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Exploring student teachers’ resilience on teaching practice in the COVID-19 era in Masvingo district, Zimbabwe
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Education Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2023This study aimed to explore student teachers' resilience on teaching practice in COVID-19 era in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. More specifically, the study was intended to gain insights into the major teaching practice COVID-19 induced teaching practice stressors, factors that hinder the resilience of student teachers on teaching practice during the COVID-19 era, personal and contextual resources that contribute to resilience outcomes in student teachers on teaching practice in COVID-19 era and support student teachers receive on teaching practice in the COVID-19 era. This research study contributes new knowledge to the ongoing discourses about student teachers' resilience on teaching practice in COVID-19 era. In order to explore student teachers' resilience on teaching practice in COVID-19 era, the study employed a qualitative social constructivist approach through a phenomenological research design. Data were generated through focus group discussions and in-depth semi-structured interviews. One teachers' college was conveniently sampled, and twenty-one (21) student teachers and six (6) student teachers' mentors were purposively sampled from three primary schools in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. Data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis approach.
The thematic findings revealed that student teachers on teaching practice in the COVID-19 era are subjected to teaching practice stressors induced by the COVID-19 pandemic such as fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus, illness, isolation, stigmatization and death, anxiety, uncertainty, hopelessness, economic hardships, prolonged teaching practice period, school closures, transference of face-to-face teaching to online learning. It emerged from this study that lack of teaching competences, poor relationships, behavioral problems, class and classroom management, work overload and teaching practice supervision hinder the resilience of student teachers on teaching practice in the COVID-19 era. This research uncovered that personal and contextual resources promote resilience in student teachers on teaching practice in COVID-19 era. The study established that contextual support from stakeholders cultivates the resilience of student teachers' resilience in teaching practice during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Finally, thematic results revealed that the capacity for resilience can be developed during initial teacher preparation, so the study recommends that the teacher education curriculum include a resilience subject. Hence, a pre-service teacher resilience conceptual model is proposed as a guideline for stakeholders involved in pre-service teacher education to develop capacity for resilience in student teachers' teaching practice
Importance of social media marketing on SMEs in South Africa
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2023This research study illuminates the dynamics of social media marketing in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and provides insight into the qualitative aspects thereof. The prime objective of this research study was to investigate, through an in-depth qualitative analysis, how SMEs experience, conceptualise and apply social media marketing strategies in the contemporary business environment in which they find themselves.
The research design adopted a qualitative approach by utilising in-depth interviews to gain an understanding of the experiences of SMEs. The motivations, challenges and results concerning social media marketing were uncovered by capturing the narratives of SME owners and managers. The research design adopted facilitated a holistic understanding of the experiences of SMEs when they engage with social media marketing. The study revealed the multifaceted nature of the obstacles encountered by SMEs, ranging from time constraints to the need to adapt to the fast-paced digital landscape.
This research study underscores the pivotal role and transformative power of social media marketing for SMEs in the current digital space. The qualitative approach highlighted the nuances in the dynamics of the social media strategies of SMEs, emphasising the importance of tailoring the approaches that align with the distinct characteristics and objectives of each business. The research study concluded that SMEs should be encouraged to embrace the interactive nature of social media to foster meaningful connections with their target audience and establish a strong online presence.
In essence, this research study reveals valuable insights into the qualitative dimensions of social media marketing within the landscape in which SMEs are situated. The purpose, design, findings and conclusions of this research study were addressed and a practical guide for SMEs looking to navigate the complexities of social media in a way that aligns with their specific objectives was also provided
Legislative compliance: exploring the relationship between school governing bodies and school management teams
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Education Management and Leadership))--University of the Free State, 2023This study explores the views of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) on legislative compliance and how does it contribute towards a relationship between the two. It is stipulated in the South African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) (DOE, 2011) that all public schools in South Africa must have democratically elected SGBs. The act was intended to enhance collective decision-making in schools, while the Personnel Administrative Measures (RSA DOE 2022) regulates the responsibilities of SMT members. One of the principles of the National Policy on Whole School Evaluation (RSA DOE 2001) is that all evaluation activities must be characterised by openness and collaboration. In addition to a literature review on the relationship between the SGB and SMT, a research study based on the qualitative research paradigm was performed to collect data on SGB and SMT members and their roles in legislative compliance, and how this regulates the relationship between the two. This study used the interpretivist paradigm to understand the meaning that the SGB and SMT members give to their behaviour relating to this research title. The researcher used a multiple case study and the data was generated through semi structured and focus group interviews, and analysed through thematic analysis.
The findings revealed the acknowledgement of these two major school role players (SGB and SMT members), and highlighted the important participatory and deliberative role of the SGB and SMT regarding legislative compliance in schools. There are some limitations on the establishment and enhancement of a relationship between the two role players. This study is concluded by the suggestion that it is important for the SGB and SMT to create the space and opportunity for all members to participate and deliberate on their roles and important pieces of legislation that are linked to the SA Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) (DOE, 2011). This should ensure compliance and the basic functionality of the school, which is in the best interest of the school and its children, while strengthening the relationship between the SGB and SMT
Operational characteristics of women street food vendors in rural South Africa
No full textObjective: To characterize the operations of the street food enterprise in the Vhembe district, focusing on business profile, sold foods, inputs, pricing, record-keeping practices and total running cost.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional face-to-face study of 511 vendors was done using a structured researcher-administered questionnaire comprising demographic and operational characteristics. Convenience sampling was used to choose the vending sites. Chi-square tests were conducted between four categorical variables (gender, age, marital status and citizenship) and operational characteristics. P-values were considered significant at p < 0.05. However, a Bonferroni adjustment decreased the significant value to p < 0.013.
Results: The findings highlight the dominance of single middle-aged (35–44) women (63.1%) with some high school education. About 14% migrated from Zimbabwe. Most vendors were owners (86.1%), with 70.0% in business for at least 1–10 years. Food sold included mielie pap (stiff porridge) served with beef or chicken, sometimes with vegetables. Plate prices were R40.00 (2.6 USD) for a full plate and R30.00 (2 USD) for half a plate. The typical street food consumers were government officials, middlemen, and schoolchildren. Social media such as Whatsapp were used to communicate between the street food vendors and customers. The results highlight poor managerial skills as only 15.5% kept records, most of which were sales records (59.5%). On average, street vendors made a monthly profit of R3200.00 (213 USD) while spending R1800.00 (120 USD) on daily running expenses. There were statistically significant variations in some operational characteristics of vendor variables and gender, age, marital status, and citizenship.
Conclusions: There is a need for capital and management for small businesses and food training for rural street food vendors. Therefore, government officials, policymakers, and NGOs could target street vendors to offer training and microfinance to improve their business skills while promoting food safety and consumption of nutritious foods.Publisher's versio
Deterritorialized city-scapes: a railway memorial precinct in the CBD Pietermaritzburg
No full textDissertation (M.Arch.(Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023Cities are microcosms of shared identity which when assimilated from their historic narratives can create integrated cityscapes. However, how can a city be integrated when the spatial planning of the past is at tensions with the present rituals of city usage? The central issue is that little inquiry has been made to integrate facets of historic planning and design into contemporary city living. To solve this problem, this thesis will investigate and synthesize ways of making a city more integrated by amalgamating the historic elements, which give a city its identity, with the present rituals of using the city. The city will be scrutinized from the lens of urban renewal and integrated urban geographies. This methodology to design will ultimately create a more integrated Pietermaritzburg CBD where the city’s identity and historic narratives resonate with the rituals of using the city
The Amanzi Entaba path
No full textDissertation (M.Arch.(Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023Nature, a vast and endless palette of inspiration, sets the stage for a library for textures, patterns, and motifs. There is no better designer than nature itself and architects have long been inspired by it, trying to evoke emotional connections to nature.
My interest in the connection between man and nature, as told by the delicate fynbos biome, stems from a life-long love and appreciation for nature, taught through generations in our family. As a child, I was directed into appreciating the intricate small beauties lying within nature, the scents and textures that make up a perfectly balanced existence. Even in school, we were taught a respect and understanding of our importance in nature’s survival. Being taught the importance of nature, its role in our survival and vice versa, continued a childhood love implemented at a young age. My fondness for The West Coast National Park, and specifically fynbos, started in 2016, when I first visited this natural gem within the Western Cape. The endless beauty of something so refined brought peace in admiration of something that I knew to be intricate and unique.
The Anthropocene era, the era of human impact on the earth, has taken us far from nature, creating a separation, lacking environmental connection instead of striving to connect architecture to nature through the creation of emotional and spiritual spaces for everyday life, through “amanzi entaba”. This is a Xhosa phrase, made up of the word's “mountain” and “water”, for an emotional harmony between human beings and nature.
Fynbos, the “fine-leaved plants”, is an extraordinary biome, occurring solely on Africa’s southern peninsula. With a very wide range of plant species (roughly 8700), it stretches from the west coast to the east coast, outshining many rainforests in terms of sheer diversity. The beauty of fynbos truly lies in it birth and growth, a sensitive and intricate system of rebirth and fire.
A Fynbos Interpretation Centre, funded by SAN Parks, located within the West Coast National Park, is proposed to preserve and retell an overlooked and unique narrative. The poetical quality of the setting inspires an intervention that builds that tells a story. The Fynbos Interpretation Centre proposes an architectural intervention articulating various moments within a sensitive process and interconnectedness within human experiences as visitors move through spaces and times
Die herkoms en jeug van HCM Fourie (1882-1939) ‘n kerkhistoriese studie
No full textProefskrif (PhD. (Teologie))--Universiteit van die Vrystaat, 2023Hierdie studie is biografies van aard. Dit doen ondersoek na die lewe van Bybelvertaler dr Hermanus Cornelis Mart(h)inus Fourie (5 Julie 1882 - 5 Augustus 1939). Fourie het hom in verskeie opsigte onderskei in die geskiedenis van die Afrikaanse kerke van gereformeerde belydenis. Fourie het as jong seun van 17 jaar aktief as burger te velde deelgeneem aan die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog (Anglo-Boereoorlog 1899-1902), in Nederland aan die Universiteit van Utrecht studeer, hom as predikant bekwaam en ook later daar sy doktorsgraad verwerf. Hy was predikant van drie gemeentes van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika, naamlik Pretoria/Erasmus, Johannesburg en Groot Marico.
Hy het deelgeneem aan die Rebellie van 1914 en het ook tronkstraf daarvoor uitgedien. Sy proefskrif oor die amaNdebele was 'n deurbraak in die sin dat hy die eerste persoon was wat die kultuur van die amaNdebele wetenskaplik op skrif gestel het. Hy was namens sy Kerk een van die vyf eindvertalers van die eerste volledige Bybel in Afrikaans (1933). Dit is hy wat aangedring het op 'n vertaling vanuit die grondtale. Hy was medestigter van 'n sendingvereniging en het op die Hertzog-regering se Ekonomiese Naturellekommissie (1930 - 1932) gedien. Die jaar voor sy afsterwe was die eeufeesjaar van die (later so genoemde) Groot Trek. Hy het met oorgawe die herdenking plaaslik begelei.
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Dit wat reeds oor Fourie gepubliseer is, bestaan uit kort lewensbeskrywings en huldeblyke. Huldingingsberigte het ná sy dood in Die Hervormer en ook in verskeie koerante in Suid-Afrika en Nederland verskyn. Die Hervormer en die Almanak van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika asook Konteks en die sekulêre pers het hierbenewens oor die jare artikels oor Fourie gepubliseer. Geleentheidspublikasies, byvoorbeeld in verband met die Bybelvertaling in Afrikaans, bevat artikels of inligting oor HCM Fourie. JP Oberholzer se bydrae is die biografiese artikel "Fourie, Hermanus Cornelis Mart(h)inus" in die - , Deel 1. Harm Oost het Fourie se rol in die Rebellie van 1914 beskryf in sy publikasie ?⁷ Dit alles laat nog nie reg geskied aan sy nalatenskap of die beskikbare argivale materiaal nie. Dit dring aan op ‘n omvattende biografie.
Daar was pogings om Fourie en sy teologie wetenskaplik na te gaan en te behandel. Dr SP Pretorius wou aanvanklik sy proefskrif oor HCM Fourie skryf en het al sy preke, wat toe in besit van ds Grobler was, vir die doel bekom. Dit blyk toe dat wyle ds PD Smit, wat dit voorheen moes laat vaar, op daardie stadium sy doktorale navorsing oor Fourie kon hervat. Hy het jarelank gewerk aan Fourie se nagelate preke. Hy het baie na daaraan gekom om sy proefskrif in te handig, maar is oorlede voor dit kon gebeur. Pretorius het toe sy doktorsgraad behaal met ‘n proefskrif oor die mislukte kerkverening van die 1880’s.
Dit blyk dus dat Herman Fourie en die impak van sy lewe as predikant steeds wag op uitklaring en beskrywing. Word biografieë van sy tydgenote in ag geneem, is dit eintlik onverklaarbaar waarom so lank gewag is om Fourie kerkhistories na te vors en met name die kerkgeskiedskrywing van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika verder te verdiep.
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Breedweg kan die geskiedenis van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika ingedeel word in die volgende tydperke:
• Die "Kaapse Kerk" 1652 tot 1824 (Eerste algemene kerkvergadering)
• Die "Voortrekkerkerk" Groot Trek tot 1853 (Besluit om nie by Kaapse Sinode in te skakel nie)
• 1853 tot Kerkvereniging 1885
• Ná mislukte vereniging tot Tweede Vryheidsoorlog 1886 tot 1902
• Twintigste eeu met konstante groei
• Tydperk na 1990 met kleinerwording
Fourie word kort voor die kerkvereniging gebore. Hy dien in die Kerk gedurende die tweede tot vierde dekades van die 20ste eeu. Sy kollegas (aan die begin) was: ds GF Alers, ds LE Brandt,
ds AJ Burger, dr SP Engelbrecht, ds PW Ennis, ds DF Erasmus, prof dr JAJH Greyvenstein,
ds PS Grobler, ds P Kuhn, ds JJ Prinsloo, ds SJ Strydom, ds J van Belkum, dr HD van Broekhuizen, ds PJJ Venter, ds S Vermooten en ds HP Wolmarans.
Uiteraard word daar nie oor elke predikant 'n biografie geskryf nie. Dit is slegs teoreties moontlik. Maar hulle wat 'n groot verskil gemaak het "verdien" 'n biografie. In terme van die geskiedenis van die Kerk kan ds LE Brandt, dr SP Engelbrecht, ds HCM Fourie, prof Greyvenstein, ds J van Belkum, ds S Vermooten en ds HP Wolmarans daarvoor uitgesonder word vanweë onder andere hulle rol as voorsitters van die Kerkvergadering; in die teologiese opleiding; as redakteurs van kerklike publikasies; by inrigtings van die Kerk en die Bybelvertaling.
SP Engelbrecht het 'n outobiografie geskryf wat 50 jaar ná sy dood beskikbaar gestel is, maar nie gepubliseer nie. Twee ongepubliseerde proefskrifte het verskyn:
Botes, HJ. “Ds L E Brandt (1873-1939) as kerklike leier en bouer.” Proefskrif (DD), Universiteit van Pretoria, 1989.
Pretorius, C. “Ds. Jac van Belkum (1851-1933): Nestor van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika: 'n teologies-historiese studie.” Proefskrif (DD), Universiteit van Pretoria, 2002.
'n Biografie oor HCM Fourie behoort dus 'n bestaande navorsingsleemte te help vul.
HCM Fourie was een van die eindvertalers van die Bybelvertaling in Afrikaans 1933. Daarmee is hy verbind aan 'n breër kerklike gemeenskap as net die kerk waarin hy predikant was. Soverre dit die vyf eindvertalers van die eerste Bybel in Afrikaans betref, is daar reeds navorsing gedoen en gepubliseer oor die vertaling self. In hierdie verband is die volgende publikasie die bekendste:
Nienaber, PJ. Die geskiedenis van die Afrikaanse Bybelvertaling. Kaapstad: Nasionale Pers, 1934
[Re]Discovering the Grasslands: a visitor and community centre for Rhodes and the new Grasslands National Park in the highlands of the Eastern Cape
No full textDissertation (M.Arch.(Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023Visitor centres within a specific landscape are conceived as powerful
communicative tools, facilitating users' immersive experience in a distinct contextual setting. In the context of the village of Rhodes, which foresees a forthcoming increase in tourism, the village currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and educate visitors about its unique environment. Regrettably, many local visitor centres often fall short of authentically capturing the essence of the landscape and its surrounding context through their architectural design, resulting in inauthentic reproductions of assumed vernacular architecture. This study explores multifaceted themes, including temporality, permanence, ecotourism, and critical regionalism, with its primary objective being the identification and subsequent integration of site-specific nuances into the architectural framework. This integration aims to effectively harmonise the design within the encompassing landscape while recognising and embracing the local inhabitants of the valley. The inception of the visitor centre's design can be traced back to an analysis of the natural environment, serving as the foundation for a range of conceptual explorations. These explorations were further enriched by precedent studies and firmly rooted within theoretical investigations. This design endeavour challenges conventional perceptions of an appropriate visitor centre. Instead of resisting its historical presence within the Victorian village, it aspires to deeply assimilate itself into the natural surroundings, ultimately aligning and coexisting with the landscape and the local population rather than opposing it
Exploring distributed leadership practice in Nigerian secondary schools
No full textA growing body of research on distributed leadership shows that it effectively improves school effectiveness in developed economies. However, due to centralized education systems, the full benefits of distributed school leadership have not been fully appropriated in developing economies. This study investigates the realities of distributed leadership practices as applicable in selected Nigerian secondary schools. Lensed with Distributed Leadership Theory, the study is located in the qualitative strand of the interpretivist paradigm. In a case study research design, a combination of purposeful and snowballing sampling techniques was adopted in selecting twelve participants comprising three school administrators and nine classroom teachers who participated in semi-structured interviews. The results show that distributed leadership is perceived and practised as delegation and distribution of roles by the superordinate to the subordinate in a manner inconsistent with the principles of distributed leadership theory. It was also revealed that teachers with no formal portfolio were assigned leadership responsibilities. Lastly, the findings showed that participants acknowledged the existence of the School Management Team in their school. Still, most are unaware of their roles in school leadership and how they impacted their jobs. Recommendations were made based on the findings.Publisher's versio
Constructing an information base on teacher targeted bullying towards policy formation
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Psychology of Education))--University of the Free State, 2023The primary objective of this study is to develop an information database on bullying of teachers, with the aim of formulating policies to safeguard them against workplace bullying within the South African context. This study is underpinned by a theoretical framework comprising three prominent theorists, namely Habermas, Foucault, and Paulo Freire. The communicative action theory of Habermas was utilised to propose the use of language and dialogue between perpetrators of bullying and victims, in order to establish mutual understanding and consensus that could lessen or even eliminate bullying. Foucault’s theory was used to gain insights into power and knowledge, and the productive nature of power. Foucault advocates for the positive use of power and knowledge and the substitution of undesirable notions and characteristics of the effectiveness of power. He advocates for enlightenment in using power for better social functioning between the superior social class (bullies) and the inferior social class (victims). Furthermore, the study draws on Paulo Freire’s Theory of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, which is based on notions such as concern for humanisation and dehumanisation. Dehumanisation refers to the actions of the perpetrators (oppressors) of bullying, while humanisation is concerned with the recognition by bullies of their actions, and their liberation in becoming more fully human beings, hence achieving liberation. The NRV Workplace Bullying Model that I developed from my Master’s study, suggested an explanation of the phenomenon of victimisation in the workplace, elucidating the linearity and devastating consequences of victimisation, and its impacts on the well-being, productivity, and effectiveness of employees within the system. The theory sheds light on the role of government institutions and management as perpetrators of bullying, resulting in the exit of employees from the workplace.
These theoretical underpinnings are imperative in framing and understanding bullying and teacher targeted bullying (TTB) within the South African context. A comprehensive scholarly literature investigation on bullying and victimisation informed the study, in order to explain the complete nature of bullying and TTB, from how it manifests to its devastating effects on victims. Past research on TTB and its impact on victims during the current COVID-19 pandemic was also examined. To comprehend the primary purpose of this study, an interrogation of the legal framework on teacher protection in schools was undertaken. This involved examining what is advocated by the South African Constitution, the South African Schools Act, Teacher Unions, School Governing Bodies, School Management, and recent cases of teacher targeted bullying in South Africa, as well as the judgements handed down. An exploratory sequential mixed methods approach was followed in this study. First, a qualitative interrogation of the South African legislative framework on teacher protection was conducted, in addition to a quantitative section that included gathering empirical quantitative data through questionnaires. An existing questionnaire from an earlier study was adapted for COVID-19 times and the data was collected from participants using the snowballing technique, with a digital link that was shared. This provided an overview of the perceptions and experiences of teachers regarding TTB. Additionally, four audio discussions were conducted to deepen the understanding of TTB and possible measures to prevent it. The research findings have revealed numerous complexities related to the exposure of teachers to TTB in schools, including their experiences and perceptions, as well as recommendations from participants on how to combat TTB. In an interview with a departmental official confirmed my premise that there is no official TTB policy in place to protect teachers. These findings, linked with the theoretical and legal frameworks, this thesis provide a comprehensive information base that can be used by the Department of Education in the formation of policies aimed at addressing TTB in schools. In my final chapter, I provide a summary of the information base and propose elements for consideration in the formulation of such a policy