ZIMBABWE’S LIBERATION STRUGGLE: A CRITICAL DECADE OF THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION (ZANU)’S GUERRILLA WAR, 1970-1980
- Dzimbanhete, Jephias Andrew (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-8722)
- Authors: Dzimbanhete, Jephias Andrew (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-8722)
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: National Liberation Movements -- Zimbabwe , Guerillas , Zimbabwe -- History -- Chimurenga
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23315 , vital:57048
- Description: This study offers a comprehensive examination of the Zimbabwean war of independence depicting the mobilisation of forces of liberation against an intransigent colonial Rhodesian settler state during a critical decade of the 1970s. Its introductory outline presents a broad historical context to the decolonisation processes in Africa. It also introduces the two liberation movements that drove the war of independence, and these revolved around the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). The empirical chapters of the thesis narrow the focus to the main research subject, that explain the ZANU’s guerrilla warfare and how that was launched under the military wing of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). The study looks, particularly on how and why that formation assembled groundswell support and generated pervasive intelligence to operate relentlessly against the Rhodesian colonial government resulting in a compromised independence in 1980. In addition to a wide-ranging survey of literature that deals with the Zimbabwean war of independence, the production of this thesis is thoroughly grounded on empirical methods that hinge on archival research and oral testimonies. The study breaks new ground in outlining the various facets and different phases of the Zimbabwean liberation war. It reveals that the liberation fighters were not merely provided with arms and deployed to fight the Rhodesian army. Rather they underwent a methodical process, which comprised recruitment, extensive training and fundamental political education. This re-represents an alternative narrative or even eccentric paradigm to that persistently presented within the conventional Zimbabwean liberation war historiography. The thesis breaks further new ground in discussing the complex nature of how intelligence gathering and propaganda uses were also centrally linked to the cooperation of or assistance from the various segments of the colonial African society. Its empirical chapters outline the various actions undertaken by the various groups and individuals, the language they adopted in expressing themselves and the convivial connections between them and the guerrilla fighters in the countryside as the war front expanded within the home boundaries. Chapters also explore in greater detail how the liberation movement bred the complex relation and contestation between the political formation of ZANU and its military wing, ZANLA. The uneven power relations between these two formations somehow dictated the course and the outcome of the liberation war. As a result a constitutional settlement or military victory became the two options by which the Rhodesian question could be resolved in the later 1970s. As it turned out, attempts to seek a constitutional solution became a feature of diplomatic dimensions of the postcolonial Rhodesian political landscape. The study concludes with the latter point. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2011
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dzimbanhete, Jephias Andrew (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-8722)
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: National Liberation Movements -- Zimbabwe , Guerillas , Zimbabwe -- History -- Chimurenga
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23315 , vital:57048
- Description: This study offers a comprehensive examination of the Zimbabwean war of independence depicting the mobilisation of forces of liberation against an intransigent colonial Rhodesian settler state during a critical decade of the 1970s. Its introductory outline presents a broad historical context to the decolonisation processes in Africa. It also introduces the two liberation movements that drove the war of independence, and these revolved around the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). The empirical chapters of the thesis narrow the focus to the main research subject, that explain the ZANU’s guerrilla warfare and how that was launched under the military wing of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). The study looks, particularly on how and why that formation assembled groundswell support and generated pervasive intelligence to operate relentlessly against the Rhodesian colonial government resulting in a compromised independence in 1980. In addition to a wide-ranging survey of literature that deals with the Zimbabwean war of independence, the production of this thesis is thoroughly grounded on empirical methods that hinge on archival research and oral testimonies. The study breaks new ground in outlining the various facets and different phases of the Zimbabwean liberation war. It reveals that the liberation fighters were not merely provided with arms and deployed to fight the Rhodesian army. Rather they underwent a methodical process, which comprised recruitment, extensive training and fundamental political education. This re-represents an alternative narrative or even eccentric paradigm to that persistently presented within the conventional Zimbabwean liberation war historiography. The thesis breaks further new ground in discussing the complex nature of how intelligence gathering and propaganda uses were also centrally linked to the cooperation of or assistance from the various segments of the colonial African society. Its empirical chapters outline the various actions undertaken by the various groups and individuals, the language they adopted in expressing themselves and the convivial connections between them and the guerrilla fighters in the countryside as the war front expanded within the home boundaries. Chapters also explore in greater detail how the liberation movement bred the complex relation and contestation between the political formation of ZANU and its military wing, ZANLA. The uneven power relations between these two formations somehow dictated the course and the outcome of the liberation war. As a result a constitutional settlement or military victory became the two options by which the Rhodesian question could be resolved in the later 1970s. As it turned out, attempts to seek a constitutional solution became a feature of diplomatic dimensions of the postcolonial Rhodesian political landscape. The study concludes with the latter point. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2011
- Full Text:
Indigenous knowledge systems and gender relations interface and its implications for food security: the case of Khambashe rural households in the Amathole District, South Africa
- Garutsa, T C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1904-2764
- Authors: Garutsa, T C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1904-2764
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Indigenous peoples -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26581 , vital:65660
- Description: The aim of this study was to find out about how the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems and gender relations affects food security in the rural households of the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. The focus is on food security-related indigenous knowledge utilized by women rather than the general indigenous knowledge of the people in the Eastern Cape. Ample literature exists on food security and gender, food security and indigenous knowledge systems and the role of gender dynamics in the application of indigenous knowledge systems. However, there is dearth of literature on studies on the role of the indigenous knowledge systems-gender relations interface in food security. Hence this study was directed at investigating the indigenous knowledge systems-gender dynamics interplay and its implications for food security and sustainable development with specific reference to the rural households of Khambashe village of the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine factors accounting for the attrition of women’s indigenous knowledge in food production systems of the Khambashe rural households. The main position advanced in this thesis is that domination coupled with marginalisation of women and indigenous knowledge systems by hegemonic Western power/knowledge and traditional African practices account for challenges faced by rural households with regard to food security and sustainable livelihoods. Put differently, the core argument of this study is that the intersection between gender and indigenous knowledge systems has two opposing possibilities for food security. On the one hand, through the various roles of women in the application of indigenous knowledge systems in rural areas, the indigenous knowledge and gender relations interplay can operate to enhance the likelihood of achieving sustainable rural livelihoods and hence food security. On the other hand, gender oppression, subjugation, exclusion and marginalization through various practices such as the utilization of discriminatory patriarchal cultural values and norms can inhibit the application of the rich folk knowledge reservoir of ideas held by women in food production processes. Key illustrative examples of the constraints imposed by cultural traditions that pose problems for the realization of sustainable rural livelihoods are cultural practices which prohibit women to inter alia own and inherit land. These cultural practices also deprive women the liberty to make their own decisions without the consultation of men despite being sole providers of their own households. In other words, lack of access to assets and other resources owing to the marginalization of local knowledge by the dominant Western-based scientific knowledge systems and culturally-derived gender discriminatory practices make the role of women in the process of utilizing indigenous knowledge systems for the purposes of food security difficult. The theoretical framework of this study is drawn from the post-development discourse derived from Foucault’s archaeology of power and knowledge, ecofeminism and African feminism. Such a framework has a utility to reinvigorate marginalised indigenous knowledge and thereby help women reclaim their leadership in processes of ensuring food security. In a situation where indigenous knowledge systems have been excluded and subjugated by the dominant Western knowledge systems, an extended post-development discourse of this nature is transformative. While Foucault’s theory will provide key insights around power/knowledge dynamics and issues, ecofeminism and African feminism will extend these insights in the exploration of the patterns of power in both the knowledge and gender relations domains. In fact interactions in food production processes are embedded in systematized knowledge and traditional gender relations. Hence, in order to ensure a deep-going analysis of these phenomena, Foucault’s framework on power/knowledge is augmented by the ideas of ecofeminism and African feminism owing to the fact that systems of domination whether in the knowledge arena or gender relations domain are responsible for the challenges relating to food secure households and sustainable rural livelihoods. The rationale for this approach is that subjugation and marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems by Western hegemonic power/knowledge coupled with exclusionary and discriminatory practices of patriarchal cultural values is seen as inhibiting the proper application of indigenous knowledge in food production processes. The extended post-development discourse adopted for this study takes into consideration the fact that oppression and discrimination the world over has taken the Foucauldian power/knowledge dimension in the sense that women in rural African settings are not only prevented by Western science from the application of indigenous knowledge for the development of sustainable livelihoods but that their own cultural traditions are also a hindrance towards them owning land and property, making their own decisions without recourse to men and exercising their own authority. A mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research design was utilized in order to gain a full grasp of nuances of the interface between indigenous knowledge and gender dynamics in food production processes in Khambashe. This methodological triangulation was used for purposes of enhancing the capturing of comprehensive data and a holistic understanding of food security issues in the area. Further, owing to the fact that survey questionnaires as research instruments would have not given a voice to women as key research participants and that the deployment of in-depth interviews alone as research tools would have compromised the generalizability of the findings of the study, each of the two research methods were to confirm, clarify, complement, enhance and elaborate the research results of the other. In other words, in order to counterbalance the limitation of questionnaires with regard to artificiality and not affording a voice to research participants in-depth interviews were conducted. The lack of generalizability of the latter was compensated by the high degree of representativity afforded by the use of the former (that is, questionnaires). As already indicated above, the study setting for the empirical data was the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. Information gathered included the more positive effects of the IK-gender relations interplay on food security covered in Chapter 7. This chapter described and analysed the various roles women play inter alia animal husbandry, crop production, creation and utilization of indigenous technology in food production processes and in post-harvesting practices. In contrast, chapter 8 investigated and discusses the various constrains which account for the hindrance in the operationalization of IK in food production processes by women. Chief among the identified constrains in Khambashe are the marginalization of local knowledge by hegemonic Western science and the discriminatory traditional practices. The research results of this study show that despite the key role of women in the application of local knowledge, practices and technologies in food production processes, the penetration, colonization and domination of the African socio-economic and cultural sphere by the West has resulted in the deterioration in the use of indigenous knowledge. Imperialistic Western knowledge masquerading as modern science and technology manifested in inter alia chemical fertilizers and modified food is a constraint to the utility of women’s indigenous knowledge and practices that ensures both food security and sustainable development. In view of the fact that failure to utilize readily available indigenous knowledge, practices and technologies owing to the marginalisation of local epistemes by Western science and the discriminatory African traditional practices and gender relations has led to further impoverishment of rural communities, there is a need to both empower women and to revitalize their indigenous knowledge for purposes of food security and sustainable development in rural areas such as Khambashe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Authors: Garutsa, T C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1904-2764
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Indigenous peoples -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26581 , vital:65660
- Description: The aim of this study was to find out about how the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems and gender relations affects food security in the rural households of the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. The focus is on food security-related indigenous knowledge utilized by women rather than the general indigenous knowledge of the people in the Eastern Cape. Ample literature exists on food security and gender, food security and indigenous knowledge systems and the role of gender dynamics in the application of indigenous knowledge systems. However, there is dearth of literature on studies on the role of the indigenous knowledge systems-gender relations interface in food security. Hence this study was directed at investigating the indigenous knowledge systems-gender dynamics interplay and its implications for food security and sustainable development with specific reference to the rural households of Khambashe village of the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine factors accounting for the attrition of women’s indigenous knowledge in food production systems of the Khambashe rural households. The main position advanced in this thesis is that domination coupled with marginalisation of women and indigenous knowledge systems by hegemonic Western power/knowledge and traditional African practices account for challenges faced by rural households with regard to food security and sustainable livelihoods. Put differently, the core argument of this study is that the intersection between gender and indigenous knowledge systems has two opposing possibilities for food security. On the one hand, through the various roles of women in the application of indigenous knowledge systems in rural areas, the indigenous knowledge and gender relations interplay can operate to enhance the likelihood of achieving sustainable rural livelihoods and hence food security. On the other hand, gender oppression, subjugation, exclusion and marginalization through various practices such as the utilization of discriminatory patriarchal cultural values and norms can inhibit the application of the rich folk knowledge reservoir of ideas held by women in food production processes. Key illustrative examples of the constraints imposed by cultural traditions that pose problems for the realization of sustainable rural livelihoods are cultural practices which prohibit women to inter alia own and inherit land. These cultural practices also deprive women the liberty to make their own decisions without the consultation of men despite being sole providers of their own households. In other words, lack of access to assets and other resources owing to the marginalization of local knowledge by the dominant Western-based scientific knowledge systems and culturally-derived gender discriminatory practices make the role of women in the process of utilizing indigenous knowledge systems for the purposes of food security difficult. The theoretical framework of this study is drawn from the post-development discourse derived from Foucault’s archaeology of power and knowledge, ecofeminism and African feminism. Such a framework has a utility to reinvigorate marginalised indigenous knowledge and thereby help women reclaim their leadership in processes of ensuring food security. In a situation where indigenous knowledge systems have been excluded and subjugated by the dominant Western knowledge systems, an extended post-development discourse of this nature is transformative. While Foucault’s theory will provide key insights around power/knowledge dynamics and issues, ecofeminism and African feminism will extend these insights in the exploration of the patterns of power in both the knowledge and gender relations domains. In fact interactions in food production processes are embedded in systematized knowledge and traditional gender relations. Hence, in order to ensure a deep-going analysis of these phenomena, Foucault’s framework on power/knowledge is augmented by the ideas of ecofeminism and African feminism owing to the fact that systems of domination whether in the knowledge arena or gender relations domain are responsible for the challenges relating to food secure households and sustainable rural livelihoods. The rationale for this approach is that subjugation and marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems by Western hegemonic power/knowledge coupled with exclusionary and discriminatory practices of patriarchal cultural values is seen as inhibiting the proper application of indigenous knowledge in food production processes. The extended post-development discourse adopted for this study takes into consideration the fact that oppression and discrimination the world over has taken the Foucauldian power/knowledge dimension in the sense that women in rural African settings are not only prevented by Western science from the application of indigenous knowledge for the development of sustainable livelihoods but that their own cultural traditions are also a hindrance towards them owning land and property, making their own decisions without recourse to men and exercising their own authority. A mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research design was utilized in order to gain a full grasp of nuances of the interface between indigenous knowledge and gender dynamics in food production processes in Khambashe. This methodological triangulation was used for purposes of enhancing the capturing of comprehensive data and a holistic understanding of food security issues in the area. Further, owing to the fact that survey questionnaires as research instruments would have not given a voice to women as key research participants and that the deployment of in-depth interviews alone as research tools would have compromised the generalizability of the findings of the study, each of the two research methods were to confirm, clarify, complement, enhance and elaborate the research results of the other. In other words, in order to counterbalance the limitation of questionnaires with regard to artificiality and not affording a voice to research participants in-depth interviews were conducted. The lack of generalizability of the latter was compensated by the high degree of representativity afforded by the use of the former (that is, questionnaires). As already indicated above, the study setting for the empirical data was the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. Information gathered included the more positive effects of the IK-gender relations interplay on food security covered in Chapter 7. This chapter described and analysed the various roles women play inter alia animal husbandry, crop production, creation and utilization of indigenous technology in food production processes and in post-harvesting practices. In contrast, chapter 8 investigated and discusses the various constrains which account for the hindrance in the operationalization of IK in food production processes by women. Chief among the identified constrains in Khambashe are the marginalization of local knowledge by hegemonic Western science and the discriminatory traditional practices. The research results of this study show that despite the key role of women in the application of local knowledge, practices and technologies in food production processes, the penetration, colonization and domination of the African socio-economic and cultural sphere by the West has resulted in the deterioration in the use of indigenous knowledge. Imperialistic Western knowledge masquerading as modern science and technology manifested in inter alia chemical fertilizers and modified food is a constraint to the utility of women’s indigenous knowledge and practices that ensures both food security and sustainable development. In view of the fact that failure to utilize readily available indigenous knowledge, practices and technologies owing to the marginalisation of local epistemes by Western science and the discriminatory African traditional practices and gender relations has led to further impoverishment of rural communities, there is a need to both empower women and to revitalize their indigenous knowledge for purposes of food security and sustainable development in rural areas such as Khambashe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
Characterization of bioflocculants produced by consortia of three marine bacteria belonging to the genera bacillus and cobetia previously isolated from the bottom sediment of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Ugbenyen, Anthony Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1381-3428
- Authors: Ugbenyen, Anthony Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1381-3428
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Flocculation , Water quality management , Flocculation
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24454 , vital:62804
- Description: The bioflocculant-producing potentials of three marine bacteria isolated from the sediment samples of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were assessed. Analysis of the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rDNA of the bacteria revealed 99 percent, 99 percent, and 98 percent similarity to Cobetia sp. L222, Bacillus sp. A-5A, and Bacillus sp. HXG-C1 respectively and the sequence was deposited in GenBank as Cobetia sp. OAUIFE, Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert (accession number JF799092, JF799093, and HQ537128 respectively). Cultivation condition studies for Cobetia sp. OAUIFE revealed that bioflocculant production was optimal with an inoculum size of 2 percent (v/v), initial pH of 6.0, Mn2+ as the metal ion, and glucose as the carbon source. Metal ions, including Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+and Mg2+ stimulated bioflocculant production resulting in flocculating activity of above 90 percent. This crude bioflocculant is thermally stable, with about 78 percent of its flocculating activity remaining after heating at 100 oC for 25 min. Analysis of the purified bioflocculant revealed it to be an acidic extracellular polysaccharide. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl - groups in the compound bioflocculant and SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed a crystal-linear structure. On the other hand, bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. MAYA was optimal when glucose (95.6 percent flocculating activity) and ammonium nitrate (83.3 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 2 percent (v/v); initial pH 6; and Ca2+ as coagulant aid. Chemical analysis of the purified bioflocculant shows that it is composed of uronic acid, neutral sugar and protein. FTIR analysis also revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino- groups in this bioflocculant. The bioflocculant is thermostable with about 65.6 percent residual flocculating activity retained after heating the bioflocculant at 100 oC for 25 min. However bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. Gilbert was optimal when sodium carbonate (95.2 percent flocculating activity) and potassium nitrate (76.6 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 3 percent (v/v); initial pH 9; and Al3+ as cation. The crude bioflocculant retained 44.2 percent residual flocculating activity after heating at 100 oC for 15 min. FTIR analysis reveals the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and methylene - groups in the compound bioflocculant. SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed an amorphous compound. The consortia of these bacteria strains also produced bioflocculants with high flocculating activities which were highly efficient in removing turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from brewery wastewater, diary wastewater and river water. The bioflocculants from the consortia seemed better than traditional flocculants such as alum . The characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. MAYA showed that this extracellular bioflocculant, composed of 66percent uronic acid and 31percent protein and an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension, when the dosage concentration was 0.8 mg/ml, under weak alkaline pH of 8, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The bioflocculant is thermally stable, with a high residual flocculating activity of 86.7 percent, 89.3 percent and 87.0 percent after heating at 50 oC, 80 oC and 100 oC for 25 min respectively. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed a crystal-linear spongy-like bioflocculant structure and EDX analysis of the purified bioflocculant showed that the elemental composition in mass proportion of C,N,O,S and P was 6.67:6.23:37.55:0.38:4.42 (percent w/w). However, the characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension when the dosage concentration was 0.2 mg/ml, under neutral pH of 7, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed an amorphous morphology. On the other hand the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed similar characteristic with the bioflocculant from the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. Gilbert except for Al3+ being the preferred coagulant aid. The characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE, Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed an optimum flocculation (87 percent) of kaolin suspension when the dosage concentration was 1.0 mg/ml. Under strong alkaline pH of 12, flocculating activity reached (95 percent) when Al3+ was the coagulant aid. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl and carboxyl and phosphoryl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed a flaky amorphous morphological structure. Due to the excellent COD and turbidity removal efficiencies of the bioflocculants produced by the consortia, these make those attractive candidates for use in water and wastewater treatment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ugbenyen, Anthony Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1381-3428
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Flocculation , Water quality management , Flocculation
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24454 , vital:62804
- Description: The bioflocculant-producing potentials of three marine bacteria isolated from the sediment samples of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were assessed. Analysis of the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rDNA of the bacteria revealed 99 percent, 99 percent, and 98 percent similarity to Cobetia sp. L222, Bacillus sp. A-5A, and Bacillus sp. HXG-C1 respectively and the sequence was deposited in GenBank as Cobetia sp. OAUIFE, Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert (accession number JF799092, JF799093, and HQ537128 respectively). Cultivation condition studies for Cobetia sp. OAUIFE revealed that bioflocculant production was optimal with an inoculum size of 2 percent (v/v), initial pH of 6.0, Mn2+ as the metal ion, and glucose as the carbon source. Metal ions, including Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+and Mg2+ stimulated bioflocculant production resulting in flocculating activity of above 90 percent. This crude bioflocculant is thermally stable, with about 78 percent of its flocculating activity remaining after heating at 100 oC for 25 min. Analysis of the purified bioflocculant revealed it to be an acidic extracellular polysaccharide. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl - groups in the compound bioflocculant and SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed a crystal-linear structure. On the other hand, bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. MAYA was optimal when glucose (95.6 percent flocculating activity) and ammonium nitrate (83.3 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 2 percent (v/v); initial pH 6; and Ca2+ as coagulant aid. Chemical analysis of the purified bioflocculant shows that it is composed of uronic acid, neutral sugar and protein. FTIR analysis also revealed the presence of methoxyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino- groups in this bioflocculant. The bioflocculant is thermostable with about 65.6 percent residual flocculating activity retained after heating the bioflocculant at 100 oC for 25 min. However bioflocculant production by Bacillus sp. Gilbert was optimal when sodium carbonate (95.2 percent flocculating activity) and potassium nitrate (76.6 percent flocculating activity) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively; inoculum size was 3 percent (v/v); initial pH 9; and Al3+ as cation. The crude bioflocculant retained 44.2 percent residual flocculating activity after heating at 100 oC for 15 min. FTIR analysis reveals the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and methylene - groups in the compound bioflocculant. SEM micrograph of the bioflocculant revealed an amorphous compound. The consortia of these bacteria strains also produced bioflocculants with high flocculating activities which were highly efficient in removing turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from brewery wastewater, diary wastewater and river water. The bioflocculants from the consortia seemed better than traditional flocculants such as alum . The characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. MAYA showed that this extracellular bioflocculant, composed of 66percent uronic acid and 31percent protein and an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension, when the dosage concentration was 0.8 mg/ml, under weak alkaline pH of 8, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The bioflocculant is thermally stable, with a high residual flocculating activity of 86.7 percent, 89.3 percent and 87.0 percent after heating at 50 oC, 80 oC and 100 oC for 25 min respectively. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed a crystal-linear spongy-like bioflocculant structure and EDX analysis of the purified bioflocculant showed that the elemental composition in mass proportion of C,N,O,S and P was 6.67:6.23:37.55:0.38:4.42 (percent w/w). However, the characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed an optimum flocculation (90 percent) of kaolin suspension when the dosage concentration was 0.2 mg/ml, under neutral pH of 7, and Ca2+ as a coagulant aid. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed an amorphous morphology. On the other hand the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed similar characteristic with the bioflocculant from the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE and Bacillus sp. Gilbert except for Al3+ being the preferred coagulant aid. The characteristics of the bioflocculant produced by the consortium of Cobetia sp. OAUIFE, Bacillus sp. MAYA and Bacillus sp. Gilbert showed an optimum flocculation (87 percent) of kaolin suspension when the dosage concentration was 1.0 mg/ml. Under strong alkaline pH of 12, flocculating activity reached (95 percent) when Al3+ was the coagulant aid. The FTIR analysis of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl and carboxyl and phosphoryl functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed a flaky amorphous morphological structure. Due to the excellent COD and turbidity removal efficiencies of the bioflocculants produced by the consortia, these make those attractive candidates for use in water and wastewater treatment. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
- Full Text:
Cultural and social factors affecting crop production at Gqumahashe and Melani, Alice District
- Komanisi, Mzwandile Paul 0000-0003-0866-666X
- Authors: Komanisi, Mzwandile Paul 0000-0003-0866-666X
- Date: 2016-06
- Subjects: Sharecropping , Food crops
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23023 , vital:55001
- Description: Over the years, sharecropping and work-parties have been seen as variables that maintain social cohesion among people and maximize agricultural production. This study seeks to validate the authenticity of this assertion in the context of two neighbouring villages. Although there are other variables that affect crop production in the study areas, Lower Gqumahashe and Melani, in the light of time constraints and the insignificant impact of these variables, the study focused only on sharecropping and work-parties. The study adopted empirical research design. The researcher realised that empirical research design would offer him an opportunity for intense or prolonged contact with informants in order to have a holistic picture of their behaviour. The researcher did not choose theoretical research design because it would not allow him to have an extensive interaction with informants since it relies on secondary data. The findings of the study suggest that sharecropping and work parties are the main variables that hinder the rate of crop production in the study areas. However, there are other secondary variables hindering crop production but they have insignificant impact. These are clan and kinship relations, political structure, religion and social identity. This study concludes that although local informants were in favour of sharecropping and work-parties in the past, they have discontinued them due to exploitation and hoodwinking. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2016
- Full Text:
- Authors: Komanisi, Mzwandile Paul 0000-0003-0866-666X
- Date: 2016-06
- Subjects: Sharecropping , Food crops
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23023 , vital:55001
- Description: Over the years, sharecropping and work-parties have been seen as variables that maintain social cohesion among people and maximize agricultural production. This study seeks to validate the authenticity of this assertion in the context of two neighbouring villages. Although there are other variables that affect crop production in the study areas, Lower Gqumahashe and Melani, in the light of time constraints and the insignificant impact of these variables, the study focused only on sharecropping and work-parties. The study adopted empirical research design. The researcher realised that empirical research design would offer him an opportunity for intense or prolonged contact with informants in order to have a holistic picture of their behaviour. The researcher did not choose theoretical research design because it would not allow him to have an extensive interaction with informants since it relies on secondary data. The findings of the study suggest that sharecropping and work parties are the main variables that hinder the rate of crop production in the study areas. However, there are other secondary variables hindering crop production but they have insignificant impact. These are clan and kinship relations, political structure, religion and social identity. This study concludes that although local informants were in favour of sharecropping and work-parties in the past, they have discontinued them due to exploitation and hoodwinking. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2016
- Full Text:
Parents and personnel’s partnership in early childhood education provisioning in the East London Education District
- Mudziwapasi, Lilymore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-8499
- Authors: Mudziwapasi, Lilymore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-8499
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Education, Preschool -- Parent participation , Education, Preschool
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21700 , vital:51743
- Description: Early childhood development is fundamental to human development and success in later life. Several stakeholders influence that development. Developmental policies are advocating for formal education provision at that early childhood age. Therefore, relationships and interactions of these stakeholders are of paramount importance in ensuring effective early childhood education provisioning – especially between parents and practitioners. Yet it has been reported that sharing of information concerning children’s educational development is not happening between parents and ECD practitioners. ECD centres are said to face many problems such as poor teaching and learning which may result in weak childhood educational development. Some of these challenges can be addressed through enhancing the partnership between parents and the ECD practitioners. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the parents and practitioners’ partnership in early childhood education provisioning in ECD centres in the East London district. This study used the mixed method approach in the sampling, data collection and data analysis processes. The study focused on the partnership between parents and ECD practitioners, on how they work together, their views, how they communicate, on decision making and the strategies to enhance the partnership of parents and practitioners. Research questions in this study required both qualitative and quantitative data and analysis techniques. Quantitative data was collected from the ECD practitioners and principals by using questionnaires and qualitative data was collected through interviews with the parents. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach. The findings indicated that both parents and practitioners are working together in supporting learning and development. Parents are said to provide resources for use at the centre. Parents and practitioners are using different modes of communication for the learning and development of the children, including technology-based WhatsApp and emails. Practitioners are said to include parents in some decision making. The results indicated that even though some parents are working together with practitioners, while other parents are still showing ignorance and lack of knowledge on how they can partner for the educational development of the children. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mudziwapasi, Lilymore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7978-8499
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Education, Preschool -- Parent participation , Education, Preschool
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21700 , vital:51743
- Description: Early childhood development is fundamental to human development and success in later life. Several stakeholders influence that development. Developmental policies are advocating for formal education provision at that early childhood age. Therefore, relationships and interactions of these stakeholders are of paramount importance in ensuring effective early childhood education provisioning – especially between parents and practitioners. Yet it has been reported that sharing of information concerning children’s educational development is not happening between parents and ECD practitioners. ECD centres are said to face many problems such as poor teaching and learning which may result in weak childhood educational development. Some of these challenges can be addressed through enhancing the partnership between parents and the ECD practitioners. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the parents and practitioners’ partnership in early childhood education provisioning in ECD centres in the East London district. This study used the mixed method approach in the sampling, data collection and data analysis processes. The study focused on the partnership between parents and ECD practitioners, on how they work together, their views, how they communicate, on decision making and the strategies to enhance the partnership of parents and practitioners. Research questions in this study required both qualitative and quantitative data and analysis techniques. Quantitative data was collected from the ECD practitioners and principals by using questionnaires and qualitative data was collected through interviews with the parents. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach. The findings indicated that both parents and practitioners are working together in supporting learning and development. Parents are said to provide resources for use at the centre. Parents and practitioners are using different modes of communication for the learning and development of the children, including technology-based WhatsApp and emails. Practitioners are said to include parents in some decision making. The results indicated that even though some parents are working together with practitioners, while other parents are still showing ignorance and lack of knowledge on how they can partner for the educational development of the children. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
Consumerism, authenticity and African communalism
- Smook, E https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4226-6029
- Authors: Smook, E https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4226-6029
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Consumption (Economics) , Authenticity (Philosophy) , Philosophy, African
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23958 , vital:62022
- Description: Let me state, from the outset, that the issues raised below may be considered from various vantage points – Capitalism, Marxism, etc. However, this thesis is an endeavour to account for the loss of authenticity due to the most salient features of the consumer paradigm, which is the manufactured object, the production line and the proliferation of said objects. True relationships, or shall we say authentic dialogue, is based upon a difference of viewpoints – or epistemic distance – between the interlocutors. This difference of opinion, it may be argued, allows for a cognitive jostling between the subjects involved and represents, as it were, the reciprocal back and forth movement of ideas that betokens actively engaged dialogue. Crucial, then, to true, and by extension authentic, relationships is an epistemic distance steeped in variegated, heterogeneous points of view. For it is in sharing the differences in our points of view or interpretations of the world that we may start a dialogue far removed from each other and then sustain said dialogue in an attempt to reconcile our differences. The continuation of the dialogue, then, depends upon difference. Without the latter difference, the conditions of true dialogue, which is also a marker of authentic relationships, the need for sustained debate is forfeited and the dialogue ceases to serve a purpose – for the subjects involved in the intellectual jostling and exchange of ideas may already anticipate the thoughts of the other. In so anticipating the thoughts of the other, what is brought to the fore is not the ideas of the other, and by extension the other’s existence distinct from mine, but rather my own existence and thoughts. Were I and the other to share a constellation of beliefs, I am left with only that which I already believe in and so only with my own thoughts. The other’s differing opinion is crucial to their appearing to me as an element discreet and distinct from me. For if the other’s being is in essence of the same ilk as mine – and with that I mean if the other’s points of view and adopted systems of praxis mirror mine – we are like trees in a forest. The existence of collective nouns attests to this latter remark; we are prone to see the forest, not the similar trees that constitute it. Now the question arises as to the constitution of the self; what is it that makes up the character and nature of a person and how, if at all, may subjects be said to differ epistemically? According to Sartre, the ego is a transcendent object for consciousness, meaning that it exists out there in the world just like other objects. This is the case because consciousness is essentially empty. Recall Sartre’s famous claim that existence precedes essence, which in turn means that consciousness, or the ego, is filled up inchmeal with contents outside itself. In other words, that with which we are engaged constitutes the contents of consciousness. Repeated exposure to certain objects, or phenomena, brings about the cultivation of states and qualities – these, as it were, constituting the ego in the end. Moreover, these states and qualities, as arisen from repeated exposure to like phenomena, will instil in the subject a certain proclivity for a certain manner of action under specific conditions. As such, having been presented with something disagreeable many times over, a state of repulsion might gain a foothold in my ego regarding the phenomenon in question. This in turn will dictate how I act in the presence of said phenomenon or any other phenomena that include, adumbrationally, some of the qualities of the original phenomenon. As such, then, my actions are reflections of the states that I experience in the presence of certain objects or phenomena and, it may be argued, reflexively represent the world around me as that which constitutes my ego. The facticity of the world, then, has a great bearing upon the manner in which I perceive and engage the world. However, claims Sartre, facticity is but one side of the coin. The world and its meaning are constituted by what Sartre calls brute meaning. This refers to the fact that meaning is a matter of public opinion and does not precede the phenomenon or object itself – the latter being, in essence, but a bare, pliable, monstrous mass of being-in-itself. Due to this occurrence of meaning being man made, we are in a unique position of freedom. We are, he further claims, capable of transcending these brute meanings, enabling us to avail ourselves of the objects or phenomena in question in a bespoke manner. Freedom to choose how we interact with and interpret the world is thus the ontological ground of choice. We have, on the one side, the world in its undifferentiated state – being-in-itself – and on the other the possibility to give this world a specific meaning in accordance with our intentions – being-for-itself. Freedom to choose, so construed, thus ontologically underlies the very fabric of our existence, hence the claim that we are condemned to be free. Choosing whether to continue along the path set out by our original factual condition or to transcend it and make of it something different altogether is thus not a choice at all, but the obligatory condition of the human condition. Once again, this is the case because consciousness, as per Sartre, is empty to start with and can only be filled with the contents of phenomena or objects in accordance with our intentional engagement of them. However, Sartre continues, this freedom of meaning and the fact that brute existents represent nothing more than the convergence of publicly ascribed meaning awaken in the subject a certain nausea – a nausea born of the fact that we, the people, are at every junction in a position where we have to choose the meaning of life. Determinism, thusly, does not exist and we are not only free to choose the meanings of our own lives, but are responsible for what our lives become. This realisation proves to be too much for most to stomach and leads them along a specific path of choice: over-identification with either their factual realities or with the possibility to transcend the latter. Either way, what they aim to achieve with this overidentification is the suppression of the nauseating reality that reality is nought but what we make it to be and we are thus responsible for what it becomes. Sartre calls this bad faith. Pandering to this proclivity towards bad faith, or alternatively, the propensity for overidentification with either side on the facticity/transcendence dichotomy, we find consumerism. The consumer paradigm delineates happiness as an objective ideal, attainable through the acquisition of specific markers of demonstrable happiness. At the same time, it also provides an answer to the nauseating reality that we, humans, are never fully determined beings, but find ourselves vacillating between our factual constraints and our transcendences thereof. It offers us the crystalised means of becoming this or that individual by way of populating our immediate and personal surroundings with signifiers of happiness. Considering, moreover, that a liberalist conception of human being clearly indicates that individuation of each subject is an important aspect of existence, authenticity in terms of rights emerge as a corollary of said individuation. Each individual, so construed, is given the opportunity, the right, to acquire said markers of happiness and individuation. Obtaining these, it may be argued, allows the individual two things: firstly, to quell the nausea that haunts our dualistic lives by concretising it altogether and so doing highlighting the factual side of things; and secondly, to become discreet and individuated subjects, authentic in their beings. However, the authenticity so begotten provides nought but a thin veneer of idiosyncrasy, as the markers of said authenticity are publicly available and so the same for everyone. The problem, thus, of self-individuation is resolved by providing the subject the means of over-identification with their factual realities whilst convincing them, the consumers, that the objects on offer will afford them a degree of happiness and set them apart from their fellow subjects. The unfortunate upshot of this is that subjects all avail themselves of the same set of objects in an attempt to quell the nausea that besets the individual plunged into an undifferentiated existence. We are here at the heart of the matter. Due to the proliferation of like objects throughout the life-world, a specific system of praxis is implied. So as to navigate the life-world and utilise the similar objects that populate it, consumers are driven towards shared ideologies and courses of action. Moreover, their intentions also converge, as they all seek to establish a web of objects around them that would bespeak their individuation and happiness. Where the life-world has become such a homogeneous landscape, it may be argued, in line with Sartrean thought, that the contents of consciousness would also be similar for all. And where the contents of consciousness is similar for all, we may argue that reasoning would be similar for all. It is at this point that dialogue breaks down, for there is nothing epistemically to separate interlocutors and therefore no differences of opinion to sustain true dialogue. If, as it was reasoned some pages prior, it is the case that sustained dialogue provides the predicate upon which authentic relationships are to be based, the collapse of this epistemic distance between consumers must then also lead to a collapse of authentic relationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smook, E https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4226-6029
- Date: 2022-09
- Subjects: Consumption (Economics) , Authenticity (Philosophy) , Philosophy, African
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23958 , vital:62022
- Description: Let me state, from the outset, that the issues raised below may be considered from various vantage points – Capitalism, Marxism, etc. However, this thesis is an endeavour to account for the loss of authenticity due to the most salient features of the consumer paradigm, which is the manufactured object, the production line and the proliferation of said objects. True relationships, or shall we say authentic dialogue, is based upon a difference of viewpoints – or epistemic distance – between the interlocutors. This difference of opinion, it may be argued, allows for a cognitive jostling between the subjects involved and represents, as it were, the reciprocal back and forth movement of ideas that betokens actively engaged dialogue. Crucial, then, to true, and by extension authentic, relationships is an epistemic distance steeped in variegated, heterogeneous points of view. For it is in sharing the differences in our points of view or interpretations of the world that we may start a dialogue far removed from each other and then sustain said dialogue in an attempt to reconcile our differences. The continuation of the dialogue, then, depends upon difference. Without the latter difference, the conditions of true dialogue, which is also a marker of authentic relationships, the need for sustained debate is forfeited and the dialogue ceases to serve a purpose – for the subjects involved in the intellectual jostling and exchange of ideas may already anticipate the thoughts of the other. In so anticipating the thoughts of the other, what is brought to the fore is not the ideas of the other, and by extension the other’s existence distinct from mine, but rather my own existence and thoughts. Were I and the other to share a constellation of beliefs, I am left with only that which I already believe in and so only with my own thoughts. The other’s differing opinion is crucial to their appearing to me as an element discreet and distinct from me. For if the other’s being is in essence of the same ilk as mine – and with that I mean if the other’s points of view and adopted systems of praxis mirror mine – we are like trees in a forest. The existence of collective nouns attests to this latter remark; we are prone to see the forest, not the similar trees that constitute it. Now the question arises as to the constitution of the self; what is it that makes up the character and nature of a person and how, if at all, may subjects be said to differ epistemically? According to Sartre, the ego is a transcendent object for consciousness, meaning that it exists out there in the world just like other objects. This is the case because consciousness is essentially empty. Recall Sartre’s famous claim that existence precedes essence, which in turn means that consciousness, or the ego, is filled up inchmeal with contents outside itself. In other words, that with which we are engaged constitutes the contents of consciousness. Repeated exposure to certain objects, or phenomena, brings about the cultivation of states and qualities – these, as it were, constituting the ego in the end. Moreover, these states and qualities, as arisen from repeated exposure to like phenomena, will instil in the subject a certain proclivity for a certain manner of action under specific conditions. As such, having been presented with something disagreeable many times over, a state of repulsion might gain a foothold in my ego regarding the phenomenon in question. This in turn will dictate how I act in the presence of said phenomenon or any other phenomena that include, adumbrationally, some of the qualities of the original phenomenon. As such, then, my actions are reflections of the states that I experience in the presence of certain objects or phenomena and, it may be argued, reflexively represent the world around me as that which constitutes my ego. The facticity of the world, then, has a great bearing upon the manner in which I perceive and engage the world. However, claims Sartre, facticity is but one side of the coin. The world and its meaning are constituted by what Sartre calls brute meaning. This refers to the fact that meaning is a matter of public opinion and does not precede the phenomenon or object itself – the latter being, in essence, but a bare, pliable, monstrous mass of being-in-itself. Due to this occurrence of meaning being man made, we are in a unique position of freedom. We are, he further claims, capable of transcending these brute meanings, enabling us to avail ourselves of the objects or phenomena in question in a bespoke manner. Freedom to choose how we interact with and interpret the world is thus the ontological ground of choice. We have, on the one side, the world in its undifferentiated state – being-in-itself – and on the other the possibility to give this world a specific meaning in accordance with our intentions – being-for-itself. Freedom to choose, so construed, thus ontologically underlies the very fabric of our existence, hence the claim that we are condemned to be free. Choosing whether to continue along the path set out by our original factual condition or to transcend it and make of it something different altogether is thus not a choice at all, but the obligatory condition of the human condition. Once again, this is the case because consciousness, as per Sartre, is empty to start with and can only be filled with the contents of phenomena or objects in accordance with our intentional engagement of them. However, Sartre continues, this freedom of meaning and the fact that brute existents represent nothing more than the convergence of publicly ascribed meaning awaken in the subject a certain nausea – a nausea born of the fact that we, the people, are at every junction in a position where we have to choose the meaning of life. Determinism, thusly, does not exist and we are not only free to choose the meanings of our own lives, but are responsible for what our lives become. This realisation proves to be too much for most to stomach and leads them along a specific path of choice: over-identification with either their factual realities or with the possibility to transcend the latter. Either way, what they aim to achieve with this overidentification is the suppression of the nauseating reality that reality is nought but what we make it to be and we are thus responsible for what it becomes. Sartre calls this bad faith. Pandering to this proclivity towards bad faith, or alternatively, the propensity for overidentification with either side on the facticity/transcendence dichotomy, we find consumerism. The consumer paradigm delineates happiness as an objective ideal, attainable through the acquisition of specific markers of demonstrable happiness. At the same time, it also provides an answer to the nauseating reality that we, humans, are never fully determined beings, but find ourselves vacillating between our factual constraints and our transcendences thereof. It offers us the crystalised means of becoming this or that individual by way of populating our immediate and personal surroundings with signifiers of happiness. Considering, moreover, that a liberalist conception of human being clearly indicates that individuation of each subject is an important aspect of existence, authenticity in terms of rights emerge as a corollary of said individuation. Each individual, so construed, is given the opportunity, the right, to acquire said markers of happiness and individuation. Obtaining these, it may be argued, allows the individual two things: firstly, to quell the nausea that haunts our dualistic lives by concretising it altogether and so doing highlighting the factual side of things; and secondly, to become discreet and individuated subjects, authentic in their beings. However, the authenticity so begotten provides nought but a thin veneer of idiosyncrasy, as the markers of said authenticity are publicly available and so the same for everyone. The problem, thus, of self-individuation is resolved by providing the subject the means of over-identification with their factual realities whilst convincing them, the consumers, that the objects on offer will afford them a degree of happiness and set them apart from their fellow subjects. The unfortunate upshot of this is that subjects all avail themselves of the same set of objects in an attempt to quell the nausea that besets the individual plunged into an undifferentiated existence. We are here at the heart of the matter. Due to the proliferation of like objects throughout the life-world, a specific system of praxis is implied. So as to navigate the life-world and utilise the similar objects that populate it, consumers are driven towards shared ideologies and courses of action. Moreover, their intentions also converge, as they all seek to establish a web of objects around them that would bespeak their individuation and happiness. Where the life-world has become such a homogeneous landscape, it may be argued, in line with Sartrean thought, that the contents of consciousness would also be similar for all. And where the contents of consciousness is similar for all, we may argue that reasoning would be similar for all. It is at this point that dialogue breaks down, for there is nothing epistemically to separate interlocutors and therefore no differences of opinion to sustain true dialogue. If, as it was reasoned some pages prior, it is the case that sustained dialogue provides the predicate upon which authentic relationships are to be based, the collapse of this epistemic distance between consumers must then also lead to a collapse of authentic relationships. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
Financing tools, firm life cycle and growth of small, medium and micro enterprises in selected sub-Sahara African economies
- Ngonisa, Phillip https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0145-9062
- Authors: Ngonisa, Phillip https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0145-9062
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance , Small business -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21794 , vital:51754
- Description: Finance is of paramount importance for small, medium and micro enterprises’ (SMMEs) growth, without which many firms fail to move along their growth continuum. Against this background, the study sought to examine the growth effects of financing tools across the different phases of SMMEs' life cycle in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) economies for the period spanning from 2003 to 2019. Firstly, due to the inherent heterogeneity nature of the SMMEs' financing landscapes across the world, the study starts by identifying the commonly used financing tools in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. These were found to be internal finance, bank debt, trade credit, non-bank finance and informal finance, with internal finance being the most prevalent financing tool. The second aspect of the study was to examine the growth effects of the identified financing tools on SMMEs' performance in Sub Sahara Africa. In achieving this objective, several panel estimation techniques were employed, which are the feasible generalised least squares (FGLS), cross-sectional dependence (SCC), random effects model (REM) and pooled ordinary least squares (POLS). The empirical results show that internal finance or savings, bank financing, trade credit, non-bank financing and informal financing are positive and statistically significant in explaining SMMEs growth in the region, with stronger evidence for a positive relationship between external finance (trade credit and bank finance) on SMMEs growth in Sub-Saharan African region. The third objective of the study was to investigate the growth effects of SMMEs’ financing tools across different phases of the firm life cycle. The same panel techniques as used in achieving the previous objective were utilized again. The empirical findings show that the growth effects of SMME financing tools evolve as SMMEs move along their growth continuum, and only bank finance proved to be a fundamental variable for SMMEs growth throughout the different phases of firm growth. Finally, motivated by SMMEs’ high dependence on internal finance or savings, the study explored the saving practices of SMMEs in Sub Saharan Africa using thematic analysis. The study findings show that SMMEs in Sub Sahara African economies systematically save through formal and informal financial systems. These findings are contrary to conventional wisdom, which suggests that SMMEs are a financial basket case. Basing on the study findings, policies aimed at reducing or lessening the burden of accessing finance are important to stimulate the growth of SMMEs. Most importantly, there is a need for lenders and sponsors to understand the firm life cycle-financing tool nexus to ensure SMMEs growth. Moreover, SMMEs in Sub Sahara African economies need to cultivate a spirit of thrift to minimize firm attrition rate, thereby promoting SMMEs' growth in the region. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngonisa, Phillip https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0145-9062
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance , Small business -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21794 , vital:51754
- Description: Finance is of paramount importance for small, medium and micro enterprises’ (SMMEs) growth, without which many firms fail to move along their growth continuum. Against this background, the study sought to examine the growth effects of financing tools across the different phases of SMMEs' life cycle in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) economies for the period spanning from 2003 to 2019. Firstly, due to the inherent heterogeneity nature of the SMMEs' financing landscapes across the world, the study starts by identifying the commonly used financing tools in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. These were found to be internal finance, bank debt, trade credit, non-bank finance and informal finance, with internal finance being the most prevalent financing tool. The second aspect of the study was to examine the growth effects of the identified financing tools on SMMEs' performance in Sub Sahara Africa. In achieving this objective, several panel estimation techniques were employed, which are the feasible generalised least squares (FGLS), cross-sectional dependence (SCC), random effects model (REM) and pooled ordinary least squares (POLS). The empirical results show that internal finance or savings, bank financing, trade credit, non-bank financing and informal financing are positive and statistically significant in explaining SMMEs growth in the region, with stronger evidence for a positive relationship between external finance (trade credit and bank finance) on SMMEs growth in Sub-Saharan African region. The third objective of the study was to investigate the growth effects of SMMEs’ financing tools across different phases of the firm life cycle. The same panel techniques as used in achieving the previous objective were utilized again. The empirical findings show that the growth effects of SMME financing tools evolve as SMMEs move along their growth continuum, and only bank finance proved to be a fundamental variable for SMMEs growth throughout the different phases of firm growth. Finally, motivated by SMMEs’ high dependence on internal finance or savings, the study explored the saving practices of SMMEs in Sub Saharan Africa using thematic analysis. The study findings show that SMMEs in Sub Sahara African economies systematically save through formal and informal financial systems. These findings are contrary to conventional wisdom, which suggests that SMMEs are a financial basket case. Basing on the study findings, policies aimed at reducing or lessening the burden of accessing finance are important to stimulate the growth of SMMEs. Most importantly, there is a need for lenders and sponsors to understand the firm life cycle-financing tool nexus to ensure SMMEs growth. Moreover, SMMEs in Sub Sahara African economies need to cultivate a spirit of thrift to minimize firm attrition rate, thereby promoting SMMEs' growth in the region. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
A comparative appraisal of access and quality of sexual and reproductive health services for gays and lesbians in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) and Pretoria (South Africa)
- Authors: Jasi, Phineas
- Date: 2021-11
- Subjects: Reproductive health , Sexual health
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21959 , vital:51854
- Description: This study investigated the extent to which gays and lesbians access quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Pretoria and Bulawayo. The study also examines the facilitators and barriers for accessing the same services. Theoretically, the study was grounded in the Health Belief Model (Hochbaum, 1958, modified by Rosenstock, 1974 and Siddiqui, 2016). To answer the research questions, a mixed methods approach was applied involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A total of 30 key informant interviews, eight focus group discussions and 387 questionnaires were administered using purposive, time location and snowball sampling approaches in the two cities. The study found that the most commonly available sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were contraceptive services, sexually transmitted infections (STI) services and Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) services. The services were provided at public health facilities, drop-in centres and through outreach activities operated by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The least available services that gays and lesbians required as part of a comprehensive package were access to information, education and communications (IEC) materials and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS). Several service providers were not adhering to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for provision of comprehensive services for key populations including gays and lesbians. Critical gaps noted included the absence of key populations-only service hours, lack of options for clinicians to attend to them, presence of a stigma and discrimination free environment and provision of comprehensive package of services under one roof. Most of the referral facilities had limited drugs, equipment and supplies for cancer screening and they had no HIV prevention, sex change, in-vitro fertilization, and sterilization services and procedures. The quality of physical facilities and SRH services in both cities did not meet the expectations of gays and lesbians, acting as a barrier to their health seeking behaviour. Stigma and discrimination from healthcare workers was a huge barrier affecting access across all public health facilities. The acts of stigmatisation and discrimination affected the perceptions that gays and lesbians had regarding the quality of the services and compromised access of the same. In view of these health system challenges, the study recommends that there is need for public authorities in both cities to address the bottlenecks and barriers affecting access to SRH services and products such as lubricants, affordable quality condoms, dental dams and latex gloves while reinforcing the facilitating factors promoting access. Healthcare workers need further training on how to provide comprehensive services for gays and lesbians according to the WHO guidelines. Public health authorities in Bulawayo and Pretoria should build upon the identified factors which facilitated the access to SRH services and use of products such as condoms and lubricants. These factors require strengthening of community-based organizations and networks that work directly with gays and lesbians in both Bulawayo and Pretoria. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jasi, Phineas
- Date: 2021-11
- Subjects: Reproductive health , Sexual health
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21959 , vital:51854
- Description: This study investigated the extent to which gays and lesbians access quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Pretoria and Bulawayo. The study also examines the facilitators and barriers for accessing the same services. Theoretically, the study was grounded in the Health Belief Model (Hochbaum, 1958, modified by Rosenstock, 1974 and Siddiqui, 2016). To answer the research questions, a mixed methods approach was applied involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A total of 30 key informant interviews, eight focus group discussions and 387 questionnaires were administered using purposive, time location and snowball sampling approaches in the two cities. The study found that the most commonly available sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were contraceptive services, sexually transmitted infections (STI) services and Human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) services. The services were provided at public health facilities, drop-in centres and through outreach activities operated by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The least available services that gays and lesbians required as part of a comprehensive package were access to information, education and communications (IEC) materials and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS). Several service providers were not adhering to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for provision of comprehensive services for key populations including gays and lesbians. Critical gaps noted included the absence of key populations-only service hours, lack of options for clinicians to attend to them, presence of a stigma and discrimination free environment and provision of comprehensive package of services under one roof. Most of the referral facilities had limited drugs, equipment and supplies for cancer screening and they had no HIV prevention, sex change, in-vitro fertilization, and sterilization services and procedures. The quality of physical facilities and SRH services in both cities did not meet the expectations of gays and lesbians, acting as a barrier to their health seeking behaviour. Stigma and discrimination from healthcare workers was a huge barrier affecting access across all public health facilities. The acts of stigmatisation and discrimination affected the perceptions that gays and lesbians had regarding the quality of the services and compromised access of the same. In view of these health system challenges, the study recommends that there is need for public authorities in both cities to address the bottlenecks and barriers affecting access to SRH services and products such as lubricants, affordable quality condoms, dental dams and latex gloves while reinforcing the facilitating factors promoting access. Healthcare workers need further training on how to provide comprehensive services for gays and lesbians according to the WHO guidelines. Public health authorities in Bulawayo and Pretoria should build upon the identified factors which facilitated the access to SRH services and use of products such as condoms and lubricants. These factors require strengthening of community-based organizations and networks that work directly with gays and lesbians in both Bulawayo and Pretoria. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
The role of funding composition on efficiency in public universities in South Africa
- Nkohla, Tumi Vuyolwethu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2426-9509
- Authors: Nkohla, Tumi Vuyolwethu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2426-9509
- Date: 2020-08
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20373 , vital:45659
- Description: Studies on the relationship between funding and efficiency of public universities in South Africa were triggered mainly by the decline of government spending on public universities while the enrolment of financially needy students is increasing. This increase is a product of government’s initiatives to redress the imbalances in access and success caused by the apartheid regime. However, the government seems to be grappling to strike a balance between its initiatives and funding. While the government’s HE transformation initiatives are appreciated, public universities are caught in a dilemma: their revenue is no longer sufficient for the operations given the increase in the number of unfunded and financially constrained students. It is with this background that the study evaluates the efficiency of public South African universities for the period 2009–2016 and how funding composition affects their efficiency. The study contributes to the existing literature in various ways First, a recent study on this subject matter found a decline in the average technical efficiency (TE) score of the South African public universities from 83percent in 2009 to 78percent in 2013. However, the study did not include non-academic staff among other input variables that are assumed to potentially influence performance outcomes of the universities. We therefore developed an argument that a biased conclusion on the subject matter is likely, if academic staff are assumed to dominate efficiency of public universities in South Africa while the efforts of non-academic staff are not considered. Using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, the findings of this study revealed that over the study period the average TE of public universities in South Africa increased from 91percent to 95percent. These results suggest that academic and non-academic staff can be deemed as mutually inclusive variables and therefore neglecting either of them can lead to biased estimated average TE scores. The efficiency levels provided in this study can be used as performance benchmarks for identifying potential improvements required to reach a satisfactory level of efficiency. Second, the literature argues that different streams of revenue utilised for funding universities’ activities can provide alternative incentives which might have an impact on efficiency. However, none of the studies examined comparatively the impact of different revenue streams on the efficiency of the public universities in South Africa. Using a fixed-effects regression model, this study found that only traditional universities’ efficiency can be affected by student fees and private income, while government funding does not seem to bear a significant impact on the efficiency of all universities irrespective of their category. Precisely, student fees enhance the efficiency of traditional universities while private income is deleterious on the efficiency of the traditional universities. The study concluded that traditional universities use students’ fees efficiently to deliver quality academic services in a bid to safeguard their reputation and image while revenue from private funders is not efficiently utilised due to the principal-agent problem. In terms of state funding, it was concluded that government spending on public universities is yet to reach a minimum threshold level at which it can contribute significantly to the efficiency of the universities. Third, recent literature used Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) efficiency scores to determine the drivers of efficiency of public universities in South Africa. Although SFA can control for the stochastic error component in the econometric estimation, the model imposes several theoretical assumptions in the production function which may lead to biased estimations. As a result, several studies on efficiency analysis of Higher Education Institutions (HIEs) around the globe have reverted to using DEA. Using DEA efficiency scores and a Tobit model, this study found that that quality of staff, government funding, student fees, private income, and GDP per capita are positive factors of efficiency while the share of non-white to white staff was found as the determinant of inefficiency. It was concluded that adequate funding and proper management of income by the universities, economic growth and employment of highly educated academic staff can increase efficiency levels of public universities in South Africa, whereas an increase of non-white to white staff in South African public universities is a threat to the universities’ efficiency. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that a cost-sharing framework is inevitable in the South African higher education (HE) system, particularly now that the government is heavily burdened due to the prevailing economic turmoil in the country. As a results, private funders and parents and/guardians are encouraged to honour their portion of obligations with universities. Due to limited funding across all sources, efforts dedicated to strengthen managerial competencies of public universities in South Africa can eliminate the principle-agent problem and therefore promote managerial efficiency. The South African government is encouraged to support its transformation initiatives on HEIs with adequate funding, otherwise the initiatives need to be revisited and revised to suit the current economic environment. Revision of these initiatives may include adjustment of the education standards such that state funding can be allocated to deserving students in terms of both finances and students’ performance starting from matric. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkohla, Tumi Vuyolwethu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2426-9509
- Date: 2020-08
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20373 , vital:45659
- Description: Studies on the relationship between funding and efficiency of public universities in South Africa were triggered mainly by the decline of government spending on public universities while the enrolment of financially needy students is increasing. This increase is a product of government’s initiatives to redress the imbalances in access and success caused by the apartheid regime. However, the government seems to be grappling to strike a balance between its initiatives and funding. While the government’s HE transformation initiatives are appreciated, public universities are caught in a dilemma: their revenue is no longer sufficient for the operations given the increase in the number of unfunded and financially constrained students. It is with this background that the study evaluates the efficiency of public South African universities for the period 2009–2016 and how funding composition affects their efficiency. The study contributes to the existing literature in various ways First, a recent study on this subject matter found a decline in the average technical efficiency (TE) score of the South African public universities from 83percent in 2009 to 78percent in 2013. However, the study did not include non-academic staff among other input variables that are assumed to potentially influence performance outcomes of the universities. We therefore developed an argument that a biased conclusion on the subject matter is likely, if academic staff are assumed to dominate efficiency of public universities in South Africa while the efforts of non-academic staff are not considered. Using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, the findings of this study revealed that over the study period the average TE of public universities in South Africa increased from 91percent to 95percent. These results suggest that academic and non-academic staff can be deemed as mutually inclusive variables and therefore neglecting either of them can lead to biased estimated average TE scores. The efficiency levels provided in this study can be used as performance benchmarks for identifying potential improvements required to reach a satisfactory level of efficiency. Second, the literature argues that different streams of revenue utilised for funding universities’ activities can provide alternative incentives which might have an impact on efficiency. However, none of the studies examined comparatively the impact of different revenue streams on the efficiency of the public universities in South Africa. Using a fixed-effects regression model, this study found that only traditional universities’ efficiency can be affected by student fees and private income, while government funding does not seem to bear a significant impact on the efficiency of all universities irrespective of their category. Precisely, student fees enhance the efficiency of traditional universities while private income is deleterious on the efficiency of the traditional universities. The study concluded that traditional universities use students’ fees efficiently to deliver quality academic services in a bid to safeguard their reputation and image while revenue from private funders is not efficiently utilised due to the principal-agent problem. In terms of state funding, it was concluded that government spending on public universities is yet to reach a minimum threshold level at which it can contribute significantly to the efficiency of the universities. Third, recent literature used Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) efficiency scores to determine the drivers of efficiency of public universities in South Africa. Although SFA can control for the stochastic error component in the econometric estimation, the model imposes several theoretical assumptions in the production function which may lead to biased estimations. As a result, several studies on efficiency analysis of Higher Education Institutions (HIEs) around the globe have reverted to using DEA. Using DEA efficiency scores and a Tobit model, this study found that that quality of staff, government funding, student fees, private income, and GDP per capita are positive factors of efficiency while the share of non-white to white staff was found as the determinant of inefficiency. It was concluded that adequate funding and proper management of income by the universities, economic growth and employment of highly educated academic staff can increase efficiency levels of public universities in South Africa, whereas an increase of non-white to white staff in South African public universities is a threat to the universities’ efficiency. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that a cost-sharing framework is inevitable in the South African higher education (HE) system, particularly now that the government is heavily burdened due to the prevailing economic turmoil in the country. As a results, private funders and parents and/guardians are encouraged to honour their portion of obligations with universities. Due to limited funding across all sources, efforts dedicated to strengthen managerial competencies of public universities in South Africa can eliminate the principle-agent problem and therefore promote managerial efficiency. The South African government is encouraged to support its transformation initiatives on HEIs with adequate funding, otherwise the initiatives need to be revisited and revised to suit the current economic environment. Revision of these initiatives may include adjustment of the education standards such that state funding can be allocated to deserving students in terms of both finances and students’ performance starting from matric. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
- Full Text:
Impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry : a comparative content analysis of four Nigerian Newspapers
- Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Nigeria , Freedom of the press , Mass media -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21805 , vital:51787
- Description: A free press is pivotal to eradication of corruption in the society as the press remains the most powerful channel of communication that cut across all publics. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the oil and gas industry through a content analysis of four Nigerian newspapers (The Punch, Vanguard, Guardian and Nigerian Tribune). The study adopted a mixed research method involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected and analysed through content analysis of the selected newspapers while the qualitative data collected through interview of the respective newspaper correspondents were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 534 stories were published on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector by all the newspapers within the study period (July 2018-June 2019), with the Punch having the highest magnitude of stories (n = 196, 36.70percent) while Nigerian Tribune had the highest number of stories reported on its front and back pages (n = 143, 92.25percent). However, Guardian had the highest number of full-paged stories (n = 15, 20percent) whereas the Punch and Nigerian Tribune adopted the widest range of publication formats with news being the most dominant format employed by all the dailies (n = 462, 86.52percent). Although, all the newspapers employed more episodic frame (n = 432, 80.89percent) than thematic frame (n = 93,17.41percent), framing analysis revealed oil theft, vandalism, alleged-fraud, environmental consequences and economic consequences as the major frames used in the coverage of stories on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Thematic analysis showed that the newspaper correspondents did not have access to adequate information on corruption in the sector while journalists in the country are still being subjected to intimidation, arrest and imprisonment. These findings suggest that the selected newspapers gave prominence to reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector in country, which implies that the newspapers are fulfilling their agenda-setting roles and social responsibility in the society. Nevertheless, the level of press freedom in Nigeria has partly affected the reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector of the country as this has restricted the use of investigative reporting occasioned by the lack of access to classified information on corruption and envisaged harm by potential sources and journalists. Nevertheless, this study proposes an anticorruption-media model, which focuses on the significance of the media as an anticorruption agent in a developing country. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Nigeria , Freedom of the press , Mass media -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21805 , vital:51787
- Description: A free press is pivotal to eradication of corruption in the society as the press remains the most powerful channel of communication that cut across all publics. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the oil and gas industry through a content analysis of four Nigerian newspapers (The Punch, Vanguard, Guardian and Nigerian Tribune). The study adopted a mixed research method involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected and analysed through content analysis of the selected newspapers while the qualitative data collected through interview of the respective newspaper correspondents were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 534 stories were published on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector by all the newspapers within the study period (July 2018-June 2019), with the Punch having the highest magnitude of stories (n = 196, 36.70percent) while Nigerian Tribune had the highest number of stories reported on its front and back pages (n = 143, 92.25percent). However, Guardian had the highest number of full-paged stories (n = 15, 20percent) whereas the Punch and Nigerian Tribune adopted the widest range of publication formats with news being the most dominant format employed by all the dailies (n = 462, 86.52percent). Although, all the newspapers employed more episodic frame (n = 432, 80.89percent) than thematic frame (n = 93,17.41percent), framing analysis revealed oil theft, vandalism, alleged-fraud, environmental consequences and economic consequences as the major frames used in the coverage of stories on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Thematic analysis showed that the newspaper correspondents did not have access to adequate information on corruption in the sector while journalists in the country are still being subjected to intimidation, arrest and imprisonment. These findings suggest that the selected newspapers gave prominence to reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector in country, which implies that the newspapers are fulfilling their agenda-setting roles and social responsibility in the society. Nevertheless, the level of press freedom in Nigeria has partly affected the reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector of the country as this has restricted the use of investigative reporting occasioned by the lack of access to classified information on corruption and envisaged harm by potential sources and journalists. Nevertheless, this study proposes an anticorruption-media model, which focuses on the significance of the media as an anticorruption agent in a developing country. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
The implementation of national health strategy (2009-2013) in Vungu District clinics, Midlands Province in Zimbabwe
- Mangwanya, M G https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-5546
- Authors: Mangwanya, M G https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-5546
- Date: 2019-08
- Subjects: Medical care -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19914 , vital:44454
- 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. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2019
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mangwanya, M G https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-5546
- Date: 2019-08
- Subjects: Medical care -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19914 , vital:44454
- 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. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2019
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Municipal governance and the space for meaningful engagement: local government, citizenship and public participation in Amahlati and great Kei Municipalities
- Sokupa, Thabile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-477X
- Authors: Sokupa, Thabile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-477X
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Municipal government--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Local government--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25107 , vital:63978
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in 1996, new forms of “wall to wall” municipalities were created throughout South Africa in 2000 and given a mandate of a local developmental sphere. The founding blocks of this was through the creation of the three spheres of government mechanism, namely national, provincial and local, each sphere of government was regarded as distinctive, interrelated and interdependent from one another. The local government sphere however has since mid-2000’s been marred by persistent service delivery protests throughout the country, in recent years the service delivery protests have been accompanied by violence and intimidation. The Eastern Cape Province has not been spared from this phenomenon, media reports, independent monitoring think tanks and yearly statistical results released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the ‘Gatherings Act’ indicates that service delivery protests in the province has been on an upward trend on yearly basis since the mid-2000’s. But much more detail is required in understanding the causes behind what are sometimes termed “civil unrest.” The thesis attempts to highlight trends regarding reasons for protest, methods of protest, and the profiling of areas where the protests occur. The findings would meaningfully contribute to the local government discourse and foster alternative mechanisms of engaging communities through better governance and development mechanism by local authorities. The ultimate goal is to create alternative solutions in addressing communities’ needs at local level for policy makers. Currently there is an existing gap in investigating service delivery protests especialy in rural municipalities, most of the municipal research findings and policies are predominantly urban oriented and are not tailor made in addressing rural community’s needs on governance and development. Although the South African Constitution makes provision on steps to be followed on governance and development at local level both vertical and horizontal integration, the Constitution is however silent on addressing governance and development needs of rural communities. As a result of this silence, rural municipalities are confined to develop policies that are not specific to their local needs. Hence the research was conducted in rural communities of Amahlathi and Great Kei municipalities respectively through mixed methods between quantitative and qualitative research. The thesis primarily sought to assess the actual nature and content of forms of engagement in the current public participation discourse at the two municipalities and perceptions thereof of communities on this matter. The information gathered in this research is intended to provide policy makers and those with interests on local government with a better understanding on the dynamics of public participation involvement and service delivery protests on rural based municipalities. The research also seeks to generate new information, insights and perspectives on service delivery protests in order to develop alternative strategies in addressing and minimising service delivery protests. This would assist local government practitioners on the one hand, with planning and implementing a focused approach on governance and development for communities while on the other, introduce an alternative perspective that is evidence based for policy makers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sokupa, Thabile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-477X
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Municipal government--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Local government--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25107 , vital:63978
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in 1996, new forms of “wall to wall” municipalities were created throughout South Africa in 2000 and given a mandate of a local developmental sphere. The founding blocks of this was through the creation of the three spheres of government mechanism, namely national, provincial and local, each sphere of government was regarded as distinctive, interrelated and interdependent from one another. The local government sphere however has since mid-2000’s been marred by persistent service delivery protests throughout the country, in recent years the service delivery protests have been accompanied by violence and intimidation. The Eastern Cape Province has not been spared from this phenomenon, media reports, independent monitoring think tanks and yearly statistical results released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the ‘Gatherings Act’ indicates that service delivery protests in the province has been on an upward trend on yearly basis since the mid-2000’s. But much more detail is required in understanding the causes behind what are sometimes termed “civil unrest.” The thesis attempts to highlight trends regarding reasons for protest, methods of protest, and the profiling of areas where the protests occur. The findings would meaningfully contribute to the local government discourse and foster alternative mechanisms of engaging communities through better governance and development mechanism by local authorities. The ultimate goal is to create alternative solutions in addressing communities’ needs at local level for policy makers. Currently there is an existing gap in investigating service delivery protests especialy in rural municipalities, most of the municipal research findings and policies are predominantly urban oriented and are not tailor made in addressing rural community’s needs on governance and development. Although the South African Constitution makes provision on steps to be followed on governance and development at local level both vertical and horizontal integration, the Constitution is however silent on addressing governance and development needs of rural communities. As a result of this silence, rural municipalities are confined to develop policies that are not specific to their local needs. Hence the research was conducted in rural communities of Amahlathi and Great Kei municipalities respectively through mixed methods between quantitative and qualitative research. The thesis primarily sought to assess the actual nature and content of forms of engagement in the current public participation discourse at the two municipalities and perceptions thereof of communities on this matter. The information gathered in this research is intended to provide policy makers and those with interests on local government with a better understanding on the dynamics of public participation involvement and service delivery protests on rural based municipalities. The research also seeks to generate new information, insights and perspectives on service delivery protests in order to develop alternative strategies in addressing and minimising service delivery protests. This would assist local government practitioners on the one hand, with planning and implementing a focused approach on governance and development for communities while on the other, introduce an alternative perspective that is evidence based for policy makers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
Aspects of the ecology of the estuarine round-herring Gilchristella aestuaria (Pisces: Clupeidae) and its small-scale fishery potential
- Zvavahera, Munetsi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5337-1943
- Authors: Zvavahera, Munetsi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5337-1943
- Date: 2021-05
- Subjects: Small-scale fisheries , Silversides
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22765 , vital:52752
- Description: In the past two decades, there has been increasing pressure for small-scale inland fisheries to play a central role in food and nutrient security for poor communities in South Africa. For decades, South African inland fisheries have focussed on the exploitation of large fish species and generally ignored the exploitation of inland small fish species (SFS). This research aimed to assess the ecology and small-scale fishery potential of the estuarine round-herring, Gilchristella aestuaria. To understand the ecology of G. aestuaria better, morphometric trait analysis and fish condition of populations in relation to environmental variables (salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity and chlorophyll-a) were done. Fish were supplemented with samples acquired from the SAIAB collection facility for 14 sites to cover all the three South African biogeographic regions, stretching from Lake Sibaya (KZN) to the Orange River estuary in the western parts of the country. The morphometric trait analysis showed that G. aestuaria populations can be distinguished based on the trait variation, however there were many overlaps for populations that are interconnected, with distant/ geographically separated populations showing clear differences. Morphometric traits of the G. aestuaria population were significantly different, however there was no strong directional relationship with environmental variables and variation in morphometric traits. However, fish condition as measured by Fulton’s condition (K) and relative weight (Wr) showed variation between populations found in different environments. These differences suggest that these populations must be managed differently if G. aestuaria is to be exploited in managed fisheries. To determine the potential nutrient value of G. aestuaria to the human diet, samples from two freshwater sites and five estuarine sites were analysed for essential macro and micronutrients. The nutrient content of G. aestuaria revealed there is potential for exploitation, as the species has a high macro (protein and fat) and micronutrient composition (calcium, iron and zinc). Mean ± SD of selected nutrients were protein (61.7±5.0 g/100g), fat (20.4±3.7g/ 100g), calcium (3507.5±314.0mg), iron (40.37±14.0mg/ 100g), zinc (22.47±5.6mg/ 100) and vitamin A (37.3±44.4 RAE/ 100g). The nutrient composition of fish collected from freshwater sites was comparable to those collected from estuarine environments. Using the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) from literature, the mass of fish and the number of fish that would provide a minimum amount for each nutrient were calculated. A child would require only 13.4g of dry G. aestuaria or approximately 74 dried fish to meet the daily requirements of zinc. Other minerals such as iron and calcium also showed a similar low weight or number of fish required to meet daily requirements for the different categories. A small number of G. aestuaria are needed to meet RDA for groups (children, adult men, adult women, pregnant women and lactating mothers). A comparison was done for the nutrient composition of G. aestuaria with reference species that are already harvested for human consumption in some African and Asian countries. The protein content of G. aestuaria was comparable to Chisense (Microthrissa moeruensis) and Kapenta Limnothrissa miodon), while the fat composition was more than twice Chisense and Kapenta. Comparing the mineral composition, G. aestuaria had more than three times higher calcium than Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) and Puti (Puntius sophore). Zinc composition was four times higher than M. moeruensis and L. miodon. Further exploration of the ecology of G. aestuaria was studied using the Sundays River irrigations ponds as a case study that would represent small impoundments across South Africa. Species rank abundance curve and catch per unit effort (CPUE) on the Sundays Irrigation ponds revealed that G. aestuaria dominated numerically and biomass in the Sundays River irrigation ponds. To assess the potential of harvesting G. aestuaria harvesting experiments were conducted using depletion (removal) sampling. Catchweight (kg) ranged from 2.16 (1.03; 3.28) to 61.25 (44.40; 78.09) kg and the estimated biomass from the depletion model ranged from 1.05 to 40.19 kg/ha for September 2019. The depletion model revealed that small impoundments have high biomass per hectare of G. aestuaria ranging from which indicates that the species may not support a commercial fishery but small-scale fisheries. In conclusion, G. aestuaria could become a meaningful contribution to the food and nutrient security of poor communities where available as a food source through small-scale fishery exploitation. The extent of this contribution may depend on its production potential in various regions and environments. More research is however needed to determine the long-term sustainability of harvesting of G aestuaria by looking at how populations respond to harvesting. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zvavahera, Munetsi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5337-1943
- Date: 2021-05
- Subjects: Small-scale fisheries , Silversides
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22765 , vital:52752
- Description: In the past two decades, there has been increasing pressure for small-scale inland fisheries to play a central role in food and nutrient security for poor communities in South Africa. For decades, South African inland fisheries have focussed on the exploitation of large fish species and generally ignored the exploitation of inland small fish species (SFS). This research aimed to assess the ecology and small-scale fishery potential of the estuarine round-herring, Gilchristella aestuaria. To understand the ecology of G. aestuaria better, morphometric trait analysis and fish condition of populations in relation to environmental variables (salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity and chlorophyll-a) were done. Fish were supplemented with samples acquired from the SAIAB collection facility for 14 sites to cover all the three South African biogeographic regions, stretching from Lake Sibaya (KZN) to the Orange River estuary in the western parts of the country. The morphometric trait analysis showed that G. aestuaria populations can be distinguished based on the trait variation, however there were many overlaps for populations that are interconnected, with distant/ geographically separated populations showing clear differences. Morphometric traits of the G. aestuaria population were significantly different, however there was no strong directional relationship with environmental variables and variation in morphometric traits. However, fish condition as measured by Fulton’s condition (K) and relative weight (Wr) showed variation between populations found in different environments. These differences suggest that these populations must be managed differently if G. aestuaria is to be exploited in managed fisheries. To determine the potential nutrient value of G. aestuaria to the human diet, samples from two freshwater sites and five estuarine sites were analysed for essential macro and micronutrients. The nutrient content of G. aestuaria revealed there is potential for exploitation, as the species has a high macro (protein and fat) and micronutrient composition (calcium, iron and zinc). Mean ± SD of selected nutrients were protein (61.7±5.0 g/100g), fat (20.4±3.7g/ 100g), calcium (3507.5±314.0mg), iron (40.37±14.0mg/ 100g), zinc (22.47±5.6mg/ 100) and vitamin A (37.3±44.4 RAE/ 100g). The nutrient composition of fish collected from freshwater sites was comparable to those collected from estuarine environments. Using the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) from literature, the mass of fish and the number of fish that would provide a minimum amount for each nutrient were calculated. A child would require only 13.4g of dry G. aestuaria or approximately 74 dried fish to meet the daily requirements of zinc. Other minerals such as iron and calcium also showed a similar low weight or number of fish required to meet daily requirements for the different categories. A small number of G. aestuaria are needed to meet RDA for groups (children, adult men, adult women, pregnant women and lactating mothers). A comparison was done for the nutrient composition of G. aestuaria with reference species that are already harvested for human consumption in some African and Asian countries. The protein content of G. aestuaria was comparable to Chisense (Microthrissa moeruensis) and Kapenta Limnothrissa miodon), while the fat composition was more than twice Chisense and Kapenta. Comparing the mineral composition, G. aestuaria had more than three times higher calcium than Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) and Puti (Puntius sophore). Zinc composition was four times higher than M. moeruensis and L. miodon. Further exploration of the ecology of G. aestuaria was studied using the Sundays River irrigations ponds as a case study that would represent small impoundments across South Africa. Species rank abundance curve and catch per unit effort (CPUE) on the Sundays Irrigation ponds revealed that G. aestuaria dominated numerically and biomass in the Sundays River irrigation ponds. To assess the potential of harvesting G. aestuaria harvesting experiments were conducted using depletion (removal) sampling. Catchweight (kg) ranged from 2.16 (1.03; 3.28) to 61.25 (44.40; 78.09) kg and the estimated biomass from the depletion model ranged from 1.05 to 40.19 kg/ha for September 2019. The depletion model revealed that small impoundments have high biomass per hectare of G. aestuaria ranging from which indicates that the species may not support a commercial fishery but small-scale fisheries. In conclusion, G. aestuaria could become a meaningful contribution to the food and nutrient security of poor communities where available as a food source through small-scale fishery exploitation. The extent of this contribution may depend on its production potential in various regions and environments. More research is however needed to determine the long-term sustainability of harvesting of G aestuaria by looking at how populations respond to harvesting. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
Intergovermental policy integration and poverty eradication in a developmental state: the case of the PGDP and Amathole IDP in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Authors: Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25744 , vital:64475
- Description: The post-apartheid South African government inherited an economy characterised by a dichotomy between well developed and affluent whites and the underdeveloped and impoverished African blacks. This dichotomy was manifest in sharp divisions with regard to access to decent housing, health, education and transport just to mention a few, thus reflecting poverty, as a widespread phenomenon. Since 1994, the South African government has made major efforts aimed at addressing poverty, however, that poverty persists, despite the efforts, cannot be contested. One of the major challenges has been the disjuncture between policies at various spheres of government. This study examines the articulation between two spheres of government focusing on the Provincial Growth and Development Programme of the Eastern Cape and the integrated development plan of Amathole District Municipality. Currently not much research has been carried out in this area. This study illuminates various analytical and practical issues and hopefully provides a useful basis for improvement in the government’s declared commitment to poverty eradication. Triangulating qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, the study aimed to investigate the integration of the Provincial Growth and Development Program and the Integrated Development Plan and the contribution of these policy instruments towards poverty eradication in the Eastern Cape. A further aim was to analyse community participation in and knowledge of the PGDP and Amathole IDP and how they have been effective. This was an empirically grounded study, based on the use of a combination of data collection methods, analysis of primary and secondary sources of data including government documents, administering in-depth interviews to a range of informants within government, the community and a questionnaire survey of a sample drawn from members of the community in the Amatole District Municipality and, finally the use of Amatole district as a case study which was the major unit of analysis. The findings from the study revealed that there is a plethora of challenges confronting policy integration, often resulting in institutional paralysis and inertia. Such challenges vary from lack of capacity in local government, lack of political will, policy shifts, a plethora of legislation, competing if not conflicting priorities, nonattendance of Intergovernmental forums, lack of cooperation by sector departments, contradictions between legislation, policy inconsistencies, conceptual imprecision and conceptual blurring. Moreover, the neo-liberal ideology informing development planning not only in the province, but in South Africa as a whole as propagated by western main stream economists leaves benefits indeed merely ‘trickling down’ to the poor and not ‘pouring’, such that the transition in South Africa has been reduced to an ‘elite transition’. The research results confirm, as observed elsewhere, that experiences of several developing countries over the past decades do not appear to support the trickle down hypothesis. On the other hand, community participation is also stifled by lack of participatory spaces, poor participatory methodologies and structures which make participation difficult while the poor remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Real participation goes beyond ‘passive development objects’ and ‘recipients of development’ to ensuring that people are empowered to become ‘masters of their own development’ within the context of a participatory democratic developmental state. There is need for not only a thorough examination of the political use of the ‘local’, the ‘poor’ but even the very conceptualisation of participation and its methodologies for effective community participation to be realised. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25744 , vital:64475
- Description: The post-apartheid South African government inherited an economy characterised by a dichotomy between well developed and affluent whites and the underdeveloped and impoverished African blacks. This dichotomy was manifest in sharp divisions with regard to access to decent housing, health, education and transport just to mention a few, thus reflecting poverty, as a widespread phenomenon. Since 1994, the South African government has made major efforts aimed at addressing poverty, however, that poverty persists, despite the efforts, cannot be contested. One of the major challenges has been the disjuncture between policies at various spheres of government. This study examines the articulation between two spheres of government focusing on the Provincial Growth and Development Programme of the Eastern Cape and the integrated development plan of Amathole District Municipality. Currently not much research has been carried out in this area. This study illuminates various analytical and practical issues and hopefully provides a useful basis for improvement in the government’s declared commitment to poverty eradication. Triangulating qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, the study aimed to investigate the integration of the Provincial Growth and Development Program and the Integrated Development Plan and the contribution of these policy instruments towards poverty eradication in the Eastern Cape. A further aim was to analyse community participation in and knowledge of the PGDP and Amathole IDP and how they have been effective. This was an empirically grounded study, based on the use of a combination of data collection methods, analysis of primary and secondary sources of data including government documents, administering in-depth interviews to a range of informants within government, the community and a questionnaire survey of a sample drawn from members of the community in the Amatole District Municipality and, finally the use of Amatole district as a case study which was the major unit of analysis. The findings from the study revealed that there is a plethora of challenges confronting policy integration, often resulting in institutional paralysis and inertia. Such challenges vary from lack of capacity in local government, lack of political will, policy shifts, a plethora of legislation, competing if not conflicting priorities, nonattendance of Intergovernmental forums, lack of cooperation by sector departments, contradictions between legislation, policy inconsistencies, conceptual imprecision and conceptual blurring. Moreover, the neo-liberal ideology informing development planning not only in the province, but in South Africa as a whole as propagated by western main stream economists leaves benefits indeed merely ‘trickling down’ to the poor and not ‘pouring’, such that the transition in South Africa has been reduced to an ‘elite transition’. The research results confirm, as observed elsewhere, that experiences of several developing countries over the past decades do not appear to support the trickle down hypothesis. On the other hand, community participation is also stifled by lack of participatory spaces, poor participatory methodologies and structures which make participation difficult while the poor remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Real participation goes beyond ‘passive development objects’ and ‘recipients of development’ to ensuring that people are empowered to become ‘masters of their own development’ within the context of a participatory democratic developmental state. There is need for not only a thorough examination of the political use of the ‘local’, the ‘poor’ but even the very conceptualisation of participation and its methodologies for effective community participation to be realised. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
Public goods and social resistance: A study of the perceptions of risk and vulnerability in the n2 toll road project in the wild coast of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Mambiravana, Tafadzwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7543-2989
- Authors: Mambiravana, Tafadzwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7543-2989
- Date: 2022-08
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) , Roads -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23910 , vital:61293
- Description: The construction of the N2 Toll Road in the Wild Coast has been lauded for its ‘developmental agenda’, as the government envisages, this 550 km road project linking Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces will act as a game changer to the socio-economic status of the region in a manner beneficial to local people and the nation in general. However, the road project has equally been criticised by several local communities and environmental advocacy groups who suspect the road is associated with controversial titanium mining and its anticipated socio-ecological disasters in the region. Drawing from this conundrum, this study explores intersections of the diverse perceptions of stakeholders on infrastructural provisioning for development purposes in a historically deprived area in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach in the form of face-to-face interviews with the participants, focus group discussions, secondary data review and observations, the study found that the diverse perceptions of risk and vulnerability have divided the stakeholders into those who support and those who oppose the road project. Most importantly, the study has also found that although there is deep-seated resentment towards the road project among certain grassroots groups, the general view shared among the study communities is nuanced. In other words, there is no ‘hardline collective opposition’ against the road project among local communities. Drawing from these findings, the study recommends that land audit need to be conducted prior to the commencement of infrastructure projects in order to highlight possible tenure blockages. In addition, the study recommends that it is critical for developers and policy makers to recognize the significance of cultural spaces and sacred places for community cultural health. These factors are critical to weigh against the proposed infrastructure developments as they sometimes outweigh the benefits. The study was anchored on the cultural theory of risk perception, which helped to explore the complex interactions between different actors on infrastructural development and environmental policy discourse. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mambiravana, Tafadzwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7543-2989
- Date: 2022-08
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) , Roads -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23910 , vital:61293
- Description: The construction of the N2 Toll Road in the Wild Coast has been lauded for its ‘developmental agenda’, as the government envisages, this 550 km road project linking Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces will act as a game changer to the socio-economic status of the region in a manner beneficial to local people and the nation in general. However, the road project has equally been criticised by several local communities and environmental advocacy groups who suspect the road is associated with controversial titanium mining and its anticipated socio-ecological disasters in the region. Drawing from this conundrum, this study explores intersections of the diverse perceptions of stakeholders on infrastructural provisioning for development purposes in a historically deprived area in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach in the form of face-to-face interviews with the participants, focus group discussions, secondary data review and observations, the study found that the diverse perceptions of risk and vulnerability have divided the stakeholders into those who support and those who oppose the road project. Most importantly, the study has also found that although there is deep-seated resentment towards the road project among certain grassroots groups, the general view shared among the study communities is nuanced. In other words, there is no ‘hardline collective opposition’ against the road project among local communities. Drawing from these findings, the study recommends that land audit need to be conducted prior to the commencement of infrastructure projects in order to highlight possible tenure blockages. In addition, the study recommends that it is critical for developers and policy makers to recognize the significance of cultural spaces and sacred places for community cultural health. These factors are critical to weigh against the proposed infrastructure developments as they sometimes outweigh the benefits. The study was anchored on the cultural theory of risk perception, which helped to explore the complex interactions between different actors on infrastructural development and environmental policy discourse. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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The nature of violence in South African universities African universities: The politics of process
- Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
Medicinal properties of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam) leaves and the effect of its use as a supplement on goat growth performance and meat characteristics
- Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Authors: Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Moringa , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24376 , vital:62662
- Description: The main objective of the study was to determine if feeding goats with Moringa oleifera leaves would lead to an increase in productivity and in value of the meat. The proximate, van Soet, atomic absorption spectrophotometric and soxhlet extraction methods were used to determine the nutritional value M. oleifera leaves of the South African. The in-vitro antimicrobial screening methods were used to determine antimicrobial activities M. oleifera extracts while in vitro and invivo models were used to determine the antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaves. An evaluation of the potential of M. oleifera leaf meal as a feed supplement in terms of its effect on helminth load, goat growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, nutritional and consumer sensory characteristics of goat meat was done. A total of 24, eight month old goats were randomly allocated to dietary treatments of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOL), sunflower seed cake (SC) and GH (grass hay) which was the control. All the groups were fed on basal diet of grass hay ad libitum and 200g wheat bran per head per day. The MOL group was given an additional 200 g of dried M. oleifera leaves while the SC group was offered 170 g sunflower seed cake per head/day. The study showed that the dried leaves had crude protein levels of 30.3 percent, polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.21 percent), Saturated fatty acids (43.31), n-3 (44.57 percent), n-6 (7.64 percent), 19 amino acids, vitamin E (77 mg/100 g) and Beta-carotene (18.5 mg/100 g). The M. oleifera leaf extracts showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloace, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae. The supplementation of goats with MOL and SC resulted in decreased feacal larval count and lower Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriforms and Oesophagastum columbianum worm burdens than those in the non-supplemented goats. Goats supplemented with SC and MOL had higher average daily weight gain and heavier carcasses than those in the GH group. Higher pH1 scores were observed in chevon from GH diet than the supplemented ones. The MOL and SC supplemented goats had chevon with higher values for lightness (L*) 24 hr post-mortem than the one from the GH group. The redness (a*) values of chevon 24 hr post mortem was highest in MOL supplemented goats. Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values of SC (30.1 N) and MOL (29.8 N) supplemented goats were lower than those from GH diet (32.6 N). Chevon from goats fed GH diet had significantly higher cooking losses (29.5 percent) than that from MOL (25.4 percent) and SC (25.6 percent) fed groups. It was observed that chevon from MOL and SC supplemented groups had higher crude protein (23.57 and 22.95 percent, respectively) than the one from the GH group (21.20 percent). Cholesterol levels were higher in chevon from SC (42.84) supplemented goats than those from MOL (38.76) and GH (35.63 mg). Chevon from GH and MOL group had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of PUFA, n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Mean consumer scores for first bite, aroma, flavour and juiceness were higher in the MOL group than in the GH group (P < 0.05). The acetone extract exhibited higher concentrations of total flavonoids, flavonols, phenolics. The acetone extracts depicted higher percentage inhibition against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals which were comparable with reference antioxidant (vitamin C and BHT). The M. oleifera leaf meal increased the antioxidant activity of GSH, SOD and catalase. Moringa oleifera leaves also exhibited medicinal properties by having anthelmintic, antibacterial activities and showed antioxidant properties. It was also observed that protein supplementation improved the animal growth performance, the physico-chemical characteristics, nutritional and fatty acids composition of meat hence meeting the consumer needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Moringa , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24376 , vital:62662
- Description: The main objective of the study was to determine if feeding goats with Moringa oleifera leaves would lead to an increase in productivity and in value of the meat. The proximate, van Soet, atomic absorption spectrophotometric and soxhlet extraction methods were used to determine the nutritional value M. oleifera leaves of the South African. The in-vitro antimicrobial screening methods were used to determine antimicrobial activities M. oleifera extracts while in vitro and invivo models were used to determine the antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaves. An evaluation of the potential of M. oleifera leaf meal as a feed supplement in terms of its effect on helminth load, goat growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, nutritional and consumer sensory characteristics of goat meat was done. A total of 24, eight month old goats were randomly allocated to dietary treatments of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOL), sunflower seed cake (SC) and GH (grass hay) which was the control. All the groups were fed on basal diet of grass hay ad libitum and 200g wheat bran per head per day. The MOL group was given an additional 200 g of dried M. oleifera leaves while the SC group was offered 170 g sunflower seed cake per head/day. The study showed that the dried leaves had crude protein levels of 30.3 percent, polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.21 percent), Saturated fatty acids (43.31), n-3 (44.57 percent), n-6 (7.64 percent), 19 amino acids, vitamin E (77 mg/100 g) and Beta-carotene (18.5 mg/100 g). The M. oleifera leaf extracts showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloace, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae. The supplementation of goats with MOL and SC resulted in decreased feacal larval count and lower Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriforms and Oesophagastum columbianum worm burdens than those in the non-supplemented goats. Goats supplemented with SC and MOL had higher average daily weight gain and heavier carcasses than those in the GH group. Higher pH1 scores were observed in chevon from GH diet than the supplemented ones. The MOL and SC supplemented goats had chevon with higher values for lightness (L*) 24 hr post-mortem than the one from the GH group. The redness (a*) values of chevon 24 hr post mortem was highest in MOL supplemented goats. Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values of SC (30.1 N) and MOL (29.8 N) supplemented goats were lower than those from GH diet (32.6 N). Chevon from goats fed GH diet had significantly higher cooking losses (29.5 percent) than that from MOL (25.4 percent) and SC (25.6 percent) fed groups. It was observed that chevon from MOL and SC supplemented groups had higher crude protein (23.57 and 22.95 percent, respectively) than the one from the GH group (21.20 percent). Cholesterol levels were higher in chevon from SC (42.84) supplemented goats than those from MOL (38.76) and GH (35.63 mg). Chevon from GH and MOL group had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of PUFA, n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Mean consumer scores for first bite, aroma, flavour and juiceness were higher in the MOL group than in the GH group (P < 0.05). The acetone extract exhibited higher concentrations of total flavonoids, flavonols, phenolics. The acetone extracts depicted higher percentage inhibition against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals which were comparable with reference antioxidant (vitamin C and BHT). The M. oleifera leaf meal increased the antioxidant activity of GSH, SOD and catalase. Moringa oleifera leaves also exhibited medicinal properties by having anthelmintic, antibacterial activities and showed antioxidant properties. It was also observed that protein supplementation improved the animal growth performance, the physico-chemical characteristics, nutritional and fatty acids composition of meat hence meeting the consumer needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
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The dynamics of household debt in South Africa
- Authors: Mabitle, Mope
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Debt , Finance, Personal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21781 , vital:51751
- Description: Household debt as a proportion of South African household disposable income remain alarmingly above 70 percent. Impliedly, the majority of households are spending the bulk of their income on servicing debt. This not only puts a strain on household welfare but also on economic growth as household spending is the major contributor to economic activity in the country. Based on this background, the study examines the dynamics of the South African household debt. The analysis was done both at the macro and individual/household level (micro). The macro-level data covered the period from 1994 to 2018 utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model. The empirical results indicated that there is both a long-term and short-term relationship between the variables of interest. The results further show that the majority of low-income households in South Africa borrow more, as a way to smoothen their consumption. Interest rate as the official instrument to counter borrowing was found to have a positive relationship with household debt, indicating that households borrow to settle the existing debt as interest rates increases. The dummy variable used to capture the credit regulations enactment/amendments was found to be insignificant in the long run. This suggests that credit regulations implemented in South Africa have not reduced the propensity to borrow. At a micro level, the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data was used. Five waves of data were collected on the same individuals every 2 years. Panel regressions were employed in the analysis and the empirical results revealed that employment and income at the micro-level are found to be strong determinants of household debt. The results further showed that being a male and a white individual was positively associated with the likelihood of taking up more debt in general. On the other hand, the results indicated that being a black African is associated with a high likelihood of using services from most of the informal non-banking institutions. The results also revealed that the greater the education level of the head of the household, the higher the probability of taking more debt. One of the telltale signs of over-indebtedness is the persistence of debt, households respond to increased debt and their inability to repay it by increasing their borrowing. The study also investigated the transmission matrices of households in and out of debt. The results indicate a higher transition frequency in and out of debt on informal loans from the non-banking sector that is normally accessed by the poorer households, this could indicate debt entrapment and the persistence of debt at lower-income levels. Based on empirical results, the study recommended policies that would support consumption without necessarily increasing the credit appetite of household debt. Additional recommendations are those that support selective lending and the strengthening of the risk management of lending institutions. Furthermore, to combat the rising levels of household debt, several measures are proposed in the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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- Authors: Mabitle, Mope
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Debt , Finance, Personal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21781 , vital:51751
- Description: Household debt as a proportion of South African household disposable income remain alarmingly above 70 percent. Impliedly, the majority of households are spending the bulk of their income on servicing debt. This not only puts a strain on household welfare but also on economic growth as household spending is the major contributor to economic activity in the country. Based on this background, the study examines the dynamics of the South African household debt. The analysis was done both at the macro and individual/household level (micro). The macro-level data covered the period from 1994 to 2018 utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model. The empirical results indicated that there is both a long-term and short-term relationship between the variables of interest. The results further show that the majority of low-income households in South Africa borrow more, as a way to smoothen their consumption. Interest rate as the official instrument to counter borrowing was found to have a positive relationship with household debt, indicating that households borrow to settle the existing debt as interest rates increases. The dummy variable used to capture the credit regulations enactment/amendments was found to be insignificant in the long run. This suggests that credit regulations implemented in South Africa have not reduced the propensity to borrow. At a micro level, the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data was used. Five waves of data were collected on the same individuals every 2 years. Panel regressions were employed in the analysis and the empirical results revealed that employment and income at the micro-level are found to be strong determinants of household debt. The results further showed that being a male and a white individual was positively associated with the likelihood of taking up more debt in general. On the other hand, the results indicated that being a black African is associated with a high likelihood of using services from most of the informal non-banking institutions. The results also revealed that the greater the education level of the head of the household, the higher the probability of taking more debt. One of the telltale signs of over-indebtedness is the persistence of debt, households respond to increased debt and their inability to repay it by increasing their borrowing. The study also investigated the transmission matrices of households in and out of debt. The results indicate a higher transition frequency in and out of debt on informal loans from the non-banking sector that is normally accessed by the poorer households, this could indicate debt entrapment and the persistence of debt at lower-income levels. Based on empirical results, the study recommended policies that would support consumption without necessarily increasing the credit appetite of household debt. Additional recommendations are those that support selective lending and the strengthening of the risk management of lending institutions. Furthermore, to combat the rising levels of household debt, several measures are proposed in the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities
- Dikotla, Maoka Andries https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6699-6782
- Authors: Dikotla, Maoka Andries https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6699-6782
- Date: 2016-08
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information services , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24750 , vital:63548
- Description: The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016
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- Authors: Dikotla, Maoka Andries https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6699-6782
- Date: 2016-08
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information services , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24750 , vital:63548
- Description: The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016
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Scholarly utilization of Liberation Archives at the University of Fort Hare, with a view to their transformative, emancipatory purpose
- Authors: Booi, Vuyani Gweki
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Archives , Documentation
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21157 , vital:47185
- Description: The aim of the study is to assess the scholarly utilization of the liberation struggle archives in South Africa, and to determine their transformative and emancipatory purpose; focusing particularly on the archives at the University of Fort Hare, the historic alma mater of many liberation leaders. The objectives of this study are: to determine the purpose of the of deposit of documents in the archives, to investigate the ease of accessto the documents and their utilization, as well as to establish standards of assessment and to make recommendations for a more efficacious use of these valuable assets The nature of this study is interdisciplinary andcalls for the use of qualitative methodologies, including archival research and historic research. The primary sources for this research include administrative files, minutes, memos, reports, correspondence, newspaper articles, speeches, and audio-visual sources at the National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS), at the University of Fort Hare. The analysis of organizational texts, citations and content analyses arethe tools that the researcher used. The study looks at the historiography of archives in general, with a focus on contested historical processes, and crossed purposes in theestablishment of political archives. The thesis draws on theoriesof the role of “liberation archives” in societies in transition to analyze the South African liberation archive as an alternative subtext, presenting distinct signposts of transformation of the national archival landscape. Key to the analysis and historiography of the South African liberation archives project is the role that the University of Fort Hare played, in cooperation with the liberation movements, including the African National Congress, the Pan African Congress, the Azanian People’s Organization /Black Consciousness Movement and the New Unity Movement, as well as the contribution made by individual prominent leaders of these organizations, in ensuring the liberation archives are housed at University of Fort Hare. The study provides an overview of the context in which the liberation archives were deposited at Fort HareUniversityand it identifies the objectives and expectations of the organizations in making this decision, including internal contestations and controversies that surrounded the Fort Hare Archives Project. The study discloses critical contestations over the project, evident in, (i.) the African National Congress (ANC) Archives dispute and its implications for the Liberation Archives at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), (ii). UFH`s attempts to resolve the dispute, (iii). the transfer of archives from the Center for Cultural Studies to the Fort Hare Library, the Commission of enquiry, or Task Team instigated to consider the significance of the dispute and controversy, key objectives, and key expectations for the liberation archives organizations and of the role of theUFH, for the transformative, emancipatory role of the archives. All these considerations bear crucial implications for the conclusion and recommendations of the study.The researcher argues that the historic speeches of Mr. Tambo and Mr. Mandela at UFHhad a significant impact on the considerations of the liberation organizations and their leaders regarding the placing of the archives atUFH, and it persuaded these organizations to see value and significance in choosing the university as the historic site where their liberation archives and materials ought to be housed. Despite good intentions regarding the value of these archives for decolonization of knowledge, there has been no systematic effort to encourage the integration of archival material into the curricula, learning materials, teaching, research or community engagement programs, where these documents are stored, in the rural Eastern Cape. There has been no internally driven strategy at Fort Hare to attract university academics and researchers to do in-depth research on the liberation archives. There are few incentives to encourage postgraduate students to undertake research on themes covered by the liberation archives. Because ofa lack of financial and material resources, personnel and instruments, there are few community engagement and outreach programs. The researcher recommends, on this basis, that the University of Fort Hare promote systematic research on the liberation archives, establish a research chair in liberation history studies; and that liberation archives be used as a vehicle to develop an emancipatory curriculum, where liberation archives are repositioned, especially in the Humanities and Social Sciences. UFH should also revive oral history on the liberation struggle as part of research that should transform scholarship. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Booi, Vuyani Gweki
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Archives , Documentation
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21157 , vital:47185
- Description: The aim of the study is to assess the scholarly utilization of the liberation struggle archives in South Africa, and to determine their transformative and emancipatory purpose; focusing particularly on the archives at the University of Fort Hare, the historic alma mater of many liberation leaders. The objectives of this study are: to determine the purpose of the of deposit of documents in the archives, to investigate the ease of accessto the documents and their utilization, as well as to establish standards of assessment and to make recommendations for a more efficacious use of these valuable assets The nature of this study is interdisciplinary andcalls for the use of qualitative methodologies, including archival research and historic research. The primary sources for this research include administrative files, minutes, memos, reports, correspondence, newspaper articles, speeches, and audio-visual sources at the National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS), at the University of Fort Hare. The analysis of organizational texts, citations and content analyses arethe tools that the researcher used. The study looks at the historiography of archives in general, with a focus on contested historical processes, and crossed purposes in theestablishment of political archives. The thesis draws on theoriesof the role of “liberation archives” in societies in transition to analyze the South African liberation archive as an alternative subtext, presenting distinct signposts of transformation of the national archival landscape. Key to the analysis and historiography of the South African liberation archives project is the role that the University of Fort Hare played, in cooperation with the liberation movements, including the African National Congress, the Pan African Congress, the Azanian People’s Organization /Black Consciousness Movement and the New Unity Movement, as well as the contribution made by individual prominent leaders of these organizations, in ensuring the liberation archives are housed at University of Fort Hare. The study provides an overview of the context in which the liberation archives were deposited at Fort HareUniversityand it identifies the objectives and expectations of the organizations in making this decision, including internal contestations and controversies that surrounded the Fort Hare Archives Project. The study discloses critical contestations over the project, evident in, (i.) the African National Congress (ANC) Archives dispute and its implications for the Liberation Archives at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), (ii). UFH`s attempts to resolve the dispute, (iii). the transfer of archives from the Center for Cultural Studies to the Fort Hare Library, the Commission of enquiry, or Task Team instigated to consider the significance of the dispute and controversy, key objectives, and key expectations for the liberation archives organizations and of the role of theUFH, for the transformative, emancipatory role of the archives. All these considerations bear crucial implications for the conclusion and recommendations of the study.The researcher argues that the historic speeches of Mr. Tambo and Mr. Mandela at UFHhad a significant impact on the considerations of the liberation organizations and their leaders regarding the placing of the archives atUFH, and it persuaded these organizations to see value and significance in choosing the university as the historic site where their liberation archives and materials ought to be housed. Despite good intentions regarding the value of these archives for decolonization of knowledge, there has been no systematic effort to encourage the integration of archival material into the curricula, learning materials, teaching, research or community engagement programs, where these documents are stored, in the rural Eastern Cape. There has been no internally driven strategy at Fort Hare to attract university academics and researchers to do in-depth research on the liberation archives. There are few incentives to encourage postgraduate students to undertake research on themes covered by the liberation archives. Because ofa lack of financial and material resources, personnel and instruments, there are few community engagement and outreach programs. The researcher recommends, on this basis, that the University of Fort Hare promote systematic research on the liberation archives, establish a research chair in liberation history studies; and that liberation archives be used as a vehicle to develop an emancipatory curriculum, where liberation archives are repositioned, especially in the Humanities and Social Sciences. UFH should also revive oral history on the liberation struggle as part of research that should transform scholarship. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2021
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