This dissertation attempts to provide a historical and conceptual exposition of the establishment, role and contribution of Sanco in Soweto. To further the conceptual argument the concept civic interest is introduced. In the context of Sanco Soweto's trajectory as a civic association, the concept civic interest is def"med and utilised as a tool of measurement. The concept has three aspects: individual interests, consensus and the common good. It is used to determine whether or not Sanco Soweto as a civic organisation promoted the interests of the people of Soweto, regardless of their social, economic, cultural and political standing. It was found that Sanco Soweto promoted the civic interest only in certain respects. Although useful projects were launched, their success remained minimal. Sanco Soweto represented certain social strata better than others. The Branch was closer to professional and semi-professional income earners occupying council houses than the mostly illiterate and poor shack-owners. / Public Administration / M.A. (Public Administration)

Thesis (M. A.)--University of South Africa, Pretoria, 2002.

This dissertation attempts to provide a historical and conceptual exposition of the establishment, role and contribution of Sanco in Soweto. To further the conceptual argument the concept civic interest is introduced. In the context of Sanco Soweto's trajectory as a civic association, the concept civic interest is def"med and utilised as a tool of measurement. The concept has three aspects: individual interests, consensus and the common good. It is used to determine whether or not Sanco Soweto as a civic organisation promoted the interests of the people of Soweto, regardless of their social, economic, cultural and political standing. It was found that Sanco Soweto promoted the civic interest only in certain respects. Although useful projects were launched, their success remained minimal. Sanco Soweto represented certain social strata better than others. The Branch was closer to professional and semi-professional income earners occupying council houses than the mostly illiterate and poor shack-owners. / Public Administration and Management / M.A. (Public Administration)

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and perspectives of the users of the services of the Restorative Justice Centre in Pretoria. A phenomenological study was conducted to gain insight in the participants experiences and perspectives of the the services rendered. Data collection was done using indepth interviews with a sample population of girls who were victims of sexual abuse and their caregivers. The reseacher made use of Colaizze (1978) data analysis approach following the transcription of audio recorded information.The study found that first time contact can be a daunting experience for victims, which touches on complex issues like discomfort, fear, cultural barriers and timing. Generally, clients were positive about social workers who build up a meaningful relationship based on empathy and respect. However, clients were concerned about unintentional, but insensitive behaviour by practitioners. Services that recognize a client‟s culture and language, as well as context are viewed as empowering. Therefore, restorative justice interventions should be holistic and consider the context in its approaches / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Southern Cross Fund was established under the leadership of Elizabeth Albrecht in 1968. The organisation was created by white members of the civil society to provide support to the South African armed forces. In cooperation with the South African Defence Force, the Southern Cross Fund served the basic needs of the soldiers. Through its support of the troops the organisation also strived to serve as morale builder. This dissertation discusses the formation of the Southern Cross Fund in relation to South Africa’s political and military position during the Cold War with specific reference to the so-called Border War (1966-1989). The relationship between the Southern Cross Fund and the South African Defence Force as well as the orientation of the organisation as a civiland women’s organisation is analysed. The services endered by the organisation are discussed as well as an analysis of the significance of the Southern Cross Fund in both the military and civil spheres. The organisation is evaluated within the theoretical framework of the mobilisation of civil society in times of war within the timeframe of the existence of the Southern Cross Fund. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 1968 het die Suiderkruisfonds, onder leiding van Elizabeth Albrecht, tot stand gekom. Hierdie organisasie is deur lede van die blanke burgerlike samelewing gestig en het voorsorg vir die welsyn van die Suid-Afrikaanse gewapende magte getref. In samewerking met die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag het die Suiderkruisfonds aan die basiese behoeftes van die soldate voorsien en, deur middel van sy ondersteuning aan die troepe, gepoog om as moraalbouer te dien. Hierdie tesis bespreek die stigting van die Suiderkruisfonds teen die agtergrond van Suid-Afrika se politieke en militêre posisie tydens die Koue Oorlog met spesifieke verwysing na die sogenaamde Grensoorlog (1966-1989). Die Suiderkruisfonds se verhouding met die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag, asook sy oriëntasie as beide burgerlike- en vroue-organisasie word ondersoek. Die dienste wat die organisasie gelewer het word volledig bespreek en die betekenis van die Suiderkruisfonds in beide die militêre en burgerlike sfere word ondersoek. Die organisasie word ook geevalueer binne die teoretiese raamwerk van die mobilisering van die burgerlike samelewing ten tye van konflik wat tydens die tydperk van die Suiderkruisfonds se bestaan voorgekom het.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / South Africa’s ten year old democracy puts great emphasis on being a participatory government, where citizens are able to engage with the policy and legislative process. An important aspect of this is the role played by Parliament which is not only the place where citizens are able to make their voices heard, but is also an important mechanism in keeping the government in line with the views and needs of the “people”. Its role of oversight (of the government departments) is a critical one in keeping the democracy intact, and an important part of this is their ability to access and use information from a wide range of sources. The purpose of this assignment was to consider the current use of information in Parliament and identify the flaws in the management and use of information by Parliamentary Committees. A number of questions are posed, questioning whether the current management and use of information allows Parliamentary Committees to fulfill their obligations in terms of the Constitution. In exploring these questions I have provided background to the role that NGOs have played in the past in South Africa, with specific reference to their relationship to Parliament/government and their expertise in the area of sustainable development. I have explained the role of Parliament (and more specifically the Parliamentary Committees in South Africa), as envisaged in the Constitution, as well as the problems facing Parliament in fulfilling these roles. I also indicated the ways in which civil society organizations could assist Parliament in fulfilling its role as effectively as possible. After considering the various theories of information and knowledge management a model was built on which the current information behaviors of Parliamentarians, specifically with regard to their work in the Committees, could be evaluated. Various key problems were identified and elaborated on. A strategy was outlined to address some of these problems.

Throughout South Africa’s post-Apartheid history, the ANC-led government has undertaken a distinct nation-building program in pursuit of “a truly united, democratic and prosperous South Africa” (ANC, 2007). This is reflected in a two-pronged approach, coupling political and socioeconomic transformation with the social-psychological aspect of forging a broad and inclusive national consciousness. The ANC’s “rainbow nation” approach embraces cultural diversity through what I shall call the practice of “interculturalism”. Interculturalism is a way of recognizing commonalities, reducing tensions and promoting the formation of social partnerships among different cultural groups. The ANC has also promoted a civic culture based on the principles of liberal democracy, non-racism, equality and the protection of individual rights. Interculturalism and civic nationalism are critically important factors to South African nation-building since together they foster a shared public culture and support meaningful participation in the creation of a truly just and democratic South Africa. Unfortunately, in many ways South African society remains deeply divided by race, ethnicity and economic inequality. This thesis analyses various theoretical approaches to national identity and nationbuilding with the aim of identifying several concepts which arguably throw light on the problems of South African nation-building and national identity formation. It is argued that interculturalism and civic nationalism are context appropriate approaches which have been adopted by the ANC to further an inclusive sense of shared public culture and promote participation in the creation of a shared public future. These approaches have led to the limited emergence of a broad South African national identity. However, South Africa’s commitment to socio-economic transformation has been less successful in generating widespread support for a broad national identity. While some of those previously disadvantaged under Apartheid have benefited from poverty alleviation schemes, service delivery initiatives and black economic empowerment programs, many continue to suffer from homelessness, unemployment and worsening economic conditions. Increasing economic marginalization has caused growing discontent among South Africa’s poor and constitutes the biggest threat to the formation of a cohesive national identity in South African society. Ultimately, it is argued that while interculturalism and civic nationalism have played an important role in fostering the growth of a broad national identity, true South African social cohesion will fail to emerge without a massive and sustained commitment to wide-ranging socio-economic transformation.

This thesis is about the relationship between local government, grassroots organisations and the organisation of power resulting from the interaction of the two. Exploring this relationship this thesis investigates whether the actions of grassroots movements can bring local government in line with their developmental role as accorded to them by the Constitution. The assumption embedded in this question is that the current balance of power at the local level exists outside of the service of the historically disadvantaged. Following on from that, the thesis explores, through different modes of analysis, theoretical and historical, the policy and constitutional framework for local government, and then it unravels the context set by the political economy of South Africa. The aim is to make a significant attempt at understanding the possible implications of the interventions grassroots movements make in the public space. The thesis does this also by looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies of the UDF to makes an assessment of the possible endurance of post-apartheid grassroots movements. Since civil society ‘suffers’ from nationalist politics, with its own corporatist institutions, the thesis searches deep within or arguably 'outside of civil society', subjecting AbM and UPM to academic critique, to see how movements embedded among the poor and carrying the political instrument of anger and marginalisation, can dislodge the power of capital. More importantly, the thesis situates the post-apartheid moment within postcolonial politics; navigating through the legacy of Colonialism of a Special Type (CSP), the thesis explores the limits and opportunities at the disposal of grassroots movements. From a different perspective, the thesis is an examination of the organisation and movement of power and the spaces within which power and ideas are contested. Drawing on the political and economic engagements, dubbed the Dar Es Salaam debates, in the 1970’s and 1980’s spurred on by Issa Shivji, the late Prof Dani Wadada Nabudere and Mahmood Mandani, the conclusions of this thesis develops these engagements, essentially making a case for the continued centrality of the post-apartheid state. However, the thesis also asserts the indubitable role that both grassroots movements and civil society need to play, not necessarily in the democratisation of the state, though that goes without saying, but in taking the post-colonial state on its own terms. Consequently, the thesis puts forward the idea that issue-based mobilisation does exactly this, and in the manner that acknowledges the state’s centrality and makes paramount the self-organisation (popular assemblies) of ordinary people in public affairs. The thesis categorically concludes that the centrality of the post-apartheid state and its progressive outlook (constitutional values) is contingent on organs of popular assemblies which need to take the state on its (progressive) terms.

This thesis has identified and analysed the role of an NGO called Gadra Education in advancing education rights to the less advantaged people of Grahamstown in South Africa. Gadra Education’s role has been identified as twofold. Firstly as an educational NGO, Gadra Education’s initiatives directly impact on the lives of the less economically and socially privileged learners who, due to their previous learning environment in state schools, do not achieve academic results that ensure entry into tertiary level. Secondly its role is identified in its nature as an organisation that emerged due to the deficiencies in the state schooling system. It therefore stands de facto as a critical institution for critique of the state’s education system. The thesis concludes that without confronting the Department of Education or collaborating with it, Gadra Education offers a significant alternative approach which can potentially influence the state to improve the state schooling system. Its strategy of non-confrontation to the state, informal and non-corporatist is advantageous as an NGO that focuses on the actual provision of education. It focuses on instilling Ubuntu values of sharing and giving that are of critical significance in teaching and learning. The context of the thesis is located broadly within socio-economic rights and specifically on education rights. In South Africa where the state has not adequately met the educational obligations for the economically and socially less privileged citizens, the emergence of educational NGOs that focus on providing education to the poor is of vital importance. Although other NGOs that confront the state are important in pushing the state to deliver especially on school infrastructure, teacher deployment and other educational challenges, Gadra Education model ensures academic success for the learner. Lessons can be drawn from Gadra Education which can be potentially useful to state schools and other NGOs that seek to advance education rights to disadvantaged communities.

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and perspectives of the users of the services of the Restorative Justice Centre in Pretoria. A phenomenological study was conducted to gain insight in the participants experiences and perspectives of the the services rendered. Data collection was done using indepth interviews with a sample population of girls who were victims of sexual abuse and their caregivers. The reseacher made use of Colaizze (1978) data analysis approach following the transcription of audio recorded information.The study found that first time contact can be a daunting experience for victims, which touches on complex issues like discomfort, fear, cultural barriers and timing. Generally, clients were positive about social workers who build up a meaningful relationship based on empathy and respect. However, clients were concerned about unintentional, but insensitive behaviour by practitioners. Services that recognize a client‟s culture and language, as well as context are viewed as empowering. Therefore, restorative justice interventions should be holistic and consider the context in its approaches / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)