Dissertation submitted for a Masters Degree in Development Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and School of Social Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand March 2019 / Over the years Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been providing a variety of social services, ranging from improving the skills of homeless individuals to helping prevent homelessness. This paper shed light on the current efforts by the Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (JOSH), a Non-Profit Company (NPC) providing services to homeless individuals in Randburg. The study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap that exists in understanding the experiences of CSOs in service provision by exploring JOSH’s experiences in providing services to homeless individuals. The study asked the following research question: What are the experiences of JOSH as a CSO in providing services to homeless individuals in the City of Johannesburg? And the following three sub-questions: What services are provided to homeless people by JOSH? What informs the approach taken for service provision by JOSH? How does JOSH understand their experiences of service provision? I adopted a qualitative methodology and administered 15 face to face semi-structured interviews with the Directors, volunteers, and the staff at JOSH. This approach presented the opportunity to listen to the ideas, experiences and stories of people engaged with social action at JOSH. I used participant observation to collect data. I found this valuable as it gave me an opportunity to participate and observe the settings at JOSH in a way that provided a nuanced understanding of the services provided at JOSH. Thinking critically about the parameters of my research, I used purposive sampling to select my interviews. I chose people who worked closely with JOSH, whose knowledge and experiences would enable me to answer my research question and sub-questions. The fight to end homelessness has brought a new strategic de-instutionalised model of community engagement that addresses issues of social justice through spaces of engagement. According to Cloke (2011) these new spaces of engagement that emerge are known as ‘rapprochement’. This concept is developed in the literature review. It provides a framework of how non-statutory agencies uses a post-secular approach to engage with the homeless population through community-based social action. Five major themes emerged from data analysis: (1) A snapshot of JOSH’s homeless services, (2) Defining JOSH’s homeless services (3) JOSH’s view on homelessness, (4) Approach taken by JOSH, (5) A culture of support at JOSH and (6) challenges faced by JOSH. The first theme describes the different types of services that are provided by JOSH. This study has revealed that JOSH offers food services, skills assessment as well as counselling services to persons experiencing homelessness. JOSH does this by using a social entrepreneurial model, which is an example of rapprochement. This social enterprise model allows JOSH to put agency, innovation and hope at the heart of their approach. This approach 5 has enabled JOSH to create a space that is a transformative form of hospitality and a leadership style that allows different stakeholders to develop and acquire a sense of agency. The second theme demonstrated the model JOSH has adopted to provide services to homeless individuals. The third theme described the different terms JOSH uses to conceptualise homelessness. The fourth theme illustrates that JOSH uses a case management and service integration system to identify individuals who are homeless. The fifth theme describes how Directors, volunteers, and the staff at JOSH support homeless individuals. The final theme describes the different challenges JOSH faces in providing services to homeless individuals. The findings of the study revealed that JOSH’s soup kitchen was more successful because food services were the most accessible and reliable service to homeless individuals. JOSH also indicated that there is a need for an overnight shelter which was currently not JOSH’s focus of service delivery. Recommendations are made based on the findings of the study. / NG (2020)

D.Litt. et Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

A thesis submitted to University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Johannesburg, 2017 / Decolonisation and Africanisation of spaces emerging from administrative and settler colonialism have been suggested as forms of challenging colonial legacies that are still largely present in the Global South and particularly within the African continent. Mainly, this has also been the case in recent South African discourses that have called for the decolonisation and ‘transformation’ of key areas in the country to build a decolonised African country of the future. This thesis, therefore, deals with the subject of the community radio broadcasting sector that is operating during South Africa’s ‘postcolonial’ era, and the steps undertaken by this sector in Africanising itself. Starting from the conviction that the media has a historical role in shaping and communicating cultures as well as identities of the colonised and ‘formerly’ colonised, the thesis posits that the community radio sector is one of the vital arenas that can be used to understand the continuities and discontinuities of colonial cultures in media institutions. Thus, to comprehend and establish the state of Africanisation within the community radio sector of the country, the study investigated and analysed the case of Vukani Community Radio (VCR); a community radio station that is easily one of the oldest community orientated broadcasters in South Africa. Furthermore, to challenge the idea of colonised and neo-colonised media spaces, this thesis was grounded on an understanding of the complexities of Africanisation as a decolonising project in a media institution that is operating in the post-settler-colonial administration of this country. Adopting a case study approach, this study attempted to understand the urgency of a broadcast media platform in asserting the cultures and identities of ‘previously’ colonised Africans on the medium's