An investigation into the role of Xhosa male initiation in moral regeneration
- Authors: Ntombana, Luvuyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Initiation rites
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1006265 , Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Initiation rites
- Description: This research study in Mdantsane (East London), Whittlesea (Hewu), Njiveni (Libode) and Cala sought to investigate the role of the amaXhosa male initiation in moral regeneration focusing on socio-cultural, educational and religious aspects related to moral values. The role of the amaXhosa male initiation as a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, how it was viewed in the past, its impact upon the initiates and its contribution to the moral upholding of values were investigated. It was further intended to establish whether westernisation and urbanisation brought a shift of meaning and emphasis to the current initiation practice and, if so, to what extent has the ceremony departed from traditional norms and what challenges the ceremony has to face at present. A qualitative research method involving an ethnographic study was utilised, which includes in-depth, semi-structured interviews (formal interviews and informal discussions) and participant observation. Research findings suggested that in the past the amaXhosa male initiation played a role in the instruction of moral values. However, this study identified a shift of meaning in the practice which has been more evident in urban than in rural areas. The shift suggested that the instruction role has changed in prominence and there is less emphasis on teaching and appropriate adult behaviour. Moreover that the amakhankatha, who had the major role in teaching of the initiates are now participating in making the role less effective and sometimes introducing influences that are destructive to the initiates. Such negative influences include abuse of alcohol and drugs, promiscuity among the youth and disobedience of elders. It is argued that revisiting the teachings surrounding male initiation may cultivate productive debates on how young males are taught morality in today's society. Furthermore, that if the Xhosa male initiation could be contextualised it can play a role in the instruction of boys as they graduate to manhood and that can contribute to moral regeneration in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ntombana, Luvuyo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Initiation rites
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1006265 , Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Initiation rites
- Description: This research study in Mdantsane (East London), Whittlesea (Hewu), Njiveni (Libode) and Cala sought to investigate the role of the amaXhosa male initiation in moral regeneration focusing on socio-cultural, educational and religious aspects related to moral values. The role of the amaXhosa male initiation as a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, how it was viewed in the past, its impact upon the initiates and its contribution to the moral upholding of values were investigated. It was further intended to establish whether westernisation and urbanisation brought a shift of meaning and emphasis to the current initiation practice and, if so, to what extent has the ceremony departed from traditional norms and what challenges the ceremony has to face at present. A qualitative research method involving an ethnographic study was utilised, which includes in-depth, semi-structured interviews (formal interviews and informal discussions) and participant observation. Research findings suggested that in the past the amaXhosa male initiation played a role in the instruction of moral values. However, this study identified a shift of meaning in the practice which has been more evident in urban than in rural areas. The shift suggested that the instruction role has changed in prominence and there is less emphasis on teaching and appropriate adult behaviour. Moreover that the amakhankatha, who had the major role in teaching of the initiates are now participating in making the role less effective and sometimes introducing influences that are destructive to the initiates. Such negative influences include abuse of alcohol and drugs, promiscuity among the youth and disobedience of elders. It is argued that revisiting the teachings surrounding male initiation may cultivate productive debates on how young males are taught morality in today's society. Furthermore, that if the Xhosa male initiation could be contextualised it can play a role in the instruction of boys as they graduate to manhood and that can contribute to moral regeneration in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation of the attitudes of South African Police Service management with respect to the viability of computer-assisted training in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Adams, Leinadu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1410 , Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The South African Police Service (SAPS) as a constituent part of the public service was established to deliver a specific category of services to the public. These services have to conform to requirements that are prescribed by various legislative provisions to promote effective and efficient delivery of public services. The implications of these provisions that are pursued by the study firstly, refer to the emphasis of government on the enhancement of public service delivery, with due consideration given to cost effectiveness and efficiency. Secondly, it refers to government's realisation of the important impact of education, development and training (EDT) on the competency of public service officials with an emphasis on the utilisation of information technology to enhance the effectiveness of EDT. Consequently, the study explores the viability of the utilisation of information technology as a measure to assist EDT interventions within the SAPS of the Eastern Cape Province to equip members of the institution to better fulfil their functions and duties. In this respect the study commenced to ascertain the levels of computer literacy of role-players, access to the appropriate facilities and what the general attitude in the organisation would be towards the utilisation of such an intervention. It was found that the computer literacy levels of role-players may be perceived as a problematic issue in this regard. However, access to suitable facilities was found to be more than sufficient for this intention. Furthermore, role-players agreed that information technology could be optimally applied in the EC SAPS for the mentioned use, thereby portraying an optimistic attitude towards the use thereof to harmonise EDT in the SAPS. The aim of the study has been to develop a model that will incorporate the use of information technology, given the strengths and weaknesses of the SAPS to enhance EDT and learning in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Adams, Leinadu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1410 , Education -- South Africa -- Data processing , Education -- Computer-assisted instruction , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Police training -- South Africa , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The South African Police Service (SAPS) as a constituent part of the public service was established to deliver a specific category of services to the public. These services have to conform to requirements that are prescribed by various legislative provisions to promote effective and efficient delivery of public services. The implications of these provisions that are pursued by the study firstly, refer to the emphasis of government on the enhancement of public service delivery, with due consideration given to cost effectiveness and efficiency. Secondly, it refers to government's realisation of the important impact of education, development and training (EDT) on the competency of public service officials with an emphasis on the utilisation of information technology to enhance the effectiveness of EDT. Consequently, the study explores the viability of the utilisation of information technology as a measure to assist EDT interventions within the SAPS of the Eastern Cape Province to equip members of the institution to better fulfil their functions and duties. In this respect the study commenced to ascertain the levels of computer literacy of role-players, access to the appropriate facilities and what the general attitude in the organisation would be towards the utilisation of such an intervention. It was found that the computer literacy levels of role-players may be perceived as a problematic issue in this regard. However, access to suitable facilities was found to be more than sufficient for this intention. Furthermore, role-players agreed that information technology could be optimally applied in the EC SAPS for the mentioned use, thereby portraying an optimistic attitude towards the use thereof to harmonise EDT in the SAPS. The aim of the study has been to develop a model that will incorporate the use of information technology, given the strengths and weaknesses of the SAPS to enhance EDT and learning in the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Conflict and sustainable development: the case of the great Limpompo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), Southern Africa
- Authors: Muboko, Never
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1357 , Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Description: Conflict is inevitable but sustainable development is achievable. An analysis of the mix between development and conflict in two communities revealed the imperatives needed to strike a balance between conflict and sustainable development. While conflicts over natural resources are neither a new phenomenon nor are they inevitable, it is the approaches adopted to manage them that generate interests and makes a difference between peace and violence. Thus, conflicts associated with wilderness or TFCA development initiatives such as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) have attracted significant interest from various stakeholders. While the GLTP is a flagship conservation initiative in Southern Africa designed to integrate different land uses for socio-economic development, it is littered with conflicts. Through documenting the experiences of two communities involved in development conflicts, a determination was sought to understand the efficacy of approaches used to manage the conflict. Using mainly questionnaires and personal interviews, perceptions and attitudes of key informants were solicited. Unresolved historical problems reincarnated to haunt current conservation projects as memories of unresolved past events reflected negatively on new related initiatives. Different approaches adopted in managing these conflicts resulted in significantly different outcomes. Local stakeholder involvements were inadequate, but were identified as pertinent to successful sustainable conservation and development. Unless local communities are assured of real benefits from new conservation initiatives it became evident that recurrent conflicts would be inevitable. The findings reveal that current conservation initiatives should be underpinned by emerging inclusivity theories in the conservation discourse. A broad range of stakeholders should embrace this new paradigm based on the philosophy that conservation efforts that exclude local communities are bound to be unsustainable. We found out that it is in the interests of all for policy makers to come up with policies that recognise the critical role local communities play, while subscribing to the regional and international standards for best practices in the conservation business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muboko, Never
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1357 , Conflict management , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Description: Conflict is inevitable but sustainable development is achievable. An analysis of the mix between development and conflict in two communities revealed the imperatives needed to strike a balance between conflict and sustainable development. While conflicts over natural resources are neither a new phenomenon nor are they inevitable, it is the approaches adopted to manage them that generate interests and makes a difference between peace and violence. Thus, conflicts associated with wilderness or TFCA development initiatives such as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) have attracted significant interest from various stakeholders. While the GLTP is a flagship conservation initiative in Southern Africa designed to integrate different land uses for socio-economic development, it is littered with conflicts. Through documenting the experiences of two communities involved in development conflicts, a determination was sought to understand the efficacy of approaches used to manage the conflict. Using mainly questionnaires and personal interviews, perceptions and attitudes of key informants were solicited. Unresolved historical problems reincarnated to haunt current conservation projects as memories of unresolved past events reflected negatively on new related initiatives. Different approaches adopted in managing these conflicts resulted in significantly different outcomes. Local stakeholder involvements were inadequate, but were identified as pertinent to successful sustainable conservation and development. Unless local communities are assured of real benefits from new conservation initiatives it became evident that recurrent conflicts would be inevitable. The findings reveal that current conservation initiatives should be underpinned by emerging inclusivity theories in the conservation discourse. A broad range of stakeholders should embrace this new paradigm based on the philosophy that conservation efforts that exclude local communities are bound to be unsustainable. We found out that it is in the interests of all for policy makers to come up with policies that recognise the critical role local communities play, while subscribing to the regional and international standards for best practices in the conservation business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Core self-evaluations, racial evaluation and learning amongst Zulu students at the university of Zululand
- Authors: Dodd Nicole Marguerite
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Zulu (African people) -- Ethnic identity , Self-evaluation , Ethnicity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008398 , Zulu (African people) -- Ethnic identity , Self-evaluation , Ethnicity
- Description: Core Self-Evaluations [CSE] are a person’s estimation of his/her own worth and ability (Judge & Scott 2009). This in turn, is related to Racial Evaluation which is a person’s internal evaluation of his/her racial identity (Diller, 2010). The Employment Equity Act (55 of 1998) makes provision for the employment of equity candidates who can acquire skills in a reasonable amount of time. This requires individuals to be able to learn and then achieve in outcomes-based assessment. Core Self-Evaluations and Racial Evaluation can have an impact on how individuals perceive themselves, and how they perform in education, training and development (Hanley & Noblit, 2009). This study explored the relationship between Core Self-Evaluation, Racial Evaluation, Learning and Outcomes-Based Assessment using an experimental design. The Core Self-Evaluation scores in this study (n=230) were consistent with levels found internationally (Broucek, 2005). There was positive Racial Evaluation, with a relationship existing between Racial Evaluation and Core Self-Evaluations. This means that part of a person’s identity as an individual is related to Racial Evaluation, with that Racial Evaluation being positive amongst young Zulu students at the University of Zululand. There was a statistically significant, but small correlation between Learning and Core Self- Evaluation and a relationship was also found between CSE and Outcomes-Based Assessment results. When Core Self-Evaluation is higher, Learning tends to be more likely. The same pattern does not hold for Outcomes-Based Assessment results. Among Zulu students, lower CSE is linked to improved Outcomes-Based Assessment results. Racial Evaluation has a small relationship with CSE. However, efforts to remedy apartheid may be directed towards socio-economic development and need not focus on boosting Racial Evaluation when it comes to young Zulu adults.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Dodd Nicole Marguerite
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Zulu (African people) -- Ethnic identity , Self-evaluation , Ethnicity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008398 , Zulu (African people) -- Ethnic identity , Self-evaluation , Ethnicity
- Description: Core Self-Evaluations [CSE] are a person’s estimation of his/her own worth and ability (Judge & Scott 2009). This in turn, is related to Racial Evaluation which is a person’s internal evaluation of his/her racial identity (Diller, 2010). The Employment Equity Act (55 of 1998) makes provision for the employment of equity candidates who can acquire skills in a reasonable amount of time. This requires individuals to be able to learn and then achieve in outcomes-based assessment. Core Self-Evaluations and Racial Evaluation can have an impact on how individuals perceive themselves, and how they perform in education, training and development (Hanley & Noblit, 2009). This study explored the relationship between Core Self-Evaluation, Racial Evaluation, Learning and Outcomes-Based Assessment using an experimental design. The Core Self-Evaluation scores in this study (n=230) were consistent with levels found internationally (Broucek, 2005). There was positive Racial Evaluation, with a relationship existing between Racial Evaluation and Core Self-Evaluations. This means that part of a person’s identity as an individual is related to Racial Evaluation, with that Racial Evaluation being positive amongst young Zulu students at the University of Zululand. There was a statistically significant, but small correlation between Learning and Core Self- Evaluation and a relationship was also found between CSE and Outcomes-Based Assessment results. When Core Self-Evaluation is higher, Learning tends to be more likely. The same pattern does not hold for Outcomes-Based Assessment results. Among Zulu students, lower CSE is linked to improved Outcomes-Based Assessment results. Racial Evaluation has a small relationship with CSE. However, efforts to remedy apartheid may be directed towards socio-economic development and need not focus on boosting Racial Evaluation when it comes to young Zulu adults.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Dynamics of macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde, a small temporarily open/closed South Afrcan Estuary
