Amputation patients have a great deal more than just physical recovery to contend with and the extent and scope of this condition is largely unknown in South Africa. Rehabilitation programmes for amputees, specifically at state institutions are characterised by lack of resources, lack of information provided to patients and the patients themselves seem to experience lack of support on an emotional and psychological level. This study investigates the experience of self of the amputation patient through a review of the literature available and from an ecosystemic-postmodernist viewpoint. In addition, guided imagery is examined as a technique that could add value to rehabilitation programmes for amputation patients. Health care professionals in two state hospitals in Pretoria were interviewed by means of semi-structured questionnaires to obtain additional information on current rehabilitation programmes as well as the experience of the amputation and the subsequent process for the amputee. Themes extracted from these questionnaires were used to design a suggested rehabilitation programme. This programme, based on the findings of the research, suggests certain enhancements to existing programmes and is focussed on supporting the experience of the process for the amputee through inclusion of specific guided imagery texts. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)

The research study focuses on transformation management in a welfare organisation and is aimed at developing a framework for a prospective model for management of a transformation process in a welfare organisation. The research was directed by two components, the nature, and the management of transformation, and was initiated with a literature study on these two concepts. The research study is limited to the Gauteng area, and only child and family welfare organisations which were already active participants of a transformation process were targeted. Data collection process was initiated by means of a structured interview schedule, completed by managers/senior social workers/ Board chairpersons (the target group). Results of the study indicate that a majority of the twenty targeted organisations had undergone an unstructured transformation process. A structured, well formulated, and planned transformation management process was required as a guideline, with a view to developing a prospective model for the management of a transformation process in a welfare organisation. Results and conclusions drawn from this study can be generalised in the broader spectrum of welfare organisations for the management of a transformation process. Further research is needed to develop the required model. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Social Work)

Absenteeism is a grave problem in the workplace in South Africa. One can expect that the impact and patterns would differ from one sector to another. For instance the seriousness of absenteeism in a hospital or the security sector would not be the same as for a coffee shop or being absent from a school. However, absenteeism needs to be addressed in all sectors of the economy since it leads to losses in production and output, as well as a reduction in profits in many South African companies. This study explores absenteeism only in the security industry in Gauteng Province. The personal experiences of practitioners and managers regarding absenteeism, its extent and the impact in this province were examined during the research undertaken for this project. The aims of this study were largely the following: • To determine the main causes and reasons given for the current level of absenteeism among contract security personnel in the private security industry in Gauteng; • To see whether gender and employment grade contribute towards the absence of security officers during working hours; • To find out whether security officers routinely submit a sick note after being absent; • To ascertain management practices and responses to combating absenteeism, and • To identify what can be done to reduce absenteeism. The main research instrument used was a questionnaire. Some experienced academics were interviewed prior to administering the questionnaires to respondents in order to provide expert opinion and advice regarding this problem. Two different questionnaires were prepared, one for managers and one for security officers. The questionnaire had both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to security officers in the Gauteng region, and one hundred to security managers. The questionnaires for the managers had 48 questions while those for the security officers contained 38 questions. Those academics and security managers interviewed all agreed that absenteeism is a workplace problem in the country, a problem that currently has not been investigated in sufficient detail. They accepted that a formal study of this nature would be worthwhile doing in the private security industry. Furthermore, a literature review was undertaken while a close analytical examination of the various concepts being used in the research was also done. The literature provided the theoretical base to which the study was able to link the collected information from the empirical part obtained by means of the questionnaires. The sources for the literature review consisted of books, journals, the internet and newspaper articles. The research established various causes of absenteeism in the industry, with the main ones being: i) Poor salaries ii) Long working hours iii) Poor communication with immediate supervisor iv) Transport problems v) Poor working conditions vi) Family problems, and vii) Boredom The exploration done in this research was intended primarily to determine ways to address absenteeism. The ideal solution would be to reduce and ultimately prevent absenteeism. As a result and emanating from the research findings a number of recommendations were formulated and directed to the industry as a whole, while others were directed towards the security managers, and lastly some to the security officers themselves. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Security Risk Management)

The research study focuses on transformation management in a welfare organisation and is aimed at developing a framework for a prospective model for management of a transformation process in a welfare organisation. The research was directed by two components, the nature, and the management of transformation, and was initiated with a literature study on these two concepts. The research study is limited to the Gauteng area, and only child and family welfare organisations which were already active participants of a transformation process were targeted. Data collection process was initiated by means of a structured interview schedule, completed by managers/senior social workers/ Board chairpersons (the target group) . Results of the study indicate that a majority of the twenty targeted organisations had undergone an unstructured transformation process. A structured, well formulated, and planned transformation management process was required as a guideline, with a view to developing a prospective model for the management of a transformation process in a welfare organisation. Results and conclusions drawn from this study can be generalised in the broader spectrum of welfare organisations for the management of a transformation process. Further research is needed to develop the required model. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Social Work)

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)

