"I don't think it's the whole story!": a case study of the linguistic face management strategies of dyslexic adults
- Authors: Henderson, Layle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dyslexia Case studies Dyslexia -- Social aspects Dyslexia -- Psychological aspects Politeness (Linguistics) Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002629
- Description: Dyslexia is primarily a neurobiological disorder and much research has been conducted on this (see for example Coltheart 1996; Shaywitz and Shaywitz 2000 and 2004). However, little has been done which investigates the social construction of dyslexia. Because dyslexia affects reading, writing and spelling to varying degrees, although it may originate from genetic inheritance, it manifests itself in social spheres. Brown and Levinson‟s (1987) Face Theory states that people use strategies to minimise the damage to the positive face of others. My research focuses on how dyslexic individuals use linguistic strategies to minimise potential face-threatening acts or FTAs against themselves and in so doing preserve their own positive face. Using elements of Face Theory and APPRAISAL I constructed a typology reflecting these linguistic face management devices of adults with dyslexia. With this research I hope to contribute to the field in an innovative and meaningful manner through an exploration of the linguistic face management strategies used in the management of positive face.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Henderson, Layle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dyslexia Case studies Dyslexia -- Social aspects Dyslexia -- Psychological aspects Politeness (Linguistics) Sociolinguistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002629
- Description: Dyslexia is primarily a neurobiological disorder and much research has been conducted on this (see for example Coltheart 1996; Shaywitz and Shaywitz 2000 and 2004). However, little has been done which investigates the social construction of dyslexia. Because dyslexia affects reading, writing and spelling to varying degrees, although it may originate from genetic inheritance, it manifests itself in social spheres. Brown and Levinson‟s (1987) Face Theory states that people use strategies to minimise the damage to the positive face of others. My research focuses on how dyslexic individuals use linguistic strategies to minimise potential face-threatening acts or FTAs against themselves and in so doing preserve their own positive face. Using elements of Face Theory and APPRAISAL I constructed a typology reflecting these linguistic face management devices of adults with dyslexia. With this research I hope to contribute to the field in an innovative and meaningful manner through an exploration of the linguistic face management strategies used in the management of positive face.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
"Rape and cable theft on the increase": interrogating Grocott's Mail coverage of rape through participatory action research
- Authors: McLean, Nicolene Cindy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Rape in mass media Rape -- South Africa Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Violence in mass media Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalistic ethics -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Action research Sexism in mass media Journalism -- Objectivity -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Newspapers -- Objectivity -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Stereotypes (Social psychology) in mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002921
- Description: This study investigates Grocott’s Mail’s rape reporting through a participatory action research process. It draws on feminist cultural studies, sociology of news, and normative theories of the media to inform the research project. The participatory action research process explored three areas with the journalists at Grocott’s Mail: their understanding of the community they serve and their own professional identity as a community of practice, roles of the media in society which inform reporting, and rape as a social issue and problem. Through this process the study found that the pervasiveness of rape in the Grahamstown community, the complexities around rape reporting which include the significant legal challenges, the personal impact rape cases have on journalists, and the journalistic roles and approaches employed in rape reporting all influence how the paper covers rape. In analysing these matters the study found that the primary factor inhibiting a successful strategy for managing rape reporting was that Grocott’s Mail does not place gender-based violence on their news agenda as an issue requiring attention in order to develop the community they serve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: McLean, Nicolene Cindy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) Rape in mass media Rape -- South Africa Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Violence in mass media Journalism -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalistic ethics -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Journalism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Action research Sexism in mass media Journalism -- Objectivity -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Newspapers -- Objectivity -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Stereotypes (Social psychology) in mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002921
- Description: This study investigates Grocott’s Mail’s rape reporting through a participatory action research process. It draws on feminist cultural studies, sociology of news, and normative theories of the media to inform the research project. The participatory action research process explored three areas with the journalists at Grocott’s Mail: their understanding of the community they serve and their own professional identity as a community of practice, roles of the media in society which inform reporting, and rape as a social issue and problem. Through this process the study found that the pervasiveness of rape in the Grahamstown community, the complexities around rape reporting which include the significant legal challenges, the personal impact rape cases have on journalists, and the journalistic roles and approaches employed in rape reporting all influence how the paper covers rape. In analysing these matters the study found that the primary factor inhibiting a successful strategy for managing rape reporting was that Grocott’s Mail does not place gender-based violence on their news agenda as an issue requiring attention in order to develop the community they serve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
"Tell me how you read and I will tell you who you are": children's literature and moral development
- Authors: Van der Nest, Megan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children's literature -- Philosophy Children's literature -- Moral and ethical aspects Children's literature -- History and criticism Literature and morals Ethics in literature Reader-response criticism Moral conditions in literature Literature -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002852
- Description: It is a common intuition that we can learn something of moral importance from literature, and one of the ways in which we teach our children about morality is through stories. In selecting books for children to read a primary concern is often the effect that the moral content of the story will have on the morality of the child reader. In this thesis I argue in order to take advantage of the contribution that literature can make to moral development, we need to teach children to read in a particular way. As a basis for this argument I use an account of moral agency that places emphasis on the development of moral skills - the ability to critically assess moral rules and systems, and the capacity to perceive and respond to the particulars of individual situations and to choose the right course of action in each - rather than on any particular kind of moral content. In order to make the most of the contribution that literature can make to the development of these skills, we need to teach children to immerse themselves in the story, rather than focusing on literary criticism. I argue that, contrary to the standard view of literary criticism as the only form of protection against possible negative effects, an immersed reading will help to prevent the child reader from taking any moral claims made in the story out of context, and so provide some measure of protection against possible negative moral effects of the story. Finally I argue that there are certain kinds of stories - recognisable by features that contribute to a high literary quality - that will enrich the experience of an immersed reading, and will therefore make a greater contribution to moral development than others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van der Nest, Megan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Children's literature -- Philosophy Children's literature -- Moral and ethical aspects Children's literature -- History and criticism Literature and morals Ethics in literature Reader-response criticism Moral conditions in literature Literature -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2722 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002852
- Description: It is a common intuition that we can learn something of moral importance from literature, and one of the ways in which we teach our children about morality is through stories. In selecting books for children to read a primary concern is often the effect that the moral content of the story will have on the morality of the child reader. In this thesis I argue in order to take advantage of the contribution that literature can make to moral development, we need to teach children to read in a particular way. As a basis for this argument I use an account of moral agency that places emphasis on the development of moral skills - the ability to critically assess moral rules and systems, and the capacity to perceive and respond to the particulars of individual situations and to choose the right course of action in each - rather than on any particular kind of moral content. In order to make the most of the contribution that literature can make to the development of these skills, we need to teach children to immerse themselves in the story, rather than focusing on literary criticism. I argue that, contrary to the standard view of literary criticism as the only form of protection against possible negative effects, an immersed reading will help to prevent the child reader from taking any moral claims made in the story out of context, and so provide some measure of protection against possible negative moral effects of the story. Finally I argue that there are certain kinds of stories - recognisable by features that contribute to a high literary quality - that will enrich the experience of an immersed reading, and will therefore make a greater contribution to moral development than others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
"The secret rapport between photography and philosophy" considering the South African photographic apparatus through Veleko, Rose, Goldblatt, Ractliffe and Mofokeng
- Authors: Mountain, Michelle Fiona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Veleko, Nontsikelelo Rose, Tracy Goldblatt, David Ractliffe, Jo 1961- Mofokeng, Santu, 1956- Photographers -- South Africa Photography -- Philosophy Photography -- Social aspects -- South Africa Apartheid in art Documentary photography -- South Africa Space (Art) -- South Africa South Africa Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002211
- Description: This thesis is an attempt at understanding South African photography through the lens of Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko, Tracy Rose, David Goldblatt, Jo Ractliffe and Santu Mofokeng. Through the works discussed this thesis intends to unpack photography as a complex medium similar to that of language and text, as well as attempt to understand how exploring South African experiences and spaces through the lens of photography shapes and mediates them. Furthermore it also attempts to understand how these experiences and spaces conversely affect the discourse of photography or at the very least our perception of it. Through these photographers and their works it is hoped that ultimately the interconnected relationship of exchanging codes that takes place between photography and society will be highlighted. The example of connectivity or dialogue I believe exists between the medium of photography and the physical/social and psychological spaces it photographs will be mediated through Deleuze and Guattari‟s conception of “the wasp and the orchid” where “the wasp becomes the orchid, just as the orchid becomes the wasp...an exchanging or capturing of each other‟s codes”. Other theorists I will be looking at include Vilém Flusser, focusing in particular on his book Towards a Philosophy of Photography, as well as Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes and others. The main aims and objectives of this thesis are to understand the veracity of the documentary image and whether or not the image harbours any objective truth, as well as whether truth, if it can truly be said to exist in the world, resides between the camera and the seen world. This dichotomy is further complicated by the matter of subject-hood and technical and philosophical understandings of the camera as an apparatus. At no point do I aim to be conclusive, rather it is hoped that by developing the dynamic tension between the theory and the image world that I will be able to bring fresh insight into the reading of a changing South African condition and the subject position of the photographer in relation to this condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mountain, Michelle Fiona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Veleko, Nontsikelelo Rose, Tracy Goldblatt, David Ractliffe, Jo 1961- Mofokeng, Santu, 1956- Photographers -- South Africa Photography -- Philosophy Photography -- Social aspects -- South Africa Apartheid in art Documentary photography -- South Africa Space (Art) -- South Africa South Africa Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002211
- Description: This thesis is an attempt at understanding South African photography through the lens of Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko, Tracy Rose, David Goldblatt, Jo Ractliffe and Santu Mofokeng. Through the works discussed this thesis intends to unpack photography as a complex medium similar to that of language and text, as well as attempt to understand how exploring South African experiences and spaces through the lens of photography shapes and mediates them. Furthermore it also attempts to understand how these experiences and spaces conversely affect the discourse of photography or at the very least our perception of it. Through these photographers and their works it is hoped that ultimately the interconnected relationship of exchanging codes that takes place between photography and society will be highlighted. The example of connectivity or dialogue I believe exists between the medium of photography and the physical/social and psychological spaces it photographs will be mediated through Deleuze and Guattari‟s conception of “the wasp and the orchid” where “the wasp becomes the orchid, just as the orchid becomes the wasp...an exchanging or capturing of each other‟s codes”. Other theorists I will be looking at include Vilém Flusser, focusing in particular on his book Towards a Philosophy of Photography, as well as Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes and others. The main aims and objectives of this thesis are to understand the veracity of the documentary image and whether or not the image harbours any objective truth, as well as whether truth, if it can truly be said to exist in the world, resides between the camera and the seen world. This dichotomy is further complicated by the matter of subject-hood and technical and philosophical understandings of the camera as an apparatus. At no point do I aim to be conclusive, rather it is hoped that by developing the dynamic tension between the theory and the image world that I will be able to bring fresh insight into the reading of a changing South African condition and the subject position of the photographer in relation to this condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
'n Eenvormige dissiplinestelsel vir skole in die Bitou 10-streek
- Authors: Freislich, Maria Francina
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa , School boards -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9506 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1236 , School discipline -- South Africa , School boards -- South Africa
- Description: Discipline in the government schools in South Africa has deteriorated during the past fifteen years. There are many different reasons for that. The aim of this study was to develop a uniform programme of discipline which can be used for application in all ten schools in the Bitou area. To reach this aim, the following procedures were followed: • A study has been done regarding the supporting role of the Bitou 10 foundation in the designing and management of a uniform discipline program. • A summary of the disciplinary problems in government schools has been given with possible reasons why discipline has deteriorated. • A study has also been made of various programs of discipline which have been used in various countries in the past. Certain aspects of those programmes have been used in this study to compile an effective programme of discipline for all the schools in the Bitou area. • Criteria for a positive discipline program have been put together. This study has been done in the Plettenberg Bay area. This area has ten schools which include primary- and high schools, single medium- and double medium schools, multi-cultural and mono-cultural schools and also some schools which have hostels. This study showed that not all schools in the Bitou area follow the same disciplinary programme. This study also makes recommendations on the possible implementing of such a uniform system of discipline. This study does not only show what the role is of the principal and teachers responsible for discipline, but also indicates the role and task of the parents and the community. Research on the application of discipline can never end because new ideas and methods will always be found to create an ideal programme in order to make the process more effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Freislich, Maria Francina
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa , School boards -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9506 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1236 , School discipline -- South Africa , School boards -- South Africa
- Description: Discipline in the government schools in South Africa has deteriorated during the past fifteen years. There are many different reasons for that. The aim of this study was to develop a uniform programme of discipline which can be used for application in all ten schools in the Bitou area. To reach this aim, the following procedures were followed: • A study has been done regarding the supporting role of the Bitou 10 foundation in the designing and management of a uniform discipline program. • A summary of the disciplinary problems in government schools has been given with possible reasons why discipline has deteriorated. • A study has also been made of various programs of discipline which have been used in various countries in the past. Certain aspects of those programmes have been used in this study to compile an effective programme of discipline for all the schools in the Bitou area. • Criteria for a positive discipline program have been put together. This study has been done in the Plettenberg Bay area. This area has ten schools which include primary- and high schools, single medium- and double medium schools, multi-cultural and mono-cultural schools and also some schools which have hostels. This study showed that not all schools in the Bitou area follow the same disciplinary programme. This study also makes recommendations on the possible implementing of such a uniform system of discipline. This study does not only show what the role is of the principal and teachers responsible for discipline, but also indicates the role and task of the parents and the community. Research on the application of discipline can never end because new ideas and methods will always be found to create an ideal programme in order to make the process more effective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
'n Vergelykende studie van Ingrid Winterbach se Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat (2006) en Etienne van Heerden se Asbesmiddag (2007)
- Authors: Strydom, Gideon Louwrens
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Winterbach, Ingrid. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat , Van Heerden, Etienne 1954- . Asbesmiddag , Afrikaans literature -- 21st century -- History and criticism
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1419 , Winterbach, Ingrid. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat , Van Heerden, Etienne 1954- . Asbesmiddag , Afrikaans literature -- 21st century -- History and criticism
- Description: The focus of this dissertation is a comparative study of Ingrid Winterbach's Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat (2006) [The Book of Happenstance (2008)] and Etienne van Heerden's Asbesmiddag (2007) [Asbestos Afternoon] within an intertextual and socio-political framework. Both novels show strong links to the literary traditions of which they form part through a high degree of intertextuality with literary predecessors (intertexts from Afrikaans and South African English literature, but also classical intertexts emanating from the larger field of world literature). Both texts exhibit an overt metatextual consciousness. The protagonists in each of these novels are portrayed as novelists. One of the main aims of the study is to interrogate the implied ideological perspectives in both novels - the nature and extent of the reflection of the current South African socio-political system. Winterbach and Van Heerden‘s texts may both be read as fictionalised forms of "protest" against the extrinsic South African socio-political order. These forms of protest focus on the inevitable change from one stage/era to the next, the old South Africa to the new, in a quest for artistic (creative writing and literature) and cultural (Afrikaner identity and language) survival. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat (2006) and Asbesmiddag (2007) contribute to contemporary discourse by offering implied ideological insights into specific socio-political and metatextual phenomena. This is done in fictional guise - through the characters populating the fictional world of the novel, and also through the authors' implied ideological views. Both novels are intensely concerned with language issues, as well as the status of literature as cultural product. On the metatextual level theoretical issues concerning literature are in the focus, such as the precarious position of the novelist (and the academic) in contemporary South African society, and the status of literature and Afrikaans as a minority language. The purpose of this comparative study is to look at the metatextual, ideological and linguistic aspects of the novels through an extensive intertextual study, in order to interrogate and illustrate the socio-political discourse embedded in them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Strydom, Gideon Louwrens
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Winterbach, Ingrid. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat , Van Heerden, Etienne 1954- . Asbesmiddag , Afrikaans literature -- 21st century -- History and criticism
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8449 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1419 , Winterbach, Ingrid. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat , Van Heerden, Etienne 1954- . Asbesmiddag , Afrikaans literature -- 21st century -- History and criticism
- Description: The focus of this dissertation is a comparative study of Ingrid Winterbach's Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat (2006) [The Book of Happenstance (2008)] and Etienne van Heerden's Asbesmiddag (2007) [Asbestos Afternoon] within an intertextual and socio-political framework. Both novels show strong links to the literary traditions of which they form part through a high degree of intertextuality with literary predecessors (intertexts from Afrikaans and South African English literature, but also classical intertexts emanating from the larger field of world literature). Both texts exhibit an overt metatextual consciousness. The protagonists in each of these novels are portrayed as novelists. One of the main aims of the study is to interrogate the implied ideological perspectives in both novels - the nature and extent of the reflection of the current South African socio-political system. Winterbach and Van Heerden‘s texts may both be read as fictionalised forms of "protest" against the extrinsic South African socio-political order. These forms of protest focus on the inevitable change from one stage/era to the next, the old South Africa to the new, in a quest for artistic (creative writing and literature) and cultural (Afrikaner identity and language) survival. Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat (2006) and Asbesmiddag (2007) contribute to contemporary discourse by offering implied ideological insights into specific socio-political and metatextual phenomena. This is done in fictional guise - through the characters populating the fictional world of the novel, and also through the authors' implied ideological views. Both novels are intensely concerned with language issues, as well as the status of literature as cultural product. On the metatextual level theoretical issues concerning literature are in the focus, such as the precarious position of the novelist (and the academic) in contemporary South African society, and the status of literature and Afrikaans as a minority language. The purpose of this comparative study is to look at the metatextual, ideological and linguistic aspects of the novels through an extensive intertextual study, in order to interrogate and illustrate the socio-political discourse embedded in them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A biochemical study of the antidiabetic and anticogulant effects of Tulbaghia Violacea
- Authors: Davison, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1523 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Description: Secondary metabolites derived from plants, especially those used by traditional healers, are at the forefront of new drug development in combating diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Garlic is employed in indigenous medicine all over the world for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Dietary garlic has been recognized for its beneficial health effects. In particular, garlic consumption has been correlated with (i) reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, (ii) stimulation of immune function, (iii) enhanced detoxification of foreign compounds, (iv) hepatoprotection, (v) antimicrobial effects, (vi) antioxidant effects, and most importantly (vii) its hypoglycemic and anticoagulant properties. Due to these beneficial properties, garlic and its closely related genera which includes Tulbaghia violacea, may be useful as coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and some of its physiological complications. The aim of this study was to determine if T. violacea has antidiabetic and anticoagulant properties. This was performed in vitro using both aqueous and organic extracts of the roots, leaves and bulbs. An organic extract was able to improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and glucose uptake in Chang liver cells. The BO extract had no effect on the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 an adipose cell line and reduced glucose utilisation in C2C12, a skeletal muscle cell line. Some of the properties displayed by T. violacea in this study are consistent with those found in similar studies with garlic extracts. It was observed that the BO extract increased the membrane potential and Glut-2 expression in INS-1 cells cultured at hyperglycemic levels, however, at normoglycemic levels a reduction was observed. The oxygen consumption increased at both glycemic levels due to treatment with the BO extract. Platelets were exposed to the extracts to determine their effects upon platelet aggregation, adhesion and protein secretion. Since the BO extract displayed the highest potential at inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion. A rat model was used in ex vivo studies to determine if the extract exhibited the same effect in a physiological model. It was noted that the BO extract exhibited a higher degree of inhibition on platelet aggregation and adhesion than the positive control, aspirin. The BO extract reduced clotting times in the prothrombin time (PT) test, but prolonged the clotting time in the actived partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay in the ex vivo model; however, it had no affect on these clotting assays in the in vitro model using human blood. The BO extract increased the D-dimer and Fibrinogen-C levels in the in vitro model, but had no effect on the D-dimer concentrations and lowered the Fibrinogen-C levels in the ex vivo model. The active compounds in the extract remain to be elucidated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Davison, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1523 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Description: Secondary metabolites derived from plants, especially those used by traditional healers, are at the forefront of new drug development in combating diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Garlic is employed in indigenous medicine all over the world for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Dietary garlic has been recognized for its beneficial health effects. In particular, garlic consumption has been correlated with (i) reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, (ii) stimulation of immune function, (iii) enhanced detoxification of foreign compounds, (iv) hepatoprotection, (v) antimicrobial effects, (vi) antioxidant effects, and most importantly (vii) its hypoglycemic and anticoagulant properties. Due to these beneficial properties, garlic and its closely related genera which includes Tulbaghia violacea, may be useful as coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and some of its physiological complications. The aim of this study was to determine if T. violacea has antidiabetic and anticoagulant properties. This was performed in vitro using both aqueous and organic extracts of the roots, leaves and bulbs. An organic extract was able to improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and glucose uptake in Chang liver cells. The BO extract had no effect on the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 an adipose cell line and reduced glucose utilisation in C2C12, a skeletal muscle cell line. Some of the properties displayed by T. violacea in this study are consistent with those found in similar studies with garlic extracts. It was observed that the BO extract increased the membrane potential and Glut-2 expression in INS-1 cells cultured at hyperglycemic levels, however, at normoglycemic levels a reduction was observed. The oxygen consumption increased at both glycemic levels due to treatment with the BO extract. Platelets were exposed to the extracts to determine their effects upon platelet aggregation, adhesion and protein secretion. Since the BO extract displayed the highest potential at inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion. A rat model was used in ex vivo studies to determine if the extract exhibited the same effect in a physiological model. It was noted that the BO extract exhibited a higher degree of inhibition on platelet aggregation and adhesion than the positive control, aspirin. The BO extract reduced clotting times in the prothrombin time (PT) test, but prolonged the clotting time in the actived partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay in the ex vivo model; however, it had no affect on these clotting assays in the in vitro model using human blood. The BO extract increased the D-dimer and Fibrinogen-C levels in the in vitro model, but had no effect on the D-dimer concentrations and lowered the Fibrinogen-C levels in the ex vivo model. The active compounds in the extract remain to be elucidated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A bioinorganic investigation of some metal complexes of the Schiff base, N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicylaldimine)propan-2-ol
- Authors: Mopp, Estelle
- Date: 2010 , 2012-04-13
- Subjects: Schiff bases , Bioinorganic chemistry , Metal complexes , Transition metal complexes , Transition metals , Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Ligands -- Toxicity , Antineoplastic agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006768 , Schiff bases , Bioinorganic chemistry , Metal complexes , Transition metal complexes , Transition metals , Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Ligands -- Toxicity , Antineoplastic agents
- Description: This thesis includes the synthesis, characterisation, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Cu(II)-, Co(II)- and Co(III) complexes with N,N'-bis(3- methoxysalicylaldimine)propan-2-ol, 2-OH-oVANPN. The Schiff base ligand, 2-OHoVANPN, is derived from o-vanillin and 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol. The o-vanillin condensed with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol in a 2:1 molar ratio yields this potential tetraor pentadentate ligand. The complexes synthesized are tetra (or penta or hexa) coordinated. Formation of the complexes is symbolized as follows:- MX₂ + 2-OH-oVANPN (2:1) -> [M(2-OH-oVANPN)Xn] + HnX MX₂ + 2-OH-oVANPN (2:1) -> [Mn(2-OH-oVANPN)OH] + H₂X₂ MX₂ + (o-vanillin : diaminopropanol) (1:1) -> [M(1:1)X₂] MX₂ + (o-vanillin : diaminopropanol) (1:1) -> [M₃(1:1)X₄] M = Cu(II), Co(II) or Co(III); X = Cl; n = 1, 2. Their structural features have been deduced from their elemental analytical data, IR spectral data, and electronic spectral data. With the exception of {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆}(A4), the Cu(II) complexes were monomeric with 2-OH-oVANPN acting as a tetradentate ligand. A binuclear Co(II) complex, [Co₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₂O₅)(OH)] (B1), was synthesised and the rest of the Co(II) and Co(III) complexes were monomeric with chloride ions coordinating to the metal centre in some cases. Electronic data suggest that the cobalt(II) complexes have octahedral geometries and the copper(II) complexes have square planar structures – Co(III) is likely to be octahedral. Thermal analyses, which included the copper-block-method for determining sublimation temperatures, revealed that some copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes are hygroscopic and sublime at 200 °C and below. DSC analyses of the Cu(II) complexes gave exotherms around 300 °C for complexes K[Cu(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(OH)]·2H₂O (A1) and [Cu(C₁₁H15N₂O₃)(Cl)₂]·2H₂O (A2) and above 400 °C for [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂] (A3) and {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆} (A4). Antioxidant studies were carried out against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·). The cobalt(II) complex, [Co₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₂O₅)(OH)] (B1), which was synthesized in the presence of KOH, had no antioxidant activity, whilst the other cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(C₁₇H₁₇N₂O₅(Cl))]·1½H₂O (B2), [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅) (Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B3) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅)(Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B4), which were synthesised in the absence of KOH, demonstrated antioxidant activity. The latter complexes are candidates for cancer cell line testing, while [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂] (A3), {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆} (A4), [Co(C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₅)(Cl)₂ ]·5H₂O (C2) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(Cl)]·3H₂O (C3) may show anticancer activity through possible hydrolysis products. Most of the complexes synthesized displayed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The results indicated that complexes [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂](A3), [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅)(Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B3) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₅)(Cl)₂ ]·5H₂O (C2) are active against the Gram-negative Ps. aeruginosa and that the ligand, 2-OH-oVANPN, did not have any activity. The same trend was observed with 2-OH-oVANPN, {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)4(H₂O)₆} (A4) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(Cl)]·3H₂O (C3) against the Gram-positive S. aureus. As for activity against E. coli and C. albicans, some complexes showed more activity than the ligand. There is an observed trend here that the metal complexes are more active (toxic) than the corresponding ligand, which is in agreement with Tweedy’s chelation theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mopp, Estelle
- Date: 2010 , 2012-04-13
- Subjects: Schiff bases , Bioinorganic chemistry , Metal complexes , Transition metal complexes , Transition metals , Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Ligands -- Toxicity , Antineoplastic agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006768 , Schiff bases , Bioinorganic chemistry , Metal complexes , Transition metal complexes , Transition metals , Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Ligands -- Toxicity , Antineoplastic agents
- Description: This thesis includes the synthesis, characterisation, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Cu(II)-, Co(II)- and Co(III) complexes with N,N'-bis(3- methoxysalicylaldimine)propan-2-ol, 2-OH-oVANPN. The Schiff base ligand, 2-OHoVANPN, is derived from o-vanillin and 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol. The o-vanillin condensed with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol in a 2:1 molar ratio yields this potential tetraor pentadentate ligand. The complexes synthesized are tetra (or penta or hexa) coordinated. Formation of the complexes is symbolized as follows:- MX₂ + 2-OH-oVANPN (2:1) -> [M(2-OH-oVANPN)Xn] + HnX MX₂ + 2-OH-oVANPN (2:1) -> [Mn(2-OH-oVANPN)OH] + H₂X₂ MX₂ + (o-vanillin : diaminopropanol) (1:1) -> [M(1:1)X₂] MX₂ + (o-vanillin : diaminopropanol) (1:1) -> [M₃(1:1)X₄] M = Cu(II), Co(II) or Co(III); X = Cl; n = 1, 2. Their structural features have been deduced from their elemental analytical data, IR spectral data, and electronic spectral data. With the exception of {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆}(A4), the Cu(II) complexes were monomeric with 2-OH-oVANPN acting as a tetradentate ligand. A binuclear Co(II) complex, [Co₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₂O₅)(OH)] (B1), was synthesised and the rest of the Co(II) and Co(III) complexes were monomeric with chloride ions coordinating to the metal centre in some cases. Electronic data suggest that the cobalt(II) complexes have octahedral geometries and the copper(II) complexes have square planar structures – Co(III) is likely to be octahedral. Thermal analyses, which included the copper-block-method for determining sublimation temperatures, revealed that some copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes are hygroscopic and sublime at 200 °C and below. DSC analyses of the Cu(II) complexes gave exotherms around 300 °C for complexes K[Cu(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(OH)]·2H₂O (A1) and [Cu(C₁₁H15N₂O₃)(Cl)₂]·2H₂O (A2) and above 400 °C for [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂] (A3) and {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆} (A4). Antioxidant studies were carried out against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·). The cobalt(II) complex, [Co₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₂O₅)(OH)] (B1), which was synthesized in the presence of KOH, had no antioxidant activity, whilst the other cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(C₁₇H₁₇N₂O₅(Cl))]·1½H₂O (B2), [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅) (Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B3) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅)(Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B4), which were synthesised in the absence of KOH, demonstrated antioxidant activity. The latter complexes are candidates for cancer cell line testing, while [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂] (A3), {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)₄(H₂O)₆} (A4), [Co(C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₅)(Cl)₂ ]·5H₂O (C2) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(Cl)]·3H₂O (C3) may show anticancer activity through possible hydrolysis products. Most of the complexes synthesized displayed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The results indicated that complexes [Cu(C₁₁H₁₆N₂O₃)(Cl)₂](A3), [Co(C₁₉H₂₂N₂O₅)(Cl)₂]·5½H₂O (B3) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₁N₂O₅)(Cl)₂ ]·5H₂O (C2) are active against the Gram-negative Ps. aeruginosa and that the ligand, 2-OH-oVANPN, did not have any activity. The same trend was observed with 2-OH-oVANPN, {Cu₃(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₃)(Cl)4(H₂O)₆} (A4) and [Co(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₅)(Cl)]·3H₂O (C3) against the Gram-positive S. aureus. As for activity against E. coli and C. albicans, some complexes showed more activity than the ligand. There is an observed trend here that the metal complexes are more active (toxic) than the corresponding ligand, which is in agreement with Tweedy’s chelation theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A comparison between the written English of deaf and hearing children in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Weir, Carolyn Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Deaf children -- Education -- South Africa , English language -- Written English
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1083 , Deaf children -- Education -- South Africa , English language -- Written English
- Description: The main purposes of this thesis are to investigate the difference between the written English of deaf children and the written English of hearing children and to make recommendations on how to improve the writing of deaf children. In order to achieve this goal, both quantitative and qualitative research was done. The comparison of the writing of deaf and hearing children relies on quantitative research while the recommendations are based on qualitative analysis. The dissertation is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter discusses the problem, the significance of the research, the purpose of the study, the background to the problem and the theoretical framework. This chapter indicates the prevalence of deafness worldwide and in South Africa and its negative impact on the writing abilities of children. The second chapter provides a literature review on the theory behind reading and writing, with specific emphasis on emergent literacy and its relevance to the language acquisition and print language learning of deaf children. Another aspect of this chapter is the effect of different aspects of deafness on language acquisition and learning. The chapter also highlights the challenges for deaf children in South Africa and debates regarding the language of instruction that should be used to teach deaf children writing/reading, as well as arguments concerning bottom-up, top-down, and interactive approaches to writing. The third chapter provides the overall philosophical framework for the quantitative and qualitative research as well as the methodology used for the qualitative research. This is followed by the results of the quantitative research and a discussion of these results in Chapter 4. The fifth chapter is in the form of a second literature review that contains recommendations for improving the writing of deaf children. Following this, in Chapter 6, is a discussion of some of the theory behind interview interaction, as well as an analysis of how to develop a valid study. The researcher also sets out the interview structure. The seventh chapter contains a discussion of the findings of the interview to see if they confirm the findings in Chapter 5, as well as overall conclusions about assisting deaf children with their writing, a reflection on the study as a whole and suggestions for future research. This study argues that in order for deaf children in South Africa to develop their writing, immediate government assistance is necessary in order to implement countrywide newborn hearing screening, followed by medical and/or language-based ii intervention to minimise the impact of deafness on the language and writing abilities of deaf children. This is an essential foundation from which parents and teachers can build and play a key role in helping their children reach age-appropriate levels of written English.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Weir, Carolyn Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Deaf children -- Education -- South Africa , English language -- Written English
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1083 , Deaf children -- Education -- South Africa , English language -- Written English
- Description: The main purposes of this thesis are to investigate the difference between the written English of deaf children and the written English of hearing children and to make recommendations on how to improve the writing of deaf children. In order to achieve this goal, both quantitative and qualitative research was done. The comparison of the writing of deaf and hearing children relies on quantitative research while the recommendations are based on qualitative analysis. The dissertation is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter discusses the problem, the significance of the research, the purpose of the study, the background to the problem and the theoretical framework. This chapter indicates the prevalence of deafness worldwide and in South Africa and its negative impact on the writing abilities of children. The second chapter provides a literature review on the theory behind reading and writing, with specific emphasis on emergent literacy and its relevance to the language acquisition and print language learning of deaf children. Another aspect of this chapter is the effect of different aspects of deafness on language acquisition and learning. The chapter also highlights the challenges for deaf children in South Africa and debates regarding the language of instruction that should be used to teach deaf children writing/reading, as well as arguments concerning bottom-up, top-down, and interactive approaches to writing. The third chapter provides the overall philosophical framework for the quantitative and qualitative research as well as the methodology used for the qualitative research. This is followed by the results of the quantitative research and a discussion of these results in Chapter 4. The fifth chapter is in the form of a second literature review that contains recommendations for improving the writing of deaf children. Following this, in Chapter 6, is a discussion of some of the theory behind interview interaction, as well as an analysis of how to develop a valid study. The researcher also sets out the interview structure. The seventh chapter contains a discussion of the findings of the interview to see if they confirm the findings in Chapter 5, as well as overall conclusions about assisting deaf children with their writing, a reflection on the study as a whole and suggestions for future research. This study argues that in order for deaf children in South Africa to develop their writing, immediate government assistance is necessary in order to implement countrywide newborn hearing screening, followed by medical and/or language-based ii intervention to minimise the impact of deafness on the language and writing abilities of deaf children. This is an essential foundation from which parents and teachers can build and play a key role in helping their children reach age-appropriate levels of written English.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A comparison of ecosystem health and services provided by subtropical thicket in and around the Bathurst commonage
- Authors: Stickler, Meredith Mercedes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007169 , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Description: Municipal commonage in South Africa offers previously disadvantaged, landless residents access to both direct ecosystem goods and services (EGS) that provide additional income options and indirect social and cultural services. Given that EGS production is a function of ecosystem health, it is imperative that commonage land be managed to maximize current local benefit streams while ensuring future options through the maintenance of natural ecosystem functions. The payments for ecosystem services (PES) model potentially offers an opportunity for contributing to local economic development while providing fiscal incentives for environmentally sustainable natural resource management. PES depends on the demonstration of quantifiable changes in EGS delivery due to improvement in or maintenance of high ecosystem health that are a verifiable result of modifications in management behavior. This thesis therefore compared spatial variations in (i) ecosystem health and (ii) nine direct and indirect EGS values derived from natural resources on the Bathurst municipal commonage and neighboring Waters Meeting Nature Reserve (NR) to explore how different land use intensities affect ecosystem health and the resulting provision of EGS. The results indicate that the total economic value of annually produced EGS on the study site is nearly R 9.8 million (US$ 1.2 million), with a standing stock of natural capital worth some R 28 million (US$ 3.4 million). Nearly 45% of the total annual production is attributed to Waters Meeting NR, with roughly 34% from the low use zone of the commonage and the remaining 22% from the high use zone. Of the total annual production value on the study site, roughly 59% is derived from indirect (non-consumptive) uses of wildlife for the study site as a whole, though this proportion varies from 25% in the high use zone of the commonage to 94% on Waters Meeting NR. The two largest annual production values on the study site derive from ecotourism (R 3.5 million, US$ 0.4 million) and livestock production (R 2.6 million, US$ 0.3 million), suggesting that while increased production of indirect EGS could generate significant additional revenues, especially on Waters Meeting NR and in the low use zone of the commonage, direct (consumptive) EGS will likely remain an important component of land use on the commonage. A PES project to support the adoption of silvo-pastoral practices could provide positive incentives for improved land use practices on the commonage and potentially be financed by conservation-friendly residents of the Kowie River catchment and/or increased ecotourism revenues from Waters Meeting NR. Allowing carefully designed and monitored local access to natural resources within Waters Meeting NR could also reduce pressure on commonage resources. Together, these approaches could lead to a more sustainable subtropical thicket landscape and ensure that critical natural resources remain available to support local livelihoods in the long-term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Stickler, Meredith Mercedes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007169 , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Description: Municipal commonage in South Africa offers previously disadvantaged, landless residents access to both direct ecosystem goods and services (EGS) that provide additional income options and indirect social and cultural services. Given that EGS production is a function of ecosystem health, it is imperative that commonage land be managed to maximize current local benefit streams while ensuring future options through the maintenance of natural ecosystem functions. The payments for ecosystem services (PES) model potentially offers an opportunity for contributing to local economic development while providing fiscal incentives for environmentally sustainable natural resource management. PES depends on the demonstration of quantifiable changes in EGS delivery due to improvement in or maintenance of high ecosystem health that are a verifiable result of modifications in management behavior. This thesis therefore compared spatial variations in (i) ecosystem health and (ii) nine direct and indirect EGS values derived from natural resources on the Bathurst municipal commonage and neighboring Waters Meeting Nature Reserve (NR) to explore how different land use intensities affect ecosystem health and the resulting provision of EGS. The results indicate that the total economic value of annually produced EGS on the study site is nearly R 9.8 million (US$ 1.2 million), with a standing stock of natural capital worth some R 28 million (US$ 3.4 million). Nearly 45% of the total annual production is attributed to Waters Meeting NR, with roughly 34% from the low use zone of the commonage and the remaining 22% from the high use zone. Of the total annual production value on the study site, roughly 59% is derived from indirect (non-consumptive) uses of wildlife for the study site as a whole, though this proportion varies from 25% in the high use zone of the commonage to 94% on Waters Meeting NR. The two largest annual production values on the study site derive from ecotourism (R 3.5 million, US$ 0.4 million) and livestock production (R 2.6 million, US$ 0.3 million), suggesting that while increased production of indirect EGS could generate significant additional revenues, especially on Waters Meeting NR and in the low use zone of the commonage, direct (consumptive) EGS will likely remain an important component of land use on the commonage. A PES project to support the adoption of silvo-pastoral practices could provide positive incentives for improved land use practices on the commonage and potentially be financed by conservation-friendly residents of the Kowie River catchment and/or increased ecotourism revenues from Waters Meeting NR. Allowing carefully designed and monitored local access to natural resources within Waters Meeting NR could also reduce pressure on commonage resources. Together, these approaches could lead to a more sustainable subtropical thicket landscape and ensure that critical natural resources remain available to support local livelihoods in the long-term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A computing studio method for teaching design thinking
- Authors: Van der Post, Leda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Creative thinking -- Study and teaching , Creative ability -- Study and teaching , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1128 , Creative thinking -- Study and teaching , Creative ability -- Study and teaching , Management information systems
- Description: Current trends in technology have led to a need for creativity and innovation in the design of contemporary digital products and systems. This has resulted in design thinking and creative design process having a higher profile in digital design practice. In turn, this has impacted computing education, by creating a need for computing students to develop creativity and design thinking skills. Creative design is taught using design studio teaching methods, which require a culture, environment and activities that are different to the teaching methods used in traditional computing education. Some computing academics have implemented courses using aspects of studio teaching methods, but no clear guidelines for a computing academic without creative design experience to fully apply studio teaching methods in courses could be found. The reason for the change in the role of design in the digital domain and how it affected the needs of computing students was investigated and a comparison of typical design studio and computing teaching methods was conducted using a learning systems model adapted for this specific purpose. This led to an identification of areas that required further investigation, or gaps in the knowledge of how to adapt design studio methods for use within a traditional computing education environment. These gaps were used as the basis for identifying a set of research questions for an empirical study. An exploratory case study was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to answer the research questions. Three computing academics implemented studio teaching methods within three separate modules, following provisional guidelines devised from the preliminary research. Feedback was collected from the lecturers and the students registered for the modules regarding their experiences. It was found that it would be possible for computing academics to implement aspects of a design studio approach within the existing computing environment. An explicit teaching method, termed the computing studio teaching method, was developed from the results of the case study. This teaching method aims to provide computing academics with little or no creative design experience with explicit methods for implementing modified design studio teaching methods in order to promote creativity and design thinking within traditional computing modules. This teaching method will be tested, validated and refined in future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van der Post, Leda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Creative thinking -- Study and teaching , Creative ability -- Study and teaching , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1128 , Creative thinking -- Study and teaching , Creative ability -- Study and teaching , Management information systems
- Description: Current trends in technology have led to a need for creativity and innovation in the design of contemporary digital products and systems. This has resulted in design thinking and creative design process having a higher profile in digital design practice. In turn, this has impacted computing education, by creating a need for computing students to develop creativity and design thinking skills. Creative design is taught using design studio teaching methods, which require a culture, environment and activities that are different to the teaching methods used in traditional computing education. Some computing academics have implemented courses using aspects of studio teaching methods, but no clear guidelines for a computing academic without creative design experience to fully apply studio teaching methods in courses could be found. The reason for the change in the role of design in the digital domain and how it affected the needs of computing students was investigated and a comparison of typical design studio and computing teaching methods was conducted using a learning systems model adapted for this specific purpose. This led to an identification of areas that required further investigation, or gaps in the knowledge of how to adapt design studio methods for use within a traditional computing education environment. These gaps were used as the basis for identifying a set of research questions for an empirical study. An exploratory case study was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to answer the research questions. Three computing academics implemented studio teaching methods within three separate modules, following provisional guidelines devised from the preliminary research. Feedback was collected from the lecturers and the students registered for the modules regarding their experiences. It was found that it would be possible for computing academics to implement aspects of a design studio approach within the existing computing environment. An explicit teaching method, termed the computing studio teaching method, was developed from the results of the case study. This teaching method aims to provide computing academics with little or no creative design experience with explicit methods for implementing modified design studio teaching methods in order to promote creativity and design thinking within traditional computing modules. This teaching method will be tested, validated and refined in future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical analysis of service quality perceptions of vehicle repair and maintenance retailers
- Authors: Whitlock, Wayne Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Customer services -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motor vehicles -- South Africa -- Maintenance and repairs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8610 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1516 , Customer services -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motor vehicles -- South Africa -- Maintenance and repairs
- Description: The South African motor industry plays a pivotal role in the economy of South Africa and is a leading indicator in economic change. In general, satisfaction of customer service in the motor industry is steadily improving. However, as research has shown, there is still room for improvement within the industry. Knowing what customers expect is a critical step in delivering good quality service to ensure customer retention in the long-term (Zeithaml, Parasuraman & Berry 1990:62-63). Having a good understanding of the value of forming long-term relationships with customers and their evaluation of the quality of the service provided, cannot be underestimated, as failure to actually ask customers what they think of the service could be detrimental in the long-term. Vehicle manufacturers conduct ongoing research to monitor customer perceptions of the quality of the service provided by their vehicle retailers. The information generated from the research findings can be used by manufacturers to improve levels of service where this appears to be lacking, and deal promptly with any customer complaints. Against this background, how vehicle owners judge the quality of the service provided by a franchised vehicle retailer for a repair and maintenance service, will be crucial to understanding how customers form perceptions of service related firms specifically, and in general, even an entire industry. The primary objective of this study is to assess customer perceptions of service quality with a franchised vehicle retailer following a routine repair and maintenance service. The sample consisted of 3 859 respondents who had their vehicles serviced at a GM South Africa franchised vehicle retailer over a one month period. The empirical results of the study revealed that GM South Africa show general positive results in terms of customer service satisfaction, however, there are some areas where additional attention is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Whitlock, Wayne Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Customer services -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motor vehicles -- South Africa -- Maintenance and repairs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8610 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1516 , Customer services -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Motor vehicles -- South Africa -- Maintenance and repairs
- Description: The South African motor industry plays a pivotal role in the economy of South Africa and is a leading indicator in economic change. In general, satisfaction of customer service in the motor industry is steadily improving. However, as research has shown, there is still room for improvement within the industry. Knowing what customers expect is a critical step in delivering good quality service to ensure customer retention in the long-term (Zeithaml, Parasuraman & Berry 1990:62-63). Having a good understanding of the value of forming long-term relationships with customers and their evaluation of the quality of the service provided, cannot be underestimated, as failure to actually ask customers what they think of the service could be detrimental in the long-term. Vehicle manufacturers conduct ongoing research to monitor customer perceptions of the quality of the service provided by their vehicle retailers. The information generated from the research findings can be used by manufacturers to improve levels of service where this appears to be lacking, and deal promptly with any customer complaints. Against this background, how vehicle owners judge the quality of the service provided by a franchised vehicle retailer for a repair and maintenance service, will be crucial to understanding how customers form perceptions of service related firms specifically, and in general, even an entire industry. The primary objective of this study is to assess customer perceptions of service quality with a franchised vehicle retailer following a routine repair and maintenance service. The sample consisted of 3 859 respondents who had their vehicles serviced at a GM South Africa franchised vehicle retailer over a one month period. The empirical results of the study revealed that GM South Africa show general positive results in terms of customer service satisfaction, however, there are some areas where additional attention is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical analysis of the distintion between mining and manufacturing for South African income tax purposes
- Authors: Cloete, Loriaan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mining corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Mining law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1344 , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Mining law -- South Africa
- Description: "Mining operations" and "mining" are defined in s 1 of the Income Tax Act (ITA). A concept that is of great significance to this definition is the matter of when a mineral is won and the related question of when does the mining process end and the process of manufacture commences. Case law has not established a definitive point that can be used by the mining taxpayer to determine where the mining process ends for income tax purposes. The Supreme Court of Appeal was presented with the perfect opportunity in the Foskor1 case to clearly define the boundaries between these processes. Unfortunately, the court did not seize this opportunity to provide legal certainty. The significance of the distinction lies in the fact that a mining taxpayer is allowed to claim accelerated capital allowances. The objective of these allowances is to provide tax relief to the mining taxpayer taking the immense risk of investing billions of rands in capital expenditure. The capital expenditure incurred will also result in direct foreign investment. This in turn will result in economic growth and job creation. Currently, there is no legal certainty as to which processes will qualify as mining operations for income tax purposes. This may result in mining taxpayers being hesitant to incur capital expenditure as the risk relating to a project would have increased. The accelerated capital allowances may therefore not serve their intended purpose. The gross domestic product (GDP) contribution from gold mining has been decreasing in the last number of years, but this decrease has to a large extent been offset by an increase in the downstream or beneficiated minerals industry. This industry has also been identified by Government as a growth sector. The downstream or beneficiated mineral industry may not be catered for in the current definition of "mining operations" and "mining" and may therefore not qualify for beneficial tax allowances. It is therefore proposed that the term "won" as used in the definition of "mining operations" and "mining" should be defined in s 1 of the ITA as follows: A mineral is "won" when all the requisite and necessary processes, including, amongst other things, refinement, beneficiation, smelting, separation, have been undertaken to the mineral to render it saleable in an open and general market. This extension will provide legal certainty to a mining taxpayer and will ensure that South Africa obtains direct foreign investment and maximum value for its minerals. This will contribute to economic growth for South Africa's developing economy and result in job creation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cloete, Loriaan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mining corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Mining law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8948 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1344 , Mining corporations -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Mining law -- South Africa
- Description: "Mining operations" and "mining" are defined in s 1 of the Income Tax Act (ITA). A concept that is of great significance to this definition is the matter of when a mineral is won and the related question of when does the mining process end and the process of manufacture commences. Case law has not established a definitive point that can be used by the mining taxpayer to determine where the mining process ends for income tax purposes. The Supreme Court of Appeal was presented with the perfect opportunity in the Foskor1 case to clearly define the boundaries between these processes. Unfortunately, the court did not seize this opportunity to provide legal certainty. The significance of the distinction lies in the fact that a mining taxpayer is allowed to claim accelerated capital allowances. The objective of these allowances is to provide tax relief to the mining taxpayer taking the immense risk of investing billions of rands in capital expenditure. The capital expenditure incurred will also result in direct foreign investment. This in turn will result in economic growth and job creation. Currently, there is no legal certainty as to which processes will qualify as mining operations for income tax purposes. This may result in mining taxpayers being hesitant to incur capital expenditure as the risk relating to a project would have increased. The accelerated capital allowances may therefore not serve their intended purpose. The gross domestic product (GDP) contribution from gold mining has been decreasing in the last number of years, but this decrease has to a large extent been offset by an increase in the downstream or beneficiated minerals industry. This industry has also been identified by Government as a growth sector. The downstream or beneficiated mineral industry may not be catered for in the current definition of "mining operations" and "mining" and may therefore not qualify for beneficial tax allowances. It is therefore proposed that the term "won" as used in the definition of "mining operations" and "mining" should be defined in s 1 of the ITA as follows: A mineral is "won" when all the requisite and necessary processes, including, amongst other things, refinement, beneficiation, smelting, separation, have been undertaken to the mineral to render it saleable in an open and general market. This extension will provide legal certainty to a mining taxpayer and will ensure that South Africa obtains direct foreign investment and maximum value for its minerals. This will contribute to economic growth for South Africa's developing economy and result in job creation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical analysis of the income tax implications of persons ceasing to be a resident of South Africa
- Authors: Loyson, Richard Michael
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Income tax -- South Africa , Double taxation -- South Africa , Aliens -- Taxation -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Emigration and immigration law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1180 , Income tax -- South Africa , Double taxation -- South Africa , Aliens -- Taxation -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Emigration and immigration law -- South Africa
- Description: Over the last 10 years the South African fiscus has introduced numerous changes to the Income Tax Act (ITA) which affect the income tax implications of persons ceasing to be a resident of South Africa. The two main changes were: - The introduction of a world-wide basis of taxation for residents - The introduction of capital gains tax (CGT) as part of the ITA The aim of this treatise was to identify the income tax implications of persons ceasing to be a resident of South Africa. Resulting from this research, several issues in the ITA have been identified, and the two major ones are summarised below. Firstly, upon the emigration of the taxpayer, there is a deemed disposal of a taxpayer’s assets in terms of paragraph 12 of the Eighth Schedule. It is submitted that the resulting exit tax may be unconstitutional for individuals. It is recommended that South Africa should adopt the deferral method within its domestic legislation for individuals who are emigrating. The deferral method postpones the liability until the disposal of the asset. Secondly, on the subsequent disposal of assets by former residents where there was no exit charge in terms of the exemption under paragraph 12(2)(a)(i) of the Eighth Schedule. Depending on the specific double tax agreement (DTA) that has been entered into with the foreign country, taxpayers have been given vii the opportunity to minimise or eliminate the tax liability with regard to certain assets. This should be of concern from the point of view of the South African government. Further issues noted in this treatise were the following: - It is submitted that the term ‘place of effective management’ has been incorrectly interpreted by SARS in Interpretation Note 6. - It is further submitted that the interpretation by SARS of paragraph 2(2) of the Eighth Schedule is technically incorrect. The above issues that have been identified present opportunities to emigrants to take advantage of the current tax legislation. It is further recommended that taxpayers who are emigrating need to consider the South African domestic tax law implications, respective DTA’s, as well as the domestic tax laws of the other jurisdiction, not only on the date of emigration but also on the subsequent disposal of the respective assets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Loyson, Richard Michael
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Income tax -- South Africa , Double taxation -- South Africa , Aliens -- Taxation -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Emigration and immigration law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1180 , Income tax -- South Africa , Double taxation -- South Africa , Aliens -- Taxation -- South Africa , Capital gains tax -- South Africa , Citizenship -- South Africa , Emigration and immigration law -- South Africa
- Description: Over the last 10 years the South African fiscus has introduced numerous changes to the Income Tax Act (ITA) which affect the income tax implications of persons ceasing to be a resident of South Africa. The two main changes were: - The introduction of a world-wide basis of taxation for residents - The introduction of capital gains tax (CGT) as part of the ITA The aim of this treatise was to identify the income tax implications of persons ceasing to be a resident of South Africa. Resulting from this research, several issues in the ITA have been identified, and the two major ones are summarised below. Firstly, upon the emigration of the taxpayer, there is a deemed disposal of a taxpayer’s assets in terms of paragraph 12 of the Eighth Schedule. It is submitted that the resulting exit tax may be unconstitutional for individuals. It is recommended that South Africa should adopt the deferral method within its domestic legislation for individuals who are emigrating. The deferral method postpones the liability until the disposal of the asset. Secondly, on the subsequent disposal of assets by former residents where there was no exit charge in terms of the exemption under paragraph 12(2)(a)(i) of the Eighth Schedule. Depending on the specific double tax agreement (DTA) that has been entered into with the foreign country, taxpayers have been given vii the opportunity to minimise or eliminate the tax liability with regard to certain assets. This should be of concern from the point of view of the South African government. Further issues noted in this treatise were the following: - It is submitted that the term ‘place of effective management’ has been incorrectly interpreted by SARS in Interpretation Note 6. - It is further submitted that the interpretation by SARS of paragraph 2(2) of the Eighth Schedule is technically incorrect. The above issues that have been identified present opportunities to emigrants to take advantage of the current tax legislation. It is further recommended that taxpayers who are emigrating need to consider the South African domestic tax law implications, respective DTA’s, as well as the domestic tax laws of the other jurisdiction, not only on the date of emigration but also on the subsequent disposal of the respective assets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical analysis of the South African automotive industry and government incentive policy
- Authors: Gaskin, Sean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Motor Industry Development Programme , Automobile industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1358 , Motor Industry Development Programme , Automobile industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa
- Description: The automotive industry in South Africa exists in its current state due to the developmental programmes created by the South African government. During the next three years the government’s main development policy for the automotive industry will change from the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) to the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). As a result of this change there were feelings of uncertainty experienced across the domestic automotive industry during the APDP’s design and the period leading up to its launch, more or less years 2008 to 2010. Also present is the fear that the industry would collapse when faced with global competition should this change not fully comprehend all aspects of South Africa’s automotive industry. The research problem addressed in this study was to determine the effect on the sector’s competiveness in light of the impending change in governmental development programmes. This was accurately explained and expressed clearly while sub problems were identified from areas in the main problem that required further analysis due to their criticality or lack of clarity. A comprehensive literature review was executed to understand the nature and extent of the South African automotive industry, the Motor Industry Development Programme and the Automotive Production and Development Programme. A primary research instrument was constructed, in the form of a questionnaire, to test specific themes exposed during the literature review which can influence the sector’s competitive advantage. This questionnaire was distributed with the assistance of industry representative bodies NAAMSA (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, the domestic de facto representative body) and NAACAM (National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers, a component manufacturers’ representative body), to an even spread of respondents representative of the senior management and executives of automotive companies in South Africa. From the results obtained from the sample group, it seemed that there was consensus on many issues regarding the current structure of the South African automotive industry. Specifically, the profitability of vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers is heavily iii influenced by the incentives offered under the MIDP and the industry is not viable without them. The respondents were virtually unanimous in indicating that there is a need for some form of incentive programme and were positive about the effect the MIDP has had thus far on the automotive industry of South Africa, particularly the effect on the structure, focus and encouraging a reduction in complexity. The research found that it is common practice for OEMs to include the import duty on vehicles imported for domestic consumption even though this duty will be paid with the use of import-duty rebate credit certificates (IRCCs), which are provided to those vehicle assemblers who are net exporters of vehicles. Looking to the future, it emerged that the APDP will have a similar, positive effect on the domestic automotive industry when compared to the MIDP, but the effect will be experienced in a more aggressive manner. Companies will be encouraged by the new development programme to more aggressively improve aspects such as restructuring, rationalising, reducing model proliferation and improving low scale economies for example. Also the APDP will encourage OEMs to increase plant production volumes and ensure that reasonable scale economies are present to develop a domestic component supply industry to a degree. However, the volumes will be insufficient to create a world-class supplier industry. As a result automotive companies will have to be more aggressive in their adoption of more automated production processes and through Automotive Investment Scheme capital investment will increase in both vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers. Component manufacturers indicated that they would invest more in the coming years under the APDP than previously while vehicle assemblers indicated that their investment levels will remain as before. While this is good for the industry, labour is somewhat left out of this: considering the APDP’s focus on increased volumes and capital investments automotive companies are not incentivised to make use of labour-absorbing production processes. The study also found that there is still a need for tariff protection and that the domestic industry would collapse in the face of global competition. The research found that the APDP was compliant with South Africa’s commitments to the World Trade Organisation. Finally, the Department of Trade and Industry’s goal of producing 1.2 million vehicles per annum by 2020 was revealed to be unrealistic and unreachable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Gaskin, Sean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Motor Industry Development Programme , Automobile industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1358 , Motor Industry Development Programme , Automobile industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa , Incentives in industry -- South Africa
- Description: The automotive industry in South Africa exists in its current state due to the developmental programmes created by the South African government. During the next three years the government’s main development policy for the automotive industry will change from the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) to the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). As a result of this change there were feelings of uncertainty experienced across the domestic automotive industry during the APDP’s design and the period leading up to its launch, more or less years 2008 to 2010. Also present is the fear that the industry would collapse when faced with global competition should this change not fully comprehend all aspects of South Africa’s automotive industry. The research problem addressed in this study was to determine the effect on the sector’s competiveness in light of the impending change in governmental development programmes. This was accurately explained and expressed clearly while sub problems were identified from areas in the main problem that required further analysis due to their criticality or lack of clarity. A comprehensive literature review was executed to understand the nature and extent of the South African automotive industry, the Motor Industry Development Programme and the Automotive Production and Development Programme. A primary research instrument was constructed, in the form of a questionnaire, to test specific themes exposed during the literature review which can influence the sector’s competitive advantage. This questionnaire was distributed with the assistance of industry representative bodies NAAMSA (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, the domestic de facto representative body) and NAACAM (National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers, a component manufacturers’ representative body), to an even spread of respondents representative of the senior management and executives of automotive companies in South Africa. From the results obtained from the sample group, it seemed that there was consensus on many issues regarding the current structure of the South African automotive industry. Specifically, the profitability of vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers is heavily iii influenced by the incentives offered under the MIDP and the industry is not viable without them. The respondents were virtually unanimous in indicating that there is a need for some form of incentive programme and were positive about the effect the MIDP has had thus far on the automotive industry of South Africa, particularly the effect on the structure, focus and encouraging a reduction in complexity. The research found that it is common practice for OEMs to include the import duty on vehicles imported for domestic consumption even though this duty will be paid with the use of import-duty rebate credit certificates (IRCCs), which are provided to those vehicle assemblers who are net exporters of vehicles. Looking to the future, it emerged that the APDP will have a similar, positive effect on the domestic automotive industry when compared to the MIDP, but the effect will be experienced in a more aggressive manner. Companies will be encouraged by the new development programme to more aggressively improve aspects such as restructuring, rationalising, reducing model proliferation and improving low scale economies for example. Also the APDP will encourage OEMs to increase plant production volumes and ensure that reasonable scale economies are present to develop a domestic component supply industry to a degree. However, the volumes will be insufficient to create a world-class supplier industry. As a result automotive companies will have to be more aggressive in their adoption of more automated production processes and through Automotive Investment Scheme capital investment will increase in both vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers. Component manufacturers indicated that they would invest more in the coming years under the APDP than previously while vehicle assemblers indicated that their investment levels will remain as before. While this is good for the industry, labour is somewhat left out of this: considering the APDP’s focus on increased volumes and capital investments automotive companies are not incentivised to make use of labour-absorbing production processes. The study also found that there is still a need for tariff protection and that the domestic industry would collapse in the face of global competition. The research found that the APDP was compliant with South Africa’s commitments to the World Trade Organisation. Finally, the Department of Trade and Industry’s goal of producing 1.2 million vehicles per annum by 2020 was revealed to be unrealistic and unreachable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical discourse analysis of the coverage of operation "Restore Order" (Operation Murambatsvina) by Zimbabwe's weekly newspapers, the state-owned The Sunday Mail and the privately owned The Standard, in the period 18 May to 30 June 2005
- Authors: Mukundu, Rashweat
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Operation Murambatsvina, Zimbabwe, 2005- Political persecution -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Press and politics -- Zimbabwe Freedom of the press -- Zimbabwe Newspapers -- Objectivity -- Zimbabwe Journalistic ethics -- Zimbabwe Critical discourse analysis Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe) The Standard (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002925
- Description: On May 16 2006 the government of Zimbabwe embarked on a clean-up programme of urban centres, destroying informal human settlements and informal businesses. This operation, which the government called operation "Restore Order", resulted in the displacement of nearly one million people and left thousands of families homeless. This study is a discussion and an analysis of the coverage of the clean-up operation by two of Zimbabwe's leading Sunday newspapers, The Sunday Mail and The Standard. The Sunday Mail is owned by the Zimbabwe government and The Standard is privately owned and perceived to be oppositional to the current Zimbabwe government. The two newspapers, therefore, covered the clean-up operation from different perspectives and often presented conflicting reports explaining why the clean-up operation was carried out and the extent of its impact on the lives of millions of Zimbabweans. The chosen research approach is the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework as developed by Fairclough (1995). Using CDA, this study seeks to find out and expose the underlying ideological struggles for hegemony between different social and political groups in Zimbabwe and how the newspapers became actors in this process. This process is made possible by looking at how news reporting is organised in the two newspapers, issues of language use, sourcing and external factors that influenced the coverage of the operation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mukundu, Rashweat
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Operation Murambatsvina, Zimbabwe, 2005- Political persecution -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Press and politics -- Zimbabwe Freedom of the press -- Zimbabwe Newspapers -- Objectivity -- Zimbabwe Journalistic ethics -- Zimbabwe Critical discourse analysis Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe) The Standard (Zimbabwe)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002925
- Description: On May 16 2006 the government of Zimbabwe embarked on a clean-up programme of urban centres, destroying informal human settlements and informal businesses. This operation, which the government called operation "Restore Order", resulted in the displacement of nearly one million people and left thousands of families homeless. This study is a discussion and an analysis of the coverage of the clean-up operation by two of Zimbabwe's leading Sunday newspapers, The Sunday Mail and The Standard. The Sunday Mail is owned by the Zimbabwe government and The Standard is privately owned and perceived to be oppositional to the current Zimbabwe government. The two newspapers, therefore, covered the clean-up operation from different perspectives and often presented conflicting reports explaining why the clean-up operation was carried out and the extent of its impact on the lives of millions of Zimbabweans. The chosen research approach is the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework as developed by Fairclough (1995). Using CDA, this study seeks to find out and expose the underlying ideological struggles for hegemony between different social and political groups in Zimbabwe and how the newspapers became actors in this process. This process is made possible by looking at how news reporting is organised in the two newspapers, issues of language use, sourcing and external factors that influenced the coverage of the operation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical investigation of the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the context of the Waldorf curriculum : a multiple case study
- Authors: Swanepoel, Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Waldorf method of education Education -- Philosophy Teaching -- South Africa Perceval (Legendary character) Perceval (Legendary character) -- Study and teaching Grail Legends -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003364
- Description: The Steiner/Waldorf school movement is currently one of the fastest growing independent school movements internationally. In several countries it seems to have developed into the most popular form of alternative education. South Africa has 17 Waldorf schools and one full-time teacher training facility. This study investigated the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the wider context of the Waldorf curriculum. The main lesson system is an essential constituent of the Waldorf curriculum. Most academic subjects in a Waldorf school are taught in a three- or four-week main lesson block. The main lesson occupies the first two hours of the school day. A main lesson consists of a particular three-part structure, and the main lesson book is the keystone to the Waldorf evaluative process. The Parzival main lesson is specifically taught in Class 11, and most Waldorf schools consider it as one of the most important main lessons in the high school. The interpretivist model was ideally suited to this research. The investigation was conducted as a multiple case study, and the main source of data was provided by classroom observation. This was supported by interviews and classroom artifacts. The study involved two South African Waldorf schools at which the Parzival main lesson is taught. This main lesson is presented at only three South African Waldorf schools. I teach at the remaining school, and therefore conducted my research at the other two schools. The teachers who facilitated the Parzival main lesson, as well as the Class students at the selected schools voluntarily participated in the research. My research findings indicate that the possibility exists for the teacher to exercise a certain degree of freedom and creativity within the parameters of Waldorf methodology and the Waldorf curriculum. The study also determines that teachers often find it difficult to integrate the three-part structure, as indicated by Waldorf methodology, in a single main lesson. Furthermore, my research establishes that main lesson books can indeed serve as both text and as an assessment tool. I therefore conclude and maintain in this study, with particular reference to the Parzival main lesson, that despite the prescriptive structure of the Waldorf system and Steiner pedagogy, teachers need not necessarily sacrifice their freedom and creativity within the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Swanepoel, Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Waldorf method of education Education -- Philosophy Teaching -- South Africa Perceval (Legendary character) Perceval (Legendary character) -- Study and teaching Grail Legends -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003364
- Description: The Steiner/Waldorf school movement is currently one of the fastest growing independent school movements internationally. In several countries it seems to have developed into the most popular form of alternative education. South Africa has 17 Waldorf schools and one full-time teacher training facility. This study investigated the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the wider context of the Waldorf curriculum. The main lesson system is an essential constituent of the Waldorf curriculum. Most academic subjects in a Waldorf school are taught in a three- or four-week main lesson block. The main lesson occupies the first two hours of the school day. A main lesson consists of a particular three-part structure, and the main lesson book is the keystone to the Waldorf evaluative process. The Parzival main lesson is specifically taught in Class 11, and most Waldorf schools consider it as one of the most important main lessons in the high school. The interpretivist model was ideally suited to this research. The investigation was conducted as a multiple case study, and the main source of data was provided by classroom observation. This was supported by interviews and classroom artifacts. The study involved two South African Waldorf schools at which the Parzival main lesson is taught. This main lesson is presented at only three South African Waldorf schools. I teach at the remaining school, and therefore conducted my research at the other two schools. The teachers who facilitated the Parzival main lesson, as well as the Class students at the selected schools voluntarily participated in the research. My research findings indicate that the possibility exists for the teacher to exercise a certain degree of freedom and creativity within the parameters of Waldorf methodology and the Waldorf curriculum. The study also determines that teachers often find it difficult to integrate the three-part structure, as indicated by Waldorf methodology, in a single main lesson. Furthermore, my research establishes that main lesson books can indeed serve as both text and as an assessment tool. I therefore conclude and maintain in this study, with particular reference to the Parzival main lesson, that despite the prescriptive structure of the Waldorf system and Steiner pedagogy, teachers need not necessarily sacrifice their freedom and creativity within the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A Foucauldian critique of neo-liberalsim
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tawanda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Neoliberalism Political science -- Philosophy Philosophy, Marxist Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984 Socialism Capitalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003038
- Description: This study attempts to make a contribution to the critique of contemporary capitalism. This has been conceptualised through a Foucauldian critique of neo-liberalism, that is, Foucault’s concepts of power and governmentality have been used to criticise neo-liberalism. The study argues that neo-liberalism is a hegemonic and oppressive politico-economic social system. This has occurred in two ways; firstly, neo-liberalism came to dominate the global economy and, secondly, neo-liberalism has become the dominant politico-economic discourse. An attempt is made to expose the discourses and institutions that buttress the neo-liberal project by undertaking a Foucauldian critique. According to Foucault, knowledge shapes the social space through its ‘mechanisms’, discourses and institutions. In order to critique neo-liberalism, it is necessary to expose its power-knowledge base, which is what gives it legitimacy. By analysing and exposing neo-liberalism’s power-knowledge base, its oppression becomes clear through an observation of the material effects of neo-liberal ideology and policy. This study also evaluates to what extent Marxism is a viable alternative to neo-liberalism, in order to ascertain what Foucault adds to already existing critiques of capitalism, and neo-liberalism, in particular. It concludes by arguing that even though Marxism provides a useful framework in which to understand neo-liberal domination, its labour based social theory is somewhat outdated in our contemporary age of the information society. Therefore, it is Foucault’s concept of power-knowledge that is most pertinent in providing an effective critical theory of neo-liberalism in the age of the information society, as it focuses on the primacy of power-knowledge in matters of domination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Sachikonye, Tawanda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Neoliberalism Political science -- Philosophy Philosophy, Marxist Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984 Socialism Capitalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003038
- Description: This study attempts to make a contribution to the critique of contemporary capitalism. This has been conceptualised through a Foucauldian critique of neo-liberalism, that is, Foucault’s concepts of power and governmentality have been used to criticise neo-liberalism. The study argues that neo-liberalism is a hegemonic and oppressive politico-economic social system. This has occurred in two ways; firstly, neo-liberalism came to dominate the global economy and, secondly, neo-liberalism has become the dominant politico-economic discourse. An attempt is made to expose the discourses and institutions that buttress the neo-liberal project by undertaking a Foucauldian critique. According to Foucault, knowledge shapes the social space through its ‘mechanisms’, discourses and institutions. In order to critique neo-liberalism, it is necessary to expose its power-knowledge base, which is what gives it legitimacy. By analysing and exposing neo-liberalism’s power-knowledge base, its oppression becomes clear through an observation of the material effects of neo-liberal ideology and policy. This study also evaluates to what extent Marxism is a viable alternative to neo-liberalism, in order to ascertain what Foucault adds to already existing critiques of capitalism, and neo-liberalism, in particular. It concludes by arguing that even though Marxism provides a useful framework in which to understand neo-liberal domination, its labour based social theory is somewhat outdated in our contemporary age of the information society. Therefore, it is Foucault’s concept of power-knowledge that is most pertinent in providing an effective critical theory of neo-liberalism in the age of the information society, as it focuses on the primacy of power-knowledge in matters of domination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A framework for mobile SOA using compression
- Authors: Saunders, Evan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Service-oriented architecture (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1500 , Service-oriented architecture (Computer science)
- Description: The widely accepted standards of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) have changed the way many organisations conduct their everyday business. The significant popularity of mobile devices has seen a rapid increase in the rate of mobile technology enhancements, which have become widely used for communication, as well as conducting everyday tasks. An increased requirement in many businesses is for staff not to be tied down to the office. Consequently, mobile devices play an important role in achieving the mobility and information access that people desire. Due to the popularity and increasing use of SOA and mobile devices, Mobile Service-Oriented Architecture (Mobile SOA) has become a new industry catch-phrase. Many challenges, however, exist within the Mobile SOA environment. These issues include limitations on mobile devices, such as a reduced screen size, lack of processing power, insufficient processing memory, limited battery life, poor storage capacity, unreliable network connections, limited bandwidth available and high transfer costs. This research aimed to provide an elegant solution to the issues of a mobile device, which hinders the performance of Mobile SOA. The main objective of this research was to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Mobile SOA. In order to achieve this goal, a framework was proposed, which supported intelligent compression of files used within a Web Service. The proposed framework provided a set of guidelines that facilitate the quick development of a system. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed, based on these guidelines and the framework design principles. The prototype provided practical evidence of the effectiveness of implementing a system based on the proposed framework. An analytical evaluation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the prototype within the Mobile SOA environment. A performance evaluation was conducted to determine efficiency it provides. Additionally, the performance evaluation highlighted the decrease in file transfer time, as well as the significant reduction in transfer costs. The analytical and performance evaluations demonstrated that the prototype optimises the effectiveness and efficiency of Mobile SOA. The framework could, thus, be used to facilitate efficient file transfer between a Server and (Mobile) Client.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Saunders, Evan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Service-oriented architecture (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10459 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1500 , Service-oriented architecture (Computer science)
- Description: The widely accepted standards of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) have changed the way many organisations conduct their everyday business. The significant popularity of mobile devices has seen a rapid increase in the rate of mobile technology enhancements, which have become widely used for communication, as well as conducting everyday tasks. An increased requirement in many businesses is for staff not to be tied down to the office. Consequently, mobile devices play an important role in achieving the mobility and information access that people desire. Due to the popularity and increasing use of SOA and mobile devices, Mobile Service-Oriented Architecture (Mobile SOA) has become a new industry catch-phrase. Many challenges, however, exist within the Mobile SOA environment. These issues include limitations on mobile devices, such as a reduced screen size, lack of processing power, insufficient processing memory, limited battery life, poor storage capacity, unreliable network connections, limited bandwidth available and high transfer costs. This research aimed to provide an elegant solution to the issues of a mobile device, which hinders the performance of Mobile SOA. The main objective of this research was to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Mobile SOA. In order to achieve this goal, a framework was proposed, which supported intelligent compression of files used within a Web Service. The proposed framework provided a set of guidelines that facilitate the quick development of a system. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed, based on these guidelines and the framework design principles. The prototype provided practical evidence of the effectiveness of implementing a system based on the proposed framework. An analytical evaluation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the prototype within the Mobile SOA environment. A performance evaluation was conducted to determine efficiency it provides. Additionally, the performance evaluation highlighted the decrease in file transfer time, as well as the significant reduction in transfer costs. The analytical and performance evaluations demonstrated that the prototype optimises the effectiveness and efficiency of Mobile SOA. The framework could, thus, be used to facilitate efficient file transfer between a Server and (Mobile) Client.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A longitudinal study of the occupational aspirations and perceptions of fifteen to sixteen year-old South African adolescents
- Authors: Marshall, Joanne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1183 , Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Description: While career development is viewed as a lifelong process, there are numerous limitations regarding existing career theories and research pertaining to the adolescent population. Further, insufficient longitudinal research represents one of the major obstacles for a more holistic understanding of career development across the lifespan. Thus, the present longitudinal project of which the current study forms a part was initiated to address the lack of research and theory concerning adolescent career development. The larger longitudinal project intended to make information available regarding the occupational aspirations and perceptions of a sample of South African children and adolescents, from early childhood into their adolescent years. The current study investigates the occupational aspiration development of 15 to 16 year old South African adolescents. It is argued that the South African knowledge base on career development behaviour still requires extensive development, especially with regards to adolescent career development. The current longitudinal study aimed to explore and describe possible developments and changes over a two year period in the interest typology, occupational status level and occupational gender stereotypes of the 43 adolescents. Additionally, the study aimed to explore and describe the adolescents' reflections on their own occupational aspiration development. The findings of this study will provide necessary baseline information on the development of South African adolescents' occupational aspirations and will offer valuable recommendations for the future development of adolescent career education programmes. Adolescent and career development theories were used to provide a context for the current study. Semi-structured interviews and biographical questionnaires were utilized to record verbal data which was transposed into nominal data for analysis. Thus, the current study was quantitative in nature. The semi-structured interview comprised four general aspects that included: the adolescents' occupational aspirations, the number of occupations they knew about, how much they knew about the expressed occupations, and the extent to which they held gender stereotypes concerning fourteen different occupations. The data gained was coded according to Holland's (1985) classification system of interest typologies. Also, the adolescents' occupational aspirations were coded according to their status levels. The coded data was subsequently analysed using both descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and percentages as well as inferential statistics in the form of chi-square analysis. Content analysis was also conducted on the adolescents' reflections on their own career development as a means to extract themes. The results indicated that adolescence was an important phase of career development and the findings supported adolescent and career development theories. The results of the study also indicated that the majority of adolescents aspired to Investigative type occupations across both years of the study and most adolescents consistently aspired to high status occupations. In addition, adolescents do not appear to gender stereotype in terms of occupations. Lastly, it was found that most adolescents could reflect on their career development, predominantly attributing changes in their occupational aspirations to changes in their interests. The present study has made available important information regarding the occupational aspiration development of a group of South African adolescents, which can be utilized in further research and as a foundation on which to develop career education programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Marshall, Joanne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1183 , Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Personality and occupation -- South Africa
- Description: While career development is viewed as a lifelong process, there are numerous limitations regarding existing career theories and research pertaining to the adolescent population. Further, insufficient longitudinal research represents one of the major obstacles for a more holistic understanding of career development across the lifespan. Thus, the present longitudinal project of which the current study forms a part was initiated to address the lack of research and theory concerning adolescent career development. The larger longitudinal project intended to make information available regarding the occupational aspirations and perceptions of a sample of South African children and adolescents, from early childhood into their adolescent years. The current study investigates the occupational aspiration development of 15 to 16 year old South African adolescents. It is argued that the South African knowledge base on career development behaviour still requires extensive development, especially with regards to adolescent career development. The current longitudinal study aimed to explore and describe possible developments and changes over a two year period in the interest typology, occupational status level and occupational gender stereotypes of the 43 adolescents. Additionally, the study aimed to explore and describe the adolescents' reflections on their own occupational aspiration development. The findings of this study will provide necessary baseline information on the development of South African adolescents' occupational aspirations and will offer valuable recommendations for the future development of adolescent career education programmes. Adolescent and career development theories were used to provide a context for the current study. Semi-structured interviews and biographical questionnaires were utilized to record verbal data which was transposed into nominal data for analysis. Thus, the current study was quantitative in nature. The semi-structured interview comprised four general aspects that included: the adolescents' occupational aspirations, the number of occupations they knew about, how much they knew about the expressed occupations, and the extent to which they held gender stereotypes concerning fourteen different occupations. The data gained was coded according to Holland's (1985) classification system of interest typologies. Also, the adolescents' occupational aspirations were coded according to their status levels. The coded data was subsequently analysed using both descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and percentages as well as inferential statistics in the form of chi-square analysis. Content analysis was also conducted on the adolescents' reflections on their own career development as a means to extract themes. The results indicated that adolescence was an important phase of career development and the findings supported adolescent and career development theories. The results of the study also indicated that the majority of adolescents aspired to Investigative type occupations across both years of the study and most adolescents consistently aspired to high status occupations. In addition, adolescents do not appear to gender stereotype in terms of occupations. Lastly, it was found that most adolescents could reflect on their career development, predominantly attributing changes in their occupational aspirations to changes in their interests. The present study has made available important information regarding the occupational aspiration development of a group of South African adolescents, which can be utilized in further research and as a foundation on which to develop career education programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010