Magister Artium - MA / Hierdie skripsie wil die mens en sy ervarings, of dit wat hy binne 'n bepaalde gebied beleef, blootlê. Daarmee saam kom 'n duidelike teoretiese beskouing na vore om die persoon in sy gedepriveerde gemeenskap uit te beeld. Die karakter van die gebied weerspiël die volgende kenmerke: Dit is landelik van aard, 'n beduidende afstand vanaf stedelike ontwikkeling geleë, en dit word as 'n "slaapdorp" ervaar. Histories word die gebied bykans 'n honderd jaar deur die inwoners en hul voorgeslagte bewoon, maar as gevolg van poli tieke rompslomp het ontwikkeling nooi t werklik plaasgevind nie. Die probleme wat in die gebied tydens navorsing aanwesig was, is die volgende: Onvoldoende infrastrutuur, watervoorsiening is gebrekkig, riolering kom nie voor nie, gesondheidsdienste word periodiek gelewer, en werksgeleenthede moet buite die gebied bekom word. Die haglike woonomstandighede het die inwoners se lewensverwagting geaffekteer en ongelukkigheid meegebring. Die doel van die navorsing is om 'n geheelbeeld te verkry van die gebied se probleme en behoeftes, hoe die inwoners daaroor voel en wat die mense dink gedoen kan word om, ten spyte van die heersende probleme, hul lewensomstandighede te verbeter. Dit wil sê die ondersoek poog om te bepaal wat die werklike lewensomstandighede van die mense in die Groter Chatsworthgebied (Chatsworth en Riverlands gekombineerd) is.

The goal of this study was to investigate the career counselling needs at a school in a deprived community. High School learners form part of the future workforce that will influence this country's economy. Therefore it is necessary to focus on the development of a workforce that has the basic skills. Career counselling is therefore seen as the field of education by means of which these skills need to be addressed, but to present successful career counselling, the needs of the learners and teachers have to be taken into consideration. The staff and pupils of a Secondary School from a deprived community in Potchefstroom were used for the purposes of this study. The group consisted of 15 participants in total, of which 10 were pupils (6 girls and 4 boys) in grades 10 to 12, and 5 teachers (4 ladies and 1 gentleman). In order to determine the participants' experiences with regard to Career Counselling, qualitative research methodology was used by means of phenomenological principles in interviews. A specific effort was made to give an account of the extent and nature of this need, as well as to determine what the pupils' needs for Career Counselling are and what the limitations are for the teacher regarding career counselling. The results showed that pupils see career counselling as important and that they have a need for this field of education, that the current career education sessions at school do not fulfil their needs for career guidance, that learners indicate that they have specific needs regarding career guidance, that their peers show indifference towards receiving career guidance and also that their career choices are influenced by their home backgrounds. Furthermore the results showed that the teachers acknowledge the importance of career counselling at schools, the need for better career guidance, that certain factors exist that influence career guidance in a negative way and also that they have specific needs regarding career guidance. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Information from symposiums regarding guidance, as well as information from interviews with school guidance personnel, students and other persona concerned, revealed gaps concerning the present school guidance systems. In this connection the public and private sector can play an important role by revealing the necessary information about the career world to the guidance personnel. The aim of this investigation serves a double purpose. In the first instance to investigate the liaison between the school guidance personnel of the Transvaal Education Department's secondary schools and the public and private sector from the point of view of the literature. Secondly an empirical determination of the nature of the connection between career guidance personnel of the Afrikaans medium secondary schools in Transvaal and the public and private sector, as well as to determine what the attitude of school guidance personnel are towards liaison with the public and private sector. For the purpose of this study, public sector can be defined as the sector where government has partial or total control, whereas in the private sector the government has no direct control. Personal visits to guidance personnel at secondary schools in Transvaal and the questionnaire method were both considered to obtain the necessary information for this study. After thorough consideration, the decision fell upon the questionnaire method. Questionnaires were therefore sent to all Afrikaans medium secondary schools in Transvaal. RECOMMENDATIONS: The following are recommended, bearing the findings of the study in mind: 1. RENEWED INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR COORDINATION OF CAREER INFORMATION AND CAREER GUIDANCE. The following recommendations about the function of the above mentioned committee can be made: 1.1 the private sector must be accommodated in this committee, 1.2 this committee must be actively involved in a promotion campaign. 2. RESTRUCTURING OF THE EDUCATION POLICY BY THE TRANSVAAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. This study revealed that a number of school guidance personnel did not liaise with the public and private sector due to the Transvaal Education Department's policy. The following are recommended: 2.1 the Education Department's policy about outsiders must be clearly formulated and published to all persons involved, 2.2 free admission by representatives of the public and private sector to schools, 2.3 visiting of career displays and information days by pupils during school hours, 2.4 partnership between the Transvaal Education Department and the public and private sector to be emphasized to the pupils and to improve contact between the Education Department and the public and private sector. 3. INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR. Liaison is the result of the initiative from the schools while they experience shortages of funds, time limits, transport problems and long distances. It is therefore recommended that the public and private sector will visit schools on their own initiative. FINAL REMARKS: There is a definite need for liaison between school guidance personnel and the public and private sector. This study emphasizes the results of the HRC's Study Committee: Guidance (1981) and as such the findings of this study are closely related with the findings and recommendations of the HRC's Study Committee. The quality of school guidance will be improved by liaison and this will improve the pupils' ability to make responsible career choices. It is therefore of the utmost importance for all partners in the school guidance programme to work closely together and to liaise more effectively. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1991

