Assuring the quality of mentoring in Malawi's 1+1 model of initial primary teacher education programme: implications for teacher development
- Authors: Mwanza, Alnord Levison Dave
- Date: 2014-09
- Subjects: Mentoring in education , Total quality management
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24632 , vital:63385
- Description: Teacher education has been the focus of numerous studies across the world. The debates revolve around what models or approaches to teacher development produce high quality teachers as measured by their ability to promote student learning. This has given rise to a continuum of models. At the one extreme there are those who advocate practice first and theory later; at the other there are those who recommend theory first and then practice. In between there is a combination of a variety of approaches. The models of teacher development, however, continue to grapple with the problem of how to balance theory and practice. In Malawi, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) (MIE, 2006) came up with what they see as a balance between theory and practice when they introduced the 1 year of theory and 1 year of practice, a model referred to as the 1+1. The focus of this study was on the one year of practical teaching where mentoring is critical; hence the particular attention to examine and understand how its quality was assured from the perspective of fitness for purpose and fitness of purpose. The study was anchored mainly in the post-positivist paradigm and the methodology used was the mixed-methods approach. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design comprising a survey followed by a case study was employed. For the survey, four sets of semi-structured questionnaires whose Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficients, α, were 0.971, 0.827, 0.859 respectively were developed using the Tailored Design Method; these were pilot tested and then administered through a drop-and-pick strategy to a census sample of 804 respondents comprising 92 school mentors, 92 school head-teachers, 4 Teacher Training College mentoring coordinators and 616 student teachers. A total response rate of 96percent was obtained. The case study design phase comprised six one-on-one face-to-face structured interviews; five focus groups; five non-participant observations; and a review of ten documents employing interview schedules, observations and document checklists as instruments for data collection. A total of 27 participants, three of whom did not participate in the survey phase, were involved in this phase. Quantitative data collected from either phase was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20 while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. As a mixed-method study, some of the qualitative data was quantitized and some of the quantitative data was qualititized; and integration of data was made during the following stages: research questions formulation, data collection, data presentation, and discussion and interpretation. The study revealed several weaknesses in assuring the quality of mentoring in the 1+1 IPTE model. First, the norms and standards for mentoring designed by the Ministry of Education were not used to guide the mentoring process. Instead, they were designed to fulfil accountability requirements of the Ministry of Education and Teacher Training Colleges rather than self-improvement. Hence, the study revealed that all the 92 schools had, therefore, no policies, practice codes and standards for monitoring mentoring casting doubt on the functioning of internal quality assurance. The study further revealed that 12 of the school mentors (13percent) had lower academic qualifications than their seventy-two student teachers they were mentoring; 35 of the school mentors (38percent) were at the entry grade of their teaching career; two of the mentors (2percent) (mentoring over twelve student teachers) were within the first three years of teaching, which means that they, themselves, were in need of being mentored; and all the school mentors had full time teaching responsibilities. As such, some student teachers indicated that they were not being assessed at all by their school mentors. This situation regarding mentors raises concerns over the subject knowledge levels of the mentors, the role model functions of the mentors and their competency to effectively mentor student teachers, as well as concerns regarding the quality of the mentoring programme and its outcomes. Findings from the study also revealed little or no monitoring of mentoring in schools as schools had no structures and systems for monitoring mentoring; and heavy workloads and financial constraints prevented college lecturers from monitoring mentoring in primary schools. However, on a positive note, the study revealed that 99percent of school mentors were trained for their mentoring roles and were receiving regular training which was provided regularly on a term-basis. Based on the above findings, the 1+1 Initial Primary Teacher Education model in Malawi is undermined by weak mentoring practices which have the potential to widen the theory and practice gap, and potentially impact on the quality of teachers produced. It is further recommended that the mentoring practices move away from the technicist approach and focus on the actual processes of mentoring; that norms and standards for school mentor selection and support are developed; that there should be more workshopping, seminars and conferences for mentors; and that schools should be assisted to develop collegial-emancipatory quality assurance systems for mentoring. A rainbow model for assuring the quality of mentoring in the 1+1 IPTE mode is finally recommended. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2014
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- Date Issued: 2014-09
Opportunities and challenges for socio-economic transformation in rural Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutami, Cephas
- Date: 2014-10
- Subjects: Economic development--Social aspects , Rural development , Community development
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26459 , vital:65338
- Description: The focus of the thesis is the impediments of rural development in Zimbabwe and how opportunities for socio-economic transformation can be enhanced in the current setting. The study embarks from a conceptualization of rural poverty in Zimbabwe using theoretical and empirical evidence. Poverty in rural Zimbabwe has a historical legacy of deprivation and dispossession and is concentrated in communal areas which have low resources bases with low agriculture potential due to low rainfall and poor soils. The myriad of challenges in rural Zimbabwe point to the incoherent of rural development polices which are distorting markets for inputs and produce. Thus the study sought to address the rural development policy bottlenecks and develop a policy agenda for development.Using mixed methods approach, the study considered household economic conditions, their production practices and their vulnerability contexts in three selected districts which represent communal, old resettlement and small scale A1 and A2 areas. The household data is blended with interview data of rural development practitioners in both private and public agencies to produce comprehensive information on the impact of rural development policies. Archival research method was also used to do content reviews on government policy papers and programs so as to provide a holistic approach to analysis. Naturally mixed methods produce large volumes of data which requires thorough analysis. This was only possible through the use of analytical computer software packages for qualitative and quantitative data such as Atlas Ti and Excel spreadsheet, respectively. The study revealed that rural households in Zimbabwe are farmers. The majority of these farmers are smallholders who are located in remote communal areas and resettlement areas. Communal farmers constitute the bulk of rural citizens and live on less than a dollar a day. They are engaged in mixed farming methods and other non-farm activities especially during off-agriculture season. Communal households basically produce staples, with a low percentage producing cotton and groundnuts. Production choices and methods are shaped by subsistence needs of households but more so by risks and vulnerability contexts which they operate in. Farmers in resettlement areas face a different set of opportunities and threats to their livelihoods as they are located in prime agricultural land. However they are still challenged with the rural development approaches of central government. On the policy front, there is no pronounced rural development policy in Zimbabwe. The current setting has numerous pronouncements and programs which all seek to alleviate underdevelopment in Zimbabwe. These programs are replicating each other in practice and in most cases benefit the political elites and large scale commercial farmers. The multiplicity of government institutions which deal with rural development results in incremental decisions and programs which further impoverishes rural households. The study posits a rural development policy framework which is based on a comprehensive policy agenda which takes into cognizance the production requirements of households. Such a policy needs to be inclusive to the rural households in terms of governance and programs. A rural development policy agenda and framework would require the harnessing of resources from both the government and private players in well-articulated market friendly approaches. This would stimulate high productivity, enhance off-farm activities, raise incomes and foremost create appropriate social protection programs. Thus the potential for sustained economic growth and development in Zimbabwe lies with smallholder agriculture based rural development framework which can impact on the 67% population who live and work in rural areas. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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- Date Issued: 2014-10
