Thesis (M. Tech) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), local government in South Africa is obliged to ensure that sustainable services are provided to communities. Without any doubt, the effective and efficient execution of this responsibility would bring about an environment conducive to service excellence on local government level. However, South African municipalities are characterised by poor service provision; and the various incidents arising from dissatisfaction on the part of residents in respect of the services rendered are daily becoming a greater challenge to municipalities in the Free State Province. In order to meet the service provision standards, as stipulated in the Constitution, the development and implementation of municipal policies is essential. Policy is defined, inter alia, as the setting out of basic principles that must be pursued in order to achieve specific objectives. Local government has the legislative and executive competency to develop and implement policies. As a result of the diversity and complexity of policy-making, a conceptual framework for the policy-making process at local government level is an essential requirement. This process is described in the dissertation as a sequential pattern consisting of the following phases: policy agenda-setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation and execution and policy evaluation. However, municipalities do not have the institutional capacity, skills and experience necessary for the development and implementation of municipal policies. A further aspect that complicates the creation and implementation of policies is the large amount of legislation that regulates local government in South Africa. This legislation also requires municipalities to develop and implement various policies. There are several factors that influence policy-making at local government level. Aspects such as the political environment, the financial environment and community needs have a direct and significant effect on policy-making at this level of government. Capacity shortages probably comprise the factor that has the most detrimental effect on policy-making at local government level; and therefore the necessity for the relevant skills and knowledge relating to policymaking is indisputable. It is just as essential, however, that the other two spheres of government, namely national and provincial government, should carry out their constitutional obligation to support municipalities and strengthen their capacity. Therefore, the aim of this study is, firstly, to identify specific actions that could be implemented by local and district municipalities to improve the policy-making process. Secondly, to determine the reasons for the inadequate formulation, adoption and implementation of the municipal policies. Thirdly, to determine the specific role of national and provincial government, as well as that of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), in supporting municipalities in the policy-making process. In addition, strategies that could be implemented in order to improve the institutional capacity, skills and experience at local government level, with a view to developing and implementing appropriate policies, have also been identified.

Thesis (D. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2005 / The primary objective of this research has been to undertake a critical investigation of the application of the budget process and the achievement of budget objectives in the Free State Provincial Government. The emphasis has been specifically on the planning and control functions of management. The justification for the research is the continuous demand for unlimited public services and the limited availability of the state‟s financial resources. The undertaking proceeded from the hypothetical viewpoint that a budget is designed to assure that public resources are spent according to the preferences of the taxpayer and the legislature. A budget promotes consistency in the process of resource allocation, and its implementation should be enforced by constant evaluation and monitoring. The research includes the following aspects: - The problems encountered by the Free State Provincial Government in its endeavors to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the budget. - The fundamental principles of budget management in general, and in particular various types of budget and budget management techniques. - The evaluation of budgets as a basis for reporting on performance and the importance of such performance reports. The research methodology followed relies both on a survey of relevant literature and on empirical data. The former consists of a discussion regarding the extent to which the present budget system promotes effective and efficient budget control management and the achievement of budget objectives. As part of the empirical research an “ex post facto” analysis was undertaken of external audit reports and appropriation accounts over a period of fourteen years. In addition the fishbone or root-cause analysis approach was followed to identify core symptoms. The theoretical and empirical research yielded the following results: - The partial disturbance of the input/output relationship means that performance cannot be measured against profit as in the private sector. To compensate for this deficiency management should focus on financial statements and on audit and performance reports to measure performance. - Management needs to have an unimpeded access to budget information on the financial management system right from the beginning of each new financial year. - Estimates of expenditure (projections) should be captured on a monthly basis in the financial management system. With the implementation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, budget projections must be regarded as compulsory. - Press reports and reports of the Auditor-General indicated that shortcomings relating to audit committees still exist both on national and provincial levels. This deficiency has a negative effect on the effectiveness of the internal audit function. - An annual percentage deviation in various departments between voted amounts and expenditure was substantial. In some instances the deviation - Losses should be monitored constantly, and management should be aware of the impact of losses and claims on financial resources. Their prevention should be part of each department‟s financial strategy. - Budget manipulation reduces the budget‟s effectiveness and efficiency as a means of performance measurement. The first possible solution to solve the problems associated with the budget is privatization of the service or function. The second possibility is the implementation of a quality control program. Its objective would be to reverse poor performance. To be successful, the quality control program should rely on clear accountabilities, effective partnerships and devoted leadership. A third recommendation might be the implementation of a quality assurance and quality control division for each department. The first component would gather all the necessary documentation to assure quality while the second would monitor effective application. The first requirement in measuring performance will be the motivation of all staff to be committed to the improvement of service delivery. The second challenge will be to train them accordingly. The third challenge will be the development of a performance report procedure for each department. A further recommendation is the analysis and reduction of underspending. Finally, accounting officers must implement effective and transparent processes of financial and risk management. Broadly viewed, the integration of budget and strategic planning initiatives of the National Treasury are a slow process that cannot be implemented overnight. National departments and provinces are, however, requested by National Treasury to improve on the outputs and the development of robust output performance measures and service delivery indicators. This viewpoint supports the proposed budget-management model aimed at effective objective achievement or sustainable development of the Free State. In future the budget management process could be based on this model to improve service delivery.

Thesis (M. Tech. ( Education)) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2012 / In Xhariep District, promoted school managers are left alone to find their way out. This exposes the school managers to stressful working conditions such as being unaware of the school policies and procedures. The overall aim of this study is to explore challenges faced by promoted school managers in Xhariep secondary schools and identify the type of training they would require. The objectives of the study were to identify challenges that promoted school managers in Xhariep secondary schools face and also identify the type of training needs that promoted school managers require. This descriptive study is quantitative in nature because it collects mostly numeric data and employs mainly quantitative techniques in analysing the data. The population under investigation consists of secondary, and high school principals, deputy principals, and heads of departments in Xhariep District in FSDoe in South Africa. The FSDoe Xhariep district office keep a database of schools under their jurisdiction . From this database, a purposeful sampling method was used to select 80 promoted school managers from the 23 listed schools in Xhariep District. Purposeful sampling method was used in order to prevent under or non-representation of parts of the population (Brynard & Hanekom, 2006:56; Scheaffer, Mendenhall & Ott, 2006). A structured, Likert-scaled questionnaire with closed ended questions was used to collect information from the respondents. Part one of the questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, part two focused on induction, part three questioned about the role of the mentor and part four zoomed in on nature of support offered by FSDoe. The results of the study showed that the majority of the respondents (97%) urgently needed induction. There was also a feeling that induction instilled a feeling of belonging by 67% of the respondents. The study also revealed that promoted school managers are offered very little support.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / The aim of this study was to establish factors that contribute to poor learner discipline in the primary school. Although discipline has addressed in many schools, putting it through in the classroom is always another story. To address the issue of discipline, this article examines the factors that influence poor discipline in schools, in the Free State province and sought to suggest strategies that may be implemented to improve poor discipline in schools and sustain positive nation of discipline. Questionnaires were administered to educators and information gathered from responses. Both the literature study and empirical research revealed that there were factors which negatively influenced discipline in schools. Finally, several recommendations were made to rectify the current situation.

HIV and AIDS related deaths have left numerous children heading households as the number of adults dying from this pandemic increased significantly. The goal of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges and coping resources of AIDS-orphans heading households in an urban area in Free State using a qualitative study. The research revealed that the level of suffering faced by these children began with their parents’ illness. This was further worsened by the death of the parents. These children are in most instances not absorbed by their extended families as the traditional safety nets are stretched to their limits. Children heading households were forced to take up adult responsibilities prematurely and as such encounter challenges on daily basis. The study concluded that the child headed families are a reality in South Africa and need lots of support from the government and local communities. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction Teenage pregnancy is a socioeconomic challenge and an important public health problem for communities in South Africa. Considerable research has been done on teenage pregnancy in South Africa but it focused mostly on teenage girls. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to explore and describe young males’ perceptions, to identify the roles they play in this phenomenon and to determine the factors that influence their perceptions as well as their practices regarding teenage pregnancy. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used to conduct the study. The study was guided by the Johnson Behavioural Model System. The study population consisted of young males who were studying at the Free State School of Nursing. Data saturation was achieved after interviewing 10 participants. The four major themes emerged from data obtained were as follows: Theme 1: Perceptions regarding teenage pregnancies, Theme 2: Risk factors leading to teenage pregnancies, Theme 3: Cultural and traditional practices influencing perceptions about teenage pregnancies, Theme 4: Measures to prevent teenage pregnancies. Thematic analysis of data was done. Results The findings of this study revealed that young males were not involved in reproductive health programmes aiming to prevent teenage pregnancies. They lacked knowledge regarding the use of, and the available types of contraceptives. Cultural and traditional practices such as misinterpreting circumcision and cultural beliefs, including misconceptions about sexual practices, played a crucial role such as not using contraceptives during sexual intercourse that could lead to teenage pregnancy. This study recommends that young males need to be actively involved in reproductive health.

Thesis (DComm)--Stellenbosch University, 1982. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Manpower development is a subsection of economic planning. The aim of this study was to make a contribution to the existing perception of the education planning and economic planning of manpower development by means of formal, technical and vocational education, so as to bring the manpower supply of trained persons in balance with the demand. The emphasis falls on the formal education and training and re-training of the EMPLOYEE as a means of combating the continuous shortage of skilled manpower in the Republic of South Africa. The planning of an education system must have as aim, to plan in such a way that sufficient skilled manpower can be supplied to the labour market, that is - a demand and supply system of formal education for the employee is advocated. A theoretical framework is constructed which indicates that a balance on all levels of manpower demand and supply can be pursued by means of a system of co-operative education for the employee. The essence of effective co-operative education was identified in the study as effective liaison mechanisms between the interested parties, the self-regulating role which financing plays in this type of education and the importance of the timely identification of manpower training needs by the formal education planners and employers. The empirical results indicated that the employees who received post school education and training in the Orange Free State, amount to 5,9 per cent, whilst 94,1 per cent received no such training. This investigation clearly proved that manpower development, as it appears at present in the Orange Free State, could be substantially improved by means of post-school, formal technical and vocational training of the employee by implementing the recommendations made in this dissertation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mannekragontwikkeling is n onderafdeling van ekonomiese beplanning. Die doel van hierdie studie was om n bydrae te lewer tot die bestaande insigte aangaande onderwysbeplanning en ekonomiese beplanning van mannekragontwikkeling deur formele tegniese en beroepsonderwys, qm daardeur mannekragvoorsiening . van opgeleides in ewewig met die aanvraag te bring. Die klem val op die formele onderwys en opleiding en heropleiding van die GEeMPLOJEERDE as middel om die voortdurende tekorte aan geskoolde mannekrag in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, die hoof te bied. Die onderwysstelselbeplanning moet ten doel he om so te beplan dat genoegsame geskoolde mannekrag, aan die arbeidsmark voorsien sal kan word, dit wil se n vraag-aanbodstelsel van formele onderwys vir die geemplojeerde word begunstig. n Teoretiese raamwerk is opgebou waarvolgens aangetoon word dat ewewig op alle vlakke van mannekragaanvraag en -aanbod nagestreef kan word deur n stelsel van kooperatiewe onderwys vir die geemplojeerde. Die wese van doeltreffende, kooperatiewe onderwys is in die studie geidentifiseer as doeltreffende skakelingsmeganismes tussen die belanghebbende partye, die selfregulerende rol wat finansiering in die soort onderwys speel en die belangrikheid van die tydige identifisering van mannekragopleidingsbehoeftes deur die formele onderwysbeplanners en werkgewers. Die empiriese resultate het getoon dat geemplojeerdes wat naskoolse onderwys en opleiding in die Vrystaat deurloop het 5,9 persent bedra, terwyl 94,1 persent geen sodanige opleiding gehad het nie. Uit die ondersoek het dit duidelik geblyk dat mannekragontwikkeling deur middel van naskoolse, formele tegniese en beroepsonderwys van die geemplojeerde, in die huidige opset in die Vrystaat, aansienlik verbeter kan word, deur dit aan te pas by die aanbevelings wat in hierdie proefskrif gemaak is.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree or Master of Arts. Johannesburg, February 1995. / This study, based on material excavated at Rose Cottage Cave, presents a new theoretical perspective for our understanding of the southern African archaeological record dated to the Pleistocenel Holocene boundary. Over the past twelve years, : NO contesting models for interpreting the Pleistocene! Holocene boundary have been proposed - it has been described as a period of cultural stasis, on the one hand, or, as exhibiting continuous change, on the other hand. This study departs from the position that this debate is at a theoretical impasse. Through the assumption of a theoretical framework that deals concurrently with cultural representation and social strategy, previously unrecognised aspects of the archaeological record are investigated. t explore the r-ctlve constitutive role of material culture and thus remove the false dichotomy between cultural form and functional expediency. In allowing for the active role of human agency, a model for the interpretation of spatial use is developer, through the incorporation of the informative and constraining role of previous spatial patternings. I recognise that meaning is actively created, and exarnple the spatially and chronolcqlcatlv contingent nature of meaning through the unique perspective that deep sequence archaeological deposit offers. / MT2017

