A capability approach: Its potential for transformative education research focusing on education for sustainable development and gender issues in science teacher education
- Authors: Chikunda, Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387120 , vital:68208 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122266"
- Description: In this article, I use the capability approach to explore the role that the science, mathematics and technical subjects (SMTs) teacher education curriculum can play as a ‘gender conversion factor’. This comes amidst evidence that a major hindrance to the participation of girls in these disciplines is a lack of gender responsiveness in the pedagogy applied in schools. Seven teacher educators, who were purposively sampled at a Technical Teachers’ College in Zimbabwe, were the research participants. I adopted a case study design in which I used in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and document analysis to generate data. Data was analysed deductively using predetermined themes based on an analytical tool anchored on Sen’s two, but quite distinct, aspects of freedom, that is, the opportunity aspect and the process aspect of freedom. The findings reveal that there is a limited awareness of gender issues among teacher educators, and that these issues are not being transformed into curriculum practice. All in all, it is evident that curriculum practices of SMTs teacher educators are riddled with gender blindness and so trainee teachers graduate from college without the necessary agency to deal with personal, social and environmental conversion factors that can play a role in girls converting the curriculum into functionings (beings and doings) and wider freedoms and valued beings and doings (capabilities).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Chikunda, Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387120 , vital:68208 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122266"
- Description: In this article, I use the capability approach to explore the role that the science, mathematics and technical subjects (SMTs) teacher education curriculum can play as a ‘gender conversion factor’. This comes amidst evidence that a major hindrance to the participation of girls in these disciplines is a lack of gender responsiveness in the pedagogy applied in schools. Seven teacher educators, who were purposively sampled at a Technical Teachers’ College in Zimbabwe, were the research participants. I adopted a case study design in which I used in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and document analysis to generate data. Data was analysed deductively using predetermined themes based on an analytical tool anchored on Sen’s two, but quite distinct, aspects of freedom, that is, the opportunity aspect and the process aspect of freedom. The findings reveal that there is a limited awareness of gender issues among teacher educators, and that these issues are not being transformed into curriculum practice. All in all, it is evident that curriculum practices of SMTs teacher educators are riddled with gender blindness and so trainee teachers graduate from college without the necessary agency to deal with personal, social and environmental conversion factors that can play a role in girls converting the curriculum into functionings (beings and doings) and wider freedoms and valued beings and doings (capabilities).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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:
- Date Issued: 2013
- 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:
- Date Issued: 2013
A case study of the research careers of women academics: constraints and enablements
- Authors: Obers, Nöelle Marie Thérèse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Career success , Research , Women college teachers , Women in higher education , Sex discrimination in higher education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001575
- Description: The purpose of this research is to investigate constraints that women academics experience in their research careers and how enablements, particularly in the form of mentoring relationships and support structures, can impact on their research career development in the context of the new knowledge economy of Higher Education. The research was a case study of one South African Institution and used a mixed method approach. Social realism underpinned the research. Data was collected and analysed within the spheres of structure, culture and agency, using critical discourse analysis, interpretation and abstraction strategies. I investigated how women researchers understand and experience career success and what they perceive and experience as enablements and constraints to their research careers. Institutional support structures and cultures were examined with a focus on the role of the Head of Department. I explored mentoring and questioned whether the agency of women academics is empowered by mentoring and supportive structures to overcome constraints to their research productivity and the development of their careers. Gender-based issues of inequity, low self-esteem and accrual of social capital appear to be the underlying factors affecting how women perform in the research arena and advance within the institution. It was found that mentoring is a generative mechanism that has a favourable impact on women academics as it enables them to overcome obstacles to research productivity and career advancement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Obers, Nöelle Marie Thérèse
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Career success , Research , Women college teachers , Women in higher education , Sex discrimination in higher education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001575
- Description: The purpose of this research is to investigate constraints that women academics experience in their research careers and how enablements, particularly in the form of mentoring relationships and support structures, can impact on their research career development in the context of the new knowledge economy of Higher Education. The research was a case study of one South African Institution and used a mixed method approach. Social realism underpinned the research. Data was collected and analysed within the spheres of structure, culture and agency, using critical discourse analysis, interpretation and abstraction strategies. I investigated how women researchers understand and experience career success and what they perceive and experience as enablements and constraints to their research careers. Institutional support structures and cultures were examined with a focus on the role of the Head of Department. I explored mentoring and questioned whether the agency of women academics is empowered by mentoring and supportive structures to overcome constraints to their research productivity and the development of their careers. Gender-based issues of inequity, low self-esteem and accrual of social capital appear to be the underlying factors affecting how women perform in the research arena and advance within the institution. It was found that mentoring is a generative mechanism that has a favourable impact on women academics as it enables them to overcome obstacles to research productivity and career advancement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A central enrichment-based comparison of two alternative methods of generating transcription factor binding motifs from protein binding microarray data
- Authors: Mahaye, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-13
- Subjects: Transcription factors , Bioinformatics , Protein binding , Protein microarrays , Cell lines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003049 , Transcription factors , Bioinformatics , Protein binding , Protein microarrays , Cell lines
- Description: Characterising transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) is an important problem in bioinformatics, since predicting binding sites has many applications such as predicting gene regulation. ChIP-seq is a powerful in vivo method for generating genome-wide putative binding regions for transcription factors (TFs). CentriMo is an algorithm that measures central enrichment of a motif and has previously been used as motif enrichment analysis (MEA) tool. CentriMo uses the fact that ChIP-seq peak calling methods are likely to be biased towards the centre of the putative binding region, at least in cases where there is direct binding. CentriMo calculates a binomial p-value representing central enrichment, based on the central bias of the binding site with the highest likelihood ratio. In cases where binding is indirect or involves cofactors, a more complex distribution of preferred binding sites may occur but, in many cases, a low CentriMo p-value and low width of maximum enrichment (about 100bp) are strong evidence that the motif in question is the true binding motif. Several other MEA tools have been developed, but they do not consider motif central enrichment. The study investigates the claim made by Zhao and Stormo (2011) that they have identified a simpler method than that used to derive the UniPROBE motif database for creating motifs from protein binding microarray (PBM) data, which they call BEEML-PBM (Binding Energy Estimation by Maximum Likelihood-PBM). To accomplish this, CentriMo is employed on 13 motifs from both motif databases. The results indicate that there is no conclusive difference in the quality of motifs from the original PBM and BEEML-PBM approaches. CentriMo provides an understanding of the mechanisms by which TFs bind to DNA. Out of 13 TFs for which ChIP-seq data is used, BEEML-PBM reports five better motifs and twice it has not had any central enrichment when the best PBM motif does. PBM approach finds seven motifs with better central enrichment. On the other hand, across all variations, the number of examples where PBM is better is not high enough to conclude that it is overall the better approach. Some TFs bind directly to DNA, some indirect or in combination with other TFs. Some of the predicted mechanisms are supported by literature evidence. This study further revealed that the binding specificity of a TF is different in different cell types and development stages. A TF is up-regulated in a cell line where it performs its biological function. The discovery of cell line differences, which has not been done before in any CentriMo study, is interesting and provides reasons to study this further.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mahaye, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-13
- Subjects: Transcription factors , Bioinformatics , Protein binding , Protein microarrays , Cell lines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003049 , Transcription factors , Bioinformatics , Protein binding , Protein microarrays , Cell lines