airwaves. To make sense of the conceptual challenges surrounding the study, the thesis has drawn on decolonial discourses, including the theory of Afrocentricity, the coloniality of power, coloniality of knowledge, the coloniality of being and the decolonial turn. The adoption of these theories by the study, therefore, also demonstrates a conscious delinking of this study from the traditional theories of media and cultural studies that have habitually underpinned the South African canon. Moreover, this study has adopted the use of critical decolonised methodologies approach in the pursuit of answers about the extent of Africanisation of the media institution. The decolonised approach of the adopted method lay in revealing the colonial excesses that have underpinned research methodologies as well as an ‘auto-critique’ of these excesses in the context of this study. The data analysed to arrive at the findings of this study included several macro and micro policy documents, a content analysis of three (3) categories of community radio programmes [Talk Radio, African Cultural Lifestyle & News Programming] that totalled 270 hours of community radio content. The study also relied on several semi structured interviews with various internal and external stakeholders that make up the station's key constituencies. In the analysis of evidence that would uncover the extent of the Africanisation of the community radio station, the findings of the thesis revealed several yet overlapping thematic areas that suggest pathways towards the Africanisation of the media institution. These, among others, included the use of this media institution as an African public sphere, its embracing of the philosophy of Ubuntu, its role in the decolonisation of African memory and its approaches towards ethnicity and Africanity within the broadcasting area. These themes emanating from the analysed data of the study also illustrate how this media institution is operating as a pocket of resistance against colonial, neo-colonial and imperialistic media cultures. In addition to these thematic areas, the findings of this study also demonstrate that when only media policy documents are adopted, this can lead to ambiguities in the pursuit of Africanisation as decolonisation. The study however also demonstrates that the urgency of the community radio station in catering for the surrounding constituency can potentially demonstrate an eventual Africanisation of the airwaves. Finally, this study concludes that the Africanisation of the airwaves is demonstrable at Vukani Community Radio (VCR) but its permanent enforcement is dependent on the vigilance of the stations constituencies and how they define and enforce the role of their media institution. / XL2018

Using a qualitative and interpretive approach, this research focuses on the training and support needs of crisis interventionists volunteering at an organisation for the abused. This research developed out of a need identified by the board for recommendations to be made in order to compile a new training manual as well as to explore and improve the support services offered to volunteers at the organisation. The research used a thorough examination of the current literature available dealing with crisis intervention and intimate partner violence both nationally and internationally to provide a framework and standard for all recommendations. This was then supplemented with a participatory and interpretive approach to understand the experiences of the crisis interventionists themselves currently volunteering at the organisation. The major themes that emerged from the data included an understanding of the current training process, the impact of volunteering for the desk, the impact and importance of organisational culture and the organisation and self care techniques used by the volunteers. These were then interpreted in terms of their relevance to the training and support needs of the volunteers looking specifically at the training process to ensure an ideological shift and information retention as well as explore supportive services that would be the most beneficial and accessible to the volunteer. The research was then able to provide the most appropriate recommendations for the organisation going forward. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The potential of community-based organisations (CBOs) to provide lasting solutions in the field of Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has long been recognised. As interest in the role of CBOs has increased, so have attempts to build their capacity and increase their stability and sustainability. Capacity-building initiatives which aim to strengthen CBOs as if they were identical to formal, more established organisations have often proved ineffective, and even at times destructive, because they have ignored the very differences that make CBOs potentially the most effective agents of development change at community level. This study is a qualitative exploration of a new mentoring-based approach to CBO capacity-building, which is currently being used extensively with CBOs in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The research is inductive, beginning with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual study of the personal experiences and perceptions of CBO leadership team members from four sample CBOs which have graduated from the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme. Data was collected using a combination of face-to-face unstructured interviews and focus group discussion, with the objective of exploring the subjects’ experiences and their perceptions of the impact of the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme on the sustainability of their organisations. The insights and findings arising from the research process are then applied as the basis for a series of recommendations for the adaptation of the Barnabas trust mentoring approach and materials. The findings of this study appear to show that the mentoring-based approach has been an effective strategy for capacity-building towards sustainability for the CBOs in the sample, bringing positive change at the individual, organisational and community levels.

