M.A. / This study, regarding the long-term effects of the Westdene bus-disaster, which was undertaken after a period of seven years, has the following objectives: A survey of the literature regarding disasters and posttraumatic stress. An investigation of the long-term effects of the trauma on the secondary victims of the trauma, namely the family systems of the primary victims. The role and function of the family in the primary victims' coping and recovery from the trauma. The effect the trauma has on the family system after a period of seven years. A survey to establish the long-term effects of the therapeutic inputs regarding the secondary victims after the trauma. The first part of the study explores the theory regarding posttraumatic stress. The study comes to the conclusion that stress and trauma cannot only be viewed as a linear matter, but that psychological and contextual factors play an important role in the extent to which an event is experienced as stressful or not. It seems clear that the trauma does not only affect the individual victim, but the family system of which the individual forms a part of, is also affected by the stressful events. The study therefore examines the family of the primary victim with a systems theory approach. Therefore: How the family encounters and copes with stress, and how the family affects/influences the coping strategies of the primary victim. The study differentiates between normative and non-normative stressors and family adjustment. The study was conducted from a qualitative perspective. A certain amount of stress is already present in the family of the adolescent. This is the result of the adolescents' development towards independence and the forming is disrupted by the occurrence of a stressful non-normative event. The primary victim can therefore not be studied in isolation, but other mediating factors should be included in the investigation. One of these factors is the family of the victim, who plays an important part in the coping with the stressful event. With regard to psychological therapy and the long-term effects of such interventions, the researcher comes to the conclusion that developmental processes in interaction with a supportive psychological climate contributes to the realistic coping and acceptance of the trauma. The following points of criticism against the study can be raised: Other factors, such as divorce, "empty-nest-syndrome" and the death of a family member can have an effect on the current functioning of the family system. The family of the primary victim has experienced normative adjustment and changes during the seven year that has lapsed since the disaster. The families that have experienced the most trauma as a result of the disaster, did not partake in this study. The study made the following recommendations: That intensive studies, on the short-term and the long-term, should be undertaken of the families of disaster victims; that research and literature regarding posttraumatic stress should place more emphasis on the role, function and effect of the trauma on the family systems of the disaster victims; the establishing of a natural institute, which includes the extended family, for the minimising of the long-term effects of a trauma. Although trauma is defined in a linear perspective, it should be seen within a bigger ecosystemic content, which includes the systems of the disaster victims. This view would probably result in more positive coping strategies regarding traumatic events.

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. / This study is an attempt at providing substantiated research data on sensation seeking, measured using the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and its role in sensory, perceptual and cognitive functioning. The areas of functioning investigated included sensory tolerance levels, preference for perceptual complexity, speed of perpetual closure, verbal ability versus spatial ability and creativity ...

M.A. (Psychology) / The problem The technology of the modern society changes rapidly and the complexities that confront individuals, necessitate responsible adult guidance in the form of guidance programmes. Research that covers the evaluation of such programmes and more specifically the programmes concerning the enhancement of the career maturity of coloured adolescents has been neglected. The aim- It is against this background that the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a programme towards effective career maturity enhancement amongst a minority group. Research method- The subjects came from a Coloured High School in one of the sub-economic areas in Johannesburg, namely Westbury. A biographic questionnaire was compiled to ascertain the needs of the subjects. The subjects were assigned to an experimental and control group. A second control group was also formed to minimalize test retest influences. The experimental group took part in an extensive career maturity enhancement programme and the first control group took part in a communication programme. The groups were compared according to the measure of the Crites Maturity Inventory (Attitude Scale). The programme made use of individual and group guidance as well as self-evaluation through the completion of assignments in the form of worksheets. The programme consisted of 12 sessions of 1 hour duration for three months. Results the major findings of the study were: the career education programme succeeded in bringing about a positive change in the attitudinal career maturity of the Westbury pupils; the attitudinal career maturity of the subjects in the present study compared unfavourably with that of other pupils in ordinary situations (not minority situations) and no difference was found between the end results of males and female with regard to their level of career maturity after completing the programme, unlike reported by other researchers. Recommendation-In conclusion it is recommended that the programme for the development of career development should form an integral part of the ordinary school guidance syllabus and that the guidance service should be extended to meet the needs of both pupils and counsellors at schools.

M.Tech. (Architectural Technology) / This dissertation is structured to mimic or represent my design project, which was developed in conjunction with theoretical readings and research. The aim is to provide a comprehensive representation of the project’s development from theoretical beginnings to architectural detail. This dissertation attempts to uncover, explore and understand the fragile relationship between man, nature and architecture, stemming from a deeply personal interest in the rehabilitation of political wastelands through ecological restoration. The aim of this study is to pursue a holistic design approach, which understands the architectural discipline as an interrelated profession in which buildings cannot be designed in isolation. Broken down into three main parts, this document illustrates the development of my theoretical and contextual interests into design. These papers are presented in their entirety of this document as Part A (starting point and research influence), Part B (process and discovery) and Part C which introduces a narrative program developed for the architectural discovery of K-206 (nestled within ‘jungle’ in Alexandra). A series of abstract drawings and model building experiments initially framed the investigation, allowing for chance, exploration and the unexpected, valuable experiments in the development of an architectural language and vocabulary which were refined over the course of the year

In light of the cyber-activist simulated incidences dubbed Occupy Wall Street in New York City, New York, USA and the mirrored Occupy JSE movement in Johannesburg, South Africa, the internet and its social media networking sites have been instrumental in facilitating both the dissemination of information as well as facilitating a mediated environment for activists to coordinate online and offline protest action. This research examines the extent to which activists for social change have used social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, web blogs and other online forums to garner support for their cause as well as generate social mobilization by creating awareness of the economic disparities in their respective societies. Established theories of social presence have been used to explain the relevance and role of social media tools in instigating social mobilization whether online or offline. This discussion focuses on the Occupation Movements staged in various countries globally and to what extent social media played in facilitating social change. It is important to note that the video footage and other social media data under analysis is specifically that which was uploaded onto YouTube and the subsequent URL links posted on Facebook. By scrutinizing these videos and calls for action as well as the comments posted by the international online community, this research elucidates the ‘trickling down effect’ of this type of cyber-activism on the behavioural patterns of contemporary South African society, and further argues that this process is indicative in the resultant Occupy JSE movement.

In light of the cyber-activist simulated incidences dubbed Occupy Wall Street in New York City, New York, USA and the mirrored Occupy JSE movement in Johannesburg, South Africa, the internet and its social media networking sites have been instrumental in facilitating both the dissemination of information as well as facilitating a mediated environment for activists to coordinate online and offline protest action. This research examines the extent to which activists for social change have used social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, web blogs and other online forums to garner support for their cause as well as generate social mobilization by creating awareness of the economic disparities in their respective societies. Established theories of social presence have been used to explain the relevance and role of social media tools in instigating social mobilization whether online or offline. This discussion focuses on the Occupation Movements staged in various countries globally and to what extent social media played in facilitating social change. It is important to note that the video footage and other social media data under analysis is specifically that which was uploaded onto YouTube and the subsequent URL links posted on Facebook. By scrutinizing these videos and calls for action as well as the comments posted by the international online community, this research elucidates the ‘trickling down effect’ of this type of cyber-activism on the behavioural patterns of contemporary South African society, and further argues that this process is indicative in the resultant Occupy JSE movement

M.A. / Wife battering is one of the most pervasive forms of violence used against any individual in south Africa. The problem of battered women only came into the limelight in the early 1970's in the United States, its progression into public awareness corresponding with the growth of the women's movement. In South Africa, concern about wife battering started in the early 1980's. Inspired by the actions of overseas movements, South African feminists began to mobilise around violence against women. People Opposing Women Abuse opened the first shelter for battered women in Johannesburg in the eighties, followed by Rape crises in Cape Town. This study is anchored by a commitment to document battered women's experiences of marital violence in order that appropriate actions may be taken to ameliorate their situations. In undertaking this research, the intention is to learn from battered women about the context of their daily lives, exploring their educational and employment statuses, to describe the development and nature of their relationships with men who abuse them, establish the type of abuse they experience, and most importantly, to find out why they stay in such relationships. Data for this study is derived from questionnaires with fourteen abused women from two shelters (People Opposing Women Abuse, and NISSA Institute for Women Development).

