A sociological analysis of the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence towards women at Rhodes University: the aftermath of the #RUReference protest
- Authors: Roboji, Philasande Milisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: #RUReferenceList , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Rape in universities and colleges -- South Africa , Social movements -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Women college students -- Violence against -- South Africa , Male college students -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148059 , vital:38706
- Description: Gender-based violence more especially sexual violence towards women is one of the biggest social issus affecting South Africa including higher institutions of learning, universities in this context. In recent years, we have seen students in universities protesting sexual violence demanding universities to improve their ways of dealing with this violence. The motivation behind this thesis is the notion that sexual violence is a women’s issue and how most men in our communities and universities do not involve themselves in campaigns that are designed to end sexual violence towards women. There is an assumption that women should be the ones fighting against sexual violence because it affects them when in fact sexual violence affects everyone and more importantly, is mostly perpetuated by men. Therefore, the main purpose of this thesis was to sociologically analyze the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence towards women and the aftermath of the #RUReferenceList protest that took place at Rhodes University in 2016. This protest started immediately after a list of students who were said to be alleged sexual perpetrators was published online. Attached to this primary objective, the sub-goals that informed the entire study were to investigate how the involvement of men in the #RUReferenceList protest has contributed to challenging rape culture at Rhodes University. Also, to investigate if there are any ongoing campaigns and/or projects that includes men and that are still addressing the issue of sexual violence towards women. There is however, a dearth of research on the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence in South Africa. Therefore, it was difficult finding existing literature that touches on the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence towards women particularly in the context of universities. This thesis was conducted within the premises of Rhodes University through a qualitative research approach in a form of in-depth interviews. Five participants were selected through purposive sampling which included the Chair of the Gender Action Forum, one former student representative council member, a sub-warden from a male residence and two students. The findings of this research are not the full representation of the entire university but opinions and perspective of the participants that were interviewed. Their opinions and perspectives have a potential of contributing to the factors and reasons as to why majority of men have not engaged themselves in issues of gender-based violence or involved themselves in campaigns against sexual violence towards women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Roboji, Philasande Milisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: #RUReferenceList , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Rape in universities and colleges -- South Africa , Social movements -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Women college students -- Violence against -- South Africa , Male college students -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148059 , vital:38706
- Description: Gender-based violence more especially sexual violence towards women is one of the biggest social issus affecting South Africa including higher institutions of learning, universities in this context. In recent years, we have seen students in universities protesting sexual violence demanding universities to improve their ways of dealing with this violence. The motivation behind this thesis is the notion that sexual violence is a women’s issue and how most men in our communities and universities do not involve themselves in campaigns that are designed to end sexual violence towards women. There is an assumption that women should be the ones fighting against sexual violence because it affects them when in fact sexual violence affects everyone and more importantly, is mostly perpetuated by men. Therefore, the main purpose of this thesis was to sociologically analyze the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence towards women and the aftermath of the #RUReferenceList protest that took place at Rhodes University in 2016. This protest started immediately after a list of students who were said to be alleged sexual perpetrators was published online. Attached to this primary objective, the sub-goals that informed the entire study were to investigate how the involvement of men in the #RUReferenceList protest has contributed to challenging rape culture at Rhodes University. Also, to investigate if there are any ongoing campaigns and/or projects that includes men and that are still addressing the issue of sexual violence towards women. There is however, a dearth of research on the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence in South Africa. Therefore, it was difficult finding existing literature that touches on the involvement of men in campaigns against sexual violence towards women particularly in the context of universities. This thesis was conducted within the premises of Rhodes University through a qualitative research approach in a form of in-depth interviews. Five participants were selected through purposive sampling which included the Chair of the Gender Action Forum, one former student representative council member, a sub-warden from a male residence and two students. The findings of this research are not the full representation of the entire university but opinions and perspective of the participants that were interviewed. Their opinions and perspectives have a potential of contributing to the factors and reasons as to why majority of men have not engaged themselves in issues of gender-based violence or involved themselves in campaigns against sexual violence towards women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A sociological analysis of the sex education of young adult white womxn and their understandings and practices of ‘Safe Sex’
- Authors: Guerra, Cassandra Gadelha
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sex instruction , Sex instruction for girls , Women, White -- Psychology , Women, White -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147267 , vital:38610
- Description: This research sets out to examine the experiences and perspectives of young adult white womxn regarding their respective sex education. This is in terms of how sex education may shape and influence sexual practices. The relevance of exploring the sex education of this group is to gain an understanding of how constructions of sex education may facilitate the negotiation of sexual practices, particularly as these practices relate to the negotiation of ‘safe sex’. This involves an exploration of definitions of ‘safe sex’ as well as an examination of the various sources of sex education. This research argues that sex education has been socially constructed within a ‘heterosexual matrix’ where both gender identities and sexuality are constructed in heterosexual terms in accordance with compulsory heterosexuality. Furthermore, that sex education as well as understandings and practices of ‘safe sex’ intersect with other social categories such as race, gender and sexuality. Much of the sex-related research conducted in South Africa focuses on people of colour, as a result very little is known about the sexual behaviours and practices of the white demographic. This research accounts for the absence of analysis of sexual practices and behaviour among white people by examining the sex education and sexual practices of young adult white womxn between the ages of 19 and 24. The research observed key sources of sex education which included parents, schools, religious institutions and the internet. Findings indicate that the sex education of participants reflected ideals of heteronormativity and misogyny which were found to directly influence their understandings and practices of both sex and ‘safe sex’. Furthermore, that the sex education participants received has ultimately failed to promote ‘safe’ sexual practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Guerra, Cassandra Gadelha
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sex instruction , Sex instruction for girls , Women, White -- Psychology , Women, White -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147267 , vital:38610
- Description: This research sets out to examine the experiences and perspectives of young adult white womxn regarding their respective sex education. This is in terms of how sex education may shape and influence sexual practices. The relevance of exploring the sex education of this group is to gain an understanding of how constructions of sex education may facilitate the negotiation of sexual practices, particularly as these practices relate to the negotiation of ‘safe sex’. This involves an exploration of definitions of ‘safe sex’ as well as an examination of the various sources of sex education. This research argues that sex education has been socially constructed within a ‘heterosexual matrix’ where both gender identities and sexuality are constructed in heterosexual terms in accordance with compulsory heterosexuality. Furthermore, that sex education as well as understandings and practices of ‘safe sex’ intersect with other social categories such as race, gender and sexuality. Much of the sex-related research conducted in South Africa focuses on people of colour, as a result very little is known about the sexual behaviours and practices of the white demographic. This research accounts for the absence of analysis of sexual practices and behaviour among white people by examining the sex education and sexual practices of young adult white womxn between the ages of 19 and 24. The research observed key sources of sex education which included parents, schools, religious institutions and the internet. Findings indicate that the sex education of participants reflected ideals of heteronormativity and misogyny which were found to directly influence their understandings and practices of both sex and ‘safe sex’. Furthermore, that the sex education participants received has ultimately failed to promote ‘safe’ sexual practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A sociological understanding of contemporary child marriage in Mabvuku, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Madzivire, Shamso Christine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Child marriage -- Zimbabwe -- Mabvuku , Child marriage -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies , Shona (African people) -- Social life and customs , Marriage customs and rites -- Zimbabwe , Shona (African people) -- Marriage customs and rites , Marriage -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142566 , vital:38091
- Description: Child marriage is a phenomenon that has been increasingly recognised as a global problem since the late nineteenth century. Since then, scholars across many disciplines along with various agencies such as government bodies and non-governmental organisations have tirelessly engaged in research exploring the causes and consequences of this practice and in developing prevention and mitigation strategies. These research efforts have been concentrated in some parts of the world and not others, with the findings in many cases being generalised problematically across different geographical areas. This thesis stands as a response to the dearth of academic research on child marriage in present-day Zimbabwe and simultaneously highlights the significance of studying the specificities of child marriage under particular historical and spatial conditions. The main objective of this thesis is to explore and understand child marriage as a part of modernday marriage practices in Zimbabwe, through a case study of child marriage in Mabvuku in Harare. In addressing this objective, it is hoped that new ways of thinking around this phenomenon will become evident. In addressing this main objective, the thesis considers the experiences of child brides, the drivers and consequences of child and post-child marriage experiences. It does this seeking to understand child marriage with reference to the types of marital unions which exist amongst Shona people in pre-colonial times and in post-colonial Zimbabwe. The thesis adopts a qualitative research methodology which involved in-depth semistructured interviews with 25 women in Mabvuku who were married before the age of 18, along with focus group discussions with community workers and interviews with pertinent government and non-government representatives. Due to certain challenges with current theorising about child marriage, there is an attempt to build theory by drawing upon in particular the Zimbabwean notion and practice of hunhu. A key conclusion is that child marriage in present-day Zimbabwe is in part a result of family transitions which arose during the time of colonialism and continue to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Madzivire, Shamso Christine
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Child marriage -- Zimbabwe -- Mabvuku , Child marriage -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies , Shona (African people) -- Social life and customs , Marriage customs and rites -- Zimbabwe , Shona (African people) -- Marriage customs and rites , Marriage -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142566 , vital:38091
