The development of a moral identity has been closely linked with parental care. Within the HIV/Aids context, concern about the moral actions of South Africans inspired an investigation into the Gestalt field of Zulu child-headed households, as the lack of adequate parental care threatens the development of moral identity in these households. As substitute parents, the adolescents in the Zulu child-headed households are responsible for enhancing moral identity in their siblings while their own moral identity is still developing. Since moral identity development occurs within their field of living experience, an investigation of the field of Zulu child-headed households was conducted in order to identify the aspects that can be utilised to develop a model that will empower the heads of the Zulu child-headed households to enhance moral identity development within their households. This was based on the Gestalt theoretical paradigm. The Gestalt theory accepts that people are part of their environments or “field”, and that the meaning of existence of the individuals in the Zulu child-headed households has no meaning outside the context of their environments with which they form a unified interactive whole through their mutually interactive forces. A mixed-methods approach was used to investigate the Gestalt field of 60 adolescents in Zulu child-headed households in the Mkhondo municipal area. The exploration of the Gestalt fields of the adolescents was described in four articles and the aspects that can be used to develop the model were identified in the conclusions and recommendations section of the manuscript. The aim of the first article was to investigate the aspects of the field of Zulu child-headed households in the Mkhondo municipal area relating to their subjective reality of the kinship support and associated needs they experienced within their dual roles as members of the Zulu child-headed households and substitute parents. Perceptions of what the adolescent heads in Zulu child-headed households viewed as helping their siblings become „good people‟ were investigated in the second article. The aim of the third article was to explore whether ethnic membership is one of the core constructs in moral identity development of adolescents in Zulu child-headed households, as ethnic identity in the Zulu culture is strongly integrated with a moral identity. The fourth article investigated the figuration of moral identity in the field of these adolescents, by comparing moral variants to various other characteristics of their field. The aspects of the Gestalt field that had been identified as useful for the development of the model revolved around three main themes, namely: associated with the usefulness of the school environment; overlapping Eurocentric and Afrocentric characteristics of identity;, and helper characteristics. Recommendations were made about aspects that could enhance the practical value of policy decisions based on facilitating awareness of various aspects of moral identity development; adjustments in the life orientation curriculum; and expanding the role of support staff in schools. / Thesis (PhD (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Poverty has been a challenge for many years and continues to exist in many parts of the world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In many countries, poverty reduction programmes remain the main preoccupation in economic policies. Poverty is not gender neutral, as women tend to be more likely exposed to poverty because of their restricted access to labour and other markets and their general lower level of education than men. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township of Kwakwatsi. The study used the Lived Poverty Index (LPI) as a measurement of poverty to analyse the extent and level of access to basic necessities among inhabitants of Kwakwatsi. The major focus of this study was on comparing the poverty status between female-headed and male-headed households. It was also important to investigate the relationship between poverty status and demographic and socio-economic variables. A literature review of poverty indicates a multidimensional concept, with a need to be untangled from different perspectives. Poverty includes lack of factors such as food, income, sanitation facilities, shelter, health care, safe drinking water, education and information. The empirical portion of the study was based on data from a survey questionnaire with a sample of 225 households selected randomly from Kwakwatsi Township in April 2013. Various quantitative methods, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), descriptive analysis (such as means core, cross tabulation and frequency tables) and regression analysis, were used to identify the level of access to basic necessities and how this access is influenced by identified demographic and socioeconomic variables among both female-headed and male-headed households. The LPI was used to assess people’s ability to secure income, food, fuel for cooking, electricity, clean water for home use and access to medicines and medical treatment. PCA indicated that all six items of basic necessities could be loaded into one component of LPI, indicating that the measure was adequate for the study. Households headed by females seemed to be poorer (53.62%) than those headed by males (45.51%), implying that female-headed households appeared more likely to experience the lack of basic necessities than male-headed households. Access to basic necessities such as medicines or medical treatment, water, electricity and fuel. The relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township for cooking have an effect on the quality of life. Access to medicines and medical treatment remains a lingering challenge for the inhabitants of Kwakwatsi, especially in female-headed households. Regarding the employment status of the participants, the unemployment rate of the head was found to be slightly higher for male heads than female heads, but the total number of employed people within a household was found to be less in households headed by females compare to those headed by males. The average total income in female-headed households was found to be lower than that of male-headed households. To add to this, a high number of female heads work in the informal sector, with low wages and poor working conditions. This was found to be associated with a higher level of illiteracy among female household heads, thus making it difficult for them to compete in the formal labour market. Deprivation levels were seen to decrease with the number of employed persons in female-headed households, while this was the opposite in male-headed households. The number of household members was found to increase with the poverty level in female-headed households, while there was no effect among male-headed households. Married male household heads were found to have less access to basic necessities than unmarried ones, while the relationship was the opposite where female married household heads appeared to have less access to basic necessities than those who are not married. Overall, descriptive analysis revealed that female-headed households tend to be deprived from stable and sustainable access to basic necessities. The results of the regression analysis showed that the number of household members who are employed, household head’s income and other income of the household are significant predictors of poverty in Kwakwatsi. The study recommends that the gender gap in income can be alleviated by empowering women labourers through collective action and increase of vocational education and training for better skills. There is a need for using public works programmes efficiently in order to address the problem of low income in the area. Furthermore, the importance of the informal sectors of the economy, especially in low income areas, should be acknowledged because it seems to be an important source of income for the residents of Kwakwatsi. Finally, there is a need to improve primary health care provision for the township of Kwakwatsi. The relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township / MCom (Economics), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

Unemployment is the most popular indicator of the country’s economy. As popular as it is, it remains difficult to define and to measure. This is the reason why different economists have different views of where South Africa really is as far as the unemployment rate is concerned. Female unemployment in South Africa is relatively high and much attention should be given on that issue. Some females are uneducated; others lack the skills while others are discouraged due to lack of vacant positions within their area. The consequences of unemployment are devastating and remain one of the most significant challenges for South Africa (Naude & Serumaga-Zake, 2001:261). These consequences range from decreased standards of living to degradation of society as a whole through crime, and community unrest (Barker, 1995:113). This study aims to investigate the factors that have an influence on the employment status of females in Bophelong Township, to determine if variables such as age, marital status, education level and income have any causal effect on the employment status of females. The results of this study will then help policy makers to create and design strategies that will help achieve the objective of unemployment reduction. / MCom (Economics) North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

The development of a moral identity has been closely linked with parental care. Within the HIV/Aids context, concern about the moral actions of South Africans inspired an investigation into the Gestalt field of Zulu child-headed households, as the lack of adequate parental care threatens the development of moral identity in these households. As substitute parents, the adolescents in the Zulu child-headed households are responsible for enhancing moral identity in their siblings while their own moral identity is still developing. Since moral identity development occurs within their field of living experience, an investigation of the field of Zulu child-headed households was conducted in order to identify the aspects that can be utilised to develop a model that will empower the heads of the Zulu child-headed households to enhance moral identity development within their households. This was based on the Gestalt theoretical paradigm. The Gestalt theory accepts that people are part of their environments or “field”, and that the meaning of existence of the individuals in the Zulu child-headed households has no meaning outside the context of their environments with which they form a unified interactive whole through their mutually interactive forces. A mixed-methods approach was used to investigate the Gestalt field of 60 adolescents in Zulu child-headed households in the Mkhondo municipal area. The exploration of the Gestalt fields of the adolescents was described in four articles and the aspects that can be used to develop the model were identified in the conclusions and recommendations section of the manuscript. The aim of the first article was to investigate the aspects of the field of Zulu child-headed households in the Mkhondo municipal area relating to their subjective reality of the kinship support and associated needs they experienced within their dual roles as members of the Zulu child-headed households and substitute parents. Perceptions of what the adolescent heads in Zulu child-headed households viewed as helping their siblings become „good people‟ were investigated in the second article. The aim of the third article was to explore whether ethnic membership is one of the core constructs in moral identity development of adolescents in Zulu child-headed households, as ethnic identity in the Zulu culture is strongly integrated with a moral identity. The fourth article investigated the figuration of moral identity in the field of these adolescents, by comparing moral variants to various other characteristics of their field. The aspects of the Gestalt field that had been identified as useful for the development of the model revolved around three main themes, namely: associated with the usefulness of the school environment; overlapping Eurocentric and Afrocentric characteristics of identity;, and helper characteristics. Recommendations were made about aspects that could enhance the practical value of policy decisions based on facilitating awareness of various aspects of moral identity development; adjustments in the life orientation curriculum; and expanding the role of support staff in schools. / Thesis (PhD (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Proefschrift Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen. / Auteursnaam op omslag en 2e titelp.: Diana van Dijk. Bibliogr.: p. 261-272.-Met bijl. , Engelse en Nederlandse samenvatting.

M.A. / The adoption of cost-recovery policies by local government in South Africa is an effort to recover costs from the investments made in infrastructure expansion and to ensure efficient delivery of services. This study came about from the need to understand the paradox of continued adoption of cost-recovery policies in a country that faces high poverty and unemployment rates. The focus of this study is to find out what are the social impacts of the water cost-recovery policy on the livelihood of female-headed households. The first chapter is the background to the study. The main concepts of cost-recovery, female-headed households and livelihoods are defined. In addition, the demographic, social and economic description of Ward 77 in City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality which is the focus of this study is provided. The second chapter is a review of literature behind the rationale of cost-recovery and its implication in South Africa. In addition, the livelihoods framework is explored. The third chapter addresses the methodological approach used to undertake this study. Qualitative methods were used, in the form of in-depth interviews with stakeholders, documentary reviews as well as a focus group and interviews with female-headed households. The fourth chapter is the discussion of findings arising from the consolidation of data. We find out about the livelihoods of the households before and after the implementation of cost-recovery and the effects this has had on the household. The final chapter is an analysis of these findings along the themes of the study namely the social impact of water cost-recovery on the wellbeing of the household, the impact on household financial security, the impact on social networks and the impact on educational spending. The study concludes by pointing out that, although there has been advancement in infrastructure development and service provided, the poor in urban townships continue to be negatively impacted by cost-recovery policies. Policy makers should consult communities in formulating approaches that tackle the issues of rights and affordability of basic services such as water. With the country’s high poverty and unemployment levels, cost-recovery would only be effective if the incomes of households are increased. Thus policy makers must take into account the socio-economic situation of a population to ensure the inclusion of all in the formulation of policies.

Much has been written in the media about the plight of children in child-headed households. However, little is known about the psychological experiences of children carrying responsibility for households as a result of parental death due to HIV/AIDS. Most of the research that has been done has utilised quantitative approaches to investigate the social and economic challenges confronted by children affected by HIV/AIDS. The aim of the present study was to explore, using a qualitative approach, the challenges, psychological experiences and perceptions of children carrying responsibility for child-headed households as a result of parental death due to HIV/AIDS. A total of fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with children carrying responsibility for households in Gauteng and Kwa Zulu Natal provinces of South Africa. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used to guide the data analysis process (Smith&Osborn, 2003). The findings from the study highlight the devastating consequences of living and coping with parental illness, bereavement as well as carrying the responsibility for a household. Illness and bereavement-related themes that emerged from the study include reversal of roles, living with parental illness, denial and fear of the impending reality, grief and sense of loss, and the apportioning of blame. The dominant post-bereavement experiences were: lost childhood and self; sense of obligation to family, abandonment and neglect; concern over basic survival needs, grappling with conflicting demands, and feelings of helplessness, vulnerability and uncertainty. Significantly, the study found that experiences in the community as well as personal dispositional factors both mediated and aggravated psychological adjustment. Although the children interviewed in this study are faced with very difficult challenges they, nevertheless, appear to be quite resilient. The study highlights the importance of providing care and support to these children before, during and after the death of a parent or parents. Implications and limitations of the study are also critically discussed. / Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / MA / unrestricted

This is a scientific exploration of the manner in which HIV/AIDS impacts upon the adolescents that are orphaned by AIDS and obliged to live in a child-headed household. What is apparent is that empirical research based on the socio-educational conditions of orphans in child-headed households is a neglected field of study since there is mainly anecdotal evidence of the phenomenon. The central issues of the study are the socio-educational impact of the pandemic upon such children. This study aims to explore, describe and interpret the phenomenon of HIV/AIDS within the context of the participants’ (adolescents in child-headed households) perspectives of their life-world. Apart from endeavouring to gain an insight into the way in which the social and educational aspects of the adolescents’ lives are affected the study attempts to create an awareness that will assist NGOs and the Departments of Education and Welfare in their effort to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS. The research abides by a qualitative methodology and an interpretive approach since the children are to be studied in their natural setting of their homes. The researcher employed a face-to-face technique in the form of interviews and observations of the adolescents in their natural environments as well as the Sack’s Sentence Completion Technique to accumulate data for the investigation. The social epidemiology theory served as a theoretical framework for this study. Findings of the study have revealed that HIV/AIDS has a definite negative impact on the social and educational lives of orphans in child-headed households. The study has further revealed that poverty, the lack of support and social discrimination experienced by the orphan in child-headed households, impact negatively on their social lives and education. Further, this research has exposed that orphans in child-headed households are vulnerable since they carry the burden of stigma and discrimination. These unfortunate children are forced to abandon their schooling because of financial constraints, and in many cases take care of ailing parents and assume adult responsibilities in their homes. Also, the South African Educational system has not adapted in keeping with current trends and needs to create more flexible learning opportunities that cater for children who will otherwise have to abandon their studies. / Dissertation (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

The purpose of this study is to explore the processes of family resilience within a grandmother-headed household, caring for orphaned grandchildren, in a low socio-economic South African community. To do so, the researcher posed questions relating to the existing family processes, resources and how those are utilised to grow from adverse situations. A qualitative methodological design was followed to allow the accounts of the sample to emerge. A single grandmother-headed household was chosen to take part in a focus group. The transcriptions from the focus group was analysed using an in-depth inductive thematic analyses in order to induce themes that emerged from their experiences. These themes were then analysed in relation to the current literature on family resilience in grandmother-headed households. This study forms part of a larger longitudinal project headed by Dr R. Mampane, namely: Building resilience in families: The role of care workers in mitigating family risk factors. The themes that emerged as a result of the inductive thematic analysis were: spirituality; family resilience processes (communication, problem solving, roles and role reversal, emotional attachment, involvement, managing behaviour, and knowledge and respect of the individual); resources (inter-familial resources and external resources); the family’s perceptions (definition of the family and definition of adversity); and finally adversities (males, physical impairments, and inter- and intra-familial conflict, amongst others less pronounced). These findings answered questions regarding the process and support structures utilised by a grandmother-headed household to overcome and grow from their adversities. A conceptual model for family resilience was suggested. A better understanding of how a grandmother-headed household engages in resilient processes could assist various professionals and community healthcare workers identify processes of strength and the lack thereof in grandmotherheaded household who look after their orphaned grandchildren. / Mini-dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the resilience processes employed by families from a low socio-economic background living in a predominantly black township (Mamelodi). The study further aimed to assess how the participants’ experiences have shaped their perceptions of their society. Walsh’s family resilience framework (2003) served as a conceptual framework for the study. Two grandparent-headed households were selected from an ongoing study at a nongovernmental organisation and drop-in centre in Mamelodi. A qualitative methodology was suitable for this study, because it aims to understand how the participants derive meaning from the social and cultural contexts within which they live. The two focus group discussions were conducted in isiZulu, with a translator present during the grandmothers’ focus group discussion, because one of the grandmothers spoke Xitsonga. The sessions were audio-recorded and later transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis in order to deduce themes that emerged from the participants’ experiences. Based on the results, a better understanding of how families from low socio-economic backbackgrounds develop their resilience was established through the themes that emerged, which were as follows: belief system, flexibility of roles and connectedness, unsupportive environment, and self-empowerment. The results were related to existing literature and Walsh’s family resilience framework. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Educational Psychology / MEd