Browsing by Author "Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia."

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An exploration of the survival strategies of the poor in the Makause community in Primrose (Germiston), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
(2013) Ngonyama, Luyanda George.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.; Witt, Harald Andreas.
Poverty remains a global challenge, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, where there is an increase in the total number of people affected by urban poverty. Despite economic growth and numerous poverty alleviation programmes, the urban poor in South Africa experience high levels of poverty, exacerbated by inequality, unemployment, macroeconomic policies and global politics. The magnitude of poverty is highlighted by poor access to housing, water and sanitation, electricity, health care and education. The latest Census report shows that 13.6 percent of people live in informal settlements in South Africa, 1.3 million households have no access to piped water and 8,242,924 people living in 748,597 households have no toilet at all (Statistics South Africa, 2011). The primarily objective of this study was to understand people’s understanding of poverty in the community of Makause – an informal settlement situated in Primrose (Germiston), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. A purposive sample of 32 participants was selected and field data were collected over a period of two months using in-depth interviews, observations, focus group discussions, documentary reviews and participatory learning and action processes (social maps and ranking). A combination of data collection methods was employed in order to explore different perspectives. This methodology was used to explore poverty and the survival strategies employed by poor urban households in the Makause community within the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. The framework creates space for local people to explore their own views in relation to the conceptualisation of poverty and its impact, and to examine their survival strategies based on available assets in their community. Emerging data illustrate that people’s livelihoods in the community of Makause were adversely affected by forced removals. While the new community of Tsakane was better off in terms of access to basic resources and better quality housing, the people of Makause preferred their informal settlement with its limited resources and services. It was established that, while people were exposed to crime, homelessness, poor health, and a lack of water and sanitation, etc., the community of Makause is physically closer to amenities and job opportunities. Moreover, people have lived in Makause for many years; thus strong social capital exists in the community. Therefore, the case of Makause depicts poverty as a paradox in a context where people have learnt to live with uncertainty and messiness in the eyes of outsiders. This situation depicts poverty as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in a context of vulnerability. The findings further suggest that people resist top-down development even when it is accompanied by the promise of a better life. Active community participation is required to tackle the correlation between underdevelopment and poverty. Overall, the study indicates that perceptions of poverty in Makause relate to a lack of access to basic needs such as proper housing, security, employment and food. The coping strategies adopted by the community reiterate that, despite challenges, people have strengths and assets that can be used to improve their lives. The study concludes that policy reforms and people-centred approaches are required to address systemic poverty.
Factors influencing intimate partner violence among women in Clermont : an exploratory study.
(2017) Hleoheng, Mantsali Eunicia.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.
Like many other countries in the world, South Africa still grapples with women’s subordination in society, which leaves them vulnerable to various forms of abuse. Available literature suggests that while policy and legislative frameworks exist to eliminate intimate partner violence (IPV) in the private and public spheres, women continue to experience abuse in their private lives. Strategies and interventions adopted at a global and national level to address the problem have been too limited in addressing IPV in a systemic manner. Based on this premise, a study located in the critical paradigm was conducted to explore the socio-economic factors that make women encounter abuse in their intimate relationships in Clermont – a township situated within eThekwini metro in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed a qualitative research design. Data collection method included in-depth individual interviews. A non-probability purposive sampling method was adopted to select seven individual interview participants. All participants attend counseling sessions at the shelter for abused women in Clermont. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The poststructuralist feminist approach, which identifies the intersectionality of race, gender, class and ethnicity was used as the theoretical framework to guide the study. Guided by the poststructuralist feminist framework, emerging findings demonstrate that the intersectionality of gender, race, class and ethnicity leave women from poor socio-economic backgrounds more susceptible to IPV. Hence, IPV unfolds in a specific context whereby layers of disadvantage keep women in a deprivation trap, resulting in a vicious cycle of poverty. This observation reiterates that women’s everyday realities are context specific. Against this backdrop, the findings suggest that women’s lived experiences influence how they construct the factors that perpetuate IPV in intimate relationships. Furthermore, it was established that, in most instances, emotional and physical abuse of women is interlinked. Again, a patriarchal system perpetuated oppression of women. Ultimately, emerging findings demonstrate that structural inequalities and socialization of women in Clermont contribute to individual and societal tolerance of IPV, thus perpetuating the subordination of women. Shelters for abused women provide protection; however, they fail to address the structural and systemic nature of IPV. Therefore, women who experience IPV lack long-term support that is offered in a transformative and sustainable manner. To promote the emancipation of women, it is recommended that changes need to occur at three levels: 1) at a personal level - women need to take responsibility for their own liberation through decision-making and unlearning destructive social constructs on what it means to be a normal woman; 2) at a community level - different role players and different institutions (shelters for abused women, police stations, courts and health care centres) should collaborate with communities to address the systemic nature of IPV; 3) through policy reforms, the government should tackle structural inequalities that leave women susceptible to IPV. This would mean developing policies that promote the empowerment of women to understand their human rights and address financial dependence on men, thus eliminating the scourge of IPV.
Investigating the effectiveness of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programmes in schools : a case of Ntuzuma G-section in Durban.
(2014) Mbatha, Zilungile Pearl.; Marks, Monique.; Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.
South Africa has a growing number of orphans and other children made vulnerable by the scourge of HIV and AIDS. Like many other countries in Africa and globally, the fight against this pandemic has been ongoing. Not only have there been interventions to stop the spread of the disease and provide education on preventive measures, but the country has the responsibility to take care of the orphans and ensure that their needs are met as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the South African Constitution. Some interventions are mandated by the United Nations’ (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child and other treaties and declarations that are vital to children. The South African government also has its own strategies to deal with the effects of the pandemic. One such initiative is the establishment and funding of school-based programmes for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The study investigated the effectiveness of this programme within three schools in Ntuzuma G-section, which is situated in the eThekwini Region in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed non-probability sampling procedures. Interviews were conducted with the OVC coordinator in the Pinetown district of the Department of Education, principals and OVC coordinators at the three schools, and OVC caregivers/foster parents at home. Guided by Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystems theory of child development, the results of the study suggest that this initiative is not effective in addressing the needs of OVC. It was established that orphans come to schools with psychological and developmental challenges which the programme fails to address. Emerging data suggest a lack of efficient and effective planning, proper allocation of funding and proper monitoring strategies in implementing this programme. The lack of training of OVC coordinators in schools to ensure the effective running of the programme is also cause for concern. They also lack support from the district office to ensure the sustainability of the programme. Hence, while the study acknowledges that such programmes are a worthwhile government initiative centred on the concept of ‘ubuntu’ (humanism), it is also recognised that a lack of proper systems and processes compromise quality service delivery. Without a conducive environment, it becomes challenging for the OVC Coordinators to respond appropriately, particularly because the nutrition programme is not the schools’ traditional role. Based on Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystems theory of child development, it is recognized that the socio-economic challenges associated with the escalating rate of OVC are structural and systemic; hence, schools should collaborate with other social actors such as families, churches, communities, health agencies, non-profit organizations, and government departments to build OVC’s resilience and bring about genuine development. This approach is also likely to result in a paradigm shift in the schools’ OVC programme from institutionalized to community care and support initiatives. Therefore this study recommends policy reforms in the school education system so as to foster and promote partnerships to ultimately enrich the wellbeing of OVC. This should include, inter alia, ongoing monitoring and evaluation and proper liaison between the Department of Education (DoE) and communities to enhance ongoing care and support of OVC. Continuous OVC training and support for educators are also recommended as socio-economic challenges demand that all educators develop a consciousness of social justice. Currently, training support is limited to educators who are OVC coordinators. It is recommended that all educators be properly trained to understand the needs and strengths of OVC for systems strengthening. The study concludes that the OVC programmes in schools are not a panacea for development. To ensure effectiveness, other development actors should come on board to promote people-centred, community-driven development.
Making connections : towards a holistic approach to the training of women volunteers in community home based care.
(2006) Thabethe, Nompumelelo Cynthia.; Von Kotze, Astrid Erika Liselotte Veronika.
In the midst of hope and suffering due to the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS in South Africa, communities have literally witnessed a glimmer of hope in women volunteers who have readily and willingly provided care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and their families. Policy-makers have maintained that if the care of sick people is to be both comprehensive and cost-effective, it must be conducted as much as possible in the community, with hospitalization only when it is necessary. However, the strains on those caring for people with HIV and AIDS are enormous. This paper argues that neo-liberal policies are reinforcing the divide between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', by placing strain on women volunteers in the field of community home-based care. The study was conducted in the area of Mpophomeni Township, in KwaZulu-Natal province. The research participants consisted of 10 community home-based care (CHBC) volunteers and their supervisor, 3 CHBC trainers, and 1 counselling trainer. Using a qualitative design, this study examines a specific CHBC training course and how effectively it prepares voluntary caregivers for the challenges experienced in individual homes. Ascertaining how the training helped caregivers to confront their own fears and problems before dealing with those of others, and exploring how community caregivers coped with the stress inherent in their jobs was the primary focus of this study. For these purposes, a qualitative methodology was deemed most appropriate for it allowed me to gain in-depth information through observations, semistructured interviews, a review of relevant documents, and training materials. Inspired by feminist perspectives, the findings revealed that already overburdened and poor people provide the bulk of voluntary services in the area of CHBC. Consequently, they are unable to provide quality care for people living with HIV and AIDS without external support from the government. The findings further established a mismatch between the training content and the reality of work of caregivers. The training puts more emphasis on practical aspects, by providing basic nursing care, often only relevant in helping a bedridden patient. However, many voluntary caregivers reported that the demands placed on them do not end with the death of the patient. This poses a challenge for those in the CHBC training environment as they need to offer relevant and well-researched information linked to the reality of voluntary caregivers' work. The study also highlighted a need to consider the personal long-term goals of volunteer caregivers and begin to realize the importance of using the training to put them on a career path. I therefore argue that the burden of care for people living with HIV and dying from AIDS in resource-poor settings cannot be shifted entirely to communities with the false assumption that they are able to cope. As we continue to grapple with moral and ethical issues in the context of HIV and AIDS, we also need to be concerned about moving women volunteers' efforts from invisibility to visibility through a social transformation agenda.