21838 research outputs found
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The sexualisation of Black women in revealing western clothing in the media - a contributing factor to sexual violence in South Africa
No full textSexual violence against girls and women is a global problem and South Africa is regarded as having one of the highest incidences of rape in the world. Sexual violence is not limited to just the physical violation, it also includes verbal acts such as catcalling and groping. Many reasons (rape myths) have been given by the perpetrators of sexual violence, and they range from alcohol, ‘misunderstanding’ to lack of control. In most cases, the reason given is that the victim herself was tempting, provocative and seductive either in her actions or in how she presented herself. In South Africa, there have been a prevalent case of Black girls/women being stripped naked publicly for the way they were dressed (miniskirts or shorts). The men involved in these instances see this as a ‘corrective’ and deterrence measure that aims to uphold the dignity of traditions and cultures. These same men then turn around and applaud Black girls/women dressed in even more “revealing” clothes. The reason behind the men’s negative thinking towards revealing western clothes is linked to how they perceive women, a perception that is often linked to the media.
Using the theory of objectification (and others), the study looked at the perceptions Black South African men have towards Black South African women when they are dressed in “revealing” clothes and whether it contributed to the high number of sexually violent crimes in the country. This was a qualitative study and used an online questionnaire with 120 participants taking part. The study focused on 34 critical questions in which participants answered questions on their perceptions of media and its influence on their views of Black women particularly in revealing clothes. The study showed over 80% of the participants agreed that western style clothes are revealing and 87% stated that women are sexually harassed by men because of the revealing western clothes they wore. The participants also viewed traditional clothes differently from western clothes with 78% stating that they do not hold the same value in society.
And so, a reduction of sexual content on all media platforms, education on sex that includes the acknowledgement of women as human beings at school, the re-introduction of traditional values and the use of the various traditional spaces to educate young men would assist in changing the perception that Black South African men have towards Black South African girls and women.M.A. (Gender Studies)Gender Studie
Utilisation of telehealth by primary health care nurses in Tshwane District health facilities
No full textpurpose of this study was to explore the utilisation of telehealth by primary health care nurses. The study focused on the utilisation of telehealth related to the availability of technological resources, competency of the primary health care nurses, its benefits, challenges and recommendations for effective utilisation of telehealth. The setting was a purposefully selected area in the specific sub-district with five clinics in the Tshwane district health services. A qualitative phenomenological exploratory design was adopted. The population was primary health care nurses working in primary health care facilities. Non-probability purposive sampling was adopted as the researcher sampled eleven participants. Data was collected for 15 to 20 minutes in the form of semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews until data saturation was reached at Participant Number 11. An interview guide and Audio Digital Recorder (ADR) were used for data collection and field notes were written. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that telehealth was utilised for health promotion, prevention and evaluation of client care. The study revealed that the work telephone landline was the available technological resource in all healthcare facilities. Participants were competent in the utilisation of work landline telephone. The utilisation of telehealth benefited the clients and the organisation. The participants had challenges related to the clients, the organisation and general challenges. The study recommended procurement of technological resources, recruitment of staff, training of primary health care nurses, the inclusion of the utilisation of telehealth in nursing education, policy development and funding.M.A. (Nursing Science)Health Studie
Strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the partograph as a labour management tool
No full textAccording to the National Department of Health (NDoH) (2021a), the majority of maternal deaths in South Africa are preventable. Most women die because of obstetric haemorrhage or obstructed labour, both of which have highly effective management protocols, one of which is the use of the partograph for labour management. The purpose of the study was to determine the use and effectiveness of the partograph as a labour management tool and to develop strategies to improve its use.
The quantitative objectives of the study were to determine and describe the extent of the use of the partograph in monitoring and managing labour in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa and to establish if the partograph is implemented according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1994a) and Midwifery Guidelines in South Africa (NDoH 2016). The qualitative objectives were to explore and describe the perceptions of midwives, student midwives and operational managers in the use of the partograph.
