The role of angling-guides in promoting pro-environmental catch-and-release attitudes and behaviours in the recreational angling community
- Authors: Farthing, Matthew William
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Fishing , Fishing Catch effort , Fishing guides , Fishers , Human behavior , Role models
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294583 , vital:57235 , DOI 10.21504/10962/294585
- Description: Angling-guides are respected as opinion leaders of the recreational angling community, but nothing is known of their influence on angler behaviour. Given their social-standing, angling-guides may be perceived as role-models by angling-clients – thereby promoting the adoption of best and/or poor catch-and-release (C&R) practices, depending on their individual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. It is critical to understand their potential influence, their knowledge and their behaviours to inform effective intervention strategies which could exploit their extensive networking potential. The aim of this thesis was to better understand the potential utility of angling-guides in efforts to improve angler behaviour. Firstly, this was done by investigating whether angling-guides are perceived as role-models by angling-clients (Chapter 2). Secondly, it was done by assessing the current level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of angling-guides from around the world (Chapter 3). Thirdly, it was done by exploring the relationship between angling-guide knowledge, attitudes, intentions and actual behaviour in a case-study of guided-angling trips (Chapter 4). Lastly, it was done by exploring intervention frameworks and incorporating insights into potential strategies for promoting pro-environmental angling behaviours to angling-guides (Chapter 5). To understand if angling-guides are perceived as role-models by the recreational angling community (Chapter 2), a digital survey was designed to assess previous angling-clients’ attitudes towards angling-guides serving the three role-model functions proposed in the Motivational Theory of Role-Modelling, namely as Behavioural models, Representations of the Possible and Inspiration. Of the 492 angling-clients (27 countries), most agreed that angling-guides were competent, skilled, and worth emulating (91.1%), suggesting they are perceived as Behavioural Models. Less agreed that angling-guides were Inspirational or Representations of the Possible (54.8%), suggesting they are less likely to motivate anglers to adopt and/or pursue new goals. As Behavioural Models, angling-guide C&R practices are likely to be emulated, which is of both utility and concern to managers. As angling-guides are likely to be emulated, a digital survey was designed to assess their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (particularly C&R best-practices) (Chapter 3). Of the 342 angling-guides (47 countries), few had accredited training (9.4%). However, most were deemed “knowledgeable of best-practices” (69.0%), but pervasive misconceptions of key C&R best-practices were observed. Attitudes towards best-practices were generally pro-environmental, and those deemed knowledgeable had significantly more pro-environmental attitudes (p = 0.003). Most angling-guides had pro-environmental attitudes towards their environmental responsibilities (87.1 - 89.5%), but these broad attitudes cannot predict specific pro-environmental behaviours during guided-angling trips where angler satisfaction is often at odds with best-practice. Angling-client satisfaction has important financial implications for angling-guides, and even those with pro-environmental intentions may struggle to adhere to C&R best-practices with inherent sacrifices for the angling-client’s enjoyment. Observation of behaviour in context is critical for understanding the behaviour to be changed. To explore the relationship between angling-guide knowledge, intentions and actual behaviour (Chapter 4), five angling-guides were observed (and filmed) interacting with groups of angling-clients during their guided-angling trips over a 30 day period. Five angling behaviours of interest were identified, and a survey focussed on these behaviours was disseminated (18 months later) to the five angling-guides previously observed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, reported behaviours and perceptions of the norm. Generally the subjects’ reported behaviours aligned well with their knowledge of best-practice, but their actual behaviour was not well aligned (24.4%). Instead, their actual behaviour aligned better with their perceptions of the norm (80.9%), which was generally a “worse” practice than what they reported. Angling-guides appeared to favour client-satisfaction over pro-environmental behaviour. Gaps between angling-guides’ knowledge of best-practice and their actual behaviour indicate that there may be obscure and complex barriers to pro-environmental angling-guide behaviour. Many barriers are seemingly impossible to overcome, such as economic limitations and financial disincentives. These barriers may limit the efficacy of traditional knowledge-attitude-behaviour (KAB) change interventions. The strong alignment of angling-guide behaviour with social norms, and the strong community orientation of recreational angling suggests that the Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) approach may be a more effective framework for interventions that aim to promote pro-environmental catch-and-release behaviours at angling-guide level. The CBSM approach allows interventionists to leverage a larger suite of cognitive biases than KAB approaches, provided that sufficient understanding of the context, barriers and benefits for a given segment of the angling-guide community (likely defined by style-of-participation) are obtained. Furthermore, the success of the CBSM approach will depend on the ability of interventionists to effectively recruit and incentivise disjunct and isolated communities of angling-guides to participate in training and workshops in order to achieve the important in-person contact on which the CBSM approach depends. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
Development and optimisation of a mucoadhesive chitosan-based intranasal microemulsion and nanomicelle solution for lamotrigine using artificial neural networks
- Authors: Melamane, Siyabonga
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:45247
- Description: Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Pharmacy, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Exploring indiginising the university’s science curriculum through bottom-up decolonisation: Affordances and hindrances
- Authors: Mutanho, Chrispen
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Decolonization South Africa , Ethnoscience South Africa , Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Pedagogical content knowledge , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Science Study and teaching South Africa , Science teachers In-service training South Africa , Transformative learning South Africa , Cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191668 , vital:45146 , 10.21504/10962/191668
- Description: The integration of indigenous knowledge (IK) in the science curriculum is a spreading phenomenon driven by the need to bring about relevancy and equality in science education. In South Africa, for instance, the need to integrate IK in science education is part of the global effort to build a democratic state from the debris of apartheid. Henceforth, the integration of IK is backed up by both the National Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) and the South African Department of Basic Education’s (2011) National Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement. However, the success of this policy seems to be hindered in part by the fact that the teachers who are the implementers of the curriculum changes seem to lack the relevant pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to integrate IK in their science teaching repertoires. Such a trend is often blamed on their Eurocentric educational background. Interestingly, very little research has been done to explore ways of supporting teachers to develop the relevant conceptual tools and teaching strategies that will enable them to integrate IK in science teaching. It is against this background that an interventionist case study on how to support the Bachelor of Education Natural Sciences in-service teachers in particular to develop exemplar science lessons that integrate IK as easily accessible resources was conducted. The study is underpinned by three complementary paradigms, namely, the interpretive, the critical, and indigenous research paradigms. While the interpretive paradigm enabled me to understand and interpret descriptive data, the critical paradigm enabled me to take an emancipatory stance and challenge the micro-aggressive elements embedded in conventional research practices; within the indigenous research paradigm, Ubuntu was the relational perspective that informed the researcher-participant relationships in this study. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used as an overarching theoretical framework, in conjunction with the cultural historical activity theory. Additionally, the topic-specific pedagogical content knowledge provided the methodological and analytical tools. Data were gathered through questionnaires, individual face-to-face interviews, focus group interview, participatory observation, and the teachers’ reflections. This study established that if teachers are given back the agency to collaboratively resolve the contradictions that confront them in their workplaces, they can generate their own ideas on how to integrate IK in science vii teaching. The teachers in this study experienced a shift in their agency from a paralysed state of resisting the integration of IK at the beginning of the intervention to an ‘I can do it’ attitude at the end of the intervention. Thus, it could be argued that this study’s major contribution to new knowledge lies in demonstrating possible ways of supporting teachers to integrate IK as easily accessible resources in their science teaching. Additionally, the study also challenged the Eurocentric approach to ethics and offered Ubuntu as a relational perspective that can be used to complement the shortcomings of Eurocentric research paradigms. The study thus recommends that continuing professional development or professional learning communities should afford teachers the opportunity to collaboratively engage with the challenges that they face in their workplaces in order to resolve the contradictions that confront them. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Human capital in the context of high levels of inequality in South Africa
- Authors: Friderichs, Tamaryn Jean
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Human capital South Africa , Income distribution South Africa , Labor market South Africa , Latent variables , Confirmatory factor analysis , Education Economic aspects South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192672 , vital:45248 , 10.21504/10962/192672
- Description: Piketty’s (2014) book titled “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” sparked widespread interest in global inequality, the distinction between wealth and income inequality and the economic, social and political processes accounting for changes in economic inequality over time. Piketty’s (2014) study controversially stated that widening economic inequality is the normal state of affairs in capitalist societies. The return from capital/wealth (terms used interchangeably) will almost always outpace the returns from labour. In contrast with Piketty’s (2014) thesis that the returns on non-human capital drive growing income inequality, economists such as Leibbrandt et al. (2012), Van der Berg (2014) and Hundenborn et al. (2016) have found that the labour market and human capital (HC) are the primary sources of income inequality. The research problem for this study stems from these contrasting views. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Legal ethics and the lawyer-client relationship in South Africa: A proposal for reform using local values
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen Julia
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192765 , vital:45262
- Description: Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Law, Law, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Phthalocyanine-nanoparticle conjugates supported on inorganic nanofibers as photocatalysts for the treatment of biological and organic pollutants as well as for hydrogen generation
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanofibers , Nanoparticles , Zinc , Hydrogen , Organic water pollutants , Water Purification , Electrospinning , Photocatalysis , Photodegradation , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192831 , vital:45268 , 10.21504/10962/192831
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis, photophysicochemical and photocatalytic properties of various zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs). For enhanced properties and catalyst support, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. For increased catalyst surface area and catalyst reusability, the Pcs and some of their conjugates were also supported on electrospun inorganic nanofibers i.e. SiO2, hematite (abbreviated Hem and has formula α-Fe2O3), ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers. The effect that the number of charges on a Pc has on its antimicrobial activities was evaluated by comparing the photoactivities of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The extent of enhancement of their antimicrobial activities upon conjugation (through chemisorption) to Ag NPs was also studied in solution and when supported on SiO2 nanofibers. The results showed that the hexadecacationic complex 3 possessed the best antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms, in solution and when supported on the SiO2 nanofibers. Covalent conjugation of Pcs with carboxylic acid moieties (complexes 4-6) to amine functionalised NPs (Cys-Ag, NH2-Fe3O4 and Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) resulted in enhanced singlet oxygen generation and thus antibacterial efficiencies. Comparison of the photodegradation efficiencies of semiconductor nanofibers (hematite, ZnO and TiO2) when bare and when modified with a Pc (complex 6) were evaluated. Modification of the nanofibers with the Pc resulted in enhanced photoactivities for the nanofibers with the hematite nanofibers being the best. Modification of the hematite nanofibers with two different Pcs i.e. monosubstituted (complex 5) and an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (complex 6) showed that complex 6 better enhanced the activity of the nanofibers. Evaluation of the hydrogen generation efficiencies of the bare and modified TiO2 nanofibers calcined at different temperatures demonstrated that the anatase nanofibers calcined at 500 oC possessed the best catalytic efficiency. The efficiency of the TiO2 nanofibers was enhanced in the presence of the Co and Pd NPs as well as a Pc (complex 7), with the extent of enhancement being the greatest for the nanofibers modified with the Pd NPs. The reported findings therefore demonstrate the versatility of applications of Pcs for different water purification techniques when supported on different nanomaterials. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
A gender responsive entrepreneurship development (GRED) model for Zimbabwe’s creative industry: : A focus on women sculptors
- Authors: Basiyawo, Patricia Heriette Mwedzi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3889-177X
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Women-owned business enterprises , Women artists -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21748 , vital:51748
- Description: This study was based on the GRED model and it sought to proffer solution to the challenges being faced by women sculptor entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe’s creative industry. The solution is set to help the policy makers, women in the creative industry and non-governmental organizations that work with women in the sculpting industry. The study’s main thrust was to create a gender responsive entrepreneurship development model for Zimbabwe’s creative industry. The entire study was anchored on determining the conceptual and contextual basis for a gender responsive approach to entrepreneurial development interventions, interrogating current government entrepreneurship approaches in Zimbabwe, determining important antecedents for entrepreneurship development that respond to gender dynamics within the creative industry in Zimbabwe and designing a GRED model for Zimbabwe’s creative industry basing on the findings of the research. The research employed qualitative research, through which focus group discussions, individual interviews, observations and document analysis were exploited for data collection. Armed with permission from UREC and the Ministries responsible for the creative industry, this study established that women in the creative industry were marginalized, poorly resourced and that government approaches and strategies were not being well implemented to benefit them. The study also revealed that most of the entrepreneurial activities were marred by corruption. The following tenets were recommended to foster viable women sculptors’ entrepreneurship: 50:50 representation, robust use of opportunities, business registration, forming of associations, funding, support, training, exhibitions, records keeping, monitoring and evaluation. The above tenets formed the basis of the constructed GRED model. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Examining trainee teacher preparation for inclusive education in Zimbambwe
- Authors: Chikwaka, Miriam
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Inclusive education , Teaching , Education--Zimbabwe--History
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20046 , vital:45091
- Description: The research examined trainee teachers’ preparation for inclusive education in two teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe. Concerns are being raised that teacher preparation programmes are not adequately preparing trainee teachers for a holistic practice-based inclusive education. There is no agreement on the meaning of the concept of inclusive education. While some teacher educators resort to the traditional special needs education, others have adopted a paradigm shift to holistic inclusive education. The teacher education curriculum has not been aligned to teacher preparation for inclusive education. Trainee teachers go for teaching practice up to certification as qualified teachers without having acquired the skills and competencies for handling classrooms of learners with diverse educational needs. The study adopted pragmatism as the research paradigm, mixed-methods approach and QUAN-QUAL sequential explanatory triangulation of research designs; data collection instruments, data analysis and presentation of results were adopted. The researcher used stratified random sampling for quantitative data collection; and purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling for qualitative data collection. The total sample size was 210 trainee teachers and 20 teacher educators. Research instruments pilot-tested semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis. The internal consistency and validity of the instruments was checked using Cronbach’s alpha test and coefficients above 0.8 were obtained showing that the instruments were reliable and trustworthy. The results were that trainee teachers were inadequately prepared for inclusive educational practice. Teacher educators do not have the adequate subject and pedagogical content knowledge to prepare trainee teachers for inclusive education. Both teacher educators and their trainee teachers do not understand holistic practice-based inclusive education. The challenges in preparing trainee teachers for inclusive education include ignorance of inclusive education legislation, non-inclusive teacher education curriculum, and teacher educators’ lack of inclusive teacher preparation competencies, and shortage of financial and inclusive education material resources. Strategies to improve the quality of teacher preparation for inclusive education practices include policy and teacher education curriculum reforms, teacher educator empowerment, funding, and infrastructure development. The success of inclusive education largely depends on the collaboration between intellectuals, academia industry, governments and the community at large. The keywords are teacher preparation, inclusive education, teacher educator, and trainee teacher. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Investigation of the levels of PBDEs and PCNs in the surface water and sediments from selected waterbodies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Agunbiade, Idowu Victoria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5605-0312
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Persistent pollutants , Water -- Purification -- Organic compounds removal , Organic water pollutants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22699 , vital:52660
- Description: Studies have revealed that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are omnipresent in our environment; almost all human beings have definite levels of POPs in their bodies. Even fetus and embryos are not spared; they have been found to bear certain levels of POPs. So far, there are about 28 chemicals listed as POPs among which are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). PCN and PBDE distributions have been reported from different sources around the world, but studies relating to PCNs occurrence and distribution in Africa, especially South Africa is still minimal. PBDEs have been reported to cause diabetes, cancer, damage to reproductive system, thyroid, liver and other vital organs in the body, while PCNs have been linked to chloracne (severe skin reactions/lesions) and liver disease (yellow atrophy) in humans, chicken oedema and X-disease in cattle. Hence, this study evaluates PCN levels in water and sediment samples from three waterbodies: North End Lake (NEL), Chatty River (CHA) and Makman Canal (MMC), while PBDE levels was reported in NEL and CHA samples. The three sites are located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa. The lake serves as a recreational resort while the latter two waterbodies are tributaries discharging into the Swartkop Estuary, an important estuary in ECP. Water samples were extracted with C18 cartridges (solid phase), while soxhlet was employed for the extraction of sediments. Water and sediment extricates were purified and quantified with gas chromatography-micro electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Forty-seven (47) water samples and 44 sediment samples were collected in August until December 2020 from six sampling points in NEL, five points in each of CHA and MMC. All the samples were evaluated for physicochemical properties, PBDEs and PCNs using validated standard methods. The sampling period covered three South Africa seasons: August (winter), October (spring) and December (summer). The physicochemical parameters (PP) of NEL water samples for the three seasons generally varied as follows: temperature (15.3–23°C), pH (7.9–10.3), oxidation-reduction potential, ORP (23.4-110 mV), atmospheric pressure, AP (14.52-15.56 PSI), turbidity (15.1–167 NTU), electrical conductivity, EC (114–1291 μS/cm), total dissolved solids, TDS (55-645 mg/L), total suspended solids, TSS (20–107 mg/L) and salinity (0.05–0.65 PSU). All the PPs except for turbidity and TSS are within acceptable limits. NEL sediments had moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) in the range of 0.04–8.0percent, 0.08–2.2percent and 0.05–1.8percent, respectively. The sum of eight PCN congeners Σ8PCNs and six PBDE congeners Σ6PBDEs in NEL water samples ranged from 0.164–2.934 μg/L and 0.009-1.025 μg/L individually. The values for Σ8PCNs and Σ6PBDEs in NEL sediment samples varied from 0.991–237 μg/kg and 0.354-28.850 μg/kg, respectively. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) corresponding to the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with PBDEs in NEL water samples was 2.0×10-3-1.4×10-1, while the TEQ values due to PCNs varied from 6.10×10-7- 3.12×10-3 μg/L in NEL water samples and 3.70×10-5-1.96×10-2 μg/kg dw in sediments. The PP values for CHA water samples include temperature (15.4–22.9°C), pH (7.7–10.5), TDS (991–1771 mg/L), TSS (6–41 mg/L), turbidity (1.0–198 NTU), EC (1981–3542 μS/cm), AP (14.60–14.80 PSI), ORP (-339.1-51.3 mV), and salinity (1.02–1.87 PSU). The EC, TDS and salinity exceeded acceptable values at certain points. The sediments of CHA have MC, OM and OC contents ranging from 0.01-10.2percent, 0.2-1.3percent and 0.1-0.8percent in that order. Sum of Σ8PCNs, Σ6PBDEs in CHA water and sediment samples ranged from 0.026–1.054 μg/L, 0.007-0.079 μg/L and 0.429–1888.468 μg/kg, 0.347-6.468 μg/kg individually. The HQ in CHA water samples was 1.6×10-3-7.7×10-3 and the estimated TEQ was 1.0×10-7-6.62×10-5 μg/L and 1.10×10−5-6.40×10−2 μg/kg in water and sediments, respectively. The temperatures for MMC water samples ranged from 15.6-24.5°C, while other PPs recorded were as follows: pH (8.4-10.2), TDS (943–4002 mg/L), TSS (7-491 mg/L), turbidity (2.9-154.2 NTU), EC (1885-8004 μS/cm), AP (14.53–14.82 PSI), ORP (7.8-130 mV) and salinity (0.96-4.47 PSU). MMC’s sediments recorded MC, OM and OC varying as 0.4- 18.9percent, 0.2-4.5percent and 0.1-2.6percent, respectively across the three seasons. The Σ8PCNs for MMC water and sediment samples were 0.035–0.699 μg/L and 0.260–6744 μg/kg. The TEQ values in MMC water and sediment samples were 1.19×10-7-1.47×10-4 μg/L and 4.43×10−5- 4.19×10−1 μg/kg, respectively. The results are all less than one, and this suggests that the selected water is safe. Results showed that NEL water had highest TEQ, PCN and PBDE concentrations, while MMC sediments recorded maximum TEQ and PCN levels in this study. PBDE concentrations in NEL sediments were above the other site. In conclusion, NEL water was most polluted with both pollutants (PCNs and PBDEs), but MMC sediments contained more PCNs. There is need for the immediate remediation of these selected waterbodies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Leadership experiences of six female deans in South African universities
- Authors: Mankayi, Mandisa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6732-8559
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Women in higher education , Educational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26197 , vital:64957
- Description: The leadership of universities should be aware of and acknowledge the needs of female academics in order to facilitate the creation of an atmosphere that is welcoming to women. Currently, the needs of female academics are not being met by universities. In this study, the experiences of women from the Eastern Cape Province who have held positions as faculty deans in South African universities are investigated from the perspective of leadership. The interpretive paradigm was utilised throughout this qualitative research project. As a means of gathering information for the study, an interview guide with a structured format was combined with personal diaries. The questioning during the interview itself was unstructured because it was determined by the responses received from the people being interviewed. Interviews were conducted with six female deans from three different universities, using a technique called convenience sampling. After finishing the interview using an audio recorder, the recording was transcribed, and a technique called thematic analysis was applied to it. Because the study used theoretical lenses, the standpoint theory and feminist empiricism were both used in its analysis. According to the findings, despite the fact that South Africa has taken steps to ensure that men and women have equal opportunities and that legislation such as the Employment Act has been passed, women continue to face obstacles when trying to occupy higher leadership positions. Even though the study was not explicit in terms of the support they get from their colleagues, they mentioned the lack of support from their male counterparts. They experienced some major challenges as a result of the interaction between their leadership roles and the roles they held in their organisations. The participants suggested the underlying masculine conceptualization of leadership in their day-to-day interactions, such as working after hours and extensive travel, both of which were in conflict with their roles as mothers. According to the suggestions that have been made, the execution of the leadership roles and responsibilities shouldn't just be seen from a man's point of view. The performance of these roles ought to take into account gender sensitivity at every stage. Since things have not really moved in the direction that was anticipated, the government of South Africa ought to move more quickly to implement the equality law. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Market participation and welfare of smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Lesala, Mahali Elizabeth https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9921-2190
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Farms, Small , Economic development -- South Africa , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20916 , vital:46745
- Description: The low market participation of smallholder farmers in markets has received enormous attention from scholars, both in the country and the Eastern Cape Province. However, it is not clear how low their market participation is including its implications on farmer’s welfare. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which smallholder farmers in the homelands of the Eastern Cape participate in output markets and assess how their participation in markets has affected wellbeing of their households. This information will have important practical implications for policy regarding appropriate pathways for poverty alleviation and livelihoods improvements in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Three irrigation schemes; Qamata, Zanyokwe and Tyefu irrigation schemes were selected for this study. A sample of 210 smallholder irrigators were interviewed by means of a close-ended questionnaire. The data were analysed by means of descriptive statistical tools, the multiple-level choice models and the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. SPSS and STATA computer programmes were used to carry out all the estimations. The analysis established that, although agriculture is the primary activity for rural livelihoods, it is not the main contributor to family income. Rather, remittances and social grants were the dominant sources of household income in the Qamata, Zanyokwe and Tyefu areas. From the standpoint of market, maize and potatoes are the most popular crops, but potatoes dominate the market. This result confirms that maize is the staple crop and therefore mostly grown for home consumption while production of potatoes is market-oriented. The Market Participation Index (MPI) revealed that farmers sell at least 55 percent of their farm produce, implying that farmers have made some transition from subsistence to semi-commercial farming. However, farmers’ priority still remains food self-sufficiency and market participation only takes place after satisfying their home food needs. The results revealed that the significant factors influencing the farmers’ decisions and their extent of participation in output markets were the age, gender, marital status of the household head, primary occupation of household head, size of farm cultivated, government financial support, access to extension services and farmer’s membership of cooperatives. Concerning the impact of output market participation on welfare of smallholders, the Average Treatment on the Treated (ATT) as the measure of change revealed that participation in output markets has a positive impact on welfare of the smallholder farmers through increased incomes. Farmers who participated in output market were at least R838.44 better off than those who did not participate in markets although social grants and remittances made significantly higher contribution to household welfare. The study suggests that despite some improvements in income of market participants, the standards of living of the rural households are still far from what would be considered optimal. Crop farming evidently contributes less than desired, hence the persistence of the widespread poverty. It is urgent to focus interventions on improving agricultural productivity while widening strategies for improving rural livelihoods beyond agriculture to diversify the choices open to rural dwellers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Portrayals of masculinity in selected Nigerian plays
- Authors: Onuoha, Beatrice Nwawuloke
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Masculinity in literature , Nigeria -- In literature
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22131 , vital:51985
- Description: This work critically interrogates the portrayal of masculinity in plays written by both male and female Nigerian playwrights. Selected plays (three from each author) of Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Tess Onwueme and Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh were studied in order to proffer answers to certain critical questions, some of which include determining whether the way male playwrights construct the psychosocial temperament of lead male characters differs from how such is depicted in the works of female authors. The study also sought to ascertain how the concept of masculinity has evolved through the careers of three generations of playwriting in Nigeria. While evaluating the differences that exist in the portrayal of masculinity in the male lead characters in the works of selected male playwrights when compared to those of their female counterparts, the study equally examines the portrayals of male identities in the selected texts. It also evaluates the notion of masculinity shift among the three generations of Nigerian playwrights with a view to ascertaining how textual portrayals of characters and events reflect the changing values that are held about male identities in different Nigerian societies. In executing these objectives, the study adopts a qualitative method, and then eclectically employs Raewyn Connell’s (1995) Theory of Masculinity, Judith Butler’s (1990) Theory of Performativity, and Louis Athan Althusser’s (1970) Idea of Interpellation as the Theoretical Framework to guide the analysis and interpretation of the selected texts. Furthermore, the study follows a constructivist model that involves several stages including the identification of the selected plays as the main texts, a perusal of the plays, review of the literature on gender portrayals in the plays, and a critiquing of the portrayal of masculinity in them. The findings of the analysis reveal that masculinity is a conditional, provisional and elusive subject. It is created in a certain socio-cultural and historical context and evolves according to situations. The studied texts demonstrate the artistic agency of women in constructing men’s masculinity. They imply that masculinity and femininity are like Siamese twins in the building of a peaceful, strong, and new nation. Moreover, the playwrights under study divulge that power is the key factor in (de)constructing and (re)defining of masculinity of men. Through their plays, the dramatists challenge and attempt to change the stereotypical constructs of men, dismantle the traditional gender roles and propose a new way of envisioning gender, where hegemonic principles can be nullified. It is therefore the submission of this work that Soyinka, Osofisan, Onwueme and Utoh-Ezeajugh do not affirm the social construct of masculinity but rather interrogate them. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
The role of cooperatives in local economic development in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality: A participatory monitoring and evaluation approach
- Authors: Gxabuza, Fundiswa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2654-7365
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Cooperative societies , Economic development , Participatory monitoring and evaluation (Project management)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20273 , vital:45645
- Description: The goal to halve unemployment in South Africa by 2014 has remained, to date, elusive. In the particular case of the Eastern Cape Province, the challenge of combating unemployment is even more daunting, as it currently faces high unemployment rates. However, while there is evidence that initiatives to promote employment generation could be reinforced through Local Economic Development (LED) and, in particular, cooperatives, not much has been reported on how cooperatives contribute in minimising unemployment in the Province. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) points to the inadequacy of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of cooperatives as a critical challenge that has largely remained unaddressed. The inadequacy of M&E in respect to the role of cooperatives in employment and LED has affected cooperatives, generally, and those operating in the Eastern Cape, particularly. This study argues for a participatory approach to relevant M&E frameworks and, thus, presents a participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) framework for evaluating cooperatives’ impact on LED. The testable framework for PM&E is partially derived from participatory action research (PAR) methodologies, where the researcher and cooperatives identify and define the problem to be solved. The thesis then develops the framework by integrating PM&E and PAR approaches in the evaluation of cooperatives’ role in employment creation and LED. By reviewing relevant literature, this study identified, assessed, and synthesized important elements for its suggested framework. Research on cooperatives has tended to focus on their role as agents of development, and much has already focussed on sharing relevant lessons learnt. Fewer studies have, by contrast, focussed on an engaged methodology for the evaluation of cooperatives’ efforts in development. The findings of this current study show that a PM&E/PAR framework must be a joint effort of all affected parties; where the researcher and/or facilitator assumes the role of a change agent, and where participants are leaders of the movement in the course for action. This study was based in East London, and the target population consisted of primary cooperatives. Primary cooperatives are defined by the Buffalo City Integrated Cooperative Development Strategy (BCMM ICDS, 2016) are cooperative that have at least five members, and whose aim is providing employment to said members. The research design for this study was exploratory and inductive. As noted previously, this study adopted a qualitative research approach that combined PAR and PM&E. Two sets of data collection were utilised, namely focus group interviews (FGIs) and an emailed questionnaire (EQ). The FGIs were conducted with the overall study population, namely 14 cooperatives. The EQ was given to specific individual participants, namely senior government and municipal officials who are responsible for the noted cooperatives. The underlying theoretical framework for this research was empowerment, agency, and the theory of community development. A qualitative data analysis was utilised based on the translation of meaning not frequency. The search for meaning elicited rich insights pertaining to participants’ views and interpretations. In all, this study established that the participating Eastern Cape cooperatives have not yet achieved their desired contributory role of promoting LED; specifically, in terms of job creation. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06
Theme and protest in the South African post-apartheid novel: a case study of the writings of three black South African novelists
- Authors: Moyo, Mbongeni https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-9671
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Postcolonialism in literature , Apartheid in literature , Protest literature, South African (English)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22023 , vital:51937
- Description: This study analyses a selected cohort of black South African novelists‟ depiction of the real burning issues of the post-Apartheid South Africa. The ideas that the study is concerned with in the novel under study, are based on the aspect of theme and how it is utilised by the respective authors to address the social, economic and political issues in the post-Apartheid South Africa. The study is an investigation of the extent to which black South African novelists have depicted the aforementioned issues. The research highlights those issues that the novels under study addressed and continues by revealing how the authors depict these issues in their texts. Moreover, the study concludes that literature has a role to play in the society and recommends that it should be reliable and useful to the society. It further recommends that literature should not ignore societal issues and should be corrective in its approach. The study is comprised of six chapters: Chapter One functions as an introduction to the study. It provides information on the aims and objectives of the study, the background information on the novels under study and South African literature itself. The chapter also outlines the method and the theories, which will be used in the study. It concludes by addressing the significance of the study. Chapter Two provides a detailed analysis of the theories, which will be used in the study. This includes the Marxism and Realism theory, Afrocentric theory and the Feminist Literary theory. It also defines the concept of theme and outlines its characteristics. It discusses post-colonial literature and its development in Africa. The chapter will conclude with a disclosure of the role of theme and of the author in the African novel. Chapter Three addresses the depiction of burning issues in Mpe‟s novel “Welcome to Our Hillbrow”. It discusses the real post-colonial challenges confronting the society during the post-Apartheid South Africa. It determines whether the novel under study adequately addresses these issues. Chapter Four identifies and addresses the depiction of burning post-colonial issues in Magona‟s novel “Beauty‟s Gift”. It unveils the themes that are dealt with in the novel under study thereby linking them effectively to the current situation in the new South Africa. Chapter Five unveils the central themes in Mahala‟s Novel “When a Man Cries” and it illustrates how the author protests against the ills of post-Apartheid South Africa. Chapter Six serves as the conclusion of the study and brings out the findings and recommendations of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-06