'n Evaluering van onderwysvoorsienings en onderwysfasiliteite in die Karoo-distrikte Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville-Klipplaat en Murraysburg vir die hoofbevolkingsgroepe Blank, Kleurling en Bantoe
- Authors: Dreyer, J N
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Colored people (South Africa) -- Education Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape White people -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011490
- Description: Die ondersoek handel oor onderwysaangeleenthede in die vier Karoo-distrikte Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, (wat Adendorp insluit), Jansenville-Klipplaat en Murraysburg. Die ondersoek wil ten aanvang wys op n verskynsel waaroor Morton hom soos volg uitlaat: "There is an inevitable time-lag between the evolution of an educational system and the society and the culture that it serves, and from which it stems". Chapter 1, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1973
- Authors: Dreyer, J N
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Colored people (South Africa) -- Education Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape White people -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011490
- Description: Die ondersoek handel oor onderwysaangeleenthede in die vier Karoo-distrikte Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, (wat Adendorp insluit), Jansenville-Klipplaat en Murraysburg. Die ondersoek wil ten aanvang wys op n verskynsel waaroor Morton hom soos volg uitlaat: "There is an inevitable time-lag between the evolution of an educational system and the society and the culture that it serves, and from which it stems". Chapter 1, p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1973
A combination of a stationary and non-stationary model to predict corporate failure in South Africa
- Authors: Court, Philip Wathen
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Bankruptcy -- South Africa Business planning -- South Africa Business failures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002800
- Description: Business failure should be of concern in most industralised countries and the importance of accurately evaluating the phenomenon from a management and investment point of view is enormous. Were it possible to predict failure with a certain degree of confidence, steps could be taken to rectify the situation and the benefit would accrue to all of the stakeholders in the macroenvironment. In essence, the profitability of a business is influenced by two sets of variables. In the first instance, it is influenced by a variety of internal (microeconomic) variables which are firm- specific and which management is generally able to control. A further distinction in this regard may be made between the financial and non-financial variables. In the second instance, it is generally accepted that profitability will be influenced by a number of external (macroeconomic) variables which are generally beyond the control of management. In the main, however, the profitability of the firm is generally determined by a combination of both sets of factors. To date, a great deal of research has been undertaken in an attempt to establish a reliable model which may be used to predict failure. This has mainly been confined to the microeconomic variables which can be used to predict failure and attempts have been made to isolate either a single financial ratio or a number of financial and non-financial variables which can be used to model corporate failure. The research has met with a certain degree of success although this appears to be confined to the economic environment to which the models have been applied. The models are less successful when applied to other macroenvironments. Limited research has been undertaken into the macroeconomic variables which contribute to business failure or to a combination of the two types of variables. It is appropriate therefore that further consideration be given to the establishment of a model incorporating ALL the variables which could contribute to corporate failure. The purpose of this research is to undertake an investigation of micro- and macroeconomic variables that are freely available to reserachers and which may be used in a failure prediction model. The intention is to obtain a comprehensive, yet simple model which can be used as an overall predictor of PENDING failure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Court, Philip Wathen
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Bankruptcy -- South Africa Business planning -- South Africa Business failures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002800
- Description: Business failure should be of concern in most industralised countries and the importance of accurately evaluating the phenomenon from a management and investment point of view is enormous. Were it possible to predict failure with a certain degree of confidence, steps could be taken to rectify the situation and the benefit would accrue to all of the stakeholders in the macroenvironment. In essence, the profitability of a business is influenced by two sets of variables. In the first instance, it is influenced by a variety of internal (microeconomic) variables which are firm- specific and which management is generally able to control. A further distinction in this regard may be made between the financial and non-financial variables. In the second instance, it is generally accepted that profitability will be influenced by a number of external (macroeconomic) variables which are generally beyond the control of management. In the main, however, the profitability of the firm is generally determined by a combination of both sets of factors. To date, a great deal of research has been undertaken in an attempt to establish a reliable model which may be used to predict failure. This has mainly been confined to the microeconomic variables which can be used to predict failure and attempts have been made to isolate either a single financial ratio or a number of financial and non-financial variables which can be used to model corporate failure. The research has met with a certain degree of success although this appears to be confined to the economic environment to which the models have been applied. The models are less successful when applied to other macroenvironments. Limited research has been undertaken into the macroeconomic variables which contribute to business failure or to a combination of the two types of variables. It is appropriate therefore that further consideration be given to the establishment of a model incorporating ALL the variables which could contribute to corporate failure. The purpose of this research is to undertake an investigation of micro- and macroeconomic variables that are freely available to reserachers and which may be used in a failure prediction model. The intention is to obtain a comprehensive, yet simple model which can be used as an overall predictor of PENDING failure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
A parser generator system to handle complete syntax
- Authors: Ossher, Harold Leon
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax Parsing (Computer grammar) Programming languages (Electronic computers) Compilers (Computer programs)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002036
- Description: To define a language completely, it is necessary to define both its syntax and semantics. If these definitions are in a suitable form, the parser and code-generator of a compiler, respectively, can be generated from them. This thesis addresses the problem of syntax definition and automatic parser generation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
- Authors: Ossher, Harold Leon
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax Parsing (Computer grammar) Programming languages (Electronic computers) Compilers (Computer programs)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002036
- Description: To define a language completely, it is necessary to define both its syntax and semantics. If these definitions are in a suitable form, the parser and code-generator of a compiler, respectively, can be generated from them. This thesis addresses the problem of syntax definition and automatic parser generation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
A South African perspective on the tax implications of virtual asset accumulation and transactions stemming from persistent virtual worlds
- Authors: Haupt, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001638
- Description: Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are growing in popularity with millions of people participating in these persistent online environments on a daily basis. Accompanying the ever-increasing subscription numbers is an increase in real money trade transactions stemming from these game worlds. The research question to be addressed in this thesis is whether transactions stemming from virtual worlds have real-world taxation consequences. The goal of this research is to determine the taxability of virtual assets obtained in structured as well as unstructured virtual environments and to attempt to establish the differences between capital and revenue receipts in these virtual realms, taking into account the nature of a receipt. The general deduction formula is applied to establish the deductibility of expenditure incurred whilst participating in these virtual environments. Sundry matters such as Value-Added Tax, donations tax, the withholding tax on gambling gains and tax avoidance will also be addressed. The methodology adopted for the research could best be described as interpretative, aimed at analysing and interpreting the relationship between real world taxes and persistent virtual worlds and the transactions that stem from participation therein. The research is based purely on documentary evidence. After applying relevant tax legislation to virtual economies it became evident that merely because virtual assets only exist in virtual reality does not necessarily preclude them real world tax consequences. It was concluded, however, that it is not practical for the South African Revenue Service to monitor all virtual world transactions or for participant taxpayers to calculate the real world value of each and every asset acquired in-world. As a result, it was concluded that real world tax consequences should only be applied in situations where participants actually convert their virtual assets into real world currency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Haupt, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001638
- Description: Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are growing in popularity with millions of people participating in these persistent online environments on a daily basis. Accompanying the ever-increasing subscription numbers is an increase in real money trade transactions stemming from these game worlds. The research question to be addressed in this thesis is whether transactions stemming from virtual worlds have real-world taxation consequences. The goal of this research is to determine the taxability of virtual assets obtained in structured as well as unstructured virtual environments and to attempt to establish the differences between capital and revenue receipts in these virtual realms, taking into account the nature of a receipt. The general deduction formula is applied to establish the deductibility of expenditure incurred whilst participating in these virtual environments. Sundry matters such as Value-Added Tax, donations tax, the withholding tax on gambling gains and tax avoidance will also be addressed. The methodology adopted for the research could best be described as interpretative, aimed at analysing and interpreting the relationship between real world taxes and persistent virtual worlds and the transactions that stem from participation therein. The research is based purely on documentary evidence. After applying relevant tax legislation to virtual economies it became evident that merely because virtual assets only exist in virtual reality does not necessarily preclude them real world tax consequences. It was concluded, however, that it is not practical for the South African Revenue Service to monitor all virtual world transactions or for participant taxpayers to calculate the real world value of each and every asset acquired in-world. As a result, it was concluded that real world tax consequences should only be applied in situations where participants actually convert their virtual assets into real world currency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A survey of the curricula for the pre-service education of secondary school geography teachers in South Africa, with special reference to Transkei
- Authors: Mniki, Claribel Pumzile
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Education -- Curricula , Education -- South Africa -- Transkei , Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Transkei , Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Transkei , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001406
- Description: Programmes designed for the pre-service education of secondary school geography teachers reflect the assumptions held by programme designers regarding the nature of education, teaching in general and geography teaching in particular. The general practice is that in universities, individual method lecturers design their programmes and in colleges within a department of education the programmes are centrally planned. Each programme focuses on a specific context. This, together with the autonomy enjoyed by university method lecturers in designing their courses, has resulted in the variations found in geography teacher education programmes. The evidence of this is found in the structure and duration of courses, the course content, the strategies used to educate teachers and the way in which the course is evaluated. This thesis is an attempt to establish consensus and divergence in pre-service education programmes for secondary school geography teachers regarding their organisation, specific knowledge imparted to student teachers; skills, values and attitudes developed. The pre-service education of secondary school geography teachers in South Africa is revealed in an analysis of views held by method lecturers, practising teachers in secondary schools, and student teachers and an analysis of course outlines , teaching practice assessment forms and geography method examination papers. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for improving the initial education of secondary school geography teachers in Transkei
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Mniki, Claribel Pumzile
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Education -- Curricula , Education -- South Africa -- Transkei , Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Transkei , Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Transkei , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001406
- Description: Programmes designed for the pre-service education of secondary school geography teachers reflect the assumptions held by programme designers regarding the nature of education, teaching in general and geography teaching in particular. The general practice is that in universities, individual method lecturers design their programmes and in colleges within a department of education the programmes are centrally planned. Each programme focuses on a specific context. This, together with the autonomy enjoyed by university method lecturers in designing their courses, has resulted in the variations found in geography teacher education programmes. The evidence of this is found in the structure and duration of courses, the course content, the strategies used to educate teachers and the way in which the course is evaluated. This thesis is an attempt to establish consensus and divergence in pre-service education programmes for secondary school geography teachers regarding their organisation, specific knowledge imparted to student teachers; skills, values and attitudes developed. The pre-service education of secondary school geography teachers in South Africa is revealed in an analysis of views held by method lecturers, practising teachers in secondary schools, and student teachers and an analysis of course outlines , teaching practice assessment forms and geography method examination papers. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made for improving the initial education of secondary school geography teachers in Transkei
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
An analysis of gender transformations in the sleeping beauty fairy tale
- Authors: Banks, Monique
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fairy tales Gender identity in literature Children's stories--History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16346 , vital:40712
- Description: The fairy tale genre has an extremely complex, yet interesting history and development. Originally created and used for the entertainment of adults, these tales traditionally included a wide range of themes, characters and gender dynamics than more recent, modern tales. This is because the original tales spoke to and included themes, characters and gender roles evident in the societal structure and time period in which each was written. Thus, traditionally patriarchal, gender-unequal societies generated tales which embodied this patriarchy and inequality. As society developed and gender relationship dynamics changed, writers of fairy tales began to alter the traditional tales, as they no longer suited the society’s outlook on life and gender. In addition to this, as the original tales were remade, the dynamic views of the society in which each was recreated, was then reflected. Therefore, this study’s primary focus is to investigate the development of the fairy tale genre, specifically the Sleeping Beauty tale, over the years and analyse the changes of the tale, with regards to patriarchal traditions, character traits and gender relationships. Within this work, the original tales of Charles Perrault and the Grimm Brothers, as well as the Sleeping Beauty remakes of Anne Thackeray Ritchie, Angela Carter, Robert Coover and Neil Gaiman will be analysed through the lens of feminism. Thus, each tale will be examined for their characters’ traits and gender relationships, and how these traits and relationships support and continue patriarchy and gender inequality, or question, challenge and provide alternatives for this patriarchy and inequality. In addition, the historical context of each author will be investigated in order to determine how each tale fits into the social context in which it was written and published. To conclude, through studying each Sleeping Beauty remake, this study has highlighted an interesting movement in fairy tale literature. As tales are published in more recent times, so their characters become altered from the typical and patriarchally expected gender roles and character traits. More and more, writers are creating characters that challenge the ‘norm’ of patriarchy. Therefore, this shows that in more modern times, societies’ structures are becoming more diverse and accepting of alternatives to traditional gender roles. Importantly, there is a wide sector of fairy tale literature which has not yet been examined in this way. The traditional fairy tales and their remakes include a number of interesting points that, as this study has proved in its analysis of Sleeping Beauty, can have a major impact on the study of the fairy tale genre as well as highlight developments in social structure and feminist thought.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Banks, Monique
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fairy tales Gender identity in literature Children's stories--History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16346 , vital:40712
- Description: The fairy tale genre has an extremely complex, yet interesting history and development. Originally created and used for the entertainment of adults, these tales traditionally included a wide range of themes, characters and gender dynamics than more recent, modern tales. This is because the original tales spoke to and included themes, characters and gender roles evident in the societal structure and time period in which each was written. Thus, traditionally patriarchal, gender-unequal societies generated tales which embodied this patriarchy and inequality. As society developed and gender relationship dynamics changed, writers of fairy tales began to alter the traditional tales, as they no longer suited the society’s outlook on life and gender. In addition to this, as the original tales were remade, the dynamic views of the society in which each was recreated, was then reflected. Therefore, this study’s primary focus is to investigate the development of the fairy tale genre, specifically the Sleeping Beauty tale, over the years and analyse the changes of the tale, with regards to patriarchal traditions, character traits and gender relationships. Within this work, the original tales of Charles Perrault and the Grimm Brothers, as well as the Sleeping Beauty remakes of Anne Thackeray Ritchie, Angela Carter, Robert Coover and Neil Gaiman will be analysed through the lens of feminism. Thus, each tale will be examined for their characters’ traits and gender relationships, and how these traits and relationships support and continue patriarchy and gender inequality, or question, challenge and provide alternatives for this patriarchy and inequality. In addition, the historical context of each author will be investigated in order to determine how each tale fits into the social context in which it was written and published. To conclude, through studying each Sleeping Beauty remake, this study has highlighted an interesting movement in fairy tale literature. As tales are published in more recent times, so their characters become altered from the typical and patriarchally expected gender roles and character traits. More and more, writers are creating characters that challenge the ‘norm’ of patriarchy. Therefore, this shows that in more modern times, societies’ structures are becoming more diverse and accepting of alternatives to traditional gender roles. Importantly, there is a wide sector of fairy tale literature which has not yet been examined in this way. The traditional fairy tales and their remakes include a number of interesting points that, as this study has proved in its analysis of Sleeping Beauty, can have a major impact on the study of the fairy tale genre as well as highlight developments in social structure and feminist thought.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An erosion hazard assessment technique for Ciskei
- Authors: Weaver, Alex van Breda
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Ciskei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4792 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001892
