Poverty has been a challenge for many years and continues to exist in many parts of the world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In many countries, poverty reduction programmes remain the main preoccupation in economic policies. Poverty is not gender neutral, as women tend to be more likely exposed to poverty because of their restricted access to labour and other markets and their general lower level of education than men. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township of Kwakwatsi. The study used the Lived Poverty Index (LPI) as a measurement of poverty to analyse the extent and level of access to basic necessities among inhabitants of Kwakwatsi. The major focus of this study was on comparing the poverty status between female-headed and male-headed households. It was also important to investigate the relationship between poverty status and demographic and socio-economic variables. A literature review of poverty indicates a multidimensional concept, with a need to be untangled from different perspectives. Poverty includes lack of factors such as food, income, sanitation facilities, shelter, health care, safe drinking water, education and information. The empirical portion of the study was based on data from a survey questionnaire with a sample of 225 households selected randomly from Kwakwatsi Township in April 2013. Various quantitative methods, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), descriptive analysis (such as means core, cross tabulation and frequency tables) and regression analysis, were used to identify the level of access to basic necessities and how this access is influenced by identified demographic and socioeconomic variables among both female-headed and male-headed households. The LPI was used to assess people’s ability to secure income, food, fuel for cooking, electricity, clean water for home use and access to medicines and medical treatment. PCA indicated that all six items of basic necessities could be loaded into one component of LPI, indicating that the measure was adequate for the study. Households headed by females seemed to be poorer (53.62%) than those headed by males (45.51%), implying that female-headed households appeared more likely to experience the lack of basic necessities than male-headed households. Access to basic necessities such as medicines or medical treatment, water, electricity and fuel. The relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township for cooking have an effect on the quality of life. Access to medicines and medical treatment remains a lingering challenge for the inhabitants of Kwakwatsi, especially in female-headed households. Regarding the employment status of the participants, the unemployment rate of the head was found to be slightly higher for male heads than female heads, but the total number of employed people within a household was found to be less in households headed by females compare to those headed by males. The average total income in female-headed households was found to be lower than that of male-headed households. To add to this, a high number of female heads work in the informal sector, with low wages and poor working conditions. This was found to be associated with a higher level of illiteracy among female household heads, thus making it difficult for them to compete in the formal labour market. Deprivation levels were seen to decrease with the number of employed persons in female-headed households, while this was the opposite in male-headed households. The number of household members was found to increase with the poverty level in female-headed households, while there was no effect among male-headed households. Married male household heads were found to have less access to basic necessities than unmarried ones, while the relationship was the opposite where female married household heads appeared to have less access to basic necessities than those who are not married. Overall, descriptive analysis revealed that female-headed households tend to be deprived from stable and sustainable access to basic necessities. The results of the regression analysis showed that the number of household members who are employed, household head’s income and other income of the household are significant predictors of poverty in Kwakwatsi. The study recommends that the gender gap in income can be alleviated by empowering women labourers through collective action and increase of vocational education and training for better skills. There is a need for using public works programmes efficiently in order to address the problem of low income in the area. Furthermore, the importance of the informal sectors of the economy, especially in low income areas, should be acknowledged because it seems to be an important source of income for the residents of Kwakwatsi. Finally, there is a need to improve primary health care provision for the township of Kwakwatsi. The relationship between gender and poverty in a South African township / MCom (Economics), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

The black middle–class market segment also known as the black diamond market segment has shown immense growth in SA. It currently consists of approximately 3 million black middle–class South Africans with a buying power of approximately R200 billion. Despite the immense size and spending power of black diamonds, combined with its rapid growth over the past 15 years and expected future growth, little research has been conducted on this market segment. The rapid market growth of the black diamond market segment has lead to an immense rise in the demand for middle–income houses. This has caused a shortage of middleincome houses, and government and real estate developers have been unable to supply housing in this bracket to meet this ever increasing demand. The study examines this missing middle between supply and demand for the black diamond market in Tlokwe municipal region in order to provide the Tlokwe Municipality, real estate developers, construction companies, town planners, real estate agencies and the Tlokwe Department of Housing with sufficient information to address this challenge in Tlokwe municipal region. The study was conducted by way of a literature review and empirical study. For the empirical study, the information was obtained through two questionnaires. One questionnaire was compiled for black diamond respondents and one for real estate developers and estate agents in the Tlokwe municipal region. The study found that there is a gap between the supply side and demand side of middleincome housing (houses within the R50 000 to R550 000 price range) in the Tlokwe municipal region, and that there is a high demand for such houses. It was also found that there is a tendency for black diamonds to relocate from the townships to the suburbs. The major reasons for this movement were identified as family and the lack of availability of middle–income houses in the townships. It was also found that the black diamond respondents have a tendency to spend their money on bad debt (debt on expenses) instead of good debt (debt on assets), and are inclined to save rather than spend. Furthermore, as evident from the number of respondents with clothing accounts and cellphone contracts, it was confirmed that black diamonds are status driven, as suggested in the literature. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The black middle–class market segment also known as the black diamond market segment has shown immense growth in SA. It currently consists of approximately 3 million black middle–class South Africans with a buying power of approximately R200 billion. Despite the immense size and spending power of black diamonds, combined with its rapid growth over the past 15 years and expected future growth, little research has been conducted on this market segment. The rapid market growth of the black diamond market segment has lead to an immense rise in the demand for middle–income houses. This has caused a shortage of middleincome houses, and government and real estate developers have been unable to supply housing in this bracket to meet this ever increasing demand. The study examines this missing middle between supply and demand for the black diamond market in Tlokwe municipal region in order to provide the Tlokwe Municipality, real estate developers, construction companies, town planners, real estate agencies and the Tlokwe Department of Housing with sufficient information to address this challenge in Tlokwe municipal region. The study was conducted by way of a literature review and empirical study. For the empirical study, the information was obtained through two questionnaires. One questionnaire was compiled for black diamond respondents and one for real estate developers and estate agents in the Tlokwe municipal region. The study found that there is a gap between the supply side and demand side of middleincome housing (houses within the R50 000 to R550 000 price range) in the Tlokwe municipal region, and that there is a high demand for such houses. It was also found that there is a tendency for black diamonds to relocate from the townships to the suburbs. The major reasons for this movement were identified as family and the lack of availability of middle–income houses in the townships. It was also found that the black diamond respondents have a tendency to spend their money on bad debt (debt on expenses) instead of good debt (debt on assets), and are inclined to save rather than spend. Furthermore, as evident from the number of respondents with clothing accounts and cellphone contracts, it was confirmed that black diamonds are status driven, as suggested in the literature. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Michigan, 1977. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-147).

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This is a study of the discourses of empowerment and disempowerment that emerge from the critical discourse analysis (CDA) of life-histories written by two classes of Grade 11 high school learners in a township school in Cape Town, South Africa. The line of argument presented by this thesis is that there are political, socio-economic, familial and institutional factors and the discourses that construct them which affect learners’ resilience. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: It is gradually being recognized that understanding individual-level socioeconomic and environmental predictors of food purchasing and thus healthy eating, is imperative in order to develop appropriate nutrition and health interventions. Understanding the complex world of food choice requires a meticulous examination of stimuli and deterrents of food choice all of which should be viewed comprehensively to include micro-level compositional socioeconomic aspects of individuals as well as macro-level contextual influences of food cost, availability and accessibility. Aim: This study sought to uncover some of the widely known environmental (contextual) and compositional (individual-level) socioeconomic factors that influence Health Club Members’ (HCMs) ability to access and afford healthy foods within the community where they live. Study design: The research employed both descriptive quantitative and qualitative study designs. [VI] Study population and sample: The target population which was also the sample comprised 50 Health Club Members who were residing in Harare and the surrounding area within Khayelitsha at the time of the study. Data collection and analysis: Data was collected by means of face to face quantitative interviews with 46 HCMs using questionnaires, in-depth interviews with 10 HCMs, Key informant interviews with 2 Community Health Workers, as well as observations of the community food environment. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and MS Excel 2007 for Windows. Qualitative analysis was executed using framework and content analysis techniques. Results and conclusion: The study established that low socioeconomic status, poor access to healthy food choices, and lack of constant availability of such foods were primary challenges facing some of the HCMs in their quest to afford and access healthy food. In order to promote access to and availability of affordable healthy foods in the study setting, there may be a need for addressing not only individual socioeconomic challenges but also more upstream environmental drivers of food purchasing. / Background: It is gradually being recognized that understanding individual-level socioeconomic and environmental predictors of food purchasing and thus healthy eating, is imperative in order to develop appropriate nutrition and health interventions. Understanding the complex world of food choice requires a meticulous examination of stimuli and deterrents of food choice all of which should be viewed comprehensively to include micro-level compositional socioeconomic aspects of individuals as well as macro-level contextual influences of food cost, availability and accessibility.Aim: This study sought to uncover some of the widely known environmental (contextual) and compositional (individual-level) socioeconomic factors that influence Health Club Members’(HCMs) ability to access and afford healthy foods within the community where they live.Study design: The research employed both descriptive quantitative and qualitative study designs.[VI]Study population and sample: The target population which was also the sample comprised 50 Health Club Members who were residing in Harare and the surrounding area within Khayelitsha at the time of the study.Data collection and analysis: Data was collected by means of face to face quantitative interviews with 46 HCMs using questionnaires, in-depth interviews with 10 HCMs, Key informant interviews with 2 Community Health Workers, as well as observations of the community food environment. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and MS Excel 2007 for Windows. Qualitative analysis was executed using framework and content analysis techniques.Results and conclusion: The study established that low socioeconomic status, poor access to healthy food choices, and lack of constant availability of such foods were primary challenges facing some of the HCMs in their quest to afford and access healthy food. In order to promote access to and availability of affordable healthy foods in the study setting, there may be a need for addressing not only individual socioeconomic challenges but also more upstream environmental drivers of food purchasing.

