South Africa has been going through a transformation process and mental health is no exception. As this process of transformation unfolds, the psychological service rendering is being redressed following the criticism on the previous mental health care system. Psychological services were only available in the white suburban areas, therefore they were not meeting the needs of the majority of South Africans. In the new political dispensation there is a demand for more psychological services to be made available to the historically disadvantaged communities. There is a need to explore the knowledge about and attitudes towards psychological services by black communities in rural areas. The study is aimed at exploring these aspects, as it is essential in establishing appropriate community-based psychological services rendering. In-depth interviews were carried out on a randomly selected sample of 10 participants from a rural village in Hebron. The study indicated that there was a reasonable knowledge about psychological services. The main sources of knowledge possessed by the people are mainly from the media, studying psychology and having had an exposure to the psychologists previously. The attitude towards psychological services depends on whether the people personally or their loved ones had a positive experience with a psychologist. Educational level was found to be playing a major role, as people with higher level of education had positive attitude towards psychological services. The level of the actual use of psychological services was very low due to lack of such services in the area. The participants expressed the needs for the psychologists to work in collaboration with the communities. There was a need for the psychological services to be made available in the community and that there should be awareness talks regarding these services. The results and implications are discussed and there are suggestions for research. / Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

The thesis investigates deliberateness in water allocation to historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) through a water infrastructure development project, the Great Letaba River Water Development Project (GleWaP) within a context of water allocation reform (WAR). WAR is a programme set to redress past discriminatory laws and practices in the allocation of water in South Africa and seeks to address racial and gender inequalities inherited from past political epochs. The study interrogates the concept of individual water rights for women in a context where the collective is prioritised over the individual. The qualitative study uses data collected from 73 participants using interviews, two focus group discussions and surveys. John Rawls’ theory of distributive justice and Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction theory are applied to interrogate water allocation discourses and processes to understand whether genuine justice can be achieved through water allocation reform. The study is set within the critical social theory paradigm where the interlinkages between power, politics, race and gender are interrogated in search of social justice. Study findings reveal that the intentions of WAR as articulated in the goals are far from achievable with other variables such as land ownership still to be addressed. After several years, WAR remains steeped in theoretical rhetoric while lacking in practicality, as victims of past discriminatory practices still have no access to water resources, while legislation continues to protect and benefit a minority. The study identifies deficit thinking as one of the challenges in the implementation of the reform strategy. It concludes that the water allocation reform strategy does not break away from colonial and apartheid concerns for white beneficiaries as there does not seem to be a deliberate attempt to allocate water to predominantly black historically disadvantaged individuals. The thesis thus recommends measurable outcomes for water allocation reform, development of a vibrant black rural water economy, and the use of expropriation of water as a measure to speed up water reform. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Anthropology and Archaeology / PhD / Restricted

