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Patterns of plant diversity and cultural meaning in a rural landscape in the Albany Thicket: effects of land-use and topography

  • Authors: Ngqiyaza, Nozuko Princess
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50237 , vital:25969
  • Description: South Africa is the world's third most bio-diverse country, but pressures on this biodiversity are many and widespread. It is now well recognised that protected areas on their own are insufficient to protect biodiversity, and increasing emphasis is placed on developing models for ensuring the persistence of biodiversity in agricultural and rural landscapes. One of the major challenges, especially in rural areas, is the need to reconcile people’s need to use natural resources with biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to (1) examine the ecosystem services people derive from the natural vegetation and how this is distributed in space and (2) the effects of land use and topo-edaphic factors on species richness, composition and structure and how this is spatially distributed. I investigated two land-use types, i.e. a rural village and adjacent lightly used game farm(s) by comparing 20 sites under each land-use representing the range of topographic position. I sampled respondent’s uses and values, species richness and composition, woody density, structure and composition at these 40 sites. This allowed for comparison between the two land uses but also allowed me to examine the effect of topography and relative soil moisture (both known to have a string influence on vegetation in semi-arid areas), and to relate the ecosystem services to plant species richness, structure and woody composition. People derived a wide range of ecosystem services and this differed with distance from the village and vegetation type. Men and women performed different tasks and had different feelings and derived different use values across the landscapes. Both men and women showed a great appreciation for the thicket forest, Pteronia-dominated and grasslands sites. They recognised these areas and as sacred grounds where they have a strong connection with their ancestors. Women preferred utilising areas closer to the village because they feared crime and wild animals in more remote thicket or forest, while men utilised all areas across the land, but more frequently closer to the village. The older generation had a strong attachment to nature, perceiving it as a provider. The younger generation, especially the young women did not express such a deeply felt connection, but enjoyed getting to see where some of the medicinal plants and useful wood structures were harvested. Younger men would go far into the forest quite regularly, often as far the Great Fish River, when they hunt with their peers. Although a diversity of perceptions were presented, and not all conformed to traditional views and practices, most respondents derived a mix of ecosystem services, with the areas closer to the village providing recreational and direct use value to more people on a more regular basis but spiritual values associated with deep forest persisted, especially among the older generation. Species richness and composition was analysed in relation to Topographic Relative Moisture Index (TRMI), land use and distance from the village to see the effect of topography versus land use on the vegetation. The total number of plant species recorded was 386 for both study sites. Two hundred and ninety two species were recorded in Ntloko and 265 on the game farms. Of the species that were sampled, 121 were recorded in Ntloko only, 94 in the game farms only, and 171 species were shared. The number of useful plant species (fuel, medicine, forage, cultural and edibles) was recorded to be 110, 83 in Ntloko and 63 on the game farms. There was no significant difference in species richness and alpha diversity between the study sites, but the game farms had a higher projected total number of species, reflecting higher beta diversity in the game farms than the communal area. The point-centered quarter method (PCQ) was used to describe woody plant composition, tree density and structure. The woody structure and composition was analysed in relation to the above-mentioned factors and I found no significant difference in the density and overall woody structure and composition between the two study sites. Sites at Ntloko had a positive correlation between soil moisture and woody plant density and a higher density of palatable and unpalatable species. The game farms showed no significant changes in woody plant density with TRMI. This study showed that the communal area maintained comparable plant species richness and vegetation structure and composition to game farms. The rural landscape comprised a gradient from sites close to the village that were heavily impacted, not considered particularly special or sacred but safe, familiar and of utilitarian importance, to sites farther away with denser, less transformed thicket vegetation, which are considered to be of greater cultural, spiritual and aesthetic importance but less safe, familiar and accessible. This suggests that conservation outcomes can be achieved outside protected areas, and that biodiversity is valuable to local residents. Resource management should be implemented to maintain the ecosystem services provided in rural areas in a way that integrates local peoples’ perceptions, goals and values with ecological evidence.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Pentecostal and exclusion of women in positions of leadership : a case of Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Guti, Joseph
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Pentecostal churches -- Zimbabwe Women and religion -- Zimbabwe Women in church work
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTh
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8866 , vital:33692
  • Description: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the issues relating to women empowerment and their leadership positions in the Pentecostal churches in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study was motivated by the theoretical findings that women have always been discriminated against, be it, politically, economically, socio‐culturally, and also religiously. It is against this background that this study interrogated the position of women in the Church particularly in African Pentecostal Christianity. Scholars of gender studies assert that even though women are attaining higher levels and developing both economically and politically, they still remain invisible in top church leadership ranks. The study examined how compliant the Pentecostals in Zimbabwe are to the gospel of equality, and check if distinctions still exist even among the Pentecostal Christians. This issue of gender imbalance is a worldwide problem which the church needs to address for the good of humanity. The issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches particularly in Zimbabwe, is a major challenge today because there are more women than men in the churches, yet it seems that in most churches they are excluded in top leadership positions. The Pentecostal Movement is said to be the most significant religious movement in the world which is primarily made up of women, yet it has also been observed that women in most African countries are treated as lower or second class citizens. The Zimbabwean society is male dominated and the Pentecostal churches are also affected, such that gender imbalances are observed and women abuses are prevalent. Therefore the issue of gender and gender imbalance is a global challenge, and as a result it has also become a global agenda in the academic world. This is what motivated the researcher to examine to what extent the Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe perceive the importance of women empowerment, and also determine the impact of the exclusion of women from top church leadership positions. A review of literature on women empowerment and their exclusion from Pentecostal church leadership positions indicated that the challenges that Pentecostal women faced were similar among all religious groups in other African countries outside Zimbabwe. The research study showed that the Pentecostal Church in Zimbabwe needs to address this issue of women empowerment since the church or religious sector is lagging behind when other areas of the society like the economic and political sectors have already embraced the notion. Therefore this study is significant because it seeks to address the gender imbalances in Pentecostal Christianity that has seen women being on the periphery while men being at the centre when it comes to Church hierarchy. In investigating the issue of women empowerment in Pentecostal churches the researcher proposes that if there is gender balance in the leadership of the church there will be more sound contribution in the ministry of the church that would benefit everyone equally. It has been observed that women like men, have also been given spiritual gifts that should be used to benefit or minister to the body of Christ without limits. Yet currently there seems to be a sense that women in the Pentecostal Churches are not afforded opportunity to exercise their ministry and freely participate in the active ministry of the church. There is also a general feeling among women that their needs are not adequately catered for in the church because men cannot fully understand the needs of women, and as a result women suffer silently. Iidentification of the above challenges would enable the Pentecostal church leaders and other stakeholders to devise specific policies and strategies that assist in empowering women, and thereby creating a better environment which allows for church growth. This research was a descriptive case study that used self-administered questionnaires and interviews as the primary source of data on a target sample of 80 Pentecostal members (among them were pastors, elders, deacons, and ordinary male and female members) from various Pentecostal churches in Harare. The researcher also consulted secondary sources of data for the study including electronic and printed church material, websites, conferences and church services. Data collected for this research was transformed for statistical analysis through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and also Thematic Analysis for further data presentation. Thematic analysis method was used to systematically find answers to research questions, as well as identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns or themes within the data collected. The phenomenological approach was used in this research to understand the behavioural patterns of Pentecostal church members from the view point of the participants, and mostly to allow the voices of the women to be heard. Besides the phenomenological approach, this study employed the Theological Reflection approach to interpret the data since the concerns under investigation are ethical-theological issues. Conclusively, the research findings indicated that women in the Pentecostal churches faced challenges, even though they had capacity just like men. Some of the challenges were due to such factors as the “glass ceiling” that block their access to top leadership ranks, gender role stereotyping, negative societal or cultural influences, inferiority complex of women themselves, lack of acceptance by men, lack of education or access to training, and the challenges of balancing home and family responsibilities. From the study it shows that women have capacity for leadership in Pentecostal churches if they are empowered. Therefore motivational teachings and training programs are needed to correct the wrong mentalities concerning the status of women in African Pentecostalism.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions and current practices of Namibian midwives regarding the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour monitoring tool for labouring women