A mixed method, sequential explanatory and retrospective design was used. The study was conducted in four phases. The population for Phase 1 comprised records of all mothers who gave birth vaginally or by emergency caesarean section in the healthcare facilities between 1 September 2019 and 29 February 2020. Systematic sampling was used to sample partographs. A checklist was developed based on the WHO’s (1994a) standards and the Midwifery Guidelines in South Africa (NDoH 2016) for partograph review. The population for Phase 2 comprised of midwives working in maternity wards and student midwives for the focus group discussions. The operational managers of maternity wards were the population for the in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was done to select the study participants.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. The demographic parameters on the partograph were the most recorded. Age was recorded in 95.1% of cases, parity in 97.8%, adequacy of pelvis in 94.7%, gestational age 84% and type of labour in 81.5% of partographs. The foetal condition, though recorded mostly in 88.2% of partographs on admission, was recorded half-hourly in 33.6% of partographs during the active Phase of labour. In 88.4% of partographs, there was no documentation of contractions in the latent Phase of labour and 36.5% of partographs had half-hourly recordings of contractions during the active Phase of labour. Though the cervical dilatation was recorded in 100% of partographs on admission, only 45.4% had recordings during the active Phase of labour. The maternal condition was recorded once in 45.9% of partographs. The treatment was recorded in 66.4% of partographs. The management plan and the next intended review time were recorded in 11.8% and 11.6% respectively.
The findings for qualitative data were analysed and presented thematically. Themes emerged during the focus group discussions and in-depth interviews included: the perceptions of midwives; challenges health workers encountered in the workplace and recommendations that may improve partograph use. In Phase 3, the quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using the Pillar Integration Process (PIP) methodology.
In Phase 4, strategies were developed based on the four themes from Phase 3. The proposed strategies were evaluated through external review. Implementing the proposed strategies through involving all stakeholders might improve the use of maternal health care services, thereby enhancing partograph use for labour management.D Litt et Phil. (Nursing)Health Studie
Strategies to shape the peer education programme in urban-based universities in KwaZulu Natal
No full textAbstract and text in EnglishSouth Africa continues to face a high HIV burden, disproportionately affecting young people, especially females. Peer education programmes in universities play a vital role in promoting health awareness and behaviour change, yet the diverse lived experiences of peer educators remain underexplored.
One of the persistent challenges in higher education is to develop peer education programmes that not only promote health but also address the different ways in which peer educators experience and understand their roles. The phenomenographic research approach, which is a qualitative methodology, can inform effective programme design to meet these challenges. This study aimed to explore these diverse experiences and to develop strategies for strengthening the Peer Education Programme in urban-based universities in KwaZulu-Natal.
An exploratory multi-phase design, underpinned by phenomenography, integrative literature review, and Delphi validation, was carried out. Data were collected in three phases. In Phase One, semi-structured interviews were conducted with peer educators (N = 20) to capture the variation in their experiences. Five categories of description were constructed: (i) creating safe and inclusive environments, (ii) developing hard and soft skills, (iii) navigating challenges and barriers, (iv) understanding and enacting the peer educator role, and (v) strategies for improvement. These categories were synthesised into an outcome space that revealed a developmental trajectory: beginning with foundational experiences of safety and belonging, progressing through skill acquisition and role identity formation, and culminating in forward-looking strategies for sustainability. At its highest level, the outcome space reflected a transformative orientation, where peer educators moved beyond personal growth to advocate for systemic change and institutional integration.
In Phase Two, the categories were triangulated with an integrative literature review, systematically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) framework. This informed the development of eight strategies: capacity development, programme integration, holistic support, programme expansion, impact measurement, innovative delivery methods, digitisation , and consistent recognition. In Phase Three, a Delphi panel of experts (N = 10) validated the strategies, confirming their feasibility and scalability. Findings suggest that peer education is most effective when conceptualised as both a learning and leadership process, positioning peer educators as agents of personal transformation and institutional change. The validated strategies enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and institutional integration, ensuring that peer education remains contextually relevant and impactful within higher education.
This study contributes to higher education by providing evidence-based strategies for optimising peer education and demonstrates the value of combining phenomenography, literature review, and Delphi validation in designing contextually relevant interventions.D. Phil. (Sociology)Sociolog
Parental involvement at a technical vocational education and training college (TVET) in the Limpopo Province in South Africa
No full textThis study sought to evaluate parental involvement in the educational lives of students, at a selected Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Parental involvement contributes to emotional, intellectual and social development. The literature of the last decades ascribes children's development of essential skills, good and acceptable values and resilience to parental involvement. Research confirms that when parents support their children, they feel empowered to make good decisions and want to achieve their personal and academic goals. In this context, the current study explored the insights that are gained from the perceptions of various stakeholders on the role of parental involvement in the learning of students in their late adolescence, pursuing opportunities to achieve qualification. This qualitative study used individual interviews and focus-group discussions to generate data. The study sample comprised of five lecturers, three management staff, five students, and four parents. The findings revealed that many factors hinder parental involvement, such as - a lack of college policy and programmes to foster parental-inclusion and poor communication among stakeholders. Lecturers indicated that parents are not interested in their children's education, hence, they do not get involved in their children's education, although the participating parents indicated ways in which they could be involved. The dissertation concludes that hosting workshops for college managers, lecturers and parents is essential to cultivate parental involvement, in the students’ academic journey.M. Ed. (Educational Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
A CNN approach to the identification of abnormal train driver behaviour in a passenger railway train driver’s cab
No full textThe safety and efficiency of railway operations heavily rely on the alertness and appropriate behaviour of train drivers. However, factors such as fatigue, distraction, and stress can lead to abnormal driver behaviour, increasing the risk of accidents. This dissertation presents a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based approach for identifying abnormal train driver behaviour in a passenger railway train driver’s cab. The proposed model processes real-time video and sensor data to detect deviations from normal driving patterns. A dataset of train driver behaviours is compiled and pre-processed for training and testing the CNN model. Various architectures are explored to enhance accuracy and minimize false positives. The model is validated against real-world scenarios, demonstrating its effectiveness in recognizing unsafe driver actions such as drowsiness, distraction, and inattentiveness. The findings suggest that deep learning techniques, particularly CNNs, can significantly contribute to proactive railway safety measures. Future research may focus on integrating multimodal data sources and real-time deployment for enhanced railway security and operational reliability.M.A. (Engineering)College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
Unlocking Knowledge for All: Responsible Management and Equitable sharing in the Age of Open Access
No full textA framework for the promotion of a sustainable practice for street food vending in the Tshwane metropolis
No full textThis study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of street food vendors (SFVs) in the City of Tshwane, with a particular focus on understanding the factors influencing the sustainability of their businesses. The research sought to identify gaps in entrepreneurial and business management skills among SFVs and to propose a framework that promotes the development of sustainable street food vending businesses. In doing so, the study addressed broader socio-economic concerns and practices associated with street food consumption.
A qualitative exploratory research design was employed to gain in-depth insights into the experiences of street food vendors. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a participatory observation approach. A purposive sampling strategy was used to select a total of 15 SFVs, ensuring relevance and richness of data. The collected data were analysed through content analysis to identify patterns and themes related to SFV sustainability.
The findings revealed that SFVs predominantly determine their food pricing based on the fluctuating market prices of ingredients, occasionally adjusting prices in response to perceived consumer value. SFVs demonstrated a fair level of knowledge regarding food preparation and hygiene, which influenced their attitude and practices. However, a significant deficiency in business management and entrepreneurial skills was observed. Many SFVs lacked adequate business management skills and entrepreneurial skills for operating a SFV business, limiting their ability to sustain and grow their businesses. These gaps directly contribute to the high rate of business failure in the SFV sector.
The study recommends the development and implementation of structured training programmes focused on business management and entrepreneurial skills to help sustain and develop the livelihoods of SFVs. These programmes should be designed and delivered through collaborative efforts between
government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and relevant stakeholders. Capacity building initiatives should address financial literacy, marketing strategies, and sustainable business practices tailored to the unique context of informal street food vending.
Practically, the study provides a framework for policymakers and development agencies to enhance the sustainability of SFV businesses, contributing to economic empowerment and food security. Theoretically, the findings enrich the body of knowledge on informal sector entrepreneurship, highlighting the intersection of urbanisation and the informal economy. The study underscores the need for context-specific interventions that bridge knowledge gaps and support the livelihoods of SFVs while addressing safe food practice challenges.D. Phil. (Consumer Science)Life and Consumer Science
The exploratory study to investigate the future of newspapers in the digital age : the case study of Daily Dispatch and Go& Express newspapers
No full textThis study aimed to comprehensively examine the future of traditional newspapers, specifically the Daily Dispatch and Go! & Express, amid the transformative challenges and opportunities presented to them by the digital age. The background shows a concerning trend attesting to declining readership and advertising revenue in the wake of digital platforms and social media, which have fundamentally altered how news was traditionally consumed. The study identified a pronounced shift in reader preferences, particularly among younger demographics, who prioritised the speed, convenience, and accessibility of digital news over the traditional print format. Using an interpretivism research paradigm, the study employed qualitative approach, conducted with 10 in-depth interviews with employees selected from the targeted newspapers to gather insights into their experiences and perspectives.
The findings reveal that while the digital landscape has posed significant threats to the traditional print format, such as a substantial decrease in subscriptions, increased competition from diverse online news sources, and a shift in advertising budgets towards digital channels, it has also presented substantial opportunities for revitalisation and innovation. Notably, the study emphasised the potential of data-driven journalism to enhance audience engagement and the importance of expanding reach into previously inaccessible geographic markets. To navigate these challenges effectively, the research recommended that the Daily Dispatch and Go! & Express undertake a multi-faceted strategy that included seamless integration of digital and print operations, fostering a culture of innovation through experimental, platform-agnostic content formats, and aggressively recruiting a new generation of digital-first professionals equipped with the skills necessary for tackling modern journalism.
Additionally, leveraging granular audience data to tailor content to meet evolving reader interests and enhancing their online presence were crucial strategies for ensuring long-term viability. Ultimately, this study underscored the urgent need for traditional media outlets to adapt to new age media their business models and content strategies fundamentally to, ensuring they remained relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving media environment where digital dominance continued to reshape the landscape of news consumptionM.A. (Communication Science)Communication Scienc
An African perspective on cosmopolitan-ness as an ethical counter to cosmopolitanism and economic globalisation
No full textAbstract and text in EnglishEconomic globalisation is advanced by some Western scholars as a system aimed at enhancing interconnection and weaving of humankind at a planetary level. It is also viewed as a combination of knowledge and skills that link people through interaction and substantial cooperation. The influence of economic globalisation on different aspects of today’s society has garnered significant academic interest. For example, it has evoked from African scholars the criticism that it does not meet African expectations because it is ethically questionable. This critique persists, arguing that economic globalisation is the West’s new tool to bolster its abusive attitudes towards less industrialised nations. They argue further that economic globalisation promotes inequality within and between people and destroys and dislodges communities or nations’ well-being. One of its shortcomings is that the prevailing socio-economic structure is “unjust” from its inception. The notion of cosmopolitanism has been coined to back the argument that since people share the same world, they should interconnect with one another. This can be achieved through means such as interaction, exchange or trade, the mobility of people, and goods. Cosmopolitanism means the strive towards world citizenship. Relevant literature reveals that a significant proportion of studies has been conducted on the topic of economic globalisation. However, little interest appears to have been directed towards underlining ethical aspects associated with economic globalisation from an African perspective. This study’s relevance is assessed in terms of its expected contribution to global economic decision-making and related spheres of life. The approach of this study is principally philosophicalPh. D. (Philosophy)Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theolog