Browsing by Author "Raniga, Tanusha."

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Challenges experienced at NGO crisis shelters for women in the eThekwini region : perspectives of centre managers and social workers.
(2016) Schreiner, Henrene Gerda.; Raniga, Tanusha.
This qualitative research study used data source triangulation incorporating in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with Centre Managers and Social Workers respectively to explore intra-organisational and structural factors affecting service delivery at crisis shelters for women in the eThekwini region. Key findings which emerged under intra-organisational factors include role confusion pertaining to functions of Boards of Management relative to that of Centre Managers as well as functions of Centre Managers in relation to those of Social Workers; human and other resource limitations. The identified structural factors include: undesirable aspects of new managerialism; unequal power relationship between centres and funders; as well inadequate service by law enforcement as far as domestic violence is concerned. Based on the main findings, the key recommendation made is capacity building for Boards of Management; Centre Managers; as well as law enforcement agents.
An evaluation of community partipation in attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community.
(2000) Raniga, Tanusha.; Simpson, Barbara.
The purpose of the study was to describe and analyse community participation in attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. A key focus of the study was to identify the level of participation of the community in all aspects of the project cycle, that is, the planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation phases. The study was carried out in an informal settlement situated in the North Coast about 75km from Durban. The community garden project was funded by the Luthuli Education Trust and initiated by the Borough of the Dolphin Coast as an endeavour to address abject poverty and unemployment in the community. Qualitative research methodology guided the evaluative nature of the research. The case study research strategy was used as the community garden project in the Shakashead community served as an example of a development programme in action. The data collection methods included participant observation and semi-structured, individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used to obtain respondents for this study. This process involved the deliberate selection of members who played significant roles in the attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. These research respondents included members of the Shakashead Civic Resident's Association, a Development Consultant who represented the funding organisation and the client liaison officer employed by the Dolphin Coast Borough. The overall aim was to document their perceptions and understanding of the attempts to start the community garden project and the reasons for the unsuccessful operation of the project. Four major themes emerged from the data to exemplify the significant elements of community involvement experienced in the attempts to start a community garden project in the Shakashead community. These themes included: a) the structural components required for full community participation; b) the importance of support and training for community members; c) local leadership and its impact on development; d) the hierarchical procedures of organisations. The recommendations included areas for further research and several changes ID working practices.
An evaluation of the implementation of the national case management model for children orphaned as result of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe.
(2015) Muchacha, Munyaradzi.; Raniga, Tanusha.
HIV and AIDS continues be a major challenge in Zimbabwe and a huge drawback to the country’s socio-economic development trajectory. Its impact is exacerbated by the protracted socio-economic and political crisis the country is experiencing. The study evaluates the implementation of the National Case Management Model, an intervention for children orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. Since inception in 2011, this model has not been evaluated despite current efforts to scale it nationwide. The study utilises a qualitative programme evaluation research design underpinned on the structural social work theory. It critically identifies and analyses the structure, roles of social workers, child caseworkers (CCWs), Lead CCWs, and process of the model. It observes that the model disproportionally vests specialised social work responsibilities to volunteer CCWs despite the fact that they have no social work training. The model experiences acute shortages of funding which adversely affects the length and quality of the training for CCWs and their remuneration. Due to lack of remuneration, the CCWs are demoralised. Despite the model playing a significant function in systematically identifying the orphans’ needs and facilitating referrals, the referred children are not accessing the desired services. This is because most of the social safety nets are operating below capacity. Equally important, service provision from Non-Government Organisations is low due to limited funding that is emanating from the sharp drop in global aid. The model largely generates demand and community expectations which are however unmet. The study recommends social workers to customize the model to suit the Zimbabwean context, advocate for social safety nets and operational costs funding and facilitate the standardisation and certification of CCWs training.
The experiences of senior women traditional leaders in addressing women abuse in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: an afrocentric and nego-feminist approach.
(2019) Klaas-Makolomakwe, Gladys Nkareng.; Raniga, Tanusha.; Ngubane, Sihawukele Emmanuel.
Women across the world are subjected to violence and experience gruesome forms of abuse. The problem of women abuse has exacerbated to far worse incidents being reported. Since the establishment of the new democratic dispensation in South Africa, this dire social problem has been acknowledged as a prominent political issue which is deeply connected to the private spaces of women. Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in addressing women abuse. This study explored the experiences of senior women traditional leaders in addressing women abuse. Underscored by Afrocentric and Nego-feminist frameworks, the study was conducted following a descriptive and interpretive research design. Data was collected from a purposely selected sample of 21 senior women traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal using semi-structured interviews. Thematic data analysis was used. This study revealed that various cases of abuse differing in magnitude and depth were encountered by senior women traditional leaders in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Women who were victims of abuse were able to report abuse to senior women traditional leaders who exhibited empathy and care when addressing these cases. The study highlighted specific abilities about the strategies that senior women traditional leaders employed to address women abuse, the multiple challenges they faced and the support networks they had at their disposal. Their agency included making bold decisions to advocate for abused women to receive assistance they needed within traditional rural communities. The research participants raised concerns about the limitations imposed by the State on traditional leaders, which fuelled role conflict and hindered optimal services for women who were survivors of abuse. The study calls for the resuscitation of Afrocentric and Nego-feminist practices to mitigate the prevalence and dire effects of women abuse in rural communities. The findings also conclude that non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, the private sector and various ministries within government need to cooperate and collaborate with one another to ensure human rights of women, gender equality and awareness of women abuse.
The experiences of social workers in the provision of reconstruction services to HIV infected children.
(2009) Govender, Vathanayagi.; Raniga, Tanusha.
Abdool Karim (Daily News, 02 December 2009) aptly states that one of the daunting social development challenges facing our young democracy in South Africa is the HIV and AIDS pandemic which has seriously impacted on the increase of HIV infected children. The study explored the experiences of social workers in the provision of reconstruction services to HIV infected children. This research study used a qualitative descriptive methodology. There were two sample groups: one consisted of five social workers from five institutions and the second consisted of six social workers from two child welfare organizations. Data was collected by means of semi-structured in- depth interviews with the institutional social workers. One focus group was held with child welfare social workers for the purpose of enhancing the reliability, validity and trustworthiness of the study. Globalization has had a substantial impact on social work services which has been further articulated through ‘new managerialism’, whereby welfare states are becoming cost effective businesses (Dominelli, 2002). Both welfare agencies and social workers pursuant to “new managerialism” have to justify their existence on a day to day basis due to the market principles that have been applied to the profession; it has to be ‘economically sound’ to be a social worker and to continue to be employed. The findings show that there were five key themes and various sub-themes that emerged from the in-depth interviews and the focus group interviews that posed as challenges for social workers. The lack of resources, high staff turnover, the recruitment of foster families emerged as factors that contributed to the challenges experienced by both institutional and child welfare social workers. Despite the many constraints placed on social workers several initiatives have been taken by institutional and child welfare social workers in the implementation of various services and programmes provided to families, communities and children infected or affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. In the face of “new managerialism” it is recommended that social workers need to accept that structural forces such as the economy, political, poverty and unemployment have a profound impact on organizations therefore it is necessary for social workers to advocate and lobby for adequate resources such as vehicles, access to telephones and computers and regular supervision, in the provision of reconstruction services. Furthermore social workers must have an updated knowledge regarding relevant policies and legislation that impact service delivery. The Department of Social Development should work in collaboration with the Department of Health and Education so that efforts could be made to ensure that HIV infected children continue with schooling, thereby developing them into more independent individuals. Finally an additional subsidy should be provided by the National Department of Social Development to institutions for services to accommodate family and prospective foster parents who stay over at institutions.
The implementation of HIV/AIDS policies in primary schools in the Umgeni North ward.
(2008) Nagesar, Narendranath.; Raniga, Tanusha.
The 2003 UNESCO report indicated that the HIV/AIDS pandemic contributes to rapid breakdowns of existing structures that traditionally took care of the development of young children. There must be strategies to provide support, care and guidance to young children, families, parents and care givers that are directly or indirectly affected by HIV/AIDS. This is classified as interventions at the local level. There must be a conducive policy environment that allows safety nets and strategic interventions to take place, to grow and be inclusive (UNESCO, 2003:18). The death of parents and other family members leave children in a vulnerable state, some of whom enter the school system and are at the mercy of others. School based HiV/AIDS policies and programmes are necessary to protect these children. A two phase research design incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods was utilized in this study. The first part of this study was quantitative (audit of HIV/AIDS policies in 23 schools) and the second was qualitative, which comprised 2 focus group interviews. Findings from the quantitative audit from phase one of the study indicated that while primary schools attempted to comply with the National Schools policy on HIV/AIDS (DoE 1999), policy formulation, policy involvement, policy implementation (action plan) and policy review have not been conducted as per policy directives. Four major themes and various sub-themes emerged from the phase two qualitative focus group interviews with participants from two primary schools. Process of policy formulation and implementation, school based HIV/AIDS action plans, support mechanisms and challenges emerged as the factors associated with the formulation and implementation of school based HIV/AIDS policies in the Umgeni North Ward. Much of the phase one data is triangulated with data from phase two, hence the triangulated methodology. This study confirmed that in some schools, a fragmented relationship between the important stakeholders exists. This leads to the needs of those infected and or affected by the epidemic being treated in a vacuum. Hence, other intervention strategies are necessary. Institutional resources (educator support teams, funding, human resource and school nurse) as well as working closely with other departments are support mechanisms that can assist schools where children are infected and affected by the epidemic. In light of this, HIV/AIDS related problems pose a dilemma for educators to handle. Educators feel insecure as a result of lack of training, lack of support, poor policy directives and a lack of support mechanisms in the school environment to deal with HIV/AIDS related problems in the school context.
