The reproductive performance, demography and spatial ecology of an extralimital white rhinoceros population
- Authors: Truter, Anja
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Effect of poaching on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction , White rhinoceros -- Dispersal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shamwari Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Master , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177975 , vital:42895
- Description: The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (hereafter rhino) is under threat of becoming extinct due to continued poaching for its horns. In South Africa and elsewhere in Africa private landowners have, over the last few decades, contributed to the conservation of various species, including rhinos, even in areas where they have not occurred historically (i.e., where they are extralimital). Unfortunately, very few studies have investigated the conservation contribution of extralimital white rhinos on private reserves to the overall meta-population and/or their reproductive performance. The first aim of my study was therefore to determine whether or not the white rhinos introduced to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape Province in 1992 have been successful from a reproductive perspective. I calculated inter-calving intervals, age at first calving, conception period, sex ratio, fecundity and fertility rates for white rhinos over this 28-year period. The average annual population growth rate for the rhinos was 10%, which is higher than the recommended 5% by the Rhino Management Group. Trends in density-dependent parameters such as age at first calving and inter-calving intervals also indicated that my study population is still well below carrying capacity for white rhinos and is contributing positively to white rhino conservation in South Africa. The second aim of my study was to investigate home range size and vegetation preferences of white rhinos. Home ranges were mostly larger for all age groups compared to rhinos in their native range. Previously cultivated lands (dominated by several grass species) were preferred by all rhino age groups. The rehabilitation of these previous agricultural-based pastures has likely contributed to the successful introduction of the white rhino as an extralimital megaherbivore in the Eastern Cape. I conclude that although extralimital white rhino populations in the Eastern Cape can be successful from a reproductive perspective, their potential impact on the indigenous biodiversity of the region should be a key future research priority. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Truter, Anja
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Effect of poaching on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction , White rhinoceros -- Dispersal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shamwari Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Master , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177975 , vital:42895
- Description: The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (hereafter rhino) is under threat of becoming extinct due to continued poaching for its horns. In South Africa and elsewhere in Africa private landowners have, over the last few decades, contributed to the conservation of various species, including rhinos, even in areas where they have not occurred historically (i.e., where they are extralimital). Unfortunately, very few studies have investigated the conservation contribution of extralimital white rhinos on private reserves to the overall meta-population and/or their reproductive performance. The first aim of my study was therefore to determine whether or not the white rhinos introduced to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape Province in 1992 have been successful from a reproductive perspective. I calculated inter-calving intervals, age at first calving, conception period, sex ratio, fecundity and fertility rates for white rhinos over this 28-year period. The average annual population growth rate for the rhinos was 10%, which is higher than the recommended 5% by the Rhino Management Group. Trends in density-dependent parameters such as age at first calving and inter-calving intervals also indicated that my study population is still well below carrying capacity for white rhinos and is contributing positively to white rhino conservation in South Africa. The second aim of my study was to investigate home range size and vegetation preferences of white rhinos. Home ranges were mostly larger for all age groups compared to rhinos in their native range. Previously cultivated lands (dominated by several grass species) were preferred by all rhino age groups. The rehabilitation of these previous agricultural-based pastures has likely contributed to the successful introduction of the white rhino as an extralimital megaherbivore in the Eastern Cape. I conclude that although extralimital white rhino populations in the Eastern Cape can be successful from a reproductive perspective, their potential impact on the indigenous biodiversity of the region should be a key future research priority. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Accelerated implementations of the RIME for DDE calibration and source modelling
- Authors: Van Staden, Joshua
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Radio inferometers , Radio inferometers -- Calibration , Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio inferometers -- Data processing , Radio inferometers -- Calibration -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172422 , vital:42199
- Description: Second- and third-generation calibration methods filter out subtle effects in interferometer data, and therefore yield significantly higher dynamic ranges. The basis of these calibration techniques relies on building a model of the sky and corrupting it with models of the effects acting on the sources. The sensitivities of modern instruments call for more elaborate models to capture the level of detail that is required to achieve accurate calibration. This thesis implements two types of models to be used in for second- and third-generation calibration. The first model implemented is shapelets, which can be used to model radio source morphologies directly in uv space. The second model implemented is Zernike polynomials, which can be used to represent the primary beam of the antenna. We implement these models in the CODEX-AFRICANUS package and provide a set of unit tests for each model. Additionally, we compare our implementations against other methods of representing these objects and instrumental effects, namely NIFTY-GRIDDER against shapelets and a FITS-interpolation method against the Zernike polynomials. We find that to achieve sufficient accuracy, our implementation of the shapelet model has a higher runtime to that of the NIFTY-GRIDDER. However, the NIFTY-GRIDDER cannot simulate a component-based sky model while the shapelet model can. Additionally, the shapelet model is fully parametric, which allows for integration into a parameterised solver. We find that, while having a smaller memory footprint, our Zernike model has a greater computational complexity than that of the FITS-interpolated method. However, we find that the Zernike implementation has floating-point accuracy in its modelling, while the FITS-interpolated model loses some accuracy through the discretisation of the beam.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Van Staden, Joshua
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Radio inferometers , Radio inferometers -- Calibration , Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio inferometers -- Data processing , Radio inferometers -- Calibration -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172422 , vital:42199
- Description: Second- and third-generation calibration methods filter out subtle effects in interferometer data, and therefore yield significantly higher dynamic ranges. The basis of these calibration techniques relies on building a model of the sky and corrupting it with models of the effects acting on the sources. The sensitivities of modern instruments call for more elaborate models to capture the level of detail that is required to achieve accurate calibration. This thesis implements two types of models to be used in for second- and third-generation calibration. The first model implemented is shapelets, which can be used to model radio source morphologies directly in uv space. The second model implemented is Zernike polynomials, which can be used to represent the primary beam of the antenna. We implement these models in the CODEX-AFRICANUS package and provide a set of unit tests for each model. Additionally, we compare our implementations against other methods of representing these objects and instrumental effects, namely NIFTY-GRIDDER against shapelets and a FITS-interpolation method against the Zernike polynomials. We find that to achieve sufficient accuracy, our implementation of the shapelet model has a higher runtime to that of the NIFTY-GRIDDER. However, the NIFTY-GRIDDER cannot simulate a component-based sky model while the shapelet model can. Additionally, the shapelet model is fully parametric, which allows for integration into a parameterised solver. We find that, while having a smaller memory footprint, our Zernike model has a greater computational complexity than that of the FITS-interpolated method. However, we find that the Zernike implementation has floating-point accuracy in its modelling, while the FITS-interpolated model loses some accuracy through the discretisation of the beam.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An evaluation of co-management practices: A case of a South African platinum mine management and the local community
- Authors: Matsimela, Tebogo Mapipi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- Social aspects , Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- Moral and ethical aspects , Platinum mines and mining -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171874 , vital:42134
- Description: A vast body of literature reveals the paradigm shift of South Africa’s economy from an agricultural community to an industrial economy. Elbra (2013) illustrated that South African mining host communities viewed that mineral endowments have become a “resource curse” instead of a driver of local economic development for the benefit of the community. To understand the mining and community conflict and their subsequent complexities, the Marikana massacre in August 2012 must be revisited (Bell, 2016). The problems may be broadly summarised as a lack of stakeholder engagement and inclusivity. Studies involving stakeholder management and co-management focused on the identification of stakeholders and their management. The research evaluated the co-management practices between mine management and a local community. It considered the challenges that emanated from the co-management practices. The primary focus of this research has been to evaluate the co-management features between the mine management and the local community and to identify the challenges associated with co-management from a mine management perspective. Furthermore, the research attempted to find effective co-management practices between the mine management and the local community which may be used to improve the partnership. Armitage, Berkes and Doubleplay (2007) recognised that in facilitating effective co-management, the commitment towards fulfilling good governance and accountability was paramount in ensuring that the rights and obligations of both private and public actors were achieved. However, Ran and Qi (2018) acknowledged that such partnerships were not immune to challenges because the poor implementation of co-management features like power-sharing could collapse a co-management partnership. This study aimed to evaluate the current co-management practices from the mine management’s perspective. A literature search revealed the range of co-management features that explained the different use of practices. The features included co-management and power sharing, co-management and institution building, co-management and trust and social capital, co-management as a process, co-management and problem solving, and co-management and governance. The study evaluated the co-management features between the mine management and the local community, identified the current challenges associated with co-management from a mine management perspective and attempted to make recommendations on effective co-management practices between the mine management and a local community. A qualitative case study method was employed. This method allowed the researcher to evaluate multifaceted matters which may have been investigated in the past but not inconsiderable detail (Baxter and Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive sampling. This was because the population sample was chosen according to their roles and responsibilities and their involvement in the co-management between the mine management and the local community. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The findings of the research were derived from a range of company documents. Thematic analysis was employed to understand the practices of co-management which underpinned the co-management partnership between the mine management and the local community. It was found that there was a positive relationship between the literature study and the response from the mine management. The shared responsibilities emerged out of a dialogue characterised by deliberation and negotiations between the mine management and the stakeholders. Berkes (2009), asserted that co-management bore a resemblance to the process of the sharing of ideas of how responsibilities could be better shared and that it emanated from a process of deliberation and negotiation. Furthermore, if the evolution of the co-management partnership was not managed carefully, it could pose a risk to the partnership itself. It was acknowledged by the research respondents that there were complications involved in having the community as a shareholder in the mine, but equally, the community showed an appreciation of being involved in building a sustainable mine. The model of sustainable partnership emphasised that any viable partnership should adopt this model to achieve a sustainable performance (Thomson and Boutilier, 2011). This research showed that the co-management practices between the mine management and the local community concurred with the findings of Zvarivadza (2018). Trust and transparency between mine management and the community could go a long way in ensuring that the mine fulfilled its legal responsibilities in the local community where the mine is located.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Matsimela, Tebogo Mapipi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- Social aspects , Mines and mineral resource -- Management -- Moral and ethical aspects , Platinum mines and mining -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171874 , vital:42134
