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    Peace education as a transformative strategy in a community affected by gang violence
    (2025-05) Pearson, Jo-Anne R.; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
    Thousands of children in South Africa live in areas dominated by high levels of gang violence. Little is known about the impact of this violence on younger learners in their preschool years and on their teachers. This study sought to provide knowledge on the exposure and experiences of preschool learners towards gang violence in communities on the Cape Flats, Cape Town, over a two-and-a-half-year period (from 2019 to 2021). The study also sought to answer the questions of whether peace education could be used as a transformative strategy for the preschool community situated in gang affected areas, and if so, how peace education could be used in these circumstances. There is currently a dearth of literature surrounding peace education associations of preschool-aged children and teachers in high-gang violence communities as a strategy to transform a culture of violence to a culture of peace. Such underrepresentation in research constrains the understanding of the impact of gang violence on the preschool population and compromises community-based violence prevention and peace promotion intervention effectiveness. This study explored an ecological systems approach to the consequences associated with early childhood exposure to gang violence in proximal contexts, such as the family, school and environment. It also explored gang violence from the perspective of preschool teachers who live and teach in affected communities and the multiple barriers to promoting peace education in early childhood as an alternative to gangs. Using qualitative participatory action research (PAR), the study made use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus groups for data collection. The sample population was composed of teachers and principals from preschools on the Cape Flats. The findings revealed that this sample population experienced high levels of victimisation and violence on a regular basis and were desperate to find a solution to their plight. The data provided from the interviews, questionnaires and focus groups and through thematic analysis of the data, provided the researcher information to be able to put together a peace education manual for early childhood development educators. It is hoped that this manual may be used for practical interventions by preschool teachers in communities such as the Cape Flats, Cape Town, that experience high levels of violence. In this thesis, I argue that the implications for how peace education and peacebuilding aimed at transformation are conceived and practiced, particularly in high-violence, gang-affected contexts, are considerable.
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    Consumer rights awareness among residents from low socio-economic areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
    (2025-05) Tshiki, Nondumiso Precious; Anwana, Emem O.
    The research examined consumer rights awareness among residents off low socio-economic areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The budgets allocated to research on consumer protection in South Africa remain low compared to the sizes of the industries. There is a lack of technical knowledge within consumer protection authorities about the industries they oversee. Bureaucracy within these bodies often hinders the enforcement of consumer laws, and political interference can render these laws ineffective. Additionally, large businesses in South Africa frequently have the financial power to lobby against consumer protection efforts. Therefore, it is essential to understand legislative consumerism in South Africa, using Durban, KwaZulu-Natal consumers as a case study. This will help to understand the awareness of rights among consumers from lower socio-economic areas. This study aims to investigate consumer rights awareness among residents from low socio-economic areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The phenomenological research paradigm was used in this study to explore and understand the lived experiences of consumers in low socio-economic status areas regarding their awareness and exercise of consumer rights. To meet this study's objectives, a qualitative research method was employed. This was deemed necessary as it provides more detailed personal data or opinions that can be obtained by observing participants or talking to them in person. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy enabled the researcher to select 20 people from a low socio-economic area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, for this study's purpose. The qualitative method used in this study required thematic analysis to evaluate the data. Open-ended questions of a similar nature were grouped together to form themes that describe consumer behaviour towards consumerism and rights in South Africa. The study found that while some residents have a basic understanding of consumer rights, the majority remain unaware, highlighting the need for comprehensive education and awareness campaigns to empower consumers in asserting their rights effectively. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive education and awareness campaign to empower consumers to assert their rights more effectively. The study further found that although there is a basic understanding of consumer rights by some residents in low socioeconomic communities however, the majority are still not aware of their rights as consumers. Consumer rights awareness in low socio-economic communities can only be increased by applying a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy. By implementing strategies that include education, technology integration, community involvement, and collaboration among stakeholders. This will enable consumers to assert their rights effectively and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities.
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    Reducing youth violence : an action research project in Masisi, The Democratic Republic of Congo
    (2025-05) Banzi, Philippe Semivumbi; Kiyala, Kimbuku Jean Chrysostome; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas
    For more than six decades now, Masisi District in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been undergoing deadly conflicts. These conflicts have resulted in thousands of deaths, destruction, people displacements and hatred among people, in particular the youths. Furthermore, these conflicts were characterised by violence. The purpose of this thesis is to determine how to reduce violent behaviour among the youth in Masisi. The study first establishes the motivations behind youth involvement in violent acts and the impact of violence on the youth themselves and the communities. Then it provides solutions for the way out of violence by suggesting locally designed projects to promote peace among the youth and their communities. The main goal is to understand the youth behaviours and try to reduce violence. Specifically, the study aims at exploring the nature, extent, causes and consequences of violence in Masisi and to evaluate the impact of violence on the communities. In addition, the study aims at assessing the current initiatives put in place for conflict transformation. Finally, it provides suggestions for strategies and how to implement them in order to reduce prejudice; stereotypes and misunderstanding among the youths while evaluating the outcomes of the implemented interventions in order to improve the relationships and to curtail violence in Masisi. These strategies resulted from the conflict transformation theory as suggested by Jean Paul Lederach, the intergroup contact theory and the theory of change. This research is qualitative. Data collection was done through interviews with various actors and was coupled with observation and archival research. Therefore, primary and secondary data was used and was related to the situation in Masisi. The findings revealed that young people inherited historical conflict and that violence in Masisi has had serious and long-term repercussions. In addition, acts of violence and criminality are quite often hidden because of the inaccessibility of the district, therefore making it difficult to document the acts of violence or to eliminate them. Among other causal factors of violence, the findings identified the geographical setting and isolation coupled with an isolated population, youth unemployment, manipulation and exploitation among the motivations for violence. Moreover, the study established from the informants’ narratives that violence is both a business and a game; there is a leadership vacuum and lack of role models with manipulation or exploitation adding to poverty in Masisi. In addition, the results indicate that the youths’ voices are not heard; there is a strong feeling of hypocrisy among communities and a lack of social cohesion. The study found also that there is unfinished business on the youths’ side and a need for peaceful cohabitation. Ethnic rivalry, discrimination and exclusion are also among the causes of violence. Thus, efforts need to be made to reduce violence and bring about peaceful cohabitation, to improve the relationships among young people and put in place mechanisms to transform conflicts and change behaviours. This will help stakeholders to understand the youths’ attitude and how to respond to their grievances and expectations. The study resulted in the creation of a youth association involved in farming activities and peace circles for the young people who act as peacemakers.
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    Financial growth and sustainability in retail SMMes: study of work-integrated learning policy
    (Virtus Interpress, 2017) Sewell, William; Mason, Roger Bruce; Venter, Petrus
    This evaluation of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) with Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) retailers in South Africa arose from observations that vocational education goals required in this sector are not being achieved. Qualitative methodologies were used, including dialogic interviews and questionnaire surveys of purposive samples of SMME retailers, tertiary vocational educators and retail students, as well as insights from large retailers and skills development facilitators. Findings indicate lack of consensus on WIL strategies, and that for WIL within retail SMMEs to succeed, small business management capacity and entrepreneurial competence need to be supported by pre-WIL processes and mentorship strategies. To promote work-based learning within SMMEs, recommendations are made for policy review by W&RSETA management, vocational educators and small business development organisations.
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    The necessity for education and training within the survivalist retail entrepreneurship sector
    (2016-12-31) Chux Gervase Iwu; Tengeh, Robertson; Cupido, Chris; Mason, Roger Bruce; Mason, Roger Bruce
    Abstract: This paper investigates the necessity for education and training within the survivalist retail entrepreneurship sector in Khayelitsha, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire, informal interviews and observations were employed to collect data. To analyse the collected data, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 23) was employed. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, but only 128 usable completed copies were returned. The key findings were twofold: (1) an admission by the majority of the subjects that their businesses are not doing particularly well owing to their lack of basic business skills; and (2) the subjects’ admission that competitive practices of the immigrant retail entrepreneurs in the township can be counteracted if they had adequate business skills. These findings imply that should survivalist retail entrepreneurs in Khayelitsha be expected to add greater value to the economy by creating employment opportunities, it is essential that they are provided with skills training on a regular basis by government agencies and other stakeholders such as the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA). This paper has its origin in the considered intention of the Wholesale and Retail Leadership Chair of CPUT1 to assist in developing the retail sector of the community of Khayelitsha.