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Beyond the state-centric lens of the fragile state discourse: the case for hybrid political orders in Somaliland
No full textSince the collapse of communism in the late 1980s, a "third wave of democratisation" has swept across the globe, encouraging many developing countries (particularly in Africa) to embrace liberal democratic, free market principles. However, several states appeared unable to sustain democratic governments and economic growth during the 1990s. This resulted in the rise and prominence of the fragile state discourse, which characterised these states as soft, weak, failed, or collapsing in accordance with the degree to which they failed to meet the Weberian criteria for statehood. This Western, state-centric approach has further been reflected in the efforts of governments, non-governmental organisations, and donor agencies to promote peace and state-building as a remedy to state failure. The study argues that the state-centric approach exemplified by Weber's definition of the state and embraced by fragile state discourse and Western state-building efforts has failed to provide an objective, counter-hegemonic, and emancipatory perspective on states labelled as weak, failed, or collapsed. Rather than that, the study focusses on Hybrid Political Orders as a complementary perspective that takes a post-Western approach more suited to comprehending the realities of fragile states while also acknowledging the role of traditional authorities in the hybrid state-building process. Current international relations theory, with a particular emphasis on statehood, the fragile state perspective, and state-building, is accused of being exclusive and catering to a small minority at the expense of most of the world's population. Rather than exaggerating the politics of public bodies, political science and international relations theory should place a greater emphasis on people or politics at the grassroots level. The study attempted to provide a post-Western revisionist and alternative perspective on current state-building practises by emphasising the role of Hybrid Political orders in Somaliland
Exploring the infusion of restorative justice in a secondary school’s code of conduct
No full textIn some South African secondary schools, there seems to be a misalignment between policy expectations, the school’s code of conduct for learners, and teachers’ and learners’ understanding of how the school’s code of conduct should regulate disciplinary measures. Based on this, in this study I was interested to explore the potential of infusing a participating school’s code of conduct for learners with the principles of restorative justice to attempt and address the misalignment between policy expectations, the participating school’s code of conduct for learners, and teachers’ and learners' understanding of how the code of conduct for learners should regulate disciplinary measures. The aim of this study was thus to explore the possibilities of infusing restorative justice principles in the participating school’s code of conduct for learners to create a conducive learning environment. This study chose a qualitative approach and employed research methods that included a literature review, policy analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. For policy analysis, I employed Samuel’s (2017) approach to reading a policy and to conduct a content analysis. I did this specifically to determine whether the participating school’s (School AB) code of conduct for learners aligned with the policy expectations present in the current education policy framework, and secondly, if the principles of restorative justice and Ubuntu were infused in the School AB’s code of conduct for learners. The analysis of School AB’s code of conduct for learners revealed that the code was punitive in nature. School AB’s code of conduct for learners drew its inspiration from several documents that included the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA, 1996a), the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (RSA, 1996b), and Free State Provincial Schools Act No. 1 of 1996. This indicated that the School AB’s code of conduct for learners was informed by, and in most instances aligned with, the policy expectations. However, it was found by reading of the policy that restorative measures did not always inform School AB’s code of conduct for learners. To determine the teachers’ and learners’ understanding of how the code of conduct for learners should regulate disciplinary measures at School AB, five teachers and ten learners participated in the semi-structured interviews. Five teachers who were opposed to the use of corporal punishment and eager to implement the code of conduct for learners were invited to participate in the study. The ten participating learners were selected as follows: one from each class of the teacher participants, two from my (the researcher’s) class and three from other classes of which the teachers were not participants. A thematic data analysis was applied to identify themes that emerged from the data generated through the participants' observations and semi-structured interviews. The themes were informed by the discussion presented in the literature review. The findings indicated that neither the teachers nor the learners at School AB were familiar with the school’s code of conduct for learners. Thus, teachers varied in their disciplinary measures and lacked understanding of what the code of conduct entailed. Furthermore, corporal punishment seemed to be the prominent disciplinary measure employed by the teachers. Based on the policy analysis and analysis of the generated data, this study proposes ways in which restorative justice can be infused in the school code of conduct for learners to transform teachers’ and learners’ practices. If successful at School AB, a similar process can be implemented in other schools that are experiencing a misalignment between policy expectations, the school’s code of conduct for learners, and teachers’ and learners’ understanding of how the school’ s code of conduct for learners should regulate disciplinary measures
A framework to strengthen leadership at a South African public nursing college
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Nursing))--University of the Free State, 2021Leaders at higher education institutions around the globe face difficulties emanating from a myriad of challenges introduced by the 21st century. Nursing education is not exempt from these demands, especially considering expectations of nurses operating on the frontline with health conditions that continue to threaten human existence. Therefore, the dire need for quality nursing education and training in this era is indisputable. In the midst of these threats, South African public nursing colleges are transitioning from provincial departments of health to higher education to form part of a unified higher education system. The need for strong leadership was identified as a key determinant through which a specific public nursing college could survive these challenges. A lack of evidence regarding leadership strengthening at Nursing Education Institutions in the country prompted the following research question: “How can leadership at a South African public nursing college be strengthened?” Rooted in the social constructionism paradigm, a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual, and collaborative research design was deemed the most appropriate to answer the research question. Having taken a strengths-based approach and assuming a dialectic stance, perspectives were obtained from the college leadership via an Appreciative Inquiry and from South African nursing education leadership experts by means of a modified Delphi. The data sets were separately analysed from which various themes and subthemes emerged. The findings were then synthesised and integrated to create a whole picture, which culminated in a framework that was validated by college stakeholders. The framework to strengthen leadership at a South African public nursing college offers transformational leadership approaches, leadership competency, and capacity development as its foundational aspects. Technology, research, and community engagement are supportive constructs, whilst governance, legislation, leadership, and policy together form the overarching element. With implementation and continuous research, each construct should be further developed. Although contextual, the findings could resonate with nursing education leadership elsewhere and be explored further by replicating the research. As the research product, the framework is considered to be a modest contribution to knowledge, and is presented in the belief that it could enable the college to successfully navigate its challenges and its transition into higher education.
___________________________________________________________________Leiers by hoëronderwysinstellings regoor die wêreld ondervind probleme wat voortspruit uit 'n magdom uitdagings wat deur die 21ste eeu teweeggebring is. Verpleegopleiding is nie vrygeskeld van hierdie eise nie, veral in ag genome verwagtinge van verpleegkundiges wat in die voorste linies werk met gesondheidstoestande wat voortdurend die menslike bestaan bedreig. Daarom is die dringende behoefte aan kwaliteit verpleegonderrig en opleiding in hierdie era onbetwisbaar. Te midde van hierdie bedreigings is Suid-Afrikaanse openbare verpleegkolleges besig om oor te skakel van provinsiale departemente van gesondheid na hoër onderwys om deel te vorm van 'n verenigde hoëronderwysstelsel. Die behoefte aan sterk leierskap is geïdentifiseer as 'n sleutelbepaler wat 'n spesifieke openbare verpleegkollege hierdie uitdagings kan help oorleef. 'n Gebrek aan bewyse dat leierskap by Verpleegonderwysinstellings in die land versterk word, het die volgende navorsingsvraag laat ontstaan: "Hoe kan leierskap by 'n Suid-Afrikaanse openbare verpleegkollege versterk word?" Gewortel in die sosiale konstruksionisme paradigma, is 'n kwalitatiewe, verkennende, beskrywende, kontekstuele en samewerkende navorsingsontwerp as die mees geskikte geag om die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord. Deur ’n sterkpunte-gebaseerde en 'n dialektiese benadering in te neem, is perspektiewe vanaf die kollege-leierskap verkry via 'n Waarderende Ondersoek en van Suid-Afrikaanse verpleegonderwys se leierskap deskundiges deur middel van 'n gewysigde Delphi. Die datastelle is afsonderlik ontleed waaruit verskeie temas en subtemas na vore gekom het. Die bevindinge is toe gemaak en geïntegreer om 'n geheelbeeld te skep, wat uitgeloop het op 'n raamwerk wat deur kollege-belanghebbendes bekragtig is. Die raamwerk om leierskap by 'n Suid-Afrikaanse openbare verpleegkollege te versterk, bied transformasieleierskapbenaderings, leierskapbevoegdheid en kapasiteitsontwikkeling as die grondliggende aspekte daarvan. Tegnologie, navorsing en gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is ondersteunende konstrukte, terwyl bestuur, wetgewing, leierskap en beleid saam die oorkoepelende element vorm. Met implementering en deurlopende navorsing moet elke konstruk verder ontwikkel word. Alhoewel kontekstueel, kan die bevindinge resoneer met verpleegonderwysleierskap elders en verder ondersoek word deur die navorsing te herhaal. As die navorsingsproduk word die raamwerk beskou as 'n beskeie bydrae tot kennis, en word dit aangebied in die oortuiging dat dit die kollege in staat kan stel om sy uitdagings en sy oorgang na hoër onderwys suksesvol te navigeer.
___________________________________________________________________Baetapele diinstitjusheneng tsa thuto e phahameng ka lefatshe lohle ba tobane le mathata a bakwang ke diphephetso tse ngata tse bakilweng ke ngwahaketekgolo wa 21. Thuto ya baoki le yona ha e a qoba ditlhoko tsena; haholoholo ha re tadima ditebello tsa baoki ba sebetsang ka matla e le bona ba motheo mabapi le maemo a bophelo a tswelang pele ho hlasela bophelo ba batho. Ka lebaka leo, tlhoko e kgolo ya ho ba le thuto ya booki le kwetliso e nang le boleng ke taba e ke keng ya hanyetswa ho hang. Kgabareng ya diphephetso tsena, dikholetjhe tsa booki ba setjhaba tsa Afrika Borwa di ntse di fetoha ho tloha ho mafapha a bophelo a provense ho leba ho thuto e phahameng e le ho ba karolo ya tshebetso e kopaneng ya thuto e phahameng. Tlhokeho ya boetapele bo matla e hlwailwe e le sesosa sa bohlokwa seo ka sona Kholetjhe e ikgethileng ya booki e ka hlolang le ho rarolla diphephetso tsena. Ho hlokeha ha dintlha tsa tshehetso mabapi le matlafatso ya boetapele ba Diinstitjushene tsa Thuto ya Booki ka hara naha ho kgothaleditse potso e latelang ya diphuputso: “Boetapele ba Kholetjhe ya Afrika Borwa ya booki ba setjhaba bo ka matlafatswa jwang?” Karabo ya potso ena e theilwe hodima mokgahlelo wa kutlwisiso ya kaho ya mehopolo, boleng, tshibollo, bohlalosi, botaba ba ditaba, esita le diphuputso tsa kopanelo e le yona karabo e tshwanelehang ka ho fetisisa bakeng sa potso ena ya diphuputso. Hoba ho ananelwe tshebediso ya katamelo ena, le ho sebedisa mokgwa wa dipuisano, ho ile ha fumaneha mekgwa e tswang ho boetapele ba Kholetjhe ho ya ka Patlisiso ka ho tsota le ho tswa ho ditsebi tsa boetapele ba booki mona Afrika Borwa ho ya ka Delphi e fetotsweng hanyenyane. Disete tsa deitha di ile tsa sekasekwa ka ho ikgetha ho tswa ho mookotaba o moholo le o monyenyane o hlahang. Diphihlello di ile tsa kopanywa mme tsa hokahanywa ho theha setshwantsho sohle se hlakileng, mme hona ho qeteletse e le moralo o ileng wa ananelwa ke ba amehang ba kholetjhe. Moralo wa ho matlafatsa boetapele ba Kholetjhe ya booki ba setjhaba mona Afrika Borwa o fana ka dikatamelo tsa boetapele bo fetohang, bokgoni ba boetapele, le kgodiso kapa ntshetsopele ya bokgoni e le dintlha tsa ona tsa motheo. Theknoloji, diphuputso le seabo sa setjhaba ke ditshehetso tsa ona athe puso, molao, boetapele, le leano, hammoho di bopa karolo e okametseng tsena tsohle. Ka ho sebediswa le ka ho etsa diphuputso kgafetsa, karolo ka nngwe ya tshehetso e lokela ho ntshetswa pele. Le hoja e le dintlha tsa botaba ba taba, diphihlello di ka amana le boetapele ba thuto ya booki mme tsa batlisiswa ho tswela pele ho hlahisa hape diphuputso tsena. Jwaloka sehlahiswa sa diphuputso, moralo ona o ananelwa ho ba diphehiso tsa bohlokwa tsebong, mme o hlahiswa ka tumelo ya hore o tla thusa kholetjhe ho sebetsa ka katleho ho hlola diphephetso le diphetoho tsa yona ho isa ho thuto e phahameng.
___________________________________________________________________Abaholi ezikhungweni zemfundo ephakeme emhlabeni wonke babhekene nobunzima obubangelwa inqwaba yezinselelo ezethulwa ekhulwini lama-21. Imfundo yabahlengikazi ayikhululiwe kulezi zidingo, ikakhulukazi uma kucatshangelwa okulindelwe abahlengikazi abasebenza phambili abanezimo zezempilo eziqhubeka nokusongela ukuphila kwabantu. Ngakho-ke, isidingo esikhulu semfundo nokuqeqeshwa kwezobuhlengikazi kule nkathi asinakuphikiswa. Phakathi kwalezi zinsongo, amakolishi obuhlengikazi aseNingizimu Afrikha ayashintsha esuka eminyangweni yezempilo yezifundazwe eya kwezemfundo ephakeme ukuze abe yingxenye yohlelo olubumbene lwemfundo ephakeme. Isidingo sobuholi obuqinile sihlonzwe njengesinqumo esibalulekile lapho ikolishi elithile labahlengikazi lingakwazi ukubhekana nalezi zinselele. Ukushoda kobufakazi mayelana nokuqiniswa kobuholi Ezikhungweni Zemfundo Yabahlengikazi ezweni kubangele lo mbuzo wocwaningo: “Bungaqiniswa kanjani ubuholi ekolishi lobuhlengikazi eNingizimu Afrikha?” Njengoba igxilile ku-paradigm yokwakhiwa komphakathi, umklamo wocwaningo osezingeni eliphezulu, ohlolayo, ochazayo, onengqikithi, nowokubambisana uthathwe njengefaneleka kakhulu ukuphendula umbuzo wocwaningo. Ngemva kokuthatha indlela esekelwe emandleni kanye nokuthatha isimo se-dialectic, imibono yatholwa kubuholi bekolishi ngombuzo Wokubonga kanye nochwepheshe bobuholi bezemfundo yabahlengikazi baseNingizimu Afrikha kusetshenziswa i-Delphi eguquliwe. Amasethi edatha ahlaziywa ngokuhlukana okwavela kuwo izindikimba nezindikimba ezihlukahlukene. Okutholiwe kwabe sekuhlanganiswa futhi kwahlanganiswa ukuze kwakhiwe isithombe esiphelele, esifinyelele umvuthwandaba ngohlaka olwaqinisekiswa ababambiqhaza basekolishi. Uhlaka lokuqinisa ubuholi ekolishi labahlengikazi baseNingizimu Afrikha lunikeza izindlela zobuholi eziguquguqukayo, ikhono lobuholi, nokuthuthukiswa kwamakhono njengezici zalo eziyisisekelo. Ubuchwepheshe, ucwaningo, nokusebenzelana nomphakathi ezakhiweni ezisekelayo, kuyilapho ukubusa, umthetho, ubuholi, kanye nenqubomgomo ndawonye kwakha isici esivelele. Ngokusetshenziswa kanye nocwaningo oluqhubekayo, ukwakhiwa ngakunye kufanele kuthuthukiswe. Nakuba kunomongo, okutholakele kungathintana nobuholi bezemfundo yabahlengikazi kwenye indawo futhi kubhekwe kabanzi ngokuphindaphinda ucwaningo. Njengomkhiqizo wocwaningo, uhlaka luthathwa njengomnikelo onesizotha olwazini, futhi lwethulwa ngenkolelo yokuthi lungenza ikolishi likwazi ukubhekana nezinselelo zalo ngempumelelo kanye nokudlulela emfundweni ephakeme.
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Fit for purpose? the strengths and weaknesses of Gauteng maternity services health care organisation / configuration in the context of reducing maternal deaths
No full textBACKGROUND: Despite the availability of evidence-based and cost-effective interventions that are accessible to low and middle-income countries (LMICs), women continue to die of preventable pregnancy-related causes worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries a disproportionate burden of maternal mortality (68% of the global burden) relative to its size (has just below 16% of the world’s total population). The high burden of maternal deaths in SSA, including other LMICs, has been attributed to the failure of its healthcare system, in particular, poor quality of primary healthcare (PHC) orientated district healthcare services (DHS). The DHS-PHC model is the statutory model for service delivery in South Africa. This model has been blamed in studies conducted in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) for the poor quality of both maternal and general healthcare services. Consequently, calls for the centralisation of maternity services to hospitals have started to emerge, the argument in favour of such a move is that centralising maternity services to hospitals would improve pregnant women’s access to emergency maternity healthcare services and skilled attendants in a timely manner. Others have however argued that a hospital-based model of maternity care is both costly and unsustainable for countries with limited resources and instead this group have called for the strengthening of the DHS-PHC. Informed by contextual realities, various African countries, as well as provinces in South Africa implemented different strategies aimed at strengthening the DHS-PHC model. For example, in the Western Cape and Gauteng, this took the form of a Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP) and Cluster Policy Framework (CPF). The two healthcare frameworks are based on a regional model but differ in philosophy and governance structures. Both models aim to strengthen the district health care system, improve health service efficiency as well as quality of care. Although only signed into policy in January 2019, the CPF model has been in operation in the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Cluster (CMJAH) since 2016, mainly in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Surgical disciplines. Unlike the Western Cape’s CSP model, the Gauteng CPF healthcare model has not been subjected to scientific evaluation since its implementation. Because maternal and neonatal healthcare services are national and provincial priority areas, maternity healthcare services presented a unique opportunity to evaluate the CPF, a healthcare innovation aimed at improving the quality and governance of healthcare services. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the organization/ configuration of maternity healthcare services in Gauteng, in particular, the CPF as implemented in the CMJAH maternity cluster in order to identify gaps/healthcare barriers and use this information to recommend healthcare services improvement strategies. METHODOLOGY: Informed by Stufflebeam’s Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) theoretical model /framework, and a convergent mixed method research design, quantitative and qualitative data were simultaneously and independently collected, analysed, results synthesized and merged through a process of triangulation. The quantitative component involved an audit of maternity healthcare facilities in terms of resources (number of facilities, distribution, bed capacity, human resource), service load (deliveries) and maternal deaths. Semi-structured interviews with frontline healthcare workers and their immediate supervisors/managers, facility visits and the review of the cluster morbidity and mortality (M&M) meetings minutes, as well as the Cluster Policy Framework (CPF), constituted the qualitative component. RESULTS: The CPF managed to establish clinical governance, standardised protocol, improved coordination of healthcare services, including creating an enabling environment for support, collaboration and sharing of knowledge and skills among healthcare workers from different levels of care and healthcare. During the period under study, the cluster saw a modest and sustained decline in maternal mortality despite an increase in maternity deliveries. However, the CPF faced challenges in the form of a mismatch between the demand and supply side of healthcare services. The mismatch was due to a number of factors, among those, poor leadership, management, governance, infective implementation of the CPF and a high rate of provincial and international migration. Together with leadership and management challenges, the mismatch between the demand and supply side of healthcare services, resulted in the over burdening of maternity healthcare services, increase in patient adverse events, disgruntled healthcare workers, poor quality of care and an increase in medico-legal challenges thereby setting on the stage, a vicious cycle with no end point. CONCLUSION: Gauteng CPF is an excellent example of health system innovation with a potential to strengthen the quality and coordination of not only maternity but healthcare services in general. The model retains all the advantages of the DHS-PHC model and at the same time, focus on improving clinical governance, distribution and sharing of scare resources. Poor leadership, governance, management lack of effective policy implementation, inadequate infrastructure, shortage and ineffective management of human resources, among other factors, have created bottlenecks and challenges in the health system, limiting the CPF model’s potential. These challenges would need to be addressed in order for the CPF to deliver on its promise. Failure to do so could result in a catastrophic failure of the much-awaited NHI
A comparative review of obstetric anaesthesia training, supervision and experience of public sector doctors in the Free State, 2005 vs. 2019
No full textDissertation (M.Med.(Anaesthesiology))--University of the Free State, 2021: Obstetric anaesthesia is ranked first as a contributor to “potentially preventable deaths per underlying cause” of maternal death in South Africa. Lack of training, experience and supervision has been cited as the cause of these deaths. This study aimed to evaluate those public sector doctors administering obstetric anaesthesia in the Free State and compare training, experience and supervision findings with those of 14 years ago in a similar study by G Lamacraft.
: This was a cross sectional analytical study carried out between the 11th and 19th December 2019. All caesarean section sites within the Free State were identified from a list obtained from the provincial government. Hospital CEOs and clinical managers were informed prior to the visit. On Arrival a list of doctors administering obstetric anaesthesia was obtained from the clinical manager. An audience with the doctors was requested and those that could not come were traced to their work areas and given the questionnaire. An implied consent was stated at the beginning of the questionnaire which was self-administered. The same questionnaire as by Lamacraft (with one added question) was handed over after a brief description of the study and collected into a box at the end of the session. The collected data was kept anonymous.
: A total of 124 medical doctors met the inclusion criteria with 103 of them completing the questionnaire, thus an overall response rate of 83%. Level 1 and level 2 hospital response rates were 78% and 91% respectively. This was an improvement from the 69% overall response rate of 2005. Exposure to obstetric anaesthesia during internship has improved: in 2005 12% of respondents lacked exposure but this dropped to 5% in 2019. The reported level of supervision also improved: In 2005 21% of supervision was by junior medical officers and only 25% by consultants compared to 2019 where junior medical officer’s supervision contributed 15% and consultants 44%. A lack of exposure and training post internship was observed with only 1 doctor having a Diploma in anaesthesia in 2005 compared to 5 in 2019. Employment of a senior anaesthetist improved: 54% and 47% reported to have no senior anaesthetist employed by their hospital in 2005 and 2019 respectively. Unfortunately the added responsibility of neonatal resuscitation while administrating anaesthesia to the mother increased slightly from 42% in 2005 to 47% in 2019.
: Training, supervision and experience of doctors in level 1 and 2 hospitals in the Free State post internship has marginally improved in the last 14 years. Greater improvement has been noted during internship training
Mediation as an alternative to litigation with special reference to medical negligence claims
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Procedural Law and Law of Evidence))--University of the Free State, 2021In the recent past, healthcare in South Africa faced, and continues to face, considerable challenges related to an increase in medical negligence claims. The consequences of this increase in claims affect both the public and the private healthcare sectors. Primary healthcare at public hospitals and clinics suffers, because money is spent on legal fees and claim pay-outs, instead of its intended purpose of providing healthcare. Private hospitals and medical professionals are confronted with ever-increasing indemnity insurance premiums, doctors practice defensive medicine to avoid claims, and private healthcare users pay more for private healthcare.
The conventional method of resolving medical negligence disputes is through adversarial court litigation. The parties enter into a trial by battle, they present their evidence and a presiding officer renders a win–lose judgment. Litigation, and the litigation of medical negligence claims, in particular, is expensive, time consuming, complex, and emotionally taxing, and the eventual outcome often fails to satisfy the needs of the litigants. Moreover, attempting to resolve medical negligence issues through adversarial processes does not promote normative constitutional values, such as dignity and equality and, importantly, access to justice. This necessitates legal reform and the adoption of alternative and transformative practices to dispute resolution.
It is argued in this study that mediation offers a viable alternative to litigation generally, and for medical negligence claims, specifically. Mediation, in its barest essence, is third-party (mediator) -facilitated dispute resolution through negotiation. The process is less expensive, less time consuming, and uncomplicated, and party oriented. Mediators assist participants to create their own solution based on their needs and interests, and the mediation process is not aimed at finding a winner or a loser. Medical negligence claims are often traumatic for both the injured patient and the medical professional/s who treated the patient. Having the opportunity to resolve their dispute in a dignified, non-threatening environment, on a level playing field, is something litigation simply cannot provide.
Significantly, the process of mediation enhances the constitutional imperative of access to justice in the context of medical negligence claims on more than one level. The parties have access to a process that provides them with the opportunity to create their own solution to a dispute, using a process that is party oriented, quick, and less expensive than litigation. The cost and time savings enhance social justice by decongesting court roles, freeing up funds for primary healthcare, reducing the cost of private healthcare and increasing confidence in the rule of law.
The judiciary and the legislature, through various judgements and statutory enactments, have demonstrated their support for the use of mediation as an alternative to litigation. The previous minister of Health and several other commentators, academics and practicing mediators have voiced their support for using mediation. The prevailing adversarial culture amongst legal practitioners and the public, in particular, is an obstacle to the more generalised use of mediation. However, and conversely, transforming adversarial thinking and practices could be the ultimate solution to institutionalising mediation. The main drivers behind an effort to radically change legal culture, away from litigation, towards more facilitative dispute resolution mechanisms, will necessarily have to come from the legal profession. Education is the vehicle for transformation, starting from basic education, and moving on to tertiary education and continued professional education.
Confidence in the mediator and trust in the process are indispensable requirements for parties when they elect to mediate a dispute. A properly trained mediator is, therefore, crucial for facilitating the process, particularly in medical negligence claims. Mediators in medical negligence matters must, in addition to conventional training, receive specialised training in aspects related to facilitating these types of claims
Changing perceptions regarding the use of information and communication technologies through subject-specific professional development: insights from a South African case study
No full textLimited technological and pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and unfavourable beliefs about teaching with ICT, hinder teachers’ integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in their teaching. In this study I investigated the extent of change, across the intervention, of the ICT beliefs and practices perceived by the 86 South African Physical Sciences teachers who attended a year-long subject-specific short learning programme, which targeted TPACK development and was offered in a blended mode by a university. This is a pragmatically conducted mixed-methods case study guided by the theoretical frameworks of the Technology Acceptance Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and the SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition) framework. The pre- and post- 27-statement Likert-scale questionnaire data from the 53 participants who completed both, were analysed quantitatively both descriptively and statistically. This data guided the purposive sampling of 17 of these participants for engagement in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed, coded and analysed qualitatively using NVivo. Additionally, the participants’ descriptions and supporting photographic and video evidence of a lesson they submitted for assessment for the programme, also formed part of the qualitatively analysed data. The findings suggest that the programme was effective at changing the beliefs and practices regarding ICT integration, of a considerable number of the teachers, who tended to perceive these changes as having multiple positive effects on the quality of their teaching practice. However, this was attained with considerable effort. Also, several school factors were found to inhibit the extent to which the participants were able to implement what they learnt in the professional development opportunity in their classrooms. Furthermore, several issues that had not been anticipated at the start of the programme arose as obstacles which reduced the efficacy of the programme for some of the participants. Based on these findings, I make several recommendations for future iterations of this, or similar, programmes, as well as recommendations for teachers, principals and district officials, to enhance the likelihood of effective integration of ICT usage in subject teaching
A contextual theology of atonement for the Akan community of Ghana
No full textChristianity, like any other religion, cannot thrive successfully in any human society unless it is given a contextual expression. Therefore, the contextualization of the Christian gospel is indispensable to the planting and survival of Christianity in a given environment. In the Akan community of Ghana, the lack of effective contextualization of atonement theology has led to a situation whereby many Christians habitually consult traditional powers to satisfy their quest for power, fame, wealth, longevity, and protection, among others. This literature-based research and and textual analysis, therefore, was undertaken to explore how a theology of atonement from an Akan socio-cultural perspective might bring about religious and ethical renewal to Akan Christians and hence empower them to rely solely on Christ’s atonement for all their physical and spiritual needs. The general introduction to the seven-chapter thesis was followed by a socio-historical survey of key theories of atonement that have emerged since the birth of the Church. Next, exegetical analyses of selected biblical texts, including Leviticus 16:1-28; Psalm 51:1-12; Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Mark 14:10-26; Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-21 and Hebrews 9:11-14, were conducted to place the study in the biblical context. This was followed by an examination of atonement in the Akan religious, social-economic and political contexts. Using the historical, biblical and Akan primal backgrounds of atonement as contextual frameworks, an Akan Christian theology of atonement was formulated based on key thematic areas such as Nyame-Kra-teasefoɔ Christology, Ntamgyinafokann Christology, Afɔdeprɛko Christology, Bɔne-ano-aduro Christology, Nkunimdie Christology, Ahobammɔ Christology, Duadaneɛ Christology, Yiedie Christology and Ayaresa-ne-ahofadie Christology, among others. The findings from the study led to the conclusion that to be meaningful and relevant to the ordinary Akan, Akan Christian soteriology must not only touch on liberation from sin but also on the liberation from social, political, economic, and health challenges facing the Akan community. The atonement theology espoused in this study not only offers an antidote to Akan Christians’ habitual consultation of traditional sources for solutions to their existential challenges but also serves to foster an improved divine-human, human-human and human-environment relations
The elucidation of the biological function of 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH C10:0) in the pathogenesis of pseudomonas aeruginosa
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology))--University of the Free State, 20213-Hydroxy fatty acids belong to a group of molecules called oxylipins, which are biological active molecules. Perhaps, the most well-known of these are the prostaglandins, including microbial-derived prostaglandins. In the past few years, there has been evidence documenting the importance of 3-hydroxy fatty acids to several organisms. To this end, the thesis has a few studies designed to contribute to a foundation of work targeted at implicating these molecules being possible pseudomonal virulence factors. The thesis begins by interrogating literature concerning lipids and 3-hydroxy fatty acids for orientation purposes and to give the reader a deeper appreciation of these molecules. In Chapter 2 of the thesis, the sourced clinical pseudomonal isolates were first identified and subsequently, examined for the production of 3-hydroxy fatty acids. Through using commercial analytical standards, it was possible to detect the presence of several different 3-hydroxy fatty acids species. Importantly, one species, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid (3-OH C10:0), was produced at high enough concentrations, i.e. 1 μM per 10 million cells, that it was possible to design future studies. Based on the extraction protocol that was followed in the chapter, it was reasoned that 3-OH C10:0 was in a free-form. Nonetheless, the herein designed studies included a crude lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sample, as the LPS may be a source of pseudomonal 3-hydroxy fatty acids, for comparison reasons. In Chapter 3, an in vitro study wherein a murine macrophage cell line was challenged with 3-OH C10:0 as designed. Macrophages are essential immune cells whose action can assist to resolve invading pathogens, and through antigen presentation and cytokine production – can harmonise and link innate and adaptive immunity. Similar to the LPS, 3-OH C10:0 was shown to signal for production of the pro-inflammatory interferon-gamma (INF-γ) possibly by engaging a cellular programming that required the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 pathway. In addition, 3-OH C10:0 impaired the uptake (internalisation or engulfment) of pseudomonal cells by macrophages possibly by suppressing the levels of fetuin A (FetA). Interestingly, the pseudomonal cells that were successfully taken up, seemed to survive the phagocytic event better in the presence of 3-OH C10:0 compared to in the absence of 3-OH C10:0. To explore this further, Chapter 4 set up experiments wherein whole, laboratory models (nematodes and rats) were challenged with 3-OH C10:0. First, the nematodes were shown to be affected in a number of ways. 3-OH C10:0 was shown to reduce the survival of these organisms, when compared to non-treated nematodes. Moreover, this molecule seemed to affect more the immunological response pathway when compared to the cellular development processes. Concerning the rats, 3-OH C10:0 led to increased levels of circulating monocytes, after 6 h of animal exposure. Based on the results of Chapters 3 and 4, it seems 3-OH C10:0 may be a virulence determinant, and this may be a relevant molecule for studying the immune response to pseudomonal infections.National Research Foundation (NRF
Evaluating the self-help housing programme in Namibia: the case of Build Together Programme in Okahao Town
No full textAided Self-help housing is a housing process whereby the government, together with the community, incrementally improves housing. Self-help housing schemes or programmes obtain recognition as an affordable method of improving housing conditions for poor or low-income groups residing in informal settlements. This study was undertaken in Namibia, using the government’s Build Together Programme self-help housing programme as case study. The study aimed to evaluate the concept of self-help housing programmes on the livelihoods of BTP beneficiaries in Okahao Town in Namibia. The self-help housing scheme comes with housing constructions and often with site and services and secure land tenure. The study review international literature related to self-help housing schemes. One international self-help advocate is John F.C. Turner, whose theory regarded self-help housing as a concept that emphasises sweat equity, is strengthened by active community participation in the programme. Turner is a pioneer in self-help housing research that addressed the improvement of shelter for the poor. The self-help housing scheme was not only advocated by Turner, but also by international organisations. The World Bank came in to support the scheme with site and services programme. The United Nations-Habitat also advocates for self-help housing as an approach that efficient in addressing housing affordability. The UN-Habitat advocates site and services plus the upgrading of informal settlements or upgrading of slums, especially in the developing countries. Relating to the international theories, the study sought to evaluate the effect of self-help housing on the Build Together Housing (BTP) beneficiaries’ livelihood. As a state-aid self-help housing programme, it has a feature of the initial involvement of the government to encourage self-reliance of communities for sustainability in the self-help housing scheme. In this context, the effectiveness of BTP self-help housing has been highlighted as housing enabler and alternative way of improving housing conditions in urban centres in an affordable manner. When the government provides financial assistance and technical assistance, self-help housing will gradually improve the livelihood of beneficiaries. The study determined that the scheme provides decent shelter with services such as water, sanitation, and electricity, improves the living environment and alleviates informal settlements, creating an enabling environment for communities to reside. The study determined that the effectiveness of self-help housing on the beneficiaries’ livelihood is a means of asset accumulation (physical, human and financial). It offers an opportunity for the community to escape harsh conditions and poverty