M.A. (Public Management and Governance) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Bibliography: pages 157-165. / The new political dispensation gave way to much questioning of the importance of the organs of civil society, and the role they play in development of our society. Civic Associations are but one of such institutions of civil society, and this study seeks to explore the role they will continue to play in a post-apartheid South Africa (SA). Civics truly played a major role in bringing about democracy in our country. Now the political changes that have occurred forces Civics to redefine their role within a democratic society. Widespread speculations are that Civics will focus in development and/or that they will be watchdogs to government. This is a qualitative study and data was collected mainly through interviews (structured and unstructured) and use of secondary sources. The study was conducted in Khayelitsha in the period July to December 1995, before the local government elections. Two Civic organisations participated in this study, that is, Western Cape United Squatter Association (WECUSA) and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) of Khayelitsha. The respondents were mainly members of the executive committees of the two organisations. The sample was drawn through non-probability sampling, using purposive and snowball sampling. This allowed the researcher an opportunity to choose respondents who best meet the purpose of the study. The major conclusions of the study are that Civics are aware of the need to redefine their role, though to date they have achieved very little in this regard. The perception is that Civics will continue to exist, and shift their focus to development work. The other role that Civics see themselves as playing is that of acting as watchdogs to government. This view is rejected by some people because of the close relationship that Civics have with the political parties. Civics are aligned to specific political parties, for example, both Civics (WECUSA and SANCO) who participated in this study are aligned to the African National Congress (ANC). In the local government elections, these Civics canvassed people to vote for the ANC. The findings of the study have also shown that Civics are playing a significant role in their communities. They are concerned with provision of basic services such as water, electricity, building of roads, schools and health facilities. The major challenge that still remains facing Civics is for them to redefine their role and the question of their alliance with political parties.

Bibliography : pages 127-135. / This study examines Human Service Organisations and community organisations operating in Mbekweni during the period January to June 1988. These organisations were examined in order to identify the characteristics that distinguish them from each other in as far as service delivery is concerned. The community based organisations were found to be orientated towards mutual-aid and self-help model whilst the Human Service organisations were orientated towards the service model. This study will also highlight the complex nature of Mbekweni which has been approached by different organisations delivering social services. An integrated developmental model is proposed that could form the basis for private voluntary human service organisations. The model is based on: the participation by beneficiaries of services being involved in the decision making process; and the client of this approach being the group or community. The delivery of services would take place in and by groups. An important element in the model would be the inclusion of trained Developmental Workers who would act as enablers, facilitators, educators and resource persons. This model will emphasise factors that could be incorporated in the designing, planning and administration of private voluntary human service organisations operating in black urbanising communities.

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Dissertation (MA (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research study is to present a profile of the community needs and a description of the community programmes which are in operation at the SHARE organisation. Furthermore, the study aims at compiling data that will attempt to determine how the SHARE project meets the principles for social welfare, namely securing basic welfare and human rights, equity, non-discrimination, accountability, accessibility, appropriateness, transparent quality service, democracy and ubuntu. For purposes of achieving the above aims and the objectives of the study, a literature review was undertaken and empirical research data were gathered and are presented in this study. The literature review support data relevant to the study, and it involves the historical background of social work and community development in Britain, Europe, Great Britain, the United States of America and South Africa. The above historical background is crucial in understanding events that led to community development initiatives in South Africa, especially in relation to the SHARE project under study. Furthermore, a developmental approach to social welfare in South Africa, families living in poverty, management of community work projects from a social work perspective and models of social welfare have been presented. From the above literature presentation, the role of a community social worker in managing community projects has been identified. A community social worker's involvement in managing community projects is important because a social worker possesses expert knowledge and the skills necessary to facilitate the community's own initiatives in the development of the community. Community members are