Mature South African students’ perceptions of their transition experiences into and from university education
- Authors: Zietsman, Louis Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult college students -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Continuing education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36126 , vital:33896
- Description: Mature students and their experience of tertiary education is an area of career psychology in which there is currently a lack of research. In particular, little published data related to the transition experience of mature students into and from tertiary education is available internationally and there is even less literature examining these students within the African and South African context. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge as it explores the perceptions of previously employed final year South African students on their transition experience into and from tertiary education. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants. All participants were considered to be mature students in their final year of university study. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The data obtained was subjected to thematic content analysis using Tesch‟s model. Lincoln and Guba‟s model was used to assess the trustworthiness of the data obtained. The findings revealed several factors influencing mature students‟ entry or re-entry into tertiary education. Participants‟ experience of tertiary education was enriching on both a personal/career level and participants were confident in their abilities. Furthermore, it was found that transition towards a new career starts during their tertiary study and that relying on experiences of their previous job aided them in their transition from tertiary education to new career. Limitations of the study, recommendations for further research and contributions of the research were identified.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Media monitoring as a measurement tool in government communication within the Eastern Cape Province: a case study of the office of the premier
- Authors: Petela, Ayanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mass media -- South Africa , Communication in politics Communication -- South Africa Information services -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23219 , vital:30462
- Description: Media monitoring is an important aspect of the government communication process because through it the communications practitioner is able to identify issues and trends which may affect the organisation. The study explores media monitoring as a government communication tool. This research aims to analyse the media monitoring practices of the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier and, determine how the media monitoring reports are utilised. In the Eastern Cape, the Office of the Premier’s Provincial Communications Unit takes the lead in conducting media monitoring for all the provincial government departments, as part of its oversight role. Employing qualitative data collection methods, the study was able to examine and dissect the media monitoring activities of the Office of the Premier, out of which emerged rich data. Data was classified according to themes and recommendations were made towards improving of media monitoring and analysis for the provincial communications unit responsible for media monitoring in the Office of the Premier.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Midwives’ knowledge of the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach in healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District
- Authors: Jonkers, Roselien
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- Health and hygiene , Hospitals -- Maternity services -- South Africa Maternal health services Midwifery -- South Africa Primary health care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30562 , vital:30961
- Description: In South Africa, the main causes of maternal and neonatal deaths are related to challenges of the healthcare system. Quality antenatal care is an essential component in the fight against maternal and neonatal deaths. Hence, South Africa introduced the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach to augment the existing antenatal care system. However, BANC does not appear to be operating optimally throughout the country. Healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District do not appear to be utilising it effectively. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge of midwives of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities of the Central Karoo District. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used to explore and describe midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach in healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. For the purposes of this study the researcher used a census approach (all-inclusive sampling) since the population was small. All midwives working in Central Karoo District healthcare facilities, who met the inclusion criteria, were asked to participate in the study. There were a total of 71 midwives, and 16 healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo District. The sample was drawn from 10 healthcare facilities and four hospitals that were implementing BANC services. Altogether 54 midwives participated in the study. The midwives’ knowledge of the BANC approach was tested through a questionnaire. To enhance reliability, the researcher made use of a pilot study to eliminate unclear items, and to moderate the degree of difficulty of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was piloted on seven midwives in order to ensure that the data collection instrument was reliable and valid. The following ethical considerations, based on the Belmont Report, were followed throughout the research process: beneficence, justice and respect for persons. The majority of antenatal care is delivered by midwives at the primary healthcare facilities. It is thus critical that midwives have the required knowledge to function independently without the support of a doctor, and are able to refer to the next level iii of care when required. Such knowledge may lead to an early detection of abnormal clinical signs which could in turn improve the pregnancy outcome of pregnant women. This study suggests that the provision of BANC services to pregnant women may not be correctly implemented because many midwives’ appear to lack knowledge of certain aspects of the BANC approach. Based on the study’s results it was evident that there is a need for BANC training to be conducted and monitored at the health facilities in the Central Karoo.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Moral individualism in South African emerging adults
- Authors: Geddie, Alison Sarah
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Moral development -- South Africa , Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects Business ethics -- South Africa Young adults -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22145 , vital:29854
- Description: The intention of this study was to explore moral individualism in South African emerging adults. This was done by examining emerging adults’ ability to identify moral issue, the propensity for moral individualism among emerging adults, identifying moral individualism’s impact on emerging adult’s moral judgments of others and exploring future implications of moral individualism for organisations. This was a qualitative study and data was obtained by conducting focus group discussions. Four focus groups of five to seven people were conducted. Twenty participants participated in total and these groups were conducted until data saturation was reached. These focus groups consisted of prospective professionals studying towards a qualification. There individuals were between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three. Data collected from these focus groups was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study suggest that, although participants exhibit elements of moral individualism, many of their views, specifically views on moral judgements of others, do not align with the framework presented by moral individualism. This suggests that although individual moral frameworks play a role in how individuals interact with organisations, this is not done from a moral individualist frame work.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Perceived organisational support and well-being: the mediating effect of psychological capital
- Authors: Roemer, Anja
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Positive psychology , Psychology, Applied Organizational behavior Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23283 , vital:30513
- Description: The field of Positive Psychology focuses on the strengths and positive capacities of human beings and investigates how mental well-being can be actively enhanced. Analysis of those factors influencing employee well-being constitutes a valuable approach for research purposes. Based on the Job Demands-Resources Theory and the Conservation of Resources Theory, it was assumed that Perceived Organisational Support (POS) and the higher-order construct of Psychological Capital (PsyCap), consisting of the facets of self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience, are all resources that can contribute to a sense of greater well-being for employees. It was proposed that POS fuels the capacity of PsyCap, which can then result in an accumulation of resources leading to enhanced well-being. It was therefore hypothesised that the positive capacity of PsyCap would mediate the relationship between POS and well-being. A non-experimental, cross-sectional design using convenience and snowball sampling via personal contacts and social media was utilised. A research sample of 159 South African participants who completed an online survey was thus recruited. The respective constructs were assessed by means of the Survey of Perceived Organisational Support (SPOS), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). All measures revealed excellent reliability. The SPOS and the WEMWBS were found to be valid after minor construct modifications had been made. The four-factor structure of the PCQ-24 could not be validated due to high inter-correlations between the subscales. Each subscale, however, was shown to be valid. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that POS, PsyCap and well-being are positively correlated with each other. Hierarchical regression analyses, structural equation modelling, and bootstrapping revealed that PsyCap fully mediates the relationship between POS and well-being. This implies that organisations can contribute to a greater sense of well-being in their employees by systematically enhancing their PsyCap through the offer of support structures.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Perceptions of the long-term influence of an imago getting the love you want couples workshop on relationship satisfaction
- Authors: Webber, Lyndsay
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Couples -- Psychology , Love -- Problems, exercises, etc. Man-woman relationships -- Problems, exercises, etc. , Imago relationship therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35863 , vital:33854
- Description: Through the facilitation of semi-structured interviews, the primary aim of this study was to explore and describe couples’ experience of an imago getting the love you want (GTLYW) workshop and their perceptions of its long-term influence on relationship satisfaction three years post-workshop. in order to achieve this research aim, an interpretive paradigm, with a qualitative exploratory-descriptive approach and design, was selected. non-probability purposive sampling was utilised to select participants, and braun and clarke’s (2006) six-stage model of thematic analysis was employed to analyse transcripts, with the use of lincoln and guba’s (1985) model of trustworthiness to verify the findings. the findings indicate that the GTLYW workshop does produce positive results that include long-term improvements in romantic relationships. main themes that emerged include: participants’ experience of the workshop, participants’ description of the influence of the workshop, influence on other relationships, and perceived long-term impact.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Perpetrators’ perspective of the psychological factors contributing to racially-motivated hate crimes in South Africa
