D. Ed. (Education) / In this study two main educational issues are examined, namely language instruction and learning as well as classroom culture. The problems were not strictly formulated as research questions at the outset, but evolved partly during the pilot study and the fieldwork stage. The fragile character of South African education in this time of major transformation and socio-educational reconstruction, was the main impetus for this research. It was decided to focus on one educational micro-organism in order to try and sense if there were some noteworthy issues which could be reflected for generalization or subsequent research purposes. It was argued that the ecological and temporal validity of an extended emic study would reveal aspects of language Pedagogy, contextualized in a single classroom culture, which could potentially be of benefit to the wider educational community. The study was undertaken with the aim of giving a thick ethnographic description of classroom life, concentrating on linguistic factors. Two standard six English classes were observed for six months each, the one following upon the other. The same teacher taught the two comparable classes in which one major pattern emerged during the observation, namely the limited Cognitive, Academic Language proficiency (CALP) of most pupils.The choice of site was motivated by the fact that newly desegregated schools could perhaps benefit from a description (and interpretation) of English classroom life at an open school which has been functioning successfully for a number of years. During the pilot study it was presupposed that linguistic phenomena surfacing in a contemporary language classroom would be supported by the theory of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) , which 'is theoretically based on the theory of language acquisition and especially Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and which is the dominant second language teaching theory of the day. It became clear during the pilot study that a baseline of CLT would serve a valid purpose in that the theory could be applied and, to a limited degree, even assessed at this single site, but that the data' which would be forthcoming would be spread somewhat wider than the theory of CLT. Nevertheless, it was decided to broadly limit the theory pertaining to language didactics to CLT and SLA, as the interpretation of data would possibly reflect sufficiently strongly in the theoretical framework in these two domains. In addition to a framework from theory in Linguistics, a construction of the theory of Multicultural Education was also included. The main tenets of Multicultural Education, the most important one being equality of educational opportunity, were then woven into the theoretical unit referred to as "language classroom at an urban multicultural school". This unit included a brief foray into roleplay as language teaching tool. The third part of the theoretical scaffold consisted of an exploration of qualitative research methodology, specifically ethnography. As this study is to some degree also a study in qualitative methodology which is not widely used in some research milieus in South Africa, it is regarded as an important part of the theoretical framework.

M.Tech. (Architecture) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / This study explores the school-commuting phenomenon that occurs across the city of Johannesburg, with specific reference to inner city private schools. It was hypothesized that the school commute, much of which has its origins in spatial apartheid, is financially and socially unsustainable. As spatial apartheid continues to dominate the urban landscape in Johannesburg, it is posited that overall, the school commute hinders the City of Johannesburg’s progress towards becoming a sustainable city. In particular, a sustainable city has both sustainable social systems and a sustainable transport system, amongst other things. It is argued here that in Johannesburg, the existence of nonsustainable social systems in formerly designated ‘black only’ residential areas, such as dysfunctional and poorly resourced public schools, is driving a school commute to inner city private schools. In particular, historically disadvantaged individuals, who were forced under apartheid to reside on the urban periphery, are the ones who do the longest and most expensive commute to school. For the learners and parents, this decision to enroll in inner city schools comes at a financial cost, for transport, and in time spent commuting, which is lowering the overall quality of life for these families. The study is limited to inner city, low cost private schools within the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). The respondents were parents or guardians of learners enrolled in these schools. The study found that the majority of learners enrolled in these schools resided outside of the inner city itself, mostly in former designated ‘black-only’ space. The overwhelming majority of learners were black and identified with various tribal groups, although Zulu was the most dominant. They hailed from lower middle class to upper working class homes. Parents had elected to enroll their children in these inner city private schools, rather than in geographically close-to-home schools for reasons associated with academic performance, discipline and the perceived quality of the teaching. It was clear that local township schools were shunned by these parents who were prepared to spend significant amounts of money on the school commute and have their children spend more than 30 minutes getting to school each day instead of enrolling them in no-fee township schools within walking distance from home.

Organisations are confronted with the challenges of managing, controlling and putting in place retention strategies to mitigate against high turnover intention. This is also the case with public libraries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of the turnover intention of public librarians at the City of Johannesburg Libraries (COJLIS) in the Gauteng province of South Africa, with a view to developing a retention strategy. Turnover intention can bring devastation to the organisation and can also lead to negative consequences such as decreased morale and productivity, shortage of skilled and qualified librarians, direct and indirect costs to library organisation and loss of knowledge. This quantitative research study utilised the conceptual framework to investigate demographic, personal and organisational factors influencing turnover intentions of librarians. The conceptual framework for the present study incorporated aspects of a theory or theories, concepts from the literature, personal experiences, knowledge of the context and models The aspects of theory or theories and concepts from the literature on employee turnover “content” and “process” models such as Mobley (1977), Jerome (2017), Nair, Mee & Cheik (2016), Perez (2008), Spector (2005), Spector (1997), Price and Mueller (2000) and Price (2001)were modified to suit this study for public librarians at COJLIS. Mobley’s (1977) turnover process model was germane to this study, as it theorises a linear sequence consisting of the following: “dissatisfaction, thoughts of quitting, evaluation of subjective expected utility of job search and costs of quitting, search intentions, evaluation of alternatives, comparison of alternatives and present job, intentions to quit and quitting”. The constituents of the conceptual framework are demographics factors (age, tenure and job designation level), personal factors (job satisfaction and organisational commitment) and organisational factors (payment and fringe benefits, location of workplace, working environment: flexi working hours, perceived alternative employment opportunity, promotion and recognition, personal interaction, supervision and leadership, training and opportunity to utilise skills) as well as turnover intention. This study employed the census method and adopted the cross-sectional survey design method to collect data from 174 librarians working in 89 public libraries and three support sections at COJLIS. Data collection involved the use of a closed-ended questionnaire, as well as analysis documents such as strategic plans and human resource policies. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) according to the objectives of the study. The researcher conducted a linear regression test to find the instance of correlation between personal and organisational variables, and librarians’ intention to leave their workplace. The findings revealed that demographic determinants (age, tenure and job designation level) are significantly related to turnover intention. Tenure was a highly significant predictor of turnover intention. The major findings to this study were a negative and significant relationship between payment and fringe benefits, working environment: flexi working hours (work-life balance) promotion and recognition towards turnover intention. The study concludes that COLIS may be able to reduce turnover intention through the improvement of factors such as payment and fringe benefit, working environment: flexi working hours (work-life balance) promotion and recognition which would lead to increased job satisfaction and organisational commitment. It is recommended that in order to mitigate turnover intention and increase retention, the talent retention policy, strategy and initiatives should be developed which could incorporate the variables (e.g. payment and fringe benefits, promotion and recognition and training to develop and utilise new skills) of the suggested conceptual talent retention model for COJLIS. A further study to validate a newly developed retention model in COJLIS is recommended. / Information Science / M. Inf.

This study was undertaken with the purpose of analysing the public accountability system of secondary schools in the Johannesburg North District. It also tested the relationship between the accountability system and the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools. Over and above principals, learners and parents, the study also utilised numerous published literature to analyse the current accountability system. The findings of the empirical study revealed that there were disparities between the literature review and the current accountability system. Three major findings were made by this study. Firstly, there is a lack of synergy between internal and external accountability systems. Secondly, there are different accountability systems used by different secondary schools in the same District and lastly grade twelve results are used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools in the chosen District. In conclusion, proposals which may assist in improving the current accountability system were made. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

This study investigated coercive and high risk sexual practices in South African adolescent dating relationships. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected from secondary school learners in a community near Johannesburg. Of 928 learners surveyed, 23.5% of females and 53.7% of males ever had sex. Of these, 57.8% of females and 44.2% of males reported sexual victimisation, and 46.8% of females and 50% of males reported perpetrating sexual coercion in a relationship. Significantly more males engaged in risky sex than females. Among females, sexual coercion was significantly linked to risky sexual behaviour. Among males, alcohol and perpetration of sexual coercion were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviour. Focus group data reveal how dominant constructions of gender normalise male coercion and contribute to risky sexual practices. Recommendations for sexual health initiatives include introducing alternative discourses of female sexual desire and male sexual responsibility as a means for building healthier adolescent dating relationships. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study investigated coercive and high risk sexual practices in South African adolescent dating relationships. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected from secondary school learners in a community near Johannesburg. Of 928 learners surveyed, 23.5% of females and 53.7% of males ever had sex. Of these, 57.8% of females and 44.2% of males reported sexual victimisation, and 46.8% of females and 50% of males reported perpetrating sexual coercion in a relationship. Significantly more males engaged in risky sex than females. Among females, sexual coercion was significantly linked to risky sexual behaviour. Among males, alcohol and perpetration of sexual coercion were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviour. Focus group data reveal how dominant constructions of gender normalise male coercion and contribute to risky sexual practices. Recommendations for sexual health initiatives include introducing alternative discourses of female sexual desire and male sexual responsibility as a means for building healthier adolescent dating relationships. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Since 2012 more than 295 676 migrants have arrived in South Africa. Somalis form one of the most visible migrant minorities in the country. Since various studies have been conducted into the mistreatment of migrants and its psychological effects, this study aimed to investigate the reasons that led to the resilience of the Somali community residing in Fordsburg/Mayfair, Johannesburg despite the challenges they encountered. The sample for the study was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through the use of face-to-face semi-structured interviews and subsequently analysed following Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological method of data analysis. The findings of the study show that the participants experienced several challenges en route to South Africa and once they reached the country. Their resilience can be attributed to reasons such as individual determination to achieve change, the Somali communal culture, religion and spirituality, the family spirit, gender role adaptation and hard work. / Psychology / M.A. (Research Consultation)

Risk taking behaviours such as drug use, sexual activities and tattooing are prevalent in the correctional institutions, including those in South Africa. Such behaviours pose a serious challenge as regards health care of inmates. In particular, these behaviours contribute to the transmission of HIV/AIDS which results in morbidity and mortality. Harm reduction components are employed as effective measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. These components are lauded owing to their considerable impact. They consist of needle exchange programmes, substitution therapy, condom provision and education. Various developing (Morocco, Brazil and Egypt) and developed (Scotland and Canada) countries make use of such components to address risk taking behaviours in correctional institutions. Although condom provision and education have been implemented by the South African Department of Correctional Services in state institutions, there is an urgent need to enhance the efforts. This study investigates the extent of risk taking behaviours amongst inmates at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. It also determines the level of knowledge of inmates and staff regarding HIV/AIDS. The researcher employed a qualitative form of methodology, collecting data by means of a structured questionnaire. The data was coded and analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that the risk taking behaviours are prevalent at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. Furthermore, the analysis of the knowledge items regarding HIV/AIDS indicates that there are certain deficits that require attention. They are also notable differences in the primary sources of HIV information for inmates and staff. It was found that a dire need exists to enhance and expand current harm reduction initiatives in correctional institutions in order to offer health care services that are compliant with international conventions such as the Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS as well as the South African Constitution. Reluctance to do so is tantamount to housing inmates in „de facto‟ death chambers. Hence the augmentation of such initiatives is strongly recommended. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Risk taking behaviours such as drug use, sexual activities and tattooing are prevalent in the correctional institutions, including those in South Africa. Such behaviours pose a serious challenge as regards health care of inmates. In particular, these behaviours contribute to the transmission of HIV/AIDS which results in morbidity and mortality. Harm reduction components are employed as effective measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. These components are lauded owing to their considerable impact. They consist of needle exchange programmes, substitution therapy, condom provision and education. Various developing (Morocco, Brazil and Egypt) and developed (Scotland and Canada) countries make use of such components to address risk taking behaviours in correctional institutions. Although condom provision and education have been implemented by the South African Department of Correctional Services in state institutions, there is an urgent need to enhance the efforts. This study investigates the extent of risk taking behaviours amongst inmates at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. It also determines the level of knowledge of inmates and staff regarding HIV/AIDS. The researcher employed a qualitative form of methodology, collecting data by means of a structured questionnaire. The data was coded and analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that the risk taking behaviours are prevalent at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre. Furthermore, the analysis of the knowledge items regarding HIV/AIDS indicates that there are certain deficits that require attention. They are also notable differences in the primary sources of HIV information for inmates and staff. It was found that a dire need exists to enhance and expand current harm reduction initiatives in correctional institutions in order to offer health care services that are compliant with international conventions such as the Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS as well as the South African Constitution. Reluctance to do so is tantamount to housing inmates in „de facto‟ death chambers. Hence the augmentation of such initiatives is strongly recommended. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)