List of Titles

The relationship between leadership and employee engagement in an automotive original equipment manufacturer in South Africa

- Slater, Bronwyn Lereen

Authors: Slater, Bronwyn Lereen
Date: 2024-04-03
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434756 , vital:73102
Description: The manufacturing industry is one of the greatest contributors to the South African economy. Owing to a competitive and complex automotive climate, it is suggested that only a few automotive manufacturing organisations will remain viable in the coming years, without the optimal reliance on human capital resources to navigate an unpredictable and unfolding landscape. In securing a sustainable future, the engagement of these human capital resources is necessitated. This competitive landscape has resulted in the call for adaptive and flexible leadership. Leadership behaviour is categorised into three streams, namely, transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and non-leadership, which is referred to as laissez-faire leadership. Employee engagement is defined as the extent to which an employee is committed to, and involved in, their operational function and the organisation, whilst portraying a willingness to perform and contribute beyond that which is expected of them. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between leadership and employee engagement in an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in South Africa. This OEM operates in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces of South Africa. Globally, the OEM launched a leadership journey to facilitate a shared value system that supported a vision towards organisational success, by focusing on transformed ways of working and acting, as a global collective team. The outcome of this desired journey yielded eight Leadership Principles. These Leadership Principles are referred to, and included in the research study, to gain a more robust internal perspective of the leadership behaviours that are most advocated within the OEM, in relation to employee engagement. The objective of this research therefore was to establish the relationship between leadership and employee engagement in the respective OEM, by investigating the impact of transformational leadership and transactional leadership on employee engagement. A triangulation approach was adopted to analyse the data, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The result when testing the reliability coefficient scores of the leadership instrument described a poor measure for transactional leadership, and a good measure for transformational leadership. Therefore, the results that stemmed from the statistical analysis in relation to transactional leadership could not be trusted. However, in the context of this research, it was found that there is a statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership and employee engagement. Whilst utilising the qualitative research methodology, it was found that there is a limited definition-based relationship between transactional leadership and the eight Leadership Principles. However, there is a definition-based relationship between the Leadership Principles and transformational leadership, owing to similarities found in the definition descriptions between at least six of the eight Leadership Principles. In the investigation of whether there is a definition-based relationship between the Leadership Principles and employee engagement, it was found that a limited definition-based relationship between the eight Leadership Principles and engagement existed. The research therefore met its objectives in determining a relationship between leadership and employee engagement in an Original Equipment Manufacturer in South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-03

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The Zimbabwe National Gender Policy (NGP) 2013–2017 and Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE): a study of small-scale gold miners in the Bubi and Gwanda rural districts, Zimbabwe

- Moyo, Phoebe Michelle Zibusiso Sandi

Authors: Moyo, Phoebe Michelle Zibusiso Sandi
Date: 2024-04-03
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434638 , vital:73092 , DOI 10.21504/10962/434638
Description: The study examines the impact of Zimbabwe’s second National Gender Policy (NGP) 2013-2017 under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development on women’s access to and control over productive resources in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in Bubi and Gwanda rural districts of Zimbabwe. Despite the implementation of the NGP over the past fourteen years, its effect on the economic empowerment of women has not been investigated adequately. Women’s economic empowerment (WEE) is recognized as a crucial development strategy. However, it faces challenges related to the tensions between structure and agency. Some perceive WEE as an entrepreneurial concept focusing on equal access and control over productive resources like credit, equipment, skills, and business training. Others argue that WEE should encompass more than just resource access and control by addressing structural factors that hinder women’s agency e.g. unequal social relations between men and women, patriarchy, unpaid care work, and sociocultural norms. The study employed a hybrid lens, combining structure and agency to analyse the implementation of the NGP’s empowerment programs. Drawing on Kabeer’s (1994) Social Relations Approach (SRA), the study utilized two key concepts from the SRA, namely social relations and institutional analysis, to examine the interaction between the NGP and various institutions (market, community, and family) where women are located. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which the NGP has supported or impeded WEE among the female small-scale gold miners in Bubi and Gwanda, a qualitative approach was employed as an investigative method. The findings indicated that the NGP adopts a liberal or agency centred approach to WEE. This approach emphasizes women’s agency and their ability to fulfil their potential in the public sphere. The NGP has facilitated access to credit, equipment, skills, and business training. However, the evidence also highlighted the uneven implementation of the NGP’s empowerment programs between the Bubi and Gwanda districts. Overall, the evidence revealed that, while the NGP has addressed gender inequalities to a limited degree, it has also reinforced class inequalities. The NGP’s empowerment programs have overlooked the structural factors that keep women in subordinate positions, such as the unequal social relations that exist between men and women, patriarchy, unpaid care work and sociocultural norms. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-03

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Yield curve and business cycle dynamics in South Africa: new evidence from a Markov switching model

- Rotich, Mercyline Chepkemoi

Authors: Rotich, Mercyline Chepkemoi
Date: 2024-04-03
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434739 , vital:73101
Description: Globally, several empirical studies have demonstrated the ability of the yield spread to predict a recession in a country. In South Africa, previous studies have not only shown the yield curve's predictive power but have further demonstrated that it outperforms other commonly used variables, such as the growth rate of real money supply, changes in stock prices, and the index of leading economic indicators. However, some recent studies have shown that the yield spread (the spread between 10-year bonds and 3-month Treasury bills) gave false signals of recession. In this study, we explore the possible reasons for the false signals of the yield spread by addressing the following questions. Does the yield spread used matter? Does the measure of the business cycle used matter? And do the estimation techniques used matter? To address the first question, unlike the previous studies, this paper uses four different yield spreads- depicting short-term, medium-term, and long-term government bonds against the backdrop of a changing structure of bond holding, which reflects the increasing risk eversion of investors in South Africa. Second, the paper used different measures of business cycles, namely industrial production index, lagging, coincident, and leading economic indicators. The empirical models were estimated using both univariate and multivariate Markov switching models. As economic theory suggests, the univariate Markov switching model was used to determine if each variable exhibits a significant regime switching. The multivariate Markov switching model was estimated for each business cycle and yield spread variable, with each of the other variables serving as a non-switching explanatory variable, thereby addressing potential endogeneity concerns and the predictive power of the explanatory variable. Finally, the multivariate Markov switching model was estimated for three monthly sample periods, a full sample for 1986 to 2022, and two sub-samples – 1986 to 2009 and 2010 to 2022. This analysis consistently reveals significant regime-switching behavior across all the series thus, affirming the superiority of the regime switching model over the standard model used in previous studies. By analyzing the transition probabilities and the expected durations between these regimes, we find that including the spreads in the business cycle model improves the models’ predictability, with the medium-term bonds spread performing better than the usual long-term spread. The smoothed regime probability of the best-performing models is compared with the SARB recession dates; the two closely resemble each other, proving that the Markov switching model can help predict the turning points in the business cycle in South Africa. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-03

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Assessing rural senior primary school natural science teachers’ TPACK: a case study

- Silvanus, Secilia Tulikefo

Authors: Silvanus, Secilia Tulikefo
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423902 , vital:72103
Description: In today's world, technology has changed how people live and behave. The influence of technology contemplates a similar change in the education processes of teaching and learning. Many governments worldwide invest hugely in providing technological tools and facilities and training teachers to improve teaching and learning. The availability and access to technologies in schools seem to offer teachers opportunities to develop technological knowledge and integrate technology into teaching. Literature indicates that teachers must possess technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) to integrate technology into teaching and learning processes effectively. However, other scholars have also suggested that teachers' TPACK develops and is shaped by many contexts. This study, therefore, sought to assess the rural senior primary Natural science teachers' TPACK. This qualitative case study was conducted with senior primary Natural science teachers in the educational circuit of Endola. An interpretive paradigm underpinned the study. The study employed semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and observation to collect the data. The study used the TPACK as a theoretical and analytical framework. The study results showed that participants had a firmer grasp of subject content (CK) and traditional teaching methods (Pedagogical Knowledge - PK and Pedagogical Content Knowledge - PCK) compared to technological knowledge (TK) and technology-based pedagogies (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge - TPK, Technological Content Knowledge - TCK, and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). Findings support that the participants draw upon sources of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) closely aligned with Content Knowledge (CK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) to integrate technology. The study included inadequate professional development, teachers' attitudes, insufficient hardware and internet connectivity, limited technological knowledge, time constraints, and restricted access to technology tools and resources as obstacles for teachers attempting to incorporate technology into their classrooms effectively. Furthermore, the data highlights ICT training and teachers' interest as enablers that motivated participants to integrate technology into their teaching practices. Therefore, the study recommends professional development programs focusing on providing science teachers with practical skills to utilise different technologies and address common technical issues. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Diaspora in Dialogue: An Ontology of Diasporic Subjectivity in the Work of Three Artists Living In-Between South Africa and Zimbabwe

- Nyoni, Vulindlela Philani Elliott

Authors: Nyoni, Vulindlela Philani Elliott
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Foreign workers -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social conditions , South Africa -- Emigration and immigration
Language: English
Type: Doctorate , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62366 , vital:72615
Description: As a Zimbabwean artist and educator, living and working in South Africa, my daily experience is that of an “in-between” diasporic subjectivity, which is compounded by the discourses around the uneasy reintegration of post-apartheid South Africa into Africa. This context gives rise to the core philosophical aim of this thesis, which is to explore the notion of “diasporic subjectivities” as a philosophical approach to understanding what it means to be in a complex contemporary reality. The notion of diasporic subjectivities works in the same way as that of “queer subjectivities”, which has been used to understand not just gay people but all people. “Diaspora” names people who have moved, migrated, or been scattered away from an established or ancestral homeland, but retain some sense of belonging to this homeland. From an African perspective, I problematise the concept of an established homeland and the settled subjectivities that belong to it, in contrast to which only the diaspora remains in an uncomfortable state of in-betweenness. Instead, I explore a contention among both European and African existentialist philosophers that the condition of not being at home is the fundamental human condition out of which a home must be created. This would mean that the groundlessness, liminality or in-betweenness of being is experienced not just by the diaspora but by all humans. However, importantly, I find that sociocultural differences due to the history of colonialism gives rise to different experiences of homelessness and the groundlessness of being. This makes a distinction necessary, but to avoid the pitfalls of tying this distinction to geographical locations such as Western versus Non-Western or Global North and Global South, I will refer instead to spaces, practices and even individuals, in which there are “mindsets of entitlement” versus “mindsets of disentitlement”. The former refers to the mindset of ownership characteristic of the settled and developed. The latter refers to the mindset of many who feel a sense of unbelonging, due to disenfranchisement and forced disembodiment and dislocation. I have aimed to support the thesis that the groundlessness, liminality or in-betweenness of being is experienced not just by the diaspora but by all humans, in two ways. Firstly, I consider in detail through various means (narratives, personal reflection, investigation of philosophical texts, dialogues), the philosophical concepts of “belonging”, “home” and “nostalgia” as component aspects of an ontology of diasporic subjectivity. In the second part of this study, I engage in an interpretative process, as outlined by Hans-Georg Gadamer, whereby I use this ontology to help me dialogue with artworks produced by three Zimbabwean artists, Ronald Muchatuta, Gerald Machona, and myself (Vulindlela Nyoni), who share the diasporic condition of being Zimbabweans living in-between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The ontology of diasporic subjectivity developed in the first part offers a language with which to dialogue with the artworks or question the way in which the complexities of belonging, home and nostalgia are expressed in the works, while the works in turn help deepen an understanding of diasporic subjectivity. Both philosophies and artworks may function as transformative, practical tools for seeking wisdom, cultivating self-awareness, developing moral character, and living a reflective and examined life. The combination of personal narratives and self-reflexive, philosophical dialogues regarding artworks and art making and its exigencies holds the potential to produce deeper philosophical insights into the fundamentally diasporic human condition. This kind of hybrid research at the interface between philosophy and artistic praxis is accessible to a broad-based audience. It is therefore better able to undo malicious stereotypical associations between émigrés and malignant tropes of societal decay on the African continent and to validate the contributions made by African diaspora to the decolonial project, than neatly distanced academic reflections, which reduce the philosophical impact of transnational migration to measurable motivations and statistics. , Thesis (D.Phil) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Social Scinces, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Exploring 3d printing of brass instruments: a comparative study of French horn mouthpieces

- Barker, Dylan Bruce

Authors: Barker, Dylan Bruce
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Horn (Musical instrument) , Three-dimensional printing , Instrumentation and orchestration (Band)
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62755 , vital:72939
Description: The French horn is an orchestral instrument with a rich history that spans centuries, undergoing notable transformations in its design and functionality. A short overview of this history is provided in Appendix A. Originating as a simple coil, the French horn has evolved to encompass a complex valve system, multiple harmonic series, and a diverse range of modifications tailored to players' preferences and requirements. These modifications include mutes, grips, extra keys, and even the exploration of different materials for mouthpieces. The use of plastic rims on mouthpieces, for reasons such as allergies, thermal conductivity, and tactile sensation, has already gained traction among horn players (Tuckwell, 2002). In the realm of manufacturing and technology, the concept of additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising avenue. Referred to as the next "industrial revolution” (Berman, 2012), additive manufacturing has become increasingly accessible through desktop-scale 3D printers. This technology offers a viable method for producing cost-effective musical instruments and enhancers without compromising quality (Kantaros, 2018). As evidenced by a 2018 Roundtable report from the South African Parliament, additive manufacturing aligns with the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution, prompting governments to develop policies and strategies to harness its potential. Given the significance of additive manufacturing, a comprehensive investigation into applying these new technologies for the horn is warranted. Specifically, material choice, quality of sound, and the experience of performing on a printed mouthpiece is investigated and compared to a traditional metal mouthpiece. While the horn is comprised of many individual components, this study relates specifically to the mouthpiece. A brief appraisal of the significance of the mouthpiece will follow in the next section. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Exploring senior phase teachers’ use of kahoot! Gamification as a formative assessment tool to scaffold mathematical understanding

- Balele, Silence

Authors: Balele, Silence
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423891 , vital:72102
Description: In South Africa, digital technology, particularly gamification, continues to become an important teaching and learning tool. Its importance lies in scaffolding mathematical understanding, improving the quality of assessment, and developing twenty-first-century technological skills for effective mathematics assessment. To explore this importance, senior phase mathematics teachers are encouraged to adopt gamification technology such as Kahoot! in assessment. The study adopted a case study research design with a interpretivist research paradigm, as this method allows detailed exploration and understanding of a specific context through a close connection with the participants. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group interviews, non-participant observations, and reflective journals. The research involved ten purposively selected senior-phase mathematics teachers from two schools in the Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study drew upon Vygoysky's Sociocultural Theory for its theoretical framework, while the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge was used for analysis. The data analysis pursued an inductive approach. Adopting a thematic analysis included coding participant responses, organizing codes into concepts and categories, and developing a theoretical framework from the resultant categories. A four-phase process was involved: coding, conceptualizing, categorizing, and theorizing, was employed. This process and using NVivo software for data organization and management helped identify patterns, themes, and significant concerns surrounding the study's core subject. The findings from the study were as follows: Firstly, it was revealed that most teachers have a positive perception and attitude towards using Kahoot! for formative assessment, believing that it enhances teaching and learning quality. However, they showed scepticism due to insufficient Information and Communication Technologies knowledge and training. Second, teachers' pedagogical and technological experiences were predominantly enjoyable. Kahoot! was accepted as beneficial for promoting collaboration, interaction, and immediate feedback. Third, the study identified enabling and constraining factors in using Kahoot! for formative assessment. The enabling factors include Kahoot!, which was convenient and accessible, promoted immediate feedback and fostered collaboration and interaction. The constraining factors include Information and Communication Technologies and network interference, which posed limitations. The research concluded that Kahoot! as a platform for formative assessment indeed scaffold mathematical understanding. The study recommends increasing teachers' access to educational technology, incorporating continuous professional development programs, providing subject-specific training, and encouraging teachers to adapt to emerging technologies. The study also provided recommendations for future research to explore learner perceptions, employ a mixed methods approach to help quantify learner performance and investigate the pedagogical and technological experiences of senior phase mathematics teachers regarding formative assessment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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From Clown Prince to critical phenomenon: Fashioning the Joker as a nomadic war machine

- Goldmann, Talya

Authors: Goldmann, Talya
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Joker -- (Fictitious character) , Comic books, strips, etc. -- United States -- History and criticism , Literature and society -- United States
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62769 , vital:72941
Description: Based on the original clown prince of crime in the DC comic books, the Joker is one of the most notorious villains in cinematic history. He originated in the comic book Batman #1 (Finger, 1940) over eighty years ago, and he remains a prominent character across a myriad of media platforms. In film and television, the Joker has appeared in major and minor roles in approximately nine animated series, eighteen animated films, six live-action series, and five live-action films. Indeed, multiple roles, actors, and decades after the character’s first debut in the Batman television series (1966), the Joker continues to be well-received and sought-after, insofar as every time a new Joker is announced, the character garners more intensive publicity and the film as a whole becomes highly anticipated. Thus, what started as a simple clownish character in the role of a minor villain in Batman (1966), has evolved into a multi-faceted villain so captivating that he has recently earned his own stand-alone films, namely Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019), and the sequel, Joker Folie à Deux (2024) – where he is no longer the antagonist, but now the protagonist. In this research, firstly, key features of the Deleuzoguattarian schema relevant to this study will be presented, before capitalism – as the context of Batman’s Gotham – is considered through a Deleuzoguattarian lens. This study will delve into what makes the beloved Joker so extraordinary along with the aesthetic features associated with his meteoric rise to fame. In this regard, what will be theorized is that the Joker constitutes an example of a Deleuzean nomadic war machine: that is, a critical character who borrows aspects of the State Apparatus and then twists and shapes them into weapons through which he questions and mocks society for its authoritarian and ideological flaws, and with which he exposes its conceptual and ethical blind spots. In this way, he acts like a mirror, reflecting what is wrong with society, and by implication, with the human ‘nature’ – not only in the fictional world of Gotham, but also in the contemporary era created therein. More specifically, discourse analysis and film analysis will be used here, to engage critically with the Joker’s persona in relation to the changing contexts in which the various films were made, in order to trace the development of the character through a Deleuzoguattarian lens. As will be discussed, Phillips’ Joker (2019) signals the deterritorialization of the Joker from the ambit of Batman’s influence, and opens up the possibility for his further deterritorialization as an increasingly mobile and nomadic catalyst of critical thinking beyond even Gotham itself. Then, thirdly, an in-depth analysis on the five key cinematic Jokers will be completed in terms of the characters’ historical contexts, character backgrounds, and aesthetics. And thereafter, the deterritorializing ‘line of flight’ already underway – as by Phillips’ Joker (2019) – will be continued through the creative media production component of this study, which will entail the conceptualization, design and illustration of three new Joker manifestations, each of which will reflect critically upon failing systems in South African society across select time periods, and how these failing systems have contributed to the collective trauma of marginalized groups of people. The first South African Joker manifestation, set in the 1980s, will reflect upon the faltering political infrastructure during the Apartheid era. The second Joker manifestation, set in the early 2000s, will encapsulate the repercussions of the post-Apartheid neoliberal economic landscape. And the third Joker manifestation, set in the 2010s, will draw attention to sociocultural collapse particularly in the space of gender-based violence and sexual assault. Thus, the creation of these Jokers will act as an exploration of trauma, insofar as the tragedy and pain caused by the above-mentioned failing systems will manifest physically through their character designs. In terms of this, and in keeping with the dynamics of appropriation and inflection that are definitive of nomadic war machines, here focus will fall on how their character aesthetics pose critical questions about relevant issues in the South Africa. On account of this, although this research is by definition situated within the spectacle/performance paradigm, it also runs counter to the largely apolitical orientation of creative media production that occurs therein, through its emphasis, instead, on how such creative media production can also entail critical thought that is aimed at thematizing socio-cultural and politico-economic issues and the trauma that they create; thus, this creative media component aims to encourage a more trauma-aware society through art. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2023
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Out of place: an analysis of place as a contributor to the complexities of my “coloured” identity in Malabar, Gqeberha

- Flowers, Victoria

Authors: Flowers, Victoria
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Colored people (South Africa) -- Race identity , Ethnicity in art -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Modernism (Art)
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62780 , vital:72954
Description: Coloured identity has been a historical point of contestation in South Africa because Colouredness is assumed as “an inbred quality that arises automatically from miscegenation while instrumentalists share the essentialist premise that coloured identity is something negative and undesirable but blame it on the racism and the exploitative practices of the ruling white minority” (Adhikari, 2009: 15). This archaic belief attributed to racial mixture has now become redundant, due to the emergence of new hybridised Coloured identities that factor other ethnic and cultural groups as well as internal and external elements into their conception. The role of Place in the formation of Coloured identities is at the core of this fine arts based enquiry. This study is located in Malabar, Gqeberha which was established after the forced removals onset by the Group Areas Act of 1950 and the displacement of residents from South End. Additionally, it considers specific locations significant in their linkages to hybridised peoples, and how the place and individuals have been influenced by historical legacies of colonisation and apartheid. These are examined to consider their function in contextualising contemporary lived experiences of Coloured identity within the community of Malabar and its effect on artistic practice through autoethnographic research. Through this autoethnographic and reflexive study and the accompanying empirical research process, I critically examine and explore my Coloured identity as part of being-in-the-world (Heidegger, 1962). This ‘being’ is multifaceted as a result of the significance of Place in South Africa and how it has shaped my perception of how and where I have a sense of being and belonging. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School Visual and Performing Arts, 2023
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Relationship Management in All-Boys’ Fee-paying Public Schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa : Experiences and Perspectives of LGBTQ Alumni

- Mahlangu, Nhlakanipho

Authors: Mahlangu, Nhlakanipho
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Gay men , Teenage boys , Public schools -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62237 , vital:72364
Description: This study explores the perspectives and experiences of LGBTQ alumni of all-boys’ schools in the Eastern Cape. The context of increased competition between schools in the education sector and the importance of inclusion within the sector necessitated a study to investigate the extent to which relationship management is conducted with an orientation towards LGBTQ inclusion in all-boys’ schools in the Eastern Cape. Student protests in South Africa over the past 10 years have expanded concerns about student belonging beyond the widely studied lenses of race and class. A growing body of literature and wider discourse emphasises student belonging as a challenge in the South African education sector. Marginalised students continue to experience educational spaces negatively. LGBTQ student experiences in the South Africa are characterised by violence and ostracisation, thus warranting further investigation and inquiry. The study locates itself in the intersections between gender and sexual diversity and economic citizenship in the broader discourse of school inclusivity. A qualitative research approach was employed, making use of semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews. The sample was derived from alumni of all-boys’ schools in the Eastern Cape through snowball sampling. Ten LGBTQ-identifying alumni of boys’ schools in the Eastern Cape were interviewed. The findings reveal the need to question the extent to which LGBTQ alumni can enjoy the fullness of the value proposition of all-boys’ schools, and what can be done to ensure LGBTQ belonging. The findings of this study concur with existing literature about LGBTQ experiences. Participants defined their school experiences as exclusionary and characterised by fear of failing to assert themselves in a hypermasculine school environment. LGBTQ alumni of all-boys’ schools in the Eastern Cape view relationship management as under-utilised as a tool to facilitate LGBTQ belonging. Instead, relationship management is used to affirm those who fit the mould of the quintessential ‘old boy’ network, by defining the masculine behaviours that learners in all-boys’ schools are compelled to aspire towards. v ABSTRACT The findings illustrate that the culture of silence around non-confirming sexuality is sustained in the post-schooling relationship management life-cycle and results in the absence of the LGBTQ customer voice in the drafting of school strategy and policy. LGBTQ alumni who speak out about controversial issues often face admonition from their former teachers and peers. LGBTQ alumni criticise the relationship management of their former schools for the over-emphasis on fundraising and the complete absence of discussions on diversity. LGBTQ alumni are therefore marginalised in the process of value co-creation, as LGBTQ alumni feel they will never be viewed as legitimate collaborators by their former schools. The suggested recommendations emerging from this study include the need to codify school policies that speak specifically to LGBTQ marginalisation. Furthermore, schools must endeavour to make specific enquiries into LGBTQ student experiences and include LGBTQ concerns in wider school discourse. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK): investigating senior primary mathematics teachers’ integration of technology in the classroom in Okahao educational circuit

- Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela

Authors: Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423913 , vital:72104
Description: The overwhelming advancement of ICT devices in the contemporary Namibian education system has led to their praise for supporting differentiated instruction, fostering collaboration, and engaging multiple intelligences in teaching and learning. Consequently, the compulsory incorporation of ICTs into the teaching and learning process becomes imperative across various fields of study, including Mathematics. However, the integration of technology-based teaching proves to be a complex and challenging issue, often considered a wicked problem. To explore this matter, a qualitative case study was conducted to investigate how Senior Primary Mathematics Teachers integrated technology to develop their TPACK. The study was conducted among the twenty-seven senior primary mathematics teachers in the Okahao educational circuit in the Omuasti region. The study utilized Vygotsky‘s (1978); Socio-cultural Theory, together with Mishra and Koehler (2006), and; the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework was used as a lens to analyse the data. The data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and lesson observations. The study findings indicate that senior primary mathematics teachers utilize the available resources at their respective schools during their classroom instruction. The study further reveals that mathematics teachers exhibit a positive attitude toward the integration of technology. The study uncovers the intricate interplay between technological knowledge, pedagogical expertise, and content knowledge within the context of mathematics education. The findings reveal that while participants demonstrate a high level of proficiency in certain TPACK components such as CK, TK, PK, TPK, and PCK, they expressed a moderate level of expertise in TCK and TPCK. The study also identified challenges in TPACK development, particularly the need for subject specific technology training, lack of technological infrastructure, particularly advanced technology, as well as a deficiency in ICT knowledge. The importance of access to various technologies was emphasized, enabling teachers to seamlessly integrate technology into their practices and address diverse learning styles. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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The effectiveness of the findings of the auditor-general in the control of public funds: a case of Bojanala platinum District Municipality

- Tshivhenga, Gilbert

Authors: Tshivhenga, Gilbert
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: South Africa. -- Office of the Auditor-General -- Appropriations and expenditures , Finance, Public South Africa -- Auditing , Expenditures, Public -- Cost effectiveness
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62791 , vital:72957
Description: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Auditor-General’s findings in controlling public funds, with specific reference to the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. The research is comprised of six chapters. The research adopted the qualitative research methodology approach. The study provides academic input into public administration, specifically for improving service delivery performance, control and financial performance management in municipalities. The study could contribute to the establishment of effective methods for monitoring municipalities’ control of public funds. The research also identified several strengths and weaknesses of the BPDM, which are vital for effective and efficient service delivery to the community. It is envisaged that other municipalities in South Africa will learn something from it. Furthermore, this research study envisages promoting the best control of public funds within the BPDM and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to ensure communities’ well-being and dignity. Based on the findings primarily from the literature review and empirical survey, various recommendations are presented on how the existing status quo of the BPDM can be changed to enhance the better control of public funds, which can assist in service delivery and are aligned with the Batho Pele principles. If these recommendations are adopted, the BPDM will be able to deal with the developmental obstacles it currently faces more effectively and efficiently. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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The impact of Basel III higher capital and liquidity requirements on the profitability of South African banks

- Mdandalaza, Zuko Ludwig

Authors: Mdandalaza, Zuko Ludwig
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Corporations -- Finance -- South Africa , Corporate governance -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Doctorate , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62355 , vital:72614
Description: This study employs a robust quantitative research design meticulously tailored to investigate the nuanced impact of Basel III capital and liquidity requirements on the profitability of South African banks. The data collection process is anchored in a rigorous approach, driven by the acquisition and meticulous review of financial statements sourced from a carefully curated sample of South Africa’s banks. Ensuring the sample’s representativeness is of paramount importance for bolstering the study’s findings. To this end, a purposive sampling technique, distinguished for its deliberate selection methodology, was applied judiciously. This method yielded the selection of 10 banks, chosen carefully to encapsulate a cross-section of the South African banking landscape, so enhancing the research’s validity and robustness. The analysis of this intricate dataset is underpinned by advanced statistical techniques, with regression analysis the principal analytical tool. Specifically, the study harnesses the Arellano-Bond generalised method of moments (GMM), a sophisticated yet versatile statistical methodology appropriate for disentangling complex relationships in longitudinal data. This analytical approach is perfectly suited to trace the nuanced interactions between Basel III’s capital and liquidity requirements and the profitability trajectories of South African banks. Spanning a 12- year timeframe, 2010 to 2022, this study attempts to encapsulate the evolution of the banking landscape in the wake of Basel III’s implementation. This extensive temporal scope enables the research to capture both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends, enriching its insights and lending depth to the analysis. The first objective of this study was to unravel the intricate web of macro-specific and bank-specific factors influencing the profitability of banks in South Africa. Net interest margin (NIM), a pivotal metric reflecting bank profitability and efficiency, was central to the investigation. Empirical insights gleaned from the analysis revealed several key determinants of NIM for South African banks. Notably, NIM displayed a high degree of persistence over time. This suggests that South African banks do not adjust swiftly to changes in market conditions, emphasising the importance for bank managers of considering the long-term repercussions of their decisions on interest, income and expenses. The results also illuminated a set of critical variables closely linked to NIM. These include credit loss, non-interest income, market concentration, stability (Z-score) and inflation. These variables collectively underscored the banks’ ability to navigate the multi-faceted landscape of risks and uncertainties in the banking sector, including credit risk, operational risk, market risk and inflationrisk. The positive relationship between these variables and NIM indicated the banks’ adeptness at passing on costs and risks to customers through higher interest rates or fees, all while leveraging their market power and diversification strategies. Conversely, a negative and significant association emerged between NIM and bank size, GDP per capita, private credit and the repo rate. These variables underscored the competitive pressure and macroeconomic dynamics influencing the demand for and supply of credit in the banking sector. In this context, the negative relationship suggested that larger banks, those operating in more developed and competitive markets, and those encountering lower policy rates, tend to exhibit lower NIM. These banks, due to heightened competition and lower demand for credit, face diminished interest income and narrower margins. Notably, variables like cost-to-income ratio, funding structure and loan-to-deposit ratio did not emerge as significant in explaining NIM for South African banks. This implies that these variables exert a relatively weaker influence on the profitability and efficiency of South African banks, or that their effects are subsumed by other variables in the model. The second objective examined the effect of higher capital buffers on bank profitability. Empirical findings revealed a negative yet statistically insignificant co-efficient for the CET1 variable in the regression analysis. This observation indicated that there is no substantial relationship between Basel III Tier 1 capital ratio (CET1) and bank profitability, as measured by NIM, among South African banks. This suggests that Basel III capital requirements do not have a significant influence on the profitability and efficiency of these banks, or their effect varies depending on other bank-specific or macroeconomic variables. The third objective focused on the effect of Basel III liquidity regulations, epitomised by the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), on bank profitability in South Africa. Empirical results revealed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship between LCR and NIM. This observation indicates that Basel III liquidity regulations exert no discernible effect on the net interest income of South African banks. This finding could be attributed to the fact that South African banks had already fortified their liquidity positions prior to Basel III implementation, adhering to stringent regulatory requirements and prudent liquidity management practices. As a result, the introduction of LCR did not pose a significant alteration or constraint on the liquidity standing and profitability of South African banks. It also implies that other factors, like market conditions, funding structures or asset compositions, play more pivotal roles than the LCR in shaping the profitability of South African banks. These factors may influence the net interest spread, cost of funds or risk-adjusted returns of these banks. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, School of Economics, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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The role of popular and traditional music during the umgidi initiation ceremonies among the Amampondo: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual

- Gushu, Lindokuhle

Authors: Gushu, Lindokuhle
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Music , Folk music -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Popular music -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62805 , vital:72962
Description: This study investigates the intricate dynamics of music within the umgidi initiation ceremonies among the amaMpondo, focusing on the interplay between traditional and modern popular music. The study explores the cultural foundation of the umgidi ceremony, emphasising its transformative significance and the evolving influence of modern popular music, particularly among the youth. A comprehensive literature review follows, contextualising the amaMpondo, their cultural practices, and the complex relationship between traditional and popular music in the broader South African music scene. The study adopted a qualitative ethnographic approach, including participant observation and individual interviews, to explore the impact of modern popular music on traditional elements during umgidi initiation ceremonies. Thematic analysis was employed for data interpretation, ensuring a systematic exploration of patterns and meanings. Ethical considerations were meticulously addressed, emphasising protecting participants' rights and cultural sensitivity. The study's findings highlighted the multifaceted roles of music during umgidi initiation ceremonies. Music is a powerful medium for cultural expression, communication, and communal celebration. The call-and-response format, rhythm variations, and the influence of modern genres such as Gqom and Amapiano were explored. Community attitudes toward integrating modern popular music reveal diverse opinions, ranging from full embrace to resistance. In summary, this study contributes to understanding the evolving dynamics of music in umgidi initiation ceremonies among the amaMpondo. The study provides a nuanced exploration and a roadmap for future research, community engagement, and policy considerations by combining cultural insights, literature review, methodological rigour, and community perspectives. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2023
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Tienerafrikaans: ’n studie van tienertaal, met spesiale verwysing na sleng, in twee Inxuba Yethemba (RSA-)skole

- Holland, Anil Juan

Authors: Holland, Anil Juan
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Afrikaans language -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Afrikaanse taal -- Grammatika , Code switching (Linguistics)
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62816 , vital:72980
Description: It is understood that, for us humans to communicate with one another, we need language. Communication thus has a close relationship with society. But language changes and it has many varieties. On the one hand we have the standard variety of a language which is mostly used in formal situations, and on the other hand we have other varieties, which are mostly used in informal situations. Slang serves as an example of the latter and is chiefly used by adolescents – individuals between the ages of 13 and 19. As Saal and Lawrence (2019: 24) put it: young people are the agents of linguistic change. The researcher finds the language of teenagers quite interesting seeing that he is a teacher who frequently comes across words or phrases he has not heard or does not know the meaning of. The goal of this study is thus to investigate teenage language as phenomenon, with special reference to slang. This study examines slang words and expressions as they occur among teenagers in two Nxuba (formerly Cradock) schools, as well as find out why, when, and when the research group will not make use of slang. Nxuba forms part of the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality in the Eastern Cape. During the study general linguistic phenomena that occur among the teenagers in the given town are also investigated. These phenomena are analysed using the phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and lexical levels of variation. This study follows a qualitative approach with the help of questionnaires, direct observation, and focus group interviews as data collection methods. It was found that teenagers are highly creative and create novel words or give new meanings to words that already exist in the standard variety. The reasons why teenagers make use of slang is, among other things, to ease communication, for the fun of it, secrecy, and to enrich the standard variety. Slang is mostly used in informal situations and tends to be avoided in the presence of older persons, at church, and when doing schoolwork. There are also various linguistic phenomena that appear in teenagers’ general language usage: borrowing, reduction, homonyms, polysemes, and various phonological phenomena, among other. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities , School of Language, Media and Communication , 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Holding a mirror up to Academic Development through the HELTASA (un) conferencing methodology

- Williams, Sandra, Adams, Anthea, Geduld-van Wyk, Charlene, Muhuro, Patricia

Authors: Williams, Sandra , Adams, Anthea , Geduld-van Wyk, Charlene , Muhuro, Patricia
Date: 2024
Subjects: To be catalogued
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425705 , vital:72277 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.14426/cristal.v12iSI1.2117"
Description: We, Academic Development (AD) practitioners, question whether AD's objective in South Africa (SA) as a'liberatory educational and social movement'to enhance educational quality for all students, is effectively pursued. AD practitioners often work on the fringes of the academy, fighting for relevance and legitimacy within an increasingly performative and managerialist academic culture. Despite innovative AD initiatives AD work is criticised for being unresponsive, unreflexive, conformist, and lacking theoretical, scholarly, and critical engagement. We use critical pedagogical praxis, particularly the constructs of critique, reflexivity, power, and self-reflection, to interrogate the continuous tension between AD intention and practice. Through (un) conference methodology, this auto-ethnographic account of individual and collective engagements, using the" holding the mirror up" metaphor, critically questioned the tension and misalignments between the AD mandate and practices. Although in a SA higher education context, this research could be beneficial to HE contexts globally, given the ubiquity of AD work.
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Date Issued: 2024

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Maize seed variety identification model using image processing and deep learning

- Gebeyehu, Seffi, Shibeshi, Zelalem S

Authors: Gebeyehu, Seffi , Shibeshi, Zelalem S
Date: 2024
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429191 , vital:72566 , DOI: 10.11591/ijeecs.v33.i2.pp990-9985
Description: Maize is Ethiopia’s dominant cereal crop regarding area coverage and production level. There are different varieties of maize in Ethiopia. Maize varieties are classified based on morphological features such as shape and size. Due to the nature of maize seed and its rotation variant, studies are still needed to identify Ethiopian maize seed varieties. With expert eyes, identification of maize seed varieties is difficult due to their similar morphological features and visual similarities. We proposed a hybrid feature-based maize variety identification model to solve this problem. For training and testing the model, images of each maize variety were collected from the adet agriculture and research center (AARC), Ethiopia. A multi-class support vector machine (MCSVM) classifier was employed on a hybrid of handcrafted (ie, gabor and histogram of oriented gradients) and convolutional neural network (CNN)-based feature selection techniques and achieved an overall classification accuracy of 99%.
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Date Issued: 2024

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