Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) at the University of Zululand. 2006. / The research investigated the factors which contributed to orphaned learners resilience. Resilience was measured as good academic achievement of orphaned learners. This stud} further investigated the relationship between an area type and custodian type respectively and the resilience of orphaned learners. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 183-orphaned learners, in the intermediate phase of Primary school. 12 schools in Vryheid District participated in the study. The findings of the study suggested among the three factors: familial, societal and school factors, family factors were the most significant factors in relation to resilience. No significant relationship was found between the custodian type and academic achievement of orphaned learners. The significant relationship found in this study indicated that the type of an area appeared to influence the resilience of orphaned learners. The study further revealed that a large number of orphaned learners stayed and were cared for by their grandparents.

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have many devastating impacts, including the growing number of AIDS-orphans left without care. In the study, semi-structured interviews, incomplete sentences and Kinetic family drawings were used to explore the life-experiences and perceptions of AIDS-orphans living in kinship foster care, from a Gestalt perspective. The study revealed that the majority of the AIDS-orphans included were making good contact at the contact boundary and all the respondents were not familiar with the term 'foster care'. The researcher therefore recommended that children are educated about foster care at school, thus possibly increasing the awareness of foster care in South Africa, thus possibly increasing the provision of homes for the vastly growing numbers of AIDS-orphans in our country and perhaps make a difference in society. / Sociology / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have many devastating impacts, including the growing number of AIDS-orphans left without care. In the study, semi-structured interviews, incomplete sentences and Kinetic family drawings were used to explore the life-experiences and perceptions of AIDS-orphans living in kinship foster care, from a Gestalt perspective. The study revealed that the majority of the AIDS-orphans included were making good contact at the contact boundary and all the respondents were not familiar with the term 'foster care'. The researcher therefore recommended that children are educated about foster care at school, thus possibly increasing the awareness of foster care in South Africa, thus possibly increasing the provision of homes for the vastly growing numbers of AIDS-orphans in our country and perhaps make a difference in society. / Sociology / M. Diac. (Play therapy)

M.Ed. / The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges facing the Development Support Grouping (DSG) in the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). Based on this, the researcher sought to present guidelines to improve the process of educator evaluation. The Integrated Quality Management System is a national policy aimed at increasing productivity among educators. IQMS comprises three programmes namely: Development Appraisal (DA), Performance Measurement (PM) and Whole school Evaluation (WSE). The three programmes ought to complement each other and run concurrently. The role of the Development Support Groups (DSG) is of cardinal importance in the implementation of IQMS. Because of the tremendous challenges inherent in IQMS and the fact that the DSG are responsible for baseline and summative evaluation, it is necessary to ascertain the challenges that the DSG are likely to encounter whilst exercising their roles and responsibilities during the implementation of IQMS. The research concentrated on schools in the Vryheid District of KwaZulu- Natal. The quantitative research methodology was employed to elicit the perception of educators with regard to the implementation of IQMS in schools as well as the challenges facing the DSGS. The findings of the research were clustered according to the four sections of the questionnaire. Some of these findings were: • A large majority of educators in Vryheid District seem not to understand the purpose of IQMS. • A higher percentage of respondents do not believe that the training they receive had prepared them for implementing IQMS. • Most respondents do not strongly agree that WSE evaluates the effectiveness of school in terms of national goals. • A smaller percentage of respondents agreed that WSE provides feedback as a means of achieving continuous improvement. • Most educators believe that lesson observation is necessary for educator development. • The contribution of the DSG towards educator development is of a limited extent. • Educators do not have sufficient time to serve on DSG.