- Authors: Heyneke, Wilmie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Hate crimes -- South Africa , Racism -- South Africa Violence -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30072 , vital:30817
- Description: This study set out to explore and understand racially-motivated hate crimes from the psychological and emotional standpoint of the individual who perpetrated them. The focus on the perpetrator was essential given that most research conducted on hate crimes have honed in on the elements concerning the victims. By virtue of its focus, the study offered a perpetrator’s perspective, providing a more holistic understanding of hate crimes in South Africa. Such information could be used to develop violence interventions in order to help prevent future hate crimes. A qualitative research design was used and constructionist grounded theory employed as the research tool. The sample consisted of five individuals currently imprisoned in the Eastern Cape. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and journal entries. Supportive data was obtained from official prison documents. The findings from this study guided the formulation of the frustration deconstruction theory (FDT), the theory generated in this study. FDT indicates that the link between historically and socially constructed negative racial cognition and emotion may find expression through violence, which can be labelled as hate crimes. Interventions aimed at deconstructing the motives that underpin hate can result in positive behaviour. The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the nuances that define and characterise the perpetrators of racially-motivated hate crimes in the South African context. The research is a valuable contribution to the field of hate crimes as it provides evidence of the psychological and emotional underpinning of hate crimes.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Physical fitness profile of primary schoolchildren from lower socio-economic communities in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Smith, Danielle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Physical fitness , Exercise -- Physiological aspects Sports -- Psychological aspects Malnutrition -- Physiological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35491 , vital:33740
- Description: The aim of this study was to measure the physical fitness status of primary schoolchildren from lower socio-economic areas in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A total of 915 schoolchildren (n=462 boys and n=453 girls), aged 8-to-11-years from eight government schools participated in this study. These included four schools from the Northern Areas (previously reserved for Coloured individuals) and four schools from the Township Areas (previously reserved for Black African individuals). Measurements included weight, height, skinfolds, sit-and-reach, grip strength, standing broad jump and the 20 m shuttle run test. Results showed that girls had higher body fat percentage values than boys (p<.0005). Children of Black African ethnicity were taller and heavier (p<.0005), with higher body fat percentages and body mass index results (p<.0005) than Coloured children (excluding the 8-year-old age group). Children attending Northern Areas schools presented with higher frequencies of underweight, stunting and thinness (p<.0005), than children from Township Area schools who presented with a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (p<.0005). In relation to physical fitness, boys presented with higher values (p<.0005) for all components, except for flexibility; in which girls performed better (p<.0005). The composite fitness score revealed that boys, Black African children and children from Township Area schools performed better (p<.0005) than Coloured children and children attending Northern Area schools, respectively. Furthermore, children categorised as overweight and obese presented with lower VO2max values than their thin and normal weight peers. Overall, findings revealed that the physical fitness status of children from these disadvantaged areas were not satisfactory. In addition, distinct geographical and ethnic differences were identified.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Plight of small-scale citrus farmers in Ngqushwa and Addo, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mdingi, Chulumanco
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Peddie , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22714 , vital:30066
- Description: During colonial and Apartheid regimes, blacks were limited to only being subsistence and labourers of white commercial farmers, and this contributed to inequality between the two race groups. White commercial farmers were significantly supported by the previous regimes through research, finance and machinery. However, the new government has proven to have failed in properly coordinated support programmes to small-scale black farmers leading into compromised livelihoods and vulnerability. This is a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews for data gathering with nine small-scale citrus farmers from Ngqushwa and Addo. The key findings of the study showed that small-scale citrus farmers have difficulty with accessing finance for expansion. These farmers have no other sources of income; they solely depend on the sale of their produce to make a living. Access to land still remains a challenge, thus limiting their aspirations of expansion. Access to lucrative markets is dependent on forming relationships with established white marketing and export agencies. The government programmes that some of these farmers took part in left them vulnerable due to the abrupt stopping of the rollout before the stipulated term ended. The poor coordination of the limited support that relevant institutions provide has emerged as a key factor that threatens the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Portfolio of original compositions
- Authors: Nabal, Ruhan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Composition (Music) , Music -- South Africa , Piano music , Marimba music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45569 , vital:38671
- Description: This Orchestral Suite was inspired by the art illustrations fromBrian Froud’s book ‘Good Faeries Bad Faeries’, where each piece in the suite represents a drawing from his book, portraying three good faeries and three bad and is in many ways a tone poem. Each piece calls for different orchestration to create individual colour to make each piece unique. Permission was not consented to include the drawings. The line-up is as follows: I. Waters of Wisdom – Overture to the faerie realm (good) II. The Thoughts of the Melancholic Faerie – She contemplates of past and present (bad) III. A Banshee Passing – the idea of death as coming unknowingly and going quietly (bad) IV. Introduction to Faerie Lilu – clearing the mist V. The Faerie Lilu – the provocateur of restlessness – she inspires wild dreams, lost fantasies and gives artists their sparks of genius (bad) VI. A Cluster of Hedgerow Pixies – They are very mischievous – in a (good) way. VII. The Dance of the Oboe Faerie – a Finale (good). While he dances, he also sings of the faerie realm. A number of composers inspired me to pursue such a work, and firstly G. Holst has left his mark on me. The first and sixth movement was inspired by the ‘Planets’. The fifth movement is actually in homage to the French composer Frank Martin with the composition ‘Petite symphonie’ where he displays the piano and harpsichord – as I have done. The second and third movements are attempts to portray film music, such as composers H. Zimmerman and D.Elfman. The last movement has many neo-classical elements displayed and I. Stravinsky had a notable influence on this piece. All the composers mentioned here have contributed in more than one piece at some point in time. The theme of the work, the magical theme, always makes me reminisce my childhood where I would in amazement wonder about my grandmothers glorious garden in search of all that is magical, and composing this took me back to that time of innocent, child-like wonder
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- Date Issued: 2018
Problems of competence and equivalence in the translation of Sesotho home language workbooks for the intermediate phase in the Department of Basic Education
- Authors: Hlapisi, Kefuoe Cricolia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sotho language -- Study and teaching (Primary) Sotho language --Grammar Sotho language
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22321 , vital:29943
- Description: The objective of this research is to investigate the problems of competence and equivalence in the translation of Sesotho Home Language (SHL) workbooks for the Intermediate Phase in the South African Department of Basic Education (SADBE). Their main objective is to develop leaners’ language skills. These workbooks were originally in English Home Language and were translated into SHL. However, the flouting of Sesotho language grammatical rules, errors and mistakes in these SHL workbooks are failing to fulfil the main objective of “language skills development”. This study uses the qualitative research method and has done a random collection of data from Terms 1 and 2, all referred to as Book 1. The random collection is meant to enhance the reliability and validity of the data that is further enhanced by an analysis of similar data collected from each Book 1 of Grades 4 to 6. Some of the findings include language errors and mistakes that include the use of a foreign language, non-equivalence between the source language and the target language, failure to understand the context in which lexical items are used and evidence of linguistic incompetence in Sesotho. Suggestions are made on how to improve this situation in order to fulfill the objectives that are envisaged by the SADBE. KAKARETSO Sepheo sa dipatlisiso tsena ke ho etsa diphuputso tse tebileng ka boiphihlelo ba ho fana ka phetolelo ya dibuka tsa tshebetso tsa Puo ya Lapeng ya Sesotho (PLS) le ho fana ka moelelo o tshwanang wa phetolelo Mokgahlelong wa ba Hare, Lefapheng la Thuto ya Motheo Afrika la Borwa (LTMA). Sepheo sa tsona se ka sehlohong ke ho ntlafatsa bokgoni ba baithuti puong. Dibuka tsena sethathong di ne di ngotswe ka Puo ya Sekgowa ya Lapeng mme tsa fetolelwa ho PLS. Leha ho le jwalo, ho kwekwetla melao ya kerama ya Sesotho le diphoso tse dibukeng tsena tsa tshebetso tsa PLS di entse hore di hlolehe ho phethahatsa morero wa ho “ntlafatsa bokgoni ba ntlafatso ya puo”. Thuto ena ya dipatlisiso e sebedisitse dipatlisiso tse sebetsang ka boleng mme ho bile ho sebedisitswe le pokeletso ya dintlha ka mokgwa o sa lateleng tsela e ikgethileng dibukeng tsa Kotara ya 1 le Tsohle di tsebahaditswe e le Buka ya Kgetho ena ya dintlha ka mokgwa o sa lateleng tsela e ikgethileng, e etseditswe ho matlafatsa botshepehi le bonnete ba dintlha mme ya boela ya matlafatswa ke tshekatsheko ya dintlha tse tshwanang tse bokeletsweng Bukeng ka nngwe ya 1 Kereiting ya. ho isa ho Tse ding tsa tse fumanehileng dipatlisisong di kenyeletsa diphoso tse amang tshebediso ya pou ya baditjhaba, ho fapana ha moelelo pakeng tsa puo e fetolelwang le eo ho fetolelwang ho yona, ho hloka bokgoni ba kutlwisiso ya boemo boo mantswe a sebedisitsweng ho bona le bopaki ba tlhokeho ya bokgoni ba kutlwisiso e tebileng ya puo ya Sesotho. Ditlhahiso di entswe ka moo ho ka ntlafatswang maemo ana e le ho phethahatsa sepheo se neng se reruwe ke LTMA.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Public employment services in the Department of Labour
- Authors: Pupuma, Taba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public service employment -- South Africa , Employee-management relations in government -- South Africa Unemployment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22990 , vital:30290
- Description: Employment and unemployment levels and trends are crucial in assisting any government to track the performance of its economy and measure the level of success of its macroeconomic strategies. Studies conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have placed South Africa amongst the countries that have the highest levels of unemployment in the world and reports by Statistics South Africa indicate an increase in unemployment levels every year. The Department of Labour’s (DoL) mandate is driven by the overall Government Service Delivery Outcome, which talks about improving the quality and accessibility of labour market services to contribute to decent employment through inclusive growth. This research study was prompted by the fact that the South African Government, in its pursuit to fight unemployment through the DoL, has established Public Employment Services (PES). This is ‘Programme 3’ of the Department of Labour. The primary function of the Public Employment Services directorate in the DoL is to register unemployed and under-employed employment seekers with the aim of integrating them into the labour market. The service equips the employment seekers registered on the DoL Employment Services of South Africa data base with employment counselling and matches them with opportunities brought to the DoL by employers. The aim of the research was to investigate the role of Public Employment Services programmes at the DoL in alleviating unemployment by guiding employment seekers registered on the department’s employment services of South Africa (ESSA) database to secure employment. The research adopted an interpretivist paradigm as it aimed to investigate the reality and understand it within its context. It uncovered the context of the reality associated with the research by closely perusing data from three regional offices in the Gauteng Provincial Office with specific reference to the City of Tshwane. The study utilised document analysis and a desktop review of existing secondary data relating to the implementation of PES in the DoL. This included relevant and available information in the form of books, academic journals, policy documents, legislation, annual performance reports, strategic plans, media reports, minutes of PES branch meetings and PES Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The study uncovered a number of challenges that prevented PES programmes from fully achieving their intended goal of alleviating unemployment, particularly in the study area of Tshwane. These include information and communications technology (ICT) challenges, human resource limitations, non-alignment with legislation, non-uniformity in following the SOPs, lack of commitment by the DoL to market the service in order to attract employers to use it to source employees. The research revealed that PES has the potential to alleviate unemployment. The DoL needs to focus on the system and on devising strategies to fix the ICT as a top priority, as most of the challenges noted in PES stem from the poor performance of the system.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Self-esteem and traumatic stress severity in individuals from individualists and collectivists’ perspectives
- Authors: Singh, Romisha
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder , Self-esteem Self-esteem -- Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23186 , vital:30451
- Description: It is evident that traumatic stress influences cultures differently but how this happens is still unclear. It may be assumed that the differences in PTSD severity between independent and interdependent cultures may exist due to the differential influence of individual self-esteem. Although some international research is prevalent, none address the issue of self-esteem and the cultural element of independent vs interdependent specifically and to the knowledge of the researcher no similar South African research exists. To investigate whether independent or interdependent classification mediates the influence of individual self-esteem on traumatic stress severity, a quantitative correlational design is used. Based on a sample size of N=197, an independent sample t-test – with unequal group sizes - suggested that individuals from independent and interdependent cultures reportedly expressed post-traumatic symptomology similarly. Results from the ANCOVA have indicated that individual self-esteem does not influence traumatic stress severity and that independently classified White English speaking participants between the ages of 21-30 are more likely to experience higher levels of traumatic stress severity as opposed to interdependently classified Coloured Afrikaans speaking participants between the ages of 21-30. Finally, chi-square analysis indicated that ethnicity cannot be deemed as a variable that can predict culture classification. However, the varying home language preferences in cultures suggest a possibility of varying ethnic identities within each of the ethnic groups.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Semi-rural community pharmacists’ perceptions of their future role in the national health insurance
- Authors: Pambuka, Simbongile Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa Pharmacy -- Practice -- South Africa Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23027 , vital:30396
- Description: The healthcare system in South Africa is currently characterised by distinctly different public and private sectors. The public sector services approximately 84% of the population while the private sector services the smaller portion, 16% of the population. However, the expenditure in both the private and public sectors is almost the same, with approximately five times more being spent per capita in the private sector than in the public sector. The South African health care system is therefore unbalanced with respect to expenditure per capita resulting in inequitable access to and quality of health services. In particular, the public sector is very under-resourced relative to the population and disease burden that it serves. In order to address the inequities inherent in the current two-tiered system, the South African government is in the process of introducing a National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI will provide a means of pooling all healthcare funding, thereby providing a means of cross subsidization of the public sector. Funding contributions will be linked to an individual’s ability-to-pay and benefits will be determined by an individual’s need for care. It has been suggested that within an NHI system private pharmacies may be contracted through service agreements to provide both chronic and acute medicines. However, there are currently no policies that have been developed specifying the roles and functions of pharmacists in the NHI, and in a re-engineered Primary Health Care system. Furthermore, research suggests that the majority of pharmacists do not believe that the NHI is a suitable means to address South Africa’s healthcare problems and many do not agree with the principles behind it. This study used a qualitative approach in order to provide a comprehensive exploration of the attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists in the semirural Eastern Cape towards the NHI as well as their future role and function within it. In this explorative and descriptive study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with community pharmacists within a 60km radius of Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. The interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software - Atlas.ti®. It is envisaged that this understanding will provide a basis for addressing pharmacists’ concerns and may contribute towards the further development of the role and the scope of practice of community pharmacists in the NHI.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Service delivery protests in Hammanskraal, Pretoria
- Authors: Mnguni, Godfrey Sibusiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Protest movements -- South Africa -- Pretoria , Community development -- South Africa -- Pretoria Municipal services -- South Africa -- Pretoria Local government -- services -- South Africa -- Pretoria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32226 , vital:31989
- Description: The purpose of the research was to investigate and explain the factors that contributed to service delivery protests in the Hammanskraal area, Pretoria, South Africa (SA). The focus was to identify the perceived critical and aggravating factors leading to protest actions by residents and the communities in the Hammanskraal area. The unprecedented service delivery protests and demonstrations across the majority of municipalities in SA are well documented. On-going and continuous protest actions since the commencement of democracy occurs despite limited successes in some areas in terms of the provision of electricity and access to clean portable water. The study followed a mixed method approach which included a qualitative and quantitative research approach. Quantitative data were collected and interpreted along with an in-depth literature review and analysis. The study identified the critical factors that contributed to continuous service delivery protests. The identified factors were not unique to the Hammanskraal area and included: poor public participation processes; mismanagement of funds; lack of capacity, and poor public participation processes that are cited as a common factor amongst the leading reasons for rampant service delivery protests across the country. The underlying and aggravating factors that fuelled the service delivery protest in the Hammanskraal area were identified as: the lack and poor delivery of basic services; perceived corruption, and political opportunism. The study concluded that communities engage in protest action and mass mobilisation as the last resort following failed engagements with political leaders and the SA Government. The failed engagements are primarily due to unfulfilled promises and failures of Government to deliver on the catalogue of basic services that communities are entitled to as enshrined in the Constitution.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Sexual relationship power in negotiating safer sex practices amongst female university students in heterosexual relationships
- Authors: Simmers, Lionel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sex (Psychology) , Psychosexual development Safe sex in AIDS prevention Couples -- Sexual behavior Communication -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35689 , vital:33777
- Description: The structural effects of patriarchy, culture and socially constructed gender roles on women‟s identities, sexuality and relationship power is still a relatively under-researched area within South Africa. This study aimed to explore and describe the sexual relationship power of female university students in negotiating for safer sex practices, as women between 18 and 25 years of age are considered the most at-risk cohort for HIV and sexual health related risk and infection. The study utilized purposive sampling techniques, selecting young women and men to explore the influence of culture, socially constructions, gender, sexuality and sexual relationship power in negotiating for safer sex. Data was collected via semi structured individual interviews with 5 female participants and a focus group discussion with 8 female and 3 male participants. All data collection procedures were conducted in English, as this is the language of instruction at the institution. The data was analysed using a six-phase model for thematic analysis. The study used an interpretivist lens to allow the participants understanding of their experiences with the phenomenon of sexual relationship power. The findings revealed that gender, power and sexuality are contradictory and contested terrains. Traditional gender discourses make men‟s greater power within heterosexual relationships appear normal. Yet, the results reveal that gender identities and roles, and sexual relationship power is tension filled and that these individuals experience discontinuities and gaps in their power. This is apparent in the women participants‟ assertion that their personal sexual relationship power depends on the context. This means that men do not enjoy overall power and that these breaks in power hold promise for the construction and creation of newer forms of gender behaviour which will give women‟s identities greater power in expressing themselves in their sexual relationships and will equip them to better protect their sexual health.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Small town revitalisation in Intsika Yethu Municipality: Cofimvaba and Tsomo
- Authors: Koyo, Siyabulela
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Urbanization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31005 , vital:31271
- Description: Bernstein (2000) defines small towns in South Africa as settlements in commercial farming areas as well as former or dense homeland towns. These settlements are usually said to lack higher-level services and facilities, which usually leads to their decline (Donaldson & Marais, 2012). The above is likely due to the experiences of rapid urbanisation, which facilitated the decline of the agricultural sector and rural jobs. The research examined the challenges facing small towns in South Africa and sought possible solutions to address issues relating particularly to infrastructure, public and social amenities as well as institutional arrangements and socio-economic growth through small towns revitalisation. The case study for the purposes of the research focuses on two major towns in the Intsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, namely Cofimvaba and Tsomo. Research questions relate to the policy frameworks, institutional arrangements and funding that are able to guide revitalization efforts in rural municipalities to enhance an environment that fosters socio-economic development. Ultimately the research attempted to establish whether the revitalisation efforts have resulted in discernible improvements across the challenges that have been identified in Cofimvaba and Tsomo, the two principle towns in the Intsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The overall aim of the research is to assess the impacts of efforts by the various spheres of government to revitalize Cofimvaba and Tsomo. Several specific objectives were identified. These include a literature review on challenges facing small towns, particularly in developing countries such as South Africa, and strategies to address their revitalization; an assessment of the socio-economic status of a sample of residents in the two towns; to conduct research in Cofimvaba and Tsomo to review government strategies and interventions to revitalize these towns; an opinion survey among formal businesses and business structures to assess the impacts of the revitalization efforts on the business sector; and, finally, to use the findings of the research to make recommendations to the various stakeholder iv groups in Cofimvaba and Tsomo in order to support the efforts of government to revitalize the towns. The methodology adopted for the purposes of the research, is a mixed approach making use of qualitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data was gathered from the municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the government departments’ implementation plans. Qualitative data was gathered by focussing on interviews with people living within the towns of Cofimvaba and Tsomo, the business community and municipal officials. Findings related to improved livelihoods show that most interviewed individuals are middle to lower income earners, meaning that there is a high proportion of people who are likely to be dependent on the state for assistance. Challenges that have been noted by municipal officials, range from issues relating to illegal building constructions to invasion of land earmarked for development and funding for development initiatives. It became apparent that there is limited knowledge of small town revitalisation from both the municipal officials and the citizens that were interviewed. In light of the above findings there are a number of recommendations which range from firstly a better application of the Back-to-basics approach, to the idea of better service delivery that has been introduced in all local municipalities. This calls for local government to serve their communities better by being responsive and accountable during the delivery of any service. Secondly, improved institutional collaborations are the key to small town revitalisation, through knowledge sharing and funding provision. Thirdly, by-laws and developmental plans are to be formulated in collaboration with the key role players, as they are paramount in attracting prospective inward investments to the towns. Lastly any revitalisation efforts are to incorporate the town’s culture and diversity.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Social needs as a driver of social innovation
- Authors: Dunn, Nicole Luciélle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social change , Social evolution Social entrepreneurship Community development -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21823 , vital:29782
