11613 research outputs found
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Conflict management in emerging cooperatives in the Northern Cape Province
No full textCooperatives are autonomous and voluntarily associations of people with common socio-economic goals striving for a democratically jointly owned business enterprise ILO (2014). Cooperatives are used throughout the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as set by the United Nations. Although it is evident that cooperatives are a vehicle for socio-economic development, the mortality rate of emerging cooperatives in South Africa is alarmingly high, with the Northern Cape Province in the lead at 97.5%. Mismanagement of conflict is among the prominent causes of this high failure rate. In this study, a qualitative research design was used that involves semi-structured questionnaires. The overall aim of this research was to explore the in-depth knowledge, perceptions and opinions of the research participants on conflict management strategies in four emerging cooperatives in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. This research further investigated how conflict management contributes towards the collapse of emerging cooperatives. The four cooperatives chosen for this research postulated the underlying causes of conflict, conflict management strategies and the impact thereof. The findings indicated that dealing with conflict management in emerging cooperatives is one of the critical success factors for the sustenance of emerging cooperatives. The underlying causes of conflict include goal and opinion differences, lack of transparency and poor communication. Furthermore, mismanagement of conflict yielded job losses, business sabotage, distortion of member commitment, reduced productivity and strained social cohesion. The participants recommended continuous communication, establishment of operating rules, transparency and teamwork as internal critical measures for the sustenance of the emerging cooperatives that must be coupled with third-party assistance, training and mentorship
Mentor-mentee experiences amidst COVID-19: a teaching practice case study
No full textPreparing student teachers for the world of work is seen globally as a challenge. This research aims to explore mentors and mentees experiences in teaching practice during the COVID-19 period. In order to explore the challenge in this study, the following research question guided the paper: What are the teaching practice experiences of mentors and mentees at a school during COVID-19? The research question is a result of limited research done on the experiences of two groups during COVID-19. Informed by the realist social theory, we generated data via telephonic interviews with mentors and mentees in one school. The data was generated through semi-structured Interviews and thematic analysis was a method employed in the analysis of the data. The results present challenges experienced by mentees which, amongst others, include a feeling of inadequacy or a lack of confidence in their abilities to bring about order to the classroom and a feeling of being excluded in meetings and extra-curricular activities. On the other hand, mentors receive mentees without any prior warning or without arrangements made to accommodate them and the absence of the university officials except for assessment. Based on the results, a collaborative approach should be employed to deal with some of the challenges experienced by mentors and mentees.Publisher's versio
African metaphysics: recovery towards an alternative modernity?
No full textIn this thesis, it is argued that the age of modernity, which was initially a Western development, has not only found its way to the global stage and reached its climax, but that there now exists a dire need for an alternative conception of being-in-the-world. As such, it is proposed that traditional African thought, particularly as found in pre-colonial metaphysics, can contribute to the contemporary idea of alternative modernities. Other themes discussed include the decline of metaphysics in Western thought, the effects of colonialism on African thought, and the general disenchantment of the world
Land reform: a comparison of Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy and Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development: the case of Emalahleni Local Municipality
No full textDissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2021The study comprises a comparison of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) and Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) projects in Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Nkangala district, Mpumalanga province of RSA. The study is a qualitative study of a comparative nature where two sub-programmes are compared to find out which one of them best suits the mandate of the redistribution programme. Land reform in South Africa is categorised into three main programmes, namely land restitution, land tenure reform and land redistribution; however, for the purpose of this study the main focus is on land redistribution, particularly on the PLAS and LRAD sub-programmes. Numerous studies have been conducted on land reform, particularly land redistribution and its apparent failure to reach the target of transferring 30% of agricultural land to the black majority. However, not much has been done on the new sub-programme of PLAS. There is a need to evaluate this sub-programme of PLAS in comparison with its predecessor in the local context to find out which of the sub-programmes of redistribution performs best in terms of achieving the mandate of the redistribution programme. Purposeful sampling was conducted on a population of 175 beneficiaries belonging to 42 farms. Eight beneficiaries from LRAD and eight beneficiaries from PLAS were sampled purposefully from four virtually successful farms of PLAS and four virtually unsuccessful farms. On the side of LRAD, four beneficiaries from virtually successful farms and four from virtually unsuccessful farms were similarly sampled. In terms of the analysis, the study found that in respect of access to land, the beneficiaries had to make some form of application to the authorities to access the land, which is in line with the principles of the redistribution programme as participation is voluntary. The waiting period between sending in an application and the actual occupation of the land ranged between one to five years among the beneficiaries. There are farms where individuals or individual families occupy the land and others where groups ranging between six and 20 members occupy the land in both PLAS and land LRAD farms. The group dynamics are almost the same in these groups, whereas power relations and internal conflicts are sporadic within the groups. Agricultural production is prevalent in some of the farms, but it happens to be more robust in some of the individual PLAS farms and less to almost non-existent in the group LRAD farms. Post-settlement support is prevalent in both the LRAD and PLAS farms, but it appears to be misdirected in the individual PLAS farms. Although production is prevalent in both LRAD and PLAS farms, sustainable livelihoods are only achievable in the individual PLAS farms, although their tenure is not as secured as the LRAD farms due to the lack of title deeds. The study concluded that neither PLAS nor LRAD can fully address the mandate of the redistribution programme, but elements within each sub-programme may achieve tremendous results if they were to be consolidated into one offering
Linking geographic origin and mitogenomes of the ground pangolin in southern Africa
No full textThe order Pholidota includes the most trafficked mammal species globally. The family Maninae with recognized species are categorized as Endangered and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due to the sharp decline in Asian pangolin numbers, the shift was towards the African pangolin species, to meet the demand in Asia and in Africa. Subsequently, the status of Smutsiinae has been revised by the IUCN and varies between Vulnerable and Endangered. This study contributes to clarify the genetic status of the four African pangolin species using molecular technologies. The first part of the study aimed to assemble mitogenomes of the four African pangolin species using NGS technologies. Whole mitogenomes were assembled and compared with published mitogenomes available in online databases. Mitogenomes were only available for six of the eight pangolin species. Our results showed different genome lengths for the four species: Temminck’s pangolin (16 558 bp), giant pangolin (16 540 bp), white-bellied pangolin (16 565 bp) and black-bellied pangolin (16 649 bp). Three distinctive clusters were observed supporting three genera. The first cluster consisted of the Asian pangolins (Manis), the second cluster was the African tree pangolins (Phataginus) and the third cluster represented the African ground pangolins (Smutsia). There were also two insertions found in the control region of the black-bellied pangolin which could indicate a recent mutation or selection event. The second part of the study focused on the development of species-specific STRs for Temminck’s pangolin and in combination with previous developed mtDNA markers the aim was to assess the population structure across the distribution range in southern Africa. Three mtDNA loci were analysed (Co1, Cytb, control region) with 30 STRs. A total of 62 individuals from six countries were included in the study. The results showed little to no geographical differentiation across the identified sampling locations. This indicates high levels of gene flow between the populations. Three distinctive clusters were observed within the different sampling areas. This could indicate inherited ancestral traits in juveniles with dispersal into new home ranges following a stepping stone model. Temminck’s pangolin has been reported to cover vast distances in search of new home ranges or territories. This study provides the first account of a combination of mtDNA and STR markers to investigate possible geo-referencing of Temminck’s pangolin in southern Africa. It is evident that the mtDNA and STRs markers used in this study, are not robust enough to discriminate between different sampling locations or populations. Further in-depth investigations, including whole genome analysis and SNPs are recommended. A more comprehensive sampling strategy is required to include all areas within the distribution range as well as more individuals for an in-depth genome analyses.South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)National Zoological Garden (NZG)National Research Foundation (NRF
An assessment of the water use associated with Australian diets using a planetary boundary framework
No full textObjective:
Agriculture accounts for around 70 % of global freshwater withdrawals. As such, the food system has been identified as a critical intervention point to address water scarcity. Various studies have identified dietary patterns that contribute less to water scarcity. However, it is unclear what level of reduction is necessary to be considered sustainable. The pursuit of unnecessarily aggressive reductions could limit dietary diversity. Our objective was to assess the sustainability of water use supporting Australian dietary habits and the adequacy of current dietary guidelines.
Design:
Dietary intake data were obtained from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity component of the Australian Health Survey. For each individual daily diet, the water scarcity footprint was quantified, following ISO14046:2014, as well as a diet quality score. Water scarcity footprint results were compared with the planetary boundary for freshwater use downscaled to the level of an individual diet.
Setting:
Australia.
Participants:
9341 adults participating in the Australian Health Survey.
Results:
Dietary water scarcity footprints averaged 432·6 L-eq (95 % CI 432·5, 432·8), less than the 695 litres/person per d available to support the current global population of 7·8 billion, and the 603 litres/person per d available for a future population of 9 billion. Diets based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines required 521 L-eq/d, or 379 L-eq/d with lower water scarcity footprint food choices.
Conclusions:
Diets based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines were found to be within the freshwater planetary boundary. What is needed in Australia is greater compliance with dietary guidelines.Publisher's versio
Collaborative leadership strategies to enhance learner discipline in secondary schools
No full textIn this study, the researcher explored the collaborative leadership strategies to improve learner discipline in schools, further aimed at assisting educators, school management teams and school governing bodies on how to use collaborative leadership strategies to improve learner discipline in schools, in order to ensure effective teaching and learning and a safe school environment in schools. In this study, a literature search on national, continental and international sources was conducted on how educators, school management teams and school governing bodies can use collaborative leadership strategies to improve learner discipline in schools. To best explain the natural progression of the phenomenon under study, namely collaborative leadership strategies to improve learner discipline in schools, transformative learning theory was applied to the study. The study employed a qualitative approach to how collaborative leadership strategies may be effective in improving learner discipline strategies in schools. Individual, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews were employed to collect data from participants. They comprised of five educators from two schools in Bloemfontein (two educators of one school participated as educators and as school governing body members, five school management team members from two schools in Bloemfontein, as well as three school governing body members from one school in Bloemfontein). The researcher analysed data using codes and themes that emanated from the data.Key findings of the investigation revealed that learner code of conduct is used as a learner discipline strategy, because it is a form of legislation that reflects the democratic principles of the Constitution (Republic of South Africa, 1996(b)) by supporting the values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Learners’ lack of discipline is a challenge encountered by schools when they implement learner discipline strategies, because learners’ lack of discipline contributes to learners’ aggressive behaviour and during detention a learner is required to remain in a presumably undesirable place for a specified amount of time, outside school hours
Mapping liberation through song: the impact of anti-apartheid popular music and protest/liberation songs in South Africa and the diaspora, 1950-1994
No full textThis study aims to analyse the role that popular music and protest/liberation songs played in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, spanning across the era of apartheid rule from 1948 until 1994. This study discusses multiple aspects of popular music opposing apartheid, and non-commercial music as drivers for liberation. Consequently, this study will provide a multi-dimensional view of the mechanisms promoting protest songs, the artists that opposed apartheid through song, State censorship as a response to resistance, and the role of the international community. From the inception of apartheid, the liberation struggle was fought on various fronts. This study contends that the influence of liberation/protest music on the anti-apartheid struggle was a forerunner in cultural resistance, both locally and in the diaspora
Amplitude of accommodation in 9 to 13 year old school children of Mankweng circuit, Limpopo province
No full textBackground: Amplitude of accommodation (AA) is the function of accommodation referred to as the dioptric difference between the far point (the eye is at rest) and near point (when the eye is fully accommodated) and is known to reduce with increase in age. To determine if an individual has low, normal or high amplitude of accommodation (AA) for his / her age, norms calculated from Hofstetter’s formulae are still used as reference all over the world. However, these norms were found to be irrelevant to Ghanaian and Swedish children. Out of the few accommodation studies conducted in South Africa, none of the studies documented the AA of learners from the Mankweng circuit, Limpopo province in South Africa. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the AA in 9 to 13 year old school children of Mankweng circuit, Limpopo province. Method: A cross - sectional, analytical, descriptive study was conducted on 291 learners aged 9 to 13 years of age (median age = 11.3 years). Learners were conveniently selected but schools were randomised. Learners who passed visual screening tests consisting of habitual visual acuity at 6 m and 40 cm right eye and left eye (RE and LE), +2.50 D lens test at 6 m (RE and LE), prism cover test at 40 cm and direct ophthalmoscopy (RE and LE), were included in this study. One hundred and eighty - five (185) learners met the inclusion criteria and proceeded to the measurements of AA which were determined subjectively using the push - up (PU) to - blur (first data set) and pull - away (PA) to - clear (second data set) techniques, and objectively using the dynamic retinoscopy (DR) (fourth data set). The PU and the PA results were thereafter used to determine the average AA for each participant, which were regarded as the third AA measurement data set for the current participants. Results: The subjective and objective techniques of measuring AA yielded different results among the same participants aged 9 to 13 years. Dynamic retinoscopy (DR) technique measured the highest AA (median = 19.7 D), with PU (median = 14.3 D), PA (median = 13.4 D) and the average results of PU / PA techniques (median = 13.8 D) measuring lower. The median AA were reducing from 21.2 D to 18.3 D as age increased in 9 to 13 year old participants when measured with DR; from 15.5 D to 12.9 D with PU; from 14.4 D to 12.2 D with PA and from 15.0 D to 12.5 D when using the average results of PU / PA measurements. The rate at which AA changed between different age groups was found to be inconsistent. Furthermore, a significant difference existed between the AA of groups of 2 years or more apart. There was no statistical significant difference between the AA in female and male participants. The results further showed that the type of technique used to collect AA measurements, may have influenced the prevalence rate of a LOW AA. The results showed a high prevalence of LOW AA with PA technique 18.4% (CI of [13.5% to 24.6%]), followed by the average results of PU / PA techniques 12.4% (CI of [8.4% to 18.0%]) and lastly PU technique 7.6% (CI of [4.6% to 12.3%]). For the same participants, the DR technique did not measure LOW AA amongst any of the age groups. In each technique, there were outliers reported, with the majority in the 9 - year - old age group. Conclusion: The measured AA decreased with increasing age with all the techniques used, although the rate of reduction was not constant between the age groups. Furthermore, the AA between the age groups 12 and 13 years was statistically significantly different and also between the age groups of two or more years apart (e.g. 9 and 11 years). The AA in female and male participants showed no statistical significant difference. The prevalence of LOW AA determined, was higher with the PA technique as compared to the PU technique. The objective measurements were statistically significantly higher to the subjective measurements.University of the Free State (UFS
Mitigating school dropout among deaf learners through school support networks: case study
No full textSchool dropout phenomenon is a world-wide problem affecting all students including Deaf learners and other learners with special educational needs. Regardless of all the attempts made, school dropout among deaf learners (hereafter - DL), still remain a challenge within our schools, as compared to their hearing counterparts. Therefore this study explored how school support networks could be used to mitigate school dropout among deaf learners in a selected high school in Leribe District in Lesotho through school support networks perceived to be available within and outside the school. Based on positive psychology, a strength-based theory was used to guide the study. The study followed the qualitative approach and adopted the transformative paradigm, also utilising a participatory research design. Focus group discussions and collages were the methods employed by the researcher to generate data from nine deaf learners who were purposefully selected through the help of an interpreter. Thematic analysis was adopted. The findings are that the deaf learners possessed a diverse understanding of school support networks and viewed them as both human and non-human support networks, found within and outside the school environment. Furthermore, the findings showed diverse ways employed by the identified school support networks to mitigate school dropout among deaf learners, being provision of academic support, proffering emotional and psychosocial support, as well as providing social support that shaped their learning and enabled them to interact with others and have a sense of belonging. The result also identified resources used by Deaf learners, such as computer and resource rooms, library and playgrounds, etc., which supported them to achieve their academic goals. The study concluded that deaf learners’ academic success is everyone’s responsibility and through school support networks all stakeholders can collaborate and enhance opportunities for all deaf learners to become compatible community members