Aligning local government service delivery communication with digital citizen engagement: a case study of Makana Municipality
- Authors: Machiri, Mwazvita Chipo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Political participation South Africa Makana , Municipal services South Africa Makana , Communication in public administration South Africa Makana , Internet in public administration South Africa Makana , Information technology South Africa Makana , Electronic government information South Africa Makana , Government accountability South Africa Makana
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194146 , vital:45423
- Description: The effective management of local municipalities in South Africa determines the quality of service delivery to citizens. Policies and other legislation have been implemented in an attempt to improve service delivery backlogs in South Africa since post-apartheid. However, these have not been effective in meeting community needs, hence leading to poor service delivery and increased community protests of frustration. These problems are partly linked to the lack of communication between government and citizens, and within internal government. Government needs to be held accountable for the services it provides, and improve on these services through practicing transparency, providing information to citizens, and allowing citizens to provide feedback on the various challenges experienced. Information access and communication is vital to the citizen engagement process, as this supports evidence-based engagement between citizens and government. Over the most recent years, innovative ICTs have emerged as a critical strategic tool in facilitating communication between the government and its citizens, commonly referred to as digital citizen engagement. The effective implementation of such initiatives at the local government level, especially in resource-constrained contexts, is not straightforward. This research aims to develop a guiding framework for aligning municipal communication processes with innovative ICTs to support ongoing social accountability and transparency through citizen engagement in local municipalities. The formulation of this framework is built on the Adaptive Structuration Theory, which is based on studying organisational change that occurs due to implementation and adoption of technology. Using a pragmatist approach and case study of Makana Municipality, the research study investigates a digital citizen engagement initiative called MobiSAM (Mobile Social Accountability Monitoring). The key findings from the qualitative empirical investigation indicates that there are significant social and political factors to consider when aligning Digital Citizen Engagement initiatives in a resource-constrained environment. The findings illustrated that the change and alignment process of DCE in local municipalities rely on a diverse set of inputs from different stakeholders, and a dynamic change process, which result in key citizen engagement outcomes of empowerment, accountability, transparency, and increased engagement depending – all depending on the success of the process. The extent of the outcomes will vary with the effectiveness of change management, idea generation, and participation, which Preliminaries are impacted by perceived usefulness, attitude towards the system, and the intentions of the user. The proposed framework provides a guideline for the implementation and introduction of innovations ICTs for citizen engagement at local government level. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2018
- Full Text:
- Authors: Machiri, Mwazvita Chipo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Political participation South Africa Makana , Municipal services South Africa Makana , Communication in public administration South Africa Makana , Internet in public administration South Africa Makana , Information technology South Africa Makana , Electronic government information South Africa Makana , Government accountability South Africa Makana
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194146 , vital:45423
- Description: The effective management of local municipalities in South Africa determines the quality of service delivery to citizens. Policies and other legislation have been implemented in an attempt to improve service delivery backlogs in South Africa since post-apartheid. However, these have not been effective in meeting community needs, hence leading to poor service delivery and increased community protests of frustration. These problems are partly linked to the lack of communication between government and citizens, and within internal government. Government needs to be held accountable for the services it provides, and improve on these services through practicing transparency, providing information to citizens, and allowing citizens to provide feedback on the various challenges experienced. Information access and communication is vital to the citizen engagement process, as this supports evidence-based engagement between citizens and government. Over the most recent years, innovative ICTs have emerged as a critical strategic tool in facilitating communication between the government and its citizens, commonly referred to as digital citizen engagement. The effective implementation of such initiatives at the local government level, especially in resource-constrained contexts, is not straightforward. This research aims to develop a guiding framework for aligning municipal communication processes with innovative ICTs to support ongoing social accountability and transparency through citizen engagement in local municipalities. The formulation of this framework is built on the Adaptive Structuration Theory, which is based on studying organisational change that occurs due to implementation and adoption of technology. Using a pragmatist approach and case study of Makana Municipality, the research study investigates a digital citizen engagement initiative called MobiSAM (Mobile Social Accountability Monitoring). The key findings from the qualitative empirical investigation indicates that there are significant social and political factors to consider when aligning Digital Citizen Engagement initiatives in a resource-constrained environment. The findings illustrated that the change and alignment process of DCE in local municipalities rely on a diverse set of inputs from different stakeholders, and a dynamic change process, which result in key citizen engagement outcomes of empowerment, accountability, transparency, and increased engagement depending – all depending on the success of the process. The extent of the outcomes will vary with the effectiveness of change management, idea generation, and participation, which Preliminaries are impacted by perceived usefulness, attitude towards the system, and the intentions of the user. The proposed framework provides a guideline for the implementation and introduction of innovations ICTs for citizen engagement at local government level. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2018
- Full Text:
Policy responses to the sexual and reproductive health of queer youth in the global south: a systematic review
- Authors: Moore, Sarah-Ann
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sexual minorities -- Africa , Sexual minorities -- Asia , Sexual minorities -- Caribbean Area , Sexual health -- Developing countries , Reproductive health -- Developing countries , Reproductive health services -- Developing countries , Communication in reproductive health -- Developing countries , Sexual minorities -- Youth -- Developing countries , Medical policy -- Developing countries , Homophobia -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63021 , vital:28355
- Description: Concerns surrounding youth sexual and reproduction health (SRH) are deeply embedded within systems of heteronormativity and ciscentrism. Resultantly, youth SRH is filtered through a lens of heterosexual and cisgender experience, rendering invisible the SRH needs of queer youth. Importantly, a failure to recognise queer experiences of SRH has implications for normative subject positions, which enjoy stronger institutional support and constitute legitimate ways of being. As such, the failure to recognise queer youth as health care subjects within policy has far reaching consequences for their sexual and reproductive health. Within this research, a sexual and reproductive justice (SRJ) framework is adopted as a backdrop for exploring policy documents related to youth SRH within selected global South countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The final data set comprises of 1035 policy excerpts extracted from 152 policies across these three regions. Research takes the form of a systematic review utilising a deductive framing and positioning thematic analysis. Analysis identifies framings of youth SRH and explores the subject positions assigned to queer youth in relation to these identified framings, with the understanding that the manner in which youth SRH concerns are framed and queer youth are positioned within policies provides an important foundation for the implementation of SRH-related policy. Findings demonstrate that policy responses to youth SRH are most often framed in terms of a public health approach. As a result, dominant understandings of youth SRH serve to reduce youth sexuality to notions of infections and impact, which may speak to an overreliance on biomedical and population-level health models. Themes emerging within human rights framings demonstrate a presumption that rights are equally afforded to, and freely exercised by, all individuals once legally secured, failing to engage with the creation of enabling conditions to realise these rights. Although context and culture framings were by no means exhaustive examples of SRJ, they provide an interesting insight into how such SRJ concerns might be integrated into policy. Importantly, policy responses demonstrate a general pattern hypervisibility of men who have sex with men (MSM) standing in marked contrast to the invisibility of queer youth and other adult queer populations. Within policy extracts, both youth and „MSM‟ are positioned as particularly prone to poor SRH outcomes. By virtue of their inclusion within both populations, queer youth may be considered as especially at risk for, or vulnerable to, such outcomes. Relatedly, these populations (and by extension queer youth) are positioned as in need of correction, containment, and/or protection by those occupying „gatekeeping‟ positions (e.g. health care providers). The positioning of „MSM‟ solely within the context of HIV/AIDS serves to link same-sex sexualities (and at times gender non-conformity) with harmful consequences, suggesting that the positioning of queer youth could similarly serve to conflate their SRH needs with concerns around HIV/AIDS. Many of the subject positions deployed in policies serve to deny the potential for youth and „MSM‟ agency, strength, and resilience. Thus, queer youth subjects are unlikely to be positioned as empowered, autonomous, and agentic. Across both framing and positioning themes, a number of key shortcomings were observed. For the most part, policy responses fail to acknowledge the influence of social, economic, political, and cultural forces that may serve to hinder SRH outcomes according to particular contexts and the intersection of multiple and varied social identities. By obscuring these broader contextual factors and power relations, policy responses may serve to hold individual youth responsible for poor SRH outcomes. In failing to engage with the potential for diversity within youth populations, these populations are largely homogenised. Finally, the need for the creation of an enabling environment in order to secure sexual and reproductive health is largely unacknowledged within policy responses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moore, Sarah-Ann
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sexual minorities -- Africa , Sexual minorities -- Asia , Sexual minorities -- Caribbean Area , Sexual health -- Developing countries , Reproductive health -- Developing countries , Reproductive health services -- Developing countries , Communication in reproductive health -- Developing countries , Sexual minorities -- Youth -- Developing countries , Medical policy -- Developing countries , Homophobia -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63021 , vital:28355
