelei wat ontwikkelingswatervoorsiening en sanitasie geriewe, synde basiese dienste, erken as plaaslike owerheidsaangeleenthede; dit funksioneer ook terselfdertyd ingevolge 'n soortgelyke wetlike bevoegdheid op nasionale en provinsiale vlak. Die Wet op Waterdiensteverskaffing, Nr 108 van 1997, asook verskeie daaropvolgende wette deur die Parlement vorm die ruggraat van die plaaslike owerheidsontwikkelingsagenda (LGDA), of te wel, die modernisasie van plaaslike owerheid, in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie wette en beleide het gesamentlik die LGDA bepaal en die afskeid toenemend gekenmerk van 'n seleksie, rekrutering, en aanwending van raadslede wat sonder minimum ingenieurs- en tegniese vaardighede in water- en infrastruktuurbeplanning en -ontwikkeling hul portefeuljes beoefen. Hierdie verwikkelings plaas sonder uitsondering nuwe leierskapsverantwoordelikhede op 'n spektrum van hidropolitieke raadslede in WSAs. Dit skep ook die behoefte aan 'n hergedefinieerde model vir verteenwoordiging deur raadslede wat volgens Sartori (1968: 465) verander van "ooreenkoms na openbare vermoë, aanspreeklikheid en reagerend". Die huidige stoffasie en soort raadslede wat water protefeuljes beklee en die infrastruktuurbeplanning en ontwikkeling laat die gedagte ontstaan dat die land 'n leierskapskrisis tegemoet gaan wat die demokratiese waardes onderliggend tot die LGDA stelsel kan ondergrawe. Sonder doeltreffende, vernuwende, skeppende en toegewyde leierskap mag die teen-armoede strategieë kunsmatige oplossings bied eerder as om die wortel van die probleem aan te durf, naamllik die regeringskrisisse in WSAs. Gevolglik moet 'goeie regering' wat neerkom op radikale herstukturering van die beleid van rekrutering, seleksie, en aanwending in die huidige waterkrisis in die Noord-Kaap geaktiveer word om te dien as 'n "ontsmetter of antiseptiese middel in 'n kiem-besmette gebied" (Cloete 2006: 6-19). Om die analogie van 'goeie waterregering; verder te neem, kan gesê word dat die seleksie, rekrutering en aanwending van toepaslik gekwalifiseerde verteenwoordigers in massa waterinfrastruktuur- beplanning en -ontwikkeling mag lei tot 'n langtermyn hidropolitieke aanpassingsvermoë om proaktief te reageer op waterskaarsheid in die Noord-Kaap waardeur 'n onderskeidende stel waterregering waardes en beginsels alle burgers sal bevoordeel. Met die gebruik van gemengde metodes het die navorser bevind dat getuienis afkomstig van vergelykende literatuuroorsigte duidelik die belangrikheid van doeltreffende leierskap deur bevoegde en vaardige raadslede in water portefeuljes onderstreep. Dit is ook betekenisvol dat akademiese en onafhanklike studies die oorsigrol van raadslede in waterregering geïgnoreer het. Die debat konsentreer slegs op amptenare wat nie uitvoerende magte binne die LGDA en die administrasie het nie. Tog is dit duidelik dat die huidige waterkrisis, uiterste weerstoestande, klimaatsverandering, en proteste teen swak dienslewering geleentheid bied tot 'n herbedink van waterregering. Die proefskrif voer aan dat raadslede oor minimum ingenieurs- en tegniese kwalifikasies moet beskik en dat hulle bemagtig word om aanpassend te wees en moderne tegnologiese oplossings kan toepas. Enige hervorming sal tot mislukking gedoem wees indien hierdie aspekte nie voldoende in die water sektor aangespreek word nie. Dit is vasgestel in die proefskrif dat daar 'n duidelike skakel is tussen doeltreffende leierskap en uitmuntende waterregering en –bestuur. Soos voortdurend ontdek is in die verloop van die navorsing, is die studie nie voorskriftelik, en ook nie uitputtend nie. In vele opsigte bied die studie kompleksiteite aan in waterregering binne 'n LGDA administrasie en politieke bestuurstelsel wat verregaande is; en misplaaste idealisme is altyd 'n probleem. Daarom, vir waterdienste om 'n lewensvatbare 'instrument van menslikheid' te bly veral op die munisipale vlak, is die gevolgtrekking dat meer doeltreffende, bevoegdheidsgebaseerde waterraadslid onderwys en opleiding programme (CBWCE&T) vereis word. Hierdie programme het die oogmerk om huidige en toekomstige raadslede toe te rus met waterregeringsvaardighede en intellektuele bevoegdhede om die komplekse uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar, die hoof te bied. Die essensie van die CBWCE&T program behels dat, volgens die LGDA, ontwikkelingswaterdienste sal koppel met die breër regeringsagenda wat ander basiese dienste integreer met die uitdaging van waterskaarsheid deur sosiale aanpassingsvermoëns wat onderlinge ondersteuning vir die verskillende dienste aanbied. Navorsers in water sektor het die hidropolitieke rol van raadslede verwaarloos deur nóg aandag te gee aan hoe raadslede inhoud aan waterregering gee, nóg die gebruik van water vir sosio-ekonomiese en ontwikkelingsdoeleindes soos dit tans ingesluit in verskeie armoede-uitwissingsbeleide, te beklemtoon. Die besondere bydrae van die proefskrif is die beklemtoning van hierdie kritieke rol van raadslede en van die vaardighede wat hulle benodig om 'n institusionele oorsigrol in waterregering te vervul. Die navorser maak aanbevelings vir die verryking van die hidropolitieke sosiologie van plaaslike regeringstudie, om die vaardigheidsvereistes te ontmoet in die lig van die LGDA kompleksiteite en die talle uitdagings in WSAs in die Noord-Kaap.

