Writing left: Ruth First and radical South African journalism in the 1950's
- Authors: Pinnock, Don
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: First, Ruth, 1925-1982 Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003032
- Description: In a prison cell in Johannesburg in 1953 after months of solitary confinement Ruth First, one of South Africa's finest investigative joumalists, attempted to commit suicide. In a sense, information for this thesis has been gathered around the question of why First felt her life had reached a point where she wished it extinguished. The answer involves who she was, what she believed in and her perception at that moment in time of the magnitude of the defeat of all she had worked for. But this question has broader implications - it has been asked because its answer throws light not only on the particular joumalist, but on the radical press and on the political movements which gave it both life and readers. This study is divided into six sections: Origins and influences looks, firstly, at early Jewish migrations and Ruth's life up to the end of her schooling in Johannesburg, then at her university years and the influence on her life of the Communist Party of South Africa. A vigorously provocative life traces debates which led to the formation of the South African Congress of Democrats and the Congress Alliance. It looks, also, at the political influence of the white Left and the radical social fratemity. Trumpeters of freedom locates the origins of the radical press tradition in South Africa, then looks at the development of the two publications to which Ruth devoted most of her time: The Guardian/New Age and Fighting Talk. Writing left focuses on First's writing in connection with three campaigns: the farm labour and the potato boycott, womens' passes and the bus boycotts. These chapters are not a history of these campaigns, but an analysis of the influence on them of First's joumalism. Word wars is about the Treason Trial of 1956. The contention here is that the trial, in which First was one of the 'chief co-conspirators ', not only put the Congress Alliance in the dock, but was about the definition of three words: communism, violence and treason. In many ways it was a trial of the language of the Left, the tools of First's trade. Shifting focus looks at the period after Sharpeville and the 1960 State of Emergency. It considers the shift in First's writing necessitated by greater political oppression, a banning order and her exploration of the writing of books. Chapter 12 considers the massive setback to the Congress Alliance of the Rivonia Trial and the tactical errors which led the Congress leadership to the conclusion that armed struggle would succeed at that point in time. The final chapter is about First's detention, and her perceived personal defeat which resulted in her attempted suicide. The Postscript looks at First's successful attempts to come to terms with both a political and personal defeat. The work effectively ends, however, with her departure from South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Pinnock, Don
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: First, Ruth, 1925-1982 Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003032
- Description: In a prison cell in Johannesburg in 1953 after months of solitary confinement Ruth First, one of South Africa's finest investigative joumalists, attempted to commit suicide. In a sense, information for this thesis has been gathered around the question of why First felt her life had reached a point where she wished it extinguished. The answer involves who she was, what she believed in and her perception at that moment in time of the magnitude of the defeat of all she had worked for. But this question has broader implications - it has been asked because its answer throws light not only on the particular joumalist, but on the radical press and on the political movements which gave it both life and readers. This study is divided into six sections: Origins and influences looks, firstly, at early Jewish migrations and Ruth's life up to the end of her schooling in Johannesburg, then at her university years and the influence on her life of the Communist Party of South Africa. A vigorously provocative life traces debates which led to the formation of the South African Congress of Democrats and the Congress Alliance. It looks, also, at the political influence of the white Left and the radical social fratemity. Trumpeters of freedom locates the origins of the radical press tradition in South Africa, then looks at the development of the two publications to which Ruth devoted most of her time: The Guardian/New Age and Fighting Talk. Writing left focuses on First's writing in connection with three campaigns: the farm labour and the potato boycott, womens' passes and the bus boycotts. These chapters are not a history of these campaigns, but an analysis of the influence on them of First's joumalism. Word wars is about the Treason Trial of 1956. The contention here is that the trial, in which First was one of the 'chief co-conspirators ', not only put the Congress Alliance in the dock, but was about the definition of three words: communism, violence and treason. In many ways it was a trial of the language of the Left, the tools of First's trade. Shifting focus looks at the period after Sharpeville and the 1960 State of Emergency. It considers the shift in First's writing necessitated by greater political oppression, a banning order and her exploration of the writing of books. Chapter 12 considers the massive setback to the Congress Alliance of the Rivonia Trial and the tactical errors which led the Congress leadership to the conclusion that armed struggle would succeed at that point in time. The final chapter is about First's detention, and her perceived personal defeat which resulted in her attempted suicide. The Postscript looks at First's successful attempts to come to terms with both a political and personal defeat. The work effectively ends, however, with her departure from South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Workshop theatre in post-apartheid South Africa : a case study
- Authors: Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Theater -- South Africa , Theater -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007477
- Description: This is a qualitative study exploring the use of workshop theatre in post-apartheid South Africa, with the objective of making a contribution to the knowledge-base regarding its use in current times. Workshop theatre is changing in response to a new socio-political reality and emerging trends in theatre practice. The case study, of developing a play on Oystercatchers with a Grahamstown group of artists, revealed the difficulties and challenges of using workshop theatre in this dynamic context. Data collection included a focus group, observation, reflective discussion and in-depth interviews that were analysed in relation to available literature on workshop theatre in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. It is proposed that workshop theatre has continued relevance in post -apartheid South Africa. The process of creating workshop theatre with diverse artists has great potential to transform relationships, address issues of personal identity and to provide an underlying purpose to a workshop theatre -making context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Theater -- South Africa , Theater -- Political aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007477
- Description: This is a qualitative study exploring the use of workshop theatre in post-apartheid South Africa, with the objective of making a contribution to the knowledge-base regarding its use in current times. Workshop theatre is changing in response to a new socio-political reality and emerging trends in theatre practice. The case study, of developing a play on Oystercatchers with a Grahamstown group of artists, revealed the difficulties and challenges of using workshop theatre in this dynamic context. Data collection included a focus group, observation, reflective discussion and in-depth interviews that were analysed in relation to available literature on workshop theatre in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. It is proposed that workshop theatre has continued relevance in post -apartheid South Africa. The process of creating workshop theatre with diverse artists has great potential to transform relationships, address issues of personal identity and to provide an underlying purpose to a workshop theatre -making context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Workplace health promotion: a case of Rhodes University support staff
- Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Authors: Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44509 , vital:25414
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases are rapidly advancing as leading causes of morbidity and mortality across social classes, exerting pressure on existing financial, organizational, and human resources. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to take into consideration when planning future initiatives. Well-informed and guided workplace health promotion initiatives are essential to improve the general health of staff, and these also need to take the broader cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influencing non-communicable diseases in the target population into account. This two-phase study was conducted at Rhodes University. A needs assessment was conducted to identify current policies and practices of workplace health promotion and to identify any shortcomings of the initiatives that have previously been attempted to raise awareness of non-communicable diseases at Rhodes University. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through heart healthy diets and physical activity. Method: The first phase of the current study involved working with the support staff and key stakeholders. Using the participatory action research approach and the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to guide the research, 11 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and 10 focus group discussions were conducted with support staff members to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion. Participant opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of support staff members who volunteered their involvement in the design and delivery of the educational intervention was also identified. They chose to go by the name, the Health Awareness Group.In an interim phase of the study, three health information leaflets informed by the results from the above activities were designed. These leaflets underwent a series of qualitative evaluations by other health professionals, a culture and African languages expert, and the Health Awareness Group, to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. A series of quantitative tests for readability, suitability, and actionability was also conducted. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project. Members of the Health Awareness Group were also trained as peer educators through a series of workshops. This enabled them to promote and raise awareness of heart healthy diets and physical activity to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. They were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but the turnout was poor and most staff did not seem to understand the health benefits of these initiatives. The support staff, in turn, stated that most health talks were conducted in English, contained medical jargon, and that they would have preferred these initiatives either to be simplified or presented in their home language, and to display cultural sensitivity. Support staff have also reported that advertisements were too cliche to elicit their interest. They also suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to facilitate these initiatives in the university departments they work or other convenient venues, rather than at central venues. It was also suggested that these initiatives be part of the work calendar, as they are often 'impromptu' and, as a result, staff members did not have enough notice to take time off work. Several staff members requested 're-runs of these initiatives because one-time show cases are often inadequate'. Colourful visual representations on posters or leaflets, short plays or films were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project's intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Members of the Health Awareness Group also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and support staff, health promotion policies and protocols for non-communicable diseases have not yet been developed. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address non-communicable diseases have previously been attempted at the university but were not well-received. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful in designing and tailoring the written educational materials and the educational intervention to the needs of the support staff and to redress the deficiencies of previous initiatives. The health leaflets were deemed appropriate for use by the target population. They addressed pertinent information needs. The health information leaflets and workshops were useful in equipping the Health Awareness Group with knowledge on heart healthy diets and promotion of physical activity. Continued the involvement of representatives from the Human Resources and Wellness offices will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44509 , vital:25414
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases are rapidly advancing as leading causes of morbidity and mortality across social classes, exerting pressure on existing financial, organizational, and human resources. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to take into consideration when planning future initiatives. Well-informed and guided workplace health promotion initiatives are essential to improve the general health of staff, and these also need to take the broader cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influencing non-communicable diseases in the target population into account. This two-phase study was conducted at Rhodes University. A needs assessment was conducted to identify current policies and practices of workplace health promotion and to identify any shortcomings of the initiatives that have previously been attempted to raise awareness of non-communicable diseases at Rhodes University. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through heart healthy diets and physical activity. Method: The first phase of the current study involved working with the support staff and key stakeholders. Using the participatory action research approach and the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to guide the research, 11 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and 10 focus group discussions were conducted with support staff members to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion. Participant opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of support staff members who volunteered their involvement in the design and delivery of the educational intervention was also identified. They chose to go by the name, the Health Awareness Group.In an interim phase of the study, three health information leaflets informed by the results from the above activities were designed. These leaflets underwent a series of qualitative evaluations by other health professionals, a culture and African languages expert, and the Health Awareness Group, to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. A series of quantitative tests for readability, suitability, and actionability was also conducted. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project. Members of the Health Awareness Group were also trained as peer educators through a series of workshops. This enabled them to promote and raise awareness of heart healthy diets and physical activity to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. They were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but the turnout was poor and most staff did not seem to understand the health benefits of these initiatives. The support staff, in turn, stated that most health talks were conducted in English, contained medical jargon, and that they would have preferred these initiatives either to be simplified or presented in their home language, and to display cultural sensitivity. Support staff have also reported that advertisements were too cliche to elicit their interest. They also suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to facilitate these initiatives in the university departments they work or other convenient venues, rather than at central venues. It was also suggested that these initiatives be part of the work calendar, as they are often 'impromptu' and, as a result, staff members did not have enough notice to take time off work. Several staff members requested 're-runs of these initiatives because one-time show cases are often inadequate'. Colourful visual representations on posters or leaflets, short plays or films were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project's intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Members of the Health Awareness Group also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and support staff, health promotion policies and protocols for non-communicable diseases have not yet been developed. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address non-communicable diseases have previously been attempted at the university but were not well-received. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful in designing and tailoring the written educational materials and the educational intervention to the needs of the support staff and to redress the deficiencies of previous initiatives. The health leaflets were deemed appropriate for use by the target population. They addressed pertinent information needs. The health information leaflets and workshops were useful in equipping the Health Awareness Group with knowledge on heart healthy diets and promotion of physical activity. Continued the involvement of representatives from the Human Resources and Wellness offices will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Workplace health promotion at Rhodes University: harmful use of alcohol
- Authors: Marara, Praise
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Chronic diseases -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Drinking of alcoholic beverages -- Health aspects -- South Africa , Employees -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Employee health promotion -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67444 , vital:29088
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 38 million deaths annually, which translates to 68% of global deaths every year. Incidence and prevalence of NCDs are increasing rapidly and the poor bear a disproportionate burden. The increase in NCDs has been primarily due to a proliferation of modifiable risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Substance abuse, mainly of alcohol, is a common cause of health problems in almost all countries across the globe. Alcohol abuse is a major contributor to the global burden of diseases and accounts for 3.3 million deaths, approximately 5.9% of all global deaths, annually. Alcohol misuse is the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability and is the top risk factor among people between 15 and 49 years of age. The rise of harmful use of alcohol in South Africa contributes to the disease burden faced by the country, with alcohol-related disorders making up 44.6% of all alcohol-attributable disabilities. Strategies to reduce harmful use of alcohol include national policies and educational interventions including health promotion. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of NCDs, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to consider when planning future initiatives. Raising awareness on harmful use of alcohol through workplace health promotion projects can help to prevent and reduce alcohol-related problems. For these health promotion activities to succeed, they need to be developed with consideration of factors such as the environment, culture, and socio-economic standing of the intended target population. Method: This study, conducted at Rhodes University, followed a mixed methods research approach and consisted of two phases. The first phase of the current study was a needs assessment and involved working with the key stakeholders. Using the Community Based Participatory Research approach and the Centres for Disease Control and prevention workplace health model to guide the research, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion, and their opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of peer educators who volunteered their involvement in the health promotion project focusing on harmful use of alcohol was also identified. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of NCDs diseases through reducing alcohol related harm. During the educational health promotion phase of the study, three health information leaflets based on harmful use of alcohol were designed. These leaflets went through a series of evaluations by the researchers’ peers, support staff during a pilot study, peer educators and other health professionals to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project and were also used to design a poster. Through participatory involvement, a facilitator’s manual on harmful use of alcohol was developed, which was used during the workshops in the implementation phase of the research. The facilitator’s manual was modified based on provided feedback on improving the content of the facilitator’s manual. The readability of the manual was also performed to make it suitable for the end users. The peer educators were also trained through workshops to enable them to promote and raise awareness on harmful use of alcohol to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but there was poor participant participation. Peer educators reported that these initiatives were not communicated to them and venues and work commitments sometimes were barriers to participation in these projects. The peer educators suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to inform and to include their managers and supervisors in these initiatives so they are permitted to take time off work. Health education material like posters or leaflets were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project’s intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Peer educators also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and peer educators, there is currently no health promotion policy at Rhodes University, especially with respect to NCDs health promotion policies and protocols for NCDs. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address NCDs have previously been attempted at the university but were not successful. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful when implementing the health promotion project on harmful use of alcohol. The health leaflets were deemed suitable for use by the target population. Peer educators who went through the workshops and were provided with the facilitators’ manuals concluded that the sessions were useful in their continued participation in the health promotion project. Continued involvement of the Wellness Office and peer educators can assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Marara, Praise
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Chronic diseases -- South Africa , Health education -- South Africa , Drinking of alcoholic beverages -- Health aspects -- South Africa , Employees -- Alcohol use -- South Africa , Employee health promotion -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67444 , vital:29088
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 38 million deaths annually, which translates to 68% of global deaths every year. Incidence and prevalence of NCDs are increasing rapidly and the poor bear a disproportionate burden. The increase in NCDs has been primarily due to a proliferation of modifiable risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Substance abuse, mainly of alcohol, is a common cause of health problems in almost all countries across the globe. Alcohol abuse is a major contributor to the global burden of diseases and accounts for 3.3 million deaths, approximately 5.9% of all global deaths, annually. Alcohol misuse is the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability and is the top risk factor among people between 15 and 49 years of age. The rise of harmful use of alcohol in South Africa contributes to the disease burden faced by the country, with alcohol-related disorders making up 44.6% of all alcohol-attributable disabilities. Strategies to reduce harmful use of alcohol include national policies and educational interventions including health promotion. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of NCDs, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to consider when planning future initiatives. Raising awareness on harmful use of alcohol through workplace health promotion projects can help to prevent and reduce alcohol-related problems. For these health promotion activities to succeed, they need to be developed with consideration of factors such as the environment, culture, and socio-economic standing of the intended target population. Method: This study, conducted at Rhodes University, followed a mixed methods research approach and consisted of two phases. The first phase of the current study was a needs assessment and involved working with the key stakeholders. Using the Community Based Participatory Research approach and the Centres for Disease Control and prevention workplace health model to guide the research, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion, and their opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of peer educators who volunteered their involvement in the health promotion project focusing on harmful use of alcohol was also identified. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of NCDs diseases through reducing alcohol related harm. During the educational health promotion phase of the study, three health information leaflets based on harmful use of alcohol were designed. These leaflets went through a series of evaluations by the researchers’ peers, support staff during a pilot study, peer educators and other health professionals to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project and were also used to design a poster. Through participatory involvement, a facilitator’s manual on harmful use of alcohol was developed, which was used during the workshops in the implementation phase of the research. The facilitator’s manual was modified based on provided feedback on improving the content of the facilitator’s manual. The readability of the manual was also performed to make it suitable for the end users. The peer educators were also trained through workshops to enable them to promote and raise awareness on harmful use of alcohol to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but there was poor participant participation. Peer educators reported that these initiatives were not communicated to them and venues and work commitments sometimes were barriers to participation in these projects. The peer educators suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to inform and to include their managers and supervisors in these initiatives so they are permitted to take time off work. Health education material like posters or leaflets were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project’s intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Peer educators also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and peer educators, there is currently no health promotion policy at Rhodes University, especially with respect to NCDs health promotion policies and protocols for NCDs. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address NCDs have previously been attempted at the university but were not successful. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful when implementing the health promotion project on harmful use of alcohol. The health leaflets were deemed suitable for use by the target population. Peer educators who went through the workshops and were provided with the facilitators’ manuals concluded that the sessions were useful in their continued participation in the health promotion project. Continued involvement of the Wellness Office and peer educators can assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Working with the contemptuous client in psychotherapy
- Authors: Hoffman, Elan
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Psychotherapist and patient -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3213 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012315 , Psychotherapist and patient -- Case studies
- Description: The purpose of this case study is to explore the issue of contempt in the therapeutic relationship. The aims are twofold; namely, to illustrate to what extent the case studied throws light on existing theories on contempt in psychotherapy, and to enquire about which stance adopted by the therapist is most appropriate in the therapeutic interaction with a contemptuous client. It investigates the validity of using the case study method in examining both the content and the process of this particular course of psychotherapy. Literature on contempt in psychotherapy is reviewed, as well as the foundation-stone on which it rests, namely, the Kleinian approach to envy . The concepts of the superego and false self are also drawn upon in understanding this particular client's dynamics. The client's therapy is then presented and explored, in order to gain insight into how a psychotherapist's understanding of the contemptuous client can clarify the process of therapy. It highlights the limitations and potentialities that exist in working in this sphere of resistance, and raises questions relevant to therapists faced with these clients. The case study shows how theory in this area is helpful in understanding the contemptuous client, and that the ability of the therapist to endure and survive the contempt of the client is a crucial factor in working with the contemptuous individual.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
- Authors: Hoffman, Elan
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Psychotherapist and patient -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3213 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012315 , Psychotherapist and patient -- Case studies
- Description: The purpose of this case study is to explore the issue of contempt in the therapeutic relationship. The aims are twofold; namely, to illustrate to what extent the case studied throws light on existing theories on contempt in psychotherapy, and to enquire about which stance adopted by the therapist is most appropriate in the therapeutic interaction with a contemptuous client. It investigates the validity of using the case study method in examining both the content and the process of this particular course of psychotherapy. Literature on contempt in psychotherapy is reviewed, as well as the foundation-stone on which it rests, namely, the Kleinian approach to envy . The concepts of the superego and false self are also drawn upon in understanding this particular client's dynamics. The client's therapy is then presented and explored, in order to gain insight into how a psychotherapist's understanding of the contemptuous client can clarify the process of therapy. It highlights the limitations and potentialities that exist in working in this sphere of resistance, and raises questions relevant to therapists faced with these clients. The case study shows how theory in this area is helpful in understanding the contemptuous client, and that the ability of the therapist to endure and survive the contempt of the client is a crucial factor in working with the contemptuous individual.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Working inside Bank 4.0: analysing the impact of the 4IR on the organization of work in the banking sector of South Africa
- Authors: Moshime, Kabelo Katlego
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Industry 4.0 South Africa , Banks and banking South Africa , Banks and banking Technological innovations South Africa , Organizational change South Africa , Bank employees South Africa , Job security , Labour process theory
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192386 , vital:45221
- Description: The main objective of the study is to analyse the impact of the 4IR on the organization of work processes in the banking sector of Pretoria, South Africa. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is an extension of the digital revolution based on the interconnectedness of machinery and cyber- physical systems that intelligently produce and control production. The South African banking sector has not been immune to the changes brought on by the 4IR in other sectors, as many financial institutions in the country have digitized the bulk of their services, in order to make banking quicker and more efficient. Additionally, the latest COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the emergence of digital solutions and e-commerce across different sectors worldwide, thus showing that 4IR is here to stay. On the surface, the adoption of various technological innovations within the banking sector seems like a logical step towards building a more efficient banking system, with minimal deficiencies and upskilling opportunities for banking employees, thus providing an improved and convenient banking experience for customers. On the other side, however, one can see general trends that may not be in the best interest for people employed within the banking sector. For example: the introduction of new technologies has reduced the number of employees in banks; the skills upgrade that some bankers have experienced as a result of new technologies, have come at the cost of the many job losses in the sector; also, the control methods in the banks have become more centralised, thus ensuring extreme monitoring of staff. Additionally, new technologies have eliminated the spaces for deficiencies, and have given consumers a greater role in their banking experiences, instead of being assisted from a-z in their local branches. In light of these changes, one has to question the real impact of these changes on the people that have chosen banking as a career, as ‘machines’ have taken over their banking institutions. Using the Labour Process Theory (LPT), this study examined the impact of the 4IR processes on the organization of work and the general employment experiences of employees in the banking sector of Tshwane, in the Gauteng province, of South Africa. This study found the following outcomes: technologies facilitate greater monitoring of the workplace, enable flexible specialisation for workers, reduces foot-flow in bank branches, and shifts the bankers’ work into the hands of the customers. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Moshime, Kabelo Katlego
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Industry 4.0 South Africa , Banks and banking South Africa , Banks and banking Technological innovations South Africa , Organizational change South Africa , Bank employees South Africa , Job security , Labour process theory
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192386 , vital:45221
- Description: The main objective of the study is to analyse the impact of the 4IR on the organization of work processes in the banking sector of Pretoria, South Africa. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is an extension of the digital revolution based on the interconnectedness of machinery and cyber- physical systems that intelligently produce and control production. The South African banking sector has not been immune to the changes brought on by the 4IR in other sectors, as many financial institutions in the country have digitized the bulk of their services, in order to make banking quicker and more efficient. Additionally, the latest COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the emergence of digital solutions and e-commerce across different sectors worldwide, thus showing that 4IR is here to stay. On the surface, the adoption of various technological innovations within the banking sector seems like a logical step towards building a more efficient banking system, with minimal deficiencies and upskilling opportunities for banking employees, thus providing an improved and convenient banking experience for customers. On the other side, however, one can see general trends that may not be in the best interest for people employed within the banking sector. For example: the introduction of new technologies has reduced the number of employees in banks; the skills upgrade that some bankers have experienced as a result of new technologies, have come at the cost of the many job losses in the sector; also, the control methods in the banks have become more centralised, thus ensuring extreme monitoring of staff. Additionally, new technologies have eliminated the spaces for deficiencies, and have given consumers a greater role in their banking experiences, instead of being assisted from a-z in their local branches. In light of these changes, one has to question the real impact of these changes on the people that have chosen banking as a career, as ‘machines’ have taken over their banking institutions. Using the Labour Process Theory (LPT), this study examined the impact of the 4IR processes on the organization of work and the general employment experiences of employees in the banking sector of Tshwane, in the Gauteng province, of South Africa. This study found the following outcomes: technologies facilitate greater monitoring of the workplace, enable flexible specialisation for workers, reduces foot-flow in bank branches, and shifts the bankers’ work into the hands of the customers. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Working for ecosystems: an account of how pathways of learning lead to SMME development in a municipal social-ecological programme within a green economy context
- Burger, Margaret Hendrieka Margo
- Authors: Burger, Margaret Hendrieka Margo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Working for Ecosystems (South Africa) , Small business -- South Africa , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Durban , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Durban
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7735 , vital:21291
- Description: Global climate change alters climatic zones to the extent that species invasion and, in particular, invasive alien plant growth, is regarded as one of the biggest threats to ecosystem functioning. Socio-ecological adaptive management practices have emerged from these threats as opportunities in developing countries where the immediacy of poverty relief acts as a political drawcard and potential for job creation. Local workers in the eThekwini Municipality’s ‘Working for Ecosystems’ biodiversity management programme (WFE) are emerging as micro-enterprise contractors (SMMEs). The transition from worker to entrepreneur has been part of the ethos and long-term planning of the Working for Ecosystems programme at a management level with a view to economic inclusion and realising long-term sustainable livelihoods. Evidence from narratives support claims of transformative outcomes. The findings of this study show that transformation is accessed at various levels: at a management level, at a well-established SMME level and from worker-to- SMME level. These show an “articulation of learning pathways and the connections that are made without a formally structured pathway of learning being in place” (Lotz-Sisitka & Ramsarup, 2013, p. 33). The routes followed to knowledge, practice and sustainability competences by participants in Working for Ecosystems are examined within the complex constellation of material- economic, social-political and cultural-discursive structures and are conceptualised as learning pathways. To fully appreciate the evolving and multidimensional nature of the emergence of SMME practice learning in the Working for Ecosystems programme, relational ontology as a perspective was introduced, with the intention of emphasising the relationship between practice, knowledge and context. Narrative enquiry and extensive data analysis was used as the method to examine workplace learning pathways. These workplace learning pathways can be enriched by more explicitly integrating observation of local and indigenous knowledge of biodiversity in everyday work and practice. However, intermittent contractual work causes disruption in learning pathways formation and results in a lack of stability in conflict with the aims of the programme’s objectives of building capacity and robustness. Findings show that skills development in terms of workplace learning with intersecting, diverse levels of participation and knowledge flow, is particularly important for learning pathways development in the field of invasive alien plant control where divergent values, norms and levels of practice are operational. Prior knowledge, of either indigenous plants or business functioning mechanisms, scaffolds SMME skills through relevance and connected learning in the two fields of practice pertaining to the Working for Ecosystems programme. Clarity of management roles and solidarity within management enhances SMME functioning and learning pathway development for all participants. The Expanded Public Works Programmes (such as Working for Ecosystems) are examined as an opportunity for acquisition of knowledge, competence and new skills development. A prime competence for sustainability understanding is interpersonal skills as these form an essential link with most other competences and as such should be foregrounded in training and learning pathway development. Site selection and time in the programme is a critical factor for expansive learning pathways and environmental stewardship development. Ultimately, in examining and reflecting on the Education for Sustainable Development and green economy potential, it is apparent that learning pathway development needs more support to realise the possibility of entrepreneurship and its political and social significance in terms of sustainable livelihoods. There is a need to recognise diversity, multiple ways of knowing and learning, in learning pathways development “to build joint capacity to cope with complex sustainability challenges” (Wiek, Withycombe, & Redman, 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Burger, Margaret Hendrieka Margo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Working for Ecosystems (South Africa) , Small business -- South Africa , Environmental education -- South Africa -- Durban , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Durban
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7735 , vital:21291
- Description: Global climate change alters climatic zones to the extent that species invasion and, in particular, invasive alien plant growth, is regarded as one of the biggest threats to ecosystem functioning. Socio-ecological adaptive management practices have emerged from these threats as opportunities in developing countries where the immediacy of poverty relief acts as a political drawcard and potential for job creation. Local workers in the eThekwini Municipality’s ‘Working for Ecosystems’ biodiversity management programme (WFE) are emerging as micro-enterprise contractors (SMMEs). The transition from worker to entrepreneur has been part of the ethos and long-term planning of the Working for Ecosystems programme at a management level with a view to economic inclusion and realising long-term sustainable livelihoods. Evidence from narratives support claims of transformative outcomes. The findings of this study show that transformation is accessed at various levels: at a management level, at a well-established SMME level and from worker-to- SMME level. These show an “articulation of learning pathways and the connections that are made without a formally structured pathway of learning being in place” (Lotz-Sisitka & Ramsarup, 2013, p. 33). The routes followed to knowledge, practice and sustainability competences by participants in Working for Ecosystems are examined within the complex constellation of material- economic, social-political and cultural-discursive structures and are conceptualised as learning pathways. To fully appreciate the evolving and multidimensional nature of the emergence of SMME practice learning in the Working for Ecosystems programme, relational ontology as a perspective was introduced, with the intention of emphasising the relationship between practice, knowledge and context. Narrative enquiry and extensive data analysis was used as the method to examine workplace learning pathways. These workplace learning pathways can be enriched by more explicitly integrating observation of local and indigenous knowledge of biodiversity in everyday work and practice. However, intermittent contractual work causes disruption in learning pathways formation and results in a lack of stability in conflict with the aims of the programme’s objectives of building capacity and robustness. Findings show that skills development in terms of workplace learning with intersecting, diverse levels of participation and knowledge flow, is particularly important for learning pathways development in the field of invasive alien plant control where divergent values, norms and levels of practice are operational. Prior knowledge, of either indigenous plants or business functioning mechanisms, scaffolds SMME skills through relevance and connected learning in the two fields of practice pertaining to the Working for Ecosystems programme. Clarity of management roles and solidarity within management enhances SMME functioning and learning pathway development for all participants. The Expanded Public Works Programmes (such as Working for Ecosystems) are examined as an opportunity for acquisition of knowledge, competence and new skills development. A prime competence for sustainability understanding is interpersonal skills as these form an essential link with most other competences and as such should be foregrounded in training and learning pathway development. Site selection and time in the programme is a critical factor for expansive learning pathways and environmental stewardship development. Ultimately, in examining and reflecting on the Education for Sustainable Development and green economy potential, it is apparent that learning pathway development needs more support to realise the possibility of entrepreneurship and its political and social significance in terms of sustainable livelihoods. There is a need to recognise diversity, multiple ways of knowing and learning, in learning pathways development “to build joint capacity to cope with complex sustainability challenges” (Wiek, Withycombe, & Redman, 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Working and Living Conditions of Seasonal Workers in the Agro-processing sector: a Case study of Carara Agro-Processing Services (Pty) Ltd
- Authors: Ngidi, Buyisiwe Sime
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Seasonal labor South Africa , Labor market South Africa , Agricultural processing industries South Africa , Agricultural processing industry workers Employment South Africa , Employee rights South Africa , Unfair labor practices South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995 , Carara Agro-Processing Services (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188799 , vital:44786
- Description: This thesis analyses the working and living conditions of seasonal workers. In the context of increased demand for processed and higher-value food products, the agro-processing industry has been identified as a main contributor in the South African labour market (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2012: 17). In an effort to achieve high production outputs while saving on operational costs, employers have been seen incorporating more non-standard labour. In the agro-processing industry, non-standard labour has been in the form of seasonal workers which has been a matter of concern to state structures tasked with ensuring company compliance with labour regulations, especially as it relates to the protection of workers within the industry. Many of these workers are offered little protection, sub-standard working conditions, irregular working hours, having little or no benefits, lacking skills and often facing a lack of trade union representation (Fourie, 2008:111). The introduction of section 198B of Labour Relations Act (LRA) has been designed to address the rights of non-standard workers and to provide protection against exploitative practices within various industries (Griessel, 2015:1). The thesis focuses its attention on the role of social reproduction and the labour process in perpetuating domination and inequalities within the workplace. Further, the thesis examines the challenges of non-standard labour and the difficulties of regulating it in practice. It also discusses the livelihood strategies adopted by seasonal workers when not employed, in this case, by Carara Agro Processing Services. The research adopted qualitative research techniques in the form of semi-structured interviews and used purposive and snowball sampling in accessing relevant data for analysis purposes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Ngidi, Buyisiwe Sime
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Seasonal labor South Africa , Labor market South Africa , Agricultural processing industries South Africa , Agricultural processing industry workers Employment South Africa , Employee rights South Africa , Unfair labor practices South Africa , South Africa. Labour Relations Act, 1995 , Carara Agro-Processing Services (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188799 , vital:44786
- Description: This thesis analyses the working and living conditions of seasonal workers. In the context of increased demand for processed and higher-value food products, the agro-processing industry has been identified as a main contributor in the South African labour market (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2012: 17). In an effort to achieve high production outputs while saving on operational costs, employers have been seen incorporating more non-standard labour. In the agro-processing industry, non-standard labour has been in the form of seasonal workers which has been a matter of concern to state structures tasked with ensuring company compliance with labour regulations, especially as it relates to the protection of workers within the industry. Many of these workers are offered little protection, sub-standard working conditions, irregular working hours, having little or no benefits, lacking skills and often facing a lack of trade union representation (Fourie, 2008:111). The introduction of section 198B of Labour Relations Act (LRA) has been designed to address the rights of non-standard workers and to provide protection against exploitative practices within various industries (Griessel, 2015:1). The thesis focuses its attention on the role of social reproduction and the labour process in perpetuating domination and inequalities within the workplace. Further, the thesis examines the challenges of non-standard labour and the difficulties of regulating it in practice. It also discusses the livelihood strategies adopted by seasonal workers when not employed, in this case, by Carara Agro Processing Services. The research adopted qualitative research techniques in the form of semi-structured interviews and used purposive and snowball sampling in accessing relevant data for analysis purposes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Woody species composition and congregant appreciation of the cultural and spiritual services provided by cemeteries and church gardens in Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: De Lacy, Peter James Gerard
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Plants -- Religious aspects , Cemeteries -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Woody plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Church gardens -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016401
- Description: Urbanization has increased rapidly throughout the world. The densification of urban areas has greatly reduced the number of natural areas occurring within the urban environment as well as impacting the ecosystem services that these areas provide. Urban greening and sustainable practices have been advocated as a means to once again provide the urban population with ecosystem services. Sacred natural areas that occur in surrounding forest, temple and cemetery sites have been known harbour a variety of biological diversity, as well as provide people with a number of cultural and spiritual benefits. Much of the literature on sacred natural sites comes from rural or eastern countries, leaving a large gap in the knowledge pertaining to information on these sites in both developed nations as well as urban areas. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and composition of woody species, as well as the spiritual and cultural significance of sacred natural sites in Grahamstown. This study defined a sacred urban area as any form of garden surrounding a church, temple or mosque, as well as cemeteries. It looked at a total of 28 church gardens, one Hindu garden, one Mosque garden and five cemeteries in Grahamstown, South Africa. For each site the area was calculated and a tree and shrub inventory was done for all individuals above 1.5 m tall. Church/cemetery age, denomination and appearance were recorded as well as soil samples collected. An ordination of the data was done to summarize the community data, relating the community variation to environmental gradients. Questionnaires were completed by congregants who attended a religious building with a garden, as well as those that were not surrounded by a garden. These questionnaires were used to determine the cultural, spiritual and aesthetic value of trees and the sacred area, as well as the perceived and felt benefits that these areas provide. Those that were completed by congregants without gardens looked to find out whether or not it was believed that these areas would improve their experiences. There was an average plant density of 106.1 woody plants per hectare, with a total of 139 different species encountered. Of these, 56 percent were exotic species. This is slightly lower than that of studies done elsewhere in the world, but may be due to the omission of non-woody ornamentals and lawn species in this study. Of the top 11 most frequently occurring species, only two were indigenous. There was generally low similarity between plant assemblages found at the different sites. A significantly positive relationship was found between site size and woody plant basal area as well as the total number of woody plants. Site age and religious denomination had little influence on woody plant density, basal area, species richness or woody plant abundance. Congregants stated that a garden surrounding a religious building improved both their spiritual and aesthetic experiences. Stated spiritual and aesthetic experience was significantly influenced by basal area, while abundance significantly influenced stated aesthetic experience. Greenery was therefore important to many of the congregants, however, the species that were present were less influential. A greater sample size from a variety of religions and sacred areas within urban environments throughout the world would prove to be an interesting comparison for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: De Lacy, Peter James Gerard
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Plants -- Religious aspects , Cemeteries -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Woody plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Church gardens -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016401
- Description: Urbanization has increased rapidly throughout the world. The densification of urban areas has greatly reduced the number of natural areas occurring within the urban environment as well as impacting the ecosystem services that these areas provide. Urban greening and sustainable practices have been advocated as a means to once again provide the urban population with ecosystem services. Sacred natural areas that occur in surrounding forest, temple and cemetery sites have been known harbour a variety of biological diversity, as well as provide people with a number of cultural and spiritual benefits. Much of the literature on sacred natural sites comes from rural or eastern countries, leaving a large gap in the knowledge pertaining to information on these sites in both developed nations as well as urban areas. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and composition of woody species, as well as the spiritual and cultural significance of sacred natural sites in Grahamstown. This study defined a sacred urban area as any form of garden surrounding a church, temple or mosque, as well as cemeteries. It looked at a total of 28 church gardens, one Hindu garden, one Mosque garden and five cemeteries in Grahamstown, South Africa. For each site the area was calculated and a tree and shrub inventory was done for all individuals above 1.5 m tall. Church/cemetery age, denomination and appearance were recorded as well as soil samples collected. An ordination of the data was done to summarize the community data, relating the community variation to environmental gradients. Questionnaires were completed by congregants who attended a religious building with a garden, as well as those that were not surrounded by a garden. These questionnaires were used to determine the cultural, spiritual and aesthetic value of trees and the sacred area, as well as the perceived and felt benefits that these areas provide. Those that were completed by congregants without gardens looked to find out whether or not it was believed that these areas would improve their experiences. There was an average plant density of 106.1 woody plants per hectare, with a total of 139 different species encountered. Of these, 56 percent were exotic species. This is slightly lower than that of studies done elsewhere in the world, but may be due to the omission of non-woody ornamentals and lawn species in this study. Of the top 11 most frequently occurring species, only two were indigenous. There was generally low similarity between plant assemblages found at the different sites. A significantly positive relationship was found between site size and woody plant basal area as well as the total number of woody plants. Site age and religious denomination had little influence on woody plant density, basal area, species richness or woody plant abundance. Congregants stated that a garden surrounding a religious building improved both their spiritual and aesthetic experiences. Stated spiritual and aesthetic experience was significantly influenced by basal area, while abundance significantly influenced stated aesthetic experience. Greenery was therefore important to many of the congregants, however, the species that were present were less influential. A greater sample size from a variety of religions and sacred areas within urban environments throughout the world would prove to be an interesting comparison for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Woody plant encroachment in arid and mesic South African savanna-grasslands: same picture, different story?
- Authors: Skowno, Andrew Luke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Savanna ecology South Africa Eastern Cape , Remote sensing , Woody plants South Africa Eastern Cape , Grasslands South Africa Eastern Cape , Plant invasions South Africa Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62603 , vital:28212
- Description: Woody plant encroachment in South Africa’s savanna-grasslands has been considered a rangeland management problem since the early 1900s. This phenomenon, which has been observed globally, is particularly important in Africa given the extent of tropical grassy biomes on the continent and their importance for rural livelihoods. In this study, local and regional scale approaches were used to investigate woody cover change in South Africa across the important savanna-grassland rainfall threshold of 650 mm mean annual precipitation (MAP). The aim was to test this threshold using remote sensing and demographic surveys in order to better understand the patterns, mechanisms and drivers of encroachment. Rates of encroachment and population demographics of Vachelia karroo were compared at arid and mesic savanna sites in the Eastern Cape, using time-series analysis of historical aerial photographs in conjunction with field surveys. Changes in the extent of woodland vs. grassland were then quantified at a national scale (1990-2013) by combining optical and synthetic aperture radar remote sensing data. This produced the first map of woodland- grassland shifts for South Africa and provided the basis for a spatially explicit investigation of the key drivers of change. The local studies revealed higher rates of encroachment at mesic sites than at arid sites, with a correlation between drought and rate of encroachment at the arid site. Vachelia karroo seedlings and stunted saplings were more prevalent at mesic sites than at arid sites and the growth form of adult trees differed significantly between sites. The national remote sensing investigation showed that woodland replaced grassland in over 5% of South Africa’s savanna- grasslands between 1990 and 2014, at rates consistent with other global and regional studies. Spatially explicit models showed a pattern of incremental expansion of woodland along a ‘tree front’ and complex relationships between woodland increase and fire, rainfall, terrain ruggedness and temperature. Overall, the local and regional scale findings of this work highlight the importance of the savanna rainfall threshold (~650 mm MAP) and the presence / absence of fire in understanding savanna dynamics and woody cover change in the context of global drivers such as elevated atmospheric CO2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Skowno, Andrew Luke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Savanna ecology South Africa Eastern Cape , Remote sensing , Woody plants South Africa Eastern Cape , Grasslands South Africa Eastern Cape , Plant invasions South Africa Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62603 , vital:28212
- Description: Woody plant encroachment in South Africa’s savanna-grasslands has been considered a rangeland management problem since the early 1900s. This phenomenon, which has been observed globally, is particularly important in Africa given the extent of tropical grassy biomes on the continent and their importance for rural livelihoods. In this study, local and regional scale approaches were used to investigate woody cover change in South Africa across the important savanna-grassland rainfall threshold of 650 mm mean annual precipitation (MAP). The aim was to test this threshold using remote sensing and demographic surveys in order to better understand the patterns, mechanisms and drivers of encroachment. Rates of encroachment and population demographics of Vachelia karroo were compared at arid and mesic savanna sites in the Eastern Cape, using time-series analysis of historical aerial photographs in conjunction with field surveys. Changes in the extent of woodland vs. grassland were then quantified at a national scale (1990-2013) by combining optical and synthetic aperture radar remote sensing data. This produced the first map of woodland- grassland shifts for South Africa and provided the basis for a spatially explicit investigation of the key drivers of change. The local studies revealed higher rates of encroachment at mesic sites than at arid sites, with a correlation between drought and rate of encroachment at the arid site. Vachelia karroo seedlings and stunted saplings were more prevalent at mesic sites than at arid sites and the growth form of adult trees differed significantly between sites. The national remote sensing investigation showed that woodland replaced grassland in over 5% of South Africa’s savanna- grasslands between 1990 and 2014, at rates consistent with other global and regional studies. Spatially explicit models showed a pattern of incremental expansion of woodland along a ‘tree front’ and complex relationships between woodland increase and fire, rainfall, terrain ruggedness and temperature. Overall, the local and regional scale findings of this work highlight the importance of the savanna rainfall threshold (~650 mm MAP) and the presence / absence of fire in understanding savanna dynamics and woody cover change in the context of global drivers such as elevated atmospheric CO2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Wood-wind instruments at the cross-roads : a survey of recent changes
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Woodwind instruments Woodwind instruments -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012331
- Description: Since the rise of the "Stile Rappresentative" early in the seventeenth century, the composer has made definite and increasing demands on specific performance and tonal combination of instrumentalists which has materially affected the developnent in technique and, consequently, the improvement in construction and design of every musical instrument. The monodic "Stile Rappresentative" required expressive instruments with an extensive range to match the singers and, consequently, many instruments of the Renaissance period were rendered obsolescent. For instance, the shawms, pommers and crumhorns disappeared from concerted music-making with the exception of military and outdoor use, mainly in German windbands. More flexible instruments were required, and thus cornetts, flutes (mainly recorders and fipple-flutes), oboes and bassoons came gradually into their places, which for the main part they have occupied in the orchestra ever since that time. The String sections, too, underwent radical changes. A gradual metamorphosis from the Consort of Viols to the Violin Family took place following the work of the craftsmen Gasparo da Salố (1540 - 1609) and Giovanni Paolo Maggini of Brescia, perfected by the famous Cremonese school founded by Andrea Amati and continued by Stradivarius.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1969
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Woodwind instruments Woodwind instruments -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012331
- Description: Since the rise of the "Stile Rappresentative" early in the seventeenth century, the composer has made definite and increasing demands on specific performance and tonal combination of instrumentalists which has materially affected the developnent in technique and, consequently, the improvement in construction and design of every musical instrument. The monodic "Stile Rappresentative" required expressive instruments with an extensive range to match the singers and, consequently, many instruments of the Renaissance period were rendered obsolescent. For instance, the shawms, pommers and crumhorns disappeared from concerted music-making with the exception of military and outdoor use, mainly in German windbands. More flexible instruments were required, and thus cornetts, flutes (mainly recorders and fipple-flutes), oboes and bassoons came gradually into their places, which for the main part they have occupied in the orchestra ever since that time. The String sections, too, underwent radical changes. A gradual metamorphosis from the Consort of Viols to the Violin Family took place following the work of the craftsmen Gasparo da Salố (1540 - 1609) and Giovanni Paolo Maggini of Brescia, perfected by the famous Cremonese school founded by Andrea Amati and continued by Stradivarius.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1969
Women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning
- Authors: Durrheim, Meghan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women -- Retirement -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Retirement -- Planning , Retirement income -- Planning , Women -- Finance, Personal , Retired women -- Finance, Personal , Regression analysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60339 , vital:27771
- Description: Financial retirement planning is an important component in ensuring that individuals accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement. Previous research suggests that many individuals are unable to accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement with the problem being particularly acute for women as they tend to spend less time planning financially for retirement when compared to men. Consequently, many women are unable to accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement. Despite the growing need to investigate women’s financial retirement planning, much research tends to focus on financial retirement planning for males. Consequently, there is a growing need to investigate women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning, particularly in Grahamstown. After conducting an in-depth literature study and using the study done by Doa (2014), six independent variables were identified: values, time horizon, attitudes, working life-cycle, risk tolerance and financial literacy. These independent variables were identified as factors which could potentially influence women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning. A set of hypothesis were formulated to test the relationship between these independent variables and the dependent variable (women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning). The study comprised of 101 participants. A principle component analysis was performed to determine the key variables, with the relevant independent factors being renamed: cultural values, personal values, affective attitudes, time horizon knowledge, time horizon consideration, risk tolerance, financial literacy. An ordinal logit regression analysis was then conducted on these renamed variables to determine the influence of these key independent variables on the dependent variable. After controlling for a set of demographic variables the results of the ordinal logit regression analysis revealed that only affective attitudes, time horizon knowledge, and personal values had a significant relationship with women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning. Cronbach’s alpha revealed that the measuring instrument of the significant extracted factors was reliable, while Pearson product moment was used to determine correlations between extracted key independent variables and the dependent variable. The investigation into women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning enabled insightful information to be gathered which adds to the body of knowledge. In addition, recommendations were formulated in an attempt to assist women when making financial retirement decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Durrheim, Meghan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women -- Retirement -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Retirement -- Planning , Retirement income -- Planning , Women -- Finance, Personal , Retired women -- Finance, Personal , Regression analysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60339 , vital:27771
- Description: Financial retirement planning is an important component in ensuring that individuals accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement. Previous research suggests that many individuals are unable to accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement with the problem being particularly acute for women as they tend to spend less time planning financially for retirement when compared to men. Consequently, many women are unable to accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement. Despite the growing need to investigate women’s financial retirement planning, much research tends to focus on financial retirement planning for males. Consequently, there is a growing need to investigate women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning, particularly in Grahamstown. After conducting an in-depth literature study and using the study done by Doa (2014), six independent variables were identified: values, time horizon, attitudes, working life-cycle, risk tolerance and financial literacy. These independent variables were identified as factors which could potentially influence women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning. A set of hypothesis were formulated to test the relationship between these independent variables and the dependent variable (women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning). The study comprised of 101 participants. A principle component analysis was performed to determine the key variables, with the relevant independent factors being renamed: cultural values, personal values, affective attitudes, time horizon knowledge, time horizon consideration, risk tolerance, financial literacy. An ordinal logit regression analysis was then conducted on these renamed variables to determine the influence of these key independent variables on the dependent variable. After controlling for a set of demographic variables the results of the ordinal logit regression analysis revealed that only affective attitudes, time horizon knowledge, and personal values had a significant relationship with women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning. Cronbach’s alpha revealed that the measuring instrument of the significant extracted factors was reliable, while Pearson product moment was used to determine correlations between extracted key independent variables and the dependent variable. The investigation into women’s perceptions of successful financial retirement planning enabled insightful information to be gathered which adds to the body of knowledge. In addition, recommendations were formulated in an attempt to assist women when making financial retirement decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Women’s narratives about alcohol use during pregnancy: a narrative-discursive study
- Authors: Matebese, Sibongile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Alcohol use , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95196 , vital:31126
- Description: While research has explored the risk factors that contribute to alcohol use during pregnancy among South African women, such studies have mostly been quantitative in nature. There is a growing body of research that contextualises and articulates the attitudes, beliefs, and underlying motivations that influence drinking during pregnancy. However, few qualitative studies explore the cultural, economic, familial, and social contexts within which drinking during pregnancy takes place. Studies which have explored these contexts have been conducted in other geographical regions such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States but their findings are not generalisable to South Africa. Drawing on a feminist poststructuralist as well as a narrative-discursive approach including Foucault’s (1978) theory of power, this study sought to explore women’s narratives of the personal and interpersonal circumstances under which drinking during pregnancy takes place in terms of the discourses used to construct these narratives and the subject positions made available within these discourses. This allowed for the practice of alcohol use during pregnancy to be understood within the social and cultural narratives, practices, and discourses around pregnancy as well as gendered and social relations. Using the narrative interview method set out by Wengraf (2001), thirteen, unemployed ‘Black’ women from an area in the Eastern Cape were recruited and interviewed. Seven discourses emerged from the narratives namely, a discourse of ‘stress and coping’ ‘hegemonic masculinities’, ‘peer pressure’, ‘disablement and developmental delay’, ‘good mothering/appropriate pregnancies’, ‘culture’, and ‘religion’. These discourses informed the five narrative categories which emerged: narratives about the pregnancy, narratives about the drinking, narratives that justify/explain drinking, narratives that condemn the drinking, and narratives about the women knowing the effects of drinking during pregnancy. Within these narratives, the women mainly positioned themselves as dependent on alcohol during their pregnancies in order to cope with stress caused by various circumstances which were mainly centred on a lack of support from their partners, paternity denial, infidelity and unreliableness. As such, the women in this study mainly justified their drinking during pregnancy and in constructing this narrative, the ‘stress and coping’ discourse as well as the ‘male/masculine provider’ discourse were mainly drawn upon. In reflecting on this analysis, this study argues that alcohol use during pregnancy should be understood within the broader environmental and social context that makes a pregnancy challenging and/or difficult and thus necessitates drinking during pregnancy. Recommendations for future research include expanding the diversity of participants as well as interviewing healthcare providers and women who are currently pregnant, drinking, and part of an intervention aimed at addressing alcohol use during pregnancy so as to obtain a holistic understanding of engaging in this practice. The study makes key recommendations for interventions in practice to help work towards ensuring that the practice of alcohol use during pregnancy is not individualised, decontextualized, and stigmatised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Matebese, Sibongile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Alcohol use , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95196 , vital:31126
- Description: While research has explored the risk factors that contribute to alcohol use during pregnancy among South African women, such studies have mostly been quantitative in nature. There is a growing body of research that contextualises and articulates the attitudes, beliefs, and underlying motivations that influence drinking during pregnancy. However, few qualitative studies explore the cultural, economic, familial, and social contexts within which drinking during pregnancy takes place. Studies which have explored these contexts have been conducted in other geographical regions such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States but their findings are not generalisable to South Africa. Drawing on a feminist poststructuralist as well as a narrative-discursive approach including Foucault’s (1978) theory of power, this study sought to explore women’s narratives of the personal and interpersonal circumstances under which drinking during pregnancy takes place in terms of the discourses used to construct these narratives and the subject positions made available within these discourses. This allowed for the practice of alcohol use during pregnancy to be understood within the social and cultural narratives, practices, and discourses around pregnancy as well as gendered and social relations. Using the narrative interview method set out by Wengraf (2001), thirteen, unemployed ‘Black’ women from an area in the Eastern Cape were recruited and interviewed. Seven discourses emerged from the narratives namely, a discourse of ‘stress and coping’ ‘hegemonic masculinities’, ‘peer pressure’, ‘disablement and developmental delay’, ‘good mothering/appropriate pregnancies’, ‘culture’, and ‘religion’. These discourses informed the five narrative categories which emerged: narratives about the pregnancy, narratives about the drinking, narratives that justify/explain drinking, narratives that condemn the drinking, and narratives about the women knowing the effects of drinking during pregnancy. Within these narratives, the women mainly positioned themselves as dependent on alcohol during their pregnancies in order to cope with stress caused by various circumstances which were mainly centred on a lack of support from their partners, paternity denial, infidelity and unreliableness. As such, the women in this study mainly justified their drinking during pregnancy and in constructing this narrative, the ‘stress and coping’ discourse as well as the ‘male/masculine provider’ discourse were mainly drawn upon. In reflecting on this analysis, this study argues that alcohol use during pregnancy should be understood within the broader environmental and social context that makes a pregnancy challenging and/or difficult and thus necessitates drinking during pregnancy. Recommendations for future research include expanding the diversity of participants as well as interviewing healthcare providers and women who are currently pregnant, drinking, and part of an intervention aimed at addressing alcohol use during pregnancy so as to obtain a holistic understanding of engaging in this practice. The study makes key recommendations for interventions in practice to help work towards ensuring that the practice of alcohol use during pregnancy is not individualised, decontextualized, and stigmatised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Women's understandings and experiences of empowerment in an organisation: a qualitative feminist approach
- Authors: Jamieson, Sally Anne
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Employee empowerment , Women -- Employment -- Social aspects , Feminism , Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002506 , Employee empowerment , Women -- Employment -- Social aspects , Feminism , Psychology, Industrial
- Description: This study explores women's understandings and experiences of empowerment so that they could empower themselves by using their own knowledge to see through factors that serve to disempower them. At a time when empowerment and its future is under intense discussion in South Africa, it seems wise to move away from quantitative studies which do not facilitate the development of comprehensive theory in industrial psychology. This study provides a qualitative feminist analysis of women's understandings and experiences of empowerment in an organisation. Written protocols, interviews and a workshop were used as data collection tools and seven women from one organisation participated in the study. The research revealed that women understand and experience empowerment in a number of ways. These understandings and experiences are affected by various factors: organisational factors; personal characteristics and abilities; their relationship with others at work and at home; and societal factors such as double standards for men and women and role expectations. The breadth and scope of the results imply that any attempt to empower women should include relational, motivational and feminist perspectives on power and empowerment. In addition, the results indicate that providing a space in which the women could explore the network of disempowering practices in their lives, was empowering for the women. Through the process of the research, the participants' understandings of empowerment evolved from viewing empowerment as something that is predominantly external (for example, influenced by others and organisational factors) to something that is internal (for example, influenced by motivational factors). This study cautions against seeing empowerment as something that is solely internal because by doing so women are placing the responsibility of empowerment upon themselves thus setting themselves up for failure. However, through the process of seeing empowerment as internal, the women were able to move towards a feminist understanding of empowerment in which not only is empowerment external ("out there") or internal ("within") but includes acknowledging one's own responsibility in empowerment as well as external societal factors that serve to hamper women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Jamieson, Sally Anne
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Employee empowerment , Women -- Employment -- Social aspects , Feminism , Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002506 , Employee empowerment , Women -- Employment -- Social aspects , Feminism , Psychology, Industrial
- Description: This study explores women's understandings and experiences of empowerment so that they could empower themselves by using their own knowledge to see through factors that serve to disempower them. At a time when empowerment and its future is under intense discussion in South Africa, it seems wise to move away from quantitative studies which do not facilitate the development of comprehensive theory in industrial psychology. This study provides a qualitative feminist analysis of women's understandings and experiences of empowerment in an organisation. Written protocols, interviews and a workshop were used as data collection tools and seven women from one organisation participated in the study. The research revealed that women understand and experience empowerment in a number of ways. These understandings and experiences are affected by various factors: organisational factors; personal characteristics and abilities; their relationship with others at work and at home; and societal factors such as double standards for men and women and role expectations. The breadth and scope of the results imply that any attempt to empower women should include relational, motivational and feminist perspectives on power and empowerment. In addition, the results indicate that providing a space in which the women could explore the network of disempowering practices in their lives, was empowering for the women. Through the process of the research, the participants' understandings of empowerment evolved from viewing empowerment as something that is predominantly external (for example, influenced by others and organisational factors) to something that is internal (for example, influenced by motivational factors). This study cautions against seeing empowerment as something that is solely internal because by doing so women are placing the responsibility of empowerment upon themselves thus setting themselves up for failure. However, through the process of seeing empowerment as internal, the women were able to move towards a feminist understanding of empowerment in which not only is empowerment external ("out there") or internal ("within") but includes acknowledging one's own responsibility in empowerment as well as external societal factors that serve to hamper women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Women's micro-narratives of the process of abortion decision-making : justifying the decision to have an abortion
- Mavuso, Jabulile Mary-Jane Jace
- Authors: Mavuso, Jabulile Mary-Jane Jace
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Abortion -- Psychological aspects , Pregnancy, Unwanted -- Psychological aspects , Narrative therapy , Post-abortion syndrome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017885
- Description: Much of the research on abortion is concerned with determining women’s psychological outcomes post-abortion. There is a small, but increasing, body of research around women’s experiences of abortion (conducted predominantly in Scandinavian countries where abortion laws are liberal). However, research around the decision-making process regarding abortion, particularly research that locates the decision to have an abortion within the economic, religious, social, political, and cultural aspects of women’s lives and that looks at women’s narratives, is virtually non-existent. Drawing on Foucauldian and feminist post-structuralism as well as a narrative-discursive approach, this study sought to explore women’s micro-narratives of the abortion decision-making process in terms of the discourses used to construct these micro-narratives and the subject positions made available within these discourses. This study also sought to determine whether the power relations referred to by participants contributed to unsupported and unsupportable pregnancies and the implications this had for reproductive justice. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a total of 25 participants from three different abortion facilities in the Eastern Cape. Participants were ‘Black’ women, mostly unemployed and unmarried with ages ranging between 19 and 35 years old. In analysing and interpreting participants’ narratives, the picture that emerged was an over-arching narrative in which women described the abortion decision as something that they were ‘forced’ into by their circumstances. To construct this narrative, women justified the decision to have an abortion by drawing on discourses that normalise certain practices located within the husband-wife and parent-child axes and make the pregnancy a problematic, unsupported and unsupportable one. Gendered and generational power relations reinforced this and contributed to the denial of reproductive justice
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mavuso, Jabulile Mary-Jane Jace
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Abortion -- Psychological aspects , Pregnancy, Unwanted -- Psychological aspects , Narrative therapy , Post-abortion syndrome
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017885
- Description: Much of the research on abortion is concerned with determining women’s psychological outcomes post-abortion. There is a small, but increasing, body of research around women’s experiences of abortion (conducted predominantly in Scandinavian countries where abortion laws are liberal). However, research around the decision-making process regarding abortion, particularly research that locates the decision to have an abortion within the economic, religious, social, political, and cultural aspects of women’s lives and that looks at women’s narratives, is virtually non-existent. Drawing on Foucauldian and feminist post-structuralism as well as a narrative-discursive approach, this study sought to explore women’s micro-narratives of the abortion decision-making process in terms of the discourses used to construct these micro-narratives and the subject positions made available within these discourses. This study also sought to determine whether the power relations referred to by participants contributed to unsupported and unsupportable pregnancies and the implications this had for reproductive justice. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a total of 25 participants from three different abortion facilities in the Eastern Cape. Participants were ‘Black’ women, mostly unemployed and unmarried with ages ranging between 19 and 35 years old. In analysing and interpreting participants’ narratives, the picture that emerged was an over-arching narrative in which women described the abortion decision as something that they were ‘forced’ into by their circumstances. To construct this narrative, women justified the decision to have an abortion by drawing on discourses that normalise certain practices located within the husband-wife and parent-child axes and make the pregnancy a problematic, unsupported and unsupportable one. Gendered and generational power relations reinforced this and contributed to the denial of reproductive justice
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Women living with HIV/AIDS: a phenomenological intergenerational interpretation of their experiences
- Chisaka, Janet Kaemba Chishimba
- Authors: Chisaka, Janet Kaemba Chishimba
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in women -- South Africa -- Case studies HIV positive women -- South Africa -- Case studies Poor women -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003095
- Description: This study deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS on women living in chronic poverty. The question arises: Do we focus on their HIV/AIDS stories only or do we include their other lived experiences? This phenomenological study, on two sets of three generations of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and living in poverty, is an attempt at understanding the way the women experience their lifeworlds, not only their HIV/AIDS stories. One set includes a grandmother, her daughter who is living with full-blown AIDS, and her granddaughter, while the other includes a grandmother, her daughter and her granddaughter infected with HIV. The initial focus of the study was on the women’s HIV/AIDS narratives. However as the study progressed, especially during the interviews, it became apparent that the women’s generational poverty or chronic poverty was of greater concern to them than the HIV/AIDS that they were experiencing. Of the six participants, only one woman centred her life story on HIV/AIDS. This finding echoes other studies on HIV/AIDS among poor women: that chronic poverty is more threatening to the women than the risk or reality of AIDS. As a phenomenological researcher my aim was to focus on the participants’ own interpretations of the studied phenomenon. However, this was inadequate in accounting for the role that social structures play in shaping and informing the women’s subjective consciousness and experience. For this reason, I used feminist ideas to understand and interpret the women’s patriarchal experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Women living with HIV/AIDS: a phenomenological intergenerational interpretation of their experiences
- Authors: Chisaka, Janet Kaemba Chishimba
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in women -- South Africa -- Case studies HIV positive women -- South Africa -- Case studies Poor women -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003095
- Description: This study deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS on women living in chronic poverty. The question arises: Do we focus on their HIV/AIDS stories only or do we include their other lived experiences? This phenomenological study, on two sets of three generations of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and living in poverty, is an attempt at understanding the way the women experience their lifeworlds, not only their HIV/AIDS stories. One set includes a grandmother, her daughter who is living with full-blown AIDS, and her granddaughter, while the other includes a grandmother, her daughter and her granddaughter infected with HIV. The initial focus of the study was on the women’s HIV/AIDS narratives. However as the study progressed, especially during the interviews, it became apparent that the women’s generational poverty or chronic poverty was of greater concern to them than the HIV/AIDS that they were experiencing. Of the six participants, only one woman centred her life story on HIV/AIDS. This finding echoes other studies on HIV/AIDS among poor women: that chronic poverty is more threatening to the women than the risk or reality of AIDS. As a phenomenological researcher my aim was to focus on the participants’ own interpretations of the studied phenomenon. However, this was inadequate in accounting for the role that social structures play in shaping and informing the women’s subjective consciousness and experience. For this reason, I used feminist ideas to understand and interpret the women’s patriarchal experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Women leadership: a case study in the Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia
- Authors: Araes, Cornelia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Women -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Leadership in women -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Management -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Educational leadership -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003711
- Description: Empowerment of women in leadership and in particular, school leadership has been the focus of the Namibian government and the country since independence in 1990. Different policies and laws, post‐independence, make provision for women empowerment and leadership in a range of organisations and institutions throughout the country. However, reports on gender equity in leadership positions suggest that Namibia is not really moving towards these policy goals at a sufficiently quick pace. A lot still needs to be achieved in terms of transforming the gender stereotyping in Namibia, which still suffers from the legacy of gender discrimination of the apartheid era. Modern‐day academic authors and journalists portray an increasing interest in an awareness of the advantages of women leadership. Women are increasingly perceived to have leadership styles more suitable for contemporary conditions than men. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to investigate women leadership in the Otjiwarongo circuit in the Otjozondjupa educational region in Namibia. The study used a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm. It adopted a case study approach. The primary participants consisted of four women principals in the Otjiwarongo circuit and the secondary participants included four women education officers from the same circuit. Semi‐structured interviews, a focus group interview and observation were applied as methods for collecting data and the data collection period was just over six weeks. Data analysis was done through coding and identification of categories. The findings revealed that women principals possessed the qualities of commitment, good communication and are passionate about their work, which are qualities normally associated with effective leadership. In terms of their role in their schools, they emerged as democratic leaders who involved all stakeholders in the decision making process through consensus. In addition, they demonstrated distributive and servant leadership in their interactions with stakeholders. The main challenge to the leadership position of these women principals seemed to be the stereotypical view held, that as women, they had to work twice as hard as men at leading schools. The study recommended that people oriented leadership styles, such as the ones enacted by the women principals in this study, are highly recommended for effective leadership in the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Araes, Cornelia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Women -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Leadership in women -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Management -- Education (Primary) -- Namibia Educational leadership -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003711
- Description: Empowerment of women in leadership and in particular, school leadership has been the focus of the Namibian government and the country since independence in 1990. Different policies and laws, post‐independence, make provision for women empowerment and leadership in a range of organisations and institutions throughout the country. However, reports on gender equity in leadership positions suggest that Namibia is not really moving towards these policy goals at a sufficiently quick pace. A lot still needs to be achieved in terms of transforming the gender stereotyping in Namibia, which still suffers from the legacy of gender discrimination of the apartheid era. Modern‐day academic authors and journalists portray an increasing interest in an awareness of the advantages of women leadership. Women are increasingly perceived to have leadership styles more suitable for contemporary conditions than men. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to investigate women leadership in the Otjiwarongo circuit in the Otjozondjupa educational region in Namibia. The study used a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm. It adopted a case study approach. The primary participants consisted of four women principals in the Otjiwarongo circuit and the secondary participants included four women education officers from the same circuit. Semi‐structured interviews, a focus group interview and observation were applied as methods for collecting data and the data collection period was just over six weeks. Data analysis was done through coding and identification of categories. The findings revealed that women principals possessed the qualities of commitment, good communication and are passionate about their work, which are qualities normally associated with effective leadership. In terms of their role in their schools, they emerged as democratic leaders who involved all stakeholders in the decision making process through consensus. In addition, they demonstrated distributive and servant leadership in their interactions with stakeholders. The main challenge to the leadership position of these women principals seemed to be the stereotypical view held, that as women, they had to work twice as hard as men at leading schools. The study recommended that people oriented leadership styles, such as the ones enacted by the women principals in this study, are highly recommended for effective leadership in the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Woman vulnerability to HIV/AIDS : an investigation into women's conceptions and experiences in negotiating sex and safe sex in Okalongo constituency, Omusati Region, Namibia
- Authors: Haipinge, Rauha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in women -- Namibia -- Omusati AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Namibia -- Omusati HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Namibia -- Omusati Women -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Social conditions Women -- Sexual behavior -- Namibia -- Omusati Man-woman relationships -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex instruction -- Namibia -- Omusati Safe sex in AIDS prevention -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex role -- Namibia -- Omusati HIV-positive persons -- Sex differences -- Namibia -- Omusati Male domination (Social structure) -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex discrimination against women -- Namibia -- Omusati
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004337
- Description: This study emerged from the high prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS infection among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has no exception to Namibia. Women have been vulnerable to HIV and AIDS let alone on sex related issues since the epidemic emerged, but not research has been done specifically to Okalongo women. The way in which women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infection were explored by examined social and cultural identities that affect women’s sexual relations in negotiating sex and safe sex. Qualitative study on a sample of fifteen women was conducted in Okalongo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the conceptions and experiences of women in negotiating sex and safe sex with their husband and partners. Feminist theory guided the methodology and analysis of data. I assumed that gender roles andsexuality are socially constructed, shaped by religion, social, political, and economic influences and modified throughout life. Feminist theory assisted in documentary the ways in which the female’s gender and sexuality in Okalongo is shaped by cultural influences and by institutions that disadvantage female and other oppressed groups by silencing their voices. The feminist further guided the discussion of the contradicting messages about women’s sexuality and their experiences, as women complied, conformed and even colluded with their oppression. To address the issue under study, the primary analysis of data from the focus group discussion and individual interview were utilised. The following themes were the heart of analysis: Women Positionality, Normalisation and Compliance, Women Agency and Male Dominance Power, Women Perceptions of Risk, Sex Education in and out of school among Women.In this study the data suggested that women in Okalongo are more vulnerable to their lack of assertiveness, as they have difficult in developing an authoritative voice, they tend to be humble about their achievements and knowledge and to only assertively when concerned about others. The findings supported the literature that women’s vulnerability is strongly influenced and tied by broader forces present in the society. Women’s vulnerability is real and needs to be tackled for any progress to occur in the fight against AIDS. Until factors that constraints and enabling women agency to negotiate sex and safe sex acknowledged and addressed, women will continue to succumb to the HIV pandemic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Haipinge, Rauha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in women -- Namibia -- Omusati AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Namibia -- Omusati HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Namibia -- Omusati Women -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Social conditions Women -- Sexual behavior -- Namibia -- Omusati Man-woman relationships -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex instruction -- Namibia -- Omusati Safe sex in AIDS prevention -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex role -- Namibia -- Omusati HIV-positive persons -- Sex differences -- Namibia -- Omusati Male domination (Social structure) -- Namibia -- Omusati Sex discrimination against women -- Namibia -- Omusati
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004337
- Description: This study emerged from the high prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS infection among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has no exception to Namibia. Women have been vulnerable to HIV and AIDS let alone on sex related issues since the epidemic emerged, but not research has been done specifically to Okalongo women. The way in which women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infection were explored by examined social and cultural identities that affect women’s sexual relations in negotiating sex and safe sex. Qualitative study on a sample of fifteen women was conducted in Okalongo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the conceptions and experiences of women in negotiating sex and safe sex with their husband and partners. Feminist theory guided the methodology and analysis of data. I assumed that gender roles andsexuality are socially constructed, shaped by religion, social, political, and economic influences and modified throughout life. Feminist theory assisted in documentary the ways in which the female’s gender and sexuality in Okalongo is shaped by cultural influences and by institutions that disadvantage female and other oppressed groups by silencing their voices. The feminist further guided the discussion of the contradicting messages about women’s sexuality and their experiences, as women complied, conformed and even colluded with their oppression. To address the issue under study, the primary analysis of data from the focus group discussion and individual interview were utilised. The following themes were the heart of analysis: Women Positionality, Normalisation and Compliance, Women Agency and Male Dominance Power, Women Perceptions of Risk, Sex Education in and out of school among Women.In this study the data suggested that women in Okalongo are more vulnerable to their lack of assertiveness, as they have difficult in developing an authoritative voice, they tend to be humble about their achievements and knowledge and to only assertively when concerned about others. The findings supported the literature that women’s vulnerability is strongly influenced and tied by broader forces present in the society. Women’s vulnerability is real and needs to be tackled for any progress to occur in the fight against AIDS. Until factors that constraints and enabling women agency to negotiate sex and safe sex acknowledged and addressed, women will continue to succumb to the HIV pandemic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Wolfgang Koeppens auseinandersetzung mit der tradition: aspekte der intertextualität in der so genannten nachkriegs‐trilogie
- Authors: Weber, Undine S
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Koeppen, Wolfgang, 1906-1996 -- Criticism and interpretation , Koeppen, Wolfgang, 1906-1996 -- Works -- 1986 , German fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
- Language: German
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020833
- Description: Wolfgang Koeppen’s three post‐war novels have often been called a trilogy, purely based on their publication in rapid succession in the early 1950s. This study establishes a connection between the works by looking at their roots in Irish, Anglo‐American, French and German modernism, and shows up links between Wolfgang Koeppen, James Joyce, E.E. Cummings, Charles Baudelaire and Thomas Mann. This comparative analysis concludes, by integrating socio‐political factors of life in West Germany after World War II, that Koeppen transcends the modernist tradition – the fact that modernism has become tradition, i.e. it has become “classic”, in contradiction to being “modern”. Koeppen’s texts do not only allude to and build on classic texts and refer to stylistic and narrative modernist elements such as stream‐of‐consciousness and sketching a fragmented society in turmoil; the very act of recurring to myths and texts of the Western canon in order to depict the disaffected individual is an almost post‐modern one.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Weber, Undine S
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Koeppen, Wolfgang, 1906-1996 -- Criticism and interpretation , Koeppen, Wolfgang, 1906-1996 -- Works -- 1986 , German fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
- Language: German
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020833
- Description: Wolfgang Koeppen’s three post‐war novels have often been called a trilogy, purely based on their publication in rapid succession in the early 1950s. This study establishes a connection between the works by looking at their roots in Irish, Anglo‐American, French and German modernism, and shows up links between Wolfgang Koeppen, James Joyce, E.E. Cummings, Charles Baudelaire and Thomas Mann. This comparative analysis concludes, by integrating socio‐political factors of life in West Germany after World War II, that Koeppen transcends the modernist tradition – the fact that modernism has become tradition, i.e. it has become “classic”, in contradiction to being “modern”. Koeppen’s texts do not only allude to and build on classic texts and refer to stylistic and narrative modernist elements such as stream‐of‐consciousness and sketching a fragmented society in turmoil; the very act of recurring to myths and texts of the Western canon in order to depict the disaffected individual is an almost post‐modern one.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Witwatersrand genesis: a comparative study of some early gold mining companies, 1886-1894
- Authors: Webb, Arthur (Arthur C M)
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- South Africa -- History Gold mines and mining -- South Africa -- Witwatersrand -- History Ferreira Gold Mining Company (Firm) Witwatersrand Gold Mining Company (Firm) Simmer and Jack Gold Mining Company (Firm) Wemmer Gold Mining Company (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003725
- Description: Preface: For anyone standing on the ridge of the Witwatersrand on a spring day in September 1886 the sight immediately to the south represented a hive of activity and hope. Nearly a hundred years later ample evidence stretches away on both sides of the watershed to confirm the fulfilment of those early sentiments. It is, nevertheless, all too easy to ignore the struggles and failures which marked the beginnings of the world's greatest gold field in the light of its subsequent abundant success. Only when attention is turned to the individual companies formed to exploit the discovery does the true picture emerge of the lack of adequate technological and managerial knowledge amongst the early pioneers and of the financial frailty of their companies. The object of this thesis is to shed light on these beginnings by reviewing the histories of four of the earliest companies established to work the main reef. The approach adopted is to scrutinize the material available with a view to determining the motivations and actions of the managements of the various companies with regard to their economic environment, whether within or without the individual company. Clearly, the availability of information is a major determinant of the success of any such venture and this was particularly so in the case of the companies considered. With the exception of the Barlow Rand Limited holding of the H. Eckstein and Company Archives, which offers an integral coverage of that firm's dealings with the emerging industry, and which is certainly the most comprehensive source of information available to the researcher, little material relating to specific gold mining companies has survived. Under these circumstances it was necessary to rely heavily for information on the local press. These newspapers proved an invaluable source in this regard. As a mining camp with a limited capacity for generating newsworthy incidents, the newspapers of early Johannesburg found an eager readership for information about the industry which lay at the heart of the community. For their part, the managements of the various mining companies found in the pages of the local press an outlet for intelligence both true and false; the press was a useful vehicle for the publication of directors' and annual reports to meet a wider audience, but similarly it could be and was used to disseminate 'spectacular' reports calculated to influence the status of a company's stock on the local share market. As a research source the press has thus to be approached with caution but its value, if the warning is heeded, is in no way diminished. Beyond these two sources the next most valuable accumulation of data on the early industry is "The Gold Fields Collection" housed in the Cory Library for Historical Research at Rhodes University. As a collection it is far from complete and it is to be hoped that the donors will in future see fit to augment it with further material as this becomes available. It neverthess proved an invaluable source for the investigation of at least one of the companies of the study and for a general background to the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
- Authors: Webb, Arthur (Arthur C M)
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- South Africa -- History Gold mines and mining -- South Africa -- Witwatersrand -- History Ferreira Gold Mining Company (Firm) Witwatersrand Gold Mining Company (Firm) Simmer and Jack Gold Mining Company (Firm) Wemmer Gold Mining Company (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003725
- Description: Preface: For anyone standing on the ridge of the Witwatersrand on a spring day in September 1886 the sight immediately to the south represented a hive of activity and hope. Nearly a hundred years later ample evidence stretches away on both sides of the watershed to confirm the fulfilment of those early sentiments. It is, nevertheless, all too easy to ignore the struggles and failures which marked the beginnings of the world's greatest gold field in the light of its subsequent abundant success. Only when attention is turned to the individual companies formed to exploit the discovery does the true picture emerge of the lack of adequate technological and managerial knowledge amongst the early pioneers and of the financial frailty of their companies. The object of this thesis is to shed light on these beginnings by reviewing the histories of four of the earliest companies established to work the main reef. The approach adopted is to scrutinize the material available with a view to determining the motivations and actions of the managements of the various companies with regard to their economic environment, whether within or without the individual company. Clearly, the availability of information is a major determinant of the success of any such venture and this was particularly so in the case of the companies considered. With the exception of the Barlow Rand Limited holding of the H. Eckstein and Company Archives, which offers an integral coverage of that firm's dealings with the emerging industry, and which is certainly the most comprehensive source of information available to the researcher, little material relating to specific gold mining companies has survived. Under these circumstances it was necessary to rely heavily for information on the local press. These newspapers proved an invaluable source in this regard. As a mining camp with a limited capacity for generating newsworthy incidents, the newspapers of early Johannesburg found an eager readership for information about the industry which lay at the heart of the community. For their part, the managements of the various mining companies found in the pages of the local press an outlet for intelligence both true and false; the press was a useful vehicle for the publication of directors' and annual reports to meet a wider audience, but similarly it could be and was used to disseminate 'spectacular' reports calculated to influence the status of a company's stock on the local share market. As a research source the press has thus to be approached with caution but its value, if the warning is heeded, is in no way diminished. Beyond these two sources the next most valuable accumulation of data on the early industry is "The Gold Fields Collection" housed in the Cory Library for Historical Research at Rhodes University. As a collection it is far from complete and it is to be hoped that the donors will in future see fit to augment it with further material as this becomes available. It neverthess proved an invaluable source for the investigation of at least one of the companies of the study and for a general background to the industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982