No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Worldwide, it has been recognised that local governments are uniquely placed to bring about positive environmental change in their areas of jurisdiction. This research was conducted to assess how one South African local municipality, the eThekwini Municipality, Durban, is faring in its efforts to achieve sustainability. Hajer's (1993, 1995, 2003) discourse approach to environmental policy making was used as the key theoretical and methodological basis of the research. This approach recognises the power of discourse in shaping how society's relationship with the environment should be managed and sustained. In global environmental politics, ecological modernisation has emerged as the dominant environmental policy discourse and reflects a weak approach to sustainability. An alternative is the strong sustainability discourse, which argues that sustainability cannot be achieved without giving attention to issues of social and environmental justice and including local communities in environmental policy making. These two discourses are used to structure the assessment of environmental policy discourse in the eThekwini Municipality. A recent municipal project, "eThekwini Catchments 2002: A Strategic Tool for Planning" was used as the research case study. The project provides an assessment of the environmental health of each of the 18 river catchments identified in the municipal area, using environmental indicators. The intention of the project was for this information to be used by municipal planners as a tool for environmental decision-making. Municipal officials, representing several municipal sectors, and the project consultants were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the project. The interview transcripts, as well as the Catchments Project report and other municipal documents, were analysed using Hajer's discourse methodology to uncover the key discourses operating in the municipality that influence environmental policy making. Municipal discourse was then reviewed in terms of the EM and strong sustainability discourses to determine whether the municipality is moving towards stronger sustainability. This research also contributes to an improved understanding of how discourse shapes environmental policy projects and their outcomes. By identifying the environmental discourse dynamics at work, it is possible to stimulate a more deliberate approach to environmental policy making to bring about positive environmental change in the municipality. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

The Housing Department of the eThekwini Municipality implemented a home-ownership programme in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The programme aimed at selling state-financed flats to tenants of the Municipality. The sale of these flats was in terms of the Sectional Title development scheme. The research study undertaken was to analyze and evaluate the implementation of this programme. In conducting the research study, a global perspective on the delivery of public housing was obtained. There are challenges globally; there is inadequate delivery of housing by governments both in developing and developed countries. Whilst there are new strategies being formulated by governments, for e.g. housing associations and social housing; there is lack of support by government to sustain these housing programmes. The research study was undertaken within a systems approach. The use of this approach enabled a holistic enquiry process into the study. Through the systems approach the researcher was able to look at not only the components in the system, but also the interaction and the connectedness between components. The Critical Systems Thinking as a meta-methodology allowed the use of more than one methodology for the research study, i.e. Critical Systems Heuristics and Quantitative Study. The Critical Systems Heuristics methodology was used to analyze and evaluate a policy decision made by Government to sell State-Financed flats to tenants. This research study focused on the officials of the eThekwini Municipality. The second research study was Quantitative and targeted trustees within bodies corporate. The analysis of the data that was collated highlighted the following: While the decision for the sale of flats to tenants in order to promote home ownership emerged as a good decision, there is never the less a need to include in the programme an extensive post sales programme that includes training, education and a support network for bodies corporate The communication between tenants and the Housing Department was extensive until the transfer of the flats to the tenants and thereafter communication was very limited One of the main challenge faced in this programme is the financial management of bodies corporate There appears to be challenges of promoting and maintaining social cohesion. Whilst the programme to promote home-ownership has been well-received by beneficiaries, the progamme lacked a supportive post-sales programme and hence viewed as incomplete. Two broad recommendations were: Ongoing programme with bodies corporate: There needs to be training and education programmes available for the post sales period. The programmes should be designed to benefit both newly appointed trustees and exiting ones Supportive Network: The Housing Department needs to initially provide funding and facilitate a process to for the creation and sustainability of network forums. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