- Authors: Riddin, Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1529 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Description: The East Kleinemonde Estuary is one of 175 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) that represent 70 percent of estuaries in South Africa. TOCEs are small (mostly less than 100 ha), shallow estuaries (average depth < 2 m) that respond quickly to freshwater inflow events. Their connection to the sea can be highly variable resulting in considerable changes in abiotic and biotic conditions. Mouth status depends on a balance between freshwater inflow and marine influence, which in turn affects ambient abiotic conditions. The objective of the study was to identify the abiotic variables which influence macrophyte growth and habitat availability. It was hypothesised that water level and salinity were the two main drivers of macrophyte change and macrophyte habitat would respond very rapidly, in less than a month, when habitat was available. Macrophyte habitats would also have high sediment seed reserves to ensure persistence under highly variable abiotic conditions. Macrophyte cover was monitored monthly in the East Kleinemonde Estuary along three permanent transects. The dominant habitats were submerged macrophytes, intertidal salt marsh, supratidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges. The following abiotic variables; water level, water column salinity, water temperature, Secchi depth, air temperature and rainfall were also measured between March 2006 and January 2010. Time-lag responses of the macrophytes to water level and salinity changes up to four months prior to the sampling session were also assessed. The analysis of a one year dataset highlighted only water level as a driver of change in macrophyte cover, whereas the five year dataset identified salinity as an additional important abiotic driver. This is because during September 2008 to January 2010 a series of large marine overwash events maintained high salinity (> 30 ppt) and high water level (> 1.6 m amsl) in the estuary. Water level increased by up to 0.33 m due to large volumetric changes and salinity was significantly higher in the 16 month closed euhaline phase after the breach (31 ± 0.9 ppt) compared to 21.9 ± 0.9 ppt in the closed polyhaline phase before the September 2008 breach. This increase in salinity significantly reduced the cover of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Chara vulgaris. They were replaced by macroalgae during this high salinity phase. The cover of supratidal salt marsh and reed habitats was also significantly reduced during the high water level phase, which in turn would lead to the potential for bank destabilisation and erosion. Based on the average elevation above sea level position of the macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde iv Estuary, a threshold water level was identified as 1.55 amsl. This was taken to be the height above sea level at which there was a maximum cover change for each macrophyte habitat. Above this water level emergent macrophyte habitat would mainly be inundated. This, together with 30 ppt salinity, was identified as the two thresholds for macrophyte change in the East Kleinemonde Estuary. From these thresholds and the 5 year dataset four biotic states were identified as State A: open and tidal, State B: closed with a water level below 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt, State C: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt and State D: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity above 30 ppt. Intertidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges were dominant during the open phase. Submerged macrophytes were dominant during the closed polyhaline state and macroalgae during the closed euhaline state. The high variability of abiotic factors common in TOCEs and the response of macrophyte habitat indicated that macrophytes were resilient to changing states provided they were of relatively short (< 3 months) duration. Macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary were found to have fast growth rates and large seed reserves in the sediment. The seed banks in the East Kleinemonde, as well as the adjacent temporarily open/closed West Kleinemonde Estuary were quantified for the first time in a South African estuary. The averaged data from both estuaries showed that Charophyte öospores represented almost 72 percent of the sexual propagules in the sediment with a mean öospore density of 31 306 ± 2 293 m-2. This was despite the Charophytes being sparsely located and only representing a maximum of 32.5 percent cover in the above ground vegetation. Historically there must have been stands of Charophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary, such that öospores could accumulate to such high density found in this study. The second highest seed density was for the intertidal salt marsh plant Sarcocornia tegetaria (18 percent) (7 929 ± 688 seed m-2), followed by the submerged angiosperm Ruppia cirrhosa (7 percent) (2 852 ± 327 seeds m-2). Although seed density did not differ significantly with sediment depth, seeds still occurred at 20 cm below the surface of the sediment providing a regeneration source in the event of sediment scouring during a flood event. Germination studies in the greenhouse showed that most seeds were viable and Sarcocornia tegetaria began to germinate after 3 days to a maximum of 82 percent after 91 days. Submerged species only germinated after 18 days with a low maximum germination of between 11 and 15 percent. This study has made an original contribution to the field of knowledge on macrophyte responses in a small TOCE as it showed that macrophyte habitats in the East Kleinemonde Estuary have a high natural variability in cover over time, they respond quickly after a disturbance event such as a mouth breach and there are large sediment seed reserves that remain viable from 2 to more than 5 years. This ensures habitat persistence even under unfavourable conditions, such as prolonged periods of mouth closure with high water level and flooding which causes loss of salt marsh species. Given this natural variability it is necessary to predict responses both spatially and temporally in order to manage and maintain ecological functioning in TOCEs. This study identified dominant macrophyte habitat for different abiotic states through the use of water level and salinity thresholds. In the determination of the freshwater requirements of any South African estuary freshwater inflow rates are provided for each estuary's past, present and possible future freshwater inflow scenarios. These flow data are generated by hydrological models and simulated monthly inflow volumes for a period of about 72 years are provided. For the East Kleinemonde freshwater requirement study for any year in that 70-odd year period, the number of high flow and low flow mouth breaches were predicted, as well as the closed state periods. The threshold water level of 1.55 m amsl was also used to filter past, present and future inflow monthly volumes to determine the frequency of the four abiotic states identified in this study. It was based on a water level/water volume equation calculation from a digital elevation model. Results showed that the total closed period in the present state was 83 percent, made up of 48 percent of the time in a polyhaline state (State C) and 35 percent in a euahaline state (State D). A second method was used to quantify available spatial habitat under different water level scenarios. A spatial model was written in Model Builder, an application in ArcGIS that allowed a series of processes to be built. A habitat map was overlaid with a bathymetric map and by selecting water level, available habitat areas were determined and empirical equations of water level versus available habitat were produced. These equations were then used to calculate the available habitat areas for monthly water level conditions from the freshwater requirement study for the past, present and two future inflow scenarios. Using both the threshold water level method and the spatial availability model method it was possible to assess the effect of the two future inflow scenarios on macrophyte habitat vi response. Scenario 1 had a 16 percent reduction in mean annual runoff (MAR) generating low flows for 88.6 percent of the time and a 3.5 percent reduction in flood events. In Scenario 2 there would be a 12 percent reduction in MAR with low flows occurring for 87.5 percent of the year, a 5.3 percent reduction in floods and an 11.5 percent reduction in the open mouth state. The model showed that Scenario 1 would have the highest submerged macrophyte area (12.56 ha versus 12.48 ha in Scenario 2), whereas Scenario 2 produced the largest mudflat and intertidal salt marsh area (7.11 ha versus 7.34 ha) due to lower water level in conjunction with the bathymetry of the estuary. A reduction in freshwater inflow to TOCEs either due to anthropogenic influences or natural precipitation cycles is one of the main threats to the optimum functioning of these estuaries. The results from this study and the two methods of assessing the effect of freshwater inflow scenarios on macrophytes in TOCEs can be integrated into the current freshwater inflow assessment methodology in South Africa, as well as adding to our understanding of the ecological functioning of these small, highly variable estuaries. The methods provide a quick assessment of macrophyte habitat associated with abiotic states under past, present and future inflow scenarios. All that is required to predict macrophyte habitat for different freshwater inflow scenarios (present, past and future) is a habitat map, a bathymetric map and the elevation range of macrophytes in the TOCE being assessed. This, together with the knowledge of response rates, provides invaluable information for the management of TOCEs to maintain their ecological functioning under altered freshwater inflow regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Riddin, Taryn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1529 , Estuaries -- South Africa -- East Kleinemonde
- Description: The East Kleinemonde Estuary is one of 175 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) that represent 70 percent of estuaries in South Africa. TOCEs are small (mostly less than 100 ha), shallow estuaries (average depth < 2 m) that respond quickly to freshwater inflow events. Their connection to the sea can be highly variable resulting in considerable changes in abiotic and biotic conditions. Mouth status depends on a balance between freshwater inflow and marine influence, which in turn affects ambient abiotic conditions. The objective of the study was to identify the abiotic variables which influence macrophyte growth and habitat availability. It was hypothesised that water level and salinity were the two main drivers of macrophyte change and macrophyte habitat would respond very rapidly, in less than a month, when habitat was available. Macrophyte habitats would also have high sediment seed reserves to ensure persistence under highly variable abiotic conditions. Macrophyte cover was monitored monthly in the East Kleinemonde Estuary along three permanent transects. The dominant habitats were submerged macrophytes, intertidal salt marsh, supratidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges. The following abiotic variables; water level, water column salinity, water temperature, Secchi depth, air temperature and rainfall were also measured between March 2006 and January 2010. Time-lag responses of the macrophytes to water level and salinity changes up to four months prior to the sampling session were also assessed. The analysis of a one year dataset highlighted only water level as a driver of change in macrophyte cover, whereas the five year dataset identified salinity as an additional important abiotic driver. This is because during September 2008 to January 2010 a series of large marine overwash events maintained high salinity (> 30 ppt) and high water level (> 1.6 m amsl) in the estuary. Water level increased by up to 0.33 m due to large volumetric changes and salinity was significantly higher in the 16 month closed euhaline phase after the breach (31 ± 0.9 ppt) compared to 21.9 ± 0.9 ppt in the closed polyhaline phase before the September 2008 breach. This increase in salinity significantly reduced the cover of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Chara vulgaris. They were replaced by macroalgae during this high salinity phase. The cover of supratidal salt marsh and reed habitats was also significantly reduced during the high water level phase, which in turn would lead to the potential for bank destabilisation and erosion. Based on the average elevation above sea level position of the macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde iv Estuary, a threshold water level was identified as 1.55 amsl. This was taken to be the height above sea level at which there was a maximum cover change for each macrophyte habitat. Above this water level emergent macrophyte habitat would mainly be inundated. This, together with 30 ppt salinity, was identified as the two thresholds for macrophyte change in the East Kleinemonde Estuary. From these thresholds and the 5 year dataset four biotic states were identified as State A: open and tidal, State B: closed with a water level below 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt, State C: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity between 18 to 30 ppt and State D: closed and water level above 1.55 m amsl and salinity above 30 ppt. Intertidal salt marsh, reeds and sedges were dominant during the open phase. Submerged macrophytes were dominant during the closed polyhaline state and macroalgae during the closed euhaline state. The high variability of abiotic factors common in TOCEs and the response of macrophyte habitat indicated that macrophytes were resilient to changing states provided they were of relatively short (< 3 months) duration. Macrophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary were found to have fast growth rates and large seed reserves in the sediment. The seed banks in the East Kleinemonde, as well as the adjacent temporarily open/closed West Kleinemonde Estuary were quantified for the first time in a South African estuary. The averaged data from both estuaries showed that Charophyte öospores represented almost 72 percent of the sexual propagules in the sediment with a mean öospore density of 31 306 ± 2 293 m-2. This was despite the Charophytes being sparsely located and only representing a maximum of 32.5 percent cover in the above ground vegetation. Historically there must have been stands of Charophytes in the East Kleinemonde Estuary, such that öospores could accumulate to such high density found in this study. The second highest seed density was for the intertidal salt marsh plant Sarcocornia tegetaria (18 percent) (7 929 ± 688 seed m-2), followed by the submerged angiosperm Ruppia cirrhosa (7 percent) (2 852 ± 327 seeds m-2). Although seed density did not differ significantly with sediment depth, seeds still occurred at 20 cm below the surface of the sediment providing a regeneration source in the event of sediment scouring during a flood event. Germination studies in the greenhouse showed that most seeds were viable and Sarcocornia tegetaria began to germinate after 3 days to a maximum of 82 percent after 91 days. Submerged species only germinated after 18 days with a low maximum germination of between 11 and 15 percent. This study has made an original contribution to the field of knowledge on macrophyte responses in a small TOCE as it showed that macrophyte habitats in the East Kleinemonde Estuary have a high natural variability in cover over time, they respond quickly after a disturbance event such as a mouth breach and there are large sediment seed reserves that remain viable from 2 to more than 5 years. This ensures habitat persistence even under unfavourable conditions, such as prolonged periods of mouth closure with high water level and flooding which causes loss of salt marsh species. Given this natural variability it is necessary to predict responses both spatially and temporally in order to manage and maintain ecological functioning in TOCEs. This study identified dominant macrophyte habitat for different abiotic states through the use of water level and salinity thresholds. In the determination of the freshwater requirements of any South African estuary freshwater inflow rates are provided for each estuary's past, present and possible future freshwater inflow scenarios. These flow data are generated by hydrological models and simulated monthly inflow volumes for a period of about 72 years are provided. For the East Kleinemonde freshwater requirement study for any year in that 70-odd year period, the number of high flow and low flow mouth breaches were predicted, as well as the closed state periods. The threshold water level of 1.55 m amsl was also used to filter past, present and future inflow monthly volumes to determine the frequency of the four abiotic states identified in this study. It was based on a water level/water volume equation calculation from a digital elevation model. Results showed that the total closed period in the present state was 83 percent, made up of 48 percent of the time in a polyhaline state (State C) and 35 percent in a euahaline state (State D). A second method was used to quantify available spatial habitat under different water level scenarios. A spatial model was written in Model Builder, an application in ArcGIS that allowed a series of processes to be built. A habitat map was overlaid with a bathymetric map and by selecting water level, available habitat areas were determined and empirical equations of water level versus available habitat were produced. These equations were then used to calculate the available habitat areas for monthly water level conditions from the freshwater requirement study for the past, present and two future inflow scenarios. Using both the threshold water level method and the spatial availability model method it was possible to assess the effect of the two future inflow scenarios on macrophyte habitat vi response. Scenario 1 had a 16 percent reduction in mean annual runoff (MAR) generating low flows for 88.6 percent of the time and a 3.5 percent reduction in flood events. In Scenario 2 there would be a 12 percent reduction in MAR with low flows occurring for 87.5 percent of the year, a 5.3 percent reduction in floods and an 11.5 percent reduction in the open mouth state. The model showed that Scenario 1 would have the highest submerged macrophyte area (12.56 ha versus 12.48 ha in Scenario 2), whereas Scenario 2 produced the largest mudflat and intertidal salt marsh area (7.11 ha versus 7.34 ha) due to lower water level in conjunction with the bathymetry of the estuary. A reduction in freshwater inflow to TOCEs either due to anthropogenic influences or natural precipitation cycles is one of the main threats to the optimum functioning of these estuaries. The results from this study and the two methods of assessing the effect of freshwater inflow scenarios on macrophytes in TOCEs can be integrated into the current freshwater inflow assessment methodology in South Africa, as well as adding to our understanding of the ecological functioning of these small, highly variable estuaries. The methods provide a quick assessment of macrophyte habitat associated with abiotic states under past, present and future inflow scenarios. All that is required to predict macrophyte habitat for different freshwater inflow scenarios (present, past and future) is a habitat map, a bathymetric map and the elevation range of macrophytes in the TOCE being assessed. This, together with the knowledge of response rates, provides invaluable information for the management of TOCEs to maintain their ecological functioning under altered freshwater inflow regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Evidence-informed clinical guidelines for nursing care practices related to the safety of the mechanically ventilated patient
- Authors: Jordan, Portia Janine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Respiratory intensive care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Respiratory therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- Nursing , Respirators (Medical equipment) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1322 , Respiratory intensive care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Respiratory therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- Nursing , Respirators (Medical equipment) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: An evidence-based approach to clinical practice aims to deliver appropriate care in an efficient manner to individual patients. This approach entails the integration of research evidence, clinical expertise and the interpretation of patients' needs and perspectives in making decisions about the best care modalities. The increased emphasis internationally on improved patient care and cost effectiveness in health care delivery highlighted the need for quality health services that have to be built upon the use of best evidence to inform practice and patient-care decision-making (McKenna, Ashton and Keeney, 2004:178). Critical care nursing science, a specialised branch of nursing, focusing on the care of the critically ill patient in a designated unit, is no exception to the drive to provide improved quality and cost-effective patient care. Critical care practitioners are seen to have a specialised knowledge base, specific skills in delivering advanced health care and a commitment to serve the critically ill patient. It is expected of them to be aware of new and emerging evidence about health disease processes, treatment modalities and technology used in the critical-care units. Due to the dynamic nature of a critical care unit, it is essential that every practitioner working in the unit, whether a novice professional nurse or senior unit manager, needs to be aware of the current evidence guiding their practices (Elliot, Aitken, Chaboyer, 2007:18). With reference to the critically ill patient who is connected to a mechanical ventilator, practices related to the nursing care of this group of patients, who mostly occupy the critical care units, should be based on the best evidence in order to provide cost-effective and quality care. The research study aimed to explore and describe four identified nursing care practices related to safety of a mechanically ventilated patient as performed by professional nurses in the critical care units in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The identified nursing-care practices include: endotrachael tube placement verification, endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring, endotrachael tube suctioning and mechanical ventilator settings. This objective was operationalized in Stage One of the study, by using a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach. A structured questionnaire was utilised to collect data from professional nurses working in critical care units. From the analysed data, it was decided to select the two nursing care practices that were done least according to the best recommended practice, namely endotracheal tube suctioning and endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring. Based on the results, systematic reviews were done respectively on the two nursing care practices. On completion of Stage One of the study, evidence-informed clinical guidelines for the two identified nursing care practices were developed. The clinical guidelines were based on the evidence found in conducting the systematic reviews. The draft clinical guidelines were reviewed by an expert panel. Feedback from the reviewers was considered to prepare the final evidence-informed clinical guidelines. Based on the clinical guidelines, two clinical algorithms were developed, which might be used at the patient's bedside and can assist in quick dissemination of the recommendations for practice. Ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study. The quality of the study was ensured in applying the principles of validity and reliability as well as performing a critical appraisal of all data collected during the systematic review. It is envisaged that the study findings be disseminated in the critical care units in the Nelson Mandela Metropole and published in peer reviewed journals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jordan, Portia Janine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Respiratory intensive care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Respiratory therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- Nursing , Respirators (Medical equipment) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1322 , Respiratory intensive care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Respiratory therapy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Artificial respiration -- Nursing , Respirators (Medical equipment) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: An evidence-based approach to clinical practice aims to deliver appropriate care in an efficient manner to individual patients. This approach entails the integration of research evidence, clinical expertise and the interpretation of patients' needs and perspectives in making decisions about the best care modalities. The increased emphasis internationally on improved patient care and cost effectiveness in health care delivery highlighted the need for quality health services that have to be built upon the use of best evidence to inform practice and patient-care decision-making (McKenna, Ashton and Keeney, 2004:178). Critical care nursing science, a specialised branch of nursing, focusing on the care of the critically ill patient in a designated unit, is no exception to the drive to provide improved quality and cost-effective patient care. Critical care practitioners are seen to have a specialised knowledge base, specific skills in delivering advanced health care and a commitment to serve the critically ill patient. It is expected of them to be aware of new and emerging evidence about health disease processes, treatment modalities and technology used in the critical-care units. Due to the dynamic nature of a critical care unit, it is essential that every practitioner working in the unit, whether a novice professional nurse or senior unit manager, needs to be aware of the current evidence guiding their practices (Elliot, Aitken, Chaboyer, 2007:18). With reference to the critically ill patient who is connected to a mechanical ventilator, practices related to the nursing care of this group of patients, who mostly occupy the critical care units, should be based on the best evidence in order to provide cost-effective and quality care. The research study aimed to explore and describe four identified nursing care practices related to safety of a mechanically ventilated patient as performed by professional nurses in the critical care units in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The identified nursing-care practices include: endotrachael tube placement verification, endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring, endotrachael tube suctioning and mechanical ventilator settings. This objective was operationalized in Stage One of the study, by using a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach. A structured questionnaire was utilised to collect data from professional nurses working in critical care units. From the analysed data, it was decided to select the two nursing care practices that were done least according to the best recommended practice, namely endotracheal tube suctioning and endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring. Based on the results, systematic reviews were done respectively on the two nursing care practices. On completion of Stage One of the study, evidence-informed clinical guidelines for the two identified nursing care practices were developed. The clinical guidelines were based on the evidence found in conducting the systematic reviews. The draft clinical guidelines were reviewed by an expert panel. Feedback from the reviewers was considered to prepare the final evidence-informed clinical guidelines. Based on the clinical guidelines, two clinical algorithms were developed, which might be used at the patient's bedside and can assist in quick dissemination of the recommendations for practice. Ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study. The quality of the study was ensured in applying the principles of validity and reliability as well as performing a critical appraisal of all data collected during the systematic review. It is envisaged that the study findings be disseminated in the critical care units in the Nelson Mandela Metropole and published in peer reviewed journals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring ways of assisting Lesotho educators to offer care and support to children orphaned and rendered vulnerable by HIV and AIDS
- Authors: Ntaote, Grace Makeletso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Orphans -- Developing Countries -- Social conditions , HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9503 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1320 , Orphans -- Developing Countries -- Social conditions , HIV infections
- Description: The HIV and AIDS pandemic has resulted in 14 million children being orphaned worldwide. In Lesotho alone, where this study was carried out, there are about 180 000 of these children (UNAIDS, 2007). Teachers, especially in Lesotho‘s primary schools need to be equipped to better deal with the challenges that result from having these children in their classrooms. At the Lesotho College of Education, where I have worked for 12 years as a teacher educator, pre-service and in-service student teachers are not trained to offer care and support to orphans and vulnerable children. They experience problems in the classroom emanating from the needs of these children. This study followed an action research design to find ways to support teachers to better deal with the issues they face as a result of having orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. Using a qualitative approach, educators perceptions, feelings, attitudes and experiences in dealing with orphans and vulnerable children in their schools were identified, and it became apparent that educators were negatively affected on a personal and professional level. It was concluded that the development of resilience in educators would help them to better cope with orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. The chosen intervention Resilient Educators Programme (REds) was implemented and evaluated and findings revealed that it was beneficial in increasing educator resilience. Recommendations, based on the findings of the study, were made for future teacher education in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ntaote, Grace Makeletso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Orphans -- Developing Countries -- Social conditions , HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9503 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1320 , Orphans -- Developing Countries -- Social conditions , HIV infections
- Description: The HIV and AIDS pandemic has resulted in 14 million children being orphaned worldwide. In Lesotho alone, where this study was carried out, there are about 180 000 of these children (UNAIDS, 2007). Teachers, especially in Lesotho‘s primary schools need to be equipped to better deal with the challenges that result from having these children in their classrooms. At the Lesotho College of Education, where I have worked for 12 years as a teacher educator, pre-service and in-service student teachers are not trained to offer care and support to orphans and vulnerable children. They experience problems in the classroom emanating from the needs of these children. This study followed an action research design to find ways to support teachers to better deal with the issues they face as a result of having orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. Using a qualitative approach, educators perceptions, feelings, attitudes and experiences in dealing with orphans and vulnerable children in their schools were identified, and it became apparent that educators were negatively affected on a personal and professional level. It was concluded that the development of resilience in educators would help them to better cope with orphans and vulnerable children in their classes. The chosen intervention Resilient Educators Programme (REds) was implemented and evaluated and findings revealed that it was beneficial in increasing educator resilience. Recommendations, based on the findings of the study, were made for future teacher education in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Health information technologies for improved continuity of care: a South African perspective
- Authors: Mostert-Phipps, Nicolette
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1619 , Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Description: The fragmented nature of modern health care provision makes it increasingly difficult to achieve continuity of care. This is equally true in the context of the South African healthcare landscape. This results in a strong emphasis on the informational dimension of continuity of care which highlights the importance of the continuity of medical records. Paper-based methods of record keeping are inadequate to support informational continuity of care which leads to an increased interest in electronic methods of record keeping through the adoption of various Health Information Technologies (HITs). This research project investigates the role that various HITs such as Personal Health Records (PHRs), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) can play in improving informational continuity of care resulting in the development of a standards-based technological model for the South African healthcare sector. This technological model employs appropriate HITs to address the problem of informational continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape The benefits that are possible through the adoption of the proposed technological model can only be realized if the proposed HITs are used in a meaningful manner once adopted and implemented. The Delphi method is employed to identify factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of such HITs in the South African healthcare landscape. Lastly, guidelines are formulated to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare landscape to improve the continuity of care. The guidelines address both the technological requirements on a high level, as well as the factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of the technological components suggested. These guidelines will play a significant role in raising awareness of the factors that need to be addressed to create an environment conducive to the adoption and meaningful use of appropriate HITs in order to improve the continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mostert-Phipps, Nicolette
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1619 , Medical records -- Data processing , Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical innovations -- South Africa , Health -- Information services
- Description: The fragmented nature of modern health care provision makes it increasingly difficult to achieve continuity of care. This is equally true in the context of the South African healthcare landscape. This results in a strong emphasis on the informational dimension of continuity of care which highlights the importance of the continuity of medical records. Paper-based methods of record keeping are inadequate to support informational continuity of care which leads to an increased interest in electronic methods of record keeping through the adoption of various Health Information Technologies (HITs). This research project investigates the role that various HITs such as Personal Health Records (PHRs), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) can play in improving informational continuity of care resulting in the development of a standards-based technological model for the South African healthcare sector. This technological model employs appropriate HITs to address the problem of informational continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape The benefits that are possible through the adoption of the proposed technological model can only be realized if the proposed HITs are used in a meaningful manner once adopted and implemented. The Delphi method is employed to identify factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of such HITs in the South African healthcare landscape. Lastly, guidelines are formulated to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of HITs in the South African healthcare landscape to improve the continuity of care. The guidelines address both the technological requirements on a high level, as well as the factors that need to be addressed to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of the technological components suggested. These guidelines will play a significant role in raising awareness of the factors that need to be addressed to create an environment conducive to the adoption and meaningful use of appropriate HITs in order to improve the continuity of care in the South African healthcare landscape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Investigating the impact of a psychometric assessment technique in the South African automotive industry