- Description: A vast body of literature reveals the paradigm shift of South Africa’s economy from an agricultural community to an industrial economy. Elbra (2013) illustrated that South African mining host communities viewed that mineral endowments have become a “resource curse” instead of a driver of local economic development for the benefit of the community. To understand the mining and community conflict and their subsequent complexities, the Marikana massacre in August 2012 must be revisited (Bell, 2016). The problems may be broadly summarised as a lack of stakeholder engagement and inclusivity. Studies involving stakeholder management and co-management focused on the identification of stakeholders and their management. The research evaluated the co-management practices between mine management and a local community. It considered the challenges that emanated from the co-management practices. The primary focus of this research has been to evaluate the co-management features between the mine management and the local community and to identify the challenges associated with co-management from a mine management perspective. Furthermore, the research attempted to find effective co-management practices between the mine management and the local community which may be used to improve the partnership. Armitage, Berkes and Doubleplay (2007) recognised that in facilitating effective co-management, the commitment towards fulfilling good governance and accountability was paramount in ensuring that the rights and obligations of both private and public actors were achieved. However, Ran and Qi (2018) acknowledged that such partnerships were not immune to challenges because the poor implementation of co-management features like power-sharing could collapse a co-management partnership. This study aimed to evaluate the current co-management practices from the mine management’s perspective. A literature search revealed the range of co-management features that explained the different use of practices. The features included co-management and power sharing, co-management and institution building, co-management and trust and social capital, co-management as a process, co-management and problem solving, and co-management and governance. The study evaluated the co-management features between the mine management and the local community, identified the current challenges associated with co-management from a mine management perspective and attempted to make recommendations on effective co-management practices between the mine management and a local community. A qualitative case study method was employed. This method allowed the researcher to evaluate multifaceted matters which may have been investigated in the past but not inconsiderable detail (Baxter and Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive sampling. This was because the population sample was chosen according to their roles and responsibilities and their involvement in the co-management between the mine management and the local community. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The findings of the research were derived from a range of company documents. Thematic analysis was employed to understand the practices of co-management which underpinned the co-management partnership between the mine management and the local community. It was found that there was a positive relationship between the literature study and the response from the mine management. The shared responsibilities emerged out of a dialogue characterised by deliberation and negotiations between the mine management and the stakeholders. Berkes (2009), asserted that co-management bore a resemblance to the process of the sharing of ideas of how responsibilities could be better shared and that it emanated from a process of deliberation and negotiation. Furthermore, if the evolution of the co-management partnership was not managed carefully, it could pose a risk to the partnership itself. It was acknowledged by the research respondents that there were complications involved in having the community as a shareholder in the mine, but equally, the community showed an appreciation of being involved in building a sustainable mine. The model of sustainable partnership emphasised that any viable partnership should adopt this model to achieve a sustainable performance (Thomson and Boutilier, 2011). This research showed that the co-management practices between the mine management and the local community concurred with the findings of Zvarivadza (2018). Trust and transparency between mine management and the community could go a long way in ensuring that the mine fulfilled its legal responsibilities in the local community where the mine is located.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An exploratory case study on the barriers, challenges and benefits of sustainability reporting by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa
- Authors: Mhlope, Veliswa
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Case studies , Sustainable development reporting -- South Africa -- Case studies , Social responsibility of business , Environmental responsibility -- South Africa , Environmental reporting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172018 , vital:42149
- Description: SMEs in South Africa and other developing countries have been slow to take up sustainability reporting. This qualitative study is aimed to study the challenges and barriers faced by SMEs, together with the potential benefits for SMEs participating in this type of reporting. It also makes recommendations about how SMEs can participate in and benefit from sustainability reporting. The study shows that indeed there are several challenges in terms of getting involved in sustainability reporting for SMEs. On the other hand, the research finds that the SMEs who are already participating in sustainability reporting can show the benefits of engaging in sustainability reporting and that these benefits far outweigh the challenges. The participating SMEs are also able to show that they have attained a competitive advantage as a result of engaging in sustainability reporting. If, however, sustainability reporting is to become entrenched into SMEs, a few changes need to take place to address challenges such as lack of information about sustainability reporting and its benefits, lack of regulations and more importantly, lack of awareness about sustainable development. As the South African government begins to respond to issues such as climate change, skills development and good governance, it will become necessary for them to introduce regulations to manage this risk. It is also highly possible that in the next few years, reporting will become a regulatory requirement that SMEs will be forced to comply with to continue to do business. The SMEs who are already practising sustainability practices will benefit from being first movers. Those SMEs who start sooner rather than later will already have the internal resources and capabilities to take advantage of the legislative environment. They will have a head start over their rivals in terms of gaining competitive advantage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mhlope, Veliswa
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Case studies , Sustainable development reporting -- South Africa -- Case studies , Social responsibility of business , Environmental responsibility -- South Africa , Environmental reporting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172018 , vital:42149
- Description: SMEs in South Africa and other developing countries have been slow to take up sustainability reporting. This qualitative study is aimed to study the challenges and barriers faced by SMEs, together with the potential benefits for SMEs participating in this type of reporting. It also makes recommendations about how SMEs can participate in and benefit from sustainability reporting. The study shows that indeed there are several challenges in terms of getting involved in sustainability reporting for SMEs. On the other hand, the research finds that the SMEs who are already participating in sustainability reporting can show the benefits of engaging in sustainability reporting and that these benefits far outweigh the challenges. The participating SMEs are also able to show that they have attained a competitive advantage as a result of engaging in sustainability reporting. If, however, sustainability reporting is to become entrenched into SMEs, a few changes need to take place to address challenges such as lack of information about sustainability reporting and its benefits, lack of regulations and more importantly, lack of awareness about sustainable development. As the South African government begins to respond to issues such as climate change, skills development and good governance, it will become necessary for them to introduce regulations to manage this risk. It is also highly possible that in the next few years, reporting will become a regulatory requirement that SMEs will be forced to comply with to continue to do business. The SMEs who are already practising sustainability practices will benefit from being first movers. Those SMEs who start sooner rather than later will already have the internal resources and capabilities to take advantage of the legislative environment. They will have a head start over their rivals in terms of gaining competitive advantage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An exploratory study of psychologists’ perceptions of the phenomenon currently understood as ‘borderline personality disorder’
- Authors: Daya, Lekha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Borderline personality disorder , Psychologists -- Attitudes -- South Africa , Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171139 , vital:42023
- Description: The phenomenon currently understood as ‘borderline personality disorder’ (BPD) has been complex and multifaceted since its inception. Previous studies have focused on the validity of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) conceptualisation of BPD, aetiologies of BPD, the psychologies of persons diagnosed with BPD, and the gendered nature of BPD. This study aimed to specifically explore South African practising psychologists’ perceptions of BPD. Through thematic analysis from a constructivist, post-modern paradigm, this study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of practising psychologists on BPD, as well as the usefulness of the DSM in working with BPD in a non-western society such as South Africa (SA). The study sampled two Counselling and two Clinical psychologists practising in the South African context, with exposure to and experience in working with BPD. Collectively, results in this study identified psychologists’ perceptions of shortcomings in the usefulness of the DSM’s approach to categorising phenomena associated with BPD, and brought attention to a need for further research and attention into the role of psychologists’ in the construction of BPD. This study seeks to represent psychologists’ practical experiences and perceptions, in an attempt to add contextually relevant findings on the DSM’s construction of BPD, and to contribute to challenging the stigma and misunderstanding associated with BPD. Specific practice implications and recommendations for future research are discussed within.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Daya, Lekha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Borderline personality disorder , Psychologists -- Attitudes -- South Africa , Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171139 , vital:42023
- Description: The phenomenon currently understood as ‘borderline personality disorder’ (BPD) has been complex and multifaceted since its inception. Previous studies have focused on the validity of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) conceptualisation of BPD, aetiologies of BPD, the psychologies of persons diagnosed with BPD, and the gendered nature of BPD. This study aimed to specifically explore South African practising psychologists’ perceptions of BPD. Through thematic analysis from a constructivist, post-modern paradigm, this study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of practising psychologists on BPD, as well as the usefulness of the DSM in working with BPD in a non-western society such as South Africa (SA). The study sampled two Counselling and two Clinical psychologists practising in the South African context, with exposure to and experience in working with BPD. Collectively, results in this study identified psychologists’ perceptions of shortcomings in the usefulness of the DSM’s approach to categorising phenomena associated with BPD, and brought attention to a need for further research and attention into the role of psychologists’ in the construction of BPD. This study seeks to represent psychologists’ practical experiences and perceptions, in an attempt to add contextually relevant findings on the DSM’s construction of BPD, and to contribute to challenging the stigma and misunderstanding associated with BPD. Specific practice implications and recommendations for future research are discussed within.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An investigation into the mediation of the representation of gender roles in God of women : a critical discourse analysis of pedagogic practices in selected Namibian schools
- Nghikefelwa, Josephine Mwasheka
- Authors: Nghikefelwa, Josephine Mwasheka
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Nyati, Sifiso. God of women , Stereotypes (Social psychology) in literature , Women in literature , English literature -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Women's rights in literature , Women's rights -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172389 , vital:42195 , 10.21504/10962/172389
- Description: This is a qualitative study designed to investigate the role of pedagogical practices in the mediation of stereotypical gender representations in the drama God of Women by Sifiso Nyathi (1998). This drama is one of the literature setworks for Grade 9 English Second Language learners in Namibian Secondary schools. Fairclough’s (2012) Critical Discourse Analysis was used as a research design, as well as the conceptual and analytical framework. The analysis of this drama by teachers during the teaching and learning process, pedagogic practices they employ, learners’ engagement in classroom activities, and the nature of comments that teachers write on students’ assignment, based on God of Women, formed part of the unit of analysis. The study explored teachers’ pedagogical practices during English Literature teaching to gain insight into whether and how teachers shape learners’ engagement with literature to promote critical thinking. Focus on the mediation process (‘teacher talks around the text’) concerned a close analysis of teachers’ engagement with the text during lessons. Semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and documentary evidence were used to generate data. The research site and study participants were purposively sampled.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Nghikefelwa, Josephine Mwasheka
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Nyati, Sifiso. God of women , Stereotypes (Social psychology) in literature , Women in literature , English literature -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Women's rights in literature , Women's rights -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172389 , vital:42195 , 10.21504/10962/172389
- Description: This is a qualitative study designed to investigate the role of pedagogical practices in the mediation of stereotypical gender representations in the drama God of Women by Sifiso Nyathi (1998). This drama is one of the literature setworks for Grade 9 English Second Language learners in Namibian Secondary schools. Fairclough’s (2012) Critical Discourse Analysis was used as a research design, as well as the conceptual and analytical framework. The analysis of this drama by teachers during the teaching and learning process, pedagogic practices they employ, learners’ engagement in classroom activities, and the nature of comments that teachers write on students’ assignment, based on God of Women, formed part of the unit of analysis. The study explored teachers’ pedagogical practices during English Literature teaching to gain insight into whether and how teachers shape learners’ engagement with literature to promote critical thinking. Focus on the mediation process (‘teacher talks around the text’) concerned a close analysis of teachers’ engagement with the text during lessons. Semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and documentary evidence were used to generate data. The research site and study participants were purposively sampled.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
An online information security Aaareness model: the disclosure of personal data
- Authors: Parker, Heather Joubert
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Social media -- Psychological aspects , Social media -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Human behavior , Disclosure of information -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Personal information management -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Data protection -- Psychologial aspects -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172329 , vital:42189
- Description: Social media has revolutionized the way people send and receive information by creating a new level of interconnected communication. However, the use of the Internet and social media brings about various ways in which a user’s personal data can be put at risk. This study aims to investigate what drives the disclosure of personal information online and whether an increase in awareness of the value of personal information motivates users to safeguard their information. Fourteen university students participated in a mixed-methods experiment, where they completed a questionnaire before and after being shown the data stored about them by online platforms to determine if changes occur in their intention to disclose. Following completing the initial questionnaire, the participant viewed the personal data stored about them by Facebook, Google, and Instagram. Other online tools such as Social Profile Checker, Facebook View As, and HaveIBeenPawned were used to see the information publicly available about each participant. Together these findings were discussed in a semi-structured interview to determine the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and awareness on the cost-benefit analysis users conduct when disclosing information online. Overall, the findings indicate that users are able to disregard their concerns due to a resigned and apathetic attitude towards privacy. Furthermore, subjective norms enhanced by FOMO further allow users to overlook potential risks to their information in order to avoid social isolation and sanction. Alternatively, an increased awareness of the personal value of information and having experienced a previous privacy violation encourage the protection of information and limited disclosure. Thus, this study provides insight into privacy and information disclosure on social media in South Africa. It reveals more insight into the cost-benefit analysis users conduct by combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Privacy Calculus Model, as well as the antecedent factors of Trust in the Social Media Provider, FOMO, and Personal Valuation of Information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Parker, Heather Joubert
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Social media -- Psychological aspects , Social media -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Human behavior , Disclosure of information -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Personal information management -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Data protection -- Psychologial aspects -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172329 , vital:42189
- Description: Social media has revolutionized the way people send and receive information by creating a new level of interconnected communication. However, the use of the Internet and social media brings about various ways in which a user’s personal data can be put at risk. This study aims to investigate what drives the disclosure of personal information online and whether an increase in awareness of the value of personal information motivates users to safeguard their information. Fourteen university students participated in a mixed-methods experiment, where they completed a questionnaire before and after being shown the data stored about them by online platforms to determine if changes occur in their intention to disclose. Following completing the initial questionnaire, the participant viewed the personal data stored about them by Facebook, Google, and Instagram. Other online tools such as Social Profile Checker, Facebook View As, and HaveIBeenPawned were used to see the information publicly available about each participant. Together these findings were discussed in a semi-structured interview to determine the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and awareness on the cost-benefit analysis users conduct when disclosing information online. Overall, the findings indicate that users are able to disregard their concerns due to a resigned and apathetic attitude towards privacy. Furthermore, subjective norms enhanced by FOMO further allow users to overlook potential risks to their information in order to avoid social isolation and sanction. Alternatively, an increased awareness of the personal value of information and having experienced a previous privacy violation encourage the protection of information and limited disclosure. Thus, this study provides insight into privacy and information disclosure on social media in South Africa. It reveals more insight into the cost-benefit analysis users conduct by combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Privacy Calculus Model, as well as the antecedent factors of Trust in the Social Media Provider, FOMO, and Personal Valuation of Information.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Asymmetric price transmission: an empirical analysis of the relationship between UG-2 chrome ore, charge chrome, nickel and Chinese domestic 304 stainless steel cold rolled coil
- Authors: Le Roux, Simon Petrus
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Pricing , Chromium ores -- Prices -- South Africa , Nickel -- Prices -- South Africa , Austenitic stainless steel-- Prices -- China , Steel -- Prices -- South Africa , Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171336 , vital:42049
- Description: The goal of this study was to determine whether asymmetric price transmission (APT) exists between the prices of South African UG-2 Chrome ore, Charge Chrome, Nickel and Chinese Domestic 304 Stainless steel Cold Rolled Coil prices. Monthly time series data for the period January 2009 to July 2019 was analysed. The Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL) model was applied to test for the presence of price asymmetry between the four variables. Firstly, it was observed that the four variables are cointegrated in the long-run. Secondly, no evidence of price asymmetry was found to be present within the Stainless steel supply chain. The reason for this is most likely due to the extremely close-knit and highly concentrated nature of this industry at each level within the supply chain. The industry can be very opaque to external observers even though the distribution of pricing information is very efficient for participants within the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Le Roux, Simon Petrus
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Pricing , Chromium ores -- Prices -- South Africa , Nickel -- Prices -- South Africa , Austenitic stainless steel-- Prices -- China , Steel -- Prices -- South Africa , Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171336 , vital:42049
- Description: The goal of this study was to determine whether asymmetric price transmission (APT) exists between the prices of South African UG-2 Chrome ore, Charge Chrome, Nickel and Chinese Domestic 304 Stainless steel Cold Rolled Coil prices. Monthly time series data for the period January 2009 to July 2019 was analysed. The Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL) model was applied to test for the presence of price asymmetry between the four variables. Firstly, it was observed that the four variables are cointegrated in the long-run. Secondly, no evidence of price asymmetry was found to be present within the Stainless steel supply chain. The reason for this is most likely due to the extremely close-knit and highly concentrated nature of this industry at each level within the supply chain. The industry can be very opaque to external observers even though the distribution of pricing information is very efficient for participants within the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Chave Chemutengure Vhiri Rengoro : Husarungano Nerwendo Rwengano Dzevashona
- Authors: Mabasa, Ignatius T
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Ethnology -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Folklore , Shona (African people) -- Folklore , Ethnoscience , Decolonization in literature , Decolonization -- Africa , Autoethnography , Chemutengure , Subaltern
- Language: Shona
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174198 , vital:42454 , http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/174198
- Description: Tsvakurudzo ino inyaya yangu sasarungano nemunyori weChiShona, asiwo iri nyaya yevanhu veChiShona. Inyaya yekurerwa kwandakaitwa nengano, ndikaona ngano dzakandirera dzichipinzwa muzvikoro, dzichisangana nechirungu, dzichifambidzana nechirungu, nekuzopedzisira dzazvara mimwe misambo yengano. Basa rino maonero angu ndichishandisa nzira yetsvakurudzo inonzi husarungano, kureva muono wasarungano. Izvi zvinoreva kududzira nekutsanangura, kufungisisa nekupenengura humhizha hunowanikwa mutsika nemagariro angu, sasarungano ari kupfuurira mberi nekuita ngano munyika yazara chirungu. Naizvozvo, ini ndini musoro wenyaya yandiri kutaura, asiwo ndirini zvakare muiti wetsvakurudzo. Ndichishandisa zvandakasangana nazvo, nezvandinofunga nekuona sasarungano – ndinodzokera kuchimbo chinotaura nyaya yevaShona pakapinda vachena munyika yeZimbabwe. Ndinotsanangura zvinoreva Chemutengure, uye nekukosha kwacho mukufambisa ruzivo, mashoko nekutsanangura hupenyu hwedu sevanhu vatema vakanga vakadzvanyiriwa. Chemutengure mafungiro, imhenenguro, iyambiro nehungwaru. Ndinotsanangura ruzivo rwevanhu vangu nekushanduka kwarwo kwakakonzerwa nechirungu. Ndinoita izvi ndichipenengura ngano, mabhuku, nziyo, mafungiro nezvimwe zvimutengure zvakatakura ngano. Otoetinogirafu iyo yandichapa zita rekuti husarungano imhando yekuvhiya uchiita tsvakurudzo, uye inowanikwa pakati pehumhizha hwekunyora nyaya nekupenengura zvine chekuita nehumhizha hwetsika nemagariro evanhu. Husarungano hunovhurira musiwo vanhu vanowanzovharirwa kunze netsvakurudzo dzinoitwa mumayunivhesiti dzine mitauro isiri yavo uyewo dzimwe nguva isinganzwisisike zviri nyn’ore. Husarungano hunoshandisa rondedzero nengano kuti zvinhu zvinosanganisira hukama nezvakasanganikwa nazvo nevanhu zvinzwisisike, panguva imwechete pachiumbwa hukama pakati penguva dzakare nazvino, hukama pakati pevanoita tsvakurudzo nevavari kuita tsvakurudzo pamusoro pavo, hukama pakati pevanyori nevaverengi, vanasarungano nevateereri vengano (Adams nevamwe, 2015). Tsvakurudzo ino haisi kuzopedza zvese zvinofanira kutaurwa pamusoro pengano, tsika nemagariro evanhu vatema, kunyorwa kwemabhuku nezvimwe zvakawanda zvainobata nekutarisa, asi riripo kuratidza simba nehupfumi huri muruzivo rwevaShona rwuri kurariswa muberere memba, chirungu chichirariswa mumba. Shanduko yandiri kutarisa mubasa rino inoda kuti isu vanhu vatema tisarambe tichiverengera kuti tirongeke nekuronga mafambiro nemararamiro achaita ruzivo rwedu munyika iri kukoshesa ruzivo, maitiro nezvinhu zvinogadzirwa nevarungu. Kana tikasaronga kuti tipembedze nekuwanisa ruzivo rwedu mukana, tichaita mufakose – kurasikirwa nezvedu, nekusakwana kana kunyatsonzwisisa zvevamwe zvatiri kukoshesa. Ruzivo rwandakashandisa mubasa rino rwunosanganisira zvakaitika kwandiri kubva pandakatanga kuziva ngano dzandakaudzwa nambuya vangu, kubatsirwa kwangu nengano kuchikoro, kuve munyori wemabhuku, nekuenda kwangu mhiri kwemakungwa sasarungano. Zvakarewo ndiri kutarisa ngano dzakaunganidzwa nekunyorwa nemamishenari, ngano dzakanyorwa kare muNative Afffairs Department Annual (NADA), ngano dzakaitwa senziyo, ngano dzakaitwa neLiterature Bureau, nengano dzandave kuita dzemanon-governmental organisations (NGO), panhepfenyuro, paTwitter nezvimwe zvimutengure zvakasiyana-siyana. Hupfumi huri mungano, mazano ekuri kuenda ngano dzedu, nezvinoreva chemutengure senzira yemafungiro zvinobuda mutsvakurudzo ino. Chitsauko 1 ndicho chinozama kutevedza nzira yekuita tsvakurudzo inozivikanwa, asi Chitsauko 2 inyunyuto inoburitsa mukundo une chirungu sekuunzwa kwachakaitwa naCecil John Rhodes. Chitsauko 3 chinotambanudza nekujekesa kukosha kwechimbo Chemutengure, uyewo nekuti sezano, chemutengure chinotibata sei nhasi uno. Chitsauko 4 chinoronda nzira dzakafamba nadzo ngano dzekunze dzichipinda matiri, uyewo nezvakaitwa nengano dzedu pamusoro peshanduko yakanga yauya. Chitsauko 5 chinopa mienzaniso yezviteshi zvakamira ngano dzevatema padzakabva mumisha dzichienda kuzvikoro kusvika dzazove muzvimwe zvimutengure zvakadziendesa kure nasarungano. Chitsauko 6 chinotarisa dambudziko rine chirungu muhupenyu hwevanhu vatema, nekukosha kwekudada nerudzi rwedu. Chitsauko 7 chinopeta basa chichipa mazano, chichiratidza kuti ngano hadzifanire kufa nekuti dzakagara dzine simba rekufambirana nenguva. , This research is my story as a Shona folklorist and creative writer, but it is also the story of the Shona people. It is a story of how I am “a child” of storytelling, and how the stories that raised me got appropriated and incorporated into the colonial school system where they converged and mixed with western forms of storytelling to create hybrids. As a storyteller I use autoethnography – which offers an insider’s perspective - to interpret and explain, to reflect and analyse the art of storytelling in my culture. The alienation of indigenous knowledge and cultural practices – specifically storytelling, is what necessitates the use of autoethnography for this study. Autoethnography is a qualitative research method of writing and storytelling where the researcher is the subject and the researcher's experiences are the data. I, being a Shona storyteller and creative writer, will systematically journey back and analyse personal experiences in order to make sense of the Shona people’s cultural experiences. The research process will see me running away from depending on other people’s records about my people’s cultural history. Instead, I traverse back in time to consult and extract a theory from the Shona song called Chemutengure from around 1890 that tells the story of British colonisation from the perspective of the colonised. I theorise and explain Chemutengure’s pedagogical and epistemological significance in critiquing the plight of Africans suffering contact-induced change. I apply the Chemutengure theory to folktales, books, songs, paradigms and other agents that played an active role in producing new forms of storytelling and worldviews. Autoethnography is a type of research method that blends engaging creative writing and analysis of cultural experiences. It opens doors of research to the subalterns who are usually shut out by research that is done in universities. “Rather than producing esoteric, jargon-laden texts, many auto-ethnographers recognize a need to speak also to nonacademic audiences,” (Adams et al, 2015: 42) employing narrative and story-telling to give meaning to identities, relationships, and experiences, and to create relationships between past and present, researchers and participants, writers and readers, tellers and audiences, (Adams et al, 2015:23). This research will not exhaust all that needs to be explored and said about Shona folktales, creativity and culture, or its literature and the many cultural aspects it looks at. Rather, it seeks to highlight, decolonize and deconstruct colonial mentalities, while emancipating the Shona worldview that has been put on leash by colonialism and western capitalistic tendencies. The study also looks at positive change that occurs when cultures inform one another, but without turning a blind eye to the lack of mutuality and how the logic of capitalism has left Africa hemorrhaging ideologically. Drawing from personal experiences when I listened to my grandmother’s stories, the study looks at the influence of folktales on my creative writing career. I reflect on my experiences as a Fulbright Scholar, as well as my Canadian experiences as storyteller and writer-in-residence at the University of Manitoba. Besides analysing stories written by missionaries in early Shona school readers, I also discuss folktales published in the Native Affairs Department Annual (NADA); the folktales performed as songs; the comic tales published by the Literature Bureau; tales developed for private institutions, government and non-governmental organisations; stories on radio, Twitter and many other forms. Besides giving the subaltern a voice, this research attempts to artistically demonstrate the power and versatility of the Shona folktale, as well as the genre’s potential for growth and development. Chapter 1 introduces the autoethngraphy method as well as what I hope to achieve through the methodology and style of writing. Chapter 2 is a conversation between a representative of the colonised and Cecil John Rhodes the imperialist. Besides pointing out imperialism’s damage to indigenous identities, the chapter discusses how Africa and Europe’s paradigms are diametrically conflicting. Chapter 3 introduces, explains and analyses the song/theory Chemutengure, and how it applies to the condition of the native in postcolonial Africa today. Chapter 4 tracks the trajectory of foreign tales in Zimbabwe, and how they influenced native folktales. The response of local tales is also critiqued. Chapter 5 looks at the milestones in the structural transformation of indigenous folktales, and how they were appropriated and hitched a ride in the wagon of change. Chapter 6 is a reflection on the impact of westernisation and globalisation in the lives of Africans, and how confused the native has become without his cultural anchor. Chapter 7 concludes by acknowledging the inevitability of change, and suggests how cultural practices and perspectives must respond to social change so as to remain relevant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mabasa, Ignatius T
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Ethnology -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Folklore , Shona (African people) -- Folklore , Ethnoscience , Decolonization in literature , Decolonization -- Africa , Autoethnography , Chemutengure , Subaltern
- Language: Shona
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174198 , vital:42454 , http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/174198
- Description: Tsvakurudzo ino inyaya yangu sasarungano nemunyori weChiShona, asiwo iri nyaya yevanhu veChiShona. Inyaya yekurerwa kwandakaitwa nengano, ndikaona ngano dzakandirera dzichipinzwa muzvikoro, dzichisangana nechirungu, dzichifambidzana nechirungu, nekuzopedzisira dzazvara mimwe misambo yengano. Basa rino maonero angu ndichishandisa nzira yetsvakurudzo inonzi husarungano, kureva muono wasarungano. Izvi zvinoreva kududzira nekutsanangura, kufungisisa nekupenengura humhizha hunowanikwa mutsika nemagariro angu, sasarungano ari kupfuurira mberi nekuita ngano munyika yazara chirungu. Naizvozvo, ini ndini musoro wenyaya yandiri kutaura, asiwo ndirini zvakare muiti wetsvakurudzo. Ndichishandisa zvandakasangana nazvo, nezvandinofunga nekuona sasarungano – ndinodzokera kuchimbo chinotaura nyaya yevaShona pakapinda vachena munyika yeZimbabwe. Ndinotsanangura zvinoreva Chemutengure, uye nekukosha kwacho mukufambisa ruzivo, mashoko nekutsanangura hupenyu hwedu sevanhu vatema vakanga vakadzvanyiriwa. Chemutengure mafungiro, imhenenguro, iyambiro nehungwaru. Ndinotsanangura ruzivo rwevanhu vangu nekushanduka kwarwo kwakakonzerwa nechirungu. Ndinoita izvi ndichipenengura ngano, mabhuku, nziyo, mafungiro nezvimwe zvimutengure zvakatakura ngano. Otoetinogirafu iyo yandichapa zita rekuti husarungano imhando yekuvhiya uchiita tsvakurudzo, uye inowanikwa pakati pehumhizha hwekunyora nyaya nekupenengura zvine chekuita nehumhizha hwetsika nemagariro evanhu. Husarungano hunovhurira musiwo vanhu vanowanzovharirwa kunze netsvakurudzo dzinoitwa mumayunivhesiti dzine mitauro isiri yavo uyewo dzimwe nguva isinganzwisisike zviri nyn’ore. Husarungano hunoshandisa rondedzero nengano kuti zvinhu zvinosanganisira hukama nezvakasanganikwa nazvo nevanhu zvinzwisisike, panguva imwechete pachiumbwa hukama pakati penguva dzakare nazvino, hukama pakati pevanoita tsvakurudzo nevavari kuita tsvakurudzo pamusoro pavo, hukama pakati pevanyori nevaverengi, vanasarungano nevateereri vengano (Adams nevamwe, 2015). Tsvakurudzo ino haisi kuzopedza zvese zvinofanira kutaurwa pamusoro pengano, tsika nemagariro evanhu vatema, kunyorwa kwemabhuku nezvimwe zvakawanda zvainobata nekutarisa, asi riripo kuratidza simba nehupfumi huri muruzivo rwevaShona rwuri kurariswa muberere memba, chirungu chichirariswa mumba. Shanduko yandiri kutarisa mubasa rino inoda kuti isu vanhu vatema tisarambe tichiverengera kuti tirongeke nekuronga mafambiro nemararamiro achaita ruzivo rwedu munyika iri kukoshesa ruzivo, maitiro nezvinhu zvinogadzirwa nevarungu. Kana tikasaronga kuti tipembedze nekuwanisa ruzivo rwedu mukana, tichaita mufakose – kurasikirwa nezvedu, nekusakwana kana kunyatsonzwisisa zvevamwe zvatiri kukoshesa. Ruzivo rwandakashandisa mubasa rino rwunosanganisira zvakaitika kwandiri kubva pandakatanga kuziva ngano dzandakaudzwa nambuya vangu, kubatsirwa kwangu nengano kuchikoro, kuve munyori wemabhuku, nekuenda kwangu mhiri kwemakungwa sasarungano. Zvakarewo ndiri kutarisa ngano dzakaunganidzwa nekunyorwa nemamishenari, ngano dzakanyorwa kare muNative Afffairs Department Annual (NADA), ngano dzakaitwa senziyo, ngano dzakaitwa neLiterature Bureau, nengano dzandave kuita dzemanon-governmental organisations (NGO), panhepfenyuro, paTwitter nezvimwe zvimutengure zvakasiyana-siyana. Hupfumi huri mungano, mazano ekuri kuenda ngano dzedu, nezvinoreva chemutengure senzira yemafungiro zvinobuda mutsvakurudzo ino. Chitsauko 1 ndicho chinozama kutevedza nzira yekuita tsvakurudzo inozivikanwa, asi Chitsauko 2 inyunyuto inoburitsa mukundo une chirungu sekuunzwa kwachakaitwa naCecil John Rhodes. Chitsauko 3 chinotambanudza nekujekesa kukosha kwechimbo Chemutengure, uyewo nekuti sezano, chemutengure chinotibata sei nhasi uno. Chitsauko 4 chinoronda nzira dzakafamba nadzo ngano dzekunze dzichipinda matiri, uyewo nezvakaitwa nengano dzedu pamusoro peshanduko yakanga yauya. Chitsauko 5 chinopa mienzaniso yezviteshi zvakamira ngano dzevatema padzakabva mumisha dzichienda kuzvikoro kusvika dzazove muzvimwe zvimutengure zvakadziendesa kure nasarungano. Chitsauko 6 chinotarisa dambudziko rine chirungu muhupenyu hwevanhu vatema, nekukosha kwekudada nerudzi rwedu. Chitsauko 7 chinopeta basa chichipa mazano, chichiratidza kuti ngano hadzifanire kufa nekuti dzakagara dzine simba rekufambirana nenguva. , This research is my story as a Shona folklorist and creative writer, but it is also the story of the Shona people. It is a story of how I am “a child” of storytelling, and how the stories that raised me got appropriated and incorporated into the colonial school system where they converged and mixed with western forms of storytelling to create hybrids. As a storyteller I use autoethnography – which offers an insider’s perspective - to interpret and explain, to reflect and analyse the art of storytelling in my culture. The alienation of indigenous knowledge and cultural practices – specifically storytelling, is what necessitates the use of autoethnography for this study. Autoethnography is a qualitative research method of writing and storytelling where the researcher is the subject and the researcher's experiences are the data. I, being a Shona storyteller and creative writer, will systematically journey back and analyse personal experiences in order to make sense of the Shona people’s cultural experiences. The research process will see me running away from depending on other people’s records about my people’s cultural history. Instead, I traverse back in time to consult and extract a theory from the Shona song called Chemutengure from around 1890 that tells the story of British colonisation from the perspective of the colonised. I theorise and explain Chemutengure’s pedagogical and epistemological significance in critiquing the plight of Africans suffering contact-induced change. I apply the Chemutengure theory to folktales, books, songs, paradigms and other agents that played an active role in producing new forms of storytelling and worldviews. Autoethnography is a type of research method that blends engaging creative writing and analysis of cultural experiences. It opens doors of research to the subalterns who are usually shut out by research that is done in universities. “Rather than producing esoteric, jargon-laden texts, many auto-ethnographers recognize a need to speak also to nonacademic audiences,” (Adams et al, 2015: 42) employing narrative and story-telling to give meaning to identities, relationships, and experiences, and to create relationships between past and present, researchers and participants, writers and readers, tellers and audiences, (Adams et al, 2015:23). This research will not exhaust all that needs to be explored and said about Shona folktales, creativity and culture, or its literature and the many cultural aspects it looks at. Rather, it seeks to highlight, decolonize and deconstruct colonial mentalities, while emancipating the Shona worldview that has been put on leash by colonialism and western capitalistic tendencies. The study also looks at positive change that occurs when cultures inform one another, but without turning a blind eye to the lack of mutuality and how the logic of capitalism has left Africa hemorrhaging ideologically. Drawing from personal experiences when I listened to my grandmother’s stories, the study looks at the influence of folktales on my creative writing career. I reflect on my experiences as a Fulbright Scholar, as well as my Canadian experiences as storyteller and writer-in-residence at the University of Manitoba. Besides analysing stories written by missionaries in early Shona school readers, I also discuss folktales published in the Native Affairs Department Annual (NADA); the folktales performed as songs; the comic tales published by the Literature Bureau; tales developed for private institutions, government and non-governmental organisations; stories on radio, Twitter and many other forms. Besides giving the subaltern a voice, this research attempts to artistically demonstrate the power and versatility of the Shona folktale, as well as the genre’s potential for growth and development. Chapter 1 introduces the autoethngraphy method as well as what I hope to achieve through the methodology and style of writing. Chapter 2 is a conversation between a representative of the colonised and Cecil John Rhodes the imperialist. Besides pointing out imperialism’s damage to indigenous identities, the chapter discusses how Africa and Europe’s paradigms are diametrically conflicting. Chapter 3 introduces, explains and analyses the song/theory Chemutengure, and how it applies to the condition of the native in postcolonial Africa today. Chapter 4 tracks the trajectory of foreign tales in Zimbabwe, and how they influenced native folktales. The response of local tales is also critiqued. Chapter 5 looks at the milestones in the structural transformation of indigenous folktales, and how they were appropriated and hitched a ride in the wagon of change. Chapter 6 is a reflection on the impact of westernisation and globalisation in the lives of Africans, and how confused the native has become without his cultural anchor. Chapter 7 concludes by acknowledging the inevitability of change, and suggests how cultural practices and perspectives must respond to social change so as to remain relevant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Coastal pH variability and the eco-physiological and behavioural response of a coastal fish species in light of future ocean acidification
- Authors: Edworthy, Carla
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Ocean acidification , Diplodus capensis (Blacktail) , Diplodus -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Diplodus -- Metabolism , Diplodus -- Food , Diplodus -- Larvae , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Carbon dioxide -- Physiological effect , Respiration -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176793 , vital:42759 , 10.21504/10962/176793
- Description: Ocean acidification (OA) is a global phenomenon referring to a decrease in ocean pH and a perturbation of the seawater carbonate system due to ever-increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. In coastal environments, identifying the impacts of OA is complex due to the multiple contributors to pH variability by coastal processes, such as freshwater inflow, upwelling, hydrodynamic processes, and biological activity. The aim of this PhD study was to quantify the local processes occurring in a temperate coastal embayment, Algoa Bay in South Africa, that contribute to pH and carbonate chemistry variability over time (monthly and 24-hour) and space (~10 km) and examine how this variability impacts a local fish species, Diplodus capensis, also commonly known as ‘blacktail’. Algoa Bay, known for its complex oceanography, is an interesting location in which to quantify carbonate chemistry variability. To assess this variability, monitoring sites were selected to coincide with the Algoa Bay Sentinel Site long-term ecological research (LTER) and continuous monitoring (CMP) programmes. The average pH at offshore sites in the bay was 8.03 ± 0.07 and at inshore sites was 8.04 ± 0.15. High pH variability (~0.55–0.61 pH units) was recorded at both offshore (>10 m depth) and inshore sites (intertidal surf zones). Many sites in the bay, especially the atypical site at Cape Recife, exhibit higher than the average pH levels (>8.04), suggesting that pH variability may be biologically driven. This is further evidenced by high diurnal variability in pH (~0.55 pH units). Although the specific drivers of the high pH variability in Algoa Bay could not be identified, baseline carbonate chemistry conditions were identified, which is necessary information to design and interpret biological experiments. Long-term, continuous monitoring is required to improve understanding of the drivers of pH variability in understudied coastal regions, like Algoa Bay. A local fisheries species, D. capensis, was selected as a model species to assess the impacts of future OA scenarios in Algoa Bay. It was hypothesized that this temperate, coastally distributed species would be adapted to naturally variable pH conditions and thus show some tolerance to low pH, considering that they are exposed to minimum pH levels of 7.77 and fluctuations of up to 0.55 pH units. Laboratory perturbation experiments were used to expose early postflexion stage of D. capensis to a range of pH treatments that were selected based on the measured local variability (~8.0–7.7 pH), as well as future projected OA scenarios (7.6–7.2 pH). Physiological responses were estimated using intermittent flow respirometry by quantifying routine and active metabolic rates as well as relative aerobic scope at each pH treatment. The behavioural responses of the larvae were also assessed at each pH treatment, as activity levels, by measuring swimming distance and speed in video-recording experiments, as well as feeding rates. D. capensis had sufficient physiological capacity to maintain metabolic performance at pH levels as low as 7.27, as evidenced by no changes in any of the measured metabolic rates (routine metabolic rate, active metabolic rate, and relative aerobic scope) after exposure to the range of pH treatments (8.02–7.27). Feeding rates of D. capensis were similarly unaffected by pH treatment. However, it appears that subtle increases in activity level (measured by swimming distance and swimming speed experiments) occur with a decrease in pH. These changes in activity level were a consequence of a change in behaviour rather than metabolic constraints. This study concludes, however, that based on the parameters measured, there is no evidence for survival or fitness related consequences of near future OA on D. capensis. OA research is still in its infancy in South Africa, and the potential impacts of OA to local marine resources has not yet been considered in local policy and resource management strategies. Integrating field monitoring and laboratory perturbation experiments is emerging as best practice in OA research. This is the first known study on the temperate south coast of South Africa to quantify local pH variability and to use this information to evaluate the biological response of a local species using relevant local OA scenarios as treatment levels for current and near future conditions. Research on local conditions in situ and the potential impacts of future OA scenarios on socio-economically valuable species, following the model developed in this study, is necessary to provide national policy makers with relevant scientific data to inform climate change management policies for local resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Edworthy, Carla
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Ocean acidification , Diplodus capensis (Blacktail) , Diplodus -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Diplodus -- Metabolism , Diplodus -- Food , Diplodus -- Larvae , Marine ecology -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Carbon dioxide -- Physiological effect , Respiration -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176793 , vital:42759 , 10.21504/10962/176793
- Description: Ocean acidification (OA) is a global phenomenon referring to a decrease in ocean pH and a perturbation of the seawater carbonate system due to ever-increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. In coastal environments, identifying the impacts of OA is complex due to the multiple contributors to pH variability by coastal processes, such as freshwater inflow, upwelling, hydrodynamic processes, and biological activity. The aim of this PhD study was to quantify the local processes occurring in a temperate coastal embayment, Algoa Bay in South Africa, that contribute to pH and carbonate chemistry variability over time (monthly and 24-hour) and space (~10 km) and examine how this variability impacts a local fish species, Diplodus capensis, also commonly known as ‘blacktail’. Algoa Bay, known for its complex oceanography, is an interesting location in which to quantify carbonate chemistry variability. To assess this variability, monitoring sites were selected to coincide with the Algoa Bay Sentinel Site long-term ecological research (LTER) and continuous monitoring (CMP) programmes. The average pH at offshore sites in the bay was 8.03 ± 0.07 and at inshore sites was 8.04 ± 0.15. High pH variability (~0.55–0.61 pH units) was recorded at both offshore (>10 m depth) and inshore sites (intertidal surf zones). Many sites in the bay, especially the atypical site at Cape Recife, exhibit higher than the average pH levels (>8.04), suggesting that pH variability may be biologically driven. This is further evidenced by high diurnal variability in pH (~0.55 pH units). Although the specific drivers of the high pH variability in Algoa Bay could not be identified, baseline carbonate chemistry conditions were identified, which is necessary information to design and interpret biological experiments. Long-term, continuous monitoring is required to improve understanding of the drivers of pH variability in understudied coastal regions, like Algoa Bay. A local fisheries species, D. capensis, was selected as a model species to assess the impacts of future OA scenarios in Algoa Bay. It was hypothesized that this temperate, coastally distributed species would be adapted to naturally variable pH conditions and thus show some tolerance to low pH, considering that they are exposed to minimum pH levels of 7.77 and fluctuations of up to 0.55 pH units. Laboratory perturbation experiments were used to expose early postflexion stage of D. capensis to a range of pH treatments that were selected based on the measured local variability (~8.0–7.7 pH), as well as future projected OA scenarios (7.6–7.2 pH). Physiological responses were estimated using intermittent flow respirometry by quantifying routine and active metabolic rates as well as relative aerobic scope at each pH treatment. The behavioural responses of the larvae were also assessed at each pH treatment, as activity levels, by measuring swimming distance and speed in video-recording experiments, as well as feeding rates. D. capensis had sufficient physiological capacity to maintain metabolic performance at pH levels as low as 7.27, as evidenced by no changes in any of the measured metabolic rates (routine metabolic rate, active metabolic rate, and relative aerobic scope) after exposure to the range of pH treatments (8.02–7.27). Feeding rates of D. capensis were similarly unaffected by pH treatment. However, it appears that subtle increases in activity level (measured by swimming distance and swimming speed experiments) occur with a decrease in pH. These changes in activity level were a consequence of a change in behaviour rather than metabolic constraints. This study concludes, however, that based on the parameters measured, there is no evidence for survival or fitness related consequences of near future OA on D. capensis. OA research is still in its infancy in South Africa, and the potential impacts of OA to local marine resources has not yet been considered in local policy and resource management strategies. Integrating field monitoring and laboratory perturbation experiments is emerging as best practice in OA research. This is the first known study on the temperate south coast of South Africa to quantify local pH variability and to use this information to evaluate the biological response of a local species using relevant local OA scenarios as treatment levels for current and near future conditions. Research on local conditions in situ and the potential impacts of future OA scenarios on socio-economically valuable species, following the model developed in this study, is necessary to provide national policy makers with relevant scientific data to inform climate change management policies for local resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Creative Cities and Regional Development: The Case of Makhanda and the Creative City Project
- Authors: Campbell, Guy John
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be assigned
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCOM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174448 , vital:42478
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Campbell, Guy John
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be assigned
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCOM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174448 , vital:42478
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Defended subjectivity in service-learning:a psychosocial analysis of students’ talk about service-learning in psychology
- Authors: Haselau, Tracey Laura
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Service learning -- Case studies -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Psychology students -- Attitudes -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170810 , vital:41962 , 10.21504/10962/170810
- Description: The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyse students’ talk about their service-learning experiences in psychology, in South Africa, from a psychosocial perspective. The research aims to identify dominant and subjugated discourses about service-learning in psychology, and to explore why students invest in particular discourses over others. Furthermore, the research aims to explore the intersubjective contexts that mediate students’ talk about their service-learning and their emotional investments in the discourses employed in their talk, drawing on the concept of mentalization. Eight psychology students were interviewed toward the end of their participation in a service-learning psychology honours course. Transcripts from the interviews as well as entries from students’ reflective journals were analysed using a psychosocial methodology. The key findings from this research point to the ways in which students oscillate between employing two competing sets of discourses about their service learning. At times, students drew on what I have referred to as a ‘discourse of rapture’, characterised by fascination with the ‘other’ and the maintenance of power imbalances. This discourse draws on a liberal traditional discourse of learning and a charity discourse of service-learning. In other parts of their talk, students draw on what I have called a ‘discourse of ruptura’, characterised by an inward curiosity about the outward fascination with the ‘other’. This discourse draws on constructivist accounts of service-learning. Findings suggest that students’ emotional investments in discourses of service-learning are mediated by defensive positions caused by the anxieties incurred in service-learning contexts. An important consideration to take forward from this research is the way in which anxieties in service-learning experiences may be contained (or not), and to be aware of the problematic outcomes that may arise from not containing anxieties, such as the perpetuation of prejudicial attitudes and othering. The intersectionality of ‘race’ and disability in the specific service-learning programme under investigation in this study is an important consideration in implementing careful supervision of programmes such as this one, so that students’ rapture with the ‘other’ is not compounded and reinforced by the service-learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Haselau, Tracey Laura
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Service learning -- Case studies -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Psychology students -- Attitudes -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170810 , vital:41962 , 10.21504/10962/170810
- Description: The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyse students’ talk about their service-learning experiences in psychology, in South Africa, from a psychosocial perspective. The research aims to identify dominant and subjugated discourses about service-learning in psychology, and to explore why students invest in particular discourses over others. Furthermore, the research aims to explore the intersubjective contexts that mediate students’ talk about their service-learning and their emotional investments in the discourses employed in their talk, drawing on the concept of mentalization. Eight psychology students were interviewed toward the end of their participation in a service-learning psychology honours course. Transcripts from the interviews as well as entries from students’ reflective journals were analysed using a psychosocial methodology. The key findings from this research point to the ways in which students oscillate between employing two competing sets of discourses about their service learning. At times, students drew on what I have referred to as a ‘discourse of rapture’, characterised by fascination with the ‘other’ and the maintenance of power imbalances. This discourse draws on a liberal traditional discourse of learning and a charity discourse of service-learning. In other parts of their talk, students draw on what I have called a ‘discourse of ruptura’, characterised by an inward curiosity about the outward fascination with the ‘other’. This discourse draws on constructivist accounts of service-learning. Findings suggest that students’ emotional investments in discourses of service-learning are mediated by defensive positions caused by the anxieties incurred in service-learning contexts. An important consideration to take forward from this research is the way in which anxieties in service-learning experiences may be contained (or not), and to be aware of the problematic outcomes that may arise from not containing anxieties, such as the perpetuation of prejudicial attitudes and othering. The intersectionality of ‘race’ and disability in the specific service-learning programme under investigation in this study is an important consideration in implementing careful supervision of programmes such as this one, so that students’ rapture with the ‘other’ is not compounded and reinforced by the service-learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Design patterns and software techniques for large-scale, open and reproducible data reduction
- Authors: Molenaar, Gijs Jan
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio astronomy -- Data processing -- Software , Radio astronomy -- South Africa , ASTRODECONV2019 dataset , Radio telescopes -- South Africa , KERN (omputer software)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172169 , vital:42172 , 10.21504/10962/172169
- Description: The preparation for the construction of the Square Kilometre Array, and the introduction of its operational precursors, such as LOFAR and MeerKAT, mark the beginning of an exciting era for astronomy. Impressive new data containing valuable science just waiting for discovery is already being generated, and these devices will produce far more data than has ever been collected before. However, with every new data instrument, the data rates grow to unprecedented quantities of data, requiring novel new data-processing tools. In addition, creating science grade data from the raw data still requires significant expert knowledge for processing this data. The software used is often developed by a scientist who lacks proper training in software development skills, resulting in the software not progressing beyond a prototype stage in quality. In the first chapter, we explore various organisational and technical approaches to address these issues by providing a historical overview of the development of radioastronomy pipelines since the inception of the field in the 1940s. In that, the steps required to create a radio image are investigated. We used the lessons-learned to identify patterns in the challenges experienced, and the solutions created to address these over the years. The second chapter describes the mathematical foundations that are essential for radio imaging. In the third chapter, we discuss the production of the KERN Linux distribution, which is a set of software packages containing most radio astronomy software currently in use. Considerable effort was put into making sure that the contained software installs appropriately, all items next to one other on the same system. Where required and possible, bugs and portability fixes were solved and reported with the upstream maintainers. The KERN project also has a website, and issue tracker, where users can report bugs and maintainers can coordinate the packaging effort and new releases. The software packages can be used inside Docker and Singularity containers, enabling the installation of these packages on a wide variety of platforms. In the fourth and fifth chapters, we discuss methods and frameworks for combining the available data reduction tools into recomposable pipelines and introduce the Kliko specification and software. This framework was created to enable end-user astronomers to chain and containerise operations of software in KERN packages. Next, we discuss the Common Workflow Language (CommonWL), a similar but more advanced and mature pipeline framework invented by bio-informatics scientists. CommonWL is supported by a wide range of tools already; among other schedulers, visualisers and editors. Consequently, when a pipeline is made with CommonWL, it can be deployed and manipulated with a wide range of tools. In the final chapter, we attempt something unconventional, applying a generative adversarial network based on deep learning techniques to perform the task of sky brightness reconstruction. Since deep learning methods often require a large number of training samples, we constructed a CommonWL simulation pipeline for creating dirty images and corresponding sky models. This simulated dataset has been made publicly available as the ASTRODECONV2019 dataset. It is shown that this method is useful to perform the restoration and matches the performance of a single clean cycle. In addition, we incorporated domain knowledge by adding the point spread function to the network and by utilising a custom loss function during training. Although it was not possible to improve the cleaning performance of commonly used existing tools, the computational time performance of the approach looks very promising. We suggest that a smaller scope should be the starting point for further studies and optimising of the training of the neural network could produce the desired results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Molenaar, Gijs Jan
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio astronomy -- Data processing -- Software , Radio astronomy -- South Africa , ASTRODECONV2019 dataset , Radio telescopes -- South Africa , KERN (omputer software)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172169 , vital:42172 , 10.21504/10962/172169
- Description: The preparation for the construction of the Square Kilometre Array, and the introduction of its operational precursors, such as LOFAR and MeerKAT, mark the beginning of an exciting era for astronomy. Impressive new data containing valuable science just waiting for discovery is already being generated, and these devices will produce far more data than has ever been collected before. However, with every new data instrument, the data rates grow to unprecedented quantities of data, requiring novel new data-processing tools. In addition, creating science grade data from the raw data still requires significant expert knowledge for processing this data. The software used is often developed by a scientist who lacks proper training in software development skills, resulting in the software not progressing beyond a prototype stage in quality. In the first chapter, we explore various organisational and technical approaches to address these issues by providing a historical overview of the development of radioastronomy pipelines since the inception of the field in the 1940s. In that, the steps required to create a radio image are investigated. We used the lessons-learned to identify patterns in the challenges experienced, and the solutions created to address these over the years. The second chapter describes the mathematical foundations that are essential for radio imaging. In the third chapter, we discuss the production of the KERN Linux distribution, which is a set of software packages containing most radio astronomy software currently in use. Considerable effort was put into making sure that the contained software installs appropriately, all items next to one other on the same system. Where required and possible, bugs and portability fixes were solved and reported with the upstream maintainers. The KERN project also has a website, and issue tracker, where users can report bugs and maintainers can coordinate the packaging effort and new releases. The software packages can be used inside Docker and Singularity containers, enabling the installation of these packages on a wide variety of platforms. In the fourth and fifth chapters, we discuss methods and frameworks for combining the available data reduction tools into recomposable pipelines and introduce the Kliko specification and software. This framework was created to enable end-user astronomers to chain and containerise operations of software in KERN packages. Next, we discuss the Common Workflow Language (CommonWL), a similar but more advanced and mature pipeline framework invented by bio-informatics scientists. CommonWL is supported by a wide range of tools already; among other schedulers, visualisers and editors. Consequently, when a pipeline is made with CommonWL, it can be deployed and manipulated with a wide range of tools. In the final chapter, we attempt something unconventional, applying a generative adversarial network based on deep learning techniques to perform the task of sky brightness reconstruction. Since deep learning methods often require a large number of training samples, we constructed a CommonWL simulation pipeline for creating dirty images and corresponding sky models. This simulated dataset has been made publicly available as the ASTRODECONV2019 dataset. It is shown that this method is useful to perform the restoration and matches the performance of a single clean cycle. In addition, we incorporated domain knowledge by adding the point spread function to the network and by utilising a custom loss function during training. Although it was not possible to improve the cleaning performance of commonly used existing tools, the computational time performance of the approach looks very promising. We suggest that a smaller scope should be the starting point for further studies and optimising of the training of the neural network could produce the desired results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Development and calidation of the psychometric properties underpinning the Kwaito Music Attitude and Perception Scale (KMP)
- Authors: Williams, Akhona
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception , Chronbach's alpha , Kwaito (Music) , Psychotherapy and music -- South Africa , Problem youth -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Attitude (Psychology) -- Testing -- South Africa , Perception -- Testing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172478 , vital:42208
