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Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours

Recent Submissions

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Open Access

Factors affecting the phasing out of Accounting as a subject area at the FET Level in Limpopo Province

(2025-06-25) Tshiovhe, T. E.; Monobe, R. J.

The aim of the study was to investigate factors influencing the phasing out of Accounting as a subject area at both FET level and schools in the Limpopo Province. In this study, a qualitative approach was adopted, and data was collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of one (1) Provincial Subject Coordinator, ten (10) subject advisors, ten (10) principals, ten (10) SGB members, ten (10) teacher union members and nine (9) teachers at FET level. The collected qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study revealed that factors such as poor performance of learners in Accounting, a decline in the number of learners studying Accounting, and a negative attitude of Circuit Managers and Principals towards Accounting have influenced principals to phase out the subject. The study recommends that stakeholders, such as parents, SGBs, teachers’ unions, and learners, be well-informed about the significance of accounting in career matters. In addition, people in the community, who are knowledgeable about what is happening in the economy, should be invited to participate in the discussions on issues like the potential of different subjects, career options, and combining of subjects that are taking place

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Open Access

An investigation into the roles of the community structures in the enhancement of community participation in service delivery: a case of Ngulumbi Village in the Limpopo Province

(2012-05-14) Ratshitanga, Tshilidzi Cynthia; Khwashaba, M. P.

This study is an investigation into the roles of the community structures m the enhancement of community participation in service delivery. In this study I used the quantitative approach wherein purposive sampling was used because those who were selected to participate in the research had knowledge about what the structure do in the community. The selected participants had more knowledge about the phenomena that was studied. The instrument that I used in order to collect data from community structures was questionnaires, wherein they were distributed only to the selected members of the structure. Questionnaires were completed without fear because the respondents were assured of their anonymity and that confidentiality was to be maintained. An analysis of findings indicated that there was no good relationship between the community structures and the municipality, communication was very poor that is why there was a delay in the delivery of service. It was again indicated that the community should get full participation when it comes to the selection of the structure members through democratic elections. Community is the most important client of service delivery; therefore all the involvement and participation by the community should be done fully. The recommendations made through this study are that there should be democratic elections of the community structures by the community. There should be communication between the local municipality and the structure so that it becomes possible for the structure to play their roles in enhancing community participation in service delivery. There should be trainings so that development can be carried by people with full knowledge and skills. There should be an increase, in terms of the years, in the number of years of service within the structure members.

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Open Access

Evaluation of the success of the centre for positive cares orphan and vulnerable children programme in Vhembe District of South Africa

(2012-05-16) Ramarumo, Ndavheleseni Elias; Francis, J.; Zuwarimwe, J.

Since the Centre for Positive Care (CPC)-run orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) programme was established in 2005, it has never been systematically evaluated. Its impact in the community is still unknown. This study was conducted to determine the success of the OVC programme in terms of its relevance, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. The study was carried out in Makhado, Musina and Thulamela Municipalities of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Five hundred and one (501) respondents, who included OVC, Child Care Forum coordinators, caregivers, CPC programme staff and representatives of community-based institutions, participated in this study. Multiple data collection tools such as questionnaires that required responses on a Likert-type scale, personal reflection stories, a well-being assessment guide, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 for Windows. Cross-tabulations and frequencies were computed to compare the level of satisfaction amongst caregivers and CCF coordinators with respect to the CPC-run OVC programme. Inferential statistics were conducted to test whether there were any differences between the perceptions of OVC coordinators and those of caregivers. The Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to determine if the data were normally distributed. Two sample t-tests were then carried out for each perception. In general, the means for the perceptions of the OVC coordinators were higher than those for caregivers. With respect to programme relevance, the means for the perceptions, "there was a need to implement the OVC programme in their communities" and "ordinary community members have always been involved in the programme from the time it was introduced" were significantly lower for OVC coordinators than for caregivers (P < 0.05). Lower means for the perceptions of OVC coordinators compared to caregivers were observed for "the CPC-run OVC programme was well introduced in their communities" and "relevant stakeholders were involved in decision making from the beginning of the OVC programme" (P < 0.01). The mean for the perception that "all villages with OVC were covered" was much higher (P < 0.001) for the caregivers compared to OVC coordinators. Regarding the effectiveness of the CPC-run OVC programme, the means for the perceptions that "adequate support was provided by CPC staff members" and "debriefing sessions were held at least once a year for emotional support" were significantly lower for OVC coordinators than for caregivers (P < 0.05). It was found that OVC coordinators agreed more than carers with the perception that "training was provided on an on-going basis and also when needed" (P < 0.01). To a larger extent, OVC coordinators agreed much more than caregivers with the view that "data verifications were done frequently" (P < 0.001). Regarding the impact of the CPC-run OVC programme, there were no significant differences in observations (P > 0.05) in all the perceptions of OVC coordinators and caregivers. Both OVC coordinators and caregivers agreed that the programme had made impact. This study provided evidence indicating that the CPC-run OVC programme made a positive impact in the community. The changes in the lives of OVC were in the form of provision of essential services such as psychosocial care, health and educational support, child protection and household economic strengthening. Community-based institutions and all the children who participated in this study reported that they had benefited from the CPC-run OVC programme in various ways. Although there was a notable improvement in the lives of children, households and the community at large, various challenges impeded the smooth operation of the CPC-run OVC programme. Lack of standardised salaries, inadequate structures to use as children resource centres and changes in the political landscape were cited as the challenges to successful implementation. With regard to the sustainability of the OVC programme, most CCFs indicated that they did not have their own funding to supplement that from the donor. However, in spite of the inadequate stipend received, members of CCFs demonstrated great passion for serving the OVC. One volunteer summed this up quite eloquently, viz. "Nne a thina ndavha nauri ri a wana kana a ri wani masheleni a ndivhuwo, ndi to u funa u shuma na vhana" (I do not care if we get a stipend or not, 1 just love to work with children). It was evident from this study that in order to provide quality care services to OVC, there was a need for strengthening coordination among various players at national, provincial, district and local Municipality levels.

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Open Access

Challenges causing delay in the implementation of water project in Mutale Municipality and its impact on social life of the community: a case study of Tshipise/Dambale Water Project

(2013-05-20) Kwinda, Tshifhiwa Solomon; Khwashaba, M. P.

The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the delay in the implementation of a water project and its impact on social life of the community using Tshipise / Dambale water project as a case study. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The study was placed in both the quantitative and qualitative research paradigm. The researcher used a non-probability method and its subtype purposive sampling for the purpose of collecting from the respondents with accurate and relevant information. The populations involved in this study were local traditional leaders; civic members from Tshipise and Dambale villages; and water committee from Tshipise and Dambale villages who completed the questionnaire and the community development worker (CDW), Ward councillor, community liaison officer (CLO) who were interviewed. The study revealed that the municipality is obliged, by the law, to provide the community with water and also that the municipality is aware that the law binds them to provide the community with water. The studies also revealed that lack of capacity of contractors in the implementation of water project have delayed the implementation of water project. It was recommended that competent contractors with relevant skills need to be appointed to render a relevant service. It was also recommended that the municipality must undertake proper monitoring to ensure the contractor is doing what he or she is supposed to do.

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Open Access

The role of the principals in managing conflict in primary schools in Dzindi Circuit in Vhembe Region in the Limpopo Province

(2008-05-10) Rathanya, Tuwani Agnes; Ravhudzulo, M. A.

This study is centred on the role of the principals in managing conflict in primary schools in the Dzindi circuit. Qualitative methods which involved the use of in-depth individual and focus group interviews were used in this study. The study revealed that the main causes of conflict in primary schools arc overcrowding in classroom, management style, misunderstanding. and fear of unknown, monitoring system, lack of school policy and lack of proper channels of communication. The study also revealed that principals have crucial role in managing conflict. They become the mediators and the negotiator in managing conflict and reconcile the parties in the conflict. The principals also emphasised that they prevent conflict by forming syndicates in their schools, encouraging teamwork, avoiding gossip and by being a good Iistener.