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De-industrialisation and the economic crisis in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Dlamini, Trinity N
  • Date: 2014-12
  • Subjects: Community life , Land reform -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's thesis , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25915 , vital:64563
  • Description: Zimbabwe has faced massive de-industrialization in the past decade. Decline in manufacturing production has immensely contributed to the economic crisis that hit the country since 1997. Most scholars have regarded the land reform program as the main contributor to the economic crisis but this study reveals how industrial decline led to the same crisis. Sustainable economic growth should be consistent with high levels of employment. This can be achieved through a strong role by a developmental state with autonomy over industrial development and guiding the process of capital accumulation. During the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) period, there were high levels of economic growth with the manufacturing sector emerging as the leading sector in the country`s economy. However, this growth failed to translate into economic development. The UDI regime had favoured capital-intensive production, controls on trade, foreign currency and the exchange rate system. With the attainment of independence, the post-independence government had to alter policies so as to expand productivity and create employment opportunities for the previously marginalized black people. This study notes that the state failed to invest accumulated capital and diversify production in the years it had achieved strong economic growth. The state did not address the issue of transformation of colonial production processes through policy. It failed to promote labour-intensive production and there was inadequate investment in expanding the manufacturing sector. The Zimbabwean economy has the potential to generate significant investible capital but it is never reinvested locally in a more balanced and integrated pattern of development. Even with the liberalization of the economy in 1991 through the Economic Structural Adjustment Program (ESAP), the country never achieved the targeted economic growth. Focus further shifted towards investing on capital-intensive production in the agricultural sector at the expense of labour-intensive industries. Therefore, the decline in manufacturing production in the early 1990s led to the economic crisis in Zimbabwe. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-12

Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and employee engagement in a leading South African car rental company

  • Authors: Mtati, Yanela
  • Date: 2014-12
  • Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
  • Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
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  • Date Issued: 2014-12

The use of a rapid incineration field test for determining soil organic carbon in the Southern Cape Region

  • Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
  • Date: 2014-12
  • Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
  • Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2014-12

WAIS-IV test performance in the South African context: a comparison between existing grade 12 WAIS-III norms with grade 12 WAIS-IV for populations that were educated in former-DET schools

  • Authors: Klopper, Coenraad Christoffel
  • Date: 2014-12
  • Subjects: Intelligence tests , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Psychological tests
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25891 , vital:64561
  • Description: Accurate IQ assessment in the field of psychology is a constant pursuit and an ethical requirement in the field of psychology. In the South African cross cultural context, the use of within group norms are very important in order to improve the accuracy and interpretive value of psychometric tests. This is due to differences between cultural groups in South Africa in terms of IQ test performance of which the biggest mediating factor is quality of education. Shuttleworth-Edwards et al. (2013), performed cross cultural normative research on the WAIS-III in which participants were stringently stratified for age, level of education, quality of education, race and language. The current study is a partial duplication of the WAIS-III normative study by Shuttleworth-Edwards et al. (2013). The sub-group in that study that indicated the most significant lowering relative to the US/UK standardisation of the WAIS-III was duplicated in this study and tested with the WAIS-IV. This group included participants stratified for race (Black South African), language (Xhosa speaking), level of education (Grade 12) and quality of education (previous Department of Education and Training (former-DET) schools). The WAIS-IV results of the current study were statistically compared with the WAIS-III results from Shuttleworth-Edwards et al. (2013). No statistically significant differences were found between the WAIS-III test performance and WAIS-IV test performance in terms of scaled score comparisons, index score comparisons and full scale index comparisons. Further comparisons were made between male and female and urban and rural participants. Significant differences were found between males and females on the verbal comprehension index. No significant differences were found between the urban and rural participants. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2014-12

An assessment of electronic-governance as a support system for service delivery in the public sector

  • Authors: Maramura, Tafadzwa Clementine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4419-1887
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa , Electronic government information , Internet in public administration
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26053 , vital:64786
  • Description: This is an exploratory research that is aimed at assessing the role of e-governance tools and initiatives on how they can be support systems for service delivery in the public service sector. The rationale of this research came as a response to the ever increasing and recurring service delivery protests that are underpinning the Government of South Africa. Hence the inception of electronic-governance (e-governance) comes at the right time with the aim of mordernising and reforming the public sector for efficient and effective service delivery. E-governance is about transforming governance to be more citizens centered and thus technology is the tool in this effort which can enable change in how the government works and how public officials interact with the public at stake. Cloete (2012:128) asserts that e-governance is the future of public governance and public service delivery globally. Thus governments that do not make the transition from paper-based systems of public administration to electronic platforms of public service delivery may swiftly undermine their chances of developing their societies as 21st century information societies. This research however does not imply that e-governance will be a miraculous panacea to poor service provision in South Africa, but it implies that its role in the public service sector can be as a support system for efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. This is coupled by the research findings which are espoused on through a secondary data approach and thematically analysed to assess the role of e-governance as a support system on service delivery in the public service sector. Thus from the literature it is remarkable to acknowledge that the South African public service sector has successfully established and implemented a significant number of e-governance initiatives from 1994 to present day. Simultaneously to reveal how e-governance can be a support system for the public service, it is not one-dimensional, it is however multidimensional and thereby cutting across the entire field of public administration inter alia the public service sector. The already initiated e-governance tools in South Africa also range from national, provincial and municipal level thereby clearly revealing how e-governance can also be a support system to cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations inter alia. This research does not imply that e-governance can be a panacea to the public service sector ills but however with the fast moving techno-global world the move to an ICT driven public service sector has more merits than demerits to the general public who are at the receiving end of public services. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

An investigation of poverty as a contributory factor to sexual risk-taking behaviour among female adolescent scholars: a case study of Mbuzini Village Mpumalanga province

  • Authors: Mahlalela, Vusi Zakhele
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Risk-taking (Psychology) in adolescence , Sexually transmitted diseases , College students -- Sexual behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26548 , vital:65584
  • Description: The study investigated poverty as a contributory factor to risky sexual behaviour among female adolescent scholars. A qualitative approach was employed in this study, which was carried out among 27 participants, 21 of whom were females between the ages of 14 and 27 years. 6 of whom were drawn from the ranks of social workers, community development practitioners, community leaders and parents who formed the school governing body. Non- probability sampling methods and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the sample. The data was collected by means of one-to-one in-depth interviews and a once-off focus group discussion. The findings of the study revealed that most of the participants were sexually active: only one was sexually inactive and some had children. The study also found that some of the participants received money from their sexual partners. These findings are discussed in the conclusion to the study and appropriate recommendations are made. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

Exploring the usefulness of learning management system (LMS) in higher education learning development at a historically disadvantaged Eastern Cape University

  • Authors: Holmberg, Lorraine
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Instructional systems--Management , Education, Higher--Management , Universities and colleges--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24216 , vital:62443
  • Description: This case study aims to explore how using a Learning Management System (LMS*) to mediate learning, impacts learning development (LD) at a historically disadvantaged university (HDU) in the Eastern Cape (EC). Massification and the technological revolution have together changed the way that teaching and learning takes place, more especially in higher education institutions (HEI). Due to the increased demand for higher education (HE), computers have been used to mediate the learning space, altering the skills teachers and learners are required to have. The LMS under exploration provides a multitude of tools for managing both administrative and academic tasks. This study has drawn extensively from the framework of Activity Theory (AT), and Vygotsky’s theory of learning development to develop understandings and guide data analysis in preparation for discussion and for conclusions to be drawn. The study mostly investigated student interaction patterns with the various tools of the LMS in an effort to determine how these activities impact learning development. A mixed methods approach was used to address data that was automatically generated by the LMS; quantitative analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics was applied to numeric data, while thematic analysis was applied to textual data obtained from the threaded discussion that transpired between members of the learning community. Findings show the impact which context has on learner development and how, unless all the tools of the LMS are formally integrated for learning purposes, learners can become distracted by the functions these tools offer. This in particular pertains to learners struggling to integrate and assimilate new information. Further to this, the discussion tools serve social purposes, and have the potential to benefit constructionist learning principles, on condition that activity on the tools is structured and has clear outcomes. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

Factors responsible for sex practice, STIs and non-contraceptive use among female adolescents: a case study of an Eastern Cape institute, South Africa

  • Authors: Fagbamila, Tolulope Odunola
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape. , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Abused teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29021 , vital:76465
  • Description: In spite of the number of studies that have been carried out on the factors responsible for sex practice and non-contraceptive use among the female adolescents, very little impact has been felt on female adolescents‟ sexual behaviour. This is seen from a very high record of unintended pregnancy rates, STIs and illegal abortion among them. An initial assumption that adolescents always try not to get pregnant since most of the pregnancies are unplanned but reverse is the case in this era. What are the responsible factors to this social challenge? The researcher wanted to know the underlying epidemiological factors that are responsible for the early sexual behaviour and non-contraceptive use among the female adolescents using descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Descriptive statistics describe the basic features of the data in a study and provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures. They also form the basis of virtually every quantitative analysis of data together with simple graphic summaries. A Two-way ANOVA is used to compare the effect of multiple levels of two factors with multiple observations at each level. However, it is expected that the outcome of the research would help to generate information that will assist in identifying and introducing strategies to reduce adolescent pregnancy rates, sexually transmitted infections and to encourage greater levels of contraceptive measures usage among the female adolescents. Research findings were that more than half of the female adolescents were extremely poor. Majority of the young female adolescents were being taken care of by single parents, their mothers only. Nevertheless, the level of contraceptive measures unawareness among the female adolescents decreased as their academic performance increased. Hence, the highly contacted sexually transmitted infection among the middle aged female adolescents was HIV/AIDS 4,5 percent while the highly contacted sexually transmitted infection among the adult female adolescent was syphilis 7.2 percent. The main factor attributed to factor responsible for their sex practice was experimentation followed by family status. By “strongly agree” opinion rating, poverty was rated as the main factor responsible for sex practice, STIs and non-contraceptive use among female adolescents. Among the factors associated with sexually transmitted infections, poverty was also rated the main factor. Female adolescent income source had no effect on their academic performance, be it parents, guardian, grants, NGO or friends. Sex practice had an effect on female adolescents academic performance. Nevertheless, adolescent income source and contraceptive category/method never had effect on poverty opinion, as a factor responsible for sex practice, STIs and non-contraceptive use among female adolescents while contraceptive awareness had a significant effect on poverty opinion, as STIs risk factors. However, further studies will be carried out later in future using one way Analysis of Variance to study each of the factor effects on the dependent variables. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

Job insecurity and work-family conflict in relation to job engagement in the energy industry in selected organisations in Amathole District

  • Authors: Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5804-583X
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Role conflict , Job security , Work and family
  • Language: English
  • Type: text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25546 , vital:64332
  • Description: Most employees are failing to meet the competing work related and household strains leading to burnout, absenteeism and loss of the few existing highly skilled employees. The current study utilised the Job Demand-Resources Model to examine the relationship between job insecurity and work-family conflict on the one hand and job engagement on the other hand among technical personnel within selected Eskom depots in the Amathole District Municipality of the Eastern Cape. There is limited research regarding the impact of job insecurity and work-family conflict on job engagement among technicians in the energy industry. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used. The sample (N= 221) comprised of technicians from Eskom branches. Data was collected through the questionnaire method and SPSS was used for data analysis. The results of the Product Pearson Correlation method indicated that job insecurity negatively predicts job engagement, contrary to work-family conflict. Unexpectedly, results from multiple regression method and chi-square showed that job insecurity and work-family conflict together do not account for a significantly higher proportion of variance on job engagement than any of the two separately. This study argument existing knowledge on job insecurity, work-family conflict and job engagement among technicians in the energy industry that has largely been ignored by previous researchers and validates certain aspects of the Job Demands Resources Model. The energy industry should provide consideration to how the need for shifts and sometimes working long hours is justified. Strategies need to be implemented in improving managerial and co-worker support for technicians through socialization and team building activities. In addition, employers must invest in strategies used in stimulating employee well-being directly such as supportive leadership to reduce feelings of job insecurity and stress from the pressure of competing work and home demands. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

Social intrepreneurship and millennium development goals in developing countries: case study of Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Ngorora, Grace P K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-313
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Social entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26661 , vital:65847
  • Description: The study set out to examine the contribution of social entrepreneurship to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly MDG 1, the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Poverty reduction occurred when social entrepreneurial activities resulted in the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of social entrepreneurs and their beneficiaries. The problem this study sought to research on was that, despite the impact of social entrepreneurship, there has been inadequate attention to and discussion of its contribution to attaining the MDGs in Zimbabwe. The population were social entrepreneurs in Harare, Zimbabwe. The random sampling method was used to determine the sample size. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data in Harare, Zimbabwe from 132 social entrepreneurs and 200 beneficiaries of social entrepreneurial activities. Secondary information was obtained from textbooks and various internet sources. The data collected was analyzed through SPSS Version 22 because of its appropriateness and wide use. The null hypothesis that social entrepreneurship does not contribute to the achievement of MDGs was rejected in favor of the alternative hypothesis that social entrepreneurship provides an alternative to the achievement of MDGs. Findings from the study suggest that social entrepreneurs contribute immensely to poverty reduction. They also contribute towards research and development, promoting gender equality and empowerment, education for all as well as access to health facilities. The segments of the population benefiting from social entrepreneurship include the poor, socially excluded, discriminated, the unemployed and disabled. The impact on poverty and hunger was achieved through microfinance initiatives, income generation activities, empowerment and capacity building. Results showed that social entrepreneurship activities solve social problems through providing food, shelter, water, education and collateral to access finance. The study concluded that social entrepreneurship is a plausible approach to promote implementation of policies to reduce extreme poverty and hunger by using readily available resources to bring sustainable solutions to problems. The strategies to make social entrepreneurship more effective included creating a conducive legal and policy environment, financial provision, political support, and government support, publicity of the contribution of social entrepreneurship, mentorship and collaboration among stakeholders. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

The effectiveness of business incubators in enhancing growth, survival and performance of small, medium and micro enterprises in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sarakunze, Annie.
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic development -- South Africa , Small business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26786 , vital:66005
  • Description: In both developed and developing countries, the growth of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise sector is considered an important factor in boosting the economic well-being of a country. The governments of many countries play a basic role in creating policies and programmes which support the growth of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises. One of the initiatives used by the governments to nurture small businesses is business incubation.This study investigated the effectiveness of business incubators in enhancing growth, survival and performance of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in selected areas of the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of business incubation on the performance of SMMEs, determine the impact of business incubation on the growth of the SMME, to assess the impact of business incubation on the survival of the SMMEs and to investigate whether SMMEs are satisfied with the role of business incubators in their areas.This study employed a stratified simple random sampling technique. The population was first divided into six homogeneous strata and then simple random sampling was then employed. The self-administered questionnaires were then distributed into each and every stratum randomly. Simple random sampling was used because it enabled each and every member in the strata to have an equal chance of being selected. Owners, managers and employees were used as respondents in this study and a total sample of 200 SMMEs answered the questionnaire. The study followed a quantitative research design as it involved variables such as growth, firm performance and survival which have measures that involves the use of figures such as sales, number of employees and total value of assets. The data was analysed by Anova, Pearson Chi-Square and T-test statistical methods in order to arrive at findings and conclusions. Based on the findings from this survey it was found that business incubators are effective in enhancing growth, survival and performance of SMMEs. Although other researchers found that there are no significant variations in growth, survival and performance of incubated and non-incubated businesses, this study however recognizes the importance of business incubation to SMMEs. This study concurs with most findings by many researchers of business incubation and thus recommends vigorous business incubation awareness to the SMMEs and networking. , Thesis (MBm) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

The effects of social media on relationship patterns among adolescents: A study of students in three selected high schools of Alice in Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Kalasaru, Onai Ronald https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4984-4250
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Online social networks , Mass media and children
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25085 , vital:63966
  • Description: Technology with the aid of the internet and social media has brought so much into the world, it has managed to reach and develop almost the entire world and this includes remote areas of Sub-Saharan countries like South Africa. These are the least developed and usually the last regions of the world to receive technology. It should be noted that most of the times, technology is bound to make an impact as people use it and this was the motive behind this study which aimed at assessing the effects of socialised media on adolescents who are the future of South Africa. In the study, the researcher aims at discovering whether the use of social media engines among adolescents affects the ways with which they relate with one another. The study which adopted a quantitative methodology was conducted on matriculating students from three randomly selected schools from within and surrounding town of Alice in Eastern Cape South Africa. Respondents were sampled conveniently and data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. From the results and conclusions, it showed that technology has reached South Africa’s remote areas and young people like adolescents have many uses for it. However, they proved that even though they now have technology in form of the internet and social media, it does not affect the ways with which they form and maintained social relations. This means that technology does not have a significant impact in the relationship patterns of adolescents in remote areas of South Africa. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

The experiences faced by lesbian, gays, bisexual, and transgender students at the University of Fort Hare

  • Authors: Nyakwima, Esther Rutendo
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Gays , Homosexuality , Bisexuals
  • Language: English
  • Type: text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25227 , vital:64070
  • Description: Sexual orientation is one of the vital aspects that a person’s identity, persona, self-esteem, solidarity, equality and worthless are determined. Misconceptions and prejudices often lead to emotional, psychological and verbal discrimination or victimisation and even physical violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life. This study explored the experiences, challenges faced by LGBT students at the University Of Fort Hare and the strategies they employ to deal with these challenges and policies which are in place to protect them. The study utilized the psychodynamic theory and the social cognitive theoretical framework to illustrate the homosexuality nexus. The study employed a qualitative and quantitative research methodology which utilised questionnaires and interviews as a methods of data collection. The study revealed that the homosexual population at the University Of Fort Hare is experiencing homophobia, condemnation, homophobic attacks, prejudicial remarks, discrimination and abuse. It was noted that perceived discrimination is rampant from heterosexual students in every category related to discrimination. While the findings do not prove that discrimination causes mental health problems, data collected takes a step towards demonstrating that the social stigma felt by LGBT students has mental health consequences. Inequitable experiences may affect stress levels because discrimination is shadowed by prejudice remarks against homosexuals. The results of the study have further revealed that homosexual students are resilient to harsh circumstances like violence and discrimination. They are by no means secure within their own gendered and sexual lives. They have an idea as to what strategies and implementation tactics would work best for them, given their socio-cultural framework. Homosexual students successively adopt various strategies to protect themselves, such as boundary setting, avoiding certain circumstances, hiding identities, revenging and some openly admitting that they are gay students. Although there are policies in place to protect homosexual students at the University Of Fort Hare, gay and lesbian students have adopted their own strategies to protect themselves as they are unaware of these policies. However, in terms of policies safeguarding homosexuals, it can be noted that the University Of Fort Hare has generally adopted a top-down policy, one-size fits all approach to solving gender issues on campus. The policies are mainly centred on the distribution of resources and strict guidelines on the way people or inmates should conduct themselves towards each other. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

The implementation of the Child Justice Act: experiences of social workers working as probation officers

  • Authors: Mkokeli, Babalwa
  • Date: 2014-11
  • Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc , Probation officers , Juvenile justice, Administration of
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25282 , vital:64138
  • Description: The implementation of the Child Justice Act (Act No. 75 of 2008) started on 01 April 2010. The law regulates ways of handling children found to be in conflict with the law. Whilst this law was still a Bill, probation officers who are social workers employed by Social Development & Special Programmes were already bound to work with young offenders, employed under the Probation Services Act no.116 of 2002. Probation officers had clear regulations on their role and responsibility towards children found in conflict with the law, unlike other stakeholders working within the sphere of child justice. Absence of the law encompassing child justice caused a struggle for probation officer because stakeholders like South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Justice services were not considering services of probation officers important. The situation was frustrating because there was lack of cooperation between probation officers and role players like police, prosecutors and magistrates which often led to gross irregularities on cases of young offenders. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of probation officers with the implementation of the Child Justice Act, particularly working relations with the above mentioned stakeholders. The researcher used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative research approach which is committed to examining people’s daily experiences. In collecting data the researcher used a semi-structured questionnaire schedule comprising open rather than closed-ended questions. The researcher intended to interview fifteen probation officers working at OR Tambo District Municipality. A purposive sampling was used targeting officers who are aware of the child justice system before and after the implementation of the Act. Study findings revealed improvement on working relations between SAPS, NPA and Justice such as (i) increase in the rate of informing probation officers about arrested children, (ii) sitting of preliminary inquiries (PIs), (iii) drop in the number of detained children, (iv) practice of in camera proceedings for young offenders. However, despite the presence of the Child Justice Act (CJA) findings also revealed challenges which were the following: (i) drop in the number of arrested or diverted children, (ii) non-compliance by SAPS to inform POs about arrested children especially during weekends, which often results in parents not being aware that their children are in custody, (iii) areas where PIs are not held, areas where they are not regular as well as non-uniformity in how PIs are conducted, and (iv) cases of children held in public during court proceedings and cases of young offenders handled as adult cases. The following were made as recommendations arising from the study: (i) enforcement of Child Justice Forums at local levels, (ii) strengthening of responsibility and accountability by all stakeholders, and (iii) building capacity and effective monitoring from down up. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-11

Negotiation of Sex: A Study on Prevention Methods of Gender Based Violence amongst Intimate Partners of Ntabankulu

  • Authors: Mketi, Funeka Gloria
  • Date: 2014-10
  • Subjects: Violent Crimes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7550 , vital:54348
  • Description: ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to investigate whether negotiation of sex between intimate partners can be used as a prevention strategy of gender-based violence. The study included both female and male participants. Availability sampling technique was used to select the sample size of thirty. Participants were recruited from the street and data was collected in a private office. Participant’s ethical rights to confidentiality, anonymity, voluntary participation, and informed consent obtained prior taking part in the study were highly respected. Thirty questionnaires were used to collect data. Nature and prevalence of gender-based violence, attitudes, mechanisms and processes involved in negotiation of sex, and prevention strategies were investigated. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. SPSS analyzed and summarized data into tables. Findings showed that prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in intimate partners is high. Negotiation of sex can be used as one of the prevention strategies, and the available processes and mechanisms of negotiating sex should be strengthened. Results also revealed that women empowerment in education and interventions focused on changing men’s attitude towards negotiation can help. Lastly, it appears that there is a need for capacitating both females and males with negotiation skills. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculy of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-10

Opportunities and challenges for socio-economic transformation in rural Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Mutami, Cephas
  • Date: 2014-10
  • Subjects: Economic development--Social aspects , Rural development , Community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26459 , vital:65338
  • Description: The focus of the thesis is the impediments of rural development in Zimbabwe and how opportunities for socio-economic transformation can be enhanced in the current setting. The study embarks from a conceptualization of rural poverty in Zimbabwe using theoretical and empirical evidence. Poverty in rural Zimbabwe has a historical legacy of deprivation and dispossession and is concentrated in communal areas which have low resources bases with low agriculture potential due to low rainfall and poor soils. The myriad of challenges in rural Zimbabwe point to the incoherent of rural development polices which are distorting markets for inputs and produce. Thus the study sought to address the rural development policy bottlenecks and develop a policy agenda for development.Using mixed methods approach, the study considered household economic conditions, their production practices and their vulnerability contexts in three selected districts which represent communal, old resettlement and small scale A1 and A2 areas. The household data is blended with interview data of rural development practitioners in both private and public agencies to produce comprehensive information on the impact of rural development policies. Archival research method was also used to do content reviews on government policy papers and programs so as to provide a holistic approach to analysis. Naturally mixed methods produce large volumes of data which requires thorough analysis. This was only possible through the use of analytical computer software packages for qualitative and quantitative data such as Atlas Ti and Excel spreadsheet, respectively. The study revealed that rural households in Zimbabwe are farmers. The majority of these farmers are smallholders who are located in remote communal areas and resettlement areas. Communal farmers constitute the bulk of rural citizens and live on less than a dollar a day. They are engaged in mixed farming methods and other non-farm activities especially during off-agriculture season. Communal households basically produce staples, with a low percentage producing cotton and groundnuts. Production choices and methods are shaped by subsistence needs of households but more so by risks and vulnerability contexts which they operate in. Farmers in resettlement areas face a different set of opportunities and threats to their livelihoods as they are located in prime agricultural land. However they are still challenged with the rural development approaches of central government. On the policy front, there is no pronounced rural development policy in Zimbabwe. The current setting has numerous pronouncements and programs which all seek to alleviate underdevelopment in Zimbabwe. These programs are replicating each other in practice and in most cases benefit the political elites and large scale commercial farmers. The multiplicity of government institutions which deal with rural development results in incremental decisions and programs which further impoverishes rural households. The study posits a rural development policy framework which is based on a comprehensive policy agenda which takes into cognizance the production requirements of households. Such a policy needs to be inclusive to the rural households in terms of governance and programs. A rural development policy agenda and framework would require the harnessing of resources from both the government and private players in well-articulated market friendly approaches. This would stimulate high productivity, enhance off-farm activities, raise incomes and foremost create appropriate social protection programs. Thus the potential for sustained economic growth and development in Zimbabwe lies with smallholder agriculture based rural development framework which can impact on the 67% population who live and work in rural areas. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-10

Perceptions of social media as a tool for research: a study of postgraduate students, University of Fort Hare, Alice campus

  • Authors: Abolanle, Ogunnubi Adeyemi
  • Date: 2014-10
  • Subjects: University of Fort Hare , Media literacy , Internet research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26381 , vital:65299
  • Description: The study aimed at examining the perceptions of social media as a tool for research among postgraduate students at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus. Data were collected using a quantitative research approach by administering structured questionnaires to 310 postgraduate students under the cluster sampling across different faculties and departments, and analysed by SPSS Statistical software and Chi-square test. 264 questionnaires were returned for analysis and these respondents maintained that they utilized social media platforms for their academic research. The findings further revealed that social media has to a large extent improved students‟ research activities as they frequently seek practical knowledge for demonstration and tutorship. Furthermore, the respondents regard social media as a good platform for research topics in audio and video formats, scholarly articles, journals and books. This study concluded that since students explore the social media platforms and search engines for various reasons, academic research inclusive, it therefore becomes imperative to create more links within the social media for students to explore books, scholarly journals and articles necessary for research and academic purposes. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-10

Assuring the quality of mentoring in Malawi's 1+1 model of initial primary teacher education programme: implications for teacher development

  • Authors: Mwanza, Alnord Levison Dave
  • Date: 2014-09
  • Subjects: Mentoring in education , Total quality management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24632 , vital:63385
  • Description: Teacher education has been the focus of numerous studies across the world. The debates revolve around what models or approaches to teacher development produce high quality teachers as measured by their ability to promote student learning. This has given rise to a continuum of models. At the one extreme there are those who advocate practice first and theory later; at the other there are those who recommend theory first and then practice. In between there is a combination of a variety of approaches. The models of teacher development, however, continue to grapple with the problem of how to balance theory and practice. In Malawi, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) (MIE, 2006) came up with what they see as a balance between theory and practice when they introduced the 1 year of theory and 1 year of practice, a model referred to as the 1+1. The focus of this study was on the one year of practical teaching where mentoring is critical; hence the particular attention to examine and understand how its quality was assured from the perspective of fitness for purpose and fitness of purpose. The study was anchored mainly in the post-positivist paradigm and the methodology used was the mixed-methods approach. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design comprising a survey followed by a case study was employed. For the survey, four sets of semi-structured questionnaires whose Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficients, α, were 0.971, 0.827, 0.859 respectively were developed using the Tailored Design Method; these were pilot tested and then administered through a drop-and-pick strategy to a census sample of 804 respondents comprising 92 school mentors, 92 school head-teachers, 4 Teacher Training College mentoring coordinators and 616 student teachers. A total response rate of 96percent was obtained. The case study design phase comprised six one-on-one face-to-face structured interviews; five focus groups; five non-participant observations; and a review of ten documents employing interview schedules, observations and document checklists as instruments for data collection. A total of 27 participants, three of whom did not participate in the survey phase, were involved in this phase. Quantitative data collected from either phase was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20 while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. As a mixed-method study, some of the qualitative data was quantitized and some of the quantitative data was qualititized; and integration of data was made during the following stages: research questions formulation, data collection, data presentation, and discussion and interpretation. The study revealed several weaknesses in assuring the quality of mentoring in the 1+1 IPTE model. First, the norms and standards for mentoring designed by the Ministry of Education were not used to guide the mentoring process. Instead, they were designed to fulfil accountability requirements of the Ministry of Education and Teacher Training Colleges rather than self-improvement. Hence, the study revealed that all the 92 schools had, therefore, no policies, practice codes and standards for monitoring mentoring casting doubt on the functioning of internal quality assurance. The study further revealed that 12 of the school mentors (13percent) had lower academic qualifications than their seventy-two student teachers they were mentoring; 35 of the school mentors (38percent) were at the entry grade of their teaching career; two of the mentors (2percent) (mentoring over twelve student teachers) were within the first three years of teaching, which means that they, themselves, were in need of being mentored; and all the school mentors had full time teaching responsibilities. As such, some student teachers indicated that they were not being assessed at all by their school mentors. This situation regarding mentors raises concerns over the subject knowledge levels of the mentors, the role model functions of the mentors and their competency to effectively mentor student teachers, as well as concerns regarding the quality of the mentoring programme and its outcomes. Findings from the study also revealed little or no monitoring of mentoring in schools as schools had no structures and systems for monitoring mentoring; and heavy workloads and financial constraints prevented college lecturers from monitoring mentoring in primary schools. However, on a positive note, the study revealed that 99percent of school mentors were trained for their mentoring roles and were receiving regular training which was provided regularly on a term-basis. Based on the above findings, the 1+1 Initial Primary Teacher Education model in Malawi is undermined by weak mentoring practices which have the potential to widen the theory and practice gap, and potentially impact on the quality of teachers produced. It is further recommended that the mentoring practices move away from the technicist approach and focus on the actual processes of mentoring; that norms and standards for school mentor selection and support are developed; that there should be more workshopping, seminars and conferences for mentors; and that schools should be assisted to develop collegial-emancipatory quality assurance systems for mentoring. A rainbow model for assuring the quality of mentoring in the 1+1 IPTE mode is finally recommended. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2014
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  • Date Issued: 2014-09

A model for enhancing trust in information systems tools within Nigeria media planning agencies

  • Authors: Olaitan, Olutoyin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5350-4136
  • Date: 2014-06
  • Subjects: Information resources management--Nigeria , Information networks--Security measures--Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24904 , vital:63669
  • Description: Media Planning Agencies (MPAs) are responsible for purchasing time and advertising space on behalf of organisations who desire to advertise or market their products and services (Kupoluyi, 2011). These agencies perform their tasks based on the evaluative factors of pricing, demographics, reach, psychographics and other factors relevant to the clients’ target market which are all enabled by technology. MPAs utilise industry specific Information Systems (IS) tools in their business processes. McKnight (2005) contends that trust in IS tools directly impacts on the willingness of a user to depend on such IS tools for accomplishing their goals. The research problem exists due to the fact that the current level of trust in these IS tools employed within MPAs in Nigeria is very low (Egbonwon, 2012). This distrust has led to the non-optimisation of the available tools. Empirical findings reveal that most of the personnel in these agencies prefer to actualise their processes manually, or at best with the limited aid of Microsoft Office tools such as Excel and Word (Akharume, 2012). Thus the research problem investigated trust-enhancing mechanisms for IS tools in MPAs to improve efficient and effective use. The study conducted an in-depth critique of the role of trust in maximizing IS tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness within Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This was done through a literature review and questionnaire. The output of the research process is the proposition of a model for enhancing trust in IS tools within MPAs. The study proposed that the enhancement of trust in IS tools will lead to optimal use of these tools, thus leading to efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of Nigerian MPAs. The model was developed by following Hevner, March, Park and Ram’s (2004) Design Science research guidelines and validated through an expert review process. The outcome of the expert review was used to further refine the model and thereafter conclude the study. It is believed that the outcome of this research will empower MPAs to become competitive nationally, grow into global players in their industry and achieve efficiency with regards to how business is conducted. , Thesis (MCom IS) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014-06

A model for enhancing trust in information systems tools within Nigerian media planning agencies

  • Authors: Olutoyin, Olaitan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5350-4136
  • Date: 2014-06
  • Subjects: Advertising media planning -- Nigeria , Information resources management -- Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25592 , vital:64337
  • Description: Media Planning Agencies (MPAs) are responsible for purchasing time and advertising space on behalf of organisations who desire to advertise or market their products and services (Kupoluyi, 2011). These agencies perform their tasks based on the evaluative factors of pricing, demographics, reach, psychographics and other factors relevant to the clients’ target market which are all enabled by technology. MPAs utilise industry specific Information Systems (IS) tools in their business processes. McKnight (2005) contends that trust in IS tools directly impacts on the willingness of a user to depend on such IS tools for accomplishing their goals. The research problem exists due to the fact that the current level of trust in these IS tools employed within MPAs in Nigeria is very low (Egbonwon, 2012). This distrust has led to the non-optimisation of the available tools. Empirical findings reveal that most of the personnel in these agencies prefer to actualise their processes manually, or at best with the limited aid of Microsoft Office tools such as Excel and Word (Akharume, 2012). Thus the research problem investigated trust-enhancing mechanisms for IS tools in MPAs to improve efficient and effective use. The study conducted an in-depth critique of the role of trust in maximizing IS tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness within Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This was done through a literature review and questionnaire. The output of the research process is the proposition of a model for enhancing trust in IS tools within MPAs. The study proposed that the enhancement of trust in IS tools will lead to optimal use of these tools, thus leading to efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of Nigerian MPAs. The model was developed by following Hevner, March, Park and Ram’s (2004) Design Science research guidelines and validated through an expert review process. The outcome of the expert review was used to further refine the model and thereafter conclude the study. It is believed that the outcome of this research will empower MPAs to become competitive nationally, grow into global players in their industry and achieve efficiency with regards to how business is conducted. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014-06
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