- Authors: Piro, Karen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Ability testing , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1381 , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Ability testing , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Training of
- Description: This research takes place in a South African multinational automotive industry, which needs to be on the forefront for being globally competitive and sustainable to remain viable in the country. A strategic initiative was embarked upon to identify talent within their staff population, through the psychometric assessment of learning potential. The objective was to identify high potential employees and provide them with the requisite training and development to meet the demands of the rapidly advancing technology. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of the Ability, Process of Information and Learning Battery (APIL) as a psychometric assessment tool for identifying talent, within a heterogeneous workforce. This research adopts a cross-cultural approach as it is comparative in nature and addresses the adequacy of a psychometric instrument in a multicultural context. The Employment Equity Act has transformed the landscape of the use of psychological measurement in South Africa, in that it stipulates that no psychological test that is biased against any cultural group can be used. A sample of 841 heterogeneous staff employees was assessed with three major research objectives: (a) to ensure that the instrument could stand scientific scrutiny thereby complying with the Employment Equity Act; (b) to recommend ways the organisation can identify and understand employees’ talent more holistically; and (c) to manage talent more effectively. The heterogeneous sample was divided into six homogeneous subsets for statistical analysis. This research attempted to answer the first objective through the examination of internal consistency, bias and equivalence of the APIL. Results showed good internal consistency, very good construct equivalence and low item bias, demonstrating the APIL can be applied fairly in a multicultural industrial setting. The second objective was determined by investigating whether significant difference in mean learning potential scores occur among the identified subsets in the sample. Statistical analyses provide clear trend lines indicating that sociopolitical and socioeconomic factors of advantagement and disadvantagement, age and education influence learning potential. However it is also evident that there are individuals across all subsets that demonstrate strong cognitive potential. This supports the rationale on which the APIL was developed, in that it distinguishes people with high learning potential despite the fact that there may be gaps or limitations in skill repertoire due to past disadvantagement. Recommendations to address the third objective is provided by aligning learning potential with the performance management system to provide a holistic overview of the talent composition. This will assist in the identifying of strategic training and development interventions needed at the individual, functional and organisational level, which is key for the South African automotive industry to remain competitive and viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Piro, Karen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Ability testing , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1381 , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Ability testing , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Employees -- Training of
- Description: This research takes place in a South African multinational automotive industry, which needs to be on the forefront for being globally competitive and sustainable to remain viable in the country. A strategic initiative was embarked upon to identify talent within their staff population, through the psychometric assessment of learning potential. The objective was to identify high potential employees and provide them with the requisite training and development to meet the demands of the rapidly advancing technology. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of the Ability, Process of Information and Learning Battery (APIL) as a psychometric assessment tool for identifying talent, within a heterogeneous workforce. This research adopts a cross-cultural approach as it is comparative in nature and addresses the adequacy of a psychometric instrument in a multicultural context. The Employment Equity Act has transformed the landscape of the use of psychological measurement in South Africa, in that it stipulates that no psychological test that is biased against any cultural group can be used. A sample of 841 heterogeneous staff employees was assessed with three major research objectives: (a) to ensure that the instrument could stand scientific scrutiny thereby complying with the Employment Equity Act; (b) to recommend ways the organisation can identify and understand employees’ talent more holistically; and (c) to manage talent more effectively. The heterogeneous sample was divided into six homogeneous subsets for statistical analysis. This research attempted to answer the first objective through the examination of internal consistency, bias and equivalence of the APIL. Results showed good internal consistency, very good construct equivalence and low item bias, demonstrating the APIL can be applied fairly in a multicultural industrial setting. The second objective was determined by investigating whether significant difference in mean learning potential scores occur among the identified subsets in the sample. Statistical analyses provide clear trend lines indicating that sociopolitical and socioeconomic factors of advantagement and disadvantagement, age and education influence learning potential. However it is also evident that there are individuals across all subsets that demonstrate strong cognitive potential. This supports the rationale on which the APIL was developed, in that it distinguishes people with high learning potential despite the fact that there may be gaps or limitations in skill repertoire due to past disadvantagement. Recommendations to address the third objective is provided by aligning learning potential with the performance management system to provide a holistic overview of the talent composition. This will assist in the identifying of strategic training and development interventions needed at the individual, functional and organisational level, which is key for the South African automotive industry to remain competitive and viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Management and performance indicators of micro-finance institutions in Uganda
- Authors: Milly, Kwagala
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Uganda , Financial institutions -- Uganda -- Management , Management , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1641 , Microfinance -- Uganda , Financial institutions -- Uganda -- Management , Management , Performance standards
- Description: The purpose of this study is to examine how the management of micro-finance institutions in Uganda has affected the performance indicators of these institutions, and whether or not the management of these institutions is responsible for their failure. The need to carry out this study arose as micro-finance institutions in Uganda failed to attain their planned performance indicators, to such a degree that most of them closed down. Although at their inception there was considerable entrepreneurial activity supported by a highly favourable government policy environment, their closure soon after establishment raised concern as to what caused them to fail. This study was encouraged by the observation that most of these institutions failed to realise their performance indicators as planned, but the underlying cause was not clear. Thus, the study focuses on establishing stakeholder perceptions of the management of the micro-finance institutions, and the relationship between their management (planning, implementation of planned programmes, and control) and their performance indicators, following the rationale of the functional and contingency paradigms of the concept of management. The study examines the way management dealt with these institutions‟ internal and external environments to influence their ability to realise their planned performance. The study is conducted using positivistic research methodology. This involved a collection of quantitative data from a sample of 454 respondents, including 64 managers, 177 employees, and 213 clients. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data, and purposive and convenience sampling were applied to select the respondents. The respondents were selected from 56 randomly selected micro-finance institutions operating in Central Uganda and representing 75 percent of the country‟s operational institutions by December 2009. The data were analysed using the narrative, chi-square test, the ANOVA, factor analysis, and correlation and regression methods of analysis aided by the SPSS programme. The findings show that 79.2 percent of stakeholders (managers, employees, and clients) perceived that the management of their institutions was not conducted well in terms of planning, plan implementation, and control. Eighty-one (81) percent of both managers and employees and 83.4 percent of clients held the perception that the institutions failed xvi to achieve their performance indicators as planned. Furthermore, 81.7 percent of both managers and employees described their institutions‟ internal environment as largely defined by unsatisfactory supervision, and 66.9 percent of them revealed that their institutions‟ external environment was defined by family relations. These relations adversely affected the ownership, decision-making, employee recruitment, and deployment in the institutions. The findings also show that there were significant positive but weak relationships between management (planning, implementation, control, and dealing with the internal environment and the impact of the external environment) and the performance indicators of the institutions. The management of the institutions realised only 24.8 percent of their predicted performance indicators. Of the 13 null hypotheses that were formulated for this study, seven were rejected and the alternative hypotheses were accepted, while six were accepted. All the dimensions of the management of the micro-finance institutions in Uganda need to be developed if the performance of the institutions is to be improved and sustained to desired levels. It is suggested that large performance improvements will be realised by ameliorating all the dimensions of the institutions' management, while placing more emphasis on improving the following dimensions: the organisation of the institutions; the managing of their internal environment and the impact of their external environment; the conduct of their internal concurrent control; and the planning of their performance indicators and marketing, involving all the stakeholders, in particular the managers, employees, clients, Government, and the Uganda Micro-finance Forum, where necessary. Further research is recommended into other factors affecting the performance indicators of the institutions, since none of the management functions had explained them properly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Milly, Kwagala
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Uganda , Financial institutions -- Uganda -- Management , Management , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1641 , Microfinance -- Uganda , Financial institutions -- Uganda -- Management , Management , Performance standards
- Description: The purpose of this study is to examine how the management of micro-finance institutions in Uganda has affected the performance indicators of these institutions, and whether or not the management of these institutions is responsible for their failure. The need to carry out this study arose as micro-finance institutions in Uganda failed to attain their planned performance indicators, to such a degree that most of them closed down. Although at their inception there was considerable entrepreneurial activity supported by a highly favourable government policy environment, their closure soon after establishment raised concern as to what caused them to fail. This study was encouraged by the observation that most of these institutions failed to realise their performance indicators as planned, but the underlying cause was not clear. Thus, the study focuses on establishing stakeholder perceptions of the management of the micro-finance institutions, and the relationship between their management (planning, implementation of planned programmes, and control) and their performance indicators, following the rationale of the functional and contingency paradigms of the concept of management. The study examines the way management dealt with these institutions‟ internal and external environments to influence their ability to realise their planned performance. The study is conducted using positivistic research methodology. This involved a collection of quantitative data from a sample of 454 respondents, including 64 managers, 177 employees, and 213 clients. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data, and purposive and convenience sampling were applied to select the respondents. The respondents were selected from 56 randomly selected micro-finance institutions operating in Central Uganda and representing 75 percent of the country‟s operational institutions by December 2009. The data were analysed using the narrative, chi-square test, the ANOVA, factor analysis, and correlation and regression methods of analysis aided by the SPSS programme. The findings show that 79.2 percent of stakeholders (managers, employees, and clients) perceived that the management of their institutions was not conducted well in terms of planning, plan implementation, and control. Eighty-one (81) percent of both managers and employees and 83.4 percent of clients held the perception that the institutions failed xvi to achieve their performance indicators as planned. Furthermore, 81.7 percent of both managers and employees described their institutions‟ internal environment as largely defined by unsatisfactory supervision, and 66.9 percent of them revealed that their institutions‟ external environment was defined by family relations. These relations adversely affected the ownership, decision-making, employee recruitment, and deployment in the institutions. The findings also show that there were significant positive but weak relationships between management (planning, implementation, control, and dealing with the internal environment and the impact of the external environment) and the performance indicators of the institutions. The management of the institutions realised only 24.8 percent of their predicted performance indicators. Of the 13 null hypotheses that were formulated for this study, seven were rejected and the alternative hypotheses were accepted, while six were accepted. All the dimensions of the management of the micro-finance institutions in Uganda need to be developed if the performance of the institutions is to be improved and sustained to desired levels. It is suggested that large performance improvements will be realised by ameliorating all the dimensions of the institutions' management, while placing more emphasis on improving the following dimensions: the organisation of the institutions; the managing of their internal environment and the impact of their external environment; the conduct of their internal concurrent control; and the planning of their performance indicators and marketing, involving all the stakeholders, in particular the managers, employees, clients, Government, and the Uganda Micro-finance Forum, where necessary. Further research is recommended into other factors affecting the performance indicators of the institutions, since none of the management functions had explained them properly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Nursing strategies to facilitate self-management in persons living with diabetes mellitus type 2
- Authors: O'Brien Coleen Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1627 , Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Description: The growing pandemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is continuing to spread around the world with developing countries being most vulnerable. Diabetes mellitus is the direct cause of 5 percent of deaths worldwide at present, with an expected increase of 50percent in the next 10 years. Diabetes mellitus was virtually unknown in Africa at the start of the 20th century but the incidence is expected to increase by 80 percent by 2025. South African estimates indicate that at present there are up to four million people living with DM in South Africa, with an expected rise of 25 percent by 2020. If DM is not adequately controlled, life-threatening complications ensue, resulting in financial, physical and emotional costs both for people living with the condition and for their families. There is also a great financial burden on the state, both directly due to the cost of providing health care and indirectly due to loss of productivity and a reduced tax base. Global initiatives against DM include the Diabetes Strategy for Africa compiled by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization. There are several forms of DM with Type 2 being the most common with an estimated 95% of cases. Optimal glycaemic control is essential for the management of DM, potentially allowing the course of the disease to be slowed or halted. The previous medical model of management of chronic disease has changed to an empowerment approach where the person living with the condition is a partner in the management process. This is particularly true of DM where all aspects of life are affected by the condition. During Phase One of this study, a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual approach was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of persons living with DM and of diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. During Phase Two, a conceptual framework was created and utilized to develop strategies which professional nurses may use in facilitating self-management by persons living with DM. Persons living with DM experience a definite initial experience on diagnosis of DM but gradually gain an acceptance and acknowledgment of their condition. They have definite views on the concept of self-management and experience both positive and negative factors influencing self-management. They also have definite ideas on how professional nurses may assist them in achieving self-management. These findings were confirmed ii by the experiences of the diabetes nurse educators who formed the second group of participants in this study. The ACE approach to self-management of DM consists of an Action Strategy, a Coordination Strategy and an Education Strategy. The ACE approach makes use of grand and functional strategies implemented on the macro (national), meso (provincial) and micro (local) levels to enable the professional nurse to assist persons living with DM to achieve self-management of their condition. Grand strategies need to be implemented on a macro or meso level to enable the professional nurse to function effectively on a micro level. Assisting the patient has to go beyond merely improving knowledge about the condition but has to include individual goal setting as well as problem solving skills and coping strategies as part of a therapeutic relationship between the professional nurse and the person living with DM. The level of personal responsibility achieved by persons living with DM is affected by the memes which they hold regarding their level of health and their ability to address any barriers to self-management which they may experience. Making use of the process of the therapeutic relationship, the professional nurse is able to positively influence the memes held by persons living with DM and assist them in achieving a greater level of personal responsibility. The therapeutic relationship is potentially influenced by all three of the strategies described above. This study provides insight into the experiences of persons living with DM and of the diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a National Diabetes Policy on a macro level are made, as well as recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. The strategies which were evaluated by an Expert Panel provide a tool for the professional nurse to use while assisting persons living with DM by facilitating the growth of personal responsibility leading to self-management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: O'Brien Coleen Ann
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1627 , Diabetes -- Treatment , Nurses -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Prevention Popular works
- Description: The growing pandemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is continuing to spread around the world with developing countries being most vulnerable. Diabetes mellitus is the direct cause of 5 percent of deaths worldwide at present, with an expected increase of 50percent in the next 10 years. Diabetes mellitus was virtually unknown in Africa at the start of the 20th century but the incidence is expected to increase by 80 percent by 2025. South African estimates indicate that at present there are up to four million people living with DM in South Africa, with an expected rise of 25 percent by 2020. If DM is not adequately controlled, life-threatening complications ensue, resulting in financial, physical and emotional costs both for people living with the condition and for their families. There is also a great financial burden on the state, both directly due to the cost of providing health care and indirectly due to loss of productivity and a reduced tax base. Global initiatives against DM include the Diabetes Strategy for Africa compiled by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization. There are several forms of DM with Type 2 being the most common with an estimated 95% of cases. Optimal glycaemic control is essential for the management of DM, potentially allowing the course of the disease to be slowed or halted. The previous medical model of management of chronic disease has changed to an empowerment approach where the person living with the condition is a partner in the management process. This is particularly true of DM where all aspects of life are affected by the condition. During Phase One of this study, a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual approach was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of persons living with DM and of diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. During Phase Two, a conceptual framework was created and utilized to develop strategies which professional nurses may use in facilitating self-management by persons living with DM. Persons living with DM experience a definite initial experience on diagnosis of DM but gradually gain an acceptance and acknowledgment of their condition. They have definite views on the concept of self-management and experience both positive and negative factors influencing self-management. They also have definite ideas on how professional nurses may assist them in achieving self-management. These findings were confirmed ii by the experiences of the diabetes nurse educators who formed the second group of participants in this study. The ACE approach to self-management of DM consists of an Action Strategy, a Coordination Strategy and an Education Strategy. The ACE approach makes use of grand and functional strategies implemented on the macro (national), meso (provincial) and micro (local) levels to enable the professional nurse to assist persons living with DM to achieve self-management of their condition. Grand strategies need to be implemented on a macro or meso level to enable the professional nurse to function effectively on a micro level. Assisting the patient has to go beyond merely improving knowledge about the condition but has to include individual goal setting as well as problem solving skills and coping strategies as part of a therapeutic relationship between the professional nurse and the person living with DM. The level of personal responsibility achieved by persons living with DM is affected by the memes which they hold regarding their level of health and their ability to address any barriers to self-management which they may experience. Making use of the process of the therapeutic relationship, the professional nurse is able to positively influence the memes held by persons living with DM and assist them in achieving a greater level of personal responsibility. The therapeutic relationship is potentially influenced by all three of the strategies described above. This study provides insight into the experiences of persons living with DM and of the diabetes nurse educators who assist them in Nelson Mandela Bay. Recommendations regarding the implementation of a National Diabetes Policy on a macro level are made, as well as recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. The strategies which were evaluated by an Expert Panel provide a tool for the professional nurse to use while assisting persons living with DM by facilitating the growth of personal responsibility leading to self-management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The business sustainability of an automotive refinish paint distributor
- Authors: Msuthwana, Vusumzi M
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Development , Business enterprises -- Marketing , Business -- Sustainability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9371 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012376 , Business enterprises -- Development , Business enterprises -- Marketing , Business -- Sustainability
- Description: From a broad overview of business management literature, the proposition emerged that strategic conditions within an organisation can translate into sustainable business development outcomes. However, in the rapidly evolving business environment, the quest to grow or sustain competitive advantage demands that business practices become more proactive, creative and innovative. Globalisation and technological advances drive the need for innovation within a business context and the resultant rapid pace of change demands that businesses adopt a customer-focused entrepreneurial orientation to accommodate this need for innovation. This study investigated whether the principles of marketing, business management tools and management of the customer-base could be incorporated as key drivers to develop innovative and creative tactics that could serve as viable solutions to sustain business development strategies of automotive refinish paint distributors. An initial step in this research comprised a theoretical overview of the internal business environment as a system of the enterprise that aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the organisation, which could be applied to support strategic business goals and objectives. The literature review further entailed an investigation and explorations regarding best practices that automotive refinish paint distributors could follow in order to identify, focus on and develop their source of competitive advantage, sustainability and profitability. From the literature review, a methodological framework was developed that could be applied to specific success indicators, moulded to produce distinctive competencies in the automotive refinish paint industry; defining a significant foundation from which the objectives of this study could be researched. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and focused on a single case of a refinish paint distributor. The reason for selecting the case study method is that an entire organisation could be investigated in depth with particular attention to detail. A detailed questionnaire was drawn up in order to conduct face-to-face interviews with selected respondents, based on the profound expertise of the selected personnel. This was done to enable the researcher to assess the prevalent elements of business sustainability applied by the automotive refinish distributor to enhance their competitive advantage. The design of the empirical element of this study, aimed at providing a blueprint that would enable the researcher to structure the research problem in such a way that the outcome of the study would be valid, objective and reliable. Due to the qualitative nature of this study, the results are interpreted through inductive reasoning, observations, projective and participatory approaches all of which are integrated into a comprehensive model indicating key drivers to promote, improve and facilitate the business sustainability of the automotive refinish paint distributor. A range of recommendations and managerial implications extracted from the results of the empirical study are presented in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Msuthwana, Vusumzi M
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Development , Business enterprises -- Marketing , Business -- Sustainability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9371 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012376 , Business enterprises -- Development , Business enterprises -- Marketing , Business -- Sustainability
- Description: From a broad overview of business management literature, the proposition emerged that strategic conditions within an organisation can translate into sustainable business development outcomes. However, in the rapidly evolving business environment, the quest to grow or sustain competitive advantage demands that business practices become more proactive, creative and innovative. Globalisation and technological advances drive the need for innovation within a business context and the resultant rapid pace of change demands that businesses adopt a customer-focused entrepreneurial orientation to accommodate this need for innovation. This study investigated whether the principles of marketing, business management tools and management of the customer-base could be incorporated as key drivers to develop innovative and creative tactics that could serve as viable solutions to sustain business development strategies of automotive refinish paint distributors. An initial step in this research comprised a theoretical overview of the internal business environment as a system of the enterprise that aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the organisation, which could be applied to support strategic business goals and objectives. The literature review further entailed an investigation and explorations regarding best practices that automotive refinish paint distributors could follow in order to identify, focus on and develop their source of competitive advantage, sustainability and profitability. From the literature review, a methodological framework was developed that could be applied to specific success indicators, moulded to produce distinctive competencies in the automotive refinish paint industry; defining a significant foundation from which the objectives of this study could be researched. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and focused on a single case of a refinish paint distributor. The reason for selecting the case study method is that an entire organisation could be investigated in depth with particular attention to detail. A detailed questionnaire was drawn up in order to conduct face-to-face interviews with selected respondents, based on the profound expertise of the selected personnel. This was done to enable the researcher to assess the prevalent elements of business sustainability applied by the automotive refinish distributor to enhance their competitive advantage. The design of the empirical element of this study, aimed at providing a blueprint that would enable the researcher to structure the research problem in such a way that the outcome of the study would be valid, objective and reliable. Due to the qualitative nature of this study, the results are interpreted through inductive reasoning, observations, projective and participatory approaches all of which are integrated into a comprehensive model indicating key drivers to promote, improve and facilitate the business sustainability of the automotive refinish paint distributor. A range of recommendations and managerial implications extracted from the results of the empirical study are presented in the final chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The development of novel cancer targeting agents
- Authors: Knoetze, Steyn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010636 , Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Description: The search for the cure for cancer is currently a multi-billion dollar industry and the search for the elusive “magic bullet”, i.e. the perfect cancer drug that would interact therapeutically with cancerous tissues while having a minimal effect on healthy cells, is the topic of many research studies in the world today. A large number of novel drugs or drug complexes and conjugates are being synthesized and subjected to rigorous evaluation in the race to find the perfect cure. ECDG (Ethylene diCysteine DeoxyGlucose) seems to have promising cancer targeting ability. Even though this compound has been described in a few publications, we could not find any reference to the current use of ECDG in oncology clinics, either as a therapeutic agent, or as a diagnostic tool for imaging purposes. It was also not possible to purchase pure ECDG anywhere in the world. This prompted us to further investigate ECDG as a possible candidate for cancer targeting research, either as an imaging agent for cancer diagnosis or complexed with an anti-cancer agent for therapeutic purposes. Detailed investigations done in our laboratory can be divided into the following categories: - Development of a synthetic method for ECDG on a multigram scale ; - Purification of prepared ECDG not using the described dialysis method that only allows the purification of small quantities of ECDG (mg scale) ; Detailed investigation of the chemistry involved in the preparation of pure ECDG and its metal complexes ; - Investigation of the stability of ECDG and its metal complexes that is essential data required for any pharmaceutical agent ; - Preparation of ECDG complexes for use as a diagnostic tool, i.e. complexation with 99mTc ; Investigation of the bio distribution of ECDG-ReO complexes ; - Preparation of an ECDG kit as a diagnostic tool for use in oncology clinics. The development of novel aromatic ligands having similar characteristics compared to ECDG, containing an N2S2 chromophore as donor atoms, to further investigate their targeting capabilities, have also been investigated. All intermediates and final compounds were characterized mainly by ESI MS, in some cases IR and NMR whenever available. Successful preparation and purification of ECDG ands its metal complexes was achieved and extensively characterized and evaluated. Efforts directed towards the development of ECDG at NECSA, South Africa, were also rewarded with significant success. Furthermore, significant development regarding the synthesis of two novel compounds with ECDG-like characteristics was also completed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Knoetze, Steyn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010636 , Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Description: The search for the cure for cancer is currently a multi-billion dollar industry and the search for the elusive “magic bullet”, i.e. the perfect cancer drug that would interact therapeutically with cancerous tissues while having a minimal effect on healthy cells, is the topic of many research studies in the world today. A large number of novel drugs or drug complexes and conjugates are being synthesized and subjected to rigorous evaluation in the race to find the perfect cure. ECDG (Ethylene diCysteine DeoxyGlucose) seems to have promising cancer targeting ability. Even though this compound has been described in a few publications, we could not find any reference to the current use of ECDG in oncology clinics, either as a therapeutic agent, or as a diagnostic tool for imaging purposes. It was also not possible to purchase pure ECDG anywhere in the world. This prompted us to further investigate ECDG as a possible candidate for cancer targeting research, either as an imaging agent for cancer diagnosis or complexed with an anti-cancer agent for therapeutic purposes. Detailed investigations done in our laboratory can be divided into the following categories: - Development of a synthetic method for ECDG on a multigram scale ; - Purification of prepared ECDG not using the described dialysis method that only allows the purification of small quantities of ECDG (mg scale) ; Detailed investigation of the chemistry involved in the preparation of pure ECDG and its metal complexes ; - Investigation of the stability of ECDG and its metal complexes that is essential data required for any pharmaceutical agent ; - Preparation of ECDG complexes for use as a diagnostic tool, i.e. complexation with 99mTc ; Investigation of the bio distribution of ECDG-ReO complexes ; - Preparation of an ECDG kit as a diagnostic tool for use in oncology clinics. The development of novel aromatic ligands having similar characteristics compared to ECDG, containing an N2S2 chromophore as donor atoms, to further investigate their targeting capabilities, have also been investigated. All intermediates and final compounds were characterized mainly by ESI MS, in some cases IR and NMR whenever available. Successful preparation and purification of ECDG ands its metal complexes was achieved and extensively characterized and evaluated. Efforts directed towards the development of ECDG at NECSA, South Africa, were also rewarded with significant success. Furthermore, significant development regarding the synthesis of two novel compounds with ECDG-like characteristics was also completed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The influence of genetic relatedness on sociality and demography of female African elephants
- Authors: Munishi, Linus Kasian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011612 , African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Description: Many elephant populations across Africa were or are being devastated by poaching and habitat loss, making population and range size for the species important issues of conservation concern in elephant ranging areas, including Tarangire National Park (TNP). Poaching and/or overhunting are known to have direct effects on the demography of elephant populations. The current understanding of the indirect effects of poaching on the sociality and demography of elephant populations is relatively poor, both at the group and an individual level. In this thesis the importance of genetic relatedness (as influenced by poaching) on sociality and demography of the female elephants was studied, using a combination of genetic, observation of behaviour and two decades of demography data collected from the northern subpopulation of TNP. I investigated and characterized the relatedness categories within elephant groups. Using a conceptual model for group size analysis in aggregation economies, I hypothesized that elephant populations subject to social disruptions due to poaching would exhibit characteristics of the free entry model, whereas more stable, closed populations would better fit the group-controlled model. I present a rare quantitative analysis of genetic relatedness and group size patterns among groups of adult female elephants in two wild populations: one in Tarangire National Park (TNP), Tanzania, and another in Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), South Africa. I demonstrate that the group size in African elephant populations is governed by genetic relatedness, and that poaching/overhunting has a significant influence upon the apparent group formation and size in elephants. I then focused on the effect of relatedness on agonistic interactions between adult females. I hypothesized that individual-based aggressive interactions among adult female African elephants would vary according to degree of kinship, with closely related dyads showing less aggression towards each other in resource-limited environments, thereby leading to indirect fitness benefits for individuals. As predicted, females did not show agonistic interactions to their close kin most often, and the frequency and intensity of aggressive interactions was inversely related to the degree of relatedness of the interactants. The effect of group relatedness and structure on reproductive success of individual female African elephant in TNP was also investigated. Adult female reproductive success was significantly influenced by within- group relatedness and structure. Higher reproductive success (with higher frequency of calf production and survival and more female calves produced) were more evident in the closely related groups than groups with low relatedness, suggesting that females from genetically disrupted groups are less likely to be reproductive than those in closely related groups. The possibility of negative effects of poaching on the subsequent generation of poached adult females and the alternative of a positive demographic response through reduced density was assessed by analysing the demographic patterns of the first generation (F1) females of prime-aged adult female African elephants in TNP using within- group relatedness and size. I also compared vital rate (age of first birth and interbirth interval) responses of first generation (F1) cows from Tarangire (poached) elephants with other females from poached (Northern Luangwa National Park, Zambia) and unpoached (Amboseli National Park, Kenya and Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa) populations. Group relatedness had no significant effect on sex ratio of the F1 cows‟ calves. There was a significant difference between the mean age of first birth and interbirth interval of F1 cows from the two (poached, Tarangire and unpoached, Amboseli National Park) elephant populations, suggesting that elephant populations reduced by poaching to low levels show an increase vigour through release from density constraints. Based on these results, the broader implications of secondary effects of poaching on elephant populations are critically evaluated. Also the importance of understanding the consequences of these effects is highlighted in light of other elephant conservation and management approaches. This understanding is useful in making conservation and management decisions for elephants and other biodiversity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Munishi, Linus Kasian
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011612 , African elephant , Wildlife conservation , Elephants -- Africa
- Description: Many elephant populations across Africa were or are being devastated by poaching and habitat loss, making population and range size for the species important issues of conservation concern in elephant ranging areas, including Tarangire National Park (TNP). Poaching and/or overhunting are known to have direct effects on the demography of elephant populations. The current understanding of the indirect effects of poaching on the sociality and demography of elephant populations is relatively poor, both at the group and an individual level. In this thesis the importance of genetic relatedness (as influenced by poaching) on sociality and demography of the female elephants was studied, using a combination of genetic, observation of behaviour and two decades of demography data collected from the northern subpopulation of TNP. I investigated and characterized the relatedness categories within elephant groups. Using a conceptual model for group size analysis in aggregation economies, I hypothesized that elephant populations subject to social disruptions due to poaching would exhibit characteristics of the free entry model, whereas more stable, closed populations would better fit the group-controlled model. I present a rare quantitative analysis of genetic relatedness and group size patterns among groups of adult female elephants in two wild populations: one in Tarangire National Park (TNP), Tanzania, and another in Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), South Africa. I demonstrate that the group size in African elephant populations is governed by genetic relatedness, and that poaching/overhunting has a significant influence upon the apparent group formation and size in elephants. I then focused on the effect of relatedness on agonistic interactions between adult females. I hypothesized that individual-based aggressive interactions among adult female African elephants would vary according to degree of kinship, with closely related dyads showing less aggression towards each other in resource-limited environments, thereby leading to indirect fitness benefits for individuals. As predicted, females did not show agonistic interactions to their close kin most often, and the frequency and intensity of aggressive interactions was inversely related to the degree of relatedness of the interactants. The effect of group relatedness and structure on reproductive success of individual female African elephant in TNP was also investigated. Adult female reproductive success was significantly influenced by within- group relatedness and structure. Higher reproductive success (with higher frequency of calf production and survival and more female calves produced) were more evident in the closely related groups than groups with low relatedness, suggesting that females from genetically disrupted groups are less likely to be reproductive than those in closely related groups. The possibility of negative effects of poaching on the subsequent generation of poached adult females and the alternative of a positive demographic response through reduced density was assessed by analysing the demographic patterns of the first generation (F1) females of prime-aged adult female African elephants in TNP using within- group relatedness and size. I also compared vital rate (age of first birth and interbirth interval) responses of first generation (F1) cows from Tarangire (poached) elephants with other females from poached (Northern Luangwa National Park, Zambia) and unpoached (Amboseli National Park, Kenya and Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa) populations. Group relatedness had no significant effect on sex ratio of the F1 cows‟ calves. There was a significant difference between the mean age of first birth and interbirth interval of F1 cows from the two (poached, Tarangire and unpoached, Amboseli National Park) elephant populations, suggesting that elephant populations reduced by poaching to low levels show an increase vigour through release from density constraints. Based on these results, the broader implications of secondary effects of poaching on elephant populations are critically evaluated. Also the importance of understanding the consequences of these effects is highlighted in light of other elephant conservation and management approaches. This understanding is useful in making conservation and management decisions for elephants and other biodiversity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The role of the press in political conflicts in Kenya : a case study of the performance of the nation and the East African Standard Newspapers
- Authors: Nyambuga, Charles Ongadi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1449 , Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: This study focuses on the role of the press in violent political conflicts in Kenya in the period that preceded the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. Based on media reports, six major thematic areas of concern emerged during constitution making. These were: land tenure, devolution of power, the executive, the legislature, the Bill of Rights, and the provincial administration. These sections of the draft constitution caused a remarkable divergence of opinion. The citizens either supported or opposed the draft constitution on the basis of how the draft had treated those sections in the draft constitution. Besides the major thematic areas, newspapers regularly focused and reported on ethnicity, violence, political leaders‟ utterances, the process of constitution making, and political conflicts. Three main objectives guided the study. The first objective focused on the relationship between media content and different levels of political conflict. The influence of media content and how these may have led to high political conflict, medium political conflict, low political conflict and no political conflict, are tested in this study. The second objective highlighted the kind of coverage that the draft constitution got during the period that preceded the referendum in November, 2005. This objective facilitated interrogation of media content and whether media content focused on aspects of the draft constitution such as land ownership, the executive, devolution, the legislature and religion, as highlighted in the draft constitution of Kenya 2005. The third objective examined the thematic emphasis that the media undertook in the period that preceded the referendum. The themes that were dominant in the period before the referendum could have impacted on readers' perceptions of the critical issues that could have informed the voters' decisions. Three primary questions were addressed in the study: Firstly, was there a link between media content and different levels of political conflict in weak democracies such as Kenya? Secondly, did media content influence ethnicity and did it encourage ethnic conflict in diverse societies? Finally, what were the key thematic areas of coverage by the press, and how were they used during the referendum? In order to study these research objectives, I used a combination of theories to enhance understanding of the interplay between media content and audience in the society. The theories are: agenda setting, two-step flow, priming, framing, and the public sphere. The study adopts a triangulation convergence design in mixed- methods research that involves both qualitative and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire and content analysis were used to seek responses to the research questions of the study and to meet the stated objectives. The research revealed that the two newspapers under investigation, namely the East African Standard and the Nation, provided more coverage to issues that were not central to the content of the draft constitution, such as political leaders' utterances, violence, ethnicity, and the process of constitution making. This showed that the newspapers tended to sensationalise issues instead of providing objective coverage of political matters. These newspapers used their opinion pages to educate their readers on how the referendum was turning violent. The theme of political leaders' utterances is closely linked to that of violence. This suggests that the violence was influenced by some of the leaders' statements. These utterances, and more so those that touched on ethnicity, could therefore have been a potential cause of the ensuing political conflicts during the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. The findings reveal that newspaper editors tended to focus on political conflict at the expense of the actual content of the draft constitution. This would have provided insight and knowledge on the document and avoided sensational reporting, which could have contributed to violent political conflicts during the period that preceded the referendum on the draft constitution of Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Nyambuga, Charles Ongadi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1449 , Press and politics -- Kenya , Government and the press -- Kenya , Mass media -- Political aspects , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: This study focuses on the role of the press in violent political conflicts in Kenya in the period that preceded the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. Based on media reports, six major thematic areas of concern emerged during constitution making. These were: land tenure, devolution of power, the executive, the legislature, the Bill of Rights, and the provincial administration. These sections of the draft constitution caused a remarkable divergence of opinion. The citizens either supported or opposed the draft constitution on the basis of how the draft had treated those sections in the draft constitution. Besides the major thematic areas, newspapers regularly focused and reported on ethnicity, violence, political leaders‟ utterances, the process of constitution making, and political conflicts. Three main objectives guided the study. The first objective focused on the relationship between media content and different levels of political conflict. The influence of media content and how these may have led to high political conflict, medium political conflict, low political conflict and no political conflict, are tested in this study. The second objective highlighted the kind of coverage that the draft constitution got during the period that preceded the referendum in November, 2005. This objective facilitated interrogation of media content and whether media content focused on aspects of the draft constitution such as land ownership, the executive, devolution, the legislature and religion, as highlighted in the draft constitution of Kenya 2005. The third objective examined the thematic emphasis that the media undertook in the period that preceded the referendum. The themes that were dominant in the period before the referendum could have impacted on readers' perceptions of the critical issues that could have informed the voters' decisions. Three primary questions were addressed in the study: Firstly, was there a link between media content and different levels of political conflict in weak democracies such as Kenya? Secondly, did media content influence ethnicity and did it encourage ethnic conflict in diverse societies? Finally, what were the key thematic areas of coverage by the press, and how were they used during the referendum? In order to study these research objectives, I used a combination of theories to enhance understanding of the interplay between media content and audience in the society. The theories are: agenda setting, two-step flow, priming, framing, and the public sphere. The study adopts a triangulation convergence design in mixed- methods research that involves both qualitative and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire and content analysis were used to seek responses to the research questions of the study and to meet the stated objectives. The research revealed that the two newspapers under investigation, namely the East African Standard and the Nation, provided more coverage to issues that were not central to the content of the draft constitution, such as political leaders' utterances, violence, ethnicity, and the process of constitution making. This showed that the newspapers tended to sensationalise issues instead of providing objective coverage of political matters. These newspapers used their opinion pages to educate their readers on how the referendum was turning violent. The theme of political leaders' utterances is closely linked to that of violence. This suggests that the violence was influenced by some of the leaders' statements. These utterances, and more so those that touched on ethnicity, could therefore have been a potential cause of the ensuing political conflicts during the 2005 referendum on the draft constitution. The findings reveal that newspaper editors tended to focus on political conflict at the expense of the actual content of the draft constitution. This would have provided insight and knowledge on the document and avoided sensational reporting, which could have contributed to violent political conflicts during the period that preceded the referendum on the draft constitution of Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Towards community environmental education using current institutional resources, GIS and remote sensing, and local knowledge: a case of the Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests, Western Kenya
- Authors: Tanui, Julius Gordon
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Kenya -- Western Province , Community-based conservation -- Kenya -- Western Province , Conservation of natural resources -- Kenya -- Western Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9568 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016074
- Description: The Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests in Nandi County, Kenya are major water catchments for Lake Victoria. However, these resources have faced significant decline and degradation in recent times, thereby impacting the hydrological quality and quantity in the Lake Victoria Basin. This study was informed by the observed degradation of the Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests, epitomized by the receding forest cover, drying up of previously permanent streams, instances of mudslides and rock falls, and downstream flooding. The study therefore sought to interrogate the current institutional environmental and educational arrangements and practices which are pertinent to the sustainable management of the Nandi Hills Forests, the perceptions and understandings of the local population in terms of forest resources and land use, and the information that can be provided by GIS and Remote Sensing data, in order to produce a heuristic for planning community environmental education in the Nandi County. To achieve this, a mixed methodological design which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data was embraced. The mixed method approaches used in this study were the concurrent triangulation and nested/embedded designs. A four-tier analysis was carried out once all the data had been coded and grouped. The analysis covered three categories of the population in the study area; namely the households, institutions and community groups, and analysis of Landsat images for change detection. The study reveals that there are several state and non-state institutions that are involved in the management of the Nandi Hills Forests and that their efforts have seen an improvement in the perceptions of the local population in terms of the importance of environmental management of the forests. Analysis of the Landsat images has revealed receding natural forest cover. The contribution of informal, local and indigenous knowledge to sustainable management of the Nandi Hills Forest was notable (85 percent of the population attribute their knowledge on forests and forestry to informal knowledge sources). These results informed the development of a heuristic to enable the adoption of strategies using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information for problem solving in developing and implementing community environmental education practices for effective forest management and conservation practices that are responsive to the needs of the Nandi Forest community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Tanui, Julius Gordon
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Kenya -- Western Province , Community-based conservation -- Kenya -- Western Province , Conservation of natural resources -- Kenya -- Western Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9568 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016074
- Description: The Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests in Nandi County, Kenya are major water catchments for Lake Victoria. However, these resources have faced significant decline and degradation in recent times, thereby impacting the hydrological quality and quantity in the Lake Victoria Basin. This study was informed by the observed degradation of the Nandi Hills and Nandi Forests, epitomized by the receding forest cover, drying up of previously permanent streams, instances of mudslides and rock falls, and downstream flooding. The study therefore sought to interrogate the current institutional environmental and educational arrangements and practices which are pertinent to the sustainable management of the Nandi Hills Forests, the perceptions and understandings of the local population in terms of forest resources and land use, and the information that can be provided by GIS and Remote Sensing data, in order to produce a heuristic for planning community environmental education in the Nandi County. To achieve this, a mixed methodological design which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data was embraced. The mixed method approaches used in this study were the concurrent triangulation and nested/embedded designs. A four-tier analysis was carried out once all the data had been coded and grouped. The analysis covered three categories of the population in the study area; namely the households, institutions and community groups, and analysis of Landsat images for change detection. The study reveals that there are several state and non-state institutions that are involved in the management of the Nandi Hills Forests and that their efforts have seen an improvement in the perceptions of the local population in terms of the importance of environmental management of the forests. Analysis of the Landsat images has revealed receding natural forest cover. The contribution of informal, local and indigenous knowledge to sustainable management of the Nandi Hills Forest was notable (85 percent of the population attribute their knowledge on forests and forestry to informal knowledge sources). These results informed the development of a heuristic to enable the adoption of strategies using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information for problem solving in developing and implementing community environmental education practices for effective forest management and conservation practices that are responsive to the needs of the Nandi Forest community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda
- Authors: Kibukamusoke, Martha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1196 , Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Description: This study is a critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda. The study was undertaken because of the growing concern about child-labour practices in African countries, Uganda being an example. The incidence of child labour and the form that it takes are driven by supply-anddemand factors countrywide, but also by the sheer need of children to survive. Child labour is considered to be a fundamental child development problem. Children are involved in a number of child-labour practices such as prostitution in the commercial and tourism sex industry, forced begging on the streets, and forced soldiering. They may be used as camel jockeys, domestic servants, farm labourers/herders, mine labourers, produce porters, roadside sellers/street vendors, sweetshop-industry labourers, cooks and porters for rebels. The persistent exploitation of children involved in hazardous work and conditions has become overwhelming in Uganda. Poverty as one of the major causes for the growing numbers of child labourers in the agricultural sector in Uganda has caused a number of children to engage in child-labour activities to earn extra income for household survival. Many children have opted for partial attendance in school, eventually dropping out. Parents have also frequently influenced children to work on family farms, thus contributing to the children dropping out of school. Child-labour practices have become entrenched in the social and moral fabric of Ugandan society, and for this reason, research endeavours to uncover ways and methods to reverse this situation. The main objectives of this research were to establish the impact of poverty on child labour, to assess the effect of the social and cultural setup on child labour, to find out the impact of child-labour legislation enforcement, to determine the 5 influence of the HIV and AIDS pandemic on child labour, to establish the effect of the educational system and technological advancement on child labour, to establish the level of awareness of human rights in the community, and to establish the impact of human rights activists on the prevention of child labour. The study was undertaken in Masindi District in Budongo Sub County, in three parishes, Nyabyeya, Nyantonzi and Kasongoire. The respondents used for the study included child labourers, their parents, farmers, and community leaders. The method used to get to the sample was purposive sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for written answers and a tape recorder for oral answers. Both primary and secondary data was collected, verified, edited, checked, coded, analysed, and then exported to Excel and SPSS. Collecting the data was a challenging exercise for the researcher. Experiences were varied, in the hospitality and willingness of respondents to learn more about child issues. Although respondents were willing to participate in the data collection exercise, social and cultural values did not permit all of them to share their views with the researcher. To collect data from respondents, the researcher had to ensure that remuneration was in place at the end of the exercise. The respondents filled out the questionnaires only after learning of the availability of a reward for every questionnaire answered. More setbacks were the need to travel long distances, and enduring the poor infrastructure, poor sanitation, and epidemic outbreaks, some of which diluted the quality of data collected. During group interviews, most parents were not entirely truthful about involving their children in child-labour activities. Although most respondents had an idea of what child labour is, their ignorance levels on the topic prevented them from stopping their children from working. The major findings of the research were that the cultural, social and economic setup of the community in the study area favoured child labour, although the child-labour legislation is against using children as labourers. Various ethnicities 6 in the study area considered a person between the ages of 5 and 12 years to be a child, yet the Constitution of Uganda dictates the age of childhood to be below 18 years. This causes conflict in the definition of who a child is. Although parents were aware of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) regulation penalties for not taking children to school, they still permitted children to engage in child-labour activities, and little has been done by government to curb the culprits. Awareness of the Sub Counties and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) and their implementation has not helped to reduce poverty in the area studied, resulting in an increased school dropout rate among school-going-age children, as well as more child-labour activities. The major conclusion of the study was that little has been done to increase the awareness levels of the teachers, parents and their children about child labour and its legislation, their knowledge of and involvement in micro-finance institutions in the community, and the availability of vocational training institutions. Little has therefore been done to reduce child-labour activities, improve the economic status of the community, and improve their human resource skills. The major recommendations of the research to the study are that culture should not override the Constitution as far as the definition of age limit is concerned. The government should carry out stakeholder analyses, and implement a life-skills and sensitisation programme in order to improve child participation in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme. Government should ensure that the society is given information about basic accounting, project planning and management skills, in order to be effectively involved in the economic programmes of SACCOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kibukamusoke, Martha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1196 , Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Description: This study is a critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda. The study was undertaken because of the growing concern about child-labour practices in African countries, Uganda being an example. The incidence of child labour and the form that it takes are driven by supply-anddemand factors countrywide, but also by the sheer need of children to survive. Child labour is considered to be a fundamental child development problem. Children are involved in a number of child-labour practices such as prostitution in the commercial and tourism sex industry, forced begging on the streets, and forced soldiering. They may be used as camel jockeys, domestic servants, farm labourers/herders, mine labourers, produce porters, roadside sellers/street vendors, sweetshop-industry labourers, cooks and porters for rebels. The persistent exploitation of children involved in hazardous work and conditions has become overwhelming in Uganda. Poverty as one of the major causes for the growing numbers of child labourers in the agricultural sector in Uganda has caused a number of children to engage in child-labour activities to earn extra income for household survival. Many children have opted for partial attendance in school, eventually dropping out. Parents have also frequently influenced children to work on family farms, thus contributing to the children dropping out of school. Child-labour practices have become entrenched in the social and moral fabric of Ugandan society, and for this reason, research endeavours to uncover ways and methods to reverse this situation. The main objectives of this research were to establish the impact of poverty on child labour, to assess the effect of the social and cultural setup on child labour, to find out the impact of child-labour legislation enforcement, to determine the 5 influence of the HIV and AIDS pandemic on child labour, to establish the effect of the educational system and technological advancement on child labour, to establish the level of awareness of human rights in the community, and to establish the impact of human rights activists on the prevention of child labour. The study was undertaken in Masindi District in Budongo Sub County, in three parishes, Nyabyeya, Nyantonzi and Kasongoire. The respondents used for the study included child labourers, their parents, farmers, and community leaders. The method used to get to the sample was purposive sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for written answers and a tape recorder for oral answers. Both primary and secondary data was collected, verified, edited, checked, coded, analysed, and then exported to Excel and SPSS. Collecting the data was a challenging exercise for the researcher. Experiences were varied, in the hospitality and willingness of respondents to learn more about child issues. Although respondents were willing to participate in the data collection exercise, social and cultural values did not permit all of them to share their views with the researcher. To collect data from respondents, the researcher had to ensure that remuneration was in place at the end of the exercise. The respondents filled out the questionnaires only after learning of the availability of a reward for every questionnaire answered. More setbacks were the need to travel long distances, and enduring the poor infrastructure, poor sanitation, and epidemic outbreaks, some of which diluted the quality of data collected. During group interviews, most parents were not entirely truthful about involving their children in child-labour activities. Although most respondents had an idea of what child labour is, their ignorance levels on the topic prevented them from stopping their children from working. The major findings of the research were that the cultural, social and economic setup of the community in the study area favoured child labour, although the child-labour legislation is against using children as labourers. Various ethnicities 6 in the study area considered a person between the ages of 5 and 12 years to be a child, yet the Constitution of Uganda dictates the age of childhood to be below 18 years. This causes conflict in the definition of who a child is. Although parents were aware of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) regulation penalties for not taking children to school, they still permitted children to engage in child-labour activities, and little has been done by government to curb the culprits. Awareness of the Sub Counties and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) and their implementation has not helped to reduce poverty in the area studied, resulting in an increased school dropout rate among school-going-age children, as well as more child-labour activities. The major conclusion of the study was that little has been done to increase the awareness levels of the teachers, parents and their children about child labour and its legislation, their knowledge of and involvement in micro-finance institutions in the community, and the availability of vocational training institutions. Little has therefore been done to reduce child-labour activities, improve the economic status of the community, and improve their human resource skills. The major recommendations of the research to the study are that culture should not override the Constitution as far as the definition of age limit is concerned. The government should carry out stakeholder analyses, and implement a life-skills and sensitisation programme in order to improve child participation in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme. Government should ensure that the society is given information about basic accounting, project planning and management skills, in order to be effectively involved in the economic programmes of SACCOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A value-based approach to promoting excellence in mathematics education
- Authors: Austin, Pamela Winifred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1656 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Description: This research study has emerged as a result of my concern regarding the apparent low self-efficacy amongst initial teacher education students in my mathematics education classes. It also reflects a reported renewed interest in values, and the promotion of excellence in education. The effects of a values-based approach to mathematics education towards improving students’ self-efficacy and promoting excellence have been investigated, grounded within my ontology of excellence in mathematics education, which incorporates the values of respect, fairness, accountability, honesty and compassion. An inquiry-based teaching and learning approach formed the framework within which the study took place. Notions of ‘new scholarship’, premised on the view that teaching is about engagement in participatory learning, and the development of communities of creative students, provided the theoretical framework. Both quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods were used. Data-collection tools included affective-disposition statements, interviews, journal entries, as well as a video recording of a mathematics education lesson. The quantitative and qualitative data generated suggest improved levels of self-efficacy amongst the students who participated in the study. The data also suggest that a valuesbased approach to teaching can be used as an effective approach by mathematics teachers – and mathematics teacher educators – for the purpose of promoting the pursuit of excellence. As teacher education worldwide is currently characterised by a lack of vitality in teacher preparation (Grossman, 2008), the findings of this study should provide insights for teacher educators, teachers and policy makers who wish to promote mathematics self-efficacy, excellence and facilitate enhanced vitality within the teaching profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Austin, Pamela Winifred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9482 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1656 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Inquiry-based learning -- South Africa , Active learning -- South Africa , Effective teaching -- South Africa , Self-efficacy
- Description: This research study has emerged as a result of my concern regarding the apparent low self-efficacy amongst initial teacher education students in my mathematics education classes. It also reflects a reported renewed interest in values, and the promotion of excellence in education. The effects of a values-based approach to mathematics education towards improving students’ self-efficacy and promoting excellence have been investigated, grounded within my ontology of excellence in mathematics education, which incorporates the values of respect, fairness, accountability, honesty and compassion. An inquiry-based teaching and learning approach formed the framework within which the study took place. Notions of ‘new scholarship’, premised on the view that teaching is about engagement in participatory learning, and the development of communities of creative students, provided the theoretical framework. Both quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods were used. Data-collection tools included affective-disposition statements, interviews, journal entries, as well as a video recording of a mathematics education lesson. The quantitative and qualitative data generated suggest improved levels of self-efficacy amongst the students who participated in the study. The data also suggest that a valuesbased approach to teaching can be used as an effective approach by mathematics teachers – and mathematics teacher educators – for the purpose of promoting the pursuit of excellence. As teacher education worldwide is currently characterised by a lack of vitality in teacher preparation (Grossman, 2008), the findings of this study should provide insights for teacher educators, teachers and policy makers who wish to promote mathematics self-efficacy, excellence and facilitate enhanced vitality within the teaching profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An evaluation of the BAE/SAAB South African Royal Manufacturing project in Virginia, Free State Province : a case study of the implementation of the South African Defence Offsets
- Authors: Wellmann, Gwendolyn
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1296 , Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
- Description: This study is an evaluation of the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium National Industrial Programme project, South African Royal Manufacturers (SARM), which forms part of BAE Systems/SAAB’s National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) obligations resulting from their participation in South Africa’s 1998 Strategic Procurement Programme (popularly referred to as the ‘arms deal’). SARM was a gold chain manufacturing plant, located in the Free State mining town of Virginia and which was implemented by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium in partnership with the Harmony Gold Mining Company. Funding for the business was provided by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium as part of their industrial participation obligation. This funding was supplemented with a loan obtained from the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to the value of 40% of the cash funds; while land and buildings, as well as loans in the form of gold granules and bars, were provided by Harmony Gold Company, as part of what they describe as their corporate social responsibility towards the Virginia area where they are the only mining company operating; and also simultaneously as their obligation towards gold beneficiation as required by law. The business failed after less than 12 months of operation amidst allegations of theft of gold and the sudden lay-off of approximately 500 poor black rural women. The company’s liquidation appears to be on the backburner indefinitely. The study was conducted over a period of 18 months, and this thesis written over several more. As part of this evaluation several issues were investigated. These issues are: the push for beneficiation of South African mined metals; the National Industrial Participation Programme; local government development; the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium and other similar companies which are involved in jewellery production for export as part of both the country’s beneficiation drive, as well as the 3 NIPP. These other companies are used in this study as a ‘control’ group against which SARM’s performance can be measured realistically. Different research methods were used during the evaluation, including secondary document reviews, face-to-face and telephonic interviews with key-informants, the use of e-mail to contact key-informants, as well as conducting face-to-face questionnaires with random interviewees, and a focus group discussion with SARM ex-workers. There were several limitations to this study. The primary limitation was the inaccessibility of official and legal documents pertaining to both SARM, and the 1998 arms deal. SARM no longer exists, and thus the evaluation results should be used as lessons learned for similar projects in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Wellmann, Gwendolyn
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1296 , Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
- Description: This study is an evaluation of the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium National Industrial Programme project, South African Royal Manufacturers (SARM), which forms part of BAE Systems/SAAB’s National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) obligations resulting from their participation in South Africa’s 1998 Strategic Procurement Programme (popularly referred to as the ‘arms deal’). SARM was a gold chain manufacturing plant, located in the Free State mining town of Virginia and which was implemented by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium in partnership with the Harmony Gold Mining Company. Funding for the business was provided by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium as part of their industrial participation obligation. This funding was supplemented with a loan obtained from the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to the value of 40% of the cash funds; while land and buildings, as well as loans in the form of gold granules and bars, were provided by Harmony Gold Company, as part of what they describe as their corporate social responsibility towards the Virginia area where they are the only mining company operating; and also simultaneously as their obligation towards gold beneficiation as required by law. The business failed after less than 12 months of operation amidst allegations of theft of gold and the sudden lay-off of approximately 500 poor black rural women. The company’s liquidation appears to be on the backburner indefinitely. The study was conducted over a period of 18 months, and this thesis written over several more. As part of this evaluation several issues were investigated. These issues are: the push for beneficiation of South African mined metals; the National Industrial Participation Programme; local government development; the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium and other similar companies which are involved in jewellery production for export as part of both the country’s beneficiation drive, as well as the 3 NIPP. These other companies are used in this study as a ‘control’ group against which SARM’s performance can be measured realistically. Different research methods were used during the evaluation, including secondary document reviews, face-to-face and telephonic interviews with key-informants, the use of e-mail to contact key-informants, as well as conducting face-to-face questionnaires with random interviewees, and a focus group discussion with SARM ex-workers. There were several limitations to this study. The primary limitation was the inaccessibility of official and legal documents pertaining to both SARM, and the 1998 arms deal. SARM no longer exists, and thus the evaluation results should be used as lessons learned for similar projects in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Critical reflections on the war on terrorism from an international human rights perspective
- Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Human rights , War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 , Civil rights , International law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1205 , Human rights , War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 , Civil rights , International law
- Description: This study explored the balancing out of the rights associated with terrorist and counter-terrorist attacks by using descriptive case studies of the US 9/11 attacks; and the counter-terrorist attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq. The research was conducted within a critical theory paradigm, drawing on the ideas of Habermas and other Critical Theorists. The research design was influenced by the securitive and ideological nature of the topic and it was decided that an extensive review of literature would be more suitable than a field study. A small number of interviews added to the richness of the data. Human rights, needs and international relations were investigated to serve as a theoretical starting-point for the study (Chapter 2). The case studies were subsequently explored against the background of this theoretical approach. This thesis therefore assessed the impact of human rights law on terrorism and counter-terrorism attacks under the Human Rights Act (1998). It considered how the provisions of the Human Rights Act have influenced the formulation and interpretation of anti-terrorism laws, and it examined the role of the judiciary in adjudicating disputes between the individual and the state. It further discussed human needs and the progress on human rights, terrorist attacks, as well as counter-terrorism attacks. Extensive data was gathered on the 9/11 attacks, and it was concluded that these attacks fall within the definition of crimes against humanity under international human rights jurisprudence. To bring about a truly secure world we must adopt a new paradigm that shifts priority to the security of the individuals and of communities to achieving human security, the honouring of human rights, and respect for the rule of law. This will obviously require a renewed commitment by all individuals and a shared sense of responsibility for all people, all over the world. What we need now is a major course correction – a new iii A. Fabbriciani approach which begins with a broader understanding of what defines human rights and the rule of law (Wilson, 2007). The study also focuses on counter-terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq (Chapters 3 and 4). It was shown that counter-terrorist attacks had an effect on the global economic system and development policies, which have been dominated by ideological strategies for many years. However, resistance has come from Islamic states, which have realised that new-liberal economic practices are incompatible with their theological and economic traditions. This has caused a situation to rethink global development programmes by political leaders, and to move away from new-liberal schemes towards true global development strategies. One of the main findings of the study was that the crimes of persecution and torture on the basis of political or religious views have been perpetrated by both parties, namely Al-Qaeda, and the US and its allies. It has been shown that the explored acts of terrorism and counter-attacks represent crimes against humanity, as defined by the relevant provisions of international law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Human rights , War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 , Civil rights , International law
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1205 , Human rights , War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 , Civil rights , International law
- Description: This study explored the balancing out of the rights associated with terrorist and counter-terrorist attacks by using descriptive case studies of the US 9/11 attacks; and the counter-terrorist attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq. The research was conducted within a critical theory paradigm, drawing on the ideas of Habermas and other Critical Theorists. The research design was influenced by the securitive and ideological nature of the topic and it was decided that an extensive review of literature would be more suitable than a field study. A small number of interviews added to the richness of the data. Human rights, needs and international relations were investigated to serve as a theoretical starting-point for the study (Chapter 2). The case studies were subsequently explored against the background of this theoretical approach. This thesis therefore assessed the impact of human rights law on terrorism and counter-terrorism attacks under the Human Rights Act (1998). It considered how the provisions of the Human Rights Act have influenced the formulation and interpretation of anti-terrorism laws, and it examined the role of the judiciary in adjudicating disputes between the individual and the state. It further discussed human needs and the progress on human rights, terrorist attacks, as well as counter-terrorism attacks. Extensive data was gathered on the 9/11 attacks, and it was concluded that these attacks fall within the definition of crimes against humanity under international human rights jurisprudence. To bring about a truly secure world we must adopt a new paradigm that shifts priority to the security of the individuals and of communities to achieving human security, the honouring of human rights, and respect for the rule of law. This will obviously require a renewed commitment by all individuals and a shared sense of responsibility for all people, all over the world. What we need now is a major course correction – a new iii A. Fabbriciani approach which begins with a broader understanding of what defines human rights and the rule of law (Wilson, 2007). The study also focuses on counter-terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq (Chapters 3 and 4). It was shown that counter-terrorist attacks had an effect on the global economic system and development policies, which have been dominated by ideological strategies for many years. However, resistance has come from Islamic states, which have realised that new-liberal economic practices are incompatible with their theological and economic traditions. This has caused a situation to rethink global development programmes by political leaders, and to move away from new-liberal schemes towards true global development strategies. One of the main findings of the study was that the crimes of persecution and torture on the basis of political or religious views have been perpetrated by both parties, namely Al-Qaeda, and the US and its allies. It has been shown that the explored acts of terrorism and counter-attacks represent crimes against humanity, as defined by the relevant provisions of international law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010