A model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of Eastern Cape essential oil producers selling through electronic marketplaces
- Authors: Gcora, Nozibele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Security measures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- Marketing , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2194 , vital:27672
- Description: Eastern Cape Province farmers in the natural essential oils industry are yet to fully realise the use of electronic commerce (e-commerce) platforms, such as electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) for business purposes. This is due to the issues that include lack of awareness, poor product quality, untrusted payment gateways and unsuccessful delivery that are associated with e-marketplaces. As a result, farmers do not trust e-marketplaces and therefore hesitate to engage in e-marketplaces for business purposes. This is further complicated by natural essential oils buyers‟ tendency of preferring face-to-face interaction with a supplier rather than online interaction as they need quality assurance. As such, this research proposes a model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of natural essential oil producers in the Eastern Cape Province selling through e-marketplaces. The model constitutes the factors that could be considered in assisting essential oil producers to create a perception of trustworthiness to buyers in e-marketplaces. These factors were evaluated amongst five organisations involved in the production, retail or processing of essential oils using a multiple-case study methodology. The study‟s use of multiple-case study was applied within the interpretivist paradigm and five cases were considered. Interviews, document analysis and observations were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using within-case analysis followed by cross-case analysis to establish factors of trust. The essential oil producers based in the Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces were cases that had been successfully using e-marketplaces for a notable period of time. Accordingly, factors that contributed to the successful use of e-marketplaces informed the proposed model of this research. The model proposes that perceived trustworthiness of enterprises in e-marketplaces can be achieved through following the uncertainty reduction stages (Entry, Personal and Exit) and applying uncertainty reduction strategies (passive, active and interactive).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gcora, Nozibele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Security measures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Essences and essential oils -- Marketing , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2194 , vital:27672
- Description: Eastern Cape Province farmers in the natural essential oils industry are yet to fully realise the use of electronic commerce (e-commerce) platforms, such as electronic marketplaces (e-marketplaces) for business purposes. This is due to the issues that include lack of awareness, poor product quality, untrusted payment gateways and unsuccessful delivery that are associated with e-marketplaces. As a result, farmers do not trust e-marketplaces and therefore hesitate to engage in e-marketplaces for business purposes. This is further complicated by natural essential oils buyers‟ tendency of preferring face-to-face interaction with a supplier rather than online interaction as they need quality assurance. As such, this research proposes a model to enhance the perceived trustworthiness of natural essential oil producers in the Eastern Cape Province selling through e-marketplaces. The model constitutes the factors that could be considered in assisting essential oil producers to create a perception of trustworthiness to buyers in e-marketplaces. These factors were evaluated amongst five organisations involved in the production, retail or processing of essential oils using a multiple-case study methodology. The study‟s use of multiple-case study was applied within the interpretivist paradigm and five cases were considered. Interviews, document analysis and observations were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using within-case analysis followed by cross-case analysis to establish factors of trust. The essential oil producers based in the Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces were cases that had been successfully using e-marketplaces for a notable period of time. Accordingly, factors that contributed to the successful use of e-marketplaces informed the proposed model of this research. The model proposes that perceived trustworthiness of enterprises in e-marketplaces can be achieved through following the uncertainty reduction stages (Entry, Personal and Exit) and applying uncertainty reduction strategies (passive, active and interactive).
- Full Text:
A model to measure the maturuty of smartphone security at software consultancies
- Authors: Allam, Sean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/281 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Description: Smartphones are proliferating into the workplace at an ever-increasing rate, similarly the threats that they pose is increasing. In an era of constant connectivity and availability, information is freed up of constraints of time and place. This research project delves into the risks introduced by smartphones, and through multiple cases studies, a maturity measurement model is formulated. The model is based on recommendations from two leading information security frameworks, the COBIT 4.1 framework and ISO27002 code of practice. Ultimately, a combination of smartphone specific risks are integrated with key control recommendations, in providing a set of key measurable security maturity components. The subjective opinions of case study respondents are considered a key component in achieving a solution. The solution addresses the concerns of not only policy makers, but also the employees subjected to the security policies. Nurturing security awareness into organisational culture through reinforcement and employee acceptance is highlighted in this research project. Software consultancies can use this model to mitigate risks, while harnessing the potential strategic advantages of mobile computing through smartphone devices. In addition, this research project identifies the critical components of a smartphone security solution. As a result, a model is provided for software consultancies due to the intense reliance on information within these types of organisations. The model can be effectively applied to any information intensive organisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Allam, Sean
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/281 , Computer networks -- Security measures , Capability maturity model (Computer software) , Smartphones , Wireless Internet , Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Description: Smartphones are proliferating into the workplace at an ever-increasing rate, similarly the threats that they pose is increasing. In an era of constant connectivity and availability, information is freed up of constraints of time and place. This research project delves into the risks introduced by smartphones, and through multiple cases studies, a maturity measurement model is formulated. The model is based on recommendations from two leading information security frameworks, the COBIT 4.1 framework and ISO27002 code of practice. Ultimately, a combination of smartphone specific risks are integrated with key control recommendations, in providing a set of key measurable security maturity components. The subjective opinions of case study respondents are considered a key component in achieving a solution. The solution addresses the concerns of not only policy makers, but also the employees subjected to the security policies. Nurturing security awareness into organisational culture through reinforcement and employee acceptance is highlighted in this research project. Software consultancies can use this model to mitigate risks, while harnessing the potential strategic advantages of mobile computing through smartphone devices. In addition, this research project identifies the critical components of a smartphone security solution. As a result, a model is provided for software consultancies due to the intense reliance on information within these types of organisations. The model can be effectively applied to any information intensive organisation.
- Full Text:
A narrative exploration of the experiences of children from child-headed households into early adulthood : a case study of Nkonkobe District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sumbulu, Manowa Abie
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Children's rights--South Africa--Eastern Cape Child caregivers--South Africa--Eastern Cape Children--Legal status, laws, etc.--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11850 , vital:39112
- Description: The past three decades have seen dramatic changes within the childcare system. There has been a bourgeoning death rate of child-bearing parents resulting in an unprecedentedly high number of parentless children (orphans) leading to the formation of child-headed households (CHHs). This formation came about as a result of the paucity of informal care for such children as well as the incapacity of the formal child care system. Most of these children are disadvantages with the prospect of facing a bleak future. However, some of them survive and presumably make it in life despite the odds. It is resilience and strengths they have in coping with their life’s’ situations that the research addresses. An exploratory-descriptive and qualitative design was applied in this research as well as Guba's (1981) approach to ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. A systematic probability sampling procedure was applied in selecting participants. A semi-structured interview schedule with open-ended questions was applied to both the pilot study and to the study proper. The latter was conducted in the form of fourteen in-depth interviews and a focus group of eight discussants. The protocols were explicated in terms of a full delineation of the themes while the data were analysed by utilizing the thematic approach based on the grounded theory. Three developmental stages were identified: their base before becoming a child-headed household; the transition stage when they were in the child-headed household and the central narrative of how they progressed and coped since leaving the CHH. The third stage was the time for reflecting on what they had gone through and offered advice on coping capacity to children who might find themselves in child-headed households. Each of these stages has been marked by its highs and lows as they navigate through life and developing coping strategies. Some of these coping mechanisms were stage-specific while others persisted through all the stages.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sumbulu, Manowa Abie
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Children's rights--South Africa--Eastern Cape Child caregivers--South Africa--Eastern Cape Children--Legal status, laws, etc.--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11850 , vital:39112
- Description: The past three decades have seen dramatic changes within the childcare system. There has been a bourgeoning death rate of child-bearing parents resulting in an unprecedentedly high number of parentless children (orphans) leading to the formation of child-headed households (CHHs). This formation came about as a result of the paucity of informal care for such children as well as the incapacity of the formal child care system. Most of these children are disadvantages with the prospect of facing a bleak future. However, some of them survive and presumably make it in life despite the odds. It is resilience and strengths they have in coping with their life’s’ situations that the research addresses. An exploratory-descriptive and qualitative design was applied in this research as well as Guba's (1981) approach to ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. A systematic probability sampling procedure was applied in selecting participants. A semi-structured interview schedule with open-ended questions was applied to both the pilot study and to the study proper. The latter was conducted in the form of fourteen in-depth interviews and a focus group of eight discussants. The protocols were explicated in terms of a full delineation of the themes while the data were analysed by utilizing the thematic approach based on the grounded theory. Three developmental stages were identified: their base before becoming a child-headed household; the transition stage when they were in the child-headed household and the central narrative of how they progressed and coped since leaving the CHH. The third stage was the time for reflecting on what they had gone through and offered advice on coping capacity to children who might find themselves in child-headed households. Each of these stages has been marked by its highs and lows as they navigate through life and developing coping strategies. Some of these coping mechanisms were stage-specific while others persisted through all the stages.
- Full Text:
A new light on the pre-colonial history of South-East Africa, where the 'Other' is the European and the 'Silence' has a voice, based on evidence from shipwreck survivor narratives 1552-1782
- Authors: Vernon, Gillian Noël
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shipwrecks -- South Africa -- History Shipwrecks -- Mozambique -- Personal narratives
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (History)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7930 , vital:30924
- Description: The aim of this dissertation is to extract information from shipwreck survivor narratives, which will add to the known body of knowledge of the pre-colonial history of Southern Africa during the years 1552 to 1782. The discourse analysis focuses on the voice of the African peoples where the Europeans are the 'Strangers', the 'Other', reversing the view that the people of non-European cultures were termed as the 'Other'. Indigenous inhabitants of south-east Africa, south of Kosi Bay, first encountered Europeans in 1552 when a Portuguese ship was wrecked at present-day Port Edward. Subsequently, eight more Portuguese ships were wrecked between Plettenberg Bay and Kosi Bay between the years 1554 to 1647. Two Dutch ships landed on the shore, one south of the Bay of Natal in 1686, and the other being wrecked near the mouth of the Keiskamma River in 1713. There were also two English ships, with one striking the rocks on Bird Island in Algoa Bay in 1755 and the other, the more famous Grosvenor of 1782, coming aground at Lambazi Bay, north of the Mzimvubu River. The survivor groups were large, varying in size from 72 to 500, and most included a large complements of slaves. The survivors of the Portuguese ships made their way to present-day Mozambique where the Portuguese had trading outposts. The survivors of the Dutch ships, as well as those of the Grosvenor tried, with limited success, to make their way to Cape Town. The survivors from two of the Portuguese wrecks and the English group on Bird Island, constructed small ships and managed to sail away.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vernon, Gillian Noël
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shipwrecks -- South Africa -- History Shipwrecks -- Mozambique -- Personal narratives
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (History)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7930 , vital:30924
- Description: The aim of this dissertation is to extract information from shipwreck survivor narratives, which will add to the known body of knowledge of the pre-colonial history of Southern Africa during the years 1552 to 1782. The discourse analysis focuses on the voice of the African peoples where the Europeans are the 'Strangers', the 'Other', reversing the view that the people of non-European cultures were termed as the 'Other'. Indigenous inhabitants of south-east Africa, south of Kosi Bay, first encountered Europeans in 1552 when a Portuguese ship was wrecked at present-day Port Edward. Subsequently, eight more Portuguese ships were wrecked between Plettenberg Bay and Kosi Bay between the years 1554 to 1647. Two Dutch ships landed on the shore, one south of the Bay of Natal in 1686, and the other being wrecked near the mouth of the Keiskamma River in 1713. There were also two English ships, with one striking the rocks on Bird Island in Algoa Bay in 1755 and the other, the more famous Grosvenor of 1782, coming aground at Lambazi Bay, north of the Mzimvubu River. The survivor groups were large, varying in size from 72 to 500, and most included a large complements of slaves. The survivors of the Portuguese ships made their way to present-day Mozambique where the Portuguese had trading outposts. The survivors of the Dutch ships, as well as those of the Grosvenor tried, with limited success, to make their way to Cape Town. The survivors from two of the Portuguese wrecks and the English group on Bird Island, constructed small ships and managed to sail away.
- Full Text:
A P2P middleware design for digital access nodes in marginalised rural areas
- Authors: Wertlen, Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Software design , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Simulation methods , Computer networks , Data transmission systems , Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing , Middleware -- Development , Computer software
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/254 , Software design , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Simulation methods , Computer networks , Data transmission systems , Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing , Middleware -- Development , Computer software
- Description: This thesis addresses software design within the field of Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICTD). Specifically, it makes a case for the design and development of software which is custom-made for the context of marginalised rural areas (MRAs). One of the main aims of any ICTD project is sustainability and such sustainability is particularly difficult in MRAs because of the high costs of projects located there. Most literature on ICTD projects focuses on other factors, such as management, regulations, social and community issues when discussing this issue. Technical matters are often down-played or ignored entirely. This thesis argues that MRAs exhibit unique technical characteristics and that by understanding these characteristics, one can possibly design more cost-effective software. One specific characteristic is described and addressed in this thesis – a characteristic we describe here for the first time and call a network island. Further analysis of the literature generates a picture of a distributed network of access nodes (DANs) within such network islands, which are connected by high speed networks and are able to share resources and stimulate usage of technology by offering a wide range of services. This thesis attempts to design a fitting middleware platform for such a context, which would achieve the following aims: i) allow software developers to create solutions for the context more efficiently (correctly, rapidly); ii) stimulate product managers and business owners to create innovative software products more easily (cost-effectively). A given in the context of this thesis is that the software should use free/libre open source software (FLOSS) – good arguments do also exist for the use of FLOSS. A review of useful FLOSS frameworks is undertaken and several of these are examined in an applied part of the thesis, to see how useful they may be. They form the basis for a walking skeleton implementation of the proposed middleware. The Spring framework is the basis for experiments, along with Spring-Webservices, JMX and PHP 5’s web service capabilities. This thesis builds on three years of work at the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an experimental testbed in a MRA in the Mbashe district of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Several existing products are deployed at the SLL in the fields of eCommerce, eGovernment and eLearning. Requirements specifications are engineered from a variety of sources, including interviews, mailing lists, the author’s experience as a supervisor at the SLL, and a review of the existing SLL products. Future products are also investigated, as the thesis considers current trends in ICTD. Use cases are also derived and listed. Most of the use cases are concerned with management functions of DANs that can be automated, so that operators of DANs can focus on their core business and not on technology. Using the UML Components methodology, the thesis then proceeds to design a middleware component architecture that is derived from the requirements specification. The process proceeds step-by-step, so that the reader can follow how business rules, operations and interfaces are derived from the use cases. Ultimately, the business rules, interfaces and operations are related to business logic, system interfaces and operations that are situated in specific components. The components in turn are derived from the business information model, that is derived from the business concepts that were initially used to describe the context for the requirements engineering. In this way, a logical method for software design is applied to the problem domain to methodically derive a software design for a middleware solution. The thesis tests the design by considering possible weaknesses in the design. The network aspect is tested by interpolating from formal assumptions about the nature of the context. The data access layer is also identified as a possible bottleneck. We suggest the use of fast indexing methods instead of relational databases to maintain flexibility and efficiency of the data layer. Lessons learned from the exercise are discussed, within the context of the author’s experience in software development teams, as well as in ICTD projects. This synthesis of information leads to warnings about the psychology of middleware development. We note that the ICTD domain is a particularly difficult one with regards to software development as business requirements are not usually clearly formulated and developers do not have the requisite domain knowledge. In conclusion, the core arguments of the thesis are recounted in a bullet form, to lay bare the reasoning behind this work. Novel aspects of the work are also highlighted. They include the description of a network island, and aspects of the DAN middleware requirements engineering and design. Future steps for work based on this thesis are mapped out and open problems relating to this research are touched upon.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wertlen, Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Software design , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Simulation methods , Computer networks , Data transmission systems , Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing , Middleware -- Development , Computer software
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/254 , Software design , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Simulation methods , Computer networks , Data transmission systems , Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing , Middleware -- Development , Computer software
- Description: This thesis addresses software design within the field of Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICTD). Specifically, it makes a case for the design and development of software which is custom-made for the context of marginalised rural areas (MRAs). One of the main aims of any ICTD project is sustainability and such sustainability is particularly difficult in MRAs because of the high costs of projects located there. Most literature on ICTD projects focuses on other factors, such as management, regulations, social and community issues when discussing this issue. Technical matters are often down-played or ignored entirely. This thesis argues that MRAs exhibit unique technical characteristics and that by understanding these characteristics, one can possibly design more cost-effective software. One specific characteristic is described and addressed in this thesis – a characteristic we describe here for the first time and call a network island. Further analysis of the literature generates a picture of a distributed network of access nodes (DANs) within such network islands, which are connected by high speed networks and are able to share resources and stimulate usage of technology by offering a wide range of services. This thesis attempts to design a fitting middleware platform for such a context, which would achieve the following aims: i) allow software developers to create solutions for the context more efficiently (correctly, rapidly); ii) stimulate product managers and business owners to create innovative software products more easily (cost-effectively). A given in the context of this thesis is that the software should use free/libre open source software (FLOSS) – good arguments do also exist for the use of FLOSS. A review of useful FLOSS frameworks is undertaken and several of these are examined in an applied part of the thesis, to see how useful they may be. They form the basis for a walking skeleton implementation of the proposed middleware. The Spring framework is the basis for experiments, along with Spring-Webservices, JMX and PHP 5’s web service capabilities. This thesis builds on three years of work at the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an experimental testbed in a MRA in the Mbashe district of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Several existing products are deployed at the SLL in the fields of eCommerce, eGovernment and eLearning. Requirements specifications are engineered from a variety of sources, including interviews, mailing lists, the author’s experience as a supervisor at the SLL, and a review of the existing SLL products. Future products are also investigated, as the thesis considers current trends in ICTD. Use cases are also derived and listed. Most of the use cases are concerned with management functions of DANs that can be automated, so that operators of DANs can focus on their core business and not on technology. Using the UML Components methodology, the thesis then proceeds to design a middleware component architecture that is derived from the requirements specification. The process proceeds step-by-step, so that the reader can follow how business rules, operations and interfaces are derived from the use cases. Ultimately, the business rules, interfaces and operations are related to business logic, system interfaces and operations that are situated in specific components. The components in turn are derived from the business information model, that is derived from the business concepts that were initially used to describe the context for the requirements engineering. In this way, a logical method for software design is applied to the problem domain to methodically derive a software design for a middleware solution. The thesis tests the design by considering possible weaknesses in the design. The network aspect is tested by interpolating from formal assumptions about the nature of the context. The data access layer is also identified as a possible bottleneck. We suggest the use of fast indexing methods instead of relational databases to maintain flexibility and efficiency of the data layer. Lessons learned from the exercise are discussed, within the context of the author’s experience in software development teams, as well as in ICTD projects. This synthesis of information leads to warnings about the psychology of middleware development. We note that the ICTD domain is a particularly difficult one with regards to software development as business requirements are not usually clearly formulated and developers do not have the requisite domain knowledge. In conclusion, the core arguments of the thesis are recounted in a bullet form, to lay bare the reasoning behind this work. Novel aspects of the work are also highlighted. They include the description of a network island, and aspects of the DAN middleware requirements engineering and design. Future steps for work based on this thesis are mapped out and open problems relating to this research are touched upon.
- Full Text:
A participatory communication approach of rural cattle project: a case study of Nguni cattle project in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Communication in community development -- South Africa , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Participatory rural appraisal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015407 , Communication in community development -- South Africa , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Participatory rural appraisal
- Description: project. It did this by reviewing relevant literature in development communication. The review done showed that literature is replete with arguments critical of the dominant paradigm due to its top-down nature of communication. Scholars critical of dominant paradigm argue that participatory communication should be given a prominent role to ensure that stakeholders work in concert to realise the stated objectives of their development project. The study highlighted many contentious issues surrounding the nature and practices of participatory communication. It pointed out that the issues have played themselves out in literature in the form of different typologies of participatory practices, which were dealt with extensively in this study. The discussion of participatory communication in literature is also mindful of different models of communication and the space they occupy in participatory communication practices. In this study, there was a discussion of transactional communication models as depicted by Nair and White (1993:52) and Steinberg (1997:19). Both scholars emphasise that participatory communication will not achieve its stated purpose without mutual agreement of the parties in communication. They equally stress the recognition of the possible effects of some contextual factors which may have bearing on the prevailing nature of communication. A review of different communication tools used by participatory development communicator was given in the study. These different communication tools were discussed in view of how these tools can be used to advance participatory practice in a development project, especially with reference to the project examined in this study. Using qualitative research method, different and appropriate interview methods such as semi-structured, focus group and post-survey interviews were used to collect data from the respondents in this study. The analysis and discussion of the data revealed that different challenges on the ground could affect participatory communication practices in a development project. With regard to the project examined in this study, the analysis showed that there is a weak stakeholder relationship, especially stakeholders identified in this study as field officers. The study highlighted that stakeholders such as the agricultural extension officers and animal health technicians are not very active in the implementation process of the project. Some of the reasons pointed out is the fact that the secondary stakeholder such as the Provincial Department of Agricultural (PDoA) to which these field officers belong is not playing active role in ensuring that they complement the efforts of other field officers such as the IDC representatives. The second reason is the fact that the participatory focus of the project was not properly communicated to the beneficiaries. This also transpired in their inability to reflect participatory practice in their relationship with the beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the project. Other challenges, among others, as pointed out in the analysis showed that participatory communication practice requires expert personnel to be successful. In the case of the project examined, apart from the fact that there is shortage of manpower to handle the challenges mentioned in the study, there is no communication expert among the few active personnel in the field. The findings of this study showed that there was no clear role and identification of responsibilities let alone coordination of all actors involved in the project. Through the selected case study, this study has not only provided avenue to explore both theoretically and practically participatory communication, but has added to participatory communication discourse that there is no easy answer to challenges field officers encounter in practice. This is the reason the different participatory practices characterising nature of the project this study has investigated was given.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Communication in community development -- South Africa , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Participatory rural appraisal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015407 , Communication in community development -- South Africa , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Participatory rural appraisal
- Description: project. It did this by reviewing relevant literature in development communication. The review done showed that literature is replete with arguments critical of the dominant paradigm due to its top-down nature of communication. Scholars critical of dominant paradigm argue that participatory communication should be given a prominent role to ensure that stakeholders work in concert to realise the stated objectives of their development project. The study highlighted many contentious issues surrounding the nature and practices of participatory communication. It pointed out that the issues have played themselves out in literature in the form of different typologies of participatory practices, which were dealt with extensively in this study. The discussion of participatory communication in literature is also mindful of different models of communication and the space they occupy in participatory communication practices. In this study, there was a discussion of transactional communication models as depicted by Nair and White (1993:52) and Steinberg (1997:19). Both scholars emphasise that participatory communication will not achieve its stated purpose without mutual agreement of the parties in communication. They equally stress the recognition of the possible effects of some contextual factors which may have bearing on the prevailing nature of communication. A review of different communication tools used by participatory development communicator was given in the study. These different communication tools were discussed in view of how these tools can be used to advance participatory practice in a development project, especially with reference to the project examined in this study. Using qualitative research method, different and appropriate interview methods such as semi-structured, focus group and post-survey interviews were used to collect data from the respondents in this study. The analysis and discussion of the data revealed that different challenges on the ground could affect participatory communication practices in a development project. With regard to the project examined in this study, the analysis showed that there is a weak stakeholder relationship, especially stakeholders identified in this study as field officers. The study highlighted that stakeholders such as the agricultural extension officers and animal health technicians are not very active in the implementation process of the project. Some of the reasons pointed out is the fact that the secondary stakeholder such as the Provincial Department of Agricultural (PDoA) to which these field officers belong is not playing active role in ensuring that they complement the efforts of other field officers such as the IDC representatives. The second reason is the fact that the participatory focus of the project was not properly communicated to the beneficiaries. This also transpired in their inability to reflect participatory practice in their relationship with the beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the project. Other challenges, among others, as pointed out in the analysis showed that participatory communication practice requires expert personnel to be successful. In the case of the project examined, apart from the fact that there is shortage of manpower to handle the challenges mentioned in the study, there is no communication expert among the few active personnel in the field. The findings of this study showed that there was no clear role and identification of responsibilities let alone coordination of all actors involved in the project. Through the selected case study, this study has not only provided avenue to explore both theoretically and practically participatory communication, but has added to participatory communication discourse that there is no easy answer to challenges field officers encounter in practice. This is the reason the different participatory practices characterising nature of the project this study has investigated was given.
- Full Text:
A pastoral theological response to post-traumatic experiences of family members of murdered victims : a case study of Mbizana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ncama, Nomonde Patience
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Murder victims--South Africa Pastoral counseling Bereavement--Religious aspects--Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Theology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17428 , vital:40967
- Description: The researcher wish to shed light on the health of the victims’ family members, who had in common, the traumatic experience of having one or more of their family members brutally murdered by a serial killers, and that they numbered fourteen people, who were residents in Wards 23 and 24. Nine of the fourteen victims were females and five were males, young and old. Some victims worked at Mzamba Wild Coast Cassino Hotel, one of those workers originally came from Kwa Zulu Natal at Umzimkhulu local municipality. Serial killers either attacked the victims in their homes, whilst they were fast asleep, many of the atrocities were witnessed by their children, or they were attacked in an open field when they were dropped-off from their place of work at midnight. The serial killers, used tools like hammers, to knock victims on the heads, thereby rendering them unconscious; bush knives were then used for the removal of certain body parts. Most victims were residents of Ward 24 which is nearer Mzamba Wild Coast Cassino Hotel. Many of the victims’ bodies showed evidence of head injuries, mutilation of body parts or ‘genital mutilation’, it is alleged that private parts were used for muti purposes. There was evidence that females had been raped. Post trauma was an experience that left many in the villages of Mbizana marked by fear and anxiety. When a serial murder occurred it demanded the attention of all South Africans for several reasons, especially because it dramatically threatens and profoundly challenges our sense of safety, in particular our sense of personal safety. The serial killing as a phenomenon, challenges the larger society throughout the country, it is an emotive subject. The study is concern with prolonged soul suffering without healing, a pastoral counselling services was rendered to victims’ family members with recommendation of reconciliation and forgiveness as therapeutic measures. The study concludes by calling upon the Church as congregation to include to her programmes the topic of serial killing. The study makes recommendations to the Church to empower, make awareness, teach, and offer counselling to the congregation, that denominations must approach theological institutions for an introduction of modules that cover the concept of serial killing.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ncama, Nomonde Patience
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Murder victims--South Africa Pastoral counseling Bereavement--Religious aspects--Christianity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Theology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17428 , vital:40967
- Description: The researcher wish to shed light on the health of the victims’ family members, who had in common, the traumatic experience of having one or more of their family members brutally murdered by a serial killers, and that they numbered fourteen people, who were residents in Wards 23 and 24. Nine of the fourteen victims were females and five were males, young and old. Some victims worked at Mzamba Wild Coast Cassino Hotel, one of those workers originally came from Kwa Zulu Natal at Umzimkhulu local municipality. Serial killers either attacked the victims in their homes, whilst they were fast asleep, many of the atrocities were witnessed by their children, or they were attacked in an open field when they were dropped-off from their place of work at midnight. The serial killers, used tools like hammers, to knock victims on the heads, thereby rendering them unconscious; bush knives were then used for the removal of certain body parts. Most victims were residents of Ward 24 which is nearer Mzamba Wild Coast Cassino Hotel. Many of the victims’ bodies showed evidence of head injuries, mutilation of body parts or ‘genital mutilation’, it is alleged that private parts were used for muti purposes. There was evidence that females had been raped. Post trauma was an experience that left many in the villages of Mbizana marked by fear and anxiety. When a serial murder occurred it demanded the attention of all South Africans for several reasons, especially because it dramatically threatens and profoundly challenges our sense of safety, in particular our sense of personal safety. The serial killing as a phenomenon, challenges the larger society throughout the country, it is an emotive subject. The study is concern with prolonged soul suffering without healing, a pastoral counselling services was rendered to victims’ family members with recommendation of reconciliation and forgiveness as therapeutic measures. The study concludes by calling upon the Church as congregation to include to her programmes the topic of serial killing. The study makes recommendations to the Church to empower, make awareness, teach, and offer counselling to the congregation, that denominations must approach theological institutions for an introduction of modules that cover the concept of serial killing.
- Full Text:
A phenomenological study on the experiences of adults, in Nongoma KwaZulu Natal who headed households in their childhood
- Authors: Buthelezi, Nondumiso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Orphanages Households
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17652 , vital:41132
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who headed households in their childhood. The phenomenon of child-headed households is intricate and multidimensional. Not only does it have implications on the family system, it also impacts on the community and has insightful consequences for the welfare of children, as well as the realisation of their rights. The rationale for the study was to explore the phenomena of child-headed households from a reflective perspective, from previous child headers of households. In order to carry out this aim, the researcher utilised the systems theory, kinship theory, as well as the African philosophy of Ubuntu to anchor the study. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as a qualitative research methodology in this study. Data was generated through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the four purposively selected participants. The interviews with the participants were recorded and further transcribed verbatim. The IPA data analysis, as set out by Jonathan Smith, was applied manually to the transcribed extracts. The findings of the study indicated that headers of child households face challenges related to psychological well-being, emotional well-being as well as educational difficulties. It is recommended that government strengthen policies that will support and protect children who are heading families
- Full Text:
- Authors: Buthelezi, Nondumiso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Orphanages Households
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17652 , vital:41132
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who headed households in their childhood. The phenomenon of child-headed households is intricate and multidimensional. Not only does it have implications on the family system, it also impacts on the community and has insightful consequences for the welfare of children, as well as the realisation of their rights. The rationale for the study was to explore the phenomena of child-headed households from a reflective perspective, from previous child headers of households. In order to carry out this aim, the researcher utilised the systems theory, kinship theory, as well as the African philosophy of Ubuntu to anchor the study. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as a qualitative research methodology in this study. Data was generated through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the four purposively selected participants. The interviews with the participants were recorded and further transcribed verbatim. The IPA data analysis, as set out by Jonathan Smith, was applied manually to the transcribed extracts. The findings of the study indicated that headers of child households face challenges related to psychological well-being, emotional well-being as well as educational difficulties. It is recommended that government strengthen policies that will support and protect children who are heading families
- Full Text:
A preliminary study on the effects of elevated CO2 on aphid resistance of Tugela Dn and the population dynamics of the Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae), Diuraphis noxia
- Authors: Mundondo, Daphine
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020244
- Description: Food security is of major importance due to the increasing world population with 8.9 billion people expected by 2050 (Cohen, 2003). Diuraphis noxia (RWA), have caused aggravating, massive losses to wheat farmers in many areas of the world. If unchecked, RWA are able to destroy plants resulting in major economic impacts (Botha, 2013). Due to ineffective use of other control methods, the Small Grains Institute in Bethlehem, South Africa, have therefore developed resistant cultivars to the known RWA subtypes over the past decades through intensive breeding programmes (Tolmay et al., 2006). Climate change has however become a major factor threatening food security especially with the observed increase in CO2 from less than 300 ppm in pre-industrial period to the current 385 ppm and is predicted to reach 550 ppm by 2050 (IPCC, 2007; Meehl et al., 2007). Elevated CO2 concentration may affect individual species of a community hence the need to understand the wheat-aphid interactions. In this study, population growth rates and virulence of RWA SA1 at ambient (385 ppm) and elevated (450 ppm) CO2 concentration were evaluated on two wheat cultivars: Tugela Dn (resistant) and Scheepers (susceptible). Fluorescence microscopy techniques using aniline blue were used to investigate feeding related damage caused by RWA SA1 through an examination of callose deposition at the two CO2 concentration. A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis method was developed in order to determine the effect of RWA SA1 on the wheat cultivars proteome at the two CO2 concentration. Differentially expressed proteins that were up or down regulated more than two fold were identified using PDQuestTM Basic 2D Gel analysis software. Populations of RWA SA1 increased significantly on the two wheat cultivars at both CO2 concentration. Although the population growth rate for RWA SA1 on both cultivars was generally exponential at all treatments, growth at elevated CO2 concentration was noticeably faster with populations increasing 3 fold in 14 days as compared to the 2 times at ambient CO2 concentration. Hence, both cultivars provided a better quality host for RWA SA1 at 450 ppm than 385 ppm. There was no significant difference between RWA SA1 population on Tugela Dn and on Scheepers at elevated CO2 concentration on day 14 after infestation which means there was a change in the resistance mechanism in Tugela Dn at this condition. Approximately 70% of the total leaf showed chlorosis by 21 days of aphid infestation for both cultivars although the susceptible cultivar was more vulnerable. There was low callose deposition in the controls (uninfested plants) but heavy callose in infested plants due to aphid feeding. A proteomics approach was used as a pilot study to investigate whether it would be possible to identify the changes in the resistance mechanism during aphid infestation under elevated CO2 levels. The major changes in the proteome of the control group (uninfested Tugela Dn at ambient versus elevated CO2 concentration) occurred in the early events (day 1-7) in the molecular weight range of approximately 25 kDa to 55 kDa are mainly within the basic to neutral pH range. This was suggested to be a result of mechanisms to adjust to the CO2 concentration. Elevated CO2 results in instant higher photosynthetic rates and C:N ratios as well as changes in expression levels of SA-dependant defense genes (Lindroth 1995; Hughes and Bazzaz, 2001; Sun et al., 2013). Because most of these changes are directly regulated by proteins, it is expected that the most differential protein expression will occur immediately after the atmospheric changes (early events) as was shown in the study. Infested plants under elevated and ambient conditions showed that the stress conditions gave rise to differentially regulated proteins within the wheat proteome. Most changes occurred elevated CO2 levels. It can be suggested that the changes were a result of differentially regulated plant defence proteins which fall in this range (25 kDa - 80 kDa) such as peroxidases, chitinases and β-1.3-glucanases as well as protein kinases, heat-shock proteins and photosynthetic proteins. These results indicate that there has been changes in the resistance due to elevated CO2 because of the evident changes in the proteome. If so, then the results will be similar to those documented by Louw (2007) where up-regulation was due to putative storage proteins, proteins involved in photosynthesis, heat shock proteins and defense proteins. Of course, the pI value and molecular mass of the proteins and the identification of the proteins in these spots, must be determined in future work to specifically identify whether these suggestions are authentic. However, Louw (2007) also reports that the susceptible Betta wheat cultivar, displayed a defence response similar to the HR although it was unable to up-regulate specific defensive proteins against RWA infestation but proteins for broad resistance. Although the changes in the proteins in infested Tugela Dn under elevated CO2 concentration were not accurately identified, the defense mechanism is similar to that portrayed by the susceptible Betta wheat cultivar which shows that the resistance mechanism had been overcome. Because this was a pilot study and preliminary results were obtained due to limited funding and time constraints, suggestions were made on how to further develop the method to obtain statistically significant results.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mundondo, Daphine
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020244
- Description: Food security is of major importance due to the increasing world population with 8.9 billion people expected by 2050 (Cohen, 2003). Diuraphis noxia (RWA), have caused aggravating, massive losses to wheat farmers in many areas of the world. If unchecked, RWA are able to destroy plants resulting in major economic impacts (Botha, 2013). Due to ineffective use of other control methods, the Small Grains Institute in Bethlehem, South Africa, have therefore developed resistant cultivars to the known RWA subtypes over the past decades through intensive breeding programmes (Tolmay et al., 2006). Climate change has however become a major factor threatening food security especially with the observed increase in CO2 from less than 300 ppm in pre-industrial period to the current 385 ppm and is predicted to reach 550 ppm by 2050 (IPCC, 2007; Meehl et al., 2007). Elevated CO2 concentration may affect individual species of a community hence the need to understand the wheat-aphid interactions. In this study, population growth rates and virulence of RWA SA1 at ambient (385 ppm) and elevated (450 ppm) CO2 concentration were evaluated on two wheat cultivars: Tugela Dn (resistant) and Scheepers (susceptible). Fluorescence microscopy techniques using aniline blue were used to investigate feeding related damage caused by RWA SA1 through an examination of callose deposition at the two CO2 concentration. A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis method was developed in order to determine the effect of RWA SA1 on the wheat cultivars proteome at the two CO2 concentration. Differentially expressed proteins that were up or down regulated more than two fold were identified using PDQuestTM Basic 2D Gel analysis software. Populations of RWA SA1 increased significantly on the two wheat cultivars at both CO2 concentration. Although the population growth rate for RWA SA1 on both cultivars was generally exponential at all treatments, growth at elevated CO2 concentration was noticeably faster with populations increasing 3 fold in 14 days as compared to the 2 times at ambient CO2 concentration. Hence, both cultivars provided a better quality host for RWA SA1 at 450 ppm than 385 ppm. There was no significant difference between RWA SA1 population on Tugela Dn and on Scheepers at elevated CO2 concentration on day 14 after infestation which means there was a change in the resistance mechanism in Tugela Dn at this condition. Approximately 70% of the total leaf showed chlorosis by 21 days of aphid infestation for both cultivars although the susceptible cultivar was more vulnerable. There was low callose deposition in the controls (uninfested plants) but heavy callose in infested plants due to aphid feeding. A proteomics approach was used as a pilot study to investigate whether it would be possible to identify the changes in the resistance mechanism during aphid infestation under elevated CO2 levels. The major changes in the proteome of the control group (uninfested Tugela Dn at ambient versus elevated CO2 concentration) occurred in the early events (day 1-7) in the molecular weight range of approximately 25 kDa to 55 kDa are mainly within the basic to neutral pH range. This was suggested to be a result of mechanisms to adjust to the CO2 concentration. Elevated CO2 results in instant higher photosynthetic rates and C:N ratios as well as changes in expression levels of SA-dependant defense genes (Lindroth 1995; Hughes and Bazzaz, 2001; Sun et al., 2013). Because most of these changes are directly regulated by proteins, it is expected that the most differential protein expression will occur immediately after the atmospheric changes (early events) as was shown in the study. Infested plants under elevated and ambient conditions showed that the stress conditions gave rise to differentially regulated proteins within the wheat proteome. Most changes occurred elevated CO2 levels. It can be suggested that the changes were a result of differentially regulated plant defence proteins which fall in this range (25 kDa - 80 kDa) such as peroxidases, chitinases and β-1.3-glucanases as well as protein kinases, heat-shock proteins and photosynthetic proteins. These results indicate that there has been changes in the resistance due to elevated CO2 because of the evident changes in the proteome. If so, then the results will be similar to those documented by Louw (2007) where up-regulation was due to putative storage proteins, proteins involved in photosynthesis, heat shock proteins and defense proteins. Of course, the pI value and molecular mass of the proteins and the identification of the proteins in these spots, must be determined in future work to specifically identify whether these suggestions are authentic. However, Louw (2007) also reports that the susceptible Betta wheat cultivar, displayed a defence response similar to the HR although it was unable to up-regulate specific defensive proteins against RWA infestation but proteins for broad resistance. Although the changes in the proteins in infested Tugela Dn under elevated CO2 concentration were not accurately identified, the defense mechanism is similar to that portrayed by the susceptible Betta wheat cultivar which shows that the resistance mechanism had been overcome. Because this was a pilot study and preliminary results were obtained due to limited funding and time constraints, suggestions were made on how to further develop the method to obtain statistically significant results.
- Full Text:
A privacy management framework for mobile personal electronic health records in South Africa
- Authors: Els, Floyd Nathaniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing Medical records -- Access control Electronic records -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12733 , vital:39316
- Description: South Africa’s health status is in constant dismay, especially while under the strain of the quadruple burden of disease. The adoption of personal electronic health records (PEHRs) can be seen as a means to improve this status by empowering patients to manage their health and lifestyle better. While from the healthcare provider’s perspective, PEHRs has the ability to reduce medical errors; provide better communication channels and enhance the monitoring of patients. Despite these benefits for both healthcare providers and patients, there are three distinct information security threats relating to PEHRs. These threats refer to the individual, data in transit, and at rest. South Africa is still considered to be inexperienced with PEHRs, and consider it a relatively new concept to the healthcare system. The National e-Health Strategy and Protection of Personal Information Bill were discussed and compared to international standards in order to ascertain South Africa’s current standing on mobile healthcare privacy. However, there are no specific privacy and security controls in place to protect patients that access personal electronic health records through mobile devices. Therefore, the aim of this study is the development of a privacy management framework (PMF) to mitigate these privacy concerns. Following an interpretivistic approach to research, qualitative data was analysed from literature, and the privacy framework evaluated through expert reviews. The proposed PMF consists of 3 tiers, beginning with the top tier. The first tier relates to an organisations interpretation and understanding of data privacy laws and regulations, and in ensuring compliance with these laws. The second tier refers to two support pillars to maintain the first tier. These pillars are based on elements of operational privacy, as well as auditing and reviewing. The third tier serves as the basic foundation upon which the PMF was developed. It is mainly focused with creating privacy awareness amongst healthcare providers and patients by creating: training regimes on security and privacy threats, efficient communication standards, and constant ongoing support from top level management.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Els, Floyd Nathaniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing Medical records -- Access control Electronic records -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12733 , vital:39316
- Description: South Africa’s health status is in constant dismay, especially while under the strain of the quadruple burden of disease. The adoption of personal electronic health records (PEHRs) can be seen as a means to improve this status by empowering patients to manage their health and lifestyle better. While from the healthcare provider’s perspective, PEHRs has the ability to reduce medical errors; provide better communication channels and enhance the monitoring of patients. Despite these benefits for both healthcare providers and patients, there are three distinct information security threats relating to PEHRs. These threats refer to the individual, data in transit, and at rest. South Africa is still considered to be inexperienced with PEHRs, and consider it a relatively new concept to the healthcare system. The National e-Health Strategy and Protection of Personal Information Bill were discussed and compared to international standards in order to ascertain South Africa’s current standing on mobile healthcare privacy. However, there are no specific privacy and security controls in place to protect patients that access personal electronic health records through mobile devices. Therefore, the aim of this study is the development of a privacy management framework (PMF) to mitigate these privacy concerns. Following an interpretivistic approach to research, qualitative data was analysed from literature, and the privacy framework evaluated through expert reviews. The proposed PMF consists of 3 tiers, beginning with the top tier. The first tier relates to an organisations interpretation and understanding of data privacy laws and regulations, and in ensuring compliance with these laws. The second tier refers to two support pillars to maintain the first tier. These pillars are based on elements of operational privacy, as well as auditing and reviewing. The third tier serves as the basic foundation upon which the PMF was developed. It is mainly focused with creating privacy awareness amongst healthcare providers and patients by creating: training regimes on security and privacy threats, efficient communication standards, and constant ongoing support from top level management.
- Full Text:
A programme of academic support for students at the public nursing college of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa
- Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
A psychobiography of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
- Authors: Eliastam, Liesl Marijke
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/537 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Description: Psychobiographies offer the illuminating experience of uncovering the story of an individual’s life through the lens of a psychological theory. Psychobiographies offer the chance to gain a deeper understanding of what makes that individual unique. This study aimed to explore and describe the emotional intelligence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu according to Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence. Tutu was chosen as a subject for this study because of his extraordinary life and accomplishments, and because he is regarded as a prominent figure of moral leadership in South Africa. A qualitative psychobiographical research method was utilised. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The findings suggest that Tutu applied all of the twenty five emotional intelligence capacities during his life, and that at times, some were used more extensively than others. This study is groundbreaking in that it is the first psychobiography on Desmond Tutu, and it is the first psychobiography undertaken at the University of Fort Hare. Psychobiographies offer an opportunity to evaluate the psychological theory which is applied. It was found that Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence is supported by this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Eliastam, Liesl Marijke
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/537 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Description: Psychobiographies offer the illuminating experience of uncovering the story of an individual’s life through the lens of a psychological theory. Psychobiographies offer the chance to gain a deeper understanding of what makes that individual unique. This study aimed to explore and describe the emotional intelligence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu according to Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence. Tutu was chosen as a subject for this study because of his extraordinary life and accomplishments, and because he is regarded as a prominent figure of moral leadership in South Africa. A qualitative psychobiographical research method was utilised. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The findings suggest that Tutu applied all of the twenty five emotional intelligence capacities during his life, and that at times, some were used more extensively than others. This study is groundbreaking in that it is the first psychobiography on Desmond Tutu, and it is the first psychobiography undertaken at the University of Fort Hare. Psychobiographies offer an opportunity to evaluate the psychological theory which is applied. It was found that Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence is supported by this study.
- Full Text:
A public safety, participatory crowdsourcing smart city model for a developing country
- Authors: Cilliers, Liezel
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11144 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015305
- Description: Worldwide the population in cities is increasing. It is the responsibility of local government to provide public safety services in order to ensure the safety of their citizens and, yet, the local government often have inadequate resources to do this. ‘Smart Cities’ is a new and innovative concept that has emerged during the past few years and which involves using current infrastructure and resources more effectively and efficiently. One of the methods used to collect data in a smart city is participatory crowdsourcing but, in order to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, it is essential that a large amount of data be collected from the participants in such a project, who are generally citizens residing in the city. This study was conducted in the city of East London, which is part of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The study made use of a Design Science approach with a mixed method data collection method. The quantitative data collection comprised a questionnaire that was completed by 394 participants, while the qualitative data collection included a detailed literature review, conversational analysis and observations arising from the building of the crowdsourcing system prototype. The design artefact produced by this research is a model based on the literature, conversational analysis and the principles and concepts learnt from the prototype. Thus, this model represents what must be incorporated in the prototype to assist with the implementation of a public safety, participatory crowdsourcing smart city in a developing country. The model includes three areas ‒ the crowdsourcing system, the city (Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality) and the citizens of East London. The crowdsourcing system incorporates factors of information security, specifically the CIA triad, and the usability of the crowdsourcing system. Usability includes characteristics such as the quality of the system and interface, as well as the usefulness of the public safety, participatory crowdsourcing system which was used to measure the confidence of the East London citizens in the system. Three steps were identified in the literature as being necessary for the implementation of a smart city project by a city. These steps include the planning, development and delivery of the smart city project. Finally, the trustworthiness of the public safety participatory crowdsourcing system is determined by the ability, reliability and benevolence of the system. These three characteristics were included in the citizen factor of the model.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cilliers, Liezel
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11144 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015305
- Description: Worldwide the population in cities is increasing. It is the responsibility of local government to provide public safety services in order to ensure the safety of their citizens and, yet, the local government often have inadequate resources to do this. ‘Smart Cities’ is a new and innovative concept that has emerged during the past few years and which involves using current infrastructure and resources more effectively and efficiently. One of the methods used to collect data in a smart city is participatory crowdsourcing but, in order to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, it is essential that a large amount of data be collected from the participants in such a project, who are generally citizens residing in the city. This study was conducted in the city of East London, which is part of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The study made use of a Design Science approach with a mixed method data collection method. The quantitative data collection comprised a questionnaire that was completed by 394 participants, while the qualitative data collection included a detailed literature review, conversational analysis and observations arising from the building of the crowdsourcing system prototype. The design artefact produced by this research is a model based on the literature, conversational analysis and the principles and concepts learnt from the prototype. Thus, this model represents what must be incorporated in the prototype to assist with the implementation of a public safety, participatory crowdsourcing smart city in a developing country. The model includes three areas ‒ the crowdsourcing system, the city (Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality) and the citizens of East London. The crowdsourcing system incorporates factors of information security, specifically the CIA triad, and the usability of the crowdsourcing system. Usability includes characteristics such as the quality of the system and interface, as well as the usefulness of the public safety, participatory crowdsourcing system which was used to measure the confidence of the East London citizens in the system. Three steps were identified in the literature as being necessary for the implementation of a smart city project by a city. These steps include the planning, development and delivery of the smart city project. Finally, the trustworthiness of the public safety participatory crowdsourcing system is determined by the ability, reliability and benevolence of the system. These three characteristics were included in the citizen factor of the model.
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A qualitative assessment of the achievement of gender equality under education for all (EFA) goals : study of Lagos State, Nigeria
- Authors: Adeleke, Adawi Adeola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sex discrimination in education -- Nigeria Sexism in education -- Nigeria Educational equalization -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9500 , vital:34357
- Description: The importance of education cannot be overemphasized. Education has been identified as the most critical instrument for empowering individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills, which can give them access to productive employment. Also, the future of a country is based on the quality of education acquired by its citizens which helps in transforming it from pre-literate to contemporary nationhood. Many international treaties and initiatives in the world have made special provisions for education as a duty of every government which must be given to every citizen as of right, irrespective of gender or social class. Amongst these international initiatives is the Education for All (EFA) Goals, a time-bound global movement towards the provision of education for every one led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There are six goals in all. This study investigated one of the EFA goals, the goal 5. The aim of the study was a qualitative assessment of the achievement of gender equality goal under the Education for All (EFA) goals, a study of Lagos State, Nigeria. The theoretical framework of the study is informed by the Social Justice Theory and the Social Justice Praxis Theory. Scholarly works and literatures on girl-child education, gender and education, and gender balancing in education were reviewed. The study followed qualitative research approach which utilizes an interpretive research paradigm that provides a collective voice from the participants. The research area was purposively selected as Lagos State being a former capital of Nigeria and still the commercial nerve centre of the nation. Although it is the smallest state in Nigeria in term of size, it remains the most populous in the country with a projected population of 20,546,999 (13.5percent Nigeria’s total population). A sample of 16 participants were purposively selected because they were the officers directly in charge of the implementation government policies on education in the State. The data was collected through in-depth recorded interview sessions and secondary data were sourced through official documents downloaded online and from Lagos State Ministry of Education. Based on the thematic analysis of the data collected, the study found out that the State government had established policies and measures to provide qualitative education for all the citizens on a non-discriminatory basis. Thus, the goal of gender parity in terms of enrollment of boys and girls has been relatively achieved in the state. However, there were still some challenges of equality in the learning process and outcome. The study therefore recommends that schools should be made attractive and conducive as possible to assist the educational attainment of any student. This could be achieved by promoting positive values and attitudes towards education, all the stakeholders in the education sector must be involved in the business of running the school. There should also be a form of resourcing and expansion of the school facilities through the Public - Private Partnership in education.
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- Authors: Adeleke, Adawi Adeola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sex discrimination in education -- Nigeria Sexism in education -- Nigeria Educational equalization -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9500 , vital:34357
- Description: The importance of education cannot be overemphasized. Education has been identified as the most critical instrument for empowering individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills, which can give them access to productive employment. Also, the future of a country is based on the quality of education acquired by its citizens which helps in transforming it from pre-literate to contemporary nationhood. Many international treaties and initiatives in the world have made special provisions for education as a duty of every government which must be given to every citizen as of right, irrespective of gender or social class. Amongst these international initiatives is the Education for All (EFA) Goals, a time-bound global movement towards the provision of education for every one led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There are six goals in all. This study investigated one of the EFA goals, the goal 5. The aim of the study was a qualitative assessment of the achievement of gender equality goal under the Education for All (EFA) goals, a study of Lagos State, Nigeria. The theoretical framework of the study is informed by the Social Justice Theory and the Social Justice Praxis Theory. Scholarly works and literatures on girl-child education, gender and education, and gender balancing in education were reviewed. The study followed qualitative research approach which utilizes an interpretive research paradigm that provides a collective voice from the participants. The research area was purposively selected as Lagos State being a former capital of Nigeria and still the commercial nerve centre of the nation. Although it is the smallest state in Nigeria in term of size, it remains the most populous in the country with a projected population of 20,546,999 (13.5percent Nigeria’s total population). A sample of 16 participants were purposively selected because they were the officers directly in charge of the implementation government policies on education in the State. The data was collected through in-depth recorded interview sessions and secondary data were sourced through official documents downloaded online and from Lagos State Ministry of Education. Based on the thematic analysis of the data collected, the study found out that the State government had established policies and measures to provide qualitative education for all the citizens on a non-discriminatory basis. Thus, the goal of gender parity in terms of enrollment of boys and girls has been relatively achieved in the state. However, there were still some challenges of equality in the learning process and outcome. The study therefore recommends that schools should be made attractive and conducive as possible to assist the educational attainment of any student. This could be achieved by promoting positive values and attitudes towards education, all the stakeholders in the education sector must be involved in the business of running the school. There should also be a form of resourcing and expansion of the school facilities through the Public - Private Partnership in education.
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A qualitative evaluation of social work field instruction offered by universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Schmidt, Kim
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fieldwork (Educational method) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social service -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1272 , vital:26541 , Fieldwork (Educational method) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social service -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research study describes an evaluation of social work field instruction offered by universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Qualitative data was collected from agency field instructors, university fieldwork coordinators and social work students. This study’s findings indicated that field instruction needs a good foundation of experiential learning that is facilitated by report writing, journal writing and agency and university supervision. Findings also indicated a need for the screening, selection and training of agency field instructors. There was also an indication that universities should develop selection procedures to ensure that the best possible students are accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programme. All findings indicated that field instruction programmes are most effective when there is a strong university agency partnership. The study concludes by making recommendations for future development of standards relating to field instruction programmes in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. Key words: Social work, evaluative research, field instruction, experiential learning, reflection, agency field instructor, university supervisor, university fieldwork coordinator, social work student, social work education, social work training.
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- Authors: Schmidt, Kim
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Fieldwork (Educational method) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social service -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1272 , vital:26541 , Fieldwork (Educational method) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social service -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This research study describes an evaluation of social work field instruction offered by universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Qualitative data was collected from agency field instructors, university fieldwork coordinators and social work students. This study’s findings indicated that field instruction needs a good foundation of experiential learning that is facilitated by report writing, journal writing and agency and university supervision. Findings also indicated a need for the screening, selection and training of agency field instructors. There was also an indication that universities should develop selection procedures to ensure that the best possible students are accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programme. All findings indicated that field instruction programmes are most effective when there is a strong university agency partnership. The study concludes by making recommendations for future development of standards relating to field instruction programmes in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. Key words: Social work, evaluative research, field instruction, experiential learning, reflection, agency field instructor, university supervisor, university fieldwork coordinator, social work student, social work education, social work training.
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A qualitative study of the psychosocial well-being of adolescent females orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Nkonkobe Municipality
- Authors: Mahola, Mpho Nosisi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Children of AIDS patients Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10818 , vital:35807
- Description: Approximately twelve million children under the age of 18 years worldwide have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS. Several factors can be considered to contribute to the psychosocial well-being of HIV/AIDS orphaned teenage girls, among others, poverty, lack of social support, post-traumatic stress disorder, stigma and discrimination which have adverse consequences to the said teenager. Evidence suggests that HIV/AIDS orphaned adolescent girls may engage in relationships with older men to fund for school and other expenses and also to fulfil the need for a parental figure or emotional support, affection and attention. Against this background, this research study intended to investigate the psychosocial wellbeing of adolescent females orphaned by HIV/AIDS in the Nkonkobe Municipality. Fourteen Xhosa- speaking adolescent females between the ages of 15 and 18 years were recruited by means of snowball technique to participate in a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews allowed sensitive issues to be discussed more easily. To ensure confidentiality and anonymity, the researcher suggested pseudonyms for the participants. This took place after the management of Isibindi Community Centre from Alice and Child Welfare from Fort Beaufort, both from the Eastern Cape, South Africa granted permission to conduct the study. The social worker from child welfare and the principal of Lingeni High School, assisted in ensuring that the participants from the two data collection sites, are organized prior the study. The researcher used Guba’s model whereby Guba and Lincoln’s model to ascertain the trustworthiness of qualitative research by following these principles; credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability. The framework analysis which uses a thematic approach was utilized to analyse data. Meanings were formulated and they produced clusters of themes. The findings of the study revealed that HIV/AIDS orphaned adolescent females experienced grief of the loss of parents which made it difficult by deepening poverty and multifaceted challenges. Participants’ psychological well-being was impaired, subsequently they engaged in risky sexual behaviour, that is, substance abuse and multiple sexual partnership. However, an element of hardiness emanated from the participants’ personalities. They demonstrated problem-focused coping with the challenges they confront, despite the lack of consistent support structures. Their resiliency and sense of belonging owing to the nature of support from extended families ignited a sense of purpose amongst the participants. In conclusion, it is recommended that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS should be told of the cause of the death of their parents as this will make them aware of the dangers and consequences of their actions.
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- Authors: Mahola, Mpho Nosisi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Children of AIDS patients Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10818 , vital:35807
- Description: Approximately twelve million children under the age of 18 years worldwide have lost one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS. Several factors can be considered to contribute to the psychosocial well-being of HIV/AIDS orphaned teenage girls, among others, poverty, lack of social support, post-traumatic stress disorder, stigma and discrimination which have adverse consequences to the said teenager. Evidence suggests that HIV/AIDS orphaned adolescent girls may engage in relationships with older men to fund for school and other expenses and also to fulfil the need for a parental figure or emotional support, affection and attention. Against this background, this research study intended to investigate the psychosocial wellbeing of adolescent females orphaned by HIV/AIDS in the Nkonkobe Municipality. Fourteen Xhosa- speaking adolescent females between the ages of 15 and 18 years were recruited by means of snowball technique to participate in a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews allowed sensitive issues to be discussed more easily. To ensure confidentiality and anonymity, the researcher suggested pseudonyms for the participants. This took place after the management of Isibindi Community Centre from Alice and Child Welfare from Fort Beaufort, both from the Eastern Cape, South Africa granted permission to conduct the study. The social worker from child welfare and the principal of Lingeni High School, assisted in ensuring that the participants from the two data collection sites, are organized prior the study. The researcher used Guba’s model whereby Guba and Lincoln’s model to ascertain the trustworthiness of qualitative research by following these principles; credibility, dependability, transferability and confirmability. The framework analysis which uses a thematic approach was utilized to analyse data. Meanings were formulated and they produced clusters of themes. The findings of the study revealed that HIV/AIDS orphaned adolescent females experienced grief of the loss of parents which made it difficult by deepening poverty and multifaceted challenges. Participants’ psychological well-being was impaired, subsequently they engaged in risky sexual behaviour, that is, substance abuse and multiple sexual partnership. However, an element of hardiness emanated from the participants’ personalities. They demonstrated problem-focused coping with the challenges they confront, despite the lack of consistent support structures. Their resiliency and sense of belonging owing to the nature of support from extended families ignited a sense of purpose amongst the participants. In conclusion, it is recommended that children orphaned by HIV/AIDS should be told of the cause of the death of their parents as this will make them aware of the dangers and consequences of their actions.
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A resource management framework for sustainability of rural ICT4D projects in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mugoni, Hope
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/689 , vital:26488
- Description: Developing countries are embracing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a tool for alleviating poverty. There are, however, still challenges that developing countries face in trying to establish Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Among the major challenges is the lack of proper resource management which results in poor sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. If these ICT4D initiatives are to be sustainable for the benefit of current and future generations, proper resource management methods are to be developed and applied. This study proposes a resource management framework that can be applied to the management of ICT4D resources with the aim of achieving sustainability. The framework is informed by theory, and validated through enquiry in the field. Qualitative research methodology was used as a research approach for this study where three rural ICT4D initiatives were used as case studies. The case studies were conducted in rural Zimbabwe to investigate how proper resource management can influence the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. It was identified from the study that the lack of proper resource management methods adversely affects the initiatives’ sustainability. The proposed resource management framework will guide ICT4D resource management to enhance the initiatives’ sustainability.
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- Authors: Mugoni, Hope
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/689 , vital:26488
- Description: Developing countries are embracing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a tool for alleviating poverty. There are, however, still challenges that developing countries face in trying to establish Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Among the major challenges is the lack of proper resource management which results in poor sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. If these ICT4D initiatives are to be sustainable for the benefit of current and future generations, proper resource management methods are to be developed and applied. This study proposes a resource management framework that can be applied to the management of ICT4D resources with the aim of achieving sustainability. The framework is informed by theory, and validated through enquiry in the field. Qualitative research methodology was used as a research approach for this study where three rural ICT4D initiatives were used as case studies. The case studies were conducted in rural Zimbabwe to investigate how proper resource management can influence the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives. It was identified from the study that the lack of proper resource management methods adversely affects the initiatives’ sustainability. The proposed resource management framework will guide ICT4D resource management to enhance the initiatives’ sustainability.
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A review of five international forensic reports : fingerprint evidence lessons for South African lawyers
- Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fingerprints Fingerprints -- Identification Forensic sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10927 , vital:35964
- Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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- Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fingerprints Fingerprints -- Identification Forensic sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10927 , vital:35964
- Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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A review of five international forensic reports : fingerprint evidence lessons for South African lawyers
- Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fingerprints Criminal investigation Forensic sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10918 , vital:35963
- Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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- Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fingerprints Criminal investigation Forensic sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10918 , vital:35963
- Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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A Review of policies for sustainable solid waste management service in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Qhayi-Shweni, Nokuzola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sewage disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3001 , vital:28231
- Description: Waste is not only harmful to the environment alone but it is also a threat to human health and as such its proper management becomes critical. This study which adopted a qualitative approach focused on the review of policies for sustainable solid waste management service in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in an effort to seek what the municipality’s Solid Waste Department should consider in ensuring that all the communities live in a litter free, clean and healthy environment, and ensure that such a service is received by all communities within its jurisdiction. The most sustainable solid waste management strategy would be to adopt the solid waste hierarchy of promoting waste minimisation, re-use, recycling, waste treatment and disposal as the last resort.
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- Authors: Qhayi-Shweni, Nokuzola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sewage disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3001 , vital:28231
- Description: Waste is not only harmful to the environment alone but it is also a threat to human health and as such its proper management becomes critical. This study which adopted a qualitative approach focused on the review of policies for sustainable solid waste management service in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in an effort to seek what the municipality’s Solid Waste Department should consider in ensuring that all the communities live in a litter free, clean and healthy environment, and ensure that such a service is received by all communities within its jurisdiction. The most sustainable solid waste management strategy would be to adopt the solid waste hierarchy of promoting waste minimisation, re-use, recycling, waste treatment and disposal as the last resort.
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