"Changing ourselves, changing others" : an analysis of the life stories of participants in a training course for volunteers within a non-governmental organisation in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Harper, Christopher Duncan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abused women -- Counseling of , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Volunteers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002494 , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abused women -- Counseling of , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Volunteers
- Description: Gender-based violence has been recognized as a pressing mental health problem that is prevalent within South African society. Non-governmental organizations play a major role in addressing and highlighting the issue. These organizations make use of volunteers in order to assist in meeting their goals. The modernist perspective has been the dominant investigative mode when research into volunteers has been conducted. However, this study has been conducted with an emphasis on narrative. In its use of this constitutionalist and deconstructive perspective, it examines the identity of the research participants within the dominant social and cultural discourses that story their lives. This presents a major challenge to the modernist framework. In examining the life stories of the participants an emergent nature of identity is noted. Through the process of storying their lives and ascribing meaning to their experiences and understandings, the participants engaged in a process of constructing their identity. This research recognizes that identity is both multi-sited and multi-storied. The emphasis on personal agency enables the participants to restory their lives in the light of challenging prevailing discourses. It is in this process of challenge that they reauthor their lives and are in a position to change their own lives and the lives of others.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Harper, Christopher Duncan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abused women -- Counseling of , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Volunteers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002494 , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abused women -- Counseling of , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Volunteers
- Description: Gender-based violence has been recognized as a pressing mental health problem that is prevalent within South African society. Non-governmental organizations play a major role in addressing and highlighting the issue. These organizations make use of volunteers in order to assist in meeting their goals. The modernist perspective has been the dominant investigative mode when research into volunteers has been conducted. However, this study has been conducted with an emphasis on narrative. In its use of this constitutionalist and deconstructive perspective, it examines the identity of the research participants within the dominant social and cultural discourses that story their lives. This presents a major challenge to the modernist framework. In examining the life stories of the participants an emergent nature of identity is noted. Through the process of storying their lives and ascribing meaning to their experiences and understandings, the participants engaged in a process of constructing their identity. This research recognizes that identity is both multi-sited and multi-storied. The emphasis on personal agency enables the participants to restory their lives in the light of challenging prevailing discourses. It is in this process of challenge that they reauthor their lives and are in a position to change their own lives and the lives of others.
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A cognitive behavioural treatment program for chronic lower back pain: a case study approach
- Authors: Wohlman, Michael Avron
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Backache -- Psychological aspects , Backache -- Treatment , Backache -- Treatment -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3087 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002596 , Backache -- Psychological aspects , Backache -- Treatment , Backache -- Treatment -- Case studies
- Description: A cognitive behavioural treatment program for chronic lower back pain was designed, implemented and evaluated. The outpatient treatment program included education sessions, goal setting, graded activity training, physical exercise, relaxation training, cognitive techniques, social skills training, and medication reduction. Three participants volunteered to participate in the eightweek treatment program. Of the three participants, only one completed the program successfully. The results were used to critically discuss and evaluate the literature. The successful participant showed significant improvement in activity levels, decrease in subjective levels of pain, as well as decreased levels of anxiety and depression. It was shown that correcting cognitive distortions (e.g. selective abstraction, catastrophising, misattribution) and challenging early maladaptive schemas of abandonment, emotional deprivation and emotional inhibition (Young, 1990) assisted in enhancing coping mechanisms and the belief that the pain episodes would be short-lived and could be controlled. There was considerable improvement for the second participant, although he chose to withdraw from the program prior to its completion. The components of the psycho-education, relaxation and stress management and exercise program were beneficial for him. The third participant failed to accept the treatment formulation, and did not engage collaboratively in the treatment program. The case is presented as a point for examining therapeutic ailures.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wohlman, Michael Avron
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Backache -- Psychological aspects , Backache -- Treatment , Backache -- Treatment -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3087 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002596 , Backache -- Psychological aspects , Backache -- Treatment , Backache -- Treatment -- Case studies
- Description: A cognitive behavioural treatment program for chronic lower back pain was designed, implemented and evaluated. The outpatient treatment program included education sessions, goal setting, graded activity training, physical exercise, relaxation training, cognitive techniques, social skills training, and medication reduction. Three participants volunteered to participate in the eightweek treatment program. Of the three participants, only one completed the program successfully. The results were used to critically discuss and evaluate the literature. The successful participant showed significant improvement in activity levels, decrease in subjective levels of pain, as well as decreased levels of anxiety and depression. It was shown that correcting cognitive distortions (e.g. selective abstraction, catastrophising, misattribution) and challenging early maladaptive schemas of abandonment, emotional deprivation and emotional inhibition (Young, 1990) assisted in enhancing coping mechanisms and the belief that the pain episodes would be short-lived and could be controlled. There was considerable improvement for the second participant, although he chose to withdraw from the program prior to its completion. The components of the psycho-education, relaxation and stress management and exercise program were beneficial for him. The third participant failed to accept the treatment formulation, and did not engage collaboratively in the treatment program. The case is presented as a point for examining therapeutic ailures.
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A narrative study of teachers' life stories and their work identity
- Authors: Heaton, Pamela Jane
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) -- Case studies , Teachers -- Case studies , Women teachers -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- History , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002498 , Identity (Psychology) -- Case studies , Teachers -- Case studies , Women teachers -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- History , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Media coverage of the poor state of this country's education system has described public images of the teaching profession which provide a context for the research described in this paper. The research is concerned with how and to what extent work identity is reflected in the life stories of five female teachers from a rural village in the Eastern Cape. A social constructionist approach is taken to the meaning and construction of identity, and the paper describes the process of a narrative method of analyzing and interpreting the stories. An initial analysis reveals that the participants had few career options and little choice of career. Further analysis is concerned with interpreting how the teachers create coherence in their stories around this lack of choice as well as within the larger social and historical context. Simultaneously there is an interpretation of the participants' work identity. The teachers create coherence in their narratives around their families and their socioeconomic or cultural circumstances, but make no explicit reference to the political context of their work choices, which were made in the context of the restraints of the Apartheid era. From each teacher's story an understanding of their unique work identity emerges. These alternative understandings provide a contrast to the images constructed by the media.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Heaton, Pamela Jane
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) -- Case studies , Teachers -- Case studies , Women teachers -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- History , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002498 , Identity (Psychology) -- Case studies , Teachers -- Case studies , Women teachers -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa -- History , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Media coverage of the poor state of this country's education system has described public images of the teaching profession which provide a context for the research described in this paper. The research is concerned with how and to what extent work identity is reflected in the life stories of five female teachers from a rural village in the Eastern Cape. A social constructionist approach is taken to the meaning and construction of identity, and the paper describes the process of a narrative method of analyzing and interpreting the stories. An initial analysis reveals that the participants had few career options and little choice of career. Further analysis is concerned with interpreting how the teachers create coherence in their stories around this lack of choice as well as within the larger social and historical context. Simultaneously there is an interpretation of the participants' work identity. The teachers create coherence in their narratives around their families and their socioeconomic or cultural circumstances, but make no explicit reference to the political context of their work choices, which were made in the context of the restraints of the Apartheid era. From each teacher's story an understanding of their unique work identity emerges. These alternative understandings provide a contrast to the images constructed by the media.