Magister Artium - MA / This study focuses on young people and how they etch a sense of belonging in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, in multicultural, post-apartheid South Africa. The study mainly focuses on a group of performers known as Black Ink Arts Movement (Black Ink), who are based in Du Noon township, near Cape Town, South Africa. The study looks at how young people who are involved in community performance projects; it also engages with their varied audiences. Lastly, the thesis shows the performers’ day to day lives when they are not on stage to see what it means to be young and black in Du Noon as a member of Black Ink

This study aims at exploring the motivation that drives tourists to townships. The theories that were chosen as the theoretical base of this study were the push and pull theory, the Travel Career Ladder, authenticity and the tourist gaze. Three research questions were asked around the theory base and a survey was done of 100 tourists in selected locations within Soweto. Results obtained from the respondents allowed for statistical analysis. The results indicated that the township tourists were intrinsically motivated and were driven by affiliation needs. Furthermore, the tourists that initially visited Soweto were motivated by authenticity; however, as the amount of tourism in the area grew, the tourist gaze became the more dominant form of motivation. The implications of the study findings are discussed. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Prior to the 1994 democratic elections, urban tourism in South Africa was strictly confined to so-called ‘white’ areas. Black townships, prevented from constituting an integral part of ‘white’ cities, were developed as dormitory towns, far removed from central business districts and white urban areas. Today post-apartheid Soweto, a conurbation of two million inhabitants with a rich political history, has come to symbolise the political freedom of the new South Africa. Since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994 township tourism has been growing rapidly, with international tourists eager to see how the country has progressed. Motivated by an interest in the ethnic diversity and rich cultural heritage manifested in the daily lives and practices of township residents, tourists are visiting Soweto in increasing numbers. Because cultural tourists are motivated by local cultures in choosing to visit a particular attraction, they have been identified as both a blessing and blight, as communities living in townships are affected both positively and negatively by township tourism. The socio-cultural impacts of township tourism in South Africa, however, are not well documented. The purpose of the research undertaken was therefore to investigate the socio-cultural impacts of township tourism, as perceived by the host population, using Soweto as a case study. The purpose of this thesis is thus to present the findings of research conducted using a multiple-item Likert scale, in-depth interviews and participant observation as means for investigating host perceptions of socio-cultural impacts of township tourism in Soweto. This study reveals that respondents were divided in their perceptions of the impacts of tourism on the host community. Those who received economic or employment benefits from tourism generally viewed its socio-cultural impacts positively. Conversely, others who did not receive these benefits claimed that the inequitable distribution of benefits from tourism has led to community friction, growing antipathy towards tourists and commodification of traditional culture. Blame is laid partially at the door of government who, it is claimed, has neither afforded residents the opportunity for participation in decision-making relating to tourism planning and development in the township, nor offered the requisite funding or skills development support. A systematic analysis of tourism impacts can therefore help government planners, local decision-makers, tourism promoters and managers identify real concerns and issues in order for appropriate policies and action to be introduced. The challenge of managing sustainable township tourism in South Africa, using a community approach, is discussed. Results from the study have the potential to provide the foundation on which to formulate principles or guidelines and recommend approaches to be applied in the development and management of sustainable township tourism in South Africa, so as to create the basis necessary for good practice for any community cultural tourism project. Copyright / Thesis (PhD (Tourism Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Tourism Management / unrestricted

A qualitative and quantitative study was undertaken to understand the support for learning provided by African parents in the education of their children. In this study we investigated the extent, level, form and content of the support of parents in the learning of their children during the Foundation Phase with special reference to a Tsonga community. Parents’ support is regarded as an essential factor in children’s learning, but more information is needed about the practices of such support for African children in the Foundation Phase. There are some parents (educated or not) who do not provide effective support. In some instances, parents do not stay with their children because of migratory labour practices and siblings have to carry the responsibility. Some of the parents leave early for work and return home late while children are asleep, which makes it difficult for them to provide optimal support. It was found in this research that the amount and nature of literacy materials did not differ much between the working families and those who were not working. It was again found during the work sessions with both the literate and illiterate parents that there was extremely little variation in support methods in as far as numeracy and language were concerned. / Thesis (PhD (Orthopedagogics))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted