Wild swimming methodologies for decolonial feminist justice-to-come scholarship
- Shefer, Tamara, Bozalek, Vivienne
- Authors: Shefer, Tamara , Bozalek, Vivienne
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426996 , vital:72407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/014177892110693"
- Description: This article thinks with oceans and swimming, in dialogue with decolonial feminist materialist approaches and other current novel methodologies which foreground embodiment and relational ontologies, in order to consider the conceptual potential of such diffractions for the project of alternative scholarly practices. We focus on swimming in the sea as one form of wild methodology and Slow scholarship that draws on hauntology to think about the possibilities of such methodologies for troubling normative academic practices directed at different ways of being and becoming. Located in the (post-)apartheid space of South African higher education, which continues to follow and reinstate colonial, patriarchal and neoliberal capitalist logics, we ask questions about the silences around material histories of subjugation and violence that are embedded in the institution and the lives of those who enter these spaces. Propositions are made about how a swimming methodology may inspire a consciousness and engagement with intersectional gender hauntings that permeate the material, curricula, relational and affective spaces of academia as part of disrupting and reimagining the university as a space of/for justice and flourishing. We explore the ways in which embodied, affective methodologies in or near the ocean/s may be deployed to subvert and reconfigure, to make and stay with trouble. We therefore propose sea swimming as a powerful way of thinking with the sea in productive and creative ways for scholarship towards a justice-to-come, to open up new imaginaries of scholarship that make a difference.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Shefer, Tamara , Bozalek, Vivienne
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426996 , vital:72407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/014177892110693"
- Description: This article thinks with oceans and swimming, in dialogue with decolonial feminist materialist approaches and other current novel methodologies which foreground embodiment and relational ontologies, in order to consider the conceptual potential of such diffractions for the project of alternative scholarly practices. We focus on swimming in the sea as one form of wild methodology and Slow scholarship that draws on hauntology to think about the possibilities of such methodologies for troubling normative academic practices directed at different ways of being and becoming. Located in the (post-)apartheid space of South African higher education, which continues to follow and reinstate colonial, patriarchal and neoliberal capitalist logics, we ask questions about the silences around material histories of subjugation and violence that are embedded in the institution and the lives of those who enter these spaces. Propositions are made about how a swimming methodology may inspire a consciousness and engagement with intersectional gender hauntings that permeate the material, curricula, relational and affective spaces of academia as part of disrupting and reimagining the university as a space of/for justice and flourishing. We explore the ways in which embodied, affective methodologies in or near the ocean/s may be deployed to subvert and reconfigure, to make and stay with trouble. We therefore propose sea swimming as a powerful way of thinking with the sea in productive and creative ways for scholarship towards a justice-to-come, to open up new imaginaries of scholarship that make a difference.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Working in poverty: Informal employment of household gardeners in Eastern Cape towns, South Africa
- King, A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
“Eye on the big prize!”: Iconizing the Democratic Alliance in the Daily Sun
- Siebörger, Ian, Adendorff, Ralph D
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385324 , vital:68007 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/splp/article/view/253996"
- Description: This article gives a snapshot view of how Mmusi Maimane’s rise to leadership in the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2015 was reported on in the Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest-selling national daily newspaper (South African Audience Research Foundation, 2016). Through analysis of a Daily Sun news article exemplifying trends in the positioning of the DA in the tabloid over the first half of 2015, the present study demonstrates how Maimane tried to align the DA around a new iconography (Tann 2010, 2013), centred on the values of “freedom”, “fairness” and “opportunity”. Moreover, the present study also shows how this purported transformation in the DA was treated with scepticism by the news article’s author, who iconizes the DA as incapable of transformation and effective governance. Fine-grained complementary Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) analyses were conducted on this news article. The LCT analysis shows how multiple voices in the news article create conflicting binary constellations, axiologically charged through various linguistic resources, including intertextual references. The analysis, using SFL’s Appraisal system (Martin and White 2005), shows how iconization is accomplished in the news article through evaluative language, coupled with intertextual references, grammatical metaphor andtechnicality to produce syndromes of meaning in the news article. Such iconization works, in this case, to reproduce an attitude of cynicism toward party politics in post-apartheid South Africa. This cynicism foreshadows Maimane’s ultimate lack of success in transforming the discourses of the DA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385324 , vital:68007 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/splp/article/view/253996"
- Description: This article gives a snapshot view of how Mmusi Maimane’s rise to leadership in the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2015 was reported on in the Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest-selling national daily newspaper (South African Audience Research Foundation, 2016). Through analysis of a Daily Sun news article exemplifying trends in the positioning of the DA in the tabloid over the first half of 2015, the present study demonstrates how Maimane tried to align the DA around a new iconography (Tann 2010, 2013), centred on the values of “freedom”, “fairness” and “opportunity”. Moreover, the present study also shows how this purported transformation in the DA was treated with scepticism by the news article’s author, who iconizes the DA as incapable of transformation and effective governance. Fine-grained complementary Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) analyses were conducted on this news article. The LCT analysis shows how multiple voices in the news article create conflicting binary constellations, axiologically charged through various linguistic resources, including intertextual references. The analysis, using SFL’s Appraisal system (Martin and White 2005), shows how iconization is accomplished in the news article through evaluative language, coupled with intertextual references, grammatical metaphor andtechnicality to produce syndromes of meaning in the news article. Such iconization works, in this case, to reproduce an attitude of cynicism toward party politics in post-apartheid South Africa. This cynicism foreshadows Maimane’s ultimate lack of success in transforming the discourses of the DA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
“If I don’t take my treatment, I will die and who will take care of my child?”: An investigation into an inclusive community-led approach to addressing the barriers to HIV treatment adherence by postpartum women living with HIV
- Authors: Pepper, Katy
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426441 , vital:72353 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271294"
- Description: Initiatives to support adherence to HIV treatment in South Africa are often centred on service delivery thereby avoiding key challenges to adherence: stigma and poverty. In contrast, this study aims to demonstrate the strength of an inclusive research and programme approach to improving the lives of people living with HIV and simultaneously ARV adherence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Pepper, Katy
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426441 , vital:72353 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271294"
- Description: Initiatives to support adherence to HIV treatment in South Africa are often centred on service delivery thereby avoiding key challenges to adherence: stigma and poverty. In contrast, this study aims to demonstrate the strength of an inclusive research and programme approach to improving the lives of people living with HIV and simultaneously ARV adherence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Synthesis, computational and biological studies of alkyltin(IV)N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate complexes
- Date: 2021-7
- Subjects: Organotin Compounds Anti-inflammatory agents Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7713 , vital:54743 , ("https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07693")
- Description: Methyltin(IV) of butyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate complexes, represented as [(CH3)2Sn(L(OH))2] and [(C4H9)2Sn(L(OH))2] respectively were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (1 H, 13C and 119Sn NMR) and elemental analysis. Both infrared and NMR data showed that, the complexes were formed via two sulphur atoms of the dithiocarbamate group. This mode of coordination was further supported by the DFT calculation, which suggested the formation of a distorted octahedral geometry around the tin atom. The complexes were screened for their antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties. Four different assays including DPPH, nitric oxide, reducing power and hydrogen peroxides were used for the antioxidant studies, while an in vitro anti-inflammatory study was done using albumin denaturation assay. The complexes showed good antioxidant activity, especially in the DPPH assay. Butyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate showed better cytotoxicity activity compared to methyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate in the selected cell lines, which included KMST-6, Caco-2 and A549 cell lines. The anti-inflammatory activities revealed that the two complexes have useful activities better than diclofenac used as control drug
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-7
- Date: 2021-7
- Subjects: Organotin Compounds Anti-inflammatory agents Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7713 , vital:54743 , ("https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07693")
- Description: Methyltin(IV) of butyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate complexes, represented as [(CH3)2Sn(L(OH))2] and [(C4H9)2Sn(L(OH))2] respectively were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (1 H, 13C and 119Sn NMR) and elemental analysis. Both infrared and NMR data showed that, the complexes were formed via two sulphur atoms of the dithiocarbamate group. This mode of coordination was further supported by the DFT calculation, which suggested the formation of a distorted octahedral geometry around the tin atom. The complexes were screened for their antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties. Four different assays including DPPH, nitric oxide, reducing power and hydrogen peroxides were used for the antioxidant studies, while an in vitro anti-inflammatory study was done using albumin denaturation assay. The complexes showed good antioxidant activity, especially in the DPPH assay. Butyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate showed better cytotoxicity activity compared to methyltin(IV)–N-hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamate in the selected cell lines, which included KMST-6, Caco-2 and A549 cell lines. The anti-inflammatory activities revealed that the two complexes have useful activities better than diclofenac used as control drug
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-7
Behavioural activities and chemical composition of fresh leaf essential oil of Plectranthus aegyptiacus from Southwest Nigeria in mice
- Akuegbe, Enimeya Dressman, Oyemitan, Idris Ajayi, Oyedeji, Opeoluwa, Ogunlowo, Ifeoluwa Isaac, Miya, Gugulethu Mathew, Oyedeji, Adebola
- Authors: Akuegbe, Enimeya Dressman , Oyemitan, Idris Ajayi , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa , Ogunlowo, Ifeoluwa Isaac , Miya, Gugulethu Mathew , Oyedeji, Adebola
- Date: 2021-6
- Subjects: Acute toxicity testing , Carvacrol , Essential oil , Behaviour modification , Plectranthus
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6506 , vital:46434 , ("https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2021.14.2.0030")
- Description: This study determined the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from fresh leaf of Plectranthus aegyptiacus, and evaluated it for novelty-induced behavioural (NIB) and determine its mechanism(s) of action in mice. The oil was hydro-distillated, and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of the oil (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg; i.p., n=6) on novelty-induced behavioural was assessed using open field test and head dipping on hole board. Probable mechanism(s) were evaluated using antagonists: flumazenil, naloxone and cyproheptadine at 2 mg/kg each, atropine and yohimbine at 5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg respectively. The LD50 values obtained were 2154 and 490 mg/kg for oral and intraperitoneal routes respectively. The oil (50, 100 and150 mg/kg) significantly (p less 0.05, 0.01 and 0.01) inhibited all NIB and head dips. Flumazenil significantly (p less than 0.05) reversed the effect of the oil on NIB; atropine, naloxone and cyproheptadine significantly (p less than 0.01, 0.01 and 0.001) potentiated inhibitory effect on NIB respectively, while yohimbine showed no significantly effect. The analyzed oil showed 61 compounds, and the major compounds were carvacrol, germacrene-D, p-cymene and [1,1'-Bicyclopentyl]-2,2'-diol. The study concluded that the oil possessed central nervous system depressant activity, which could be mediated mainly through augmentation of GABAergic neurotransmission, while cholinergic-(muscarinic), adrenergic and serotonergic pathways may be involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-6
- Authors: Akuegbe, Enimeya Dressman , Oyemitan, Idris Ajayi , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa , Ogunlowo, Ifeoluwa Isaac , Miya, Gugulethu Mathew , Oyedeji, Adebola
- Date: 2021-6
- Subjects: Acute toxicity testing , Carvacrol , Essential oil , Behaviour modification , Plectranthus
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6506 , vital:46434 , ("https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2021.14.2.0030")
- Description: This study determined the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from fresh leaf of Plectranthus aegyptiacus, and evaluated it for novelty-induced behavioural (NIB) and determine its mechanism(s) of action in mice. The oil was hydro-distillated, and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of the oil (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg; i.p., n=6) on novelty-induced behavioural was assessed using open field test and head dipping on hole board. Probable mechanism(s) were evaluated using antagonists: flumazenil, naloxone and cyproheptadine at 2 mg/kg each, atropine and yohimbine at 5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg respectively. The LD50 values obtained were 2154 and 490 mg/kg for oral and intraperitoneal routes respectively. The oil (50, 100 and150 mg/kg) significantly (p less 0.05, 0.01 and 0.01) inhibited all NIB and head dips. Flumazenil significantly (p less than 0.05) reversed the effect of the oil on NIB; atropine, naloxone and cyproheptadine significantly (p less than 0.01, 0.01 and 0.001) potentiated inhibitory effect on NIB respectively, while yohimbine showed no significantly effect. The analyzed oil showed 61 compounds, and the major compounds were carvacrol, germacrene-D, p-cymene and [1,1'-Bicyclopentyl]-2,2'-diol. The study concluded that the oil possessed central nervous system depressant activity, which could be mediated mainly through augmentation of GABAergic neurotransmission, while cholinergic-(muscarinic), adrenergic and serotonergic pathways may be involved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-6
Chemical Profiling, Toxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oils from Three Grapefruit Cultivars from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
- Miya, Gugulethu, Oyedeji, Opeoluwa, Gondwe, Mavuto, Oyedeji, Adebola
- Authors: Miya, Gugulethu , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa , Gondwe, Mavuto , Oyedeji, Adebola
- Date: 2021-6
- Subjects: South Africa Citrus paradisi grapefruit essential oil toxicity anti-inflammatory Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6479 , vital:46408 , ("https://DOI:10.3390/molecules26113387")
- Description: Introduction: This case report discusses the successful use of an improvised bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus made using items commonly available in a poorly resourced district hospital. Case presentation: A 64-year-old female with no co-morbidities presented with respiratory failure due to pulmonary tuberculosis and was not accepted into the regional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on referral. She required 8 days of improvised bubble CPAP to maintain adequate oxygen saturation before weaning and eventual discharge. Discussion: Improvised bubble CPAP is commonly used in neonatal care in developing countries and well described in literature however, there are no reports of its successful use in adult patients. In the absence of access to ICU or other Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) equipment, improvised bubble CPAP may provide some therapeutic benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-6
- Authors: Miya, Gugulethu , Oyedeji, Opeoluwa , Gondwe, Mavuto , Oyedeji, Adebola
- Date: 2021-6
- Subjects: South Africa Citrus paradisi grapefruit essential oil toxicity anti-inflammatory Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6479 , vital:46408 , ("https://DOI:10.3390/molecules26113387")
