11613 research outputs found
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The reality of reparations: an exploration of neo-colonialism, morality and control in the Caribbean
No full textReparations are widely understood as the process by which compensation is given or amends made for previous wrongdoing. In the context of the Caribbean, it may refer to official actions taken by former colonial powers to acknowledge and recompense states affected by colonialism and slavery. This paper seeks to analyse discussions of reparations in the region and consider how the lack of com- pensation may be perceived as demonstrating that modern power relations are merely repackaged propagations of imperialism. Fundamentally, this paper argues that the notion that colonisation was left behind in the 19th century with the abolition of slavery or mid-20th Century with the political indepen- dence of Caribbean nation-states is a facade and uses reparations discourse as the foremost example of such. This is demonstrated through the following questions: Why do reparations need to be paid? Why are they not being paid? And What needs to change?Publisher's versio
Enhancing the teaching and learning of Grade 11 trigonometric functions using integrated ICT
No full textThis study aimed at designing a strategy to enhance the teaching and learning of Grade 11 trigonometric functions using information and communication technologies (ICT). Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) points out that Grade 11 learners must be able to sketch trigonometric graphs, considering effects of the given parameters; read and interpret the graphs given; and solve the mathematical modelling problems, in order to be fully competent and meet the curriculum needs (DoE, 2011:32). However, in South Africa (SA), learners struggle to sketch, read and interpret trigonometric graphs accurately. They find it difficult to know the critical features and characteristics of basic graphs, understand the change for each of the transformations and visualize the effect of a, p, q, and k on the basic function (DoE, 2018:149).Teachers, on the other side, should give learners exercises that enable them to draw trigonometric graphs with accuracy, translate and reflect graphs, interpret graphs and read solutions from the graphs. In order to respond to these challenges, this study preferred bricolage as an appropriate theoretical framework, because of its flexible, fluid, and open-minded approach towards problem-solving and knowledge-production (Rogers, 2012:06). Participants or co-researchers jointly used tools and materials at hand, as well as their life experiences, social practices and discourses to creatively construct new artefacts. Coming from different backgrounds they employed participatory action research (PAR), in order to willingly share ideas, experiences, and expertise to generate new knowledge and for pedagogy innovation. The co-researchers refer to 2 mathematics teachers; 80 grade 11 learners; two SGB parents; one KST mathematics facilitator; one IBP program manager and the researcher. Data were generated from the classroom deliberations, discussion in meetings, assessments tasks and scores obtained from planning sessions, assessments and reflection reports. The critical discourse analysis (CDA) was used to analyze generated data
Adaptation strategies of smallholder maize farmers to drought in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
No full textRecently, South Africa has experienced the worst drought in decades. Due to this, an understanding of people’s views of drought is an important factor in sustainable environmental policy in this country. As a result, this study was conducted within a farming community in Keyser’s Beach, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa with the aim of understanding the perception of smallholder maize farmers on drought. The study was also underpinned by three research objectives which centred on farmers’ perceptions of drought, its impacts and the coping mechanisms. The study employed a mixed-methods research approach to collect and analyse data. Quantitative data was collected using a survey questionnaire while qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The data analysis framework also incorporated the vulnerability index where the susceptibility of smallholder maize farmers to the prevailing drought was calculated. The study revealed that there are different expectations of drought among smallholder farmers where it was associated with man-made and natural causes. The study found that drought has a variety of impacts, including changes in water supply, soil health, jobs and household income, as well as other social factors. The drought coping mechanisms therefore appeared to vary between farmers. The study found that smallholder maize farmers store produce and livestock for consumption and selling, save money, change crop calendars and adjust to drought-resistant crops, among other coping strategies. The research proposes that more studies be performed between commercial farmers or smallholder farmers in areas other than Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study recommends that funds have to be channelled towards disaster management in order to assist smallholder maize farmers in Keyser’s Beach
A framework for the enhancement of postgraduate engineering student supervision at universities of technology: perspectives from the faculty of engineering
No full textThere have been several concerns that were raised about the quality of postgraduate research supervision in South Africa particularly at Universities of Technology (UoTs). One of the primary challenges relating to postgraduate supervision at UoTs in the faculty of engineering, is the shortage of academics with doctoral qualifications to supervise postgraduate engineering students. UoTs’ which were formerly known as technikon’s, are faced with many challenges when it comes to postgraduate supervision. There are not enough academic staff with doctoral qualifications to supervise postgraduate engineering students and that these universities lack facilities and infrastructure needed for research to thrive. It has been more than a decade since universities merged in South Africa and it is taking a longer time for research to thrive at UoTs, due to the fact that these universities were known for their production of industry related skills or technical qualifications rather than postgraduate qualifications. One of the major problems that is affecting postgraduate engineering throughputs for many UoTs is students not having quality supervision or qualified/trained supervisors. However, the tendency to use structure (Institutional history, rules, regulations policies and procedures) to address the challenges related to postgraduate studies has resulted in policy makers (government) ignoring the role that UoTs’ play in higher education not only in perpetuating some of these challenges, but also in understanding and resolving them. Despite the significant push by the government for more knowledge and innovative workforce, the success rate of UoTs leaves much to be desired. One of the reasons cited for low throughputs in engineering faculty has been postgraduate supervision capacity challenge. Therefore, this study seeks to propose a tailored supervision framework for engineering faculty at UoTs. This research study included 52 postgraduate engineering students and 11 engineering supervisors from two South African UoTs. Data was collected by questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions. Based on the data generated from the study, the researcher proposes a framework for postgraduate supervision based on the principles of academic writing where quality supervision should be at the centre of learning
A view on assessment: MBCHB 3 clinical skills module at the University of Limpopo
No full textAbstract not availabl
The attitude of evangelical churches towards syncretism in Tshwane Townships
No full textA study was carried out to establish the strategy of responding to syncretism practices in the church. Syncretism poses a significant challenge to the Christian witness in Soshanguve Township. The objectives of the study were to create awareness to evangelical churches that syncretism and Christianity are not compatible, and to suggest strategies that confront syncretism. The methodology used in this investigative and evaluative exercise was qualitative. The study revealed that some of the members visit diviners, some of the preachers preached a modified version of the gospel, and some of the members are involved in African religious practice. Some of the members do not understand the gospel and they resulted into syncretic practices. The pastoral leadership may be to blame for, among other things, not preaching the gospel clearly, and not doing appropriate evangelism, not following up those who convert to Christianity, and not being role models in their lifestyle. The research findings have the following implications for the church: Pastors need to exercise serious pastoral oversight of the flock to avoid filling the church with unconverted members. Members need to be taught about the non-negotiable core values of a biblical church. The church needs to emulate and practice the Five Solas of reformation. Pastors need to teach biblical truth about demons and how to deal with them biblically. The church needs to develop mutual accountability structures. The church needs to understand Ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church). The church needs to be taught about evangelism and discipleship. People need to be trained to have a Christian worldview and to develop qualified biblical leaders
Missio hominum for social justice in South Africa: From missio Dei to missio hominum
No full textDecades after the fall of apartheid, South Africa continues to face problems such as racism, heterosexism, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, and gender-based violence leading to feminicide, which undermines all efforts being made to achieve social justice. Every Christian mission begins or flows out from missio Dei and has a common endeavour to achieve its goal. This article examines missio hominum as the new fundamental paradigm from the perspective of Nico Smith. It believes that when Smith saw the need for missio hominum, social justice was thought of as a prerequisite for the accomplishment of missio Dei’s goal. It examines how he developed the missio hominum paradigm with the aim of advocating for social justice in South Africa. It perceives a potential and a fundamental element for social justice in this new paradigm. Significantly, missio hominum represents a fundamental theological paradigm by which human action is integrated or linked with divine action in order to achieve the goal of the missio Dei. It provides an overview of the literature relating to the featured works on Christian mission and social justice. To the best
of the author’s knowledge, little or no work has been published on missio hominum as a missiological paradigm on the way to social justice.Publisher's versio
Income-Generating Activities (IGAS) in the livelihoods of the Rehoboth Community in Namibia
No full textDissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2021Income-generating activities are an important input for the sustainable livelihood improvement of communities. In a developing economy, they could play a valuable role in coping with and mitigating various socio-economic problems (Saravana & Lokesha, 2018:190). In recent decades, Income Generating Activities (IGA) have been increasingly used as a tool to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. IGA therefore, plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs in general and the SDG4 agenda in particular. This study set out to investigate the influence of income-generating activities on the livelihoods of the Rehoboth communities. The beneficiaries are funded by the Ministry of Gender Equality Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) and the Hardap Regional Council (HR) micro-projects. The government and other development agencies persistently support initiatives for poverty reduction through implementing the IGA grant. The Namibian Government acknowledged IGAs programme as a vehicle to fast-track employment creation and improve livelihoods through the support of Small and Medium Enterprises. This was stated in the formulation of various National Development Plans (NDP 2,3,4), NDP5 2017/18-2021/22 and the Harambee Prosperity plan (2016-2020). This research explores the influence of IGAs on the livelihoods of the Rehoboth community in Namibia and the beneficiaries' perception of the contribution of IGAs to their livelihoods. The study employed a qualitative approach because it permitted the researcher to examine and explore the phenomenon under investigation. The qualitative research method was used to collect primary and secondary data, which included secondary analysis documents and reports. The data collected from the beneficiaries and key informants were analysed following an inductive analytical process by extracting themes and categories that emerged from the data. The study found most Rehoboth IGA projects are home-based, with few operating in business areas. It was observed that IGA projects had improved beneficiaries' livelihood, through functional projects which led to minor improvements in some families. The study findings revealed how IGA funds improved the livelihood of beneficiaries of the Rehoboth community. The study thus concludes that IGAs are a source of livelihood and contribute to poverty eradication and employment creation for disadvantaged community and families. The initiatives have responded to community needs, especially contributing to food security, family education and social status
Insights on student leadership using social dream drawing: six propositions for the transformation role of South African student leaders
No full textBackground: Student leadership is central to the South African transformation agenda in higher education. Even so the understanding of student leadership, especially regarding its purpose and its implementation varies across contexts.
Aim: This article aims to present propositions for student leadership practice considering the current diverse and often fragmented understanding of student leadership. Such propositions should aid the formation of a streamlined multi-levelled and systemic co-curriculum for student leadership that equips student leaders for their significant transformation task.
Setting: The study was conducted in a South African higher education institution within the associated Student Affairs department. The university where data was collected is referred to as a historically White university.
Methods: Social dream drawing was utilised to elicit data that enabled insights into student leadership. The data was analysed by pluralistically fusing discourse analysis with a psychodynamic interpretation.
Results: The findings reveal a preoccupation in student leadership with South African historical narratives and the implications thereof for the present, and future, of the country. Additionally, student leaders indicated that there are complex psychological implications that result from their leadership experiences. Six propositions for student leadership are presented.
Conclusion: The insights gained from the research study have the potential to contribute positively to higher education legislation and student development practice, particularly regarding the psychological conflicts that student leaders experience, and to the possible ways to resolve these. Because student leaders are key to the transformation agenda in South Africa, these insights can contribute directly towards their suitability in fulfilling this role.Publisher's versio