Social intrepreneurship and millennium development goals in developing countries: case study of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Ngorora, Grace P K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-313
- Date: 2014-11
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship , Economic development , Poverty
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26661 , vital:65847
- Description: The study set out to examine the contribution of social entrepreneurship to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly MDG 1, the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Poverty reduction occurred when social entrepreneurial activities resulted in the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of social entrepreneurs and their beneficiaries. The problem this study sought to research on was that, despite the impact of social entrepreneurship, there has been inadequate attention to and discussion of its contribution to attaining the MDGs in Zimbabwe. The population were social entrepreneurs in Harare, Zimbabwe. The random sampling method was used to determine the sample size. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data in Harare, Zimbabwe from 132 social entrepreneurs and 200 beneficiaries of social entrepreneurial activities. Secondary information was obtained from textbooks and various internet sources. The data collected was analyzed through SPSS Version 22 because of its appropriateness and wide use. The null hypothesis that social entrepreneurship does not contribute to the achievement of MDGs was rejected in favor of the alternative hypothesis that social entrepreneurship provides an alternative to the achievement of MDGs. Findings from the study suggest that social entrepreneurs contribute immensely to poverty reduction. They also contribute towards research and development, promoting gender equality and empowerment, education for all as well as access to health facilities. The segments of the population benefiting from social entrepreneurship include the poor, socially excluded, discriminated, the unemployed and disabled. The impact on poverty and hunger was achieved through microfinance initiatives, income generation activities, empowerment and capacity building. Results showed that social entrepreneurship activities solve social problems through providing food, shelter, water, education and collateral to access finance. The study concluded that social entrepreneurship is a plausible approach to promote implementation of policies to reduce extreme poverty and hunger by using readily available resources to bring sustainable solutions to problems. The strategies to make social entrepreneurship more effective included creating a conducive legal and policy environment, financial provision, political support, and government support, publicity of the contribution of social entrepreneurship, mentorship and collaboration among stakeholders. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2014
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- Date Issued: 2014-11
A process maturity framework of information security policy development life cycle
- Authors: Tuyikeze, Tite
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Computer security , Information technology , Computer crimes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26797 , vital:66010
- Description: Information security policy development involves more than policy formulation and implementation. Unless organisations explicitly recognise the various steps required in the development of a security policy, they run the risk of developing policies that are poorly thought out, incomplete, redundant and, irrelevant and which will not be fully supported by the users. This study argues that an information security policy has an entire life cycle through which it must pass through during its useful lifetime. A content analysis on information security policy development methods was conducted using secondary sources in the relevant literature. The outcome of the content analysis resulted in the proposal of a framework of information security policy development and implementation. The proposed framework outlines the various steps required in the development, implementation and enforcement of an effective information security policy. A survey of 400 security professionals was conducted in order to evaluate the concepts contained in the framework.This study also emphasises the importance of integrating a security maturity assessment process into the information security policy development life cycle. A key finding of this study is the proposed maturity assessment framework which offers a structured methodology for evaluating the maturity level of an information security policy. The framework presents an integrated and holistic approach to ensure the incremental process maturity of the organisation’s information security policy development process. In addition, organisations using the proposed framework will be able both to determine the current maturity levels of their information security policy development process and also to plan enhancements in the correct sequence. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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- Date Issued: 2014-12
An examination of human resource management strategies and their contribution to effective local government systems in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutongoreni, Noah Ariel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6039-6241
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Personnel management , Local government--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24024 , vital:62299
- Description: The study sought to examine human resource management strategies and their contributions to effective local government systems in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Local government in Zimbabwe, though being nearest to the people, is showing evidence of failure to discharge its mandate. Various factors have been used to explain the reasons behind local government‘s failures to provide services. None of these have touched on the role played by people management in ensuring local government performance. This was notwithstanding the fact that towards the last two decades of the twentieth century research emerged glorifying human resources as the source of organizational excellence. Consequently, being motivated by the fact that good people management strategies lead to excellent organizational performance, attention in this study focused on people management strategies in local government in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a mixed approach with a strong inclination towards qualitative methodology. The data was gleaned from documents from local authorities, interviews, focus group interviews and questionnaire surveys. The study focused on local authorities in Manicaland Province. The results of the study confirmed the existence of human resource management strategies in local authorities in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The human resource management strategies have however not resulted in excellent performance of local authorities. The reason behind this is attributable to severe resource constraints. Excellent people management strategies were found to be on paper as there were no resources to support them. The dearth of resources in local authorities was found to be attributed to the economic, political, legal and social factors engulfing the local government system in Zimbabwe. Consequently, local government in Zimbabwe remain stressed and in dire need of a ―Lazarus moment‖. There is an engineer with skills to construct dams to quench the thirst souls in the city but there are no resources to construct the dams. The fireman‘s truck rushes to quench a fire outbreak only to arrive at the scene with no water. In view of this, the study recommends that the review of the local government legal framework be speeded up and more autonomy be granted to local authorities. Such a review would have a bearing on the notion of decentralization, democratization and consequently economic development. In addition, government must seriously consider setting aside a portion of its budget towards support of local authorities. v Where democratic ethos exists, there is transparency, accountability, the rule of law and responsiveness. The human resource in local government would in turn promote democracy and excellence. Other strategies such as granting of garnishing powers to local authorities as well as giving their police arresting would further nourish their resource base. When this happen people management strategies would contribute to effective local government systems in Zimbabwe. Further studies on the contribution of human resource management strategies in effective local government systems after the complete overhaul of the current legislative regime would nonetheless be of interest to researchers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-01
Assessing the preparation, induction and professional development experiences of teacher educators in Botswana and South Africa: recommendations for an andragogically based model
- Authors: Kasozi, Joseph Amooti https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0978-2171
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Teachers -- In-service training , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa , Education -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24643 , vital:63388
- Description: Research evidence points to the fact that in most countries teacher educators enter the field of teacher education with little or no preparation (Abell, 1997;Ntoyi≤fuka, 2001; Robinson & Macmillan, 2006; Snoek, Swennen and van der Klink, 2009). Yet, it is argued that the teacher is the single most important factor determining the achievement of learners and the quality of education (UNESCO, 2008; Snoek, Swennen and van der Klink, 2009; Smith, 2010). Sadly, however, most countries and teacher education institutions have paid little or no attention to the preparation, induction and professional development of those who train these teachers, that is, the teacher of the teachers or the teacher educators (Martinez, 2008; Santoro, Mayer, Mitchell, & White, 2009; European Commission, 2010; van Velzen, van der Klink, Swennen, Yaffe, 2010). This situation probably arises from the general belief that good school teachers are good teacher educators and therefore there is no need to worry about their preparation, induction and professional development. This is the basis upon which this research is premised. A mixed methods approach was used to research the following questions: • How are teacher educators in Botswana and South Africa inducted and developed as teachers of adults? • How do the teacher educators (in Botswana and South Africa) adjust their teaching practice to cater for the needs of their students who are adults? • What recommendations can be made to improve the preparation, induction and professional development of teacher educators as teachers of adult student teachers? The sites for the study were four institutions (two faculties of education, one located in Botswana and another in South Africa, and two colleges of education located in Botswana). Out of a possible total of 316 teacher educators at the four institutions 128 responded to a close ended questionnaire that required them to indicate their autobiographic details, experiences as teachers and teacher educators, and their preparation, induction and professional development as teacher educators. In addition 12 teacher educators with varying experiences in teacher education were interviewed. The purpose of the interviews was to record the experiences of their preparation, induction and professional development as teacher educators. Furthermore, literature from various sources was consulted about the topic under study. The results confirmed the earlier assertion that there is very little attention paid to the preparation, induction and professional development of teacher educators in the institutions that were studied. Literature also indicated a similar pattern in most teacher education institutions in Botswana and South Africa. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the preparation, induction and professional development of teacher educators be conducted following the andragogical model. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-01
Indigenous knowledge systems and gender relations interface and its implications for food security: the case of Khambashe rural households in the Amathole District, South Africa
- Authors: Garutsa, T C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1904-2764
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Indigenous peoples -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26581 , vital:65660
- Description: The aim of this study was to find out about how the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems and gender relations affects food security in the rural households of the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. The focus is on food security-related indigenous knowledge utilized by women rather than the general indigenous knowledge of the people in the Eastern Cape. Ample literature exists on food security and gender, food security and indigenous knowledge systems and the role of gender dynamics in the application of indigenous knowledge systems. However, there is dearth of literature on studies on the role of the indigenous knowledge systems-gender relations interface in food security. Hence this study was directed at investigating the indigenous knowledge systems-gender dynamics interplay and its implications for food security and sustainable development with specific reference to the rural households of Khambashe village of the Eastern Cape Province. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine factors accounting for the attrition of women’s indigenous knowledge in food production systems of the Khambashe rural households. The main position advanced in this thesis is that domination coupled with marginalisation of women and indigenous knowledge systems by hegemonic Western power/knowledge and traditional African practices account for challenges faced by rural households with regard to food security and sustainable livelihoods. Put differently, the core argument of this study is that the intersection between gender and indigenous knowledge systems has two opposing possibilities for food security. On the one hand, through the various roles of women in the application of indigenous knowledge systems in rural areas, the indigenous knowledge and gender relations interplay can operate to enhance the likelihood of achieving sustainable rural livelihoods and hence food security. On the other hand, gender oppression, subjugation, exclusion and marginalization through various practices such as the utilization of discriminatory patriarchal cultural values and norms can inhibit the application of the rich folk knowledge reservoir of ideas held by women in food production processes. Key illustrative examples of the constraints imposed by cultural traditions that pose problems for the realization of sustainable rural livelihoods are cultural practices which prohibit women to inter alia own and inherit land. These cultural practices also deprive women the liberty to make their own decisions without the consultation of men despite being sole providers of their own households. In other words, lack of access to assets and other resources owing to the marginalization of local knowledge by the dominant Western-based scientific knowledge systems and culturally-derived gender discriminatory practices make the role of women in the process of utilizing indigenous knowledge systems for the purposes of food security difficult. The theoretical framework of this study is drawn from the post-development discourse derived from Foucault’s archaeology of power and knowledge, ecofeminism and African feminism. Such a framework has a utility to reinvigorate marginalised indigenous knowledge and thereby help women reclaim their leadership in processes of ensuring food security. In a situation where indigenous knowledge systems have been excluded and subjugated by the dominant Western knowledge systems, an extended post-development discourse of this nature is transformative. While Foucault’s theory will provide key insights around power/knowledge dynamics and issues, ecofeminism and African feminism will extend these insights in the exploration of the patterns of power in both the knowledge and gender relations domains. In fact interactions in food production processes are embedded in systematized knowledge and traditional gender relations. Hence, in order to ensure a deep-going analysis of these phenomena, Foucault’s framework on power/knowledge is augmented by the ideas of ecofeminism and African feminism owing to the fact that systems of domination whether in the knowledge arena or gender relations domain are responsible for the challenges relating to food secure households and sustainable rural livelihoods. The rationale for this approach is that subjugation and marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems by Western hegemonic power/knowledge coupled with exclusionary and discriminatory practices of patriarchal cultural values is seen as inhibiting the proper application of indigenous knowledge in food production processes. The extended post-development discourse adopted for this study takes into consideration the fact that oppression and discrimination the world over has taken the Foucauldian power/knowledge dimension in the sense that women in rural African settings are not only prevented by Western science from the application of indigenous knowledge for the development of sustainable livelihoods but that their own cultural traditions are also a hindrance towards them owning land and property, making their own decisions without recourse to men and exercising their own authority. A mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research design was utilized in order to gain a full grasp of nuances of the interface between indigenous knowledge and gender dynamics in food production processes in Khambashe. This methodological triangulation was used for purposes of enhancing the capturing of comprehensive data and a holistic understanding of food security issues in the area. Further, owing to the fact that survey questionnaires as research instruments would have not given a voice to women as key research participants and that the deployment of in-depth interviews alone as research tools would have compromised the generalizability of the findings of the study, each of the two research methods were to confirm, clarify, complement, enhance and elaborate the research results of the other. In other words, in order to counterbalance the limitation of questionnaires with regard to artificiality and not affording a voice to research participants in-depth interviews were conducted. The lack of generalizability of the latter was compensated by the high degree of representativity afforded by the use of the former (that is, questionnaires). As already indicated above, the study setting for the empirical data was the Khambashe village in the Eastern Cape. Information gathered included the more positive effects of the IK-gender relations interplay on food security covered in Chapter 7. This chapter described and analysed the various roles women play inter alia animal husbandry, crop production, creation and utilization of indigenous technology in food production processes and in post-harvesting practices. In contrast, chapter 8 investigated and discusses the various constrains which account for the hindrance in the operationalization of IK in food production processes by women. Chief among the identified constrains in Khambashe are the marginalization of local knowledge by hegemonic Western science and the discriminatory traditional practices. The research results of this study show that despite the key role of women in the application of local knowledge, practices and technologies in food production processes, the penetration, colonization and domination of the African socio-economic and cultural sphere by the West has resulted in the deterioration in the use of indigenous knowledge. Imperialistic Western knowledge masquerading as modern science and technology manifested in inter alia chemical fertilizers and modified food is a constraint to the utility of women’s indigenous knowledge and practices that ensures both food security and sustainable development. In view of the fact that failure to utilize readily available indigenous knowledge, practices and technologies owing to the marginalisation of local epistemes by Western science and the discriminatory African traditional practices and gender relations has led to further impoverishment of rural communities, there is a need to both empower women and to revitalize their indigenous knowledge for purposes of food security and sustainable development in rural areas such as Khambashe. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-01
Municipal governance and the space for meaningful engagement: local government, citizenship and public participation in Amahlati and great Kei Municipalities
- Authors: Sokupa, Thabile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-477X
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Municipal government--South Africa--Eastern Cape , Local government--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25107 , vital:63978
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in 1996, new forms of “wall to wall” municipalities were created throughout South Africa in 2000 and given a mandate of a local developmental sphere. The founding blocks of this was through the creation of the three spheres of government mechanism, namely national, provincial and local, each sphere of government was regarded as distinctive, interrelated and interdependent from one another. The local government sphere however has since mid-2000’s been marred by persistent service delivery protests throughout the country, in recent years the service delivery protests have been accompanied by violence and intimidation. The Eastern Cape Province has not been spared from this phenomenon, media reports, independent monitoring think tanks and yearly statistical results released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the ‘Gatherings Act’ indicates that service delivery protests in the province has been on an upward trend on yearly basis since the mid-2000’s. But much more detail is required in understanding the causes behind what are sometimes termed “civil unrest.” The thesis attempts to highlight trends regarding reasons for protest, methods of protest, and the profiling of areas where the protests occur. The findings would meaningfully contribute to the local government discourse and foster alternative mechanisms of engaging communities through better governance and development mechanism by local authorities. The ultimate goal is to create alternative solutions in addressing communities’ needs at local level for policy makers. Currently there is an existing gap in investigating service delivery protests especialy in rural municipalities, most of the municipal research findings and policies are predominantly urban oriented and are not tailor made in addressing rural community’s needs on governance and development. Although the South African Constitution makes provision on steps to be followed on governance and development at local level both vertical and horizontal integration, the Constitution is however silent on addressing governance and development needs of rural communities. As a result of this silence, rural municipalities are confined to develop policies that are not specific to their local needs. Hence the research was conducted in rural communities of Amahlathi and Great Kei municipalities respectively through mixed methods between quantitative and qualitative research. The thesis primarily sought to assess the actual nature and content of forms of engagement in the current public participation discourse at the two municipalities and perceptions thereof of communities on this matter. The information gathered in this research is intended to provide policy makers and those with interests on local government with a better understanding on the dynamics of public participation involvement and service delivery protests on rural based municipalities. The research also seeks to generate new information, insights and perspectives on service delivery protests in order to develop alternative strategies in addressing and minimising service delivery protests. This would assist local government practitioners on the one hand, with planning and implementing a focused approach on governance and development for communities while on the other, introduce an alternative perspective that is evidence based for policy makers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-01
A critical assessment of economic policies and their impact on entrepreneurship development in South Africa: a case of Khayelitsha Township in Cape Town
- Authors: Oduwole, Olusola https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1563-7392
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic policy , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26302 , vital:65236
- Description: The complexity of the South African society due to past systematic exclusion of some communities from economic activities resulted in the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Although various economic policies had been developed since the advent of the democratic dispensation in 1994, these policies focused on levelling the economic environment, poverty alleviation and massive social security system. However, despite all the interventions, South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. This is profiled by the mushrooming of informal settlements around cities with job seekers and frequent protests by people who are impatient to experience improvement in their quality of life and who feel cheated out of their social contract. Advocacy from the governing party’s tripartite alliance towards a developmental state had placed more obligations on the government. This requires deliberate interventions through policies implementation to improve or at best alleviate the well-being of the citizenry. A survey conducted in the township of Khayelitsha to assess the impact of such economic policies on the development of entrepreneurship. Khayelitsha is one of South Africa’s largest townships, an informal settlement profiled by unemployment, poor infrastructure and unavailability of basic services. The study explored the entrepreneurial perception, start-up barriers, entrepreneurship climate, and general cultural factors relating to the environment of entrepreneurship development. The results reveal that despite the various economic policies, high level of unwillingness of citizens towards entrepreneurial activity and business venture is rife notwithstanding the high level of unemployment and poverty. The antidote to these challenges would be a rapid entrepreneurship drive among people most affected that would cause them to mind their own business” and become “masters of their own destinies. Given the complexity and massiveness of the challenges, the conclusion shows that a pragmatic solution is required. Therefore, the emancipation of entrepreneurship development in South Africa townships needs attention. The recommended solution is a pragmatic and innovative strategy based on the acronyms NEEDS HELP which stand for Neighbourhood Enhancement and Environmental Development Strategy and Holistic Entrepreneurial Lifestyle Programme. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
An analysis of ethics and governance practices in the public sector: United Nations and African Union perspectives
- Authors: Shindika, Emmanuel Selemani
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: United Nations , African Union , Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26164 , vital:64946
- Description: Recent studies highlight the importance of improving governance and ethics in public entities, especially in Africa. However, doing so requires an understanding on what forms governance and ethics in public institutions, particularly at a national level. Such considerations necessitates that some focus on continental and world institutions, such as, the African Union and the United Nations. These institutions have been in existence for a number of years with mandates of improving member states governance and ethics, as well as, service delivery to the public. As such, this research primarily focuses on understanding the roles played by the AU and the UN in shaping governance and ethics to member states, as well as, of its employees. The focus of this inquiry was to understand individual narratives about how working for public institutions on a daily to day basis influences governance and ethics understanding and application. Therefore, in order to properly analyse the narratives from respondents, the study applied an inductive and qualitative approach in order to explore how the AU and UN systems influence governance and ethics for member s states and employees. Data was collected through semi structured interviews with UN and AU officials, as well as public servants of member states for those organisations. The study made use of a thematic analyses method of interpreting data. A total of six major themes emerged, they are as follows: ethics a part in governance; effectiveness of AU and UN systems; disciplinary role; ethical guidelines and standards influence on public sector; member states adherence to the UN/AU ethical conduct; and implementation gaps in ethical guidelines within member states. Interviews were conducted in four countries namely; South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius and Botswana. Findings from the study pointed that the AU and UN systems have loopholes in dealing with issues of governance and ethics. Moreover, member states respondents also pointed to the loopholes in those two organisations. The research suggests that member states should tighten their public entities ethical compliance assessments and follow suggestions from the UN and AU. Final recommendations and suggestions for further research are provided. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
An analysis of schooling outcomes in the Eastern Cape, using production function approach
- Authors: Ncanywa, Thobeka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Education -- Economic aspects , Production functions (Economic theory) , School management and organization
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26570 , vital:65656
- Description: This study analysed the schooling outcomes of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in the period heading into the second decade of democracy. The main objective of the thesis is to discover what constitutes the education production function of the Eastern Cape schooling system. In an attempt to reach this objective, the study adopted an education production function approach to answer the questions of what constitute the Eastern Cape education production function, what the effects are of the Dinaledi policy interventions on learner performance and the effects of district size on schooling outcomes. The main focus of the constituents of the production function is on the level of the former Bantustan penalty and Department of Education and Training (DET) penalty in relation to former White schools; as well as the quality of educators in the province. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and quantile regressions were used to analyse the data and the Annual National Assessment (ANA) represented schooling outcomes and was estimated against school, educator and community characteristics. The results indicated a strong relationship between schooling outcomes and the school inputs that were used in the study. The effects of the Dinaledi intervention programme were analysed using the grade 12 panel data for the period from 2008 to 2013, where event dropout rates represented schooling outcomes. The findings that emerged from this study indicated that this programme provides a model that can improve the Eastern Cape schooling outcomes. The effects of district size on schooling outcomes were analysed with the regression discontinuity design technique and this revealed that district sizes have an impact on schooling outcomes. Overall, the results suggested that White schools perform better than their counterparts; that placing schools in quintiles is a good policy intervention; and that educator quality is associated with schooling outcomes. The key findings from this research were the continuing existence of the apartheid legacy in Black schools; poor educator quality; an inappropriate language of instruction; gender inequalities in performance and an uneven distribution of schools in districts. The recommendations for this research are to pay more attention to the improvement of educator quality in terms of educator qualifications, training and remuneration; implement a programme like the Dinaledi programme to all schools, as it provides resources to schools; and enforce the district size as informed by the district act so as to improve the support that district officials give to schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation of source rocks and depositional environments on acid mine drainage in South African coal mines: a comparison of the main Karoo basin and sub-basins.
- Authors: Ncube, Lindani
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mine drainage -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Coal mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Acid mine drainage -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19556 , vital:43139
- Description: The coal deposits have been and continue to be the primary source of energy in South Africa. The continuous use of coal presents many challenges that includes genesis of acid mine drainage (AMD) which is as a result of the oxidation of predominant pyrite (FeS2) and other sulphides. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of source rocks and their depositional environments on AMD generation in South African coal mine environments. Five collieries from five coalfields were selected as case studies: Brandspruit in the Highveld, Vaalkrantz in the Vryheid, the Elitheni in the Molteno-Indwe, the Arnot in the Witbank and the Malatleng Exploration Project in the Waterberg Coalfields. Brandspruit, Vaalkrantz and Elitheni Collieries are located in the Main Karoo Basin, while the Witbank and the Waterberg Coalfields are located in Sub-Basins. The study investigated a variety of indices such as palaeo-depositional environments, mineral assemblages, geochemical signatures, water quality parameters, acid base accounting (ABA) and water leach tests for the coal and associated non-coal strata. An effort was made to establish the relationship between the mineralogy of the studied lithologies and the associated water quality. The study resulted in delineation of detrital and diagenetic rock components and interpretation of source area of rock types and the origin and timing of diagenetic alterations. Sandstone units are prevalent, except in the Waterberg Coalfield where mudstones are prevalent. Classifications of the mineralogical composition with descriptive adjectives yield the rock names arkose to sub-arkose categories in the Main Karoo Basin, and sub-arenites to quartz arenites in the Sub-Basins with the sandstones of recycled origin. Further, the sandstones of the Main Karoo Basin are of mixed provenance whilst those of Sub-Basins represent cratonic interior provenance. Sandstone from the Main Karoo Basin generally exhibit high concentrations of feldspars, which favour either high relief, arid or arctic climates with less chemical weathering at the source area. The presence of glauconite in sediments of the Main Karoo Basin attests to a marine continental shelf depositional environment. Sediments of the Main Karoo Basin have high contents of tadpole-shaped pyrite in coal and non-coal strata as compared to sediments of the Sub-Basins. The observed pyrite is ascribed to early diagenetic origin, and is closely related to the generation of acid mining drainage. The sediments have experienced an involved sequence of diagenetic alterations. The alterations considered to be typical for sandstones in the Main Karoo Basin are calcite cementation, feldspar dissolution, kaolinite infilling, pyrite grain coatings, albitization and pressure solution; whereas, quartz overgrowth and clay matrix filling are characteristics of sediments of Sub-Basins. The sequence and distribution of these alterations are related to the source mineral composition, depositional environment, stratigraphic relationships and burial history of the sediments. A direct link exists among the depositional environments, the mineral assemblages and the geochemical compositions of the lithologies. SiO2 is the dominant major oxide and is abundant in coals from coalfields located in the Sub-Basins. Si, Al, Fe, Ca, S, Mg, K and Na show strong association with their discrete minerals. The sandstones are substantially enriched in elements that are chemically immobile and associated with terrigenous influx, such as SiO2, Al2O3, and TiO2. The observed high contents of SiO2 are probably due to source rocks and silicification. SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 are related to clay and heavy minerals, with elevated Fe2O3 (Total) content in sediments of the Main Karoo Basin ascribed to sulphidization. Sediments from the Main Karoo Basin are enriched in both Na2O and K2O due to albitization and muscovitization. Substantial concentrations of Ba, Rb and Zr are in accordance to the high amount of phyllosilicates and heavy minerals. Muscovitization contributes to the correlation of Rb and Ba with K2O. The shales are substantially depleted in SiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2 and Fe2O3 due to weathering and diagenetic alteration, but are enriched in Al2O3 and P2O5. The ABA test clearly indicates that sandstones from the Main Karoo Basin have a potential of generating AMD as they contain sufficient pyrite to generate acid, with the final pH values of the samples turning acidic upon complete oxidation of pyrite. On the contrary, sediments of SubBasins contain sufficient calcite that serves to limit the amount of acid generation. Both sandstone and coal from collieries representing the Main Karoo Basin are characterised by elevated contents of S percent in comparison to coal from collieries representing the Sub-Basins. In general, the quality of water is as a result of a combination of complex geochemical interactions that involves various ions from different sources. Water leaching test shows that the leachates have varied chemical compositions with pH values in the range of 4.5-9 for the sandstone, and 2– 8.9 for the coal leachates. Variations in the pH values are attributed to regional phenomena controlled by the mineralogical and hydrological environments. Furthermore, the variation in pH is ascribed to the presence of acid forming pyrite and acid neutralizing carbonate minerals that are highly reactive in the mining environment. Elements Na, Ca, Mg and K occur in non-compliant concentrations in both coal and non-coal leachates indicating their abundance in all of the lithologies. Na enrichment in the lithologies is associated with albite, clay minerals and Al-Ksulphate coatings. Elements Fe, Al, Cd and Pb are easily leached from the lithologies. According to the equilibrium model, gibbsite, cuprite, diaspore and boehmite are the supersaturated minerals in the lithologies. Influencing factors such as the mineralogical composition of rocks are reflected in the wide variation of pH, TDS, EC and the ion concentrations of the studied water samples. The pH of the studied areas is neutral to alkaline. High levels of TDS and EC are observed in the Brandspruit Colliery, which is due to dissolution of soluble salts from the rock sequence that the water passes through. The anion chemistry shows the dominance of SO4 2- in the surface and groundwater of Brandspruit, Vaalkrantz and Elitheni Collieries, whereas HCO3 - dominates in the Arnot Colliery. SO4 2- is ascribed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Cldominates in groundwater from the Arnot Colliery and the Waterberg Coalfield. The cation chemistry is dominated by Na+ in the surface and groundwater of the Brandspruit, Vaalkrantz and Elitheni Collieries. Mg2+ dominates in groundwater from the Arnot Colliery, while K+ dominates in the Waterberg Coalfield. Fe is highly enriched in water from the Brandspruit Colliery, and is linked to the oxidation of pyrite. Carbonates are the supersaturated minerals in the Sub-Basins whilst sulphates are supersaturated in the Main Karoo Basin. The research shows that variations in regional mineral distribution is a result of a palaeo-deposition environment that was of marine nature for the coal sequence in the Main Karoo Basin and of fresh water for the coal sequence in Sub-Basins. A direct link therefore exists between depositional environments, mineral assemblages and whole rock geochemistry. It can be concluded that AMD is directly linked to pyrite and other sulphides, the coal mines located in the Main Karoo Basin have the possibility to deteriorate surface- and ground-water quality and to generate AMD during the mining processes; coal miners need to seriously consider applying environmental protection measures when mining coal in the Main Karoo Basin. Whereas, coal mining in the Sub-Basins has low possibility of generating AMD and pollution. , Thesis (PhD) (Geology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
Assessing public administration implications of the use and disposal of agro-chemicals in A2 farms in Zimbabwe : a case study of Chirumhanzu District
- Authors: Matunhu, Viola
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural chemicals , Hazardous waste treatment facilities , Pesticide waste
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26481 , vital:65471
- Description: This study is concerned with use and disposal of agro-chemical in A2 farms in Zimbabwe with specific reference to Chirumhanzu District. The study is located in the field of public administration. A transformational mixed research design was employed in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the field data. The study involved farm employees in 21 A2 farms that use agro-chemicals to enhance farm productivity. Non probability sampling techniques were employed to select the participating farms. Interviews, questionnaires, literature search, and observation where the main data collection instruments. A total of 150 purposively selected employees drawn from 21 participating farms participated in the study. The findings of this empirical study, which uses the terms I, the researcher, and the study interchangeably, were that there is poor use and management of agro-chemicals in the area. Most farm employees do not adhere to instructions on use and disposal of the chemicals and there is a weak monitoring and evaluation of the use and disposal of agro-chemicals on the farms. Yet, most of these chemicals are carcinogens. Farm employees need to be trained on personal and public health implications of poor management of agro-chemicals. Labels on containers that store chemicals need to be written in both English and vernacular, which is not the case in the district. Labels on most of the chemicals on the farms studied are written in English and technical terms are used. Although, most of the employees on the farms are literate, they find it difficult to understand the jargon on labels. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015
Study of the biotransformations and microbiological properties of cymbopogon citratus
- Authors: Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0838-4948
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lemongras , Essences and essential oils
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19737 , vital:43197
- Description: Variations in the essential oil yield, chemical composition and kinetics of chemical transformation, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of the Cymbopogon citratus cultivated in Alice, Eastern Cape of South Africa, over a period of 12 months using the solvent-free microwave extraction and the modified forms of conventional hydrodistillation methods have been evaluated. The modified forms involve variation in the pH medium to effect extraction and to obtain the whole leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass). The GC-MS analyses of the essential oils revealed the presence of 10, 11, 13, and 9 principal compounds in the microwave, extraction, hydrodistillation (water-distilled), hydrodistillation (aciddistilled and hydrodistillation (base-distilled), respectively with citral being the prominent compound in all the various extraction methods, with the water-distilled method having the highest cumulative citral content under the period specified. Each of the components of the oils varied in quantity and quality of yield at different points of the year. Different extraction methods produce different compounds. Increase in the amount of citral content was observed during the maturation stage of Cymbopogon citratus in all the extraction methods. Quantitative evaluation of antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined on the oils and extracts of Cymbopogon citratus using agar dilution method. The essential oils obtained using all the methods of extraction showed activity against all the tested bacteria at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the acid-distilled varied between 1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1, while those obtained by both water- and base-distilled showed equal activity on the microorganisms with the MIC ranging between 2.5 and 10 mg mL-1. The microwave extraction showed the least activity with the MIC of 10 mg mL-1. This however suggested that the oils obtained through acid-distillation showed the greatest activity than all other methods of extraction. Activity of the various extracts on bacteria showed that the ethanol extract had the highest activity on the tested organisms with MIC ranging between 0.625 and 1.25 mg mL-1. This was closely followed by the acid-extract (1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1), methanol extract (1.25 and 10 mg mL-1), acetone extract (2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1), and base extract (5.0 mg mL-1). Both cold water and hot water extracts showed the least activity of MIC, >10 mg mL-1. The antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity of the obtained oils and extracts were tested by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH+) assay, [(2,2ˊ-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS), nitric oxide and ferric reducing power assays. The oils and extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging ability, but not as high as the standard drugs. The base extract showed a higher reducing power than the standard drug, rutin. There were significant differences in the phytochemicals contents of the various leaf extracts. The acetone extract has the highest flavonol, proanthocyanidin, and alkaloid contents. The ethanol extract showed the highest amount of phenolic content with the acid extract, having the least. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography was employed to obtain different fractions of extracts using four eluent solvent systems of varying polarities: toluene, petroleum ether, hexane and ethyl acetate and sprayed with anisaldehyde. A single, visible spot of B-fraction was developed, collected and analyzed as 1-methyl-2,4,5- trinitroimidazole with renown valuable properties. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Performance-based strategies for improving service quality in electricity regulation in developing countries: the Nigerian experience
- Authors: Obi, Chikwerem Ukaobasi
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Electricity--Government policy--Developing countries , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24868 , vital:63665
- Description: Service quality is a relatively new concept in the regulatory lexicon. It has emerged as a critical factor in post-reform regulation of electricity distribution networks and it is a multi-dimensional concept in regulatory policy that connotes standard of performance in service delivery. Regulators establish performance standards by defining clearly the quality of service the customer deserves given the price paid. It is in recognition of the fact that customers are highly sensitive to the level of service delivered to them, and they value the speed and accuracy with which their requests are handled that have made service quality critical in the electricity value chain. The level of quality provided to individual customers is generally distributed over a range of values. Hence, regulators are mainly concerned with the protection of the worst-served customers and the possibility that a group of customers might receive unacceptably low levels of service quality. The major objective of this study is to ascertain how service quality regulation can improve electricity distribution in Nigeria. In doing this, the research gave a general overview of the study as an introduction in chapter one; it went on to review the available literature in chapter two. Chapter three conceptualizes the framework of the study by identifying the New Public Management (NPM) as a catalyst for effective regulation, followed by a case study of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in chapter four. In chapter five, the study employed the Likert attitudinal scale sampling technique and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) as the methodologies for data analysis in the research. The data presentation and interpretation were carried out in chapter six by presenting the results of the customer survey and outlining the key performance indicators (KPIs) based on the following three areas of service quality: technical indicators, financial indicators and customer-service indicators, which finally dovetailed into the summary, recommendations and conclusion in chapter seven. The performance of the privatized DISCOs was assessed by means of descriptive analysis by administering questionnaires, trend analysis and technical efficiency estimations using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. The estimates were carried out by means of the Frontier 4.1 software and were based on three assumptions of returns to scale. The findings revealed that the average industry performance for DISCOs dropped from 95% before privatization to 82% after privatization. This relatively poor performance may well have been caused by the reluctance of the private investors, who now own majority shares in the DISCOs, to invest in the retrofitting and upgrading of the network infrastructure existing before they took over. The implication of this finding is not a condemnation of the recentlyconcluded privatization of the power sector in Nigeria, but probably the private investors’ desperation to recover their investment at the expense of public interest for quality service given that most of the investors acquired the utilities with shortterm funds. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-03
A framework for continuing professional development of teachers in regular primary schools: towards the effective teaching of learners with special education needs in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muguwe, Emely https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2156-8642
- Date: 2015-05
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- In-service training.
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24794 , vital:63576
- Description: This study focused on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs of teachers in regular primary schools for the effective teaching of learners with special education needs in Zimbabwe. The motivation of the study emerged from concerns raised by stakeholders that teachers were inadequately prepared to teach learners with special education needs in general education classrooms. This study was underpinned by the post-positivistic paradigm which takes on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study also employed the survey design, which utilised the mixed methods approach. The accessible population comprised 93 primary schools and 1 457 teachers, 93 school heads and all education officers in the Gweru District of Zimbabwe. The researcher used purposive and disproportional random sampling. Ten schools were purposively selected from a population of 93 schools in the Gweru District. One hundred and fifty teachers (10percent of the population) which translated into 15 teachers from each school, were selected from the 10 schools through disproportional stratified random sampling in order to include both male (n=69) and female (n=81) teachers in the study. Semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured face- to- face interviews and focus group discussions are the data collection methods which were used in this study. Data were presented, analysed and discussed, starting with demographic data in the first section, followed by quantitative data which were presented concurrently with corresponding emerging themes from qualitative data. The data collected via the questionnaires were coded and key-punched for analysis. Data were presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Findings of the study revealed that there is a dire need for knowledge and skills in SEN among teachers in regular schools. Teachers needed to be prepared for a paradigm shift of the inclusive era. Teachers also needed to identify their own needs to ensure that relevant and preferred areas were covered. Findings revealed that teachers preferred well-structured CPD which is facilitated by an expert and CPD held in their own schools, where good practices are shared with workmates. Findings also confirmed the availability of policy circulars in schools, although some teachers expressed that they were not aware of such circulars. There were no specific days allocated specifically for school CPD. Most teachers were not availed with the opportunity to attend out-of-school based workshops; and cascading of information led to dilution of original ideas. There was lack of adequate mentoring among qualified teachers. Teachers preferred the standards-based model for promotion purposes although it was limiting in terms of teachers’ learning. The training model was viewed as a productive way of quickly in-servicing teachers relative to its cost. The communities of practice model and transformative model were not being utilised in schools due to national policies that govern teachers. Findings also revealed that teachers faced major challenges such as funding of CPD, getting information on CPD opportunities and time to engage in CPD activities. Teachers reeled with a lot of pressure resulting in burn-out as a result of large classes. Although staff development meetings were held in schools, they were mostly administrative and nothing definite was being done to mitigate the challenges which teachers were facing in accessing CPD opportunities. Teachers opted for a CPD framework which would give them more information and more opportunities for CPD on SEN, better access to teaching materials and more opportunities to work with experienced practitioners in SEN. Teachers preferred a framework based on a variety of CPD models, more school-based CPD rather than out of school -based CPD. The researcher concluded that teachers in regular schools were not equipped to teach learners with special education needs in the mainstream. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was not employing the best models in preparing teachers to be effective. Teachers were facing challenges such as, funding, unavailability of information and time in accessing CPD opportunities. The study recommends that The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should put in place provisions to meet the CPD needs of teachers. Teachers should be fully involved in the identification of CPD needs. It was also recommends that school heads needed CPD on SEN for them to be able to guide teachers properly and to be supportive of the policy. Besides national policies, schools should design CPD policies specifically for their respective schools, in line with national policies. Andragogy principles, Wenger’s social learning theory and Vygotsky’s perspective among others, should underpin the CPD framework. The study recommends an alternative CPD model which would utilise a combination of transmissive, transitional and transformative models and modes of delivery as lenses in meeting the CPD needs of teachers in the context of SEN. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2015
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- Date Issued: 2015-05
The implementation of foundational provision programmes in a rural based University in South Africa: implications for student academic development practices
- Authors: Marhaya, Luyanda
- Date: 2016-05
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , College student development programs
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24706 , vital:63529
- Description: The purpose was to establish how foundational provision programmes were implemented in a rural based university in South Africa and implications to student development practices. The study was located in the- post- positivism research paradigm, followed a mixed methods research approach and utilised a concurrent triangulation research design. For the qualitative component of the research, participants (academics and Coordinators of the foundation programmes and senior students who had enrolled through foundational provision programmes) were purposively sampled. The sample for the quantitative data comprised all the students who enrolled in foundation provision programmes between the years 2008 to 2011 and mainstream students who had enrolled between the years 2009 and 2012. For qualitative approach, focus group discussions were conducted, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Quantitative data was sought from university institutional data storage warehouse, HIGHER EDUCATION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (HEMIS). For qualitative approach, the data analysis for all data collection methods was done through thematic analysis. For quantitative approach, a longitudinal analysis was conducted to track and compare two cohorts of mainstream and foundation students in terms of retention, attrition and graduation rates. Quantitative data were analysed statistically by use of descriptive and some inferential statistics. Main findings were that: there was inadequate capacity institutionally for developed systems of admission for students entering foundation programmes, lack of curriculum compliance by different lecturers and lack of knowledge of curriculum reforms by lecturers who teach in foundation level, funding for foundation provision programmes was not adequate and lacked transparency. However, there were adequate recruitment processes in the university for lecturers that teach in foundational foundation provision programme and there was no government interference into how foundation programmes are governed. The study also found that students had experienced the student development practices positively, however, these practices were not enough, and equally most responsive student development practice did not exist at the institution under study. The study also found that there had been consistent funding from government but there was no proper expenditure systems in the institution. The study found that, in terms of graduation rates, the two groups compared relatively the same as there was no significant differences in patterns and trends that were observed. However, retention rates suggest that, in the first year, the two groups perform relatively the same, thereafter, there is a significant difference into how the two groups perform as they proceed to other years, especially the second year, where the mainstream cohort showed better performance than their foundation provision programme counterparts. Consequently, high attrition rates were experienced by foundation provision students than mainstream students, this was also experienced a lot more during the second year and third year transition. The implication of these findings was that due to institutional factors that affect the implementation of foundation programmes, these had notable impact on the attrition and dropout rates on foundation provision students. In addition, due to a lack of responsive student development practices, foundation programmes compared relatively low to their mainstream counterparts in retention. The study has recommended a model that can be implemented in the institution. The first component of the model is to put an admission system in place. Institution has to establish a platform where faculties present development plans for foundation provision programmes. In addition, there should be a dedicated Accountant managing finances of the foundation programme. The institution should establish the Tracking and Monitoring student development practice, establish Writing Centres and Learning Communities and employ more people in the Centre for Higher Education, Teaching and Learning department to ensure full implementation of existing student development practices and those that will be established. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016-05
Cultural and social factors affecting crop production at Gqumahashe and Melani, Alice District
- Authors: Komanisi, Mzwandile Paul 0000-0003-0866-666X
- Date: 2016-06
- Subjects: Sharecropping , Food crops
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23023 , vital:55001
- Description: Over the years, sharecropping and work-parties have been seen as variables that maintain social cohesion among people and maximize agricultural production. This study seeks to validate the authenticity of this assertion in the context of two neighbouring villages. Although there are other variables that affect crop production in the study areas, Lower Gqumahashe and Melani, in the light of time constraints and the insignificant impact of these variables, the study focused only on sharecropping and work-parties. The study adopted empirical research design. The researcher realised that empirical research design would offer him an opportunity for intense or prolonged contact with informants in order to have a holistic picture of their behaviour. The researcher did not choose theoretical research design because it would not allow him to have an extensive interaction with informants since it relies on secondary data. The findings of the study suggest that sharecropping and work parties are the main variables that hinder the rate of crop production in the study areas. However, there are other secondary variables hindering crop production but they have insignificant impact. These are clan and kinship relations, political structure, religion and social identity. This study concludes that although local informants were in favour of sharecropping and work-parties in the past, they have discontinued them due to exploitation and hoodwinking. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016-06
Entrepreneurial development paths and livelihood strategies in smallholder irrigation schemes in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Gidi, Lungile Sivuyile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2896-2709
- Date: 2016-07
- Subjects: Farms, Small , Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24906 , vital:63670
- Description: South Africa has implemented several successful rural poverty relief initiatives; however, poverty continues to strain rural development efforts. The aim of the study was to analyse the entrepreneurial development paths and livelihood strategies in smallholder irrigation schemes in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has outlined five hypothesizes for the basis of concrete scientific research. Initially the study hypothesizes that a smallholder’s socio-cultural contexts such as village level institutions especially village governance as well as household circumstances including age, education and gender compositions of the household membership as well as household income can determine a smallholder’s transformation ability. The second hypothesis was that alternative economic activities especially farming activities such as livestock and crop production as well as off-farm economic opportunities which were open to a household could influence a smallholder’s willingness to change from homestead gardening to food crop production under government irrigation programme. The third hypothesis was on the smallholder’s assessment of available market for the products of his or her food crop irrigation farming which could be an important consideration in his or her willingness to change. The fourth assumption was that entrepreneurial skills are lacking, in particular the ability to search for opportunities and willingness to do something different than the masses and take risks in that process. Finally, the study hypothesized that the government irrigation scheme governance could determine the attractiveness of the scheme and thereby influencing the willingness of a smallholder to participate. Specifically, the legal and regulatory environments are very restrictive and they are not conducive to effective value and job creation in the villages and for the principal crop and livestock enterprises. The study used cross-sectional data collected from both scheme farmers and non-scheme farmers. There were 107 smallholder farmers administered. Cobb-Douglass production and Multiple Regression Models were used. The results indicated 62 percent were male household head and 38 percent were female household head. The majority of the farmers were above middle age for both men and women households head. Specifically, about 80percent were above 51 years of age. Wage employment on the other hand contributed 8percent for both scheme and non-scheme farmers. The majority of the family members were dominated by students and pensioners indicating 27percent of the respondents who were unemployed, among them students were included and pensioners were indicated by 9percent. The overall findings were that there are important differences in behavior regarding the transition from homestead gardening to irrigation farming. Smallholder farmers of Mnquma and Mbhashe municipalities have a great potential in maize, beans, potatoes, pumpkin, butternut production, as well as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry production. Lastly, the study has highlighted various factors affecting livelihoods sources. Therefore, there is a need for these smallholder farmers to engage consistently with the market to enhance information flow. Extension officers must play a role using the recent extension approach of participatory rural appraisal through discussions with farmers and empower them for marketing problems and solutions. Smallholder farmers must ensure frequent consultation with extension or agricultural advisors for financial and production input support. Government need to strengthen agricultural activities in the rural areas in order to sustain rural livelihoods for rural dwellers. Once the rural economy becomes transformed through agricultural activities then rural dwellers can achieve good standard of living in line with a key macroeconomic objective the South African government. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016-07
An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities
- Authors: Dikotla, Maoka Andries https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6699-6782
- Date: 2016-08
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information services , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24750 , vital:63548
- Description: The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016
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- Date Issued: 2016-08