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A new role for the non-aligned movement in a post-cold war era
- Authors: Chetty, Mahesh
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Non-Aligned Movement , Nonalignment , Nonalignment -- Developing countries , International police
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002977 , Non-Aligned Movement , Nonalignment , Nonalignment -- Developing countries , International police
- Description: With the disappearance of the superpower conflict that characterised the Cold War era, many observers have begun to question whether the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has a role to play in the post Cold War era. However the emergence of a number of issues on the international agenda, such as United Nations peacekeeping operations, global environmental issues and an increasing unwillingness on the part of the major economic powers to abide by GATT/WTO rules, have increasingly become of concern to non-aligned states. However whilst the United States has recognised that these issues require leadership in dealing with them, it has not been willing to supply that leadership. It shall therefore be argued that the changing nature of hegemony in world politics has set conditions that allow non-aligned middle powers and institutions greater scope for action and influence. The emergence of these issues has provided a scope for non-aligned middle powers, acting in accordance with their interests to play alternate leadership roles within an expanded scope for institutions, such as organisations, regimes and multilateralism, in addressing the interests of non-aligned states. Firstly in looking at an expanded role for organisations, the United States has increasingly been unwilling to play a leadership role within UN peacekeeping operations. The continuing importance of the neutrality of UN peacekeeping operations has provided a scope for nonaligned middle powers to play a burden-sharing role with the great powers in addressing the concerns of non-aligned states with regard to these operations. Secondly in looking at an expanded scope for regimes, the emergence of a regime in the issue of ozone depletion may provide a foundation to analyse how non-aligned middle powers may play a bridge-building role between North and South in the issue of climate change. Middle powers could therefore play this role in the absence of United States leadership within this issue. Thirdly, the role of the Cairns Group within the Uruguay Round in addressing non-aligned states’ interests of maintaining stable agricultural trade, can be seen as a model of small group multilateralism in bridging the divide between the major powers in issue specific areas.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chetty, Mahesh
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Non-Aligned Movement , Nonalignment , Nonalignment -- Developing countries , International police
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002977 , Non-Aligned Movement , Nonalignment , Nonalignment -- Developing countries , International police
- Description: With the disappearance of the superpower conflict that characterised the Cold War era, many observers have begun to question whether the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has a role to play in the post Cold War era. However the emergence of a number of issues on the international agenda, such as United Nations peacekeeping operations, global environmental issues and an increasing unwillingness on the part of the major economic powers to abide by GATT/WTO rules, have increasingly become of concern to non-aligned states. However whilst the United States has recognised that these issues require leadership in dealing with them, it has not been willing to supply that leadership. It shall therefore be argued that the changing nature of hegemony in world politics has set conditions that allow non-aligned middle powers and institutions greater scope for action and influence. The emergence of these issues has provided a scope for non-aligned middle powers, acting in accordance with their interests to play alternate leadership roles within an expanded scope for institutions, such as organisations, regimes and multilateralism, in addressing the interests of non-aligned states. Firstly in looking at an expanded role for organisations, the United States has increasingly been unwilling to play a leadership role within UN peacekeeping operations. The continuing importance of the neutrality of UN peacekeeping operations has provided a scope for nonaligned middle powers to play a burden-sharing role with the great powers in addressing the concerns of non-aligned states with regard to these operations. Secondly in looking at an expanded scope for regimes, the emergence of a regime in the issue of ozone depletion may provide a foundation to analyse how non-aligned middle powers may play a bridge-building role between North and South in the issue of climate change. Middle powers could therefore play this role in the absence of United States leadership within this issue. Thirdly, the role of the Cairns Group within the Uruguay Round in addressing non-aligned states’ interests of maintaining stable agricultural trade, can be seen as a model of small group multilateralism in bridging the divide between the major powers in issue specific areas.
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An examination of the drafting-responding process used to develop students' writing in an English Language for Academic Purposes Course
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002642 , English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Description: Many students when they arrive at university do not possess the “cultural capital” (Bourdieu 1977) which is favoured by the institution. The purpose of the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course and the drafting-responding process is to help students to begin to acquire the “cultural capital” required to succeed at university. The research reported on in this thesis examined the drafting-responding process as it is used to develop students’ writing in the ELAP course at Rhodes University. The process involved students submitting drafts of their essays on which they received constructive and formative feedback from their ELAP tutor. This feedback was then used to revise their essays before a final version was submitted for assessment. The research took the form of a case study with an essentially interpretive orientation. I examined the drafts (with the tutor’s comments) and final versions of seven students’ ELAP essays. Additional data was obtained by interviewing the students and the tutor. Underpinning my beliefs regarding the role of writing in learning as well as my orientation to research is an understanding of knowledge and learning as being socially constructed. All writing is embedded in and dependent on, not only the immediate social circumstances, but also the broader social and cultural context. In analysing and discussing the data in this research I used Halliday’s (1985) definition of context, in which he draws a broad distinction between the immediate context of situation and the broader context of culture The research findings showed that the drafting-responding process can help students with the process of developing the academic literacy they need in order to write essays within specific situational contexts, in this case, the context of the ELAP course. In addition, at a broader level, it can help students to begin the process of being initiated into the culture of the university as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Quinn, Lynn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2359 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002642 , English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers , Rhodes University -- Academic Development Programme , Academic writing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Educational anthropology -- South Africa , Educational sociology -- South Africa
- Description: Many students when they arrive at university do not possess the “cultural capital” (Bourdieu 1977) which is favoured by the institution. The purpose of the English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) course and the drafting-responding process is to help students to begin to acquire the “cultural capital” required to succeed at university. The research reported on in this thesis examined the drafting-responding process as it is used to develop students’ writing in the ELAP course at Rhodes University. The process involved students submitting drafts of their essays on which they received constructive and formative feedback from their ELAP tutor. This feedback was then used to revise their essays before a final version was submitted for assessment. The research took the form of a case study with an essentially interpretive orientation. I examined the drafts (with the tutor’s comments) and final versions of seven students’ ELAP essays. Additional data was obtained by interviewing the students and the tutor. Underpinning my beliefs regarding the role of writing in learning as well as my orientation to research is an understanding of knowledge and learning as being socially constructed. All writing is embedded in and dependent on, not only the immediate social circumstances, but also the broader social and cultural context. In analysing and discussing the data in this research I used Halliday’s (1985) definition of context, in which he draws a broad distinction between the immediate context of situation and the broader context of culture The research findings showed that the drafting-responding process can help students with the process of developing the academic literacy they need in order to write essays within specific situational contexts, in this case, the context of the ELAP course. In addition, at a broader level, it can help students to begin the process of being initiated into the culture of the university as a whole.
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An exploration of the interaction between integration and discipline in a former model C school in East London
- Authors: Smulders, Heidi
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002570 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: Educators work in dynamic contexts which reflect the social and political circumstances of the time. Since the African National Congress was elected to govern in 1994, educators working in former Model C schools have been particularly affected by changes in the law regarding education. The South African Schools Act of 1996 prohibited discriminating in any way against learners applying for admission to schools. This has resulted in cultural and racial integration occurring at all former Model C schools. The use of corporal punishment in schools was also prohibited in 1996. This study attempts to obtain an understanding of the interaction between integration and discipline which was identified at a particular Model C school in East London. It also aims to obtain educators' understandings of the challenges of integration and discipline at this school. Following an in-depth pilot study of the school's detention records for 1998, twenty-two out of sixty educators at the school participated in the research by responding to written questionnaires. It is argued that two different approaches to integration are presently used by educators. These are identified and discussed, namely assimilatory education and multicultural education. The need for consistency between educators in their approaches to integration and discipline is also addressed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smulders, Heidi
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002570 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: Educators work in dynamic contexts which reflect the social and political circumstances of the time. Since the African National Congress was elected to govern in 1994, educators working in former Model C schools have been particularly affected by changes in the law regarding education. The South African Schools Act of 1996 prohibited discriminating in any way against learners applying for admission to schools. This has resulted in cultural and racial integration occurring at all former Model C schools. The use of corporal punishment in schools was also prohibited in 1996. This study attempts to obtain an understanding of the interaction between integration and discipline which was identified at a particular Model C school in East London. It also aims to obtain educators' understandings of the challenges of integration and discipline at this school. Following an in-depth pilot study of the school's detention records for 1998, twenty-two out of sixty educators at the school participated in the research by responding to written questionnaires. It is argued that two different approaches to integration are presently used by educators. These are identified and discussed, namely assimilatory education and multicultural education. The need for consistency between educators in their approaches to integration and discipline is also addressed.
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An informed community's perception of the impact of digital technology on the credibility of news photography
- Authors: Làzaro, Angelique Maria
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Photojournalism -- Moral and ethical aspects , Digital media , Photojournalists , Photography -- Digital techniques
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3451 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002905 , Photojournalism -- Moral and ethical aspects , Digital media , Photojournalists , Photography -- Digital techniques
- Description: South African photojournalists’ perception of digital technology’s impact on the credibility of news photographs is investigated in this study. Digital technology has the capabilities to produce “manipulated” photographs that appear realistic and credible. Credibility is dependent on a variety of factors including codes of realism and codes of production, which fit conventional codes of photographic representation. Manipulation is the act of deviating from accepted codes of photographic representation that may jeopardise the credibility of news photography. This thesis proposes a new theoretical framework that encompasses existing theories of semiotics, ideology, naturalism, realism and credibility. These theories underpin the definitions and discussion on manipulation and credibility. A descriptive survey is used which attempts to discover photojournalists’ views towards credibility. This research draws on qualitative research methods using a largely qualitative questionnaire, which generates both qualitative and quantitative data. The questions are formulated around two case studies of digitally manipulated photographs. The trends and responses in the research data are connected and discussed. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of credibility, awareness of the digital changes, the reason for the changes, the role of a caption, deletion techniques and background changes. The empirical situation is analysed in relation to the theoretical discussions and this study’s theorisation of photographic representation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Làzaro, Angelique Maria
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Photojournalism -- Moral and ethical aspects , Digital media , Photojournalists , Photography -- Digital techniques
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3451 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002905 , Photojournalism -- Moral and ethical aspects , Digital media , Photojournalists , Photography -- Digital techniques
- Description: South African photojournalists’ perception of digital technology’s impact on the credibility of news photographs is investigated in this study. Digital technology has the capabilities to produce “manipulated” photographs that appear realistic and credible. Credibility is dependent on a variety of factors including codes of realism and codes of production, which fit conventional codes of photographic representation. Manipulation is the act of deviating from accepted codes of photographic representation that may jeopardise the credibility of news photography. This thesis proposes a new theoretical framework that encompasses existing theories of semiotics, ideology, naturalism, realism and credibility. These theories underpin the definitions and discussion on manipulation and credibility. A descriptive survey is used which attempts to discover photojournalists’ views towards credibility. This research draws on qualitative research methods using a largely qualitative questionnaire, which generates both qualitative and quantitative data. The questions are formulated around two case studies of digitally manipulated photographs. The trends and responses in the research data are connected and discussed. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of credibility, awareness of the digital changes, the reason for the changes, the role of a caption, deletion techniques and background changes. The empirical situation is analysed in relation to the theoretical discussions and this study’s theorisation of photographic representation.
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An investigation into the effects of socio-economic and education factors on WAIS-III performance in a stratified South African sample
- Authors: Kemp, Ryan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002511 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: The present study examined the effects of socio-economic status, quality and level of education on performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd Edition r.:w AIS-III). The study was conducted within the context of the present Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) W AIS-III standardisation process, cross-cultural psychometric research and the notion of test-wiseness. A South African sample (N = 68) comprising African first language (n = 40) and English first language (n = 28) participants, stratified for age (19 - 30 years), gender and educational attainment (Matric and Graduate) were utilised. Effects due to quality of education were determined by dividing the African language participants into those with private/model C schooling (n = 20) and those with DET schooling (n = 20). Effects due to level of education were determined by dividing the entire sample into those with Matric level education (n = 34) and those with Graduate level education (n = 34). Detailed demographic and socio-economic information were recorded for all participants, who completed the entire American version of the W AIS-III. Results revealed a highly significant positive correlation between high socio-economic status and W AIS-III Full Scale IQ. In addition the respective impact of the relatively poor quality of education and lower level of educational attainment on W AIS-III performance was substantial. These results were discussed in terms of their implications for cross-cultural research, the HSRC standardisation of the W AIS-III and the practical use of the W AIS-III in neuropsychological assessment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kemp, Ryan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002511 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: The present study examined the effects of socio-economic status, quality and level of education on performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd Edition r.:w AIS-III). The study was conducted within the context of the present Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) W AIS-III standardisation process, cross-cultural psychometric research and the notion of test-wiseness. A South African sample (N = 68) comprising African first language (n = 40) and English first language (n = 28) participants, stratified for age (19 - 30 years), gender and educational attainment (Matric and Graduate) were utilised. Effects due to quality of education were determined by dividing the African language participants into those with private/model C schooling (n = 20) and those with DET schooling (n = 20). Effects due to level of education were determined by dividing the entire sample into those with Matric level education (n = 34) and those with Graduate level education (n = 34). Detailed demographic and socio-economic information were recorded for all participants, who completed the entire American version of the W AIS-III. Results revealed a highly significant positive correlation between high socio-economic status and W AIS-III Full Scale IQ. In addition the respective impact of the relatively poor quality of education and lower level of educational attainment on W AIS-III performance was substantial. These results were discussed in terms of their implications for cross-cultural research, the HSRC standardisation of the W AIS-III and the practical use of the W AIS-III in neuropsychological assessment.
