A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA Masters in Community-Based Counselling Psychology (Psychology) in the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 15/03/2017. / This research examines the interaction between beggars and motorists at traffic light intersections in Johannesburg CBD. Drawing on approximately 80hrs of video recorded interactions, the research primarily demonstrates the ways in which beggars and motorists produce embodied actions in the management of their asymmetrical socioeconomic positions, and more so the inequalities consequent of which. The phenomenon in question takes place in everyday settings constituted by mundane practices and embodied actions. As such, an ethnomethodologically oriented means towards gathering data served best suited to this research. A qualitative Conversation Analysis approach serves an apt technique for analysing the kind of fine-grained focus of the interactional phenomena observed (both verbal and non-verbal). The analysis has been rooted in the analytic framework of the greeting, request and offer adjacency pair types The progression of the analysis, as it unfolds, lends an eye to a particular sequence organization that appears to have crystalized, and further been reproduced in all of the beggar-motorist cases that have been examined here. The discussion turns towards unpacking some of the socio-structural implications of the embodied practices highlighted in the interaction of interest; particularly converging some of the ideas presented regarding the way in which the beggar-motorist interactional practices contribute to and maintain what can be seen as an institutionalized form of inequality. / XL2018

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

This cross-sectional study looks at the health profiles of street children both in institutions and on the street between May and November 1989. The former group had a clinical examination, with blood and urine investigations done where possible; the latter group were only interviewed. 159 street children were interviewed of whom 47 were interviewed on the street. 73 children had clinical examinations; 64 of these had blood and urine investigations. The age range was 8 years to 19.8 years. 18.2% were females and 28.3% were black. 59,6% of those interviewed on the street had not been in an institution or shelter for street children. 27, 2% of the total group had been on the street for more 3 years. 3 7, 1 % perceived colds and chest complaints as their main physical health problem. This was confirmed by the fact that 69,2% had a history of respiratory problems. 44,7% said that they would go to a hospital if they injured themselves or were ill; however, 36,5% said they would not use or get any medication for problems such as a headache or a bad cold. 37·, 7% of children used a hospital while they were on street but 59, 7% had not used any facility while on the street. Most street children (72,8%) washed themselves at least occasionally and 61% washed their clothes. 47,2% had suffered trauma significant enough to seek hospital attention. 56% had skin problems (including lice and scabies) while on the street. 15,7% complained of visual problems and 10,7% complained of reduced hearing. Dental problems appeared to be of major concern with 37,7% complaining of either toothache or dental caries (23,3% had obvious caries on examination). 73,4% admitted to solvent abuse, 49,9% had never taken alcohol and 12,7% had never smoked. 43% had tried dagga, 10,8% white pipe (mixture of dagga and "Mandrax" which is smoked) and only 7,6% "Mandrax" alone. 10, 9% of boys and 10, 0% of girls indicated that they had been sexually exploited. Of the 67 examined 32,8% were below 90% of expected height for age, 44,8% were below 80% of expected weight for age and 8,6% had a circumference of head below 95% of standard. There is a 9,4% Hepatitis Bs ag carrier rate. No HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) antibodies were detected in 64 sera tested. On the basis of these results, the following are recommended: 1) Improving accessibility of health care resources. 2) Improving the availability of health care resources. 3)· Initiating contacts with street children by employing field health workers. 4) Drawing up a health care policy for street children institutions and field care workers. 5) Limit venereal disease management to single dose treatment where possible. 6) Further studies need to be undertaken in the following areas: - solvent abuse - utilisation of health care resources utilisation institutions of street children shelters and Further breakdown of habits, physical problems and results of examinations are presented.

PhD / Department of Development Studies

MA (English) / Department of English / In this study, I explore the depiction of homelessness in K. Sello Duiker’s Thirteen Cents (2000) and Phaswane Mpe’s Welcome to Our Hillbrow (2001). Against the background of post-colonial and transcultural theories, I explore the effects of homelessness on select characters depicted in the two novels, particularly how homelessness and its effects impact on the characters’ identity and human dignity, as some of the themes which the two authors deal with. I achieve this through a close analysis of themes, characterisation and style as well as a demonstration of how the metaphor of the plight of the homeless is drawn from the experiences of the homeless characters portrayed in the novels. I establish, through this study, that the two novels depict characters on whose identity and human dignity, colonialism had an adverse impact. I argue that the corroded dignity and identity of the select homeless characters can be restored through the application of the tenets of transcultural theory. I consistently identify the central morals of the two novels under study as highlighting the need for society to address the plight central to the two novels’ major themes of homelessness, poverty, identity and human dignity against the backdrop of postcoloniality and transculturalism.

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)