M.Sc. (Geography) / The Crocodile River drains a highly developed catchment, with 25% of the South African Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being produced in the Crocodile-West Marico Water Management Area (WMA). The industrial, agricultural and mining sectors that mostly contribute to GDP are however greatly dependent on the water resources within the Crocodile-West Marico WMA and therefore it is important to monitor the status of these water resources carefully. This study aimed to determine whether there is a positive correlation between changes in land-use and changes in water quality in the Crocodile River catchment area across both a spatial and temporal scale. Water quality was defined by measurement and analysis of both pure quantitative changes in water quality parameters as well as qualitative changes in water quality as related to the end use of the water. In general water quality in the study area, as measured in terms of the variables used for this study, was found to still be within acceptable range for domestic use, irrigation, livestock watering and Industrial Cat. 3 and 4 water uses. The majority of variables were however above the Aquatic Target Water Quality Range (TWQR). In terms of aquatic ecosystems, the study area is however not very sensitive with only a few catchments and sub-catchments classified as freshwater ecosystem priority areas. The freshwater ecosystem priority areas are also located in mostly the upper catchment where water quality is generally fair to good i.e. as confirmed by water quality results from Water Monitoring Stations (WMS) 90195 and 90165. It was confirmed that spatial and temporal changes in land use had a definite impact on physical and chemical water quality as measured at each WMS. The variables used to determine water quality changes due to land use change were however not ideal to determine certain land use impacts. Urban, industrial and mining impacts would for example have been easier to identify by means of metal and heavy metal concentrations as well as other toxic organic and inorganic constituents. To this extent it was a challenge to link specific industries or industrial areas to water quality changes. This was mostly due to the fact that industrial processes differ vastly, with a range of pollutants being emitted and discharged into the environment. It was however evident from the results that nutrient enrichment mostly originates from point sources, specifically Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs), and that salinization is mostly caused by intensive crop irrigation. Build-up or urban areas mostly resulted in lower levels of salts and dissolved solids, possibly due to limited exposed ground surfaces. It was further found that mining related to Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) resulted in and increase chloride, dissolved major salts, electrical conductivity, total hardness, potassium, magnesium, sodium and sulphate concentrations...

M.Ed. / Our world is becoming more mathematical. We are constantly surrounded by mathematical situations and are regularly required to make mathematical decisions. These decisions require number sense, estimation skills, ability to analyse data intelligently, knowledge of two and three-dimensional geometry and many other abilities not often taught in school. Halpern (1992:1) states: "...as a nation we not only need competent scientists and engineers, we also need a citizenry that is literate in mathematics issues." Reyes and Stannic (1998:26) support this view as they state: "Knowledge of mathematics is essential for all members of our society. To participate in our democratic processes and to be unrestricted in career choice and advancement, people must be able to apply mathematical ideas." Learners leaving school need to be able to use available technology and to reason mathematically, be confident of their abilities, be able to communicate mathematically and be problem solvers. The introduction of technology into the lives of many people has called upon their background of mathematics to cope with mathematical problems and manipulating technological instruments. The relationship between mathematics and technology is emphasised by Dowling and Noss (1990:24) when they say: "New technology is a powerful tool which opens up new areas of mathematics and changes the way in which society makes use of mathematics in the factory, office and home". The Cockcroft Committee (1982), in their report on an inquiry into the teaching of Mathematics in schools, sees the main task of mathematics teachers as: "Enabling each learner to develop within his own capabilities the mathematical understanding and skills required for adult life, for employment and further study". The most important contribution for the purpose of this study, was the emphasis placed on cognitive aims to equip learners with numerical understanding and skills. Other contributions were to develop logical thinking and to expand their ability to look for patterns and explain them and to develop an awareness of the link between mathematics and everyday situations. This report (1982) motivated the researcher to review how teachers are teaching. This means that there will be an investigation into how children learn mathematics and not just what should be taught. Naidoo, Smit and Van Heerden (1995:7) also emphasise this by stating that "...the advance in technology at this time changed educational thinking more, making it even more important to further investigate how children actually learn." Yildirim (1994:28) argues that "... improving student's thinking ability is accepted as an important goal of education, and schools are considered places where thinking skills can be promoted. However, ways in which this should be done is a matter of controversy among educators." He further postulates that the best way to improve student thinking involves deep and thoughtful subject matter instruction in which students are encouraged to think reflectively rather than to merely cite the facts. The central characteristics of mathematical thinking are the determination of relationship and their application. It includes the ability to analyse a given situation or experience; to distinguish between applicable data and those which are not applicable; to classify and arrange these data; to abstract relationships from them, and finally to symbolize them for future use and application in new situations. Therefore it is important and essential for students to be taught how to approach the problems. This is one way of encouraging inquisitive and creative mathematics. Well-developed thinking skills are useful in almost every life situation, therefore there is a need to design instructional programmes that focus on the acquisition and uses thinking skills that are needed to find and solve mathematical problems.

