List of Titles

Reclaiming the ‘Self’: self-objectification and victim-survivors’ bodies in Margie Orford’s The Eye of the Beholder and Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater

Authors: Landsberg, Zoe
Date: 2025-04-25
Subjects: Self-objectification , Self in literature , Victims in literature , Detective and mystery stories History and criticism , Magic realism (Literature) , Sex crimes in literature
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478453 , vital:78188
Description: Self-objectification is conventionally viewed by objectification theorists as a negative process that is pursued by victims as a result of experiencing sexual violence. What makes self-objectification particularly negative is that it confirms that the victim feels alienated from their body following their harrowing experience. In this thesis, I argue that Margie Orford and Akwaeke Emezi depart from this view of self-objectification. Instead, through the protagonists in their respective novels, The Eye of the Beholder and Freshwater, Orford and Emezi offer a positive revision of self-objectification by articulating it as a necessary process in a victim’s journey toward reclaiming their body and, with it, their concept of ‘self”. To make this argument, I begin by drawing on Western existential phenomenology and African ontology to develop what is referred to as the basic relational view of the ‘self’ which understands the ‘self’ as the connection point between one’s body and one’s subjecthood. Applying this understanding of the ‘self’ to the selected texts, I show that it is the connection between each protagonist’s body and spirit that is disturbed by their experience of sexual violence. Initially aligning with the negative view of self-objectification, Orford and Emezi confirm this disturbance through their protagonists’ pursuits of self-objectifying behaviours. However, using Elaine Scarry’s artist–artifact model and Russel W. Belk’s articulation of the ‘extended self’, I demonstrate that it is by means of self-objectification that the protagonists are presented as able to reestablish a meaningful connection to their violated bodies and thereby reclaim their disrupted concepts of ‘self’ as they journey towards survivorhood. In this way, through the victim–survivor journeys of their respective protagonists in The Eye of the Beholder and Freshwater, Orford and Emezi inscribe the process of self-objectification with an unorthodox duality where it is not a wholly negative process, but rather one that is pivotal to a victim’s survival. Thus, I conclude in this thesis, Orford and Emezi offer a positive revision of self-objectification, a revision that has not yet been studied in the scholarship on the selected primary texts. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-25

Alcohol-related harm in relation to demographic factors: a longitudinal analysis of South African university students

Authors: Chakabuda, Tatenda
Date: 2025-04-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480139 , vital:78400
Description: Introduction: Substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse, has been widely studied. Due to its nature as a legal substance, the negative effects of alcohol are seemingly undermined. However, studies over time have constantly shown that despite being legal, alcohol has detrimental effects that should not be ignored. The consequences of alcohol can be divided into two broad categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term effects include blackouts, poor decision-making, engaging in unsafe sexual practices, and vandalism. On the other end, long-term effects include physiological harm and declining neurocognitive capacity. These and many other forms of harm have been studied, mainly in diagnosed alcoholic populations. Overtime, the population of interest in terms of alcohol-related harm broadened and it increasingly became evident that university students are susceptible to alcohol-related harm and alcohol use disorders due to their drinking patterns. Student drinking patterns involving binge drinking, pre-drinking, and drinking games are common due to the fact that in university, young adults have less supervision and more freedom. University students are also in an environment where excessive alcohol use is normalised, which makes them prone to alcohol-harm. However, it is important to note that different demographics are predisposed to alcohol-harm differently. Gender, age, racial and socio-economic differences are some factors that have been proven to differentiate individuals’ likelihood of experiencing alcohol-related harm. Unfortunately, the differences across these different demographics within a South African university population are yet to be adequately explored. A large percentage of existing literature on demographic differences in the experience of alcohol harm in university cohorts has been largely amongst Western student populations. Methods: The present longitudinal study aimed to rectify this research gap by providing an evidence-based outcome analysis of demographic differences in the experience of alcohol-related harm in a South African student population. Data were collected using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) over a three-year period (2015, 2016 & 2017) from the same Rhodes University student cohort. Demographic data in the form of age, race, gender, and socio-economic status was analysed to study alcohol-related harm. Results: Data indicated that male students did not significantly experience greater alcohol-related harm compared to female students (p > 0.05). Similarly, white students did not experience significantly more alcohol-related harm compared to non-white students (p > 0.05). Findings further indicated that younger students experienced significantly greater alcohol-related harm in comparison to older students (p < 0.05). Lastly, students from a higher socio-economic background did not experience significantly greater alcohol-induced harm when compared to those from a lower socioeconomic status background (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Differences by age could be related to early brain development being linked to greater risk-taking, resulting in greater alcohol-related harm. Moreover, the absence of guardians may place younger student populations at greater risk for unhealthy drinking patterns, which may result in alcohol-related harm. Findings from the study suggest a greater need for interventions to target younger student populations. Future studies should explore why younger students are at greater risk for alcohol-related harm and seek to develop interventions that are more effective for this population. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-04

Creating a home away from home: examining the working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Authors: Mashamba, Nyaradzo Faith
Date: 2025-04-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480150 , vital:78401
Description: This study analyses the working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Most literature dedicated to the schooling system tends to prioritize the role of the teacher, whilst often side-lining or overlooking the role of housemothers who play a crucial role in schools with boarding facilities such as hostels. In addition to a good academic programme and great extracurricular activities, parents often choose schools according to how well their boarding facilities and hostels are run. Housemothers play a critical role in this regard, as they are responsible for creating a ‘home away from home’ for the students through the provision of guidance, care, and support amongst many other roles. Although public boarding schools do not run for profit, their hostels follow a strict capitalist-like regime that utilizes various methods to create a ‘home away from home’ for students. This study adopted a Labour Process Theory (LPT) to analyse the work processes and working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls school in the Eastern Cape. Although traditionally applied in ‘for profit’ organizations, the LPT is ideal for this study because hostels in boarding schools use capitalist mechanisms to provide quality services to attract parents to send their children to these schools. This research adopted a qualitative research approach, as it seeks to unearth the subjective experiences of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape. The findings in this study indicated that housemothers do indeed play a central role in the governance of the girls’ hostels in the boarding school. The hostels are governed through diverse control mechanisms, which housemothers must adhere to. Housemothers are also divided into various categories to boost efficiency and save money. This is done through the division of labour amongst the housemothers who occupy three different roles, from matrons (at the top) to housemothers (regular), and student housemothers (who are not paid in monetary terms, but through accommodation and food). The findings also indicated that housemothers have limited agency in their work. The findings also showed that housemothers are required to display specific emotional characteristics to provide various forms of support to students at the expense of their own emotions. Lastly, housemothers are expected to dress in a certain way to present a sense of professionalism, as representatives of the school. Overall, this study showed that the capitalist-like methods applied by the school’s management team in the hostel system affect the labour outcomes and experiences of housemothers. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-04

Enhancing Grade 12 physical sciences teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge to teach work, energy, and power bilingually in the Eastern Cape

Authors: Mapfumo, Alfred Khumbulani
Date: 2025-04-03
Subjects: Science Study and teaching (Secondary) South Africa , Pedagogical content knowledge , Translanguaging (Linguistics) , Professional learning communities , Social learning
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480073 , vital:78394 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480073
Description: South Africa has been performing very poorly in consecutive Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in Science and Mathematics, where it has been ranked last among all participating countries. Similarly, in the recent National Senior Certificate examinations (2017–2023), the percentage of candidates who scored at least 40% in Physical Sciences ranged from 39% to 51%. This points to a possible problem in the teaching and learning of Physical Sciences in schools. On close analysis, the question on the topic of Work, Energy, and Power, in particular, is usually one of the most poorly answered in the Physics paper of the Physical Sciences examination. Some South African studies have concluded that there is poor mastery of the energy concept in the Further Education and Training Phase by both learners and teachers. Against this backdrop, this formative interventionist study sought to support Grade 12 Physical Sciences teachers in co-developing and enacting exemplar lessons on Work, Energy and Power that incorporate everyday and home language through pedagogical translanguaging and transknowledging. The five teachers from township and rural schools and I formed a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to co-develop lessons later enacted by the teachers. The study was underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm and complemented by the critical theory paradigm. A qualitative case study research design was employed. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, workshops, lesson observations and participant-teacher reflections. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was my theoretical framework, while Mavhunga and Rollnick’s five components of Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge were used as an analytical lens. An inductive-deductive approach to data analysis was used. This study demonstrated how teachers in a PLC can work together to develop their individual pedagogical content knowledge in particular practice areas. The PLC created lesson plans that guided their use of pedagogical translanguaging techniques, such as code-switching, code-mixing, translation, and versioning of scientific terminology, to facilitate learning. In addition, the PLC created an IsiXhosa glossary for concepts related to Work, Energy, and Power. The study’s main contribution is that teachers involved in this study displayed transformative agency through co-constructing their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for pedagogical translanguaging. The study thus recommends that if the goal of improving epistemological access for learners who are learning Physical Sciences in a second language is to be realised, in-service teachers should be capacitated to apply pedagogical translanguaging, which brings about transknowledging using PLCs such as the one-formed for this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-03

Follow the yellow flag road : advancing the biological control of a global wetland invader, and a case study on ecosystem recovery

Authors: Minuti, Gianmarco
Date: 2025-04-03
Subjects: Aquatic plants , Invasive plants Biological control , Iris pseudacorus , Azolla filiculoides , Aphthona nonstriata , Host specificity
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479908 , vital:78378 , DOI 10.21504/10962/479908
Description: Global change is accelerating habitat degradation and extinction rates, disproportionately affecting freshwater ecosystems. Biological invasions, a core component of global change, have been recognized as a major driver of this phenomenon. Invasive alien aquatic plants (IAAPs) are a prime example, disrupting ecological dynamics and hindering the economic and social activities that depend upon freshwater ecosystems. The best approach to managing IAAPs is preventing their introduction and taking swift action when infestations are detected. Unfortunately, most IAAPs are only recognized after they have spread, making eradication difficult and requiring expensive, ongoing management through manual, mechanical, or chemical means, which become less effective as infestations grow. In this regard, a sustainable alternative against IAAPs is provided by classical biological control. This method lays on the assumption that invasive species have been introduced in an environment which is free from their natural enemies, and that such release allowed them to redirect their resources towards growth and reproduction. Accordingly, weed biocontrol involves introducing one such enemy - a so-called biocontrol agent - to regulate the population of the plant, ideally reducing its density below a critical threshold, minimizing its impacts. Biocontrol programs must follow stringent protocols in order to a) ensure the selection of the most appropriate agents; b) guarantee their establishment and effectiveness in controlling their target; c) minimize the risks involved with their release; and d) monitor their impacts after they have been released. This thesis is composed of two parts, focusing on pre-release studies (Part I, Chapters 1-4) and post-release evaluations (Part II, Chapter 5), respectively. Part I explores the biological control of Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) – yellow flag – a Eurasian plant that has invaded temperate wetlands worldwide. The first step consisted of conducting field surveys across the native range of the weed, which led to the selection of three candidate biocontrol agents. As a second step, bioclimatic niche modelling was used to forecast the current and future suitability of the weed and its prospective agents. These models helped to identify areas most at risk of invasion and predict how climate change might affect biocontrol efficacy, showing differing impacts in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Further, a scoring system was developed to prioritize non-target plants for host-specificity testing, focusing on species within the family Iridaceae. Most taxa prioritized are native to the Americas, South Africa and eastern Asia, highlighting the importance of collaboration across regions when dealing with global invaders with complex phylogeographic distributions. Finally, a germination study confirmed that I. pseudacorus seeds from Argentina germinate more than Belgian seeds, especially in absence of cold stratification, suggesting increased performances of invasive populations and an adaptation to warmer temperatures. Nonetheless, impact assessments conducted on one of the three biocontrol agents demonstrated that it could cause juvenile mortality, suggesting it may effectively reduce seedling recruitment, though further research on agents targeting reproductive structures is recommended. Part II of the thesis addresses an often understudied aspect of post-release evaluations: ecosystem recovery following biological control. To do so, a case study is presented, investigating the biological control of water fern, Azolla filiculoides Lamb. (Salviniaceae), in Belgium. The results of this study are used to discuss the shortcomings of different experimental designs, the lack of baseline data in invasion ecology, and the intricacies of defining and quantifying ecosystem recovery in light of legacy effects and context-dependency. , Wereldwijde verandering versnelt de degradatie van habitats en de uitstervingscijfers, met een onevenredige impact op zoetwaterecosystemen. Biologische invasies, een kernonderdeel van klimaatverandering, worden erkend als een belangrijke drijvende kracht achter dit fenomeen. Invasieve uitheemse waterplanten (IAAPs) zijn een duidelijk voorbeeld, omdat ze ecologische dynamiek verstoren en economische en sociale activiteiten belemmeren die afhankelijk zijn van zoetwaterecosystemen. De beste aanpak voor het beheer van IAAPs is het voorkomen van hun introductie en het nemen van snelle maatregelen bij het detecteren van besmettingen. Helaas worden de meeste IAAPs pas herkend nadat ze zich hebben verspreid, wat uitroeiing moeilijk maakt en dure, voortdurende beheersing vereist door handmatige, mechanische of chemische middelen, die minder effectief worden naarmate besmettingen toenemen. In dit opzicht biedt klassieke biologische bestrijding een duurzaam alternatief tegen IAAPs. Deze methode berust op de veronderstelling dat invasieve soorten zijn geïntroduceerd in een omgeving die vrij is van hun natuurlijke vijanden, waardoor ze hun middelen konden richten op groei en reproductie. Bijgevolg omvat onkruidbestrijding het introduceren van een dergelijke vijand - een zogenaamde biocontrole-agent - om de populatie van de plant te reguleren, idealiter door de dichtheid ervan onder een kritische drempel te verlagen en zo de impact ervan te minimaliseren. Biocontroleprogramma's moeten strikte protocollen volgen om a) de selectie van de meest geschikte agens te waarborgen; b) hun vestiging en effectiviteit bij het beheersen van hun doel te garanderen; c) de risico's van hun vrijlating te minimaliseren; en d) hun impact na vrijlating te monitoren. Dit proefschrift bestaat uit twee delen, gericht op respectievelijk pre-release studies (Deel I, Hoofdstukken 1-4) en post-release evaluaties (Deel II, Hoofdstuk 5). Deel I onderzoekt de biologische bestrijding van Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) - gele lis - een Euraziatische plant die gematigde moeraslanden wereldwijd heeft gekoloniseerd. De eerste stap bestond uit het uitvoeren van veldonderzoeken in het inheemse verspreidingsgebied van het onkruid, wat leidde tot de selectie van drie kandidaat-biocontroleagenten. Als tweede stap werd bioklimatisch nis-modelleren gebruikt om de huidige en toekomstige geschiktheid van het onkruid en zijn potentiële agens te voorspellen. Deze modellen hielpen gebieden met het grootste risico op invasie te identificeren en voorspelden hoe klimaatverandering de effectiviteit van biocontrole zou kunnen beïnvloeden, met verschillende effecten op het noordelijk en zuidelijk halfrond. Daarnaast werd een scoresysteem ontwikkeld om niet-doelplanten te prioriteren voor host-specifieke tests, met de nadruk op soorten binnen de familie Iridaceae. De prioritaire taxa zijn inheems in Amerika, Zuid-Afrika en Oost-Azië, wat het belang van samenwerking tussen regio’s onderstreept bij het omgaan met mondiale invasieve soorten met complexe fylogeografische verspreiding. Ten slotte bevestigde een kiemingsstudie dat I. pseudacorus zaden uit Argentinië meer kiemen dan Belgische zaden, vooral bij afwezigheid van koude stratificatie, wat wijst op verhoogde prestaties van invasieve populaties en aanpassing aan warmere temperaturen. Nochtans toonden effectbeoordelingen van een van de drie biocontroleagens aan dat deze de mortaliteit van juvenielen kon veroorzaken, wat suggereert dat het effectief kan zijn bij het verminderen van de zaailingrekrutering. Toch wordt verder onderzoek naar agenten die zich richten op reproductieve structuren aanbevolen. Deel II van het proefschrift behandelt een vaak onderbelicht aspect van post-release evaluaties: ecosysteemherstel na biologische bestrijding. Om dit te realiseren wordt een casestudy aangeboden over de biologische bestrijding van watervaren, Azolla filiculoides Lamb. (Salviniaceae), in België. De resultaten van deze studie worden gebruikt voor de bespreking van de tekortkomingen van verschillende experimentele ontwerpen, het gebrek aan basisgegevens in invasie-ecologie en de complexiteit van het definiëren en kwantificeren van ecosysteemherstel in het licht van nalatenschapseffecten en contextafhankelijkheid. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-03

Investigating the mainstreaming of inclusive education in Teacher Education Practice for Pedagogical Proficiency through Education for Sustainable Development Change Projects in Southern Africa

Authors: Souza, Ben
Date: 2025-04-03
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480106 , vital:78397 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480106
Description: Globally, there are policy and practice efforts to mainstream inclusive education in different sub-fields of education. Part of the efforts have focused on investigating and finding practical mechanisms for the mainstreaming process in teacher education. Anecdotally, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), with its focus on transformative education, collaborative learning, the community of practice and the whole institution approach, has the potential to mainstream inclusive education in teacher education practices if grounded in sociocultural realities rather than mere ideological framing. This situation is related to the need for more transformative capabilities for teacher educators to prepare teachers for inclusive pedagogical proficiency. However, in a southern African context, the outlook of the potential of pedagogical proficiency from the nexus of inclusive education, ESD and teacher education is disjointed. As such, this study focused on investigating the mainstreaming of inclusive education in teacher education practice for pedagogical proficiency through ESD Change Projects in Southern Africa, examining cases from Malawi, Tanzania and Eswatini. The study intended to gain an understanding of inclusive education and ESD in these countries, identify areas for strengthening inclusive education in teacher education practice, collaborate with teacher educators to develop strategies for mainstreaming inclusive education, and generate indicators for monitoring and evaluating inclusive education in teacher education contexts. The study used Urie Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning as theoretical and analytical frameworks. The study also employed Roy Bhaskar’s critical realism philosophy as an underlabourer or a meta-theoretical framework. The study further adapted the Vygotsky-informed Engestrom’s expansive learning as a methodological torch. Together, these frameworks were used to analyse selected Change Projects within Sustainability Starts with Teachers (SST) programme, which focused on ESD capacity building in teacher educators from 11 southern African countries. In this regard, the research utilised a qualitative nested case study design. A formative interventionist research approach supported the cases in Malawi, Tanzania and Eswatini, with the study selecting SST Change Projects dealing with inclusive education through an initial scoping questionnaire. Data were generated through 12 in-depth interviews, nine workshops (involving 24 participants), document reviews, observations and reflective journals. Thematic ii analysis, employing a critical realist approach with abductive and retroductive reasoning, guided the reflexive presentation and discussion of research findings. The research findings revealed a common understanding of inclusive education as providing equal educational opportunities, ESD as supporting sustainable development, and teacher education as skill development. The research findings also highlighted the influence of teacher educators’ biopsychosocial characteristics on their perceptions of inclusive education, ESD and teacher education. Areas requiring improvement in teacher education systems included resources, attitude change, financing, cooperation, collaboration and leadership. Strategies for mainstreaming inclusive education in teacher education practice for pedagogical proficiency included curriculum implementation, policy shift, contextualisation and interactive systems. Monitoring and evaluation in all three cases focused on teaching practice, assessment, feedback tools, forums and curriculum implementation, but the absence of specific indicators for monitoring and evaluation was evident. These findings suggest multi-layered and complex implications for policy formulation, implementation practices and future research. Therefore, this thesis argues that, in a southern Africa context, the potential of pedagogical proficiency from the nexus of inclusive education, ESD and teacher education involves considering biopsychosocial characteristics to facilitate the capabilities of teacher educators. This situation necessitates utilising inclusivity mechanisms in pre-service teacher training grounded in biosocial and psychocultural realities of the region’s educational challenges. Consequently, this thesis proffers the Sustainable Inclusive Pedagogical Proficiency Process (SIP3) model as a framework to actualise the nexus of inclusive education, ESD and teacher education, and bring into focus its pedagogical proficiency potential which eventually helps with the mainstreaming process in teacher education practice via ESD. The study reported in this thesis contributes to international theory and practice development for inclusivity and ESD in teacher education practice, provides indicators for monitoring inclusive quality education in teacher education practice, and introduces a contextual dynamics model for comparative education research. The thesis is structured in eight chapters, introducing the study context, addressing literature gaps, presenting the theoretical framework, detailing research design, exploring specific cases in Malawi, Tanzania and Eswatini, discussing the research findings and its implications, and concluding with recommendations for change and future research. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-03

Stimulating Namibian learners’ democratic participation and leadership in a senior primary rural school: a participatory action research study

Authors: Kaongo, Trofimus Shipena
Date: 2025-04-03
Subjects: Student participation in administration Namibia , Democratic participation , Participatory action research , Education, Elementary Namibia , Agent (Philosophy)
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479974 , vital:78385
Description: This study investigates the democratic participation and leadership opportunities of primary school learners within the Namibian education system, as outlined in the Basic Education Act. 3 of 2020. While the Act emphasises the involvement of secondary school learners in decision making, primary school learners are largely overlooked. Despite policies recognising children as democratic participants in education, implementation remains inconsistent, with secondary school learners often restricted to tokenistic leadership roles. To address this imbalance, the study explores leadership opportunities for primary school learners, seeking to understand the underlying factors contributing to the gap in democratic leadership at the primary school level. Grounded in a critical paradigm, this qualitative research draws upon Kurt Lewin's field theory and theory of change, using participatory action research (PAR) to promote transformation. The research followed a two-phase design. In phase 1, data was collected through individual interviews with teachers and focus group discussions with learners. Phase 2 adopted PAR to assess how engaging learners in the research process stimulated democratic participation and leadership development. Data were gathered through reflective journals maintained by both the learners and the researcher. Abductive analysis of the data, informed by Lewin’s theoretical framework, the Lundy model of participation, Hart’s ladder of participation and leadership theory, revealed varying understandings of democratic participation among participants. For many, it was equated with learners' freedom of expression, collective decision making and leadership autonomy. However, while learners were afforded opportunities to lead school-initiated activities such as cleaning campaigns, sports events and class monitoring, their involvement in the initiation of these activities remained limited. The study found that learner leadership could be significantly enhanced through greater involvement in collective decision making, motivation and recognition by teachers, and increased leadership autonomy. Nonetheless, barriers such as age differences, peer pressure, limited time and teachers’ negative attitudes impeded the realisation of these objectives. The study contributes significant insights into learner leadership in Africa, particularly in the under-researched context of senior primary school leadership. It highlights the need for greater equity in leadership opportunities between primary and secondary learners and advocates a transformative school environment that fosters multiple leadership pathways based on individual cognitive development. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-03

Applying human factors and ergonomics to a healthcare clinic record-keeping process using a community-based participatory research approach in Makhanda

Authors: Kingwill, Kirsten Rosemary
Date: 2025-04-02
Subjects: Human engineering , Clinics Records and correspondence , Community-engaged research , Community-based research , Records management
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479152 , vital:78265
Description: Background: Healthcare record-keeping is an important process. However, several challenges associated with taking, storing and maintaining accurate records have been identified as a barrier to the quality and safety of care globally and locally in primary healthcare clinics in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this context, local healthcare providers argue that this stems from the hybrid nature of the system (paper and electronic) and the impact of several systemic challenges. Poor records can result in negative outcomes for patients, healthcare workers and the greater public healthcare system. For example, if patient files are not adequately completed, poor patient care and medico-legal litigation costs may emerge. Furthermore, given that HFE promotes the participation of stakeholders in identifying and resolving workplace challenges, this study adopted a participatory research approach, more specifically a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. This research project, therefore, aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to record-keeping in a primary healthcare clinic in Makhanda, the adequacy of patient file completeness and reasons as to why files may or may not have been adequately completed, following a CBPR approach. Methods: Following a period of pre-data collection embedding in the clinic to become familiar with the system and the staff and to form a relationship with a community collaborator from the clinic, this study was completed in two broad phases. During Phase 1, observations, informal discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clinic staff members to understand the clinic and record-keeping systems through the work system components and barriers of both systems. Phase 1 data was analysed through thematic analysis and presented by work system components, selected SEIPS 101 tools and a Hierarchical Task Analysis to detail the tasks involved in the record-keeping process. During Phase 2, a comparative assessment of a sample of patient files (n=55) was conducted against a local standard checklist, detailing what was to be completed in patient files. This was done to assess the completeness of different file sections which were analysed through a frequency count. This was followed by three interviews with clinicians, which explored their perceptions on why sections of the records may have been better completed than others. The interviews were then thematically analysed. Results: Administrative staff shortages, a lack of file storage space, limited access to technology such as computers, lost files, and the amount of information to complete in files were identified as the major challenges associated with the record-keeping system and influencing the completion of patient files. Through the analysis of patient files, it was found that some patient file sections were completed more adequately than others. For example, administrative details were the most well-completed section, and the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) initiation section was the most poorly completed. The findings also revealed reasons as to why these sections may or may not have been adequately completed. These included the need for the duplication of information, particularly for antenatal care clinicians. Time pressure for clinicians to see and complete patient records and work ethic and accountability were additional emergent themes. Lastly, clinicians argued that having a lack of access to, a shortage of or broken medical and record-keeping equipment that inhibited clinicians from obtaining and recording patient information, were additional reasons for poorly taken records. Conclusions: As the findings revealed, the primary healthcare clinic and its hybrid record-keeping system and process were influenced by a variety of clinic and record-keeping challenges that interacted and ultimately influenced the record-keeping process and completeness of patient files. The system constraints are important considerations as understanding how the clinic functions under them is a starting point for future system improvement. Furthermore, barriers impacting the record-keeping system influence several key steps in the record-keeping process, including the completion of details within patient files. Here it was found that some sections and information details were more adequately completed than others, which impacted the continuity, quality and safety of patient care. Additionally, the discrepancies found between the standard checklist and patient files were highlighted as a point of concern for the Department of Health (DoH) as clinics were being assessed based on a checklist that did not match the patient files, incorrectly representing the completeness of files to the DoH. Throughout the research project, the application and implementation of HFE and CBPR have been shown to be important in the local healthcare record-keeping system in that real-world challenges were identified through the perspective of community members facing the challenges. Therefore, HFE researchers should adopt a CBPR approach and apply these complementary domains in other complex systems and varying contexts to comprehensively understand the barriers, facilitators and opportunities for human-system interaction improvements. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-02

Enculturation and adaptation: a practice-led investigation into the history and contemporary transformation of the Bahananwa harepa

Authors: Madiba, Elijah Moleseng
Date: 2025-04-02
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479607 , vital:78328 , DOI 10.21504/10962/479607
Description: This thesis investigates the cultural and musical transformations of the harepa, a stringed instrument initially introduced as the autoharp by Christian missionaries in the late nineteenth century, now deeply embedded within the Basotho ba Lebowa community in Limpopo, South Africa. Through an interdisciplinary approach that blends historical ethnography with practice-led research, this thesis explores the harepa's negotiation of identity amidst the cultural shifts and modernisation affecting the community. The musical output of the harepa showcases a unique hybridity that fuses Basotho ba Lebowa traditions with Western musical influences. The aim of this research is to document the harepa instrument, analyse its music and transformation processes, highlight the musical history of research partners and emphasise the unique tunings which are distinct from Western standards. Employing methodologies that integrate participant observation, ethnographic interviews, and direct musical practice, the research engages with local musicians to understand the contemporary relevance of the harepa and its role in sustaining cultural heritage. It examines shifts in musical practices, the decline of traditional uses of the harepa, and efforts towards its revitalisation, including documenting musical repertoires and analysing performance practices. The findings highlight a complex narrative of enculturation, adaptation, and resistance, revealing the resilience of cultural identity through unique tuning systems that contrast sharply with Western musical paradigms. African tuning practices, characterised by their flexibility and reliance on auditory perception, challenge the adequacy of Western tuning methodologies. This study also investigates the potential of sampling as a method for the sonic representation of African music, advocating for a more culturally sensitive framework that respects the diversity of global musical traditions. By focusing on this localised musical phenomenon, the study illustrates broader cultural preservation and innovation dynamics within Limpopo's Basotho ba Lebowa community. It calls for ongoing dialogue and research to develop methodologies that reflect the unique cultural contexts of musical traditions worldwide. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of engaged, practice-led research in documenting and revitalising endangered musical cultures in the face of globalisation and cultural homogenisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-02

Representations of everyday life in post-2000 Zimbabwean short fiction

Authors: Barure, Walter Kudzai
Date: 2025-04-02
Subjects: Zimbabwean fiction History and criticism , Zimbabwe Social conditions 21st century , Representation (Philosophy) , Everyday life , Digital storytelling Zimbabwe , Zimbabwean periodicals , Popular magazine
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478478 , vital:78190 , DOI 10.21504/10962/478478
Description: This dissertation explores the dynamic nature of cultural productions and the perpetual flux in everyday experiences within Zimbabwean social and cultural spaces over the past two decades. Amid Zimbabwe’s contemporary techno-economic milieu, there has been a remarkable surge in literary works initially tailored for print readership, then adapted for digital platforms. This shift reflects broader changes in the country’s cultural production, where the interplay between traditional publishing and digital innovation has opened new avenues for literary expression and access. The overarching goal is to investigate the connection between contemporary short fiction in Zimbabwe and the material processes of transformation and reproduction across various historical periods, forms, contexts, and platforms. It focuses on print and digital archives characterised by ephemerality, aesthetic disobedience to established norms, and the deconstruction of conventional narrative structures, motifs, and characters. These creative processes thrive on borrowing, sampling, and remixing elements from orature, novels, short stories, music, and films. The study argues that these adaptive modifications empower writers to experiment flexibly and capitalise on their literary content. It includes an interpretive analysis of short stories written in English by marginalised writers, published in print magazines such as Parade, Moto, and The Sunday Mail Magazine, as well as on digital platforms like blogs and Facebook. The primary objective is to illustrate how contemporary writers use fictional depictions of everyday life to interrogate prevalent themes like survival, circular migration, venality, occultism, and sexuality. The theoretical framework draws on the concepts of everyday living by De Certeau (1984), Newell and Okome (2013), and Adesokan’s (2023) technologies of reuse. These theories underpin the analysis of textual and interpretive practices in print and digital publications. Ultimately, this dissertation underscores the mutable nature of contemporary literary developments in Zimbabwe, ii highlighting their profound implications for writers and readers in an era marked by technological advancements and shifting paradigms of literary consumption. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2024
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Date Issued: 2025-04-02

Stamping ground: investigating the walkability of Rhodes University students in Makhanda, South Africa

Authors: Padayachee, Huresha
Date: 2025-04-02
Subjects: Walkability , Rhodes University , Campus size South Africa Makhanda , Small cities South Africa Makhanda , College students Social conditions
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479197 , vital:78269
Description: Walkability is an important research topic in the Global South where many people in urban settlements walk because of transport poverty. University students are a subset of the urban population in Makhanda who experience transport poverty and largely rely on walking to navigate the city. The purpose of this study is to measure and spatially analyse walkability and walking patterns in the student community of Makhanda, South Africa. This study has a specific focus on students who reside in the Rhodes University campus, Central Business District (Central), Sunnyside, and Westhill. These specific areas were chosen because, in terms of student residents, these are the most densely populated residential areas in the city, but are also the epicentre of student activity. This research intends to explore the existing walkability within these four study sites through a visual survey using common measures of walkability, digital mapping as well as student perceptions of walkability. The quantitative data collected through visual surveys, digital mapping and participatory mapping will be spatially analysed using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Results show that walking is the main mode of transportation and students do not have affordable alternatives to walking. The Rhodes University campus is the most walkable area with Central being the second, Westhill being the third, and Sunnyside being the least walkable area. Sidewalk conditions (sidewalk presence, evenness and maintenance) and pedestrian safety and security (pedestrian crossings, crime, security features, lighting, the presence of people, and pedestrian visibility) were rated as the most important walkability factors. Additionally, the more walkable roads are mainly found within the Rhodes University campus and Sunnyside while the less walkable roads are mainly found within Central. Furthermore, the epicentre of student activity is focused on the Rhodes University campus during the week and as the week progresses, the epicentre shifts along with a shift in activity. The Rhodes University campus and Central are where students spent most of their time because the main amenities that student use are found within these areas. This research offers insights into walkability that can be directly applied to urban planning and policy-making. Planners should focus their resources on improving walkability, particularly in sidewalk conditions and pedestrian safety and security. By applying the findings of this research, planners can create more conducive, safer, and comfortable walking environments. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-02

Umntu ngumntu ngabantu – Uhlalutyo nzulu lwefilosofi yobuntu kuluncwadi lukaJ.J.R. Jolobe, uJ. Solilo noW.W. Gqoba

Authors: Benayo, Xolela
Date: 2025-04-02
Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Afrocentrism , Ethnoscience , Oral tradition , Pan-Africanism , Education, Higher South Africa , Jolobe, James J R Criticism and interpretation , Solilo, John Criticism and interpretation , Gqoba, William Wellington Criticism and interpretation
Language: Xhosa
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478489 , vital:78191 , DOI 10.21504/10962/478489
Description: Ubuntu njengefilosofi yamaAfrika egxile kwindlela yokuziphatha nokuphilisana kumzi oNtsundu kudala yaba yingxoxo kwiinkalo ezahlukileyo ezifana nezopolitiko, ezemfundo, ezolawulo ukubala nje ezimbalwa. Njengoko Ubuntu buyingxoxo ekhula mihla le, kubabhali abafana noW.W. Gqoba, uJ. Solilo kunye noJ.J.R. Jolobe lushokoxekile uncwadi oluphanda ngendlela aba babhali abathe babonakalisa ngayo Ubuntu bekwahlaba ikhwelo ngeendlela zokulondoloza Ubuntu kwiimbalo zabo. Le thisisi iza kushukuxa indlela abathe aba babhali bahlaba ngayo ikhwelo ekubonakaliseni Ubuntu nendlela obunokuthi Ubuntu busetyenziswe ngayo ukuqinisekisa ukuba umzi oNtsundu awubonwa njengalowo ungaphucukanga, ungenakho ukusebenzisa iingcamango zobuntu ukuwuphuhlisa. Uphando luza kugocagoca ezi ncwadi zilandelayo: Umyezo ngokubhalwe nguJ.J.R. Jolobe ; Ilitha (isihobe) ngokubhalwe nguJ.J.R. Jolobe ; Elundini loThukela (iprozi) ngokubhalwe nguJ.J.R. Jolobe ; Isizwe esinembali: Xhosa histories and poetry (1837-1888) ngokubhalwe nguW.W. Gqoba ; Umoya wembongi: Collected Poems (1922-1935) ngokubhalwe nguJ. Solilo Uphando lukhethe ezi ncwadi zikhankanywe apha ngentla kuba zona ziyibalisa ngokucacileyo imbali yamaAfrika. Ezi ncwadi zinembali etyebileyo nezithi zisebenze njengokubhebhetha indlela amakoloniyali athi ayibhala ngayo imbali yamaAfrika eyayijolise ukuwajongela phantsi. Kwakhona olu ncwadi lwabhalwa ngexesha apho kwakukho imingeni ekunikeni inkcazo evakalayo ngokuba kuthetha ukuthini ukuphucuka, nokuba amaAfrika ayezibandakanya njani ukulwa nokuphikisa ingcaciso yendlela yokuphila kwamaAfrika yempi yaseNtshona. Ezi mbalo kungaxoxwa ngelithi, zithi zibe zezo zinike ngcaciso yimbi ngomba wempucuko leyo ingenokoyanyaniswa neengcamangco zaseNtshona. Apha kwezi ncwadi kuza kuhlutywa indlela Ubuntu obuthe baphuhla baze baphinda badodobala ngayo phantsi kolawulo lwempi yaseNtshona. Ekwenzeni oko, umphandi akayibethisanga ngoyaba imbali yoMzantsi Afrika neAfrika nje ngokubanzi, imbali yobukoloniyali. Yile mbali yobukoloniyali ethe yabangela ukuba aba babhali bezi ncwadi eziza kuphicothwa luphando bayithathele kubo ezandleni indima yokuqinisekisa ukuba iingcamango nemimiselo yobuntu yileyo bathi babhale ngayo ngeenjongo zokwenza uluntu lungaphulukani nokuxabisa Ubuntu njengefilosofi. Uphando lubone kubalulekile ukuba lulandele iingcamango zeAfrocentricity nezo zomanyan lwamaAfrika (Pan Africanism) ekubhentsiseni obu buntu bubonakaliswa ngaba babhali. Uphando luchonge ezi thiyori zimbini, eyeAfrocentricity kwakunye neyomanyano lwamaAfrika (Pan Africanism) kuba zombini ezi thiyori zikhokelisa phambili ukuxatyiswa kwamaAfrika njengabantu ekukudala benazo iifilosofi ezijolise ekuphuhliseni umzi oNtsundu. Kubonakele kufanelekile ukuba iphulo lokuphanda ngendlela Ubuntu obubonakaliswe ngayo ngaba babhali lenziwe ukukhumbula imisebenzi emikhulu eyenziwe ngamaqhawe abantu abaNtsundu nabathe banegalelo elikhulu ekuphakanyisweni koncwadi lwemveli kwakunye nenkqubela phambili kwimfundo yabantu abangamaAfrika. Ngokuphandle uncwadi lwaba babhali lubonakele luyinxalenye yobomi babo. Kukwakufumaniseka ukuba babhale bandululwe zizinto ezithe azabaphatha kakuhle ebomini babo zaze ezo zinto zawuphazamisa umoya wabo nentlalo yabo bada baqonda ukuba mababhale, baphokoze oku kuphuphuma kweengcinga zabo ukuthuthuzela kwanokuphilisa abanye abantu abathe badibana neenzima ezinjalo zobomi. Phakathi kwezo meko singabala iimeko zopolitiko zeli lizwe ezithe zabuchaphazela ubomi babo, imeko yezemfundo ethe yabonakala inomkhethe, iinqobo zenkcubeko ekuthe kwaphawuleka ukuba zibethiswe ngoyaba ngabo basemagunyeni de zenza noluntu lungazithatheli ngqalelo. Ezi meko zazibonwa njengezo zingelolutho ekuphuhliseni ubomi boluntu nje ngokubanzi. Oku kunyhashwa kwamalungelo abantu kwakunye neemeko ezimbi abathubeleze kuzo zibe sisizekabani sokwenziwa kolu phando ngobuntu nokuvuselela izazela zoluntu. Ezi mbalo zihlalutyiweyo ziquka nogxekoncomo lwazo zenza kanye le nto ichazwe kuphando, ukudakanca indlela Ubuntu obungasetyenziswa ngayo ukuphuhlisa isizwe esiNtsundu. Ziimbalo ezi ezigqithisa umyalezo neembono zaba bahlali ngokulondolozwa kwenkcubeko igcinwe encwadini njengamabali anika umdla erhwebesha uthando loncwadi kwanobuzwe babafundi abaNtsundu ngokubanzi, ingakumbi abafundi abangamaXhosa kuba babhalele bona ikakhulu. Ngababhali aba ababhale ngesiXhosa esiphakamisa inkcubeko yabo. Okuphawulekayo ngokukodwa kuJolobe yinto yokuba kwinoveli yakhe ethi, Elundini loThukela (1959) ude wasebenzisa iilwimi ezimbini isiHlubi kunye nesiXhosa eziqulethe iinkcubeko zazo. Ukongeza, ekubhaleni ngolwimi lwabo lwenkobe, aba babhali balandela ikhondo nesikhokelo sabantu abafana noMqhayi, noWa Thiong’o abazimvo ngokulondolozwa kolwimi noncwadi zikwasetyenzisiwe ukubonakalisa ukubaluleka kweelwimi zamaAfrika kuncwadi. Ekuhlalutyeni ezi mbalo zikhethiweyo, umphandi ukhethe ukulandela indlela yophando eyikwalitheyithuvu ngokugxininisa kuhlalutyo lomxholo. Isizathu sokuba indlela enjalo ibe iyasetyenziswa kukuba idatha ehlalutyiweyo ivela kwidatha esele yapapashwa, iincwadi ukutsho. Le ndlela yindlela eya kuba sisikhokelo esiphambili somphandi ukuqinisekisa ukuba iinjongo zophando ziyafezekiswa. Uphando lufumanise ukuba aba babhali bakhethiweyo bathe ngokwenene banendima abayenzayo ukuqinisekisa ukuba iziseko zobuntu ziyalondolozwa. Oku kuqala kwimiba engenkcubeko apho kuxoxwe ngelithi, umntu oNtsundu kuyafuneka ukuba angayibethisi ngoyaba into yokuzingca ngobuni bakhe. Kananjalo njengababhali ababe bhala beqwalasela yonke imiba yentlalo, into engokuzilanda ngokobuzwe yinto ebonakala isembindini kwiimbalo zabo njengoko besenza ikhwelo ebantwini abaNtsundu ukuba baze bangayilibali imvelaphi yabo. Kumba wezemfundo ingakumbi uGqoba ubalula ukubaluleka kwemfundo yemveli. Kolu phando kufumaniseke ukuba kwiimbalo zabo ababhali bayilwela ngamandla into yokumanyaniswa kwemfundo yaseNtshona naleyo yemveli yamaAfrika. Oku ingasisakhelo sokuqinisekisa ukuba umntwana womgquba uyafikelela kwimfundo ekwaziyo ukuthetha ngeengxaki ezihlangabezana nabantu abaNtsundu gabalala. , Ubuntu as an African philosophy with its focus on issues of good behavior and welfare of black Africans has forever been an unending debate on various spheres of life: those of politics, education, and governance, to name a few. Even though it is a debate with new avenues daily, there is limited research on the works of W.W. Gqoba, J. Solilo, and J.J.R. Jolobe on how they have argued on ways in which the values of Ubuntu may be preserved. This study is therefore undertaken to investigate exactly how these writers maintained in their writings ways in which Ubuntu can be used to ensure black Africans are not seen as a society that is ‘backward’, a society that cannot use Ubuntu principles for development. The research will examine the following books: Umyezo (poems) by J.J.R. Jolobe ; Ilitha (poems) by J.J.R. Jolobe ; Elundini loThukela (prose) by J.J.R. Jolobe ; Isizwe esinembali: Xhosa histories and poetry (1837-1888) by W.W. Gqoba ; Umoya wembongi: Collected Poems (1922-1935) by J. Solilo. In short, it is argued in the study that the selected texts are fine literary products and that their narratives were created following African history. They form part of negating the negative element that has been created by the accounts of colonial masters, as such an account of history was meant to undermine Africans: rich literature and history. Moreover, they were written at a time when there were challenges associated with civilization: what was meant by it and how Africans related to the idea as per Western standards. These texts, it could be argued, present an alternative on this matter by removing Western thoughts on what really are the elements of cultural civilization. In an in-depth analysis of selected writers’ texts, it was important to examine the ways in which Ubuntu has developed and evolved over the years under the administration of Western powers. In the analysis, the researcher did not turn a blind eye to the colonial history of South Africa and that of Africa in general. In that history, an argument is as follows: the thoughts and values of Ubuntu as captured by these writers are to remind people to appreciate Ubuntu as a philisophy. In my analysis, it was important to use theories such as Afrocentricity and Pan-Africanism in understanding and decoding Ubuntu as depicted in the writings of the selected writers. In choosing these theories, it is due to their main argument emphasizing the value of being African and the fact that Africans have long had their philosophies meant for the betterment of the society. It seemed appropriate to investigate how Ubuntu, as shown by these writers, is recorded to act as a reminder of the great works done by Africans who contributed greatly to the promotion of African literature as well as progress in the education of African people. The literature of these writers should be seen as an integral part of their lives. It is also found that they wrote because of the ills that affected their lives and disturbed their spirit and well-being until they realized that they should write and express their thoughts to comfort and heal other people who have encountered such hardships in life. Among those are the political conditions of this country that have affected their lives, the educational situation that has been shown to be biased, and cultural things that have been noticed to be ignored by those in power as they made the public not pay attention to them. This is because they were seen as having little value in the development of human life in general. That is why this research on Ubuntu could be seen as an initiative aimed precisely at those ideas that can be 'revitalized’ by conscientious people. The analysis of literary texts includes criticism to address the main question in this research: how Ubuntu can be used to develop the Africans. This is the kind of literature that conveys the message and ideas on the preservation of culture as preserved in the books with interesting stories that appeal to the love of literature and the nationalism of Africans in general, especially Xhosa people because they wrote mainly for them. It is these writers who wrote in Xhosa that promote their culture. What is particularly remarkable about Jolobe is the fact that in his novel, Elundini loThukela (1959), he used two languages, isiHlubi and isiXhosa, which contain their own cultures. In addition, in writing in their mother tongue, these writers follow the path and guidance of people like Mqhayi and Wa Thiong'o, whose views on the preservation of language and literature have also been used to show the importance of African languages in literary analysis. In the analysis of these selected texts, I have opted to follow a qualitative research approach with a focus on content analysis. The reason behing such an approach is the fact that the data so analysed is from existing data, books. This approach is one that will be a key guide for the researcher to ensure that the aims of the study are achieved. In this research, it was found that these selected writers really have played to ensure that the fundamental values of Ubuntu are preserved. This starts with non-cultural issues: it has been argued that the Africans should not ignore the pride of their identity. Also, as writers who wrote considering all social issues, the issue of national identity is something that appears at the centre of their writings as they call upon Africans not to forget their origins. In terms of education, Gqoba especially mentions the importance of African traditional education. In this research, it has been found that in their writings, the writers are strongly advocating for the integration of Western education with that of African traditional education. This could be taken as framework to make sure that the African child has access to an education that addresses the problems faced by Africans at large. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literatures, 2025
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Date Issued: 2025-04-02

A historical study of Motherwell with specific reference to the development of segregated housing in the city of Port Elizabeth from 1980 onwards

Authors: Yola, Siyabonga
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Port Elizabeth , Public housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Port Elizabeth , Port Elizabeth (South Africa) -- History
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70434 , vital:78352
Description: This study focuses on the development of Motherwell Township from 1983 to 1986. Motherwell conveniently and justifiably serves as a good case study of the apartheid government’s response to black housing shortage and squatting in Port Elizabeth. Designed to accommodate victims of the 1977 floods that displaced ‘squatter residents’ of Soweto and Veeplaas. Yet, there is an apparent lack of documentation of the history of Motherwell as a specific place embedded with design profoundly influenced by apartheid urban planning. Despite the significance of this black township founded in 1983, there is a lack of historical detail around challenges experienced by developers and the role of individuals involved in the development of Motherwell. For example, we lack knowledge on how the white propertied class of the surrounding suburbs of Bluewater Bay, Swartkops and Redhouse, poignantly and quite distinctly, came to the fore in resisting the development of the new black township in their neighbourhood. They used environmental discourse to oppose the development of Motherwell. Apart from the environmental impact on the Swartkops estuary, the ratepayers associated the development of Motherwell with squalor, diseases and crime. In addition, there is a lack of a substantial account of how white landowners opposed the expropriation of land where Motherwell was established. This thesis also highlights the fact that the lack of housing started long before the old black locations, such as Strangers, and other locations that were removed from the city in the turn of the nineteenth century. It demonstrates that urban housing crisis was later intensified by the gap created by the local government in the 1970s. During this decade the city council did not show any interest in providing proper housing for urban blacks. With the lack of new township during this period and the deprivation of blacks from buying a freehold land in the city, black housing shortage became a serious crisis. As a result, black residents, particularly those who did not qualify for urban housing rented backyard rooms in townships, such as New Brighton, Zwide and other local townships. Some migrants opted for informal settlements that mushroomed on the periphery of the local township, such as Zwide. Living or rather squatting in areas such as Soweto and Veeplaas was not acceptable. These areas lacked every conventional element, such as paved roads, electricity, and private toilets. Besides, they constantly suffered floods and fire disasters. In order to solve squatting problem, the local authorities developed Motherwell. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Assessing perceptions regarding sustainable growth of taverns in the Gqeberha liquor industry

Authors: Coutsourides, Peter Dimitri
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Taverns (Inns) -- Port Elizabeth- Eastern Cape -- South Africa , Liquor industry -- Port Elizabeth -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- Port Elizabeth -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69542 , vital:77710
Description: This study investigates the sustainable growth of taverns within the informal liquor industry in Gqeberha, South Africa. The informal sector is critical for economic development, employing 60% of the world's population and nearly 30% of South Africa's workforce. This study focuses on taverns, a prevalent form of small, medium, and micro-enterprises in South African townships. Despite their economic significance, these taverns face numerous challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and competition from larger formal enterprises. The research explores the historical context of the liquor industry in South Africa, highlighting the legacy of racial inequality and the evolution of regulatory frameworks aimed at balancing industry growth and social equity. In addition, the literature covered topics relating to SMMEs and sustainable growth. The study employs a case study strategy and a qualitative methodology where 12 tavern owners in Gqeberha were interviewed using an interview schedule. The thematic data analysis revealed five main challenges that hinder taverns' sustainable growth, namely finance, government interventions and facilities, competition, the COVID-19 Pandemic and crime. In addition, three measures or themes of sustainable growth were identified for these enterprises, such as economic, social and environmental measures for sustainable growth. Finally, based on the findings, a major contribution of this study is the framework of sustainable growth enablers that were presented to SMMEs, including taverns. This study contributes to the understanding of SMMEs in the informal sector and offers practical recommendations for enhancing the sustainable growth of taverns. By addressing the identified challenges and leveraging the proposed enablers, policymakers and stakeholders can create a more supportive environment for these enterprises, ultimately contributing to broader economic development and poverty reduction in South Africa. The insights gained from this study are intended to inform future policies and support mechanisms that can help these enterprises thrive despite their myriad challenges. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Associations between patterns of wild ungulate patch use, soil carbon and albedo in montane grasslands

Authors: Mc Gregor, Steven
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Grassland ecology , Global environmental change , Climatic changes
Language: English
Type: Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69382 , vital:77250
Description: Grassy ecosystems are essential for human survival, providing key services including food production, water provisioning and moderating climate. Yet, grassy ecosystems remain undervalued due to misconceptions that they are remnants of degraded states of forest – a view that continues to influence climate change policies. This thesis explores the links between wild, free-roaming ungulate grazers and climate drivers, including carbon storage and surface albedo (i.e., reflectance of solar radiation), through their impacts on vegetation and soils. Using black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) as a model wild species, I compared their grazing patterns in an Afromontane grassland in the eastern Karoo, South Africa, to those of short-duration cattle grazing systems in similar nearby grasslands (Chapter 2). While short-duration grazing aims to mimic spatiotemporal wild ungulate grazing patterns to supposedly enhance ecosystem functioning and soil carbon stocks, I found that wildebeest had ~50% shorter grazing durations and much shorter rest intervals (1-5 days versus 60-365 days), revealing key differences in grazing patterns that may affect vegetation and climate feedbacks. Next, I examined spatial variations in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks between grass growth forms that differ in grazing tolerance (Chapter 3). Red grass (Themeda triandra) tussock patches, sensitive to frequent grazing, had higher SOC to a soil depth of 20 cm (61.45 ± 1.59 Mg C·ha-1)than intensively grazed, prostrate-growing Cynodon dactylon grazing lawns (55.43 ± 3.40Mg C·ha-1), likely due to greater shading and soil moisture beneath tussocks which drives microbial decomposition. Seasonal albedo variations were then assessed across distinct grassland patch types among seasons to determine whether albedo varies seasonally at fine patch-scales between grass patches, between shrub and grass patches, and with grazing (Chapter 4). Albedo was lower during the growing season compared to dormancy, and was consistently lower in dwarf shrub (Pentzia incana) encroached patches compared to grass patches. No albedo differences between grazed and less-grazed tussock grass patches of the same species were found, although intensively grazed grazing lawns had consistently higher albedo than most patch types. Finally, I evaluated trade-offs between plant carbon, albedo, and their impacts on radiative forcing (i.e., atmospheric warming/cooling) resulting from patch type changes commonly found in grassy ecosystems (Chapter 5). The loss of perennial grass cover resulted in the highest net positive (warming) effect, mostly due to reduced root biomass. Additionally, shrub encroachment into all patches lowered albedo, but led to negative (cooling) effects from shrub encroachment into bare ground patches due to biomass gains. This thesis challenges current views of grassy landscapes and short-duration grazing systems, emphasizing the need to rethink climate change mitigation strategies to prioritize maintaining heterogeneity, while enhancing carbon sequestration and albedo in grassy ecosystems. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Challenges and prospects of the billing system in a selected municipality – a dialectic examination

Authors: Mda, Lindokuhle Primrose
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Accounting -- Data processing , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- Finance
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70089 , vital:78293
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges and prospects of the billing system in a municipality in South Africa. Municipalities play an important role in providing services to business owners and residents. Of late the media has been awash by the incorrect billing that is caused by the faulty billing system in most South African Municipalities. Although there is a lot of literature re on the billing systems, there is a dearth of studies when it comes to south African context particularly at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). Therefore, it is important to explore the challenges and prospect that comes with the billing system in the chosen municipality to fill in the literature gap. A qualitative approach was employed whereby 12 participants, who were sampled using the non-probability, purposive technique were interviewed. The study analysed data using the thematic analysis technique. Semi-structured questions were asked during interviews as a data collection method. The participants provided a comprehensive coverage (CC) of the new billing prospects. The sub-themes namely incorrect and inaccurate billing, estimated bills, lack of incentives to pursue collection, negligence, corruption, enhanced revenue collection, enhancing record management, gathering relevant information from residents and the use of mobile payment solutions was partially covered (PC). The rest of the sub-themes were comprehensively covered. The results reveal that, on average all the themes were covered in the interview implying that the participants understood the challenges faced by the billing system in BCMM, the prospects that are associated by the introduction of new billing systems, the root causes of challenges within the billing system, strategies needed to be implemented and the use of new technology and innovation. All participants acknowledge the fact that the billing system used by the municipality has a lot of challenges and there is a requirement to either upgrade it or discard it in total and replace it with technological advanced smart meters to enable accurate and correct billing. The effects of the incorrect billing were felt by both the municipal management and residents The study recommends that municipalities in South Africa, particularly BCMM should integrate their billing system with new technology to optimise their service delivery system and enhance their revenue collection. Suggested billing software to be used in municipalities include SAP, SKYBILL Utility Billing and full ERP billing, among others. This software offer a range of benefits such as easy to monitor records, revenue collection enhancements and efficiency. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Exploring resilience in undergraduate nursing students at a nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Authors: Blatti, Jenny
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychology , Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Nursing schools -- Faculty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69805 , vital:78036
Description: Undergraduate nursing students worldwide experience stress and anxiety due to the demands of nursing education, which include challenges related to academic workloads and the clinical environment. This, in turn, may impede programme completion and continuation in nursing careers. Resilience is recognised as an effective attribute for nursing students in adapting to stressors and has been found to have a beneficial impact on learning experiences, academic performance, and professional practice. Despite numerous research studies conducted on resilience in the health professions, there remains little empirical work that has explored undergraduate nursing students' understanding and experience of their resilience. The purpose of this study was thus to explore undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their resilience at a nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and to compile recommendations for a resilience training programme in undergraduate nursing education. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was implemented, with the study underpinned by the Resilience Ecological Stress Model. Third and fourth-year nursing students were recruited by purposive sampling, following which data was collected online by means of eleven individual semi-structured interviews conducted and recorded on the Microsoft (MS) Teams platform. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six steps of reflexive thematic analysis, generating codes and themes. The following themes were identified: participants’ perceptions of their challenges while studying nursing, participants’ understanding and experience of resilience, and participants’ views on the unique requirements of the degree in nursing. Findings indicated that nursing students perceive resilience as a beneficial attribute in mitigating the stress and anxiety evoked by their diverse challenges. Recommendations for nursing education were formulated based on the theoretical framework constructs and the findings of the study. , Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Failure of autonomous maintenance program at the Gqeberha food manufacturing plant

Authors: Moloi, Tshepo
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Automatic control , Process control , Food industry and trade -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70078 , vital:78290
Description: The main emphasis of this research is on the identification of the main factors explaining the difficulties and failure of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program implementation from the year 2018 to 2024. This qualitative study focuses on a Port Elizabeth, South Africa food processing company that has implemented an AM program. The lack of success attained in staff training after the implementation phase drove this investigation. This study was carried out to provide first-hand evidence of the pragmatic difficulties in the execution of the AM program. Three main goals defined the research: first, to find the problems that emerged during the AM implementation; second, to investigate the inadequacy of the training program in equipping workers with the necessary skills and competencies to successfully carry out AM; and thirdly, to get valuable opinions on possible enhancements or alternative approaches to the implementation phase of AM from operators, line leaders, and analysts. There is an existing research vacuum as nothing is known about how training affects the implementation of AM in food processing plants especially in South Africa. Purposive sampling selected thirty persons. Thirteen process operators, nine technical operators, six-line leaders, two preventive maintenance owners, and a senior management representative made comprised the group. Extensive in-person interviews with operators, line leaders, and top management gathered the data. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data even further to pinpoint the main themes that emerged. Six main topics found in this research best capture the difficulties faced by a food processing company using AM. The problems were poor training, limited time and resources, lack of motivation and rewards, ineffective communication, involvement, and accountability; management gave production priority over autonomous maintenance; and there was no culture of dedication. Several factors contribute to the ineffectiveness of the training program in enabling employees with the required skills to implement AM: the lack of practical examples to support theoretical ideas, limited resources, trainers lacking expertise in their respective fields, which limits understanding. The main emphasis of this research is on the identification of the main factors explaining the difficulties throughout the implementation period. Moreover, this research improves the body of information already in use by stressing the inadequacies of the training program in developing important skills. Helping AM operators and line supervisors understand the difficulties they faced is the primary goal of the research. Top executives will be offered the recommendations for improving and maximizing the AM program. Understanding the training needs for operators will help production managers and human resources professionals to guarantee their successful training and efficient application of the program. Operations management experts in academia have thorough understanding of AM including theoretical ideas, pragmatic implementation, and the difficulties using successful strategies. The key limitation was the narrow focus of the research, which mainly looked at people within the production line of the model line to understand the problems that emerged during the implementation of autonomous maintenance. The generalisation of the results to the whole workforce is not achieved due to the exclusion of employees from other areas of the factory. The company wants to start a thorough training program with a cross-functional team to enhance operator communication. The main topics explaining the problems in the training program is another disadvantage. This will be a strong basis for further studies. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Investigate how ethical organisational behaviour in service delivery at the Gqeberha labour centre can be improved

Authors: Khahlana, Lwazi
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Corporate culture , Business ethics , Psychology, Industrial
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70231 , vital:78331
Description: The public service is often perceived and experienced as not meeting the expectations of the public. The Gqeberha Labour Centre (GQE LC) is not exempted to prevalence of unethical work behaviours in service delivery. The GQE LC is the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) branch. The purpose of the study is to investigate how ethical organisational behaviour in service delivery at GQE LC can be improved. The study applied qualitative approach through an interpretivism paradigm. The study used purposive sampling strategy. The sample size had ten participants, seven professionals and three management. The data was collected making use of semi-structured interviews that were done one-on-one. A Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software was used to transcribe the data. The data analysis was done manually using thematic analysis. The findings on leadership role in the improvement of ethical organisational behaviour, indicated training is one of the key roles to be implemented by leadership; leadership should be exemplary on ethical organisational behaviour; new employees should be onboarded on ethical organisational behaviour as soon as they are employed. The finding improvement and mitigation of causes and negative outcomes of unethical behaviour, indicated whistleblowing should be encouraged; unethical behaviour be sanctioned and continuous training on ethical organisational behaviour. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Prevalence and correlates of sickness presenteeism among secondary school teachers in the Bukedi region of eastern Uganda

Authors: Majwala,Henry
Date: 2024-12
Subjects: Employees -- Mental health , Psychology, Industrial , Industrial psychiatry
Language: English
Type: Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/68355 , vital:76989
Description: Education is regarded as one of the main cornerstones for sustainable development, especially if the majority of the global citizenry manage to achieve it at secondary school level. The efficaciousness thereof, however, almost entirely depends on the productivity and performance of teachers meant to instill various skill sets among secondary school learners. Sickness presenteeism among secondary school teachers has previously emerged and gained attention as the single most important antagonist of secondary school productivity. However, it has been reported to be increasing in magnitude as absenteeism has gradually decreased over the years. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence and correlates of sickness presenteeism among secondary school teachers in the Bukedi region in Eastern Uganda. The study adopted a pragmatic philosophy and a sequential explanatory mixed methods design targeting 433 secondary school teachers in the Bukedi sub region of Eastern Uganda. The schools were stratified by district first and then each district was stratified by ownership. Simple random sampling was used to sample half the number of schools per stratum, simple random sampling was used to sample the teachers. Key informants such as principals and teachers were purposively sampled and engaged in key informant semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data emerging from an analysis of the questionnaires was analyzed in SPSS version 25 using the log-binomial model, while the qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews was analyzed thematically. This study disclosed that the majority (68.3%) of the teachers engaged in sickness presenteeism. Moon lighting, egocentrism and heavy workload were the significant intrapersonal correlates of sickness presenteeism, while under staffing was a prominent institutional correlate. This study confirms findings from global research that staff working in people-based service sectors are most likely to engage in sickness presenteeism. The recommendations include the following: MoES to formulate a comprehensive policy on sickness presenteeism for teachers, DEOs to make follow ups to address the prevalent sickness presenteeism among secondary school teachers, the school administration to set up a special committee dealing with teachers’ welfare regarding ill health and work, and teachers are to be educated, sensitized about the dangers associated with sickness presenteeism and how to handle it with the school administration. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Schooling, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-12

Showing items 1 - 20 of 2990

Reclaiming the ‘Self’: self-objectification and victim-survivors’ bodies in Margie Orford’s The Eye of the Beholder and Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater

Alcohol-related harm in relation to demographic factors: a longitudinal analysis of South African university students

Creating a home away from home: examining the working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Enhancing Grade 12 physical sciences teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge to teach work, energy, and power bilingually in the Eastern Cape

Follow the yellow flag road : advancing the biological control of a global wetland invader, and a case study on ecosystem recovery

Investigating the mainstreaming of inclusive education in Teacher Education Practice for Pedagogical Proficiency through Education for Sustainable Development Change Projects in Southern Africa

Stimulating Namibian learners’ democratic participation and leadership in a senior primary rural school: a participatory action research study

Applying human factors and ergonomics to a healthcare clinic record-keeping process using a community-based participatory research approach in Makhanda

Enculturation and adaptation: a practice-led investigation into the history and contemporary transformation of the Bahananwa harepa

Representations of everyday life in post-2000 Zimbabwean short fiction

Stamping ground: investigating the walkability of Rhodes University students in Makhanda, South Africa

Umntu ngumntu ngabantu – Uhlalutyo nzulu lwefilosofi yobuntu kuluncwadi lukaJ.J.R. Jolobe, uJ. Solilo noW.W. Gqoba

A historical study of Motherwell with specific reference to the development of segregated housing in the city of Port Elizabeth from 1980 onwards

Assessing perceptions regarding sustainable growth of taverns in the Gqeberha liquor industry

Associations between patterns of wild ungulate patch use, soil carbon and albedo in montane grasslands

Challenges and prospects of the billing system in a selected municipality – a dialectic examination

Exploring resilience in undergraduate nursing students at a nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Failure of autonomous maintenance program at the Gqeberha food manufacturing plant

Investigate how ethical organisational behaviour in service delivery at the Gqeberha labour centre can be improved

Prevalence and correlates of sickness presenteeism among secondary school teachers in the Bukedi region of eastern Uganda