Critical analysis of landscape and belonging in Mola, Nyaminyami District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Tombindo, Felix
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7533 , vital:21270
- Description: Land and inanimate resources constitute the most dominant theme in the history of Zimbabwe. Questions around land, the environment and natural resources in Zimbabwe have recently focused on the contentious Fast Track Land Reform Programme of the year 2000. Yet Zimbabwe’s land questions are not limited to this contentious land reform programme. Among Zimbabwe’s contentious land questions are those of the Tonga people, displaced in the 1950s to pave way for the construction of the Kariba dam. These people have faced further displacement through conservation-induced restrictions on land and environmental resource use, particularly in the Zambezi Valley and specifically in areas where they were relocated after the dam-induced displacement. This thesis examines the ways in which the Tonga people of Mola in NyamiNyami District have framed their present environment to place imprints in Mola from their Zambezi landscape and to convert Mola into a landscape of home and belonging. It looks at how the Tonga in Mola use these narratives of home and belonging to claim and contest access to environmental resources in the face of an unfettered regime of displacement and restricted environmental resource use. These narratives of home are located within the context of memories of the history of Kariba dam-induced displacement and present-day environmental conservation regime practices. The thesis frames the case study of the Tonga in Mola analytically through the use of mainly a social constructionist theory of landscape and, less so, with reference to the Bourdieusian concept of habitus. It uses qualitative research methods in doing so. The thesis reveals that, for the Tonga of Mola, the environment is a complex mix of physical space (natural environment) and non-physical entities that include ancestors. Because of this, the Mola Tongan environment is multifaceted and this entails landscape as lived reality and a sacred space. The ancestors, referred to locally as banalyo gundu (meaning ‘owners of the land’), constitute a key way in which the Tonga claim belonging to Mola, Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley escarpment. The thesis also identifies and highlights the phenomenon of a dual belonging (attachment to two places), namely Mola and the place from which they were displaced. This exists despite the many years since their displacement for the construction of Kariba. Based on their understandings of landscape, the Tonga of Mola construct notions of belonging and entitlement to Mola and Lake Kariba that exclude and include others at the local and national levels. Overall, belonging in Mola is presented and practised as a discursive, socially constructed phenomenon that exists at local and national levels.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tombindo, Felix
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7533 , vital:21270
- Description: Land and inanimate resources constitute the most dominant theme in the history of Zimbabwe. Questions around land, the environment and natural resources in Zimbabwe have recently focused on the contentious Fast Track Land Reform Programme of the year 2000. Yet Zimbabwe’s land questions are not limited to this contentious land reform programme. Among Zimbabwe’s contentious land questions are those of the Tonga people, displaced in the 1950s to pave way for the construction of the Kariba dam. These people have faced further displacement through conservation-induced restrictions on land and environmental resource use, particularly in the Zambezi Valley and specifically in areas where they were relocated after the dam-induced displacement. This thesis examines the ways in which the Tonga people of Mola in NyamiNyami District have framed their present environment to place imprints in Mola from their Zambezi landscape and to convert Mola into a landscape of home and belonging. It looks at how the Tonga in Mola use these narratives of home and belonging to claim and contest access to environmental resources in the face of an unfettered regime of displacement and restricted environmental resource use. These narratives of home are located within the context of memories of the history of Kariba dam-induced displacement and present-day environmental conservation regime practices. The thesis frames the case study of the Tonga in Mola analytically through the use of mainly a social constructionist theory of landscape and, less so, with reference to the Bourdieusian concept of habitus. It uses qualitative research methods in doing so. The thesis reveals that, for the Tonga of Mola, the environment is a complex mix of physical space (natural environment) and non-physical entities that include ancestors. Because of this, the Mola Tongan environment is multifaceted and this entails landscape as lived reality and a sacred space. The ancestors, referred to locally as banalyo gundu (meaning ‘owners of the land’), constitute a key way in which the Tonga claim belonging to Mola, Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley escarpment. The thesis also identifies and highlights the phenomenon of a dual belonging (attachment to two places), namely Mola and the place from which they were displaced. This exists despite the many years since their displacement for the construction of Kariba. Based on their understandings of landscape, the Tonga of Mola construct notions of belonging and entitlement to Mola and Lake Kariba that exclude and include others at the local and national levels. Overall, belonging in Mola is presented and practised as a discursive, socially constructed phenomenon that exists at local and national levels.
- Full Text:
A comparison of muscle fatigue responses between static and quasi-static exertions
- Authors: Nel, Conrad
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3475 , vital:20502
- Description: Background: This study examined localized muscle fatigue responses from sub-maximal quasi-static work protocols and additionally how it compares to purely static work. The goal was to produce research that enhances the understanding of the demands on muscles during manual work to aid in preventing injuries stemming from localized muscle fatigue. Injury rates remain a problem in manual labour sectors, particularly for the lower back and shoulder regions for the manufacturing, service and construction sectors, and for knee and elbow flexors in the sports sector. Few studies have looked at quasi-static work and what the resulting fatigue characteristics are, especially when compared to purely static or purely dynamic work. This comparison is particularly important due to the fact that risk assessment tools that are currently utilized to assess risk in the working environment are based on fatigue studies that focus on purely static or purely dynamic work. This requires attention as many working situations are neither static nor dynamic, but rather quasi-static in nature, with aspects of both dynamic and static muscle components. The scope of this study only encompasses the comparison between purely static and quasi-static work. Objectives: This study had two objectives, firstly, to determine what the fatigue characteristics of quasi-static work are and how it compares to fully static work. Secondly, to determine whether an underlying static component within an otherwise dynamic muscle force affects localized muscle fatigue compared to quasi-static work that has equal amounts of effort but with no underlying static component. Methods: Four experimental conditions were tested, each on four muscles, namely the medial deltoid, bicep brachii, bicep femoris and erector spinae muscles. To test the two objectives of this study, 16 volunteers performed a five minute fatigue protocol, that either entailed a fully static condition which involved: 1) producing a steady force at 25 percent of maximum voluntary force, 2) a quasi-static condition with fully dynamic muscle force that alternates the required force level between zero and 50 percent of maximum force, 3) a quasi-static condition with an underlying static component of five percent of maximum force, or 4) a quasi-static condition with a large underlying static component of 15 percent of maximum force. All the experimental conditions in this study had the same average workload of 25 percent of maximum voluntary force over time and thus total workload. The dependant variables of interest were ratings of perceived exertion, changes in muscle fibre recruitment (% of maximum EMG activity), maximum force and center frequency from a spectral analysis of the surface electromyography. These were measured throughout the protocols at one minute intervals to determine how muscle fatigue progressed, and how the fatigue responses differed between conditions. Results: The data from comparing fully static and quasi-static work showed that of the variables measured, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and maximum force data indicated that for bicep brachii and bicep femoris muscles, fully static work is more fatiguing than work that alternates between zero and 50 percent of maximum force. The results for the medial deltoid and erector spinae muscles were inconclusive. The findings regarding the comparison between quasi-static conditions with and without an underlying static component revealed that an underlying static component results in greater fatigue when compared to a quasi-static condition with no static component. The results may also suggest that a larger static component coupled with a smaller peak force results in less fatigue than a condition with a small underlying static component coupled with a higher peak force in some scenarios, provided total work is kept constant. All conditions had to have the same workload in order to be validly compared and thus the condition with a larger underlying static component had a lower peak force compared to the condition with no underlying static component or the condition with a small underlying static component. Conclusions: This study presented evidence that quasi-static work does not induce fatigue when measured by RPE and drop in maximum force in the same way as static work. Additionally, the results indicate that a larger underlying static component does not necessarily fatigue a muscle faster if the overall workload is kept constant. However, the results do suggest that any underlying static component will increase the demand on a muscle when compared to a muscle exertion with no static component. When considering the available literature on how muscles fatigue during low level static contractions, the current understanding is that the larger the force during a static contraction, the faster the onset of fatigue and decrements in performance occur. The results of this study suggest that this same relationship cannot be applied to quasi-static work where an underlying static component is part of an otherwise dynamic muscle force. Thus total workload or peak force may play a larger role than the static muscle exertion in some scenarios.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nel, Conrad
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3475 , vital:20502
- Description: Background: This study examined localized muscle fatigue responses from sub-maximal quasi-static work protocols and additionally how it compares to purely static work. The goal was to produce research that enhances the understanding of the demands on muscles during manual work to aid in preventing injuries stemming from localized muscle fatigue. Injury rates remain a problem in manual labour sectors, particularly for the lower back and shoulder regions for the manufacturing, service and construction sectors, and for knee and elbow flexors in the sports sector. Few studies have looked at quasi-static work and what the resulting fatigue characteristics are, especially when compared to purely static or purely dynamic work. This comparison is particularly important due to the fact that risk assessment tools that are currently utilized to assess risk in the working environment are based on fatigue studies that focus on purely static or purely dynamic work. This requires attention as many working situations are neither static nor dynamic, but rather quasi-static in nature, with aspects of both dynamic and static muscle components. The scope of this study only encompasses the comparison between purely static and quasi-static work. Objectives: This study had two objectives, firstly, to determine what the fatigue characteristics of quasi-static work are and how it compares to fully static work. Secondly, to determine whether an underlying static component within an otherwise dynamic muscle force affects localized muscle fatigue compared to quasi-static work that has equal amounts of effort but with no underlying static component. Methods: Four experimental conditions were tested, each on four muscles, namely the medial deltoid, bicep brachii, bicep femoris and erector spinae muscles. To test the two objectives of this study, 16 volunteers performed a five minute fatigue protocol, that either entailed a fully static condition which involved: 1) producing a steady force at 25 percent of maximum voluntary force, 2) a quasi-static condition with fully dynamic muscle force that alternates the required force level between zero and 50 percent of maximum force, 3) a quasi-static condition with an underlying static component of five percent of maximum force, or 4) a quasi-static condition with a large underlying static component of 15 percent of maximum force. All the experimental conditions in this study had the same average workload of 25 percent of maximum voluntary force over time and thus total workload. The dependant variables of interest were ratings of perceived exertion, changes in muscle fibre recruitment (% of maximum EMG activity), maximum force and center frequency from a spectral analysis of the surface electromyography. These were measured throughout the protocols at one minute intervals to determine how muscle fatigue progressed, and how the fatigue responses differed between conditions. Results: The data from comparing fully static and quasi-static work showed that of the variables measured, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and maximum force data indicated that for bicep brachii and bicep femoris muscles, fully static work is more fatiguing than work that alternates between zero and 50 percent of maximum force. The results for the medial deltoid and erector spinae muscles were inconclusive. The findings regarding the comparison between quasi-static conditions with and without an underlying static component revealed that an underlying static component results in greater fatigue when compared to a quasi-static condition with no static component. The results may also suggest that a larger static component coupled with a smaller peak force results in less fatigue than a condition with a small underlying static component coupled with a higher peak force in some scenarios, provided total work is kept constant. All conditions had to have the same workload in order to be validly compared and thus the condition with a larger underlying static component had a lower peak force compared to the condition with no underlying static component or the condition with a small underlying static component. Conclusions: This study presented evidence that quasi-static work does not induce fatigue when measured by RPE and drop in maximum force in the same way as static work. Additionally, the results indicate that a larger underlying static component does not necessarily fatigue a muscle faster if the overall workload is kept constant. However, the results do suggest that any underlying static component will increase the demand on a muscle when compared to a muscle exertion with no static component. When considering the available literature on how muscles fatigue during low level static contractions, the current understanding is that the larger the force during a static contraction, the faster the onset of fatigue and decrements in performance occur. The results of this study suggest that this same relationship cannot be applied to quasi-static work where an underlying static component is part of an otherwise dynamic muscle force. Thus total workload or peak force may play a larger role than the static muscle exertion in some scenarios.
- Full Text:
Leopard population density and community attitudes towards leopards in and around Debshan Ranch, Shangani, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Nyoni, Phumuzile
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020838
- Description: Leopards (Panthera pardus) are regarded as one of the most resilient large carnivore species in the world and can persist in human dominated landscapes, areas with low prey availability nd highly fragmented habitats. However, recent evidence across much of their range reveals declining populations. In Zimbabwe, 500 Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) export tags are available annually for leopards as hunting trophies, despite limited accurate data on the leopard populations of the country. Moreover, when coupled with the massive land conversions under the controversial National Land Reform Programme (NLRP), leopard populations in Zimbabwe are in dire need of assessment. My study was conducted on Debshan ranch, Shangani, Zimbabwe, which is a commercial cattle (Bos indicus) ranch but also supports a high diversity of indigenous wildlife including an apparently healthy leopard population. However, the NLRP has resulted in an increase in small-holder subsistence farming communities around the ranch (the land was previously privately owned and divided into larger sub-units). This change in land-use means that both human and livestock densities have increased and the potential for human leopard conflict has increased. I estimated the leopard population density of the ranch and assessed community attitudes towards leopards in the communities surrounding the ranch. To estimate population densities, I performed spoor counts and conducted a camera trapping survey. Questionnaire interviews were used to assess community attitudes. My spoor counts provided a leopard density estimate of 13.57 leopards/100km2 compared to the camera trapping estimate of between 2.0 and 6.9 leopards/100km2. Although the high density estimate derived from the spoor counts is possible for Debshan because leopards are the apex predators and are adequately protected, potential edge effects are not yet fully understood. Thus, the more conservative estimate of 2.0 leopards/100km2, derived from the camera trapping survey, is probably more appropriate. Attitudes towards predators amongst respondents surrounding Debshan (n = 140) were neither too negative nor positive, attitude index had a mean score of 1.7 ± 3.8 (range: -7 – 10). No single predictor variable used in my analysis was able to adequately explain why the communities held these negative views. However, livestock losses were repeatedly listed by respondents as being one of the main reasons for their lack of tolerance towards predators. The density estimate of 2.0 leopards/100km2 translates to a population of 9 – 26 leopards within Debshan ranch. This density estimate is too low considering the habitat type at Debshan ranch but should be interpreted with caution as it lacks fundamental elements like age and sex ratio. Moreover, the interaction of the leopard population with the surrounding communities is currently unclear. As a precautionary measure, I recommended reducing the annual hunting quota for Debshan from five to one leopard. Future work should aim to improve the attitudes of the surrounding communities to secure broader landscapes for leopard conservation while also reconciling density estimates to fully understand the leopard population of the region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyoni, Phumuzile
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020838
- Description: Leopards (Panthera pardus) are regarded as one of the most resilient large carnivore species in the world and can persist in human dominated landscapes, areas with low prey availability nd highly fragmented habitats. However, recent evidence across much of their range reveals declining populations. In Zimbabwe, 500 Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) export tags are available annually for leopards as hunting trophies, despite limited accurate data on the leopard populations of the country. Moreover, when coupled with the massive land conversions under the controversial National Land Reform Programme (NLRP), leopard populations in Zimbabwe are in dire need of assessment. My study was conducted on Debshan ranch, Shangani, Zimbabwe, which is a commercial cattle (Bos indicus) ranch but also supports a high diversity of indigenous wildlife including an apparently healthy leopard population. However, the NLRP has resulted in an increase in small-holder subsistence farming communities around the ranch (the land was previously privately owned and divided into larger sub-units). This change in land-use means that both human and livestock densities have increased and the potential for human leopard conflict has increased. I estimated the leopard population density of the ranch and assessed community attitudes towards leopards in the communities surrounding the ranch. To estimate population densities, I performed spoor counts and conducted a camera trapping survey. Questionnaire interviews were used to assess community attitudes. My spoor counts provided a leopard density estimate of 13.57 leopards/100km2 compared to the camera trapping estimate of between 2.0 and 6.9 leopards/100km2. Although the high density estimate derived from the spoor counts is possible for Debshan because leopards are the apex predators and are adequately protected, potential edge effects are not yet fully understood. Thus, the more conservative estimate of 2.0 leopards/100km2, derived from the camera trapping survey, is probably more appropriate. Attitudes towards predators amongst respondents surrounding Debshan (n = 140) were neither too negative nor positive, attitude index had a mean score of 1.7 ± 3.8 (range: -7 – 10). No single predictor variable used in my analysis was able to adequately explain why the communities held these negative views. However, livestock losses were repeatedly listed by respondents as being one of the main reasons for their lack of tolerance towards predators. The density estimate of 2.0 leopards/100km2 translates to a population of 9 – 26 leopards within Debshan ranch. This density estimate is too low considering the habitat type at Debshan ranch but should be interpreted with caution as it lacks fundamental elements like age and sex ratio. Moreover, the interaction of the leopard population with the surrounding communities is currently unclear. As a precautionary measure, I recommended reducing the annual hunting quota for Debshan from five to one leopard. Future work should aim to improve the attitudes of the surrounding communities to secure broader landscapes for leopard conservation while also reconciling density estimates to fully understand the leopard population of the region.
- Full Text:
The effect of shaped nanoparticles on the photophysicochemical behaviour of metallophthalocyanines
- Authors: D'Souza, Sarah
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/529 , vital:19967
- Description: The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and photophysicochemical analysis of novel and known metallophthalocyanines are reported in this thesis. The novel lowsymmetry compounds were extensively studied. Selected phthalocyanines were conjugated to a variety of nanoparticles consisting of silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs) and zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) in order to improve their photophysical and photochemical behaviour. As with the phthalocyanines, the nanoparticles and phthalocyaninenanoparticle conjugates were thoroughly investigated. Research on the effect of the solvent used, as well as the influence of nanoparticle composition and shape on the properties of the phthalocyanines, were performed. The findings showed that there was a general increase in triplet quantum yields of the phthalocyanines in the presence of the nanoparticles. It was also noted that the use of different solvents directly affected the photophysicochemical properties. In the case of the nanoparticle conjugates, photophysical and photochemical changes were observed. Of significance were the gold nanostars, which decreased the degree of phthalocyanine aggregation in water, resulting in increased fluorescence lifetimes. The studies also revealed that the effect of the nanoparticle shape on the phthalocyanine properties was highly dependent on the nanoparticle material. The photodynamic antimicrobial activity of selected phthalocyanine-zinc oxide nanoparticle conjugates was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in solution. The phthalocyanines alone exhibited remarkable growth inhibition, however the presence of the nanoparticles in the conjugates increased the photoinactivation of S. aureus.
- Full Text:
- Authors: D'Souza, Sarah
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/529 , vital:19967
- Description: The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and photophysicochemical analysis of novel and known metallophthalocyanines are reported in this thesis. The novel lowsymmetry compounds were extensively studied. Selected phthalocyanines were conjugated to a variety of nanoparticles consisting of silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs) and zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) in order to improve their photophysical and photochemical behaviour. As with the phthalocyanines, the nanoparticles and phthalocyaninenanoparticle conjugates were thoroughly investigated. Research on the effect of the solvent used, as well as the influence of nanoparticle composition and shape on the properties of the phthalocyanines, were performed. The findings showed that there was a general increase in triplet quantum yields of the phthalocyanines in the presence of the nanoparticles. It was also noted that the use of different solvents directly affected the photophysicochemical properties. In the case of the nanoparticle conjugates, photophysical and photochemical changes were observed. Of significance were the gold nanostars, which decreased the degree of phthalocyanine aggregation in water, resulting in increased fluorescence lifetimes. The studies also revealed that the effect of the nanoparticle shape on the phthalocyanine properties was highly dependent on the nanoparticle material. The photodynamic antimicrobial activity of selected phthalocyanine-zinc oxide nanoparticle conjugates was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in solution. The phthalocyanines alone exhibited remarkable growth inhibition, however the presence of the nanoparticles in the conjugates increased the photoinactivation of S. aureus.
- Full Text:
Water service delivery in Harare: a willingness to pay (WTP) analysis
- Authors: Mugomba, Lynsey M
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4120 , vital:20614
- Description: In 2008-2009, Harare (Zimbabwe) was the centre of the worst cholera outbreak in Africa in the past fifteen years. A key reason cited was the lack of adequate water service delivery by the Harare City Council (HCC). Harare requires an optimum supply of 1 400 mega litres (ML) of water daily but the HCC has capacity to produce 650ML and after leakages and theft, only 400ML reaches consumers. This inadequacy compromised the hygiene of residents and forced them to resort to unsafe water sources. Coupled with a failing healthcare system, the outbreak resulted in over 4 000 deaths and further affected 100 000 people. The HCC attributes its poor service delivery to the lack of funds rendering them unable to adequately increase capacity and refurbish existing infrastructure (treatment plants and pipelines). This thesis serves to explore whether the residents of Harare (and surrounding satellite towns) would be willing to pay monthly contributions towards the USD$2.5 billion needed for various water capacity and infrastructure projects to ease the water crisis in Harare. The study analyses the water problem using a framework on the typical stages of water provision. The research also places an emphasis on the key social, economic and political factors that are contributing to the problem in Harare. Upon closer inspection, it was seen that the financial problems that the HCC is having are not only due to the economy, but poor management and transparency structures are also to blame. For various reasons, the government has largely lost its credibility with its citizens, leading some to conclude that the government’s actions reflect those of a predatory state. The contingent valuation method (willingness to pay-WTP) was used in conjunction with the dichotomous choice referendum. The binary probit model was used to help assess the degree to which different variables influenced the respondent’s decision to contribute to the needed funds. In spite of the seeming lack of trust, it was found that approximately 66.19% of the respondents were willing to pay. Amongst those willing, the mean willingness to pay amount was approximately USD$7 monthly per household.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mugomba, Lynsey M
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4120 , vital:20614
- Description: In 2008-2009, Harare (Zimbabwe) was the centre of the worst cholera outbreak in Africa in the past fifteen years. A key reason cited was the lack of adequate water service delivery by the Harare City Council (HCC). Harare requires an optimum supply of 1 400 mega litres (ML) of water daily but the HCC has capacity to produce 650ML and after leakages and theft, only 400ML reaches consumers. This inadequacy compromised the hygiene of residents and forced them to resort to unsafe water sources. Coupled with a failing healthcare system, the outbreak resulted in over 4 000 deaths and further affected 100 000 people. The HCC attributes its poor service delivery to the lack of funds rendering them unable to adequately increase capacity and refurbish existing infrastructure (treatment plants and pipelines). This thesis serves to explore whether the residents of Harare (and surrounding satellite towns) would be willing to pay monthly contributions towards the USD$2.5 billion needed for various water capacity and infrastructure projects to ease the water crisis in Harare. The study analyses the water problem using a framework on the typical stages of water provision. The research also places an emphasis on the key social, economic and political factors that are contributing to the problem in Harare. Upon closer inspection, it was seen that the financial problems that the HCC is having are not only due to the economy, but poor management and transparency structures are also to blame. For various reasons, the government has largely lost its credibility with its citizens, leading some to conclude that the government’s actions reflect those of a predatory state. The contingent valuation method (willingness to pay-WTP) was used in conjunction with the dichotomous choice referendum. The binary probit model was used to help assess the degree to which different variables influenced the respondent’s decision to contribute to the needed funds. In spite of the seeming lack of trust, it was found that approximately 66.19% of the respondents were willing to pay. Amongst those willing, the mean willingness to pay amount was approximately USD$7 monthly per household.
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Counsellors’ talk about their understanding of, and practices in response to, intimate partner violence during pregnancy: a narrative-discursive analytic study.
- Authors: Fleischack, Anne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Intimate partner violence -- South Africa , Intimate partner violence -- Psychological aspects , Abused women -- Counseling of , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Abuse of , Pregnant women -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016391
- Description: South Africa is a very violent society, where violence is often used as a social resource to maintain control and establish authority. Global and local research suggests that there is a high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a facet of this violence, although little research has been conducted into the effects of IPV during pregnancy in the South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) context. NGOs globally and in South Africa have attempted to address IPV and IPV during pregnancy by providing services that aim to assist (largely female) clients emotionally and logistically. In light of this phenomenon, this qualitative study presents data generated through the use of a lightly-structured narrative interview schedule. The interviews were conducted over three sessions with eight counsellors, all based at two NGOs in South Africa and experienced in counselling women who have suffered IPV and IPV during pregnancy. This study used Taylor and Littleton’s (2006) narrative-discursive analytical lens, infused with theoretical insights from Foucault about power, discourse and narrative in order to identify the discursive resources that shape the narratives that the counsellors shared in the interviews and how these translate into subject positions and (gendered) power relations of the men and women about whom they speak. Six discursive resources emerged from the narratives, namely a discourse of ‘traditional “African” culture’, ‘patriarchal masculinity’, ‘nurturing femininity’, ‘female victimhood’, ‘female survivorhood’ and ‘human rights’. These informed the three main narratives that emerged: narratives about IPV in general, IPV during pregnancy, and the counsellors’ narratives about their intervention strategies. Within these narratives (and the micro-narratives which comprised them), men were largely positioned as subscribing to violent patriarchal behaviour whilst women were mostly positioned as nurturing and victims of this violence. The counsellors also constructed women as largely ignorant of their options about IPV and IPV during pregnancy; they constructed these phenomena as problems that require intervention and identified a number of factors that indicate what successful IPV interventions should entail. In reflecting upon this analysis, this study also aimed to address the questions of what is achieved or gained by using these narratives and discursive resources, what the significance or consequences are of constructing and using these particular narratives and discourses and whether different narratives or discourses would have been possible. Recommendations for further research includes incorporating more sites as well as interviewing perpetrators and IPV survivors themselves, perhaps in their home language where relevant rather than English, to gain a broader and more faceted understanding of the dynamics surrounding IPV during pregnancy. A recommendation for practice in intervention against IPV during pregnancy is to introduce more holistic/systemic intervention strategies and working with communities to address this issue.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fleischack, Anne
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Intimate partner violence -- South Africa , Intimate partner violence -- Psychological aspects , Abused women -- Counseling of , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Abuse of , Pregnant women -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016391
- Description: South Africa is a very violent society, where violence is often used as a social resource to maintain control and establish authority. Global and local research suggests that there is a high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a facet of this violence, although little research has been conducted into the effects of IPV during pregnancy in the South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) context. NGOs globally and in South Africa have attempted to address IPV and IPV during pregnancy by providing services that aim to assist (largely female) clients emotionally and logistically. In light of this phenomenon, this qualitative study presents data generated through the use of a lightly-structured narrative interview schedule. The interviews were conducted over three sessions with eight counsellors, all based at two NGOs in South Africa and experienced in counselling women who have suffered IPV and IPV during pregnancy. This study used Taylor and Littleton’s (2006) narrative-discursive analytical lens, infused with theoretical insights from Foucault about power, discourse and narrative in order to identify the discursive resources that shape the narratives that the counsellors shared in the interviews and how these translate into subject positions and (gendered) power relations of the men and women about whom they speak. Six discursive resources emerged from the narratives, namely a discourse of ‘traditional “African” culture’, ‘patriarchal masculinity’, ‘nurturing femininity’, ‘female victimhood’, ‘female survivorhood’ and ‘human rights’. These informed the three main narratives that emerged: narratives about IPV in general, IPV during pregnancy, and the counsellors’ narratives about their intervention strategies. Within these narratives (and the micro-narratives which comprised them), men were largely positioned as subscribing to violent patriarchal behaviour whilst women were mostly positioned as nurturing and victims of this violence. The counsellors also constructed women as largely ignorant of their options about IPV and IPV during pregnancy; they constructed these phenomena as problems that require intervention and identified a number of factors that indicate what successful IPV interventions should entail. In reflecting upon this analysis, this study also aimed to address the questions of what is achieved or gained by using these narratives and discursive resources, what the significance or consequences are of constructing and using these particular narratives and discourses and whether different narratives or discourses would have been possible. Recommendations for further research includes incorporating more sites as well as interviewing perpetrators and IPV survivors themselves, perhaps in their home language where relevant rather than English, to gain a broader and more faceted understanding of the dynamics surrounding IPV during pregnancy. A recommendation for practice in intervention against IPV during pregnancy is to introduce more holistic/systemic intervention strategies and working with communities to address this issue.
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A case study of the readability of two grade 4 natural sciences textbooks currently used in South African schools
- Authors: Sibanda, Lucy
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Textbooks Reading comprehension -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa English language -- Textbooks for foreign speakers English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Foreign speakers Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006083
- Description: This thesis examines the readability of two grade 4 Natural Sciences textbooks currently used in South African schools. Being important sources of classroom input, particularly in grade 4 where learners are reading to learn, textbooks should be readable. That the Natural Sciences subject is only introduced in grade 4 makes the assessment of Natural Sciences textbooks at this level significant. The goal of this research therefore, is to assess the readability of two grade 4 Natural Sciences textbooks and their understandability by learners who speak English as an additional language. The goal of assessing the Natural Sciences textbooks is achieved by the use of cloze and traditional comprehension tests, classic readability formulae, textual analysis and teacher interviews. Cloze and traditional comprehension tests are used to test learners’ understanding of the textbooks and classic readability formulae are meant to assess the grade levels of the textbooks. The tests gauge learner understandability while readability formulae establish text readability. Textual analysis allows the assessment of text readability on the basis of more factors than those accommodated by readability formulae. The textual analysis also helps to identify the readability factors supporting or impeding readability. Teacher interviews are conducted to better understand the teachers’ perceptions on the readability of the Natural Sciences textbooks. The major findings of the study are that the two Natural Sciences textbooks used in the study are generally above the reading level of the intended readers, grade 4 learners and that the participating learners do not understand these textbooks. The challenges with the readability of the textbooks stem mainly from the vocabulary and concepts used in the textbooks which are not well explained.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sibanda, Lucy
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Textbooks Reading comprehension -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa English language -- Textbooks for foreign speakers English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Foreign speakers Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006083
- Description: This thesis examines the readability of two grade 4 Natural Sciences textbooks currently used in South African schools. Being important sources of classroom input, particularly in grade 4 where learners are reading to learn, textbooks should be readable. That the Natural Sciences subject is only introduced in grade 4 makes the assessment of Natural Sciences textbooks at this level significant. The goal of this research therefore, is to assess the readability of two grade 4 Natural Sciences textbooks and their understandability by learners who speak English as an additional language. The goal of assessing the Natural Sciences textbooks is achieved by the use of cloze and traditional comprehension tests, classic readability formulae, textual analysis and teacher interviews. Cloze and traditional comprehension tests are used to test learners’ understanding of the textbooks and classic readability formulae are meant to assess the grade levels of the textbooks. The tests gauge learner understandability while readability formulae establish text readability. Textual analysis allows the assessment of text readability on the basis of more factors than those accommodated by readability formulae. The textual analysis also helps to identify the readability factors supporting or impeding readability. Teacher interviews are conducted to better understand the teachers’ perceptions on the readability of the Natural Sciences textbooks. The major findings of the study are that the two Natural Sciences textbooks used in the study are generally above the reading level of the intended readers, grade 4 learners and that the participating learners do not understand these textbooks. The challenges with the readability of the textbooks stem mainly from the vocabulary and concepts used in the textbooks which are not well explained.
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Investigation into the technical feasibility of biological treatment of precious metal refining wastewater
- Authors: Moore, Bronwyn Ann
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment -- South Africa Sewage -- Purification -- Activated sludge process -- South Africa Water reuse -- South Africa Flotation -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste disposal -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Mine water -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste minimization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002013
- Description: The hydrometallurgical refining of platinum group metals results in large volumes of liquid waste that requires suitable treatment before any disposal can be contemplated. The wastewater streams are characterized by extremes of pH, high inorganic ion content (such as chloride), significant residual metal loads and small amounts of entrained organic compounds. Historically these effluents were housed in evaporation reservoirs, however lack of space and growing water demands have led Anglo Platinum to consider treatment of these effluents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biological wastewater treatment could produce water suitable for onsite reuse. Bench-scale activated sludge and anaerobic digestion for co-treatment of an acidic refinery waste stream with domestic wastewater were used to give preliminary data. Activated sludge showed better water treatment at lab scale in terms of removal efficiencies of ammonia (approximately 25%, cf. 20% in anaerobic digestion) and COD (70% cf. 43% in digestion) and greater robustness when biomass health was compared. Activated sludge was consequently selected for a pilot plant trial. The pilot plant was operated on-site and performed comparably with the bench-scale system, however challenges in the clarifier design led to losses of biomass and poor effluent quality (suspended solids washout). The pilot plant was unable to alter the pH of the feed, but a two week maturation period resulted in the pH increasing from 5.3 to 7.0. Tests on algal treatment as an alternative or follow-on unit operation to activated sludge showed it not to be a viable process. The activated sludge effluent was assessed for onsite reuse in flotation and it was found that there was no significant difference between its flotation performance and that of the process water currently used, indicating the effluent generated by the biological treatment system can be used successfully for flotation. Flotation is the method whereby minerals refining operations recover minerals of interest from ore through the addition of chemicals and aeration of the ore slurry. Target minerals adhere to the bubbles and can be removed from the process.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moore, Bronwyn Ann
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment -- South Africa Sewage -- Purification -- Activated sludge process -- South Africa Water reuse -- South Africa Flotation -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste disposal -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Mine water -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste minimization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002013
- Description: The hydrometallurgical refining of platinum group metals results in large volumes of liquid waste that requires suitable treatment before any disposal can be contemplated. The wastewater streams are characterized by extremes of pH, high inorganic ion content (such as chloride), significant residual metal loads and small amounts of entrained organic compounds. Historically these effluents were housed in evaporation reservoirs, however lack of space and growing water demands have led Anglo Platinum to consider treatment of these effluents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biological wastewater treatment could produce water suitable for onsite reuse. Bench-scale activated sludge and anaerobic digestion for co-treatment of an acidic refinery waste stream with domestic wastewater were used to give preliminary data. Activated sludge showed better water treatment at lab scale in terms of removal efficiencies of ammonia (approximately 25%, cf. 20% in anaerobic digestion) and COD (70% cf. 43% in digestion) and greater robustness when biomass health was compared. Activated sludge was consequently selected for a pilot plant trial. The pilot plant was operated on-site and performed comparably with the bench-scale system, however challenges in the clarifier design led to losses of biomass and poor effluent quality (suspended solids washout). The pilot plant was unable to alter the pH of the feed, but a two week maturation period resulted in the pH increasing from 5.3 to 7.0. Tests on algal treatment as an alternative or follow-on unit operation to activated sludge showed it not to be a viable process. The activated sludge effluent was assessed for onsite reuse in flotation and it was found that there was no significant difference between its flotation performance and that of the process water currently used, indicating the effluent generated by the biological treatment system can be used successfully for flotation. Flotation is the method whereby minerals refining operations recover minerals of interest from ore through the addition of chemicals and aeration of the ore slurry. Target minerals adhere to the bubbles and can be removed from the process.
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An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of HIV-positive lay counsellors working in the voluntary counselling and testing settings
- Authors: Teng, James Wei Jie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons Peer counseling Health counseling Health counselors -- Mental health Hiv-positive persons -- Counseling of HIV-positive persons -- Mental health HIV infections -- Psychological aspects Lay analysis (Psychoanalysis)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002579
- Description: The purpose of this study was to present and understand the experiences of HIV-positive lay counsellors working in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) settings. Specifically exploring and understanding the utilisation of personal experiences within counselling encounters, the practice of peer counselling within VCT, and the challenges experienced by HIV-positive lay counsellors within VCT settings. This study, employing a qualitative interpretative phenomenological methodology required a small sample of practicing HIV-positive lay counsellors, who were selected and interviewed on their experiences utilising semi-structured interviewing. Data was analysed for meaning units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Three superordinate themes within the participants’ experiences of providing VCT services were determined, namely: ‘diagnosis and disclosure experiences’, ‘peer counselling’, and ‘challenges’. This research found that the experiences of providing peer counselling depended upon identification with their client’s negative appraisal of their diagnosis experiences. Whether through empathic connections generated through the shared experience of discovering a seropositive status, or through countertransferential reactions induced through their client’s yearning for care and support. This required the counsellor to selfdisclose within counselling encounters in order to provide personal experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Successful implementation of peer counselling provided recently diagnosed individuals with knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS, coping skills to manage the daily physiological and psychological challenges, facilitation and adherence to treatment, social assistance, ongoing relationships, inspiring hope, and the creation of positive appraisals. However the informal utilisation of task-shifting within lay healthcare cadres, and the lack of governmental recognition for the emotional labour provided within VCT indicated that HIVpositive lay counsellors require ongoing training, support and remuneration to limit potential occupational stress, resignation, and burnout.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Teng, James Wei Jie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: HIV-positive persons Peer counseling Health counseling Health counselors -- Mental health Hiv-positive persons -- Counseling of HIV-positive persons -- Mental health HIV infections -- Psychological aspects Lay analysis (Psychoanalysis)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002579
- Description: The purpose of this study was to present and understand the experiences of HIV-positive lay counsellors working in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) settings. Specifically exploring and understanding the utilisation of personal experiences within counselling encounters, the practice of peer counselling within VCT, and the challenges experienced by HIV-positive lay counsellors within VCT settings. This study, employing a qualitative interpretative phenomenological methodology required a small sample of practicing HIV-positive lay counsellors, who were selected and interviewed on their experiences utilising semi-structured interviewing. Data was analysed for meaning units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Three superordinate themes within the participants’ experiences of providing VCT services were determined, namely: ‘diagnosis and disclosure experiences’, ‘peer counselling’, and ‘challenges’. This research found that the experiences of providing peer counselling depended upon identification with their client’s negative appraisal of their diagnosis experiences. Whether through empathic connections generated through the shared experience of discovering a seropositive status, or through countertransferential reactions induced through their client’s yearning for care and support. This required the counsellor to selfdisclose within counselling encounters in order to provide personal experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Successful implementation of peer counselling provided recently diagnosed individuals with knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS, coping skills to manage the daily physiological and psychological challenges, facilitation and adherence to treatment, social assistance, ongoing relationships, inspiring hope, and the creation of positive appraisals. However the informal utilisation of task-shifting within lay healthcare cadres, and the lack of governmental recognition for the emotional labour provided within VCT indicated that HIVpositive lay counsellors require ongoing training, support and remuneration to limit potential occupational stress, resignation, and burnout.
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Improving explanation writing skills of junior secondary learners in life sciences: a case study
- Authors: Josua, Helena Megameno N
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Writing skills English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa English language -- Writing -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003452
- Description: Learners in the Junior Secondary Phase (Grades 8 to 10) are often required to answer open-ended questions which require a response in the form of an explanation. As frequently reported in the external examiners' reports of Life Sciences, learners do not write adequate explanations as responses to explanatory questions. This thesis reports on action research based on my experience as a Life Sciences teacher trying to address this problem. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop suitable, manageable and effective strategies that I could implement in order to improve my teaching of explanation writing skills of in the Junior Secondary school learners with a view to enhance curriculum content knowledge in Life Sciences. The intervention was carried out in a Grade 10 Life Sciences class which consisted of 35 learners. The first cycle consisted of seven lessons carried out over two weeks in normal school time. The main sources of data from my lesson interventions were the learners' written work, their journal entries, the researcher's journal, the field notes from the non-participant observer and interviews with two focus groups. Both the interviews and the lessons were recorded and transcribed. The research data reveals that the ability of the Junior Secondary learners to write explanations was hindered by language problems. In addition, a lack of integration of language issues into the subject content was a contributing factor to their inadequate writing skills. Spelling errors and lack of expression in English second language contribute to the problem of writing good explanations. The data has also revealed that learners‟ writing skills can be improved by implementing suitable teaching strategies, such as the curriculum cycle as proposed by Gibbons (2002). The curriculum cycle can be modified to fit the learners' needs and the real teaching situation. The amount of practice required to master the skill of writing in the genre of explanations should be considered.
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- Authors: Josua, Helena Megameno N
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Writing skills English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa English language -- Writing -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003452
- Description: Learners in the Junior Secondary Phase (Grades 8 to 10) are often required to answer open-ended questions which require a response in the form of an explanation. As frequently reported in the external examiners' reports of Life Sciences, learners do not write adequate explanations as responses to explanatory questions. This thesis reports on action research based on my experience as a Life Sciences teacher trying to address this problem. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop suitable, manageable and effective strategies that I could implement in order to improve my teaching of explanation writing skills of in the Junior Secondary school learners with a view to enhance curriculum content knowledge in Life Sciences. The intervention was carried out in a Grade 10 Life Sciences class which consisted of 35 learners. The first cycle consisted of seven lessons carried out over two weeks in normal school time. The main sources of data from my lesson interventions were the learners' written work, their journal entries, the researcher's journal, the field notes from the non-participant observer and interviews with two focus groups. Both the interviews and the lessons were recorded and transcribed. The research data reveals that the ability of the Junior Secondary learners to write explanations was hindered by language problems. In addition, a lack of integration of language issues into the subject content was a contributing factor to their inadequate writing skills. Spelling errors and lack of expression in English second language contribute to the problem of writing good explanations. The data has also revealed that learners‟ writing skills can be improved by implementing suitable teaching strategies, such as the curriculum cycle as proposed by Gibbons (2002). The curriculum cycle can be modified to fit the learners' needs and the real teaching situation. The amount of practice required to master the skill of writing in the genre of explanations should be considered.
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The relationship between leadership style and employee commitment: an exploratory study in an electricity utility of South Africa
- Authors: Nyengane, Mongezi Hutton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Management Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003880
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between leadership styles and different types of organisational commitment in Eskom Eastern Region. The literature provided discusses the leadership and organisational commitment. Information was gathered, using two instruments, from a sample of 86 leaders and 334 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, which was formulated from Bass and Avolio’s (1997) Full Range Leadership Development Theory, was used to determine leadership style within the organisation. Employee commitment was captured using Bagraim’s (2004) Organisational Commitment, a South African adaptation of Meyer and Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of employee commitment. Leadership was identified as the independent variable and organisational commitment as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Two-tailed correlation analysis showed that although the relationship is not strong, there is a positive relationship between the transformational leadership behaviours and commitment (affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment). The correlation analysis also indicates a weak, but significant, positive relationship between transactional leadership behaviours and continuance commitment. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between transactional leadership behaviours and affective commitment as well as between transactional leadership behaviours and normative commitment. The correlation results showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and affective commitment. There was no statistically significant correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and continuance commitment as well as between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and normative commitment. Overall findings from this study suggest that transformational and transactional leadership behaviours do play important roles in determining levels of affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. These findings also reveal that the laissez-faire leadership behaviour had a negative relationship with affective commitment. This research therefore adds a new dimension to the body of literature that will help researchers’ efforts to understand the relationship between leadership style and organisational commitment. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of organisational commitment.
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- Authors: Nyengane, Mongezi Hutton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Management Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:759 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003880
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between leadership styles and different types of organisational commitment in Eskom Eastern Region. The literature provided discusses the leadership and organisational commitment. Information was gathered, using two instruments, from a sample of 86 leaders and 334 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, which was formulated from Bass and Avolio’s (1997) Full Range Leadership Development Theory, was used to determine leadership style within the organisation. Employee commitment was captured using Bagraim’s (2004) Organisational Commitment, a South African adaptation of Meyer and Allen’s (1997) Three-Component Model of employee commitment. Leadership was identified as the independent variable and organisational commitment as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Two-tailed correlation analysis showed that although the relationship is not strong, there is a positive relationship between the transformational leadership behaviours and commitment (affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment). The correlation analysis also indicates a weak, but significant, positive relationship between transactional leadership behaviours and continuance commitment. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between transactional leadership behaviours and affective commitment as well as between transactional leadership behaviours and normative commitment. The correlation results showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and affective commitment. There was no statistically significant correlation between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and continuance commitment as well as between laissez-faire leadership behaviours and normative commitment. Overall findings from this study suggest that transformational and transactional leadership behaviours do play important roles in determining levels of affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment. These findings also reveal that the laissez-faire leadership behaviour had a negative relationship with affective commitment. This research therefore adds a new dimension to the body of literature that will help researchers’ efforts to understand the relationship between leadership style and organisational commitment. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of organisational commitment.
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An investigation of parental non-involvement in the governance of a Duncan Village school and its implications for the management of the school : a case study
- Authors: Ndlazi, Sibongile Mandisa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa Education -- Parent participation -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003521
- Description: This study explores the perceptions that parents have about their non-involvement in the governance of a Duncan Village High School, and considers the implications of such perceptions for the management of the school. Recent discussions on Radio Talk Shows and articles written in local newspapers indicate that Black parents have generally not been involved in the education of their children at the traditionally Black schools. Parental non-involvement also emerges as a strong theme in recent research. However, most of the research and media coverage focuses on school management's perceptions of the reasons and consequences of such non-involvement. The parents' voices have rarely been heard. Against this background, as well as the fact that the South African Schools Act presents a strong case for the involvement of parents in school governance and management, a phenomenological investigation was conducted at a traditionally Black Duncan Village High School. I chose phenomenology because I believed this approach has the potential for revealing my respondents' attitudes and perceptions. The sample consisted of four parent members of the school governing body who were key informants. The respondents were subjected to unstructured interviews which were held at their homes. The interviews probed the background and reasons for their lack of involvement, and the possible implications ofthis non-involvement for school management. The most significant of the wealth of findings is that parental non-involvement is linked to the historical background of the culture of non-participation of Black people which was created and encouraged by the successive White Governments in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndlazi, Sibongile Mandisa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa Education -- Parent participation -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003521
- Description: This study explores the perceptions that parents have about their non-involvement in the governance of a Duncan Village High School, and considers the implications of such perceptions for the management of the school. Recent discussions on Radio Talk Shows and articles written in local newspapers indicate that Black parents have generally not been involved in the education of their children at the traditionally Black schools. Parental non-involvement also emerges as a strong theme in recent research. However, most of the research and media coverage focuses on school management's perceptions of the reasons and consequences of such non-involvement. The parents' voices have rarely been heard. Against this background, as well as the fact that the South African Schools Act presents a strong case for the involvement of parents in school governance and management, a phenomenological investigation was conducted at a traditionally Black Duncan Village High School. I chose phenomenology because I believed this approach has the potential for revealing my respondents' attitudes and perceptions. The sample consisted of four parent members of the school governing body who were key informants. The respondents were subjected to unstructured interviews which were held at their homes. The interviews probed the background and reasons for their lack of involvement, and the possible implications ofthis non-involvement for school management. The most significant of the wealth of findings is that parental non-involvement is linked to the historical background of the culture of non-participation of Black people which was created and encouraged by the successive White Governments in South Africa.
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Materials in flexible learning teacher education courses in environmental education : an evaluative case study
- Authors: Molose, Vivian Innotantia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Study and teaching Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Evaluation Environmental education -- South Africa -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1672 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003555
- Description: The study aimed at researching the role of materials in flexible learning teacher education courses, specifically looking at the Eastern Cape Teacher Course as a case study. The research aimed at exploring how courses and materials were developed, selected, used and adapted or redeveloped so as to support the course orientation and the intended outcomes. I did this with the hope that my research might inform the process of improving the role of course materials in flexible learning teacher education courses. I did a naturalistic enquiry within which I interviewed 39 participants (teachers and teacher educators) and two course co-ordinators. I also analysed documents such as the course materials, nine participants' journals and seven of their assignments. The observation notes compiled during the early days of the course were not used as a main source of data but as support to data sources mentioned above. Questionnaires were handed out to all the course participants, i.e. course co-ordinators, tutors and student participants. The questionnaires were intended as a means for pre interview and post interview reflection for interviewees. Through this research, I have learnt a lot about the role of materials in professional development courses, including the importance of mediation of materials and their overt use during course sessions, the importance of providing and encouraging a culture of reading through time allocation during contact sessions, through discussions on materials, and also through providing orientating comm~nts on materials rather than just handing them out to participants. Readings that are more focussed do better to motivate participants to interact with them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Molose, Vivian Innotantia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Study and teaching Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Evaluation Environmental education -- South Africa -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1672 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003555
- Description: The study aimed at researching the role of materials in flexible learning teacher education courses, specifically looking at the Eastern Cape Teacher Course as a case study. The research aimed at exploring how courses and materials were developed, selected, used and adapted or redeveloped so as to support the course orientation and the intended outcomes. I did this with the hope that my research might inform the process of improving the role of course materials in flexible learning teacher education courses. I did a naturalistic enquiry within which I interviewed 39 participants (teachers and teacher educators) and two course co-ordinators. I also analysed documents such as the course materials, nine participants' journals and seven of their assignments. The observation notes compiled during the early days of the course were not used as a main source of data but as support to data sources mentioned above. Questionnaires were handed out to all the course participants, i.e. course co-ordinators, tutors and student participants. The questionnaires were intended as a means for pre interview and post interview reflection for interviewees. Through this research, I have learnt a lot about the role of materials in professional development courses, including the importance of mediation of materials and their overt use during course sessions, the importance of providing and encouraging a culture of reading through time allocation during contact sessions, through discussions on materials, and also through providing orientating comm~nts on materials rather than just handing them out to participants. Readings that are more focussed do better to motivate participants to interact with them.
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Environmental perceptions and knowledge among political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province and some implications for environmental policy
- Authors: Mbengashe, Pauline Maria
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003399
- Description: The environmental and development challenges facing South Africa are closely linked with the political and economic inequalities of the past. The achievement of sustainable. development will require social and political change. Protection and conservation of the environment, improving environmental knowledge and understanding, the participation of all citizens, effective environmental management, inclusive and implementable policies and legislation, are all necessary components of sustainable development. These requirements are in line with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, a programme of action coming out of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992) This study explores the environmental perceptions and knowledge of some representative Eastern Cape political leaders. The aim of the study was to share views on environmental issues, concerns and strategies that might lead to improved environmental understanding, informed policy change and effective environmental management. Different environmental ideologies were also explored because of the political and ideological nature of the concepts 'environment' and 'education'. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews undertaken with ten political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province Legislature. The study revealed a general awareness and understanding of environmental issues with unsupported indepth knowledge and detailed information. The political, development, social and economic dimensions of the environment were emphasised more than the ecological and physical aspects. The need for environmental information, policies and legislation was recognised. Both formal and non-formal environmental education were emphasised. The need to redefine environmental education and make it more relevant, problem solving and action oriented was also emphasised. The challenge is to improve environmental understanding and making environmental information available to political leaders, government officials and citizens in general.
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- Authors: Mbengashe, Pauline Maria
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Environmental policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003399
- Description: The environmental and development challenges facing South Africa are closely linked with the political and economic inequalities of the past. The achievement of sustainable. development will require social and political change. Protection and conservation of the environment, improving environmental knowledge and understanding, the participation of all citizens, effective environmental management, inclusive and implementable policies and legislation, are all necessary components of sustainable development. These requirements are in line with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, a programme of action coming out of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992) This study explores the environmental perceptions and knowledge of some representative Eastern Cape political leaders. The aim of the study was to share views on environmental issues, concerns and strategies that might lead to improved environmental understanding, informed policy change and effective environmental management. Different environmental ideologies were also explored because of the political and ideological nature of the concepts 'environment' and 'education'. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews undertaken with ten political leaders in the Eastern Cape Province Legislature. The study revealed a general awareness and understanding of environmental issues with unsupported indepth knowledge and detailed information. The political, development, social and economic dimensions of the environment were emphasised more than the ecological and physical aspects. The need for environmental information, policies and legislation was recognised. Both formal and non-formal environmental education were emphasised. The need to redefine environmental education and make it more relevant, problem solving and action oriented was also emphasised. The challenge is to improve environmental understanding and making environmental information available to political leaders, government officials and citizens in general.
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A case study of a teacher's oral error treatment strategies in an English language classroom
- Authors: Dlangamandla, F N N
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Error analysis English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003315
- Description: Theoretical perspectives on error treatment in second language acquisition research are divided on the effect and desirability of corrective feedback on the learner's output. Theorists like Krashen (1982), believe that correction hampers acquisition because it encourages the learners to avoid difficult structures and to focus on form rather than on meaning, while Long (1977) contends that error treatment possibly speeds up interlanguage development although errors disappear slowly. Edmondson (1985) asserts that bringing errors to the learner's attention helps learning and that error - treatment contributes to consciousness-raising which is important for language acquisition. Research findings present conflicting evidence on the effects of corrective feedback on those for whom correction is meant. Some researchers report no concrete findings on the relationship between corrective feedback and learning outcomes (Hendrickson (1978) and Brock, Day and Long (1986)). Others, for example, Chaudron (1977) and Crookes and Rulon (1985) report differential effects of corrective treatments. Salica, Ramirez and Stromquist and Wren (cited in Chaudron 1988) report some evidence of feedback on error resulting in the learner's ability to self-correct. However, Hendrickson (1978) reports that some direct types of corrective procedures have been found to be ineffective. This research investigated a teacher's oral error treatment policy in different types of English lessons in a situation where L2 pupils study English as a subject according to an LI syllabus. The findings of this case study reveal that the teacher's manner of correction, when he decides to correct, is subtle and indirect. Rarely does he correct overtly and explicitly as his concern is to avoid hurting the error maker's feelings. He defers treatment and ignores most of the oral errors that learners make during classroom interaction. Pupil perceptions of their teacher's corrective treatments were positive although some of the pupils reported that they found his corrections confusing and intimidating at times. Most of them expressed , a wish to have their speech errors attended to explicitly, preferably by their teacher as his treatments were found to be motivational and unabrasive. Some of the pupils were opposed to peer correction for fear of ridicule. They also felt that fellow pupils did not always provide correct treatments. All the pupils in this study were of the opinion that oral error treatment is desirable because they believe that it improves their performance in English.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dlangamandla, F N N
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Error analysis English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003315
- Description: Theoretical perspectives on error treatment in second language acquisition research are divided on the effect and desirability of corrective feedback on the learner's output. Theorists like Krashen (1982), believe that correction hampers acquisition because it encourages the learners to avoid difficult structures and to focus on form rather than on meaning, while Long (1977) contends that error treatment possibly speeds up interlanguage development although errors disappear slowly. Edmondson (1985) asserts that bringing errors to the learner's attention helps learning and that error - treatment contributes to consciousness-raising which is important for language acquisition. Research findings present conflicting evidence on the effects of corrective feedback on those for whom correction is meant. Some researchers report no concrete findings on the relationship between corrective feedback and learning outcomes (Hendrickson (1978) and Brock, Day and Long (1986)). Others, for example, Chaudron (1977) and Crookes and Rulon (1985) report differential effects of corrective treatments. Salica, Ramirez and Stromquist and Wren (cited in Chaudron 1988) report some evidence of feedback on error resulting in the learner's ability to self-correct. However, Hendrickson (1978) reports that some direct types of corrective procedures have been found to be ineffective. This research investigated a teacher's oral error treatment policy in different types of English lessons in a situation where L2 pupils study English as a subject according to an LI syllabus. The findings of this case study reveal that the teacher's manner of correction, when he decides to correct, is subtle and indirect. Rarely does he correct overtly and explicitly as his concern is to avoid hurting the error maker's feelings. He defers treatment and ignores most of the oral errors that learners make during classroom interaction. Pupil perceptions of their teacher's corrective treatments were positive although some of the pupils reported that they found his corrections confusing and intimidating at times. Most of them expressed , a wish to have their speech errors attended to explicitly, preferably by their teacher as his treatments were found to be motivational and unabrasive. Some of the pupils were opposed to peer correction for fear of ridicule. They also felt that fellow pupils did not always provide correct treatments. All the pupils in this study were of the opinion that oral error treatment is desirable because they believe that it improves their performance in English.
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An investigation of the potential role of students in decision making in the management and administration of secondary schools : a case study
- Authors: Chinsamy, Dhanasagren
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Student participation in administration -- South Africa Student-administrator relationships -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003538
- Description: As South Africa prepares to reconstruct its education system for a post-apartheid, democratic society, many facets of educational life will of necessity come under re-examination. One such area is that of school governance which traditionally was the domain of principals, teachers and more recently parents, with little, if any, input by students. After 1985, however, with the formation of the Congress of South African Students (CaSAS), backed by the National Education Co-ordinating Committee (NECC), the demand for student participation in the management of schools began to gain momentum. Parent-Teacher -Student Associations (PTSA's), although not recognised by the education authorities, were established in many black schools throughout the country. They afforded students the opportunity to become involved, as equal partners with teachers and parents, in decision-making in the management of secondary schools. During the past decade, however, the question of student participation in decision-making in the management of schools has become a point of controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of students in decision-making in the administration and management of secondary schools. For this purpose case studies were conducted in two schools with active student participation in joint decision-making. The schools were selected after a preliminary investigation of the state of PTSA's in schools in the greater Durban area. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teacher, parent and student representatives and principals and non-participant observation of PTSA meetings, workshops and social functions were used to survey attitudes and opinions pertinent to this study. The results of the study indicate that student participation in the management of schools is crucial for the creation of a climate of learning and teaching and that it is seen in itself as an integral part of the process of students' development. The study also points to the dilemma that students face in participating jointly with parents and teachers in decision-making while maintaining their autonomy. The recommendations that emerge from the study include the involvement of students as equal partners in decision-making in secondary schools, the establishment of Internal Disciplinary Committees in which students participate, the appointment of a member of staff as a liaison officer for student affairs with the task of establishing a Students' Representative Council (SRC) and the implementation of training programmes that would assist students in joint decision-making. The study acknowledges the existence of conflict between the participants but proposes that such conflict can be constructively addressed tbrough "creative consensus" that would benefit both the participants and the school. The researcher recommends that for the present, students should not be involved in any discussions of teacher misconduct and that students should not be entrusted with handling the finances of the school without teacher or parent supervision. However, in keeping with the developmental approach adopted in the study, it is envisaged that when the element of trust is developed between students and teachers, students would be allowed to participate in these sensitive areas of decision-making.
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- Authors: Chinsamy, Dhanasagren
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Student participation in administration -- South Africa Student-administrator relationships -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003538
- Description: As South Africa prepares to reconstruct its education system for a post-apartheid, democratic society, many facets of educational life will of necessity come under re-examination. One such area is that of school governance which traditionally was the domain of principals, teachers and more recently parents, with little, if any, input by students. After 1985, however, with the formation of the Congress of South African Students (CaSAS), backed by the National Education Co-ordinating Committee (NECC), the demand for student participation in the management of schools began to gain momentum. Parent-Teacher -Student Associations (PTSA's), although not recognised by the education authorities, were established in many black schools throughout the country. They afforded students the opportunity to become involved, as equal partners with teachers and parents, in decision-making in the management of secondary schools. During the past decade, however, the question of student participation in decision-making in the management of schools has become a point of controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of students in decision-making in the administration and management of secondary schools. For this purpose case studies were conducted in two schools with active student participation in joint decision-making. The schools were selected after a preliminary investigation of the state of PTSA's in schools in the greater Durban area. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teacher, parent and student representatives and principals and non-participant observation of PTSA meetings, workshops and social functions were used to survey attitudes and opinions pertinent to this study. The results of the study indicate that student participation in the management of schools is crucial for the creation of a climate of learning and teaching and that it is seen in itself as an integral part of the process of students' development. The study also points to the dilemma that students face in participating jointly with parents and teachers in decision-making while maintaining their autonomy. The recommendations that emerge from the study include the involvement of students as equal partners in decision-making in secondary schools, the establishment of Internal Disciplinary Committees in which students participate, the appointment of a member of staff as a liaison officer for student affairs with the task of establishing a Students' Representative Council (SRC) and the implementation of training programmes that would assist students in joint decision-making. The study acknowledges the existence of conflict between the participants but proposes that such conflict can be constructively addressed tbrough "creative consensus" that would benefit both the participants and the school. The researcher recommends that for the present, students should not be involved in any discussions of teacher misconduct and that students should not be entrusted with handling the finances of the school without teacher or parent supervision. However, in keeping with the developmental approach adopted in the study, it is envisaged that when the element of trust is developed between students and teachers, students would be allowed to participate in these sensitive areas of decision-making.
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Conceptual difficulties in children's understanding of secondary school algebra in standards 6, 7, and 8 : (the application of the CSMS algebra test to a sample of South African school children)
- Authors: McMaster, David Jocelyn
- Date: 1986
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001421
- Description: The application of mathematical ways of thinking to nearly all the major fields of knowledge in recent times has increased the value of mathematics in society ... schools, therefore, are increasingly confronted with the task of developing to the maximum the mathematical abilities and interests of all its pupils with the view of meeting the needs of society. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic and abstract qualities of mathematics as well as a knowledge of its utilitarian value in society. The question arises whether schools are achieving this? (Chapter 1, p. 3)
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- Authors: McMaster, David Jocelyn
- Date: 1986
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001421
- Description: The application of mathematical ways of thinking to nearly all the major fields of knowledge in recent times has increased the value of mathematics in society ... schools, therefore, are increasingly confronted with the task of developing to the maximum the mathematical abilities and interests of all its pupils with the view of meeting the needs of society. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic and abstract qualities of mathematics as well as a knowledge of its utilitarian value in society. The question arises whether schools are achieving this? (Chapter 1, p. 3)
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