- Description: Characterising transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) is an important problem in bioinformatics, since predicting binding sites has many applications such as predicting gene regulation. ChIP-seq is a powerful in vivo method for generating genome-wide putative binding regions for transcription factors (TFs). CentriMo is an algorithm that measures central enrichment of a motif and has previously been used as motif enrichment analysis (MEA) tool. CentriMo uses the fact that ChIP-seq peak calling methods are likely to be biased towards the centre of the putative binding region, at least in cases where there is direct binding. CentriMo calculates a binomial p-value representing central enrichment, based on the central bias of the binding site with the highest likelihood ratio. In cases where binding is indirect or involves cofactors, a more complex distribution of preferred binding sites may occur but, in many cases, a low CentriMo p-value and low width of maximum enrichment (about 100bp) are strong evidence that the motif in question is the true binding motif. Several other MEA tools have been developed, but they do not consider motif central enrichment. The study investigates the claim made by Zhao and Stormo (2011) that they have identified a simpler method than that used to derive the UniPROBE motif database for creating motifs from protein binding microarray (PBM) data, which they call BEEML-PBM (Binding Energy Estimation by Maximum Likelihood-PBM). To accomplish this, CentriMo is employed on 13 motifs from both motif databases. The results indicate that there is no conclusive difference in the quality of motifs from the original PBM and BEEML-PBM approaches. CentriMo provides an understanding of the mechanisms by which TFs bind to DNA. Out of 13 TFs for which ChIP-seq data is used, BEEML-PBM reports five better motifs and twice it has not had any central enrichment when the best PBM motif does. PBM approach finds seven motifs with better central enrichment. On the other hand, across all variations, the number of examples where PBM is better is not high enough to conclude that it is overall the better approach. Some TFs bind directly to DNA, some indirect or in combination with other TFs. Some of the predicted mechanisms are supported by literature evidence. This study further revealed that the binding specificity of a TF is different in different cell types and development stages. A TF is up-regulated in a cell line where it performs its biological function. The discovery of cell line differences, which has not been done before in any CentriMo study, is interesting and provides reasons to study this further.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A chronic care coordination model for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A comparative study of the comfort related properties of commercial apparel fabrics containing natural and man-made fibres
- Authors: Stoffberg, Marguerite Ester
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textile fabrics , Materials -- Thermal properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020931
- Description: The relationship between the fabric parameters, as independent variables, and the comfort related properties, as dependent variables, of commercial suiting fabrics, containing both natural and man-made fibres, have been studied. The fabric parameters measured in the study were mass, thickness, density, and air permeability. The comfort related properties, tested on a Permetest instrument, included water vapour permeability, water vapour resistance, and thermal resistance, with the moisture permeability index being derived. A total of 26 commercial suiting fabrics, covering a wide range of mass, as well as different fibre types and blends and fabric structures, was tested. The fibres covered, included wool, polyester, viscose, and cotton, while the fabric structures covered were 1x1 plain weave, 2x1 twill and 2x2 twill weave. The objectives of this study were to determine the empirical relationships between the measured fabric properties and the measured comfort related properties, and to determine the role, if any, of fibre type and fabric structure, since many claims are made in practice concerning the relative advantages, in terms of comfort, of a specific fibre type or blend, or fabric structure, over others, some of which being supported by research results. Since the fabrics covered, were commercial and were not engineered so that the different fabric parameters (independent variables) and fibre type and blend, as well as fabric structure could be varied independently of each other, the effects of the various fabric parameters on the fabric comfort related properties were determined and quantified by multiple regression analyses (multi-linear and multi-quadratic), and the best fit regression equations, and contribution of each parameter to the overall fit established. It was found that fabric thickness and fabric mass had the largest effect on the comfort related properties as measured here, fabric mass determining, to a large extent, water vapour permeability, and fabric thickness, thermal resistance. The rest of the fabric parameters included in the study had only a relatively small effect on the measured comfort related properties. The influence of fabric parameters, with particular reference to mass and thickness, on the measured comfort related properties, were much greater than that of fibre type or blend, or fabric structure. It was, therefore, concluded from this study, that the fabric parameters, as opposed to the intrinsic characteristics of a particular fibre, whether natural or man-made, largely determined those fabric comfort related properties measured here.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Stoffberg, Marguerite Ester
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textile fabrics , Materials -- Thermal properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020931
- Description: The relationship between the fabric parameters, as independent variables, and the comfort related properties, as dependent variables, of commercial suiting fabrics, containing both natural and man-made fibres, have been studied. The fabric parameters measured in the study were mass, thickness, density, and air permeability. The comfort related properties, tested on a Permetest instrument, included water vapour permeability, water vapour resistance, and thermal resistance, with the moisture permeability index being derived. A total of 26 commercial suiting fabrics, covering a wide range of mass, as well as different fibre types and blends and fabric structures, was tested. The fibres covered, included wool, polyester, viscose, and cotton, while the fabric structures covered were 1x1 plain weave, 2x1 twill and 2x2 twill weave. The objectives of this study were to determine the empirical relationships between the measured fabric properties and the measured comfort related properties, and to determine the role, if any, of fibre type and fabric structure, since many claims are made in practice concerning the relative advantages, in terms of comfort, of a specific fibre type or blend, or fabric structure, over others, some of which being supported by research results. Since the fabrics covered, were commercial and were not engineered so that the different fabric parameters (independent variables) and fibre type and blend, as well as fabric structure could be varied independently of each other, the effects of the various fabric parameters on the fabric comfort related properties were determined and quantified by multiple regression analyses (multi-linear and multi-quadratic), and the best fit regression equations, and contribution of each parameter to the overall fit established. It was found that fabric thickness and fabric mass had the largest effect on the comfort related properties as measured here, fabric mass determining, to a large extent, water vapour permeability, and fabric thickness, thermal resistance. The rest of the fabric parameters included in the study had only a relatively small effect on the measured comfort related properties. The influence of fabric parameters, with particular reference to mass and thickness, on the measured comfort related properties, were much greater than that of fibre type or blend, or fabric structure. It was, therefore, concluded from this study, that the fabric parameters, as opposed to the intrinsic characteristics of a particular fibre, whether natural or man-made, largely determined those fabric comfort related properties measured here.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A Comparative study of two copper(II) based metal-organic frameworks : Cu2¼(OH)½B4C•8H2O and Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O
- Authors: Coombes, Matthew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Copper , Organometallic compounds , Supramolecular organometallic chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016245
- Description: This study focussed on two copper(II)-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O and Cu2¼(OH)½B4C•8H2O (B4C = 1,2,4,5- benzenetetracarboxylate). They are both covalent, three-dimensional metalorganic framework polymers containing voids filled with water molecules. Both were characterised by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry (both in situ and regular), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These two MOFs are essentially identical, with the only difference being the substitution of sodium by copper at every 4th site (disordered throughout the crystal). The guest inclusion properties of both MOFs were studied and compared. Although both structures collapse on dehydration, it was observed that Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O is able to take up signifcant amounts of water, methanol and ethanol. All these processes are fully reversible. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics studies suggest that it is a strong interaction between the oxygen atoms on these molecules with the sodium cation of the MOF that is responsible for this signifcant uptake. In contrast, Cu2¼ (OH)½ B4C•8H2O, the MOF without a sodium cation, did not demonstrate any methanol or ethanol uptake, but was able to take up some water. The uptake of water, however, is not a fully reversible process. The absence of sodium likely results in insuffcient energy to draw methanol and ethanol into the framework, while a subtle rotation of a carboxylate group on dehydration decreases the ability of the framework to form hydrogen bonds, thus reducing the ability to take up water. A series of hydrothermal syntheses were performed in order to develop a method of synthesis superior to the current gel-based synthesis that requires several months and has poor yields. The hydrothermal products were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. It was shown that the MOF Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O may be synthesised in almost 100% yield by using a temperature of 120°C over a period of 72 hours. It was not possible to synthesise Cu2¼ (OH)½ B4C•8H2O in a 100% yield - it was only obtained as a minor product.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Coombes, Matthew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Copper , Organometallic compounds , Supramolecular organometallic chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4533 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016245
