UWCScholar
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An analysis of the City of Cape Town’s new public participation strategy
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Mahlasela, Ntombizandile
Section 152 (1) (e) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa “encourages the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government. As the guiding document of transformation, it urges all organs of state to play a central role including redressing the imbalances of the past. To give context to the above, public participation is a central tenet of democracy and contribute to good governance. This study analysed the City of Cape Town’s new Public Participation strategy focusing on two areas, Goodwood and Khayelitsha respectively. The aim was to find out whether or not the City’s new public participation strategy is bringing the change and the benefit to communities. To attain this goal the study employed a qualitative research approach focusing on both primary and secondary data. For primary data, structured interviews was used while literature from different scholars on public participation was employed as the secondary data. In analysing data, the study used content analysis, accumulating of data using words, phrases or concepts to identify themes.
MIGHTEE-H i: the MHi - M∗ relation of massive galaxies and the Hi mass function at 0.25 < z < 0.5
(Oxford University Press, 2025) Jarvis, Matt J; Santos, Mario G.; Pan, Hengxing
The relationship between the already formed stellar mass in a galaxy and the gas reservoir of neutral atomic hydrogen, is a key element in our understanding of how gas is turned into stars in galaxy haloes. In this paper, we measure the relation based on a stellar-mass selected sample at
Exploring the scope of parenting programmes/interventions in South Africa: Guided by a systematic review and Delphi method.
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Martin, Genevieve Anastasia
The most fundamental figures in a child’s life are their caregivers as they play a crucial role in the child’s psychobiological, cognitive, social, psychological and emotional development. A positive influence in this development is fostered through the caregivers’ parenting practices, which may be governed by various factors including, but not limited to, the degree of responsiveness/warmth and demandingness/control exhibited. Parenting interventions refer to programmes designed to assist caregivers in improving their parenting practices and skills to promote positive outcomes in children. This study explored the scope of parenting interventions in South Africa through a mixed-method design, involving a systematic review and Delphi method. The systematic review provided a structured assessment of existing peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the design and delivery of parenting interventions in South Africa. Literature was sourced via a selection of nine databases within UWC’s institutional library repository. The final analysis identified 16 articles which referred to the effectiveness of parenting interventions in South Africa as well as the barriers to intervention. The second phase of this study utilised a Delphi method as a measure to explore key findings from the systematic review. Nine experts in the field of parenting interventions (identified through the systematic review and through expert referral) participated in this phase, highlighting the importance of parenting interventions and the mitigation of barriers. Qualitative data was obtained from nine individual structured interviews that were facilitated either via online meetings or via written response. Data was analysed thematically in conjunction with Braun and Clarke’s six principles. Findings of the study emphasise the need for culturally adaptable, scalable interventions, long-term sustainability and to address the systemic barriers that negatively influence parenting practices and behaviours. This research provides the groundwork for improving parenting interventions and fostering healthy family dynamics and communities. Limitations centred upon contextual relevance, systemic and structural barriers. Future recommendations emphasise the need for broader national representation, gender-diverse expert panels, and culturally relevant, community-based approaches that address socio-economic barriers such as transport, cost, and access to services.
Peer-learning and support among health policy and systems research actors in West Africa: a social network analysis
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025) Defor, Selina; Mukinda, Fidele Kanyimbu; Lehmann, Uta
Background: Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is vital for strengthening health systems, yet its development in West Africa remains constrained by limited capacity. To strengthen capacity, the West African Network of Emerging Leaders in Health Policy and Systems (WANEL) was created to foster peer learning and cross-country collaboration among early- and mid-career HPSR actors. This study used Social Network Analysis (SNA) to examine WANEL’s structure and functioning, with the aim of understanding how well the network supports its capacity and HPSR field-building goals. Methods: A cross-sectional whole-network survey was conducted with all 103 WANEL members, supported by document reviews and qualitative interviews. Relationship types assessed included acquaintance, communication, advice, mentorship and research collaboration. Data were analysed using Gephi to visualize relational patterns and compute metrics such as density and centralization, while qualitative findings provided context for interpreting network dynamics. Results: While WANEL has enhanced cross-country awareness and disciplinary diversity, the network exhibits low cohesion and high centralization. Key support relationships, particularly mentorship, advice and collaboration are sparse and unevenly distributed. A few actors dominate the flow of information and access to opportunities, while many, especially early-career and francophone actors, remain peripheral or isolated. Network interactions are driven by prior relationships and linguistic or professional affinity, limiting broader engagement. Conclusion: Findings reveal structural barriers that constrain WANEL’s potential to act as an inclusive platform for HPSR capacity-strengthening. To fulfil its vision, the network must address its current fragmentation by building stronger cross-cutting ties, broadening participation and decentralizing influence. This study contributes empirical insights into the design and governance of regional HPSR networks in low- and middle-income contexts and underscores the importance of relational infrastructure in advancing collective capacity.
Rights and responsibilities of unmarried fathers: A model for social workers
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Macdonald, Juliet
This study focused on the mediation practices of designated social workers (DSWs) during applications for parental responsibilities and rights by unmarried fathers in terms of Section 21 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Designated social workers must direct the legal and emotional complexities, as well as the parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers. It was evident from existing research that hegemonic masculinity influenced laws and the implementation of these laws.
The aim of the research was to develop a family mediation model for designated social workers to use during mediation with unmarried fathers and the unmarried mother of the child. The objectives of the research were: To explore and describe the mediation practices of social workers in the Department of Social Development, Western Cape (DSD), and Designated Child Protection Organisations (DCPOs) during the assessment of applications by unmarried fathers on parental responsibilities and rights; to explore and describe the factors that influence mediation social work practices in the DSD and DCPOs, during the application process of unmarried fathers for their parental responsibilities and rights and to develop a model for social workers in the DSD, Western Cape, and DCPOs, to address the applications of unmarried fathers for their parental responsibilities and rights within mediation.
The study applied a qualitative research approach with explorative and descriptive research designs. The study population comprised all DSWs working in the Western Cape for the DSD and DCPOs. The study sample consisted of ten DSWs from the various regions in the Western Cape and five key participants. The researcher used an adapted intervention design and development model to determine the cultural, procedural, and social factors which influenced the decisions of DSWs during their mediation practise. The researcher followed ethical considerations and ensured voluntary participation and confidentiality during the research. The research findings provided valuable insights to improve the involvement of unmarried fathers during mediation by using caring masculinity. The findings additionally revealed that the practices of DSWs were grounded in traditional theories on hegemonic masculinity, which emanated from the dominant patriarchal views of policymakers, the ruling government and legislatures. Most social workers came from a hegemonic masculinity stance where they would support the unmarried mother at all costs.