High school adolescent's suicidal behaviour caused a concern to the Umzimkulu community and the multi - disciplinary team in the local Psychiatric institution during the years 1997 - 1999 . The purpose the study was to identify and describe the charactics of adolescents who committed suicide. Rutter's (1995) model of risk. resilience and recovery has been used as a theoretical frame work for the study. A descriptive, exploratory case study design is most suitable for the incidence of suicide at Umzimkulu District .The case study approach was best suited as it assists in an indepth study focussing on contemporary phenomena with sum real life contexts . The distinctive need for the case study design arises out the desire to understand complex psycho-social phenomena of adolescent suicide (Yin, 1989).Each adolescent who committed suicide over the last two years in Umzimkulu District will form a case . All data about the particular person will be the case description Adolescents who committed suicide were identified from the records at the police intelligence office of Umzimkulu Police Station. Parents, identified friends, teachers and health workers who had known the adolescents. Semi structured interviews with open ended questions were used. Interview schedules for teachers, parents and close friends differed slightly. A tape recorder for later transcription was utilised. To analyse the data, Ruttter's model was utilised to do cross case analysis. Results according to Rutter's model, were that, due to inconstant support received by the adolescents, high levels of stress in early child hood, had left them insuffiently resilient to with stand the problems they encountered during adolescence. / Thesis (M.Cur.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

This thesis is a study of patterns of language attitudes and use among Xhosa home language speakers at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Speakers of Xhosa, according to Statistics South Africa 2000, form the second largest speech community in South Africa (17.9% of the total population), second only to speakers of Zulu (22.9% of the total population). The University of the Western Cape, which is situated just outside Cape Town, was originally intended to serve only the Coloured (mixed-race) population of South Africa. Coloureds form the majority group in the population of the Western Cape, one of the nine provinces of South Africa. In 1982, the university took the bold step of defying the apartheid regime, by opening its doors to students of all races. Students from all over South Africa now attend the university, but Xhosa students, drawn mainly from the provinces of the Eastern and Western Cape, form the largest language group or speech community on the campus. The thesis presents a study of the patterns of language attitudes and use with which Xhosa students enter the university, as well as patterns of change in language attitudes and use revealed by a longitudinal study of a smaller group of Xhosa students.

Thesis (M.A. (Political & International Studies)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts.

Early maternal loss and its effects on daughters’ development has generated interest internationally. Yet very few studies have been conducted within South Africa, even though the prevalence of South African children growing up with the loss of their mothers is on the increase particularly due to HIV and Aids. This field of study is particularly important as mothers play a significant developmental role in children’s wellbeing. This study focused on exploring NMMU female students’ perceptions of the effects of maternal loss before adolescence on their identity and intimacy development. A qualitative research approach was followed in order to gain in-depth understanding regarding these perceived effects. A purposive, non-probability sampling method was employed to select participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them to explore and describe their perceptions. Attachment theory was utilised to provide a theoretical understanding of the potential impact of such loss on identity and intimacy development. Erikson’s psychosocial development theory was employed to describe the nature of personal identity and intimacy. The role of mothers in the South African context is perceived to be of importance with much focus on daughters’ identity development. Childhood maternal loss for daughters was perceived to effect the identity formation of participants in the study. The majority of participants perceived not having been able to spend enough time with their biological mothers to have limited their self-exploration. The participants perceived that this loss also had an effect on their intimacy as it isolated them from their peers and available support systems due to the fear of experiencing losing a person again in their lives.

The focus of the study was to explore and describe reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students and to describe strategies to improve poor professional behaviour. The study has significance for the college management, staff, nursing students, registered nurses and everyone involved in professional development of nursing students. The population for this study consisted of third-year nursing students following the four-year comprehensive basic course for registration leading to the Diploma in Nursing (General, Community & Psychiatry) and Midwifery at a public nursing college. The research questions were: What do you understand by professional behaviour? What are the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students? What could be done to improve professionalism among college nursing students? A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used as a framework for the study. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Fort Hare ethics committee and other relevant authorities as indicated in the study. Ethical principles were maintained and informed consent obtained. Data collection was done using focus groups and an audiotape with a purposefully sampling of 30 third-year nursing students at the public college of nursing. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis for qualitative research. Three major themes emerged: students’ understanding of professional behaviour, reasons for poor professional behaviour and methods to improve poor professional behaviour. It was concluded that poor professional behaviour has an effect on professionalism and it should be addressed and corrected for protecting the professional image. Recommendations: Policies regarding inappropriate professional behaviour at the college should be in place and easily accessible to every staff member and nursing student. Department of Health should conduct reflective courses and seminars on professionalism and these should begin at the same time as the academic programme.

Text in English / A survey by means of mailed questionnaires was conducted to compile a career profile of persons who completed the B.Cur programme at Medunsa. The sample consisted of all the nurses who had completed the B.Cur. programme over a decade from 1985 to 1994. Forty-one percent of the questionnaires were returned and the findings indicated that the nurse graduates were committed to nursing and were contributing to the nursing services in south Africa. The public service was the largest employer of the graduate nurses. Their commitment to nursing is shown by their long service as well as post-registration qualifications sought in nursing. The B.Cur programme at Medunsa had adequately prepared them to practice nursing. There appears to be a need, however, to review the curriculum in some areas. It was concluded that Medunsa has contributed to the provision of well qualified nurses. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Afrikaans text / Die doel van hierdie ondersoek is om sosio-kulturele kenmerke van sekere swart studente aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika weer te gee en te bepaal of, op welke wyse, en watter, sosio-kulturele faktore 'n invloed op hul _studie en akademiese prestasie het. Dit is gedoen deur 'n kontekstuele, individualisties-holistiese en biografiese benadering toe te pas op gevallestudies waarvan die besonderhede deur diepte-onderhoude verkry is. Deur middel van die gevallestudies word 'n algemene oorsig van die betrokke studente se kinderjar.e en volwasse lewe buite universiteitsverband gegee. Die volwasse lewe word beskryf aan die hand van gemeenskaplike aktiwiteitsvelde waaraan die individue deelneem. Die universiteit word ook as 'n aktiwiteitsveld beskou en in terme van die betrokke studente se deelname daaraan volledig beskryf met inagneming van die verband daarvan met ander aktiwiteitsvelde. Vervolgens is uit die beskrywing van die kinderjare, die volwasse lewe buite universiteitsverband en die veld van die universiteit faktore geidentifiseer wat 'n invloed blyk te he op die studie en prestasie van die studente in die ondersoekgroep. Die gevolgtrekkinge is dat daar verskeie sosiokulturele en 'n aantal ander faktore is wat studie. en akademiese prestasie beinvloed en dat daar variasie is in die invloed van sodanige faktore by verskillende individue. / The aim of this investigation is to give an exposition of the socio-cultural characteristics of certain black students at the University of South Africa and to determine wheth~r, in what way, and which, socio-cultural factors influence their studies and academic performance. The study entailed the application of a contextual, individualisticholistic and biographical approach to case studies, the details of which were obtained through in-depth interviews. A general overview of the childhood of the students concerned and of their adulthood outside the context of the university, is provided by means of the case studies. Adulthood is described in terms of common fields of activity in which the individuals participate. The university is also regarded as a field of activity and is described fully in terms of the participation of the students involved, with due regard for relations between the university and other fields of activity. From the descriptions of childhood, adulthood outside the context of the university, and also of the field of activity of the university, factors are identified which appear to influence the studies and performance of the students with whom case studies were conducted. Conclusions reached reveal diverse socio-cultural as well as a number of other factors that influence study and academic performance, as well as a variation in the influence of such factors on different individuals. / Anthropology and Archaeology / D. Litt. et PHil. (Antropologie)

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009. / As higher education is increasingly becoming globalised, quality assurance is one of the most important mechanisms that can be used to ensure the competitiveness of higher education institutions in South Africa. The competitive market place both in private and public higher education sectors, require people at all level in an organisation to think of ways to continuously improve their products or service that they deliver to customers. This can only be achieved within higher education institution if staff and management can demonstrate their commitment to quality improvement through their active contribution to outstanding performance. By providing higher quality service to students, contribute to the positive assessment of the university in its services rendered to its clients. This research seeks to determine the inefficiencies that impact adversely on service delivery as identified in the student housing registration and placement system, and to investigate ways of continuously improving the various processes and procedures. The primary research objectives of this study include the following: > To review the current student housing registration and placement system. > To determine client satisfaction as it relates to the current student housing registration and placement system. > To investigate and design an improved student housing registration and placement system that is efficient, workable, fast and user-friendly. > To develop a mechanism to continuously improve the quality of the system. It is anticipated that the research will lead to an improvement of student housing registration and placement application processes, which in tum will contribute to the overall improvement of service delivery. Furthermore it will enhance communication with the students and staff involved in the registration and placement process.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / There has been a growing concern for the number of first year students who drop out of university before completing the course they have registered for. The increase in technological development and the creation of new and more demanding job opportunities requires a highly. skilled workforce. Therefore it is imperative that each individual should reach his highest potential. Numerous studies have been undertaken to determine the reasons for the high incidence of student - drop out. Both academic and social factors have been investigated. 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 if there exists a difference between the learning strategies of a first year student who is impersonally well adjusted versus a first year student that is maladjusted with regard to interpersonal adjustment.

M.Cur. (Nursing Education) / Within the formal teaching context of a nursing college it is essential that accountable basic professional preparation be offered to provide a comprehensive and fruitful feeding ground for the adolescent student nurse's development into an independent, professional practitioner with specific personal attributes. In her quest for knowledge and development the young, inexperienced nurse has a need for support. Meaningful support implies a concerted effort and involvement with the student on the part of the support givers. At a nursing college, from within a nursing didactic perspective, the support givers should focus on the nursing student as a unique individual in her totality. Opportunities should therefore be available and accessible, so that the student nurse can achieve professional growth and personal self-realization. Furthermore she should be able to assert herself in both these roles. It is therefore essential to achieve a balance between the demands of nurse training and a full and rich personal life. It is the untiring support received by the student nurse that enables her to develop a sound attitude to life and the human nature. This boosts her morale and promotes the development of skills in interpersonal relationships. Research was conducted at a Transvaal nursing college with nine affiliated hospitals. The purpose of the study was to assess the need of student nurses for support from within a nursing didactic perspective and to establish certain guidelines for the implementation of a support system at a nursing college. With the aid of a questionnaire, a descriptive and searching survey was undertaken amongst first and third-year student nurses. A data analysis revealed that student nurses do experience a need for a support system. The planning, organisation and implementation of such a system at a nursing college should however be co-ordinated in a team context by all support givers. Clear guidelines with specific goals have been formulated for the implementation of such a support system.