Cropland abandonment in South African smallholder communal lands: Land cover change (1950–2010) and farmer perceptions of contributing factors
- Blair, Dale, Shackleton, Charlie M, Mograbi, Penelope J
- Authors: Blair, Dale , Shackleton, Charlie M , Mograbi, Penelope J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180297 , vital:43351 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land7040121"
- Description: Despite agricultural land abandonment threatening the food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, it is pervasive globally and in developing countries. Yet land abandonment is an understudied aspect of land use change in social–ecological systems. Here we provide more information on this phenomenon by exploring cropland abandonment during 1950–2010 in four former South African ‘homelands’—part of the ‘Apartheid’ era racially-based land allocation programs—characterized by rural, smallholder farmers. Cropland abandonment 1950–2010 was widespread in all surveyed sites (KwaZulu: 0.08% year−1, Transkei: 0.13% year−1, Lebowa: 0.23% year−1, Venda: 0.28% year−1), with rates peaking between 1970 and 1990, with concomitant increases (up to 0.16% year−1) of woody vegetation cover at the expense of grassland cover. Active and past farmers attributed cropland abandonment to a lack of draught power, rainfall variability and droughts, and a more modernized youth disinclined to living a marginal agrarian lifestyle. We discuss the potential social and ecological implications of abandoned croplands at the local and regional scales, as the deagrarianization trend is unlikely to abate considering the failure of current South African national agricultural incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Blair, Dale , Shackleton, Charlie M , Mograbi, Penelope J
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180297 , vital:43351 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land7040121"
- Description: Despite agricultural land abandonment threatening the food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, it is pervasive globally and in developing countries. Yet land abandonment is an understudied aspect of land use change in social–ecological systems. Here we provide more information on this phenomenon by exploring cropland abandonment during 1950–2010 in four former South African ‘homelands’—part of the ‘Apartheid’ era racially-based land allocation programs—characterized by rural, smallholder farmers. Cropland abandonment 1950–2010 was widespread in all surveyed sites (KwaZulu: 0.08% year−1, Transkei: 0.13% year−1, Lebowa: 0.23% year−1, Venda: 0.28% year−1), with rates peaking between 1970 and 1990, with concomitant increases (up to 0.16% year−1) of woody vegetation cover at the expense of grassland cover. Active and past farmers attributed cropland abandonment to a lack of draught power, rainfall variability and droughts, and a more modernized youth disinclined to living a marginal agrarian lifestyle. We discuss the potential social and ecological implications of abandoned croplands at the local and regional scales, as the deagrarianization trend is unlikely to abate considering the failure of current South African national agricultural incentives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Women’s participation in Kwasa vegetable garden project in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Blauw, Thandiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in development , Economic development projects Community gardens -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23591 , vital:30584
- Description: Poverty is one of the major challenges faced by South Africa today, even after twenty three years of being a democratic country. A majority of South Africa’s population still lives below poverty line and the most affected are women and children. The alleviation of poverty is one of the priorities for the government, and the communities where the poor live engage in projects that support poverty alleviation while on the same breath also helps with skills development and financial freedom. In this research study, the researcher has investigated the impact of women participation on urban agriculture project by means of a vegetable garden to alleviate poverty at Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. The research has followed a qualitative approach which included individual interviews using an interview schedule. To supplement the above, secondary relevant scholarly sources were consulted. The objectives of the research were outlined which include the investigation of the challenges facing the Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. In the final analysis, the researcher has provided recommendations with the view of resolving some of the problems discovered during the interviews.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Blauw, Thandiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in development , Economic development projects Community gardens -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23591 , vital:30584
- Description: Poverty is one of the major challenges faced by South Africa today, even after twenty three years of being a democratic country. A majority of South Africa’s population still lives below poverty line and the most affected are women and children. The alleviation of poverty is one of the priorities for the government, and the communities where the poor live engage in projects that support poverty alleviation while on the same breath also helps with skills development and financial freedom. In this research study, the researcher has investigated the impact of women participation on urban agriculture project by means of a vegetable garden to alleviate poverty at Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. The research has followed a qualitative approach which included individual interviews using an interview schedule. To supplement the above, secondary relevant scholarly sources were consulted. The objectives of the research were outlined which include the investigation of the challenges facing the Kwasa Project in Walmer Township. In the final analysis, the researcher has provided recommendations with the view of resolving some of the problems discovered during the interviews.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the operating rooms in the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Authors: Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Surgical nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Operating room nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Surgical instruments and apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21779 , vital:29776
- Description: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens, can have a devastating effect on patients, families and health-care organisations. Furthermore, dealing with HAIs can be costly and add to an increase in hospital stays, medical costs, as well as the rates of morbidity and mortality. Operating rooms (OR) are dynamic units that pose a high risk for surgical infections in health-care organisations. In order to minimise surgical-site infections (SSI) and other related infections in ORs, it is important to care for and handle surgical instruments correctly and in accordance with what is considered to be best practice. This research study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge of professional nurses related to the care and handling of surgical instruments in the ORs in the medical facilities both in the private and public sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample comprised of professional nurses in the ORs in the public and private hospitals, who made themselves available and who were willing to participate in the study. The data was collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was based on a narrative literature review. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses from the professional nurses in the OR, collected using the questionnaire. Ethical considerations have been applied throughout the research study and all the relevant findings have been disseminated accordingly. Recommendations, based on best-practice guidelines, were developed to optimise the care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the ORs. Professional nurses in the ORs who are involved in cleaning surgical instruments should know how to manage certain cleaning procedures. Disinfection and the sterilisation of surgical instruments can only be achieved by following efficient cleaning procedures. When performed properly, cleaning can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms on surgical instruments, in order to prepare the instruments for disinfection and sterilisation. The importance of this step cannot be overemphasised since organic material, soil and debris can block the disinfectant or sterilising agent from making complete contact with the surface of the instruments. Additionally, cleaning allows for the safe handling of the instruments by professional nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bloemetje, Virginia Victoria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Surgical nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Operating room nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Surgical instruments and apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21779 , vital:29776
- Description: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), caused by viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens, can have a devastating effect on patients, families and health-care organisations. Furthermore, dealing with HAIs can be costly and add to an increase in hospital stays, medical costs, as well as the rates of morbidity and mortality. Operating rooms (OR) are dynamic units that pose a high risk for surgical infections in health-care organisations. In order to minimise surgical-site infections (SSI) and other related infections in ORs, it is important to care for and handle surgical instruments correctly and in accordance with what is considered to be best practice. This research study was conducted to explore and describe the knowledge of professional nurses related to the care and handling of surgical instruments in the ORs in the medical facilities both in the private and public sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The research design was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The research sample comprised of professional nurses in the ORs in the public and private hospitals, who made themselves available and who were willing to participate in the study. The data was collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was based on a narrative literature review. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses from the professional nurses in the OR, collected using the questionnaire. Ethical considerations have been applied throughout the research study and all the relevant findings have been disseminated accordingly. Recommendations, based on best-practice guidelines, were developed to optimise the care and handling of surgical instruments by professional nurses in the ORs. Professional nurses in the ORs who are involved in cleaning surgical instruments should know how to manage certain cleaning procedures. Disinfection and the sterilisation of surgical instruments can only be achieved by following efficient cleaning procedures. When performed properly, cleaning can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms on surgical instruments, in order to prepare the instruments for disinfection and sterilisation. The importance of this step cannot be overemphasised since organic material, soil and debris can block the disinfectant or sterilising agent from making complete contact with the surface of the instruments. Additionally, cleaning allows for the safe handling of the instruments by professional nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The effect of water temperature on the distribution of the Eastern Cape redfin minnow, Pseudobarbus afer (Peters, 1864)
- Authors: Bloy, Lesley Elizabeth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Minnows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cyprinidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minnows -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minnows -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Introduced organisms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62017 , vital:28096
- Description: The main objective of this MSc study was to disentangle whether temperature or the presence of non-native fish was limiting the distribution of Pseudobarbus afer (Peters, 1864) in the Blindekloof stream, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aims were to: i) describe the thermal regime of the Blindekloof stream; ii) conduct experiments to determine the preferred and critical temperatures of P. afer and; iii) use snorkel surveys to contextualise the distribution of both native and non-native fishes in the Blindekloof stream to assess whether the downstream distribution of P. afer was likely to be influenced by temperature or by the presence of non-native, predatory fishes. To describe the thermal regime, year-long temperature data from four long term monitoring sites in the Blindekloof stream were collected using Hobo temperature loggers and analysed in order to better understand the thermal profile, the thermal variation and the rate of temperature change in the stream. The warmest temperatures were recorded in late December 2015 (absolute maximum of 29.4 °C). The coolest water temperatures were recorded in early August 2015 (absolute minimum of 9.5 °C). There is both seasonal and diel variation in temperature with mean, minimum, maximum, 7 day mean, 7 day maximum and temperature ranges differing significantly between sites. With knowledge of the thermal regime of a monitored reach of the Blindekloof stream, the thermal tolerance and preference of P. afer were investigated. The thermal tolerance of P. afer was investigated using the Critical Thermal Method (CTM) which uses non-lethal endpoints (the loss of equilibrium). At low acclimatization temperatures (11.9 ± 0.7 °C), the mean CTmax of P. afer was found to be 29.9 ± 0.7 °C, while at a higher acclimatization temperature (19.9 ± 0.1 °C), the mean CTmax was 35.1 ± 0.6°C. Custom-built thermal choice tanks were used to investigate the thermal preference of P. afer in both summer and winter. The preferred median temperatures for the summer experiments ranged from 22.4 - 29.3 °C while the winter preferred median temperatures ranged from 18.5 - 23.1 °C. The thermal tolerance of P. afer was compared to the thermal regime of the stream and the results suggest that temperature is not limiting the distribution of P. afer. Snorkel surveys were used to determine the distribution of fishes in the Blindekloof stream. Analysis of the distribution data suggests that, in the absence of non-native predatory species, native fishes have the potential to inhabit pools throughout the system right to the confluence, thus predatory fishes and not temperature was limiting P. afer distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bloy, Lesley Elizabeth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Minnows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cyprinidae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minnows -- Effect of temperature on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Minnows -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Introduced organisms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62017 , vital:28096
- Description: The main objective of this MSc study was to disentangle whether temperature or the presence of non-native fish was limiting the distribution of Pseudobarbus afer (Peters, 1864) in the Blindekloof stream, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aims were to: i) describe the thermal regime of the Blindekloof stream; ii) conduct experiments to determine the preferred and critical temperatures of P. afer and; iii) use snorkel surveys to contextualise the distribution of both native and non-native fishes in the Blindekloof stream to assess whether the downstream distribution of P. afer was likely to be influenced by temperature or by the presence of non-native, predatory fishes. To describe the thermal regime, year-long temperature data from four long term monitoring sites in the Blindekloof stream were collected using Hobo temperature loggers and analysed in order to better understand the thermal profile, the thermal variation and the rate of temperature change in the stream. The warmest temperatures were recorded in late December 2015 (absolute maximum of 29.4 °C). The coolest water temperatures were recorded in early August 2015 (absolute minimum of 9.5 °C). There is both seasonal and diel variation in temperature with mean, minimum, maximum, 7 day mean, 7 day maximum and temperature ranges differing significantly between sites. With knowledge of the thermal regime of a monitored reach of the Blindekloof stream, the thermal tolerance and preference of P. afer were investigated. The thermal tolerance of P. afer was investigated using the Critical Thermal Method (CTM) which uses non-lethal endpoints (the loss of equilibrium). At low acclimatization temperatures (11.9 ± 0.7 °C), the mean CTmax of P. afer was found to be 29.9 ± 0.7 °C, while at a higher acclimatization temperature (19.9 ± 0.1 °C), the mean CTmax was 35.1 ± 0.6°C. Custom-built thermal choice tanks were used to investigate the thermal preference of P. afer in both summer and winter. The preferred median temperatures for the summer experiments ranged from 22.4 - 29.3 °C while the winter preferred median temperatures ranged from 18.5 - 23.1 °C. The thermal tolerance of P. afer was compared to the thermal regime of the stream and the results suggest that temperature is not limiting the distribution of P. afer. Snorkel surveys were used to determine the distribution of fishes in the Blindekloof stream. Analysis of the distribution data suggests that, in the absence of non-native predatory species, native fishes have the potential to inhabit pools throughout the system right to the confluence, thus predatory fishes and not temperature was limiting P. afer distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
In silico characterization of plasmodial transketolases as potential malaria drug target
- Authors: Boateng, Rita Afriyie
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63540 , vital:28433
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boateng, Rita Afriyie
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63540 , vital:28433
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Delivery of pharmaceutical services and care at three primary healthcare clinics with different dispensing models in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
- Authors: Bobbins, Amy Claire
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23580 , vital:30583
- Description: As South Africa moves into an era of National Health Insurance (NHI), the idea of primary health care (PHC) re-engineering is placed at the forefront; however, the role of the pharmacist in this process remains vague. Task-shifting of the dispensing process to pharmacist’s assistants and nurses in PHC clinics is a common phenomenon, but the implications of this on the provision of pharmaceutical services and care to patients is largely unstudied. Thus, this study aims to explore these pharmacist-based, pharmacist’s assistant-based and nurse-based dispensing models present in PHC clinics. A two-phase, mixed methods approach was utilised, comprising of a pharmaceutical services audit and semi-structured interviews. The interviews provided insight into the lived experiences of personnel and patients of pharmaceutical care provision. Results revealed that although basic pharmaceutical services may be available at clinics with each of the three dispensing models, the quality is of a varying standard due to challenges in infrastructure and maintenance and poor personnel support. Furthermore, the provision of quality pharmaceutical care is minimal with all three dispensing models, resulting in a missed opportunity to optimise patient health outcomes in patient-centred PHC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bobbins, Amy Claire
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa Pharmaceutical services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23580 , vital:30583
- Description: As South Africa moves into an era of National Health Insurance (NHI), the idea of primary health care (PHC) re-engineering is placed at the forefront; however, the role of the pharmacist in this process remains vague. Task-shifting of the dispensing process to pharmacist’s assistants and nurses in PHC clinics is a common phenomenon, but the implications of this on the provision of pharmaceutical services and care to patients is largely unstudied. Thus, this study aims to explore these pharmacist-based, pharmacist’s assistant-based and nurse-based dispensing models present in PHC clinics. A two-phase, mixed methods approach was utilised, comprising of a pharmaceutical services audit and semi-structured interviews. The interviews provided insight into the lived experiences of personnel and patients of pharmaceutical care provision. Results revealed that although basic pharmaceutical services may be available at clinics with each of the three dispensing models, the quality is of a varying standard due to challenges in infrastructure and maintenance and poor personnel support. Furthermore, the provision of quality pharmaceutical care is minimal with all three dispensing models, resulting in a missed opportunity to optimise patient health outcomes in patient-centred PHC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
LRP1 is required for novobiocin-mediated fibronectin turnover:
- Boel, Natasha M-E, Hunter, Morgan C, Edkins, Adrienne L
- Authors: Boel, Natasha M-E , Hunter, Morgan C , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164896 , vital:41182 , DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29531-2
- Description: Fibronectin (FN) plays a major role in the stability and organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We have previously demonstrated that FN interacts directly with Hsp90, as well as showing that the Hsp90 inhibitor novobiocin results in FN turnover via a receptor mediated process. However, the receptor involved has not been previously identified. LRP1 is a ubiquitous receptor responsible for the internalisation of numerous ligands that binds both Hsp90 and FN, and therefore we investigated whether LRP1 was involved in novobiocin-mediated FN turnover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boel, Natasha M-E , Hunter, Morgan C , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164896 , vital:41182 , DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29531-2
- Description: Fibronectin (FN) plays a major role in the stability and organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We have previously demonstrated that FN interacts directly with Hsp90, as well as showing that the Hsp90 inhibitor novobiocin results in FN turnover via a receptor mediated process. However, the receptor involved has not been previously identified. LRP1 is a ubiquitous receptor responsible for the internalisation of numerous ligands that binds both Hsp90 and FN, and therefore we investigated whether LRP1 was involved in novobiocin-mediated FN turnover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Regulation of the extracellular matrix by heat shock proteins and molecular chaperones:
- Boel, Natasha M-E, Edkins, Adrienne L
- Authors: Boel, Natasha M-E , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164368 , vital:41112 , ISBN 978-3-319-69040-7 , DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-69042-1_6
- Description: The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a scaffold for cells within tissues and is composed of an intricate network of glycoproteins, growth factors and matricellular proteins which cooperatively function in cell processes such as migration, adhesion and wound healing. ECM morphology is constantly undergoing remodelling (synthesis, assembly and degradation) during normal cell processes and when deregulated may contribute to disease. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in regulating processes that determine the assembly and degradation of the ECM at multiple levels, in both normal and diseased states. These roles include mediating the activation of ECM-degrading enzymes, maintaining matrix stability and clearing aggregated/misfolded proteins. Hsp may serve as chaperones and receptors or have cytokine-like functions. In this chapter, we review how Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsp40 and a number of ER resident chaperones contribute to ECM regulation. The role of the non-Hsp chaperones, SPARC and clusterin in the ECM is also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boel, Natasha M-E , Edkins, Adrienne L
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164368 , vital:41112 , ISBN 978-3-319-69040-7 , DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-69042-1_6
- Description: The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a scaffold for cells within tissues and is composed of an intricate network of glycoproteins, growth factors and matricellular proteins which cooperatively function in cell processes such as migration, adhesion and wound healing. ECM morphology is constantly undergoing remodelling (synthesis, assembly and degradation) during normal cell processes and when deregulated may contribute to disease. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in regulating processes that determine the assembly and degradation of the ECM at multiple levels, in both normal and diseased states. These roles include mediating the activation of ECM-degrading enzymes, maintaining matrix stability and clearing aggregated/misfolded proteins. Hsp may serve as chaperones and receptors or have cytokine-like functions. In this chapter, we review how Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsp40 and a number of ER resident chaperones contribute to ECM regulation. The role of the non-Hsp chaperones, SPARC and clusterin in the ECM is also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The design of an urban resources centre in Korsten, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Boliter, Laura
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Community centers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23761 , vital:30617
- Description: The adoption of a critical spatial perspective is imperative, if social justice is to be performed in urban environments, according the urban theorist Edward Soja. From this perspective of a socio-spatial dialectic, understood using Lefebvre’s ideas around the social production of space and the right to the city, the current spatial conditions of Port Elizabeth are seen as perpetuating past constructions of inequity. In these constructions of inequity large, systematically oppressed groups of the public are forced to traverse across segregating urban barriers to access the opportunity and advantages of living in an urban system. This condition continues to disadvantage those it was historically set up to undermine, on economic and social terms. This condition subverts these urban nomads, who are those forced into transience to access urban opportunity. Korsten is investigated as a key transition space in the Port Elizabeth area, straddling the impoverished north and wealthy south, as one of the key spaces where the urban nomad moves through to access better resourced parts of the city. The space of Korsten is understood to be a key domain for the urban nomad in Port Elizabeth and is thereby an appropriate place for intervention to intensify the city and improve urban quality, thus dignifying and enriching the lives of citizens and improving equity in the city. The notion of opportunity is focused on as the catalytic vehicle for urban quality to be improved, ultimately resulting in the design of Korsten as an urban resources centre with new educational and economic resources as a central structuring element in a re-scripted field of resources. The architectural design is produced within the paradigm of field conditions. This results in a design product which integrates as a part of a field condition of public resources in Korsten. A qualitative methodology is adopted within the critical research paradigm and will use methods of desktop surveys, literature reviews and participant observation to collect data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boliter, Laura
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Community centers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23761 , vital:30617
- Description: The adoption of a critical spatial perspective is imperative, if social justice is to be performed in urban environments, according the urban theorist Edward Soja. From this perspective of a socio-spatial dialectic, understood using Lefebvre’s ideas around the social production of space and the right to the city, the current spatial conditions of Port Elizabeth are seen as perpetuating past constructions of inequity. In these constructions of inequity large, systematically oppressed groups of the public are forced to traverse across segregating urban barriers to access the opportunity and advantages of living in an urban system. This condition continues to disadvantage those it was historically set up to undermine, on economic and social terms. This condition subverts these urban nomads, who are those forced into transience to access urban opportunity. Korsten is investigated as a key transition space in the Port Elizabeth area, straddling the impoverished north and wealthy south, as one of the key spaces where the urban nomad moves through to access better resourced parts of the city. The space of Korsten is understood to be a key domain for the urban nomad in Port Elizabeth and is thereby an appropriate place for intervention to intensify the city and improve urban quality, thus dignifying and enriching the lives of citizens and improving equity in the city. The notion of opportunity is focused on as the catalytic vehicle for urban quality to be improved, ultimately resulting in the design of Korsten as an urban resources centre with new educational and economic resources as a central structuring element in a re-scripted field of resources. The architectural design is produced within the paradigm of field conditions. This results in a design product which integrates as a part of a field condition of public resources in Korsten. A qualitative methodology is adopted within the critical research paradigm and will use methods of desktop surveys, literature reviews and participant observation to collect data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Monetary policy credibility, exchange rate pass through and inflation in South Africa
- Authors: Bom, Sandisiwe Abongile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Monetary policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13303 , vital:39632
- Description: The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) implemented inflation targeting as a monetary policy framework in 2000 with the aim of achieving low and stable price associated with economic growth. However, the period in which the framework was implemented is characterised by periods of price instability and low economic growth. This contradicts the view of different views in the literature that indicates that inflation targeting ensures low inflation rates. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the nexus between monetary policy credibility, exchange rate pass-through and inflation in South Africa. The study employed the Johansen co-integration test, Vector error correction modelling (VECM) techniques, impulse response and variance decomposition for the period from 2000 to 2017 using quarterly data. The Johansen cointegration indicated that there was a long-term relationship between the variables of interest. The VECM was estimated together with the impulse response and variance decomposition. The empirical results indicated that the variables utilised in the study are positively related. Impulse response functions also proved that in the long run, changes in consumer prices are a result of fluctuations in oil prices and the repo rate. It is evident that consumer prices (inflation) are positively related to changes in exchange rates and monetary policy credibility. Thus, the study recommends that changes in the exchange rate must be considered when implementing the monetary policy as the prices move in the same direction as changes in the NEER. Further, the lack of monetary policy credibility seems to be an issue for monetary authorities as there is supposed to be an inverse relationship among the CPI and MPCRED, which is opposed by the study. Additionally, the results also indicate that the repo rate is positively related to the consumer price and this opposes previous literature. Thus, recommending that the SARB needs to evaluate the monetary policy or the inflation targeting framework to ensure they achieve credibility
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bom, Sandisiwe Abongile
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Monetary policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13303 , vital:39632
- Description: The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) implemented inflation targeting as a monetary policy framework in 2000 with the aim of achieving low and stable price associated with economic growth. However, the period in which the framework was implemented is characterised by periods of price instability and low economic growth. This contradicts the view of different views in the literature that indicates that inflation targeting ensures low inflation rates. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the nexus between monetary policy credibility, exchange rate pass-through and inflation in South Africa. The study employed the Johansen co-integration test, Vector error correction modelling (VECM) techniques, impulse response and variance decomposition for the period from 2000 to 2017 using quarterly data. The Johansen cointegration indicated that there was a long-term relationship between the variables of interest. The VECM was estimated together with the impulse response and variance decomposition. The empirical results indicated that the variables utilised in the study are positively related. Impulse response functions also proved that in the long run, changes in consumer prices are a result of fluctuations in oil prices and the repo rate. It is evident that consumer prices (inflation) are positively related to changes in exchange rates and monetary policy credibility. Thus, the study recommends that changes in the exchange rate must be considered when implementing the monetary policy as the prices move in the same direction as changes in the NEER. Further, the lack of monetary policy credibility seems to be an issue for monetary authorities as there is supposed to be an inverse relationship among the CPI and MPCRED, which is opposed by the study. Additionally, the results also indicate that the repo rate is positively related to the consumer price and this opposes previous literature. Thus, recommending that the SARB needs to evaluate the monetary policy or the inflation targeting framework to ensure they achieve credibility
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The role of women's agricultural cooperatives in meeting United Nations sustainable development goals
- Authors: Boni, Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Women in agriculture -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21768 , vital:29775
- Description: The majority of the people in South Africa were poor prior 1994, especially those in the rural areas. Poverty in the rural areas affected mostly the women. The government of South Africa designed support programmes to mainstream women into the economy, although it had its own challenges, such as the non-participation of women in their own development and the top-down approach that at times was used by the government in the implementation of the programmes. Owing to the nature of the rural areas, agriculture was identified as a sector that had a potential to improve the economy in order to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Since 2005 the concept of cooperative development has been a vehicle that has the potential to address the aforementioned challenges. In order for the cooperative development to run efficiently and effectively and in line with the cooperative principles and values, the government should keep the independence of this sector in mind by engaging the cooperatives in all the activities that were affecting the cooperative sector through their cooperative movement.The findings of the study showed that the agricultural cooperatives have not yet addressed poverty fully. All their members were employed and at times employment opportunities were extended to their community members, but the income earned was not satisfying its members. The women felt that they were not in control of their development as they lacked the capacity to lead and they were still led by the men in their cooperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boni, Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Women in agriculture -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21768 , vital:29775
- Description: The majority of the people in South Africa were poor prior 1994, especially those in the rural areas. Poverty in the rural areas affected mostly the women. The government of South Africa designed support programmes to mainstream women into the economy, although it had its own challenges, such as the non-participation of women in their own development and the top-down approach that at times was used by the government in the implementation of the programmes. Owing to the nature of the rural areas, agriculture was identified as a sector that had a potential to improve the economy in order to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Since 2005 the concept of cooperative development has been a vehicle that has the potential to address the aforementioned challenges. In order for the cooperative development to run efficiently and effectively and in line with the cooperative principles and values, the government should keep the independence of this sector in mind by engaging the cooperatives in all the activities that were affecting the cooperative sector through their cooperative movement.The findings of the study showed that the agricultural cooperatives have not yet addressed poverty fully. All their members were employed and at times employment opportunities were extended to their community members, but the income earned was not satisfying its members. The women felt that they were not in control of their development as they lacked the capacity to lead and they were still led by the men in their cooperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The Moravian church music heritage in South Africa: a historical account and a theoretical framework for the establishment of a music foundation based on the North American concept
- Authors: Boonzaaier, Devandre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Church music , Moravian Church -- South Africa Choirs (Music) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23570 , vital:30581
- Description: This study serves as a contribution to the literature on the music of the Moravian Church with specific reference to the South African Moravian music heritage. The Moravian Church music heritage is documented through the lens of Coloured composers of Moravian church music. In my study, I highlight the origins of the Moravian Church and its underlying philosophies by focusing on important figures and treasures of the Moravian Church. I provide a brief outline of the Moravians’ contribution to education and music. In the study I discuss the importance of record-keeping and rich hymnody of the Moravian church. I also discuss the doctrine, worship and sacraments of the Moravian Church. The literature study provides the history of the music of the American Moravian Church. This serves as a basis for comparison with the Moravian Church music tradition in South Africa, which is discussed in chapter four of this study. Furthermore, I provide an account of the history of the Moravian Church in South Africa. I use the qualitative research method of case studies to detail the music departments of a selected number of congregations within the Moravian Church of South Africa. Chapter five contains biographies of South African Moravian composers. This research adds to the body of new knowledge through the provision of a comprehensive list of South African Moravian composers and provides the first annotated bibliography of their works. Finally, my study concludes with the provision of a theoretical framework for the establishment of a Moravian Music Foundation based on the North American Moravian Music Foundation model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boonzaaier, Devandre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Church music , Moravian Church -- South Africa Choirs (Music) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23570 , vital:30581
- Description: This study serves as a contribution to the literature on the music of the Moravian Church with specific reference to the South African Moravian music heritage. The Moravian Church music heritage is documented through the lens of Coloured composers of Moravian church music. In my study, I highlight the origins of the Moravian Church and its underlying philosophies by focusing on important figures and treasures of the Moravian Church. I provide a brief outline of the Moravians’ contribution to education and music. In the study I discuss the importance of record-keeping and rich hymnody of the Moravian church. I also discuss the doctrine, worship and sacraments of the Moravian Church. The literature study provides the history of the music of the American Moravian Church. This serves as a basis for comparison with the Moravian Church music tradition in South Africa, which is discussed in chapter four of this study. Furthermore, I provide an account of the history of the Moravian Church in South Africa. I use the qualitative research method of case studies to detail the music departments of a selected number of congregations within the Moravian Church of South Africa. Chapter five contains biographies of South African Moravian composers. This research adds to the body of new knowledge through the provision of a comprehensive list of South African Moravian composers and provides the first annotated bibliography of their works. Finally, my study concludes with the provision of a theoretical framework for the establishment of a Moravian Music Foundation based on the North American Moravian Music Foundation model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An appraisal of warm temperate mangrove estuaries as food patches using zooplankton and RNA: DNA ratios of Gilchristella aestuaria larvae as indicators
- Authors: Bornman, Eugin
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mangrove swamps Fishes -- Larvae , Mangrove ecology , Zooplankton
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17908 , vital:28481
- Description: Mangrove habitats are considered as the ideal fish nursery as they are known to increase the growth and survival of juvenile fishes by providing enhanced food availability and protection. However, most studies have focused on tropical mangroves with a few recent warm temperate studies finding conflicting results. Furthermore, the nursery value of South African mangroves to fishes remain understudied in subtropical areas, while warm temperate mangroves are yet to be evaluated. This study aimed to assess whether mangrove presence leads to any advantage to the larvae of an important estuarine resident fish species, Gilchristella aestuaria, by comparing the food patch quality of South African warm temperate mangrove and non-mangrove estuaries. Results indicate that larvae fed primarily on the dominant prey species, Pseudodiaptomus hessei, Paracrtia longipatella, and Acartiella natalensis. However, postflexion larvae consumed more of the larger species, P. hessei, within the two mangrove estuaries (16.09 %V in Nahoon and 13.79 %V in Xhora) than the two nonmangrove estuaries (12.20 %V in Gonubie and 7.05 %V in Qora), despite other prey species occurring at similar densities. Results indicate that mangrove habitats acted as sediment sinks, slightly reducing the turbidity of these estuaries which resulted in postflexion larvae actively selecting larger, more nutritious prey, which in turn, significantly increased their individual instantaneous growth rates (0.11 ± 0.21 Gi) when compared to postflexion larvae in non-mangrove estuaries (0.09 ± 0.12 Gi). This study found that mangrove presence was significantly related to postflexion larval densities when coupled with abiotic (such as temperature and turbidity) and biotic factors (such as predator-prey interactions). Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics, predator-prey interactions as well as the growth and survival of G. aestuaria is particularly important as they are key zooplanktivores that are prey to other species in estuarine food webs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bornman, Eugin
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mangrove swamps Fishes -- Larvae , Mangrove ecology , Zooplankton
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17908 , vital:28481
- Description: Mangrove habitats are considered as the ideal fish nursery as they are known to increase the growth and survival of juvenile fishes by providing enhanced food availability and protection. However, most studies have focused on tropical mangroves with a few recent warm temperate studies finding conflicting results. Furthermore, the nursery value of South African mangroves to fishes remain understudied in subtropical areas, while warm temperate mangroves are yet to be evaluated. This study aimed to assess whether mangrove presence leads to any advantage to the larvae of an important estuarine resident fish species, Gilchristella aestuaria, by comparing the food patch quality of South African warm temperate mangrove and non-mangrove estuaries. Results indicate that larvae fed primarily on the dominant prey species, Pseudodiaptomus hessei, Paracrtia longipatella, and Acartiella natalensis. However, postflexion larvae consumed more of the larger species, P. hessei, within the two mangrove estuaries (16.09 %V in Nahoon and 13.79 %V in Xhora) than the two nonmangrove estuaries (12.20 %V in Gonubie and 7.05 %V in Qora), despite other prey species occurring at similar densities. Results indicate that mangrove habitats acted as sediment sinks, slightly reducing the turbidity of these estuaries which resulted in postflexion larvae actively selecting larger, more nutritious prey, which in turn, significantly increased their individual instantaneous growth rates (0.11 ± 0.21 Gi) when compared to postflexion larvae in non-mangrove estuaries (0.09 ± 0.12 Gi). This study found that mangrove presence was significantly related to postflexion larval densities when coupled with abiotic (such as temperature and turbidity) and biotic factors (such as predator-prey interactions). Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics, predator-prey interactions as well as the growth and survival of G. aestuaria is particularly important as they are key zooplanktivores that are prey to other species in estuarine food webs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors affecting female students studying engineering at a higher education institution
- Authors: Boshoff, Hildegarde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in engineering -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate) -- South Africa Sex discrimination in education -- South Africa South Africa -- Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21746 , vital:29745
- Description: Engineering is of vital importance for humankind. Engineering combines the fields of mathematics and science, including engineering science and technology, in order to solve problems in the real world and in order to improve the society and economies of countries. It includes the ability to implement ideas in a cost effective and practical manner. Some of these solutions may include sustainability, needs of society, necessary risks and protection of the environment. Engineers develop ideas by using production of technology in order to improve the living of humankind. This includes designing and manufacturing different products based on customer needs and expectations. Although a field in engineering is largely a male-dominated career, women are becoming more interested in this career, compared to a few years ago. The problem remains that female students are still in the minority compared to their male counterparts studying engineering. Therefore, universities need to find solutions to attract female students towards engineering. There are various reasons why female students choose to study engineering, which include different influences, encouragements and their perception towards the Faculty and the academic staff. Thus, the purpose of the research study is to identify the reasons for both genders, currently studying engineering at Nelson Mandela University, formally known as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), why they chose to study engineering, what influenced their studies, their encouragements or discouragements and overall perception and experience while studying engineering. The main focus will be on female students. This research study was an exploratory, mixed method study, which contains literature studies, surveys and cross-sectional studies. A literature study was compiled by using secondary sources in order to identify the importance of engineering internationally and within South Africa, women in the workplace and female students studying towards engineering. The empirical study, which consisted of a survey, was compiled and distributed to all Nelson Mandela University undergraduate students studying towards an engineering qualification. Respondents were asked various questions regarding pre-studies and their perceptions and experiences during their studies. This includes their experience with the academic staff and the Faculty of Engineering in general. For the analysis of the data, both Descriptive and Inferential Statistical methods were used. Some of the findings from the research study include that both genders develop an interest for engineering at a young age (between ages 13 – 18). Therefore, an interest is developed during high school level. Both genders choose to study engineering for the same reasons. The interest for choosing a career for both genders was triggered by a qualified engineer’s influence. During high school, female students take part in science, mathematics and engineering programmes and participate in competitions or contests. Both gender’s science, mathematics and engineering abilities increased since they started their studies at a higher education institution. From the findings, both genders indicated that they have a high level of interest in engineering, they are satisfied with their choice of engineering field and they are committed to complete their engineering qualification. Both genders are confident that they will find employment in engineering that pays well. Female students believe that they are better at problem solving activities, they are more committed to their studies, they work better with other people and they are more confident in their engineering abilities compared to the male counterparts. The findings also include that during their studies, both genders receive encouragement from various factors, but the significant source of encouragement for both genders are their mothers and employment opportunities. Whereas the most significant source of discouragement for both genders are their grades or academic performance and the amount of time required for engineering. Both genders receive equal quality in lecturing throughout their studies and the academic staff do not treat female students different from male students. It is also significant that female students receive support from the Faculty of Engineering. Female students will definitely encourage other females to study towards a field in engineering and find the academic staff approachable. Academic staff does give regular feedback to students regarding their academic performance. Therefore both genders know at all-time their academic performance and therefore will be able to improve their results. There are not enough female lecturers within the Engineering Department. Female lecturers serve as role models for female students. Therefore, the University’s management team needs to investigate this matter. The research study concluded with recommendations and considerations, contribution towards the body of knowledge, future research and the limitations of the study. Furthermore, the study offers an understanding of engineering students at Nelson Mandela University, which includes their current overall experience during their studies. The treatise will therefore assist the readers and especially Nelson Mandela University to attract and retain female students by addressing their challenges they experience during their studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Hildegarde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in engineering -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate) -- South Africa Sex discrimination in education -- South Africa South Africa -- Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21746 , vital:29745
- Description: Engineering is of vital importance for humankind. Engineering combines the fields of mathematics and science, including engineering science and technology, in order to solve problems in the real world and in order to improve the society and economies of countries. It includes the ability to implement ideas in a cost effective and practical manner. Some of these solutions may include sustainability, needs of society, necessary risks and protection of the environment. Engineers develop ideas by using production of technology in order to improve the living of humankind. This includes designing and manufacturing different products based on customer needs and expectations. Although a field in engineering is largely a male-dominated career, women are becoming more interested in this career, compared to a few years ago. The problem remains that female students are still in the minority compared to their male counterparts studying engineering. Therefore, universities need to find solutions to attract female students towards engineering. There are various reasons why female students choose to study engineering, which include different influences, encouragements and their perception towards the Faculty and the academic staff. Thus, the purpose of the research study is to identify the reasons for both genders, currently studying engineering at Nelson Mandela University, formally known as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), why they chose to study engineering, what influenced their studies, their encouragements or discouragements and overall perception and experience while studying engineering. The main focus will be on female students. This research study was an exploratory, mixed method study, which contains literature studies, surveys and cross-sectional studies. A literature study was compiled by using secondary sources in order to identify the importance of engineering internationally and within South Africa, women in the workplace and female students studying towards engineering. The empirical study, which consisted of a survey, was compiled and distributed to all Nelson Mandela University undergraduate students studying towards an engineering qualification. Respondents were asked various questions regarding pre-studies and their perceptions and experiences during their studies. This includes their experience with the academic staff and the Faculty of Engineering in general. For the analysis of the data, both Descriptive and Inferential Statistical methods were used. Some of the findings from the research study include that both genders develop an interest for engineering at a young age (between ages 13 – 18). Therefore, an interest is developed during high school level. Both genders choose to study engineering for the same reasons. The interest for choosing a career for both genders was triggered by a qualified engineer’s influence. During high school, female students take part in science, mathematics and engineering programmes and participate in competitions or contests. Both gender’s science, mathematics and engineering abilities increased since they started their studies at a higher education institution. From the findings, both genders indicated that they have a high level of interest in engineering, they are satisfied with their choice of engineering field and they are committed to complete their engineering qualification. Both genders are confident that they will find employment in engineering that pays well. Female students believe that they are better at problem solving activities, they are more committed to their studies, they work better with other people and they are more confident in their engineering abilities compared to the male counterparts. The findings also include that during their studies, both genders receive encouragement from various factors, but the significant source of encouragement for both genders are their mothers and employment opportunities. Whereas the most significant source of discouragement for both genders are their grades or academic performance and the amount of time required for engineering. Both genders receive equal quality in lecturing throughout their studies and the academic staff do not treat female students different from male students. It is also significant that female students receive support from the Faculty of Engineering. Female students will definitely encourage other females to study towards a field in engineering and find the academic staff approachable. Academic staff does give regular feedback to students regarding their academic performance. Therefore both genders know at all-time their academic performance and therefore will be able to improve their results. There are not enough female lecturers within the Engineering Department. Female lecturers serve as role models for female students. Therefore, the University’s management team needs to investigate this matter. The research study concluded with recommendations and considerations, contribution towards the body of knowledge, future research and the limitations of the study. Furthermore, the study offers an understanding of engineering students at Nelson Mandela University, which includes their current overall experience during their studies. The treatise will therefore assist the readers and especially Nelson Mandela University to attract and retain female students by addressing their challenges they experience during their studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Bollywood Nights: Indian youth and the creation of diasporic identity in South Africa
- Authors: Boshoff, Priscilla A
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143494 , vital:38251 , DOI: 10.3138/topia.26.29
- Description: Bollywood’s popularity as a global cultural form has occurred at the same time as the valorization of difference in the South African political landscape. As the youngest members of the 19th-century labour diaspora, South African Indian youths are the inheritors of a conservative—yet adaptable—home culture amidst the marginalized identities of (post-)apartheid South Africa. Their desire to create an identity for themselves that encompasses their self-perception both as modern South African subjects and as guardians of their traditional home cultures is achieved through Bollywood, which speaks to its diasporic audiences through images of an idealized traditional yet modern India. While India is not a place of return for these youth, their reactivation of a diasporic identity through Bollywood’s representations of a successful Indian diasporic culture and their participation in South African Bollywood concerts and award ceremonies has provided an opportunity for young South African Indians to reimagine their diasporic Indian identity in ways that (re-)connect them to India and to an imagined global diaspora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Priscilla A
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143494 , vital:38251 , DOI: 10.3138/topia.26.29
- Description: Bollywood’s popularity as a global cultural form has occurred at the same time as the valorization of difference in the South African political landscape. As the youngest members of the 19th-century labour diaspora, South African Indian youths are the inheritors of a conservative—yet adaptable—home culture amidst the marginalized identities of (post-)apartheid South Africa. Their desire to create an identity for themselves that encompasses their self-perception both as modern South African subjects and as guardians of their traditional home cultures is achieved through Bollywood, which speaks to its diasporic audiences through images of an idealized traditional yet modern India. While India is not a place of return for these youth, their reactivation of a diasporic identity through Bollywood’s representations of a successful Indian diasporic culture and their participation in South African Bollywood concerts and award ceremonies has provided an opportunity for young South African Indians to reimagine their diasporic Indian identity in ways that (re-)connect them to India and to an imagined global diaspora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An adaptive internet management model for higher education institutions in South Africa
- Boshoff, Ryno, Cullen, Margaret
- Authors: Boshoff, Ryno , Cullen, Margaret
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Internet governance -- South Africa , Internet in higher education -- South Africa Internet -- South Africa -- Management Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17428 , vital:28331
- Description: It has become standard practice at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for their Internet management and relevant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources, specifically Internet resources, to be continuously investigated by HEI Management as well as by their users. The reason is that the Internet has become the foundation on which most ICT and business resources function and therefore is labelled as a distinctive competency for the HEI. HEIs, however, have limited ICT Internet resources and are expected to use these resources optimally, to ensure efficient and effective Internet connectivity on all campuses and to all users and systems. The management of Internet resources at South African Higher Education Institutions (SA HEIs) are the focus of this thesis. The primary purpose therefore, is to provide a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs which will assist them to achieve prime value from their Internet management resources. This was realised by firstly; identifying the current Internet Management Business Models of the SA HEI landscape; secondly, determining what the Internet users of the Nelson Mandela University, a South African Higher Education Institute situated in the Eastern and Western Cape area in South Africa, were using the Internet for; thirdly, comparing these findings to the actual Nelson Mandela University Firewall data and lastly, using the combined findings to draw conclusions and create a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs. This can assist the HEI ICT Management team to realign the Internet resources to match the current business and customer requirements. This thesis is an exploratory, mixed method study which consists of literature studies, surveys and cross sectional studies. The literature studies were conducted on secondary sources to identify the national and international governance structures that influence Internet management. The empirical study which consisted of two surveys was compiled from existing surveys as well as from literature studies and was completed by its respective respondent groups. The first survey was used to gain insight into what was considered the standard Internet Management Business Model at HEIs in South Africa. The second survey was used to gain insight how the Internet was being used at Nelson Mandela University by staff and students. Lastly, an extract of the Nelson Mandela University Firewall data were gathered and used to confirm or deny results from the previous survey. The findings of the first survey, HEI Internet Management Survey (HEIIMS), confirmed that the Internet and its relevant resources are extremely important to all HEIs. The HEIs Internet Management Business Models are to a large extent aligned with the National Research an Education Networks (NRENs) business models with some adjustments. The HEIs indicated that they cater for a large Internet community but do not differentiate between them. The findings do, however, specify that some differentiation does take place. The HEI Internet is provided to the Internet community at no cost and is funded by Council funds. The requirements of staff and students are mostly similar with some priority differences to key content needs. The Internet resources of the HEIs are very much aligned to support the physical infrastructure of the Internet. HEIs consider the NRENs to be key partners and suppliers with additional local suppliers used as secondary support. The second survey, Nelson Mandela University Internet Usage Survey (NMUIUS), indicated that there was a wide gap between how the Internet was used by the staff and students. The findings indicated that staff tend to be more aware of the policies and surrounding practices while students appeared somewhat unaware. The staff and students have different needs for the Internet and these needs also change slightly according to the time of day and day of the week. Regarding content access (including Firewall data), some of the users said Internet practices were true whilst others were false. The majority of those giving a false opinion said that said Internet practices were focused on activities linked to cyberloafing content. In addition, they stated that these activities were undersold, meaning that they said that they access the Internet content rarely while the Firewall data indicated that it was frequently being accessed and by many users. It was clear that the staff received a pleasant Nelson Mandela University Internet experience while the students received a slightly degraded Internet experience. The study concluded with the development of a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs and recommendations and considerations on how to improve the current Nelson Mandela University Internet management strategy. This thesis makes a contribution towards the body of knowledge by identifying and discussing current national and international Internet Governance (IG) practices. It continues by identifying the current SA NRENs and their business models which overflow into the HEI landscape. This is followed by an investigation into the various HEI Internet Management Business Models, current usage of the Nelson Mandela University Internet and patterns of use and Nelson Mandela University Firewall data. The thesis will therefore assist readers to understand the effective and efficient management of their Internet usage requirements and the provision of Internet resources. This in turn, will confirm that the availability of the Internet for its users and systems becomes a productive, reliable and pleasant experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Ryno , Cullen, Margaret
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Internet governance -- South Africa , Internet in higher education -- South Africa Internet -- South Africa -- Management Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17428 , vital:28331
- Description: It has become standard practice at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for their Internet management and relevant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources, specifically Internet resources, to be continuously investigated by HEI Management as well as by their users. The reason is that the Internet has become the foundation on which most ICT and business resources function and therefore is labelled as a distinctive competency for the HEI. HEIs, however, have limited ICT Internet resources and are expected to use these resources optimally, to ensure efficient and effective Internet connectivity on all campuses and to all users and systems. The management of Internet resources at South African Higher Education Institutions (SA HEIs) are the focus of this thesis. The primary purpose therefore, is to provide a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs which will assist them to achieve prime value from their Internet management resources. This was realised by firstly; identifying the current Internet Management Business Models of the SA HEI landscape; secondly, determining what the Internet users of the Nelson Mandela University, a South African Higher Education Institute situated in the Eastern and Western Cape area in South Africa, were using the Internet for; thirdly, comparing these findings to the actual Nelson Mandela University Firewall data and lastly, using the combined findings to draw conclusions and create a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs. This can assist the HEI ICT Management team to realign the Internet resources to match the current business and customer requirements. This thesis is an exploratory, mixed method study which consists of literature studies, surveys and cross sectional studies. The literature studies were conducted on secondary sources to identify the national and international governance structures that influence Internet management. The empirical study which consisted of two surveys was compiled from existing surveys as well as from literature studies and was completed by its respective respondent groups. The first survey was used to gain insight into what was considered the standard Internet Management Business Model at HEIs in South Africa. The second survey was used to gain insight how the Internet was being used at Nelson Mandela University by staff and students. Lastly, an extract of the Nelson Mandela University Firewall data were gathered and used to confirm or deny results from the previous survey. The findings of the first survey, HEI Internet Management Survey (HEIIMS), confirmed that the Internet and its relevant resources are extremely important to all HEIs. The HEIs Internet Management Business Models are to a large extent aligned with the National Research an Education Networks (NRENs) business models with some adjustments. The HEIs indicated that they cater for a large Internet community but do not differentiate between them. The findings do, however, specify that some differentiation does take place. The HEI Internet is provided to the Internet community at no cost and is funded by Council funds. The requirements of staff and students are mostly similar with some priority differences to key content needs. The Internet resources of the HEIs are very much aligned to support the physical infrastructure of the Internet. HEIs consider the NRENs to be key partners and suppliers with additional local suppliers used as secondary support. The second survey, Nelson Mandela University Internet Usage Survey (NMUIUS), indicated that there was a wide gap between how the Internet was used by the staff and students. The findings indicated that staff tend to be more aware of the policies and surrounding practices while students appeared somewhat unaware. The staff and students have different needs for the Internet and these needs also change slightly according to the time of day and day of the week. Regarding content access (including Firewall data), some of the users said Internet practices were true whilst others were false. The majority of those giving a false opinion said that said Internet practices were focused on activities linked to cyberloafing content. In addition, they stated that these activities were undersold, meaning that they said that they access the Internet content rarely while the Firewall data indicated that it was frequently being accessed and by many users. It was clear that the staff received a pleasant Nelson Mandela University Internet experience while the students received a slightly degraded Internet experience. The study concluded with the development of a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs and recommendations and considerations on how to improve the current Nelson Mandela University Internet management strategy. This thesis makes a contribution towards the body of knowledge by identifying and discussing current national and international Internet Governance (IG) practices. It continues by identifying the current SA NRENs and their business models which overflow into the HEI landscape. This is followed by an investigation into the various HEI Internet Management Business Models, current usage of the Nelson Mandela University Internet and patterns of use and Nelson Mandela University Firewall data. The thesis will therefore assist readers to understand the effective and efficient management of their Internet usage requirements and the provision of Internet resources. This in turn, will confirm that the availability of the Internet for its users and systems becomes a productive, reliable and pleasant experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The development of a world-class operator framework for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry
- Authors: Boshoff, Waldo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Manufacturing processes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21757 , vital:29760
- Description: This treatise evaluates the environment in which a world-class operator within the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is expected to work, and the skills and knowledge the operator requires to function effectively. Using both qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey four basic domains of skills and knowledge were identified: manufacturing principles, shop floor skills, shop floor knowledge and generic skills. Based on these results, a framework of required content to be included in the training and developing of a world class operator for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Waldo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Manufacturing processes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21757 , vital:29760
- Description: This treatise evaluates the environment in which a world-class operator within the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is expected to work, and the skills and knowledge the operator requires to function effectively. Using both qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey four basic domains of skills and knowledge were identified: manufacturing principles, shop floor skills, shop floor knowledge and generic skills. Based on these results, a framework of required content to be included in the training and developing of a world class operator for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Donor support, electoral dynamics and democratisation in South Africa :the case of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bosompem, Henry Kofi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Democratization -- South Africa Elections -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11243 , vital:37612
- Description: This thesis is on Donor Support, Electoral Dynamics and Democratisation in South Africa with particular focus on the Buffalo City Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate and highlight the global outlook of donor support perspectives and conditionalities and to examine the basic tenets of democratisation and link them to the interplay of the electoral dynamics that influence grassroots political participation. Furthermore, the study attempts to ascertain the involvement and perceptions of local communities with regard to the role of donor support in democratic governance, development and electoral dynamics. In this era and dispensation of democracy, the fledging democratic institutions require substantial donor support to perform their constitutional mandatory obligations. Most of this support had traditionally come from government. Given the weight and pressure on the government budget, the widening unemployment and inequality in South African communities, there is the need to solicit assistance from development partners for electoral administration and development. The current study, therefore, investigated community voters, political parties and the Elected or Nominated Councillors’ perceptions of donor support and democratisation. This thesis further investigated the roles and functions of the Donor Agency, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in donor support, electoral administration and democratisation. The study utilized a mixed method approach where 384 structured questionnaires were administered and 52 in-depth interviews conducted with the respondents. The study made use of a systematic empirical inquiry and literature review to understand its subject matter. It did not only scrutinise data previously collected by other researchers but also utilised information from other sources such as tabloid surveys, brochures, bulletins and the internet. Thus, this strategy is ideal for the present study which seeks to capture the views, experiences and feelings and understanding of party officials. This study utilized the Development aid theory, political party and democratisation theories, Gouldner’s theory of Moral Norm of Reciprocity and Social Support in combination with Larzasfeld’s Voters’ behaviour theory and the social justice and equity perspective as elements of the theoretical framework.The purpose of achieving electoral confidence among the citizens is to demonstrate the value of electoral dynamics and perspectives of democratization that forms an expressed vi indicator of the relationship between politics and development. The electoral dynamics that shape political institutions, governance and its discourses in any democratic enterprise include: party affiliation, party and donor support mobilisation, voting patterns, government and the state agency’s performance. In addition, it includes economic policies towards poverty alleviation, service delivery, ethnic politics and all the state democratization policies which are pursued to bring greater relief to its citizens. Correspondingly, it is geared towards creating a balanced relationship on the donor-recipient equation and to ensure socio-economic well-being to the citizens guided by reciprocity, good governance, transparency, accountability and social justice.The emerging findings indicate that most political parties and elected councillors in the municipality receive donor support beside the traditional sources that we know such as membership dues, party subscriptions, levies, state sponsorship,fundraising for special projects and sale of souvenirs. Some of the sources were from international community and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The study found that donors require huge returns on their support and investments. The IEC and BCMM were largely funded by Treasury for their projects and programmes. However, the BCMM also gets substantial support from sister-city relations with other municipalities abroad. Some community voters hold the view that political party funding opens the doors for the hijacking of democracy. Others hold the opinion that dishonest donors corrupt weak governments, undiscerning officials and immoral leaders. Nevertheless, some political party officials felt that donors were not all that evil. They hold the view that genuine donors help to build the capacity of officials and strengthen party structures, thereby deepening democratic ethics and culture. They were of the view that good donors promote transparency, accountability and good governance to strengthen the pillars and the threshold of democracy and the democratisation processes in emerging states in sub-Saharan Africa. On the basis of these findings, the core argument of this study is that donor support induces democratisation which mainly benefit donor communities and municipal elites at the expense of local communities. Nevertheless, the perception that development projects funded by donor agencies are meant for donor poverty alleviation, despite the absence of visible effects of trickle down, account for community members’ participation in the electoral system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bosompem, Henry Kofi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Democratization -- South Africa Elections -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11243 , vital:37612
- Description: This thesis is on Donor Support, Electoral Dynamics and Democratisation in South Africa with particular focus on the Buffalo City Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate and highlight the global outlook of donor support perspectives and conditionalities and to examine the basic tenets of democratisation and link them to the interplay of the electoral dynamics that influence grassroots political participation. Furthermore, the study attempts to ascertain the involvement and perceptions of local communities with regard to the role of donor support in democratic governance, development and electoral dynamics. In this era and dispensation of democracy, the fledging democratic institutions require substantial donor support to perform their constitutional mandatory obligations. Most of this support had traditionally come from government. Given the weight and pressure on the government budget, the widening unemployment and inequality in South African communities, there is the need to solicit assistance from development partners for electoral administration and development. The current study, therefore, investigated community voters, political parties and the Elected or Nominated Councillors’ perceptions of donor support and democratisation. This thesis further investigated the roles and functions of the Donor Agency, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in donor support, electoral administration and democratisation. The study utilized a mixed method approach where 384 structured questionnaires were administered and 52 in-depth interviews conducted with the respondents. The study made use of a systematic empirical inquiry and literature review to understand its subject matter. It did not only scrutinise data previously collected by other researchers but also utilised information from other sources such as tabloid surveys, brochures, bulletins and the internet. Thus, this strategy is ideal for the present study which seeks to capture the views, experiences and feelings and understanding of party officials. This study utilized the Development aid theory, political party and democratisation theories, Gouldner’s theory of Moral Norm of Reciprocity and Social Support in combination with Larzasfeld’s Voters’ behaviour theory and the social justice and equity perspective as elements of the theoretical framework.The purpose of achieving electoral confidence among the citizens is to demonstrate the value of electoral dynamics and perspectives of democratization that forms an expressed vi indicator of the relationship between politics and development. The electoral dynamics that shape political institutions, governance and its discourses in any democratic enterprise include: party affiliation, party and donor support mobilisation, voting patterns, government and the state agency’s performance. In addition, it includes economic policies towards poverty alleviation, service delivery, ethnic politics and all the state democratization policies which are pursued to bring greater relief to its citizens. Correspondingly, it is geared towards creating a balanced relationship on the donor-recipient equation and to ensure socio-economic well-being to the citizens guided by reciprocity, good governance, transparency, accountability and social justice.The emerging findings indicate that most political parties and elected councillors in the municipality receive donor support beside the traditional sources that we know such as membership dues, party subscriptions, levies, state sponsorship,fundraising for special projects and sale of souvenirs. Some of the sources were from international community and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The study found that donors require huge returns on their support and investments. The IEC and BCMM were largely funded by Treasury for their projects and programmes. However, the BCMM also gets substantial support from sister-city relations with other municipalities abroad. Some community voters hold the view that political party funding opens the doors for the hijacking of democracy. Others hold the opinion that dishonest donors corrupt weak governments, undiscerning officials and immoral leaders. Nevertheless, some political party officials felt that donors were not all that evil. They hold the view that genuine donors help to build the capacity of officials and strengthen party structures, thereby deepening democratic ethics and culture. They were of the view that good donors promote transparency, accountability and good governance to strengthen the pillars and the threshold of democracy and the democratisation processes in emerging states in sub-Saharan Africa. On the basis of these findings, the core argument of this study is that donor support induces democratisation which mainly benefit donor communities and municipal elites at the expense of local communities. Nevertheless, the perception that development projects funded by donor agencies are meant for donor poverty alleviation, despite the absence of visible effects of trickle down, account for community members’ participation in the electoral system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Satisfaction with family life in South Africa: The role of socioeconomic status
- Botha, Ferdi, Booysen, Frikkie
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Booysen, Frikkie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396115 , vital:69151 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9929-z"
- Description: This paper investigates the determinants of self-reported satisfaction with family life, applied to the South African context, with socioeconomic status (SES) as the main covariate and family functioning as the secondary covariate of interest. An individual-, household-, and subjective SES index is constructed via multiple correspondence analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple-group SEM (MGSEM) are used to analyse the role of SES in explaining satisfaction with family life. Higher levels of SES, especially household SES and subjective SES, are related to greater satisfaction with family life. Family functioning, in terms of better family flexibility, is associated with higher satisfaction with family life. The MGSEM results indicate that the role of family flexibility in explaining satisfaction with family life is similar across SES quartiles; family flexibility is an important predictor of family-life satisfaction, regardless of SES quartile.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Botha, Ferdi , Booysen, Frikkie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/396115 , vital:69151 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9929-z"
- Description: This paper investigates the determinants of self-reported satisfaction with family life, applied to the South African context, with socioeconomic status (SES) as the main covariate and family functioning as the secondary covariate of interest. An individual-, household-, and subjective SES index is constructed via multiple correspondence analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple-group SEM (MGSEM) are used to analyse the role of SES in explaining satisfaction with family life. Higher levels of SES, especially household SES and subjective SES, are related to greater satisfaction with family life. Family functioning, in terms of better family flexibility, is associated with higher satisfaction with family life. The MGSEM results indicate that the role of family flexibility in explaining satisfaction with family life is similar across SES quartiles; family flexibility is an important predictor of family-life satisfaction, regardless of SES quartile.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Pregnant women’s construction of social support from their intimate partners during pregnancy
- Authors: Bottoman, Phathiswa Esona
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Relations with men Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects Pregnant women -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62560 , vital:28207
- Description: There is a growing body of research aimed at understanding social support during pregnancy in South Africa. Pregnancy is constantly referred to as one of the challenging and stressful periods affecting women’s physical and psychological well-being. Various research studies on social support argue that social support is paramount at this stage. Research on social support indicates that having adequate and quality social support impacts on how pregnant women experience pregnancy. My interest in social support comes in the wake of absent fathers in South Africa and with the emerging trend of “new” fathers. Although there is a volume of research on social support, it tends to be realist. Using a social constructionist framework, I explore other ways of talking about social support in an attempt to expand the discourse around social support. I explore how pregnant women talk about social support during pregnancy from their intimate partners in the small rural municipality of Elundini, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Intimate partner support was limited to heterosexual partners regardless of their marital status. The sampling procedure followed a non-probability sampling method. Participants of the study were between 24 and 32 years old. Their gestational age ranged between five and eight months. Fourteen in-depth interviews using photo-elicitation were conducted with seven participants and were analysed using a social constructionist informed thematic analysis. The major theme that emerged from the analysis was partner involvement and absence during pregnancy. The analysis of results suggests that expectant father presence translates to social support. Participants constructed his presence as reassurance in the context of possible abandonment. Absence was constructed in different ways: participants constructed absence as unjust and unfair, absence and marriage, temporary absence in the form of cultural phenomenon of ukwaliswa/ukubukubazana, absence as normal but burdening to the pregnant women’s social network. Participants reported that social support from the expectant father affected pregnancy wantedness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bottoman, Phathiswa Esona
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Relations with men Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects Pregnant women -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62560 , vital:28207
- Description: There is a growing body of research aimed at understanding social support during pregnancy in South Africa. Pregnancy is constantly referred to as one of the challenging and stressful periods affecting women’s physical and psychological well-being. Various research studies on social support argue that social support is paramount at this stage. Research on social support indicates that having adequate and quality social support impacts on how pregnant women experience pregnancy. My interest in social support comes in the wake of absent fathers in South Africa and with the emerging trend of “new” fathers. Although there is a volume of research on social support, it tends to be realist. Using a social constructionist framework, I explore other ways of talking about social support in an attempt to expand the discourse around social support. I explore how pregnant women talk about social support during pregnancy from their intimate partners in the small rural municipality of Elundini, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Intimate partner support was limited to heterosexual partners regardless of their marital status. The sampling procedure followed a non-probability sampling method. Participants of the study were between 24 and 32 years old. Their gestational age ranged between five and eight months. Fourteen in-depth interviews using photo-elicitation were conducted with seven participants and were analysed using a social constructionist informed thematic analysis. The major theme that emerged from the analysis was partner involvement and absence during pregnancy. The analysis of results suggests that expectant father presence translates to social support. Participants constructed his presence as reassurance in the context of possible abandonment. Absence was constructed in different ways: participants constructed absence as unjust and unfair, absence and marriage, temporary absence in the form of cultural phenomenon of ukwaliswa/ukubukubazana, absence as normal but burdening to the pregnant women’s social network. Participants reported that social support from the expectant father affected pregnancy wantedness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018