This dissertation is a study about the faith action called "care" and covers the area of premarital pastoral work and marital pastoral work (marriage enrichment). Much has been written about the issue that marriage pastoral care and counselling is more than just dealing with troubled marriages or marital problems. The fact can't be ignored that pastoral care and counselling when it comes to married life have an important role to play in the sense of prevention and equipping. Premarital pastoral work in the form of marriage preparation and marital pastoral work in die form of marriage enrichment, focus on the prevention and equipping approach. The focus of this dissertation is prevention and equipping. In an effort to achieve this, this study looks at how pastors are doing premarital pastoral work with prospective marital couples, and marriage enrichment with married couples. This is done according to a twofold process. The first step focuses on the content of the programmes that the pastors present to prospective marital couples when they do premarital pastoral work. The second step in the study focuses on the needs of prospective marital couples. In this regard the focus is on the themes for marriage preparation that prospective marriage couples would like to see the pastor address when doing premarital pastoral work with them. Further this research deals with the preferences of prospective couples as to the timing, duration and presentation process with regard to marriage preparation sessions. In this study empirical research was undertaken to determine how pastors of the Apostolic Faith Mission in the Western Cape are doing premarital pastoral work and marriage enrichment, and how this is related to the needs of prospective marriage couples. The research problem was to determine whether pastors are addressing the needs of prospective couples when they are doing premarital pastoral work. The purpose of this study is to provide some guidelines which pastors can utilize when they are doing premarital pastoral work and marriage enrichment. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

The study sought to analyse the referrals received by a psychiatric unit in a general hospital in the Western Cape by studying the referral letters and the referral responses. The study sought to determine which departments were referring patients and which patients were being referred. The completeness and appropriateness of the referrals were also studied. The major inferences drawn from this study are that health care workers have a poor concept of what information the psychiatric units needs and about the scope and function of the unit. The poor feedback from the psychiatric unit to the referral source is indicative of the poor communication amongst the health care team members. / Health Studies / M.A. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / In order to make mental health care more accessible and even out the skewed distribution of services, policies were put in place to integrate mental health services into primary health care. For this to be effective, more trained mental health personnel needed to be employed in the public sphere as well as non-governmental and community organizations; and in state services. The BPsych degree which was instituted to meet this need has however, been plagued with controversy since its inception. This study aims to determine the employment patterns of BPsych graduates in the Western Cape so as to ascertain whether the expressed goals for establishing the degree, that is, addressing the need for primary mental health care workers, is in fact being met. Combinations of quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in this study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used for obtaining data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed by means of thematic content analysis. The quantitative data suggest that most of the respondents are employed and have completed the board exam. The majority of respondents are female and are employed within either community or NGO settings, or the private sector. Just over one third of respondents are employed as counsellors. A qualitative analysis of the data has suggested that the majority of employers are unaware of the category of registered counsellor. Respondents placed a large emphasis on the value of the practical component of the course. Based on the results obtained, one could argue that access to mental health care has not been significantly improved by the implementation of this category of registration.