Showing items 1 - 20 of 24

Your selections:

Benefits and limitation of informal trading in promoting sustainable local economic development in the Intsika Yethu Municipality

  • Authors: Makubalo, Zukiswa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12425 , vital:39262
  • Description: The informal sector refers to all economic activities by workers and economic units that are not covered or insufficiently covered by formal arrangements which can be carried out across all the sectors of the economy both in public and private spaces. The study was conducted to determine the benefits and limitation of informal trading in promoting sustainable local economic development in the Intsika Yethu Municipality. South African municipalities for various reasons fail in providing local economic development friendly environment and more developmental and inclusive informal economy policies and by-laws. The objective of the study was to assess the benefits and challenges which might hinder the maximisation of benefits in the sector. The literature was reviewed with the aim to integrate published academic data on the benefits and limitations of informal trading in promoting sustainable local economic development. Data for the study was sourced from the literature and questionnaires administered to respondents who were selected by means of a purposive sampling technique. The respondents from which data was collected were 18 and a qualitative research approach was used as a main research methodology. The responses obtained were subjected to content analyses. The main findings of the study include; informal traders are uncoordinated, informal traders are faced with challenges which hinder their success, majority of respondents see benefits from informal trading, the informal sector of responds to triple social ills and all respondents started up businesses due to the inability of the formal sector to create job opportunities that are permanent and enough for everyone. In response to the findings about the main recommendation made is the improvement of communication between government and informal trader for the sustainability of municipal programs.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Multi-temporal assessment of chlorophyll-a concentration in estuarine waters: a case study of sundays and swartkops estuaries, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Gwazani, Nothando
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Chlorophyll -- South Africa Estuaries -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Applied Remote Sensing & GIS)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11972 , vital:39123
  • Description: Estuaries are productive and delicate marine systems, which are of commercial, recreational and aesthetic value as they reflect the land use of a catchment by creating “nutrient traps”, these nutrients are absorbed by water and later released into the coastal oceans. Disturbances in an estuary influence a wide variety of habitats and organisms in a marine ecosystem, for example, high chlorophyll-a affects marine species that utilize calm waters, food and turbid water found in estuaries. The degradation of South African estuaries is an on-going accelerating process; therefore, there is a need for preservation measures for estuarine ecosystems by means of monitoring nutrient flow. This research was aimed at assessing the use of OLCI ocean color products in monitoring chl-a concentration and impacts of the estuaries in Algoa Bay. OLCI on the Sentinel platforms, coupled with OCNN and OC4ME algorithms were employed to assess the distribution of chlorophyll-a in Swartkops and Sunday’s estuaries. OC4Me and OCNN are the default models designed for OLCI data. However, the OLCI resolution was not able to measure the chl-a concentration within these estuaries. Therefore, satellite product assessment was primarily focused on the Algoa bay scale due to the resolution of the available data. SNAP and Matlab were applied for the production of the final products. Accuracy assessment was used to check the agreement between the in situ datasets of chl-a and the final processed satellite products. Results of this investigation point that OCNN did not perform well in the study as compared to OC4Me and it did not produce accurate results in areas with very high biomass concentration. The research concludes by recommending the use of higher resolution data such as Sentinel 2 MSI (10m, 20m, and 60m resolution) for resolving chlorophyll-a within these estuaries.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Short regimen in the management of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in Buffalo City Metropolitan, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Somfongo, Nomawethu Constance
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Tuberculosis Disease management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16814 , vital:40776
  • Description: Tuberculosis is an epidemic disease which is regarded as the tenth leading cause of death in the world (World Health Organization, 2014). New 580 000 cases of multidrug resistant tuberculosis have been reported by WHO (2014). Patients diagnosed with rifampicin/multi-drug resistant tuberculosis were usually treated for 18-24 months if they convert within the designated period of 4-6 months. Several trials were conducted in other countries like Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, etc. on the use of short regimen of 9-12 months. Short regimen was introduced in January 2017 in South Africa and it has not been evaluated for its effectiveness in Buffalo City Metropolitan, South Africa. This study was conducted to examine RR/MDR TB outcomes following the introduction of a short regimen and the outcomes were based on the set target of 50% MDR TB success rate and 5.4% TB client lost to follow up rate as per the Annual Performance Plan (APP) of 2017/18. The conversion rate was also examined though the target was not set in APP. A retrospective study using a descriptive design was used to collect data at Nkqubela TB and Duncan Village Day hospitals which are in Buffalo City Metropolitan. The population of the study were all records of patients diagnosed, registered and initiated on rifampicin/multi-drug resistant TB in a short regimen in Nkqubela TB Hospital and Duncan Village Day Hospital between January 2017 and July 2017. All 118 patient records that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study therefore convenience sampling was used. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Fort Hare (ethical clearance number: MUP101SSOM01). Approval to conduct the study was also approved by the Eastern Cape Department of Health Ethics, BCM Health District Manager and two public hospitals. Two research assistants and one data capture signed oath of confidentiality prior data extraction. Unique codes were used to ensure anonymity and privacy and all data was treated in a confidential manner. Data was collected using a self-designed structured questionnaire which was tested for validity and reliability through pilot study. Data analysis was done by a statistician using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 24. RR/MDR TB outcomes of participants who were initiated on short regimen between January and July 2017 were examined between January and July 2018 at the end of 12 months. Findings showed that the majority of the affected age group was between the ages of 36-45 years in both genders (34.7%) with males (n=71) being highly affected than females (n=47). Bisho/King William’s Town sub-district was the most affected in Buffalo City Metropolitan (n=61). The majority of participants that were affected were the Africans (98.3%), unemployed (51.7%), people living with HIV/AIDS (62.7%) and those previously treated for TB (57.6%). Records revealed that participants living with HIV had a mean CD4 count of 194.5 and 202.4 and mean viral load of 203183.0 and 651888.7. Smokers and alcohol users were higher in males (20.3% and 16.9% respectively) than in females (2.5% and 5.1% respectively). Two patient records were missing and other four patient records were incompletely recorded to determine data on smoking and alcohol consumption. Findings revealed a smear conversion rate of 68.5% excluding 47 participants who had negative baseline smear results and one participant who had extra-pulmonary TB. Twenty one percent of the participants did not have consecutive smear results during the intensive phase. TB client lost to follow up rate was 13.5% (n=16) and 10 of all TB clients lost to follow up interrupted treatment for ≥5 months. Eleven TB clients lost to follow up were from Buffalo City Municipality Metropolitan. TB client lost to follow up was high in males (n=13). Rifampicin/multidrug resistant TB treatment success rate was 72.9% with mean response to treatment of 17.2 weeks. Weight (p0.005 and CI 2.750, 15.189) and body mass index (p0.004 and CI 1.232, 6.242) as well as duration of treatment interruption (p0.000 and CI -14.785, -8. 644) and duration of treatment (p0.001 and CI -65.385, -16.403) were statistically significant to treatment success. Based on these findings, it is therefore concluded that short regimen is effective in the management of RR/MDR TB despite high TB client lost to follow up rate. Decentralisation of drug resistant TB management; primary health care reengineering; use of NIMDR-trained nurses; tracing of TB interrupters; HIV management; electronic patient management system and review of how EDR register works; proper record keeping and proper recording; extensive and ongoing counselling, patient support, health education and patient monitoring; and political involvement; is recommended. Further research is recommended to identify patient and service related factors that affect TB treatment outcomes.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Photophysical studies of conjugates of upconversion nanoparticles with aluminium phthalocyanines

