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An interpretive phenomenological analysis of change in attitudes and beliefs toward domestic violence and rape myths as experienced by Eastern Cape adolescents

  • Authors: De Vries, Lauré
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Violence in children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychological aspects Women -- Violence against Children -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39436 , vital:35246
  • Description: Although there is extensive research focused on decreasing the occurrence of gender-based violence (GBV) (domestic violence and rape) with a focus on underlying attitudes and beliefs, no attention is given to how these attitudes and beliefs and change therein, is experienced. This study aimed to address this gap by interviewing three adolescent learners (one female and two males aged 16 to 18) who formed part of a community-based rape prevention project at their school in Motherwell (Eastern Cape). By utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the researcher explored and described lived experiences in terms of change in attitudes toward domestic violence (objective 1) and beliefs about rape myths (objective 2). Analytic attention was not restricted to the perceived influence of the attended rape prevention project but was given to broader lived experiences. The Transtheoretical Model of Change was employed as the theoretical framework. From the findings, the researcher argues that the three participants experienced a shift from the precontemplation stage toward the action stage. Participants described change from a disengaged but concerned onlooker, to a conscious onlooker, and finally to a willing agent of change. Through the interplay of change influencers deeply embedded in their social context, participants described not only individual change, but also the awakening of an internal willingness to effect broader social change. However, participants raised concerns about their ability to do so. The results of this small study with a cohort of adolescents may have important implications for future research, as adolescents are often an untapped resource in forming part of the larger movement toward social change.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An intracategorical intersectional framework for understanding ‘supportability’ in womxn’s narratives of their pregnancy

  • Authors: Kalyanaraman, Yamini
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Prenatal care -- South Africa , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Psycology , Medical care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96647 , vital:31304
  • Description: In South Africa, the current Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is 135 per 100,000 live births, with a long way to go before it can achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) global target of under 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. This research project focuses on the narratives of pregnant womxn in the Eastern Cape Province, using an intracategorical intersectional framework and Macleod’s ‘supportability’ model as a base. The study aims to locate womxn’s pregnancies within the interweaving biological, psychological, social, economic, cultural and political contexts within which they occur, while focusing specifically on the aspect of ‘supportability’. Through purposive sampling and snowballing methods, the research team recruited participants who were 18 years and older, in or past the second trimester of their pregnancy, and able to access antenatal care. Research data were produced using photo-elicitation techniques on 92 photographs and narratives from 32 interviews. An intersectional thematic analysis was used to generate themes, which highlighted different aspects that enabled or hindered pregnancy ‘supportability’. In accordance with prior research, it was revealed that womxn found emotional and tangible support the most beneficial. Findings from this study reveal the interconnectedness between a womxn’s personal (emotional, physical and cognitive) experiences of pregnancy, the micro-interactions of support (un)available from partners, family, friends, healthcare workers, workplaces and community members, and the macrostructures of socioeconomic policies, religiosity, cultural practices and healthcare systems. For example, gendered perceptions (a macro-structure) influence the instrumental support provided by partners (a micro-interaction), which impacts the womxn’s well-being (personal). Certain themes that emerged from the different narratives were: the importance of making available pregnancy-related information to the womxn; a desire for non-judgement and acceptance of their pregnancies within their community; and the need for adequate communication in microinteractions. The findings of this research also indicate that, despite the financial tensions inherent in each womxn’s life, the participants were driven by overarching hopes for their child’s future.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An investigation of the challenges and their impacts as experienced by experts at the forensic pathology services in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

  • Authors: Adams, Terry
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Forensic pathology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40213 , vital:35985
  • Description: This study focuses on the challenges facing the workers at the Port Elizabeth Forensic Pathology Services in Gelvandale and Mount Road stations. The study follow a qualitative approach which include among others, individual interviews using an interview guide containing questions. Observation has also been used as a research tool to observe at the two stations. To supplement the above research techniques, scholarly published journal articles and books were consulted to corroborate what might have transpired in other studies similar to this one. The concept backlog has been used as a conceptual framework to understand the challenges facing the workers in this study and relevant literature has been consulted. The research finding has been outlined and finally recommendations has been made with the view of addressing some of the problems encountered by the workers.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Analysis of monitoring and evaluation as an internal control measure for supply chain management: a case for department of public works and transport

  • Authors: Mfeketo, Lunga
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Business logistics , Industrial procurement Inventory control Physical distribution of goods
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41327 , vital:36445
  • Description: The National Treasury Regulations (2009) require all government departments to exercise transparency, openness and fairness in the procurement of all goods and services. The aim of this study was to analyse and determine the use of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) as an internal control measure in the supply chain management (SCM) process by the Department of Roads and Public Works (DRT), Sarah Baartman District Center. Poor internal controls, in relation to SCM regulatory framework compliance, remains a key challenge for the DPWT which led to negative performance information in the audit findings (Auditor-General, 2016/17). SCM falls within the finance management pillar which is one of the most important governance areas in public resource management. The study presents the place and nature of the public SCM environment, relevant theories and legislative frameworks towards an efficient and transparent SCM value chain. The Public Finance Management Act of 1999 (PFMA) is meant “To regulate financial management in the national government and provincial governments; to ensure that all revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of those governments are managed efficiently and effectively; to provide for the responsibilities of persons entrusted with financial management in those governments; and to provide for matters connected therewith”. The study adopted a qualitative documentary analysis research approach. A core finding of the study suggested that the provincial sphere of government needed to develop a participatory provincial government strategy for provincial development. A key recommendation that has been forwarded, suggests that the government needs to strengthen the policy on provincial management in order to facilitate sustainable economic growth and thereby promote social welfare gains.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Analysis of the pre- to post- apartheid language in education policies: an investigation for multilingualism

  • Authors: Zumani, Nobesutu Faith
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Multilingual education -- South Africa , Native language and education -- South Africa Language policy -- South Africa African languages -- Social aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44235 , vital:37140
  • Description: The 1997 language policy in basic education promotes multilingualism in basic, education where there is under-utilisation of African languages. The main aim of this study is to investigate the reason for the under-utilisation of African languages in basic education. Transitional bilingual education is practised (TBE) instead of developmental maintenance bilingual education (MBE). The pre and post-apartheid language- in-education policies, including the Constitution, were collected, analysed and interpreted to find out why these languages are not used for education. It was discovered that the legacy of the previous policies has had an influence on the present policy. Also, the escape clauses on the present policy, such as “practicably reasonable,” and “choose,” have an impact on non-implementation of the post-apartheid language policy. The researcher recommends the development of an implementation plan and the revision of powers for SGBs to choose languages for their schools.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Assessing the impact of the income generating projects funded by the department of social development in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Charles, Phatheka Patience
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic assistance, Domestic
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37947 , vital:34267
  • Description: Income-generating projects represent one strategy adopted by the Department of Social Development to alleviate poverty. This study assessed the impact of income-generating projects funded by the department of social development in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. The study is based on five specific objectives which sought to: assess the effectiveness of income-generating projects in Uitenhage; evaluate the formulation, implementation and overall management of income-generating projects by the Department of Social Development; 3)determine the involvement of the beneficiaries in improving their welfare; assess the roleplayed by the Department of Social Development in capacitating the project; and examine the possible challenges that the projects face that hinder them from achieving the alleviation of poverty. A sample of 22 people was selected to represent the income-generating projects members population. Non-probability sampling techniques were used in choosing the sample. Specifically, purposive sampling was one of the non-probability techniques used to ensure that all the projects were included in the research. Data were collected using questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by using the documentation method. The result from this study showed that there are different income-generating activities and that all have need for regular monitoring and evaluation visits from officials from the Department. Project members also need training in financial management so that they do not mismanage their project finances. The research findings further indicated, clearly, that strategies currently used by the Department are not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Assessment of capacity building programmes offered to cooperatives in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Salman, Lusanda
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- Economic aspects Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43523 , vital:36905
  • Description: Cooperatives play an important role in delivering services to those in need within the communities. Capacity building efforts for cooperatives are very crucial in increasing their effectiveness and to redress problems associated with limited administrative and organisational capacity. By providing technical assistance, training, and grant funds, the functioning of the cooperatives is enhanced and ultimately the outcomes are improved. Despite consensus about the importance of capacity-building, little high-quality evidence exists on the impact of capacity-building investments. This research paper presents the findings from the assessment conducted on the impact of capacity- building initiatives offered to cooperatives. The participants of the study were cooperatives from the Eastern Cape, all eight district municipalities were represented and the study included stakeholders working with cooperatives that included various government departments, agencies and the private sector. Findings from the study provide clear evidence that capacity-building efforts increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to plan, organise and manage their organisations. It has emerged strongly from research that cooperatives that have received capacity-building support in any form, have improved in terms of their functioning compared to those that have never been capacitated before. However, cooperatives are still faced with many challenges specifically relating to operational challenges, which include administration, financial, and governance and weak capability in terms of the knowledge and skills they possess.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Attitudes of healthcare professionals towards substance dependent Clients who have relapsed

  • Authors: Yokwe, Zintle
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Substance abuse -- Relapse , Substance abuse -- Psychological aspects Attitude (Psychology) Psychologists -- South Africa -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44345 , vital:37156
  • Description: Relapse has been identified as a major problem when it comes to substancedependence. Research focusing on substance-dependence has found that substance users are at risk of relapsing after attending treatment, whether receiving out-patient or in-patient services. Healthcare professionals are seen as playing a crucial role when it comes to assisting substance-dependence clients; hence their attitudes when working with these clients are considered important. This study explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals when it came to working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The study further explored whether the attitudes held by the healthcare professionals affected the treatment interventions or plans implemented. The study adopted the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework, and a qualitative research methodology was used. Nine participants (four social workers, one nurse, one drug counsellor, one psychologist and one registered counsellor) made up the research sample. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling techniques was used. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that healthcare professionals displayed both positive and negatives attitudes when working with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed. The findings of the study showed that although some of the healthcare professionals displayed negative attitudes when clients relapsed, they still believed that their clients could recover and were committed to assisting them. The findings showed that healthcare professionals who worked with substance-dependent clients who had relapsed were influenced by the confidence they had in working with substance-dependence clients, their experiences, the client’s attitudes and level of motivation, as well as the client’s reasons for relapsing. This study also described the different treatment interventions healthcare professionals implemented when working with relapsed clients. Based on the conclusions made, it is important for healthcare professionals to have the relevant education, knowledge and experience that is needed to work with substance-dependence and relapse. The importance of healthcare professionals’ awareness of their attitudes and how these affect their behavior when working with substance-dependence was noted. It is recommend that similar studies are conducted in provinces or cities that have been identified to have high levels of substance-dependence relapse. Identifying healthcare professionals’ attitudes from these regions could result in more knowledge.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Between drones and al-Shabaab: United States extra-judicial killings in Somalia, sovereignty and the future of liberal intervention

  • Authors: Koloko, Mojalefa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Somalia -- Politics and government -- 1991- , Somalia -- History -- 1991- , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- United States , Somalia -- Foreign relations -- 1991- , Military assistance, American -- Somalia , Extrajudicial exeutions -- Somalia , Shabaab (Organization)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67657 , vital:29125
  • Description: This study examines the nature of the United States intervention in Somalia, specifically the use of drone strikes that first targeted the militant Sunni Islamist transnational group, al-Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, and now target the Somali organisation, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin, commonly known as al-Shabaab. The use of drone strikes in the US led war on terror has raised concerns about sovereignty as the extra-judicial killings are conducted without the consent of the concerned states. Furthermore, drone strikes also raise questions about the processes of liberal intervention as the US conducts them without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It is argued in this study that what is understood to be the “golden era” of liberal interventionism is a legacy of the post-Cold War unipolar dominance of the United States in global governance and security. It is argued that US unipolarity was accompanied by a shifting perception regarding the security position of weak states, whose weakness becomes understood as a source of global insecurity. This perception that so called “weak” and “fragile” states are sources of threats is a departure in International Relations theory, because the discipline is historically preoccupied with studying the actions of powerful states and their consequence for the global order. It is argued that the discourse on the war on terror, and its focus on “failed states” as breeding grounds for alleged terrorists, represents the height of the repositioning of less powerful states from a peripheral status in IR analysis and practice, to their current position that are now being represented as core sources of threat to international peace and security. Through life history interviews with Somali nationals in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, South Africa, the study examines the consequences of US actions from the eyes of Somali people. The findings of this study show that despite all the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the war on terror, the manner in which it is conducted, as well as the tactics that it employs, the majority of Somali participants showed an overwhelming support for the US intervention. Participants expressed support for the US extra-judicial killings because they are understood to undermine al-Shabaab strength which is a major source of insecurity. The study also shows that the lack of necessary collaboration between the US intelligence and the Somali ground forces has resulted in high numbers of civilian deaths, which participants fear can be used by al-Shabaab to recruit and radicalise more Somalis. The study also shows that most Somalis resent the presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia because Kenya and Ethiopia are seen as 10 pursuing national interests that are not invested in Somali peace and stability. The study concludes that US extra-judicial killings have failed to constrain the actions of al-Shabaab. Somalis expressed that the leadership of current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, holds the unique possibilities of creating national unity that rises above clan divisions and the radical Jihadist ideology of al-Shabaab.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Beyond Pierre Hadot’s promethean and orphic framework: critical reflections on Leonardo Dicaprio’s environmental documentaries in relation to the veil of ISIS

  • Authors: Kotze, Mieke
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Philosophy of nature , Documentary films -- United States -- History and criticism Environmental films -- United States -- History and criticism Motion pictures -- United States -- History -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40599 , vital:36186
  • Description: In his book The Veil of Isis: An Essay on the History of the Idea of Nature (2006), Pierre Hadot details two opposing paradigmatic attitudes to nature that have prevailed over the ages, namely, the Promethean and Orphic approaches, which entail, respectively, the violent unmasking of nature’s secrets through technology and the gentle approximation of them through aesthetic means. However, while this dichotomy does constitute a useful tool for understanding broad attitudes toward nature, it does not allow for consideration of the more nuanced, responses to nature across the various epochs, including the contemporary context of the looming ecological crisis. For this reason in what follows, Hadot’s Promethean-Orphic binary will be extended into a more comprehensive framework that allows for the contemplation of three additional approaches to nature, namely Socratic withdrawal, Aristotelian-inspired faith in teleology and the Hippocratic pursuit of balance with nature – which Hadot sees as either displaced by or incorporated into the Promethean attitude. Thereafter, various historical epochs will be explored through the lens of this extended Hadotian framework in order to assess the manner in which the abovementioned attitudes and approaches to nature have been adopted and progressively rearticulated, from Archaic Greece to Deleuze’s control society. And it will be advanced that, while at the outset, these approaches were more or less equivalent in terms of their discursive influence, over time Prometheanism, and the rearticulated permutations of Socratic withdrawal and Aristotelian-inspired faith in teleology, have combined to constitute what is here referred to as the Promethean/Socratic/Aristotelian nexus; a nexus which, as will be discussed, has progressively eclipsed the less invasive approaches of Hippocratic balance and Orphism, to the detriment of both nature and human relations to it. The progression of such tendencies will then be examined in relation to the two contemporary environmental films associated with Leonardo DiCaprio, namely The 11th Hour (2007) and Before the Flood (2016). This will be done in order to draw into conspicuity the intensification of discourses surrounding the technological dominance of the environment by humans who have withdrawn from nature, inspired by faith in the telos of the free-market economy, along with and the attendant marginalization of balance-seeking and aesthetically-oriented approaches to nature. Furthermore, it will be advanced, in concluding that such discursive patterns could account for the widespread apathy and indifference which characterizes contemporary responses to the environmental crisis.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Black forest

  • Authors: Sachikonye, Tsitsi S A
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92759 , vital:30745
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Bullying victimisation and traumatic stress severity among high school learners

  • Authors: Meyer, Courtney Clarissa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Bullying in schools , Bullying Victimisation Developmental psychology Social psychology , Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41864 , vital:36604
  • Description: Bullying victimisation is experienced extensively in international and South African schools and results in numerous serious consequences for the victim, traumatic stress being one of these, which has received limited attention in South African literature. This led to the study which had the overall aim to explore and describe the relationship between bullying victimisation and traumatic stress severity among high school learners in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Seven hundred and thirty-five learners from grades eight through to twelve, from the two selected public high schools were sampled using stratified random sampling. A quantitative research design, which is exploratory, descriptive and correlational was followed. Four self-reported written administered questionnaires, namely a biographical questionnaire, the revised Olweus Bully/Victim questionnaire, the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) questionnaire and an adapted version of part 1 of the Harvard Trauma questionnaire, were used as data collection measures in this study. The data was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings portrayed that 20.95% of the learners from the two selected public high schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole experienced bullying victimisation. It was also found that just under one third (31.21%) of the high school learners may be suffering from severe traumatic stress. When applying multiple linear regression analysis to the data, being exposed to bullying victimisation specifically in the form of verbal bullying, social exclusion/isolation bullying, emotional/psychological bullying and/or sexual bullying was seen to significantly contribute to the traumatic stress severity reported by the learners. Traumatic stress severity was however seen to depend on the frequency of bullying victimisation.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Case study of Nkosi Johnson

  • Authors: Ntlangu, Sihle Theophelus
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Johnson, Nkosi -- 1989-2001 , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- South Africa , AIDS activists -- South Africa , Child psychology , Developmental psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42672 , vital:36679
  • Description: The late Nkosi Johnson was one of the youngest Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) activists in South Africa and the longest known HIV positive child who survived without antiretroviral drugs (Nkosi Haven, 2016). His life story was characterized by his brave fight against the acumen that environs people living with HIV/AIDS and especially during a time when there were many misconceptions surrounding the condition. During the twelve years that he lived, Nkosi had the opportunity to make a difference, both nationally and internationally. The support he received allowed him to internalize many positive attributes such as bravery, courage, endurance and love which eventually made him a positive role model and activist for his cause. This study made use of Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory to highlight the short-lived but influential life of Nkosi Johnson. The study is a single case study and is qualitative in nature. Biographies, published information, and contact made with his adoptive mother, Gail Johnson, were all constituents gathered as data used for the study. The collected data was analysed using Miles and Huberman (1994) steps of data reduction, data display, as well as conclusion drawing and verification. Moreover, the data was organised and integrated in a conceptual matrix which guided the analysis, presentation and discussion of the research findings. The findings of the study suggested that although Nkosi Johnson experienced difficulties in his process of psychosocial development he was able to achieve Erikson’s seventh stage ‘Generativity versus Stagnation’, even though he lived a short life. These findings support the notion that continued research into the applicability of the sequential age order of developmental theories is needed.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Changes and continuities over time in the cultural significance of the Nyaminyami water spirit among the BaTonga people of northwestern Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Matanzima, Joshua
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Water spirits -- Zimbabwe , Tsonga (African people) -- Zimbabwe , Tsonga (African people) -- Zimbabwe -- Religion , Tsonga (African people) -- Zimbabwe -- Rites and ceremonies , Tsonga (African people) -- Zimbabwe -- Social life and customs , Mythology, Tsonga , Mythology, Zimbabwean , Nyaminyami (Spirit)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94189 , vital:31015
  • Description: Research attests that beliefs in water spirits are an integral part of cultures of many indigenous communities across the globe. These water spirits play significant political, religious and socio-economic roles for the people concerned. However, the functions of water spirits are not constant, but change over time, especially when the people believing in water spirits undergo drastic socio- economic processes of change. It is in this context that this thesis traces the cultural significance over time, of the Nyaminyami water spirit, among some BaTonga people, living in the immediate vicinity of the Kariba gorge area, in north-western Zimbabwe. While previous studies document the existence of beliefs in Nyaminyami, none of these has systematically traced the historical significance of Nyaminyami, in terms of changes and continuities over time. Thus, this thesis makes a valuable contribution to knowledge with regards to the history and religion of the BaTonga people. The thesis argues that Nyaminyami‘s cultural significance or functions evolved over time, due to numerous socio- economic and political processes of change. The major changes that significantly influenced the practices relating to Nyaminyami include colonialism, Kariba dam construction and resettlement, the migration after resettlement in the 1960s and 1970s, the independence of Zimbabwe, and the alienation of the Kariba waterscape from the BaTonga. To be able to arrive at specific findings and conclusions, the thesis is underpinned by theories about resettlement, approaches to water divinities, and theories of religion and social change. The thesis has five ethnographic chapters that focus on specific time periods, illustrating the major socio- economic changes of each epoch, and showing how these changes impacted upon practices and beliefs relating to Nyaminyami. The thesis also documents how Nyaminyami beliefs are variedly distributed along different social variables that include gender, age, income and geographical location. In order to achieve the findings presented, the thesis utilized ethnographic evidence obtained from semi- structured interviews, participant observation, anthropology of extraordinary experience, document review and archival research.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Changing gender roles: challenges and strategies of female headship in Motherwell

  • Authors: Kadaluka, Gloria Thamo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Gender roles
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44541 , vital:38138
  • Description: For decades, research has examined men’s perceptions of the changing gender roles, highlighting the masculinity crisis and challenges men encounter due to the decreasing male provider role. Yet, studies have not explored women’s perceptions about these changing roles, which have consequentially enabled them to become female-headed households (FHHs). Part of the problem is that in theory, FHHs have indeed been classified as the poorest of the poor. Nevertheless in practice, governments have neglected efforts to support this group. In South Africa, research on challenges of FHHs is quantitative and portrays an overgeneralised image of poverty in FHHs. This study set out to develop a better understanding of how women make sense of the changing roles, in an attempt to investigate the processes through which women assume their headship status and to examine their challenges and strategies as FHHs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study with a phenomenological study orientation, the study identified 40 female participants and the data was collected using in-depth interviews. Data was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that female headship occurs through an identifiable process and most women were never married, divorced, separated or widowed. Thus, single motherhood is by choice, because it is a choice for independence. The significant obstacle hindering social progress is that women support the changing gender roles, while at the same time utilising linguistic repertoires to hold on to traditional gender role beliefs that reinforce patriarchy. Their also challenges manifested in a similar behavioral fashion, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Poor education, sex for jobs, feminisation of labour, teenage pregnancies, burden of care, dependency burden, discrimination, absence of fathers and inability to balance work and family, are challenges that put FHHs under a sustained attack. These findings indicate that despite being poor, women do not view themselves as victims of poverty. They exercise urgency through forging social capital, salaries and child support grants. However, women are stuck in a poverty trap because their relations of exchange are limited to those women who are equally poor.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Clinical psychologists’ perceptions of the phenomenon of schizophrenia in a psychiatric setting in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Hamman, Colette
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Schizophrenia -- Diagnosis -- South Africa , Schizophrenia -- Treatment -- South Africa , Schizophrenics -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa , Schizophrenics -- South Africa -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71398 , vital:29845
  • Description: Numerous international and South African scholars are critical of the dominant research on the phenomenon of schizophrenia. Rather than refuting dominant biomedical psychiatric conceptualisations of schizophrenia, there is a call for incorporating a focus on the psychology of the person diagnosed with schizophrenia. In South Africa, the integration of the psychosocial components of psychotic experiences into the understanding and treatment of psychosis are still neglected in biomedically-focused psychiatric settings. In relation to this call, the role of clinical psychologists working within these settings seems pertinent. Against this background, this study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of clinical psychologists, working in a psychiatric setting in South Africa, in relation to the phenomenon of schizophrenia. Informed by a social constructionist theoretical framework, this study utilised a qualitative research design and a semi-structured interview schedule. In-depth, individual interviews were conducted with three clinical psychologists and the transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. From the data, perceptions were identified as largely polarised in relation to the phenomenon of schizophrenia. These polarised perceptions included: Physical impact of schizophrenia versus social impact of schizophrenia; rehabilitation of schizophrenia versus recovery within schizophrenia; diagnostic frameworks as useful versus diagnostic frameworks as limiting; and institutionally-defined identity versus self-defined identity. In terms of these polarised perceptions, an overarching theme of the medicalisation versus the demedicalisation of schizophrenia was identified. Therefore, the perceptions of clinical psychologists in this study were largely polarised towards either a medicalisation of the phenomenon of schizophrenia or a demedicalisation of it. However, perceptions were also identified that evidenced an integration of the two sides of the polarities, and a holding of tension between seemingly incompatible or incongruent frameworks. The participants perceived psychologists as positioned in the middle ground between the medicalisation and demedicalisation of schizophrenia in a biomedical psychiatric setting. In response to the call for a focus on the psychology of the person diagnosed with schizophrenia, the findings support both the value and the need for an “integration of polarised perceptions”, “holding of the tension”, and “middle ground positioning” of clinicians between medicalised and demedicalised aspects of the phenomenon of schizophrenia.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Communicating in/from the Cave: a communication for development/social change project aimed at enhancing communication, action and learning within the science cave, a learner-led Grade 10 science club in a public school in Makhanda

  • Authors: Bombi, Thandi
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Communication in science -- South Africa , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Communication in science -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Student centered learning -- South Africa , Student centered learning-- South Africa -- Makhanda
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96837 , vital:31330
  • Description: This research seeks to design, execute and reflect on a process where the principles and techniques of Communication for Development and Social Change are applied to enhance, support and develop qualitative changes within a learner-led Grade 10 science club at a public school in Makhanda. It draws and reflects on an ethnographic action research (Tacchi et al 2003) cycle proposed to explore the club’s communicative ecology (Foth & Hearn 2007) and resources, and understand how these have the potential to encourage the expression of voice (Couldry 2010: 580) and participation (Carpentier, 2011) in the members of the club. The research then attempts to understand the kind of communication, action and learning that takes place as well as the ways in which the framework is able to support the club (or not). The research uses an ethnographic narrative, told from the perspective of the researcher informed by field notes, interviews and participant reflections written during the intervention. This narrative, alongside an analytical summery of the club’s complex communicative ecology, tells the story of a club building confidence within a closed group and using that to connect with a wider public, articulating its needs, resources and potential supporting stakeholders for the club’s future development. The club is able to share its achievements with a community of peers and uses the platform of Facebook, to communicate with and inspire other like-minded people with an interest in science and their community.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Comparison of leg dominance and fatigue state on lower extremity kinematics during cutting manoeuvres in male soccer players

  • Authors: Nienaber, Madeleine
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Human mechanics , Kinematics Kinesiology Sports injuries Soccer players -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42880 , vital:36702
  • Description: Soccer is one of the most popular sports played in South Africa and around the world. Soccer is a high intensity, semi-contact sport which is associated with an increased prevalence of injuries, especially to the lower extremities. Central and neuromuscular fatigue is believed to cause changes to kinetic and kinematic patterns of soccer players which may increase the risk for injuries, specifically related to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). To investigate the effects of fatigue on knee joint kinematics during the stance phase of a cutting manoeuvre of the dominant and non-dominant legs. A quantitative approach, more specifically, an experimental study design was adopte and a quasi-experimental study design was selected. A ‘within-participants post-test only design’ was used, which is also known as a ‘repeated measures design’ because all participants were ‘repeatedly’ measured under each experimental condition. Due to the non-randomization of the quasi-experimental design, non-probability sampling was utilized to sample the population group for the proposed study. A total of 13 male soccer players volunteered for the study. The participants had the following characteristics (mean ± SD): age 22.15 ± 2.77 years; height 169.64 ± 5.75 cm and weight 64.60 ± 7.04 kg. Non-significant differences within hip joint kinematics were observed between the dominant and non-dominant legs in a non-fatigued state in all three planes of motion (F = 0.61, p = 0.55). Similar kinematic characteristics were observed for the knee joint (F = 1.25, p = 0.48) and the ankle joint (F = 3.33, p = 0.64). Non-significant differences were also observed during the fatigued state in all three planes of motion for the hip joints (F = 8.98, p = 0.72), knee joints (F = 5.21, p = 0.41) and ankle joints (F = 0.21, p = 0.12). Peak vertical forces were however significantly different between the fatigued state compared to the non-fatigued state during the cutting manoeuvre (F = 23.51, p = 0.035), thereby indicating that neuromuscular fatigue may influence landing forces on impact during a directional change. The effect of leg dominance did not have a statistically significant impact on any kinematic measures as well as the interactions between fatigue and non-fatigue trials were also not observed for any of the kinematic parameters. Several initial contact and peak stance–phase lower limb-joint rotations were influenced by fatigue during the execution of the sub-maximal 60° cutting manoeuvre. The main effect of fatigue produced an increase in knee internal rotation and hip abduction and a decrease in peak knee abduction angles compared to non-fatigue, but they were not statistically significant. Significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs as well as between fatigue and non-fatigue with ankle pronation (p=0.007) and ankle external rotation (p=0.033). Knee abduction angle during cutting (p=0.061) also showed an effect even though not statistically significant. The purpose was to examine the combined effects of leg dominance and fatigue on lower-limb biomechanics during a sub-maximal 60° cutting manoeuvre. The conclusion of the present study related to limb dominance was that no statistically significant differences were evident for any of the dependent variables (limb dominance; fatigue state) related to the independent variables (i.e. joint [hip, knee, ankle], contact time, ground reaction however, between-subject fatigue variations that is large enough could negatively impact the biomechanical data comparisons. Future research should target specific locations of fatigue within a general fatigue paradigm and develop standardized tasks to achieve this.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Contribution of the Coega development corporation to small enterprise growth in Nelson Mandela Bay

  • Authors: Nakimbugwe, Norris Linda
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Coega Development Corporation , Small business -- Growth -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42913 , vital:36705
  • Description: This study seeks to investigate the contribution of the Coega Development Corporation to Small Enterprise growth in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Current discourse regarding IDZs suggests that their establishment is an engine to economic growth through the attraction of both domestic and foreign investments, as well as the promotion of exports through incentive packages for IDZ companies. While, the attraction of larger FDI corporations may be significant to the growth of the local economy, it can also be a barrier to Small Enterprise Growth due to the influx of larger corporations into the market although the synergetic co-existence of both the larger corporations and the local SMEs is crucial to the overall welfare of economy. With these potential challenges in mind research investigated into the contribution of the Coega IDZ project to the growth of local Small Enterprises in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study adopted a quantitative research design and self-administered questionnaires which were used for data collection from information rich respondents. Overall, findings of this study indicate that the Coega Development Corporation has to some extent contributed to small enterprise growth through its infrastructure projects, some of its existing labour regulations and also through the development of human capital skills of individuals within the small enterprises. These findings were in agreement with some of those from the literature review in the study.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Discursive psychological analysis on the construction and performance of identity through rights talk on social media related to #FeesMustFall

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