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Considering the “other” in wildlife crime mitigation: A South African strategy case study
Get PDFActors’ worldviews are critical when developing strategies; not every actor holds the same problem perception and solution. This is the case with wildlife trafficking. Not only does the state have an interest in safeguarding South Africa’s wildlife, but other non-state actors, such as conservation interest groups, are also participants. These are some of the ‘visible’ actors with ‘power’. There also exists ‘invisible’ actors seemingly without ‘power’, such as the local communities living around conservation areas, and the wildlife itself. Poachers and crime syndicates, on the other hand, poach wildlife, such as rhino, and are ‘drivers’ of wildlife trafficking and trade. In this article, a methodology towards a deeper understanding of actors’ causal mechanism perspectives is presented. This methodology highlights the interplay between agential, ideational, material, and structural causal mechanisms and their operationalisation. Linear cause and effect relations are not the only causal types. An alternative approach, that can assist researchers and policy makers, as well as practitioners, to develop more nuanced strategies than those derived from linear causality, is advocated. The case study used in the research was the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking. The authors’ intention is to show that the ‘othered’ influences the perspectives of the powerful and that the ‘othered’ is an important component to consider when developing policies and strategies.Political Science
The experiences of teachers with female leadership in Ekurhuleni South District, Gauteng
Get PDFThis study focused on teachers' experiences with female school leaders; the challenges these leaders are facing in leadership positions, as they need to effectively manage their schools; as well as the possible solutions to these challenges. Three schools in Gauteng's Ekurhuleni South District were purposefully chosen as research sites. Participants the female principal’s, deputies, HODs and teachers. Data was gathered through individual interviews with all participants. According to the findings, the main challenges that female leaders face in managing their schools, are a lack of confidence in female leadership due to gender discrimination, a lack of support, favouritism, balancing work and home, and unfair procedures and labour practices with regards to the promotion of women. Possible strategies to minimise these challenges include the fostering of a positive attitude toward female leadership, a strong support system, empowering female leaders, and efforts to build good relationships with all stakeholders.
Women principals discussed their strengths and challenges in context of their daily work experiences. The study discovered that women are their own motivators, which is a powerful enhancer.
The overall findings of the study revealed that male and female teachers prefer female leadership, that they are aware of what their roles entail as set out in the PAM document, female leaders adopt democratic and pariticipative leadership styles in the corporate world.M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
The effect of financial deepening on FDI inflows to some selected African economies
Get PDFThere are copious research studies that attest to the fact that foreign direct investment inflows through MNCs and portfolio investments, among others, lead to positive externalities and economic augmentation in destination countries, especially for developing countries of which Africa features prominently. Even in the face of abundant resource, which the continent can leverage to attract FDIs, Africa still attracts far fewer inflows compared to other countries in the global FDI offerings. To understand the reasons for which less developed, developing, and emerging economies receive less foreign direct investment inflows, numerous empirical studies have been conducted. Some studies have uncovered lack of absorptive capacity and strong macroeconomic stance as the mitigating factors interrupting developing economies from achieving high FDI levels. However, having identified some countries as suffering from these defects but still attract FDI inflows thus brings to the fore, the suitability of these hypotheses. This consideration sets the tone in searching for several alternative indicators that can influence foreign direct investment inflows to Africa and largely, developing economies.
The current study seeks to uncover the impact of financial deepening on inflows of foreign direct investment to African economies. As several studies have revealed, the inflows of FDIs to destination economies present positive externalities, which include economic augmentation, technological advancement, labour skill set enhancement, better product offerings and influences the growth of domestic enterprises, among others. For this, we undertake this study to uncover the role of financial deepening in moderating foreign direct investment to Africa. Thus, the study utilises variables on financial deepening and nuances reasons for foreign direct investment inflows in the sampled countries. Several studies suggest that foreign direct investment goes to economies endowed with developed infrastructure, abound with natural resources and skilled labour force. The effect of financial sector deepening on foreign direct investment inflows is seldom researched.