- Description: Introduction: This case report discusses the successful use of an improvised bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus made using items commonly available in a poorly resourced district hospital. Case presentation: A 64-year-old female with no co-morbidities presented with respiratory failure due to pulmonary tuberculosis and was not accepted into the regional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on referral. She required 8 days of improvised bubble CPAP to maintain adequate oxygen saturation before weaning and eventual discharge. Discussion: Improvised bubble CPAP is commonly used in neonatal care in developing countries and well described in literature however, there are no reports of its successful use in adult patients. In the absence of access to ICU or other Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) equipment, improvised bubble CPAP may provide some therapeutic benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-6
Learning from the Grassroots: The Case for The Consideration of Community-Based Agrarian and Food Security Reforms in South Africa
- Hosu,Y S, Ndhleve, S, Kabiti, H M, Yusuf, S F G
- Authors: Hosu,Y S , Ndhleve, S , Kabiti, H M , Yusuf, S F G
- Date: 2021-19
- Subjects: Land reform , Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7452 , vital:53978 , https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.104.19770
- Description: Studies of projected agro-climatic variability on the productivity of smallholding farming livelihoods have been evaluated by indirect methods using simulation models on country or regional basis but few have been done at the community level. This study explores direct observation of the impact of soil and climate factors on crop and livestock livelihood systems in the three major agro-ecological zones of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It also analyzed their influence on small farmers’ choices of agrarian livelihood activities and the lessons learned for the suitability of agro-ecologically integrated agriculture as part of agrarian and food security reforms needed among small farming households in rural communities of South Africa. The impact of soil and rainfall on the crop and livestock livelihood choices of smallholders in the three major agro-ecological zones were explored. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 223 smallholding farming households during the harvesting period of rain-fed farming season. Data on household livelihood activities were processed in monetary terms and subjected to gross margin and cost/benefit analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping and statistical analysis were used to determine the association of smallholder maize revenue with agro-climatic variation. The results indicated that crop-based activities performed better in the Grassland zone, while livestock activities performed better in the Savanna zone. Small farms in the Karoo can only productively engage in livestock production. The results also showed that farming activities that combined more vegetable crops yielded greater profits than other field crops. Furthermore, the results indicate that the mixed cropping method remains one of the strategies for breaking-even and risk-bearing effort used by the smallholder farmers considering its cost-sharing benefits. Geographical information system (GIS) mapping further indicates that smallholders’ farming activity was not only affected by soilclimatic factors but by their management skills as well. We recommend agroecologically adapted policies and incentives for agriculture-based livelihood activities and intensified mixing of cropping systems among the smallholder farming households in the study area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-19
- Authors: Hosu,Y S , Ndhleve, S , Kabiti, H M , Yusuf, S F G
- Date: 2021-19
- Subjects: Land reform , Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7452 , vital:53978 , https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.104.19770
- Description: Studies of projected agro-climatic variability on the productivity of smallholding farming livelihoods have been evaluated by indirect methods using simulation models on country or regional basis but few have been done at the community level. This study explores direct observation of the impact of soil and climate factors on crop and livestock livelihood systems in the three major agro-ecological zones of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It also analyzed their influence on small farmers’ choices of agrarian livelihood activities and the lessons learned for the suitability of agro-ecologically integrated agriculture as part of agrarian and food security reforms needed among small farming households in rural communities of South Africa. The impact of soil and rainfall on the crop and livestock livelihood choices of smallholders in the three major agro-ecological zones were explored. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 223 smallholding farming households during the harvesting period of rain-fed farming season. Data on household livelihood activities were processed in monetary terms and subjected to gross margin and cost/benefit analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping and statistical analysis were used to determine the association of smallholder maize revenue with agro-climatic variation. The results indicated that crop-based activities performed better in the Grassland zone, while livestock activities performed better in the Savanna zone. Small farms in the Karoo can only productively engage in livestock production. The results also showed that farming activities that combined more vegetable crops yielded greater profits than other field crops. Furthermore, the results indicate that the mixed cropping method remains one of the strategies for breaking-even and risk-bearing effort used by the smallholder farmers considering its cost-sharing benefits. Geographical information system (GIS) mapping further indicates that smallholders’ farming activity was not only affected by soilclimatic factors but by their management skills as well. We recommend agroecologically adapted policies and incentives for agriculture-based livelihood activities and intensified mixing of cropping systems among the smallholder farming households in the study area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-19
Covid-19 as a catalyst for digital transformation in higher education: insights for rural-based universities in South Africa
- Authors: Kativhu, Simbarashe
- Date: 2021-12-02
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Blended Learning , Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7456 , vital:53959 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-5305/2021/18n4a14
- Description: The Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown regulations suddenly elevated the importance of blended learning in South Africa and worldwide. This has prompted various international and national institutions into action, providing various support services to enhance fast digital adoption in higher education and facilitate out of classroom learning. In this regard, this paper views the pandemic as a necessary evil that can catalyse the adoption of digital learning, particularly, in rural-based universities of South Africa that have been lagging in the digital education front. The paper reviews recent literature and document opportunities that are emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. These opportunities can assist rural-based universities to sustainably adopt blended learning, catch up with the elite universities, and bridge the digital divide that is still apparent in South Africa. The paper is based on a review of articles, educational policy documents, and government gazettes. The Atlasti version 8 software was utilised to synthesise the literature. It was concluded that various opportunities exist for rural-based universities. To enhance effective digital transformation in rural-based universities, there is a need for alignment of national policy with realities in different institutions, improve human digital apprehension capacity, and increase collaborations between education technologists and education institutions as well as behavioural change among higher education managers. These changes can enable rural-based universities to build on the opportunities presented by the pandemic and digitalise their education programs to align with the inevitable demands of the 4th industrial revolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12-02
- Authors: Kativhu, Simbarashe
- Date: 2021-12-02
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Blended Learning , Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7456 , vital:53959 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-5305/2021/18n4a14
