An assessment of the role of the local structures in development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality of the Limpopo Province

Text in EnglishThe local structures are crucial component of development and they are intrinsically perceived as the epicentre of development. This is a qualitative social science study which embraces phenomenological observation to assess the role of the local structures in development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. This study also wanted to establish the role of the local structures and their contribution to development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. A phenomenological interviews and observations were conducted using scheduled interviews and interviews guides supported by, transcript interviews and a tape recorder. In addition, 160 participants were identified among the local structures. The Atlas TI software program was used for data analysis in order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study. The study postulated some recommendations which include inter alia: resource mobilisation, institutional capacity, and skills capacity in order to consolidate developmental local government. This study further recommended some policy options that include policy reform, policy formulation, and policy shift to better support local development and accelerate infrastructure roll-out to enhance service delivery for the benefit of development. It is in this context that the local structures are better placed to respond to the societal challenges bedridden service delivery. This study uniquely contributed to the new knowledge that stresses the correlation between the local structures and local development. It is in the light of this contribution that this study intended to further close the gap created between the local structures and local development. For further and future research, this study highlighted the land claims in the Sekhukhune District Municipality as the constraints towards development.Development StudiesD. Litt. et Phil.(Development Studies

An assessment of mental health care law in South Africa with specific reference to the Life Esidimeni tragedy

The history of mental illness and its treatment reveals apart from each other the mentally-ill have had few advocates and have suffered confinement and neglect. The treatment of persons with mental illness occupies a dark place in the pages of history. South Africa’s new democratic order ushered in by the 1993 Interim Constitution1 was confirmed with the signing by President Nelson Mandela of the 1996 Constitution2 at Sharpeville on 10 December 1996. These developments brought to a close a long and bitter struggle to establish democracy in South Africa. In South Africa after the introduction of a democratic constitution there was an evident awareness that mental health had been neglected and that the transition to democracy requires it be given more attention. The Mental Health Care Act of 2002 and read with the Bill of Rights are key documents to regulating mental health care in South Africa. This study investigates where accountability lies following tragedies such as the Life Esidimeni incident. It examines the findings of the Ombudsman and the evidence that came out of the arbitration process to determine what should happen next. A particular focus in the study is on legal liability and accountability, as well as on issues of negligence and the law regarding obedience to the orders of superiors. The dissertation critically examines the Mental Health Care Act and its alignment with the South African Constitution and other international, regional and national human rights law instruments.Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Public LawMPhilUnrestricte

COVID-19, Norms, and Discrimination against Female Gender in Nigeria: Focus on Implications for Mental Health Counselling

The COVID-19 outbreak is inflicting different societies of the world with an untold and unprecedented hardship. However, the extent of impacts is bound to differ across groups, gender, economies, and countries. Given how the pandemic affects particular groups, this paper focuses on girls/young women and how Covid-19 may further strengthen gender norms and discriminations as risk factors of their mental health. In some societies, right from birth, the life experiences of the female child differ from the male child. At every stage of development, girls are more likely than boys to confront a host of challenges associated with discrimination and norms, which are gender-based. With the effects of the current pandemic evident in reduced access to health care, education, teenage pregnancy, and being vulnerable, young women and girls are more at the receiving end of their impacts. These stand as hindrances to the girl child's mental health because they tend to constitute anxiety, depression, self-harm, or even suicide and weakens her will power to make proper adjustment to life issues. This paper concludes that given that the impacts of COVID-19 are not gender-blind (affecting both genders), therefore the designing policy responses to the current pandemic should not be either. As we all continue to face this overwhelming Covid-19 pandemic, the study recommends that the vulnerable (especially girls and young women) should not be neglected or ignored. This is possible by not forgetting the inequalities that may worsen the conditions of girls because of the crisis

The Impact of Covid-19 on Nigerian Education System

At a time when the Nigerian schools are on a temporary closure following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper looked inwards and reflected on the nature of the education system and revealed its myriads of problems. The COVID-19 pandemic indeed had a huge impact on the educational system in Nigeria. It brought about the cessation of all learning activities in Nigeria except for private universities and secondary schools that swiftly switched to virtual learning platforms. It also illuminated the digital divide between the Nigerian student and his counterparts in other climes. COVID-19 pandemic outbreak also offered an opportunity for the nation to realise the poor status of its educational system. Some of the major problems that have confronted the Nigerian education system, as revealed by this paper, include poor funding, inadequate and dilapidating infrastructure, inadequate teaching facilities, poor teachers' welfare, poor research funding, poor quality of teachers, unconducive learning environment, and the like. The study recommends for the exhibition of sufficient political will by the political leadership for the transformation of the education system as well as the sustained commitment of other stakeholders such policymakers and educational administrators for the transformation of the system to give it its rightful place in our national life

An Exploration of Polygamous Marriages: A Worldview

Polygamy remains one of the key topics in various societies. It is through cultural practices, beliefs and also on the individuals’ choices that people decide to be committed to polygamy lifestyles. Polygyny remains widespread across the world. Over seventy percent of the societies known to Anthropologists permit men to marry more than one wife. There are consequences to each type of marriage that certain individuals might adapt to. Women who have entered into polygamous marriages have different experiences that can be enriching to those who practice monogamy.This paper highlights what people in polygamous marriages face on a daily basis. It argues that there are more disadvantages for women who are in polygamous marriages than there are for their counterparts in monogamous relationships. The paper further suggests that the patriarchal power structure appears to play a powerful and effective role in polygamous marriages in our societies. However, there is also a realization that many people practsing polygamy are happier. There is also an exploration of the complexities of polygamous marriages from a worldview with the hope of understanding the nature and evolution of polygamous marriages. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p105

The perceived impact of a global pandemic on a provincial department’s organisational structure

Orientation: Several existing studies examine the effect organisational structures have on businesses, but there is limited research that considers the effects unforeseen crises have on organisational structures. Research purpose: The study sought to determine the effects that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown had on the organisational structure of a provincial health department, specifically relating to performance management, employee productivity and organisational citizenship behaviour. Motivation for the study: Additional pressure on health workers, who were seen as ‘essential workers’ during the pandemic, motivated the investigation of how organisational structure affects employees’ ability to perform their duties during crises. Research approach/design and method: The study employed a quantitative research approach, using surveys. A non-experimental research method and convenience sampling were employed and a sample of 207 respondents (n = 207) was achieved. Main findings: The respondents agreed that the pandemic did not cause a decline in their performance due to effective workload management. They also agreed that they still felt passionate about their work during the pandemic. They further posited that the pandemic emphasised the importance of teamwork. Practical/managerial implications: The study offers insights into some factors that produced successful outcomes when handling the pandemic, which can inform organisational strategy during any similar future crises. Contribution/value-add: The study adds to the limited literature linking human resources management and change or crisis management, which is critical when navigating a rapidly changing present and an increasingly uncertain workplace future

Women in South Africa: Striving for full equality post-apartheid

Life for South African women post-apartheid reflects both legislative advances and lingering challenges. Despite progress in the post-apartheid world, South Africa is still characterized by a high level of economic disparity, meaning that daily life for individual women can be quite different depending on one’s race, socioeconomic status, and age. Thus, the concept of intersectionality is critical to understand what it means to be a woman in South Africa today. Despite advances in girls’ access to education at both the primary and secondary levels, women still face significant challenges when they enter the workforce by way of occupational segregation and stratification. As is the case internationally, South African women are also more likely to engage in unpaid work and to be employed in the informal sector. Taken together, these make it more likely that South African women live in poverty and become victims of interpersonal violence. With respect to health, the risk of HIV infection and the transmission of HIV from mother to baby are paramount concerns for South African women’s health

Experiences of women professionals speaking out against gender marginalization at magistrate offices in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Women working at Magistrate offices in South Africa are experiencing many challenges that affect their lives psychologically, emotionally and physically. Some of them experience physical abuse and gender based violence. At the core of their abuse is the system of patriarchy that refuses to wither. Their male counterparts still believe that they are superior in many respects. Emotional or physical abuse is experienced highly by women working in this department, with 90% of the sample having experienced this abuse. Many women are still unaware of their rights when there is gender discrimination. There is also an increase in the number of women being discriminated by their male colleagues and supervisors. The basis for this study was to explore the experiences and challenges that women face in the magistrate offices in the Limpopo Province and as such, create an environment that is conducive for growth and the wellbeing of all workers in this sector. The study also investigates whether there are changes to women’s well-being especially after the 1994 drafting of the terms of Gender Equality Act. The study embarked on a qualitative research approach where ten women were interviewed based on their experiences working in Magistrate offices. The findings of the study are as follows: The data analysed point to the fact that discrimination against women still permeates all walks of life. It also shows that even qualified women are discriminated against inspite of the fact that they are more knowledgeable and full of experience and skills. Gender discrimination also manifests itself through other forms such as discrimination according to disability, race and ethnicity.Keywords: Gender Mainstreaming, Gender equality, Patriarchy, Democrac

Consistency and standardization of service brands in a franchise system

Franchising has proved to be one of the fastest growing business model with a high success rate and an emerging means of supporting economic growth. With this success has come increasing competition. Product and service differentiation is one major ways to competitiveness however franchise models seem to battle to standardize their point of differentiation and retain it consistently. Franchisees are important agents in this model and thus are the focus of this research. This research focuses on the service brands in the Quick Service Restaurant franchise (QSR) system in South Africa. The aim was to gain insight in and understanding of standardization and consistency because these are regarded as key requirements for the success of both the service brands and future growth and survival of the franchise model. The study was motivated by the expanding competitive landscape of these service brands in the QSR sector and their need to achieve superior customer experience as a differentiation strategy. A qualitative study was conducted through unstructured interviews with 12 franchisees from a multinational QSR operating in South Africa. Ethical compliance, validity and credibility were observed throughout the process ensuring that the integrity of the data was maintained. The data was analysed using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (ATLAS ti.) The study contributes to literature evidence that consistency and standardization of service brands in the franchise systems is necessary for their success. In this QSR service brand, product is still considered the main differentiator compared with service. This draws the focus away from the service experience and could compromise successful service brands. An absence of knowledge as to what makes service brands in the franchise model successful could jeopardise the survival of these brands in the service system.Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2017.pa2017Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)MBAUnrestricte