Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Education) / Deficit models dominate current research on academic retention and success in South African higher education and internationally. Most studies focus on students who are at risk of exiting higher education prematurely or those who fail academically because of their socio-economic conditions. Dropout and failure in existing research is often correlated to class and lack of access to financial resources. The prevailing philosophy based on needs assessment, deficit intervention and problem-solving does not sufficiently facilitate the academic success of diverse learners. Yet, surveys in most countries show that addressing weakness does not necessarily help people improve in their performance more than will highlighting their strengths (Hodges & Clifton, 2004). In contrast, this study adopts a strength-based approach, drawing largely on ‘ecological’ perspectives which recognize the importance of people’s surroundings and the multifaceted variables constantly at play, impacting the lives of students throughout the world. A strength-based model is posited as a pragmatic approach to pedagogy in the 21st century. This perspective recognizes the resilience of individuals and focuses on potential, strengths, interests, abilities, determination and capabilities rather than limits. This study accepts that there are persistent challenges to widening participation in South African universities, and leakages in the education pipeline continue with little improvement in graduation rates. However, there are numerous undocumented examples of academically successful students from working-class backgrounds whose academic attainment is not accounted for. Empirical data is required to establish the relationship between academic success and the resilience of undergraduate sponsored students from working class backgrounds. The case study examines factors that influence the academic attainment of undergraduate sponsored students and the institutional practices that enhance their performance at the University of the Western Cape. Factors motivating sponsored students from poor communities to succeed were explored. Furthermore, institutional influences that are relevant to, and inform students’ academic attainment are investigated. The study utilized a variety of data including relevant institutional documents, interviews with sponsored students and secondary data sourced from the Institutional Quality Assurance and Planning department. Findings of the study show that affordability through funding for equitable access to higher education is a motivating factor in academic attainment for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Also, participants in this study attributed their success to nurtured resilience across the institution, and the supportive relationships established through structured intervention programmes in and out of class. It is important to note, contrary to findings in other studies, that low socio economic background was more of a motivational factor and being resourceful for social mobility. This study adds to the limited understanding of the academic attainment of students from poor backgrounds who succeed against all odds. This provides direction to universities for adopting different approaches and offers insights for the University of the Western Cape into the experiences of its graduates. Based on the findings, the study highlights recommendations and opportunities for future investigation. / Ngalo-Morrison, L. (2017). Factors influencing the academic attainment of undergraduate sponsored students at the University of the Western Cape: A strength-based approach. PhD thesis. University of the Western Cape

Magister Commercii - MCom / The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which the UN/OSCAL (United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Development Countries) model of microfinance is being applied in the South African context, its scope for application and recommendations for implementation. The hypothesis is that, the better South African microfinance initiatives conform to the model, the more successful it will be in fulfilling the ultimate mission of microfinance which is to supply financial services to the poor by cutting the cost of outreach with beneficial effects on poverty.. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: HIV/AIDS affects the health of millions of people world wide. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS], the number of people living with HIV globally has risen from 26 million in 2001 to 33.2 million in 2007. It is estimated that 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2007. The introduction of anti-retroviral therapy [ART] has brought hope to millions of people living with HIV and AIDS. More recently, the increased availability of treatment in many countries including Namibia has dramatically improved survival rates and lowered the incidence of opportunistic infections among HIV patients. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a fundamental attribute of excellent clinical HIV care and a key aspect in determining the effectiveness of treatment. Strict adherence to ART is vital to maintain low viral load and to prevent the development of drug resistant virus. Poor adherence is one of the key obstacles to successful ART for HIV positive patients. Literature has shown that there are various factors that hinder adherence to ART such as patient, service, community, family, socio-economic and work-related factors. Aim: This study aimed to describe the experiences of patients in the ART programme at Katutura State Hospital, Communicable Disease Clinic (CDC), in the Khomas region of Namibia and to explore factors that contribute to poor adherence. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / Namibia is severely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an estimated HIV prevalence of 17.8%. A comprehensive, public HIV/AIDS treatment and care programme was established in 2003 by the government of Namibia in association with its development partners. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy [ART] has dramatically decreased HIVrelated mortality and morbidity, improved quality of life, revitalized communities and transformed perceptions of HIV/AIDS from a plaque and death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in the Oshana region, is one of the six pilot hospitals where highly antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was initiated. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key factor in ensuring optimal clinical outcomes and is associated with improved survival among HIV and AIDS patients. Sustained high levels of adherence (taking 95% or more of medication as prescribed) are essential for treatment success. Suboptimal adherence to treatment has been associated with virologic, immunologic and clinical failure, and may increase the risk of resistance to first-line ART drugs. Studies conducted in various parts of the country including the Oshakati district, report small proportions of patients defaulting on ART. Defaulting from treatment raises questions about adherence to ART as it can be assumed that poor adherence would precede defaulting from treatment. This study explored factors that influence poor adherence to ART among patients at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: HIV and AIDS is one of the major public health problems facing South Africa today. In 2005, it was estimated that 5.54 million people were living with HIV in South Africa, which means that 18.8% of the population between the ages of 15 – 49 years are infected with HIV. This makes South Africa the developing country worst affected by the HIV pandemic. The severity of the HIV epidemic is closely linked to poverty and other socio-economic factors. The National Department of Health of South Africa launched the National Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS management, treatment, care, and support in 2007 to ensure that ART is freely available in the public health sector. It is estimated that by mid-2008 approximately 568, 000 HIV infected patients were receiving ART at South African hospitals. Suboptimal adherence to ART is pervasive despite specific protocols to prepare patients for long-term adherence prior to treatment initiation. Known barriers to ART adherence have been categorized as patient, socio-economic, service, therapy/regimen and communityrelated factors. Effective delivery of ART services requires an understanding of patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about ART and how these influence their adherence. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy and knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ART among people on ART at Shongwe hospital in Nkomazi region in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 184 patients receiving ART at Shongwe hospital in Mpumalanga. Data was collected through selfiv administration and face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS version 16.0 and for stratification Epi-Info version 3.4.1 was used. Results: All participants were on first line regimens: lamivudine/stavudine/stocrine or efivarenz (65.6%); and lamivudine/stavudine/nevirapine (34%). Self-reported adherence was high - 92.4% and 84.2% of participants reported optimal adherence over the previous two days and seven days, respectively. Disclosure of HIV status and being on ART was high among the respondents (97% and 97.3%) respectively. The most common barriers to missing doses were problems travelling to the clinic (22.3%), forgetting (19.6%), and sleeping away from home (18.5%). There was significant association between participants knowing that “missing doses of ART leads to disease progression”, and ART adherence on two day recall (p=0.00) and seven day recall (p=0.02). There was a significant association between disclosure of HIV status and ART adherence on two day recall (p=0.01). Significantly more participants who disclosed being on ART (98.2%) reported optimal adherence over the previous two days (p = 0.00) and seven days (p = 0.00) compared to those who did not disclose being on ART. Participants who reported forgetfulness were 76% less likely (95% CI: 0.09-0.65) and 92% less likely (95% CI: 0.04 – 0.17) to have optimal adherence over two and seven days, respectively, than participants who did not report forgetfulness to be a barrier. Conclusion: Adherence levels in Nkomazi region are to be comparable with those in other regions in South Africa, despite the fact that participants were facing financial constraints and high unemployment rates. These study findings emphasize the need for strengthening communication between patients and health care providers, and the need for overcoming access barriers related to the services, forgetfulness and sleeping away from home.

Please read the abstract in the section 09summary of this document / Thesis (PhD (Sustainable Ecological Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section, 00front, of this document / Thesis (PhD (Systematic Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

In this research study the researcher attempted to gain an insight on what constitutes sustainability of poverty alleviating projects. Further, the researcher attempted to explore and gain understanding of the role of social worker in promoting sustainability of poverty alleviating projects. Since the literature on sustainability is limited, it is hoped that this study will provide valuable information for further research on the topic. In the limited literature study undertaken however, it was evident that despite the generic service that they provide, social workers have a role to play in community development. It was found that social workers can no longer afford to restrict their service provision to the traditional methods of social work. The egalitarian nature of their profession demands that they occupy the centre stage in poverty alleviation as they are strategically placed between the poor and the decision-makers in government. Eighteen respondents composed of six social workers, six committee members and six community members from six poverty alleviating projects were interviewed. One project from each of the six districts of Tsomo, Nqamakwe, Butterworth, Centane, Idutywa and Willowvale were used in the research study. The fmdings suggested that social workers, committee members and community members have differing opinions on what promotes or impedes sustainability of poverty alleviating projects, All respondents however agreed that participation as well as empowerment through training were basic requirements towards sustainability of poverty alleviating projects. Again the findings agreed with the literature that social workers have an important role to play in promoting sustainability of poverty alleviating projects.

The concept of "the people" has become a key concept within the work of several Latin American theologians, Korean Minjung theologians and South African theologians. When liberation theologians use the concept of "the people" in their literature they do so with a lack of clarity, to the extent that the exact meaning of the term is obscure. In their usage of the concept "the people" liberation theologians come up with differing and at times contradictory meanings, particularly as regards the concrete and symbolic meanings of the concept. This thesis sets out to investigate the use of the concept "the people" by liberation theologians by consulting a selection from Latin American theology, Korean Minjung theology, South African liberation theology and Marxism, to detect its influence on the use of this notion. A general overview of the thesis indicates the following. The first chapter provides a detailed analysis of the concept of "the people" in the work of different liberation theologians. Chapter two considers "the people" in relation to poverty and oppression. The third chapter deals with "the people" as subjects of history. In the fourth chapter "the people" as a concept is developed in relation to belief within the Christian church. The final chapter is an evaluation. The thesis reveals that the following characteristics are central to "the people", they are poor and oppressed but are also inclusive of all those persons who identify and actively support the struggle against poverty and oppression. "The people" are subjects of their own history, finally they are Christian believers.