List of Titles

Quick View

Community participation in selected public schools of Komani, Eastern Cape

- Sondlo, Oyisa

Authors: Sondlo, Oyisa
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Community participation , Common schools , Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , Thesis
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61578 , vital:71379
Description: This study is located in Mlungisi Township of Komani in the Eastern Cape - where the aim was to closely examine the role played by this community to build and govern its public schools. The study selected the three biggest schools in the area to examine how the community’s involvement in them has surfaced from their founding up to the present times. The study found that through these three schools, this community managed, under apartheid, to take initiative by mobilising itself for self-development by building these schools and infusing them with a liberation curriculum that was required for the conditions of oppression and resistance at the time. This community in essence turned the intentions of Bantu education around by using these schools as sites of alternative education that was delivered by its own activist teachers to conscientise the student youth about community struggles. Black people in this community used these schools as emancipatory spaces to connect student struggles with community struggles to build community power. In the post-apartheid epoch, much of these traditions and levels of community participation have dropped because of new precarious economies and labour conditions that keep the adult population busy. As a result, present-day community participation is not as politically intentional as it was under apartheid. Theoretically, the study applied Paulo Freire’s Critical Community Pedagogy. Methodologically, the study utilised critical qualitative oral histories and semi-structured interviews. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2023
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2023-04

Quick View

Chaos!

- Ngwenya, Thembalethu Sabrina

Authors: Ngwenya, Thembalethu Sabrina
Date: 2022-10-14
Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , Diaries -- Authorship , Books Reviews , South African prose literature (English) 21st century , South African fiction (English) 21st century
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406298 , vital:70256
Description: Chaos! is a combination of short prose forms in fragments that tackles difficult topics such as troubled marriages, child molestation, rape, infidelity and abuse in every way, whether it is mental, emotional or physical. The stories contain a lot of horrific and violent acts that, often times in this day and age, happen behind closed doors or sometimes even openly, yet not a lot of people are ready to talk about these topics. In my thesis, I go into the minds of those that are abusive and those that are on the receiving end of abuse. In doing so, I aim to explore all the dynamics of abuse. Abusers, as I have portrayed in my thesis, tend to have a deranged sense of reasoning in performing abusive acts and one thing that is important to note is that, more than likely, in their own heads and according to their own reasoning, the behaviour that they act on is very much rational and reasonable. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2022
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2022-10-14

Quick View

Establishing a water resources assessment system for Eswatini (Swaziland) incorporating data and modelling uncertainty

- Ndzabandzaba, Coli

Authors: Ndzabandzaba, Coli
Date: 2021-10-29
Subjects: Water resources development Eswatini , Water-supply Eswatini Management , Hydrologic models Eswatini , Runoff Mathematical models , Rain and rainfall Mathematical models , Pitman model
Language: English
Type: Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189009 , vital:44806 , 10.21504/10962/189009
Description: The uneven distribution of water resources availability globally puts pressure on environmental and human or socio-economic systems and has complex implications for the interactions within these systems. The natural environment and water resources are increasingly threatened by development, and water management crises are still occurring. This is exacerbated by the lack of accurate and adequate information on these systems. In Eswatini, for example, the pressure on the available water resources is mounting due to increasing water demand for irrigation while information about natural hydrological conditions and levels of water resources developments are uncertain. In addition, the practical application of hydrological models for water resources assessments that incorporate uncertainty in Eswatini has yet to be realised. The aim of the study, therefore, was to develop a water resource assessment system that is based on both observed and simulated information and that includes uncertainty. This study focusses on a regional water resource assessment using an uncertainty version of the Pitman monthly rainfall-runoff model whose outputs are constrained by six indices of natural hydrological response (i.e., mean monthly runoff, mean monthly groundwater recharge, Q10, Q50 and Q90 percentage points of the flow duration curve and % time of zero flows) for each of the 122 sub-basins of the transboundary catchments of Eswatini. A 2-step uncertainty modelling approach was tested, validated and then applied to all the sub-basins of Eswatini. The first step of the model run establishes behavioural, but uncertain model parameter ranges for natural incremental sub-basin hydrological responses and the model is typically run 100 000 times for each sub-basin. The parameter space that defines the uncertainty in parameter estimation is sampled based on simple Monte Carlo approach. The second step links all the sub-basin outputs and allows for water use parameters to be incorporated, where necessary, in order to generate cumulative sub-basin outflows. The results from the constraint index analysis have proved to be useful in constraining the model outputs. Generally, the behavioural model outputs produced realistic uncertainty estimates as well as acceptable simulations based on the assessment of the flow duration curves. The modelling results indicated that there is some degree of uncertainty that cannot be easily accounted for due to some identified data issues. The results also showed that there is still a possibility to improve the simulations provided such issues are resolved. The issues about the simulation of stream flow that were detected are mainly related to availability of data to estimate water use parameters. Another challenge in setting up the model was associated with establishing constraints that match the parameters for natural hydrological conditions for specific sub-basins and maintaining consistency in the adjustment of the model output constraints for other sub-basins. In an attempt to overcome this problem, the study recommends additional hydrological response constraints to be used with the Pitman model. Another main recommendation relates to the strong cooperation of relevant catchment management authorities and stakeholders including scientists in order to make information more available to users. The new hydrological insight is derived from the analysis of hydrological indices which highlighted the regional variations in hydrological processes and sub-basin response across the transboundary basins of Eswatini. The adopted modelling approach provides further insight into all the uncertainties associated with quantifying the available water resources of the country. The study has provided further understanding of the spatial variability of the hydrological response and existing development impacts than was previously available. It is envisaged that these new insights will provide an improved basis for future water management in Eswatini. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2021
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Quick View

Queer as Africa: Representations of queer lives in selected Nigerian, Kenyan, and South African literature and film

- Wilson, Jon Stephen Edward

Authors: Wilson, Jon Stephen Edward
Date: 2021-10-29
Subjects: Africans in literature , Africans in motion pictures , Homosexuality in literature , Homosexuality in motion pictures , Sexual minorities in literature , Sexual minorities in motion pictures , African literature History and criticism , Motion pictures, African History and criticism , Sexual minorities South Africa Public opinion , Sexual minorities Kenya Public opinion , Sexual minorities Nigeria Public opinion , Sexual minorities South Africa Social conditions , Sexual minorities Kenya Social conditions , Sexual minorities Nigeria Social conditions
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187428 , vital:44651
Description: This thesis contests the notion that nonnormative sexualities are ‘un-African’ by examining a range of representations of queer African lives on film and in literature, produced by Africans for Africans, as a means to interrogate the role played by the interconnected histories of colonialism, religion, and the policing of queer intimacy, specifically in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Through a close reading of a selection of texts from these three countries, this thesis takes a cultural-historical approach to exploring the complex struggles engaged in by queer people in Africa to protections under the law, and to represent themselves in literary and cinematic narratives. The first chapter is focused on the Kenyan film Rafiki (2018), directed by Wanuri Kahiu, which tells the story of queer love between two young Kenyan women who face the vehement condemnation of their relationship from their homophobic community. The film was banned in Kenya, but the director was granted a temporary injunction by Kenya’s high court in order for it to be screened in Nairobi. This made Rafiki the first queer film ever to be screened in Kenya, and viable for an Academy Award nomination. The second chapter focuses on the bold assertion of a queer African identity through the short story collections Queer Africa: New and Collected Fiction (2013) and Queer Africa 2: New Stories (2017). Written by various authors from the African continent, and compiled and edited by Karen Martin and Makhosazana Xaba, both collections offer a wide variety of fictional narratives focused on queer experiences in Africa. The second chapter has a focus on stories from Kenyan and Nigerian authors and explores notions of home, queer belonging, and visibility. The third chapter presents a close reading of the South African film Inxeba (2017), also known as The Wound, directed by John Trengove and adapted by Trengove and Thando Mgqolozana from Mgqolozana’s novel, A Man Who Is Not A Man (2009). The film depicts the traditional Xhosa initiation ritual, ulwaluko, and is set in the rural Eastern Cape. Inxeba is an important case study in the history of queer representation in Africa, as the film hit a nerve with many, interrogating what South Africans believe about culture, traditions, masculinity, and the right of artists to represent sacred ritual in art. This thesis pays attention to the historical entanglements between homophobia, imperialism, and Christianity – relationships that continue to affect the experiences of queer people in Africa and attitudes towards them and interrogates why queer individuals are still being left out of efforts towards creating a new normal in postcolonial Africa. This thesis suggests that increased visibility is a key aspect of queer activism in Africa – through the act of representation, sharing lived experiences, and telling queer stories. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English, 2021
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Quick View

Ukubamba Umphefumlo Kukuphila: Ingqokelela Yamabali Amafutshane

- Zono, Cebisa

Authors: Zono, Cebisa
Date: 2021-10-29
Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , Xhosa fiction 21st century , Short stories, Xhosa 21st century , Homosexuality in literature , Diaries -- Authorship , Xhosa fiction History and criticism , American fiction History and criticism , Brazilian poetry History and criticism
Language: Xhosa
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192375 , vital:45220
Description: Le thisisi inamabali amafutshane angabantu abathandana besisini esinye. Uncwadi lwesiXhosa luvame ukulufihla uthando oluphakathi kwabo bathandana besisini sinye. Isikrweqe endisisebenzisileyo kule thisisi kukunonga isimbo sokubhala ndibalisa ngomntu wokuqala ngokungathi ndibhala imbali yobomi okanye amavo. UJordan (1940) kwiNgqumbo Yeminyanya undifundise ukubumba abalinganiswa abakhaliphileyo, nabakrelekrele ngokufanayo ukuze izinto eziza kwenzeka zingalindeleki. UYuknavitch (2017) kwincwadi yembali yakhe ethi The Chronology of Water undifundise esi simbo sokushicilela izimbo zomntu ophilayo phantsi komthamo omnye. Ibali elifutshane likaProulx (1997) elithi Brokeback Mountain nalo libe nefuthe kakhulu kule thisisi kuba lidandalazisa elubala intlalo yabantu abathandana besisini esinye kwiindawo zasemaphandleni. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Quick View

The factors to be considered by the competition authorities when a fine may cause the firm to exit

- Quilliam, Layne Edwin

Authors: Quilliam, Layne Edwin
Date: 2021-10
Subjects: South Africa. Competition Act, 1998 , Competition Tribunal (South Africa) , Business enterprises Law and legislation South Africa , Debt-to-equity ratio South Africa , Bankruptcy Prevention , Causation , Competition
Language: English
Type: Masters theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188408 , vital:44751
Description: The Competition Act empowers the Competition Tribunal to levy fines against a firm for certain contraventions of the Act. Such fines are statutorily capped to prevent the fine from causing the firm’s exit. This maximum is based on the overarching principle of fairness which precludes a fine, on its own, from destroying a firm’s business. However, the Competition Appeal Court acknowledged in 2013 that fines below this cap may still cause a firm to exit. The purpose of this paper is to propose the factors that should be considered when determining a firm’s ability to pay such a below-cap fine. These factors are the calculation of the fine, probable exit, causation of exit and the competitive effect of the firm’s exit. The fining provisions of the Act are initially explored to provide context for the discussion and are then compared to equivalent provisions in Europe. Liquidation and business rescue proceedings are then described as the most common forms of a firm’s exit from the market. Methods for determining the causal relationship between the fine and the firm’s exit are explored through delictual law’s factual and legal causation. The competitive effects of the firm’s exit are premised on the purpose of the Competition Act and are evaluated through the Competition Act’s merger provisions, specifically, the failing firm factor. These proposed factors are then tested through hypothetical facts to analyse their possible interactions and efficacy. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Law, 2021
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2021-10

Quick View

Using the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving African baskets as a cultural tool to mediate learning of chemical and physical changes

- Kakambi, William Mafelezo

Authors: Kakambi, William Mafelezo
Date: 2021-04
Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Ethnoscience -- Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Traditional ecological knowledge -- Namibia , Basket making -- Namibia , Dyes and dyeing -- Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge
Language: English
Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177268 , vital:42805
Description: Literature has revealed that indigenous learners, especially in many African nations are subjected to learning school science in unfamiliar contexts. Learners in Namibia where this study was conducted are no exception. In consequence, learners experience cognitive conflict between school science and the experiences learnt at home and in the community. This is exacerbated, in part, by the fact that science teachers do not seem to know how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As an attempt to address this problem, some scholars call for the integration of indigenous knowledge into the science curriculum to provide a much needed context for learning science. It is against this background that this study sought to use the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving baskets as a cultural tool to mediate learning of chemical and physical changes. Underpinned by the interpretivist and Ubuntu paradigms, the study employed a qualitative case study research design. The study was conducted in the Zambezi region in Namibia. Four grade 8 Physical Science teachers, an expert community member, and a critical friend were involved as participants in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, workshop discussions, participatory observation, and journal reflections. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory and Mavhunga and Rollnick’s topic specific pedagogical content knowledge were used as theoretical and analytical frameworks, respectively. A thematic approach to data analysis was employed to come up with sub-themes and themes. The findings of the study revealed that all the participating teachers in this study had never been exposed to ideas on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As a result, they all embraced and valued the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving as relevant and useful in the teaching and learning of chemical and physical changes. This study recommends that there is a need to empower science teachers on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching in order to make science accessible and relevant to their learners’ lived worlds. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2021-04

Quick View

The Implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Contemporary Healthcare Facilities: The Design of a Research Hospital for Mbombela Systems

- Marule, Neo Allan

Authors: Marule, Neo Allan
Date: 2020-09
Subjects: Ethnoscience -- Mbombela , Traditional ecological knowledge --- Mbombela
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59062 , vital:60260
Description: The following treatise emerged from the issue of a lack of research hospitals that deal with Indigenous medicinal herbal plant remedies as a more holistic approach to health and healing. Indigenous knowledge systems from South Africa emphasize the patients’ psychological, biological, spiritual, and sociological well-being as directly impacting the patient’s healing process. Over the years, there has been a lack of research and the promotion of the use of Indigenous medicinal herbal plant remedies in South Africa’s existing “western” healthcare system. Existing “western” healthcare facilities (hospital) infrastructure in South Africa places minimal emphasis on spiritual, psychological, biological, and sociological well-being, which is observed in South Africa’s Indigenous knowledge healthcare system, that has existed before the establishment of “western” healthcare system in South Africa. Architecturally, this treatise aims to generate a research hospital design that has an understanding of South Africa’s Indigenous knowledge healthcare system, which directly impact the architecture and which is unique (critical regionalism) to the region of Mbombela city. Furthermore, it uses health and wellness principles as the drivers, along with biophilic design principles, to achieve a more holistic and integrated environment for patients and working staff. These architectural theories use a holistic approach to healthcare that has been in practice for several years in the indigenous knowledge healthcare system within South Africa. Critical regionalism is investigated as a theoretical model that will be used to generate a unique architecture for Mbombela city. The concept of the Indigenous knowledge healthcare system and the physical and spatial implications are examined on how they affect architecture. Furthermore, health and wellness theories and principles, along with biophilic design principles, are investigated as the theoretical and conceptual framework that will inform the design of innovative research-based hospitals for Mbombela city. Investigations on hospitals, (plant) research facilities and conservatory are examined via architectural precedents studies that will inform the understanding of the nature of the new building type and its various spatial and physical issues. An appropriate precinct and site within Mbombela city have been identified based on a list of site selection criteria and contextual analysis of the precinct. Furthermore, analysis of the contexts at various scale and understanding the climatic conditions of Mbombela city will facilitate the generation of contextual constraints and informants that will inform the building's design. This treatise will conclude with a design proposal for a new innovative research hospital for the city of Mbombela that is established from understanding the city’s unique architectural character, understanding the concept of traditional Indigenous healing knowledge system, and health and wellness, biophilic principles that support the holistic approach to healing which is found in Indigenous healing knowledge system. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2020
Full Text:
Date Issued: 2020-09

Showing items 1 - 11 of 11