Identity-related decision-making among multicultural adolescents
- Authors: Siwundla, Lundi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Multiculturalism , Decision making , Teenagers -- Social networks , Social intelligence , Adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/319 , Identity (Psychology) , Multiculturalism , Decision making , Teenagers -- Social networks , Social intelligence , Adolescence
- Description: This present study investigated South African Afrikaans-, English- and Xhosa-speaking male and female urban secondary school adolescents‟ (N = 1301) perception of the relative importance of identity-related domains by investigating the choices that they carried out in relation to meaningful identity-related areas of their lives. Consequently a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 domain particular areas was used. In Eriksonian terms, one could say that the South African society is in a psychosocial crisis. Almost all the domain-specific items were regarded as relevant “Very important” or “Fairly important” by a notable or significant majority of participants. All fourteen of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 35 percent of the participants from two cultural groups, namely African and Coloured sub cultural groups; while twelve of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 50 percent of the African subgroup and thirteen domains were regarded as “Very important” by 40 percent of the Coloured subgroup. “Leisure and recreational activities”, “Friendships with members of the same sex peer group”, “My political views and convictions” and “Friendships with members of the opposite sex peer group” were however, still regarded as “Fairly important” by 56 percent, 53 percent, 58 percent and 52 percent of the total research group respectively. It should also be noted that generally females in the sample were more inclined to evaluate domains that had a bearing on interpersonal relationships as significantly more important than the males namely: Friendship with members of the same-sex peer group, What kind of person I want a permanent relationship with, What kind of person I want to marry, and How I should act as husband or wife. The males tended to evaluate the domains, Sexual matters and Friendship with members of the opposite sex more significantly important than the females did.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Siwundla, Lundi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) , Multiculturalism , Decision making , Teenagers -- Social networks , Social intelligence , Adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/319 , Identity (Psychology) , Multiculturalism , Decision making , Teenagers -- Social networks , Social intelligence , Adolescence
- Description: This present study investigated South African Afrikaans-, English- and Xhosa-speaking male and female urban secondary school adolescents‟ (N = 1301) perception of the relative importance of identity-related domains by investigating the choices that they carried out in relation to meaningful identity-related areas of their lives. Consequently a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 domain particular areas was used. In Eriksonian terms, one could say that the South African society is in a psychosocial crisis. Almost all the domain-specific items were regarded as relevant “Very important” or “Fairly important” by a notable or significant majority of participants. All fourteen of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 35 percent of the participants from two cultural groups, namely African and Coloured sub cultural groups; while twelve of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 50 percent of the African subgroup and thirteen domains were regarded as “Very important” by 40 percent of the Coloured subgroup. “Leisure and recreational activities”, “Friendships with members of the same sex peer group”, “My political views and convictions” and “Friendships with members of the opposite sex peer group” were however, still regarded as “Fairly important” by 56 percent, 53 percent, 58 percent and 52 percent of the total research group respectively. It should also be noted that generally females in the sample were more inclined to evaluate domains that had a bearing on interpersonal relationships as significantly more important than the males namely: Friendship with members of the same-sex peer group, What kind of person I want a permanent relationship with, What kind of person I want to marry, and How I should act as husband or wife. The males tended to evaluate the domains, Sexual matters and Friendship with members of the opposite sex more significantly important than the females did.
