Exploring approaches to teaching reading skills in English at senior phase in secondary schools in Mbizana district in the Eastern Cape: a case study
- Authors: Masilo, Appolonia Nteboheleng
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Reading (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16161 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/204 , Reading (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Description: During the process of this research, the main objective was to explore the approaches that the teachers use to teach reading in English First Additional Language (FAL) in senior phase at General Education and Training (GET). This was due to the observed weak performance of learners in reading, especially in GET phases. To achieve this, 20 participants tha t consisted of 4 English FAL teachers and 16 learners of grades 8 and 9 were selected. The research focused on teacher perceptions and implementation of language teaching approaches. Learners were involved in the research in order to see whether the used approaches give learners a balanced experience of intensive and extensive programmes. The study found that there were a number of factors that contributed to the learners’ weak performance in reading. These included, among others, lack of balance between intensive and extensive reading programmes, with intensive reading getting more attention than extensive reading; lack of reading material in schools, especially for further exposure, pleasure and amusement; little or no exposure of learners to wider reading; inadequate teacher pre-service and inservice reading programmes; teachers’ misconception of extensive reading; learners’ home environment that does not encourage reading; lack of parental support and community involvement. These all affected negatively the learners’ v development of reading skills. The study made some recommendations for the improvement of teacher education programmes and reading resources in schools and communities. schools.
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Factors influencing interracial mixing amongst university students
- Authors: Flusk, Lynette Michelle
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/150 , Spatial behavior , Social distance , Students -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Prejudice (Psychology) , College integration -- South Africa , Colleges and universities -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Description: This study examines the reasons given for the lack of interracial contact among 188 (142 Black, 25 White and 19 Coloured) university students. The most pervasive factor influencing such contact for the whole group (79.1 percent) was language differences. The statements endorsed by most black participants were; differences in behaviour (62.9 percent), socio-economic status (56.0 percent) and culture (52.5 percent). The coloured participants endorsed statements concerning socio-economic status (61.1 percent), culture (42.1 percent) and dissociation (42.1 percent). The white participants endorsed statements regarding race issues (64.0 percent), differences in behaviour (60.0 percent) and cultural differences (44.0 percent). This study found that metastereotypes social distance and contact correlate with prejudice. Metastereotypes and social distance positively influence prejudice in that an increase in these factors is associated with heightened levels of prejudice. The amount of contact between groups has a negative relationship with prejudice, indicating that increased levels of contact are associated with a decrease in prejudice.
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Gender and development: a study of the impact of selected cooperatives in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Sithole, Noluthando Victoria
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/194 , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In 1994 South Africa took a new direction towards democratic governance. This led to a change of government principles and approaches in leading the country. The people became the centre of the country’s development, resulting in the adoption of people-centred development and people-driven strategies. A special focus highlighted women as in the category which had endured poverty the most in South Africa. The South African government, through its various departments, has a responsibility to improve the lives of South Africans, and the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Social Development is one of the departments which has committed itself towards changing the lives of women in the community. As a strategy to implement community development, the Provincial Department of Social Development is funding women cooperative programmes. Women cooperatives are a relatively new endeavour to address poverty within the democratic South Africa. The study supports the notion and attempts to show the impact that women have on community development. The researcher began studying the trends and realized that the funds allocated and the funding process of community development programmes by Provincial Department of Social Development is not working towards empowering communities. A purposive sampling method was used to select two women cooperative programmes in the Chris Hani District Municipality to explore the role of women in community development in the current context of democracy and social welfare transformation in South Africa; to explore the impact of gender through women cooperatives on community development and to explore strategies for the empowerment of women through community development intervention. The design of the study is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive in nature. The study also adapted evaluation and gender analysis methods to verify the effectiveness of women programmes. The study recommends that women be empowered with skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities to enable them to be more effective in community development.
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Her master's: the experiences of mature women in postgraduate study
- Authors: Hood, Mary Ann
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Women graduate students -- South Africa , Women scholars -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/211 , Women graduate students -- South Africa , Women scholars -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate)
- Description: This study explored the experiences of mature women undertaking Master’s degrees at a Historically Disadvantaged Institution of Higher Learning in South Africa. Attaining a Master’s degree is a significant milestone in education and the process may take from one to three, or more, years. The study aims to describe aspects of the women’s experiences of their research journeys and the goal of the study is to present descriptions of these experiences. The methodology is qualitative and uses a critical feminist approach, appropriate to exploring the research questions. A critical feminist stance holds that women experience the world differently to men given the patriarchal structure of society. Emphasis is placed on the primacy of the co-researcher’s perceptions of their experiences. A single method research design was followed using semi-structured interviews. The analysis resulted in the emergence of a number of central themes. Together these reflect the experiences of the co-researchers, although they did not automatically share all the experiences. The findings show that postgraduate study, in the form of a Master’s degree, was found to be transformative, meaningful and worthwhile, although not without difficulties; mainly the demands required of multiple roles within home, community, work, and the university. This study contributes towards the larger body of research within education, in particular in the understanding the experiences of mature women within the field of postgraduate study.
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Hope and disillusionment: a post-colonial critique of selected South African and Zimbabwean short stories
- Authors: Madamombe, Esrina
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Short stories, South African (English) -- Criticism and interpretation , Short stories, Zimbabwean (English) -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11500 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/170 , Short stories, South African (English) -- Criticism and interpretation , Short stories, Zimbabwean (English) -- Criticism and interpretation
- Description: This study investigates short stories published in South Africa and in Zimbabwe before the turn of the twenty-first century. The short story as a genre provides a more accessible and shorter means of viewing literary trends after the official end of the hostilities of apartheid and colonialism. Because of their brevity and specific focus, these short stories from many voices allow a glimpse of different arenas affecting contemporary reality. Post-independence stories reveal that in the process of navigating or directing hope after independence, people are sometimes left bereft as disenchantment with politics sets in, leaving people to search for hope in areas of their everyday lives such as marriage, birth and friendship. But because their lives are also fraught with conflict, hate and betrayal, hope may remain uncertain and prospects frightening. Chapter One embarks on a brief historical and political background of South Africa and Zimbabwe. This chapter also conceptualizes the issues of hope and disillusionment in the South African and Zimbabwean socio-historical contexts. Chapters Two and Three analyze selected stories from South Africa and Zimbabwe, respectively, focusing on issues with which the writers are preoccupied, especially how they explore hope and disillusionment. The analyses of the stories in these two chapters are structured chronologically depicting events in the stories. Thus the study creates its own narrative of South African and Zimbabwean life towards the new millennium. These two chapters discuss how meanings, significances and ramifications of the post-colonial community are negotiated and re-negotiated in selected stories, highlighting the challenges and engagements with hope and disillusionment dramatized in short prose fiction. Chapter Four will undertake to conclude with comparisons of the selected stories, discussing the implications of the study for South African and Zimbabwean contemporary societies at the turn of the twenty-first century. Granted, it is always difficult to generalize about a society from such highly individual, personal stories. But my study suggests that at the turn of the twenty-first century in South Africa, disillusionment is beginning to displace the heady expectation many felt at the 1994 election. And perhaps even more unlikely, given the current crisis, Zimbabwean stories from recent years show people hopefully waiting for the new millennium, a dawning of new, unpredictable possibilities.
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Human agency and development: re-politicizing human development
- Authors: Ncube, Moreblessings
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Political participation , Communities , Agent (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26291 , vital:65235
- Description: This thesis presents a value-laden understanding of development that acknowledges that development is human centered. The study re-emphasizes that human development which has become a powerful element of current development discourse is not just a social, economic and technological challenge; it is also an institutional and political challenge. The study therefore analyzes the notion of human development with the intention of improving it by placing more emphasis on the aspect of politics and human agency (the ability to act and be an agent of one‘s life). Politics here is understood beyond its usual institutional focus or identification with government, politicians and parliaments to include a much wider and much more important and dynamic range of activities found in all human groups such as institutions and societies. The study then demonstrates that since development is a process, individuals need to work collectively towards a common good so as to realize their development potential. This means creating a confederation of development where governments, citizens and non-governmental organizations work in partnership guided by a culture of collectiveness (civic culture) in order to produce more empowered citizens. The major argument in this study is the concern for citizens to effectively participate in areas that affect and impact on their lives and consequently be in a position to hold accountable institutions that affect their decision making capabilities. Hence human agency in this study signifies and can be justified as an important aspect of the process of participation leading to empowerment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
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Human agency and development: re-politicizing human development
- Authors: Ncube, Moreblessings
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Political participation , Agent (Philosophy) , Citizenship
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26625 , vital:65680
- Description: This thesis presents a value-laden understanding of development that acknowledges that development is human centered. The study re-emphasizes that human development which has become a powerful element of current development discourse is not just a social, economic and technological challenge; it is also an institutional and political challenge. The study therefore analyzes the notion of human development with the intention of improving it by placing more emphasis on the aspect of politics and human agency the ability to act and be an agent of ones life. Politics here is understood beyond its usual institutional focus or identification with government, politicians and parliaments to include a much wider and much more important and dynamic range of activities found in all human groups such as institutions and societies. The study then demonstrates that since development is a process, individuals need to work collectively towards a common good so as to realize their development potential. This means creating a confederation of development where governments, citizens and non-governmental organizations work in partnership guided by a culture of collectiveness civic culture in order to produce more empowered citizens. The major argument in this study is the concern for citizens to effectively participate in areas that affect and impact on their lives and consequently be in a position to hold accountable institutions that affect their decision making capabilities. Hence human agency in this study signifies and can be justified as an important aspect of the process of participation leading to empowerment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
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Human agency and development: re-politicizing human development
- Authors: Ncube, Moreblessings
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Political participation , Agent (Philosophy) , Communities
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29100 , vital:76641
- Description: This thesis presents a value-laden understanding of development that acknowledges that development is human centered. The study re-emphasizes that human development which has become a powerful element of current development discourse is not just a social, economic and technological challenge; it is also an institutional and political challenge. The study therefore analyzes the notion of human development with the intention of improving it by placing more emphasis on the aspect of politics and human agency (the ability to act and be an agent of one‘s life). Politics here is understood beyond its usual institutional focus or identification with government, politicians and parliaments to include a much wider and much more important and dynamic range of activities found in all human groups such as institutions and societies. The study then demonstrates that since development is a process, individuals need to work collectively towards a common good so as to realize their development potential. This means creating a confederation of development where governments, citizens and non-governmental organizations work in partnership guided by a culture of collectiveness (civic culture) in order to produce more empowered citizens. The major argument in this study is the concern for citizens to effectively participate in areas that affect and impact on their lives and consequently be in a position to hold accountable institutions that affect their decision making capabilities. Hence human agency in this study signifies and can be justified as an important aspect of the process of participation leading to empowerment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2008
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Human rights in South African correctional centres: a case study of two correctional centres in the urban and rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Spayile, S
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Human rights -- Prisoners -- Eastern Cape , Correctional services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11111 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/105 , Human rights -- Prisoners -- Eastern Cape , Correctional services
- Description: This research project focuses on human rights violation in South African correctional centres. The method of research comprises interviews conducted with correctional officials and inmates. It is a case study of one correctional centre in urban and in rural area of the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher hopes that this study will be a basis for further research into the violation of human rights in South African prisons. The findings of the research indicated that the main causes of human rights violation in South African prisons are overcrowding; gangsterism; and non adherence to Departmental policies by correctional officials. Recommendations have been made that: (i) Provision of adequate prison accommodation; (ii) Upgrading training and staff development.
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Implementation of Domestic Violence Act No 116 of 1998 in South Africa: a case study of two townships in Nkonkobe Municipality District Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mesatywa, Nontando Jennifer
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Human rights , Feminist theory , Domestic Violence Act No 116 1998 -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11107 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/192 , Human rights , Feminist theory , Domestic Violence Act No 116 1998 -- South Africa
- Description: This is an exploratory study on the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act No 116 of 1998 in South Africa. It is a case study of two townships in the Nkonkobe Municipality District, Eastern Cape Province. The study was conducted at Ntselamanzi and Upper Qhumashe townships in Nkonkobe Municipality District, Eastern Cape. Since this is a qualitative exploratory study, in-depth interviews were conducted on a sample of ten women in abusive relationships and focus group interviews were conducted on five service providers for a triangulation. A study of related literature focused on African women in battered relationships. An African women’s perspective on the experiences of abuse have been explored. Gender based radical feminist views were discussed and legislations and conventions were analyzed from a human rights perspective. The implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and the role of service providers were also looked into. The findings suggest that African women experience abuse in partner relationships. They sustain grievous bodily harm, psychological, emotional and financial abuse. The patriarchy system, alcohol abuse, infidelity, traditional practices and failure to maintain children have been cited as some of the reasons. The social networks and service providers assisted these women to some extent. However, there is need for ethnic sensitive interdisciplinary training approach on African communities on the Act and a legal system that is accessible to rural women in order to curb further abuse. Various recommendations have been put forward. The study indicated a need for ethnic sensitive empowerment programs for the abused, rehabilitative programs that take into cognizance human rights violations of these women and the abusers, and effective legal remedies to prohibit women abuse.
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Implementing a robust, cost effective, e-commerce platform for a disadvantaged community of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Njeje, Sicelo Given
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11373 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/75 , Computer network architectures -- South Africa -- Design and construction , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks , Electronic commerce
- Description: The development of electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the most visible business use of the World Wide Web. The primary goal of an e-commerce site is to sell goods and services online. This project deals with developing an e-commerce platform for marginalized communities of the Eastern Cape region, South Africa. An online “shopping mall” to support the marketing of art and crafts from disadvantaged communities is presented, with Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP) as the development environment. Free and Open Source Software has been chosen to develop the virtual shopping mall system because the use of Open Source allows easy localization and extensions to the system developed and long term sustainability, as the source code is available. Also, it might start a “virtuous” circle, whereby young members of the communities hosting art and craft makers become involved in maintenance, and then production, of software systems. One important design constraint from the e-commerce platform presented in this thesis is the possibility for the art and craft makers to manage their shops directly, from the initial loading of their wares to the day-to-day maintenance, such as changes of price or items. The user requirement elicitation and initial field testing were conducted in Dwesa, an area on the wild coast, South Africa. The system currently comprising two shops is live at the time of writing this thesis at www.dwesa.com.
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In search of a regime of responsibility and accountability for perpetrators of torture with reference to persons with special responsibility for protecting human rights
- Authors: Odeku, Kolawole Olusola
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/101 , Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Description: orture is a serious violation of human rights and it is strictly prohibited by numerous human rights instruments. The prohibition of torture enshrines one of the most fundamental values of a democratic society. Its prohibition in a national constitution commits the country, and specifically its law enforcement officers, to performing their duties with due regard to the essential dignity of every human being. The irony is that the law enforcement officials and the security agents who are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the society sometimes breach the law which they have sworn to uphold. Most of the perpetrators of acts of torture are usually those in positions of state power. In addition, other persons who wield other forms of authority or influence also perpetrate torture. It is contended that both civil and criminal responsibilities of the perpetrators should be explored by bringing them to justice in order to serve as deterrence to others. Despite being stringently outlawed, torture continues to be practised in many countries in the world. The underlying assumption is that, although the prohibition of torture has become part of customary international law, the practice of torture remains widespread. Torturers and those who order or encourage torturers to ply their trade or acquiesce in their doing so, enjoy virtual impunity from prosecution within their own jurisdictions. In many cases, the majority of the torturers go unpunished because they are, most often than not, agents or officials of the state. Nowadays, there are various international human rights instruments prohibiting torture. Violations of the provisions of these instruments by states or individuals will attract necessary and appropriate sanction. The erring state or individual will be held accountable and if found liable, sanctions as contained in the instruments banning torture will be invoked accordingly. It must be stressed that condemnation of torture is universal and its prohibition forms not only part of customary international law, but has joined that narrow category of crimes so egregious as to demand universal criminal jurisdiction. There is no save haven for perpetrators because the various mechanisms and adjudicating bodies of state parties and the United Nations have competent jurisdictions to right the wrong. Furthermore, it must be stressed that there can be no justification for torture because CAT and other important international human rights instruments assume increasing importance tools which have realistic prospects for eliminating torture.
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Informal cross-border trade: a review of its impact on household poverty reduction (Zimbabwe)
- Authors: Chani, Chivimbiso
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Households -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe , Foreign trade regulations , International trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11407 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/167 , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Households -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe , Foreign trade regulations , International trade
- Description: This study endeavors to explore the value of informal cross-border trade to household poverty reduction. Informal cross-border trade has become a panacea to most Zimbabweans both employed and unemployed in the middle of the socio-economic crisis which has eroded the standards of living in Zimbabwe. This study is an eye opener to those who view informal cross-border trade as merely a survival strategy. It explores the efficacy of informal cross-border trade as a poverty reduction strategy looking at its viability and sustainability despite criticism by many people who associate informal cross-border trade with all kinds of negativity. It thrusts forward the agenda of participatory poverty reduction agenda within a nexus of partnerships and relationships between the government, non-governmental organization, institutions and families. Informal cross-border traders have maneuvered their way out of the chains and shackles of poverty even though it has been tough due to many obstacles from different angles. They have helped to distribute the scarce goods and products in Zimbabwe as a consequent of the socio-economic crisis. If they are given a better platform they can 5 perform much better than they are getting at present. Thus this study advocates the forging of networks between various stakeholders in both the formal and informal sector in order to fight against poverty.
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Integrating natural sciences and indigenous knowledge systems for rural economic development: a model for rural enterprise development, health and nutrition initiatives in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lupuwana, Pumezo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/81 , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study demonstrated that the demographic profile of the Eastern Cape Province portrayed high levels of poverty and underdevelopment in the mostly rural population. This is despite the fact that the Eastern Cape is characterized by a rich endowment of natural resources, hosting a wide range of natural plant species, numerous rivers, water springs from mountains and no less than six biomes due to the variety of climatic conditions prevalent in the Province. In contrast, the natural resources found in the Province were regarded to have a high potential to grow and transform the economy of the Province. In this study, the integrated approach was conceptualized, developed and implemented in action within the rural communities selected with varying degrees of success, as a function of the material and objective socio-economic conditions prevailing in each community. A model for rural enterprise development based on agricultural production utilizing the principles of Community-Public-Private Partnerships was conceptualized and executed with the assistance of specialist professionals from various disciplines and organizations. Case studies structured on the basis of methodologies derived from the integration of natural sciences and indigenous knowledge systems were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the conceptual framework of the study as indicated by the following case studies. The first case study undertaken was the development of agricultural enterprises in the selected rural communities in joint ventures through the commercial production of food and vegetable crops for local markets and to provide nutrition for the rural communities as the first line of therapy against the HIV/AIDS infection and other diseases associated with malnutrition. The second case study was the establishment of an agricultural enterprise in partnership between rural communities, government agencies and agricultural specialist for the commercial production of grain crops, namely, Sorghum alternating with Wheat to satisfy the demand of local markets for these crops. The third case study was the establishment of a community-based enterprise through the commercial production of two Pelargonium plant species, namely, Pelargonium reniforme and P. sidoides. The two species had a high market demand in the pharmaceutical industry; hence, the plant species were V domestically cultivated to satisfy the industry demand and to ensure the survival of the plant species. The enterprise succeeded in sustaining the livelihoods of the rural communities and conserving the plant species. The fourth case study was the commercial production of essential oil-producing plants in six selected rural communities providing employment for some of the members of these communities even though the initial phase of the start-up enterprise was a trial cultivation to determine the suitability of the environmental and climatic conditions for the propagation of the selected essential-producing plants. The demand for essential oils in local and international markets was determined to relatively high. The incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems of the rural communities in the planning and implementation processes in the areas of Commercial Agricultural Production and Primary Health Care resulted in a gradual paradigm shift on the part of rural communities from a dependence mindset to one of self-reliance that is critical for sustainable rural economic development and the improvement of rural livelihoods. An integrated approach in the strategic planning and execution that involved the rural communities by government stakeholders, the academic community and other stakeholders from the Private Sector was piloted. The recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems by all the relevant stakeholders and their essential role in rural enterprise development, food production and primary health care as a pre-requisite for a successful transformation agenda was highlighted as never before. An all-inclusive approach that accorded the rural communities the status of equal partnership had a positive impact on most aspects of planning and implementing programmes for sustainable rural economic development and biodiversity conservation. Working in partnership with rural communities was found to be a challenge; hence, an understanding of the sub-cultures and the social dynamics that often manifested themselves in the form of internecine conflicts became necessary for successfully initiating the research programme in the rural communities. Furthermore, recognition of the rural communities as an integral part of the solution towards biodiversity conservation and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources was found to be a critical component for an effective strategy to ensure the continued survival of the endangered plant species. This attitude underpinned the co-operation of the rural communities and the overarching goals of rural transformation towards the consistent and sustainable improvement of rural livelihoods. Theapproach also marked a radical shift from all the preceeding practices in biodiversity conservation and the management of sustainable natural resource utilization. The study demonstrated that the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Natural Sciences for sustainable rural economic development with the ultimate strategic objective of contributing towards the reduction of poverty, the improvement of the quality and cost-effectiveness of primary health care and adequate food production is feasible.
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Intimacy in romantic relationships during young adulthood: the role of the mother-daughter relationship
- Authors: Addinall, Elizabeth Liezl
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/160 , Intimacy (Psychology) , Parent and child , Mothers and daughters
- Description: This study addressed the role of the mother-daughter relationship on the daughter‟s development of the capacity for intimacy with a romantic partner. The objective of this study was to examine whether separateness in mother-daughter interactions was related to romantic intimacy (sexual and non-sexual intimacy) in romantic relationships. The following instruments were used: 1) Socio-demographic questionnaire; 2) Competence in Mother-Daughter Relationship Questionnaire (ICQ-M) and 3) Personal Assessment of Intimacy Questionnaire (PAIR). 179 adolescent female university students participated in this study most of who were between the ages of 20 and 24. The results indicated that a positive relationship existed between separateness and sexual intimacy (r=.688, p<.01) as well as separateness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.598, p<.01). A positive relationship between connectedness and non-sexual intimacy (r=.468, p<.01) was also observed, however no correlation was observed between connectedness and sexual intimacy. These findings indicate that separateness in mother-daughter interactions has a definite effect on the different dimensions of romantic intimacy. Therefore, late adolescent women who possess the ability to assert themselves and express differences between themselves and their mothers are not as apprehensive as their peers when it comes to romantic intimacy with a partner.
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Investigating the learners perceptions on the factors that influence learners to use and abuse drugs: a case study of one secondary school in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Pama, Mzingisi Nimrod
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/186
- Description: The research interest in this study was on learners’ perceptions on the factors that influence learners to use and abuse drugs. This study discussed learner understanding of drug use and abuse, what learners consider as reasons why learners use and abuse drugs and what could be done to discourage this phenomenon. The investigation was carried in the central region of the Eastern Cape in Fort Beaufort District. This district covers the rural areas of Nkonkobe municipality. I made use of qualitative methodology to obtain data from a sample of 56 learners and 12 teachers including the principal of the school. This study is located in one high school in the Fort Beaufort District. Methods used included learner surveys, learners’ focus group discussions, teachers’ focus discussions, learners individual interviews as well as document analysis. A major finding in this study indicates that learners understood what drugs as well as heir effects on those who use and abused them. The learners also unpacked factors that contribute to this phenomenon, which include peer pressure, socialization, stress and others. Teachers and learners also suggested ways in which drug use can be discouraged. Teacher also acknowledged that there was a drug problem amongst learners in their school and that something should urgently be done to discourage this phenomenon.
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Job stress, burnout and coping strategies of South African police officers
- Authors: Myendeki, Akhona Nangamso
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Burn out (Psychology) , Stress management , Police -- South Africa , Police -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology) , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/136 , Burn out (Psychology) , Stress management , Police -- South Africa , Police -- Job stress , Stress (Psychology) , Job stress
- Description: The aim of this study was to determine whether coping strategies of police officers help moderate the outcome of burnout resulting from job stress. The nature of the job demands of police officers is such that they may experience high levels of stress. A convenience sample (N = 89: n Males = 58; n Female = 29) of police officers in police stations in the Eastern Cape was surveyed. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey, Police Stress Inventory and COPE questionnaire were administered. Results for all the participants indicate that when the occupational stressor Lack of Resources occurs police officers implement Avoidance Coping (COPE) as a strategy, which leads to the experience of Exhaustion. Results also indicate that police officers use Active Coping, Cognitive Coping and Turning to Religion as means of moderating the stress-burnout relationship. Results also show that the coping strategy Avoidance Coping, used by male officers lead to Cynicism. When female police officers experience Job Demands and a Lack of Resources they make use of Seeking Emotional Support as a coping strategy. Male police officers were shown to make use of Active Coping as a strategy to regulate the stress-burnout relationship while female police officers implemented Active Coping and Turning to Religion to act as a buffer between job stress and burnout.
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Land management in the Wild Coast: the case of indigenous people in Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kalumba, Ahmed Mukalazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11514 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/79 , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An under-reported consequence of the democratic transition is the impact on land management (LM) within communal areas of South Africa (SA).Yet land is an essential natural resource, both for the survival and prosperity of humanity, and for the maintenance of all terrestrial ecosystems (FAO&UNEP,1997.)This study focuses on land management in the Wild Coast with special reference to indigenous people in Coffee Bay.Using the concept of the land management paradigm, the study adopts an intensive research design for the analysis and interpretation of data.The study aims to examine how land as a 'resource'is managed by the local indigenous people with special reference to wether it is moving towards or away from sustainability.The study discusses LM in the rural-built up environment with emphasis on land based activities, land tenure, gender issues,indigenous knowledge systems, changes in land use and degradation.The study looks at the indigenous people's participation in the new LM policy formation as predetermined by the grand scheme of democratization and decentralization.It highlights that indigenous knowledge systems are at the centre in rural sustainable LM, and equity in land issues forms another breakthrough for communal tenure system in the new SA.Indigenous people's views in policy formulation are not necessarily matched with national policy objectives due to poor public consultation.In general, the study provides an understanding of how indigenous people grapple with new policy changes in LM, to ensure sustainable land management in the rural South Africa
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Learning organisations: an exploration of the extent to which early childhood development non-government organisations (NGOS) in the Eastern Cape Province are learning organisations
- Authors: Hornby, Diana Scot
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Early childhood education , Child development , Child psychology , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Community Development)
- Identifier: vital:11843 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/242 , Early childhood education , Child development , Child psychology , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The first decade of democracy marks a massive transition in the life of South African children. The South African Constitution is perhaps the most assertive affirmation of the rights of children any where in the world. The new Government has highlighted the plight of young children by publishing the first white paper for children under the age of 6 years: Education White Paper (5) on Early Childhood Development (RSA, 2001) as well as other policies to guide an integrated developmental approach to early childhood services. Despite progress, according to Porteus (in Chisholm 2004), the gains have not been strong enough to work against the momentum of inequity facing the nation’s young. Non Government Organisations have played a key role over the past thirty years to establish services that address the developmental needs of disadvantaged young children under the age of 6 years. Their challenge now, is to respond to the changes in a transforming state and provide services that are relevant and appropriate. There has been a ‘realignment’ occurring in the ECD sector where activities have shifted beyond the formal classroom possibilities to pro-child social development. This adjustment is making huge demands on the ECD sector as they grapple with the paradigm shift. The Learning Organisation is a strategy that allows organisations to re-invent themselves and remain relevant. The focus of this study examines five ECD NGO’s in the Eastern Cape Province, to assess the extent to which they meet the characteristics that make a learning organisation, in the current democratic context of South Africa. The research was qualitative in nature and utilizing the case study method and through semi-structured interview schedules and document analysis, the researcher was able to gain insight into the Organisations. The Directors in five organisations formed the core of the research sample. The research findings suggest that although the Directors are grappling with the paradigm shift to an integrated, pro-child social development approach, the human resources within organisations are not being fully mobilised, enhanced and tapped. Practicing a Learning Organisation strategy would assist the ECD NGO’s to re-invent themselves, but the research findings suggest that these characteristics remain under-utilized.
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Male perspectives on gender violence in South Africa: the case of Nkonkobe municipal area
- Authors: Danga, Talent
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Abused wives -- South Africa , Abused women -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa -- Research , Family violence -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/180 , Abused wives -- South Africa , Abused women -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa , Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa -- Research , Family violence -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: The study explores the experiences of men who perpetrated violence against women in the domestic sphere. The study’s overarching concern is that violence has been largely seen as a women’s problem and not an issue that is central to men and yet in most cases are the perpetrators of this violence. Consequently, men have not been targeted in initiatives that curb domestic violence (Salo, 2005). It is in this frame of reference that this study saw it imperative to focus on the male perspective of gender violence. The study aims to find factors that contribute to male violence and in turn recommend practical and appropriate strategies of dealing with male violence perpetrators. The study drew its theoretical framework largely from the feminist theory, systems theory and the social learning theory in-order to gain insight into the different frameworks for making judgement about male violence against women. Feminists hold the view that, starting with people’s experiences is a powerful tool that provides the rational for their studies. The study was therefore qualitative in nature as it sought to gather men’s experiences of violent against their spouses; semi-structured interviews were utilized during data collection. A purposive sampling method was utilised to select ten men who were known to have perpetrated violence against their partners and five key informants with special knowledge on domestic violence. The research was conducted through the Department of Social Development in Alice in the Eastern Cape, which facilitated a trusting relationship between the researcher and its clients. The findings established that violence is used to maintain control and power over women. Men invoked hegemonic discourses as violence is employed as an instrument to suppress women, mostly in instances were women question their prerogatives and undermine their authority. It was evidenced that cultural practices such as ‘lobola’ (dowry) usually contribute to men’s use of violence. Most of the respondents understood violence from the physical dimension only, as violence was equated to beating and slapping. Added to that was the respondents’ inadequate understanding of domestic violence laws and legislation. The study also established that social service providers seem not to have concrete procedures and capacity to deal with perpetrators of domestic violence. In light of the problems discussed, the study recommends effective counseling and educational programs, policy improvement, capacitation of service providers and the criminal justice system and further research as strategies for dealing with male violence in the Nkonkobe District.
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