A healthy democracy is generally seen as one in which citizens participate regularly in formal political activities. Citizens’ participation in governance has come to be accepted as an expression of their rights and the manifestation of citizen agency. Access to information remains a crucial component of the right to participate. Transparency, as a normative and constitutional value, represents a means, not an end. The means is the mechanism of access to information. Within the South African context, there is evidence of an increase in participation of a variety of interest groups by means of different processes, as well as through the establishment of numerous consultative bodies and mechanisms for popular participation at all levels of the political structure (Houston, 2001:1). However, accountability to citizens can best be gauged by assessing citizens’ opportunities to influence legislation between elections. Ultimately, the effectiveness and sustainability of mechanisms aim at improving citizens’ participation in policy formulation in order to become effective when they are “institutionalized” and when the state’s own “internal” mechanisms are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. Furthermore, the success depends on some form of effective interaction between the state and civic society. In the case of South Africa, whilst the political context and culture for participation exist in the form of the constitutional provisions and several pieces of legislation, a discrepancy exist whereby many South Africans are excluded or devalued by the vast differences in wealth. Citizen’s votes may count equally, but they are still not able to participate on an equal basis between elections. Participatory mechanisms established to ensure citizen’s participation, access to information and monitoring inside and outside the legislature, remain ineffective. These unequal opportunities mean that the poorer and less organised segments of society are prejudiced in terms of influencing legislation and policy. Their lack of full and meaningful participation means legislative outcomes are less representative of, and responsive to, the interests of the poorer segments of society (Habib, Shultz – Herzenberg, 2005: 144). The focus of this study is limited to the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The aim is to, firstly, assess the extent to which citizens can control those who make collective decisions about public affairs. Secondly, it assess the extent to which citizens participate in the existing participatory mechanisms, and thirdly, the study explores the possibilities of the synergy between the state and civil society in promoting effective participation by its citizens. The study, therefore : 1. Assess the theoretical and policy framework for citizen’s participation in South Africa; and 2. Evaluate the level of participation and effectiveness of participatory mechanisms inside and outside the KwaZulu - Natal Legislature. The study introduces the theoretical and conceptual framework of citizen participation through a literature review; followed by an empirical study of citizen participation in the legislative process in the kwaZulu Natal legislature. The study makes the following findings: 1. The literature review concurs that South Africa has one of the most progressive and liberal constitutions in the world. This is coupled with a sound policy framework demonstrating genuine political will for citizens’ participation in policy formulation. 2. Within the political context and culture for citizen participation, the main question of how much control citizens have over the actions of their government remains. Another issue is whether existing mechanisms in the legislature are effective in engendering citizen’s participation and quality input in public policy – making processes. 3. The study showed that ultimately the effectiveness and sustainability of citizen participation mechanisms is improved when they are “institutionalised” and when the state’s own internal mechanisms of accountability are rendered more transparent and open to civic engagement. The study also highlighted the need for synergy between the state and civil society. This includes, among other things, participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking, monitoring of public service delivery, investigative journalism and citizens’ advisory boards. The study, therefore, makes two recommendations: 1. A comparative Citizens Education and Outreach Programme be developed and spearheaded by both the legislature and civil society in kwaZulu-Natal; and 2. A further study needs to be undertaken to investigate the possible structural nature of the synergy (relationship) between the state and civil society in the province.

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)

The report is about participatory action research with caregivers at the 'Tsoga 0 ltirele" centre for the mentally disabled. It was a process where the caregivers were involved in a series of action, plan and reflection in researching their situation. The facilitation process assisted the caregivers to look at their problems at the centre and improve service delivery in caring for the mentally disabled children. Several meetings were held where action, plan and reflection took place. Caregivers decided on their own when to meet and discuss issues that concerned them. They planned what needed to be dealt with and took collective action to address these needs. The facilitation process enabled caregivers to research their own problems, embrace errors experienced and recognise progress. People Centred Approach, Community Development and Participatory Action Research complemented one another in capacitating caregivers. Through it they learned to improve their own programmes and to run their meetings, improve marketing skills and fundraising.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

A study was conducted to explore the impact on change which a process of participatory research has on capacity building for the general assistants within the Northern Province in terms of the mission statement of the Office on the Status of Women between July 1997 and September 1998. The mission of the office is as follows: " ... to establish mechanisms and procedures that will move the province towards gender equality, thereby empowering women to have equal access to opportunities and resources which will enhance their quality of life". The target group for Office on the Status of Women is women within the government service irrespective of race and socio-political status. These general assistants were said to be the "left behind" group when issues affecting women like National and International Women's Days are celebrated. Themes of concern were identified and addressed.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

M.A.
The aim of this study was to explore and describe participation in community development projects and the factors that affect participation. Projects experience problems with regard to participation which in turn has an impact on the success and sustainability of these projects. Projects in the far North region, Northern Province were targeted as the population and 30 respondents were interviewed from 3 sampled projects. Purposive sampling, which is a non-probability sampling method, was utilised to select sample. Interview schedule was utilised to collect data from respondents to measure 3 elements, i.e. demographic data, project formulation and role performance, and project management with specific reference to participation. The researcher discovered that participation in development projects is influenced by the level of involvement by project members in decision making and project management and their involvement in project roles and responsibilities. Availability of financial resources and the project's ability to meet abstract and material needs of members also influence participation in projects.