- Description: The study examines the relationship between the spatial variation in soil erosion and various natural and anthropogenic attributes of the region between the coastal plateau and the Winterberg escarpment of Ciskei. A raster-based geographical information system is derived for four separate study catchments and data on soil erosion and various soil erosion hazard indices are read into a computerised data matrix. The independent variables (soil erosion hazard indices) used in the study are selected on the basis of a review of the literature and on the availability of data in the Ciskei region. Multivariate analyses of the relationship between soil erosion and the various independent variables reveals that the primary variables affecting the spatial variation in soil erosion are land use, dominant soil type, geology, veld type and mean annual precipitation. All of these variables are readily quantifiable at the regional scale for large areas of Ciskei. An erosion hazard assessment model for use in central Ciskei is developed based on the results of the statistical analyses. The model is tested in separate study areas and is shown to provide an efficient method of identifying areas of differing susceptibility to soil erosion. The derived model is simple to operate and has input requirements which are easily met. It can be applied without the aid of computers, or where large areas are to be mapped it is well suited to computerisation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Weaver, Alex van Breda
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Ciskei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4792 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001892
- Description: The study examines the relationship between the spatial variation in soil erosion and various natural and anthropogenic attributes of the region between the coastal plateau and the Winterberg escarpment of Ciskei. A raster-based geographical information system is derived for four separate study catchments and data on soil erosion and various soil erosion hazard indices are read into a computerised data matrix. The independent variables (soil erosion hazard indices) used in the study are selected on the basis of a review of the literature and on the availability of data in the Ciskei region. Multivariate analyses of the relationship between soil erosion and the various independent variables reveals that the primary variables affecting the spatial variation in soil erosion are land use, dominant soil type, geology, veld type and mean annual precipitation. All of these variables are readily quantifiable at the regional scale for large areas of Ciskei. An erosion hazard assessment model for use in central Ciskei is developed based on the results of the statistical analyses. The model is tested in separate study areas and is shown to provide an efficient method of identifying areas of differing susceptibility to soil erosion. The derived model is simple to operate and has input requirements which are easily met. It can be applied without the aid of computers, or where large areas are to be mapped it is well suited to computerisation
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
An evaluation of the feasibility of obtaining payment for ecosystem services for the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve
- Authors: Erlank, Wayne Michael
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ecology -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003862
- Description: Cities must go further and further away to find new, more costly sources of water for human consumption while industries and agriculture continue to compete for increasingly scarce water resources. This may already be seen occurring within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro where the severe drought being experienced during the past 18 months has severely depleted water supply dams. One of the main supply dams to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is situated within the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site. The potential of funding the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site with payments for ecosystem services (water) obtained for water services supplied to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipalities and agriculture in the Gamtoos River Valley will ensure financial sustainable for the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site in the long term. This ability to become financially independent and generate its own income will place the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site in a unique position within the conservation community in South Africa as only a very few protected areas are self sustaining through payment for an ecosystem service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Erlank, Wayne Michael
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ecology -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003862
- Description: Cities must go further and further away to find new, more costly sources of water for human consumption while industries and agriculture continue to compete for increasingly scarce water resources. This may already be seen occurring within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro where the severe drought being experienced during the past 18 months has severely depleted water supply dams. One of the main supply dams to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is situated within the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site. The potential of funding the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site with payments for ecosystem services (water) obtained for water services supplied to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipalities and agriculture in the Gamtoos River Valley will ensure financial sustainable for the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site in the long term. This ability to become financially independent and generate its own income will place the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site in a unique position within the conservation community in South Africa as only a very few protected areas are self sustaining through payment for an ecosystem service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An exploration of strategies to enhance grade 8 learners' reading comprehension skills
- Authors: Matakane, Euphimia Nobuzwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Reading (Secondary) -- Research Reading comprehension
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004330
- Description: This thesis reports on an Action Research case study into the teaching of comprehension strategies to Grade 8 learners in a rural high school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The learners in this study, who were studying English as an additional language, experienced difficulties in comprehending English text. A series of six lessons were designed to teach comprehension strategies to improve the learners' performance in reading comprehension. The purpose of the intervention was to equip the learners with skills that would enable them to improve their reading comprehension and evaluate their effectiveness as readers. The intervention was also intended to assess my teaching, which was challenged by the need to deal with learners' poor levels of reading comprehension. The data was collected using the following research techniques: interviews, questionnaires, non-participant observation, learners' and researcher's journals, document analysis The data analysis revealed that a lack of resources to learn English; limited English language due to lack of exposure; and learners' lack of foundational knowledge from their primary schools were barriers to the successful teaching of comprehension strategies. Despite such barriers, however, this research provides evidence that teaching comprehension strategies can be effective if it is taught systematically, and applied continuously. Personally, I learnt that I had to modify my methods of teaching due to the response of learners to the lessons taught.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Matakane, Euphimia Nobuzwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Reading (Secondary) -- Research Reading comprehension
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004330
- Description: This thesis reports on an Action Research case study into the teaching of comprehension strategies to Grade 8 learners in a rural high school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The learners in this study, who were studying English as an additional language, experienced difficulties in comprehending English text. A series of six lessons were designed to teach comprehension strategies to improve the learners' performance in reading comprehension. The purpose of the intervention was to equip the learners with skills that would enable them to improve their reading comprehension and evaluate their effectiveness as readers. The intervention was also intended to assess my teaching, which was challenged by the need to deal with learners' poor levels of reading comprehension. The data was collected using the following research techniques: interviews, questionnaires, non-participant observation, learners' and researcher's journals, document analysis The data analysis revealed that a lack of resources to learn English; limited English language due to lack of exposure; and learners' lack of foundational knowledge from their primary schools were barriers to the successful teaching of comprehension strategies. Despite such barriers, however, this research provides evidence that teaching comprehension strategies can be effective if it is taught systematically, and applied continuously. Personally, I learnt that I had to modify my methods of teaching due to the response of learners to the lessons taught.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An exposition and evaluation of John Calvin's teaching on the sacraments, with particular reference to the sacrament of the Lord's supper in its liturgical context
- Authors: Orr, Robert
- Date: 1954
- Subjects: Lord's Supper (Liturgy) -- History , Sacraments -- Reformed Church , Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015226
- Description: Misinterpretations of John Calvin's theology are legion. It is hoped that this thesis does not add to their number. The basis for this lies in the fact that the task of writing on the subject has of course compelled the writer to do his utmost to comprehend what Calvin had to say concerning the Sacraments both in the Institutions and in the Scriptural Commentaries ... .The attempt has been made to refract Calvin's thought on the Sacrament, using certain key-concepts as prisms, and from the results thus obtained, to draw certain conclusions from which, it is hoped, will not be unprofitable to the life of the Holy Catholic Church. It is thus to be reagrded as an essay in historical theology rather than a whole-hearted attempt to reconstruct Calvin's exposition of the sacrament in the light of what has been revealed to us in the intervening years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1954
- Authors: Orr, Robert
- Date: 1954
- Subjects: Lord's Supper (Liturgy) -- History , Sacraments -- Reformed Church , Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015226
- Description: Misinterpretations of John Calvin's theology are legion. It is hoped that this thesis does not add to their number. The basis for this lies in the fact that the task of writing on the subject has of course compelled the writer to do his utmost to comprehend what Calvin had to say concerning the Sacraments both in the Institutions and in the Scriptural Commentaries ... .The attempt has been made to refract Calvin's thought on the Sacrament, using certain key-concepts as prisms, and from the results thus obtained, to draw certain conclusions from which, it is hoped, will not be unprofitable to the life of the Holy Catholic Church. It is thus to be reagrded as an essay in historical theology rather than a whole-hearted attempt to reconstruct Calvin's exposition of the sacrament in the light of what has been revealed to us in the intervening years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1954