- Description: Concerns surrounding youth sexual and reproduction health (SRH) are deeply embedded within systems of heteronormativity and ciscentrism. Resultantly, youth SRH is filtered through a lens of heterosexual and cisgender experience, rendering invisible the SRH needs of queer youth. Importantly, a failure to recognise queer experiences of SRH has implications for normative subject positions, which enjoy stronger institutional support and constitute legitimate ways of being. As such, the failure to recognise queer youth as health care subjects within policy has far reaching consequences for their sexual and reproductive health. Within this research, a sexual and reproductive justice (SRJ) framework is adopted as a backdrop for exploring policy documents related to youth SRH within selected global South countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The final data set comprises of 1035 policy excerpts extracted from 152 policies across these three regions. Research takes the form of a systematic review utilising a deductive framing and positioning thematic analysis. Analysis identifies framings of youth SRH and explores the subject positions assigned to queer youth in relation to these identified framings, with the understanding that the manner in which youth SRH concerns are framed and queer youth are positioned within policies provides an important foundation for the implementation of SRH-related policy. Findings demonstrate that policy responses to youth SRH are most often framed in terms of a public health approach. As a result, dominant understandings of youth SRH serve to reduce youth sexuality to notions of infections and impact, which may speak to an overreliance on biomedical and population-level health models. Themes emerging within human rights framings demonstrate a presumption that rights are equally afforded to, and freely exercised by, all individuals once legally secured, failing to engage with the creation of enabling conditions to realise these rights. Although context and culture framings were by no means exhaustive examples of SRJ, they provide an interesting insight into how such SRJ concerns might be integrated into policy. Importantly, policy responses demonstrate a general pattern hypervisibility of men who have sex with men (MSM) standing in marked contrast to the invisibility of queer youth and other adult queer populations. Within policy extracts, both youth and „MSM‟ are positioned as particularly prone to poor SRH outcomes. By virtue of their inclusion within both populations, queer youth may be considered as especially at risk for, or vulnerable to, such outcomes. Relatedly, these populations (and by extension queer youth) are positioned as in need of correction, containment, and/or protection by those occupying „gatekeeping‟ positions (e.g. health care providers). The positioning of „MSM‟ solely within the context of HIV/AIDS serves to link same-sex sexualities (and at times gender non-conformity) with harmful consequences, suggesting that the positioning of queer youth could similarly serve to conflate their SRH needs with concerns around HIV/AIDS. Many of the subject positions deployed in policies serve to deny the potential for youth and „MSM‟ agency, strength, and resilience. Thus, queer youth subjects are unlikely to be positioned as empowered, autonomous, and agentic. Across both framing and positioning themes, a number of key shortcomings were observed. For the most part, policy responses fail to acknowledge the influence of social, economic, political, and cultural forces that may serve to hinder SRH outcomes according to particular contexts and the intersection of multiple and varied social identities. By obscuring these broader contextual factors and power relations, policy responses may serve to hold individual youth responsible for poor SRH outcomes. In failing to engage with the potential for diversity within youth populations, these populations are largely homogenised. Finally, the need for the creation of an enabling environment in order to secure sexual and reproductive health is largely unacknowledged within policy responses.
- Full Text:
Development of a low-cost bioprinting system for engineering of Human Tumour Models
- Authors: Fanucci, Sidne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163295 , vital:41026
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2020.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fanucci, Sidne
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163295 , vital:41026
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2020.
- Full Text:
Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony 1969
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 1969
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004554
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony on Friday 11th April 1969 at 8 p.m. [and] on Saturday 12th April 1969 at 10:30 a.m.in the University Great Hall.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 1969
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:8104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004554
- Description: Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony on Friday 11th April 1969 at 8 p.m. [and] on Saturday 12th April 1969 at 10:30 a.m.in the University Great Hall.
- Full Text:
Bacterial degradation of fossil fuel waste in aqueous and solid media
- Authors: Edeki, Oghenekume Gerald
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54565 , vital:26588
- Description: The generation of environmental pollutants worldwide is mainly due to over reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy. As a result of the negative impacts of these pollutants on the health of humans, animals, plants and microorganisms, global attention has been directed towards ways of containing this problem. Biodegradation of fossil fuel is one of the most effective methods used to remediate contaminated systems. However with regard to coal waste, much of what is known is based on the ability of fungal species to biosolubilize this material under enrichment conditions in a laboratory setting. For effective biodegradation as a remediation technique, there is an immediate need to source, isolate, enrich and incorporate other microorganisms such as bacteria into bioremediation technologies. The goal of this dissertation was to isolate bacteria from fossil fuel contaminated environments and to demonstrate competence for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation which was achieved using a combination of analytical methods such as spectrophotometry, FT-IR, SEM and GC-MS. Screening for biodegradation of coal and petroleum hydrocarbon waste resulted in the isolation of 75 bacterial strains of which 15 showed good potential for use in developing remedial biotechnologies. Spectrophotometric analysis of bacteria both in coal and petroleum hydrocarbons (all in aqueous media) revealed a high proliferation of bacteria in these media suggesting that these microbes can effectively utilize the various substrates as a source of carbon. The isolated bacteria effectively degraded and converted waste coal to humic and fulvic acids; products required to enrich coal mine dumps to support re-vegetation. Scanning electron microscopy showed the attachment of bacteria to waste coal surfaces and the disintegration of coal structures while FT-IR analysis of extracted humic-like substances from biodegraded waste coal revealed these to have the same functional groups as commercial humic acid. Specific consortia which were established using the isolated bacterial strains, showed greater potential to biodegrade coal than did individual isolates. This was evident in experiments carried out on coal and hydrocarbons where the efficient colonization and utilization of these substrates by each bacterial consortium was observed due to the effect of added nutrients such as algae. The biodegradation of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons (diesel and BTEX) was also achieved using the 15 bacterial isolates. GC-MS analysis of extracted residual PHC from aqueous and solid media revealed rapid breakdown of these contaminants by bacteria. Different bacterial consortia established from the individual isolates were shown to be more efficient than single isolates indicating that formulated consortia are the biocatalysts of choice for fossil fuel biodegradation. This study represents one of the most detailed screenings for bacteria from fossil fuel contaminated sites and the isolation of strains with potential to biodegrade coal and petroleum hydrocarbon wastes. Several consortia have been developed and these show potential for further development as biocatalysts for use in bioremediation technology development. An evaluation of efficiency of each established bacterial consortium for biodegradation in a commercial and/or industrial setting at pilot scale is now needed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Edeki, Oghenekume Gerald
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54565 , vital:26588
- Description: The generation of environmental pollutants worldwide is mainly due to over reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy. As a result of the negative impacts of these pollutants on the health of humans, animals, plants and microorganisms, global attention has been directed towards ways of containing this problem. Biodegradation of fossil fuel is one of the most effective methods used to remediate contaminated systems. However with regard to coal waste, much of what is known is based on the ability of fungal species to biosolubilize this material under enrichment conditions in a laboratory setting. For effective biodegradation as a remediation technique, there is an immediate need to source, isolate, enrich and incorporate other microorganisms such as bacteria into bioremediation technologies. The goal of this dissertation was to isolate bacteria from fossil fuel contaminated environments and to demonstrate competence for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation which was achieved using a combination of analytical methods such as spectrophotometry, FT-IR, SEM and GC-MS. Screening for biodegradation of coal and petroleum hydrocarbon waste resulted in the isolation of 75 bacterial strains of which 15 showed good potential for use in developing remedial biotechnologies. Spectrophotometric analysis of bacteria both in coal and petroleum hydrocarbons (all in aqueous media) revealed a high proliferation of bacteria in these media suggesting that these microbes can effectively utilize the various substrates as a source of carbon. The isolated bacteria effectively degraded and converted waste coal to humic and fulvic acids; products required to enrich coal mine dumps to support re-vegetation. Scanning electron microscopy showed the attachment of bacteria to waste coal surfaces and the disintegration of coal structures while FT-IR analysis of extracted humic-like substances from biodegraded waste coal revealed these to have the same functional groups as commercial humic acid. Specific consortia which were established using the isolated bacterial strains, showed greater potential to biodegrade coal than did individual isolates. This was evident in experiments carried out on coal and hydrocarbons where the efficient colonization and utilization of these substrates by each bacterial consortium was observed due to the effect of added nutrients such as algae. The biodegradation of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons (diesel and BTEX) was also achieved using the 15 bacterial isolates. GC-MS analysis of extracted residual PHC from aqueous and solid media revealed rapid breakdown of these contaminants by bacteria. Different bacterial consortia established from the individual isolates were shown to be more efficient than single isolates indicating that formulated consortia are the biocatalysts of choice for fossil fuel biodegradation. This study represents one of the most detailed screenings for bacteria from fossil fuel contaminated sites and the isolation of strains with potential to biodegrade coal and petroleum hydrocarbon wastes. Several consortia have been developed and these show potential for further development as biocatalysts for use in bioremediation technology development. An evaluation of efficiency of each established bacterial consortium for biodegradation in a commercial and/or industrial setting at pilot scale is now needed.
