Midwifery is the backbone of women and child healthcare. The shortage of staff in maternity units is a crisis faced by many countries worldwide, including South Africa. This study aims to investigate and explore the perceptions of midwives on the shortage and retention of staff in a public institution. An explorative, descriptive generic qualitative design method was followed. Non-probability, purposive sampling technique was used. The study was conducted at one tertiary hospital in the district of Tshwane, Gauteng Province. A total of 11 midwives were interviewed. Thematic coding analysis was followed in analysing data. Midwives are passionate about their job, despite the hurdles related to their day-to-day work environment. They are demoralised by a chronic shortage of staff, and feel overworked. Staff involvement in decision-making processes is a motivational factor for midwives to stay in the profession. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Democracy in South Africa, among others, has brought a significant number of changes in the education system, including the concept of school management team in schools (SMT). In line with this, the objective of this study was to find out how SMTs experience teamwork in schools; and was conducted in the purposefully sampled six secondary schools in the Tshwane North District. This study was framed within the interpretive approach, and sought to unpack the experience of SMT members with regard to teamwork. An interpretive paradigm made it possible for me to gain an in-depth understanding of SMT member‟s experience of teamwork within their school contexts. I used interviews and questionnaires as research tools to gather data. This study has found that, although the concept of teamwork is well-received, there are significant obstacles to the implementation of teamwork as an alternative form of management. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The earlier optimism generated by the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs in human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) patients has been dissipated in the face of the enormous chal-lenge of maintaining a nearly perfect adherence indefinitely. This study set to determine the influence of HIV adherence self-efficacy and beliefs about medicines on antiretrovi-ral therapy adherence, with the aim of developing a framework for enhancing antiretrovi-ral therapy (ART) adherence through focused intervention on modifiable factors from study variables that are strongly associated with ART adherence. A descriptive correlational design was used to assess the predictive relationships of HIV adherence Self-Efficacy, Beliefs about Medicines and ART adherence among 232 HIV-infected patients in a large public health facility in Pretoria. Participants' medication be-liefs were assessed using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, HIV adherence self-efficacy was assessed with HIV adherence self-efficacy scale (HIV-ASES) and ART adherence was assessed using the AIDS Clinical Trial Group questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess bivariate associations among the variables, and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships among the inde-pendent variables and ART adherence. Mean adherence for the 232 participants was 95% (SD=13.2). Correlation analysis re-vealed positive bivariate associations between perceived general harm and overuse of medications, and ART adherence (p<0.05); between specific necessity and concerns about ARVs, and perceived general harm and overuse of medications (p<0.05); be-tween HIV adherence self efficacy and ART non-adherence (p<0.05). Multiple regres-sion analysis showed significance for perceived general harm and overuse of medica-tions on ART adherence (F(1;231)=11,583;p<0,001) with perceived general harmful ef-fects and overuse of medications explaining 4.8% of the variance. There was signifi-cance for HIV adherence self-efficacy on ART non-adherence (F(1;41)=4.440; p<0.041), with HIV-ASES explaining 9,8% of the variance. Based on the results, a framework for enhancing ART adherence was developed. Activities in the framework consist of baseline screening for adherence facilitators and barriers using the beliefs about medicine questionnaire and HIV ASES, this is followed by focused interventions on identified barriers of ART adherence / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The research on xenophobia in South Africa is underpinned by the relationship described by Frantz Fanon between violence and oppression present within the structures of domination. This research addresses the colonial structures that manifested themselves within the oppressive modes in societies. It employs a Fanon analysis of the xenophobic violence of May 2008 and serves to provide an understanding of the experiences of a particular condition and of how a broader invisible context plays an important role in what society sees and assimilates. The question can be asked: Is it safe to say that the xenophobic attacks were racist, or was it mere bigotry? An analysis based on the writings of Franz Fanon coupled with a psychological account of the participants, affirms that the xenophobic attacks revealed that the previously colonised or oppressed black people in South Africa reacted with regard to the assimilation of the master and its slave narrative and dialect. Theories of oppression and slavery posit that patterns of colonialism reoccur and manifest themselves both internally and externally within society. A serious debate is necessary to question whether the incidents came at a time that South Africa should have reflected on society’s interaction with foreign immigrants. / Political Sciences / M.A. (Politics)

This study is an investigation into the effective utilisation of Mmaskitlane, a psychotherapeutic African indigenous narrative play technique. The investigation was carried out with six primary school learners in the Tshwane North District of Education in Gauteng Province. The learners were referred for emotional problems and the play was used to enhance emotional healing. The technique was used in both its forms, namely, one which involves learners hitting one stone with another as they narrate their stories, and the other where learners draw symbols representing the characters in their stories. In order to render culturally appropriate services, therapy was carried out in the clients’ mother tongue which was mainly seTswana. The investigation adopted a constructivist interpretivist paradigm, involving the use of a qualitative research design that made use of multiple case studies. Because the research question explored a relatively new research area and there was the possibility of new literature coming up during the process of the study, case studies allowed for a certain flexibility. Qualitative analysis showed how Mmaskitlane helped participants to express global children’s beliefs, such as blaming themselves for dysfunctions occurring in their families and feeling guilty as a result. Through thematic analysis the clients were able to process and express their negative emotions and as a result catharsis was enhanced. The main focus of the study was on how Mmaskitlane could be best utilised in play therapy to achieve the above-mentioned effects. Ultimately, the findings were twofold, namely, that therapists could either be actively involved as participant players of the game during therapy, or secondly, that those who would rather not play along with the clients could be actively involved as participant observers, engaging only in the question and answer stage of the game. This investigation enabled me to effectively document guidelines for ways in which therapists can use Mmaskitlane effectively in play therapy. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

It has been claimed that since the dawn of democracy, there have been remarkable strides which were made to deal with the inequalities and disparities of the previous years. Former South African Police was reformed into a formidable South African Police Service that recognises the importance of women in the police. However, the SAPS is still one of the male-dominated organisations in this country. The inclusion and the retaining of women within operational policing and in management as well as leadership positions is still not yet successful. This research aimed to explore the causes for underrepresentation of policewomen in operational policing in Tshwane. The aim of this study was attained by gathering information through literature review, interviews and document analysis. In this qualitative study, semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with twenty policewomen from four different identified police stations in Tshwane. Each identified police station was represented by five participants who directly perform operational policing. The findings of this study show that the organisation is still very unbalanced with the scale favouring males in operational policing. It is therefore recommended that SAPS should empower women in operational policing with the appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies through providing opportunities for career development and growth to successfully realise the SAPS’ dream of including and retaining women in operational policing, as well as in management and leadership positions and providing all women in the SAPS with the necessary support. The development and review of a regulatory framework and strategies that promote gender equality are also paramount. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

Early childhood development centres play a major role in supporting the development of children from zero to six years. For sustainability and strengthening ECD Centres funding is provided by government departments, municipalities and the private sector. The City of Tshwane is funding a number of ECD centres in Mamelodi. The CoT has clear guidelines, policies and procedures outlined in the funding strategy. The challenge faced by the CoT is the compliance and accountability of the funded ECD centres. Utilizing the qualitative approach, this study communicates the challenges faced by the eight Mamelodi ECD centres in keeping to the allocated line items outlined by the CoT funding strategy. The study describes the status of compliance of these centres. It further outlines the CoT funding processes, the ECD managers’ understanding, concerns and reasons behind the lack of compliance. Based on the findings, the study makes recommendations for practice, policy and further research studies. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

The purpose of the study is to explore teacher’s classroom practices when teaching electric circuits in a grade 12 classroom. This qualitative interpretive study involves three participants who perceive electric circuits to be a difficult topic to teach in the Tshwane west district, Gauteng Province. The study uses the Classroom Practice Diagnostic framework to present and analyse results. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of the participants. The study reveals that teachers’ classroom practices differ from one participant to the other, despite the same perception that electric circuits is a difficult topic to teach. / Ndivho khulwane ya ngundo/Tsedzusulo iyi ndi u bveledza na u tandavhudza mugudisi kha ngudo dza kilaŝini musi a tshi gudisa sekhethe dza mudagasi kha gireidi ya 12(ya vhufumbili) kilasini. Nyangaredzo ya thaluso ya ngudo I katela vhashelamulenzhe vhararu vhane vha vhona sekhete dza mudagasi dzi tshi konda kha Tshitiriki tsha Tswane Vhubhaduvha; na kha vunda la Gauteng. Ngudo iyi I shuma u ita tsedzuluso u itela u netshedza na u ita tsedzuluso yo dzhenelelaho ya mvelelo. Madzina o dzumbamiswaho o shumisa u nwala muvhigo u tsereledza vhashelamuledhe vha ngudo iyi. Tsedzuluso yo dzumbulula uri zwine vhagudisi vha ita kilasini zwi fhambana u bva kha munwe mudededzi uya kha munwe; nga nnda ha ndavhelelo ya uri ngudo ya sekethe ya mudagasi I a konda u funza. / Maikaelelo a serutwa se ke go katisa morutabana gore a nne le bokgone jwa go ruta sekete ya motlakase ka mo phaposing ya gagwe ya materiki. Ka kakaretso tlhaloso ya serutwa se sa sekete ya motlakase se akaretsa batsaya karolo ba ba raro ba ba reng serutwa se se thata, mme ba tswa kwa Tshwane West le kwa Porofenseng ya Gauteng. Serutwa se se dirisiwa go dira dipatlisiso le go neela dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng tsa dipholo tsa batsaya karolo. Mo dipatlisisong tse go dirisitswe maina a a bofitlha go sireletsa batsaya karolo ba patlisiso e. Serutwa se kgotsa patliso e,e re lemosa gore se barutabana ba se dirang mo phaposing se a farologana go tswa go morutabana mongwe le mongwe, ka ntlha ya gore serutwa sa sekete ya motlase se thata. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Specialisation in Natural Science Education)

In this investigation an attempt was made to determine the misconceptions that engineering students have of the idea of a limit. A comprehensive literature study showed that there are a number of common misconceptions that students normally form. The empirical investigation was done in two phases. A questionnaire on the idea of a limit was given to the students during the first phase. During the second phase six interviews were conducted. The findings were grouped according to the nature of a limit and students' views on the relationship between the continuity of a function at a point and the limit at that point. An analysis of these findings led to the identification of the misconceptions that these students have of the idea of a limit. / In hierdie ondersoek is gepoog om die wanbegrippe wat ingenieursstudente van die limietbegrip vorm, bloot te stel. 'n Omvattende literatuurstudie het 'n aantal algemene wanbegrippe aan die lig gebring. Die empiriese ondersoek het in twee fases plaasgevind. Tydens die eerste fase is 'n vraelys aan die studente gegee in 'n poging om meer te wete te kom van hulle begrip van 'n limiet. Die vraelys is opgevolg deur ses onderhoude. Die responsies is gegroepeer in terme van die aard van 'n limiet en studente se sienings van die kontinuiteit van 'n funksie by 'n punt en die limiet by daardie punt. Die analisering van hierdie responsies het die identifisering van 'n aantal wanbegrippe by hierdie groep studente moontlik gemaak. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (with specialisation in Mathematics Education)

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Having tools and resources that would enhance the performance of the learners would be of huge assistance to learners and their institutions. The increasing use of internet and technology has enhanced and transformed the conventional library resources into electronic resources. Utilizing electronic library resources helps learners to acquire information anytime and anywhere. Institutions that support the use of e-resources save significant amounts of money because the printing of materials are reduced. As a result, the use of e-resources by learners enhances their learning and their performance gets improved. The major objective of this study was to conceptualize a framework that will assist in successful electronic resources utilization. This was encouraged by the fact that the determinants of effective utilization of electronic resources are still not clearly expressed.