M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / In the context of poverty, political turmoil and HIV/AIDS, it has become more difficult for parents to take care of their children accordingly. This problem is especially pronounced in Africa and contributes to the formation of child- and youth-headed households (CYHHs). The emergence of such households places children and youth at risk of vulnerability to exploitation, poverty and lack of access to education and resources. This means that these children and youth need to fend and provide for themselves. Given the dominant position of boys in African cultures, they may be in a better position to take care of and provide for their families. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe and understand the gendered experiences of 12- to 14-year-old African male learners living in CYHHs and, based on this, to suggest possible support interventions to assist them. A qualitative multiple case study design was used, where seven male learners from the Soweto area participated in the data collection process. These learners were identified through a non-profit organisation (NPO) in the Soweto area. The data collection process included the use of individual interviews, collages, and essays. These were analysed using qualitative content analysis methods, as stipulated by Zhang and Wildemuth (2009). The study is explorative in nature and, given the issues of gender being addressed, a social constructionist paradigm was used. The theoretical framework included the works of two prominent theorists in the field of developmental psychology – Erikson (1963, 1968) and Nsamenang (1992, 2005, 2006). Erikson provides valuable insights into the psychosocial experiences of adolescents, whereas Nsamenang explains the relevance of development in an African context. Their ideas were used to understand the findings in relation to the development of the participants.

This study is an investigation of how the white English Language Press reported on black gangs in Soweto and their crimes during the 1940s and 1950s. The aim of this investigation is to increase our understanding of white English-speaking racial attitudes during the 1940s and the 1950s by investigating white perceptions of criminal gangs in Soweto during this time. To provide a yardstick, the study includes a discussion of our present state of knowledge on the topic as reflected in the secondary literature about gangsters and their crimes. During the 1940s black gangsters and their crimes were very seriously underreported compared to what we now know to have been the situation at that time. This suggests that English-speaking whites were not particularly interested in black gangsters and their crimes at this time. The reports that did appear reflected the attitude that unemployed blacks, whether they were part of gangs or not, had to be expelled from urban areas as they were all perceived to be gangsters. The headlines, reports and letters on black gang crime worked together to imply that blacks were criminals by nature. In the 1950s the level of reporting improved, as compared to the 1940s and reflected a much more serious concern about “Tsotsis”. The detailed descriptions of Tsotsis, their fashion and the language that they spoke reflect this concern. But the newspapers failed to indicate that not all young men who fitted their descriptions were Tsotsis. This omission strengthened white readers’ negative perception about young black men in general instead of distinguishing between criminals and other elements. Today, we know far more about black migrant and urban gangs and their crimes during this period from modern secondary sources than was reported in the white English Press at the time. This underreporting must have helped whites to remain ignorant of the real state of affairs in the black communities of the area. Both in the 1940s and 1950s the press concentrated on the harmful influence and criminal activities of gangs, which further strengthened the prevailing negative perceptions about young black men, who would all be perceived as “Thieving Blacks”. / Mr. GR Allen

A dissertation submitted to the faculty of education University of the witvatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education December 1983 / Teachers ' perceptions,— educational policy and the p l a n n i n g of_iNSET: a study in the Catholic Primary schools of Sowetn interviews with principals, assistant teache.s and certain personnel suggest tnat these teachers (almost exclusively black women) believe that changes in school policy and resources would do more to improve their teaching than would their further professional development. However, they express interest in formal courses leading to ert lfication that carries monetary reward. A strategy is proposed for a programme of in-service education for these teachers that takes into account the above and other tendings, the evolving theoretical and policy perspectives of the Catholic church (both international and South African), relevant facets of the national context, and current thi; Lng on INSET. This programme is embedded in a general process of school improvement and is seen as a normal part of the professional development of the teacher, he learning-process model of innovation used is nonr 1V e ' Participative and school focussed, and involves collaborative evaluation.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, School of Computational and Applied Mathematics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. 10 November 2014. / This MSc thesis is aimed at assessing the food security of people actively participating in urban agriculture. In addition, it aims to assess the role of community projects that are involved in urban agricultural activities in Soweto. The fieldwork took place in five suburbs of Soweto; Meadowlands, Chiawelo, Mzimhlophe, Motswaledi and Nancefield Hostel. The findings suggest that there is a link between urban agriculture and food security in Soweto. Field based research revealed that the participants who engage in urban agricultural activities are doing so to supplement their households’ daily dietary needs. The community projects that mainly engage in food gardening are doing so for the same reasons as the individuals. However there is a greater potential for the community projects to grow into more sustainable micro-economical entities that can supply the community and local retailers with locally grown cheap vegetables. Hampering this potential is the need for continuous skills development and training in agriculture and financial management. In addition, there is a problem pertaining to access to resources and funding than could assist both the community projects and individuals to grow good quality food. There is however a need for more data to assess the spatial distribution of the urban cultivators, livestock keepers and community projects. Nonetheless, it is important to note that urban agriculture is quite significant in the lives of those involved as it has helped reduce food insecurity in their households and encourages social

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree Master of Science in Development Planning to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / A sustainable approach to development brings together social, economic and environmental aspects. However this does not occur in a vacuum, development decisions take place in a palimpsest of underlying decisions and a myriad of conflicting uses and tensions. The sustainable development of parks entails making trade-offs within a conflicting environment. This study reflects on officials’ practices in the processes of park developments. It evaluates the decision-making terrain for park developments to understand the challenges, the advantages and the limitations in achieving an integrated and sustainable park. To this end, I have reviewed JCPZ (Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo) officials’ practices in the park development of an urban wetland in Mshenguville, Soweto. The methodology used for this paper is mainly the case study approach and reviewing archival documents used for the development process. What makes this case study interesting is that this park has some contested, proposed and appropriated land uses such as golf, cattle grazing, and an eco-park. The research report mainly shows that a balance or win-win approach to development is not easy to attain especially in highly contested developments but rather a compromise can be reached provided that the other forces ( stakeholders) within the sustainability triangle (particularly social, economic and environmental) persistantly negotiate their space to be included in the development plan. / XL2018

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of the youngest Christian denominations in modern history. It is also one of the smallest, numerically, in South Africa. However, because of the church’s high evangelistic zeal Adventists can be found in almost every part of South Africa. From a motley figure of about 3500 at the time of the church’s legal organisation in 1861, Adventists now number about 18 million globally. There is a notable presence of Adventists in Soweto, west of Johannesburg. In this study, the focus is on how the Adventist church responds to the phenomenon of poverty in Soweto. The intent is to identify current activities of the church relative to poverty alleviation, actual or possible weaknesses in the church’s response to poverty and whether these are consequences of socio-theological or other factors in the structures and institutions of the church. The end of the study will be a propositional discourse that will suggest pointers towards a more relevant and sustainable poverty alleviation programme informed by sound theological, practical pastoral and developmental considerations. This work is a missiological study focusing on Soweto, seeking to critically assess the extent to which Adventists are involved in alleviating poverty in Soweto. It also explores a model by which they can successfully and redemptive encounter the poor at their point of need. Although the main focus will be given to the missiological task of the Adventists of Soweto, the study will also integrate other disciplines to deal with sociological and political considerations. The approach adopted in this study is a pastoral contextual approach of doing theology in Soweto. Within this contextual approach I shall apply the pastoral cycle since this method converges with other relevant methods of analysis and social critique. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

M.Cur. (Nursing Administration) / With the Declaration of Alma Ata in September, 1978, a new era in health care delivery, the primary health care era with its slogan of "health for all by the year 2000' dawned. Much thought had to be put into new legislation and reorganizing of health services in South Africa. Soweto, devastated by riots in 1976, suffered badly when all health care services collapsed. Out of this crisis was born a primary health care service that provides Soweto with preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilative health care. The researcher has attempted to give an introduction into primary health care, as practiced world wide, with a review of the historical development of the primary health care service in Soweto. These services were analysed, drawing conclusions on the present service and the status of the health care in Soweto and concluding with proposals for further improvement of the health care services.

M.Ed. / The problem of academic performance standards among first year students is cause for concern for many tertiary institutions. The incidence of failure and attrition is unacceptably high, primarily because of the repercussions not only on the institutions concerned, but also on the individual students who drop out of those institutions feeling bewildered and frustrated ...

M.A. / Using the concept of resilience, this study investigates mechanisms and strategies used by young men in Zola, Soweto to cope in adverse circumstances. The study breaks with the preoccupation of social science research with 'youth as trouble' issues and resonates with the United Nations' objective to drive forward notions of human development which aim at sustaining support and collaboration in assisting people to develop their full potential. In specific, the study asks the question “What are the mechanisms and strategies that young men in Soweto use to cope in adverse circumstances?” The study, contrary to most resilience studies worldwide, employed a qualitative methodology and relies strongly on data collected in 2007 through in-depth interviews and participant observation among young men of 18-24 years of age in Zola, Soweto, just outside of Johannesburg. The findings highlight how notions of masculinity contribute to the legitimisation of crime and the high uptake of criminal responses to adversity in a context of poverty and inequality – a process I discuss in light of Michael Ungar's notion of 'hidden resilience'. The project's contributions to research are threefold: Firstly, the study contributes to the international body of resilience literature by providing a context-specific account of risk and adaptation among young men in an urban township environment in South Africa. Secondly, it adds to recent discussions on the appropriateness of different methods in studying resilience by reflecting on some of the most common approaches to researching resilience among children and youths. Lastly, the project takes a glance at potential fields of interest for policy and programme development that emanate from the study's innovative perspective on 'youth at risk' in Zola.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / This research inquiry employs the Rasch model of measurement to assess the contemporary quality of the items that constitute an intelligence test developed in South Africa during the 1980s. The Rasch model of measurement will be used as an analytical tool for exploring the quality of items constituting the performance scales of a translated version of the Junior South African Intelligence Scales (JSAIS). The JSAIS was translated into Sesotho and was used to assess grade 1 Sesotho home language learners. This study is part of the Soweto Panel Research Programme (SPRP), which aims to investigate the development of children in a specific Soweto school from preschool (grade R, age 5 and 6) to the end of the Foundation Phase (grade 3). Within this school, the research projects include the assessment of cognitive abilities, numeracy, literacy and the households of the children. I am involved in assessing the cognitive abilities of these children and work in collaboration with three Educational Psychology Master’s students from the University of Johannesburg. The cognitive abilities project aims to assess and track the cognitive development of young children from grade R to grade 3 over a period of four years. Cognitive development focuses on how children learn, process information and attain a veridical view of the world (Gopnik & Meltzoff, 1997), it entails the development of the thinking and organizing systems of the mind, and is composed of language, thinking, reasoning, problem solving, and memory development (Oakley, 2004).