ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Above all, thanks to God Almighty who provided strength and adequate mental power to endureand to persevere. I humbly wish to express my heart-felt gratitude and appreciation to the following individuals and institutions: 9 My supervisor professor P.C. van der Westhuizen, for his dynamic leadership, encouragement, patience, motivation, care and assistance. 9 Marlene Wiggle and the staff at the Ferdinand Postma Library for their valuable assistance with regard to sources and information. 9 The Southern and Northern Regions of the North West Department ofEducation for granting permission to gain access to their secondary schools. 9 All the principals who completed and returned the questionnaires, amid their heavy schedules