This research investigates the instructional leadership role of the principal and its impact on learners' academic performance. A literature study investigated models of instructional leadership, characteristics of instructional leadership and instructional leadership as a managerial function. An empirical investigation used a quantitative research design to collect data from a purposefully selected sample of secondary school principals in the Vryheid region, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to gather data and statistical data analysis was conducted to calculate frequencies and test hypotheses. Findings indicated an indirect relationship between learners' academic achievement and the principals' practice of instructional leadership. Clearly formulated school goals, academic networks formed between low and high achieving schools and regular discussions between learners and teachers on their progress also contribute to improved academic performance. Finally, in-service training for principals and teachers, annual targets for academic achievement and the formation of school networks are recommended to improve practice. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

This research investigates the instructional leadership role of the principal and its impact on learners' academic performance. A literature study investigated models of instructional leadership, characteristics of instructional leadership and instructional leadership as a managerial function. An empirical investigation used a quantitative research design to collect data from a purposefully selected sample of secondary school principals in the Vryheid region, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to gather data and statistical data analysis was conducted to calculate frequencies and test hypotheses. Findings indicated an indirect relationship between learners' academic achievement and the principals' practice of instructional leadership. Clearly formulated school goals, academic networks formed between low and high achieving schools and regular discussions between learners and teachers on their progress also contribute to improved academic performance. Finally, in-service training for principals and teachers, annual targets for academic achievement and the formation of school networks are recommended to improve practice. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance. Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis. / Social work / M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance. Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis. / Social work / M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))

Text in English with abstracts in English, isiZulu, Northern Sotho and Tshivenda / This study explores the phenomenon of stokvels − membership-based savings schemes providing for the social and financial wellbeing of their members as well as entertainment (Lukhele, 1990). The purpose of the study is to identify the existence of a different kind of economy that is not informed by the capitalist logic. The study aims to examine the values that underpin stokvels and to locate them within a particular socio-cultural and historical context. This is a qualitative research study and my research approach included fieldwork, participant observation, in-depth interviews and the procedure of genealogy. The study, employing these methods, has enabled me to draw a connection between the Khumalo clan - the generation of Mzilikazi Khumalo who was a friend to King Shaka and is argued to have played a pivotal role in building what is known as the Zulu nation today – and my uncles. In the six months I spent at Esihlengeni, a small village in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, I interviewed 27 people, attended two funerals, one family ritual and conducted two focus group discussions with stokvel women. I found that stokvels are not centred on an African epistemic framework as anticipated in the problem statement but are still within the capitalist logic of profit and thus do not draw from the community’s traditional values. While stokvels are informed by the dominant capitalist logic, the community of Esihlengeni still draws from their cosmological worldview that provides them with a different understanding of the economy that is centred on cattle – the means that allow them to perform rituals that guarantee protection and continuity of life - to make sense of their world. Their insistence on the importance of cattle in this community is their cry to be allowed to exist and be recognised as humans that can think for themselves. I conclude by arguing that to understand this community correctly, we need to take the ontological difference seriously that we cannot possibly have only one way of existing. The community of Esihlengeni thus provides us with the economic theory that is centred on life in its totality – that takes both the physical and metaphysical into consideration to ensure the continuity of life. As such, the community of Esihlengeni should be regarded as a gift to be appreciated. / Lolucwaningo luhlaziya isimo sezitokofela – uhlelo lokonga olunika abayingxenye yalo ukweseka kwezomphakathi, ezomnotho nezokuzijabulisa (Lukhele 1990). Ingqikimba yokwenza lolucwaningo ukubonisa ubukhona bomnnotho ohlukile, ongatshelwa wumnotho ogxile kwinzuzo, phecelezi ikhephithalizimu. Injongo yalolucwaningo ukuhlolisisa izimiso ezisekela amastokofela nokuwabeka endaweni ethize yezinhlalo zomphakathi-namasiko kanye nomlando. Lolucwaningo lugxile kwizizathu zokuba yingxenye kuloluhlelo, indlela yokuthola imininingwane ixhumanisa ukuchitha isikhathi nabantu, ukubamba ingxenye kwizinto abazenzayo, ukubabuza imibuzo ejulile, nokudweba imvelaphi yabo. Kulolucwaningo, ngokusebenzisa lezizindlela zokucwaninga, ngakwazi ukuxhumanisa isizwe sakwaKhumalo – inzalo yenkosi uMzilikazi Khumalo owaye umngani wenkosi uShaka futhi kuthiwa wabamba iqhaza eliqavile ekwakheni isizwe esaziwa njengamaZulu namhlanje – nomalume bami. Ezinyangeni eziyisithupha engazicitha eSihlengeni - isigodi esiseFilidili KwaZulu-Natali, ngaba nendabangxoxiswano nabantu amangamashumi amabili nesikhombisa, ngaya emingcwabeni emibili nasembenzini owodwa womndeni, ngase ngikhulumisana namaqoqo amabili omama besitokofela. Ngathola ukuthi izitokofela azizinzile kwinqubomigomo yesintu njengoba ngangisola esitatimendeni socwaningo, kodwa angaphakathi komnotho ogxile kwinzuzo, ikhephithalizimi, ngakhoke awasebenzisi imikhuba yesintu yalomphakathi. Noma amastokofela egxile kumnotho oqgamile ogxile kwinzuzo, lomphakathi waseSihlengeni usasebenzisa indlela yawo yokuphila eveza inqubomgomo ehlukile yomnotho ogxile ezinkomeni - eziyisisekelo sokwenza amasiko aqinekisa ukuvikeleka nenqubekela phambili yempilo – ukuqondisisa imvelo. Ukuphikelela kokubaluleka kwezinkomo kulomphakathi isikhalo sokuthi uvumeleke ukuba aphile futhi ubonwe njengabantu abakwaziyo ukuzicabangela. Ngiphetha ngokuthi ukuqondisisa lomphakathi kahle, kumele sithathe ukuhlukana kwezizwe okuyimvelo yempilo ngokuzimisela, ukuthi kungenzeke kube nendlela eyodwa yokuphila. Umphakathi waseSihlengeni ngakhoke usinika inqubomugomo yomnotho egxile empilweni ngokuphelela kwayo – uthatha okubonakalayo nokungabonakali ukuqiniseka kokuqhubekela phambili kwempilo. Kanjaloke, umphakathi waseSihlengeni kumele ubonakale njengesipho okumelwe sibungazwe. / Nyakišišo ye e bolela ka ditokofele – dikema tša polokelo tša go thewa godimo ga boleloko go dira gore maloko a tšona a be le boiketlo go tša leago, matlotlo le boithabišo (Lukhele, 1990). Morero wa nyakišišo ye ke go hlaola go ba gona ga mehuta ya go fapana ya ekonomi yeo e sa huetšwego ke lotšiki ya bokepitale. Maikemišetšo a nyakišišo ke go lekola melawana yeo e thekgago ditokofele le go di bea ka gare ga maemo a itšeng a histori, a leago le a setšo. Ye ke nyakišišo ya khwalithethifi gomme sebopego sa nyakišišo ya ka se akaretša tlhohlomišo, temošo ya bakgathatema, dipoledišano tša go tsenelela le tshepedišo ya tšinealotši. Nyakišišo, ya go šomiša mekgwa ye, e nkgontšhitše go laetša kamano gare ga lešika la ga Khumalo ‒ moloko wa Mzilikazi Khumalo yoo a bego e le mogwera wa Kgošikgolo Shaka gape o dumelwa go ba a bapetše karolo ye bohlokwa kagong ya seo lehono se tsebjago bjalo ka setšhaba sa Mazulu ‒ le bomalome ba ka. Mo dikgweding tše tshela tše ke di feditšego Esihlengeni, motse wo monyane go la Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, ke boledišane le batho ba 27, ke tsenetše ditirelo tše pedi tša poloko, moetlo o tee wa lapa le go swara dipoledišano tše pedi tša go lebantšha sehlopha gotee le basadi ba setokofele. Ke hweditše gore ditokofele ga di latele foreimiweke ya epistemiki ya Afrika bjalo ka ge go letetšwe ka gare ga tlhalošo ya taba eupša di sa le ka gare ga lotšiki ya bokepitale ya poelo gomme ka go realo ga di latele ditumelo tša setšo tša setšhaba. Mola ditokofele di latela lotšiki ya bokepitale ye e bušago, setšhaba sa Esihlengeni se sa ntše se latela pono ya sona ya kosmolotši ya lefase yeo e ba fago kwešišo ye e fapanego ya ekonomi ya go thewa godimo ga dikgomo – mokgwa wo o ba dumelelago go phetha moetlo wa go tiišetša tšhireletšo le tšwelopele ya bophelo – go kwešiša lefase la bona. Phegelelo ya bona go bohlokwa bja dikgomo ka setšhabeng se ke sello sa bona sa gore ba dumelelwe go ba gona le go amogelwa bjalo ka batho bao ba kago inaganela. Ke fetša ka gore go kwešiša setšhaba se e le ka nnete, re nyaka go tšea kgopolo ya ontolotši bjalo ka ye bohlokwa ya gore re ka se kgonego ba fela le tsela e tee ya go phela. Setšhaba sa Esihlengeni ka go realo se re fa teori ya ekonomi yeo e theilwego godimo ga bophelo ka moka ga bjona – seo se akaretša bobedi fisikale le metafisikale go kgonthišiša tšwelopele ya bophelo. Bjalo, setšhaba sa Esihlengeni se swanela go tšewa bjalo ka mpho ye e amogelwago. / Ngudo iyi i tandula tshibveleli tsha zwiṱokofela − vhuraḓo ho ḓisendekaho nga zwikimu zwa u vhulunga u itela u dzudzanyea nga tshitshavha na lwa masheleni kha miraḓo khathihi na vhuḓimvumvusi (Lukhele, 1990). Ndivho ya ngudo ndi u topola u vha hone ha tshaka dzo fhambanaho dza ikonomi dzine dza sa ḓivhadzwe nga thevhekano ya pfuma. Ngudo yo pika u ṱola zwithu zwa ndeme zwo tikaho zwiṱokofela na u u wana vhukati hazwo nyimele ya matshilisano na mvelelo kathihi na ḓivhazwakale. Hei ndi ngudo ya ṱhoḓisiso ya ndeme na nyolo ya ṱhoḓisiso yanga yo katela mushumo wa nnḓa, u sedza vhadzheneli, inthaviwu dzo dzhenelelaho na kuitele kwa vhutumbukwa. Ngudo dzi shumisaho ngona idzi, dzo nkonisa u vhona vhuṱumani vhukati ha lushaka lwa ha Khumalo ‒ murafho wa ha Mzilikazi Khumalo we wa vha u khonani dza Khosi Shaka nahone hu pfi wo shela mulenzhe zwihulwane kha u fhaṱa zwi vhidzwaho uri lushaka lwa ha Zulu ṋamusi ‒ na vhomalume anga. Kha miṅwedzi ya rathi ye nda I fhedza ngei Esihlengeni, kuḓana ku re kha ḽa Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, ndo inthaviwa vhathu vha 27, nda dzhenela mbulungo mbili, nyitelatherelo nthihi ya muṱa na tshimbidza nyambedzano dza zwigwada zwo sedzaho mbili na vhafumakadzi vha zwiṱokofela. Ndo wana uri zwiṱokofela a zwo ngo ḓisendeka nga muhanga wa nḓivho ya Afrika sa zwe zwa lavhelelwa kha tshitatamende tsha thaidzo fhedzi hu kha ḓi vha nga ngomu ha thevhekano ya pfuma ya u bindula zwenezwo a zwo bvi kha zwithu zwa ndeme zwa sialala zwa tshitshavha. Musi zwiṱokofela zwi tshi ḓivhadzwa nga thevhekano thakhulwa ya pfuma, tshitshavha tsha Esihlengeni tshi kha ḓi dzhia u bva kha kuvhonele kwa mvelo kwa ḽifhasi ku vha ṋekedzaho kupfesesele kwo fhambanaho lwa ikonomi yo ḓisendekaho nga kholomo – nḓila ine ya vha tendela u shuma nyitelatherelo dzavho zwi themendelaho tsireledzo na u bvelaphanḓa ha vhutshilo – u itela u pfesesa ḽifhasi ḽavho. U omelela kha ndeme ya kholomo kha tshitshavha itshi sa tshililo tshavho tsha u tendelwa u vha hone na u dzhielwa nṱha sa vhathu vhane vha kona u ḓihumbulela. Ndi pendela nga u amba uri u itela u pfesesa tshoṱhe tshitshavha itshi ri tea u dzhia kuvhonele kwa zwa mvumbo ro khwaṱhisa uri ri sa tou vha na nḓila nthihi fhedzi ya u vha hone. Tshitshavha tsha Esihlengeni zwenezwo tshi ri fha thyori ya ikonomi yo ḓisendekaho nga vhutshilo ho fhelelaho – hezwo zwi dzhiela nṱha zwa muvhili na zwa khumbulelwa u khwaṱhisedza u bvelaphanḓa ha vhutshilo. Zwenezwo, tshitshavha tsha Esihlengeni tshi tea u dzhiiwa sa tshifhiwa tsho tewaho nga dzindivhuwo. / Anthropology and Archaeology / D. Phil. (Anthropology)

This study investigated the challenges faced by Intermediate Phase learners in reading in English in Mondlo Ward Vryheid District. It further explored factors that affect learners’ reading. The sample consisted of 36 learners who are poor readers. These learners were selected from educators’ reading assessment record sheet. It also consisted of nine English language educators with a minimum of five years post-qualifying experience, principals of selected schools because they are curriculum managers at school level and one English language subject advisor. The study focused on three primary schools in Mondlo ward Vryheid District, which were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Qualitative research was chosen as the research method, with phenomenology as the research design. Data collection instruments consisted of structured observation schedule, unstructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Interviews were conducted in participants’ schools. The focus group discussions were conducted with learners and educators soon after the unstructured interviews at the participants’ schools. The subject advisor was interviewed in her respective office. Data analysis consisted of a thematic approach. Common themes were identified in participants’ responses. The findings highlighted factors which cause learners’ reading problems. The factors include various physical factors, little attention to reading skills, lack of print-rich environment, insufficient reading time, poor teachers’ and learners’ communicative competence in English as the Language of Learning and Teaching. Educators were of the view that repeated curriculum changes within a short period of time without proper training of educators has an effect on learners’ reading performance. The study revealed that reading is adversely affected by the poor learning conditions in which learners find themselves in because there was a strong relationship between socio-economic factors and reading ability. On that account, the implication is that reading will not improve in Intermediate Phase learners if learning conditions do not improve. The study recommends that the Department of Education pay more attention to pre-service and in-service training of educators so that educators are more knowledgeable in all reading components. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)