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Socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho

  • Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Mass media in health education , Communication in medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21235 , vital:47431
  • Description: HIV/AIDS remain a major public health concern in Lesotho. The spread of the virus has increased exponentially in recent years despite concerted efforts by government to combat the pandemic through public health communication. Both the literature in health and cultural communication attributes the failure of public health messages on HIV/AIDS to resonate with the target audience to several socio-cultural factors including norms, religion and poverty. Using a qualitative research approach within the theoretical framework of the Culturally Sensitive Model of Communicating Health messages, this study investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions involving participants from four villages namely, Ha-Makebe, Ha-Fusi, Ha-Foso and Maqhaka. Findings of the study revealed that various cultural factors including multiple sex partners, inconsistent use of condoms and lack of education contribute to the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The influence of these socio-cultural factors on the understanding of public health communication varies among individuals. The results suggest that some certain socio-cultural factors prevalent in several Lesotho communities encourage people to practise unhealthy lifestyle that increases the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Although participants admitted that they were aware of HIV/AIDS messages, they were unanimous that they did not receive the messages as they were intended or expected suggesting that their understanding or interpretation of the messages was moderated by cultural factors. The comments provided by participants attest to the importance of culture in the acceptance and understanding of PHC messages by the target audience. The findings indicate that language and culture exert both positive and negative effects on the reception and acceptance of HIV/AIDS messages. It was also noted by chiefs that the factors aforementioned are not strongly emphasised in the public health communication campaigns aimed at eradication of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho hence, communities are severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Health workers on the other hand, confirmed that messages conveyed to communities are culturally sensitive because they consider the culture of the target audience which is Basotho.This study, therefore, recommends that public health communicators should also encourage other stakeholders who are working hard to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS to consider the implementation of socio-cultural factors when designing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies as this will allow the target audience to accept and interpret HIV/AIDS messages positively. Based on the data analysed, it was identified that there are no policies that link HIV/AIDS message design to the local culture which results in a lack of acceptance of PHC messages related to this pandemic. As noted by some participants, most HIV/AIDS messages reflect perspectives of western culture where unlike Lesotho society, some issues like language, age, poverty are not considered. Therefore, HIV/AIDS messages that reflect the culture of the target audience must be taken into consideration during the design and implementation of cultural policies and interventions. It further recommends that clear policies that deal with HIV/AIDS campaigns and culture in Lesotho be formulated. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-01

The effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crises on child welfare: a case of Chitungwiza Town

  • Authors: Midzi, Tendai
  • Date: 2021-01
  • Subjects: Child welfare -- Economic aspects , Crisis management -- Economic aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22401 , vital:52045
  • Description: This study examined the effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children (analysed in terms of two indicators of health and education) in Chitungwiza. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (i).to assess the effect of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. (ii). to examine child support strategies that are implemented to sustain children during economic crisis in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. The economic exigencies and shocks spawned by economic crisis on the weak welfare systems of the developing world countries drastically undermine the wellbeing of children. Therefore, this study focused on analysing the economic crises-spawned form and scale of child vulnerabilities at the household and national level because these units provide primary child care in Zimbabwe. This study was underpinned by two frameworks namely, the Social Risk Management Approach (SRMA) and the Transformative Social Protection Framework (T.S.P). The study used a mixed methods or triangulation approach, through use of primary data (quantitative and qualitative data) and secondary data (archival data) as the basis for data collection as well as the analysis. This was guided by a mixed research design specifically a case study and a mini survey. Complementarity of the research methods was achieved through the use of data from household surveys with 100 heads of households (selected through a combination cluster and random sampling) in Chitungwiza Town and in-depth interviews with 1 official from each of the following units; Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service Labor, and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Child care, UNICEF, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and Child Line Zimbabwe (selected through a purposive sampling technique). Data was analyzed qualitatively through thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data through the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 25) and Microsoft Excel 2007. The study revealed that there are so many child vulnerabilities entrenched by the country’s chronic economic crisis that include poor education and health outcomes, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, early pregnancies and child marriages, child labour and exploitation among others. Social safety nets in place such as BEAM, AMTO and HSCT are to some extent helping vulnerable children but currently these are not covering a significant percentage of children from poor households due to budget, capacity and fund appropriation challenges at the behest of the country’s economic crisis. Household child support strategies such as smallholder agriculture and gardening, informal trading and jobs are to some extent helping in promoting child wellbeing but their potential is undercut by challenges relating to inter alia the hyperinflationary economic environment, regulation and suppressed markets. The study inter alia recommends the institution of transparency and accountability as provided in the 2013 constitution to curb leakages and misallocation of the few resources, the reinstatement of the multicurrency monetary system in order to stabilise the country’s hyperinflationary environment, a transformation of the delivery of social safety nets in terms of targeting and coverage of the poor households, more effective budgeting and resource allocation system, supporting the informal sector and enhanced integration of social work practise in government social protection programs. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-01

An appraisal of selected support services rendered by social workers to older persons in De Aar service area, Northern Cape Province