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An investigation of male and female cognitive ability on the WAIS-III
- Authors: Muirhead, Joanne
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Sex differences (Psychology) , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3028 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002537 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Sex differences (Psychology) , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: This study, which formed part of a larger research project, investigated the effect of gender on test performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition (WAIS-III). The WAIS-III was administered to a sample of 68 participants in the Eastern Cape following the initiative of the Human Sciences Research Council to standardise the WAIS-III for a South African population. The participants, aged 19 to 30, were stratified according to language of origin (African or English First Language), educational attainment (matriculant or graduate), quality of education (Department of Education and Training or private/"Model C" school) and gender. Analyses of variance and two sample t tests were used to compare male and female test performance. For the total sample, no significant difference between males and females on Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ were found. On the factor indices, females scored marginally higher than males on Processing Speed at a level which was approaching significance (p = 0.105), but no significant differences were found. On subtest performance, females significantly outperformed males on Digit Symbol (p = 0.020). Differences which were approaching significance were found on Information (p = 0.133) in favour of males, and on Matrix Reasoning (p = 0.092) in favour of females. For subgroups of the total sample, the most significant differences in test performance were found for the African First Language private/"Model C" school cohort in favour of females. Thus the overriding implication that emerged from this research was that on this relatively highly educated sample, no significant gender differences in cognitive ability were apparent.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muirhead, Joanne
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Sex differences (Psychology) , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3028 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002537 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Sex differences (Psychology) , Intelligence tests -- South Africa
- Description: This study, which formed part of a larger research project, investigated the effect of gender on test performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition (WAIS-III). The WAIS-III was administered to a sample of 68 participants in the Eastern Cape following the initiative of the Human Sciences Research Council to standardise the WAIS-III for a South African population. The participants, aged 19 to 30, were stratified according to language of origin (African or English First Language), educational attainment (matriculant or graduate), quality of education (Department of Education and Training or private/"Model C" school) and gender. Analyses of variance and two sample t tests were used to compare male and female test performance. For the total sample, no significant difference between males and females on Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ were found. On the factor indices, females scored marginally higher than males on Processing Speed at a level which was approaching significance (p = 0.105), but no significant differences were found. On subtest performance, females significantly outperformed males on Digit Symbol (p = 0.020). Differences which were approaching significance were found on Information (p = 0.133) in favour of males, and on Matrix Reasoning (p = 0.092) in favour of females. For subgroups of the total sample, the most significant differences in test performance were found for the African First Language private/"Model C" school cohort in favour of females. Thus the overriding implication that emerged from this research was that on this relatively highly educated sample, no significant gender differences in cognitive ability were apparent.
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Constitutional frameworks and democratization in Africa since independence
- Authors: Neirynck, Karim
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Democracy -- Africa , Constitutions -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003026 , Democracy -- Africa , Constitutions -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Description: The subject of this thesis is international studies, specifically a study of constitutional frameworks in Africa in the second half of the 20th century, focussing on a statistical correlation between constitutional frameworks, party systems, electoral systems and the Index of Democracy. The struggle to consolidate new democracies - especially those in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia - has given rise to a wide-ranging debate about the hard choices concerning democratic political institutions and political markets. According to Stepan and Skach " this literature has produced provocative hypotheses about the effects of institutions on democracy" (Stepan and Skach, 1993 : 1). It forms part of the' new institutionalism I literature in comparative politics that'holds as a premise that political democracy depends not only on economic and social conditions but also on the design of political institutions (Koelble, 1995 : 231-243). " One fundamental political-institutional question that has only received serious scholarly attention concerns the impact of different constitutional frameworks on democratic consolidation. Although the topic has been increasingly debated and discussed, little systematic cross-regional evidence [especially for our field of research: Africa] has been brought to bear on it " (Stepan and Skach, 1993 : 1-2). So far, only the book"on regime transitions in Africa written by Bratton and Van De Walle seeks to fill this empirical gap (Bratton and Van De Walle, 1997, preface xiii). In this thesis, we paid particular attention to the dichotomy between (pure) parliamentarism and (pure) presidentialism. Each type has fundamental characteristics, and for the purposes of classification these characteristics are necessary and sufficient. It was not our purpose to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of parliamentarism and presidentialism. Our intention was to report and analyse different sources of data, and we based our case exclusively on statistic correlatiohs between regime type and the record of democratic success and failure. We collected a data set about constitutional frameworks (matrix1), democracy indices (matrix2), party systems (matrix3) and election systems (matrix4). The basis for matrix 1 was the constitutions of the African countries (over time) and relevant literature. The basis for matrix 2 was the annual Freedom House ratings made by Raymond D. Gastil and others. The basis for matrix 3 and 4 was relevant literature. Once these matrices had been composed, we compared them and calculated statistic correlations. This long-dyration model allowed us to estimate whether African constitutional frameworks, party systems and electoral systems exhibit positive or negative correlation with the index of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Neirynck, Karim
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Democracy -- Africa , Constitutions -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003026 , Democracy -- Africa , Constitutions -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Description: The subject of this thesis is international studies, specifically a study of constitutional frameworks in Africa in the second half of the 20th century, focussing on a statistical correlation between constitutional frameworks, party systems, electoral systems and the Index of Democracy. The struggle to consolidate new democracies - especially those in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia - has given rise to a wide-ranging debate about the hard choices concerning democratic political institutions and political markets. According to Stepan and Skach " this literature has produced provocative hypotheses about the effects of institutions on democracy" (Stepan and Skach, 1993 : 1). It forms part of the' new institutionalism I literature in comparative politics that'holds as a premise that political democracy depends not only on economic and social conditions but also on the design of political institutions (Koelble, 1995 : 231-243). " One fundamental political-institutional question that has only received serious scholarly attention concerns the impact of different constitutional frameworks on democratic consolidation. Although the topic has been increasingly debated and discussed, little systematic cross-regional evidence [especially for our field of research: Africa] has been brought to bear on it " (Stepan and Skach, 1993 : 1-2). So far, only the book"on regime transitions in Africa written by Bratton and Van De Walle seeks to fill this empirical gap (Bratton and Van De Walle, 1997, preface xiii). In this thesis, we paid particular attention to the dichotomy between (pure) parliamentarism and (pure) presidentialism. Each type has fundamental characteristics, and for the purposes of classification these characteristics are necessary and sufficient. It was not our purpose to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of parliamentarism and presidentialism. Our intention was to report and analyse different sources of data, and we based our case exclusively on statistic correlatiohs between regime type and the record of democratic success and failure. We collected a data set about constitutional frameworks (matrix1), democracy indices (matrix2), party systems (matrix3) and election systems (matrix4). The basis for matrix 1 was the constitutions of the African countries (over time) and relevant literature. The basis for matrix 2 was the annual Freedom House ratings made by Raymond D. Gastil and others. The basis for matrix 3 and 4 was relevant literature. Once these matrices had been composed, we compared them and calculated statistic correlations. This long-dyration model allowed us to estimate whether African constitutional frameworks, party systems and electoral systems exhibit positive or negative correlation with the index of democracy.
- Full Text:
Cuba's revolutionist and anti-imperialist foreign policy in Southern Africa: the case of Angola and Namibia
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
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Cumulative mild head injury in contact sport: a comparison of the cognitive profiles of rugby players and non-contact sport controls with normative data
- Authors: Bold, Lisa Clare
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002444 , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study investigates the effects of cumulative mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of elite rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top national (Springbok) rugby players (n=26), national Under 21 rugby players (n= 19), and a non-contact sport control group of national hockey players (n=21). The test results of the Total Rugby group (Springbok Rugby and Under 21 Rugby players), the Under 21 Rugby group, the hockey controls, and the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby forward and backline players respectively, were each compared with established normative data. Results showed significant differences in the direction of a poorer performance relative to the norms for the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby groups, and for the Total Rugby Forwards and Under 21 Rugby Forwards, on tests sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. On the other hand, the Hockey Control group and the Total Rugby Backs and Under 21 Rugby Backs tended to perform within the normal range or better than the norm on some tests. These results confirm the hypothesis that rugby players, and the forward players in particular, are at risk of adverse cognitive effects consequent on cumulative mild head injury. The theoretical implications are that the aggregate effects of multiple exposures to mild head injuries in the rugby players served to reduce their brain reserve capacities and acted as a threshold-lowering influence associated with symptom onset.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bold, Lisa Clare
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002444 , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study investigates the effects of cumulative mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of elite rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top national (Springbok) rugby players (n=26), national Under 21 rugby players (n= 19), and a non-contact sport control group of national hockey players (n=21). The test results of the Total Rugby group (Springbok Rugby and Under 21 Rugby players), the Under 21 Rugby group, the hockey controls, and the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby forward and backline players respectively, were each compared with established normative data. Results showed significant differences in the direction of a poorer performance relative to the norms for the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby groups, and for the Total Rugby Forwards and Under 21 Rugby Forwards, on tests sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. On the other hand, the Hockey Control group and the Total Rugby Backs and Under 21 Rugby Backs tended to perform within the normal range or better than the norm on some tests. These results confirm the hypothesis that rugby players, and the forward players in particular, are at risk of adverse cognitive effects consequent on cumulative mild head injury. The theoretical implications are that the aggregate effects of multiple exposures to mild head injuries in the rugby players served to reduce their brain reserve capacities and acted as a threshold-lowering influence associated with symptom onset.
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Desert
- Authors: Harper, Sean Julian
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2710 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002840 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Description: This thesis examines the idea of desert as expounded in the work of John Rawls, and some of the implications of this conception of desert for moral and political philosophy. In this work, I analyse a series of arguments against retaining this particular conception of desert.I argue that none of these arguments sufficiently diminishes the force of Rawls’ argument for desert, while many of them do state, and I argue that they are correct in doing so, that this conception of desert is dangerous for political or moral philosophy to maintain. I argue that the moral, political and legal implications of accepting this account of desert severely undermine various institutions of differential treatment, and indeed, moral assessment. I regard it as obvious that societies must, on occasion, treat members of those societies differently, for moral, as well as practical reasons. The Rawlsian account of desert, and the account of responsibility on which it rests, however, will endanger the legitimacy of such procedures. I argue further that the Rawlsian account of desert requires that differences in wealth, and inheritance of wealth, influence and privilege be diminished, if not abolished, if we are to talk of any form of desert meaningfully. I argue that this is a strength of Rawls’ account, and further that any account of desert that is true to the philosophical tradition of the concept will require similar steps to be taken. The primary aim of this thesis is to show that Rawls’ arguments against desert are serious ones, both in terms of strength and scope, and that they must be addressed. I intend to show that these arguments are founded on strong moral intuitions, and that it is plausible that these intuitions may need revision. Finally,I intend to show that desert is an important moral and political concept, and that the disciplines of moral and political philosophy will be impoverished by the absence this concept. This absence, I will argue, is a natural consequence of the acceptance of the Rawlsian arguments.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Harper, Sean Julian
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2710 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002840 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Description: This thesis examines the idea of desert as expounded in the work of John Rawls, and some of the implications of this conception of desert for moral and political philosophy. In this work, I analyse a series of arguments against retaining this particular conception of desert.I argue that none of these arguments sufficiently diminishes the force of Rawls’ argument for desert, while many of them do state, and I argue that they are correct in doing so, that this conception of desert is dangerous for political or moral philosophy to maintain. I argue that the moral, political and legal implications of accepting this account of desert severely undermine various institutions of differential treatment, and indeed, moral assessment. I regard it as obvious that societies must, on occasion, treat members of those societies differently, for moral, as well as practical reasons. The Rawlsian account of desert, and the account of responsibility on which it rests, however, will endanger the legitimacy of such procedures. I argue further that the Rawlsian account of desert requires that differences in wealth, and inheritance of wealth, influence and privilege be diminished, if not abolished, if we are to talk of any form of desert meaningfully. I argue that this is a strength of Rawls’ account, and further that any account of desert that is true to the philosophical tradition of the concept will require similar steps to be taken. The primary aim of this thesis is to show that Rawls’ arguments against desert are serious ones, both in terms of strength and scope, and that they must be addressed. I intend to show that these arguments are founded on strong moral intuitions, and that it is plausible that these intuitions may need revision. Finally,I intend to show that desert is an important moral and political concept, and that the disciplines of moral and political philosophy will be impoverished by the absence this concept. This absence, I will argue, is a natural consequence of the acceptance of the Rawlsian arguments.
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Donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya, 1991-1997
- Authors: Muriuki, Irene
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003022 , Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Description: The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union has encouraged democratisation in most parts of Africa. At the same time, Western donors' attitudes towards r~cipients of foreign aid have changed. This has resulted in a new practice, which attempts to force Third World states to move toward liberal democracy by conditioning lending on the holding of mUlti-party elections. In Africa this has resulted to the holding of multi-party elections. This study attempts to examine donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya by examining the results of 1992 and 1997 multi-party elections. Kenya attained independence from the British and ushered in a multi-party democracy in 1963. Since then, the country has undergone a full circle of political development, starting with a multi-party democracy at independence, through a one party dictatorship between 1982 and 1992 and back to a multi-party democracy in 1993. The need to satisfy foreign donors forced the leadership to amend Section 2(A) of Kenya' s constitution that had legalised single-party rule in 1982 thus allowing plural politics. The externally pressured transition to multi-party democracy though has resulted in increased corruption, state-sponsored ethnic violence, continued political authoritarianism and disastrous economic mismanagement of what was once considered a model for the continent. This study urges that Western donors should focus less on elections and more on the fostering of democratic institutions through breaking patterns of neo-patrimonial rule that have inforn1ed and continue to inform politics in Kenya. Political reforms have been resisted by the incumbency in the fear tha! they may curtail the power of the political leadership whose main objective has been to cling to power.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muriuki, Irene
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003022 , Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Description: The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union has encouraged democratisation in most parts of Africa. At the same time, Western donors' attitudes towards r~cipients of foreign aid have changed. This has resulted in a new practice, which attempts to force Third World states to move toward liberal democracy by conditioning lending on the holding of mUlti-party elections. In Africa this has resulted to the holding of multi-party elections. This study attempts to examine donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya by examining the results of 1992 and 1997 multi-party elections. Kenya attained independence from the British and ushered in a multi-party democracy in 1963. Since then, the country has undergone a full circle of political development, starting with a multi-party democracy at independence, through a one party dictatorship between 1982 and 1992 and back to a multi-party democracy in 1993. The need to satisfy foreign donors forced the leadership to amend Section 2(A) of Kenya' s constitution that had legalised single-party rule in 1982 thus allowing plural politics. The externally pressured transition to multi-party democracy though has resulted in increased corruption, state-sponsored ethnic violence, continued political authoritarianism and disastrous economic mismanagement of what was once considered a model for the continent. This study urges that Western donors should focus less on elections and more on the fostering of democratic institutions through breaking patterns of neo-patrimonial rule that have inforn1ed and continue to inform politics in Kenya. Political reforms have been resisted by the incumbency in the fear tha! they may curtail the power of the political leadership whose main objective has been to cling to power.
