Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Community violence and substance abuse are equally omnipresent social problems that are characteristic of South African communities. The pervasive nature of these social ills is evident in the astonishingly high prevalence rates in South Africa, where substance-related violence affects the lives of many, especially youth, due to its deleterious effects. The aim of the study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of substance abuse as a contributing factor to community violence using Goldstein’s tripartite conceptual framework of substance abuse and violence. A qualitative methodological framework was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, 16 grade ten learners (male and female) attending a high school within an impoverished Cape Flats community. Two focus groups with eight participants each were conducted. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret information. Four thematic categories were identified from the data namely: adolescents’ perspective on the dynamics of community violence, perceptions of the psychopharmacological influence of substances and violent tendencies, satisfying their needs: substance abusers’ criminality, and substance distribution and violent patterns of interaction and trade. The findings indicate that substance intoxication induces changes in behaviour and psychological processes, making individuals aggressive and violent. Participants believed that substance abusers frequently commit property and violent interpersonal crimes such as theft, robbery, assault, murder and prostitution to obtain substances. Substance distribution was linked to gang violence as a profession for gang members. Furthermore, findings show that systemic violence stems primarily from gang involvement as well as sharing the markets in the substance industry, resulting in rivalry for territory and clients. The current study broadens our understanding of ‘substance abuse-violence’ nexus by providing qualitative information on Goldstein’s (1985) tripartite ii conceptual framework in a South African context. As such, the findings could inform prevention and intervention strategies for both violence exposure and substance abuse. It is especially important because it explores the different dimensions of substance-related violence perceived by a group of adolescents within a Cape Flats community.

Magister Artium - MA / This research is a discourse analysis of a christian “coloured” youth group, from the area of Mitchell‘s Plain, Cape Town. The aim of the analysis is to explore the ways in which the interlocutors construct their identities and gender positions and how they are able to affirm, challenge and perpetuate dominant discourses. The role of this context, namely the social and religious context is pivotal to shaping this interaction. The analysis of the data uses the appraisal framework particularly the attitudinal and engagement systems to analyse how the interlocutors strategically communicate their attitudes, evaluations, feelings and judgements. Ultimately, this research shows how the males and females use language to negotiate identities and socially position themselves. In addition, the research indicates that the male interlocutors in most instances exert a strong influence on the discussions, which result in females showing tendencies to allow for the male ideologies to dictate, thus perpetuating the dominant ideologies about male and female behaviour

Magister Curationis - MCur / The Western Cape Province of South Africa has the worst multifactorial crime problem in the country. It has the fastest growing crime rate in many crime categories, such as rape and gun related incidents. The youth in the Cape Flats faces many challenges, such as drug abuse and high incidents of violent attacks. The youth who are exposed to violence are inclined to be violent themselves and are at a higher risk of psychopathology. The experiences of the youth after a violent physical incident were unclear. The purpose of this study is to describe actions for the support of professional nurses at a community health centre to youth victims of physical violence in the Cape Flats. A phenomenological, exploratory, descriptive, contextual design was followed in this study. This study explored and described the lived experiences of youth victims of physical violence in terms of the support they received in a natural setting at a community health centre in the Cape Flats. Purposive sampling was used for the study, and data saturation determined the size of the sample, that was eight participants. Participants were male and female youth members between the ages of 18 and 27 years who had experienced a violent incident and visited a health care centre for follow-up treatment. They were given information sheets that explained the nature of the research project. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were conducted in one of the consultation rooms at a community health centre that was quiet and where minimal interruptions occurred. The researcher sought permission from the participants to conduct the interviews and to audio record those interviews. All ethical principles were adhered to in this study; that is confidentiality, anonymity, withdrawal, autonomy, and informed consent. Trust worthiness was ensured during the research process. In cases where participants had experienced psychological distress, they could be referred to a psychologist. However, none of the participants displayed any signs of emotional discomfort during the interviews. Data was analysed using Creswell’s six steps of open coding. All data would be kept under lock and key for five years after the research report has been made available. Main themes that emerged from the data analysis were related to violent incidents that had a negative impact on the participant; participants applied defence mechanisms to deal with their trauma, and participants experienced care and support either negatively or positively. A recommendation of this study is the implementation of an in-service training programme to the nurses who care for the youth after violent physical incidents.