M.Ed.
This study was influenced deeply by among other issues the current sociopolitical reforms in South Africa, an overt paradigm shift in education and educational practices, growing concern for the environment and the need to empower teachers with environmental education knowledge, action competencies and skills through participation in curriculum development activities at both local and national level. The main aim was to uncover barriers towards the meaningful involvement and subsequent participation of teachers in environmental education curriculum development processes. This was done by determining teachers' perceptions about involvement in environmental education curriculum development processes. The literature review in this study revealed that teachers have been passive recipients and implementers of externally developed curricula both in South Africa and world-wide. No significant open-ended strategies have been formulated to involve teachers in curriculum development. The use of both the questionnaire and group interviews for this study proved to be very useful for providing insights into teachers' perceptions about the issue of curriculum development and their involvement in such processes. Several obstacles towards successful environmental education curriculum development and the subsequent involvement of teachers have been highlighted. The findings and recommendations of this research are expected to help elevate teachers' interest and awareness on issues of curriculum development for environmental education and to enable them to realise the need to engage in collaborative participatory curriculum initiatives. Based on the findings of this study, it can be argued that networking among environmental educators from various schools at local, provincial and national level, as well as with other informal environmental education providers should be encouraged by establishing appropriate policy and structural support systems in the Department of Education and Training. An appropriate model which highlights this idea, has therefore been developed.

The objective of this study is to investigate the role of transaction costs in determining market participation of smallholder farmers. It is expected that the identification of these transaction cost factors could assist in the formulation of policy interventions and/or institutional innovations to alleviate constraints on market participation and improve the ability of these small-scale farmers to become part of the commercial agricultural economy. Transaction costs differ between households due to asymmetries in access to assets, market information, extension services and remunerative markets. The study particularly investigated the factors contributing to different levels of transaction costs amongst households. The main hypothesis of the study is that small-scale farmers facing lower transaction costs will participate more in agricultural markets. Transaction costs reflect the character of the market, but are mainly embedded in the characteristics of individual households and their economic environment. In order to test the hypothesis, selectivity models identifying and testing significant factors related to market participation are applied to a survey of 157 farming households in the Northern Province. These households take part in the markets for horticulture, livestock, maize and other field crops. The selectivity models used involve two-step estimation similar to the Heckman's two-stage procedure. The study reveals that access to assets and market information in combination with particular household characteristics are important determinants of market participation. Among the assets of a household, a reasonably sized area of arable land tends to encourage participation in all markets, apart from the market for other field crops market. Ownership of livestock tends to stimulate livestock selling and also the level of maize sales. Ownership of arable land and livestock contribute to the economies of scale of production, which leads to lower transaction costs per unit output sold. Non-farm earnings only alleviate variable transaction costs in horticultural markets, but not in other field crops markets. Pensions discourage participation in high value commodities markets since they are viewed as alternative cash income. Indicators enhancing the role of information access include proximity to markets and contacts with the extension service. Proximity to markets reduces variable transaction costs in horticultural markets and fixed transaction costs in livestock markets. The study shows that every kilometre closer in proximity to markets, the horticultural sales increase by R152. Proximity and contact with extension services discourage participation in other field crops markets. Good road conditions reduce transaction costs for livestock and other field crops. The study also shows that in spite of bad road conditions some horticulture farmers still manage to market most of their products. A larger sized household tends to increase the transaction costs in marketing all commodities except for the other field crops. Female farmers tend to participate more in livestock markets as they own small livestock and poultry that are easy to sell, and keep livestock for livelihood purposes rather than for social status. On the other hand, female farmers appear to be constrained in their participation in horticultural markets, ostensibly due to problems of access to irrigation resources and cultural and legal perceptions. Older farmers with enough social capital are willing to sell, but in horticulture and maize they tend to sell lower quantities. The study raises issues which, when attended to, might reduce the transaction costs, particularly by enhancing access to information and providing endowments to farming households. Some constraints require direct policy measures, such as policies dealing with land reform, extension services, education and legal reforms, and then there are those that require indirect intervention and private sector involvement such as road networks and market availability.
Dissertation (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2002.
Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
Unrestricted