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In light of recent South African literature that shows that most adolescents from previously disadvantaged communities have until recently not had access to career guidance interventions, it was decided to do an investigation into the career interests of a group of learners from such a community. It was decided to specifically focus on sex role stereotyping and parental role models, with the purpose of gaining relevant information that can be used in the planning of career guidance curricula. Socio-economic and cultural variables were also considered. The investigation was done with the coloured communities of the Cape West Coast area. Learners from grade nine of 11 senior secondary schools were visited and requested to rank the ten interest fields of the MB 10 interest questionnaire from 1 to lOon grounds of preference. Statistical calculations were used to compare the boys' and girls' fields of interest. The learners were also requested to make a provisional career choice. This information was then compared to their parents' careers in order to ascertain what role parental role models have in their conditional career choices. From the investigation the following become evident: • There is a statistical relevant difference (p<O.O1) between the sexes' interest on al ten MB 10 fields of interests together. • There is a statistical relevant difference (p<O.OI) between the sexes' interest in the following fields: People as individualsIin small groups (In), People in groups or public appearance (Gr), Linguistic (L), Artistic (A), Practical (P) and Animals, biological sciences (Z). • Parental role models do not seem to have a powerful influence on the participants' declared career choices. • Socio-economic and cultural influences seem to playa role in the participants' declared career choices. An attempt was made to contribute to the process of career development of adolescents through making recommendations regarding the development of career guidance curricula. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die lig van resente Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur wat dit duidelik maak dat die meeste adolessente uit histories benadeelde gebiede tot onlangs min en selfs geen toegang tot beroepsvoorligtingintervensies gehad het nie, is besluit om 'n ondersoek te doen na die beroepsbelangstellings van so 'n groep leerders. Daar is besluit om spesifiek op geslagsrolstereotipering en ouerlike rolmodelle te fokus, met die doe Iom sodoende relevante inligting in te win wat in die beplanning van beroepsvoorligting kurrikula 'n rol kan speel. Sosio-ekonomiese en kulturele veranderlikes is ook in ag geneem. Die ondersoek is onder die bruin gemeenskappe van die Kaapse Weskusstreek uitgevoer. Graad nege leerders van Il senior sekondêre skole is besoek en versoek om die tien belangstellingsvelde van die MB 10 belangstellingsvraelys op grond van voorkeur van 1 tot lOte rangorden. Die seuns en meisies se belangstellingsvelde is deur middel van statistiese berekeninge met mekaar vergelyk Die leerders is ook gevra om 'n voorlopige beroepskeuse te maak Hierdie inligting is toe met hulouers se beroepe vergelyk om sodoende vas te stel watter rolouerlike rolmodelle in hul verklaarde beroepskeuses speel. Uit die ondersoek blyk die volgende: • Daar is wel 'n statisties beduidende verskil (p<O.OI) tussen die geslagte se belangstelling op al tien die MB 10 belangstellingsvelde gesamentlik. • Daar is statisties beduidende verskille (p<O.OI) tussen die geslagte se belangstelling in die velde: Mense as individue/in klein groepies (In), Mense in groepe of openbare optrede (Gr), Linguïsties (L), Artisties (A), Prakties (pr) en Diere, biologiese wetenskappe (Z). • Ouerlike rolmodelle blyk nie 'n kragtige invloed op die deelnemers se verklaarde beroepskeuses te hê nie. • Sosio-ekonomiese en kulturele invloede blyk wel 'n rol te speel in die deelnemers se verklaarde keuses van beroep. Daar is gepoog om die proses van beroepsontwikkeling van adolessente aan te spreek deur aanbevelings rondom die ontwikkeling van beroepsvoorligting kurrikula te maak

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The findings of this study regarding company and export profiles correlated largely with the findings of the various studies detailed in the literature review. Given the close correlation with other studies on the same subject, it is the researcher's belief that this study will have a broad application among prospective exporting SMEs, both regionally and nationally. The main findings are set out below. The review of the profile of manufacturing SMEs in the Western Capes uncovered: • a preference for their local markets; • the fact that trade frequencies are relatively high; • that the number of countries entered, represented a relatively narrow focus; • that Europe enjoyed significant support from the respondents; • that SADC and the rest of Africa attract relatively low levels oftradc. Although indicated in the national studies, it was still disappointing to discover the relatively low levels of export propensity (as defined by export sales as a function of total sales) prevalent among exporting SMEs. This was reflected by the fact that: • Only a small percentage of medium-sized SMEs are making inroads in this area. • The growth estimates for expected annual export sales are disappointing and possibly even pointing to a declining trend. The surveyed SMEs indicated that their expansion into international markets is motivated primarily by: • the utilisation of excess capacity; and • the opportunity to grow sales. There also seems to be an opportunist approach to the export development process stemming from that fact that: • Almost 50 % of finns responded to unsolicited orders. • Exporting SMEs are drawn into the process passively, rather than through a proactive and conscious decision. The apparent lack of a clear export orientation among exporting SMEs in the Western Cape is of particular concern, as evidenced by the factors identified above. Exporting SMEs have identified