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / This research identifies the challenges of a three-year environmental education project in a primary school in Cape Town. The project, an indigenous fynbos garden, was located at a school in a working class area in Cape Town’s south eastern areas, also known as the “Cape Flats”. The garden at the school was initiated as a formal partnership project with Kirstenbosch Gardens in 2006 and the partnership ended in 2009. The research sought answers to the following questions: to what extent and how have the goals/guidelines as stipulated in the Kirstenbosch Outreach Greening Project (KOGP) partnership been understood and implemented by the educators; what have been the kinds of support from school management for the project; what factors might increase the sustainability of the KOGP at Stephen Road Primary School? The research drew on policy implementation literature, in-depth interviews and personal observations. The findings were that while the project was doable, it was not in line with the declining human resources available and added to stresses experienced by teachers who were trying to perform basic tasks related to classroom teaching and getting learners to pass basic subjects. Also the school saw a dramatic decline in learner and educators numbers from 2006 onwards. Although all educators were involved in environmental activities at the school, none of them was fulltime in Environmental Education (EE) and had many other areas to teach or administer. The success of the KOGP also depended on the active participation of the school’s management and the School Governing Body (SGB) and this also seemed to be lacking.

Magister Artium - MA / This M.A. mini-thesis seeks to open up the post-apartheid South African biopic as a topic for serious historical scrutiny. While book-length written biographies published in the post-apartheid (and apartheid periods) are the subjects of a now quite extensive historiographical literature, biography on film – including in the form of filmic dramas – has been hitherto entirely ignored. Social history or marginalised lives and not political lives of struggle against apartheid have been the predominant subgenre within this emerging field: with sixteen biopics having been produced in the 2010s. But the field is dominated by white men. This thesis showcases the story-telling gifts of one young coloured film-maker through a meticulously detailed analysis of “visual story-telling” and “visual language” used in his two award-winning gang biopics, Noem My Skollie (2016) and Ellen. Die Stories van Ellen Pakkies (2018). Read in the context of the extended processes of production of these two films in which the central protagonists played a shaping background role, the thesis explores and compares the linear chronological, four-chapter, narrative structure of Noem My Skollie with the architecture of “the parallel narrative” used in the deeply disturbing Ellen. Die Storie van Ellen Pakkies (2018) The thesis is a celebration of the film-making talent of Daryne Joshua.

The purpose of this field study is; through caregivers' description of their community, to gaina greater understanding of caregivers' experiences of raising children in areas with high gang crime in the Cape Flats, South Africa. This is achieved through ethnography and qualitative interviews with six caregivers. By analytically reviewing empirical data using theories of social constructionism and liberating pedagogy this study wants to emphasise caregivers' experiences as a source of knowledge on how to prevent children from gang involvement and how to support caregivers in areas with high gang crime. The main findings of the study indicate that the family is one of the most significant risk and protective factors. Caregivers affected by poverty, substance abuse and crime were identified as major risk factors for children's gang involvement. While education, faith and support of caregivers, and other caring adults were found to be the major protective factors.Social interventions need to be increased, focusing on caregivers and their shared environment.By supporting and empowering caregivers, children have a greater chance of resisting gang involvement. This can be achieved through parenting programs and support groups for at-risk caregivers.

Thesis (DPhil (Afrikaans Culture))—University of Stellenbosch, 1994. / Up to the arrival of the so-called "Second Wave" of German settlers to the Cape, the cape Flats was to a great extent uninhabited because it was seen as an inhospitable semi-desert. The colonial Government of the late nineteenth century however felt dat such an area of land in so close a vicinity of an urban region should be made usefull. As a result of the success the German settlers had who arrived in the years 1858/62 in the Eastern Cape (the so-called "First Wave" of German immigrants), it was decided to try the same in the Western Cape. A few German settlers together with their families have already settled themselves on the edge of the Cape Flats and showed that one could farm with vegetabels in this region. They were Germans who were brought to the Cape by the Hamburgh shipping company Godeffroy and Son. They came under contract and had to work for a fixed period at certain appointed employers. These Godeffroy immigrants settled in the vicinity of Wynberg after the expiration of their contracts because a Lutheran church was already established there. They indirectly formed the basis of the German settlement to follow. In 1877/78 the next group consisting of families and part of a Colonial immigratioh project, arrived. Many of these immigrants were settled on Crown Land in the Boland, but a significant number were settled on the Cape Flats. The third group arrived in 1883, again consisting of family groups and as part of a Colonial iimmigration project. Most of the members of this group were allocated on land and the Cape Flats. The last two groups were part of the "Second Wave" of German immigrants. By far mast of the immigrants were peasants and artisans originating from Northern Germany. The Godeffroy immigrants were mostly Prussians and the immigrants of the Second Wave mostly Heidjern from the Luneburger Heath in Lower Saxony. These three groups would fuse into a close community thanks to their common background and religion, as well as the first years' struggle for survival on the then inhospitable Flats. The settlers established three Lutheran congregations and three schools. This study looks at the settlement, the life and work of these settlers and their immediate descendants, as well as the way of life of generations to follow, who had to combat other problems than those their ancestors had to deal with. The Colonial government's belief that the Flats could be a source of fresh produce for the growing Cape Town, proved to be right. The region established itself as the "Fresh produce larder of cape Town". Today many descendants find themselves in all the different social spheres throughout South Africa. A substantial number of descendants of the settlers however still live and farm on the properties their forefathers established. The farming area, although considerably smaller than the original settlement area, is of strategical and economical importance today because of the huge amount of vegetables which is being produced almost inside the city boundaries for the daily growing population of Cape Town.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which is the most common cause of mental and learning disabilities in the world, is totally preventable. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is not a genetic or inherited condition; however, it is permanent and reduces human potential. There is no cure or treatment. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder does not distinguish between race, class or culture and can affect children from all socio-economic groups. It is however more prevalent amongst poor, uneducated, uninformed and marginalised (minority groups) or aboriginal communities due to a variety of historical, sociopolitical and economic reasons. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder has become a public health problem in South Africa in provinces like the Western and Northern Cape (winegrowing areas), where substantial research has been conducted and where alcohol abuse can be traced back to the ‘dop’ system. The highest documented prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the world has been identified in these provinces amongst a marginalised group of people classified in South Africa as ‘coloured’. A substantial amount of research has been conducted on the characteristics, manifestation and prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in South Africa, but no research has yet been done to ascertain educators’ knowledge of and attitude to learners with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. In view of the high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in South Africa, and the possibility that many of the learners with learning and behavioural problems in our schools could be victims of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (also known as a ‘hidden disability’) I concentrated my research on schools situated in low socio-economic areas on the Cape Flats where poverty and unemployment are high and shebeens are plentiful. Through this research I firstly wished to establish how much knowledge educators have of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and what their attitudes are toward learners manifesting the disorder. Secondly, my aim was to ascertain to what extent educators are able to support and identify these learners. Qualitative research methods and an interpretive constructivist paradigm were used to conduct the study. Data was primarily collected through the use of interviews, focus group discussions, observations and a research journal. Nine participants, from three different low socio-economic schools (one from each educational phase) on the Cape Flats, were involved. Themes that emerged from the data were analysed and recorded through the constant comparative method. They are discussed together with the research findings. This study revealed important issues pertaining to educators’ knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and whether they are able to assist learners presenting with this disorder in mainstream education in South Africa. A number of recommendations are made for further research in this field. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom, wat as die algemeenste oorsaak van verstandelike en leergestremdhede in die wêreld beskou word, is ʼn sindroom wat voorkom kan word. Die sindroom is nie geneties of oorerflik nie, maar die skade is permanent omdat daar geen behandeling en teenmiddel is nie. Dit het gevolglik ʼn negatiewe impak op menslike vermoëns. Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom kan kinders van alle sosioekonomiese groepe affekteer en alhoewel dit nie kultuur-, ras- of klasgebonde is nie, is dit oorwegend ʼn algemene verskynsel onder groepe met ʼn lae opvoedingspeil, diegene wat oningelig en gemarginaliseer is (minderheidsgroepe) of dié wat as inboorlinggemeenskappe bekend staan, wat toegeskryf kan word aan verskeie historiese, sosio-politieke en ekonomiese redes. Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom is tans ʼn openbare gesondheidsprobleem in Suid-Afrika, veral in die wynstreke van die Wes- en Noord-Kaap. Omvattende navorsing is al in genoemde provinsies gedoen waar alkoholmisbruik ʼn lang aanloop het en verbind word met die dopstelsel. Die Wes-Kaap en Noord-Kaap is alombekend as provinsies met die hoogste voorkomsyfer van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom FASD in die wêreld, veral onder ʼn gemarginaliseerde groep mense wat as die kleurlinge’ bekend staan. Alhoewel omvattende navorsing oor die karaktereienskappe, manifestasies en voorkoms van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom in Suid-Afrika reeds gedoen is, kon geen navorsing gevind word wat die kennis van opvoeders en hul en houdings jeens leerders met Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom probeer vasstel nie. As die hoë voorkoms van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom in ag geneem word, asook die moontlikheid dat baie leerders in ons skole leer- en gedragsprobleme manifesteer, kan daar waarskynlik slagoffers van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom wees en wie se gestremdhede dus ‘onsigbaar’ is. My navorsing fokus daarom hoofsaaklik op skole in die lae sosio-ekonomiese areas van die Kaapse Vlakte, waar armoede en werkloosheid hoogty vier en waar daar ʼn hoë voorkoms van onwettige drankwinkels (‘sjebiens’) is. My primêre doel met hierdie navorsing was om die kennis van onderwysers oor Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom te bepaal en om die houding van opvoeders jeens leerders wat met kenmerke van hierdie sindroom vas te stel. Ek wou ook vasstel tot welke mate opvoeders bevoeg om is leerders met Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom te identifiseer en te ondersteun. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes en ʼn interpretatiewe konstruktivistiese paradigma is in die studie gebruik. Data is primêr ingesamel met behulp van onderhoude, fokusgroep-besprekings, observasies en ʼn navorsingsjoernaal. Nege deelnemers verbonde aan drie verskillende skole met lae sosio-ekonomiese vlakke (een opvoeder van elke opvoedingsfase), op die Kaapse Vlakte was by die studie betrokke. Temas wat blootgelê is deur die data is ontleed en by wyse van die konstante vergelykende metode opgeneem. Hulle word saam met die navorsingsbevindings bespreek. Die navorsing toon belangrike aspekte van opvoeders se kennis van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom. Dit bevraagteken ook of hoofstroom-opvoeders in staat is om leerders met Fetale Alkohol Spektrumsindroom te ondersteun. Voortspruitend uit die bevindings word aanbevelings gemaak vir verdere ondersoeke op hierdie gebied.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The objectives of this study were: To review and understand flow and transport processes in unsaturated zones. In this study, particular emphasis is placed on understanding mechanisms that cause non-uniform (preferential) flow for two casestudies, namely the Cape Flats sandy environment and the Mpumalanga Highveld fractured rock environment. To evaluate the adequacy of models, in particular MACRO 5.0, in simulating flow and transport in the vadose zone, by making use of two case study sites (Cape Flats and Mpumalanga Highveld). Of particular importance is the evaluation of transfer coefficients to represent fluid and solute exchange between macropores and matrix. To run a sensitivity analysis with MACRO 5.0 in order determine which input model parameters are the most relevant in describing the effects of preferential flow in water and solute transport.

<p><font face="Helvetica"> <p align="left">The objectives of this study were:&nbsp / To review and understand flow and transport processes in unsaturated zones. In this study, particular emphasis is placed on understanding mechanisms that cause non-uniform (preferential) flow for two casestudies, namely the Cape Flats sandy environment and the Mpumalanga Highveld fractured rock environment.&nbsp / To evaluate the adequacy of models, in particular MACRO 5.0, in simulating flow and transport in the vadose zone, by making use of two case study sites (Cape Flats and Mpumalanga Highveld). Of particular importance is the evaluation of transfer coefficients to represent fluid and solute exchange between macropores and matrix.&nbsp / To run a sensitivity analysis with MACRO 5.0 in order determine which input model parameters are the most relevant in describing the effects of preferential flow in water and solute transport.</p> </font></p>