Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / On t.p.: HIV/AIDS Management. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This article describes the approach taken by a company to successfully implement prevalence testing for HIV at one of its manufacturing sites in KwaZulu-Natal. Ninety point four percent of the employees on site on the day of testing subjected themselves to voluntary anonymous testing. No rewards or incentives whatsoever were offered or given to the participants. The problem faced by the company was that there was increasing mortality amongst its employees, particularly those in the lower job grades, mainly machine operators and other lesser skilled positions. The cost of insured benefits provided by the company’s provident fund for death and disability were increasing and less money could be allocated to funding for retirement. In the absence of any empirical data the company had no idea how they would be affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, other than attempting to use provincial averages. The level of knowledge of HIV and AIDS in the company was judged as relatively poor. Many of the staff, more so the senior staff, had little or no exposure to the disease and what effect it had on those suffering from it or those supporting sufferers. Little had been achieved to manage HIV and AIDS until a workshop was organised by the company for representatives from all branches to attend. Various information topics about HIV were covered at the workshop, which concluded with the site representatives having to work out and table an action plan, and make a personal pledge of what they were going to do to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The workshop was attended by all board members, senior management, shop stewards and shop floor representatives. One of the key features of the presentations was by a senior official of the union, who then assisted throughout the rest of the workshop. Site plans were then later followed up when a central committee visited the sites and presentations on progress were made.At the workshop mention was made of the need to conduct prevalence testing and also the establishment of a HIV/AIDS committee. The site committee made the decision that prevalence testing should take place and consulted the workforce themselves and also through shop stewards. Once it was felt that sufficient support would be forthcoming a date for testing was set. The company had in the meantime contracted with a service provider to do testing where needed. A briefing session attended by the HIV/AIDS committee, shop stewards, the management team and two executive directors was arranged. A doctor employed by the service provider addressed the group and answered their concerns and demonstrated the saliva test on himself. On the day of testing senior management and the senior shop steward walked the factory floor encouraging employees to participate. This intervention has laid the foundation for a successful management campaign against HIV and AIDS in the workplace. / In hierdie artikel word die benadering wat n maatskappy gebruik om die voorkomsyfer van MIV by een van sy vervaardigingsterreine in KwaZulu-Natal to toets, beskryf. Op die dag waarop toetsing plaasgevind het, het 90,4% van die werknemers op die terrain hulleself vrywilliglik laat toets. Tydens hierdie anonieme toetsing is geen belonging of voordele van enige aard aan die deelnemers gebied nie. Die problem wat die maatskappy gehad het, was dat daar n toenemde sterftesyfer onder werknemers in die laer posvlakte soos masjienoperateurs en werknemers in posiese wat minder vaardighede vereis. Daar was stygende koste (in terme van dood en ongeskiktheid) van versekerde voordele waarvoor die maatskappy se voorsieningsfonds voorsiening maak, wat tot gevolg gehad het dat daar minder geld beskikbaar was vir pensionfondse. Omdat daar n tekort van empiriese data was, het die maatskappy geen idée gehad van die effek wat die MIV/VIGS-pandemie op hom sou uitoefen nie, behalwe deur die gebruik van provinsiale gemiddeldes. Die kennis van MIV/VIGS binne die maatskappy is as swak bestempel. ’n Groot hoeleevheid van die personeel, veral die in senior poste, het min of geen blootstelling gehad van die virus en die effek wat dit op VIGS-lyers en die ondersteuners van VIGS-lyers het nie. Min is gedoen on MIV/VIGS te bestuur, totdat n werkswinlek deur die maatskappy georganiseer is vir verteenwoordiges van al, die takke. ’n Verskeidenheid onderwerpe in verband met MIV/VIGS is deur die werkswinkel gedek. Een daarvan was dat die terreinverteenwoordiges n aksieplan moes opstel en n persoonlike eed moes afle dat hulle sou help in die stryd teen MIV/VIGS. Die werkswinkel is deur al die raadslede, senior bestuurslede, werkswinkelassistente en –verteenwoordiges bygewoon. Die hoofsaak van die voorleggings is deur n senior uniebeampte gelei, waarna hy vir die verloop van die program geassisteer het. Terreinplanne is opgestel en dit is later opgevolg deur n sentralle komitee wat die terreine besoek het en voorleggings gelewer het in verband met die vordering wat gemaak is. Tydens die werkswinkel is melding gemaak van die noodsaaklikheid van die toetsing van die voorkomsyfers van MIV en die instelling van n MIV/VIGS komitee. Die terreinkomitee het besluit dat die voorkomstoetsing moes plaasvind nadat die werkersmag en werkswinkelsttistente gekonsulteer is. Nadat besluit is dat die nodige ondersteuning uit hierdie toetsing sou voortspruit, is ’n datum vir die toetsing voorgestel. Vir die interementydperk het die maatskappy ’n diensverskaffer gekontrak om die toetsing, waar nodig, waar te neem. ’n Inligtingsessie is gereel wat deur die MIV/VIGS-komitee, werkswinkelassistente, die bestuurspan en twee uitvoerende direkteure bygewoon is. ’n Dokter, wat deur die diensverskaffer in diens geneem is, het die groep te word gestaan en antwoorde verskaf op hulle vraagstukke. Hy het ook die speekselftoets op himself gedemonstreer. Op die dag wat die toetsing plaasgevind het, het die seniorbestuur en werkswinkel-assistant deur die fabriek geloop en werknemers anngemoedig on aan die toetsing deel te neem. Hierdie intervensie het gelei tot die stigting van n suksesvolle bestuursveldtog teen MIV/VIGS in die werksplek.