The performance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Griffiths Mental Development Scales: extended revised
- Authors: Baker, Susan Colleen Rozanne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- South Africa , Attention-deficit-disordered children -- Psychological testing -- South Africa , Griffiths Development Scales
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005823
- Description: Research has shown that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the commonest neurodevelopmental disorders which has a negative impact on a child. However, to date limited research has been conducted on learners, and specifically those learners with ADHD, within a National Education stream. Furthermore, running concurrently with this are new developments in education in South Africa. An inclusive educational policy favours the incorporation of all children into a mainstream scholastic setting, regardless of their diverse needs. In addition to educational changes for children with ADHD, many parents are presently unable to afford the medication commonly used to treat the disorder, resulting in both parents and teachers having to manage these children with limited professional support. It is widely accepted that early assessment and intervention are necessary in order to maximise a child’s potential. For this reason, the primary aim of this study was to explore and describe the developmental profile of children with ADHD on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Extended Revised (GMDS-ER). Further aims were to compare the performance of the clinical sample to a normal South African sample. In order to achieve these aims, a quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research design was employed. The sample (N = 38) of ADHD were selected by means of a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure, from various pre-school and primary schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The normal sample (N = 38) was drawn from an existing database created during the revision of the Scales. Information was collated using the Conners 39 Item Teacher Rating Scale, biographical data, as well as the results of an assessment from the GMDS-ER. In this study the general performance of the ADHD sample on the GMDS-ER was found to be above average. Furthermore the performance of these children on the six Subscales of the GMDS-ER ranged from average to superior, with the poorest performance being on the Eye and Hand Co-ordination Subscale, and the best performance being on the Performance Subscale. Significant differences between the ADHD and normal sample were found on the General Quotient (GQ) as well as three of the six Subscales, namely, the Hearing and Speech, Eye and Hand Co-ordination and Performance Subscales. Generally, the results of the study suggest that a specific developmental profile for children with ADHD exists. Additionally, the study highlighted the success with which the GMDS-ER can be utilised on a specific clinical population.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The performance of South African and British children on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales- extended revised a comparative study
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Kempie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychological tests for children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing -- Cross-cultural studies , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005819 , Psychological tests for children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing -- Cross-cultural studies , Griffiths Scales of Mental Development
- Description: The South African context necessitates developmental assessment measures with particular characteristics. A critical examination of a variety of potential measures indicates that there are very few measures available to meet these specific needs. The GMDS-ER is judged to be one such measure. This study explores the performance of South African children aged 4 to 7 years of age as it relates to that of British children (from the standardisation sample). The samples consisted of normal South African (n=129) and British (n=161) children, where normalcy refers to the absence of sensory, physical, or mental handicap. The study was done in an attempt to explore the suitability of using the GMDS-ER in the South African context. More specifically, the following two aims were pursued: 1. To explore and describe the general development of each of four year groups of a sample of British and South African children by utilising the general developmental quotient of the GMDS-ER 2. To explore and describe the comparative developmental profiles of each of the four year groups of a sample of British and South African children across the six developmental areas represented by the subscales of the GMDS-ER. Descriptive statistics and simple t-tests were used to accomplish Aim 1 and Hotellings T2 tests were mainly used in order to accomplish Aim 2. The major findings of the present study were as follows: 1. South African and British children’s overall performances (as measured by the GMDS-ER GQ) are similar. A great deal of variability exists between the GMDS-ER profiles of normal South African and British children (i.e., when individual subscales and year groups are considered). 3. In general, South African children performed better on the Locomotor and Personal-Social Subscales, while British children performed better on the Language and Practical Reasoning Subscales. Performance on the Eye and Hand Coordination Subscale was similar for the two samples and on the Performance Subscale performance was too variable to come to any general conclusions. In view of the findings, caution with regard to the use of the British-based norms in the South African context is recommended. Recommendations are made for the use of the GMDS-ER to help with the identification of specific classes of disorders in the South African context. Further investigation into the applicability of the GMDS-ER for South African use as well as the establishment of South African norms are final recommendations.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The politics of humanitarian organizations neutrality and solidarity: the case of the ICRC and MSF during the 1994 Rwandan genocide
