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A review of five international forensic reports : fingerprint evidence lessons for South African lawyers

  • Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Fingerprints Fingerprints -- Identification Forensic sciences
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10927 , vital:35964
  • Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A review of five international forensic reports : fingerprint evidence lessons for South African lawyers

  • Authors: Chiwara, Mercy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Fingerprints Criminal investigation Forensic sciences
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10918 , vital:35963
  • Description: For more than a century fingerprint evidence has been used as a tool for the forensic identification of offenders, and has generally been accepted without being tested, challenged or scrutinized because the courts were convinced that no prints look alike or are the same. Fingerprint evidence has been used and accepted on the basis that each person’s friction ridges are unique, that the ridges are permanent and can be transferred to a surface. However, the transferability of the uniqueness raises issues that are very significant in relation to the reliability of fingerprint evidence because only a partial impression is typically transferred. Furthermore, the print can be distorted as a result of pressure and this inevitably affects the impression. Nevertheless, in recent and authoritative Reports from the United States and Scotland, criticisms are being raised against fingerprint evidence. These challenges include the fact that to date there has not been a study to validate the reliability of fingerprint individualisation, the fact that there is no specific requirement with regard as to how much constant or uniform detail between latent print and known print suffices to reach a decision of identification and the fact that there are no objective standards coupled with the problem that there is a lack of scientific validity of the method used for comparisons. This study reviews the law relating to fingerprint evidence in the light of the reports produced by the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Justice, Reviewing the Mayfield Case (US) in 2006, the National Academy of Sciences (US) Report in 2009, the Fingerprint Inquiry Report by Lord Campbell in Scotland in 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Institute of Justice (US) Report in 2012, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report (US) in 2016, so as to establish lessons for South African lawyers in as far as reliability, weight and admissibility of fingerprint evidence is concerned. Finally, this study concludes that South Africa’s norm of accepting fingerprint evidence as unquestionable is problematic in law and in science and that there is a need for reform regarding the manner in which fingerprint evidence is evaluated by the courts.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A review of the implementation of the CAPS Life Skills curriculum training, as a recontextualising process, in engaging teachers in environmental education in two districts of the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Yoyo, Sindiswa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Life skills Study and teaching (Continuing education) South Africa Eastern Cape , Environmental education Curricula South Africa Eastern Cape , Teachers In-service training South Africa Eastern Cape , Curriculum change South Africa Eastern Cape , Teachers Education (Continuing education) South Africa Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61767 , vital:28057
  • Description: This study examines how the implementation of CAPS Life Skills curriculum training (as a recontextualising process) is engaging teachers in environmental education. The research was centred on training manuals for Life Skills (Official Recontextualisation Field) and their use in CAPS training at district level in two Eastern Cape sites of recontextualisation (Professional Recontextualisation Field). During the training, teachers developed lesson plans that were reviewed and group interviews were conducted on the training process and its outcomes. The manuals, training process, lesson plans and interview transcripts were analysed for evidence of environmental education, notably content, teaching and learning methods and assessment strategies. Bernstein’s (1990) framework of the pedagogic device underpins this study. Here the concept of the relay is key for tracking the "relay” of the content, teaching and learning methods and assessment strategies through the processes of recontextualisation into the lesson plans for the field of production. During the process of de-location and relocation, gaps are created and this study sought to track and probe patterns of omissions that took place during the relay process in two cases of training. The review of the in-service training course process of recontextualisation and its cascading approach exposed challenges of omission as it became clear that at each level of the recontextualisation process, gaps were apparent. The study highlighted how the 3-5 day workshop process reviewed was not a robust model for professional development. It was not effective and changes in the mode of delivery and processes of support that reach into curriculum practice in the context of the school are recommended. The study concludes that there is a need for continuous professional development as teachers need ongoing support especially for a "new” curriculum like CAPS that is content driven.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A review of the re-structuring of the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital through the change management approach

  • Authors: Nodikida, Mzulungile
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Organizational change -- Case studies , Organizational change -- Management , Reengineering (Management) -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Leadership -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Mthatha , Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58339 , vital:27236
  • Description: The research used a change management approach to analyze the restructuring of the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital from a tertiary to a central hospital. The study was underpinned by two objectives. Firstly, to analyze the restructuring of the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital from a tertiary to a "central" hospital using the Core Elements Framework of change management developed by Antwi and Kale (2014). Secondly, to use the knowledge gained through literature review combined with the experiences of the managers at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital to inform future healthcare reforms in general and particularly in the restructuring of hospitals. The Core Elements Framework by Antwi and Kale (2014) identifies six fundamental change elements from both emergent and planned change management approaches. The six elements are regarded by theorists from the two different schools of thought i.e. emergent change and planned change as key for successful change. The Core Elements Framework by Antwi and Kale, (2014) demonstrates the strength of not viewing the two approaches to change management as mutually exclusive but as complementing each other when the other is falling short. The study identified the following: ■ The change was prompted by clearly identifiable external factors more than internal factors. ■ There was notable lack of organizational harmony which may have negatively impacted the change process. ■ The Private Public Partnership (PPP) funding model which was aimed at delivering the central hospital collapsed, after a study discovered that it benefited the private sector more than the public sector. ■ There was no proper consultation of major stakeholders for preparation of the change. ■ Resources in all material forms were not made available for the change to take off, this means that there was no organizational capacity to execute the change. The study draws the conclusion that lack of organizational capacity, organizational harmony and a proper consultation process for stakeholders are the main reasons why the restructuring of the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital is not yielding the desired results. The study recommends that organizations should implement a multidimensional approach for any change initiative to be successful and that organizations must ensure the availability of the necessary resources when embarking on change.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A risk based engineering maintenance and spare parts planning model for a generic pharmaceutical company in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Fourie, Gerhard Claris
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Engineering maintenance Engineering repairs
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29838 , vital:30784
  • Description: The Pharmaceutical Industry is facing substantial challenges due to the continuous evolving world of technologies, global competitiveness, price regulation, environmental and safety requirements. In this environment asset maintenance evolved and became increasingly important in business over the last couple of decades. Traditionally industry favoured a reactive maintenance strategy but over the years changed to proactive maintenance strategy due to the advancement of technology and skills of maintenance personnel. With increasing automation and mechanisation, production processes are becoming highly complex and the cost associated with asset maintenance has increased consistently over the decades. Studies have shown that about 15-70% of production costs can be attributed to asset maintenance and one-third of maintenance costs are wasted due to inefficiencies in planning. Furthermore, the selection of an effective maintenance strategy is a challenge due to maintenance output that is difficult to measure and quantify. This treatise will investigate the application of a risk based strategy on asset maintenance planning and spare part management of a pharmaceutical company and compare it to best practices. The theory of risk analysis was reviewed and risk analysis pertaining to maintenance planning and spare part management in the Pharmaceutical industry explored. Questionnaires were sent to selected engineering and relevant departments in order to analyse the challenges and good practices in the company relating to spare part management and maintenance planning. A risk based model for the pharmaceutical company was developed after the information gathered in the research. The recommendations were made in a practical approach by presenting the solution in the form of a flow chart. This model will enable the Maintenance Managers, Inventory Managers and Maintenance Planners to identify critical equipment, optimise maintenance schedules and plan spare parts purchasing more accurately.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A seismic characterization of the crustal structure underlying the offshore Natal valley within the south-west Indian Ocean

  • Authors: Moorcroft, David
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Seismology , Seismology -- Kwa Zulu Natal -- Research Coasts -- Kwa Zulu Natal
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22387 , vital:29965
  • Description: The Natal Valley is a ~1000 km long, elongated depression in the seafloor, located within the south-west Indian Ocean, between the coastline of south-east Africa and the offshore aseismic Mozambique Ridge. Knowledge of its present-day crustal structure is important to reconstruct the Gondwana supercontinent break-up history and the concurrent opening of the Indian Ocean, which started during the Jurassic, some ~180 – 150 million years ago. Major geological events relating to this supercontinent break-up including continental rifting, magmatism, the emplacement of extensive oceanic flood basalt as submarine plateaus, vertical processes associated with tectonic uplift, flexural subsidence of the margin and relative global sea-level change are recorded within the crust underlying the south-west Indian Ocean. Although these events have been well modelled, fundamental questions remain regarding the nature and tectonic structure of the crust. Today, the Natal Valley region represents a frontier for geophysical exploration. Early attempts at imaging the crust beneath the seafloor within the south-west Indian Ocean made use of now primitive seismic reflection data acquisition and processing techniques available to them at the time (1960’s - 1970’s). Considering the advancements made in marine seismic reflection imaging, these vintage datasets lacked the horizontal and vertical resolution necessary to most accurately account for and describe features of the upper crust underlying the northern Natal Valley. This study is based on the acquisition, processing and preliminary interpretation of a newly acquired, regional seismic reflection profile, Profile Mz5-007, acquired across the northernmost region of the Natal Valley during the PAMELA-Moz5 cruise in 2016. The methods of marine seismic reflection data acquisition, processing and interpretation are described. The seismic reflection data presented in this dissertation provides a regional-scaled appraisal of the upper crust underlying the northern Natal Valley for the first time. The imagery allows a comprehensive description of crustal structures and features from the very northern Natal Valley, close to the Mozambique coastline, southwards into the southern Natal Valley offshore of Durban. The findings presented here support the notion that the crust underlying the northern Natal Valley experienced roughly N-S orientated trans-tensional stresses in relation to the breakup of West Gondwana. At least two major phases of volcanism are imaged within the seismic stratigraphy. The lower-most event underlies the Limpopo Fan in the northernmost regions of the Natal Valley at a depth of 2 seconds TWT and is interpreted as a seismic expression of the upper surface of the Lower – Middle Jurassic Karoo LIP. The progressive disappearance of this horizon towards the south coincides with the emergence of a second, overlying, as yet unreported volcanic horizon, which extends southwards throughout the Natal Valley. On the basis of its regional distribution, spatial relationship with the underlying event boundary and its deformation history, this volcanic horizon is interpreted to represent a series of basaltic lava outpourings during the Lower Cretaceous, initiated in response to trans-tensional crustal deformation associated with the breakup of West Gondwana. In addition to these two major phases of flood basalt outpouring, a number of localized volcanic flows are imaged throughout the stratigraphy, most notably over the Central Terrace. In addition, at least four major unconformities are identified, all of which are well developed within the Limpopo Fan. One of these is interpreted to represent the well-developed Mid-Cretaceous hiatus in sedimentation, providing a relative seismo-stratigraphic constraint to overlying and underlying seismic units. A review of the structural elements of the crust reveals how the northern Natal Valley is partitioned into two sub-basins separated by a prominent basement high, the Central Terrace, imaged across the central portions of Profile Mz5-007. To the north of the Central Terrace, structural deformation appears largely extensional, characterized by a large (~37 km wide) asymmetrical depression directly to the north of the Central Terrace and only minor structural faulting. To the south of the Central Terrace, trans-tensional stresses associated with withdrawal of the Falkland Malvinas Plateau have deformed the upper crust into a series of apparently southwards tilted crustal blocks, producing a series of deep (3.5 s TWT) half graben-like structures, within which syn-rift fill has an apparent dip towards the south. There is evidence to suggest ongoing reactivation of these fault structures. This zone of deformation is shown to bear resemblances to the faulting mapped onshore of the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline, providing reason to consider the two regions as a continuous zone of deformation associated with the withdrawal of the Falkland-Malvinas Plateau during the breakup of West Gondwana. Furthermore, a number of post-sedimentary intrusive features are imaged, the largest of which is the Naude Ridge; a large pinnacle-like feature which has penetrated the upper crust towards the southern limit of the profile. This feature corresponds to an abrupt change in seafloor depth and upper crustal structure, suggesting that this feature may mark the transition between subsided continental crust interpreted to underlie the northern Natal Valley to the north and oceanic crust known to underlie the southern Natal Valley to the south.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A service delivery framework to unlock the revenue potential of the SME segments of commercercial banks in South Africa

  • Authors: Mahlati, Mphenduli Mncedi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Small business -- Finance , Financial services industry -- Information technology Banks and banking Technological innovations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31633 , vital:31639
  • Description: Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a vital driver to the world economy. They provide more than 60% of overall employment globally and approximately 80% of jobs in developed economies. This segment however remains underserved by banks who have struggled to serve SMEs effectively. Nevertheless banks are still perfectly placed to capture the needs of SME customers and to provide them with greater value adding services that address their needs. However, this must be done in a cost-effective manner to ensure long-term portfolio and banking profitability. SME Banking faces several challenges centred on the high cost to serve and profitability. For the banking sector to overcome these challenges and still meet increasing and changing customer needs, significant investment in digital technology is required. The literature reviewed identified that in order to unlock the revenue potential embedded within the SME segment; banks need ground-breaking solutions to solve their revenue and profitability conundrum. This study mentions that such solutions will need to be focused around placing banks as market enablers, by way of providing SMEs with a growth platform and not just financial transaction services. The study also identified a hybrid service delivery model and a digital ecosystem approach to SME banking as being pivotal to unlocking the revenue potential embedded within the segment. Through a digital ecosystem approach, banks can leverage their intra and inter banking network to assist SMEs to grow their businesses. In the process, this will serve as a way of increasing penetration into this underserved segment. In addition, such an approach to banking necessitates an acceptance of how interconnected business relationships have the capacity to enable business growth and subsequently to address SME banking risk. To also consider that banks in South Africa continue to view SMEs as being too risky and costly to serve. This study attempts to address this perceived riskiness by presenting a service delivery framework, which consists of key factors that would influence the revenue potential of the SME segments of Commercial Banks in South Africa. The empirical part of the research evaluated banking official’s awareness and understanding of key concepts that is likely to influence their views with regards to the revenue potential of the SME market.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A social media model for public participation in a South African municipality

  • Authors: Fashoro, Ifeoluwapo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa Political participation -- Technological innovations -- South Africa Municipal government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29851 , vital:30786
  • Description: Social media have become the preferred method of communication for individuals, organisations and even governments. These technologies have become ingrained in our everyday lives and have changed the way we communicate, collaborate are informed of recent happenings around the world. Social media websites are reported to be the most popular around the world. In the government sphere, social media is purported as a technology that will revolutionise citizen participation, service delivery and government-citizen interactions. Accordingly, governments around the world are steadily implementing social media in a bid to meet citizens’ demand for immediate and constant access to information, as well as increased opportunities to participate in government. Public participation has become an important focus area for government which could be used to effectively engage citizens and foster citizen trust. The United Nation’s E-government survey reports the presence of 125 countries on social media platforms. Despite the increased use of social media by governments, consensus among researchers is that governments need guidance on how to use social media effectively to achieve the potential benefits proposed by these technologies. Many social media adoptions by governments have been deemed as experimental; no formal action plan was designed, and many government employees are expected to learn social media use on-the-job. The aim of this research was to investigate and propose a social media model for public participation to leverage the opportunities provided by social media and present an effective and structured approach towards public participation. The research was designed as a mixed methods research using a case study based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research involved a survey of citizens in the selected municipality based on the Uses and Gratifications Theory, interviews with employees responsible for social media in said municipality and a contents analysis of the existing social media pages of the municipality. The model was developed from the findings of the survey, interviews and existing literature. The implementation of the model was done in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The municipality appointed a social media champion responsible for obtaining support from top management and politicians within the municipality. Additional staff were added to the social media team and formal social media training was provided to the team. An official social media strategy was drafted and at the time of writing, needed to be approved by top management. The proposed model was operationalised within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. This research makes several contributions to the E-government and social media fields in South Africa. The major contribution is the provision of guidance for South African municipalities to implement and use social media in an effective manner to achieve public participation. The research provided a phased approach to social media implementation that eliminates ad hoc experimentation and ensures the municipality’s social media activities are effective. The development of the model was based on the characteristics of the municipality and its citizens derived from the interviews and survey carried out. There are five phases in the model; Initialisation, Setup, Organisation, Institutionalisation and Maintenance. The model can be thought of as a guideline, and as such municipalities should adapt the implementation of the model to fit their organisational characteristics. The social media model will assist municipalities to determine the resources, tools and tactics to enable them to implement social media effectively, which will result in an improved engagement and participation process with citizens, and thereby foster trust.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A sociological investigation of popular music consumption among Nigerian youths living at Summerstrand and Humewood

  • Authors: Uwuoruya, Osabuohien Clifford
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Popular culture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Music and youth -- Africa Africa -- In popular culture Music and globalization -- Africa Socialism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36738 , vital:34049
  • Description: The focus of this research study is on investigating how certain Nigerian youths expression of their agency at consuming popular music as a cultural product could be constrained by certain identified institutions and their gender in Nigeria. Using General Systems Theory (GST) as a theoretical framework, the country is presented as a social system with identified institutions which function within it that guides and constrains the agency of the individuals who live in Nigeria. A review of academic narratives relevant to the research is presented in this dissertation to provide a context for the study. A critical realist epistemology is adopted for this exploratory study, within the qualitative research tradition. A sample of twenty Nigerian youths living at Summerstrand and Humewood, is selected by the researcher using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews are conducted with these participants to gather their opinions and experiences regarding the research study. The narratives are analysed using thematic analysis, and the researcher presents an interpretation of these narratives under various topics in the dissertation. The findings from this study shows how some of these Nigerian youths believe their expression of agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, to be constrained by certain institutions, and their gender in the country which they are part of, although this constraint could sometimes prove to be positive for some individuals. The recommendations from this research study are relevant to improving youth agency at consuming popular music in Nigeria, and advancing sociological inquiry into popular music and youth agency within an African context.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A sociological investigation of the challenges facing married students : case study of the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus

  • Authors: Qwabi, Thabisile Daphney
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Married students Academic achievement Married students -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Sociology
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10262 , vital:35386
  • Description: The aim of this study was to explain and understand problems facing married students at the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus. The study population was drawn from the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus. The study used simple random sampling and purposive sampling to draw a representative sample of 50 married students (21 males and 29females) from the population of this study. This study used a mixed research approach. Questionnaires were distributed, for quantitative purposes, and interviews were conducted, for qualitative purposes, among the chosen representative sample. Data that was collected with questionnaires was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analyses and was used to substantiate quantitative findings. The findings in this study expanded on how factors such as, lack of time to study, the impact of multiple roles on the well-being of married students, pressure from having multiple roles and lack of support from family contributed to the poor academic performance of married students. This study revealed high levels of stress and poor academic performance as a result of having multiple roles among married students at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A sociological investigation of the community perception of females involved in criminal activities in Rosedale, Uitenhage

  • Authors: Swartbooi, Eden Rivonia
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Female offenders -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Public opinion , Women and the criminal justice system Deviant behavior Crime -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Public opinion
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35807 , vital:33849
  • Description: The purpose of this dissertation is to gather the community perception of females involved in criminal activities at Rosedale in Uitenhage. The main theory used in this study was the Poverty theory. The study was conducted by using the qualitative research design. Interviews were semi structured and conducted using an interview schedule.20 participants both male and female (youth and adults) were interviewed in Rosedale. The thematic data analysis method was used. The findings of this study revealed that the main reasons for female involvement in criminal activities in Rosedale is due to: drug and alcohol abuse there are too many people selling drugs in Rosedale which makes it easily accessible for the youth to purchase and practise use daily. There are too many shebeens and taverns in Rosedale and they allow under aged children to purchase and consume alcohol this causes negative toxic behaviour. Unemployment there are not enough employment opportunities available for the youth in Rosedale. Poverty, some families don’t have the basic needs to survive daily therefore they choose to turn to crime to support themselves and their families. Insufficient recreational activities, the youth do not have anything to do, there is a lack of recreational activities in the community therefore the youth turns to crime. The main challenges facing the youth in Rosedale is that there are a lot of drop outs or they choose not to attend school, unemployment was mentioned again, gangsterism, there are a lot of house breakings and robberies taking place to purchase drugs. All participants are against females being involved in criminal activities in Rosedale they do not agree with it and think that its’ unethical for a female to participate in criminal activities because females are the care givers, nurtures and providers of their families and the society. More police visibility, the death penalty and employment opportunities were highlighted as the main solutions.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A sociological investigation of the youth perceptions on HIV and aids in central, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Sandi, Fundiswa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: HIV infections -- Research -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Sexual health -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34821 , vital:33456
  • Description: the study which was conducted in Central, Port Elizabeth, mainly focusing on the youth perceptions towards HIV and AIDS. This chapter also gives an overall of the study, the literature review which is used on the study and the theory of Social Action which is used as a theoretical framework for this study. The chapter also includes the objectives and aims of the study, so as the research question which guided throughout the research and be able to reach the goal of this study. This chapter has also mentioned what has led to this particular topic and the fact that HIV and AIDS is a problem among the youth of South Africa so as Africa as a continent which needs to be controlled. Geographic maps of the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth and Central which the youth situated in are included in this chapter. The ethical consideration which also guided this study as to how to deal with human beings, which is important is also mentioned.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A sociological investigation on the perceptions of the educational aspect of male initiation among amaXhosa in KwaZakhele Township, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Jayiya, Ludwe
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies , Initiation rites -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Culture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30594 , vital:30973
  • Description: People in different walks of life have previously and even currently trying hard to contribute in improving the situation regarding the longstanding tradition of male initiation. The expectation of the society, is that these young men should show that they have gone through the process of growth and they should reflect the education they received from the initiation school. The research objectives include, the investigation of the perceptions of people about male initiation in KwaZakhele, to contribute within the Sociology of Education particularly within the context of Xhosa culture in KwaZakhele and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing some of the problems pertaining to male initiation within the context of Xhosa culture in KwaZakhele. This study has followed the qualitative approach which included among others individual interviews using an interview schedule containing the research questions. To supplement the interviews, texts, books and other relevant material were used.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A spatio-temporal, landscape perspective on acacia dealbata invasions and broader land-use and cover changes in the Northern Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Gouws, Aidan John
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Acacia -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant invasions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Acacia -- Biological control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Rural conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62373 , vital:28161
  • Description: Biological invasions are a wicked, social-ecological problem, interacting with numerous components within and across a range of spatio-temporal scales, with the potential to disturb broader socio-economic and ecological systems. Acacia dealbata is an invasive shrub in South Africa, widely naturalised across the grassland biome. Although the deployment of a biocontrol agent on A. dealbata is apparently justified considering its highly invasive and ecologically destructive nature, it should proceed with caution due to the integration of the species into the livelihoods of rural communities. This study sought to understand the nature and extent of the A. dealbata invasion in the northern Eastern Cape. Research was conducted in nine villages in rural Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear, selected for the pervasiveness of A. dealbata around these villages. A time-series of aerial photographs were systematically classified according to designated A. dealbata and land-use/land cover (LULC) categories in ArcGIS to track changes in the extent and rate of spread of A. dealbata, while standard vegetation surveying techniques were used to determine the current abundance and productivity of A. dealbata in selected areas. A high degree of spatial variability characterised the extent, density and biomass of A. dealbata, as well as the annual rate of spread and biomass production. The growth, productivity and spread of A. dealbata were significantly positive, and relatively few biophysical conditions correlated with the invasion. This was indicative of the broad range of invaded and potentially invasible habitats, suggesting that the extent and abundance of A. dealbata will likely continue to increase, barring deliberate intervention. Broader changes in LULC were also apparent, multidirectional and spatio- temporally variable. Despite a net increase in A. dealbata, the invasion was found to be highly dynamic, with various LULC transitioning to A. dealbata, but in turn A. dealbata transitioning to other LULC. Indeed, biological invasions are dynamic, context-specific phenomena, shaped by the heterogeneity of landscapes. Management interventions to limit or control A. dealbata should therefore consider the spatio-temporal dynamics of invaded landscapes, as well as the local-scale abundance, productivity and biophysical conditions of the area, while taking into consideration the livelihood requirements of the local communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A strategy to enhance the role of the church as a social service delivery agent in fighting poverty in contemporary South Africa

  • Authors: Lujabe, Busisiwe Tando Tabiso
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Community-based social services Community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17876 , vital:28477
  • Description: The possible role and involvement of the Church in social development has reemerged as an important focus of contemporary academic and religious development discourse in South Africa. There are strong voices arguing for churches and other Faith-Based Organisations to be regarded as strategic in contributing to addressing the challenge of poverty as agents of social development. Yet, as church congregations multiply throughout South Africa, they appear to be less responsive to the challenge of poverty facing South African communities, contrary to the rich history of churches in the past. The need for churches to be involved in sustainable community-driven development initiatives to fight poverty in their local communities cannot be denied nor be met with just rhetoric and scholarly dissertations by theologians and academics. The vicious cycle of poverty in our communities must be eradicated as it represents a social injustice in terms of South Africa‘s Constitution and speaks to deep structural inequalities inherent in our society. Whilst researchers have made several proposals for churches to move from social welfare and relief, there appears to be little research with a clear practical strategy which congregations can implement to enhance their social service delivery role from social relief to sustainable community development. This has left a considerable gap which the current research sought to address. This study thus responds to the call by previous research for churches to implement strategies other than mere relief. Hence, this study contributes to the religious development discourse in South Africa, by developing a strategy to enhance Church-based social service delivery initiatives from social relief efforts which are not sustainable, to community development efforts which are sustainable and which will be consistent with the current social development policy context and contextually relevant to the socio-economic challenges of poverty and its consequences in South Africa. The study was conducted in two phases. During phase one, the main purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and current involvement of the Church in providing social services which address poverty in communities, to enhance understanding of the factors which influence the provision of social services by churches, as well as to understand participants views of how church-based social service delivery can be improved in order to fight poverty. For phase two, the goal was to develop a strategy to enhance church-based social service delivery from being social relief to being community development oriented. The following objectives guided the research process: To review selected and applicable literature to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and current involvement of the Church in the delivery of social services in order to fight poverty; To explore and describe the perceptions of church leaders and congregation members of the historical and current involvement of the Church in the delivery of social services in order to fight poverty; To explore and describe the factors which influence Church-based social service delivery in fighting poverty; To explore the views of church leaders and congregation members on how church-based social service delivery can be improved in their churches to inform the development of a strategy to enhance church-based social service delivery in fighting poverty. This study employed a qualitative research approach grounded in the interpretivist social science paradigm. The qualitative research approach necessitated an exploratory, descriptive and contextual method of inquiry. A descriptive case study method was also used, with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa selected as the main case of focus. The target population in this research comprised of Christian churches with a historical involvement in social service delivery in pre-apartheid South Africa. Purposeful sampling of 5 churches was undertaken, namely; Roman Catholic Church (RCC), Anglican Church (AC), Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), KwaSizabantu Mission (KSB) and Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). Data collection was conducted in two phases. Phase one comprised a literature review; Phase two comprised gathering empirical evidence by conducting face to face semi-structured interviews with clergy and from conducting one focus group interview with congregants. The information obtained from participants was transcribed, coded and analysed using content analysis and by a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS), namely ATLAS.ti. Findings revealed a marked difference between the historical and current churchbased social service delivery suggestive of decline, accompanied by the lack of empowerment opportunities for current church leaders and congregation members in community development facilitation. Further evidence suggest the lack of cooperation between church leaders and congregation members; as well as the lack of sustainability of interventions owing to an absence of resources and the lack of capacity to create sustainable economic opportunities. Findings also revealed that church congregations are rich with people with various assets - skills, strengths, capabilities, passions, gifts, talents in various fields, which they can share with one another as congregations and communities. The discussion of findings reflected that historically, Church-based social service provision involved holistic intervention mechanisms, empowerment, collaborations and sustainability of interventions suggestive of second generation strategies of community development, while currently, Church-based social service provision involves mostly social relief and social welfare efforts suggestive of first generation strategies. The findings suggest a holistic strategy for ―reawakening the co-operativeness‖ of congregations to facilitate sustainable Church-based social service delivery towards fighting poverty in local communities. The strategy which was then developed and described with its sub-strategies, namely: Establishment of collaborative relationships Creation of empowerment opportunities Facilitation of holistic interventions The goal of the strategy is to guide church leaders and congregation members in facilitating sustainable Church-based social service programmes to fight poverty.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A study on the creative industry as a pillar of sustained growth and diversification: the film and music sectors in Jamaica: lessons from case studies of successful firms and ventures

  • Authors: Hendrickson, Michael , Stanley Niaah, Sonjah
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146992 , vital:38583 , https://repositorio.cepal.org/handle/11362/43410
  • Description: In 2007 the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) published ‘The Cultural Industries in CARICOM: Trade and Development Challenges’ report, which stated that the film and music industries refer to “aesthetic, identity, and copyrightable goods, services and intellectual property. They represent a wide array of activities that make and circulate sounds, words, and images or a combination of these. It applies to artistic, creative, and copyright works that are for sale, license, commercialisation, or display in some marketplace or public arena.” Using the definition in the CARICOM report, this study will identify the critical success factors that have resulted in the global competitiveness and sustainability of individuals, firms and ventures within the music and film subsectors in Jamaica. To anchor the study of the individual firms and ventures, the study first evaluates the historical evolution and recent trends in the development of the music and film subsectors, including their economic contribution and the main challenges and opportunities for their further development and lessons learned.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A survey of organizational culture and organizational performance in a manufacturing company

  • Authors: Dom, Veliswa Virginia
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Factories -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Analysis of variance , Shift systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competing Values Framework (CVF)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61861 , vital:28069
  • Description: The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance in a manufacturing company. This company supplies metal products to the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, where the quality and quantity of parts produced is of paramount importance, since the buyers of these products are quality conscious. The organization has three production shifts that rotate each week. Anecdotal observations are that irrespective of the time that a shift operates over the course of the month, the different shifts tend to perform at different levels in terms of quality and quantity of output. This study therefore sought to investigate if these differences between shifts are statistically significant, and if so, whether these shifts also have differences in organizational culture. Components of organizational culture include values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, principles and expectations that give the organization a unique personality and differentiate it from other organizations. While the literature indicates that qualitative or quantitative approaches can be used in organizational culture research, this research adopted the quantitative approach, making use of the Competing Values Framework (CVF). The CVF is a four-category organizational culture typology established by Cameron and Quinn (2006). The framework is based on two dimensions: stability or flexibility of the organization, and external or internal focus. In this research, the CVF was used as a measurement tool to evaluate organizational culture. In order to determine differences in organizational culture between shifts, a survey was undertaken (N=138) which measured employee perceptions pertaining to the existing organizational culture of each of the three production shifts at the company. Secondly, differences in performance between the shifts were examined by using the performance data for a three-month period for each shift in terms of quantity and quality. This data was obtained from the management of the production process at the company. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA to analyse the differences between the shifts. The findings indicated that the dominant existing organizational culture at the company under investigation is a clan culture. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant difference between the cultures of all the three shifts at the manufacturing company. The results also indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in the quantity and quality of production between the three shifts. In conclusion, the research indicated there are differences in culture and in performance, but given the nature of the data, it was not possible to statistically analyse the relationship between shift culture and performance. However, it is conceivable that cultural differences between shifts may be contributing to performance differences. With regards to further research, it is recommended that this research be extended to other branches of the manufacturing company in other regions, in order to determine whether there are any significant differences in culture and performance between these branches and their shifts. Research could also be extended to other South African organizations to create a sufficiently large sample of shift and/or business units, so as to be able to do statistical analysis of the relationship between culture and performance.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A systematic review of intervention effectiveness for problem anger in an adult outpatient population

  • Authors: von Ruben, Adriana
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Anger , Anger -- Treatment , Rational emotive behavior therapy , Personality assessment , Social psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36059 , vital:33886
  • Description: Increasing levels of anger are becoming one of the major social problems of modern society, yet anger is one of the least understood emotions. Given the long-term consequences and the seriousness of the negative outcomes associated with anger, there is a pressing need for effective anger management interventions targeted at different populations experiencing various types of problem anger.The purpose of this dissertation was to conduct a systematic review of current qualitative and quantitative research regarding the status of anger reducing interventions within outpatient populations. The aim was to explore the efficacy of various psychological approaches utilised to reduce problem anger. Eligibility criteria included studies with samples that had problem anger defined psychometrically. The search of available literature revealed 16 relevant reports containing 15 studies. All located studies utilised intervention modalities derived from cognitive and behavioural approaches. Results indicated large to moderate improvements in problem anger for the participants receiving the treatment. Cognitive and behavioural anger interventions were found to produce reductions in trait anger, general anger, the negative expression and suppression of anger, anger related physiological arousal, and increased the positive, controlled anger experience. More large-scale studies are needed implementing other psychological approaches to test their effectiveness in reducing maladaptive anger. The dearth of anger research conducted within outpatient populations is discussed in the context of the emerged themes.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A thematic analysis of the challenges experienced by those living with tuberculosis

  • Authors: Walaza, Robert Letsholo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Tuberculosis Patients South Africa , Tuberculosis Social aspects , South Africa Social conditions , Poor Health and hygiene South Africa , Poor Medical care South Africa , Social medicine South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61850 , vital:28068
  • Description: Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) in his study, The condition of the working class in England, argued that the cause of illness and death amongst the working class was due to their living conditions such as poor housing, over-crowding, poor sanitation, food shortage, low paying jobs and a lack of material resources. The objective of the study was to understand the experiences of six South African individuals who have shared their experiences and challenges of living with TB on the TB&ME blog, and to show how TB is linked to the living conditions of these individuals. The study found that the challenges experienced by TB patient bloggers are of a social nature and confirms Engel’s study findings on the conditions of the working class in England. For example, a disease such as TB has a direct association with the living conditions of people, especially the poor. Thus, socio economic status of TB patient bloggers plays a role in the escalation of their ill health. Further, the study found that gender is central in understanding non-compliance to treatment. This is significant as it highlights the need to not only focus on issues of socioeconomics, but gender issues in fighting TB. Despite the negative consequences associated with living with TB, the bloggers have noted that the support from loved ones and other stakeholders in the fight against TB alleviates the challenges inherent in living with TB.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

A theoretical study on primary health care services within a South African context

  • Authors: Mkalipi, Thembinkosi Delport
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa , Health facilities -- South Africa Clinics -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32193 , vital:31979
  • Description: Primary health care (PHC) is a system introduced to bring health services closer to communities. It was introduced with its challenges such as the management and treatment of various illnesses including HIV, TB and STI’s which have affected certain communities. The non-communicable diseases which require the attention of PHC institutions still face numerous challenges including the referral system and clinics with limited medicine. The study revealed that there are limited measures in place to deal with communities in rural areas who require medical assistance from government. Further challenges identified from the study included human resource management, supply chain management, finance and other administrative support systems. The inadequate funding of the Department of Health appears to be directly related to adequate service delivery problems. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology which incorporated an extensive desktop analysis and literature review approach. No human participants were involved. Health legislation is an important enabler and a necessary component of health policy. Research has shown that since 1995 when the first edition of the review appeared, South Africa has been engaged in a constant process of public health law reform and despite significant gains, some legislative processes have stalled. Examples include the certificate of need provided for in the National Health Act, the introduction of compulsory continuing professional development for pharmacists, the recognition of specialist nurses as prescribers, and the introduction of international benchmarking for medicinal processes. The process of introducing NHI remains contested with the legislative component, still under developed. Although NHI will in due course be a game changer and there has been some strengthening of the health service in the NHI pilot district to date, in general, implementation has been slower than anticipated in the NHI green paper released in August 2011. The NHI white paper indicated that public health care spending was likely to increase substantially over the next 15years from 4% to 6% of the GDP. Several mechanisms for raising revenue have been proposed, including some combination of an increase of VAT or payroll tax, or an increase of personal income tax. NHI also has the potential to improve efficiencies in the overall health system through improved pooling, strategic purchasing, medicine price reduction through central procurement, redistribution, improved quality in the public sector and providing greater access to general practitioners. Development of, and amendment to the relevant health technology assessment policy and legislative frameworks are needed in order to inform appropriate universal health coverage and to align with the 2015 NHI white paper Addressing social determinants is the cornerstone of the National Department of Health’s primary health care system. A engineering strategy, and an approach that is embedded in the country’s national development plan is needed. However the translation of this policy commitment to programmatic action at different levels in the health system and in partnership with other sectors remains elusive Evidence indicate that South African patients face challenges in accessing heath care particularly those from rural areas. The main challenge is the lack of a coordinated strategy to ensure continuous access to treatment, cure and support for chronic conditions. This study has shown that the private for profit hospital sector is well resourced and caters to a population that is wealthier, urban and more likely to be formerly employed. The public hospital sector catering to the majority of South Africans, faces lower human resourcing ratios, financial constraints and ageing infrastructure. The ideal clinic realisation and maintenance programme was assigned in response to the current deficiencies in the quality of primary health care services and to lay a strong foundation for the implementation of national health insurance. There is an urgent need to develop cohesive, sustainable systems to support evidence based decisions on appropriate regime choices, while minimizing risks associated with medication. This study has shown the importance of a robust national PV system in order to reduce the significant burden of drug induced diseases, to inform treatment policies with real world evidence, to improve outcomes of common diseases, such as HIV, TB, hypertension, and diabetes through optimal therapeutic management, and to ensure the safety of large scale therapeutic interventions such as vaccines, especially when newly introduced. Results from the study suggest that there is a failure by policy-makers to adequately address the challenges faced by PHC institutions. There also appears to be a backlog in terms of the promulgation of enabling legislation to address certain of the challenges. The Department of Health has a number of draft policies which are negatively affecting the level of service delivery. The study revealed that the challenges include, inter alia, inadequate budgeting, staff shortages, aging infrastructure, the non-availability of certain medicines in hospitals, a poor referral system with limited measures in place to address HIV, TB and STI’s as well as non-communicable treatments.
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  • Date Issued: 2018
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