Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / MPM

Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

MPH / Department of Public Health

Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / MPM

See the attached abstract below

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science / See the attached abstract below

MAAS / Department of African Studies / The aim of the study was to rethink the role of mahundwane as an educational game for Vhavenda speaking youth. Since time-immemorial, mahundwane has been an integral part in empowering the Vhavenda youth for marriage, sexuality education, moral behaviour and other African values. It has been noted that with the advent of modernisation and lack of documentation, mahundwane has been abandoned by the majority of Vhavenda youth resulting in many social-ills like teenage pregnancy and others. The overall objectives were to explore the nature and the process of mahundwane as an educational game for Vhavenda youth, to identify the teaching acquired during mahundwane game and to examine the educational value of mahundwane in Vhavenda youth. The study was founded on the socio-cultural theory and modernisation theory to attain its findings. This study utilised the qualitative research design. Data collection methods included face-to-face semi-structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. The study participants were selected using purposive and snow-balling sampling. To effectively document the nature, processes and the role of mahundwane in educating the youth, community elders and other knowledge holders were engaged. This study was of importance in reviving some indigenous games that are almost extinct. The study recommends an introduction and intensive expansion of social media technologies, inclusion of the indigenous games into the education curriculum and introducing copyright and intellectual property rights to effectively address the extinction of indigenous games and practices. / NRF

MSc (Zoology) / Department of Zoology / See the attached abstract below

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / See the attached abstract below

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / Recidivism refers to re-offending behaviour, and recidivists are usually individuals who were arrested repeatedly for the same or different offences. The aim of this study was to explore the psychological effects of recidivism amongst male youth in Musina. This study employed the qualitative research approach because it required elaborated information which this paradigm promotes. This research adopted an exploratory design. The participants were selected through the use of purposive and snowball sampling. Data was gathered using semi-structured face to face interviews. The researcher used a voice recorder and a note pad to record the collected data. The findings of this study indicated that peer pressure, lack of education and unemployment, substance abuse, poverty, child neglect, parenting and supervision were the most common factors contributing to recidivism. The results of this study indicated that recidivists often commit petty crimes. The participants stated that these crimes included pick-pocketing, mugging, shoplifting and house breaking. Serious crimes were not common amongst the recidivists because only few of them committed serious crimes. The participants also reported that recidivism has negative impacts on their own personal lives, their families as well as on their education.