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
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