Land Reform and the Challenge of Rural Development in Zimbabwe: The Case of the Fast Track Reform in Mashonaland West Region
- Authors: Chigarira, Tangai Sylvester
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe Agriculture and state -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18665 , vital:42704
- Description: A largely agricultural country, land remains an important factor of production and a critical element in the livelihoods of rural Zimbabweans. Small-scale farmers rely on land for food and income. The post-independence development of Zimbabwe has been tied to land holding. As such, land reform aimed at addressing colonial racial land inequalities and rural underdevelopment became an imperative. In the post-independence era, Zimbabwe undertook two phases of land reform – the first occurred between 1980 and 1999 and was known as the Land reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP). This was based on the ‘willing-buyer and willing seller’. The second phase which took place from 2000, known as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), took a radical approach. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the dominance of small-scale farming and challenges of land reform, agricultural productivity remains low. Moreover, despite land reform, including massive land redistribution, the process appears incomplete and inconclusive. This is so essentially because the land reform neither increased food production nor reduced poverty. Accordingly, sustainable development remains a distant reality, especially among rural small-scale farmers. The study aimed at assessing the impact of the fast track land reform (FTLRP) on poverty reduction and sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe. Despite undertaking one of Southern Africa’s largest post-colonial redistributive land reform to date, the provision of land on its own has not been sufficient to address rural poverty and achieving meaningful rural development. This is so because the land reform has not articulated integrated growth as remoteness and poverty remain endemic, which is connected to the land. So, resolving the land question still remains crucial for sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chigarira, Tangai Sylvester
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe Agriculture and state -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18665 , vital:42704
- Description: A largely agricultural country, land remains an important factor of production and a critical element in the livelihoods of rural Zimbabweans. Small-scale farmers rely on land for food and income. The post-independence development of Zimbabwe has been tied to land holding. As such, land reform aimed at addressing colonial racial land inequalities and rural underdevelopment became an imperative. In the post-independence era, Zimbabwe undertook two phases of land reform – the first occurred between 1980 and 1999 and was known as the Land reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP). This was based on the ‘willing-buyer and willing seller’. The second phase which took place from 2000, known as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), took a radical approach. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the dominance of small-scale farming and challenges of land reform, agricultural productivity remains low. Moreover, despite land reform, including massive land redistribution, the process appears incomplete and inconclusive. This is so essentially because the land reform neither increased food production nor reduced poverty. Accordingly, sustainable development remains a distant reality, especially among rural small-scale farmers. The study aimed at assessing the impact of the fast track land reform (FTLRP) on poverty reduction and sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe. Despite undertaking one of Southern Africa’s largest post-colonial redistributive land reform to date, the provision of land on its own has not been sufficient to address rural poverty and achieving meaningful rural development. This is so because the land reform has not articulated integrated growth as remoteness and poverty remain endemic, which is connected to the land. So, resolving the land question still remains crucial for sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An investigation into the use of intuitive control interfaces and distributed processing for enhanced three dimensional sound localization
- Authors: Hedges, M L
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2992 , vital:20350
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using gestures as a means of control for localizing three dimesional (3D) sound sources in a distributed immersive audio system. A prototype system was implemented and tested which uses state of the art technology to achieve the stated goals. A Windows Kinect is used for gesture recognition which translates human gestures into control messages by the prototype system, which in turn performs actions based on the recognized gestures. The term distributed in the context of this system refers to the audio processing capacity. The prototype system partitions and allocates the processing load between a number of endpoints. The reallocated processing load consists of the mixing of audio samples according to a specification. The endpoints used in this research are XMOS AVB endpoints. The firmware on these endpoints were modified to include the audio mixing capability which was controlled by a state of the art audio distribution networking standard, Ethernet AVB. The hardware used for the implementation of the prototype system is relatively cost efficient in comparison to professional audio hardware, and is also commercially available for end users. The successful implementation and results from user testing of the prototype system demonstrates how it is a feasible option for recording the localization of a sound source. The ability to partition the processing provides a modular approach to building immersive sound systems. This removes the constraint of a centralized mixing console with a predetermined speaker configuration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Hedges, M L
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2992 , vital:20350
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using gestures as a means of control for localizing three dimesional (3D) sound sources in a distributed immersive audio system. A prototype system was implemented and tested which uses state of the art technology to achieve the stated goals. A Windows Kinect is used for gesture recognition which translates human gestures into control messages by the prototype system, which in turn performs actions based on the recognized gestures. The term distributed in the context of this system refers to the audio processing capacity. The prototype system partitions and allocates the processing load between a number of endpoints. The reallocated processing load consists of the mixing of audio samples according to a specification. The endpoints used in this research are XMOS AVB endpoints. The firmware on these endpoints were modified to include the audio mixing capability which was controlled by a state of the art audio distribution networking standard, Ethernet AVB. The hardware used for the implementation of the prototype system is relatively cost efficient in comparison to professional audio hardware, and is also commercially available for end users. The successful implementation and results from user testing of the prototype system demonstrates how it is a feasible option for recording the localization of a sound source. The ability to partition the processing provides a modular approach to building immersive sound systems. This removes the constraint of a centralized mixing console with a predetermined speaker configuration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The role of intergroup conflict in school-based violence in the Johannesburg Central Education District Schools: towards a strategy for peace education implementation
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: School violence -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School discipline -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School crisis management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2304 , vital:27750
- Description: School-Based Violence (SBV) is prevalent in South Africa and globally. SBV is one of the challenges that the South African education system is facing resulting in a new deep-rooted culture of unsafe and insecure schools. Teachers are expected to teach learners, who display antisocial behaviour. These learners swear, back chat, verbally and physically abuse and show total disrespect for teachers. The presence of such learners has turned schools into battle field. This violence is not exclusively directed to teachers, but learners are also the common victims of bullying in particular. This study therefore sought to investigate how intergroup violence impacts on the schoolbased violence. The concepts, Intergroup Conflict (IC) and gangs/gangsterism were used interchangeably to describe actions of individuals who take part in the social conflict, driven by competition, antagonism and aggression within the school context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: School violence -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School discipline -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School crisis management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2304 , vital:27750
- Description: School-Based Violence (SBV) is prevalent in South Africa and globally. SBV is one of the challenges that the South African education system is facing resulting in a new deep-rooted culture of unsafe and insecure schools. Teachers are expected to teach learners, who display antisocial behaviour. These learners swear, back chat, verbally and physically abuse and show total disrespect for teachers. The presence of such learners has turned schools into battle field. This violence is not exclusively directed to teachers, but learners are also the common victims of bullying in particular. This study therefore sought to investigate how intergroup violence impacts on the schoolbased violence. The concepts, Intergroup Conflict (IC) and gangs/gangsterism were used interchangeably to describe actions of individuals who take part in the social conflict, driven by competition, antagonism and aggression within the school context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Bilingual teaching practices in South African higher education : making a case for terminology planning