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thus far, no youth intervention strategy has responded to the root causes of the HIV/AIDS crisis amongst young people through an approach that encompasses both a prevention and a future leadership strategy in one development model. This article tells the story of the development and pilot process of an adolescent peer education model, for which the author of this paper was the leader. The model is being proposed as a youth development strategy to positively impact community social norms by using young opinion leaders as the catalyst for change. The model was developed through an NGO, OIL Reach Out Adolescent Training (OIL), that specifically set out to pioneer, implement and evaluate best practice adolescent peer education in one cross-cultural community as a model for other communities in Africa. OIL set out basing its belief in the efficacy of peer education on behavioural theories, which support it as a strategy for behaviour change. At the heart of their peer education pilot was the belief that the message giver is the strongest message; people don’t change with information, they change when others around them change. Together with peer education theories, OIL applied a “futures-oriented” education approach in their curriculum development. OIL set out with a definition of peer education as being “the process whereby skilled facilitators assist a group of suitable young people to: educate their peers in a structured manner; informally role-model healthy behaviour; recognise youth in need of additional help and refer them for assistance; and advocate for resources and services for themselves and their peers”. (Deutsch, C. & Swartz. S 2003), OIL strategically selected a community at the tip of the Western Cape to pilot, made up of 4 diverse school communities and representing a microcosm of periurban South Africa as a whole. OIL was selected by the Western Cape Education Department as part of the provincial pilot programme. The core programme framework was designed together with community stakeholders and adolescent community representatives. Selection of Adolescent Peer Educators was through a combination of self-nomination and referrals from peers. The aim of this process was to yield a diverse group of teens from all the different sub-cultures who were leaders, chosen on their shared experience with learners and making up 10-15% of the class. Training content included a diverse values based curriculum that was designed to provide skills and information needed to tackle root issues facing young people and providing a sense of vision and purpose. Personal transformation of the peer educator was realized to be the critical factor in effective peer education.Over three years, a structured and long-term programme was put in place with programme standards and clear manageable outputs for peer educators. Once the pilot was drawing to completion in 2004, the author of this paper as representative of OIL at the time, together with representatives of the seven other implementing organisations involved in the pilot, were brought together to compile their learnings and document a proposed common model for implementation from 2005 into other communities. OIL’s model and uncompromising standards of peer education were recognized for future programmes to learn from and model. Challenges for future implementers include accessing financial sustainability, community buy and combatting HIV related attitudes / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Weinig beskikbare voorkomingsprogramme is tans op die jeug en toekomstige leiers gerig. In ander lande in Suider-Arika word voorkomingsprogramme sterk op die jeug gevestig ten einde die visie van 'n Vigsvrye generasie in die toekoms te probeer verwesentlik. Hierdie studie is as 'n gevallestudie opgeskryf met sterk klem op 'n volwasse opvoedkundige model en jeugontwikkeling en 'n positiewe fokus op jong opinieleiers, as teikengroep. Die uitkomste van die program is sterk op voorkoming gerig. Die model is ontwikkel deur 'n nie-winsgewende organisasie (NGO), OIL (Reach Out Adolescent Training). Die studie beskryf die ontstaan, metodiek en implementering van OIL en beskryf sekere van die suksesse wat reeds daarmee bereik is. Die teoretiese basis van die OIL program word beskryf. Ook word die belangrikheid van deeglike voorafopleiding en die transformasie wat deur OIL bereik kan word, deeglik op skrif gestel. Die verdere verloop van die opleidingsprogram word uitgespel en voorstelle vir verdere navorsings- en ontwikkelingswerk word aan die hand gedoen.