- Full Text:
Exploring how Grade 11 chemistry teachers make use of the periodic table of elements when mediating learning of writing and balancing chemical equations
- Kambeyo, Reginald Ndeshipanda
- Authors: Kambeyo, Reginald Ndeshipanda
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Chemistry Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Periodic table of the elements , Chemical equations Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Chemistry teachers Attitudes Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge , Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191986 , vital:45185
- Description: The periodic table of elements is central to the study of chemistry and other disciplines of science, yet Namibian learners do not perform satisfactorily in topics which require its use in answering questions. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore how Grade 11 chemistry teachers make use of the periodic table of elements to mediate the learning of writing and balancing chemical equations. The study was carried out with two chemistry teachers in two rural schools in the northern part of Namibia. It was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, within which a qualitative case study approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (semi-structured and stimulated recall interviews), observations, and participants’ group reflections. The latter afforded the participants and myself room to reflect and share ideas at the end of the data gathering process. I used Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge as my theoretical framework in this study and the data sets were analysed using the five Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) components adapted from Mavhunga and Rollnick. The findings revealed that teachers demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of the periodic table of elements when teaching the writing and balancing of chemical equations. However, challenges regarding inadequate materials that hindered the teaching and learning process were observed. Another finding of this study was that teachers used a variety of mediation tools such as prior knowledge and appropriate representations to enhance learning. However, during lesson observations, the findings revealed that there was an imbalance in the knowledge of using easily accessible resources as opposed to what teachers had indicated during the semi-structured interviews. Nonetheless, teachers’ group reflections influenced them to analyse and improve their lessons. The study thus recommends that there is a need for continuing professional development for chemistry teachers so that teachers can be afforded opportunities and spaces to share subject matter knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge as well as easily accessible resources that they can use to enhance teaching of chemistry in their classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kambeyo, Reginald Ndeshipanda
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Chemistry Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Periodic table of the elements , Chemical equations Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia , Chemistry teachers Attitudes Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge , Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191986 , vital:45185
- Description: The periodic table of elements is central to the study of chemistry and other disciplines of science, yet Namibian learners do not perform satisfactorily in topics which require its use in answering questions. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore how Grade 11 chemistry teachers make use of the periodic table of elements to mediate the learning of writing and balancing chemical equations. The study was carried out with two chemistry teachers in two rural schools in the northern part of Namibia. It was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, within which a qualitative case study approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (semi-structured and stimulated recall interviews), observations, and participants’ group reflections. The latter afforded the participants and myself room to reflect and share ideas at the end of the data gathering process. I used Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge as my theoretical framework in this study and the data sets were analysed using the five Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) components adapted from Mavhunga and Rollnick. The findings revealed that teachers demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of the periodic table of elements when teaching the writing and balancing of chemical equations. However, challenges regarding inadequate materials that hindered the teaching and learning process were observed. Another finding of this study was that teachers used a variety of mediation tools such as prior knowledge and appropriate representations to enhance learning. However, during lesson observations, the findings revealed that there was an imbalance in the knowledge of using easily accessible resources as opposed to what teachers had indicated during the semi-structured interviews. Nonetheless, teachers’ group reflections influenced them to analyse and improve their lessons. The study thus recommends that there is a need for continuing professional development for chemistry teachers so that teachers can be afforded opportunities and spaces to share subject matter knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge as well as easily accessible resources that they can use to enhance teaching of chemistry in their classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
Physical activity, physical fitness, sedentary behaviour and screen time profiles of primary school children in a school within the Makana Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kade, Andréa Gaby
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sedentary behavior in children -- South Africa -- Makana Municipality , Physical fitness for children -- South Africa -- Makana Municipality , Exercise -- Physiological aspects , Exercise -- Health aspects , Diabetes -- Risk factors , Heart -- Diseases -- Risk factors
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177282 , vital:42806
- Description: There is a lack of data on the physical activity, physical fitness and sedentary behaviour of children in South Africa. Furthermore chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and coronary heart disease have been linked to childhood inactivity, and improving cardiorespiratory fitness and increasing levels of physical activity has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of such diseases. In South Africa more broadly there is a lack of information on levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour as well as physical fitness measures particularly in children. Objective: The purpose of this study was to enhance the existing body of knowledge on this, by measuring the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and screen time of primary school children in a private school from the Makana Municipal region in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where the evidence is most sparse. A secondary aim was to assess levels of physical fitness in this cohort, as well as to compare across grades and sexes. Method: After ethical approval was granted, stature and body mass measurements were taken and body mass index was computed for primary school children (Grade one to seven) from a private school in the Makana Municipality. Sitting stature was measured in order to determine each child’s peak height velocity and maturity offset. Five different physical fitness tests were conducted on the children and blood pressure and heart rate values were measured at rest. Physical activity and screen time questionnaires were completed by the children’s parents for a seven day period. Results: Females were found to mature faster than males. In addition females were more physically active (Females= 916 min/week; Males= 669 min/week) while also accumulating more sedentary time (Females= 1241 min/week; Males= 970 min/week) as compared to males, although no significant differences were found between males and females for these variables. The sample participated in more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and less than two hours of screen time daily, which is in accordance with guidelines. No differences were found between grades and sexes for accumulated screen time. Strength increased significantly with grade and age, and there were also statistical differences between the sexes for all three strength measures with males being stronger than females. Females were more flexible than males and no statistical differences were found between sexes for the shuttle run test. Blood pressure correlated positively with mass, as did all the strength measures as well as maturity offset. No correlations were found between screen time and all other variables. A negative relationship was recorded between screen time and physical activity, although not significant. For females a strong positive correlation was found between sedentary behaviour and physical activity. Conclusion: The study was successful in adding to the body of knowledge regarding the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and screen time within school children from the Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The sample was considered physically active as they accumulated on average more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily (Males= 96 min/day; Females 130 min/day), which is in accordance with guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2018). The sample accumulated more sedentary behaviour than physical activity, although not significant. Screen time was below regulations of two hours daily, indicating this population participated in more non screen related sedentary behaviour. More research is needed into the risks presented with different forms of sedentary behaviour. Physical fitness increased with increasing grade and age and males were considerably more fit. The current study did not present any concern with regards to the effects of increased physical activity and fitness levels within school aged children. More research into the current levels of physical activity, physical fitness and sedentary behaviour of school aged children in South Africa in general, and in the Eastern Cape Province, is needed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kade, Andréa Gaby
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Sedentary behavior in children -- South Africa -- Makana Municipality , Physical fitness for children -- South Africa -- Makana Municipality , Exercise -- Physiological aspects , Exercise -- Health aspects , Diabetes -- Risk factors , Heart -- Diseases -- Risk factors
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177282 , vital:42806
- Description: There is a lack of data on the physical activity, physical fitness and sedentary behaviour of children in South Africa. Furthermore chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and coronary heart disease have been linked to childhood inactivity, and improving cardiorespiratory fitness and increasing levels of physical activity has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of such diseases. In South Africa more broadly there is a lack of information on levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour as well as physical fitness measures particularly in children. Objective: The purpose of this study was to enhance the existing body of knowledge on this, by measuring the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and screen time of primary school children in a private school from the Makana Municipal region in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where the evidence is most sparse. A secondary aim was to assess levels of physical fitness in this cohort, as well as to compare across grades and sexes. Method: After ethical approval was granted, stature and body mass measurements were taken and body mass index was computed for primary school children (Grade one to seven) from a private school in the Makana Municipality. Sitting stature was measured in order to determine each child’s peak height velocity and maturity offset. Five different physical fitness tests were conducted on the children and blood pressure and heart rate values were measured at rest. Physical activity and screen time questionnaires were completed by the children’s parents for a seven day period. Results: Females were found to mature faster than males. In addition females were more physically active (Females= 916 min/week; Males= 669 min/week) while also accumulating more sedentary time (Females= 1241 min/week; Males= 970 min/week) as compared to males, although no significant differences were found between males and females for these variables. The sample participated in more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and less than two hours of screen time daily, which is in accordance with guidelines. No differences were found between grades and sexes for accumulated screen time. Strength increased significantly with grade and age, and there were also statistical differences between the sexes for all three strength measures with males being stronger than females. Females were more flexible than males and no statistical differences were found between sexes for the shuttle run test. Blood pressure correlated positively with mass, as did all the strength measures as well as maturity offset. No correlations were found between screen time and all other variables. A negative relationship was recorded between screen time and physical activity, although not significant. For females a strong positive correlation was found between sedentary behaviour and physical activity. Conclusion: The study was successful in adding to the body of knowledge regarding the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and screen time within school children from the Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The sample was considered physically active as they accumulated on average more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily (Males= 96 min/day; Females 130 min/day), which is in accordance with guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2018). The sample accumulated more sedentary behaviour than physical activity, although not significant. Screen time was below regulations of two hours daily, indicating this population participated in more non screen related sedentary behaviour. More research is needed into the risks presented with different forms of sedentary behaviour. Physical fitness increased with increasing grade and age and males were considerably more fit. The current study did not present any concern with regards to the effects of increased physical activity and fitness levels within school aged children. More research into the current levels of physical activity, physical fitness and sedentary behaviour of school aged children in South Africa in general, and in the Eastern Cape Province, is needed. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2021
- Full Text:
Vice Chancellor's Address to new students, 1987
- Authors: Henderson, Derek Scott
- Date: 1987
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7554 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018431
- Full Text:
- Authors: Henderson, Derek Scott
- Date: 1987
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7554 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018431
- Full Text:
An analysis of selected Grade 8 mathematics teachers’ use of gestures as visualisation tools to support mathematical meaning-making
- Authors: Haipinge, David Tuhafeni
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Gesture , Gesture in mathematics education , Visual learning , Visualization , Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191969 , vital:45184
- Description: The purpose of this Namibian case study was to investigate how different types of gestures are used to support the construction of mathematical meaning making in teaching and learning. Gestures of three selected Grade 8 mathematics teachers were observed and analysed. This study was intended to answer the following research question: how do selected Grade 8 mathematics teachers use gestures as visualisation tools to support mathematical meaning making? The study was framed by an enactivist perspective and the research was oriented in the interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through video-recorded observations of three selected teachers and through stimulus recall interviews. In order to generate rich data and support validity, five lessons per selected teacher were video recorded. The study found that the participating teachers incorporated a variety of mathematical gestures into their lessons in order to support and provide mathematical meaning. Further, this study found that gestures facilitated meaning making in mathematics. The findings in the study suggest a need for mathematics teachers to be trained in using gestures appropriately to communicate mathematically in their lessons. In addition, this study discovered a new type of gesture – the overlapping gesture in addition to McNeill's (1992) types, namely: pointing gestures, metaphor gestures, beating gestures and iconic gestures. This case study also showed that the more experienced the teachers are, the more mathematical gestures they produce during their mathematics lessons. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Haipinge, David Tuhafeni
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Gesture , Gesture in mathematics education , Visual learning , Visualization , Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191969 , vital:45184
- Description: The purpose of this Namibian case study was to investigate how different types of gestures are used to support the construction of mathematical meaning making in teaching and learning. Gestures of three selected Grade 8 mathematics teachers were observed and analysed. This study was intended to answer the following research question: how do selected Grade 8 mathematics teachers use gestures as visualisation tools to support mathematical meaning making? The study was framed by an enactivist perspective and the research was oriented in the interpretive paradigm. Data were collected through video-recorded observations of three selected teachers and through stimulus recall interviews. In order to generate rich data and support validity, five lessons per selected teacher were video recorded. The study found that the participating teachers incorporated a variety of mathematical gestures into their lessons in order to support and provide mathematical meaning. Further, this study found that gestures facilitated meaning making in mathematics. The findings in the study suggest a need for mathematics teachers to be trained in using gestures appropriately to communicate mathematically in their lessons. In addition, this study discovered a new type of gesture – the overlapping gesture in addition to McNeill's (1992) types, namely: pointing gestures, metaphor gestures, beating gestures and iconic gestures. This case study also showed that the more experienced the teachers are, the more mathematical gestures they produce during their mathematics lessons. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
Exploring the influence of student protests on organisational citizenship behaviour of academics and support mechanisms in higher learning institutions
- Authors: Mayekiso, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406198 , vital:70248
- Description: Embargoed. To be released in 2024. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mayekiso, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406198 , vital:70248
- Description: Embargoed. To be released in 2024. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
The effects of intermittent task parameters on muscle fatigue development during submaximal dynamic exertions
- Authors: King, Josephine Claire
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Muscles -- Physiology , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Human engineering , Occupational diseases
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63855 , vital:28498
- Description: The negative effects of localised muscle fatigue on accidents, injuries and poor work performance are well known, as is the realisation that modifying task characteristics can minimise fatigue development. A large amount of literature has investigated the effects of task-dependent factors on localised muscle fatigue, most studies have focussed on prolonged or intermittent static (isometric) exertions. Few studies have investigated muscle fatigue development during more complex tasks, namely those which resemble common work activities and which tend to be intermittent and dynamic in nature. More specifically, the interactions between the main intermittent parameters - duty cycle, force level, and cycle time - during dynamic exertions are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cycle time and combinations of duty cycles and force levels on the development of muscle fatigue during submaximal dynamic exertions while the overall mean muscle load was kept constant. A two-factorial repeated-measures experiment was developed for this study. Nine experimental conditions, each lasting 16 minutes, aimed at inducing muscle fatigue in the middle deltoid muscle via intermittent dynamic shoulder abduction and adduction motions at three cycle times (30, 60, and 120 seconds) and three combinations of duty cycles and force levels. The percentage of muscle activation during one cycle (i.e. the duty cycle) varied depending on the exertion intensity (force level) so that the overall mean muscle load remained consistent throughout all experimental conditions, namely at 20% of maximum force exertion. As a result, the three duty cycle/force level combinations were: 0.8/25% of maximum voluntary force (MVF), 0.5/40%MVF, and 0.4/50%MVF. Muscle fatigue development was inferred by changes in peak torque, total work, average power, local Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and surface electromyographical (EMG) activity (time domain and frequency domain).Two-factorial analyses of variance with Tukey post-hoc tests were used to identify significant condition effects at p<0.05. All dependent measures showed that muscle fatigue was induced by the 16-minute fatigue protocol. Peak torque, total work, average power, and EMG percentage of maximum showed that cycle time and the duty cycle/force level combination had no effect on the development of muscle fatigue, whereas the measures evaluated during the 16-minute fatigue protocol did. The cycle time of 120 seconds induced the greatest change in six of the eight variables, while the duty cycle/force level combination (0.8/25%) also resulted in the greatest effect in six of the measures. Fatigue was also found to be dependent on the interaction of cycle time and duty cycle/force level combination. The conclusion draws from this study is that shorter cycles and activities with short activation periods, and proportionally longer rest breaks result in the lowest fatigue developments.
- Full Text:
- Authors: King, Josephine Claire
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Muscles -- Physiology , Muscles -- Wounds and injuries , Fatigue , Human engineering , Occupational diseases
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63855 , vital:28498
- Description: The negative effects of localised muscle fatigue on accidents, injuries and poor work performance are well known, as is the realisation that modifying task characteristics can minimise fatigue development. A large amount of literature has investigated the effects of task-dependent factors on localised muscle fatigue, most studies have focussed on prolonged or intermittent static (isometric) exertions. Few studies have investigated muscle fatigue development during more complex tasks, namely those which resemble common work activities and which tend to be intermittent and dynamic in nature. More specifically, the interactions between the main intermittent parameters - duty cycle, force level, and cycle time - during dynamic exertions are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cycle time and combinations of duty cycles and force levels on the development of muscle fatigue during submaximal dynamic exertions while the overall mean muscle load was kept constant. A two-factorial repeated-measures experiment was developed for this study. Nine experimental conditions, each lasting 16 minutes, aimed at inducing muscle fatigue in the middle deltoid muscle via intermittent dynamic shoulder abduction and adduction motions at three cycle times (30, 60, and 120 seconds) and three combinations of duty cycles and force levels. The percentage of muscle activation during one cycle (i.e. the duty cycle) varied depending on the exertion intensity (force level) so that the overall mean muscle load remained consistent throughout all experimental conditions, namely at 20% of maximum force exertion. As a result, the three duty cycle/force level combinations were: 0.8/25% of maximum voluntary force (MVF), 0.5/40%MVF, and 0.4/50%MVF. Muscle fatigue development was inferred by changes in peak torque, total work, average power, local Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and surface electromyographical (EMG) activity (time domain and frequency domain).Two-factorial analyses of variance with Tukey post-hoc tests were used to identify significant condition effects at p<0.05. All dependent measures showed that muscle fatigue was induced by the 16-minute fatigue protocol. Peak torque, total work, average power, and EMG percentage of maximum showed that cycle time and the duty cycle/force level combination had no effect on the development of muscle fatigue, whereas the measures evaluated during the 16-minute fatigue protocol did. The cycle time of 120 seconds induced the greatest change in six of the eight variables, while the duty cycle/force level combination (0.8/25%) also resulted in the greatest effect in six of the measures. Fatigue was also found to be dependent on the interaction of cycle time and duty cycle/force level combination. The conclusion draws from this study is that shorter cycles and activities with short activation periods, and proportionally longer rest breaks result in the lowest fatigue developments.
