Computer technology has advanced to the point where it has invaded our lives and become embedded in our environment. The problem with this is that not everyone has it, can use it, understands it or finds value in it. This requires an innovative solution that couples technology use in a communal and public space that provides both free access to technology and technology that is meaningful. Interactive architecture suggest new modes of interacting and interfacing between users and their environments offering the potential for richer and more intuitive dialogues between users, each other and our wider environments. Harnessed in a sustainable platform like a supermarket, it can become a manageable grassroots solution that serves the civic, cultural and social needs of a community. If developed in line with the goals of facilitating public information exchange and discourse in the built environment the application of interactive environments to its context seems well suited to contribute towards encouraging active user participation, social interaction and personal empowerment.

This research investigated the instructional leadership roles of selected township principals. Its main focus was therefore to explore and understand the roles and practices engaged in by township principals in order to influence effective teaching and learning in their schools. A qualitative research method was used to conduct a case study with two schools. A total of six participants were purposefully sampled: two principals and four teachers. The data was collected using individual interviews, document analysis and observations. From the data, five themes emerged in this study. Although the findings revealed that there are some principals with a weak and partial understanding of what instructional leadership entails, these principals do put a remarkable effort into executing their instructional roles. Instructional leadership development programmes are necessary for all School Management Team (SMT) members. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of the first responder at the crime scene, focusing on visible policing members at Ivory Park Police Station situated in Gauteng Province. A qualitative approach was employed in which the multiple data sources of literature, documents (SAPS directives) and structured interviews were compared in an attempt to substantiate the research findings. The interviews were conducted with visible policing members who attended to crime scenes as first responders and with detective branch commanders. This research discussed a number of key concepts: crime scene, criminal investigation, first responder, Locard’s Principle and physical evidence. It explained that criminal investigation is a logical and systematic process of gathering, locating and collecting evidence and the subsequent apprehension of perpetrators of crime in an attempt to secure a conviction. The objectives of criminal investigation are to detect crime; locate and identify possible offenders; gather, collect and process evidence; arrest offenders; recover stolen property; and bring the perpetrators before court to secure a conviction. The basic purpose of investigation is to prevent crime. Locard’s Principle, also known as the “the contact theory”, is that every contact leaves a trace. This research also suggests the processes that must be followed when crime is reported, the meaning of preliminary investigation, and the basic considerations during preliminary investigation, the main mistakes made by the first responder and the solutions to the identified mistakes. It is imperative that visible policing members familiarise themselves with the purpose of investigation and develop an understanding of the term “Locard’s Principle”, the process that must be followed when crime is reported, the basic considerations in the preliminary investigation of a crime and the main mistakes made by the first responders at the scene of crime, as these carry significant weight in the execution of their daily duties. These must be understood by the first responder as they contribute to the successful investigation and prosecution of offenders. This research hopes to assist in securing convictions and decreasing the number of repeat offenders who commit crimes. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminal Justice)

Student Number: 9804661E Master of Arts: Social Work Faculty of Humanities / Given the high incidences of child abuse not only in informal settlements, but in South Africa as a whole. The present study looks at the social factors that contribute to child abuse in informal settlements. To identify specific social factors in an informal settlement i.e. Ivory Park, which make children in this community to be vulnerable to child abuse. The study aims to identify different forms of child abuse, which occur in Ivory Park, to develop an understanding of the family structure and the functioning of the families. The study further explored the perception of community members on child abuse, and their knowledge and awareness on children’s rights. The study also attempts to bring to our attention that concern about the problem of child abuse is not new. It acknowledges the historical context of this problem, that throughout history children world-wide have been subjected to domination, murder, abandonment, mutilations and forced labour. Practices that seem brutal and senseless today like infanticide and ritual sacrifices of children are actually recorded in the Bible. These were considered normal and acceptable practices at the time. The systematic study of child abuse is fairly a recent phenomenon, it’s only in the sixties that this issue has been discussed and debated in certain parts of the world. The study also points out that the problem of child abuse is not unique to South Africa, but it is a problem in many parts of the world. Also that the understanding of child abuse has shifted over time. The central force behind these changes has been the establishment of various organisations in North America and Europe. These organisations opposed violence against children and advocated for the rights of the children. In South Africa this change came about when the present South African government ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children in 1996 and also when the Rights of the Child were enshrined in Section 28 of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The study poses a question as to why child abuse cases and statistics seem to be on the rise and understanding why children are being abused when there are so many pieces of legislation and human rights documents, that aims to safeguard the interest and the protection of children particularly in South Africa. The study also looks at different theoretical perspective on child abuse to help us in terms of explaining and understanding as to why children are abuse. Finally, the study looks at different social factors specific to South Africa that might contribute to child abuse, and the history and location of Ivory Park. On the basis of the findings of this study, the researcher makes some recommendations through which professionals in the helping professions together with community members can address the problem of child abuse in informal settlement.

South Africa has a long history of linguistic imbalances in senior secondary schools. In the past, learners in township schools were made to use English for teaching and learning, instead of their indigenous home languages. There are 11 official home languages in South Africa. In order to redress these past injustices in educational provision, the government developed the Language In Education Policy to work as a guideline for the formulation and implementation of school language policy in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The government indicated that school governing bodies (SGBs) should establish language committees in an attempt to solve the language policy issues in schools and redress past inequities. However, to date there has been no common practice by school language policy developers and implementers that indicates a common understanding of this activity and recognition of the national School Language Policy documents. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

M.A. / The adoption of cost-recovery policies by local government in South Africa is an effort to recover costs from the investments made in infrastructure expansion and to ensure efficient delivery of services. This study came about from the need to understand the paradox of continued adoption of cost-recovery policies in a country that faces high poverty and unemployment rates. The focus of this study is to find out what are the social impacts of the water cost-recovery policy on the livelihood of female-headed households. The first chapter is the background to the study. The main concepts of cost-recovery, female-headed households and livelihoods are defined. In addition, the demographic, social and economic description of Ward 77 in City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality which is the focus of this study is provided. The second chapter is a review of literature behind the rationale of cost-recovery and its implication in South Africa. In addition, the livelihoods framework is explored. The third chapter addresses the methodological approach used to undertake this study. Qualitative methods were used, in the form of in-depth interviews with stakeholders, documentary reviews as well as a focus group and interviews with female-headed households. The fourth chapter is the discussion of findings arising from the consolidation of data. We find out about the livelihoods of the households before and after the implementation of cost-recovery and the effects this has had on the household. The final chapter is an analysis of these findings along the themes of the study namely the social impact of water cost-recovery on the wellbeing of the household, the impact on household financial security, the impact on social networks and the impact on educational spending. The study concludes by pointing out that, although there has been advancement in infrastructure development and service provided, the poor in urban townships continue to be negatively impacted by cost-recovery policies. Policy makers should consult communities in formulating approaches that tackle the issues of rights and affordability of basic services such as water. With the country’s high poverty and unemployment levels, cost-recovery would only be effective if the incomes of households are increased. Thus policy makers must take into account the socio-economic situation of a population to ensure the inclusion of all in the formulation of policies.

In 1994 South Africa celebrated the election of a new democratic government. This came with the abolition of the Group Areas Act 36of1966, which controlled the movement of black people from rural areas to urban areas. The repealing of this act led to the rapid movement of people from rural areas all over Southern Africa to the cities and towns in search for a better life. In turn this led to rapid urbanization and the growth of informal settlements' also known as squatter camps. These communities are characterized by poverty and lack of basic necessities such as houses, water and employment. The church was caught unaware by the need to minister to these communities that need more than the gospel that satisfies spiritual poverty but also the satisfaction of material poverty. This exposed the need for a model of ministry that will be holistic. This study shares a model of ministry that has been used by a Methodist congregation in an informal settlement community called Ivory Park in Midrand. This church uses a model of ministry that propagates the gospel both through preaching and community development. / Religious Studies & Arabic / M. Th. (Missiology)

In 1994 South Africa celebrated the election of a new democratic government. This came with the abolition of the Group Areas Act 36of1966, which controlled the movement of black people from rural areas to urban areas. The repealing of this act led to the rapid movement of people from rural areas all over Southern Africa to the cities and towns in search for a better life. In turn this led to rapid urbanization and the growth of informal settlements' also known as squatter camps. These communities are characterized by poverty and lack of basic necessities such as houses, water and employment. The church was caught unaware by the need to minister to these communities that need more than the gospel that satisfies spiritual poverty but also the satisfaction of material poverty. This exposed the need for a model of ministry that will be holistic. This study shares a model of ministry that has been used by a Methodist congregation in an informal settlement community called Ivory Park in Midrand. This church uses a model of ministry that propagates the gospel both through preaching and community development. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M. Th. (Missiology)