Genetic diversity, resistance profile of hiv and risk assessment of mother-to-child transmission in pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15120 , vital:40183
- Description: Despite the initiation of life-long ART in HIV-infected pregnant women, the rate and determinants of infant HIV transmission are not known, especially in the poor resource settings of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Maternal anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. However, the inevitable risks of emergence of HIV drug resistance poses significant threat to achieving this goal of HIV-free generation and keeping mothers alive. Also, it is unclear if women with high viral load at delivery have acquired clinically relevant mutations, which could confer resistance to the ART, thus, further increasing the risks of motherto-child transmission of HIV-drug resistance strains. In addition to the gaps identified in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) context, the understanding of regional epidemics is crucial to the broader epidemiological profiling of HIV infections in the country. Despite the rapid influx of foreign nationals to South African and Eastern Cape Province, there has not been any molecular epidemiological studies profiling the HIV diversity in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Antiretroviral agents , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15120 , vital:40183
- Description: Despite the initiation of life-long ART in HIV-infected pregnant women, the rate and determinants of infant HIV transmission are not known, especially in the poor resource settings of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Maternal anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. However, the inevitable risks of emergence of HIV drug resistance poses significant threat to achieving this goal of HIV-free generation and keeping mothers alive. Also, it is unclear if women with high viral load at delivery have acquired clinically relevant mutations, which could confer resistance to the ART, thus, further increasing the risks of motherto-child transmission of HIV-drug resistance strains. In addition to the gaps identified in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) context, the understanding of regional epidemics is crucial to the broader epidemiological profiling of HIV infections in the country. Despite the rapid influx of foreign nationals to South African and Eastern Cape Province, there has not been any molecular epidemiological studies profiling the HIV diversity in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
Analyses of Retail and Transport Geography of Liquefied Petroleum Products in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria
- Authors: Ajayi, Adeyinka Peter
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19065 , vital:40090
- Description: This study analyzed the effects that spatial arrangement of petroleum products retail outlets and the supply chain management techniques employed for products distribution (for both intra city and intercity shipments) have on the retailing dynamism of petroleum products within built environment and peripherals of Ibadan metropolis over the years. Specifically, the study investigated the differentials in the spatial configurations of petroleum products retail outlets between the core and periurban zones of the metropolis. An attempt was made to determine the explanatory variables that influence the spatial distributional decisions of petroleum products retail outlets in the metropolis. The study equally examined how the supply chain management (SCM) techniques by the different categories of the retail outlet owners influence the efficient and cost effective distribution of petroleum products. Lastly an attempt was made to analyze the relationship between the socio-economic attributes of the haulers and the achievement of compliance to the HSE stipulations guiding the conveyance of petroleum products. The theoretical underpinnings for the research were a derivative of the amalgamation of normative and psychological theories from geography, psychology, SCM and retailing science. Specifically, Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT), Distributive Justice, Central Place Theory (CPT) Theories of Urban Impact (TUI) and Theory of Constraint (ToC) were the theories utilized in the study. For the achievement of the first objective which was to investigate the possible differential in the compliance rate between spatial pattern of fuel retail outlets in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis, the first hypothesis of the study (which examined if there was no significant difference in the rate of compliance to the planning authority stipulations guiding the location pattern of petroleum product retail outlets between those located in the built up and xxiv peripheral zones of the city), was tested through the use of buffering and proximity analyses in the ArcMap environment of ArcGIS 10.1, while inferential statistical tool of an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the rate of compliance to the stipulations guiding the locations of these outlets in both the core and the peripheral zones. The result from the GIS analysis indicated that 33 (15.56%) out of the 220 outlets in the core zone of the metropolis complied with the planning stipulations guiding the location of fuel retail outlets. For the peripheral zone, out of the 220 fuel retail outlets 24 (10.90%) complied with the stipulations. The result from the t- test which was employed to test the hypothesis indicated that no significant difference existed in the rate of compliance t (263) =-2.66, p = 0.08 between fuel retail outlets in the core zone (M=3.9, SD=1.4) and peripheral zone (M=4.5, SD=1.79). The alternate hypothesis which stated that ―no significant difference existed in the compliance rate between fuel retail outlets located in the two zones‖ is accepted. For the achievement of the second objective of the study which was to analyze the factors which determine the location of fuel retail outlets both in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis. All the managers/owners of the 432 fuel retail outlets in the metropolis were sampled out of which 256 questionnaires were retrieved for the purpose of this analysis. The breakdown of the socio-economic characteristics of the sampled respondents showed that the gender distribution showed that 194 (75.78%) of the respondents were males, while 64 (24.22 %) were females. The average age of the sampled population was 33.70 years. The mixed method was employed for the achievement of the second objective of this study. Logistic Regression Model (LRM) was employed to test the hypothesis and the result revealed that the inclusion of the independent variables in the model increased the overall level of it accuracy. The overall significance revealed that the Model Chi- xxv Square, derived from the likelihood fitted is also accurate (X2 = 43.47, df=5, p>.05). The model chi-square value of 43.47 (approximately 44% ) was significant. Thus, the indication is that the model has a good fit in predicting the possibility of a fuel retail outlet being located in the core or peripheral zone of the metropolis as determined by the explanatory variables (the independent variables accounted for about 44% of possible factors which determined whether a fuel retail outlets is located either within the core or peripheral zones of the metropolis. The remaining 56% are factors not considered in the study). The result gotten from the in depth interview sessions corroborated the findings from the tested hypothesis. The third objective was to examine the effects which the supply chain technique employed (either vertically integrated model or third-party arrangement) has on the achievement of efficient and effective distribution of the products. In order to achieve this objective, all the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association who are members of the PTD in the metropolis were sampled, 265 (around 70%) of the distributed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analysis. In depth interview sessions were also conducted with three different managers of the three major conglomerates in the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum sector. The result of one-way between subjects (ANOVA) which was conducted to compare differences in the management and performances of haulage services outsourced to the 3PLS and those run under VIM showed that there was a significant effect of ownership type on management performance (F (2,262) = 60.26, p<.05). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected while the alternate hypothesis was accepted. The findings from the interview sessions posted similar results. The fourth and final objective was to analyze the effect that the socio-economic attributes of the participants (haulers and managers of retail outlets) involved in the distribution of xxvi petroleum products has on the safe, efficient and cost-effective distribution of product and this was done through the use of descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and incisive analysis of the interview sessions. A total number of 265 (70%) out of the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Driver Association (PTDA) participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to test this hypothesis. The result from the statistical analysis show that the use of stimulant, work condition, marital status and educational attainment/literacy level have joint influence on compliance (R2 = 0.31, F (4,260) = 29.72, p<.05). On the basis of the foregoing, the hypothesis is thus accepted. The result from the interview sessions confirmed the existence of strong relationship between the explanatory variables and the hypothetical dependant variable. The study recommended a review of the planning processes guiding the establishment of fuel retail outlets. The study also advocated that retailers should endeavour to have stronger control over the supply chain of their products this could done by investing more in VIM rather than outsourcing such functions to 3PLs. This will help in better business performances. Government agencies in charge of monitoring drug abuse among haulers are advised to be more proactive by the duo of prevention and punishment strategies. This should include advocacy campaign against drug abuse. Different ranges of punishments should also be meted out for individual haulers found culpable.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ajayi, Adeyinka Peter
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19065 , vital:40090
- Description: This study analyzed the effects that spatial arrangement of petroleum products retail outlets and the supply chain management techniques employed for products distribution (for both intra city and intercity shipments) have on the retailing dynamism of petroleum products within built environment and peripherals of Ibadan metropolis over the years. Specifically, the study investigated the differentials in the spatial configurations of petroleum products retail outlets between the core and periurban zones of the metropolis. An attempt was made to determine the explanatory variables that influence the spatial distributional decisions of petroleum products retail outlets in the metropolis. The study equally examined how the supply chain management (SCM) techniques by the different categories of the retail outlet owners influence the efficient and cost effective distribution of petroleum products. Lastly an attempt was made to analyze the relationship between the socio-economic attributes of the haulers and the achievement of compliance to the HSE stipulations guiding the conveyance of petroleum products. The theoretical underpinnings for the research were a derivative of the amalgamation of normative and psychological theories from geography, psychology, SCM and retailing science. Specifically, Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT), Distributive Justice, Central Place Theory (CPT) Theories of Urban Impact (TUI) and Theory of Constraint (ToC) were the theories utilized in the study. For the achievement of the first objective which was to investigate the possible differential in the compliance rate between spatial pattern of fuel retail outlets in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis, the first hypothesis of the study (which examined if there was no significant difference in the rate of compliance to the planning authority stipulations guiding the location pattern of petroleum product retail outlets between those located in the built up and xxiv peripheral zones of the city), was tested through the use of buffering and proximity analyses in the ArcMap environment of ArcGIS 10.1, while inferential statistical tool of an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the rate of compliance to the stipulations guiding the locations of these outlets in both the core and the peripheral zones. The result from the GIS analysis indicated that 33 (15.56%) out of the 220 outlets in the core zone of the metropolis complied with the planning stipulations guiding the location of fuel retail outlets. For the peripheral zone, out of the 220 fuel retail outlets 24 (10.90%) complied with the stipulations. The result from the t- test which was employed to test the hypothesis indicated that no significant difference existed in the rate of compliance t (263) =-2.66, p = 0.08 between fuel retail outlets in the core zone (M=3.9, SD=1.4) and peripheral zone (M=4.5, SD=1.79). The alternate hypothesis which stated that ―no significant difference existed in the compliance rate between fuel retail outlets located in the two zones‖ is accepted. For the achievement of the second objective of the study which was to analyze the factors which determine the location of fuel retail outlets both in the core and peripheral zones of Ibadan metropolis. All the managers/owners of the 432 fuel retail outlets in the metropolis were sampled out of which 256 questionnaires were retrieved for the purpose of this analysis. The breakdown of the socio-economic characteristics of the sampled respondents showed that the gender distribution showed that 194 (75.78%) of the respondents were males, while 64 (24.22 %) were females. The average age of the sampled population was 33.70 years. The mixed method was employed for the achievement of the second objective of this study. Logistic Regression Model (LRM) was employed to test the hypothesis and the result revealed that the inclusion of the independent variables in the model increased the overall level of it accuracy. The overall significance revealed that the Model Chi- xxv Square, derived from the likelihood fitted is also accurate (X2 = 43.47, df=5, p>.05). The model chi-square value of 43.47 (approximately 44% ) was significant. Thus, the indication is that the model has a good fit in predicting the possibility of a fuel retail outlet being located in the core or peripheral zone of the metropolis as determined by the explanatory variables (the independent variables accounted for about 44% of possible factors which determined whether a fuel retail outlets is located either within the core or peripheral zones of the metropolis. The remaining 56% are factors not considered in the study). The result gotten from the in depth interview sessions corroborated the findings from the tested hypothesis. The third objective was to examine the effects which the supply chain technique employed (either vertically integrated model or third-party arrangement) has on the achievement of efficient and effective distribution of the products. In order to achieve this objective, all the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association who are members of the PTD in the metropolis were sampled, 265 (around 70%) of the distributed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analysis. In depth interview sessions were also conducted with three different managers of the three major conglomerates in the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum sector. The result of one-way between subjects (ANOVA) which was conducted to compare differences in the management and performances of haulage services outsourced to the 3PLS and those run under VIM showed that there was a significant effect of ownership type on management performance (F (2,262) = 60.26, p<.05). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected while the alternate hypothesis was accepted. The findings from the interview sessions posted similar results. The fourth and final objective was to analyze the effect that the socio-economic attributes of the participants (haulers and managers of retail outlets) involved in the distribution of xxvi petroleum products has on the safe, efficient and cost-effective distribution of product and this was done through the use of descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and incisive analysis of the interview sessions. A total number of 265 (70%) out of the 389 registered members of Petroleum Tanker Driver Association (PTDA) participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to test this hypothesis. The result from the statistical analysis show that the use of stimulant, work condition, marital status and educational attainment/literacy level have joint influence on compliance (R2 = 0.31, F (4,260) = 29.72, p<.05). On the basis of the foregoing, the hypothesis is thus accepted. The result from the interview sessions confirmed the existence of strong relationship between the explanatory variables and the hypothetical dependant variable. The study recommended a review of the planning processes guiding the establishment of fuel retail outlets. The study also advocated that retailers should endeavour to have stronger control over the supply chain of their products this could done by investing more in VIM rather than outsourcing such functions to 3PLs. This will help in better business performances. Government agencies in charge of monitoring drug abuse among haulers are advised to be more proactive by the duo of prevention and punishment strategies. This should include advocacy campaign against drug abuse. Different ranges of punishments should also be meted out for individual haulers found culpable.
- Full Text:
Land Reform and the Challenge of Rural Development in Zimbabwe: The Case of the Fast Track Reform in Mashonaland West Region
- Authors: Chigarira, Tangai Sylvester
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe Agriculture and state -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18665 , vital:42704
- Description: A largely agricultural country, land remains an important factor of production and a critical element in the livelihoods of rural Zimbabweans. Small-scale farmers rely on land for food and income. The post-independence development of Zimbabwe has been tied to land holding. As such, land reform aimed at addressing colonial racial land inequalities and rural underdevelopment became an imperative. In the post-independence era, Zimbabwe undertook two phases of land reform – the first occurred between 1980 and 1999 and was known as the Land reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP). This was based on the ‘willing-buyer and willing seller’. The second phase which took place from 2000, known as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), took a radical approach. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the dominance of small-scale farming and challenges of land reform, agricultural productivity remains low. Moreover, despite land reform, including massive land redistribution, the process appears incomplete and inconclusive. This is so essentially because the land reform neither increased food production nor reduced poverty. Accordingly, sustainable development remains a distant reality, especially among rural small-scale farmers. The study aimed at assessing the impact of the fast track land reform (FTLRP) on poverty reduction and sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe. Despite undertaking one of Southern Africa’s largest post-colonial redistributive land reform to date, the provision of land on its own has not been sufficient to address rural poverty and achieving meaningful rural development. This is so because the land reform has not articulated integrated growth as remoteness and poverty remain endemic, which is connected to the land. So, resolving the land question still remains crucial for sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chigarira, Tangai Sylvester
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Land reform -- Zimbabwe Agriculture and state -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18665 , vital:42704
- Description: A largely agricultural country, land remains an important factor of production and a critical element in the livelihoods of rural Zimbabweans. Small-scale farmers rely on land for food and income. The post-independence development of Zimbabwe has been tied to land holding. As such, land reform aimed at addressing colonial racial land inequalities and rural underdevelopment became an imperative. In the post-independence era, Zimbabwe undertook two phases of land reform – the first occurred between 1980 and 1999 and was known as the Land reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP). This was based on the ‘willing-buyer and willing seller’. The second phase which took place from 2000, known as the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), took a radical approach. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the dominance of small-scale farming and challenges of land reform, agricultural productivity remains low. Moreover, despite land reform, including massive land redistribution, the process appears incomplete and inconclusive. This is so essentially because the land reform neither increased food production nor reduced poverty. Accordingly, sustainable development remains a distant reality, especially among rural small-scale farmers. The study aimed at assessing the impact of the fast track land reform (FTLRP) on poverty reduction and sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe. Despite undertaking one of Southern Africa’s largest post-colonial redistributive land reform to date, the provision of land on its own has not been sufficient to address rural poverty and achieving meaningful rural development. This is so because the land reform has not articulated integrated growth as remoteness and poverty remain endemic, which is connected to the land. So, resolving the land question still remains crucial for sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe.
- Full Text:
The rise of populism in africa: the role of nativism in maintaining political power in South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chindoga , Melody
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nativism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15760 , vital:40521
- Description: ZANU-PF and ANC have been in power in their respective countries since the advent of democracy. However, the popularity of both the ANC and ZANU-PF has shifted from urban areas to rural areas, where their support bases are now concentrated (Clapham, 2012). Rural areas have benefitted the least from access to public resources and resource distribution yet despite this, they have provided the much needed support to both the ANC and ZANU-PF respectively. The politics of nativism has been used by the Zuma-led faction in the ANC and ZANUPF in maintaining political power in their respective domains in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Nativism has been identified as a form of populism that is used as a political strategy to gain and maintain political power. It arises from opposition to the mind-set of colonialism in the form of a ‘reverse discourse’ that seeks to undermine colonial ideas through the mobilisation of African culture and is reliant on cultivating opposition to a defined enemy. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate how the politics of nativism have been used by the Zuma-led faction in the ANC and by ZANUPF respectively to maintain power, by focusing particularly on their rural support bases. This study aligns itself with the broadly critical African perspective that is constituted by post-colonial theory and the accompanying oppositional canon of literature that is directly linked to the struggles against colonialism and oppression in former colonies, whilst also contesting contemporary representations of post-colonial societies emanating from those sources within which power resides. The study took the form of qualitative research, within which an interpretive approach was utilised to explore and to analyse the responses by inhabitants of two rural areas in South Africa and Zimbabwe to the nativist strategies and discourse constructed by the Zuma-led faction of the ANC and ZANU-PF respectively, contributing to the ongoing electoral support for these parties in rural areas. The research findings revealed that to maintain their popularity in rural areas, the nativist discourse of the Zuma-led faction of the ANC and ZANU-PF has exploited historical factors related to oppression and inhumane treatment by Whites. The research also established that nativist discourse was utilised in rural areas of South ii Africa and Zimbabwe with varying success. It resonated with the experiences of the older generation of White domination, whereas most of the younger generation could not relate to its heavy reliance on anti-White sentiment. Those under the age of 35, typically considered as the youth, did not identify with much of the discourse and were sceptical of its racist foundation, preferring instead change in political leadership in order for change to occur
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chindoga , Melody
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nativism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15760 , vital:40521
- Description: ZANU-PF and ANC have been in power in their respective countries since the advent of democracy. However, the popularity of both the ANC and ZANU-PF has shifted from urban areas to rural areas, where their support bases are now concentrated (Clapham, 2012). Rural areas have benefitted the least from access to public resources and resource distribution yet despite this, they have provided the much needed support to both the ANC and ZANU-PF respectively. The politics of nativism has been used by the Zuma-led faction in the ANC and ZANUPF in maintaining political power in their respective domains in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Nativism has been identified as a form of populism that is used as a political strategy to gain and maintain political power. It arises from opposition to the mind-set of colonialism in the form of a ‘reverse discourse’ that seeks to undermine colonial ideas through the mobilisation of African culture and is reliant on cultivating opposition to a defined enemy. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate how the politics of nativism have been used by the Zuma-led faction in the ANC and by ZANUPF respectively to maintain power, by focusing particularly on their rural support bases. This study aligns itself with the broadly critical African perspective that is constituted by post-colonial theory and the accompanying oppositional canon of literature that is directly linked to the struggles against colonialism and oppression in former colonies, whilst also contesting contemporary representations of post-colonial societies emanating from those sources within which power resides. The study took the form of qualitative research, within which an interpretive approach was utilised to explore and to analyse the responses by inhabitants of two rural areas in South Africa and Zimbabwe to the nativist strategies and discourse constructed by the Zuma-led faction of the ANC and ZANU-PF respectively, contributing to the ongoing electoral support for these parties in rural areas. The research findings revealed that to maintain their popularity in rural areas, the nativist discourse of the Zuma-led faction of the ANC and ZANU-PF has exploited historical factors related to oppression and inhumane treatment by Whites. The research also established that nativist discourse was utilised in rural areas of South ii Africa and Zimbabwe with varying success. It resonated with the experiences of the older generation of White domination, whereas most of the younger generation could not relate to its heavy reliance on anti-White sentiment. Those under the age of 35, typically considered as the youth, did not identify with much of the discourse and were sceptical of its racist foundation, preferring instead change in political leadership in order for change to occur
- Full Text:
Evaluation of pre-treatment methods on production of bioethanol from bagasse and sugarcane trash
- Authors: Dodo, Charlie Marembo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lignocellulose
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15387 , vital:40403
- Description: A variety of methods have been researched on for bioethanol preparation from different feedstocks. Amongst the available feedstock, one such feedstock is the sugarcane plant. In most of the research on bioethanol preparation with sugarcane the sugary juice has been widely used, with the bagasse and trash having been discarded as waste. The “waste” bagasse and trash are usually removed and thrown away or burnt during harvesting or in sugar mills to supplement energy requirements. This research on lignocellulosic bagasse and trash was done so as not to discard them but to rather find ways in which to use this biomass constructively. Alternatives to burning that can potentially add value to this biomass need to be researched on by evaluating their hydrolysis content. The different lignocellulose pretreatment methods of concentrated and dilute acid pretreatment, with subsequent enzyme hydrolysis as well as alkali and oxidative alkali pretreatment with enzyme hydrolysis were experimented on the bagasse and trash for hydrolysis efficiency and effectiveness. There are two types of acid hydrolysis which were investigated on which are concentrated and dilute sulphuric acid pretreatments. Use of concentrated sulphuric acid yielded the highest amounts of reducing sugars but also resulted in the highest amounts of downstream process inhibitors formation. This resulted in the need for neutralisation steps which in turn increase the overall costs of using this method to obtain reducing sugars. It has however the advantage of occurring at a faster rate, within minutes or hours, than using biological enzymes which took days, up to 72 hours to obtain the highest reducing sugar amounts. Dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment offered the advantage of using fewer chemicals which are therefore less severe on equipment and result in fewer fermentation inhibitors being formed. Dilute sulphuric acid hydrolysis also takes a relatively shorter period than biological methods of pretreatment. A challenge of fermentation inhibitors formed during acid hydrolysis was countered by using the methods of overliming (calcium hydroxide) and comparing it to neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Alkali pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was researched on by applying different pretreatment concentrations during experiments on the lignocellulosic biomass. There was an increase in the available quantities of cellulose with a significant reduction in lignin with pretreatment. Alkali pretreatment proved effective in exposing the cellulose which made v more cellulose surface area available to cellulase enzymes for enzyme hydrolysis. The highest yield of reducing sugars was obtained from hydrolysates pretreated with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide for 60 min and a period of 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis. In general the longer the pretreatment time the more reducing sugars were produced from the enzyme hydrolysis. Alkali peroxide pretreatment also resulted in significant reductions in lignin quantities of lignocellulose material. In this method sodium hydroxide in combination with hydrogen peroxide were used in pretreating the biomass. Hydrolysates with even fewer fermentation inhibitors were produced as a result. The highest percentage concentration of cellulose of 63% (g/g) was achieved after pretreatment of bagasse with 5% alkali hydrogen peroxide and trash with 0,25M sodium hydroxide pretreatment. Pretreatment of biomass using alkali with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis gave the highest yields of fermentable sugars of 38% (g/g) using 7% (v/v) alkali peroxide pre-treated trash than 36% (g/g) for 5% (v/v) with the least inhibitors. Reducing sugar yields of 25% (g/g) and 22% (g/g) were obtained after pretreatment with concentrated and dilute acid respectively. Neutralization of the acid hydrolysates was necessary to reduce inhibitors formed with neutralisation by sodium hydroxide resulting in low dilutions and loss of fermentable sugars as unlike in the case of overliming. Subsequent steps of fermenting the reducing sugars resulting from pretreatment into bioethanol were based on using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. Pretreatment hydrolysates from alkali peroxide experiments produced higher bioethanol yields of 13.7 (g/l) after enzyme hydrolysates versus 6.9 (g/l) bioethanol from dilute acid hydrolyzates. A comparison of the effects of time showed there was more bioethanol yield of 13.7 (g/l) after 72 h of fermentation with the yeast versus 7.0 (g/l) bioethanol after pretreatment for 24 h. The only drawback is the longer fermentation period which thus reduces the process and so reduces the value of the increase in yield
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dodo, Charlie Marembo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lignocellulose
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15387 , vital:40403
- Description: A variety of methods have been researched on for bioethanol preparation from different feedstocks. Amongst the available feedstock, one such feedstock is the sugarcane plant. In most of the research on bioethanol preparation with sugarcane the sugary juice has been widely used, with the bagasse and trash having been discarded as waste. The “waste” bagasse and trash are usually removed and thrown away or burnt during harvesting or in sugar mills to supplement energy requirements. This research on lignocellulosic bagasse and trash was done so as not to discard them but to rather find ways in which to use this biomass constructively. Alternatives to burning that can potentially add value to this biomass need to be researched on by evaluating their hydrolysis content. The different lignocellulose pretreatment methods of concentrated and dilute acid pretreatment, with subsequent enzyme hydrolysis as well as alkali and oxidative alkali pretreatment with enzyme hydrolysis were experimented on the bagasse and trash for hydrolysis efficiency and effectiveness. There are two types of acid hydrolysis which were investigated on which are concentrated and dilute sulphuric acid pretreatments. Use of concentrated sulphuric acid yielded the highest amounts of reducing sugars but also resulted in the highest amounts of downstream process inhibitors formation. This resulted in the need for neutralisation steps which in turn increase the overall costs of using this method to obtain reducing sugars. It has however the advantage of occurring at a faster rate, within minutes or hours, than using biological enzymes which took days, up to 72 hours to obtain the highest reducing sugar amounts. Dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment offered the advantage of using fewer chemicals which are therefore less severe on equipment and result in fewer fermentation inhibitors being formed. Dilute sulphuric acid hydrolysis also takes a relatively shorter period than biological methods of pretreatment. A challenge of fermentation inhibitors formed during acid hydrolysis was countered by using the methods of overliming (calcium hydroxide) and comparing it to neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Alkali pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was researched on by applying different pretreatment concentrations during experiments on the lignocellulosic biomass. There was an increase in the available quantities of cellulose with a significant reduction in lignin with pretreatment. Alkali pretreatment proved effective in exposing the cellulose which made v more cellulose surface area available to cellulase enzymes for enzyme hydrolysis. The highest yield of reducing sugars was obtained from hydrolysates pretreated with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide for 60 min and a period of 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis. In general the longer the pretreatment time the more reducing sugars were produced from the enzyme hydrolysis. Alkali peroxide pretreatment also resulted in significant reductions in lignin quantities of lignocellulose material. In this method sodium hydroxide in combination with hydrogen peroxide were used in pretreating the biomass. Hydrolysates with even fewer fermentation inhibitors were produced as a result. The highest percentage concentration of cellulose of 63% (g/g) was achieved after pretreatment of bagasse with 5% alkali hydrogen peroxide and trash with 0,25M sodium hydroxide pretreatment. Pretreatment of biomass using alkali with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis gave the highest yields of fermentable sugars of 38% (g/g) using 7% (v/v) alkali peroxide pre-treated trash than 36% (g/g) for 5% (v/v) with the least inhibitors. Reducing sugar yields of 25% (g/g) and 22% (g/g) were obtained after pretreatment with concentrated and dilute acid respectively. Neutralization of the acid hydrolysates was necessary to reduce inhibitors formed with neutralisation by sodium hydroxide resulting in low dilutions and loss of fermentable sugars as unlike in the case of overliming. Subsequent steps of fermenting the reducing sugars resulting from pretreatment into bioethanol were based on using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. Pretreatment hydrolysates from alkali peroxide experiments produced higher bioethanol yields of 13.7 (g/l) after enzyme hydrolysates versus 6.9 (g/l) bioethanol from dilute acid hydrolyzates. A comparison of the effects of time showed there was more bioethanol yield of 13.7 (g/l) after 72 h of fermentation with the yeast versus 7.0 (g/l) bioethanol after pretreatment for 24 h. The only drawback is the longer fermentation period which thus reduces the process and so reduces the value of the increase in yield
- Full Text:
Incidence of cholera-causing and non cholera-causing pathogenic vibrio species in the river-k and two of its feeder wastewater treatment plants in the Raymond Mhlaba municipality, Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Gcilitshana, Onele
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15145 , vital:40190
- Description: Despite technological advances in water treatment and improved sanitation in many developing countries, acute microbial diseases still thrive and continue to distress millions of people. This is due to the high number of rural dwellers that still source water for drinking and other domestic uses from contaminated rivers. In South Africa, there have been reports on waterborne disease outbreaks, and specifically in the area understudy, two records of diarrhoeal outbreaks associated with consumption of river water were reported within the last decade. All those outbreaks and previous reports on isolation of other pathogenic bacteria within the area necessitated the conduction of this study in order to identify the potential causes of the cholera-associate diarrheal outbreaks previously reported in the area and nationally. This study was designed to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-cholera causing pathogens in final effluents and surface waters of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. RiverK which serves as a major resource for domestic activities, agricultural practices as well as an abstraction point for a potable water treatment plant was used for this study. River-K freshwater and final effluents of its two feeder wastewater treatment plants were sampled monthly, over a twelve-month period (December 2016–November 2017). For purposes of confidentiality, the names of the wastewater treatment plants and river involved are coded in this report. A total of 108 water samples were assessed for the physicochemical parameters that influence the presence of Vibrio pathogens. For bacteriology, the membrane filtration method followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adopted to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-choleracausing Vibrio pathogens, as well as their virulence-associated genes from the two wastewater treatment plants and their receiving waterbody (River-K). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of identified Vibrio species were determined using the disc diffusion method against a panel of xvi sixteen antibiotics commonly used as antimicrobial drugs of Vibrio infections. Multiple antibiotics resistance index (MARI) and phenotypes (MARP) were measured, and the existence of antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated by PCR using specific primer sets. Most of the physicochemical parameters measured (pH, TDS, temperature, salinity and DO) complied with the recommended standards for drinking water, while some fell short of the recommended limits (EC, turbidity, TSS, free chlorine). From the presumptive Vibrio isolates, 64.3% (476/740) were confirmed by PCR, with their Vibrio densities across all sampling points ranging between 0 and 2.7 × 104 CFU/100 mL, with high counts recorded in summer, hence their positive significant correlation (P< 0.01) with temperature. From the confirmed Vibrio isolates, only V. cholerae (53/476), V. mimicus (21/476) and V. parahaemolyticus (5/476) were detected. For virulence-associated genes, virulence genes homologous to V. cholerae virulence determinants, namely ompU (35%), TCP (14%), ACE (11%), ctx (7%) and HylA (4.5%) were widespread (independently) amongst the V. cholerae and V. mimicus species, while V. parahemolyticus isolates (100%) produced only the ToxR gene. Antibiogram profiling found resistance against some antibiotics such as Nalidixic acid (65%), Polymyxin B (43.8%) etc. The MAR indices ranged between 0 and 0.67 with 41.3% of the isolates recording MAR index values above 0.2. The results presented high degrees of MARPs ranging from four to eleven antimicrobials. For resistance gene detection, the SXT element was detected in 66% of the isolates, while cat1 (93%) was the most predominant, followed by aac (68%), ant (61%), with bla-V (7.1%) as the least detected gene. Findings from this study suggest that the wastewater effluents from the two wastewater treatment plants are potential sources of pathogenic Vibrio species and River-K contains a high quantity of pathogenic Vibrio species with fluctuating seasonal variations that reaffirm temperature as a strong reason for their abundance. The antibiotic-resistant Vibrio species isolated here carry a pool of virulence-associated genes and xvii antibiotic resistance genes, presenting a health threat to the communities that use it directly for domestic and irrigation purposes. In conclusion, some surface waters in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa are widely contaminated with cholera-causing and non-cholera causing Vibrio pathogens; furthermore, some wastewater treatment plants are ineffective in adequately removing microbial contaminants and have become sources of pathogenic bacteria to their receiving waterbodie
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gcilitshana, Onele
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15145 , vital:40190
- Description: Despite technological advances in water treatment and improved sanitation in many developing countries, acute microbial diseases still thrive and continue to distress millions of people. This is due to the high number of rural dwellers that still source water for drinking and other domestic uses from contaminated rivers. In South Africa, there have been reports on waterborne disease outbreaks, and specifically in the area understudy, two records of diarrhoeal outbreaks associated with consumption of river water were reported within the last decade. All those outbreaks and previous reports on isolation of other pathogenic bacteria within the area necessitated the conduction of this study in order to identify the potential causes of the cholera-associate diarrheal outbreaks previously reported in the area and nationally. This study was designed to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-cholera causing pathogens in final effluents and surface waters of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. RiverK which serves as a major resource for domestic activities, agricultural practices as well as an abstraction point for a potable water treatment plant was used for this study. River-K freshwater and final effluents of its two feeder wastewater treatment plants were sampled monthly, over a twelve-month period (December 2016–November 2017). For purposes of confidentiality, the names of the wastewater treatment plants and river involved are coded in this report. A total of 108 water samples were assessed for the physicochemical parameters that influence the presence of Vibrio pathogens. For bacteriology, the membrane filtration method followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adopted to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-choleracausing Vibrio pathogens, as well as their virulence-associated genes from the two wastewater treatment plants and their receiving waterbody (River-K). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of identified Vibrio species were determined using the disc diffusion method against a panel of xvi sixteen antibiotics commonly used as antimicrobial drugs of Vibrio infections. Multiple antibiotics resistance index (MARI) and phenotypes (MARP) were measured, and the existence of antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated by PCR using specific primer sets. Most of the physicochemical parameters measured (pH, TDS, temperature, salinity and DO) complied with the recommended standards for drinking water, while some fell short of the recommended limits (EC, turbidity, TSS, free chlorine). From the presumptive Vibrio isolates, 64.3% (476/740) were confirmed by PCR, with their Vibrio densities across all sampling points ranging between 0 and 2.7 × 104 CFU/100 mL, with high counts recorded in summer, hence their positive significant correlation (P< 0.01) with temperature. From the confirmed Vibrio isolates, only V. cholerae (53/476), V. mimicus (21/476) and V. parahaemolyticus (5/476) were detected. For virulence-associated genes, virulence genes homologous to V. cholerae virulence determinants, namely ompU (35%), TCP (14%), ACE (11%), ctx (7%) and HylA (4.5%) were widespread (independently) amongst the V. cholerae and V. mimicus species, while V. parahemolyticus isolates (100%) produced only the ToxR gene. Antibiogram profiling found resistance against some antibiotics such as Nalidixic acid (65%), Polymyxin B (43.8%) etc. The MAR indices ranged between 0 and 0.67 with 41.3% of the isolates recording MAR index values above 0.2. The results presented high degrees of MARPs ranging from four to eleven antimicrobials. For resistance gene detection, the SXT element was detected in 66% of the isolates, while cat1 (93%) was the most predominant, followed by aac (68%), ant (61%), with bla-V (7.1%) as the least detected gene. Findings from this study suggest that the wastewater effluents from the two wastewater treatment plants are potential sources of pathogenic Vibrio species and River-K contains a high quantity of pathogenic Vibrio species with fluctuating seasonal variations that reaffirm temperature as a strong reason for their abundance. The antibiotic-resistant Vibrio species isolated here carry a pool of virulence-associated genes and xvii antibiotic resistance genes, presenting a health threat to the communities that use it directly for domestic and irrigation purposes. In conclusion, some surface waters in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa are widely contaminated with cholera-causing and non-cholera causing Vibrio pathogens; furthermore, some wastewater treatment plants are ineffective in adequately removing microbial contaminants and have become sources of pathogenic bacteria to their receiving waterbodie
- Full Text:
Teachers’ beliefs and classroom practices about their oral and written corrective feedback strategies in selected peri-urban and rural schools in Umguza district in Zimbabwe.
- Authors: Green , Flosie Florence
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Teachers Classroom management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17987 , vital:42001
- Description: The goal of the study was to examine teachers’ beliefs and classroom practices about their corrective feedback strategies in selected peri-urban rural schools in Umguza District in Zimbabwe, in order to draw up a Corrective Feedback model aimed at enhancing ESL proficiency among O’ level school pupils. The study has been necessitated by challenges which post O’ level students face when communicating in English at institutions of higher learning. The study used the mixed research approach, whereby both quantitative and qualitative methods of gathering data were used though the dominant approach was the qualitative approach. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi structured interviews, lesson observations and examination of pupils’ written exercises. The questionnaire was completed by twenty two teachers. Semi-structured interviews were held with six teachers from the selected schools, while nine lesson observations were done and eighty exercise books were scrutinized for the presence of written Corrective Feedback. Results obtained showed that teachers’ stated beliefs about corrective feedback were not always demonstrated in their classroom practices. Furthermore the study revealed that oral Corrective Feedback was not used consistently in addition to a lack of uniformity in both the usage and interpretation of written Corrective Feedback. Results obtained showed that teachers’ stated beliefs about Corrective Feedback were not always demonstrated in their classroom practices. In addition, the study also revealed that some teachers were not aware of the codes used in written Corrective Feedback and their meaning. The conclusion reached in this study was that vi there is need for a more informed and consistent usage of Corrective Feedback among teachers. In the light of this finding, a Corrective Feedback model was suggested to assist teachers apply Corrective Feedback more consistently and more productively. A number of recommendations were made at the conclusion of this study. Firstly, it was recommended that marking codes be availed to teachers and pupils before the beginning of the school calendar. The contents of the advisory chart included in this study could be given to pupils to copy onto the back of their exercise books to enable them to interpret the feedback which the teachers would have written. It was recommended that teachers familiarise themselves with the developments in the use of CF in the ESL classroom. At school level this could be done through staff development workshop, where teachers share experiences about what works and what does not work in the ESL classroom. This should be done in view of the existing problem of communicative incompetency bedevilling pupils nationally. Secondly it was recommended that teachers familiarise themselves with the developments in the use of CF in the ESL classroom. The final recommendation was that teachers adopt minimal marking in the form of codes in order to cut down on turnaround time as well as stimulate individual learner automatisation of knowledge.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Green , Flosie Florence
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Teachers Classroom management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17987 , vital:42001
- Description: The goal of the study was to examine teachers’ beliefs and classroom practices about their corrective feedback strategies in selected peri-urban rural schools in Umguza District in Zimbabwe, in order to draw up a Corrective Feedback model aimed at enhancing ESL proficiency among O’ level school pupils. The study has been necessitated by challenges which post O’ level students face when communicating in English at institutions of higher learning. The study used the mixed research approach, whereby both quantitative and qualitative methods of gathering data were used though the dominant approach was the qualitative approach. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi structured interviews, lesson observations and examination of pupils’ written exercises. The questionnaire was completed by twenty two teachers. Semi-structured interviews were held with six teachers from the selected schools, while nine lesson observations were done and eighty exercise books were scrutinized for the presence of written Corrective Feedback. Results obtained showed that teachers’ stated beliefs about corrective feedback were not always demonstrated in their classroom practices. Furthermore the study revealed that oral Corrective Feedback was not used consistently in addition to a lack of uniformity in both the usage and interpretation of written Corrective Feedback. Results obtained showed that teachers’ stated beliefs about Corrective Feedback were not always demonstrated in their classroom practices. In addition, the study also revealed that some teachers were not aware of the codes used in written Corrective Feedback and their meaning. The conclusion reached in this study was that vi there is need for a more informed and consistent usage of Corrective Feedback among teachers. In the light of this finding, a Corrective Feedback model was suggested to assist teachers apply Corrective Feedback more consistently and more productively. A number of recommendations were made at the conclusion of this study. Firstly, it was recommended that marking codes be availed to teachers and pupils before the beginning of the school calendar. The contents of the advisory chart included in this study could be given to pupils to copy onto the back of their exercise books to enable them to interpret the feedback which the teachers would have written. It was recommended that teachers familiarise themselves with the developments in the use of CF in the ESL classroom. At school level this could be done through staff development workshop, where teachers share experiences about what works and what does not work in the ESL classroom. This should be done in view of the existing problem of communicative incompetency bedevilling pupils nationally. Secondly it was recommended that teachers familiarise themselves with the developments in the use of CF in the ESL classroom. The final recommendation was that teachers adopt minimal marking in the form of codes in order to cut down on turnaround time as well as stimulate individual learner automatisation of knowledge.
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Reflection and representation: modes of communicating Zimbabwean historical narratives through popular music
- Authors: Gwindingwe, Gift
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Communication Interpersonal communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15804 , vital:40528
- Description: Music, before and after independence in the former colonies, has been playing a central role of articulating national concerns. It became an alternative medium through which historical narratives were channeled out to the public. While many scholars have acknowledged the critical role of music’s attempt to whip the autocratic governments into line, and the attempts by the governments across the world to thwart the critical/activism role of music, little emphasis was put on the mechanism of circumventing censorship, the linguistic competence (or lack of it) of music in conscientising the public on national issues. This thesis aims to harness this seemingly entertainment tool (music) into serious academic discourse by looking at the way power relations and ideological contestations are symbolically reflected, represented and communicated in popular culture, in particular the Zimbabwean Sungura and Chimurenga music. It makes a critical analysis of the diction of music as it attempts (or fails to) reflect and represent the Zimbabwean historical narratives from the early 1990s to 2008. The study tries to (semiologically) fracture the musical lexicon and the ideological stance on which it is based to show the extent to which music communicates by way of reflecting and representing the Zimbabwean historical narratives. The thesis looks at how popular music has ‘become the most prominent signifier’ and at ‘the shifting meanings and the significance of … music’ (Nooshin 2005:231) in Zimbabwe. It utilises a qualitative research approach specifically an interpretive prism. Key research methods for the study include in-depth semi-structured interviews which were conducted with purposively selected informants such as university academics and two of the selected musicians. The selected academics were purposively sampled basing on the researcher’s knowledge of their inclination towards Cultural Studies, particularly popular culture. The study has managed to bring clarity to the research questions in a big way considering the application of the various theories that framed the thesis discussion. Research findings indicate that interpretive semiotics aids to unpack the philosophy of meaning making through song. Music as a medium has the reflective effect of a mirror and a photographic effect of a camera to enunciate the ideological innuendo in the leader-led dichotomy. The study shows that protest popular music rejects knowledge that affirms the status quo; it is counter hegemonic and seeks to regenerate selfhoods and self-liberation amongst the subaltern class.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gwindingwe, Gift
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Communication Interpersonal communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15804 , vital:40528
- Description: Music, before and after independence in the former colonies, has been playing a central role of articulating national concerns. It became an alternative medium through which historical narratives were channeled out to the public. While many scholars have acknowledged the critical role of music’s attempt to whip the autocratic governments into line, and the attempts by the governments across the world to thwart the critical/activism role of music, little emphasis was put on the mechanism of circumventing censorship, the linguistic competence (or lack of it) of music in conscientising the public on national issues. This thesis aims to harness this seemingly entertainment tool (music) into serious academic discourse by looking at the way power relations and ideological contestations are symbolically reflected, represented and communicated in popular culture, in particular the Zimbabwean Sungura and Chimurenga music. It makes a critical analysis of the diction of music as it attempts (or fails to) reflect and represent the Zimbabwean historical narratives from the early 1990s to 2008. The study tries to (semiologically) fracture the musical lexicon and the ideological stance on which it is based to show the extent to which music communicates by way of reflecting and representing the Zimbabwean historical narratives. The thesis looks at how popular music has ‘become the most prominent signifier’ and at ‘the shifting meanings and the significance of … music’ (Nooshin 2005:231) in Zimbabwe. It utilises a qualitative research approach specifically an interpretive prism. Key research methods for the study include in-depth semi-structured interviews which were conducted with purposively selected informants such as university academics and two of the selected musicians. The selected academics were purposively sampled basing on the researcher’s knowledge of their inclination towards Cultural Studies, particularly popular culture. The study has managed to bring clarity to the research questions in a big way considering the application of the various theories that framed the thesis discussion. Research findings indicate that interpretive semiotics aids to unpack the philosophy of meaning making through song. Music as a medium has the reflective effect of a mirror and a photographic effect of a camera to enunciate the ideological innuendo in the leader-led dichotomy. The study shows that protest popular music rejects knowledge that affirms the status quo; it is counter hegemonic and seeks to regenerate selfhoods and self-liberation amongst the subaltern class.
- Full Text:
Exploring the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of esl at secondary school level in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Jhamba , Duren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15770 , vital:40522
- Description: The researcher noted that earlier second language teaching models tended to treat language as an artefact to be scrutinised and adhered to with grammatical precision. This tended to reduce all language learning to the mere acquisition of grammatical skills. However, since all language behaviour is embedded in sociocultural and contextual frameworks, all teaching should provide cross-cultural awareness of that complexity as well as of the internal variation within language. Therefore, the research explored the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of English in Zimbabwe. The Mixed Methods design; a combination of the descriptive survey and the case study was adopted. The questionnaire, interview, observation and document analysis methods were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the role of sociolinguistic factors in second language teaching pedagogy. A combination of convenient sampling and stratified random sampling was used to come up with a sample representative of the school categories and the gender of teachers in the 38 secondary schools in Gweru District. The data for the research was collected from a random sample of 50 teachers. The data analysis supported the need for a reconceptualisation of ESL teaching in Zimbabwe. Notably, language teaching tended to be exam-centric, unimaginative and not well linked to the needs of the learners in the communicative environment outside the school. This confirmed the initial observation that the secondary school graduates generally lacked sociolinguistic competence skills. The teachers were, however generally not motivated to include culture and sociolinguistics in their teaching. The research therefore recommended a revisit of the 7 | Page allowance for the interplay of sociolinguistic factors at all the planning stages of the ESL curriculum; the status, corpus and acquisition stages.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jhamba , Duren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15770 , vital:40522
- Description: The researcher noted that earlier second language teaching models tended to treat language as an artefact to be scrutinised and adhered to with grammatical precision. This tended to reduce all language learning to the mere acquisition of grammatical skills. However, since all language behaviour is embedded in sociocultural and contextual frameworks, all teaching should provide cross-cultural awareness of that complexity as well as of the internal variation within language. Therefore, the research explored the interplay of sociolinguistic factors in the teaching of English in Zimbabwe. The Mixed Methods design; a combination of the descriptive survey and the case study was adopted. The questionnaire, interview, observation and document analysis methods were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the role of sociolinguistic factors in second language teaching pedagogy. A combination of convenient sampling and stratified random sampling was used to come up with a sample representative of the school categories and the gender of teachers in the 38 secondary schools in Gweru District. The data for the research was collected from a random sample of 50 teachers. The data analysis supported the need for a reconceptualisation of ESL teaching in Zimbabwe. Notably, language teaching tended to be exam-centric, unimaginative and not well linked to the needs of the learners in the communicative environment outside the school. This confirmed the initial observation that the secondary school graduates generally lacked sociolinguistic competence skills. The teachers were, however generally not motivated to include culture and sociolinguistics in their teaching. The research therefore recommended a revisit of the 7 | Page allowance for the interplay of sociolinguistic factors at all the planning stages of the ESL curriculum; the status, corpus and acquisition stages.
- Full Text:
The sociology of police criminality and ill-discipline in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Long, Amy Megan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17462 , vital:41078
- Description: Policing as a global concept, involves an exchange of trust between the public and a given police service, with the underlying basis of this exchange being an understanding that the police exist to protect citizens and their property, and to ensure that order is maintained in societies. The police services, by virtue of the nature of their role in society, can therefore be regarded as ‘protectors’. The South African Police Service are guided by the same philosophies as policing services globally. Recently in South Africa though, there has been an increase in reports accusing policemen of becoming involved in criminal activities themselves. With a focus on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality policing district, this study presents and analyses incidences of undocumented police crimes; the causes thereof; and the role of disciplinary procedures (both internally and legally) in preventing such incidences of crime. This study utilised a qualitative methodology to gather and analyse data. A total of 60 serving police officers and 10 key informants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. In-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with these police officers and key informants, reveal that police men and women are involved in violent and economic crimes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality policing district. Most violent crimes include assault, and torture; whilst economic crimes include corruption and theft. Underlying reasons for such crimes include inadequate remuneration, frustration in respect of the efficacy of the criminal justice system, vigilantism within the policing services, and socially learned violence. Internal (within SAPS and IPID) and legal disciplinary measures (through the criminal and civil justice system) were established to be ineffective in managing and eradicating incidences of both violent and economic crimes. The consequences of incidences of police criminality are reduced legitimacy of the policing services to deliver on its mandate to protect and serve the people of the Republic of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Long, Amy Megan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17462 , vital:41078
- Description: Policing as a global concept, involves an exchange of trust between the public and a given police service, with the underlying basis of this exchange being an understanding that the police exist to protect citizens and their property, and to ensure that order is maintained in societies. The police services, by virtue of the nature of their role in society, can therefore be regarded as ‘protectors’. The South African Police Service are guided by the same philosophies as policing services globally. Recently in South Africa though, there has been an increase in reports accusing policemen of becoming involved in criminal activities themselves. With a focus on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality policing district, this study presents and analyses incidences of undocumented police crimes; the causes thereof; and the role of disciplinary procedures (both internally and legally) in preventing such incidences of crime. This study utilised a qualitative methodology to gather and analyse data. A total of 60 serving police officers and 10 key informants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. In-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with these police officers and key informants, reveal that police men and women are involved in violent and economic crimes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality policing district. Most violent crimes include assault, and torture; whilst economic crimes include corruption and theft. Underlying reasons for such crimes include inadequate remuneration, frustration in respect of the efficacy of the criminal justice system, vigilantism within the policing services, and socially learned violence. Internal (within SAPS and IPID) and legal disciplinary measures (through the criminal and civil justice system) were established to be ineffective in managing and eradicating incidences of both violent and economic crimes. The consequences of incidences of police criminality are reduced legitimacy of the policing services to deliver on its mandate to protect and serve the people of the Republic of South Africa.
- Full Text:
A critical assessment of the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment: A case of Mashonaland West province Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mafa, Dennyford
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- Evaluation Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17473 , vital:41079
- Description: The aim of the study was to critically assess the implementation of community development projects in mitigating youth unemployment in Mashonaland province of Zimbabwe. The study used the mixed method which dwells beneath a social phenomenon in order to draw substantiated findings. Data was collected using three method and these include, individual face-to- face interviews, focus group discussion and questionnaire administered to youth, government officials and the local authorities. The study was underpinned by the asset based community development theory and sustainable livelihood approach. Findings highlighted that the participants and the respondents meet the characteristics and criterion for selected community development projects aimed at mitigating youth unemployment. The study revealed that there has been lack on youth involvement in the planning and initiation of the youth community development projects which aim to mitigate youth unemployment and poverty eradication. It has been found out that the implementation process of the youth community development projects was surrounded by lack of knowledge and lack of the involvement of the youths, which resulted in the failure of mitigating youth unemployment and eradication of poverty. Although accessibility (to youth) of these community development projects was for all the community youth who were unemployed, it emerged that the access was not as indicated due to factors like, lack of funding, partisan distribution of resources. The study also realized that due to lack of involvement and proper implementation, the youth community development projects were not sustainable, which was evidenced by the high rate of youth unemployment and poverty levels. Furthermore, the study revealed that effectiveness of youth community development projects in v alleviating youth unemployment in the province has also been marred with pitfalls. Thus, there has been an increase of youth unemployment and poverty. Last but not least, the findings of the study revealed that there were a couple of challenges, which are rooted in partnerships, lack of youth inclusion and involvement, as well lack of involvement of other stakeholders with expertise on implementation of youth community development projects to eradicate poverty and alleviate youth unemployment. Regardless of the brilliant ideas and strategic interventions, the government lacks the practicality of the implementation of these intervention strategies. The study found that interventions were there. However, intervention entails a process which has different facets and obligates the government to function systematically to avoid default in the process of service delivery. It is recommended amongst others that the government and various stakeholders should take cognizance and develop mechanisms and strategies for poverty alleviation, growth, development and employment creation for the youth.
- Full Text:
The gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa
- Authors: Makosa, Nigel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social security Grants-in-aid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15781 , vital:40523
- Description: The study aimed at undertaking a comparative investigation of the gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and to ascertain its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa as a comparative study. A methodological triangulated approach was used in the study where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. A total of 250 heads of households were selected as a sample from the study population. Herein, 200 respondents were given the survey questionnaire (100 respondents from Zimbabwe and another 100 from South Africa). A larger number of respondents were sampled for quantitative data in order to improve validity and generalisability of the results. Interview participants for this study were conveniently selected from communities benefiting from cash transfers and social grants. The researcher then interviewed a total of 50 participants (25 from Zimbabwe plus another 25 from South Africa). The samples for the study were arrived at using the multi stage sampling techniques. From these samples two data sets were obtained namely quantitative and qualitative. The study yielded that there are more social grants that are targeted at benefiting older people in Zimbabwe whereas there are a variety of social grants that are aimed at benefiting people from all age groups in South Africa. The study also established that the nature of intrahousehold decision making is determined by the variations of the recipients’ age variations. In Zimbabwe It was revealed that most of the recipients who were younger than 65 years bought basic needs, while in South Africa the recipients mostly used the money for entertainment, savings and clothes. The current economic situations in these two countries determine their spending patterns. Both in Zimbabwe vi and South Africa, recipients older than 65 years used their money to buy agricultural inputs. In both countries most of the beneficiaries were female because there are the primary caregivers and also because of the increased number of female headed households precipitated by high divorce rates. It also emerged in the study that there are many factors that influencethe gendered nature of intra household decision making dynamics such as cultural, available resources, number of dependents. These factors have the potential to either reinforce or offset the impact of social grants. Furthermore, the decision-making roles for men and women in both Zimbabwe and South Africa were determined by income and economic activities, food security and basic needs; marital status, family and social structures. But on the whole, it was revealed in the study that the responsibility of the head of household to provide leadership and make crucial decisions such as using social grants money. In both countries members from outside the nucleus family were also involved in making decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries. Elderly people retained the majority of the decision-making power in most of the households in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. It also emerged that in most households in both countries, decision making on the use of social grant money was arrived at after consultations particularly between spouses. In order to enhance productive decision making and optimise the social grants usefulness, the study recommends that there should be monitoring and evaluation on how the social grants are being used and who is behind the decision-making process. More so, a conceptual framework was also suggested to explain intrahousehold decision dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makosa, Nigel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social security Grants-in-aid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15781 , vital:40523
- Description: The study aimed at undertaking a comparative investigation of the gendered nature of intra-household decision making in the use of social grants and to ascertain its impact on selected households in Zimbabwe and South Africa as a comparative study. A methodological triangulated approach was used in the study where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. A total of 250 heads of households were selected as a sample from the study population. Herein, 200 respondents were given the survey questionnaire (100 respondents from Zimbabwe and another 100 from South Africa). A larger number of respondents were sampled for quantitative data in order to improve validity and generalisability of the results. Interview participants for this study were conveniently selected from communities benefiting from cash transfers and social grants. The researcher then interviewed a total of 50 participants (25 from Zimbabwe plus another 25 from South Africa). The samples for the study were arrived at using the multi stage sampling techniques. From these samples two data sets were obtained namely quantitative and qualitative. The study yielded that there are more social grants that are targeted at benefiting older people in Zimbabwe whereas there are a variety of social grants that are aimed at benefiting people from all age groups in South Africa. The study also established that the nature of intrahousehold decision making is determined by the variations of the recipients’ age variations. In Zimbabwe It was revealed that most of the recipients who were younger than 65 years bought basic needs, while in South Africa the recipients mostly used the money for entertainment, savings and clothes. The current economic situations in these two countries determine their spending patterns. Both in Zimbabwe vi and South Africa, recipients older than 65 years used their money to buy agricultural inputs. In both countries most of the beneficiaries were female because there are the primary caregivers and also because of the increased number of female headed households precipitated by high divorce rates. It also emerged in the study that there are many factors that influencethe gendered nature of intra household decision making dynamics such as cultural, available resources, number of dependents. These factors have the potential to either reinforce or offset the impact of social grants. Furthermore, the decision-making roles for men and women in both Zimbabwe and South Africa were determined by income and economic activities, food security and basic needs; marital status, family and social structures. But on the whole, it was revealed in the study that the responsibility of the head of household to provide leadership and make crucial decisions such as using social grants money. In both countries members from outside the nucleus family were also involved in making decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries. Elderly people retained the majority of the decision-making power in most of the households in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. It also emerged that in most households in both countries, decision making on the use of social grant money was arrived at after consultations particularly between spouses. In order to enhance productive decision making and optimise the social grants usefulness, the study recommends that there should be monitoring and evaluation on how the social grants are being used and who is behind the decision-making process. More so, a conceptual framework was also suggested to explain intrahousehold decision dynamics.
- Full Text:
Listening to silenced voices: The lived experiences of Xhosa mothers during the initiation period of their sons
- Authors: Makupula, Mahlodi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ethnocentrism Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15815 , vital:40529
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of Xhosa mothers during the initiation period of their sons. The male rite of initiation among the amaXhosa has various taboos that prohibit women from getting involved in decision-making regarding the ritual. This creates a challenge as the number of female-headed households are increasing. The rationale for this study was to give Xhosa mothers a voice to relate their narratives of how they experienced the initiation period of their sons. In order to carry out this aim, the paradigm of Afrocentricity was used to anchor the study. Afrocentricity is a paradigm that supports the agency of African people in a study conducted about their issues. It also aims to give the previously oppressed groups a voice so that they can speak for themselves. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as set out by Jonathan Smith was used as a qualitative research methodology in this study. Data was generated, recorded and transcribed from semi-structured interviews with eight selected participants. The biological mothers of Xhosa initiates, that experienced the initiation of their sons, took part in this study. The over-arching inclusion criteria were that the mothers gave permission for their sons to be initiated, and that their sons did not experience any major complications during the ritual. They met the inclusion criteria as set out by the researcher. The findings of the study indicated that the mothers’ experiences were multifaceted. They included the spiritual, psychological and emotional experiences, as well as their experiences as women, and, more especially, as mothers. The challenges that mothers faced during this period included lack of feedback regarding the health of their sons. This led to the experiencing of somatic symptoms like lack of sleep, poor appetite, and anxiety. In order to deal with their symptoms, the main coping mechanism that the participants used, was prayer. LISTENING TO SILENCED VOICES ii This study has highlighted the importance of listening to previously silenced voices in order to contribute to local knowledge. It is envisaged that the findings of this study will contribute to policy decisions that affect women, by ensuring the involvement of women in higher decision-making bodies. This is particularly important with the high number of femaleheaded households in the country.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makupula, Mahlodi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ethnocentrism Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15815 , vital:40529
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of Xhosa mothers during the initiation period of their sons. The male rite of initiation among the amaXhosa has various taboos that prohibit women from getting involved in decision-making regarding the ritual. This creates a challenge as the number of female-headed households are increasing. The rationale for this study was to give Xhosa mothers a voice to relate their narratives of how they experienced the initiation period of their sons. In order to carry out this aim, the paradigm of Afrocentricity was used to anchor the study. Afrocentricity is a paradigm that supports the agency of African people in a study conducted about their issues. It also aims to give the previously oppressed groups a voice so that they can speak for themselves. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as set out by Jonathan Smith was used as a qualitative research methodology in this study. Data was generated, recorded and transcribed from semi-structured interviews with eight selected participants. The biological mothers of Xhosa initiates, that experienced the initiation of their sons, took part in this study. The over-arching inclusion criteria were that the mothers gave permission for their sons to be initiated, and that their sons did not experience any major complications during the ritual. They met the inclusion criteria as set out by the researcher. The findings of the study indicated that the mothers’ experiences were multifaceted. They included the spiritual, psychological and emotional experiences, as well as their experiences as women, and, more especially, as mothers. The challenges that mothers faced during this period included lack of feedback regarding the health of their sons. This led to the experiencing of somatic symptoms like lack of sleep, poor appetite, and anxiety. In order to deal with their symptoms, the main coping mechanism that the participants used, was prayer. LISTENING TO SILENCED VOICES ii This study has highlighted the importance of listening to previously silenced voices in order to contribute to local knowledge. It is envisaged that the findings of this study will contribute to policy decisions that affect women, by ensuring the involvement of women in higher decision-making bodies. This is particularly important with the high number of femaleheaded households in the country.
- Full Text:
The implementation of National Health strategy (2009-2013) in Vungu District clinics, Midlands Province in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mangwanya, M G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical care -- Zimbabwe Public health administration -- Zimbabwe National Health Strategy (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18514 , vital:42579
- Description: The practice of strategy implementation is key to the public sector in Zimbabwe because it helps the government to be up to speed in providing services to the public. This research focused on the National Health Strategy 2009-2013 and its impact on health service delivery in Vungu Rural District Council Clinics. The research was based on qualitative desk study design which made use of existing data and semi structured interviews to understand the effect of the National Health Strategy on health service delivery in Vungu Rural Districts Council Clinics. From the literature reviewed and the data collected, it can be noted that lack of resources has had a huge effect on the execution of the strategy. The findings from the study show that the National Health Strategy was a good initiative. However, it lacked financial resources which posed challenges to the health workers in Vungu Rural District Council Clinics. The health workers were not very familiar with the National Health Strategy and this had a negative impact on its execution because they cannot execute a strategy that they are not familiar with. The study highlighted the importance of resources for the execution of the National Health Strategy. The study therefore sought to find ways the Zimbabwean Health System may formulate the health strategy with the limited resources in order to achieve desired goals. The Health Workers echoed the same sentiments that they needed resources for the implementation of the strategy. It is hoped that the findings would provide guidelines for the formulation and implementation of future health strategies. Recommendations given would ensure that there is utilisation of available resources, which would help in the execution of other health strategies to ensure efficient and effective health care service delivery. The recommendations are also intended to enhance the performance of health workers. Though the study was limited to Vungu Rural District Council Clinics the findings and recommendations would provide guidelines for other rural clinics as they use the National Health Strategy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mangwanya, M G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical care -- Zimbabwe Public health administration -- Zimbabwe National Health Strategy (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18514 , vital:42579
- Description: The practice of strategy implementation is key to the public sector in Zimbabwe because it helps the government to be up to speed in providing services to the public. This research focused on the National Health Strategy 2009-2013 and its impact on health service delivery in Vungu Rural District Council Clinics. The research was based on qualitative desk study design which made use of existing data and semi structured interviews to understand the effect of the National Health Strategy on health service delivery in Vungu Rural Districts Council Clinics. From the literature reviewed and the data collected, it can be noted that lack of resources has had a huge effect on the execution of the strategy. The findings from the study show that the National Health Strategy was a good initiative. However, it lacked financial resources which posed challenges to the health workers in Vungu Rural District Council Clinics. The health workers were not very familiar with the National Health Strategy and this had a negative impact on its execution because they cannot execute a strategy that they are not familiar with. The study highlighted the importance of resources for the execution of the National Health Strategy. The study therefore sought to find ways the Zimbabwean Health System may formulate the health strategy with the limited resources in order to achieve desired goals. The Health Workers echoed the same sentiments that they needed resources for the implementation of the strategy. It is hoped that the findings would provide guidelines for the formulation and implementation of future health strategies. Recommendations given would ensure that there is utilisation of available resources, which would help in the execution of other health strategies to ensure efficient and effective health care service delivery. The recommendations are also intended to enhance the performance of health workers. Though the study was limited to Vungu Rural District Council Clinics the findings and recommendations would provide guidelines for other rural clinics as they use the National Health Strategy.
- Full Text:
Patriarchy and the participation of women in Zimbabwean national politics: a study of selected women Politicians in Matabeleland Region
- Authors: Manyevere, Sithabile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women politicians Women -- Political activity -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17506 , vital:41082
- Description: The research sought to analyse how patriarchal perceptions have affected women in Zimbabwean national politics with specific focus on women politicians in Matabeleland region. The researcher observed that women politicians in this region seem to face multiple oppressions and yet seem to have been excluded in previous studies. The mixed method approach was adopted for the research. Questionnaires were used for the quantitative method, while key informant interviews and focus group discussions were utilised for the qualitative method. Findings from the survey revealed stereotypical perceptions such as that men are better leaders than women, women are not capable of holding decision making positions and the perception that politics is not safe for women. The findings from the key informants indicate that women politicians in Matabeleland face quite a number of challenges emanating from these patriarchal perceptions. The challenges include violence, humiliation and cultural stigmatization. Although women have attempted to resist patriarchy, it seems that the resistance has not been enough to eliminate the patriarchal mentality and the oppressions that accompany it. The research adopts a combination of feminist and intersectionality theory as a framework for analysis of the problem under investigation. The research potentially contributes to academic discourse by advancing literature on the multi-faceted aspects of patriarchy. The study recommends psychological and financial empowerment of women, electoral reforms and criminalization of offenders. The implementation of proper reforms and corrective measures envisage the long-awaited new dawn among women whom since time memorial, have been suppressed by deep-seated societal and patriarchal beliefs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Manyevere, Sithabile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women politicians Women -- Political activity -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17506 , vital:41082
- Description: The research sought to analyse how patriarchal perceptions have affected women in Zimbabwean national politics with specific focus on women politicians in Matabeleland region. The researcher observed that women politicians in this region seem to face multiple oppressions and yet seem to have been excluded in previous studies. The mixed method approach was adopted for the research. Questionnaires were used for the quantitative method, while key informant interviews and focus group discussions were utilised for the qualitative method. Findings from the survey revealed stereotypical perceptions such as that men are better leaders than women, women are not capable of holding decision making positions and the perception that politics is not safe for women. The findings from the key informants indicate that women politicians in Matabeleland face quite a number of challenges emanating from these patriarchal perceptions. The challenges include violence, humiliation and cultural stigmatization. Although women have attempted to resist patriarchy, it seems that the resistance has not been enough to eliminate the patriarchal mentality and the oppressions that accompany it. The research adopts a combination of feminist and intersectionality theory as a framework for analysis of the problem under investigation. The research potentially contributes to academic discourse by advancing literature on the multi-faceted aspects of patriarchy. The study recommends psychological and financial empowerment of women, electoral reforms and criminalization of offenders. The implementation of proper reforms and corrective measures envisage the long-awaited new dawn among women whom since time memorial, have been suppressed by deep-seated societal and patriarchal beliefs.
- Full Text:
“Culture” as an Agent of Societal Regeneration: A Study of Selected Dramatic Literature by Soyinka, Osofisan and Rotimi
- Authors: Megbowon, Funmilola Kemi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Literature English drama
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15826 , vital:40530
- Description: Contemporary Yoruba society is laden with the burden of diverse societal misconducts and perversions which are seen to be entrenched in the fabric of the individuals’ daily lives and the society. These misconducts have alarming patterns and worrisome future implications. In this study, it is argued that while all-round forward progress is essential in a society, a simultaneous disconnect with some conventional and traditional element stimulates these aforementioned delinquencies. This therefore calls for societal regeneration of the contemporary Yoruba society in view of achieving a sustainable future. The study further argued that societal regeneration could only be achieved by looking backward into some indigenous cultural elements that made the traditional society a relatively non-perverted society. This argument is presented by examining contemporary dramatic works by Nigerian playwrights whose writings are done in the light of the past. Their works are imperatives because literature is viewed as one of the means of preserving and educating the society of their history, culture and beliefs, and also mirroring the present and projecting into the future. Specifically, the objectives of this study are: 1) To evaluate the levels of cultural and moral values in contemporary Yoruba Society; 2) To examine the key moral and cultural paradigms of the traditional Yoruba tribe of Nigeria; 3) To examine the position of the writers as vanguard of moral and cultural values in contemporary and future Nigerian Society; 4) To examine challenges that arise against their efforts to resuscitate traditional morals and culture among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. These objectives were achieved using textual and interpretative analytical procedures in the texts written by Soyinka, Osofisan and Rotimi. These texts which includeThe Swamp Dwellers, Death and the King’s Horseman, The Trials of Brother vi Jero, The Women of Owu, Kurunmi and The Gods are not to Blame, are all examined within the context of postcolonial theory. The historical endowment of examined playwrights motivated their desire to assert their cultural identity and to preserve their traditional values. The playwrights reflect common concern of the need to appreciate and where necessary to retain traditional cultural values as well as the need to rid society of those traditions that hinder human and society's growth. Each author approaches these concerns from a cultural perspective, they emphasise the rationality and need of establishing their national identity, thereby stressing the importance of traditional values in the process. In a society like the Yoruba where each segment has been affected by extended agents of colonisation, the hope of restoration also lies in the hand of the playwrights who have constantly emphasised through their writings the role of the essentials of Yoruba culture in societal development. The examination of the key moral and cultural paradigms of the traditional Yoruba people of Nigeria, which is objective two of this thesis, is presented within the context of each of the six selected texts. They are discussed in Chapters three to five of the study with respect to each of the authors of the play and the identified relevant sociocultural issues. From the examined literary texts, it is seen that the traditional Yoruba moral and cultural paradigms are distinctive and diverse. Some of these key paradigms represented in the texts include religious practices, language, clothing, respect for elders, chastity before marriage, marriage, justice, marital fidelity, hard work, and leadership accountability. All these key paradigms centre on interpersonal relationships and communal interaction together with the irreplaceable position of the vii gods which are observed to have been imperative in the workings of the traditional Yoruba society, making it a less perverse one. In Chapter six, inferences on the inferred pivotal position of playwright as vanguard of indigenous culture and the conflicts that arise against playwrights’ efforts to resuscitate a moral culture in the Yoruba society of Nigeria which are the objectives three and four of the study are explored. It is identified in the chapter that the battle for lost identity and cultural values is being fought on numerous fronts. Some of the key issues identified as confronting and silencing playwrights’ influences in the society include evolving diversities in ideologies, education, technology, the entertainment industry, and urbanisation. This study recommends the necessity of looking into the economic, social, and cultural development of the Yoruba people in the process of cultural recovery via dramatic literary writings and presentations. The playwrights should use their knowledge to spur the people into action, and foster through his writings the hope of a better future. The playwrights are not only responsible to their national culture, but to the nation as a whole, whose culture is, after all, but one aspect. This is also believed to be relevant in the fight against several social anomalies in the African community, thereby aiding the continent’s development
- Full Text:
- Authors: Megbowon, Funmilola Kemi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Literature English drama
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15826 , vital:40530
- Description: Contemporary Yoruba society is laden with the burden of diverse societal misconducts and perversions which are seen to be entrenched in the fabric of the individuals’ daily lives and the society. These misconducts have alarming patterns and worrisome future implications. In this study, it is argued that while all-round forward progress is essential in a society, a simultaneous disconnect with some conventional and traditional element stimulates these aforementioned delinquencies. This therefore calls for societal regeneration of the contemporary Yoruba society in view of achieving a sustainable future. The study further argued that societal regeneration could only be achieved by looking backward into some indigenous cultural elements that made the traditional society a relatively non-perverted society. This argument is presented by examining contemporary dramatic works by Nigerian playwrights whose writings are done in the light of the past. Their works are imperatives because literature is viewed as one of the means of preserving and educating the society of their history, culture and beliefs, and also mirroring the present and projecting into the future. Specifically, the objectives of this study are: 1) To evaluate the levels of cultural and moral values in contemporary Yoruba Society; 2) To examine the key moral and cultural paradigms of the traditional Yoruba tribe of Nigeria; 3) To examine the position of the writers as vanguard of moral and cultural values in contemporary and future Nigerian Society; 4) To examine challenges that arise against their efforts to resuscitate traditional morals and culture among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. These objectives were achieved using textual and interpretative analytical procedures in the texts written by Soyinka, Osofisan and Rotimi. These texts which includeThe Swamp Dwellers, Death and the King’s Horseman, The Trials of Brother vi Jero, The Women of Owu, Kurunmi and The Gods are not to Blame, are all examined within the context of postcolonial theory. The historical endowment of examined playwrights motivated their desire to assert their cultural identity and to preserve their traditional values. The playwrights reflect common concern of the need to appreciate and where necessary to retain traditional cultural values as well as the need to rid society of those traditions that hinder human and society's growth. Each author approaches these concerns from a cultural perspective, they emphasise the rationality and need of establishing their national identity, thereby stressing the importance of traditional values in the process. In a society like the Yoruba where each segment has been affected by extended agents of colonisation, the hope of restoration also lies in the hand of the playwrights who have constantly emphasised through their writings the role of the essentials of Yoruba culture in societal development. The examination of the key moral and cultural paradigms of the traditional Yoruba people of Nigeria, which is objective two of this thesis, is presented within the context of each of the six selected texts. They are discussed in Chapters three to five of the study with respect to each of the authors of the play and the identified relevant sociocultural issues. From the examined literary texts, it is seen that the traditional Yoruba moral and cultural paradigms are distinctive and diverse. Some of these key paradigms represented in the texts include religious practices, language, clothing, respect for elders, chastity before marriage, marriage, justice, marital fidelity, hard work, and leadership accountability. All these key paradigms centre on interpersonal relationships and communal interaction together with the irreplaceable position of the vii gods which are observed to have been imperative in the workings of the traditional Yoruba society, making it a less perverse one. In Chapter six, inferences on the inferred pivotal position of playwright as vanguard of indigenous culture and the conflicts that arise against playwrights’ efforts to resuscitate a moral culture in the Yoruba society of Nigeria which are the objectives three and four of the study are explored. It is identified in the chapter that the battle for lost identity and cultural values is being fought on numerous fronts. Some of the key issues identified as confronting and silencing playwrights’ influences in the society include evolving diversities in ideologies, education, technology, the entertainment industry, and urbanisation. This study recommends the necessity of looking into the economic, social, and cultural development of the Yoruba people in the process of cultural recovery via dramatic literary writings and presentations. The playwrights should use their knowledge to spur the people into action, and foster through his writings the hope of a better future. The playwrights are not only responsible to their national culture, but to the nation as a whole, whose culture is, after all, but one aspect. This is also believed to be relevant in the fight against several social anomalies in the African community, thereby aiding the continent’s development
- Full Text:
Local web news as tools for framing food security: the content analysis of four selected Eastern Cape web newspapers
- Metula , Nolukhanyo Theorida
- Authors: Metula , Nolukhanyo Theorida
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Food security World Wide Web
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17484 , vital:41080
- Description: This study evaluates how the Eastern Cape local web newspapers frame food security in the Eastern Cape Province. A qualitative content analysis by means of textual analysis was used to evaluate the selected local web newspaper’s content on food security related stories within the period of July-December 2017. The sample was drawn from four Eastern Cape local web newspapers- Daily Dispatch Live, Herald Live, Go and Express and The Talk of the Town. The analysis sought to determine how the selected local web newspapers frame food security concerning food availability, accessibility and affordability in the Eastern Cape Province. Additionally, the study aimed to ascertain the issues about food security that are raised by the Eastern Cape local web newspapers and, to establish the extent to which these Eastern Cape local web newspapers’ framing is helpful in ensuring participation, empowerment and community mobilization for food securing purposes. The results of this study indicate that the local web newspapers frame Eastern Cape Province as untapped food basket. The framing suggests that the Province can leverage its agricultural resources for job creation which will ensure economic growth and food security. The local web newspapers framing suggests that there are numerous channels such as natural food production, livestock production, smallholder farming that can enhance availability and access to affordable food to people in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that local web newspapers frame increased agricultural production as an important issue that demand serious and urgent attention of the Provincial government as it has the potential of not only ensuring food security but also impacting positively on the income of local farmers. The local web newspapers frame farm attacks, land redistribution and reinstatement as important factors that hinder food production and, ultimately, food security in the Eastern Cape v Province. Furthermore, this study discovered that the frame of references used by the local web newspapers, especially the emphasis on local farming, land redistribution and private sector help to empower and mobilize individuals and communities to participate in food security initiatives. This study concludes that Eastern Cape Local Web Newspapers can be veritable tools to enhance food security channels in the Eastern Cape Province
- Full Text:
- Authors: Metula , Nolukhanyo Theorida
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Food security World Wide Web
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17484 , vital:41080
- Description: This study evaluates how the Eastern Cape local web newspapers frame food security in the Eastern Cape Province. A qualitative content analysis by means of textual analysis was used to evaluate the selected local web newspaper’s content on food security related stories within the period of July-December 2017. The sample was drawn from four Eastern Cape local web newspapers- Daily Dispatch Live, Herald Live, Go and Express and The Talk of the Town. The analysis sought to determine how the selected local web newspapers frame food security concerning food availability, accessibility and affordability in the Eastern Cape Province. Additionally, the study aimed to ascertain the issues about food security that are raised by the Eastern Cape local web newspapers and, to establish the extent to which these Eastern Cape local web newspapers’ framing is helpful in ensuring participation, empowerment and community mobilization for food securing purposes. The results of this study indicate that the local web newspapers frame Eastern Cape Province as untapped food basket. The framing suggests that the Province can leverage its agricultural resources for job creation which will ensure economic growth and food security. The local web newspapers framing suggests that there are numerous channels such as natural food production, livestock production, smallholder farming that can enhance availability and access to affordable food to people in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that local web newspapers frame increased agricultural production as an important issue that demand serious and urgent attention of the Provincial government as it has the potential of not only ensuring food security but also impacting positively on the income of local farmers. The local web newspapers frame farm attacks, land redistribution and reinstatement as important factors that hinder food production and, ultimately, food security in the Eastern Cape v Province. Furthermore, this study discovered that the frame of references used by the local web newspapers, especially the emphasis on local farming, land redistribution and private sector help to empower and mobilize individuals and communities to participate in food security initiatives. This study concludes that Eastern Cape Local Web Newspapers can be veritable tools to enhance food security channels in the Eastern Cape Province
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A critical analysis of the influence of media reporting on xenophobic behaviours among students in selected South African universities
- Authors: Mgogo, Quatro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Reporters and reporting Xenophobia -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17495 , vital:41081
- Description: A number of theoretical and empirically proven studies have shown that the media exert varying degree of influence on audience members. The South African media framing and coverage of foreign nationals is a good example of this. Media critics and scholars hold that the way and manner foreign nationals are represented in South African media landscape contributes to the endemic xenophobic outbreaks in the country. (Endong, 2018; George & Aidoo, 2017). This study aims to critically analyse the influence of media reporting on xenophobic behaviours among students in selected South African universities. Part of its aim is to assert if there exist xenophobic behaviours among students learning in South African universities, which are influenced by the manner in which media reports have stigmatised foreign nationals. Therefore, this study looked at three South African universities, namely the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus, the University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard college campus and the University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus. Data for the study were collected using the qualitative methods, particularly the focus groups discussions and in-depth interviews. The findings of this study have revealed that xenophobic behaviours were evident among students, in lecture-rooms, as well as student residences. The participants also confirmed that the media’s focus and reliance on negative stereotypes and generalized information when representing foreign nationals were the main contributing factors to xenophobic behaviours, including its previous adopting of the words like Amakwerekwere, Aliens and Amagrigamba. In an attempt to discourage xenophobic behaviours, this study has therefore recommended peace journalism and Ubuntu journalism as alternative models for reporting xenophobic violence and conflict.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mgogo, Quatro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Reporters and reporting Xenophobia -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17495 , vital:41081
- Description: A number of theoretical and empirically proven studies have shown that the media exert varying degree of influence on audience members. The South African media framing and coverage of foreign nationals is a good example of this. Media critics and scholars hold that the way and manner foreign nationals are represented in South African media landscape contributes to the endemic xenophobic outbreaks in the country. (Endong, 2018; George & Aidoo, 2017). This study aims to critically analyse the influence of media reporting on xenophobic behaviours among students in selected South African universities. Part of its aim is to assert if there exist xenophobic behaviours among students learning in South African universities, which are influenced by the manner in which media reports have stigmatised foreign nationals. Therefore, this study looked at three South African universities, namely the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus, the University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard college campus and the University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus. Data for the study were collected using the qualitative methods, particularly the focus groups discussions and in-depth interviews. The findings of this study have revealed that xenophobic behaviours were evident among students, in lecture-rooms, as well as student residences. The participants also confirmed that the media’s focus and reliance on negative stereotypes and generalized information when representing foreign nationals were the main contributing factors to xenophobic behaviours, including its previous adopting of the words like Amakwerekwere, Aliens and Amagrigamba. In an attempt to discourage xenophobic behaviours, this study has therefore recommended peace journalism and Ubuntu journalism as alternative models for reporting xenophobic violence and conflict.
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Social Media as Human Rights Watchdog: A critical Analysis of Facebook and WhatsApp use by Citizens and Civil Society Groups in the Run-up to the 2018 Elections in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mututwa, Wishes.T
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social media Online social networks
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15837 , vital:40531
- Description: This study analysed the use of social media platforms, WhatsApp and Facebook in monitoring human rights ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2018 Harmonised elections. Zimbabwe has witnessed gross human rights violations since the attainment of independence in 1980 but most of these violations have been misrepresented, partially captured or ignored particularly by the partisan state media. While issues of human rights have been researched on, there has been a gap in research on the role of social media in safeguarding human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly during election times. There has also been a gap in research about the influences of social media, not just to inspire revolutions but to strengthen democratic practices in Zimbabwe through vibrant discussions of human rights issues on social media platforms. This study was informed by Habermas Theory of public sphere and Social network theory in order to analyse texts shared and discussed on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights committed ahead of 2018 Harmonised elections. The aim was to establish use of social media as watchdog of human rights. A qualitative content analysis was applied to study texts shared on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights violations across the country. Three WhatsApp groups and seven Facebook pages were selected for the study from which posts and responses from participants were extracted for analysis. The findings of the study revealed that social media can effectively strengthen democratic practices by exposing government’s unconstitutional practices. Further, social media can be useful in offering ordinary citizens a platform for engagement with civic society as they discuss issues that affect them. The findings of the study also hold the state accountable for the majority of human rights abuses committed throughout the election campaign period. The study then recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should go back to constitutionalism and abide by international human rights treaties to which they are signatory. Further, the study recommended that Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other independent commissions be empowered so that human rights are fully enjoyed in Zimbabwe, not just during election campaign periods but all the time
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- Authors: Mututwa, Wishes.T
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social media Online social networks
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15837 , vital:40531
- Description: This study analysed the use of social media platforms, WhatsApp and Facebook in monitoring human rights ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2018 Harmonised elections. Zimbabwe has witnessed gross human rights violations since the attainment of independence in 1980 but most of these violations have been misrepresented, partially captured or ignored particularly by the partisan state media. While issues of human rights have been researched on, there has been a gap in research on the role of social media in safeguarding human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly during election times. There has also been a gap in research about the influences of social media, not just to inspire revolutions but to strengthen democratic practices in Zimbabwe through vibrant discussions of human rights issues on social media platforms. This study was informed by Habermas Theory of public sphere and Social network theory in order to analyse texts shared and discussed on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights committed ahead of 2018 Harmonised elections. The aim was to establish use of social media as watchdog of human rights. A qualitative content analysis was applied to study texts shared on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights violations across the country. Three WhatsApp groups and seven Facebook pages were selected for the study from which posts and responses from participants were extracted for analysis. The findings of the study revealed that social media can effectively strengthen democratic practices by exposing government’s unconstitutional practices. Further, social media can be useful in offering ordinary citizens a platform for engagement with civic society as they discuss issues that affect them. The findings of the study also hold the state accountable for the majority of human rights abuses committed throughout the election campaign period. The study then recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should go back to constitutionalism and abide by international human rights treaties to which they are signatory. Further, the study recommended that Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other independent commissions be empowered so that human rights are fully enjoyed in Zimbabwe, not just during election campaign periods but all the time
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Pragmatics teaching: on the development of learners’ linguistic competence among selected East London District schools
- Authors: Myoli, Ndileka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pragmatics -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11232 , vital:37607
- Description: South Africa was listed amongst the countries with a percentage of students with achievement too low for estimation by “Progress International Results in Reading” in 2011. Meanwhile, there was also an indication that, high school learners in the Eastern Cape Province are highly challenged, as far as their ability to produce speech, as well as the ability to interpret meaning beyond what is literally suggested. Since such difficulties usually pose problems of content understanding, concerned researchers in the field of language took it upon themselves to investigate the underlying cause of the problem, in order to prevent more problems of pragmatics incompetence, such as, problems with social interaction that could retard one’s ability to function independently as an adult. While many studies have been conducted in the area of Pragmatics language competence, this study found it necessary to contribute around this debate. Since the study was two-fold, isiXhosa Home language learners of Grades 10 to 12 were investigated with an objective to determine the extent of pragmatic incompetence and the Teachers were investigated to determine the effectiveness of their teaching of pragmatics language. A number of 108 high school isiXhosa learners, of ages of between 16 and 18 years, from East London Directorate, 36 per Grade, from the three selected schools high schools, were sampled, 36 consisting of 18 males and 18 females per grade from each selected high school. 9 isiXhosa Home Language teachers of between the ages of 45 to 54 years were sampled from the selected schools. This study used an assessment test for the learners and the questionnaire for the teachers, as a means of data collection techniques. The study applied a high consideration of validity as well as of ethical matters in order to ensure the reliability of results. The study found that, isiXhosa Home language learners’ levels of pragmatic competence are high and with the appropriate use of good methods of pragmatics language teaching, learners’ pragmatics competence can develop.This study will be able to encourage syllabus designers to collaborate with subject teachers, beginning right at the inception of the syllabus planning. IsiXhosa language teachers can develop teaching material appropriate for their primary goal, which is the development of pragmatic competence. Further research is recommended to investigate more around this area of study to a point where isiXhosa Home language can be counted amongst the great and valued languages of South Africa.
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- Authors: Myoli, Ndileka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pragmatics -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11232 , vital:37607
- Description: South Africa was listed amongst the countries with a percentage of students with achievement too low for estimation by “Progress International Results in Reading” in 2011. Meanwhile, there was also an indication that, high school learners in the Eastern Cape Province are highly challenged, as far as their ability to produce speech, as well as the ability to interpret meaning beyond what is literally suggested. Since such difficulties usually pose problems of content understanding, concerned researchers in the field of language took it upon themselves to investigate the underlying cause of the problem, in order to prevent more problems of pragmatics incompetence, such as, problems with social interaction that could retard one’s ability to function independently as an adult. While many studies have been conducted in the area of Pragmatics language competence, this study found it necessary to contribute around this debate. Since the study was two-fold, isiXhosa Home language learners of Grades 10 to 12 were investigated with an objective to determine the extent of pragmatic incompetence and the Teachers were investigated to determine the effectiveness of their teaching of pragmatics language. A number of 108 high school isiXhosa learners, of ages of between 16 and 18 years, from East London Directorate, 36 per Grade, from the three selected schools high schools, were sampled, 36 consisting of 18 males and 18 females per grade from each selected high school. 9 isiXhosa Home Language teachers of between the ages of 45 to 54 years were sampled from the selected schools. This study used an assessment test for the learners and the questionnaire for the teachers, as a means of data collection techniques. The study applied a high consideration of validity as well as of ethical matters in order to ensure the reliability of results. The study found that, isiXhosa Home language learners’ levels of pragmatic competence are high and with the appropriate use of good methods of pragmatics language teaching, learners’ pragmatics competence can develop.This study will be able to encourage syllabus designers to collaborate with subject teachers, beginning right at the inception of the syllabus planning. IsiXhosa language teachers can develop teaching material appropriate for their primary goal, which is the development of pragmatic competence. Further research is recommended to investigate more around this area of study to a point where isiXhosa Home language can be counted amongst the great and valued languages of South Africa.
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