Insights into the drivers and impact of climate change and climate change adaptation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: the case of Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Gwala, Lindokuhle
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Climatic factors , Global environmental change
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27832 , vital:69945
- Description: Climate change is a threat to communal livestock production, causing increases in the rate and intensity of droughts, floods, pests and diseases, and thus subjecting communal livestock production to vulnerability. Communal farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture and are usually too poorly resourced to cope with the frequency of climate-related events that may be expected in the future. Response and adaptation is vital to ensure the sustainability of livestock production, particularly since it is the main source of survival in communal areas. The Eastern Cape Provincial Policy on Climate Change was introduced in 2010 to facilitate a coordinated approach that assists farmers to respond, adapt and mitigate climate change. The study examines the implementation of the policy to identify farmers’ perceptions of the response rate prior to, during and after climate change disasters. In addition, the study establishes the characteristics of livestock production in the study area, seeking to ascertain how communal livestock farmers CLFs are adapting their practices to ensure sustainable livestock production in the face of climate change. In order to make informed decisions on coping strategies, farmers require access to information on climate change. The study therefore examines the communication channels used by farmers to access such information. Since food security is under threat, the study also assesses the effects of climate change on food security among the CLFs. Multi stage sampling was used to select 388 communal livestock farmers in three local municipalities in Amathole District Municipality. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in five communities randomly selected in the three local municipalities, with data collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, principal component analysis and regression methods were used to analyse the data. The study reveals that communal livestock farmers perceive a poor response rate from extension services before, during and after disasters, and that they have poor access to support materials. All of the respondents practised uncontrolled breeding, attributed to a lack of infrastructure such as fencing. Most farmers kept cattle for income generation. The major constraints of cattle production were diseases and pests. CLFs employed dipping, rotational grazing, water tanks, veld burning and the sale of animals as the main strategies to cope with climate change. CLFs access climate change information through multiple channels. The main sources were other farmers and media such as radio and television, although language barriers hampered full understanding of information conveyed about climate chnage. Farmer-to-farmer contact was a central aspect of the CLFs’ lives that could be better employed in the dissemination of climate change information. The results suggest a positive relationship between diversity of species kept and food security. Assets, the social safety net (mainly grants) and adaptive capacity indicators positively and significantly impacted households’ resilience to food insecurity. The study recommends that the capacity of communal livestock farmers on effective mitigating strategies be improved, making use of mass media; that more work be done by extension services to prepare farmers for adverse events and that relief materials disseminated during periods of disaster be tagged “national emergency” to speed up distribution and use. There is an urgent need for adequate and timely provision of climate change information that will help CLFs to make more effective use of their resources in the face of climate change. Agricultural extension services should address challenges associated with breeding practices, disaster response and adult illiteracy to promote better adaptive capacity and ensure food security among this vulnerable cohort. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
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Interpreting structural polarization in Zimbabwean electoral politics since 1980
- Authors: Munhuweyi, kenneth Takudzwa
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980- , Political history , Politics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27105 , vital:66303
- Description: The study presents the structural polarization that characterized Zimbabwe’s postindependence electoral politics from 1980. Existing literature on the same phenomenon of polarization is both fragmented and inconsistent. Nevertheless, this study traced the history of Zimbabwean polarization to the pre-colonial and colonial periods to ascertain the reality of post-independence polarization. The postindependence of Zimbabwe under the Mugabe and Mnangagwa administrations, the ZANU-PF ruling party, was marked by political repression and restriction in electoral politics -a stealth authoritarian practice. In line with earlier studies, this research suggested that Zimbabwe is far from being an institutionalized democracy, given the dearth of electoral democratic qualities, the rule of law- and constitutional subversion. Zimbabwe has had a series of elections under monitoring and evaluation by local and international observers. The electoral observers’ reports and verdicts remain crucial in any given election and require scrutiny to determine their credibility and legitimacy. In 2018, Mnangagwa opened a doorway for international electoral monitoring/observation, previously closed by Mugabe in 2002. While recognizing Mnangagwa’s democratic aspirations, the 2017 post-coup was laced with political repression and 2018 post-election judicial verdict bias. There have been democratic transitioning impediments due to the ZANU-PF party’s centralized state institutions and militarized state capture –typical of a bureaucratic authoritarian regime. With the ZANU-PF party’s competitive authoritarianism in Zimbabwe, the thesis presented the prospects of the Citizens Coalition for Change opposition political parties’ -office seeking coalition building -aiming at maximizing electoral outcomes towards power changing and electoral reforms. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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Perceptions of stakeholders in schools on the implementation of school sport policy in school sport development in the Amathole-west district, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Xakaxa, M Z
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: Sports administration , Sports and state
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27959 , vital:70943
- Description: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of stakeholders in schools regarding the implementation of school sport policy and its impact on school sport development in the Amathole-west district of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research sought to examine teachers' knowledge of the Department of Basic Education's school sport policy, assess whether the policy promotes school sport development, identify ways to enhance its implementation in Amathole-west, and propose strategies for the effective implementation of the policy by the Department of Basic Education. Adopting a qualitative interpretivist research approach, the study employed in-depth one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. A purposive sample of 20 participants was selected, grouped into four focus groups, to contribute valuable insights to the study. Drawing on the Participatory School Governance model and the Social Ecological Model, the findings revealed that teachers, members of the School Management Team, and School Governing Body members perceive sports as essential for learners, as they promote physical health and instill discipline and moral behavior. However, the study also highlighted that teachers and School Governing Body members play a limited role in the implementation of school sport policy and development. Instead, they tend to rely on externally qualified sports experts, resulting in reduced involvement in policy implementation. The study emphasizes the need for improved involvement and investment in school sport policy implementation. Additionally, several strategies were suggested to ensure the effective implementation of school sport policy. These include providing Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for teachers and increasing awareness about the sports policy. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the perceptions of school stakeholders regarding the implementation of school sport policy and the development of school sports in Amathole-west, South Africa. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing teachers' involvement and knowledge in policy implementation and recommend strategies for the successful implementation of the school sport policy , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Spatial assessment of riparian vegetation condition in relation to water quality: a case of the Keiskamma River, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Teyise, Anda
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: Water quality , Riparian plants , Stream health
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27679 , vital:69393
- Description: Riparian vegetation plays several roles in ecological functioning, such as improving water quality because it can filtrate the sediments and provides stability on the floodplain. The condition of riparian vegetation can serve to provide information regarding river condition. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which water quality level of the Keiskamma River can be explained by the riparian vegetation density patterns. This study used Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) satellite image to assess spatial patterns in riparian vegetation condition. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was generated from the Sentinel-2 imagery and was used as the base from which riparian vegetation density classes were obtained through the supervised image classification technique. The image classification accuracy assessment was caried out to verify and validate the accuracy of riparian vegetation density classes. This technique produced the overall accuracy (OA) classification of 83.72 percent. The riverine water quality parameters were measured on the randomly surveyed sites using the Premium Series PC60 5-in-1 Water Quality Tester. High density of riparian vegetation were found in the upper course of the river. The low-density riparian vegetation dominates the middle course of the river while the lower part of the river contains a mixture of the three riparian vegetation conditions. The one-sample t-test statistical technique was carried out to determine the spatial pattern of water quality parameters. The t-test results revealed the significant variation in water pH, with the p-value of 0.00. However, t-test results also showed insignificant variations in water Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC), with p-values of 0.117 0.059 and 0.059 respectively. The linear regression was used to determine the relationship between riparian vegetation and water quality. In this case, the NDVI values were used as surrogate for riparian vegetation condition. The results showed insignificant relationships between NDVI and water pH (r2 = 0.00), NDVI and water TDS (r2 = 0.09), and NDVI and water EC (r2 = 0.09) along the Keiskamma River. In view of the findings obtained from this study “spatial differences in riparian vegetation along the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the Keiskamma River denote spatial variations in water quality levels”, is rejected. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
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The classification performance of ensemble decision tree classifiers: a case study of detecting fraud in credit card transactions
- Authors: Chogugudza, Mcdonald
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: fraud , Commercial fraud , Accounting fraud
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27590 , vital:69317
- Description: In this dissertation, we propose ensemble decision tree classifiers as an ideal classification technique for solving the problem of fraud in the domain of credit card transactions. Ensemble tree classifiers have been applied in many areas like speech recognition, image recognition and medical diagnostics and have shown excellent results. At the centre of fraud, credit card fraud has been a major concern. The rise in credit card fraud is largely attributed to the nature in which it can be done. A fraudster does not need to always be physically present to commit fraud making it the number one target for criminals. Card-Not-Present refers to this type of fraud where an electronic transaction can be conducted without the need for a client to be present. This can be done via telephonic calls or the web. To be able to come up with better classifiers it was important for the researcher to first investigate what causes misclassifications in fraud detection systems. A systematic literature review was done to uncover the factors that have been identified as causes of misclassifications. It was discovered that many factors lead to misclassifications and several authors have proposed techniques to handle these factors. However, there is no universal techniques for addressing factors that lead to misclassifications as different domains have different datasets which require different techniques. This study investigates how parameters involved in modelling fraud detection systems impact the classification performance of ensemble decision tree classifiers. The factors that were investigated include sample size, sampling technique, learning method and choice of split criterion and how they affect classification performance. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate how the aforementioned factors contributed to better classifiers. Ecommerce data from Vesta corporation made available on Kaggle was used in the experiments. The data was split into two sets, one for training the models and the other for testing the performance of the models. Accuracy, confusion matrix, precision and recall were used as performance measures. Our results showed that a larger sample size resulted in better classifiers. This is attributed to models having more instances to learn from which covers most patterns of fraudulent transactions. The sampling technique was shown to be pivotal in classification performance as under sampling showed a great reduction in performance as it achieved a maximum accuracy of 89.6223 while oversampling produced increased performance with maximum accuracy of 99.9531. Furthermore, our results showed that the choice of split criterion impacts the performance of ensemble tree classifiers. The use of entropy as the choice of split criterion resulted in better classifiers compared to the use of the Gini index. However, the downside is that entropy requires more time to execute compared to the Gini index. Lastly, the learning method proved to impact the performance of ensemble classifiers. Models that used supervised learning had better performance compared to those that use unsupervised learning in detecting credit card fraud. The conclusions from this research are insightful when designing fraud detection systems that use ensemble decision tree classifiers as base learners. , Thesis (Msci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
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The correlation between automobile insurance and road traffic accidents in Eastern Cape, South Africa: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan
- Authors: Maxam, Thandokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8852-0603
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: Automobile insurance -- South Africa , Traffic accident investigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28773 , vital:74916
- Description: Road traffic injuries are currently the 8th leading cause of death worldwide and are expected to rise to 6th position if no action is taken. Approximately 1.3 million lives are lost to road accidents, while around twenty to fifty million people remain injured or disabled every year, worldwide. Factors such as vehicle and road conditions, human factors such as behaviour, abilities, and capabilities are among the major contributors to road accidents. Human factors are the main contributors to road accidents in South Africa, accounting for about 77% of total road accidents (Deme, 2019). According to the report by Road Traffic Management Cooperation, in 2018 the provincial number of road fatalities recorded was lower compared to the previous year with the exception of the Eastern Cape province, which recorded an increase of 2.8%. This study used data from 120 respondents from Buffalo City municipality to examine the effect of automobile insurance and road traffic accidents. The aim was to find out if drivers behave carelessly when their vehicles are covered by insurance. The study used the logit model, and the results showed that drivers with comprehensive or high insurance coverage have higher chances of being in accidents than drivers with lower insurance coverages. Drivers who have vehicle insurance are more likely to break the road rules than those who do not have insurance. The study recommends strengthening traffic rules, investing in public transportation such as trains, buses to minimise use of private transport, promoting road safety education and awareness. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
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The effects of school violence on teaching and learning in selected schools in Amatole West District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Poswa, S
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: School violence , Violence in children
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26075 , vital:64788
- Description: The purpose of this study was to look at the effects of school violence on teaching and learning in three selected schools in the Amathole West education district. The objectives of the study guided the entire project and the theory of socio-ecology by Benbenishty and Astor (2005) underpinned and guided the study. Different forms of school violence, causes of school violence, its effects and measures to curb its spread were discussed. The study made use of the pragmatic paradigm which allowed the researcher to make use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Three high schools were selected purposively with a sample of 75 respondents. Three principals, five teachers (school management team) and 7 learners (school representative council) participated in the semi-structured interview and 60 learners were randomly selected to take part in the questionnaire completion. Data analysis included coding of questionnaires and running the codes on the SPSS package. There after, results were presented using tables and descriptive analysis. Percentages and numeric figures of different forms of school violence were analysed. Data collected from the semi-interviews was coded according to different themes and categories and presented in form of discussions. Thematic analysis was applied in this regard. Therefore, the themes that emerged from the findings of the study were linked to the reviewed literature and research questions. The researcher cross-checked with the participants whether their responses were captured correctly before drawing any conclusions. The major findings of the study revealed that school violence is very much prevalent in the three selected schools. However, the severity of the problem varies from one school to another. Learners indicated that they experience bullying, verbal abuse, corporal punishment, cyberbullying, theft of property, gang-related violence and sexual harassment. Bullying, verbal abuse, cyberbullying and corporal punishment were rated as the most common and frequent forms of violence. In addition to the findings above, some causes of school violence noted by the respondents included peer pressure, poor parental care, exposure to violence at home or communities, unguided exposure to media, easy access to drugs, alcohol and weapons and teacher absenteeism. Effects of school violence included loss of concentration in class, poor academic results, class disruptions and depression or suicidal thoughts. All participants were allowed to say what they think should be done to curb the spread of school violence. Reasons given included that of ensuring that other departments are included in the committees that deal directly with school violence cases, strict and consistent enforcement of the school code of conduct and the department’s policies on school violence. Most learners and teachers indicated that parents are not present in the lives of their children. Thus, parental involvement was strongly recommended by most participants. The researcher had some recommendations to make. It was recommended that communities should take an active part in fighting drug and alcohol abuse by learners in communities. This could be done by reporting people who sell these drugs and alcohol to persons who are under the age of 18. It was further recommended that the department of education should understand and take advantage of technology. School violence apps can be developed specifically for teenagers. These will ensure that knowledge about school violence is spread to most learners. Lastly, workshops should be conducted with both teachers and learners to equip them more about school violence. The conclusion of the study highlighted some important points to be taken into consideration. One of the points was that a failure to implement the strategies outlined in the study will result in the department spending millions of Rands in repairing and replacing what has been lost in schools. This lose will be due to theft and vandalism, high rate of teachers resigning because of stress-related problems. In addition, the economy will be characterised by a high rate of unemployment due to learners who drop out of school, overcrowded classes will continue to affect teaching and learning. Ultimately, there will be a continuous decrease in the NSC results of entire District of Amathole West. For further or future research studies, the researcher suggested that studies on the department’s policies on school violence are needed. These studies can focus on what the policy entails, and the implementation and effectiveness of such policies. In addition to these studies, a study that closely looks at parents as contributing factors to school violence is needed. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
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The experiences of students with a physical disability at institutions of higher learning: a systematic review
- Authors: Makubalo, Siphokazi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-7357
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education (Higher) , People with disabilities in higher education , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27242 , vital:66484
- Description: This study aims to explore the experiences of physically disabled students at institutions of higher. The research methodology followed in conducting this study is a systematic review. Thus, published literature from the period of 2000-2020 on the experiences of physically disabled students in South African institutions of higher learning was reviewed. Five articles which met the inclusion criteria were assessed for eligibility using the CASP criteria. The social model of disability is applied as a theoretical framework in exploring these experiences. A synthesis of results and findings of South African studies relating to physically disabled students in institutions of higher learning is provided. Themes that emerged in the study indicate that physically disabled students experience social exclusion related to architectural access barriers, attitudinal barriers, lack of support and discrimination in South African Institutions of higher learning, which impacts their overall physical access in these institutions. The study found that addressing these challenges and access barriers would result in positive experiences for physically disabled students on campuses. The study concluded that to improve the experiences of physically disabled students, institutional effort is necessary that is extensive both in scope and systematic in nature. For future studies, it is recommended that a qualitative study explore not just disabled students‟ lived experiences but also be inclusive of academic and support staffs‟ perceptions. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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The protection of the rights of people with disabilities in the South African workplace: a critical analysis
- Authors: Xokozela, Nwabisa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6943-219X
- Date: 2022-11
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Legal status, laws, etc. , Human rights -- South Africa , People with disabilities -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28444 , vital:74332
- Description: In the past, persons with disabilities were marginalised and suffered many disadvantages because of oppression. As a result, that had become an obstacle for them to enjoy their basic rights such as social, political and economic rights. Judging from the inequalities in the workplace, disability appears to be the main challenge hindering the progress of achieving equal prospects and fair treatment in many countries, including South Africa, especially in the workplace. That has resulted in most persons with disabilities living in poverty or rather depending on social support from the government in order to survive, due to employment discrimination. Policies, transformative programmes and employment laws have been promulgated to address employment discrimination. Some of the promulgated transformative programmes were developed to enforce section 9 of the Constitution. However, persons with disabilities are still faced with challenges of discriminatory practices in the workplace even today. This study is impelled by how ineffective these employment laws are, especially when safeguarding of persons with disabilities is concerned. Apart from the ineffectiveness of the current labour legislation in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, the study aims at identifying how equality rights can be used by disability movements in order to influence policy development and implementation to advance access to work for persons with disabilities, and to further provide them with reasonable accommodation to be able to thrive within the workplace. Also, deriving some guidance from the international perspective of governing disability rights is of paramount importance in achieving equality within the working environment. It is thus extremely important to adopt compelling speedy actions to promote equal rights in the context of disability by bringing proportional aspects of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA) into action. That can be achieved if the policies and legislation created can be interpreted in a manner that is equal and effective, and that promotes implementation more than theory. Therefore, dealing with discrimination against persons with disabilities signifies an essential aspect in defeating the elevated inequality in the apartheid era, which disempowers the recognised constitutional democracy. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
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A Psychobiography of the late Milase Jumartha Majola (néé Moyake)- 1932 - 2021
- Authors: Mbambo-Tom, Thembeka Esther
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27640 , vital:69379
- Description: This study is a psychobiography of a Black South African Woman, Milase Jumartha Majola (néé Moyake), herein fondly referred to as ‘Mrs Majola’. Mrs Majola is not an icon in the general sense, but yet a definite unsung hero for many in her community. In her 89 years, she has touched many people’s lives and left a vast imprint in the community. Mrs Majola has been identified as a psychobiographical subject for this study based on her exemplary and extraordinary endeavours, which contributed significantly to the psycho-social well-being of the youth and the elderly within Port Elizabeth townships (now known as Gqeberha). The main objective of this study was to explore and describe Mrs Majola’s psychosocial development. Her psycho-social development was studied through the PERMA Theory of well-being lens and transformed into a narrative to understand better what made her a remarkable individual. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources to enrich the psychobiography and qualitatively analysed. The findings show that Mrs Majola could balance her life in a way supported by the PERMA Theory of well-being. Results demonstrate her ability to understand and manage her Positive (negative) emotions, Engagements, Relationships, Meaningfulness, and Accomplishments as a mother, co-worker and community leader, which created numerous success stories during her tenure. Even though Mrs Majola experienced many hardships in life, such as losing her husband at the young age of 39, she always stayed positive and successfully used her inner strength to motivate her to keep living her purpose in life. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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Contextually based model of an early childhood home-visiting programme for vulnerable children in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Schmidt, Kim
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Orphans -- Abuse of , Children -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27380 , vital:66965
- Description: In South Africa, there are many vulnerable children. Vulnerability refers to the child’s potential to be harmed either physically or psychologically with multiple exposures to stress resulting in children becoming vulnerable (Matengu, 2018). Factors that place young children at risk of being harmed include poverty, being orphaned, not living with their biological parents or having a disability. In South Africa, more than 50% of children are impacted by these very factors (DSD, 2018). Vulnerable children can be supported through various interventions to overcome the challenges they face, in spite of the stress that they may experience. This results in a great need for prevention and early intervention services particularly during early childhood when children are most vulnerable because of their complete dependency on caregivers for care and protection. This study adopted an interpretivist, qualitative approach using an intervention research design to develop guidelines for a model of an early childhood home-visiting programme that supports the optimal development of vulnerable children, aged 0–2 years in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Findings confirmed that vulnerable children need responsible caregiving and a nurturing environment yet they are exposed to risk factors such as extreme levels of poverty, ongoing and severe child maltreatment and poor physical health. In addition findings confirmed that there was support available to vulnerable children in the Eastern Cape province but that there were gaps in these services. Furthermore findings indicated that there is a need for an early childhood home-visiting programme, that such a programme should be implemented by a multidisciplinary workforce and that the guidelines for such a programme must include a range of practice principles and processes. In conclusion the study found that vulnerable children in the Eastern Cape province continue to be exposed to a complex range of risk factors with devastating consequences for their immediate and future well-being and that the gaps in services to vulnerable children further hinders their development. Lastly it was concluded that there is a need for a multidisciplinary team to implement a home-visiting programme and that such a programme would hold many potential benefits for the young and vulnerable child. Guidelines for a model of an early childhood home visiting programme were developed and refined to include five practice principles which outline processes in relation to the engagement and advocacy with stakeholders and role players, the recruitment and selection of a home-visiting workforce, the content of a training programme for a home visiting workforce, the implementation of the home-visiting programme and the monitoring and evaluation of the programme. This model draws together the disciplines of health, social work and early childhood education to provide transdisciplinary training to a home-visiting workforce that is then equipped to engage with communities and caregivers in support of ensuring that vulnerable children are able to achieve optimal development. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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Digital finance and poverty in selected Sub-Saharan Countries
- Authors: Dube, Ziphozethu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4532-5346
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Electronic funds transfers , Transmission mechanism (Monetary policy)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23347 , vital:57616
- Description: Since the 21st century, digital finance has emerged as a critical enabler and an excellent tool for meeting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through increasing financial inclusion and poverty reduction. The objective of achieving universal financial access by 2030 has led to recognising that financial inclusion has a significant role in economic growth and poverty eradication. The literature demonstrates that access to finance can affect poverty through access to credit, enabling savings, thereby facilitating intertemporal consumption smoothing. Digital finance is key to unlocking financial inclusion, particularly in developing countries. Building capacity in digital payments is one of the best ways to ensure a faster, better, and more cost-effective way to access financial services. The gender gap in developing countries states that (59% of men were reported to have a bank account in 2014, while 50% of women only had a bank account). Some groups, including women and the rural poor, are financially excluded compared to others. This study applied panel data regression analysis and structural equation modelling to investigate the nature of digital finance, its relationship with poverty and the transmission mechanism from digital finance to poverty in selected Sub-Saharan Countries. The results indicate that remittance is one of the most significant determinants of the use of digital finance in the Sub-Saharan region compared to other determinants of use for digital finance. Regarding the transmission mechanism between digital finance and poverty, the path analysis results suggest that the channel for remittance in the transmission mechanism has a more substantial impact on reducing poverty than savings in the Sub-Saharan region. The study recommends that remittance is essential, but savings are not critical in this digital age. This study contributed to literature by identifying the transmission mechanism between digital finance and poverty. This is beneficial to researchers and policymakers . It provides policy practitioners with a reference point on a model to build upon towards providing solutions to the problem, Sub-Saharan Countries encounter on delivering sustainable and broad-based economic growth. The study concludes by proposing that digital finance, particularly mobile money presents an excellent opportunity to increase access to finance and reduce poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
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Exclusion of women in the church governance structures : The Case of the Baptist Church of Southern Africa in Cradock Region
- Authors: Mbali, Nkosinati McGiven
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Women in church work , Church and social problems -- South Africa , Cradock Baptist Church
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23924 , vital:61567
- Description: In every community there are women. However, they are often marginalized because they are perceived as being unable to make a meaningful contribution to various economic endeavours or society in general. Sometimes they are shunned by their own families, while even church communities have been known to treat women in thoughtless ways. As a result, their spiritual potential cannot be effectively tapped. The research has explored many experiences of women in the mainstream Baptist Churches of Southern Africa in Cradock Region in the Eastern Cape. The study delves into the barriers that prevent the full inclusion of women in church life and what churches are and/or should be doing to remove such barriers so that women can embrace all that a church has to offer and progress on their spiritual journey. The study also looks at the importance of systematic theology in the church and how it should be directed at enabling women to exercise their spiritual gifts. The study applied the theoretical framework that discussed what is faced by women in the church, providing in-depth literature and Biblical review, and examining selected individuals who contributed to the study on what is faced by women daily in their spiritual growth. It provided important insights into how involved the participants are in church activities and whether they face subtle or more overt discrimination. A few strategies were also considered aimed at improving conditions for excluded women in the church, not only through better physical access but also through greater acceptance by the church leadership and the membership as a whole. The findings from the study will not only help the churches that were the focus of the fieldwork to help their women members embrace church life more fully and exercise their spiritual gifts, but they will also provide important insights for the broader Christian church towards the potential of inclusive community that will contribute richly to the spiritual enhancement of their church, family and community. For the survey work, the researcher adopted a qualitative approach. The participants' sample consisted of adults with a range of women and men of the church. Supplementary input was solicited from women and men who understand the challenges presented by both parties – particularly when a lack of familiarity with certain physical conditions leads to an unthinking, and sometimes uncaring, attitude. The data has been collected using informal and semi-structured interviews and observation. Being able to exercise choice and having control over their lives and a sense of independence were singled out as being of great importance to the women participants, as these factors contributed to their well-being and satisfaction with life. Most of the participants reported that they were not warmly embraced by their churches, because of their gender, and they were able to lead a fulfilling life of worship. However, more could be done to enhance their participation in church affairs and to become role models for other church communities that are not as accommodating through a lack of knowledge, training and resources. The research only focused on the rural, white, Coloured, Indian and African residential areas in Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Therefore, the study will only focus on the Baptist Church of Southern Africa in Cradock Region and should ideally not be generalized to areas other than those selected for this study. There is much scope for more detailed research to be conducted on disability in other Christian churches to break down both physical and attitudinal barriers that prohibit many individuals' spiritual and emotional satisfaction and growth. Each Chapter has a unique contribution to advancing the central argument of the study with Chapter One introducing and painting a backdrop against which the problem of the marginalisation and exclusion of women in church leadership and structures must be understood. In Chapter Two the researcher reviews the relevant literature, gaining a deeper understanding of what knowledge already exists in the body of knowledge, identifying gaps and using the study to propose solutions for what might be done to mitigate the challenge. In an attempt to guide the study, an appropriate research methodology is suggested and discussed in Chapter Three. This chapter deals with what data needed to be collected and what instrument had to be used to analyse the data. The appropriateness of the research methodology is of the essence in deciding what path the study must follow to realise the objectives of the study and respond to the set research questions. In Chapter Four, the collected data is presented and analysed using the mechanisms proposed in Chapter Three. Finally, a consolidation of the findings is presented in a summary with recommendations of what mechanisms the researcher has distilled from the analysed data. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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Grade four teachers’ experiences on using English as a medium of instruction: case study of two primary schools in Mdantsane Township
- Authors: Ngozi, Moyisi Victor
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching , English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary)|
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26064 , vital:64787
- Description: Learners in South African schools are reportedly struggling with literacy when they reach grade four (PIRLS, 2016). This is attributed to instructional language transition between grades three and four that is underpinned by Language in Education policy (LiEP), whic9h enforces language transition from mother tongue instruction to English medium of instruction. Hence, the study focused on the grade four teachers’ experiences on using English as medium of instruction. The study used a qualitative research approach and adopted the interpretivism paradigm as well as a case study research design. A small target sample of the study included 15 participants sampled in two primary schools of Mdantsane Township in the Eastern Cape Province. Participants who are grade four teachers’, one of which is Head of the department (HOD) were selected through a purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used as methods of collecting data. The data were analysed through a thematic approach according to the themes taken from the sub research questions that were formulated to guide the study The study found that the learners’ transition from to grade four is a multifaceted one and presented teachers with a burden of having to deal with second language instructional issues among learners. There are no clearly defined guidelines to facilitate smooth language transition from grade three and four. There is lack of teacher involvement on language policy development and implementation. Furthermore, there are misconceptions regarding the use of code switching as a method of teaching and learning. The study recommended that the language transtion from mother tongue instruction to English medium of instruction should be separated from the multifaceted phase transition. Learners should be introduced to English medium of instruction earlier than grade four. The department should establish guidelines to manage the transition. The departmental approach to language policy development should take into consideration the views of teachers. The department should regularly organise sufficient teacher workshops aimed at addressing teachers’ second language instructional ability issues. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
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A content analysis of public academic literature that explores the relationship between gang membership and identity in South African prisons, focusing on group processes
- Authors: Yantolo, Siphosethu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3011-3458
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Gang members -- South Africa , Prison gangs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27253 , vital:66485
- Description: Prison gangs are currently prevalent in South African correctional facilities, and they have a devastating impact on the lives of many young men in South African jails and society (Nel, 2017). The purpose of this study was to examine scholarly literature on the topic of gang membership and its link with identity in South African prisons, with a focus on group processes. This study examined published academic literature and analyzed it using a mixed-method approach that included content analysis. The literature was examined using keywords, theoretical background, article kinds, participant gender, participant age, and author affiliation. Furthermore, themes were developed by qualitatively assessing the problem statements of the associated papers and identifying their consequences. Most of the research on gang membership and identification in jail focused on prison gang members and, to a lesser extent, non-gang members, with minimal focus on correctional services authorities. The findings on author affiliation revealed that most of the authors were linked with South African universities. The qualitative findings of this study revealed that Rule Violation, Power and Status, and the Need for Belonging are the most dominating themes relating to group processes and have a substantial influence on prison gang membership. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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A Critical Assessment of the Legal and Policy Frameworks for Combating Child Trafficking in the Southern African Development Community
- Authors: Muvhevhi, Roseline Rumbidzai https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1024-5548
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Child trafficking -- Law and legislation -- Africa, Southern , Child welfare -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26728 , vital:65969
- Description: Child trafficking is a longstanding problem which affects victims and communities in various ways and therefore requires stern action both at the global and regional level. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the crime is closely connected to the existing socio-economic challenges such as poverty; underdevelopment; lack of equal economic opportunities; HIV/AIDS; and human rights violations. As a result, SADC States are fertile sources, transit zones and destinations for child trafficking. It is internationally recognised that it is States such as those in the SADC region that require a comprehensive approach to prevent and prosecute the crime while simultaneously ensuring victim protection. To this effect, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children is the primary instrument that seeks to provide such a comprehensive approach to child trafficking. Therefore, the current regional and national responses to child trafficking in most SADC States, are influenced by this Protocol. Despite these legislative and policy efforts to combat the crime, statistics show that in recent years child trafficking has been rapidly increasing in SADC. Thus, this research seeks to investigate why child trafficking remains prevalent in the region despite a plethora of measures against the crime. The research, therefore, assesses the effectiveness of the legal and policy measures taken by the SADC States to combat child trafficking using a qualitative approach involving analysis and interpretation of relevant legislation and policies. The primary focus is on the Trafficking Protocol as the main child trafficking instrument at the international level. The role of non-child trafficking instruments in the absence of a community instrument against the crime in SADC is also analysed. This research observes that the increasing child trafficking problem in the region is not mainly because of a lack of adequate legislation or policies but the lack of effective implementation of measures. Without a regional comprehensive and coordinated implementation approach, these measures remain weak and inadequate to fully combat child trafficking in the region. To this end, numerous legislative, policy, institutional and operational reform mechanisms to strengthen the subsisting measures against child trafficking in the region and areas for further research are recommended. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
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An investigation in waste management in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality: a case study in Whittlesea
- Authors: Mngese, Bongani Elvis https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3222-0764
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Local government -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28784 , vital:74921
- Description: The study investigates the state of rendering waste service to Whittlesea within the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM). The study assesses into local municipality waste management policy and how the everyday attitude on waste handling has impacted on waste management. The study responds to the contextual gap in EMLM waste service delivery to Whittlesea community. The study addresses the following key research questions: What is the waste management policy in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality? How was the waste management policy implemented by municipal mangers in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality to Whittlesea? How did the community of Whittlesea respond to the waste management service delivery of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality? The study used a qualitative approach, the data collection instruments included document review of policy and other official document, and in-depth interviews of respondents from the municipality and the community. The key findings of this research study were as follows- firstly, the national policy framework was clear on the role and responsibility of the municipality in waste management; secondly, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality had clearly articulated waste management policy and operational procedure; thirdly, in spite of robust municipal policy and procedures, the inadequate inputs and resources for waste management programme in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality impacted negatively on service delivery in Whittlesea; fourthly, the challenges experienced by municipal managers in EMLM made it difficult for them to provide efficient waste management services to the Whittlesea community; and, finally the irresponsible attitude of the community in dumping waste worsened the provision of waste management in the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
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Clinical governance implementation challenges in the Department of Health, Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Authors: Maduna, Patrick Hawkins https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4926-1661
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Clinical competence , Health services administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27275 , vital:66532
- Description: Clinical governance (CG) is the system through which health authorities are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which clinical excellence flourishes. South Africa is one of the countries where CG has not been successfully implemented. This study sought to explore the CG implementation challenges in the Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The study objectives included the seven pillars of CG. The study was a qualitative and exploratory, using purposive sampling technique to select study participants. A total of twenty-two (22) individuals were selected for the study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Each interview was transcribed verbatim by the researcher. Confidentiality was ensured through the coding of interviewee names. The content analysis technique was used for data analysis, using the study objectives as themes. The study found general lack of understanding of the concept of CG, poor performance of clinical audits, sub-standard clinical performance and effectiveness, poor clinical risk management, poor patient and public involvement in patient care, lack of evidence-based practice and research, inadequate training and development of healthcare workers, and sub-standard health information management across the department. The researcher recommends that the CG policy be prioritised by the Mpumalanga DOH, that systems be put in place to facilitate policy implementation, and that the departmental staff establishments at all levels, prioritise healthcare professionals in key leadership positions. In conclusion, there are numerous challenges that confront the Mpumalanga Department of Health regarding the implementation of clinical governance, requiring urgent attention. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Clinical governance implementation challenges in the Department of Health, Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Authors: Maduna, Patrick Hawkins https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4926-1661
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Clinical competence , Evidence-based medicine , Health services administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23600 , vital:58194
- Description: Clinical governance (CG) is the system through which health authorities are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which clinical excellence flourishes. South Africa is one of the countries where CG has not been successfully implemented. This study sought to explore the CG implementation challenges in the Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The study objectives included the seven pillars of CG. The study was a qualitative and exploratory, using purposive sampling technique to select study participants. A total of twenty-two (22) individuals were selected for the study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Each interview was transcribed verbatim by the researcher. Confidentiality was ensured through the coding of interviewee names. The content analysis technique was used for data analysis, using the study objectives as themes. The study found general lack of understanding of the concept of CG, poor performance of clinical audits, sub-standard clinical performance and effectiveness, poor clinical risk management, poor patient and public involvement in patient care, lack of evidence-based practice and research, inadequate training and development of healthcare workers, and sub-standard health information management across the department. The researcher recommends that the CG policy be prioritised by the Mpumalanga DOH, that systems be put in place to facilitate policy implementation, and that the departmental staff establishments at all levels, prioritise healthcare professionals in key leadership positions. In conclusion, there are numerous challenges that confront the Mpumalanga Department of Health regarding the implementation of clinical governance, requiring urgent attention. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
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Consumerism, authenticity and African communalism
- Authors: Smook, E https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4226-6029
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Consumption (Economics) , Authenticity (Philosophy) , Philosophy, African
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23958 , vital:62022
- Description: Let me state, from the outset, that the issues raised below may be considered from various vantage points – Capitalism, Marxism, etc. However, this thesis is an endeavour to account for the loss of authenticity due to the most salient features of the consumer paradigm, which is the manufactured object, the production line and the proliferation of said objects. True relationships, or shall we say authentic dialogue, is based upon a difference of viewpoints – or epistemic distance – between the interlocutors. This difference of opinion, it may be argued, allows for a cognitive jostling between the subjects involved and represents, as it were, the reciprocal back and forth movement of ideas that betokens actively engaged dialogue. Crucial, then, to true, and by extension authentic, relationships is an epistemic distance steeped in variegated, heterogeneous points of view. For it is in sharing the differences in our points of view or interpretations of the world that we may start a dialogue far removed from each other and then sustain said dialogue in an attempt to reconcile our differences. The continuation of the dialogue, then, depends upon difference. Without the latter difference, the conditions of true dialogue, which is also a marker of authentic relationships, the need for sustained debate is forfeited and the dialogue ceases to serve a purpose – for the subjects involved in the intellectual jostling and exchange of ideas may already anticipate the thoughts of the other. In so anticipating the thoughts of the other, what is brought to the fore is not the ideas of the other, and by extension the other’s existence distinct from mine, but rather my own existence and thoughts. Were I and the other to share a constellation of beliefs, I am left with only that which I already believe in and so only with my own thoughts. The other’s differing opinion is crucial to their appearing to me as an element discreet and distinct from me. For if the other’s being is in essence of the same ilk as mine – and with that I mean if the other’s points of view and adopted systems of praxis mirror mine – we are like trees in a forest. The existence of collective nouns attests to this latter remark; we are prone to see the forest, not the similar trees that constitute it. Now the question arises as to the constitution of the self; what is it that makes up the character and nature of a person and how, if at all, may subjects be said to differ epistemically? According to Sartre, the ego is a transcendent object for consciousness, meaning that it exists out there in the world just like other objects. This is the case because consciousness is essentially empty. Recall Sartre’s famous claim that existence precedes essence, which in turn means that consciousness, or the ego, is filled up inchmeal with contents outside itself. In other words, that with which we are engaged constitutes the contents of consciousness. Repeated exposure to certain objects, or phenomena, brings about the cultivation of states and qualities – these, as it were, constituting the ego in the end. Moreover, these states and qualities, as arisen from repeated exposure to like phenomena, will instil in the subject a certain proclivity for a certain manner of action under specific conditions. As such, having been presented with something disagreeable many times over, a state of repulsion might gain a foothold in my ego regarding the phenomenon in question. This in turn will dictate how I act in the presence of said phenomenon or any other phenomena that include, adumbrationally, some of the qualities of the original phenomenon. As such, then, my actions are reflections of the states that I experience in the presence of certain objects or phenomena and, it may be argued, reflexively represent the world around me as that which constitutes my ego. The facticity of the world, then, has a great bearing upon the manner in which I perceive and engage the world. However, claims Sartre, facticity is but one side of the coin. The world and its meaning are constituted by what Sartre calls brute meaning. This refers to the fact that meaning is a matter of public opinion and does not precede the phenomenon or object itself – the latter being, in essence, but a bare, pliable, monstrous mass of being-in-itself. Due to this occurrence of meaning being man made, we are in a unique position of freedom. We are, he further claims, capable of transcending these brute meanings, enabling us to avail ourselves of the objects or phenomena in question in a bespoke manner. Freedom to choose how we interact with and interpret the world is thus the ontological ground of choice. We have, on the one side, the world in its undifferentiated state – being-in-itself – and on the other the possibility to give this world a specific meaning in accordance with our intentions – being-for-itself. Freedom to choose, so construed, thus ontologically underlies the very fabric of our existence, hence the claim that we are condemned to be free. Choosing whether to continue along the path set out by our original factual condition or to transcend it and make of it something different altogether is thus not a choice at all, but the obligatory condition of the human condition. Once again, this is the case because consciousness, as per Sartre, is empty to start with and can only be filled with the contents of phenomena or objects in accordance with our intentional engagement of them. However, Sartre continues, this freedom of meaning and the fact that brute existents represent nothing more than the convergence of publicly ascribed meaning awaken in the subject a certain nausea – a nausea born of the fact that we, the people, are at every junction in a position where we have to choose the meaning of life. Determinism, thusly, does not exist and we are not only free to choose the meanings of our own lives, but are responsible for what our lives become. This realisation proves to be too much for most to stomach and leads them along a specific path of choice: over-identification with either their factual realities or with the possibility to transcend the latter. Either way, what they aim to achieve with this overidentification is the suppression of the nauseating reality that reality is nought but what we make it to be and we are thus responsible for what it becomes. Sartre calls this bad faith. Pandering to this proclivity towards bad faith, or alternatively, the propensity for overidentification with either side on the facticity/transcendence dichotomy, we find consumerism. The consumer paradigm delineates happiness as an objective ideal, attainable through the acquisition of specific markers of demonstrable happiness. At the same time, it also provides an answer to the nauseating reality that we, humans, are never fully determined beings, but find ourselves vacillating between our factual constraints and our transcendences thereof. It offers us the crystalised means of becoming this or that individual by way of populating our immediate and personal surroundings with signifiers of happiness. Considering, moreover, that a liberalist conception of human being clearly indicates that individuation of each subject is an important aspect of existence, authenticity in terms of rights emerge as a corollary of said individuation. Each individual, so construed, is given the opportunity, the right, to acquire said markers of happiness and individuation. Obtaining these, it may be argued, allows the individual two things: firstly, to quell the nausea that haunts our dualistic lives by concretising it altogether and so doing highlighting the factual side of things; and secondly, to become discreet and individuated subjects, authentic in their beings. However, the authenticity so begotten provides nought but a thin veneer of idiosyncrasy, as the markers of said authenticity are publicly available and so the same for everyone. The problem, thus, of self-individuation is resolved by providing the subject the means of over-identification with their factual realities whilst convincing them, the consumers, that the objects on offer will afford them a degree of happiness and set them apart from their fellow subjects. The unfortunate upshot of this is that subjects all avail themselves of the same set of objects in an attempt to quell the nausea that besets the individual plunged into an undifferentiated existence. We are here at the heart of the matter. Due to the proliferation of like objects throughout the life-world, a specific system of praxis is implied. So as to navigate the life-world and utilise the similar objects that populate it, consumers are driven towards shared ideologies and courses of action. Moreover, their intentions also converge, as they all seek to establish a web of objects around them that would bespeak their individuation and happiness. Where the life-world has become such a homogeneous landscape, it may be argued, in line with Sartrean thought, that the contents of consciousness would also be similar for all. And where the contents of consciousness is similar for all, we may argue that reasoning would be similar for all. It is at this point that dialogue breaks down, for there is nothing epistemically to separate interlocutors and therefore no differences of opinion to sustain true dialogue. If, as it was reasoned some pages prior, it is the case that sustained dialogue provides the predicate upon which authentic relationships are to be based, the collapse of this epistemic distance between consumers must then also lead to a collapse of authentic relationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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