HIV and AIDS related deaths have left numerous children heading households as the number of adults dying from this pandemic increased significantly. The goal of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges and coping resources of AIDS-orphans heading households in an urban area in Free State using a qualitative study. The research revealed that the level of suffering faced by these children began with their parents’ illness. This was further worsened by the death of the parents. These children are in most instances not absorbed by their extended families as the traditional safety nets are stretched to their limits. Children heading households were forced to take up adult responsibilities prematurely and as such encounter challenges on daily basis. The study concluded that the child headed families are a reality in South Africa and need lots of support from the government and local communities. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Thesis (D. Tech.(Public Management)) -- Central University of Technology, free State, 2011 / The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No. 108 of 1996 (SA, 1996) brought about a new system of government comprised of the national, provincial and local government spheres. In terms of the Constitution, these spheres of government must establish effective, transparent and accountable government. Local government is specifically responsible for the provision of democratic and accountable government to local communities, and for ensuring that municipal services are rendered to the community. As in the case of the national and provincial spheres of government, local government has a distinctive political nature and character. Councillors are elected to represent the voters who participate in municipal elections, as well as the relevant political parties, on municipal councils. The decisions of municipal councils are influenced by political considerations, as well as by the policy directives of the ruling party. The Constitution also establishes and describes the various governmental bodies that exercise the powers of the state. These governmental bodies represent the state and can be classified in terms of three primary groups, namely legislative, executive and legal structures. In a bona fide democracy, the doctrine of separation of powers, also known as the trias politica, is of fundamental importance in order to prevent autocracy and ensure civil liberty. The provision of viable municipal services is the most crucial reason for the existence of local government. The community has a legitimate expectation with regard to the provision of appropriate municipal services; and in terms of the Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000 (SA, 2000c) municipalities must supply basic municipal services in order to ensure an acceptable quality of life. However, inadequate levels of municipal service provision are encountered in South Africa in general, and in the Free State in particular. Such inadequate service provision has led to several violent community-protest actions in the country. These protests are an indication that municipal service provision does not meet the expectations of the communities. Various factors tend to have a negative effect on local government in the Free State, including capacity shortages, such as the lack of professional and experienced staff; financial shortages; and the extensive quantity and complexity of local government legislation. Political challenges that influence local government service provision include factors such as the absence of the political will to provide services, political in-fighting within the ruling party, the selection criteria for the appointment of municipal employees, and political interference in municipal administration. It is also essential that the ruling party should put acceptable mechanisms in place to ensure that the public sector becomes an effective instrument for carrying out the ruling party‟s mandate, rather than allowing political interference to affect the day-to-day activities of government. In order to meet the needs of the community with regard to service provision, it is essential that the three spheres of government should function as a coherent unit. Intergovernmental relations therefore play a central role in ensuring that the joint functions of government are effectively carried out. The national and provincial departments have a specific responsibility to support and strengthen local government capacity, and also to ensure the effective execution of municipal functions. However, various intergovernmental challenges need to be dealt with, namely ineffective co-ordination and integration, as well as the absence of the political will to promote intergovernmental relations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify specific actions and strategies that can be implemented by the government in order to address the challenges that have a negative influence on local government service provision, with specific reference to the political challenges.