- Full Text:
Truth and reconciliation and other stories: a critical multimodal investigation of representations of post-apartheid South Africa in children's picturebooks: volume 1
- Authors: Smith, Jade
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97614 , vital:31458
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Smith, Jade
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97614 , vital:31458
- Description: Expected release date-April 2021
- Full Text: false
An exploration of the mathematical learner identities of high school learners who participated in after school mathematics clubs in primary school
- Authors: Hokonya, Wellington Munetsi
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) South Africa , Mathematics Study and teaching (Elementary) Activity programs South Africa , Identity (Psychology) in children , After-school programs South Africa , School children Attitudes , Mathematics Study and teaching Psychological aspects South Africa , South African Numeracy Chair Project (SANCP)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189985 , vital:44953 , 10.21504/10962/189985
- Description: This study focuses on understanding mathematics learner identities of high school learners who participated in the South African Numeracy Chair Project after school mathematics clubs, an environment that afforded different mathematics identities from the traditional South African classroom. Mathematics learner identities feature prominently in current research on mathematics education because they affect whether and how learners engage in mathematics. They play a critical role in enhancing (or detracting from) learners’ attitudes, dispositions, emotional development, and general sense of self as they learn mathematics. Development of positive learner mathematical identity is therefore useful in making learners commit to their mathematics work. South African primary mathematics education is described as being in a state of crisis, and various programmes are being implemented to develop intervention models to improve quality and ensure the effective teaching and learning of primary mathematics. The South African Numeracy Chair Project initiative at Rhodes University provides for longitudinal research and development programmes with primary mathematics teachers and learners from previously disadvantaged schools, in order to find ways of mitigating the crisis. The after school mathematics clubs provide extra-curricular activities focused on developing a supportive learning community where learners’ active mathematical participation, engagement, enjoyment, and sense making are the focus. The clubs provide a supportive learning environment that is different to the traditional classroom and in which learners can participate actively and freely in mathematical activities. The study explores the nature of mathematics learner identities as learning trajectories that connect the past and future in negotiation of the present. It also seeks to discover how primary school club participation and experiences feature in the learners’ mathematical identities. The study employs two theoretical frameworks to analyse qualitative data that was gathered in the form of spoken and written stories, by 14 learners who participated in the after school mathematics clubs in primary school. The stories covered learners’ engagement in mathematics in different landscapes of practice that promoted the construction of different learner mathematical identities. A close analysis of the qualitative data revealed that learners’ mathematical identities are heavily influenced by the values that were foregrounded in the after school mathematics clubs. The clubs valued hard work and encouraged learners to ask for assistance when in doubt. In line with the club ethos, the learners storied resilience and hard work in their narratives. In addition, although many learners storied Mathematics as difficult in high school, they chose to continue taking the subject. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hokonya, Wellington Munetsi
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Mathematics Study and teaching (Secondary) South Africa , Mathematics Study and teaching (Elementary) Activity programs South Africa , Identity (Psychology) in children , After-school programs South Africa , School children Attitudes , Mathematics Study and teaching Psychological aspects South Africa , South African Numeracy Chair Project (SANCP)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189985 , vital:44953 , 10.21504/10962/189985
- Description: This study focuses on understanding mathematics learner identities of high school learners who participated in the South African Numeracy Chair Project after school mathematics clubs, an environment that afforded different mathematics identities from the traditional South African classroom. Mathematics learner identities feature prominently in current research on mathematics education because they affect whether and how learners engage in mathematics. They play a critical role in enhancing (or detracting from) learners’ attitudes, dispositions, emotional development, and general sense of self as they learn mathematics. Development of positive learner mathematical identity is therefore useful in making learners commit to their mathematics work. South African primary mathematics education is described as being in a state of crisis, and various programmes are being implemented to develop intervention models to improve quality and ensure the effective teaching and learning of primary mathematics. The South African Numeracy Chair Project initiative at Rhodes University provides for longitudinal research and development programmes with primary mathematics teachers and learners from previously disadvantaged schools, in order to find ways of mitigating the crisis. The after school mathematics clubs provide extra-curricular activities focused on developing a supportive learning community where learners’ active mathematical participation, engagement, enjoyment, and sense making are the focus. The clubs provide a supportive learning environment that is different to the traditional classroom and in which learners can participate actively and freely in mathematical activities. The study explores the nature of mathematics learner identities as learning trajectories that connect the past and future in negotiation of the present. It also seeks to discover how primary school club participation and experiences feature in the learners’ mathematical identities. The study employs two theoretical frameworks to analyse qualitative data that was gathered in the form of spoken and written stories, by 14 learners who participated in the after school mathematics clubs in primary school. The stories covered learners’ engagement in mathematics in different landscapes of practice that promoted the construction of different learner mathematical identities. A close analysis of the qualitative data revealed that learners’ mathematical identities are heavily influenced by the values that were foregrounded in the after school mathematics clubs. The clubs valued hard work and encouraged learners to ask for assistance when in doubt. In line with the club ethos, the learners storied resilience and hard work in their narratives. In addition, although many learners storied Mathematics as difficult in high school, they chose to continue taking the subject. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
Oversight mechanisms and service delivery: a case study of municipal public accounts committee oversight of electricity services in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
- Authors: Mpofu, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Municipal services South Africa , Local government South Africa , Local service delivery , Public sector , Oversight , Economics Sociological aspects , Government accountability South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408671 , vital:70515
- Description: Over the last few years, there has been a notable increase in popularity in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a form of alternative medicinal treatment for various illnesses. CBD, a by-product of the cannabis plant, is an isolate and does not contain the psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are chronic reproductive health sicknesses that are increasingly experienced by women. In the absence of cures, biomedical treatment for these diseases aim to manage symptoms, for example; heavy bleeding, heightened levels of pain, and insomnia. CBD offers an alternative to women who feel that biomedical interventions are no longer able to maintain their health and well-being. CBD positions itself as a natural remedy claiming to be safe and effective. This research study, mainly through qualitative data collection, focused on experiences of Zimbabwean and South African women living with endometriosis and/ or PCOS, who have turned to CBD to manage their symptoms. The importance of this study was to position itself within patients’ lived experiences. The research study found that CBD indeed has numerous benefits, including pain management, alleviating stress, and anxiety. Through the emergent themes from the data, it became clear that women are marginalised and treated unequally in the biomedical healthcare sphere. Feminist Anthropology and Structural Violence was applied to analyse the data collected to explore the patriarchal nature of the biomedical healthcare system and the experiences that women have, which has led them to turn to alternative treatments. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpofu, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Municipal services South Africa , Local government South Africa , Local service delivery , Public sector , Oversight , Economics Sociological aspects , Government accountability South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408671 , vital:70515
- Description: Over the last few years, there has been a notable increase in popularity in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a form of alternative medicinal treatment for various illnesses. CBD, a by-product of the cannabis plant, is an isolate and does not contain the psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are chronic reproductive health sicknesses that are increasingly experienced by women. In the absence of cures, biomedical treatment for these diseases aim to manage symptoms, for example; heavy bleeding, heightened levels of pain, and insomnia. CBD offers an alternative to women who feel that biomedical interventions are no longer able to maintain their health and well-being. CBD positions itself as a natural remedy claiming to be safe and effective. This research study, mainly through qualitative data collection, focused on experiences of Zimbabwean and South African women living with endometriosis and/ or PCOS, who have turned to CBD to manage their symptoms. The importance of this study was to position itself within patients’ lived experiences. The research study found that CBD indeed has numerous benefits, including pain management, alleviating stress, and anxiety. Through the emergent themes from the data, it became clear that women are marginalised and treated unequally in the biomedical healthcare sphere. Feminist Anthropology and Structural Violence was applied to analyse the data collected to explore the patriarchal nature of the biomedical healthcare system and the experiences that women have, which has led them to turn to alternative treatments. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
An examination of activism and ‘political listening’ during the year of student protest at the University of Cape Town from 9 March 2015 to 9 March 2016
- Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2022-10-04
- Subjects: Student movements South Africa Cape Town , Democracy South Africa , Listening Political aspects , Journalistic ethics , Journalism Political aspects , Communication in social action South Africa Cape Town , University of Cape Town , Cape Times Ltd.