- Authors: Delvaux, Denise
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: International Committee of the Red Cross -- History , Médecins sans frontières (Association) , Humanitarian intervention , Neutrality -- Rwanda , Solidarity -- Rwanda , Genocide -- Rwanda -- History -- 20th century , Genocide -- Rwanda , Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994 , Rwanda -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2769 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002979 , International Committee of the Red Cross -- History , Médecins sans frontières (Association) , Humanitarian intervention , Neutrality -- Rwanda , Solidarity -- Rwanda , Genocide -- Rwanda -- History -- 20th century , Genocide -- Rwanda , Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994 , Rwanda -- Politics and government
- Description: With the seemingly infinite existence of complex emergencies and the overwhelming presence of humanitarian organizations responding to such crises, it is essential that the assumptions, precepts, and actions of humanitarian organizations be critically examined and understood. The aim of this thesis is to explore differing traditions within humanitarian thought: neutrality and solidarity. In the process, this thesis will determine whether it is possible to maintain clear ideologies in the context of a complex emergency and whether the existence of different humanitarian ideologies results in a dichotomy or polarization of humanitarian action. This study is of great import as it delves into the contemporary literature claiming that humanitarianism is currently in a state of crisis – the unsustainability of competing humanitarian ideologies operating together in a complex emergency. Primary documents from both the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) regarding their operations in the 1994 Rwandan complex emergency were examined in order to provide a foundation for the theoretical investigation. Although the ICRC and MSF occupy seemingly polarized positions in the neutrality – solidarity debate, the investigation into their humanitarian activities during the 1994 genocide and the resulting refugee crisis reflected the difficulties of providing relief based upon humanitarian ideals. Due to the complex realities of the 1994 Rwandan crisis, the ideological notions dividing the ICRC and MSF were overshadowed by the simple humanitarian desire to aid those in need.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The potential of claywork to facilitate the integration of the self in psychotherapy with an adult survivor of childhood trauma: a Jungian perspective
- Authors: Smuts, Tanja
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Jung, C G (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961 , Art therapy , Psychotherapy , Child psychotherapy , Adult child abuse victims -- Rehabilitation , Self , Modeling -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002571 , Jung, C G (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961 , Art therapy , Psychotherapy , Child psychotherapy , Adult child abuse victims -- Rehabilitation , Self , Modeling -- Therapeutic use
- Description: The aim of this thesis was to explore the experience of “self” within the clinical context of adult survivors of childhood trauma. Childhood trauma in this study referred to a range of childhood experiences of emotional and physical assault, including encounters with various kinds of abuse and neglect. The focus was on the experience of a sense of disintegration and dislocation, associated to aspects of self being in conflict. This was explored from theoretical perspectives of Jungian analytic psychology, as well as art therapy.Answers were sought to the questions of how claywork, as a form of art therapy, may facilitate the integration of the self and contribute to the development of a healing dialogue with feared and hated aspects of self. Grounded in Jungian theory, integration of the self was conceptualised as a movement towards “differentiating wholeness”. The study took the form of a phenomenological-hermeneutic case study. One participant’s experience of making and discussing a clay sculpture in a therapeutic setting according to Edwards’ method, was analysed thematically. It was concluded that the potential of claywork in therapy to facilitate the integration of the self is related to three aspects. Firstly, claywork in therapy may promote a concrete personification of feared and hated aspects of self, which may enable the maker to view these aspects from a distance, and learn to understand them in a new way. Secondly, claywork in therapy may facilitate the safe ‘unearthing’ of repressed feelings as well as hidden aspects of the personality. Thirdly, claywork’s potential to mediate symbolic functioning was shown to be an important aspect of the integration process. These findings confirmed and extended existing theory regarding the usefulness of claywork in psychotherapy with adult survivors of childhood trauma. Brief recommendations for future research were provided.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The right to mother tongue education a multi-disciplinary, normative perspective
- Authors: Prinsloo, Dawn Lilian
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Native language and education -- Government policy -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/365 , Native language and education -- Government policy -- South Africa , Language and education -- South Africa
- Description: The post-apartheid South African Constitution guarantees the children of this country “the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public education institutions where that education is reasonably practicable” (The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, Section 29 (2)) (Juta’s Statutes 2003). Yet ten years into the new dispensation nothing significant has been done to alter a situation in which the majority of children are obliged to access their basic education largely through the medium of a second or even a third language — English. In contravention of both the intentions and the specific provisions of numerous legislative measures and policy statements, Government has made no serious or effective attempt to promote the use of any language other than English in South African schools nor to encourage language practices most conducive to the cognitive development and academic success of millions of non-English speaking pupils. To make matters worse, most of the children who enter the school system with very little knowledge of English and are expected to make an abrupt transition to that language as a medium of instruction after a totally inadequate three years are from impoverished households and communities still suffering the gravest effects of the discrimination and oppression of apartheid. They are often underprepared and seriously disadvantaged by their background circumstances when they enter the culturally strange and intimidating western-style education system. To heap on top of these disadvantages the burden of language practices in the classroom that hinder rather than facilitate their access to education is indefensible. When Macdonald asks, “ Are our children still swimming up the waterfall?” (Macdonald 2002: 111) she is not exaggerating. In these circumstances and if ineffective language teaching and inadequate use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction can be shown to bar effective access to basic education of an acceptable standard, there are far more serious and far-reaching implications in terms of human rights than just the right to choice of language medium. Linguistic research into medium of instruction has tended to be isolated from evaluative legal approaches to minority language rights, children’s rights, education rights or other fundamental human rights. Insufficient attention has been given to the interrelationship between the various rights and the importance of local conditions and circumstances in any assessment of their relative weight and enforceability. Human rights cannot be seen out of context, and theory from various disciplines, such as politics, economics and linguistics may be invaluable in forming a fresh perspective on the right to mother tongue education and, indeed, to basic education in general. The principle of non-discrimination in education is generally recognised, to be sure, as is the importance of ensuring access to and quality of education (Strydom 1992/93:139), but the dependence of these factors on the most appropriate medium of instruction within the education system does not merit much attention in the literature. The right to basic education tends to be seen as separate from any possible right to choice of medium of instruction and the latter often merely as a question of convenience or preference, at best a qualified right (Oosthuizen and Rossouw 2001: 666), dependent on feasibility, numbers and available finance (Motata and Lemmer 2002: 111). In fact, the case for regarding the right to mother tongue education as a strong positive right in many contexts and countries does not appear yet to have been made. This study is theoretical in nature and constitutes an attempt to fill this gap by examining the findings and views of experts from various disciplines within the framework of current thinking on human rights issues. The development of a coherent framework within which to view the right to mother tongue education and government obligations in connection therewith might be of some value to policy makers in their efforts to plan improvements within the education system. The synthesis and possibly, to a limited extent, the development of theory from the relevant disciplines will be undertaken by means of a survey of the relevant literature, an analysis of not only local but also international legislation and policy documents and the weighing and balancing of conflicting evidence and contrasting viewpoints. Sources and contributions in each area will be discussed under the headings outlined in Chapter 3. First, however, I should like to provide an overview of the educational, political and economic context in which mother tongue education must be considered.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The role of traditional leadership institutions in the development of their communities with specific reference to the Rharhabe kingdom, Mngqesha Great Place, King William's Town
- Authors: Mahlangeni, Bethwell Mzikalanga
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/395 , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: It is the objective of this treatise to highlight and demonstrate the role that can be played by Traditional Leadership Institutions in the development of their communities, demonstrate and advance the extent to which they can enhance their image and restore their dignity by embarking on community development projects that will improve the quality of life of their subjects in their jurisdictional areas. However, as the number of Traditional Leadership Institutions that can be investigated and researched was so large, it became necessary to focus attention primarily on the Rharhabe Kingdom with its seat and headquarters at Mngqesha Great Place in King William’s Town. The Mngqesha Great Place, the seat of the Rharhabe Kingdom is a typical example of a Traditional Leadership Institution selected from the six existing Eastern Cape Provincial Kingdoms. Attention is invited to the following fields which had to be explored since they serve the basis for the evolution of Traditional Leadership Institutions in South Africa. A historical background to Traditional Leadership and Governance in South Africa and the Eastern Cape provides some key issues of governance, management and administration, position, place and status of the institution during the pre- colonial and colonial periods, the period under apartheid rule, the independence period of the former homelands of Ciskei and Transkei territories with reflections on Tribal and Regional Authorities and Local Government Bureaux. A synoptic perspective of the effect of changes on the functioning of the Institution of Traditional Leadership is provided in some detail. This part is concluded with a brief history of the Rharhabe Kingdom. An overview of Traditional Leadership and Governance in the new South Africa since 1994 to date indicates the recognition and important role that Traditional Leadership Institutions can play. In this regard, there is policy and legislation that is in place on Traditional Leadership and Governance with a clear vision for implementation. Since 1994, there are many initiatives that have been undertaken by government in creating and maintaining an enabling environment for the efficient management and administration of the institution, transfer payments for different projects like funding the building of various Great Places and Provincial Policy Initiatives on Traditional Leadership and Governance. Institutional arrangements for Traditional Leadership Institutions reflect on the hierarchy of Traditional Leadership, for example, the position of the King as head of a Regional Authority (Ikomkhulu), the Chiefs under Kings as Heads of Traditional Authorities (Inqila) and Headmen as heads of the various Administrative Areas (locations). In order to give meaning to Government’s recognition of the Institution of Traditional Leadership, to enhance the institution and give it a role at the National, Provincial and Local levels, the government has established a National and Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders with clear roles and responsibilities and provision for accountability of Traditional Leaders and structures. Regarding the role of Traditional Leadership Institutions in Governance and Development, it is clear that over many years, these institutions performed various governance functions. The policy framework on Traditional Leadership and Governance besides legislation specifies the duties and functions of these entities. With regard to the King Sandile Development Trust and its role in community development, the research reveals visionary leadership on the part of the Kingdom, with the Trust, since its establishment in 1999 being at the centre of all development initiatives at the Great Place besides government initiatives. The King Sandile Development Trust is therefore a legal entity established and funded in terms of law. It has its constitution, vision and clear objectives, procedural arrangements on administration, management and financial arrangements. The development role of the trust is reflected in the Queen’s Programme of Action and Implementation, headed by the Queen mother, Queen Noloyiso Sandile, the wife of His Majesty King Maxhobayakhawuleza Sandile. Besides, there are established tourism chalets providing not only revenue but also employment opportunities to many local subjects of the Kingdom. Finally, the treatise concludes with some general conclusion and recommendations and challenges that demand that traditional leaders be appropriately trained, its institutions adequately resourced, appropriately run and administered based on the need to account publicly on their performance.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The rural-urban interface: the ambiguous nature of informal settlements, with special reference to the Daggafontein settlement in Gauteng
- Authors: Kumalo, Sibongiseni
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Growth , Squatter settlements -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Urban anthropology -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Rural-urban migration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2091 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002654 , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Growth , Squatter settlements -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Urban anthropology -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Rural-urban migration -- South Africa
- Description: The thesis is concerned with the rural-urban interface. It questions and argues against the validity of what used to be called the rural-urban divide, and presents the rural-urban interface as a single social field. The research makes use of Daggafontein informal settlement in Gauteng, providing a general socio-economic overview of this settlement by discussing the ways in which people in this settlement make a living. Most of the people come from rural areas and the patterns of their association within the settlement reveal that they associate themselves with people from their own rural homes of origin. Movement between Daggafontein and rural areas show some level of commitment to home areas. Perceptions of the urban-rural interface by people of Daggafontein informal settlement show that these two areas are not necessarily separate from each other, but are part of the same continuum as socio-economic relations continue to straddle the rural and the urban. As people, perceptions and values move in both directions along the rural-urban interface, the classification of the informal settlement becomes highly ambiguous, because it contains both rural and urban elements.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The safety of journalists: an assessment of perceptions of the origins and implementation of policy at two international television news agencies
- Authors: Venter, Sahm
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002946 , Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Description: Being a journalist today can be a deadly pursuit, particularly for those covering conflict and other dangerous assignments. In 2004 more journalists and other media workers were killed than in the last ten years. While it is impossible to guarantee that journalists will not be killed or injured, kidnapped or detained, a policy has been created to help protect them in the course of their duties. This study examines the perceptions of journalists working for two international television news agencies about this safety policy called the ‘Joint code of practice for journalists working in conflict zones’. This policy was adopted in November 2000 by five major television companies including the television news agencies Reuters Television and Associated Press Television News. This study finds that the policy had significant flaws in how it was formulated and how it is communicated, implemented and reviewed. Recognising the existence of unequal relations of power and conflicting interests at play in any policy process, this study stresses that in the case of the journalist safety policy, all stakeholders should have participated in the relevant policy stages. This argument arises from researching the policy document as well as from the point of view of managers, and particularly journalists who work on dangerous assignments, either full-time or on a freelance basis for either of the two television news agencies. It finds that while journalists are not generally aware of the policy, they do practice many of its elements as well as a range of their own custom-made strategies to protect themselves. The result is to make the policy less effective than it could be.
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- Date Issued: 2005
The subjective well-being of divorced single custodial parents
- Authors: Henry, Jaci Lee
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Single parents -- South Africa , Divorced parents -- South Africa , Self-actualization (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/368 , Single parents -- South Africa , Divorced parents -- South Africa , Self-actualization (Psychology)
- Description: As the divorce rate consistently rises, the occurrence of single parent families are becoming increasingly prevalent. Despite the marked increase in single custodial parents, research on this population (and more importantly, into the positive aspects such as their subjective well-being) has been neglected. Over the past three decades, psychologists have shifted the emphasis of their research from examining demographic and pathogenic factors to a positive psychology framework focusing on personality and resilience. The general aim of this study was to explore and describe the subjective wellbeing, including satisfaction with life and general happiness, of divorced, single custodial parents. In addition, this study aimed to identify potential patterns among the aspects of subjective well-being investigated and aimed to explore the relationships between these patterns. Thirty-five participants were included for participation in this study by means of non-probability, purposive sampling. The research measures included a biographical questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Affectometer-2 Scale (AFM-2). The data were analysed by the researcher and an independent statistician in terms of descriptive statistics and cluster analysis, or according to content analysis. This reflects a triangulation data collection and analysis method. Key findings included the following: The results of the SWLS indicated that the majority of participants reported being slightly dissatisfied with their lives. The results of the AFM-2 indicated that the participants generally had high levels of positive affect, and low levels of negative affect. However, the participants’ overall levels of happiness were still relatively low. A four cluster solution was obtained, with the clusters being significantly different from each other on all input variables. The first cluster experienced high levels of positive affect, low levels of negative affect, and high levels of overall happiness. The second cluster experienced predominantly slight dissatisfaction with their lives, high levels of positive affect, low levels of negative affect, and slightly low levels of overall happiness. The third cluster reported mostly dissatisfaction with their lives, low levels of positive affect, high levels of negative affect, and very low levels of overall happiness. The fourth cluster experienced predominantly slight satisfaction with xi life, slightly high levels of positive affect, neutral levels of negative affect, and low levels of overall happiness. It appeared that clusters containing participants who were satisfied with their jobs, were involved in a personal relationship and who participated in leisure activities, all experienced higher levels of subjective well-being. Overall, this study emphasises the value of and the need for South African research on the subjective wellbeing of divorced, single custodial parents.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Three perspectives on ukuthwasa: the view from traditional beliefs, western psychiatry and transpersonal psychology
- Authors: Booi, Beauty Ntombizanele
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Healers -- South Africa , Divination -- South Africa , Schizophrenia -- Social aspects , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2936 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002445 , Healers -- South Africa , Divination -- South Africa , Schizophrenia -- Social aspects , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Description: Among the Xhosas, the healing sickness called intwaso is interptreted as a call by the ancestors to become a healer. Transpersonalists also see these initiatory illnesses as spiritual crises, while according to the widely accepted Western psychiatric view, illness is purely perceived in physical and psychological terms. A case study was conducted where a single participant who has undergone the process of ukuthwasa and is functioning as a traditional healer was interviewed. A series of interviews were done where information was gathered about significant experiences related to ukuthwasa process. Tapes were transcribed and a case narrative was written and interpreted using the traditional Xhosa beliefs, the western psychiatric and the transpersonal psychology perspectives. Strengths and weaknesses of each perspective were then examined.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Understanding editorial independence and public accountability issues in public broadcasting service: a study of the editorial policies at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
- Authors: Jjuuko, Denis Charles
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002891 , South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Description: The concepts of editorial independence and public accountability are necessary in public broadcasting service as they help make a distinction between a public service broadcaster, a government and a commercial service broadcaster. This is because public service broadcasters are tasked with the responsibility of serving the interests of the general public. To do this, the above mentioned concepts have to be in place. This study examines these issues (editorial independence and public accountability) with reference to a case study of the editorial policies of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Using public broadcasting theory, policy theory and qualitative research methods, the study examines the genesis of these editorial policies in 2003/2004 and how they provide the SABC with a means of balancing the tensions of editorial independence and public accountability. In analysing the SABC’s editorial policies, the study deals only with those policies whose principles are directly related to editorial independence and public accountability. Although some of these policies are found to be in line with public broadcasting service trends, others are found lacking. Various recommendations are made. The case study demonstrates the importance of an integrated and elaborated policy perspective in setting out how a public service broadcaster can manage editorial independence and public accountability. It also highlights the importance of using international ‘role models’ in ways that are appropriately adapted for the specific country concerned.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Using aspects of game theory for enhanced stakeholder participation perspectives in integrated water resource management: a Kat River Valley case study
- Authors: Mbatha, Cyril
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Water resources development -- Case studies , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley -- Management , Economic development -- Case studies , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Game theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002705 , Water resources development -- Case studies , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley -- Management , Economic development -- Case studies , Water-supply -- Government policy -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa -- Kat River Valley , Game theory
- Description: South Africa is a water poor region and yet, like in many other developing countries, water resources are a valuable production input in socially important industries such as agriculture and mining (Nieuwoudt et al., 2004:162-182). With a mean annual rainfall and runoff of 502mm and 42mm (420m³ per hectare per annum) respectively, Briers and Powell (1993:1) speculate that water shortages will limit South Africa’s economic development in the twenty-first century. In response to the challenges of water resource scarcity and socio-economic inequalities, in 1997 the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), following international trends, formulated a National Water Policy (NWP) based on Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles (Palmer et al., 2003). The main objectives of the NWP (1997) are to protect national water resources from degradation, provide economically disadvantaged communities with access to water resources and promote economic development, through the devolution of water management responsibilities to locally established water institutions (NWP, 1997). The pursuit of these objectives requires a thorough investigation of biophysical, sociopolitical and economic characteristics of the demarcated water areas. For such an investigation to provide accurate and locally relevant results, broad stakeholder participation is of paramount importance. The thesis discusses economic measures required in pursuing enhanced stakeholder participation levels at local levels. A socio-economic survey investigation describing major participation trends against reported property rights and Willingness to Pay values was conducted in the Kat River Valley, Eastern Cape province. From the investigation, observed participation trends driven by economic interests were identified and used in recommendations proposed for the policy implementation process. Using game theoretic arguments as guidelines in soliciting cooperative behaviour in the use and consumption of common resources (Ostrom, 1990), the thesis proposes the introduction of water related public works projects as employment creating vehicles for individuals and communities targeted for economic empowerment and participation in the water policy. However, for sustainable stakeholder participation levels, it is argued that the employment positions created through the projects need to be designed in a manner that would encourage an evolution of long-term relationships between stakeholders and the water management institutions.
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- Date Issued: 2005