The relationship between exposure to violence and moral development of adolescents
- Authors: Klopper, Ilana
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1526 , Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Description: South Africa currently has one of the highest levels of crime in the world. The high prevalence of violence in South African culture has led to the increased exposure to violence of individuals of all ages. The South African Police Service annual report for 2008/2009 reported 48 732 crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder to sexual offences and common assault against children under the age of 18 years. In addition, young people between the ages from 12 to 22 are generally victimized at twice the adult rate and even higher for violent crimes. It is the belief of various theorists that exposure to violence can alter one’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes- the three core components that are essential to moral development. The role that exposure to violence has on the development of aggressive behavior has been thoroughly researched; however the implications that this exposure has on the moral development of adolescents remains vague. This study explored and described the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development amongst adolescent learners. A quantitative exploratory descriptive research design was employed and the participants were selected by means of non-probability, convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 53 participants at a coeducational high school in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The demographic data of the participants was gathered through the administration of a biographical questionnaire. The participants’ exposure to violence was explored by using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire- South African Adaptation (HTQ-SAA), while their moral development was assessed by means of the Moral Judgment Test (MJT). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and both the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi square test was computed to draw inferences regarding the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development. The results of the study revealed that all of the participants were exposed to violence directly or indirectly on one or more occasion; however the frequency with which the participants were exposed to violence was lower than expected. The results of the MJT further indicated very low to low moral judgement competence scores for the majority of the sample. No significant correlation or association was found between the two constructs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Klopper, Ilana
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1526 , Children and violence -- South Africa , Violence in children -- Psychological aspects , Moral development -- Psychological aspects , Violence -- Psychological aspects
- Description: South Africa currently has one of the highest levels of crime in the world. The high prevalence of violence in South African culture has led to the increased exposure to violence of individuals of all ages. The South African Police Service annual report for 2008/2009 reported 48 732 crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder to sexual offences and common assault against children under the age of 18 years. In addition, young people between the ages from 12 to 22 are generally victimized at twice the adult rate and even higher for violent crimes. It is the belief of various theorists that exposure to violence can alter one’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes- the three core components that are essential to moral development. The role that exposure to violence has on the development of aggressive behavior has been thoroughly researched; however the implications that this exposure has on the moral development of adolescents remains vague. This study explored and described the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development amongst adolescent learners. A quantitative exploratory descriptive research design was employed and the participants were selected by means of non-probability, convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 53 participants at a coeducational high school in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The demographic data of the participants was gathered through the administration of a biographical questionnaire. The participants’ exposure to violence was explored by using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire- South African Adaptation (HTQ-SAA), while their moral development was assessed by means of the Moral Judgment Test (MJT). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and both the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi square test was computed to draw inferences regarding the relationship between exposure to violence and moral development. The results of the study revealed that all of the participants were exposed to violence directly or indirectly on one or more occasion; however the frequency with which the participants were exposed to violence was lower than expected. The results of the MJT further indicated very low to low moral judgement competence scores for the majority of the sample. No significant correlation or association was found between the two constructs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The recognition and protection of the interest of landlords within the framework of the rental housing act 50 of 1999
- Authors: Klos, Tamara Amy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Landlord and tenant -- South Africa , Rent -- South Africa , Rental housing -- South Africa , Rental housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Landlords -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1171 , Landlord and tenant -- South Africa , Rent -- South Africa , Rental housing -- South Africa , Rental housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Landlords -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation analyses the South African Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 ("the RHA") with the aim of determining whether the RHA sufficiently protects the landlords‘ rights and interests as opposed to those of tenants (which it does indeed safeguard). Due to the current saturation of rental property in South Africa, landlords are no longer in an advantageous a position as before. In fact, the RHA was introduced to redress the imbalance caused by discrimination against tenants. However, times have changed. The researcher submits that the RHA needs to be re-examined in light perception of the landlord as a consumer. Having regard to both common and foreign law, the researcher identified the following four fundamental legal and practical rights on the part of the landlord: the right to freely contract; the right to safeguard financial interests; the right to safeguard proprietary interests; and the right to evict a defaulting tenant. The research reveals that the RHA does not give adequate recognition to these fundamental legal rights, and accordingly does not sufficiently protect the landlord as a consumer. In total nineteen recommendations how the RHA can adequately recognize and protect the landlord‘s interests are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Klos, Tamara Amy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Landlord and tenant -- South Africa , Rent -- South Africa , Rental housing -- South Africa , Rental housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Landlords -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1171 , Landlord and tenant -- South Africa , Rent -- South Africa , Rental housing -- South Africa , Rental housing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Landlords -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation analyses the South African Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 ("the RHA") with the aim of determining whether the RHA sufficiently protects the landlords‘ rights and interests as opposed to those of tenants (which it does indeed safeguard). Due to the current saturation of rental property in South Africa, landlords are no longer in an advantageous a position as before. In fact, the RHA was introduced to redress the imbalance caused by discrimination against tenants. However, times have changed. The researcher submits that the RHA needs to be re-examined in light perception of the landlord as a consumer. Having regard to both common and foreign law, the researcher identified the following four fundamental legal and practical rights on the part of the landlord: the right to freely contract; the right to safeguard financial interests; the right to safeguard proprietary interests; and the right to evict a defaulting tenant. The research reveals that the RHA does not give adequate recognition to these fundamental legal rights, and accordingly does not sufficiently protect the landlord as a consumer. In total nineteen recommendations how the RHA can adequately recognize and protect the landlord‘s interests are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
NMMU alumni as non-donors : why NMMU alumni do not become donors to the institution
- Authors: Knoesen, Evert Philip
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Alumni and alumnae , Universities and colleges -- Alumni and alumnae -- Charitable contributions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1432 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Alumni and alumnae , Universities and colleges -- Alumni and alumnae -- Charitable contributions
- Description: This project investigates why alumni do not become donors to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Interviews with non-donors created the opportunity for an in depth qualitative examination of the motivating process that led these non-donors to abstain from giving. This study used the Van Slyke and Brooks (Van Slyke & Brooks, 2005) model of alumni giving and the Schervish (Schervish, The spiritual horizon of philianthropy: New directors for money and motives, 2000) supply side theory of philanthropy, which has been successfully applied in similar studies (Wastyn, 2008), to provide the conceptual framework. This framework maintains that donors and non-donors differ in that the manner in which they socially construct their university experience in creating their own realities. This constructed reality becomes the filter through which non-donors pass requests for financial support (whether direct or indirect) from the institution. The study revealed that at NMMU factors including generic donor behaviour among alumni, the status of current non-donors as being mostly past donors to their respective constituent institution, attitudes toward the institutional reputation (or aspects thereof) of the NMMU, identified obstacles to engagement, pervasive negative attitudes to institutional giving and alumni support for commercialised but not tiered giving activities, can play a major role in restructuring the manner in which non-donor alumni should be approached. The study demonstrates the need to include non-donors in research that explores alumni giving to the university. It confirms the distinct impact of the abnormally distributed demographic characteristics of this university and confirms that examining the impact of these characteristics and experiences cannot be effectively done by simply relying on one or two simple variables. Being a management project, 13 (thirteen) distinct categories of management recommendations are made, ranging from strategy development, through accounting and budgeting practice, to proposing specific revenue generating initiatives. The study concludes with the view that Alumni can and should be able to make a notable contribution to the revenue of the university and in so doing, contribute to the sustainability of the pro-social transformation process of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Knoesen, Evert Philip
