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Co-management and social equity at Silaka and Hluleka Nature Reserves, South Africa

- Mtshintsho, Anda

Authors: Mtshintsho, Anda
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464834 , vital:76549
Description: Co-management of protected areas (PAs) is a desired conservation approach aimed at balancing ecological goals and livelihood needs. Central to co-management are issues related to power sharing, responsibilities and benefit sharing. However, there still remains a dominance of an ecological emphasis in PA management, with studies focusing more on ‘objective’ biodiversity indicators for measuring the effectiveness of protected areas. However, focusing only on ecological indicators addresses a narrow perspective of achieving ecological integrity and misses social dimensions that, in some cases, might be considered more important than technical considerations. Particularly, in contexts with a history of socio-physical displacement of Indigenous people and local communities (IPLC), the social dimensions of wellbeing are complexly embedded into the economic and ecological dimensions, such that ignoring these linkages might jeopardise the success of protected areas. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the state of research and conceptual advances on social indicators of conservation success in co-managed PAs and stakeholder views and perceptions on socially just conservation in co-managed protected areas in Silaka and Hluleka Nature Reserves, South Africa. To achieve this, a scoping review, semi-structured interviews and futures workshops (using the three horizons framework) were conducted. Findings from the scoping review (chapter 2) revealed that much of the reported social monitoring indicators still rely on quantifiable metrics (i.e., economic benefits) and less on subjective and relational metrics (i.e., qualitative strength of social networks and perceptions). Unsurprisingly, many of the reviewed case studies revealed the use of participation as an indicator of evaluating co-management success. Further, the interviews and futures workshop results in chapter 3 showed that the non-accrual of key co-management expectations such as the employment of local people, benefit-sharing (material or otherwise), participation in decision-making and community development has led to heightened conflicts between the reserve management agency and local people. Consequently, the respondents did not value the co-management arrangements, citing unfulfilled promises. Broadly, the findings of this study emphasise the need for collective and collaborative efforts in developing indicators that are not only socially just but those that are context dependent and sensitive. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Cocrystals, salts and eutectics of anti-tuberculosis medicines

- Matlapeng, Tsebang Alice

Authors: Matlapeng, Tsebang Alice
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464521 , vital:76518
Description: Tuberculosis remains as a prominent cause of death worldwide. This infectious disease is treated with first and second line drugs. However, challenges of multi drug resistant tuberculosis and adverse side effects such as depletion of essential B group vitamins in the body by first line drugs, as well as poor physicochemical properties of second line drugs persist. Cocrystallisation of anti-tubercular drugs with various coformers has therefore been used as an alternative method to improve the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) while maintaining their efficacy. The main objective of this study was to carry out cocrystal screening of anti-tubercular API and vitamin B coformers to make drug-drug or drug-vitamin multicomponent complexes. Preparation of the multicomponent complexes was carried out by mechanochemical grinding (neat grinding (NG), liquid assisted grinding (LAG) and slow evaporation. All complexes were characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and crystal structures were elucidated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The cocrystal screening resulted in the formation of various solid forms, which included cocrystals, salts and eutectic products. Two cocrystals of 4-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) were isolated and characterised. The cocrystal of PAS with isoniazid (INH) demonstrated similar characteristics for both the bulk crystalline material and milled materials. The cocrystal of PAS and pyrazinamide (PYR) prepared using mechanochemical synthesis was met with challenges, while difficulties were also encountered in obtaining suitable crystals for SCXRD analysis. The ground and recrystallised samples of the PAS and pyrazinecarboxylic acid (PCBA) showed distinct differences in their thermal behaviour, with SCXRD revealing the decomposition product phenolammonium-pyrazinecarboxylate salt ‘sans’ the CO2 moiety. Salt formation involving pyridoxine (PN) yielded a salt hydrate with PAS (PN-PAS) and an anhydrous salt with PCBA (PN-PCBA). Both salts exhibited very complex packing arrangements with equally complex thermal behaviour depending on the solvent used during preparation, and the method of preparation. Three eutectic systems involving INH with PYR, PN and pyridoxine hydrochloride (PNꞏHCl) were identified, and their phase diagrams were constructed from DSC data. The eutectic compositions obtained were 1:1 for INH:PYR, 1:1 for INH:PN and 6:4 for INH:PNꞏHCl. Finally, a total of eight multicomponent complexes were prepared using selected API and vitamin B6 components. The results presented here provide motivation for further investigation and evaluation of the pharmacochemical properties of these API. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Comparative analysis of YOLOV5 and YOLOV8 for automated fish detection and classification in underwater environments

- Kuhlane, Luxolo

Authors: Kuhlane, Luxolo
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464333 , vital:76502
Description: The application of traditional manual techniques for fish detection and classification faces significant challenges, primarily stemming from their labour-intensive nature and limited scalability. Automating these kinds of processes through computer vision practices and machine learning techniques has emerged as a potential solution in recent years. With the development of and increase in ease of access to new technology in recent years, the use of a deep learning object detector known as YOLO (You Only Look Once) in the detection and classification of fish has steadily become notably popular. This thesis thus explores suitable YOLO architectures for detecting and classifying fish. The YOLOv5 and YOLOv8 models were evaluated explicitly for detecting and classifying fish in underwater environments. The selection of these models was based on a literature review highlighting their success in similar applications but remains largely understudied in underwater environments. Therefore, the effectiveness of these models was evaluated through comprehensive experimentation on collected and publicly available underwater fish datasets. In collaboration with the South African Institute of Biodiversity (SAIAB), five datasets were collected and manually annotated for labels for supervised machine learning. Moreover, two publicly available datasets were sourced for comparison to the literature. Furthermore, after determining that the smallest YOLO architectures are better suited to these imbalanced datasets, hyperparameter tuning tailored the models to the characteristics of the various underwater environments used in the research. The popular DeepFish dataset was evaluated to establish a baseline and feasibility of these models in the understudied domain. The results demonstrated high detection accuracy for both YOLOv5 and YOLOv8. However, YOLOv8 outperformed YOLOv5, achieving 97.43% accuracy compared to 94.53%. After experiments on seven datasets, trends revealed YOLOv8’s enhanced generalisation accuracy due to architectural improvements, particularly in detecting smaller fish. Overall, YOLOv8 demonstrated that it is the better fish detection and classification model on diverse data. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Composition portfolio

- Musambasi, Richie Andile

Authors: Musambasi, Richie Andile
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466094 , vital:76684
Description: Indigenous Zimbabwean music is complex in its make up and reveals spiritual beliefs, modes of expression, communication patterns, and forms of entertainment. The goal of this composition portfolio is to create pieces that are imbued with the spirit of indigenous Zimbabwean music making as passed on from father to son. The pieces composed include thorough-composed (pre-determined) solo and ensemble frameworks using mostly marimbas based largely on Shona scales and tuning, but also adding mbira, hosho and djembe. All of this is presented within complex structural manipulations that include African and some Western elements of formal music structure. The compositions feature two interlocking parts, known as kushaura and kutsinhira (call and respond), which are traditionally played in a simultaneous manner by two or more musicians. In this portfolio, these voices are spread across a range of players where the interplay between the parts produces complex polyphonic and polyrhythmic musical relationships. The compositions explore modal changes which add excitement, variety and an extra layer of complexity to the pieces. The final artefact is presented as a multimedia submission recorded as a documentary in real time, which is a representation of the embodied making of the music, central to this project. As music was passed down through folk tales, religious gatherings, rock paintings and sources of art, the narration is the key element in expressing that knowledge dissemination is not only text bound, but also embodied and orally shared. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Computational search for nature-derived dual-action inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and integrase: a potential strategy to mitigate drug resistance progression

- Mwiinga, Luyando

Authors: Mwiinga, Luyando
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: HIV (Viruses) , Reverse transcriptase , Antiretroviral agents , RDKit , Drug resistance , Docking
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463930 , vital:76458
Description: Human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) is a devastating viral infection affecting millions worldwide and presents significant challenges in treatment and management. In 2022, approximately 39 million people were living with HIV with Sub-Saharan Africa having two thirds of these infections. Devastatingly, there were approximately 300 000 HIV/AIDS related deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa alone in 2022 alone. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) which is fundamental for HIV treatment, comprises of a combination of drugs such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTs), protease inhibitors (PIs) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). However, although 28.7 million people out of the estimated 38.4 million people living with HIV in 2021 were receiving ART, the emergence of drug-resistant strains further complicates treatment efforts, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to address the challenges raised by drug resistance and significant side effects by identifying potential dual inhibitors against HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (RT) and Integrase (IN) using in silico techniques. RT RNase H and IN were chosen as targets for their shared dependency on Mg2+ ions within their active sites, which are crucial for catalytic activity. The selection of dual inhibitors was motivated by the fact that the virus would need to replicate at two points simultaneously to develop resistance, making it less likely. The objectives of this study included the creation of a natural derivative compound library using RDKit with the aid of SciFinder, utilizing (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), because of its dual inhibitory effects against RT and IN, as indicated by a study conducted by Sanna et al. 2019. The natural derivatives were chosen to take advantage of their chemical diversity and to explore potential novel therapeutic options for combating HIV drug resistance. The compound library created comprised of 125 203 compounds. Then docking studies were conducted to assess proteinligand binding. After the correlation of the RT and IN docking studies, 288 compounds were filtered to have potential dual inhibitory activity. Then quantitative estimation of druggability (QED) analysis identified three compounds with superior properties compared to EGCG and FDAapproved drug raltegravir (RAL). Molecular docking simulations revealed interactions between the inhibitors and the key active site residues of RT and IN, along with the chelation of at least one 3 Mg2+, suggesting the potential for enzymatic disruption. Furthermore, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were then conducted to assess protein-ligand system behavior, through RMSD and RMSF analysis. The RMSD analysis uncovered instability in the IN-Sci30703 complex, leading to its exclusion as a potential dual action inhibitor. RMSF analysis for IN showed that all the inhibitors had the ability to limit the flexibility of the catalytic loop which is essential for catalytic activity. Therefore, further in vitro studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of the remaining two EGCG derivatives (Sci33211 and Sci48919) in inhibiting RT and IN through the chelation of at least one Mg2+ ion to determine if they have superior dual inhibitory effects compared to EGCG. This study adds to the ongoing efforts to develop effective strategies against HIV-1 drug resistance and emphasizes the importance of continued research in this field. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Bioinformatics, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Connecting culture and science: Utilising Oshikundu and Ombidi in biology lessons on diffusion and osmosis

- Shilomboleni, Helena Ilena Ndilimeke

Authors: Shilomboleni, Helena Ilena Ndilimeke
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463636 , vital:76427
Description: Various science curricula including that of Namibia recommend that teaching and learning should start with the knowledge and experiences of learners from their homes and communities. These experiences are the learners’ Indigenous Knowledge (IK) which should be integrated to make science accessible and relevant to learners from diverse sociocultural backgrounds. This suggests that science teachers are encouraged to integrate IK into their teaching to help learners grasp abstract concepts and construct their own understanding of phenomena. However, much literature has revealed that many teachers find it difficult to integrate IK into their science teaching. Some scholars further argue that teachers lack the pedagogical content knowledge to effectively integrate IK. I assume this could be because the science curriculum is not explicit on how IK should be integrated into science teaching. It is against this backdrop that in this study I mobilised the Indigenous technologies of making oshikundu and preserving ombidi to support Grade 10 Biology learners in talking and making sense of diffusion and osmosis. This study was underpinned by the interpretivist and Indigenous research paradigms. Within the Indigenous research paradigm, I focused on Ubuntu as a perspective. A qualitative case study was employed and conducted at a certain school in the northern part of Namibia, in the Ohangwena region. I worked with a group of 35 Grade 10 learners, two Indigenous Knowledge Custodians (KCs) who are the custodians of cultural heritage and one Biology teacher (critical friend) as participants in this study. Qualitative data were collected using a focus group interview (sharing circle), group activity, participatory observation, and learners’ journal reflections. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory together with Ogunniyi’s Contiguity Argumentative Theory were used as lenses to analyse data. The findings of the study revealed that during the IKCs’ practical demonstrations learners were able to identify science concepts embedded in the cultural practices of making oshikundu and preserving ombidi. The findings further revealed that the practical demonstrations enhanced active participation and interactions among learners. I thus recommend that teachers should tap into IKCs’ cultural heritage by inviting them into their classrooms to make science relevant, accessible and meaningful to learners. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Context-related drivers, occurrence and human exposure to antibiotic resistant Campylobacter in selected river systems in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Chibwe, Mary

Authors: Chibwe, Mary
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466644 , vital:76763 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466644
Description: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter species in river systems is a growing public health concern globally. This challenge presents the need to understand the drivers influencing the occurrence of these antibiotic-resistant strains to inform effective mitigation strategies. Identifying local anthropogenic pressures/activities will enable tailored intervention and ensure that management efforts are targeted and effective in mitigating actual risks faced by local water resources. In particular, the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter in river systems causes concerns regarding potential human exposure. Campylobacter species are regularly implicated in both animal and human diarrhoea, and have gained recognition as one of the main causes of waterborne diseases. This study investigated context-related drivers to the presence of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter, its occurrence, and the risk of human exposure in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study utilised a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions to identify context-related sources and drivers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers. Additionally, physico-chemical analysis of water samples was done, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to investigate occurrences of Campylobacter in both rivers, as well as the presence of virulent and antibiotic-resistant genes. Two control sites, one for each river, and a total of nine other sampling sites were selected for this study, four along the Bloukrans River and five along the Swartkops River. Water samples were collected from all eleven sites over a period of one year, covering all the seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Exposure assessment was investigated by conducting propidium monoazide-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PMA-qPCR) to quantify the concentration of viable Campylobacter and its antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in the river water. The calculated concentration of viable Campylobacter and ARGs was then used to estimate human exposure dose of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter via unintentional ingestion during swimming in the Bloukrans or Swartkops rivers. The questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions identified the factors of socio-demographic characteristics of the study catchments, lack of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance, inappropriate antibiotic and disposal practices as well as anthropogenic activities (improper solid waste management, discharge of poorly treated wastewater, poor animal husbandry practices, urban run-off and storm water, industrial effluent and agricultural run-off) as context-related sources and drivers contributing to the emergence and of continuing occurrence antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers. The results obtained in this study suggest that the physiochemical properties of the water in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers are conducive for Campylobacter survival. The prevalence of Campylobacter was high at sites that recorded high turbidity, low dissolved oxygen and high conductivity. This study also highlighted the widespread and continual presence of Campylobacter spp. in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, which are potentially antibiotic-resistant. The prevalence of Campylobacter was 60% virulence genes were detected at 15% (cadF), 10% (htrB), 10% (clpP), 5% (ciaB) and 5% (ctdC) for water samples from the Bloukrans River. Campylobacter was detected in 58% of water samples from the Swartkops River, while cadF, htrB, ciaB, clpP and ctdB were detected at 24%, 0%, 9.5%, 14.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Of the Campylobacter-positive water samples, the virulence genes cmeA, cmeB and cmeC were detected in 20%, 65% and 10% of the water samples from Bloukrans River, respectively. Similarly, the genes cmeA, cmeB and cmeC were detected at 14.3%, 52% and 9.5%, respectively, for the Swartkops River. Tetracycline resistance genes (tetO) were detected in 70% and 76% of the water samples collected from the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, respectively. It was also observed that the sampling site had a significant effect on the detection of Campylobacter for both rivers (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Campylobacter was higher for sites impacted by anthropogenic activities. The results show that sampling season had no significant effect on the occurrence of Campylobacter for both rivers. The analysis through PMA-qPCR revealed that the mean concentrations of the Campylobacter 16S rRNA gene from viable cells ranged from 2.1 × 104 to 1.75 × 105 copies/ml for the Bloukrans River, and from 0 (no detection) to 1.11 × 104 copies/ml (viable concentration) for the Swartkops River. The concentration of tetO from viable cells ranged from 4.75 × 101 to 2.71 × 103 copies/ml and 115.96 to 325.12 copies/ml, for the Bloukrans and Swartkops Rivers, respectively. Similarly, the concentration of cmeB genes from viable cells ranged from 7.8 × 101 to 2.76 × 104 copies/ml for the Bloukrans River and from 1.71 × 101 to 7.39 × 103 copies/ml for the Swartkops River. We utilized the calculated concentrations of viable Campylobacter 16S rRNA genes and ARGs to estimate the human intake burden of viable Campylobacter 16S rRNA copies per one-hour of swimming to range from 9.9 × 101 – 3.7 × 106 copies/h across the two rivers. The human intake burden of Campylobacter ARGs ranged from 3.6 × 102 – 5.8 × 105 copies/h for cmeB, and 9.98 × 102 – 5.7 × 104 copies/h for tetO. This study highlighted the intricate interplay of socio-demographic characteristics in the study catchments, such as insufficient awareness of antibiotic resistance, inappropriate antibiotic disposal practices and anthropogenic activities, which all contribute to the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these specific influences. There is a potential risk of Campylobacter infections associated with human exposure to the rivers. This work contributes towards the body of knowledge in closing the current research gap on possible human exposure to antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter, and in general, exposure to ARBs through freshwater sources. The findings have practical implications for designing targeted interventions to mitigate these risks, to enhance the overall environmental and public health management in the region. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Decolonizing the curriculum: a case study of the Humanities Faculty at Rhodes University

- Machiha, Nigel

Authors: Machiha, Nigel
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466005 , vital:76676
Description: This thesis explores students’ experiences in the Faculty of Humanities at Rhodes University, specifically focusing on their perspectives on decolonization. The thesis has two central aims: first, to investigate the students’ general understanding of decolonizing the curriculum and second, to examine their experiences within the Humanities Faculty and their perception of how decolonized the faculty is. Through in-depth interviews with students in the faculty, the study aimed to answer questions regarding students’ thoughts on the decolonization of university curricula and their experiences within the Faculty of Humanities at Rhodes University. The findings reveal diverse student views on decolonization, with definitions of decolonization provided by students touching on topics such as the Africanization or Indigenization of the curriculum, systemic transformation, the importance of unlearning colonial ideologies and the relationship between language and decolonization. The students’ perceptions of the level of decolonization they witness in the faculty are categorized along three lines: the views of those who believe the departments they interact with are decolonized, the views of those who think efforts are being made but more progress is needed, and those who see no evidence of decolonization. The thesis highlights that while some students believe that positive steps towards decolonization are being taken, others express scepticism and call for a more diverse representation of scholars and scholarship and a departure from traditional Eurocentric approaches. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Determining the relationship between perceptions of HIV susceptibility and HIV status of women who have sex with women

- Zuccarini, Aimee Frances

Authors: Zuccarini, Aimee Frances
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465859 , vital:76660
Description: Background: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who have sex with women (WSW) are at potential risk for HIV, contradicting the common belief that WSW have low HIV susceptibility, a misperception persists despite evidence to refute it. Objective: This study examined the relationship between perceived HIV susceptibility and actual HIV status among South African AGYW WSW, focusing on those reporting at least one same-sex sexual experience, using data from the DREAMS Evaluation survey. Methods/Design: An archival study employing the Expanded Health Beliefs Model (EHBM) analysed secondary de-identified data from the DREAMS Evaluation Survey with a multistage stratified cluster sampling design. The sample comprised 18,296 AGYW aged 12-24 across four districts in South Africa, including 1,362 identified as WSW. ANOVA was conducted using SPSS 28 to explore the relationship between perceived HIV susceptibility and actual HIV status. Results: WSW’s perceived HIV susceptibility was low (38.5%) to very low (25%), while HIV prevalence in this sample/group was 15.9%. No significant relationship was found between perceived HIV susceptibility and actual HIV status (p = 0.126). Conclusions: WSW do not perceive themselves as being susceptible to contracting HIV despite the high prevalence of the virus in this group. Public health interventions should focus on raising awareness about risk factors, such as low use of barrier protection, substance use, and other behaviours highlighted in the literature, to better inform and protect this population. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Developing transformative community-university partnerships: a participatory assessment of Rhodes University community engagement monitoring and evaluation system

- Nkwinti, Nosipho

Authors: Nkwinti, Nosipho
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463592 , vital:76423
Description: This thesis comprehensively explores transformative community engagement (CE) in higher education, focusing on the context of collaborative community-university partnerships (CUPs) in Makhanda, South Africa. The study aimed to assess and revise the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system of the Rhodes University Community Engagement division to foster a transformation in CUPs. The research employs an exploratory design to understand the complexities of CUPs and improve the M&E systems by generating new concepts and ideas. A variety of qualitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, and document analysis, were utilized to engage community partners, student leaders, and Rhodes University Community Engagement staff. The participatory approach to research was critical, involving stakeholders in finalizing the M&E framework to ensure it met the shared objective. Data analysis was conducted inductively, with themes emerging from the data to facilitate a bottom-up understanding of the research questions. The study found that diverse community engagement projects at Rhodes University enhanced partnerships between the university and the local community in Makhanda. Participants shared varied understandings and experiences of Community Engagement. They saw CE as crucial for bridging the university-community divide and aiding local development. Furthermore, the research identified the need for a Monitoring and Evaluation system that supports collaborative Community-University Partnerships. Participants collaboratively developed and refined this M&E system, ensuring it aligns with community needs and promotes sustained development in Makhanda. Challenges such as diverse perspectives, logistical issues in focus groups, and power dynamics were also highlighted and addressed through an inclusive and participatory approach. This research highlights the elaborate distinctions of community engagement and the importance of such partnerships in fostering sustainable societal development. The framework developed has practical implications for shaping policies, fostering inclusivity, and promoting responsive university-community engagement that is aligned with community needs. The research concludes by suggesting the value of inclusivity, communication, and a flexible adaptation of practices to maximize the benefits of such partnerships. Future research could explore the longitudinal impacts of university-community partnerships, examine the scalability of the current framework to other universities, and evaluate the long-term socio-economic outcomes of the engaged citizen program on the community. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Developing transformative community-university partnerships: a participatory assessment of Rhodes University community engagement monitoring and evaluation system

- Nkwinti, Nosipho

Authors: Nkwinti, Nosipho
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463603 , vital:76424
Description: This thesis comprehensively explores transformative community engagement (CE) in higher education, focusing on the context of collaborative community-university partnerships (CUPs) in Makhanda, South Africa. The study aimed to assess and revise the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system of the Rhodes University Community Engagement division to foster a transformation in CUPs. The research employs an exploratory design to understand the complexities of CUPs and improve the M&E systems by generating new concepts and ideas. A variety of qualitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, and document analysis, were utilized to engage community partners, student leaders, and Rhodes University Community Engagement staff. The participatory approach to research was critical, involving stakeholders in finalizing the M&E framework to ensure it met the shared objective. Data analysis was conducted inductively, with themes emerging from the data to facilitate a bottom-up understanding of the research questions. The study found that diverse community engagement projects at Rhodes University enhanced partnerships between the university and the local community in Makhanda. Participants shared varied understandings and experiences of Community Engagement. They saw CE as crucial for bridging the university-community divide and aiding local development. Furthermore, the research identified the need for a Monitoring and Evaluation system that supports collaborative Community-University Partnerships. Participants collaboratively developed and refined this M&E system, ensuring it aligns with community needs and promotes sustained development in Makhanda. Challenges such as diverse perspectives, logistical issues in focus groups, and power dynamics were also highlighted and addressed through an inclusive and participatory approach. This research highlights the elaborate distinctions of community engagement and the importance of such partnerships in fostering sustainable societal development. The framework developed has practical implications for shaping policies, fostering inclusivity, and promoting responsive university-community engagement that is aligned with community needs. The research concludes by suggesting the value of inclusivity, communication, and a flexible adaptation of practices to maximize the benefits of such partnerships. Future research could explore the longitudinal impacts of university-community partnerships, examine the scalability of the current framework to other universities, and evaluate the long-term socio-economic outcomes of the engaged citizen program on the community. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Disability and sexuality in Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape: a comparative exploration of how black queer physically disabled individuals vs heterosexual physically disabled individuals negotiate their sexualities

- Mzondo, Sinokuhle

Authors: Mzondo, Sinokuhle
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466240 , vital:76710
Description: The study aimed to comparatively explore the sexualities of queer disabled people and heterosexual disabled people. The objectives of the study were to comparatively explore their negotiation of romantic and sexual lives, comparatively explore the construction of sexual identities that intersect with disability, and offer an understanding of how both groups experience other people’s perceptions of their identities. The social model of disability and queer theory were used to guide the study. The study was qualitative in nature. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Three queer disabled and five heterosexual disabled individuals were interviewed. Thematic analysis methods were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed how disability affected the romantic and sexual lives of the participants – both queer and heterosexual; their experience of others’ perceptions of their identities, how they grew up with disabilities, how they adapted to their acquired disabilities, and the construction of their sexual identities. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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Double jeopardy: reflections of accessing and navigating public spaces during COVID-19 by blind and visually impaired (BVI) people in Gqeberha

- Sysaar, Nicay Courtlynn

Authors: Sysaar, Nicay Courtlynn
Date: 2024-10-11
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466306 , vital:76716
Description: Disability only exists in reference to ability, denoting that people are only disabled if considered and treated as disabled. The inherent social conditions and features of society significantly shape disability. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was significant in the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals (BVI) since these individuals “access the world” through tactile contact, a behaviour strongly opposed during the pandemic. Therefore, this study explored how BVI individuals struggled to access and navigate public spaces in Gqeberha and how their risk of contracting COVID-19 increased when accessing these spaces. The study was qualitative ethnographic research. It was conducted in Gqeberha and embedded within a non-governmental organisation (NGO). A heterogeneous purposive sampling method was used to recruit ten BVI individuals and four trainers. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews and participant observation and analysed thematically. The study's key findings demonstrate that the COVID-19 countermeasures implicated the lives of BVI individuals, as some felt the need to avoid public spaces not by choice but by obligation to protect themselves from the possible risk of infection. The research findings reveal the barriers encountered through social encounters, physical navigation of the built environment, and information access, thus making the social, digital, and physical spheres inaccessible. COVID-19 exacerbated these barriers while simultaneously revealing the perpetual debilitating barriers in the lives of BVI people before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and presently. The recommendations explored the implementation of awareness-based programmes, integration and inclusion in physical spheres, and inclusionary disaster communication during disasters. Ultimately, as a society, we have a lot to do to achieve accessibility and, fundamentally, social integration. It is recommended that when developing health safety policies in times of crisis, it is crucial to consider populations with unique challenges rather than having a blasé approach. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Anthropology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-10-11

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