Thesis (M.Dev. (Management and Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / This study investigates the impact of community development projects (CDPs) on the empowerment of women in the Malamulele area of the Thulamela Municipality in Limpopo Province. The study investigates whether the implementation of CDPs really changes the living conditions of women or whether it is merely a smokescreen to cover the failure of the government to provide decent jobs for people who are living in absolute poverty. The aim of the study, however, is to assess the impact that CDPs have on women empowerment. The objectives of the study that were derived from the main aim include identifying the types of projects, and their impact on women and men. The findings of the study would contribute to social science knowledge and would also help to develop new strategies that could be used to solve problems of poverty. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in this study. The population of the study were projects in which both women and men were involved. However, more women were selected from sampled projects because the aim of the study was to investigate the impact of CDPs on women. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents in order to ensure that all strata were represented in the sample. The findings of the study suggest that CDPs improve decision-making capacity, the acquisition of assets and skills, and create job opportunities for women. It is, therefore, recommended that development planners consider increased funding in order to implement more projects in the area as these are the tools through which women in rural communities can eradicate poverty.

Thesis (M.A. (Sociology)) --University of Limpopo, 2017. / The study sought to investigate the problem of dissatisfaction by residents of Malamulele in Thulamela Local Municipality (LM) with service delivery. The dissatisfaction of the residents manifested in violent protests in Malamulele and surrounding communities where citizens demanded to have their own municipality separate from Thulamela LM. Residents alleged that the Thulamela LM gives preference to Thohoyandou area and surrounding communities on issues of governance and service delivery while neglecting Malamulele. The problem under study was viewed from a social exclusion and relative deprivation points of view, which elucidate possible causes of dissatisfaction and resultant protests. The study adopted a qualitative research design where data was collected through interviews with sampled residents that were purposively selected took into consideration the manner in which the sample would assist in providing data towards achieving the aim and objectives of the study. Data was analysed using the thematic method of analysis where themes and categories emerged to assist in interpreting the data. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made. Some of the key findings were that Malamulele residents were dissatisfied with poor service delivery and poor governance by Thulamela LM, the violent protests were due to poor service delivery and tribalism and poor service delivery, Malamulele residents needed their own municipality, and that the relationship between the Venda-speaking people and Tsonga-speaking people is bad. Some of the key recommendations are leaders should engage communities to manage their hopes and expectations from government, exercising Constitutional rights should not result in devastating government property and violence, and citizens should be consulted in policy-making and other government activities that involve them. It is believed that these recommendations will go a long way to address similar problems and to enhance literature on the ongoing debate on governance and service delivery issues.

The main objective of this research is to analyse the role that traditional leadership plays in partnership policing in Limpopo, particularly in the Giyani and Malamulele areas, South Africa. Given the challenges associated with traditional initiation schools, the study investigated factors that hinder the effective participation of traditional leadership in partnership policing; explored the extent of partnership policing in rural areas in Limpopo that are led by traditional leaders; and examined best practices with regard to the roles of traditional leadership in partnership policing. Potential areas of non-compliance with and ignorance of the law, and the Constitution, were identified. The role of traditional leadership in other African countries, such as Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, was also analysed. A comprehensive literature study on traditional leadership and international best practices on partnership policing was conducted. Traditional leaders play a vital role in the development process. Furthermore, traditional leaders play a significant role in resource mobilisation and political stability. The primary question guiding this study is: What is the role of traditional leadership in partnership policing in the rural areas of Limpopo? During the research process, in-depth interviews, non-participative observation and focus group interviews were conducted with the relevant role players. These role players included Chiefs, Indunas and Headmen, SAPS representatives, representatives from the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, as well as representatives from the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs in Limpopo. The study fulfilled the following objectives:  Identified factors that hinder the effective participation of traditional leadership in partnership policing;  Explored the extent of partnership policing in rural areas, in Limpopo, led by traditional leaders; and  Examined international best practices with regard to the role of traditional leadership in partnership policing. Based on the findings of this study, a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Policing Strategy (MSPPS) was developed. This strategy could serve as a recommendation to advise the SAPS of a more substantial role that traditional leadership could fulfil in partnership policing in the rural areas of Limpopo; this would also contribute towards further identifying best practices with a view to benchmark such a strategy in rural areas throughout South Africa. This study makes a significant contribution to the improvement of working relations between the police and traditional leadership in Limpopo. Secondly, the study promotes nation-building, harmony and peace between traditional leadership, the SAPS and other relevant stakeholders in the quest to prevent crimes associated with traditional cultural practices. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

Thesis (Ph. D. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa [RSA], allows people to protest, demonstrate, picket, and assemble when they believe their constitutional rights have been violated. There are legislations that have been put in place to ensure that while people are showing their dissatisfaction, they do not infringe on the rights of others by engaging in riotous behaviour. The Regulation of Gatherings Act [RGA] (Act 205 of 1993) is one of such acts. This study explored the motivations of violent protests in Malamulele and Vuwani in the Limpopo Province. A qualitative research methodology was utilised and in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to sample the people who participated in the protests that occurred in the areas of this study. Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse the findings from the in-depth interviews and the focus group discussions. The study found that the Malamulele residents were concerned about being in the Thulamela Municipality, and some of their concerns included but were not limited to employment and service delivery. This study found that in Vuwani, the violent protests were influenced by the government’s inability to effectively consult residents in the merger between Vuwani and Malamulele which was done with the intention of quenching the violent protests that had erupted in the Malamulele area. Violence is said to have occurred because the government was unresponsive, and it had failed to provide adequate services and had also made unfulfilled promises. Moreover, this study also found that people engaged in collective violence because of anger and frustration. There were also people who promoted collective violence to gain access to free grocery through looting. The destroying of government properties was seen as punishment to both the community and the government. Some protestors were emotionally disturbed when they saw buildings burning, while some children also learnt to respond with violence when in conflicting situations. The government lost money as they had to refurbish or replace things that they had already provided for. However, in comparison, the participants indicated that it is easy for the government to recover, because they only lose money while the community has to live with the scar of collective violence and its aftermath for a long time.

Thesis (M.A. (English Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / In rural South Africa (SA), poor reading comprehension skills in English First Additional Language (EFAL) are still found to be the main cause of poor academic achievement. For learners to comprehend the target language they must master the basic reading skills. This remains to be a great challenge for the rural schools in Limpopo. Rural learners are barely exposed to the language of the school, and they hardly have access to the EFAL reading materials or other learning aids. This study aims to evaluate the challenges that are faced in teaching and learning reading comprehension in rural primary schools in SA. This research study was framed by Cognitive constructivism and Schema theory in teaching and learning reading comprehension. A qualitative case study research design was adopted in the study. The sampled participants (one educator and 10 learners) were purposively selected to give answers to the research questions. The following data gathering techniques were used; observational field notes to gather data from the classroom context during the reading lessons, focus group interviews were conducted with the grade 6 learners, lastly, one educator was interviewed. The results prove the educators and learners are still facing challenges in the teaching and learning of EFAL. The study recommends, that the Department of Education intervenes by conducting more training workshops for the educators and parental involvement is encouraged as well for parents to be part of their children's educational journey.