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The role and place of citizens in South Africa: a governance perspective
No full textDissertation(M.A. (Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2023This research’s focus is on examining the role and place of South African citizens from a governance perspective. The role and place of citizens can be defined as “a process wherein the common amateurs of a community exercise power over decisions related to the general affairs of a community” (Bekker, 1998). The Constitution of South Africa (1996) recognises a citizen as a legal member of the nation who is either born or neutralised in South Africa. Being a citizen means that there are both obligations and responsibilities that must be met, to maintain representative democracy and the proper role of government. An obligation is an action that a citizen is required to fulfil by law, while a responsibility is an action a citizen should take for the sake of the good common. Obligations of citizens include the paying of taxes, obeying laws, defending the nation, registering for elections and responsibilities include voting, attending civic meetings, and petitioning the government (Christopher, 2018:117). The role and place of citizens from a governance perspective is further solidified by the Bill of Rights. Chapter 2 of the Constitution (1996) provides that citizenry have the right to life, equality, freedom of association, political rights, citizenship, housing and parenthood for children. Citizens have the right to vote in which they play a role by participating in the democratic process of choosing people who will represent their interests in the Parliament (Green, 2008:55). According to Santoro and Kumar (2018:199), by choosing their own leaders, citizens are making use of their space in a constitutional democracy to make a positive contribution towards good governance. Green (2008:170) reiterates that voting is a constitutional and democratic process in which the citizens can hold the government to account. Since Members of Parliament (MPs) are chosen representatives, they must be accountable to the South African people and must act in the interest of the public. Christopher (2018:31) indicates that parties are elected based on what they stand for and MPs should be able to explain what they have been doing to execute their duties. Since the mandates of political parties are temporary, MPs are accountable in the sense that they may not be re-elected if they did not represent the public well or they do not deliver on the promises they made.
It is vital to keep politicians accountable, as it is key to democracy and good governance. Accountability will compel the state to concentrate on outcomes and to assess and report on performance (Bekker, 1998:64). According to Galvin (2017:78), accountability has three elements, namely financial accountability, political accountability, and administrative accountability. The Institute for Democracy in South Africa considers accountability as a vital part of safeguarding public rights. In Shah’s point of view (2005:35) there are two types of accountability: vertical accountability (to citizens directly through the ballot box) and horizontal accountability (to public institutions of accountability). The institutions of horizontal accountability include the legislature, the judiciary, electoral commissions, auditing agencies, anticorruption bodies, ombudsmen, human rights commissions, and central banks. Institutions of horizontal and vertical accountability are fundamentally interconnected in that horizontal accountability is not likely to exist in the absence of vertical accountability: governments will bind themselves with institutions of horizontal accountability only when they will be punished by citizens for failing to do so. Civil society is believed to be another influential factor in the development of institutions of horizontal accountability (Shah, 2005). If competent governments are thought to be able to control the economy, then economic voting seems eminently sensible and the impact of economic conditions on election outcomes seems to provide powerful evidence of democratic accountability. In addition, if citizens are systematically biased in their perceptions of economic conditions, retrospective accountability will suffer (Achen & Bartels, 2016:147). Contrary to the roles and responsibilities, as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, citizens demonstrate acts of irresponsibility, which in turn affect governance in general. During the 2021 local government elections, many South Africans voted, not with an X on a ballot paper, but by staying away (Independent Electoral Commission, 2021). This was a decision that was likely to leave a patchwork of coalition-run municipalities across the country that could have a detrimental effect on the future of South Africa’s democracy (Matias, 2016:56)
Decent work for on-demand workers in the modern-day gig economy
No full textThesis (LL.D. (Mercantile Law ))--University of the Free State, 2023Radical technological development during the past two centuries has led to various enabling technologies changing the world of work on a global scale and, unfortunately, not always for the better. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, South Africa's reliance on informal forms of work is increasing, raising the question of how to ensure decent work in the modern world of work. This becomes even more troubling, seeing that millions of unemployed people are trying to enter the labour market. This is especially true for unemployed youth in South Africa, who are suited for these new forms of work due to technological advancements, the rise of complexities associated with the gig economy, and the skills required by jobs. Although the benefits of embracing the technological changes in the workplace are apparent, some technologies continue to disrupt the traditional employment model to the extent that many are excluded from labour and social protections. One of the emerging sectors brought about by the technological changes, especially the use of mobile applications, is the gig economy. The gig economy is an economy that involves the exchange of labour for payment between companies or individuals via a digital platform. The concept 'gig economy' is used interchangeably with other types of economies that are linked to platform work. This includes economies such as the digital economy, collaborative economy, sharing economy, platform economy, and on-demand economy. The gig economic model leans more towards emerging economic activities coupled with the platform economy, which is divided into two forms of platform work, crowdwork and on-demand work. In addition, platform work is characterised by irregular work arrangements, additional costs on workers providing the service, work that is paid for tasks completed, and accessibility of work facilitated by various platforms.
Research suggests that non-standard forms of work continue to feature in the gig economy, and that classification of platform workers as independent contractors remains a major concern. International perspectives and research conducted on on-demand work in foreign jurisdictions is instrumental to finding best practices for advocating decent on-demand work. Although the ILO has yet to reach an agreement on a universal approach to regulating on-demand work, it has taken progressive steps to achieve decent work for, and extend basic labour and social protection to, those working in the gig economy. However, a solution for the universal regulation of the modern-day gig economy and on-demand work remains elusive. In the absence of such, it is found that on-demand workers are rendered vulnerable in respect of basic conditions of employment, having little to no control over unilateral changes to the contractual terms that regulate their relationship. On-demand workers also lack protection at the level of both individual and collective labour rights; therefore, they experience unfair deactivation, discrimination by both clients and the platform, and poor collective bargaining power. Taking this into account, the question needs to be asked if South Africa sufficiently advocates for decent on-demand work. The rights of on-demand workers warrant urgent regulatory intervention that could take the form of proactive steps from a platform company in the form of policy considerations from the platform company. A workable solution to the decent work deficit in the on-demand sector can therefore be proposed by either the legislator by way of legal reform, or by the platform company by means of policy measures and/or revised terms and conditions.
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Pandemic e-learning and the interruption of higher education’s social justice goals: narratives from the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State (FS)
No full textDissertation(MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. Higher education has been adopted as one of the key tools to dismantle inequalities and promote social justice in South Africa. The global Covid-19 pandemic saw universities move online to complete the academic year. The adoption of e-learning meant a new terrain for all students from different socio-economic backgrounds. Although e-learning has become an integral part of 21st-century education, the reality is that its adoption in South Africa is presented with challenges such as the lack of the internet and digital tools, particularly for students from marginalised groups. This begs the question of how the expectations of institutions higher of learning of social justice have been expanded or disrupted during the pandemic. Furthermore, has students’ human development been compromised or enhanced during the pandemic? This study aimed to conduct a narrative inquiry into the e-learning experiences of tourism and hospitality management students and staff of the Central University of Technology, Free State. The study also sought to investigate how (if at all) the sudden switch to e-learning has affected the role played by higher education as an instrument of social justice for students. The theoretical framework used in this study is the Capability Approach. This theoretical framework was used as the lens through which to look at the students’ individual experiences of e-learning. The framework allowed to assess students’ capabilities, agency, well-being, and conversion factors during the pandemic. Data in this study were collected through qualitative methods and a triangulation approach of narrative interviews with the students, semi-structured interviews with the HoDs, and document analysis. Pre-selected themes and sub-themes were constructed to analyse data and to reflect the Capability Approach. The study findings show that although students value education as a way to improve their standard of living, the lack of resources for e-learning pedagogy compromised valuable educational achievements. Much of the students’ agency was constrained by their learning environment. During the pandemic, as a result of the lack of access to lecturers and lack of e-learning training for academics, the capability for knowledge was somewhat constrained, translating to epistemic injustice. Overall, e-learning was only favourable to few students, thus exacerbating disparities. Soft skills that are critical for human development gained at the university in a social setting may have been lost. The study also found that the university features social justice policies that try to equalise and help students to achieve their academic freedom. Although the university recognised the e-learning challenges and showed agency in assisting students with data and devices, the expectation of playing the role of being an instrument of social justice for students was compromised by the structural inequalities that exist beyond a university setting. It is recommended that through funding, first-entry-level students should be equipped with digital devices as part of the enrolment to combat digital inequality. Lecturers should not only be trained in e-learning pedagogy, but also trained how to factor inclusivity into teaching practices. Blended learning should be an integral part of the teaching practices to prepare for unforeseen circumstances that compel students to learn away from a university
Exploring the use of manipulatives in Grade 1 Mathematics classrooms located in the Motheo district
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Early Childhood Care and Education))--University of the Free State, 2023Manipulatives in the field of Early Childhood Education has been the subject of extensive debate and disagreement throughout its lengthy history. However, the South African Department of Education has acknowledged the significance of including three-dimensional resources in the instruction of Mathematics for younger learners. Despite this recognition, the current academic achievement in Mathematics within the country is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, this study sought to explore how Manipulatives are used in Grade 1 Mathematics classrooms to provide further insight into why learners lack a solid Mathematical foundation.