M.Sc. / In South Africa, there are no reliable statistics regarding animal numbers and distribution. The goal, therefore, of this research is to provide the framework and procedure for obtaining these statistics efficiently and accurately. Available sampling methods and sampling frames were investigated and it was decided to carry out a sample survey because the Gauteng Province consists of a large number of holdings (land parcels). In the Gauteng Province, where a complete list of farmers or land owners is not available, it was decided to use an area sampling frame. Once the choice of sample design was made, the survey objectives were defined according to the clients’ needs. The sampling frame was constructed using various land parcel layers. These land parcels were merged, using GIS software, into one continuous layer of land parcels. They were then stratified to reduce the variance of the variable (animals) under study over the entire area, using area of land parcel and land-cover. The sample size was then calculated and the land parcels were selected randomly for survey purposes. The survey was conducted between September and December 1999 and the questionnaires were input into a database for the estimation procedures. The closed estimation procedure was used because it is the only possible option if the data surveyed are referenced to the land parcel (and not to a farm that includes several land parcels). The area frame sampling methodology worked well for cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and dogs/cats and to a lesser extent for goats, donkeys and game. The area frame method did not work well for poultry (because of extremely high values in a few land parcels), ostriches or mules (these are rare in the province). Spatial distributions and density distributions were then interpolated from the animal counts taken in the survey and they give a general idea of the location of animals. The distributions of cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and dogs/cats are reliable. The distributions of the rest are distorted due to extreme counts in a few land parcels but a general idea of concentrations can still be inferred. Considering that no historical data exists and that the overall goal of this research was to get an idea of animal numbers and the distribution of animals in Gauteng province, it can be considered successful, in that decision- makers now have a reliable source of information from which good decisions can be made.

M.A. / A research study is undertaken with the aim of establishing what the attitudes and perceptions of supervisors and supervisees are regarding the rendering of cultural-sensitive supervision in social work. The aim of the study is to provide supervisors in social work with recommendations regarding the rendering of cultural-sensitive supervision. The amalgamation of organisations rendering social services has brought about multi-cultural and cross-cultural supervisional relationships that could be potentially problematic. The research process followed is the process identified by Mindel and McDonald in Grinnell (1993). The research process is initiated with a literature study on the concepts of supervision and cultural diversity. The research is limited to the Gauteng area and the study did not take place on a large scale due to the qualitative design utilised. An in-depth study is mader rather than a statistical analysis. Data collection takes place by means of semi-structured interviews with social work supervisors and self-administered questionnaires, completed by both supervisors and supervisees. The target group of the study is supervisors and supervisees employed by organisations which already render cross-cultural services. Results of the study indicate that supervisors and supervises generally don't experience problems in the rendering and receiving of cultural-sensitive supervision. Cultural sensitivity is perceived as being the acceptance of cultural factors such as background and values, as well as having a working knowledge of the cultural background, values attitudes etc. of the supervisees. Communication barriers seem to be the problem experienced by the majority of the participants of the study. It is recommended that supervisors receive further training in cultural-sensitive supervision and that cultural-sensitive supervision needs to focus on cultural values rather than biographical aspects such as race. Anthropology included in social work training, could address the need to enhance the knowledge base of social workers and supervisors, to the benefit of supervisor-supervisees relationships and thus the client system. Results and conclusions drawn from this study can not be generalised to the broader population of social workers and supervisors. Further research is needed to determine whether the perceptions and attitudes established in this study are the general perceptions and attitudes of social workers in South Africa.

M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing) / Termination of pregnancy is now legal in South Africa, bringing with it issues that have never before had to be addressed. Nobody denies that termination of pregnancy has an effect on women, but very few people realise that termination of pregnancy also has an impact on men. The study tells the story of a few adult biological fathers who accompanied their partners to the various identified clinics in Gauteng for a termination of pregnancy. The goal of this study was to: Explore and describe how single adult biological fathers experienced the termination of pregnancy his partner had. Describe guidelines for the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner to support adult biological fathers to mobilise their resources and promote their mental health as an integral part of health. The paradigmatic perspective of this study was guided by the Theory for Health Promotion in Nursing (Rand Afrikaans University, Department of Nursing Science, 1999:2-15), which reflects the focus on the whole person. A functional approach was followed (Botes, 1991 :2) based on the model for nursing research developed by Botes (1995:6). The design of the study utilised is a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual design (Mouton & Marais, 1994:43-44,51) using in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews as a method of data collection. Field notes were also taken after the completion of each interview, while prior to this permission was obtained from the various identified private clinics in Gauteng where this study was conducted, as well as from the adult biological fathers who voluntarily participated in this study. The results of this study were tabulated according to categories and themes. The first theme identified the powerlessness the adult biological fathers experienced related to the inability to have a choice in the process of the termination of pregnancy. The second theme told of the emotional turmoil experienced by the adult biological fathers related to the impact of the decision on interpersonal and intra-personal relationships. The third theme identified the psychological defence mechanisms the adult biological fathers used as a way of dealing with the stressful effects of the termination of pregnancy.