The implementation of the national life-skills and HIV/AIDS school policy and programme in the eThekwini region.
(2006) Raniga, Tanusha.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
HIV/AIDS reflects many of the stresses and strains in contemporary South Africa and must be considered in relation to the socio-political, economic and cultural factors that the epidemic is deeply rooted in. This study investigated how secondary schools have responded to the problems of HIV/AIDS and the challenges faced by educators in the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS School Policy and the Life skills programme. It also evaluated the Life-skills, HIV/AIDS programme implemented in three selected schools in the eThekwini region. A multiphase research design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods, was utilised in this study. In Phase One, face- to face interview schedules were administered with principals from 74 secondary schools. Phase Two comprised in-depth interviews with educators as well as interactive workshops with Grade Nine learners and their parents from three selected schools. In Phase Three one focus group with district co-ordinators and an in-depth interview was held with the national co-ordinator for the Lifeskills, HIV/AIDS programme from the Department of Education. The findings illustrate that there is a lack of institutional capacity at schools to deal adequately with the problem of HIV/AIDS. With the maturation and devastating effects of the epidemic at both micro (individual and families) and mezzo (school and community) levels, there is a need to move beyond sexuality education and knowledge about HIV/AIDS to include treatment, care and support services to learners, their families and educators who are either infected and or affected by the epidemic. Five key strategies are recommended as a fram~work to create an enabling environment in which not only risk reduction among the youth can occur but the effects of the maturation of the epidemic can be dealt with at the school, household and community level. Drawing on the practice elements embedded in structural theory and its application to HIV/AIDS intervention programmes in schools, recommendations are made for the re-conceptualisation of social work practice in contemporary South Africa.
Psycho-social experiences of aged foster parents residing in the Mbizana local municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
(2017) Msebenzi, Hlonipha.; Raniga, Tanusha.
The practice of extended family members raising children deprived of parental care is a long-standing custom in various parts of the world. Parents die, leaving behind orphaned children in the care of family members and the responsibility of caring for these orphans often resides with grandparents. The motivation to conduct this study arose from the researcher’s experiences in working with aged foster parents and witnessing how they often struggled in their effort to provide care to their foster children. Therefore, it was crucial to comprehend the challenges and needs of this particular group of foster parents. Using the general systems theory, this qualitative research study explored the psycho-social experiences of aged foster parents residing in the Mbizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. An exploratory descriptive research design was employed. The sample was selected using a non-probability, criterion-sampling method from the case files of the Department of Social Development, Bizana service office. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 12 research participants. Thereafter, one focus group discussion was conducted with six of these research participants. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. Findings/ themes: Four main themes emerged from the study, namely the reasons for foster care placement, roles and functions of caregivers, challenges facing caregivers and access of caregivers to support systems. These findings reveal that aged foster parents in rural areas are confronted with a myriad of challenges that impact on their health and psycho-emotional well-being. They feel overwhelmed by their caregiving responsibilities due to stress over their inability to manage their foster children’s behaviour, constraining financial circumstances and the difficulty of accessing health and social services. These findings also reveal that aged foster parents are not adequately supported in their caregiving role. Recommendations include the need for an interdepartmental approach and intervention programmes at different levels in order to improve access to health and social services by aged foster parents and to alleviate the numerous challenges that they face. Social work practitioners need to develop an understanding of the psycho-social, emotional and material support that is essential in sustaining this special group of foster parents.
Psychosocial experiences of perinatally HIV infected adolescents residing in child and youth care centers in Pretoria.
(2012) Mavangira, Vimbai Precious.; Raniga, Tanusha.
