Community engagement in practice? : an exploration of the relationship between the University of Fort Hare (Alice Campus) and the Ilima Agripark Project
- Authors: Jubera, Memory
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Community development--South Africa Universities and colleges--South Africa Sustainable development--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Sociology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17327 , vital:40956
- Description: Cooperatives have principles and goals that regulate their day-to-day operations. Their aim is to create jobs through carrying out income generating projects. This aim is usually difficult to achieve as ‘human’ factors sometimes obscure the projects’ progress. This study therefore explored the nature of relationship that exists between the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and the cooperative members involved in the project, which in this study are referred to as, Ilima Agripark Project (IAP) members. This relationship was investigated through the three particular forms (information, consultation and participation) of community engagement, their nature, meanings, the influence they possess and how IAP/UFH members comprehend these. Guided by her research matrix and interview guide, the researcher used the qualitative and interpretive approach method to collect data. The case study made use of document analysis, key informant interviews, direct observations, face to face interviews and focus group discussions to collect data. In order to validate her data, she also made use of a tape recorder and notebook. The study’s key finding is that the three particular community engagement forms are not fully utilised by the university. The study revealed that there is lack of transparency when it comes to information dissemination hence, the IAP members feel insecure and socially excluded.
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- Date Issued: 2015
"A sociological investigation of the influence of regular school feeding scheme on learners' academic performance at Ngqele Primary School in Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape"
- Authors: James, Ntombovuyo Gloria
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: School children--Health and hygiene Nutrition--South Africa--Eastern Cape School attendance--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Sociology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11516 , vital:39079
- Description: This study sought to examine a sociological approach of the influence of regular provision of school feeding scheme on learners’ academic performance at Ngqele Primary School, Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study explored the views of teachers and parents pertaining to regular provision of school feeding scheme on learners’ academic performance. In addition, the study examined the impact of regular provision of school feeding scheme on school attendance and the sustainability of the regular provision of school feeding scheme. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews, and a survey method. The process was made possible through the use of purposive sampling and cluster sampling to generate the targeted participants of the study. The findings of the study have shown that the school feeding scheme has got an impact on learner’s academic performance due to the fact that learners are able to listen and pay attention to the teacher if they are fed, the SFS has a positive impact on learners’ attendance and high enrolment. However, the study has also shown that, despite the positive impact of the school feeding Scheme, there were some challenges that also impacted negatively on learners, the school and the implementation of the programme. Such challenges include irregular supply of food, food shortages and poor quality of food.
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- Date Issued: 2017
A sociological investigation of the challenges facing married students : case study of the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus
- Authors: Qwabi, Thabisile Daphney
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Married students Academic achievement Married students -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Sociology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10262 , vital:35386
- Description: The aim of this study was to explain and understand problems facing married students at the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus. The study population was drawn from the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus. The study used simple random sampling and purposive sampling to draw a representative sample of 50 married students (21 males and 29females) from the population of this study. This study used a mixed research approach. Questionnaires were distributed, for quantitative purposes, and interviews were conducted, for qualitative purposes, among the chosen representative sample. Data that was collected with questionnaires was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analyses and was used to substantiate quantitative findings. The findings in this study expanded on how factors such as, lack of time to study, the impact of multiple roles on the well-being of married students, pressure from having multiple roles and lack of support from family contributed to the poor academic performance of married students. This study revealed high levels of stress and poor academic performance as a result of having multiple roles among married students at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An evaluation of industrial action in selected agro-based infant industries in the Msasa Industrial Area of Harare (Zimbabwe)
- Authors: Kapunura, Gift
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts--Zimbabwe Zimbabwe--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Sociology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15452 , vital:40409
- Description: Agro based-infant industries played a greater role in the development of Zimbabwe since 1980 when the country gained its independence. However, its success has been hindered by industrial action in the country. The continuous increase in the number of industrial action is the major motives of this study. Conversely, with the increasing levels of industrial action in the country, it was noted that the main causes of industrial action were low wages, poor communication between employers and employees, disparities in pay structures, lack of consultation in the process of decision-making and poor working conditions. The study adopted a qualitative approach in data collection and analysis. Thirty in-depth interviews were undertaken with selected participants who are the workers and managers of agro-based infant industries using purposive sampling technique in Msasa industrial area. Findings of the study show that main forms of industrial action were industrial strike, sit in, absenteeism, go slow, work to rule and overtime ban. Major findings of the study point to the fact that industrial action affects the solidarity of workers negatively since some of the workers will not stand for others when they are dismissed after industrial action. In general, industrial action therefore weakens worker solidarity. Secondly, industrial action affects the economic welfare of workers and their families negatively. This is because during the period of industrial action there could be pay cut and the families will not be able to afford basic commodities, thereby affecting their general welfare as well as bringing tension and conflicts within the families. Thirdly, it is also acknowledged in the study that industrial action affects employer-employee relations.
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- Date Issued: 2018