Psychological knowledge production about abortion: the politics of location and representation
- Macleod, Catriona I, Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J, Chiweshe, Malvern T, du Toit, Ryan
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J , Chiweshe, Malvern T , du Toit, Ryan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443734 , vital:74148 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200208"
- Description: Despite considerable psychology research being conducted on abortion, there has been no study of the history of psychological knowledge production on the topic. The aim of our research was to analyse journal articles published in English language psychology journals using a politics of location and of representation analytical lens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Mavuso, Jabulile M-J J , Chiweshe, Malvern T , du Toit, Ryan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443734 , vital:74148 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200208"
- Description: Despite considerable psychology research being conducted on abortion, there has been no study of the history of psychological knowledge production on the topic. The aim of our research was to analyse journal articles published in English language psychology journals using a politics of location and of representation analytical lens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Psychosocial behaviour of male learners after traditional male circumcision in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bokolo, Nokwanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16709 , vital:40764
- Description: Male circumcision is an old Xhosa tradition that is still widely practised throughout South Africa. The Xhosa community in Eastern Cape, South Africa, values traditional male circumcision and regard it as a heritage from the ancestors, which prepares the initiate for transition to manhood. There are health problems and physical complications related to circumcision, although parental decisions regarding circumcision and the medical hygiene have been widely researched. However, scanty information exists on the psychological and social behaviours of male learners after male circumcision. The present study aims to fill the gap by exploring the psychosocial behaviors of male learners after traditional male circumcision in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bokolo, Nokwanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16709 , vital:40764
- Description: Male circumcision is an old Xhosa tradition that is still widely practised throughout South Africa. The Xhosa community in Eastern Cape, South Africa, values traditional male circumcision and regard it as a heritage from the ancestors, which prepares the initiate for transition to manhood. There are health problems and physical complications related to circumcision, although parental decisions regarding circumcision and the medical hygiene have been widely researched. However, scanty information exists on the psychological and social behaviours of male learners after male circumcision. The present study aims to fill the gap by exploring the psychosocial behaviors of male learners after traditional male circumcision in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Psychosocial challenges faced by people living with hiv/aids at Victoria Hospital, Alice, Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sam, Ntombifikile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16210 , vital:40698
- Description: This study investigated the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS at Victoria Hospital, Alice, Nkonkobe municipality in the Eastern Cape. This study explored the views, attitudes and perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS to understand the psychosocial challenges they underwent. The study aimed at achieving the following specific objectives: (i) To investigate the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital. (ii) To assess the impact of families and communities to people living with HIV/AIDS with respect to the lack of psychosocial support provided to people who are infected with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital in the Alice Area of the province of the Eastern Cape. (iii) To identify possible psychosocial support systems that could be provided by social service practitioners and by social networks for people living with HIV and AIDS and their families. The study used qualitative research approach where in-depth interviews and a focus group with key informants were used as methods of data collection. The study was premised on the systems theory to give a theoretical orientation into understanding the psychosocial challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS and possible support to be given to them. The sample size was made up of 10 patient participants; eight (8) ii females, two (2) males; and three (3) health practitioners. Non-probability sampling technique was used in the study. Specifically, purposive sampling was used to select the participants because the researcher believed that the participants had knowledge and experiences about HIV/AIDS. The data was analysed qualitatively through a content thematic analysis technique. The study found that there are many psychosocial challenges that are faced by people living with HIV/AIDS such as poverty, social support, rejection, depression and stigma and discrimination. The study recommends that the affected communities should have support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS to empower them and their families. The study also recommends the implementation of community engagements in the form of educating communities about HIV/AIDS and the importance of supporting people living with HIV/AIDS. More emphasis on the right to equality and the right for everyone to be treated with dignity and respect, as stated by Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights of the South African constitution is highly recommended. Based on the evidence provided through the findings, the researcher is optimistic that all the challenges presented will be taken into consideration in future plans and policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sam, Ntombifikile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16210 , vital:40698
- Description: This study investigated the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS at Victoria Hospital, Alice, Nkonkobe municipality in the Eastern Cape. This study explored the views, attitudes and perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS to understand the psychosocial challenges they underwent. The study aimed at achieving the following specific objectives: (i) To investigate the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital. (ii) To assess the impact of families and communities to people living with HIV/AIDS with respect to the lack of psychosocial support provided to people who are infected with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital in the Alice Area of the province of the Eastern Cape. (iii) To identify possible psychosocial support systems that could be provided by social service practitioners and by social networks for people living with HIV and AIDS and their families. The study used qualitative research approach where in-depth interviews and a focus group with key informants were used as methods of data collection. The study was premised on the systems theory to give a theoretical orientation into understanding the psychosocial challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS and possible support to be given to them. The sample size was made up of 10 patient participants; eight (8) ii females, two (2) males; and three (3) health practitioners. Non-probability sampling technique was used in the study. Specifically, purposive sampling was used to select the participants because the researcher believed that the participants had knowledge and experiences about HIV/AIDS. The data was analysed qualitatively through a content thematic analysis technique. The study found that there are many psychosocial challenges that are faced by people living with HIV/AIDS such as poverty, social support, rejection, depression and stigma and discrimination. The study recommends that the affected communities should have support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS to empower them and their families. The study also recommends the implementation of community engagements in the form of educating communities about HIV/AIDS and the importance of supporting people living with HIV/AIDS. More emphasis on the right to equality and the right for everyone to be treated with dignity and respect, as stated by Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights of the South African constitution is highly recommended. Based on the evidence provided through the findings, the researcher is optimistic that all the challenges presented will be taken into consideration in future plans and policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Psychotherapy in post-colonial SA: exploring attitudes, views and beliefs of rural ‘black’ communities on psychotherapy
- Authors: Mthembu, Thembekile Thobeka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Black people -- Attitudes -- South Africa , Black people -- Psychology -- South Africa , Black people -- Mental health -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa , Client-centered psychotherapy -- South Africa , Rural families -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71419 , vital:29847
- Description: The appropriateness and effectiveness of the field of psychology and its branch psychotherapy has been met with fierce criticisms especially in contexts outside of Western or Euro American or urban Southern Africa. This thesis explores attitudes, views and beliefs of rural ‘black’ communities on psychotherapy (the healing process of the mind and soul). It is important to understand how the healing process of the mind and soul is constructed and practised in South African black rural communities, and this remains an imperative of psychology. The study takes an exploratory qualitative research approach. Nine participants from two rural communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal were interviewed through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised as a method of data analysis. The study employed social constructionism and Afrocentricity as theoretical points of departure. The findings were understood through employing Afrocentricity theory underpinned by post-colonial theory. Four main themes were derived with supporting subthemes. The themes indicate that rural black communities’ attitudes, views, and beliefs on psychotherapy are at variance with the Western perspective of psychotherapy. This is further associated with the practise of psychotherapy in rural black communities. The findings of this study can possibly assist in new understandings of psychotherapy as constructed in different contexts and instigate future research to be conducted in often-neglected areas such as rural communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mthembu, Thembekile Thobeka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Black people -- Attitudes -- South Africa , Black people -- Psychology -- South Africa , Black people -- Mental health -- South Africa , Psychotherapy -- South Africa , Client-centered psychotherapy -- South Africa , Rural families -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71419 , vital:29847
- Description: The appropriateness and effectiveness of the field of psychology and its branch psychotherapy has been met with fierce criticisms especially in contexts outside of Western or Euro American or urban Southern Africa. This thesis explores attitudes, views and beliefs of rural ‘black’ communities on psychotherapy (the healing process of the mind and soul). It is important to understand how the healing process of the mind and soul is constructed and practised in South African black rural communities, and this remains an imperative of psychology. The study takes an exploratory qualitative research approach. Nine participants from two rural communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal were interviewed through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised as a method of data analysis. The study employed social constructionism and Afrocentricity as theoretical points of departure. The findings were understood through employing Afrocentricity theory underpinned by post-colonial theory. Four main themes were derived with supporting subthemes. The themes indicate that rural black communities’ attitudes, views, and beliefs on psychotherapy are at variance with the Western perspective of psychotherapy. This is further associated with the practise of psychotherapy in rural black communities. The findings of this study can possibly assist in new understandings of psychotherapy as constructed in different contexts and instigate future research to be conducted in often-neglected areas such as rural communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Public health expenditure and economic development: the case of South Africa
- Authors: Hlotywa, Anathi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public health -- South Africa -- Finance Public health -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Medical economics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13491 , vital:39673
- Description: Literature shows that there is a relationship between health expenditure and a country’s level of development. The labour productivity depends on health and the level of education of the employees. Given this background, the study’s main objective was to examine the impact of public healthcare expenditure on economic development in South Africa for the period 1996- 2016 utilising the Autoregressive Distributed lag Model. The empirical results show that there is a positive relationship between Public Health Expenditure and Human development Index. This shows that an increase in government expenditure on health increases economic development in South Africa. The results are consistent with other previous studies such as Wang (2015) and Riayati and Unaidah (2016). The study recommends that the government should increase public health expenditure. This will increase economic development. The government can do this by building hospitals and rolling out more funds to improve the healthcare in South Africa. The study also recommends that the government should reduce unemployment. Unemployment has been seen to have an undesirable impact on economic development
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hlotywa, Anathi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public health -- South Africa -- Finance Public health -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Medical economics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13491 , vital:39673
- Description: Literature shows that there is a relationship between health expenditure and a country’s level of development. The labour productivity depends on health and the level of education of the employees. Given this background, the study’s main objective was to examine the impact of public healthcare expenditure on economic development in South Africa for the period 1996- 2016 utilising the Autoregressive Distributed lag Model. The empirical results show that there is a positive relationship between Public Health Expenditure and Human development Index. This shows that an increase in government expenditure on health increases economic development in South Africa. The results are consistent with other previous studies such as Wang (2015) and Riayati and Unaidah (2016). The study recommends that the government should increase public health expenditure. This will increase economic development. The government can do this by building hospitals and rolling out more funds to improve the healthcare in South Africa. The study also recommends that the government should reduce unemployment. Unemployment has been seen to have an undesirable impact on economic development
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Public open spaces in Motherwell NU1-9: accessibility and community perceptions
- Authors: Nkonki, Busisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Open spaces -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Urban geography Human geography Land use, Urban Cities and towns
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33397 , vital:32758
- Description: Public Open Spaces (POS) with social, environmental and economic benefits are associated with the enhancement of human settlement sustainability. POS give communities their individual character and identity and should be easily accessible spaces for the practice of democracy, free expression and strengthening of community ties. This study assumes that the use of a desktop study, tools such as GIS, an anonymous questionnaire and a POS assessment visit can assist in gaining a thorough understanding of the status quo in relation to the quantities, quality and accessibility of POS with social, environmental and economic benefits in Motherwell NU 1-9 as well as the perceptions of various user groups within the community. A highly inequitable distribution of POS in Motherwell NU1-9 is evident from the geospatial findings of the study. There are also varying levels of accessibility to the various POS per Neighbourhood Unit. From the assessment visit and photographic evidence, it is also clear that the various POS in Motherwell NU1-9 fail to meet the standards of quality POS as they are generally in a poor condition. The community perceptions vary according to different groupings of people within the study area. Most of the residents in Motherwell NU1-9 place value on POS with social, environmental and economic benefits and consider them a need. However, it is most unfortunate that the majority of the POS in the area do not respond to the unique needs of the residents. Finally, recommendations are made to transform the current situation of POS in Motherwell NU1-9 and assist in the provision of quality POS that are strategically located, equitably distributed and easily accessible POS that are able to accommodate all residents around the township as well as those who may be visitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nkonki, Busisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Open spaces -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Urban geography Human geography Land use, Urban Cities and towns
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33397 , vital:32758
- Description: Public Open Spaces (POS) with social, environmental and economic benefits are associated with the enhancement of human settlement sustainability. POS give communities their individual character and identity and should be easily accessible spaces for the practice of democracy, free expression and strengthening of community ties. This study assumes that the use of a desktop study, tools such as GIS, an anonymous questionnaire and a POS assessment visit can assist in gaining a thorough understanding of the status quo in relation to the quantities, quality and accessibility of POS with social, environmental and economic benefits in Motherwell NU 1-9 as well as the perceptions of various user groups within the community. A highly inequitable distribution of POS in Motherwell NU1-9 is evident from the geospatial findings of the study. There are also varying levels of accessibility to the various POS per Neighbourhood Unit. From the assessment visit and photographic evidence, it is also clear that the various POS in Motherwell NU1-9 fail to meet the standards of quality POS as they are generally in a poor condition. The community perceptions vary according to different groupings of people within the study area. Most of the residents in Motherwell NU1-9 place value on POS with social, environmental and economic benefits and consider them a need. However, it is most unfortunate that the majority of the POS in the area do not respond to the unique needs of the residents. Finally, recommendations are made to transform the current situation of POS in Motherwell NU1-9 and assist in the provision of quality POS that are strategically located, equitably distributed and easily accessible POS that are able to accommodate all residents around the township as well as those who may be visitors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Purchasing power parity in a newly industrialised country
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Purification and biochemical characterisation of a putative sodium channel agonist secreted from the South African Knobbly sea anemone Bunodosoma capense
- van Losenoord, Wynand, Krause, Jason, Parker-Nance, Shirley, Krause, Rui W M, Stoychey, Stoyan, Frost, Carminita L
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Pushing against ‘China-Africa’ slowly, and with small stories:
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146778 , vital:38556 , http://www.somethingweafricansgot.com/about-1
- Description: the new focus on african arts and critical thought.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146778 , vital:38556 , http://www.somethingweafricansgot.com/about-1
- Description: the new focus on african arts and critical thought.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Pyramidal deliberative democracy
- Authors: Danielsen, James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Democracy , Information technology -- Political aspects , Internet in public administration , Political participation -- Computer network resources , World politics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/74502 , vital:30309
- Description: This dissertation has two main objectives. First, to outline an ICT-facilitated model of democracy called ‘pyramidal democracy’ that reconciles deliberative democracy with mass engagement. Second, to suggest how this model of democracy might engender the democratisation of the global economy and thus the provision of a basic level of economic security for all global citizens. At the core of the model is the pyramidal deliberative network, a means of organising citizens into small online deliberative groups and linking these groups together by means of an iterative process of delegate-selection and group-formation. The pyramidal network enables citizens to aggregate their preferences in a deliberative manner, and then project social power by authorizing the delegates at the top-tier of the pyramidal network to communicate their social demands to elected officials or to other points of authority. The envisioned outcome is the democratisation of the public sphere by means of the proliferation of deliberative networks in the government, market, and civil society spheres. Transnational pyramidal networks may make it feasible to instantiate a new citizen-based schema of global governance and, thereby, facilitate the reform of the United Nations and enable a transition towards global peace, sustainability, and distributive justice. Distributive justice might be achieved by means of implementing the six components of a democratised economy: participatory budgeting, fee-and-dividend taxes, a basic income, monetary reform, workplace democracy, and the sharing economy. Taken together, these components might enable the universal provision of a social minimum – a universal basic income sufficient for basic security and real freedom. Taken to its logical conclusion, a democratised economy may also enable a transition towards a post-scarcity economic order characterised by a maximal stock of humanmade and natural capital that would not exceed the sustainable carrying capacity of the earth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Danielsen, James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Democracy , Information technology -- Political aspects , Internet in public administration , Political participation -- Computer network resources , World politics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/74502 , vital:30309
- Description: This dissertation has two main objectives. First, to outline an ICT-facilitated model of democracy called ‘pyramidal democracy’ that reconciles deliberative democracy with mass engagement. Second, to suggest how this model of democracy might engender the democratisation of the global economy and thus the provision of a basic level of economic security for all global citizens. At the core of the model is the pyramidal deliberative network, a means of organising citizens into small online deliberative groups and linking these groups together by means of an iterative process of delegate-selection and group-formation. The pyramidal network enables citizens to aggregate their preferences in a deliberative manner, and then project social power by authorizing the delegates at the top-tier of the pyramidal network to communicate their social demands to elected officials or to other points of authority. The envisioned outcome is the democratisation of the public sphere by means of the proliferation of deliberative networks in the government, market, and civil society spheres. Transnational pyramidal networks may make it feasible to instantiate a new citizen-based schema of global governance and, thereby, facilitate the reform of the United Nations and enable a transition towards global peace, sustainability, and distributive justice. Distributive justice might be achieved by means of implementing the six components of a democratised economy: participatory budgeting, fee-and-dividend taxes, a basic income, monetary reform, workplace democracy, and the sharing economy. Taken together, these components might enable the universal provision of a social minimum – a universal basic income sufficient for basic security and real freedom. Taken to its logical conclusion, a democratised economy may also enable a transition towards a post-scarcity economic order characterised by a maximal stock of humanmade and natural capital that would not exceed the sustainable carrying capacity of the earth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quality in low - cost houses in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Gogela, Nwabisa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Dwellings -- Defects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39709 , vital:35350
- Description: Numerous low cost houses in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, and all over South Africa for that matter, have been handed back to the provincial governments by beneficiaries for remedial work in a government programme called Rectification. Several houses have required demolition and be rebuilt because of patent and latent defects. Government spends huge sums of money in rectifying and fixing the defects on houses that should have been built appropriately from the start; this leads to fruitless and ineffective expenditure. The Department of Human Settlements cannot be solely blamed for the poor quality housing delivery. The contractors, project managers and the inspectors from different stakeholders involved in a project also play a massive role in certifying that the houses delivered are of required norms and standards to assist in minimizing poor quality in the delivery of the low cost housing. The funding spent in rectifying low-cost housing has caused huge backlogs, triggering protests within the communities and, regrettably, incomplete projects around the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, contributing to urban decay. The aim of this study was to investigate the poor and unacceptable quality in the delivery of low-cost subsidized houses in the Nelson Mandela Metro Region. The focus of the study was to scrutinize the loopholes and the ambiguities that might exist throughout the life cycle of a low cost housing project, and suggestions to mitigate common problems emerging in various projects. A qualitative research approach was followed in this study. The sample was purposively selected and comprised of 15 beneficiaries residing in the three selected NMBM (housing projects), the Ward Councilors (3), Contractors (3), the Quality Assurance Project Managers managing and foreseeing these projects(3), Quality Coordinators(3) and Inspectors from each organization, (NHBRC, ECDHS and HDA), making three (3) in total.. The study revealed that skills shortage, insufficient workforce training and lack of strict quality control are some of the factors affecting quality. Compliancy to norms and standards is not fully emphasized to the relevant stakeholders during the initiation and the commencement of the project. Tools to measure the effectiveness of quality assurance practices are currently used, but it can be argued that they are not effective enough. The study has offered a set of recommendations to address the key findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Gogela, Nwabisa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Dwellings -- Defects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39709 , vital:35350
- Description: Numerous low cost houses in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, and all over South Africa for that matter, have been handed back to the provincial governments by beneficiaries for remedial work in a government programme called Rectification. Several houses have required demolition and be rebuilt because of patent and latent defects. Government spends huge sums of money in rectifying and fixing the defects on houses that should have been built appropriately from the start; this leads to fruitless and ineffective expenditure. The Department of Human Settlements cannot be solely blamed for the poor quality housing delivery. The contractors, project managers and the inspectors from different stakeholders involved in a project also play a massive role in certifying that the houses delivered are of required norms and standards to assist in minimizing poor quality in the delivery of the low cost housing. The funding spent in rectifying low-cost housing has caused huge backlogs, triggering protests within the communities and, regrettably, incomplete projects around the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, contributing to urban decay. The aim of this study was to investigate the poor and unacceptable quality in the delivery of low-cost subsidized houses in the Nelson Mandela Metro Region. The focus of the study was to scrutinize the loopholes and the ambiguities that might exist throughout the life cycle of a low cost housing project, and suggestions to mitigate common problems emerging in various projects. A qualitative research approach was followed in this study. The sample was purposively selected and comprised of 15 beneficiaries residing in the three selected NMBM (housing projects), the Ward Councilors (3), Contractors (3), the Quality Assurance Project Managers managing and foreseeing these projects(3), Quality Coordinators(3) and Inspectors from each organization, (NHBRC, ECDHS and HDA), making three (3) in total.. The study revealed that skills shortage, insufficient workforce training and lack of strict quality control are some of the factors affecting quality. Compliancy to norms and standards is not fully emphasized to the relevant stakeholders during the initiation and the commencement of the project. Tools to measure the effectiveness of quality assurance practices are currently used, but it can be argued that they are not effective enough. The study has offered a set of recommendations to address the key findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quality of subsidised housing in South Africa and the role of the National Home Builders Registration Council
- Authors: Motau, Simon Mosotho
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing subsidies -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa Low-income housing -- South Africa City planning -- South Africa Dwellings -- Design and construction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42374 , vital:36650
- Description: This study was motivated by a lack of quality subsidised housing in South Africa. The latter observation was made when the researcher was still employed by the NHBRC, a statutory body whose mandate is to regulate the homebuilding industry. The main aim of the study was to uncover the causes of structural defects in subsidised housing units in in South Africa and to understand the link between defects in the housing units and delivery mechanisms. The study also focused on the role of the NHBRC as the regulator of the home building industry and possible steps that can be taken to avoid delivery of poor-quality housing units. The research first focused on observation and then following these observations, the study progressed into surveys which were conducted in Soshanguve and Ga-rankuwa in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, a municipality in Gauteng Province in the Republic of South Africa. The surveys were done by means of interviews and questionnaires. Interviews were conducted during face to face encounters with stakeholders such as housing beneficiaries, the municipal representatives, the inspectorate from the NHBRC and representatives from the Human Settlements Department. During the survey phase of this research, a variety of issues relating to housing construction were looked at in more detail and these included issues such as construction materials used, planning and design of housing units, climatic factors and funding. The study found that quality housing units were not provided due to the apparent lack of good planning by appropriately qualified professionals, inadequate supervision at the site and the use of inferior construction materials and/or inadequate mortar mixtures as per directions of the manufacturer. Following the research, the study found that in order to achieve quality subsidised housing units in South Africa, the NHBRC as a regulatory statutory body needed to fulfil an effective role of inspections as mandated by the state. The study also found that for quality subsidised housing units to be provided, there is a need for a new framework for planning and design of these units.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Motau, Simon Mosotho
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Housing subsidies -- South Africa , Housing -- South Africa Low-income housing -- South Africa City planning -- South Africa Dwellings -- Design and construction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42374 , vital:36650
- Description: This study was motivated by a lack of quality subsidised housing in South Africa. The latter observation was made when the researcher was still employed by the NHBRC, a statutory body whose mandate is to regulate the homebuilding industry. The main aim of the study was to uncover the causes of structural defects in subsidised housing units in in South Africa and to understand the link between defects in the housing units and delivery mechanisms. The study also focused on the role of the NHBRC as the regulator of the home building industry and possible steps that can be taken to avoid delivery of poor-quality housing units. The research first focused on observation and then following these observations, the study progressed into surveys which were conducted in Soshanguve and Ga-rankuwa in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, a municipality in Gauteng Province in the Republic of South Africa. The surveys were done by means of interviews and questionnaires. Interviews were conducted during face to face encounters with stakeholders such as housing beneficiaries, the municipal representatives, the inspectorate from the NHBRC and representatives from the Human Settlements Department. During the survey phase of this research, a variety of issues relating to housing construction were looked at in more detail and these included issues such as construction materials used, planning and design of housing units, climatic factors and funding. The study found that quality housing units were not provided due to the apparent lack of good planning by appropriately qualified professionals, inadequate supervision at the site and the use of inferior construction materials and/or inadequate mortar mixtures as per directions of the manufacturer. Following the research, the study found that in order to achieve quality subsidised housing units in South Africa, the NHBRC as a regulatory statutory body needed to fulfil an effective role of inspections as mandated by the state. The study also found that for quality subsidised housing units to be provided, there is a need for a new framework for planning and design of these units.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quality of work life and job embeddedness as predictors of turnover intentions among academic staff at selected Universities in the Eastern cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Tendai , Tichangwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention Organizational behavior Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Com (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19153 , vital:39873
- Description: Rapid higher education change in South Africa has adversely affected academics job experiences, resulting in high academic staff turnover. Despite the extant literature on the impact of higher education change, few studies have assessed how higher education change has influenced academics‟ quality of work life (QWL), job embeddedness (JE) and intention to quit (ITQ). This study investigated academic staff QWL and JE as predictors of their ITQ. A sample of 250 teaching staff (n = 250) was selected from two universities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa using quota sampling. Data were gathered using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive (frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and variability) and inferential (Pearson correlation, significance testing and regression analysis) statistical methods. The findings confirmed the hypothesised significant negative relationships of QWL and JE with ITQ. Partial evidence suggested that QWL and JE combined explained significantly more ITQ variance than both variables did separately. JE did not moderate the QWL-ITQ association, but explained substantially greater variance in ITQ than QWL did. The sample registered high QWL and moderate JE and ITQ levels. Acceptable instrument validity and reliability were reported. The findings suggest that intrainstitutional factors somewhat mitigate the adverse effects of higher education change on academics‟ QWL, JE and ITQ and a need to enhance JE aspects, in particular, to reduce academic staff turnover intentions and behaviour. Recommendations are offered for future policy, research and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Tendai , Tichangwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention Organizational behavior Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D.Com (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19153 , vital:39873
- Description: Rapid higher education change in South Africa has adversely affected academics job experiences, resulting in high academic staff turnover. Despite the extant literature on the impact of higher education change, few studies have assessed how higher education change has influenced academics‟ quality of work life (QWL), job embeddedness (JE) and intention to quit (ITQ). This study investigated academic staff QWL and JE as predictors of their ITQ. A sample of 250 teaching staff (n = 250) was selected from two universities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa using quota sampling. Data were gathered using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive (frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and variability) and inferential (Pearson correlation, significance testing and regression analysis) statistical methods. The findings confirmed the hypothesised significant negative relationships of QWL and JE with ITQ. Partial evidence suggested that QWL and JE combined explained significantly more ITQ variance than both variables did separately. JE did not moderate the QWL-ITQ association, but explained substantially greater variance in ITQ than QWL did. The sample registered high QWL and moderate JE and ITQ levels. Acceptable instrument validity and reliability were reported. The findings suggest that intrainstitutional factors somewhat mitigate the adverse effects of higher education change on academics‟ QWL, JE and ITQ and a need to enhance JE aspects, in particular, to reduce academic staff turnover intentions and behaviour. Recommendations are offered for future policy, research and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quantifying reproductive state and predator effects on copepod motility in ephemeral ecosystems
- Cuthbert, Ross N, Dalu, Tatenda, Wasserman, Ryan J, Dick, Jaimie T A, Callaghan, Amanda, Froneman, P William, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Cuthbert, Ross N , Dalu, Tatenda , Wasserman, Ryan J , Dick, Jaimie T A , Callaghan, Amanda , Froneman, P William , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467171 , vital:76836 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.05.010
- Description: Ephemeral wetlands in arid environments are unique ecosystems with atypical trophic structuring, often dominated by invertebrate predation. Copepod behavioural traits and vulnerabilities to predation can vary substantially according to reproductive status. Gravid female copepods may be more vulnerable to predation due to reduced escape speeds or higher visibility to predators. Here, we quantify how reproductive status modulates horizontal motility rates of the predatory ephemeral pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae, and the responsiveness of the copepod to predator cues of the notonectid Anisops debilis. Males exhibited significantly higher motility rates than gravid female copepods, however chemical predator cues did not significantly influence activity rates in either sex. The lack of responsiveness to predator cues by specialist copepods in ephemeral wetlands may result from a lack of predation pressure in these systems, or due to time stress to reproduce during short hydroperiods. In turn, this could increase predation risk to copepods from externally-recruited top predators in ephemeral wetlands, and potentially contribute to the development of skewed sex ratios in favour of females.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cuthbert, Ross N , Dalu, Tatenda , Wasserman, Ryan J , Dick, Jaimie T A , Callaghan, Amanda , Froneman, P William , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467171 , vital:76836 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.05.010
- Description: Ephemeral wetlands in arid environments are unique ecosystems with atypical trophic structuring, often dominated by invertebrate predation. Copepod behavioural traits and vulnerabilities to predation can vary substantially according to reproductive status. Gravid female copepods may be more vulnerable to predation due to reduced escape speeds or higher visibility to predators. Here, we quantify how reproductive status modulates horizontal motility rates of the predatory ephemeral pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae, and the responsiveness of the copepod to predator cues of the notonectid Anisops debilis. Males exhibited significantly higher motility rates than gravid female copepods, however chemical predator cues did not significantly influence activity rates in either sex. The lack of responsiveness to predator cues by specialist copepods in ephemeral wetlands may result from a lack of predation pressure in these systems, or due to time stress to reproduce during short hydroperiods. In turn, this could increase predation risk to copepods from externally-recruited top predators in ephemeral wetlands, and potentially contribute to the development of skewed sex ratios in favour of females.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quantifying the accuracy of small subnet-equivalent sampling of IPv4 internet background radiation datasets
- Chindipha, Stones D, Irwin, Barry V W, Herbert, Alan
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones D , Irwin, Barry V W , Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430271 , vital:72679 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3351108.3351129
- Description: Network telescopes have been used for over a decade to aid in identifying threats by gathering unsolicited network traffic. This Internet Background Radiation (IBR) data has proved to be a significant source of intelligence in combating emerging threats on the Internet at large. Traditionally, operation has required a significant contiguous block of IP addresses. Continued operation of such sensors by researchers and adoption by organisations as part of its operation intelligence is becoming a challenge due to the global shortage of IPv4 addresses. The pressure is on to use allocated IP addresses for operational purposes. Future use of IBR collection methods is likely to be limited to smaller IP address pools, which may not be contiguous. This paper offers a first step towards evaluating the feasibility of such small sensors. An evaluation is conducted of the random sampling of various subnet sized equivalents. The accuracy of observable data is compared against a traditional 'small' IPv4 network telescope using a /24 net-block. Results show that for much of the IBR data, sensors consisting of smaller, non-contiguous blocks of addresses are able to achieve high accuracy rates vs. the base case. While the results obtained given the current nature of IBR, it proves the viability for organisations to utilise free IP addresses within their networks for IBR collection and ultimately the production of Threat intelligence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chindipha, Stones D , Irwin, Barry V W , Herbert, Alan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430271 , vital:72679 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3351108.3351129
- Description: Network telescopes have been used for over a decade to aid in identifying threats by gathering unsolicited network traffic. This Internet Background Radiation (IBR) data has proved to be a significant source of intelligence in combating emerging threats on the Internet at large. Traditionally, operation has required a significant contiguous block of IP addresses. Continued operation of such sensors by researchers and adoption by organisations as part of its operation intelligence is becoming a challenge due to the global shortage of IPv4 addresses. The pressure is on to use allocated IP addresses for operational purposes. Future use of IBR collection methods is likely to be limited to smaller IP address pools, which may not be contiguous. This paper offers a first step towards evaluating the feasibility of such small sensors. An evaluation is conducted of the random sampling of various subnet sized equivalents. The accuracy of observable data is compared against a traditional 'small' IPv4 network telescope using a /24 net-block. Results show that for much of the IBR data, sensors consisting of smaller, non-contiguous blocks of addresses are able to achieve high accuracy rates vs. the base case. While the results obtained given the current nature of IBR, it proves the viability for organisations to utilise free IP addresses within their networks for IBR collection and ultimately the production of Threat intelligence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Quinolone-isoniazid hybrids: Synthesis and preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-tuberculosis evaluation
- Beteck, Richard M, Seldon, Ronnett, Khanye, Setshaba D, Legoabe, Lesetja J, Hoppe, Heinrich C, Laming, Dustin, Jordaan, Audrey, Warner, Digby F
- Authors: Beteck, Richard M , Seldon, Ronnett , Khanye, Setshaba D , Legoabe, Lesetja J , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Laming, Dustin , Jordaan, Audrey , Warner, Digby F
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123151 , vital:35410 , https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00480C
- Description: Herein, we propose novel quinolones incorporating an INH moiety as potential drug templates against TB. The quinolone-based compounds bearing an INH moiety attached via a hydrazide–hydrazone bond were synthesised and evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB). The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxicity against HeLa cell lines. These compounds showed significant activity (MIC90) against MTB in the range of 0.2–8 μM without any cytotoxic effects. Compounds 10 (MIC90; 0.9 μM), 11 (MIC90; 0.2 μM), 12 (MIC90; 0.8 μM) and compound 15 (MIC90; 0.8 μM), the most active compounds in this series, demonstrate activities on par with INH and superior to those reported for the fluoroquinolones. The SAR analysis suggests that the nature of substituents at positions −1 and −3 of the quinolone nucleus influences anti-MTB activity. Aqueous solubility evaluation and in vitro metabolic stability of compound 12 highlights favourable drug-like properties for this compound class.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Beteck, Richard M , Seldon, Ronnett , Khanye, Setshaba D , Legoabe, Lesetja J , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Laming, Dustin , Jordaan, Audrey , Warner, Digby F
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123151 , vital:35410 , https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00480C
- Description: Herein, we propose novel quinolones incorporating an INH moiety as potential drug templates against TB. The quinolone-based compounds bearing an INH moiety attached via a hydrazide–hydrazone bond were synthesised and evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB). The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxicity against HeLa cell lines. These compounds showed significant activity (MIC90) against MTB in the range of 0.2–8 μM without any cytotoxic effects. Compounds 10 (MIC90; 0.9 μM), 11 (MIC90; 0.2 μM), 12 (MIC90; 0.8 μM) and compound 15 (MIC90; 0.8 μM), the most active compounds in this series, demonstrate activities on par with INH and superior to those reported for the fluoroquinolones. The SAR analysis suggests that the nature of substituents at positions −1 and −3 of the quinolone nucleus influences anti-MTB activity. Aqueous solubility evaluation and in vitro metabolic stability of compound 12 highlights favourable drug-like properties for this compound class.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Rapid recovery of macroinvertebrates in a South African stream treated with rotenone:
- Bellingan, Terence A, Hugo, Sanet, Woodford, Darragh J, Gouws, Jeanne, Villet, Martin H, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Bellingan, Terence A , Hugo, Sanet , Woodford, Darragh J , Gouws, Jeanne , Villet, Martin H , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140751 , vital:37915 , DOI: 10.1007/s10750-019-3885-z
- Description: South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion supports a unique freshwater fish assemblage with many endemics. To mitigate impacts of alien invasive fishes on this unique assemblage, nature conservation authority CapeNature used rotenone to remove smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Rondegat River. We investigated whether the rotenone treatments had an adverse impact on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community over the long-term, the first study of its kind in Africa. We monitored macroinvertebrates within treated and untreated (control) sites on multiple sampling events for 2 years before and 2 years after two rotenone treatments. We analysed the difference in invertebrate abundance between treatment and control sites before and after treatment, using generalised linear mixed models with sampling event as a random factor to partition out natural fluctuations in abundances over time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bellingan, Terence A , Hugo, Sanet , Woodford, Darragh J , Gouws, Jeanne , Villet, Martin H , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140751 , vital:37915 , DOI: 10.1007/s10750-019-3885-z
- Description: South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion supports a unique freshwater fish assemblage with many endemics. To mitigate impacts of alien invasive fishes on this unique assemblage, nature conservation authority CapeNature used rotenone to remove smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Rondegat River. We investigated whether the rotenone treatments had an adverse impact on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community over the long-term, the first study of its kind in Africa. We monitored macroinvertebrates within treated and untreated (control) sites on multiple sampling events for 2 years before and 2 years after two rotenone treatments. We analysed the difference in invertebrate abundance between treatment and control sites before and after treatment, using generalised linear mixed models with sampling event as a random factor to partition out natural fluctuations in abundances over time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Re-defining the calling – narratives of women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-Day Adventist church in South Africa
- Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ordination of women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17529 , vital:41085
- Description: This work gives focus to understanding the notion of a calling amongst women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Historically, there is an observation that women attend religious services in larger numbers than their male counterparts. Despite this, it is notable that in terms of leadership, very few women occupy this preserve. Further, the experiences of those in positions of leadership (especially women) remain an under-researched area. This study used a qualitative approach, with an explanatory research design. Analyses were conducted by NVivo qualitative research software amongst 15 women who had completed theological training within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Narrative analysis was used as a means of analysing the collected data. The data analysis generated four main narratives and resultant sub-narrative(s): 1) calling as influencing decision to enter the pastoral ministry; 2) the pastoral ministry framed as a sustained challenge to women pastors; 3) the existence of a perceived theological disjuncture; and finally 4) passive yet overt resolution tactics. Implications for individual and organisational functioning are made based on these findings
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ordination of women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17529 , vital:41085
- Description: This work gives focus to understanding the notion of a calling amongst women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Historically, there is an observation that women attend religious services in larger numbers than their male counterparts. Despite this, it is notable that in terms of leadership, very few women occupy this preserve. Further, the experiences of those in positions of leadership (especially women) remain an under-researched area. This study used a qualitative approach, with an explanatory research design. Analyses were conducted by NVivo qualitative research software amongst 15 women who had completed theological training within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Narrative analysis was used as a means of analysing the collected data. The data analysis generated four main narratives and resultant sub-narrative(s): 1) calling as influencing decision to enter the pastoral ministry; 2) the pastoral ministry framed as a sustained challenge to women pastors; 3) the existence of a perceived theological disjuncture; and finally 4) passive yet overt resolution tactics. Implications for individual and organisational functioning are made based on these findings
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Re-imagining the Animal in J.M. Coetzee’s The Lives of Animals
- Authors: Wattam, Mcleod Amy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Animal rights -- Philosophy , Animal welfare -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45781 , vital:38963
- Description: .M. Coetzee’s The Lives of Animals (1999) is a literary representation of, and intervention into, human-animal relations. It is an experimental literary destabilisation of the generic boundaries that underlie the systematic (mis)representation and (mis)treatment of nonhuman animals, specifically their mass commodification in contemporary societies. The text provides a critique and negotiation of anthropocentric reason and its ramifications for nonhuman animals. This study focuses on how Coetzee’s narrative problematises dominant discourses through questioning their authority and offering alternatives to anthropocentric conceptions of the animal that are based upon reason-centred and dualistic thought. The duality of human versus animal is explored alongside other dualities deconstructed in the text, such as fiction versus nonfiction, and philosophy versus literature. Coetzee’s representation of these constructs and their interconnectedness is investigated, specifically with regards to positively developing human-animal relations. Through exploring what Coetzee calls the ‘sympathetic imagination’, his alternative contribution to the field of human-animal relations will be considered. This study focuses on the space for re-imagination that Coetzee has provided with The Lives of Animals. It highlights the role literature can and ought to play in this re-imagination, and why this re-imagination is necessary for the development of human-animal relations. Posthumanism will be used as a theoretical lens throughout, as it appears to resonate closely with Coetzee’s project. Both the form and the content of the text will be analysed, highlighting their interconnected significance in Coetzee’s project and the continued relevance of interventions such as this.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Wattam, Mcleod Amy
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Animal rights -- Philosophy , Animal welfare -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45781 , vital:38963
- Description: .M. Coetzee’s The Lives of Animals (1999) is a literary representation of, and intervention into, human-animal relations. It is an experimental literary destabilisation of the generic boundaries that underlie the systematic (mis)representation and (mis)treatment of nonhuman animals, specifically their mass commodification in contemporary societies. The text provides a critique and negotiation of anthropocentric reason and its ramifications for nonhuman animals. This study focuses on how Coetzee’s narrative problematises dominant discourses through questioning their authority and offering alternatives to anthropocentric conceptions of the animal that are based upon reason-centred and dualistic thought. The duality of human versus animal is explored alongside other dualities deconstructed in the text, such as fiction versus nonfiction, and philosophy versus literature. Coetzee’s representation of these constructs and their interconnectedness is investigated, specifically with regards to positively developing human-animal relations. Through exploring what Coetzee calls the ‘sympathetic imagination’, his alternative contribution to the field of human-animal relations will be considered. This study focuses on the space for re-imagination that Coetzee has provided with The Lives of Animals. It highlights the role literature can and ought to play in this re-imagination, and why this re-imagination is necessary for the development of human-animal relations. Posthumanism will be used as a theoretical lens throughout, as it appears to resonate closely with Coetzee’s project. Both the form and the content of the text will be analysed, highlighting their interconnected significance in Coetzee’s project and the continued relevance of interventions such as this.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Re-Inventing African literature through Visual Arts:
- Fọlárànmí, Stephen, Ijisakin, Eyitayo Tolulope
- Authors: Fọlárànmí, Stephen , Ijisakin, Eyitayo Tolulope
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146132 , vital:38498 , DOI https://doi.org/10.2478/mjss-2019-0054
- Description: Evidence abounds of the synergy that exists between literature and visual arts in Africa. Illustrations are known to have given more meaning to books, while the text plays the role of the storyteller, the illustration acts out the story or scene on the pages of the book. Illustrations also make readership very easy and appealing to children and the uneducated people in our local communities. In recent times however, studies have shown a sharp decline in the inclusion of very good, insightful and inspiring illustrations into African literary text. When included, it is often poor and limited to the cover page of the book. This paper examines the merits derivable from the inclusion of visual arts into African literature as well as the reason for its decline with a view to suggesting how it can be used to reinvent African literature. It is expected that by so doing, publishers and authors will see the need and importance of using more illustrations in their books. This will, in turn, generate more interest in the culture of reading among the youths of the 21st century as well as the development of literature directed towards children and the unread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Fọlárànmí, Stephen , Ijisakin, Eyitayo Tolulope
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146132 , vital:38498 , DOI https://doi.org/10.2478/mjss-2019-0054
- Description: Evidence abounds of the synergy that exists between literature and visual arts in Africa. Illustrations are known to have given more meaning to books, while the text plays the role of the storyteller, the illustration acts out the story or scene on the pages of the book. Illustrations also make readership very easy and appealing to children and the uneducated people in our local communities. In recent times however, studies have shown a sharp decline in the inclusion of very good, insightful and inspiring illustrations into African literary text. When included, it is often poor and limited to the cover page of the book. This paper examines the merits derivable from the inclusion of visual arts into African literature as well as the reason for its decline with a view to suggesting how it can be used to reinvent African literature. It is expected that by so doing, publishers and authors will see the need and importance of using more illustrations in their books. This will, in turn, generate more interest in the culture of reading among the youths of the 21st century as well as the development of literature directed towards children and the unread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019