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Alumni and alumnae , Universities and colleges -- Alumni and alumnae -- Charitable contributions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1432 , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Alumni and alumnae , Universities and colleges -- Alumni and alumnae -- Charitable contributions
- Description: This project investigates why alumni do not become donors to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Interviews with non-donors created the opportunity for an in depth qualitative examination of the motivating process that led these non-donors to abstain from giving. This study used the Van Slyke and Brooks (Van Slyke & Brooks, 2005) model of alumni giving and the Schervish (Schervish, The spiritual horizon of philianthropy: New directors for money and motives, 2000) supply side theory of philanthropy, which has been successfully applied in similar studies (Wastyn, 2008), to provide the conceptual framework. This framework maintains that donors and non-donors differ in that the manner in which they socially construct their university experience in creating their own realities. This constructed reality becomes the filter through which non-donors pass requests for financial support (whether direct or indirect) from the institution. The study revealed that at NMMU factors including generic donor behaviour among alumni, the status of current non-donors as being mostly past donors to their respective constituent institution, attitudes toward the institutional reputation (or aspects thereof) of the NMMU, identified obstacles to engagement, pervasive negative attitudes to institutional giving and alumni support for commercialised but not tiered giving activities, can play a major role in restructuring the manner in which non-donor alumni should be approached. The study demonstrates the need to include non-donors in research that explores alumni giving to the university. It confirms the distinct impact of the abnormally distributed demographic characteristics of this university and confirms that examining the impact of these characteristics and experiences cannot be effectively done by simply relying on one or two simple variables. Being a management project, 13 (thirteen) distinct categories of management recommendations are made, ranging from strategy development, through accounting and budgeting practice, to proposing specific revenue generating initiatives. The study concludes with the view that Alumni can and should be able to make a notable contribution to the revenue of the university and in so doing, contribute to the sustainability of the pro-social transformation process of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Transformativity: recognising melancholic power, and renegotiating vulnerability
- Authors: Knowles, Corinne Ruth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Transformational leadership -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Sex discrimination in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002999
- Description: South African universities are embedded in an unequal society. Transformation strategies and interventions in the sector attempt to address this, but arguably, the policies and practices which aim to bring about transformation are merely platforms for potential change and do not guarantee the achievement of their aspirations. This study engages with the notion of transformation in one university, looking at how an organisation for women has contributed to transformation in individuals and in the institution. It explores the idea that vulnerability is the starting point of transformation, and must be recognized and incorporated into how an organisation, institution or individual regards vulnerable groups, in order to build a more equitable society. The reframing of vulnerability is a process of acknowledging the way power works, and arguably, power’s melancholic nature and expression in society and in universities has particular challenges with regard to how vulnerable groups experience their vulnerability. If the framing of an individual as vulnerable does not also provide that individual with the conditions that shelter the vulnerability they experience, leading to a renegotiation of whom they can become, their “vulnerable” status is entrenched. The study explores ways in which an organisation for women uses its legitimized platform for renegotiating subjectivities, norms and performances, and the potential this has for transformativity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Knowles, Corinne Ruth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Transformational leadership -- South Africa Educational change -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Sex discrimination in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002999
- Description: South African universities are embedded in an unequal society. Transformation strategies and interventions in the sector attempt to address this, but arguably, the policies and practices which aim to bring about transformation are merely platforms for potential change and do not guarantee the achievement of their aspirations. This study engages with the notion of transformation in one university, looking at how an organisation for women has contributed to transformation in individuals and in the institution. It explores the idea that vulnerability is the starting point of transformation, and must be recognized and incorporated into how an organisation, institution or individual regards vulnerable groups, in order to build a more equitable society. The reframing of vulnerability is a process of acknowledging the way power works, and arguably, power’s melancholic nature and expression in society and in universities has particular challenges with regard to how vulnerable groups experience their vulnerability. If the framing of an individual as vulnerable does not also provide that individual with the conditions that shelter the vulnerability they experience, leading to a renegotiation of whom they can become, their “vulnerable” status is entrenched. The study explores ways in which an organisation for women uses its legitimized platform for renegotiating subjectivities, norms and performances, and the potential this has for transformativity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Ernesto "Che" Guevara : a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into factors contributing towards teenage pregnancy in secondary schools: a case study in the Elliotdale sub-district
- Authors: Konkco, Eunice Xoliswa
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016151
- Description: The focus for this study was to determine the factors that contribute towards teenage pregnancy in the Elliotdale sub-district in secondary schools, in the Eastern Cape. The researcher used the qualitative approach to obtain data from a sample of 8 pregnant learners, two departmental officials, four principals, four school governing body members, and four educators in this research. Interviews were conducted to gain first hand information regarding factors that are contributing towards teenage pregnancy in four secondary schools in Elliotdale, a rural area of the Eastern Cape. The theoretical construct framing this study is grounded in the theories of Bandura and Bronfenbrenner who shape an understanding of social cognitive theory and ecological systems theory. In the study poverty was a contributory factor as a result of unemployment. Ignorance, as well as the attitude of the learners towards moral values, were the major concerns and findings noted by the respondents in this study. The study revealed that the Elliotdale district officials are determined to find ways of eliminating the rate of teenage pregnancy in secondary schools; however, the approach by the district towards the implementation of the existing programmes is not effective. The school principals are unaware of the current policies on preventative measures regarding teenage pregnancy in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Konkco, Eunice Xoliswa
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016151
- Description: The focus for this study was to determine the factors that contribute towards teenage pregnancy in the Elliotdale sub-district in secondary schools, in the Eastern Cape. The researcher used the qualitative approach to obtain data from a sample of 8 pregnant learners, two departmental officials, four principals, four school governing body members, and four educators in this research. Interviews were conducted to gain first hand information regarding factors that are contributing towards teenage pregnancy in four secondary schools in Elliotdale, a rural area of the Eastern Cape. The theoretical construct framing this study is grounded in the theories of Bandura and Bronfenbrenner who shape an understanding of social cognitive theory and ecological systems theory. In the study poverty was a contributory factor as a result of unemployment. Ignorance, as well as the attitude of the learners towards moral values, were the major concerns and findings noted by the respondents in this study. The study revealed that the Elliotdale district officials are determined to find ways of eliminating the rate of teenage pregnancy in secondary schools; however, the approach by the district towards the implementation of the existing programmes is not effective. The school principals are unaware of the current policies on preventative measures regarding teenage pregnancy in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into the journalistic identities of news workers at the state owned Lentsoe La Basotho/Lesotho Today Newspaper
- Authors: Kotele, Mothepane
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Lentsoe La Basotho/Lesotho Today Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho Mass media -- Social aspects -- Lesotho Mass media -- Employees Journalists -- Lesotho Sotho newspapers Journalistic ethics -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002903
- Description: Informed by the political economy framework and the public service role of media in democracy, the main objective of the study was to use in-depth semi-structured interviews to understand news-workers’ professional journalistic identities in relation to their status as government employees and the understanding of their public service role as outlined in the paper’s mission statement. The main interest was to understand the complexity of negotiating these role identities. Through reference to the theories of journalism professionalism, the study highlighted the extent to which news-workers in the small newsroom of Lentsoe la Basotho/Lesotho Today see themselves as public service journalists in a democratic country. The interest was borne partly out of the views of the paper’s critics who see it as not serving the public but rather promoting the activities and policies of the government of the day, thus falling short of its democratic role. The contention of the study was that as a public service newspaper, the paper should have news-workers who do impartial journalism and reflect the public’s right to know in their reporting. The findings of the study suggests that news-workers at Lentsoe la Basotho/Lesotho Today continuously have to strive to negotiate the potential conflict between being a professional and working for a government-controlled newspaper. While they sometimes lay claim to being journalists, the reality is that in their political coverage they end up adopting the role of government mouthpieces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kotele, Mothepane
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Lentsoe La Basotho/Lesotho Today Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho Mass media -- Social aspects -- Lesotho Mass media -- Employees Journalists -- Lesotho Sotho newspapers Journalistic ethics -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002903
- Description: Informed by the political economy framework and the public service role of media in democracy, the main objective of the study was to use in-depth semi-structured interviews to understand news-workers’ professional journalistic identities in relation to their status as government employees and the understanding of their public service role as outlined in the paper’s mission statement. The main interest was to understand the complexity of negotiating these role identities. Through reference to the theories of journalism professionalism, the study highlighted the extent to which news-workers in the small newsroom of Lentsoe la Basotho/Lesotho Today see themselves as public service journalists in a democratic country. The interest was borne partly out of the views of the paper’s critics who see it as not serving the public but rather promoting the activities and policies of the government of the day, thus falling short of its democratic role. The contention of the study was that as a public service newspaper, the paper should have news-workers who do impartial journalism and reflect the public’s right to know in their reporting. The findings of the study suggests that news-workers at Lentsoe la Basotho/Lesotho Today continuously have to strive to negotiate the potential conflict between being a professional and working for a government-controlled newspaper. While they sometimes lay claim to being journalists, the reality is that in their political coverage they end up adopting the role of government mouthpieces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
White rhinoceros populations in the Eastern Cape: distribution, performance and diet
- Authors: Kraai, Manqhai
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rhinoceroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10692 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1297 , Rhinoceroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: White rhino populations did not occur historically in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (Skead 2007). They have, however, been introduced into a number of reserves within the Eastern Cape for reasons such as conservation, ecotourism and hunting. Based on the literature on the species, it was hypothesized that white rhinoceros would have been introduced in grass-rich habitats, as they are bulk grazers. White rhinoceros populations were further assessed in terms of population establishment by outlining their distribution and performance since introductions and this was done by extracting intercalving intervals from the literature of native populations and comparing such to the Eastern Cape intercalving intervals, extracted from data obtained from landowners. Finally, the diet of white rhinoceros was quantified, in order to identify plant species potentially at risk from white rhino herbivory using Shamwari Private Game Reserve as a study site. The distribution of white rhino in the Eastern Cape varies in terms of habitat and vegetation types. The majority (62%) of white rhino are located in grass-poor habitats and are primarily there for ecotourism purposes with only a small percentage kept for conservation purposes in the state reserves. Limited data for intercalving intervals of the white rhino in Eastern Cape are comparable to those of populations in the natural range. The ex situ conservation of white rhino in the Eastern Cape proved to be a success as population numbers have increased markedly since the first survey was conducted (Buijs 1999). The diet section of this study showed that white rhino are highly selective grazers even in a grass-limiting habitat which is dominated by browse. Twenty-five principal dietary items were identified in their diet, with only six being preferred in autumn. These are thus the plant species that could be the most vulnerable to white rhino herbivory. Supplementary food provision plays a big part of the feeding scheme of white rhino in Shamwari Private Game Reserve during the winter season, revealing the little confidence that the management has on natural resource availability to the animals at this time. These findings support the value of the Eastern Cape for ex situ conservation of white rhino, and highlight plant species potentially at risk. There is a need for further research on the population performance of these animals, and the plants identified here need to be monitored to assess white rhino impact on the vegetation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kraai, Manqhai
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rhinoceroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10692 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1297 , Rhinoceroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Habitat -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rhinoceroses -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: White rhino populations did not occur historically in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (Skead 2007). They have, however, been introduced into a number of reserves within the Eastern Cape for reasons such as conservation, ecotourism and hunting. Based on the literature on the species, it was hypothesized that white rhinoceros would have been introduced in grass-rich habitats, as they are bulk grazers. White rhinoceros populations were further assessed in terms of population establishment by outlining their distribution and performance since introductions and this was done by extracting intercalving intervals from the literature of native populations and comparing such to the Eastern Cape intercalving intervals, extracted from data obtained from landowners. Finally, the diet of white rhinoceros was quantified, in order to identify plant species potentially at risk from white rhino herbivory using Shamwari Private Game Reserve as a study site. The distribution of white rhino in the Eastern Cape varies in terms of habitat and vegetation types. The majority (62%) of white rhino are located in grass-poor habitats and are primarily there for ecotourism purposes with only a small percentage kept for conservation purposes in the state reserves. Limited data for intercalving intervals of the white rhino in Eastern Cape are comparable to those of populations in the natural range. The ex situ conservation of white rhino in the Eastern Cape proved to be a success as population numbers have increased markedly since the first survey was conducted (Buijs 1999). The diet section of this study showed that white rhino are highly selective grazers even in a grass-limiting habitat which is dominated by browse. Twenty-five principal dietary items were identified in their diet, with only six being preferred in autumn. These are thus the plant species that could be the most vulnerable to white rhino herbivory. Supplementary food provision plays a big part of the feeding scheme of white rhino in Shamwari Private Game Reserve during the winter season, revealing the little confidence that the management has on natural resource availability to the animals at this time. These findings support the value of the Eastern Cape for ex situ conservation of white rhino, and highlight plant species potentially at risk. There is a need for further research on the population performance of these animals, and the plants identified here need to be monitored to assess white rhino impact on the vegetation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of myth in the adaptation processes of Zimbabwean migrants residing in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Kritzinger, Barbara
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa , Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1430 , Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa , Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Migration is recognised as an escalating phenomenon of human behaviour worldwide. In the Southern African region African migrations and migrants have remained a focal point of discussion amongst politicians, citizens and migrants themselves in recent years. In South Africa, a major destination of migrants from various African Diasporas, this renewed interest in the topic has occurred in the context of xenophobic related violence aimed at foreigners within the broader economic, political and social arena. These factors extend to South Africa’s relationships with her near neighbours. Thus, Zimbabwe’s political, economic and social crisis has overflowed into South African borders, contributing large numbers of migrants to her population. Previous research has underrepresented the perspectives of migrants and Zimbabwean migrants in particular. Zimbabwean migrants seek economic opportunities to better themselves and maintain the survival of their families who remain in their country of origin. They are transnationals who engage in continuous movement between one place and the next, supporting various livelihoods. Little is understood about migrant adaptation to their complex contexts. In this research project, content analysis was conducted of data gathered during interviews and participant-observation of Zimbabwean migrant traders on the beachfront informal market in Port Elizabeth. The maintenance of the cultural values and identity of the myth of the hero as upholder of household honour was found to be significant in the adaptation of migrants to their multi-faceted lives. The findings indicate that migrant life is indeed uncertain and ever-changing. Their resilience in the face of continual change illustrated both conflict and compromise between “social cohesiveness (and) social flexibility” (Bauman, 1998: 15-16)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of myth in the adaptation processes of Zimbabwean migrants residing in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Kritzinger, Barbara
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa , Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16136 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1430 , Migrant labor -- Zimbabwe , Migrant labor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Immigrants -- Violence against -- South Africa , Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Migration is recognised as an escalating phenomenon of human behaviour worldwide. In the Southern African region African migrations and migrants have remained a focal point of discussion amongst politicians, citizens and migrants themselves in recent years. In South Africa, a major destination of migrants from various African Diasporas, this renewed interest in the topic has occurred in the context of xenophobic related violence aimed at foreigners within the broader economic, political and social arena. These factors extend to South Africa’s relationships with her near neighbours. Thus, Zimbabwe’s political, economic and social crisis has overflowed into South African borders, contributing large numbers of migrants to her population. Previous research has underrepresented the perspectives of migrants and Zimbabwean migrants in particular. Zimbabwean migrants seek economic opportunities to better themselves and maintain the survival of their families who remain in their country of origin. They are transnationals who engage in continuous movement between one place and the next, supporting various livelihoods. Little is understood about migrant adaptation to their complex contexts. In this research project, content analysis was conducted of data gathered during interviews and participant-observation of Zimbabwean migrant traders on the beachfront informal market in Port Elizabeth. The maintenance of the cultural values and identity of the myth of the hero as upholder of household honour was found to be significant in the adaptation of migrants to their multi-faceted lives. The findings indicate that migrant life is indeed uncertain and ever-changing. Their resilience in the face of continual change illustrated both conflict and compromise between “social cohesiveness (and) social flexibility” (Bauman, 1998: 15-16)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Spatio-temporal dynamics of ichthyoplankton in the Kowie estuary, South Africa
- Authors: Kruger, Michelle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005164 , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Description: Ichthyoplankton dynamics in the permanently open Kowie Estuary, in the warm temperate region of South Africa was investigated. The composition, abundance, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes were studied over a two year period between 2004 and 2006. Additionally, tidal exchange of ichthyoplankton and the use of frontal zones in the mouth region of the estuary were also explored between 2008 and 2009. Temporal and spatial trends in occurrence of larval fishes within the estuary and associated marina were obtained from data collected seasonally using boat-based plankton netting at 14 sampling stations along the length of the estuary. A total of 11 128 larval fishes were collected, representing 23 families and 38 taxa. Clupeidae and Gobiidae were the dominant fish families, contributing 47.0 % and 24.7 % respectively to the total catch. Estuarine resident species dominated the overall catch (91 %). A notable absence of older stage larvae and early juveniles characterised the artificial channels of the marina and estuary mouth region. This was attributed to the absence of a shallow, marginal water habitat typical of successful estuarine nursery areas. Tidal exchange of larval fishes was investigated in the Kowie Estuary using a new technique. A set of drifting light traps were set repetitively on the ebb and flood tide every second night for two consecutive 14 day periods during the peak estuarine recruitment period. A total of 553 larval fishes were caught during the study, representing nine families and 26 species. Blenniidae and Clupeidae dominated the catches. Family and species occurrence changed with tide state. Species richness (d) and diversity (H’) varied with tide and was highest on flood tides. Estuary-dependent species, such as Omobranchus woodii were more dominant on flood tides, whilst larvae of marine-spawned species, such as Sardinops sagax, were dominant on the ebb tide. Light trap catches yielded a different composition in terms of development stage / size and species, when compared to towed net studies. Towed plankton nets were again used to study the shear fronts that characterise the mouth region of the canalised Kowie Estuary. It was hypothesised that the convergence zone of the front provides feeding opportunities for ichthyoplankton. Ichthyoplankton, zooplankton and phytoplankton was collected from within and immediately outside of the convergence zone during frontal conditions. Species specific distribution trends emerged from this study. Postflexion larvae and early juvenile stages of the estuary dependent Mugilidae were only present in the foam line of the convergence zones. Some known predators of ichthyoplankton were also present in slightly higher numbers in the convergence zone (isopods) while other predators such as mysid shrimps, chaetognaths and cnidarians were more abundant out of the convergence zone. It appears that these zones may provide access to temporary food patches in the lower estuary but will be accompanied by a trade-off with increased isopod predators. The Kowie Estuary is a heavily impacted system and lack of adequate freshwater supply; artificial channelling and pollution ultimately have a negative impact of the success of this system as a nursery area. Rehabilitation of marginal areas in the lower estuary and marina is suggested as remedial action to re-establish the integrity of the nursery function this system could offer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kruger, Michelle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005164 , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Description: Ichthyoplankton dynamics in the permanently open Kowie Estuary, in the warm temperate region of South Africa was investigated. The composition, abundance, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes were studied over a two year period between 2004 and 2006. Additionally, tidal exchange of ichthyoplankton and the use of frontal zones in the mouth region of the estuary were also explored between 2008 and 2009. Temporal and spatial trends in occurrence of larval fishes within the estuary and associated marina were obtained from data collected seasonally using boat-based plankton netting at 14 sampling stations along the length of the estuary. A total of 11 128 larval fishes were collected, representing 23 families and 38 taxa. Clupeidae and Gobiidae were the dominant fish families, contributing 47.0 % and 24.7 % respectively to the total catch. Estuarine resident species dominated the overall catch (91 %). A notable absence of older stage larvae and early juveniles characterised the artificial channels of the marina and estuary mouth region. This was attributed to the absence of a shallow, marginal water habitat typical of successful estuarine nursery areas. Tidal exchange of larval fishes was investigated in the Kowie Estuary using a new technique. A set of drifting light traps were set repetitively on the ebb and flood tide every second night for two consecutive 14 day periods during the peak estuarine recruitment period. A total of 553 larval fishes were caught during the study, representing nine families and 26 species. Blenniidae and Clupeidae dominated the catches. Family and species occurrence changed with tide state. Species richness (d) and diversity (H’) varied with tide and was highest on flood tides. Estuary-dependent species, such as Omobranchus woodii were more dominant on flood tides, whilst larvae of marine-spawned species, such as Sardinops sagax, were dominant on the ebb tide. Light trap catches yielded a different composition in terms of development stage / size and species, when compared to towed net studies. Towed plankton nets were again used to study the shear fronts that characterise the mouth region of the canalised Kowie Estuary. It was hypothesised that the convergence zone of the front provides feeding opportunities for ichthyoplankton. Ichthyoplankton, zooplankton and phytoplankton was collected from within and immediately outside of the convergence zone during frontal conditions. Species specific distribution trends emerged from this study. Postflexion larvae and early juvenile stages of the estuary dependent Mugilidae were only present in the foam line of the convergence zones. Some known predators of ichthyoplankton were also present in slightly higher numbers in the convergence zone (isopods) while other predators such as mysid shrimps, chaetognaths and cnidarians were more abundant out of the convergence zone. It appears that these zones may provide access to temporary food patches in the lower estuary but will be accompanied by a trade-off with increased isopod predators. The Kowie Estuary is a heavily impacted system and lack of adequate freshwater supply; artificial channelling and pollution ultimately have a negative impact of the success of this system as a nursery area. Rehabilitation of marginal areas in the lower estuary and marina is suggested as remedial action to re-establish the integrity of the nursery function this system could offer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Participatory human development in post-apartheid South Africa: a discussion of the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project
- Authors: Kulundu, Injairu M
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Spirals Trust (South Africa) Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Youth in development -- South Africa Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2791 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003001
- Description: This thesis relates the work of a non-governmental organisation, The Spirals Trust, to discussions on human and participatory development. The focus of the study is one of The Spirals Trust’s projects, the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project, which is discussed in relation to theoretical material on human development and participatory development. Collectively these perspectives are defined in this thesis as ‘participatory human development’. The 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project illustrates some of the challenges that face the practice of participatory human development. Workshops and focus group interviews were conducted with participants who were part of the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project in order to draw out their experiences of the project. Questions were created from themes that emerged from the participants’ discussion of their experiences and these questions were then posed to members of staff of The Spirals Trust. The experiences of both the participants and the staff members are discussed in order to explore issues that emerge in the practice of participatory human development in the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project. The results highlight the challenges of putting into action the tenets of participatory human development. Feedback showed that a focus on personal development can help cultivate the ethic of participation. The effort that this entailed on the part of facilitators is discussed. The importance of exposing and continually working with power dynamics that may emerge in projects of this nature is revealed and the eroding influence of bureaucratic compliance in projects like this one is explored. The study also suggests that there is a need to promote development initiatives that challenge the political status quo rather than just finding ways to incorporate the marginalised more effectively into current systems. New questions that the research poses to the practice of participatory human development are considered in conjunction with suggestions for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kulundu, Injairu M
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Spirals Trust (South Africa) Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Youth in development -- South Africa Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2791 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003001
- Description: This thesis relates the work of a non-governmental organisation, The Spirals Trust, to discussions on human and participatory development. The focus of the study is one of The Spirals Trust’s projects, the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project, which is discussed in relation to theoretical material on human development and participatory development. Collectively these perspectives are defined in this thesis as ‘participatory human development’. The 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project illustrates some of the challenges that face the practice of participatory human development. Workshops and focus group interviews were conducted with participants who were part of the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project in order to draw out their experiences of the project. Questions were created from themes that emerged from the participants’ discussion of their experiences and these questions were then posed to members of staff of The Spirals Trust. The experiences of both the participants and the staff members are discussed in order to explore issues that emerge in the practice of participatory human development in the 2006/7 Tantyi Youth Empowerment Project. The results highlight the challenges of putting into action the tenets of participatory human development. Feedback showed that a focus on personal development can help cultivate the ethic of participation. The effort that this entailed on the part of facilitators is discussed. The importance of exposing and continually working with power dynamics that may emerge in projects of this nature is revealed and the eroding influence of bureaucratic compliance in projects like this one is explored. The study also suggests that there is a need to promote development initiatives that challenge the political status quo rather than just finding ways to incorporate the marginalised more effectively into current systems. New questions that the research poses to the practice of participatory human development are considered in conjunction with suggestions for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A study of the competencies and skills required by senior municipal managers in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality
- Authors: Kwinana, Jimmy Thozamile
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Local government officials -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1470 , Local government officials -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research document addresses the study of the competencies and skills required by executive municipal managers in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. Dissertation focuses on questions such as “What is it that executive municipal managers, manage?” What generic management processes do these executive municipal managers, apply?” “What management technique and strategies do these managers employ to deliver services?”; “Under what circumstances do executive municipal managers manage?” In order for executive municipal managers to claim proficiency (competitiveness and skills), a clear discussion of the meaning and competency and skills is provided in this. Identifying and providing a meaningful narration of the characteristics of a competent and skilful executive municipal manager as being a person who has self-respect, high level of emotional intelligence, qualitative in nature, with reasonable adaptive ability by continuously learning and developing with high ethical and professional integrity. In all his/her attempts these executive municipal managers need to be innovative in nature, undertake constant networking and always be informative by character. Such a person is productive problem solver and continuously communicates vertically and horizontally within the hierarchy of the organization. All these discussions are denoted in the diagram indicate below. This research document has undertaken an empirical research to analyze the perception of executive municipal managers in terms of the diagram below and ultimately provide a narrative analysis of the developmental government such as the O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kwinana, Jimmy Thozamile
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Local government officials -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1470 , Local government officials -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research document addresses the study of the competencies and skills required by executive municipal managers in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. Dissertation focuses on questions such as “What is it that executive municipal managers, manage?” What generic management processes do these executive municipal managers, apply?” “What management technique and strategies do these managers employ to deliver services?”; “Under what circumstances do executive municipal managers manage?” In order for executive municipal managers to claim proficiency (competitiveness and skills), a clear discussion of the meaning and competency and skills is provided in this. Identifying and providing a meaningful narration of the characteristics of a competent and skilful executive municipal manager as being a person who has self-respect, high level of emotional intelligence, qualitative in nature, with reasonable adaptive ability by continuously learning and developing with high ethical and professional integrity. In all his/her attempts these executive municipal managers need to be innovative in nature, undertake constant networking and always be informative by character. Such a person is productive problem solver and continuously communicates vertically and horizontally within the hierarchy of the organization. All these discussions are denoted in the diagram indicate below. This research document has undertaken an empirical research to analyze the perception of executive municipal managers in terms of the diagram below and ultimately provide a narrative analysis of the developmental government such as the O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of school-community links in enabling environmental learning through food growing : a cross-cultural study
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Geographies of juvenile crime: a study of crime in selected high schools in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Ladokun, Ayodele Olanrewaju
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/345 , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
- Description: Youth crime has been and still is a social problem in South Africa. It is a problem that shakes the very fabric of the society. The problem with the youth in modern society is both a national concern and an important subject for academic study. High school environments are where youths converge for learning purposes, but they have also turned to hotspots for crime. Different theories on explanations for high school crime have been developed over time. This particular study, conducted in 2008, adopts the criminal opportunity theory to study the social, economic and the demographic characteristics of selected environments in which high schools are located to determine significant factors that are conducive for high schools to be crime hotspots. Three schools were selected in different neighbourhoods in East London for the study. The study used an intensive case design technique to conduct the research. Different characteristics of the communities in which the schools that were studied were located showed different crime pattern. The Law enforcement agencies also realize these differences and they try to address crime issues in various communities in the study areas individually
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Ladokun, Ayodele Olanrewaju
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/345 , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
- Description: Youth crime has been and still is a social problem in South Africa. It is a problem that shakes the very fabric of the society. The problem with the youth in modern society is both a national concern and an important subject for academic study. High school environments are where youths converge for learning purposes, but they have also turned to hotspots for crime. Different theories on explanations for high school crime have been developed over time. This particular study, conducted in 2008, adopts the criminal opportunity theory to study the social, economic and the demographic characteristics of selected environments in which high schools are located to determine significant factors that are conducive for high schools to be crime hotspots. Three schools were selected in different neighbourhoods in East London for the study. The study used an intensive case design technique to conduct the research. Different characteristics of the communities in which the schools that were studied were located showed different crime pattern. The Law enforcement agencies also realize these differences and they try to address crime issues in various communities in the study areas individually
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Therapist metamorphosis : beginner and experienced psychotherapists' journeys of professional therapeutic development
- Authors: Laidlaw, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007912 , Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: This research aimed to trace the development of psychologists as therapists within a South African context. Two distinct career levels were explored in relation to a competency model, a skills development model, and a developmental phase model of psychotherapists' professional development. Through purposive sampling five intern psychologists and six registered psychologists with at least seven years post-qualification client contact were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Through semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, the participants' experiences were thematically analysed. In addition, the researcher's own personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current research study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Across the two career levels the life experiences of participants particularly featured events that were personally wounding or placed the participant in the helper role. The theoretical orientation(s) of participants were voiced as influential in their development, yet the ability to adjust their theoretical orientation to clients' needs was of overriding importance. Participants emphasised forming a strong therapeutic relationship with clients as the centrepiece of psychotherapy and depicted the therapeutic process using diverse metaphors. No key differences in use of metaphors emerged between intern and established psychologists. Catalysts for professional growth included personal therapy, "unforgettable cases", group supervision and, in the case of established psychologists, continuing professional development workshops. xiii Shifts in competency were recognised by intern psychologists as they gained more experience, namely, dissolution of naivety, a decrease in anxiety regarding their clinical work, a greater flexibility in the therapeutic process, a decreased sense of inappropriate responsibility for clients' progress, and an ongoing process of negotiating the interface of their personal and professional lives. Established psychologists spoke of having gained more confidence through their years of practice and yet experienced moments of anxiety which they found fostered humility. Limitations of the study and potential future research directions were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Laidlaw, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007912 , Clinical psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Interns (Clinical psychology) -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa
- Description: This research aimed to trace the development of psychologists as therapists within a South African context. Two distinct career levels were explored in relation to a competency model, a skills development model, and a developmental phase model of psychotherapists' professional development. Through purposive sampling five intern psychologists and six registered psychologists with at least seven years post-qualification client contact were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Through semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, the participants' experiences were thematically analysed. In addition, the researcher's own personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current research study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Across the two career levels the life experiences of participants particularly featured events that were personally wounding or placed the participant in the helper role. The theoretical orientation(s) of participants were voiced as influential in their development, yet the ability to adjust their theoretical orientation to clients' needs was of overriding importance. Participants emphasised forming a strong therapeutic relationship with clients as the centrepiece of psychotherapy and depicted the therapeutic process using diverse metaphors. No key differences in use of metaphors emerged between intern and established psychologists. Catalysts for professional growth included personal therapy, "unforgettable cases", group supervision and, in the case of established psychologists, continuing professional development workshops. xiii Shifts in competency were recognised by intern psychologists as they gained more experience, namely, dissolution of naivety, a decrease in anxiety regarding their clinical work, a greater flexibility in the therapeutic process, a decreased sense of inappropriate responsibility for clients' progress, and an ongoing process of negotiating the interface of their personal and professional lives. Established psychologists spoke of having gained more confidence through their years of practice and yet experienced moments of anxiety which they found fostered humility. Limitations of the study and potential future research directions were outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
E-mail forensic authorship attribution
- Authors: Lalla, Himal
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic evidence , Electronic mail systems , Authorship , Electronic mail messages , Signatures (Writing) , Writing -- Identification , Forensic accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/360 , Electronic evidence , Electronic mail systems , Authorship , Electronic mail messages , Signatures (Writing) , Writing -- Identification , Forensic accounting
- Description: E-mails have become the standard for business as well as personal communication. The inherent security risks within e-mail communication present the problem of anonymity. If an author of an e-mail is not known, the digital forensic investigator needs to determine the authorship of the e-mail using a process that has not been standardised in the e-mail forensic field. This research project examines many problems associated with e-mail communication and the digital forensic domain; more specifically e-mail forensic investigations, and the recovery of legally admissible evidence to be presented in a court of law. The Research Methodology utilised a comprehensive literature review in combination with Design Science which results in the development of an artifact through intensive research. The Proposed E-Mail Forensic Methodology is based on the most current digital forensic investigation process and further validation of the process was established via expert reviews. The opinions of the digital forensic experts were an integral portion of the validation process which adds to the credibility of the study. This was performed through the aid of the Delphi technique. This Proposed E-Mail Forensic Methodology adopts a standardised investigation process applied to an e-mail investigation and takes into account the South African perspective by incorporating various checks with the laws and legislation. By following the Proposed E-mail Forensic Methodology, e-mail forensic investigators can produce evidence that is legally admissible in a court of law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lalla, Himal
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Electronic evidence , Electronic mail systems , Authorship , Electronic mail messages , Signatures (Writing) , Writing -- Identification , Forensic accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/360 , Electronic evidence , Electronic mail systems , Authorship , Electronic mail messages , Signatures (Writing) , Writing -- Identification , Forensic accounting
- Description: E-mails have become the standard for business as well as personal communication. The inherent security risks within e-mail communication present the problem of anonymity. If an author of an e-mail is not known, the digital forensic investigator needs to determine the authorship of the e-mail using a process that has not been standardised in the e-mail forensic field. This research project examines many problems associated with e-mail communication and the digital forensic domain; more specifically e-mail forensic investigations, and the recovery of legally admissible evidence to be presented in a court of law. The Research Methodology utilised a comprehensive literature review in combination with Design Science which results in the development of an artifact through intensive research. The Proposed E-Mail Forensic Methodology is based on the most current digital forensic investigation process and further validation of the process was established via expert reviews. The opinions of the digital forensic experts were an integral portion of the validation process which adds to the credibility of the study. This was performed through the aid of the Delphi technique. This Proposed E-Mail Forensic Methodology adopts a standardised investigation process applied to an e-mail investigation and takes into account the South African perspective by incorporating various checks with the laws and legislation. By following the Proposed E-mail Forensic Methodology, e-mail forensic investigators can produce evidence that is legally admissible in a court of law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Analysis of the anti-cancer activity of novel indigenous algal compounds in breast cancer: towards the development of a model for screening anti-cancer stem cell activity
- Authors: Lawson, Jessica Clair
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003984 , Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Description: Breast cancer, the most common malignancy diagnosed in women, is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. In South Africa only 32% of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer survive more than five years. The search for new chemotherapeutic agents capable of effectively treating breast cancer is therefore essential. Recent evidence supporting the cancer stem cell theory of cancer development for breast cancer challenges the current theories of cancer development and hence treatment. Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of tumour cells that possess properties of both cancer cells and stem cells and are believed to be the tumour-initiating population of many cancers. Cancer stem cells are inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and in this way have been associated with repopulation of tumours after chemotherapy. This phenomenon is proposed as a possible mechanism for cancer relapse after treatment. Cancer stem cells have also been implicated in metastasis, the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, any treatment that is capable of targeting and removing breast cancer stem cells may have the theoretical potential to effectively treat breast cancer. However, there are currently no such treatments available for clinical use. We were provided access to a library of novel indigenous small molecules isolated from red and brown algae found off the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this project was to analyse the anti-cancer and anti-cancer stem cell properties of the compounds in this library and to identify „hit‟ compounds which could form the basis for future development into new anti-cancer drugs. Ten novel compounds of algal origin were tested for cytotoxicity, by determining their ability to inhibit the growth of MCF12A breast epithelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells using the colorimetric MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cell proliferation assay. All but one of the compounds tested exhibited cytotoxicity towards the MCF7 cancer cell line, with IC50 values (the concentration of the compound that leads to a 50% inhibition in cell growth) of between 3 μM and 90 μM. The chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was used as a positive control. Four of the compounds (RUMB-001, RUMB-002, RUMB-007 and RUMB-010/saragaquinoic acid) were significantly more toxic to the MCF7 cancer cell line, than the „normal‟ MCF12A breast cells and were selected as priority compounds for further analyses. In addition, two other compounds were selected as priority compounds, one highly cytotoxic towards both MCF12A and MCF7 cell lines (RUMB-015) and one which was non toxic to either cell line (RUMB-017/018). Preliminary studies into the mechanism of cytotoxicity using Western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Hoechst 33342 immunostaining in MCF-7 cells were largely unsuccessful. The Hoechst 33342 immunostaining assay did provide tentative evidence that selected priority compounds were capable of inducing apoptosis, although these assays will need to be repeated using a less subjective assay to confirm the results. The priority compounds were subsequently investigated for their cytotoxic effect on the cancer stem cell-enriched side population in MCF7 cells. The ability of the priority compounds to selectively target the cancer stem cell containing side population was assessed using two complementary flow cytometry-based techniques – namely the Hoechst 33342-exclusion assay, and fluorescent immunostaining for the expression of the putative cancer stem cell marker, ABCG2+. The ABCG2+ staining assay was a novel technique developed during the course of this study. It remains to be fully validated, but it may provide a new and reliable way to identify and analyse cancer stem cell containing side population cells. The MCF7 cells were treated with the compounds and the proportion of putative cancer stem cells compared with the size of the population in untreated cells was assessed. Three compounds (RUMB-010, RUMB-015 and RUMB-017/018) capable of reducing the proportion of side population cells within the MCF7 cell line were identified. Taking these data together, we identified two potential „hit‟ compounds which should be prioritised for future research. These are compounds RUMB-010/sargaquinoic acid and RUMB-017/018. RUMB-010 is of interest as it was shown to target the putative cancer stem cell population, in addition to the bulk MCF7 tumour line, but was relatively less toxic to the „normal‟ MCF12A cell line. RUMB-017/018 is of interest due to the ability to selectively target the cancer stem cell enriched side population, while having little effect on the normal (MCF12A) or bulk tumour (MCF7) cell lines tested. These compounds will be important as „hit‟ compounds for drug development and as tool compounds to study cancer and cancer stem cell biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lawson, Jessica Clair
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3925 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003984 , Breast -- Cancer , Breast -- Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment , Red algae , Brown algae , Algae -- Biotechnology
- Description: Breast cancer, the most common malignancy diagnosed in women, is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. In South Africa only 32% of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer survive more than five years. The search for new chemotherapeutic agents capable of effectively treating breast cancer is therefore essential. Recent evidence supporting the cancer stem cell theory of cancer development for breast cancer challenges the current theories of cancer development and hence treatment. Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of tumour cells that possess properties of both cancer cells and stem cells and are believed to be the tumour-initiating population of many cancers. Cancer stem cells are inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and in this way have been associated with repopulation of tumours after chemotherapy. This phenomenon is proposed as a possible mechanism for cancer relapse after treatment. Cancer stem cells have also been implicated in metastasis, the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, any treatment that is capable of targeting and removing breast cancer stem cells may have the theoretical potential to effectively treat breast cancer. However, there are currently no such treatments available for clinical use. We were provided access to a library of novel indigenous small molecules isolated from red and brown algae found off the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this project was to analyse the anti-cancer and anti-cancer stem cell properties of the compounds in this library and to identify „hit‟ compounds which could form the basis for future development into new anti-cancer drugs. Ten novel compounds of algal origin were tested for cytotoxicity, by determining their ability to inhibit the growth of MCF12A breast epithelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells using the colorimetric MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cell proliferation assay. All but one of the compounds tested exhibited cytotoxicity towards the MCF7 cancer cell line, with IC50 values (the concentration of the compound that leads to a 50% inhibition in cell growth) of between 3 μM and 90 μM. The chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was used as a positive control. Four of the compounds (RUMB-001, RUMB-002, RUMB-007 and RUMB-010/saragaquinoic acid) were significantly more toxic to the MCF7 cancer cell line, than the „normal‟ MCF12A breast cells and were selected as priority compounds for further analyses. In addition, two other compounds were selected as priority compounds, one highly cytotoxic towards both MCF12A and MCF7 cell lines (RUMB-015) and one which was non toxic to either cell line (RUMB-017/018). Preliminary studies into the mechanism of cytotoxicity using Western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Hoechst 33342 immunostaining in MCF-7 cells were largely unsuccessful. The Hoechst 33342 immunostaining assay did provide tentative evidence that selected priority compounds were capable of inducing apoptosis, although these assays will need to be repeated using a less subjective assay to confirm the results. The priority compounds were subsequently investigated for their cytotoxic effect on the cancer stem cell-enriched side population in MCF7 cells. The ability of the priority compounds to selectively target the cancer stem cell containing side population was assessed using two complementary flow cytometry-based techniques – namely the Hoechst 33342-exclusion assay, and fluorescent immunostaining for the expression of the putative cancer stem cell marker, ABCG2+. The ABCG2+ staining assay was a novel technique developed during the course of this study. It remains to be fully validated, but it may provide a new and reliable way to identify and analyse cancer stem cell containing side population cells. The MCF7 cells were treated with the compounds and the proportion of putative cancer stem cells compared with the size of the population in untreated cells was assessed. Three compounds (RUMB-010, RUMB-015 and RUMB-017/018) capable of reducing the proportion of side population cells within the MCF7 cell line were identified. Taking these data together, we identified two potential „hit‟ compounds which should be prioritised for future research. These are compounds RUMB-010/sargaquinoic acid and RUMB-017/018. RUMB-010 is of interest as it was shown to target the putative cancer stem cell population, in addition to the bulk MCF7 tumour line, but was relatively less toxic to the „normal‟ MCF12A cell line. RUMB-017/018 is of interest due to the ability to selectively target the cancer stem cell enriched side population, while having little effect on the normal (MCF12A) or bulk tumour (MCF7) cell lines tested. These compounds will be important as „hit‟ compounds for drug development and as tool compounds to study cancer and cancer stem cell biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Studies towards the development of novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors
- Authors: Lee, Yi-Chen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , Nuclear magnetic resonance , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Enzyme inhibitors , Chemical inhibitors , Quinoline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4357 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005022 , HIV infections -- Treatment , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , Nuclear magnetic resonance , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Enzyme inhibitors , Chemical inhibitors , Quinoline
- Description: The project has focused on the preparation of several series of compounds designed as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. Various 2-nitrobenzaldehydes have been reacted with two activated alkenes, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and methyl acrylate, under Baylis-Hillman conditions to afford α-methylene-β-hydroxylalkyl derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The reactions were conducted using the tertiary amine catalysts, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO) or 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3-HQ) with chloroform as solvent, and yields were optimised by varying the catalyst, reagent concentrations and the reaction time. Reductive cyclization of the Baylis-Hillman adducts via catalytic hydrogenation, using 10% palladiumon-carbon catalyst in ethanol, afforded quinoline and quinoline N-oxide derivatives. In some cases “acyclic” reduction products were also isolated. Reaction of the Baylis-Hillman MVK adducts with HCl, has resulted in effective nucleophilic (SN’) displacement of the hydroxyl group to afford allylic chloride derivatives. Direct substitution of these chloro derivatives by secondary or primary amines, followed by catalytic hydrogenation gave quinoline derivatives containing a 3-aminomethyl substituent. The Baylis-Hillman ester adducts obtained from reaction with methyl acrylate were treated directly with various amines to give diastereomeric conjugate addition products. Reactions with piperazine gave N,N’-disubstituted piperazine products. The piperidine derivatives have been dehydrated to give cinnamate esters in moderate yields. The products, which have all been satisfactorily characterised by elemental (HRMS) and spectroscopic (1- and 2-D NMR) analysis, constitute a “library” of compounds for in silico and in vitro studies as potential HIV integrase inhibitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lee, Yi-Chen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , Nuclear magnetic resonance , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Enzyme inhibitors , Chemical inhibitors , Quinoline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4357 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005022 , HIV infections -- Treatment , HIV (Viruses) , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment , Nuclear magnetic resonance , Heterocyclic compounds -- Derivatives , Enzyme inhibitors , Chemical inhibitors , Quinoline
- Description: The project has focused on the preparation of several series of compounds designed as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. Various 2-nitrobenzaldehydes have been reacted with two activated alkenes, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and methyl acrylate, under Baylis-Hillman conditions to afford α-methylene-β-hydroxylalkyl derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The reactions were conducted using the tertiary amine catalysts, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO) or 3-hydroxyquinuclidine (3-HQ) with chloroform as solvent, and yields were optimised by varying the catalyst, reagent concentrations and the reaction time. Reductive cyclization of the Baylis-Hillman adducts via catalytic hydrogenation, using 10% palladiumon-carbon catalyst in ethanol, afforded quinoline and quinoline N-oxide derivatives. In some cases “acyclic” reduction products were also isolated. Reaction of the Baylis-Hillman MVK adducts with HCl, has resulted in effective nucleophilic (SN’) displacement of the hydroxyl group to afford allylic chloride derivatives. Direct substitution of these chloro derivatives by secondary or primary amines, followed by catalytic hydrogenation gave quinoline derivatives containing a 3-aminomethyl substituent. The Baylis-Hillman ester adducts obtained from reaction with methyl acrylate were treated directly with various amines to give diastereomeric conjugate addition products. Reactions with piperazine gave N,N’-disubstituted piperazine products. The piperidine derivatives have been dehydrated to give cinnamate esters in moderate yields. The products, which have all been satisfactorily characterised by elemental (HRMS) and spectroscopic (1- and 2-D NMR) analysis, constitute a “library” of compounds for in silico and in vitro studies as potential HIV integrase inhibitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An evaluation of the time frame of the disclosure process in the evidence of 97 child witnesses in cases in the Belville sexual offences court
- Authors: Lehmann, Caron Mary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1279 , Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: When children are sexually abused it usually takes place in concealment. This means that unless the child reveals the abuse, it will remain hidden. This study commences with an examination of the reasons as to why a child may delay the disclosure of sexual abuse. The result of research indicates that there are certain recognisable reasons, which are frequently encountered, as to why a child may either delay telling anyone about his or her experience or as to why s/he may never tell anyone. Traditional assumptions of what are considered normal reactions to sexual abuse are tested. The discussion then moves on to considering the approach of the South African courts in regard to evaluating the manner and timing of a child’s revelations, as well as to considering the impact which a delay may have on the acceptance of that child’s evidence. Intrinsic to this analysis is the progress made in our courts, and by the legislature, in recognising factors that influence a child to either blurt out the information immediately or conceal it for a period of time. Thereafter, the testimony of 97 child victims of sexual abuse is analysed with a view to determining whether these children fit the profiles raised in research on the subject and described in some of the case law. The rate of attrition in cases of sexual offences against children is considered as well as the role that cross-examination plays in either enhancing or reducing a child’s ability to accurately describe an acceptable motivation for the delay in disclosure. The study concludes with a discussion of how well child victims are served in a legal environment designed to provide a forum for eliciting the truth from a child witness. The use of intermediaries and the impact of cross-examination is discussed as well as the ability of judicial officers to adjudicate in matters requiring highly specialized knowledge and experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lehmann, Caron Mary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1279 , Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: When children are sexually abused it usually takes place in concealment. This means that unless the child reveals the abuse, it will remain hidden. This study commences with an examination of the reasons as to why a child may delay the disclosure of sexual abuse. The result of research indicates that there are certain recognisable reasons, which are frequently encountered, as to why a child may either delay telling anyone about his or her experience or as to why s/he may never tell anyone. Traditional assumptions of what are considered normal reactions to sexual abuse are tested. The discussion then moves on to considering the approach of the South African courts in regard to evaluating the manner and timing of a child’s revelations, as well as to considering the impact which a delay may have on the acceptance of that child’s evidence. Intrinsic to this analysis is the progress made in our courts, and by the legislature, in recognising factors that influence a child to either blurt out the information immediately or conceal it for a period of time. Thereafter, the testimony of 97 child victims of sexual abuse is analysed with a view to determining whether these children fit the profiles raised in research on the subject and described in some of the case law. The rate of attrition in cases of sexual offences against children is considered as well as the role that cross-examination plays in either enhancing or reducing a child’s ability to accurately describe an acceptable motivation for the delay in disclosure. The study concludes with a discussion of how well child victims are served in a legal environment designed to provide a forum for eliciting the truth from a child witness. The use of intermediaries and the impact of cross-examination is discussed as well as the ability of judicial officers to adjudicate in matters requiring highly specialized knowledge and experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Perceived need and willingness of a sample of registered casualty unit nurses to engage in supplementary counselling skills training
- Authors: Leonard, Warren Leon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Counseling -- Training skills , Counseling , Nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1176 , Counseling -- Training skills , Counseling , Nursing
- Description: In 2002 there were an estimated 1.5 million people admitted into casualty emergency units within the Republic of South Africa. Many of these admissions dealt with events that were traumatic for both families and practitioners and these traumatic events have effects on the biological, psychological and social wellbeing of these individuals. Coupled with this is an ever increasing demand for mental health services and a worldwide shortage of qualified individuals to provide these services. Registered nurses in casualty units deal with the majority of these issues and the effect of these traumatic events. The crisis intervention model may provide these registered nurses with the necessary skills to deal with these problems not only for patients but possibly for themselves. Furthermore the biopsychosocial model of health allows these registered nurses to assess the impact of these events on the individuals. Yet, some registered nurses feel that they lack the necessary skills to deal with and assess these problems and intervene in these crisis situations. This study was exploratory descriptive in nature and aimed to examine whether there was a perceived need for registered casualty unit nurses to engage in supplementary counselling skills training. These perceptions were obtained through purposively sampled interviews and analysed qualitatively, using Tesch’s model of content analysis. Findings indicated that the registered nurses do perceive a need for supplementary counselling training, both for use with the patients and for themselves, and are willing to engage in this training although there are problems that inhibit this willingness. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a supplementary counselling skills training course as well as future research in the field were made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Leonard, Warren Leon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Counseling -- Training skills , Counseling , Nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1176 , Counseling -- Training skills , Counseling , Nursing
- Description: In 2002 there were an estimated 1.5 million people admitted into casualty emergency units within the Republic of South Africa. Many of these admissions dealt with events that were traumatic for both families and practitioners and these traumatic events have effects on the biological, psychological and social wellbeing of these individuals. Coupled with this is an ever increasing demand for mental health services and a worldwide shortage of qualified individuals to provide these services. Registered nurses in casualty units deal with the majority of these issues and the effect of these traumatic events. The crisis intervention model may provide these registered nurses with the necessary skills to deal with these problems not only for patients but possibly for themselves. Furthermore the biopsychosocial model of health allows these registered nurses to assess the impact of these events on the individuals. Yet, some registered nurses feel that they lack the necessary skills to deal with and assess these problems and intervene in these crisis situations. This study was exploratory descriptive in nature and aimed to examine whether there was a perceived need for registered casualty unit nurses to engage in supplementary counselling skills training. These perceptions were obtained through purposively sampled interviews and analysed qualitatively, using Tesch’s model of content analysis. Findings indicated that the registered nurses do perceive a need for supplementary counselling training, both for use with the patients and for themselves, and are willing to engage in this training although there are problems that inhibit this willingness. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a supplementary counselling skills training course as well as future research in the field were made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010