Evolving an efficient and effective off-the-shelf computing infrastructure for schools in rural areas of South Africa
- Authors: Siebörger, Ingrid Gisélle
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/14557 , vital:21938
- Description: Upliftment of rural areas and poverty alleviation are priorities for development in South Africa. Information and knowledge are key strategic resources for social and economic development and ICTs act as tools to support them, enabling innovative and more cost effective approaches. In order for ICT interventions to be possible, infrastructure has to be deployed. For the deployment to be effective and sustainable, the local community needs to be involved in shaping and supporting it. This study describes the technical work done in the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), a long-term ICT4D experiment in the Mbashe Municipality, with a focus on the deployment of ICT infrastructure in schools, for teaching and learning but also for use by the communities surrounding the schools. As a result of this work, computing infrastructure was deployed, in various phases, in 17 schools in the area and a “broadband island” connecting them was created. The dissertation reports on the initial deployment phases, discussing theoretical underpinnings and policies for using technology in education as well various computing and networking technologies and associated policies available and appropriate for use in rural South African schools. This information forms the backdrop of a survey conducted with teachers from six schools in the SLL, together with experimental work towards the provision of an evolved, efficient and effective off-the-shelf computing infrastructure in selected schools, in order to attempt to address the shortcomings of the computing infrastructure deployed initially in the SLL. The result of the study is the proposal of an evolved computing infrastructure model for use in rural South African schools.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Examining practices in the preparation of science teachers in two teachers' colleges in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutseekwa, Christopher
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: College teachers -- Training of Science teachers Science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9434 , vital:34351
- Description: Despite the vast research in science teacher preparation world-wide, little is known about secondary school science teacher preparation practices in Zimbabwe. The overall image that emerges from literature is that of challenges such as lack of programme coherence, policy inconsistence, poor funding for reform-based science teaching programmes, limited knowledge on issues critical to science teaching and learning, and mediocre performance of science teacher education graduates. Such challenges demand an examination of science teacher educator practices in order to identify relevant science teaching knowledge and skills the educators possess, an establishment of how their practices match standards and expectations in science teacher preparation, and an assessment of dimensions of the science teaching theory-practice gap. This study examined teacher education practices in the preparation of science teachers in two teachers’ colleges in Zimbabwe. The study is anchored in Miller, Ohana and Hanely’s (2013) framework for science teacher preparation called the Model of Research-Based Education for Teachers (MORE for Teachers). An exploratory sequential mixed methods design, within the post-positivist paradigm, was used to guide the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Eighteen (18) Science teacher educators and 106 Science student teachers were selected from two Teachers’ Colleges through purposive sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while interviews, group discussions and documents were used to generate qualitative data. Qualitative data were used to buttress and expand quantitative findings. The major findings from the study were that, despite their limited research activity, teacher educators were well grounded in content knowledge in their various areas of specialisation. Although some standards and guidelines from syllabi, schools and the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Teacher Education (UZ-DTE) requirements on science teaching were followed, the teacher educators were not very clear about the extent to which reform-based science teaching guidelines influenced their work. Other findings revealed that the science teacher educators did a lot to prepare student teachers for Attachment Teaching Practice but did less when the trainees were eventually in the actual practice. It was also observed that science teacher education occurred with in a context where funding for teaching and learning was a challenge. The study’s major recommendation is the need for identifying preparation approaches that adequately equip science teacher educators with the relevant knowledge, skills and core practices that assist the development of coherent programmes.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Examining teachers' role in the promotion of child-friendly environments in Zimbabwean secondary schools : implications for teacher professional development
- Authors: Zendah, Ketiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Zimbabwe Teachers -- Professional relationships School management and organization -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4937 , vital:28810
- Description: Hostile school environments are a cause of concern and a perennial international educational problem. The UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools (CFS) approach is an international intervention meant to safeguard learners against hostile school environments. The CFS approach mandates schools to offer learners environments and conditions that uphold children’s rights and enhance their development to full potential. The purpose of this mixed methods research study, employing a concurrent triangulation design, was to explore the role of teachers in the promotion of CFS environments. Holsti’s (1970) role theory formed the theoretical framework of this study. The research questions focused on teachers’ understanding of the CFS concept, support offered, strategies employed, challenges encountered, and the implications for teacher professional development. The data collection methods were questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and document analysis with school heads, teachers and learners in the seven government urban secondary schools in Mutare district of Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data were independently analysed and merged at the interpretation stage through triangulation of results. Major findings reveal that teachers have poor understanding of the CFS concept, are offered moderate support, occasionally employ viable strategies, and are hindered by various factors in the process of promoting CFS environments. The study’s implications for teacher professional development are rooted in identifying sustainable approaches that adequately equip teachers with relevant information, skills and attitudes that ensure the promotion of CFS environments.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Examining the nature of learning within an afterschool mathematics club : a case study of four learners
- Authors: Pohamba, Penehafo K , Graven, Mellony , Stott, Deborah A , Ashipala, Daniel O
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70121 , vital:29623 , http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/irhe.v2n1p21
- Description: This study examined the nature of learning within an afterschool mathematics club established by the South African Numeracy Chair project. This study sought to establish what sort of progress in mathematical learning occurred in a grade 3 afterschool maths club, using assessment instruments associated with the Learning Framework in Number. The study also sought to understand the nature and effects of mentor mediation in the maths club, using Vygotsky’s notion of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) together with the notion and practice of scaffolding. This study was interpretive in nature drawing on qualitative methods with some elements of quantification in relation to learners’ progression. The club consists of 10 learners of mixed ability (5 girls and 5 boys) at a township school in Graham’s town, South Africa. Learners in this case study were selected through purposive sampling. As part of the data collection strategies, the learners were interviewed twice in terms of their numeracy proficiency. The assessment interview results revealed that, in terms of proficiency in early arithmetical learning, all four learners showed progress after spending four months in an afterschool maths club. This study also recommended Wright et al.’s (2006) LFIN framework to be used in assessing learners’ progress in mathematics, as it could inform the refinement of instructional design within the school curriculum and teachers’ education in the Namibian context.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Executing a process enhancement intervention on the processing lines at Seavuna Fishing Company
- Authors: Abdullah, Philip Rodger
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa Workflow -- South Africa -- Management Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13592 , vital:27255
- Description: The fresh hake processing lines at Seavuna fishing company in Mossel Bay are not consistently achieving their volume output standards and this is resulting in higher processing costs and loss of processing opportunities. The company’s senior management are concerned about this trend and require a complete review of the effectiveness of the resources deployed on the lines. This with the view of establishing the causes of poor process volume output. In order to resolve the process inefficiency challenges mentioned, this study used both empirical and time studies to investigate the effectiveness of the company’s resources directly deployed in the processing unit. The study focused on investigating the human factor, machinery and equipment, the environment and the current efficiency standards. Relevant literature in the field of process efficiency improvement was consulted to assist in identifying factors that are known to cause process inefficiencies, and also to establish which improvement techniques would be relevant in correcting the situation. From the Literature reviewed, it was evident that a ‘one size fits all’ solution to resolving inefficiencies is almost non-existent and that a solution that is relevant to the problem is more effective. In addition, a benchmarking exercise was also done to establish how Seavuna’s current volume output standards fair against its major rivals. Once data from both studies were collected, the results were analysed using the some of the basic quality tools. Thereafter, lean manufacturing principles were used to attempt to resolve the current efficiency challenges. The study recommended that the company construct a business strategy and a corresponding organisational culture to direct its continuous improvement interventions. The use of strategic quality planning would go a long way in assisting the company to execute some of the interventions recommended.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exhaustible resources and the hotelling rule : an empirical test of the hotelling rule's significance to gold production in South Africa
- Authors: Mlambo, Courage
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Natural resources -- Mathematical models Econometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4738 , vital:28507
- Description: The study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In environmental economics, the Hotelling rule has come to be a pillar of the exhaustible resources framework and in addition to this, it has presented essential insights into the consumption and extraction of non-renewable resources. Hotelling sought to address one important question which had been unanswered regarding the depletion of exhaustible resources: How much of the natural resource in question should be consumed presently and how much of it should be stocked up for future generations? The focus was to find a solution for those involved in the exploitation of natural resources to choose between the current value of the natural resource if extracted and sold and the future increased value of the asset if left unexploited. According to the Hotelling rule, the extraction path in competitive market economies will, under certain circumstances, be socially optimal. An extraction path that is not socially optimal compromises the welfare of future generations. The welfare of South Africa’s present population and more especially in the future will be greatly determined by the stock of natural resources available and the quality of the environment. Currently, the production processes deplete natural resources. Concern with the supposed increasing scarcity of gold in South Africa, and the possibility of running out of gold, has become a source of concern. South Africa’s gold reserves (gold in the ground that can be extracted profitably) are becoming depleted at an alarming rate. Most reserves are already exhausted; and the costs involved in mining lower-grade ore, and deposits located very deep in the ground, are becoming excessive. In light of this, this study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In order to empirically test the Hotelling rule, the study was guided by previous literature that had sought to test it. In this regard, the study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study has three data analysis chapters. The first two presented and examined the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. The third data analysis chapter examined the relationship between gold price and interest rates. In the first two data analysis chapters, visual inspection, growth rates, variance ratio tests and advanced unit root tests were used to examine the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. Results showed that the behaviour of the gold price series and gold production series in South Africa have a behaviour that is socially optimal. This is in line with the Hotelling rule. The rule predicts exponentially increasing resource prices and this result in mineral resources following the path of the positive trend. The positive trend is prompted by the increasing price reflecting the increasing scarcity of the resource. However, consumption trends were seen to be violating the Hotelling rule. The Hotelling rule predicts that the price increases until it eventually reaches the choke price, where the quantity demanded decreases to zero. However, in contrast to this, results showed that the demand for gold has been increasing instead of decreasing. This is not in line with the Hotelling rule. Furthermore the relationship between interest rate and gold price was negative and this suggested that the price of gold was not rising at the rate of the interest rate. The results of the study suggested that gold production is not following a social optimally path. The study recommended that the government come up with measures that prolong the lifespan of the gold reserves. These included research and development to promote technological innovations in the mining sector. This may make it possible for firms to access lower-grade ores. The study also recommended that since the Hotelling rule partly applied in the gold sector, there is a need to adopt some other theoretical measures that can ensure that the proceeds from the gold taxes are used in the most effective way.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exit strategies in social protection and the role of the social worker : a case study of exited households from the harmonised social cash transfers in Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muwoni, Leon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social security -- Zimbabwe Social service -- Zimbabwe Households -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8364 , vital:32389
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the strategies utilised in exiting households from the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer in Zimbabwe and also the role of the social worker in facilitating and ensuring a smooth readjustment thereof. The study area was Goromonzi District, where the research sample and participants were drawn. The data were collected with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. It emerged in the study that besides the financial constraints and general challenges characterising social protection in Zimbabwe, there have been some significant improvements in the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. For example the beneficiary households increased their food consumption in terms of quantity and quality, reduction of poverty among other positive outcomes. The study however noted that despite having registered some positive outcomes on the beneficiaries, the programme was designed without a clear cut exit/graduation strategy. Upon being exited from the HSCT, beneficiaries are supposed either to be supported to maintain their livelihoods or to be graduated into other social protection programmes so that the shock of being exited is minimised. In addition to the above, the study found that, graduation of social protection is hardly possible for the nature of HSCT programme beneficiaries, therefore ‘programme exit’ is the only most realistic thing to talk about in the programme. The study makes a case for curving a role for social workers in managing exit for beneficiaries of social protection programmes and helping families with the readjustment process post cash transfers. Furthermore, this study recommends that programmes should be designed either as ‘graduation’ focused programs or with a clear plan and road map of how beneficiary or programme exit would be handled. This will not only help in planning for the end-phase but also for the nature and approach for programme implementation. In addition, the study recommends that during implementation of social transfer programs, particularly cash, it is of essence to link the cash benefits with livelihood and asset building interventions to ensure sustainability. Families need to be encouraged through ‘soft messaging’ or supported to structure either group or individual savings and or investments in assets and livestock that will help cushion them in the event of sudden programme discontinuation or when faced with shocks and hazards.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Expanded Public Works Programme as a poverty alleviation strategy in Nyandeni local municipality in South Africa : an experiential study
- Authors: Xhongo, Khanya
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13587 , vital:39682
- Description: South Africa is faced by huge societal problem of poverty and unemployment, twenty one years after the dawn of democracy. These societal problems have been addressed by policy interventions such as Expanded Public Works Programme. The programme targets Youth, women and people with disabilities. However it appears that the mainstream of the programme the employment creation through infrastructure does not accommodate all the targets especially the disabled. The study sought to investigate the role played by EPWP in alleviating poverty in Nyandeni Municipality and to find out to what extent it really alleviate poverty. The study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to collect data from forty eight respondents, by way of in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in Nyandeni Local Municipality, there is rampant empowerment exclusion in the area, the wage rate paid to beneficiaries is too little to pull them out of poverty and the effects of poor exiting strategy are unbearable to beneficiaries as they find it hard to find other means of employment once they exit the programme. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream empowerment security in relation to EPWP are that ,the government needs to improve the information dissemination about proposed interventions to alleviate poverty and that communities should partner with them to alert them about their needs and what best interventions could impact real change. The government should be mobile and take services to people and there should be consideration to review wage rate. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experience and realities of unemployed youth in Kieskammahoek, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Makapela, Lubabalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Unemployed youth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5336 , vital:29199
- Description: This study examines the experiences and realities of unemployed youths in Keiskammahoek, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It looks at the challenges are that experienced by unemployed youths in Keiskammahoek, an area which already has high volume of unemployment. It also explores the factors that account for unemployment amongst the youths in this area. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and the data was collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. Purposive sampling was utilised to collect data from 22 participants who included the rural youths, professionals and decision-makers. The findings of this study reveal that the majority of youths are unskilled and are not easily absorbed in different sectors of the economy. This study recommends that the government needs to target and maximize programmes that are supported by social and economic policies for young people’s benefit in order to alleviate the youth unemployment challenges.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of analogue-trained radiographers utilising digital imaging in projection radiography
- Authors: Campbell, Sydney
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Radiography, Medical -- Digital techniques Angiography , Image processing -- Digital techniques Radiography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14796 , vital:27851
- Description: The professional work of a radiographer encompasses both patient care and the use of technology. The technology employed could either be analogue or digital technology. Since 1973, the analogue imaging system has slowly been replaced by digital radiography imaging systems. Despite the many advantages of digital imaging it does present the radiographer with added responsibilities. Furthermore, analogue-trained radiographers have found adjusting to digital imaging especially challenging. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of analogue-trained radiographers utilising digital imaging in projection radiography with the intention of developing guidelines to equip radiography managers to assist analogue-trained radiographers to better utilise digital imaging. The researcher used Schlossberg’s Transition Theory as a lens to look at the experiences of analogue-trained radiographers using digital imaging to produce radiographs. The research study used a qualitative design which was explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The target population included all diagnostic radiographers (public and private) in the local municipality who were registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Purposive sampling was employed to select the radiographers that represented all radiographers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The sample included all radiographers who fulfilled the identified selection criteria. The selected participants were recruited to take part in in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews. The data was analysed using a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software package, ATLAS.ti. The trustworthiness of this study was ensured by applying Guba’s model of trustworthiness that includes credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice, as espoused by the Belmont Report, were adhered to in order to ensure that the study was conducted in an ethical manner. Two themes emanated from the data, namely the evolution of the radiographer when faced with the advances in technology as well the role that the work environment played in the manner that the participants experienced the change. The experiences of the participants were described using direct quotations from the interviews and a literature control was used to verify the participants’ experiences. Evidence was found of radiographer indifference towards exposure selection, dose optimisation and placement of anatomical side markers when utilising digital imaging. Finally, guidelines were developed to equip radiography managers to assist analogue-trained radiographers to better utilise digital imaging. In addition, the guidelines will assist all other radiographers to better utilise digital imaging.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of having an adult sibling with a mental illness: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
- Authors: Flannigan, Raylene
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mentally ill -- Care -- South Africa , Mental illness -- Public opinion -- South Africa , Mentally ill -- Deinstitutionalization , Brothers and sisters of people with disabilities , Brothers and sisters of people with disabilities -- Psycnology , Brothers and sisters of people with disabilities -- Case studies -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6309 , vital:21088
- Description: Mental illness has a significant impact on the life of an individual, however not only on the individual but on the family as well. A considerable amount of research has been carried out regarding the experiences of family members internationally. However, in South Africa (SA) there is inadequate information regarding the experiences of families, especially adult siblings, of individuals with a mental illness. Specifically, there is a lack of research investigating individuals’ perceptions of their brother or sister’s mental illness as well as how this affects the sibling relationship. It is for this reason that the current study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of ‘black1’ isiXhosa speaking individuals who have a sibling with a mental illness. The study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as its qualitative approach. A sample of five participants between the ages of 20-50 years was selected through purposive and snowballing sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were utilised and were transcribed and analysed based on the IPA framework. The analysis of the participants’ transcripts provided three master themes, which are supported by subordinate themes. The master themes are: 1) experiencing the sibling as a burden post diagnosis, 2) positive experiences from the sibling’s mental illness, 3) participant’s experiences of their sibling’s treatment and the mental health care system. Participants experienced financial burden as well as the burden of caregiving as a result of their sibling’s mental illness; these are understood as being subjective and objective burdens. While no change was experienced within the sibling relationship, the siblings’ mental illness was experienced as affecting the sibling relationship due to the socioeconomic status of the participants and stigma. The findings support and expand on the growing knowledge of adult sibling relationships and mental illness.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of health care professionals at Mdantsane sub-district primary health care clinics regarding the unavailability of medicines
- Authors: Mpengesi, Luvokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Physician and patient -- South Africa -- East London Primary care (Medicine) -- South Africa -- East London , Communication in medicine
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19619 , vital:28907
- Description: Medicine unavailability, also known as stock-outs is a global problem. South Africa is not exempt from this problem which impacts negatively on the way in which healthcare services are rendered, more especially in the public sector. Communities are complaining about the unavailability of medicines at public health facilities particularly in primary health care clinics. In an effort to address this problem, the Minister of Health has declared medicine availability as one of the six priorities of the Department of Health. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences and perceptions of healthcare professionals practicing at primary healthcare clinics in a peri-urban area of the Eastern Cape regarding the unavailability of medicines. Understanding the experiences and perceptions was expected to assist in addressing the problem at hand and help management in developing ways to address the problem and support the employees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals working at primary health care clinics in and around Mdantsane Township in the Eastern Cape. The main findings of the study can be divided into the following topics: perceived causes of medicine stock-outs, the implications of stock shortages, actions taken in the case of stock-outs and the role to play by in mitigating the impact of stock shortages. The limitations of the study include the research sample which was not truly representative of all healthcare professionals working at Mdantsane sub-district primary healthcare clinics. The study recommends various strategies that management should follow to assist in addressing medicine shortages. The researcher recommends further research to describe the experiences of healthcare professional regarding medicine unavailability.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of pet loss in the South African context
- Authors: Lowen, Kathleen Louise
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pet loss -- Psychological aspects , Pet loss -- South Africa -- Case studies , Pets -- Death , Pet ownders -- Psychology , Human-animal relationships -- Psychological aspects , Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4326 , vital:20649
- Description: In this research the experience of pet loss in relation to the intensity of grief and the repression of that grief due to societal restrictions was studied in a South African sample of 12 pet owners who had experienced the loss of a pet within 24 months prior to the study. A pilot study was conducted in order to refine the semi-structured interview schedule. Participants were asked about their pets, their experience of pet loss in relation to their feelings before and after the loss and whether they felt they could openly grieve around friends and family. The findings indicated that the intensity of grief experienced by the participants was influenced both by the intensity of their Bond with the pet and the repression of their grief due to assumed social sanctions surrounding mourning the loss of a pet. The findings from the study clearly indicate the necessity for pet loss counselling, however it was clear that societal views surrounding pet loss are shifting, thus allowing pet owners to mourn their loss more openly with family and friends. This indicates a decrease in cases of disenfranchised and complicated grief. Furthermore the impact of pet loss necessitates the social legitimation and acknowledgment of the significance of pet loss in contemporary society as these relationships with pets are an increasingly prominent feature both within and as an alternative to familial systems.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of primary caregivers of children with Down syndrome in the Kwazakhele community
- Authors: Gobeni, Babalwa Cynthia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Children with mental disabilities -- Care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Caregivers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Down syndrome -- Care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15127 , vital:28142
- Description: The unique physical features of the child with Down syndrome (DS) may lead to stigmatization and social isolation of the child, as well as their entire families. A child with DS may require some help and constant attention from the primary caregiver and may even be permanently dependent, depending on the severity of DS. The researcher has explored and described the experiences of primary caregivers of children with DS in the Kwazakhele community while caring for these children. The research study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. The research population included primary caregivers of children with DS who were between ages of two years and older because a DS diagnosis can be delayed and only be discovered later in life. Purposive sampling was used to select the research participants. The data was collected using in-depth one-on-one interviews, and all interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. Thematic analysis as a version of content analysis was used, meaning the researcher used themes and sub-themes to analyze data with the help of an independent coder. A pilot study was conducted before undertaking the actual research using the same methods and designs as those of the main study. Strategies were implemented throughout the study to ensure trustworthiness and adherence to ethical principles. The study findings revealed that the participants experienced diverse emotions upon initially finding out that their child has DS. The participants indicated that they had to modify their lives including having to give up their personal lives just to ensure that their children got the best care and their full attention. It appeared that some participants got full support from their partners and families, while other participants had no support system. With further exploration, it emerged that the study participants shared some positive experiences with their children with DS. However, they indicated a need for relevant education facilities for their children as well as community support. Recommendations were made with regard to nursing education, nursing practice and nursing research.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of professional nurses regarding the implementation of the re-engineering of the primary health care programme in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
- Authors: Reid, Nolita
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Primary health care -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Public health -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19927 , vital:29009
- Description: As a clinic supervisor overseeing a cluster of clinics in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD), the researcher observed a number of problems with the implementation of the re-engineering of the primary health care (RPHC) programme. The problems observed include inadequate supervision of RPHC staff, poor communication and conflict between clinic and RPHC staff, failure to filter RPHC statistics into clinic statistics and the incorrect management of patients by RPHC staff. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses regarding the implementation of the RPHC programme in the NMBHD and to make recommendations the district manager could use to address the research findings. The study used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The research population consisted of professional nurses who are implementing the RPHC programme in the NMBHD, and the sampling technique was a non-probability, purposive technique for the selection of the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data and Tesch’s model respectively. The researcher adhered to ethical considerations throughout the study and ensured trustworthiness of the data by using the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Three themes were identified; namely; the professional nurses expression of their concerns regarding poor working conditions; issues regarding the community health workers and their positive experiences associated with the RPHC programme. The study concludes with recommendations made to the District manager with regard to nursing practice, as well as recommendations to nursing education and research.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of professional nurses regarding the use of mobile technology for accessing information at the point of care clinical decision making
- Authors: Lindi, Ntombizodwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mobile communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45399 , vital:38613
- Description: The research has provided valuable insight into the experiences of professional nurses regarding use of mobile technology for accessing health information at the point of care in clinical decision making at rural primary health clinics. The ability to access health information enabled them to render accurate and safe patient care. Recommendations were made with regard to nursing practice, education and research. Innovative strategies such as the use of mobile technology have been employed in order to access health information at the point of care for clinical decision making in 2012 in the rural primary health care clinics by the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. Retrieval of information from mobile technology is perceived as being useful for clinical decision making and could result in positive patient outcomes. In this study the researcher explored and described the professional nurses’ experiences of using smart for accessing information in clinical decision making at rural primary health care clinics.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiences of teachers in multicultural classrooms in ex-model c secondary schools
- Authors: Vermaak, Annaline
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Culturally relevant pedagogy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Classroom environment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14068 , vital:27414
- Description: This study examined experiences of teachers in ex-Model C secondary schools in Port Elizabeth with specific reference to the strategies adopted, challenges and rewards of teaching in diverse classrooms. It is located in the realm of diversity pedagogy and multi-cultural education and contextualized against the socio-political and colourful historical climate of education in South Africa. This study was conducted by using the qualitative research approach against the backdrop of the phenomenological design according to the interpretivist paradigm. Data were elicited through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 teachers from 4 ex-Model C English medium secondary schools (formerly White schools) who had experiences of teaching both pre-1994, when schools were mono-ethnic, and post-1994 when the schools were multi-ethnic. The interviews were transcribed and the rich thick data were analysed and categorized into themes and sub-themes by adopting a constant comparative method. The findings of the study indicate that teachers failed to embrace diversity to its fullest, although they did not mind teaching diverse learners. Furthermore, it is evident that they have not made concerted efforts to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies to cater for diversity in their classes as the approaches tend to be cosmetic and superficial. The findings indicate that teachers are stuck in the quagmire of business as usual-, colour-blind-, assimilationist, contributionist approaches that militate against culturally responsive pedagogy. It is recommended that teachers be empowered with skills in diversity education by various stakeholders such as School Governing Bodies, the Department of Basic Education and teacher unions so that they are better equipped to implement strategies in their classes that cater to the needs of a diverse learner population.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Experiential learning in an undergraduate BPHARM programme: impact of an intervention on academic achievement
- Authors: McCartney, Jane Alison
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pharmacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Experiential learning -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19037 , vital:28767
- Description: The extended role of today’s pharmacist with the emphasis on patient-focused care has highlighted the need for increased exposure of undergraduate pharmacy students to experiential learning in patient-centred environments, and additional skills development in therapeutics, problem solving and clinical decision making. At the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), final year pharmacy students complete a university-coordinated, hospital-based, structured experiential learning programme (ELP) for the exit-level module, Pharmacology4. However, the students consistently experience difficulties in the application of pharmacological knowledge during the transition from lecture-based learning to the patient-focused clinical setting. The student population at the NMMU is diverse, with varied cultural, ethnic, language and secondary level education backgrounds, as well as different learning preferences and approaches. The extent to which these factors affect academic achievement in the experiential learning environment is unknown. Central research question The central research question for this study was therefore, “What would be the effect of an intervention aimed at supporting undergraduate pharmacy students during clinical placements, on academic achievement in, and student attitudes towards, experiential learning programmes (ELP)?” In order to explore the research question, several factors which may influence academic achievement in ELPs were investigated, namely: academic achievement (pre-university, in the BPharm programme and, in pharmacology); the admission route into the BPharm programme and the subsequent rate of academic progression; English reading comprehension ability; learning styles; problem solving ability; the extent to which students are prepared for application of knowledge in the ELP, in terms of assessment methods used prior to the final year and previous pharmacy work-based experience. In addition, the students’ lived experience of the ELP was explored, and the need for, and nature of, an intervention was determined. The research was based in a pragmatic paradigm, using an advanced mixed methods approach. An intervention-based, two-phase, quasi-experimental design was employed with an initial exploratory Preliminary Phase (in 2013) preceding the larger experimental framework (Phases One and Two, in 2014 and 2015 respectively). The research design was primarily quantitative, with pre- and post- testing conducted before and after the ELP. The ELP was completed by the comparator cohort in Phase One and the experimental cohort in Phase Two. Supplementary qualitative data was collected before, during and after the ELP. The intervention, in the form of supplementary academic support sessions, was developed from the qualitative data using an iterative approach, and implemented during the ELP in Phase Two. Attitudes and expectations of the students towards the hospital-based ELP were generally positive and realistic. Areas of concern included the difficulties experienced in the application and integration of pharmacological knowledge, both in the clinical setting and the clinical case study-based assessments; students feeling overwhelmed, inadequate and inferior in the clinical environment, compounded by an absence of clinical pharmacists as role models; and feeling unprepared for patient-focused care. The qualitative data strongly supported the need for supplementary academic support sessions. The intervention was developed and implemented in Phase Two, using patient case-based, active learning strategies. The majority of students (91.0%; n = 104) reported improved case analysis skills. A statistically significant (p = .030, Cohen’s d = 0.34) improvement was noted in the summative Pharmacology4 assessment marks obtained by the experimental cohort post-intervention, although of small practical significance. Predictors of academic achievement in the ELP were found to be language, specifically English reading comprehension skills, academic achievement in the BPharm programme and pharmacology, the university admission score, the rate of academic progression, and problem solving ability. Previous pharmacy-based work experience and assessment questions requiring application of knowledge were also found to influence achievement in the ELP. The need for an intervention in the form of supplementary academic support sessions was confirmed. The intervention was subsequently developed and successfully implemented, with student-reported self-perceived improvements in patient case analysis skills. These positive findings were supported by quantitative data which showed a statistically significant improvement in academic achievement in the ELP. Several predictors of academic achievement in the ELP were identified, and invaluable insight was gained into the nature of the difficulties experienced by pharmacy students in the transition from lecture-based learning to experiential learning in patient-focused environments.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exploiting Click Chemistry for the Covalent Immobilization of Tetra (4-Propargyloxyphenoxy) Metallophthalocyanines onto Phenylazide-Grafted Gold Surfaces
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel , Mvango, Sindisiwe , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189177 , vital:44824 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2017.09.115"
- Description: In this study, tetra-(4-propargyloxy)phenoxy phthalocyanines (MTPrOPhOPc) were covalently immobilized as thin films onto gold surfaces via click reaction. The gold electrode surfaces were pre-functionalized with phenylazide (Au-PAz) thin film using in-situ diazonium generation followed by electrografting. Copper (I) catalyzed alkynyl-azide cycloaddition (CuCAAC) reaction was used to covalently immobilize the MTPrOPhOPcs onto the gold electrode surfaces to form Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc. The MTPrOPhOPcs were further studied for their electrocatalytic and electroanalytical properties towards the detection of hydrogen peroxide. Au-PAz-MTPrOPhOPc exhibited good reproducibility and stability in various electrolyte conditions. Electrochemical and spectroscopic surface characterization of the functionalized gold electrode surfaces confirmed the presence of the phenylazide and MTPrOPhOPc thin monolayer films. The excellent electroanalysis of hydrogen peroxide with the limit of detection (LoD) and limit of quantification (LoQ) in the μM range was obtained. The electrocatalytic reduction peaks for H2O2 were observed at −0.37 V for Au-PAz-Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc and −0.31 V for Au-PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc when Ag|AgCl pseudo-reference electrode was used. The Au-PAz-Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc and Au-PAz-CoTPrOPhOPc gold electrode surfaces showed good sensitivity and reproducibility towards the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring a capacity development framework for South African foreign economic representatives
- Authors: Williams, Mario Rene
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Finance, Public South Africa -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13491 , vital:27210
- Description: Commercial trading in various formats has characterised relations between humans for centuries. However, in a world driven by higher levels of consumption, and where citizens demand higher returns for their hard-earned taxes, governments are becoming more active in ensuring favourable conditions for their own enterprises, either operating or seeking to operate, in foreign markets, as well as local enterprises that seek to extract value from foreign markets. The past failure of the markets to self-regulate, with the recent events of the 2008/09 market crash, gave fresh impetus for governments to play a more active role in ensuring favourable outcomes for their local economies. To be effective, requires the deployments of capable officials to fulfil this mandate. However, given that governments have traditionally not operated in the sphere of what is termed as ‘commercial diplomacy’, it is evident that a concerted effort needs to be made to have a skilled and capable workforce which can function in both the commercial and diplomatic market spaces across the world. Against the background sketched above, the South African government, with the dti spearheading the initiative, has been running capacity building programmes to train officials as designate FERs, to function as commercial diplomats in targeted foreign markets. This contrasts with its sister-department, DIRCO, which has established 126 foreign missions focusing on political diplomacy. Anecdotal evidence, and previous capacity building reports, have highlighted the need for a framework to regulate and inform the development of officials. Due to the framework’s broader focus, and the acknowledgement of the rich experiences of the officials being trained in the programme, it has been termed as capacity development. An initial review of the topic, revealed that there had been limited research into a framework that regulates the capacity development of foreign economic representatives (FERs), the term used for commercial diplomats of the South African government. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore a capacity development framework (CDF) for South African FERs. This exploratory capacity development framework will then be tested, to inform the capacity development programme used for the training of designated FERs. To achieve this goal, a literature review of academic sources of information regarding the concepts of commercial diplomacy, capacity development and conceptual frameworks, was conducted. This led to the development of a qualitative questionnaire which was then distributed to all currently posted (27) and returned FERs (33), with 18 completed questionnaires returned. The questionnaire contained both closed and open-ended statements that delved deeper into the experiences and opinions held by the respondents. Using the dti as a case study, the content analysis method, which uses open coding, was applied to identify the theme and codes emanating from the data. This was assessed against the research questions (RQs) constructed in the research proposal, and was found to be in line with the sentiments flowing from the research data. The theme, indicated as capacity development and its concomitant codes (Process, Content, Technology and Management Support), thus formed the basis and skeleton of the exploratory capacity development framework. The codes were further analysed and sub-codes identified, which were incorporated into the exploratory capacity development framework. The analysis further revealed that, while the dti is committed to ensuring the designate FERs are adequately capacitated before being posted, much more could be done to improve the efficacy of the training provided. To this end, a number of gaps were identified from the data and these will need to be addressed to ensure that an effective capacity development programme is developed.
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- Date Issued: 2017