Prey and predator density‐dependent interactions under different water volumes
- Cuthbert, Ross N, Dalu, Tatenda, Wasserman, Ryan J, Sentis, Arnaud, Weyl, Olaf L F, Froneman, P William, Callaghan, Amanda, Dick, Jaimie T A
- Authors: Cuthbert, Ross N , Dalu, Tatenda , Wasserman, Ryan J , Sentis, Arnaud , Weyl, Olaf L F , Froneman, P William , Callaghan, Amanda , Dick, Jaimie T A
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466957 , vital:76802 , https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7503
- Description: Predation is a critical ecological process that directly and indirectly mediates population stabilities, as well as ecosystem structure and function. The strength of interactions between predators and prey may be mediated by multiple density dependences concerning numbers of predators and prey. In temporary wetland ecosystems in particular, fluctuating water volumes may alter predation rates through differing search space and prey encounter rates. Using a functional response approach, we examined the influence of predator and prey densities on interaction strengths of the temporary pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae preying on cladoceran prey, Daphnia pulex, under contrasting water volumes. Further, using a population dynamic modeling approach, we quantified multiple predator effects across differences in prey density and water volume. Predators exhibited type II functional responses under both water volumes, with significant antagonistic multiple predator effects (i.e., antagonisms) exhibited overall. The strengths of antagonistic interactions were, however, enhanced under reduced water volumes and at intermediate prey densities. These findings indicate important biotic and abiotic contexts that mediate predator–prey dynamics, whereby multiple predator effects are contingent on both prey density and search area characteristics. In particular, reduced search areas (i.e., water volumes) under intermediate prey densities could enhance antagonisms by heightening predator–predator interference effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Cuthbert, Ross N , Dalu, Tatenda , Wasserman, Ryan J , Sentis, Arnaud , Weyl, Olaf L F , Froneman, P William , Callaghan, Amanda , Dick, Jaimie T A
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466957 , vital:76802 , https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7503
- Description: Predation is a critical ecological process that directly and indirectly mediates population stabilities, as well as ecosystem structure and function. The strength of interactions between predators and prey may be mediated by multiple density dependences concerning numbers of predators and prey. In temporary wetland ecosystems in particular, fluctuating water volumes may alter predation rates through differing search space and prey encounter rates. Using a functional response approach, we examined the influence of predator and prey densities on interaction strengths of the temporary pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae preying on cladoceran prey, Daphnia pulex, under contrasting water volumes. Further, using a population dynamic modeling approach, we quantified multiple predator effects across differences in prey density and water volume. Predators exhibited type II functional responses under both water volumes, with significant antagonistic multiple predator effects (i.e., antagonisms) exhibited overall. The strengths of antagonistic interactions were, however, enhanced under reduced water volumes and at intermediate prey densities. These findings indicate important biotic and abiotic contexts that mediate predator–prey dynamics, whereby multiple predator effects are contingent on both prey density and search area characteristics. In particular, reduced search areas (i.e., water volumes) under intermediate prey densities could enhance antagonisms by heightening predator–predator interference effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Rhodes University Research Report 2021: a year in review
- Roberts, Jaine, Mantolo, Thumeka, De Vos, Nicole, Nzwanga, Anela
- Authors: Roberts, Jaine , Mantolo, Thumeka , De Vos, Nicole , Nzwanga, Anela
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/473253 , vital:77623 , ISBN , https://www.ru.ac.za/researchgateway/researchexcellence/annualresearchreports/
- Description: From Foreword by Dr Sizwe Mabizela: Rhodes University offers its students, researchers, and collaborators a rich and distinctive intellectual space. One of its differentiators is that it is the only South African research intensive university situated in a rural area. Moreover, Rhodes University is located in an impoverished region bedevilled with high levels of poverty and unemployment. This relatively unique characteristic has significant implications for the way its mandate as a research-led institution is fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled in the future. The relatively unique context of Rhodes University is played out in the nexus of research, teaching and learning, and community engagement. Engaged research is a significant feature of our knowledge production, and we strive to make ourselves simultaneously locally responsive and globally connected. The award by the Talloires Global Network of Engaged Universities of the prestigious MacJannet Prize to Rhodes University’s Nine-Tenths Programme in 2021 was wonderful affirmation of our strategy to be locally impactful while also being globally influential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Roberts, Jaine , Mantolo, Thumeka , De Vos, Nicole , Nzwanga, Anela
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/473253 , vital:77623 , ISBN , https://www.ru.ac.za/researchgateway/researchexcellence/annualresearchreports/
- Description: From Foreword by Dr Sizwe Mabizela: Rhodes University offers its students, researchers, and collaborators a rich and distinctive intellectual space. One of its differentiators is that it is the only South African research intensive university situated in a rural area. Moreover, Rhodes University is located in an impoverished region bedevilled with high levels of poverty and unemployment. This relatively unique characteristic has significant implications for the way its mandate as a research-led institution is fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled in the future. The relatively unique context of Rhodes University is played out in the nexus of research, teaching and learning, and community engagement. Engaged research is a significant feature of our knowledge production, and we strive to make ourselves simultaneously locally responsive and globally connected. The award by the Talloires Global Network of Engaged Universities of the prestigious MacJannet Prize to Rhodes University’s Nine-Tenths Programme in 2021 was wonderful affirmation of our strategy to be locally impactful while also being globally influential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Scenario development
- Hichert, Tanya, Biggs, Reinette, de Vos, Alta, Peterson, Garry
- Authors: Hichert, Tanya , Biggs, Reinette , de Vos, Alta , Peterson, Garry
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433857 , vital:73005 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Scenario development connects to various other methods, but in particular to futures analysis (Chapter 10) as it is also regarded as a futures analysis method. It warrants a separate chapter in addition to the other futures analysis methods (described in Chapter 10) because of its importance and widespread use. Scenario development also connects to facilitated dialogues (Chapter 9), serious games (Chapter 12), participatory modelling and planning (Chapter 13), dynamical systems modelling (Chapter 26) and agent-based modelling (Chapter 28).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Hichert, Tanya , Biggs, Reinette , de Vos, Alta , Peterson, Garry
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433857 , vital:73005 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Scenario development connects to various other methods, but in particular to futures analysis (Chapter 10) as it is also regarded as a futures analysis method. It warrants a separate chapter in addition to the other futures analysis methods (described in Chapter 10) because of its importance and widespread use. Scenario development also connects to facilitated dialogues (Chapter 9), serious games (Chapter 12), participatory modelling and planning (Chapter 13), dynamical systems modelling (Chapter 26) and agent-based modelling (Chapter 28).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Seasonal metabolic adjustments in an avian evolutionary relict restricted to mountain habitat
- Oswald, Krista N, Lee, Alan T K, Smit, Ben
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Lee, Alan T K , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441638 , vital:73903 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102815
- Description: For endotherms, maintaining body temperature during cold winters is energetically costly.Greater increase in winter maximum thermogenic capacity (Msum) has typically been correlated with improved cold tolerance. However, seasonal studies have shown equivocal direction change in basal metabolic rate (BMR) in winter, perhaps explained by latitude or phylogeny. We examined seasonal metabolic responses in the Cape rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus; “rockjumper”), a range-restricted mountain bird. We hypothesized that, given their mountain habitat preference, rockjumpers would be physiologically specialized for cooler air temperatures compared to other subtropical passerines. We measured body condition (using the ratio of Mb/tarsus), BMR, and Msum, in wild-living rockjumpers during winter and summer (n = 12 adults in winter –– 4 females, 8 males; n = 12 adults in summer –– 6 females, 6 males). We found birds had lesser BMR and thermal conductance, and greater Msum and body condition, in winter compared to summer. .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Oswald, Krista N , Lee, Alan T K , Smit, Ben
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441638 , vital:73903 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102815
- Description: For endotherms, maintaining body temperature during cold winters is energetically costly.Greater increase in winter maximum thermogenic capacity (Msum) has typically been correlated with improved cold tolerance. However, seasonal studies have shown equivocal direction change in basal metabolic rate (BMR) in winter, perhaps explained by latitude or phylogeny. We examined seasonal metabolic responses in the Cape rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus; “rockjumper”), a range-restricted mountain bird. We hypothesized that, given their mountain habitat preference, rockjumpers would be physiologically specialized for cooler air temperatures compared to other subtropical passerines. We measured body condition (using the ratio of Mb/tarsus), BMR, and Msum, in wild-living rockjumpers during winter and summer (n = 12 adults in winter –– 4 females, 8 males; n = 12 adults in summer –– 6 females, 6 males). We found birds had lesser BMR and thermal conductance, and greater Msum and body condition, in winter compared to summer. .
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Synthesis and emerging frontiers in social-ecological systems research methods
- Schluter, Maja, Biggs, Reinette, Clements, Hayley, de Vos, Alta, Maciejewski, Kristine, Preiser, Rika
- Authors: Schluter, Maja , Biggs, Reinette , Clements, Hayley , de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Preiser, Rika
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433887 , vital:73007 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Social-ecological systems (SES) research is a rapidly emerging new research domain within the broader emerging area of sustainability science. It is largely a problem-driven and action-oriented field, motivated by the immense sustainability and equity-related challenges facing society (see Chapter 1). Social-ecological systems research is based on an understanding that SES are complex adaptive systems (CAS), where social and ecological dynamics are deeply intertwined, and give rise to features and problems that cannot be understood or addressed by studying these dimensions in isolation (see Chapter 2). The field draws on and combines methods from both natural and social sciences, and combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. As such, SES research is characterised by epistemological and methodological pluralism, which is challenging for those entering the field and has complex implications for the research process, methods and ethical considerations to be taken into account in SES research (see Chapter 3). This book aims to clarify and synthesise this plurality by providing an introduction to SES research (Part 1), and the diversity of methods currently used in the field (Part 2). The aim of this final chapter (Part 3) is to provide a synthesis of the current landscape of SES methods, critically reflect on the methods with respect to their ability to address systemic features of SES and discuss some of the most common methodological challenges associated with the complex adaptive and intertwined nature of SES. Based on this synthesis, we identify methodological gaps and discuss novel methods and method combinations that may help to address these gaps and move the field forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Schluter, Maja , Biggs, Reinette , Clements, Hayley , de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Preiser, Rika
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433887 , vital:73007 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Social-ecological systems (SES) research is a rapidly emerging new research domain within the broader emerging area of sustainability science. It is largely a problem-driven and action-oriented field, motivated by the immense sustainability and equity-related challenges facing society (see Chapter 1). Social-ecological systems research is based on an understanding that SES are complex adaptive systems (CAS), where social and ecological dynamics are deeply intertwined, and give rise to features and problems that cannot be understood or addressed by studying these dimensions in isolation (see Chapter 2). The field draws on and combines methods from both natural and social sciences, and combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. As such, SES research is characterised by epistemological and methodological pluralism, which is challenging for those entering the field and has complex implications for the research process, methods and ethical considerations to be taken into account in SES research (see Chapter 3). This book aims to clarify and synthesise this plurality by providing an introduction to SES research (Part 1), and the diversity of methods currently used in the field (Part 2). The aim of this final chapter (Part 3) is to provide a synthesis of the current landscape of SES methods, critically reflect on the methods with respect to their ability to address systemic features of SES and discuss some of the most common methodological challenges associated with the complex adaptive and intertwined nature of SES. Based on this synthesis, we identify methodological gaps and discuss novel methods and method combinations that may help to address these gaps and move the field forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The forest avifauna of Arabuko Sokoke Forest and adjacent modified habitats
- Chiawo, David O, Kombe, Wellington N, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Chiawo, David O , Kombe, Wellington N , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449953 , vital:74867 , https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.19.440426
- Description: Arabuko Sokoke Forest (ASF) is the largest area of coastal forest remaining in East Africa and a major Important Bird Area in mainland Kenya. The study analysed data from point count surveys over 15 months in three land use types; primary forest (PF), plantation forest (PL), and farmlands (FM), and compared these to the first comprehensive bird checklist for the forest, as well as recent surveys from other studies. Avifaunal diversity and abundance were compared using multivariate analysis to determine bird responses to different land use characteristics. The primary forest held a distinctive bird community, while the bird communities of farmlands and plantation forest were more similar to each other. Land use had a significant effect on overall avian diversity and abundance. The current forest avifauna was divided into forest specialists (16 species), forest generalists (26 species) and forest visitors (30 species). Seven species of forest specialist and generalists recorded prior to 1980 may no longer occur in the forest. Of 38 specialists and generalists recorded in our point counts, 19 were also recorded on farmland and 28 in plantations. One forest specialist, the Green Barbet, was most encountered outside the forest. Future research should focus on habitat use by these bird species, and the extent of movement by forest birds between the remaining patches of coastal forest. Patterns of habitat use by birds in the area suggest that vegetation heterogeneity and habitat complexity are especially significant in sustaining diverse and abundant bird populations. The management of plantations and farmland will be critical for the conservation of forest generalists and forest visitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Chiawo, David O , Kombe, Wellington N , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449953 , vital:74867 , https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.19.440426
- Description: Arabuko Sokoke Forest (ASF) is the largest area of coastal forest remaining in East Africa and a major Important Bird Area in mainland Kenya. The study analysed data from point count surveys over 15 months in three land use types; primary forest (PF), plantation forest (PL), and farmlands (FM), and compared these to the first comprehensive bird checklist for the forest, as well as recent surveys from other studies. Avifaunal diversity and abundance were compared using multivariate analysis to determine bird responses to different land use characteristics. The primary forest held a distinctive bird community, while the bird communities of farmlands and plantation forest were more similar to each other. Land use had a significant effect on overall avian diversity and abundance. The current forest avifauna was divided into forest specialists (16 species), forest generalists (26 species) and forest visitors (30 species). Seven species of forest specialist and generalists recorded prior to 1980 may no longer occur in the forest. Of 38 specialists and generalists recorded in our point counts, 19 were also recorded on farmland and 28 in plantations. One forest specialist, the Green Barbet, was most encountered outside the forest. Future research should focus on habitat use by these bird species, and the extent of movement by forest birds between the remaining patches of coastal forest. Patterns of habitat use by birds in the area suggest that vegetation heterogeneity and habitat complexity are especially significant in sustaining diverse and abundant bird populations. The management of plantations and farmland will be critical for the conservation of forest generalists and forest visitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The invasion ecology of Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Wansell, Sage Nora-Lee
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Plant invsions -- South AFrica , Invasive plants -- Ecology -- South Africa , Pontederiaceae -- South AFrica
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172433 , vital:42200
- Description: Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) is a tristylous invasive macrophyte – originating from North and South America – that has caused detrimental environmental, agricultural and socio-economic impacts in South Africa (SA). This novel study investigates the invasive ecology of P. cordata in SA by determining population genetics, pollination ecology and floral traits. Preliminary field surveys suggest that only one of three tristylous forms of P. cordata is invading SA and no seeds have been observed in any invasive populations. This study therefore determined the population genetics, mode of spread of P. cordata in SA and possible reasons for the lack of seed production, as well as providing suggestions for future control and management strategies. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats of leaf samples from invasive populations in SA and the native range of the United States of America (USA) were performed to determine the population genetics of P. cordata. The clarification of population structure of an alien invasive plant can provide insight into founder effects, introduction events and modes of spread and is important for the development of management plans such as biological control. Results from the genetic analyses indicated that P. cordata populations have low genetic diversity within and amongst invasive populations in comparison to native populations. This suggests that high gene flow and sexual reproduction is not present in invasive populations, and that only a single or very few introductory events have occurred in SA. Furthermore, invasive P. cordata populations shared the highest genetic similarity with native samples from Belle Haven, Virginia, USA, and thus further sampling and future genetic surveys should be conducted in this area to identify source populations to survey for potential biological control agents. Following these findings, I investigated whether sexual reproduction and seed production is absent from invasive P. cordata populations in SA as speculated. Floral traits from populations throughout all the invaded provinces were measured and, along with pollen grain measurements, it was determined that only short-morphed plants are present in SA. It was speculated that the absence of native pollinators in the invasive range may be responsible for the absence of sexual reproduction. However, a pollination study confirmed the presence of generalist insect pollinators. Thereafter, artificial pollination experiments on 8 865 flowers were conducted to determine whether an incompatibility system was present which prevented seed production. No seeds were produced and it was concluded that illegitimate pollination of the short-morphed plants prevented seed production and rhizomes are responsible for the invasion of P. cordata throughout SA. The implications of these findings and possible management strategies such as biological control is discussed in Chapter 4. These findings suggest that control programmes should target the plants rhizomes to prevent and reduce spread. Preventing the introduction of medium- and long-morphed plants into SA is crucial to prevent P. cordata from producing seeds and intensifying invasion further through both asexual and sexual spread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Wansell, Sage Nora-Lee
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Plant invsions -- South AFrica , Invasive plants -- Ecology -- South Africa , Pontederiaceae -- South AFrica
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172433 , vital:42200
- Description: Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) is a tristylous invasive macrophyte – originating from North and South America – that has caused detrimental environmental, agricultural and socio-economic impacts in South Africa (SA). This novel study investigates the invasive ecology of P. cordata in SA by determining population genetics, pollination ecology and floral traits. Preliminary field surveys suggest that only one of three tristylous forms of P. cordata is invading SA and no seeds have been observed in any invasive populations. This study therefore determined the population genetics, mode of spread of P. cordata in SA and possible reasons for the lack of seed production, as well as providing suggestions for future control and management strategies. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats of leaf samples from invasive populations in SA and the native range of the United States of America (USA) were performed to determine the population genetics of P. cordata. The clarification of population structure of an alien invasive plant can provide insight into founder effects, introduction events and modes of spread and is important for the development of management plans such as biological control. Results from the genetic analyses indicated that P. cordata populations have low genetic diversity within and amongst invasive populations in comparison to native populations. This suggests that high gene flow and sexual reproduction is not present in invasive populations, and that only a single or very few introductory events have occurred in SA. Furthermore, invasive P. cordata populations shared the highest genetic similarity with native samples from Belle Haven, Virginia, USA, and thus further sampling and future genetic surveys should be conducted in this area to identify source populations to survey for potential biological control agents. Following these findings, I investigated whether sexual reproduction and seed production is absent from invasive P. cordata populations in SA as speculated. Floral traits from populations throughout all the invaded provinces were measured and, along with pollen grain measurements, it was determined that only short-morphed plants are present in SA. It was speculated that the absence of native pollinators in the invasive range may be responsible for the absence of sexual reproduction. However, a pollination study confirmed the presence of generalist insect pollinators. Thereafter, artificial pollination experiments on 8 865 flowers were conducted to determine whether an incompatibility system was present which prevented seed production. No seeds were produced and it was concluded that illegitimate pollination of the short-morphed plants prevented seed production and rhizomes are responsible for the invasion of P. cordata throughout SA. The implications of these findings and possible management strategies such as biological control is discussed in Chapter 4. These findings suggest that control programmes should target the plants rhizomes to prevent and reduce spread. Preventing the introduction of medium- and long-morphed plants into SA is crucial to prevent P. cordata from producing seeds and intensifying invasion further through both asexual and sexual spread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The nature of violence in South African universities African universities: The politics of process
- Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The potential conflict of interest associated with the management of Rosa rubiginos L. (Rosehip) in South Africa
- Authors: Westwood, Timothy
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- Economic aspects , Rose hips -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Roses -- South Africa , Rose culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172458 , vital:42204
- Description: Rosa rubiginosa L. is a category 1b invasive plant species in South Africa and must be controlled according to NEM:BA. However, R. rubiginosa has the potential to provide economic benefit in South Africa due to the expanding market for the shrubs fruit, rosehips. The shrub is not permitted to be cultivated in South Africa due to legislation, limiting the economic potential as the rosehips are only able to be collected from wild R. rubiginosa shrubs. In order to expand the rosehip market in South Africa a downgrade or removal of R. rubiginosa from the invasive species list would be required, as wild harvest is limited. This study aims to assess the benefits and cost associated with R. rubiginosa in order to determine whether the legislation should be altered allowing for the cultivation of the shrub in South Africa. Due to the limited literature surrounding R. rubiginosa three different questionnaires and a case study were used in order to assess the benefits and negatives associated with the shrub. Experts in the field of invasion biology were surveyed to bridge the gap in the R. rubiginosa literature. Landowners, where the shrub is abundant, were surveyed to determine the negative impacts of R. rubiginosa. Rosehip companies were surveyed in order to determine the current size and potential of the R. rubiginosa (rosehip) market. The case study looked at how a rosehip company would benefit if R. rubiginosa was allowed to be cultivated in South Africa. The study found R. rubiginosa to have great economic potential and market growth, with very little negative economic impact. The case study showed that one rosehip company would grow from 1500 tons of raw rosehip to 20 000 tons if cultivation was allowed, resulting in a growth in turnover from R57 million to R760 million ($1=R14.8). The findings in the study show that R. rubiginosa does not significantly affect landowners where it is abundant. Therefore, it is suggested that a change to the legislation should be considered allowing for the cultivation of R. rubiginosa should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Westwood, Timothy
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- Economic aspects , Rose hips -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Roses -- South Africa , Rose culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172458 , vital:42204
- Description: Rosa rubiginosa L. is a category 1b invasive plant species in South Africa and must be controlled according to NEM:BA. However, R. rubiginosa has the potential to provide economic benefit in South Africa due to the expanding market for the shrubs fruit, rosehips. The shrub is not permitted to be cultivated in South Africa due to legislation, limiting the economic potential as the rosehips are only able to be collected from wild R. rubiginosa shrubs. In order to expand the rosehip market in South Africa a downgrade or removal of R. rubiginosa from the invasive species list would be required, as wild harvest is limited. This study aims to assess the benefits and cost associated with R. rubiginosa in order to determine whether the legislation should be altered allowing for the cultivation of the shrub in South Africa. Due to the limited literature surrounding R. rubiginosa three different questionnaires and a case study were used in order to assess the benefits and negatives associated with the shrub. Experts in the field of invasion biology were surveyed to bridge the gap in the R. rubiginosa literature. Landowners, where the shrub is abundant, were surveyed to determine the negative impacts of R. rubiginosa. Rosehip companies were surveyed in order to determine the current size and potential of the R. rubiginosa (rosehip) market. The case study looked at how a rosehip company would benefit if R. rubiginosa was allowed to be cultivated in South Africa. The study found R. rubiginosa to have great economic potential and market growth, with very little negative economic impact. The case study showed that one rosehip company would grow from 1500 tons of raw rosehip to 20 000 tons if cultivation was allowed, resulting in a growth in turnover from R57 million to R760 million ($1=R14.8). The findings in the study show that R. rubiginosa does not significantly affect landowners where it is abundant. Therefore, it is suggested that a change to the legislation should be considered allowing for the cultivation of R. rubiginosa should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The practice and design of social-ecological systems research
- de Vos, Alta, Maciejewski, Kristine, Bodin, Orjan, Norstrom, Albert, Schluter, Maja, Tengo, Maria
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Bodin, Orjan , Norstrom, Albert , Schluter, Maja , Tengo, Maria
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433826 , vital:73003 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Studying social-ecological systems (SES) can be a challenging task, as explained in Chapter 2. Phenomena of interest and characteristics of SES research result from both social and ecological processes, and complicated feedback dynamics blur the distinction between cause and effect (Young et al. 2006). Furthermore, multiple causal processes may be operating simultaneously, outcomes are strongly influenced by the system’s context and it is difficult to determine system boundaries (Bodin and Prell 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Bodin, Orjan , Norstrom, Albert , Schluter, Maja , Tengo, Maria
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433826 , vital:73003 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Studying social-ecological systems (SES) can be a challenging task, as explained in Chapter 2. Phenomena of interest and characteristics of SES research result from both social and ecological processes, and complicated feedback dynamics blur the distinction between cause and effect (Young et al. 2006). Furthermore, multiple causal processes may be operating simultaneously, outcomes are strongly influenced by the system’s context and it is difficult to determine system boundaries (Bodin and Prell 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The Role of Ecological Infrastructure (EI) in Mitigating the Impacts of Droughts
- Mantel, Sukhmani K, Xoxo, Sinetemba, Mahlaba, Bawinile, Tanner, Jane L, Le Maître, David
- Authors: Mantel, Sukhmani K , Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mahlaba, Bawinile , Tanner, Jane L , Le Maître, David
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438209 , vital:73443 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0304-1 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2928_web.pdf
- Description: To explain how well-managed ecological infrastructure can help to miti-gate the impacts of droughts on human livelihoods and well-being and to propose strategic responses that will maintain and enhance the value of this service that people will embrace and implement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mantel, Sukhmani K , Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mahlaba, Bawinile , Tanner, Jane L , Le Maître, David
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438209 , vital:73443 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0304-1 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2928_web.pdf
- Description: To explain how well-managed ecological infrastructure can help to miti-gate the impacts of droughts on human livelihoods and well-being and to propose strategic responses that will maintain and enhance the value of this service that people will embrace and implement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Urban birds in the Eastern Cape: local observations from Makhanda (Grahamstown) and future questions
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E, Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449580 , vital:74831 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1816585
- Description: In Makhanda (Grahamstown), a non-industrial town with approximately 85 000 inhabitants, we have recorded 174 bird species within the urban area, of which 104 species are likely to breed regularly. The source habitats of these birds include all the surrounding habitat types, and the bird community is evidently determined by both local conditions within the town (e.g. tree density) and regional changes affecting the eastern coast of South Africa (range shifts). Topics meriting future research on urban bird communities in South Africa are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Urban birds in the Eastern Cape: local observations from Makhanda (Grahamstown) and future questions
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449580 , vital:74831 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1816585
- Description: In Makhanda (Grahamstown), a non-industrial town with approximately 85 000 inhabitants, we have recorded 174 bird species within the urban area, of which 104 species are likely to breed regularly. The source habitats of these birds include all the surrounding habitat types, and the bird community is evidently determined by both local conditions within the town (e.g. tree density) and regional changes affecting the eastern coast of South Africa (range shifts). Topics meriting future research on urban bird communities in South Africa are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
What are social-ecological systems and social-ecological systems research
- Biggs, Reinette, Clements, Hayley, de Vos, Alta, Folke, Carl, Manyani, Amanda, Maciejewski, Kristine, Martin-Lopez, Berta, Preiser, Rika, Selomane, Odirilwe, Schluter, Maja
- Authors: Biggs, Reinette , Clements, Hayley , de Vos, Alta , Folke, Carl , Manyani, Amanda , Maciejewski, Kristine , Martin-Lopez, Berta , Preiser, Rika , Selomane, Odirilwe , Schluter, Maja
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433900 , vital:73008 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: The period since the Second World War has been marked by rapid and accelerating changes to many aspects of human society and the environment (Clark, Crutzen, and Schellnhuber 2004; Steffen et al. 2011; Steffen et al. 2015a). There is accumulating evidence and rising concern about the potential consequences these changes hold for key Earth system processes at a global scale, and human well-being and prosperity into the future (Krausmann et al. 2013; Steffen et al. 2015b). The Anthropocene, as this new era of extensive human impact on the Earth has come to be known (Crutzen 2006), manifests in a closely intertwined set of social and ecological changes. Technological advances, increasing human population, rising levels of wealth and consumption, and the institutional arrangements we have developed to govern our economies and societies interplay with one another, and drastically affect the Earth’s climate, biological diversity, fresh-water and biogeochemical flows, and levels of novel pollutants in the environment (Steffen et al. 2015a). These environmental changes, in turn, contribute to increasingly frequent and severe droughts (Dai 2013; Trenberth et al. 2014), floods (Milly et al. 2002; Nicholls 2004), heatwaves (Guo et al. 2018; Oliver et al. 2018) and the emergence of novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 (Everard et al. 2020; O ’Callaghan-Gordo and Antò 2020; Schmeller, Courchamp, and Killeen 2020) that can lead to massive societal disruption and hardship, especially among the poor (Wheeler and Von Braun 2013; Barbier and Hochard 2018).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Biggs, Reinette , Clements, Hayley , de Vos, Alta , Folke, Carl , Manyani, Amanda , Maciejewski, Kristine , Martin-Lopez, Berta , Preiser, Rika , Selomane, Odirilwe , Schluter, Maja
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433900 , vital:73008 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: The period since the Second World War has been marked by rapid and accelerating changes to many aspects of human society and the environment (Clark, Crutzen, and Schellnhuber 2004; Steffen et al. 2011; Steffen et al. 2015a). There is accumulating evidence and rising concern about the potential consequences these changes hold for key Earth system processes at a global scale, and human well-being and prosperity into the future (Krausmann et al. 2013; Steffen et al. 2015b). The Anthropocene, as this new era of extensive human impact on the Earth has come to be known (Crutzen 2006), manifests in a closely intertwined set of social and ecological changes. Technological advances, increasing human population, rising levels of wealth and consumption, and the institutional arrangements we have developed to govern our economies and societies interplay with one another, and drastically affect the Earth’s climate, biological diversity, fresh-water and biogeochemical flows, and levels of novel pollutants in the environment (Steffen et al. 2015a). These environmental changes, in turn, contribute to increasingly frequent and severe droughts (Dai 2013; Trenberth et al. 2014), floods (Milly et al. 2002; Nicholls 2004), heatwaves (Guo et al. 2018; Oliver et al. 2018) and the emergence of novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 (Everard et al. 2020; O ’Callaghan-Gordo and Antò 2020; Schmeller, Courchamp, and Killeen 2020) that can lead to massive societal disruption and hardship, especially among the poor (Wheeler and Von Braun 2013; Barbier and Hochard 2018).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Strategies employed by teachers to assist Grade 4 learners transition from mother tongue instruction to English as a medium of instruction
- Authors: Butler, Cynthia Desiree
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching , English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20035 , vital:45029
- Description: In most South African schools, there is a transition period, where lower primary learners receive instruction in their mother tongue from grades 1-3 and from grade 4 onwards, English becomes the medium of instruction. This study explored how learners in primary schools in Grade 4 learn through the medium of English, since IsiXhosa is their home language and they come from a community of pre-dominantly IsiXhosa speakers where English is seldom heard or spoken. The study is concerned with the language and literacy practices at this crucial transition, and investigated to what extent learners in the Grade 4 have learnt / been taught / have developed sufficient basic inter-personal communication skills, BICS, (Cummins, 2000), in isiXhosa to make the switch to learning all subjects in English. The theoretical frameworks adopted for this study was Cummins Language theories. Within this study an interpretive paradigm aligned with the qualitative approach and the case study design for understanding the phenomena, were adopted. The study covered three primary schools which were purposively selected. The participants comprised of six female teachers teaching Life Skills in Grade 4 from five mainstream schools were also purposively selected. Semi structured interviews, observation and document analyses were used as data collection instruments. A qualitative thematic approach was used for data analyses and the emerging results were organised into different themes reflecting participant’s responses. The findings revealed that teachers did not use lesson plans as they have indicated. Even though literature emphasises the importance of lesson planning, teachers find it tedious to plan. It was established that no assessment tasks were done when the lesson was concluded. Effective teaching without valid and reliable assessment tasks would result in meaningless teaching and learning interactions. It was revealed that teachers used teaching aids, but only a few. The information demonstrated that teachers did not code switch to assist with learner understanding. Instead, they presented their lessons in English which hampered learning. The study discovered that teachers used the old traditional style of teaching, instead of learner-centred instruction, which is interactive and participatory. The study exposed that the biggest challenges learners encountered, was the language of teaching and learning, English. However, the findings established that learners where unable to understand and express themselves in English. English lessons had minimal learner participation, because learners did not have the necessary competence and English was not their home language. The study further revealed that the English language leads to a barrier of effective learning and placed learners at a disadvantage. The findings further suggested that a lack of resources had an impact on teaching and learning which affected learners’ acquisition and understanding of the medium of instruction. The findings claimed that slow and progressed learners exist in classrooms and need individualised and specialised teaching. It was found that parental involvement, translation, learner participation, group work and teaching aids assisted with the challenges teachers encounter during transitioning in the subject Life Skills. It is recommended that the school develop a structured programme to provide support and assistance for teachers with lesson planning. Assessment task should be included in each lesson and should be viewed as an essential part of teaching and learning. Teachers should make use of multiple and a variety of teaching aids. Code switching and translation should be used, as it assists with understanding, accuracy and clarity. An appropriate mix of teaching styles should be used, to reach all leaners in a classroom. Teachers can improve learners English, by incorporating learners’ home language, code-switching and teaching aids in class. Slow and progressed learners could be assisted by using a variety of teaching materials, individual attention, remedial education, peer tutoring, differentiated teaching and curriculum adaptation. A structured learning support programme providing learning support for learners with barriers to learning, can be utilised. It is recommended that parents be involved in their children’s learning. The schools should set up effective monitoring and support mechanism for teachers in order to ensure that quality teaching and learning takes place in schools. Regular monitoring and evaluation by the DoE might assist to support teachers. A suggested framework of strategies in Life Skills, based on the findings of the study and extensive literature review, should contribute and assist with transitioning in Grade 4 in schools. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
- Authors: Butler, Cynthia Desiree
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching , English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20035 , vital:45029
- Description: In most South African schools, there is a transition period, where lower primary learners receive instruction in their mother tongue from grades 1-3 and from grade 4 onwards, English becomes the medium of instruction. This study explored how learners in primary schools in Grade 4 learn through the medium of English, since IsiXhosa is their home language and they come from a community of pre-dominantly IsiXhosa speakers where English is seldom heard or spoken. The study is concerned with the language and literacy practices at this crucial transition, and investigated to what extent learners in the Grade 4 have learnt / been taught / have developed sufficient basic inter-personal communication skills, BICS, (Cummins, 2000), in isiXhosa to make the switch to learning all subjects in English. The theoretical frameworks adopted for this study was Cummins Language theories. Within this study an interpretive paradigm aligned with the qualitative approach and the case study design for understanding the phenomena, were adopted. The study covered three primary schools which were purposively selected. The participants comprised of six female teachers teaching Life Skills in Grade 4 from five mainstream schools were also purposively selected. Semi structured interviews, observation and document analyses were used as data collection instruments. A qualitative thematic approach was used for data analyses and the emerging results were organised into different themes reflecting participant’s responses. The findings revealed that teachers did not use lesson plans as they have indicated. Even though literature emphasises the importance of lesson planning, teachers find it tedious to plan. It was established that no assessment tasks were done when the lesson was concluded. Effective teaching without valid and reliable assessment tasks would result in meaningless teaching and learning interactions. It was revealed that teachers used teaching aids, but only a few. The information demonstrated that teachers did not code switch to assist with learner understanding. Instead, they presented their lessons in English which hampered learning. The study discovered that teachers used the old traditional style of teaching, instead of learner-centred instruction, which is interactive and participatory. The study exposed that the biggest challenges learners encountered, was the language of teaching and learning, English. However, the findings established that learners where unable to understand and express themselves in English. English lessons had minimal learner participation, because learners did not have the necessary competence and English was not their home language. The study further revealed that the English language leads to a barrier of effective learning and placed learners at a disadvantage. The findings further suggested that a lack of resources had an impact on teaching and learning which affected learners’ acquisition and understanding of the medium of instruction. The findings claimed that slow and progressed learners exist in classrooms and need individualised and specialised teaching. It was found that parental involvement, translation, learner participation, group work and teaching aids assisted with the challenges teachers encounter during transitioning in the subject Life Skills. It is recommended that the school develop a structured programme to provide support and assistance for teachers with lesson planning. Assessment task should be included in each lesson and should be viewed as an essential part of teaching and learning. Teachers should make use of multiple and a variety of teaching aids. Code switching and translation should be used, as it assists with understanding, accuracy and clarity. An appropriate mix of teaching styles should be used, to reach all leaners in a classroom. Teachers can improve learners English, by incorporating learners’ home language, code-switching and teaching aids in class. Slow and progressed learners could be assisted by using a variety of teaching materials, individual attention, remedial education, peer tutoring, differentiated teaching and curriculum adaptation. A structured learning support programme providing learning support for learners with barriers to learning, can be utilised. It is recommended that parents be involved in their children’s learning. The schools should set up effective monitoring and support mechanism for teachers in order to ensure that quality teaching and learning takes place in schools. Regular monitoring and evaluation by the DoE might assist to support teachers. A suggested framework of strategies in Life Skills, based on the findings of the study and extensive literature review, should contribute and assist with transitioning in Grade 4 in schools. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
African narratives of customary marriage, marital stressors, strengths and the value of indigenous marital counselling
- Authors: Phakane, Tankiso Maxwell
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Marriage counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53522 , vital:45275
- Description: The knowledge base of the social sciences and helping professions is characterised by paradigms and theories that have stemmed from a Western intellectual perspective. This has produced many challenges; the main one being that the people of African origin unconsciously embrace the Western worldview leading to the marginalisation of their own view of the world which was a motivation for this study. A further motivation for the study emerged from the divorce rate in customary marriages that is higher than that of statutory marriage in the Makhoaseng Village (Elundini Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan Report, 2015-2016). Employing social constructionism as its theoretical framework, this study, which was located in a rural village in the Eastern Cape, sought to enhance understanding of the stressors and strengths of customary marriage, as well the value of indigenous marital counselling. This qualitative research study was guided by a narrative research design that involved the recruiting of a sample of twenty research participants through the nonprobability purpose sampling, with the local chief serving as a gatekeeper. The data were collected through two separate focus group interviews for males and females, respectively, each of whom were in customary marriages for a period of twenty years and more. As per cultural tradition, the focus group interview for females was conducted by a female colleague, whilst the researcher recorded the observations and the fieldwork notes. The thematic analysis generated four main themes around the participants’ perceptions and experiences of customary marriage, marital stressors, marital strengths and the value of indigenous counselling. The findings make a valuable contribution to the generation of guidelines for marriage counselling from an African worldview. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Phakane, Tankiso Maxwell
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Marriage counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53522 , vital:45275
- Description: The knowledge base of the social sciences and helping professions is characterised by paradigms and theories that have stemmed from a Western intellectual perspective. This has produced many challenges; the main one being that the people of African origin unconsciously embrace the Western worldview leading to the marginalisation of their own view of the world which was a motivation for this study. A further motivation for the study emerged from the divorce rate in customary marriages that is higher than that of statutory marriage in the Makhoaseng Village (Elundini Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan Report, 2015-2016). Employing social constructionism as its theoretical framework, this study, which was located in a rural village in the Eastern Cape, sought to enhance understanding of the stressors and strengths of customary marriage, as well the value of indigenous marital counselling. This qualitative research study was guided by a narrative research design that involved the recruiting of a sample of twenty research participants through the nonprobability purpose sampling, with the local chief serving as a gatekeeper. The data were collected through two separate focus group interviews for males and females, respectively, each of whom were in customary marriages for a period of twenty years and more. As per cultural tradition, the focus group interview for females was conducted by a female colleague, whilst the researcher recorded the observations and the fieldwork notes. The thematic analysis generated four main themes around the participants’ perceptions and experiences of customary marriage, marital stressors, marital strengths and the value of indigenous counselling. The findings make a valuable contribution to the generation of guidelines for marriage counselling from an African worldview. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Exploring the Teaching and Learning of Euclidean Geometry in Senior Secondary Schools: The Case of O R Tambo Coastal Schools
- Authors: Danso, Agyare
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Euclidean Geometry
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6582 , vital:47145
- Description: This study was aimed at exploring the teaching and learning of Euclidean Geometry in five selected senior secondary schools in the O R Tambo Coastal District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The literature review was based on existing knowledge in the teaching and learning of Euclidean geometry. The study was built on analyzing the effective teaching strategies based on the teacher’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in Euclidean Geometry (EG). Shulman and Ma’s perspective on teachers’ competencies and knowledge of Mathematics was used as the theoretical framework of the study. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was adopted for the study. A purposive convenience sampling technique was used to select research sites and participants. The main instruments used were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, classroom observation schedules, and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively utilizing tables and graphs. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. The various findings were interpreted through the literature and the theoretical framework. It was found that learners have a poor foundation in geometry and the methods teachers employed to teach Euclidean Geometry were inappropriate. Recommendations and suggestions were made. It is hoped that these recommendations would be noted by the appropriate stakeholders to ensure that improvement in the teaching and learning of Euclidean Geometry is achieved in our secondary schools to help matriculates’ obtain good marks in the final certification examination. Keywords: Euclidean Geometry, geometry teaching and learning; learners’ attitude; Teachers Pedagogical Content Knowledge , Thesis (M.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Danso, Agyare
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Euclidean Geometry
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6582 , vital:47145
- Description: This study was aimed at exploring the teaching and learning of Euclidean Geometry in five selected senior secondary schools in the O R Tambo Coastal District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The literature review was based on existing knowledge in the teaching and learning of Euclidean geometry. The study was built on analyzing the effective teaching strategies based on the teacher’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in Euclidean Geometry (EG). Shulman and Ma’s perspective on teachers’ competencies and knowledge of Mathematics was used as the theoretical framework of the study. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was adopted for the study. A purposive convenience sampling technique was used to select research sites and participants. The main instruments used were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, classroom observation schedules, and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively utilizing tables and graphs. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. The various findings were interpreted through the literature and the theoretical framework. It was found that learners have a poor foundation in geometry and the methods teachers employed to teach Euclidean Geometry were inappropriate. Recommendations and suggestions were made. It is hoped that these recommendations would be noted by the appropriate stakeholders to ensure that improvement in the teaching and learning of Euclidean Geometry is achieved in our secondary schools to help matriculates’ obtain good marks in the final certification examination. Keywords: Euclidean Geometry, geometry teaching and learning; learners’ attitude; Teachers Pedagogical Content Knowledge , Thesis (M.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Monitoring the impact of deforestation on an aquatic ecosystem using remote sensing: a case study of the Mngazana mangrove forest in the eastern cape province.
- Authors: Madasa, Akhona
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Remote sensing , Mangrove forests , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20815 , vital:46598
- Description: Coastal mangrove vegetation at Mngazana continues to be threatened and reduced periodically due to unmonitored harvesting. Covering an area of 148ha, the Mngazana mangrove forest remains unreserved, thus, research on the Mngazana mangroves is essential in order to monitor their state and sustainable management. Since in-situ monitoring of mangrove areas is both challenging and time-consuming, remote sensing technologies have been used to monitor these ecosystems. This study was carried out to monitor the impact of deforestation using ASTER satellite images over ten years: from 2008 - 2018. Validation was carried out by comparing classification results with the ground-referenced data, which yielded satisfactory agreement, with an overall accuracy of 94.64 percent and Kappa coefficient of 0.93 for 2008; and in 2009, the overall accuracy was 88.62 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.85. While the overall accuracy of 95.08 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.92 for 2016 and 2018 were observed, the overall accuracy of 93.58 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.91 was yielded. NDVI and SAVI indices were used as monitoring indicators. The results obtained in the study indicated that the canopy density of the mangrove forest remained unchanged in the years under investigation. However, insignificant changes in canopy density were identified between 2009 and 2016. , Thesis (MSc) (Applied Remote Sensing & GIS) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Madasa, Akhona
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Remote sensing , Mangrove forests , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20815 , vital:46598
- Description: Coastal mangrove vegetation at Mngazana continues to be threatened and reduced periodically due to unmonitored harvesting. Covering an area of 148ha, the Mngazana mangrove forest remains unreserved, thus, research on the Mngazana mangroves is essential in order to monitor their state and sustainable management. Since in-situ monitoring of mangrove areas is both challenging and time-consuming, remote sensing technologies have been used to monitor these ecosystems. This study was carried out to monitor the impact of deforestation using ASTER satellite images over ten years: from 2008 - 2018. Validation was carried out by comparing classification results with the ground-referenced data, which yielded satisfactory agreement, with an overall accuracy of 94.64 percent and Kappa coefficient of 0.93 for 2008; and in 2009, the overall accuracy was 88.62 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.85. While the overall accuracy of 95.08 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.92 for 2016 and 2018 were observed, the overall accuracy of 93.58 percent and a Kappa coefficient of 0.91 was yielded. NDVI and SAVI indices were used as monitoring indicators. The results obtained in the study indicated that the canopy density of the mangrove forest remained unchanged in the years under investigation. However, insignificant changes in canopy density were identified between 2009 and 2016. , Thesis (MSc) (Applied Remote Sensing & GIS) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Rural enterprise development as a means to poverty alleviation
- Authors: Bodley, David Cyril
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49759 , vital:41797
- Description: South Africa’s disappointing economic performance over the last decade has resulted in a socio-economic crisis, with unemployment and inequality rates being of the highest rates anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unemployment is concentrated among the young, unskilled, and previously disadvantaged population posing a considerable threat to South Africa’s new democracy. Internationally, a method to absorb job seekers into the economy is to make small business the engine-room of economic growth and development. Consequently, the South African Government has identified in its National Development Plan the establishment of small businesses as a priority, including the development of small businesses in rural and marginalised communities. As rural communities in South Africa experience systemic problems such as the lack of infrastructure, financial capital, skills and potential markets, establishing enterprises in rural settings is often more complex than those more advanced parts of the economy elsewhere where fewer constraints exist. This makes the task of establishing and growing rural entities particularly challenging, suggesting bespoke policy and support is required. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of economic development theory and how this intersects with and informs small enterprise development policy. It then looks at South Africa’s strategy and policy framework pertaining to enterprise development. Specifically, the literature examines the role of rural enterprise development to establish whether this enables people to move out of poverty or further entraps people in poverty. The study collates data from a rural and marginalised community through observation and interview techniques. Firstly, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen entrepreneurs in a rural community to collect data on business opportunities and explore the type of support entrepreneurs would require from government. Secondly, a focus group interview was conducted with entrepreneurs that had ii experienced institutional support to understand how well current policy and programmes support rural enterprise development. The primary data was analysed in conjunction with the literature on economic theory and enterprise development using the technique of triangulation to avoid logic leaps and formation of false assumptions. The insights and findings from the analysis reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge pertaining to enterprise development, but there were also some interesting new insights that emanate from the data. South Africa has been able to introduce a wide range of policy initiatives and has multiple programmes and strategies to support small enterprise development. It has achieved firm success and impetus as well as experiencing certain failures. The study clearly highlights both and makes recommendations to improve policy promoting rural enterprise development as a means to alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Bodley, David Cyril
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49759 , vital:41797
- Description: South Africa’s disappointing economic performance over the last decade has resulted in a socio-economic crisis, with unemployment and inequality rates being of the highest rates anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unemployment is concentrated among the young, unskilled, and previously disadvantaged population posing a considerable threat to South Africa’s new democracy. Internationally, a method to absorb job seekers into the economy is to make small business the engine-room of economic growth and development. Consequently, the South African Government has identified in its National Development Plan the establishment of small businesses as a priority, including the development of small businesses in rural and marginalised communities. As rural communities in South Africa experience systemic problems such as the lack of infrastructure, financial capital, skills and potential markets, establishing enterprises in rural settings is often more complex than those more advanced parts of the economy elsewhere where fewer constraints exist. This makes the task of establishing and growing rural entities particularly challenging, suggesting bespoke policy and support is required. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of economic development theory and how this intersects with and informs small enterprise development policy. It then looks at South Africa’s strategy and policy framework pertaining to enterprise development. Specifically, the literature examines the role of rural enterprise development to establish whether this enables people to move out of poverty or further entraps people in poverty. The study collates data from a rural and marginalised community through observation and interview techniques. Firstly, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen entrepreneurs in a rural community to collect data on business opportunities and explore the type of support entrepreneurs would require from government. Secondly, a focus group interview was conducted with entrepreneurs that had ii experienced institutional support to understand how well current policy and programmes support rural enterprise development. The primary data was analysed in conjunction with the literature on economic theory and enterprise development using the technique of triangulation to avoid logic leaps and formation of false assumptions. The insights and findings from the analysis reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge pertaining to enterprise development, but there were also some interesting new insights that emanate from the data. South Africa has been able to introduce a wide range of policy initiatives and has multiple programmes and strategies to support small enterprise development. It has achieved firm success and impetus as well as experiencing certain failures. The study clearly highlights both and makes recommendations to improve policy promoting rural enterprise development as a means to alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Effect of Mucuna pruriens based-diets on fatty acids composition and sensory attributes of meat from broiler chickens
- Authors: Makhamba, Nasiphi
- Date: 2020-11
- Subjects: Fatty acids , Broilers (Chickens)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20771 , vital:46554
- Description: The current study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding different inclusion levels of processed Mucuna pruriens on fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of broiler chickens. 120 Cob500 broilers were used in the experiment. The experiment was divided into 4 treatment (0, 10, 15 and 20 percent of Mucuna pruriens) groups, each treatment with 6 replicates (5 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. The first treatment (0 percent) was used as control against the three different levels of Mucuna pruriens. The birds were reared in a deep litter system until they reached slaughter weight of 2kg. At day 42 a total of 80 birds were slaughtered and breast muscles were sampled for the evaluation of sensory attributes and fatty acid composition. For sensory evaluation meat samples were prepared and boiled at 80°C until the internal temperature reached 82°C, 40 consumers were used to assess the meat samples and give scores according to 9-point hedonic scale. The fatty acid content was determined and recorded using the gas chromatography. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA), total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the breast meat were not affected by diets. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid were also not influenced by treatment diets. However, breast muscle from broilers fed 20 percent Mucuna pruriens seed meal inclusion had lower Myristic acid. The sensory attributes; aroma, colour, flavour, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability were assessed, dietary treatments affected the juiciness, tenderness and acceptability of meat, the treatments showed no significant difference on colour, aroma and flavour. Different age groups accepted the meat differently, the respondents that were between 18 and 22 years old gave the highest scores to the acceptability of meat than the other age groups, and different age groups also gave different scores in the aroma of meat. Females and males accepted the meat differently, the female respondents gave higher scores on the flavour of meat than males. Different inclusion levels of Mucuna pruriens positively affected fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of broiler chickens without causing any detrimental effects. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-11
- Authors: Makhamba, Nasiphi
- Date: 2020-11
- Subjects: Fatty acids , Broilers (Chickens)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20771 , vital:46554
- Description: The current study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding different inclusion levels of processed Mucuna pruriens on fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of broiler chickens. 120 Cob500 broilers were used in the experiment. The experiment was divided into 4 treatment (0, 10, 15 and 20 percent of Mucuna pruriens) groups, each treatment with 6 replicates (5 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. The first treatment (0 percent) was used as control against the three different levels of Mucuna pruriens. The birds were reared in a deep litter system until they reached slaughter weight of 2kg. At day 42 a total of 80 birds were slaughtered and breast muscles were sampled for the evaluation of sensory attributes and fatty acid composition. For sensory evaluation meat samples were prepared and boiled at 80°C until the internal temperature reached 82°C, 40 consumers were used to assess the meat samples and give scores according to 9-point hedonic scale. The fatty acid content was determined and recorded using the gas chromatography. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA), total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the breast meat were not affected by diets. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid were also not influenced by treatment diets. However, breast muscle from broilers fed 20 percent Mucuna pruriens seed meal inclusion had lower Myristic acid. The sensory attributes; aroma, colour, flavour, juiciness, tenderness and acceptability were assessed, dietary treatments affected the juiciness, tenderness and acceptability of meat, the treatments showed no significant difference on colour, aroma and flavour. Different age groups accepted the meat differently, the respondents that were between 18 and 22 years old gave the highest scores to the acceptability of meat than the other age groups, and different age groups also gave different scores in the aroma of meat. Females and males accepted the meat differently, the female respondents gave higher scores on the flavour of meat than males. Different inclusion levels of Mucuna pruriens positively affected fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of broiler chickens without causing any detrimental effects. , Thesis (MSc) (Animal Science) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-11
The many faces of Beauty and the Beast: A feminist and new historicist approach
- Banks, Monique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-7050
- Authors: Banks, Monique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-7050
- Date: 2020-10
- Subjects: Fairy tales in literature , Women and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23862 , vital:61068
- Description: The fairy tale tradition is saturated with tales from male writers, and very little attention has been placed on the tales written by women. The tales which have made their way into the public realm and have been shared and passed down for years and identified as ‘classics’ are those which embody patriarchal ideas and expectations of men and women. Seventeenth century France played an integral role in the development of the fairy tale realm. The context of the French Academy and French Salons allowed writers to share their tales. Popular writer, Charles Perrault, published his collection of tales during this time and they became popular throughout France and other parts of the world. His tales were used as educational tools and, hence, they shared particular messages with their readers. More specific to this research are the patriarchal ideas these tales shared with their readers. At the same time, a number of French women, acting in the salons, also penned and shared their unique tales. Unfortunately, these tales and their writers did not receive the same acceptance as Perrault’s tales in the seventeenth century. Furthermore, as time passed, women writers were still not given equal recognition to male writers. As their tales were, for the most part, ignored by the public, their messages and ideas about gender were not shared with readers and the public this made the fairy tale genre overly patriarchal and gendered in nature. Therefore, the study’s primary focus is to analyse the Beauty and the Beast tales written by women writers from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the twenty-first century. It is important to make these writers’ literature known in order to broaden the understanding of the fairy tale genre as multi-faceted. Studying the characters, their behaviours and the gendered relationships within each tale provides a deeper understanding of women writers throughout the centuries. Analysing the social context in which each tale was written, along with each tale, presents a sense of how each woman writer continued and/or rejected the gendered ideas of her society. It also provides a picture of the timeline of women’s writing from the earlier centuries until today. To conclude, this study reflects an interesting movement in the fairy tale literature published by women. More recent tales produce more dynamic and empowered characters, who act outside of patriarchal limitations. The Beauty character of more recent tales, for instance, is given more of an independent role than her predecessors are. Ritchie’s female character is placed in a realistic setting and lives with both the ‘Beast’ and his mother, with her courage and bravery emphasising a new position for the female character. She becomes more and more aware of her position as an object to be traded in Carter’s tales and Block’s Beauty and craves the freedom and independence she feels outside of her father’s household, flourishing in the life of a beast. Flinn’s female character steps out of the box of physical beauty and represents a more normalised character. In modern times, the developments between each tale reflect that the ideas of gender are becoming more varied and fluid than earlier societies. The feminism and new historicist analysis of the traditional and remake Beauty and the Beast tales, therefore, highlights particular developments in fairy tale literature, together with shedding a brighter light on fairy tales written by women writers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-10
- Authors: Banks, Monique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-7050
- Date: 2020-10
- Subjects: Fairy tales in literature , Women and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23862 , vital:61068
- Description: The fairy tale tradition is saturated with tales from male writers, and very little attention has been placed on the tales written by women. The tales which have made their way into the public realm and have been shared and passed down for years and identified as ‘classics’ are those which embody patriarchal ideas and expectations of men and women. Seventeenth century France played an integral role in the development of the fairy tale realm. The context of the French Academy and French Salons allowed writers to share their tales. Popular writer, Charles Perrault, published his collection of tales during this time and they became popular throughout France and other parts of the world. His tales were used as educational tools and, hence, they shared particular messages with their readers. More specific to this research are the patriarchal ideas these tales shared with their readers. At the same time, a number of French women, acting in the salons, also penned and shared their unique tales. Unfortunately, these tales and their writers did not receive the same acceptance as Perrault’s tales in the seventeenth century. Furthermore, as time passed, women writers were still not given equal recognition to male writers. As their tales were, for the most part, ignored by the public, their messages and ideas about gender were not shared with readers and the public this made the fairy tale genre overly patriarchal and gendered in nature. Therefore, the study’s primary focus is to analyse the Beauty and the Beast tales written by women writers from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the twenty-first century. It is important to make these writers’ literature known in order to broaden the understanding of the fairy tale genre as multi-faceted. Studying the characters, their behaviours and the gendered relationships within each tale provides a deeper understanding of women writers throughout the centuries. Analysing the social context in which each tale was written, along with each tale, presents a sense of how each woman writer continued and/or rejected the gendered ideas of her society. It also provides a picture of the timeline of women’s writing from the earlier centuries until today. To conclude, this study reflects an interesting movement in the fairy tale literature published by women. More recent tales produce more dynamic and empowered characters, who act outside of patriarchal limitations. The Beauty character of more recent tales, for instance, is given more of an independent role than her predecessors are. Ritchie’s female character is placed in a realistic setting and lives with both the ‘Beast’ and his mother, with her courage and bravery emphasising a new position for the female character. She becomes more and more aware of her position as an object to be traded in Carter’s tales and Block’s Beauty and craves the freedom and independence she feels outside of her father’s household, flourishing in the life of a beast. Flinn’s female character steps out of the box of physical beauty and represents a more normalised character. In modern times, the developments between each tale reflect that the ideas of gender are becoming more varied and fluid than earlier societies. The feminism and new historicist analysis of the traditional and remake Beauty and the Beast tales, therefore, highlights particular developments in fairy tale literature, together with shedding a brighter light on fairy tales written by women writers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-10