11613 research outputs found
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Governmentality and disciplinary power: exploring constitutional values and democratic citizenship education in post-1994 South Africa
No full textThe purpose of this study is to gain critical insights into how the constitutional values of democracy, Ubuntu and accountability (responsibility) (DoE, 2001) contribute toward constructing the envisioned citizen in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (DBE, 2012) Life Orientation Further Education and Training phase.
In this study I construct a conceptual framework based on the Foucauldian concepts of governmentality and disciplinary power. In this regard, the concepts of discourse and power/knowledge are also considered. Since discourse informs the power/knowledge addressed and expressed in policy regarding constitutional values, a consideration of this concept assists to make sense of the type of governmentality present in policy. Following this, disciplinary power will show how these concepts work together to exercise power over citizens within state-sponsored schooling. I employ the conceptual framework in conjunction with critical policy analysis (CPA) as an analytical tool to analyse the White Paper on Education and Training (RSA, 1995), the Manifesto of values in education and democracy (DoE, 2001), and the National Development Plan: The vision 2030 (NPC, 2011). This analysis provides background for consideration on how the constitutional values of democracy, Ubuntu and accountability (responsibility) (DoE, 2001) are expressed in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (DBE, 2012) Life Orientation FET phase.
The study is exploratory in nature and aims to consider how the constitutional values construct the envisioned citizen in the way in which these values are expressed and addressed in the policies, documents and curriculum policy statement considered. I argue that the participatory duty of a critical citizenry in a democratic dispensation could be pacified through state-sponsored schooling. For this reason, it is vital that citizens in state-sponsored schooling be equipped to critically engage with government’s articulation of constitutional values in policy and curriculum policy statements. For the healthy functioning of democracy, the citizen must be allowed to participate fully and critically. For example, creating a space in the curriculum for dialoguing and sharing stories of lived experiences could allow citizens to explore their roles and duties in a democratic dispensation that may go as far as establishing some sense of ownership for the individual and the collective. Foucault’s concepts provide critical considerations for how discourse, power/knowledge, governmentality and disciplinary power have the potential to create a more docile and compliant citizen which conflicts with the foundation values of democracy
The distribution, patient characteristics, therapy and patient outcome in culture positive invasive mold infections in a tertiary hospital in the Free State province, South Africa
No full textIntroduction
Fungi, including molds, are increasingly recognized as important pathogens carrying a high morbidity and mortality in critically ill and immune compromised patients and our understanding of these diseases remain incomplete, largely due to the lack of surveillance data. This study aimed to better quantify the distribution, patient characteristics, risk factors, therapy and treatment outcome in culture positive invasive mold infections at Universitas Academic Hospital in the Free State province, South Africa.
Methods
All culture positive mold isolates cultured from sterile specimens were identified retrospectively from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2017. Laboratory and clinical data were reviewed for those that met the inclusion criteria.
Results
A total of 48 isolates were included in this study. There was a similar distribution between males and females and the mean age was 40.5 years. Aspergillus species were the most commonly isolated mold. The most common risk factors identified were HIV infection with a median CD4 of 88.5 cells/μl followed by hematological conditions. The treatment strategies in our study group were heterogeneous with 73.1% (19/26) of patients treated with antifungal therapy alone, 19.2% (5/26) with surgery alone and 7.7% (2/26) with a combined medical and surgical approach. Many patients received no treatment 45.8% (22/48). The overall mortality was 25% (12/48).
Conclusions
The diagnosis of invasive mold infections remains a challenge. In the current study, molds were found to cause serious infections, especially in at risk patients. Despite treatment with appropriate antifungal agents, the associated mortality rate was still high. This study contributes to the growing knowledge on the distribution, patient characteristics and outcomes of invasive mold infections, particularly in patients in the Free State, and lays the foundation for further research in the field of invasive mold infections
An investigation of the palaeoecology and past distribution of tortoises (chelonians) in the arid interior of South Africa: a tool to aid present day conservation
No full textThis dissertation focuses on the past and present ecology of land tortoises (Testudinidae) from the arid interior of South Africa, with special emphasis on the leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis). Aside from an Introduction and Conclusion, it comprises four chapters, each a stand-alone paper of which two have already been published and two others are being prepared for submission, dealing with different aspects of tortoise ecology and palaeoecology. It addresses an important anthropogenic threat to persistence of tortoise populations, and then investigates human-tortoise interactions that occurred in past Quaternary environments. This research also led to the creation of an extensive modern osteological tortoise collection which can be used as a comparative and reference collection for future researchers. The first paper focuses on mortality profiles of tortoises that were collected along electrified farm fences. We have examined and modelled the impact that these fences have on a leopard tortoise population. Previous studies only reported on deaths due to these fences, but so far the long-term consequences for populations have not been investigated. Results show that fence-related mortalities are biased towards larger, breeding-age individuals, which in turn has significant negative effects on population projections and extinction risks. With the growing popularity of electrified fences for the protection of livestock and game from unwanted predators and theft, the tortoise populations are being affected negatively and this could lead to their demise in the near future if nothing is done about the situation. The remaining three papers focus on human-tortoise interactions in the past, using material from the archaeological site of Wonderwerk Cave (Northern Cape Province) as a case study. In the second paper of the dissertation, bone mineral density (BMD) values were calculated for leopard tortoise limb bones using a densitometer equipped with software for small 2019 Holt PhD animals. Values obtained were compared with published values for leporids (rabbits/hares), canids (dogs/wolves etc.) and marmots. Since the shape of tortoise bones differ from those of mammals, new scan sites had to be defined as this was the first time a reptile has been scanned. The third paper reports the results of a second round of scanning that was undertaken also with the bone densitometer, but this time for the shell (carapace and plastron). As no tortoise shell has ever been scanned before, there were no values to compare our findings with. To overcome this, computed tomography (CT) scans on three different species of South African tortoise were compared with one another. BMD values obtained from extant tortoises were then used to investigate survivorship of bones in an archaeological context, the Later Stone Age tortoise remains from Wonderwerk Cave, Northern Cape Province (~15,000 years BP to present). The results showed that bone density can be a key taphonomic agent in archaeological and palaeontological assemblages, as the denser parts of the bones will survive better than those that are less dense, and so can help predict which elements of a tortoise should preserve the best over time. In the fourth paper, the results of analysis of the Earlier Stone Age (ESA) tortoise remains from Wonderwerk Cave were reported, spanning the period ~2.0 million years to ~0.5 million years BP. These remains were studied taxonomically, enabling identification of the tortoise remains as belonging to the leopard tortoise, making this assemblage the oldest occurrence of this species in an archaeological site in southern Africa. In addition, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to plot the spatial distribution of the tortoise remains from all the ESA strata. Results showed that finds from the three strata with the largest samples were concentrated in squares implying that they represented bones from the same animal. Taphonomic analysis of the ESA remains, compared to data for other 2019 Holt PhD Early- and early Mid-Pleistocene sites in Africa, suggest that the Wonderwerk Cave assemblage is primarily anthropogenic in origin with some evidence for carnivore activity. This dissertation has contributed new and valuable information specifically on the threat faced by leopard tortoise populations due to electrified fences, and highlights the need for urgent attention. It has also provided the first bone mineral density values for tortoises, and information on species biogeography in the Pleistocene. The results presented herein open new opportunities for investigating tortoise (palaeo)-biogeography in southern Africa, and the value of such research to understand environmental change impacts on this animal group.Palaeontological Scientific Trust (PAST
Characterisation of the deep aquifers of South Africa - the bushveld igneous complex, crystalline basement rocks and dolomite formations
No full textDuring periods of drought, as South Africa has experienced recently, groundwater boreholes are explored to identify alternative sources of water. However, much emphasis is placed on the shallow groundwater system with minimal information available on the deep aquifer system. The aim of this dissertation is to identify potential deep aquifer systems in South Africa and characterise their potential as potable water sources. This dissertation concentrates on three types of aquifer systems, the crystalline basement aquifers, Bushveld Igneous Complex and dolomite aquifers. In order to characterise deep aquifer systems, an understanding of basic hydrogeological terminology and characteristics of the shallow aquifer system need to be devised first. The methodology that is required is 1) to determine the defining depth between shallow and deep aquifer systems, 2) identify possible deep aquifer systems in South Africa, 3) identify the groundwater quality of shallow aquifer systems and infer characteristics to the deep aquifer system, depending on the geologies encounters, 4) identify any structures that may contribute to groundwater flow and the origin of the deep groundwater, 5) analyse thermal spring data as they provide an insight into the groundwater quality at depth, 6) characterisation of potential deep aquifer systems, and 7) determine the possible threats to the aquifer systems and provide mitigation procedures to prevent any contamination from occurring.
The defining depth between shallow and deep aquifer systems from a South African perspective is 300 mbgl. Based on the research carried out, all of the above-mentioned aquifer systems are generally classified as secondary aquifer systems in which the groundwater is typically found in fractures and cavities within the bedrock. The volumes of groundwater stored and transported will depend on the degree of fracturing and weathering if the bedrock. The dolomite aquifers in South Africa are considered to be the highest yielding aquifer system. In terms of groundwater quality, the dolomite aquifers have the most pristine groundwater condition of the three, provided that no contamination has occurred. A signature fingerprint with deep groundwater aquifer systems is that the salt content increases with depth, which is possibly due to the long residence time within the aquifer systems. The characteristics of the shallow aquifer system have been inferred to characterise the deeper aquifer systems based on similar geologies. However, the deep aquifer systems are subjected to lower recharge rates than the shallow aquifer system and may be at risk for overexploitation. On the contrary, the deeper aquifer systems are less susceptible to contamination from human activities at the surface. The main identified threat to deep groundwater aquifer systems is from the mining activities, which as we know in South Africa, with mined depth at least 3200 mbgl. The existing legislation that is currently in place focuses more on the shallow aquifer system than the protection of the deep aquifer system. Hence, more investigations are required to develop suitable legislation and tools to manage contamination in deeper aquifer systems.
In conclusions, although there may be potential deep aquifer systems in South Africa, the volumes of groundwater at this stage cannot be determined as there is minimal information available. It is possible that the groundwater at depth comprises a high salt content which may require treatment. It is suggested that more investigations be carried out to determine the volumes of groundwater available within each aquifer system at depth. In this regard, the mining activities and deep drilling projects could assist by collecting hydrogeological information during the exploration and operation phases.Water Research Commissio
Prevalence of comorbid psychiatric illness and quality of life in adults with inherited bleeding disorders in central South Africa
No full textIntroduction: Inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) appear to be relatively uncommon, but they pose unique health-related challenges. IBDs are acquired through inheritance of mutations that cause abnormal bleeding. Due to their chronic nature, one would expect similar psychosocial problems as seen in other chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the psychiatric comorbidities of patients with inherited bleeding disorders in order to be able to sensitize health workers and to promote holistic care in order to better patients’ health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Aim: To achieve this, the researchers aimed to establish the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with IBDs, as well as their QoL. Furthermore, risk factors associated with psychiatric comorbidity and HR-QoL were evaluated. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted using a questionnaire, the EQ-5D assessment tool, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - M.I.N.I. 7.0.2 (8/8/16 version), a functional assessment with the aid of the Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) tool and also from patients’ clinical records. At the Bloemfontein and the Kimberley Haemophilia Treatment Centres respectively there were 57 and 12 adult patients who attended regularly. Forty adult patients were consecutively sampled from these two sites. Results: The median age of the sample was 29.5 years (range 18 to 65). The majority were male (83%), unemployed (75%), receiving a disability grant (53%) and had never been married (65%). The majority of patients had haemophilia (73%), followed by hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) (23%), Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) (2.5%) and Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) (2.5%). The prevalence of both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 10%. Twenty-three percent of patients reported bleeding more than three times per month. The lifetime prevalence of comorbid psychiatric illness in patients with IBDs was high - 43% had one or more psychiatric comorbidity. Major depressive disorder (MDD) was particularly common, with a lifetime prevalence of 30%. The prevalence of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders were both 15%, followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and suicidality, all present in 2.5% of the sample. The group of patients with severe haemophilia carried most of the burden of psychiatric illness (53%) when compared to mild/moderate haemophilia, HHT and the other IBDs. The total sample had greater impairment in HR-QoL in all domains, but anxiety/depression compared to normative data. The severe haemophilia subgroup was the only subgroup with worse anxiety/depression when compared to normative data. The deficit in HR-QoL was more pronounced in all domains (except pain/discomfort) in the severe haemophilia group when compared to the mild/moderate group. Functional assessments showed that actions such as squatting, stair climbing, and running are the most severely affected domains of functionality. No significant risk factors could be established for the development of psychiatric illness, but patients with a higher level of education were less likely to develop a mental illness compared to patients with lower levels of education. Higher bleeding frequencies, as well as perceiving family as unsupportive were significant risk factors for impaired HR-QoL. Never having been married was associated with the development of psychiatric illness in the haemophilia subgroup. Conclusion: Patients with IBDs in central South Africa have a high prevalence of psychiatric illnesses, especially MDD (30%), compared to the 9.8% in the general population of South Africa. No demographic or clinical characteristics were associated with the development of psychiatric illness but optimizing measures to limit the bleeding frequency and educating and supporting family members might improve functioning and HR-QoL. Screening for comorbid psychiatric illness in patients with IBDs is recommended
Botswana-South Africa economic relations: a history, 1966-2014
No full textEnglish: This thesis examines economic relations between Botswana and South Africa from 1966 to 2014 from Botswana’s perspective. It begins by describing different historical junctures in the economic history of the two countries, including but not limited to, the renegotiation of the Southern African Customs Union in 1969, which was required after the independence of the British High Commission territories, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. It suggests that though the renegotiated agreement was far from ideal, it was better than the original 1910 agreement. The thesis examines Botswana’s transition from a pastoral economy to one based on minerals, particularly diamonds from 1966 and 1972. It argues that Botswana’s tremendous economic growth in this period was buttressed by the partnership between the Botswana government and De Beers, a large South African mining company. Working together, their partnership formed Debswana, one of the biggest diamond companies in the world. This period was touted as Botswana’s economic miracle, but Botswana’s economic dependence on South Africa was never far from the surface, something the apartheid regime took advantage of in the 1980s. Expectations after 1994 of a fundamentally changed economic relationship between the two states were soon disabused. Overall, the thesis questions the extent to which Botswana escaped from the shadow cast by its vastly bigger neighbour, South Africa.Afrikaans: Hierdie verhandeling ondersoek ekonomiese betrekkinge tussen Botswana en Suid-Afrika tussen 1966 en 2014 vanuit die perspektief van Botswana. Verskillende historiese draaipunte binne die ekonomiese geskiedenis van hierdie twee state word ondersoek, insluitende die hersiening van die Suider-Afrikaanse Doeane-unie in 1969 na afloop van die onafhanklikheidswording van die Britse protektorate Botswana, Lesotho en Swaziland. Daar word bevind dat, alhoewel die hersiende skikking veel te wense oorgelaat het, dit ‘n verbetering op die oorsponklike ooreenkoms van 1910 was. Die verhandeling ondersoek verder Botswana se oorgang van ‘n pastorale na ‘n minerale-gebasseerde ekonomie, met spesifieke verwysing na die belangrikheid van diamante tussen 1966 en 1972. Die tesis voer aan dat die sterk ekonomiese groei wat Botswana gedurende hierdie periode beleef het, deur die vennootskap tussen die regering van Botswana en die Suid-Afrikaanse mynmaatskappy De Beers, gerugsteun is. Deur hierdie vennootskap is Debswana, een van die grootste diamantmaatskappye ter wêreld, tot stand gebring. Hierdie era word as Botswana se ekonomiese wonderwerk beskou, maar die land se ekonomiese afhanklikheid van Suid-Afrika het nooit werklik gewyk nie – ‘n feit wat deur die apartheid regering uitgebuit is. Verwagtinge na 1994 van fundamentele verandering in die ekonomiese verhouding van die twee state het ook tot niks gekom nie. In die geheel bevraagteken die verhandeling dus die mate waartoe Botswana uit die skadu van sy veel groter buurland kon tree
The emotional impact of a death on the theatre table on the anaesthetist in South Africa
No full textIntroduction: Perioperative deaths in developing countries are a common occurrence, thus an anaesthetist in South Africa is likely to experience at least one death on the table during his career. It affects the anaesthetist emotionally and can lead to a variety of disorders like anxiety, depression, substance abuse and most commonly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Certain interventions, like debriefings, have been proposed in order to mitigate the impact of a death on the table, but are not done regularly. The aim of this study was to determine the emotional impact that a death on the theatre table has on anaesthetists. We determined whether the anaesthetist was debriefed, had time off after the death and measured the prevalence of subsequent PTSD.
Methods: The study followed a quantitative observational, cross-sectional design with convenient sampling using an online questionnaire. The Impact of Events Scale- Revised was used to measure the likelihood of PTSD. The study population was anaesthetists (consultants and registrars) registered with SASA who has experienced a death on the table.
Results: A total of 1859 potential participants were contacted of which 453 responded, yielding a 24% response rate. The final analysis included 375 completed questionnaires. A total of 28.8% (CI 24.4%- 33.6%) had a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Age, years of experience and level of qualification did not affect the likelihood of developing PTSD. Only 15.5% of respondents were debriefed although 82.7% would have wanted a debriefing. Of the respondents with probable PTSD, 93% would have wanted debriefing, 85% would have liked time off and 82% felt the event influenced their work decisions. Correlating figures in those without PTSD was lower (78%, 61% and 67% respectively).
Conclusion: The prevalence of PTSD following a death on the table was high and debriefings were not done in most cases. The authors recommend the development of workplace protocols to help an anaesthetist deal with a death on the table
Enhancing mathematics pedagogical content knowledge in Grade 9 class using problem based learning
No full textThis study was aimed at designing a strategy to enhance mathematics pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of teachers teaching Grade 9 learners using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. PCK is the blending of content and pedagogy into how particular topics are presented to learners. Four components of PCK, namely understanding of learners’ misconceptions, understanding of content knowledge for teaching, understanding of pedagogical knowledge and understanding of curriculum knowledge were used to define a knowledge base needed for teaching mathematics. Furthermore, in the context of this study, PBL was used to enhance the above-mentioned PCK components through coordinated teams. PBL is defined as a learner-centred instructional method that utilizes real problems as a primary pathway for learning that develops learners’ ability to analyse ill-structured problems to strive for a meaningful solution.
The study focused on how to enhance Grade nine mathematics teachers’ PCK using problem-based learning. It explored the challenges that teachers face when teaching Grade nine mathematics in terms of mathematics pedagogical content knowledge (MPCK). These challenges included, but were not limited to the non-existence of a coordinated team to enhance MPCK for teaching the Grade nine curriculum; poor follow-up of learners’ misconceptions; insufficient lesson preparation; insufficient use of curriculum materials when teaching; no integration of assessment and lesson facilitation; non-implementation of a learner-centred approach and poor mathematical knowledge for teaching.
The study generated a strategy to respond to these challenges. However, the major challenge was that the knowledge base needed for teaching mathematics is contextually bound and complex. Therefore, the study adopted Critical Emancipatory Research (CER) as a theoretical lens for the study, mainly due to its critical commitment to confront social oppression and challenge well-established ways of thinking that frequently limit teachers’ potential. In this study, CER enabled co-researchers and I to consciously work together towards mastering critically challenging and changing systems that routinely oppress them. Through CER the study embraced multiple perspectives and negotiated meaning in formulating a strategy to respond to the identified challenges.
Guided by an epistemological stance that embraces the value of welcoming subjective views on knowledge production, participatory action research (PAR) created a platform for participants who later became co-researchers to engage in knowledge production activities with equality and tolerance of contrasting views. Through problem-based learning workshops (PBLW), anchored in PAR methodology, a team of eight Grade nine mathematics teachers, their classes, a principal, a mathematics subject advisor and I worked together at the research sites. The research team collectively identified challenges that teachers faced, and enacted negotiated solutions to improve the wisdom of practice when teaching Grade nine mathematics. The generated data comprised photos, video recordings, audio recordings, learners’ scripts, co-researchers’ reflections, and lesson plans. Data were analysed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). To understand the deeper meaning of the personal and subjective accounts of co-researchers’ lived experiences in teaching mathematics, data were analysed and interpreted at three levels of CDA, namely text, discursive practice and social structure. Through CDA the study analysed problems experienced by teachers who teach mathematics. This was done for the purpose of proposing possible solutions and strategies that might be developed, adopted and adapted to effectively address the problems that teachers experienced. Finally, to sustain the formulated strategy to enhance MPCK during and beyond the duration of the study, the conducive conditions for the strategy were investigated and enacted. The study further analysed and presented possible ways to circumvent threats and risks that could derail successful implementation of the strategy. The study was transformative in nature, which created the opportunity to operationalise and evaluate the success of the strategy prior to it being considered for recommendation. In conclusion, the study findings are revealed, indicators of success are identified, and recommendations are made. Some of the findings were that teachers worked in silos; their lessons were inadequately prepared; mathematics manipulatives were not judiciously utilized as the classroom discourse was teacher centred, starting with demonstration first and assessment later. Lastly, teachers’ knowledge gap regarding mathematics knowledge for teaching resulted in a learning cul-de-sac
