https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30861 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:00:03 GMT 2026-06-19T17:00:03Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32639 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. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32639 2025-11-15T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32636 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. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32636 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32578 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. Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32578 2026-01-31T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32556 Integrating gender-responsive budgeting into public expenditure frameworks: a case study of botswana’s ministry of finance and economic development Tamapo, Moatlhodi Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) within public expenditure systems is a relatively recent development in Botswana. While the country has made formal commitments to achieve gender equality, particularly under Sustainable Development Goal 5, the extent of GRB's integration and its impact on inclusive fiscal outcomes remain unclear. This study investigated the extent to which GRB has been implemented within the Ministry of Finance in Botswana. The study focused on the Gender and Development (GAD) theoretical framework, which emphasises transforming institutions and power relations to eliminate systemic gender inequality. A qualitative research design was adopted, using a combination of structured questionnaires administered to 50 respondents and semi-structured interviews with 20 key informants from relevant departments within the Ministry. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that while there is growing recognition of gender equality within policy discourse, actual GRB implementation remains superficial. Challenges identified include the lack of gender-disaggregated data, limited technical expertise, weak policy enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient political commitment at the operational level. Furthermore, gender considerations are often treated as add-ons rather than integrated into the core budgeting process. Despite these challenges, the study also found promising opportunities—such as emerging donor support, the presence of gender focal points in some departments, and alignment with international frameworks—that can be leveraged to strengthen GRB in Botswana. The research recommended an integrated GRB framework, strategic reforms including institutional capacity building, the development of gender-sensitive indicators, the integration of GRB into legal frameworks, and the establishment of stronger political and administrative accountability mechanisms. Ukwabiwa Kwezimali Ngokohlobo Lobulili (i-GRB) ngaphakathi kohlelo lokusetshenziswa emphakathini kuyintuthuko esanda kwenzeka e-Botswana. Ngesikhathi izwe lizibophezele ngokusemthethweni ukunqoba ukulingana ngokobulili, ikakhulukazi ngaphansi kwe-Sustainable Development Goal 5, ububanzi bokuxhumana kwe-GRB kanye nomthelela wayo kwimiphumela yezezimali abukacaci. Lolu cwaningo luphenye umthelela we-GRB obekiwe ngaphansi kukangqongqoshe wezezimali e-Botswana. Ucwaningo lugxile kuhlaka lwethiyori yobulili nokuthuthukiswa i-Gender and Development (i-GAD), egcizelela ukuguqulwa kwezikhungo kanye namandla okuphatha ukukhuculula uhlelo lokungalingani ngokobulili. Kusetshenziswe i- qualitative research kusetshenziswa inhlanganisela yemibuzo esatshalaliswe kubabambiqhaza abangu-50 kanye nezinkulumo mpendulwano ezihleliwe ezinezimpimpi eziseqhulwini ezingu-20 ezivela kwiminyango efanele ngaphakathi kwe-Ministry. I-Thematic analysis yedatha iveze ukuba ngenkathi ukunakwa kokulingana kobulili kukhula ngaphansi kwenqubomgomo, ukubekwa kwe-GRB kusayinto engakapheleli. Izingqinamba ezidaluliwe zibandakanya ukungasaphazeka kwe-data, ubuchule bobuchwepheshe obuncane, ukuntengantenga kokubekwa kwenqubomgomo, kanye nokungazibophezeli ngokwanele kwepolitiki emazingeni okusebenza. Ngaphezulu, ukubuyekezwa kobulili buthatha njengokwengezwa kunokuhlanganyela kwinqubo yezezimali. Ngaphandle kwalezi zingqinamba, ucwaningo luphinde lwathola ukuthi kunamathuba athembisayo afana nokwesekwa okukhulayo kwabanikeli, ubukhona bamaphoyinti obulili asobala kweminye yeminyango, kanye nokuhambisana kwezinhlaka zamazwe — lokho kungasetshenziswa ukuqinisa i-GRB e-Botswana. Ucwaningo luqoke uhlaka lwe-GRB oluxubene, izinguquko zamasu ezihlanganisa ukwakhiwa kwamandla ezikhungo, ukuthuthukiswa kwezinkomba ezibheka ubulili, ukuhlanganiswa kwe-GRB kwizinhlelo zomthetho, kanye nokusungulwa kwezinhlelo eziqinile zokubophezela kwezepolitiki nezokuphatha.; Tekanyetsokabo e e Tsibogelang Bong (GRB) mo dithulaganyong tsa ditirisomatlole tsa puso ke tlhabololo ya bošeng jaana mo Botswana. Le fa naga e dirile maitlamo a semmuso a go fitlhelela tekatekano ya bong, segolobogolo ka fa tlase ga Maikaelelo a Tlhabololo e e Tswelelang 5, selekanyo sa kopanyo ya GRB le segatlha sa dipoelo tsa matlole tse di akaretsang ga go ise go tlhaloganyesege. Thutopatlisiso e e batlisisitse gore GRB e tsentswe tirisong go le kana kang mo Lefapheng la Matlole mo Botswana. Thutopatlisiso e ne e lebile letlhomeso la tiori la Bong le Tlhabololo (GAD), le le gatelelang go fetola ditheo le dikamano tsa maatla go fedisa botlhoka tekatekano ga bong jo bo rulagantsweng. Go ne ga amogelwa moralo wa patlisiso wa sekwalitatifi, go dirisiwa motswako wa dipampiri tsa dipotso tse di rulagantsweng tse di neng tsa neelwa baarabi ba le 50 le dipotsotherisano tse di rulagantsweng bontlhabongwe le batlhagisi ba botlhokwa ba le 20 go tswa kwa maphateng a a maleba mo Lefapheng. Tshekatsheko ya morero wa dinewa e senotse gore le fa go na le temogo e e golang ya tekatekano ya bong mo pholising ya puo, tiragatso ya nnete ya GRB e santse e le e e kwa godimo. Dikgwetlho tse di supilweng di akaretsa go tlhoka dinewa tse di kgaogantsweng go ya ka bong, boitseanape jo bo lekanyeditsweng jwa setegeniki, mekgwa e e bokoa ya tiragatso ya pholisi, le maikemisetso a a sa lekanang a sepolotiki mo maemong a tiro. Go feta moo, dintlha tsa bong gantsi di tsewa e le ditlaleletsi go na le go kopanngwa mo thulaganyong ya mmatota ya tekanyetsokabo. Le fa go na le dikgwetlho tse, patlisiso e ne gape ya fitlhela ditšhono tse di solofetsang — tse di jaaka tshegetso ya batlamedi ba ba tlhagelelang, go nna teng ga dintlha tse di tsepameng tsa bong mo mafapheng mangwe, le go tsamaisana le matlhomeso a boditšhabatšhaba — a a ka dirisiwang go nonotsha GRB mo Botswana. Patlisiso e tshitsintse letlhomeso le le kopantsweng la GRB, diphetogo tsa ditogamaano tse di akaretsang kago ya bokgoni jwa ditheo, tlhabololo ya ditshupo tse di tlhokomelang bong, go kopanngwa ga GRB mo matlhomesong a semolao, le go tlhongwa ga mekgwa e e nonofileng ya maikarabelo a sepolotiki le a tsamaiso. Tue, 01 Jan 0026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32556 0026-01-01T00:00:00Z