  • Authors: Watkins, Zane
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4964 , vital:20747
  • Description: NaYF4 :Yb/Er/Gd upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) were synthesised and their photoemission stabilised by embedding these nanoparticles in electrospun fibres. The photophysical behaviour of chloro aluminium tetrasulfo-phthalocyanine chloride (ClAlTSPc) was studied in the presence of UCNPs on mixing the two species in solution. The fluorescence lifetimes for UCNPs were shortened at 658 nm in the presence of ClAlTSPc when the former was embedded in fibre and suspended in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution of the latter. A clear singlet oxygen generation by ClAlTSPc through Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was demonstrated using a singlet oxygen quencher, 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. UCNP capped with amino groups were then covalently attached to chloro aluminium tetrasulphonated phthalocyanine (ClAlTSPc) and chloro aluminium tetracarboxy phthalocyanine (ClAlTCPc). The conjugates were characterized using different techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). There was a decrease in fluorescence emission spectra of the UCNPs at 658 nm in the presence of the phthalocyanines. This decrease indicates an energy transfer between the donor UCNP and conjugated accepting phthalocyanine (Pc), due to FRET. Low FRET efficiencies of 18 and 21 % for ClAlTSPc and ClAlTCPc, respectively, were obtained.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

The application of BEE legislation on employment

  • Authors: Loock, Madelaine
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17990 , vital:28551
  • Description: BBBEE is currently on everyone’s minds and the uncertainty surrounding the changes to the Codes of Good Practice as well as the Sector Codes leaves business owner’s with a feeling of uncomfortable anticipation. The changes to the Codes of Good Practice has set the tone and most of the Sector Codes are being modelled around the Codes. Business owners will have to adapt to the changes and plan in advance in order to avoid being without a compliant BEE certificate. This will entail a strategic analysis of the company’s financial position as well as a strategic BEE plan for the 12 months they will be rated on.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test : normative data for the Xhosa-speaking population and analysis of the influence of the quality of education

  • Authors: Nyangwa, Unathi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Educational tests and measurements Neuropsychological tests Verbal learning -- Testing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6270 , vital:29534
  • Description: Objective. The aim of this study was to develop and establish norms for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for Xhosa speaking adults with a grade 11 or 12 qualification obtained from a previously disadvantaged educational background in the Eastern Cape. Method. The sampleconsisted of a non-clinical group of South African Eastern Cape Xhosa speaking adults (N = 40), aged 19-40, with Grade 11 or 12 level of education received in former Department of Education and Training (DET) schools. Independent t-test analyses were used to compare test performance ofmale and female research subjects; to compare young adults versus older adult age categories and to compare performance between rural and urban research subjects. In addition, differences between the SA RAVLT norms imitative from this study compared to the Australian standardisation on the young adult category was measured. Results. The findings revealed no statistical significant influence of age; sex or rural and urban schooling among the disadvantaged population of the Eastern Cape on RAVLT performance. Additionally, differences on test performance between research-subjects from South Africa compared to Australian research subjects was evident with Australian research subjects performing better on all the sub-components of the RAVLT measure. Conclusions. It is concluded that clinicians will be able to use the RAVLT with more confidence with this educationally disadvantaged Xhosa speaking population. These RAVLT normative data should not be generalised to other languages; other race groups, or other age categories of individuals other than the ones represented in this study.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

The sedimentology and depositional model of VS5 reef at Beatrix mine and surrounding areas of the Freestate Goldfield, South Africa

  • Authors: Shivambu, Steven
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4942 , vital:20745
  • Description: Historically, placers of economic importance at Sibanye Gold's Beatrix No. 3 Shaft were Beatrix Reef, Aandenk Reef and Composite of the two reefs. Recently, the VS5 placer has emerged to be a significant contributor of ore tonnages mined on the Shaft as mining advances into deeper levels towards the northern portion of the mine lease area. Gold concentration in the VS5 Reef is highly variable from uneconomic, through marginal to economic gold values. A good knowledge of the sedimentological framework of the VS5 Reef was considered necessary in order to interpret the variable distribution of the gold within the VS5 placer. The aim of this study was to determine the depositional environments that played a major role during the formation of the VS5 placer by means of investigating the macroscopic sedimentological parameters of this particular reef. These sedimentological parameters were used as the basis for the subdivision of VS5 Reef into different facies recognized in the mine and surrounding areas. It was recognized that the VS5 placer was formed in a distal, braided fluvial environment by the reworking of the pre-existing Aandenk Reef by new materials containing significant amount of nondurable materials (see definition on page xii) such as shale detritus. Where there is no evidence of reworking of the older Aandenk Reef, the VS5 Reef occurs as poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerate with abundance of non-durable detritus. This is referred to as the Immature (IV) VS5 facies and occurs in the northern portion of the study area. The degree of reworking of the gravel bars by waves and current action resulted in the formation of well sorted, oligomictic conglomerates of the Beatrix facies in the southern portion of the mine. At the boundaries between the Immature VS5 and Beatrix facies occurs the Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies, characterized by reef comprising a polymictic upper portion and a basal more mature oligomictic unit. The Transitional VS5 facies extends across the current central northern mining faces of Beatrix No. 3 Shaft with a northwest-southeast trend. There is a strong correlation between the VS5 lithofacies and distribution of gold mineralization. The Immature VS5 facies is poorly mineralized, with gold values averaging 200 c.m.g/t and lower. The Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies has elevated gold values, ranging from 300 c.m.g/t to 1500 cm.g/t. Mineralization in this unit tend to be bottom loaded as well as at the base of each cyclic unit. The Beatrix facies records the highest grades averaging >1500 cmg/t. The improved understanding of the VS5 lithofacies made it possible to predict gold mineralization and aid planning to mine into viable VS5 areas.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

