This research is a result of prolonged work with children and youth on the streets of Durban Central Business District (CBD). This research process started in 2008 during my third year social work practice and in 2009 as part fulfilment of my social work bachelor’s degree. My contemporaries and I conducted a study on survival strategies of children and youth living on the streets of Durban CBD. It was during this period that we began to encounter organizational dynamics that we thought needed further study. The study sought to understand those inter and intra-organizational factors that have impact on their work with children and youth. This qualitative study used data source triangulation, incorporating in-depth interviews, journal notes and analysis of texts. The study was informed by critical theory. Of central importance in this study was critical discourse analysis as a research design and method of data analysis. This study found that some of the organizations, established to assist children and youth living on the streets, actually do present obstacles to their integral development. Children and youth migrate to towns and cities in search of a better life. When on the streets, children are caught up in organizational dynamics that have profound impact on their lives. It is this interface between the organizations themselves and the children that this research critically interrogated. Organizational dynamics, as reflected in this dissertation, present a threat to children’s and youth’s sense of future and the programmes and models being used need to be re-thought. Based on the main findings of the study, policy and practice recommendations are made in respect of promoting the welfare of children and youth living on the streets. / Thesis (M.A.)-Universiity of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Architecture is intended to house, shelter and define the framework within which human activity occurs. It is far more than purely functional and its vast impact on the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of its users should not be ignored. Unfortunately, much contemporary architecture has become driven by external appearances, pushing the boundaries of technology and engaging with the eyes. The sensory aspects of architecture that enhance the body's experience, have largely been neglected, much to the detriment of the human experience, as it is through the body that one perceives, engages and enjoys architectural spaces. This dissertation looks into a more appropriate response to architectural design that understands the significance of the sensory experience of the human body. Benefits of such an architectural theory are considered and the practical application of this approach to architectural design is discussed. Furthermore, this exploration is used to analyse children's experience of the built environment. Basic research recognises the importance of the environment on children's development; however, this knowledge is seldom applied to the design of children's spaces. The research undertakes to more fully examine children's development and the physical, sensory and psychological manner in which children engage with the built environment. The findings include proposed design approaches that suitably respond to this. The research culminates in an analysis of the sensory approach to architecture in the local context of KwaZulu-Natal. Conclusions are drawn from the research carried out through interviews, a review of literature, and analysis of case studies and precedents studies. The outcome of this dissertation is a set of recommendations, principles and an understanding of the criteria necessary to inform the design of a Children's Centre and Community Facility in Umlazi. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Since HIV/AIDS is closely connected with adult sexuality, children in early schooling are often overlooked in debates around the pandemic. However the growing number of children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS cannot be ignored. This qualitative study gives voice to young childrens' experiences and understanding of HIV/AIDS in Savannah Park, province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study also explores how HIV/AIDS intersects with other barriers to learning and development and the effect this has upon childrens' lives. Twenty learners between the ages of 8-9 years who come from low income families were selected as participants in this study. They were interviewed using focus group interviews. During the focus group interviews, various participatory research techniques such as drawing, story telling, projection, games and movement evaluation exercises were employed. One of the key findings that emerged was that the participants consistently identified HIV/AIDS as a deadly disease. There was also a deep sense of fear amongst participants that their family members will contract HIV/AIDS rendering them vulnerable to the devastating impacts of the disease. Another important finding was that many participants were able to correctly identify symptoms of the disease revealing intimate knowledge and personal experience of the disease. Some modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS were also particularly well known amongst participants such as touching blood and sharing infected needles. This study however highlights the need for children in early schooling to be given accurate information on the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS. Participants were also restricted in their knowledge of preventative measures against the HIV/AIDS virus and did not have any specific knowledge of anti retroviral drugs. Another key finding was the high levels of awareness amongst participants of the challenges experienced by HIV/AIDS infected and affected children. Lack of money, food, clothing and support coupled with sickness and high rates of absenteeism within a HIV/AIDS context impeded learning from their perspective. The views participants express also reveal that HIV/AIDS affected and infected children are still subject to prejudice, isolation and stigmatization within educational settings. However there is hope in that many participants expressed warmth and friendship towards HIV/AIDS infected children. Support structures such as family members, neighbours, teachers, social workers, church and medical personnel were also regarded as having a positive effect on the lives of HIV/AIDS affected and infected children. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

In this study the experience of Zulu African mothers who have adolescents who are misbehaving in urban townships in Durban were identified and explored. A qualitative, descriptive, contextual and interpretive research design was used to capture the experiences of ten mothers whose adolescents are misbehaving. Data was collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews as well as feedback and collaboration with the mothers. Data was analysed using Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis, through which, four themes emerged. Themes are clustered around the support of mothers’ perceptions of themselves, mothers’ fearful emotional responses and mothers’ suggestions on managing adolescents who are misbehaving. The strongest themes that emerged, which were reported by all the mothers were family support, despair and worry. Mothers mentioned that they experienced lack of support from their extended families, schools and other structures in helping them deal with their experiences. Mothers also mentioned feelings of worry about their children’s life, and despair in relation to not knowing what to do or who to turn to for help. Guidelines and strategies in the form of recommendations are made to assist mothers in managing their adolescents who are misbehaving and also to facilitate adolescents in gaining parenting skills in schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The study investigates how participation in sport can enhance a learner’s self-esteem. There are other significant factors such as the academic performance, peer acceptance, support from school and parental support, which may contribute to increasing the self-esteem of a learner. However, sport has been chosen as the point of focus in this study. The theories underpinning the study are Self-determination Theory (SDT), Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET) and Achievement Goal Theory. SDT distinguishes between intrinsic motivation which refers to engaging in something for the pleasure and satisfaction and extrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity for some kind of reward external to the activity itself. CET suggests that people must experience both satisfaction for both competence and autonomy in order to maintain intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic rewards like material rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. Achievement Goal Theory proposes two goal orientations, that is, task orientations and ego orientations. Task oriented individuals seek personal improvement and task mastery whereas ego oriented individuals seek to outperform others. Therefore task orientation is self-referenced whereas ego orientation is externally referenced. This was a qualitative single case study research design informed by an interpretive paradigm. It is about people’s subjective experiences and how they understand and interpret the world around them. The idea was that the researcher wanted to discover the unique experiences of participants regarding sport participation and to find out what inspire them. Focus group interviews, semi-structured interviews as well as observations were used as data collection procedures. The school that was selected for this study is a school situated in the urban area in Pinetown. Six learners involved in sports were chosen to participate in a focus group session which aimed to gather information on their experiences about sports. Leaners who participated were selected from Grade 10, 11 and 12. The sports coordinator who is also a physical education teacher was requested to take part in the semi-structured interview. The intention of the session was to collect data on her views about leaners’ experiences and whether the support related to sports given by the school to the learners has benefits that could enhance learners’ self-esteem. Although the school offers a variety of sports and encourages everyone to participate, there are still learners who are not involved in sports for various reasons. This non-participation needs to be addressed as it is important for adolescents to have high self-esteem in order to lead normal lives. Therefore the government and the school need to work together to ensure that all learners take part in sport. Parents also have a role to play in ensuring that their children participate in sport. Data analysis based on the responses of the participants revealed that learners engaged in sport and have a higher self-esteem than those who do not participate. Moreover, learners participating in sports have positive relationships with their teachers, parents and peers. The results of the study indicated that there is, indeed, a positive relationship between sport participation and self-esteem. This study was therefore seen as beneficial in motivating leaners and parents to motivate their children to partake in sports at school level. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

The study was motivated by a dearth in qualitative research on shelters. Moreover, the complex nature of the phenomenon of street shelters appeared to present challenges for researchers, policy makers as well as service providers in arriving at a shared understanding of the causes and symptoms and possible responses to addressing the needs of street children. This study focused on shelter services to street children. Three Shelters registered with the Department of Social Development participated in the study. The researcher used semi-structured interviews as a primary source of information in conjunction with other relevant available sources of material to gather information from service providers. The investigation was undertaken over two cycles. The initial investigation was carried out prior the passing of the Children’s Act No 38 of 2007 and the follow up investigation was conducted three years into implementation. The aim of the study was to explore the nature and extent of programmes offered to street children prior and post implementation of the Children’s Act. The investigations revealed that although shelters initially gained legal recognition through the registration process, they were not recognized in the same light as other child care and protection services and were discriminated against, directly as a result of exclusion from relevant policy. The passing of the Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005 signalled hope for shelter services. It set in motion a paradigm shift in the manner in which shelters operate and function and signals partnerships and co-operation between the state and non-government sector. However, the findings revealed that three years into implementation, the Children’s Act No 38 of 2007 has not yielded much progress in shelter services. This research draws attention to the prevailing gaps in services as well as the purposeful implementation of policy towards meaningful interventions to street children. It is hoped that the findings will influence purposeful engagements between the Shelters and the Department of Social Development in addressing identified gaps. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This dissertation aims to examine the impact that HIV / AIDS is having on children in South Africa by focusing on two case study areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The research study examines impacts such as increased poverty, emotional stress, vulnerability, stigma, deprivation of education and criminal behaviour and the coping mechanisms put into place to address these impacts. HIV / AIDS is impacting on children in several different ways. HIV / AIDS increases child vulnerability and poverty and has a detrimental impact on child health and welfare as well as education and socialisation. The impacts discussed in this research study have been highlighted through data obtained from key stakeholders working with children in the HIV / AIDS field. The research will argue that insufficient support is being provided for the future generation of South Africa and if the country is to minimise the damage, which will inevitably be caused as a result of this epidemic, policies aimed at child welfare must be implemented immediately. The future development of South Africa is at stake and it is the children of this nation who will feel the consequences of the present governmental failure to provide for the people, should they continue to ignore the severity of the epidemic. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005

The research study described and explored families’ protection of children from sexual abuse as perceived and experienced by families and community leaders in KwaNzimakwe, KwaZulu-Natal. A social construction and ecosystems perspective was utilised in order to understand the effects of perceptions and socio-cultural factors. The tribal area of KwaNzimakwe provided a context for the study to investigate socio-cultural factors that increase vulnerability among children in post apartheid South Africa. Limited empirical data was however found in relation to locally relevant factors pertinent to families’ protection of children from sexual abuse. The perspective of families and the community was ascertained through the use of qualitative methods of data collection. Ten individual interviews were conducted with family members who had past experiences of child sexual abuse and five focus group discussions were carried out with parents and community leaders. The research revealed misconceptions in relation to child sexual abuse with regards to (1) the definition (2) detection (3) awareness of potential risks. Child sexual abuse was found to be a hidden issue as families protect their name and the community perceive it to be a private matter. The study also showed that families do not report cases of child sexual abuse due to mistrust in the child protection system. Other main findings were that insufficiencies in the child protection system and stigma in the community have detrimental effects on families and victims. The absence of men in families and the absence of adults in the lives of children were found to significantly weaken families’ protection of children from sexual abuse. The study attributed this to factors such as poverty, gender roles and perceptions of men. The study recommends further research on the topic and prevention programmes in South Africa with particular reference to strengthening families and community based approaches. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Introduction. Previous studies have established that infants born to mothers with advanced HIV disease and co-infections are smaller, premature and have rapidly progressive HIV disease and an early death. King Edward VIIIth Hospital, in Durban, admits many sick mothers and manages a large proportion of low birth weight and ill newborns. On discharge and follow-up, the mortality and morbidity of these infants are known to be high and are related to the prematurity. How much is related to being HIV exposed is still uncertain. Aim. To determine the perinatal transmission rate of HIV-1 and mortality at 12 months in HIV exposed infants that were admitted to and discharged from the Neonatal Unit, in Durban, South Africa. Methods. In this observational study, data from the outpatient charts of HIV exposed infants that required specialised neonatal care and subsequent follow up, between the period November 2007 and December 2009, were collected. Perinatal transmission rates and mortality of these infants were compared with maternal and infant risk factors. Results. Data on 463 HIV exposed, predominantly low birth weight infants are presented. The median maternal CD4 count was 309cells/mm3 with 16.8% of mothers commenced on HAART. Maternal co-infection with TB was found in 19.2% of the cohort. Early HIV transmission occurred in 11.5% of infants and was influenced by the type of ARV exposure (None, 20%; single dose NVP, 14.3%; dual therapy, 10.6%; maternal HAART, 8.5%). The dual therapy regimen for 7 days was more protective than that for 28 days (p=0.045). HIV infection was associated with higher risk of neonatal sepsis (RR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3; p=0.015). The mortality for the cohort at 12 months was 10%. Maternal HAART was associated with a lower mortality: 2.95% vs.10.2% (RR 3.0; 95% CI, 0.4-20.5). There was a higher mortality rate in those that were low birth weight (RR 4.2; 95% CI, 1.02-18.8; p=0.037); those that were HIV infected (RR 4.8; 95% CI, 1.9-11.6; p=0.002) and those that were breastfeeding compared to formula feeding (RR 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.8; p=0.038). Discussion. Rates of HIV transmission within the PMTCT programme were similar to that reported by the Department of Health. Early maternal ARVs for PMTCT prophylaxis, prevents HIV transmission. The coverage of maternal HAART was sub-optimal. Breastfeeding was associated with a higher HIV transmission rate and was most likely associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding during neonatal admission. Recommendations. Maternal HAART or ARV prophylaxis should be commenced early in the pregnancy for the best benefits. Meticulous attention should be paid to the feeding practices of high risk HIV exposed infants admitted for specialised neonatal care. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

There has been a lot of research highlighting the plight of street children throughout the world in the past few years. A review of the literature on street children reveals that the problem is worse in developing countries. The number of street children can be expected to increase in South Africa as a result of rapid urbanisation and development. This will certainly pose a problem for the government and other organisations concerned with the welfare of street children. In order to combat the proliferation of the number of children in the streets, concerned parties need to know more about street children before intervention and effective policies can be designed. This study was initiated to serve that purpose: to provide information on how street children perceive themselves. The information gathered and results of the study can be used by service providers to design effective intervention programmes. Twenty street children from the Pietermaritzburg central business district and the comparison group of twenty children from a "place of safety" in Pietermaritzburg were interviewed and assessed. Children from the "place of safety" were chosen as a comparison group because their familial histories have many factors which are common to street children as well. Assessment ofthe two groups of children entailed measuring the children's self-concepts by using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Human Figure Drawings were used to identify signs and levels of emotional distress using the Koppitz Emotional Indicators procedure. Furthermore, an unstructured interview was conducted with each child. The data was analysed quantitatively using statistical sub-programs of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The following statistical tests were computed: means to measure central tendency, independent t-tests to determine the statistical significance of the difference between the two groups' self-concept scores and emotional indicators. Quatro Pro and Harvard Graphics software packages were used to analyse the data qualitatively and present it graphically . Statistical analyses of the results reveal no significant differences between the self-concept of street children and that of the comparison group of placed children. Both groups' scores on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale are within the average range. This means that street and placed children's perceptions of themselves, as measured by the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, are similar to those of other children in the general population. Signs and levels of emotional distress as measured by Koppitz' list of Emotional Indicators are within the non-pathological range for both groups. This indicates that street and placed children's levels of emotional distress are similar to those found in other children in the normal population. It is therefore concluded that despite being exposed to hazardous situations and having lived in deprived and abusive situations, street children do not display significant levels of measured emotional distress. Street children are found not to be as disturbed as previously assumed by journalists and fiction writers who tend to romanticise or politicise their plight. Placed children, who also share some of the predicaments that street children have endured in terms of turbulent childhoods, do not seem to show deficits in their self-concepts and emotional functioning either. Recommendations on how to plan intervention programmes for street children are also offered. Moreover, the standardisation of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale on local populations is recommended. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermartizburg, 1996