therefore supported towards self-help and self-determination. A local social work practitioner has succeeded in facilitating the efforts of the KwaNobuhle community in the establishment of the SHARE projects. She has made use of her expert knowledge and skill to foster self-initiatives to the KwaNobuhle community to develop their own community. A pre-assessment review undertaken by the researcher at the SHARE project and the KwaNobuhle needs assessment survey data have provided a basis for the empirical study. In this study, an applied research design has been utilised to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of a project. Data gathering has been applied by utilising two instruments. The first instrument, a structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from a sample size of ten SHARE respondents consisting of service providers and beneficiaries. The data gathered have been analysed quantitatively. The second unstructured instrument has collected data from a sample size of eleven respondents. Respondents interviewed were SHARE beneficiaries and service providers. Data gathered have been analysed qualitatively. Variables to be operationalised were the SHARE programmes and the principles of social welfare which were identified earlier. The purpose of operationalising the above variables was to determine whether the SHARE programmes are able to meet the principles of social welfare. With reference to the results of the findings it has been established that hypothetically the SHARE programmes have been able to meet no less than 70% of the principles of social welfare as proposed by the White Paper (1997). In conclusion, the SHARE project has projected a positive image of social work practitioners in South Africa. Social work practitioners in the various provinces are urged to initiate similar projects so as to enhance social development in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingstudie is om 'n profiel van die gemeenskap se behoeftes asook 'n beskrywing van die gemeenskapsprogramme wat in gebruik is by die SHARE-organisasie, saam te stel. Vervolgens is die ondersoek toegespits op die insameling van inligting om te bepaal in watter mate die SHARE-projek aan die beginsels van maatskaplike welsyn voldoen, naamlik die versekering van basiese welsyns- en menseregte, gelykheid, nie-diskriminasie, aanspreeklikheid, toeganklikheid, relevantheid, gehalte dienslewering, demokrasie en Ubuntu. Ten einde die genoemde doelstellings en die doelwitte met hierdie studie te bereik, is 'n literatuurstudie gedoen en empiriese navorsingsdata ingesamel. Die literatuuroorsig rugsteun die data wat relevant is vir hierdie studie en verwys na die historiese agtergrond van maatskaplike werk en gemeenskapsontwikkeling in Brittanje, Europa, die Verenigde State van Amerika en Suid-Afrika. Verwysing na die historiese agtergrond is onontbeerlik om die gebeure te begryp wat aanleiding gegee het tot gemeenskapsontwikkelingsinisiatiewe in Suid-Afrika, veral met betrekking tot die betrokke SHARE-projek. Voorts word 'n ontwikkelingsbenadering vir maatskaplike welsyn in Suid-Afrika, gesinne wat in armoede leef, die bestuur van gemeenskapswerkprojekte vanuit 'n maatskaplike werk oogpunt, en modelle vir maatskaplike welsyn aangebied. Uit die bogenoemde literatuuraanbieding word die rol van 'n maatskaplike werker in die bestuur van gemeenskapsprojekte uitgelig. Die betrokkenheid van 'n maatskaplike werker in die bestuur van gemeenskapsprojekte is belangrik, omdat 'n maatskaplike werker oor die kundigheid en vaardighede beskik wat nodig is om die gemeenskap se eie inisiatiewe by die ontwikkeling van die gemeenskap betrek. Lede van die gemeenskap word sodoende ondersteun om hulself te help en word selfverwesenliking bevorder. 'n Plaaslike maatskaplike werker het daarin geslaag om die inisiatiewe van die KwaNobuhle gemeenskap te fasiliteer om sodoende die "SHARE"-projekte te ontwikkel. Sy het haar kundigheid en vaardigheid aangewend om eie inisiatiewe by die KwaNobuhle gemeenskap te bevorder in die ontwikkeling van hul samelewing. 'n Verkenningstudie wat deur die navorser by die SHARE-projek gedoen is, asook die data van die KwaNobuhle behoeftebepaling, het die grondslag gelê waarop die empiriese studie onderneem kon word. In hierdie studie is van 'n toegepaste navorsingsmodel gebruik gemaak om die doeltreffendheid en doelmatigheid van 'n projek aan te toon. Dataversameling het dus geskied deur die gebruik van twee instrumente. Die eerste gestruktureerde vraelys is ontwerp om inligting uit 'n monstergrootte van tien "SHARE"-respondente, wat uit diensverskaffers en begunstigdes saamgestel was, te verkry. Hierdie data is kwantitatief ontleed. Die tweede ongestruktureerde instrument het data versamel uit 'n monstergrootte van elf respondente. Respondente met wie onderhoude gevoer is, was SHAREbegunstigdes en diensverskaffers. Die data wat versamel is, is kwalitatief ontleed. Veranderlikes wat in werking gestel moes word, was die "SHARE"-programme en die beginsels van maatskaplike welsyn wat vroeër geïdentifiseer is. Die oogmerk met die operasionalisering van voorgenoemde, was om te bepaal of die SHARE-programme aan die beginsels van maatskaplike welsyn voldoen. Na aanleiding van die resultate van hierdie bevindings is vasgestel dat die "SHARE"-programme, hipoteties gesproke, aan nie minder nie as 70% van die beginsels van maatskaplike welsyn, soos voorgestel deur die Witskrif (1997), voldoen het. Die "SHARE"-projek het 'n positiewe beeld ten opsigte van maatskaplike werkers in Suid-Afrika geprojekteer. Maatskaplike werkers in die onderskeie provinsies word aangespoor om soortgelyke projekte te inisieer ten einde maatskaplike ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika te bevorder. / wa201509