Tolstoy, in ‘Death and the meaning of life’, says: “The truth was that life was meaningless. It was as though I had just been living and walking along, and had come to an abyss, where I saw clearly that there was nothing ahead but perdition. And it was impossible to stop and go back, impossible to shut my eyes, in order that I might not see that there was nothing ahead but suffering and imminent death, complete annihilation (Dickenson, 2001). Suicide act does not only leave family members, relatives and acquaintances shocked, but leaves feelings of anger and resentment, combined with exaggerated guilt. Suicide continues to be a pressing public health problem in South Africa. Suicide is a complete and permanent withdrawal from interaction and therefore a valid field of sociological study. The aim of the study is to explore the primary causal factors of suicide in Tembisa. A qualitative methodology is used to understand the life events, experiences and beliefs of people who attempted suicide. The focus of the research is on people who received counselling at Tembisa clinics for attempted suicide. A non-probability, purposive sample is utilized to seek information. Five respondents are interviewed. An interview schedule was formulated by the researcher. An interview schedule formulated from literature is utilized to create consistency in face-to-face interviews. The in-depth interviews facilitate exploration. Data is gathered by means of a literature review, field notes and audiotape transcribed by the researcher. Analysis of the data is done manually according to a schedule. The schedule is developed according to coding categories that are identified when working with raw data. Raw data is given to an independent coder for verification. The information gathered from the raw data is analysed and used to identify themes, which are offered as results. An extensive literature control is conducted, to compare and contrast the findings; and for the purpose of validity. From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions are made. Methodological conclusions indicate the effectiveness of using a qualitative methodology and face-to-face interviews in exploring the question under study. The theoretical conclusions indicate the respondents’ understanding of suicide. Recommendations in terms of future research are drawn from research process and the context of the study ensures the link between results and conclusions, and aims and objectives. The research indicates multifaceted and multi-factorial aspects related to suicide. The understanding of suicide shows a continued struggle for hope. / Dr. Emmarentie Oliphant

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Coursework and Research Report Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand, 2017 / This research project was designed with the aim of understanding how tailoring a particular township experience known as “loxion management” in a Gauteng township of Tembisa could insert more knowledge and re-envision literature on precarity. This project hopes to not only re-envision “loxion management” as a possible intersection between the labour market and township life but to also unpack the intricacies within this idiom. With attempting to unpack this idiom, most participants and external conversations to this research project revealed an assortment of terms used in the township which have the possibility to obscure an understanding of what “loxion management” really encapsulates. Therefore, this research project highlights that a misinterpretation of the terms glosses over the significant undertones permeating experiences of this idiom. Thus, it argues that “loxion management” is an idiom which has been loosely defined in the township, which not only serves as a circuitous network contributing to social cohesion amongst men but also as a site where employment information, even of a precarious nature circulates. Key words: loxion management, precarity, Post-apartheid township life, unemployment, labour market, masculinity, “conduits”, circuitous network, social ties. / GR2018

M.A. / The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a substance abuse primary prevention programme and ascertain its influence on three variables namely; attitude behaviour and knowledge of grade eight learners. The literature review revealed that there is a possibility that substance abuse awareness talk changes the behaviour and attitude of learners thus improving their knowledge about substance abuse effects. Whereas the United Nations indicated that for the success of the prevention programme it should be coupled with life skills. It was also revealed in the literature that the evaluation of prevention programmes was rarely done in South Africa due to lack of funding. The Elim Clinic as the organisation that deals with substance abuse treatment and prevention maintains that prevention is better than cure, therefore, all young people must be exposed to their substance abuse awareness talks. Peer educators of the secondary school presented the programme for grade 8 learners. A sample of thirty grade eight learners was systematically selected for this study in one of the secondary schools at Tembisa. The data were collected by means a of questionnaire based on background information of respondents, attitude, knowledge and behaviour of substance abuse. Due to the quantitative approach employed the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to determine the difference between the pre-test and post-test results. The findings of the study clarified that the program had an effect on knowledge and no statistical significance on attitude and behaviour. It was concluded, too, that information given to young people cannot determine change in behaviour and attitude, and increasing their knowledge does not mean they will not abuse substances in the future. / Prof. B. Mitchell

