The challenges facing the National Rural Youth Service Corps' (NARYSEC) skills development programme implementation in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa : a case study of O.R. Tambo district municipality
- Authors: Magwentshu, Kanyisa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Youth -- Employment Vocational guidance Youth development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12803 , vital:39363
- Description: The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the National Youth Service Corps’ (NARYSEC) skills development programme implementation in the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape Province. A secondary aim was to determine whether the actual NARYSEC implementation matches the desirable needs of the poverty-stricken unemployed NARYSEC beneficiary participants and their communities. The study, which was framed within Amartya Sen’s Capability and Entitlement Approaches (1985), used multiple data collection instruments – (1) semi-structured survey questionnaire, (2) face-to-face semi-structured interviews, (3) semi-structured telephonic interviews and (4) key expert informant in-depth face-to-face interviews – to collect data from 73 NARYSEC participants and three expert informants (N=76). The study used purposive and snowball sampling strategies in selecting the participants. Data was analysed using thematic data analysis technique and the results suggested that the NARYSEC skills development programme offered to unemployed youth in the resource depleted former homeland districts of the former Transkei of the Eastern Cape Province, did not achieve the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the NARYSEC beneficiaries and their communities. The evidence suggested that failure of the NARYSEC programme could be attributed to the implementation methods as well repeated cycles of mismatch between the official NARYSEC objectives of recruiting and developing rural youth to perform community service in their own communities and the actual NARYSEC implementation results. The study showed that one of the challenges NARYSEC programme faced was from the poorly structured implementation mechanisms, which were manned by untrained civil servants and not by skills development experts who were capable of implementing the programme successfully. The research findings also seemed to suggest that two of the major factors responsible for the NARYSEC programme failure in the Eastern Cape were the chronic implementation weaknesses stemming from the historical and contextual constraints dating back to the apartheid era. To enhance the NARYSEC objectives and the desirable needs of the unemployed rural youth and their communities, the study suggests the following: Firstly, it was recommended that policy planners and implementers should incorporate the desirable needs and aspirations of the youth and their communities into the NARYSEC programme design and implementation process. This recommendation is informed by the divergence that characterized the NARYSEC programme implementation. Secondly, it is suggested that the NARYSEC Monitoring &Evaluation process must be revamped in order to reverse the general trend of the poor monitoring and evaluation performance that characterised the NARYSEC programme implementation.
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- Date Issued: 2014
A hermeneutic exploration of men's narratives of manhood
- Authors: Brown, Jade Draylene Thelma
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Men -- Identity Hermeneutics Men -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13620 , vital:39685
- Description: Manhood is a construction which must be ‘achieved’ by men and boys (Gilmore, 1990). A male child must learn to perform these constructions early in life, and then sustain this performance throughout life (Gilmore, 1990; Hurley, 2004). Booth (2012) argues that manhood is a subjective concept particular to each man’s unique set of identifications. This includes the influences of various contexts upon these life performances. Within South African historical and cultural contexts, the impact of apartheid upon manhood has to be acknowledged (Vandello, Bosson, Burnaford & Weaver, 2010; Morrell, 2001 & 2005). This study qualitatively takes a look into what manhood is perceived to mean, within various social contexts. A hermeneutic methodology is utilised within a poststructuralist framework to unpack the meaning and unique identifications of each participant interview. The data findings emphasise that there are multiple modes of manhood, which are enacted by different men as well as by the same men within different situations. Gender identity is therefore significantly flexible in principle although it is formed into specific categories under certain historical and cultural conditions (Barker, 2012). Manhood in South Africa can therefore be understood to be influenced by different historical and cultural elements. South African men may live within a conflictual space between historical and cultural discourses of manhood as well as western discourses of manhood.