As a theoretical stance, Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory was applied, and a qualitative research methodology incorporating a case study design was used. Since a case study design was used, the investigation was confined to two schools in the Motheo District of Free State, Bloemfontein. To create the qualitative data for the study, two different approaches were combined. Semi-structured interviews were first used, and then observations were made. Five Grade 1 teachers made up the sample of participants.
Even though teachers in Grade 1 use Manipulatives to teach Mathematics, the study's findings indicate that a few issues persist that hinder teachers' ability to effectively employ these tools to the advantage of their learners. Some of the challenges identified are time constraints, overcrowding in classrooms, lack of resources, and teachers’ misunderstanding of how to use Manipulatives to improve learning rather than them serving as a distraction.
The Department of Education needs to convince universities to offer Foundation Phase teachers ongoing training in play-based Manipulatives learning, and to give them access to resources that will expand their understanding of Manipulatives Mathematics instruction. Teachers in Grade 1 should also become more knowledgeable about creative methods to make and use Manipulatives as part of their curriculum.
The study concluded that in-service teachers require ongoing training on the successful use of Manipulatives to help young learners gain a more holistic knowledge of Mathematics
The impact of the Nkangala region mine closure on the former mine employees and their dependents
No full textDissertation(MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023The mine closure represents a turning point in the lives of former miners and those who are dependent on them, having a significant impact on their socioeconomic well-being. In the context of South Africa's Mpumalanga in the Nkangala Region, this study explored the complex effects of mine closure on ex mine workers and their dependents. The study demonstrated that mine closure contributed to psychological discomfort, loss of benefits like housing, medical aid, and life insurance, dysfunctional families, as well as other related social problems, because it also impacted the livelihood of former miners and their dependents negatively. The study suggests social entrepreneurship as a form of intervention that will address the social ills and economic impacts, along with training in transferable skills for industries other than mining
Investigating the role, relevance and challenges of traditional authorities in Democratic local governance in South Africa: a case study of Jozini Local Municipality
No full textDissertation(M.A.(Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2023This study explored the role, relevance, and challenges of traditional authorities in democratic local governance in South Africa including Jozini local municipality. The study used qualitative, exploratory and interpretative approaches. Secondary data collection and analysis was used to establish the basis for the findings. The study emanate from the fact that traditional authorities have existed and transformed from pre-colonial era, colonial and apartheid era, however, in independence and democratic era its role is not clearly defined. Literature explored demonstrated that before colonialism, the institution of traditional leadership was the only governance system practiced by Africans including South Africans. The system of traditional leadership was respected as the bond that bonded communities. Traditional leaders before colonialism performed functions such as allocation of land, protecting the community against attacks, leading warfare, custodians of communal resources and many other governance roles within their tribes and nations. This study demonstrated that traditional leadership wielded power and authority that was unchallenged.
However, the position and role of traditional authority in governance transformed drastically during the advent of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa. Colonialism used the strategies of direct and indirect rule to ensure that they manipulate traditional leaders for their gain. During the colonial and apartheid era, traditional leadership was forced to abandon traditional governance and implemented colonial and apartheid legislation. Those traditional authorities that resisted the implementation of colonial and apartheid legislations were dethroned. Fearing to lose their positions, some traditional leaders collaborated and ruled according to foreign power which made them lose trust from their communities. The study established that traditional leadership neither returned to the position it was before colonialism nor transformed for the better. Data and literature on contemporary governance and political discourses reveal that traditional leadership is recognized in the constitution and other pieces of legislation, however, traditional leadership view that recognition as vague and ambiguous because it does not state how they must function in democratic governance, especially local governance.
The study further explored the role, relevance, and challenges of traditional authorities in Jozini LM. The study established that traditional leaders and municipality in Jozini has a workable and desirable relationship. In Jozini LM, the study uncovered that 86% of the land is under the ITB, fully controlled by traditional authorities. Government at all levels including Jozini LM rely on traditional leaders for land to develop service delivery infrastructure. The held view is that the land question in Jozini LM has coerced the municipality to work closely with traditional leaders despite legislation that does not fully recognize the role of traditional leaders in municipal governance and service provision. The other view attributed good relations between traditional leadership and the municipality to the fact that the IFP is the controlling party and is known for its position when it comes to the role and inclusion of traditional leadership in governance. The study concluded by recommending legislative reforms and administrative paradigm shift to address the challenges of traditional leadership. The recommendations further proposed primary research that might address most recent questions emanating from this study since this study was secondary research
Candida albicans-enteric viral interactions—the prostaglandin E2 connection and host immune responses
No full textThe human microbiome comprises trillions of microorganisms residing within different mucosal cavities and across the body surface. The gut microbiota modulates host susceptibility to viral infections in several ways, and microbial interkingdom interactions increase viral infectivity within the gut. Candida albicans, a frequently encountered fungal species in the gut, produces highly structured biofilms and eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which aid in viral protection and replication. These biofilms encompass viruses and provide a shield from antiviral drugs or the immune system. PGE2 is a key modulator of active inflammation with the potential to regulate interferon signaling upon microbial invasion or viral infections. In this review, we raise the perspective of gut interkingdom interactions involving C. albicans and enteric viruses, with a special focus on biofilms, PGE2, and viral replication. Ultimately, we discuss the possible implications of C. albicans-enteric virus associations on host immune responses, particularly the interferon signaling pathway.Publisher's versio
The climate change-urban planning nexus in a mountain environment: the case of the Eastern Free State Region of South Africa
No full textDissertation(M.A.(Geography))--University of the Free State, 2023Thabo Mofutsanyana District is a rugged and mountainous area located in the eastern part of the Free State Province, South Africa. The area owes its ruggedness to the Drakensberg and Maloti Mountains. Mountain areas have been reported to be more sensitive and vulnerable to climate change, making it necessary to assess climate change in such areas and the surrounding urban areas. This study aimed to identify the negative impacts of climate change in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District and assess how urban planners responded to these impacts. This study used mixed-research methods, including climate data collected from the Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI) Climate Earth Explorer analysed using Microsoft Excel. It used social data from formal interviews with local urban planners and survey questionnaires distributed to urban residents. The social data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Lastly, the study used spatial data from Google Earth Explorer, and PlanetScope analysed using ArcGIS (ArcMap 10.7.1). The results revealed a statistically significant increase in monthly mean temperature (from 1990 to 2020) experienced in Thabo Mofutsanyana District towns, while the decrease in annual total precipitation (from 1990 to 2020) was not statistically significant. This implies that the increase in temperature results from climate change, while the decrease in precipitation is only climate variability. The results further revealed that the urban planners’ strategies implemented to alleviate the impact of climate change were ineffective due to the magnitude of the effects of climate change, especially flooding during heavy rains and extreme temperatures. Furthermore, it was discovered that the exclusion of climate change during urban planning led to a decline in the protection of Green and Blue Urban Ecological Infrastructure (UEI). The increasing Grey UEI is not sustainable as the blocking of drainage systems and the limited porosity of roads do not reduce the effects of climate change, such as flooding. If not effectively maintained, the Green and Blue UEI will continue to decrease in Thabo Mofutsanyana District, affecting the area’s sustainability. The study concluded that sustainable urban planning could mitigate the effects of climate change in cities and small towns, and help communities adapt to these effects effectively. Incorporating climate change during urban planning is necessary
Performance management within the inspectorate division of the department of public works in Bloemfontein
No full textDissertation(MBA (Human Resources))--University of the Free State, 2023The purpose of this study is to highlight several reasons why performance management is important. Performance management provides the opportunity to create training opportunities, developmental strategies, and clarity within the organisation for both the employer and the employees. It encourages productivity by increasing confidence and open communication channels as a result, increasing employee retention through rewards and recognition.
The research design that was followed for this study was that of a qualitative nature through the use of semi-structured interviews. The researcher utilized qualitative data collection to collect the data which was then used to compile the study by analysing the collected data.
The key findings of the study were as follows:
▪ The work attendance had a negative impact on the participants in general as it affected their performance negatively. This resulted in slow progress in achieving team goals, which had a negative impact on the overall performance of the organisation.
▪ To boost productivity, three components must be considered, namely instrumentality, expectancy, and valence. Instrumentality is dependent upon the trustworthiness of the employee, the expectation is dependent on whether the employee has the skills for the job they are performing, and valence reinforces the values of rewards and consistency with reaching goals, needs, preferences, and values. If all three components are considered and achieved, the employees will be motivated to perform.
▪ The impact of having mentors and mentorship programmes is vital for retaining talent, aligning the goals of the employees with those of the organisation and enhancing career development. Mentorship in the engineering and built environments will enable people to register as professionals in their fields.
▪ Organisations gain productivity from working from home and the fifty percent work life, an enabler to this is technology and digitalisation. It is, therefore, beneficial for the Free State Department of Public Works to introduce digitalisation to the workplace and provide all the required resources so that the productivity and performance of individuals can increase.
The main conclusions of the study indicated that the performance management review of the department could be effective if it was used properly. Instead, the participants highlighted that it was used to obtain cash bonuses. The participants did not feel motivated because there were gaps due to lack of communication about the reviews and they also mentioned the unwillingness of managers to ensure that they receive the support they require to improve themselves. It could, therefore, be concluded that management should get leadership training that would assist them in leading the teams effectively. The work attendance had a negative impact on the participants in general; digitalisation could assist in this regard, as would the provision of resources to enable the employees to do their daily tasks
Psychosocial factors influencing effective learning among Basotho learners during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural high school
No full textDissertation (M.Ed. (Psychology of Education))--University of the Free State, 2023The learning process is built on decisions and constant assessments obtained from what is learned and how it is learned, the support given to access knowledge or concepts, and whether what is remembered by the learner is correct. However, this learning process was disrupted by the Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown regulations that were put in place under the auspices of the World Health Organization, in order to curb the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on teachers and learners’ mental health which prevented effective learning. The primary aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial factors that influenced effective learning among Basotho learners in a rural high school during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature review gave the background to an observed inquiry using a qualitative approach. Case study design was chosen for this study, since it permitted the researcher to explore the experiences of various stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic era of the Basotho learners within their real-world context and collect data on how they make sense of their experiences. A rural high school was purposively chosen as a research site, together with the four learners, four parents or guardians, four teachers, School Governing Body, School Based Support Team and School Management Team members. Data was generated through in-depth interviews and thoroughly analyzed. Narrative analysis was used to analyse the data collected through in-depth interviews. Data was organised through the use of thematic analysis. The study employed interpretivism paradigm. The Protection Motivation Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory constitute the theoretical frameworks of the study. The research concluded that psychosocial factors that influenced effective learning among Basotho learners in a rural high school during the COVID-19 pandemic era ranged from panic behaviour, or collective hysteria to pervasive feelings of hopelessness and desperation, which were associated with negative outcomes including suicidal behaviour. It also triggered a wide variety of psychological problems, such as panic disorder, anxiety, and depression which disturbed effective learning. The research also concluded that learners' reactions to the challenges they faced in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District rural high school and their strategies and remedies to the challenges show that they value teaching and learning. The learners' strategies and efforts to solve the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in the rural high school also enhanced teaching and learning