Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2001. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 300-323).

M.A. / Emergence of informal settlements on vacant lands in urban areas results from intuition and political decisions, and sometimes cultural background. So any available vacant land is used for settlement development and dwelling sites. An informal settlement named after Elias Motsoaledi, a political activist of the African National Congress (ANC), was developed in the south-western part of the city of Johannesburg in 1993. Motsoaledi informal settlement was established on a vacant piece of land where there are overhead power lines. Motsoaledi community members that have their dwellings in close proximity and even underneath overhead power lines are exposed to an environment that is surrounded by electrical magnetic fields (EMFs). There are no reported cases of biological and health consequences that have been caused by EMFs as yet. This study aims to focus on the health aspect of persons who have their dwelling in the vicinity of the overhead power lines in Motsoaledi. The high levels of EMFs around Motsoaledi is further excelerated by the zinc structures that are conductive to electricity and may result in electrocution for dwellers that are in the direct vicinity of overhead power lines. Longer exposure to athermal conditions may result in bio-effects and lead to changes in human health. Furthermore, effects from EMFs are possible electrocution, often causing immediate death of persons and destruction of property. Due to the lack of proper planning of informal settlements, such settlements become vulnerable to potential environmental hazards such as the destruction of structures. This study hopes to identify the plight of a particular informal settlement, namely, Motsoaledi as an isolated case to reflect dire conditions of most of the informal settlements around the country.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology At the University of Zululand, 1994. / The aims of this investigation were: to describe the life-world of the child in a squatter environment as it reveals itself in his relations to himself, to others, to things/ideas and to God; and in the light of the findings obtained from, the literature study and interviews, to establish certain guidelines according to which accountable support can be instituted in order to meet the needs of the children in a squatter environment. As an introduction a literature study is given which describes the conditions that prevail in squatter areas. From a psychopedagogical perspective the squatter child finds himself in a situation of dysfunctional education mainly because he goes through life without the help and guidance of a responsible parent or adult. This results in the psychic life of the squatter child being under-actualised. The lack of responsible adult intervention and guidance, which is based on the pedagogical principles of love, trust and authority, results in the squatter child forming relationships within his life¬world which are inadequate for his emancipation. The squatter child thus fails to constitute a meaningful life-world. At present only a few social workers and voluntary organizations, such as Child and Family Care, reach out to these squatter children in an attempt to rehabilitate the families and supervise the children. The fact that the squatter child is a "child" that should be assisted by parents and the school in his process of becoming is at present often overlooked by the voluntary organizations that render support. Most of the support structures that came into existence to provide some measure of support are existing illegally under present statutory provisions. They lack the services of suitably qualified personnel and are often haphazardly organized. Furthermore they cannot cope effectively with the present situation and there is a duplication of certain services in the provision of support. In the light of the findings of this research the following was recommended: — compulsory education should be initiated for all children between the ages of six and thirteen; — compensatory education should be introduced in both formal and non-formal education, while informal or home education could be enriched in order to prepare children for the demands of formal or school education; school social workers should be trained and placed at schools to assist and identify pedagogically neglected children; remedial teaching training programmes for all teachers should receive more attention during training; parent guidance and involvement programmes should be instituted at all schools. welfare services should be co-ordinated to prevent duplication; and further in-depth research regarding squatter children.

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Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987.

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D.Litt. et Phil. / The purpose of the study is to analyse the development of informal settlements in South Africa, with particular reference to the role of the Government in the improvement of informal settlement conditions around Daveyton, especially at the Etwatwa informal settlement. Research has shown that there is common experience in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America in as far as the development of squatter settlements or informal settlements are concerned. This strongly reflects on the South African experience. The common feature and experience is that informal settlements are the result of urbanization, which is a world-wide phenomenon. Research in countries has shown that migration to cities is based on people's expectation of a better quality of life in urban areas. The expectations lead people to migrate even when they know that they will be unemployed and would have to live in squatter areas for some time. The decision to migrate is based among other reasons on rational economic grounds. It depended on migration cost, the perceptions and prospects of finding a job, and wage differentials between urban and rural areas. Urban incomes were practically always higher than rural ones and migrants to cities generally seemed to do relatively well in acquiring jobs and improving their standard of living. Most of these activities are performed in informal settlements. Like in all developing countries, South Africa is no exception when it comes to the origin and development of squatter or informal settlements. The most common reasons are that people in their quest for a better life in urban areas end up living in informal settlements because they cannot find suitable accommodation. The rapid population growth in developing countries, for example in countries such as South Africa, has resulted in huge housing backlogs. This led to the mushrooming of informal settlements around cities, towns and townships, of people waiting for adequate housing for their families. In Daveyton specifically, the housing backlog in the late 1970s resulted in the emergence of backyard shacks, erected by people who were either residents of Daveyton, because of natural increase of the population, or people from neighbouring townships or rural areas. The study of Daveyton has showed that because of forceful invasion of land by people who did not have accommodation, Daveyton experienced a mushrooming of informal settlements from 1987. In 1987 the Daveyton City Council accepted in principle that squatting was a legitimate means for homeless people to provide shelter for their families and therefore established a site-and-service scheme at Etwatwa, a new section of the township, to accommodate the homeless and lower income families. For service provision the local government divided Etwatwa into two sections, Etwatwa West and Etwatwa East. Every household at Etwatwa West was provided with water and sewerage services, but at Etwatwa East only rudimentary services were provided. With the passage of time the local government tried to integrate the inhabitants of Etwatwa into an urban environment, through the provision of essential service such as water, roads, electricity and sewerage, and amenities such as community and social centres, recreational facilities, creches, schools, churches and clinics. The provision of services depend largely on the availability of funds, through rent payments, loans and funds allocated by the Provincial and National Governments.

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No description available.

M.A. / The aim of the study is to implement and evaluate a women empowerment lifeskills programme in the informal settlement in Germiston (Gauteng). South African women live in poverty, deal with violence and due to their status in the past, they have been identified as vulnerable and disempowered target group in social service delivery. The research study is evaluation research often used when evaluating a social programme. The integrated model of programme evaluation (IMPE) of De Vos (1998) is selected and adjusted for the purpose of this study. The research process is initiated with a literature study on the concepts empowerment, participation and other relevant concepts to the study. The research is limited to the Delport informal settlement in Germiston, Gauteng. Data collection took place in the three phases of the research study. Phase one: Needs assessment, utilises key informants and a community forum. Phase two: process evaluation, utilises a semi-structured interview schedule. Phase three: Outcome evaluation, group administered questions are used. The target group of the study is women residing in Delport informal settlement. Results in the study indicated that the SAWEF lifeskills programme is effective in addressing the needs for lifeskills programme of semi-literate in an informal settlement. It is recommended that the SAWEF lifeskills programme should be implemented more extensively and continuously evaluated to determine whether it continues to address the needs of the target group it is intended for, being women. Results and conclusions drawn from this study can not be generalised to the broader population of women in informal settlements. Further research is needed to determine whether SAWEF lifeskills programme used in this study would be effective for women in different levels and in other communities in South Africa. / Prof. J.B.S. Nel