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Legislative protection measures against bullying in the South African workplace
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Law, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe primary objective of this study is to determine and assess the current legislative protection measures against workplace bullying in South Africa. This topic is not well-researched within the South African context and has limited academic sources. Since the enactment of the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace in March 2022,1 the South African legal framework on protection against workplace bullying changed drastically. The study discusses the current legislation as well as all legislation prior to March 2022 within the South African context
Hermeneutiek van kerkreg toegepas op die kerkorde van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika
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Doctor in Kerkreg, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe purpose of this study was to show that hermeunetics of church polity is of the utmost importance in the interpretation and application of a church order. The necessity of this study is due to the absence of hermeunetics of church polity with many users of a church order. This results in the wrong interpretation and application of a church order. Hermeunetics of church order requires certain hermeunetic principles which are necessary for the forming of such hermeunetics from which a church order can be implemented and applied. An overview is given of the development of hermeunetics as a science. The purpose of this is to see how the various principles of Hermeunetics bear relation to the hermeunetics of church polity. Various historical church orders were discussed in order to see if these documents had an infulence on the Church Order of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA). An hermeunetical principle which is essential to the understanding of a church order is the relation it has with the Bible and the church’ creed. This relationship was shown in such that the church order can be seen as an extension of the church’ creed, without being given the same authority to the Church Order as to the Bible and creed. The implementation of the NRCA’s Church Order is based on a resolution of it’s general assembly. This gives the Church Order a certain authority, again not equal to that of the Bible and creed. The results obtained from this study were then applied to the Church Order of the NRCA. This was done by posting the uniqueness of various principles of church polity as well as regulations from the Church Order against the background that a unique approach and way of thinking is required when acting in the church
Developing guidelines to inform the decolonisation of Health Sciences curricula at the North-West University
Get PDFDoctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences with Health Professions Education, North-West University-- Potchefstroom CampusThe need for transformation in Higher Education (HE) has become evident for various reasons. In response to the imperative for curriculum transformation in HE, the concept of decolonisation has emerged as a catalyst for reshaping curricula and educational practices. The pivotal moment in addressing decolonisation in HE came with student-led movements such as #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall. These movements challenged Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to reevaluate existing curricula in response to the students' demands. Decolonisation presents a unique opportunity to confront and rectify the persistent legacies of colonialism. However, concerns have been raised about institutional efforts. A risk exists that decolonisation might be reduced to a mere metaphor for curriculum renewal and transformation, lacking commitment to practical implementation within the curriculum. Despite extensive debates, discussions, and publications on decolonising curricula, there is a noticeable absence of a shared understanding of the concept of decolonisation and practical guidelines, particularly in Health Sciences disciplines. This lack of guidance hinders the facilitation of the decolonisation process. This study seeks to address this gap by proposing practical guidelines academics can apply as a roadmap for curriculum transformation. Hence, the central question this research aimed to answer was: What guidelines could be developed to inform the decolonisation of Health Sciences curricula at the North-West University? Strategies of inquiry included a literature review and an empirical study. The scoping literature review explored the nature of decolonisation within Health Sciences and how decolonisation is used as a vehicle for transformation in HE. The findings indicate that the nature of decolonisation in Health Sciences is described as the process of acknowledging the impact of colonialism; combatting injustice and inequities; reclaiming and revaluing heritage; and interrogating knowledge to find alternative ways of knowing, being and doing. Fourteen (14) decolonial actions were identified from the literature and presented as an action framework. The empirical study investigated how academics in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) perceive decolonisation within their discipline. A workshop methodology was adopted and during theworkshops qualitative data were collected using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). The insights gained were used to inform the development of practical guidelines to assist academics in decolonising their curricula. To develop the guidelines this researcher made use of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation instrument (AGREE II). This instrument, comprising six domains, provided a strategy for the development of the guidelines and contributed to validity. The developed guidelines can assist academics to recognise the impact of colonialism, promote social justice and inclusion, embrace cultural heritage, and explore alternative ways of knowing, being and doing. Providing concrete guidelines, addresses the challenge academics in Health Sciences face of not knowing how to decolonise their curricula. It is evident that as academics’ knowledge of the decolonisation process increases, negative perceptions decrease, and the necessity of the process becomes apparent. Having clear guidelines to follow may therefore assist academics and HEIs in embracing opportunities to decolonise.Doctor of Philosoph
The School Principal as a Systems Thinker: A Case of School Health Promotion in a Public School in South Africa
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Education (Educational Leadership (Edu-Lead) )--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusSystems thinking is often recommended in educational institutions to improve quality and increase learning outcomes. However, a shared understanding of this concept in the promotion of school health and the role of school principals in its application is limited. The education system in general and schools in particular, have been described as complex, where often human adaptation to localised circumstances is necessary to achieve success. This research focused on two important factors: the role of a principal as systems thinker in school health promotion; and the importance of systems thinking in school health promotion. Qualitative research using a single case study of a high school in the Free State province
was conducted with six school management team members including one principal, one deputy and four heads of department, and seven teachers, who were interviewed individually and in a group. The findings revealed that systems thinking has a potential for capacity building and strengthening of programmes through the accessing of systems knowledge, provision of systems leadership and the establishment of a collaborative culture
African childhoods and Christian faith communities: A practical-theological engagement
Get PDFMagister of Theology in Pastoral Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThere is an underlying global and local societal view that children are of lesser value than adults. This view of the humanity and dignity of children has far-reaching effects on children, families, communities and societies at large. Faith communities have not escaped the effects of how childhood has been constructed historically. This reality urges contemporary theology and the broader faith community to examine how the praxis of faith communities either reproduces or resists dehumanising constructions of childhood and steer it in a different direction. Heeding this call, this study explores how faith communities can become partners in liberating African childhoods by examining what children’s partnering role would entail in practice. The study is situated in the field of practical theology, which has its interest in the intentional actions – praxis – of faith communities and its implications for children and their holistic well-being. Richard Osmer’s approach to practical-theological interpretation is used to discover how we can respond to the need to see children’s humanity by applying the lenses of the Christian faith and how believers can act accordingly within the context of faith communities. Firstly, this study presents fragments from children’s lives to illustrate childhood images in African thought and to probe the implications of these childhood images on children’s everyday lives. Secondly, an interdisciplinary childhood studies perspective is used to gain an understanding of historical and contemporary ideas associated with African childhoods. Based on the findings of the first two sections, the study reimagines the construction of African childhoods from a child theology perspective. Lastly, strategic directions for the partnership role of faith communities concerning children and the affirmation of their full humanity in society are presented
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds as a natural coagulant for water turbidity treatment: assessment of efficacy and dosage
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Research Focus Areas-- Potchefstroom CampusThe quality of river and borehole water fluctuates because of both agricultural and industrial pollutants. Surface runoff during the rainy seasons is high which promote increased turbidity levels in water sources, and this exerts pressure on the quality and usability of the water for domestic use. Unfortunately, most municipalities in developing countries are poor to afford conventional water treatment methods. This study assessed the use of natural coagulants extracted from sunflower seeds for turbidity treatment. Water samples were collected during summer, winter, and autumn from 10 randomly selected groundwater sources and three segments of the Mwerahari River in Buhera District, Zimbabwe. Results captured seasonal turbidity variations across the river segments and the boreholes. Summer season recorded the maximum average levels of turbidity (76 NTU) while autumn and winter recorded 38.7 NTU 36.7 NTU, respectively. Water turbidity levels were above the acceptable 5 NTU Standard Association of Zimbabwe and WHO. The maximum removal efficiency of turbidity was achieved at 80 min at the dose of 4 g/l. These results revealed that the removal efficiency of 95% with 4.6 NTU turbidity is a function of dose; removal efficiency increases as dose of coagulant increases. These results demonstrated that sunflower seed is an effective low-cost natural coagulant for turbidity water treatment
Mothers as mentors in single-parent families: A practical theological study
Get PDFMaster of Theology in Pastoral Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe problem is that reduced parental involvement impacts the values and standards that children are brought up with. There may be no one else available or accountable to offer good role modelling, instil standards and values in single-parent households, or handle other matters when fathers are absent. During this practical-theological study focusing on mothers as mentors through a literature review, South African society's moral compass is at risk. Gender-based violence is increasing in single-parent families where mothers are the main breadwinners. To address this challenge and establish effective mentoring programmes for women in single-parent households, it is imperative to seek guidance from God and biblical principles. The absence of fathers, compounded by insufficient mentorship programmes, significantly impacts young children and single-parent households, underscoring the urgency for intervention
LC-ESI-MS/MS quantification of hair cortisol, cortisone and DHEA in combined oral contraceptive users
Get PDFMaster of Science in Biochemistry , North-West University, Vanderbijlpark CampusCombined oral contraceptives (COCs) are used chronically by many women worldwide and in South Africa. Because many COC adverse effects coincide with symptoms of stress-related illnesses, including insulin resistance and hypertension, it is believed that these adverse effects are a result of chronic biological stress from long-term COC use and that COC users are at greater risk of developing stress-related illnesses. Different combinations of estrogens and progestins in COCs have varying effects on the stress hormone, cortisol, and stress-related symptoms. Previous studies often do not differentiate between COC compositions and most lack appropriate long-term measurement of biologically active free cortisol. In this study hair cortisol, as a measure of long-term free cortisol, was compared between users and non-users of the commonly used COC consisting of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) to determine if COC use results in measurable chronic stress. To get a comprehensive reflection of total cortisol exposure, cortisone, the inactive form of cortisol was quantified as well. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone that has anti-cortisol activity, was also intended to be added to reflect total cortisol exposure. An in-house LC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed
to simultaneously quantify cortisol, cortisone, and DHEA in hair. The use of ammonium fluoride as a mobile phase modifier enhanced the sensitivity of all analytes without derivatisation. This was, however, insufficient for the low levels of DHEA in hair. Derivatisation was then used to improve DHEA sensitivity but was unfavourable for cortisol. Since cortisol was the most important metabolite in this study, the non-derivatised method was used and DHEA had to be excluded. There were no statistical differences in hair cortisol, cortisone, total glucocorticoids, or the cortisol/cortisone ratio between COC users and non-user controls. These findings suggest that long-term use of COCs containing EE and DRSP does not result in chronic stress or increase the body’s exposure to cortisol through altered cortisol synthesis or overall cortisol activity. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind stress-related COC adverse effects. As a secondary aim ethnicity was investigated as a covariate for chronic stress markers in hair. Only the hair cortisol/cortisone ratio differed between Black Africans and Caucasians (p = 0.05, Cohen’s d = 1.08), indicating that it should be adjusted for in future studies, particularly in the South African population.Master
The Pervasive Issue of Black Tax in Young South African Black Professionals Career Management
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences-- North-West University Business SchoolThis research addresses the pervasive issue of Black Tax amongst young black professionals in South Africa. The study seeks to unravel the intricate dynamics of balancing financial obligations to extended family members with personal financial goals, career progression, and psychological well-being. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how Black Tax influences career management among young black professionals. The research problem stems from the limited comprehension of how Black Tax influences career management of young black professionals. The purpose of the study was to delve into the experiences and perceptions of young black professionals grounded in a theoretical foundation that acknowledges the complexity of familial obligations and career aspirations, a qualitative phenomenological research approach and purposive sampling were employed to capture the perspectives of voluntary participants. Thematic analysis was employed by analysing seven interview transcripts. Key findings showed the multifaceted influence of Black Tax on career choices, goals, and prospects. It offers actionable insights for individuals, organisations, and policymakers. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how Black Tax influences career management among young black professionals. Managerial implications extend to individuals, organisations, and policymakers. Insights gained could inform workplace practices, inclusive policies, and strategic decision-making at both individual and organisational levels
The role of courts in enforcing environmental rights through interdicts in South Africa
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Law and Governance, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThis study firmly hinges on addressing some of the environmental challenges facing South Africa, which can be attributed, in part, to inadequate remedies applied by the courts and to noncompliance with environmental laws. Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa , 1996 (Constitution ) grants the environmental right to everyone within the South African geo-political jurisdiction. That Section guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing, while protecting the environment for present and future generations. The enactment of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) actualises this right. Recent case law, however, unveil a surge in environmental degradation, air pollution, and water pollution which unquestionably infringe on the right to a healthy environment for all South Africans. The courts’ role in this case would be to safeguard this right through administration of just and equitable orders. The interdict emerges as one such crucial remedy for the full implementation and realisation of environmental rights in South Africa. By prohibiting unlawful conduct that infringes on environmental
rights and compelling compliance with environmental laws, interdicts contribute to the safeguarding of environmental rights that yield sustainability. This study therefore explores the use of interdicts in enforcing environmental rights in the South African context