- Description: The Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown regulations suddenly elevated the importance of blended learning in South Africa and worldwide. This has prompted various international and national institutions into action, providing various support services to enhance fast digital adoption in higher education and facilitate out of classroom learning. In this regard, this paper views the pandemic as a necessary evil that can catalyse the adoption of digital learning, particularly, in rural-based universities of South Africa that have been lagging in the digital education front. The paper reviews recent literature and document opportunities that are emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. These opportunities can assist rural-based universities to sustainably adopt blended learning, catch up with the elite universities, and bridge the digital divide that is still apparent in South Africa. The paper is based on a review of articles, educational policy documents, and government gazettes. The Atlasti version 8 software was utilised to synthesise the literature. It was concluded that various opportunities exist for rural-based universities. To enhance effective digital transformation in rural-based universities, there is a need for alignment of national policy with realities in different institutions, improve human digital apprehension capacity, and increase collaborations between education technologists and education institutions as well as behavioural change among higher education managers. These changes can enable rural-based universities to build on the opportunities presented by the pandemic and digitalise their education programs to align with the inevitable demands of the 4th industrial revolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12-02
Deconstructing the Challenges of COVID-19 on First-Year Rural University Students in South Africa
- Authors: Omodan, Bunmi Isaiah
- Date: 2021 -12
- Subjects: COVID-1 (Desease) College freshmen Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7664 , vital:54733 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.930"
- Description: Assumptions and facts exist about the various challenges rural learners face when transitioning into university education in South Africa due to the pedagogical differences between secondary and university education. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the transitioning challenges of students because most of the universities, especially the selected university, utilise online learning, which is alien to first-year students who are transitioning from rural high schools to the university. This study explores the challenges and solutions associated with first-year students transitioning to a new level of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. An asset-based approach was used to theorise the study within the Transformative Paradigm (TP), while Participatory Research (PR) was used to design the study. These are relevant because both TP and PR are targeted towards transforming people’s predicaments. The participants consisted of ten first-year students selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using electronic interviews such as email, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that first-year rural university students’ inability to use online learning tools effectively and unstable internet connections in the rural community are major challenges. The study, therefore, concludes that the provision of internet access and students’ readiness for adaptability are the possible solutions. Keywords: COVID-19; first-year students; rural communities; rural university
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021 -12
- Authors: Omodan, Bunmi Isaiah
- Date: 2021 -12
- Subjects: COVID-1 (Desease) College freshmen Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7664 , vital:54733 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.930"
- Description: Assumptions and facts exist about the various challenges rural learners face when transitioning into university education in South Africa due to the pedagogical differences between secondary and university education. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the transitioning challenges of students because most of the universities, especially the selected university, utilise online learning, which is alien to first-year students who are transitioning from rural high schools to the university. This study explores the challenges and solutions associated with first-year students transitioning to a new level of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. An asset-based approach was used to theorise the study within the Transformative Paradigm (TP), while Participatory Research (PR) was used to design the study. These are relevant because both TP and PR are targeted towards transforming people’s predicaments. The participants consisted of ten first-year students selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using electronic interviews such as email, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that first-year rural university students’ inability to use online learning tools effectively and unstable internet connections in the rural community are major challenges. The study, therefore, concludes that the provision of internet access and students’ readiness for adaptability are the possible solutions. Keywords: COVID-19; first-year students; rural communities; rural university
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021 -12
Assessing South African medical interns’ experience and confidence in managing obstetric emergencies
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Interns (Medicine) Obstetrical emergencies Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7629 , vital:54737 , ("https://10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i11.15897")
- Description: Background. Medical doctors in South Africa (SA) are required to complete a 2-year internship at training hospitals, including a 4-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts, many of which are at district- and primary-level facilities where supervision is limited. Recent triennial Saving Mothers reports identify district hospitals (DHs) as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes, the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage, and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Objectives. To describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to manage obstetric emergencies, based on the Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies modules in the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s internship logbook. Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed medical interns in the last 3 months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data collection took place between October and December 2019. Results. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout SA resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Most interns had experience with and confidence in the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy-related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications for and contraindications to assisted deliveries, and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy-related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section (CS), only 28.6% had performed uterine compression suture for uterine atony at CS. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusions. An incongruity exists between the shortcomings in DH obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary healthcare facilities and DHs, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to manage obstetric emergencies safely. This situation highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at DHs and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
Assessing South African medical interns’ experience and confidence in managing obstetric emergencies
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Interns (Medicine) Obstetrical emergencies Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7629 , vital:54737 , ("https://10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i11.15897")
- Description: Background. Medical doctors in South Africa (SA) are required to complete a 2-year internship at training hospitals, including a 4-month rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology. Following this, doctors are allocated to community service posts, many of which are at district- and primary-level facilities where supervision is limited. Recent triennial Saving Mothers reports identify district hospitals (DHs) as the second leading site for maternal deaths of all causes, the leading site for maternal deaths secondary to obstetric haemorrhage, and the most likely site for the lack of a skilled doctor to be identified as a factor in deaths associated with caesarean delivery. Objectives. To describe the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to manage obstetric emergencies, based on the Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies modules in the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s internship logbook. Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed medical interns in the last 3 months of their training, using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data collection took place between October and December 2019. Results. Cluster sampling of interns at training facilities throughout SA resulted in a total of 182 respondents from 17 hospitals in seven provinces in the country, with an overall response rate of 34.1%. Most interns had experience with and confidence in the management of miscarriage and hypertension in pregnancy. However, gaps in labour ward management, pregnancy-related sepsis and surgical skills were identified. Only 42.3% of respondents were confident in their ability to diagnose obstructed labour, 26.3% had performed an assisted delivery, 39.0% were confident in their knowledge of the indications for and contraindications to assisted deliveries, and 35.7% had been involved in the delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia. Regarding pregnancy-related sepsis, 54.4% had experience with managing a wound abscess and 29.7% were confident managing puerperal endometritis. While 78.0% felt confident to perform a caesarean section (CS), only 28.6% had performed uterine compression suture for uterine atony at CS. Additionally, there was a statistically significant variation in scores between training hospitals. Conclusions. An incongruity exists between the shortcomings in DH obstetric services, the prioritisation of placement of community service doctors at primary healthcare facilities and DHs, and the self-perceived readiness of medical interns completing their training to manage obstetric emergencies safely. This situation highlights the importance of clinical support for junior doctors at DHs and standardisation of intern training at accredited facilities across SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
Consequences of citizens’ non-reporting of crime to the Police: A survey of Mthatha Policing Precinct, South Africa
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Citizen crime reporting Victims of crimes surveys Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7962 , vital:57343 , ("https://iipccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/035.pdf")
- Description: Whilst citizens are at liberty to decide whether or not to report a crime to the police, nonreporting of crime to the police may come with a heavy price. This study evaluates the consequences of non-reporting of crime to the police in South Africa’s Mthatha policing area. It comes against a backdrop of a rise in criminal activities in South Africa. A survey was conducted among households in selected residential areas of Mthatha, from where 120 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using SPSS to reveal both descriptive and inferential statistics. From the analysis, continued engagement in criminal activities by perpetrators, resulting in absence of investigations was found to be the major impact of non-reporting of crime to the police. Findings also revealed that the victims bear the most implications of non-reporting of crime. Inability to identify crime hot spots, misallocation of policing resources and inability to determine crime trends and tendencies were also viewed as significant impacts of non-reporting of crime to the police. A factor analysis revealed officials’ inability to determine trends and tendencies that could inform policing strategies as the most significant component.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Citizen crime reporting Victims of crimes surveys Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7962 , vital:57343 , ("https://iipccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/035.pdf")
- Description: Whilst citizens are at liberty to decide whether or not to report a crime to the police, nonreporting of crime to the police may come with a heavy price. This study evaluates the consequences of non-reporting of crime to the police in South Africa’s Mthatha policing area. It comes against a backdrop of a rise in criminal activities in South Africa. A survey was conducted among households in selected residential areas of Mthatha, from where 120 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using SPSS to reveal both descriptive and inferential statistics. From the analysis, continued engagement in criminal activities by perpetrators, resulting in absence of investigations was found to be the major impact of non-reporting of crime to the police. Findings also revealed that the victims bear the most implications of non-reporting of crime. Inability to identify crime hot spots, misallocation of policing resources and inability to determine crime trends and tendencies were also viewed as significant impacts of non-reporting of crime to the police. A factor analysis revealed officials’ inability to determine trends and tendencies that could inform policing strategies as the most significant component.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
A hand to mouth existence: hurdles emanating from the COVID 19 Pandemic for Women Survivalist Entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Mapuranga, Miston, Maziriri, Eugine Tafadzwa, Rukuni, Tarisai Fritz
- Authors: Mapuranga, Miston , Maziriri, Eugine Tafadzwa , Rukuni, Tarisai Fritz
- Date: 2021-09-13
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Women-owned business enterprises , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7460 , vital:53960 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n3a6
- Description: There are many women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa, many of whom work in the informal sector. The emergence of theCOVID-19 pandemic has a devastating effect on their entrepreneurial projects. While both the public and private sectors have initiated various measures to ease the blow, obstacles continue to confront them. This study sought to examine the challenges faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s Johannesburg metropolitan area. The researchers gathered qualitative data using a qualitative research approach by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analyses. The themes that emerged from the findings include; a lack of capital for reinvestment, no government grant support, a decline in the demand for products by the market, rotting agricultural produce or stock, a battle for strategic selling points and numerous confrontations with police as a result of not meeting the regulatory rules relating to COVID-19. The present research provides theoretical implications for academics in entrepreneurship by enhancing the understanding of the hurdles that these entrepreneurs have experienced because of COVID-19. On the practitioners’ side, this work offers avenues for women survivalist entrepreneurs to improve their entrepreneurial ventures and eventually eliminate the challenges they face when running their ventures. This study also offers policy implications. For example, existing government policies can be amended to make the working conditions of women survivalist entrepreneurs better or make the rules under which they operate simpler. This study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by uncovering the difficulties faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will assist other scholars in further developing this research field. As such, this research is important for women survivalist entrepreneurs because most of them endeavour to enhance entrepreneurial performance for the betterment of their lives. Governments may also use the study to develop interventions aimed at facilitating the growth and development of women survivalist entrepreneurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09-13
- Authors: Mapuranga, Miston , Maziriri, Eugine Tafadzwa , Rukuni, Tarisai Fritz
- Date: 2021-09-13
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Women-owned business enterprises , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7460 , vital:53960 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n3a6
- Description: There are many women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa, many of whom work in the informal sector. The emergence of theCOVID-19 pandemic has a devastating effect on their entrepreneurial projects. While both the public and private sectors have initiated various measures to ease the blow, obstacles continue to confront them. This study sought to examine the challenges faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s Johannesburg metropolitan area. The researchers gathered qualitative data using a qualitative research approach by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analyses. The themes that emerged from the findings include; a lack of capital for reinvestment, no government grant support, a decline in the demand for products by the market, rotting agricultural produce or stock, a battle for strategic selling points and numerous confrontations with police as a result of not meeting the regulatory rules relating to COVID-19. The present research provides theoretical implications for academics in entrepreneurship by enhancing the understanding of the hurdles that these entrepreneurs have experienced because of COVID-19. On the practitioners’ side, this work offers avenues for women survivalist entrepreneurs to improve their entrepreneurial ventures and eventually eliminate the challenges they face when running their ventures. This study also offers policy implications. For example, existing government policies can be amended to make the working conditions of women survivalist entrepreneurs better or make the rules under which they operate simpler. This study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by uncovering the difficulties faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will assist other scholars in further developing this research field. As such, this research is important for women survivalist entrepreneurs because most of them endeavour to enhance entrepreneurial performance for the betterment of their lives. Governments may also use the study to develop interventions aimed at facilitating the growth and development of women survivalist entrepreneurs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09-13
Factors Associated with Victimization of Police Officers in Mthatha, South Africa
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Citizen crime reporting Victims of crimes surveys Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7437 , vital:53962 , ("https://doi.org/10.55058/adrrijass.v18i2 (6) July-September.708")
- Description: This paper provides an analysisof the risk factors that make South African Police Services officers vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. The participants of this study comprise of one hundred and five (105) male and female police officers of various demographics, randomly selected from nine (9) police stations. The study utilised survey instrument (questionnaire) to collect data from the respondents, which were analysed by employing relevant descriptive and inferential tools from Statistical Package forthe Social Sciences. Even though this study found work related factors and new rank as predisposing conditions for victimization, police officers were found to be more susceptible to victimization due to going out atnight alone, staying out at nights generally and indulgence in alcoholism. While living in descriptively, ‘bad area’ and crime prone areas were potent factors to police officers being victimised, carrying firearms never saved them from attacks. Interestingly, police officers with 1-5 years of experience who are married have greater victimization experience than those who never married, across all police stations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Citizen crime reporting Victims of crimes surveys Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7437 , vital:53962 , ("https://doi.org/10.55058/adrrijass.v18i2 (6) July-September.708")
- Description: This paper provides an analysisof the risk factors that make South African Police Services officers vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. The participants of this study comprise of one hundred and five (105) male and female police officers of various demographics, randomly selected from nine (9) police stations. The study utilised survey instrument (questionnaire) to collect data from the respondents, which were analysed by employing relevant descriptive and inferential tools from Statistical Package forthe Social Sciences. Even though this study found work related factors and new rank as predisposing conditions for victimization, police officers were found to be more susceptible to victimization due to going out atnight alone, staying out at nights generally and indulgence in alcoholism. While living in descriptively, ‘bad area’ and crime prone areas were potent factors to police officers being victimised, carrying firearms never saved them from attacks. Interestingly, police officers with 1-5 years of experience who are married have greater victimization experience than those who never married, across all police stations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
The criminal justice response to human trafficking: Exploring the investigative and prosecutorial hurdles
- Mugari, Ishmael, Obioha, Emeka E
- Authors: Mugari, Ishmael , Obioha, Emeka E
- Date: 2021-06-30
- Subjects: Human trafficking Human trafficking Computer File , Prosecution Prosecution Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7416 , vital:53964 , https://doi.org/10.55058/adrrijass.v18i1(6),%20April,%202021-%20June.659
- Description: Much has been written on the scourge of human trafficking, with majority of previous research focussing on trends, forms, as well as the regulatory framework for countering the scourge. Despite the presence of a vast body of knowledge on human trafficking, less attention has been given to the operational dynamics that are involved in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases. This paper, which is based on a literature and documentary survey, evaluates the challenges that are encountered by the criminal justice players in responding to human trafficking. The paper specifically focuses on the challenges that are faced by law enforcement agencies in the investigation of human trafficking, as well as the challenges that are faced in the prosecution of human trafficking offenders. Whilst the paper takes a global approach to the problem, much attention is given to South Africa and Zimbabwe- two neighbouring Southern African nations. Keywords: human trafficking, investigations, prosecution, victim protection
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-30
- Authors: Mugari, Ishmael , Obioha, Emeka E
- Date: 2021-06-30
- Subjects: Human trafficking Human trafficking Computer File , Prosecution Prosecution Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7416 , vital:53964 , https://doi.org/10.55058/adrrijass.v18i1(6),%20April,%202021-%20June.659
- Description: Much has been written on the scourge of human trafficking, with majority of previous research focussing on trends, forms, as well as the regulatory framework for countering the scourge. Despite the presence of a vast body of knowledge on human trafficking, less attention has been given to the operational dynamics that are involved in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases. This paper, which is based on a literature and documentary survey, evaluates the challenges that are encountered by the criminal justice players in responding to human trafficking. The paper specifically focuses on the challenges that are faced by law enforcement agencies in the investigation of human trafficking, as well as the challenges that are faced in the prosecution of human trafficking offenders. Whilst the paper takes a global approach to the problem, much attention is given to South Africa and Zimbabwe- two neighbouring Southern African nations. Keywords: human trafficking, investigations, prosecution, victim protection
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-30
The significance of mentorship in supporting the career advancement of women in the public sector
- Authors: Mcilongo, M , Strydom, K
- Date: 2021-06-11
- Subjects: Career development Career advancement ; Career ladder ; Career management ; Career planning ; Development, Career ; Development, Professional ; Employee development ; Organizational career development ; Professional development Computer File , Mentoring Mentorship Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6434 , vital:45498 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07321
- Description: Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the workplace and influenced career opportunities afforded to women in the public sector. The slow progress in the transformation of organisations indicates there is a need for a structural developmental approach for women's career advancement. Mentoring has been recognised as a valuable development strategy and an affirmative action tool that can be used to support and promote women and groups that have been viewed as previously disadvantaged. The aim of the study was to highlight the significance of mentorship as a career advancement mechanism for women in the South African public sector. The study identified dimensions of mentorship (female mentors, career support, mentoring policy and leadership development) and tested the proposed hypotheses to determine whether a statistically significant relationship existed between mentorship and career advancement. A quantitative approach was followed to collect data from a sample of 200 women employed in the public sector in the different provinces of South Africa. Statistical methods used to conduct the data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results indicate that women employees in the public sector view mentorship as an important factor for development; however, the gender of the mentor does not necessarily influence career advancement. Mechanisms to support mentoring have not been established in the public sector, highlighting the urgency for managers in the public sector to ensure that mentorship policies are put in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-11
- Authors: Mcilongo, M , Strydom, K
- Date: 2021-06-11
- Subjects: Career development Career advancement ; Career ladder ; Career management ; Career planning ; Development, Career ; Development, Professional ; Employee development ; Organizational career development ; Professional development Computer File , Mentoring Mentorship Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6434 , vital:45498 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07321
- Description: Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the workplace and influenced career opportunities afforded to women in the public sector. The slow progress in the transformation of organisations indicates there is a need for a structural developmental approach for women's career advancement. Mentoring has been recognised as a valuable development strategy and an affirmative action tool that can be used to support and promote women and groups that have been viewed as previously disadvantaged. The aim of the study was to highlight the significance of mentorship as a career advancement mechanism for women in the South African public sector. The study identified dimensions of mentorship (female mentors, career support, mentoring policy and leadership development) and tested the proposed hypotheses to determine whether a statistically significant relationship existed between mentorship and career advancement. A quantitative approach was followed to collect data from a sample of 200 women employed in the public sector in the different provinces of South Africa. Statistical methods used to conduct the data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results indicate that women employees in the public sector view mentorship as an important factor for development; however, the gender of the mentor does not necessarily influence career advancement. Mechanisms to support mentoring have not been established in the public sector, highlighting the urgency for managers in the public sector to ensure that mentorship policies are put in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-11
The significance of mentorship in supporting the career advancement of women in the public sector
- Mcilongo, M, Strydom, K (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-8141-7673)
- Authors: Mcilongo, M , Strydom, K (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-8141-7673)
- Date: 2021-06-11
- Subjects: Career development Career advancement ; Career ladder ; Career management ; Career planning ; Development, Career ; Development, Professional ; Employee development ; Organizational career development ; Professional development Computer File , Mentoring Mentorship Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6423 , vital:45497 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07321
- Description: Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the workplace and influenced career opportunities afforded to women in the public sector. The slow progress in the transformation of organisations indicates there is a need for a structural developmental approach for women's career advancement. Mentoring has been recognised as a valuable development strategy and an affirmative action tool that can be used to support and promote women and groups that have been viewed as previously disadvantaged. The aim of the study was to highlight the significance of mentorship as a career advancement mechanism for women in the South African public sector. The study identified dimensions of mentorship (female mentors, career support, mentoring policy and leadership development) and tested the proposed hypotheses to determine whether a statistically significant relationship existed between mentorship and career advancement. A quantitative approach was followed to collect data from a sample of 200 women employed in the public sector in the different provinces of South Africa. Statistical methods used to conduct the data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results indicate that women employees in the public sector view mentorship as an important factor for development; however, the gender of the mentor does not necessarily influence career advancement. Mechanisms to support mentoring have not been established in the public sector, highlighting the urgency for managers in the public sector to ensure that mentorship policies are put in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-11
- Authors: Mcilongo, M , Strydom, K (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-8141-7673)
- Date: 2021-06-11
- Subjects: Career development Career advancement ; Career ladder ; Career management ; Career planning ; Development, Career ; Development, Professional ; Employee development ; Organizational career development ; Professional development Computer File , Mentoring Mentorship Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6423 , vital:45497 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07321
- Description: Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the workplace and influenced career opportunities afforded to women in the public sector. The slow progress in the transformation of organisations indicates there is a need for a structural developmental approach for women's career advancement. Mentoring has been recognised as a valuable development strategy and an affirmative action tool that can be used to support and promote women and groups that have been viewed as previously disadvantaged. The aim of the study was to highlight the significance of mentorship as a career advancement mechanism for women in the South African public sector. The study identified dimensions of mentorship (female mentors, career support, mentoring policy and leadership development) and tested the proposed hypotheses to determine whether a statistically significant relationship existed between mentorship and career advancement. A quantitative approach was followed to collect data from a sample of 200 women employed in the public sector in the different provinces of South Africa. Statistical methods used to conduct the data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results indicate that women employees in the public sector view mentorship as an important factor for development; however, the gender of the mentor does not necessarily influence career advancement. Mechanisms to support mentoring have not been established in the public sector, highlighting the urgency for managers in the public sector to ensure that mentorship policies are put in place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06-11
Addressing the Twin Challenges of Poverty and Unemployment through Community Work Programmes in South Africa :
- Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu, Matsiliza, Noluthando S
- Authors: Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu , Matsiliza, Noluthando S
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: South Africa Poverty Equality Community organization Livelihoods Public Works Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7424 , vital:53961 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n2a12
- Description: This paper interrogates gaps in the implementing community work programmes in South Africa using the case of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Work Programmes (CWP). The EPWP and CWPs were adopted by government as strategies aimed at uprooting poverty and unemployment in South Africa. The intention was to respond to high levels of poverty and structural unemployment compounded by gross inequity which renders South Africa the most unequal society in the world. South Africa is characterised by inequality, poverty and unemployment, and this has created an uneven allocation of resources to society at large. The interface of poverty, unemployment and inequality undermines South Africa’s policies to become a developmental state. This paper argues that the legacy of apartheid and the adoption of neo-liberal policies in the post-apartheid era has not only contributed to socio-economic exclusion and marginalisation, but also relegate the poor and disadvantaged people into the deprivation trap. The paper evaluates the potential and challenges faced by EPWP, and the CWP to address the twin problems of poverty and unemployment in the country. Authors of this paper adopted a qualitative research approach to review literature from various sources such as books, articles from accredited journals and online credible publications. To respond to the aim, this paper argues that, although community-based work programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work do not sustain employment opportunities in South Africa, they provide short-term safety nets for the unemployed, semi-skilled and unskilled citizens. Findings from this study revealed that community development work is not successful in achieving all the goals that are directly linked to poverty alleviation at programme level. Challenges found to be stifling the effective implementation of community work programmes included the implementation of the programmes at small scale, lack of active participation by unemployed and host communities, poor coordination and inadequate adequate infrastructure and resources to run the programmes effectively as we as well limited access to resources, assets and skills that can be jointly used to sustain the economy. The paper recommends the adoption of pluralistic approach in promoting active participation among community work programmes’ stakeholders. This a literature review paper hence secondary sources of data were used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu , Matsiliza, Noluthando S
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: South Africa Poverty Equality Community organization Livelihoods Public Works Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7424 , vital:53961 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n2a12
- Description: This paper interrogates gaps in the implementing community work programmes in South Africa using the case of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Work Programmes (CWP). The EPWP and CWPs were adopted by government as strategies aimed at uprooting poverty and unemployment in South Africa. The intention was to respond to high levels of poverty and structural unemployment compounded by gross inequity which renders South Africa the most unequal society in the world. South Africa is characterised by inequality, poverty and unemployment, and this has created an uneven allocation of resources to society at large. The interface of poverty, unemployment and inequality undermines South Africa’s policies to become a developmental state. This paper argues that the legacy of apartheid and the adoption of neo-liberal policies in the post-apartheid era has not only contributed to socio-economic exclusion and marginalisation, but also relegate the poor and disadvantaged people into the deprivation trap. The paper evaluates the potential and challenges faced by EPWP, and the CWP to address the twin problems of poverty and unemployment in the country. Authors of this paper adopted a qualitative research approach to review literature from various sources such as books, articles from accredited journals and online credible publications. To respond to the aim, this paper argues that, although community-based work programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work do not sustain employment opportunities in South Africa, they provide short-term safety nets for the unemployed, semi-skilled and unskilled citizens. Findings from this study revealed that community development work is not successful in achieving all the goals that are directly linked to poverty alleviation at programme level. Challenges found to be stifling the effective implementation of community work programmes included the implementation of the programmes at small scale, lack of active participation by unemployed and host communities, poor coordination and inadequate adequate infrastructure and resources to run the programmes effectively as we as well limited access to resources, assets and skills that can be jointly used to sustain the economy. The paper recommends the adoption of pluralistic approach in promoting active participation among community work programmes’ stakeholders. This a literature review paper hence secondary sources of data were used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
Atypical HIV-vacuolar myelopathy: a case report :
- Mongezi, Tau, Sibi, Joseph, Jerry, George, Lourdes de Fátima, Ibañez Valdés, Tozama, Dubula, Humberto, Foyaca Sibat
- Authors: Mongezi, Tau , Sibi, Joseph , Jerry, George , Lourdes de Fátima, Ibañez Valdés , Tozama, Dubula , Humberto, Foyaca Sibat
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: South Africa HIV (Viruses) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7670 , vital:54741 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00483-0
- Description: Background: Here, we report an atypical HIV-vacuolar myelopathy and search the available medical literature about atypical presentations of human immunodefciency virus associate vacuolar myelopathy (HIV-VM) and immunoglobu‑ lin therapy response. Case: A 26-year-old lady who was 4 weeks postpartum presented to us with acute faccid quadriparesis, with no sen‑ sory level. Extensive workup ruled out other causes of myelopathy. She developed a stage 3 acute kidney injury, and MRI showed difuse cord atrophy involving the lower cervical and thoracic cord. The patient received IV-immunoglob‑ ulin, ARVs, and supportive therapy with inadequate response. Unfortunately, she developed nosocomial pneumonia and died. Discussion: In HIV-VM, there is spinal cord atrophy, which mainly involves the thoracic cord. In our case, this patho‑ logical process also afected the spinal cord’s cervical region, leading to faccid tetraplegia, with high CD4 level, with‑ out response to the treatment, including intravenous immunoglobulin. Keynotes: Vacuolar myelopathy, HIV, Immunoglobulin therapy, faccid tetraplegia, hypokalaemia. Renal failure. Keywords: Human immunodefciency virus, Associated lesions of the nervous system, Human immunodefciency virus-associated myelopathy, Intravenous immunoglobulin administration, Case report, HIV-vacuolar myelopathy
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Mongezi, Tau , Sibi, Joseph , Jerry, George , Lourdes de Fátima, Ibañez Valdés , Tozama, Dubula , Humberto, Foyaca Sibat
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: South Africa HIV (Viruses) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7670 , vital:54741 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00483-0
- Description: Background: Here, we report an atypical HIV-vacuolar myelopathy and search the available medical literature about atypical presentations of human immunodefciency virus associate vacuolar myelopathy (HIV-VM) and immunoglobu‑ lin therapy response. Case: A 26-year-old lady who was 4 weeks postpartum presented to us with acute faccid quadriparesis, with no sen‑ sory level. Extensive workup ruled out other causes of myelopathy. She developed a stage 3 acute kidney injury, and MRI showed difuse cord atrophy involving the lower cervical and thoracic cord. The patient received IV-immunoglob‑ ulin, ARVs, and supportive therapy with inadequate response. Unfortunately, she developed nosocomial pneumonia and died. Discussion: In HIV-VM, there is spinal cord atrophy, which mainly involves the thoracic cord. In our case, this patho‑ logical process also afected the spinal cord’s cervical region, leading to faccid tetraplegia, with high CD4 level, with‑ out response to the treatment, including intravenous immunoglobulin. Keynotes: Vacuolar myelopathy, HIV, Immunoglobulin therapy, faccid tetraplegia, hypokalaemia. Renal failure. Keywords: Human immunodefciency virus, Associated lesions of the nervous system, Human immunodefciency virus-associated myelopathy, Intravenous immunoglobulin administration, Case report, HIV-vacuolar myelopathy
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
Features of Graduate Underemployment in South Africa: A Study in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province
- Mayekiso, Cwenga, Obioha, Emeka E
- Authors: Mayekiso, Cwenga , Obioha, Emeka E
- Date: 2021-03
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7451 , vital:53966 , https://journals.co.za/doi/full/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n1a8
- Description: This paper articulates the patterns and feel of graduate underemployment in Mthatha, a South African town in the Eastern Cape Province. Foregrounded on Peter Blua’s Social Exchange Theory, this study adopted a quantitative approach. A sample of 60 respondents was drawn from underemployed graduate population through a combination of stratified and random sampling techniques. Data collected from survey (questionnaire) were analysed with appropriate tools in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study found that majority of underemployed graduates are between 21 and 25 years of age, married, hold bachelor’s degrees in Social Sciences. Gender, qualification type and level of qualification have no significant influence on determining underemployed graduates’ choice of occupation as single and combined variables or factors. While only very few (5%) of the underemployed graduates are never happy at work, femaleness, older graduates, Africans, higher qualification, higher basic salary and longer years of underemployment best predict happiness at work, although not at significant level, except for basic salary. A majority of graduates (73.3%) do sometimes consider leaving their current jobs, even when there are no alternatives. This is influenced by maleness, older graduates, being Whites, higher qualification, lower basic salary and lower years of underemployment. Lack of networking was found to be the most important factor in graduate underemployment, followed by lack of experience and gender not being significant. This study recommends policy intervention by state, where there is legislation that provides for entry level jobs that may not require previous experience. Also, there should be another legislation that protects the underemployed through salary regulation and incentivising of employers that engage workers in such capacity. Keywords: Underemployment, Youth, Graduates, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-03
- Authors: Mayekiso, Cwenga , Obioha, Emeka E
- Date: 2021-03
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7451 , vital:53966 , https://journals.co.za/doi/full/10.31920/2634-3649/2021/v11n1a8
- Description: This paper articulates the patterns and feel of graduate underemployment in Mthatha, a South African town in the Eastern Cape Province. Foregrounded on Peter Blua’s Social Exchange Theory, this study adopted a quantitative approach. A sample of 60 respondents was drawn from underemployed graduate population through a combination of stratified and random sampling techniques. Data collected from survey (questionnaire) were analysed with appropriate tools in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study found that majority of underemployed graduates are between 21 and 25 years of age, married, hold bachelor’s degrees in Social Sciences. Gender, qualification type and level of qualification have no significant influence on determining underemployed graduates’ choice of occupation as single and combined variables or factors. While only very few (5%) of the underemployed graduates are never happy at work, femaleness, older graduates, Africans, higher qualification, higher basic salary and longer years of underemployment best predict happiness at work, although not at significant level, except for basic salary. A majority of graduates (73.3%) do sometimes consider leaving their current jobs, even when there are no alternatives. This is influenced by maleness, older graduates, being Whites, higher qualification, lower basic salary and lower years of underemployment. Lack of networking was found to be the most important factor in graduate underemployment, followed by lack of experience and gender not being significant. This study recommends policy intervention by state, where there is legislation that provides for entry level jobs that may not require previous experience. Also, there should be another legislation that protects the underemployed through salary regulation and incentivising of employers that engage workers in such capacity. Keywords: Underemployment, Youth, Graduates, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-03