A Case study of students' first additional language reading and response in the faculty of education at the University of Fort Hare: Eastern Cape
- Authors: Linake, Manthekeleng A
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Language and education Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa --Eastern Cape English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5851 , vital:29402
- Description: Although reading ability alone cannot guarantee academic success, it is highly likely that a lack of reading can function as a key barrier to academic achievement. There are many other factors that are part of the causality. Of these, socio-economic status, teaching methods, parental involvement and lack of exposure to LoLT are probably the most important. Classroom teaching for reading instruction needs to be considered as the critical factor in preventing reading problems and must be the central focus for change. As such, teachers’ acquisition of the teaching skills necessary to bring about the development of literate language competency are critical especially in South Africa where many assumptions have been largely unquestioned about how to teach reading and writing, which languages to use and what counts as high quality practice in classrooms (Banda, 2000). The main aim of the study was to investigate principally reading with the use of English first additional language (FAL) in South African Universities. The objectives included enabling students to successfully learn reading in order to promote their’ reading to such a level that they can continue reading to learn and not learning to read. The researcher was particularly interested in exploring broader trends in reading strategies, instructions and training for students with the intention of contributing possible strategies to address the training of students for their role as literacy instructors in English as well as in multilingual education in South Africa. Methodologically, the study is premised within the interpretivist paradigm based on a qualitative research method. It is a case study design. It is a longitudinal study that covered a total of four years, the duration for a B Ed degree. The population comprises all forth year English teaching methods class and ten lecturers in the programme. The data collection tools included documents, participant observation, journal entry, assessments and focus groups. Interviews were granted to a purposively selected number of students (9) based on their academic performance over the years. There were three weak, three medium and three strong students that were interviewed. A total of 10 teachers were randomly selected from the Faculty to get their input about students’ reading. The ages of the respondents ranged from 18-60. The study concluded that students prefer to be taught in English although most see it as a barrier to learning. The findings showed that language learning can be easier if it is considered as social practice with academic purpose. The researcher recommends that there is need for a reduction of administrative duties from the lecturers to create more time for consultation. She or he also see a need for tutorials which can help to expose learners even more to interaction in EFAL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A comparative exploratory analysis of vigilante occurrences in two communities in Port Elizabeth (Kwazakhele and New Brighton)
- Authors: Loqani, Anelisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Vigilantes Crime prevention -- Citizen participation -- Social aspects -- South Africa --Eastern Cape Crime -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5369 , vital:29216
- Description: The study explores and compares the incidents of vigilantism in two selected communities in Port Elizabeth. However, the word ‘vigilantism’ as utilized in the study can be explained as the group of people in a community who take the law into their own hands and punish alleged societal offenders on the spot. Vigilante activities have become a regular occurrence in many communities in Port Elizabeth and in South Africa as whole. This phenomenon as reported by several authors has destroyed many young men’s lives and ambitions. This is a paradoxical situation that violates human rights because South Africa is a country with a Constitution that prioritizes human dignity for all, and citizens that are totally free from violence of any kind. The aim of the study is to explore, analyze and compare the incidents of vigilantism in New Brighton and Kwazakhele communities in Port Elizabeth. The intention is to educate and enlighten the members of the selected communities, together with the public about vigilantism and its impact on communities. The researcher achieved the aim of this study by asking the following questions: • What are the motives of individuals/communities who take the law into their own hands? • What impact do vigilante incidents have on communities? • Which effective preventative measures can be utilized to combat vigilantism? To answer these questions, questionnaires for data collection were utilized. The study was conducted using a total population of one hundred (100) participants who were divided by two. Each community had a sample of fifty (50) participants. The participants were selected by utilizing purposive sampling technique which is non-probability sampling. The participants were the community members of the selected communities. The researcher applied a qualitative research methodology in order to obtain in-depth information and utilized content thematic analysis and SPSS software for the analysis of the data gathered. Two theories a) Differential Association Theory and b) Social Learning Theory were employed to interpret the findings of the study. iv The results of the study demonstrate that there has been an escalation in vigilante activities in Port Elizabeth communities since 2000 and 2010. In many vigilante actions that occurred, males (ages between 18 and 30 years) were found to be the majority of the people who were more likely to be victims of vigilantism because of the crimes they commit. The results also demonstrate that an increase in vigilante incidents in New Brighton and Kwazakhele have been reported to be a result of the ineffectiveness of visible policing, easy bail conditions and frustration and anger of the community members, who do not see the criminals being arrested. These vigilante activities have been reported to have negative impact in these communities specifically on children. Based on this issue of vigilantism, several strategies that could assist to combat vigilante actions were made. The participants suggested that government should improve the criminal justice system as a whole in order to reduce vigilantism. The respondents also indicated that government should create jobs for the youths because other people become involved in criminal activities, because of poverty and lack of employment opportunities. Furthermore, the participants proposed that government should enact tough laws on offenders. v.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A Mobile social networking framework to create a virtual community of practice in aid of rural small , medium and macro-sized enterprise support and development
- Authors: Muwunga-Zake, Oliva Jullian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Communication in economic development Information technology -- Social aspects Social media Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5785 , vital:29393
- Description: Rural community media are identified as a critical component of the rural community communication process. These SMMEs are however struggling to achieve sustainability and operate effectively due to the various challenges and constraints impacting them. This study seeks to address this by developing a Rural Community Media Mobile Social Networking Framework that will create a virtual community of practice for the purposes of support of rural entrepreneurs in small, medium and macro enterprises (SMMES) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The author has specifically scoped this research to focus on Rural Community Media as a specialised subsegment of entrepreneurs operating in rural areas. The reasons for this decision were in part due to the effect and impact of community media on socio-economic development due to the role they play in enabling access to information and knowledge and giving a voice to poor and isolated communities The study proposes that provision of access to relevant information and knowledge via a mobile social networking framework would assist in cutting implementation costs through utilisation of a platform that is already there (known as rural community media). This study is scoped to focus specifically on rural community media with fieldwork conducted in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In summary the Research Methodology applied is as follows: - Research Philosophy: The interpretive research philosophy was chosen for this study - Research Design: This study will apply qualitative design - Research Approach: The case study approach will be used in the study - Data Collection Techniques: Source data will be comprised of primary and secondary data. Primary data will be collected through implementation of a questionnaire and expert reviews, while the secondary data will be collected through literature review. Hermeneutics will be used as the data collection technique in this study. - Data analysis: Cross-case data analysis will be applied Key findings included that rural community media already utilise mobile technology and social media/networking to conduct business. Rural community media required access to information and knowledge pertaining to internal business process, funding, governance, training and access to skilled resources. Mobile social networking is identified as a suitable vehicle for delivery. A Rural Community Media Social Networking Framework was developed as a result of this study. Framework elements were supported, and in some cases modified, by case study findings and expert review feedback.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A study of the southwestern Karoo basin in South Africa using magnetic and gravity data
- Authors: Nxantsiya, Zusakhe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Groundwater -- South Africa -- Karoo Aquifers -- South Africa -- Karoo Hydrology -- South Africa -- Karoo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4748 , vital:28509
- Description: The early efforts of Booth, Johnson, Rubidge, Catuneanu, de Wit, Chevallier, Stankiewicz, Weckmann and many other scientists in studying the Karoo Supergroup has led to comprehensive documentation of the geology on the main Karoo Basin with regards to understanding the age, sedimentology, sedimentary facies and depositional environments. In spite of these studies, the subsurface structure, variations in thickness of various formations in large parts of the basin, the location and orientation of subsurface dolerite intrusions, and the depth to magnetic and gravity sources remains poorly documented. A geological study with the aid of geophysical techniques, magnetic and gravity, was conducted in the southwestern part of the main Karoo Basin. The objectives of the study were to construct numerous models of the main basin that image the crust to a depth of 45 km, to determine thicknesses of various formations, to relate observed geophysical anomalies with geological bodies and lineaments, to estimate the depth of existing anomalous bodies, to determine densities and porosity of various formations, as well as to determine the mineralogy of various rocks in the Karoo Basin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Access to information by high school learners in selected schools in the Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Oyediran- Tidings,Stella Olubukunmi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Information resources Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Information services Information literacy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5304 , vital:29186
- Description: The level of access to educational information is pertinent to the attainment of quality education by learners. Librarians play a key role in facilitating access to such information. Access to educational information equips the possessor with the power of knowledge to assert their rights under any right regime, and a right to education cannot be fully exercised without corresponding access to educational information. Set in the Fort Beaufort Education District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, this study evaluates the level of access to educational information as an enabler of quality education. Research revealed that despite the acclaimed educational improvement in South Africa, the quality of education in many black constituencies and provinces remains low. Therefore, the objectives of this study include inter alia an investigation of the educational information needs of high school learners in the Fort Beaufort Education District, the educational information available and accessible to them, how the learners access information, the services and technologies accessible to the learners, challenges confronting their access and means of improving learners’ access to educational information in the district and by extension in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of balanced scorecard for improved customer satisfaction in local government: a comparative study of the City of Cape Town and the City of Johannesburg
- Authors: Makina, Clive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness Consumer satisfaction Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4596 , vital:28463
- Description: This study sought to understand the application of the BSC as a tool that facilitates customer satisfaction in local government service delivery. The main thrust was on its application in South African metropolitan municipalities with a view of establishing means of improving its adoption for better customer-focused performance measurement. This area has not received much attention, yet local government performance is in an unacceptable state. The study employed a secondary data analysis approach and findings from the study reflect widespread usage of the BSC but without proper consideration of factors influencing its successful application. Findings of this study reinforce previous study results that there is poor communication with regards to how the BSC must be applied. Its application is also faced with the challenge of lack of training on the use and application of the BSC. However, the tool has significantly transformed and shaped the functioning of South Africa’s two best performing metropolitan municipalities and altered their performance in a favourable manner. Through the BSC approach, the City of Cape Town and the City of Johannesburg have moved towards improving their relations with the customers they serve. The BSC allows the municipalities to take into consideration the non-financial assets that were previously not considered valuable in organisations. Accommodating the views of customers has gained much traction in these municipalities and measures have been put in place to ensure real time data enables managers to make decisions that attempt to address people’s needs and expectations. Conclusively, the study recommends strong improvement in training and communication of the objectives and goals of a PMS within an organisation. Strong emphasis should also be placed on listening to what the customers say and expect from service delivery. This will strengthen the use and value of CSS and CBP and help improve performance and the achievement of the NDP goals of 2030 through local government. This study sought to understand the application of the BSC as a tool that facilitates customer satisfaction in local government service delivery. The main thrust was on its application in South African metropolitan municipalities with a view of establishing means of improving its adoption for better customer-focused performance measurement. This area has not received much attention, yet local government performance is in an unacceptable state. The study employed a secondary data analysis approach and findings from the study reflect widespread usage of the BSC but without proper consideration of factors influencing its successful application. Findings of this study reinforce previous study results that there is poor communication with regards to how the BSC must be applied. Its application is also faced with the challenge of lack of training on the use and application of the BSC. However, the tool has significantly transformed and shaped the functioning of South Africa’s two best performing metropolitan municipalities and altered their performance in a favourable manner. Through the BSC approach, the City of Cape Town and the City of Johannesburg have moved towards improving their relations with the customers they serve. The BSC allows the municipalities to take into consideration the non-financial assets that were previously not considered valuable in organisations. Accommodating the views of customers has gained much traction in these municipalities and measures have been put in place to ensure real time data enables managers to make decisions that attempt to address people’s needs and expectations. Conclusively, the study recommends strong improvement in training and communication of the objectives and goals of a PMS within an organisation. Strong emphasis should also be placed on listening to what the customers say and expect from service delivery. This will strengthen the use and value of CSS and CBP and help improve performance and the achievement of the NDP goals of 2030 through local government..
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An analysis of the South African common law defence of moderate and reasonable child chastisement
- Authors: Maqhosha, Noluthando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Common law Corporal punishment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5447 , vital:29248
- Description: The study sought to analyse the South African common law defence of moderate and reasonable child chastisement. Regarded by those with religious and cultural beliefs as a way of instilling child discipline, child chastisement has been a centre of contestation in recent years. Constitutionally, children have rights to care, dignity and protection. Thus, child chastisement infringes upon these rights. However, regardless of its intentions, child chastisement has an effect of inflicting pain onto its victims thereby infringing on their rights to human dignity, equality and protection. It can also lead to unintended consequences such as injury or death to its victims. Subjecting children to this cruel, inhuman and degrading action affects the development of children and sometimes haunts them at a later stage in life. In addition, child chastisement lacks the measure of determining whether it is moderate or severe, thereby making it prone to abuse or misuse. The study used a qualitative research paradigm, where data was collected from existing documents and analysed towards understanding child chastisement and finding sustainable ways of improving child welfare in the home or in society. The study also analysed the legal framework on child welfare and chastisement globally, regionally and locally. Instruments such as the UNCRC, ACRWC and the UDHR have a clear stance abolishing child chastisement. The study established that, despite the existence of global instruments promoting child care and protection, the common law defence of corporal punishment in the home and society remains a loophole that needs closing and enactment of laws that outlaws it completely.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An assessment of the effect of HIV/AIDS policy in combating the spread of the disease within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality: Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mnguni, Grace
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease)|zSouth Africa|zEastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5185 , vital:29104
- Description: Due to its rapid spreading, AIDS has been declared a global epidemic. Especially sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected by the epidemic. South Africa is no exception to the devastating impact of the epidemic. Over the past few years, HIV-prevention initiatives have been underway on a full scale in an effort to combat the destructive powers of the epidemic in the country. These initiatives appear to have adopted a health-belief approach in their strategies to decrease HIV-infections. This approach to HIV-prevention assumes that the desired behavior change, namely increasing safe sexual practices and decreasing high-risk HIV/AIDS behavior, can be achieved through rational decision-making based on knowledge of the disease and its consequences. The findings of the studies on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS such as KAPB (knowledge, attitudes, practice and beliefs) studies appear to reaffirm the fact that knowledge alone is neither sufficient nor effective in bringing about the appropriate behavior change to combat HIV/AIDS. These studies point towards a high level of knowledge about AIDS in the general population, yet the ever increasing infection rate remains undeterred. The ANC came to power in 1994 after 10 years of National Party inaction with regard to AIDS. The National AIDS plan, endorsed by incoming minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was insufficiently informed by the institutional and social realities of South Africa. Like other policy blueprints of this period, it over-estimated the economic, and especially human, resources at the disposal of incoming government. Moreover, this avowedly multi-sect oral HIV/AIDS plan, designated a “presidential lead project”, was situated in a national department of health in the throes of transformation. Because health is in part a provincial prerogative, AIDS was vulnerable to further administrative obstruction in a second tier of bureaucracy from the previous regime. Competing claims on resources in the poorer provinces, the demands of administrative reconfiguration, and very uneven provincial capacity, further undermined implementations. The community of Duncan Village, in Buffalo City was selected because of the high HIV-prevalence in the District and because of the involvement of the Centers for Health Systems Research & Development in the proposed youth center in Duncan Village. Buffalo City is the third highest HIV-prevalence. The study intends to inform HIV-prevention initiatives about impediments to safe sex. Also, its aim is to decrease HIV-infections among the youth in the community. Towards informing the study the study aim and objectives, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 confirmed HIV-positive males and females from various social strata in the community, and who assumedly HIV-negative. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a semi-structured group -discussions schedule. The two forms of data collection served to complement each other and promoted the validity and quality of the data collected. The study design opted for was explorative in nature, as little is currently known about the community-specific obstacles to safe sex. All respondents were purposively sampled. The main findings of the study point towards the need for HIV/AIDS to be viewed in the light of the socio-cultural and socio-economic contexts of sexual behavior. Factors that were identified as influencing sexual behavior, and therefore HIV/AIDS, include the unbalanced power in gender-relations, socio-economic status and perceived self-efficacy, amongst others. Also, there is a need for detailed knowledge about the specific of HIV-prevention and transmission, as well as safe sexual practices. This will serve to address myths and misconceptions about three models of safe sex, namely condom use, sexual abstinence and mutual faithfulness. Overall, the research that HIV/AIDS is a socio-behavioral problem rooted in the sexual practices of individuals. Attempts to successfully change high-risk sexual behaviors should first identify factors that influence the progression of the disease in order to develop community-specific effective HIV-prevention initiatives. To a large extent, this study has identified those factors that influence and limit the options and opportunities that people in Buffalo City have when it comes to practice safe sex. In this community, there are factors that should be taken into account when HIV/AIDS -prevention initiatives are planned and implemented..
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An assessment of the effect of HIV/AIDS policy in combating the spread of the disease within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality:Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mnguni, Grace
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2956 , vital:28202
- Description: Due to its rapid spreading, AIDS has been declared a global epidemic. Especially sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected by the epidemic. South Africa is no exception to the devastating impact of the epidemic. Over the past few years, HIV-prevention initiatives have been underway on a full scale in an effort to combat the destructive powers of the epidemic in the country. These initiatives appear to have adopted a health-belief approach in their strategies to decrease HIV-infections. This approach to HIV-prevention assumes that the desired behavior change, namely increasing safe sexual practices and decreasing high-risk HIV/AIDS behavior, can be achieved through rational decision-making based on knowledge of the disease and its consequences. The findings of the studies on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS such as KAPB (knowledge, attitudes, practice and beliefs) studies appear to reaffirm the fact that knowledge alone is neither sufficient nor effective in bringing about the appropriate behavior change to combat HIV/AIDS. These studies point towards a high level of knowledge about AIDS in the general population, yet the ever increasing infection rate remains undeterred. The ANC came to power in 1994 after 10 years of National Party inaction with regard to AIDS. The National AIDS plan, endorsed by incoming minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was insufficiently informed by the institutional and social realities of South Africa. Like other policy blueprints of this period, it over-estimated the economic, and especially human, resources at the disposal of incoming government. Moreover, this avowedly multi-sect oral HIV/AIDS plan, designated a “presidential lead project”, was situated in a national department of health in the throes of transformation. Because health is in part a provincial prerogative, AIDS was vulnerable to further administrative obstruction in a second tier of bureaucracy from the previous regime. Competing claims on resources in the poorer provinces, the demands of administrative reconfiguration, and very uneven provincial capacity, further undermined implementations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An assessment of the effect of political and administrative leadership in ensuring sustainable service delivery in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Eastern Cape
- Authors: Muteyi,Thembisile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2990 , vital:28229
- Description: This study attempts to assess the level to which effective political and management leadership for contributes to sustainable services. Looking at the past performance of the municipality one can see that around the years of 2003 and 2004, the municipality achieved a financially unqualified report from the Auditor General with just two points raised. However, from that point on the municipality has been on a steady decline. The most decline was from the period 2006 - 2011. The decline in the performance of the municipality has been so rapid in the five year period mentioned above so much that the 2010/2011 Auditor General Report on the municipality ran up to eighty issues over fourteen pages. Noteworthy is the fact that the decline in service delivery and financial management confirmed by the performance decline marked by the Auditor General coincided with several changes at the senior political and management levels. For example under the period of decline, the Municipality operated without a permanent Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a period of more than four years. Also, during the period of decline the municipality had six municipal managers all in acting capacities and about four executive mayors in the same period. Regarding the issue of leadership in the municipality, the Auditor General made the following observation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An assessment of the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia:a case study of learners with discipline problems
- Authors: Mbongo, Emelia Ndapandula
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Educational counseling Counseling in secondary education -- Namibia School discipline -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5358 , vital:29215
- Description: The study assessed the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia. The study used the mixed methods approach, which resulted in providing qualitative and quantitative data to provide an understanding of the problem. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires for principals, teachers, teacher counsellors and learners, as well as one-on-one interviews with learners. Thirty-one (31) principals, ninety-eight (98) teachers, thirty-seven (37) teacher counsellors and four hundred and eighty-nine (489) learners participated in the study. Results from the questionnaires were analysed by using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. Data presentation took the form of tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data collected from interviews were transcribed and put into themes and categories. The study revealed that schools experienced a wide range of disciplinary problems. It was further revealed that learners are affected by issues emanating from the environment, namely, schools and societies which influence their behaviour negatively. The principals and teachers believe that exclusionary and punitive methods are effective in managing learner indiscipline, while teacher counsellors and learners were against the use of such methods. In addition, principals, teachers and teacher counsellors all have a major role to play in maintaining discipline in schools through guidance and counselling. Suggestions were thus made to strengthen the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools by: improving training for teacher counsellors/Life Skills teachers in guidance and counselling, sensitisation of school managers about the roles and responsibilities of teacher counsellors, including the role played by teacher counsellors in learner discipline, improved leadership from school principals, strengthening the co-ordination and communication among the school personnel, and by strengthening the referral system from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies. It was recommended that the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline would be strengthened if teacher counsellors’ training is improved, school principals are sensitised on the roles of teacher counsellors, including their role in learner discipline as well as improved co-ordination and communication among school personnel regarding learner discipline. The study further recommended that the referral system of learners experiencing problems from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies should be strengthened.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An evaluation of knowledge sharing as a knowledge management mechanism in public libraries in Cape Town, Western Cape Province , South Africa
- Authors: Tatana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Knowledge management Information services Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5138 , vital:29090
- Description: This study aimed to investigate into knowledge sharing as a mechanism for managing knowledge in the City of Cape Town public libraries, Western Cape, South Africa. The study sought to achieve the following objectives: To find out the extent to which knowledge sharing takes place in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To establish how knowledge is shared between the less experienced and the more experienced librarians; To explore the influence of knowledge sharing on service delivery in the City of Cape Town public libraries; To identify and discuss the impediments to knowledge sharing the City of Cape Town public libraries; The findings of the study would provide insight useful in addressing the challenges that confront public libraries as far as knowledge sharing and is concerned. This study would assist to maintain the best practices of knowledge sharing in the City of Cape Town public libraries.This study would also help the City of Cape Town policy makers and library management to come up with knowledge‐sharing/ knowledge management intervention measures from an informed point of view.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An Evaluation of the effectiveness of public libraries in providing information to school children :A Case study of the Queenstown public library , Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sheron
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Information resources -- South Africa --Eastern Cape Public libraries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6528 , vital:30484
- Description: This study took the form of an evaluative study of the effectiveness of public libraries as a means of providing information to school children, and was conducted at the Queenstown Public Library in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The research endeavoured to evaluate the effectiveness of public libraries in the role which they play to provide information to school children, despite the widespread belief that the role of libraries is now being replaced by Information and Communication Technologies, or ICTs. This study is also significant for the factors which contribute towards school children being prevented from receiving the full range of benefits which libraries have to offer and the recommendations which it makes to improve the effectiveness of the role played by libraries in this respect. The study could also be of benefit to the staff of libraries, as it could serve to inform them with respect to what needs to be done in order to improve the ways in which libraries make information available to school children. In this respect the research could also provide valuable insights into the strategies which need to be developed and adopted in order to make public libraries more effective providers of various types and forms of information to school children. It is to be hoped that the study will also make a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge concerning public libraries as a means of providing information to school children. It is the fervent wish of this researcher to make a credible and articulate case for the great value which public libraries have for school children, despite the fact that general perceptions no longer accord libraries the value which they were once commonly held to possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An interevention strategy for improving reading comprehension in grade 9: a case study in one secondary school in East london education district
- Authors: Fesi, Liziwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Reading comprehension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5905 , vital:29417
- Description: The study focused on strategies for improving reading comprehension skills at Grade 9 level through story writing in one secondary school in the East London Education District. Vygotskian theory formed the theoretical framework for this study, aligned with language theories as relevant literature for this particular research study. Data was generated from 15 Grade 9 learners who were selected from 3 Grade 9 classes using convenience sampling, comprising of five learners from Grade 9(a) intervention group, five learners from Grade 9(b) and five learners from Grade 9(c) non-intervention group who were selected for this study with the inclusion of two Grade 9 teachers and one Grade 8 teacher. Involvement of the grade 8 teacher is relevant to determine the voice from a Grade 8 teacher as an informed voice, which filtered into understanding how and why Grade 9 learners are unable to read and write with understanding in their present grade. The teachers were given three questions for semi-structured interviews. All the learners were given a specific activity as a pre-assessment without intervention strategy. The Grade 9(a), which is the intervention class, used story writing as an intervention strategy where they began a two week study using intensive intervention strategies, amounting to a total of 18 weeks study from pre-assessment to post-assessment. At the conclusion of the study the selected learners undertook a post-assessment using the same specific activity as in the pre-assessment. Subsequently, these selected Grade 9 learners’ reading comprehension pre-assessment and post-assessment was analysed. Five of the grade 9(a) learners demonstrated significant improvement in the intervention activities they were given. Grade 9(b) and Grade 9(c) showed difficulty in the post-assessment as they were the non-intervention group. It was concluded that Grade 9(a) learners performed better in the post-assessment. This could be attributed to the use of story writing as an intervention strategy to improve their English reading and reading comprehension skills. Keywords: intervention, reading, comprehension.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An Investigation of victims' perspectives of "Ukuthwala" practice :a case study of Mbizana Local Municipality
- Authors: Voyi, Ziyanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Forced marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Girls -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Crimes againts Child abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10361 , vital:35441
- Description: This research was an investigation of victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice in Mbizana Local Municipality. The aim of the study was to describe the consequences and experiences of ukuthwala practice relating to infringement of Human Rights, to identify the modus operandi men use to abduct (thwala) these victims, to investigate the reasons that hinder victims from reporting the practice to the police officials and to investigate programs that can be implemented to prevent the ukuthwala practice. This study focused on victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice, which seemed to be on the rise in Mbizana Local Municipality. The study used the feminist theory and the social exchange theory. The study is qualitative in nature and it employed the exploratory research design. The study collected data from married and divorced females aged between 16 and 45 years, who were residing in Mbizana Local Municipality at the time of the study and who were also victims of ukuthwala practice. The study used snowball non-probability sampling. In non-probability sampling, the chances of selecting a particular individual are not known. The study collected data using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The research findings show that there are a number of women and girls in Mbizana Local municipality who are in forced marriages. The study also found that the practice of ukuthwala (forced marriage) is still practiced in rural areas of Mbizana Local Municipality and victims face many challenges in these marriages. The findings reveal that girls as young as twelve years are forced to marry older men, in some cases with the consent of their parents or guardians. Most victims are unaware that the ukuthwala practice is illegal. Those who are aware are afraid to disappoint their families. The findings of the study also show that community members are keen help stop the ukuthwala practice. The study shows the important for the relevant government stakeholders to intervene. The study recommends that government departments and community members should work hand in hand in order to fight the issue of ukuthwala practice in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Assessing challenges in public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: a case study of human resource department in Lukhanji Local Municipality
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape South Africa -- Officials and employees -- Selection and appointment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5752 , vital:29379
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing the impacts of social grants on beneficiaries in Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Dodo, Emmanuel Oluwafemi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Grants-in-aid -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2967 , vital:28206
- Description: The study was intended to assess the impact of social grants on beneficiaries with specific focus on Buffalo Municipality. The challenge of social injustice and inequality in the management and distribution of resources is challenge of any responsive government globally in providing social securities in different forms to secure the vulnerable and under privileged within the society. The South African government has introduced a comprehensive liberally inclusive social welfare scheme to address social injustice and economic inequality of excluded in the former apartheid government, which characterises the historic past of racial exclusive government of the majority black and the coloured. In other to assess the impact of grants in addressing inequality and social exclusiveness, the research was conducted using Desk Top Analytical approach and also explored ANOVA Two-ways and One-way, to test the degree of association and standard deviation to establish the contrast of effects based on spatial difference and social development of the urban, semi-urban and rural settlements which beneficiaries are living. Also, to establish whether or not the policy is achieving social cohesion, human development and transformation, which should be taken, place within the concept of social welfare. The theoretical frame work adopted is a multi-theoretical approach in dealing with the complexity around social welfare. The research is specifically looking for a theory of change in social grants administration in other to understand the impact and extent of the intervention in bringing about desired and motivated change as the scheme main priority of developmental social welfare in South Africa. Pearson correlation, Chi-square correlation and Tukey”s Post hoc Test are some of the instrument used in assessing the impact of grants on beneficiaries. The outcome of the study showed a highly significance p-value =.019, p<0.05 in spatial variance between Urban and Rural and the in between variance of .025, p<0.05 for Rural –Urban- Semi-urban (Fig.23 and Tab 8a). The study also, revealed an association between Child dependency and Sexual crime to be .009, p<0.01 (Fig 24 and Tab 6), Public violence in Rural area shows Post Hoc Test result of Mean= 2.6, SD= 2.07 for rural, Mean=1.40 SD= 1.52, for urban and a Mean=0.3, SD=0.54 for semi-urban in a descending order as it relate to social crime statistics (Fig.20). This implies that there are more frequent public violence in rural areas than that of the urban and semi-urban. The overall result shows a very strong correlation among all the variables of grants beneficiaries to be statistically relevant. This implies that the social grants intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Assessment of the effects of stream channel incision on soil water levels, soil morphology and vegetation in a wetland in the Hogsback area, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Omar, Mohamed Yussuf
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Hydrology Wetland Soil Formation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3132 , vital:28264
- Description: Wetland degradation in the form of channel incisioning can significantly alter the hydrological functioning of a wetland. In this study in a small headwater wetland in the Hogsback area, Eastern Cape Province, the impact of channel incisioning on soil water levels and soil morphology was examined. A good correlation (R2 = 0.89) exists between the depth of channel incisioning and average water table depths in most of the 21 installed piezometers. In localised cases the upslope supply of water was in equilibrium with drainage from the piezometers. Although all the studied soils show hydromorphic characteristics, those continuously saturated close to the surface exhibit redox accumulations in oxygen supplying macropores, whereas gleyic colour patterns occur deeper in soils where the water table has been lowered by channel incision. The nature and occurrence of different hydromorphic soil indicators observed confirm the contribution of soil morphology as a valuable indicator of long-term average soil water conditions. The study evaluates the effects of hydrological processes on plant species composition and distribution in a Hogsback wetland. Twenty-four circular plots with a radius of 2 m were established between March and August 2013. Within each sample plot, the habitat information and species present were recorded including Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance value for each and every species present in the plot. Plant species were identified in the field and the unknown plant species were collected, pressed, oven-dried and identified at the National Herbarium, South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria and Schonland Herbarium, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. A total of 39 taxa belonging to 19 families and 34 genera were recorded from the Hogsback wetland. Of the documented taxa, three were exotic and three endemic to South Africa, indicating diversity and dynamic nature of Hogsback wetland flora. Plant families with the highest number of species were: Poaceae (11 species), Asteraceae (5 species), Onagraceae and Cyperaceae with 3 taxa each. The low number of exotic plant species in Hogsback wetland (three taxa in total) indicates limited anthropogenic influence. Unique species recorded in Hogsback wetlands are three species that are endemic to South Africa, namely, Alchemilla capensis, Helichrysum rosum and Lysimachia nutans. Five main floristic associations were identified from the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis whilst Detrenched .Correspondence Analysis (DCA) identified four groups. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicates that edaphic factors, particularly in an area covered with water, erosion category, organic matter content and water table depth were the most important environmental variables measured accounting for the vegetation pattern present in the Hogsback wetland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Assessment of the implementation of the National Certificate (Vocational) plant production modules
- Authors: Langa, Phakama Perry Macmillan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Technical education -- Curricula Vocational education -- Curricula Curriculum planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5391 , vital:29229
- Description: This study investigates the implementation of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) in learning and teaching in grades six from two schools. It critically examines the teachers’ practices and experiences towards English as the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) at two different primary schools from the eMalahleni in the Lady Frere Education District in the Eastern Cape. The study is guided by the fact that most learners use their mother tongue (isiXhosa) in classroom as well as outside classroom contexts. Furthermore, some teachers use the translation method of teaching language as they code-switch to their home language when teaching content subjects as well as English. Despite this practice in class, learners are expected to answer their test and examination questions in English. Theoretically, this study is underpinned by the constructivist view of language learning (Gaserfeld, 2003) and English as an international language (Sivasubramaniam, 2011). On the basis of the ecological and the constructivist approaches to language learning, Sivasubramaniam (2011 p.53) views language as a creative instrument of meaning which ‘has the power to create meaning anew and afresh’ each time that someone uses it. The study makes use of the qualitative research method with a case study design that is placed within the interpretive paradigm. The data collected will be analysed through the use of critical discourse analysis. The findings from the study suggest some instrumental motivations to use English as LOLT which is informed by Language policy. Some of these motivations are: studying abroad, business with foreign investors and integrative motivations as the learner will be able to communicate with people from different countries. The study concludes that there is need for schools to stick to the English medium because this acts as an open door to the upward economic mobility among the previously disadvantaged. Based on this, it can be recommended that schools stick to English first additional language as their language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016