- Description: This study focussed on two copper(II)-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O and Cu2¼(OH)½B4C•8H2O (B4C = 1,2,4,5- benzenetetracarboxylate). They are both covalent, three-dimensional metalorganic framework polymers containing voids filled with water molecules. Both were characterised by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry (both in situ and regular), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These two MOFs are essentially identical, with the only difference being the substitution of sodium by copper at every 4th site (disordered throughout the crystal). The guest inclusion properties of both MOFs were studied and compared. Although both structures collapse on dehydration, it was observed that Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O is able to take up signifcant amounts of water, methanol and ethanol. All these processes are fully reversible. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics studies suggest that it is a strong interaction between the oxygen atoms on these molecules with the sodium cation of the MOF that is responsible for this signifcant uptake. In contrast, Cu2¼ (OH)½ B4C•8H2O, the MOF without a sodium cation, did not demonstrate any methanol or ethanol uptake, but was able to take up some water. The uptake of water, however, is not a fully reversible process. The absence of sodium likely results in insuffcient energy to draw methanol and ethanol into the framework, while a subtle rotation of a carboxylate group on dehydration decreases the ability of the framework to form hydrogen bonds, thus reducing the ability to take up water. A series of hydrothermal syntheses were performed in order to develop a method of synthesis superior to the current gel-based synthesis that requires several months and has poor yields. The hydrothermal products were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. It was shown that the MOF Cu2Na(OH)B4C•7H2O may be synthesised in almost 100% yield by using a temperature of 120°C over a period of 72 hours. It was not possible to synthesise Cu2¼ (OH)½ B4C•8H2O in a 100% yield - it was only obtained as a minor product.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A comparative study on the effectiveness of minimum service agreements within the public service
- Authors: De Bruin, Frederik Johannes
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Public utilities , Collective labor agreements -- Service industries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020811
- Description: The principle of the right to strike is Internationally recognised. Although the right to strike is not set out explicitly in the International Labour Organizations (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations. It has been discussed on several occasions in the International Labour Conference during the course of preparatory work on instruments dealing with related topics, but for various reasons this has never given rise to international standards (Conventions or Recommendations) directly governing the right to strike. The ILO has determined that the right to strike can be derived from the right to Freedom of Association. The ILO Committee does however recognises certain limitations on the right to strike such as not finding any objection to national legislation that would prohibit the right to strike of armed or police forces. Both the Committee on Freedom of Association and the Committee of experts were also mindful, where public servants are concerned, that the recognition of the right to association of public servants in no way prejudges the question of the right of public servants to strike. The ILO also makes provision for the establishment of essential services as to ensure the continuation of services were the interruption of such would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population. In this limitation it however holds that a “minimum safety service” may be imposed to ensure the safety of persons, the prevention of accidents and the safety of machinery and equipment In our Constitution, the supreme law of the Country, the right to strike is enshrined and protected in section 23 under the bill of rights. The Constitution however allows enabling legislation, under specific circumstances, to limit a right listed in section 23. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) places a limitation on the right to strike, specifically providing that no person may take part in a strike if that person is engaged in an essential service. Because the right to strike is so important, a limitation of these kind needs to be justified and, to be justified it needs, among other things, to be limited. In section 72 of the LRA provision is made for a minimum service within a designated essential service. Therefore, the ambit of the designated essential service is shrunk to the minimum service and those employees who were denied the right to strike while the broader essential service designation was in place, but who fall outside the defined minimum service, regains the right to strike. The concept of minimum services has however became a matter of regular discussion and debate. The concept of minimum services is not defined to the letter but it is regarded as the minimum service an industry or workplace would require as to ensure interruption of services would not endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population. Our legislatures have also been grappling with the concept of essential and minimum services. They have developed a comprehensive set of amendments trying to address some of the concerns in the composition, powers and functions of the Essential Services Committee (ESC). It is debatable if these proposed amendments would bring forth the necessary change to address these concerns or just become a further bureaucratic hindrance and due to the extreme complexity may even pose a limitation on the right to strike. There is also no differentiation made in the current labour legislation and the proposed amendments, between the public service and the private sector in application of the principle of essential and minimum services. Implementation of these principles in the public services has shown to be extremely challenging. Part of the proposed amendments however makes provision for the specific inclusion of government in the composition of the ESC. It is viewed by the drafters, that the introduction of government nominees to be an innovation to ensure that government is adequately represented on the essential services committee in its capacity as an employer, as a high proportion of essential service matters occur within the public service. This may be viewed as contrary to International standards as the ILO makes clear provision for a differentiated interpretation of the right to freedom of association, the right to strike, essential services and minimum services for people performing functions in the name of the State (public servants). The concept of public servant varies considerably from one country to another. Germany within their governance structure makes provision for a differentiation between civil servants and public servants and the labour rights the two groups may have. In France the military, police and prison services does not have the right to strike. In India public service employees have very limited organising and collective bargaining rights. In Brazil the police and the military do not have the right to strike and there are no legal provisions concerning the right to strike for civil servants. This is in strong contrast with the South African model. The South African Constitution and National Legislation does not allow for a differentiation in the application of labour legislation in the public service and the private sector. The application of the principles of labour relations and more specifically that of the right to strike and the determination of essential services must differ in the public services from that of the private sector. The public service is unique in that when workers in strike action it is not a purely defined labour process between an employer and employees but the public at large becomes a third player within the process. When public servants engage in industrial action they do not only deprive the community of certain rights, but indirectly deprive themselves from the same rights. There has been a resistant fear to implement the provisions of minimum services within the designated essential services within the public service, mainly because of the challenges in conceptualization of the practical implementation of the same. The environment created by the LRA does not specifically provide for the unique circumstances of the public service. The right to strike is a fundamental right for workers and therefore public servants won’t forfeit such. There is a recognition that the State needs to deliver services which will necessitate the application of the principle of essential services. However the answer will be in how minimum services is determined within these essential services. An answer that may not necessarily be contained within the Labour Relations Act.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: De Bruin, Frederik Johannes
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Public utilities , Collective labor agreements -- Service industries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020811
- Description: The principle of the right to strike is Internationally recognised. Although the right to strike is not set out explicitly in the International Labour Organizations (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations. It has been discussed on several occasions in the International Labour Conference during the course of preparatory work on instruments dealing with related topics, but for various reasons this has never given rise to international standards (Conventions or Recommendations) directly governing the right to strike. The ILO has determined that the right to strike can be derived from the right to Freedom of Association. The ILO Committee does however recognises certain limitations on the right to strike such as not finding any objection to national legislation that would prohibit the right to strike of armed or police forces. Both the Committee on Freedom of Association and the Committee of experts were also mindful, where public servants are concerned, that the recognition of the right to association of public servants in no way prejudges the question of the right of public servants to strike. The ILO also makes provision for the establishment of essential services as to ensure the continuation of services were the interruption of such would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population. In this limitation it however holds that a “minimum safety service” may be imposed to ensure the safety of persons, the prevention of accidents and the safety of machinery and equipment In our Constitution, the supreme law of the Country, the right to strike is enshrined and protected in section 23 under the bill of rights. The Constitution however allows enabling legislation, under specific circumstances, to limit a right listed in section 23. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) places a limitation on the right to strike, specifically providing that no person may take part in a strike if that person is engaged in an essential service. Because the right to strike is so important, a limitation of these kind needs to be justified and, to be justified it needs, among other things, to be limited. In section 72 of the LRA provision is made for a minimum service within a designated essential service. Therefore, the ambit of the designated essential service is shrunk to the minimum service and those employees who were denied the right to strike while the broader essential service designation was in place, but who fall outside the defined minimum service, regains the right to strike. The concept of minimum services has however became a matter of regular discussion and debate. The concept of minimum services is not defined to the letter but it is regarded as the minimum service an industry or workplace would require as to ensure interruption of services would not endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population. Our legislatures have also been grappling with the concept of essential and minimum services. They have developed a comprehensive set of amendments trying to address some of the concerns in the composition, powers and functions of the Essential Services Committee (ESC). It is debatable if these proposed amendments would bring forth the necessary change to address these concerns or just become a further bureaucratic hindrance and due to the extreme complexity may even pose a limitation on the right to strike. There is also no differentiation made in the current labour legislation and the proposed amendments, between the public service and the private sector in application of the principle of essential and minimum services. Implementation of these principles in the public services has shown to be extremely challenging. Part of the proposed amendments however makes provision for the specific inclusion of government in the composition of the ESC. It is viewed by the drafters, that the introduction of government nominees to be an innovation to ensure that government is adequately represented on the essential services committee in its capacity as an employer, as a high proportion of essential service matters occur within the public service. This may be viewed as contrary to International standards as the ILO makes clear provision for a differentiated interpretation of the right to freedom of association, the right to strike, essential services and minimum services for people performing functions in the name of the State (public servants). The concept of public servant varies considerably from one country to another. Germany within their governance structure makes provision for a differentiation between civil servants and public servants and the labour rights the two groups may have. In France the military, police and prison services does not have the right to strike. In India public service employees have very limited organising and collective bargaining rights. In Brazil the police and the military do not have the right to strike and there are no legal provisions concerning the right to strike for civil servants. This is in strong contrast with the South African model. The South African Constitution and National Legislation does not allow for a differentiation in the application of labour legislation in the public service and the private sector. The application of the principles of labour relations and more specifically that of the right to strike and the determination of essential services must differ in the public services from that of the private sector. The public service is unique in that when workers in strike action it is not a purely defined labour process between an employer and employees but the public at large becomes a third player within the process. When public servants engage in industrial action they do not only deprive the community of certain rights, but indirectly deprive themselves from the same rights. There has been a resistant fear to implement the provisions of minimum services within the designated essential services within the public service, mainly because of the challenges in conceptualization of the practical implementation of the same. The environment created by the LRA does not specifically provide for the unique circumstances of the public service. The right to strike is a fundamental right for workers and therefore public servants won’t forfeit such. There is a recognition that the State needs to deliver services which will necessitate the application of the principle of essential services. However the answer will be in how minimum services is determined within these essential services. An answer that may not necessarily be contained within the Labour Relations Act.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A contribution to the theory of prime modules
- Authors: Ssevviiri, David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Modules (Algebra) , Radical theory , Rings (Algebra)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019923
- Description: This thesis is aimed at generalizing notions of rings to modules. In par-ticular, notions of completely prime ideals, s-prime ideals, 2-primal rings and nilpotency of elements of rings are respectively generalized to completely prime submodules and classical completely prime submodules, s-prime submodules, 2-primal modules and nilpotency of elements of modules. Properties and rad-icals that arise from each of these notions are studied.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ssevviiri, David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Modules (Algebra) , Radical theory , Rings (Algebra)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019923
- Description: This thesis is aimed at generalizing notions of rings to modules. In par-ticular, notions of completely prime ideals, s-prime ideals, 2-primal rings and nilpotency of elements of rings are respectively generalized to completely prime submodules and classical completely prime submodules, s-prime submodules, 2-primal modules and nilpotency of elements of modules. Properties and rad-icals that arise from each of these notions are studied.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A control framework for the assessment of information security culture
- Authors: Okere, Irene Onyekachi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Data encryption (Computer science) , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019861
- Description: The modern organisation relies heavily on information to function effectively. With such reliance on information, it is vital that information be protected from both internal (employees) and external threats. The protection of information or information security to a large extent depends on the behaviour of humans (employees) in the organisation. The behaviour of employees is one of the top information security issues facing organisations as the human factor is regarded as the weakest link in the security chain. To address this human factor many researchers have suggested the fostering of a culture of information security so that information security becomes second nature to employees. Information security culture as defined for this research study exists in four levels namely artefacts, espoused values, shared tacit assumptions and information security knowledge. An important step in the fostering of an information security culture is the assessment of the current state of such a culture. Gaps in current approaches for assessing information security culture were identified and this research study proposes the use of a control framework to address the identified gaps. This research study focuses on the assessment of information security culture and addresses 5 research objectives namely 1) to describe information security culture in the field of information security, 2) to determine ways to foster information security culture in an organisation, 3) to demonstrate the gap in current approaches used to assess information security culture, 4) to determine the components that could be used for the assessment of information security culture for each of the culture’s underlying levels and 5) to describe a process for the assessment of information security culture for all four levels. This research study follows a qualitative approach utilising a design science strategy and multi-method qualitative data collection techniques including literature review, qualitative content analysis, argumentation, and modelling techniques. The research methods provide a means for the interpretation of the data and the development of the proposed control framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Okere, Irene Onyekachi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Data encryption (Computer science) , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019861
- Description: The modern organisation relies heavily on information to function effectively. With such reliance on information, it is vital that information be protected from both internal (employees) and external threats. The protection of information or information security to a large extent depends on the behaviour of humans (employees) in the organisation. The behaviour of employees is one of the top information security issues facing organisations as the human factor is regarded as the weakest link in the security chain. To address this human factor many researchers have suggested the fostering of a culture of information security so that information security becomes second nature to employees. Information security culture as defined for this research study exists in four levels namely artefacts, espoused values, shared tacit assumptions and information security knowledge. An important step in the fostering of an information security culture is the assessment of the current state of such a culture. Gaps in current approaches for assessing information security culture were identified and this research study proposes the use of a control framework to address the identified gaps. This research study focuses on the assessment of information security culture and addresses 5 research objectives namely 1) to describe information security culture in the field of information security, 2) to determine ways to foster information security culture in an organisation, 3) to demonstrate the gap in current approaches used to assess information security culture, 4) to determine the components that could be used for the assessment of information security culture for each of the culture’s underlying levels and 5) to describe a process for the assessment of information security culture for all four levels. This research study follows a qualitative approach utilising a design science strategy and multi-method qualitative data collection techniques including literature review, qualitative content analysis, argumentation, and modelling techniques. The research methods provide a means for the interpretation of the data and the development of the proposed control framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A cooperative benefits framework in South Africa's land redistribution process: the case of sugarcane farmland transfers
- Mbatha, Cyril N, Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Authors: Mbatha, Cyril N , Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142922 , vital:38176 , DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2012.741207
- Description: A good indicator of successful land redistribution cases has to be the continuation of viable productivity rates in their post-transfer periods. Continued productivity benefits all the stakeholders that are involved in the process. Unfortunately, negative productivity levels have been reported in numerous South African land redistribution transfers in recent years. A game theoretic perspective is adopted to illustrate and argue that cooperation among key stakeholders, which could be enforced through long-term contracts between land buyers, sellers and new owners, may lead to maintenance and higher productivity levels and other benefits within the country's land redistribution process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbatha, Cyril N , Antrobus, Geoffrey G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142922 , vital:38176 , DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2012.741207
- Description: A good indicator of successful land redistribution cases has to be the continuation of viable productivity rates in their post-transfer periods. Continued productivity benefits all the stakeholders that are involved in the process. Unfortunately, negative productivity levels have been reported in numerous South African land redistribution transfers in recent years. A game theoretic perspective is adopted to illustrate and argue that cooperation among key stakeholders, which could be enforced through long-term contracts between land buyers, sellers and new owners, may lead to maintenance and higher productivity levels and other benefits within the country's land redistribution process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of decentralisation as a means of enhancing rural development in Malawi : a case study of Salima District Council
- Authors: Nhlane, Lusizi Franlin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Rural development -- Malawi -- Planning , Democracy -- Malawi , Malawi -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020199
- Description: This study sought to find out the extent to which decentralisation has brought about development in the rural areas in Malawi, specifically focusing on Salima District Council. It sought the views from the local communities themselves and government officials at district level on decentralisation in relation to rural development. Although the study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches, it was predominantly qualitative. As such, it used mixed methods of data collection, which included in-depth interviews, direct observations, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary search. Qualitative data was developed into themes and concepts and was subsequently interpreted in a trustworthy manner so as to reflect the true meaning of the data. In other words, explanations were attached to each theme or concept in an attempt to give the meaning of the data. The study found out that decentralisation is effective in terms of rural development such that local people are able to demand for services of their choice from local governments but the main challenge or constraint is availability of financial resources to cater for all the demanded public services. Other major barriers to rural development include capacity deficiencies at district and grassroots level and tensions among key stakeholders competing to maximize their role in local governments. Basing on these findings, and financial resources being the major barrier to rural development, the study recommends that Government should make sure that enough financial resources are released and channelled to district councils to cater for the needs of the communities. The study also recommends that councils should strive to generate more local revenues to cope up with the demand from the communities. And finally, the study recommends that Government should recognize local governments as entities on which is bestowed a huge responsibility of improving socio-economic conditions of the rural areas where 87 percent of the population lives, therefore provision of resources and enabling legislation to enhance rural development should be the primary focus. Of course, these recommendations should be understood within the context of the studied district. Otherwise there is potential for different and expanded recommendations if one replicated the study to cover the entire country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nhlane, Lusizi Franlin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Rural development -- Malawi -- Planning , Democracy -- Malawi , Malawi -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020199
- Description: This study sought to find out the extent to which decentralisation has brought about development in the rural areas in Malawi, specifically focusing on Salima District Council. It sought the views from the local communities themselves and government officials at district level on decentralisation in relation to rural development. Although the study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches, it was predominantly qualitative. As such, it used mixed methods of data collection, which included in-depth interviews, direct observations, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary search. Qualitative data was developed into themes and concepts and was subsequently interpreted in a trustworthy manner so as to reflect the true meaning of the data. In other words, explanations were attached to each theme or concept in an attempt to give the meaning of the data. The study found out that decentralisation is effective in terms of rural development such that local people are able to demand for services of their choice from local governments but the main challenge or constraint is availability of financial resources to cater for all the demanded public services. Other major barriers to rural development include capacity deficiencies at district and grassroots level and tensions among key stakeholders competing to maximize their role in local governments. Basing on these findings, and financial resources being the major barrier to rural development, the study recommends that Government should make sure that enough financial resources are released and channelled to district councils to cater for the needs of the communities. The study also recommends that councils should strive to generate more local revenues to cope up with the demand from the communities. And finally, the study recommends that Government should recognize local governments as entities on which is bestowed a huge responsibility of improving socio-economic conditions of the rural areas where 87 percent of the population lives, therefore provision of resources and enabling legislation to enhance rural development should be the primary focus. Of course, these recommendations should be understood within the context of the studied district. Otherwise there is potential for different and expanded recommendations if one replicated the study to cover the entire country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of online Sesotho ICT terminology
- Authors: Nteso, Thato Natasha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Sotho language -- Terms and phrases Sotho language -- Orthography and spelling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001654
- Description: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken over every aspect of our daily lives, from commerce to leisure and even culture. Today, mobile phones, desktop computers, hand-held devices, emails and the use of the internet have become a central part of our culture and society. ICT has made us a global society, where people can interact and communicate efficiently. In order for South Africa to be competitive in the global economy, it will need to develop a workforce with appropriate Information Technology skills. Of necessity, these skills will extend to using a computers and developing appropriate software and technical support skills (DOE, 2008). This thesis represents a critical analytical study in that it explores the online Sesotho Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aims at analysing terminology development in this area. The study aims to determine how Sesotho and ICT correlate and how the linguistic aspect plays a role in online ICT terminology. The focus is not on creating new terms but to analyze the already existing ICT terms available, with regards to linguistic rules and principles and to critique if they are of quality. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether there are other strategies that can be used in the development of this terminology. It also seeks to determine if the terms are easily accessible to students and if they are used at all. Terms will be sourced from the Department of Arts and Culture ICT term list, and the focus will be on extracting only terms that have to do with computer literacy. Other online sources that list Sesotho equivalents will also be considered. The study also assesses the quality of the terms created by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) together with the Department of Communications (DOC) for a multilingual ICT terminology list. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether the Sesotho equivalents adhere to the linguistic rules and principles of the language. The other question asked is whether the terms are used by the intended users and if they are easily accessible to the speakers of the language. This entire aspect of the thesis speaks to the notion of the intellectualization of African languages and in this case Sesotho in particular. Not only does the thesis engage with computer literacy terminology, it also presents a detailed literature review of studies and work that has been done in this field. The thesis engagement is also done by linking the backdrop of the history of Sesotho and the Basotho peoples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nteso, Thato Natasha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Sotho language -- Terms and phrases Sotho language -- Orthography and spelling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001654
- Description: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken over every aspect of our daily lives, from commerce to leisure and even culture. Today, mobile phones, desktop computers, hand-held devices, emails and the use of the internet have become a central part of our culture and society. ICT has made us a global society, where people can interact and communicate efficiently. In order for South Africa to be competitive in the global economy, it will need to develop a workforce with appropriate Information Technology skills. Of necessity, these skills will extend to using a computers and developing appropriate software and technical support skills (DOE, 2008). This thesis represents a critical analytical study in that it explores the online Sesotho Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aims at analysing terminology development in this area. The study aims to determine how Sesotho and ICT correlate and how the linguistic aspect plays a role in online ICT terminology. The focus is not on creating new terms but to analyze the already existing ICT terms available, with regards to linguistic rules and principles and to critique if they are of quality. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether there are other strategies that can be used in the development of this terminology. It also seeks to determine if the terms are easily accessible to students and if they are used at all. Terms will be sourced from the Department of Arts and Culture ICT term list, and the focus will be on extracting only terms that have to do with computer literacy. Other online sources that list Sesotho equivalents will also be considered. The study also assesses the quality of the terms created by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) together with the Department of Communications (DOC) for a multilingual ICT terminology list. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether the Sesotho equivalents adhere to the linguistic rules and principles of the language. The other question asked is whether the terms are used by the intended users and if they are easily accessible to the speakers of the language. This entire aspect of the thesis speaks to the notion of the intellectualization of African languages and in this case Sesotho in particular. Not only does the thesis engage with computer literacy terminology, it also presents a detailed literature review of studies and work that has been done in this field. The thesis engagement is also done by linking the backdrop of the history of Sesotho and the Basotho peoples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape (2013)
- Authors: Langa, V G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015064
- Description: This mini-dissertation critically analyses Public Participation relationship to Integrated Development Planning of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It analyses major theoretical trends in both fields’ history that have had a profound impact on the development of such relation. These include: politics-administration dichotomy, bureaucracy and democracy, theory and practice, and behavioralism. The literature on the models of public participation was extensively consulted in order to substantiate the thought and the practical views of the community members regarding the public participation on the integrated Development planning. Further consultation also took place on the Intergovernmental relations Framework in order to understand the expectations of the different spheres of government and the method in which they are to fulfill their constitutional obligation to support Municipalities as a service delivery of government. Respondents were identified by mean of sample selection. 10% of the total City Councillors were identified as respondents. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, which were distributed to the respondents. All respondents were given three days to complete the questionnaires, where after they were collected by the researcher. Inclusive with the respondents was the Ward Committee members and community members; this made the total respondents to the total of 30. Permission was sought from the Council speaker prior to the questionnaires being distributed. The method of research of this study is mainly empirical research observation. However, a content analysis is conducted. The data collected include primary sources, such as scholarly publications in both fields, and other related material such the questionnaires that were distributed to sampled respondents. What has certainly become clear through this study is that change is necessary in the way local government currently does things for the benefit of the communities at large. The discipline of political science might not achieve the prestigious position it deserves inside the government and will not offer the appropriate programmes that communities need to serve in this government, until it can establish a better relationship with community. This research provides recommendations for extreme change from legislation compliant to service delivery driven. Once accomplished, these tasks might help in resolving the never end service delivery protest by the communities. It further outlines the need to capacitate the ward committees as well as ward councillors at large to make sure they are able to undertake the task at hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Langa, V G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015064
- Description: This mini-dissertation critically analyses Public Participation relationship to Integrated Development Planning of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It analyses major theoretical trends in both fields’ history that have had a profound impact on the development of such relation. These include: politics-administration dichotomy, bureaucracy and democracy, theory and practice, and behavioralism. The literature on the models of public participation was extensively consulted in order to substantiate the thought and the practical views of the community members regarding the public participation on the integrated Development planning. Further consultation also took place on the Intergovernmental relations Framework in order to understand the expectations of the different spheres of government and the method in which they are to fulfill their constitutional obligation to support Municipalities as a service delivery of government. Respondents were identified by mean of sample selection. 10% of the total City Councillors were identified as respondents. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, which were distributed to the respondents. All respondents were given three days to complete the questionnaires, where after they were collected by the researcher. Inclusive with the respondents was the Ward Committee members and community members; this made the total respondents to the total of 30. Permission was sought from the Council speaker prior to the questionnaires being distributed. The method of research of this study is mainly empirical research observation. However, a content analysis is conducted. The data collected include primary sources, such as scholarly publications in both fields, and other related material such the questionnaires that were distributed to sampled respondents. What has certainly become clear through this study is that change is necessary in the way local government currently does things for the benefit of the communities at large. The discipline of political science might not achieve the prestigious position it deserves inside the government and will not offer the appropriate programmes that communities need to serve in this government, until it can establish a better relationship with community. This research provides recommendations for extreme change from legislation compliant to service delivery driven. Once accomplished, these tasks might help in resolving the never end service delivery protest by the communities. It further outlines the need to capacitate the ward committees as well as ward councillors at large to make sure they are able to undertake the task at hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of sustainable human settlement in housing: the case of Hlalani, South Africa
- Authors: Nkambule, Sipho Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003740 , Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Description: As a result of apartheid’s history, the current South African government was initially faced with two major challenges in the development of sustainable human settlement in urban areas: delivering the quantity of houses needed to reduce the massive housing backlog (notably in black townships) and overcoming the problem of racially-based spatial separation inherited from the apartheid era. To rectify the legacies of apartheid, the state has sought to pursue a massive housing programme in urban areas for poor urban blacks. In doing so, though, it has worked within the confines of the racially-segregated South African city and has adopted a macro-economic policy with a pronounced neo-liberal thrust. This thesis examines the South African state’s housing programme with reference to questions about social sustainability and specifically sustainable human settlements. It does so by highlighting social capital and the different forms it takes, notably bonding, binding and linking capitals. This is pursued through a case study of a small area of a black township in Grahamstown called Hlalani. The case focuses on the lived experiences of Hlalani residents and their intra-household and inter-household relations as well as their linkages with local state structures. It is concluded that social capital is weak and incipient in Hlalani and that Hlalani could not, by any definition or measurement of the term, be labeled as a sustainable human settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nkambule, Sipho Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003740 , Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Description: As a result of apartheid’s history, the current South African government was initially faced with two major challenges in the development of sustainable human settlement in urban areas: delivering the quantity of houses needed to reduce the massive housing backlog (notably in black townships) and overcoming the problem of racially-based spatial separation inherited from the apartheid era. To rectify the legacies of apartheid, the state has sought to pursue a massive housing programme in urban areas for poor urban blacks. In doing so, though, it has worked within the confines of the racially-segregated South African city and has adopted a macro-economic policy with a pronounced neo-liberal thrust. This thesis examines the South African state’s housing programme with reference to questions about social sustainability and specifically sustainable human settlements. It does so by highlighting social capital and the different forms it takes, notably bonding, binding and linking capitals. This is pursued through a case study of a small area of a black township in Grahamstown called Hlalani. The case focuses on the lived experiences of Hlalani residents and their intra-household and inter-household relations as well as their linkages with local state structures. It is concluded that social capital is weak and incipient in Hlalani and that Hlalani could not, by any definition or measurement of the term, be labeled as a sustainable human settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of the deductibility of audit fees
- Authors: Hattingh, Leon
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Auditing -- Fees , Tax deductions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020376
- Description: The strict and narrow scope of the general deduction formula may result in taxpayers being denied deductions for business expenditure, which are clearly and legitimately incurred in the course of operating their businesses, which in turn will result in an increase in tax costs, an important component of business costs. Although audit fees often fail the deductibility test, in general they are regarded by taxpayers as automatically deductible despite the fact that such fees were not incurred in the production of income. The deductibility of audit fees reached the High Court recently for the first time in the MTN case. It was argued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in this case that audit fees should never been allowed as a deduction because the role of an auditor does not relate to the production of income and that an auditor’s duty is restricted to verification of financial information ex post facto for the benefit of investors, creditors and other users of the financial information. The Court held that statutory audit fees should be deductible relying on the basis of the time spent during the audit in verifying deductible and non-deductible income. It is concluded by the author that law which creates uncertainty needs to be updated in keeping with the Government’s intention of creating a business environment in order to promote commerce and entrepreneurship. It is therefore proposed that all audit fees relating to statutory audits should be declared as a specific statutory deduction to ensure legal certainty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hattingh, Leon
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Auditing -- Fees , Tax deductions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020376
- Description: The strict and narrow scope of the general deduction formula may result in taxpayers being denied deductions for business expenditure, which are clearly and legitimately incurred in the course of operating their businesses, which in turn will result in an increase in tax costs, an important component of business costs. Although audit fees often fail the deductibility test, in general they are regarded by taxpayers as automatically deductible despite the fact that such fees were not incurred in the production of income. The deductibility of audit fees reached the High Court recently for the first time in the MTN case. It was argued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in this case that audit fees should never been allowed as a deduction because the role of an auditor does not relate to the production of income and that an auditor’s duty is restricted to verification of financial information ex post facto for the benefit of investors, creditors and other users of the financial information. The Court held that statutory audit fees should be deductible relying on the basis of the time spent during the audit in verifying deductible and non-deductible income. It is concluded by the author that law which creates uncertainty needs to be updated in keeping with the Government’s intention of creating a business environment in order to promote commerce and entrepreneurship. It is therefore proposed that all audit fees relating to statutory audits should be declared as a specific statutory deduction to ensure legal certainty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of the grammar of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union version of the Bible
- Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Authors: Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Bible -- Xhosa -- Revised Union -- 1942 Xhosa language -- Grammar -- Research Xhosa language -- Texts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001625
- Description: This study provides a description and critical analysis of the grammatical structure of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union Version of the Bible, published in 1942 and republished in 1975. This translation records what was regarded as proper isiXhosa at the beginning of the 20th century, reflecting the consensus inter alia of prominent isiXhosa writers, such as W.B. Rubusana, J.H. Soga, C. Koti, Y. Mbali and D. D. T. Jabavu, who served on the committee that produced the revision. In this study isiXhosa is described in its own right, without approaching it with preconceived ideas derived from other languages. That is to say this is a phenomenological analysis describing the grammatical structures of isiXhosa as they present themselves to the analyst. It is comprehensive, with no structure being overlooked or being described in such a manner that it complicates an understanding of other structures. In the first chapter the context of the research and a brief outline of the historical growth in understanding the structure of isiXhosa are set out and the goals and the method followed in this study are described. In the following chapters the findings of this study are presented. The initial focus is on isiXhosa phonology and the orthography used to put it to writing. Then isiXhosa morphology and syntax is set out. Initially the substantives, i.e. the nouns and pronouns in their distinctive classes and forms, and how they are qualified, receive attention. Then the predicates are explored, i.e. the verbs and copulatives, as linked to the substantives with concords, and reflecting various moods, tenses, actualities and aspects. Finally attention is given to ideophones and interjections and words that can be grouped together as adverbs, conjunctions, avoidance words and numerals. In the concluding chapter consideration is given to the question of whether this study has in fact achieved the aim of setting out a description of the structure of isiXhosa based solely on the language itself, free of preconceived ideas, and attention is drawn to insights gained in respect of the true nature of the isiXhosa grammatical structures, such as, for example, the variable prefix qualificative nouns, traditionally referred to as adjectives. This study is therefore a revisionist study in the sense that it reinvents isiXhosa as a language in its own right, free from Western influenced perspectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Bible -- Xhosa -- Revised Union -- 1942 Xhosa language -- Grammar -- Research Xhosa language -- Texts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001625
- Description: This study provides a description and critical analysis of the grammatical structure of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union Version of the Bible, published in 1942 and republished in 1975. This translation records what was regarded as proper isiXhosa at the beginning of the 20th century, reflecting the consensus inter alia of prominent isiXhosa writers, such as W.B. Rubusana, J.H. Soga, C. Koti, Y. Mbali and D. D. T. Jabavu, who served on the committee that produced the revision. In this study isiXhosa is described in its own right, without approaching it with preconceived ideas derived from other languages. That is to say this is a phenomenological analysis describing the grammatical structures of isiXhosa as they present themselves to the analyst. It is comprehensive, with no structure being overlooked or being described in such a manner that it complicates an understanding of other structures. In the first chapter the context of the research and a brief outline of the historical growth in understanding the structure of isiXhosa are set out and the goals and the method followed in this study are described. In the following chapters the findings of this study are presented. The initial focus is on isiXhosa phonology and the orthography used to put it to writing. Then isiXhosa morphology and syntax is set out. Initially the substantives, i.e. the nouns and pronouns in their distinctive classes and forms, and how they are qualified, receive attention. Then the predicates are explored, i.e. the verbs and copulatives, as linked to the substantives with concords, and reflecting various moods, tenses, actualities and aspects. Finally attention is given to ideophones and interjections and words that can be grouped together as adverbs, conjunctions, avoidance words and numerals. In the concluding chapter consideration is given to the question of whether this study has in fact achieved the aim of setting out a description of the structure of isiXhosa based solely on the language itself, free of preconceived ideas, and attention is drawn to insights gained in respect of the true nature of the isiXhosa grammatical structures, such as, for example, the variable prefix qualificative nouns, traditionally referred to as adjectives. This study is therefore a revisionist study in the sense that it reinvents isiXhosa as a language in its own right, free from Western influenced perspectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical and intercultural analysis of selected isiXhosa operas in the East Cape Opera Company's repertory
- Authors: Kunju, Hleze Welsh
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: East Cape Opera Company Operas -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performing arts -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Multiculturalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Apartheid -- Research -- South Africa Apartheid and art -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001861
- Description: The East Cape Opera Company was founded by Gwyneth Lloyd in 1995 and has performed in various Eastern Cape venues and festivals as well as conducting a tour of the Netherlands. The Company has performed well known operas and operettas such as Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado as well as their own original isiXhosa operas such as Temba and Seliba, The Moon Prince - Inkosana Yenyanga and The Clay Flute. This thesis is situated within the context of apartheid and post-apartheid, and an emerging post-1994 South African’s operatic culture that embraces multiculturalism. The aim of this research is to explore and raise awareness regarding intercultural communication in relation to isiXhosa operas and examine the linguistic and dramatic characteristics of the construction of these operas. This involves an analysis of the integration of African cultural practices (dramatic and musical) within an essentially western art form. The thesis makes use of intercultural and literary theory as a point of departure to analyse not only the literary qualities of the isiXhosa operas performed by the East Cape Opera Company, but it also seeks to show how these operas reflect an emerging intercultural reality within the South African context. The thesis explores the mixing of genres, including African genres such as the folktale and oral poetry as part of Opera, which has previously been seen as a Western domain. It is argued that this mixing of genres and languages allows for the success of African Opera
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kunju, Hleze Welsh
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: East Cape Opera Company Operas -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performing arts -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Multiculturalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Apartheid -- Research -- South Africa Apartheid and art -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001861
- Description: The East Cape Opera Company was founded by Gwyneth Lloyd in 1995 and has performed in various Eastern Cape venues and festivals as well as conducting a tour of the Netherlands. The Company has performed well known operas and operettas such as Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado as well as their own original isiXhosa operas such as Temba and Seliba, The Moon Prince - Inkosana Yenyanga and The Clay Flute. This thesis is situated within the context of apartheid and post-apartheid, and an emerging post-1994 South African’s operatic culture that embraces multiculturalism. The aim of this research is to explore and raise awareness regarding intercultural communication in relation to isiXhosa operas and examine the linguistic and dramatic characteristics of the construction of these operas. This involves an analysis of the integration of African cultural practices (dramatic and musical) within an essentially western art form. The thesis makes use of intercultural and literary theory as a point of departure to analyse not only the literary qualities of the isiXhosa operas performed by the East Cape Opera Company, but it also seeks to show how these operas reflect an emerging intercultural reality within the South African context. The thesis explores the mixing of genres, including African genres such as the folktale and oral poetry as part of Opera, which has previously been seen as a Western domain. It is argued that this mixing of genres and languages allows for the success of African Opera
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical assessment of the role of Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury in enforcing compliance with Public Finance Management Act for Public Entities, (South Africa)
- Authors: Libala, Pozisa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015229
- Description: The term Public Administration meant the study of the public service. The purpose of the public service is to provide services to society. However, before any services are provided, certain functions should be undertaken within the public service. The public service is required to execute the policies of the government. In this system, public administration enables and supports the activity of public management. The public management functions are related to public administration and gives direction to the administrative conduct of public servants to ensure the effective execution of policies by the public service (Dye 1987:324). The purpose of Eastern Cape administration is to provide a legislative, political and administrative direction to the province and is also responsible for providing strategic financial direction, monitoring and oversight to the departments and the province in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, (PFMA) (Act No. 1 of 1999). The Eastern Cape administration renders strategic planning services, providing transversal policy opinions and advice and protocol development, it also provides technical and managerial support to the provincial government. Among other things it develops and implements a Human Resource strategy that gives effect to a sustainable Human Resource function and Human Resource plan in support of the organizational structure and provides financial processes to ensure efficient, effective, economical and transparent use of resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Libala, Pozisa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015229
- Description: The term Public Administration meant the study of the public service. The purpose of the public service is to provide services to society. However, before any services are provided, certain functions should be undertaken within the public service. The public service is required to execute the policies of the government. In this system, public administration enables and supports the activity of public management. The public management functions are related to public administration and gives direction to the administrative conduct of public servants to ensure the effective execution of policies by the public service (Dye 1987:324). The purpose of Eastern Cape administration is to provide a legislative, political and administrative direction to the province and is also responsible for providing strategic financial direction, monitoring and oversight to the departments and the province in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, (PFMA) (Act No. 1 of 1999). The Eastern Cape administration renders strategic planning services, providing transversal policy opinions and advice and protocol development, it also provides technical and managerial support to the provincial government. Among other things it develops and implements a Human Resource strategy that gives effect to a sustainable Human Resource function and Human Resource plan in support of the organizational structure and provides financial processes to ensure efficient, effective, economical and transparent use of resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical discourse analysis of representations of the Niger Delta conflict in four prominent Western anglophone newspapers
- Authors: Mushwana, Tinyiko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007745 , Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the manner in which the conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria is represented in western Anglophone media. Large oil reserves in the Niger Delta have contributed millions of dollars towards the growth of Nigeria's export economy. Despite this, the Niger Delta is the least developed region in the country and is characterised by high rates of inequality. Residents of the Niger Delta have been outraged by the lack of action on the part of the Nigerian government and multinational oil corporations. Their discontent over the inequalities in the region has resulted in the proliferation of armed groups and militants who often use violent and criminal tactics to communicate their disgruntlement. This thesis closely examines the representations of the violent insurgency in the Niger Delta by conducting a Critical Discourse Analysis of 145 news texts selected from four western Anglophone newspapers from 2007 to 2011. The depiction of the conflict as it appears in the four newspapers is discussed in relation to an overview of scholarly literature which explores the portrayal of Africa not only in western media, but also in other forms of western scholarship and writing. The research undertaken in this study reveals that to a significant extent representations of the Niger Delta conflict echo and reflect some of the stereotypical and age-old negative imagery that informs meanings constructed about the African continent. However, the analysis of the news texts also shows that there are certainly efforts amongst some newspapers to move beyond simplistic representations of the conflict. The disadvantage however, is that these notable attempts tend to be marred by the use of pejorative language which typically invokes negative images associated with Africa. This study argues that the implications of these representations are highly significant as these representations not only affect the way in which the conflict is understood, but also the manner in which the international community responds to it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mushwana, Tinyiko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007745 , Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the manner in which the conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria is represented in western Anglophone media. Large oil reserves in the Niger Delta have contributed millions of dollars towards the growth of Nigeria's export economy. Despite this, the Niger Delta is the least developed region in the country and is characterised by high rates of inequality. Residents of the Niger Delta have been outraged by the lack of action on the part of the Nigerian government and multinational oil corporations. Their discontent over the inequalities in the region has resulted in the proliferation of armed groups and militants who often use violent and criminal tactics to communicate their disgruntlement. This thesis closely examines the representations of the violent insurgency in the Niger Delta by conducting a Critical Discourse Analysis of 145 news texts selected from four western Anglophone newspapers from 2007 to 2011. The depiction of the conflict as it appears in the four newspapers is discussed in relation to an overview of scholarly literature which explores the portrayal of Africa not only in western media, but also in other forms of western scholarship and writing. The research undertaken in this study reveals that to a significant extent representations of the Niger Delta conflict echo and reflect some of the stereotypical and age-old negative imagery that informs meanings constructed about the African continent. However, the analysis of the news texts also shows that there are certainly efforts amongst some newspapers to move beyond simplistic representations of the conflict. The disadvantage however, is that these notable attempts tend to be marred by the use of pejorative language which typically invokes negative images associated with Africa. This study argues that the implications of these representations are highly significant as these representations not only affect the way in which the conflict is understood, but also the manner in which the international community responds to it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013