Adolescent substance use is associated with a number of pressing problems on the public health agenda, including an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, violence-related injuries, depression, homicide, sexual assault, and accidental death. Teenage substance use remains high in South Africa, with a prevalence of smoking and alcohol binge-drinking estimated at 18.5% and 23% respectively. A previous quantitative cross-sectional analysis of data from a study cohort from which this study’s sample was drawn, demonstrated an association between adolescents’ sense of coherence (SOC) – a measure of coping ability – and smoking. The current study, using a qualitative approach, thus sought to gain more insight into adolescent substance use, particularly smoking, and to better understand how it may relate to coping. A mixed method sampling strategy was used in selecting 22 research participants between the ages of 16 and 19 in two high schools in Pretoria. They were then interviewed individually by an interviewer blinded to their SOC level and substance use status as documented in the quantitative survey in which this study builds on. The interviews were transcribed in full and a content analysis strategy was used in the analysis of the data. The results obtained were then merged with participants’ substance use status and SOC levels. Of the 22 participants, 6 had strong SOC and had never used substances; 8 had weak SOC and were current substance users. The other 8 also had weak SOC but were not current substance users. Further analysis of the results showed that adolescents’ substance use is associated with stress and coping as they (substance users) reported using substances in attempting to manage stressful life events. Of the 8 current substance users, 7 reported avoidance-oriented (disengagement) coping styles. Five of the 7 reported load imbalance such as academic and social pressures and distress (e.g. schoolwork overload, peer demands, and family problems) as a reason for using substances. The non-substance using adolescents with weak SOC reported strong social support, especially family and peer support in coping with life stressors. Hence, substances were more likely to make up for compromised coping where contextuallevel risk factors (demands/stressors) exceeded coping resources such as social support. Also, of the 8 substance users- in addition to stress related reasons for using substances- 4 reported sensation seeking, whilst 2 reported curiosity/experimentation- which are all non-stress related. Furthermore, although family and peer support were observed to be complementary in most cases, the reliance on peers for support was stronger amongst those whom family support was considered weak, which presented the context for social/peer pressure and vulnerability to substance use. The study findings suggest family support as a moderator of the influence of the adolescents’ inability to cope with stress (or have low SOC) on smoking behaviour. On the other hand, a close relationship was observed between strong SOC and using engagement coping responses and reporting family and school support as sources of support. Notably, all the participants with strong SOC reported that they had never used substances despite being equally affected by life stressors. The implications of the findings are also discussed, especially as related to enhancing SOC. More practically, in addition to providing life skills training to educate adolescents about substance use, school-based programmes could incorporate the notion of stress and coping in helping adolescents to develop desirable and effective coping strategies to deal with social demands as well as adopting advantageous lifestyles to meet their needs for stimulation and adventure (sensation seeking and experimentation). On the whole, the enhancement of social support and adolescents’ connectedness to various social systems may be the key to substance use prevention among South African adolescents.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture: Professional)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / The proposed design responds to the identified current need for new police headquarters situated in the Pretoria West district. The Pretoria West police department currently functions from three different buildings located several kilometres apart from one another. The objective therefore is to design an appropriate new police headquarters for the Pretoria West precinct. The building must accommodate all departments in one, properly functioning facility, which conforms to the needs of a police station to have controlled and private areas. The building aims to reflect this new approach to policing by creating a community orientated facility.

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / Aims to investigate opportunities that could arise out of designing a facility of this nature to take advantage of the scarce skills shortage, and by placing the proposed facility within a township area will necessitate research into the dynamics of designing in such an area. Therefore the issues of concern which will be investigated will be: the shortage of skilled artisans ; community ownership; and the rehabilitation of a degraded site.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Professional))--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Probably one of the strongest common threads running through the multi-cultural society of South Africa is its passion and love for the public performing arts. The thesis therefore encompasses the design of a Performing Arts Centre in Pretoria. The intention is to use the building and surrounding urban space to promote performing arts activities, where they can be taught, refined and performed. The intent is to provide a building which will not only house the performing arts, but also engage the urban place as a public performance stage.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture: Professional)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / This dissertation encompasses the design of a low security correctional facility to function as a community re-entry centre in central Pretoria. In recent years, the Department of Correctional Services realised that alternative approaches and innovation is desperately required to deal with the issues of overcrowding, recidivism, known as the habitual return to a life of crime, as well as the spiralling cost of incarceration in South African prisons. This dissertation proposes a new detention building type in South Africa within which the education, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates can be dealt with holistically. In the proposed building, the designer will attempt to create awareness about the plight of offenders and their recovery from a life of crime while incorporating research with regards to sustainable architecture. It aspires to realising the opportunities that could arise from the human capital locked away in our correctional facilities if successful rehabilitation within an appropriate architectural environment could be implemented.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture: Professional)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / This dissertation presents the design of a Sports Development Centre in Mamelodi, Pretoria and responds to the need for sports facilities in the informal context of Mamelodi. The design proposal aims to channel sport development towards such areas of settlement and indicates how the facilities offered by such a centre could redress social and cultural issues, along with those of academic development.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Professional Design)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2009. / The aim of this thesis is to design a music school [in Tshwane, South Africa] that will contribute to the development of our rich and vibrant music culture, which will furthermore assist in the promotion of the often unrecognized and struggling music industry as a major player in the South African economy. The building will contain practice and recording studios, together with classrooms for teaching music as well as performing spaces and administration facilities. The design attempts to introduce the building as a fully integrated element in the urban fabric and social infrastructure of the city so as to promote music and the performing arts to the broader public and help to redefine this precinct as the cultural heart of the inner city.

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / The aim of this thesis is to design a music centre which will contribute to the development of the musical art within the public arena of South Africa. It will serve as a case study for how music education and awareness could be approached. The building will consist of open and enclosed performing spaces, recording studios, classrooms, practice areas, an auditorium and administration facilities. It will act as a vibrant node within the inner city, accompanied by a public square where music and dance will be encouraged. The design will strive towards urban integration within Pretoria Central Business District (CBD), forming part of the current revitalisation plan for the city. It will attempt to form part of the social infrastructure of its context and in turn encourage music awareness to the broader public. Although parts of the CBD have been upgraded, Pretoria CBD is in desperate need of revitalisation. People stream into the inner city each morning and leave it dormant until the next sunrise. Only recently have office blocks been converted into apartments. Nightlife is in its infancy. Introducing events and activities, especially those which is often performed at night, will contribute to what a city should be. Music can be the answer to such a need... Music and dance can let people recognise their shared cultural knowledge and style, in turn which will spearhead unification. This is especially important in regards to the fact of the segregation of not only urban environments, but that of cultural and social isolation.

Thesis (MInt (Prof)) -- University of Pretoria, 2008. / Abstract in English.

Thesis (ML.(Prof)) -- University of Pretoria, 2008. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.