South African society is characterised by race, class and gender inequality. Social inequality is at the root of individual social identity formation affecting how individuals feel, think and relate to others. This study investigates the perceptions of school-going children, focusing particularly on perceived differences between boys and girls with respect to the activities, games and sport they prefer to play and who prefer to play with. It also looks at gendered expectations - of themselves, of children of the opposite sex as well as those of same sex both with respect to play and to performance in certain school subjects. This study draws on some of the data collected in the CRG Research Programme. It is based on a sample of 416 grade nine pupils, aged 15 years and older. Respondents attend at rural, farm, urban historically black, urban historically white and urban private schools, within a forty-five kilometres radius of the city of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This study finds that while social identity theory may be useful as a micro and middle level theory, it is not able to account adequately at the macro level. Also, and in respect to gender as an identifier, this study suggests that while it is significant, it is not always so. Other social factors, particularly race, class and locality does override or take precedence in shaping identity and expected life chances. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Some urban centres in KwaZulu -Natal are threatened with loss of function due to economic restructuring. Many studies argue that the problem of declining centres can be mediated by programmes of Local Economic Development. However it. is important to note that economic restructuring is a complex process that needs an understanding of broader economic processes as most of the problems are created by global forces that are outside the control of localities. The research aims to investigate the factors that underpin t he threat of function in an attempt to establish whether centres have a future potential. Directly linked to this is the level of awareness and readiness of development institutions to these changes, as this is important if they are going to make appropriate and strategic responses. Using the case of the manufacturing sector in Pietermaritzburg a twofold approach to the study was adopted. The f irst part examines the impact of restructuring on localities. vthis is used as a framework to interpret the threatened status of the ' manufacturing sector in Pietermaritzburg. The conclusion reached is that the footwear sector is threatened by global competition. The second part of the dissertation attempts to investigate how Pitermaritzburg-Msunduzi Transitional Local Council is responding to the challenge posed by economic restructuring. In this regard it is concluded that Pietermaritzburg's ability to respond appropriately is hampered by the problems within the local government. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

The genocide of April 1994 left the Rwandan society completely ruined and the survivors totally disoriented with numerous problems ranging from material deprivation to bodily and psychological injuries. As in other conflicts, especially in Africa, women and children were the most affected by the Rwandan genocide; consequently Rwanda has a sizeable number of widows and orphans. After the genocide, Rwanda witnessed an influx of many non-governmental organizations, which came with the aim to help the Rwandans in general, and genocide survivors in particular, as part of a program to put the Rwandan society back on its feet. Rwanda claims to be overwhelmingly a Christian nation, which theoretically gives the Christian community in Rwanda a prominent hand in all efforts of rebuilding the Rwandan society. This work therefore, is a Case Study, which seeks to investigate the role of Christian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in responding to the needs of genocide widows residing in Kigali-Ville province-Rwanda. The study thus aims to assess efforts of the above-cited Christian NGOs and highlights their success and shortcomings in the light of a Christian model of understanding and responding to human needs. The investigation also surveys the background to the genocide. It focuses on the interpretation of the history of the people of Rwanda, the role impact of the colonial rule and Christian missionaries, and the role of the civil war of early 1990s. The study also investigates the plight of genocide widows from fives angles: economic loss, personal and social relationships, bodily injuries, psychological damage and spiritual welfare. The assessment was carried out through the analysis of the data collected mainly from selected Christian NGOs, genocide widows, churches, and written materials. The paradigm used to critically analyze the response of Christian NGOs has stemmed out of a body of literature that focuses on Christian response to human need, with particular emphasis on the distinctiveness of the Rwandan context. The findings, conclusion, recommendations of this study are of cardinal significance not only to Christian NGOs operating in Kigali-Ville province but also to other groups involved in the ministry to the needy in other parts of Rwanda and beyond her boundaries. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This research was undertaken to outline the problems that are encountered by teachers in predominantly historically disadvantaged schools in South Africa, with regards to implementing the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) policy. The study found that in attempting to cope with these problems, teachers exercise their discretion in trying to make the policy relevant to their environment in that they try to get relevant material from other advantaged schools. The study found that at the moment it is difficult to implement this new policy because teachers themselves are not clear about what Outcomes Based Education policy entails. Teachers are also not confident in implementing OBE because they feel they do not have adequate facilities or resources for students, nor is there sufficient information and training about OBE and the syllabuses available. To understand what actually happens in some historically disadvantaged schools with regard to policy implementation, I conducted research at four high schools in Pietermaritzburg. Information was elicited from teachers of grades 8 and 9 pupils. It became evident from my study that although Outcomes Based Education policy is In essence a good policy decision, the problem is that the time of implementation is not right. Historically disadvantaged schools will continue to battle with teaching OBE, even more so as it is planned to be extended to higher grades in the future. This study recommends that the government should improve training and education for teachers and provide relevant resources for implementing OBE. This would minimize the problems that lead to partial or non-implementation of the policy itself. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

The study was set out to investigate how selected historically disadvantaged schools in the Pietermaritzburg Education District, manage the prevalent non-payment of fees. The study used the survey method. The principals of schools were targeted because they are the accounting officers for the financial matters and executive members of the School Governing Bodies. Permission for conducting this research was obtained from the District Manager for the Department of Education and the principals of the sampled schools. For the purpose of data collection, the use of questionnaire and document analysis was adopted. Five principals, each representing their respective circuit in the District, responded to the questionnaire. The research studied financial records to obtain a general view of how principals manage school fees and to draw conclusion on the extent of non-payment of fees. The findings revealed that there is widespread tendency of non-payment of fees in schools. Poverty was cited as the reason for non-payment. Low and middle level income parents did not prioritise school fees from the lists of their accounts. Though principals understand that the victimising of non-paying learners of any form is contradictory to the South African Schools Act No 48 of 1996, they go on to withhold learners' results. Parents have not applied for school fee exemption and schools have not yet advised them to do so. Non-paying parents are reluctant to explain their position to the school and also unwilling to offer voluntary service to school as a form of payment. School fundraising efforts do not help them gain any reasonable amount of cash. The parental support in this venture is lacking. The study recommends that principals should look at other means of dealing with payment and should assist the eligible parents to apply for fee exemption. The Department of Education should consider scaling down personnel expenditure in the office based ranks to add more funds for teaching and learning in the historically disadvantaged schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 2003.

This dissertation incorporates a number of ethnographic case studies done within the qualitative paradigm from a feminist stance (Nielsen, 1995). It served to explore and understand the attributions and aspirations of adolescents in relation to their group association from their perspective. It was important that the voice of the adolescent emerged as central to the findings. The significance of individual freedom of choice as opposed to limited personal volition was also explored. Another aspect of the research problem was to try to establish adolescents' awareness, perceptions and beliefs of gender issues. Integral to the success of the research was honesty and ethics. Hence reflexivity was fundamental to continuous re-assessment of interpretation, an awareness of assumptions and manipulation, which could have occurred if the power relations between researcher and participants were not addressed. To ensure validation of the research findings triangulation-between and -within-methods was utilised. Hence a dynamic interaction among sociometric diagrams, participant observation, interviews, document analysis and photographs resulted. The research study incorporated the environs of Greenvale High School, whose multi-faceted dimensions of co-education, multi-culturalism, dual-medium and comprehensive curriculum, proved to be a boon to the nature of the research. I worked within the Grade 10 standard and ultimately isolated three groups and three "loners". The dimension of ethnicity emerged as pertinent to the study of two of the "loners" and it was therefore necessary to include a brief (if somewhat superficial) exploration of two Black girl groups. Contextualisation emerged as most signific4'lnt to the findings. The relationship of the groups to the learning environment and its significance in relation to the values and beliefs of the individuals within groups proved enlightening. Anomalies between gender beliefs and assertions and their actualisation were related to the individuals' experience of gender equality within the class situation, their awareness of gender inequality within the learning environment and their perception ofgender role perpetuation as unproblematic within the broader context of a patriarchal society. Hence this research advocates Hconsciousl1ess-raising" (Payne, in Spender and Sarah, 1988) so that issues regarded as unp1'oblematic, can be addressed in order to change the social order. Awareness can aid educationalists in formulating policy that will ensure that the learning environment can be made more worthwhile and meaningful to the Hmarginalised" adolescent. Methodologically, other researchers would benefit by replicating this study to pursue important aspects, which emerge from ethnographic case studies, particularly within a South African context compounded by race and gender. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Many development agencies active in South Africa including the Built Environment Support Group (BESG) and Hifab International Ab have voiced concern about the sustainability of common housing production practices for low income housing developments. Since early 1999 when the country reached the one million mark of housing subsidies granted by government from 1994, the drive for numbers was gradually replaced by a dawning concern for the likely impacts on health and the environment of the kinds of settlements being produced. The purpose of this dissertation is to use a case study approach to review and assess the changing policies, roles and perceptions of key stakeholders of the sustainability of government supplied low cost housing. The review and assessment is against the legislative framework of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the environmental requirements within the Department of Housing (DOH) policy and principles of sustainability that need to apply in Msunduzi Municipality. In so doing, the intention is to create an integrated picture that covers a socio-economic profile of the inhabitants of the project area, the quality of housing and the environmental conditions prevailing. This aim of the dissertation was achieved by (i) identifying the trends in the roles played in the sustainability of the low cost housing settlements by authorities, house occupants, developers, NGOs and CBOs (ii) identifying the perceptions of the sustainability of the low cost housing projects by the above mentioned stakeholders (iii) understanding the perceptions of communities on the use of the open spaces around their homes and in their communities and (iv) creating an integrated picture of trends in roles and perceptions in the form of a systems diagram. On the basis of the household survey and key informant interviews carried out during the study, the key findings are the following: (1) There is poverty, low levels of formal education and a lack of social cohesion, making it difficult for the home owners to play a positive role in sustaining their settlement. There is need to organize and educate the residents on housing and environmental maintenance issues. This can be done by creating Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in the form of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in which both the municipality and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can participate. The SMMEs are already being planned for by the Msunduzi Municipality. (2) The municipality lacks capacity to fully initiate projects as well as to interpret and implement Environmental Management Plans (EMPs). There is, therefore, a need to train and recruit staff with these skills or engage NGOs with that capacity. On the other hand the indigent policy introduced by the municipality to subsidize basic services will, if well administered, help maintain minimum health standards in the settlement. (3) The septic tank toilet type in the study area is not compatible with the community needs and geotechnically cannot function properly. This causes a lot of dissatisfaction among the residents and is a health hazard. The toilet problem is a priority issue which needs to be addressed. (4) There is a break in the chain of communicating between the community and municipality on housing and environmental issues, due mainly to a lack of implementation of the ward committees and a tenuous relationship between the Department of Housing and the municipality. The ward committees should be set up and a positive mutually beneficial relationship between DOH and the municipality should be developed. (5) The community view about the use of their open spaces is that they should be used for agriculture and business including shops. There is therefore a need to provide agricultural extension services and promote small businesses within the community in order to enhance food security and create employment. (6) The community lacks a clinic, a police station and shops. These services are critical for the smooth functioning of the settlement. The question of how such services are delivered remains a challenge as financial resources remain scarce. Finally, environment, participation, futurity and equity being the four principles which make housing policy and practice sustainable will only be integrated into low cost housing settlements if: (i) the EMP is developed and implemented with involvement of the community (environment and participation principles); (ii) in order to make the houses durable, the norms and standards based on the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act must be followed (futurity principle); and (iii) skills development, education and creation of jobs will enable residents of the low income settlements to have a share of the national wealth (equity and participation principles). / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

In this rapidly growing and competitive business environment, each firm attempts to gain and retain competitive advantage. The marketplace is a dynamic and changing environment. Globalisation has had a profound influence on the business environment. Strategy formulation involves matching a company's internal strengths and weaknesses against the opportunities and threats offered by the industry and external macro environment. Strategy formulation involves more than the environmental scan of local markets. This scan has to be broadened to include the broader global arena. Companies do not work in isolation. Hence it is essential for companies to examine the role that competition plays, and how such companies position themselves relative to the competition. This study investigates the extent to which manufacturing industries in Pietermaritzburg undertake environmental scanning before adopting a strategy, or making strategic changes. It further attempts to determine the extent and ratio that business strategists seek competitive advantage from environmental scanning of their particular industry, and from the broader macro environment, and evaluate whether increased or superior use of external macro environmental scanning is perceived to lead to increased competitive advantage, due to the rapid and extensive impact of global events. The findings suggest that many companies focus their attention purely on industry-based factors as a source of strategic competitive advantage. Further, most firms do not make use of services of essential consulting firms in the strategy formulation process. This study found that many companies undertook strategy formulation once a year, and no external environmental scanning was undertaken by their strategists. Firms appear to prefer internal analysis. For companies wanting to maximize their competitive strategy, it is essential for strategists to explore both the industry and macro environment for any advantages that can be 'identified. Globalisation is enforcing the expansion of the scope of macro environmental factors. Larger firms may have the resources to cope, but smaller firms would need to look at alternative ways of acquiring the proposed information, e.g. using the database of external consulting firms, Companies have to move away from the old mindset, and embrace the changes in the dynamic business environment, if they wish to remain competitive. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

This study attempts to investigate the perceived problems and constraints facing small Indian owned businesses in the 'downtown' area of Pietermaritzburg. An attempt was further made to profile businesses in the area, to investigate the specific problems and constraints facing them, and to look at problems on the basis of business sector and type of business. Further, the study aimed to provide information to marketers in the area and to make recommendations from a management point of view. The problems facing SMME's were broadly divided into internal problems, external problems and those facing the firm at industry level. Internal problems are those over which the owner-manager has control and external problems are those over which the owner-manager has no control. The main problem facing SMME's at industry level appears to be competition from similar businesses. The profile of businesses in downtown Pietermaritzburg is as follows: • Owners • Retail businesses • Family owned • Sole proprietors • Male co-owners • Approximately 72% of the businesses in the sample exist for a period of longer than 10 years. The internal problems faced by the businesses include: • 24% have no business experience • Businesses do not offer credit facilities • 32% experience problems in recruiting skilled staff • Location is by far a major constraint in the business The external problems do not seem to be having a serious! very strong negative impact, however the common external problems faced by these businesses include • Business cycle • Exchange rates • Changes in distribution patterns • Social Cultural factors • Rentals Crime however appears to have the most serious negative impact on the businesses in this area. Medical practices in the area surprisingly do not appear to have stock control systems in place. Operating costs were high for clothing businesses and general dealers. Location appears to be a problem for general dealers, jewelers, medical practices and clothing businesses. Crime appears to be a problem especially for jewelers, medical practices, and general dealers. General dealers, hairdressers and clothing businesses are affected by competition from similar businesses. Clothing businesses are negatively impacted by changes in distribution patterns. There does not seem to be much difference between retail, service and other businesses with respect to internal and external problems. There also does not seem to be much difference between owners, managers and partners with respect to internal and external problems. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

The constitutional democracy in South Africa, ushered in by the first democratic elections of 1994, has opened up opportunities for the rise of various issues that were previously marginalised. The current political dispensation, supported by new progressive legislation, has rendered reckless management of waste management unacceptable. As a result, the management of waste, particularly the dominant landfill site waste management facilities, has come under increasing scrutiny from civil society organisations, the public and affected communities. Whilst the new constitutional order has demarcated responsibility for the management of solid waste, reality indicates that in spite of various legislative attempts to ensure the institutionalisation of sound and integrated waste management, solid waste is still poorly managed by responsible authorities. It has also been evident that many municipalities in South Africa still rely on the problematic landfill sites as the dominant waste disposal facility, this despite the obvious environmental problems that land filling engenders. It has been noted that waste problems are still marginalised from the mainstream development initiatives of responsible municipalities. The poor management of solid waste and the negation of responsibility, as in the case in the Msunduzi Municipality, are indicative of the politics involved in the identification of policy issues that government attends to from the available pool of existing social concerns. The failure to find policy solutions to identified waste problems in the Msunduzi Municipality has provoked questions around how policy issues negotiate their way onto the government agenda. The biggest issue from a public policy perspective is how does government decide on which issues they will address amongst the numerous and equally pressing social problems that warrant government attention. Using Kingdon‟s agenda-setting theory, this dissertation found that problem definition, policy dynamics and political interests all play influential roles in the agenda status of social problems and whether they are addressed or not. As a result, the study argues that there must be positive interaction between the three, problem, policy and political streams, in order to produce a solution to the policy issues of waste management in the Msunduzi Municipality. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.