- Description: Music holds a privileged position in enhancing therapeutic well-being, supporting life skills development in youth and adolescents, and shaping cultural identities. As such, music has been closely related to youth culture, especially as it pertains to youth rehabilitation and identity formation. Studies (e.g., Duffy and Fuller, 2000; Miranda et al, 2013; Strayhorn, 2011; Tomasello, 2016) highlight the value of utilising music in youth rehabilitation, and acknowledge the intrinsic value of music to facilitate psychological and social change for individuals who would not otherwise benefit from psycho-education, or other didactic modes of youth rehabilitation. That said, Tyson (2005) developed the RAP music scale to psychometrically validate the underlying constructs of youth’ attitudes and perception of rap music in the United States of America, in order to use the instrument for music-based youth rehabilitation programs. The development of the RAP music scale informed the creation and validation of the Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception (KMP) Scale, the subject of my Masters thesis. Following suggestions from Morrison (2014), my study sought to psychometrically validate the properties of the Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception (KMP) Scale. The KMP was found to be a reliable measure of kwaito music attitudes and perception amongst a sample of South African youth who listen to this genre of music. The internal consistency of the questionnaire revealed a Cronbach’s α (Alpha) value of 0.820. Limitations of the project including reduced factor extraction and sample size constrains are discussed. It is envisioned that results from this study will find resonance with youth-community programs, and rehabilitation projects utilising music as a medium of healing amongst South African youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Williams, Akhona
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception , Chronbach's alpha , Kwaito (Music) , Psychotherapy and music -- South Africa , Problem youth -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Attitude (Psychology) -- Testing -- South Africa , Perception -- Testing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172478 , vital:42208
- Description: Music holds a privileged position in enhancing therapeutic well-being, supporting life skills development in youth and adolescents, and shaping cultural identities. As such, music has been closely related to youth culture, especially as it pertains to youth rehabilitation and identity formation. Studies (e.g., Duffy and Fuller, 2000; Miranda et al, 2013; Strayhorn, 2011; Tomasello, 2016) highlight the value of utilising music in youth rehabilitation, and acknowledge the intrinsic value of music to facilitate psychological and social change for individuals who would not otherwise benefit from psycho-education, or other didactic modes of youth rehabilitation. That said, Tyson (2005) developed the RAP music scale to psychometrically validate the underlying constructs of youth’ attitudes and perception of rap music in the United States of America, in order to use the instrument for music-based youth rehabilitation programs. The development of the RAP music scale informed the creation and validation of the Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception (KMP) Scale, the subject of my Masters thesis. Following suggestions from Morrison (2014), my study sought to psychometrically validate the properties of the Kwaito-music Attitude and Perception (KMP) Scale. The KMP was found to be a reliable measure of kwaito music attitudes and perception amongst a sample of South African youth who listen to this genre of music. The internal consistency of the questionnaire revealed a Cronbach’s α (Alpha) value of 0.820. Limitations of the project including reduced factor extraction and sample size constrains are discussed. It is envisioned that results from this study will find resonance with youth-community programs, and rehabilitation projects utilising music as a medium of healing amongst South African youth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Elucidating Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) invasion and enhancing its management in Eastern Africa : spread, socio-ecological impacts, and potential of a newly imported larval parasitoid for classical biological control Eastern in Africa
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osabhahiemen
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osabhahiemen
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Tuta absoluta -- Biological control , Tomatoes -- Diseases and pests -- Africa, East , Braconidae , Gelechiidae -- Biological control -- Africa, East , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170421 , vital:41920 , 10.21504/10962/170421
- Description: Agriculture is a fundamental source of sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa and millions of people in the region rely solely on small-scale farming for their food security. However, the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on crop production are serious, and there is no sign of this abating. Among the recent IAS that have invaded Africa in the last decade, the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been one of the most damaging. Following its first record in the Maghreb region of Africa in 2008, T. absoluta rapidly spread throughout Africa with substantial impacts on tomato production, often causing 100% yield loss. Management options adopted against T. absoluta by tomato growers in Africa have been based on the use of synthetic insecticides. While chemical insecticide applications are an important component of an integrated pest management programme, misuse and over-reliance often exacerbates the impacts of T. absolutadue to the development of resistance to commonly used active substances, increasing the fitness of the pest. This thesis sought to understand the socio-economic impacts of the spread of T. absoluta in Eastern Africa and provide effective sustainable pest management strategies to reduce its impacts below economic thresholds. Mapping surveys of Tabsoluta were conducted in 226 tomato agro-ecosystems across four eastern countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) Eastern Africa from 2016 to 2018 to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of the pest. The impacts of T. absoluta on the livelihoods of tomato growers were also assessed. Here, 200 tomato growers in Kenya were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Although T. absoluta, a recent invader, was distributed at high infestation levels throughout the subregion (all four countries) and was considered as the most damaging invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased the cost of tomato production and price of the fruit, and the frequency of pesticide applications. The impact of this pest and the and the absence of effective indigenous natural enemies of the pest in Eastern Africa, was the rationale for the importation of a larval parasitoid, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Marsh Syn.: Apanteles gelechiidivoris Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), of T. absoluta from Peru into the quarantine facility of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and ecologyz(icipe), in Kenya. Pre-release assessments on the parasitzation potential of D. gelechiidivoris, encompassing host larval preference and the host suitability, and its reproductive strategy, for classical biological control of T. absoluta in Africa were conducted. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris females preferentially oviposited in early (1st and 2nd) larval instars of T. absoluta but parasitized and completed development in all four instars of the host. Host instar did not affect D. gelechiidivoris sex-ratio but females reared on the first instar had significantly fewer eggs than when reared in late larval instars (3rd and 4th). Females of the parasitoid emerged with a high mature egg load which peaked 2 d post-eclosion. The females of D. gelechiidivoris survived 8.51±0.65 d and produced 103±8 offspring per female at 26±4°C (range: 24 to 29°C) and 50–70% relative humidity (RH) in the presence of males and fed honey-water (80% honey). Increasing maternal age decreased the proportion of female offspring. Under the aforementioned laboratory conditions, the Gross and Net reproductive rates were 72 and 39.5 respectively, while the mean generation time was 20 d. The estimated intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.18. These findings indicate that D. gelechiidivorisis a potential biological control agent of T. absoluta and should be considered for augmentative/inundative release in Kenya and across Africa following host specificity testing and risk assessments. The nature of the interaction between D. gelechidivoris and the predatory mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis(Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), an important and widespread natural enemy of T. absoluta in Africa was evaluated because N. tenuis, although being a voracious predator of T. absoluta eggs, it can also prey on the early host larval instars (1st and 2nd) which are the preferred oviposition host stages of D. gelechiidivoris. Here, the impact of N. tenuis feeding on T. absoluta and the effects on D. gelechiidivoris performance was tested. Regardless of the order of introductions (i.e. the sequence of combination with D. gelechiidivoris) and densities (i.e. number of N. tenuis combined with D. gelechiidivoris), there was no intraguild predation by N. tenuis on D. gelechiidivorisas there was little host larval feeding behaviour. Also, the presence of N. tenuis did not affect the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris. Further investigations revealed that the combined efficacy of N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivorison T. absoluta population was significantly higher than either natural enemy alone, thus contributes to the data supporting the release of D. gelechiidivoris in Africa. In concluding, integrating D. gelechiidivoris and N. tenuis in the management of T. absolut could potentially reduce yield losses in tomato in Eastern Africa where the socio-economic impacts of the pest are very serious.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osabhahiemen
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Tuta absoluta -- Biological control , Tomatoes -- Diseases and pests -- Africa, East , Braconidae , Gelechiidae -- Biological control -- Africa, East , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170421 , vital:41920 , 10.21504/10962/170421
- Description: Agriculture is a fundamental source of sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa and millions of people in the region rely solely on small-scale farming for their food security. However, the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on crop production are serious, and there is no sign of this abating. Among the recent IAS that have invaded Africa in the last decade, the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been one of the most damaging. Following its first record in the Maghreb region of Africa in 2008, T. absoluta rapidly spread throughout Africa with substantial impacts on tomato production, often causing 100% yield loss. Management options adopted against T. absoluta by tomato growers in Africa have been based on the use of synthetic insecticides. While chemical insecticide applications are an important component of an integrated pest management programme, misuse and over-reliance often exacerbates the impacts of T. absolutadue to the development of resistance to commonly used active substances, increasing the fitness of the pest. This thesis sought to understand the socio-economic impacts of the spread of T. absoluta in Eastern Africa and provide effective sustainable pest management strategies to reduce its impacts below economic thresholds. Mapping surveys of Tabsoluta were conducted in 226 tomato agro-ecosystems across four eastern countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) Eastern Africa from 2016 to 2018 to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of the pest. The impacts of T. absoluta on the livelihoods of tomato growers were also assessed. Here, 200 tomato growers in Kenya were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Although T. absoluta, a recent invader, was distributed at high infestation levels throughout the subregion (all four countries) and was considered as the most damaging invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods. The arrival of T. absoluta in the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased the cost of tomato production and price of the fruit, and the frequency of pesticide applications. The impact of this pest and the and the absence of effective indigenous natural enemies of the pest in Eastern Africa, was the rationale for the importation of a larval parasitoid, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Marsh Syn.: Apanteles gelechiidivoris Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), of T. absoluta from Peru into the quarantine facility of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and ecologyz(icipe), in Kenya. Pre-release assessments on the parasitzation potential of D. gelechiidivoris, encompassing host larval preference and the host suitability, and its reproductive strategy, for classical biological control of T. absoluta in Africa were conducted. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris females preferentially oviposited in early (1st and 2nd) larval instars of T. absoluta but parasitized and completed development in all four instars of the host. Host instar did not affect D. gelechiidivoris sex-ratio but females reared on the first instar had significantly fewer eggs than when reared in late larval instars (3rd and 4th). Females of the parasitoid emerged with a high mature egg load which peaked 2 d post-eclosion. The females of D. gelechiidivoris survived 8.51±0.65 d and produced 103±8 offspring per female at 26±4°C (range: 24 to 29°C) and 50–70% relative humidity (RH) in the presence of males and fed honey-water (80% honey). Increasing maternal age decreased the proportion of female offspring. Under the aforementioned laboratory conditions, the Gross and Net reproductive rates were 72 and 39.5 respectively, while the mean generation time was 20 d. The estimated intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.18. These findings indicate that D. gelechiidivorisis a potential biological control agent of T. absoluta and should be considered for augmentative/inundative release in Kenya and across Africa following host specificity testing and risk assessments. The nature of the interaction between D. gelechidivoris and the predatory mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis(Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), an important and widespread natural enemy of T. absoluta in Africa was evaluated because N. tenuis, although being a voracious predator of T. absoluta eggs, it can also prey on the early host larval instars (1st and 2nd) which are the preferred oviposition host stages of D. gelechiidivoris. Here, the impact of N. tenuis feeding on T. absoluta and the effects on D. gelechiidivoris performance was tested. Regardless of the order of introductions (i.e. the sequence of combination with D. gelechiidivoris) and densities (i.e. number of N. tenuis combined with D. gelechiidivoris), there was no intraguild predation by N. tenuis on D. gelechiidivorisas there was little host larval feeding behaviour. Also, the presence of N. tenuis did not affect the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris. Further investigations revealed that the combined efficacy of N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivorison T. absoluta population was significantly higher than either natural enemy alone, thus contributes to the data supporting the release of D. gelechiidivoris in Africa. In concluding, integrating D. gelechiidivoris and N. tenuis in the management of T. absolut could potentially reduce yield losses in tomato in Eastern Africa where the socio-economic impacts of the pest are very serious.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Evaluating the cyber security skills gap relating to penetration testing
- Authors: Beukes, Dirk Johannes
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Monitoring , Computer networks -- Management , Data protection , Information technology -- Security measures , Professionals -- Supply and demand , Electronic data personnel -- Supply and demand
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171120 , vital:42021
- Description: Information Technology (IT) is growing rapidly and has become an integral part of daily life. It provides a boundless list of services and opportunities, generating boundless sources of information, which could be abused or exploited. Due to this growth, there are thousands of new users added to the grid using computer systems in a static and mobile environment; this fact alone creates endless volumes of data to be exploited and hardware devices to be abused by the wrong people. The growth in the IT environment adds challenges that may affect users in their personal, professional, and business lives. There are constant threats on corporate and private computer networks and computer systems. In the corporate environment companies try to eliminate the threat by testing networks making use of penetration tests and by implementing cyber awareness programs to make employees more aware of the cyber threat. Penetration tests and vulnerability assessments are undervalued; are seen as a formality and are not used to increase system security. If used regularly the computer system will be more secure and attacks minimized. With the growth in technology, industries all over the globe become fully dependent on information systems in doing their day-to-day business. As technology evolves and new technology becomes available, the bigger the risk becomes to protect against the dangers which come with this new technology. For industry to protect itself against this growth in technology, personnel with a certain skill set is needed. This is where cyber security plays a very important role in the protection of information systems to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information system itself and the data on the system. Due to this drive to secure information systems, the need for cyber security by professionals is on the rise as well. It is estimated that there is a shortage of one million cyber security professionals globally. What is the reason for this skills shortage? Will it be possible to close this skills shortage gap? This study is about identifying the skills gap and identifying possible ways to close this skills gap. In this study, research was conducted on the cyber security international standards, cyber security training at universities and international certification focusing specifically on penetration testing, the evaluation of the need of industry while recruiting new penetration testers, finishing with suggestions on how to fill possible gaps in the skills market with a conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Beukes, Dirk Johannes
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Monitoring , Computer networks -- Management , Data protection , Information technology -- Security measures , Professionals -- Supply and demand , Electronic data personnel -- Supply and demand
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171120 , vital:42021
- Description: Information Technology (IT) is growing rapidly and has become an integral part of daily life. It provides a boundless list of services and opportunities, generating boundless sources of information, which could be abused or exploited. Due to this growth, there are thousands of new users added to the grid using computer systems in a static and mobile environment; this fact alone creates endless volumes of data to be exploited and hardware devices to be abused by the wrong people. The growth in the IT environment adds challenges that may affect users in their personal, professional, and business lives. There are constant threats on corporate and private computer networks and computer systems. In the corporate environment companies try to eliminate the threat by testing networks making use of penetration tests and by implementing cyber awareness programs to make employees more aware of the cyber threat. Penetration tests and vulnerability assessments are undervalued; are seen as a formality and are not used to increase system security. If used regularly the computer system will be more secure and attacks minimized. With the growth in technology, industries all over the globe become fully dependent on information systems in doing their day-to-day business. As technology evolves and new technology becomes available, the bigger the risk becomes to protect against the dangers which come with this new technology. For industry to protect itself against this growth in technology, personnel with a certain skill set is needed. This is where cyber security plays a very important role in the protection of information systems to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information system itself and the data on the system. Due to this drive to secure information systems, the need for cyber security by professionals is on the rise as well. It is estimated that there is a shortage of one million cyber security professionals globally. What is the reason for this skills shortage? Will it be possible to close this skills shortage gap? This study is about identifying the skills gap and identifying possible ways to close this skills gap. In this study, research was conducted on the cyber security international standards, cyber security training at universities and international certification focusing specifically on penetration testing, the evaluation of the need of industry while recruiting new penetration testers, finishing with suggestions on how to fill possible gaps in the skills market with a conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Evaluation of metallophthalocyanine functionalized photocatalytic asymmetric polymer membranes for pollution control and antimicrobial activity
- Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Authors: Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Photosensitizing compounds , Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis , Phthalocyanines , Polymeric membranes , Porphyrins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171357 , vital:42052 , 10.21504/10962/171357
- Description: The conceptualisation of photosensitizing water treatment polymer membranes using phthalocyanine based photosensitizers is reported in this thesis. The key to successful preparation of stable photoactive polymer membranes was established as the covalent anchorage of the photosensitizer to a polymer, which was proven by singlet oxygen generation by the membranes without photosensitizer deterioration. Despite this limitation, the covalent linkage-incapable unsubstituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine (complex 2) was applied as a nanoconjugate of graphene quantum dots (2π(GQDs)). 2π(GQDs) was formed through π-π stacking, and was then covalently anchored, as a proof of concept. This concept was also applied to 2-(4-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyaninato zinc (II) (complex 3) which is capable of covalent linkage but proved to deteriorate the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation with comparison to the covalent conjugates. Singlet oxygen generation by functionalized polymer membranes rendered them photocatalytic in the degradation of organic pollutants and microorganisms in water. Organic pollutant degradation capability was exemplified by 2π(GQDs) and a porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterodyad (complex 10) functionalized membranes (2π(GQDs)-memb and 10-memb respectively), where a MPc loading of approximately 0.139 μmol MPc/g of membrane was able to achieve a 4-chlorophenol degradation rate of 3.77 × 10−6 mol L−1 min−1 in a second order reaction with an initial 4-chlorophenol concentration of 3.24 × 10−4 mol L−1 for 2π(GQDs)-memb as an example. Antibacterial studies against S.aureus using a quaternized MPc and conjugates of silver triangular nanoprisms with zinc (II) and indium (III) MPcs showed note-worthy improvements in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity in comparison to the unquaternized MPc precursor, and the free zinc and indium MPcs respectively. Functionalization of polymer membranes with these higher activity photosensitizers translated to the formation of potentially superior biological fouling resistant membranes. The use of porphyrin-phthalocyanine polynuclei arrays (complex 10) in polymer membrane functionalization resulted in the use of a wider wavelength range (white light). The findings from this work as a whole, thus presents the potential applicability of phthalocyanine functionalized polymer membranes in water treatment technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Photosensitizing compounds , Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis , Phthalocyanines , Polymeric membranes , Porphyrins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171357 , vital:42052 , 10.21504/10962/171357
- Description: The conceptualisation of photosensitizing water treatment polymer membranes using phthalocyanine based photosensitizers is reported in this thesis. The key to successful preparation of stable photoactive polymer membranes was established as the covalent anchorage of the photosensitizer to a polymer, which was proven by singlet oxygen generation by the membranes without photosensitizer deterioration. Despite this limitation, the covalent linkage-incapable unsubstituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine (complex 2) was applied as a nanoconjugate of graphene quantum dots (2π(GQDs)). 2π(GQDs) was formed through π-π stacking, and was then covalently anchored, as a proof of concept. This concept was also applied to 2-(4-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyaninato zinc (II) (complex 3) which is capable of covalent linkage but proved to deteriorate the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation with comparison to the covalent conjugates. Singlet oxygen generation by functionalized polymer membranes rendered them photocatalytic in the degradation of organic pollutants and microorganisms in water. Organic pollutant degradation capability was exemplified by 2π(GQDs) and a porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterodyad (complex 10) functionalized membranes (2π(GQDs)-memb and 10-memb respectively), where a MPc loading of approximately 0.139 μmol MPc/g of membrane was able to achieve a 4-chlorophenol degradation rate of 3.77 × 10−6 mol L−1 min−1 in a second order reaction with an initial 4-chlorophenol concentration of 3.24 × 10−4 mol L−1 for 2π(GQDs)-memb as an example. Antibacterial studies against S.aureus using a quaternized MPc and conjugates of silver triangular nanoprisms with zinc (II) and indium (III) MPcs showed note-worthy improvements in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity in comparison to the unquaternized MPc precursor, and the free zinc and indium MPcs respectively. Functionalization of polymer membranes with these higher activity photosensitizers translated to the formation of potentially superior biological fouling resistant membranes. The use of porphyrin-phthalocyanine polynuclei arrays (complex 10) in polymer membrane functionalization resulted in the use of a wider wavelength range (white light). The findings from this work as a whole, thus presents the potential applicability of phthalocyanine functionalized polymer membranes in water treatment technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Exploring domestic workers’ subjectivities through stories of their personal childcare arrangements
- Authors: Michaeu, Nisha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Women household employees, Black -- Social conditions -- South Africa , Women household employees, Black -- Social conditions -- South Africa -- Case studies , Women household employees, Black -- Psychology -- South Africa , Day care aides -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172029 , vital:42150
- Description: Domestic service has long been a major sector of the South African labour market, for black women particularly, who must support their family and children. Existing research has stressed the way in which race, class and gender has shaped the oppressive character of domestic service in South Africa. In this narrative study a new slant is provided on this existing theoretical discussion of domestic labour, one that is focused on exploring the agentic human being beyond ‘the servant question’. This study uses narrative interviews with domestic workers in Makhanda/Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa to show how we can expand on potentially limited or constricted passive ‘domestic worker identities’ and ideas/beliefs about women who do domestic work. A performative and positioning narrative analysis is used to explore the subject positions of domestic workers in their stories about their childcare arrangements. This analysis examines multiple shifting identities and positions that are used by domestic workers in relation to their maternal subjectivity and their audience (here, a white trainee-psychologist esearcher), while highlighting the significance of narrative methodology in making these positions visible. The areas of focus were their history, experience of domestic work, life outside of domestic work, family network/dynamics and personal childcare arrangements. Under these areas of focus the following was analysed: the ways in which the storyteller positioned herself in her narrative, how she compared/contrasted or located herself in relation to the other, claims of identity that were made, what she incorporated or purposefully left out, words and phrases that were chosen, which sections of talk were embellished or elaborated on and appeals that were made to the interviewer (Riessman, 2002). Through exploring the micro-practices of domestic workers’ lives the study found that there were various subject positions constructed and used by this group of women. Findings showed that domestic workers positioned themselves actively as breadwinners, good mothers who give their children opportunities that they were not given, nurturers and crafty mothers who secure good care for their children. In contrast to these active subject positions, positions of sacrifice were performed when domestic workers spoke about leaving their young children in the care of another while they worked. The study also found that participants managed complex positions of disappointment and unmet expectations for a better life in the new South Africa by using narratives of resistance and agency. In certain instances, identity appeals were made to the interviewer that they, and other women who do domestic work, are entrepreneurial and creative with their income and possess skills outside of their day-to-day household cleaning jobs. This was interpreted as an attempt to extend the domestic worker identity positioning beyond the traditionally accepted notions of unskilled/uneducated women who do domestic work. In the study this allowed for more subject positions to be taken up in terms of identities and selves, beyond just being a “domestic worker”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Michaeu, Nisha
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Women household employees, Black -- Social conditions -- South Africa , Women household employees, Black -- Social conditions -- South Africa -- Case studies , Women household employees, Black -- Psychology -- South Africa , Day care aides -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172029 , vital:42150
- Description: Domestic service has long been a major sector of the South African labour market, for black women particularly, who must support their family and children. Existing research has stressed the way in which race, class and gender has shaped the oppressive character of domestic service in South Africa. In this narrative study a new slant is provided on this existing theoretical discussion of domestic labour, one that is focused on exploring the agentic human being beyond ‘the servant question’. This study uses narrative interviews with domestic workers in Makhanda/Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa to show how we can expand on potentially limited or constricted passive ‘domestic worker identities’ and ideas/beliefs about women who do domestic work. A performative and positioning narrative analysis is used to explore the subject positions of domestic workers in their stories about their childcare arrangements. This analysis examines multiple shifting identities and positions that are used by domestic workers in relation to their maternal subjectivity and their audience (here, a white trainee-psychologist esearcher), while highlighting the significance of narrative methodology in making these positions visible. The areas of focus were their history, experience of domestic work, life outside of domestic work, family network/dynamics and personal childcare arrangements. Under these areas of focus the following was analysed: the ways in which the storyteller positioned herself in her narrative, how she compared/contrasted or located herself in relation to the other, claims of identity that were made, what she incorporated or purposefully left out, words and phrases that were chosen, which sections of talk were embellished or elaborated on and appeals that were made to the interviewer (Riessman, 2002). Through exploring the micro-practices of domestic workers’ lives the study found that there were various subject positions constructed and used by this group of women. Findings showed that domestic workers positioned themselves actively as breadwinners, good mothers who give their children opportunities that they were not given, nurturers and crafty mothers who secure good care for their children. In contrast to these active subject positions, positions of sacrifice were performed when domestic workers spoke about leaving their young children in the care of another while they worked. The study also found that participants managed complex positions of disappointment and unmet expectations for a better life in the new South Africa by using narratives of resistance and agency. In certain instances, identity appeals were made to the interviewer that they, and other women who do domestic work, are entrepreneurial and creative with their income and possess skills outside of their day-to-day household cleaning jobs. This was interpreted as an attempt to extend the domestic worker identity positioning beyond the traditionally accepted notions of unskilled/uneducated women who do domestic work. In the study this allowed for more subject positions to be taken up in terms of identities and selves, beyond just being a “domestic worker”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Exploring the role of supervisors in developing employee commitment in a Namibian Public Institution from the subordinates’ perspective
- Authors: Daniel, Anna
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Supervisors -- Namibia -- Case studies , Leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee motivation -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee loyalty -- Namibia -- Case studies , Supervision -- Namibia -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170770 , vital:41958
- Description: Over the years, scholars have noted the importance of organisations managing the performance of their employees by effectively maintaining their commitment. Hence, l ite rature highlighted that employee s have the potential to be recognised as a source of competitive advantage for an organisation and not a resource of an organisation. The main aim of the study was to explore the role of supervisors in developing employee commitment in a Namibian Public Ins titution from the subordinates’ perspective. The focus of this research was to understand how subordinates were included in decision making and were supported by their supervisors , and on how subordinates received feed b ack on role fulfilment and performance from their supervisors. Furthermore, the study described how subordinates viewed the leadership behaviour of their supervisors and how this i nfluenced employee commitment. The data was collected using qualitative me t hods through semi - structured face - to - face interview s with the subordinates of the selected institution. During this study, a sample of 15 subordinates taken from a population of 266 within the institution’s structure was inte rviewed . The interview quest ion s were based on how supervisors included subordinates in decision making, developed subordinates ’ support and delivered feedback on role and performance. The study used secondary data to determine the level of performance against set targets of the inst itu tion, using the annual performance report of the institution. In addition , the study used the staff access control syste m to determine the work time s of employees Lastly, the study analysed the data regarding staff resignation for the last five years to a ssess the level of staff turnover rate of the institution. The study f ound that the subordinates felt the re should be greater subordinate inclusion in decision making, increased levels of re gular feedback and higher levels of support shown by supervis ors t o subordinates when e xecuting their jobs. The study further highlighted the importance of supervisors to develop the ability of shifting from one leadership style to another depending on the situation at hand. The study reviewed six leadership style s that could influence commitment . Therefore, the study recommend s th at the institution direct its attention towards developing the situational leadership skills of their supervisors and developing their skills to enable them to better harmonise teamwork, increas e regular communication and give regular feedback to their subordinates . The results from this research will be beneficial to public institutions within the region and will, in add ition, enhance the academic body of literature in this field . The s tudy will draw the attention of supervisors to the importance of their behaviour, conduct, and their subsequent impact on employee commitment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Daniel, Anna
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Supervisors -- Namibia -- Case studies , Leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee motivation -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee loyalty -- Namibia -- Case studies , Supervision -- Namibia -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170770 , vital:41958
- Description: Over the years, scholars have noted the importance of organisations managing the performance of their employees by effectively maintaining their commitment. Hence, l ite rature highlighted that employee s have the potential to be recognised as a source of competitive advantage for an organisation and not a resource of an organisation. The main aim of the study was to explore the role of supervisors in developing employee commitment in a Namibian Public Ins titution from the subordinates’ perspective. The focus of this research was to understand how subordinates were included in decision making and were supported by their supervisors , and on how subordinates received feed b ack on role fulfilment and performance from their supervisors. Furthermore, the study described how subordinates viewed the leadership behaviour of their supervisors and how this i nfluenced employee commitment. The data was collected using qualitative me t hods through semi - structured face - to - face interview s with the subordinates of the selected institution. During this study, a sample of 15 subordinates taken from a population of 266 within the institution’s structure was inte rviewed . The interview quest ion s were based on how supervisors included subordinates in decision making, developed subordinates ’ support and delivered feedback on role and performance. The study used secondary data to determine the level of performance against set targets of the inst itu tion, using the annual performance report of the institution. In addition , the study used the staff access control syste m to determine the work time s of employees Lastly, the study analysed the data regarding staff resignation for the last five years to a ssess the level of staff turnover rate of the institution. The study f ound that the subordinates felt the re should be greater subordinate inclusion in decision making, increased levels of re gular feedback and higher levels of support shown by supervis ors t o subordinates when e xecuting their jobs. The study further highlighted the importance of supervisors to develop the ability of shifting from one leadership style to another depending on the situation at hand. The study reviewed six leadership style s that could influence commitment . Therefore, the study recommend s th at the institution direct its attention towards developing the situational leadership skills of their supervisors and developing their skills to enable them to better harmonise teamwork, increas e regular communication and give regular feedback to their subordinates . The results from this research will be beneficial to public institutions within the region and will, in add ition, enhance the academic body of literature in this field . The s tudy will draw the attention of supervisors to the importance of their behaviour, conduct, and their subsequent impact on employee commitment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
High-resolution geological, petrological and geochemical investigation of the mid mid-lower c. 3.3 Ga Kromberg type type-section, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa Africa
- Authors: Ndlela, Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Petrology -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Geology -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Geochemistry -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Onverwacht Group (South Africa) , Barberton Greenstone Belt (Eswatini and South Africa) , Groups (Stratigraph) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172241 , vital:42179
- Description: The geology of the SE limb of the Kromberg type-section, its origin and its evolution has remained controversial for more than five decades since its discovery by Viljoen and Viljoen (1969). Different lithostratigraphy and geodynamic models have been proposed that were centred around two end-member models, a continuous layer-cake stratigraphy model (Viljoen and Viljoen, 1969c, Lowe et al., 1999) or a tectono-stratigraphic model (de Wit et al., 2011, Furnes et al., 2012). Additionally, the Kromberg type-section mafic-ultramafic sequence represents a relatively thin, dismembered sequence compared to other formations or ‘complexes’ in the Onverwacht Group. Previous geology workers relied on the field interpretations for the construction of the geological architecture of the Kromberg type-section; but no petrographic analyses were conducted for accurate, integrated geological characterization of different rock compositions. To address controversies centred around the Kromberg type-section geology and geodynamic setting, this study is aimed at testing previously proposed stratigraphic and geodynamic models by integrating high-resolution geological mapping, petrography, mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry to verify rock characterization. The aim is to accurately reconstruct the volcano-sedimentary architecture of the Kromberg type-section and to compare this to the results of previous fieldwork. Moreover, the manner in which the Kromberg sequence may relate to current Archean geodynamic models is evaluated, and a new model explaining the origin and evolution of the Kromberg type sequence is proposed. The integration of high-resolution field mapping, petrography and geochemistry has allowed for a high precision study and that has resulted in the construction of a new geological architecture for the SE limb of the Kromberg type-section. The stratigraphic thickness of the SE limb of the Kromberg sequence comprises dominant c. 80% volcanic rocks and minor c. 15% intrusive rocks, intercalated by 7 volcano-sedimentary chert horizons (c. 5%). Four main rock types (groups) are present in the Kromberg type-section with two sub-types of komatiitic basalts (the Badplaas-type and Geluk-types), Fe-rich tholeiitic basalt, cumulate peridotite, and a metadunite. Although the Kromberg type-section records sub-greenschist to lower greenschist facies, more than 50% of the rock samples classify as altered with parts of the stratigraphy recording extensive chloritization and severe ocean-floor silicification. Geochemical data revealed an enrichment in SiO2, K2O, Ba, Rb and variation in HREE for highly silicified samples whereas, chloritized samples are enriched in FeO and have concave upward LREE patterns. Partially chloritized tholeiites and komatiitic basalts have overlapping SiO2 signatures, relatively flat REE patterns and a small negative Nb anomaly in the primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams. This thesis provides the first Lu-Hf isotope data on whole rock samples from the Kromberg type-section. The εHf values at t=3.33 Ga range between -0.62 to +4.18 and Hf model ages range between 3.43 - 4.27 Ga. The rock compositions are compared to the geochemistry of other greenstone belt rocks, which are considered to provide insight onto the geodynamic setting under which the Kromberg mafic-ultramafic sequence formed. The rock compositions reveal plume-related processes where a primitive mantle melt interacts with recycled mafic crust or mafic lower crust of older units of the Onverwacht Group. Only a small Nb anomaly is found in some samples and the data plots outside the subduction zone (forearc and back-arc) field. Rare-Earth element profiles are flat and not consistent with a subduction zone signature, as proposed in previous studies. Rifting of an oceanic floor in a juvenile basin is proposed for the formation of the Kromberg type-section rocks, prior to being tectonically accreted during regional transpressional deformation at c. 3.23 Ga.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Ndlela, Sibusisiwe
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Petrology -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Geology -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Geochemistry -- Eswatini and South Africa -- Barberton Greenstone Belt , Onverwacht Group (South Africa) , Barberton Greenstone Belt (Eswatini and South Africa) , Groups (Stratigraph) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172241 , vital:42179
- Description: The geology of the SE limb of the Kromberg type-section, its origin and its evolution has remained controversial for more than five decades since its discovery by Viljoen and Viljoen (1969). Different lithostratigraphy and geodynamic models have been proposed that were centred around two end-member models, a continuous layer-cake stratigraphy model (Viljoen and Viljoen, 1969c, Lowe et al., 1999) or a tectono-stratigraphic model (de Wit et al., 2011, Furnes et al., 2012). Additionally, the Kromberg type-section mafic-ultramafic sequence represents a relatively thin, dismembered sequence compared to other formations or ‘complexes’ in the Onverwacht Group. Previous geology workers relied on the field interpretations for the construction of the geological architecture of the Kromberg type-section; but no petrographic analyses were conducted for accurate, integrated geological characterization of different rock compositions. To address controversies centred around the Kromberg type-section geology and geodynamic setting, this study is aimed at testing previously proposed stratigraphic and geodynamic models by integrating high-resolution geological mapping, petrography, mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry to verify rock characterization. The aim is to accurately reconstruct the volcano-sedimentary architecture of the Kromberg type-section and to compare this to the results of previous fieldwork. Moreover, the manner in which the Kromberg sequence may relate to current Archean geodynamic models is evaluated, and a new model explaining the origin and evolution of the Kromberg type sequence is proposed. The integration of high-resolution field mapping, petrography and geochemistry has allowed for a high precision study and that has resulted in the construction of a new geological architecture for the SE limb of the Kromberg type-section. The stratigraphic thickness of the SE limb of the Kromberg sequence comprises dominant c. 80% volcanic rocks and minor c. 15% intrusive rocks, intercalated by 7 volcano-sedimentary chert horizons (c. 5%). Four main rock types (groups) are present in the Kromberg type-section with two sub-types of komatiitic basalts (the Badplaas-type and Geluk-types), Fe-rich tholeiitic basalt, cumulate peridotite, and a metadunite. Although the Kromberg type-section records sub-greenschist to lower greenschist facies, more than 50% of the rock samples classify as altered with parts of the stratigraphy recording extensive chloritization and severe ocean-floor silicification. Geochemical data revealed an enrichment in SiO2, K2O, Ba, Rb and variation in HREE for highly silicified samples whereas, chloritized samples are enriched in FeO and have concave upward LREE patterns. Partially chloritized tholeiites and komatiitic basalts have overlapping SiO2 signatures, relatively flat REE patterns and a small negative Nb anomaly in the primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams. This thesis provides the first Lu-Hf isotope data on whole rock samples from the Kromberg type-section. The εHf values at t=3.33 Ga range between -0.62 to +4.18 and Hf model ages range between 3.43 - 4.27 Ga. The rock compositions are compared to the geochemistry of other greenstone belt rocks, which are considered to provide insight onto the geodynamic setting under which the Kromberg mafic-ultramafic sequence formed. The rock compositions reveal plume-related processes where a primitive mantle melt interacts with recycled mafic crust or mafic lower crust of older units of the Onverwacht Group. Only a small Nb anomaly is found in some samples and the data plots outside the subduction zone (forearc and back-arc) field. Rare-Earth element profiles are flat and not consistent with a subduction zone signature, as proposed in previous studies. Rifting of an oceanic floor in a juvenile basin is proposed for the formation of the Kromberg type-section rocks, prior to being tectonically accreted during regional transpressional deformation at c. 3.23 Ga.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021