The exploration of the impact of state ownership on Uganda's New Vision Newspaper's social role
- Authors: Wasswa, John Baptist
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002948 , New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Description: The global trends of democratisation and privatisation that swept much of the developing world in the 1980s and 1990s led to significant changes in the conceptualisation, organisation and performance of the media. In Africa democratisation attained a new meaning with associated processes of liberalisation of broadcasting to end the monopoly of broadcasting by the state. The private media of the liberalised market is increasingly putting the public media system, both broadcast and print, under serious competition, and forcing them to adjust to changing circumstances. The New Vision newspaper in Uganda is one such public service media organisations that are owned by the state and yet have to compete in the new more democratic and liberalised environment. This study set out to explore the extent to which state-ownership impacts on The New Vision’s social role. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of date collection, I have established the that although The New Vision is a public service medium for which government remains the major source of news, it does not in most cases give the state more or preferentially prominent coverage at the expense of other interest groups in society. On contrary, basing of the amount of coverage of civil society I established that The New Vision enabled the various groups public sphere to interact. The newspaper to an extent also plays the democratic role of monitoring government although there was little evidence of monitoring of corporate abuse. The nature of The New Vision Statute, and the global trends that have changed the conduct of official and private business, have rendered the theories on the 1980s’ development media theories increasingly inapplicable, forcing The New Vision to develop its own version of development journalism that is socially relevant. The study recommends that whereas much of The New Vision Statute is progressive, sections of it should be removed to protect the newspaper from being manipulated by government functionaries, if the it is to continue enabling the public sphere. The newspaper should also increase its monitoring of corporate abuse, and make internal reforms to improve the coverage of development related issues.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The factors predisposing social workers to burnout in the social services organizations of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ramphele, Thamaga Zacharia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Burn out (Psychology) , Social workers -- Psychology , Job stress , Social service -- Research , Social workers -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:6059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006667 , Burn out (Psychology) , Social workers -- Psychology , Job stress , Social service -- Research , Social workers -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This work was based on an investigation of the subject of burnout, as observed by the researcher among social workers that worked for various social services organizations - both Government Departments and Non-Governmental Organizations - based in the Eastern Cape Province. The study of burnout was conducted with the aim to obtain information from the respondents about their conditions at work, and how those conditions contributed, as alleged, to burnout experienced by them. A qualitative research method was used as an approach that the researcher found best in that it allowed for an in-depth probe into the circumstances of the respondents (including the attitudes and emotions of the respondents), to give a broad picture of the situation as experienced by the respondents at work. A qualitative method was handled through the exploratory research principle of sampling and gathering of data, as the researcher felt it a sufficiently appropriate route to help yield the required outcomes of the study. The researcher's motivation to pursue the research was prompted by several indicators which included an article in the Daily Dispatch of 26 August 2003 that wrote 'Social workers quit in droves' and some personal contact with graduated students of social work, recently employed as social workers in various settings. Interesting dynamics about social work practice and its frustrations surfaced, and out of that premise, the researcher felt that it was an opportune moment to carry out an investigation to discover the facts about burnout as experienced by social workers. The findings on the research would be published, and the researcher intended to inform the social work community about the outcomes of research, hoping that the information would become useful to them in curtailing or preventing future encounters of burnout as experienced by them at the work place. In other words, recommendations for solutions would be provided based on the findings as an outcome of that investigation. To allow for the success of the research process, the researcher planned to draw from several resource centers and other researchers' data, any valuable piece of information, record, or existing data that could assist in evaluating information that became available during data collection. Such information was seen as very important since it helped in making the data analysis process easier and more than enough information could thus be obtained. Finally the researcher had found the study quite fascinating in that it addressed human concerns in the form of social work issues at work, which the researcher personally considered important and shared as one of the issues affecting social work professionals.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The feeding ecology and habitat use of lions reintroduced to small, enclosed reserves in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Rapson, Jackie Anne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Lion -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Predation (Biology) , Lion -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018268
- Description: Lions have recently been introduced to a number of small (<300km²), enclosed reserves in the Eastern Cape Province as a draw-card for tourists. However, there have been few studies of lion behaviour or predator prey interactions within small reserves. Thus the aim of this study is to contribute towards a better understanding of the effects of space on diet and habitat use of re-introduced lions. The research was conducted at two small private reserves, Shamwari and Kwandwe. Kills were mostly large (55%, >120kg), adult (41%) and male (39%) and the five most commonly killed species (kudu, black wildebeest, warthog, bushbuck and Blesbuck) comprised 67.9% of all kills and 67.8% of total biomass consumed. In an attempt to overcome the problem of gaps in the kill lists, a subset of data, which excluded kills more than five days apart, was analyzed and this gave similar results to analysis of the full kill lists. Mean daily intake rates varied annually between 2.26 and 5.23kg.FEQ⁻¹ for the full data set and 4.53 and 1 0.46kg.FEQ⁻¹ for the subset. The difference between estimated (calculated using daily intake rates of 5 and 7.12kg.FEQ⁻¹) and observed offtake for each ungulate species reflected the preference ratings for that species. Analysis of bone marrow indicated that: lions killed ungulates in moderate to good condition; condition of culled animals was lower than that of kills; distal bones could be used in analyses; and that that bones exposed to the environment for at least a week could be used to analyze condition of prey. Home ranges and activity centers ranged from 21.42km² to 73.27km² and 2.7lkm² to 17.47km² respectively, which was smaller than expected from previous studies. Although, lions at K wandwe and Shan1wari preferred different vegetation types, at both reserves they generally occupied areas that were structurally similar to what has previously been reported. Continuous monitoring and analyses of diet, including condition of the prey, and habitat use will provide reserve managers with some of the necessary information to enable them to effectively manage their lion populations and to predict and minimize potential problems.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The feeding ecology, habitat selection and hunting behaviour of re-introduced cheetah on Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Bissett, Charlene
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Kwandwe Game Reserve (South Africa) , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cheetah -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005384 , Kwandwe Game Reserve (South Africa) , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cheetah -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The re-introduction of cheetah onto small reserves in the Eastern Cape Province has created the opportunity to study this species in an environment (Valley Bushveld) in which it has not previously been studied and which is quite different from the less wooded habitats in which previous studies have occurred. Thus the aim of this study is to add to the growing number of studies of cheetah in more wooded habitats and to contribute a better understanding of the level of specialization or adaptability in space use, habitat selection, diet and hunting behaviour that the cheetah possesses. The research was conducted on Kwandwe Private Game Reserve from February 2003 to August 2004. Direct observations, scat analysis and continuous observations were used to avoid bias towards large sized prey found when only using direct observations to study diet. The cheetah killed 15 species and four of the five most important prey species (kudu, springbok, grey duiker and bushbuck) were hunted according to their abundance on the reserve, while impala, the fifth most important prey species, was avoided (i.e. preference index less than one) by the cheetah. The cheetah’s main prey was medium sized ungulates, although the three male coalition killed larger prey than females and females with cubs. The daily food intake per cheetah per day was calculated to range from 5.3kg/cheetah/day for the coalition to 8kg/cheetah/day for a solitary female. Home range areas ranged from 11.1 km² for female cheetah with cubs in a den to 65.6 km² for single female cheetah and core areas ranged from 6 km² for the three male coalition to 26.5 km² for independent cubs. Habitat selection by cheetah on Kwandwe varied between the social groups depending on their susceptibility to predation by lions, their need for cover and need for water, and was similar to what has been previously reported. The home range of the coalition incorporated the most open vegetation type (karroid shrubland) with surrounding denser vegetation, while females occupied areas of denser vegetation. Activity patterns and hunting behaviour varied between different cheetah social groups with female cheetah being more active during day light hours compared to males which made 38% of their kills after dark. The average chase distances for the various cheetah groups varied considerably, and the chase distance for successful hunts was longer than for unsuccessful for all groups except single female cheetah. The percentage of kills’ kleptoparasitised on Kwandwe was very low compared to other studies possibly due to the low density of direct competitors, which in turn lead to longer mean kill retention times. These results suggest that cheetah are more adaptable than previously thought and this adaptability may have important implications for their conservation.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The Grameen Bank model of microcredit and its relevance for South Africa
- Authors: Akpan, Iniobong Wilson
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Grameen Bank , Microfinance -- South Africa , Microfinance -- Bangladesh , Credit -- Management , Risk management , Poor -- Finance, Personal , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Bangladesh -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002714 , Grameen Bank , Microfinance -- South Africa , Microfinance -- Bangladesh , Credit -- Management , Risk management , Poor -- Finance, Personal , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Bangladesh -- Economic conditions
- Description: Among the reasons for financial exclusion is the fact that the poor, being largely illiterate and unemployed, are traditionally perceived as ‘bad credit risks’. This is the dominant perception of the poor in the formal credit markets – a perception that also exists in the microcredit sector. In other words, while information asymmetry is a recognized problem in lender-borrower relationships, lenders consider the problem particularly severe when they contemplate doing business with the poor. A contrasting paradigm, such as the one adopted by Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, views the poor as possessing economic potentials that have not been tapped – that is, as ‘good credit risks’. Grameen Bank’s microcredit features appear to have successfully mitigated the problems of information asymmetry and, to a large extent, made it possible for the poor to access microenterprise credit. Using the Grameen Bank model as a benchmark, this study examined the lending features of private sector microlenders in South Africa and those of KhulaStart (credit) scheme. The aim was to identify how the lending features affect microenterprise credit access. Primary data were obtained through interviews, while relevant secondary data were also used in the study. A key finding of the study was that while the Khulastart scheme was, like Grameencredit, targeted at the poor, the method of its delivery appeared diluted or unduly influenced by the conventional (private sector) paradigm that pre-classifies people as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ credit risks. As a result, the scheme was not robust enough to support microenterprise credit access. This has consequences for job-creation and poverty reduction. Based on the findings, the study maintains that a realistic broadening of microenterprise credit access will not occur unless there is a fundamental paradigm shift in microcredit practices, and unless measures designed to mitigate information asymmetries are sensitive to the historical, economic and sociocultural realities of the South African poor.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The historiographical development of the concept "mfecane" and the writing of early Southern African history, from the 1820s to 1920s
- Authors: Richner, Jürg Emile
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South Africa -- History , South Africa -- Historiography , Bantu-speaking peoples -- Migrations , Africa, Southern -- History -- Mfecane period, 1816-ca. 1840
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2554 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002406 , South Africa -- History , South Africa -- Historiography , Bantu-speaking peoples -- Migrations , Africa, Southern -- History -- Mfecane period, 1816-ca. 1840
- Description: The mfecane was for most of the twentieth century regarded as a historical certainty for the South African public and the Apartheid government, as well as for historians here and world-wide. The mfecane had achieved the permanence of a paradigm and a dominant discourse, as it was accepted equally by settler, liberal, Afrikaner, Africanist and Neo-Marxist historians. This certainty was shaken when Cobbing’s mfecane critique appeared in 1988, with which I concur. This study examines how mfecane history was written from the first published articles in mid-1823 until Walker coined the concept mfecane in 1928. This thesis undertakes a journey through a host of published works, books, pamphlets and articles in journals, magazines and newspapers, from which a number of conclusions emerge. The mfecane narrative was developed over a period of a hundred years in the English language by almost exclusively white, English-speaking male amateur historians and ethnographers. Their occupations, age, ideology and level of education differed markedly, but they shared one European ideological value, the discourse of the European “Image of Africa”, which regarded Africans as the negative Other of their own positively perceived society. This was a culturallyshared view of Africans, which formed the baggage in the mind of all writers examined, and accounts for the mfecane narrative’s negative attitude towards Africans. Furthermore, mfecane history was influenced by racism and the use of literary devices such as the gothic novel and the romance. Authors writing in the 1823 to 1846 period on events which had taken place in the “blank space” beyond the Cape Colony, which most of them had never visited, laid the basis for the mfecane narrative. It constituted a set of geographical or ethnically focused, separate accounts. These separate accounts focused on the themes of Shaka’s creation of the Zulu state, including his expulsion of several chiefdoms; his depopulation of Natal and the flight of the Fingo to the Transkei; the path of destruction of the Hlubi and Ngwane during their flight from Natal via the greater Caledon Valley area to the Transkei; the incorporation of the Kololo and other Sotho chiefdoms into the Mantatees - due to pressure from the invaders from Natal - who subsequently laid waste the Free State and Transvaal as far as Dithakong, where they were defeated; the further depopulation of the Transvaal by the Ndebele during their escape from Shaka; the flight of Moshoeshoe and his people to Thaba Bosiu where he built up the Sotho state, with Moshoeshoe being the only positive figure in this history. This multi-narrative was thereafter repeated without any critical thought by all authors examined until in 1885 Theal created a Zulu-centric, geographically integrated mfecane narrative whereby he integrated the previously separate accounts into one coherent whole - a whole which was so much more than the sum of its parts, but so far without a defining name. That was provided by Walker in 1928 when he coined the Xhosa neologism, mfecane. The Theal, Cory and Walker racist mfecane was thus bequeathed as the mfecane to the rest of the twentieth century.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The identification of a model to promote intrapreneurship in an automotive component company
- Authors: Du Preez, Catherine Amanda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/423 , Entrepreneurship , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Organizational change
- Description: South African organisations are facing a new era of intense global competition. The modern business world is characterised by change and this change presents both challenges and opportunities. As a result, organisations have to become more responsive to change by continuous, rapid and cost-effective innovation through integrating the strengths of the entrepreneurial small firm, such as creativity, flexibility and innovativeness, with the market power and resources of the large firm. Due to the dynamic nature of the automotive industry, it is vital that South African organisations and management identify creativity and innovation as the main sources of sustainable competitive advantage. Sustained competitive advantage is derived from consistently satisfying customers’ wants and needs through innovation. An intrapreneurial philosophy is of key importance to an organisation’s corporate strategy, ensuring that entrepreneurial values are incorporated into the culture of the organisation. This study took place within an automotive component company operating in the Eastern Cape. Based on the theoretical findings of the literature study a questionnaire was developed and distributed to all employees of the company. The objective of the questionnaire was to measure the prevalence of intrapreneurship within the company and based on the findings of the literature study, recommendations on the structure, systems, culture and management styles of the organisation were made. Finally, a model was developed that identifies the importance of innovation, customer-solution centeredness and being market driven as core strategic values.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The labour market drop-out rate : a new approach to estimating the returns to government investment in higher education : the case for marine science in South Africa
- Authors: Grootes, Pieter Brian
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Labor market Marine scientists -- South Africa Education -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Higher education and state -- South Africa Education -- Social aspects Human capital -- South Africa Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002684
- Description: The private and social returns to education literature share the same conclusion: that education is beneficial for both the individual and society. However, the theoretical underpinnings are flawed as the literature does not account for the main feature that leads to the acquisition of education: the private demand for education. An understanding of the factors that motivate the individual to invest in education would lead to a deeper insight as to why both private and social returns to education exist, and would provide a clearer framework on which to base the government funding of education. This thesis provides a first attempt at filling this gap by introducing a method of estimating the returns to government investment in education, which is labelled the ‘labour market drop-out rate approach’. The approach focuses on the social return to education, not in terms of graduate earnings, but in terms of the interaction of the graduate with the economy. The approach introduces a measure of expertise utilisation, based on the premise that there is no social return to an individual acquiring education if he or she does not utilise the acquired knowledge base on entering the labour market. The approach is tested using the labour market for marine scientists in South Africa as a case study. In this case the private demand for education is found to be heavily influenced by the provision of student bursaries from the National Research Foundation, with a resulting estimate of the social return to a degree in marine science being a mere 20% to 25%. Owing to this, a new approach to government investment in marine science is introduced, that of graduate contribution schemes. Of broader significance is the ease of application of this approach, it may be adopted to analyse any funding programme in which a government may decide to invest. As such, the labour market drop-out rate provides an extension to the returns to education literature through its theoretical dealings of the private demand for education, as well as a practical tool which government agencies can use to evaluate the efficacy of any government funding of education.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The learning styles of first year university students
- Authors: Vawda, Aamena
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Learning, Psychology of , College students -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Learning ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005817 , Learning, Psychology of , College students -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Learning ability
- Description: There has been a shift in the South African education system from a purely grade-oriented system to that of a learner-centred outcome-based system of education which challenges higher educational institutions and their faculties to adjust their goals to this system. In South Africa there is evidence of poor academic performance at higher education institutions. Among other things, noncognitive factors may be important mediators of academic success. With the expansion of higher education and the increased emphasis on access, retention and life-long learning, it is a good reason to explore the nature of different learning styles (Healey & Jenkins, 2000). Learning styles and personality types has been identified as significant predictors of academic performance. The present study aimed to contribute to this body of research in general and to Kolb’s (1981) theory of experiential learning and his conceptualisation of learning styles in particular. The aims of the study were to explore and describe the learning styles of first year university students (Aim 1), to explore and describe the learning styles of first year university students per faculty (Aim 2), and to explore the relationship between learning styles and academic performance for students in the various faculties (Aim 3). The study used an explorative descriptive and correlational research method and was conducted within a quantitative framework. Participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The sample was comprised of 391 first year university students to whom Kolb’s Learning Style Indicator was administered as part of the Explore programme during orientation week. Descriptive statistics were used in order to explore and describe the learning style of the learners for the sample as a whole and per faculty. Data for the learning styles and academic performance categories were cross tabulated so as to comment on the relationship between learning styles and academic performance per faculty. Small cell sizes made it impossible to analyse the latter data statistically. Across the six faculties the Accommodator learning style was the most represented, followed by the Diverger learning style. No significant relationship was found between learning styles and academic performance. The implications of the findings for counselling and teaching students are highlighted and suggestions to expand the research through using larger samples are also made.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The market overview and strategy development for selected components of a marketing plan for a cellular provider
- Authors: Jones, Frank Harold
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/175 , Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a marketing plan consisting of selected elements that would give a cellular company like Vodacom a competitive advantage over competitors and to capture a significant market share when marketing mobile data services like 3G. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and a theoretical model was selected to develop a marketing plan of selected components In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify core concepts critical to the development of a selected element marketing plan to market 3G and re-launch mobile data services. The results of the literature study were combined with the empirical study and a marketing plan based on McDonald was developed. Michael Porter’s five forces model was used as a reference to discuss the competitor analysis, a marketing strategy was compiled with specific referencing to the four P’s of marketing and marketing controls formed the basis of this research. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the marketing plan and options for further research.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The mining and visualisation of application services data
- Authors: Knoetze, Ronald Morgan
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Data mining -- South Africa , Computer algorithms , Network performance (Telecommunication) -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/451 , Data mining -- South Africa , Computer algorithms , Network performance (Telecommunication) -- Research -- South Africa
- Description: Many network monitoring tools do not provide sufficiently in-depth and useful reports on network usage, particularly in the domain of application services data. The optimisation of network performance is only possible if the networks are monitored effectively. Techniques that identify patterns of network usage can assist in the successful monitoring of network performance. The main goal of this research was to propose a model to mine and visualise application services data in order to support effective network management. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the model, a prototype, called NetPatterns, was developed using data for the Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS) application service collected by a network monitoring tool on the NMMU South Campus network. Three data mining algorithms for application services data were identified for the proposed model. The data mining algorithms used are classification (decision tree), clustering (K-Means) and association (correlation). Classifying application services data serves to categorise combinations of network attributes to highlight areas of poor network performance. The clustering of network attributes serves to indicate sparse and dense regions within the application services data. Association indicates the existence of any interesting relationships between different network attributes. Three visualisation techniques were selected to visualise the results of the data mining algorithms. The visualisation techniques selected were the organisation chart, bubble chart and scatterplots. Colour and a variety of other visual cues are used to complement the selected visualisation techniques. The effectiveness and usefulness of NetPatterns was determined by means of user testing. The results of the evaluation clearly show that the participants were highly satisfied with the visualisation of network usage presented by NetPatterns. All participants successfully completed the prescribed tasks and indicated that NetPatterns is a useful tool for the analysis of network usage patterns.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The motivating force of moral beliefs
- Authors: Vos, James Antony
- Date: 2005 , 2013-06-14
- Subjects: Hume, David, 1711-1776 -- Ethics , Ethics , Motivation , Practical reason , Rationalism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003804 , Hume, David, 1711-1776 -- Ethics , Ethics , Motivation , Practical reason , Rationalism
- Description: I investigate the issue of whether or not one's holding a moral belief is sufficient to motivate one to act as that belief prescribes. I argue that rational persons who hold a moral belief that is also a 'self-referential belief' will form a desire to act as that belief prescribes and thereby be motivated to act on the moral belief. I argue for this claim by, firstly, showing that the demand that moral judgements must be intrinsically motivating, Internalism, should only apply to rational persons, that is, the link between moral judgement and motivation can be broken in cases of irrationality. Secondly, I argue against the Humean claim that one cannot rationally form a desire simply because one believes that one ought to have that desire. This claim requires an investigation into a variety of views of Practical Reason and an argument concluding that Practical Reason is broader in scope than the Instrumentalist or Humean allows. I undertake this task in chapter 2. Thirdly, I argue that believing that I ought to perform a certain action will give me an internal commitment to perform that action, insofar as I am rational. I argue that an internal commitment is a form of desire. Once I recognise that I have a moral belief and an internal commitment, I will be motivated to act as that belief and commitment prescribe. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Date Issued: 2005
The perceived impact of policy change on leadership and management : a case study of a Namibian school
- Authors: Moelanjane, Porgarius Porgacy Rukee
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies. Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007670
- Description: The transformation of education has been central to the programme of the first democratically elected government in Namibia, both because of the democratic demands for equality, equity and access, and as a means towards the wider transformation of Namibian community. The study provides a brief history of the pre- and post-independence education policy environment in Namibia with regard to how management and leadership of schools gave rise to opportunities for the development of democratic participation. Adopting an interpretive approach, the study examines several key stakeholders' perceptions of the impact of transformation initiatives on their leadership and management thinking and practice. The sample comprised four teachers, a principal, a director, a school board member, two learners and a hostel matron. The findings reveal that, in order to create a democratic school community, the stakeholders' role is largely a matter of opposing and transcending the contradictions, inadequacies and limitations inherent in the educational ideas, policies and practices caused by the previous Apartheid education system. There is a reasonable amount of success in the implementation process of democratic leadership and management of schools. The findings further highlight contradictory tendencies, in that the Ministry of Basic Education Sports and Culture established a uniform system of education but also entertained the principle of decentralised governance through the introduction of school based management practice incorporating the main stakeholders at local level. The data confirms a communication gap between stakeholders, lack of adequate education and training in participatory management and leadership for learners, parents, teachers and school boards, and insufficient support from the national and the regional authorities. The study concludes with some specific recommendations that might strengthen stakeholders' sense of their participation in democratic practices for longer-term cost effective implementation to occur. This is supported by the belief that education policy change only becomes a reality once understood, owned and appreciated at local level.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The perceptions of grade eight and nine learners of a life skills programme on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, rape and child abuse
- Authors: Lambert, Tania
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Evaluation , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/390 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005827 , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Evaluation , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention
- Description: Worldwide millions of children are victims of neglect and physical and mental harm, including sexual abuse and exploitation. South Africa, however, is widely believed to have not only one of the highest incidences of rape in the world, but also one of the highest levels of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) transmission. With research findings showing that HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are rapidly increasing globally, young people are, and continue to be, at the forefront of the AIDS pandemic. Therefore, it is suggested that prevention programmes should be aimed particularly at the young. Schools have specifically been recognized as the setting for preventative Life Skills Programmes, having the potential to reach billions of children worldwide. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the perceptions of grade eight and nine learners with regard to the Life Skills Programme that focuses on HIV/AIDS and STI's, rape and child abuse education in the Port Elizabeth region. In order to fulfil the above aim, a qualitative study was undertaken within an exploratory descriptive approach. A non-probability sample of four schools was selected. Focus groups, utilising an unstructured interview, were used to gather qualitative data on the learners' perceptions of the Life Skills Programme. The focus groups consisted of 10 - 12 grade eight and nine learners who were selected using simple random sampling. The data was thematically analysed using Tesch's approach. The major findings of the present study, based on the six general themes, include the following: 1. Most of the learners perceived the educators, as well as the teaching methods utilised by the educators, positively. 2. Although the learners perceived the presenters of the Life Skills Programme positively, it was suggested that teachers, health care professionals, family members and peers should be involved in presenting the Life Skills Programme. 3. Learners reported various levels of comfort discussing different topics presented in the Life Skills Programme. 4. Learners of all the schools perceived the Life Skills Programme to be very relevant. 5. Learners recommended that more children, especially children from deprived communities, should be included in the programme. In addition, learners felt that counselling services should be available in conjunction with the Life Skills Programme. 6. Differences were noted in completing the first and the second questionnaire. Learners reported that they felt more comfortable completing the second questionnaire. They perceived the interviewing process positively.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The performance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Griffiths Mental Development Scales: extended revised
- Authors: Baker, Susan Colleen Rozanne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005823
- Description: Research has shown that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the commonest neurodevelopmental disorders which has a negative impact on a child. However, to date limited research has been conducted on learners, and specifically those learners with ADHD, within a National Education stream. Furthermore, running concurrently with this are new developments in education in South Africa. An inclusive educational policy favours the incorporation of all children into a mainstream scholastic setting, regardless of their diverse needs. In addition to educational changes for children with ADHD, many parents are presently unable to afford the medication commonly used to treat the disorder, resulting in both parents and teachers having to manage these children with limited professional support. It is widely accepted that early assessment and intervention are necessary in order to maximise a child’s potential. For this reason, the primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the developmental profile of children with ADHD on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Extended Revised (GMDS-ER). Further aims were to compare the performance of the clinical sample to a normal South African sample. In order to achieve these aims, a quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research design was employed. The sample (N = 38) of ADHD were selected by means of a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure, from various pre-school and primary schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The normal sample (N = 38) was drawn from an existing database created during the revision of the Scales. Information was collated using the Conners 39 Item Teacher Rating Scale, biographical data, as well as the results of an assessment from the GMDS-ER. In this study the general performance of the ADHD sample on the GMDS-ER was found to be above average. Furthermore the performance of these children on the six Subscales of the GMDS-ER ranged from average to superior, with the poorest performance being on the Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale, and the best performance being on the Performance Subscale. Significant differences between the ADHD and normal sample were found on the General Quotient (GQ) as well as three of the six Subscales, namely, the Hearing and Speech, Eye and Hand Co-ordination and Performance Subscales. Generally, the results of the study suggest that a specific developmental profile for children with ADHD exists. Additionally, the study highlighted the success with which the GMDS-ER can be utilised on a specific clinical population.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The performance of South African and British children on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales- extended revised a comparative study
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Kempie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychological tests for children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing -- Cross-cultural studies , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005819 , Psychological tests for children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing -- Cross-cultural studies , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Description: The South African context necessitates developmental assessment measures with particular characteristics. A critical examination of a variety of potential measures indicates that there are very few measures available to meet these specific needs. The GMDS-ER is judged to be one such measure. This study explores the performance of South African children aged 4 to 7 years of age as it relates to that of British children (from the standardisation sample). The samples consisted of normal South African (n=129) and British (n=161) children, where normalcy refers to the absence of sensory, physical, or mental handicap. The study was done in an attempt to explore the suitability of using the GMDS-ER in the South African context. More specifically, the following two aims were pursued: 1. To explore and describe the general development of each of four year groups of a sample of British and South African children by utilising the general developmental quotient of the GMDS-ER 2. To explore and describe the comparative developmental profiles of each of the four year groups of a sample of British and South African children across the six developmental areas represented by the subscales of the GMDS-ER. Descriptive statistics and simple t-tests were used to accomplish Aim 1 and Hotellings T2 tests were mainly used in order to accomplish Aim 2. The major findings of the present study were as follows: 1. South African and British children’s overall performances (as measured by the GMDS-ER GQ) are similar. A great deal of variability exists between the GMDS-ER profiles of normal South African and British children (i.e., when individual subscales and year groups are considered). 3. In general, South African children performed better on the Locomotor and Personal-Social Subscales, while British children performed better on the Language and Practical Reasoning Subscales. Performance on the Eye and Hand Coordination Subscale was similar for the two samples and on the Performance Subscale performance was too variable to come to any general conclusions. In view of the findings, caution with regard to the use of the British-based norms in the South African context is recommended. Recommendations are made for the use of the GMDS-ER to help with the identification of specific classes of disorders in the South African context. Further investigation into the applicability of the GMDS-ER for South African use as well as the establishment of South African norms are final recommendations.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The politics of humanitarian organizations neutrality and solidarity: the case of the ICRC and MSF during the 1994 Rwandan genocide
- Authors: Delvaux, Denise
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: International Committee of the Red Cross -- History , Médecins sans frontières (Association) , Humanitarian intervention , Neutrality -- Rwanda , Solidarity -- Rwanda , Genocide -- Rwanda -- History -- 20th century , Genocide -- Rwanda , Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994 , Rwanda -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002979 , International Committee of the Red Cross -- History , Médecins sans frontières (Association) , Humanitarian intervention , Neutrality -- Rwanda , Solidarity -- Rwanda , Genocide -- Rwanda -- History -- 20th century , Genocide -- Rwanda , Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994 , Rwanda -- Politics and government
- Description: With the seemingly infinite existence of complex emergencies and the overwhelming presence of humanitarian organizations responding to such crises, it is essential that the assumptions, precepts, and actions of humanitarian organizations be critically examined and understood. The aim of this thesis is to explore differing traditions within humanitarian thought: neutrality and solidarity. In the process, this thesis will determine whether it is possible to maintain clear ideologies in the context of a complex emergency and whether the existence of different humanitarian ideologies results in a dichotomy or polarization of humanitarian action. This study is of great import as it delves into the contemporary literature claiming that humanitarianism is currently in a state of crisis – the unsustainability of competing humanitarian ideologies operating together in a complex emergency. Primary documents from both the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) regarding their operations in the 1994 Rwandan complex emergency were examined in order to provide a foundation for the theoretical investigation. Although the ICRC and MSF occupy seemingly polarized positions in the neutrality – solidarity debate, the investigation into their humanitarian activities during the 1994 genocide and the resulting refugee crisis reflected the difficulties of providing relief based upon humanitarian ideals. Due to the complex realities of the 1994 Rwandan crisis, the ideological notions dividing the ICRC and MSF were overshadowed by the simple humanitarian desire to aid those in need.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The potential of claywork to facilitate the integration of the self in psychotherapy with an adult survivor of childhood trauma: a Jungian perspective
- Authors: Smuts, Tanja
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Jung, C G (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961 , Art therapy , Psychotherapy , Child psychotherapy , Adult child abuse victims -- Rehabilitation , Self , Modeling -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002571 , Jung, C G (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961 , Art therapy , Psychotherapy , Child psychotherapy , Adult child abuse victims -- Rehabilitation , Self , Modeling -- Therapeutic use
- Description: The aim of this thesis was to explore the experience of “self” within the clinical context of adult survivors of childhood trauma. Childhood trauma in this study referred to a range of childhood experiences of emotional and physical assault, including encounters with various kinds of abuse and neglect. The focus was on the experience of a sense of disintegration and dislocation, associated to aspects of self being in conflict. This was explored from theoretical perspectives of Jungian analytic psychology, as well as art therapy.Answers were sought to the questions of how claywork, as a form of art therapy, may facilitate the integration of the self and contribute to the development of a healing dialogue with feared and hated aspects of self. Grounded in Jungian theory, integration of the self was conceptualised as a movement towards “differentiating wholeness”. The study took the form of a phenomenological-hermeneutic case study. One participant’s experience of making and discussing a clay sculpture in a therapeutic setting according to Edwards’ method, was analysed thematically. It was concluded that the potential of claywork in therapy to facilitate the integration of the self is related to three aspects. Firstly, claywork in therapy may promote a concrete personification of feared and hated aspects of self, which may enable the maker to view these aspects from a distance, and learn to understand them in a new way. Secondly, claywork in therapy may facilitate the safe ‘unearthing’ of repressed feelings as well as hidden aspects of the personality. Thirdly, claywork’s potential to mediate symbolic functioning was shown to be an important aspect of the integration process. These findings confirmed and extended existing theory regarding the usefulness of claywork in psychotherapy with adult survivors of childhood trauma. Brief recommendations for future research were provided.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The refinement of protective salinity guidelines for South African freshwater resources
- Authors: Slaughter, Andrew Robert
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Water salinization -- South Africa Salinization -- Control -- South Africa Salinity -- South Africa Freshwater ecology -- South Africa Water resources development -- South Africa Caridina Caridina -- Effect of pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6031 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006170
- Description: South Africa is an arid country and its growing population is putting freshwater resources under increasing pressure. Natural salinization of freshwater systems is being exacerbated by anthropogenic influences. The National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) stipulates the need for an ecological Reserve, that quantity and quality of freshwater needed to protect freshwater ecosystems while allowing sustainable use of freshwater resources. Water guidelines do exist in the form of the South African Water Quality Guidelines (DWAF, 1996) and more recently, Jooste and Rossouw (2002) compiled benchmark values for water quality variables marking the boundaries between ecological health classes in the 4-category classification system. Predominantly international toxicity data were used to compile the guidelines and the benchmark values. In addition, there is a paucity of chronic toxicity data nationally and internationally. This thesis showed that it is statistically possible to derive protective chronic endpoints for salinity from acute toxicity data through extrapolation. The Acute to Chronic Ratio (ACR), Two-Step Linear Regression (LRA) and Multi-Factor Probit Analysis (MPA) extrapolation methods were investigated to derive chronic toxicity data from acute toxicity data. The authors of LRA and MPA recommend associating a time independent LCx value in the range of LC₀¸₀₁ to LC₁₀ with a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNOEC). In addition to published methods, this thesis studied the possibility of equating a time independent LC₅₀ value and subjected to a safety factor of 5 (LRA LC₅₀/5), to the PNOEC. Extrapolated chronic toxicity data where the toxicants are NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were derived for indigenous South African macroinvertebrates. NaCl and Na₂SO₄ are salts associated with salinisation in South Africa. In addition, a chronic salinity toxicity test protocol for an indigenous South African aquatic macroinvertebrate was designed and chronic toxicity test were performed using NaCl and Na₂SO₄ as toxicants. The experimental chronic toxicity data produced were used to validate results from the acute to chronic extrapolation methods. Extrapolated chronic toxicity data were inputted into Species Sensitivity Distribution curves, and concentrations that were predicted to protect 95 % of species (PC95) were compared to the sub-lethality benchmarks proposed by Jooste and Rossouw (2002) for NaCl and Na₂SO₄. This study concluded that the LRA LC₅₀/5 extrapolation method is the most protective and accurate and proposed that LRA replace the ACR method in future guideline development for inorganic salts.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The relationship between leadership and internal customer satisfaction within a motor manufacturing company in Gauteng
- Authors: Samuel, Glen
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Employees -- South Africa -- Gauteng Automobile industry and trade -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Gauteng Job satisfaction Customer services -- Management Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Gauteng Employee morale Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003879
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between leadership and internal customer satisfaction, also called employee satisfaction in this document. The research is conducted within an automotive manufacturer situated in the province of Gauteng, South Africa. The Service Profit Chain forms the foundation on which this research is based as it suggests that the various factors within the service delivery system of an organisation ultimately affect the success of an organisation. From the Service Profit Chain, it is established that a factor that affects employee satisfaction is the leadership within the organisation. The Full Range Leadership Development Theory provides the backbone for analysing the leadership style of each manager by using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. The company’s employee satisfaction model provides the theoretical construct against which the employee satisfaction of the managers’ subordinates is measured using the company’s employee satisfaction questionnaire. Information was gathered from the managers who rated their leadership styles as they perceived it; and from their respective subordinates who rated the managers’ leadership style as they perceived it and also their satisfaction as employees as they perceived it. Data obtained from each instrument, for the respective managers, was then statistically analysed. The reliability of the data could not be proved for some of the factors of the 2 research instruments. However, this research found a statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership and some factors of employee satisfaction, albeit a weak relationship. The null hypothesis was rejected and the alternate hypothesis accepted. A statistically significant relationship exists between leadership style and employee satisfaction levels within an automotive manufacturing organisation.
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- Date Issued: 2005