Mining towns, like cities, are experiencing similar outcomes of rapid-urbanisation where the opportunities that are presented by mass urbanisation and migration (economic growth, jobs and increased social engagement) are increasingly overshadowed by the consequences of over-urbanisation (housing shortages, slums and failing infrastructure). These consequences, coupled with the growing gap between the rich and the poor result in undesirable outcomes and lead to conflict, protest and violence. As such, the majority of the South African population, while striving for a better life, live in poorly serviced settlements on the outskirts of the city where crime, oppression and exploitation, contribute to a growing fragmentation of the society as a whole. These underdeveloped settlements and their working population contribute largely to supporting the wealth of the city and generating profits for a small minority. This is evident in the county’s mining operations where the disparity between the mineral wealth below ground and the social condition and poverty above ground is manifested in the failure of the social structure of the community and is responsible for the psychological and physical condition of ‘in-betweenness’. Halbwachs argues that culture and social framework, is presupposed by memory. As such, the research aims to explore collective memory and its influence on social cohesion as well as how it is manifested and mediated in the built environment. The research is concerned with establishing a consciousness in design that values humanity in the process and outcomes (i.e. From inception, through design development, construction and realisation). Consciousness in the built environment suggests a sensitive approach to social context while regenerating and revitalising new and existing communities and simultaneously providing facilities that will contribute to a socially and economically sustainable future in the wake of conflict and trauma. As such it is argued that human-nature, self-interest and competition for survival, if managed by conscience, promotes positive social advancement (Sumner, 1883).

Educators are affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic in many different ways. At this stage, most people are focusing on how to support people that are infected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The youth of South Africa are in the hands of these educators that are struggling under the effects of this pandemic. The Resilient Educators (REds) programme was especially created to support educators that have been affected by the pandemic by means of the correct knowledge and skills to remain resilient. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. To reach this aim, the programme was evaluated by means of two articles. The first article ascertains the nature and content of the REds programme. This article gives an overview of the group work process, the method of how this programme was presented, as well as a thorough explanation of the content of each session. The second article evaluates the programme as a whole by means of the results obtained from the study. Within this article, data obtained from quantitative and qualitative measuring instruments are discussed. From results obtained it was clear that this programme can be a powerful tool to support educators affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Educators are affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic in many different ways. At this stage, most people are focusing on how to support people that are infected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The youth of South Africa are in the hands of these educators that are struggling under the effects of this pandemic. The Resilient Educators (REds) programme was especially created to support educators that have been affected by the pandemic by means of the correct knowledge and skills to remain resilient. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. To reach this aim, the programme was evaluated by means of two articles. The first article ascertains the nature and content of the REds programme. This article gives an overview of the group work process, the method of how this programme was presented, as well as a thorough explanation of the content of each session. The second article evaluates the programme as a whole by means of the results obtained from the study. Within this article, data obtained from quantitative and qualitative measuring instruments are discussed. From results obtained it was clear that this programme can be a powerful tool to support educators affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

M.Ed. / The Department of Education in North West is inundated with disputes as a result of procedures not being followed, in respect of promotional posts. This state of affairs has caused the Department a lot of money, a lot of stress to those affected as well as affecting the progress of many schools in the North West Province. The aim of this study is to describe a prevention strategy to be used in order to reduce the number of disputes experienced in the Department of education. In this work exploratory and descriptive, qualitative design is mainly used. The aim being to develop new insight into the phenomena and to increase understanding. Through interviews, the research has been able to explore and describe the viewpoints of, Director for co-ordination, District managers, affected Education Labor relations Council, with regard to causes of such disputes. The researcher has been able to develop prevention and an intervention strategy in North West. Prevention strategies, focusing on causes of such disputes, should be designed taking cognizance of factors highlighted by this study such as low level of illiteracy among School Governing Body members and unclear procedures on selection.