- Full Text:
Investigation into the state of digital records management in the provincial government of Eastern Cape: a case study of the office of the premier
- Authors: Munetsi, Ndakasharwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/496 , Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study sought to investigate the viability of digital records management in the Office of the Premier (OTP) in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to establish the current status of digital records management in the OTP, determine the compliance with the legal framework, identify the requisite infrastructure for digital records management (DRM), describe the security and preservation measures for DRM, and the challenges of managing digital records. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study revealed that the OTP has taken a number of initiatives aimed at establishing records management practices. However, the study found that the OTP is faced with a number of challenges in trying to use the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). The majority of the employees did not have any qualification in records management. This lack of skills and competencies affects the implementation of the new system. The findings of the study showed that most of the employees were resisting using the new system because they were not comfortable with it. The study recommends that the department should encourage its staff to get training to be knowledgeable in the use of EDRMS which generates records; the staff should work closer with the consultancy in order to gain skills and knowledge to facilitate the change process, and the security and preservation of digital records should be enhanced.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Munetsi, Ndakasharwa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/496 , Records -- Management , Information resources management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic records -- Management , Electronic records -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study sought to investigate the viability of digital records management in the Office of the Premier (OTP) in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to establish the current status of digital records management in the OTP, determine the compliance with the legal framework, identify the requisite infrastructure for digital records management (DRM), describe the security and preservation measures for DRM, and the challenges of managing digital records. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study revealed that the OTP has taken a number of initiatives aimed at establishing records management practices. However, the study found that the OTP is faced with a number of challenges in trying to use the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). The majority of the employees did not have any qualification in records management. This lack of skills and competencies affects the implementation of the new system. The findings of the study showed that most of the employees were resisting using the new system because they were not comfortable with it. The study recommends that the department should encourage its staff to get training to be knowledgeable in the use of EDRMS which generates records; the staff should work closer with the consultancy in order to gain skills and knowledge to facilitate the change process, and the security and preservation of digital records should be enhanced.
- Full Text:
Livelihood strategies of the aged people in Mubaira Community, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muruviwa, Addmore Tapfuma
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11953 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/334 , Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Description: In today‘s changing demographic, economic, political and environmental context the livelihood strategies developed by the rapidly growing older population deserve particular attention. Lack of support by the state coupled with economic crises and decreasing family availability has meant that older people are increasingly expected to find their own means of support into old age, develop their own strategies and rely on their own resources. Heterogeneity in old age means that while some older people are amongst the most vulnerable and socially down and out, others have accumulated resources that enable them to implement diverse and enterprising livelihood strategies to maintain their wellbeing in old age. This study uses an explorative approach in its quest to understand the various livelihood strategies of the elderly. In-depth interviews and life histories have been utilized as data collection instruments. In addition to this inductive and qualitative research approach, the dissertation uses the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the different kinds of livelihood strategies employed by the elderly in Mubaira to stave off poverty in old age in the absence of social security systems. A comparative analysis with other regional countries reveals that old age pensions have been able to reduce poverty at old age significantly. By engaging in different livelihood activities, in the absence of old age pensions, the elderly in Mubaira community in Zimbabwe have been able to make a living. Agriculture is the dominant activity the aged people engage in as they try to avert food insecurity. Besides agriculture, aged people diversify their livelihoods through self employments that add income value to their households. The impact of cash and non-cash remittances has seen aged people being able to buy basic goods and a few essentials. Although the state has been dysfunctional, civil society has stepped in to address the livelihood challenges faced by the aged population and in v particular to provide an alternative solution to the needs of the elderly people within the sustainable livelihoods framework which remains one of the most important models for the analysis of rural livelihoods. Through the livelihoods approach‘s vulnerability approach the study also analyses the various impacts affecting the attainment of sustainable livelihood outcomes. Through the utilization of the livelihoods framework in addition to the qualitative research methodology as indicated above, the study found that livelihood activities of the aged require a stock of capital assets which include natural, human, physical, social and financial capital. The life histories of the aged in Mubaira revealed that through the years the aged did accumulate various assets that assist them even now. As the life course perspective suggests events in earlier life do have a bearing on later life, access to a range of capital assets helped old aged people in Mubaira to fully engage in livelihood strategies that ensured their survival and escape from poverty.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muruviwa, Addmore Tapfuma
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11953 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/334 , Older people -- Zimbabwe , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Older people -- Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Rural development -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Description: In today‘s changing demographic, economic, political and environmental context the livelihood strategies developed by the rapidly growing older population deserve particular attention. Lack of support by the state coupled with economic crises and decreasing family availability has meant that older people are increasingly expected to find their own means of support into old age, develop their own strategies and rely on their own resources. Heterogeneity in old age means that while some older people are amongst the most vulnerable and socially down and out, others have accumulated resources that enable them to implement diverse and enterprising livelihood strategies to maintain their wellbeing in old age. This study uses an explorative approach in its quest to understand the various livelihood strategies of the elderly. In-depth interviews and life histories have been utilized as data collection instruments. In addition to this inductive and qualitative research approach, the dissertation uses the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the different kinds of livelihood strategies employed by the elderly in Mubaira to stave off poverty in old age in the absence of social security systems. A comparative analysis with other regional countries reveals that old age pensions have been able to reduce poverty at old age significantly. By engaging in different livelihood activities, in the absence of old age pensions, the elderly in Mubaira community in Zimbabwe have been able to make a living. Agriculture is the dominant activity the aged people engage in as they try to avert food insecurity. Besides agriculture, aged people diversify their livelihoods through self employments that add income value to their households. The impact of cash and non-cash remittances has seen aged people being able to buy basic goods and a few essentials. Although the state has been dysfunctional, civil society has stepped in to address the livelihood challenges faced by the aged population and in v particular to provide an alternative solution to the needs of the elderly people within the sustainable livelihoods framework which remains one of the most important models for the analysis of rural livelihoods. Through the livelihoods approach‘s vulnerability approach the study also analyses the various impacts affecting the attainment of sustainable livelihood outcomes. Through the utilization of the livelihoods framework in addition to the qualitative research methodology as indicated above, the study found that livelihood activities of the aged require a stock of capital assets which include natural, human, physical, social and financial capital. The life histories of the aged in Mubaira revealed that through the years the aged did accumulate various assets that assist them even now. As the life course perspective suggests events in earlier life do have a bearing on later life, access to a range of capital assets helped old aged people in Mubaira to fully engage in livelihood strategies that ensured their survival and escape from poverty.
- Full Text:
Poverty attribution and reaction to income inequality in Nigeria: the case of Badia community in Lagos
- Authors: Ige, Kehinde Davies
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Income distribution -- Nigeria , Poverty -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/329 , Income distribution -- Nigeria , Poverty -- Nigeria
- Description: This study was about the reaction of disadvantaged groups and persons to inequality and deprivation. Set in Badia, a low income community in Lagos, Nigeria, it investigates the main effects of community members’ attributions of causes of poverty in motivating or impeding their reaction to inequality. Relative Deprivation (RD) theory proposed that dissatisfaction with social outcomes depend on subjective feelings rather than objective criteria. However scholars found empirical difficulties in predicting collective action on the basis of RD. Resource Mobilization proponents argued on the contrary that feelings are not salient within the framework of action. The infusion of Social Identity Theory (SIT) into RD research however resolved the paradox of action with SIT’s argument that action was contingent upon the perception of permeability and legitimacy of inter-group structures. However, despite successes of SIT, scholars found that it was unable to predict the type of actions group members will take in response to injustice and the nature of possible actions. Propositions of RD and SIT were therefore suitable for integration into the proposition of Taylor & McKirnan’s (1984) Five Stage Model (FSM) of inter-group relations that reactions to RD feelings were predicated upon the dynamics of the social philosophy guiding stratification. Using an integrated RD, SIT and FSM framework, this study shows how disadvantaged group members’ responses to deprivation proceeded as predicted by the FSM from mutual acceptance to collective action mediated by their perception of causes of poverty. This complements the trend in the literature on reaction to inequality and it's almost ii exclusive focus on instrumental and affective concerns while neglecting the role of consensually shared beliefs in motivating or impeding action and willingness to act in response to injustice. The study hypothesized that the pattern of causal attributions of poverty of respondents will shape their ‘predisposition to act’ and the type of action they would engage in. The main hypothesis of the study therefore was that poverty attribution mediates the relationship between ‘feelings of injustice’ and ‘reaction to inequality’. For instance where respondents attribute poverty to individual or fatalistic factors they will adopt individual action whereas where attributions are structural, responses will be collective, where feelings of injustice were present. A survey was conducted using a five-level Likert scale to decipher respondents’ perceptions of feelings of injustice, their causal attribution of poverty, their levels of willingness to embark on collective action and actions taken in the preceding year. In the first stage of analysis, responses (n = 383) were reduced using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to determine how questionnaire items contributed to variables under consideration. Subsequently, variables extracted were correlated and regressed. While bivariate correlation was used to test simple relationships between variables, a stepwise hierarchical regression analysis was used to decipher how sub-dimensions of poverty attribution mediate the relationship between respondents’ feelings of injustice and their willingness to embark on collective action entering variables in succession into the regression equation. Furthermore, a 1 x 3 x 5 Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to test the mediation effects of poverty attribution sub-dimensions on the relationship between injustice feelings and actions. The results showed iii that structural attribution was the preferred explanation for poverty among Badia residents, as this explanation was preferred by a majority of the respondents. It was also shown that while 96.9% of respondents used more than one causal attribution, a majority of structural attributors adopted fatalistic attribution as second choice of explanation for poverty. On the basis of the above, and in line with previous studies (Mann, 1970; Bobo, 1991), it was deduced that the possibility for radical action would be diminished as a result of this ‘dual/split consciousness’. The result further confirmed as hypothesized, that fatalistic attribution had a negative correlation with willingness to embark on collective action as respondents in the fatalistic condition were not willing to embark on collective action. However, respondents in the structural conditions were more willing to engage in collective action. While attributions predicted willingness to embark on collective action, MANCOVA showed that action proceeded in a continuum as predicted by the FSM. For example, while the introduction of fatalistic and individual attribution to the equation hypothesizing the relationship between injustice feelings and action showed that resultant actions were predominantly individual normative, post-hoc inclusion of the structural dimension to the equation showed an addition variance to the equation for collective action. This indicated that structural attributions enhance collective normative action. However, consistent with most studies in the literature, the results did not predict collective non-normative action1. Results indicated low adherence of subject to items eliciting collective action suggesting that past studies which reported high preference of collective action by disadvantaged groups may have been influenced by ‘social desirability effects’, given Topf’s (1995) assertion that what people say they will do is often not what they do but what they perceive as right in the particular situation. 1 The only notable exception is Boen & Vanbeselaere (1998) 2 A full discussion of lay explanations of poverty is reserved for chapter 4 of this thesis. iv The study however proposed on the basis of the salience of structural attributions that poverty attributions may become useful for Social Movement Organizations (SMOs) interested in fostering social change. However, while the study showed that attribution influences willingness to embark on action it does not show how attribution becomes salient in group membership. Thus there is a need for future studies to investigate how attribution affects group identification. Similarly, given the dearth of studies of the attribution of the ‘actual poor’ of poverty, it is necessary for future studies to test the validity of the result from the present study indicating stronger adherence to fatalistic than individualistic attributions of poverty among the disadvantaged. While many past studies of attribution and those of reaction to injustice have been on samples of middle-class adults in developed countries, or artificially created deprived groups, the present study being of the ‘real life’ poor in a Third World setting, provides evidence of ‘real world’ actions and attributions of people experiencing poverty.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ige, Kehinde Davies
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Income distribution -- Nigeria , Poverty -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Sociology)
- Identifier: vital:11951 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/329 , Income distribution -- Nigeria , Poverty -- Nigeria
- Description: This study was about the reaction of disadvantaged groups and persons to inequality and deprivation. Set in Badia, a low income community in Lagos, Nigeria, it investigates the main effects of community members’ attributions of causes of poverty in motivating or impeding their reaction to inequality. Relative Deprivation (RD) theory proposed that dissatisfaction with social outcomes depend on subjective feelings rather than objective criteria. However scholars found empirical difficulties in predicting collective action on the basis of RD. Resource Mobilization proponents argued on the contrary that feelings are not salient within the framework of action. The infusion of Social Identity Theory (SIT) into RD research however resolved the paradox of action with SIT’s argument that action was contingent upon the perception of permeability and legitimacy of inter-group structures. However, despite successes of SIT, scholars found that it was unable to predict the type of actions group members will take in response to injustice and the nature of possible actions. Propositions of RD and SIT were therefore suitable for integration into the proposition of Taylor & McKirnan’s (1984) Five Stage Model (FSM) of inter-group relations that reactions to RD feelings were predicated upon the dynamics of the social philosophy guiding stratification. Using an integrated RD, SIT and FSM framework, this study shows how disadvantaged group members’ responses to deprivation proceeded as predicted by the FSM from mutual acceptance to collective action mediated by their perception of causes of poverty. This complements the trend in the literature on reaction to inequality and it's almost ii exclusive focus on instrumental and affective concerns while neglecting the role of consensually shared beliefs in motivating or impeding action and willingness to act in response to injustice. The study hypothesized that the pattern of causal attributions of poverty of respondents will shape their ‘predisposition to act’ and the type of action they would engage in. The main hypothesis of the study therefore was that poverty attribution mediates the relationship between ‘feelings of injustice’ and ‘reaction to inequality’. For instance where respondents attribute poverty to individual or fatalistic factors they will adopt individual action whereas where attributions are structural, responses will be collective, where feelings of injustice were present. A survey was conducted using a five-level Likert scale to decipher respondents’ perceptions of feelings of injustice, their causal attribution of poverty, their levels of willingness to embark on collective action and actions taken in the preceding year. In the first stage of analysis, responses (n = 383) were reduced using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to determine how questionnaire items contributed to variables under consideration. Subsequently, variables extracted were correlated and regressed. While bivariate correlation was used to test simple relationships between variables, a stepwise hierarchical regression analysis was used to decipher how sub-dimensions of poverty attribution mediate the relationship between respondents’ feelings of injustice and their willingness to embark on collective action entering variables in succession into the regression equation. Furthermore, a 1 x 3 x 5 Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to test the mediation effects of poverty attribution sub-dimensions on the relationship between injustice feelings and actions. The results showed iii that structural attribution was the preferred explanation for poverty among Badia residents, as this explanation was preferred by a majority of the respondents. It was also shown that while 96.9% of respondents used more than one causal attribution, a majority of structural attributors adopted fatalistic attribution as second choice of explanation for poverty. On the basis of the above, and in line with previous studies (Mann, 1970; Bobo, 1991), it was deduced that the possibility for radical action would be diminished as a result of this ‘dual/split consciousness’. The result further confirmed as hypothesized, that fatalistic attribution had a negative correlation with willingness to embark on collective action as respondents in the fatalistic condition were not willing to embark on collective action. However, respondents in the structural conditions were more willing to engage in collective action. While attributions predicted willingness to embark on collective action, MANCOVA showed that action proceeded in a continuum as predicted by the FSM. For example, while the introduction of fatalistic and individual attribution to the equation hypothesizing the relationship between injustice feelings and action showed that resultant actions were predominantly individual normative, post-hoc inclusion of the structural dimension to the equation showed an addition variance to the equation for collective action. This indicated that structural attributions enhance collective normative action. However, consistent with most studies in the literature, the results did not predict collective non-normative action1. Results indicated low adherence of subject to items eliciting collective action suggesting that past studies which reported high preference of collective action by disadvantaged groups may have been influenced by ‘social desirability effects’, given Topf’s (1995) assertion that what people say they will do is often not what they do but what they perceive as right in the particular situation. 1 The only notable exception is Boen & Vanbeselaere (1998) 2 A full discussion of lay explanations of poverty is reserved for chapter 4 of this thesis. iv The study however proposed on the basis of the salience of structural attributions that poverty attributions may become useful for Social Movement Organizations (SMOs) interested in fostering social change. However, while the study showed that attribution influences willingness to embark on action it does not show how attribution becomes salient in group membership. Thus there is a need for future studies to investigate how attribution affects group identification. Similarly, given the dearth of studies of the attribution of the ‘actual poor’ of poverty, it is necessary for future studies to test the validity of the result from the present study indicating stronger adherence to fatalistic than individualistic attributions of poverty among the disadvantaged. While many past studies of attribution and those of reaction to injustice have been on samples of middle-class adults in developed countries, or artificially created deprived groups, the present study being of the ‘real life’ poor in a Third World setting, provides evidence of ‘real world’ actions and attributions of people experiencing poverty.
- Full Text:
The empowerment of women in agriculture: does it contribute to poverty alleviation and improvement of quality of lives in rural areas?
- Authors: Kalazani-Mtya, Lindeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/318 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines the extent to which the Siyazondla food programme, which is a woman based project, empowers women with agricultural skills and knowledge to alleviate poverty and improve their quality of lives in Ducats North area in East London. The investigation is based on the argument that when a woman is empowered, poverty will be reduced and the quality of life will improve. Through the use of qualitative research methodology, all women who are the main beneficiaries of the Siyazondla programme in Ducats North village were interviewed. Findings seem to indicate that although women in the project manage to produce good crops to feed their families, they are still not sufficiently empowered with skills and education to improve their quality of lives. This was found to be exacerbated by the fact that the officials assigned for the programme are to a greater extent inefficient and lack relevant knowledge to support beneficiaries. Most importantly, it was revealed that there is lack of monitoring and evaluation of the programme by government and this was considered to be the major constraint to successful implementation of the programme and in ensuring that poverty is alleviated in the area. It is on the basis of these findings that the study recommends that in order to yield positive results and ensure that women in the programme are empowered, there is a need to change the deeply embedded patriarchal perceptions and discriminatory practices and attitudes that seem to undervalue women‟s work. This will require greater awareness of women‟s contribution to agriculture, and the recognition of the role played by women in food security and poverty alleviation, coupled with a strong commitment from the government to empower rural women in agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kalazani-Mtya, Lindeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/318 , Women in rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Quality of life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines the extent to which the Siyazondla food programme, which is a woman based project, empowers women with agricultural skills and knowledge to alleviate poverty and improve their quality of lives in Ducats North area in East London. The investigation is based on the argument that when a woman is empowered, poverty will be reduced and the quality of life will improve. Through the use of qualitative research methodology, all women who are the main beneficiaries of the Siyazondla programme in Ducats North village were interviewed. Findings seem to indicate that although women in the project manage to produce good crops to feed their families, they are still not sufficiently empowered with skills and education to improve their quality of lives. This was found to be exacerbated by the fact that the officials assigned for the programme are to a greater extent inefficient and lack relevant knowledge to support beneficiaries. Most importantly, it was revealed that there is lack of monitoring and evaluation of the programme by government and this was considered to be the major constraint to successful implementation of the programme and in ensuring that poverty is alleviated in the area. It is on the basis of these findings that the study recommends that in order to yield positive results and ensure that women in the programme are empowered, there is a need to change the deeply embedded patriarchal perceptions and discriminatory practices and attitudes that seem to undervalue women‟s work. This will require greater awareness of women‟s contribution to agriculture, and the recognition of the role played by women in food security and poverty alleviation, coupled with a strong commitment from the government to empower rural women in agriculture.
- Full Text:
Widows' experiences of spousal mourning among AmaXhosa: an interpretative phenomenological study
- Authors: Akol, Grace
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/523 , Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was conducted on the mourning rituals of the AmaXhosa widows of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study focused on the descriptive presentation of the experiences of the AmaXhosa widows in the Buffalo City municipality of the Province. The study sought to establish the widows’ perceptions regarding the mourning rituals and to interpret their experiences within the context of contemporary cultural, religious, gender and socio-political influences. The experiences among the widows interviewed were found to have a similar context but their perceptions about the mourning rituals were different between the widows younger than 40 years and those older than 50 years. Widows from urban and rural areas of East London, Mdantsane Township and from within a 60 kilometre radius of East London were interviewed. Purposive random sampling was used to identify an equal number of either urban or rural voluntary participants for the study. Structured interviews were held with widows ranging in age from 29 to 91 years. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the recorded discussions was conducted. The experiences of the AmaXhosa widows during the conduct of the mourning rituals are described. The key findings of the study indicated that most of the widows felt they had to go through the mourning rituals mainly to show respect for their departed husbands and so that the dignity of the family and clan was maintained. The mourning rituals seemed mostly to have negative implications for the widows such as a lack of family and financial support and being treated as social outcasts; however the rituals also seemed to help the women adjust to their new status as widows. Although the mourning rituals were embedded in the socio-cultural tradition generally followed by the AmaXhosa, religious beliefs also influenced some of the traditions by introducing changes in the way some widows conducted the mourning rituals. For example, some religions advocated for shorter periods of mourning than usual as well as wearing different types of mourning clothes from the usual black or purple dress. Overall the perceptions of the older widows aged above 50 years revealed that they had no reservations about performing the mourning rituals and quite readily and unquestioningly accepted the customs. The younger widows aged below 40 years on the other hand felt that the mourning rituals were biased against women and did not serve a useful purpose and even proposed changes to the manner in which the mourning rituals are conducted particularly the shortening of the mourning period from 12 to 6 months or less. However, they seemed to recognize the role played by the mourning ritual in lessening and possibly healing the pain and sorrow caused by their bereavement.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Akol, Grace
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/523 , Widowhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Widows -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Xhosa (African people) -- Funeral customs and rites , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Bereavement -- Psychological aspects , Mourning customs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Death -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was conducted on the mourning rituals of the AmaXhosa widows of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study focused on the descriptive presentation of the experiences of the AmaXhosa widows in the Buffalo City municipality of the Province. The study sought to establish the widows’ perceptions regarding the mourning rituals and to interpret their experiences within the context of contemporary cultural, religious, gender and socio-political influences. The experiences among the widows interviewed were found to have a similar context but their perceptions about the mourning rituals were different between the widows younger than 40 years and those older than 50 years. Widows from urban and rural areas of East London, Mdantsane Township and from within a 60 kilometre radius of East London were interviewed. Purposive random sampling was used to identify an equal number of either urban or rural voluntary participants for the study. Structured interviews were held with widows ranging in age from 29 to 91 years. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the recorded discussions was conducted. The experiences of the AmaXhosa widows during the conduct of the mourning rituals are described. The key findings of the study indicated that most of the widows felt they had to go through the mourning rituals mainly to show respect for their departed husbands and so that the dignity of the family and clan was maintained. The mourning rituals seemed mostly to have negative implications for the widows such as a lack of family and financial support and being treated as social outcasts; however the rituals also seemed to help the women adjust to their new status as widows. Although the mourning rituals were embedded in the socio-cultural tradition generally followed by the AmaXhosa, religious beliefs also influenced some of the traditions by introducing changes in the way some widows conducted the mourning rituals. For example, some religions advocated for shorter periods of mourning than usual as well as wearing different types of mourning clothes from the usual black or purple dress. Overall the perceptions of the older widows aged above 50 years revealed that they had no reservations about performing the mourning rituals and quite readily and unquestioningly accepted the customs. The younger widows aged below 40 years on the other hand felt that the mourning rituals were biased against women and did not serve a useful purpose and even proposed changes to the manner in which the mourning rituals are conducted particularly the shortening of the mourning period from 12 to 6 months or less. However, they seemed to recognize the role played by the mourning ritual in lessening and possibly healing the pain and sorrow caused by their bereavement.
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Academic Practices & Reasoning: APR 122
- Authors: Scott, R , Blatchford, M
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011242
- Description: Academic Practices and Reasoning: APR 122, supplementary examination Jan/Feb 2012.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Scott, R , Blatchford, M
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011242
- Description: Academic Practices and Reasoning: APR 122, supplementary examination Jan/Feb 2012.
- Full Text: false
African Politics: POL 311
Archives Administration: ARM 502
- Authors: Dewah, P , Ngulube, P
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010585
- Description: Archives Administration: ARM 502, postgraduate diploma supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Dewah, P , Ngulube, P
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18008 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010585
- Description: Archives Administration: ARM 502, postgraduate diploma supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Bibliographies and Reference Techniques: INF 324
- Authors: Dewah, P , Khayundi, F E
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010587
- Description: Bibliographies and Reference Techniques: INF 324, Supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Dewah, P , Khayundi, F E
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010587
- Description: Bibliographies and Reference Techniques: INF 324, Supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Contemporary Themes in the Global & African Past: HIS 124 & 124e
- Yekela, D, April, T, Hendricks, J, Minkley, J, Andreas, C
- Authors: Yekela, D , April, T , Hendricks, J , Minkley, J , Andreas, C
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: History
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011533
- Description: Contemporary Themes in the Global & African Past: HIS 124 & 124e, supplementary examination January/February 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Yekela, D , April, T , Hendricks, J , Minkley, J , Andreas, C
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: History
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011533
- Description: Contemporary Themes in the Global & African Past: HIS 124 & 124e, supplementary examination January/February 2011.
- Full Text: false
English Method: MEN 411
- Authors: Botha, E K , Reed, Y
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011298
- Description: English Method: MEN 411, special examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Botha, E K , Reed, Y
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011298
- Description: English Method: MEN 411, special examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
English: ECL 320
- Formson, C, Nyika, N, Morkel, N, Blatchford, M, Scott, R, Makwela, N, Wood, F
- Authors: Formson, C , Nyika, N , Morkel, N , Blatchford, M , Scott, R , Makwela, N , Wood, F
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011295
- Description: English: ECL 320, Supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Formson, C , Nyika, N , Morkel, N , Blatchford, M , Scott, R , Makwela, N , Wood, F
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011295
- Description: English: ECL 320, Supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Introduction to Cultures of Africa & Pacific Region: ANT 222
- Authors: Komanisi, P , Duma, V
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011469
- Description: Examination on Introduction to Cultures of Africa & Pacific Region: ANT 222- Jan 2011 Supplement
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Komanisi, P , Duma, V
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011469
- Description: Examination on Introduction to Cultures of Africa & Pacific Region: ANT 222- Jan 2011 Supplement
- Full Text: false
Introduction to Physiology: HUS 122
- Authors: Vimiso, P , Van Gent, Maya
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011233
- Description: Introduction to Physiology: HUS 122, Supplementary examination January 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Vimiso, P , Van Gent, Maya
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011233
- Description: Introduction to Physiology: HUS 122, Supplementary examination January 2010.
- Full Text: false
Library Management: LIB 222
- Authors: Moyo, M , Chitsamatanga, N
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010588
- Description: Library Management: LIB 222, supplementary degree examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Moyo, M , Chitsamatanga, N
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010588
- Description: Library Management: LIB 222, supplementary degree examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Media and Society: CMS 311
- Authors: O`Shea, C , Sibanda, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011413
- Description: Media and Society: CMS 311, special examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: O`Shea, C , Sibanda, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011413
- Description: Media and Society: CMS 311, special examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Music: MUC 121
- Lloyd, G, Ncozana, J, Bleibinger, B
- Authors: Lloyd, G , Ncozana, J , Bleibinger, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010852
- Description: Music: MUS 121, supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Lloyd, G , Ncozana, J , Bleibinger, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010852
- Description: Music: MUS 121, supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Music: MUC 221
- Lloyd, G, Ncozana, J, Bleibinger, B
- Authors: Lloyd, G , Ncozana, J , Bleibinger, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Music
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010855
- Description: Music: MUC 221, supplementary examination paper January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Lloyd, G , Ncozana, J , Bleibinger, B
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Music
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010855
- Description: Music: MUC 221, supplementary examination paper January 2011.
- Full Text: false
Political Science: POL 322
- Authors: Ferim, V B , Moshoeshoe, M
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011260
- Description: Political Science: POL 322, supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Ferim, V B , Moshoeshoe, M
- Date: 2011-01
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:18264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011260
- Description: Political Science: POL 322, supplementary examination January 2011.
- Full Text: false