Gaze patterns of expert and amateur sight-readers with particular focus on the cognitive underpinnings of reading key and time signatures
- Authors: Viljoen, Jacobus Frederick
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sight-reading (Music) , Eye tracking , Cognition , Musical notation , Tonality , Musical meter and rhythm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190908 , vital:45040 , 10.21504/10962/190908
- Description: Over the last decade, eye-tracking technology has provided researchers with specific tools to study the process of reading (language and music) empirically. Most of these studies have focused on the “Eye-Hand Span” phenomenon (the ability to read ahead of the point of playing). However, little research investigates the cognitive implications of specific aspects of musical notation when performed in real time. This research aimed to observe the fixations patterns of sight-readers in order to investigate the cognitive underpinnings of key and time signatures in music scores. This research project is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental research design. Tobii eye-tracking equipment and software were used to record the eye movements of 11 expert and 7 amateur keyboard sight-readers. Two key aspects of music notation, key and time signatures, were selected as the main focus of the study. To investigate these aspects, eighteen research participants were provided with seventeen sight-reading examples for one hand (low complexity) and two hands (high complexity) composed specifically by the researcher. Several examples contained one or more unexpected aspects (accidentals or changes of time signature) to test their effect on fixation count and duration. Two variables (fixation count and fixation duration) were utilised to analyze fixation patterns on the selected aspects of the scores. Three main results emerged from the data analysis: 1) Expert sight-readers performed with much greater accuracy than experts in both tests; 2) Expert sight-readers exhibited a higher fixation count on entire scores in complex examples; 3) Both expert and amateur sight-readers fixate more and for longer on certain notational aspects such as key and time signatures than other notational aspects such as deviations or individual notes. This selection of focused attention suggests that both expert and amateur sight-readers cognitively process music scores in a hierarchical order. In conclusion, key and time signatures appear to require more and longer fixations by both groups of readers than other aspects of the score. This supports previous research which suggests that sound musical knowledge may play a positive role in performers’ sight-reading skills, thereby contributing to more successful sight-reading performances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Viljoen, Jacobus Frederick
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Sight-reading (Music) , Eye tracking , Cognition , Musical notation , Tonality , Musical meter and rhythm
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190908 , vital:45040 , 10.21504/10962/190908
- Description: Over the last decade, eye-tracking technology has provided researchers with specific tools to study the process of reading (language and music) empirically. Most of these studies have focused on the “Eye-Hand Span” phenomenon (the ability to read ahead of the point of playing). However, little research investigates the cognitive implications of specific aspects of musical notation when performed in real time. This research aimed to observe the fixations patterns of sight-readers in order to investigate the cognitive underpinnings of key and time signatures in music scores. This research project is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental research design. Tobii eye-tracking equipment and software were used to record the eye movements of 11 expert and 7 amateur keyboard sight-readers. Two key aspects of music notation, key and time signatures, were selected as the main focus of the study. To investigate these aspects, eighteen research participants were provided with seventeen sight-reading examples for one hand (low complexity) and two hands (high complexity) composed specifically by the researcher. Several examples contained one or more unexpected aspects (accidentals or changes of time signature) to test their effect on fixation count and duration. Two variables (fixation count and fixation duration) were utilised to analyze fixation patterns on the selected aspects of the scores. Three main results emerged from the data analysis: 1) Expert sight-readers performed with much greater accuracy than experts in both tests; 2) Expert sight-readers exhibited a higher fixation count on entire scores in complex examples; 3) Both expert and amateur sight-readers fixate more and for longer on certain notational aspects such as key and time signatures than other notational aspects such as deviations or individual notes. This selection of focused attention suggests that both expert and amateur sight-readers cognitively process music scores in a hierarchical order. In conclusion, key and time signatures appear to require more and longer fixations by both groups of readers than other aspects of the score. This supports previous research which suggests that sound musical knowledge may play a positive role in performers’ sight-reading skills, thereby contributing to more successful sight-reading performances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
A framework for guiding the interdisciplinary design of mHealth intervention apps for physical activity behaviour change
- Authors: Thomson, Callie Deborah
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems in medical care , Exercise Health aspects , Behavior modification , Mobile apps , Medical care Technological innovations , Medical informatics , Health promotion Technological innovations , Application software Development , Design Science Research (DSR)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232193 , vital:49970 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/232193
- Description: The global pandemic of noncommunicable diseases and its associated premature mortality rates and socioeconomic burden have led to increasingly intensified efforts towards designing and delivering health promotion interventions aimed at addressing the leading modifiable health risk behaviours, such as physical inactivity. Developing physical activity behaviour change interventions that target individuals at the dual intra-interpersonal socioecological levels of health promotion has become a key objective worldwide. Digital and mobile technology is revolutionising the ways in which health behaviour change interventions are delivered to individuals across the world, with mobile health applications (mHealth apps) increasingly recognised as a powerful means of promoting physical activity behaviour change. However, with the growth and opportunities of mHealth apps, come several design challenges. Key design challenges concern the integration of theory, the incorporation of evidence-based behaviour change techniques, the application of persuasive systems design principles, and the importance of multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation approaches. These key challenges influence the output product design and effectiveness of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. There exists a paucity of approaches for guiding and supporting the multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. To address this gap, this research study proposes an Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, framed by a novel boundary object view. This view considers the diverse communities of practice, boundary objects and supporting artefacts, process activities, and knowledge sharing practices necessary and relevant to the design of effective mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. The framework’s development is guided by a Design Science Research (DSR) approach. Its core components are based on the findings of a critical theoretical analysis of twenty existing multi- and interdisciplinary digital health development approaches. Once developed, the framework is evaluated using a qualitative DSR linguistic interpretivist approach, with semi-structured interviews as the research instrument. The thematic analysis findings from interviews with thirty-one international academic researchers and industry practitioners informs the iterative modification and revision of an enhanced Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, constituting the main DSR artefact contribution of the research study. In addition, four theoretical contributions are made to the mHealth intervention app design body of knowledge, and a practical contribution is made through the provision of guideline recommendations for academics and industry practitioners. Methodological contributions are also made in terms of applying DSR, adopting a hybrid cognitive reasoning strategy, and employing a qualitative linguistic interpretivist approach to evaluation within a DSR project. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- Authors: Thomson, Callie Deborah
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems in medical care , Exercise Health aspects , Behavior modification , Mobile apps , Medical care Technological innovations , Medical informatics , Health promotion Technological innovations , Application software Development , Design Science Research (DSR)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232193 , vital:49970 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/232193
- Description: The global pandemic of noncommunicable diseases and its associated premature mortality rates and socioeconomic burden have led to increasingly intensified efforts towards designing and delivering health promotion interventions aimed at addressing the leading modifiable health risk behaviours, such as physical inactivity. Developing physical activity behaviour change interventions that target individuals at the dual intra-interpersonal socioecological levels of health promotion has become a key objective worldwide. Digital and mobile technology is revolutionising the ways in which health behaviour change interventions are delivered to individuals across the world, with mobile health applications (mHealth apps) increasingly recognised as a powerful means of promoting physical activity behaviour change. However, with the growth and opportunities of mHealth apps, come several design challenges. Key design challenges concern the integration of theory, the incorporation of evidence-based behaviour change techniques, the application of persuasive systems design principles, and the importance of multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation approaches. These key challenges influence the output product design and effectiveness of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. There exists a paucity of approaches for guiding and supporting the multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. To address this gap, this research study proposes an Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, framed by a novel boundary object view. This view considers the diverse communities of practice, boundary objects and supporting artefacts, process activities, and knowledge sharing practices necessary and relevant to the design of effective mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. The framework’s development is guided by a Design Science Research (DSR) approach. Its core components are based on the findings of a critical theoretical analysis of twenty existing multi- and interdisciplinary digital health development approaches. Once developed, the framework is evaluated using a qualitative DSR linguistic interpretivist approach, with semi-structured interviews as the research instrument. The thematic analysis findings from interviews with thirty-one international academic researchers and industry practitioners informs the iterative modification and revision of an enhanced Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, constituting the main DSR artefact contribution of the research study. In addition, four theoretical contributions are made to the mHealth intervention app design body of knowledge, and a practical contribution is made through the provision of guideline recommendations for academics and industry practitioners. Methodological contributions are also made in terms of applying DSR, adopting a hybrid cognitive reasoning strategy, and employing a qualitative linguistic interpretivist approach to evaluation within a DSR project. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
Effects of urban expansion on coastal vegetation ecosystems conservation and functioning in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
- Olatoye, Tolulope Ayodeji https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2249-9258
- Authors: Olatoye, Tolulope Ayodeji https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2249-9258
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Sustainable development , City planning -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21556 , vital:48885
- Description: Coastal urban expansion is on an upward trajectory, which poses serious threats to ecosystem functioning, human wellbeing and the general environment across the globe. It is on this premise that this study brings to the fore the growing complexity of environmental sustainability problems in a former apartheid space, as characterized by coastal urbanization and the intricacies of vegetation conservation. Consequently, literature utilized for this study reveals that urban expansion has led to an uncontrolled threat to the coastal ecosystem, culminating in soil erosion, environmental pollution through illegal dumping of solid waste, loss of coastal vegetation to other land use types, among others. Therefore, constant monitoring of these spaces is needed due to their fragility, as they are pivotal in the earth-atmosphere processes to the benefit of the entire humanity. To this end, the current study offers critical analysis and insights about the South African coastal ecological space. The essence of using BCMM in its consideration as an ecological space and former apartheid territory brings to the fore a scientific explanation of the spatial configuration and changes in the CVEs of the study area during the post-colonial era. In the course of investigating this study, the Urban Green Sustainability (UGS) theory was adopted in the course of selecting the review of literature, methodological approach and analysis of results. A mixed methodological approach (qualitative, quantitative and geospatial techniques) was explored in data collection and analysis. 254 copies of the questionnaire were returned and analysed for this research. Results generated revealed by the BCMM respondents confirms the occurrence of uncontrolled urbanization, deforestation and crop cultivation as major causes of coastal vegetation loss. In the same vein, the LULC classification results revealed that about 466 km2 of forest vegetation has been lost in BCMM from 1998-2018. Also, LULC classification results were validated by performing the Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI), Kappa’s coefficient (k), coefficient of determination (R2) and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (P) tests. The results also revealed that the built-up area had increased from 194 km2 in 1998 to 814 km2 in 2008. Further, all statistical tests revealed very good and highly correlated overall classification accuracies (of R2=0.89 and P=0.86) during the study period (1998 – 2018). This study makes a clarion call towards the rehabilitation of degraded coastal environments and proffers solutions towards the actualization of environmentally sustainable CVEs which offers optimal ecosystem services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Olatoye, Tolulope Ayodeji https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2249-9258
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Sustainable development , City planning -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21556 , vital:48885
- Description: Coastal urban expansion is on an upward trajectory, which poses serious threats to ecosystem functioning, human wellbeing and the general environment across the globe. It is on this premise that this study brings to the fore the growing complexity of environmental sustainability problems in a former apartheid space, as characterized by coastal urbanization and the intricacies of vegetation conservation. Consequently, literature utilized for this study reveals that urban expansion has led to an uncontrolled threat to the coastal ecosystem, culminating in soil erosion, environmental pollution through illegal dumping of solid waste, loss of coastal vegetation to other land use types, among others. Therefore, constant monitoring of these spaces is needed due to their fragility, as they are pivotal in the earth-atmosphere processes to the benefit of the entire humanity. To this end, the current study offers critical analysis and insights about the South African coastal ecological space. The essence of using BCMM in its consideration as an ecological space and former apartheid territory brings to the fore a scientific explanation of the spatial configuration and changes in the CVEs of the study area during the post-colonial era. In the course of investigating this study, the Urban Green Sustainability (UGS) theory was adopted in the course of selecting the review of literature, methodological approach and analysis of results. A mixed methodological approach (qualitative, quantitative and geospatial techniques) was explored in data collection and analysis. 254 copies of the questionnaire were returned and analysed for this research. Results generated revealed by the BCMM respondents confirms the occurrence of uncontrolled urbanization, deforestation and crop cultivation as major causes of coastal vegetation loss. In the same vein, the LULC classification results revealed that about 466 km2 of forest vegetation has been lost in BCMM from 1998-2018. Also, LULC classification results were validated by performing the Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI), Kappa’s coefficient (k), coefficient of determination (R2) and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (P) tests. The results also revealed that the built-up area had increased from 194 km2 in 1998 to 814 km2 in 2008. Further, all statistical tests revealed very good and highly correlated overall classification accuracies (of R2=0.89 and P=0.86) during the study period (1998 – 2018). This study makes a clarion call towards the rehabilitation of degraded coastal environments and proffers solutions towards the actualization of environmentally sustainable CVEs which offers optimal ecosystem services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
An evaluation of performance management development system alignment with organizational objectives: case study of the Department of Tourism.
- Authors: Mkhavele, Enes Katekani
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Performance--Management , Organizational effectiveness , Employees--Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21455 , vital:48645
- Description: The aim and objectives of this study are to assess the public sectors’ performance management development framework’s role in fulfilling organizational and employees’ performance objectives within Department of Tourism, to identify areas of disconnect between the Department of Tourism’s strategic objectives and employee performance, to determine whether the current employee rewards system enhances organizational commitment and promotes organizational effectiveness. Lastly, the study seeks to make a recommendation on how the Department of Tourism can align its employee’s performance management systems with the organizational performance planning process. , Thesis (PhD) (Public Administration) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Mkhavele, Enes Katekani
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Performance--Management , Organizational effectiveness , Employees--Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21455 , vital:48645
- Description: The aim and objectives of this study are to assess the public sectors’ performance management development framework’s role in fulfilling organizational and employees’ performance objectives within Department of Tourism, to identify areas of disconnect between the Department of Tourism’s strategic objectives and employee performance, to determine whether the current employee rewards system enhances organizational commitment and promotes organizational effectiveness. Lastly, the study seeks to make a recommendation on how the Department of Tourism can align its employee’s performance management systems with the organizational performance planning process. , Thesis (PhD) (Public Administration) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
The dynamics of household debt in South Africa
- Authors: Mabitle, Mope
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Debt , Finance, Personal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21781 , vital:51751
- Description: Household debt as a proportion of South African household disposable income remain alarmingly above 70 percent. Impliedly, the majority of households are spending the bulk of their income on servicing debt. This not only puts a strain on household welfare but also on economic growth as household spending is the major contributor to economic activity in the country. Based on this background, the study examines the dynamics of the South African household debt. The analysis was done both at the macro and individual/household level (micro). The macro-level data covered the period from 1994 to 2018 utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model. The empirical results indicated that there is both a long-term and short-term relationship between the variables of interest. The results further show that the majority of low-income households in South Africa borrow more, as a way to smoothen their consumption. Interest rate as the official instrument to counter borrowing was found to have a positive relationship with household debt, indicating that households borrow to settle the existing debt as interest rates increases. The dummy variable used to capture the credit regulations enactment/amendments was found to be insignificant in the long run. This suggests that credit regulations implemented in South Africa have not reduced the propensity to borrow. At a micro level, the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data was used. Five waves of data were collected on the same individuals every 2 years. Panel regressions were employed in the analysis and the empirical results revealed that employment and income at the micro-level are found to be strong determinants of household debt. The results further showed that being a male and a white individual was positively associated with the likelihood of taking up more debt in general. On the other hand, the results indicated that being a black African is associated with a high likelihood of using services from most of the informal non-banking institutions. The results also revealed that the greater the education level of the head of the household, the higher the probability of taking more debt. One of the telltale signs of over-indebtedness is the persistence of debt, households respond to increased debt and their inability to repay it by increasing their borrowing. The study also investigated the transmission matrices of households in and out of debt. The results indicate a higher transition frequency in and out of debt on informal loans from the non-banking sector that is normally accessed by the poorer households, this could indicate debt entrapment and the persistence of debt at lower-income levels. Based on empirical results, the study recommended policies that would support consumption without necessarily increasing the credit appetite of household debt. Additional recommendations are those that support selective lending and the strengthening of the risk management of lending institutions. Furthermore, to combat the rising levels of household debt, several measures are proposed in the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Mabitle, Mope
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Debt , Finance, Personal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21781 , vital:51751
- Description: Household debt as a proportion of South African household disposable income remain alarmingly above 70 percent. Impliedly, the majority of households are spending the bulk of their income on servicing debt. This not only puts a strain on household welfare but also on economic growth as household spending is the major contributor to economic activity in the country. Based on this background, the study examines the dynamics of the South African household debt. The analysis was done both at the macro and individual/household level (micro). The macro-level data covered the period from 1994 to 2018 utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model. The empirical results indicated that there is both a long-term and short-term relationship between the variables of interest. The results further show that the majority of low-income households in South Africa borrow more, as a way to smoothen their consumption. Interest rate as the official instrument to counter borrowing was found to have a positive relationship with household debt, indicating that households borrow to settle the existing debt as interest rates increases. The dummy variable used to capture the credit regulations enactment/amendments was found to be insignificant in the long run. This suggests that credit regulations implemented in South Africa have not reduced the propensity to borrow. At a micro level, the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data was used. Five waves of data were collected on the same individuals every 2 years. Panel regressions were employed in the analysis and the empirical results revealed that employment and income at the micro-level are found to be strong determinants of household debt. The results further showed that being a male and a white individual was positively associated with the likelihood of taking up more debt in general. On the other hand, the results indicated that being a black African is associated with a high likelihood of using services from most of the informal non-banking institutions. The results also revealed that the greater the education level of the head of the household, the higher the probability of taking more debt. One of the telltale signs of over-indebtedness is the persistence of debt, households respond to increased debt and their inability to repay it by increasing their borrowing. The study also investigated the transmission matrices of households in and out of debt. The results indicate a higher transition frequency in and out of debt on informal loans from the non-banking sector that is normally accessed by the poorer households, this could indicate debt entrapment and the persistence of debt at lower-income levels. Based on empirical results, the study recommended policies that would support consumption without necessarily increasing the credit appetite of household debt. Additional recommendations are those that support selective lending and the strengthening of the risk management of lending institutions. Furthermore, to combat the rising levels of household debt, several measures are proposed in the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
Analysis of challenges facing police retirees in the Eastern Cape of South Africa: development of adjustment programme for police retirees to the community
- Authors: Kwayiba, Nthabiseng Justina
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Police -- Retirement , Police -- Pensions , Retirement income
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21977 , vital:51865
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by police retirees of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and to contribute towards the establishment of a post-retirement programme that would assist retirees to experience satisfaction in retirement. Upon retirement, police officers leave a job of personified authority and responsibility and become civilians. Throughout their career, police officers work under strenuous shifts, exposure to violence and witness gruesome incidents. In some cases, they facilitate the arrest of their neighbours and even family members in conflict with the law. How they adjust in the communities when they retire has never been investigated in the Eastern Cape, a research gap this study intended to address. A qualitative research methodology and a case study design was adopted. The data were collected from 21 participants. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used as methods of data collection. The interpretivism paradigm informed data analysis process. The life course theory was used as a theoretical framework for this study. The findings of this study revealed that police retirees experience challenges that are different from other public servants and the South African Police Service (SAPS) does not have programmes to prepare employees for retirement. The study established that most of the retirees had not yet adjusted to retirement because of the challenges they faced. Among the unique challenges that they experience are psychological challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) emanating from their daily exposure to gruesome incidents, violence and working under strenuous shifts. The study also revealed that the retirees experienced broken social support system (family), social rejection by their previous employer (SAPS), and the communities they are retiring in. Therefore, as a result of rejection they relocate and start a new life somewhere else, where they suffer loneliness. Neglect by the employer (SAPS) made them feel useless and unappreciated. It was also established that the handing back of police equipment and uniforms makes them feel a sense of loss of power and authority, which makes them feel unsafe. The feeling of insecurity become more intense when the people they arrested threaten revenge on them when they are on retirement. The study recommends commitment from different stakeholders to assist employees in SAPS to experience a smooth and rewarding transition towards retirement. These include a pre-retirement planning programme that will engage employees ten years before retirement and require the employer’s commitment, a transition programme, that will engage retirees during retirement and require commitment from the police medical aid (POLMED) and community policing forum involvement. Finally, the establishment of social support system in the post-retirement programme is required for the extension of employee health and wellness (EHW) services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Kwayiba, Nthabiseng Justina
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Police -- Retirement , Police -- Pensions , Retirement income
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21977 , vital:51865
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by police retirees of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and to contribute towards the establishment of a post-retirement programme that would assist retirees to experience satisfaction in retirement. Upon retirement, police officers leave a job of personified authority and responsibility and become civilians. Throughout their career, police officers work under strenuous shifts, exposure to violence and witness gruesome incidents. In some cases, they facilitate the arrest of their neighbours and even family members in conflict with the law. How they adjust in the communities when they retire has never been investigated in the Eastern Cape, a research gap this study intended to address. A qualitative research methodology and a case study design was adopted. The data were collected from 21 participants. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used as methods of data collection. The interpretivism paradigm informed data analysis process. The life course theory was used as a theoretical framework for this study. The findings of this study revealed that police retirees experience challenges that are different from other public servants and the South African Police Service (SAPS) does not have programmes to prepare employees for retirement. The study established that most of the retirees had not yet adjusted to retirement because of the challenges they faced. Among the unique challenges that they experience are psychological challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) emanating from their daily exposure to gruesome incidents, violence and working under strenuous shifts. The study also revealed that the retirees experienced broken social support system (family), social rejection by their previous employer (SAPS), and the communities they are retiring in. Therefore, as a result of rejection they relocate and start a new life somewhere else, where they suffer loneliness. Neglect by the employer (SAPS) made them feel useless and unappreciated. It was also established that the handing back of police equipment and uniforms makes them feel a sense of loss of power and authority, which makes them feel unsafe. The feeling of insecurity become more intense when the people they arrested threaten revenge on them when they are on retirement. The study recommends commitment from different stakeholders to assist employees in SAPS to experience a smooth and rewarding transition towards retirement. These include a pre-retirement planning programme that will engage employees ten years before retirement and require the employer’s commitment, a transition programme, that will engage retirees during retirement and require commitment from the police medical aid (POLMED) and community policing forum involvement. Finally, the establishment of social support system in the post-retirement programme is required for the extension of employee health and wellness (EHW) services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
Umzi ka Mama Family property transfer practices and the historical significance of title deeds to African female heads of household in Fingo Village: a participatory theatre approach
- Authors: Hellemann, Phemelo Cordelia
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Public history South Africa Eastern Cape , Oral history South Africa Eastern Cape , Women Housing South Africa Eastern Cape , Feminism Africa , Apartheid Law and legislation South Africa , Participatory theater South Africa Eastern Cape , Playback theater , Theater and society South Africa Eastern Cape , History Citizen participation , South Africa. Group Areas Act, 1950
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294537 , vital:57230 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/294537
- Description: Many everyday stories and experiences of African women remain underrepresented and undocumented. For example, the omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; hence, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855. This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. The multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews. The traditional oral history interview and the participatory theatre methods helped uncover unconventional practices in family property relations. Though customary transfers of family homes to custodians were prevalent, title deed registration of family property was also acknowledged as a vital practice that empowered women legally. The researcher used participatory theatre techniques inspired by playback, image and forum theatre to enhance the researcher and participants’ relationship. These methods encouraged the researcher and respondents’ shared authority as they embarked on an extended participatory research project. In this regard, through dialogical and performance-based activities, the participants and the researcher became co-creators of untold Fingo Village stories. Moreover, the theatre techniques became interpretation and analysis tools that ensured that the participants’ untold stories were well represented. The first phase of the research involved engaging with the literature about the title deeds history of Fingo Village and conducting oral history interviews that served as data. In the second phase, the interviews were analysed and packaged in a documentary format. The third phase was a playback theatre inspired session in a 10-minute performance based on themes from the participants’ filmed interviews. Additionally, the performance was a catalyst for forum theatre activities that allowed the participants to interact with the performer and suggest solutions to the dilemma posed by the performer regarding family property use. The participants were decision-makers and family property relations experts within this imagined context. In the fourth phase, the image theatre adaptation and memory work activities were essential tools. The tools aided the visuals and information from an existing Fingo Village exhibition as additional resources that prompted dialogue and discussions. The exhibition encouraged participants to share their personal experiences and memories of the Group Areas Act (GAA) era. The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants. The links to the video materials accompanying this thesis are provided on the contents page. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
- Authors: Hellemann, Phemelo Cordelia
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Public history South Africa Eastern Cape , Oral history South Africa Eastern Cape , Women Housing South Africa Eastern Cape , Feminism Africa , Apartheid Law and legislation South Africa , Participatory theater South Africa Eastern Cape , Playback theater , Theater and society South Africa Eastern Cape , History Citizen participation , South Africa. Group Areas Act, 1950
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294537 , vital:57230 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/294537
- Description: Many everyday stories and experiences of African women remain underrepresented and undocumented. For example, the omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; hence, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855. This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. The multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews. The traditional oral history interview and the participatory theatre methods helped uncover unconventional practices in family property relations. Though customary transfers of family homes to custodians were prevalent, title deed registration of family property was also acknowledged as a vital practice that empowered women legally. The researcher used participatory theatre techniques inspired by playback, image and forum theatre to enhance the researcher and participants’ relationship. These methods encouraged the researcher and respondents’ shared authority as they embarked on an extended participatory research project. In this regard, through dialogical and performance-based activities, the participants and the researcher became co-creators of untold Fingo Village stories. Moreover, the theatre techniques became interpretation and analysis tools that ensured that the participants’ untold stories were well represented. The first phase of the research involved engaging with the literature about the title deeds history of Fingo Village and conducting oral history interviews that served as data. In the second phase, the interviews were analysed and packaged in a documentary format. The third phase was a playback theatre inspired session in a 10-minute performance based on themes from the participants’ filmed interviews. Additionally, the performance was a catalyst for forum theatre activities that allowed the participants to interact with the performer and suggest solutions to the dilemma posed by the performer regarding family property use. The participants were decision-makers and family property relations experts within this imagined context. In the fourth phase, the image theatre adaptation and memory work activities were essential tools. The tools aided the visuals and information from an existing Fingo Village exhibition as additional resources that prompted dialogue and discussions. The exhibition encouraged participants to share their personal experiences and memories of the Group Areas Act (GAA) era. The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants. The links to the video materials accompanying this thesis are provided on the contents page. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
The School Governing Bodies conceptualization of ulwaluko in school-based policies: Towards a deconstructed educational leadership and management framework
- Gqeba, Nokuzola Gloria https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-9009-2150
- Authors: Gqeba, Nokuzola Gloria https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-9009-2150
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Initiation rites
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20057 , vital:45104
- Description: Ulwaluko (male initiation), one of the African traditions, which serves as transitional rite of passage from boyhood, has evolved over time, through the colonial era, apartheid regime and the current dispensation (Ntsebeza, 2004). Evidence indicates that within the South African context, the majority of candidates of Ulwaluko are males of school-going age. Ulwaluko is said to be a school where initiates are taught, yet there is no link between ulwaluko and formal schooling. Therefore, the study examines the extent to which School Governing Bodies (SGBs) conceptualize ulwaluko in the school-based policies. The study used theoretical lenses of Hall’s ‘Third Space’ or hybridity, as well as Decoloniality, qualitative approach, and a Case Study Design. For this study, two high schools were purposely sampled, with a total of twelve participants that included Principals, SGB Chairpersons, and SGB Educator Representatives, Representatives of Learners and Ordinary SGB members. In-depth interviews and document reviews were employed as research instruments. The findings of the study suggest that even though ulwaluko seemed to affect the management of the two schools, it was not explicitly addressed in their policies. Ulwaluko is reluctantly and cautiously addressed informally. Lastly, the schools were reportedly reluctant to open debates on how ulwaluko could be accommodated for fear of “contaminating” school protocols with the African culture, which they thought did not belong in schools. The study makes various suggestions to build a strong relationship between ulwaluko and formal school practices. One of the main recommendations is the integration of ulwaluko into the mainstream education system through school governance and school-based policy. The study also proposes a deconstructed leadership and management framework that places African cultural practices such as Ulwaluko into the mainstream of management and curriculum. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Gqeba, Nokuzola Gloria https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-9009-2150
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Initiation rites
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20057 , vital:45104
- Description: Ulwaluko (male initiation), one of the African traditions, which serves as transitional rite of passage from boyhood, has evolved over time, through the colonial era, apartheid regime and the current dispensation (Ntsebeza, 2004). Evidence indicates that within the South African context, the majority of candidates of Ulwaluko are males of school-going age. Ulwaluko is said to be a school where initiates are taught, yet there is no link between ulwaluko and formal schooling. Therefore, the study examines the extent to which School Governing Bodies (SGBs) conceptualize ulwaluko in the school-based policies. The study used theoretical lenses of Hall’s ‘Third Space’ or hybridity, as well as Decoloniality, qualitative approach, and a Case Study Design. For this study, two high schools were purposely sampled, with a total of twelve participants that included Principals, SGB Chairpersons, and SGB Educator Representatives, Representatives of Learners and Ordinary SGB members. In-depth interviews and document reviews were employed as research instruments. The findings of the study suggest that even though ulwaluko seemed to affect the management of the two schools, it was not explicitly addressed in their policies. Ulwaluko is reluctantly and cautiously addressed informally. Lastly, the schools were reportedly reluctant to open debates on how ulwaluko could be accommodated for fear of “contaminating” school protocols with the African culture, which they thought did not belong in schools. The study makes various suggestions to build a strong relationship between ulwaluko and formal school practices. One of the main recommendations is the integration of ulwaluko into the mainstream education system through school governance and school-based policy. The study also proposes a deconstructed leadership and management framework that places African cultural practices such as Ulwaluko into the mainstream of management and curriculum. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
Towards effective monitoring, control and surveillance policy and implementation in South Africa and its relevance to other Southern African States
- Authors: Fikizolo, Lisolomzi Assaph
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Fishery management Africa, Southern , Fisheries Monitoring Africa, Southern , Fishery policy Africa, Southern , Fishery law and legislation Africa, Southern , South Africa. Fisheries Management Branch
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190886 , vital:45038 , 10.21504/10962/190886
- Description: The responsibility of Fisheries Governance Authorities (FGAs) is to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation and exploitation of marine living resources through effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). MCS is a mechanism used to implement agreed policies, plans and strategies for oceans and fisheries governance, and it is key to their successful implementation. In the continent, the African Union (AU), through its agencies, economic and regional structures encourage and supports national and regional MCS programs. South Africa is a SADC coastal State with a fisheries governance branch mandated to ensure sustainable marine living resources’ utilisation with support from a national MCS program. This support depends on the effectiveness of the current national MCS organisational structure, capacity, legislative and policy framework, as well as regional cooperation. In addition to an extensive literature review, this study developed a MCS framework, following international fisheries legislation and guidelines, for testing the South African MCS’ conformity to such a model. Furthermore, Namibia and Mozambique were included as examples of SADC coastal States to determine their responsiveness to regional cooperation and coordination. Based on the framework, a questionnaire with four parts, Part A: Background Information; Part B: Evaluation of MCS Enablers; Part C: Evaluation of an MCS system process and its effectiveness – reactive approach; and Part D: - proactive approach was developed to collect information. The data was analysed, using appropriate statistical methods to determine, against set characteristics, the level of information that the government respondents could provide to the research topic, and to determine the effectiveness of the South African MCS program. Limited information from Namibia and Mozambique showed readiness in their respective MCS programs for a regional MCS integrated approach, as is the case with South Africa, but there is no serious engagement to implement any regional MCS program. Results showed that the South African MCS program's effectiveness is generally adequate, but there are challenges with planning; financial resources; MCS equipment; stakeholder engagement processes, and governance. A primary recommendation from this study was that business plans, as utilised in the private sector, should be developed by South African Fisheries Governance Authority (FGA) to address MCS governance shortcomings as revealed by this study. A reconfiguration of the MCS organisational structure to include a resource mobilisation unit is considered necessary to effect the much needed improvements. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Fikizolo, Lisolomzi Assaph
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Fishery management Africa, Southern , Fisheries Monitoring Africa, Southern , Fishery policy Africa, Southern , Fishery law and legislation Africa, Southern , South Africa. Fisheries Management Branch
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190886 , vital:45038 , 10.21504/10962/190886
- Description: The responsibility of Fisheries Governance Authorities (FGAs) is to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation and exploitation of marine living resources through effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). MCS is a mechanism used to implement agreed policies, plans and strategies for oceans and fisheries governance, and it is key to their successful implementation. In the continent, the African Union (AU), through its agencies, economic and regional structures encourage and supports national and regional MCS programs. South Africa is a SADC coastal State with a fisheries governance branch mandated to ensure sustainable marine living resources’ utilisation with support from a national MCS program. This support depends on the effectiveness of the current national MCS organisational structure, capacity, legislative and policy framework, as well as regional cooperation. In addition to an extensive literature review, this study developed a MCS framework, following international fisheries legislation and guidelines, for testing the South African MCS’ conformity to such a model. Furthermore, Namibia and Mozambique were included as examples of SADC coastal States to determine their responsiveness to regional cooperation and coordination. Based on the framework, a questionnaire with four parts, Part A: Background Information; Part B: Evaluation of MCS Enablers; Part C: Evaluation of an MCS system process and its effectiveness – reactive approach; and Part D: - proactive approach was developed to collect information. The data was analysed, using appropriate statistical methods to determine, against set characteristics, the level of information that the government respondents could provide to the research topic, and to determine the effectiveness of the South African MCS program. Limited information from Namibia and Mozambique showed readiness in their respective MCS programs for a regional MCS integrated approach, as is the case with South Africa, but there is no serious engagement to implement any regional MCS program. Results showed that the South African MCS program's effectiveness is generally adequate, but there are challenges with planning; financial resources; MCS equipment; stakeholder engagement processes, and governance. A primary recommendation from this study was that business plans, as utilised in the private sector, should be developed by South African Fisheries Governance Authority (FGA) to address MCS governance shortcomings as revealed by this study. A reconfiguration of the MCS organisational structure to include a resource mobilisation unit is considered necessary to effect the much needed improvements. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
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