The taxation of illegal income in South Africa: the basis on which proceeds from a unilateral taking should be taxed

  • Authors: Nyakanyanga, Kudzai Talent
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5960 , vital:21002
  • Description: In South Africa, income tax is levied in terms of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, and the calculation of a taxpayer’s taxable income and ultimately the tax liability commences with considering what constitutes the taxpayer’s gross income. In terms of the definition of “gross income” a person can be taxed either on receipts or accruals. The definition makes no reference, however, to the legality of receipts or accruals. The main issue addressed in this thesis is the interpretation of the term “receipt” in relation to the proceeds from a unilateral taking (theft) and whether the concept of a receipt in relation to theft should be interpreted using the subjective approach used in MP Finance Group CC (In Liquidation) v C:SARS, or the objective approach. An interpretative research approach was used to provide clarity on the matter. The documentary data used for the research consists of South African tax legislation, case law, textbooks and journal articles. The thesis also analysed SARS’ view in Interpretation Note 80 that MP Finance Group CC (In Liquidation) v C:SARS is authority for a unilateral taking being a receipt, and the correctness of this viewpoint. A brief comparative analysis was done of the basis on which illegal income flowing from a unilateral taking is taxed in Australia, New Zealand and America. These countries have legislative provisions that specifically deal with how the proceeds from theft in the hands of a thief should be treated for tax purposes. The thesis concludes that, although the court in MP Finance Group CC (In Liquidation) v C:SARS shed some light on the issue of the taxability of income from illegal activities, the basis on which proceeds from theft may be taxed, as opposed to the basis on which proceeds from other illegal activities like fraud are taxed, remains a grey area in our law. The thesis recommends the introduction of a legislative provision in order to provide a more unified, consistent and effective approach when taxing all illegal income.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017

A critical analysis of the taxation of financial assets and financial liabilities in terms of section 24JB of the South African Income Tax Act

  • Authors: Snyman, S L
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4178 , vital:20630
  • Description: Section 24JB of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 was introduced with effect from 1 January 2014 in order to govern the taxation of financial instruments of a covered person as defined. Section 24JB represents a significant departure from the standard tax principles for financial instruments and will therefore directly affect the timing of the imposition of tax on gains and losses on these financial instruments, resulting in a significant adverse cash flow effect for the taxpayer. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the meaning of the wording in section 24JB through a critical analysis of the domestic tax legislation in the context of practical examples of specific financial assets and liabilities. The research includes an analysis of the scope of section 24JB by examining the definition of a “covered person” as well as the specific financial instruments to which the section applies, with reference to the International Financial Reporting Standards classifications and terms. The interaction of section 24JB with the rest of the Act is examined and whether this section overrides all the other provisions, specifically with reference to the taxation of dividends and the general and specific anti-avoidance provisions contained elsewhere in the Act. The study aims to highlight anomalies and possible unintended tax consequences arising from the current drafting of section 24JB using practical examples, highlighting the major areas of concern and issues of interpretation of section 24JB. Recommendations are made for amendments to the Act or the provision of guidance in the form of an Explanatory Memorandum or Interpretation Note to be issued by SARS.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

Fairness and efficacy of the penalty provisions in the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011

  • Authors: Fourie, Catherine
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Tax administration and procedure Income tax -- Law and legislation , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12426 , vital:27065
  • Description: The purpose of this treatise was to examine the fairness and efficacy of the penalty provisions in the Tax Administration Act (the Act). An integrative literature review research method was used. The study commenced with a review of the local and international literature on tax compliance and the fairness and efficacy of penalties. This was followed by a study of the stated objectives of the Fiscus in respect of the strategy and approach to maintaining and improving taxpayer compliance and an analysis of the penalty regime of the Act. A comparative analysis was then performed of the relevant taxing legislation of five countries, which were chosen using a purposeful sample selected from the major trading partners of the Republic and countries with a similar tax framework. Following this, a review was performed of a cross section of the most recent tax related court cases in South Africa in order to assess the extent, consistency and fairness of the application of the penalty provisions. The study then concluded with an integrated assessment of the fairness and efficacy of the penalty provisions in light of the research conducted, and highlighted areas where the legislation appears to meet this objective, followed by recommendations for amendments in respect of policy and implementation. Finally recommendations were made for areas of further research which might improve the validity of the conclusions with respect to the stated objectives of the present research and to inform policy formulation.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

