The evidence from both international and local literature reviews shows that, informal settlement upgrading is a global practice. The adoption (although at a minimal scale) of informal settlement upgrading programs and related policies in developing countries (South Africa included), should in the main be understood within a twofold context- first, is a failed policy on conventional public housing model, second, is a subsequent role and influence of theoretical writings of JFC Turner on informal settlement upgrading as a possible policy alternative to conventional public housing in 1960s and 1970s. Furthermore, evidence from empirical study findings in Soshanguve Extension 3 area present some interesting results. Amongst others, is the extent to which implementation of upgrading project in Soshanguve Extension 3 area seems to have promoted a generally acceptable access level to certain basic service and housing infrastructure. This despite the project implementation being criticized for its deviation from certain key housing policy principles including those (principles) underpinning theoretical writings of Turner on informal settlement upgrading. Using both literature and empirical findings, the study has, in a nutshell, succeeded in presenting a balanced reflection on strengths and weaknesses in the general performance of informal settlement upgrading projects in developing context particularly South Africa. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Substance abuse amongst children is a major problem in South Africa and world-wide. The trend of new drugs entering the drug market has increased in South Africa. Currently in South Africa, there is a new drug on the market known as “nyaope” being abused mostly by adolescents in the Townships. The negative consequences of substance abuse affect not only individuals who abuse substances but also their parents and significant others. The researcher observed that most literature in the field of substance abuse focuses on the children addressing issues such as causes, effects, psychological impact and others. Very little is documented on parents‟ experiences and coping capabilities as well as the support they need or receive. This further contributed to the researcher‟s purpose of conduct this study to explore parents‟ experience and support needs with regard to their children‟s addiction to nyaope. / MA (Social Work)

Substance abuse amongst children is a major problem in South Africa and world-wide. The trend of new drugs entering the drug market has increased in South Africa. Currently in South Africa, there is a new drug on the market known as “nyaope” being abused mostly by adolescents in the Townships. The negative consequences of substance abuse affect not only individuals who abuse substances but also their parents and significant others. The researcher observed that most literature in the field of substance abuse focuses on the children addressing issues such as causes, effects, psychological impact and others. Very little is documented on parents‟ experiences and coping capabilities as well as the support they need or receive. This further contributed to the researcher‟s purpose of conduct this study to explore parents‟ experience and support needs with regard to their children‟s addiction to nyaope. / MA (Social Work)

M. Tech. / In the past the policy for the provision of low-cost housing was not very effective because the context of the development planning was characterized by fragmentation, segregation and isolation from the targeted communities. The reason for this is that these development programmes were not participatory and that they contributed to dependency rather than empowerment of communities. Selected case studies have shown that without the involvement of the community in planning and decision-making, low-cost housing projects cannot meet the needs and demands of the community for improvement in an effective and efficient way. One of the basic principles of the Reconstruction and Development Programme is that development projects should be people-driven. The policy framework clearly states that ‘delivery systems in housing will depend upon community participation’. This current study sought to determine whether delivery systems in low-cost housing projects have made this paradigm shift – that they are participatory and needs-driven. The study is descriptive and issue-oriented and is limited to understanding the process of low-cost housing provision to newly-urbanised Africans in Soshanguve, a peri-urban settlement in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, interviews were conducted with 100 respondents, who were either male or female heads of households. The study gave respondents an opportunity to share their experiences regarding the process of community participation in housing provision.

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Cervical cancer is reported to be the first among the five leading cancers affecting women in South Africa and the leading cancer among Black females. There is a high incidence and mortality rate among underserved and under-screened women presenting with cervical cancer as they are often unable to access screening facilities. Very little has been done to establish the factors in private health care provision that influence the implementation of cervical screening programmes. The study investigates factors influencing cervical cancer screening programme implementation among private medical practitioners in Soshanguve to establish whether private practitioners assume their roles in cervical screening. The intention is to provide guidelines for a screening programme that could be implemented in private health facilities. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews and observation as the main data-collection methods. Lack of awareness and interest, failure to inform patients about cervical screening, age and gender of medical practitioners were among the factors identified. The study concluded that awareness programmes about cervical screening and materials containing information on cervical cancer and predisposing factors should be designed. The utilization of cheaper laboratory service providers could increase participation by making the test affordable and accessible to cash patients. The establishment of a private Pap clinic within medical practices or even as an independent entity is also recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Cervical cancer is reported to be the first among the five leading cancers affecting women in South Africa and the leading cancer among Black females. There is a high incidence and mortality rate among underserved and under-screened women presenting with cervical cancer as they are often unable to access screening facilities. Very little has been done to establish the factors in private health care provision that influence the implementation of cervical screening programmes. The study investigates factors influencing cervical cancer screening programme implementation among private medical practitioners in Soshanguve to establish whether private practitioners assume their roles in cervical screening. The intention is to provide guidelines for a screening programme that could be implemented in private health facilities. The study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews and observation as the main data-collection methods. Lack of awareness and interest, failure to inform patients about cervical screening, age and gender of medical practitioners were among the factors identified. The study concluded that awareness programmes about cervical screening and materials containing information on cervical cancer and predisposing factors should be designed. The utilization of cheaper laboratory service providers could increase participation by making the test affordable and accessible to cash patients. The establishment of a private Pap clinic within medical practices or even as an independent entity is also recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

In the 21st century, there is a growing realisation that providing principals with the necessary opportunities of training in leadership and management skills has become increasingly important as a way to increase school effectiveness and achieve quality performance. Central to this argument is the fact that principals are merely accorded a status and role without the necessary training. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the effectiveness of state-funded professional development programmes of school principals with specific reference to Soshanguve secondary schools and also to ascertain the extent to which principals’ training meets the schools’ and principals’ needs given the changed conditions that exist in the country. The study employed a quantitative research methods approach to collect data from 100 educators and 20 Head of Departments (HoDs). This was done through administration of questionnaires. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), which was used to generate the frequencies and descriptive statistics that were used to answer research questions. While it is expected that principals should effectively and rigorously be developed to enable them to improve teaching and learning at their schools, the study, however, found that training of school principals in Soshanguve was elusive and ineffective, and as result, the majority of these principals lack basic management training prior to and after their entry into principalship. The study has shown that apart from being faced with various challenges and being promoted to principalship without the necessary leadership experience, principals rely on trial-and-error experience and common sense in leading and managing schools. The study also showed that a majority of principals are in great need of being professionally developed in some specific areas. Furthermore, the study discovered that the Department of Basic Education does not seem to be making efforts in ensuring that principals are professionally developed. Consequently, principals develop on their own through informal professional development strategies. In conclusion, the study recommended, amongst others, that principals should be encouraged to take personal responsibility and initiative in preparing and developing school leadership through self-study, reading literature, attending seminars and workshops out of their own personal volition. That Department of Basic Education (DoBE) needs to look into ways of subsidising the training of school principals. DoBE should also find ways of formally incorporating more of the private sector and non-governmental organisations to help in the preparation and development of principals for school leadership by allowing them to offer in-service courses for potential principals and serving principals. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The study comprehensively analysed the impact of primary prevention services for reproductive health in the environment within which the adolescents grow towards life skills ecquisition and positive behavior patterning. The availability, accessibility and the effectiveness of adolescents' accompaniment in Soshanguve Township by certain caregivers were assessed. Unstructured observations, review of documents, questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. The results revealed the least support by parents and churches to accompany the adolescents and the inaccessibility of specialised center to the disadvantaged. The continued lack of knowledge and life-skills perpetuated the onset of reproductive problems. The lack of programmes to equip care providers on how to improve communication during care provision was a major setback. There is a great need for the erection of special care centers for adolescents. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)