The focus of the study was an exploration of the perceptions of secondary schools’ principals about the effectiveness of school governing bodies in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane West District. The main research question was formulated as follows: What are the secondary schools’ principals’ perceptions about the effectiveness of school governing bodies in school governance? The main aims were to determine how the findings of the study could add to new knowledge about the effectiveness of school governing bodies in Ga-Rankuwa and to ascertain if the perceptions of secondary schools’ principals play a role in the effective functioning of school governing bodies. A review literature worked a synthesis of perspectives on functions and roles of school governing bodies. The study examined the roles, functions of school governing bodies in selected developed, and developing countries and discussed in detail school governing bodies in the South African education system after 1994. Informed by the literature review, an empirical inquiry using a mixed method; combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the perceptions of secondary schools’ principals about the effectiveness of school governing bodies in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane West District. Sampling of respondents was purposeful. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data gathering were used in order to produce reliable and valid results. The study involved seven (n=7) secondary schools principals who responded to a researcher-designed, pen-and-paper questionnaire and participated in semi-structured interviews. Ethical requirements were met and the identity and privacy of participants were protected. Data presented were mainly derived from documentary sources, the questionnaire and interviews. Data were analyzed, the findings presented, interpreted and the significance noted. Findings indicated that little had been documented in relation to the exploration of perceptions of secondary schools` principals about the effectiveness of school governing bodies in Ga-Rankuwa. Overall, the principals were positive about the role played by the school governing bodies; although they identified several areas in which both school governing body members and principals required ongoing training. Based on the findings of the literature and the empirical study, the researcher recommended the establishment of a special unit for the training and induction of secondary principals and newly elected members of school governing bodies to ensure effective school governance. The constraints of the study were financial. The findings of this small-scale study cannot be generalised; however, several areas for future research were identified. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

M. Tech. Business Administration / The aim of this study was to determine the most important factors that influence the adoption of fashion clothing amongst the Generation-Y consumers living in Ga-Rankuwa and how that influences broader societal trends in the retail market. The purpose of this study is to assist marketers and retailers to sustain their businesses by examining the relationship between fashion involvement, fashion innovativeness, fashion opinion leadership and fashion adoption, based on this group’s perception.

Text in English / Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS among adolescent girls. It is estimated that there are 5,24 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These estimates would mean that about 2.36 million people living with HIV/AIDS would be young women and girls aged 15-24 years. The latest household survey conducted by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) revealed that the prevalence of HIV is three to seven fold in girls and young women aged 15-24 than boys and young men (HSRC 2014) This resurgence in HIV incidence is occurring at a time when it is believed the epidemic has reached a plateau following aggressive behavioural, biomedical and structural interventions by the Department of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and civil society in general. A probability sampling method, involving a random selection of elements was used to select 130 young women and girls aged 18-24 presenting at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital by simple random sampling. Data were collected by self-administering questionnaires. High unemployment and greater age-disparity in the relationships were found to have a direct correlation with HIV incidence in the population under study. This study also shows that inconsistent condom use, low rate of medical male circumcision of male partners, coupled with lower HIV counselling and testing than the national average, was associated with new HIV infections, in spite of high level of condom availability, knowledge of HIV issues and an exposure to an array of behavioural change communication interventions. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The fundamental aim of education is to empower learners to succeed in their career path and, as such, the future of South African learners depends on the quality of decisions and the progress made by them in respect of their personal and career development needs. The focus of the study was on investigating the awareness of guidance and counselling in Ga-Rankuwa secondary schools, and explore factors influencing career choice. The total number of secondary schools that participated in the study were seven (7), and all public schools from the disadvantaged context, in the Tshwane West Education District. The study was a descriptive survey, and the target population consisted of 859 participants. The data were collected, using two questionnaires; namely the Career Development Questionnaire (CDQ), and the Selfstructured Questionnaire (SSQ). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to generate data, which were used as descriptive statistics of frequency table, percentages and cross-tabulation to “raise awareness on the status of career guidance and counselling in GaRankuwa secondary schools” The findings of the study showed that career guidance and counselling was not effectively implemented in schools, and that inadequate career education was offered to learners during Life Orientation classes. From the findings, it was discovered that learners did not have the accurate, sufficient, informed and practical knowledge to help them make sound career decisions, and that learners’ levels of career maturity were very low. It was evident from the findings that age, gender, parents/guardians educational background did not have any significant influence on learners’ career choices. The researcher, therefore, recommends that Life-Orientation teachers be exposed to extensive career guidance and be offered training in career counselling, and that there should be adequate and accessible career guidance and counselling facilities for learners – and that career guidance strategies and policies should be reviewed. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)

M.Ed. / Die navorsingsdoel van die studie is om vas te stel hoe Intell® Teach to the Future die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met Informasie en Kommunikasie Tegnologië (IKT) beïnvloed. Opvoeders in Ga-Rankuwa het deelgeneem in die navorsing. ʼn Aantal privaatondernemings, soos Intel, het programme ontwerp ten doel om opvoeders met die integrering van IKT te ondersteun, maar onvoldoende gedokumenteerde bewyse van die invloed van privaat initiatiewe op die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met IKT bestaan. Skole in Ga-Rankuwa gebruik die IKT integreringsopleidingsprogramme van verskeie organisasies, dus is dit belangrik om die invloed van hierdie programme op die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met rekenaars te evalueer. Onderswyersopleiding in IKT integrering word beskou as die belangrikste en kritiese suksesfaktor om die tekort aan gekwalifiseerde opvoeders in IKT aan te spreek (Dawes, 1999:256). Volgens Orange en Hobbs (2000:86) om skole en opvoeders te betrek by IKT integrering, die beskikbaarheid van harde-en sagteware word as noodsaaklik beskou alhoewel die blote teenwoordiigheid van rekenaars in skole is onvoldoende om die kwaliteit van die onderwys te verander. Verdere pogings om opvoeders te betrek met IKT integrering in onderwys en leer so wel as ondersteuning is benodig. Verkeie lande gebruik verskillende strategiee van onderswyersopleiding in hierdie verband. Die navorsingmetodes is ‘n kombinasie van etnografie en ‘n gevallestudie. Waarneming, fokusgroeponderhoude en analise van dokumente is gebruik om data te versamel. Data analise het gelei tot vyf kategorieë. Die bevindinge toon aan dat Intel®, tot ‘n grote mate, die betrokkenheid van opvoeders wel beїnvloed het.

Thesis (MNutr--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Malnutrition, in both adults and children, is a problem worldwide with negative health consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) therefore initiated the implementation of country-specific food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) to be used as an educational tool to address nutrition-related health issues. They further suggested consumer testing to evaluate the comprehension and cultural acceptability thereof prior to the release of country-specific FBDGs. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were recommended for consumer testing. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the comprehension and applicability of the 2007 version of the preliminary South African paediatric food-based dietary guidelines (PFBDGs) for healthy infants aged 6–12 months in Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa. Specific objectives included qualitative evaluation of exposure to preliminary PFBDGs, participants’ interpretation thereof, cultural acceptability and practical application of the guidelines. Socio-demographic information was collected to determine whether these factors could potentially exert an influence on the comprehension and applicability of the FBDGs. This study could further inform emerging efforts to update public health initiatives to educate mothers/caregivers of infants. Methodology An observational, cross-sectional study design was followed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. FGDs were utilised to assess comprehension of the PFBDGs and gather insight into perceptions, attitudes and appropriateness of the PFBDGs. Quantitative data were collected by means of a questionnaire regarding the socio-demographic profiles of participants. Setting This study focused on two small, densely populated towns, Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa, in the north western district of Tshwane in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The areas represent relatively low socio-economic communities that include a mix of formal and informal urban setting. Participants Twenty-seven Northern Sotho-speaking mothers and caregivers of infants aged 6–12 months participated in a total of six FGDs. Each FGD was attended by between three and six participants. Results None of the participants had previous exposure to the PFBDGs, although they were familiar with most of the concepts. Guidelines were generally well received and understood, but a few were misinterpreted; particularly those pertaining to “enjoy time with your baby”, “increase your baby’s meals to five times per day” and “teach your baby to drink from a cup”. These needed further explanation and rephrasing by the investigator to improve their comprehensibility. The guideline pertaining to breastfeeding was the most familiar, well accepted and most generally applied. Quantitative results indicated no significant difference between the socio-demographic profiles of participants in Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa. Participants’ education level, employment status and housing conditions were considered a good representation of the population. It appears that socio-demographic circumstances may affect exposure to, and interpretation and application of the PFBDGs. Conclusion Many of the adjustments recommended from this research is consistent with the changes incorporated in the recently published revised PFBDGs. Supportive documentation, educational material and health campaigns tailored to specific socio-demographic groups may further enhance the interpretation of the revised guidelines and their exposure to the public, once tested and adopted. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Wanvoeding onder kinders en volwassenes, is ʼn wêreldwye probleem wat, as dit nie aangespreek word nie, ernstige gesondheidsgevolge kan inhou. Die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie (WGO) en die Voedsel-en-landbou-organisasie (VLO) het die implementering van voedselgebaseerde dieetriglyne (VGDR) spesifiek aan elke land geïnisieer sodat dit as opleidingshulpmiddel kan dien om voedselverwante gesondheidsprobleme op te los. Daar is voorgestel dat verbruikers die riglyne in fokusgroepbesprekings (FGBs) evalueer om begrip en die kulturele toepaslikheid van bevolking-spesifieke riglyne te toets voordat dit bekendgestel word. Doel Die doel van die studie was om begrip en die toepassing van die 2007 weergawe van die voorlopige Suid-Afrikaanse pediatriese voedselgebaseerde dieetriglyne (PVGDR) vir gesonde kinders van 6–12 maande te bepaal. Spesifieke doelwitte het kwalitatiewe evaluering ten opsigte van blootstelling, deelnemers se interpretasie, kulturele aanvaarbaarheid en praktiese toepassing van die riglyne ingesluit. Sosiodemografiese inligting is ingesamel om te bepaal of daar ʼn verband bestaan tussen hierdie omstandighede en die begrip en toepassing van PVGDR’s. Hierdie studie kan toekomstige pogings ondersteun om openbare-gesondheidsprogramme by te werk en om moeders en versorgers oor babas in te lig. Ontwerp Die studieontwerp was ’n waarnemende deursnit met kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes. FGBs was gebruik om die begrip van die PVGDR’s te bepaal en insigte oor die persepsies, houdings en geskiktheid van die PVGDR’s in te samel. Kwantitatiewe data is ingesamel met ʼn vraelys oor die sosiodemografiese profiele van deelnemers. Omgewing Die studie het gefokus op twee klein, digbevolkte stedelike gebiede, Soshanguve en Ga-Rankuwa in Tshwane, die noord-westelike distrik van die provinsie Gauteng in Suid-Afrika. Die areas verteenwoordig relatief lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe met ʼn mengsel van formele en informele stedelike nedersettings. Deelnemers Die studiegroep het 27 Noord-Sotho-sprekende moeders en versorgers ingesluit wat aan altesaam 6 FGB’s deelgeneem het. Tussen drie en ses deelnemers het elke FGB bygewoon. Resultate Geen deelnemers was voorheen aan PVGDR’s blootgestel nie, hoewel die meerderheid met meeste van die begrippe bekend was. Die riglyne was oor die algemeen goed aanvaar en verstaanbaar, maar ʼn paar was verkeerd geïnterpreteer; veral “geniet tyd saam met jou baba”, “vermeerder jou baba se maaltye na vyf kere per dag” en “leer jou baba om uit ʼn koppie te drink”. Verduideliking en herformulering was nodig om begrip te verbeter. Die riglyne oor borsvoeding was die bekendste, was die beste aanvaar en was in die algemeen toegepas. Kwantitatiewe resultate het aangedui dat die sosiodemografiese profiel van deelnemers uit Soshanguve en dié uit Ga-Rankuwa nie beduidend verskil nie. Deelnemers se opleidingsvlak, werkloosheidstatus en huislike omstandighede het die populasie goed verteenwoordig. Daar is bevind dat sosiodemografiese omstandighede blootstelling aan en begrip en toepassing van PVGDR’s kan beïnvloed. Gevolgtrekking Baie van die wysigings wat voorgestel is deur hierdie studie, stem ooreen met die verandering wat aangebring is in die onlangs gepubliseerde hersiene PVGDR’s. Ondersteunende dokumente, opvoedkundige materiaal en gesondheidsveldtogte vir spesifieke sosiodemografiese groepe sal die korrekte interpretasie van riglyne asook openbare bewusmaking bevorder. Die riglyne kan, met minimale aanpassings, suksesvol as ʼn voedingsverwante opvoedkundige hulpmiddel in die gemeenskap gebruik word. Baie van hierdie aanpassings is reeds aangebring tydens die ontwikkeling van die veranderde PVGDR’s. Die bevindinge van die studie kan ʼn kernbydrae tot die voorstelle lewer, en aanduidings vir voorstelle vir verdere ontwikkeling en evaluering oplewer.

M. Tech. Civil Engineering / South Africa is categorized as a water stressed country and it is forecasted to experience physical water scarcity by the year 2025 with a yearly water availability of less than 1000m3 per capita. Continuous pollution of the available water resources from the sources, and the high population growth and its attributes will increase pressure on the available resources and probably resulting in increased conflicts over allocations and more stress resulting in water scarcity. The overall aim of the study was to develop tools and strategies for Water Demand Management in Mabopane, Garankuwa and Winterveldt, which are the areas supplied by Sandspruit Works Association.