88 research outputs found
Die trauma van tuiste en (nie)behoort in Zimbabwe en sy diaspora: ‘Omsettingsversteuring’ in <i>Shadows</i> deur Novuyo Rosa Tshuma
No full textDie hernude xenofobiese aanvalle in Maart en April 2015 in Durban, Johannesburg en Kaapstad, die roof, afbrand van huise en winkels, lewensverlies, en vlug van duisende vreemde Afrikane na toevlugskampe, het nie alleen die hele kwessie rondom die Afrika-diaspora in Suid-Afrika na vore gebring nie, maar ook die vraag oor die betekenis van die begrippe ‘tuiste’ en ‘tuisland’ binne ’n diasporiese verband. In Shadows, wat in 2014 met die Herman Charles Bosman-prys bekroon is, beeld die Zimbabwiese skryfster Novuyo Rosa Tshuma die ontwrigte lewensomstandighede in die hedendaagse Zimbabwe uit, asook die hervestiging en dubbele vervreemding van die diasporiese Zimbabwiër-gemeenskap in Suid-Afrika. Die teks bestaan uit ’n novelle, ‘Shadows’, en vyf ander kortverhale, en kan bes beskou word as ’n verhaalsiklus, waarbinne the afsonderlike verhale verbind word deur die tema van diaspora en ook deur ’n aantal herkenbare diasporiese situasies en beelde. Die artikel put uit ‘n reeks opvattings oor diaspora, insluitende die Afrika- en binne-Afrika diaspora, en huidige navorsing oor Zimbabwe en sy diaspora. Die dubbelsinnige begrippe van tuiste en samehorigheid, insluiting en uitsluiting, word ondersoek na aanleiding van Tshuma se uitbeelding van die alledaagse township-lewe in Mugabe se Zimbabwe met sy voedseltekorte, algemene gebrek aan middele, en vernielde ekonomie, en hierteenoor, die randbestaan van die hedendaagse Zimbabwediaspora in Johannesburg met sy gewelddadige vervolging en korrupte magsmisbruike teen onwettige immigrante. Die artikel stel voor dat die psigogeniese toestand van ‘omskakelingsversteuring’, wat Tshuma beklemtoon in een van haar verhale, as ’n metafoor kan dien vir die paradoksale diasporiese vereenselwiging met, en vervreemding van, ’n tuiste, gemeenskap en tuisland in Zimbabwe sowel as in die onvriendelike gasheerland, Suid-Afrik
The vulnerable insider : navigating power, positionality and being in educational technology research
No full textCITATION: Tshuma, N. 2021. The vulnerable insider : navigating power, positionality and being in educational technology research. Learning, Media and Technology. Learning, Media and Technology, 46(2):218-229, doi:10.1080/17439884.2021.1867572.The original publication is available at https://www.tandfonline.comThis article reflects on the tensions I encountered as an insider researcher during a qualitative study exploring academics’ integration of educational technology in a South African higher education institution. While critical qualitative approaches acknowledge research participants’ vulnerability to the researcher’s interpretation and presentation of their experiences, this article reflects on researcher vulnerability engendered by my insider status. Through a critical ethnographic lens, I reflexively interrogate the shifting nuances of power, positionality and being in educational technology research with regard to: (1) the struggle to adopt a colonialist methodology in a context still reeling from colonial legacies; (2) sensitively negotiating conflicting role requirements as a researcher, an employee and a PhD student in the same institution; (3) reflecting on the ‘politics of the gaze’ and how my insider status influenced what data I collected and how I perceived it; and (4) grappling with the tensions inherent in attempting to represent the experiences of the Other through my own.Pre-prin
serotypes from healthy cattle on cow–calf operations in South Africa
No full textCattle are a major reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. This study investigated the occurrence of seven major STEC serogroups including O157, O145, O103, O121, O111, O45 and O26 among 578 STEC isolates previously recovered from 559 cattle. The isolates were characterized for serotype and major virulence genes. Polymerase chain reaction revealed that 41.7% (241/578) of isolates belonged to STEC O157, O145, O103, O121, O45 and O26, and 33 distinct serotypes. The 241 isolates corresponded to 16.5% (92/559) of cattle that were STEC positive. The prevalence of cattle that tested positive for at least one of the six serogroups across the five farms was variable ranging from 2.9% to 43.4%. Occurrence rates for individual serogroups were as follows: STEC O26 was found in 10.2% (57/559); O45 in 2.9% (16/559); O145 in 2.5% (14/559); O157 in 1.4% (8/559); O121 in 1.1% (6/559); and O103 in 0.4% (2/559). The following proportions of virulence genes were observed: stx1, 69.3% (167/241); stx2, 96.3% (232/241); eaeA, 7.1% (17/241); ehxA, 92.5% (223/241); and both stx1 and stx2, 62.2% (150/241) of isolates. These findings are evidence that cattle in South Africa carry STEC that belong to six major STEC serogroups commonly incriminated in human disease. However, only a subset of serotypes associated with these serogroups were clinically relevant in human disease. Most STEC isolates carried stx1, stx2 and ehxA but lacked eaeA, a major STEC virulence factor in human disease
Language as a resource in intermediate phase mathematics teaching
No full textCITATION: Tshuma, L. & Le Cordeur, M. 2017. Taal as hulpbron in intermediere fase wiskunde-onderrig in die Oos-Kaap : op soek na 'n effektiewe pedagogiek vir wiskunde-onderrig. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 57(3):07-723, doi:10.17159/2224-7912/2017/v57n3a3.The original publication is available at http://www.scielo.org.zaIn Suid-Afrika is dit nie verpligtend dat studente tydens hul wiskunde-onderwysopleiding eers die taal van leer en onderrig (TvLO) moet bemeester nie. Voorts word geen of minimale leiding gegee met betrekking tot ʼn samehangende en sistematiese gebruik van transtaligheid en kodewisseling in die klaskamer tydens of na aanvanklike wiskunde-onderwysopleiding nie. Die huidige praktyk benadeel die kwaliteit van inhoudsoordrag, omdat Pedagogies benadeelde onderwysers wat op hul beurt die meerderheid leerders in openbare skole moet onderrig, nie oor die aanvaarbare taalvermoë in Engels beskik nie. Die meeste van hierdie leerders is meertalig en dus Engelse Tweedetaalleerders (ETtLs), met Engels as Taal van Onderrig aangesien Suid-Afrika se inheemse tale nie genoegsaam ontwikkel is om wiskunde-onderrig te ondersteun nie. In hierdie artikel word 'n moontlike, algemeen aanvaarbare en effektiewe pedagogiek vir wiskunde-onderrig ondersoek. Dit spruit uit deurlopende doktorale navorsing na die verband tussen onderwysers se taalvermoë en Intermediêre Fase wiskunde-onderrig in die Oos-Kaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat intermediêre fase-onderwysers nie voldoende toegerus is om taal te gebruik as ʼn hulpbron in wiskunde-onderrig en -leer nie. Die artikel bied wenke en strategieë aan onderwysers wat Engelse Tweedetaal Leerders (ETtLs) in staat sal stel om wiskunde effektief te leer. Die tweede gevolgtrekking is, selfs al sou moedertaalonderrig tot sy reg kom in Suid-Afrika, sal vaardigheid in Engels steeds ʼn voorvereiste wees vir toegang tot die globale wêreld.Generally, mathematics teacher education in South Africa does not enforce mastery in the
language of instruction (Chitera 2016) and provides minimal or no guidance towards coherent
and systematic use of translanguaging including code switching in the classroom during or
after initial teacher education. Such a practice compromises the quality of content delivery
as pedagogically disadvantaged teachers may in turn have a negative impact on the majority
of learners in public schools who are multilingual; in other words, those who are also English
Language Learners (ELLs). International assessments on education have consistently rated
the quality of South African mathematics education as being significantly low (Howie 2001;
Reddy 2006, 2012) as reported in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies
(TIMSS 2013). Of the various reasons cited by the TIMSS Report, this article highlights
teachers’ competency in English as one of the most significant predictors of mathematics
performance, particularly because the country’s indigenous languages are yet to be fully
developed to support mathematics instruction.Publisher's versio
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus status disclosure among young adolescents enrolled on antiretroviral therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa
No full textAbstract : The World Health Organisation recognises adolescents as a key population vulnerable from acquiring HIV/AIDS, and adolescence is a critical stage of child growth and development. The adolescence period is often shaped by swift physical and cognitive changes as well as involving risk behaviour that impacts the adolescents’ health. The HIV prevalence data on South Africa shows that the percentage of HIV-infected children significantly increases between childhood to adolescence. South Africa has the largest antiretroviral therapy programme in the world; there is progress on initiating HIV-infected children onto treatment and they are surviving into adolescence. However, although there are existing local and World Health Organisation HIV status disclosure guidelines on children, informing the young adolescents’ HIV status (disclosure) during the childhood-to-adolescence transition remains a challenge. Caregivers and healthcare workers often find HIV status disclosure on the children compromising, especially on young adolescents enrolled on ART. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HIV status disclosure, among a cohort of young adolescents enrolled on antiretroviral therapy at the thirteen public healthcare facilities, in the City of Johannesburg Region A sub-district. The retrospective study design was used to analyse the antiretroviral therapy monitoring data on the cohort of 281 HIV-infected young adolescents aged between 10 to 14 years. The number of young adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Region A and per healthcare facility was drawn from the Johannesburg District Health Information System; HIV status disclosure was extracted from the patient files kept at the healthcare facilities; and the antiretroviral therapy records, clinic adherence history and demographic characteristics were accessed on the Tier.net system. Using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences software Version 25, data was analysed using frequency tables, summary statistics, and Pearson`s Chi-square tests. Like other studies on low, middle and high-income countries, this study found that out of a sample of 281 young adolescents enrolled on antiretroviral therapy, a relatively low percentage (26.3%) are fully disclosed of their HIV status, while a significant majority (73.7%) are only partially disclosed. South Africa is ranked as an upper-middle income country. This study further found that there is a very weak correlation between the HIV...M.A. (Public Health
Factors associated with extreme nonadherence to tb treatment among adult defaulters attending Gqeberha clinic between 2018 and 2019
No full textResearch report submitted for the degree of MSc in Epidemiology, Field of Implementation Sciences, to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Background
Tuberculosis remains a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa leading to high morbidity, mortality, social and economic implications. Tuberculosis is a curable condition that can be eliminated. However, global efforts towards ending TB are under threat from patients’ nonadherence to effective TB treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with extreme nonadherence to TB treatment among adult defaulters attending Gqeberha clinic in South Africa.
Methods
The study is a secondary data analysis of a cross sectional study on TB defaulters attending Gqeberha clinic. The analysis included 144 participants with minimum age of 18 years who had defaulted treatment between April 2018 and September 2019. TB nonadherence and study characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages. Extreme nonadherence was defined by an aggregate score of at least 4 based on the Morisky Medication Adherence 8-item
scale (MMA8). The prevalence of extreme nonadherence was estimated using percentage frequencies while univariable and multivariable logistic regression modelling were performed to identify the factors associated with extreme nonadherence.
Results
There were 18(12.9%) TB defaulters who had extreme nonadherence. The majority of TB defaulters 65.2% (n=90) were men. All participants involved had a minimum age of 18 years. 73.4% (n =102) of the study participants stayed in formal dwellings, 79.1% (n =110) were unemployed, 68.8% (n =95) had not attained matric level qualification and 78.4% (n =109) were either single, divorced or separated. A larger proportion of participants, 79.9% (n =111) stayed within 5km radius of Gqeberha clinic, 65.5% (n =91) experienced shorter waiting times and 84.2% (n =117) acknowledged constant availability of medicines at the health facility. However, 69.1% (n =96) did not have a family member who encouraged them to attend clinic visits, 64% (n =89) lacked adequate food whilst taking medication, and 80.6% (n=112) had inadequate income to cover their basic needs whilst on treatment. After adjusting for covariates, those who took other medication besides TB treatment had 0.33 times odds (95% CI: 0.11-0.97) of extreme nonadherence compared to their contrasting peers. All the other factors were not significant in
the adjusted model.
Conclusion
The prevalence of extreme nonadherence to TB treatment among adult defaulters was low. The participants involved in the study were from low-income families with the majority being unemployed, having low educational attainment and lacking adequate food during treatment course. The use of multiple drugs was significantly associated with lower odds of extreme nonadherence. There is need to intensify programs aimed at improving adherence to treatment if the end TB by 2035 goal is to be realized.TDRMM202
Understanding TVET instructors’ perceptions of digital technology use and support in a vocational training centre in Namibia
No full textThesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aspect of having to adopt and use technology in education and training has been met with mixed feelings from various stakeholders involved, thus impacting business and service delivery. Different institutions and organisations have attempted to adopt and use technology to enhance service delivery, however, besides the convenience it comes along with, adopters remain a determinant in the successful implementation of such changes. How individuals perceive a change is instrumental in its adoption and
subsequently its application. Studies have revealed that TVET staff and instructors' acceptance and adoption of technology, is an indicator of an institution's preparedness for using technology in the classroom. The research's objective was to ascertain TVET instructors' perceptions of digital technology use and support in a Vocational Training Centre in Namibia. Thematic data analysis was chosen as the methodology for this study, with purposive sampling that employed Maximum Variation Sampling (MVS), and a sample size of eleven respondents was utilised. This included eight teaching staff and three management members. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. The data were thematically analysed using the Provalis Research QDA miner application and Microsoft word text-based data. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was found applicable as the conceptual framework for this research. The themes identified were
perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and respondents' behavioral intention. The findings revealed that integrating technology in class was helpful, relevant to respondents' training objectives, convenient, and secure for the TVET in achieving its educational goals. However, respondents admitted to the difficulty experienced in using the proposed innovation. It was reported that implementing the technology at the TVET was hindered by finance, Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, accessibility, and a gap in the respondent's technical background. The study recommended securing adequate funding, planning for sustainable infrastructure, and training its stakeholders on using the proposed innovation.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aspek om tegnologie in onderwys en opleiding aan te neem en te gebruik, is met gemengde gevoelens an verskeie betrokke belanghebbendes teegekom, en het dus besigheid en dienslewering beinvloed. Verskillende instelling en organisasies het probeer om tegnologie aan te neem en te gebruik om dienslewering te verbeter, benewens die gerief waarmee dit gepaard gaan, maar aannemers bly n bepalende faktor in die suksesvolle implementering van sulke veranderinge. Hoe individue 'n verandering waarneem, is instrumenteel in die aanvaarding en gevolglik die
toepassing daarvan. Studies het TVET-personeel en instrukteurs se aanvaarding van tegnologie aan die lig gebring as n aanduiding van 'n instelling se gereedheid om tegnologie in die klaskamer te gebruik. Die doel van die navorsing was om TVETinstrukteurs se persepsies van digitale tegnologie gebruik en ondersteuning in 'n Beroepsopleidingsentrum in Namibie vas te stel. Tematiese data analise is as die metodologie vir hierdie studie gekies, met doelgerigte steekproefneming wat gebruik gemaak het van Maksimum Variasiestekproefneming (MVS), wat gelei het tot 'n steekproefgrootte van 11 respondente, agt onderwyspersoneellede en drie van die bestuur. Data is ingesamel deur middel van 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud en fokusgroep besprekings. Die studie het toe' n tematiese analise gebruik om die data met behulp van die Provalis Research QDA-mynertoepassing te ontleed en Microsoft words teksgebaseerde data. Tegnologie-aanvaardingsmodel (TAM) is toepaslik gevind as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing. Die temas wat geidentifiseer is, was waargenome gebruikbaarheid en respondente se gedragsvoorneme. Die bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat die integrasie van tegnologie in die klas nuttig was, relevant vir respondente se opleidingsdoelwitte, en gerieflik en veilig was vir die
TVET om sy opvoedkundige doelwitte te bereik; Respondente het egter erken dat dit moeilik is om die voorgestelde uitvindings te gebruik. Daar is gerapporteer dat die implevir betekenisvol en instrumenteelmentering van die tegnologie by die TVET belemmer is deur finansies, Inligtingstegnologie (IT) infrastruktuur, toegankliheid en 'n leemte in die respondent se tegniese agtergrond. Die studie het aanbeveel om voldoende befondsing te verseker, vir volhoubare infrastuktuur te beplan en sy belanghebbendes op te lei oor die gebruik van die voorgestelde hervorming.Master
Management perceptions regarding privatisation of parastatals in Zimbabwe
No full textIn recent years the ownership of public organisations has been transferred from government to the private sector through privatisation owing to the poor performance of parastatals. In Zimbabwe, the privatisation of parastatals has been criticised as a result of the approach which has been adopted to privatise them, the transparency and the paceof the privatisation, the factors pushing for privatisation at the expense of local demand as well as the lack of an institutional framework for privatisation. The main objective of this study was to explore management perceptions regarding the privatisation of parastatals in Zimbabwe.
This study is based on a combination of theories of privatisation and preceding results of studies looking at privatisation of parastatals in developing and developed countries. The secondary sources were the backbone in the formulation of a theoretical model on the management perceptions of privatisation which was used to guide this study. The extensive literature which was analysed revealed that independent factors such as stakeholder consultation, business conditions, government considerations, institutional framework and management of the privatisation process could influence management perceptions regarding privatisation. Perceptions of privatisation were identified as influencing two dependent variables, economic benefits and organisational performance. The variables of the study were operationalised and the hypotheses which identified relationships between the independent variables and perceptions of privatisation were formulated. Hypotheses in respect of perceptions of privatisation and the dependent variables were also formulated.
In this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted as the study sought to investigate the relationships between variables. This study collected data through the use of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which was distributed to 700 managers of parastatals in Zimbabwe. The parastatals which were used in this study were selected using the simple random sampling method whilst convenience sampling technique was used to select the managers. The survey yielded 301 usable questionnaires which were analysed using several statistical analysis techniques.
The major findings of this study show that managers, employees and customers participate during privatisation and that privatisation in Zimbabwe is guided by a formal action plan. The study also showed that parastatals in Zimbabwe operate under stable macroeconomic conditions and that information regarding the bidding process is accessible to all parties. However, the results also showed that, in Zimbabwe privatisation is poorly implemented as a result of lack of structural capacity to enhance privatisation, lack of an autonomous institution to manage and lead the privatisation process. The results also show that privatisation in Zimbabwe lacks credibility as the valuation of organisations and assets is poorly done resulting in organisations being acquired at rates which are below market value. In addition, the results indicate that privatisation has failed to improve organisational performance and to change the management style from being reactive to being proactive. The study also found that privatisation brings about economic benefits such as effective governance and economic empowerment. The study recommends that government should ensure that managers, employees and customers participate in the privatisation process and that privatisation is implemented in a transparent manner so as to have a credible programme and achieve the intended objectives. The study also recommends that government should engage people and institutions which have the capacity to efficiently value the organisations and assets identified for privatisation. In addition, the study recommends that the government should appoint board members who possess the requisite skills and competencies, encourage partnerships between local and foreign investors so as to produce quality products and services as well as economic growth.
This study has contributed to the existing body of knowledge by developing a theoretical model which can be utilised in other developing countries to test perceptions regarding the privatisation of parastatals. This study could assist the government, parastatals and other stakeholders by providing feedback regarding the privatisation of parastatals in Zimbabwe, so that remedial action can be implemented where deviations are recorded. The findings of this study could also assist the government of Zimbabwe and also other governments, by providing guidelines which can be adopted to implement a successful privatisation programme. This study provides useful and very practical guidelines to parastatals so as to ensure successful privatisation
HIV-related knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and utilisation of HIV counselling and testing: a venue-based intercept commuter population survey in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa
No full textHIV counselling and testing (HCT) and knowledge about HIV have been key strategies utilised in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide. HIV knowledge and uptake of HCT services in sub-Saharan Africa are still low. This study was conducted to determine factors associated with HCT and HIV/AIDS knowledge levels among a commuter population in Johannesburg, South Africa. The objective was to identify the factors associated with HCT uptake among the commuter population. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants in a venue-based intercept survey at a taxi rank in the Johannesburg Central Business District. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with HIV testing stratified by gender. 1,146 respondents were interviewed, the majority (n = 579, 50.5%) were females and (n = 780, 68.1%) were over 25 years of age. Overall HCT knowledge was high (n = 951, 83%) with more females utilising HCT facilities. There was a significant difference in HIV testing for respondents living closer to and further away from health facilities. Slightly more than half of the respondents indicated stigma as one of the barriers for testing (n = 594, 52%, p-value = 0.001). For males, living with a partner (aOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02 - 2.78, p-value: 0.041) and possessing a post-primary education were positively associated with testing (aOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.15 - 3.47, p-value: 0.014), whereas stigma and discrimination reduced the likelihood of testing (aOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.31 - 0.62, p-value: B0.001). For females, having one sexual partner (aOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.19 - 5.90, p-value: 0.017) and a low perceived benefit for HIV testing (aOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30 - 0.96, p-value: 0.035) were associated with HIV testing.
The overall HIV/AIDS knowledge was generally high. Gender-specific health education and HIV intervention programmes are needed for improved access to HCT services. One favourable intervention would be the use of home-based HCT programmes.
HIV-related knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and utilisation of HIV counselling and testing: a venue-based intercept commuter population survey in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa
No full textPKBackground: HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and knowledge about HIV have been key strategies utilised in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide. HIV knowledge and uptake of HCT services in sub-Saharan Africa are still low. This study was conducted to determine factors associated with HCT and HIV/AIDS knowledge levels among a commuter population in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Objective: To identify the factors associated with HCT uptake among the commuter population.
Design: A simple random sampling method was used to select participants in a venue-based intercept survey at a taxi rank in the Johannesburg Central Business District. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with HIV testing stratified by gender.
Results: 1,146 respondents were interviewed, the ma[j]ority (n = 579, 50.5%) were females and (n = 780, 68.1%) were over 25 years of age. Overall HCT knowledge was high (n = 951, 83%) with more females utilising HCT facilities. There was a significant difference in HIV testing for respondents living closer to and further away from health facilities. Slightly more than half of the respondents indicated stigma as one of the barriers for testing
(n = 594, 52%, p-value = 0.001). For males, living with a partner (aOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02-2.78, p-value: 0.041) and possessing a post-primary education were positively associated with testing (aOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.15-3.47, p-value: 0.014), whereas stigma and discrimination reduced the likelihood of testing (aOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.31-0.62, p-value: <0.001). For females, having one sexual partner (aOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.19-5.90, p-value: 0.017) and a low perceived benefit for HIV testing (aOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-0.96, p-value: 0.035) were associated with HIV testing.
Conclusion: The overall HIV/AIDS knowledge was generally high. Gender-specific health education and HIV intervention programmes are needed for improved access to HCT services. One favourable intervention would be the use of home-based HCT programmes
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