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Ethnic nationalism and democratisation in South Africa : political implications for the rainbow nation
- Authors: Naidoo, Vinothan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003025 , Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Ethnic identities in South Africa have had a particularly contrived history, set within the constraints and motivations of population classification by race. A more democratic political environment emerged with the dismantling of apartheid, bringing with it a multitude of issues including the design and character of the country’s political institutions and framework. This thesis will address two principal questions. The first and primary one investigates what lies behind the initiation and development of ethnic bonds. The second concerns the political implications and management of ethnic expressions in a democratic South Africa. An analysis of Zulu ethnic nationalism will be undertaken, because it constituted the most prominent case of assertive communal interests during democratic transitional negotiations. This thesis argues that circumstantial and instrumental factors (based on conditions, and the actions of individuals and organizations respectively), have been predominately responsible for the initiation and formation of ethnic bonds, especially amongst those who identify with a Zulu identity. The “conditions” describe the increasingly segregationist direction in which successive South African government authorities were moving, especially after the 1948 election victory of the National Party and the subsequent introduction of apartheid. Secondly, the “actions” denote the motivations of both Zulu actors and governments in generating and elaborating an ethnic discourse where their desired interests could be more effectively supported and assured. It will also be argued that because of the instrumental and selective use of ethnicity, as well as the narrow interests being served by its popular and community-centred expressions, a developing South African democratic culture should seek to protect ethnic diversity rather than promote ethnic interests. To do so would be to deny the perpetuation of ethnic cleavages and the violence and instability perpetrated in its name in recent years. The “protection” of cultural diversity is consistent with a constitution that seeks non-discrimination among all South African identities. Finally, it is believed that an emphasis on the individual as individual, as well as member of a cultural group, will break from subordinating the individual to an ascribed racial and ethnic identity as in the past, and assist in reconstituting the state as equally reflective of all South Africans.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Naidoo, Vinothan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003025 , Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Ethnic identities in South Africa have had a particularly contrived history, set within the constraints and motivations of population classification by race. A more democratic political environment emerged with the dismantling of apartheid, bringing with it a multitude of issues including the design and character of the country’s political institutions and framework. This thesis will address two principal questions. The first and primary one investigates what lies behind the initiation and development of ethnic bonds. The second concerns the political implications and management of ethnic expressions in a democratic South Africa. An analysis of Zulu ethnic nationalism will be undertaken, because it constituted the most prominent case of assertive communal interests during democratic transitional negotiations. This thesis argues that circumstantial and instrumental factors (based on conditions, and the actions of individuals and organizations respectively), have been predominately responsible for the initiation and formation of ethnic bonds, especially amongst those who identify with a Zulu identity. The “conditions” describe the increasingly segregationist direction in which successive South African government authorities were moving, especially after the 1948 election victory of the National Party and the subsequent introduction of apartheid. Secondly, the “actions” denote the motivations of both Zulu actors and governments in generating and elaborating an ethnic discourse where their desired interests could be more effectively supported and assured. It will also be argued that because of the instrumental and selective use of ethnicity, as well as the narrow interests being served by its popular and community-centred expressions, a developing South African democratic culture should seek to protect ethnic diversity rather than promote ethnic interests. To do so would be to deny the perpetuation of ethnic cleavages and the violence and instability perpetrated in its name in recent years. The “protection” of cultural diversity is consistent with a constitution that seeks non-discrimination among all South African identities. Finally, it is believed that an emphasis on the individual as individual, as well as member of a cultural group, will break from subordinating the individual to an ascribed racial and ethnic identity as in the past, and assist in reconstituting the state as equally reflective of all South Africans.
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Grassroots diplomacy between Lesotho and South Africa: the district liaison committees
- Moeletsi, Motheba Gwendoline
- Authors: Moeletsi, Motheba Gwendoline
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Lesotho -- Foreign relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Lesotho , Africa -- Foreign relations -- 1960- , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003015 , Lesotho -- Foreign relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Lesotho , Africa -- Foreign relations -- 1960- , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Description: Cross-border conflicts on the African continent have increased tremendously in the post-colonial years. The widespread border conflicts on the African continent have been attributed to the arbitrariness with which Africa’s national boundaries were drawn during the colonial period. The colonial boundaries have left the doors open for perpetual conflicts among African states. This thesis proposes to investigate the prospects of grassroots diplomacy as an option of dealing with border conflicts with specific reference to the case of Lesotho/South Africa border relations. This is done by critically evaluating the role the District Liaison Committees (DLCs) have played in border relations between Lesotho and South Africa. The Lesotho and South African governments have institutionalised the resolution of border conflicts at grassroots level through the establishment of the DLCs. The DLCs consists of representatives of border communities in Lesotho and South Africa. The paper introduces a not so familiar concept of involving people at grassroots levels in the conducting of diplomacy between the two neighbouring countries. The central issue implicit in this paper is that grassroots diplomacy is succeeding in the case of Lesotho and South Africa. The DLCs have managed to reduce tension between the two countries along the borders which had existed over a long period of time, thereby, relieving the central governments of some of their duties. The thesis contents that high level conventional diplomacy is not always the answer to cross-border conflicts. The example of Lesotho and South Africa could be followed by other African countries in similar situations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moeletsi, Motheba Gwendoline
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Lesotho -- Foreign relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Lesotho , Africa -- Foreign relations -- 1960- , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003015 , Lesotho -- Foreign relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Lesotho , Africa -- Foreign relations -- 1960- , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960-
- Description: Cross-border conflicts on the African continent have increased tremendously in the post-colonial years. The widespread border conflicts on the African continent have been attributed to the arbitrariness with which Africa’s national boundaries were drawn during the colonial period. The colonial boundaries have left the doors open for perpetual conflicts among African states. This thesis proposes to investigate the prospects of grassroots diplomacy as an option of dealing with border conflicts with specific reference to the case of Lesotho/South Africa border relations. This is done by critically evaluating the role the District Liaison Committees (DLCs) have played in border relations between Lesotho and South Africa. The Lesotho and South African governments have institutionalised the resolution of border conflicts at grassroots level through the establishment of the DLCs. The DLCs consists of representatives of border communities in Lesotho and South Africa. The paper introduces a not so familiar concept of involving people at grassroots levels in the conducting of diplomacy between the two neighbouring countries. The central issue implicit in this paper is that grassroots diplomacy is succeeding in the case of Lesotho and South Africa. The DLCs have managed to reduce tension between the two countries along the borders which had existed over a long period of time, thereby, relieving the central governments of some of their duties. The thesis contents that high level conventional diplomacy is not always the answer to cross-border conflicts. The example of Lesotho and South Africa could be followed by other African countries in similar situations.