The purpose of this Qualitative study was to explore HIV related stigma experienced by women enrolled in the Prevention of Mother to Child (PMTCT) prgramme in the EThekwini District, Kwazulu Natal. Descriptriptive phenomenology informed the study design, data collection and analysis. Despite increasing access to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission initiatives, including anti-retroviral drugs, the Stigma of being HIV positive, particularly for women, largely outweigh the potential gains from available treatments. HIV/AIDS related stigma drives the epidemic underground and is one of the main reasons that people do not wish to know their HIV status Purposeful sampling was used to select seven women attending PMTCT programme in the EThekwini District. These women were selected in four clinics in the District. Data was collected through in-depth interviews lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. These interviews were tape recorded and later transcribed to aid analysis. The Colaizzi method of data analysis was utilized. Four themes emerge from the data, each with three to eight subthemes confirming the experiences and presence of stigma during programme participation. All participants reported incidence of being stigmatized, particularly in the Health care setting. They took great strides to keep their HIV status confidential to a point of going against programme directives to ensure secrecy of their status thus avoid HIV related stigma. Number of recommendations were made in relation to the PMTCT programme and if accepted will assist in mitigating stigma in HIV related stigma in the PMTCT progarmme and thus reduce vertical transmission. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Purpose: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool which is commonly known as the road to health card (RTHC)for the under- fives. Methodology: Based on the positivist paradigm, a descriptive approach was undertaken to explore the HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the child growth and development monitoring tool also known as the road to health card (RTHC) for growth monitoring and promotion in EThekwini metropolitan area. Sampling was prepared in two stages; probability random sampling to obtain seventeen clinics and non-probability purposive sampling technique was followed to obtain the study‟s participants. Fifty-one self-developed, structured questionnaires were distributed of which forty were completed and returned. This was followed by conducting one hundred and seventy observations in the clinical areas, which means ten observations per clinic. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 18) software. Findings: The average score for the respondents‟ knowledge regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP was 62%, and that score was classified as unacceptable according to this study. The participants‟ responses regarding their attitudes about GMP tended to favour statements that indicated good practices for the use of the RTHC. However, when GMP practices/activities were observed in the clinical areas, it became apparent that the answers provided in the instrument to rate the HCWs attitudes, were not a true reflection. Some of the practices observed were good, but the average score for the observations was69%, which was also classified as unacceptable. Conclusions: HCWs knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the use of the RTHC for GMP activities were found to be unacceptable. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Aim To explore Mental Health Care Practitioners and a Mental Health Care Directors perceptions of mental health care nurses obtaining prescription authority in eThekwini District KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology A qualitative design was used to gather data through individual interviews and a focus group interview. Purposive sampling was used to select the study setting (five (5) Out Patient Departments, two (2) Community Health Centres, one (1) tertiary educational institution, and one district office), potential participants were not sampled. Participants included; twenty six mental health care nurses (n=26), one (1) psychiatrist (n=1), four (4) medical officers (n=4) and one (n=1) mental health care director. Thematic analysis using the steps outlined by Braun and Clark (2006) was used to analyse the data. Results The majority of participants were not aware of policies or legislation allowing nurses to prescribe medication. Participating mental health care nurses from an education setting were more knowledgeable than other participants about current legislation and policy. Study findings indicate that nurses’ obtaining prescriptive authority is not on the provincial department of health agenda. In addition, participating ppsychiatrists and medical officers expressed reservations about nurses obtaining prescriptive authority, specifically independent prescriptive authority. Participating mental health nurses displayed ambivalence related to the pursuit of prescriptive authority. Conclusion and Recommendations The challenge for mental health nurses is suggested to be the achievement of a collaborative working relationship within the discipline of nursing, and between the discipline of nursing and medicine / psychiatry. It is suggested mental health care directors, and the SANC, be proactive, look to the future in advising the health minister about access and barriers to mental health care treatment. In addition, the SANC champion the nurse, specifically the mental health care nurse in obtaining prescriptive authority for schedule 5-6 psychotropic medications. Further research is required to generate more in-depth data, specifically research that explores mental health care nurses’ reluctance to pursue prescriptive authority. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

This research sought to examines how Integrated Development Planning has been used as an approach for improving infrastructure service delivery in historically disadvantaged communities. It examines the extent to which integrated development planning has been used to facilitate infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. It identifies key development challenges that are currently faced by the eThekwini Municipality in its attempts to accelerate infrastructure service delivery in KwaNyuswa. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used to source information. Key experts and community members were interviewed to supplement data from secondary sources. It was found that KwaNyuswa has a large proportion of Durban Metro Open Space, riverines and steep divided topography which constraint infrastructure provision in the area. Nevertheless, EThekwini Municipality has to a large extent managed to provide affordable services such as water and electricity in KwaNyuswa. Despite this success, roads and transportation networks have not been upgraded especially in sub-settlements called “Izigodi” and no Reconstruction and Development Programme Houses have been constructed since 1994. The study has identified a rural planning scheme, the affordable service delivery strategy, human capital development programme and nodal development strategies as solutions to enhance infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. Lessons learnt were identified jointly with recommendations to make Integrated Development Planning work in KwaNyuswa. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

Play is not only essential to child development but for human development. Therefore, it was important to study caregivers' views of play as they impact the amount of play that takes place in their child's life. As part of a group research project, the researcher, who is a social worker by profession and is studying through the University of Pretoria, explored the views of caregivers on play. Play may have transformed and evolved over time and will continue to transform; play may mean something completely different in different contexts, which was explored further, but the important thing is that children should still be provided with the opportunity to play, no matter how it is defined. Thus, to explore these evolving views of play the researcher conducted a study into caregivers' views on play and play areas, specifically within the Durban City Centre, eThekwini District. The study followed a qualitative research approach, where detailed descriptions were gathered from caregivers on their views of play and play areas, within the context of Durban city centre. Caregivers' views on play and play areas within Durban were explored using applied research as the appropriate type of research. The most effective method of gathering information regarding the views of caregivers on play and play areas was the collective case study research design, which was utilised. Interviews, specifically semi-structured interviews were used as the method of data collection. The focus of these interviews was to gather more detailed, personal and in depth information. Purposive, non-probability sampling was utilised within this study, as the entire population was and is still unknown to the researcher. The goals and objectives of the study were to theoretically contextualise the role of play in the lives of children in early childhood. To explore and describe caregivers' views on play in the lives of their children and explore and describe how and whether caregivers engage with their children in play. To explore and describe caregivers' views of the availability and utilisation of public play areas for their children. Finally, the last objective was to raise awareness among caregivers, professionals and local authorities on the value of play and access to play areas through conclusions and recommendations of this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data gathered was analysed. The researcher identified four themes, with subthemes. These themes focused on the views that caregivers' have regarding play in the lives of their children. Caregiver's involvement in this play was also examined. Influences of caregiver's culture and own upbringing on these views surrounding play were another theme. Public play spaces were a focus within this study, examining who had access to a public play space and what factors encourage usage. Recommendations were given by the caregivers on how to make public play spaces more effective and useful to the community. From the findings of the study, the researcher identified several recommendations that could be given to professionals that deal with caregivers, recommendations to municipalities and local governments and finally for future research. / Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

The study focuses mainly on the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programmes offered to male juveniles at Westville prison. The study also tries to uncover how the rehabilitation programmes improve the quality of life of the juvenile offenders and how it prepares them for reintegration into the community. A combination of sociological theories has been used interchangeably since they are interrelated. The main theory is symbolic interactionism, including the views of G.H. Mead (1934), W.I.Thomas (1923) and H.S. Becker (1963). Other theories used were differential association by Sutherland (1947); anomie by Merton (1956); subculture by Cohen (1956) and the labeling theory of Schur (1971). Data from prison officials were collected by means of questionnaires and an interview schedule was administered to the juveniles. The results of the findings indicate that rehabilitation programmes offered to male juveniles are effective. The reason being that the number of second time offenders is very small compared to the number of first time offenders. Only six respondents out of 50 were found to be second time offenders. The mam conclusion of the study relates to the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes. The recommendations of the study focus on communication between prison staff and external agencies. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1999.

Aim: This study explored and described residential care for the elderly in eThekwini Municipality in terms of the organizational structure, staff and residents, and determined how those factors influenced elder care. This was aimed to make recommendations for residential care in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Methodology: A descriptive explorative case study design, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted for this study. The study participants included eight administrators, twenty elderly residents and thirty nursing staff from four residential care facilities (RCFs) in eThekwini Municipality, Durban. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, record review and observation based on the structure, process and outcome of the study's conceptual framework. Qualitative data were gathered from administrators and elderly residents. The data were transcribed and analyzed manually using Framework Analysis (Ritchi & Spencer, 1994). Quantitative data was obtained from nursing staff using questionnaires, and analyzed using SPSS. Findings: Administrative fmdings followed the structure, process and outcome of the study. The structural findings were focused on facility philosophy and human-material resources, as well as on emerging themes from the data. The emerging themes from facility philosophy were assisting vulnerable people across age groups, document review, quality indicators, admission criteria and reasons for admission to each facility. Emerging themes from human-material resources were fmancial sustainability, staff-resident ratio and material resources. The process findings were focused on care and service delivery to the elderly and the emerging themes were one big family, incidence of abuse, methods of elder care and service delivery, knowledge about elder care, relationship of control, being there, gentle restraint, setting boundaries with the residents, medication safety, common religious belief and resident satisfaction. Findings from the outcome were focused on success and challenges of elder care, experiences of the elderly and nursing staff care experiences. Thus, emerging themes from success and challenges were strong bond, retaining staff, maintenance of physical structure, location of care centre; success and its dependence and challenges of procuring basic medical equipment. Findings from experiences of the elderly were reasons for admission, relationship, experiences of the elderly, response shift, psychosocial support and satisfaction with care, cultural belief and well respected. Emerging themes from nursing staffs experiences of caring for the elderly was mainly focused on their professional knowledge about elder care. Details of these findings are written down in Chapters Four and discussed in relation to literature in Chapter Five. Conclusion: The study concluded by making recommendations for the care of the elderly in -RCFs in eThekwini Municipality in line with the findings of the study. The recommendations have implications for the government, policy makers, nursing education and nursing research. Moreover, those concerned are encouraged to adopt and use the recommendations where applicable to promote residential care quality for the elderly in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.