Books

In response to the AIDS epidemic and poverty, the Zimbabwean government and other organisations are implementing various programmes aimed at assisting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the eight districts surveyed. It is clearly important to have an audit of the social services and support structures available for OVC in the eight districts and to have a clear understanding of the situation of OVC including their needs and concerns in order to have proper prioritisation, designing and evaluation of programmes that are aimed at supporting the affected children.

In 2002, the Human Sciences Research Council was commissioned by the WK Kellogg Foundation to develop and implement a five-year intervention project focusing on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in southern Africa. In collaboration with several partner organizations, the project currently focuses on how children, families and communities in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are coping with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the project is to develop models of best practise so as to enhance and improve support structures for OVC in the southern African region as a whole.

This report encompasses a situational analysis which was carried out in seven research sites in Botswana: Palapye, Letlhakeng, Kanye, Mahalapye, Molepolole, Serowe and Maun. Information was collected from orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), their caregivers, community members, community-based organisations (CBOs), government officials and community leaders; as well as members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs). The objectives of the study as outlined in this report, are to improve the living conditions of orphans and vulnerable children; to support households and families to cope with the increasing burden of care for affected and vulnerable children; to strengthen community-based support systems under which vulnerable children exist; and to build community-based systems for sustaining care and support to vulnerable children and their families.

Written in a down-to-earth style, this books guides students through the skills that enable them to analyse texts, critically evaluate arguments, construct their own argument and present it clearly. The book also offers advice on studying, time management and exam preparation.

One of the barriers to enterprises employing ten or less workers very small and micro enterprises (VSMEs) potentia l ly making important contributions to meeting South Africas targets for reducing poverty and unemployment and increasing broad-based economic empowerment is skills development. Nonetheless, in this volume, which draws together two studies for the Department of Labour, a picture of the dynamism of many such firms emerges. Considerable learning is going on amongst the highly diverse VSME population and the challenge for the state lies in how to support what is already going on.

This study on South African labour market trends and workforce needs for 1998 - 2003 mainly focuses on professionals and artisans. It forecasts low levels of job creation, job losses in unskilled labour and an increasing demand for IT and other professionals.

South Africas skills shortages are widely regarded as a key factor preventing the achievement of targeted growth rates. There is some dispute as to the nature and extent of these shortages, given that the country also has a large pool of unemployed graduates. The case studies presented in this monograph explore the question of shortage in nine key professions and trades and find evidence of skills scarcity in most fields.

The impact of gender in fuelling HIV/AIDS has become a fundamental aspect of addressing the pandemic. It is clear that gender plays a pivotal role in how women and men respond to counselling, testing, treatment, care and prevention programmes.

This book details the outcome of research commissioned by the National Gambling Board to address the issue of problem gambling. It commences with an executive summary for readers who need a rapid overview. The subsequent chapters cover the historical and international context and the views and opinions of stakeholders in the South African industry.

This book presents a unique and innovative effort to examine what we know about homosexual transmission of HIV and AIDS in South Africa. It reverses the trend whereby categories of same sex sexual practice are almost always excluded from research of HIV and AIDS, as well as from care and intervention programmes. The varied contributors (academics, activists and programme planners) draw attention to the risk behaviours and treatment needs of people who engage in homosexual sex, and explain why same-sex sexuality has to be seen as key within South African efforts to study, test and prevent HIV infection. Relevant to scholarly debates about HIV and AIDS, it is also essential reading for anyone involved in research, policymaking, advocacy and community development.