Thesis (M.A.(Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Alcohol consumption by young people continues to be a social problem that is associated with major health complications later in life. More youth engage in alcohol consumption frequently with a decreasing age of debut. The current study aimed at exploring and describing the prevalence, patterns and context of youth alcohol consumption in Musina Town, Limpopo Province. A convergence mixed method was employed. This was complemented by an exploratory-descriptive design. Using random stratified and purposive sampling techniques, data was collected from grade 11 learners by way of a survey and a focus group discussion. Data collected from the study show that there is a high prevalence of alcohol use amongst the youth in Musina as almost two thirds (61%) of the survey participants reported to be current alcohol users. Patterns of consumption include drinking during weekends and holidays with binge drinking and drinking until drunkenness being the main forms of alcohol consumption. There was no difference in binge drinking between male and female alcohol drinkers, with 22% of each gender reporting to consume more than five drinks a session. Contexts of alcohol consumption by the youth include drinking at various social gatherings, school, at home, unlicensed liquor outlets, drinking to have fun or as a coping mechanism. Young alcohol consumers have little to no concern about their drinking behaviour, which is exacerbated by alcohol drinking permissive culture and the availability of alcohol. Keywords: Youth, Alcohol consumption, Prevalence, Patterns, Availability

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Southern Africa encounters an exceptional international human mobility. Several studies view South Africa as a host country for a large number of immigrants, particularly migrant youth who come from other African countries. Upon their arrival in South Africa, studies show that migrant youth encounter a vast number of challenges such as being excluded from welfare services of South Africa. It is from this background that this study sought to explore survival strategies that migrant youth in Musina Town employ for their sustainability. This study presents qualitative findings on the survival strategies employed by migrant youth in Musina Town, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Ten migrant youth in Musina Town who are accommodated in shelters managed by churches were used as a case study and were purposively and conveniently selected to participate in the study. Data was collected through face to face semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically through the assistance of the Nvivo software. The resilience, neoclassical and network theories were used to guide the study. However, the resilience theory served as the over-arching theory of the study as it is more relevant and appropriate in explaining how migrant youth bounced back to normality after the hardships they experienced in South Africa. Findings reveal that bad economic conditions from countries of origin pushed young people to South Africa for better livelihoods. However, due to lack of funds, some crossed borders fraudulently for their survival. Upon their arrival in South Africa, findings further revealed that some migrant youth engage in criminal acts to make a living. It was also found that some migrant youth are involved in sex work to make a living. Social networking with their counterparts, street vending, cheap and exploitative labour were also found to be strategies employed by migrant youth for their sustainable livelihoods. It is thus concluded that migrant youth in South Africa are exposed to bad conditions upon their arrival in the country for their sustainable livelihoods. Findings also reveal various coping strategies that migrant youth employ to mitigate their exclusion from South African welfare services. Recommendations which include integrated intervention and future research are provided in this study