Distinctly African health-promoting human occupations are under-researched in occupational therapy. Many occupational therapy interventions used in South Africa have been developed elsewhere and may be inaccessible to many. African dance that produces neurogenic tremors (ADNT) is an occupation that may already be accessible to many, and a potential resource for health and could be used in occupational therapy. Research Question: What is the nature and enactment of ADNT? Aim: The study aimed to explore, describe and explain the nature and enactment of ADNT among professional dancers in Cape Town, South Africa. Research objectives: To explore the perceived temporal, spatial and sociocultural conditions conducive for ADNT. To describe and explain the enactment of ADNT in terms of format, pace, and the sequence of steps involved in performing African dance repertoires that are known to produce neurogenic tremors. To describe the experience of those who participate in ADNT by exploring the subjective effect it has had on stress levels or during stressful periods. Methodology: Case study methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation were the data collection methods used. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Findings: Four themes emerged from the study (1) Triggers: Improvisation, Energy and pushing beyond limits. (2) Essence of self: Embodying Africa through dance. (3) Leaving and returning to the body and (4) Creatures of the soil: Connected to the ground and beyond…for health. Discussion: ADNT is healing, relational, transcendent, and contextually situated. It facilitates self-acceptance (ubuwena) through embodying Africa (KwaNtu) and holds potential to promote social cohesion (ubuntu). It is mainly enacted through improvisation (on and off-stage), through which socio-historical-cultural intergenerational resources (isintu) embedded within, are tapped into. ADNT offers opportunities for connectedness with the self, other people, as well as with transcendent beings. Conclusion: This study has illuminated the nature of ADNT as an extraordinary human occupation that offers participants instances of personal and collective meaning-making, healing, and transcendence. Transcendence is proposed as a source of personal and shared meaning.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-101). / This study focused on a small business enterprise in the Western Cape that primarily employs people with disabilities (PWDs) in the open labour market arena. However, the company has been experiencing annual turnover rates of 26.6% in terms of labour, resulting in a substantial financial loss. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to identify reasons for this attrition by PWDs, which effectively defeats the objective of the economic empowerment of PWDs that the company has set for itself.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-123) / There is a growing demand for primary health care services in South Africa following its adoption by the National Departmet of Health in 1995. To address this demand, the government has implemented compulsory community service (CCS) for all health professional graduates, many of whom are placed in unde-resourced areas of the country with limited infrastructure or professional supervision. Occupational therapy graduates therefore require appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes for primary health care practice.

Bibliographical references.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-147). / This study focused on the process of forming partnerships between a supported environment programme and three businesses. A qualitative approach, namely collective case study, was used.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-99). / The process of compensation for injuries ocurring at work is governed in South Africa by the Compensation for Injuries and Diseases Amended Act (COIDA) under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labour. Under this Act, financial compensation is provided to injured workers and, in the event of fatal injury, to their families, and all medical and rehabilitation services rendered to the injured worker are paid. While the intention of the Act is to support injured workers financially, the researcher observed a number of clients who were disadvantaged by the compensation process. The study focused on how injured workers experience the compensation process...

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Includes bibliographical references. / The aim of this research was to compare the quality of life being experienced by survivors of leprosy living in the remaining leprosarium and those reintegrated into their communities in the southern region of Malawi.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / This study was the first of its nature in Lesotho. Engagement in health risk behaviours is a public health concern, due to the consequences thereof. Concurrent engagement in risk behaviours has severe consequences on health and occupational abilities of the youth. The aim of the study was to establish and document the prevalence of risk behaviours among high school learners in the city of Maseru, Lesotho.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 235-252). / This research involved studying the childhood play of three generations within one family based in the Venda region, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Two main questions were asked: 1. What is the nature of intergenerational shifts or continuities in children?s play within one Venda family? 2. What are the factors that bring about the shifts or continuities? The Gudani family was studied as a single case. The case study was approached with an understanding proposed by Stake (1998, 2008) and supported by others like Flyvbjerg (2006), who regard it not always a research method, but also the object of study. Handling the family as a bounded system, information was gathered from multiple sources, situating the case within its context. Interviews were conducted with a grandparent, the parents and children in order to gain an understanding of their childhood play, foregrounding participants' own view of what constitutes play. In addition, an ethnographic lens was used to investigate the third generation's everyday culture, with specific attention to their play.