MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / In South Africa, violence continues to undermine the functioning of schools. Literature has revealed that the subject of school violence is quite varied and covers a wide variety of related areas from sociology to educational psychology; these examine psychological factors such as peer pressure, stress, cognition, emotional development and their relation to school violence. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of school violence in South African rural schools in Mpumalanga Province. The study used mixed methods approach employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. For the quantitative part of the study, the study adopted simple random sampling to select the learners. A 'purposive sample' was used to select the principals and educators for the qualitative part of the study. A sample of 423 learners from the 9 secondary schools in the circuit was selected for the quantitative part of the study. A purposive sample of 9 principals and 18 educators was also be deemed appropriate for the qualitative part of the study. IBM SPSS version 23 was used to analyse quantitative data. Frequency tables were generated (univariate analysis), and the Chi-square test was used to calculate significant differences in the effects and coping strategies between male and female victims of school-based violence. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and used to support and complement the quantitative data. Principals and educators in schools with high prevalence of school-based violence was prioritised. It was expected that the effects of school-based violence in the study area were described. Causes of violence, its effects and ways to improve coping strategies in the respective schools are also anticipated to be comprehensively covered as expected outcomes. / NRF

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a major challenge for social workers worldwide, as well as in South Africa. In light in the above, the present study aimed to explore the lived experiences of social workers dealing with victims of IPV at Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province. A qualitative study was conducted among social workers working with victims of IPV. The study had anticipated using 10 participants but, due to data saturation, only six participants were interviewed. Each interview took 45–60 minutes, depending on each participant’s responses. A total of six participants, all females between the ages of 24 and 39 years, were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied for data analysis. Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the data: a) emotional and psychological distress experienced by social workers; b) impact on personal and professional lives; c) coping strategies; and d) vicarious posttraumatic growth. Importantly, some themes and subthemes not included in the interview guide emerged from the data. These included subthemes such as family involvement and societal pressure. The findings of the study highlighted that it is quite rare for men to report IPV, although at times they do. There is greater IPV prevalence among females of different ages. Secondary traumatisation is one of the negative effects that social workers experience when working with cases of traumatic IPV. However, social workers have found effective ways of coping with the demands of their work. Some of the identified coping mechanisms included choosing to spend time with family, trying to forget about the day’s work, travelling, being strong and resilient, consulting a psychologist, playing games, praying (spirituality) and reading the Bible, sharing their experiences with a more experienced social worker, spending time with friends, laughing, singing and remaining professional. The study found that these coping strategies helped the social workers to deal with burnout and compassion fatigue. The present study recommends that effective coping methods and support for mental health care workers are needed to assist with secondary trauma stress and the negative effects that comes with the job.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study investigated the phenomena of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in women in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumulanga, South Africa in order to develop coping guidelines. This is because, one in every four, or a quarter (25%) of all women in South Africa, are assaulted by their partners every week. The study adopted a qualitative approach utilising an exploratory, hermeneutic phenomenological research design. A non-probability sample of ten women, who were victims of IPV, was used. The theoretical framework for the study was Afrocentric theory. This framework was used so that the investigation was underpinned by truly African concepts. The study was conducted at Victim Empowerment Programmes in Mkhuhlu and Acornhoek, Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga Province. Semi-structured interviews were used as data collection instruments and analaysed using thematic analysis (TA). The following themes and sub-themes emerged out of the data: Theme 1: Understandings of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Theme 2: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) experienced by participants; Theme 3: Reasons for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Sub-theme 3.1: Alcohol as a facilitator of IPV; Sub-theme 3.2: Early parenthood as a facilitator of IPV; Sub-theme 3.3: Poverty as a facilitator of IPV and Sub-theme 3.4: Observed behaviour as a facilitator for IPV; Theme 4: The role of lobola/culture in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Theme 5: What makes participants stay in abusive relationships (marriages) and Theme 6: Steps, or interventions, taken by participants in order to cope with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Based on these findings it was recommended that a study of male perceptions towards IPV, and a nationwide study or studies on IPV, be carried out under the auspices of the Department of Social Development (DoS) and/or the Department of Health (DoH) with the help of relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Coping guidelines for women victims of IPV were developed out of the research findings.