The traditional theories of development concentrated on stimulating economic growth and ignored the social aspects involved. Despite the massive injection of donor funds, the situation of the poor deteriorated. The projects in Tembisa are an example of this, as the community was not involved in the assessing of needs or designing of interventions and were only the implementers. The evaluation offers an alternative developmental paradigm that has been used with success in other similar circumstances – the sustainable livelihood approach (SLA). The SLA contends that urban communities should become planners, initiators and executors of local development in order for any transformation to occur. Urban communities have to change their behaviour and attitudes, be willing to accept change, and to take ownership of the projects. The facilitators, NGOs and government have to be willing to unlearn their traditional ways, listen, and accept that they are not the only experts in the field. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

The traditional theories of development concentrated on stimulating economic growth and ignored the social aspects involved. Despite the massive injection of donor funds, the situation of the poor deteriorated. The projects in Tembisa are an example of this, as the community was not involved in the assessing of needs or designing of interventions and were only the implementers. The evaluation offers an alternative developmental paradigm that has been used with success in other similar circumstances – the sustainable livelihood approach (SLA). The SLA contends that urban communities should become planners, initiators and executors of local development in order for any transformation to occur. Urban communities have to change their behaviour and attitudes, be willing to accept change, and to take ownership of the projects. The facilitators, NGOs and government have to be willing to unlearn their traditional ways, listen, and accept that they are not the only experts in the field. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

The research problem that was investigated in this research study was to evaluate the implementation of sector policing in Tembisa policing precinct. Even though there are policies and directives on how to implement it, there is still some challenges because it is yet to yield the intended results. Data was collected from focus group interviews, literature studies and polices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the form of focus group interviews. Moreover, a literature study including material such as official SAPS documents, library sources and National Legislation regarding community policing has been presented. Data was also collected from sector managers, sector teams, CPF members and pastors who participated in four focus group interviews in Tembisa police station. The sample was chosen on the basis of what the researcher considers to be typical units. Participants were interviewed in stages. The collected data was broken into themes, patterns, trends and relationships. Data analysis followed verbatim transcription of interviews, that’s why the researcher followed Tesch’s approach of descriptive analysis. The research conducted indicated that although progress has been made in the implementation of sector policing In Tembisa, there still more which needs to be done. Specific concerns which require the attention of SAPS management were raised. It is clear that internal communication and consultation are a necessity. It is also clear that members on the ground are not well trained because they lack the actual knowledge on how to implement it. Training and development of all role players need to be prioritised to enhance their knowledge. All the role players need to be motivated during the implementation of sector policing to ensure that they are ready for the job ahead. The recommendations drawn from the conclusions made in this study may provide a proper direction on how to implement sector policing in the Republic. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing)

The research problem that was investigated in this research study was to evaluate the implementation of sector policing in Tembisa policing precinct. Even though there are policies and directives on how to implement it, there is still some challenges because it is yet to yield the intended results. Data was collected from focus group interviews, literature studies and polices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the form of focus group interviews. Moreover, a literature study including material such as official SAPS documents, library sources and National Legislation regarding community policing has been presented. Data was also collected from sector managers, sector teams, CPF members and pastors who participated in four focus group interviews in Tembisa police station. The sample was chosen on the basis of what the researcher considers to be typical units. Participants were interviewed in stages. The collected data was broken into themes, patterns, trends and relationships. Data analysis followed verbatim transcription of interviews, that’s why the researcher followed Tesch’s approach of descriptive analysis. The research conducted indicated that although progress has been made in the implementation of sector policing In Tembisa, there still more which needs to be done. Specific concerns which require the attention of SAPS management were raised. It is clear that internal communication and consultation are a necessity. It is also clear that members on the ground are not well trained because they lack the actual knowledge on how to implement it. Training and development of all role players need to be prioritised to enhance their knowledge. All the role players need to be motivated during the implementation of sector policing to ensure that they are ready for the job ahead. The recommendations drawn from the conclusions made in this study may provide a proper direction on how to implement sector policing in the Republic. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing)