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An investigation into how grade 10 learners make meaning during the teaching and learning of the topic on nutrition in Life Science: a case study

  • Authors: Mwiikeni, Helena Twiihaleni , Shimwafeni-Mwiikeni, Helena Twiihaleni
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Nutrition -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Oshana -- Case studies Environmental sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Oshana -- Case studies Experiential learning -- Namibia -- Oshana -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Oshana
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001876
  • Description: The integration of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences during teaching and learning is a pre-requisite in the Namibian curriculum. The curriculum states that if learners are taught in a way which builds on what they already know and they relate new knowledge to the reality around them, their learning in school can be made more meaningful. Thus, learners’ meaning making in the topic on nutrition was researched to find out whether elicitation and integration of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experience in the nutrition topic enhanced or constrained their learning. This study was conducted with my grade10 learners at the school where I am currently teaching. The school is located in a rural area in Oshana region in Northern Namibia. This study is situated within an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm a qualitative case study approach was adopted. I considered this methodological orientation appropriate in this study as it allowed me to use the following methods: document analysis, brainstorming and discussion, semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview, practical activities with worksheets and observation and reflection. Multiple methods to gather data were used for triangulation and validation purposes. For data analysis purposes, the data sets were colour coded to derive themes and analytical statements. Ethical consideration was also taken seriously in this study. The findings from this study revealed that integration of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experience enabled learners to understand science better particularly in the topic of nutrition. The study also revealed that learners possess a lot of prior everyday knowledge and experience about food they eat in their homes. However, data from the community members revealed that there are some contradictions between learners’ prior everyday knowledge and the science content of the topic. Nonetheless, engaging learners in practical activities in the testing of food (local and conventional western type foods) helped them to make meaning of the content learned. I therefore, recommend that learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences should be incorporated during teaching and learning of the topic on nutrition. The study also recommends that the Department of Education should ensure that teachers get the necessary support and training on how to integrate learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into how grade 9 learners make sense of prior everyday knowledge and practical learning through exploring tooth decay problems in Onangalo village: a case study

  • Authors: Asino, Tomas
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Dental caries -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies Experiential learning -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies Educational change -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Omusati
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001986
  • Description: The main goal of this study was to investigate how grade 9 learners make sense of prior everyday knowledge and practical learning through exploring tooth decay problems in their local context. The study was conducted at a deep rural Junior Secondary School situated in Onangalo Village, Tsandi constituency in Omusati political region, northern part of Namibia. My research was triggered by the transformation in the Namibian curriculum, which now recognizes a need to contextualize science and make it relevant to the learners’ everyday life experiences. An interpretivist paradigm informed this study. Within this paradigm, a qualitative case study approach was employed. The unit of analysis was the various activities undertaken by my grade 9 learners with a view to make meaning of prior everyday knowledge and practical investigations in chemistry. A variety of data generating techniques were used in this study, namely, brainstorming and discussion sessions, questionnaires, practical activities with worksheets and semi-structured interviews. A video recorder was used to capture events throughout. Analytical categories emerged as a result of a coding system called pawing. From the analytical categories, analytical statements were formulated. The generated data was validated by a critical friend who was a Life Science teacher at the same school at which I did this study. Further validation was done through learners watching the video recordings and through focus group interviews. Methodological triangulation was also used to validate the data. The study revealed that the use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences in teaching and learning promoted active learners’ participation and enhanced meaning making. Thus, the study recommends the adoption of well-structured science lessons which take into consideration learners’ prior everyday knowledge. The study recommends that these science lessons be used in conjunction with practical activities to promote active learner engagement and conceptual development. Despite the benefits of integrating learners’ prior everyday knowledge during teaching and learning, the study however also revealed some challenges such as limited time and difficulties of English language proficiency amongst learners.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into how grade 9 learners make sense of the fermentation and distillation processes through exploring the indigenous practice of making the traditional alcoholic beverage called Ombike: a case study

  • Authors: Uushona, Kleopas Ipinge Twegathetwa
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies High school students -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Social life and customs -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Omusati Brewing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Ovambo (African people) -- Namibia -- Social life and customs
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001757
  • Description: One of the purposes of the Namibian curriculum is to ensure cultural inclusivity. That is, it recognises the inclusion of traditional cultural practices and experiences in science lessons where appropriate. Based on my experiences both as a learner and a science teacher, I have noted there is a rapid decline and loss of values in most of our cultural practices and heritages. This triggered my interests to do a study on an Oshiwambo traditional beverage known as Ombike. This study is therefore aimed at enhancing conceptual development, meaning making and understanding of concepts in fermentation and distillation. This study was conducted with my grade 9 learners at a school where I was teaching in Omusati region of Namibia. A community member who served as an expert was also a participant. She was involved more in discussions, interviews and most importantly in showing and demonstrating to the learners how Ombike is made practically. Essentially, the goal of this study was to investigate how the indigenous practice associated with the making of Ombike can be used to support meaning making of fermentation and distillation processes. This research is located within an interpretive paradigm where a qualitative case study was adopted. I consider this methodological framework appropriate in this study because it allowed me to use the following data gathering methods: brainstorming and discussion, observation, semi-structured and focus group interviews, and practical activities worksheet. Multiple methods were used for the purpose of triangulation and validation. An inductive analysis was used to discover data patterns and themes from the data. Moreover, ethical considerations were also taken seriously and all the participants gave informed consent. The findings of the study revealed that brainstorming and discussions were an appropriate strategy in eliciting learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences on, in particular, the making of Ombike. Furthermore, learner engagement and conceptual development were enhanced. This suggests that contextualisation of knowledge can enhance meaningful learning if it is properly planned. It was also found that practical activities in conjunction with mind maps helped learners to make meanings of scientific concepts. Based on my research findings, I therefore recommend the following three aspects: the consideration of learners` prior knowledge and experiences; contextualising knowledge through use of indigenous knowledge; and the learners’ active involvement in practical activities with an emphasis on key scientific concepts to be developed. That is, there is a need to teach for conceptual understanding.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into how grade 9 Physical Science learners make meaning of the topic on acids and bases through exploring their prior everyday knowledge and experiiences: a case study

  • Authors: Kambeyo, Linus
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching Science -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Prior learning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001487
  • Description: This study was conducted at the school where I teach which is a semi-rural secondary school (Grade 8-12) situated in Omuthiya Town in Oshikoto region, Namibia. The new curriculum that has been implemented in Namibia, has posed challenges in how best to put the curriculum into practice at this school. It was this challenge that triggered my interest in doing a research study with the aim of improving my practice. Essentially, the study sought to gain insight into whether integrating learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences of acids and bases in conjunction with practical activities using easily accessible materials enabled or constrained meaning-making of this topic. This study is located within an interpretive paradigm. Within this paradigm, a qualitative case study approach was adopted with my Grade 9 class. Data were gathered using document analysis, videotaped lessons and observations by a critical friend, stimulated recall discussions while watching the videotaped lessons as well as focus group interviews with the learners. An inductive analysis to discover patterns and themes was applied during the data analysis process. The themes were further turned into analytical statements. Data sets were also analysed in relation to the research questions posed by this study. The validation process was achieved by using a variety of data gathering techniques. I watched the videotaped lessons with a teacher who observed the lessons and transcripts of the interviews and a summary of discussions were given back to the respondents to verify their responses and check for any misinterpretations, a process known as member checking. I also translated what the learners said in Oshiwambo, their home language, into English. The findings from the study revealed that the use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences of acids and bases facilitated meaningful learning during teaching and learning. Furthermore, linking learning to learners’ everyday experiences enabled them to learn scientific concepts in a relaxed and non-threatening environment. However, linking learners’ prior knowledge and experiences to conventional science (textbook science) proved to be a challenge. My recommendations are that teachers need support in their endeavors to incorporate learners’ real life experiences into their teaching and learning repertoires. Another aspect of my study that deserves further research is the role that language plays in implementing the curriculum.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into how journalists experience economic and political pressures on their ethical decisions at the Nation Media Group in Kenya

  • Authors: Maweu, Jacinta Mwende
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Nation Media Group Limited Journalists -- Kenya Journalistic ethics -- Kenya Press and politics -- Kenya Journalism -- Economic aspects -- Kenya Journalism -- Political aspects -- Kenya Mass media -- Political aspects -- Kenya Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Kenya Freedom of the press -- Kenya
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3508 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007583
  • Description: This study investigates how journalists experience economic and political pressures on their ethical decisions at the Nation Media Group (NMG) conglomerate in Kenya. The study uses qualitative semi- structured interviews to examine how journalists experience these pressures on their professional ethics as they make their daily decisions. Grounded in the critical political economy of the media tradition, the findings of the study indicate that economic and political pressures from advertisers, shareholders’ interests, the profit motive and the highly ethnicised political environment in Kenya largely compromise the ethical decisions of journalists. The study draws on the work done by Herman and Chomsky in their ‘Propaganda Model’ in which they propose ‘filters’ as the analytical indicators of the forms that political and economic pressures that journalists experience may take. The study explores the ways in which journalists experience these pressures, how they respond to the pressures and the ways in which their responses may compromise their journalism ethics. The findings indicate that aside from the pressures from the primary five filters outlined in the Propaganda Model, ethnicity in Kenyan newsrooms is a key ‘filter’ that may compromise the ethical decisions of journalists at the NMG. The study therefore argues that there is a need to modify the explanatory power of the Propaganda Model when applying it to the Kenyan context to include ethnicity as a ‘sixth filter’ that should be understood in relation to the five primary filters. From the findings, it would seem that the government is no longer a major threat to journalists’ freedom and responsibility in Kenya. Market forces and ethnicity in newsrooms pose the greatest threat to journalists’ freedom and responsibility. The study therefore calls for a revision of the normative framework within which journalists’ and media performance in Kenya is assessed. As the study findings show, the prevailing liberal- democratic model ignores the commercial and economic threats the ‘free market’ poses to journalism ethics as well as ethnicity in newsrooms and only focuses on the media- government relations, treating the government as the major threat to media freedom.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into social exclusion in the implementation of social grants: the case study of the child support grant in the Nkonkobe local municipality (Eastern Cape)

  • Authors: Boniswa, Mashibini
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018220 , National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
  • Description: South Africa is faced by a huge problem of inequality, twenty years after the dawn of independence. Such inequalities have been addressed by policy intervention such as the social security and assistance of citizens through various classes of grants. One of the grants targeting children under the age of 18 years is the child support grant. However there are deserving children who have been left-out of mainstream social security through social exclusion. The study sought to investigate the problem of the social exclusion of children from the child support grant in the Nkonkobe municipality. Through the use of the Basic Needs Approach (BNA) to understand the need for any state/government to promote the social welfare of its citizens, the study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to collect data from forty respondents by way of a questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in the Nkonkobe municipal area, there is rampant social exclusion in the area, the amount paid for the child support grant is little and that the effects of the withdrawal of the grant when the child reaches the age of 18 are unbearable to the child. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream social security in relation to the child support grant are that, the government needs to improve information dissemination about grants to the populace, there should be mandatory policies to make sure all citizens have identification particulars, the government should be mobile and take services to the people and there should a consideration to review the amount paid for the child support grant upwards. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into teacher perspectives and experiences in integrating HIV and AIDS information across the curriculum at some selected Junior Secondary Schools in the Oshana Region, Namibia

  • Authors: Shifotoka, Simsolia Namene
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Oshana HIV infections -- Prevention -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Oshana Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Oshana Geography -- Namibia -- Oshana -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Curriculum planning -- Namibia -- Oshana Teachers -- Namibia -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1838 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004336
  • Description: HIV and AIDS are still among the world's most significant public health challenges. Education is widely regarded as an effective response to the pandemic - a “social vaccine” that can increase young people’s awareness of the dangers of HIV infection and thus decrease their vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. Integrating HIV and AIDS awareness across the school curriculum is therefore one of the strategies being implemented to educate learners about the pandemic. There are challenges; however, related to the central goal of integrating HIV and AIDS education and also to the form – in particular, the pedagogical practices - that this might best take. This qualitative case study research investigated teachers’ perspectives, experiences, and levels of preparedness with regard to integrating HIV and AIDS information in the main carrier subjects, mathematics and geography, in some junior secondary schools in Namibia. The study situates debates on curriculum integration and draws on Fogarty’s (1999) models of curriculum integration as a conceptual and analytic tool to examine the nature, form and content of integration. It includes a questionnaire on curriculum integration completed by 53 teachers as well as a component consisting of observations and interviews with four teachers from two schools. The results reveal patterns that also emerge in earlier studies on curriculum integration. This approach is already widely recognized as challenging and problematic in the context of general education. However, this and other studies show that when HIV and AIDS are brought into the arena, additional factors come into play and further complicate the process, because of the sensitivity of this topic. In addition, the task of integrating HIV and AIDS education has been added to an already overcrowded curriculum. Teachers have not been provided with adequate (or any) training with concrete examples that might facilitate their efforts to integrate HIV and AIDS information into subjects like the ones under scrutiny in this study. The picture that emerges from examining the evidence on HIV and AIDS integration against Fogarty’s (1991) 10 models of curriculum integration is one in which teaching practices are ad hoc, opportunistic and haphazard right across the sample. The choice of integration models for implementation of the HIV and AIDS component in these subjects has been largely left to the opportunity, ability and personal inclinations of individual teachers. The results point to a range of responses, with many teachers not teaching HIV and AIDS at all or some hesitantly experimenting with different approaches; all to limited effect in realizing the intended national goals of this curriculum project. The overall pattern also reveals a degree of frustration among the teachers in the sample, who acknowledged and were concerned at the enormity of the HIV and AIDS challenge facing the country. They recognised the motive behind the policy to have the education system play an important role in response to the HIV challenge, but felt frustrated with the social, personal and practical difficulties of actually implementing the policy within the context of poor (or no) training, knowledge, and support.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the factors affecting street trading in the Mnquma Local Municipality

  • Authors: Bota, Patrick Mziwoxolo
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Street vendors -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Street vendors -- South Africa -- Gcuwa , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Gcuwa , Metropolitan finance -- South Africa -- Gcuwa , Metropolitan finance -- South Africa -- Mthatha
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013128
  • Description: This study investigates the challenges faced by street traders in Mnquma Local Municipality. The purpose is to examine the factors affecting street traders trading at N2 Mthatha Street at Butterworth in Mnquma Local Municipality. For this reason, it was necessary to study the literature on local economic development. The challenges facing street traders were also investigated and analysed in order to formulate recommendations for solving challenges facing street trading in Mnquma Local Municipality. In order to fulfil the objective of the study and to address the research problem faceto-face interviews were conducted with the street traders, municipal officials and Hawkers’ Association. The literature review and the interviews enabled the recommendation of possible answers to the problem. These recommendations would be valuable and, one hopes, will also be of assistance to the Mnquma Local Municipality. Findings of this study indicate that challenges faced by street traders in Butterworth include lack of financial support to start their businesses. Also, the fact that there is no water taps that can be used by the members of the public in the Central Business District (CBD) in Butterworth as well as street lights at night is one of the challenges. Recommendations were made with regard to support and assistance for street traders, environmental management and also a recommendation on business registration and licensing. The study concludes that if the Mnquma local municipality can implement all the proposed recommendations, all the factors raised by street traders as disturbing the functionality of their businesses particularly in Butterworth will be rectified.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the factors that influence the success of small business in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Wilmot, Chloé Margot
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Job creation -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa Success in business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001629
  • Description: South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, currently 23.90%. One way for the government and policy-makers of South Africa to address this dire statistic is through the fostering and promotion of entrepreneurship and small business creation. The benefits of entrepreneurship are numerous and can include: increasing a country’s productivity, enhancing the welfare and well-being of its citizens, reducing emigration rates, improving economic development and perhaps, most importantly, increasing employment rates. Worldwide, small businesses within the private sector have become indispensable to sustainable job creation and therefore it is of the utmost importance that small businesses in any economy develop, grow and succeed. Despite the fact that research pertaining to small businesses has increased over the years, little empirical evidence has been established. In particular, research into what makes small businesses successful has been limited. Entrepreneurial activity in South Africa remains less than ideal and therefore it is appropriate that research into the success factors of small businesses in South Africa be investigated. Furthermore, the survival of South African small businesses beyond four to five years of being in operation is estimated at only 20.00%. It is evident that a lack of knowledge exists and with respect to this research the factors found to be the most common determinants of success for small businesses in Port Elizabeth were determined and investigated. Convenience- and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify potential participants. In total 43 usable questionnaires were returned. Methodological triangulation was used to analyse the data, according to descriptive- and inferential statistics, as well as content analysis. This being so, the research was conducted within two paradigms, primarily, the positivist research paradigm and also the phenomenological research paradigm. The key findings of this study indicate personal factors to be the most important success factor group, while the environmental success factor group is considered the least important. The most important factors attributable to the success of participants’ small businesses include: maintaining good customer services skills and relationships; having a strong commitment to product/service quality; and having honest employees with sound professional ii knowledge and a positive morale. The least important success factors include: trade exhibitions and business fairs; small business legislation; and industry structure and competition. Finally, the hypothesis tests indicate that significant differences only exist between: the relationship statuses and business factors and the business sectors and environmental factors. The results of this research have significant practical implications for the various stakeholders of entrepreneurship. It is hoped that the results will add to the existing body of knowledge and in turn aid South Africa in becoming aware of the factors essential for small business success. In doing so, South Africa at large will be able to take full advantage of entrepreneurship and small business creation, which continue to remain well within its reach
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the high turnover rate of pharmacists in the South African pharmaceutical industry

  • Authors: Rivombo, Samson
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa , Employees -- Resignation -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019786
  • Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate factors contributing to employee turnover in the South African pharmaceutical industry and to suggest strategies to minimize it. Employee turnover is a persistent problem facing both public and private organizations in South Africa. In addition to the costs incurred when an employee resigns, losing employees results in a loss of knowledge, skills and experience. Numerous studies have been undertaken globally on this topic. However, this problem continues to adversely affect organizations in several ways. Schwab (1991) suggests that this is because there are no clear resolutions yet to this challenge. Based on literature review conducted, there is no study undertaken in South Africa attempting to address this problem. The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to high turnover rate of pharmacists in South Africa (the pharmaceutical industry in particular) and to recommend strategies to address this problem. A quantitative research approach was followed when addressing this problem. Literature review was conducted on employee turnover and a questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was used as a measuring instrument. Following a non-probability, convenience sampling method, two pharmaceutical companies in Gauteng and one in the Eastern Cape were surveyed. The results were analysed by a statistician using Epi-info and stata software as tools for statistical analysis. The following factors were found to be key factors contributing to employee turnover in the pharmaceutical industry: (i) lack of career advancement opportunities, (ii) uncompetitive salary packages, (iii) perceived inequity reflecting leadership challenges, (iv) insufficient recognition for good performance, (v) stress, and (vi) insufficient retention strategies. An effective retention strategy should address all factors that may contribute to employee turnover. A retention strategy that combines competitive salary packages, opportunities for learning and career advancement, recognition, equity and support structures (to deal with stress), should be used in the pharmaceutical industry. This will assist in creating a motivating climate, which is a pre-requisite for job satisfaction and, in turn, employee retention.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the impact of HIV and AIDS on municipal management: a case study of George municipality

  • Authors: Mfula, Sindiswa Elk
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , AIDS (Disease) -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- George Municipality , AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021032
  • Description: The aim of this research was to provide a preliminary investigation of how the HIV and AIDS epidemic will impact on management of municipalities, specifically George Municipality. Municipalities provide a large proportion of essential basic services and also represent one of the primary opportunities for public participation and decision-making at a community level. This paper takes George Municipality in the Western Cape as a case study of the current and potential impact of HIV and AIDS on public demand for services and on the municipality's capacity to govern and provide services. It also reviews the responses of the municipality to HIV and AIDS.The research was conducted using a questionnaire which was distributed to municipal officials in the different departments but also included a review of relevant literature and analysis of quantitative data. The study focused on a single case: An investigation into the impact of HIV and AIDS on municipal management of George Municipality. The study identified strategies utilised by the municipality to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS. The study drew on people's experiences, perceptions and interpretations of the impact of HIV and AIDS on municipal management, responses and any other related factors that may have impeded the realisation of the reduction of the impact of HIV and AIDS on municipal management in the George Municipality.Fifty questionnaires were distributed, 40 copies by hand delivery and ten copies via e-mail to employees ranging from general worker to senior management. Employees participated in the study through interviews and answering of the questionnaires. An internet search was also conducted using Wed Crawler and by visiting the official website of the George Municipality for all policies, minutes, reports and all other relevant documents regarding HIV and AIDS. The researcher also drew on personal observations because she has been in George for almost six years and is also employed by George Municipality. Participants who were selected by the researcher for interviews purposes were five councillors and five ward committee members because councillors are decision makers in the municipality. The rest were given questionnaires to complete. Data was analysed by using interpretation analysis, namely codes to explain data collected. Results were presented in the form of tables and conclusions warranted by the data are presented. Statistical analysis was done to check correlation between the different aspects in the questionnaire. According to the research findings it can be confirmed that more of the budget needs to be allocated for employment of suitably qualified persons like occupational nurses, who will drive HIV and AIDS education and awareness campaigns. HIV and AIDS mainstreaming should be regarded as a priority in order make people aware about the realities of HIV and AIDS in communities. Leadership and management buy-in should be obtained to win the fight against the epidemic. A comprehensive strategy should be compiled and implemented to reduce the spread and stigma of HIV and AIDS. Proper planning should be done for compiling the strategy. This strategy should specify the budget for HIV and AIDS and how HIV and AIDS is going to be integrated into an IDP. Prevention and management strategies used by the organisation should be explained.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the management of allocated funds in schools: a case study of two selected schools in Fort Beaufort District in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Cakwebe, Pindiwe Theodora
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Allocated Funds , Constitution , Education , Financial Management -- Government , Paper Budget -- Quintile , School Governing Body -- Section 21 school
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015204 , Allocated Funds , Constitution , Education , Financial Management -- Government , Paper Budget -- Quintile , School Governing Body -- Section 21 school
  • Description: The South African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) mandates the government to make financial allocations to needy schools. Section 21 of the Act read together with the National Norms and Standards for School Funding, stipulates that schools falling into certain categories (quintiles) receive given amount of funds per each and every learner. The funds are meant to help promote the equal and unparalleled access to education for all citizens as set-out in Section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996). The study focused on investigating the manner in which two selected Section 21 primary schools are managing their allocated funds. The empirical study made use of a qualitative paradigm through which data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from a sample comprising of thirty-five respondents. In terms of data analysis, the study used a qualitative analysis approach to interpret data into readable information for the various categories of audiences in the study. The findings of the study were, inter alia, that financial management skills are low in the schools, the amounts appropriated to schools needs to be revised upwards because schools need more funding for renovations and property development in schools, sanctions for those guilty of school financial misconduct are too soft and auditing of financial record is not being constantly done. The study recommends that the following be considered in order to help improve school financial management; the training of financial officers in school on how to best manage funds, imposition of stiffer penalties for offenders of financial misconduct and increase in allocation aimed at school property development.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the organisational attributes of an employer of choice: a South African automotive industry perspective

  • Authors: Poonoosamy, Sareesha
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Corporate image -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21615 , vital:29717
  • Description: The automotive industry in South Africa is now more than ever before, facing a new era of intense international competition and as a means to survive; organisations are continuously searching for ways to increase their competitiveness. To this end, recent approaches have focussed on the role that people perform in bringing about competitive advantage and has resulted in greater emphasis being placed on the attraction as well as retention of the right people to achieve organisational success. However, developing trends such as changes in the supply of workers, expectations of new generations and a more diverse population have pressurised organisations to institutionalise a dynamic solution. This has placed greater imperative on becoming an employer of choice - those organisations that can differentiate their human resource practices from the competition in order to attract, develop and retain the people they need. The research problem that was addressed in this study is to identify and investigate the organisational attributes of an employer of choice. A comprehensive literature review was executed to review the various definitions, trends impacting as well as the significance of the status - employer of choice. Furthermore strategies for becoming an employer of choice were evaluated and prominent employer of choice attributes identified from the literature. The researcher has also found that a significant number of authors have suggested employer branding as a key strategy in the effort to become an employer of choice. The concept of employer branding was therefore extensively explored in this study. An empirical study was conducted after the appropriate measuring instrument was developed. The purpose of the measuring instrument was to validate the literature findings, identify the rank importance of the identified attributes and to evaluate the extent to which these factors are provided for in the organisation. A sample consisting of 110 employees were selected to participate in the survey via a random sampling method and a response rate of 89% or 98 employees was obtained. The major findings indicated that the sample group agreed that the prominent attributes in literature are important attributes of an employer of choice. Overall the majority of the sample group does not regard the organisation as an employer of choice and while some of the attributes were present in the organisation, others had serious shortcomings. The literature findings together with the empirical study findings resulted in the development of a strategic model to serve as a guide in determining the initiatives the organisation should embark upon to become an employer of choice.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the perceptions of the first year mathematics students towards the alternative mode intervention : UNAM case study

  • Authors: Iipinge, Reginald Kaleke
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: University of Namibia , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Namibia , Compensatory education -- Namibia , Academic achievement -- Namibia , Education, Higher -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:2005 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015669
  • Description: A number of tertiary institutions offer bridging courses and intervention programmes in order to increase the number of students performing well in first year mathematics. At the university of Namibia, the science faculty provides educational opportunities to students who have not met the requirements to proceed with MAT 3511 (Basic Math). Unfortunately, the majority of students are not able to cope with the first year modules in Mathematics and the pass rates are unacceptably low. In the interest of supporting students, the University was prompted to introduce a two mode intervention programme in first year mathematics, namely: the normal mode and the alternative mode intervention. The alternative mode intervention was designed to improve the mathematics achievement of first year students who are considered low achieving or at risk of failure. This programme involves the identification of the lowest attainers in first year mathematics, and the provision of professional and faculty trained tutors and individualized teaching to these students in order to advance them to a level at which they are likely to learn successfully in a normal mode system. This research explores the experience and perceptions of first year students on the alternative mode, in particular as it relates to mathematical strands of proficiency. A second step was to explore how teaching contributes to the learning of mathematics on the intervention programme. The empirical investigation was done in 4 phases. A questionnaire on mathematics teaching and learning was given to the students during the first phase. During the second phase, two focus group discussions were conducted. Thereafter four interviews were carried out with lecturers, and finally tutorial and lecture observation were conducted. An analysis of these findings led to the identification of the students’ experiences on the alternative mode. Analysis of the results indicate that the students identified mathematical proficiency as the central element to their learning, and pedagogical knowledge and exploratory talk were critical aspects of good teaching in the mathematical intervention programme.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the potential for implementing lean Grindrod Container Depot in Stanbridge Road

  • Authors: Andrews, Ferderico Recardo
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Management , Container industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Just-in-time systems -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8781 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012967
  • Description: On a daily basis organizations strive to achieve maximum output with minimum input for greater levels of efficiency and profitability. However, in our dynamic modern world and economy the variables have changed dramatically and the time when business was simply about the ‘bottom line’ and all else was subordinate to the objective of profit, has come and gone. In the contemporary world of business today the variables are much broader and more dynamic, as people are no longer just employees, and suppliers are no longer people whose payment should be delayed for as long as possible. In addition, the environment is no longer to be plundered at all costs. Today Lean as an all-encompassing management philosophy with its emphasis on adding value, is more relevant in business than at any other point in business history. At a time when the global economy is facing some of its greatest challenges, it is ultimately business and its networks that, through effective management, can restore the global economy and provide livelihoods to millions of people. The Lean management philosophy is about constantly searching for the best possible way of doing things and eliminating waste in pursuit of value. If Lean is in pursuit of eliminating waste and turning it into value, and the customer, irrespective of required product, is in constant pursuit of finding value, then Lean is surely the management philosophy that can deliver the greatest level of customer satisfaction. This means satisfied customers returning to an organization for repeat sales as long as they perceive that the value they derive meets their expectations.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the prevalence and use of code switching practices in grade 8 mathematics classrooms in the Ohangwena region of Namibia: a case study

  • Authors: Shilamba, Julia Ndinoshisho
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Ohangwena Mathematics teachers -- Education (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Ohangwena Code switching (Linguistics) -- Research -- Namibia -- Ohangwena Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Ohangwena
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1392 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001683
  • Description: This research report focuses on an investigation of the prevalence and nature of code switching practices in grade 8 mathematics classrooms in the Ohangwena region of Namibia. The existence of code switching in these classrooms was established by administering a survey to all grade 8 teachers in the region, while the nature of these practices was explored by interviewing and observing selected teachers using a case study research methodology. The data from the survey was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data from the case study which comprised of audio and video transcripts was analysed within the framework of Probyn’s (2006) code switching categories. These categories looked at code switching in terms of: explaining concepts; clarifying statements or questions; emphasising points; making connections with learners’ own contexts and experiences; maintaining the learners’ attention with question tags; classroom management and maintaining discipline; and affective purposes. The study found that code switching is widespread in most of the grade 8 mathematics classrooms in the Ohangwena region. It also revealed that the teachers’ code switching practices aligned well with most of Probyn’s framework. The criterion of maintaining learner’s attention with question tags was however not found in this study. The results of the study showed that teachers code switch because the majority of the learners’ language proficiency is not good. Code switching is mostly used as a strategy to support and promote learners understanding in mathematics. The study recommends that it is high time that code switching is acknowledged as a legitimate practice and recognised as an important and meaningful teaching strategy to assist learners who are learning mathematics in their second language. Code switching needs to be de-stigmatised and teachers should be supported in using this practice effectively and efficiently.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the reasons for under budgeting on public housing projects within the Joe Slovo Township, Eastern Cape

An investigation into the recruitment procedures in the Public Service: a case study of the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resources Development- Republic of South Sudan-Juba

  • Authors: Khamis, Emmanuel Abusingia
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Employees -- Recruiting -- South Sudan , Public service employment -- South Sudan , Civil service -- South Sudan , Manpower policy -- South Sudan , Human capital -- South Sudan
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006965 , Employees -- Recruiting -- South Sudan , Public service employment -- South Sudan , Civil service -- South Sudan , Manpower policy -- South Sudan , Human capital -- South Sudan
  • Description: This document is a research report (Thesis) on the topic an Investigation in to the Recruitment Procedures in the Public Service a case study of the Ministry of Labour Public Service and Human Resource Development Republic of South Sudan. In line with the objectives, the study established a significant number of policies and legislations that guide recruitment in the ministry and in the South Sudan Public Service. The findings of the study revealed that recruitment procedures exist in the public service of South Sudan amidst challenges. The researcher provided recommendations to the challenges in the last chapter of this thesis. However, there will be a need for further research on some of the issues that affect recruitment in the ministry as provided by the respondents of this study. These issues are discussed in chapter four. Thus recruitment is very important to research on further in the Public Service of South Sudan so as to ensure efficient and effective service delivery through recruiting competent staff.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the representations of environmental issues relating to Lake Victoria, Uganda, and their negotiation by the lakeside communities

  • Authors: Lwanga, Margaret Jjuuko Nassuna
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Victoria Voice Victoria, Lake -- Environmental aspects -- Research Lakes -- Environmental aspects -- Research -- Uganda Environmental management -- Research -- Uganda Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Uganda Radio broadcasting -- Uganda , Uganda CBS , Central Broadcasting Service , Mass media -- Environmental aspects -- Research -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:3411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001577
  • Description: The state of the environment is increasingly present as an urgent concern for contemporary political, social, cultural and physical life. Yet the roles of the mass media (radio, television and newspapers) in shaping and influencing crucial public awareness, debates and environmental decision-making remain inadequately understood. Positioned as a critical studies inquiry into media representations and audience reception, this study forms part of a wider project amongst media scholars and culture critics on the relationship between media textual production and consumption. It explores how one radio station in Uganda, Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) radio, represents and constructs the environmental crises faced by Lake Victoria, especially pollution and overfishing. The focus is on the Victoria Voice radio documentaries aired on CBS radio in the year 2005. The study further explores how three lakeside communities negotiate these issues as radio broadcasts. It recognises that while the mass media contribute significantly to creating public awareness about such social concerns, their likelihood of having a direct and predictable impact on social behaviour is slight. The context and the lived experiences at the reception stage where the decisions are made on whether to adopt an innovation are ultimately the factors which impact on how they are negotiated. The thesis is informed by the theoretical and analytical framework of Cultural Studies as well as the Participatory Approach to Communication for Development perspectives. The study is specifically informed by the theories of ‘discourse’ (Foucault, 1980a, 1981) and the ‘circuit of culture’ (du Gay et al., 1997 and Johnson, 1987) and these provided the conceptual framework for investigating the representations, the production and the consumption of media texts. Predominantly qualitative methods have been employed in data collection and analysis. In the first place, a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) (Fairclough, 1995a, 1995c) of the radio texts has interrogated the discourses and discursive practices of CBS’ Victoria Voice environmental radio programmes in order to consider its representations of particular issues and consequently the discourses it privileged. Qualitative methods of participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were deployed to investigate the negotiation of the texts by the lakeside communities. This research establishes that the Victoria Voice radio texts foreground three contesting types of discourses: the discourse of basic economic survival and livelihoods is articulated largely by the ordinary people, the lakeside communities; the discourse of sustainable development, particularly the protection and sustainability of Lake Victoria, by scientists and environmental experts; and the discourse of modernisation and corporate investment by politicians and/or policy makers and industrialists. The texts, to a large degree, reaffirm the hegemonic relations of power in Ugandan society, and thus contribute to the maintenance of the status quo. The selection of an elite category of informers (scientists, experts, politicians, policy makers) serves to marginalise the less powerful ordinary people (the fisher folk, farmers and other eyewitnesses). The construction of the elite as active and speaking subjects within the various debates introduced in these programmes, for example, works both to obscure and endorse the unequal power relations. At the reception side, while the lakeside communities attest to the relevance of the programmes in providing information on the issues concerning Lake Victoria and other aspects of their livelihood, they also recognise the power relations that underpin the sets of representations. Amongst these sets is government’s complicity with industry, in line with their economic policies and the global capitalist economy, while espousing the rhetoric of nature conservation. The study argues that sustainable solutions for the crises on Lake Victoria should take into account the socio-historical and cultural contexts of the lakeside communities. For the Ugandan media, particularly radio, there is a need to rethink the nature of the coverage, which tends to neglect the contextual factors, such as local socio-economic and cultural factors within which environmental issues and problems occur and which, as this thesis establishes, greatly influences the way people make sense of environmental issues and problems. I posit that the Participatory Approach that seeks to address the communities’ most pressing concerns should be adopted – to include more of the communities’ voices and involve them in the production of radio programmes.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An investigation into the school experiences of HIV-positive secondary school learners on ARV treatment in Katutura, Windhoek

  • Authors: Haipinge, Emilie
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: HIV-positive youth -- Namibia -- Katutura (Windhoek) HIV-positive youth -- Social conditions -- Namibia -- Katutura (Windhoek) HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Namibia -- Katutura (Windhoek) HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- Namibia -- Katutura (Windhoek) AIDS phobia -- Namibia -- Katutura (Windhoek) Antiretroviral agents
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1837 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004334
  • Description: What are the school experiences of HIV-positive secondary school learners on ARV treatment? Although the provision of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment is central in the medical and policy response to the HIV pandemic, relatively little research (in the SADC region and in Namibia particularly) attends to people’s experiences and the social effects of taking ARV treatment. This study probed the experiences of high school learners on ARV treatment in Khomas Region, Namibia. As researcher I used a qualitative case study design based mainly on interviews with a purposive, select sample of eight learners at the school where I am a teacher-counsellor. Methods used also included: observations; focus group interviews with eight teachers at the site school; a questionnaire survey with Life Skills teachers from 25 schools in the Khomas Region; and document analysis. Using a theory of health-related stigma and discrimination as well as perspectives on resilience and agency as conceptual and analytical lenses, this study found that only a handful of these learners were living openly with HIV and AIDS. Being both HIV-positive and on ARV medication was a double bind for learners facing pervasive stigma and discrimination in and out of school. Discourses associated with HIV and AIDS, sex, and sexuality shaped people’s response to them and they feared being ‘caught out’. Here the study explores the complex reciprocal relationship between cause and effect in stigma, showing some consequences for these learners: isolation (both voluntary and imposed), mental anguish, depression and suicidal leanings; also (at school) absenteeism, grade repetition and dropout. Distinguishing stigma from discrimination in this study enabled insight into actual practices that constrain learner participation and inclusion in and out of school. Trust between learners on ARVs and teachers proved to be low. Teacher respondents not only felt unequipped to deal with the psychosocial needs of learners on ARVs but also indicated that confronting these needs animated their personal vulnerability (around HIV-related experiences in their own families). However, hopeful patterns also emerged. Some mediatory factors out of school shaped these learners’ experiences and identities positively, with implications for in-school experiences and participation. Some learner journeys reflected shifts from deep despair towards the emergence of voice, positive self-concepts and resilient dispositions. Here, also, this study enters a neglected area of research, showing how the complex interplay of learners’ own agency with social support brought these positive outcomes. Most learners had experienced rejection from immediate family, receiving support rather from community members who became ‘family’. The study thus also raises pressing questions on the nature of support structures (both in and out of school) in contexts shaped by HIV and AIDS, where stigma and discrimination are pervasive and where stable family structures, parental oversight and ‘normal’ progression through school cannot be assumed. It recommends that schools gain better insight into how learners’ circumstances shape their experiences, and develop internal policies, procedures and networks to reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive learners on ARV treatment, as well as. ensuring material, medical, emotional, and psychological support for them.
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  • Date Issued: 2013
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