D.Ed.
This research study set out to determine parents' expectations regarding public schooling in the Northern Province of the Republic of South Africa. This was done based on the fact that education in the country has undergone tremendous changes. As parents are, undoubtedly, stakeholders in the field of education, it was important to determine as to whether the present set up is what they expect. Further, it was also important to determine as to whether parents' expectations are in line with policy; and if not, to suggest what should be done. It was impossible, however, to look at all facets of public schooling. As a result, attention was given only to the following: adulthood, culture, moral development, sexuality education, discipline, parents' participation, citizenship, employment and cognitive development. To provide a theoretical background of the aspects mentioned above, a literature survey was conducted. The connection between each aspect and the schooling system was highlighted. After this review, question items were drawn and compiled into questionnaires which were used as data collection instruments. Such questionnaires were administered to parents of learners in five secondary schools in the Province. Stratified random sampling was used in the selection of schools taking into account language representation. Further, questions were drawn based on the literature review and administered to departmental officials in the form of structured interviews. A factor analysis was conducted on the question items and the following dimensions were arrived at: Providing learners with skills and knowledge to become independent. Helping learners in the acquisition of moral and ethical values for selffulfilment. The development of responsible socio-cultural conduct. The research came up with the following findings: Parents' expectations of the school's involvement are high on the following aspects: career and employment issues, development of potential and citizenship. The following aspects were ranked very low in terms of the level to which parents expect schools to be involved: involvement of parents in school administration and curriculum design, sexuality issues, participation in the politics of the state and following up issues of discipline beyond the school. Parents and departmental officials are in agreement with regards to the level of the school's involvement regarding the following issues: career and employment issues, development of potential, moral issues and citizenship. Parents and departmental officials do not agree on the level of the school's involvement regarding the following: parents' involvement in education, sexuality matters, development and transmission of culture as well as participation in the politics of the state.