- Authors: Mawonga, Sisonke
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Language and education -- South Africa , Native language and education , Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017894
- Description: When the apartheid government was in power universities in South Africa were segregated according to a race and language. After apartheid, the democratic government came into power and its vision was abolition of segregation. There was also equal and equity of access to public institutions which were set aside for certain people to have access to. Access to universities was equalized and students with different racial, social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds were allowed access to universities which they used not to have access to before. The students‟ access to all universities led to diversity within these institutions. Even though this was the case, there were no changes in the system prevalent during apartheid. English, for example, continued to be the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) while the numbers of students who speak languages other than English (LOTE) as home languages was also increasing. The Constitution of South Africa (Section 6, Act 108 of 1996) acknowledges the previous marginalization of indigenous languages in the country and encourages the development and use of these languages as official languages. The right of access to educational institutions, and accessing education in one‟s language, if that language is one of the official languages, is also encouraged by the Constitution. There are other supporting legislative documents such as the Languages Bill (2011), the Higher Education Act (1997) and the national Language Policy for Higher Education (LPHE) (2002) that support multilingualism, the equal promotion of the official languages as well as use of multiple languages in higher education institutions (HEIs) to support learning. The above mentioned policies and legislations may exist to ensure equality and equity, and even though HEIs have become heterogonous, that does not guarantee that the students enrolled in these institutions have equal access to knowledge offered by the HEIs in SA. This research uses the theories of languages and conceptualization; language and learning as well as language planning to show that the students‟ first languages in learning can assist to facilitate cognition. Terminology development, as part of corpus planning which is the body of language planning is introduced in this study in the form of bilingual glossaries as an intervention especially for students‟ whose mother tongue is not English as language used for learning at university for different disciplines tend to be abstract. The data for this research was collected from the 2014 first year students registered in the Extended Studies Unit (ESU) in the Humanities Faculty at Rhodes University. Research methods such as questionnaires, participant observations, interviews as well as content analysis were used to collect the data. These methods were used to look at the students‟ use and perceptions of bilingual glossaries as additional resource materials which can assist them in learning. A Political Philosophy I module offered by the Political Science department was used for this research. This thesis presents a model which can be used for the development of bilingual glossaries in order to facilitate learning. The thesis recommends the use of corpus extraction tools such as WordSmith Tools (WST) that can be used to generate and extract terms and illustrates the use of this tool by extracting terms from an English Political Philosophy textbook. These terms are defined and these are then translated into isiXhosa to provide a sample of the bilingual glossary. This glossary has been designed to illustrate how the bi/multilingual glossaries with terms and definitions can be developed in order for use by students to facilitate learning them. The study also presents a terminology list which consists of Political Philosophy terms that have been generated during the corpus extraction process. It is recommended that further research looks into the development of bi/multilingual glossaries using the suggested model so that the students who are speakers of LOTE can also be able to understand abstract terms which are used at university
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mawonga, Sisonke
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Language and education -- South Africa , Native language and education , Language policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017894
- Description: When the apartheid government was in power universities in South Africa were segregated according to a race and language. After apartheid, the democratic government came into power and its vision was abolition of segregation. There was also equal and equity of access to public institutions which were set aside for certain people to have access to. Access to universities was equalized and students with different racial, social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds were allowed access to universities which they used not to have access to before. The students‟ access to all universities led to diversity within these institutions. Even though this was the case, there were no changes in the system prevalent during apartheid. English, for example, continued to be the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) while the numbers of students who speak languages other than English (LOTE) as home languages was also increasing. The Constitution of South Africa (Section 6, Act 108 of 1996) acknowledges the previous marginalization of indigenous languages in the country and encourages the development and use of these languages as official languages. The right of access to educational institutions, and accessing education in one‟s language, if that language is one of the official languages, is also encouraged by the Constitution. There are other supporting legislative documents such as the Languages Bill (2011), the Higher Education Act (1997) and the national Language Policy for Higher Education (LPHE) (2002) that support multilingualism, the equal promotion of the official languages as well as use of multiple languages in higher education institutions (HEIs) to support learning. The above mentioned policies and legislations may exist to ensure equality and equity, and even though HEIs have become heterogonous, that does not guarantee that the students enrolled in these institutions have equal access to knowledge offered by the HEIs in SA. This research uses the theories of languages and conceptualization; language and learning as well as language planning to show that the students‟ first languages in learning can assist to facilitate cognition. Terminology development, as part of corpus planning which is the body of language planning is introduced in this study in the form of bilingual glossaries as an intervention especially for students‟ whose mother tongue is not English as language used for learning at university for different disciplines tend to be abstract. The data for this research was collected from the 2014 first year students registered in the Extended Studies Unit (ESU) in the Humanities Faculty at Rhodes University. Research methods such as questionnaires, participant observations, interviews as well as content analysis were used to collect the data. These methods were used to look at the students‟ use and perceptions of bilingual glossaries as additional resource materials which can assist them in learning. A Political Philosophy I module offered by the Political Science department was used for this research. This thesis presents a model which can be used for the development of bilingual glossaries in order to facilitate learning. The thesis recommends the use of corpus extraction tools such as WordSmith Tools (WST) that can be used to generate and extract terms and illustrates the use of this tool by extracting terms from an English Political Philosophy textbook. These terms are defined and these are then translated into isiXhosa to provide a sample of the bilingual glossary. This glossary has been designed to illustrate how the bi/multilingual glossaries with terms and definitions can be developed in order for use by students to facilitate learning them. The study also presents a terminology list which consists of Political Philosophy terms that have been generated during the corpus extraction process. It is recommended that further research looks into the development of bi/multilingual glossaries using the suggested model so that the students who are speakers of LOTE can also be able to understand abstract terms which are used at university
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
International joint ventures and firm value: an empirical study of South African partner firms
- Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Authors: Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Joint ventures Joint ventures -- South Africa Business enterprises -- Valuation International business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004174
- Description: This study investigates international equity joint ventures (IJVs) and South African partner firm value creation at formation. In addition, it tests whether four contentious formation characteristics, namely, the geographical location of the IJV partner, the level of economic development in the IJV partner’s home country, the level of equity held by the South African firm and the industry of the South African firm, can explain when South African IJVs are value enhancing and when they are value diminishing. IJVs are a popular business mode and an important channel for infrastructure and skills investment in developing countries. However, despite their popularity and potential social benefits, these IJVs are predominantly created by the decisions of private firms to collaborate with foreign firms and governments. Consequently the preservation and development of the IJV investment channel is dependent on the encouragement of private firm IJV participation. It is at uncovering potential tools to encourage IJV participation by South African firms that IJV firm value creation becomes important because it stands as a motivator for South African firms’ involvement in IJVs. Existing literature on IJVs and partner firm value has presented conflicting evidence with support for the views that they are value enhancing, value diminishing or of no immediate consequence to their partners’ firm value. Consequently, previous research offers limited firm value support for IJVs. For South African firms considering joint ventures and national policy makers determined to promote IJVs there is a need for an investigation of South African partner IJV firm value effects. Moreover, it is also necessary to test potential explanatory variables that may help to explain when the IJVs are value enhancing and when they are not as this will inform IJV contract negotiations and how limited national government resources are used to promote IJVs. In order to assess firm value creation for South African firms this study performed event studies on IJV formation announcements from 1998 to 2011 using daily share returns from the Johannesburg Securities Exchange taking care to incorporate recent developments in the event study methodology. The study found that while the market responds to IJV announcements, its responses do not, on average, reflect that IJVs are firm value enhancing for their South African partners at formation. This stands in contrast to considerable empirical literature and IJV firm value creation theory. In addition, factoring in formation characteristics, argued to potentially help explain cases of value creation and destruction from IJVs, provided limited explanation for positive and negative wealth effectsfor South African firms entering IJVs. This result has important value for IJV participants, national economic policy makers and IJV researchers. For IJV participants and national policy makers, the results caution unfettered entry/support for IJVs and challenge the role of equity distribution in determining the value of the IJV to its partner firms. For IJV researchers, the results present new evidence questioning IJV firm value creation at formation and provide a potential explanation for the conflict in previous IJV research. The study makes four key contributions to the existing knowledge of IJV firm value creation. Firstly, it assesses IJV wealth effects for the hitherto untested South African IJVs. Secondly, in doing so it adds a new data set (South African IJVs) to the current IJV literature. Thirdly, in reviewing the literature on IJV firm value creation the study presents a disaggregated model of IJV firm value creation from which to develop IJV research and potentially solve the persistent conflict in empirical results on IJV partner wealth effects. Finally, it informs future South African IJV agreements by uncovering factors that influence and do not influence partner wealth effects for South African firms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Joint ventures Joint ventures -- South Africa Business enterprises -- Valuation International business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004174
- Description: This study investigates international equity joint ventures (IJVs) and South African partner firm value creation at formation. In addition, it tests whether four contentious formation characteristics, namely, the geographical location of the IJV partner, the level of economic development in the IJV partner’s home country, the level of equity held by the South African firm and the industry of the South African firm, can explain when South African IJVs are value enhancing and when they are value diminishing. IJVs are a popular business mode and an important channel for infrastructure and skills investment in developing countries. However, despite their popularity and potential social benefits, these IJVs are predominantly created by the decisions of private firms to collaborate with foreign firms and governments. Consequently the preservation and development of the IJV investment channel is dependent on the encouragement of private firm IJV participation. It is at uncovering potential tools to encourage IJV participation by South African firms that IJV firm value creation becomes important because it stands as a motivator for South African firms’ involvement in IJVs. Existing literature on IJVs and partner firm value has presented conflicting evidence with support for the views that they are value enhancing, value diminishing or of no immediate consequence to their partners’ firm value. Consequently, previous research offers limited firm value support for IJVs. For South African firms considering joint ventures and national policy makers determined to promote IJVs there is a need for an investigation of South African partner IJV firm value effects. Moreover, it is also necessary to test potential explanatory variables that may help to explain when the IJVs are value enhancing and when they are not as this will inform IJV contract negotiations and how limited national government resources are used to promote IJVs. In order to assess firm value creation for South African firms this study performed event studies on IJV formation announcements from 1998 to 2011 using daily share returns from the Johannesburg Securities Exchange taking care to incorporate recent developments in the event study methodology. The study found that while the market responds to IJV announcements, its responses do not, on average, reflect that IJVs are firm value enhancing for their South African partners at formation. This stands in contrast to considerable empirical literature and IJV firm value creation theory. In addition, factoring in formation characteristics, argued to potentially help explain cases of value creation and destruction from IJVs, provided limited explanation for positive and negative wealth effectsfor South African firms entering IJVs. This result has important value for IJV participants, national economic policy makers and IJV researchers. For IJV participants and national policy makers, the results caution unfettered entry/support for IJVs and challenge the role of equity distribution in determining the value of the IJV to its partner firms. For IJV researchers, the results present new evidence questioning IJV firm value creation at formation and provide a potential explanation for the conflict in previous IJV research. The study makes four key contributions to the existing knowledge of IJV firm value creation. Firstly, it assesses IJV wealth effects for the hitherto untested South African IJVs. Secondly, in doing so it adds a new data set (South African IJVs) to the current IJV literature. Thirdly, in reviewing the literature on IJV firm value creation the study presents a disaggregated model of IJV firm value creation from which to develop IJV research and potentially solve the persistent conflict in empirical results on IJV partner wealth effects. Finally, it informs future South African IJV agreements by uncovering factors that influence and do not influence partner wealth effects for South African firms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Pedagogical ways-of-knowing in the design studio
- Authors: Kethro, Philippa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Graphic arts -- Education (Higher) Interior decoration -- Education (Higher) Fashion design -- Education (Higher) Industrial design -- Education (Higher) Aesthetics, Modern Art -- Philosophy Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives Interaction analysis in education Visual literacy Critical realism Communication and education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004338
- Description: This research addresses the effect of pedagogical ways-of-knowing in higher education design programmes such as Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion, and Industrial Design. One problematic aspect of design studio pedagogy is communication between teachers and students about the aesthetic visual meaning of the students’ designed objects. This problematic issue involves ambiguous and divergent ways-of-knowing the design meaning of these objects. The research focus is on the design teacher role in design studio interactions, and regards pedagogical ways-of-knowing as the ways in which teachers expect students to know visual design meaning. This pedagogical issue is complicated by the fact that there is no agreed-upon corpus of domain knowledge in design, so visual meaning depends greatly on the social knowledge retained by students and teachers. The thesis pursues an explanation of pedagogical ways-of-knowing that is approached through the philosophy of critical realism. How it is that particular events and experiences come to occur in a particular way is the general focus of critical realist philosophy. A critical realist approach to explanation is the use of abductive inference, or inference as to how it is that puzzling empirical circumstances emerge. An abductive strategy aims to explain how such circumstances emerge by considering them in a new light. This is done in this study by applying Luhmann’s theory of the emergence of cognition in communication to teacher ways-of-knowing in the design studio. Through the substantive use of Luhmann’s theory, an abductive conjecture of pedagogical ways-of-knowing is mounted. This conjecture is brought to bear on an examination of research data, in order to explain how pedagogical ways of-knowing constrain or enable the emergence of shared visual design meaning in the design studio. The abductive analysis explains three design pedagogical ways-of-knowing: design inquiry, design representation and design intent. These operate as macro relational mechanisms that either enable or constrain the emergence of shared visual design meaning in the design studio. The mechanism of relation is between design inquiry, design representation and design intent as historical knowing structures, and ways-of-knowing in respect of each of these knowing structures. For example, design inquiry as an historical knowing structure has over time moved from ways-of-knowing such as rationalistic problem solving to direct social observation and later to interpretive cultural analysis. The antecedence of these ways-of-knowing is important because communication about visual meaning depends upon prior knowledge, and teachers may then reproduce past ways-of-knowing. The many ways-of-knowing that respectively relate to design inquiry, design representation and design intent are shown to be communicatively formed and recursive over time. From a Luhmannian perspective, these ways-of-knowing operate as variational distinctions that indicate or relate to the knowing structures of design inquiry, design representation and design intent. This is the micro-level operation of pedagogical ways-of-knowing as relational mechanisms in design studio communication. Design teachers’ own ways-of-knowing may then embrace implicit way-of-knowing distinctions that indicate the knowledge structures of design inquiry, design representation and design intent. This implicit indication by distinction is the relational mechanism that may bring design teachers’ expectation that this and not that visual design meaning should apply in communication about any student’s designed object. Such an expectation influences communication between teachers and students about the potential future meaning of students’ designs. Consequently, shared visual design meaning may or may not emerge. The research explanation brings the opportunity for design teachers to make explicit the often implicit way-of-knowing distinctions they use, and to relate these distinctions to the knowing structures thus indicated. The study then offers a new perspective on the old design pedagogical problem of design studio conflict over the meaning of students’ designs. Options for applying this research explanation in design studio interactions between students and teachers are therefore suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kethro, Philippa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Graphic arts -- Education (Higher) Interior decoration -- Education (Higher) Fashion design -- Education (Higher) Industrial design -- Education (Higher) Aesthetics, Modern Art -- Philosophy Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives Interaction analysis in education Visual literacy Critical realism Communication and education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004338
- Description: This research addresses the effect of pedagogical ways-of-knowing in higher education design programmes such as Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion, and Industrial Design. One problematic aspect of design studio pedagogy is communication between teachers and students about the aesthetic visual meaning of the students’ designed objects. This problematic issue involves ambiguous and divergent ways-of-knowing the design meaning of these objects. The research focus is on the design teacher role in design studio interactions, and regards pedagogical ways-of-knowing as the ways in which teachers expect students to know visual design meaning. This pedagogical issue is complicated by the fact that there is no agreed-upon corpus of domain knowledge in design, so visual meaning depends greatly on the social knowledge retained by students and teachers. The thesis pursues an explanation of pedagogical ways-of-knowing that is approached through the philosophy of critical realism. How it is that particular events and experiences come to occur in a particular way is the general focus of critical realist philosophy. A critical realist approach to explanation is the use of abductive inference, or inference as to how it is that puzzling empirical circumstances emerge. An abductive strategy aims to explain how such circumstances emerge by considering them in a new light. This is done in this study by applying Luhmann’s theory of the emergence of cognition in communication to teacher ways-of-knowing in the design studio. Through the substantive use of Luhmann’s theory, an abductive conjecture of pedagogical ways-of-knowing is mounted. This conjecture is brought to bear on an examination of research data, in order to explain how pedagogical ways of-knowing constrain or enable the emergence of shared visual design meaning in the design studio. The abductive analysis explains three design pedagogical ways-of-knowing: design inquiry, design representation and design intent. These operate as macro relational mechanisms that either enable or constrain the emergence of shared visual design meaning in the design studio. The mechanism of relation is between design inquiry, design representation and design intent as historical knowing structures, and ways-of-knowing in respect of each of these knowing structures. For example, design inquiry as an historical knowing structure has over time moved from ways-of-knowing such as rationalistic problem solving to direct social observation and later to interpretive cultural analysis. The antecedence of these ways-of-knowing is important because communication about visual meaning depends upon prior knowledge, and teachers may then reproduce past ways-of-knowing. The many ways-of-knowing that respectively relate to design inquiry, design representation and design intent are shown to be communicatively formed and recursive over time. From a Luhmannian perspective, these ways-of-knowing operate as variational distinctions that indicate or relate to the knowing structures of design inquiry, design representation and design intent. This is the micro-level operation of pedagogical ways-of-knowing as relational mechanisms in design studio communication. Design teachers’ own ways-of-knowing may then embrace implicit way-of-knowing distinctions that indicate the knowledge structures of design inquiry, design representation and design intent. This implicit indication by distinction is the relational mechanism that may bring design teachers’ expectation that this and not that visual design meaning should apply in communication about any student’s designed object. Such an expectation influences communication between teachers and students about the potential future meaning of students’ designs. Consequently, shared visual design meaning may or may not emerge. The research explanation brings the opportunity for design teachers to make explicit the often implicit way-of-knowing distinctions they use, and to relate these distinctions to the knowing structures thus indicated. The study then offers a new perspective on the old design pedagogical problem of design studio conflict over the meaning of students’ designs. Options for applying this research explanation in design studio interactions between students and teachers are therefore suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The structural arrangements in local government and their role in promoting community participation in basic service delivery: a case study of Emalahleni and Intsika Yethu local municipalities in the Chris Hani District Municipality area
- Authors: Nqwemeshe, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003103
- Description: This study analyses the effectiveness of community participation in service delivery. The area of study, the Chris Ham District Municipality (CHDM), is a Water Services Authority, responsible for ensuring access to water services (water and sanitation) by all communities within its jurisdiction. There are eight local municipalities within the CHDM. The objective of this study is to determine whether systems are in place in local government to promote participation by communities in service delivery projects and whether these systems are being utilised efficiently by the role-players concerned. The role-players in this research are people who are involved in community development programmes of the municipality (municipal staff in the relevant departments of the municipalities under study, the social facilitators, civil society organisations, ward committees, ward councillors, traditional authorities as well as the representatives of communities (Project Steering Committees) who are beneficiaries of the projects under study). The projects that are under study were selected from a readily available list of CHDM capital projects that appear in the 2003/2004 financial year funding plan and are running. The findings of the study at both levels (local and district) show that the municipal environment is not conducive to promoting community participation. This is linked to factors such as the structural arrangements, whereby the offices relevant for promoting community participation are not fully occupied, which provided evidence that community participation is not prioritised. There is lack of coordination of programmes within the local government spheres as well within departments of the DM and strategies for community participation have been found to be non-effective. At project level lack of community participation is linked to the utilisation of ward committees as the only mechanism for community participation regardless of its un-equal and party biased representation. This study therefore concludes that although the systems to promote community participation are in place, they are not effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nqwemeshe, Nomvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003103
- Description: This study analyses the effectiveness of community participation in service delivery. The area of study, the Chris Ham District Municipality (CHDM), is a Water Services Authority, responsible for ensuring access to water services (water and sanitation) by all communities within its jurisdiction. There are eight local municipalities within the CHDM. The objective of this study is to determine whether systems are in place in local government to promote participation by communities in service delivery projects and whether these systems are being utilised efficiently by the role-players concerned. The role-players in this research are people who are involved in community development programmes of the municipality (municipal staff in the relevant departments of the municipalities under study, the social facilitators, civil society organisations, ward committees, ward councillors, traditional authorities as well as the representatives of communities (Project Steering Committees) who are beneficiaries of the projects under study). The projects that are under study were selected from a readily available list of CHDM capital projects that appear in the 2003/2004 financial year funding plan and are running. The findings of the study at both levels (local and district) show that the municipal environment is not conducive to promoting community participation. This is linked to factors such as the structural arrangements, whereby the offices relevant for promoting community participation are not fully occupied, which provided evidence that community participation is not prioritised. There is lack of coordination of programmes within the local government spheres as well within departments of the DM and strategies for community participation have been found to be non-effective. At project level lack of community participation is linked to the utilisation of ward committees as the only mechanism for community participation regardless of its un-equal and party biased representation. This study therefore concludes that although the systems to promote community participation are in place, they are not effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A review of stakeholder interests and participation in the sustainable use of communal wetlands: the case of the Lake Fundudzi catchment in Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Authors: Silima, Vhangani
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- Limpopo Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo Natural resources -- Management -- South Africa -- Limpopo Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Limpopo Conservation of natural resources -- Citizen participation -- South Africa -- Limpopo Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003629
- Description: Many rural South African people depend on natural resources for their survival. Wetlands provide some of those natural resources. These are presently are under pressure due to high demand, overexploitation and poor land management. The history of South Africa has been characterised by exclusion of local communities in the process of decision-making and general management of natural resources. Participation of all stakeholders is crucial for successful sustainable natural resource management. Various South African departments are engaged in a number of strategies for promoting meaningful participation of local communities. The South African laws promoting protection and sustainable use of natural resources incorporate democratic principles that require high level of participation from resource users, local communities in particular. Most of the participation techniques used are focused on satisfying political mandates and do not respond to the social context of the resource users. The aim of the study was to review the participation of stakeholders in the project of promoting the sustainable use and protection of the Lake Fundudzi catchment. The idea was to probe stakeholder interests more carefully, and to research tensions that arise in the participation process, using qualitative methodologies. Through the use of questionnaires, observations and document analysis stakeholders’ interests were identified to assess their influence in the process of participation of local stakeholders. The review of stakeholders’ participation in the Lake Fundudzi Project showed that stakeholders’ interests are crucial for meaningful local community participation, communication and education influence. They enable meaningful participation and empowerment. A multi-stakeholders approach enables stakeholders to share roles and responsibilities and the participation process offers an opportunity for local stakeholders to participate democratically in the Project. Power relations affect stakeholder participation, capital dependant participatory initiatives are likely to be at risk, participatory processes are likely to promote the empowerment and knowledge exchange amongst stakeholders, the views of local stakeholders are not always considered by outside support organisation and multi-stakeholder participatory approaches enable the initiative/activity/project to achieve its objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Silima, Vhangani
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- Limpopo Wetland management -- South Africa -- Limpopo Natural resources -- Management -- South Africa -- Limpopo Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Limpopo Conservation of natural resources -- Citizen participation -- South Africa -- Limpopo Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003629
- Description: Many rural South African people depend on natural resources for their survival. Wetlands provide some of those natural resources. These are presently are under pressure due to high demand, overexploitation and poor land management. The history of South Africa has been characterised by exclusion of local communities in the process of decision-making and general management of natural resources. Participation of all stakeholders is crucial for successful sustainable natural resource management. Various South African departments are engaged in a number of strategies for promoting meaningful participation of local communities. The South African laws promoting protection and sustainable use of natural resources incorporate democratic principles that require high level of participation from resource users, local communities in particular. Most of the participation techniques used are focused on satisfying political mandates and do not respond to the social context of the resource users. The aim of the study was to review the participation of stakeholders in the project of promoting the sustainable use and protection of the Lake Fundudzi catchment. The idea was to probe stakeholder interests more carefully, and to research tensions that arise in the participation process, using qualitative methodologies. Through the use of questionnaires, observations and document analysis stakeholders’ interests were identified to assess their influence in the process of participation of local stakeholders. The review of stakeholders’ participation in the Lake Fundudzi Project showed that stakeholders’ interests are crucial for meaningful local community participation, communication and education influence. They enable meaningful participation and empowerment. A multi-stakeholders approach enables stakeholders to share roles and responsibilities and the participation process offers an opportunity for local stakeholders to participate democratically in the Project. Power relations affect stakeholder participation, capital dependant participatory initiatives are likely to be at risk, participatory processes are likely to promote the empowerment and knowledge exchange amongst stakeholders, the views of local stakeholders are not always considered by outside support organisation and multi-stakeholder participatory approaches enable the initiative/activity/project to achieve its objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Metathesis catalysts : an integrated computational, mechanistic and synthetic study
- Authors: Sabbagh, Ingrid Theresa
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Metathesis (Chemistry) Catalysis Metal catalysts Chemical kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006208
- Description: An integrated approach to the design of potential rutheniun-based metathesis catalysts is described, in which closely defined synthetic forays provide the focus and rationale for detailed computational and mechanistic studies. The ground-state geometry of a 1st-generation Grubbs catalyst has been explored at the molecular mechanics, semi-empirical and DFT levels, and the resulting structures have been shown to compare favourably with literature data and with the structure of a known crystalline analogue. The DMol³ DFT code has also been shown to represent accurately both the geometry of the corresponding co-ordinatively unsaturated monophosphine derivative, and the ligand dissociation energy associated with its formation. A DFT free-energy profile of the degenerate metathesis of ethylene has been generated, using a truncated model of the 1st-generation Grubbs catalyst, permitting location, for the first time, of the three expected transition states and providing new information regarding the rate-determining step. DFT methods have been used to facilitate the design of a tridentate camphor-derived ligand for use in the construction of a novel Grubbs-type catalyst. The phosphine ligand dissociation energy of the putative catalyst and the ethylene metathesis energy profile of a truncated model have also been studies at the DFT level. The attempted synthesis of the proposed ligand proceeded via a novel 8-bromocamphoric anhydride intermediate and afforded several unexpected and novel products, including a cisfused γ-Iactone, and a bromo camphoric acid derivative. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the latter reveals a chiral, polymeric H-bonded packing arrangement, rendering it suitable for chiral inclusion studies. Computational methods, including the GAUSSIAN-based GIAO NMR prediction technique, were used to support the structural characterisation of the novel camphor derivatives. DFT-Ievel computational analysis of the C-8- and C-9 bromination of camphor has afforded theoretical insights which permit the reconciliation of two earlier empirical explanations regarding the regioselectivity of these transformations; moreover, the theoretical results suggest that a third, previously disregarded factor, plays a significant role. A coset analysis, in conjunction with DFT-Ievel energy profiling, has also been used to resolve conflicting opinions regarding the origin of the major byproduct. Computed electronic parameters (CEP's) have been calculated for the anionic ligands involved in a series of 2nd-generation Grubbs-Hoveyda-type catalysts, and used to explain some apparently anomalous trends in catalyst activity. A linear relationship between ligand CEP's and selected ¹H NMR chemical shifts has also been demonstrated and used to identify a transient ruthenium complex in solution. The ability of the malonate di-anion to bind to ruthenium in a bidentate manner has been explored and demonstrated, under suitable conditions. DFT methods have been used to design and assess the ruthenium-chelating potential of a novel tridentate malonate derivative. A synthetic pathway to this ligand has been designed and several novel heterocyclic intermediates have been isolated and characterised. An NMR-based kinetic study of the Grubbs-catalysed self-metathesis of l-octene has been completed, and the effects of temperature, concentration and solvent variations on the kinetic parameters have been studied. Application of the Guggenheim method and a simplified mechanistic model has permitted the accurate calculation of pseudorate constants for the initiation and, for the first time, the propagation phase of the reaction. Theoretical studies of this reaction at the DFT and molecular mechanics levels have been shown to support previous assumptions regarding the selectivity and temperature-dependence of metallacycle formation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Sabbagh, Ingrid Theresa
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Metathesis (Chemistry) Catalysis Metal catalysts Chemical kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006208
- Description: An integrated approach to the design of potential rutheniun-based metathesis catalysts is described, in which closely defined synthetic forays provide the focus and rationale for detailed computational and mechanistic studies. The ground-state geometry of a 1st-generation Grubbs catalyst has been explored at the molecular mechanics, semi-empirical and DFT levels, and the resulting structures have been shown to compare favourably with literature data and with the structure of a known crystalline analogue. The DMol³ DFT code has also been shown to represent accurately both the geometry of the corresponding co-ordinatively unsaturated monophosphine derivative, and the ligand dissociation energy associated with its formation. A DFT free-energy profile of the degenerate metathesis of ethylene has been generated, using a truncated model of the 1st-generation Grubbs catalyst, permitting location, for the first time, of the three expected transition states and providing new information regarding the rate-determining step. DFT methods have been used to facilitate the design of a tridentate camphor-derived ligand for use in the construction of a novel Grubbs-type catalyst. The phosphine ligand dissociation energy of the putative catalyst and the ethylene metathesis energy profile of a truncated model have also been studies at the DFT level. The attempted synthesis of the proposed ligand proceeded via a novel 8-bromocamphoric anhydride intermediate and afforded several unexpected and novel products, including a cisfused γ-Iactone, and a bromo camphoric acid derivative. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the latter reveals a chiral, polymeric H-bonded packing arrangement, rendering it suitable for chiral inclusion studies. Computational methods, including the GAUSSIAN-based GIAO NMR prediction technique, were used to support the structural characterisation of the novel camphor derivatives. DFT-Ievel computational analysis of the C-8- and C-9 bromination of camphor has afforded theoretical insights which permit the reconciliation of two earlier empirical explanations regarding the regioselectivity of these transformations; moreover, the theoretical results suggest that a third, previously disregarded factor, plays a significant role. A coset analysis, in conjunction with DFT-Ievel energy profiling, has also been used to resolve conflicting opinions regarding the origin of the major byproduct. Computed electronic parameters (CEP's) have been calculated for the anionic ligands involved in a series of 2nd-generation Grubbs-Hoveyda-type catalysts, and used to explain some apparently anomalous trends in catalyst activity. A linear relationship between ligand CEP's and selected ¹H NMR chemical shifts has also been demonstrated and used to identify a transient ruthenium complex in solution. The ability of the malonate di-anion to bind to ruthenium in a bidentate manner has been explored and demonstrated, under suitable conditions. DFT methods have been used to design and assess the ruthenium-chelating potential of a novel tridentate malonate derivative. A synthetic pathway to this ligand has been designed and several novel heterocyclic intermediates have been isolated and characterised. An NMR-based kinetic study of the Grubbs-catalysed self-metathesis of l-octene has been completed, and the effects of temperature, concentration and solvent variations on the kinetic parameters have been studied. Application of the Guggenheim method and a simplified mechanistic model has permitted the accurate calculation of pseudorate constants for the initiation and, for the first time, the propagation phase of the reaction. Theoretical studies of this reaction at the DFT and molecular mechanics levels have been shown to support previous assumptions regarding the selectivity and temperature-dependence of metallacycle formation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Music and (post)colonialism : the dialectics of choral culture on a South African frontier
- Authors: Olwage, Grant
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Choral music -- South Africa -- History Black people -- South Africa -- Music -- History and criticism Bokwe, John Knox, 1855-1922
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007717
- Description: This thesis explores the genesis of black choralism in late-nineteenth-century colonial South Africa, attending specifically to its dialectic with metropolitan Victorian choralism. In two introductory historiographic chapters I outline the political-narrative strategies by which both Victorian and black South African choralism have been elided from music histories. Part 1 gives an account of the "structures" within and through which choralism functioned as a practice of colonisation, as "internal colonialism" in Britain and evangelical colonialism in the eastern Cape Colony. In chapter 1 I suggest that the religious contexts within which choralism operated, including the music theoretical construction of the tonic sol-fa notation and method as "natural", and the "scientific" musicalisation of race, constituted conditions for the foreign mission's embrace of choralism. The second chapter explores further such affinities, tracing sol-fa choralism's institutional affiliations with nineteenth-century "reform" movements, and suggesting that sol-fa's practices worked in fulfilment of core reformist concerns such as "industry" and literacy. Throughout, the thesis explores how the categories of class and race functioned interchangeably in the colonial imagination. Chapter 3 charts this relationship in the terrain of music education; notations, for instance, which were classed in Britain, became racialised in colonial South Africa. In particular I show that black music education operated within colonial racial discourses. Chapter 4 is a reading of Victorian choralism as a "discipline", interpreting choral performance practice and choral music itself as disciplinary acts which complemented the political contexts in which choralism operated. Part 1, in short, explores how popular choralism operated within and as dominant politicking. In part 2 I turn to the black reception of Victorian choralism in composition and performance. The fifth chapter examines the compositional discourse of early black choral music, focussing on the work of John Knox Bokwe (1855-1922). Through a detailed account of several of Bokwe's works and their metropolitan sources, particularly late-nineteenth century gospel hymnody, I show that Bokwe's compositional practice enacted a politics that became anticolonial, and that early black choral music became "black" in its reception. I conclude that ethno/musicological claims that early black choral music contains "African" musical content conflate "race" and culture under a double imperative: in the names of a decolonising politics and a postcolonial epistemology in which hybridity as resistance is racialised. The final chapter explores how "the voice" was crucial to identity politics in the Victorian world, an object that was classed and racialised. Proceeding from the black reception of choral voice training, I attempt to outline the beginnings of a social history of the black choral voice, as well as analyse the sonic content of that voice through an approach I call a "phonetics of timbre".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Olwage, Grant
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Choral music -- South Africa -- History Black people -- South Africa -- Music -- History and criticism Bokwe, John Knox, 1855-1922
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007717
- Description: This thesis explores the genesis of black choralism in late-nineteenth-century colonial South Africa, attending specifically to its dialectic with metropolitan Victorian choralism. In two introductory historiographic chapters I outline the political-narrative strategies by which both Victorian and black South African choralism have been elided from music histories. Part 1 gives an account of the "structures" within and through which choralism functioned as a practice of colonisation, as "internal colonialism" in Britain and evangelical colonialism in the eastern Cape Colony. In chapter 1 I suggest that the religious contexts within which choralism operated, including the music theoretical construction of the tonic sol-fa notation and method as "natural", and the "scientific" musicalisation of race, constituted conditions for the foreign mission's embrace of choralism. The second chapter explores further such affinities, tracing sol-fa choralism's institutional affiliations with nineteenth-century "reform" movements, and suggesting that sol-fa's practices worked in fulfilment of core reformist concerns such as "industry" and literacy. Throughout, the thesis explores how the categories of class and race functioned interchangeably in the colonial imagination. Chapter 3 charts this relationship in the terrain of music education; notations, for instance, which were classed in Britain, became racialised in colonial South Africa. In particular I show that black music education operated within colonial racial discourses. Chapter 4 is a reading of Victorian choralism as a "discipline", interpreting choral performance practice and choral music itself as disciplinary acts which complemented the political contexts in which choralism operated. Part 1, in short, explores how popular choralism operated within and as dominant politicking. In part 2 I turn to the black reception of Victorian choralism in composition and performance. The fifth chapter examines the compositional discourse of early black choral music, focussing on the work of John Knox Bokwe (1855-1922). Through a detailed account of several of Bokwe's works and their metropolitan sources, particularly late-nineteenth century gospel hymnody, I show that Bokwe's compositional practice enacted a politics that became anticolonial, and that early black choral music became "black" in its reception. I conclude that ethno/musicological claims that early black choral music contains "African" musical content conflate "race" and culture under a double imperative: in the names of a decolonising politics and a postcolonial epistemology in which hybridity as resistance is racialised. The final chapter explores how "the voice" was crucial to identity politics in the Victorian world, an object that was classed and racialised. Proceeding from the black reception of choral voice training, I attempt to outline the beginnings of a social history of the black choral voice, as well as analyse the sonic content of that voice through an approach I call a "phonetics of timbre".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
A study of the effects of the pineal hormone, melatonin, on dopaminergic transmission in the central nervous system of rats
- Authors: Burton, Susan Frances
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Dopaminergic mechanisms Melatonin Pineal gland -- Secretions Neural transmission Pineal gland Nervous system
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001463
- Description: Dopamine mechanisms in the central nervous system are important in the control of both normal and abnormal motor function. The recent observations in both animal and human studies, that melatonin, the principal hormone of the pineal gland, may have a role in the control of movement and the pathophysiology of movement disorders, have given rise to the concept that melatonin may have a modulatory influence on central dopaminergic neurotransmission. This study makes use of three animal behavioural models as well as a biochemical model of central dopaminergic function to further investigate the concept. Results from studies using the biochemical model, which investigated the effect of melatonin on dopamine and apomorphine stimulation of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cylase, suggest that melatonin is neither a competitive antagonist nor agonist at the D₁ receptor level, although the possibility of physiological stimulation or antagonism is not excluded. In behavioural studies, prior melatonin mg/kg administration (1 and 10 (8M) ip) inhibited apomorphine induced stereotypy and locomotor activity in normal rats, and apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour in 6-hydroxydopamine and quinolinic acid lesioned rats. The possibility that these results may have physiological significance is borne out by the observation that, under enviromental lighting conditions that are associated with raised endogeous melatonin levels, apomorphine- induced stereotypy and locomotor activity is attenuated. The general conclusion is that melatonin has an inhibitory influence on central nervous system dopaminergic function, suggesting therefore, that the pineal gland and melatonin may have a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of movement and behavioural disorders associated with dopaminergic dysfunction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Burton, Susan Frances
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Dopaminergic mechanisms Melatonin Pineal gland -- Secretions Neural transmission Pineal gland Nervous system
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3726 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001463
- Description: Dopamine mechanisms in the central nervous system are important in the control of both normal and abnormal motor function. The recent observations in both animal and human studies, that melatonin, the principal hormone of the pineal gland, may have a role in the control of movement and the pathophysiology of movement disorders, have given rise to the concept that melatonin may have a modulatory influence on central dopaminergic neurotransmission. This study makes use of three animal behavioural models as well as a biochemical model of central dopaminergic function to further investigate the concept. Results from studies using the biochemical model, which investigated the effect of melatonin on dopamine and apomorphine stimulation of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cylase, suggest that melatonin is neither a competitive antagonist nor agonist at the D₁ receptor level, although the possibility of physiological stimulation or antagonism is not excluded. In behavioural studies, prior melatonin mg/kg administration (1 and 10 (8M) ip) inhibited apomorphine induced stereotypy and locomotor activity in normal rats, and apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour in 6-hydroxydopamine and quinolinic acid lesioned rats. The possibility that these results may have physiological significance is borne out by the observation that, under enviromental lighting conditions that are associated with raised endogeous melatonin levels, apomorphine- induced stereotypy and locomotor activity is attenuated. The general conclusion is that melatonin has an inhibitory influence on central nervous system dopaminergic function, suggesting therefore, that the pineal gland and melatonin may have a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of movement and behavioural disorders associated with dopaminergic dysfunction
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
An existential phenomenological study of gaining insight into oneself through perceiving another person
- Authors: Hoek, Trevor Martin
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Self Self-perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3113 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004594
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine the structure of the experience of gaining insight into oneself through perceiving another person. Such a one-to-one situation was selected in order to ensure a minimal level of complexity. The researcher conducted a pilot study in order to check whether people could relate such an experience in response to a long and difficult interview question. One female first year student responded from among a group of thirty to whom the question was posed. She was then interviewed. The data appeared acceptable. This was confirmed after the data analysis using the phenomenological-psychological method of textual analysis. The analysis showed that the subject, while comparing herself with the person whom she was with, discovered that she structured her life too rigidly in her attempt to meet the expectations of others. This discovery gave her the opportunity to restructure her approach to her world and to the others whom she had seen in only a narrow and abstracted way. Lengthier interviews were then conducted with a further six potential subjects. These were then transcribed. Two of those subjects, though, were found to have experienced insight through perceiving more than one other person. The data from the four remaining subjects were then analysed using the phenomenological psychological method. The researcher discovered that insight involves a clarity of perception which is achieved when the person becomes aware of clearly differentiated possibilities; these are revealed to him through his intensely reflecting on where he stands in relation to the other person whom he perceives, or in relation to alternatives revealed to him by the other. The polarities that are revealed allow the person to take up a new approach to his world, since the person discovers that his experience has revealed that he has been inauthentic in his muddled concern about others, and this gives the person a perception of truth that he was previously unaware of. These findings were dialogued with the writing of psychologists and philosophers who have written on the subject of becoming aware of oneself in relation to others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Hoek, Trevor Martin
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Self Self-perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3113 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004594
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine the structure of the experience of gaining insight into oneself through perceiving another person. Such a one-to-one situation was selected in order to ensure a minimal level of complexity. The researcher conducted a pilot study in order to check whether people could relate such an experience in response to a long and difficult interview question. One female first year student responded from among a group of thirty to whom the question was posed. She was then interviewed. The data appeared acceptable. This was confirmed after the data analysis using the phenomenological-psychological method of textual analysis. The analysis showed that the subject, while comparing herself with the person whom she was with, discovered that she structured her life too rigidly in her attempt to meet the expectations of others. This discovery gave her the opportunity to restructure her approach to her world and to the others whom she had seen in only a narrow and abstracted way. Lengthier interviews were then conducted with a further six potential subjects. These were then transcribed. Two of those subjects, though, were found to have experienced insight through perceiving more than one other person. The data from the four remaining subjects were then analysed using the phenomenological psychological method. The researcher discovered that insight involves a clarity of perception which is achieved when the person becomes aware of clearly differentiated possibilities; these are revealed to him through his intensely reflecting on where he stands in relation to the other person whom he perceives, or in relation to alternatives revealed to him by the other. The polarities that are revealed allow the person to take up a new approach to his world, since the person discovers that his experience has revealed that he has been inauthentic in his muddled concern about others, and this gives the person a perception of truth that he was previously unaware of. These findings were dialogued with the writing of psychologists and philosophers who have written on the subject of becoming aware of oneself in relation to others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
The plea of truth and public benefit as a defence to an action for defamation in South African law
- Authors: Grogan, John
- Date: 1985
- Subjects: Libel and slander -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006974
- Description: From introduction: The study begins with a detailed examination of the origins of the defence in Roman law, and traces the dispute over the role of the veritas convicii through the writings of the Roman-Dutch jurists and the decisions of the pre-Union colonial courts in South Africa. The gradual absorption of the requirement of public benefit into the contemporary law is examined. Subsequent sections attempt to extract from the case law and to systematise the rules relating to the requirements of the defence of truth and public benefit, with a view to setting forth the circumstances in which the truth may lawfully be published. Section 2 deals with problems relating to proof of the truth of the imputation; Section 3 with the problem of when publication can be said to serve the public benefit. The final section seeks to examine the juridical basis of the defence and to relate it to recent developments in the law of defamation as a whole. Brief conclusions are then drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1985
- Authors: Grogan, John
- Date: 1985
- Subjects: Libel and slander -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006974
- Description: From introduction: The study begins with a detailed examination of the origins of the defence in Roman law, and traces the dispute over the role of the veritas convicii through the writings of the Roman-Dutch jurists and the decisions of the pre-Union colonial courts in South Africa. The gradual absorption of the requirement of public benefit into the contemporary law is examined. Subsequent sections attempt to extract from the case law and to systematise the rules relating to the requirements of the defence of truth and public benefit, with a view to setting forth the circumstances in which the truth may lawfully be published. Section 2 deals with problems relating to proof of the truth of the imputation; Section 3 with the problem of when publication can be said to serve the public benefit. The final section seeks to examine the juridical basis of the defence and to relate it to recent developments in the law of defamation as a whole. Brief conclusions are then drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1985
Behavioural methods for the control of examination anxiety : an experimental investigation
- Authors: Norton, Gary Kenneth
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Anxiety , Test anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002081
- Description: In 1982, it was reported that one in every three students who fail at South African universities, do not pass because of experiences of excessive anxiety resulting from university examinations. A survey conducted amongst student counsellors and counselling services on all South African university campuses, revealed a deficiency of group and individual therapy for this phenomenon of examination anxiety. The cause of this deficiency, was found to be the already excessive demands made on the time of student counsellors. Noting a similar situation at Rhodes University, the present investigation was initiated, with the aim of developing an economical group counselling programme for test anxious students on Rhodes campus. Sixty-four Rhodes students (who identified themselves as test anxious) volunteered for this investigation. These Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment programmes (each divided into two groups, where Group A, N=6 and Group B, N=7) and a wait-list control group (N=12). Three of the treatments featured multicomponent programmes, each offering a cluster of behavioural interventions centred around: Study Skills Training/Counselling; Systematic Desensitisation (Using individually-constructed anxiety hierarchies); Systematic Desensitisation (Using group-constructed anxiety hierarchies). Included in addition, was a single-component treatment, featuring cognitive modification: a component much favoured by local test anxiety counsellors. Given adverse reports concerning the efficacy of single component programmes, when contrasted with multi component treatments, the cognitive modification package was included as a placebo. A battery of measures was used to assess test anxiety and progress made by Subjects to assuage its debilitative effects . The measures included: (a) Six Self-report measures (including a treatment evaluation schedule and the maintenance of a diary of experience by each Subject); (b) Two measures of physiological reactivity, viz. pulse rate and finger sweat print; and (c) One 'observable' measure, that of academic performance. Using these measures, an assessment of the performance gains or losses by each of the Subjects, was made on three occasions: at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. In support of the a priori hypotheses, the systematic desensitisation and study skills multicomponent programmes, realised significant gains on all measures over both the placebo and control groups (with exception of the higher score achieved by placebo subjects over that of the study skills group, on the treatment evaluation schedule) . This finding confirmed the superiority of multicomponent programmes over those with only a single component. The systematic desensitisation programmes proved to be the most effective, as measured on self-report and physiological measures. The superiority of group-constructed anxiety hierarchies over those individually-constructed was established. Study skills training helped Subjects to realise and maintain gains on the academic performance measure, although it took many of these subjects six months, before they had fully incorporated the study techniques taught, in with their own study habits. In discussion of the findings, the evident need to match test anxious students to programmes which "best suit" their characteristics, is presented, and solutions proposed. Weaknesses evident in the measuring instruments and research design, are also highlighted for discussion. As part of this experimental investigation, a discussion on the nature of test anxiety and its links with anxiety theory is introduced, together with a review of problems in measuring test anxiety; popular behavioural treatments used to relieve test anxiety; and a survey of test anxiety counselling on South African campuses. Advice for the therapist/counsellor, the academic, and the researcher, are posited in conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Norton, Gary Kenneth
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Anxiety , Test anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002081
- Description: In 1982, it was reported that one in every three students who fail at South African universities, do not pass because of experiences of excessive anxiety resulting from university examinations. A survey conducted amongst student counsellors and counselling services on all South African university campuses, revealed a deficiency of group and individual therapy for this phenomenon of examination anxiety. The cause of this deficiency, was found to be the already excessive demands made on the time of student counsellors. Noting a similar situation at Rhodes University, the present investigation was initiated, with the aim of developing an economical group counselling programme for test anxious students on Rhodes campus. Sixty-four Rhodes students (who identified themselves as test anxious) volunteered for this investigation. These Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment programmes (each divided into two groups, where Group A, N=6 and Group B, N=7) and a wait-list control group (N=12). Three of the treatments featured multicomponent programmes, each offering a cluster of behavioural interventions centred around: Study Skills Training/Counselling; Systematic Desensitisation (Using individually-constructed anxiety hierarchies); Systematic Desensitisation (Using group-constructed anxiety hierarchies). Included in addition, was a single-component treatment, featuring cognitive modification: a component much favoured by local test anxiety counsellors. Given adverse reports concerning the efficacy of single component programmes, when contrasted with multi component treatments, the cognitive modification package was included as a placebo. A battery of measures was used to assess test anxiety and progress made by Subjects to assuage its debilitative effects . The measures included: (a) Six Self-report measures (including a treatment evaluation schedule and the maintenance of a diary of experience by each Subject); (b) Two measures of physiological reactivity, viz. pulse rate and finger sweat print; and (c) One 'observable' measure, that of academic performance. Using these measures, an assessment of the performance gains or losses by each of the Subjects, was made on three occasions: at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. In support of the a priori hypotheses, the systematic desensitisation and study skills multicomponent programmes, realised significant gains on all measures over both the placebo and control groups (with exception of the higher score achieved by placebo subjects over that of the study skills group, on the treatment evaluation schedule) . This finding confirmed the superiority of multicomponent programmes over those with only a single component. The systematic desensitisation programmes proved to be the most effective, as measured on self-report and physiological measures. The superiority of group-constructed anxiety hierarchies over those individually-constructed was established. Study skills training helped Subjects to realise and maintain gains on the academic performance measure, although it took many of these subjects six months, before they had fully incorporated the study techniques taught, in with their own study habits. In discussion of the findings, the evident need to match test anxious students to programmes which "best suit" their characteristics, is presented, and solutions proposed. Weaknesses evident in the measuring instruments and research design, are also highlighted for discussion. As part of this experimental investigation, a discussion on the nature of test anxiety and its links with anxiety theory is introduced, together with a review of problems in measuring test anxiety; popular behavioural treatments used to relieve test anxiety; and a survey of test anxiety counselling on South African campuses. Advice for the therapist/counsellor, the academic, and the researcher, are posited in conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
The biology of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) in Lake Sibaya, Kwazulu, with emphasis on its role as a predator
- Authors: Bruton, Michael N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Catfishes -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Lake Sibaya. , Clarias , Clariidae
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013313
- Description: Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
- Authors: Bruton, Michael N
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Catfishes -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Lake Sibaya. , Clarias , Clariidae
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013313
- Description: Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
The novelistic documentary : a study of the non-fiction novel
- Authors: Visser, N W
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Nonfiction novel , Reportage literature -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2316 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013280
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
- Authors: Visser, N W
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Nonfiction novel , Reportage literature -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2316 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013280
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
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