- Description: Social innovation has been contextualised as a new way of resolving deeply entrenched development issues. The identification and resolution of social needs is said to be the driving force of social innovation. With features such as sustainability and scalability, social innovation has the potential to change the way we perceive and engage with development in the future. This research takes a critical look at how the social needs as a means to an end of social innovation, is identified. Previous research did not investigate the methodology of how these needs were identified and the question then arose as to how responsive the corresponding resolutions could be in resolving the need. Interviews were conducted with the founders of organisations that were considered socially innovative. Each founder was asked to detail the processes that took place in the social need identification that their respective organisation sought to resolve along with their personal journey towards becoming a founder, to gain a rich understanding of what shaped their approach to need identification. Organisations that were most critically responsive to the social needs identified were those that either 1) personally experienced deprivation of a social need in their own lives, or 2) had extensive engagement and exposure to individuals who had personally experienced the deprivation of a social need. It was evident that both the identification and corresponding resolution of social needs for social innovation require an approach that holds experiencers of the deprivation at the nucleus of the resolution. This methodology needs to be incorporated in the theory of social innovation and implemented in practice.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Staff perceptions of workplace bullying in a South African higher education institution
- Authors: Adesemowo, Bosede Olaitan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace , Harassment Work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23404 , vital:30539
- Description: During the past decade bullying has received growing attention in organizational research. Workplace bullying is a complex phenomenon with a variety of situational, dispositional and systemic influences and it has been defined as “status-blind interpersonal hostility that is deliberate, repeated and sufficiently severe as to harm the targeted person's health or economic status” (Namie, 2003:3). A literature overview revealed the destructive consequences of bullying, such as trauma, suicide, depression, anxiety, stress, lowered self-esteem, anger and a lessening of productivity for both the individuals and the organizations concerned. This study presents the perceptions of staff members, in the form of recognized trade union representatives, of workplace bullying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The theoretical framework that informed the study comprised the dispositional and the ecological model that emphasised Ubuntu and the cultural values of the University. The research approach was carried out through qualitative and exploratory methods. Through primary and secondary data collection, a purposive sample of semi-structured interviews was collected in the context of the aim and the objectives of the study. It analysed the importance of an anti-bullying policy, management styles, power imbalances, the impact of bullying on staff and institution health and explored the existing supportive systems that deal with grievances procedures. This study concludes with concrete evidence that workplace bullying existed in Nelson Mandela University and there were no policies to effect control over perpetrators’ acts. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made regarding a strategy on how management can effectively address bullying complaints without prejudice and discrimination, such as an anti-bullying policy, and creating continuous awareness of the phenomenon.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Stress, resiliency and coping of hostel housemothers caring for children on the autistic spectrum
- Authors: Thiart, Sarita
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Autism spectrum disorders -- Patients -- Home care , Caregivers -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23272 , vital:30510
- Description: Autism is a life-long neurological disease that manifests differently in every autistic person. Children with autism have difficulties with four developmental areas, namely: language and communication, social interaction, imagination, and sensory issues. These behaviours make it extremely difficult to care for, or teach, autistic children as these children often present with behaviours that are psychologically, cognitively and physically challenging. As there is only one government subsidised school with the expertise and support structures to teach and care for autistic children in the Eastern Cape, parents often have no option, but to place such children in residential care in order for the children to receive the expert teaching they need. As a result, hostel housemothers are often placed in parental roles as they provide much of the parenting on a daily basis. Many of these caregivers have their own families that also need support and care. This may place additional burdens on these employees that could lead to a variety of psychological and physical conditions, depending on their resilience, and ability to handle frequent stressful situations. It is for this reason that this study is imperative, as it will uncover the stressors experienced by the hostel housemothers who play such a pivotal role in the lives of autistic children. The results of the study will serve to inform possible future interventions. This is a qualitative study. Participants were obtained through purposive sampling, and data was analysed through a thematic analysis approach. The Salutogenesis theory of Antonovsky was used, which particularly looks at stressors, tension, breakdown, and Salutogenesis. The study has generated, in the researcher, an understanding of how hostel housemothers cope with the stressors of caring for autistic children, and intends to do the same for readers.
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- Date Issued: 2018