Physical implications of prolonged sitting in a confined posture - a literature review
- Todd, Andrew I, Bennett, Anthea I, Christie, Candice J
- Authors: Todd, Andrew I , Bennett, Anthea I , Christie, Candice J
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009458
- Description: The main purpose of this review article was to highlight some of the physical consequences of sitting for prolonged periods in a confined setting. More specifically, the review relates this research to call centre work and where applicable comments on the limited literature relating specifically to ergonomics research within call centre settings. In particular the article explores the biomechanical stresses placed on the musculoskeletal system during prolonged sitting at a workstation, and the physiological consequences thereof. The paper then provides possible solutions to reduce the physical strain placed on these workers by looking at workstation design and work organisation emphasizing worker education and the promotion of worker well being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Todd, Andrew I , Bennett, Anthea I , Christie, Candice J
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009458
- Description: The main purpose of this review article was to highlight some of the physical consequences of sitting for prolonged periods in a confined setting. More specifically, the review relates this research to call centre work and where applicable comments on the limited literature relating specifically to ergonomics research within call centre settings. In particular the article explores the biomechanical stresses placed on the musculoskeletal system during prolonged sitting at a workstation, and the physiological consequences thereof. The paper then provides possible solutions to reduce the physical strain placed on these workers by looking at workstation design and work organisation emphasizing worker education and the promotion of worker well being.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Poets and the bells of Shandon
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012369 , http://www.ringingworld.co.uk
- Description: Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Lewis, Colin A
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6176 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012369 , http://www.ringingworld.co.uk
- Description: Colin Lewis was Professor of Geography at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa from 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2007. In 1990, with the strong support of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr Derek Henderson, he instigated the Certificate in Change Ringing (Church Bell Ringing) in the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology - the first such course to be offered in Africa. Since that date he has lectured in the basic theory, and taught the practice of change ringing. He is the Ringing Master of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
Population structure, growth and recruitment of two exploited infralittoral molluscs (Haliotis midae and Turbo sarmaticus) along the south east coast, South Africa
- Authors: Proudfoot, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Abalones -- South Africa , Abalones -- Growth -- South Africa , Turbinidae -- South Africa , Mollusks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005430 , Abalones -- South Africa , Abalones -- Growth -- South Africa , Turbinidae -- South Africa , Mollusks -- South Africa
- Description: The two most frequently exploited species along the south east coast of South Africa are the gastropods, Haliotis midae (abalone) and Turbo sarmaticus (alikreukel). H. midae is a high valued commercial species, and suffers intense levels of illegal fishing. T. sarmaticus however, has no commercial value but is the preferred food item for impoverished subsistence communities. Owing to the fact that no legal commercial fishery exists for either species along the south coast, very few studies have been undertaken, especially in the heavily exploited infralittoral. Infralittoral size frequency distributions for both species revealed significant variation in density and size among sites of varying exploitation pressure. Densities ranged between 0 – 2.23 m⁻² (H. midae) and 0.03 – 4.93 m⁻² (T. sarmaticus) and maximum shell lengths ranged from 49.4 – 153.5 mm (H. midae) and 28.3 – 104.4 mm (T. sarmaticus). Relatively high densities and large sizes were found in marine reserves and secluded areas, and low densities and small sizes at sites near to large population centres and within the former Ciskei homeland region. Mean size of the largest 10% of the population, total density and sexually mature density were significantly related to exploitation predictors for both species. In addition, densities of H. midae juveniles were significantly related to exploitation predictors, suggesting that recruitment may be suppressed at the most exploited sites. Exploitation of T. sarmaticus tended to be localized with refuge and subtidal populations persisting. H. midae exploitation was however, far more extensive and intense. Growth of H. midae was investigated using three methods; mark-recapture, cohort analysis and growth banding analysis at Kowie Rocks, Port Alfred. The most useful of these methods for determining growth was a new technique described for growth banding analysis; which was validated using cohort analysis and measurements of shells of known age. This technique was less time consuming and labour intensive than previously described methods. Abalone growth was best described by the Schnute (1981) growth function. Systematic geographic variation in growth was observed for 10 sites along the South African coastline. Significant differences in growth among sites existed for animals between 0-4 years (P < 0.0001) and 4-6 years (P < 0.0001), and in the mean maximum sizes attained (P < 0.001). In general, abalone from the south east/east coast were found to have faster growth rates, smaller mean maximum sizes and attained sexual maturity earlier than those along the south west/ west coast. Haliotis midae recruit and juvenile densities were found to differ significantly among sites of varying exploitation pressure (P < 0.0001) and among months for recruit densities (P < 0.001). Exploited sites had low recruit and juvenile densities compared to unexploited sites and peak recruitment occurred during October/ November 2005. Recruit densities were significantly related to infralittoral adult densities during two of the three sampling months (P<0.05), when recruitment was low. No relationship was observed during the period of high recruitment, with all sites receiving high recruit densities. It was concluded that variation in recruit densities was the result of a combination of both density-dependent relationships (i.e. local spawner density and temporal variability in recruitment intensity) and the possible dispersal capabilities of H. midae. In addition, it was concluded that at present recruitment overfishing was not occurring along the south east coast. Post-recruitment mortality rates were variable but relatively constant, with hypothetical percentage survival and density curves revealing high rates and similar mortality curves among sites. Variation in juvenile densities was consequently a result of initial recruit densities and not variation in post-recruitment mortality. T. sarmaticus populations were found to be regionally sustainable and persisted along the south east coast due to adjacent intertidal and subtidal refuge populations. However, H. midae populations are becoming decimated along the south east coast. From the information obtained in this study new management proposals were suggested and discussed, such as closed areas and region-based management fisheries together with stock enhancement. These suggestions may prove to be feasible alternatives to present management strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Proudfoot, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Abalones -- South Africa , Abalones -- Growth -- South Africa , Turbinidae -- South Africa , Mollusks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005430 , Abalones -- South Africa , Abalones -- Growth -- South Africa , Turbinidae -- South Africa , Mollusks -- South Africa
- Description: The two most frequently exploited species along the south east coast of South Africa are the gastropods, Haliotis midae (abalone) and Turbo sarmaticus (alikreukel). H. midae is a high valued commercial species, and suffers intense levels of illegal fishing. T. sarmaticus however, has no commercial value but is the preferred food item for impoverished subsistence communities. Owing to the fact that no legal commercial fishery exists for either species along the south coast, very few studies have been undertaken, especially in the heavily exploited infralittoral. Infralittoral size frequency distributions for both species revealed significant variation in density and size among sites of varying exploitation pressure. Densities ranged between 0 – 2.23 m⁻² (H. midae) and 0.03 – 4.93 m⁻² (T. sarmaticus) and maximum shell lengths ranged from 49.4 – 153.5 mm (H. midae) and 28.3 – 104.4 mm (T. sarmaticus). Relatively high densities and large sizes were found in marine reserves and secluded areas, and low densities and small sizes at sites near to large population centres and within the former Ciskei homeland region. Mean size of the largest 10% of the population, total density and sexually mature density were significantly related to exploitation predictors for both species. In addition, densities of H. midae juveniles were significantly related to exploitation predictors, suggesting that recruitment may be suppressed at the most exploited sites. Exploitation of T. sarmaticus tended to be localized with refuge and subtidal populations persisting. H. midae exploitation was however, far more extensive and intense. Growth of H. midae was investigated using three methods; mark-recapture, cohort analysis and growth banding analysis at Kowie Rocks, Port Alfred. The most useful of these methods for determining growth was a new technique described for growth banding analysis; which was validated using cohort analysis and measurements of shells of known age. This technique was less time consuming and labour intensive than previously described methods. Abalone growth was best described by the Schnute (1981) growth function. Systematic geographic variation in growth was observed for 10 sites along the South African coastline. Significant differences in growth among sites existed for animals between 0-4 years (P < 0.0001) and 4-6 years (P < 0.0001), and in the mean maximum sizes attained (P < 0.001). In general, abalone from the south east/east coast were found to have faster growth rates, smaller mean maximum sizes and attained sexual maturity earlier than those along the south west/ west coast. Haliotis midae recruit and juvenile densities were found to differ significantly among sites of varying exploitation pressure (P < 0.0001) and among months for recruit densities (P < 0.001). Exploited sites had low recruit and juvenile densities compared to unexploited sites and peak recruitment occurred during October/ November 2005. Recruit densities were significantly related to infralittoral adult densities during two of the three sampling months (P<0.05), when recruitment was low. No relationship was observed during the period of high recruitment, with all sites receiving high recruit densities. It was concluded that variation in recruit densities was the result of a combination of both density-dependent relationships (i.e. local spawner density and temporal variability in recruitment intensity) and the possible dispersal capabilities of H. midae. In addition, it was concluded that at present recruitment overfishing was not occurring along the south east coast. Post-recruitment mortality rates were variable but relatively constant, with hypothetical percentage survival and density curves revealing high rates and similar mortality curves among sites. Variation in juvenile densities was consequently a result of initial recruit densities and not variation in post-recruitment mortality. T. sarmaticus populations were found to be regionally sustainable and persisted along the south east coast due to adjacent intertidal and subtidal refuge populations. However, H. midae populations are becoming decimated along the south east coast. From the information obtained in this study new management proposals were suggested and discussed, such as closed areas and region-based management fisheries together with stock enhancement. These suggestions may prove to be feasible alternatives to present management strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Postnatal women's experiences of the prevention of mother-to-child transmittion of HIV programme
- Authors: Links, Nomvuyiseko
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Children -- Transmission -- Prevention , Children -- Diseases -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Transmission , Maternal health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011704 , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Children -- Transmission -- Prevention , Children -- Diseases -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Transmission , Maternal health services
- Description: This research study endeavoured to explore and describe the experiences of women who participated in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Programme. Data relating to evaluation of the PMTCT Programme in the piloted sites compiled by other researchers in the Department of Health focus on the process, progress and extent of service implementation. There appears to be a dearth of information available from women participants in the PMTCT Programme. The objectives of the study were to: · Explore and describe postnatal women’s experiences of the PMTCT Programme offered in the East London Hospital Complex. · Propose recommendations into the existing guidelines for midwives who implement the PMTCT Programme in the health services to ensure optimal implementation of this programme. The research population included postnatal women who participated in the PMTCT of HIV Programme at the East London Hospital Complex (Frere site). Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the Eastern Cape Department of Health Ethics Committee, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital complex and the Advanced Degrees Committee and Human Ethics Committee at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The research study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in design. Data collection was carried out by face-to-face semi-structured interviews with postnatal women at the East London Hospital Complex (Frere site). The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim with the aid of field notes. Data analysis was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis (in De Vos et al, 2000:343). Themes were identified from the transcriptions and finalised after consensus discussions with an independent coder who was experienced in qualitative research. Literature control, guided by the themes identified in the interviews, was carried out to compare and verify the findings of the study. Three major themes with sub-themes were identified during data analysis. The major themes were identified as follows: · The participants expressed feelings of being devastated by the results that confirmed their HIV positive status. · The participants expressed a thirst for knowledge on how to live with the diagnosis and on how to continue with the PMTCT Programme. · The physical environment where counselling and testing were done, as well as the practical arrangements, were not conducive to the full implementation of the PMTCT Programme at the antenatal clinic. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made in the form of additional guidelines for midwives implementing the PMTCT Programme in the antenatal clinic health services. Guidelines for further midwifery-related research were formulated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Links, Nomvuyiseko
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Children -- Transmission -- Prevention , Children -- Diseases -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Transmission , Maternal health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: vital:10042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011704 , AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Children -- Transmission -- Prevention , Children -- Diseases -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Transmission , Maternal health services
- Description: This research study endeavoured to explore and describe the experiences of women who participated in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Programme. Data relating to evaluation of the PMTCT Programme in the piloted sites compiled by other researchers in the Department of Health focus on the process, progress and extent of service implementation. There appears to be a dearth of information available from women participants in the PMTCT Programme. The objectives of the study were to: · Explore and describe postnatal women’s experiences of the PMTCT Programme offered in the East London Hospital Complex. · Propose recommendations into the existing guidelines for midwives who implement the PMTCT Programme in the health services to ensure optimal implementation of this programme. The research population included postnatal women who participated in the PMTCT of HIV Programme at the East London Hospital Complex (Frere site). Permission to conduct the research was obtained from the Eastern Cape Department of Health Ethics Committee, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital complex and the Advanced Degrees Committee and Human Ethics Committee at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The research study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in design. Data collection was carried out by face-to-face semi-structured interviews with postnatal women at the East London Hospital Complex (Frere site). The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim with the aid of field notes. Data analysis was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis (in De Vos et al, 2000:343). Themes were identified from the transcriptions and finalised after consensus discussions with an independent coder who was experienced in qualitative research. Literature control, guided by the themes identified in the interviews, was carried out to compare and verify the findings of the study. Three major themes with sub-themes were identified during data analysis. The major themes were identified as follows: · The participants expressed feelings of being devastated by the results that confirmed their HIV positive status. · The participants expressed a thirst for knowledge on how to live with the diagnosis and on how to continue with the PMTCT Programme. · The physical environment where counselling and testing were done, as well as the practical arrangements, were not conducive to the full implementation of the PMTCT Programme at the antenatal clinic. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made in the form of additional guidelines for midwives implementing the PMTCT Programme in the antenatal clinic health services. Guidelines for further midwifery-related research were formulated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Preface to Rhodes University Research Report, 2007
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015782
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: vital:7654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015782
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Preliminary survey of indigenous, non-indigenous and cryptogenic benthic invertebrates in Burrard Inlet, Vancover, British Columbia
- Richoux, Nicole B, Froneman, P William
- Authors: Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/457981 , vital:75705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.09.007"
- Description: In a preliminary investigation into the presence of non-indigenous invertebrates in Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia, qualitative sampling on rocky shores, pilings and floating docks was conducted in July and August 2004. Twenty-nine sites were established, 34 samples were analysed, and 103 different taxa were identified. Data were also obtained on habitat characteristics including substrate type, salinity and temperature. Identification of polychaetes, mussels from four sites, all amphipods, isopods and patellogastropods have been confirmed by taxonomic specialists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Richoux, Nicole B , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/457981 , vital:75705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.09.007"
- Description: In a preliminary investigation into the presence of non-indigenous invertebrates in Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia, qualitative sampling on rocky shores, pilings and floating docks was conducted in July and August 2004. Twenty-nine sites were established, 34 samples were analysed, and 103 different taxa were identified. Data were also obtained on habitat characteristics including substrate type, salinity and temperature. Identification of polychaetes, mussels from four sites, all amphipods, isopods and patellogastropods have been confirmed by taxonomic specialists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Pretopological and topological lattice-valued convergence spaces
- Authors: Jäger, Gunter
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6827 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012337
- Description: We show that the classical axiom which characterizes pretopological convergence spaces splits into two axioms in the general Heyting algebra-valued case. Furthermore we present a generalization of Kowalski’s diagonal condition to the lattice-valued case.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Jäger, Gunter
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6827 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012337
- Description: We show that the classical axiom which characterizes pretopological convergence spaces splits into two axioms in the general Heyting algebra-valued case. Furthermore we present a generalization of Kowalski’s diagonal condition to the lattice-valued case.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Pricing exotic options using C++
- Authors: Nhongo, Tawuya D R
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: C++ (Computer program language) , Monte Carlo method , Simulation methods , Options (Finance) -- Mathematical models , Pricing -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008373 , C++ (Computer program language) , Monte Carlo method , Simulation methods , Options (Finance) -- Mathematical models , Pricing -- Mathematical models
- Description: This document demonstrates the use of the C++ programming language as a simulation tool in the efficient pricing of exotic European options. Extensions to the basic problem of simulation pricing are undertaken including variance reduction by conditional expectation, control and antithetic variates. Ultimately we were able to produce a modularized, easily extend-able program which effectively makes use of Monte Carlo simulation techniques to price lookback, Asian and barrier exotic options. Theories of variance reduction were validated except in cases where we used control variates in combination with the other variance reduction techniques in which case we observed increased variance. Again, the main aim of this half thesis was to produce a C++ program which would produce stable pricings of exotic options.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Nhongo, Tawuya D R
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: C++ (Computer program language) , Monte Carlo method , Simulation methods , Options (Finance) -- Mathematical models , Pricing -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5577 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008373 , C++ (Computer program language) , Monte Carlo method , Simulation methods , Options (Finance) -- Mathematical models , Pricing -- Mathematical models
- Description: This document demonstrates the use of the C++ programming language as a simulation tool in the efficient pricing of exotic European options. Extensions to the basic problem of simulation pricing are undertaken including variance reduction by conditional expectation, control and antithetic variates. Ultimately we were able to produce a modularized, easily extend-able program which effectively makes use of Monte Carlo simulation techniques to price lookback, Asian and barrier exotic options. Theories of variance reduction were validated except in cases where we used control variates in combination with the other variance reduction techniques in which case we observed increased variance. Again, the main aim of this half thesis was to produce a C++ program which would produce stable pricings of exotic options.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Prime near-ring modules and their links with the generalised group near-ring
- Authors: Juglal, Shaanraj
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near-rings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/714 , Near-rings
- Description: In view of the facts that the definition of a ring led to the definition of a near- ring, the definition of a ring module led to the definition of a near-ring module, prime rings resulted in investigations with respect to primeness in near-rings, one is naturally inclined to attempt to define the notion of a group near-ring seeing that the group ring had already been defined and investigated into by, interalia, Groenewald in [7] . However, in trying to define the group near-ring along the same lines as the group ring was defined, it was found that the resulting multiplication was, in general, not associative in the near-ring case due to the lack of one distributive property. In 1976, Meldrum [19] achieved success in defining the group near-ring. How- ever, in his definition, only distributively generated near-rings were considered and the distributive generators played a vital role in the construction. In 1989, Le Riche, Meldrum and van der Walt [17], adopted a similar approach to that which led to a successful and fruitful definition of matrix near-rings, and defined the group near-ring in a more general sense. In particular, they defined R[G], the group near-ring of a group G over a near-ring R, as a subnear-ring of M(RG), the near-ring of all mappings of the group RG into itself. More recently, Groenewald and Lee [14], further generalised the definition of R[G] to R[S : M], the generalised semigroup near-ring of a semigroup S over any faithful R-module M. Again, the natural thing to do would be to extend the results obtained for R[G] to R[S : M], and this they achieved with much success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Juglal, Shaanraj
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near-rings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/714 , Near-rings
- Description: In view of the facts that the definition of a ring led to the definition of a near- ring, the definition of a ring module led to the definition of a near-ring module, prime rings resulted in investigations with respect to primeness in near-rings, one is naturally inclined to attempt to define the notion of a group near-ring seeing that the group ring had already been defined and investigated into by, interalia, Groenewald in [7] . However, in trying to define the group near-ring along the same lines as the group ring was defined, it was found that the resulting multiplication was, in general, not associative in the near-ring case due to the lack of one distributive property. In 1976, Meldrum [19] achieved success in defining the group near-ring. How- ever, in his definition, only distributively generated near-rings were considered and the distributive generators played a vital role in the construction. In 1989, Le Riche, Meldrum and van der Walt [17], adopted a similar approach to that which led to a successful and fruitful definition of matrix near-rings, and defined the group near-ring in a more general sense. In particular, they defined R[G], the group near-ring of a group G over a near-ring R, as a subnear-ring of M(RG), the near-ring of all mappings of the group RG into itself. More recently, Groenewald and Lee [14], further generalised the definition of R[G] to R[S : M], the generalised semigroup near-ring of a semigroup S over any faithful R-module M. Again, the natural thing to do would be to extend the results obtained for R[G] to R[S : M], and this they achieved with much success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Problematising race for journalists: critical reflections on the South African Human Rights Commission Inquiry into media racism
- Authors: Berger, Guy
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147913 , vital:38684 , DOI: 10.1080/02560240185310081
- Description: How journalists report race and racism was at the centre of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Inquiry into racism in the media. A critical analysis of the conceptual assumptions in the Inquiry's Final Report, however, reveals serious limitations to the enterprise. In particular the flawed conceptualisations, plus the generalised character of the findings are of little help in assisting the momentum of eradicating racism in South African media, and for linking race transformation to issues of class, gender, sexual orientation and xenophobia. This article identifies the problems as race essentialism and a relativism about what constitutes racism. It argues instead that journalists need the concept of racialisation in order to change their reporting. The argument upholds the desired role of the South African media as one that contributes to a non-racial, as opposed to a multi-racial, society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Berger, Guy
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147913 , vital:38684 , DOI: 10.1080/02560240185310081
- Description: How journalists report race and racism was at the centre of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Inquiry into racism in the media. A critical analysis of the conceptual assumptions in the Inquiry's Final Report, however, reveals serious limitations to the enterprise. In particular the flawed conceptualisations, plus the generalised character of the findings are of little help in assisting the momentum of eradicating racism in South African media, and for linking race transformation to issues of class, gender, sexual orientation and xenophobia. This article identifies the problems as race essentialism and a relativism about what constitutes racism. It argues instead that journalists need the concept of racialisation in order to change their reporting. The argument upholds the desired role of the South African media as one that contributes to a non-racial, as opposed to a multi-racial, society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Psychosocial barriers to learning in a deprived environment
- Authors: Mack, Esmé Judy
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/551 , Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa
- Description: Many secondary schools in deprived environments are characterized by teenage pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, high dropout rates, gangsterism and low pass rates. Teachers are confronted on a daily basis with learners who are exposed to barriers to learning. The purpose of this study is in line with the formulated problem, namely to: investigate the various dimensions of the relationship that exists between psychosocial barriers to learning and environmental deprivation; provide guidelines based on the findings of the research and present them as recommendations for teachers to support learners from a deprived environment who experience barriers to learning. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and interpretative research design was utilized to provide acceptable answers to the research problem. A literature study regarding psychosocial barriers to learning was done to explain the concept along with concepts related to environmental deprivation. This study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 presented an exploration of the problem in the form of a single openended question: What hindrances to learning are you experiencing in your specific physical and social environment? Eight focus group interviews with learners were undertaken at a secondary school in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. A purposive sampling method was used. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews and Tesch’s model was used to analyse the data. After the research investigation was completed the researcher and an independent coder analyzed iv the results from the transcriptions of a voice-recorder. Guba’s model of data verification was used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Ethical measures were adhered to during the study. The research findings were evaluated for educational purposes. Consensus was reached between the researcher and the independent coder with regard to the identification of themes, categories and sub-categories. Phase 2 generated recommendations from the findings of Phase 1 to assist the teachers in dealing competently with learners from deprived environments. The following four themes emerged from the results which led to various conclusions: 1. A deprived home situation (relationships, abuse, no privacy, and poverty) generates barriers to learning. Neglect: no interest and a don’t care attitude of parents, no parents at home, rejection and no communication have a negative effect on the learners. Physical, sexual, alcohol and drug abuse in the home situation influence the learners negatively. No privacy: sexual behaviour of parents and overcrowding have a decisive effect on the learners. Poverty: factors such as unemployment, cannot afford school fees, no electricity and no breadwinner make the learner feel desperate and despondent. 2. A deprived school situation (social relationships, physical factors, no resources, racism and distances to school) creates barriers to learning. The following features of social relationships were identified as contributing factors to poor social relationships at school, namely: peer pressure: drugs, dropping out of school, unsafe school environment; relationships with teachers: no respect for teachers and teachers who degrade learners. The following physical factors have a detrimental effect on a learner’s progress: broken windows and roofs, lack of water, electricity and lights, the state of the school grounds, ablutions and big classes. Schools with no resources such as libraries and counselling centres contribute to the poor performance of the learners. Racism, language issues and no mixing of races are contributing factors to barriers to learning. The long distances to school, the cost of transport and the fact that they do not have time for homework affect the learners as hindrances to learning. 3. A deprived environment (with factors such as HIV/AIDS and TB, a community not conducive to learning, unsafe communities and overpopulation) causes barriers to learning. HIV/AIDS and TB, taking care of parents, tiredness, illnesses and discrimination are seen as factors that hamper learning. A community that is not conducive to learning, with a don’t care attitude and that is not very helpful, causes barriers to learning. Unsafe communities, where crime is rampant, with ineffective police services and overpopulation, where noise and loud music are the order of the day, have a negative effect on learning. 4. Learner-related factors (early pregnancies and the susceptibility of youth) create barriers to learning. Teenage pregnancies are detrimental to education where the mother must baby-sit, and is not studying, as well as sexual abuse and rape, are factors that contribute to school dropouts. Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, taverns, discos, taxis and gangs were identified as factors contributing to learner delinquency. The conclusion was reached that learners in deprived environments are exposed to psychosocial barriers to learning. Recommendations in this regard were proposed to assist the teacher in understanding these learners and the barriers that they are exposed to on a daily basis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mack, Esmé Judy
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9481 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/551 , Students -- South Africa -- Port Alizabeth -- Social conditions , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Learning disabilities -- South Africa
- Description: Many secondary schools in deprived environments are characterized by teenage pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, high dropout rates, gangsterism and low pass rates. Teachers are confronted on a daily basis with learners who are exposed to barriers to learning. The purpose of this study is in line with the formulated problem, namely to: investigate the various dimensions of the relationship that exists between psychosocial barriers to learning and environmental deprivation; provide guidelines based on the findings of the research and present them as recommendations for teachers to support learners from a deprived environment who experience barriers to learning. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and interpretative research design was utilized to provide acceptable answers to the research problem. A literature study regarding psychosocial barriers to learning was done to explain the concept along with concepts related to environmental deprivation. This study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 presented an exploration of the problem in the form of a single openended question: What hindrances to learning are you experiencing in your specific physical and social environment? Eight focus group interviews with learners were undertaken at a secondary school in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. A purposive sampling method was used. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews and Tesch’s model was used to analyse the data. After the research investigation was completed the researcher and an independent coder analyzed iv the results from the transcriptions of a voice-recorder. Guba’s model of data verification was used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Ethical measures were adhered to during the study. The research findings were evaluated for educational purposes. Consensus was reached between the researcher and the independent coder with regard to the identification of themes, categories and sub-categories. Phase 2 generated recommendations from the findings of Phase 1 to assist the teachers in dealing competently with learners from deprived environments. The following four themes emerged from the results which led to various conclusions: 1. A deprived home situation (relationships, abuse, no privacy, and poverty) generates barriers to learning. Neglect: no interest and a don’t care attitude of parents, no parents at home, rejection and no communication have a negative effect on the learners. Physical, sexual, alcohol and drug abuse in the home situation influence the learners negatively. No privacy: sexual behaviour of parents and overcrowding have a decisive effect on the learners. Poverty: factors such as unemployment, cannot afford school fees, no electricity and no breadwinner make the learner feel desperate and despondent. 2. A deprived school situation (social relationships, physical factors, no resources, racism and distances to school) creates barriers to learning. The following features of social relationships were identified as contributing factors to poor social relationships at school, namely: peer pressure: drugs, dropping out of school, unsafe school environment; relationships with teachers: no respect for teachers and teachers who degrade learners. The following physical factors have a detrimental effect on a learner’s progress: broken windows and roofs, lack of water, electricity and lights, the state of the school grounds, ablutions and big classes. Schools with no resources such as libraries and counselling centres contribute to the poor performance of the learners. Racism, language issues and no mixing of races are contributing factors to barriers to learning. The long distances to school, the cost of transport and the fact that they do not have time for homework affect the learners as hindrances to learning. 3. A deprived environment (with factors such as HIV/AIDS and TB, a community not conducive to learning, unsafe communities and overpopulation) causes barriers to learning. HIV/AIDS and TB, taking care of parents, tiredness, illnesses and discrimination are seen as factors that hamper learning. A community that is not conducive to learning, with a don’t care attitude and that is not very helpful, causes barriers to learning. Unsafe communities, where crime is rampant, with ineffective police services and overpopulation, where noise and loud music are the order of the day, have a negative effect on learning. 4. Learner-related factors (early pregnancies and the susceptibility of youth) create barriers to learning. Teenage pregnancies are detrimental to education where the mother must baby-sit, and is not studying, as well as sexual abuse and rape, are factors that contribute to school dropouts. Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, taverns, discos, taxis and gangs were identified as factors contributing to learner delinquency. The conclusion was reached that learners in deprived environments are exposed to psychosocial barriers to learning. Recommendations in this regard were proposed to assist the teacher in understanding these learners and the barriers that they are exposed to on a daily basis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Public sector industrial relations in the context of alliance politics: the case of Makana Local Municipality, South Africa (1994-2006)
- Authors: Makwembere, Sandra
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Makana Municipality , South African Municipal Workers Union , African National Congress , Cosatu , South African Communist Party , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003089 , Makana Municipality , South African Municipal Workers Union , African National Congress , Cosatu , South African Communist Party , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: This thesis is in the field of Industrial Relations. It concerns a micro-level investigation of the dynamics of public sector industrial relations in post-apartheid South Africa. It focuses on the Tripartite Alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and explores what the Alliance relationship has meant for the traditional roles of employees and their representatives on the one hand, and employers and their representatives on the other. The thesis examines the political, organisational and societal contradictions and implications for COSATU public sector union affiliates and their members in their relationship to the ANC as an ally (via the Alliance) and the context in which ANC members form part of management (in government). The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) was used as an archetype of a COSATU public sector union affiliate that engages with the State as employer at the municipal level. It is a case study of Makana Local Municipality (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) using qualitative research techniques and content analysis to derive the relevant information. The author conducted a series of in-depth interviews of key informants and observations at Makana Local Municipality were done. Based on the empirical data obtained from the investigation, the thesis argues that the traditional roles in the employment relationship at the workplace have been affected by the political alliance. Industrial relations roles have become increasingly vague especially since many within local government share ANC/SACP memberships with members of the trade union. The study also highlights that within an increasingly globalising post-apartheid environment, the Alliance provides mixture of benefits and challenges for workplace negotiations and employment relations in ways that macro-level analyses of employer-employee relationships do not always capture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Makwembere, Sandra
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Makana Municipality , South African Municipal Workers Union , African National Congress , Cosatu , South African Communist Party , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003089 , Makana Municipality , South African Municipal Workers Union , African National Congress , Cosatu , South African Communist Party , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor unions -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: This thesis is in the field of Industrial Relations. It concerns a micro-level investigation of the dynamics of public sector industrial relations in post-apartheid South Africa. It focuses on the Tripartite Alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and explores what the Alliance relationship has meant for the traditional roles of employees and their representatives on the one hand, and employers and their representatives on the other. The thesis examines the political, organisational and societal contradictions and implications for COSATU public sector union affiliates and their members in their relationship to the ANC as an ally (via the Alliance) and the context in which ANC members form part of management (in government). The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) was used as an archetype of a COSATU public sector union affiliate that engages with the State as employer at the municipal level. It is a case study of Makana Local Municipality (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) using qualitative research techniques and content analysis to derive the relevant information. The author conducted a series of in-depth interviews of key informants and observations at Makana Local Municipality were done. Based on the empirical data obtained from the investigation, the thesis argues that the traditional roles in the employment relationship at the workplace have been affected by the political alliance. Industrial relations roles have become increasingly vague especially since many within local government share ANC/SACP memberships with members of the trade union. The study also highlights that within an increasingly globalising post-apartheid environment, the Alliance provides mixture of benefits and challenges for workplace negotiations and employment relations in ways that macro-level analyses of employer-employee relationships do not always capture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Purchasing determinants of food insercurity conditions amongst shoppers in Klipplaat
- Ballantine, Nicole Marguerite
- Authors: Ballantine, Nicole Marguerite
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Food -- Safety measures , Food supply -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Households -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Klipplaat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/835 , Food -- Safety measures , Food supply -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Households -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Klipplaat
- Description: This study sought to investigate the purchasing determinants of food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat, in the Eastern Cape. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=459) making use of an adapted version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. It was found that food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat were high, with most households experiencing food insecurity conditions between three and ten times per month. Income level was found to have a significant effect on food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat. The availability of efficient transport and refrigeration was also found to significantly influence the experience of food insecurity conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ballantine, Nicole Marguerite
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Food -- Safety measures , Food supply -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Households -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Klipplaat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/835 , Food -- Safety measures , Food supply -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Households -- South Africa -- Klipplaat , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Klipplaat
- Description: This study sought to investigate the purchasing determinants of food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat, in the Eastern Cape. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=459) making use of an adapted version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. It was found that food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat were high, with most households experiencing food insecurity conditions between three and ten times per month. Income level was found to have a significant effect on food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat. The availability of efficient transport and refrigeration was also found to significantly influence the experience of food insecurity conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Quality of life in South Africa: the first ten years of democracy
- Authors: Moller, Valerie
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7110 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010741
- Description: South Africa celebrated ten years of democracy in 2004. This special issue of Social Indicators Research (SIR) reviews developments that have impacted on the quality of life of ordinary South Africans during the transition period. The issue updates an earlier volume of SIR (Volume 41) published in 1997 and as a stand-alone volume. The earlier volume was initiated following SIR editor Alex Michalos’ first visit to South Africa. This update on quality of life in South Africa follows on his return visit to the country in 2004 to see firsthand the changes that had occured in the meantime. This introductory article outlines major achievements of and setbacks for the new democracy and the challenges facing it in future. It provides the backround for the evaluations of a range of quality of life domains and issues including poverty and inequality, crime, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, migration and housing, religiosity, reconciliation, and optimism for the future which are covered in the eleven articles that follow. The introduction divides the articles under the headings of challenges, achievements, monitoring quality of life, and social capital for the future. The overview article concludes that improvements in quality of life have been uneven but goodwill and a positive outlook bode well for South African quality of life in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Moller, Valerie
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7110 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010741
- Description: South Africa celebrated ten years of democracy in 2004. This special issue of Social Indicators Research (SIR) reviews developments that have impacted on the quality of life of ordinary South Africans during the transition period. The issue updates an earlier volume of SIR (Volume 41) published in 1997 and as a stand-alone volume. The earlier volume was initiated following SIR editor Alex Michalos’ first visit to South Africa. This update on quality of life in South Africa follows on his return visit to the country in 2004 to see firsthand the changes that had occured in the meantime. This introductory article outlines major achievements of and setbacks for the new democracy and the challenges facing it in future. It provides the backround for the evaluations of a range of quality of life domains and issues including poverty and inequality, crime, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, migration and housing, religiosity, reconciliation, and optimism for the future which are covered in the eleven articles that follow. The introduction divides the articles under the headings of challenges, achievements, monitoring quality of life, and social capital for the future. The overview article concludes that improvements in quality of life have been uneven but goodwill and a positive outlook bode well for South African quality of life in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Race against democracy: a case study of the Mail & Guardian during the early years of the Mbeki presidency, 1999-2002
- Authors: Steenveld, Lynette Noreen
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Mbeki, Thabo -- In mass media , Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers , Press -- South Africa , Press and politics -- South Africa , Journalism -- South Africa , Mass media and race relations -- South Africa , Racism in the press -- South Africa , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015572
- Description: This thesis examines the 1998 complaint of racism against the Mail & Guardian, a leading exponent of South Africa's alternative press in the 1980s, and important contemporary producer of investigative journalism. The study is framed within a cultural studies approach, analysing the Mail & Guardian as constituted by a 'circuit of production': its social context, production, texts, and audiences. The thesis makes three main arguments. First, that the claim of racism cannot be understood outside of a consideration of both the changing political milieu, and subtle changes within the Mail & Guardian itself. Significant social changes relate to the reconfiguration of racial and class identities wrought by the 'Mbeki state'. Within the Mail & Guardian, the thesis argues for the importance of the power and subjectivity of the editor as a key 'factor' shaping the identity of the paper, evidenced in its production practices and textual outputs. In this regard, the thesis departs from a functionalist analysis of particular 'roles' within the newsroom, drawing instead on a post-structuralist approach to organisational studies. Based on this production and social context, the thesis examines key texts which deal with aspects of South Africa's social transformation, and which exemplify aspects of the Mail & Guardian's reporting which led to the complaint of racism by the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) and the Association of Black Accountants (ABASA). Their complaint was that the Mail & Guardian's reporting impugned the dignity of black people, and in so doing was a violation of their rights to dignity and equality which are constitutionally guaranteed. However, as freedom of the press is also guaranteed by the South African constitution, their complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) resulted in public debate about these contending rights. My second argument relates to the jurisprudential approach to racism, and the related issue of affirmative action, which informed the complaint against the paper. Contrary to the 'normative', liberal approach to these issues, this thesis highlights Critical Race Theory as the jurisprudential basis for both the claimants' accusation of racism against the Mail & Guardian, and aspects of its implicit use in South African human rights adjudication. The thesis argues that in failing to recognise these different philosophical and political bases of legal reasoning, the media, including the Mail & Guardian, in reporting on these matters failed in their purported role of serving the public interest. The thesis concludes by applying Fraser's critique of Habermas's notion of a single, bourgeois public sphere to journalism, thereby suggesting ways in which the critiques of some of the Mail & Guardian's own journalists could be employed to enlarge its approach to journalism - giving voice to constituencies seldom heard in mainstream media.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Steenveld, Lynette Noreen
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Mbeki, Thabo -- In mass media , Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers , Press -- South Africa , Press and politics -- South Africa , Journalism -- South Africa , Mass media and race relations -- South Africa , Racism in the press -- South Africa , Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015572
- Description: This thesis examines the 1998 complaint of racism against the Mail & Guardian, a leading exponent of South Africa's alternative press in the 1980s, and important contemporary producer of investigative journalism. The study is framed within a cultural studies approach, analysing the Mail & Guardian as constituted by a 'circuit of production': its social context, production, texts, and audiences. The thesis makes three main arguments. First, that the claim of racism cannot be understood outside of a consideration of both the changing political milieu, and subtle changes within the Mail & Guardian itself. Significant social changes relate to the reconfiguration of racial and class identities wrought by the 'Mbeki state'. Within the Mail & Guardian, the thesis argues for the importance of the power and subjectivity of the editor as a key 'factor' shaping the identity of the paper, evidenced in its production practices and textual outputs. In this regard, the thesis departs from a functionalist analysis of particular 'roles' within the newsroom, drawing instead on a post-structuralist approach to organisational studies. Based on this production and social context, the thesis examines key texts which deal with aspects of South Africa's social transformation, and which exemplify aspects of the Mail & Guardian's reporting which led to the complaint of racism by the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) and the Association of Black Accountants (ABASA). Their complaint was that the Mail & Guardian's reporting impugned the dignity of black people, and in so doing was a violation of their rights to dignity and equality which are constitutionally guaranteed. However, as freedom of the press is also guaranteed by the South African constitution, their complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) resulted in public debate about these contending rights. My second argument relates to the jurisprudential approach to racism, and the related issue of affirmative action, which informed the complaint against the paper. Contrary to the 'normative', liberal approach to these issues, this thesis highlights Critical Race Theory as the jurisprudential basis for both the claimants' accusation of racism against the Mail & Guardian, and aspects of its implicit use in South African human rights adjudication. The thesis argues that in failing to recognise these different philosophical and political bases of legal reasoning, the media, including the Mail & Guardian, in reporting on these matters failed in their purported role of serving the public interest. The thesis concludes by applying Fraser's critique of Habermas's notion of a single, bourgeois public sphere to journalism, thereby suggesting ways in which the critiques of some of the Mail & Guardian's own journalists could be employed to enlarge its approach to journalism - giving voice to constituencies seldom heard in mainstream media.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Re-examining ‘professionalism’ in pharmacy: a South African perspective
- Authors: Williams, Kevin F
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008481 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.11.001
- Description: Although defining itself as a patient-centred profession, private sector (community and private hospital) pharmacy often appears to be that of a product-for-profit centred occupation. This perception has been at the core of the medical profession's attempts to reduce the professional autonomy of pharmacy, and has appeared at the forefront of the South African Department of Health's positioning of private sector pharmacy. Using as a starting point the debate surrounding attempts by the South African Minister of Health to regulate the price of medicines, I propose that the present negative positioning of private sector pharmacy in South Africa could be ameliorated by pharmacy practice that evidences a redefined understanding of professionalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Williams, Kevin F
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6084 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008481 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.11.001
- Description: Although defining itself as a patient-centred profession, private sector (community and private hospital) pharmacy often appears to be that of a product-for-profit centred occupation. This perception has been at the core of the medical profession's attempts to reduce the professional autonomy of pharmacy, and has appeared at the forefront of the South African Department of Health's positioning of private sector pharmacy. Using as a starting point the debate surrounding attempts by the South African Minister of Health to regulate the price of medicines, I propose that the present negative positioning of private sector pharmacy in South Africa could be ameliorated by pharmacy practice that evidences a redefined understanding of professionalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Reading the Sowetan's mediation of the public's response to the Jacob Zuma rape trial: a critical discourse analysis
- Authors: Stent, Alison
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Zuma, Jacob -- Trials, litigation etc Zuma, Jacob -- Public opinion Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) Populism -- South Africa Social choice -- South Africa Social justice -- South Africa Ethnicity -- Political aspects -- South Africa Rape -- Public opinion Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Trials (Rape) -- South Africa Rape in mass media Crime and the press -- South Africa Mass media and women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3485 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002940
- Description: In this minithesis I conduct a critical discourse analysis to take on a double-pronged task. On the one hand I explore the social phenomenon of the contestation between supporters of then-ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma and supporters of his rape accuser. The trial, which took place in the Johannesburg High Court between mid-February and early May 2006, stirred intense public interest, both locally and internationally. The performance of thousands of Zuma’s supporters and a far smaller number of gender rights lobby groups, both of whom kept a presence outside the court building throughout the trial, received similar attention. Second, I examine how the Sowetan, a national daily tabloid with a black, middle-class readership, mediated the trial through pictures of the theatre outside the court and letters to the editor. The study is informed by post-Marxist and cultural studies perspectives, both approaches that are concerned with issues of power, ideology and the circulation of meaning within specific sociocultural contexts. A rudimentary thematic content analysis draws out some of the main themes from the material, while the critical discourse analysis is located within a theoretical framework based on concepts from Laclau & Mouffe’s theory of meaning, which assumes a power struggle between contesting positions seeking to invalidate one another and to either challenge or support existing hegemonies. This is further informed by, first, Laclau’s theorisation of populism, which assumes that diverse groupings can unite under a demagogue’s banner in shared antagonism towards existing power, and second, by concepts from Mamdani’s theorisation of power and resistance in colonial and post-colonial Africa, which explicates three overarching ideological discourses of human rights, social justice and traditional ethnic practices. The study, then, explores how these three discourses were operationalised by the localised contestations over the trial.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Stent, Alison
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Zuma, Jacob -- Trials, litigation etc Zuma, Jacob -- Public opinion Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) Populism -- South Africa Social choice -- South Africa Social justice -- South Africa Ethnicity -- Political aspects -- South Africa Rape -- Public opinion Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Trials (Rape) -- South Africa Rape in mass media Crime and the press -- South Africa Mass media and women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3485 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002940
- Description: In this minithesis I conduct a critical discourse analysis to take on a double-pronged task. On the one hand I explore the social phenomenon of the contestation between supporters of then-ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma and supporters of his rape accuser. The trial, which took place in the Johannesburg High Court between mid-February and early May 2006, stirred intense public interest, both locally and internationally. The performance of thousands of Zuma’s supporters and a far smaller number of gender rights lobby groups, both of whom kept a presence outside the court building throughout the trial, received similar attention. Second, I examine how the Sowetan, a national daily tabloid with a black, middle-class readership, mediated the trial through pictures of the theatre outside the court and letters to the editor. The study is informed by post-Marxist and cultural studies perspectives, both approaches that are concerned with issues of power, ideology and the circulation of meaning within specific sociocultural contexts. A rudimentary thematic content analysis draws out some of the main themes from the material, while the critical discourse analysis is located within a theoretical framework based on concepts from Laclau & Mouffe’s theory of meaning, which assumes a power struggle between contesting positions seeking to invalidate one another and to either challenge or support existing hegemonies. This is further informed by, first, Laclau’s theorisation of populism, which assumes that diverse groupings can unite under a demagogue’s banner in shared antagonism towards existing power, and second, by concepts from Mamdani’s theorisation of power and resistance in colonial and post-colonial Africa, which explicates three overarching ideological discourses of human rights, social justice and traditional ethnic practices. The study, then, explores how these three discourses were operationalised by the localised contestations over the trial.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
Realistic idealism
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305700 , vital:58605 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3167/th.2007.5411306"
- Description: Realists found in International Relations (IR) circles explicitly assign relatively minor importance to ethical ideals in their analyses of the international political domain, although a robust ethical ideal of sorts, implicitly for the most part qua ethical ideal, does guide their analysis of the international arena. For them, the key to order in the international arena is the balance of power reached between different nations aiming at asserting their wills, promoting their interests, in what is in effect perceived by IR realists as an international battle of wills guided primarily by the logic of power. As a purely descriptive claim regarding how nations, for the most part, actually behave, I have no axe to grind with the IR realist, or at least I do not have to grind an axe with them on this matter for the purposes of this paper, but the IR realist is committed to more than merely describing the behaviour of the international order. IR realists, implicitly and paradoxically, are forced, by the logic of their own position, to believe that the ethical ideal that ought to be guiding the international order is the balance of power between competing interests guiding the international behaviour of nations in their quest for power and (alleged) survival. The primary moral dictum of their position is that nations ought to pursue their self-interested interests relentlessly, but only to the extent that the fragile balance of power is not upset (which is, at any rate, a central ingredient for promoting national self-interest). IR realists do not altogether explicitly deny the role of ideals, but the role they assign to ideals is limited and, I will argue, ultimately incoherent, for ideals ought to be understood as flowing from the structure of our embodied existences and into every nook and cranny of our lives, understood individually and collectively, nationally and internationally. We are active creatures, as Aristotle observed, and activities are defined as such in relation to a functional ideal, an ideal of operation, which flows from our specific modes of embodiment. The norms or ends guiding the international political order ought to flow from this understanding of the human subject ideally conceived, as opposed to the largely Machiavellian pessimistic understanding of the human situation informing IR realism; a pessimism that stems from the fallacious move from raw observation to normative recommendation. To claim that our ends are Machiavellian, we shall see, is incoherent and this incoherence is at the heart of IR realism. The demands of reason, we shall see, should push us in the direction of a particular variety of optimism. By using a broadly Aristotelian teleological technique of analysis I will show that IR realists cannot be right. Without placing ideals at the centre of our understandings of our political lives we would be unable properly to understand the political domain, including the specific sphere of concern of IR specialists. The purely observational descriptions alluded to above do not provide the grounds for proper understanding. What does provide a proper understanding, we shall see, is observation through a conceptual lens informed by a teleological understanding of the human person (observation in the light of a conception of the good). That I think a robust conception of the good, of the set of ideals that out to be guiding rational human life, is necessary for properly understanding the international arena does not of course mean that I advocate any such conception of the good. As claimed above, the sort that I advocate, following Aristotle’s footsteps, flows from the specific configuration of our embodied lives. I refer to this form of idealism as realistic idealism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305700 , vital:58605 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3167/th.2007.5411306"
- Description: Realists found in International Relations (IR) circles explicitly assign relatively minor importance to ethical ideals in their analyses of the international political domain, although a robust ethical ideal of sorts, implicitly for the most part qua ethical ideal, does guide their analysis of the international arena. For them, the key to order in the international arena is the balance of power reached between different nations aiming at asserting their wills, promoting their interests, in what is in effect perceived by IR realists as an international battle of wills guided primarily by the logic of power. As a purely descriptive claim regarding how nations, for the most part, actually behave, I have no axe to grind with the IR realist, or at least I do not have to grind an axe with them on this matter for the purposes of this paper, but the IR realist is committed to more than merely describing the behaviour of the international order. IR realists, implicitly and paradoxically, are forced, by the logic of their own position, to believe that the ethical ideal that ought to be guiding the international order is the balance of power between competing interests guiding the international behaviour of nations in their quest for power and (alleged) survival. The primary moral dictum of their position is that nations ought to pursue their self-interested interests relentlessly, but only to the extent that the fragile balance of power is not upset (which is, at any rate, a central ingredient for promoting national self-interest). IR realists do not altogether explicitly deny the role of ideals, but the role they assign to ideals is limited and, I will argue, ultimately incoherent, for ideals ought to be understood as flowing from the structure of our embodied existences and into every nook and cranny of our lives, understood individually and collectively, nationally and internationally. We are active creatures, as Aristotle observed, and activities are defined as such in relation to a functional ideal, an ideal of operation, which flows from our specific modes of embodiment. The norms or ends guiding the international political order ought to flow from this understanding of the human subject ideally conceived, as opposed to the largely Machiavellian pessimistic understanding of the human situation informing IR realism; a pessimism that stems from the fallacious move from raw observation to normative recommendation. To claim that our ends are Machiavellian, we shall see, is incoherent and this incoherence is at the heart of IR realism. The demands of reason, we shall see, should push us in the direction of a particular variety of optimism. By using a broadly Aristotelian teleological technique of analysis I will show that IR realists cannot be right. Without placing ideals at the centre of our understandings of our political lives we would be unable properly to understand the political domain, including the specific sphere of concern of IR specialists. The purely observational descriptions alluded to above do not provide the grounds for proper understanding. What does provide a proper understanding, we shall see, is observation through a conceptual lens informed by a teleological understanding of the human person (observation in the light of a conception of the good). That I think a robust conception of the good, of the set of ideals that out to be guiding rational human life, is necessary for properly understanding the international arena does not of course mean that I advocate any such conception of the good. As claimed above, the sort that I advocate, following Aristotle’s footsteps, flows from the specific configuration of our embodied lives. I refer to this form of idealism as realistic idealism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Recovery of the critically endangered river pipefish, Syngnathus watermeyeri, in the Kariega Estuary, Eastern Cape province
- Vorwerk, Paul D, Froneman, P William, Paterson, Angus W
- Authors: Vorwerk, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Paterson, Angus W
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012028
- Description: An intensive ichthyofaunal survey in the permanently open Kariega Estuary along the Eastern Cape coast has identified a breeding population of the critically endangered river pipefish, Syngnathus watermeyeri, within the middle and upper reaches of the system. This is the first recorded capture of this species in the estuary for over four decades. We suggest that the presence of S. watermeyeri is the result of the heavy rainfall within the region, which contributed to the establishment of optimum habitat requirements (mesohaline conditions and increased food availability) of the pipefish.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Vorwerk, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Paterson, Angus W
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012028
- Description: An intensive ichthyofaunal survey in the permanently open Kariega Estuary along the Eastern Cape coast has identified a breeding population of the critically endangered river pipefish, Syngnathus watermeyeri, within the middle and upper reaches of the system. This is the first recorded capture of this species in the estuary for over four decades. We suggest that the presence of S. watermeyeri is the result of the heavy rainfall within the region, which contributed to the establishment of optimum habitat requirements (mesohaline conditions and increased food availability) of the pipefish.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Referral of pregnant women from district hospitals to a reigonal hospital in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mugerwa-Sekawabe, Edward
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Medical referral -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical referral
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/831 , Medical referral -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical referral
- Description: There is a perception that some of the pregnant women referred from district to regional hospitals should have been managed at the former hospitals. To establish the truth of this perception, a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was undertaken to determine to what extent pregnant women admitted to a regional hospital are appropriately referred from district hospitals according to criteria described in the Guidelines for Maternity Care in South Africa and in the Primary Health Care Package for South Africa. Maternity case records of two hundred and eighty pregnant women admitted to a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape Province following referral from district hospitals between 1 July 2005 and 31 December 2005 were reviewed and analysed. The majority of these women were referred for medical complications, previous caesarean section, failure to progress in labour, obstructed labour, preterm baby and eclampsia. The commonest reasons cited for the transfer of these patients were shortage of maternity care providers in maternity units and lack of expertise at district hospital level. A lack of drugs and equipment were less commonly cited as the reason. Criteria for referral from district to regional hospitals were fulfilled in only 78 (34.2%) of the referrals. This low level of fulfillment of the criteria is attributed to the apparent lack of feedback processes between district and regional hospitals. This in turn limits the opportunity to develop competencies and skills of staff at these maternity units. To address this issue a referral strategy for implementation in the Eastern Cape Province was developed and presented in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mugerwa-Sekawabe, Edward
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Medical referral -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical referral
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/831 , Medical referral -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical referral
- Description: There is a perception that some of the pregnant women referred from district to regional hospitals should have been managed at the former hospitals. To establish the truth of this perception, a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was undertaken to determine to what extent pregnant women admitted to a regional hospital are appropriately referred from district hospitals according to criteria described in the Guidelines for Maternity Care in South Africa and in the Primary Health Care Package for South Africa. Maternity case records of two hundred and eighty pregnant women admitted to a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape Province following referral from district hospitals between 1 July 2005 and 31 December 2005 were reviewed and analysed. The majority of these women were referred for medical complications, previous caesarean section, failure to progress in labour, obstructed labour, preterm baby and eclampsia. The commonest reasons cited for the transfer of these patients were shortage of maternity care providers in maternity units and lack of expertise at district hospital level. A lack of drugs and equipment were less commonly cited as the reason. Criteria for referral from district to regional hospitals were fulfilled in only 78 (34.2%) of the referrals. This low level of fulfillment of the criteria is attributed to the apparent lack of feedback processes between district and regional hospitals. This in turn limits the opportunity to develop competencies and skills of staff at these maternity units. To address this issue a referral strategy for implementation in the Eastern Cape Province was developed and presented in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007