  • Authors: Feni, Manezi
  • Date: 2020-12
  • Subjects: Community health services for older people , Social work with older people , Older people--Services for
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21047 , vital:46925
  • Description: This study was an appraisal of selected support services rendered by social workers to older persons in De Aar Service Area, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: i) to appraise the nature and extent of the existing support services rendered by social workers to older persons; ii) to explore challenges experienced by older persons receiving support services from social workers; iii) to establish strategies that can be adopted by the Department of Social Development to restructure its interventions to enhance the services rendered to older persons; iv) and to assess measures that can be adopted by the service beneficiaries to ensure that they receive quality services. The study was premised on the theoretical lenses of sociology of weak ties (SWT) theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model, and Social Exchange theory. The study was prompted by the growing number of elderly people who need the support services rendered by social workers as well as community based care. Methodologically, the study used a qualitative paradigm and was thus guided by the research design which was a case study complemented by explorative and descriptive study design types. The data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and key informants to strengthen the qualitative aspect of the study. This current study used a probability sampling method, specifically a purposive sampling technique, to purposefully select a study sample that has all the characteristics needed to contribute immensely to the phenomenon under study. Using this techniques, thirty-eight (38) participants were selected comprising sixteen (16) elderly persons who were 65 years and above, sixteen (16) Old-age Centre Caregivers, three (3) Generic Social Workers, and three Service Managers. Data was analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis, and revealed among other findings, that the social workers render extensive support to the older persons in De Aar Service Area, they do monthly assessments, conduct research, liaise with various stakeholders such as the DSD, Department of Health, SASSA, Caregivers, Older Persons (as service beneficiaries) and Municipalities in a bid to empower and improve the welfare of older persons. However, the study also showed that older persons receiving support from the Social Workers are experiencing various problems such as chronic illnesses and stress due to old age. Most importantly, the study gaps in the services rendered to older persons by Social Workers are identified and as a result, strategies to cover the gaps are suggested therefrom. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Social Work) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2020-12

An exploration of factors contributing to gender-based violence among university students in selected universities of South Africa

  • Authors: Nobevu, luyolo Renald https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0494-2164
  • Date: 2020-11
  • Subjects: Gender-based violence , Sexual harassment in education , College students
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master'stheses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27050 , vital:66243
  • Description: Gender-based violence among university students is a major problem in South Africa and the world at large. The incidence of gender-based violence among university students is increasing for both males and females. In South Africa, many university students are likely to be victims of both direct and indirect gender-based violence this brings to doubt the efficacy of policies to address gender-based violence. This study explored factors contributing to gender-based violence among university students in selected universities of South Africa. The study opted for a qualitative research approach to achieve its primary aim. The study used the case study research design. Furthermore, the study utilised a non-probability sampling method and purposive sampling technique to generate a sample size of 25 participants. Participants were selected based on the supposed value they would add to the study. The study employed in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, secondary data, and key informant interviews for the data collection method. There were three focus groups with 4 participants each, and two of the groups comprised university students and one of the key informants. The Modified lifestyle exposure model of personal victimisation and the Gender Role theory formed the theoretical framework that guided the study. The study established that even though many universities have develop policies to address gender-based violence there is poor implementation. This may be the result of not monitoring effectively which led the policy to be invisible to the students only appear on paper not into practice. In addition, many university students who are the victims of gender-based violence do not report their experiences to authorities in their institutions or to the police because of the fear that they can be victimised again or their perpetrators are those who are in authorities. Meanwhile, the universities do not have sufficient programs for GBV , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-11

The many faces of Beauty and the Beast: A feminist and new historicist approach

  • Authors: Banks, Monique https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-7050
  • Date: 2020-10
  • Subjects: Fairy tales in literature , Women and literature
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23862 , vital:61068
  • Description: The fairy tale tradition is saturated with tales from male writers, and very little attention has been placed on the tales written by women. The tales which have made their way into the public realm and have been shared and passed down for years and identified as ‘classics’ are those which embody patriarchal ideas and expectations of men and women. Seventeenth century France played an integral role in the development of the fairy tale realm. The context of the French Academy and French Salons allowed writers to share their tales. Popular writer, Charles Perrault, published his collection of tales during this time and they became popular throughout France and other parts of the world. His tales were used as educational tools and, hence, they shared particular messages with their readers. More specific to this research are the patriarchal ideas these tales shared with their readers. At the same time, a number of French women, acting in the salons, also penned and shared their unique tales. Unfortunately, these tales and their writers did not receive the same acceptance as Perrault’s tales in the seventeenth century. Furthermore, as time passed, women writers were still not given equal recognition to male writers. As their tales were, for the most part, ignored by the public, their messages and ideas about gender were not shared with readers and the public this made the fairy tale genre overly patriarchal and gendered in nature. Therefore, the study’s primary focus is to analyse the Beauty and the Beast tales written by women writers from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the twenty-first century. It is important to make these writers’ literature known in order to broaden the understanding of the fairy tale genre as multi-faceted. Studying the characters, their behaviours and the gendered relationships within each tale provides a deeper understanding of women writers throughout the centuries. Analysing the social context in which each tale was written, along with each tale, presents a sense of how each woman writer continued and/or rejected the gendered ideas of her society. It also provides a picture of the timeline of women’s writing from the earlier centuries until today. To conclude, this study reflects an interesting movement in the fairy tale literature published by women. More recent tales produce more dynamic and empowered characters, who act outside of patriarchal limitations. The Beauty character of more recent tales, for instance, is given more of an independent role than her predecessors are. Ritchie’s female character is placed in a realistic setting and lives with both the ‘Beast’ and his mother, with her courage and bravery emphasising a new position for the female character. She becomes more and more aware of her position as an object to be traded in Carter’s tales and Block’s Beauty and craves the freedom and independence she feels outside of her father’s household, flourishing in the life of a beast. Flinn’s female character steps out of the box of physical beauty and represents a more normalised character. In modern times, the developments between each tale reflect that the ideas of gender are becoming more varied and fluid than earlier societies. The feminism and new historicist analysis of the traditional and remake Beauty and the Beast tales, therefore, highlights particular developments in fairy tale literature, together with shedding a brighter light on fairy tales written by women writers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-10

An analysis of intellectual property awareness among researchers at University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

  • Authors: Mawokomayi-Moffat, Betina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7299-7327
  • Date: 2020-09
  • Subjects: Intellectual property
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21224 , vital:47418
  • Description: This study emerges in the period whereby innovation has become relevant in today’s society. Globally, universities are shifting from being merely centers of learning to becoming entrepreneurial universities as they are commercialising their intellectual property (IP). This study analyses IP awareness among researchers at University of Fort Hare (UFH). The study was informed by the pragmatic paradigm and a mixed-methods design was used to collect data. The study focuses on IP awareness activities conducted between 2016 and 2019, data was collected between January 2020 and November 2020 as there was need for collecting more data from the Innovation Office to supplement the data that was initially collected. Closed ended questionnaires were distributed to researchers at UFH since they are potential IP creators, an open-ended questionnaire was also used to collect data from one key informant from the Innovation Office, and a semi-structured interview was conducted with one key informant from the Innovation Office at UFH. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from qualitative responses on questionnaires, interview responses and the UFH IP policy. Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse quantitative data. The study revealed that the UFH Innovation Office employs various communication strategies to create awareness of IP among researchers and that the Office hosts at least three IP workshops each year. The study found out that methods used to create awareness include social media posts, email communication, distributing booklets and fliers that contain IP information, interactive discussions with IP experts, and small visits to faculty researchers, or research groups to conduct presentations on IP. However, despite these initiatives at the University, the study found out that researchers have a low level of IP awareness and this needs to be addressed by the Innovation Office. Interestingly, the results further indicated that UFH values IP and in responding to the requirements of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Funded Research Act, of 2008, the University established its Technology Transfer Office that is responsible for facilitation of commercialisation of research outputs and creating awareness of IP among researchers. The study recommends the need to improve communication strategies for IP awareness and that the Office should employ diversified strategies to educate researchers about the importance of IP and its protection and that awareness activities should not be a once off activity but continuous. The study also recommends the University and the government to consider incorporating IP modules in the curriculum of all disciplines so that every student and researcher would have the knowledge of IP and how it affects people’s lives. The study also recommends that research and development should be prioritised as innovations emanate from research projects. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-09

Negotiating Coloured identities in conversation with peers in a post-apartheid Eastern Cape rural context

  • Authors: Pretorius, Shaida Angelina
  • Date: 2020-09
  • Subjects: Colored people (South Africa) , Post-apartheid era--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21123 , vital:47115
  • Description: The Coloured is a contested identity, and many who see themselves as “Coloured” are grappling with this social identity in a rapidly changing South African context. Therefore this study has sought to investigate how Coloured adolescents construct identities of what it means to be Coloured in conversation with their peers in the post-apartheid context. A qualitative study was conducted which allowed a phenomenon like the identity of Coloured young people to be studied in depth, openness and rich detail. The research sample for this study consisted of young Coloured people in their late adolescence, who either attended secondary school or had matriculated and attained the status of young adults, and had grown up in the rural Eastern Cape setting in which the study was conducted. Focus group discussions were held, three of the groups comprised both White and Coloured Afrikaans-speaking secondary school learners, while the remaining two comprised Coloured young people only (a total of thirty-three participants). Nonetheless, all five of the focus group discussions provided appropriate forums for the young Coloured participants to verbalise their experiences and the ways in which they constructed their identities as young Coloured members of post-apartheid South African society. A discursive and rhetorical analytic approach was utilized to analyze the data obtained from the focus group conversations held. This research project has adopted the perspective of discursive psychology and social constructionist meta-theory in investigating how Coloured adolescents construct ethnic identities in conversation. The analysis revealed that the adolescents in the study appear to negotiate constructive and liberated identities of Colouredness in dialogue with peers regarding the multi-cultural school setting as a social space, relating to peers and building friendships, as well as dealing with multi-cultural love relationships. There are indications that they succeed in transcending the apartheid barriers of the past in terms of relating to fellow South Africans, both Black and White. In contrast, there were also discourses of Colouredness that were more unsettling and pointing to heavy identity struggles. It became evident from the analysis that the narratives of what being Coloured means in the post-apartheid era were also saturated with senses of struggle, uncertainty, dissatisfaction, hopelessness, to mention a few. It appeared that many Coloured voices were trapped in ideologies of the past where Colouredness was equated with not being worthy enough, and being marginalised. The present study showed that Coloured adolescents often recite the discourse of the “inbetween-ness” in the construction of narratives of being Coloured. The sense of Colouredness emerging from these narratives seems to resonate with what was experienced during the Apartheid era. From a dialogical self perspective multivoicedness in terms of constructing identities of being Coloured in conversation emerged. In a cultural context of perceived tensions, contradictions and ambivalence living in the new South Africa as a Coloured young person gave rise to contestation of identities of being Coloured as well as a multiplicity and diversity of voices and identities, including voices that transcend the restrictions and boundaries of the past. The theory developed by Hermans and colleagues of the multi-voiced and dialogical self, allowed for this multiplicity and dynamic complexity of identities to be studied sufficiently. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Counselling Psychology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2020-09

Exploring preparedness of social workers to address the environmental justice issue in communities: the case of selected dumping sites in King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Njama, Thembani https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8306-6501
  • Date: 2020-06
  • Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22423 , vital:52064
  • Description: Social workers are mandated to address environmental justice issues as part of working towards promoting community and environmental sustainability within and between communities. This thesis reports from a research study that was aimed at exploring the preparedness of social workers to address pollution in King Sabata Dalindyebo communities with the objective to: understand the social work intervention strategies social workers use to address pollution in KSD communities; identify the challenges if any social workers face when addressing pollution in KSD communities; and explore the confidence of social workers when addressing pollution in KSD communities. To achieve its aim and objectives, this study was exclusively informed by a qualitative research approach and thus utilised an explorative case study design to obtain in-depth qualitative data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve social workers using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviewed social workers were sampled utilizing convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Mass collected data was analysed thematically and thus presented according to themes and subthemes. Findings indicated that social workers are not sufficiently prepared to address pollution in KSD communities because of lack of environmental education and training, coupled with lack of enabling resources. Therefore, this study recommended environmental social work education and training through organisational workshops as well as improved support and resourcing. This study also recommended a future study that will explore the progress of social work towards promoting environmental sustainability in communities. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2020-06

Societal attitudes towards previously incarcerated individuals in Mdantsane Township (N.U.2), Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Mathebe, Nosiphiwo
  • Date: 2020-06
  • Subjects: Prisoners , Ex-convicts , Prisoners' writings, South African (English)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27128 , vital:66305
  • Description: The study explored the societal attitudes towards previously incarcerated individuals in Mdantsane Township N.U.2, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study aimed to achieve the following specific objectives: i. To establish the attitudes of the Mdantsane N.U.2 selected residents towards previously incarcerated individuals ii. To assess the kinds of treatment meted by the selected Mdantsane residents towards the previously incarcerated individuals; and iii). To establish the structural challenges that previously incarcerated individuals experience that impedes integration into their society. The study utilized a qualitative paradigm as guided by the qualitative research approach; and adopted a case study design. It employed interviews with previously incarcerated individuals and key informants, and focus groups with community members. An interview guide was used as a data collection instrument. The study used non-probability sampling, with purposive and snow-ball sampling techniques being utilized. The population of the study was made up of eighteen 18 participants, which comprised of six 6 previously incarcerated individuals, and ten 10 selected community members. The latter included ordinary people within the community, selected because they represent the community and societal attitudes to previously incarcerated individuals within their society. The two 2 key informants (Probation Officers) were selected on the basis of their understanding of offender reintegration, families and society. The data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings: i. Trust deficits characterized the relations between previously incarcerated individuals and the society; ii. Previously incarcerated individuals were labelled and often called thieves and criminals; iii. Poor socio-economic conditions structural conditions and systemic issues trigger previously incarcerated individual’s recidivism; iv). Previously incarcerated individuals resorted to criminal and corrupt practices for an income; v. Criminal record proved to be a stumbling block in the previously incarcerated individuals’ employment opportunities; vi. Previously incarcerated individuals obtained employment through familial connections and being self-employed; v. Community attitudes ran counter to previously incarcerated individuals’ rehabilitation and reintegration efforts; vi. The community dissuaded previously incarcerated individual’s reintegration; and vii). Integrated state intervention was recommended as a sure way to bolster effective reintegration of previously incarcerated individuals to their community. The following recommendations emerge from the study The need for additional recruitment of a variety of disciplines to work with the Department of Correctional Services to ease the reintegration process of previously incarcerated individuals Using stakeholders’ synergy to expedite previously incarcerated individual’s reintegration Community stakeholders holding awareness sessions on offender reintegration amongst communities and expediting victim- offender-family rehabilitation. The researcher hopes that the accomplishment of objectives will aid the government and the pertinent stakeholders in fighting the negative attitudes that hinder the success of previously incarcerated individual’s reintegration. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-06