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the viability and sustainability of preferential procurement in the metals and engineering sector. Preferential procurement is one of the seven elements of Broad–Based–Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and seeks to encourage companies to procure goods and services from black empowered suppliers. The Broad–Based–Black Economic Empowerment Act was legislated in 2004 as an improvement on the previous Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). The objective of these legislations was to increase participation of previously disadvantaged groups in the mainstream economy. BEE was deemed to be narrow because it focused exclusively on ownership and management control. BBBEE was enacted to broaden the number of beneficiaries and included five other elements, namely: Employment Equity, Skills Development, Preferential Procurement, Enterprise Development and Socio–economic Development. The two companies that engage in preferential procurement should benefit from the relationship and value should be created in the process. Companies should not procure from black suppliers for accumulating points on the generic scorecard. Black–owned suppliers should provide service and products of the highest quality standards that meet customer requirements. The questionnaire that reflects on the objectives of this study was drafted and circulated to black–owned suppliers for completion. The suppliers were asked to comment on statements that reflect on capacity, profitability, working relationship and continuity. The results show that the SMMEs have capacity to perform according to specification of customers. The area of concern was the difficulty for SMMEs to maintain the current preferential status. This is a risk that needs urgent attention. This needs further in–depth study and analysis. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the viability and sustainability of preferential procurement in the metals and engineering sector. Preferential procurement is one of the seven elements of Broad–Based–Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and seeks to encourage companies to procure goods and services from black empowered suppliers. The Broad–Based–Black Economic Empowerment Act was legislated in 2004 as an improvement on the previous Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). The objective of these legislations was to increase participation of previously disadvantaged groups in the mainstream economy. BEE was deemed to be narrow because it focused exclusively on ownership and management control. BBBEE was enacted to broaden the number of beneficiaries and included five other elements, namely: Employment Equity, Skills Development, Preferential Procurement, Enterprise Development and Socio–economic Development. The two companies that engage in preferential procurement should benefit from the relationship and value should be created in the process. Companies should not procure from black suppliers for accumulating points on the generic scorecard. Black–owned suppliers should provide service and products of the highest quality standards that meet customer requirements. The questionnaire that reflects on the objectives of this study was drafted and circulated to black–owned suppliers for completion. The suppliers were asked to comment on statements that reflect on capacity, profitability, working relationship and continuity. The results show that the SMMEs have capacity to perform according to specification of customers. The area of concern was the difficulty for SMMEs to maintain the current preferential status. This is a risk that needs urgent attention. This needs further in–depth study and analysis. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is a well known phenomenon that people from historically disadvantaged communities, tend to do well in society despite the numerous risk factors that complicate life for them. This study has this phenomenon as it's subject. The unit of analysis of the study was Grade 12 achievers from a historically disadvantaged community. The main purpose of this study was to determine why these Grade 12 learners managed to excell academically despite the risk factors present in their community. The secondary focus of the study was to identify the risk factors that the learners had to face to eventually achieve academic success and the protective factors which contributed to their academic success. The literature review focussed on the concept "resilience" and related concepts such as risk factors, protective factors and the adolescent development phase within the framework of positive psychology, eco-systemic and asset based approaches. The research was conducted using a qualitative interpretive study approach. Seven achievers from the coloured community in the Western Cape, were interviewed. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The data was discussed by placing the risk factors and the protective factors in five different systems namely, the individual, the family, the school, the peergroup and the community. The findings of the study indicate that the above systems are in constant interaction with one another and that the protective factors can be utilized to overcome the risk factors. The study thus proves that, although the participants were exposed to risk factors, they managed to display great resilience in using protective factors. The community was identified as one of the biggest risk factors, but by utilizing certain protective factors as are found in the individual, the family, the school and the peergroup, the participants were able to protect themselves against the risk factors resulting in their academic success. The personal strengths of the participants proved to be the most important protective factor in a historically disadvantaged community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is 'n bekende fenomeen dat persone wat in histories benadeelde omstandighede grootgeword het, ten spyte van risikofaktore, suksesvolle produktiewe lede van die samelewing word. Dit is juis hierdie fenomeen wat dié studie ondersoek het. Hierdie studie het pertinent bruin graad 12-presteerders uit 'n histories benadeelde gemeenskap as eenheid van analise geteiken. Die doel van hierdie studie was om uit te vind waarom graad 12-leerders ten spyte van verskeie risikofaktore binne 'n histories benadeelde gemeenskap daarin geslaag het om akademies goed te presteer. Die newevraagstellings van die studie was om uit te vind watter risikofaktore die deelnemers moes trotseer ten einde akademiese sukses te behaal en ook watter beskermingsfaktore tot hierdie deelnemers se akademiese sukses bygedra het. Die literatuuroorsig het die konsep "veerkragtigheid" en aanverwante begrippe soos risikofaktore, beskermingsfaktore en die adolessente ontwikkelingsfase binne die raamwerk van positiewe sielkunde, die ekosistemiese en bategebaseerde benaderings ondersoek. 'n Kwalitatiewe interpretatiewe studie is geloods om die navorsing uit te voer. Individuele onderhoude is met sewe presteerders uit 'n bruin gemeenskap in die Wes-Kaapprovinsie gevoer. Die data is met behulp van kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise ontleed. Die data is bespreek deur risikofaktore en beskermingsfaktore binne vyf sisteme naamlik die individu, die gesin, die skool, die portuurgroep en die gemeenskap te plaas. Die bevindings van die studie toon dat bogenoemde sisteme in voortdurende wisselwerking met mekaar is en dat die beskermingsfaktore gebruik kan word om die risikofaktore te bowe te kom. Die bevindinge toon derhalwe dat, alhoewel die deelnemers voortdurend risikofaktore ervaar het, hulle met behulp van sekere beskermingsfaktore veerkragtigheid aan die dag kon lê. Die gemeenskap is as een van die grootste risikofaktore uitgelig, maar met behulp van sekere beskermingsfaktore soos gevind in die individu, die gesin, die skool, en die portuurgroep, kon die deelnemers hulleself teen risikofaktore buffer en akademiese sukses behaal. Die persoonlike sterktes van die deelnemers het as die belangrikste beskermingsfaktor in 'n histories benadeelde gemeenskap na vore getree.

This study explores the consequences for a historically black university (HBU) of the South African state’s focus on routine and strategic quality evaluation within a policy framework that views higher education as a lever for social change and economic development. It analyses the changing nature of academic work and probes the motivations and understandings of institutional managers and academics in an attempt to explain their responses to policy requirements. The theory of the Evaluative State is employed to examine the nature and consequences of overzealous responsiveness by a historically black university in transition in South Africa. It suggests that the changing relationship between state and university is characterised by contradictions and ambivalence, a result of the interplay between a strong sense of loyalty to the state on the one hand and a recognition of the failure of the state to recognise and reward achievements valued by the HBU. This study suggests that state steering, through the use of output evaluation and efficiency-directed performance indicators, has resulted in failure to achieve central policy goals of development, equity and social justice. The study is guided by one main research question: How do academics in a historically black South African university in transition engage with and implement internal and external quality assurance processes and policies? The literature review reveals significant gaps in understanding the consequences of the rise of the Evaluative State in higher education. A major limitation has been a lack of focus on higher education systems in developing countries and on the consequences of imposing neo-liberal frameworks upon local realities which require redress to remedy historically constructed economic and social disadvantage. The descriptions of academics and institutional managers that emerge in this study highlight stark differences between the two groups in perceptions of and approaches to quality improvement and university work. Significantly, institutional history, context and mission emerge as strong factors shaping academics’ and managers’ responses to change, factors that have largely been disregarded by state policy which focuses more on output achievement than on input variables. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Thesis (M. Dev. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This mini-dissertation deals with the implementation of laws regulating mining industries transformation in South Africa. This mini-dissertation finds that the pace of transformation is very low and the challenges faced in the mining industries which are slowing the process are evaluated. Such challenges include: lack of skills, unqualified candidates and lack of experience. It finds that the Broad-based socio-economic empowerment (BBSEE) introduced 15% target by 2011 where only 8.9% was reached in respect of transformation and that by 2014, 26% must be met where only 17.4% at the top management is achieved. The call for nationalisation of mines as a solution to speed up transformation have also been evaluated and the Mining Qualification Authority category of providing scholarships to maths and science learners to the exclusion of other streams as transformational aspect was also evaluated. The question as to whether 26% of the historically disadvantaged South Africans occupying managerial position is enough to rectify the injustices of the apartheid ills is also looked at. A comparative study was done between South Africa, Canada and Australia to see whether lessons could be learnt. Keywords: Implementation, transformation laws, Historically Disadvantaged South Africans, Mining Qualification Authority, and Mining industry.

Text in English / Although the participation of students at institutions of higher learning in South Africa is increasing, student dropout remains a challenge. Student dropout is influenced by a variety of factors, some of which are psychological. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of adjustment and sense of belonging on students’ intention to dropout of university. The study comprised of three distinctive objectives. The first objective of the study was to examine the relationship between sense of belonging, adjustment and students’ intention to drop out of university. Second, the study sought to test whether sense of belonging and adjustment would predict students’ intention to dropout of university. Finally, the study sought to test whether students’ socioeconomic status would moderate the relationship between sense of belonging and intention to dropout of university. The sample for the study consisted of 955 students enrolled for undergraduate programmes for the 2018 academic year. Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and moderation analysis were used to test hypotheses stated in the study. The findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between sense of belonging, adjustment and the intention to dropout. The findings also confirmed that sense of belonging and adjustment predict the intention to dropout. However, the study could not prove the hypothesis that socioeconomic status moderates the relationship between sense of belonging and the intention to dropout. Nevertheless, the findings of this study highlighted the importance of psychological factors on undergraduate students’ academic success. Thus, universities should consider initiating programmes that will address students’ psychological challenges throughout their enrolment at university to improve student retention and rates of graduation. / Psychology / M.A.(Psychology with Specialization in Research Consultation)

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / High-performance sport is characterised by the effective amalgamation and synergy of elements, including financial and managerial support, coaching, sport sciences and sports medicine support, talent identification and athlete pathways, training facilities and equipment, and competitions. Universities have increasingly become hubs for high-performance sports services, used by students and non-students alike. According to Dr Ralph Richards, a senior research consultant for Sport Australia, most university students are in their late teens to early 20s, which is also a critical demographic for elite sports performance. Universities can and do have a substantial impact on the sports sector, particularly in supporting and developing elite student-athletes through quality facilities and infrastructure, supportive programming, competitive opportunities, and sports bursaries or scholarships. In recent years, the high-performance sport has firmly established itself as a modern industry at some top- performing South African Universities. Since the Varsity Cup and Varsity Sport’s inception, South African Institutions have invested more in developing the sport to win competitions. However, many institutions, especially Historically Disadvantaged Institutions, do not establish athletic performance pathways. The study aimed to create guidelines for the best high-performance sport management practices and analysed successful international and local systems. The Spliss Model (a theoretical model of 9 pillars of sport policy factors influencing international success) provided the theoretical framework for this study. This study used a purely qualitative approach informed by an extensive literature review. This was followed by face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the high-performance sports directors and directors of sport at Universities and sports organisations in South Africa who currently have high-performance sports units. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed through the lens of the SPLSS model. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify the best practices for high-performance sport at Historically Disadvantaged Institutions. The key findings showed that the best practices for high-performance sports systems included proper governance, appropriate funding, training facilities, quality coaching, sport science support services, academic support services and opportunities to compete. Ethics considerations were observed where the anonymity of the participants was upheld by way of using pseudonyms after permission from them were obtained. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the University of the Western Cape Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee.

Thesis (MDev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Institutional transformation is a complex process that necessitates meticulous planning and management. As a result, it is imperative that an institution establishes effective leadership that will best steer the institution toward the desired objectives. Higher education and training is one sector that identified the need for transformation of its public tertiary institutions because of historical inequalities and imbalances, particularly with historically disadvantaged institutions. This magnitude prompted research on the effect of leadership on the transformation of historically disadvantaged institutions. The study used an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach that relied equally on primary and secondary data collection. Questionnaires, interviews, document analysis, and past publications were used to collect data that contributed to the study's conclusions. The findings of the study clearly show that effective leadership is a key factor in attaining the institution's transformational goals. The recommendations revealed that the institution's leadership should adopt a full transformational style of leadership qualities to ensure effective institutional transformation. This will provide the institution with greater opportunities and broaden its impact on society.