An investigation of the discursive construction of the Tanganyika-Zanzibar Union as nation in the Union Day coverage in The Citizen and Daily News newspapers from 2005 to 2011
- Authors: Dotto, Paul Casmir Kuhenga
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Research -- Tanzania , Press and politics -- Tanzania , Tanzania -- Politics and government -- 1964- , Zanzibar -- Politics and government -- 1964- , Press , Daily News , The Citizen , Union Day , Nation building
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001843
- Description: This study is concerned with the constructions of the Tanzanian nation in the press. It has confined its focus, first, to the coverage from 2005 to 2011 on Union Day that marks the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania and, second, to two prominent Tanzanian newspapers, namely the state-owned Daily News, and the privately-owned The Citizen on Union Day. As the Union remains a contentious issue, the relevance of this research relates to the press’s considerable power to shape understandings and influence attitudes. The study works within a broad cultural and media studies framework and is informed by a constructionist approach to representation and to culture, and to nation in particular. It also draws of journalistic theories of agenda-setting and the normative roles of the press to probe the agendas set by the press on Union Day and to interrogate how the two newspapers construct and frame the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar as nation. The research responds to the question: ‘How has the Tanganyika-Zanzibar Union been represented in The Citizen and Daily News newspapers from 2005 to 2011?’ It employs quantitative and qualitative (thematic) content analysis to investigate the coverage in the editorials and feature articles of The Citizen and Daily News newspapers on Union Day (26 April) of 2005 to 2011. This study finds that the government-owned newspaper, Daily News, publishes more articles related to Union on Union Day than the privately-owned, The Citizen and collaborates more determinedly with the state in the process of constructing the nation. However, both newspapers adopt a collaborative role consistent with the development journalism tradition that endorses an informal partnership between media and the state in the process of development (Christians et al, 2009:201). Both publications tend to emphasise the hegemonic ideology pertaining to Union while giving limited attention to challenges to such constructions. While both newspapers do identify certain problems of the Union and thus exercise a monitorial role to varying extents, it is apparent that the press in Tanzania tends to be largely acritical, perhaps attributable to a long period under single party rule
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Dotto, Paul Casmir Kuhenga
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Research -- Tanzania , Press and politics -- Tanzania , Tanzania -- Politics and government -- 1964- , Zanzibar -- Politics and government -- 1964- , Press , Daily News , The Citizen , Union Day , Nation building
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001843
- Description: This study is concerned with the constructions of the Tanzanian nation in the press. It has confined its focus, first, to the coverage from 2005 to 2011 on Union Day that marks the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania and, second, to two prominent Tanzanian newspapers, namely the state-owned Daily News, and the privately-owned The Citizen on Union Day. As the Union remains a contentious issue, the relevance of this research relates to the press’s considerable power to shape understandings and influence attitudes. The study works within a broad cultural and media studies framework and is informed by a constructionist approach to representation and to culture, and to nation in particular. It also draws of journalistic theories of agenda-setting and the normative roles of the press to probe the agendas set by the press on Union Day and to interrogate how the two newspapers construct and frame the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar as nation. The research responds to the question: ‘How has the Tanganyika-Zanzibar Union been represented in The Citizen and Daily News newspapers from 2005 to 2011?’ It employs quantitative and qualitative (thematic) content analysis to investigate the coverage in the editorials and feature articles of The Citizen and Daily News newspapers on Union Day (26 April) of 2005 to 2011. This study finds that the government-owned newspaper, Daily News, publishes more articles related to Union on Union Day than the privately-owned, The Citizen and collaborates more determinedly with the state in the process of constructing the nation. However, both newspapers adopt a collaborative role consistent with the development journalism tradition that endorses an informal partnership between media and the state in the process of development (Christians et al, 2009:201). Both publications tend to emphasise the hegemonic ideology pertaining to Union while giving limited attention to challenges to such constructions. While both newspapers do identify certain problems of the Union and thus exercise a monitorial role to varying extents, it is apparent that the press in Tanzania tends to be largely acritical, perhaps attributable to a long period under single party rule
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Author, ideology and publisher a symbiotic relationship : Lovedale Missionary Press and early Black writing in South Africa: with specific reference to the critical writings of H.I.E. Dlomo
- Authors: Midgley, Henry Peter
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Shepherd, Robert H W (Robert Henry Wishart), 1888-1971 Dhlomo, H I E (Herbert I E), 1903-1956 Rhodes University Dissertations African literature Lovedale Institution South African literature -- Black authors -- History and criticism South African literature (English) -- History and criticism Politics and literature -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century Press and politics -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002284
- Description: The specific instances of R.H.W. Shepherd and H.I.E. Dhlomo are used in this thesis to investigate some of the many factors that influence the formation of a colonial literature, such as politics, social structures and personal ideals. By isolating the Lovedale Mission Press ~s a "contact zone" - a·place where the cultures of the colonizer and the colonized come into direct contact with each other - it is possible to trace how the interaction between these cultures shaped the writing of a particular African writer, H.I.E. Dhlomo. This is done through an analysis of historical factors that shaped the policy of the Lovedale Mission Press in the twentieth century: the development of liberalism in South Africa, the·role of the missionary in African education, the function ofa liberal magazine such as The South African Outlook and the appointment of an ambitious missionary, R.I.W. Shepherd, to the position of Director of Publications. This necessarily included a study of Shepherd's vision of African literature. On the other hand, this study takes cognisance of the factors that shaped Herbert Dhlomo's vision of literature: the development of African nationalism, the entrenchment of segregation as a politial doctrine, and most importantly, his struggle to have his creative writing published by the Lovedale Press. It is shown how Shepherd's vision of what African literature should entail contrasted with Dhlomo's, and how, as a result, Dhlomo deliberately structured his critical writing as a response to Shepherd's Eurocentric approach to African literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Midgley, Henry Peter
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Shepherd, Robert H W (Robert Henry Wishart), 1888-1971 Dhlomo, H I E (Herbert I E), 1903-1956 Rhodes University Dissertations African literature Lovedale Institution South African literature -- Black authors -- History and criticism South African literature (English) -- History and criticism Politics and literature -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century Press and politics -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002284
- Description: The specific instances of R.H.W. Shepherd and H.I.E. Dhlomo are used in this thesis to investigate some of the many factors that influence the formation of a colonial literature, such as politics, social structures and personal ideals. By isolating the Lovedale Mission Press ~s a "contact zone" - a·place where the cultures of the colonizer and the colonized come into direct contact with each other - it is possible to trace how the interaction between these cultures shaped the writing of a particular African writer, H.I.E. Dhlomo. This is done through an analysis of historical factors that shaped the policy of the Lovedale Mission Press in the twentieth century: the development of liberalism in South Africa, the·role of the missionary in African education, the function ofa liberal magazine such as The South African Outlook and the appointment of an ambitious missionary, R.I.W. Shepherd, to the position of Director of Publications. This necessarily included a study of Shepherd's vision of African literature. On the other hand, this study takes cognisance of the factors that shaped Herbert Dhlomo's vision of literature: the development of African nationalism, the entrenchment of segregation as a politial doctrine, and most importantly, his struggle to have his creative writing published by the Lovedale Press. It is shown how Shepherd's vision of what African literature should entail contrasted with Dhlomo's, and how, as a result, Dhlomo deliberately structured his critical writing as a response to Shepherd's Eurocentric approach to African literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Educational computing in secondary schools of the Cape Education Department: a research survey to assess computing facility acquisition and its utilization
- Authors: Bean, Pat
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Data processing Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer network resources Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003387
- Description: Secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Cape Education Department (CED) have, over the past 10 years, been acquiring computer equipment without a national policy on educational computing in South Africa, and within only broad parameters provided by their department. The aim of this study was to determine the present status of educational computing in these schools. A literature survey on educational computing was undertaken and a number of international and local 'computers-in-schools' initiatives were elucidated. A field survey, involving all CED secondary schools (239), was initiated by sending questionnaires to principals of these schools - a return rate of 89% was achieved. The results of the research revealed that most CED secondary schools have already acquired computer facilities. The role of pressure groups such as teachers, parents, business sector etc together with other factors that might have influenced schools in acquiring their computer facilities was also investigated. The investigation also revealed where and how these facilities are being utilised: most schools use their computers for administrative functions, with the computer-as-a-tool for teachers and pupils also fast gaining ground. Computer-assisted learning activities, where the computer is integrated with subject curricula, are however still limited. The extent of both teachers' formal training in educational computing and their familiarity with different software applications were also determined. Schools were also required to indicate the areas where they experience problems in getting teachers and pupils more involved in 'computers-in-education' activities. The present educational computing position in secondary schools of the CED will have to serve as a foundation for the department's CISR Project embarked upon in 1991.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Bean, Pat
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Data processing Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer network resources Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003387
- Description: Secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Cape Education Department (CED) have, over the past 10 years, been acquiring computer equipment without a national policy on educational computing in South Africa, and within only broad parameters provided by their department. The aim of this study was to determine the present status of educational computing in these schools. A literature survey on educational computing was undertaken and a number of international and local 'computers-in-schools' initiatives were elucidated. A field survey, involving all CED secondary schools (239), was initiated by sending questionnaires to principals of these schools - a return rate of 89% was achieved. The results of the research revealed that most CED secondary schools have already acquired computer facilities. The role of pressure groups such as teachers, parents, business sector etc together with other factors that might have influenced schools in acquiring their computer facilities was also investigated. The investigation also revealed where and how these facilities are being utilised: most schools use their computers for administrative functions, with the computer-as-a-tool for teachers and pupils also fast gaining ground. Computer-assisted learning activities, where the computer is integrated with subject curricula, are however still limited. The extent of both teachers' formal training in educational computing and their familiarity with different software applications were also determined. Schools were also required to indicate the areas where they experience problems in getting teachers and pupils more involved in 'computers-in-education' activities. The present educational computing position in secondary schools of the CED will have to serve as a foundation for the department's CISR Project embarked upon in 1991.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Educator perceptions of the impact of the departmental matric intervention strategies on selected under-performing schools in the Queenstown district
- Authors: Mrali, Amos Mzoxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006232 , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The problem of school under-performance as defined by the level of pass rates of learners in the matric examinations has been a point of educational debate in South Africa for a number of years, especially after the attainment of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, Matric Intervention Strategies (MIS) have been used to address the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate educator perceptions of the impact of the MIS on selected under-performing high schools in the Queenstown District.Two case study schools classified as consistent under-performers participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of key educators in these schools. There were five main findings. First, educators felt that Departmental intervention strategies had not made any significant improvement in addressing underperformance in the two case study schools. Second, participants saw underperformance by schools as caused by a myriad of factors which include those related to leadership and management at school and district levels and educator and learner factors, as well as teacher union interference. They did not see MIS as being able to address the causes simultaneously. Third, the implementation of the (MIS) at school level was poorly monitored by the Departmental officials. It was reported that under-performing schools were hardly visited and supported by the subject advisors and (MIO)s. Fourth, educators perceived the role of subject advisors to be limited to CASS moderation as they did not provide any developmental support to educators experiencing content gaps. Finally, educators saw the MIS as a money making scheme for certain educators and district officials. They claimed this was linked to corrupt practices during the appointment of tutors. The teachers did not have confidence in the appointment procedures used by the district for tutors.It can be concluded that the Matric Intervention Strategies in the two schools arenot likely to achieve the intended results as long as educators do not think thatthe strategies are addressing the problems they face. Another conclusion is that the Matric Intervention Strategies are seen as ‘quick fix’ responses to what arereally deep-seated and systemic problems in education. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that the impact of Matric Intervention Strategies be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn that can generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. For the delivery of the MIS it is recommended that the weaknesses identified by educators of the two schools be further investigated so that new implementation plans can be developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mrali, Amos Mzoxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006232 , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The problem of school under-performance as defined by the level of pass rates of learners in the matric examinations has been a point of educational debate in South Africa for a number of years, especially after the attainment of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, Matric Intervention Strategies (MIS) have been used to address the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate educator perceptions of the impact of the MIS on selected under-performing high schools in the Queenstown District.Two case study schools classified as consistent under-performers participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of key educators in these schools. There were five main findings. First, educators felt that Departmental intervention strategies had not made any significant improvement in addressing underperformance in the two case study schools. Second, participants saw underperformance by schools as caused by a myriad of factors which include those related to leadership and management at school and district levels and educator and learner factors, as well as teacher union interference. They did not see MIS as being able to address the causes simultaneously. Third, the implementation of the (MIS) at school level was poorly monitored by the Departmental officials. It was reported that under-performing schools were hardly visited and supported by the subject advisors and (MIO)s. Fourth, educators perceived the role of subject advisors to be limited to CASS moderation as they did not provide any developmental support to educators experiencing content gaps. Finally, educators saw the MIS as a money making scheme for certain educators and district officials. They claimed this was linked to corrupt practices during the appointment of tutors. The teachers did not have confidence in the appointment procedures used by the district for tutors.It can be concluded that the Matric Intervention Strategies in the two schools arenot likely to achieve the intended results as long as educators do not think thatthe strategies are addressing the problems they face. Another conclusion is that the Matric Intervention Strategies are seen as ‘quick fix’ responses to what arereally deep-seated and systemic problems in education. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that the impact of Matric Intervention Strategies be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn that can generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. For the delivery of the MIS it is recommended that the weaknesses identified by educators of the two schools be further investigated so that new implementation plans can be developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Evidence for a biological control-induced regime shift between floating and submerged invasive plant dominance in South Africa
- Authors: Strange, Emily Frances
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/32448 , vital:24044
- Description: South Africa has a long history battling the establishment and spread of invasive floating macrophytes. The negative consequences of these are costly both economically and ecologically. They form dense mats on the water's surface that deplete resources such as light and oxygen to the submerged community, which creates anoxic conditions, reduces biodiversity and limits access to freshwater. The past thirty years of South African invasive plant research and the implementation of nationwide biological control programmes has led to widespread control of these species in many degraded systems. Such initiatives are aimed at restoring access to potable freshwater and increasing native biodiversity. However, in recent years, where there has been a decline in floating invasive plant populations, an increase in the establishment and spread of submerged invasive plant species has been observed. Species such as Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa (Planch.) (Hydrocharitaceae)) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum (L.) (Haloragaceae)) have been recorded in South African freshwater systems, posing significant threats to aquatic ecosystems. This thesis proposes that the biological control of floating invasive plants, which occurs in numerous dams and rivers nationwide, is the catalyst of a regime shift from floating invasive to submerged invasive plant dominance. Regime shifts are large and often sudden changes in the key structure and functioning of ecosystems, and studies into their occurrence and driving mechanisms broadens understanding of community structures and can guide effective resource management. In order to explore the existence of this new regime shift, a multi-platform approach using controlled experiments and ecological modelling techniques was employed. A model system was created consisting of a floating invasive (Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)), a submerged invasive (E. densa) and an ecologically analogous submerged native plant species (Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss (Hydrocharitaceae)). A suite of experiments was conducted to explore the interactions between the floating and submerged plants under varying regimes of floating plant biological control and levels of nutrient loading. These experiments revealed a competitive advantage of the invasive E. densa over the native L. major that increased by 86% under heavy nutrient loading. The relative growth rate and accumulated biomass of E. densa was significantly higher for plants grown in the presence of biologically controlled P. stratiotes (compared to insect free plants). This demonstrates a high capacity for the invasive E. densa to capitalise on resources made newly available through the biological control of the floating plants. In contrast, the native L. major fared poorly when grown in the presence of the floating P. stratiotes, regardless of applied biological control measures. The experimental observations were then used to parameterise a mathematical model, built to provide a holistic understanding of the individually assessed interactions which work together as the driving mechanisms underpinning the newly identified regime shift. This thesis utilised a multi-platform approach to build the first body of evidence in support of a newly recognised regime shift between floating invasive and submerged invasive plant dominance, as driven by biological control. The results indicate that a reduction in the nutrient loading of South Africa's freshwater systems will reduce negative impacts of submerged invasive macrophytes, whilst increasing system resilience against future invasion. The evidence presented has the potential to better inform management of South Africa's freshwater systems and highlights the importance of integrating multi-trophic interactions when considering future invasive plant management. This research also opens up a multitude of possibilities for studies into submerged plant invasion mechanisms and resilience of native macrophyte communities in South Africa, and further afield.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Strange, Emily Frances