the arena of marketing management and market access as key barriers in the process of internationalising their businesses. In addition, they identified a lack of knowledge within this field of study within their organisations, as well as marketing support, as being the areas where they would most like assistance from policy makers. The following were identified as major barriers: • access to, and knowledge of specific markets, • representation in the various markets, and • an effective marketing function. The following represented the area of least knowledge: • international marketing management, and • market entry channels. The following represented the most effective ways in which policy makers could assist: • constraint elimination (Policy making or otherwise). • marketing support. The fundings of the review regarding the use of support institutions revealed that: • Only 45 % of exporting 8MEs actually make use of these institutions. • 72 % of sample indicated that they only make use of these institutions every six months or at even less frequent intervals. Given the findings under this section, it is apparent that those organisations with a vested interest in export promotion, and government in particular, should take particular note of these fmdings. It seems that at present the various export promotion bodies (state or private) are failing to attract 8ME exporters to their products and services, and in so doing make a meaningful impact on export promotion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bevindings van hierdie studie ten opsigte van maatskappy- en uitvoerprofiele het grotendeels ooreengestem met dit wat gevind is in ander soortgelyke studies. Gegewe die nou-ooreenstemming met ander studies op dieselfde vakgebied, glo die navorser clat die studie by 'n groot aantal klein en medium (KMO's) uitvoerorganisasies aanklank sal vind, op beide streek en nasionale vlak. Die hoofbevindinge van die studie is soos volg: Die studie van vervaardigingsmaatskappye in die Wes Kaap het die volgende openbaar: • 'n voorkeur vir hul plaaslike markte; • die feit dat handelfrekwensies relatief hoog is; • dat die getal lande wat betree is, 'n relatiewe nou fokus verteenwoordig; • dat Europa noemenswaardige ondersteuning van die respondente geniet het; • dat SADC en die res van Afrika relatieflae vlakke van handel trek. AlhoeweI dit in nasionale studies aanduidend was, is dit steeds teleurstelend om die relatieve lae vlakke van heersende uitvoergeneigdheid onder uitvoer-KMO's te ontdek (soos gedefinieer deur uitvoerverkope as 'n funksie van totale verkope). Dit is weerspieel deur die feit dat: • Slegs 'n klein persentasie van medium-grote KMO's maak inslag in die area. • Die groei vooruitskattings vir verwagte jaarlikse uitvoerverkope was teleurstellend en wys moontlik na 'n dalende tendens. Die studie het getoon dat KMO's se motivering om die uitvoermark te betree deur onder andere die volgende gemotiveer word: • die gebruik van addisionele kapasiteit; en • die geleentheid om bruto opbrengs te bevorder. Die KMO's wat ondersoek is het aangedui dat hulle u:itbreiding tot die intemasionale mark hoofsaaklik gemotiveer is deur: • die aanwending van oorskotkapasiteit; en • die geleentheid om verkope te verhoog. Daar blyk ook 'n opportunistiese benadering te wees rakende die uitvoerontwikkelingsproses, voortspruitend uit die feit dat: • Sowat 50 % van die firma's het reageer op ongevraagde plasings. • Uitvoerende KMO's word passiewelik tot die proses ingetrek, eerder dan deur 'n proaktiewe en bewustelike besluit. Die oenskynlike gebrek aan 'n duidelike uitvoer orientasie tussen uitvoerende KMO's in die Wes-Kaap is van besondere kommer, soos verduidelik met die bogemelde gei"dentifiseerde faktore. Uitvoerende KMO's het die arena van bemarkingsbestuur en marktoegang identifiseer as sleutel hindemisse in die proses van intemasionalisering van hulle besigbede. Bykomend hiertoe het hulle 'n tekort aan kennis identifiseer binne hierdie studieveld in hulle organisasies, sowel as bemarkingsondersteuning, as die areas waar hulle die meeste ondersteuning benodig van beleidsmakers. Die volgende is identifiseer as sleutel hindemisse: • toegang tot, en kennis van die spesifieke markte, • verteenwoordiging in die verskeie markte, en • 'n effektiewe bemarkingsfunksie. Die volgende verteenwoordig die areas met die minste kennis: • internasionale bemarkingsbestuur, en • markbetredingskanale. Die volgende verteenwoordig die mees effektiewe wyse waarbinne beleidsmakers kan ondersteun: • beperkingseliminasie (beleidsmakers of andersins). • bemarkingsbystand. Die bevindinge van die oorsig bertreffende die gebruik van ondersteuningsinstellings het aan die lig gebring dat: • Slegs 45 % van die uitvoerende KMO's maak werklik gebruik van hierdie instellings. • 72 % van steekproef dui daarop dat hulle net van hierdie instellings elke ses maande of op minder gereelde intervalle gebruik maak. Gegewe die bevindinge onder hierdie afdeling, is dit duidelik dat daardie organisasies met 'n gevestigde belang in uitvoerpromosie, en vernaarn die staat, besondere kennis moet neem van die bevindinge. Op hede blyk dit dat die verskeie uitvoerpromosie- liggame (staat of openbaar) faal om uitvoerende KMO's te trek tot hulle produkte en dienste, en sodoende 'n betekenisvolle impak te maak op uitvoerpromosie.