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- Date Issued: 2015
Land and agrarian reform, and rural livelihoods in post-apartheid South Africa : a study on the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga Province
- Authors: Maduna-Mafu, Nqobani
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4514 , vital:28346
- Description: The study examines land and agrarian reforms in democratic South Africa focusing on projects implemented under the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) since 2009. Focusing on Bushbuckridge municipal area, the study reviews wide ranging transformative efforts initiated to address agrarian sector inequalities and rural poverty. The review illustrates that modest achievements have been made in restructuring the apartheid political geography manifesting in high levels of asset poverty amongst rural populations and vulnerability to food insecurity. While several factors are explored to explain this, it is discernible that a disjuncture exists between the social justice imperatives and the neoliberal development ideology adopted since transition to democracy. Adopting the sustainable livelihoods approach, the study examines whether the CRDP is adequate to address the needs for land equity in redistribution and to improve rural livelihoods in Mpumalanga, with particular focus on Bushbuckridge municipal area. Furthermore, the study examines the extent to which the implementation of CRDP has met the objective of equitable land redistribution as specified in the policy and also explores the outcomes of implementation, whether necessary conditions to promote the small-scale agricultural sector have been created; for instance, investments in agricultural infrastructure, support services such as credit measures, inputs and capacity building programmes for subsistence sector farming. Through a qualitative inquiry challenges are identified regarding the achievement of equity in land distribution and sustainable livelihoods. The conclusive chapter argues for paradigm shifts in land acquisition, public engagement, gender equity, funding models for subsistence farming, intersectoral co-operation, funding of rural infrastructural projects particularly markets and agro-processing facilities.
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- Date Issued: 2015
Recycled water usage in peri-urban agriculture : an examination of its socio-economic and environmental benefits in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Makinana, Anazo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Water reuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water reuse -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Water reuse -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5719 , vital:29367
- Description: This study examines whether recycled water (specifically grey water) is used in peri-urban agriculture in greater Port Elizabeth. It also investigates the socio-economic as well as environmental benefits of using recycled water in peri-urban agriculture. Community perceptions and narratives about the use of recycled water for farming purposes were also investigated. Study respondents were purposively selected from Motherwell and Uitenhage in Port Elizabeth. A qualitative research methodology and methods were used. This involved using purposive sampling to sample, select and interview 22 respondents and eight key informants. All the respondents were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study found that while many respondents have heard about water recycling, they are however not using recycled grey water for their peri-urban farming activities. Instead, peri-urban farmers continue to use water supplied by the municipality. Recycled water is mostly used for watering sport fields around Port Elizabeth. This continued usage of municipal water (instead of recycled water) is not only costly to the municipality but the individual farmers as well. The respondents were however aware of the benefits of using recycled water. These include economic (money saved from not paying irrigation water bills), environmental (nutrient contents found in recycled water) and socio-economic (conserving fresh available for use in other community purposes). The study recommends that the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality should do more (through educational and environmental campaigns) to encourage peri-urban farmers to use recycled water in their farming activities.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The role of agricultural co-operatives in food security in the Eastern Cape, Province of South Africa: the case of the Nkonkobe Local Municipality
- Authors: Dyalvane, Ncumisa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2867 , vital:28110
- Description: This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. The qualitative methodology was used because it seeks to dig out in-depth information so as to understand the causes of food insecurity despite agricultural co-operatives and government assistance being in place. The food security situation was analysed using the sustainable livelihoods and basic needs approaches. The findings of the study reveal that agricultural co-operatives face a number of challenges. These include inadequate funds, poor market places, transport problems, shortage of farming equipment and insufficient water supply. In addition, the ability of agricultural co-operatives to make a worthy contribution to food security is being adversely hindered by poor implementation capacity and financial management. This in turn makes them unable to strengthen and expand their business operations. The study suggests that the government or the municipality should build sustainable water sources like dams as well as provide taps in the community to boost productivity all year round in the agricultural cooperatives hence guaranteeing food security in Nkonkobe Local Municipality,the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
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- Date Issued: 2015
WISC-IV test performance of grade 3 Xhosa-speaking children : an extension of a prior South African normative database
- Authors: Bickell, Alexa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Children -- Intelligence testing -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5730 , vital:29368
- Description: Introduction. A well-recognized problem exists when commonly employed tests developed in the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK) are accepted unconditionally for use on local relatively disadvantaged populations, as these tests have questionable validity and therefore incur a high risk of misdiagnosis. Cross-cultural normative research has been conducted in South Africa on some of the Wechsler intelligence scales with respect to participants stratified for level and quality of education, age, race and language, including a study on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) for learners with Grade 7 education (age 12 to 23). The aim of the current study was to conduct a partial duplication of the earlier WISC-IV South African norming study that specifically targeted a younger group of educationally disadvantaged children at a lower level of education. Method. Participants were Black Xhosa-speaking Grade 3 learners in the age range 8 to 9 (N =32 ), who were being schooled in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (former-DET) schools. The WISC-IV results of the current study were statistically compared with the WISC-IV results from Shuttleworth-Edwards, Van der Merwe et al. (2013) study. Results. There was a significant lowering of between 20 to 30 IQ points relative to the UK standardisation on WISC-IV scores for this sample of Grade 3 Xhosa-speaking learners, replicating the earlier outcome for Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners relative to the UK standardisation. No differences were in evidence within the WISC-IV sample for the female and male participants on any of the indices. There was equivalence between the Grade 3 and Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners on all subtest and Index scores with the exception of the Digit Span subtest. Conclusions. The results confirm prior research indications of the negative impact of educational disadvantage on IQ test results and the need for this to be taken into account by the availability of socio- culturally relevant norms.
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- Date Issued: 2015
An assessment of the challenges of police child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mutyambizi, Clair
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7764 , vital:30756
- Description: The study set out to assess the challenges that are faced by the South African Police child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province. The study used the qualitative design. Data was collected using in-depth interviews in which twenty individual participants took part. The results indicate that the challenges of SAP child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province are mainly financial based, emotionally stressful, labour related, and can be caused by parental oversight, legal constraints that begets lack of trust and also policing illegal child immigrants. These factors make the police child protection unit’s work challenging thereby hampering its effectiveness. It has therefore been recommended that the police child protection unit should be given the support due to them so as to make service delivery to vulnerable children in Alice effective. Also it has been recommended that children be educated that the police are there to enforce the law, assist and not to harm them.
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- Date Issued: 2016
An assessment of urban agriculture as a strategy for youth employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) : the case of Kisenso/Kinshasa
- Authors: Mubiala, Wivin Luwakunu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Congo (Democratic Republic) Youth -- Employment -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14000 , vital:39759
- Description: In this study, urban agriculture was investigated as a strategy for youth employment and poverty alleviation in Kisenso / Kinshasa- DRC. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of urban agriculture on employment and job creation in the DRC. The specific objectives are to assess the sustainability of urban agriculture as an employment alternative for the youth in Kinshasa, to examine the extent of government support for the sector and evaluate the role urban agriculture plays in poverty reduction in the identified households. This study adopted a qualitative approach because of its strengths which facilitated a better understanding of the different data the study gathered. Indeed, by use of words such as why, when, how, and what, the study was able to explain many aspects that are not known on urban agriculture in Kinshasa. The quantitative approach has been used to present some results in the form of figures and graphs It was noted that income from urban agriculture is mainly used for needs such as: school fees (25percent), food (53percent), clothing (15percent), and health (7percent). Despite the fact that it does not satisfy all the needs of the workers, results from the study indicate that urban agriculture is making a contribution in the socio-economic development of Kisenso. It clearly appears that if the urban agriculture is funded and professionalised, it can significantly contribute towards creating jobs in Kinshasa. This study was focused only in Kisenso, meaning that more research should be conducted on the entire city of Kinshasa so that conclusions can be generalised on employment and poverty reduction. It will be interesting for the government to fund urban agriculture activity and make it profitable to the workers and the entire population of Kinshasa.
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- Date Issued: 2016
An exploration of offenders' experiences and social workers' perceptions of standardised anger management programme:|ba case study at St Albans Correctional Centre
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Yolande
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social work with criminals Criminals -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6391 , vital:29602
- Description: The purpose of this research is to explore offenders’ experiences and social workers’ perceptions of the Standardised Anger Management Programme as facilitated by social workers at the Department of Correctional Services. The offender population in South Africa is diverse in terms of culture, language, religion, education and socio economic status. The Department of Correctional Services is committed to providing needs-based programmes for offenders to address their offending behaviour in ways that are appropriate for each. The research design was based on a case study. Thirteen offenders from St Albans Correctional Centre who had completed the Standardised Anger Management Programme, together with three social workers at the centre, participated in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme. Evaluations were conducted by means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with the thirteen offenders, and a focus group discussion with the three social workers facilitating the programme. Together, these three methods yielded useful and insightful ideas on the areas where the programme’s challenges lie, and led to the formulation of several general and specific recommendations, which are presented in chapter five of this thesis. The thesis bases its critique of the programme on insights gained from the literature; expanding on all aspects of the ecological approach to the individual. A detailed presentation of the ecological approach is given in chapter three. The various individual, micro-, exo- and macrosystems that make up the totality of influences on a person’s life are reviewed, and are referred to again in chapter four, which presents the finding of the study. The findings and discussion thereof are, of course, presented in the context of the Department of Correctional Service’s legislative and legal framework, which takes its direction from the 2005 White Paper on Corrections. This White Paper firmly set the Department of Correctional Services on a path towards rehabilitative, rather than purely punitive, treatment of offenders. Its publication was followed soon after by the introduction of the Standardised Anger Management Programme which, as the name suggests, was an attempt to standardise all the hitherto piecemeal rehabilitative efforts of various centres around the country. The study found that facilitators and the participants of the Standardised Anger Management Programme had areas of commonality regarding their views on the programme. The findings suggest that while participants in the programme gained anger management skills, much needs to be done to revise and improve the programme, so that it better addresses the needs of the unique offender population of South Africa. Among many recommendations made in chapter five, the researcher recommends that social workers are adequately trained and equipped to present the programme. In addition, the issues of course content and cultural assumptions, offender motivation and centre officials’ attitudes also need to be addressed.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Community development and rural poverty in Zimbabwe : a policy perspective
- Authors: Chatindo, Annah
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Community development -- Zimbabwe Rural development -- Government policy -- Zimbabwe Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6092 , vital:29490
- Description: There is persistence of rural poverty in African countries despite efforts by governments to implement community development projects to curb poverty in impoverished rural communities. Zimbabwe adopted the Poverty Alleviation Action Plan (PAAP) under which community development programme was initiated. Community development projects by NGOs and government did not manage to meet the needs of the impoverished communities in Mvuma rural communities. More so, the incremental approach to policy making adopted by the government of Zimbabwe failed to embrace the principles of community development, for example, participation of community projects beneficiaries on everything that impact to their way of living. Despite all the efforts to alleviate rural poverty in Mvuma rural district there is still persistence of rural poverty, characterized by poor roads and struggling of most families to meeting basic needs. Mvuma rural communities are rich in mineral resources and water sources that can be utilized instead of relying on external resources through NGOs. This therefore, calls on the government and NGOs to collaborate towards capacitating Mvuma rural dwellers in order to help alleviate poverty. This study employed qualitative approach to research as it was aimed at describing and understanding rather than explaining human behaviour. Purposive or judgmental sampling was applied. This technique was used as the researcher wanted to get hold of the people who are directly or indirectly linked to implementation of community development projects. However, quantitative method was used to gather demographic information. The PAAP policy relevance to poverty reduction in Mvuma rural district and in Zimbabwe in general was the heart of this study.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Exploring the use and relevance of narrative approaches to psycho-social interventions in the south African context : a mixed methods content analysis
- Authors: Smit, Christelle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Narrative therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6432 , vital:29684
- Description: This study aims to explore the use and relevance of Narrative approaches to psycho-social interventions in the South African context. The profession of psychology in South Africa has been in a state of discontentment since the country’s turn to democracy in 1994 which has been voiced from both those within the profession and those it aims to assist. The loudest call is for a psychology that is relevant to the South African context – culturally, socially, and politically. Narrative approaches to psychotherapy and psycho-social intervention are grounded in post-modern and social-constructionist thought and offer an alternative to mainstream psychological theory. Narrative practice aims to promote social justice and views therapy as a political act. It is also an approach that values local knowledges and sees all therapeutic engagements as cross-cultural encounters which are approached with curiosity and a not-knowing stance, rather than an interpretive, analytical lens. This study has investigated what the existing literature has produced regarding the use and relevance of Narrative approaches in South Africa context. The research process was implemented using a mixed methods research methodology whereby a sample of 58 journal articles (n=58) were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The common themes that emerged from the articles were ‘viewing people in context’, ‘listening to the telling of stories’, ‘theoretical constructs of a narrative approach’, and ‘social phenomena’.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Leisure time and holiday aspirations of black upper middle class in East London
- Authors: Ngozwana, Baselwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social classes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Lifestyles -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6380 , vital:29600
- Description: This study examined the holiday and leisure aspirations of the new upper black middle class in East London using qualitative approach. The study investigated aspirations of the black middle class on international travels through the lens of Veblen’s (2002) conspicuous consumption theory which entails that black middle class citizens spend in order to assert their status and belongingness to the middle class. The aim of the study was to understand their holiday and leisure aspirations, what the idea is behind or what motivates their international travels, their travel experiences and class affirmations. This exploration included the challenges and frustrations such as Ebola scare, racism, issues with foreign exchange and variations from these international visits. Data was collected through interviews with upper black middle class who are based in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality in East London, Eastern Cape. Findings from this study revealed that consumption patterns of the emerging black middle class to diverge substantially from the other groups, in terms of greater signalling of social status via visible consumption and preoccupation with reducing an historical asset deficit. Various themes emerged as meanings attached to international travelling and leisure by those black middle class international travellers. These are sense of wealth, status, religion, self-esteem, sense of reward, bonding with friends and conspicuous/visible consumption.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Normative indicators for grade 3 and grade 7 isiXhosa-speaking children on the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (Second Edition)
- Authors: Palmer, Hanli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bender-Gestalt Test Psychological tests for children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6346 , vital:29583
- Description: Selecting appropriate normative data for the purpose of evaluating psychometric test scores forms an integral part of the interpretative psychological assessment process. This highlights the well-known problem of utilising measures developed in the United Kingdom (UK), or the United States (US) and accepting their norms unreservedly for the practice on local populations, which questions the tests’ validity and reliability. The current study, which aimed to collect normative indicators on the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition), forms part of the continuing effort to develop norms for psychological tests in South Africa, and to focus on the valid and reliable use of measures within the context of South Africa’s multicultural and multilingual population groups. The participants of the research were Black isiXhosa-speaking Grade 3 and Grade 7 learners aged 8 to 9 years (N = 38 ), and 12 to 13 years (N = 23), obtaining their school education in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (ex-DET) schools. The tests were scored according to the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition) manual, using the Global Scoring System. Thereafter, the raw scores were converted to Standard Scores, T-scores and Percentile Ranks using the US normative tables, according to chronological age categories. When the two groups were compared to the US norms, the results equated favourably for the present study sample. There were no significant findings in relation to the classroom size or any difference in performance between the schools who participated. The only significant difference revealed between male and female participants was with the Grade 7 sample group, where the males scored significantly lower than females on the Recall phase. These results support the prospect of the continuous revision of norms, and it is suggesting that the cognitive processes measured by this test are likely to derive from robust neurological substrates that are relatively stable across cultural groups.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The intersection between socio-economic status and scholastic attainment in selected schools in Fort Beaufort education district, province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sokani, Andile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Students -- Economic conditions Students -- Social conditions Educational tests and measurements
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13150 , vital:39469
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine and highlight the effects of socio-economic status on scholastic attainment in selected high schools in the Fort Beaufort Educational District. Participants were children in Grades 10 to 12 and included children from both high and low Socio-Economic Status (SES) families, and with varying qualities of education owing to biographies of distinctive insertion into the part apartheid educational structure. Utilizing Pierre Bourdeu’s concept of cultural capital as a theoretical framework, the study ardued that children from high SES in the Fort Beaufort Education District perform better at high schools owing to acces to relevant educational materials and the general academic culture in their home environment. The opposite is however the case for children from low SES who lack access to such material, culture and language, thus making it difficult to perform optimally in their high school studies. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The purpose of using triangulation was to decrease or counter-balance the deficiency of a single strategy, thereby increasing the ability to interpret the findings. The adoption of the mixed method approach in this study was also directed at increasing the reliability, validity and the generalizability of the results of the study. The most expressive measure of SES was the average income for the area in which the child lives or is educated. The quality of education was estimated based on whether the school was previously disadvantaged or previously advantaged. The child’s academic achievement was measured using the two most recent school reports. As predicted, the research results showed that children from high SES families and with a high quality of education scored better on their examinations than did children from low SES families and with a low quality of education. The data also revealed an interesting interaction between SES and quality of education. Participants from low SES families but with a high quality of education scored significantly better on examination assessment performance than did participants from low SES families and with a low quality of education. These findings suggest that children from low SES families in the Fort Beaufort Education District might be at a grave disadvantage in terms of their ability to succeed academically but that the quality of education might be a more important factor than SES in determining levels of general intellectual functioning.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The role of South Africa as a hegemonic' power in the maintenance of peace and stability in the SADC region
- Authors: Sibanda, Nkosiyaphi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Southern African Development Community Peace-building -- South Africa Conflict management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6491 , vital:29824
- Description: This study investigates South Africa’s role as a hegemonic power in maintaining peace and stability in the SADC region. Using qualitative and secondary data supplemented with primary data, the study examines not only South Africa’s hegemonic role in the SADC region but also the challenges and critiques of South Africa’s hegemonic role in the region. The study implores the hegemonic stability theory and explores the features that qualify South Africa to be a regional hegemonic power. These include South Africa’s economic power, military power and strategic location. This study reveals that South Africa’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the region is informed by its foreign policy and its pursuit of national interest and protection of its borders. The study also found out that the motive behind South Africa being active in peacekeeping missions is that it avoids being surrounded by failed states which might have spillover effects into its territorial boundaries. The study notes that there are numerous shortcomings which taint South Africa’s hegemonic status. They include violent protests, xenophobia, racism, crime and corruption. The study recommends that South Africa needs to be proactive in solving the challenges within its domestic terrain as these shortcomings taint its hegemonic status.
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- Date Issued: 2016
A discourse analysis of the construction of gendered relationships in grade 10-12 Life Orientation textbooks in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Adams, Luvo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sex instruction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Life skills -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5532 , vital:29315
- Description: School-based sexuality education has been the subject of research in the social sciences and pedagogical spheres globally. In South Africa, growing interest among social scientists in the topic, were ignited by the introduction of sexuality education as a compulsory part of Life Orientation (LO) by the late 1990s. However, the implementation of LO has been problematic. Reviewed literature in the current study, reveals how the dominance of the heterosex discourse is foregrounded in LO content on gender and sexuality. The current study was aimed at examining the construction of gendered relationships in LO textbooks. The study sampled LO textbooks for Grades 10-12, learners in these grades are between the mean ages 16-18 years. This group is the target group, because they are legally afforded the right to consent to sexual activity with peers, within the same age bracket. Conducted from a social constructionist perspective, the current study employed qualitative methods of inquiry (textual analysis). Against the backdrop of heterosexuality as norm, it was the aim of the current study to understand the subject positions made available for female learners to construct themselves, within the discursive spaces in LO content. Findings suggest that two discourses namely: the heterosex discourse and the discourse of danger and disease, dominate in LO content on gender and sexuality. This leads to the construction of gendered relationships a s inherently heterosexual, leading to the marginalisation of relationships that fall outside of the norm. The female learner is positioned as a passive-victim, incapable of exercising sexual agency, while young men are positioned as inherently more powerful members of the intimate relationships or dangerous sexual predators. In the discourse of danger and disease, she is also positioned as a potential victim but the focus is on equipping her with skills, in a way which positioned her as an active-resistor in refusing sexual activity; and being in control of decision-making on issues of safety in relationships. The implications of these contradictions, is that they focus on the individual and disallow her taking up of sexual agency, and disregard the context in which she has to do so.
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- Date Issued: 2017
A hermeneutic phenominological study of the understanding and treatment of Amafufunyana by traditional healers
- Authors: Gqibitole, Camagwini
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Traditional medicine Healers Mental illness -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5521 , vital:29313
- Description: Traditional healers have a different understanding of psychological illnesses to the western paradigm as well as a different way of diagnosing and treating psychological illnesses. Aims and Objectives. This study’s aim is to examine how traditional healers understand the causes of mental illness mainly focusing on amafufunyana and how this understanding informs treatments methods. Method. This has been done based on hermeneutic phenomenology by drawing from the lived experience of traditional healers through a focus group interview. Results. Upon analysis of the data it becomes clear that traditional healers understand the aetiology of amafufunyana to be supernatural forces. Amafufunyana present in overt and covert symptoms and the diagnostic process entails connecting with the ancestors for their guidance and confirmation of diagnosis, as well as guidance on which imithi to use. The treatment process is congruent with the diagnostic process as it also entails guidance from the ancestors on which imithi to use. Other valuable aspects of traditional healing were brought forward while conducting this study. The aspect of protection from the ancestors was emphasised. It became evident in the analysis of this study that the rituals that are performed in order to appease the ancestors facilitate the connection to the ancestors and through maintaining this connect one can be protected from an array of illnesses and misfortunes. Recommendations. It is recommended that recommended that more studies are conducted with traditional healers in order to give them an opportunity to elaborate on their lived experience of healing, as it was observed that a majority of literature speak on behalf of traditional healers.
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- Date Issued: 2017
A systematic review and document analysis on the prevention of mother-to-child programmes to prevent vertical transmission of human immuno-deficiency virus
- Authors: Sobetwa, Nwabisa Nokuzola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in pregnancy , Maternal health services , HIV infections -- Children -- Transmission -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7957 , vital:31282
- Description: Background: The National Strategic Plan 2012-2016 is advocating for zero new infections due to vertical transmission. This goal has not yet been achieved. This study evaluated whether the prevention of mother-to-child vertical transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) programmes in South Africa are based on evidence. Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available literature comparing PMTCT antiretroviral regimens published between the years 2000 to 2015 and to do a document analysis of the current implemented PMTCT programme to evaluate if it is based on best evidence. Rational: The rational of the systematic review and the document analysis were to assess whether the latest PMTCT policy was based on evidence and to critically analyse published articles that addressed aspects related to efficacy and efficiency of PMTCT programmes to reduce transmission of HIV from mothers to their infants. Methods: Overall 25 randomised controlled trials and primary studies that assessed efficacy of ARV regimens to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the HIV during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal periods were systematically reviewed. In 1997 the first trial began and the last one ended in 2012. Twelve guidelines referring to PMTCT were sampled and they were published by WHO and Department of Health South Africa from 2001 to 2015. The document analysis was only based on National consolidated guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and the management of HIV in children, adolescents and adults April, 2015. Findings: The systematic review illustrated that significantly fewer infants tested HIV-positive when exposed to a longer ARV regime although there was no significant difference once the infants reached six months of age. Different ARVs have a similar Preamble effect on maternal deaths; however, a double or triple combination of ARVs is superior to monotherapy to decrease infant deaths. Common maternal adverse reactions to ARVs include anaemia, bronchopneumonia, and maculopapular rash. Infant adverse events included septicaemia, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, fever and maculopapular rash. The document analysis has shown that the PMTCT policy is mainly based on evidence from randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. Occasionally some statements are still based on lower categories of evidence such as non-experimental descriptive studies. Conclusion: The systematic review showed that double and triple ARV therapy is superior to monotherapy and that the longer the mother and her infant are exposed to ARV therapy the better the results are to prevent MTCT. Adverse events are always posing a challenge and as with any other medication, caregivers must be aware of potential adverse reactions. The National consolidated guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and the management of HIV in children, adolescents and adults April 2015 is based on evidence, but the policy itself does not include any reference to evidence.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Agricultural urbanism and urban agriculture : exploring the possible role of University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Municipality in supporting small-scale urban farming in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Rumsha, Siphamandla
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5072 , vital:29054
- Description: This study investigates the impact of urban agriculture in the city of East London as well as the possibility of adopting agricultural urbanism as an urban farming model to bolster food security. The study goes further to understand the role that could be played by University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in capacitating small scale urban farmers in the city of East London. Unemployment and food insecurity are the key challenges that are affecting many families in South Africa, including urban dwellers. The main objective of this study therefore is to investigate the contributions of urban farming in securing food security and livelihoods in East London. This study adopted a mixed methods research approach, where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to harvest data. Statistical analysis (descriptive) was then used to analyse quantitative data. Thematic approach used to analyse qualitative data. The study shows that urban farming plays an important role in the livelihoods of urban dwellers. However, the sector still faces various challenges such as lack of recognition by authorities. The study also revealed that the city of East London has potential to establish agricultural urbanism as it has most of the essential aspects that are necessary to establish it. The study recommends strengthening of the partnership between University of Fort Hare, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and small scale urban farmers in East London.
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- Date Issued: 2017
An appraisal of the role of the National Rural Youth Service Corps in youth development in peri-urban Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Noruka, Asanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth -- Employment Youth development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5795 , vital:29395
- Description: Youth unemployment is a global problem, but more-so in Southern globally positioned countries such as South Africa. The government of South Africa has implemented different interventions that attempt to alleviate national youth unemployment. Some of these programmes, such as the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC), specifically target youth in rural and peri-urban areas. NARYSEC aims to develop skills of the youth in rural and peri-urban areas as well as assist in rural development. Despite the introduction of NARYSEC, unemployment among the youth continues to be a problem. Against this background, this study sought to examine rural youth and development interventions implemented by NARYSEC in peri-urban Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Furthermore, the study assessed the extent to which NARYSEC interventions are contributing to rural youth and development in peri-urban Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Lastly, the study examined the limitations of NARYSEC interventions in peri-urban youth development. To achieve the above objectives, the study used a qualitative research approach. The sampling procedure was purposive as the research required specific participants who have gone through NARYSEC training. A total of 24 respondents were eventually selected. In-depth, semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews were the primary data collection tools. Some of the main findings are that NARYSEC provides various skills training programmes which prepare young people for the labour market. NARYSEC interventions are also helping communities to reduce crime through providing youth employment opportunities. Furthermore, some youth actively participate in rural development projects such as rehabilitation of local clinics and construction projects. However, the study also found that there are a number of limitations and challenges that are experienced in the implementation of the NARYSEC programme. These challenges include lack of strategic planning in the programme, irregular stipend payments, strained professional relationships between NARYSEC programme facilitators and youth participants, limited passion and commitment to the programme by both youth participants and facilitators.
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- Date Issued: 2017