The roll-out of Anti-retroviral Therapy in South Africa has enabled perinatally HIV infected children to reach the adolescent phase. It is important to acknowledge that the psycho-social experiences of perinatally HIV infected children differ from other adolescents. This study explored the psychosocial experiences of perinatally HIV infected adolescents residing in Child and Youth Care Centres in Pretoria. Using qualitative interpretive-descriptive methodology, the sample consisted of eight perinatally HIV infected adolescents, two social workers and ten child and youth care workers from two Child and Youth Care Centres. Data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with perinatally HIV positive adolescents and two focus groups were held with child and youth care workers and social workers. The use of these two data collection methods enhanced the reliability and trustworthiness of the data. Using social constructionism as the key conceptual framework, there were four key themes and subthemes that distilled from the interviews and focus groups. The results revealed that perinatally HIV infected adolescents have difficulties discussing their status and that they used blocking as a coping strategy to avoid the subject. Disclosure was difficult for the adolescents as they were acutely aware of stigma and discrimination. With regards to adherence to medication there was lack of self-efficacy as the adolescents relied mostly on Child and Youth care workers and social workers. Finally in both Child and Youth Care centres, lack of on-going disclosure and discussion about HIV hindered the availability of psychosocial support services. This study concludes that child and youth care centres should develop programs which focus on support topics such as sexuality, disclosure and self-esteem. The Department of Social development should implement psychosocial support training specifically for Child and Youth care workers and Social workers working with perinatally HIV positive children.
The psychosocial experiences of perinatally HIV infected adolescents who are in foster care residing in Umkhanyakude District.
(2014) Khumalo, Phindile Nomcebo.; Raniga, Tanusha.
No abstract available.
A sustainable liverlihood approach to poverty reduction : participatory experiences of women involved in art and craft co-operative in Bhambayi, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016) Khuzwayo, Hloniphile Assistance.; Raniga, Tanusha.
This study is an extension of a pilot study that was conducted by Raniga and Ngcobo (2014) in a predominantly informal settlement in Bhambayi, which revealed, single parents from low-income communities surface social and economic marginalisation on the grounds of poverty reduction. Therefore, it is to Ngcobo and Raniga (2014) study, which qualitatively explored the economic experiences of single mothers in Bhambayi and revealed that “transformative interventions should include the establishment of a business forum to assist single mothers to network and lobby for funding and to implement business training programmes” (Raniga & Ngcobo, 2014, p. 526). Women in Bhambayi have taken the initiative to stand up and join the economic co-operatives to fight poverty as a substitute of government social grants they are receiving. This paper aims to fill the gap in literature that is about the involvement of women in co-operatives. Especially in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, as there is little literature on studies concerning women and formal income generating projects such as co-operatives. This study aims to understand the participatory experiences of women involved in the implementation of an art and craft economic co-operative projects using the sustainable livelihood approach as a poverty reduction strategy, in Bhambayi. Using a participatory action research methodology, the evidence from six of nine women in an art and craft economic cooperative in Bhambayi area, North of Ethekwini, Kwa Zulu-Natal is presented in this paper. Guided by the sustainable livelihood approach to conduct this study, this paper presents the following themes: a positive contribution of in sustaining human capacity development, political influences on enhancing economic development; and lack of project management skills were some of the obstacles encountered within the cooperative project and had dire implications for the sustainability of art and craft cooperative. Conclusion: the findings of this study corroborate the conclusions made by Kumar, Wankhende and Gena (2015) who emphasise the need for training workshops before self-help groups commit themselves into operating as co-operatives.
Understanding the economic and psychosocial experiences of single parents in KwaDambuza.
(2013) Ndlovu, Cynthia Sanelisiwe.; Raniga, Tanusha.
When single-parent households are consequences of intentional or unintentional reasons, they are often associated with economic and psychosocial challenges. This study aimed to understand, explore, describe and interpret the economic and psychosocial experiences of single parents in KwaDambuza. This study highlights relevant issues that may provide guidance to different stakeholders in their efforts to deal with challenges of single- parent households. Qualitative research processes were used in this study. The sample consisted of 20 single-parent households (ten male and ten female single-parent households). Data collection took place using in-depth interviews and one focus group. The use of these two techniques served to enhance the reliability of the data. The ecosystem theory was utilised as a fundamental conceptual theory to understand the economic and psychosocial plight of both male and female single-parent households. The findings show that there were four key themes and six sub-themes that emerged from the data analysis and which are discussed in relation to the microsystem, mezzosystem, exosystem and macrosystems impacting single-parent households. Theme one focuses on the structural impact of poverty, unemployment on both male and female single-parent households and discusses two sub-themes: the impact of social grants on the family household income and family expenditure and implications for education of children. Theme two provides insight into the psychosocial challenges experienced, and discusses two sub-themes: intrapersonal and interpersonal challenges of males and females single-parent households. The third theme focuses on parental responsibilities and child care as a sub-theme. The fourth theme focuses on the blatant lack of support systems that negatively impact both the male and female single-parent households and discusses one sub-theme: access to service provision. The study revealed that the main challenge is poverty which was closely connected to unavailability and inaccessibility of service providers, and lack of support structures.
