Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study sought to investigate governmental intervention in maintaining the victim empowerment centres of the Bohlabela Municipality in Mpumalanga. The issue is contemporary and as a social worker the author can confirm that this scourge still affects our society today and understanding government interventions is useful in terms of ensuring that they work as effectively as possible to assist citizens in the discharge of their mandate. The study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection was through interviews and a questionnaire which had open-ended questions. This research design had been chosen because it has allowed to give solid descriptions and narratives to come out from the real life experiences of social workers and victims of domestic violence as well as the challenges associated with the implementation of the victim empowerment programme. To that end, a phenomenological paradigm was adopted to achieve that ambition. The findings of the study indicate that there are acute challenges which the three centres face and these include a lack of funding, poor structure and poor marketing. The recommendations provided are intended to contribute to the centres’ viability and provide effective services in the communities in which they operate. To that end, there is a need for the government to deploy more resources such as funds, infrastructure, equipment and permanent staff as well as the establishment of permanent structures at these centres to ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, the study found that there is a need for intensive and extensive publicity and marketing of the Victim Empowerment Programmes and Victim Empowerment Centres to increase their visibility and ultimately accessibility. The study found that the centres should ideally be managed by an administrator with clinical staff, a nurse and a police officer and/or a member from the judiciary and the centres should be attached to either hospitals or police stations working at extended hours.

This study was conducted within the pressing social conditions of human vulnerability manifested in a worsening situation of homelessness which forces homeless people into a deplorable life in the inner city of Tshwane. The study is not a detailed strategic plan to design support services that could improve the situation. It is rather about imagining alternative ways to journey with homeless people in their struggle to regain their humanity; hence the title: Facing homeless people in the inner city of Tshwane. Chapter 2 analyses homelessness in the inner city of Tshwane, locating it within the bigger picture of the City of Tshwane. It takes into account the poverty that drives poor people to the margins, resulting in further human degradation. It exposes the adverse conditions that homeless people endure due to the absence of a social support net. The study obtained its information primarily from conversations with homeless people and with practitioners in church based organisations dedicated to addressing homelessness. Out of these conversations, five different causes of homelessness emerged, ranging from economic and political, to health, social and cultural factors. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes a number of church-based initiatives in the inner city of Tshwane that address the situation of homeless people, analysing their strengths and weaknesses in responding to the causes of homelessness as identified in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 develops an urban theological vision in response to this situation, in the light of the notions of holiness and hospitality in the Wesleyan tradition. Contemplating this teaching, a framework was generated for the journey of the inner city church with homeless people in their efforts to regain humanity, by prioritising economic, political, health, social, and educational strategies. This chapter highlights the fact that John Wesley’s Methodist movement campaigned for the abolition of African slavery. It also journeyed with poor and vulnerable people like widows, orphans and prisoners, using Methodist “Societies” and “Classes” to integrate them into society. Finally, Chapter 5 presents an integrative urban theological vision and a set of contextual strategies for the inner city church to journey with homeless people, following the horizons of human liberation developed in earlier chapters. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology (Specialisation in Urban Ministry))

Homelessness is an increasing social challenge both locally and globally. Social problems associated with street homelessness and services provided to homeless people by social workers are well documented in South Africa. Little is known though concerning the collaborative role of social workers and homeless people in addressing street homelessness. This study explored the role of social workers in promoting social justice through a collaborative purpose amongst the homeless people in addressing street homelessness. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual study was undertaken with 14 homeless participants aged 21 to 63, and eight social work participants aged 25 to 38. This study was informed by an amalgamation of two theories, indicating the collaboration theory and the structural theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, analysed by following Tesch’s eight steps (Creswell, 2009:186). The data was collected and verified, employing the Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The ethical considerations adhered throughout this study are informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, management of information and debriefing. The major findings identified first, poverty and unemployment as major homelessness causes. Second, deprived, or non-existing family support, family or marital breakdown, substance use, migration of individuals from rural or foreign countries to city centres, as major contributing factors towards homelessness. Third, homeless people are more vulnerable to personal harm than the housed population. Fourth, the society and derogatory labels, such as crazy, nyaopes, and criminals are often used to describe these individuals. Finally, homelessness places homeless people at substantial risk of elevated mental health conditions. Implications for social work and recommendations for future research are presented. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

The purpose of the study was to locate the informal hiring sites for day labourers in Tshwane, to determine the approximate number of day labourers, to describe the nature of socio-economic activities taking place at the sites, and to make recommendations to address needs that have been identified. The research approach and methodology was exploratory, descriptive, quantitative and qualitative. In terms of the findings, 80 informal hiring sites were identified in Tshwane with approximately 3032 day labourers standing at the sites. Case studies were done on three sites and it was found that they were hazardous and lacked basic facilities such as shelter and toilets. Employer-employee interactions were also found to be haphazard and sometimes manipulative and exploitative. It is recommended that intervention programmes should be implemented which could include the provision of basic facilities, skills development, job search assistance and access to comprehensive social services. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Science - Mental Health)

The purpose of the study was to locate the informal hiring sites for day labourers in Tshwane, to determine the approximate number of day labourers, to describe the nature of socio-economic activities taking place at the sites, and to make recommendations to address needs that have been identified. The research approach and methodology was exploratory, descriptive, quantitative and qualitative. In terms of the findings, 80 informal hiring sites were identified in Tshwane with approximately 3032 day labourers standing at the sites. Case studies were done on three sites and it was found that they were hazardous and lacked basic facilities such as shelter and toilets. Employer-employee interactions were also found to be haphazard and sometimes manipulative and exploitative. It is recommended that intervention programmes should be implemented which could include the provision of basic facilities, skills development, job search assistance and access to comprehensive social services. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Science - Mental Health)

Social Work / D.Phil.(Social work)

Social Work / D. Phil.(Social work)