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Enhancement of creative thinking and creative abilities in art and design students at the Central University of Technology, Free State
Get PDFThesis (M.Tech: Visual Design and Studio Art)--Central University of TechnologyIntroduction: Future civilisations hinge upon the creative capabilities of young people, therefore creativity should be fostered from a young age. Because creative people think in unconventional ways and challenge conventional thinking, they are able to solve complex problems and thus could make a significant contribution to the 21st century world-of-work. It is widely accepted that there exists a “creativity gap” amongst students, because of social, environmental, and educational experiences. Also, creativity skills vary extensively amongst entry level students in the department of Design and Studio Art at the Central University of Technology, Free State.
Aim: This study was thus undertaken to determine the potential to implement a Creativity Workshop to stimulate the emergence of creativity amongst a Test group of entry level students in Art and Design. Therefore, for this study the hypothesis that was tested is: A creativity workshop will enhance creative skills amongst entry level University art and design students.
Methods: The success of the Creativity Workshop was assessed by measuring creative skills through a Creativity Test that was implemented in a Test group of students (n = 24) and compared with a Control group of students (n = 30). Twenty-nine Creativity sub-domains were identified and grouped into four creativity domains (Diverse Thinking, Creative Strengths, Innovation Skills, and Practical Skills). The Creativity Workshop Instrument addressed the respective creativity skills in 19 different activities probing students for written and/or drawing responses. The Creativity Test Instrument comprised of 17 activities addressing the different Creativity sub-domains of the four Creativity domains.
Results: A Student’s t-test revealed that the overall performances of the two groups of students were the same, indicating that the Creativity Workshop did not make a significant difference to the overall creativity performances of the Test group of students, thus the results did not support the hypothesis at an α = 0.05. However, the mean score of the Test group (±430) was notably better than that of the Control group (±390). In contrast, t-tests revealed that the Workshop impacted significantly on the performances of the Test group in two of the four Creativity domains (Creative Strengths and Practical-Skills), as well as on three of the 12 sub-domains (Synthesis of Incomplete figures, Internal Visualisation, Extending or Breaking of Boundaries) of the Creative Strengths domain, which focuses on the ability to use imagination to generate new ideas from a unique perspective in image development. This workshop thus improved students’ abilities to combine two or more incomplete figures to visualise beyond exteriors and focus on the internal, as well as to extend lines beyond boundaries. The impact of the Creativity Workshop could also be recognised in two of the four activity types of the Creativity Test. The Test group outperformed the Control group in the activities, Image Development and Object Repetition. For two of the 17 activities of the Creativity Test, significant differences were established between the Test group and the Control group. In the activity Adding Details to Medium Blocks, the Test group outperformed the Control group by adding additional details to the figures in the boxes, thereby creating unique pictures. Similarly, the Test group outperformed the Control group in the activity of Using cut out Shape for Design, by pasting a cut-out shape into a blank space and then completing an imagined picture where the cut-out is part of.
Conclusion: The Creativity Workshop made a substantial contribution to the enhancement of creative and innovative skills in the Test group. In particular, students’ imaginations came to the forefront, by showing their ability to apply imaginary thoughts when conceiving and developing images. Thus, the outcome of this study strongly suggests that students that were exposed to the Creativity Workshop were able to make mental leaps away from the obvious and the commonplace
Use Of Molecular Markers, Agronomical And Related Attributes On Diversity Analysis Of Soybean (Glycine Max) Genotypes
Get PDFDissertationSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important leguminous crops grown globally for food, oil and animal feed. It is undoubtedly of a great economic and social importance worldwide. Soybean provides about 64 percent of the world’s oilseed meal supply and is the major source of oil, accounting for about 28 percent of total production. Studies have revealed that South Africa is the leading producer of soybean in Africa and very few small-holder farmers practice soybean production. The characterisation of diverse soybean genotypes using agronomic, molecular markers and nutritional quality traits have not been fully utilised in order to achieve breeding, conservation and management goals. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the presence of genetic diversity among the soybean genotypes using agro-morphological traits; (ii) assess the level of genetic diversity present among the soybean genotypes using nutritional quality traits; and (iii) to determine the presence of genetic diversity among the soybean genotype making use of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Thirty soybean genotypes were randomly selected from the Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crop (ARC) gene bank and were grown in a growth chamber until they reached the 4th leaf stage. The leaves were then collected and freeze-dried, then subjected to genotyping using 20 polymorphic SSR markers. The SSR analysis revealed extensive variation among the soybean genotypes. The genotypes Santa Rosa and PR 165-52 had the closest distance (similarity), whereas B 66 S 31, 69 S 7 and R-5-4-2 M showed the highest dissimilarity index. The number and size of alleles rangedfrom 4 to 22bp and 2 to 33bp, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) variedbetween 0.46 and 0.85; while the heterozygosity data points ranged between 0.50 and 0.87.The second trial was carried out with 30 single lines of soybean of 3m each in row lengthwere planted in a non-controlled environment and replicated 3 times using a completerandomized block design. The soybean genotypes were subjected to characterization usingagro-morphological traits. Principal component analysis revealed that the three mostimportant components contributed 21.3%, 14.9% and 9.1% to the total variation in the fieldtrial where 30 lines of soybean were evaluated for agro-morphological traits and nutritional quality. The traits that contributed most to the variation were pod weight before threshing, number of branches per plant, pod number per plant, and yield per plant. These were further analysed for nutritional quality using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The genotypes that had a higher protein and oil contents were Columbia M8A (37.54%) and B 66 S 256 (17.83%). Overall, the study found considerable levels of genetic variability among the soybean germplasm found at the Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crop gene bank using agro-morphological, SSR markers and nutritional quality traits. The selected lines should be useful for future breeding programmes while the knowledge of the genetic diversity can be used to direct efforts to conserve the diversity of soybean germplasm present locally and globally
Human Action Recognition for Intelligent Video Surveillance
Get PDFDissertationCrime remains a persistent threat in South Africa. This has significant implications for our ability to function as a country. As a result, there is a dire need for crime prevention strategies and measures that seek to reduce the risk of crimes occurring, and their potential harmful effects on individuals and society. Many local businesses, organisations and homes utilise video surveillance as a measure, as it can capture the crime as it is committed, thus identifying the perpetrators, or at least presenting a few suspects. In current video surveillance systems, there is no software that enables security officers to manage the data collected (i.e. automatically describe activities occurring in the video) and make it easily accessible for query and investigation. Access to the data is difficult because of the nature and size of the data. There is a need for efficiently extracting data to automatically detect, track, and recognise objects of interest, including understanding and analysing data through intelligent video surveillance. The aim of the study is to create an intelligent vision system that can identify a range of human actions in surveillance videos. This would offer security officers additional data of activities occurring in the videos, thus enabling them to access specific incidents faster and provide early detections of crimes. To achieve this, a literature study was done in the research area to reveal the prerequisites for such systems, the separate software modules designed and developed and eventually integrated into the intended system. Tests were developed to validate the system and evaluate how all the modules work together. This inevitably confirms the functionality of the fundamental components and the system in its entirety. The results have indicated that each module in the system operates successfully, can effectively extract pose estimation features, generate features for training/ classification and classify the features using a deep neural network. Further results showed that capability of the system can be applied to intelligent surveillance systems and enable security officers’ early detection of abnormal behaviour that can lead to crime
Investigating The Re-Usability Characteristics And Limits Of Polypropylene Powder In Laser Sinter Additive Manufacturing
Get PDFDissertationThe aim of this research was to investigate the re-usability characteristics and limits of polypropylene (PP) powder in laser sinter additive manufacturing (AM). Initially, the objective was to analyse Laser PP CP 60 from Diamond Plastics GmbH, and preliminary work was carried out on it, but the focus eventually turned to Laser PP CP 75 after processing difficulties were experienced with the former material. Polymer laser sintering (LS) subjects feed powders to high temperatures, leading to degradation of their thermal, rheological, and physical properties, impeding their recyclability. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the degree of deterioration or aging of polymers before re-using the materials. The recyclability of polymers is measured based on powder particle size, morphology, density, rheological properties, and thermal characteristics. Attempts were made to determine suitable processing parameters of Laser PP CP 60 polypropylene powder grade from Diamond Plastics in the first part of the analysis. This was followed by experiments to characterize the powder after a single print cycle to quantify degradation at this stage using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and melt flow index testing (MFI). The focus was then turned to the recyclability of Laser PP CP 75 per print cycle by printing a set of test coupons at pre-determined positions in the build volume of an EOSINT P 380 LS machine. The powder remaining in the machine and the cake powder surrounding the coupons after each print cycle was thoroughly mixed using a concrete mixer for about 30 minutes. A sample of the mixed powder was re-introduced into the P 380 machine to print another set of test specimens. In this study, the re-usability of the PP powder was determined by characterizing and comparing the used powder after each cycle with powder from previous cycles and fresh material.
It was established from the preliminary testing of Laser PP CP 60 that slightly different process parameter settings were required to those provided by the supplier to achieve the highest ultimate tensile strength, smoothest surface, and best dimensional accuracy of printed parts. The three characterized batches of Laser PP CP 60 powder (virgin, aged, virgin-aged mixture) exhibited poor (not 100% spherical) but acceptable morphology and particle size distribution. It was also found that the sintering window of virgin Laser PP CP 60 increased significantly (by 28%) after a single cycle of printing, from a value of 21.04 ℃ for the virgin powder to 26.95 ℃ for the recycled powder. The degree of crystallinity of virgin Laser PP CP 60 decreased from 13.92% to 12.12% after a single printing cycle and then increased to 12.48% after the addition of 50% virgin material. All the three batches, namely virgin powder, used powder, and a 50% virgin:50% used mixture, showed high degradation temperatures of 457.30 ℃, 456.05 ℃, and 455.95 ℃, respectively. Lastly, the three batches of powder showed low MFI values of 6.1, 6.5, and 6.4 g/10 min in the same order.
Turning to Laser PP CP 75, it was concluded that the powder could be re-used for four re-use cycles without having to mix with virgin material because it does not form an “orange peel,” as is the case with polyamide-12 (PA 12) (used here as reference material). Besides, the MFI trend indicates that the viscosity of the material is not significantly degraded, which promotes recyclability. The DSC assessment established that the sintering window of Laser PP CP 75 increased with each re-use cycle. The results indicate that the shrinkage rate and curling of the material might reduce with the number of re-use cycles because a wide and sufficient sintering window prevents crystallization of the polymers during processing. From the TGA test, the breakdown temperature of Laser PP CP 75 was seen to increase slightly with the number of re-use cycles, from 455.53 ℃ (virgin material) to 457.53 ℃ after the 4th re-use cycle. Thus, the material does not break down at the temperatures prevailing during printing, making it suitable for LS processing and re-use. The SEM analysis revealed that the average size of Laser PP CP 75 powder particles is not significantly influenced by re-use cycles, making the powder recyclable. Furthermore, the powder did not exhibit signs of agglomeration for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd re-use cycles. However, this phenomenon was observed in the 4th re-use cycle of printing. Lastly, tensile testing revealed that the material had the highest ultimate tensile strength after the 3rd printing cycle (7.4 MPa), after which the value decreased with recycling. Overall, it can be concluded that PP powder has superior recyclability properties to those of PA 12, which requires mixing with virgin material after every print cycle. Besides, the MFI, particle size and thermal properties are insignificantly altered, which does not hamper the re-use of the material for subsequent printing cycles. Parts printed with virgin Laser PP CP 75 had an average dimensional error of 3.02% and 4.06% after the 4th re-use cycle. Therefore, Laser PP CP 75 might not be commercially suitable because of dimensional accuracy and observed processing difficulties
Optimal Energy Control Of A Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane With Potential Energy Recovery
Get PDFThesisSeaports and rail terminals use Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) to organise container aisles,
loading, and moving cargo-containers. They operate as the link between the cranes and the
means of transportation by road, rail, or sea connections. The handling of containers and the
motion of RTG cranes are powered by electric motors, which are powered mainly by two
sources, namely the standalone diesel powered and the grid connection from the local
electrical network.
Looking at an operation efficiency and energy management’s point of view, the main
problem occurring in RTG crane system, is that the majority of electrical energy or fuel
consumed comes from hoisting containers with different weights to several heights;
additionally, the peak demand increases when the RTG crane handles heavier containers.
Furthermore, during the lowering phase of the containers, potential power is dissipated as
heat through resistor banks, used for braking purposes.
To solve these problems, this work developed optimal energy management models of the
proposed hybrid diesel/battery and hybrid grid/battery RTG cranes, respectively, to
minimize the total electricity costs.
The first model was based on the optimal energy management model for a RTG crane,
supplied by a hybrid diesel generator/battery system. The aim of the model is to reduce the
energy cost spending and CO2 emission, by minimizing the amount of fuel consumed by the
diesel generator and maximizing the potential energy recovered through the regenerative
braking during the container lowering phase. As a case study, a 40 tonne RTG crane,
operating in South Africa, has been selected. The demand profile, size of the diesel
generator, as well as the battery storage system are used as input for the developed model.
Simulations, for a complete RTG handling cycle, have been conducted, to evaluate the
techno-economic performances of the developed model use, to optimally dispatch the
power flow in the system during the different phases of operation. As compared to the baseline case, where the diesel generator is used alone to accommodate
the same demand, the simulation results for the selected day of operation have shown that,
using the proposed model, a 40.6% reduction in the operation cost, as well as CO2 emission,
is achievable in the case of the proposed system, without energy recovery; 82.17% is
achievable in the case where the energy recovery is included. Looking further into the
stochastic nature of the demand, the analysis of a year of operation has revealed that 76.04%
in operation costs may be potentially saved, using the proposed system. The result of the
true payback period analysis has shown that the overall investment cost may be recovered in
1.36 years. Additionally, it may be observed, from the results, that the peak power demand
on the diesel generator, has been reduced. This may assist in reducing the power rating and
the initial cost of the diesel generator.
The second model was based on the optimal energy management model for the grid
powered electric RTG, with a battery storage system. The aim of the model is to reduce the
operation cost, by minimizing the component linked to the maximum demand charges from
the grid, as well as the component linked to the Time of Use (ToU) pricing structure. As a
case study, a RTG crane operating in South Africa, has been selected. The load profile, the
battery storage system, ToU tariff, as well as the maximum demand charges, are used as
input for the developed model. Simulations, for a complete RTG handling cycle, have been
conducted, to evaluate the techno-economic performances of the developed model, used to
optimally dispatch the power flow in the system during the different phases of operation.
Three main configurations have been simulated as energy sources for the RTG crane,
namely, the exclusive supply from the grid, grid/battery hybrid system without energy
recovery during the lowering phase and grid/battery hybrid with energy recovery, during the
lowering phase.
As compared to the baseline, the simulation results have shown that, using the proposed
model, a possible 50.36%, 60.6% and 64.4% cost reduction, per full handing cycle, is
possible in off-peak standard and peak pricing period, for the selected winter day. Table 2
further shows that the maximum demand charges, for a full load in any of the pricing
periods is USD 2 639.39, when the baseline is considered. This may be reduced by 45.20%, to USD 1446.24, when the RTG crane is supplied by the optimally controlled hybrid system,
with energy recovery.
The yearly analysis has revealed that the break-even point of the proposed optimally
controlled hybrid grid/Battery, with energy recovery, suppling the RTG crane, may take
place after 1.36 years, corresponding to USD 121 900. For the 20 years’ project lifetime, the
computed lifecycle, in the case of the proposed optimally controlled grid/Battery with
energy recovery, is USD 1 425 000. However, when solely the baseline is considered, the
projected lifecycle cost is USD 5 384 000. There is a potential cost saving of USD 3 950 000,
corresponding to 73.53%. The result of the true payback period analysis has shown that the
overall investment cost may be recovered in 1.716 years. Additionally, using the proposed
system, the peak power demand on the grid has been reduced. This may assist in reducing
the size of the inverter by more than 50%, which may lower the initial cost of the system.
These results further demonstrate that, using the proposed optimal control models, the
peak power demands on the grid, or on the DG, have been reduced. This may assist in
reducing the size of the inverter, or of the DG by more than 50%, which may lower the
initial cost of the system. This, in turn, serves as a greater incentive for seaports and rail
terminals to implement these energy management strategies, reducing their operating cost
and increasing their benefits
Civil Engineering English-Sesotho Lexicon Booklet
No full textBookletIn response to the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education
Institutions, which seeks to promote multilingualism as a strategy to facilitate
meaningful access and success in higher education institutions, the Centre for
Innovation Learning and Teaching (CILT) initiated the Lexicon Development
Project. This project aims to promote and strengthen the use of SeSotho language
to facilitate student understanding of complex scientific concepts. In this way,
the project enables access to knowledge within the disciplines through the use of
indigenous African languages.
CILT in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment
and Information Technology held workshops to discuss the development of a
discipline specific lexicon booklet. These engagements resulted in the production
of the English-Sesotho Civil Engineering lexicon booklet. The translation into
Sesotho was authenticated and verified by the Pan South African Language Board
(PanSALB).
This lexicon booklet will be an invaluable resource as it would assist CUT lecturers
and students to enhance their understanding and use of discipline specific
terminologies in Sesotho
A psychosocial support framework for reintegrating teenage mothers back into the school system
Get PDFThesis (Doctor:Educationis) (Educational Psychology)--Central University of Technology, 2021It is widely accepted that the teenage years are challenging because of the changes associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood, coupled with an immature ability to make responsible decisions. Teenage motherhood as a phenomenon is a challenge that is observed globally, and South Africa is no exception. The teenage mother faces challenges such as stigmatization and condemnation – not only in the community but also when she returns to school. Even worse, she may not be allowed to return to school. This may happen despite various policies and legislation to protect teenage mothers’ rights and dignity, such as the education policy on teenage pregnancy (SASA, 1996). Amongst others, teenage mothers may remain in school while pregnant and are allowed to return to school after having given birth.
Parenting is a challenge for most adult women, and it stands to reason that the difficulties for teenage mothers are even more daunting. In high-risk communities, factors like poverty, socio-economic decline, family instability and lacking social support are likely to affect the young mother’s academic performance and her ability to ‘bounce back’. Psychosocial support enables the teenager to overcome these challenges and help prevent risk factors such as substance abuse and sexual activity, which may, in turn, increase the chances of unintended teenage pregnancy. To this end, the study explored how teenage mothers from high-risk communities can be supported to meet their educational goals. The aim of the research was to probe the challenges faced by these young girls in their quest to return to school and finish their education. The ultimate goal was to develop a support framework for schools to assist learners who gave birth to cope with their formidable circumstances and successfully reintegrate back into school.
Framed within the constructivist-interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative research approach was followed, utilising the phenomenological case study design. To learn more about the teenage mothers’ experiences of their dual role as mothers and learners, in-depth interviews as well as a focus group interview were conducted, accompanied by various drawings and self- reflective activities to generate rich data. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with two parents/guardians to learn more about their experiences and impressions, and how their children’s circumstances impacted their lives. Two teachers from the participant school were also interviewed to determine the measures taken by the school to assist these learners.
The findings suggest that the most substantial risk factors – both from the literature and the empirical findings – which could potentially jeopardise the future success of teenage mothers, were feelings of rejection, regret, stress, anxiety, and helplessness. Adverse economic conditions, a resource-poor environment and failing social systems – in particular, the school – intensified these feelings. As a representative of the broader education system, the school neglected its responsibility to implement relevant policy and failed in fulfilling the role of ‘in loco parentis’. The school denied the young girls the much-needed support – academic support in particular, but also emotional support – to develop the necessary resilience to help them achieve their goals. Amongst others, potential protective factors that emerged were a strong will to carve out a better future for themselves and their children, and an anchored home environment that paved the way for a stable temperament, acceptance, assertiveness and ambition – all essential components for goal setting.
Wide-ranging recommendations are offered, but, most importantly, a framework is proposed to improve the provision of support to successfully reintegrate teenage mothers into school and society to capacitate them to pursue their future goals
The use of extracurricular activities in promoting the holistic development of learners in multicultural schools of the Free State province
Get PDFThesis (Master: Education)--Central University of TechnologyIt is well documented in literature that participation in extracurricular activities in schools has a positive influence on learners’ attendance, participation, scholastic achievements and career aspirations. On the otherhand, it is also noted that the lack or in some cases, the non-existence of extracurricular activities stifle learners’ growth and learning, especially in multicultural school settings, where the foundation for learners’ development has to occur in a conducive environment. Most multicultural primary schools in the Free State province, in particular the Letjweleputswa educational district, seem not to use extracurricular activities as an effective tool in promoting learners’ holistic development. This phenomenon initiated this study to persue it’s main aim, which is to assess teachers’ role in promoting the holistic development of learners in multicultural school settings of the Free State province, in particular, the Lejweleputswa educational district A mixed method approach was persued in realising the objectives for this study. Questionnaires were used to ascertain teachers’ perceptions regarding their role in promoting the holistic development of learners through extracurricular activities and how they use these activities in advancing learners’ physical, cognitive, social, academic, spiritual and emotional development. Learners’ views and lived experiences on the use of extracurricular activities in promoting their holistic development was ascertained via semi- structured focus group interviews. Research findings revealed that schools offer extracurricular activities to varying degrees and that some activities are non-existent at most institutions. A total of 29.23% teachers did not participate in extracurricular activities, whilst 47.69% of teachers participate at least once a week in activities. Teacher participants appear to lack knowledge, skills, commitment, willingness and enthusiasm to encourage learners to participate in extracurricular activities and as such come forth as being unsure of how extracurricular activities could possibly promote the holistic development of their learners. Learner participants stated that their involvement in extracurricular activities could give them a greater chance of being employed; of getting a better job one day; of being accepted into university; and of developing certain attributes, such as creativity, innovation, and endurance. The study recommends that multicultural schools in the Free State province, in particular the Letjweleputswa educational district need to implement various extracurricular activities as to develop a range of traits and competencies for their learners- this response of schools could possible cultivate an institutional atmosphere for the development of learners’ physical, emotional, cognitive, social, moral underpinnings, problem-solving, academic, life-skills, well-being, leadership skills, analytical skills, and communication skills
Social Justice Considerations For The Teaching Of Controversial Social Science Topics In Multicultural Primary School Settings: A Case Study Of University Teacher Education Students
Get PDFThesisIn South Africa, the National Education Policy of 1996 and the National Qualification Framework
Act, 2008, requires that all teachers be socially just teachers, with education being perceived as
a perfect tool to realise the ideals of democracy. Education should lead people to become critical
citizens with the mandate to play pivotal roles in the transformation of a multicultural society. It
was inevitable that a new curriculum for a new South African dispensation should be welcomed
and be unavoidable, but the sine qua non was that diverse cultures; the background of learners;
the values in education and so forth, had to be taken into account. The dawn of the South African
democratic period was associated with the emergence of multicultural schools in South Africa.
Furthermore, universities and colleges needed to transform their teacher education training
programs in line with the changes in the educational sphere of South Africa. Student teachers
needed to be trained to understand and adapt to the challenges of multicultural schools and the
new policies that govern these schools. Social Science as a subject deal with the interrelationship
of humans and their environment and can thus play an integral role to meet the needs of diverse
populations. The inclusion of controversial topics in social science curricula is widely considered
to be an essential element of quality education. The sequential mixed methods study was
compounded in the theories of civic education as a moral imperative in social sciences education;
Social Constructivism as a teaching and learning paradigm; and critical multiculturalism. The
population of the study was final year social science student teachers, attached to the identified
university. Quantitative data emanating from 78 questionnaires, ascertained the participants’
perceptions of using social justice considerations in the teaching of controversial social science
topics in multicultural classrooms. Qualitative data emerged from the four focus group
discussions held virtually with participants from different race groups, respectively and teaching
practice classroom observations, as well as the investigation of the role of social justice
considerations in the teaching of controversial social science topics in multicultural school
settings. The findings of the study revealed that pre-service teachers lack training to teach
controversial social science topics. The study further indicates teacher education students fear
of being ostracised leaves them vulnerable and unwilling to teach controversial topics. A lack of
support from education authorities and School Management Teams make teacher education students feel unprotected. Moreover, the vagueness of strategies on how to teach controversial
topics according to the current policies does not assist the cause. The study also recommends
that schools develop open relationships with parents about the importance of children discussing
controversial Social Science topics. It is recommended that the adoption of a more positive and
realistic view of Social Science as a subject, will advance social cohesion and citizenship. The study
further suggests that the provision of a space should be made which is collaborative and
respectful, and which will promote opportunities for open dialogue where learners can air their
views in an open forum for critical, in-depth and respectful discussion. In-service teacher training
opportunities should be provided for teacher education students and the formation of
partnerships with Teacher Training Institutions to focus on social justice as a vehicle for the
teaching of controversial Social Science topics and for proposing policy reforms that address the
teaching of controversial Social Science topics in multicultural primary school settings, should be
considered. It is also further recommended that teacher education students be supported by the
school management teams (SMTs) and a possible mentor (experienced) teacher be attached to
support the newly appointed intermediate phase Social Science teachers
The Structuralist Approach In Selected Sesotho Novels: Nna Sajene Kokobela Cid By K.E Ntsane And Nna Ke Mang? By KPD Maphalla
Get PDFIn any phenomenon, structure contributes in interpreting or analysing it. Society is a structure, which consists of many elements that brings forth the functions of each participants or individual living within it. Therefore, if any element of the concept (structure), is ejected society or the structure created becomes dysfunctional.
In literature or any narrative text (a novel), the same approach is applied. In this case such structure compromises of what is called the elements of literature analysis (characters, places, times, events, conflicts and themes). These elements together, contributes towards the production and realisation of meaning of the specific piece of literature. One element cannot be cited without inclusion of the others, to create meaning of what is written.
Very little research, inter alia Strachan (1991), Ntombela (1994) and Boshego (1995) has been conducted with regards to the applicability of structuralism in the indigenous African literature. Therefore, this study aims to analyse selected novels within the framework of structuralism and reveal how the elements of the novel namely, character, environment, time, theme, and conflict can be analysed to the compatibility of a structure. It is of principal importance to look at how characters relate to the environment in which they find themselves. With specific focus on the Sesotho novels, Nna Sajene Kokobela CID by Ntsane (1986) and Nna ke mang? by Maphalla (1991), which will be done within the framework of structuralism.
The literature consulted gave definitions of the elements of literature (characters, environment, event, theme, time and conflict). These elements perform a particular function for the survival of other elements, they are interchangeable. The scholars agree that elements of the novel work together in the production and towards the realisation of meaning. This means that elements of a narrative act as a functional structure for a meaningful and functioning novel. The structuralist approach is discussed in detail. And the analysis of the texts is based on the structuralist exploration of the structure of a narrative text. The structuralism theory supports the literary texts that are subject for interpretation.
The final chapter concludes the research study with findings that reveal that though Structuralism originates from a different soil, Europe, it has the capacity to analyse and interpret the texts that originate from Africa