https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/507 Electronic versions of theses and dissertations submitted to Unisa since 2003 2026-07-20T15:45:59Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32756 Contributors to criminal behaviours amongst juveniles at Durban Youth Correctional Centre: a qualitative exploratory study Radebe, Thandekile Loveness In South Africa's criminal justice system, juvenile delinquency is still a major problem, especially in high-crime cities like Durban. The factors influencing the criminal behaviour of fifteen (N=15) male juveniles at the Durban Youth Correctional Centre (DYCC) were examined in this qualitative exploratory study. The study used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, based on Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST), to identify the lived experiences and pathways leading to criminality. Findings: Four main themes were found to contribute to offending trajectories: (i) the absence of positive role models and the fragmentation of families; (ii) the widespread influence of gang subcultures that offer a substitute sense of belonging; (iii) systemic socioeconomic despair brought on by high unemployment and poverty; and (iv) institutional failures within the social welfare and educational safety nets. Conclusion: According to the research, juvenile criminality may be a maladaptive reaction to ongoing structural and environmental stress. In an attempt to restore a sense of agency, vulnerable kids in urban townships frequently turn to delinquent peer groups due to status frustration resulting from relative lack. Recommendations: The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) should switch from offense-based to factor-based rehabilitation, with a focus on family-mediated reconciliation. In addition, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)-aligned vocational training and "trauma-informed" aftercare must be given top priority by policy in order to alleviate the structural obstruction of genuine economic opportunities. Text in English with summaries in Zulu 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32755 Insights into the microbiology of selected drinking water treatment plants and sludge Ntobeng, Lesoka Reneiloe Drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) play a crucial role in treating raw water sources to potable quality. Contaminants in drinking water can pose serious health concerns. The study evaluated the microbial diversity of raw water, the treatment stages, treated water, and the sludge of three DWTPs in the Northwest and Gauteng provinces over a 12-month monitoring period. Microbial and physicochemical parameters of the were analysed. Enumeration of E. coli and Enterococcus spp. was conducted using Colilert-18 and Enterolert Quanti-Tray/2000 IDEXX. Heterotrophic plate counts (HBC) were performed to quantify heterotrophic bacteria. Antibiotic resistance of the bacteriological indicators was assessed using the disc diffusion method. Microbial diversity and functional metagenomic profiles were analysed using the shotgun metagenomics sequencing approach. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine relationships between bacterial communities, treatment stages, raw water and the physicochemical parameters. All DWTPs achieved approximately 90% reduction in bacteriological indicator across the seasons. Most of the isolated bacteriological indicators showed resistance to beta-lactams class of antibiotics. Based on metagenomic analysis, Euryarchaeota and Nitrososphaerota (Archaea phyla), Pseudomonadota (Bacterial phyla), Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (Eukaryota phyla), were abundant in the water and sludge samples. Correlation analysis showed that pH, temperature, nitrates, sulphate, EC, TDS, and Fe were associated with the proliferation of the bacteria. Metabolism functional genes were abundant across the sampling points. 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32754 Investigating the role of branding in strategic communication: a qualitative study of the GCIS and Department of Tourism Lebele, Seapei Pascaline This study investigated the role of branding in strategic communication within the South African government, with reference to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and the Department of Tourism. Although government branding has attracted scholarly attention, it is often treated in isolation from broader strategic communication processes. This separation creates gaps in understanding how branding functions as an integrated component of government communication. Furthermore, limited research has examined government branding through a systems theory lens. Grounded in systems theory, the study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological research design to explore communicators’ experiences of branding within their institutional contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen purposively selected communication practitioners from the GCIS and the Department of Tourism. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring codes and themes. The findings indicate that branding plays a strategic role in enhancing brand awareness, thereby contributing to the achievement of institutional objectives. Branding was also found to support differentiation, credibility, trust-building, and legitimacy in government communication, although its effectiveness still depends on consistent implementation and alignment with other organisational objectives. However, the study identified challenges related to brand consistency, highlighting the need for ongoing training and internal alignment among communicators and other staff members. The study contributes to advancing government communication policy and practice by positioning branding as an integral component of strategic communication rather than a standalone activity. It further enriches the literature on government branding by applying systems theory and recommends a phased approach to reinforcing implementation, improving guidelines, and fostering institutional learning to enhance effectiveness in practice and additional research to deepen theoretical understanding in this area. 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32753 COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women in Nairobi City County, Kenya Mabonga, Lilian The primary purpose of this research was to assess the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women in Nairobi City County, Kenya, between September 2021 and October 2022. The research utilised mixed methods and focused on 10 out of the 17 sub-counties in Nairobi, chosen through scientific selection. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used to summarise demographic data. Inferential statistics such as chi-square, Pearson correlation, t-test, and binary logistic regression were used for further analysis. Several factors were identified as positive contributors to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Nurses were found to be the most influential people in vaccine uptake due to their interactions with their patients at the antenatal clinics. Pregnant women with a high level of satisfaction with how the Ministry of Health communicated policy changes, those with higher income and those with a higher education level were more likely to get vaccinated. Pregnant women who previously had children and had them vaccinated were more open to COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnant women in the age group 18-23 demonstrated higher receptance to the vaccine. Similarly, traditional media (TV, radios, etc.) and trust in peers both positively played a role in shaping the perceptions of pregnant women towards vaccine uptake. Social media was a source of misinformation, and in addition, pregnant women feared stigma from family members and peers if they took the vaccine. Socio-economic challenges, including low income, lack of transport, unemployment and very long queues, discouraged pregnant women from getting vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated, some chose to use alternative measures, including social distancing, wearing of masks and use of herbal medication, which was viewed as a safer option than the vaccine. The research concluded that there was a significant association between being informed about policy changes, satisfaction with the source of information, employment status, influence of healthcare providers (particularly nurses), confidence and media, prior vaccination of children, fear of stigma and sterilisation and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Limited access to healthcare services, lack of adequate information, low trust level, low level of education, low income, lack of confidence and inadequate information contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the unvaccinated pregnant women. Misinformation circulating on social media played a significant role in undermining confidence in credible information sources related to the vaccine. The research recommended that training healthcare workers, especially nurses, to deliver consistent and empathetic messaging during antenatal care visits is essential to build trust among pregnant women. The Ministry of Health needs to implement comprehensive community-based campaigns targeting misconceptions and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination. Government and private institutions should collaborate in improving vaccine accessibility. 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z