Social workers’ preparedness, experiences and challenges when rendering social welfare services to adolescents abusing chemical substances

Text in English with abstracts in English and SesothoChemical substance abuse remains a major global health and social problem in a South African context. Social workers are one of the professionals who provide social welfare services to adolescents abusing chemical substances. However, social workers are not prepared enough in terms of training and workshops to provide drug dependency treatment to adolescents abusing chemical substances. This study therefore contributes to an emerging body of literature on chemical substance abuse, as there is a lack of information within the Department of Social Development in Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality of Limpopo concerning social workers’ preparedness, experiences and challenges in rendering services to adolescents abusing chemical substances. Furthermore, the study will generate new information that will assist the Department of Social Development to make necessary changes to social welfare services rendered to adolescents abusing chemical substances, and consideration will be given when drafting a framework for treating chemical substance abuse. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore, describe and contextualise social workers’ preparedness, experiences and challenges experienced during their work. Participants were selected using a non-probability technique of purposive sampling. As a data collection method, in-depth, one on one semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven social workers working with adolescents abusing chemical substances. Data was analysed using Tesch’s eight steps and verified using Guba and Lincoln’s model to test the trustworthiness of the data. Ethical considerations adhered to throughout this study were informed consent, right to privacy, avoidance of deception, debriefing of participants and management of information. Findings of the study confirmed that there are no clear guidelines in rendering social welfare services to adolescents abusing chemical substances by social workers. The study further revealed that social workers’ training is generic in nature, therefore they are not well trained to render services to adolescents abusing chemical substances. They therefore lack resources and support to adequately execute social welfare services to adolescents abusing chemical substances. Lack of services for adolescents was also identified as a burning issue. Furthermore, treatment and prevention of chemical substance abuse is overlooked. Based on the research findings, recommendations pertaining to social work practice, social work training and education, social welfare policy, and further research were put forward.Tshomisho ya diokobatsi e dula e le taba e kgolo ya hloba boroko ka ga lefapa la maphelo le tsa setshaba le lefase ka bophara ga mmogo le Africa Borwa. Badirela-leago ke ba bangwe ba ditsibe bao ba fanago ka ditirelo go baswa bao ba shomishago diokobatsi. Badirela-leago ga se ba lokishetswe go lekanenego ge go etla go ditaba tsa dithuto le tsebo go baswa bao ba shomishago diokobatsi. Thuto ye e tlaleletsa go hlahlo ya tshedimusho yeo elego gona ka diokobatsi, ka ge go hloka tsebo e feleletsego go lekolla gore badirela-leago ba e tukisheditse go tsona,le tseo ba hlakanego le tsona le mathata ao ba gahlanago le ona ge ba shomishana le baswa bao ba shomishago diokobatsi, ka lefapa la kgoro ya badirela-leago ya Masepala wa Lepelle-Nkumpi Limpopo. Go isha pele, thuto ye e tlo utulla tshedimusho e mpsha yeo e tlo thushango ba lefapa la kgoro ya badirelaleago go dira di phetogo tse bohlokwa tsa go amana le ditirelo tsa baswa bao ba shomishago diokobatsi. Tsebo e tletsego e shomishetswe go hlahloba, go hlalosa le go latela maemo a badirela leago ka maikemishetso, tsebo yeo banago le yona le mathata ao ba hlakanago le ona ge ba efa ditirelo go baswa bao ba shomishago diokobatsi. Ba tsea karolo mo thutong ye ba kgethilwe ka go shomisha mokgwa wo osa tsebiwego gore go tlo kgethwa bomang, gola gona le morero wa gore go tlo kgethiwa bjang. Tsenelelo ya poledishano gare ga ba tsea karolo ka o tee ka o tee le Monyakishishi, e swerwe bjalo ka mokgwa wa go kgobokantsha tshedimusho le ba direla-leago ba shupa, bao ba filwego ditirelo go baswa ba go shomisha diokobatsi. Go sekwasekwa ga ditshedimusho gotswa go ba tsea karolo go shomishitswe go tswa go Tesch’s dikgato tse seswai (Creswell, 2009:186) tsaba tsa netefatswa gotswa go tshomisho ya Guba and Lincoln’s model (1991:215-222). Melao ya Boitswaro e naganetswe ka mo thutong ye ka go latelela tumelelo ya tsebo, ditokelo tsa sephiri, go efoga go foraforetswa ka maaka, le go fana ka dikeletso le tsamaisho ya ditshedimusho gotswa go ba tsea karolo.Social WorkM.A.(S.S.) (Social Work

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in South Africa's year-round rainfall zone using multiproxy geochemical analyses on lake sediments from Swartvlei