Furthermore, there is little research that undertakes a comparative analysis of effect of financial deepening on foreign direct investment and institutional adequacy in a way that combines threshold analysis to uncover threshold level for which FDI is triggered. This study also combines pooled and sub-regional level dataset in various panel analyses. Additionally, none of the literature reviewed is a study in which extended institutional environment variables are incorporated in single research to examine foreign direct investment attractiveness to Africa on sub-regional levels. This study fills that lacuna in the literature. This panel study is based on a dataset from several academic, institutional and policy sources and spans the period 1980 to
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2018. This study further employed VECM, GMM and threshold analysis using Stata and EVIEWS 10 statistical packages as deemed situationally appropriate.
This study found that financial sector depth is an important consideration for foreign direct investment reaching the shores of Africa. Importantly, credit allocation to the private sector from the financial system as a percentage of gross domestic product (PCrBank), monetary aggregates (M2), financial system deposits to GDP (FSD), and stock market variables (EQTYcp) and (STOVR) are significant factors to FDI inflows to the continent of Africa as a whole and the sub-regional levels. Additionally, we ascertain the significant contribution of the institutional environment to the financial deepening process in Africa, specifically, inflation, regulatory efficiency, legal framework and human capital development. In our impulse response function analysis, we observe that a unit deviation disturbance on financial deepening variables triggers movement on foreign direct investment positively to the Africa sub-regional economies under consideration in the short to medium term. But as time elapses, the inflows become greater in the longer term. The results are seen in the sub-regional groupings as well. On the other hand, we record the lower-level effect of the impulse response for some institutional environment variables in the considered Africa economies under review. There is an indication that innovation disturbance on inflation is negative and needs to be managed. Also, improving inflation, law, voice, and political stability proves to be important for financial deepening and foreign investment inflows to the region. We further undertook the granger causality test to examine the impact with which institutional environment could influence the deepening of the financial sector in Africa. Also, private sector credit allocation to GDP (PCrBank) and monetary aggregates to GDP (M2) are observed to granger cause foreign direct investment inflows to the continent. Press freedom and civil liberties (VOIC), law and efficient regulation are found to help in FDI attractiveness. In this study, we find that it is important for African countries to reform their institutions, build absorptive capacity and deepen their financial markets to make them attractive to the inflow of foreign direct investment.D. Phil. (Management Studies)Business Managemen
The almost mystic : John Wesley's editing of the Spanish Mystics, Juan de Avila and Miguel de Molinos, in his Christian library
No full textBibliography: leaves 286 - 295John Wesley, 18ᵗʰ Century Church of England priest and founder of Methodism, was strongly
influenced by the works of Roman Catholic Mystics early in his ministry. These writings helped
shape his widely known doctrine of Christian perfection or entire sanctification. The mystics
inspired Wesley to advocate for a lofty spiritual goal which he believed to be attainable in this
life. In time, however, he developed many contentions with some extremes as well as many
particulars found in the mystical tradition.
Beginning in 1749, Wesley began to publish his Christian Library—a fifty- volume compilation of
abridged works which he believed to be among the best writings on divinity that had been published
in the English language. Among this vast collection, he included three works originally written in
the Spanish language. One was a biography titled, The Holy Life of Gregory Lopez, the others included a sampling of letters by Juan de Ávila
and the Spiritual Guide by Miguel de Molinos.
This thesis examines Wesley’s editing of the non-biographical works by Ávila and Molinos as a way
of evaluating Wesley’s theology in comparison and contrast with the Spanish Mystics. The original
17ᵗʰ Century English publications of both works were compared side-by-side with Wesley’s edited versions. Wesley’s alterations were carefully noted and
categorized by topic. The available corpuses of each of these authors were then consulted to
examine their respective theological perspectives. A comparative study ensued.
The themes to which Wesley made alterations include theological authority, self- knowledge and
epistemology, soteriology, spiritual growth, suffering and divine withdrawal, prayer, meditation,
contemplation, mystical language, and the spiritual climax or telos. The chapters are arranged
topically to address these themes. Each chapter draws from Ávila’s body of writings to examine his
perspective on the theme, followed by Wesley’s editing of Ávila on that topic, then looks at
Molinos’ understanding of the idea recorded in his works, followed by Wesley’s editing of Molinos on the
matter, then explores Wesley’s views on the subject found in his broader corpus, and concludes with
a comparative study of the preceding.D. Phil. (Theology)Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
An exploratory study of the influence of sustainable food labelling on consumers' purchase intention of food products
No full textSouth African research has not focussed on the influence sustainable labelling has on purchase intention through the application of the Theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Also,the understanding of sustainable labelling in South Africa has not been explored in terms of UTZ, nor Fairtrade certification. This study aimed to explore the influence of sustainable labeling, specifically UTZ and Fairtrade, on consumers’ intention to purchase food products. The conceptual framework was developed to support a theoretical approach to the study, that The conceptual framework was developed to support a theoretical approach to the study, The conceptual framework was developed to support a theoretical approach to the study, that included the TPB, as well as the key constructs the research explored. A qualitative exploratory study was designed, using convenient, purposeful and snowball sampling methods to recruit 16 participants via Facebook, who have heard of sustainable food labelling within the borders of South-Africa. Participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews, conducted on Microsoft Teams. From the content analysed data it emerged that articipants were concerned about the environment and were more familiar and informed regarding the UTZ label than the Fairtrade label. Although there was clear concern for the environment the cost implication of sustainable labelled food products was highlighted as an obstacle. This study contributes to the gap within South-African research in terms of showing the consumers’ understanding of sustainable food labels.M.A. (Consumer Science)Life and Consumer Science
Barriers to access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents in Ethiopia: a sequential mixed-methods study
No full textObjective: To investigate and explore the barriers of access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among adolescents. Design: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was implemented with two phases. The questionnaire was created and used by five trained research assistants for the quantitative component of the study (phase I). In phase II, the qualitative component of the study included focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescents. Setting: This study was conducted in rural areas of five secondary schools in Arsi zone, Ethiopia. Participants: In both phases, 15–19 years adolescents participated in the study. For the quantitative phase, a total of 800 randomly selected adolescents responded to the questionnaire, while 24 adolescents participated during FGDs until data saturation was reached. Primary and secondary outcome measures: For outcome variables, the respondents were asked if they used any SRH services in the past 12 months. It was recorded as 0=no and 1=yes. Results: Overall, SRH service utilisation was 208 (26.1%) among adolescents. Being aged 17–19 years adjusted OR, AOR 3.44, 95% CI 2.15 to 5.51). Grades 11 and 12 (AOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.32). Lack of income (AOR 0.0.43, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.61). Ever had sexual contact (AOR
3.04 CI 95% CI 2.15 to 4.29) and being knowledgeable on SRH service (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.05) were factors associated with outcome variable. The barriers hindering
access and use of SRH services were found at the facility level, provider level, community level and personal level. Conclusion The research found a low level of SRH services access and utilisation among adolescents due to several factors. Interventions to design-specific policies and educational programmes are needed to promote healthy practices.Health Studie
The influence of initiation on male learners’ behaviour in the Amathole East District
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and XhosaThe customary initiation of adolescent boys into manhood, which usually involves male circumcision, is widely practised around the world, amongst others for religious, health-related, and cultural reasons.
This study investigated 12 participants’ perspectives on the effects which initiation rites had on the behaviour of male learners in the Amatole East District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Initiation rites differ from one ethno-racial and cultural grouping to the next, but here the focus was on Xhosa initiates, and how their initiation influenced their behaviour upon their return to school.
The researcher undertook a qualitative study which focused on four secondary schools in Dutywa, with the participants being purposively sampled for the diverse and rich data they could supply: four learners who had undergone initiation, four educators and four tradition leaders, all drawn from the Xhosa community. Guided by the interpretivist approach, the researcher actively interacted with various aspects of the study. In-depth interviews were conducted, after which the data were analysed thematically. Responsible citizenship, respectfulness, the transition to maturity, and the preservation of cultural traditions emerged as themes guiding the expected educational behavioural outcomes of the initiated boys.
The findings revealed that the perceptions of the three categories of study participants differed on whether initiation influenced the male learners’ behaviour. Despite there being common responses in respect of the purpose of conducting or participating in such rites – namely to graduate boys into manhood – the educators/teachers reported undesirable behavioural changes on the part of the initiates. A recommendation stemming from the study, is that medically trained personnel participate in circumcisions, which are a key part of Xhosa initiation rites.Die gebruiklike inisiering van tienerseuns na manlikheid, wat gewoonlik manlike besnyding behels, word wereldwyd beoefen vir onder andere, geloofs-, gesondheids- en kulturele redes.
Die studie het 12 deelnemers se perspektiewe op die invloed van inisiasierites op die gedrag van manlike leerders in die Amatole-Oos Distrik van die Oos-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, ondersoek. Inisiasierites verskil van een etno-ras- en kulturele groepering tot die volgende, maar die fokus was op Xhosa-inisiering en hoe hul inisiering hul gedrag beinvloed het toe hulle teruggekeer het skool toe.
Die navorser het 'n kwalitatiewe studie onderneem wat op vier sekondêre skole in Dutywa gefokus het, met die deelnemers wat doelbewus gekies is vir die diverse en ryk data wat hulle kan voorsien: vier leerders wat inisiering ondergaan het, vier opvoeders en vier tradisionele leiers, almal uit die Xhosa-gemeenskap. Die navorser het die interpretivistiese benadering gebruik om met verskeie aspekte van die studie om te gaan. Diepgaande onderhoude is gevoer waarna die data tematies ontleed is. Verantwoordelike burgerskap, eerbiedigheid, die oorgang na volwassenheid en die behoud van kulturele tradisies het as temas na vore gekom wat die verwagte opvoedkundige gedraguitkomste van die geinisieerde seuns gelei het.
Die bevindings het getoon dat die persepsies van die drie kategoriee van die studiedeelnemers verskil oor of die inisiering die manlike leerders se gedrag beinvloed het. Ondanks die algemene reaksies oor die doel daarvan om aan sulke rites deel te neem – naamlik om seuns in manlikheid te laat gradueer – het opvoeders/onderwysers ongewensde gedragsveranderinge in die geinisieerdes opgemerk. Die studie beveel aan dat personeel wat medies opgelei is in besnydenis, wat 'n sleutelrol in Xhosa-inisieringsrites speel, aan die rites deelneem.Isiko lokungeniswa kwamakhwenkwe afikisayo ebudodeni elidla ngokubandakanya ulwaluko lwamakhwenkwe lenziwa ngokubanzi kwihlabathi liphela. Eli siko lidla ngokwenzelwa phantsi kwezizathu zonqulo, ezinxulemene nezempilo, kunye nezenkcubeko.
Olu phando luphande izimvo zabathathinxaxheba abali12 kwiziphumo zemicimbi yesiko lolwaluko ezithe zakho kwindlela yokuziphatha kwabafundi abangamakhwenkwe kwiMpuma yeSithili iAmathole sePhondo leMpuma Koloni, eMzantsi Afrika. Imicimbi yesiko lolwaluko yahlukile kuleyo yohlanga neyenkcubeko. Nangona kunjalo, olu phando belugxile kumakhwenkwe olukileyo angamaXhosa nokuba ukungeniswa kwawo kubeneziphumo ezinjani kwindlela yokuziphatha xa ebuyele esikolweni.
Umphandi wenze uphandontyilazwi obelugxile kwizikolo ezine zamabanga aphezulu, eDutywa. Kolu phando kukhethwe abathathinxaxheba ngendlela yovandlakanyo olunenjongo ukubonelela idatha eyahlukileyo neninzi: abafundi abane abaye bangeniswa, ootitshala abane kunye neenkokheli zemveli ezine, kwaye bonke bathathwe kuluntu lwamaXhosa. Umphandi uye wajongana nemiba eyahlukileyo kolu phando ngokukhokelwe yindlela yokufumana ubunzulu obungakumbi ngokukhangela amava neengcamango zomxholo othile wezentlalo (interpretivist approach). Idatha ihlalutywe ngokohlalutyontyilazwi lomongo emva kokuba kwenziwe udliwanondlebe olunzulu nabathathinxaxheba. Kuye kwavela imixholo ekhokela iziphumo ezilindelekileyo zokuziphatha kwamakhwenkwe angenisiweyo kwezemfundo, efana nobumi obunoxanduva okanye obulawulekayo, ukuba nentlonipho, ukukhula, kunye nokulondolozwa kwamasiko nezithethe zenkcubeko.
Iziphumo zibonise ukuba izimvo zala maqela mathathu athathe inxaxheba kuphando zahlukile ekubeni ukungeniswa kubeneziphumo kwindlela yokuziphatha kwabafundi abangamakhwenkwe. Nangona kukho iimpendulo eziqhelekileyo ngokubhekiselele kwinjongo yokwenza okanye ukuthatha inxaxheba kwimicimbi enjalo yesiko neyezithethe - oko kukuthi ukuphumelelisa amakhwenkwe ebudodeni - abafundisintsapho/ootitshala babike utshintsho olungafunekiyo kwindlela yokuziphatha kwicala lamakhwenkwe angenisiweyo okanye olukileyo. Olu phando lucebisa ukuba abasebenzi abaqeqeshwe kwezonyango bathathe inxaxheba kulwaluko noluyinxalenye ephambili kwimicimbi yesiko lokungeniswa okanye lolwaluko kumaXhosa.M. Ed. (Socio-Education)Educational Studie
A case study for wetland restoration towards socio-ecological appreciation of natural resources in Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa)
No full textSocial cognitive theory suggests that in order to bring about change in society an environment conducive to change is imperative. This theory was investigated within a socio-ecological framework using a comparative study of a semi-rural community and an urban transit camp community located within the Adams Rural Wetland and the Isipingo Wetland (KwaZulu-Natal), respectively. These communities are located in the vicinity of critically endangered wetlands where the endangered Hyperolius pickersgilli (Pickersgill’s reed frog) occurs. As such, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Programme conducted ecological rehabilitation and habitat protection to secure a suitable habitat for this frog. As part of these initiatives, wetland health assessments were conducted using WET-Health and socio-ecological assessments using questionnaires administered to local residents as a basis for measuring changes in the wetland system and associated community attitudes towards these systems, respectively. WET-Health results showed the Adams Rural Wetland to be in a better ecological state with a health score of 81% while Isipingo scored just 22%. The socio-ecological assessments revealed that 85% of the Adams Rural Wetland community members felt positive about where they lived, citing “peace” and “quiet” as the main benefits. On the other hand, only 17% of the Isipingo Wetland community felt positive in this regard, citing accessibility and economic savings as the realised benefits. The attitude assessments revealed that 54% of the Adams Rural Wetland community scored above average in positivity towards the environment in comparison to 29% of community members from the Isipingo Wetland. It was also observed that the community at Adams Rural Wetland made more use of local natural resources (36%) than the Isipingo Wetland community, where only 8% of community members use locally sourced natural resources. This indicates that a person’s positivity and attitude towards the environment decreases as natural resource availability and ecological health decrease. Furthermore, social and ecological restoration interventions improve attitudes towards the environment and ecological conditions. It may be concluded that, firstly, an intact ecological infrastructure allows communities to utilise their environment more effectively, which may foster a greater appreciation of the natural environment and, secondly, restoration interventions can positively affect social and ecological systems, providing a strong basis for ecological restoration towards the promotion of socio-ecological integrity.M.A. (Nature Conservation)Environmental Science
Unconscionability and a breach of a negative stipulation in the underlying contract as exceptions to the autonomy principle of demand guarantees in South Africa
Get PDFDemand guarantees are an established part of international trade and construction. They are traditionally simple instruments under which the obligation to pay a beneficiary a fixed or up to maximum sum arises merely upon presenting a demand in the prescribed form, sometimes with supporting documents if required thereunder. The autonomy/independence principle, which mandates non-interference with the obligation to pay under a demand guarantee on any ground extraneous to the demand guarantee itself, is a fundamental cornerstone of demand guarantees. It is complemented by their documentary nature which requires the determination of whether a demand is compliant and triggers a payment obligation to be based on the presented documents alone, as appraised against the requirements in the demand guarantee.
Over time a limited number of exceptions to the autonomy principle, e.g., fraud and illegality in the underlying contract, have gained recognition, including under South African law. Whether further exceptions should be recognised is a pertinent question and has arisen before South African courts, the answer to which is devoid of consensus. Recognising further exceptions to the autonomy principle carries significant consequences. Going too far in one direction would erode the autonomy principle and, consequently, the nature and utility of demand guarantees. Leaning too far in the opposite direction and doggedly applying the autonomy principle may promote abuse and undermine demand guarantees.
This thesis will examine how well (or not) the breach of negative stipulation and unconscionability exceptions are developed, their pros and cons and what further developments could enhance clarity regarding their position under South African law. Jurisdictions with more mature and established positions in respect of demand guarantees and exceptions, particularly Australia, and England which has historically influenced aspects of South African law, are useful sources of guidance. International rules/standards, the UNCITRAL Convention and any guidance they may offer will also be considered. How they address the two exceptions and what South Africa can learn will be examined. This thesis is intended to be a comprehensive resource and original contribution to crafting a clear South African law position in this regard.LL. D.Mercantile La
The impact of incarceration on young offenders' access to quality education in Malawi's penitentiary facilities
No full textThere is a dearth of research on incarcerated young offenders‘ access to education in African penitentiaries. This study was aimed at investigating how the incarceration of young offenders impacts on their rights and access to quality education in Malawi. Guided by Good Lives Model, Risk Needs Responsivity, systems and Marxist theories as the theoretical framework, the study adopted a mixed-methods research approach in the pragmatic research paradigm, utilising a convergent design. The study involved 340 participants at five young offenders‘ facilities. The first phase involved the randomly selected 290 incarcerated young offenders in a semi-structured survey for descriptive quantitative data collection. In the second qualitative interviews phase, 27 young offenders and 25 educators and officials were purposively selected. Additionally, 25 ex-young offenders were selected using quota and snowball sampling techniques. The study also used the researcher's observations to triangulate survey and interview results. The qualitative data was analysed using narrative and qualitative content analysis approaches, while quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS (v. 22) descriptive statistical tools. The key finding of this study was that the incarceration of school-aged young offenders negatively affected their rights and access to quality education in Malawi. This conclusion was arrived at because the study found that most young offenders had academic and psychosocial problems that were not adequately addressed during their incarceration due to the absence of individualised comprehensive rehabilitation programming that includes education. Secondly, even though education was highly perceived as the most meaningful existing programme at the five facilities, 76% of the incarcerated school-aged young people (N=753) were not enrolled in any education programme, mainly due to some facilities‘ coercive farming activities. The trend was also attributed to the inadequacy of resources, the inmates' lack of educational interest and motivation, and the absence of education at one male facility and female sections. Finally, the study found that due to a lack of post-release support, the schooling plans of many ex-inmates were generally shattered. In light of the challenges, this study proposed a seven-phase rehabilitation framework applicable in developing countries to guide young offenders‘ incarceration, and made some policy recommendations.D. Phil. (Adult Education)Adult Basic Education (ABET