Bibliography: leaves 100-102. / The researcher embarked on qualitative research. The title the study is parental visits to foster children in Guguletu: current patterns and recommended strategies. Foster and biological parents, children, as well as role players in the field of foster placement and visitation, were urged to participate actively in this study, as it is seen by the researcher to be an important document in the encouragement of family re-unification. The researcher conducted the study in the Gugulethu area. A sample of 25 cases, from 80 children who were placed in foster care from February 1998 to March 1999, was used. The Commissioners from both Wynberg and Mitchell's Plain Courts played an active role in this study. Data collection was done through group and individual interviews using interviewing schedules (see annexure) as a guide. The participants were expected to come up with suggestions, which the researcher collated with her own ideas and experience and with the literature which was consulted. These were used as recommendations for the strategies for visitation patterns. The researcher's intention is for the research to form a solid foundation for family re-unification.

This research study of the motivation and opportunity-seeking behaviours of social entrepreneurs in Cape Town was conducted among fifteen social entrepreneurial organisations in Cape Town during the months of June, July and August 2010. The results of this qualitative research show that there are various factors that motivate people to become social entrepreneurs, such as the desire to make a difference in other peoples? lives and provide innovative solutions to existing social problems.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-113). / The aim of the research was to explore the structural, social and economic factors that contribute to women doing sex work in the southern suburbs of Cape Town in order to make recommendations that address those factors from a social development perspective. A qualitative research design was used to interview 23 street based female sex workers who worked along the Main Road from Plumstead to Kenilworth suburbs in Cape Town ... . Findings were drawn from the responses of the participants and compared with literature from previous studies on sex work and social development theories. The socio-historical context of apartheid through policies that deprived people of colour from accessing public services predisposed most women in the study to poverty and later led them into sex work. Women participants experienced vulnerability due to patriarchal oppression in away that exposed them to exploitation and being trapped in sex work. Among the social factors that led women into doing sex work was the origin of most sex workers from families at risk, a lack of social support and poor education. An overwhelming majority of sex workers entered sex work because of the need to find employment, the need to acquire capital to invest in future plans and the need to provide for necessities. Macro-economic policies such as GEAR were also found to contribute negatively to the socio-economic needs of people and exposing them to more poverty, leading into sex work.

Includes bibliographical references. / In the era of rampant youth unemployment, governments are rethinking strategies to respond to this global crisis. At the centre of these strategies is the promotion of youth-owned informal micro-businesses. While literature acknowledges the challenges faced by youth in running their informal micro-businesses, there is much less in the way of information that explores immigrant informal businesses. This is a qualitative study aimed at exploring the circumstances and experiences of youth immigrants when establishing and running a successful informal microbusiness. This study was conducted amongst youth owners of informal micro-businesses and four service providers in Cape Town. Twenty in-depth interviews were done with these participants. The four service providers represented a non-governmental organisation (NGO), a government department, a commercial bank and a government funding agency. The study indicated that the reasons why immigrant youth start their informal micro-businesses varied. For the unemployed it was a solution to unemployment, some of those who were working did so because they wanted to earn more, while others desired a flexible work environment. In addition, the study showed that there are many challenges faced by immigrant youth during the establishment and growth phases of their businesses.

Includes bibliographies. / The main aim of the study is to explore the role of employment in the reintegration process of ex-prisoners. The study seeks to explore the views of ex-prisoners and their employers, with regard to employment and reintegration. A secondary aim emerged as a result of the outcome of interviews conducted with the research respondents, and centred on determining how ex-prisoners are managed as employees.

Bibliography: leaves 75-84. / This study explores the perceived desirability within a sample of fire fighters of introducing a peer Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing (CISO) support structure within the Fire and Rescue Services of Blaauwberg Municipality. The research took the form of a descriptive inquiry by means of a semi-structured interview using a questionnaire developed by the writer. The research findings indicated that generally support was given to the notion of peer CISD structures, subject to some concerns that would need to be addressed through effective training and planning. From the finding it can be identified that peer support is desirable, and provided a CISD system is structured in a careful, nonthreatening manner, wiHlead to development on both a micro and macro level.

Word processed copy. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-138). / The aim of this study is to explore the attitudes of magistrates, prosecutors and probation officers to the implementation of restorative justice in the sentencing of young offenders. The study also explores the knowledge of the magistrates, prosecutors and probation officers about the implementation of restorative justice in the sentencing of young offenders. Lastly, it strives to investigate to what extent judicial officials and probation officers are implementing restorative justive in their sentencing practices.

Includes bibliographical references. / Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people shoulder disproportionate levels of marginalisation, poor health access and HIV-disease in nearly every nation where reliable data is available. Much of what is known about medical and civil society-based research in South Africa on HIV/AIDS has mainly been on heterosexual or vertical transmission. Comparatively little is known about HIV and MSM despite MSM in Africa being three times more likely (Adbool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2005) to be HIV-infected than the general population (Lane, et al, 2009). In South Africa, strategies to address HIV/AIDS among MSM were included for the very first time in the 2007-2011 National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan pointing; to the extent to which MSM have been excluded from both national policy and intervention strategies. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of MSM about HIV/AIDS related healthcare policies, services and interventions targeting them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with MSM and key informants about HIV/AIDS responses targeted at MSM in South Africa. Findings show that MSM are generally unaware about specific HIV/AIDS-related healthcare policies addressing their needs. Although the majority of MSM are aware of where to access HIV counseling, testing and treatment services, however discrimination, harassment and insensitivity particularly in public health-care settings impaired client or patient rapport, thereby creating barriers to meaningful access and utilization of HIV-related services thereby marginalizing MSM from the health systems altogether.

It is not unknown that NonProfit Organisations (NPOs) across South Africa are failing in their objective to provide adequate service delivery. The current poor wellbeing of NPOs is largely attributed to a lack of funding. Poor funding refers to challenges regarding internal fundraising efforts, government grants as well as international donations. The struggle to raise adequate funds has not only negatively impacted the scope of service delivery, but has also contributed to the closure of NPOs throughout the country. NPO's financial struggles are compounded by their inadequate financial reporting and management. The poor and inconsistent financial reporting and management does not encourage funders to part with their money. The unfortunate ripple effect of the poor financial reporting and management is a downscaling in service provision or, in more severe circumstances, closure. This dissertation sets out to analyse the financial wellbeing of NPOs within the Western Cape. In doing so, it set out to: To discover and describe the current condition of financial reporting; To analyse the NPO's financial sustainability and lastly; and To explore the sources of funding of NPOs. The three aims were achieved through the use of a financial trend analysis and financial ratios.

The world is confronted by a worsening youth unemployment crisis. Young people are more likely to be unemployed than adults. Youth employment is important for economic and social stability and growth. Though youth face numerous challenges, many are determined to succeed and are using varied approaches to ensure their 'survival'. The purpose of this qualitative research study was therefore to explore these varied approaches employed by young people to gain access into the world of work. Seventeen face to face interviews were conducted with young people who matriculated from Lavender Hill High School in Lavender Hill community. The study focused specifically on how the research participants negotiated their pathways to employment in the labour market. The study indicated attitudes and sources of motivation for youth towards finding employment which were driven by several factors. The main factor was the need to improve standards of living and escape the socials ills that are plaguing Lavender Hill community. Such ills include gang violence, crime, substance and alcohol abuse, lack of positive role models, financial constraints, school dropouts as well as teenage pregnancies. These ills also came up as the challenges faced by the young participants on their pathways to employment. The participants managed to utilise a range of support systems that were available to them, from government interventions, social networks from school, churches, NGOs and private companies, to recruitment agencies for them to be able to access employment. The importance of personal and technical skills was highlighted as the youth needed to have those skills to be able to get jobs. Recommendations included the need for, NGOs to advance their services for youth in career information and support them with instant education and training decisions; private companies partnering with local schools and post-secondary institutions to create platforms where the companies can speak to students about career opportunities and expected skills as well as mentoring them and offering placements that give young people the much needed skills and experience while they complete their high school, college, university or apprenticeship programs. Additionally, it was recommended that community members play their role in their societies through caring, serving, connecting, supporting and helping; government ministries to strengthen safety nets for youth in poor townships for them to counter the hindrances they face towards accessing jobs.