Critical discourse analysis of election campaigns in Zimbabwe with specific reference to 2008 and 2013 election periods

  • Authors: Mugomba Moreen
  • Date: 2020-05
  • Subjects: Critical discourse analysis , Political manifestos -- Zimbabwe , Communication in politics
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22083 , vital:51982
  • Description: Elections are a key aspect in all communities and in Zimbabwe they are held after every 5 years. Election candidates’ speeches. Linguistic manipulation is an influential instrument in politics and as such presidential candidates’ electioneering discourse is infested with persuasive linguistic elements. Therefore, this study analysed the generic structure of hard news and editorials as well as political manifestos. The nature of linguistic devices invoked for the enactment of political goals and objectives by Zimbabwean newspaper reports in English and Shona were analysed. The study looked at how presidential candidates express themselves to the electorate through language as well. The study demonstrated how newspaper reporters make linguistic choices to express similar content from contending politicians during election time. The study took a qualitative research methodology. Tools used to collect data were interviews and document analysis. Ten newspaper reporters were interviewed for their extensive knowledge of media situations. The newspaper articles which were based on political manifestos by two of the contending political parties, the MDC and ZANU PF were analysed. Systemic Functional Linguistics and Critical Discourse Analysis were used as theories of analysis. Findings from the study revealed the existence of certain linguistic devices that are used in the art of persuasion, as candidates campaign for political posts. Characteristic linguistic devices were observed in journalists’ reports. These devices include modals, verbs, pronouns, metaphors, repetition, anaphora as well as the use of “us and them” in both the speeches and news reports in English and Shona. The analysis showed a discrepancy between state and independent media as far as news representation of election events is concerned. It is recommended in this study that, there must be a balance in the presentation of politics in newspapers even if there is personal bias in linguistic choice on the part of individual journalists. A transition model into electioneering reporting came up. The proposed model looks into issues of cohesion in news reports. The study has contributed further insights into the nature, features and functions of political discourse. discourse is paramount in society and as elections are held, several persuasive elements and occasions come into play as contesting candidates try to garner votes. Election discourse is realised in the aspiring , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-05

Abandoned buildings as breeding ground for criminal activities: a case study of Libode Town under Nyandeni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Baliwe, Mthuthuzeli Christopher
  • Date: 2020-02
  • Subjects: Abandoned buildings , Crime -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19215 , vital:43032
  • Description: Buildings and houses are neglected by their owners/ government for different reasons, but money tends to be the leading reason in most instances. That then needs minds to work hand in hand; owners of the buildings must co-partner with the government to reduce the crisis by ensuring that there are no abandoned buildings in the community as these have proved to be breeding ground for criminal activities. The study was conducted in Libode town, which is under Nyandeni Local municipality in the Eastern Cape. Around Libode town there are abandoned buildings that have not been used for years. In most cases criminals use these for their criminal activities and hide outs from the law. There have been multiple cases reported about crimes committed inside and around these buildings, and still no intervention from the local government has been instituted. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of abandoned buildings on criminal activities in Libode Town. The study used a qualitative design in data collection and in describing the results. A sample of 8 key informants, 10 members from Qhankqu and 10 members from Belmond Township formed participants of the study. These were selected using the Snowball sampling method. In-depth / one on one interviews were used to collect data from key informants and focus group interviews were used to interview two groups, one from Belmond and the other from Qhankqu. Data were analysed and drafted using thematic analysis and transcription. Interviews were recorded and notes were taken to collect data. Findings indicate that indeed abandoned buildings are the source of so many criminal activities as it was explained by the researcher that youth hangs on these buildings and formulate gangs. These gangs are utilised by drug dealers to distribute their merchandise. Findings also explained that these buildings are located on places which are dangerous and it motivates wrongdoers to even carry on their doings. Findings indicated that lack of attention to these buildings by the government and the relevant owners was the main factor that led criminals to utilise abandoned buildings for their wrongdoings. Findings further showed that the government failed to ensure that these buildings are checked at least twice a month in order to keep control on these buildings, causing criminals to target the abandoned buildings. The study recommends that SAPS and Nyandeni local municipality draft Laws/ restrictions for the use of these buildings so that if anyone wants to use these buildings they must follow these laws and restrictions, which will help to restrict criminal elements from using these buildings without permission. To solve the problem of criminals taking advantage of abandoned buildings, the study recommends, the buildings should be either destroyed or fixed. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-02

Eastern Cape students’ barriers to well-being and academic success in higher education: A photovoice study

  • Authors: Dilley, Jessica
  • Date: 2020-02
  • Subjects: Education, Higher , Educational change -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20949 , vital:46862
  • Description: The contemporary educational landscape in South Africa is characterised by prevailing inequities and disparities within higher education institutions and poor academic achievement. Although participation in higher education has increased over time, many students do not complete their courses within the required time and a high proportion of students continue to drop out, with few students progressing to postgraduate level. Majority of students who do not complete their courses are poor. Many students are faced with a number of barriers that stand in the way of academic success and, ultimately, graduation. However, through agency students often draw from a range of supports to promote their well-being and academic success. This study aims to balance the literature by investigating not only the barriers, but also the supports to success in university. This study addresses the notion that students from historically black universities are underrepresented in the literature. The current study explored Eastern Cape students’ barriers and supports to success within higher education. Five undergraduate female students participated in focus groups, which incorporated photovoice, adding to the participative nature of the research methodology. Focus group data were subjected to thematic analysis, informed by social constructionist theory. Three themes were prevalent: barriers within higher education, coping strategies positioned on a continuum and supports in higher education. Descriptions revealed that barriers and supports are reinforced by prevailing discourses, which are critiqued and/or used for the benefit of the students’ well-being. Barriers were limiting, yet also sites for personal growth and agency, whilst the engagement with supports was mediated predominantly by the intersection of social categories (race, gender, socio-economic status) occupied by students. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020-02

Exploring the performance of four and five-year-old rural children on two and three-dimensional cognitive test items within the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality

  • Authors: Sohena, Kholwani Bulelwa (https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-6451-0446)
  • Date: 2020-02
  • Subjects: Creative thinking , Cognition
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21178 , vital:47384
  • Description: Digital assessment, in particular tablet-based assessment, is on the rise and holds favourable prospects, especially for the rural South African context. However, the use of two-dimensional test items, such as pictures or patterns, has been found to lead to test bias in rural African settings, where such formats are unfamiliar. Little is known whether this would also be the case for two-dimensional tablet-based items. Therefore, this study investigated four and five-year-old rural isiXhosa-speaking children’s performance on two-dimensional tablet-based items compared with three-dimensional replicas of the tablet-based items. A total of sixty-three children were assessed and the data collected through the two test modes was statistically analysed according to the objectives of the study using the statistical package for the social science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics were employed by computing frequencies to determine the total sample’s performance on the two-dimensional tablet-based items as well as the three-dimensional items. Furthermore, a cross tabulation, followed by a chi-square analysis was done to examine the association between the children’s performance and the two test modes. The findings indicate a similar performance for the sample on both test formats with a slightly stronger performance by the sample on tablet-based items. More than just dimensionality was found to influence test performance in this study. Overall tablet-based assessment seems to be a promising tool for assessing children’s cognitive development in the rural South African context. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Psychology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2020-02

Exploring young children’s tablet-based cognitive assessment within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality: a case study approach.

  • Authors: Mdyogolo, Thandokazi
  • Date: 2020-02
  • Subjects: Human-computer interaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21070 , vital:46947
  • Description: The adaptation and development of tablet-based measures are on the rise and hold promising prospects particularly for the rural South African context. However, limited research has been done on tablet-based assessment and whether it can be applied to the psychological assessment of the rural isiXhosa speaking children. For this reason the purpose of the study was to explore and describe how South African rural isiXhosa speaking children respond to a set of newly developed tablet-based items. By gathering information of this kind, the study hopes to inform and contribute to a larger national project concerned with the development of a tablet-based cognitive measure for isiXhosa speaking children. A multiple-case study design was utilized in a qualitative research paradigm. The data was collected amongst ten isiXhosa speaking children between the ages of 4 years and 5 years. The qualitative data was thematically analysed and Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) model for assessing the trustworthiness of qualitative data was applied. Findings indicate that tablet-based assessment holds promising prospects for the cognitive assessment of isiXhosa speaking children. However a number of factors were identified that influenced the rural isiXhosa speaking children’s performance on the tablet-based cognitive items. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Psychology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2020-02

Access to social grants information by the Balfour Village elderly population in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Faku, Andile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Information services Information resources
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18096 , vital:42231
  • Description: This study sought to investigate the access to information about social grants by the elderly population of Balfour village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in SA’s Eastern Cape Province. A study on access to information is quite relevant in the knowledge-based economies. People act when they have information and similarly elderly people require information in order to access their grants. This study is quite relevant in the Library and Information Science field. The targeted population for the study were the elderly people of the Balfour village. The qualitative research approach was used in this study. The researcher selected a sample for the study using snowballsampling procedure. Both in-depth interviews and questionnaires were employed as methods of gathering data and thematic analysis of data was used. Results showed that there is a lack of information dissemination and access to information about social grants for elderly people living in Balfour. The study found out that elderly people in Balfour complained that, in most cases, they were not sure about the documents they were supposed to bring with them when they visited the South African Social Security Agency offices. This indicates the need for SASSA to train their staff members to be customer orientated and encourage staff to empower themselves with formal educational qualifications. In addition, the distance to and from SASSA offices is of great concern because elderly people spend significant amounts of money for travelling these distances. Therefore, there must be an office that is situated in a favourable distance to the elderly so that they do not struggle when they want to reach SASSA offices. Another option would be to avail a mobile office that may serve the area two or three times a week.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

An analysis of crime trends at University of Fort Hare, Alice campus: Ten years (2008-2018) projection case studies

  • Authors: Giyama, Mlungisi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-9447
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Criminal statistics , Victims of crimes surveys
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28584 , vital:74447
  • Description: This research has concerted on the trend of crimes committed at University Fort Hare over past ten years. The previous conducted researches show several forms of crimes committed at different higher learning institutions and some crime are even cited happening in South Africa. The problem is Incompetence of University of Fort Hare security guards, which are responsible to prevent the occurrence of crime at the Alice campus. The university have scarcity of programmes that intends to inform students and staff members on how to protect themselves when there is crime threat. University of Fort Hare has unlimited access by community members. The knowledge gap on crimes committed at higher leaning is unexplained psychological such as depression and stress experienced by perpetrators. Secondly, there is lack of studies focused on the discussion about importance of criminal background check of prospective students. The unavailability of electronics that scans dangerous weapons such as knife (okapi) result to crimes such as murder at University of Fort Hare. The problem of abusing alcohol and other drugs by students result to rapes when students are drunk or high. The study aims to evaluate the trend in crimes that occurred from July 2008 to August 2018 at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. The objective is to find out types of crimes that occur quarterly at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. To discover the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus and to find strategies introduced by the university to address crimes that are committed at University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The study has adopted qualitative research method and exploratory research design. The questions to be asked include what types of crimes occur at University of Fort Hare Alice Campus and how is the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus? The researcher found out that crimes occurring at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus has changed to new forms of crimes such as murder, looting of shops, slaughtering cattle, deformation of character on social media, bribery for academic admission, arson of buildings, stealing of university property, rapes and sexual assaults meanwhile these crimes were not prominent before 2008. The researcher discovered that students are the ones mostly affected by crimes that happened at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus in 2015, 2016 and 2018 thereafter followed staff members. Most people who are victims of crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus arrived between 2014 and 2016. The study indicates that fewer security officers and lack of security equipment such as communicating radios cause crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus. Cases reported to the security office takes a long time to conclude. Dark parts at the campus are found to cause some of crimes at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The significant of conducting this study, will help University of Fort Hare develop better policies regarding crimes on campus. The researcher also wanted to support the consistency of trying to find out a solution for university crime. It is recommended that University of Fort Hare management needs to hire more guards to make sure that each residence and building has a guard. During events at Alice campus that includes people from outside, there must be police and event’s organisers need to present security plan when they are requesting university facilities to ensure the safeness of staff members and students. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2020

An audience perception of pentecostal churches’ television programmes on star times and dstv in lagos, Nigeria

  • Authors: Olaoye, Adewale Titus
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Religious broadcasting -- Christianity Television in religion Mass media in religion
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Communication)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11418 , vital:39070
  • Description: Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are leveraging traditional and new media technologies such as cable or digital satellite television, to broadcast services and programmes to their regular and a growing community of virtual worshippers. Critics of this type of religious outreach now known as televangelism have challenged its predominant, if not exclusive focus on miracle and prosperity message. Using the mixed-method research design involving focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a survey of 255 respondents, this study sought to ascertain Lagos audiences‘ perceptions of Pentecostal Television programmes on two satellite stations, Start Times and DSTV. The findings revealed that audience members perceive Pentecostal churches programme as primarily focused on converting the audience members to the Christian faith. The result revealed that miracle sessions are a common feature of televangelism. Respondents see the miracles as manipulations largely intended to woo and often, hoodwink audience members. The findings revealed that although some of the Pentecostal churches‘ programmes dwell more on the word of God compared to the mainline churches, the programmes and teachings, however, often tended to promote the leadership of the church and not the gospel of Christ. Generally, the study indicates the majority of the audience members are aware of and identify with the atrocities the Pentecostal Churches are accused of perpetrating through their TV programmes. The findings revealed poor awareness and knowledge about the role of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The results suggest participants do not believe the NBC is living up to its responsibilities. The findings of this study highlight the need for the NBC, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to work together in formulating new regulations for controlling religious broadcast on television, Pentecostal TV broadcasts, in particular. This is the only way to safeguard vulnerable members of the audience from being manipulated and brainwashed.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Analysis of the contribution of socio-economic factors on poor academic performance of grade 12 learners: the case of Butterworth education district, Eastern Cape Province South Africa

  • Authors: Lubisi, Anathi
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Performance standards -- South Africa Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Sociology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18141 , vital:42236
  • Description: The drive of this research project was to discover factors contributing to the poor academic performance of Grade 12 learners at two selected schools in the Butterworth Education District, Eastern Cape province South Africa. The participants were Grade 12 learners, Grade 12 teachers and parents of Grade 12 learners in both schools. Both schools are located in rural areas of Mnquma municipality under the Butterworth education district. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The motivation behind using triangulation was to decrease or offset the deficiency of a specific methodology and for deeper understanding of the discoveries of the study. Use of triangulation in this study was aimed at expanding the legitimacy, dependability and generalizability of the results of the study. The findings of the study revealed that the most determining factor that contributes to the poor academic performance of Grade 12 learners in the Butterworth Education District is the unavailability and inadequacy of instructional resources. This is the most critical school resource which the parents cannot afford to buy for their children. Both teachers and Grade 12 learners indicated that they do not have a school library or a community library. The majority of learners also indicated that they do not have enough textbooks in all subjects and their parents concurred that their children end up sharing textbooks with their peers. Furthermore, the three groups of participants agreed that learners do not have access to computers, and the school does not have a science lab for Grade 12 learners doing science. The core argument of this study is that a poor socio-economic background is a primary contributor to low academic performance of Grade 12 learners at the Butterworth Education District. The findings of this study support this thesis as they indicate that instructional resources are inadequate, a school or community library is vii non-existent, and there is not enough textbooks at the selected schools. With parents from low socio-economic background, the Butterworth community is also not in a position to supplement these insufficient instructional resources. This study utilized the cultural reproduction theory of Bourdieu (1977) to explore a system of education in industrialized communities and the way it works to illuminate class differences in academic performance and achievement of Grade 12 learners. The study made recommendations that should be put in place to improve the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in the Butterworth Education District. The most important of these recommendations is that government officials should provide educational resources (teaching and learning resources). Furthermore, the researcher suggest that for further research, it would be interesting to find out about learners that perform well, regardless of identified factors that cause other learners to perform poorly to help them improve their academic performance.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Binge drinking: challenges faced by high school youth in Bonxa village, Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Ntshingose, Unathi
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Binge drinking Alcoholism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Master , MSW
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18245 , vital:42245
  • Description: This study explored ‘’Binge drinking: challenges faced by high school youth in Bonxa village in Ntabankulu in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa’’. The study sought to achieve the following specific objectives; to determine factors that lead to binge drinking among high school youth, to examine the high school youth perceptions of binge drinking on their school performance and to establish gaps inherent in the laws and policies that governs alcohol consumption among the youth in South Africa. The study was premised on the theoretical lens of alcohol myopic theory by Steele and Josephs. Methodologically, the study used the qualitative approach. It also adopted exploratory and descriptive types of research design, and the case study as a specific study design. Data was gathered through in-depth one-on-one interviews, complimented by focus group discussions and key informant interviews data collection methods. Non-probability sampling was employed in selecting the study sample, which was done through both snowballing and purposive sampling techniques. This study used a sample of Thirty five (35) participants; six (6) parents, thirteen (17) school going youth, four (4) social workers, five (5) teachers and three (3) police officers who came in as key informants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data since the study itself was qualitative. The findings of the study revealed the following issues as causal factors of binge drinking among high school youth; psychological deficit, dysfunctional families, negative role modelling, discrimination by teachers, cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, fear of rejection, poor socio-economic conditions and cultural rituals. The findings discovered gaps in policy formulation; although the country has laws governing alcohol consumption, there seems to be less monitoring in rural areas, as taverns operate without licensing. Further, awareness campaigns through advertisement in the media on the dangers of alcohol, as well as educational campaigns at schools are needed. Based on the evidence gathered in this study, the following recommendations are made; the need for deliberate programs to help youth who have binge drinking problems, stronger policy iv formulation, and strengthening of social worker services in order to address and alleviate the problem of binge drinking.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Digitization as a strategy for preservation of and access to private collections in the Eastern Cape: a case study of National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre and International Library of African Music

  • Authors: Tyali, Lungisani
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Preservation Digitization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Library and Information Science)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18302 , vital:42250
  • Description: The aim of the study was to investigate digitization as a strategy for the preservation and access to private collections in Eastern Cape covering National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS) at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Grahamstown. The objectives of the study were: to find out the types of artefacts digitized at NAHECS and ILAM; to describe the available infrastructure for the digitization of collections at NAHECS and ILAM; to determine the impact of digitization on the preservation of and access to digitized materials; to find out the extent to which digitization programme at NAHECS and ILAM comply with the relevant legal and regulated framework, and to investigate challenges to the current digitization programmes at NAHECS and ILAM. The study used a purposive non-probability sampling technique to select the participants. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Qualitative data collected was analysed using thematic analysis while quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPSS software using frequencies, pie charts, bar charts and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there are different challenges faced by both institutions (that is, ILAM and NAHECS). Some of the challenges faced by ILAM include inadequate funds for supporting the digitalizing project/ programme, inadequate staff and poor infrastructure. The finding has shown that the majority of respondents’ indicated that NAHECS has available knowledge of infrastructures such as Meta Data and Audio for the digitization of collections while all respondents confirmed that ILAM has the various distribution of available instrument for digitization and these include Meta Data, Video Tapes and Audio. iv The study recommends that proper necessary access to the digitized documents should be made available through Africa Media Online (AMO) so that all the interested users can search for digitized materials.
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  • Date Issued: 2020
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