This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Master of Arch[Prof] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in the year 2015 / Domestic workers in South Africa are a vulnerable work force who are not financially or socially recognised for the significant role they play in sustaining homes, suburbs and society. The topic of domestic work serves as a lens through which to analyse the intersectional issues of race, gender and class in South Africa and their spatial manifestations. I have found that spatial principles employed, historically and currently, play a substantial role in creating or upholding the unbalanced power relationship governing domestic work. The spatial techniques of separation, isolation, concealment, surveillance, front to back and leisure to work relationships for example, have become so mundane and normalized in South African society that it is difficult to identify these factors as facilitators of race, gender and class discrimination. My spatial approach is to utilize these principles in a way that disrupts and draws attention to their original objective. The program aims to recognise the significance of this occupation, give domestic Workers collective power to negotiate their working conditions and facilitate social mobility. The building is a mix-use centre which incorporates business, accommodation, communal and public facilities, activities and gathering spaces a landscaped park. The business facilities incorporate existing services in a more formalized, professionalized manner, ensuring fair remuneration and recognition for quality services. The centre additionally provides services in more interactive, sustainable and economically efficient ways than they are traditionally provided for in individual private homes. These communal services include a children’s day care, public laundry and eatery. The intention is to create a prototype that may be reproduced in any suburb thereby creating a network of centres. The selection of the park in Norwood as a site serves to reactivate an underutilized public space and in so doing challenge the existing relationships of work and leisure, public and private and social hierarchies in the suburb. The position of this project in the relatively, sparsely populated suburbs would change the racial and financial demographic. It would be a new typology for high density, low cost/ government subsidised housing in a way that integrates infrastructure and public space. / EM2017

M.A. (Social Work) / As a result of the ruling Government's policy, a diverse group of individuals and organisations identified certain critical needs of black people - through their own initiative. In doing so they utilised basic community development principles which forms part of a new approach regarding need satisfaction in the new South Africa. The focus of this particular study is on one such a non-Governmental organisation, which developed from grass roots level to satisfy the needs of black children and their parents with regard to teaching and education. In the light of the growing demand for an educational service and the school's need to effectively address this problem, a need-sassessment was required in order to identify the needs of the children in the context of the school, from the perspective of key-persons and parents. Given the institution's development from grass roots level through community development principles, the institutions requirement of a needs-assessment as well as the fact that implementation of community development will ensure that community needs be addressed, this study will therefore be done in the framework of community development.

