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An investigation of how code switching between English and Oshiwambo enables or constrains teaching and learning of ‘force’ in Grade 7 Natural Science and Health Education in a rural Namibian school

  • Authors: Nambahu, Paulus Tulimekondjo
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7622 , vital:21279
  • Description: Anecdotal evidence over the years of my teaching reveals the use of code switching to be a regular practice in rural schools in the northern part of Namibia. Some recent studies focused on how Namibian teachers mediate specific science topics through code switching. However, although the 2013 Grade 10 examiners’ report and the latest (2014) Grade 7 National Standardized Achievement Test (NSAT) indicate that learners performed poorly in the important science topic Force, no literature could be found which explored this problem in Namibian science education. This triggered my interest to investigate how the use of code switching between English and Oshiwambo enables or constrains teaching and learning of the topic Force in Natural Science and Health Education (NSHE) lessons at a rural Namibian school. I accomplished this by implementing strategic code switching as an intervention in my own teaching with a class of Grade 7 NSHE learners and with the participation of a critical friend. An initial action research cycle of teaching was done in the medium of instruction (English) without any code switching and a Pre-test was then administered to assess learners understanding prior to the intervention. After this first cycle, code switching was integrated into the teaching as an intervention in the second cycle of teaching in the action research and a Post test was then administered. This research study is informed by social constructivism theory of Vygotsky (1978) with a focus on the concept of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) using language as a tool for mediating learning through strategic code switching as an aspect of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). The two action research cycles included me undertaking regular and in-depth reflections after my teaching of each lesson. Data were also collected through document analysis, learners’ responses to tests, lesson observation with video recording and stimulated recall interviews. The analysis of the data involved qualitative coding of data. Informed consent of all participants was sought by obtaining signed written informed consent letters from parents of learners taking part in the study, as well as from the teacher participating as a critical friend, the school governing body and the regional director of education, arts and culture. Findings from this study revealed that code switching between English and Oshiwambo as a teaching intervention influenced learners performance positively. The results reveal that when code switching, linguistic, dispositional, hands-on experience and relating abstract concepts to everyday life experience were either enabling or constraining factors for learning the concept Force. Furthermore, the study reveals reinforcement and relating abstract concepts to everyday life world as an enabling factor for teaching the concept Force, when code switching. Linguistic and time have been identified as constrain factors when teaching Force through code switching. Finally, it was evident that when teaching and learning is mediated through code switching some factors are enabling when/if present but constraining when/if they are absent. The results from this study have the potential to enhance my own teaching practice as well the practice of other science teachers in similar education contexts.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of how Visual Technology for the Autonomous Learning of Mathematics (VITALmaths) video clips on mobile phones can be used by student teachers as a visualisation tool in the teaching of Number Sense: a case study

  • Authors: Kangwa, Lemmy
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Zambia -- Case studies , Visualization , Number concept , Mobile communication systems in education , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Software , Telecommunications in education , Educational innovations , VITALmaths
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6930 , vital:21201
  • Description: Visualisation is increasingly being recognised as having a significant role in the learning of mathematics especially when students are solving mathematical problems (Thornton, 2001). It is argued that visualisation is a powerful tool for learners to construct mental and physical representations that correctly mirror mathematical relationships and concepts. To gain a thorough understanding of the scope of visualisation, three Visual Technology for Autonomous Learning of Mathematics (VITALmaths) (www.vitalmaths.com) video clips were uploaded on mobile phones of each of the eleven participating student teachers who used them in their teaching practice. This is in cognisance of the educational potential offered by mobile phones and their current pervasiveness in the daily lives of both teachers and learners in Zambia (Zambia. Ministry of Education [M.O.E], 2013]). This study sought to investigate how VITALmaths video clips on mobile phones could be used by student teachers as a visualisation tool in the teaching of Number Sense. The videos of the lessons formed the core of my analysis. The study was conducted at four primary schools by eleven student teachers of a public university in Zambia. The study is framed as a case study and is grounded within the interpretive paradigm. The findings revealed that the student teachers’ use of the video clips in the classrooms for teaching was generally approached from two perspectives: at the beginning of the lesson or at the end. The videos were used at the beginning of the lesson as a means to introduce a topic or an idea, and at the end of the lesson to consolidate what was taught. The videos were also used to enhance the conceptual understanding of Number Sense. The findings also revealed that students encountered both enabling and constraining factors in their use of mobile phones to teach number sense. The overall findings revealed that, if well utilised, mobile phones as visualisation tools had the potential to enhance the teaching of Mathematics in general and Number Sense in particular, and therefore teachers should be encouraged to use them in their teaching.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the causes of the housing backlog in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: 2000 - 2014

An investigation of the contribution of street vending on livelihoods : case of street vendors in Nkonkobe Municipality

  • Authors: Dube, Thulani
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions Vending stands -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6068 , vital:29488
  • Description: The informal sector thrives in a context of high unemployment, underemployment, poverty, gender inequality and precarious work. It plays a significant role in such circumstances, especially in income generation and in contributing to the livelihood of those engaged in it. The study investigated the contribution of street vending to the livelihood of street vendors in Nkonkobe Municipality. The aim of the study was to investigate whether street vending has the potential to sustain the lives of those engaged in it. In order to reach its objectives, the study employed a qualitative research approach whereby a non-probability sampling design in the form of a purposive sampling method was adopted and considered appropriate for this study. In terms of data collection, the study made use of structured questionnaires as a data collection method whereby questionnaires were administered and distributed to 40 street venders. The Upper Bound Poverty Line (UBPL) was used as a measurement to assess whether the participants’ incomes were above the poverty datum line in order to determine the sector’s contribution to the traders’ livelihood. From this study, it was found that street vending has both positive and negative impacts with regard to the success and profit-earning potential of these traders. Thus, the study concluded that street vending is a vital community development tool and a major source of livelihood as it plays a very important socio-economic role in Nkonkobe and in South Africa in general. The sector provides a livelihood for a huge population mainly comprised of the poor and other impoverished groups of society.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the functional responsibilities of the municipal councillors at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality during the Implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)

  • Authors: Nkombela, Lizwi Eric
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20132 , vital:29129
  • Description: The study is undertaken to investigate the functional responsibilities of the municipal councillors at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality during the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). It aims to examine the experiences and perceptions that ward councillors have of their representative and participatory roles, including the support provided by the local government during the implementation of the IDP at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. In the statement of the problem, the researcher has provided the basis and the rationale for this study. This study is undertaken against the backdrop of protest on service delivery as the current local government system struggles to effectively provide basic services to communities, as well as attend to their economic and social development needs. There are various factors that contribute to effective governance of local government, however, for the sake of this research not all of them will be studied by the researcher. The researcher has indicated some of the limitations in this study and will only focus on the ward councillors and their functional responsibilities at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. The contextualization of this study is premised on the existing theoretical, legislative and conceptual views that apply to functional responsibilities of the municipal councillors and these were drawn from various sources to quantitatively obtain the data for this study. The study also explains the research design and methodology applied to elicit information from a sample of 31 ward councillors of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. The quantitative data which was received through questionnaires was presented, analysed and discussed by the researcher. The researcher used the frequency distribution and percentage in order to draw up the conclusions and recommendations. The quantitative data revealed to a greater extent a positive response from the 31 ward councillors regarding their experiences and perceptions of their representative and participatory roles and their understanding of the support provided by the local government during the implementation of the IDP at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the link between the typical geometry errors and the Van Hiele levels of geometric thought of grade 9 learners

  • Authors: Steyn, Catherina
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Van Hiele Model Geometry -- Study and teaching (Elementary) , Error analysis (Mathematics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEdu
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12152 , vital:27037
  • Description: South African learners perform poorly in the geometry sections of both national and international assessments. Numerous assessment reports mention multiple errors that keep re-occurring and play a big role in the learners’ poor performance. For this research, the link between the grade 9 learners Van Hiele levels of thought and the typical errors that they made were investigated. In this mixed method study, 194 grade 9 learners in two schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa were tested using a Van Hiele based test. A test was set up containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions and was used to determine firstly, the predominant level of geometric reasoning of the learners and secondly, to determine their typical errors. Semi-structured interviews were held with six learners to gain more insight into some of the typical errors uncovered in the tests. The quantitative data revealed that the learners’ predominant levels of geometric thought were low. Furthermore, the qualitative data revealed typical error patterns concerning angles and sides, parallel lines, hierarchy of quadrilaterals and incorrect reasons in the proofs. The quantitative and qualitative data was merged to determine if the errors could be linked to the Van Hiele levels. From the findings, it was concluded that most of their typical errors could be linked to the Van Hiele levels of the learners.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and financial performance of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa

  • Authors: Soko, Leon Lenny Kudzaishe
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7078 , vital:21215
  • Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between CSR and financial performance in South African companies which are listed on the FTSE/JSE SRI Index. Specifically, whether there is a difference in financial performance of companies that perform CSR activities, and those that do not. If so, which direction does this association have? The selection process of companies used in this study will now be explained step-bystep. The JSE SRI Index results show that there were 80 successful constituents as of February 2015 (JSE, 2015). These 80 companies are listed alphabetically in Appendix A, while the top 100 companies as ranked by Turnover are linked in Appendix B. Of these 100 companies, 67 were constituents of the JSE SRI Index continuously in 2015 and are shown in Appendix C. This leaves 33 companies in the top 100 which are not listed on the JSE SRI Index. Companies that were listed on the JSE SRI Index were assumed to be ‘good’ companies as the listing requirements included the performance of numerous CSR activities such as Employee development, environmental sustainability practices and stakeholder engagement. The financial performance of these 67 companies was compared to the financial performance of the 33 companies that were not listed on the JSE SRI Index which were included in the population sample of one hundred companies. Financial performance was measured using the ratios: Return on Assets and Return on Equity. The data analysis process used in this study was as follows: 1. The ratios for each company were obtained from the iNET (BFA) database, and annual and integrated reports for the period 2011 - 2015 (Appendix D;E;F). 2. The ratios for Non-SRI and SRI companies were then compared for each of the three ratios using a T-Test. The purpose of the T-Test was to show whether there is a difference in the ratios between SRI and Non-SRI companies on a year to year basis. The direction of the difference was shown by whether the SRI ratio was higher than or lower than the Non-SRI ratio. The results of this study do not seem to support any of the CSR theories, as the study concluded that there is no significant difference between the financial performance of companies that perform CSR activities and those that do not. This means that investing in CSR activities does not have a significant effect on the financial performance of a company.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the relationship between the Grade 7 English Second Language curriculum expectations and learners English literacy life histories

  • Authors: Shimbudhi, Barakias Baby Benita
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7866 , vital:21313
  • Description: Drawing from Pinar’s Curriculum Theory and Hallidayan Systematic Functional Linguistics theory respectively, this study investigates the relationship between Namibia’s Grade 7 English Second Language’s curriculum expectations and learners’ English literacy life histories. Located within the qualitative interpretive paradigm and life history research, this study uses learners’ written autobiographical narratives and spoken stories from narrative interviews with participants to generate data. The research site and participants were purposively selected, from the Grade 7 rural combined school classroom where many learners perform poorly as no learner in the research population at this research site performed successfully in English Second Language examinations. The study investigated whether the Grade 7 curriculum expectations ‘speak’ to the Grade 7 learners’ English literacy life histories in order to establish whether there is a correlation between the formal education English Second Language curriculum expectations and learners’ English literacy life histories. The findings for this study revealed that formal education curriculum designers and policy makers do not consider the cultural identities and backgrounds that learners bring to the classrooms. There are very few language activities, events both at home, school, and within the literate community necessary, to develop communicative competencies in these rural combined school learners. The interpersonal relationship between parents and child; learner and teacher; and children to community members do not provide favourable conditions for effective English language learning. There are very limited teaching and learning resources both at home; school; and within the immediate community to nurture and meet English curriculum demands. A further factor is that English usage is disregarded in all three contexts. Very alarming is the fact that, if the Namibian government continues to fail to put interventions in places where, schoolteachers are educated on their required role in helping to ameliorate negative learning conditions in rural school, then the education outcomes for Namibian learners specifically in English Second Language will be severely affected. This in turn makes the government aspirations towards Accessible; Equitable; Qualitative; and Democratic Education for all learners hard to accomplish.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the role of a selected out of school time reading programme on learners’ reading behaviours and attitudes

  • Authors: Williams, Sarah Marcella
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7511 , vital:21268
  • Description: Due to the lingering damage from the Apartheid era and Bantu education, South Africa is still battling to rectify the inequalities in schools in previously disadvantaged areas. The lack of a reading culture and very poor literacy assessment scores in these areas is cause to include even out-of-school time to help remedy these problems. This study seeks to add to the body of literature by investigating the influence of two selected out-of-school time reading programmes on learners’ reading attitudes and behaviours within the South African context. Drawing from the New Literacy Studies (Gee, 1991; Street, 1995) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991), this Mixed- Method approach study examined the role that two out of school reading programmes played in the development of reading behaviours and attitudes of learners from township area called Simonstown, in the Eastern Cape Province. Located within the Pragmativist Paradigm, Mixed Method Research Approach, and Explanatory Design Method as a research design, the study used pre- and post-intervention quantitative questionnaires, semi-structured interpreter-facilitated interviews, structured observations, and the out of school reading programme as an intervention to generate data. The research site and study participants were purposively selected. They included 10 learners from 2 out of school reading programmes that benefited from funding and literacy project training and support called Nal’ibali. The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of these out of school reading programmes in improving learners reading behaviours and attitudes, and how the OST reading programmes influenced the reading behaviours and attitudes of the parents. Findings from the data concluded that the certain factors in the OST reading programme in conjunction with the positive influence of the parents and siblings own reading attitudes had a positive effect on learners’ reading attitudes and behaviours.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation of the Sowetan “enough is enough-take back your dignity” campaign to challenge violence against women and children

  • Authors: Ndabezitha, Nomthandazo Sibusisiwe Mary-Angel
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4521 , vital:20685
  • Description: This investigation of the Sowetan “Enough is Enough - take back your dignity” campaign to challenge sexual violence explores whether the South African daily newspaper’s sustained anti-rape coverage challenges or reinforces the social order. It locates the Sowetan campaign’s response within two troubling contradictions. First, while South Africa is a democracy with arguably the most liberally progressive constitution in the world, the epidemically high rape statistics indicate that South African women and children inhabit an environment in which they are effectively denied the same freedoms and rights as men. The Sowetan anti-rape campaign responds to this paradox. Second, heightened exposure and coverage in the news media of rape incidents do not seem to correlate directly with a decrease in incidents of sexual violence. My observation of these contradictions leads me to question whether the anti-rape campaign can be socially transformative. Informed by the Foucauldian insights that the meaning of things is not inherent but exists in discourse, which has the power to make itself true, this study investigates what discourses are articulated in the representation of masculinities and femininities. In this regard, my investigation is informed by cultural studies and gender studies theories. Recognising rape as an enactment of a particular type of masculinity makes it clear that rapists are not deviant monsters, but are men embodying a discourse of male sexual entitlement legitimated by the social order. As the campaign coverage largely represents rape in historically black locations such as townships and villages, I argue that rape is an enactment of a particular violent masculinity within a particular socio-economically marginalised postcolonial context. Hence I also use postcolonial studies and gender studies to inform my theory. This qualitative research takes the form of a case study which entails a critical discourse analysis of 19 texts purposively sampled in order to identify whether the campaign challenges or reinforces the social order. I argue that rehearsing the narratives of prevalent rape and horror at this epidemic without addressing the social order of gender inequality that enables rape is inadequate. The findings indicate that the campaign has limited socially transformative potential, as, while it sometimes challenges the discourse of female passivity, it does not go so far as to critically engage with masculinities and questioning how violent ones are produced in the social order.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An Investigation of the usage of teaching methods and assessment practices in environmental learning processes and emergent curriculum and sustainability competencies

  • Authors: Mkhabela, Antonia T
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa , Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa , Life sciences -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7812 , vital:21301
  • Description: This study explores the teaching and assessment practices used by teachers in environmental learning processes and emergent curriculum and sustainability competencies. The focus is the school subject Life Sciences in the Further Education and Training Phase. The study is based on four cases of teachers in schools in the Midlands area, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Lenses used to review the data included curriculum defined cognitive skills and cognitive levels to review the curriculum competencies and a systems approach to teaching and learning (Wiek, Withycombe, Redman & Mills, 2011) to review emergent sustainability competencies. This study employed qualitative methods, namely a questionnaire, stimulated recall interviews, observations (of lesson plan implementation in classrooms) and document analysis (detailing lesson plans, assessment tasks and learners’ work) to generate data. Analysis took place in four phases and included: a descriptive contextual analysis of factors influencing teaching and assessment practices; a descriptive analysis of teacher intentionality, topics, assessment planned and resources used; an analysis of emergent curriculum competencies in informal and formal assessment tasks; and, finally, a second layer of analysis describing emergent sustainability competencies in the environmental learning processes. Ethical considerations included permission for access, anonymity, participant rights and awareness of my role as cluster leader for the group of teachers involved. The study found that the nature of Life Sciences environmental topics and implementation influences the development of curriculum and sustainability competencies. Also, the choice of teaching methods influenced the emergence of particular curriculum and sustainability competencies. The findings also suggested that switching between isiZulu and English, unfamiliarity with action verbs, and the inconsistent use of higher order questions in classroom discussion, informal and formal assessment tasks might have affected success in the development of higher order thinking skills. Finally, the study revealed that environmental learning has the potential to support the development of integrated sustainability competencies. This study was driven by an interest in environmental content knowledge, teaching and assessment within the South African Fundisa for Change network of environmental educators. It is hoped that the study’s illustration of how consideration of curriculum and sustainability competencies can contribute to quality education practices in environmental learning, will be of use in this network.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the implementation of human settlements policy: the case of Umzimvubu Local Municipality

  • Authors: Ntshobane, Mkhwezi Ntlalontle Naledi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: City planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19452 , vital:28880
  • Description: Since the dawn of South African democracy, the African National Congress (ANC) has been in power. This means that, since 1994, the ANC has had to remedy a lot of socio-economic challenges brought about by the apartheid regime, to ensure equal opportunities and resources allocation and also, enjoyment of these resources. Most black South Africans were marginalised and left to live in poor conditions, with no proper sanitation and other basic services. Twenty-two years later the government is still faced with the challenge of providing adequate housing to the citizens of South Africa. The attempt to transition housing into human-settlements that allow social interaction and economic activity to ensure that human-settlements are habitable is commendable. The qualitative study’s objective was to investigate the implementation of low cost human-settlements policy, and determine contributors of poor policy implementation in Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study found that housing backlog and deplorable housing conditions exist in Umzimvubu Local Municipality and that corruption is one of the major contributors of the backlog. Poor management of financial resources has been found to be another contributing factor. It is therefore recommended that the municipality invests in programmes that can assist employees and stakeholders to improve their project and financial management skills. Consultation with other municipalities who have had successful remedies to housing backlog is highly recommended. Umzimvubu Local Municipality was the reference point of the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the motivational feattures influence on technical efficiency and profitability of smallholder irrigated crop farmers in Kwa-Nobuhle, Eastern Cape province of South Africa

  • Authors: Funde, Sibongile
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11917 , vital:39118
  • Description: Substantial impact and the importance of agriculture in the economies of the developing countries is increasingly acknowledged. Agriculture generally has shown to remain crucial to economic development. It has been noted that agricultural growth plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction and employment creation. Due to the potential of the smallholder sector to alleviate poverty and minimize unemployment rate leading to the country’s economic growth, enormous development programs have in the past and continues to be implemented by South African government. Programs such as land-based development strategies including agriculture, extension services, improved technologies including irrigation establishment, revitalization and rehabilitation, water rights legislation and financial support. However, the current state of smallholder low-agricultural productivity growth trends raises concerns on what other fundamental development strategies to implement in order to enhance agricultural productivity growth. Hence, this study seeks to address the impact of social farming on agricultural productivity by investigating smallholder farmer’s motivational features. Motivational features regarded are as important determinants of success, modify behaviour, serve to mobilize and direct energy into actions. Given the importance of motivational features and their formation in social interaction, the objective of the study was to investigate motivational features of smallholder farmers with regard to expanding irrigation land, determine technical efficiency of smallholder farmers as well as their profitability generation capability. A multistage sampling method was used that involved using purposive sampling, simple random sampling was adopted where three smallholder agriculture projects using irrigation methods to farm were selected and by use of snowball sampling the study ended up collecting data from a total of 124 respondents. The sample was chosen on the basis that smallholder farmers hold attributes that were crucial for execution of this research. The study proceeded by conducting face-to face interviews of smallholder farmers, focus groups and key informant using interview schedules and a questionnaire consisting both open and close-ended questions. Data were analysed using different methods. Firstly, data were analysed descriptively to get a deeper understanding of smallholder farmer’s socio-economic characteristics as well as their motivational features. Secondly, data were analysed statistically to determine Technical Efficiency (TE) of smallholder farmers using both Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Lastly, Gross Margin Analysis was used to measure farmer’s profitability. Results show that smallholder farmers have a range of motivational features that incorporates both productive and non-productive goals. The study made use of twenty-five goals obtained from literature studies and categorised them into six motivational feature types namely; outcome based, process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy, and household livelihood strategies. Smallholder female and male outcome based motivations were found to be statistically significant at 5percent, while process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy and household livelihood strategies motivations between them were found not to be statistically significant, which means that smallholder female and male motivations are not different and that both farmers consider such motivations at the same level. Technical Efficiency (TE) was measured using DEA method and was found to be 0.70, which is different from the TE obtained using SFA that was 0.47. Three dominant crops were produced, namely potatoes, cabbage and spinach. Cabbage crop was the most produced, had the highest gross margin results with a commercialization ratio of 0.33percent as compared to potatoes and spinach. Which indicates that cabbage is a high value crop to smallholder farmers of Kwa-Nobuhle area. In view of the research findings, it was concluded that motivational features of smallholder farmers were positively related to technical efficiency which implies that the more motivated farmers become, the higher their technical efficiency, hence their potential to expand land under irrigation. Cabbage production was high and more profitable than potatoes and spinach production. Recommendations include that government, NGO’s, private sector and institution need to promote the use of improved technologies, agricultural training and take smallholder farmer’s motivational features into account in development programmes. These actions are necessary to increase irrigated farming, overcome low-performance levels and enhance profitability of smallholder farmers, and ultimately achieve poverty alleviation and improve employment opportunities in the rural areas.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation on the perceptions of officials on their role in the rehabilitation process: the case of the East London Correctional Centre

  • Authors: Mtikitiki, Nolusindiso
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South Africa -- Department of Correctional Services -- Administration Prison administration -- South Africa -- East London , Prisons -- South Africa -- East London -- Officials and employees Correctional personnel -- South Africa -- East London
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19277 , vital:28817
  • Description: This report is the result of a literature study and questionnaire which gave insight on the role of officials in the rehabilitation process. Correctional Services has adopted a new approach, where offenders need to change their negative behaviour and be rehabilitated. Corrections have a societal responsibility towards the community to guide the offender on his rehabilitation path. This study was conducted to give a better understanding of rehabilitation to offenders The purpose of this research is to determine if the Department of Correctional Services delivers on its legal and social responsibility towards the rehabilitation of offenders. In this study the researcher gathered information on the department policies, training of officials, the programmes currently available in Correctional Services, and also the involvement of the community in this process. Corrections cannot work alone, and needs the help of the community and leaders in the community to assist it in this process. Correctional Services faces many challenges in order to succeed in the rehabilitation of offenders. Currently there is a shortage of officials in the Department of Correctional Services, and the Department cannot, therefore, fully succeed in its rehabilitative role. Another aspect is that rehabilitation programmes are voluntary, and offenders can decide if they want to become involved or not.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An IPA study of the integration and work conditions of white teachers in historically black (township) schools

  • Authors: Seane, Boitumelo Seville
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4606 , vital:20698
  • Description: This interpretative phenomenological analysis study focuses on analyzing the lived experiences of white teachers with regards to their integration and work conditions within the context of historically black (township) schools. It consists of four aims: a) what are the experiences of white teachers teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; b) what do they experience to be major obstacles towards the day to day process of teaching and learning; c) what are the positive highlights and accomplishments they experienced while teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; d) what aspects do they deem essential for an efficient culture of teaching and learning. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with regards to the experiences of the teachers. The methodology chapter will cement the notion of the use of semi-structured interviews as a function within IPA. As a result, this should not be inadvertently be confused to be an aspect of thematic analysis which is distinctive from IPA. Four of the participants were females and one was male. The interview questions were centered on the main aims of the study. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results and interpretations of narratives revealed 6 super ordinate themes. They are: a) reinforces; b) enablers and desirable principles; c) social ills and other challenges; d) organization and administration factors; e) challenges with regards to teaching and learning and lastly, f) systemic and systematic issues. The following are the key findings that emerged during the interviews: Most of the teachers felt that they were well integrated in their schools. There was one exception. There were similarities with regards to adapting to working in previously disadvantaged schools. There were variations with the length or duration of service in the teaching profession from a minimum of less than a year, an average of 14 years and a maximum of 30 years. The teachers shared major challenges with regards to discipline among learners. Most of the teachers shared that their schools were variable with regards to lack of amenities and lack of finances. The dominant aspect was that some previously disadvantaged schools had many deprivations or encountered many difficult circumstances. Most of the teachers shared concerns that learning difficulties where being overlooked and there was lack of capacity to correctly intervene with regards to them. Various social ills emerged as having some level of impact on the lives of learners within their schools. Teachers reflected on the experiences about racism and racial intolerance; racial stereotypes and myths as well as no experiences of being marginalized. There were various experiences to diversity, culture and gender. Finally, various systemic and systematic issues that pose a challenge towards education within previously disadvantaged schools emerged. This study is based on the theoretical frameworks of assimilation, integration, multi-cultural education and anti-racist education.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analyses of the simple harmonic oscillator and its variations

  • Authors: Bambiso, Noludwe Patience
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Harmonic analysis Vibration -- Mathematical models Oscillations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8132 , vital:31530
  • Description: Vibratory motion is fundamental to all natural phenomena. It occurs everywhere in nature, from fundamental particles to the complexity of the life of the smallest cell, to the properties of the cosmos. Its frequency ranges from those of gammarays down the spectrum of X-rays, microwave, optical and radio waves. These are common concepts in everyday life, but their origin and nature are seldom comprehended. In this thesis we look at the mathematical fundamentals and how to apply them. We start with fundamental concepts and extend them to more complicated systems. We consider methods of analysis and applications. In Chapter 2 we consider simple harmonic oscillators and their mathematical analyses and in Chapter 3 we look at applications. Chapter 4 discusses the general form of simple harmonic motion, i.e. damped and forced harmonic motion. We consider simple coupled systems and their analysis. In Chapter 5 we introduce the method of complex functions and its application to complicated compound systems. Chapter 6 introduces a novel application, that of how SHM can be used as a model for advanced effects, or acausality. Chapter 7 presents a summary and conclusion.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of a South African cyber-security awareness campaign for schools using interdisciplinary communications frameworks

  • Authors: Leppan, Claudette
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Internet -- Safety measures Computer networks -- Security measures , Mass media and technology Mass media -- Social aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18167 , vital:28582
  • Description: To provide structure to cyber awareness and educational initiatives in South Africa, Kortjan and Von Solms (2014) developed a five-layer cyber-security awareness and education framework. The purpose of the dissertation is to determine how the framework layers can be refined through the integration of communication theory, with the intention to contribute towards the practical implications of the framework. The study is approached qualitatively and uses a case study for argumentation to illustrate how the existing framework can be further developed. Drawing on several comprehensive campaign planning models, the dissertation illustrates that not all important campaign planning elements are currently included in the existing framework. Proposed changes in the preparation layer include incorporating a situational and target audience analysis, determining resources allocated for the campaign, and formulating a communication strategy. Proposed changes in the delivery layer of the framework are concerned with the implementation, monitoring and adjustment, as well as reporting of campaign successes and challenges. The dissertation builds on, and adds to, the growing literature on the development of campaigns for cyber-security awareness and education aimed at children.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of factors affecting performance of a low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle heat engine

  • Authors: Kalua, Tisaye Bertram
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Rankine cycle Heat engineering , Cogeneration of electric power and heat
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17844 , vital:28460
  • Description: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) heat engines convert low-grade heat to other forms of energy such as electrical and mechanical energy. They achieve this by vaporizing and expanding the organic fluid at high pressure, turning the turbine which can be employed to run an alternator or any other mechanism as desired. Conventional Rankine Cycles operate with steam at temperatures above 400 ℃. The broad aspect of the research focussed on the generation of electricity to cater for household needs. Solar energy would be used to heat air which would in turn heat rocks in an insulated vessel. This would act as an energy storage in form of heat from which a heat transfer fluid would collect heat to supply the ORC heat engine for the generation of electricity. The objective of the research was to optimize power output of the ORC heat engine operating at temperatures between 25℃ at the condenser and 90 to 150℃ at the heat source. This was achieved by analysis of thermal energy, mechanical power, electrical power and physical parameters in connection with flow rate of working fluid and heat transfer fluids.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of the Corporate Social Investment motives and benefits behind the sponsors’ involvement with Parkrun South Africa

  • Authors: Fordyce, Jonathan
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Parkrun (Organization) , Parkrun (SA) , Blue Label Telecoms (Firm) , Dis-Chem (Firm) , Discovery Vitality (Firm) , Investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Sports sponsorship -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5388 , vital:20919
  • Description: This study is a qualitative investigation into the area of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) of non-profit organisations (NPOs). The focus of the study is on the non-profit organisation Parkrun South Africa (Parkrun SA) and its three major sponsors, namely Blue Label Telecoms, Discovery Vitality and Dis-Chem Pharmacies. The research analyses and subsequently posits the various benefits and motivations of the sponsors’ CSI initiative with Parkrun SA. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were carried out with the three sponsors to establish these benefits and motivations. The interviewees were selected based on their involvement and influence in establishing and governing their organisations’ CSI initiative with Parkrun SA. The research compared the benefits and motivations, highlighted by the sponsors during the interviews, to the current body of knowledge and literature on CSI. From the interviews it became evident that the benefits and motivations, pertaining to each sponsor, are well aligned to the current literature on CSI benefits and motivations. The benefits and motivations of the three organisations were also deemed very similar. Upon evaluation of the research, it became evident that the most essential motivator for all three sponsoring organisations is commercial. Key to all the sponsoring organisations involvement with Parkrun SA, is the potential return on investment through the various commercial aspects of being associated with such an initiative. Branding was the biggest benefit named by all three sponsoring organisations, however, creating a healthy society emerged as a major benefit too. It can be argued that health has become a major benefit for the sponsors because of the success and exponential growth of Parkrun SA. This growth has captured a large audience and in so doing, created major health benefits for the vast array of participants. Finally, through the data collection and analysis it became clear that the sponsors all view their CSI initiative with Parkrun SA as a major success. It is however, recommended that Parkrun SA start to grow their organisation to match the sustained growth seen in the country. There is a need to expand the organisation in terms of employees and transparent corporate reporting to deal with this growth and keep the sponsors satisfied while also keeping additional sponsors fascinated.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Analysis of the reliability for the 132/66/22 KV distribution network within ESKOM’s Eastern Cape operating unit

  • Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Electric power distribution Electricity -- Supply -- Engineering , Smart power grids
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19750 , vital:28953
  • Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer as a result of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and also predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
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  • Date Issued: 2017
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