A comparative analysis of the environmental impact of selected low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A critical analysis of organizational communication in South African Port Operations, Port Elizabeth Division
- Authors: Mbunge, Sindiswa Marcia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: National Ports Authority of South Africa , Communication in organizations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business communication -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/562 , National Ports Authority of South Africa , Communication in organizations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business communication -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The study is set out to analyze organizational communication at South African Port Operations (SAPO), Port Elizabeth. The analysis was based on the four formal flows of communication in an organization, which are upward communication, downward communication, horizontal communication and diagonal communication. The study was also meant to provide suggestions on how to improve communication at SAPO, Port Elizabeth especially with regard to the above mentioned flows. The literature review looked at the four different flows of communication which occurs in the organization. From the review, one can conclude that in order for an organization to function properly communication is needed to co-ordinate all the activities towards an organization’s goals. The empirical research was carried out using mainly qualitative methods of data collection. Focus group interviews were used as a method of gathering information. The sample was drawn from employees who are working for SAPO, the sample was drawn from various levels of authority within the company. The findings have revealed that there are various flows of communication at SAPO, but there needs to be improvement particularly with upward, horizontal and diagonal communication. The research also revealed that downward communication has more formal channels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mbunge, Sindiswa Marcia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: National Ports Authority of South Africa , Communication in organizations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business communication -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/562 , National Ports Authority of South Africa , Communication in organizations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Business communication -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The study is set out to analyze organizational communication at South African Port Operations (SAPO), Port Elizabeth. The analysis was based on the four formal flows of communication in an organization, which are upward communication, downward communication, horizontal communication and diagonal communication. The study was also meant to provide suggestions on how to improve communication at SAPO, Port Elizabeth especially with regard to the above mentioned flows. The literature review looked at the four different flows of communication which occurs in the organization. From the review, one can conclude that in order for an organization to function properly communication is needed to co-ordinate all the activities towards an organization’s goals. The empirical research was carried out using mainly qualitative methods of data collection. Focus group interviews were used as a method of gathering information. The sample was drawn from employees who are working for SAPO, the sample was drawn from various levels of authority within the company. The findings have revealed that there are various flows of communication at SAPO, but there needs to be improvement particularly with upward, horizontal and diagonal communication. The research also revealed that downward communication has more formal channels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A literature review of the factors impacting on objectivity in news journalism
- Authors: Yat, Gai Thurbil
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Journalism -- Objectivity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/872 , Journalism -- Objectivity
- Description: Objectivity has been the most debatable issue in the history of journalism and there are, therefore, many different ways of looking at it. Media academics such as Gans (1979) and Tuchman (2000) refer to objectivity as an examination of contents of collected news materials. Glasser (1992) points out that objectivity is a balance of beliefs restructured by a journalist and presented against independent thinking. It is difficult to test the objectivity of journalists because it is the credibility of facts gathered by a journalist that lies at the heart of objectivity. In Glasser’s opinion, the “notion” of objectivity is flawed against the newsman’s mandate of reporting responsibly. Objectivity is therefore professional principle through which journalists write news responsibly and present it to their audience as a final product (Glasser, 1992). This study will discuss objectivity also in reference to the problems that journalists face when they cover news stories. It may be that journalists may have problems searching for stories not because they do not embrace journalistic principles of fairness, clarity and objectivity, but because of the way in which facts are presented to them by news sources (Fred and Wellman, 2003). There have been some cases whereby media audiences have wrongly been made to think that journalists are biased in their coverage. 2 For example, the 2003 Iraq invasion by US-led forces, where correspondents were made to practice embedded journalism is a good example of how circumstances could force a journalist to succumb to soldiers’ demands of keeping their war causalities away from their cameras. It is worth noting, however, that being biased for a journalist in such a war situation could be circumstantial in the sense that an American journalist covering a story in Iraqi’s capital, Baghdad, would be regarded as a spy by Iraqi’s troops. Likewise, an Iraqi journalist chasing stories in the coalition force’s camps in Iraqi’s capital would be treated as a traitor by the Iraqi people (Fred and Wellman, 2003:21). There is no doubt that in the situations described above objectivity in journalism can be affected. It is against such background that this study will investigate the factors that affect objectivity in the print media. It is vitally important to bear in mind that bias should not be confused with editorial columns that express the opinion of publishers, or editors for that matter. The question of objectivity goes back to the gatekeepers, whereby the editors as gatekeepers decide what to publish and what news stories reporters should gather. So the question of objectivity in the news can be dealt with by the editors who decide which story should be run by their respective newspapers. According to Fred and Wellman (2003:32), editors and media owners are the decision makers in the field of journalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Yat, Gai Thurbil
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Journalism -- Objectivity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/872 , Journalism -- Objectivity
- Description: Objectivity has been the most debatable issue in the history of journalism and there are, therefore, many different ways of looking at it. Media academics such as Gans (1979) and Tuchman (2000) refer to objectivity as an examination of contents of collected news materials. Glasser (1992) points out that objectivity is a balance of beliefs restructured by a journalist and presented against independent thinking. It is difficult to test the objectivity of journalists because it is the credibility of facts gathered by a journalist that lies at the heart of objectivity. In Glasser’s opinion, the “notion” of objectivity is flawed against the newsman’s mandate of reporting responsibly. Objectivity is therefore professional principle through which journalists write news responsibly and present it to their audience as a final product (Glasser, 1992). This study will discuss objectivity also in reference to the problems that journalists face when they cover news stories. It may be that journalists may have problems searching for stories not because they do not embrace journalistic principles of fairness, clarity and objectivity, but because of the way in which facts are presented to them by news sources (Fred and Wellman, 2003). There have been some cases whereby media audiences have wrongly been made to think that journalists are biased in their coverage. 2 For example, the 2003 Iraq invasion by US-led forces, where correspondents were made to practice embedded journalism is a good example of how circumstances could force a journalist to succumb to soldiers’ demands of keeping their war causalities away from their cameras. It is worth noting, however, that being biased for a journalist in such a war situation could be circumstantial in the sense that an American journalist covering a story in Iraqi’s capital, Baghdad, would be regarded as a spy by Iraqi’s troops. Likewise, an Iraqi journalist chasing stories in the coalition force’s camps in Iraqi’s capital would be treated as a traitor by the Iraqi people (Fred and Wellman, 2003:21). There is no doubt that in the situations described above objectivity in journalism can be affected. It is against such background that this study will investigate the factors that affect objectivity in the print media. It is vitally important to bear in mind that bias should not be confused with editorial columns that express the opinion of publishers, or editors for that matter. The question of objectivity goes back to the gatekeepers, whereby the editors as gatekeepers decide what to publish and what news stories reporters should gather. So the question of objectivity in the news can be dealt with by the editors who decide which story should be run by their respective newspapers. According to Fred and Wellman (2003:32), editors and media owners are the decision makers in the field of journalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A railway terminus for the inner city of Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Scriba, Marco W
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Railroad terminals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Terminals (Transportation) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: vital:8154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016497
- Description: In the late 1980s people and businesses started to move out of Port Elizabeth's Central District (CBD). Businesses moved to the city's edge establishing new business zones, which in turn threatened the existence of the original CBD. Most inner city buildings became derelict and property prices dropped accordingly. Buildings were neglected and vandalized. This resulted in spaces which were unfit for human habitation and encouraged areas characterized by crime. The regeneration of Port Elizabeth's CDB is very important bacause of its historical value and key position. To build the Metropol the historical ideals of the CDB need to be revitalized, giving the city a administrative and cultural core which is both friendly and safe. A few proposals have been introduced to help uplift areas in the CDB. The latest initiative is the upgrading of Govan Mbeki Street lead by the firm The Matrix. Their aim is to create architecture that creates a more interactive, habitable environment. This would be achieved by more pedestrian orientated spaces, natural landscaping and facilitating vendors and craft markets. Future proposals are the removal of railway lines, the Tank Farm and finally the Ore Dumps to allow the city to expand eastwards. This will allow the city to grow and connect with the seafront and the existing harbour. Consequently the development of a new Railway Terminus is central to the establishment of a bay which is consistent with international standards of key marine cities in the modern world. The old station has a beautiful sense of place in Strand Street, as does the Campanile, which is at the gateway to the harbour. Together they offer a unique experience in this historiacal precinct. This offers new opportunities for tourism and trade and the old station would therefore form part of Port Elizabeth's CDB rejuvenation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Scriba, Marco W
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Railroad terminals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Terminals (Transportation) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
- Identifier: vital:8154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016497
- Description: In the late 1980s people and businesses started to move out of Port Elizabeth's Central District (CBD). Businesses moved to the city's edge establishing new business zones, which in turn threatened the existence of the original CBD. Most inner city buildings became derelict and property prices dropped accordingly. Buildings were neglected and vandalized. This resulted in spaces which were unfit for human habitation and encouraged areas characterized by crime. The regeneration of Port Elizabeth's CDB is very important bacause of its historical value and key position. To build the Metropol the historical ideals of the CDB need to be revitalized, giving the city a administrative and cultural core which is both friendly and safe. A few proposals have been introduced to help uplift areas in the CDB. The latest initiative is the upgrading of Govan Mbeki Street lead by the firm The Matrix. Their aim is to create architecture that creates a more interactive, habitable environment. This would be achieved by more pedestrian orientated spaces, natural landscaping and facilitating vendors and craft markets. Future proposals are the removal of railway lines, the Tank Farm and finally the Ore Dumps to allow the city to expand eastwards. This will allow the city to grow and connect with the seafront and the existing harbour. Consequently the development of a new Railway Terminus is central to the establishment of a bay which is consistent with international standards of key marine cities in the modern world. The old station has a beautiful sense of place in Strand Street, as does the Campanile, which is at the gateway to the harbour. Together they offer a unique experience in this historiacal precinct. This offers new opportunities for tourism and trade and the old station would therefore form part of Port Elizabeth's CDB rejuvenation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of community participation in local government integrated development planning with reference to King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality
- Authors: Mfenguza, Nomvakaliso
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8237 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/788 , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study is about the analysis of Community Participation in Local Government Integrated Development Planning with reference to Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality. The focus on the study was on full participation of community in the IDP processes. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the strategies and consultation structures used in the development of IDP processes, together with the measures of effectiveness of these strategies. This study was triggered by the non attendance of the communities in the IDP road shows, the complaints of non service delivery and little understanding of the IDP concept. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes. The communities do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitize the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in their IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mfenguza, Nomvakaliso
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8237 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/788 , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study is about the analysis of Community Participation in Local Government Integrated Development Planning with reference to Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality. The focus on the study was on full participation of community in the IDP processes. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the strategies and consultation structures used in the development of IDP processes, together with the measures of effectiveness of these strategies. This study was triggered by the non attendance of the communities in the IDP road shows, the complaints of non service delivery and little understanding of the IDP concept. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes. The communities do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitize the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in their IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of the representation of female athletes in selected South African print media from February 2006 to June 2006
- Authors: Jooste, Carlien
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/528 , Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis attempts to analyse the representation of professional female sport persons in selected South African media. The field of study is located within the ambit of gender and media studies with specific attention to the power of the latter to not only reflect, but actually shape realities and attitudes. Carolyn Byerly and Karen Ross (2004) comment that “the media have the potential not only to reinforce the status quo in power arrangements in society, but also to contribute to new, more egalitarian ones” (2004:24). The core question, then, is to determine whether traditional gender roles are confirmed, or positively shaped, by the way in which the selected media reported on professional women athletes in various sporting codes. As this is a neglected topic in South Africa, the study relied heavily on the research done by various American and European academics. Academics such as Pamela Creedon (1994) and Susan Birrell and Cheryl Cole (1994), found that female athletes are marginalised and stereotyped by the media. Their research also denotes that female athletes are objectified and judged on their looks and dress code instead of their sporting abilities. Female athletes are continuously stereotyped according to societal induced feminine traits. These representations alienate women who do not possess feminine qualities as “the other”, namely falling outside the desirability as determined by sponsorship and an assumed male viewing / reading public. The media further focus more on beautiful, glamorous athletes than female athletes that are less feminine, but with no less achievement and ability. Extensive examples are provided in the treatise of how the selected South African print media misrepresented women in the six month period that was studied. The conclusion is unambiguous: The South African media unfortunately follow the international trend of objectifying women according to male stereotypes. The media that were studied therefore missed an opportunity to shape gender attitudes as they collude with the powerful forces of sponsorship and viewer-ship to reinforce the status quo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Jooste, Carlien
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/528 , Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis attempts to analyse the representation of professional female sport persons in selected South African media. The field of study is located within the ambit of gender and media studies with specific attention to the power of the latter to not only reflect, but actually shape realities and attitudes. Carolyn Byerly and Karen Ross (2004) comment that “the media have the potential not only to reinforce the status quo in power arrangements in society, but also to contribute to new, more egalitarian ones” (2004:24). The core question, then, is to determine whether traditional gender roles are confirmed, or positively shaped, by the way in which the selected media reported on professional women athletes in various sporting codes. As this is a neglected topic in South Africa, the study relied heavily on the research done by various American and European academics. Academics such as Pamela Creedon (1994) and Susan Birrell and Cheryl Cole (1994), found that female athletes are marginalised and stereotyped by the media. Their research also denotes that female athletes are objectified and judged on their looks and dress code instead of their sporting abilities. Female athletes are continuously stereotyped according to societal induced feminine traits. These representations alienate women who do not possess feminine qualities as “the other”, namely falling outside the desirability as determined by sponsorship and an assumed male viewing / reading public. The media further focus more on beautiful, glamorous athletes than female athletes that are less feminine, but with no less achievement and ability. Extensive examples are provided in the treatise of how the selected South African print media misrepresented women in the six month period that was studied. The conclusion is unambiguous: The South African media unfortunately follow the international trend of objectifying women according to male stereotypes. The media that were studied therefore missed an opportunity to shape gender attitudes as they collude with the powerful forces of sponsorship and viewer-ship to reinforce the status quo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of the representation of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Antjie Krog's Country of my skull and Njabulo Ndebele's The cry of Winnie Mandela
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Janine
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Mandela, Winnie , Political activists -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/632 , Mandela, Winnie , Political activists -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa
- Description: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is arguably one of the most widely represented female figures in South Africa. The images presented of her are not static. Indeed, they are shot through with contradictions which include Mama Africa, Warrior, and Abhorrent Mother. The figure of Madikizela-Mandela is a nexus for different opinions and interpretations; she is a focal point for and of the divisions in South African consciousnesses. Therefore the depictions of this persona provide the reader with a means to analyse the discourses through which she is represented. Such an exploration might also provide South Africans with insight into some of the biases and beliefs generally held more than a decade after the advent of democracy. The South African texts Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog, and The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele, extensively represent Madikizela-Mandela and (re-)mythologise her, and as such each provides interesting comparative material for a discussion of the ideological implications imbricated in each. These texts are also particularly appropriate to use in such a study because the writers, a white woman, and black man respectively, could not be further apart on the continuum of South African cultural identification. The politics of the representations of Madikizela-Mandela can thus be interpreted from opposing social extremes. The Mandela name is a powerful signifier, and often constitutes much of Madikizela-Mandela’s public identity. The power of naming is thus the focus of Chapter One of this dissertation. The romantic ideal of Nelson Mandela and Madikizela-Mandela’s relationship constitutes a major focal point in Ndebele’s work. On the other hand, Krog’s text denigrates Madikizela-Mandela’s refusal to toe the peaceful democratic line. As such, the needs of the public in relation to Madikizela-Mandela are illuminated through the impositions of the authors and characters in these texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Janine
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Mandela, Winnie , Political activists -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/632 , Mandela, Winnie , Political activists -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa
- Description: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is arguably one of the most widely represented female figures in South Africa. The images presented of her are not static. Indeed, they are shot through with contradictions which include Mama Africa, Warrior, and Abhorrent Mother. The figure of Madikizela-Mandela is a nexus for different opinions and interpretations; she is a focal point for and of the divisions in South African consciousnesses. Therefore the depictions of this persona provide the reader with a means to analyse the discourses through which she is represented. Such an exploration might also provide South Africans with insight into some of the biases and beliefs generally held more than a decade after the advent of democracy. The South African texts Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog, and The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele, extensively represent Madikizela-Mandela and (re-)mythologise her, and as such each provides interesting comparative material for a discussion of the ideological implications imbricated in each. These texts are also particularly appropriate to use in such a study because the writers, a white woman, and black man respectively, could not be further apart on the continuum of South African cultural identification. The politics of the representations of Madikizela-Mandela can thus be interpreted from opposing social extremes. The Mandela name is a powerful signifier, and often constitutes much of Madikizela-Mandela’s public identity. The power of naming is thus the focus of Chapter One of this dissertation. The romantic ideal of Nelson Mandela and Madikizela-Mandela’s relationship constitutes a major focal point in Ndebele’s work. On the other hand, Krog’s text denigrates Madikizela-Mandela’s refusal to toe the peaceful democratic line. As such, the needs of the public in relation to Madikizela-Mandela are illuminated through the impositions of the authors and characters in these texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An evaluation of the application of specific conflict management mechanisms in the South African transition to democracy, 1985-2004 : a conflict resolution perspective
- Authors: Bradshaw, Gavin John
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa , Mediation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/482 , Conflict management -- South Africa , Mediation -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has always been cited as an example of protracted social conflict by the analytical conflict resolution school. Given that appellation, the conflict, in terms of the understanding of that school of thought, would not have been amenable to resolution, and yet many observers hail the South African democratic transition as a miracle of transformation. This thesis, using a detailed application of the various elements of protracted or deep-rooted social conflict, demonstrates that South Africa is indeed an example of protracted social conflict. Given the application of pre-negotiation initiatives, and the establishment of a unique National Peace Accord, negotiations were enabled, and successfully delivered a democratic election, and so far, also a sustainable democracy. The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was the result of a realization on the part of a wide spectrum of South African leadership and conflict resolution professionals, that negotiation alone would not provide conflict resolution for South Africans, and that there was therefore an additional need to deal with the deeper issues of conflict, if the settlement were to prove sustainable. The question remains whether ours represents a successful resolution of the conflict from the theoretical perspective of the analytical conflict resolution school. A close examination of South African socio-political issues across a number of domains regarded by the analytical conflict resolution school as important, indicates that while the requirements for conflict resolution were indeed met in the South African case, their more advanced stage of resolution; conflict provention has not been satisfied. That explains the fact that many tensions, much violence and intolerance remain. South Africa’s democracy has not been infused with analytical conflict management institutions, basic human needs have not been substantially met and valued relationships remain elusive. Because protracted social conflict is cyclical, we can expect high-levels of conflict behaviour to haunt, and even threaten our fledgling democracy. It is argued here that a coherent theoretical approach to the South African conflict management process would have produced a more sustainable outcome, and we recommend the continued use and institutionalization of analytical conflict provention processes to secure the future of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Bradshaw, Gavin John
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa , Mediation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/482 , Conflict management -- South Africa , Mediation -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has always been cited as an example of protracted social conflict by the analytical conflict resolution school. Given that appellation, the conflict, in terms of the understanding of that school of thought, would not have been amenable to resolution, and yet many observers hail the South African democratic transition as a miracle of transformation. This thesis, using a detailed application of the various elements of protracted or deep-rooted social conflict, demonstrates that South Africa is indeed an example of protracted social conflict. Given the application of pre-negotiation initiatives, and the establishment of a unique National Peace Accord, negotiations were enabled, and successfully delivered a democratic election, and so far, also a sustainable democracy. The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was the result of a realization on the part of a wide spectrum of South African leadership and conflict resolution professionals, that negotiation alone would not provide conflict resolution for South Africans, and that there was therefore an additional need to deal with the deeper issues of conflict, if the settlement were to prove sustainable. The question remains whether ours represents a successful resolution of the conflict from the theoretical perspective of the analytical conflict resolution school. A close examination of South African socio-political issues across a number of domains regarded by the analytical conflict resolution school as important, indicates that while the requirements for conflict resolution were indeed met in the South African case, their more advanced stage of resolution; conflict provention has not been satisfied. That explains the fact that many tensions, much violence and intolerance remain. South Africa’s democracy has not been infused with analytical conflict management institutions, basic human needs have not been substantially met and valued relationships remain elusive. Because protracted social conflict is cyclical, we can expect high-levels of conflict behaviour to haunt, and even threaten our fledgling democracy. It is argued here that a coherent theoretical approach to the South African conflict management process would have produced a more sustainable outcome, and we recommend the continued use and institutionalization of analytical conflict provention processes to secure the future of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An evaluation of the implementation of budgetary control measures by the provincial treasury with specific reference to the province of the Eastern Cape Department of Education
- Authors: Kalashe, Mzukisi Harrington
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011681 , South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Budget control is a process of financial monitoring to ensure effective allocation, collection and efficient utilizing of public funds. It is a process that is aimed at ensuring the accomplishment of public policy objectives. Budget control is regulated by financial legislation as well as regulations and procedures which guide public financial administrators. Continuous monitoring is needed once appropriation is allowed by parliament or provincial legislatures to ensure effective service rendering as well as tax and user charges collection. This study investigates the reported ineffective budget control measures implemented by the provincial treasury in the Province of the Eastern Cape particularly in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (George, 2004). Ineffective budget control may be associated with the implementation of unstable fiscal policy by the provincial treasury that led to deficit spending in the Department of Education during the 2004/5 financial year. The purpose of this study is to show that the implementation of stable fiscal policy instruments by the provincial treasury would lead to effective budget control in provincial departments such as the Eastern Cape Department of Education. Governments in many instances encounter various challenges in controlling their expenditures on an annual basis as well as in the medium term. This is due to the notion that once the government exceeds the current year’s budget, it consumes the forthcoming budget. Borrowing is by nature an implicit consumption of future unplanned revenue. This makes the Medium Term Revenue Framework in the province immaterial as the provincial own revenue is insignificant. The relative uncontrollability of government expenditure stems from the notion that the provision of, for instance, primary education and social welfare is intertwined with legal entitlement within prescribed parameters. Allocative efficiency embodies recognition of legal entitlement that is reflected in the distribution imperatives if the provincial treasury is to be effective in the budget control function. The National Norms and Standards for School Funding of 2006 state explicitly that public spending in public schools is targeted at increasing the literacy levels of the poor. Intergovernmental fiscal relations play a pivotal role in modelling the fiscal policy of the province. This stems from the fact that expected national collected revenue is distributed as an equitable share to national, provincial and local spheres of government. The criteria for revenue sharing are based on economic disparities and demographics in each sphere of government. It is imperative to note in intergovernmental relations that there are functional areas of concurrent national and provincial competencies. The budget control function of the provincial treasury is implemented within the framework of various administrative processes which are aimed at ensuring effective transactional activities. The disbursement of funds and various other financial processes are subject to the delegation of powers as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), as amended by Act 29 of 1999. The provincial governments’ fiscal policies are modelled to be consistent with the macro-economic objectives of the national government. It is for the purpose of macro-economic stability that only national government is eligible to borrow to finance a budget deficit. Provinces are legally prohibited from overspending their budgets. If the fiscal policies of the provinces materially and unreasonably prejudice the national economic policies, the relevant provincial treasury is responsible for taking appropriate steps to place the financial administration on a sound footing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kalashe, Mzukisi Harrington
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011681 , South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Budget control is a process of financial monitoring to ensure effective allocation, collection and efficient utilizing of public funds. It is a process that is aimed at ensuring the accomplishment of public policy objectives. Budget control is regulated by financial legislation as well as regulations and procedures which guide public financial administrators. Continuous monitoring is needed once appropriation is allowed by parliament or provincial legislatures to ensure effective service rendering as well as tax and user charges collection. This study investigates the reported ineffective budget control measures implemented by the provincial treasury in the Province of the Eastern Cape particularly in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (George, 2004). Ineffective budget control may be associated with the implementation of unstable fiscal policy by the provincial treasury that led to deficit spending in the Department of Education during the 2004/5 financial year. The purpose of this study is to show that the implementation of stable fiscal policy instruments by the provincial treasury would lead to effective budget control in provincial departments such as the Eastern Cape Department of Education. Governments in many instances encounter various challenges in controlling their expenditures on an annual basis as well as in the medium term. This is due to the notion that once the government exceeds the current year’s budget, it consumes the forthcoming budget. Borrowing is by nature an implicit consumption of future unplanned revenue. This makes the Medium Term Revenue Framework in the province immaterial as the provincial own revenue is insignificant. The relative uncontrollability of government expenditure stems from the notion that the provision of, for instance, primary education and social welfare is intertwined with legal entitlement within prescribed parameters. Allocative efficiency embodies recognition of legal entitlement that is reflected in the distribution imperatives if the provincial treasury is to be effective in the budget control function. The National Norms and Standards for School Funding of 2006 state explicitly that public spending in public schools is targeted at increasing the literacy levels of the poor. Intergovernmental fiscal relations play a pivotal role in modelling the fiscal policy of the province. This stems from the fact that expected national collected revenue is distributed as an equitable share to national, provincial and local spheres of government. The criteria for revenue sharing are based on economic disparities and demographics in each sphere of government. It is imperative to note in intergovernmental relations that there are functional areas of concurrent national and provincial competencies. The budget control function of the provincial treasury is implemented within the framework of various administrative processes which are aimed at ensuring effective transactional activities. The disbursement of funds and various other financial processes are subject to the delegation of powers as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), as amended by Act 29 of 1999. The provincial governments’ fiscal policies are modelled to be consistent with the macro-economic objectives of the national government. It is for the purpose of macro-economic stability that only national government is eligible to borrow to finance a budget deficit. Provinces are legally prohibited from overspending their budgets. If the fiscal policies of the provinces materially and unreasonably prejudice the national economic policies, the relevant provincial treasury is responsible for taking appropriate steps to place the financial administration on a sound footing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An examination of the validity of the concept of nuclear deterrence within the framework of post-cold war international relations : an analytical conflict resolution approach
- Authors: Lefeez, Sophie
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Nuclear arms control , Nuclear nonproliferation , International relations , Security, International , Nuclear disarmament
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/827 , Nuclear arms control , Nuclear nonproliferation , International relations , Security, International , Nuclear disarmament
- Description: Nuclear deterrence is born from the two superpowers’ relations during the Cold War as they were the first countries to get nuclear weapons and they were the main and most powerful rivals in the world. Then new actors joined the game by testing their own nuclear bombs: the UK in 1952, followed by France in 1960, China in 1964, India in 1974, and Pakistan in 1998. Israel pretends it does not have any nuclear weapons but it is an open secret that they do 1. France helped Israel to get its weapons and the nuclear explosion in 1979 off the southern coast of Africa probably involved Israel and South Africa (sourced by the Federation of American Scientists, the Wisconsin Project on Arms Control, the Center for Defense Information, etc.). This was confirmed by Mordechai Vanunu, former Israeli scientist who worked on developing the bomb. The intrusion of new nuclear countries frightened the United States and the USSR because the balance was already fragile and newcomers could break it. Would the game remain "safe" with more players? Therefore in 1968 both countries drafted a treaty to prevent nuclear proliferation. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) came into force in 1970, at a time when five countries had successfully achieved a nuclear explosion. The NPT officially recognises only these five countries as nuclear-weapons states. They happen to be also the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council. India and Pakistan carried out a nuclear test after 1968 and are therefore referred to as non-official nuclearweapons states. The new nuclear states adopted and adapted the nuclear doctrine to their needs, their geopolitical interests and their place in international relations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Lefeez, Sophie
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Nuclear arms control , Nuclear nonproliferation , International relations , Security, International , Nuclear disarmament
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/827 , Nuclear arms control , Nuclear nonproliferation , International relations , Security, International , Nuclear disarmament
- Description: Nuclear deterrence is born from the two superpowers’ relations during the Cold War as they were the first countries to get nuclear weapons and they were the main and most powerful rivals in the world. Then new actors joined the game by testing their own nuclear bombs: the UK in 1952, followed by France in 1960, China in 1964, India in 1974, and Pakistan in 1998. Israel pretends it does not have any nuclear weapons but it is an open secret that they do 1. France helped Israel to get its weapons and the nuclear explosion in 1979 off the southern coast of Africa probably involved Israel and South Africa (sourced by the Federation of American Scientists, the Wisconsin Project on Arms Control, the Center for Defense Information, etc.). This was confirmed by Mordechai Vanunu, former Israeli scientist who worked on developing the bomb. The intrusion of new nuclear countries frightened the United States and the USSR because the balance was already fragile and newcomers could break it. Would the game remain "safe" with more players? Therefore in 1968 both countries drafted a treaty to prevent nuclear proliferation. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) came into force in 1970, at a time when five countries had successfully achieved a nuclear explosion. The NPT officially recognises only these five countries as nuclear-weapons states. They happen to be also the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council. India and Pakistan carried out a nuclear test after 1968 and are therefore referred to as non-official nuclearweapons states. The new nuclear states adopted and adapted the nuclear doctrine to their needs, their geopolitical interests and their place in international relations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An exploration of the experiences of the leaders of mentored community-based organisations in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Symes, Camilla Anne
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Community organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care , HIV-positive persons -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/615 , Community organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care , HIV-positive persons -- Care
- Description: The potential of community-based organisations (CBOs) to provide lasting solutions in the field of Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has long been recognised. As interest in the role of CBOs has increased, so have attempts to build their capacity and increase their stability and sustainability. Capacity-building initiatives which aim to strengthen CBOs as if they were identical to formal, more established organisations have often proved ineffective, and even at times destructive, because they have ignored the very differences that make CBOs potentially the most effective agents of development change at community level. This study is a qualitative exploration of a new mentoring-based approach to CBO capacity-building, which is currently being used extensively with CBOs in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The research is inductive, beginning with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual study of the personal experiences and perceptions of CBO leadership team members from four sample CBOs which have graduated from the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme. Data was collected using a combination of face-to-face unstructured interviews and focus group discussion, with the objective of exploring the subjects’ experiences and their perceptions of the impact of the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme on the sustainability of their organisations. The insights and findings arising from the research process are then applied as the basis for a series of recommendations for the adaptation of the Barnabas trust mentoring approach and materials. The findings of this study appear to show that the mentoring-based approach has been an effective strategy for capacity-building towards sustainability for the CBOs in the sample, bringing positive change at the individual, organisational and community levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Symes, Camilla Anne
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Community organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care , HIV-positive persons -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/615 , Community organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care , HIV-positive persons -- Care
- Description: The potential of community-based organisations (CBOs) to provide lasting solutions in the field of Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has long been recognised. As interest in the role of CBOs has increased, so have attempts to build their capacity and increase their stability and sustainability. Capacity-building initiatives which aim to strengthen CBOs as if they were identical to formal, more established organisations have often proved ineffective, and even at times destructive, because they have ignored the very differences that make CBOs potentially the most effective agents of development change at community level. This study is a qualitative exploration of a new mentoring-based approach to CBO capacity-building, which is currently being used extensively with CBOs in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The research is inductive, beginning with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual study of the personal experiences and perceptions of CBO leadership team members from four sample CBOs which have graduated from the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme. Data was collected using a combination of face-to-face unstructured interviews and focus group discussion, with the objective of exploring the subjects’ experiences and their perceptions of the impact of the Barnabas Trust mentoring programme on the sustainability of their organisations. The insights and findings arising from the research process are then applied as the basis for a series of recommendations for the adaptation of the Barnabas trust mentoring approach and materials. The findings of this study appear to show that the mentoring-based approach has been an effective strategy for capacity-building towards sustainability for the CBOs in the sample, bringing positive change at the individual, organisational and community levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation into e-learning acceptance in selected South African companies
- Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011908 , Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Description: The study investigated the acceptance of electronic (e-learning) based instruction in selected South African companies based upon the dominants of e-learning acceptance that included computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of male and female trainees in selected South African companies using e-learning as a mode of instruction (N=191) using the “E-learning Acceptance Measure” by Ong and Lai (2006). Analysis of variance was used to determine whether the biographical characteristic of gender could account for any differences towards the determinants of e-learning acceptance. Multiple stepwise regression was used to determine differences between dominants of e-learning acceptance and gender. The results of the study showed that there were no statistically significant differences in mean between men’s rating of computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention than that of women. In terms of influences, the results show the existence of influence between certain dominants of e-learning acceptance however no gender differences were found in influence. Recommendations were made based upon these results on how South African companies can help trainees accept and use e-learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011908 , Computer-assisted instruction , Electronic learning , Employees -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction , Internet in education
- Description: The study investigated the acceptance of electronic (e-learning) based instruction in selected South African companies based upon the dominants of e-learning acceptance that included computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of male and female trainees in selected South African companies using e-learning as a mode of instruction (N=191) using the “E-learning Acceptance Measure” by Ong and Lai (2006). Analysis of variance was used to determine whether the biographical characteristic of gender could account for any differences towards the determinants of e-learning acceptance. Multiple stepwise regression was used to determine differences between dominants of e-learning acceptance and gender. The results of the study showed that there were no statistically significant differences in mean between men’s rating of computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention than that of women. In terms of influences, the results show the existence of influence between certain dominants of e-learning acceptance however no gender differences were found in influence. Recommendations were made based upon these results on how South African companies can help trainees accept and use e-learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation into the challenges affecting the effective implementation of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999 as amended by Act 29 of 1999) int the Eastern Cape Province with specific reference to the Provincial Department of Public Works
- Authors: Buso, Luthando Gilbert
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Financial management , Public administration -- Africa, Southern , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011903 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Financial management , Public administration -- Africa, Southern , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to investigate challenges affecting the effective implementation of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended by Act No. 29 of 1999) in the Eastern Cape Province with specific reference to the Provincial Department of Public Works. The research study has been conducted in such a manner that the reason to send a team of experts by the DPSA on approval by the President to come to the Eastern Cape and assist the ailing administrations of four departments is determined. The four departments that had a problem were: 1. Department of Roads and Public Works 2. Department of Health 3. Department of Education and 4. Department of Social Development The roads function of the Department of Roads and Public Works was later transferred to the Department of Transport and the Department of Roads and Public Works changed the name to Department of Public Works in September 2004. The team that was sent to the Eastern Cape together with the Director-General of the Province and the Superintendent-General of the Provincial Treasury formed up the IMT. The objective was to introduce turnaround strategies that would enable the four departments to effectively and efficiently implement the PFMA to the best interest of the South African Government. The PFMA is part of the broader strategy on improving public financial management in the public sector in the Republic of South Africa. It prescribes measures to ensure responsibility, accountability and transparency in national and provincial departments. Qualified Auditor-General’s reports for the previous financial years compelled the President in 2002 to establish Interim Management Team (IMT) in the Eastern Cape, comprising of experts from national government, to assist the ailing administration in four provincial departments, including the Department of Roads and Public Works. Questionnaires to employees, Auditor-General, Provincial Director-General, Superintendent-General of Provincial Treasury and as well as to the Accounting Officer of the Department of Public Works, were designed and issued out for completion. Interviews were also conducted to some of the employees. The assumption is that the majority of employees do not understand policies and procedures of the department and they displayed this by remaining neutral in questions asked and disagreed with some of the statements. During the interview process, the majority emphasised their protest against over usage of consultants by the department. Preference given to candidates from outside the department when senior posts are advertised instead of looking for excellently performing candidates from the internal ranks of serving employees, has been outlined as one of the elements contributing to low moral and low productivity in the workplace. Over usage of consultants and a big number of employees who disagreed with statements and remained neutral signify incapacity of the management to perfectly implement the PFMA for sound public financial management in the department. It has been established that regular risk assessments are not conducted, poor organisational structure with many posts that are not filled, no Anti-Corruption Unit to implement Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy and, no clear managerial lines of accountability due to poor planning, ineffective internal controls and procedures, all render the department incapable of becoming one of the best provincial departments that get unqualified audit report from the Auditor-General. The findings provide clear indication that drastic transformation of the department into an institution that can perfectly implement the PFMA is necessary. The implication is that mismanagement of financial resources and fraud and corruption defeat service delivery objectives. Strategic objectives of the department are not achieved. The Eastern Cape Provincial Departments are obliged to align their strategic plans to the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (2004 – 2014). Therefore the implication is that, poor performance by the Department of Public Works impacts negatively to this provincial objective. Lack of effective control systems has negative implications on the administration of the department and renders it vulnerable to fraud and corruption.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Buso, Luthando Gilbert
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Financial management , Public administration -- Africa, Southern , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011903 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Financial management , Public administration -- Africa, Southern , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of the study was to investigate challenges affecting the effective implementation of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended by Act No. 29 of 1999) in the Eastern Cape Province with specific reference to the Provincial Department of Public Works. The research study has been conducted in such a manner that the reason to send a team of experts by the DPSA on approval by the President to come to the Eastern Cape and assist the ailing administrations of four departments is determined. The four departments that had a problem were: 1. Department of Roads and Public Works 2. Department of Health 3. Department of Education and 4. Department of Social Development The roads function of the Department of Roads and Public Works was later transferred to the Department of Transport and the Department of Roads and Public Works changed the name to Department of Public Works in September 2004. The team that was sent to the Eastern Cape together with the Director-General of the Province and the Superintendent-General of the Provincial Treasury formed up the IMT. The objective was to introduce turnaround strategies that would enable the four departments to effectively and efficiently implement the PFMA to the best interest of the South African Government. The PFMA is part of the broader strategy on improving public financial management in the public sector in the Republic of South Africa. It prescribes measures to ensure responsibility, accountability and transparency in national and provincial departments. Qualified Auditor-General’s reports for the previous financial years compelled the President in 2002 to establish Interim Management Team (IMT) in the Eastern Cape, comprising of experts from national government, to assist the ailing administration in four provincial departments, including the Department of Roads and Public Works. Questionnaires to employees, Auditor-General, Provincial Director-General, Superintendent-General of Provincial Treasury and as well as to the Accounting Officer of the Department of Public Works, were designed and issued out for completion. Interviews were also conducted to some of the employees. The assumption is that the majority of employees do not understand policies and procedures of the department and they displayed this by remaining neutral in questions asked and disagreed with some of the statements. During the interview process, the majority emphasised their protest against over usage of consultants by the department. Preference given to candidates from outside the department when senior posts are advertised instead of looking for excellently performing candidates from the internal ranks of serving employees, has been outlined as one of the elements contributing to low moral and low productivity in the workplace. Over usage of consultants and a big number of employees who disagreed with statements and remained neutral signify incapacity of the management to perfectly implement the PFMA for sound public financial management in the department. It has been established that regular risk assessments are not conducted, poor organisational structure with many posts that are not filled, no Anti-Corruption Unit to implement Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy and, no clear managerial lines of accountability due to poor planning, ineffective internal controls and procedures, all render the department incapable of becoming one of the best provincial departments that get unqualified audit report from the Auditor-General. The findings provide clear indication that drastic transformation of the department into an institution that can perfectly implement the PFMA is necessary. The implication is that mismanagement of financial resources and fraud and corruption defeat service delivery objectives. Strategic objectives of the department are not achieved. The Eastern Cape Provincial Departments are obliged to align their strategic plans to the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (2004 – 2014). Therefore the implication is that, poor performance by the Department of Public Works impacts negatively to this provincial objective. Lack of effective control systems has negative implications on the administration of the department and renders it vulnerable to fraud and corruption.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation into the representation of women in South African Cosmopolitan Magazine advertisements of 2004
- Authors: Ranchod, Amisha
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women in mass media , Women in advertising -- Africa, Southern , Sex in advertising -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/784 , Women in mass media , Women in advertising -- Africa, Southern , Sex in advertising -- Africa, Southern
- Description: This study investigates the representations of women in advertisements featured in South African Cosmopolitan magazine published in 2004 so as to critically analyse the stereotypes of women it presents, the institutional mechanisms behind this and its implications for gender ‘constructions’. By using a random cluster sample, 60 advertisements found in Cosmopolitan were analysed to examine the stereotypical portrayals of women within its imagery. In addition, survey questionnaires were distributed amongst female students to determine whether exposure to advertisements featured in Cosmopolitan magazines moulds their thoughts with regard to South African women today, as well as to analyse their attitudinal change before and after exposure to a number of advertisements. It was found that even though the majority of respondents claimed to be aware of the stereotypical representations of women found in the advertisements, and did not believe that these portrayals were a true reflection of South African women, various aspects of their lives continue to be affected by these representations in a number of ways. The findings of this study indicate that the trend found in previous studies – that stereotypical images of women prevail in the media – is evident in South Africa too. It was established that the ideologies of both patriarchy and capitalism work together in supporting the pervasiveness of negative, disempowering portrayals of women in Cosmopolitan advertisements. Stereotypical imagery of women serve as the site at which the ideologies of capitalism and patriarchy fuse, drawing on a common, shared notion of the objectified female to further their goals of maximisation of profits and male dominance respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ranchod, Amisha
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women in mass media , Women in advertising -- Africa, Southern , Sex in advertising -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/784 , Women in mass media , Women in advertising -- Africa, Southern , Sex in advertising -- Africa, Southern
- Description: This study investigates the representations of women in advertisements featured in South African Cosmopolitan magazine published in 2004 so as to critically analyse the stereotypes of women it presents, the institutional mechanisms behind this and its implications for gender ‘constructions’. By using a random cluster sample, 60 advertisements found in Cosmopolitan were analysed to examine the stereotypical portrayals of women within its imagery. In addition, survey questionnaires were distributed amongst female students to determine whether exposure to advertisements featured in Cosmopolitan magazines moulds their thoughts with regard to South African women today, as well as to analyse their attitudinal change before and after exposure to a number of advertisements. It was found that even though the majority of respondents claimed to be aware of the stereotypical representations of women found in the advertisements, and did not believe that these portrayals were a true reflection of South African women, various aspects of their lives continue to be affected by these representations in a number of ways. The findings of this study indicate that the trend found in previous studies – that stereotypical images of women prevail in the media – is evident in South Africa too. It was established that the ideologies of both patriarchy and capitalism work together in supporting the pervasiveness of negative, disempowering portrayals of women in Cosmopolitan advertisements. Stereotypical imagery of women serve as the site at which the ideologies of capitalism and patriarchy fuse, drawing on a common, shared notion of the objectified female to further their goals of maximisation of profits and male dominance respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of the challenges facing the ward committee system with specific reference to selected municipalities in the province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ntlemeza, Albert Mncedisi
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/584 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Local government in South Africa has undergone radical changes since the first democratic local government elections were held in 1995 and 1996. It is generally known that local government in South Africa was based on racial fragmentation. The new South Africa therefore has to go beyond purely representative democracy to address the inequalities of the apartheid era. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), envisages a complete transformation of the local government system. Subsequently, a policy framework has been developed to give effect to a new vision of local government. The White Paper on Local Government was passed in March 1998. It spells out the framework and programme in terms of which the existing local government system will be radically transformed. This culminated in the birth of the concept of developmental local government. Developmental local government establishes the basis of a system of local government which is centrally concerned with working with local citizens and ward communities in particular to find sustainable ways to meet their needs and improve the quality of their lives. Developmental local government encourages public participation at the local level. One of the most powerful instruments by which the communities and groups become involved in local government affairs is through the ward committee structures and ward planning forums. The Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), makes provision for community participation. Ward committees are established in terms of section 17 (1) of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998). Ward committees play an important role in creating a democratic culture of local participation and accountability. They are the main mechanisms available to municipalities and communities to enhance public participation in ix the local sphere of government. Their major obstacle is that their powers are limited to advising the communities and the relevant council. The White Paper on Local Government provides for three approaches which can assist municipalities to be more developmental, namely integrated development planning and budgeting, performance management and working together with local citizens. Ward committees provide a link between the council and these processes. The new system of local government also provides for the consideration of gender issues at the ward committee level. The local government policy framework requires that at least fifty percent of representation on ward committees should be women. The involvement of youth is also greatly encouraged. The system also provides for and clarifies the role/relationship with traditional leaders at the ward committee level. The local government legislative framework accepts and acknowledges the existence of traditional leaders. Their involvement in ward community activities and functions is well documented. Lastly, the capacity building of ward committees is posing a major challenge. In order for ward committee members to perform their functions effectively training must be provided. The respective local councils should be responsible for providing the necessary training to ward committees through the office of the speaker under which they fall. In the national sphere efforts are made to ensure that training for ward committees is provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Ntlemeza, Albert Mncedisi
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/584 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Local government in South Africa has undergone radical changes since the first democratic local government elections were held in 1995 and 1996. It is generally known that local government in South Africa was based on racial fragmentation. The new South Africa therefore has to go beyond purely representative democracy to address the inequalities of the apartheid era. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), envisages a complete transformation of the local government system. Subsequently, a policy framework has been developed to give effect to a new vision of local government. The White Paper on Local Government was passed in March 1998. It spells out the framework and programme in terms of which the existing local government system will be radically transformed. This culminated in the birth of the concept of developmental local government. Developmental local government establishes the basis of a system of local government which is centrally concerned with working with local citizens and ward communities in particular to find sustainable ways to meet their needs and improve the quality of their lives. Developmental local government encourages public participation at the local level. One of the most powerful instruments by which the communities and groups become involved in local government affairs is through the ward committee structures and ward planning forums. The Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), makes provision for community participation. Ward committees are established in terms of section 17 (1) of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998). Ward committees play an important role in creating a democratic culture of local participation and accountability. They are the main mechanisms available to municipalities and communities to enhance public participation in ix the local sphere of government. Their major obstacle is that their powers are limited to advising the communities and the relevant council. The White Paper on Local Government provides for three approaches which can assist municipalities to be more developmental, namely integrated development planning and budgeting, performance management and working together with local citizens. Ward committees provide a link between the council and these processes. The new system of local government also provides for the consideration of gender issues at the ward committee level. The local government policy framework requires that at least fifty percent of representation on ward committees should be women. The involvement of youth is also greatly encouraged. The system also provides for and clarifies the role/relationship with traditional leaders at the ward committee level. The local government legislative framework accepts and acknowledges the existence of traditional leaders. Their involvement in ward community activities and functions is well documented. Lastly, the capacity building of ward committees is posing a major challenge. In order for ward committee members to perform their functions effectively training must be provided. The respective local councils should be responsible for providing the necessary training to ward committees through the office of the speaker under which they fall. In the national sphere efforts are made to ensure that training for ward committees is provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Consolidation of democracy and political culture: an analysis of young elites and the media, the case of Kenya
- Authors: Nzioki, Samuel Mutinda
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Democracy -- Kenya , Political culture -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011680 , Democracy -- Kenya , Political culture -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: Democratisation and commitments to transitions to democratic systems has gained momentum as a currency, a necessity, with regard to socio-political and economic development for Africa. In the period following the end of the Cold War in the late 1980’s, there was heightened concern over the pseudo-democratic political establishments in Africa whose negative impact on their economies was blameable for a marked lack of public goods. Political scholars and agencies of Industrialised countries attributed this to stagnation on democratisation process, where consolidation stage of African democracies remains elusive. Kenya is a case and point. This study seeks to contribute to the ensuing debate of crafting versus preconditions to democratic consolidation in Africa. It takes the position that it is the political elite who are the principal agents in designing institution based democracies upon which other socio-economic developments can stand. By focusing on Kenya the study seeks to show that, up to the present moment, the cycle of Kenya’s unconsolidated democracy has been prevailed over by elites’ weakness to commit to deepening democratic values. A sign of hope is therefore in the potential and promise in the emerging young elite in crafting a consolidated democracy in Africa. By focussing on a generational change in leadership, one sees the possibility for Africa to embark on a clearly mapped out and self designed path towards democratic consolidation, led by a younger generation of professional elites. These are not weighed down by postcolonial nationalistic ideals. Their potential and level of commitment to democratic consolidation however needs to be examined. Increased pressures of Westernisation as an after effect of globalisation may have altered/impacted the young elites’ political consciousness and dedication to the African locales. This study thus posits that in order to gauge their inclination to crafting a consolidated democratic landscape of the continent, their political culture must be put under scrutiny. By examining the political culture of the Kenyan young elite this study concluded that more needs to be done to inspire political participation and involvement in this generation. There is general feeling of contentment with the status quo with all its flaws and unchanging poor democratic practises. More has to be done to sever the old undemocratic mentalities and replace them with fresh ideals through wide spread civic education, by using effective instruments like the media and avenues like a reformed school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Nzioki, Samuel Mutinda
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Democracy -- Kenya , Political culture -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011680 , Democracy -- Kenya , Political culture -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government
- Description: Democratisation and commitments to transitions to democratic systems has gained momentum as a currency, a necessity, with regard to socio-political and economic development for Africa. In the period following the end of the Cold War in the late 1980’s, there was heightened concern over the pseudo-democratic political establishments in Africa whose negative impact on their economies was blameable for a marked lack of public goods. Political scholars and agencies of Industrialised countries attributed this to stagnation on democratisation process, where consolidation stage of African democracies remains elusive. Kenya is a case and point. This study seeks to contribute to the ensuing debate of crafting versus preconditions to democratic consolidation in Africa. It takes the position that it is the political elite who are the principal agents in designing institution based democracies upon which other socio-economic developments can stand. By focusing on Kenya the study seeks to show that, up to the present moment, the cycle of Kenya’s unconsolidated democracy has been prevailed over by elites’ weakness to commit to deepening democratic values. A sign of hope is therefore in the potential and promise in the emerging young elite in crafting a consolidated democracy in Africa. By focussing on a generational change in leadership, one sees the possibility for Africa to embark on a clearly mapped out and self designed path towards democratic consolidation, led by a younger generation of professional elites. These are not weighed down by postcolonial nationalistic ideals. Their potential and level of commitment to democratic consolidation however needs to be examined. Increased pressures of Westernisation as an after effect of globalisation may have altered/impacted the young elites’ political consciousness and dedication to the African locales. This study thus posits that in order to gauge their inclination to crafting a consolidated democratic landscape of the continent, their political culture must be put under scrutiny. By examining the political culture of the Kenyan young elite this study concluded that more needs to be done to inspire political participation and involvement in this generation. There is general feeling of contentment with the status quo with all its flaws and unchanging poor democratic practises. More has to be done to sever the old undemocratic mentalities and replace them with fresh ideals through wide spread civic education, by using effective instruments like the media and avenues like a reformed school curriculum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Facets of human resource development on building female capacity in the African context : the case of Gqebera Township, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Sydhagen, Kristine
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women in development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment , Manpower policy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/614 , Women in development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment , Manpower policy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: An empirical study of HRD, women, HIV and AIDS, and sustainable community development has been undertaken. Women make up approximately half of the population in the world. Taking this into account, there are many places where women do not have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. This is also true for most of Africa. Many people in Africa are deprived of basic education and often the majority of these are women. Even though the situation has improved for many girls and women in many areas, there is still a great deal that needs to be done in order to ensure equal opportunities for everyone within the labor market and society. In order to achieve this, it can be argued that sustainable development and sound human resource (HRD) policy implementation and strategies must be employed. HIV and AIDS damage society just as it does the human body: it begins by killing those parts responsible for building society: the women and breadwinners who sustain and look after the community as a whole. In this proposal, an outline of the structure of the dissertation will be given. The outline of four articles will be presented, as will the uniqueness and the similarities of the articles. For the purpose of this dissertation; different methodological research techniques will be employed according to the themes of the different articles in addition to the desired purpose of the research being conducted. Regarding the data collection, qualitative research will be used in the expectation of uncovering issues relating to women and HRD in Gqebera Township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The need for skills development and training in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing in an area where unstable economies and high unemployment create challenges on many levels. Sub-Saharan Africa is faced with great poverty, skills migration, and HIV and AIDS, which are depleting the region of skilled workers in their prime working years. The region is facing numerous challenges in the development of skills and the ability to make use of the available human resources. It can be argued that the Sub-Saharan African region needs to increase the skilled labor pool and to develop communities. Perhaps most importantly, there is an urgent need for the region to face the impact of globalization on its own terms. This involves the fusion of African philosophy and management styles with the traditional Western theories with HRD strategies and policies that will be suitable for the developing economies in the region. Women in Africa face many difficult and complex situations in society, including difficulties entering the labor market. HIV and AIDS is a major challenge for South Africa and it brings people in the region much grief, sorrow and confusion as the rate of prevalence continues to rise. This article explores the social aspects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the communities and in the labor market and the extent to which women are affected on an individual, community and labor market level. HRD in relations to HIV and AIDS is examined in order to get an understanding of the role that HRD should play in the deprived South African communities that struggle to find resources to battle the social consequences of HIV and AIDS. An examination of feminist theory and HRD in Africa indicates the need to incorporate African feminism in the cause of advancing HRD theory. Because they are subject to multiple levels of discrimination, and because there are no country-specific policies to ensure their advancement, African women need to be protected from the patriarchal domination that prevails in the majority of African countries. Despite higher female involvement in African economies, they are denied opportunities and equal rights. If the development goals of Africa are to be achieved, HRD theory needs to incorporate both Western and African feminist theory, specifically related to gender inequalities that women experience in the realm of work. The level women’s understanding of sustainable development in Gqebera Township, South Africa is explored. Further the challenges and opportunities for sustainable HRD in the Sub-Saharan region is examined. Sub-Saharan African is facing numerous challenges including poverty, inequality, HIV and AIDS and high unemployment. All these factors are important to consider when planning HRD policies and strategies in the region. Sustainable development is a worldwide aim and on the agenda of many countries; especially the developing and least developed, the countries on the African continent. The conditions under and the degree to which women in Sub-Saharan Africa have been participating in the development process in the past have often not enabled them to fully develop their capacity in order to take part in the work towards sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Sydhagen, Kristine
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women in development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment , Manpower policy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:16149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/614 , Women in development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women -- Employment , Manpower policy -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: An empirical study of HRD, women, HIV and AIDS, and sustainable community development has been undertaken. Women make up approximately half of the population in the world. Taking this into account, there are many places where women do not have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. This is also true for most of Africa. Many people in Africa are deprived of basic education and often the majority of these are women. Even though the situation has improved for many girls and women in many areas, there is still a great deal that needs to be done in order to ensure equal opportunities for everyone within the labor market and society. In order to achieve this, it can be argued that sustainable development and sound human resource (HRD) policy implementation and strategies must be employed. HIV and AIDS damage society just as it does the human body: it begins by killing those parts responsible for building society: the women and breadwinners who sustain and look after the community as a whole. In this proposal, an outline of the structure of the dissertation will be given. The outline of four articles will be presented, as will the uniqueness and the similarities of the articles. For the purpose of this dissertation; different methodological research techniques will be employed according to the themes of the different articles in addition to the desired purpose of the research being conducted. Regarding the data collection, qualitative research will be used in the expectation of uncovering issues relating to women and HRD in Gqebera Township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The need for skills development and training in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing in an area where unstable economies and high unemployment create challenges on many levels. Sub-Saharan Africa is faced with great poverty, skills migration, and HIV and AIDS, which are depleting the region of skilled workers in their prime working years. The region is facing numerous challenges in the development of skills and the ability to make use of the available human resources. It can be argued that the Sub-Saharan African region needs to increase the skilled labor pool and to develop communities. Perhaps most importantly, there is an urgent need for the region to face the impact of globalization on its own terms. This involves the fusion of African philosophy and management styles with the traditional Western theories with HRD strategies and policies that will be suitable for the developing economies in the region. Women in Africa face many difficult and complex situations in society, including difficulties entering the labor market. HIV and AIDS is a major challenge for South Africa and it brings people in the region much grief, sorrow and confusion as the rate of prevalence continues to rise. This article explores the social aspects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the communities and in the labor market and the extent to which women are affected on an individual, community and labor market level. HRD in relations to HIV and AIDS is examined in order to get an understanding of the role that HRD should play in the deprived South African communities that struggle to find resources to battle the social consequences of HIV and AIDS. An examination of feminist theory and HRD in Africa indicates the need to incorporate African feminism in the cause of advancing HRD theory. Because they are subject to multiple levels of discrimination, and because there are no country-specific policies to ensure their advancement, African women need to be protected from the patriarchal domination that prevails in the majority of African countries. Despite higher female involvement in African economies, they are denied opportunities and equal rights. If the development goals of Africa are to be achieved, HRD theory needs to incorporate both Western and African feminist theory, specifically related to gender inequalities that women experience in the realm of work. The level women’s understanding of sustainable development in Gqebera Township, South Africa is explored. Further the challenges and opportunities for sustainable HRD in the Sub-Saharan region is examined. Sub-Saharan African is facing numerous challenges including poverty, inequality, HIV and AIDS and high unemployment. All these factors are important to consider when planning HRD policies and strategies in the region. Sustainable development is a worldwide aim and on the agenda of many countries; especially the developing and least developed, the countries on the African continent. The conditions under and the degree to which women in Sub-Saharan Africa have been participating in the development process in the past have often not enabled them to fully develop their capacity in order to take part in the work towards sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Factors influencing the utilization of voluntary counselling and testing services amongst employees of the Lobatse Town Council in Botswana
- Authors: Komanyane, Lorato
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/535 , HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Description: In this study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to find out to what extent the Lobatse Town Council employees used Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) HIV and AIDS services, the reasons for using or not using the services, the preferred service providers reasons for choosing a service provider. Lastly recommendations were made on how the uptake HIV and AIDS VCT services could increased amongst the employees. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from the employees of the Lobatse Town Council, and it was established that 65.5 percent of the respondents had used VCT. Females had a higher testing participation rates than males, white collar respondents had a higher testing participation than the blue collar respondents. There was a higher rate amongst the married than the single respondents and the older ages of 30 and above than the young ages of 29 years and under. In the study it was also established that the majority of the respondents considered voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS as being important. However there were some groups that were more positive than others regarding the importance of testing. More females than males were positive regarding the importance of testing, and also amongst the employment categories the white collar respondents were more positive than the blue collar respondents regarding the importance of HIV and AIDS testing. Furthermore it was established that the most important reason for testing amongst the employees that did test for HIV and AIDS was that they felt that they needed to undergo testing before they tested. The respondents that did not test for HIV and AIDS indicated that the most important reason for not testing was that they were scared the results could not be kept confidential. The research also showed that the most preferred service provider was Tebelopele. Tebelopele was the most used and preferred service provider amongst both gender and age groups, all marital groups and the blue collar group in the employment categories. However, for the white collar group the most preferred service provider was the private practitioners. The most common reason for choosing a service provider was confidentiality and privacy. Lastly, the research makes recommendations on what needs to be done to increase the uptake of VCT HIV and AIDS testing amongst the Lobatse Town Council employees. One of the recommendations is that there was a need to educate the employees of the Lobatse Town Council and that the education should be specific for each group. For example from the group discussion the participants felt that the reason to why males did not want to utilise HIV and AIDS VCT was because they lacked knowledge on the importance of testing. Also the respondents indicated that there was a need to remove stigma and discrimination through removing confidentiality attached to HIV and AIDS. It was also, recommended that the Lobatse Town Council formulate and implements a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Komanyane, Lorato
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/535 , HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Description: In this study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to find out to what extent the Lobatse Town Council employees used Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) HIV and AIDS services, the reasons for using or not using the services, the preferred service providers reasons for choosing a service provider. Lastly recommendations were made on how the uptake HIV and AIDS VCT services could increased amongst the employees. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from the employees of the Lobatse Town Council, and it was established that 65.5 percent of the respondents had used VCT. Females had a higher testing participation rates than males, white collar respondents had a higher testing participation than the blue collar respondents. There was a higher rate amongst the married than the single respondents and the older ages of 30 and above than the young ages of 29 years and under. In the study it was also established that the majority of the respondents considered voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS as being important. However there were some groups that were more positive than others regarding the importance of testing. More females than males were positive regarding the importance of testing, and also amongst the employment categories the white collar respondents were more positive than the blue collar respondents regarding the importance of HIV and AIDS testing. Furthermore it was established that the most important reason for testing amongst the employees that did test for HIV and AIDS was that they felt that they needed to undergo testing before they tested. The respondents that did not test for HIV and AIDS indicated that the most important reason for not testing was that they were scared the results could not be kept confidential. The research also showed that the most preferred service provider was Tebelopele. Tebelopele was the most used and preferred service provider amongst both gender and age groups, all marital groups and the blue collar group in the employment categories. However, for the white collar group the most preferred service provider was the private practitioners. The most common reason for choosing a service provider was confidentiality and privacy. Lastly, the research makes recommendations on what needs to be done to increase the uptake of VCT HIV and AIDS testing amongst the Lobatse Town Council employees. One of the recommendations is that there was a need to educate the employees of the Lobatse Town Council and that the education should be specific for each group. For example from the group discussion the participants felt that the reason to why males did not want to utilise HIV and AIDS VCT was because they lacked knowledge on the importance of testing. Also the respondents indicated that there was a need to remove stigma and discrimination through removing confidentiality attached to HIV and AIDS. It was also, recommended that the Lobatse Town Council formulate and implements a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Killing for the camera?: an investigation into the relationship between serial killers and the media
- Authors: Olivier, Erin Monique
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Serial murderers -- Press coverage , Serial murders in mass media , Violence in mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011672 , Serial murderers -- Press coverage , Serial murders in mass media , Violence in mass media
- Description: This study focuses on the role of media portrayal and coverage in serial killing. The first objective of the study is to develop a conceptual structure that aids in the understanding of the cyclical relationship between media, serial killer, and audience. The media acts as a catalyst in this relationship, providing the stage on which serial killer and audience form a fatal relationship in which celebrity status forms the ultimate motivation. Media sensationalism of serial killing and the extreme glamorization in fictional representations has obviously negative consequences. In developing such a structure I hope to demonstrate that there is an alternative to the sensationalizing and glamorizing of serial killers in the media. This alternative will take the form education and a more documentary-style approach to films about serial murder. The study focuses mainly on developing a theoretical framework that emphasizes each of the three elements of the cyclical relationship mentioned above separately. The second chapter is devoted to the media and its role. The third chapter focuses on serial killers and the motivations involved. The fourth chapter deals with the audience attracted to serial killing as a source of identification. A number of thinkers’ work is used in coming to grips with this relationship, including both American and South African authors. The fifth and final chapter takes into consideration the moment of application by addressing the South African situation. I conclude by discussing the repercussions of media glamorization and possible documentary-style alternatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Killing for the camera?: an investigation into the relationship between serial killers and the media
- Authors: Olivier, Erin Monique
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Serial murderers -- Press coverage , Serial murders in mass media , Violence in mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011672 , Serial murderers -- Press coverage , Serial murders in mass media , Violence in mass media
- Description: This study focuses on the role of media portrayal and coverage in serial killing. The first objective of the study is to develop a conceptual structure that aids in the understanding of the cyclical relationship between media, serial killer, and audience. The media acts as a catalyst in this relationship, providing the stage on which serial killer and audience form a fatal relationship in which celebrity status forms the ultimate motivation. Media sensationalism of serial killing and the extreme glamorization in fictional representations has obviously negative consequences. In developing such a structure I hope to demonstrate that there is an alternative to the sensationalizing and glamorizing of serial killers in the media. This alternative will take the form education and a more documentary-style approach to films about serial murder. The study focuses mainly on developing a theoretical framework that emphasizes each of the three elements of the cyclical relationship mentioned above separately. The second chapter is devoted to the media and its role. The third chapter focuses on serial killers and the motivations involved. The fourth chapter deals with the audience attracted to serial killing as a source of identification. A number of thinkers’ work is used in coming to grips with this relationship, including both American and South African authors. The fifth and final chapter takes into consideration the moment of application by addressing the South African situation. I conclude by discussing the repercussions of media glamorization and possible documentary-style alternatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Normative value systems as portrayed by V.N.M. Swaartbooi and V. Magadla
- Zideba-Thomas, Cynthia Daniswa
- Authors: Zideba-Thomas, Cynthia Daniswa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- History and criticism , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , Language and culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8441 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/650 , Xhosa literature -- History and criticism , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , Language and culture -- South Africa
- Description: This study will focus on norms and value systems as portrayed by two female Xhosa writers. The aim of this study is to show how normative value systems are represented by two female Xhosa female writers. It also aims to show the effects of these systems on women. The method of research will be based on survey of Xhosa literature focusing on the following two books, Inzol ‘enkundleni, by V. Magadla and UMandisa by V.N.M. Swaartbooi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Zideba-Thomas, Cynthia Daniswa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- History and criticism , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , Language and culture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8441 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/650 , Xhosa literature -- History and criticism , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa -- Social life and customs -- 20th century , Language and culture -- South Africa
- Description: This study will focus on norms and value systems as portrayed by two female Xhosa writers. The aim of this study is to show how normative value systems are represented by two female Xhosa female writers. It also aims to show the effects of these systems on women. The method of research will be based on survey of Xhosa literature focusing on the following two books, Inzol ‘enkundleni, by V. Magadla and UMandisa by V.N.M. Swaartbooi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007