M. Tech. Horticulture / Honeybush tea is the herbal tea made from the leaves, stems and flowers of Cyclopia spp., indigenous to the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. Due to the health benefits of honeybush, the demand for this tea has increased worldwide. To meet the demand, it is required to cultivate honeybush as a commercial crop. The shortage of plant material and variation in the quality of honeybush has prompted the need to propagate plants vegetatively through rooted cuttings in order to improve the planting material by achieving homogeneity, and to meet the demand and thus relieve pressure on wild populations. A study was conducted to evaluate the vegetative propagation of honeybush (Cyclopia subternata) from stem cuttings to optimize the adventitious rooting protocols.

Thesis (MCur)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Minister of Health identified tuberculosis as a National Health priority since the incidence of tuberculosis in South Africa is increasing. The researcher practiced as a community health nurse for seven years and was actively involved with the community. It was experienced that irrespective well qualified nursing staff and accessible and available health services, there was an increase in tuberculosis in the Western Cape. A non-experimental, descriptive, explorative study was conducted in a selected community in the Western Cape to address the research problem: What are the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and treatment practices of tuberculosis patients; their resources for support; and community leaders? Structured interviews were held with 50 patients randomly selected from patients attending the health clinic. Focus interviews were held with community leaders purposefully selected for the research. A modified Photovoice technique was also applied to the patients where they had to draw a picture of their feelings when diagnosed with tuberculosis and the impact of the disease on themselves and their environment. The findings revealed a lack of information, major stigmatization of the disease, and many patients not adhering to their treatment regimes. Most of the patients had a negative idea of tuberculosis indicating that it always causes death. Community leaders were very committed to assist in combating the problems in their community. The findings indicated that health staff can be of more help to the patient although they were generally satisfied with the care they received. Recommendations include that health promotion programmes should be planned in co-operation with community members to ensure that programmes are appropriate and address the real needs of the community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Minister van Gesondheid het tuberkulose as 'n Nasionale Gesondheidsprioriteit geïdentifiseer aangesien daar 'n toename in die insidensie van tuberkulose in Suid-Afrika is. Die navorser het vir sewe jaar as 'n gemeenskapsverpleegkundige gepraktiseer en was aktief betrokke by die gemeenskap. Die navorser het gevind dat daar 'n toename in tuberkulose in die Wes-Kaap was ten spyte van goed gekwalifiseerde verpleegpersoneel asook toeganklike en beskikbare gesondheidsdienste. 'n Nie-eksperimentele, beskrywende, verkennende studie is gedoen op 'n geselekteerde gemeenskap in die Wes-Kaap om die navorsingsprobleem aan te spreek: Wat is die kennis, persepsies, houdings en behandelingspraktyke van tuberkulosepasiënte, hulle ondersteuningsbronne en gemeenskapsleiers? Gestruktureerde onderhoude is met 50 pasiënte gevoer wat ewekansig geselekteer is uit pasiënte wat die kliniek besoek het. Fokusonderhoude is met gemeenskapsleiers gevoer wat doelbewus geselekteer is. 'n Gemodifiseerde photo voice tegniek is ook toegepas waar pasiënte 'n skets moes maak van hulle gevoelens toe hulle die eerste keer met tuberkulose gediagnoseer is, asook die impak wat die siekte op hulself en hulomgewing het. Die bevindinge het gewys dat daar 'n gebrek aan kennis was, dat daar 'n grootskaalse stigmatisering van die siekte was en dat baie pasiënte nie by hulle behandelingsregimens hou nie. Die meeste van die pasiënte het 'n negatiewe idee van tuberkulose en het aangedui dat dit altyd die dood veroorsaak. Gemeenskapsleiers was baie hulpvaardig en alhoewel die meeste pasiënte aangedui het dat hulle tevrede was met die sorg wat hulle ontvang het, was daar tog aanduidings dat gesondheidspersoneel van meer hulp kan wees. Aanbevelings sluit in dat gesondheidsbevorderingsprogramme in samewerking met gemeenskapslede beplan moet word om te verseker dat die programme toepaslik is en die werklike behoeftes van die gemeenskap aanspreek.

Thesis (MCurr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to explore patients’ experiences about long waiting time at the Vanguard Community Health Care Centre in the Western Cape and to explore possible solutions for this problem from the patients’ perspective. A qualitative research approach was applied. A sample size of (n=12) was drawn from a total population of 2829 (N=2829) using a non-random convenient sampling technique. A semi-structured interview guide was designed based on the objectives of the study and validated by experts in the field before data collection took place. Approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and from the facility manager of health centre where the study was to be undertaken. The presentation of the results was categorised into themes and sub-themes that emerged from the data analysis. According to the findings in chapter 4 the themes that emerged were: Causes of long waiting time Areas of concern where waiting occurs most Emotions experienced when waiting long for service Possible solutions to waiting long for service The findings support the conceptual framework developed for the purpose of this study which includes the Patient’s Bill of Rights, the Principles of Batho Pele, Quality Care, Patients’ Representation and Patient satisfaction. The results of the study suggests that the conceptual framework needs to be implemented as a guideline to address the problems of long waiting time with the input from the participants’ opinions about possible solutions to be incorporated to the problem of long waiting time at the community health centre. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwitte van die studie was om pasiente se gevoelens oor lang wagtye by Vanguard Gemeenskapsgesondheidsentrum in die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek en om moontlike oplossings vir hierdie probleem vanaf die pasient se perspektief te bepaal ‘n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is gebruik. ‘n Steekproefgrootte van (n=12) is verkry vanaf ‘n totale bevolking van 2829 (N= 2829) deur die gebruik van ‘n nie-ewekansige gerieflike steekproefneming tegniek. ‘n Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudgids is ontwerp gebaseer op die doelwitte van die studie. Die onderhoudgids is geldig bevind deur spesialiste in die gebied voor data insameling plaasgevind het. Goedkeuring vir die studie is verkry van die Etiese Komitee by die Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe, Stellenbosch Universiteit en van die bestuurder van die gesondheidsentrum waar die studie uitgevoer sou word. Resultate is rangskik in temas en subtemas wat afgelei is van die data analise. Die volgende temas is bepaal vanuit Hoofstuk 4 se bevindinge: Redes vir lang wagtye Areas waar lang wagtye voorkom Emosies ondervind wanneer lank gewag moet word vir diens Moontlike oplossings vir lang wagtye Die bevindinge ondersteun die konseptuele raamwerk ontwikkel vir die doel van die studie wat die Handves van Regte vir pasiente, die beginsels van Batho Pele, Kwaliteitsorg, Pasient verteenwoordiging en Pasienttevredenheid insluit. Die bevindinge van die studie dui aan dat die konseptuele raamwerk geimplementeer moet word as riglyn om die probleme wat ervaar word met lang wagtye aan te spreek. Die deelnemers se menings oor moontlike oplossings moet deel moet wees van die aanspreek van die probleem van lang wagtye in die gemeenskapsgesondheidsentrum.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study concerns the state and violence in the Western Cape. This study was undertaken because the Western Cape has since 1996 been plagued by violence, including bombings, assassinations and violent protests. In particular these violent incidents have been labeled as terrorism or urban terrorism. The South African government does however not have a definition or a policy promulgated into law regarding terrorism. Very little progress has been in apprehending the person(s) and or group(s) responsible for these incidents of violence. The study therefore looked at violence in the Western Cape in an exploratory way. The aim of the paper was to (1) find credible appropriate definitions of terrorism, (2) to identify possible role players in violence, (3) to establish a chronology of violent events, (4) to identify the frequency, distribution and patterns of violence, (5) analyse the communication of events. An underlying theme throughout the paper is the weak state in which violence is a cause, consequence, and indicator of the weak state. The violence-plagued Western Cape is the geographical focus of the study. The paper looks at three incidents of violence, representative of the types of violence that have taken place in the Western Cape. The bombing of the Planet Hollywood restaurant, the killing of policeman Bennie Lategan and the killing of gangster Neville Herold are the cases discussed by in paper. For the purpose of the paper, the period of interest is the transitional period of the 1980's to 1994. The period under study is August 1998 to December 1999. After careful consideration of all the information the following conclusions where reached. The killing of Bennie Lategan is a terrorist act while the killing of Neville Herold and the Planet Hollywood bomb blast are not terrorist acts according to the definition used by this paper. PAGAD emerged as the major role player involved in violence. The organization is also complex and multidimensional with various groupings within the organization. The weak policing and justice systems are among the factors contributing to violence. The propositions and theories suggested by this study are based on current information and therefore speculative. Should more information become available these propositions may need to be revisited. Continual research on this topic is therefore important. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie gaan oor geweld in the Wes Kaap. Die studie was nodig omdat die Wes Kaap sedert 1996 geteister word deur geweld, insluitende bomplanting, sluipmoorde en geweldadige protesaksie. Hierdie geweldige insidente is bestempel as terrorisme of stedelike geweld. Die Suid Afrikaanse regeering het egter nie 'n definisie of beleid oor terrorisme nie. Baie min persone of groepe verantwoordelik vir geweld is voorgekeer. Hierdie studie gaan dus oor geweld in die Wes Kaap. Die doel van hierdie studie was (1) om 'n definisie van terrorisme, georganiseerde misdaad, geweld, vigilantisme en Islamietiese Fundamentalisme te vind, (2) om moontlike deelneemers van geweld te identifiseer, (3) om 'n kronologie van geweld op te stel, (4) Sekere patrone van geweld te identifiseer, en om te studeer wat hierdie insidente aan ander kommunikeer? 'n Onderligende tema, in die studie is die swak staat waarin geweld 'n oorsaak, gevolg en aanduiding is van die swak staat is. Die Wes-Kaap is die geografiese fokus van die studie. Die studie kyk na drie insidente van geweld wat alle tipe geweld in die Wes Kaap verteenwoordig. Die bomontploffing van die Planet Hollywood restaurant, die moord van polisieman Bennie Lategan en bende leier Neville Herold is die gevalle wat bespreek word in die studie. Vir die doel van die studie is die tydperk van die 1980' s tot 1994 van belang. Die tydperk onder bestudering is Agustus 1998 to January 1999. Na oorweging van al die informasie is die volgende gevolgtrekkings gemaak. Die Planet Hollywood ontploffing en die moord op Neville Herold is nie terroriste dade nie, maar die moord op Bennie Lategan is 'n terroriste daad. PAGAD kom te voorskyn as die grootse deelnemer in geweld. Die organisasie is kompleks en het veelvuldige dimensies met verskeie groepe binne die organisasie. Swak polisieering en die regstelsel is onder die faktore wat bydra tot geweld. Die voorstellings en teorië wat voorgestel in die studie, is gebaseer op huidige informasie en daarom is dit spekulatief. Indien meer inligting beskikbaar gemaak word sal die afleidings en voorstelle hersien moet word. Voordurende navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp is daarom nootsaaklik.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Domestic violence is one of the most prevalent forms of violence that police officials encounter on a daily basis. The effects of domestic violence are far-reaching and long-lasting. Globally, the police function as “gatekeepers” in terms of domestic violence victims’ access to the criminal justice system. Intervening in domestic violence has become a controversial process, as domestic violence is a very complex issue, which has been compounded by misunderstandings, stereotyping and myths. Since 1998, police officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS) are expected to promote redress and prevent crimes against women and children through multifaceted approaches, including the building of trust between police officials and citizens. Research reports indicate that victims of domestic violence are hesitant to approach SAPS for assistance, for various reasons. Police officers’ personal experiences of policing domestic violence are however largely unexplored. Consequently, the goal of this research was to gain insight into the experiences and perceptions of frontline police officials, who have to provide maximum protection to victims of domestic abuse in terms of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. To achieve the goal and objectives of the study, a combination approach was followed, in which the qualitative research approach dominated and the quantitative approach was applied to a lesser degree. An exploratory study guided by a literature review and a phenomenological approach was conducted at seven (7) police stations in the Western Cape Province. Twenty-eight (28) frontline police officials’ subjective experiences and perceptions of their policing of domestic violence were determined through in-depth interviews based on a questionnaire. Data were analysed by means of thematic analysis, and presented as narratives focusing on four major themes relating to the phenomenon under investigation. The conclusions drawn from the study indicated that the pervasive police culture, lack of insight by some police officials, and their continuous adherence to an outdated concept of domestic violence contribute to the weakening implementation of current domestic violence legislation, leaving police officials frustrated, hopeless and powerless to effect real change. The overall finding of the study is that, in practice, little has changed because of inconsistencies in the actions of the police and society as a whole in rejecting and condemning the brutalisation and intimidation of women and children. What is most unfortunate, however, is that SAPS has yet to accord the same weight to domestic violence in practice as it does to other violent crimes. In order for law enforcement to be effective, law reforms need to be accompanied by fundamental changes in attitudes, values and behaviours on the part of SAPS and all relevant role players, including the communities SAPS serves. The study concludes with recommendations on how to improve police officials’ ability to provide maximum protection to victims of domestic violence, as well as to provide programme developers and policy makers in SAPS with information on which to base policy decisions regarding training interventions and national instructions aimed at the policing of domestic violence. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Huishoudelike geweld is een van die algemeenste vorme van geweld wat polisiebeamptes daagliks teëkom. Die gevolge van huishoudelike geweld is verreikend en langdurig. Wêreldwyd dien die polisie as “hekwagters” wat slagoffers van huishoudelike geweld se toegang tot die strafregstelsel betref. Ingryping in huishoudelike geweld is deesdae ’n omstrede proses, want huishoudelike geweld is ’n uiters komplekse saak wat deur misverstande, stereotipering en mites vererger word. Sedert 1998 word daar van polisiebeamptes in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) verwag om deur middel van meervlakkige benaderings, onder meer die opbou van vertroue tussen polisiebeamptes en burgers, herstel te bevorder en misdaad teen vroue en kinders te voorkom. Navorsingsverslae toon dat die slagoffers van huishoudelike geweld om verskeie redes huiwerig is om die SAPD om hulp te nader. Tog is navorsing oor polisiebeamptes se persoonlike ervarings van die polisiëring van huishoudelike geweld baie skaars. Hierdie navorsing was dus daarop toegespits om insig te bekom in die ervarings en opvattings van frontlinie-polisiebeamptes, wat ingevolge die Wet op Huishoudelike Geweld 116 van 1998 maksimum beskerming aan slagoffers van huishoudelike geweld moet bied. Om die doel en oogmerke van die studie te bereik, is ’n kombinasie benadering gevolg waarin die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering hoofsaaklik, en die kwantitatiewe benadering in ’n mindere mate, toegepas is. ’n Ondersoekende studie is aan die hand van ’n literatuuroorsig en ’n fenomenologiese benadering by sewe (7) polisiestasies in die provinsie Wes-Kaap onderneem. Agten- twintig (28) frontlinie-polisiebeamptes se subjektiewe ervarings van, en opvattings oor, hul polisiëring van huishoudelike geweld is deur middel van diepte-onderhoude op grond van ’n vraelys bepaal. Data is met behulp van tematiese analise ontleed en word aangebied as narratiewe wat oor vier hooftemas met betrekking tot die studieonderwerp handel. Die gevolgtrekkings van die studie doen aan die hand dat die heersende polisiekultuur, sommige polisiebeamptes se gebrek aan insig, en hul voortgesette navolging van ’n verouderde konsep van huishoudelike geweld tot die al hoe swakker toepassing van huidige wetgewing oor huishoudelike geweld lei. Dít laat polisiebeamptes gefrustreerd, moedeloos en magteloos om werklike verandering teweeg te bring. Die algehele bevinding van die studie is dat weinig in die praktyk verander het weens teenstrydigheid in die optrede van die polisie en die samelewing in die geheel om geweld en intimidasie teenoor vroue en kinders te verwerp en te veroordeel. Straks méér betreurenswaardig is dat die SAPD nog nie in die praktyk dieselfde gewig aan huishoudelike geweld as aan ander geweldsmisdade heg nie. Wetstoepassing sal slegs doeltreffend wees indien regshervorming gepaardgaan met grondliggende veranderinge in houdings, waardes en gedrag deur die SAPD en alle tersaaklike rolspelers, met inbegrip van die gemeenskappe wat deur die SAPD bedien word. Die studie sluit af met aanbevelings oor hoe polisiebeamptes beter in staat gestel kan word om maksimum beskerming aan die slagoffers van huishoudelike geweld te bied, en oor die bemagtiging van programontwikkelaars en beleidskrywers in die SAPD met inligting as grondslag vir beleidsbesluite oor opleidingsintervensies en nasionale instruksies rakende die polisiëring van huishoudelike geweld.