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/327144 , vital:61085 , DOI 10.21504/10962/327144
- Description: This study sets out to examine democratic participation in South Africa and the role that ‘political listening’ could play in making participation more equitable. It considers protest action on a South African university campus, which at times not only resulted in significant and swift concessions from the university leadership but also sparked national political action which got an equally swift response from the South African government. It considers the social movement, the RhodesMustFall movement (RMF), as one way in which students can organise themselves to get a better hearing from the University of Cape Town (UCT) management in their attempt to make a meaningful contribution to the university’s micro democracy. This study examines whether the interaction between the UCT management and RMF could be considered ‘political listening’, and the possible role of the Cape Times newspaper within this context of participation. Using data gathered through interviews, written communications, observation and newspaper articles, the study shows that in all of the interactions between RMF and the UCT management, both groups were seldom willing to forego their power to engage in genuine listening. Instead, the two parties guessed at what power the other party might have and acted to reduce that power. It is in this context of guessing at and figuring what power the other party has that listening occurs. Furthermore, the study shows that during the RMF protest, the UCT management viewed their responsibility for the institution mainly through the lens of Private Property Law which framed protest as something to be dealt with by restoring law and order. The study also details the role of the Cape Times newspaper in the interactions between RMF and the UCT management and considers if this role could be political listening. The study is exploratory and demonstrates how political listening could work more optimally in real-life instances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2022-10-04
- Subjects: Student movements South Africa Cape Town , Democracy South Africa , Listening Political aspects , Journalistic ethics , Journalism Political aspects , Communication in social action South Africa Cape Town , University of Cape Town , Cape Times Ltd.
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/327144 , vital:61085 , DOI 10.21504/10962/327144
- Description: This study sets out to examine democratic participation in South Africa and the role that ‘political listening’ could play in making participation more equitable. It considers protest action on a South African university campus, which at times not only resulted in significant and swift concessions from the university leadership but also sparked national political action which got an equally swift response from the South African government. It considers the social movement, the RhodesMustFall movement (RMF), as one way in which students can organise themselves to get a better hearing from the University of Cape Town (UCT) management in their attempt to make a meaningful contribution to the university’s micro democracy. This study examines whether the interaction between the UCT management and RMF could be considered ‘political listening’, and the possible role of the Cape Times newspaper within this context of participation. Using data gathered through interviews, written communications, observation and newspaper articles, the study shows that in all of the interactions between RMF and the UCT management, both groups were seldom willing to forego their power to engage in genuine listening. Instead, the two parties guessed at what power the other party might have and acted to reduce that power. It is in this context of guessing at and figuring what power the other party has that listening occurs. Furthermore, the study shows that during the RMF protest, the UCT management viewed their responsibility for the institution mainly through the lens of Private Property Law which framed protest as something to be dealt with by restoring law and order. The study also details the role of the Cape Times newspaper in the interactions between RMF and the UCT management and considers if this role could be political listening. The study is exploratory and demonstrates how political listening could work more optimally in real-life instances. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
Which Black Lives matter? : a decolonial interrogation of xenophobia on Black South African Twitter
- Authors: McBrown, Anima
- Date: 2023-03-30
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408930 , vital:70538
- Description: Thesis embargoed. To be released in 2025. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: McBrown, Anima
- Date: 2023-03-30
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408930 , vital:70538
- Description: Thesis embargoed. To be released in 2025. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 2023
- Full Text:
A social capital analysis of citizen participation and service delivery in metropolitan government in Zimbabwe: the case of Glenview, Harare since 2013
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tafadzwa I
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal services -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Local government -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Public administration -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Citizen particpation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Local government --Citizen participation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Harare (Zimbabwe). City Council
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96236 , vital:31253
- Description: Significant challenges exist in contemporary Zimbabwe with regard to urban government, including with specific reference to citizenship participation and service delivery capacities. One of the crucial factors considered in the existing literature when examining urban government is the extent to which the central government intrudes in the affairs of urban government. This is particularly important given that, in recent years, many urban governments have been controlled by the main opposition party in the country. In this context, the thesis offers a critical examination of urban government in contemporary Zimbabwe by focusing on urban government in Harare (the capital) and, even more specifically, on the high-density, low-income area of Glenview. Harare is one of two metropolitan urban areas in Zimbabwe, along with Bulawayo, and is governed by the Harare City Council. While the central state’s relationship with urban governments (including Harare) in Zimbabwe is important, and is examined in this thesis, the primary concern is how this and other factors affect citizenship participation and service delivery in Harare. In pursuing this, the thesis draws upon social capital theory (including questions around trust and networks) to facilitate a critical analysis of urban government, citizenship participation and service delivery in Harare and Glenview specifically. The fieldwork for this thesis involved a qualitative research methodology, including informal interviews with relevant local stakeholders in Harare and associated documents. The thesis concludes that localised political, social and other contextual factors in Harare undercut the prospects for meaningful citizenship participation (with forms of social exclusion existing) and that this has negative implications for effective and efficient service delivery mechanisms.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tafadzwa I
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social capital (Sociology) -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Municipal services -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Local government -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Public administration -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Citizen particpation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Local government --Citizen participation -- Zimbabwe -- Harare , Harare (Zimbabwe). City Council
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96236 , vital:31253
- Description: Significant challenges exist in contemporary Zimbabwe with regard to urban government, including with specific reference to citizenship participation and service delivery capacities. One of the crucial factors considered in the existing literature when examining urban government is the extent to which the central government intrudes in the affairs of urban government. This is particularly important given that, in recent years, many urban governments have been controlled by the main opposition party in the country. In this context, the thesis offers a critical examination of urban government in contemporary Zimbabwe by focusing on urban government in Harare (the capital) and, even more specifically, on the high-density, low-income area of Glenview. Harare is one of two metropolitan urban areas in Zimbabwe, along with Bulawayo, and is governed by the Harare City Council. While the central state’s relationship with urban governments (including Harare) in Zimbabwe is important, and is examined in this thesis, the primary concern is how this and other factors affect citizenship participation and service delivery in Harare. In pursuing this, the thesis draws upon social capital theory (including questions around trust and networks) to facilitate a critical analysis of urban government, citizenship participation and service delivery in Harare and Glenview specifically. The fieldwork for this thesis involved a qualitative research methodology, including informal interviews with relevant local stakeholders in Harare and associated documents. The thesis concludes that localised political, social and other contextual factors in Harare undercut the prospects for meaningful citizenship participation (with forms of social exclusion existing) and that this has negative implications for effective and efficient service delivery mechanisms.
- Full Text:
Biochemical characterization of the β-mannanase activity of Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1
- Authors: Clarke, Matthew David
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis , Enzymes -- Biotechnology , Lignocellulose -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67570 , vital:29112
- Description: Products produced via the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant renewable terrestrial source of carbon, can potentially replace a lot of the fuels and chemicals currently produced using non-renewable hydrocarbons. Mannan is a polysaccharide component of lignocellulose that is abundant in softwoods and legume seeds. Enzymatic hydrolysis of mannan by β-mannanases has various industrial applications, including use in biofuel and prebiotic mannooligosaccharide (MOS) production for the improvement of human and animal health. The industrial use of β-mannanases depends on their biochemical characteristics, such as their activity, stability and substrate specificity. Knowledge of their synergistic interactions with other enzymes is also useful for effective hydrolysis. Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1 was used as a source for β-mannanases. The two mannanases of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 have not been biochemically characterized apart from minor characterization of crude β-mannanase activity. The protein sequences of the two β-mannanases, of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and 26, have a 95% - 96% identity to the β-mannanases of B. licheniformis DSM13T (=ATCC14580T). These small protein sequence differences could lead to quite different biochemical characteristics. These mannanases were characterized as these enzymes may have industrially useful characteristics. To induce mannanase production, B. paralicheniformis SVD1 was cultured in broth containing the mannan substrate locust bean gum. Various growth curve parameters were measured over 72 h. Mannanase activity was the highest after 48 h of growth - this was the time at which mannanase activity was concentrated, using 3 kDa centrifugal filtration devices, for biochemical characterization of the crude activity. Zymography revealed that the crude concentrated mannanase fraction consisted of at least two mannanases with relative molecular weights (MWs) of 29.6 kDa and 33 kDa. This was smaller than expected – based on their theoretical molecular masses. Protease activity, which was detected in the broth, was probably the reason. There were two pH optima, pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, which also indicated the presence of two mannanases. The concentrated mannanase displayed characteristics that were expected of a B. paralicheniformis β-mannanase. The temperature optimum was 50°C and the activity loss was less than 7% at 50°C after 24 h. Substrate specificity assays revealed that there was predominantly mannanase activity present. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of mannan and MOS hydrolysis showed that mainly M2 and M3 MOS were produced; only MOS with a degree of polymerization of 4 or higher were hydrolyzed. Hydrolysis was minimal on mannoligosaccharides with galactose substituents. Activity and MOS production was the highest on soluble, low branched mannan substrates. The highest activity observed was on konjac glucomannan. Purification of the mannanase activity was then attempted using various methods. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation, as well as centrifugal filtration device concentration was assessed for concentration of the mannanase activity.Concentration was not very successful due to low activity yields (≤ 20%). Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used for purification. AEC gave good activity yield and fold purification, but SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of many different proteins so further purification was necessary. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that there were only a few protein contaminants in the SEC fraction. However, the yield was too low to allow for biochemical characterization. The optimized purification procedure, which partially purified the mannanase activity, used 85% ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by AEC. The fold purification was high (88.9) and the specific activity was 29.5 U.mg-1. A zymogram of the partially purified mannanase showed a mannanase active band with a MW of 40 - 41 kDa. A serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was added during the purification steps. This indicated that the mannanase/s in the crude concentrate, without PMSF added, was hydrolyzed by serine protease activity. Native PAGE zymograms suggested that at least two different isoforms of mannanases were present. Additional purification would be required to determine the true characteristics of the mannanase/s. The biochemical characteristics of the crude and partially purified mannanases were similar. The pH optima of the partially purified mannanases were different; the pH optima were 6.0 and 9.0. The substrate specificities were similar, except that the partially purified mannanases displayed no cellulase and β-D-galactosidase activity, but showed a small amount of α-L-arabinase activity. The partially purified mannanase and a Cyamopsis tetragonolobus GH27 α-galactosidase synergistically hydrolyzed locust bean gum. The M50G50 combination displayed the highest extent of hydrolysis; after 24 h there was a 1.39 fold increase in reducing sugar release and the degree of synergy (DS) was 4.64. TLC analysis indicated that synergy increased the release of small MOS. These MOS could be useful as prebiotics. The synergy between the partially purified mannanase and the commercial cellulase mixture Cellic® CTec2 (Novozymes) on spent coffee grounds (SCG) was also determined. SCG is an abundant industrial waste product that has high mannan content. The SCG was pretreated using NaOH, and the monosaccharide, soluble phenolics and insoluble contents were determined. Glucose and mannose were the dominant monosaccharides in the SCG; the pretreated SCG contained 20.4% (w/w) glucose and 18.5% (w/w) mannose, respectively. The NaOH pretreatment improved mannanase hydrolysis of SCG. It resulted in the opening up and swelling of the SCG particles and removed some of the insoluble solids. The partially purified B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase displayed no detectable activity on SCG, but showed synergy with CTec2, in terms of DS, on untreated and NaOH pretreated SCG. This is the first report of mannanasecellulase synergy on SCG; other studies found that increased hydrolysis was due to additive effects. The results obtained in this study are only an initial assessment of the biochemical properties of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase activity and its synergy with other enzymes. These results can be used to inform future studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clarke, Matthew David
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis , Enzymes -- Biotechnology , Lignocellulose -- Biotechnology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67570 , vital:29112
- Description: Products produced via the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant renewable terrestrial source of carbon, can potentially replace a lot of the fuels and chemicals currently produced using non-renewable hydrocarbons. Mannan is a polysaccharide component of lignocellulose that is abundant in softwoods and legume seeds. Enzymatic hydrolysis of mannan by β-mannanases has various industrial applications, including use in biofuel and prebiotic mannooligosaccharide (MOS) production for the improvement of human and animal health. The industrial use of β-mannanases depends on their biochemical characteristics, such as their activity, stability and substrate specificity. Knowledge of their synergistic interactions with other enzymes is also useful for effective hydrolysis. Bacillus paralicheniformis SVD1 was used as a source for β-mannanases. The two mannanases of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 have not been biochemically characterized apart from minor characterization of crude β-mannanase activity. The protein sequences of the two β-mannanases, of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and 26, have a 95% - 96% identity to the β-mannanases of B. licheniformis DSM13T (=ATCC14580T). These small protein sequence differences could lead to quite different biochemical characteristics. These mannanases were characterized as these enzymes may have industrially useful characteristics. To induce mannanase production, B. paralicheniformis SVD1 was cultured in broth containing the mannan substrate locust bean gum. Various growth curve parameters were measured over 72 h. Mannanase activity was the highest after 48 h of growth - this was the time at which mannanase activity was concentrated, using 3 kDa centrifugal filtration devices, for biochemical characterization of the crude activity. Zymography revealed that the crude concentrated mannanase fraction consisted of at least two mannanases with relative molecular weights (MWs) of 29.6 kDa and 33 kDa. This was smaller than expected – based on their theoretical molecular masses. Protease activity, which was detected in the broth, was probably the reason. There were two pH optima, pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, which also indicated the presence of two mannanases. The concentrated mannanase displayed characteristics that were expected of a B. paralicheniformis β-mannanase. The temperature optimum was 50°C and the activity loss was less than 7% at 50°C after 24 h. Substrate specificity assays revealed that there was predominantly mannanase activity present. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of mannan and MOS hydrolysis showed that mainly M2 and M3 MOS were produced; only MOS with a degree of polymerization of 4 or higher were hydrolyzed. Hydrolysis was minimal on mannoligosaccharides with galactose substituents. Activity and MOS production was the highest on soluble, low branched mannan substrates. The highest activity observed was on konjac glucomannan. Purification of the mannanase activity was then attempted using various methods. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation, as well as centrifugal filtration device concentration was assessed for concentration of the mannanase activity.Concentration was not very successful due to low activity yields (≤ 20%). Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used for purification. AEC gave good activity yield and fold purification, but SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of many different proteins so further purification was necessary. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that there were only a few protein contaminants in the SEC fraction. However, the yield was too low to allow for biochemical characterization. The optimized purification procedure, which partially purified the mannanase activity, used 85% ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by AEC. The fold purification was high (88.9) and the specific activity was 29.5 U.mg-1. A zymogram of the partially purified mannanase showed a mannanase active band with a MW of 40 - 41 kDa. A serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was added during the purification steps. This indicated that the mannanase/s in the crude concentrate, without PMSF added, was hydrolyzed by serine protease activity. Native PAGE zymograms suggested that at least two different isoforms of mannanases were present. Additional purification would be required to determine the true characteristics of the mannanase/s. The biochemical characteristics of the crude and partially purified mannanases were similar. The pH optima of the partially purified mannanases were different; the pH optima were 6.0 and 9.0. The substrate specificities were similar, except that the partially purified mannanases displayed no cellulase and β-D-galactosidase activity, but showed a small amount of α-L-arabinase activity. The partially purified mannanase and a Cyamopsis tetragonolobus GH27 α-galactosidase synergistically hydrolyzed locust bean gum. The M50G50 combination displayed the highest extent of hydrolysis; after 24 h there was a 1.39 fold increase in reducing sugar release and the degree of synergy (DS) was 4.64. TLC analysis indicated that synergy increased the release of small MOS. These MOS could be useful as prebiotics. The synergy between the partially purified mannanase and the commercial cellulase mixture Cellic® CTec2 (Novozymes) on spent coffee grounds (SCG) was also determined. SCG is an abundant industrial waste product that has high mannan content. The SCG was pretreated using NaOH, and the monosaccharide, soluble phenolics and insoluble contents were determined. Glucose and mannose were the dominant monosaccharides in the SCG; the pretreated SCG contained 20.4% (w/w) glucose and 18.5% (w/w) mannose, respectively. The NaOH pretreatment improved mannanase hydrolysis of SCG. It resulted in the opening up and swelling of the SCG particles and removed some of the insoluble solids. The partially purified B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase displayed no detectable activity on SCG, but showed synergy with CTec2, in terms of DS, on untreated and NaOH pretreated SCG. This is the first report of mannanasecellulase synergy on SCG; other studies found that increased hydrolysis was due to additive effects. The results obtained in this study are only an initial assessment of the biochemical properties of B. paralicheniformis SVD1 mannanase activity and its synergy with other enzymes. These results can be used to inform future studies.
- Full Text:
Schema modes in eating disorders: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
- Authors: Bowker, Chantal Ann
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Eating disorders , Anorexia nervosa , Bulimia , Compulsive eating , Schema-focused cognitive therapy , Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/196072 , vital:45723 , DOI 10.21504/10962/196072
- Description: The DSM-5 prevalence rate of anorexia nervosa is 0.4%, bulimia nervosa is 1% to 1.5%, and binge eating disorder is 1.6% (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although treatment approaches for eating disorders have high drop-out rates and low rates of recovery, treatment modalities that address childhood factors contributing to the eating disorder, as well as the eating disorder behaviours, have better outcomes. Schema therapy is an integrative approach that has been used for the treatment of eating disorders for more than a decade. Central features in schema therapy include the identification of early maladaptive schemas arising from unmet needs and schema modes. Schema modes, composed of schemas and coping mechanisms, are active for an individual at a particular time in response to triggers in the environment (Brown et al., 2016). Identifying an individual’s modes is a crucial aspect that reflects the underlying structure of the individual’s creation of reality. A phenomenological understanding of the modes is essential for developing a case conceptualisation and treatment plan. Differences exist in the naming and description of modes in the current schema therapy literature, which suggests the need for a phenomenological investigation of these structures. This research study used a mostly qualitative approach, in the form of clinical interviews, substantiated by questionnaires, to examine schema modes. Case presentations using the schema therapy model are provided for five women with either anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. Then, through a process of interpretative phenomenological analysis, specific modes are examined as to how they are experienced by the participants and influence their behaviour. The features of schema modes in these clinical cases are compared to the existing literature to extend the understanding of schema modes in eating disorders. The participants’ experiences revealed that they had schema modes in common, regardless of the eating disorder presentation, but that the features of the individual modes varied. Modes found in the current literature such as the Detached Self-Soother and Perfectionist Overcontroller coping mode, were found in all the participants. Four of the five participants had an Eating Disordered Overcontroller mode. Features consistent with the existing descriptions of the Perfectionist Overcontroller, Eating Disordered Overcontroller and Detached Self-Soother modes were noted, and new features were identified. The Perfectionist Overcontroller and Eating Disordered Overcontroller have been presented here as complex composite modes with sub-modes that work together in a coherent way in the service of the same project (Edwards, 2020b). Twenty-three features are identified in the parent modes. Blended parent modes, with multiple features active in a situation, were described. The blended parent modes expand on the existing literature on parent modes. The findings in this research support and extend the mode structure identified in the schema therapy theory, and highlight the idiosyncratic nature of the modes. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bowker, Chantal Ann
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Eating disorders , Anorexia nervosa , Bulimia , Compulsive eating , Schema-focused cognitive therapy , Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/196072 , vital:45723 , DOI 10.21504/10962/196072
- Description: The DSM-5 prevalence rate of anorexia nervosa is 0.4%, bulimia nervosa is 1% to 1.5%, and binge eating disorder is 1.6% (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although treatment approaches for eating disorders have high drop-out rates and low rates of recovery, treatment modalities that address childhood factors contributing to the eating disorder, as well as the eating disorder behaviours, have better outcomes. Schema therapy is an integrative approach that has been used for the treatment of eating disorders for more than a decade. Central features in schema therapy include the identification of early maladaptive schemas arising from unmet needs and schema modes. Schema modes, composed of schemas and coping mechanisms, are active for an individual at a particular time in response to triggers in the environment (Brown et al., 2016). Identifying an individual’s modes is a crucial aspect that reflects the underlying structure of the individual’s creation of reality. A phenomenological understanding of the modes is essential for developing a case conceptualisation and treatment plan. Differences exist in the naming and description of modes in the current schema therapy literature, which suggests the need for a phenomenological investigation of these structures. This research study used a mostly qualitative approach, in the form of clinical interviews, substantiated by questionnaires, to examine schema modes. Case presentations using the schema therapy model are provided for five women with either anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. Then, through a process of interpretative phenomenological analysis, specific modes are examined as to how they are experienced by the participants and influence their behaviour. The features of schema modes in these clinical cases are compared to the existing literature to extend the understanding of schema modes in eating disorders. The participants’ experiences revealed that they had schema modes in common, regardless of the eating disorder presentation, but that the features of the individual modes varied. Modes found in the current literature such as the Detached Self-Soother and Perfectionist Overcontroller coping mode, were found in all the participants. Four of the five participants had an Eating Disordered Overcontroller mode. Features consistent with the existing descriptions of the Perfectionist Overcontroller, Eating Disordered Overcontroller and Detached Self-Soother modes were noted, and new features were identified. The Perfectionist Overcontroller and Eating Disordered Overcontroller have been presented here as complex composite modes with sub-modes that work together in a coherent way in the service of the same project (Edwards, 2020b). Twenty-three features are identified in the parent modes. Blended parent modes, with multiple features active in a situation, were described. The blended parent modes expand on the existing literature on parent modes. The findings in this research support and extend the mode structure identified in the schema therapy theory, and highlight the idiosyncratic nature of the modes. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2021
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A critical assessment of the relationship between the AfCFTA and World Trade Organisation dispute settlement mechanisms, in light of the Conflict of Jurisdiction
- Nhemachena, Tichakunda Charles
- Authors: Nhemachena, Tichakunda Charles
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: African Continental Free Trade Area , World Trade Organization , Dispute resolution (Law) , Conflict of judicial decisions , Good faith (Law)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192052 , vital:45191
- Description: This thesis interrogates the relationship between the Dispute Settlement Understanding and Africa Continental Free Trade Area dispute settlement mechanism, in light of the conflict of jurisdiction. The conflict of jurisdiction is an adverse effect of the fragmentation of international law. The uncoordinated proliferation of international treaties has increased occurrences of overlapping memberships and overlapping subject matter regulation amongst treaties. Whenever the overlaps mentioned above exist, and a dispute arises concerning matters of overlap, that dispute can be heard in more than one tribunal, giving rise to a conflict of jurisdiction. Jurisdictional conflicts are a problem because they breed uncertainty in the adjudication of disputes; they increase the risk of forum shopping, conflict of rulings, protracted litigation, and waste resources. There is a significant risk for jurisdictional conflicts between the World Trade Organisation and Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreements, because of membership and subject matter overlaps. To mitigate the problems caused by jurisdictional conflicts, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement has incorporated a fork-in-the-road clause. Fork-in-the-road provisions allow parties to choose their preferred forum, and once the forum is chosen, the parties are prohibited from bringing the same dispute to another tribunal. Unfortunately, fork-in-the-road clauses are insufficient in resolving jurisdictional conflicts because they do not bind the Dispute Settlement Understanding. It is only bound to enforce World Trade Organisation obligations and not non-World Trade Organisation obligations. The extent to which non-World Trade Organisation norms apply in the Dispute Settlement Understanding is unsettled, making it difficult to conclude whether a fork-in-the-road provision will be effective an effective solution to potential jurisdictional conflicts. In this thesis, the researcher investigates the prospects of the World Trade Organisation applying the AfCFTA fork-in-the-road clause, directly, as a potential solution to the conflict of jurisdiction. In addition, the researcher will also investigate an alternative means of applying the AfCFTA fork-in-the-road provision, indirectly, using the World Trade Organisation procedural good faith provisions. In conclusion, the researcher provides recommendations on how the World Trade Organisation and the AfCFTA agreement can facilitate the application of fork-in-the-road clauses in the Dispute Settlement Understanding to resolve the conflict of jurisdiction. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nhemachena, Tichakunda Charles
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: African Continental Free Trade Area , World Trade Organization , Dispute resolution (Law) , Conflict of judicial decisions , Good faith (Law)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192052 , vital:45191
- Description: This thesis interrogates the relationship between the Dispute Settlement Understanding and Africa Continental Free Trade Area dispute settlement mechanism, in light of the conflict of jurisdiction. The conflict of jurisdiction is an adverse effect of the fragmentation of international law. The uncoordinated proliferation of international treaties has increased occurrences of overlapping memberships and overlapping subject matter regulation amongst treaties. Whenever the overlaps mentioned above exist, and a dispute arises concerning matters of overlap, that dispute can be heard in more than one tribunal, giving rise to a conflict of jurisdiction. Jurisdictional conflicts are a problem because they breed uncertainty in the adjudication of disputes; they increase the risk of forum shopping, conflict of rulings, protracted litigation, and waste resources. There is a significant risk for jurisdictional conflicts between the World Trade Organisation and Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreements, because of membership and subject matter overlaps. To mitigate the problems caused by jurisdictional conflicts, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement has incorporated a fork-in-the-road clause. Fork-in-the-road provisions allow parties to choose their preferred forum, and once the forum is chosen, the parties are prohibited from bringing the same dispute to another tribunal. Unfortunately, fork-in-the-road clauses are insufficient in resolving jurisdictional conflicts because they do not bind the Dispute Settlement Understanding. It is only bound to enforce World Trade Organisation obligations and not non-World Trade Organisation obligations. The extent to which non-World Trade Organisation norms apply in the Dispute Settlement Understanding is unsettled, making it difficult to conclude whether a fork-in-the-road provision will be effective an effective solution to potential jurisdictional conflicts. In this thesis, the researcher investigates the prospects of the World Trade Organisation applying the AfCFTA fork-in-the-road clause, directly, as a potential solution to the conflict of jurisdiction. In addition, the researcher will also investigate an alternative means of applying the AfCFTA fork-in-the-road provision, indirectly, using the World Trade Organisation procedural good faith provisions. In conclusion, the researcher provides recommendations on how the World Trade Organisation and the AfCFTA agreement can facilitate the application of fork-in-the-road clauses in the Dispute Settlement Understanding to resolve the conflict of jurisdiction. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Law, 2021
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