I have gone away many times

  • Authors: Metileni, Moses Nzama Khaizen
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:6010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021225
  • Description: I search for beauty and for myself amidst the debris and ruin and violence, so my poems are mainly grounded narratives that combine the lyrical and the political, celebration and lament. They reconnect with nature, the now ravaged landscapes that gave me my first impulse to make songs, poetry, and art. My poems also draw on my Xitsonga culture – its folklore, proverbs, idioms, parables, and clan praise songs. Stylistically I am influenced by Mahmoud Darwish’s and Garcia Lorca’s musical structures, while Aimé Césaire has shown me how to write a long poem in both abstract and concrete registers, and Yehuda Amichai how to write with a questioning style, dislodging accepted dogma. Local influences are Mzi Mahola and James Magaisa, with their critique and celebration of culture. I pick up fragments elsewhere, as I go.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

The developmental impact of non-contributory social grants in South Africa : a study of Ezibeleni, Queenstown

  • Authors: Xaba, Mzingaye Brilliant
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa , Poor -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Poverty -- South Africa -- Queenstown , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1994-
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018919
  • Description: Amartya Sen argued that poverty was the “deprivation” of the capability to lead a “good life”, therefore ending poverty meant meeting basic physical and social needs, and enabling meaningful economic and political choices. The principal objective of this research was to investigate whether (and if so, in what ways) post-apartheid state-provided non-contributory cash social grants in South Africa reduced “poverty” in Sen’s sense. This thesis used Ezibeleni, a historically black working class township at Queenstown, in the Eastern Cape, as a reference area. Using in-depth interviews, it found that social grants did help reduce poverty, both in terms of helping meet basic needs and enabling grant recipients to make more choices, including facilitating job searches and small businesses. However, it was also found that grants fall short of ending poverty, as the grants were too small to adequately cover basic needs in the context of large family sizes, a serious and long-term lack of resources, persistent unemployment, and high indebtedness, and could also enable only a limited expansion of choices. The grants played a positive role, but were inadequate to remove the “unfreedoms” facing the poor.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

The effect of strike action on the value and volatility of the South African Rand

  • Authors: Gordon, Ross Patrick
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Strikes and lockouts -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , South Africa -- Foreign economic relations , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , Rand, South African , Dollar, American
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020018
  • Description: This study analyses whether the advent of strike action has an effect on the value and volatility of the South African Rand compared with the US Dollar. The literature suggests that strike action can have a significant effect on the exchange rate in terms of either value or volatility, and consequences can result that cause inefficiencies in the economy; inhibiting employment and economic growth. Strike action has become common place in South Africa, with 2012 alone recording 99 strikes, 45 of which were “wildcat” or unprotected strikes. This study uses GARCH and Intervention Analyses to determine what the resulting effects of the strikes might be on the exchange rate. The analysis used ZAR/USD exchange rate data for the period January 2000 to October 2013, and covered 72 of the most significant strikes in terms of lost man-days. The results are mixed, suggesting that the effects of strikes do not always conform to expectations (increased volatility and a depreciation in the Rand), and that outside factors affecting the global economy may have a more significant effect on the exchange rate than strikes on their own.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Coming clean: the treatment of traces

  • Authors: Wilmot, Cassandra
  • Date: 2013 , 2013-09-13
  • Subjects: Salcedo, Doris, 1958- Bereavement in art
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
  • Identifier: vital:2442 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006121
  • Description: Coming Clean is a mixed media installation which aims to address and express ambivalent feelings or notions of loss arising particularly in the absence of a comprehensive narrative or history by focussing on what remains. By researching the role of indexical signs and strategies, particularly as they are deployed by the artist Doris Salcedo, I explore the capacity for these traces to not only effectively mark and memorialise loss, but to also convey the state of loss as experienced by the bereaved without providing a narrative account of the events which preceded them. The domestic ritual of washing is both alluded to and used as a metaphor in etchings, photographic prints and readymade objects to illustrate my concerns, with particular emphasis on the dialectic between what is revealed or concealed. Using representations or traces of this task of laundry to examine this dialectic between concealment and revelation, I comment on the anxiety of dealing with incomplete narrative inheritances by considering how traces of the past which impose themselves on the present may affect both remembrance and the ritual of loss, while also taking into account the complexities behind the disclosure of sensitive information in families.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

