Diversion Programmes and Empowerment: A Case Study of Young Offenders’ Experiences in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mangwiro, Vongai P
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social work with criminals Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18031 , vital:42006
- Description: Crime amongst the young in South Africa has been high since the attainment of democracy in 1994. Diversion programmes were established through the National Framework Chid Justice Act of 2008, as part of a plethora of measures to curb the ever spiralling problem of crime amongst the youth. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the experiences of young offenders regarding their empowerment vis-à-vis diversion programmes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. Underpinned by the Empowerment and Social Control Theories, the study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews amongst thirty-five young offenders and five social workers, who work as probation officers at NICRO, to collect data, which was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings indicated that diversion programmes are effective in reducing the number of children who commit crimes in these two municipalities and in influencing their behavioural change, resulting in fewer chances of re-offending. The Life Skills Programme was identified as the most effective programme, in comparison to the other programmes, such as the Community pre-trial Service Programme, in changing the behaviour of the young offenders, as it helps them to discover themselves; learn respect for the self and others in the community; help with family and community reintegration; and helps them focus on who they want to be in the future. In spite of such positive attributes for the diversion programmes, the study observed that there are challenges being faced by the implementing organisation, NICRO. These include high caseloads; lack of support from the probation officers who refer young offenders; limited support from parents; paucity of financial resources; lack of transport; poor v coordination from the courts; and delays in the implementation of some accredited but not credited programmes. Overall, the study concluded that diversion programmes in the Buffalo city Metropolitan and Amathole district municipalities in the Eastern Cape suffer due to weak partnerships between different organisations and stakeholders that are supposed to complement the efforts of the judiciary. From the research findings above, it is recommended that the Child Justice System should promote a multi-sectored approach in order to restore and reunify all the stakeholders, working with children in conflict with the law. This adds more roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Social development. Furthermore, there is a need to increase the monitoring and evaluation of diversion programmes to advance accountability and improve effectiveness; and there is a need to enhance the efficiency of accrediting authorities to timeously accredit other diversion programmes that, so far, have not yet been accredited, but may be useful in empowering young offenders. Therefore, the study proposes an extension of the framework with additions of strategies to support diversion programmes at NICRO, through a stakeholder extension to the model allocating more roles and responsibilities for stakeholders in the Child Justice system, in order for diversion programmes to effectively achieve desired goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mangwiro, Vongai P
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Social work with criminals Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18031 , vital:42006
- Description: Crime amongst the young in South Africa has been high since the attainment of democracy in 1994. Diversion programmes were established through the National Framework Chid Justice Act of 2008, as part of a plethora of measures to curb the ever spiralling problem of crime amongst the youth. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the experiences of young offenders regarding their empowerment vis-à-vis diversion programmes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan and Amathole District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. Underpinned by the Empowerment and Social Control Theories, the study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews amongst thirty-five young offenders and five social workers, who work as probation officers at NICRO, to collect data, which was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings indicated that diversion programmes are effective in reducing the number of children who commit crimes in these two municipalities and in influencing their behavioural change, resulting in fewer chances of re-offending. The Life Skills Programme was identified as the most effective programme, in comparison to the other programmes, such as the Community pre-trial Service Programme, in changing the behaviour of the young offenders, as it helps them to discover themselves; learn respect for the self and others in the community; help with family and community reintegration; and helps them focus on who they want to be in the future. In spite of such positive attributes for the diversion programmes, the study observed that there are challenges being faced by the implementing organisation, NICRO. These include high caseloads; lack of support from the probation officers who refer young offenders; limited support from parents; paucity of financial resources; lack of transport; poor v coordination from the courts; and delays in the implementation of some accredited but not credited programmes. Overall, the study concluded that diversion programmes in the Buffalo city Metropolitan and Amathole district municipalities in the Eastern Cape suffer due to weak partnerships between different organisations and stakeholders that are supposed to complement the efforts of the judiciary. From the research findings above, it is recommended that the Child Justice System should promote a multi-sectored approach in order to restore and reunify all the stakeholders, working with children in conflict with the law. This adds more roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Social development. Furthermore, there is a need to increase the monitoring and evaluation of diversion programmes to advance accountability and improve effectiveness; and there is a need to enhance the efficiency of accrediting authorities to timeously accredit other diversion programmes that, so far, have not yet been accredited, but may be useful in empowering young offenders. Therefore, the study proposes an extension of the framework with additions of strategies to support diversion programmes at NICRO, through a stakeholder extension to the model allocating more roles and responsibilities for stakeholders in the Child Justice system, in order for diversion programmes to effectively achieve desired goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Practices, dynamics and discourses of cross-racial adoption: the case of Buffalo city municipality in South Africa
- Authors: Nyasha, Kausi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Interracial adoption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Adoption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18009 , vital:42003
- Description: This study investigated the practices, dynamics, and discourses pertaining to crossracial adoption (CRA) in the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in South Africa. The researcher made use of qualitative methods to collect and analyse relevant data, which was made from both the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The research sample comprised of six adoption social workers, ten adoptive parents and ten adoptees, who were selected by means of purposive non-random sampling. The researcher also made use of observations, in order to that relevant, valuable, and rich information could be obtained. All the data was subsequently analysed by means of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study revealed that although it has been legal since 1991, the practices of CRA in South Africa continues to be controversial and that, in the vast majority of cases, it entails black children being adopted by white parents. Relevant discourses covered cultural genocide, the best interests of adopted children, racial identity, colour-blindness, acculturation, and racial consciousness. The phenomenon of CRA needed to be evaluated from all of these standpoints, owing to the racial, cultural, and political perceptions which continue to linger after generations of enforced racial segregation in South Africa. It is evident from the findings that perceptions pertaining to race, culture, and politics exert a significant influence on social relations in the caring for and protection of vulnerable children and on family dynamics in adoptive families. It also emerged from the findings that CRA placements have begun to decline significantly, owing to factors such as long and tedious assessment processes, the xviii attitudes of social workers, a general lack of adequate pre- and post-adoption support for adoptive parents, and shortages of adoption social work staff and resources. The researcher endeavoured to assess the roles of adoption social workers within the adoption triad with respect to determining the adoptability of children and matching them with prospective adoptive parents, recruiting and selecting prospective adoptive parents, counselling prospective parents, counselling biological parents, counselling adopted children, and the providing of post-adoption services. It could be concluded from the findings that although the practice of CRA is an efficacious and desirable form of care for children who are in need of protection, despite any present shortcomings in relation to legislation pertaining to the practice, the phenomenon requires considerably more attention from relevant academics and researchers than it has received to date. The overarching conclusion which emerged from the findings was that although the practice of CRA has attracted controversy and denunciations from several racial groups, it has unlimited potential for erasing the racial stigmas which continue to haunt South African society as well as affording permanency care to those children who are in need of it. The study ends with some recommendations as well as a conceptual framework to deal with the issues of the practices, dynamics and discourses of CRA in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nyasha, Kausi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Interracial adoption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Adoption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18009 , vital:42003
- Description: This study investigated the practices, dynamics, and discourses pertaining to crossracial adoption (CRA) in the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in South Africa. The researcher made use of qualitative methods to collect and analyse relevant data, which was made from both the in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The research sample comprised of six adoption social workers, ten adoptive parents and ten adoptees, who were selected by means of purposive non-random sampling. The researcher also made use of observations, in order to that relevant, valuable, and rich information could be obtained. All the data was subsequently analysed by means of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study revealed that although it has been legal since 1991, the practices of CRA in South Africa continues to be controversial and that, in the vast majority of cases, it entails black children being adopted by white parents. Relevant discourses covered cultural genocide, the best interests of adopted children, racial identity, colour-blindness, acculturation, and racial consciousness. The phenomenon of CRA needed to be evaluated from all of these standpoints, owing to the racial, cultural, and political perceptions which continue to linger after generations of enforced racial segregation in South Africa. It is evident from the findings that perceptions pertaining to race, culture, and politics exert a significant influence on social relations in the caring for and protection of vulnerable children and on family dynamics in adoptive families. It also emerged from the findings that CRA placements have begun to decline significantly, owing to factors such as long and tedious assessment processes, the xviii attitudes of social workers, a general lack of adequate pre- and post-adoption support for adoptive parents, and shortages of adoption social work staff and resources. The researcher endeavoured to assess the roles of adoption social workers within the adoption triad with respect to determining the adoptability of children and matching them with prospective adoptive parents, recruiting and selecting prospective adoptive parents, counselling prospective parents, counselling biological parents, counselling adopted children, and the providing of post-adoption services. It could be concluded from the findings that although the practice of CRA is an efficacious and desirable form of care for children who are in need of protection, despite any present shortcomings in relation to legislation pertaining to the practice, the phenomenon requires considerably more attention from relevant academics and researchers than it has received to date. The overarching conclusion which emerged from the findings was that although the practice of CRA has attracted controversy and denunciations from several racial groups, it has unlimited potential for erasing the racial stigmas which continue to haunt South African society as well as affording permanency care to those children who are in need of it. The study ends with some recommendations as well as a conceptual framework to deal with the issues of the practices, dynamics and discourses of CRA in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gunhidzirai, Constance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Poverty Alleviation Street children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17998 , vital:42002
- Description: This study was aimed at examining the perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the pragmatism paradigm that triangulated both quantitative and qualitative research methods of collecting data. A questionnaire survey was administered to 202 street children while 32 heads of households were involved in focus group discussions and four Social Workers took part in semi-structured interviews. Drawing from the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Psychoanalysis Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) that guided the study, the findings revealed that street children experienced economic, social, physical and psychological challenges that hindered their attainment of full growth and development. Findings further revealed that street children adopted various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in the streets to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, not all Government Social Protection Programmes were effective in addressing the plights of street children. This was due to inadequate funds, corruption and discriminatory criteria for selection of beneficiaries. These impediments hindered the provision of comprehensive social welfare services to street children, which led street children to adopt various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in their efforts to ensure sustainability. The study concludes that Government Social Protection Programmes (GSPPs) such as Basic Education Assistance Module, Child Adoption, Institutional Care, National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Free vii Treatment Order and Harmonized Cash Transfer are not entirely addressing the challenges facing street children in Harare Metropolitan Province. This is because of the criteria used to select street children, which systematically excludes them from benefitting, resulting in extended impoverishment and vulnerability. The study further recommends that the government of Zimbabwe provide productive safety nets and sponsor self-help projects to empower vulnerable households, and source out additional resources such as human resource and finance for Social Protection Programmes from Non-Government Organisations, private companies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gunhidzirai, Constance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Poverty Alleviation Street children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17998 , vital:42002
- Description: This study was aimed at examining the perceptions of Government Social Protection Programmes in mitigating the challenges faced by street children in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. The study was based on the pragmatism paradigm that triangulated both quantitative and qualitative research methods of collecting data. A questionnaire survey was administered to 202 street children while 32 heads of households were involved in focus group discussions and four Social Workers took part in semi-structured interviews. Drawing from the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Psychoanalysis Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) that guided the study, the findings revealed that street children experienced economic, social, physical and psychological challenges that hindered their attainment of full growth and development. Findings further revealed that street children adopted various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in the streets to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, not all Government Social Protection Programmes were effective in addressing the plights of street children. This was due to inadequate funds, corruption and discriminatory criteria for selection of beneficiaries. These impediments hindered the provision of comprehensive social welfare services to street children, which led street children to adopt various coping strategies to mitigate the challenges they encountered in their efforts to ensure sustainability. The study concludes that Government Social Protection Programmes (GSPPs) such as Basic Education Assistance Module, Child Adoption, Institutional Care, National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Free vii Treatment Order and Harmonized Cash Transfer are not entirely addressing the challenges facing street children in Harare Metropolitan Province. This is because of the criteria used to select street children, which systematically excludes them from benefitting, resulting in extended impoverishment and vulnerability. The study further recommends that the government of Zimbabwe provide productive safety nets and sponsor self-help projects to empower vulnerable households, and source out additional resources such as human resource and finance for Social Protection Programmes from Non-Government Organisations, private companies
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The role of custodial grandparents in psychosocial well-being of adolescents from single parents in Buffalo City Municipality of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Adenike,Folorunsho Fausat
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Grandparents as parents Grandparent and child Grandparenting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17943 , vital:41994
- Description: It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to leave in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who are from time immemorial, being a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the study assesses custodial the role of grandparents in the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children from single parents' homes in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study was guided theoretically by Role and Ryff's psychosocial well-being theories. Four sets of participants totaling 323 gathered using a mixed-method approach comprised of 150 adolescents and 136 custodial grandparents through questionnaires, 30 single parents, through in-depth interviews, and seven social workers through focus group discussions. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique to select adolescents and their grandparents, a purposive sampling technique for single parents, and a convenient sampling technique for social workers. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, while the qualitative data were categorized manually into themes and subthemes. Findings indicated a correlation between the attainment of the adolescent children's psychosocial well-being and the effectiveness of the custodial grandparents' role. More also, the challenges encountered by custodial grandparents do affect the attainment of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent children. Furthermore, finding from the study revealed that non-governmental organizations in the municipality were not rendering social support for the custodial grandparents. Finally, the child-support grant received by poor grandparents is grossly inadequate to meet up with the astronomical needs of the adolescent children. The study concluded that custodial grandparents' social support is an effective mechanism in meeting adolescent children's psychosocial well-being. Several recommendations were made from the conclusions to various stakeholders and proposed a responsive conceptual grand-parenting model to cater for effective parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Youth and Gang Violence in South Africa: An Intended or Unintended Outcome of Institutional Systems
- Ndhlovu, Gretchen Nokukhanya
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Gretchen Nokukhanya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Gangs Juvenile delinquency Youth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18041 , vital:42009
- Description: The issue of youth and gang violence in South Africa is not just an issue of crime, neither is it an issue of a violent and lost generation. It is about the struggle to have a normal life, a struggle for inclusion in mainstream society. Gang violence is, therefore, a result of the way in which essential institutional systems operate in the country, it is a social ill caused by weak and skewed institutional systems, which manifest in unequal access to resources and rights and the African youth of South Africa have been hardest hit. The focus of this study was to explore the intricate link between gang violence and institutional systems. The study specifically sought to examine how four specific institutional systems (the availability and management of resources, organisation of work and production, distribution of rights and responsibilities and processes of governance) have intentionally or unintentionally contributed to the escalation of gang violence in the country. The theoretical frameworks adopted are the social exclusion theory and the unanticipated consequences of purposive social action theory. The study was conducted in the African townships of Bophelong in Gauteng and Nyanga in the Western Cape. It adopted an exploratory qualitative approach for its ability to offer the researcher a platform to explore the experiences of both the youth and informants in detail. Data was collected through focus group discussions and faceto-face interviews. Tesch’s (1990) method of data analysis was used because of its explorative nature suitable for capturing qualitative data. Findings show that the issue of youth and gang violence in marginalised African communities is a social problem perpetuated by institutional systems. It was learned that institutional role players have neither developed nor sustained systems for the creation or management of resources used by marginalised township (ekasi) people vii for development, growth, empowerment and recreation. From the findings, it was learned that while other people in the country are going through various development challenges, young African township (ekasi) people are going through a crisis. Consequently, gangs have stepped in to serve as role players, filling the role that government and civil society is supposed to fill. Findings also show that youth are excluded from the socio-economic activities of the country and are pushed into the illicit economy. Overall, it was found that the socio-economic context, which the African youth in Bophelong and Nyanga found themselves in, is dire, further pushing them into a life of crime in order to meet their needs as well as those of their families. It was found that the structurally violent institutional systems have consequently given birth to a violent society. Therefore, youth gangs are an outcome of these violent institutional systems. The study concludes that the issue of youth and gang violence is both an intended and unintended outcome of institutional systems. It established that the quality of life of young people is affected by processes concerning the management of resources, organisation of work and production, distribution of rights and responsibilities as well as processes of governance. The study recommends that due to the multifaceted and complex nature of youth and gangs in African townships like Bophelong and Nyanga, priority should be placed on basic human needs and realities. This entails poverty eradication, creating employment/production opportunities, equal distribution of rights, good governance as well as effective and efficient management of resources that youth need and use for development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Gretchen Nokukhanya
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Gangs Juvenile delinquency Youth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18041 , vital:42009
- Description: The issue of youth and gang violence in South Africa is not just an issue of crime, neither is it an issue of a violent and lost generation. It is about the struggle to have a normal life, a struggle for inclusion in mainstream society. Gang violence is, therefore, a result of the way in which essential institutional systems operate in the country, it is a social ill caused by weak and skewed institutional systems, which manifest in unequal access to resources and rights and the African youth of South Africa have been hardest hit. The focus of this study was to explore the intricate link between gang violence and institutional systems. The study specifically sought to examine how four specific institutional systems (the availability and management of resources, organisation of work and production, distribution of rights and responsibilities and processes of governance) have intentionally or unintentionally contributed to the escalation of gang violence in the country. The theoretical frameworks adopted are the social exclusion theory and the unanticipated consequences of purposive social action theory. The study was conducted in the African townships of Bophelong in Gauteng and Nyanga in the Western Cape. It adopted an exploratory qualitative approach for its ability to offer the researcher a platform to explore the experiences of both the youth and informants in detail. Data was collected through focus group discussions and faceto-face interviews. Tesch’s (1990) method of data analysis was used because of its explorative nature suitable for capturing qualitative data. Findings show that the issue of youth and gang violence in marginalised African communities is a social problem perpetuated by institutional systems. It was learned that institutional role players have neither developed nor sustained systems for the creation or management of resources used by marginalised township (ekasi) people vii for development, growth, empowerment and recreation. From the findings, it was learned that while other people in the country are going through various development challenges, young African township (ekasi) people are going through a crisis. Consequently, gangs have stepped in to serve as role players, filling the role that government and civil society is supposed to fill. Findings also show that youth are excluded from the socio-economic activities of the country and are pushed into the illicit economy. Overall, it was found that the socio-economic context, which the African youth in Bophelong and Nyanga found themselves in, is dire, further pushing them into a life of crime in order to meet their needs as well as those of their families. It was found that the structurally violent institutional systems have consequently given birth to a violent society. Therefore, youth gangs are an outcome of these violent institutional systems. The study concludes that the issue of youth and gang violence is both an intended and unintended outcome of institutional systems. It established that the quality of life of young people is affected by processes concerning the management of resources, organisation of work and production, distribution of rights and responsibilities as well as processes of governance. The study recommends that due to the multifaceted and complex nature of youth and gangs in African townships like Bophelong and Nyanga, priority should be placed on basic human needs and realities. This entails poverty eradication, creating employment/production opportunities, equal distribution of rights, good governance as well as effective and efficient management of resources that youth need and use for development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A critical assessment of the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment: A case of Mashonaland West province Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa
- Authors: Makosa, Nigel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social security Grants-in-aid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15781 , vital:40523
- Description: The study aimed at undertaking a comparative investigation of the gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and to ascertain its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa as a comparative study. A methodological triangulated approach was used in the study where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. A total of 250 heads of households were selected as a sample from the study population. Herein, 200 respondents were given the survey questionnaire (100 respondents from Zimbabwe and another 100 from South Africa). A larger number of respondents were sampled for quantitative data in order to improve validity and generalisability of the results. Interview participants for this study were conveniently selected from communities benefiting from cash transfers and social grants. The researcher then interviewed a total of 50 participants (25 from Zimbabwe plus another 25 from South Africa). The samples for the study were arrived at using the multi stage sampling techniques. From these samples two data sets were obtained namely quantitative and qualitative. The study yielded that there are more social grants that are targeted at benefiting older people in Zimbabwe whereas there are a variety of social grants that are aimed at benefiting people from all age groups in South Africa. The study also established that the nature of intrahousehold decision making is determined by the variations of the recipients’ age variations. In Zimbabwe It was revealed that most of the recipients who were younger than 65 years bought basic needs, while in South Africa the recipients mostly used the money for entertainment, savings and clothes. The current economic situations in these two countries determine their spending patterns. Both in Zimbabwe vi and South Africa, recipients older than 65 years used their money to buy agricultural inputs. In both countries most of the beneficiaries were female because there are the primary caregivers and also because of the increased number of female headed households precipitated by high divorce rates. It also emerged in the study that there are many factors that influencethe gendered nature of intra household decision making dynamics such as cultural, available resources, number of dependents. These factors have the potential to either reinforce or offset the impact of social grants. Furthermore, the decision-making roles for men and women in both Zimbabwe and South Africa were determined by income and economic activities, food security and basic needs; marital status, family and social structures. But on the whole, it was revealed in the study that the responsibility of the head of household to provide leadership and make crucial decisions such as using social grants money. In both countries members from outside the nucleus family were also involved in making decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries. Elderly people retained the majority of the decision-making power in most of the households in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. It also emerged that in most households in both countries, decision making on the use of social grant money was arrived at after consultations particularly between spouses. In order to enhance productive decision making and optimise the social grants usefulness, the study recommends that there should be monitoring and evaluation on how the social grants are being used and who is behind the decision-making process. More so, a conceptual framework was also suggested to explain intrahousehold decision dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Makosa, Nigel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social security Grants-in-aid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15781 , vital:40523
- Description: The study aimed at undertaking a comparative investigation of the gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and to ascertain its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa as a comparative study. A methodological triangulated approach was used in the study where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. A total of 250 heads of households were selected as a sample from the study population. Herein, 200 respondents were given the survey questionnaire (100 respondents from Zimbabwe and another 100 from South Africa). A larger number of respondents were sampled for quantitative data in order to improve validity and generalisability of the results. Interview participants for this study were conveniently selected from communities benefiting from cash transfers and social grants. The researcher then interviewed a total of 50 participants (25 from Zimbabwe plus another 25 from South Africa). The samples for the study were arrived at using the multi stage sampling techniques. From these samples two data sets were obtained namely quantitative and qualitative. The study yielded that there are more social grants that are targeted at benefiting older people in Zimbabwe whereas there are a variety of social grants that are aimed at benefiting people from all age groups in South Africa. The study also established that the nature of intrahousehold decision making is determined by the variations of the recipients’ age variations. In Zimbabwe It was revealed that most of the recipients who were younger than 65 years bought basic needs, while in South Africa the recipients mostly used the money for entertainment, savings and clothes. The current economic situations in these two countries determine their spending patterns. Both in Zimbabwe vi and South Africa, recipients older than 65 years used their money to buy agricultural inputs. In both countries most of the beneficiaries were female because there are the primary caregivers and also because of the increased number of female headed households precipitated by high divorce rates. It also emerged in the study that there are many factors that influencethe gendered nature of intra household decision making dynamics such as cultural, available resources, number of dependents. These factors have the potential to either reinforce or offset the impact of social grants. Furthermore, the decision-making roles for men and women in both Zimbabwe and South Africa were determined by income and economic activities, food security and basic needs; marital status, family and social structures. But on the whole, it was revealed in the study that the responsibility of the head of household to provide leadership and make crucial decisions such as using social grants money. In both countries members from outside the nucleus family were also involved in making decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries. Elderly people retained the majority of the decision-making power in most of the households in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. It also emerged that in most households in both countries, decision making on the use of social grant money was arrived at after consultations particularly between spouses. In order to enhance productive decision making and optimise the social grants usefulness, the study recommends that there should be monitoring and evaluation on how the social grants are being used and who is behind the decision-making process. More so, a conceptual framework was also suggested to explain intrahousehold decision dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The psycho-social functioning and experiences of children in child-headed households in Gauteng Province, South Africa
- Authors: Agere, Leonard Munyaradzi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult children -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Youth-headed households -- South Africa , Child support -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10646 , vital:35651
- Description: The study was aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs and lived experiences of child headed households in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse the data. The qualitative approach was the dominant one, while a quantitative approach was used to corroborate the qualitative findings. The quantitative data was collected through a survey. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed among children in child headed households. The child headed households were selected through simple random sampling from the databases of the NGOs and community based organisations that had agreed to participate in the study. The quantitative component of the study produced results that supported the qualitative findings. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, which were conducted with purposively selected social service practitioners and community structures who were involved in work with child headed households. The resilience approach, which posits that humans are born with inherent reserves to face adversity, and the ecological systems theory, which postulates the framework in which an individual can be understood in his constant interactions and relationships within community and wider society, inform this study. The findings of the study indicate that there were various psycho social needs and challenges that child headed households faced. As Maslow postulated in his hierarchy of needs theory, inferences were made to the diverse needs of the child headed households. Physiological needs like food, clothing and finance were found to be more presenting and eminent needs for the child headed households. The study findings highlighted safety needs in the form of need for formal housing as the majority lived in informal settlements where they were exposed to much vulnerability like violence, sexual exploitation and other social misdemeanours. Other needs were esteem and familial needs, which provided a platform to foster senses of identity and belonging. However, there were other child headed households who were fortunate to have extended family members and community based organisations that assisted by providing these needs and these gestures were appreciated by the households as they ameliorated dire situations and cushioned them from absolute poverty. The findings further revealed that the psycho social challenges and needs did not only present when the household became child headed household but when their parent/s was still with them and were only exacerbated in their absence. The effects of living with parental illness, sadness and anxiety due to dramatic changes in dynamics, pain and trauma witnessing a parent dying were among the psychosocial challenges faced when the parent was still present with the children. After their departure or absence the challenges shifted and the debilitating effects of grief and loss, emotional trauma, living without adult caregiver and stigma and discrimination, were among the cocktail of challenges that the child headed households faced. However, others had support from extended family members and community structures that supported them with palliative care for the terminally ill and this afforded them the much needed respite as they focused on their studies and enjoyed their rights to be children. The study reveals that children have several coping mechanisms that exude their resilience and this includes support from social workers in promoting sustainable development goals (SDG’s) including no poverty, good health and well-being and quality education (goals 1, 3 and 4). The study highlighted that others had to supplement education with paid work (informal) whilst some ended up disengaging from their education to pursue paid employment to eke a living and support their siblings. The community and NGO’s were seen as vital components of the ecosystem that promoted the resilience of the child headed households in coping with their day to day challenges and needs. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that the South African government should, among other things, provide a properly resourced, co-ordinated and well managed child protection system to facilitate constituency work that responds to the real needs of child headed households and SMART planning by social workers, with systemic teaming around CHH with the DSD as lead agency. The study also recommends a psychosocial approach to CHH care in the form of a model that rallies for robust assessments that social service practitioners and every structure that has the “duty to care” for CHH, can embed in their practice for improved outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Agere, Leonard Munyaradzi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult children -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Youth-headed households -- South Africa , Child support -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10646 , vital:35651
- Description: The study was aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs and lived experiences of child headed households in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse the data. The qualitative approach was the dominant one, while a quantitative approach was used to corroborate the qualitative findings. The quantitative data was collected through a survey. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed among children in child headed households. The child headed households were selected through simple random sampling from the databases of the NGOs and community based organisations that had agreed to participate in the study. The quantitative component of the study produced results that supported the qualitative findings. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, which were conducted with purposively selected social service practitioners and community structures who were involved in work with child headed households. The resilience approach, which posits that humans are born with inherent reserves to face adversity, and the ecological systems theory, which postulates the framework in which an individual can be understood in his constant interactions and relationships within community and wider society, inform this study. The findings of the study indicate that there were various psycho social needs and challenges that child headed households faced. As Maslow postulated in his hierarchy of needs theory, inferences were made to the diverse needs of the child headed households. Physiological needs like food, clothing and finance were found to be more presenting and eminent needs for the child headed households. The study findings highlighted safety needs in the form of need for formal housing as the majority lived in informal settlements where they were exposed to much vulnerability like violence, sexual exploitation and other social misdemeanours. Other needs were esteem and familial needs, which provided a platform to foster senses of identity and belonging. However, there were other child headed households who were fortunate to have extended family members and community based organisations that assisted by providing these needs and these gestures were appreciated by the households as they ameliorated dire situations and cushioned them from absolute poverty. The findings further revealed that the psycho social challenges and needs did not only present when the household became child headed household but when their parent/s was still with them and were only exacerbated in their absence. The effects of living with parental illness, sadness and anxiety due to dramatic changes in dynamics, pain and trauma witnessing a parent dying were among the psychosocial challenges faced when the parent was still present with the children. After their departure or absence the challenges shifted and the debilitating effects of grief and loss, emotional trauma, living without adult caregiver and stigma and discrimination, were among the cocktail of challenges that the child headed households faced. However, others had support from extended family members and community structures that supported them with palliative care for the terminally ill and this afforded them the much needed respite as they focused on their studies and enjoyed their rights to be children. The study reveals that children have several coping mechanisms that exude their resilience and this includes support from social workers in promoting sustainable development goals (SDG’s) including no poverty, good health and well-being and quality education (goals 1, 3 and 4). The study highlighted that others had to supplement education with paid work (informal) whilst some ended up disengaging from their education to pursue paid employment to eke a living and support their siblings. The community and NGO’s were seen as vital components of the ecosystem that promoted the resilience of the child headed households in coping with their day to day challenges and needs. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that the South African government should, among other things, provide a properly resourced, co-ordinated and well managed child protection system to facilitate constituency work that responds to the real needs of child headed households and SMART planning by social workers, with systemic teaming around CHH with the DSD as lead agency. The study also recommends a psychosocial approach to CHH care in the form of a model that rallies for robust assessments that social service practitioners and every structure that has the “duty to care” for CHH, can embed in their practice for improved outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An evaluation of the implementation of the South African Police Service Sector policing in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Lamana, Andile Robert
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South African Police Service Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5271 , vital:29180
- Description: This study focussed on the evaluation of the implementation of the South African Police Service sector policing in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to gather, collect and analyse data for this study. The data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus groups discussions and a survey. The quantitative approach dominated in data collection, whilst the qualitative approach was used to corroborate the quantitative findings. For the quantitative approach, 265 questionnaires were administered to 121 volunteer participants targeting the station commanders, cluster commanders and sector commanders. A hundred and forty questionnaires were also administered to the Sector Crime Forum chairpersons who were selected using simple random sampling from 32 police stations. The sector commanders were used for in depth interviews. The rationale behind was that the sector commanders are playing a key role in the implementation of sector policing. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants. The study area was in the Eastern Cape, where the research sample and participants were drawn. The findings of the study indicated that although sector policing minimum standards have been achieved by many stations, the study found out that there are some stations that have not yet attained the policy goals in terms of optimal implementation of sector policing in the Eastern Cape Province. The study established that the farm and rural and remote police stations were not complying with the minimum standards laid down in the National Instruction 3/2009. The problem of non-compliance emanates from the shortages of resources. Further findings on this study were based on the experiences and challenges of the implementers of sector policing. The study found that there were challenges confronted by them in the implementation process. Although some of the participants were indicating their enjoying working closely with their communities, there were some major challenges that they experienced in the process of executing their duties. The results of the study indicate that resources were not adequate to ensure that this new policing strategy is properly executed. Another important finding which was identified by the study was the fact that sector policing, as a new policing strategy, was not adequately communicated and marketed for it to be accepted and to for it to achieve the necessary buy in from stakeholders. The study further established that training, development and capacity building were lacking to capacitate the implementers of the new policing strategy. Further, sector to sector collaboration was identified as another challenge by the study. Team work was very much limited. The study further revealed that command and control was not enhanced by the sector commanders in their sectors. The sector patrol reports were not available in the files and AVL reports were also not retrieved and monitored. The factors highlighted above have a negative bearing on the reduction of crime. Poor police visibility and stakeholder participation in crime prevention programmes are not reducing crime.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Lamana, Andile Robert
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South African Police Service Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5271 , vital:29180
- Description: This study focussed on the evaluation of the implementation of the South African Police Service sector policing in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to gather, collect and analyse data for this study. The data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus groups discussions and a survey. The quantitative approach dominated in data collection, whilst the qualitative approach was used to corroborate the quantitative findings. For the quantitative approach, 265 questionnaires were administered to 121 volunteer participants targeting the station commanders, cluster commanders and sector commanders. A hundred and forty questionnaires were also administered to the Sector Crime Forum chairpersons who were selected using simple random sampling from 32 police stations. The sector commanders were used for in depth interviews. The rationale behind was that the sector commanders are playing a key role in the implementation of sector policing. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants. The study area was in the Eastern Cape, where the research sample and participants were drawn. The findings of the study indicated that although sector policing minimum standards have been achieved by many stations, the study found out that there are some stations that have not yet attained the policy goals in terms of optimal implementation of sector policing in the Eastern Cape Province. The study established that the farm and rural and remote police stations were not complying with the minimum standards laid down in the National Instruction 3/2009. The problem of non-compliance emanates from the shortages of resources. Further findings on this study were based on the experiences and challenges of the implementers of sector policing. The study found that there were challenges confronted by them in the implementation process. Although some of the participants were indicating their enjoying working closely with their communities, there were some major challenges that they experienced in the process of executing their duties. The results of the study indicate that resources were not adequate to ensure that this new policing strategy is properly executed. Another important finding which was identified by the study was the fact that sector policing, as a new policing strategy, was not adequately communicated and marketed for it to be accepted and to for it to achieve the necessary buy in from stakeholders. The study further established that training, development and capacity building were lacking to capacitate the implementers of the new policing strategy. Further, sector to sector collaboration was identified as another challenge by the study. Team work was very much limited. The study further revealed that command and control was not enhanced by the sector commanders in their sectors. The sector patrol reports were not available in the files and AVL reports were also not retrieved and monitored. The factors highlighted above have a negative bearing on the reduction of crime. Poor police visibility and stakeholder participation in crime prevention programmes are not reducing crime.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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