Creating a home away from home: examining the working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Mashamba, Nyaradzo Faith
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Housemothers Employment South Africa Eastern Cape , Work environment , Industrial relations , Organizational behavior , Boarding schools South Africa Eastern Cape , Housemothers South Africa Eastern Cape Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480150 , vital:78401
- Description: This study analyses the working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Most literature dedicated to the schooling system tends to prioritize the role of the teacher, whilst often side-lining or overlooking the role of housemothers who play a crucial role in schools with boarding facilities such as hostels. In addition to a good academic programme and great extracurricular activities, parents often choose schools according to how well their boarding facilities and hostels are run. Housemothers play a critical role in this regard, as they are responsible for creating a ‘home away from home’ for the students through the provision of guidance, care, and support amongst many other roles. Although public boarding schools do not run for profit, their hostels follow a strict capitalist-like regime that utilizes various methods to create a ‘home away from home’ for students. This study adopted a Labour Process Theory (LPT) to analyse the work processes and working conditions of housemothers employed in a public all-girls school in the Eastern Cape. Although traditionally applied in ‘for profit’ organizations, the LPT is ideal for this study because hostels in boarding schools use capitalist mechanisms to provide quality services to attract parents to send their children to these schools. This research adopted a qualitative research approach, as it seeks to unearth the subjective experiences of housemothers employed in a public all-girls boarding school in the Eastern Cape. The findings in this study indicated that housemothers do indeed play a central role in the governance of the girls’ hostels in the boarding school. The hostels are governed through diverse control mechanisms, which housemothers must adhere to. Housemothers are also divided into various categories to boost efficiency and save money. This is done through the division of labour amongst the housemothers who occupy three different roles, from matrons (at the top) to housemothers (regular), and student housemothers (who are not paid in monetary terms, but through accommodation and food). The findings also indicated that housemothers have limited agency in their work. The findings also showed that housemothers are required to display specific emotional characteristics to provide various forms of support to students at the expense of their own emotions. Lastly, housemothers are expected to dress in a certain way to present a sense of professionalism, as representatives of the school. Overall, this study showed that the capitalist-like methods applied by the school’s management team in the hostel system affect the labour outcomes and experiences of housemothers. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2025
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- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Exploring the impact of sub-ambient CO2 concentrations on Oxalis growth: implications for food sustainability among Pleistocene human foragers in the Greater Cape Floristic Region
- Authors: Faltein-Maqubela, Zintle
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Carbon dioxide Thermal properties , Geophyte , Hunting and gathering societies Pleistocene , Paleobotany Pleistocene , Oxalis , Prehistoric peoples Food , Cape Floristic Kingdom
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479097 , vital:78260
- Description: Humans inhabiting the glacial refugia of the Cape Floristic Region during the Middle Pleistocene are believed to have relied on underground storage organs (USOs) as a crucial carbohydrate source. While previous research has highlighted the nutritional potential of these plants for early human gatherers, such studies are typically conducted under modern climatic conditions and do not account for the reduced plant productivity and USO yields associated with the lower atmospheric CO₂ concentrations characteristic of Pleistocene glacial periods. To evaluate the impact of CO₂ availability on plant productivity, I cultivated two Oxalis species—O. pes-caprae and O. punctata, both known to have been harvested by early foragers—under CO₂ concentrations ranging from 180 ppm to 400 ppm. Results showed that glacial-level CO₂ concentrations significantly reduced bulb production in O. pes-caprae and photosynthetic rates in both species. Using these findings to model Pleistocene foraging behaviour, I estimate that human foragers would have needed to spend an additional 8 hours gathering food to meet their daily dietary requirements of 2000 calories, suggesting the need for alternative food sources to supplement their diet. These findings emphasise the importance of considering historical plant growth conditions, particularly atmospheric CO₂ levels, when reconstructing past human diets. Failure to account for these factors may represent a significant gap in our understanding of human subsistence strategies during glacial periods. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2025
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- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
Legal liability under the occupational health and safety act 85 of 1993
- Authors: de Lange,Charl
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: South Africa. -- Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 , Industrial hygiene -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Industrial safety -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72082 , vital:79186
- Description: South Africa’s legislation dealing with workplace safety is commonly known as the Occupational Health and Safety Act(OHSA).1 OHSA is a pivotal body of law with the aim of protecting workers by ensuring their health and safety.2 Despite the robust framework it provides, there exists a pressing need for further exploration into its provisions, particularly in complex area regarding criminal liability, vicarious liability, and the standards of care mandated for employers. This study seeks to address these areas, seeking to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the legislation and its implications for both employers and employees. The OHSA establishes a legal obligation for employers to ensure a safe working environment, with section 38 of the OHSA specifically detailing the criminal liabilities for actions or omissions that jeopardise workplace safety. Section 37 of the OHSA introduces the concept of vicarious liability, which holds employers accountable for the actions or omissions of their employees or independent contractors. Additionally, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA)3 through section 35 provides a statutory measure for claiming no-fault compensation, thereby limiting an employee’s right to institute a civil claim against an employer. The legal concept of liability within workplace safety encompasses several dimensions, including criminal liability, vicarious liability, and strict liability. Criminal liability under OHSA4 implies direct accountability for safety breaches, while vicarious liability extends responsibility to employers for their employees’ actions. Strict liability, although not explicitly detailed in OHSA,5 implies holding parties accountable regardless of fault, particularly relevant in the context of ensuring safe working conditions. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2025
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- Date Issued: 2025-04
The contribution of the expanded public works programme infrastructure sector to alleviate conditions of poverty
- Authors: Jacobs, Andrew
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: South Africa -- Expanded Public Works Programme , Public works -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:79254
- Description: Almost 30 years after the end of apartheid South Africa continues to experience the highest rates of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the world. This has the potential to result in massive socio-economic instability. Renewed interest has been identified in public works programmes, which has the potential to contribute towards reducing the triple burden of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The protection and creation of jobs through public employment programmes, including the creation of jobs through the traditional Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), has become an important part of South Africa’s strategy for economic growth and stability. The aim of this study was to contribute to a deeper insight into the capacity of the EPWP to contribute towards reducing unemployment and poverty to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities and set out to: - Explore how employment under the infrastructure sector of EPWP has contributed to the household income of the beneficiaries. Explore how the income received from employment under the infrastructure sector of EPWP is used within the households. Identify and explore the skills the beneficiaries have developed by participating in the infrastructure sector of EPWP. Explore the perceived experiences of the beneficiaries’ participation in the infrastructure sector of EPWP. A qualitative case study design was employed to explore the insights and experiences of the beneficiaries participating in the infrastructure sector of EPWP in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM). Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the current and former EPWP beneficiaries in BCM to understand the experiential lens of the participants. The findings indicated that income received from EPWP employment is a valuable supplement to household income, enabling households to manage under conditions of increasing costs of living. Key shortcomings of the EPWP include the temporary nature of benefits, low income levels, inadequate training and inability to improve future employability. The study revealed the importance of income relief provided through short-term employment under EPWP for those unemployed beneficiaries living in conditions of poverty. Despite its shortcomings, the potential of EPWP as a policy tool to assist low-skilled unemployed workers to cope with economic shocks in the short term cannot be ignored. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
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- Date Issued: 2025-04
The review of a disciplinary finding or sanction in terms of section 158(1)(h) of the labour relations act 66 of 1995
- Authors: August, Joshua Cliff
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Labor discipline , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa.-- Labour Relations Act, 1995
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/68670 , vital:77080
- Description: When an employer subjects an employee to a formal disciplinary process, the employer appoints a presiding officer to whom it cedes either wholly or partly its decision-making powers. Wholly in that the presiding officer would render a finding and impose a sanction. Partly, in that the presiding officer would render a finding and only provide the employer with a recommendation on sanction, which the employer would either accept or reject. The State in its capacity as employer has been afforded the ability to utilise section 158(1)(h) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA) to review the decisions of presiding officers appointed over internal disciplinary proceedings. Despite the wording of section 158(1)(h), the courts have restricted its use by employees employed by the State. The courts have held that a State employee would have to utilise the ordinary dispute resolution pathways made available in the LRA to challenge the decisions the State takes in its capacity as an employer. When exercising the prerogative to discipline, all employers, including the State, must primarily comply with the substantive and procedural requirements outlined in Schedule 8 of the LRA. Notwithstanding the primary measure of fairness, the employer’s decision to discipline and dismiss would also be pitched and measured against its adopted internal disciplinary code and procedure document. It has been questioned in a Labour Court judgement whether the State should continue to be afforded the benefit of the section 158(1)(h) review. The Labour Court judgement ventures into the consequences the use of section 158(1)(h) would have on the unfair dismissal dispute resolution pathway afforded by the LRA and proposed that it would be ideal for the State to utilise alternatives when attempting to alter the sanction or finding of its internal presiding officers. The alternatives proposed include the internal review of findings or sanctions, the unilateral substitution of sanctions, increasing sanctions on appeal and the practice of subjecting the employee to a second hearing. Applying the alternatives to the current circumstances and collective bargaining agreements applicable in the public service, the State would not be able to utilise the alternatives, save for subjecting the employee to a second hearing in exceptional circumstances. In all other instances, including convening an internal review, increasing a sanction during an appeal, or unilaterally substituting the sanction would conflict with the prevailing internal disciplinary code and procedure in the public service. In as much as the Labour Court judgment attempts to put into perspective the consequences the use of section 158(1)(h) would have on the subsequent dispute resolution pathways, the State should not be unduly bound by irrational findings or sanctions imposed by presiding officers appointed to preside over its internal disciplinary hearings. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
Co-crystal formation of pharmaceutical and veterinary tranquilizer molecules
- Authors: Mngwengwe, Bongeka Naledi Precious
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Cocrystal , Benzodiazepines , Mechanical chemistry , Midazolam , Tranquilizing drugs
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464532 , vital:76519
- Description: Midazolam, a 1,4-benzodiazepine derivative is commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia and may be used as a sedative in anaesthesia as it has calming, anti-convulsant and muscle relaxant properties. Midazolam has a rapid onset but a short duration of action resulting in fewer adverse effects. Midazolam also has the potential to form insoluble crystalline precipitates in pharmaceutical dosage forms such as syrups and solutions, which is a challenge in formulation and process development activities. The primary goal of this research was to prepare multicomponent crystals of midazolam free base, specifically targeting interactions with coformers structurally similar to methyl paraben. Key preparation techniques included neat grinding, liquid-assisted grinding, and slow evaporation. The resulting solid forms were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD). In addition, Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SCXRD) was used to elucidate detailed structural information on the novel multicomponent crystals formed. Successful preparation of midazolam free base from the hydrochloride salt was confirmed through FTIR, DSC, and PXRD analysis. Different co-crystals and salts of midazolam with coformers such as salicylic acid (SA), benzoic acid (BA), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA) and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) were synthesized and characterized. The structure of the single crystal obtained from a veterinary tranquilizer solution was solved and found to be a salt that had formed between midazolam free base, midazolam HCl, and methyl paraben. This finding inspired further investigation of similar multicomponent crystals of midazolam and methyl paraben analogues. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of both mechanochemical and slow evaporation methods for the preparation of multicomponent crystals. PXRD and DSC provided insights into the stability and purity of the crystals that had formed and the differences in melting points and PXRD patterns were particularly important in this regard. Differences in FTIR spectra were used to distinguish between different solid forms and to confirm the successful formation of new solid forms. Extensive searches in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) confirmed that the multicomponent crystals of midazolam, such as MDZ‧SA, MDZ‧BA, MDZ‧3-HBA, and MDZ‧PABA, had not previously been reported, highlighting the novelty of these findings. The research successfully isolated and characterized several novel multicomponent crystals of midazolam, demonstrating the potential of mechanochemistry and solvent evaporation techniques in the development of pharmaceutical and veterinary medicinal applications. These findings contribute to the understanding of cocrystal formation and provide a foundation for future studies in which the stability and efficacy of midazolam-based formulations can be evaluated. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Synthesis and characterization of high energy milled silicon nanoparticles for electronic applications
- Authors: Mnguni, Nomvula Bianca
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9936 , vital:74651
- Description: This study demonstrates that high energy milling using a planetary disc mill offers a new simple route to the production of polycrystalline silicon nanoparticles which are suitable for electronic applications. By manipulating process variables such as milling duration and mass of the feedstock load, the microstructure of the nanoparticles can be tuned to meet requirements. The internal structure of the nanoparticles prepared by high energy milling was found to predominantly consist of nanocrystalline silicon and their surfaces are characterised by a disordered layer of silicon sub-oxides and an insignificant proportion of fully oxidized silicon. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Raman spectra were used to calculate the average crystallite size and correlating it to the milling process variables. The surface chemistry of the nanoparticles was elucidated using X-ray photo spectroscopy (XPS) and was also related to the milling parameters. The internal structure, agglomeration and aggregation of the particles were tested using high resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM) and complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Conductivity tests were done on the particles to ascertain their suitability for electronic applications. It is demonstrated that the longer the milling time, the smaller the sizes of particles and crystals. The sizes also depended on the mass of feedstock load. 30 g feedstock loads resulted in average nanoparticle size which were 30 - 40 % larger than for 10 g loads. The average size of nanoparticles produced were in the range 50 – 80 nm as measured by SEM. The distribution of the size of particles became less polydisperse with increase in milling time and a reduction in feedstock load. The particles were devoid of significant SiO2 layer and hence were confirmed by conductivity tests to be electrically active. Data from XPS indicate that the silicon nanoparticles have a unique surface chemistry which is consistent with the silicon surfaces being dominantly oxygen terminated. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Commerce and Administration, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
A sociological exploration of whether culture inhibits comprehensive sexual education in schools: the case of urban schools in Mpika district of Zambia
- Authors: Nyoni, Kaliza
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sex instruction Zambia , Sex instruction Social aspects Zambia , Culture , High school students Attitudes , Sex educators Attitudes , Influence (Psychology) , Language and culture Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406796 , vital:70308
- Description: This study investigated the impact and influence of culture in the provisioning of comprehensive sexuality education , the case of urban schools of Mpika district of Zambia. The specific objectives were to investigate the frameworks that inform the teaching of CSE in schools, explore ways in which influence of culture on the framework affects the leaners participation in learning CSE, explore the influence of cultural norms, metaphors, and values on that framework, explore whether cultural norms have an impact and influence on teachers and explore whether there is a discrepancy between cultural values and CSE. The methodology which was used in carrying out the research was descriptive research design and purposive sampling was used in which a sample of 21 respondents who are leaners were picked and 5 teachers who teach CSE were chosen. The interview schedule was used to collect data from the sample which was drawn. The data gathered was analysed using concepts and themes as well as observer impression. The findings of this research are that there is a framework that informs the teaching of CSE in schools whose aim is to curb school drop outs by reducing teen pregnancies and high infection rates of STIs and HIV/AIDS. The framework seeks to empower knowledge on the adolescents in relation to gender norms, rights in relationships and sexuality. The major findings of the research are that culture has an influence on the teachers and leaners. Of particular discovery is the use of symbols through charts which display human private parts. This is construed by the teachers and learners to be against their cultural beliefs. Furthermore, language that this subject uses is culturally seen to be too strong and vulgar , to both teachers and leaners. This study found out that open discussion in class of the topic on sexuality does not sit well with the leaners as it is against their cultural orientation. The research also found out that there are lessons in CSE that are beneficial to the learners such as , how to prevent contracting of STIs and HIV/AIDS and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Development of a Mobile-Based Livestock Breeding Management System for Communal Farmers in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Aduradola, Oluwatobi John
- Date: 2021-05
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20600 , vital:46364
- Description: More than a decade ago, South Africa realized the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its use in delivering several services; there are still several challenges that block implementing an ICT-based system to deliver services and information better. Since communal development is still one of the country's biggest concerns, ICT is among several advances and views recognized for speeding up communal development and providing for the country's economic growth. This research aimed to investigate and implement ICT tools for communal farmers in the context of information needs and information dissemination. The research concentrated on the technical tools and skills needed to implement an ICT tool for communal farmers and other stakeholders. A prototyping methodology was used in this research in the development of the required prototype. A study was then conducted to understand the present state and the information needs of communal farmers where the questionnaire was administered. The research results demonstrated the critical need for communal farmers to get information timely at their convenience. A mobile database system was then designed and developed that suits communal farmers' nature. This system was an offline android application that assists with their information need and its dissemination, and it allows the sharing of the communal farmer's data to other stakeholders. , Thesis (MSc) (Computer Science)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-05