Information from symposiums regarding guidance, as well as information from interviews with school guidance personnel, students and other persona concerned, revealed gaps concerning the present school guidance systems. In this connection the public and private sector can play an important role by revealing the necessary information about the career world to the guidance personnel. The aim of this investigation serves a double purpose. In the first instance to investigate the liaison between the school guidance personnel of the Transvaal Education Department's secondary schools and the public and private sector from the point of view of the literature. Secondly an empirical determination of the nature of the connection between career guidance personnel of the Afrikaans medium secondary schools in Transvaal and the public and private sector, as well as to determine what the attitude of school guidance personnel are towards liaison with the public and private sector. For the purpose of this study, public sector can be defined as the sector where government has partial or total control, whereas in the private sector the government has no direct control. Personal visits to guidance personnel at secondary schools in Transvaal and the questionnaire method were both considered to obtain the necessary information for this study. After thorough consideration, the decision fell upon the questionnaire method. Questionnaires were therefore sent to all Afrikaans medium secondary schools in Transvaal. RECOMMENDATIONS: The following are recommended, bearing the findings of the study in mind: 1. RENEWED INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR COORDINATION OF CAREER INFORMATION AND CAREER GUIDANCE. The following recommendations about the function of the above mentioned committee can be made: 1.1 the private sector must be accommodated in this committee, 1.2 this committee must be actively involved in a promotion campaign. 2. RESTRUCTURING OF THE EDUCATION POLICY BY THE TRANSVAAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. This study revealed that a number of school guidance personnel did not liaise with the public and private sector due to the Transvaal Education Department's policy. The following are recommended: 2.1 the Education Department's policy about outsiders must be clearly formulated and published to all persons involved, 2.2 free admission by representatives of the public and private sector to schools, 2.3 visiting of career displays and information days by pupils during school hours, 2.4 partnership between the Transvaal Education Department and the public and private sector to be emphasized to the pupils and to improve contact between the Education Department and the public and private sector. 3. INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR. Liaison is the result of the initiative from the schools while they experience shortages of funds, time limits, transport problems and long distances. It is therefore recommended that the public and private sector will visit schools on their own initiative. FINAL REMARKS: There is a definite need for liaison between school guidance personnel and the public and private sector. This study emphasizes the results of the HRC's Study Committee: Guidance (1981) and as such the findings of this study are closely related with the findings and recommendations of the HRC's Study Committee. The quality of school guidance will be improved by liaison and this will improve the pupils' ability to make responsible career choices. It is therefore of the utmost importance for all partners in the school guidance programme to work closely together and to liaise more effectively. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1991

The goal of this study was to investigate the career counselling needs at a school in a deprived community. High School learners form part of the future workforce that will influence this country's economy. Therefore it is necessary to focus on the development of a workforce that has the basic skills. Career counselling is therefore seen as the field of education by means of which these skills need to be addressed, but to present successful career counselling, the needs of the learners and teachers have to be taken into consideration. The staff and pupils of a Secondary School from a deprived community in Potchefstroom were used for the purposes of this study. The group consisted of 15 participants in total, of which 10 were pupils (6 girls and 4 boys) in grades 10 to 12, and 5 teachers (4 ladies and 1 gentleman). In order to determine the participants' experiences with regard to Career Counselling, qualitative research methodology was used by means of phenomenological principles in interviews. A specific effort was made to give an account of the extent and nature of this need, as well as to determine what the pupils' needs for Career Counselling are and what the limitations are for the teacher regarding career counselling. The results showed that pupils see career counselling as important and that they have a need for this field of education, that the current career education sessions at school do not fulfil their needs for career guidance, that learners indicate that they have specific needs regarding career guidance, that their peers show indifference towards receiving career guidance and also that their career choices are influenced by their home backgrounds. Furthermore the results showed that the teachers acknowledge the importance of career counselling at schools, the need for better career guidance, that certain factors exist that influence career guidance in a negative way and also that they have specific needs regarding career guidance. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a highly stigmatised condition for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA) and people living close to them (PLC) within the African context as well as in other countries. PLC often take part in HIV stigmatisation, but they are likewise often the victims thereof. This research was executed in three phases. The research objectives for the first phase of the study was to explore and describe how HIV stigma and disclosure experiences at present impact on the lives of PLHA in a country where the HIV infection rate is the highest in the world, and to explore whether there are differences between urban and rural settings. The objective of the second phase of the research was to describe the implementation of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention that focused on PLHA as well as PLC from six designated groups, namely partners, children, family members, friends, spiritual leaders and community members. The objective of the third phase was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of both the PLHA and PLC by the six designated groups after they had undergone a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention. Attention was focused on their expressed experiences of the workshop and projects executed by them in their communities. During the first and third phases of the research a qualitative interpretive description approach was followed. A holistic multiple case study design was used for the second phase. Purposive voluntary sampling was used for the PLHA and snowball sampling for the PLC. Data collection during the first and third phases took place using in-depth interviews in an urban and a rural setting in the North West Province, South Africa. The data was manually analysed through open coding. Phase 2 had open coding as well as document analysis. Findings of Phase 1 indicated that HIV stigma and disclosure themes for experiences in the urban and rural settings were mostly similar, with very few differences. Experiences of stigma were still very prevalent, but also led to negative self-judgement. The intervention proved to have been successful, as was reported during the case study and in participants‟ expressed experiences. All participants reported a better understanding of HIV stigma and how to cope with it. Relationships between PLHA and PLC were enhanced. HIV stigma reduction projects developed by PLHA and PLC were executed successfully and the wider community was reached. Leadership skills were developed in order to go out into the community and be part of HIV stigma reduction actions. Some considerations for strengthening the intervention were provided. The intervention in its comprehensive nature was shown to be successful and promising for future use in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing wellness. / PhD (Nursing), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a highly stigmatised condition for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA) and people living close to them (PLC) within the African context as well as in other countries. PLC often take part in HIV stigmatisation, but they are likewise often the victims thereof. This research was executed in three phases. The research objectives for the first phase of the study was to explore and describe how HIV stigma and disclosure experiences at present impact on the lives of PLHA in a country where the HIV infection rate is the highest in the world, and to explore whether there are differences between urban and rural settings. The objective of the second phase of the research was to describe the implementation of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention that focused on PLHA as well as PLC from six designated groups, namely partners, children, family members, friends, spiritual leaders and community members. The objective of the third phase was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of both the PLHA and PLC by the six designated groups after they had undergone a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness enhancement intervention. Attention was focused on their expressed experiences of the workshop and projects executed by them in their communities. During the first and third phases of the research a qualitative interpretive description approach was followed. A holistic multiple case study design was used for the second phase. Purposive voluntary sampling was used for the PLHA and snowball sampling for the PLC. Data collection during the first and third phases took place using in-depth interviews in an urban and a rural setting in the North West Province, South Africa. The data was manually analysed through open coding. Phase 2 had open coding as well as document analysis. Findings of Phase 1 indicated that HIV stigma and disclosure themes for experiences in the urban and rural settings were mostly similar, with very few differences. Experiences of stigma were still very prevalent, but also led to negative self-judgement. The intervention proved to have been successful, as was reported during the case study and in participants‟ expressed experiences. All participants reported a better understanding of HIV stigma and how to cope with it. Relationships between PLHA and PLC were enhanced. HIV stigma reduction projects developed by PLHA and PLC were executed successfully and the wider community was reached. Leadership skills were developed in order to go out into the community and be part of HIV stigma reduction actions. Some considerations for strengthening the intervention were provided. The intervention in its comprehensive nature was shown to be successful and promising for future use in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing wellness. / PhD (Nursing), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. However, biodiversity is suffering under the huge demand for natural resources and the increasing dependence of rural communities on these same resources. It has also become apparent that an alarming number of species are threatened, endangered or even destroyed. Surveys have revealed that 34% of the country’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. The three severest threats to biodiversity are overexploitation, overgrazing and mining. There is however a range of international, regional, national and local laws and best practice guidelines that aim to protect and preserve the natural faunal and floral diversity of the various rural areas and regions. The prescription of sustainable practices enables communities that depend on the services of ecosystem in their area, to utilise without depleting the resources provided by nature. South Africa is a signing party to more than seven conventions and treaties that either protect or govern biodiversity. In addition to this, the South African government has promulgated eighteen pieces