M.A. (Sociology) / Prior to 2012, ward committees (WCs) were elected informally and with very little regulation. Ward Councillors were instructed to convene public meetings during which community members were nominated and voting was done by a raise of hands – this dissertation refers to these as “first generation” WCs. Over the last decade this process became problematic as politically motivated ward councillors, were found to manipulate the WC election for their own benefit. In 2011 public revolt ensued on a national level, and as a result it was decided that all municipalities had the option of utilising the IEC to ensure the 2012 election process would be more transparent – these will be referred to here as “second generation” WCs. Two municipalities in Gauteng province opted for this alternative; one of them was the City of Johannesburg (COJ). This dissertation looks at the relationship between a “second generation” WC and a social movement organisation (SMO) in the COJ. Since the late 1990s the South African state has placed a large emphasis on the restructuring of local government, and the creation of WCs was one outcome of this process. Simultaneously there has been a rise in social movements which serve to represent the needs of the poor and marginalised, who have seemingly been ignored by the state’s neoliberal policies. This dissertation focuses on the WC of Ward 8 and the Thembelihle Crisis Committee (TCC) as a SMO, within the context of the Thembelihle informal settlement. The former is an “invited participatory space” which has been created by the state to invite residents to participate. The latter is an “invented participatory space” created from below by the grassroots, through which residents assert their agency as active community members. Many scholars have conceptualised these participatory spaces as separate and distinct. Faranak Miraftab (2004) applied this analysis to understand the South African context, which proved valuable at the time. Subsequently, “invited spaces” were labelled as pseudo-democratic, state controlled, and hence there was the suggestion that they should be abandoned, while “invented spaces” were perceived as more accurately reflecting the views and needs of the poor in South Africa (SA). More recently, scholars such as Luke Sinwell (2012) and Claire Bénit-Gbaffou (forthcoming) have begun to argue that the binary of invited and invented is too simplistic. They have urged that we need to look more closely at the relationship between these two spaces as opposed to setting them apart. Bénit-Gbaffou claims that “invited spaces” remain important and should not be abandoned. However, scholars have not sufficiently investigated the interface of the “invited” and “invented”. By drawing on various sources, including in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, surveys, literature and informal communication, this dissertation attempts to fill this gap in the literature by presenting a concept which I refer to as “contesting space”. The concept will be used to extend beyond the invited/invented binary, and hence more accurately analyse what is taking place at the interface of the two. By analysing where the WC and TCC meet, we begin to see what happens when a powerful SMO inserts itself onto the invited space of a “second generation” WC.

D.Litt et Phil. / The number of slums and squatter settlements is rising globally; this is recognised as a significant problem as many of the urban poor find housing in these settlements. With the expanding slum settlements comes a serious problem for many developing nations, that of finding a mechanism to improve these informal developments. These settlements are a symptom of poor urban governance and lack of financial resources causing the urban poor to be pushed into these dwellings and find themselves on the periphery of urban society, not only geographically but socially, economically and legally. Upgrading, integration and legalisation of these housing types is necessary if these peripheral suburbs are to be developed formally. Although many governments have tried top-down approaches of upgrade, these approachs have often failed to produce results as slum upgrades often lead to displacement of the original inhabitants who are ousted into areas even further to the periphery of urban centres. This thesis looks at alternatives to viewing settlements on the urban fringe as a quandary, by using a neoliberal theoretical framework (despite its many flaws), informal property markets in townships in Johannesburg, South Africa can be seen as a catalyst for wealth creation and local economic development. This is particularly important given the historical context of apartheid in South Africa and the segregation of the majority of the population into racially exclusive slums. The post-apartheid government has rallied to improve the lives of this group of poor and dispossessed people with the provision of decent housing a key aspect of this process. A neoliberal framework for economic development was embarked upon in South Africa, with the introduction of neoliberal economic policy (namely GEAR) in 1998, South Africa embarked on a process of reform to encourage market growth. This manifest itself in the ‘Breaking New Ground’ housing policy which adopted a neoliberal stance on Housing provision, and although not removing the role of government in providing low-cost housing, it strives for a market driven housing solution. With a shortage of over 1 million houses in the city, there should be every potential market orientated low-cost housing sector, yet capital within this property sector is often referred to as dead capital with no intrinsic value. This thesis challenges that view by determining the existence of Crisylida capital in township property assets. Crisylida capital is virgining capital in the low-cost property market that could lead to the accumulation of asset capital within this property group, estimated value of Crisylida capital in Johannesburg alone is R6.3 billion. Residents in low-cost housing in Township suburbs in Johannesburg recognise economic value in their dwelling, with only 21% of participants valuing their property at less than R10 000. Further, real estate agents working the township real estate market estimate that just over 50% of properties in these areas are valued at over R200 000. Within this property environment, security of tenure plays an important role in creating not only wealth creation but equally a sense of community ownership. Houses with tenure saw 37% of respondents interested or actively participating in community projects, this compared to 13% of respondents without tenure. This thesis points to a new understanding of low-cost property in Johannesburg, South Africa as a potential market worth billions of Rands that could inject wealth into the hands of marginalised communities. This in turn could assist in fostering sustainable socio-economic urban community within disenfranchised township suburbs.