Understanding the experiences of caregivers of HIV infected children at a public hospital in Durban.
(2013) Ramsamy, Dhashini.; Raniga, Tanusha.
Globally HIV and AIDS are considered to be a major health and developmental challenge facing humanity. The HIV infection of children is not only an area of great concern for families but for the future of humankind. Caring and nurturing of children generally is considered as a challenging responsibility. Caregivers of HIV infected children are faced with the added responsibility of ensuring that these children have access to life saving health care at all times. Caregivers who are responsible for the health and well being of HIV infected children face constant challenges in their care giving role and this has implications for the quality of care of the child. The needs of HIV infected children are complex and vital to their basic needs is the administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study aimed to explore, describe and interpret the experiences of caregivers, caring for HIV infected children and accessing services from a public hospital in Durban. Using the ecosystems theory, this qualitative study explored the experiences of thirty caregivers caring for HIV infected children. The data was collected using semi structured interviews with the caregivers. Four main themes emerged from the data analysis; namely: The caregivers’ intrapersonal experiences, their perspectives on HIV and ART, their access to health and social services and their coping strategies. This study concludes that caregivers of HIV infected children within the public hospital setting, experience numerous psycho-social and economic challenges on a daily basis. Subsequently, these challenges impacted on the quality of care to the HIV infected child. It was evident that respondents dealt with challenges differently, as the older respondents were more equipped emotionally and psychologically than the younger respondents. Generally, all respondents were negatively affected by poor psychological and socio-economic circumstances that prevented them from ensuring the wellbeing of the child. The challenges that they faced on the micro level (economic and psycho-social experiences), the mezzo (stigma, community and family support) and exo levels (health and welfare services) together with the macro level (DOH strategic plans and childcare legislations) determined how they provided for the care of the HIV infected child. Despite these challenges respondents’ resilience and commitment to providing for the health and wellbeing of the HIV infected child was consistent and remained a priority. Multi-level intervention programmes are required to help caregivers cope with their challenges. As such social work practitioners need to take cognizance of the psycho-social, emotional and material support required by caregivers of HIV infected children.
Youth transitioning and transitioned out of child and youth care centres: perspectives of youth, family, caregivers and service providers in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2020) Moodley, Rajeshree.; Raniga, Tanusha.; Sewpaul, Vishanthie.
This qualitative study, conducted in the eThekwini Metropolitan area, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), was designed primarily to understand the perceptions and experiences of youth transitioning and those who had transitioned out of Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) within two years. Thematic analysis of interviews with a purposive sample of youth as principal participants traced their views and experiences from entry into care until their exit, and their post-exit experiences. Family caregivers/significant others and service providers were included to obtain multiple perspectives on the planning and the preparation for the transition and aftercare support. Such data triangulation provided for a holistic understanding of structural impediments and facilitating factors of youth transitioning out of CYCCs. The study contributes to emerging care-leaving research in the national and international discourse on youth transitioning out of CYCCs. Empirical evidence reveals that youth are unprepared for transitioning out of CYCCs and that they experience poor outcomes. They are amongst the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society whose preparation for exit should, but rarely commences during entry into care. Although CYCCs facilitate dependency by their very structure and operation when youth transition out, mostly at 18 years, their childhood reaches a grinding, abrupt halt. Their immediate and spontaneous graduation into adulthood requires their fulfilment of “adult” roles, without a safety net, stripped of rights and entitlement that were afforded to them in care. Their challenges are compounded by expectations to return to an environment of chronic poverty, unemployment, poor education, discrimination, high rates of crime, violence and HIV and AIDs. Comparatively, their counterparts’ transitioning from their homes are supported and gradual, based on their readiness. The study proposes further research and recommends strengthening policies, legislation and resources for continuous services that improve the life chances of children and youth at CYCCs, aftercare services and the prevention of entry into CYCCs.