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/32448 , vital:24044
- Description: South Africa has a long history battling the establishment and spread of invasive floating macrophytes. The negative consequences of these are costly both economically and ecologically. They form dense mats on the water's surface that deplete resources such as light and oxygen to the submerged community, which creates anoxic conditions, reduces biodiversity and limits access to freshwater. The past thirty years of South African invasive plant research and the implementation of nationwide biological control programmes has led to widespread control of these species in many degraded systems. Such initiatives are aimed at restoring access to potable freshwater and increasing native biodiversity. However, in recent years, where there has been a decline in floating invasive plant populations, an increase in the establishment and spread of submerged invasive plant species has been observed. Species such as Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa (Planch.) (Hydrocharitaceae)) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum (L.) (Haloragaceae)) have been recorded in South African freshwater systems, posing significant threats to aquatic ecosystems. This thesis proposes that the biological control of floating invasive plants, which occurs in numerous dams and rivers nationwide, is the catalyst of a regime shift from floating invasive to submerged invasive plant dominance. Regime shifts are large and often sudden changes in the key structure and functioning of ecosystems, and studies into their occurrence and driving mechanisms broadens understanding of community structures and can guide effective resource management. In order to explore the existence of this new regime shift, a multi-platform approach using controlled experiments and ecological modelling techniques was employed. A model system was created consisting of a floating invasive (Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)), a submerged invasive (E. densa) and an ecologically analogous submerged native plant species (Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss (Hydrocharitaceae)). A suite of experiments was conducted to explore the interactions between the floating and submerged plants under varying regimes of floating plant biological control and levels of nutrient loading. These experiments revealed a competitive advantage of the invasive E. densa over the native L. major that increased by 86% under heavy nutrient loading. The relative growth rate and accumulated biomass of E. densa was significantly higher for plants grown in the presence of biologically controlled P. stratiotes (compared to insect free plants). This demonstrates a high capacity for the invasive E. densa to capitalise on resources made newly available through the biological control of the floating plants. In contrast, the native L. major fared poorly when grown in the presence of the floating P. stratiotes, regardless of applied biological control measures. The experimental observations were then used to parameterise a mathematical model, built to provide a holistic understanding of the individually assessed interactions which work together as the driving mechanisms underpinning the newly identified regime shift. This thesis utilised a multi-platform approach to build the first body of evidence in support of a newly recognised regime shift between floating invasive and submerged invasive plant dominance, as driven by biological control. The results indicate that a reduction in the nutrient loading of South Africa's freshwater systems will reduce negative impacts of submerged invasive macrophytes, whilst increasing system resilience against future invasion. The evidence presented has the potential to better inform management of South Africa's freshwater systems and highlights the importance of integrating multi-trophic interactions when considering future invasive plant management. This research also opens up a multitude of possibilities for studies into submerged plant invasion mechanisms and resilience of native macrophyte communities in South Africa, and further afield.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Expanding access to essential medicines through the right to health: a case study of South Africa
- Authors: Motamakore, Shelton Tapiwa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Right to health -- South Africa Medical care -- Law and legislation -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5620 , vital:29352
- Description: Lack of access to essential medicines has proven to be a persisting problem which is in conflict with the goal of realising the right to health envisaged by the South African constitution and international human rights instruments. With more than twenty years of democracy, South Africa is still plaguing with a multiplicity of pandemics such as HIV and AIDS, cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, among others, leading to premature death and untold suffering of the people. According to a 2015 United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) Gap report, South Africa is still regarded as the epicentre of HIV and other infectious diseases. The 2015 UNAIDS Gap report states that South Africa has more women than men living with HIV and AIDS. The report further indicates that the impact of this pandemic is worsened by the inaccessibility of essential medicines that are vital for life saving. This dissertation posits that the epidemiological health crisis described above can be largely eradicated through the utilisation of the right to health. The right to health, according to this dissertation, contains a legal and transformative power which can be utilised to limit the negative impact of patent laws on access to essential medicines in South Africa. This dissertation validates the long held view that World Trade Organisation (WTO) intellectual property laws have contributed to the inaccessibility of essential medicines through causing patent ever greening, patent linkages and pharmaceutical company’s monopolies. Consequently, many marginalised groups in South Africa lack access to essential medicines owing to the higher prices charged for such medicines thus violating the right to health, life and other fundamental human rights. The right to health which is the immediate right infringed when there is lack of access to essential medicines form the core theme of this dissertation. This dissertation argues that access to essential medicine is a fundamental part of the right to health protected under international and national human rights instruments. This dissertation further argue that the right to health imposes obligations which requires South African government to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to provide access to essential medicines. The dissertation‘s key contribution is its proposed solutions on how to ensure that patents rules in South Africa are tamed with obligations consistent with the right to health. If properly implemented, these solutions have the potential to give greater specification to the normative commitments imposed by the right to health in the patent claims scenarios.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Motamakore, Shelton Tapiwa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Right to health -- South Africa Medical care -- Law and legislation -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5620 , vital:29352
- Description: Lack of access to essential medicines has proven to be a persisting problem which is in conflict with the goal of realising the right to health envisaged by the South African constitution and international human rights instruments. With more than twenty years of democracy, South Africa is still plaguing with a multiplicity of pandemics such as HIV and AIDS, cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, among others, leading to premature death and untold suffering of the people. According to a 2015 United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) Gap report, South Africa is still regarded as the epicentre of HIV and other infectious diseases. The 2015 UNAIDS Gap report states that South Africa has more women than men living with HIV and AIDS. The report further indicates that the impact of this pandemic is worsened by the inaccessibility of essential medicines that are vital for life saving. This dissertation posits that the epidemiological health crisis described above can be largely eradicated through the utilisation of the right to health. The right to health, according to this dissertation, contains a legal and transformative power which can be utilised to limit the negative impact of patent laws on access to essential medicines in South Africa. This dissertation validates the long held view that World Trade Organisation (WTO) intellectual property laws have contributed to the inaccessibility of essential medicines through causing patent ever greening, patent linkages and pharmaceutical company’s monopolies. Consequently, many marginalised groups in South Africa lack access to essential medicines owing to the higher prices charged for such medicines thus violating the right to health, life and other fundamental human rights. The right to health which is the immediate right infringed when there is lack of access to essential medicines form the core theme of this dissertation. This dissertation argues that access to essential medicine is a fundamental part of the right to health protected under international and national human rights instruments. This dissertation further argue that the right to health imposes obligations which requires South African government to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to provide access to essential medicines. The dissertation‘s key contribution is its proposed solutions on how to ensure that patents rules in South Africa are tamed with obligations consistent with the right to health. If properly implemented, these solutions have the potential to give greater specification to the normative commitments imposed by the right to health in the patent claims scenarios.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
How do social and personal identity, sense of place, connectedness to nature and environmental understanding influence the implementation of collective, large-scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives in South Africa?
- Authors: Potts, Tracey Ann
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3663 , vital:20534
- Description: Biodiversity stewardship is a mechanism that is used to conserve high value biodiversity assets. Biodiversity stewardship programmes focus on areas that are under immediate threat from development or under medium to long term threat from degradation or transformation that will result in habitat loss. Biodiversity stewardship provides a solution to the resource crisis being faced by many state and provincial conservation agencies, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organisations) and PBO’s (Public Benefit Organisations) in that it facilitates the declaration, and the subsequent improved conservation management, of private or communally owned land whilst still retaining the existing tenure. The rate of habitat loss can often be slowed, or even reversed, by proactively securing these areas and facilitating management decision-making with a focus on biodiversity outcomes without the capital investment required by the State to purchase the land. In return for conservation management actions, certain land-use restrictions and the associated opportunity costs, the State offers a suite of incentives and benefits that are, where possible, tailored to meet the needs of the landowner. Particular regions of South Africa lend themselves well to the development of biodiversity stewardship initiatives which are designed to secure ecological processes and ecosystems across a landscape or an ecological feature at scales of tens of thousands of hectares. When developing landscape level biodiversity stewardship initiatives, negotiations tend to be focussed on groups of landowners. This requires collaboration and the collective alignment of natural resource management decision-making and conservation actions amongst neighbours. Gaining a better understanding of how the social constructs of ecological understanding, place attachment, connectedness to nature, occupational identity and social and personal identity influence decision-making, behaviour and group structure is a critically important factor when developing a tool to predict the likelihood of landowners to collectively commit to long-term, legally binding biodiversity stewardship programmes. The overarching hypothesis was that the social constructs listed above influence group dynamics within the context of collective pro-conservation behaviour. Social dynamics associated with large-scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives become complex when multiple landowners are involved. Could social cohesion and group culture be influenced by aspects of identity and do these in turn develop into barriers or motivators to coordinated and sustained conservation efforts? Further influences on the successful implementation of landscape scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives could include ecological understanding, connectedness to nature and place attachment. Structured interviews were held with the landowners engaged in two separate large-scale biodiversity stewardship sites, the Compassberg Protected Environment and the Baviaanskloof Hartland, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The interviews were followed up with surveys containing psychometric scales related to the influence of ecological understanding, place attachment, connectedness to nature and aspects of identity on commitment to collective long-term, large-scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives. The results from a set of non-parametric (exact) Wilcoxon rank-sum tests showed that scores on the new ecological paradigm scale and the place attachment scale latent variables were significantly different at the two study sites, at the 10% level of significance. Demographic differences between the two study sites influenced group dynamics, collective decision-making and commitment. The relationship between the latent variables (the five psychometric scales measured) and the ancillary variables (the demographic data describing the respondents) cannot be considered conclusive; however they do provide relatively useful insights into the development of a scale or tool to measure conservation opportunity. The thesis concludes with a proposed conservation opportunity assessment tool that can be utilised alongside the existing, well refined, conservation priority assessment tools to assist in decision-making when planning large, landscape scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Potts, Tracey Ann
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3663 , vital:20534
- Description: Biodiversity stewardship is a mechanism that is used to conserve high value biodiversity assets. Biodiversity stewardship programmes focus on areas that are under immediate threat from development or under medium to long term threat from degradation or transformation that will result in habitat loss. Biodiversity stewardship provides a solution to the resource crisis being faced by many state and provincial conservation agencies, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organisations) and PBO’s (Public Benefit Organisations) in that it facilitates the declaration, and the subsequent improved conservation management, of private or communally owned land whilst still retaining the existing tenure. The rate of habitat loss can often be slowed, or even reversed, by proactively securing these areas and facilitating management decision-making with a focus on biodiversity outcomes without the capital investment required by the State to purchase the land. In return for conservation management actions, certain land-use restrictions and the associated opportunity costs, the State offers a suite of incentives and benefits that are, where possible, tailored to meet the needs of the landowner. Particular regions of South Africa lend themselves well to the development of biodiversity stewardship initiatives which are designed to secure ecological processes and ecosystems across a landscape or an ecological feature at scales of tens of thousands of hectares. When developing landscape level biodiversity stewardship initiatives, negotiations tend to be focussed on groups of landowners. This requires collaboration and the collective alignment of natural resource management decision-making and conservation actions amongst neighbours. Gaining a better understanding of how the social constructs of ecological understanding, place attachment, connectedness to nature, occupational identity and social and personal identity influence decision-making, behaviour and group structure is a critically important factor when developing a tool to predict the likelihood of landowners to collectively commit to long-term, legally binding biodiversity stewardship programmes. The overarching hypothesis was that the social constructs listed above influence group dynamics within the context of collective pro-conservation behaviour. Social dynamics associated with large-scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives become complex when multiple landowners are involved. Could social cohesion and group culture be influenced by aspects of identity and do these in turn develop into barriers or motivators to coordinated and sustained conservation efforts? Further influences on the successful implementation of landscape scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives could include ecological understanding, connectedness to nature and place attachment. Structured interviews were held with the landowners engaged in two separate large-scale biodiversity stewardship sites, the Compassberg Protected Environment and the Baviaanskloof Hartland, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The interviews were followed up with surveys containing psychometric scales related to the influence of ecological understanding, place attachment, connectedness to nature and aspects of identity on commitment to collective long-term, large-scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives. The results from a set of non-parametric (exact) Wilcoxon rank-sum tests showed that scores on the new ecological paradigm scale and the place attachment scale latent variables were significantly different at the two study sites, at the 10% level of significance. Demographic differences between the two study sites influenced group dynamics, collective decision-making and commitment. The relationship between the latent variables (the five psychometric scales measured) and the ancillary variables (the demographic data describing the respondents) cannot be considered conclusive; however they do provide relatively useful insights into the development of a scale or tool to measure conservation opportunity. The thesis concludes with a proposed conservation opportunity assessment tool that can be utilised alongside the existing, well refined, conservation priority assessment tools to assist in decision-making when planning large, landscape scale biodiversity stewardship initiatives in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Implementation of Professional Development Programmes For Grade R Teachers: A case study of four primary schools in Amathole West Education District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Jumo, Theresa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teachers -- Development -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa Teachers -- Vocational guidance -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11341 , vital:39061
- Description: This study investigated the implementation of Professional Development Programmes for Grade R teachers in four primary schools in Amathole West Education District. The interpretive paradigm was employed in this study because it focused on the teachers’ professional development and their participation in a social learning interaction as community of practice. Furthermore, a qualitative approach was used for the collection of data so as to gain in-depth information on the implementation of professional development programmes. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used as a form of collecting data. The participants were purposively selected for the sample of this study and comprised of 4 Principals, 1 Subject Advisor and 4 Teachers. Data analysis was done in line with the research questions, aims and objectives of the study. Through the participants’ answers from schools under study, a transcript was formulated, coded and categorized in view of the implementation of Professional Development Programmes for Grade R teachers. The data revealed that Grade R teachers under study were under qualified such that none of the teachers had the recommended Diploma in Grade R qualification as stated by the Department of Basic Education. It was also found that there was diversity in the teachers’ qualifications, colleges and the length in training. The study also indicated that although professional development programmes were held, these were however not properly monitored. Findings also revealed that the intervention strategies through professional development programmes and the support given by the district and the schools were strategies through professional development programmes and the support given by the district and the schools were not adequate and consistent. As a result the participants encountered a number of challenges regarding the implementation of professional development programmes for Grade R teachers. Namely: (1) lack of appropriately qualified personnel to support the teachers both at school and the district (2) lack of adequate follow up support visits and feedbacks from both the school and the district (3) lack of proper management by the schools and (4) lack of collaboration ii and team work in the schools. Thus, there were variances in schools under study especially with regards to late release of funding for teaching and learning materials, support offered to the principals by the Department of Education. As a result, recommendations from the study suggested that the Department of Education and the District have to come up with more strategies of continuously training the teachers and the principals and offering strong and adequate support. The study also recommended the engagement of NGOs for job embedded professional development with longer in-service training periods as compared to the shot in-service professional development programs of once- off workshops. Also another suggestion that the district must monitor school based professional development programs regularly was raised in the study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Jumo, Theresa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teachers -- Development -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa Teachers -- Vocational guidance -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11341 , vital:39061
- Description: This study investigated the implementation of Professional Development Programmes for Grade R teachers in four primary schools in Amathole West Education District. The interpretive paradigm was employed in this study because it focused on the teachers’ professional development and their participation in a social learning interaction as community of practice. Furthermore, a qualitative approach was used for the collection of data so as to gain in-depth information on the implementation of professional development programmes. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used as a form of collecting data. The participants were purposively selected for the sample of this study and comprised of 4 Principals, 1 Subject Advisor and 4 Teachers. Data analysis was done in line with the research questions, aims and objectives of the study. Through the participants’ answers from schools under study, a transcript was formulated, coded and categorized in view of the implementation of Professional Development Programmes for Grade R teachers. The data revealed that Grade R teachers under study were under qualified such that none of the teachers had the recommended Diploma in Grade R qualification as stated by the Department of Basic Education. It was also found that there was diversity in the teachers’ qualifications, colleges and the length in training. The study also indicated that although professional development programmes were held, these were however not properly monitored. Findings also revealed that the intervention strategies through professional development programmes and the support given by the district and the schools were strategies through professional development programmes and the support given by the district and the schools were not adequate and consistent. As a result the participants encountered a number of challenges regarding the implementation of professional development programmes for Grade R teachers. Namely: (1) lack of appropriately qualified personnel to support the teachers both at school and the district (2) lack of adequate follow up support visits and feedbacks from both the school and the district (3) lack of proper management by the schools and (4) lack of collaboration ii and team work in the schools. Thus, there were variances in schools under study especially with regards to late release of funding for teaching and learning materials, support offered to the principals by the Department of Education. As a result, recommendations from the study suggested that the Department of Education and the District have to come up with more strategies of continuously training the teachers and the principals and offering strong and adequate support. The study also recommended the engagement of NGOs for job embedded professional development with longer in-service training periods as compared to the shot in-service professional development programs of once- off workshops. Also another suggestion that the district must monitor school based professional development programs regularly was raised in the study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Investigating the manufacturing of consent and democratic resistance through legacy and new media, in relation to fracking
- Authors: Roodt, Jean-Pierre
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Press and propaganda , Press and politics , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3665 , vital:20451
- Description: This dissertation concerns the extent to which the propaganda model advanced by Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman in their Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media is still applicable to the current media ecosystem, where both legacy and new media converge, especially given the emergence of global democratic resistance both to the excesses of neoliberalism in general, and to the problems associated with shale gas mining through hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) in particular. In this regard, firstly, the tensions between the views of seminal propaganda theorists and of critical theorists opposed to propaganda will be thematized in relation to Chomsky and Herman’s propaganda model, through which they sought to account for the negative impact of neoliberalism on journalistic freedom. Secondly, the primary features of neoliberalism will be considered in relation to the advent of the Internet, which has helped spread laissez-faire capitalism globally, both through integrating financial markets and augmenting consumerism, and through facilitating new practises of consent engineering via digital forms of censorship and surveillance. Thirdly, the correlative emergence around the world of digital democratic resistance on the part of new social movements and through both new and legacy media means, to the excesses of neoliberalism in general, will be investigated. Fourthly, the corporate underpinning of fracking in the United States will be explored, along with the media strategy by which anti-fracking groups – following Vera Scroggins’s activism – have contested government endorsement of such resource extraction. Fifthly, the resonances/dissonances between the media strategies of the American anti-fracking movement and the South African anti-fracking movement – most notably the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) – along with the different contexts out of which they emerged and their respective efficacy, will be examined. Finally, some potential deficits in the TKAG media strategy will be identified, and appropriate recommendations will be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Roodt, Jean-Pierre
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Press and propaganda , Press and politics , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3665 , vital:20451
- Description: This dissertation concerns the extent to which the propaganda model advanced by Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman in their Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media is still applicable to the current media ecosystem, where both legacy and new media converge, especially given the emergence of global democratic resistance both to the excesses of neoliberalism in general, and to the problems associated with shale gas mining through hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) in particular. In this regard, firstly, the tensions between the views of seminal propaganda theorists and of critical theorists opposed to propaganda will be thematized in relation to Chomsky and Herman’s propaganda model, through which they sought to account for the negative impact of neoliberalism on journalistic freedom. Secondly, the primary features of neoliberalism will be considered in relation to the advent of the Internet, which has helped spread laissez-faire capitalism globally, both through integrating financial markets and augmenting consumerism, and through facilitating new practises of consent engineering via digital forms of censorship and surveillance. Thirdly, the correlative emergence around the world of digital democratic resistance on the part of new social movements and through both new and legacy media means, to the excesses of neoliberalism in general, will be investigated. Fourthly, the corporate underpinning of fracking in the United States will be explored, along with the media strategy by which anti-fracking groups – following Vera Scroggins’s activism – have contested government endorsement of such resource extraction. Fifthly, the resonances/dissonances between the media strategies of the American anti-fracking movement and the South African anti-fracking movement – most notably the Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) – along with the different contexts out of which they emerged and their respective efficacy, will be examined. Finally, some potential deficits in the TKAG media strategy will be identified, and appropriate recommendations will be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Masculinity, citizenship and political objection to compulsory military service in the South African Defence Force, 1978-1990
- Authors: Conway, Daniel John
- Date: 2013-08-15
- Subjects: Conscientious objectors -- South Africa End Conscription Campaign (South Africa) National service -- South Africa Draft -- South Africa South Africa -- Military policy Masculinity -- South Africa South Africa. South African Defense Force Gays in the military -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008383
- Description: This thesis conceptualises compulsory military service and objection to it as public performative acts that generate gendered and political identity. Conscription was the primary performance of citizenship and masculinity for white men in apartheid South Africa. Conscription was also a key governance strategy both in terms of upholding the authority of the state and in engendering discipline in the white population. Objection to military service was therefore a destabilising and transgressive public act. Competing conceptualisations of masculinity and citizenship are inherent in pro and anti-conscription discourses. The refusal to undertake military service places men outside the accepted means of graduating to ' real' manhood and patriotic citizenship. Although objection can be an iconic and transgressive act, objectors have an essentially ambivalent subjectivity in the public realm. Objectors are 'strangers' in a socially constructed and gendered binary of 'insiders' and 'outsiders' . This ambivalent status creates opportunities but also constraints for the performance of objection. The thesis analyses the effectiveness of objectors' performances and argues that there is a distinction between a radical challenge to hegemonic conceptions of militarised masculinity and citizenship and assimilatory challenges. The tension between radicalism and assimilation comes to the fore in response to the state's attacks on objectors. The militarised apartheid state is defined as not only masculine but heteronormative terms and it is the deployment of sexuality that is its most effective means of stigmatising and restricting the performance of objection. The thesis uses interview material, archival data and case studies and concludes that objectors (and their supporters) weaved multiple narratives into their performances but that as the 1980s progressed, the performance of objection to conscription became assimilatory and this demonstrates the heteronormativity of the state, military service and the public realm. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Conway, Daniel John
- Date: 2013-08-15
- Subjects: Conscientious objectors -- South Africa End Conscription Campaign (South Africa) National service -- South Africa Draft -- South Africa South Africa -- Military policy Masculinity -- South Africa South Africa. South African Defense Force Gays in the military -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008383
- Description: This thesis conceptualises compulsory military service and objection to it as public performative acts that generate gendered and political identity. Conscription was the primary performance of citizenship and masculinity for white men in apartheid South Africa. Conscription was also a key governance strategy both in terms of upholding the authority of the state and in engendering discipline in the white population. Objection to military service was therefore a destabilising and transgressive public act. Competing conceptualisations of masculinity and citizenship are inherent in pro and anti-conscription discourses. The refusal to undertake military service places men outside the accepted means of graduating to ' real' manhood and patriotic citizenship. Although objection can be an iconic and transgressive act, objectors have an essentially ambivalent subjectivity in the public realm. Objectors are 'strangers' in a socially constructed and gendered binary of 'insiders' and 'outsiders' . This ambivalent status creates opportunities but also constraints for the performance of objection. The thesis analyses the effectiveness of objectors' performances and argues that there is a distinction between a radical challenge to hegemonic conceptions of militarised masculinity and citizenship and assimilatory challenges. The tension between radicalism and assimilation comes to the fore in response to the state's attacks on objectors. The militarised apartheid state is defined as not only masculine but heteronormative terms and it is the deployment of sexuality that is its most effective means of stigmatising and restricting the performance of objection. The thesis uses interview material, archival data and case studies and concludes that objectors (and their supporters) weaved multiple narratives into their performances but that as the 1980s progressed, the performance of objection to conscription became assimilatory and this demonstrates the heteronormativity of the state, military service and the public realm. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text: