Evaluation of physiochemical qualities and heavy metal levels of the final effluents of some wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Kulati, Thanduxolo Cullinan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Sewage -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1547 , vital:27417
- Description: Water is the most abundant substance in nature and vital for life activities. The major water sources for use are surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and underground aquifers and pore spaces down the water table (Ring, 2003). Water derived from these sources is not necessarily pure since it contains dissolved inorganic and organic substances, living organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc). For these reasons, water intended for domestic uses should be free from toxic substances and microorganisms that are of health significance (WHO, 2005). The availability and quality of water always have played an important role in determining the quality of life. Water quality is closely linked to water use and to the state of economic development (Chennakrishnan et al., 2008). Ground and surface waters can be contaminated by several sources. In urban areas, the careless disposal of industrial effluents and other wastes may contribute greatly to the poor quality of water (Mathuthu et al., 1997). In most developing countries, most areas are located on the watersheds which are the end points of effluents discharged from various industries (Oberholster and Ashton, 2008). South Africa, as a developing country, is experiencing rapid demographic changes due to urbanization, industrialization and population growth. The country has also been identified as being water-scarce, which can lead to a challenge of meeting the increasing water demand due to industrialization and urbanization. Such population growth increase may result in an increase in wastewater output, especially around urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kulati, Thanduxolo Cullinan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Sewage -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1547 , vital:27417
- Description: Water is the most abundant substance in nature and vital for life activities. The major water sources for use are surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and underground aquifers and pore spaces down the water table (Ring, 2003). Water derived from these sources is not necessarily pure since it contains dissolved inorganic and organic substances, living organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc). For these reasons, water intended for domestic uses should be free from toxic substances and microorganisms that are of health significance (WHO, 2005). The availability and quality of water always have played an important role in determining the quality of life. Water quality is closely linked to water use and to the state of economic development (Chennakrishnan et al., 2008). Ground and surface waters can be contaminated by several sources. In urban areas, the careless disposal of industrial effluents and other wastes may contribute greatly to the poor quality of water (Mathuthu et al., 1997). In most developing countries, most areas are located on the watersheds which are the end points of effluents discharged from various industries (Oberholster and Ashton, 2008). South Africa, as a developing country, is experiencing rapid demographic changes due to urbanization, industrialization and population growth. The country has also been identified as being water-scarce, which can lead to a challenge of meeting the increasing water demand due to industrialization and urbanization. Such population growth increase may result in an increase in wastewater output, especially around urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Evaluation of the implementation of local economic development policy for poverty alleviation at selected municipalities in the province of eastern cape (2012-2014)
- Authors: Sidumo, Andile Morrison
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7708 , vital:30708
- Description: This thesis evaluated the implementation of local economic development policy for poverty alleviation at selected municipalities in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Poverty is a global challenge of sustainable development that faces communities at international, national, provincial and local sphere of government however, the focus was at selected municipalities in the Province of Eastern Cape. It is the responsibility of municipal authorities to satisfy the basic needs and promote the general welfare of communities at specific geographic areas in the Province which is vastly rural depending on agriculture and partly on the industrial development. Local economic development is a tool or method to alleviate poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sidumo, Andile Morrison
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7708 , vital:30708
- Description: This thesis evaluated the implementation of local economic development policy for poverty alleviation at selected municipalities in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Poverty is a global challenge of sustainable development that faces communities at international, national, provincial and local sphere of government however, the focus was at selected municipalities in the Province of Eastern Cape. It is the responsibility of municipal authorities to satisfy the basic needs and promote the general welfare of communities at specific geographic areas in the Province which is vastly rural depending on agriculture and partly on the industrial development. Local economic development is a tool or method to alleviate poverty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Evaluation of the incidence of enteric viruses, Vibrio species and Escherichia coli pathotypes in effluents of two wastewater treatment plants located in Keiskammahoek and Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Adefisoye, Martins Ajibade
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3165 , vital:28328
- Description: South Africa is currently experiencing water shortage crisis, a challenge that has been attributed not only to the scarcity of freshwater, but also to fast degrading water quality. Factors such as rapid urbanisation, population and economic growth, climate change as well as poor operational and maintenance of many of the exisiting water/wastewater treatment facilities have been acknowledged as important contributors to degrading water quality in the country. Untreated or inadequately treated discharged wastewater effluents constitute point source pollution to many freshwater environments in South Africa. Hence, it becomes imperative to evaluate wastewater discharges in other to protect the scarce freshwater resource, the environment and public health. Over a twelve-month sampling period (September 2012 to August 2013), we assessed the bacteriological, virological and physicochemical qualities of the discharged final effluents of two wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. For the physicochemical assessment, a total of 144 final effluent samples were collected from both the final effluent tanks (FE) and the discharge points (DP) of the treatment facilities. Physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) and free chlorine concentration were determined on site while biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), phosphate (PO4-) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was done using standard membrane filtration (MF) technique. Bacterial group assessed included: faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliforms and E. coli) and Vibrio species, while the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of selected E. coli and Vibrio species isolates against some selected antibiotics commonly used in human therapy and veterinary medicine were determind using the standard agar-disc diffusion method. The occurrence and concentrations of human enteric viruses including: human adenovirus (HAdV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (RoV) in the samples were determined by TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following concentration by adsorption-elution method. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples ranged as follows: pH (6.5 – 7.6), TDS (95 – 171 mg/L), EC (134 – 267 μS/cm), temperature (12 – 27 °C), turbidity (1.5 – 65.7 mg/L), free chlorine (0.08 – 0.72 mg/L), DO (2.06 – 9.81 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 9.81 mg/L), NO3- (0 – 21.5 mg/L), NO2- (0 – 0.72 mg/L), PO4- (0 – 18.3 mg/L) and COD (27 – 680 mg/L). Some of the characteristic such as pH, TDS, EC, temperature, nitrite and DO (on most instances) complied with recommended guidelines. Other characteristics, however, including turbidity, BOD, nitrate, phosphate and COD fell short of the recommended guidelines. All the 48 samples analysed for bacteriological qualities tested positive for the presence of the bacterial groups with significant (P≤0.05) seasonal variation in their densities. Faecal coliforms were detected in counts ranging from 1 CFU/100ml to 2.7 × 104 CFU/100ml. Presumptive E. coli counts ranged generally between 1 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 105 CFU/100ml while counts of presumptive Vibrio species ranged between 4 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 104 CFU/100ml. Molecular identification of the presumptive isolates by polymerase chain reactions PCR gave positive reaction rates of 76.2 percent (381/500) and 69.8 percent (279/400) for E.coli and Vibrio species respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiling of 205 PCR-confirmed Vibiro isolates against 18 commomly used antibiotics showed resistance frequencies ranging from 0.5 percent (imipenem) to 96.1 percent (penicillin G) at recommended breakpoint concentrations. Eighty-one percent (166/205) of the Vibrio isolates showed multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antibiotics) with the most common multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype (MARP) being AP-T-TM-SMX-PG-NI-PB, occurring in 8 isolates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Adefisoye, Martins Ajibade
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3165 , vital:28328
- Description: South Africa is currently experiencing water shortage crisis, a challenge that has been attributed not only to the scarcity of freshwater, but also to fast degrading water quality. Factors such as rapid urbanisation, population and economic growth, climate change as well as poor operational and maintenance of many of the exisiting water/wastewater treatment facilities have been acknowledged as important contributors to degrading water quality in the country. Untreated or inadequately treated discharged wastewater effluents constitute point source pollution to many freshwater environments in South Africa. Hence, it becomes imperative to evaluate wastewater discharges in other to protect the scarce freshwater resource, the environment and public health. Over a twelve-month sampling period (September 2012 to August 2013), we assessed the bacteriological, virological and physicochemical qualities of the discharged final effluents of two wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. For the physicochemical assessment, a total of 144 final effluent samples were collected from both the final effluent tanks (FE) and the discharge points (DP) of the treatment facilities. Physicochemical parameters including pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) and free chlorine concentration were determined on site while biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), phosphate (PO4-) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined in the laboratory. The bacteriological analysis of the samples was done using standard membrane filtration (MF) technique. Bacterial group assessed included: faecal indicator bacteria (faecal coliforms and E. coli) and Vibrio species, while the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of selected E. coli and Vibrio species isolates against some selected antibiotics commonly used in human therapy and veterinary medicine were determind using the standard agar-disc diffusion method. The occurrence and concentrations of human enteric viruses including: human adenovirus (HAdV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (RoV) in the samples were determined by TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following concentration by adsorption-elution method. The physicochemical characteristics of the samples ranged as follows: pH (6.5 – 7.6), TDS (95 – 171 mg/L), EC (134 – 267 μS/cm), temperature (12 – 27 °C), turbidity (1.5 – 65.7 mg/L), free chlorine (0.08 – 0.72 mg/L), DO (2.06 – 9.81 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 9.81 mg/L), NO3- (0 – 21.5 mg/L), NO2- (0 – 0.72 mg/L), PO4- (0 – 18.3 mg/L) and COD (27 – 680 mg/L). Some of the characteristic such as pH, TDS, EC, temperature, nitrite and DO (on most instances) complied with recommended guidelines. Other characteristics, however, including turbidity, BOD, nitrate, phosphate and COD fell short of the recommended guidelines. All the 48 samples analysed for bacteriological qualities tested positive for the presence of the bacterial groups with significant (P≤0.05) seasonal variation in their densities. Faecal coliforms were detected in counts ranging from 1 CFU/100ml to 2.7 × 104 CFU/100ml. Presumptive E. coli counts ranged generally between 1 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 105 CFU/100ml while counts of presumptive Vibrio species ranged between 4 CFU/100ml – 1.4 × 104 CFU/100ml. Molecular identification of the presumptive isolates by polymerase chain reactions PCR gave positive reaction rates of 76.2 percent (381/500) and 69.8 percent (279/400) for E.coli and Vibrio species respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiling of 205 PCR-confirmed Vibiro isolates against 18 commomly used antibiotics showed resistance frequencies ranging from 0.5 percent (imipenem) to 96.1 percent (penicillin G) at recommended breakpoint concentrations. Eighty-one percent (166/205) of the Vibrio isolates showed multidrug resistance (resistance to 3 or more antibiotics) with the most common multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype (MARP) being AP-T-TM-SMX-PG-NI-PB, occurring in 8 isolates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Evaluation of the medicinal potentials of Bulbine Abyssinica A. rich in the management of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kibiti, Cromwell Mwiti
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3077 , vital:28252
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic physiological carbohydrate metabolic disorder with significant impact on the economy, quality of life and life expectancy in South Africa. Herbal medicine has become the alternative therapy in the management of this disease. However, their safety and effectiveness have not been investigated. To address this, one of the plants used in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, Bulbine abyssinica A. Rich (Asphodelaceae), was evaluated. Bulbine abyssinica is one of the species used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This plant was mentioned during an ethnobotanical survey conducted in Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province. Though a decoction prepared from the whole plant is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the mechanism of action and its safety has not been elucidated. Thus, this research work was designed to contribute to the understanding of the possible mechanism of action of B. abyssinica as an antidiabetic medicinal plant and its toxic potentials to the users. The aqueous extract exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity onα-amylase (estimated inhibitory concentration (IC)50 value of 3.28 μg/ml), while the acetone extract exhibited weak inhibitory activity. The acetone extract exhibited notable α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 4.27 μg/ml) while aqueous extract had significantly weak activity. The Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal plots revealed that the aqueous extract exerts noncompetitive inhibition on the α-amylase activity while the acetone extract exerts a near competitive inhibitory pattern on the α-glucosidase activity. The extracts from the plant possessed high free radical scavenging activities, with acetone extract exhibiting the highest activities in all assay models used except with ferric reducing power and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging ability. The aqueous extract exhibited the highest ferric reducing power and nitric oxide radical mopping strength while the essential oil exhibited the highest scavenging activities with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and relatively high ferric reducing power and nitric oxide scavenging ability. The acetone extract and the essential oil of this species exhibited higher albumin denaturation inhibition than the aqueous extract while the latter showed the greatest membrane lysis protection. The essential oil, acetone and aqueous extracts from this plant significantly inhibited the growth of Shigelle flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris and Streptococcus pyogens growth were inhibited by acetone and aqueous extracts. The essential oil also showed inhibitory activity against Proteus vulgaris. However, the extracts were active against the growth of only three fungi species. The essential oil showed significant inhibitory activity against Trichophyton rubrum. The aqueous extract inhibited the growth of Microsporum gypseum while the acetone extract was active against Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum. The carbohydrate, crude fibre, moisture, ash, crude protein and crude fat of approximately 74.8 percent, 8.9 percent, 8.8 percent, 8 percent, 7.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, were detected in this plant. The species is characterized by moderate levels of oxalates, phytic acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Potassium and calcium were present in highest levels, while magnesium, iron, sodium, aluminium and phosphorus were moderately present. Manganese, zinc and copper where in low amounts. These vitamins and mineral elements were within their recommended daily allowance (RDA) in humans. The investigation also revealed appreciable amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins and alkaloids in both acetone and aqueous extracts while saponins and tannins were in trace amounts. The essential oil was characterized by large quantities of terpenes (91.9 percent) and small fraction of esters (8.01 percent).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kibiti, Cromwell Mwiti
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3077 , vital:28252
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic physiological carbohydrate metabolic disorder with significant impact on the economy, quality of life and life expectancy in South Africa. Herbal medicine has become the alternative therapy in the management of this disease. However, their safety and effectiveness have not been investigated. To address this, one of the plants used in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, Bulbine abyssinica A. Rich (Asphodelaceae), was evaluated. Bulbine abyssinica is one of the species used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This plant was mentioned during an ethnobotanical survey conducted in Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province. Though a decoction prepared from the whole plant is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the mechanism of action and its safety has not been elucidated. Thus, this research work was designed to contribute to the understanding of the possible mechanism of action of B. abyssinica as an antidiabetic medicinal plant and its toxic potentials to the users. The aqueous extract exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity onα-amylase (estimated inhibitory concentration (IC)50 value of 3.28 μg/ml), while the acetone extract exhibited weak inhibitory activity. The acetone extract exhibited notable α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 4.27 μg/ml) while aqueous extract had significantly weak activity. The Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal plots revealed that the aqueous extract exerts noncompetitive inhibition on the α-amylase activity while the acetone extract exerts a near competitive inhibitory pattern on the α-glucosidase activity. The extracts from the plant possessed high free radical scavenging activities, with acetone extract exhibiting the highest activities in all assay models used except with ferric reducing power and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging ability. The aqueous extract exhibited the highest ferric reducing power and nitric oxide radical mopping strength while the essential oil exhibited the highest scavenging activities with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and relatively high ferric reducing power and nitric oxide scavenging ability. The acetone extract and the essential oil of this species exhibited higher albumin denaturation inhibition than the aqueous extract while the latter showed the greatest membrane lysis protection. The essential oil, acetone and aqueous extracts from this plant significantly inhibited the growth of Shigelle flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris and Streptococcus pyogens growth were inhibited by acetone and aqueous extracts. The essential oil also showed inhibitory activity against Proteus vulgaris. However, the extracts were active against the growth of only three fungi species. The essential oil showed significant inhibitory activity against Trichophyton rubrum. The aqueous extract inhibited the growth of Microsporum gypseum while the acetone extract was active against Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum. The carbohydrate, crude fibre, moisture, ash, crude protein and crude fat of approximately 74.8 percent, 8.9 percent, 8.8 percent, 8 percent, 7.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, were detected in this plant. The species is characterized by moderate levels of oxalates, phytic acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Potassium and calcium were present in highest levels, while magnesium, iron, sodium, aluminium and phosphorus were moderately present. Manganese, zinc and copper where in low amounts. These vitamins and mineral elements were within their recommended daily allowance (RDA) in humans. The investigation also revealed appreciable amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins and alkaloids in both acetone and aqueous extracts while saponins and tannins were in trace amounts. The essential oil was characterized by large quantities of terpenes (91.9 percent) and small fraction of esters (8.01 percent).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Examining public participation as a contributor to good governance: a local government perspective
- Authors: Nkuntse, Tulani
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11854 , vital:26982
- Description: This study undertook to examine public participation as a contributor to good governance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), as part of the process of improving this Municipality’s governance. The main objectives of the study were to analyse the existing processes and arrangements for public participation in the NMBM; to examine the extent to which community participation influences decision-making; to investigate the factors that improve or lead to good governance in a municipal environment; to examine a framework for robust participation, in which communities are able to influence decisions that affect them; and to propose recommendations to potentially improve the Municipality’s governance. The triangulation research methodology was employed with emphasis on both the quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The sample comprised of two Ward Councillors, two selected Mayoral Committee members and 14 Ward Committee members. Questionnaires, with open and closed questions, were employed for the Ward Committee members and semi-structured interviews were conducted with both the Ward Councillors and the two Mayoral Committee members. Statistical procedures supplied by the NMMU Unit of Statistics were utilised to interpret and analyse the quantitative data to determine the results for data analysis. The qualitative data analysis involved thematic content analysis. The findings suggest that the current public participation processes are inadequate. The correlation of results further revealed that a significant negative relationship exists between the Ward Councillors, the Municipality and Ward Committee members. Despite various legislative prescriptions pertaining to public participation requirements in local government, the results suggest that the NMBM may be undertaking the public participation exercise for the sake of compliance and therefore it might not be a genuine exercise. The thesis proposes specific recommendations on how the NMBM can address the current shortcomings in terms of its public participation processes and strategies. Recommendations include significant civic education for the public to understand that being in a democratic country involves active participation in local affairs; more participatory initiatives need to be done to make the public aware of the role of Ward Committees and to invite people to apply to be on these Committees; recommendations also suggested that it would be crucial that Ward Committees are not used as a political platform to push political agendas, as this deters public participation. The NMBM needs to establish a monitoring and evaluation process to track their progress with public participation and develop and implement a public participation strategy and policy for enhanced public participation is also proposed in the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nkuntse, Tulani
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11854 , vital:26982
- Description: This study undertook to examine public participation as a contributor to good governance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), as part of the process of improving this Municipality’s governance. The main objectives of the study were to analyse the existing processes and arrangements for public participation in the NMBM; to examine the extent to which community participation influences decision-making; to investigate the factors that improve or lead to good governance in a municipal environment; to examine a framework for robust participation, in which communities are able to influence decisions that affect them; and to propose recommendations to potentially improve the Municipality’s governance. The triangulation research methodology was employed with emphasis on both the quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The sample comprised of two Ward Councillors, two selected Mayoral Committee members and 14 Ward Committee members. Questionnaires, with open and closed questions, were employed for the Ward Committee members and semi-structured interviews were conducted with both the Ward Councillors and the two Mayoral Committee members. Statistical procedures supplied by the NMMU Unit of Statistics were utilised to interpret and analyse the quantitative data to determine the results for data analysis. The qualitative data analysis involved thematic content analysis. The findings suggest that the current public participation processes are inadequate. The correlation of results further revealed that a significant negative relationship exists between the Ward Councillors, the Municipality and Ward Committee members. Despite various legislative prescriptions pertaining to public participation requirements in local government, the results suggest that the NMBM may be undertaking the public participation exercise for the sake of compliance and therefore it might not be a genuine exercise. The thesis proposes specific recommendations on how the NMBM can address the current shortcomings in terms of its public participation processes and strategies. Recommendations include significant civic education for the public to understand that being in a democratic country involves active participation in local affairs; more participatory initiatives need to be done to make the public aware of the role of Ward Committees and to invite people to apply to be on these Committees; recommendations also suggested that it would be crucial that Ward Committees are not used as a political platform to push political agendas, as this deters public participation. The NMBM needs to establish a monitoring and evaluation process to track their progress with public participation and develop and implement a public participation strategy and policy for enhanced public participation is also proposed in the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Examining the influence of non-governmental organizations upon the long term outcomes of the involuntary community resettlement processes: with special reference to the Kariba case, Zambia
- Authors: Sitambuli, Emma
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021263
- Description: Researchers have clearly demonstrated that Development‐Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR) usually risks impoverishing people and that annually, millions are displaced as a result. Although the impacts and consequences of resettlement are known, over the next couple of decades, development projects will continue to be needed to meet the different demands of growing economies and populations, of especially developing countries, making relocation sometimes unavoidable. Hence, over the years, many scholars have developed conceptual frameworks to understand and explain the impoverishment risks inherent in the resettlement phenomenon; and how those can be anticipated so as to be positively counteracted through strategic interactions and the implementation of development activities. Generally, the majority of those development activities to improve resettlement outcomes have often been planned, funded, and executed by the government, albeit with mixed levels of success, yet the possibilities of other development institutions such as Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have not been fully understood. However, a great deal of what is known about NGOs relates to their work in advocacy and activism to pressure governments to, for example, change relocation plans or raise awareness on the negative impacts of development projects on people and environment. Therefore, this thesis examines the influence of NGOs upon the on‐going outcomes of the involuntary community resettlement processes. The empirical basis is ethnographic research, which integrated several resettlement conceptual frameworks and theories about NGOs to collect and analyse data. Fieldwork was carried out in four villages of Simamba i.e. Malata, Kafwakuduli, Nangoba and Hamukonde. Simamba is one of the riverine Gwembe chiefdoms resettled following the construction of the Kariba dam on the Zambezi River bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. The ethnographic research for this thesis was conducted from 2013 to 2015. In this thesis, I demonstrate that spatial factors influenced the resettlement trajectory using evidence from Simamba’s pre and post resettlement situation. I conclude by arguing that sustained contributions of the NGO type of development can positively influence the long‐term outcomes of involuntary community resettlement processes, and that problems that occurred were largely related to the management of the community development activities by the NGO under study. Therefore, this thesis is relevant to resettlement and development studies in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sitambuli, Emma
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021263
- Description: Researchers have clearly demonstrated that Development‐Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR) usually risks impoverishing people and that annually, millions are displaced as a result. Although the impacts and consequences of resettlement are known, over the next couple of decades, development projects will continue to be needed to meet the different demands of growing economies and populations, of especially developing countries, making relocation sometimes unavoidable. Hence, over the years, many scholars have developed conceptual frameworks to understand and explain the impoverishment risks inherent in the resettlement phenomenon; and how those can be anticipated so as to be positively counteracted through strategic interactions and the implementation of development activities. Generally, the majority of those development activities to improve resettlement outcomes have often been planned, funded, and executed by the government, albeit with mixed levels of success, yet the possibilities of other development institutions such as Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have not been fully understood. However, a great deal of what is known about NGOs relates to their work in advocacy and activism to pressure governments to, for example, change relocation plans or raise awareness on the negative impacts of development projects on people and environment. Therefore, this thesis examines the influence of NGOs upon the on‐going outcomes of the involuntary community resettlement processes. The empirical basis is ethnographic research, which integrated several resettlement conceptual frameworks and theories about NGOs to collect and analyse data. Fieldwork was carried out in four villages of Simamba i.e. Malata, Kafwakuduli, Nangoba and Hamukonde. Simamba is one of the riverine Gwembe chiefdoms resettled following the construction of the Kariba dam on the Zambezi River bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. The ethnographic research for this thesis was conducted from 2013 to 2015. In this thesis, I demonstrate that spatial factors influenced the resettlement trajectory using evidence from Simamba’s pre and post resettlement situation. I conclude by arguing that sustained contributions of the NGO type of development can positively influence the long‐term outcomes of involuntary community resettlement processes, and that problems that occurred were largely related to the management of the community development activities by the NGO under study. Therefore, this thesis is relevant to resettlement and development studies in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Examining the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools: the case of four primary schools in Cape Town, South Africa
- Authors: Shadaya, Girlie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Special education Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5346 , vital:29214
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that learners with special educational needs are not fully included in regular schools and that perceptions of teachers influence their behaviour toward and acceptance of learners with special educational needs in regular classes. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to examine the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools with the ultimate aim of assisting learners with special educational needs to be fully catered for by schools and teachers. The researcher opted for the mixed method approach which is embedded in the post positivist research paradigm. The mixed method approach makes use of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of 60 teachers and 4 principals from 4 regular primary schools mainly through questionnaires. Data were also generated from interviews, observation and documents. These data from interviews, observation and documents were used to buttress results from the questionnaires. The findings of this present study showed that many schools are now moving towards inclusivity. There is a relative prevalence of learners with disability in schools. The study also established that the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools was faced with a number of problems. There were inadequate professionally-trained teachers in schools. Shortage of classrooms, large class sizes, equipment and materials affected the quality of access to education for learners with special educational needs. Although there was significant support at school level, it emerged that there was inadequate quality in-service training programmes for teachers conducted by district officials. Overall, the findings of the study have confirmed the assumptions of the study. For learners with special educational needs to be fully included in regular schools, the study would recommend that the government improve the quality of teachers through in-service training programmes. Moreover, schools must be adequately resourced and government should commit itself to the alleviation of large class sizes. The study further revealed that, gaps still exist in the inclusion of learners with special educational needs between the intended and the actual practice. The study, therefore, recommends that research be conducted with the possibility of establishing strategies for the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools. This might improve the actual practice of including learners with iii special educational needs in regular schools. In turn, learners with special educational needs can be said to have equal access to education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Shadaya, Girlie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Special education Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5346 , vital:29214
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that learners with special educational needs are not fully included in regular schools and that perceptions of teachers influence their behaviour toward and acceptance of learners with special educational needs in regular classes. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to examine the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools with the ultimate aim of assisting learners with special educational needs to be fully catered for by schools and teachers. The researcher opted for the mixed method approach which is embedded in the post positivist research paradigm. The mixed method approach makes use of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of 60 teachers and 4 principals from 4 regular primary schools mainly through questionnaires. Data were also generated from interviews, observation and documents. These data from interviews, observation and documents were used to buttress results from the questionnaires. The findings of this present study showed that many schools are now moving towards inclusivity. There is a relative prevalence of learners with disability in schools. The study also established that the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools was faced with a number of problems. There were inadequate professionally-trained teachers in schools. Shortage of classrooms, large class sizes, equipment and materials affected the quality of access to education for learners with special educational needs. Although there was significant support at school level, it emerged that there was inadequate quality in-service training programmes for teachers conducted by district officials. Overall, the findings of the study have confirmed the assumptions of the study. For learners with special educational needs to be fully included in regular schools, the study would recommend that the government improve the quality of teachers through in-service training programmes. Moreover, schools must be adequately resourced and government should commit itself to the alleviation of large class sizes. The study further revealed that, gaps still exist in the inclusion of learners with special educational needs between the intended and the actual practice. The study, therefore, recommends that research be conducted with the possibility of establishing strategies for the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools. This might improve the actual practice of including learners with iii special educational needs in regular schools. In turn, learners with special educational needs can be said to have equal access to education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Examining the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools: the case of four primary schools in Cape Town, South Africa
- Authors: Shadaya, Girlie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2336 , vital:27754
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that learners with special educational needs are not fully included in regular schools and that perceptions of teachers influence their behaviour toward and acceptance of learners with special educational needs in regular classes. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to examine the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools with the ultimate aim of assisting learners with special educational needs to be fully catered for by schools and teachers. The researcher opted for the mixed method approach which is embedded in the post positivist research paradigm. The mixed method approach makes use of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of 60 teachers and 4 principals from 4 regular primary schools mainly through questionnaires. Data were also generated from interviews, observation and documents. These data from interviews, observation and documents were used to buttress results from the questionnaires. The findings of this present study showed that many schools are now moving towards inclusivity. There is a relative prevalence of learners with disability in schools. The study also established that the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools was faced with a number of problems. There were inadequate professionally-trained teachers in schools. Shortage of classrooms, large class sizes, equipment and materials affected the quality of access to education for learners with special educational needs. Although there was significant support at school level, it emerged that there was inadequate quality in-service training programmes for teachers conducted by district officials. Overall, the findings of the study have confirmed the assumptions of the study. For learners with special educational needs to be fully included in regular schools, the study would recommend that the government improve the quality of teachers through in-service training programmes. Moreover, schools must be adequately resourced and government should commit itself to the alleviation of large class sizes. The study further revealed that, gaps still exist in the inclusion of learners with special educational needs between the intended and the actual practice. The study, therefore, recommends that research be conducted with the possibility of establishing strategies for the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools. This might improve the actual practice of including learners with special educational needs in regular schools. In turn, learners with special educational needs can be said to have equal access to education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Shadaya, Girlie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Special education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Cape Town Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2336 , vital:27754
- Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that learners with special educational needs are not fully included in regular schools and that perceptions of teachers influence their behaviour toward and acceptance of learners with special educational needs in regular classes. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to examine the nature and extent to which learners with special educational needs are included in regular schools with the ultimate aim of assisting learners with special educational needs to be fully catered for by schools and teachers. The researcher opted for the mixed method approach which is embedded in the post positivist research paradigm. The mixed method approach makes use of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of 60 teachers and 4 principals from 4 regular primary schools mainly through questionnaires. Data were also generated from interviews, observation and documents. These data from interviews, observation and documents were used to buttress results from the questionnaires. The findings of this present study showed that many schools are now moving towards inclusivity. There is a relative prevalence of learners with disability in schools. The study also established that the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools was faced with a number of problems. There were inadequate professionally-trained teachers in schools. Shortage of classrooms, large class sizes, equipment and materials affected the quality of access to education for learners with special educational needs. Although there was significant support at school level, it emerged that there was inadequate quality in-service training programmes for teachers conducted by district officials. Overall, the findings of the study have confirmed the assumptions of the study. For learners with special educational needs to be fully included in regular schools, the study would recommend that the government improve the quality of teachers through in-service training programmes. Moreover, schools must be adequately resourced and government should commit itself to the alleviation of large class sizes. The study further revealed that, gaps still exist in the inclusion of learners with special educational needs between the intended and the actual practice. The study, therefore, recommends that research be conducted with the possibility of establishing strategies for the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools. This might improve the actual practice of including learners with special educational needs in regular schools. In turn, learners with special educational needs can be said to have equal access to education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Exchange rate and foreign direct investment inflows: a case of Namibia 1990-2014
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Exorcising the Past: History, Hauntings and Evil in Neo-Gothic Fiction
- Authors: Van der Wielen, Karlien
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021257
- Description: This thesis explores the conventions of both historical and Gothic fiction in order to investigate what seems to be a recurrent impulse to exorcise the past in what I define as contemporary Neo-Gothic fiction. It therefore attempts to establish a distinction between Neo-Gothic fiction and other forms of contemporary Gothic fiction by focusing on the treatment of history, the supernatural and the grand narrative of progress in three contemporary Gothic novels: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates. This thesis argues that the most potent manifestation of history can be found in the representation of the revenant in Neo-Gothic fiction, which exhibits a disruptive and evil ontology that problematises the exorcism of the past. Furthermore, the reactions of ‘modern’ characters to these revenants illustrate the imperative to exorcise the past, and therefore the treatment of history and the past is reflected in the interaction between the ‘modern’ characters and the Gothic revenants. Through this interaction as well as the parody of traditional Gothic and historical fiction conventions, Neo-Gothic fiction constructs a critique of the Enlightenment’s grand narrative of progress. Paradoxically, this constitutes Neo-Gothic fiction’s own attempt to exorcise the past, which it recognises in a simplified and reductive narrative of history propounded through the grand narrative of progress. This thesis therefore pays particular attention to the configuration of revenants as evil and ‘modern’ humans as good, and the disruption of this simple binary that is effected through Neo-Gothic fiction’s subversion of the grand narrative of progress. This focus allows for the theorisation of the revenant through Jacques Derrida’s notion of ‘hauntology’ and Julia Kristeva’s ‘the abject’, the investigation of the treatment of history in Neo-Gothic fiction and the exploration of very recent Gothic texts that have not yet received much critical attention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van der Wielen, Karlien
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021257
- Description: This thesis explores the conventions of both historical and Gothic fiction in order to investigate what seems to be a recurrent impulse to exorcise the past in what I define as contemporary Neo-Gothic fiction. It therefore attempts to establish a distinction between Neo-Gothic fiction and other forms of contemporary Gothic fiction by focusing on the treatment of history, the supernatural and the grand narrative of progress in three contemporary Gothic novels: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates. This thesis argues that the most potent manifestation of history can be found in the representation of the revenant in Neo-Gothic fiction, which exhibits a disruptive and evil ontology that problematises the exorcism of the past. Furthermore, the reactions of ‘modern’ characters to these revenants illustrate the imperative to exorcise the past, and therefore the treatment of history and the past is reflected in the interaction between the ‘modern’ characters and the Gothic revenants. Through this interaction as well as the parody of traditional Gothic and historical fiction conventions, Neo-Gothic fiction constructs a critique of the Enlightenment’s grand narrative of progress. Paradoxically, this constitutes Neo-Gothic fiction’s own attempt to exorcise the past, which it recognises in a simplified and reductive narrative of history propounded through the grand narrative of progress. This thesis therefore pays particular attention to the configuration of revenants as evil and ‘modern’ humans as good, and the disruption of this simple binary that is effected through Neo-Gothic fiction’s subversion of the grand narrative of progress. This focus allows for the theorisation of the revenant through Jacques Derrida’s notion of ‘hauntology’ and Julia Kristeva’s ‘the abject’, the investigation of the treatment of history in Neo-Gothic fiction and the exploration of very recent Gothic texts that have not yet received much critical attention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Expand public works program on infrastructure : lessons from international public works programs 1920'S - 1950'S and 2004-2016
- Authors: Zuma, Siziwe Monica
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public works--South Africa Labor--South Africa Job creation--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Public Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16102 , vital:40664
- Description: The Expanded Public Works Program on Infrastructure is a national program by the South African Government. It is intending to build and maintain public assets using labour intensive mechanisms. It seeks to offer short term employment and training to the labour participants so that when they exit they may be able to find employment. The program also has an economic sector program of the infrastructure sector called Vuk‘uphile for development of emerging contractors also it is a national program. The Expanded Public Works Program is the government main instrument to job creation in South Africa. Government also seeks to pursue policies that are pro-growth, with the hope that the economic growth will absorbed the unemployed into employment. It is also looking into the small business sector to be the main driver for job creation. Despite this the government‘s commitment, the unemployment rate and poverty rate are increasing and the economy is declining. The study sought to examine if the skills obtained by the participants in the Expanded Public Works Program enable the participants to obtain employment upon exiting the program. It also sought to find any challenges the participants encounter before and after living the program. It sought to look at other international public works programs and theories on public works to learn any lessons. I also sought to study if the program cannot be expanded into for it to create more sustainable employment for the enterprises and the labour participants in order to lengthen the period of work experience skills training, reduce the incidents of poverty and stimulate economic growth. This study followed a literature review methodology, using second source data from various literatures, empirical and non-empirical second source literature. The findings indicate that the skills and the duration of the training are not sufficient for the labour participants to be absorbed by the labour force. The short duration of working in the program is too short to make a meaningful income and work experience that can be sustainable. Upon exiting the program they cannot find employment a large majority of them. The program offered in the Zibambele in KwaZulu Natal offers work on a part time basis for the maintenance of roads over a longer period that acts as a safety net. The program is only in KwaZulu Natal and only on road maintenance; it is not big enough to make a meaningful difference to the amount of unemployment in the country. The Vuk‘uphile program however is offering good skills to the emerging contractor that enables their companies to grow. The international public works programs have been instrumental in creating employment to millions of participants and reduced incidents of poverty. The expanded public works program on infrastructure can be expanded to include asset management, maintenance and can expand to rural infrastructure and development and agricultural infrastructure. The study recommends that the government considers expanding the expanded public works program on infrastructure so that it can provide longer and more sustainable employment to labor participants and entrepreneurs. Also that it considers using the model used to develop emerging contractors in the Vuk‘uphile program to develop small medium businesses in the infrastructure and other areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Zuma, Siziwe Monica
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public works--South Africa Labor--South Africa Job creation--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Public Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16102 , vital:40664
- Description: The Expanded Public Works Program on Infrastructure is a national program by the South African Government. It is intending to build and maintain public assets using labour intensive mechanisms. It seeks to offer short term employment and training to the labour participants so that when they exit they may be able to find employment. The program also has an economic sector program of the infrastructure sector called Vuk‘uphile for development of emerging contractors also it is a national program. The Expanded Public Works Program is the government main instrument to job creation in South Africa. Government also seeks to pursue policies that are pro-growth, with the hope that the economic growth will absorbed the unemployed into employment. It is also looking into the small business sector to be the main driver for job creation. Despite this the government‘s commitment, the unemployment rate and poverty rate are increasing and the economy is declining. The study sought to examine if the skills obtained by the participants in the Expanded Public Works Program enable the participants to obtain employment upon exiting the program. It also sought to find any challenges the participants encounter before and after living the program. It sought to look at other international public works programs and theories on public works to learn any lessons. I also sought to study if the program cannot be expanded into for it to create more sustainable employment for the enterprises and the labour participants in order to lengthen the period of work experience skills training, reduce the incidents of poverty and stimulate economic growth. This study followed a literature review methodology, using second source data from various literatures, empirical and non-empirical second source literature. The findings indicate that the skills and the duration of the training are not sufficient for the labour participants to be absorbed by the labour force. The short duration of working in the program is too short to make a meaningful income and work experience that can be sustainable. Upon exiting the program they cannot find employment a large majority of them. The program offered in the Zibambele in KwaZulu Natal offers work on a part time basis for the maintenance of roads over a longer period that acts as a safety net. The program is only in KwaZulu Natal and only on road maintenance; it is not big enough to make a meaningful difference to the amount of unemployment in the country. The Vuk‘uphile program however is offering good skills to the emerging contractor that enables their companies to grow. The international public works programs have been instrumental in creating employment to millions of participants and reduced incidents of poverty. The expanded public works program on infrastructure can be expanded to include asset management, maintenance and can expand to rural infrastructure and development and agricultural infrastructure. The study recommends that the government considers expanding the expanded public works program on infrastructure so that it can provide longer and more sustainable employment to labor participants and entrepreneurs. Also that it considers using the model used to develop emerging contractors in the Vuk‘uphile program to develop small medium businesses in the infrastructure and other areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Expanding reproductive justice through a supportability reparative justice framework: the case of abortion in South Africa
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443680 , vital:74143 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1447687"
- Description: Theoretical refinement of the concept of reproductive justice has been called for. In this paper, I propose the use of a supportability reparative justice approach. Drawing on intra-categorical intersectionality, the supportability aspect starts from the event of a pregnancy to unravel the interwoven embodied and social realities implicated in women experiencing pregnancy as personally supportable/unsupportable, and socially supported/unsupported. The reparative justice aspect highlights the need for social repair in the case of unsupportable pregnancies and relies on Ernesto Verdeja’s critical theory of reparative justice in which he outlines four reparative dimensions. Using abortion within the South African context, I show how this framework may be put to use: (1) the facilitation of autonomous decision-making (individual material dimension) requires understanding women within context, and less emphasis on individual-driven ‘choice’; (2) the provision of legal, safe state-sponsored healthcare resources (collective material dimension) demands political will and abortion service provision to be regarded as a moral as well as a healthcare priority; (3) overcoming stigma and the spoiled identities (collective symbolic dimension) requires significant feminist action to deconstruct negative discourses and to foreground positive narratives; and (4) understanding individual lived experiences (individual symbolic dimension) means deep listening within the social dynamics of particular contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443680 , vital:74143 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1447687"
- Description: Theoretical refinement of the concept of reproductive justice has been called for. In this paper, I propose the use of a supportability reparative justice approach. Drawing on intra-categorical intersectionality, the supportability aspect starts from the event of a pregnancy to unravel the interwoven embodied and social realities implicated in women experiencing pregnancy as personally supportable/unsupportable, and socially supported/unsupported. The reparative justice aspect highlights the need for social repair in the case of unsupportable pregnancies and relies on Ernesto Verdeja’s critical theory of reparative justice in which he outlines four reparative dimensions. Using abortion within the South African context, I show how this framework may be put to use: (1) the facilitation of autonomous decision-making (individual material dimension) requires understanding women within context, and less emphasis on individual-driven ‘choice’; (2) the provision of legal, safe state-sponsored healthcare resources (collective material dimension) demands political will and abortion service provision to be regarded as a moral as well as a healthcare priority; (3) overcoming stigma and the spoiled identities (collective symbolic dimension) requires significant feminist action to deconstruct negative discourses and to foreground positive narratives; and (4) understanding individual lived experiences (individual symbolic dimension) means deep listening within the social dynamics of particular contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Expanding the host range of small insect RNA viruses: Providence virus (Carmotetraviridae) infects and replicates in a human tissue culture cell line
- Jiwaji, Meesbah, Short, James R, Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Authors: Jiwaji, Meesbah , Short, James R , Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65979 , vital:28874 , https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.000578
- Description: publisher version , Tetraviruses are small, positive (+ve)-sense ssRNA viruses that infect the midgut cells of lepidopteran larvae. Providence virus(PrV) is the only member of the family Carmotetraviridae (previously Tetraviridae). PrV particles exhibit the characteristic tetraviral T=4 icosahedral symmetry, but PrV is distinct from other tetraviruses with respect to genome organization and viral non-structural proteins. Currently, PrV is the only tetravirus known to infect and replicate in lepidopteran cell culture lines. In this report we demonstrate, using immunofluorescence microscopy, that PrV infects and replicates in a human tissue culture cell line (HeLa), producing infectious virus particles. We also provide evidence for PrV replication in vitro in insect, mammalian and plant cell-free systems. This study challenges the long-held view that tetraviruses have a narrow host range confined to one or a few lepidopteran species and highlights the need to consider the potential for apparently non-infectious viruses to be transferred to new hosts in the laboratory.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Jiwaji, Meesbah , Short, James R , Dorrington, Rosemary A
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65979 , vital:28874 , https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.000578
- Description: publisher version , Tetraviruses are small, positive (+ve)-sense ssRNA viruses that infect the midgut cells of lepidopteran larvae. Providence virus(PrV) is the only member of the family Carmotetraviridae (previously Tetraviridae). PrV particles exhibit the characteristic tetraviral T=4 icosahedral symmetry, but PrV is distinct from other tetraviruses with respect to genome organization and viral non-structural proteins. Currently, PrV is the only tetravirus known to infect and replicate in lepidopteran cell culture lines. In this report we demonstrate, using immunofluorescence microscopy, that PrV infects and replicates in a human tissue culture cell line (HeLa), producing infectious virus particles. We also provide evidence for PrV replication in vitro in insect, mammalian and plant cell-free systems. This study challenges the long-held view that tetraviruses have a narrow host range confined to one or a few lepidopteran species and highlights the need to consider the potential for apparently non-infectious viruses to be transferred to new hosts in the laboratory.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care via mobile technology for clinical decision making at public hospitals
- Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine, Jordan, Portia
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth
- Authors: Dasi, Peggy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Obstetrics , Midwives , Perinatal death -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9000 , vital:26454
- Description: Midwives working in labour wards usually have the pleasure of delivering a live baby and rejoicing with the mother. However, the delivery could become tragic for the mothers and midwives when the baby dies at birth due to pregnancy related complications. The result is that midwives have to render care and support to mothers who have lost their babies at birth. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this research study to gain an understanding of how the midwives experienced caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A purposive criterion based non-probability sampling method was used. Ten semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the research study. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of text and data. Four themes were identified, namely, Midwives shared their diverse experiences relating to caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth; Midwives expressed how their personal values and beliefs influenced the ways they dealt with babies dying at birth; Midwives described the organizational values and beliefs related to death and dying and how this influences their own experiences and lastly Midwives provided suggestions regarding how they can be assisted in caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. Two main guidelines were developed based on the research findings and literature. The study concludes with recommendations made with regard to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dasi, Peggy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Obstetrics , Midwives , Perinatal death -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9000 , vital:26454
- Description: Midwives working in labour wards usually have the pleasure of delivering a live baby and rejoicing with the mother. However, the delivery could become tragic for the mothers and midwives when the baby dies at birth due to pregnancy related complications. The result is that midwives have to render care and support to mothers who have lost their babies at birth. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this research study to gain an understanding of how the midwives experienced caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A purposive criterion based non-probability sampling method was used. Ten semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the research study. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of text and data. Four themes were identified, namely, Midwives shared their diverse experiences relating to caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth; Midwives expressed how their personal values and beliefs influenced the ways they dealt with babies dying at birth; Midwives described the organizational values and beliefs related to death and dying and how this influences their own experiences and lastly Midwives provided suggestions regarding how they can be assisted in caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. Two main guidelines were developed based on the research findings and literature. The study concludes with recommendations made with regard to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of newly qualified south african psychologists dealing with suicidal behaviour
- Authors: Cramer, Ryan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Suicidal behavior , Suicide Psychotherapy Suicide -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5677 , vital:20962
- Description: Suicidal behaviour is a phenomenon encountered the world over. Recognising and adequately dealing with such behaviours, in a professional setting, is a role expected of a psychologist. Working with suicidal behaviour is influenced by a variety of factors on the part of the psychologist. These may include, inter alia, experiences they may have had with suicidal behaviour, the training they have received in order to deal with such behaviours and their subjective experience of self-efficacy in dealing with such behaviours. The current qualitative study sought to explore and describe the experiences of recently qualified South African psychologists in dealing with suicidal behaviour through semi-structured interviews. The focus was on newly qualified clinical psychologists who received their masters training at a university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study aimed to understand how confident, equipped, and ready newly qualified psychologists perceived themselves in dealing with suicidal behaviour. Three major themes emerged from the data. The first describes the strategies psychologists used in order to recognise potential suicidal behaviour, the second was how newly qualified psychologists managed suicidal behaviour, and the final theme described how psychologists could be prepared for their role to deal effectively with these behaviours. Investigating their experiences enabled the participants to contribute towards creating knowledge in this crucial area of psychological practice and allowed for the discovery of invaluable insights which could benefit the future training of psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Cramer, Ryan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Suicidal behavior , Suicide Psychotherapy Suicide -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5677 , vital:20962
- Description: Suicidal behaviour is a phenomenon encountered the world over. Recognising and adequately dealing with such behaviours, in a professional setting, is a role expected of a psychologist. Working with suicidal behaviour is influenced by a variety of factors on the part of the psychologist. These may include, inter alia, experiences they may have had with suicidal behaviour, the training they have received in order to deal with such behaviours and their subjective experience of self-efficacy in dealing with such behaviours. The current qualitative study sought to explore and describe the experiences of recently qualified South African psychologists in dealing with suicidal behaviour through semi-structured interviews. The focus was on newly qualified clinical psychologists who received their masters training at a university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study aimed to understand how confident, equipped, and ready newly qualified psychologists perceived themselves in dealing with suicidal behaviour. Three major themes emerged from the data. The first describes the strategies psychologists used in order to recognise potential suicidal behaviour, the second was how newly qualified psychologists managed suicidal behaviour, and the final theme described how psychologists could be prepared for their role to deal effectively with these behaviours. Investigating their experiences enabled the participants to contribute towards creating knowledge in this crucial area of psychological practice and allowed for the discovery of invaluable insights which could benefit the future training of psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics regarding the nursing management of mentally ill clients in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tuswa, Bulelwa Martha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentally ill -- Patients -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18507 , vital:28652
- Description: In South Africa, mental health care is being integrated into primary health care services. The integration of services was aimed at increasing the accessibility and availability of all health care services at primary health care level. The integration was well intentioned, and it was hoped that mentally ill clients would benefit from having a service near their homes. However, the process of integration is fraught with challenges, for instance, staff shortages, which lead to ineffective nursing management of mentally ill clients at the primary health care clinics. As a result, one professional nurse is often allocated to manage the clinic services on a daily basis with the assistance of an enrolled nurse or auxiliary nurse. The professional nurses therefore experience high levels of stress due to gross staff shortages and lack of time to conduct proper nursing assessments. This led to the research question: “What are the experiences of professional nurses with regards to the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape?’’ The proposed objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics with regard to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. The researcher thereafter made recommendations to the district managers regarding effective nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The research population comprised of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants and the sample number was determined by data saturation. Unstructured interviews and observation notes were used to collect data. The eight steps of data analysis suggested by Tesch were utilized to analyze the data. The researcher conducted an in-depth literature review in order to identify research gaps pertaining to the study. To ensure that a high level of validity and reliability was exercised throughout the study, the researcher conformed to Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The study was conducted in an ethical manner and ethical principles were adhered to. Findings: Three themes with subthemes emerged. The study showed that professional nurses experienced challenges related to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. These challenges included shortage of staff, a heavy workload, and lack of resources, lack of in-service training and workshops related to mental health issues coupled with lack of support from the supervisors. Due to the challenges, the mentally ill clients were not getting quality nursing care leading to complications and relapse. Conclusion: It emerged from the study that matters pertaining to mental illness and mental discomfort were still a serious problem in rural areas. The problems were related to the challenges which prevented professional nurses from providing quality nursing care to mentally ill clients with subsequent complications and relapse. Recommendations: Recommendations were made as an effort to ensure that the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics is improved. These recommendations were categorized as related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tuswa, Bulelwa Martha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentally ill -- Patients -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18507 , vital:28652
- Description: In South Africa, mental health care is being integrated into primary health care services. The integration of services was aimed at increasing the accessibility and availability of all health care services at primary health care level. The integration was well intentioned, and it was hoped that mentally ill clients would benefit from having a service near their homes. However, the process of integration is fraught with challenges, for instance, staff shortages, which lead to ineffective nursing management of mentally ill clients at the primary health care clinics. As a result, one professional nurse is often allocated to manage the clinic services on a daily basis with the assistance of an enrolled nurse or auxiliary nurse. The professional nurses therefore experience high levels of stress due to gross staff shortages and lack of time to conduct proper nursing assessments. This led to the research question: “What are the experiences of professional nurses with regards to the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape?’’ The proposed objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics with regard to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. The researcher thereafter made recommendations to the district managers regarding effective nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The research population comprised of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants and the sample number was determined by data saturation. Unstructured interviews and observation notes were used to collect data. The eight steps of data analysis suggested by Tesch were utilized to analyze the data. The researcher conducted an in-depth literature review in order to identify research gaps pertaining to the study. To ensure that a high level of validity and reliability was exercised throughout the study, the researcher conformed to Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The study was conducted in an ethical manner and ethical principles were adhered to. Findings: Three themes with subthemes emerged. The study showed that professional nurses experienced challenges related to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. These challenges included shortage of staff, a heavy workload, and lack of resources, lack of in-service training and workshops related to mental health issues coupled with lack of support from the supervisors. Due to the challenges, the mentally ill clients were not getting quality nursing care leading to complications and relapse. Conclusion: It emerged from the study that matters pertaining to mental illness and mental discomfort were still a serious problem in rural areas. The problems were related to the challenges which prevented professional nurses from providing quality nursing care to mentally ill clients with subsequent complications and relapse. Recommendations: Recommendations were made as an effort to ensure that the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics is improved. These recommendations were categorized as related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of R425 newly qualified professional Nurses during their first year of practice in 3 selected hospitals in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Qwaqwa, Nomathamsanqa P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student nurses practice -- Hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/677 , vital:27767
- Description: Transition of the newly qualified nurses from an educational focus to professional practitioner has long been identified as a conflicted time of critical personal and professional adjustment and staggering reality shock. This study explored the experiences of newly qualified R425 professional nurses during their first year of practice in the Eastern Cape Province at three selected hospitals. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design using a phenomenological approach. The sample included newly qualified professional nurses in their first year of employment. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews from ten (n=10) participants. Each interview took about 45 minutes. Ethical codes of research were followed. Data was coded manually and analyzed using content analysis Four themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data collected The findings revealed positive experiences such as sense of belonging and feelings of independence; negative experiences such as feelings of rejection, as well as management challenges The study identified challenges which impacted on the performance of new nurses, namely shortage of human and material resources and inadequate support in the working environment Recommendation: Introducing mandatory education by service institutions on transition as well as extended, sequential and structured orientation and mentoring programs for newly qualified professional nurses as this will assist them in their career development Managers to use different strategies in enhancing quality environments in order to reduce frustration for these newly qualified nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Qwaqwa, Nomathamsanqa P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student nurses practice -- Hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/677 , vital:27767
- Description: Transition of the newly qualified nurses from an educational focus to professional practitioner has long been identified as a conflicted time of critical personal and professional adjustment and staggering reality shock. This study explored the experiences of newly qualified R425 professional nurses during their first year of practice in the Eastern Cape Province at three selected hospitals. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design using a phenomenological approach. The sample included newly qualified professional nurses in their first year of employment. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews from ten (n=10) participants. Each interview took about 45 minutes. Ethical codes of research were followed. Data was coded manually and analyzed using content analysis Four themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data collected The findings revealed positive experiences such as sense of belonging and feelings of independence; negative experiences such as feelings of rejection, as well as management challenges The study identified challenges which impacted on the performance of new nurses, namely shortage of human and material resources and inadequate support in the working environment Recommendation: Introducing mandatory education by service institutions on transition as well as extended, sequential and structured orientation and mentoring programs for newly qualified professional nurses as this will assist them in their career development Managers to use different strategies in enhancing quality environments in order to reduce frustration for these newly qualified nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of university students with symptoms of depression and anxiety in a mindfulness-based intervention
- Authors: Buhrmann, Mimmie Petronella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3705 , vital:20456
- Description: This study explored and described the experiences of students with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression who participated in a mindfulness-based intervention. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Student Counselling Career and Development Centre (SCCDC) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The study utilised a qualitative research approach and nine participants were selected through purposive, non-probability sampling. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and participants‟ brief written reflections of their individual experiences. Content analysis produced ten themes categorised according to the components of the biopsychosocial/spiritual (BPSS) model. The most prevalent theme identified, describing participants‟ experience of the mindfulness-based intervention, was an enhanced perception of emotional regulation. This finding confirmed the outcomes of previous studies that also found an increase in emotional regulation related to mindfulness-based interventions. Results also shed new light on the perceived personal changes participants experienced in relation to body awareness, increased attentional regulation, social interactions, and spiritual experiences. In addition, participants verbalised present moment awareness and an accepting non-judgmental attitude as central to the biopsychosocial/spiritual changes and benefits they experienced. Recommendations for further research include investigating the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on attentional control and social interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Buhrmann, Mimmie Petronella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3705 , vital:20456
- Description: This study explored and described the experiences of students with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression who participated in a mindfulness-based intervention. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Student Counselling Career and Development Centre (SCCDC) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The study utilised a qualitative research approach and nine participants were selected through purposive, non-probability sampling. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and participants‟ brief written reflections of their individual experiences. Content analysis produced ten themes categorised according to the components of the biopsychosocial/spiritual (BPSS) model. The most prevalent theme identified, describing participants‟ experience of the mindfulness-based intervention, was an enhanced perception of emotional regulation. This finding confirmed the outcomes of previous studies that also found an increase in emotional regulation related to mindfulness-based interventions. Results also shed new light on the perceived personal changes participants experienced in relation to body awareness, increased attentional regulation, social interactions, and spiritual experiences. In addition, participants verbalised present moment awareness and an accepting non-judgmental attitude as central to the biopsychosocial/spiritual changes and benefits they experienced. Recommendations for further research include investigating the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on attentional control and social interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of women who gave birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit
- Authors: Fouché, Moira Sandy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Maternity nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7176 , vital:21290
- Description: Pregnant women expect to give birth in a safe environment conducive to a safe delivery such as the hospital. In some cases the birth does not always work out as planned as labour is unpredictable and circumstances may lead to the woman giving birth before arriving at the hospital. For some women the outcome of the experience could have a positive effect while most of the time it is a negative effect such as embarrassment and disappointment. The researcher, an experienced midwife, observed in the unit where she works of the steady increase in women who were admitted as experiencing birth before arrival. The women will at times be reluctant to respond to questions on admission regarding their labour process and also tend not to focus on the needs of the baby. When the mother is discharged, one is left wondering what will happen to the infant at home. Hence, this study had the following objectives: to explore and describe the women’s experiences of giving birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area and secondly, to use the findings of the study to make recommendations to assist midwives to support women who have experienced birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit. This study was a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study. The research population included all the women who had birth-before-arrival deliveries at the midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area. The criteria for inclusion were women who had experienced birth before arrival between October 2014 and December 2014; women who had been admitted to an midwife obstetric unit and not referred to a tertiary level of care, but discharged home; women whose babies were still alive; women who had spent at least eight hours and not more than twelve hours in the midwife obstetric unit and women older than 18 years of age. Purposive sampling was used. The researcher conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews which were captured by means of an audio-tape recorder to collect data. Taking field notes was part of the interview session. Analysis of data was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis. The supervisor and an independent coder assisted with the analysis to confirm the data and help develop themes. To ensure rigour in the study, the Lincoln and Guba model of trustworthiness was used, which encompasses truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality. The research was done in an ethical manner whereby autonomy and respect, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were maintained by the researcher. The researcher maintained privacy and confidentiality by numbering the interviews and not revealing the participant’s identity. The collected data was kept under lock and key and was only discussed with the research supervisor and the independent coder. The interviews were conducted in a private and safe place without any interruptions. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one – A birth before arrival at the midwifery facility is an emotional experience for the mother. Theme two - Mothers described diverse experiences related to emergency childbirth care. Based on the findings of the study, the relevant recommendations were made to improve the overall management of women who experience birth before arrival. The recommendations will be utilised by the midwives in maternity units and primary health-care practitioners in the clinics attending to pregnant women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Fouché, Moira Sandy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Maternity nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7176 , vital:21290
- Description: Pregnant women expect to give birth in a safe environment conducive to a safe delivery such as the hospital. In some cases the birth does not always work out as planned as labour is unpredictable and circumstances may lead to the woman giving birth before arriving at the hospital. For some women the outcome of the experience could have a positive effect while most of the time it is a negative effect such as embarrassment and disappointment. The researcher, an experienced midwife, observed in the unit where she works of the steady increase in women who were admitted as experiencing birth before arrival. The women will at times be reluctant to respond to questions on admission regarding their labour process and also tend not to focus on the needs of the baby. When the mother is discharged, one is left wondering what will happen to the infant at home. Hence, this study had the following objectives: to explore and describe the women’s experiences of giving birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area and secondly, to use the findings of the study to make recommendations to assist midwives to support women who have experienced birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit. This study was a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study. The research population included all the women who had birth-before-arrival deliveries at the midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area. The criteria for inclusion were women who had experienced birth before arrival between October 2014 and December 2014; women who had been admitted to an midwife obstetric unit and not referred to a tertiary level of care, but discharged home; women whose babies were still alive; women who had spent at least eight hours and not more than twelve hours in the midwife obstetric unit and women older than 18 years of age. Purposive sampling was used. The researcher conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews which were captured by means of an audio-tape recorder to collect data. Taking field notes was part of the interview session. Analysis of data was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis. The supervisor and an independent coder assisted with the analysis to confirm the data and help develop themes. To ensure rigour in the study, the Lincoln and Guba model of trustworthiness was used, which encompasses truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality. The research was done in an ethical manner whereby autonomy and respect, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were maintained by the researcher. The researcher maintained privacy and confidentiality by numbering the interviews and not revealing the participant’s identity. The collected data was kept under lock and key and was only discussed with the research supervisor and the independent coder. The interviews were conducted in a private and safe place without any interruptions. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one – A birth before arrival at the midwifery facility is an emotional experience for the mother. Theme two - Mothers described diverse experiences related to emergency childbirth care. Based on the findings of the study, the relevant recommendations were made to improve the overall management of women who experience birth before arrival. The recommendations will be utilised by the midwives in maternity units and primary health-care practitioners in the clinics attending to pregnant women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016