  • Authors: Uusiku, Laura Ingashipwa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Fetal heart rate monitoring Midwives -- Namibia , Midwifery -- Namibia Hospital patients -- Namibia -- Attitudes Medical care -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21318 , vital:29477
  • Description: Labour is a vital period for the labouring mothers, as it should bring with it the fulfilment of an expectation of having the baby that has been awaited. The health of the foetus which is to be born and that of the labouring mother are inextricably linked with each other which is why the labouring mother needs to be assessed and monitored carefully. The cardio-tocograph, which is a globally accepted method of diagnosis and assessment of the foetal status during labour is preferred to be used in monitoring labouring mothers, especially high- risk patients. Despite the evidence and information regarding the effectiveness of the use of the cardio-tocograph, midwives are still found not to be using it correctly, the reasons given that the women not always co-operate; do not keep the electrode and belt in place or cite the discomfort they experience from contraction. The objectives of this study were to: explore and describe the perceptions and current practice of Namibian midwives regarding the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool. Explore and describe how midwives working in labour wards in Namibia perceive informing laboring women of the use of the cardio-tocograph as an informative labour- monitoring tool and based on the results, develop an instruction guide for midwives working in the labour ward in intermediate hospital in Namibia that would serve as a guide on how to teach labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool and enhance positive labor and delivery outcomes The study was conducted between May and June 2016, using a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design, following the necessary university approval and approval from other relevant authorities. The research population was midwives who work in labour wards at a public hospital in Namibia. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from purposively sampled participants using set criteria. A voice recorder was used to capture the interview with the permission of the participants. Seventeen midwives were interviewed of whom two were used for the pilot study. Data saturation determined the sufficient sample size. The collected data was analyzed using Tesch’s spiral method of data analysis with the assistance of an independent coder From the research findings, it emerged that midwives had varying perceptions regarding the use of the CTG machine. Midwives still perceive CTG interpretation as a challenge as a labour -monitoring tool and expressed a need for updates. Furthermore, midwives expressed the fact that they had limited communication with labouring women regarding the use of CTG. Based on the research findings and guided by Health Belief Model principles, three main guidelines were developed for midwives working in the labour ward in a public hospital in Namibia. These guidelines will serve as a tool to assist midwives in their teaching of labouring women about the use of the cardio-tocograph as a labour- monitoring tool, and the role to be played by labouring women during that monitoring period. Furthermore, recommendations for clinical nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research were developed. The researcher used literature control to ensure validation and integrity of the study. Trustworthiness, which was used to ensure rigour of the study, was guided by the principles of truth-value, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont report adopting the principles of beneficence, respect for human dignity, justice and non-maleficence.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions and experiences of small and medium enterprise owners towards the implementation of broad-based-black-economic-empowerment

  • Authors: Pike, Angela Patricia
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa Employee empowerment -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15705 , vital:40510
  • Description: The South African economy has been faced with numerous challenges within the twenty-first century such as poverty, unemployment and crime. Broad-Based-Black- Economic-Empowerment (BBBEE) has become an emerging obstacle for not only Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa(SA), but it is currently one of the principle issues on the South African government’s agenda. It has been identified that the core issue surrounding BBBEE SMEs is being BBBEE compliant. Therefore, this qualitative research study investigated the perceptions and experiences of SME owners towards the implementation of BBBEE. This investigation was executed within the East London area in which a total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results illustrated that although BBBEE was not favoured amongst SMEs in East London, they were still implementing BBBEE into their businesses in order to gain tender work and enjoy financial improvement. Becoming BBBEE compliant presented certain administrative challenges such as the large amount of documentation, the timely process of becoming BBBEE compliant and the cost of BBBEE compliance. However, although challenges existed, SMEs had implemented strategies in order to overcome such challenges and were seeking guidance from BBBEE agencies. The final outlook of BBBEE was that it be restructured in such a manner that it included all races of SA in order to contribute towards social justice and equality. This study, therefore, had a considerable contribution on a methodological, theoretical and practical level. Furthermore, the implications of the study were explored.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions and livelihood uses of an invasive alien tree (acacia dealbata) by rural communities in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
  • Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of adolescents and professional on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho child and youth care facilities, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Magoqwana, Yandiswa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Social problems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child care services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12970 , vital:39412
  • Description: This research explored the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher cross examined the challenges faced by adolescent in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The research study aimed to explore the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The study was premised by three objectives, firstly to examine the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in the Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. Secondly to investigate the behavioural problems experienced by adolescents in the Bisho Youth Care Centre. Thirdly to examine the kind of support provided by professionals like Social workers, Educators, Professional Nurse, Bricklaying Instructor , Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor and Child and Youth Care Worker . The researcher used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa

  • Authors: Sidloyi, Nozitulele
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Abortion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4428 , vital:28339
  • Description: Adolescent pregnancy is a concern worldwide and has risen at an alarming rate in South African societies. Many teenage pregnancies end up being aborted. Despite the availability of contraceptives free of charge in public institutions, unintended pregnancies among adolescents still persist. These unintended pregnancies result in a high rate of induced abortion, both safe and unsafe. The study was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research study to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the induced abortion. Participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by means of individual interviews using interview guide in order to allow the participants to express their perceptions freely because of the sensitivity of the issue. Data were collected until saturation was reached. Saturation was reached after 24 participants were interviewed by the researcher. Data analysis used Tech’s (1990) steps as outlined by Creswell (2014:198). Themes, categories, and subcategories were identified following the data analysis. All adolescents admitted having consensual unprotected sex. Engagement in early sexual behaviour by the adolescents was evident as their sexual debut was between the ages of fifteen and sixteen years. Adolescents emphasised that they had abortions because they had no choice. Adolescents cited poor-socio economic status as their main reason for having abortions. Some findings were that adolescent men were against abortion and they had to be persuaded by their female counter parts. A recurrent factor in the results was the infrequent use of contraceptives, including condoms by the adolescents. This indicated that adolescents practised unsafe sex, with little or no regard for sexual transmitted diseases including Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS). The results also indicated poor treatment by the nursing staff at the family planning clinics. This poor treatment resulted in adolescents not attending family planning clinics. This led to adolescents using abortion as the only method of contraception. Shortage of staff was a contributing factor to the poor treatment of adolescents in the family planning clinics. Adolescents cited that contraception at the clinics is not prioritised. The participants suggested that they should be reminded when to come to the clinic for family planning. Perceptions of reasons for adolescents choosing induced abortion ranges from psychosocial to socio-economic reasons. The knowledge of participants of what was happening to them and what they were doing seemed adequate. The perceptions of the adolescents regarding induced abortion were that abortion is wrong, against their morals as they are Christians; they use abortion because they have no choice due to their poor socio-economic status. The strategies to reduce the unintended pregnancy through the proper management of the contraception programmes, including the change in negative attitudes of health care providers in the family planning clinics could yield positive results.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of Chinese and Tanzanian employees regarding intercultural collaboration

  • Authors: Mayer, Claude-Hélène , Boness, Christian M , Louw, Lynette
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125542 , vital:35793 , https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v15i0.921
  • Description: China’s impact and role in the development of countries in Africa, primarily through foreign direct investments and grants to governments, has increased in the past decade. For instance, the total value of trade between China and Africa was USD198.5 billion in 2012, increasing to USD385bn in 2015 (African Economic Outlook, 2014, p. 76). A growing number of Chinese private and governmental organisations are investing in southern Africa. In Tanzanian contexts, this leads to a close collaboration of Chinese and Tanzanian employees (African Economic Outlook, 2014). These collaborations in Chinese organisations in Tanzania lead to intercultural communication situations and to new intercultural experiences and perceptions.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of male teachers on under-representation of female teachers in high school management positions in the Queenstown Education District

  • Authors: Nyikanyika, Khaya
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Women school administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5036 , vital:29018
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of male teachers on the under-representation of female teachers in high school management position in the Queenstown Education District and to find the barriers that cause this perception to determine the possible solutions for these problems. To carry out this study descriptive method was employed. Participants of the study were 60 male teachers, selected by using stratified random sampling techniques. The data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were employed in order to turn up at the results. The findings of the study revealed that, despite the male teachers perceptions on the under-representation of female school managers in high school management positon has been changing, but not as expected still they believe that female teachers are reluctant to accept responsibilities of school management positions Some of the challenges which could hinder female teachers representation in high school management positions were for instance; pressure of home responsibilities, men dominance of management position, political appointment, unclear promotion procedures or informal recruitment selection and discrimination.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of nurse educators regarding the information required by undergraduate nursing students for clinical decision making at the point of care

  • Authors: Mganto, Nolwandle Gloria
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Nurse educators -- South Africa Nursing students -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14080 , vital:27415
  • Description: The researcher observed that some nursing students lacked the necessary knowledge and confidence in the clinical practice areas whilst accompanying students. The researcher was therefore of the opinion that the aforementioned gaps needed to be addressed to ensure that students developed more confidence in their clinical decision making skills. The researcher was of the opinion that the nurse educators would be the ideal persons to identify the information required by undergraduate nursing students at the point of care for clinical decision-making, because they are the primary teachers of nursing students and are the experts with regard to the content needed for clinical decision making at the point of care in the clinical areas. The aim of the study was therefore to explore and describe the perceptions of nurse educators regarding the information required by the undergraduate nursing students for clinical decision making at the point of care. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this research. The study was conducted among the nurse educators who are employed by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, lecturing and accompanying students for at least 12 months. In-depth interviewing was conducted to obtain the data. The data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of the text and data. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness and a high ethical standard were implemented throughout the study. Three themes with eight sub-themes emerged, namely, the importance of students having sound basic knowledge of theory and practical skills before entering the practical field, students to have available, accessible and up to date information at the point of care and importance of mentorship when students are seeking information. Recommendations were made pertaining to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of nurses with regard to staffing in the operating rooms of a private hospital

  • Authors: Kriel, Dora Jenice
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Nursing services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18014 , vital:28560
  • Description: Despite a number of research studies showing the correlation between higher nurse staffing levels and improved outcomes, RCN members continues to report lower nurse-to-patient ratios than what research results suggests (RCN, 2011:1). This reflected a general concern within the nursing profession. The operating room requires appropriate staffing which is critical to the safety of surgical patients and quality of patient care. The research study was motivated by the researcher’s own experiences while working in an OR in a private hospital where continuous discussions were held with management about the shortage of skilled staff; and where a shortage of OR nurses resulted in the use of Central Sterilizing Department (CSD) staff to do OR duties. The objective of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurses regarding staffing in the operating rooms of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The researcher used qualitative methods and designs to explore and described the perception of nurses regarding staffing in the operating room (OR) of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The research population of the study included all the nurses working in the OR of a private hospital. The total number of 20 OR nurses was individually interviewed by means of semi-structured interviews. Three main themes emerged that includes nurses ‘perceptions with regard to the implications of inadequate staffing in the OR; nurses experiences towards top management with regard to staffing in the OR and recommendations from participants to improve staffing in the OR. Research findings concluded that nurses have a perception that shortage of OR nurses causes lack of communication, physical, emotional and psychological strain. They also perceived OR nurses to work under unrealistic conditions and to receive added responsibilities due to staff shortages, which affect the overall delivery of quality patient care. Comments included failure of management to attend to staff complaints and the perception of high staff turnover due to a lack of recognition and acknowledgement of overworked staff.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of rural households about the role and effect of biogas production on rural household income in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality

  • Authors: Ngcobo, Lindiwe
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4694 , vital:28494
  • Description: Rural development efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security and generally improve livelihoods in developing countries continue to be constrained by high energy cost. For that reason, renewable energy has been identified as a possible panacea to fill this gap. Renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible and environmentally sustainable and promotes inclusivity. Biogas is a renewable energy that is readily available and easy to use by poor rural households. The use of biogas digesters among households in rural areas of developing countries is a well-known technology. The potential for biogas in these areas has been demonstrated and a strong economic case has been made. However, its adoption and use have been lower than expectations possibly as result of non-economic considerations, including social issues about which rural people hold different perceptions. Perceptions of rural households are important because they influence the behaviour to a large extent. Since limited access to affordable energy in rural areas has encouraged government and private organisations to initiate biogas projects to overcome the challenge, it is important to ascertain the factors that affect attitudes towards the technology. The present study sought to explore perceptions of rural households about biogas production towards rural household income in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Specifically, this research investigated the state of biogas project being implemented by the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Technology (FHIT), the perceptions of respondents towards biogas production and determine the contribution of biogas consumption to rural income. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting the adoption of biogas production in the study area. The study was carried out in Melani village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 48 households who were enumerated to identify their perceptions on biogas production, with special emphasis on the role and effect contributed to rural income of Melani village. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used in data collection. Data were collected and captured in Excel and then analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 24 Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics of households and state of biogas production in the area, Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the key elements of perceptions of household towards biogas adoption, binary logistic model was used to estimate factors influencing adoption of biogas technology by households. The results show that women were dominant for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas. The majority of households were young with mean age of 40 years while for non-adopters were 65 years old on average. The results showed high levels of literacy amongst household adopters. Majority of the households for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas technology were married and unemployed and household size ranged from one to five persons, with social grants being dominant source of income. The bivariate correlation analysis suggests a positive effect of green pepper production and livestock ownership on biogas technology adoption. Age and level of education were negatively correlated with adoption of biogas. The cross tabulation analysis suggests that water scarcity, lack of knowledge about biogas technology, cattle ownership, lack of maintenance and repairing, flooded biogas digesters during rainy season are negatively associated with the uptake of biogas technology. The empirical results from binary logistic model suggest that land size was the key determinant of adoption behaviour towards biogas technology while age of the household head, source of income and level of education may have a negative influence on adoption of biogas technology. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends strategies to encourage households to adopt biogas technology.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of school stakeholders towards the use of English as a language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in grade 9 Social Sciences

  • Authors: Soya, Nongesiba
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Usage
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6447 , vital:29720
  • Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa led to the development of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) as one of the pieces of legislations that promote languages in schools where parents, learners, who have come of age may choose a language for instruction. LiEP, together with the Constitution of South Africa, promote equal value of all eleven official languages spoken in this country. The promotion of language policies clearly shows that language is the bedrock of the academic development of every child. Unfortunately, Spaull, Van der Berg, Wills, Gustafsson and Kotzè (2016) found that South African Foundation Phase learners lack the most basic skill needed for academic achievement, reading for meaning. Spaull et.al (2016) findings show that language problems start during the early years of schooling. This study aimed at finding out the perceptions of school stakeholders about the use of English as LoLT in Grade 9 Social Sciences, and it is located in the Interpretivist Paradigm. In this study, stakeholders are learners because they are central to learning, parents, as they have the responsibility of choosing LoLT for their children and assist them in their schooling career. Lastly, teachers are stakeholders because of their critical role of imparting knowledge and skills during classroom interaction. The researcher uses a Qualitative approach to identify data-collecting tools suitable for this research, and chooses semi-structured interviews and observations. Semi-structured interviews are flexible and allow deeper probing during the interview. The sample consists of nine Grade 9 learners, three teachers of Grade 9 Social Sciences and six parents from the School Governing Body (SGB). The aim of conducting observations was to find out the language used by learners and teachers during classroom interaction. This study found out that most participants prefer learning Social Sciences in English than in isiXhosa. They are aware of the challenges experienced in the classroom when learning in English but they still choose it. From the sample used, participants clearly indicate that learning in English causes some barriers in the learning and teaching process. However, it also became clear that the benefits associated with learning in English make it difficult to put it at the same level as other languages and participants do not link mother tongue to career opportunities. It is also evident that English will enjoy its hegemony until such time that all stakeholders in Education view the mother tongue as a foundation for learning other languages and as a resource as well so that they can use it in the classroom to understand the content. Policy developers must look deeply into the question of LoLT so that learners receive instruction in a language that will assist them in improved academic performance. Teachers must be equipped with adequate skills to assist learners in developing reading and comprehension skills in the classroom. There is a dire need to develop the culture of reading in rural school learners; and teachers must expose learners to a variety of English reading material.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of social and living conditions and quality of working life: a study of border-post employees

  • Authors: Geldenhuys, Linda
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Quality of work life , Work environment Work and family -- South Africa Job stress
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14289 , vital:27520
  • Description: Research problem: Yadav and Khanna (2015) argue that the quality of work life defines the life at work and at home with family members. There is no existing definition of social and living conditions in the literature although it can be considered to include dimensions such as recreation, accommodation, health, education, family, religion and food (SLCB questionnaire). The social and living conditions of employees in rural towns situated close to borders is unique and, in order to offer suggestions with regard to what and how to improve the social and living conditions, their relationship with the quality of work life was investigated. Research objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the possible relationship between the social and living conditions of employees in rural areas situated close to the South African border and the quality of work-related life. To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were formulated.Research questions: Four research questions were formulated:- What is the relationship between the overall quality of working life (WRQoL.Ovl1) and that of the social and living conditions (SLCB.Ovl1)?, -What is the relationship between the seven dimensions of social and living conditions and the seven dimensions of quality of working life? -Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall social and living conditions? Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall quality of working life? -Research design: This study is descriptive in nature, and used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on work-related quality of life and social and living conditions from employees from rural towns close to the border posts. Major findings: The results showed a significant correlation between social and living conditions and the quality of working life. Furthermore, they revealed that accommodation, food and health are the three dimensions of social and living conditions that have the strongest relationship with quality of working life, with accommodation bearing the most significant relation.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London health services

  • Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
  • Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Perceptions regarding the impact of ubuntu and servant leadership on employee engagement in the workplace

  • Authors: Muller, Roger Joseph
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Leadership Management -- South Africa , Management -- Africa -- Philosophy Employees -- Attitudes Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19409 , vital:28868
  • Description: South Africa have some of the lowest employee engagement scores in the world. Leadership is a key determinant of employee engagement, but existing leadership theories and practices are often ineffective in more humanistic and collectivistic cultures like South Africa. To this end, Ubuntu and servant leadership is posited to positively influence organisational performance by increasing employee engagement. The primary objective of this study is to investigate perceptions regarding the impact of Ubuntu and servant leadership on employee engagement in private organisations of the Eastern Cape. A quantitative research design was utilised and yielded 428 usable questionnaires through nonprobability sampling. The empirical results revealed that the spirit of solidarity dimension of Ubuntu leadership influenced significantly and positively. Furthermore, it was found that survival and spirit of solidarity had a significant and positive influence on organisational performance as measured through the balanced scorecard (BSC). Servant leadership positively and significantly influenced employee engagement and organisational performance. In addition, it was found that employee engagement mediates the relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance. This study has made several significant empirical and theoretical contributions, and can be classified as one of the pioneering attempts to gather empirical evidence on how Ubuntu manifests in the workplace. The high convergent validity of the dimensions of Ubuntu leadership and comparisons to Servant leadership established in this study, provides some proof of its novel contribution towards leadership theory. A highly reliable and valid measuring instrument was developed to evaluate Ubuntu from a leadership perspective. This is a major empirical contribution as, at the time, there were no reliable scales available in South Africa to measure Ubuntu leadership.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Performance and throughput rates of quantity surveying students: a cohort analysis

  • Authors: Dent, Sharon Peta
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Cohort analysis Quantity surveying
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17581 , vital:28382
  • Description: Performance and throughput rates at South African tertiary institutions are low, especially within the science, engineering and technology fields of study. The causes of this poor performance and throughput are difficult to predict, and incorrect assumptions are often made on which students are most likely to fail. The need to investigate this issue is vital in South Africa, where the contributing factors to poor performance and throughput are exacerbated by recent political and economic disparities in the diverse population. In order to better understand the issue within the built environment sector, this study evaluated the performance and throughput rates of fifteen first-year cohorts within the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the student population within the department, and to develop a framework for the future prediction of a student’s likelihood of success or failure. In order to achieve this objective, a retrospective longitudinal approach, i.e. a cohort study, was adopted. The study plotted the trends in performance and throughput rates over a period of time; it measured the strength of the relationships between several variables and performance and throughput; and it culminated in the establishment of predictors of performance and throughput rates. Ultimately, the prediction variables could be utilised in the development of influence diagrams as prediction frameworks. The research revealed that the performance and throughput rates of students in the department are improving. This highlights the importance of undertaking a narrow, departmental level analysis; as the findings in this smaller sphere do not match the general theory and assumptions covered in the literature.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Performance comparison of iron pillared montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolites sorption for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in water

  • Authors: Madigoe, Marakeng Rhudolf
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment Adsorption Montmorillonite
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8078 , vital:31516
  • Description: The higher concentration of heavy metals and pollutants is toxic to human health and the environment. It is essential to remove these toxics from contaminated water. There are several methods developed for water treatment. These include adsorption, reverse osmosis, precipitation, coagulation and cation exchange. Adsorbents of various characteristics are considered for removal of heavy metals and pollutants. The study investigated the performance of iron pillared Montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolite (acid and base) for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in artificially contaminated water. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) instruments. The percentage removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) after adsorption process were determined. Iron pillared Montmorillonite showed efficient removal for lead and zeolite for copper and nickel.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Performance of a residential swimming pool air source heat pump water heater installed in Fort Beaufort, South Africa

  • Authors: Mqayi, Singatha
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Water heaters Heat pumps Swimming pools -- Heating and ventilation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4835 , vital:28532
  • Description: Globally, there is growing concern about energy consumption and its diverse effects on the environment. In South Africa, the current status quo is unfavourable in the domain of energy, hence the Department of Energy, Eskom and NERSA have embarked on supporting energy efficiency technologies nationwide as a strategic goal in reducing demand on the national grid. Due to the non conservative consumption of electricity from the grid and the insufficient supply to meet its demand, the importation of crude oil is very certain. In addition, the current and most popular technology for pool water heating in the said country is the resistive element which is inefficient and non-cost-effective. The energy consumption of residential swimming pool water heating is very massive, and tariff structure shows a constant rise. Furthermore, there's a current electricity crisis during the Eskom evening peak. Hence, a reliable, efficient, cost-effective and renewable energy technology such as an air source heat pump is required as a retrofit to the existing resistive element. Furthermore, mathematical modelling is a tool that can be used to mimic the dynamic behaviour of a physical or process system. It is a computational language or mathematical equation used to predict the dynamic behaviour of physical systems [Tangwe et al., 2015]. Various methods such as numerical methods have been considered as the particular types of mathematical modelling which have been employed to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. However, they were unreliable and expensive. Consequently, this research focused on the experimental determination of the viability and development of a mathematical model to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. The benefit of the development and building of this model was attributed to its low cost and credibility to forecast the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. Also, this robust mathematical model can be used by an energy service company and system manufacturer to compute the dynamic coefficient of performance of the swimming pool ASHP water heater. Following the above-mentioned information, the research sought to provide a permanent solution to the Eskom evening peak constraint. This is because energy-efficiency, serves as the bridging block between conventional and renewable energy sources needed by Eskom in a bid to provide a balance energy mix and sustainable energy. The implementation of a swimming pool ASHP water heater guaranteed a conducive environment for the population due to the reduction in environmental pollution.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Performance of isiXhosa-speaking adults on Tower of London-Drexel University 2nd edition : development of a South African normative database

  • Authors: Naidoo, Rumaine
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16291 , vital:40708
  • Description: Introduction: The transportability and utility of international neuropsychological assessment measures on South Africa’s multicultural population highlights the well-documented concern of test validity and reliability. In South Africa, the endeavor of accurate assessment has been long-standing and is not only an ethical but legal requirement in the field of Psychology. The selection of appropriate normative data provides an opportunity for valid clinical interpretations. This research forms a part of a larger cross-cultural normative project, which elucidates the impact of a number of pivotal sociocultural factors on test performance. This specific study is aimed at producing normative indications for the Tower of London- Drexel University 2nd Edition. In addition, it investigates the effect of quality of education, age and sex on test performance. Method: The sample consisted of Black isiXhosa- speaking adults (N= 40) proficient in English aged between 19-40 years whom had obtained the highest scholastic education of Grade 11 or 12 in disadvantaged educational setting at either urban or rural former Department of Education and Training (ex- DET) schools. Results: The Independent t-test analyses revealed a significant effect of quality of education on the Total Execution Time index in the direction of urban participants outperforming rural participants. Significant results for sex were also documented on the Total Rule Violation index with females engaging in more Rule Violations than male participants. No significant differences were found between age groups. Conclusion: The findings of this research confirm the need for demographically specific normative data. This will allow for the development of more accurate and reliable indices of neurocognitive abilities among culturally and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017
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