M.A. (Fundamental Communications) / This research study investigated different practices defining and yet differentiating soccer supporters in various parts of Johannesburg. It highlights the major converging and diverging practices of the fanatics when communicating within the same and with different groups, publicly united by the objective of watching soccer. Participant observations and in-depth interviews were the two major techniques used to gather data which was thematically and comparatively analysed. While the foundational goal of the research were significant communication practices amongst soccer fans, findings from the study were more skewed towards diversity in socio-cultural attributes as evident amongst the fans the researcher engaged with. These were encountered at public places where soccer lovers from the north, south and central Johannesburg get together. There were Zambian, Zimbabwean and the dominant South African amongst the different groups of soccer fans. There were men and women speaking the English language in diverse accents with some even seeking pardon for diluting it with their native languages. Soccer teams that they support such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, as well as English and Spanish teams in Liverpool and Barcelona respectively, all exemplified multiplicity. The neighbourhood, within which each PVA is located, where individuals converge at Maponya Mall, Rosebank Bowling Club, Joubert City Park, Dollars Pub & Restaurant in Berea, and Mbanjwa.s Place in Naturena, south of Johannesburg, also determined the kinds of fans the researcher encountered, and the way they converged and/or diverged in their communication.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / There is a growing concern for the high drop-out and failure rate of university students in their first year. Numerous studies have been undertaken to determine the reasons for the high student failure. It appears as if there are academic and social factors which affect learning. One factor that has only recently been investigated is the learning strategies of the student. Learning strategies entail the way in which a student plans and executes his studies, and the processes that are involved in this activity. This study was undertaken to determine whether a difference exists between the learning strategies of a first year student who has supportive family relations versus a first year student who has unsupportive family relations. This study consists of two parts. A literature study constitutes the first part. in which the concepts family relations and learning strategies' are correlated. This is followed by an empirical study on the relationships of students with supportive family relations and students with unsupportive fami7y re7ations and their use of learning strategies. To determine the degree to which the student experiences family support, the PHSF-Relations Questionnaire was used. The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) was used to determine the student's use of learning strategies. Two components of the PHSF-Relations Questionnaire namely Family Influences and Personal Freedom were studied to determine the degree of family support of the first year student. The empirical investigation made use of the first year students registered at the Rand Afrikaans University in 1990. These students were divided into groups according to sex, and language preference. The resultant groups were: Afrikaans speaking males and females and males and females speaking other languages. The- statistical analysis was done by the Statistics Computer Service. It was empirically shown that: There are significant differences between the use of learning strategies by first year students with supportive family relations versus first year students with unsupportive family relations in most of the cases. Concerning the component Family Influences, no significant difference was found between first year males speaking languages other than Afrikaans with supportive family influences and those with unsupportive family influences. Concerning the component Personal Freedom, no significant difference was found between first year Afrikaans speaking malestudents and first year female students with home languages other than Afrikaans. Motivation, Selection of main ideas and Test strategies are the components of the use of learning strategies that are most dependent on supportive family relations. Certain components of learning strategies are not significantly dependent on the degree of family support of the student, for example : Study Aids and Information Processing.

M.Tech. (Construction Management) / Sophiatown residence is one of the newly built residential accommodations in University of Johannesburg. The residence is currently the biggest residence in University of Johannesburg in terms of rooms and is a residential accommodation for only students of University of Johannesburg. The residence is a three storey building and has 416 room all single rooms and 416 students occupying it. This research work is post occupancy evaluation of an education building in Johannesburg. The study evaluates the building performance; the extent to which the students are satisfied with the indoor environmental quality and investigates the extent to which the University of Johannesburg newly constructed residence is satisfactory to its occupants (students). It also evaluates the indoor environmental quality elements that affect the student’s health and common illness that affect the student’s performance. The methodology used for this study was quantitative. A structured questionnaire with multiple choices, scaled, matrix-type and open ended question was used to conduct the interview and obtain data during the survey. Findings from the survey revealed that the building is not performing as intended because the occupants needed improvements in some area in the residence like; quality of natural light in there room, size of the study hall, quality of space provided in there study hall and others. The students were satisfied with the building although they need improvements in the study hall, toilet and bathroom, kitchen and TV room, internet services and others. However, students need little improvement in the quality of artificial light in their room, quality of natural light in their room, size of their study hall, and others. They also needed improvements in the size of their room, temperature in their room, noise level in the study hall (ability to have conversation without neighbors overhearing it), and others. Lastly, it was revealed that Fatigue (tiredness) is the most commonly experience illness while nausea is most frequently illness had and also affect the students’ performance. Based on the findings from the study, it is recommended that the institution evaluates the IEQ at specific intervals to ensure that occupants are happy at all times and also to empower the executive managers in such a way that they are able to choose the correct materials during the design stage to promote good indoor air quality. It is important that the managers attend workshops (trainings) so that they have a better understanding of good indoor air quality that will keep occupants satisfied with the performance of the building.

M.A. / It has been proven that all over the world informal settlements have come about as a result of housing shortage. Housing crisis is directly associated with rapid population growth which in turn leads to rapid urbanisation. Rapid urbanisation which puts tremendous stress in infrastructure available in the cities, is a process which cannot be reversed or stopped. It needs to be managed by the city authorities. That also is problematic because cities do not always have the resources to cope with this demand. This thesis puts forward suggestions that could be used to alleviate the dilemma facing the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, with the cum of throwing light on how informal settlements can be dealt with in the changing economy of South Africa. In order to address the research problem and fulfil the research objectives, a literature study was done, which gave various strategies that have been adopted in other countries. The literature study has been largely used to compare South Africa with other countries such as Brazil, Peru, Kenya, etc. who are faced with rapid urbanisation. A historical overview of urbanisation in South Africa, beginning in the early twentieth century has been given. This was done to illustrate the evolution of the South African legal system in an attempt to cope with events emanating from the discovery of gold in the Johannesburg area. Attempts by the new government to support the local authorities, particularly the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council have been acknowledged. For example, the establishment of the Development Facilitation Act, the Botshabelo. Accord, the repeal of laws which made it impossible for people to take control of their destinies, are a few of these attempts. The emphasis in this study a placed on the involvement of people as a management tool in the development process.

M.Ed. (Tertiary and Adult Education) / This empirical study forms part of a team research project which was spearheaded by the Bureau of University Education at the Rand Afrikaans University. The aim of this study was to establish whether significant differences between the aptitudes of succesfull and non-succesfull freshman engineering students could be determined. This study consists mainly of two parts. Firstly, a literature study discussing the concepts aptitude and aptitude testing was undertaken. Secondly, an empirical study to establish differences in various aptitudes of the above-mentioned student groups was undertaken. According to the literature study, aptitude can be seen as a combination of factors which enables an individual to achieve a certain level of performance or to develop a certain skill with the necessary training. From the literature study it is apparent that aptitude is inherited, and also influenced by environmental factors. In early childhood it varies considerably but stabilizes in later years. Although slight similarities between aptitude and intelligence exist, a very clear distinction can be drawn. Differences between the aptitude patterns of men and women also appear. In the empirical study a random sample (N=388) was taken from the 1989 - 1991 freshman engineering students of the Rand Afrikaans University. The results of the Senior Aptitude Test (SAT) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) were used to indicate d ifferences between the above-mentioned student groups. Students t-test was used to establish significant differences between the two groups. The data which was already available, was processed by means of the BMDP-3D computer programme. Significant differences between the two groups were identified, proving/indicating that aptitude should be taken into account during the process of student selection for the engineering course.

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / The focus of this study is to investigate strategies employed by females in school leadership in disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Disadvantaged communities in the South African context have arisen from a patriarchal and prejudicial system that was structured according to race, class and gender. Currently, many South African educational institutions bear the residue of this prejudicial system. This research will explore how female leaders in four disadvantaged primary schools in the Johannesburg North District navigate through the challenges of leading in a disadvantaged as well as patriarchal context. A specific emphasis has been placed upon feminist literature and debates in the context of female leaders. Discourse analysis is utilised to interpret the experiences of the female leaders. Analysis of recorded data on challenges facing females in school leadership in disadvantaged communities revealed themes on stereotyping of women, collaboration and liaison with stakeholders, leadership traits of women, the social stigma associated with schools in disadvantaged communities, women and emotional intelligence, women and conflict resolution. Themes on balance between family and school, opposing gender discrimination, networking with stakeholders, overcoming stereotypes emanated from the strategies employed by females in school leadership to overcome barriers in disadvantaged communities. The study reveals that in spite of significant gains since the implementation of favourable legislation on gender equity, women in school leadership continue to experience challenges within schools, from the community and in their personal lives. Stereotyping prevails especially in communities where patriarchal systems dominate. The research concludes with suggestions and recommendations for future research.

M.Cur. (Professional Nursing Science: Nursing Education) / One of the strategic priorities for the National Health System 2004-2009 is to have a 15-20% increase in the number of nursing students to address both equity requirements and changing human resources, and to meet the health needs of the nation (National Plan of Higher Education, 2001:2). At the nursing college under study, this increase in nursing student numbers has led to a number of teaching and learning problems, as reported in the college study (Waterson, Harms, Qupe, Maritz, Manning, Makobe & Chabeli, 2006 b:70). Nurse educators encourage students to arrange individual consultations to attend to their learning problems. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students and nurse educators on factors they perceive to be contributing to ineffective teaching and learning in large groups, and to describe strategies to improve this situation at a nursing college in Johannesburg. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was employed to obtain a deeper understanding of nursing students’ and nurse educators’ perceptions that contribute to ineffective teaching and learning in large classes. A purposive sampling method was used for the first-year nursing students in a Johannesburg nursing college. Focus group interviews with nursing students and nurse educators were conducted by the expert interviewer. Open coding qualitative data analysis methods were used in accordance with Tech’s qualitative method (Creswell, 2012:186). Credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were used to ensure trustworthiness in accordance with Lincoln and Guba’s model (1985:290-326). The study followed the ethical standards set by the South African Nursing Council (SANC, 1992:2). The results were conceptualised within the relevant literature, and strategies to facilitate effective teaching and learning in large classes at a Johannesburg nursing college was be formulated (Burns & Grove, 2001: 55). A purposive sampling method was used for the R425 first-year nursing students and educators at a Johannesburg nursing college. Participation in the study was on a voluntary basis. During the study the researcher used focus groups as a method to collect data. An expert interviewer was used to encourage participants to interact with each another freely regarding the topic.

M.A. / This study, regarding the long-term effects of the Westdene bus-disaster, which was undertaken after a period of seven years, has the following objectives: A survey of the literature regarding disasters and posttraumatic stress. An investigation of the long-term effects of the trauma on the secondary victims of the trauma, namely the family systems of the primary victims. The role and function of the family in the primary victims' coping and recovery from the trauma. The effect the trauma has on the family system after a period of seven years. A survey to establish the long-term effects of the therapeutic inputs regarding the secondary victims after the trauma. The first part of the study explores the theory regarding posttraumatic stress. The study comes to the conclusion that stress and trauma cannot only be viewed as a linear matter, but that psychological and contextual factors play an important role in the extent to which an event is experienced as stressful or not. It seems clear that the trauma does not only affect the individual victim, but the family system of which the individual forms a part of, is also affected by the stressful events. The study therefore examines the family of the primary victim with a systems theory approach. Therefore: How the family encounters and copes with stress, and how the family affects/influences the coping strategies of the primary victim. The study differentiates between normative and non-normative stressors and family adjustment. The study was conducted from a qualitative perspective. A certain amount of stress is already present in the family of the adolescent. This is the result of the adolescents' development towards independence and the forming is disrupted by the occurrence of a stressful non-normative event. The primary victim can therefore not be studied in isolation, but other mediating factors should be included in the investigation. One of these factors is the family of the victim, who plays an important part in the coping with the stressful event. With regard to psychological therapy and the long-term effects of such interventions, the researcher comes to the conclusion that developmental processes in interaction with a supportive psychological climate contributes to the realistic coping and acceptance of the trauma. The following points of criticism against the study can be raised: Other factors, such as divorce, "empty-nest-syndrome" and the death of a family member can have an effect on the current functioning of the family system. The family of the primary victim has experienced normative adjustment and changes during the seven year that has lapsed since the disaster. The families that have experienced the most trauma as a result of the disaster, did not partake in this study. The study made the following recommendations: That intensive studies, on the short-term and the long-term, should be undertaken of the families of disaster victims; that research and literature regarding posttraumatic stress should place more emphasis on the role, function and effect of the trauma on the family systems of the disaster victims; the establishing of a natural institute, which includes the extended family, for the minimising of the long-term effects of a trauma. Although trauma is defined in a linear perspective, it should be seen within a bigger ecosystemic content, which includes the systems of the disaster victims. This view would probably result in more positive coping strategies regarding traumatic events.