Summaries in English and Afrikaans
The bright future of education in South Africa, as in every developed and developing country such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and many others, depends greatly on grade 1 teachers' involvement in School-Based Curriculum Development (SBCD). The fallacy that grade 1 teachers can be operated effectively by remote control should be abandoned from the school curriculum. Success will always be elusive task if grade 1 teachers are excluded from curriculum decision-making, because their proximity to learners in the learning situation is a source of valuable information for curriculum developers, a source which is currently overlooked. This warrants a paradigm shift in teacher training programmes. A situation analysis in our democratic country necessitates problem-centred teacher training which will equip the future generation of teacher trainees and prospective grade 1 teachers with relevant professional skills, precipitated by our country. The bone of contention in this study revolves around the kind of teaching and learning problems experienced by grade 1 teachers involved in SBCD in the Northern Province. It is apparent from the thesis that grade 1 teachers' involvement in curriculum decisionmaking is limited to a certain extent because members of the top structure of curriculum planners are reluctant to quit their 'ivory towers' to perceive the real situation of the noble profession of teaching. A profound problem in South Africa in general and the Northern Province in particular is that there is a serious lack of consultation and negotiations with grade 1 teachers, and the implications thereof are detrimental to SBCD. The measure in which the grade 1 teachers are involved in participation and decisionmaking is a determinant of the success or failure of the innovation project. It is thus noteworthy to point out that the grade 1 teacher must be fully supported by his or her academic seniors, to become actively involved in curriculum activities. The overriding aim of this study, an exploratory investigation of the identified teaching and learning problems by grade 1 teachers in terms of SBCD in the Northern Province emanated from this need. It should also be pointed out that our world is characterised by the rapid tempo at which knowledge becomes out-dated and is replaced by new ideas and concepts. The twentieth century has become known as the information era. This has necessitated a change of emphasis in education; instead of the transfer of knowledge, the grade I teacher must rather be taught how to acquire knowledge on his or her own and be provided with instruments necessary for exploiting knowledge. The method of analysis began with in a literature review, with a viewpoint to provide guidelines for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD. After an introductory orientation provided in chapter 1, the theories of SBCD and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) were examined in chapter 2. Qualitative research as a strategy to address problems in SBCD was dealt with in chapter 3 by means of identifying the research instruments to be utilised for data collection techniques and analysis. Furthermore, in this chapter, the researcher elaborated on the types of qualitative methods, characteristics and outcomes of qualitative research, phases of data collection and analysis strategies and qualitative research as a remedy in SBCD problems. In chapter 4, the researcher elaborated on research instruments, findings and data analysis. Findings were based on the implementation of research instruments and literature review. It is in this chapter that the theories of SBCD and OBE in chapter 2 and qualitative research as a strategy to address SBCD problems in chapter 3 have been synthesised. In the ensuing chapter 5, guidelines which could serve as a framework for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD were provided. It is strongly believed that these guidelines will be useful for both Pre-service Teacher Education and Training (PRESET) and In-service Teacher Education and Training (INSET) to keep pace with the changes taking place in the South African society. Teacher training should thus ensure that teacher trainees and prospective grade I teachers are sufficiently skilled to cope with the tremendous escalation of challenges in SBCD. In fact, grade I teachers should be trained to teach learners who must fulfill their vocational mandate some time in the near future. The youth must be empowered for the future, which covers the period from the time they enter school. These guidelines make it imperative for the trainers of prospective teachers to predict the future realistically and to train grade I teachers in accordance with the principle of constancy and change. Future education requires individuals who will know how to apply principles, norms and values and how to design new methods for effective instruction and learning. The final chapter focused on the background to the problem, the methodology of the investigation and conclusions. The study also highlighted recommendations for the improvement of teaching practice and teacher training and the implications thereof. The researcher summed up the study by proposing areas of concern for future research.
Die suksesvolle ontwikkeling en toekoms van onderwys in Suid-Afrika, soos in elke ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende land, insluitend die Verenigde State van Amerika, die Verenigde Koninkryk, Frankryk en vele ander, hang hoofsaaklik af van die betrokkenheid van graad 1-onderwysers by Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling (SBKO) . Dit geld ook vir die Noordelike Provinsie waar hierdie studie gedoen is. Die aanname dat graad 1-onderwysers effektief kan deelneem aan die skoolkurrikulum deur middel van afstandsdeelname, moet laat vaar word. Indien die onderwysers uitgesluit word van die besluitnemingsproses in kurrikulumontwikkeling sal die kanse op sukses bemoelik word. Hulle deelname aan en betrokkenheid by die leersituasie kan dien as 'n bron van inligting vir kurrikulumontwikkelaars. Tans word hierdie bron van inligting nie in aanmerking geneem nie. Hierdie hipotese vereis 'n paradigmaskuif in die onderwysersopleidingsprogramme. 'n Situasie-analise in die Noordelike Provinsie het getoon dat 'n probleemgerigte onderwysersopleidingsprogram nodig is om die toekomstige generasie van onderwysers (veral graad 1-onderwysers) toe te rus met die relevante professionele vaardighede wat so dringend in ons land benodig word. Die kernpunte in hierdie studie handel oor die tipe kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme wat graad 1-onderwysers ondervind m hulle betrokkenheid m Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling in die Noordelike Provinsie, en in watter mate dit aangespreek word m kurrikulumontwikkeling. Bevindings m hierdie studie toon dat onderwyserbetrokkenheid beperk word deur die topstruktuur van die kurrikulumbeplanners wat onwillig is om hulle ivoortorings te verlaat en sodoende nie die werklike situasie in die onderwysberoep in aanmerking neem nie. 'n Groot probleem in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen, en in die Noordelike Provinsie in die besonder, is die emstige gebrek aan konsultasie en onderhandeling met graad 1-onderwysers en die negatiewe impak hiervan op kurrikulumontwikkeling. Die mate waarin hierdie onderwysers betrokke is, is bepalend vir die sukses of die mislukking van die innoverende projek. Dit is gevolglik noodsaaklik om daarop te wys dat die graad 1- onderwyser ten voile ondersteun moet word deur sy/haar akaderniese seniors ten einde aktiefbetrokke te kan wees by sodanige kurrikulumaktiwiteite. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is dan ook 'n ondersoek na die geldentifiseerde kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme van graad l-onde111Jysers in die Noordelike Provinsie in voorafgenoemde verband. Ons leef in 'n snel veranderende wereld waarin kennis vinnig verouder raak en met nuwe idees en konsepte vervang word, die sogenaarnde inforrnasieera. Dit noodsaak 'n verandering in die onderwys, waar die onderwyser geleer moet word om eerstens self kennis te verkry asook dat die instrumente wat no dig is om die kennis te eksploiteer, verskafword, eerder as om net op kennisoordrag te let. Analise as ondersoekmetode is in die literatuuroorsig gebruik met die doel om riglyne vir graad 1-onderwysersbetrokkenheid te verskaf. Na die inleidende orienteringspostulaat in Hoofstuk 1, Is die teoriee van Skoolgebaseerde kurrikulumontwikkeling en Uitkomsgebaseerde Onde111Jys (UGO) m Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek. In Hoofstuk 3 is kwalitatiwe navorsing as strategie om probleme met Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling uit te wys, aangespreek. Dit is bereik deur die identifisering van die navorsingsinstrumente wat gebruik is vir data-insameling en analise. In die hoofstuk bespreek die navorser die tipes kwalitatiewe metodes; die eienskappe en gevolge van kwalitatiewe navorsmg; die fases van dataversarneling asook analisestrategiee en kwalitatiewe navorsmg as instrumente in die uitskakeling van Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling-probleme. In Hoofstuk 4 word verder uitgebrei oor navorsingsinstrurnente, bevindings en data- analise. In die hoofstuk word die teoriee van SBKO en UGO soos bespreek in Hoofstuk 2 en kwalitatiewe navorsing as strategie om SBKO probleme aan te spreek, gesintetiseer. In Hoofstuk 5 word riglyne verskaf wat kan dien as raarnwerk VIr graad londe111Jyserbetrokkenheid in SBKO. Die verrnoede bestaan dat hierdie riglyne bruikbaar sal wees vir beide Voordiensopleiding en Indiensopleiding om sodoende in pas te wees met die veranderinge wat m die gemeenskap se leefwereld plaasvind. Onderwysersopleiding behoort dus te verseker dat onderwysers wat opgelei word, en veral graad 1-onderwysers, toegerus word om met die toename in uitdagings in SBKO te kan byhou. In werklikheid behoort graad 1-onderwysers sodanig opgelei te word dat hulle leerders kan onderrig en toerus om in die toekoms hulle beroepe te kan beoefen. Die jeug moet bemagtig word vir die toekoms vanaf die oomblik dat hulle die skoolsisteem binnegaan. Hierdie riglyne maak dit noodsaaklik vir die opleiers van voomemende onderwysers om die toekoms korrek te voorspel en om die graad 1-onderwysers op te lei in die beginsels van konsekwentheid en verandering. Toekomstige onderrig vereis individue wat sal weet hoe om beginsels, nonne en waardes toe te pas en hoe om nuwe onderrigmetodes vir effektiewe leer te ontwerp. Die finale hoofstuk fokus op die agtergrond van die probleem, die metodologie van die ondersoek en gevolgtrekkings. Die studie benadruk die aanbevelings vir die verbetering van onderwyspraktyk en onderwysersopleiding en die implikasies daarvan. Die navorser som dan ook die studie op deur areas van belang vir toekomstige navorsing voor te stel.
D. Ed. (Didactics and Curriculum Studies)

M.A.
Although South Africa is a country endowed with abundant energy resources (fuels such as coal, uranium and gas), biomass is the prime source of energy for cooking and heating in the rural domestic sector. Fuelwood is the common biomass used, followed by crop residues and animal dung. This research examines the environmental and socio-economic impacts of biomass energy consumption in the Mbhokota village in the Northern Province. The research was conducted by means of a field survey. Data collection methods included administering questionnaires to those who are involved in fuelwood collection (mostly women), interviews with various interested groups and personal observation of the affected sites, and a review of literature relevant to this study. The use of biomass as a source of fuel has much wider implications for the social and biophysical environments. The excessive cutting of trees for fuel leads to a reduction in the diversity of plant species and destruction of habitat for wildlife. Loss of soil cover through the use of crop residues increases soil erosion and thus reduces the agricultural production. The use of biomass fuels gives rise to high levels of indoor air pollution which affects the health of people. As fuelwood supplies diminish, people must travel further and hence spend more time collecting wood. Greater time spent collecting wood means that less time is spent on food production and other household activities (farming, childcare, housekeeping, socialising and educating themselves). Other issues of concern include the high cost of purchasing wood from vendors and personal security in places where wood is collected. The above factors do not only entrench poverty, but also have dire implications for the rural economy. This study has shown that the present patterns of fuelwood collection inflict permanent damage on the environment, reducing its ability to provide further fuel in the future. The implication is that the supply of fuelwood can no longer be guaranteed in some parts of the study area, leading to the use of crop residues and animal dung. This report also highlights the recommendations and management measures (based on the results of the study) that can be used in mitigating the impacts of biomass energy use. These include the introduction of improved stoves, use of solar energy as an alternative energy source, empowerment of women, establishment of community based projects and integrating energy with rural development

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas.
Advanced Nursing Sciences
M.A.(Nursing Science)

This study focuses on the conununication strategies of women principals in secondary schools. It highlights the role of conununication in management by examining the purpose of conununication, communication process, barriers to effective communication and the types of communication, which are verbal and nonverbal communication. The study, further highlights that communication in management may be affected by the differences in communication styles of women and men. It further shows that while differences in communicative styles can be attributed to many factors, socialisation into gender positions is a major factor that leads to gender communication differences. Though socialisation is one of the factors shaping communication of men and women, post-structuralists also argue that children who are socialised are not just passive recipients. During socialisation each person is active in taking up discourses through which she or he is shaped. The socialisation, starts at home, then to school and also the community. Children develop sex-appropriate speech in different communities. A single case study explored the conununication strategies of a woman principal in the Northern Province, South Africa. Reputational sampling was used for the selection of the participants and site. Data gathering was done by means of interviews [with the principal and six teachers], observation and document analysis. Findings suggest that a woman principal's communication is shaped by the context in which she is a woman, mother, wife, African, educational manager and as an individual with her own unique personality. Women managers in rural contexts experience cultural barriers to communication as women are not expected to talk much and should appear to know little in the presence of men. Women are also not supposed to conununicate non-verbally by keeping eye contact, using more space and using facial expression. In this study, a woman manager emerges as a good communicator who overcomes cultural barriers by even practicing what is not traditionally acceptable. The woman principal prefers personal encounters as channels of communication and as an African, she overcomes language barriers by using mother-tongue when speaking with staff and students. In general. this study found that the woman principal preferred human-oriented communication strategies, and endeavoured to conquer cultural barriers to communication.
Educational Leadership and Management
D.Ed. (Educational Management)

Witchcraft discourse in South Africa has increasingly permeated all social structures, thereby becoming a real threat to the process of reconstruction and development. The neglect of witchcraft accusations and their resultant consequences can cause the country to lose all it gained as a result of the liberation struggle. In this study I examine the historical developments of witchcraft accusations around the world in general, and in South Africa in particular as well as the threats they pose to society. I analyse five broad areas: 1) The inborn h tendency to scapegoat; jealousy; and the role religion plays in the escalation of these problems; 2) The African world-view and its consequences on interpersonal relationships; 3) Colonial and missionary attempts to suppress the African world-view; 4) Ways and means of containing the conflicts arising from the witchcraft problem; and 5) Summary of findings. The research was occasioned by the untold suffering victims of witchcraft accusations have to undergo in the three Northern Provinces of South Africa. Because of the cruelty and misery such accusations cause the poor people of these rural provinces urgent attention is needed to contain them, especially since such accusations have not diminished despite all governmental efforts to curtail them. At the centre of witchcraft accusations there are stress, hatred, vindictiveness, and aspirations to become famous. The fear that one may be victimised by either being accused of witchcraft or being bewitched is very real even today. The relevance of the study is apparent when one considers the feelings of helplessness that paralyses the opponent of this carnage, such as government and the churches. A number of resources should thus be employed to counter would be put into it. This threat which is aggravated by the abject poverty prevalent in the rural communities of the three Provinces. The prevailing conditions of abject poverty play a definite role in the creation, promotion and escalation of the scourge. Policy makers should therefore have clear grasp of the extent to which poverty has influence on society in any effort to contain witchcraft accusations. I conclude the study by ~ecommending transformational paths to the Government, NonGovernmental Organisations and other Community Leaders to follow in attending to improve the lot of the poor. This is done by highlighting ten findings that emerged during the study. The findings were the result of analyses of archival records, literature and case studies on witchcraft accusations. Because the subject of witchcraft is so wide and emotive I have employed several sociological and anthropological theories to cover as wide a field as possible. The incorporation of so many theoretical approaches into the study presents on interpretive and analytical explanation of the causes, effects and containment of witchcraft accusations. The overall conclusion is encapsulated by the title of the study Moloi ga a na mmala (A witch has no colour). A witch remains unidentifiable, but witch-hunters and sniffers know how to identify their witches. Although the process remains paradoxical, it is practised on a daily basis.
Religious Studies & Arabic
D.Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

PhD (Public Adminiistration)
Department of Public and Development Administration
This study examines the notion of public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in the Capricorn District Municipality. Public participation is a milestone of democracy and local governance. Local government – which is closest to the people – provides an ideal forum for the flourishing of participatory democracy. The centrality of public participation in the development of policies and programmes or action plans has been widely recognised by both government and the private sector. However, involving the public in the development of any policy, programme or action plan is a daunting task. Indeed, if not well-managed, public involvement often leads to protests, litigation, criticisms, and delays in service delivery to the people. Thus, the extent to which public participation can be a tool for the enhancement of service delivery in Limpopo – especially in the Capricorn District Municipality – is the focus of this study. This study is guided by the following questions: What are the key concepts that relate to public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery? What impact does the Constitution of South Africa, Act 08 of 1996, and other government legal frameworks have on public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in South Africa, particularly in the Capricorn District Municipality? What modes and models of public participation are used to enhance service delivery in the Capricorn District Municipality? What are the main factors that influence public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in the Capricorn District Municipality? The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative research approaches whereby the use of primary and secondary sources was augmented by interviews with local government actors. Moreover, questionnaires were administered by the researcher and his assistant researchers. A purposive sampling method was used. The researcher ensured that all relevant elements of 5 research ethics were observed. The data generated by the questionnaires and interviews were analysed and interpreted using the latest statistical tools. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were used. Data collected using questionnaires were analysed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The information was presented in the form of tabulations, frequencies, and percentages. Data collected through interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study reflect that public participation mainly serves the purpose of meeting the statutory requirements for the development of best value initiatives and gaining information from citizens. The majority of the respondents were of the view that the Ward Committee system is fully functional in their municipalities. All Capricorn District municipalities have officers responsible for public participation; however, not all of them are accessible to the public. It was revealed that the public participation budget in Lepelle-Nkumpi and Mollemole is insufficient. The other main constrains identified are the serious lack of personal and working tools and resources. The study also found that not all documents were translated into the languages spoken in the Capricorn District and that there is a lack of feedback mechanisms on the issues raised by members of public during the IDP and Budget Fora.These findings were discussed in relation to the study’s objectives and research questions.

This study investigates variables that influence choice of Physical Science as a secondary school subject. The variables are pupil, home environment, teacher and school environment. A questionnaire was administered to 849 grade 9 pupils. The following findings are recorded: The better pupils achieve in Science the more likely that they will further their studies in Science. If pupils have positive self-concepts, beliefs about, attitudes and interest in Science and enjoyed Science at primary school they are inclined to choose Science as a subject. Pupils who choose Science view it as a valuable subject for daily life, have parents who evaluate Science favourably and come from better socio-economic backgrounds than those who do not choose Science. These pupils also view the attitudes, personalities, competencies and methods of assessment of their Science teachers positively. Finally, they perceive the Science curricula and textbooks as beneficial.
Psychology of Education
M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

M.A.
This study was conducted within five high schools in the Thohoyandou district in the northern province. The study involved 20 teachers, 32 grade 10’s, 35 grade 11’s and 37 grade12’s. The aim of this study was to conduct a need assessment of high school pupils in the Thohoyandou district schools regarding their needs for school social work services in the school environment. The believes of pupils and teachers on the needs for school social work were explored. Questionnaires were used as a method for data collection. The exploratory-descriptive design was used. The findings of the study showed that both teachers and pupils agree that there is a significant occurrence of personal problems experienced by pupils, although teachers believe that some problems are not significant. Further there is a consensus from both teachers and pupils that most pupil’s problems are rooted in their families. They believe that there is a need for school social work in the schools, which will attend to pupil’s problems in relation to teachers, the home and the community. Recommendations were made, generally to introduce school social work in the high schools of the northern province with the aim of making maximum use of the learning process.
Dr.W. Roestenburg

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Public Management, Department of Public Management & Economics, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016.
In order to eradicate the legacy of the apartheid past, the South African democratic government adopted a development approach to local government. This necessitated a commitment on the part of local government, through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), to facilitating community participation by finding ways to meet economic, social and material needs, as well as improving quality of life. The IDP can only be well received and implemented if there is an effective public participation process to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people are met. This research focused primarily on evaluating community participation in the IDP process through the use of the case study of Umzumbe Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Furthermore, the research answers the following questions: to what extent do communities participate in the IDP process?; what were the challenges facing communities with regard to participation in the IDP process?; and what was the role of ward councillors and ward committees in promoting community participation in the IDP process? In order to answer these questions, an empirical study was conducted using quantitative research methodology. The case study approach was used in this study in order to obtain detailed views of respondents and issues relating to the objectives of the study. Using the quantitative research methodology, the study employed a questionnaire to collect information linked to community participation. Three hundred and ninety respondents from ten wards in the local municipality were randomly sampled. In addition, ten ward councillors were requested to participate in the study in order to explore the factors influencing community participation in the study area. The questionnaires were developed and approved by the Durban University of Technology’s ethics committee before the commencement of the study. Data was then collected. The results of the study, conclusions and recommendations are provided in a way that will enable the reader to draw his or her own conclusions on the value of this study. The study was worth undertaking since the challenges of community participation for local economic development and the IDP enhance service delivery. The results of the study should expand the knowledge base of rural community participation in the IDP process in Umzumbe Municipality. The findings of this study should benefit the municipality by highlighting the challenges of community involvement in the IDP process. The envisaged outcome of this study is the development of a theoretical framework for rural community participation in the IDP process in local government. Findings from the study point to the profusion of poor or non-participation of the community in the IDP process. The study shows sour relationship between ward councillors, ward committee members and community members. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations have been made: upgrade levels of education/capacity development for ward councillors, ward committee members and community members; poverty alleviation and economic development to create employment; encourage youth and adults to engage in public forums; encourage the involvement of all stakeholders in the identification of development initiatives; co-ordination and information sharing sessions; and systems of monitoring and evaluation should be put in place to monitor community participation in the IDP process, with guidelines for the implementation of community participation initiatives.
M

MRDV
Institute for Rural Development
Mining industry Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects are designed to improve the quality of life of neighbouring communities. However, it is increasingly argued that few of them actually result in tangible benefits for the communities where they are implemented. Moreover, few empirical studies have been undertaken on this subject. The dearth in research on this subject explains why there is inadequate evidence to draw informed conclusions and decisions. The current study sought to determine the nature of benefits accruing to rural communities from mining companies CSR projects in Moses Kotane Local Municipality of the North West Province. Specifically, the study sought to determine the characteristics of mining companies CSR activities, nature of community-perceived benefits derived from them and assess the perception of surrounding local communities on such initiatives. A case study design was used because of its power of providing detailed factual information on mining CSR activities. The study was carried out following a sequential mixed research method that integrated qualitative and quantitative techniques. Document review, questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. A total of 261 respondents randomly selected from households in five villages, 30 purposively sampled key informants who included 18 officials from various institutions and youth, were interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to draw meaning from the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were carried out using the Microsoft Excel software. It was revealed that CSR projects were improving water infrastructure, in addition to being used to construct and refurbish schools and clinics. Although the CSR projects were supporting the livelihoods of local households, there was still considerable room for improvement particularly in relation to creating sustainable employment opportunities. Only 8 % of the respondents believed that CSR projects were beneficial to them. Lack of consultation when developing the CSR projects and limited awareness campaigns led to inappropriate initiatives being implemented. This highlighted the need for adopting inclusive approaches in decision making processes starting from planning to implementation.

Dissertation
This study explores the role of the principal in the management of parent involvement in secondary schools in Northern Province. A literature study investigated existing theories and models of parent involvement; parent involvement in the South African context and the provision of education in South Africa in historical perspective. It also investigated the managerial role of the principal in parent involvement. A qualitative investigation in three secondary schools in Northern Province was done. Data were gathered by means of participant observation in-depth interviews with principals and focus-group interviews with teachers and three parents on the school governing bodies. Analysed data revealed the following findings: principals lack knowledge on parent involvement and schools lack policies and organisational structures dealing with parent involvement as well as home-school relations. As a result of these findings, there is a need to equip principals with ways in which they can involve parents in their schools.
Educational Leadership and Management
M. Ed. (Educational Management)

The central issue in this study is political socialisation and its implications within a rural setting in South Africa with a particular focus on Calais village in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study is to determine how adult residents of Calais village, are politically socialised; and furthermore to assess the impact of the socialisation process on the residents’ political behaviour within a democratic South Africa. In order to achieve the research purpose, face-to-face interviews were conducted with forty (40) adult residents in Calais village. The study revealed that the respondents were politically socialised by the media, immediate family, peers, extended family, political parties, local municipality, school, traditional leadership, ward committee and religious institutions. The media were the most important agent, while the religious institutions were the least. Furthermore, NGOs and trade unions were not socialisation agents in Calais village. The socialisation process had an impact on the respondents’ political behaviour in terms of political interest, party identification, political beliefs, efficacy, knowledge, awareness and participation.
Political Sciences
M.A. (Politics)

Text in English
Even though the prevalence of HIV has declined, South Africa continues to have a large number of people who are infected with HIV. Most communities still have to deal with the effects of HIV and AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children. One way of mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS is strengthening families and communities to provide stable care to orphans. However, most families do not have the capacity to provide sufficient care to orphans hence the need for external support from the community and civil society organisations, in this instance provided through the loveLife goGogetter programme. The findings proved that the goGogetters relied on the support they received through the relationships and networks established in the community to enable them to provide effective service to orphans. The study demonstrated the importance of community networks in providing for the basic needs of orphans.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)