- Full Text:
Healing at the margins: discourses of culture and illness in psychiatrists', psychologists' and indigenous healers' talk about collaboration
- Authors: Yen, Jeffery
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Mental health -- South Africa , Healers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3090 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002600 , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Mental health -- South Africa , Healers -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation explores discourses about culture and illness in the talk of mental health professionals and indigenous healers. It represents an attempt to situate the issue of indigenous healing in South Africa within a particular strand of critical discourse analytic research. In the context of current deliberations on the value, or otherwise, of indigenous healing in a changing health and specifically mental health system, the talk of both mental health practitioners and indigenous healers as they conceptualise “disorder”, and discuss possibilities for collaboration, is chosen as a specific focus for this study. Disputes over what constitutes “disorder” both within mental health, and between mental health and indigenous healing are an important site in which the negotiation of power relations between mental health professionals and indigenous healers is played out. The results of this study suggest that despite the construction of cogent commendations for the inclusion of indigenous healing in mental health, it remains largely marginalised within talk about mental health practice. While this study reproduces to some extent the marginalisation of indigenous healing discourse, it also examines some of the discursive practices and methodological difficulties implicated in its marginalisation. However, in the context of “cultural pride strategies” associated with talk about an African Renaissance, indigenous healing may also function as a site of assertion of African power and resistance in its construction as an essentially African enterprise. At the same time, it may achieve disciplinary effects consonant with cultural pride strategies, in constructing afflictions in terms of neglect of, or disloyalty to cultural tradition. These results are discussed in terms of the methodological difficulties associated with interviewing and discourse analysis of translated texts, which contributes to difficulties with articulating indigenous healing discourse in a way that challenges the dominant psychiatric discourses implicated in its marginalisation within mental health. It concludes with recommendations for future research which addresses indigenous healing discourse in its own terms, and examines its operation as a disciplinary apparatus in South African society.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Yen, Jeffery
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Mental health -- South Africa , Healers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3090 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002600 , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , Medical policy -- South Africa , Mental health -- South Africa , Healers -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation explores discourses about culture and illness in the talk of mental health professionals and indigenous healers. It represents an attempt to situate the issue of indigenous healing in South Africa within a particular strand of critical discourse analytic research. In the context of current deliberations on the value, or otherwise, of indigenous healing in a changing health and specifically mental health system, the talk of both mental health practitioners and indigenous healers as they conceptualise “disorder”, and discuss possibilities for collaboration, is chosen as a specific focus for this study. Disputes over what constitutes “disorder” both within mental health, and between mental health and indigenous healing are an important site in which the negotiation of power relations between mental health professionals and indigenous healers is played out. The results of this study suggest that despite the construction of cogent commendations for the inclusion of indigenous healing in mental health, it remains largely marginalised within talk about mental health practice. While this study reproduces to some extent the marginalisation of indigenous healing discourse, it also examines some of the discursive practices and methodological difficulties implicated in its marginalisation. However, in the context of “cultural pride strategies” associated with talk about an African Renaissance, indigenous healing may also function as a site of assertion of African power and resistance in its construction as an essentially African enterprise. At the same time, it may achieve disciplinary effects consonant with cultural pride strategies, in constructing afflictions in terms of neglect of, or disloyalty to cultural tradition. These results are discussed in terms of the methodological difficulties associated with interviewing and discourse analysis of translated texts, which contributes to difficulties with articulating indigenous healing discourse in a way that challenges the dominant psychiatric discourses implicated in its marginalisation within mental health. It concludes with recommendations for future research which addresses indigenous healing discourse in its own terms, and examines its operation as a disciplinary apparatus in South African society.
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Making sense of ʺessenceʺ : a critical examination of the adequacy of the modern philosophical conception of ʺessenceʺ
- Authors: Ross, Allison
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Essentialism (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002850 , Essentialism (Philosophy)
- Description: The idea that some sub-set of the properties of an object captures what it is to be that thing i.e. that it has an essence which is there to be discovered and about which we can be mistaken - is a commonsense assumption that we use all the time. However, philosophers of this century have regarded the realism about essence with skepticism, arguing that we impose essences on things by the way we define our concepts as opposed to discovering them. Essences are supposedly characteristics of our concepts rather than of objects in the world. This was the orthodox view until a group of philosophers of language developed the theory of direct reference. They claimed that proper names and certain other words refer non-connotatively which entails that the real properties of objects are crucial to the establishment of the reference of such terms. It can be shown that the properties involved in reference determination must be all and only the necessary properties of those objects. This discovery has been taken to mark the rehabilitation of the notion of essence, with an object’s essence being taken to be that set of properties which it must have in all possible worlds in which it exists. I will argue that the theory of direct reference is correct up to the point at which it assimilates the necessary properties of objects to their essences. I will show that the set of an object’s necessary properties cannot fulfill the role reserved for the concept of essence in metaphysical hypotheses concerning the nature of objects. I will go on to show that a sub-set of a thing’s necessary properties can fulfill this role and I will suggest that we identify the members of this sub-set by testing their ability to furnish the kinds of explanations we expect from essences. I will demonstrate how this can be done using the Aristotelian idea that the notion of essence is required in order to explain how it is that objects can persist through change.
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- Authors: Ross, Allison
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Essentialism (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002850 , Essentialism (Philosophy)
- Description: The idea that some sub-set of the properties of an object captures what it is to be that thing i.e. that it has an essence which is there to be discovered and about which we can be mistaken - is a commonsense assumption that we use all the time. However, philosophers of this century have regarded the realism about essence with skepticism, arguing that we impose essences on things by the way we define our concepts as opposed to discovering them. Essences are supposedly characteristics of our concepts rather than of objects in the world. This was the orthodox view until a group of philosophers of language developed the theory of direct reference. They claimed that proper names and certain other words refer non-connotatively which entails that the real properties of objects are crucial to the establishment of the reference of such terms. It can be shown that the properties involved in reference determination must be all and only the necessary properties of those objects. This discovery has been taken to mark the rehabilitation of the notion of essence, with an object’s essence being taken to be that set of properties which it must have in all possible worlds in which it exists. I will argue that the theory of direct reference is correct up to the point at which it assimilates the necessary properties of objects to their essences. I will show that the set of an object’s necessary properties cannot fulfill the role reserved for the concept of essence in metaphysical hypotheses concerning the nature of objects. I will go on to show that a sub-set of a thing’s necessary properties can fulfill this role and I will suggest that we identify the members of this sub-set by testing their ability to furnish the kinds of explanations we expect from essences. I will demonstrate how this can be done using the Aristotelian idea that the notion of essence is required in order to explain how it is that objects can persist through change.
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Nyau masquerade performance : shifting the imperial gaze
- Authors: Guhrs, Tamara
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Masquerades -- Malawi , Masquerades -- Zambia , Malawi -- Religion , Zambia -- Religion , Masks, Chewa , Chewa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Nyanja (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Secret societies -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002372 , Masquerades -- Malawi , Masquerades -- Zambia , Malawi -- Religion , Zambia -- Religion , Masks, Chewa , Chewa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Nyanja (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Secret societies -- Africa
- Description: Nyau Masquerades have been studied by missionaries, anthropologists and religious specialists, but have seldom been documented by theatre and performance specialists. This dissertation argues for the acceptance of Ny au performance as a contemporary world theatre form rooted in tradition. Charting the uneasy relationship between the Nyau and those who have sought to record their performances, the author delineates a vivid dramaturgy of this art form. In doing so, the boundaries of what define theatre as it has traditionally been understood in dominant discourses are made more fluid. Nyau performances have been affected by Colonial processes in varied ways. They were banned by the former government of Northern Rhodesia and severely censored by Catholic Mission teachings in the former Nyasaland. Other forms of vilification have been more subtle. Information about performance in Africa has often been collected and arranged in ways which limit the understanding of these genres. Images of Africa which cluster around the notion of the 'Primitive Other' have enabled a representation of Ny au masking as a superstitious and outdated practice with no relevance for contemporary Africa. This work calls for a new examination of the Nyau, through the lens of local discourse as well as contemporary global understandings of performance. Chapter One examines the issue of primitivism and the ways in which Africa has historically been posited as the exotic Other to Europe. Chapter Two examines the Nyau ih terms of specific dramaturgical elements, adjusting previous misconceptions surrounding the theatr~ forms of Chewa and Nyanja people. Chapter Three is devoted to a discussion of space in ritual theatre and Nyau performance, while Chapter Four explores masking and questions of transformation and liminality. In conclusion, it is seen that the use of the mask is a metaphor for the suspension of rigid boundaries separating subject/object, self/other, ritual/theatre, a suspension which needs to take place before an enriched understanding of performance in Africa can be reached.
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- Authors: Guhrs, Tamara
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Masquerades -- Malawi , Masquerades -- Zambia , Malawi -- Religion , Zambia -- Religion , Masks, Chewa , Chewa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Nyanja (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Secret societies -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002372 , Masquerades -- Malawi , Masquerades -- Zambia , Malawi -- Religion , Zambia -- Religion , Masks, Chewa , Chewa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Nyanja (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Secret societies -- Africa
- Description: Nyau Masquerades have been studied by missionaries, anthropologists and religious specialists, but have seldom been documented by theatre and performance specialists. This dissertation argues for the acceptance of Ny au performance as a contemporary world theatre form rooted in tradition. Charting the uneasy relationship between the Nyau and those who have sought to record their performances, the author delineates a vivid dramaturgy of this art form. In doing so, the boundaries of what define theatre as it has traditionally been understood in dominant discourses are made more fluid. Nyau performances have been affected by Colonial processes in varied ways. They were banned by the former government of Northern Rhodesia and severely censored by Catholic Mission teachings in the former Nyasaland. Other forms of vilification have been more subtle. Information about performance in Africa has often been collected and arranged in ways which limit the understanding of these genres. Images of Africa which cluster around the notion of the 'Primitive Other' have enabled a representation of Ny au masking as a superstitious and outdated practice with no relevance for contemporary Africa. This work calls for a new examination of the Nyau, through the lens of local discourse as well as contemporary global understandings of performance. Chapter One examines the issue of primitivism and the ways in which Africa has historically been posited as the exotic Other to Europe. Chapter Two examines the Nyau ih terms of specific dramaturgical elements, adjusting previous misconceptions surrounding the theatr~ forms of Chewa and Nyanja people. Chapter Three is devoted to a discussion of space in ritual theatre and Nyau performance, while Chapter Four explores masking and questions of transformation and liminality. In conclusion, it is seen that the use of the mask is a metaphor for the suspension of rigid boundaries separating subject/object, self/other, ritual/theatre, a suspension which needs to take place before an enriched understanding of performance in Africa can be reached.
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Profile of paediatric psychosocial disorders in Frere Hospital and analysis of associated patterns of referrals
- Authors: Chukwuemeka, Gregory Adjuba
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Child psychopathology , Frere Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002458 , Child psychopathology , Frere Hospital
- Description: The profile of psychosocial disorders in children and the attendant patterns of referrals and health communication, were investigated within the context of a tertiary referral centre in the Eastern Cape Province. Literature on childhood disorders points to a high level of functional and substance related disorders in technologically developed countries of Europe and North America, in contrast to the developing countries of Asia and Africa, where the burden of infectious diseases and disorders of deprivation and lack still predominate in the profile of psychosocial disorders in children. In South Africa however, there is almost non-existent research on clinical psychosocial disorders profile and the research sets out to be an exploratory study in this area. A combination design was employed in which interviews and observations complemented a primarily quantitative descriptive cross sectional analysis of hospitalcase records. A pilot study was performed using an information gathering questionnaire and interviews, with findings subsequently explored in the main study. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) (WHO, 1992) diagnostic categories were used to create a profile of all ailments in the paediatric unit. Psychosocial disorders both in terms of aetiology and illness course, can be viewed from the perspective of socialadjustment and functioning (in which there is a potential role of social factors as provoking, causal or modifying factors) (Williams &Clare, 1979); and the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (American Psychiatric Association,1994) criteria was used to create the profile of these disorders in the paediatric unit at Frere Hospital which accounted for 45% of the ailments managed in one year. The derived profile is a picture in between the profile found in technologically advanced countries, and developing countries. While the infection burden and malnutrition appear to be readily contained or curtailed, there appears to be a serious problem with access to health care services which manifest especially at the level of perinatal events, with resultant high level of hypoxic brain damage and consequently mental retardation and varying levels of impairment or disability. These medical consequences in turn are fundamentally psychosocial, requiring psychosocial care with heavy reliance on strategic communication and referrals. The referrals in respect of psychosocial disorders are mainly at primary care level revolving around local health care clinics, private clinics, special schools and rehabilitation centres.
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- Authors: Chukwuemeka, Gregory Adjuba
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Child psychopathology , Frere Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002458 , Child psychopathology , Frere Hospital
- Description: The profile of psychosocial disorders in children and the attendant patterns of referrals and health communication, were investigated within the context of a tertiary referral centre in the Eastern Cape Province. Literature on childhood disorders points to a high level of functional and substance related disorders in technologically developed countries of Europe and North America, in contrast to the developing countries of Asia and Africa, where the burden of infectious diseases and disorders of deprivation and lack still predominate in the profile of psychosocial disorders in children. In South Africa however, there is almost non-existent research on clinical psychosocial disorders profile and the research sets out to be an exploratory study in this area. A combination design was employed in which interviews and observations complemented a primarily quantitative descriptive cross sectional analysis of hospitalcase records. A pilot study was performed using an information gathering questionnaire and interviews, with findings subsequently explored in the main study. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) (WHO, 1992) diagnostic categories were used to create a profile of all ailments in the paediatric unit. Psychosocial disorders both in terms of aetiology and illness course, can be viewed from the perspective of socialadjustment and functioning (in which there is a potential role of social factors as provoking, causal or modifying factors) (Williams &Clare, 1979); and the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (American Psychiatric Association,1994) criteria was used to create the profile of these disorders in the paediatric unit at Frere Hospital which accounted for 45% of the ailments managed in one year. The derived profile is a picture in between the profile found in technologically advanced countries, and developing countries. While the infection burden and malnutrition appear to be readily contained or curtailed, there appears to be a serious problem with access to health care services which manifest especially at the level of perinatal events, with resultant high level of hypoxic brain damage and consequently mental retardation and varying levels of impairment or disability. These medical consequences in turn are fundamentally psychosocial, requiring psychosocial care with heavy reliance on strategic communication and referrals. The referrals in respect of psychosocial disorders are mainly at primary care level revolving around local health care clinics, private clinics, special schools and rehabilitation centres.
- Full Text: