M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / The main aim of this research inquiry was to explore the use of indigenous knowledge by Black-African educational psychologists in South Africa when working with children who have been traumatised. I hoped that the results would provide a better understanding of how indigenous knowledge can be applied in therapeutic interventions in a way that takes into account the client’s cultural preferences. Mental health professionals are becoming more aware that cultural customs and beliefs have considerable influence on therapeutic interventions. The Western conceptualisation of health and illness is insufficient in a culturally diverse society like the one found in South Africa. There is a need to explore how traditional concepts can be incorporated into psychology and how indigenous knowledge can contribute to the wellbeing of a person, from a culturally congruent worldview. In indigenous knowledge, there is recognition that communities have their own definition of healing needs and strategies when addressing trauma. The perception and beliefs about the causation, communication and acknowledgement of the problem are all culturally constructed and can influence psychotherapy. However, there is a lack of research on applying indigenous knowledge in therapy, specifically in the context of children who have been exposed to exploitative trauma (abuse) and loss (death). As such, there is a need in South Africa for the development of psychotherapeutic interventions that are culturally valid, which can be applied to children who have been traumatised. The research approach employed within this study is qualitative. A phenomenological design was followed. The overarching framework was that of social constructivism. I interviewed five black educational psychologists who live in the Gauteng area through the use of snowball sampling. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews. The data collection and analysis process was done through the use of thematic analysis, whereby certain themes were revealed. The psychotherapeutic interventions that were discerned were based mostly on the trauma children experienced due to child abuse and the death of parents. These included 1) use of oral traditions comprising stories, folklore, proverbs and metaphors; 2) rituals, comprising visiting the grave, communication with ancestors through the slaughter of animals and cleansing ceremonies involving the slaughter of animals; 3) games, specifically masekitlana; 4) music, especially singing and drums; 5) the use of Ubuntu to support clients through care, as well as using available family systems to promote systemic support. These interventions are thought to be useful as they are non-threatening; they allow clients to express themselves, they are a way of relating/identifying, they release emotion and they help to release any “impurity”. With the choice of psychotherapeutic interventions, it is important to consider the “goodness of fit” or congruency between the culture and belief system of both the therapist and client. The findings of the study could make a contribution to the field of psychotherapy in South Africa, since it makes a strong case for the inclusion of psychotherapeutic interventions that are sensitive to cultural differences and meet the needs of children’s cultural beliefs.

Multicultural literature is a very important tool in today's classrooms because it enables teachers and students to learn about the practices, historical background for attitudes, norms and customs of other cultures and peoples. / Ph. D.

This study investigates isiNdebele language as no longer a mere oral language, but a written and read language. As one of the once marginalised languages in South Africa, isiNdebele is one of the least developed amongst the official languages. The study investigates isiNdebele's development and modernisation in the context of the Language in Education Policy and the functional multilingualism dispensation in our country. The qualitative research methodology was used to investigate the didactic and linguistic constraints in the teaching of isiNdebele, specifically utilising interviews and focus groups to collect data. The study found that lack of properly qualified teachers, and development of this language which is lagging behind others, are the main constraints in teaching isiNdebele. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Didactics)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to establish a theoretical and practical framework for supervision to social work students at training institutions that are based on the outcomes of developmental social work in South Africa, as contained in the White Paper for Welfare (1997). The motivation for this study is the contribution that it can make to the reality that the paradigm shift of the developmental perspective on supervision to students contains. This research was done based on an extensive literature study, which focused on the conceptualisation of supervision to social work students from a social developmental perspective. The systemic nature of supervision to students was examined, after which the models for supervision to students were analysed. The functions of supervision by means of the management, educational and support functions are also broadly defined. The empirical investigation of the study dealt with the current state of supervision to social work students at training institutions in South Africa. From the empirical investigation a social developmental perspective was developed, which indicates that supervision to social work students in South Africa can be defined as a process of education, support and management so as to develop students' competencies according to the outcomes of the training institution's field practice education programme, so that students can integrate the theory and practice of social work. Supervision also involves interactive guidance, based on educational needs, academic development and empowerment of students. The abovementioned perspective was evaluated by supervisors of students at tratrung institutions in South Africa, the majority of whom supported the perspective. From the social developmental perspective that was formulated, conclusions and recommendations were made that can serve as a framework for supervision of social work students. The framework for situation-relevant supervision, which is accounted for eco-systemically, is based on a competency model and is empowering in its nature. This is the contribution that this study makes to field practice education to social work students. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om 'n teoretiese en praktiese raamwerk daar te stel vir supervisie van maatskaplikewerkstudente by opleidingsinstansies wat op die uitkomste van ontwikkelingsgerigte maatskaplike werk in Suid-Afrika, soos vervat in die Witskrif vir Welsyn (1997), gebaseer is. Hierdie studie is gemotiveer deur die bydrae wat dit kan Iewer tot die realiteit wat die paradigmaskuif van die ontwikkelingsgerigte perspektief in maatskaplike werk vir supervisie van studente inhou. Die ondersoek is gedoen aan die hand van 'n uitgebreide literatuurstudie, wat op die konseptualisering van supervisie aan maatskaplikewerkstudente vanuit 'n maatskaplike ontwikkelingsgerigte perspektief gefokus het. Die sistemiese aard van supervisie aan studente is ondersoek, waarna die aard van die modelle vir supervisie aan studente ontleed is. Die funksies van supervisie deur middel van die bestuurs-, onderrig- en ondersteuningsfunksie word ook breedvoerig omskryf. Die empiriese ondersoek van die studie het oor die huidige stand van supervisie aan maatskaplikewerkstudente by opleidingsinstansies in Suid-Afrika gehandel. Vanuit die empiriese ondersoek is 'n maatskaplike ontwikkelingsgerigte perspektief ontwerp wat daarop dui dat supervisie aan maatskaplikewerkstudente in Suid-Afrika omskryf kan word as 'n proses van onderrig, ondersteuning en bestuur om studente se bekwaamhede volgens die uitkomste van die opleidingsinstansie se praktykonderrigprogram te ontwikkel, sodat studente die teorie en praktyk van maatskaplike werk kan integreer. Supervisie behels ook interaktiewe Ieiding, gebaseer op onderrigbehoeftes, akademiese ontwikkeling en bemagtiging van studente. Die bogenoemde perspektief is deur supervisors van studente by opleidingsinstansies in Suid-Afrika oorwegend ondersteunend geevalueer. Vanuit die maatskaplike ontwikkelingsgerigte perspektief wat geformuleer is, is gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings gemaak, wat as raamwerk vir supervisie van maatskaplikewerkstudente kan dien. Die raamwerk vir situasie-relevante supervisie, wat ekosistemies verantwoord word, gegrond is op 'n kompetensiemodel en bemagtigend van aard is, is dus die bydrae wat hierdie studie tot praktykonderrig aan maatskaplikewerkstudente bied.

This study investigates isiNdebele language as no longer a mere oral language, but a written and read language. As one of the once marginalised languages in South Africa, isiNdebele is one of the least developed amongst the official languages. The study investigates isiNdebele's development and modernisation in the context of the Language in Education Policy and the functional multilingualism dispensation in our country. The qualitative research methodology was used to investigate the didactic and linguistic constraints in the teaching of isiNdebele, specifically utilising interviews and focus groups to collect data. The study found that lack of properly qualified teachers, and development of this language which is lagging behind others, are the main constraints in teaching isiNdebele. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Didactics)

The colonial history of South Africa and its legacy of cultural and linguistic domination have resulted in a situation where the. literatures of the majority of South Africans were relegated to the margins of institutional, social and cultural life. Exclusion (of local writings) was the principal mode by which power was exercised within university English departments. It is within this context that this study posits lacunae and challenges for the reconstruction of the South African literature curriculum. Although various approaches have been used by English departments during this decade to include South African literature in the curriculum (pluralism, inter-disciplinary studies, alternate canon formation, canon rejection, eclecticism, elective programmes, etc.), the curriculum continues to repeat the established norms and values of colonial/apartheid society, it avoids confronting the ideological construction of traditional English literature and is a revamping or upgrading of the programmes offered during the colonial/apartheid era. The genealogical study uncovers the production, regulation, distribution, circulation and operation of statements, decentres discourse, and reveals how discourse is secondary to systems of power. Chapter Four explores both theoretical and methodological underpinnings for the reconstruction of the South African literature curriculum deriving from the critical educational approaches of Freire, Giroux and Apple, the discursive approach of Foucault and the post colonial reading strategies of Zavarzadeh and Morton. The teaching of South African literature would best be served by working within a critical paradigm, having as its objective the goals of critical educational studies. Chapter Four also includes a review of the curriculum in local practice through a curriculum impact study using empirical research based on the 1996 English literature syllabi of South African universities as well as the findings of the surveys conducted by Malan and Bosman in 1986 and Lindfors in 1992. Chapter Five posits recommendations for curriculum reconstruction with the main focus on the intervention of radical strategies that would lead to a new conflictual reading list. The objective is to put the canon under erasure by problematising the concept of literariness. Such an approach also reveals the power/ knowledge relations of culture, ideologies that dominate the discipline and the institutional arrangements of knowledge. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D.Ed. (Didactics)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Ons bevind ons in 'n nuwe Suid-Afrika waar die klem baie sterk op die uitwissing van die spore van die apartheidsera gele word. Die oopstelling van skole het nie daartoe bygedra dat kinders hulle vooroordele oorboord gooi en mekaar spontaan aanvaar nie. Die verandering in wetgewing wat 'n eksterne verandering is, het nie noodwendig tot verandering van gesindhede gelei nie. Daar kan derhalwe tereg gevra word hoe versoening tussen mense van verskillende kulture tot stand kan kom. In hierdie studie is gepoog om vas te stel of 'n verrykingsprogram in groepverband interpersoonlike vaardighede en verhoudinge van persone van uiteenlopende kulturele agtergronde kan bevorder. Die program is onder gekontroleerde omstandighede aangebied en die idiografiese navorsingsmetode is gebruik. Daar is bepaal watter faktore die aard en die kwaliteit van verhoudinge tussen persone van verskillende kulturele herkoms be'invloed. Riglyne is gestruktrueer en kriteria is ge'identifiseer waarvolgens die program saamgestel is. Die ouderdomme van die leertinge het tussen 15 en 21 jaar gewissel. Tydens die multikulturele groepsbelewing het die leertinge die geleentheid gehad om persoonlike en interpersoonlike vaardighede te ontwikkel sodat daar 'n openheid en 'n beg rip vir mekaar ontstaan het. Die interaksie met persone afkomstig van 'n verskeidenheid oriemtasies het daartoe gelei dat raakpunte in die diversiteit ontdek is en hulle het mekaar as individue begin erken en verstaan. Nuutgestigte verhoudings was gekenmerk deur vertroue, warmte en empatie. Deur middel van verbeterde selfbegrip en interpersoonlike vaardighede het die verhoudings tussen groeplede in verskeie dimensies beduidend verbeter. Hierdie navorsing het aangetoon dat mense van uiteenlopende kulturele orientasies soos in Suid-Afrika die geval is, deur middel van ervaringsleer in groepverband, tot grater eenheid en verdraagsaamheid saamgesnoer kan word. / Psychology of Education / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

South Africa is a semi arid country in which the average rainfall of 450mm/year is well below the world average of about 860mm/year. As a result, South Africa’s water resources are scarce in global terms and limited in extent. Current predictions are that demand will outstrip water availability in the next 15 years. A coordinated approach to improve both water quality and quantity is needed and in order to achieve that, it is crucial to strengthen capacities of local community involvement in identifying the problems that affect them and strategies to solve them. This research was undertaken to develop a deeper understanding of community learning processes in integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices. The study drew on situated and social learning theory which explains that knowledge and skills are learned and embedded in the contexts in which knowledge is obtained and applied in everyday situations. Multiple data collection techniques were used within a case study design and included document analysis, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Data analysis was done in three phases and involved uncovering patterns and trends in the data sets. In this context I discovered, through careful observation and interviews with members of the different communities of practice, that people are learning through social learning interactions with other community members as they engage in their daily water management and food production practices. Learning interactions take place through both informal and formal processes such as meetings, training workshops, conversations and interactions with outsiders. I also discovered that people learn from ‘external groups’ or training programmes which bring new knowledge and expertise, but this needs to be contextualised in the local communities of practice. The research has also shown that there are a number of challenges that appear to exist in these learning contexts. For instance it was found that participation and social learning processes and interactions are influenced by a range of causal mechanisms that are contextual. These insights into how communities learn, as well as the tensions and difficulties that are experienced in the learning processes are important for furthering learning and participation in community-based IWRM practices, projects and programmes.

The topic of integrating the formal learning of graduates with their informal workplace learning has been debated for many years. In practice, however, these two types of learning still exist as two polar opposites, especially in the field of statistics. This study examined the effectiveness of an internship programme as a means to integrate the formal learning of statisticians with their informal workplace learning. Based on the findings, a framework was proposed to ensure integration between the formal and informal workplace learning of statisticians. The study employed a mixed-method approach that combined quantitative and qualitative data collection. Quantitative data were collected from respondents (statisticians who participated in the internship programme and were permanently employed at the time of the study) through an online survey, and qualitative data were collected from managers (who served as mentors to the interns) through conducting semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Documents pertaining to the internship programme in place at Statistics South Africa were also studied. Many developing countries still lack the capacity to produce, analyse and use the range of quality statistics required to support effective development progress. This study suggested a new way of integrating the formal learning with the informal workplace learning of statisticians, which involved adding a practical component (an internship) to the formal learning of statisticians, therefore, combining an internship during formal learning with an internship upon the completion of formal learning. In this way, statisticians are better capacitated because they can apply their formally obtained knowledge and skills in practice both while being engaged in their formal studies as well as after completing their studies, ensuring integration between formal and informal workplace learning. Crucial factors that would play a role in ensuring success are, for instance, if intern statisticians are placed in areas that are commensurate with their formal learning (thus ensuring utilisation of their skills) and if the level of the tasks assigned to them matches their cognitive ability. Support for interns’ informal learning in the form of mentorship, developmental assignments and training and development opportunities are also crucial to ensure integration between their formal learning and informal workplace learning. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The colonial history of South Africa and its legacy of cultural and linguistic domination have resulted in a situation where the. literatures of the majority of South Africans were relegated to the margins of institutional, social and cultural life. Exclusion (of local writings) was the principal mode by which power was exercised within university English departments. It is within this context that this study posits lacunae and challenges for the reconstruction of the South African literature curriculum. Although various approaches have been used by English departments during this decade to include South African literature in the curriculum (pluralism, inter-disciplinary studies, alternate canon formation, canon rejection, eclecticism, elective programmes, etc.), the curriculum continues to repeat the established norms and values of colonial/apartheid society, it avoids confronting the ideological construction of traditional English literature and is a revamping or upgrading of the programmes offered during the colonial/apartheid era. The genealogical study uncovers the production, regulation, distribution, circulation and operation of statements, decentres discourse, and reveals how discourse is secondary to systems of power. Chapter Four explores both theoretical and methodological underpinnings for the reconstruction of the South African literature curriculum deriving from the critical educational approaches of Freire, Giroux and Apple, the discursive approach of Foucault and the post colonial reading strategies of Zavarzadeh and Morton. The teaching of South African literature would best be served by working within a critical paradigm, having as its objective the goals of critical educational studies. Chapter Four also includes a review of the curriculum in local practice through a curriculum impact study using empirical research based on the 1996 English literature syllabi of South African universities as well as the findings of the surveys conducted by Malan and Bosman in 1986 and Lindfors in 1992. Chapter Five posits recommendations for curriculum reconstruction with the main focus on the intervention of radical strategies that would lead to a new conflictual reading list. The objective is to put the canon under erasure by problematising the concept of literariness. Such an approach also reveals the power/ knowledge relations of culture, ideologies that dominate the discipline and the institutional arrangements of knowledge. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D.Ed. (Didactics)