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The HIV/AIDS pandemic is destroying young adults in the prime of their lives. Children not only become orphans, but also gain instant “adult” status – becoming heads of households, breadwinners and customers. Children who fill such roles must be recognised as important stakeholders with regard to business. As limited available estimations suggest that South Africa is home to 800 000 orphans, corporations must realise that it will make good business sense to invest in the country’s AIDS orphans1 today, as these children will constitute both their future clients and employees. This study examines trends in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of five major corporations in the South African motor manufacturing sector. AIDS orphans were also involved in the study through participation in three focus group discussions. The evidence reveals that corporations do not recognise AIDS orphans as important stakeholders to business, nor do they see it as their responsibility to carry the burden of care for such children. Orphans felt that corporations in this business sector do not care about their needs and well-being. They regarded companies who were involved in CSR projects in their communities as “caring” and this resulted in the children hosting positive feelings towards involved companies. They even expressed the desire to purchase their brand of motor vehicle, as opposed to competitor’s brands that were not involved (through CSR) in their community, in future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die MIV/VIGS pandemie is besig om die lewens van jongmense te verwoes. Kinders word nie alleenlik wees gelaat nie, maar word ook oornag volwassenes. Hulle word die hoof van huishoudings, broodwinners en kliënte vir besighede. Kinders wat hierdie rolle vervul moet daarom as belangrike aandeelhouers in die besigheidswêreld erken word. Beperkte skattings veronderstel dat Suid-Afrika tans ongeveer 800 000 weeskinders huisves. Besighede moet, in die lig hiervan, besef dat dit goeie besigheidssin maak om in VIGSWeeskinders1 te belê, aangesien hierdie kinders hul toekomstige kliënte en werknemers is. Hierdie studie ondersoek tendense in besighede se sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe (“Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives”), binne die motorvervaardigingsbedryf van Suid- Afrika. VIGS-Weeskinders was ook nouliks by die studie betrokke, deur middel van deelname aan drie fokusgroepbesprekings. Die studie het bewys dat besighede nie VIGSWeeskinders as belangrike aandeelhouers erken nie, en dat dit ook nie as hul plig gesien word om na weeskinders om te sien nie. Weeskinders, daarenteen, was van die opinie dat besighede in dié bepaalde bedryf nie omsien na hul welstand, of probeer om in hul behoeftes te voorsien nie. Kinders het wel besighede wat betrokke is by sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe in hul gemeenskappe, beskryf as “liefdevol”, en dit het daartoe gelei dat kinders positiewe houdings jeens sulke besighede gehuldig het. Kinders het selfs die behoefte uitgespreek om, eendag eerder handelsmerke se voertuie te koop wat wel sosiale verwantwoordelikheidsinitiatiewe in hul gemeenskappe bedryf, as dié wat niks doen om hul lot te verlig nie.

Thesis (MPhill)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Given the impact that culture has on individuals‟ behaviour and the relation that behaviour especially sexual behaviour has with the spread of HIV/AIDS, the research took a look at the Shona culture and the impact that the married Shona men and their sexual practices had on their wives and the overall relationship/marriage. Interviews were conducted with married Shona women with the aim of getting recent information on the Shona culture and the practices of married Shona men so as to establish the levels of risk and the uncover vulnerabilities that are current. Information obtained from these interviews showed that although the Shona culture promotes certain behaviours amongst married people, some of these practices are being done away with but unfortunately not at a fast enough pace and because of this there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure that risk of infection amongst married Shona couples is reduced and levels of vulnerability are tackled as well. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingsprojek ondersoek die invloed van kultuur op die gedrag van „n individu en meer spesifiek, die invloed van individuele gedrag op die verspreiding van MIV/Vigs. Die studie ondersoek die Shona kultuur en die invloed wat die getroude Shona man het op die seksuele praktyke in die huwelik. Onderhoude is met getroude Shona vroue gevoer ten einde eerstehandse inligting te verky oor die invoed wat Shona kultuur op die Shona huwelik het en om verder te bepaal in watter mate die getroude Shona vrou onnodig aan die risiko van MIV blootgestel word. Inligting wat in hierdie ondersoek versamel is dui daarop dat die Shona kultuur nog steeds seker praktyke tussen getroude persone aanmoeding en dat dit nog steeds die risiko van MIV-oordraging verhoog. Daar is weliswaar met sekere van hierdie praktyke weggedoen, maar daar is nog steeds verskeie praktyke wat voortbestaan en wat MIV-oordraging verhoog. Die pas waarteen kultuur aanpas by die verhoogde waarskynlikheid van MIV-oordraging tussen getroude Shona mans en vrouens is nog steeds te stadig. Sekere voorstelle word in die studie gemaak ten einde te probeer om hierdie kultureel-gedrewe risiko vir MIV/Vigs-oordraging te beperk.

The purpose of this study is to assess the suitability of a psychometric test battery that is used by a large service department of the Durban City Council in the selection of apprentice electricians. The essence of the investigation is to determine whether the tests being used are appropriate for the purpose for which they are applied, as well as being justifiable within the current context in South Africa. A predictive validity analysis was carried out to determine whether the psychometric tests have a correlational relationship with the trade test which apprentices undergo. The analysis was carried out on a sample of fifty five apprentices, consisting of a black group of 16 and a white group of 39. The results of the analysis were that the tests generally did not have a positive link with the results of the trade test. The only exception was the Mental Alertness test which showed a significant correlation with the trade test for the white sample only. The value of the study lies in its usefulness to the organisation which uses the test battery in terms of providing a review of the effectiveness of the tests. Recommendations of the study are that alternative methods for apprentice selection be investigated. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

The present research explores teachers’ perceptions of participative decision-making (PDM) in a public high school in Durban, South Africa. PDM is also termed as participative management. This study attempts to investigate level one educators’ experiences of participation in decision-making. Hence, it is a qualitative exploration of the nature of their participation in decision issues and how they perceive the school’s actions with regard to participative decision-making. For the purpose of this study, semi-structured interviews were administered on ten level one educators within the school setting. Five themes were identified through the use of thematic analysis. These themes are as follow: collective activity, shared influence, expression of individual perspectives, the acknowledgement of educators’ input, and the implementation of cooperative governance. The integration of educators’ experiences in the literature on PDM, generated an in-depth understanding of participants’ perceptions. In essence, the findings of this research suggest that level one educators are not meaningfully engaging in decision-making in the school environment. In conjunction with this assertion, the school lacks a comprehensive framework to engender effective participative decision-making, as well as, significant involvement of level one educators. Essentially, the present research provides insight into the experiences of educators in a public high school and therefore, contributes to the body of knowledge on participative management. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The work environment in financial institutions where deadlines, budgets, routine work and performance issues are common can compromise most people’s sense of happiness. Therefore happiness in the workplace rarely manifests without significant effort from employees. Successful organisations need employees that will do more than their job requirements and go beyond expectations i.e. perform organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB). In light of the increasing interest in positive psychology the study aimed to focus on happiness and psychological capital (PsyCap) to find ways to enhance employees’ positive psychological states to achieve positive organisational outcomes such as OCB. The study therefore aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between happiness, PsyCap and OCB amongst employees in financial institutions. The study also sought to determine the predictive value of happiness and PsyCap in predicting OCB. Furthermore the moderating effect of PsyCap was assessed to determine the extent to which PsyCap moderated the relationship between happiness and OCB. A cross-sectional research design was used in the study. The researcher used a sample of 185 (N = 185) employees from a financial institution in Durban, South Africa. The researcher used five questionnaires in the study. A biographical questionnaire created by the researcher, the Orientations to Happiness Scale (OHS) used as the first measure of happiness, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) used as the second measure of happiness, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), and the Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Questionnaire (OCBQ). The main findings of the study indicated that there were practically and statistically significant relationships between happiness (measured by the OHS), PsyCap and OCB. More specifically relationships were found to exist between happiness, the two PsyCap factors (hopeful-confidence and positive outlook) and the OCB factors (altruism, courtesy, sportsmanship and civic virtue). A significant finding was that happiness measured by SWL showed no significant relationships with OCB or the OCB factors thus indicating that happiness measured by orientations to happiness was a better measure of happiness for the employees in the financial institution. Happiness and the PsyCap factors were found to hold predictive value for some of the OCB factors. In determining the moderating effect of PsyCap it was found that only positive outlook significantly moderated the relationship between happiness and one of the OCB factors, civic virtue. The study has focused on happiness in the workplace and its relationship to organisational constructs such as PsyCap and OCB. The results of the study can therefore be deemed to be beneficial to managers in financial institutions and employees themselves. The study has made a significant contribution by highlighting that employees in a financial institution consider orientations to happiness (pleasure, meaning, and engagement) to be a more compelling measure of happiness in determining the likelihood to performing OCBs at work as opposed to satisfaction with life as a measure of happiness. Thus the orientations to happiness were concluded as being a more appropriate measure of happiness for employees in a financial institution in relation to OCBs. By focussing on employee’s level of happiness, how employees conceptualise happiness and the benefits of happy employees to the organisation, this information can provide organisations with a better understanding of employees and suggest to organisations to consider finding means to enhance happiness in the workplace. Happiness and PsyCap have shown to be related to positive organisational outcomes such as OCB which lead to organisational effectiveness and success. Therefore of specific relevance is enhancing the PsyCap of employees to achieve desired outcomes such as OCB. The findings can be used to prompt and encourage organisations to develop interventions that increase employee’s PsyCap and to focus on employee well-being and happiness. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The current study aimed to explore the positive aspects of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and attempted to explain how the psychological resources inherent in PsyCap can aid against the negative effects of Burnout in educators in the Umlazi Region of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The general objective of this research study was to explore the relationship between PsyCap, Subjective Wellbeing, Burnout and Job Satisfaction. The study used a quantitative research design and was conducted using the Positive Psychology framework. This study made use of the Conservation of Resources Theory as its theoretical framework. Convenience samples (n=103) were taken of educators across four educational institutions in the Umlazi Region. The Psychological Capital Questionnaire; Satisfaction with Life Scale; Oldenburg Burnout Inventory; and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (short form) were administered to the participants. The results confirmed that there were statistically and practically significant relationships between PsyCap, Subjective Wellbeing, Burnout and Job Satisfaction. The results revealed that Subjective Wellbeing was a statistically significant predictor of PsyCap. It also indicated that PsyCap and Subjective Wellbeing were both statistically significant predictors of Burnout. The results confirmed that the relationship between Subjective Wellbeing and Burnout was mediated by Psychological Capital (PsyCap). / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide is estimated at 42 million. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa and has serious consequences for individuals as well as for South Africa’s health resources and economy. In the light of the pandemic the understanding and planning for HIV/AIDS is of increasing importance, particular with reference to a subgroup of the South African population, its youth. The aim of this study is to analyse the knowledge, awareness and perception levels of undergraduate students at the University of Stellenbosch regarding HIV/AIDS. Close-ended questions on a 4-point Lickert scale was electronically submitted through the e-learning system, WebCT to 800 randomly selected students of whom 206 completed it. Results indicated that students had a high awareness and perception level about HIV/AIDS. However students obtained a low percentage on questions relating to their factual knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Recommendations for future research in the area of HIV/AIDS within the context of tertiary education are proposed.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research paper is based on the perception of people over the death by HIV and Aids. It looks at the impact of culture and beliefs on the management of HIV and Aids in the community and also in the country as whole. This research aims to establish the root course of covering death of by HIV and Aids, often due to fear of discrimination and isolation. Communities need to be educated on discrimination and stigma that comes about with people living with HIV and Aids. This study was conducted at Mvelaphanda Primary School children, in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa. The main focus was on the death of parents of the learners at the school and ultimately learners themselves, who some of them where born with HIV epidemic. Some of the children became orphans of the disease. The collection of data was in three fold: questionnaire, interview and observation and discussions. The information gathered was manipulated to bring about the expected results. Analysis of the data indicated that where there is no behavioral and attitude change, there would be more death by the pandemic than ever before. It is the responsibility of everyone, be it heads of families, religious leaders, politicians, business people and teachers to fight against the spread of HIV and Aids pandemic. This study has also discovered that medical report on the cause of death is concealed in order for policies to payout. This distortion of information does not help in the fight against the spread of HIV and Aids All stakeholders should work together in the support of those will disclose their status without fear of rejection, isolation and discriminated against. Schools, churches and community gatherings should be better used as a plat-form for that. If such conditions are created the spread of the HIV will be reduced and the prevention strategy will succeed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing handel oor die persepsie van mense teenoor dood as gevolg van MIV/Vigs. Dit ondersoek die impak van kultuur en geloof op die bestuur van MIV/Vigs binne 'n gemeenskap in die besonder en binne die land in die algemeen. Die doel van die navorsing was om die grondoorsaak waarom daar dikwels gediskrimeer word teenoor persone wat sterf weens MIV te identifiseer en om te bepaal waarom mense wat met MIV leef dikwels “uitgewerp” word uit die gemeenskap. Die studie is gedoen by die Mvelaphanda Primêre Skool in Tembisa, in die Ekuhuleni Metropool van die Gauteng provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die primêre fokus van die studie was op die invloed wat die dood as gevolg van Vigs op die kinders in die skool gehad het. Data is ingesamel deur middel van vraelyste en onderhoude asook deur waarneming en besprekings. Ontleding van die data het aangetoon dat indien daar nie positiewe gedragverandering plaasvind nie, daar meer sterftes as gevolg van Vigs verwag kan word. Daar word aanbevelings gemaak oor hoe belangroepe kan meehelp om stigma en diskriminasie te verminder en sodoende kan meehelp om die verdere verspreiding van die pandemie te beperk.