- Description: Child marriage is a phenomenon that has been increasingly recognised as a global problem since the late nineteenth century. Since then, scholars across many disciplines along with various agencies such as government bodies and non-governmental organisations have tirelessly engaged in research exploring the causes and consequences of this practice and in developing prevention and mitigation strategies. These research efforts have been concentrated in some parts of the world and not others, with the findings in many cases being generalised problematically across different geographical areas. This thesis stands as a response to the dearth of academic research on child marriage in present-day Zimbabwe and simultaneously highlights the significance of studying the specificities of child marriage under particular historical and spatial conditions. The main objective of this thesis is to explore and understand child marriage as a part of modernday marriage practices in Zimbabwe, through a case study of child marriage in Mabvuku in Harare. In addressing this objective, it is hoped that new ways of thinking around this phenomenon will become evident. In addressing this main objective, the thesis considers the experiences of child brides, the drivers and consequences of child and post-child marriage experiences. It does this seeking to understand child marriage with reference to the types of marital unions which exist amongst Shona people in pre-colonial times and in post-colonial Zimbabwe. The thesis adopts a qualitative research methodology which involved in-depth semistructured interviews with 25 women in Mabvuku who were married before the age of 18, along with focus group discussions with community workers and interviews with pertinent government and non-government representatives. Due to certain challenges with current theorising about child marriage, there is an attempt to build theory by drawing upon in particular the Zimbabwean notion and practice of hunhu. A key conclusion is that child marriage in present-day Zimbabwe is in part a result of family transitions which arose during the time of colonialism and continue to this day.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A study of why some physic concepts in the South African Physical Science curriculum are poorly understood in order to develop a targeted action-research intervention for Newton’s second law
- Authors: Cobbing, Kathleen Margaret
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Physics -- Examinations, questions, etc. -- South Africa , Motion -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146903 , vital:38575
- Description: Globally, many students show a poor understanding of concepts in high school physics and lack the necessary problem-solving skills that the course demands. The application of Newton’s second law was found to be particularly problematic through document analysis of South African examination feedback reports, as well as from an analysis of the physics examinations at a pair of well-resourced South African independent schools that follow the Independent Examination Board curriculum. Through an action-research approach, a resource for use by students was designed and modified to improve students’ understanding of this concept, while modelling problemsolving methods. The resource consisted of brief revision notes, worked examples and scaffolded exercises. The design of the resource was influenced by the theory of cognitive apprenticeship, cognitive load theory and conceptual change theory. One of the aims of the resource was to encourage students to translate between the different representations of a problem situation: symbolic, abstract, model and concrete. The impact of this resource was evaluated at a pair of schools using a mixed methods approach. This incorporated pre- and post-tests for a quantitative assessment, qualitative student evaluations and the analysis of examination scripts. There was an improvement from pre- to post-test for all four iterations of the intervention and these improvements were shown to be significant. The use of the resource led to an increase in the quality and quantity of diagrams drawn by students in subsequent assessments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Cobbing, Kathleen Margaret
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Physics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Physics -- Examinations, questions, etc. -- South Africa , Motion -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146903 , vital:38575
- Description: Globally, many students show a poor understanding of concepts in high school physics and lack the necessary problem-solving skills that the course demands. The application of Newton’s second law was found to be particularly problematic through document analysis of South African examination feedback reports, as well as from an analysis of the physics examinations at a pair of well-resourced South African independent schools that follow the Independent Examination Board curriculum. Through an action-research approach, a resource for use by students was designed and modified to improve students’ understanding of this concept, while modelling problemsolving methods. The resource consisted of brief revision notes, worked examples and scaffolded exercises. The design of the resource was influenced by the theory of cognitive apprenticeship, cognitive load theory and conceptual change theory. One of the aims of the resource was to encourage students to translate between the different representations of a problem situation: symbolic, abstract, model and concrete. The impact of this resource was evaluated at a pair of schools using a mixed methods approach. This incorporated pre- and post-tests for a quantitative assessment, qualitative student evaluations and the analysis of examination scripts. There was an improvement from pre- to post-test for all four iterations of the intervention and these improvements were shown to be significant. The use of the resource led to an increase in the quality and quantity of diagrams drawn by students in subsequent assessments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A study on reporting and learning in three natural resource management programmes in South Africa
- Authors: Mushwana, Vhutshilo Mudau
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Working for Water Programme , South African National Parks , Kruger to Canyon , Association for Water and Rural Development (South Africa) , RESILiM-Olifants Programme , Active learning -- South Africa , Environmental reporting , Environmental reporting -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167586 , vital:41494
- Description: This is a case study that focuses on three Natural Resource Management programmes, namely: the Department of Environmental Affair’s Working for Water Programme, the Kruger to Canyon SANParks Biodiversity Social Projects as well as AWARD’s programme for Resilience in the Limpopo-Olifants Basin. All three programmes are being implemented in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. As a monitoring and evaluation officer at AWARD, I was part of the team that developed a strategy to enable learning through monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and this sparked my interest in understanding how other programmes might be approaching this. The focus of the study is on the role of reporting, as part of programme monitoring and evaluation, as a means to support learning of both programme implementers and organisations. An in-depth description of each case has been provided to enable an understanding of the overall reporting system, how reporting may play a role in supporting individual and organisational learning, and what factors enable or constrain learning in association with reporting. The research was descriptive and interpretive as the first phase of a possible extended study engaging organisations in exploring how to strengthen reporting for learning. The participants and organisations were sampled using both purposive and convenience sampling. Data was collected through 17 key informant interviews; observations during two learning events; and, the collection and review of numerous documents (guides, reports, templates etc.). The data was analysed through qualitative content analysis using two frameworks: Argyris’ three loops of learning (1974;1978) and the Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) lens (Engeström, 1987). The former was useful for bounding the types of learning to identify, and the latter for surfacing contradictions that can be explored in organisational development processes. Through the analysis of the data and literature, the following insights were gained: All three programmes have been ‘thinking’ about learning, but only in the case of AWARD was reporting associated with learning; in all three programmes, additional spaces have been designed to facilitate learning. Although programmes might not necessarily focus on reporting for learning, their reports do indicate a potential for facilitating reflection and thus learning. The organisational culture in government-based reporting systems is, however, strongly geared to performance management, accounting for resources spent, meeting targets and eliminating mistakes. Reports are used to guide planning, to account to the funder and to release further funding.. In this context only single and double loop learning is in evidence. Programme participants did raise ‘triple loop’ questions about whether the programme or system overall was working, but there did not seem to be space for such questions, in the reporting or the learning events, and there was no evidence that they were addressed. In the case of AWARD, spaces were created through reporting to encourage learning. This worked sometimes to enable learning but not always due to, for example, time constraints and competing responsibilities. There are certain aspects to consider when designing reporting that seem to support learning (see below). The process of using reporting for learning takes time and organisations might not get this right the first time around. Reflection opportunities are only experienced as enabling if participants have the space and power to act on the reflections, or see others acting on them to address issues, otherwise they get frustrated. Steps that could assist programmes in improving reporting to enable learning are: Adding to reporting templates a space for reflections to ensure that while the programme reports on the quantitative data needed for accountability purposes, it also creates additional space (without unduly increasing reporting responsibilities) for implementers’ learning. Encouraging discussion about ‘mistakes’ such as failures to meet targets, why they occur, and what we can learn from them. Allowing programme implementers to give feedback on their reporting challenges and take measures to support them, e.g. make adjustments to templates. Understanding the programme’s definition of learning, and the diverse learning needs that may be involved, which can contribute to a working strategy that the organisation can build on when initiating learning spaces. When learning events are organised, taking the inputs of participants seriously and developing ways in which these could be taken further into actions from which further learning can stem; reflecting on and raising issues without an opportunity for action is frustrating. The process of enabling reporting for learning takes time and organisations might not get it right the first time around (trial and error) and a strategy that worked for one organisation might not necessarily work for the next. When designing a learning strategy as part of a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework, it is therefore important to consider the needs of the organisation and to work with implementers to develop and refine this over time. The thesis concludes with comments on the limitations of the study, the methodology and the analytical frameworks used, and finally, provides recommendations for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mushwana, Vhutshilo Mudau
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Working for Water Programme , South African National Parks , Kruger to Canyon , Association for Water and Rural Development (South Africa) , RESILiM-Olifants Programme , Active learning -- South Africa , Environmental reporting , Environmental reporting -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167586 , vital:41494
- Description: This is a case study that focuses on three Natural Resource Management programmes, namely: the Department of Environmental Affair’s Working for Water Programme, the Kruger to Canyon SANParks Biodiversity Social Projects as well as AWARD’s programme for Resilience in the Limpopo-Olifants Basin. All three programmes are being implemented in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. As a monitoring and evaluation officer at AWARD, I was part of the team that developed a strategy to enable learning through monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and this sparked my interest in understanding how other programmes might be approaching this. The focus of the study is on the role of reporting, as part of programme monitoring and evaluation, as a means to support learning of both programme implementers and organisations. An in-depth description of each case has been provided to enable an understanding of the overall reporting system, how reporting may play a role in supporting individual and organisational learning, and what factors enable or constrain learning in association with reporting. The research was descriptive and interpretive as the first phase of a possible extended study engaging organisations in exploring how to strengthen reporting for learning. The participants and organisations were sampled using both purposive and convenience sampling. Data was collected through 17 key informant interviews; observations during two learning events; and, the collection and review of numerous documents (guides, reports, templates etc.). The data was analysed through qualitative content analysis using two frameworks: Argyris’ three loops of learning (1974;1978) and the Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) lens (Engeström, 1987). The former was useful for bounding the types of learning to identify, and the latter for surfacing contradictions that can be explored in organisational development processes. Through the analysis of the data and literature, the following insights were gained: All three programmes have been ‘thinking’ about learning, but only in the case of AWARD was reporting associated with learning; in all three programmes, additional spaces have been designed to facilitate learning. Although programmes might not necessarily focus on reporting for learning, their reports do indicate a potential for facilitating reflection and thus learning. The organisational culture in government-based reporting systems is, however, strongly geared to performance management, accounting for resources spent, meeting targets and eliminating mistakes. Reports are used to guide planning, to account to the funder and to release further funding.. In this context only single and double loop learning is in evidence. Programme participants did raise ‘triple loop’ questions about whether the programme or system overall was working, but there did not seem to be space for such questions, in the reporting or the learning events, and there was no evidence that they were addressed. In the case of AWARD, spaces were created through reporting to encourage learning. This worked sometimes to enable learning but not always due to, for example, time constraints and competing responsibilities. There are certain aspects to consider when designing reporting that seem to support learning (see below). The process of using reporting for learning takes time and organisations might not get this right the first time around. Reflection opportunities are only experienced as enabling if participants have the space and power to act on the reflections, or see others acting on them to address issues, otherwise they get frustrated. Steps that could assist programmes in improving reporting to enable learning are: Adding to reporting templates a space for reflections to ensure that while the programme reports on the quantitative data needed for accountability purposes, it also creates additional space (without unduly increasing reporting responsibilities) for implementers’ learning. Encouraging discussion about ‘mistakes’ such as failures to meet targets, why they occur, and what we can learn from them. Allowing programme implementers to give feedback on their reporting challenges and take measures to support them, e.g. make adjustments to templates. Understanding the programme’s definition of learning, and the diverse learning needs that may be involved, which can contribute to a working strategy that the organisation can build on when initiating learning spaces. When learning events are organised, taking the inputs of participants seriously and developing ways in which these could be taken further into actions from which further learning can stem; reflecting on and raising issues without an opportunity for action is frustrating. The process of enabling reporting for learning takes time and organisations might not get it right the first time around (trial and error) and a strategy that worked for one organisation might not necessarily work for the next. When designing a learning strategy as part of a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework, it is therefore important to consider the needs of the organisation and to work with implementers to develop and refine this over time. The thesis concludes with comments on the limitations of the study, the methodology and the analytical frameworks used, and finally, provides recommendations for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A systematic review of the efficacy of internet-based interventions for depression and anxiety disorders: the possibilities and limitations for feasibility within South Africa
- Authors: Sealy-Fisher, Kay Tibeta
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- Treatment -- South Africa , Anxiety disorders -- Treatment -- South Africa , Internet in psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144632 , vital:38364
- Description: Technological advances may alleviate the burden on South Africa’s mental healthcare system. This study is a systematic review of literature that assesses the efficacy of high quality online interventions for depression and anxiety, and that compares the reviewed studies’ characteristics to the South African context to assist in future developments of online interventions for depression and anxiety within South Africa. This was achieved through using a 2010 systematic review of Griffiths, Farrer, and Christensen as point of departure. This research had two aims: to provide an updated systematic review of the literature reporting on the efficacy of internet-based interventions for depression and anxiety disorders; and to evaluate the possibilities and limitations for the feasibility of implementing internet-based interventions for depression and anxiety disorders in the South African context. Databases accessed were PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Included studies must: (i) report on one or more internet-based intervention, (ii) target depression or anxiety or both, (iii) report the effect size or provide enough information to calculate it, (iv) report a measure of symptoms outcome, (v) be a Randomised Controlled Trial, (vi) include a control group that received no active intervention, (vii) be published and peer-reviewed, (viii) have been published after January 2010. The search yielded 2999 potential studies of which 20 full texts were reviewed. Of these, 75% (n=15) of the studies report effect sizes above 0.20, and 25% (n=5) of the studies report effect sizes above 0.80. Themes emergent from literature and included studies distinguished effective from non-effective studies included the use of cognitive behavioural therapy, therapist input and reminders to engage with the intervention, and duration of over 6 weeks. Attrition rates did not differ between experimental and control groups. Sample characteristics between the reviewed interventions and South Africa’s population were found to be different and is discussed. Unfortunately, 37 potential studies could not be accessed and thus not included, although several attempts were made. The majority of studies had effect sizes equal to that of face-to-face therapeutic interventions. Implications of application in South Africa’s context with limited technological familiarity, insufficiency of professionally trained therapists, poor literacy, and high costs of internet data are discussed. It is concluded that with appropriate adaptation, online internet interventions for depression and anxiety would be beneficial to South Africa’s people and assist in lowering the country’s burden of mental health disorders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sealy-Fisher, Kay Tibeta
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Depression, Mental -- Treatment -- South Africa , Anxiety disorders -- Treatment -- South Africa , Internet in psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144632 , vital:38364
- Description: Technological advances may alleviate the burden on South Africa’s mental healthcare system. This study is a systematic review of literature that assesses the efficacy of high quality online interventions for depression and anxiety, and that compares the reviewed studies’ characteristics to the South African context to assist in future developments of online interventions for depression and anxiety within South Africa. This was achieved through using a 2010 systematic review of Griffiths, Farrer, and Christensen as point of departure. This research had two aims: to provide an updated systematic review of the literature reporting on the efficacy of internet-based interventions for depression and anxiety disorders; and to evaluate the possibilities and limitations for the feasibility of implementing internet-based interventions for depression and anxiety disorders in the South African context. Databases accessed were PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Included studies must: (i) report on one or more internet-based intervention, (ii) target depression or anxiety or both, (iii) report the effect size or provide enough information to calculate it, (iv) report a measure of symptoms outcome, (v) be a Randomised Controlled Trial, (vi) include a control group that received no active intervention, (vii) be published and peer-reviewed, (viii) have been published after January 2010. The search yielded 2999 potential studies of which 20 full texts were reviewed. Of these, 75% (n=15) of the studies report effect sizes above 0.20, and 25% (n=5) of the studies report effect sizes above 0.80. Themes emergent from literature and included studies distinguished effective from non-effective studies included the use of cognitive behavioural therapy, therapist input and reminders to engage with the intervention, and duration of over 6 weeks. Attrition rates did not differ between experimental and control groups. Sample characteristics between the reviewed interventions and South Africa’s population were found to be different and is discussed. Unfortunately, 37 potential studies could not be accessed and thus not included, although several attempts were made. The majority of studies had effect sizes equal to that of face-to-face therapeutic interventions. Implications of application in South Africa’s context with limited technological familiarity, insufficiency of professionally trained therapists, poor literacy, and high costs of internet data are discussed. It is concluded that with appropriate adaptation, online internet interventions for depression and anxiety would be beneficial to South Africa’s people and assist in lowering the country’s burden of mental health disorders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A theory-based approach to evaluating a Continuing Teacher Professional Development Programme aimed at strengthening environment and sustainability education
- Authors: Songqwaru, Nonyameko Zintle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Fundisa for Change , Environmental education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145267 , vital:38423
- Description: This study uses a theory-based approach to evaluate the Fundisa for Change training programme, a continuing teacher professional development programme aimed at strengthening environment and sustainability education. The aim of the study was to surface assumptions that underpin the design and implementation of the Fundisa for Change training programme. The Fundisa for Change Teacher Education programme is a national collaborative programme that is implemented in all the nine provinces of South Africa. The study reports on the implementation of the programme in five provinces. The study aimed to surface the Fundisa for Change training programme’s implementation theory and programme theory as these affect programme delivery. The Fundisa for Change training programme was implemented in diverse contexts by different facilitators to different participants. To determine how training programme outcomes were achieved, use was made of context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations for each site where the programme was implemented. Data used to construct CMO configurations was generated through document analysis of Fundisa for Change documents, interviews with stakeholders and participants, as well as observations of programme implementation at five sites. There were three phases to data analysis: content analysis of Fundisa for Change documents, content analysis of observation transcripts and use of the CMO configuration, an analytical tool used in realist evaluation. An initial CMO configuration was constructed prior to observing implementation of the programme and a refined CMO configuration for the Fundisa for Change training programme was constructed based on similarities between the CMO configurations constructed for each of the five sites under study. The partnership model of the Fundisa for Change training programme brought diverse expertise and resources (material, cognitive, social and emotional) which were conducive to the achievement of programme outcomes. The programme’s action context (structure, culture, agency and relations) contributed to the achievement of programme outcomes by participants. Participants’ subject content knowledge, teaching practice and assessment practice was enhanced through attending the Fundisa for Change training. On-course tasks were mediated during training and this created opportunities for participants to discuss and reflect on current practice in ways that could lead to a change in practice. In evaluating professional development programmes, an elaborated definition of context in terms of structure, culture, agency and relations enables a comprehensive exploration of potential programme mechanisms that can be activated when programmes are implemented. It is also important to disaggregate resources and reasons when identifying mechanisms as this assists with differentiating between context and mechanisms. The study offers insights into the professional learning of teachers grappling with new content and pedagogical content knowledges related to environment in the context of recent curriculum changes where the South African national school curriculum has come into focus. Environmental education programmes in South Africa have implicitly used a realist approach. This study offers the first substantive professional learning evaluation that develops this approach explicitly using Theory of Change and Realist Evaluation in combination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Songqwaru, Nonyameko Zintle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Fundisa for Change , Environmental education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145267 , vital:38423
- Description: This study uses a theory-based approach to evaluate the Fundisa for Change training programme, a continuing teacher professional development programme aimed at strengthening environment and sustainability education. The aim of the study was to surface assumptions that underpin the design and implementation of the Fundisa for Change training programme. The Fundisa for Change Teacher Education programme is a national collaborative programme that is implemented in all the nine provinces of South Africa. The study reports on the implementation of the programme in five provinces. The study aimed to surface the Fundisa for Change training programme’s implementation theory and programme theory as these affect programme delivery. The Fundisa for Change training programme was implemented in diverse contexts by different facilitators to different participants. To determine how training programme outcomes were achieved, use was made of context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations for each site where the programme was implemented. Data used to construct CMO configurations was generated through document analysis of Fundisa for Change documents, interviews with stakeholders and participants, as well as observations of programme implementation at five sites. There were three phases to data analysis: content analysis of Fundisa for Change documents, content analysis of observation transcripts and use of the CMO configuration, an analytical tool used in realist evaluation. An initial CMO configuration was constructed prior to observing implementation of the programme and a refined CMO configuration for the Fundisa for Change training programme was constructed based on similarities between the CMO configurations constructed for each of the five sites under study. The partnership model of the Fundisa for Change training programme brought diverse expertise and resources (material, cognitive, social and emotional) which were conducive to the achievement of programme outcomes. The programme’s action context (structure, culture, agency and relations) contributed to the achievement of programme outcomes by participants. Participants’ subject content knowledge, teaching practice and assessment practice was enhanced through attending the Fundisa for Change training. On-course tasks were mediated during training and this created opportunities for participants to discuss and reflect on current practice in ways that could lead to a change in practice. In evaluating professional development programmes, an elaborated definition of context in terms of structure, culture, agency and relations enables a comprehensive exploration of potential programme mechanisms that can be activated when programmes are implemented. It is also important to disaggregate resources and reasons when identifying mechanisms as this assists with differentiating between context and mechanisms. The study offers insights into the professional learning of teachers grappling with new content and pedagogical content knowledges related to environment in the context of recent curriculum changes where the South African national school curriculum has come into focus. Environmental education programmes in South Africa have implicitly used a realist approach. This study offers the first substantive professional learning evaluation that develops this approach explicitly using Theory of Change and Realist Evaluation in combination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A tribute to you
- Ndlebe-September, Thobeka Veronica
- Authors: Ndlebe-September, Thobeka Veronica
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century , Xhosa fiction -- 21st century , Xhosa fiction -- History and criticism , Short stories, Xhosa -- 21st century , Diaries -- Authorship
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144989 , vital:38398
- Description: My collection of short stories reflects my interest in narrative biblical fiction, allegorical stories about people and nature that resonate with our daily lives. I have been greatly influenced by writers such as Joel Matlou, Flannery O’Connor, Barry Gifford, Miriam Tladi and Leah Harris amongst others. I have also been captivated by fairy tales and folk tales, and also the work of isiXhosa writers such as S. E. K. Mqhayi, Madiponi Masenya, and Hulisani Ramantswana. I have discovered that I can borrow certain styles and forms of writing to enhance my own stories which are situated within ‘local’ contexts such as education, poverty, employment, the body, life and death.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ndlebe-September, Thobeka Veronica
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , South African fiction (English) -- History and criticism , Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century , Xhosa fiction -- 21st century , Xhosa fiction -- History and criticism , Short stories, Xhosa -- 21st century , Diaries -- Authorship
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144989 , vital:38398
- Description: My collection of short stories reflects my interest in narrative biblical fiction, allegorical stories about people and nature that resonate with our daily lives. I have been greatly influenced by writers such as Joel Matlou, Flannery O’Connor, Barry Gifford, Miriam Tladi and Leah Harris amongst others. I have also been captivated by fairy tales and folk tales, and also the work of isiXhosa writers such as S. E. K. Mqhayi, Madiponi Masenya, and Hulisani Ramantswana. I have discovered that I can borrow certain styles and forms of writing to enhance my own stories which are situated within ‘local’ contexts such as education, poverty, employment, the body, life and death.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A Veblenian Dichotomy re-examination of labour brokerage and South African labour market functionality
- Authors: Haaketa, Bernadatte Tina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Veblen, Thorstein, 1857-1929 , Contracting out -- South Africa , Temporary employment -- South Africa , Industrial relations -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Labor supply -- Effect of technological innovations on -- South Africa , Manpower policy -- South Africa , Labor market -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168446 , vital:41583
- Description: Labour markets ar ound the world have witnessed a great change in labour relations. The introduction of globa lisation, increased competition and technological advancements has caused business organisations to change their employment methods. While trying to survive and remain profitable, employers have adopted a new form of triangular employment relationship. Thi s form of employment relationship known as labour broking and which forms part of the Temporary Employment Services (TES) involves a relationship between the worker, labour agent (broker) and a client c ompany. Although it may seem like a good strategy for business organisations, the change in employment relationships has had negative effects and contributed to labour market dysfunctionalities . This has resulted in critics of labour broking calling or an end in labour broking and supporters of labour broking asking for better regulation of the industry. Labour markets are me When it comes to analysing labour broking and its impact on labour market functionality in South Africa. Scholars and analysts such as Budlender ( 2013 ) and Bhorat, Lil enstein, Oosthuizen , and Thornton ( 2016 ) have used the Neoclassical , New Institutional Economics and Marxist approach es. The current views on labour broking and the current schools of thought fail to look at the underlying behavioural aspect of labour brokers and the client c ompanies. Hence making it easy for labour brokers and their client companies to continue with their unscrupulous activities. However, this t hesis adapted the Veblenian Dichotomy framework which focuses on understanding the role of the evolutionary proce ss and the role of institutions in shaping economic behaviour. The Veblenian dichotomy shows that power plays an important role in how labour markets are run. Similarly, behaviour also influences the manner in which labour brokers and client companies trea t workers. And lastly the Veblenian dichotomy shows that in order for the industry to be run better there has to be change in the behaviour and cultu re of the labour brokers and client companies . This view allows for deeper analysis of the reasons for the flour ishing nature of labour broking and the rationale behind the behaviour of economic players and attempts to provide solutions on how labour brok ing can be correctly administered in South Africa. The Veblenian Dichotomy categorises institutions into t wo sets, namely the ceremonial institutions and instrumental institutions. Where Ceremonial institutions are said to be institutions that foster the interests of business such as profitability and earning of free income, even if there is no corresponding i ncrease in production. While Instrumental institutions, usually working through the influence of technology, address the interests of the common pers on and the labourer as well as business (Waller, 1982; Foster, 1981; Veblen, 1919). These two systems of va lues and institutions are antagonistic and the relative strength of one to the other determines economic outcomes and in whose interests the outcomes would be (Waller, 1982; Foster, 1981; Veblen, 1919). The Veblenian Dichotomy further looks at ceremonial encapsulation which occurs when ceremonial systems prevail over instrumental systems. Ceremonial encapsulation presents the hypothesis that the insti tutional structure will absorb new technology only to the extent that it can do so without disrupting the e xisting value structure (Waller, 1987; Bush, 1979.) The thesis use d various sources , such as working papers, public hearings, court cases, trade union submissions, integrated reports from companies, employee submissions and media publications on the debate about labour broking whether labour broking and applied the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysi s (IPA) research approach, in the process of data collection and analysis . The thesis further applied thematic analysis to derive themes that would be used to analyse the impact of labour broking on labour market functionality in South Africa. The emergent themes and subthemes were Exploitative lab our relations subthemes; job Insecurity, increased financial burden and no skills development. The second theme was; Competitive advantage and the subthemes were; i ncreased profits and organisational efficiency. The third theme was l abour market efficiency and the subthemes were. E mployment creation and labour market flexibility. And, the last theme was a mbiguous l abour regulation s with subthemes; n o freedom of association and a tool for circumventing labour regulations . Lastly, Tool’s (1994) criteria of j udgement for institutional adjustments was used to evaluate the emergent themes and to evaluate the impact of l abour broking on the overall welfare of individuals, which includes determining whether employees in the TES sector gain skills and improved stan dards of living. The findings of the research the TES sector is characterised by ceremonial values. Ceremonial values (as mentioned in section 3.3) are those values that are warranted by the ways of life that prescribe status and hierarchies and unpleasant distinctions to apply value and status on other people (Bush, 1987, 1988; Ayres, 1967). Thus changing the way in which labour brokers conduct themselves or handle labour broking activities would prove to be difficult . T he power that is mostly used in TES employment sectors is condign power. Condign power is explained as the form of power that is predominantly used in ceremonially encapsulated markets. And it involves making use of punishment or fear in order to get people to do something. This is because w orkers in the TES sector are forced to submit to conditions that they would not normally have submitted to if t hey did not have a fear of losing their jobs. This supports existing literature which shows that in the TES sector, TES employers use force and p ower in order to get the workers to do something, and this results in a master - servant relationship between the employer and the employee. Furthermore, the protests that erupt in the TES sector agree with Marxist theory which notes that the frustrations in the way workers are treated would result in a revolution of the working class against the employers. However, now, workers have not been able to overcome the employers and take over the industry. In addition to what current literature says, the research found that some managers make use of labour broking as a way of manifesting their exploitative characteristics on the labour market, thus creating information asymmetries in order to advance their own personal needs. Situations such as these reve al characteristics of opportunistic behaviour, which is perpetuated by the imperfect flow of information. This means th at the market is imperfect, and imperfect markets are characteristics of dysfunctional labour markets. The research also found that it i s the South African Constitution that protects labour brokers and client companies from accounting for the unfair treatm ent of workers. Labour brokers and client companies rely on the South African Constitution to defend them when it comes to banning labou r broking. This is because section 22 of the Constitution talks about the right of every individual to trade freely in S outh Africa (Kutumela, 2015). When institutional adjustments do not meet the requirements of the progressive criteria, it means they are regressive. Based on the data that was collected and the responses and remarks of the workers, trade unions, and trade union federations, it can be said that TES employment and labour broking hinders labour market functionality. Hence, it can be concluded that, due to the characteristics mentioned, labour broking does indeed have a regressive element which hinders labour m arket functionality. An area for further research for TES employment would be to look at the impact of the amendments to the Labour Rela tions Act. Specifically focusing on the Constitutional Court ruling, which forces labour brokers to treat employees who have been employed for longer than three months as permanent employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Haaketa, Bernadatte Tina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Veblen, Thorstein, 1857-1929 , Contracting out -- South Africa , Temporary employment -- South Africa , Industrial relations -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Labor supply -- Effect of technological innovations on -- South Africa , Manpower policy -- South Africa , Labor market -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168446 , vital:41583
- Description: Labour markets ar ound the world have witnessed a great change in labour relations. The introduction of globa lisation, increased competition and technological advancements has caused business organisations to change their employment methods. While trying to survive and remain profitable, employers have adopted a new form of triangular employment relationship. Thi s form of employment relationship known as labour broking and which forms part of the Temporary Employment Services (TES) involves a relationship between the worker, labour agent (broker) and a client c ompany. Although it may seem like a good strategy for business organisations, the change in employment relationships has had negative effects and contributed to labour market dysfunctionalities . This has resulted in critics of labour broking calling or an end in labour broking and supporters of labour broking asking for better regulation of the industry. Labour markets are me When it comes to analysing labour broking and its impact on labour market functionality in South Africa. Scholars and analysts such as Budlender ( 2013 ) and Bhorat, Lil enstein, Oosthuizen , and Thornton ( 2016 ) have used the Neoclassical , New Institutional Economics and Marxist approach es. The current views on labour broking and the current schools of thought fail to look at the underlying behavioural aspect of labour brokers and the client c ompanies. Hence making it easy for labour brokers and their client companies to continue with their unscrupulous activities. However, this t hesis adapted the Veblenian Dichotomy framework which focuses on understanding the role of the evolutionary proce ss and the role of institutions in shaping economic behaviour. The Veblenian dichotomy shows that power plays an important role in how labour markets are run. Similarly, behaviour also influences the manner in which labour brokers and client companies trea t workers. And lastly the Veblenian dichotomy shows that in order for the industry to be run better there has to be change in the behaviour and cultu re of the labour brokers and client companies . This view allows for deeper analysis of the reasons for the flour ishing nature of labour broking and the rationale behind the behaviour of economic players and attempts to provide solutions on how labour brok ing can be correctly administered in South Africa. The Veblenian Dichotomy categorises institutions into t wo sets, namely the ceremonial institutions and instrumental institutions. Where Ceremonial institutions are said to be institutions that foster the interests of business such as profitability and earning of free income, even if there is no corresponding i ncrease in production. While Instrumental institutions, usually working through the influence of technology, address the interests of the common pers on and the labourer as well as business (Waller, 1982; Foster, 1981; Veblen, 1919). These two systems of va lues and institutions are antagonistic and the relative strength of one to the other determines economic outcomes and in whose interests the outcomes would be (Waller, 1982; Foster, 1981; Veblen, 1919). The Veblenian Dichotomy further looks at ceremonial encapsulation which occurs when ceremonial systems prevail over instrumental systems. Ceremonial encapsulation presents the hypothesis that the insti tutional structure will absorb new technology only to the extent that it can do so without disrupting the e xisting value structure (Waller, 1987; Bush, 1979.) The thesis use d various sources , such as working papers, public hearings, court cases, trade union submissions, integrated reports from companies, employee submissions and media publications on the debate about labour broking whether labour broking and applied the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysi s (IPA) research approach, in the process of data collection and analysis . The thesis further applied thematic analysis to derive themes that would be used to analyse the impact of labour broking on labour market functionality in South Africa. The emergent themes and subthemes were Exploitative lab our relations subthemes; job Insecurity, increased financial burden and no skills development. The second theme was; Competitive advantage and the subthemes were; i ncreased profits and organisational efficiency. The third theme was l abour market efficiency and the subthemes were. E mployment creation and labour market flexibility. And, the last theme was a mbiguous l abour regulation s with subthemes; n o freedom of association and a tool for circumventing labour regulations . Lastly, Tool’s (1994) criteria of j udgement for institutional adjustments was used to evaluate the emergent themes and to evaluate the impact of l abour broking on the overall welfare of individuals, which includes determining whether employees in the TES sector gain skills and improved stan dards of living. The findings of the research the TES sector is characterised by ceremonial values. Ceremonial values (as mentioned in section 3.3) are those values that are warranted by the ways of life that prescribe status and hierarchies and unpleasant distinctions to apply value and status on other people (Bush, 1987, 1988; Ayres, 1967). Thus changing the way in which labour brokers conduct themselves or handle labour broking activities would prove to be difficult . T he power that is mostly used in TES employment sectors is condign power. Condign power is explained as the form of power that is predominantly used in ceremonially encapsulated markets. And it involves making use of punishment or fear in order to get people to do something. This is because w orkers in the TES sector are forced to submit to conditions that they would not normally have submitted to if t hey did not have a fear of losing their jobs. This supports existing literature which shows that in the TES sector, TES employers use force and p ower in order to get the workers to do something, and this results in a master - servant relationship between the employer and the employee. Furthermore, the protests that erupt in the TES sector agree with Marxist theory which notes that the frustrations in the way workers are treated would result in a revolution of the working class against the employers. However, now, workers have not been able to overcome the employers and take over the industry. In addition to what current literature says, the research found that some managers make use of labour broking as a way of manifesting their exploitative characteristics on the labour market, thus creating information asymmetries in order to advance their own personal needs. Situations such as these reve al characteristics of opportunistic behaviour, which is perpetuated by the imperfect flow of information. This means th at the market is imperfect, and imperfect markets are characteristics of dysfunctional labour markets. The research also found that it i s the South African Constitution that protects labour brokers and client companies from accounting for the unfair treatm ent of workers. Labour brokers and client companies rely on the South African Constitution to defend them when it comes to banning labou r broking. This is because section 22 of the Constitution talks about the right of every individual to trade freely in S outh Africa (Kutumela, 2015). When institutional adjustments do not meet the requirements of the progressive criteria, it means they are regressive. Based on the data that was collected and the responses and remarks of the workers, trade unions, and trade union federations, it can be said that TES employment and labour broking hinders labour market functionality. Hence, it can be concluded that, due to the characteristics mentioned, labour broking does indeed have a regressive element which hinders labour m arket functionality. An area for further research for TES employment would be to look at the impact of the amendments to the Labour Rela tions Act. Specifically focusing on the Constitutional Court ruling, which forces labour brokers to treat employees who have been employed for longer than three months as permanent employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Academic readiness of students for higher education: a case for academic support at Rhodes University
- Authors: Khoza, Lebogang Peter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: College student development programs -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Dropouts -- Prevention , College students -- South Africa-- Makhanda -- Social conditions , School failure -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Academic achievement-- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student adjustment -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Counseling in higher education -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student Integration Model , Conceptual Framework Model , Geometric Design of Student Persistence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147848 , vital:38678
- Description: The worrying existence of incidences of student retention, poor pass rates and an increase in repetition rates is a cause for concern for institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The problem of student retention is not new in our institutions of higher learning. Support structures, strategies, and policies need to be developed for different academic and social challenges that students face daily. This study explores the need for academic support at Rhodes University; it also explores the internal and external problems that students face, the perceptions and experiences of students on academic support available to them. The study implemented a narrative research approach implanted within a qualitative research framework. Data was collected through a questionnaire, and narrative interviews. Tinto’s Student Integration Model was used to analyse the data in this study and was supplemented by Louw’s conceptual framework model and Swail’s Geometric Design of Student Persistence. These three models position the student experience as the foundation for academic support programmes and development. The study argues that as long as effective and adequate academic support is lacking, students will continue to experience difficulties in completing their studies. The findings from the study reveal that at present, Rhodes University provides support to students who are in extended studies. However, this support system disadvantages many students, notably those not in the extended studies programme. As a result, such students are not supported through strategies and structures that extended studies students receive. Furthermore, the data generates internal and external problems that student face daily, as a result, the findings showed that there is a need for academic support at Rhodes. The study recommends that Rhodes University must establish an academic unit that will provide academic support to all students registered in the university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Khoza, Lebogang Peter
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: College student development programs -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Dropouts -- Prevention , College students -- South Africa-- Makhanda -- Social conditions , School failure -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Academic achievement-- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student adjustment -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Counseling in higher education -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student Integration Model , Conceptual Framework Model , Geometric Design of Student Persistence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147848 , vital:38678
- Description: The worrying existence of incidences of student retention, poor pass rates and an increase in repetition rates is a cause for concern for institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The problem of student retention is not new in our institutions of higher learning. Support structures, strategies, and policies need to be developed for different academic and social challenges that students face daily. This study explores the need for academic support at Rhodes University; it also explores the internal and external problems that students face, the perceptions and experiences of students on academic support available to them. The study implemented a narrative research approach implanted within a qualitative research framework. Data was collected through a questionnaire, and narrative interviews. Tinto’s Student Integration Model was used to analyse the data in this study and was supplemented by Louw’s conceptual framework model and Swail’s Geometric Design of Student Persistence. These three models position the student experience as the foundation for academic support programmes and development. The study argues that as long as effective and adequate academic support is lacking, students will continue to experience difficulties in completing their studies. The findings from the study reveal that at present, Rhodes University provides support to students who are in extended studies. However, this support system disadvantages many students, notably those not in the extended studies programme. As a result, such students are not supported through strategies and structures that extended studies students receive. Furthermore, the data generates internal and external problems that student face daily, as a result, the findings showed that there is a need for academic support at Rhodes. The study recommends that Rhodes University must establish an academic unit that will provide academic support to all students registered in the university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Activity of diverse chalcones against several targets: statistical analysis of a high-throughput virtual screen of a custom chalcone library
- Authors: Sarron, Arthur F D
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Acetophenone , Benzaldehyde , Ketones , Pyruvate kinase , Drug development , Aromatic compounds , Heat shock proteins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116028 , vital:34291
- Description: Chalcone family molecules are well known to have therapeutic proprieties (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial or anti-cancer, etc). However the mechanism of action in some cases is not well known. A virtual library of this family of compounds was constructed using custom scripts, based on the aldol condensation, and this library was modified further to analogues by expansion of the α,β-unsaturated ketone linker. Acetophenone and benzaldehyde derivatives which are available and purchasable were used as a base to design the chalcone virtual library. 8063 chalcones were constructed and geometrically optimized with Gaussian 09. Their physicochemical characteristics linked to the Lipinski rules were analyzed with Knime and CDK. The entire library was after docked against several targets including HIV-1 integrase, MRSA pyruvate kinase, HSP90, COX-1, COX-2, ALR2, MAOA, MAOB, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and PLA2. With the exception of MAOA, which does not have a crystal structure ligand, all dockings were validated by redocking the original ligand provided by the literature. These targets are known in the literature to be inhibited by chalcone-derivatives. However, specificity of the particular known chalcone inhibitors to the particular targets is not known. To this end the performance of the generated chalcone library against the list of targets was of interest. The binding energy of ligand-protein complexes was generally good across the library. Statistical analysis including principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were made in order to investigate for any physical/chemical characteristics which might explain what chalcone features affect the binding energy of the ligand-protein complexes. The spherical polar coordinates defining the orientation of the binding poses were also calculated and used in the statistical analysis. The statistical analysis has allowed us to hypothesize the importance of these radial distances and the polar angles of key atoms in the chalcones in binding to the pyruvate kinase crystal structure. This was validated by the docking of another small library of compound models in which the α,β-unsaturated ketone chain of the chalcone was replaced by incrementally longer conjugated chains. Further studies on the chalcones themselves reveal rotameric systems in both cis and trans-configurations (which may impact binding), and also studied was the effect of Topliss-based modification and its impact of binding to HSP90. Molecular dynamics confirmed good binding of identified chalcone hits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sarron, Arthur F D
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Acetophenone , Benzaldehyde , Ketones , Pyruvate kinase , Drug development , Aromatic compounds , Heat shock proteins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116028 , vital:34291
- Description: Chalcone family molecules are well known to have therapeutic proprieties (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial or anti-cancer, etc). However the mechanism of action in some cases is not well known. A virtual library of this family of compounds was constructed using custom scripts, based on the aldol condensation, and this library was modified further to analogues by expansion of the α,β-unsaturated ketone linker. Acetophenone and benzaldehyde derivatives which are available and purchasable were used as a base to design the chalcone virtual library. 8063 chalcones were constructed and geometrically optimized with Gaussian 09. Their physicochemical characteristics linked to the Lipinski rules were analyzed with Knime and CDK. The entire library was after docked against several targets including HIV-1 integrase, MRSA pyruvate kinase, HSP90, COX-1, COX-2, ALR2, MAOA, MAOB, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and PLA2. With the exception of MAOA, which does not have a crystal structure ligand, all dockings were validated by redocking the original ligand provided by the literature. These targets are known in the literature to be inhibited by chalcone-derivatives. However, specificity of the particular known chalcone inhibitors to the particular targets is not known. To this end the performance of the generated chalcone library against the list of targets was of interest. The binding energy of ligand-protein complexes was generally good across the library. Statistical analysis including principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were made in order to investigate for any physical/chemical characteristics which might explain what chalcone features affect the binding energy of the ligand-protein complexes. The spherical polar coordinates defining the orientation of the binding poses were also calculated and used in the statistical analysis. The statistical analysis has allowed us to hypothesize the importance of these radial distances and the polar angles of key atoms in the chalcones in binding to the pyruvate kinase crystal structure. This was validated by the docking of another small library of compound models in which the α,β-unsaturated ketone chain of the chalcone was replaced by incrementally longer conjugated chains. Further studies on the chalcones themselves reveal rotameric systems in both cis and trans-configurations (which may impact binding), and also studied was the effect of Topliss-based modification and its impact of binding to HSP90. Molecular dynamics confirmed good binding of identified chalcone hits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Addressing flux suppression, radio frequency interference, and selection of optimal solution intervals during radio interferometric calibration
- Authors: Sob, Ulrich Armel Mbou
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: CubiCal (Software) , Radio -- Interference , Imaging systems in astronomy , Algorithms , Astronomical instruments -- Calibration , Astronomy -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147714 , vital:38663
- Description: The forthcoming Square Kilometre Array is expected to provide answers to some of the most intriguing questions about our Universe. However, as it is already noticeable from MeerKAT and other precursors, the amounts of data produced by these new instruments are significantly challenging to calibrate and image. Calibration of radio interferometric data is usually biased by incomplete sky models and radio frequency interference (RFI) resulting in calibration artefacts that limit the dynamic range and image fidelity of the resulting images. One of the most noticeable of these artefacts is the formation of spurious sources which causes suppression of real emissions. Fortunately, it has been shown that calibration algorithms employing heavy-tailed likelihood functions are less susceptible to this due to their robustness against outliers. Leveraging on recent developments in the field of complex optimisation, we implement a robust calibration algorithm using a Student’s t likelihood function and Wirtinger derivatives. The new algorithm, dubbed the robust solver, is incorporated as a subroutine into the newly released calibration software package CubiCal. We perform statistical analysis on the distribution of visibilities and provide an insight into the functioning of the robust solver and describe different scenarios where it will improve calibration. We use simulations to show that the robust solver effectively reduces the amount of flux suppressed from unmodelled sources both in direction independent and direction dependent calibration. Furthermore, the robust solver is shown to successfully mitigate the effects of low-level RFI when applied to a simulated and a real VLA dataset. Finally, we demonstrate that there are close links between the amount of flux suppressed from sources, the effects of the RFI and the employed solution interval during radio interferometric calibration. Hence, we investigate the effects of solution intervals and the different factors to consider in order to select adequate solution intervals. Furthermore, we propose a practical brute force method for selecting optimal solution intervals. The proposed method is successfully applied to a VLA dataset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sob, Ulrich Armel Mbou
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: CubiCal (Software) , Radio -- Interference , Imaging systems in astronomy , Algorithms , Astronomical instruments -- Calibration , Astronomy -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147714 , vital:38663
- Description: The forthcoming Square Kilometre Array is expected to provide answers to some of the most intriguing questions about our Universe. However, as it is already noticeable from MeerKAT and other precursors, the amounts of data produced by these new instruments are significantly challenging to calibrate and image. Calibration of radio interferometric data is usually biased by incomplete sky models and radio frequency interference (RFI) resulting in calibration artefacts that limit the dynamic range and image fidelity of the resulting images. One of the most noticeable of these artefacts is the formation of spurious sources which causes suppression of real emissions. Fortunately, it has been shown that calibration algorithms employing heavy-tailed likelihood functions are less susceptible to this due to their robustness against outliers. Leveraging on recent developments in the field of complex optimisation, we implement a robust calibration algorithm using a Student’s t likelihood function and Wirtinger derivatives. The new algorithm, dubbed the robust solver, is incorporated as a subroutine into the newly released calibration software package CubiCal. We perform statistical analysis on the distribution of visibilities and provide an insight into the functioning of the robust solver and describe different scenarios where it will improve calibration. We use simulations to show that the robust solver effectively reduces the amount of flux suppressed from unmodelled sources both in direction independent and direction dependent calibration. Furthermore, the robust solver is shown to successfully mitigate the effects of low-level RFI when applied to a simulated and a real VLA dataset. Finally, we demonstrate that there are close links between the amount of flux suppressed from sources, the effects of the RFI and the employed solution interval during radio interferometric calibration. Hence, we investigate the effects of solution intervals and the different factors to consider in order to select adequate solution intervals. Furthermore, we propose a practical brute force method for selecting optimal solution intervals. The proposed method is successfully applied to a VLA dataset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Age is nothing but a number: Ben 10s, sugar mummies, and the South African gender order in the Daily Sun’s Facebook page
- Authors: Mlangeni, Ntombikayise Lina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: May-December romances -- South Africa , Women in mass media , Men in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Masculinity in mass media , Feminism and mass media , Critical discourse analysis , Unemployment -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Daily Sun (South Africa) , Ben 10
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167077 , vital:41435
- Description: This thesis examines how meanings of masculinity and femininity are negotiated by South Africans on a social media platform linked to a popular local tabloid newspaper. In particular it explores conversations surrounding the Ben 10 phenomenon on the Daily Sun’s Facebook page. A Ben 10 is commonly understood as a young man who enters into a sexual relationship with an older woman, mostly in township settings, and readers engage vociferously over the meanings of such relationships. Using a constructivist understanding of gender, a thematic analysis is used to examine the Facebook comments on the Daily Sun’s most popular Ben 10 stories. South Africa’s constitution promotes the right to gender equality and freedom, which contributes to the normalisation of sex in public conversations and political debate. However, with high levels of unemployment and poverty in South Africa, the narrative of masculine success through work remains relatively unattainable. This tension between the narrative of male-bread winner through work and the reality of South Africa’s poverty and unemployment has been referred to as the crisis of masculinity. This thesis will argue that tabloids can play a strong political role by providing an alternative public sphere and that they can also assist their readers in coping with life in a democratic society by creating an imagined community of people sharing common experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mlangeni, Ntombikayise Lina
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: May-December romances -- South Africa , Women in mass media , Men in mass media , Sex role in mass media , Masculinity in mass media , Feminism and mass media , Critical discourse analysis , Unemployment -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Daily Sun (South Africa) , Ben 10
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167077 , vital:41435
- Description: This thesis examines how meanings of masculinity and femininity are negotiated by South Africans on a social media platform linked to a popular local tabloid newspaper. In particular it explores conversations surrounding the Ben 10 phenomenon on the Daily Sun’s Facebook page. A Ben 10 is commonly understood as a young man who enters into a sexual relationship with an older woman, mostly in township settings, and readers engage vociferously over the meanings of such relationships. Using a constructivist understanding of gender, a thematic analysis is used to examine the Facebook comments on the Daily Sun’s most popular Ben 10 stories. South Africa’s constitution promotes the right to gender equality and freedom, which contributes to the normalisation of sex in public conversations and political debate. However, with high levels of unemployment and poverty in South Africa, the narrative of masculine success through work remains relatively unattainable. This tension between the narrative of male-bread winner through work and the reality of South Africa’s poverty and unemployment has been referred to as the crisis of masculinity. This thesis will argue that tabloids can play a strong political role by providing an alternative public sphere and that they can also assist their readers in coping with life in a democratic society by creating an imagined community of people sharing common experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Age of squid Loligo reynaudii d’Orbigny, 1845, and its possible use to test effectiveness of the closed season in protecting this resource
- Mwanangombe, Collette Habani
- Authors: Mwanangombe, Collette Habani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Loliginidae -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- Age determination , Loligo fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Otoliths , Loliginidae – Eggs -- Incubation , Loliginidae – Growth , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa , Recruitment (Population biology) -- South Africa , Loligo reynaudii d’Orbigny
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144333 , vital:38336
- Description: This study presents age distributions representing populations of adult Loligo reynaudii, together with the results of spawning and commercial catches to assist in understanding the beneficial role of the closed season. The results were based on 791 samples collected during three closed seasons (November: 2003, 2004 and 2005) and out of closed season during April/May 2005. Age and predicted growth were examined by counting daily rings on statolith microstructures. The age in days after hatching ranged from 168 to 484 days (71-425 mm) in males and from 125 to 478 days (83-263 mm) in females. Average age at spawning was found to be 323 days in males and 316 days in females. Population estimates of growth rates were best described by a linear growth model which revealed that males grew faster than females in length as they grew older with growth rate ranging between 0.63 to 0.83 mm per day for males and between 0.22 to 0.32 mm per day for females. Back-calculated hatch dates and later egg-laying events for parental populations were determined. Results from back calculated egg laying dates (presented as percentage of frequency of all laying dates) indicated a highest total of 36%, 39% and 15% of eggs from all samples were laid during the closed season and nine days after the closed season during year 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. Monthly commercial total catches (2002-2005) showed an increase from November soon after the fishery resumed, up until the month of January. Daily catches were highest in November (up to 290 tonnes) relative to the daily catches observed in December and January in all the years. Results led to the conclusion that the closed season (25 October to 22 November) is beneficial for both the chokka resource and the fishery. This is because: a) there is time for enough spawning biomass to accumulate, which subsequently results in high catches (good fishery), in the current year, best immediately after season opens in November; b) there is a link in the results between egg laying dates in the period of closed season and immediately afterwards, and the magnitude of catches in last nine days of November.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mwanangombe, Collette Habani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Loliginidae -- Spawning -- South Africa , Loliginidae -- Age determination , Loligo fisheries -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Otoliths , Loliginidae – Eggs -- Incubation , Loliginidae – Growth , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa , Recruitment (Population biology) -- South Africa , Loligo reynaudii d’Orbigny
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144333 , vital:38336
- Description: This study presents age distributions representing populations of adult Loligo reynaudii, together with the results of spawning and commercial catches to assist in understanding the beneficial role of the closed season. The results were based on 791 samples collected during three closed seasons (November: 2003, 2004 and 2005) and out of closed season during April/May 2005. Age and predicted growth were examined by counting daily rings on statolith microstructures. The age in days after hatching ranged from 168 to 484 days (71-425 mm) in males and from 125 to 478 days (83-263 mm) in females. Average age at spawning was found to be 323 days in males and 316 days in females. Population estimates of growth rates were best described by a linear growth model which revealed that males grew faster than females in length as they grew older with growth rate ranging between 0.63 to 0.83 mm per day for males and between 0.22 to 0.32 mm per day for females. Back-calculated hatch dates and later egg-laying events for parental populations were determined. Results from back calculated egg laying dates (presented as percentage of frequency of all laying dates) indicated a highest total of 36%, 39% and 15% of eggs from all samples were laid during the closed season and nine days after the closed season during year 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. Monthly commercial total catches (2002-2005) showed an increase from November soon after the fishery resumed, up until the month of January. Daily catches were highest in November (up to 290 tonnes) relative to the daily catches observed in December and January in all the years. Results led to the conclusion that the closed season (25 October to 22 November) is beneficial for both the chokka resource and the fishery. This is because: a) there is time for enough spawning biomass to accumulate, which subsequently results in high catches (good fishery), in the current year, best immediately after season opens in November; b) there is a link in the results between egg laying dates in the period of closed season and immediately afterwards, and the magnitude of catches in last nine days of November.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of carbon tax and other environmental levies: a South African and international perspective
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of how leadership has shaped the culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank
- Authors: Mali, Mandisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Case studies , Customer relations -- Management , Customer relations -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Relationship banking -- South Africa -- Case studies , Bank management -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171852 , vital:42132
- Description: Financial institutions are faced with increasing competition as there has been an increase in new entrants in the industry, therefore a battle of market share in banking is in progress. Digitization is fast changing how customers perceive value, customers have become spoilt for choice and thus banks have to implement strategies that will help them to increase their market share by keeping the customers they currently have and strategies that help them to acquire more customers. A strategy on its own will not support organizational goals, if it is not adopted by the executers – the employees on the ground. It is important for leaders to support the strategic goals of an organization by ensuring that the goals become a culture, a way of doing things in that organization. This study is an analysis of how leadership shaped a culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank. The objectives of the study were to: (1) To describe the culture of customer centricity that was cultivated by the branch manager; (2) To analyse what the leader pays attention to, measures and controls on a regular basis, in support of a culture of customer centricity; (3) To analyse how the leader conducts deliberate role modelling, teaching and coaching in support of a culture of customer centricity; (4) To analyse whether - and if so how - the quality of the dyadic relations between the leader and her followers enables or disables the effect of cultural mechanisms on the culture of customer centricity; and (5) To analyse how the leader built high quality relations with her followers The study took the form of a case study of a branch of a bank, where nine universal bankers and their former leader were interviewed. The data were then analysed using a deductive thematic analysis. The findings met all objectives of the study and the findings supported the propositions. The findings also discovered that reward and recognition contributed to the shaping of a culture of customer centricity. In conclusion the limitations and delimitations of the study are acknowledged, and recommendations are made. The study contributes towards the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and demonstrates how high-quality leader member exchange (LMX) relations can be developed. Several recommendations are made for further studies on factors shaping a culture of customer centricity, and implications for management are considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mali, Mandisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Case studies , Customer relations -- Management , Customer relations -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Relationship banking -- South Africa -- Case studies , Bank management -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171852 , vital:42132
- Description: Financial institutions are faced with increasing competition as there has been an increase in new entrants in the industry, therefore a battle of market share in banking is in progress. Digitization is fast changing how customers perceive value, customers have become spoilt for choice and thus banks have to implement strategies that will help them to increase their market share by keeping the customers they currently have and strategies that help them to acquire more customers. A strategy on its own will not support organizational goals, if it is not adopted by the executers – the employees on the ground. It is important for leaders to support the strategic goals of an organization by ensuring that the goals become a culture, a way of doing things in that organization. This study is an analysis of how leadership shaped a culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank. The objectives of the study were to: (1) To describe the culture of customer centricity that was cultivated by the branch manager; (2) To analyse what the leader pays attention to, measures and controls on a regular basis, in support of a culture of customer centricity; (3) To analyse how the leader conducts deliberate role modelling, teaching and coaching in support of a culture of customer centricity; (4) To analyse whether - and if so how - the quality of the dyadic relations between the leader and her followers enables or disables the effect of cultural mechanisms on the culture of customer centricity; and (5) To analyse how the leader built high quality relations with her followers The study took the form of a case study of a branch of a bank, where nine universal bankers and their former leader were interviewed. The data were then analysed using a deductive thematic analysis. The findings met all objectives of the study and the findings supported the propositions. The findings also discovered that reward and recognition contributed to the shaping of a culture of customer centricity. In conclusion the limitations and delimitations of the study are acknowledged, and recommendations are made. The study contributes towards the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and demonstrates how high-quality leader member exchange (LMX) relations can be developed. Several recommendations are made for further studies on factors shaping a culture of customer centricity, and implications for management are considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of how visualisation capabilities in dynamic geometric software develop meaning-making of mathematical concepts in selected Grade 11 learners
- Authors: Mavani, Deepack Pravin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Computer programs , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Educational technology , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143213 , vital:38211
- Description: Visualisation plays a central role in developing mathematical ideas because it can be used to make these ideas explicit and visible, and thus has the potential to advance understanding. This study centred around the GeoGebra Literacy Initiative Project (GLIP), a teacher development initiative in Mthatha that aimed to grow and develop appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in teachers, to harness the teaching and learning potential of GeoGebra. GeoGebra is a dynamic geometric software package that is very interactive and makes use of powerful features to create images which can be moved around the computer screen for mathematical exploration. This research project was located within GLIP and analysed how GeoGebra applets develop conceptual and procedural understanding in selected Grade 11 learners. One aspect of GLIP was for teachers to use GeoGebra applets that they had developed themselves and implemented in their classrooms in pre-determined cycles that were aligned to the curriculum. My study specifically focused on how the selected learners made use of these applets and explored how learning had taken place in terms of developing mathematical meaning-making. This interpretive research study was designed as a case study. The case was a cohort of selected Grade 11 learners who had been taught by GLIP teachers, and my unit of analysis was the learners’ interaction with the applets. A screen capturing software package was used to capture learners’ interactions with the GeoGebra. My data consisted mainly of recorded observations and interviews. An analytical framework derived from the works of Kilpatrick, Swafford, and Findell (2001) and Carter et al. (2009) guided and informed the data analysis of the learners’ activities with the GeoGebra. The theoretical orientation of this study was constructivist learning. An in-depth analysis and detailed descriptions of the participants’ interactions enabled me to gain a comprehensive understanding of their meaning-making processes in a technological classroom context. An analysis across the participants identified distinguishable patterns or differences in the development of the learners’ mathematical proficiency and making sense of mathematical ideas. The research argued that technology enabled visualisation was a powerful tool to not only enrich mathematically activities, but to also enrich conceptual and procedural understanding. The findings recognised that exploration of, or manipulation on mathematical objects in GeoGebra was a key activity in the participants’ meaning-making process. It also enabled learners to offer self-proclaimed theories
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mavani, Deepack Pravin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Computer programs , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Educational technology , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143213 , vital:38211
- Description: Visualisation plays a central role in developing mathematical ideas because it can be used to make these ideas explicit and visible, and thus has the potential to advance understanding. This study centred around the GeoGebra Literacy Initiative Project (GLIP), a teacher development initiative in Mthatha that aimed to grow and develop appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in teachers, to harness the teaching and learning potential of GeoGebra. GeoGebra is a dynamic geometric software package that is very interactive and makes use of powerful features to create images which can be moved around the computer screen for mathematical exploration. This research project was located within GLIP and analysed how GeoGebra applets develop conceptual and procedural understanding in selected Grade 11 learners. One aspect of GLIP was for teachers to use GeoGebra applets that they had developed themselves and implemented in their classrooms in pre-determined cycles that were aligned to the curriculum. My study specifically focused on how the selected learners made use of these applets and explored how learning had taken place in terms of developing mathematical meaning-making. This interpretive research study was designed as a case study. The case was a cohort of selected Grade 11 learners who had been taught by GLIP teachers, and my unit of analysis was the learners’ interaction with the applets. A screen capturing software package was used to capture learners’ interactions with the GeoGebra. My data consisted mainly of recorded observations and interviews. An analytical framework derived from the works of Kilpatrick, Swafford, and Findell (2001) and Carter et al. (2009) guided and informed the data analysis of the learners’ activities with the GeoGebra. The theoretical orientation of this study was constructivist learning. An in-depth analysis and detailed descriptions of the participants’ interactions enabled me to gain a comprehensive understanding of their meaning-making processes in a technological classroom context. An analysis across the participants identified distinguishable patterns or differences in the development of the learners’ mathematical proficiency and making sense of mathematical ideas. The research argued that technology enabled visualisation was a powerful tool to not only enrich mathematically activities, but to also enrich conceptual and procedural understanding. The findings recognised that exploration of, or manipulation on mathematical objects in GeoGebra was a key activity in the participants’ meaning-making process. It also enabled learners to offer self-proclaimed theories
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of indicators disclosed in the integrated annual reports of selected South African retailers
- Authors: Blignaut, Anna Cornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa -- Case studies , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140859 , vital:37924
- Description: This study aimed to analyse the indicators disclosed in the Integrated Annual Reports (IARs) of selected South African retailers. This was firstly done by identifying the six capital and governance indicators retailers report on in order to analyse the commonalities and differences between them, secondly by identifying and assessing evidence of integrated thinking and lastly by making recommendations for optimal retail sector reporting. IARs from Pick n Pay Stores Ltd, Shoprite Holdings Ltd, Spar Group Ltd and Woolworths Holdings Ltd were analysed using content analysis. The results found noteworthy differences in IAR composition in terms of report length and the sections retailers devoted more or less of their report to. Governance and Remuneration indicator disclosure did not allow for broad comparison among all four retailers. In terms of indicator disclosure few indicators were disclosed by all retailers, whilst many were only disclosed by one retailer. Disclosures related to all six capitals were found, yet some indicators were disclosed excessively. Paradoxically, insufficient disclosure of indicators that are easily measurable and low levels of negative or unfavourable indicator disclosure was also apparent in this study. The comparability of indicators was influenced by the aggregation and disaggregation of indicators as well as the lack of consistency in the terminology used in IARs. Indicator disclosure also revealed several trends in the South African retail industry. This research identified the following six themes related to integrated thinking in the sample IARs. Retailers understand the connection between capitals, express consideration for multiple stakeholders and appreciate the context in which they operate, to some extent. Retailers were also found to have different interpretations of sustainability as part of their strategy and risk management whilst the completeness and consistency of information disclosed and retailers’ conceptualisation of value-added in IAR has not yet developed to the same extent across the retail industry. This study finally makes recommendations that may be used for optimal retail sector reporting with regards to the integrated reporting process as well as the integrated report itself. Addressing the former it is recommended that: integrated reporting be viewed as a means to build an internal understanding of their sustainability practices; integrated thinking be included as part of their strategic planning process; all capitals be considered in decision making; communication be established with others in the retail industry and that retailers engage with the IIRC on integrated reporting issues. In terms of the IAR itself, it is recommended that retailers ensure consistency in the terminology used and that the disaggregation of indicators is done in a consistent way. Retailers should include a balance of positive and negative disclosures as well as context-based indicators and seek assurance of the social, environmental and ethical information in their IARs. Finally, retailers need to set measurable sustainability performance targets and link them to specific performance indicators. The results of this study are not without limitations. The identification and categorisation of an indicator was largely based on the researcher’s own judgement in the content analysis process and can be highlighted as the main limitation of this research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Blignaut, Anna Cornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa -- Case studies , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140859 , vital:37924
- Description: This study aimed to analyse the indicators disclosed in the Integrated Annual Reports (IARs) of selected South African retailers. This was firstly done by identifying the six capital and governance indicators retailers report on in order to analyse the commonalities and differences between them, secondly by identifying and assessing evidence of integrated thinking and lastly by making recommendations for optimal retail sector reporting. IARs from Pick n Pay Stores Ltd, Shoprite Holdings Ltd, Spar Group Ltd and Woolworths Holdings Ltd were analysed using content analysis. The results found noteworthy differences in IAR composition in terms of report length and the sections retailers devoted more or less of their report to. Governance and Remuneration indicator disclosure did not allow for broad comparison among all four retailers. In terms of indicator disclosure few indicators were disclosed by all retailers, whilst many were only disclosed by one retailer. Disclosures related to all six capitals were found, yet some indicators were disclosed excessively. Paradoxically, insufficient disclosure of indicators that are easily measurable and low levels of negative or unfavourable indicator disclosure was also apparent in this study. The comparability of indicators was influenced by the aggregation and disaggregation of indicators as well as the lack of consistency in the terminology used in IARs. Indicator disclosure also revealed several trends in the South African retail industry. This research identified the following six themes related to integrated thinking in the sample IARs. Retailers understand the connection between capitals, express consideration for multiple stakeholders and appreciate the context in which they operate, to some extent. Retailers were also found to have different interpretations of sustainability as part of their strategy and risk management whilst the completeness and consistency of information disclosed and retailers’ conceptualisation of value-added in IAR has not yet developed to the same extent across the retail industry. This study finally makes recommendations that may be used for optimal retail sector reporting with regards to the integrated reporting process as well as the integrated report itself. Addressing the former it is recommended that: integrated reporting be viewed as a means to build an internal understanding of their sustainability practices; integrated thinking be included as part of their strategic planning process; all capitals be considered in decision making; communication be established with others in the retail industry and that retailers engage with the IIRC on integrated reporting issues. In terms of the IAR itself, it is recommended that retailers ensure consistency in the terminology used and that the disaggregation of indicators is done in a consistent way. Retailers should include a balance of positive and negative disclosures as well as context-based indicators and seek assurance of the social, environmental and ethical information in their IARs. Finally, retailers need to set measurable sustainability performance targets and link them to specific performance indicators. The results of this study are not without limitations. The identification and categorisation of an indicator was largely based on the researcher’s own judgement in the content analysis process and can be highlighted as the main limitation of this research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An Analysis of Internet Background Radiation within an African IPv4 netblock
- Authors: Hendricks, Wadeegh
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Monitoring –- South Africa , Dark Web , Computer networks -- Security measures –- South Africa , Universities and Colleges -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , TCP/IP (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103791 , vital:32298
- Description: The use of passive network sensors has in the past proven to be quite effective in monitoring and analysing the current state of traffic on a network. Internet traffic destined to a routable, yet unused address block is often referred to as Internet Background Radiation (IBR) and characterised as unsolicited. This unsolicited traffic is however quite valuable to researchers in that it allows them to study the traffic patterns in a covert manner. IBR is largely composed of network and port scanning traffic, backscatter packets from virus and malware activity and to a lesser extent, misconfiguration of network devices. This research answers the following two questions: (1) What is the current state of IBR within the context of a South African IP address space and (2) Can any anomalies be detected in the traffic, with specific reference to current global malware attacks such as Mirai and similar. Rhodes University operates five IPv4 passive network sensors, commonly known as network telescopes, each monitoring its own /24 IP address block. The oldest of these network telescopes has been collecting traffic for over a decade, with the newest being established in 2011. This research focuses on the in-depth analysis of the traffic captured by one telescope in the 155/8 range over a 12 month period, from January to December 2017. The traffic was analysed and classified according the protocol, TCP flag, source IP address, destination port, packet count and payload size. Apart from the normal network traffic graphs and tables, a geographic heatmap of source traffic was also created, based on the source IP address. Spikes and noticeable variances in traffic patterns were further investigated and evidence of Mirai like malware activity was observed. Network and port scanning were found to comprise the largest amount of traffic, accounting for over 90% of the total IBR. Various scanning techniques were identified, including low level passive scanning and much higher level active scanning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hendricks, Wadeegh
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Monitoring –- South Africa , Dark Web , Computer networks -- Security measures –- South Africa , Universities and Colleges -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , TCP/IP (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103791 , vital:32298
- Description: The use of passive network sensors has in the past proven to be quite effective in monitoring and analysing the current state of traffic on a network. Internet traffic destined to a routable, yet unused address block is often referred to as Internet Background Radiation (IBR) and characterised as unsolicited. This unsolicited traffic is however quite valuable to researchers in that it allows them to study the traffic patterns in a covert manner. IBR is largely composed of network and port scanning traffic, backscatter packets from virus and malware activity and to a lesser extent, misconfiguration of network devices. This research answers the following two questions: (1) What is the current state of IBR within the context of a South African IP address space and (2) Can any anomalies be detected in the traffic, with specific reference to current global malware attacks such as Mirai and similar. Rhodes University operates five IPv4 passive network sensors, commonly known as network telescopes, each monitoring its own /24 IP address block. The oldest of these network telescopes has been collecting traffic for over a decade, with the newest being established in 2011. This research focuses on the in-depth analysis of the traffic captured by one telescope in the 155/8 range over a 12 month period, from January to December 2017. The traffic was analysed and classified according the protocol, TCP flag, source IP address, destination port, packet count and payload size. Apart from the normal network traffic graphs and tables, a geographic heatmap of source traffic was also created, based on the source IP address. Spikes and noticeable variances in traffic patterns were further investigated and evidence of Mirai like malware activity was observed. Network and port scanning were found to comprise the largest amount of traffic, accounting for over 90% of the total IBR. Various scanning techniques were identified, including low level passive scanning and much higher level active scanning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of purple truths: an alternative history of the school of journalism and media studies at Rhodes University. Exploring the possibilities of digital media for telling history through multiple voices
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020