Coastal lakes in the south coast of South Africa contain sediments with good records of palaeoenvironmental changes. Swartvlei is the largest of the lakes in the Wilderness Embayment and is connected to the Indian Ocean via an estuary. The lake is believed to have been formed during sea-level regressions in the quaternary, and separated from Groenvlei lake between 4000 and 2000 cal BP. There are questions about dominant precipitation regimes as well as the onset, cessation and altitude of marine transgressions in the area. In this study, Holocene sediments from Swartvlei Lake were extracted and investigated using multiple methods. These include organic and inorganic geochemical proxies and multidating approach through radiocarbon and OSL dating. A composite profile was made using marker layers with lithostratigraphic distinctions combining three cores into one continuous, 7 m long core spanning 8600 cal BP. The core was subdivided into two distinct zones namely, Unit A (8600 to 3500 cal BP) and Unit B (3500 cal BP to present), identified using cluster analysis on particle size data. The results reveal low sea-levels with limited precipitation and aquatic productivity during the early Holocene, followed by a marine incursion from 4500 to 3500 cal BP and moister conditions thereafter. This marine incursion, marked by increased Ca and TIC concentrations, occurred when the physical barriers were breached, and the estuarine channel widened due to a landward strandline migration. Pronounced riverine input due to increased precipitation was observed after 3500 cal BP, with strong minerogenic input and lowered sealevel. An influx of silt and clay material that dominate the top half of the core marks Swartvlei’s evolution into more lacustrine conditions and its separation from Groenvlei during the same period. A more humid climate is further inferred from organic proxies that indicate a greater in-wash of vascular vegetation during this period, as well as higher productivity from 3500 to 1400 cal BP. In addition, high biogenic silica concentrations indicate increased bio-productivity during the Little Ice Age (LIA) while increased sedimentation rates suggest that anthropogenic activity impacted the lake from 150 cal BP. This study adds insight to the geomorphic evolution of Swartvlei and highlights the usefulness of geochemical analyses in the elucidation of regional quaternary environmental and climatic changes

ARE WE READY YET? SOCIAL WORKERS’ PREPAREDNESS TO RENDER SOCIAL SUPPORT TO PERSONS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHALLENGES

Chemical substance abuse remains a major health and social problem globally and in South Africa. Considering the drug-use-related challenges faced by South Africa’s youth, there is a need to design and implement robust interventions to mitigate the impact of chemical substance use. Social workers are not prepared enough to provide drug-dependency treatment to persons with substance abuse challenges. To address this issue, a qualitative research approach was adopted with seven participants who were selected using the non-probability technique of purposive sampling. Data were analysed using Tesch’s eight steps and verified using Guba and Lincoln’s model to test the trustworthiness of the data. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. The findings highlight that social workers need urgent intensive training and resources to execute their tasks effectively in the field of substance abuse

Sintering and slagging of mineral matter in South African coals during the coal gasification process

Coals, from mines in the Highveld coalfield, as well as gasification ash samples were characterised, in order to understand the mineralogical and chemical properties of the individual components in the gasification feedstocks. X-ray diffraction of low temperature oxygen-plasma ash indicates that the coals contain significant proportions of kaolinite, quartz and a fluxing elements-bearing mineral (dolomite), plus minor concentrations of illite and other fluxing elements-bearing minerals namely calcite, pyrite and siderite. Of the feed coal, the -75+53 mm size fraction has a high pyrite, and to a lesser extent a high calcite and dolomite content. However, the small proportion of iron-bearing phases (from the reaction between kaolinite and pyrite) in samples taken from the gasifier implies that pyrite contributes minimally to sintering or slagging in this case. Calcite is mainly present in the >1.8 g/cm3 density fraction of the feed coal, whereas dolomite is mainly present in the 1.5-1.8 g/cm3 density fraction, as inclusions or fine cleats in the coal matrix. Electron microprobe analyses of coals from the six different South African mines confirmed that some Ca, Mg, Al, Si, Na, K, Ti and Fe are present in the organic matrix in the coal samples tested in this study, but the amounts of these are small compared with the fluxing elements in minerals. XRD and microprobe analyses indicate that the ash clinker samples taken from the gasifiers contain a number of crystalline high temperature phases, including anorthite, mullite, cristobalite, quartz and diopside. FactSage confirmed that anorthite and mullite are equilibrium phases at elevated temperatures in the ash clinkers and heated rock fragments. Limited reaction takes place between the included coal minerals and the extraneous rock fragments.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineeringunrestricte

Exploring turnover intentions of employees at a South African government education council

Orientation: Public sector organisations in South Africa, including educational institutions, experience high employee turnover. There is a general need for public sector organisations to retain valuable talent. Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the reasons behind turnover intentions at the government education council. Motivation for the study: Studies on employee turnover in the public sector focused on government departments and municipalities, with a scarcity of research studies on government education councils. Research approach/design and method: An exploratory qualitative research approach was followed which allowed for the usage of semi-structured interviews to collect data from employees (N = 11). Data were analysed using content analysis. The inductive coding method was used to get to themes and subthemes. Main findings: Employees may leave the government education council because of the micromanagement leadership styles, lack of trust by management, inadequate communication, poorly implemented performance management system, persistent workload, low pay and lack of work–life balance. However, they currently remain within the employment of the council because of its reputation, sense of belonging (teamwork), conducive work environment and career growth prospects. Practical/managerial implications: The government education council should promote autonomy and prioritise leadership skills, team building and other interventions to enhance trust, communication and work-life balance. The government education council should ensure the buy-in of the performance management system and its remuneration policy by employees. Contribution/value add: This study’s findings provide insights into the turnover intentions of employees at the government education council and then assist the organisation in strengthening its retention strategies

