The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The study was conducted at COSUP sites namely; Soshanguve, Pretoria CBD, Sunnyside, Mamelodi, Eersterust, and Attridgeville. The study focused on females who have a history of injecting nyaope, accessing substance use related services at a registered service provider within City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. Research design of the study was exploratory, which is basically used to explore a new topic or learn more about phenomenon where little is known. The research approach was purely qualitative methodology. This permitted the researcher to deeply explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. A qualitative in-depth interview method was used to collect data from 24 participants who took part in the study. Questions of the interview were semi-structured, in-depth one-on-one interviews and were used to explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The findings of the study revealed that females who are injecting nyaope, are at risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. The stigma that is perpetuated by families, intimate partners, communities, health care professionals, and police officers is creating a hostile environment for female nyaope injectors; which increases the risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. Harm reduction services have the potential to address the needs of female nyaope injectors if fully implemented. It can be concluded that there is a need for substance abuse service providers to implement comprehensive harm reduction services to curb HIV prevalence amongst female nyaope injectors. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behavioural Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The present study investigated Grade 9 learners’ perceptions of factors influencing their academic performance in Mathematics in Tshwane municipality, South Africa. The study was based on positivism paradigm. The quantitative research approach was used while the research design was a descriptive survey design. The sample was made up of 400 learners (280 females and 120 males). Convenient sampling method was employed as a result of the nature of data. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to collect data. Data were analysed using quantitative approach with the statistical package for the social sciences, version 24.0, and the few open ended data on strategies for improving learners’ performance were analysed deductively. Frequency tables and ratios were calculated to establish the rating of each item. A Chi-square test was used to establish relationships of the variables on learners’ Mathematics performance. The study revealed that the Grade 9 learners perceived the factors influencing their performance in Mathematics were teacher-learner relationship, school environment and influence of learners’ attitude towards their performance in Mathematics, while peer relationship and home background (parents’ relationship and support) were perceived as not having any relationship with learners’ academic performance. The following recommendations were made to improve the Grade 9 learners’ performance in Mathematics, they are: policies that may consider Mathematics as a compulsory subject in the place of maths numeracy; there should be a regular in-service training for Mathematics teachers; parents should give adequate attention and care to their children in their Mathematics assignments; there should be provision of additional classrooms and infrastructures by the government and other stakeholders; learners should be encouraged to cultivate a more positive attitude towards Mathematics as a subject. Lastly, the study proposed a model for improving Grade 9 learners’ academic performance in Mathematics in Tshwane municipality, South Africa. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)