Challenges experienced by xhosa single mothers during the traditional circumcision of their adolescent sons
- Authors: Mdunyelwa, Akhona
- Date: 2020-07
- Subjects: Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21004 , vital:46891
- Description: Culturally, amongst Amaxhosa, traditional male circumcision is known to be a men subject and that women are supposed to be passive and submissive in the entire process (Kang’ethe & Nomngcoyiya, 2016). Women play a huge role in nurturing children, however, when it comes to traditional male circumcision of their sons, their role is limited to preparing food and traditional beer for the initiation ceremony. These women include single mothers, therefore, the interest of this study is on how Xhosa single mothers encounter challenges in the traditional circumcision of their sons, thus the main purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges experienced by Xhosa single mothers during traditional circumcision of their adolescent sons. The following three objectives were set out to guide the investigation A. To investigate challenges experienced by Xhosa single mothers during the traditional circumcision of their adolescent sons. B. To determine the extent to which Xhosa single mothers participate in the plans and decision making during the circumcision of their adolescent sons. C. To explore the support that Xhosa single mothers require during the process of their sons’ circumcision. A purposive sampling procedure was employed, and ten Xhosa single mothers were interviewed on a one-to-one basis. In addition, a focus group consisting of four men was conducted. The following are the main findings of the study: •Traditional male circumcision is the most respected custom amongst the AmaXhosa nation. Women are in fear of speaking publicly about the challenges they experience in traditional male circumcision processes. • There are various challenges experienced by Xhosa single mothers which include the need for involvement of men to usher their sons into the ritual. • The absence and lack of support from the biological fathers of the sons results in aconsiderable burden for the Xhosa single mothers that includes financial challenges. • The religious orientation or Christian faith of some of the Xhosa single mothers clashes with the request of their sons to participate in traditional male circumcision. • The individuals and societal drop in cultural standards and being stormed by the dominant Western culture as opposed to Ubuntu was identified as the greatest challenge in the Xhosa communities. • There is a clash of cultural norms and values with the current equality lifestyle as well as the enjoyment of constitutional rights by the Xhosa single mothers during traditional circumcision of their sons. There is a lack of support for Xhosa single mothers in relation to traditional circumcision of their adolescent sons from the families, community, and the government. Much of the support is directed to strategies to preserve the custom, improve the procedure and to curb the casualties. • The study proved that, traditional male circumcision is a stressful process for the Xhosa single mothers which inflict strain and anxiety. Some of the concepts from Bowen`s family systems theory were proven and discussed as part of the findings. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-07
Knowledge, attitude and behaviors of pregnant women towards pregnancy induced hypertension in Mdantsane Township Buffalo City Health District
- Authors: Peter, Bulelwa Beatrice
- Date: 2020-07
- Subjects: Hypotension in pregnancy , Pregnancy--Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22930 , vital:53221
- Description: The prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) deaths is high in the Eastern Cape. Anecdotal evidence indicates that most women fall pregnant because of attitudes towards contraceptives and are seemingly unaware of pregnancy-related complications. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of pregnant women concerning pregnancyinduced hypertension in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 200 pregnant women attending antenatal healthcare clinics in Mdantsane, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Collected data were managed and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24. Data analysis involved both descriptive (count, frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and logistics regression). For the inferential statistics, the level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: It was observed that the married women were more likely to be aware of PIH compared to single women (OR=2.4 95%CI (1.17; 4.90)). Of the 45 married women, 73.3% were aware of PIH compared to single women. Out of the women who participated in the study, 43.8% showed attitudes indicating they were not aware of this condition and associated complications from high-pressure during pregnancy. Compared to those in their first pregnancy, those who had previous pregnancy were more likely to be aware of PIH (OR=17.1 95 % CI (9.09; 32.15)). Of the 140 previously pregnant women, 83.6 % were aware of PIH compared to those during their first pregnancy. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that sociodemographic factors play a role in pregnant women 's understanding of PIH. Improving knowledge of PIH among pregnant women requires context-specific strategies. During an antenatal visit, health care providers should implement focussed health education programmes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-07
The Effect of financial sector development on International trade in South Africa
- Authors: Moyo, Ntando T
- Date: 2020-07
- Subjects: South Africa--Economic conditions. , Economic development--South Africa. , Finance--Africa.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22121 , vital:51986
- Description: Even though improving international trade through financial sector development is one of the preoccupations of countries around the world, the empirical literature on the relationship between finance and trade has not been rigorous in its analysis. The main aim of this study is to explore the effects financial sector development has on international trade in South Africa. The study utilized quarterly data from 2001Q1 to 2018Q4 employing the Johnson cointegration method and Granger causality to analyse the relationship between the variables of interests. Cointegration, the Vector Error Correction Model was also used to capture dynamics of both the short run and the long run effect. The findings show that there is a long-term relationship between the two variables of interest and the causality flows from Financial Development to the international trade. System generalized method of moment’s reveals differential effects of finance on trade. In particular, some variables has a negative impact on trade, whereas others increases trade. These effects are robust to macroeconomic measures as well as to trade measures. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-07
The experiences of users of the Griffiths III
- Authors: Le Roux, Johan
- Date: 2020-07
- Subjects: Child development -- Testing , Psychological tests
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51287 , vital:43260
- Description: The Griffiths III was published in 2016 and has since then been used internationally by practitioners. The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently planning and reviewing, refining, and improving the 2016 version of this assessment tool. Part of this process is to obtain feedback from all the key role players in the Griffiths III. The purpose of the present study was to explore and describe how users of the Griffiths III experience the measure. A qualitative methodology was utilised, and an exploratory-descriptive design was employed. A questionnaire was created by the ARICD and distributed to all 217 registered users of the Griffiths III. A total of 72 registered Griffiths users, who were using the Griffiths III at that stage, completed and returned the questionnaires to the ARICD. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to extract themes. The findings of the study revealed four overarching themes, namely 1) the purpose and use of the Griffiths III; 2) domains, content, and structure of the Griffiths III; 3) psychometric properties, standardisation, and norms; and 4) merits, limitations, and improvements. Based on the findings, recommendations were made regarding the revision of the Griffiths III. These recommendations relate to a specialised version for children with an autism spectrum disorder, psychometric properties, school readiness elements, universality of the scales, administration time, diagnosis and screening, cost, specific items, and report writing. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciencess, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2020-07
The perceived socio-environmental impacts of illegal sand mining along the Umvoti River in KwaDukuza Local Municipality, KwaZulu - Natal Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbiko, Lubabalo
- Date: 2020-07
- Subjects: Ecosystem health , Biodiversity
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20474 , vital:45669
- Description: This study examined and documented the perceptions of local communities towards the socio-environmental impacts associated with illegal sand mining activities along the Umvoti River, in the KwaDukuza Local Municipality in South Africa. It was imperative to elicit the perceptions of both the local people and the government officials to understand the extent of the socio- environmental effects of illegal sand mining in the study area. To this end, a qualitative research approach was designed and used to collect the data. Data collection techniques employed included site observations and a semi-structured interview schedule with key informants. Additionally, 50 questionnaire surveys were administered to the residents of the Nsikeni and Melville communities within the study area. The results of the study revealed that illegal sand mining along the Umvoti River has contributed significantly to the degradation of grazing and farm lands, including diversion of the river and the destruction of the riparian vegetation. Evidence of water pollution, and air pollution in the form of dust, were also reported. The study observed problems in ecosystem functioning, particularly in regard to the flora and fauna, and there was extensive destruction of the aesthetic beauty of the local landscape. In addition, the study indicated that people and livestock drowned in the deep trenches that were not rehabilitated following illegal sand mining practise that was migrating along the river. Furthermore, illegal sand mining was linked with an increase in poverty and prostitution, as well as the destruction of the infrastructure in the nearby communities. Moreover, community conflicts arose from the differing perceptions on the existence of illegal sand mining in these communities. To curb illegal sand mining, the study recommends that the current legislation on the extraction of mineral commodities in South Africa should be stringently and effectively enforced. The research further recommends that community policing forums should be established and work closely with law enforcement agencies to deal with illegal sand mining activities. Accordingly, the research study recommends the elimination of the current tedious and burdensome process of obtaining amining permit. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-07