of legislation and guidelines to protect and govern the use of biodiversity. The focus of this study was on the impacts platinum mining have on biodiversity and how effectively these impacts are managed. Data for the case study was obtained from Impala Platinum. Impala leases its land from the Royal Bafokeng Nation and inter alia shares it with the people who use the areas in between for grazing and other subsistence activities. The aim of the study was, in the first place to identify how Impala Platinum’s Environmental Management Plans (EMP’s) and Closure Plan (which manages current and post mining activities and their impacts) are aligned with the various international, national and local requirements for biodiversity management, and secondly to evaluate the effectiveness of the current management measures put in place, which regulates activities impacting on biodiversity. To give effect to the above outcome it was necessary to first identify the various international, national and local treaties, legislature and guidelines. Secondly, an environmental risk assessment was conducted where the current management measure were weighed against the various international, national and local requirements in order to deduce the level of effectiveness of the current EMP’s and Closure plan. It was found that the majority of the EMP’s compiled under the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989 (ECA) lack substantive management and preventative measures. It was only in the later EMP’s (between the years 2000 - 2004) that the prescribed management measures improved and became more effective. This was because the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process had matured in South Africa and an entire new regime of more descriptive EIA regulations had been promulgated under the National Environmental Act No. 107 of 1998, which repealed the majority of the outdated ECA regulations. It was also found that the environmental standards, management objectives and priorities that were developed in the EMP’s did not contingently and specifically reflect the conditions in relation to the environmental, developmental and biodiversity contexts to which they apply. The Closure plan on the other hand, was a regurgitation of the same unimaginative objectives focusing on remedying past legacies instead of providing a lasting solution to sustain and improve the environmental conditions left by the mine, and most importantly it does not address the social issues that result from mine closure. For example, the overexploitation and overgrazing of the areas in between the various mining operations by the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s people is a crucial aspect that has not been thoroughly addressed in the respective documents. Habitat disturbance, which was not addressed for instance, requires a wide range of actions e.g. educating local communities on pasture management, post–rehabilitation monitoring, amelioration etc. To improve compliance with current legislation and adherence to the guidelines proposed by best practice initiatives, various recommendations are put forward to control both the negative activities brought on by the Royal Bafokeng and Impala Platinum. These include the implementation of: Biodiversity (inclusive) impact assessment, good environmental governance, the precautionary approach, the ecosystems approach, sustainable biodiversity management practices through conservation planning, biodiversity action plans, stewardship and land care tools, conservation plans, biodiversity offsets, effective mine closure planning and the forming of a Biodiversity Action Steering Committee (BASC). Finally, an eight step model is proposed as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of specifically the platinum mine’s EMP’s and Closure plans to manage activities affecting biodiversity. The model is based on the concepts of direct and indirect drivers of change and the Deming cycle and is an elaboration of the model proposed by UNEP and the International Association of Impact Assessment. The model focuses on both the natural and anthropogenic drivers that may affect biodiversity and will aid the management of a mine to supplement the shortcomings of these documents. As an indirect outcome the model may possibly even improve, the relationship between the specific company and the communities with which it shares its land. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Intergenerational research aims to promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contribute to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational relationships form part of our social make–up as they affect social interactions, the use of local spaces, opportunities to take part in public life on an equal basis with others, the degree to which people participate in community life as well as efforts to improve such life. Research indicates that what matters most for young adults and older people is the quality of the interactions taking place between them. Very little is known about the nature of the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in an African context. The aim of the study was therefore to explore the intergenerational relationships between young adults and older people in a rural African community. A qualitative research method was used in the study. Two groups of participants were selected though availability sampling method. The group consisted of 11 male participants between 20 to 35 years of age, 6 participants were over the age of 60 (one male and five female). The younger participants were asked to make visual representations of how they perceive the older generation by means of using the Mmogo–method. After the younger participants described their visual representations, the older participants were asked to reflect on the descriptions given by the younger participants. The older people assumed an active listening position while the young adults shared their representations. Informal group discussion was used to facilitate a process of sharing and comparing of perceptions among the participants. The data obtained from the group discussions and applying the Mmogomethod were analysed on the basis of thematic and visual analysis. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through crystallisation. The results indicate that the relationships between young adults and older people consist of the ambivalent perceptions of the young adults and mostly extreme negative perceptions of older people. As a result, the relationships between the young and old generations seem to be dissatisfying for both generations. Both young and old discover essential tensions in the relationships they create and sustain across generations. Intergenerational tensions may not be so easily identified or concretely observable in everyday behaviour, attitudes, and emotions. But, consistent with the dialectical framework, it is part of all intergenerational relationships at some level. Identifying these underlying tensions is important so that we do not glorify or idealise the interactions of young and old whenever and wherever they occur. Solidarity is not the only outcome of intergenerational relationships; ambivalence as well as conflict is a part of the theory that has often been neglected. In view ofthe importance of intergenerational relationships between the young adults and the older people, intergenerational interventions should be planned to promote the effective negotiation of intergenerational relationships between older persons and the younger generation. / Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. However, biodiversity is suffering under the huge demand for natural resources and the increasing dependence of rural communities on these same resources. It has also become apparent that an alarming number of species are threatened, endangered or even destroyed. Surveys have revealed that 34% of the country’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. The three severest threats to biodiversity are overexploitation, overgrazing and mining. There is however a range of international, regional, national and local laws and best practice guidelines that aim to protect and preserve the natural faunal and floral diversity of the various rural areas and regions. The prescription of sustainable practices enables communities that depend on the services of ecosystem in their area, to utilise without depleting the resources provided by nature. South Africa is a signing party to more than seven conventions and treaties that either protect or govern biodiversity. In addition to this, the South African government has promulgated eighteen pieces of legislation and guidelines to protect and govern the use of biodiversity. The focus of this study was on the impacts platinum mining have on biodiversity and how effectively these impacts are managed. Data for the case study was obtained from Impala Platinum. Impala leases its land from the Royal Bafokeng Nation and inter alia shares it with the people who use the areas in between for grazing and other subsistence activities. The aim of the study was, in the first place to identify how Impala Platinum’s Environmental Management Plans (EMP’s) and Closure Plan (which manages current and post mining activities and their impacts) are aligned with the various international, national and local requirements for biodiversity management, and secondly to evaluate the effectiveness of the current management measures put in place, which regulates activities impacting on biodiversity. To give effect to the above outcome it was necessary to first identify the various international, national and local treaties, legislature and guidelines. Secondly, an environmental risk assessment was conducted where the current management measure were weighed against the various international, national and local requirements in order to deduce the level of effectiveness of the current EMP’s and Closure plan. It was found that the majority of the EMP’s compiled under the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989 (ECA) lack substantive management and preventative measures. It was only in the later EMP’s (between the years 2000 - 2004) that the prescribed management measures improved and became more effective. This was because the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process had matured in South Africa and an entire new regime of more descriptive EIA regulations had been promulgated under the National Environmental Act No. 107 of 1998, which repealed the majority of the outdated ECA regulations. It was also found that the environmental standards, management objectives and priorities that were developed in the EMP’s did not contingently and specifically reflect the conditions in relation to the environmental, developmental and biodiversity contexts to which they apply. The Closure plan on the other hand, was a regurgitation of the same unimaginative objectives focusing on remedying past legacies instead of providing a lasting solution to sustain and improve the environmental conditions left by the mine, and most importantly it does not address the social issues that result from mine closure. For example, the overexploitation and overgrazing of the areas in between the various mining operations by the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s people is a crucial aspect that has not been thoroughly addressed in the respective documents. Habitat disturbance, which was not addressed for instance, requires a wide range of actions e.g. educating local communities on pasture management, post–rehabilitation monitoring, amelioration etc. To improve compliance with current legislation and adherence to the guidelines proposed by best practice initiatives, various recommendations are put forward to control both the negative activities brought on by the Royal Bafokeng and Impala Platinum. These include the implementation of: Biodiversity (inclusive) impact assessment, good environmental governance, the precautionary approach, the ecosystems approach, sustainable biodiversity management practices through conservation planning, biodiversity action plans, stewardship and land care tools, conservation plans, biodiversity offsets, effective mine closure planning and the forming of a Biodiversity Action Steering Committee (BASC). Finally, an eight step model is proposed as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of specifically the platinum mine’s EMP’s and Closure plans to manage activities affecting biodiversity. The model is based on the concepts of direct and indirect drivers of change and the Deming cycle and is an elaboration of the model proposed by UNEP and the International Association of Impact Assessment. The model focuses on both the natural and anthropogenic drivers that may affect biodiversity and will aid the management of a mine to supplement the shortcomings of these documents. As an indirect outcome the model may possibly even improve, the relationship between the specific company and the communities with which it shares its land. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.