Thesis (Mtech (Public Management))-- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / This study examines the influence of crime on the residents of Gugulethu, a previously disadvantaged urban community in the Cape Metropole. The research is particularly focused on the growing crime rate, which is perceived to adversely affect community development.Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed in this study and two techniques of data collection were adhered to namely, self-administered questionnaires and person-to-person interviews. The target population of the survey were the residents of Gugulethu.The study found that the Gugulethu area suffers from problems associated with high levels of crime, high unemployment and lack of physical infrastructure. Violent crimes such as robbery, rape and assault are commonplace, occurring during daytime as well as at night. The range of criminal activity is comprehensive though. The study found that crime impacted negatively on citizens’ social and economic well-being in that economic opportunities were limited and economic investment curtailed. The situation is similar to that experienced with other deprived areas in the Cape Metropole, including parts of Mitchells Plain as well as Khayelitsha. Gugulethu is a smaller, more established urban area than Khayelitsha.The study forwards several recommendations relating to interventions which should be taken to ensure a secure environment for local residents, potential developers and investors, thus facilitating continued and much needed development in the area. Among the recommendations put forward are the upgrading of local infrastructure, the establishment of a healthy relationship between the community and the police,including the development of such initiatives as effectual Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and community development safety centres.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Public Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / This research study sought to find out about the efficacy of the Child Support Grant Policy [CSGP] to the intended beneficiaries – namely, children at the Gugulethu Office in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC). An attempt was made to establish whether there is any correlation between the administration of the CSG and poverty alleviation, which the latter seeks to address to a certain extent. The study was therefore undertaken to understand the perceptions of beneficiaries of the CSG, community members and officials at Gugulethu Department of Social Development offices. Furthermore, the study examined the major challenges that serve as obstacles to individuals who try to access the CSG, and sought to offer recommendations as to how these challenges may be surmounted and resolved by the Department of Social Development, which oversees the implementation of the CSG. The study was both interpretive (qualitative) and positivistic (quantitative) in nature, Data was collected through the use of in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires. The findings of the study reveal that the Programme meets intended beneficiaries that is the poor children, though it does not all the children receive the grant. The results of the study have also indicated that the CSG is consistent with the South African government‟s core objectives of creating a better life for all. It was therefore established in the study that the CSG is managing to create better livelihoods for the children and their maternal families as the grant is seen as a source of livelihood. However, it was also revealed in the study that the provisioning of grant has also led to increased teenage pregnancies though there is no clear association between the two. Furthermore, the findings have indicated that there is need to perform capacity building with the Gugulethu Department of Social Development employees as it has been highlighted that most of them are not competent to administer the grant. In addition, it has be found out that there is need to ensure that the grant application forms are written in a language that the applicants can comprehend.