Investigating rural Ugandan women's engagement with HIV and AIDS-related programmes on community radio: a case study of Mama FM's Speak out and Listen

  • Authors: Kigozi, James Musisi
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Community radio , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) and mass media -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001845
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate how rural Ugandan women engage with discussions of HIV and AIDS on community radio. It explored how this audience may relate such broadcast discussions to their own lived experience of HIV and AIDS. It is explained in the study that, while the Uganda government has an official policy of openly discussing matters of HIV and AIDS, health communication strategies still operate within a context where there is an underlying "culture of silence" that discourages openness about sexual matters. It is also pointed out that there are widespread gender disparities among rural communities, which severely limit women's ability to make use of health communication initiatives aimed at educating them. Against this backdrop, the study sets out to explore audience responses to a particular example of Speak Out and Listen, a weekly programme broadcast on Mama FM, a Kampala-based radio station managed by the Uganda Media Women's Association (UMWA). The study maps out responses to the programme by a particular group of rural women. It is argued that these research participants' comments confirm the importance, noted in literature dealing with health education, of drawing for content on what members of an audience have to say about their own lived context. It is proposed that, despite the existence of a 'culture of silence', the women's comments demonstrate an ability to speak with confidence about their experience of living with HIV and AIDS. Thcy are able, more particularly to discuss the constraints placed by gendered power relations on women's ability to draw on the educational content of programming that targets people living with HIV and AIDS. As such, the comments that such women offer represent a valuable resource for HIV and AIDS related programming. The principal conclusion of the study is that health communication initiatives such as Speak Out and Listen would benefit from facilitating conversations with their target audience about their lived experience of HIV and AIDS, and incorporating such discussion into their programmes
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

Women in power: the experiences of female administrators at Nelson Mandela bay Metropolitan Municipality

  • Authors: Memela, Yoliswa Lourenda
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Women government executives -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021105
  • Description: South Africa is held up internationally as a beacon of good practice in terms of its efforts to promote gender equality and, the increased number of women in leadership positions in all spheres of government is testament to this. The representation of women in all spheres of government is advocated for and promoted by legislation and policies that aim to promote a gender focus on all government procedures and programmes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of women leaders, including their reasons for maintaining leadership positions. It also addressed the challenges these women faced on their journeys and described their definitions of successful leadership based on their experiences. The qualitative nature of the research project made it possible to tell the stories of the participants’ experiences in order to understand their career progression and how it pertained to their concept of leadership. The three participants recruited for the study were women in positions of influence within their municipality including managers, directors, and executive directors. Purposeful sampling was used so that the chosen participants would have experience with the central phenomenon being studied. All of the women contacted to participate in this study readily agreed to share their experiences. There was some level of diversity regarding the age, ethnic backgrounds, and education level of the participants. Semi-structured personal interviews were conducted to collect the data. Open-ended questions were used so the responses of the participants could guide the development of themes and the direction of the study. Once the data were collected through recorded interviews, codes were assigned to sections of the text to help identify themes. A coding table was developed to illustrate how the themes for the discussion emerged from data obtained during the interviews. The stories of the participants were interwoven based on the themes and also analyzed in terms of the existing research. A discussion of the findings incorporated the literature and provided evidence of connected concepts. Strategies including inter-coder agreement, rich description, and clarification of biases were used to strengthen the study’s findings. Ethical issues were addressed throughout each phase of the study. All participants were asked to sign an informed consent form that outlined the procedures of the study. The identity of the participants was kept confidential through the use of pseudonyms.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2013

An evaluation of two poverty alleviation projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

  • Authors: Sojola, Vuyisile Theophilus
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020801
  • Description: The researcher is disturbed by the high rising levels of poverty and unemployment in the Eastern Cape whilst there are poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since the ushering in of the Democratic Government in 1994. The sole purpose of the research is to investigate two poverty alleviation projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality under Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The study will focus on the following aspects: project management, capacity building, support, coaching, monitoring and evaluation, the market and the views community members have on poverty alleviation projects. The research sought to find out what challenges have been encountered by Tshabo Bakery Project and Ilitha Poultry Project which might impact negatively to the project. The researcher will use interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, direct observation and document analysis to collect information for the study. Findings and recommendations for this study will also be presented.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

International passports : portrait of the Nigerian diaspora

  • Authors: Makun, Adetoun Jones
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Portrait painting -- South Africa Nigerians -- Portraits Portrait photography -- Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
  • Identifier: vital:2429 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002226
  • Description: International Passports: Portraits of the Nigerian Diaspora considers notions of 'alienation‘ and 'nation-hood‘ through the lens of portraiture. This dissertation addresses issues of identity and representation in a contemporary cultural context as they pertain to the concerns presented through my current visual practice. The paintings that I have produced from 'real‘ life are primarily depictions of Nigerian individuals, friends and acquaintances (professionals and students) residing in Grahamstown, South Africa as temporary or permanent migrants. I reference the mug shot pose of identity documents and passport photographs and render them in such a way that ideas of their persona are subject to the viewer‘s gaze and deliberations, thus provoking the spectator to consider questions of 'otherness‘ and 'stereotypes‘. This provocation is subtle and complex, and in many ways I am offering the viewer a 're-looking‘, an opportunity to examine one‘s moral position and subsequent implication within the act of stereotyping an 'other‘ individual. The initial idea within this body of work was to paint images of Nigerian nationals exclusively, yet the restrictive nature of such categorization pushed me to complicate certain nationalist ideologies through the inclusion of non-Nigerian individuals. I look specifically at notions of the 'other‘ and 'strangeness‘ in a contemporary South African context and how this connects to the concept of portraiture and not simply portraiture theory but also the social theory in relation to how people are 'imaged‘. Throughout this thesis I consider several theoretical concerns in portraiture practice and discourse whilst simultaneously unpacking the psychological and social contexts that influence my practice.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

The praxis of responsible investment in South Africa: a holistic case study of Evolution One Fund

  • Authors: Zaulochnaya Ya-Brouwer, Irina
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Institutional investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Private equity funds -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003899
  • Description: At the beginning of the 21st century the public interest in environmental and social sustainability, and corporate governance grew exponentially fuelled by recurring ecological and financial crises. The market demand for cleaner production and corporate transparency created opportunities for sustainability entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, including financial markets and investment management. An increasing number of financial institutions across the world now offer ethical or socially responsible products to meet the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspirations of their clients. In the US, according to the Social Investment Forum (SIF), responsible investment (RI) assets reached US$ 2,29 trillion in 2007 (Mitchell, 2008). The European Sustainable Investment Forum (EuroSIF) estimated that total European SRI assets reached EUR 5 trillion in 2009 (Wheelan, 2010). In June 2011 the International Finance Corporation (IFC) reported that at the end of 2010 professional sustainable investment under management in South Africa approximately equalled US$ 122,6 billion (IFC, 2011:44). The statistics describing the rapid growth in the ESG-type investments are, however, complicated by the variety of names and definitions used to describe this emerging type of investment and a general market uncertainty about what constitutes the practice of RI. The purpose of this case study is to better understand responsible investment principles and practice as seen through the eyes of a South African private equity fund, which specializes in clean technology.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012

Shame is valuable

  • Authors: Euvrard, Jonathan George
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Shame Ethics Self-evaluation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002838
  • Description: In this thesis I argue that shame is valuable because it contributes to the moral life by promoting coherence. I start by developing and defending a conception of shame. On my conception, rational shame involves a negative self-assessment, in which I am both the assessor and the object of assessment, and in which the standard of assessment is my own. I then develop a notion of coherence, and apply it to the relationship between values, and the relationship between values and actions. I also tie the notion of coherence to what I call “the moral life”. I then discuss two ways in which shame can work to promote coherence. Firstly, I describe a process of critical reflective self-assessment, and show how this is a particularly effective method of promoting coherence when coupled with shame. Secondly, I discuss the connection between my emotions and my values, arguing that this connection promotes coherence, and that shame works to reinforce this connection and thereby to promote coherence.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2009
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact