https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30861 2026-07-12T00:24:02Z 2026-07-12T00:24:02Z Gopal, Denelle Devanisha https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32653 2026-06-22T11:45:11Z 2026-02-27T00:00:00Z

Multi-Generational Differences: Females’ Perspectives on Factors Influencing Employee Retention Gopal, Denelle Devanisha The aim of this study was to explore the multi-generational differences in the driving and inhibiting factors that influence employee retention from a female perspective. A qualitative research design was used, and 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analysed through thematic coding using ATLAS.ti. The findings revealed that emotional and psychological well-being, inclusive leadership and value alignment are central factors that influence retention, particularly for women navigating personal and professional responsibilities. Multi-generational differences emerged in participants’ perceptions of organisational support, leadership styles and career development opportunities. The study highlights the importance of fostering inclusive and empathetic workplace cultures that support life transitions, promote diversity and build trust through transparent communication. Recommendations are provided to guide human resource practitioners and organisational leaders in developing retention strategies that are responsive to generational needs and gender-specific challenges.; Die doel van hierdie studie was om die multigenerasieverskille in die motivering- en stremmingsfaktore wat werknemerbehoud beïnvloed vanuit ʼn vroulike perspektief te ondersoek. ʼn Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, en 20 semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer. Die data is ontleed deur tematiese kodering met behulp van ATLAS.ti. Die bevindinge het getoon dat emosionele en sielkundige welstand, inklusiewe leierskap en waardebelyning sentrale faktore is wat behoud beïnvloed, veral vir vroue wat persoonlike en professionele verantwoordelikhede navigeer. Multigenerasieverskille het na vore gekom in deelnemers se persepsies van organisasie-ondersteuning, leierskapstyle en loopbaanontwikkelingsgeleenthede. Die studie beklemtoon die belangrikheid van die bevordering van inklusiewe en empatiese werkplekkulture wat lewensoorgange ondersteun, diversiteit bevorder en vertroue deur deursigtige kommunikasie bou. Aanbevelings word verskaf om menslikehulpbronpraktisyns en organisasieleiers te lei in die ontwikkeling van behoudstrategieë responsief tot generasiebehoeftes en geslagspesifieke uitdagings.; Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukuhlonza umehluko phakathi kwezizukulwane eziningi mayelana nezinto ezinomthelela ekuqhutshweni nasekuvinjelweni kokugcinwa kwabasebenzi emsebenzini, ngokubona kwabesifazane. Kwasetshenziswa ucwaningo oluhleliwe oluyikhwalithi kanti futhi nemibuzo engama-20 engahleliwe ngokuphelele nayo yasetshenziswa. Idatha yahlaziywa ngokusebenzisa ukuhlukanisa ngemixholo ye-ATLAS.ti. Imiphumela yadalula ukuthi inhlakahle ngokwengqondo nangokwemizwa, ubuholi obubandakanyayo kanye nokuhambisana ngokwamanani kungumgogodla wokugcinwa kwabasebenzi emsebenzini, ikakhulukazi abesifazane abanezibopho zabo siqu kanye nezasemsebenzini. Umehluko phakathi kwezizukulwane eziningi, waqala emva kwemicabango yababambiqhaza yokwesekwa kwenhlangano, izindlela zobuholi kanye namathuba okuthuthukisa umsebenzi. Ucwaningo lugqamisa ukubaluleka kokugqugquzela ukubandakanya kanye namasiko okusebenza anozwelo eseka ukuguqula impilo, agqugquzela ukwehluka kanti futhi akha ukwethembana ngokuxhumana okusobala. Kuhlinzekwe ngezincomo ezizokweluleka abasebenzi ababhekelela izindaba zabasebenzi kanye nabaholi benhlangano ekusunguleni amaqhinga azohlangabezana nezidingo zesizukulwana kanjalo nezingqinamba eziqondene nobulili obuthile. Abstract in English with Afrikaans and Zulu translation

2026-02-27T00:00:00Z Ngomane, Tirhani Doreen https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32639 2026-07-01T05:19:53Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Experiences of female principals regarding leadership and management support received from school stakeholders in Ekurhuleni Education District Ngomane, Tirhani Doreen This study explored the experiences of female principals regarding the support they receive or do not receive from various stakeholders within the Ekurhuleni Education District, South Africa. The study focused on how stakeholder support influences leadership and management performance, how female principals' strategies they use, and support structure are required to strengthen their leadership roles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of female principals in educational leadership, with particular attention to the nature and effects of stakeholders’ support in their professional roles. A qualitative research approach was used, and a multiple-site case study design was adopted, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and observations during the interviews. The study indicate that leadership and management experiences of female principals are strongly associated with effective stakeholder support, including collaboration with teachers, engagement with parents, and support from School Governing Bodies (SGB). It means that such support from the different stakeholders promotes accountability, shared responsibility, and improved school performance. Conversely, negative experience is linked to inefficient stakeholder support and gendered expectations that undermine authority. Female principals address these challenges by fostering shared visions, promoting collaboration, delegating responsibilities and building professional networks to enhance their leadership and management responsibilities. The study concludes that effective stakeholder support is essential for enabling female principals to lead successfully. It recommends strengthening collaborative practices, enhancing stakeholder accountability, and promoting gendersensitive leadership approaches.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Harvey, Sharon J. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32636 2026-06-17T05:42:16Z 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z

Constructions of gender and power : South African mothers’ experiences of intimate partner violence and family court Harvey, Sharon J. Divorce and intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, have been well researched; however, the experiences of mothers' post-separation, and specifically during Family Court processes, in the context of domestic violence, has been less well-reviewed. Mothers' experiences of domestic violence after leaving abusive partners, and their postseparation experiences with Family Court, are for the most part poorly understood. This study aimed first to explore South African mothers’ experiences of Family Court processes in the context of intimate partner violence; and second, to explore the social constructions of gender and power in the context of Family Court and intimate partner violence, post separation. This qualitative study was underpinned by a social constructionist paradigmatic framework and a critical postmodern feminist theoretical approach. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Data was gathered until saturation using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by means of discourse analysis. Throughout the research process all ethical considerations were adhered to. The study found that mothers experienced ongoing abuse after separation and perceived the Family Court system as unsupportive and inadequate in addressing issues related to family violence, financial maintenance, and children's court matters. These systemic failures mirrored the dynamics of the abusive relationships. The research uncovered dominant discourses related to gendered narratives, dismissed safety concerns, and a perceived lack of knowledge or competence among experts and decision-makers regarding family violence, coercive control, and economic abuse, leading to long-term emotional and psychological trauma for the mothers and their children. These findings suggest the urgent need for systemic reform and a deeper understanding of the complex challenges around gender power imbalances that surround the Family Court system.

2025-02-01T00:00:00Z Sosibo, Nothando Bridget https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32578 2026-07-06T14:00:57Z 2026-01-31T00:00:00Z

Life after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS : exploring the experiences of young women aged 18-35 diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Mtubatuba Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal province Sosibo, Nothando Bridget In rural South Africa, young women face multiple challenges after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This study explored the lived experiences of young women aged 18 to 35 who had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, using the health belief model (HBM) and Goffman’s stigma theory to frame their psychosocial journeys. The study was guided by the interpretivist paradigm, where a qualitative research design was employed, using purposive sampling to access 15 participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was utilised for data analysis. The findings indicate that initial reactions to the diagnosis are marked by profound shock, fear of death, anger, and self-blame, which highlight the enduring perception of HIV as a fatal and morally stigmatised condition in rural communities. However, there was a gradual move towards acceptance, which is largely facilitated by counselling, health education, and supportive family networks. Health workers are pivotal in reframing HIV as a manageable condition, although inconsistencies in counselling quality highlight structural gaps in care. While family and peer support provide emotional stability, disclosure is fraught with fear of rejection, gossip, and community judgement. The absence of formalised external support groups and economic empowerment initiatives further exacerbated the participants’ psychosocial vulnerabilities. Coping strategies included strict adherence to antiretroviral treatment through alarms, calendars, and reminders; reliance on prayer and spirituality for resilience; lifestyle modifications such as reduced alcohol intake; and cautious navigation of romantic and sexual relationships. The study concludes that while biomedical interventions have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, psychosocial and structural challenges remain significant barriers to holistic well-being. The study recommends strengthening community-based counselling, stigma reduction campaigns, and socio-economic support structures, alongside integrating spiritual care and safe disclosure protocols.

2026-01-31T00:00:00Z