Employee’s psychological experiences with bank’s pay for performance system in South Africa

Orientation: Pay-for-performance (P4P) system is a crucial organisational strategy to retain and reward employees. However, it is not always well implemented. Research purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions and psychological experiences of employees about the implemented P4P system at a bank in Polokwane City in Limpopo province. Motivation for the study: The P4P system’s objective is to reward great performance. However, it might also be used to punish deserving employees while unjustly and unfairly rewarding the non-deserving employees, leading to negative perceptions and psychological experiences by other employees. Research approach/design and method: The study followed qualitative research design, therefore, the 10 conveniently sampled participants’ verbatim transcribed semi-structured interviews were analysed and interpreted from the interpretivist paradigm perspective to understand the lived experiences of the employees with regard to how the P4P is implemented at the bank. Content analysis was used to explore the deep, contextual meanings of the participants’ words and to extract themes and the subsequent subthemes. Main findings: The P4P system was perceived as a great but biased initiative and employees psychologically experienced betrayal and confusion, felt both motivated and demotivated and experienced the P4P as an uninspiring exercise. Practical/managerial implications: The bank should train line managers on how to conduct the appraisal session, more specifically on how to allocate a rating that ultimately determines the rewards. Multiple rating techniques usage and sensitivity training for the line managers might minimise the experienced bias and legitimise the P4P system at the bank. Ultimately, the bank should link performance targets with bonuses to enhance transparency, equity and perceived justice within the system. Contribution/value-add: The study makes important first, unique, practical and scientific contributions to employees’ perceptions and experiences (psychological experiences) of pay-for-performance in the banking sector. The study also provides valuable insights by exposing the challenges that limit the effectiveness of P4P in the banking sector

Tailored surface energy of stainless steel plate coupons to reduce the adhesion of aluminium silicate deposit

Fouling in heat exchangers not only reduces heat transfer performance significantly, but also causes considerable pressure drop, resulting in higher pumping requirements. It would be much more desirable if surfaces which are inherently less prone towards fouling could be developed. In this paper, autocatalytic Nickel–Phosphorus–Polytetrafluoroethylene (Ni–P–PTFE) composite coatings and modified diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were applied to the coupons of the 316L stainless steel plates. The effects of surface energies of the coatings on the adhesion of aluminium silicate fouling were investigated and the best surface energy for which the fouling adhesion is lowest was obtained. The experimental results show that the coating with the most favourable surface energy reduced the adhesion of aluminium silicate deposit by 97%, compared with uncoated stainless steel plate coupons. The anti-fouling mechanism of the coatings was explained with the extended Deryagin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) theor

Evaluation of the relationship between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in South Africa and its recipients : 2006-2011

M.A. (Public Management and Governance)The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation, opened its office in South Africa in 1982. Political foundations assist in strengthening democracy and the promotion of good governance through funding democracy promotion activities in developing countries. The relationship between donors and recipients of funding is a complex one. Recipients depend on donors for funding and thus in most instances it seems that they take orders from donors and that they may compromise their own ideas/projects and implement what the donor prefers. Donors are also frequently blamed for tying aid to conditionality, thus putting recipients in the difficult position of trying to please the donor even though they have a better knowledge of what their countries or people need. Despite also experiencing some of the abovementioned issues, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung refers to the relationship with its recipients as a partnership. KAS refers to the recipients of funding as partners because KAS works together with its partners to ensure that the projects succeed. In very exceptional cases, where KAS head office has partnership contracts with recipients, funds for such organizations are disbursed at the start of the project, upon receipt of a budget. Even in such cases, KAS still has continuous engagement to see that funds are used as stipulated in the contract and budget. However, with the majority of recipients the funding model operates in two ways: recipients may send invoices to KAS and the latter pays the service providers directly, or the recipients may pay the service providers and submit invoices and proof of payment to KAS for reimbursement when financial reporting is completed at the end of the project. KAS does not dictate terms to recipients. Instead they both work together to ensure that the project succeeds. The research investigated the relationship between KAS and its recipients. The sample in this study comprises selected recipients of KAS funding in South Africa during the period 2006-2011. KAS does not fund all projects of the selected recipients; they have other donors as well. The primary issue with which all of them are dissatisfied is the lack of institutional funding from KAS specifically, but also from donors in general. The issue of funding being made available for projects only is creating difficulties for recipients because they have to source funds for other costs e.g. salaries

The selective dissolution and recovery of high value metals from Sasol proprietary spent cobalt catalyst and subsequent characterisation of the products formed

MSc (Chemistry), Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 200