Doctoral Degrees (Philosophy)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/8207

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 49

Membrane changes and lipid peroxidation during ageing in seeds of Lactuca sativa L.
(1986) Smith, Michael Trevor.; Campbell, Glen Kerry.
Abstract available in PDF file.
Comparative metaphysics of the Vedas, Upanisads and the Bhagavad Gita.
(1990) Dewa, Harilal G.; Zangenberg, F.
No abstract available.
Justification of coercion.
(1991) Maphai, Thabane Vincent.; Moulder, James.
Abstract available in pdf file.
Democracy, power and the organization of education projects.
(1994) Parker, Benjamin Philip.; Moulder, James.
Abstract available in pdf file.
Ideology, virtue and well-being : a critical examination of Francis Fukuyama's notion of liberal democracy.
(2003) Wuriga, Rabson.; Herwitz, Daniel.; Gouws, Andries Stefanus.
This thesis is a critical examination of Fukuyama's "end of history" version of liberalism, in which he announces the triumphant emergence of liberal democracy as a universal form of governance. The thesis seeks to investigate Francis Fukuyama's notion of liberal democracy and his arguments for it, in order to assess the normative impact of market driven political and economic outcomes on the human context or life satisfaction, especially recognition. This is contrasted with Amartya Sen's notion of well-being in order to show that Fukuyama does not pay attention to some of the basic moral demands of human life. The thesis is comprised of an introduction and six chapters. The contents of these chapters can be presented briefly as follows: • The first chapter looks at how Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Kant use the theory of social contract to explain the genesis and justification of the state. Featuring prominently in all their versions of social contract are the values of freedom, equality, and independence of the individual, the process of consensus, the primacy of self-preservation and the necessity of the state. Together these laid the basis for a philosophically reasoned and progressive theory of politics. This chapter also looks at the theory of laissez-faire, which paved the way for a free market economy. This doctrine was developed in the thought of Adam Smith, Ricardo, Mill and Bentham. For Fukuyama these thinkers inaugurated a tradition of political thought that ultimately led to liberalism and democracy. • The second chapter discusses the teleological view of history underlying the philosophical theories of history advanced by Kant, Hegel, and Marx. Each of these thinkers assumes that history is moving towards an end point or goal. It is from these philosophers that Fukuyama appropriates the idea of universality to envisage the universality of liberal democracy. • The third chapter analyzes Fukuyama's "end of history" claim and his arguments for it. When communism finally collapsed, liberal democracy was the only remaining option, he claims. Drawing on Kant's idea of universal history, Hegel's notion of a universal and homogeneous state and Marx's materialist interpretation of history, Fukuyama envisages a global order that will be ushered in by the universal and homogeneous liberal state which is the ultimate goal of liberal democracy. It is the duty of the liberal state to ensure equal and mutual recognition and affirmation of its citizens' freedom. • The fourth chapter stages a debate between Fukuyama and Sen in which the question of life satisfaction and its achievability is addressed. Fukuyama claims that human-beings desire recognition, and can best satisfy this desire through liberal democracy. Sen for his part claims that people need well-being, and can only achieve it through democracy, which he views as a universal value. The discussion shows that although Fukuyama and Sen may share similar political values they differ ideologically and in historical vision. • The fifth chapter deals with the critical evaluation of liberal democracy. Several issues present major problems for liberal democracy. These issues are liberal individualism as the central focus of liberalism and liberal democracy; the global trend against gender bias; the political and cultural homogenization of the world; the problem of parallel histories versus a single inclusive history; desire-satisfaction versus need-satisfaction, and the cultural preconditions of liberal democracy. • The sixth chapter recapitulates the preceding chapters and spells out the conclusion reached in the course of the thesis. The findings on the notion of the "end of history" show that Fukuyama wishes the equal and mutual recognition of the freedom and dignity of all individuals as well as the affirmation of their individual rights. This concern for the individual is laudable. However, excessive individualism threatens the fabric of every society, and Fukuyama realizes that this threat is especially strong in liberal democracy. His suggested solution is to cultivate social capital in the form of trust. This thesis concludes that Fukuyama's medicine is no match for the disease; the whole thrust of the intellectual tradition leading to liberal democracy - and of much else in Western culture since Hobbes - is in the direction of excessive individualism and the withering of community. Moreover, where Fukuyama sees isothymia - the desire for equal recognition, the psychological truth is probably that people desire to be recognized as superior - mega/othymia, again making individualism intrinsically more threatening to a sense of community than Fukuyama seems to realize. Fukuyama suggests that an international consensus in favour of liberal democracy is emerging. But it appears that such a consensus is unlikely to arise nation- states fear disenfranchisement and assimilation and thus insist on their sovereignty, effectively blocking any shift from the nation-state to a homogeneous and universal liberal state. It is difficult to generate the consensus needed to receive it as a universal system, because not all people subscribe to its cultural preconditions. The satisfaction of human desire of any kind cannot be universalized since human existence is centrally characterized by diversity of context, culture, and perception. Any attempt to impose cultural or ideological homogeneity requires conquest - cultural or military imperialism. The triumphant emergence of liberal democracy cannot be the ultimate end of the whole of human history. If this were the case, it would no longer be worth trying to increase human knowledge, since knowledge always points to an open future in terms of how it will be used for further advancement. Due to its internal contradictions, such as the tension between excessive individualism and community, liberal democracy has unintended negative consequences. Liberal democracy is not yet the final ideology leading to human satisfaction at a global level for this generation and generations to come as long as human thought evolves. This will remain the case as long as Fukuyama's admission that liberal democracy only works where its cultural preconditions are met, remains true.
Reasoning in practice : foundation for understanding in a multi- cultural context.
(2004) Amisi, Mwanahewa Sango.; Giddy, John Patrick.
The thesis is based on the assumption that reasoning functions in its context. The locus of this context is the subject-in-act. The subject-in-act observes, wonders, asks questions, judges and makes justifications. In the functioning of reasoning, she uses the basic set of these cognitional operations rather than pure logical form or the empirical content alone to reach conclusions. Our contention is that logic cannot function on its own without the subject-in-act. Hitherto, efforts have been made to show that any knowledge system is based on either purely axiomatic and mathematical formulations or deductive tautologies and inductive reasoning or empirical convictions based on probability. The thesis attempts to argue that reasoning is not possible without the interventions of the set of cognitional operations. In the thesis we take as an example the early Wittgenstein's attempt to give a foundation for our knowing or the identity of what can be known, using atomic or elementary propositions. Wittgenstein' s own later repudiation of this introduces the idea that logic, and language are relative to social context. In Wittgenstein's second phase, we focus on the analysis of understanding in terms of "following a rule." This idea is later taken up by Winch in relation to his point of inter-cultural learning but he does not give us the method of how to achieve that learning. Lonergan introduces the idea of "self-appropriation" which we interpret by the idea of the "subject-in-act." It is this subject-in-act that forms a foundation for all possible understanding, explaining and knowing. Barden picks up from Winch and addresses precisely the issue of traditions and cultural differences. We want to argue that traditions and context are important in a sense that they serve as a starting point in our search for knowledge but in themselves, are not ultimately foundational. What is ultimately foundational is not a set of propositions, or rules to be followed, or social practice, but the subject-in-act.
Freud and the legacy of Greece.
(2008) Kool, Sharon Beth.; Gouws, Andries Stefanus.
This thesis traces Freud's debt to classical Greece and argues that the development of his theory should not be considered apart from its roots in this legacy. The psychoanalytic project sheltered under the umbrella of Altertumswissenschaft and used the "ancient world to illuminate the modern". Winckelmann's Hellenism provided the foundations to German culture in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and dominated the educational and cultural institutions in which Freud lived and worked. Nietzsche later challenged Winckelmann's Apollian vision of Greece, and his "psychology of the Dionysian condition" acknowledged both irrational passion and sexuality. Freud is heir to both Winckelmann's and Nietzsche's Greece, and the dialectical tension between the rational and irrational, the mind and the body, that is evident in the reception of classical Greece in the nineteenth century is often paralleled in Freud's work. Hellenism is an essential element in Freud's theory of dreams and the unconscious. Greek mythology grounds the Oedipus complex, and informs his theorising on human sexuality. It plays an influential role in early sexology, and many of the challenges to psychiatry and neurology have their origin in Greek classicism. Not only does psychoanalysis rely on content drawn from this legacy, but its methodology as well as it structure are deeply influenced by Freud's knowledge of ancient Greece and his involvement in classical scholarship.
The concept of person in African political philosophy : an analytical and evaluative study.
(2008) Matolino, Bernard.; Beck, Simon.
The communitarian conception of person is the dominant view of personhood in African philosophy. This view centrally holds that personhood is something that is attained in direct proportion to one's moral worth and one's relations with her surrounding community. This view understands personhood as something that is acquired as one's moral responsibility grows. Essentially personhood is constituted by the community and expressed in relations that one has with her community. Thus the individual and the community are both tied in the same fate. The individual is seen as constituted by the community and as one with the community. Whatever happens to her happens to the whole community. Some leaders of newly independent Africa used this communitarian VIew of personhood to argue for a socialist order. Such an order would have been faithful to the traditional communitarian conception of person and the soc,i al as well as the economic order that proceeds from that conception. In order to develop an authentically African socialist programme these leaders strived to show that the communitarian conception of personhood naturally leads to African socialism. They took African socialism to be a panacea to economic and social ills that had been brought on by colonialism. This thesis seeks to interrogate both the communitarian conception of personhood and the resultant political ideology of African socialism. It is argued that the major driving factor behind the development of the communitarian view and African socialism is an inordinate desire to find and present the African difference. The problem started with Placide Tempels' futile search for an African ontology and has been perpetuated by all communitarians and African socialists. Thus this project is conceived as a philosophical critique of African communitarianism and the resultant socialism.
A critical examination of Richard Rorty's liberal lexicon.
(2010) Clare, Julia.; Gouws, Andries Stefanus.; McDermott, Lydia E.
This dissertation examines Richard Rorty's liberalism, especially as articulated in Contingency, irony, and solidarity, from a perspective which is sympathetic to the broad features of his pragmatism. I argue that Rorty's liberalism is, in the first instance a moral, rather than a political project and I begin this dissertation by examining in Chapter One, the basis of this moral project in his rejection of any notion of human nature in favour of a focus on the individual as a contingent, self-creating vocabulary. The moral core of Rorty's work is found in the vision of the liberal self who abhors cruelty. His politics extends outward from one variant of this type, the liberal ironist, who tries to balance her liberal commitments with a disposition to radical doubt. In his attempt to secure society for, and from, the liberal ironist, Rorty constructs a vision of society based in a strong division between public and private. In Chapter Two I argue that we should reject this move, and I argue instead for a vision of society based in conversation. In Chapter Three, I argue that this conversational understanding offers us an increased chance to attain the sort of cosmopolitan community to which Rorty aspires. In particular, I argue that we should see conversation, rather than imagination and reading, as the best means to develop and extend our sense of solidarity. One of the biggest obstacles to our increasing solidarity through conversation is the way in which power operates to sustain existing social and political arrangements by setting the conversational agenda. Rorty, unfortunately, says little about the workings of power and so, in Chapter Four, I propose the use of Iris Marion Young's thought on oppression and domination as a means to illuminate the issue of power at work, and to help us in finding ways to deal with it. In the final chapter I look to the particular role of the intellectual in the conversation. I examine Rorty's rejection of philosophy-as-epistemology in favour of what he calls pragmatism, and how this move combines with a variety of other strategies to apparently silence intellectuals. I argue that in spite of these moves, Rorty's philosophy and his own example actually extend the space from which and through which intellectuals can participate in the conversation and its transformation.
Against a priori knowledge of non-trivial truths.
(2014) Robinson, Carin.; Spurrett, David.
This is a thesis in support of the conceptual yoking of analytic truth to a priori knowledge. My approach is a semantic one; the primary subject matter throughout the thesis is linguistic objects, such as propositions or sentences. I evaluate arguments, and also forward my own, about how such linguistic objects’ truth is determined, how their meaning is fixed and how we, respectively, know the conditions under which their truth and meaning are obtained. The strategy is to make explicit what is distinctive about analytic truths. The objective is to show that truths, known a priori, are trivial in a highly circumscribed way. My arguments are premised on a language-relative account of analytic truth. The language relative account which underwrites much of what I do has two central tenets: 1. Conventionalism about truth and, 2. Non-factualism about meaning. I argue that one decisive way of establishing conventionalism and non-factualism is to prioritise epistemological questions. Once it is established that some truths are not known empirically an account of truth must follow which precludes factual truths being known non-empirically. The function of Part 1 is, chiefly, to render Carnap’s language-relative account of analytic truth. I do not offer arguments in support of Carnap at this stage, but throughout Parts 2 and 3, by looking at more current literature on a priori knowledge and analytic truth, it becomes quickly evident that I take Carnap to be correct, and why. In order to illustrate the extent to which Carnap’s account is conventionalist and non-factualist I pose his arguments against those of his predecessors, Kant and Frege. Part 1 is a lightly retrospective background to the concepts of ‘analytic’ and ‘a priori’. The strategy therein is more mercenary than exegetical: I select the parts from Kant and Frege most relevant to Carnap’s eventual reaction to them. Hereby I give the reasons why Carnap foregoes a factual and objective basis for logical truth. The upshot of this is an account of analytic truth (i.e. logical truth, to him) which ensures its trivial nature. In opposition to accounts of a priori knowledge, which describe it as knowledge gained from rational apprehension, I argue that it is either knowledge from logical deduction or knowledge of stipulations. I therefore reject, in Part 2, three epistemologies for knowing linguistic conventions (e.g. implicit definitions): 1. intuition, 2. inferential a priori knowledge and, 3. a posteriori knowledge. At base, all three epistemologies are rejected because they are incompatible with conventionalism and non-factualism. I argue this point by signalling that such accounts of knowledge yield unsubstantiated second-order claims and/or they render the relevant linguistic conventions epistemically arrogant. For a convention to be arrogant it must be stipulated to be true. The stipulation is then considered arrogant when its meaning cannot be fixed, and its truth cannot be determined without empirical ‘work’. Once a working explication of ‘a priori’ has been given, partially in Part 1 (as inferential) and then in Part 2 (as non-inferential) I look, in Part 3, at an apriorist account of analytic truth, which, I argue, renders analytic truth non-trivial. The particular subject matter here is the implicit definitions of logical terms. The opposition’s argument holds that logical truths are known a priori (this is part of their identification criteria) and that their meaning is factually based. From here it follows that analytic truth, being determined by factually based meaning, is also factual. I oppose these arguments by exposing the internal inconsistencies; that implicit definition is premised on the arbitrary stipulation of truth which is inconsistent with saying that there are facts which determine the same truth. In doing so, I endorse the standard irrealist position about implicit definition and analytic truth (along with the “early friends of implicit definition” such as Wittgenstein and Carnap). What is it that I am trying to get at by doing all of the abovementioned? Here is a very abstracted explanation. The unmitigated realism of the rationalists of old, e.g. Plato, Descartes, Kant, have stoically borne the brunt of the allegation of yielding ‘synthetic a priori’ claims. The anti-rationalist phase of this accusation I am most interested in is that forwarded by the semantically driven empiricism of the early 20th century. It is here that the charge of the ‘synthetic a priori’ really takes hold. Since then new methods and accusatory terms are employed by, chiefly, non-realist positions. I plan to give these proper attention in due course. However, it seems to me that the reframing of the debate in these new terms has also created the illusion that current philosophical realism, whether naturalistic realism, realism in science, realism in logic and mathematics, is somehow not guilty of the same epistemological and semantic charges levelled against Plato, Descartes and Kant. It is of interest to me that in, particularly, current analytic philosophy (given its rationale) realism in many areas seems to escape the accusation of yielding synthetic priori claims. Yet yielding synthetic a priori claims is something which realism so easily falls prey to. Perhaps this is a function of the fact that the phrase, ‘synthetic a priori’, used as an allegation, is now outmoded. This thesis is nothing other than an indictment of metaphysics, or speculative philosophy (this being the crime), brought against a specific selection of realist arguments. I, therefore, ask of my reader to see my explicit, and perhaps outmoded, charge of the ‘synthetic a priori’ levelled against respective theorists as an attempt to draw a direct comparison with the speculative metaphysics so many analytic philosophers now love to hate. I think the phrase ‘synthetic a priori’ still does a lot of work in this regard, precisely because so many current theorists wrongly think they are immune to this charge. Consequently, I shall say much about what is not permitted. Such is, I suppose, the nature of arguing ‘against’ something. I’ll argue that it is not permitted to be a factualist about logical principles and say that they are known a priori. I’ll argue that it is not permitted to say linguistic conventions are a posteriori, when there is a complete failure in locating such a posteriori conventions. Both such philosophical claims are candidates for the synthetic a priori, for unmitigated rationalism. But on the positive side, we now have these two assets: Firstly, I do not ask us to abandon any of the linguistic practises discussed; merely to adopt the correct attitude towards them. For instance, where we use the laws of logic, let us remember that there are no known/knowable facts about logic. These laws are therefore, to the best of our knowledge, conventions not dissimilar to the rules of a game. And, secondly, once we pass sentence on knowing, a priori, anything but trivial truths we shall have at our disposal the sharpest of philosophical tools. A tool which can only proffer a better brand of empiricism.
Anatomic and functional significance of the coronary collateral pathways in coronary arterial obstruction.
(2014) Ajayi, Nasirudeen Oladipupo.; Satyapal, S Kapil.; Vanker, A Ebrahim.
Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and it is becoming an epidemic in developed as well as developing countries. In South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, cardiovascular disease is an increasing cause of death and disability. An important cause of morbidity and mortality is the formation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaque with resultant occlusion of large and medium size arteries. In severe obstructive coronary artery disease, coronary collateral arteries serve as alternative conduits for blood flow to the myocardial tissue supplied by the obstructed vessel(s). The confirmation of the presence of coronary collateral circulation has left several questions such as the distribution, histology and anatomy of these vessels unanswered. Hence, there is still much to understand in respect of the development, potential for manipulation and the haemodynamic effects of the collateral pathways. The most extensive description of the pathways of the coronary collateral arteries to date was reported by Levin in 1974 who recorded 22 pathways. Since this compilation, it is apparent that there has been no additional study elucidating the pathways of coronary collateral arteries in severe obstruction of the major coronary arteries. Currently, the classification of the coronary collateral arterial vasculature is based on several methods and has led to difficulty in scientific communication, as well as the assessment of their structure and function. Therefore, there is the need for a standardized systematic classification of the coronary collateral pathways. In routine coronary angiographic reports, the precise location of atherosclerotic lesions and the presence or absence of coronary collaterals is not usually indicated. The aim of this study was to document and classify the coronary collateral pathways using angiographic imaging techniques in the presence of total obstruction of the coronary arteries; and to evaluate the importance of coronary collaterals on left ventricular function. The study group was selected from the reviewed angiographic records of 2029 consecutive patients that had coronary catheterization performed by interventional Cardiologists for symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease. The coronary angiograms of 286 patients (mean age: 59 ± 11 years) that met the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis from the angiograms reviewed. The sex distribution of these patients was 21.7% (62/286) females and 78.3% (224/286) males. The angiograms were obtained from the cardiac catheterization laboratories of hospitals within the private sector in the eThekwini Municipality region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ethical approval (Ethics number BE 196/13) for the study was obtained from the University of KwaZulu- Natal Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. A total of 329 coronary arterial total obstructions were recorded in the angiograms analyzed, and these obstructions were found in the main coronary arteries as follows: anterior interventricular branch -76 obstructions, circumflex branch -87 obstructions and right coronary artery (RCA) -166 obstructions. In the obstruction of the different segments of the main coronary arteries, a total of 115 different collateral pathways were observed as follows: anterior interventricular branch - 32, circumflex branch – 46 and RCA- 37. An algorithm is proposed in the present study for identifying and labelling the coronary collateral pathways. The richest collateral supply was to the RCA and the least was to the circumflex branch. The present study found no significant association between patients’ age and sex and the development of excellent or well-functioning collaterals. There was a significant association between the development of excellent collaterals and the proximal location of lesion in the RCA. In addition, a significant association was found between right coronary arterial dominant pattern and the development of excellent coronary collaterals in circumflex branch and RCA obstructions. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean ejection fraction (EF) calculated for the different grades of coronary collaterals. Thus, the development of excellent collaterals has a significant supportive effect on the preservation of left ventricular function as compared to patients with absent or poor collateralization. There was also a significant positive correlation between coronary collateral grades and mean EF calculated for the different collateral grades. Consequently, left ventricular myocardial perfusion was greater in patients with well-developed coronary collaterals and resulted in a better recovery of left ventricular function in the presence of myocardial ischemia or infarction. The presence of well-developed collaterals may influence decision making in the management of patients with coronary arterial obstruction. In the presence of an adequately preserved left ventricular function by coronary collaterals in asymptomatic patients, there may be no need for coronary angioplasty, stent insertion or surgical intervention.
Phylogenetics and phylogeography of the Hipposideros commersoni (Chiroptera) species complex with special reference to Malagasy populations.
(2015) Rakotoarivelo, Andrinajoro Rianarivola.; Lamb, Jennifer.
ABSTRACT Hipposideros commersoni is endemic to Madagascar and is relatively common in the western portion of the island, where it is found in different habitats from sea level to 1325 m. A previous study on patterns of morphological variation within the species highlighted the presence of two distinct morphotypes larger individuals in the north of Madagascar and smaller individuals in the south. Molecular techniques using DNA sequence data in combination with morphology have been previously used to identify cryptic hipposiderid species. This thesis presents the results of analyses based on molecular data and craniodental measurements in H. commersoni occurring on Madagascar, and related African forms. The molecular analyses suggest that H. commersoni with respect to Madagascar is paraphyletic, with strong support for the presence of independently evolving lineages. Two individuals amongst those sequenced from areas in the south of Madagascar represent a unique evolutionary lineage (Clade A), distinct from other H. commersoni, and has been recently named as a new species, H. cryptovalorona. This species is sister to H. gigas and H. vittatus, both restricted to Africa. Within H. commersoni, the molecular data support two geographically distributed clades -- one in the south (Clade B) and the other in the north (Clade C). Morphometric data were consistent with the molecular analyses, suggesting a north–south break within H. commersoni. Bayesian clustering analysis showed that H. commersoni comprised four main lineages: B1, B2, B3 and C. The most recent common ancestor of H. commersoni was dated to 3.33 million years ago or the mid-Pliocene. Population expansion events were inferred for groups B1, B2 and B3 from approximately 127,600 (group B1) to 6,870 years BP (group B2). Conflicting results were obtained from Bayesian clustering and AMOVA analyses; strong population genetic structure was obtained from the former but not the latter. Sequence data indicated that genetic subdivisions failed to support an isolation-by-distance model. Lineage dispersal, genetic divergence and expansion events of H. commersoni are likely to be associated with Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations. Our data indicate the northern and the central western regions of Madagascar may have acted as refugia for this species during the Plio-Pleistocene.
Informal economic activities in Ghana : a case study of slums in Kumasi and Accra.
(2016) Junior, Luther-King Zogli.; Mahadea, D.
ABSTRACT Slums are urban households, which lack permanently durable housing, adequate living space, access to clean water, suitable sanitation and land tenure security. Globally, slums house a third of the world’s population. These slums do not only accommodate individuals who cannot afford formal housing, but also, a vibrant informal sector. Slum operators engage in diverse economic activities to earn a living, mostly in cities where there is lack of employment opportunities. Slum activities are an integral part of the informal sector, which globally, is found to contribute significantly to employment and income, especially among low-skill individuals. In Ghana, the informal sector employs 86% of the total labour force. The Harris-Todaro model suggests that people migrate from rural to urban areas because of income differentials and employment opportunities. In the absence of adequate housing and employment facilities in Ghana, migration results in the growth of slums and urban slum informal activities as people look for a place to stay and earn a living in desperation. The informal sector is a flourishing segment of the economy, a springboard from which many dynamic small firms may graduate to the formal sector over time. There may be other motivations too that influence people in Ghana to engage in the informal slum activity. This study examined what factors motivate individuals to engage in that sector on the basis of a survey of 344 slum operators in Kumasi and Accra, two major cities in Ghana. Data collected by means of a questionnaire were analysed using SPSS and STATA. The study found out that, three levels are involved when one engages in slum activities; the entry, operation and exit phases. Factors that motivate operators to engage in slum activities represent the first stage. Using Principal Component Analysis, the study found out that avoidance of government regulation is the main motive for one’s involvement in slum activities. Hence, government initiatives that will take away some of the bureaucratic burdens and rigorous procedures of operating in the formal sector may assist in reducing the growth rate of slum activitiesin Ghana. Other driving forces include the ‘luxury’ of working at one’s own time, making use of one’s talents and relations, and the quest for higher income. An operator’s participation in slum activities represents the second stage. As one engages in these economic activities to generate income, the study found out that, the surveyed operators earn about US $ 8 a day, higher than the World Bank’s poverty line of US $2 a day. To find out what factors determine the average daily income earned, the OLS regression analysis is used. Amongst factors, iii an operator’s social networks, locus of control, type of economic activity, educational level, age of business and labour size, it was found that firm age was the main determinant of average daily income in slum activities in Ghana, with a 20% increase in average daily income for every extra year of operation. Some hypotheses are also tested regarding differences in performance between the two regions and between male and female operators. The mean income of males is found to be significantly higher than that of females while differences in average income are also found between the two regions. The study then investigated the constraints that limit the growth and development of enterprises, using Factor Analysis. Of the constraints, insufficient skills and business knowledge was most inhibiting. Other growth constraints include infrastructural challenges, difficulty in accessing credit, lack of tools and materials, security problems, poor communication and social networking. Exiting informal slum activities represents the third and final stage, which involves a slum operator’s willingness to move into formal activities. Formalizing of the informal sector is crucial to generating sustainable income and employment. Results from logistic regression indicate that of all the constraints, addressing access to finance will prompt slum operators to move into formal sector. Many slum operators are happy to stay in the informal sector. Nevertheless, it is imperative that policy makers come up with suitable financing strategies to assist slum operators in order to help in formalization.
Success factors for business rescue in South Africa
(2016) Rajaram, Rajendra.; Singh, Anesh Maniraj.
In 2011 a new Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 (RSA, 2008), was implemented in South Africa. A feature of this Act was the introduction of business rescue legislation. Although this legislation was implemented in May 2011, statistics indicate that the success rate for business rescues is approximately 12%. The low success rate prompted debate relating to the effectiveness, and continued suitability, of business rescue as a mechanism to rehabilitate financially distressed companies. A feature of the business rescue environment in South Africa is the lack of knowledge, necessitating more research in the field. This study was undertaken with the initial objective of diagnosing and ranking reasons for failed business rescues in South Africa. Thereafter, the study focused on improving the success rate by establishing and ranking a set of factors that will improve the chances of a successful rescue. Due to the importance of the business rescue practitioner in the overall success of a rescue, the research also focused on competencies required to be a successful practitioner. A mixed methods research approach was utilised to address the problem of the low success rate. A survey was conducted with the membership of the Turnaround Management Association of Southern Africa. The survey was mailed to 130 members and the response rate was 54%. The survey was complemented by undertaking an interview with seven of the top ten business rescue practitioners, according to the number of practitioner appointments. The original contribution to knowledge of this study is the ranking of a lack of post rescue funding which has the highest impact on a failed business rescue; the ranking of an accreditation framework for practitioners as the most important factor that will result in a successful business rescue; and the fact that an accounting qualification and effective cash management skills must be possessed by a successful practitioner. The study recommends the establishment of an independent self-regulator to implement the identified success factors for an improved success rate. The knowledge generated from this research will benefit business rescue practitioners, the financial sector, stakeholders of companies intending to go into business rescue and the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission.
The assessment of quality service at Capitec bank in KZN: a Pinetown region based case study.
(2016) Mkhize, Fikile.; Migiro, S.
ABSTRACT This work sought to access and analyses customer satisfaction with quality of service delivery at Capitec Bank, Pinetown. The six Pinetown Capitec branch offices were purposively chosen for this work. The objectives of the study were to determine the impact of client satisfaction on the performance and growth of Capitec Bank using the SERVQUAL model that identified the influence of five dimensions (that is; tangibility, responsibility, reliability, assurance and empathy). A structured questionnaire was administered to targeted clients and employees of Capitec Bank at the Pinetown Branches. A total of 190 respondents were contacted; comprising 100 clients and 90 employees. The findings indicated that both clients and employees were more satisfied with tangibility followed by assurance, empathy, reliability and responsiveness in the branches. The relationship between employees and clients was mutual and cordial in terms of service delivery. It is recommended that managers should work at improving on the SERVQUAL dimensions to be ahead of competition and to be profitable. Keywords: SERVQUAL, Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction.
The praxis and research of human anatomy through autoethnography.
(2016) Lazarus, Lelika.; Satyapal, Kapil Sewsaran.; Sookrajh, Reshma.
This thesis is in manuscript format, as per the guidelines of the College of Health Sciences of the University of KwaZulu Natal. It comprises five manuscripts that have been submitted to accredited journals for publication (one manuscript is currently in press and the others are awaiting final status after revisions were completed). The use of autoethnography as an approach is an emerging transformative field of study within the Health Sciences at Higher Education institutions and is a move away from the key traditional positivist models of research in the domain of anatomical education. This study with praxis and research at the nucleus, aimed to investigate the following: (i) challenges experienced in the teaching and learning of human anatomy; (ii) the views and perceptions of fellow colleagues regarding research in the domain of clinically applied anatomy and how this has impacted on their teaching practices; (iii) the opinions of senior anatomy instructors regarding the state of anatomical knowledge at their respective institutions; (iv) student attitudes and experiences regarding human cadaveric dissection through an analysis of their journal-reflective writings; and (v) the use of mobile devices by learners at a selected medical school. Each of these aims stated above were achieved through the articles which comprised the manuscript of this study. In the first manuscript, Bits, bytes and bones: An Autoethnographic Account of Challenges in Anatomy Education: Perceptions Emanating from a Selected South African University I describe the methodological approach of autoethnography, specifically as it applies to reflection and memory work, and describe how this style enabled me to interrogate the current challenges and dilemmas underpinning the research, teaching and learning practices within this discipline. This was done through the use of an exclusive autoethnographic approach which is a qualitative method of research that seeks to describe and examine personal experience to comprehend cultural practice. The autoethnographic study highlighted challenges experienced, and these included the shortage of cadaveric material for teaching and research, the subsequent implementation of medical software applications, deficiencies in the curriculum and the teaching of anatomy by scientist anatomists. The second manuscript was entitled Communities of Practice: a new methodology in anatomical research and teaching. In this the notion of collaborative autoethnography as a research method is introduced. In this approach, researchers worked in tandem with me to gather autobiographical material to analyse and understand their data collectively with each contributing to an understanding of the sociocultural phenomena. This type of research allowed for in-depth learning about the self and others and fostered collaboration among researchers in this field of applied anatomy. The use of semi-structured interviews with coauthors (n=10) on co-written papers formed the essential method used in generating this article. The collaborative autoethnographic study revealed four important themes namely: the value of research collaboration; the impact of human anatomical variations; the association with medical and non-medical collaborators; and teaching practice emanating from collaborative research. In manuscript 3, Views of South African Academic Instructors regarding the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Anatomy Education, a reflective design is presented and it is understood that reflecting on teaching is commonly referred to as an essential practice for personal and professional development. Open-ended questionnaires were distributed to senior anatomy faculty based at the eight national medical schools in South Africa. The emerging argument in this paper is that educational research into the scholarship of teaching and learning anatomy includes engaging in discipline-specific literature on teaching, reflecting on individual pedagogical methods and communicating these findings to peers. In medical education, reflection has been considered to be a core skill in professional ability. Faculty teaching anatomy highlighted several challenges such as time constraints within the medical curriculum, the lack of cadavers to reinforce knowledge and lack of appropriately qualified staff in the delivery of the subject. The anatomy laboratory is an ideal setting for faculty/student interaction and provides important occasions to investigate active learning and reflection on anatomical knowledge. This forms the basis of the Manuscript 4, Reflective Journals: Unmasking student perceptions of anatomical education, in which seventy-five journals from medical and allied Health Science students were collected and analysed. Through the use of journal-reflective writing as a technique, student attitudes and experiences of human cadaveric dissection of anatomy were analysed. Student reflective journals highlighted the following themes which included (a) Dissecting room stressors, (b) Educational value of dissection , (c) Appreciation, Gratitude, Respect & Curiosity for the cadaver , (d) Positive and negative sentiments expressed in the dissecting room , (e) Benefit of alternate teaching modalities, (f) Spirituality/Religious Beliefs, (g) Shared humanity and emotional bonds, (h) Acknowledgement of human anatomical variations, (i) Beauty and complexity of the human body, and (j) Psychological detachment . For the final manuscript which forms this compilation, Anytime, Anywhere’: Tablet technology in Medical education, a questionnaire comprising both open and closed- ended questions was analysed from 179 (60 male; 119 female) second year medical students registered for the Anatomy course to establish the use of mobile devices by learners at a selected medical school. The themes that emerged from m-learning included students’ ideas on mobile device engagement, and propositions related to the advantages and challenges affecting use of mobile devices. The use of autoethnography as a research approach can be considered dissident, and an ‘anatomical turn’ in the praxis and research in the domain of anatomical education. This study highlights relevant contributions to the research, praxis (teaching and learning) of human anatomy through views of all significant role players – students, researchers and educators. The conceptual framework which was abstracted from the articles and the thesis in its entirety, offers significant understandings regarding the praxis and research of human anatomy within the context of educational theory.
Samuel Johnson on the Egyptian origin of the Yoruba.
(2016) Agai, Jock Matthew.; Denis, Philippe Marie Berthe Raoul.
Abstract not available.
An exploration of the conceptualisation and enactment of regional economic development through an analysis of the Durban aerotropolis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2017) Luthuli, Nomkhosi Hlengiwe.; Houghton, Jennifer Alice.
This study explores the conceptualisation and enactment of regional economic development (RED) through an analysis of the Durban Aerotropolis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study is undertaken during a time where the process of globalisation is progressively increasing the importance of regional processes and the role of local actors in shaping development trajectories (Ascani, Crescenzi & Iammarino, 2012). These regional processes imply practical action going beyond the limits of traditional local economic initiatives (Amin, 1999) commonly referred to in the South African context and in other parts of the world as local economic development (LED). In this regard, the major problem prompting the enquiry in this study is the tendency of vagueness and ambiguity in the discourse of policy documents and government strategies relating to regionally inclined processes. More specifically, while the Durban Aerotropolis Strategy alludes to the impact of the Durban Aerotropolis on the development of the region and connecting regional economies, the conceptual vagueness of such allusions has consequences for both theoretical and empirical RED research as well as implications for economic development policy development and implementation. This calls for deconstruction of the relevant development discourse to provide a clearer conceptualisation of RED. The problems just mentioned are further compounded by a nomenclature shift in South African practitioner circles with incorporation of issues pertaining to the ‘region’ and associated difficulties, in what was hitherto confined to more specifically local issues of economic development. These difficulties relate to the way economic development practitioners proceed with their work in the absence of a context-specific conceptualisation of RED, coupled with lack of understanding of the nature of RED projects and of how they are implemented. To find solutions to these problems, the study examines the conceptualisation of the region inherent in RED through the Durban Aerotropolis. It seeks to understand the enactment of RED through collaborative and cooperative governance mechanisms and through agglomeration and clustering of business activity, and it explores coordinated investments for regional marketing within the Durban Aerotropolis. This was done using exploratory qualitative research within a social constructivist paradigm in which respondents were selected using a purposive sampling approach. The data was collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis technique. The findings of the study reveal that function, form and scale are central characteristics of the way that the region is conceptualised in the case of the Durban Aerotropolis as an instance of RED. Here, function is the purpose of a RED project, form refers to the kind of economic development mechanism or strategy that could assist in fulfilling that purpose, and the scalar characteristics establish the extent, reach and magnitude of the project—factors that have a direct bearing on the practical enactment or implementation of RED projects. It also emerged from the study that regional conceptualisation should be done by the various stakeholders of the project who have a responsibility to see it succeed through collaborative and cooperative governance. Furthermore, RED enactment entails agglomeration and clustering of business activity which can be achieved by attracting people and investment. This, however, requires coordination of efforts for regional marketing in which stakeholders work on the competitive advantage of their region through development of infrastructure, skills development and capacity building, and provision of incentives. Overall, the study establishes that conceptualisation of RED entails defining the objectives of RED and that it precedes RED enactment. However, RED enactment requires two facilitative mechanisms which are collaborative and cooperative governance, together with coordinated investments and collaborative efforts for regional marketing – to achieve the desired outcome of RED, which is an agglomeration and cluster economy with its associated externalities. The study has thus contributed to the conceptual clarification of regionally inclined processes of the Durban Aerotropolis. This will subsequently assist in theoretical and empirical RED research as well as economic development policy development and implementation. The study will also help to establish clearer and simpler nomenclature shift and will impact the work of economic development practitioners by making provision for a context-specific conceptualisation of RED and will provide new knowledge that will add significantly to understanding of the nature of RED projects and their implementation.
An inquiry into the nature of group agency and individual agency : a study of rational autonomy.
(2017) Zimunya, Clive Tendai.; Brzozowski, Jacek Jerzy.
Human agency entails being able to rationalize over decisions, passing judgements and executing actions based on these deliberations. All these rationalizations and executions flow from a principle of rational autonomy. Rational autonomy entails that the agent is able to analyse propositions about the world from an informed explanatory and conceptual framework, and execute actions based on such judgements. If the agent’s rational autonomy is heavily constrained by outside factors such that the agent does not have any alternative courses of actions than the one the external influences suggest, then their agency appears to be diminished. In this thesis I explore the nature of agency that arises from a group of people that has assumed agent status. I argue that such groups come to form what can be called a group agent, whose reasoning and execution of actions follows immediately from the members that constitute it. I demonstrate that members of group agents have their own individual agency diminished due to the group’s restrictions over their rational autonomy and analyse the implications of such restrictions on their moral responsibility. I also explore the possibility of group agent status being accorded to societies and argue that there are certain societal groups that possess group agent traits. Against this background I demonstrate that members of such societies have their agency diminished since the thought patterns that inform their rational autonomy are heavily constrained by the group.
From looking-glass self-metaphor to self-reflective practice: self-study for professional development.
(2017) Zakwe, Thisha Peter.; Pillay, Kriben.
This autobiographical self- study explores and reflects on the socio-political and historical antecedents of the situation we face as educators and as the people of Msinga, which is an integral part of the Umzinyathi District in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The core challenge facing all circuit managements in the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department pertains to underperformance reflected in the grade 12 Results. This thesis will discuss the multiple causes of the poor performance in public schools and as a practitioner researcher self-study, examines the dynamics of enacting a radically different leadership model that seeks to promote a more productive and peaceful environment in this region and beyond. The possibility of attaining a sustainable curriculum delivery in public schools lies at the heart of this enquiry and the key research question (RQ) is: How do I, as a Circuit Manager, engage in the educational practice of self-construction in order to make a special contribution to the existing body of knowledge in relation to underperforming public schools? My research project life cycle started in 2009 until 2017 (nine years). As a result, in pursuing my research logic framework, I have crafted the key research question as informed by the title of my thesis in order to set the direction of entire narrative self-study inquiry. Observation and critical reflection shows that my research question evolved over time: 3.1 How can I improve my own learning and the learning of others in relation to academic-personal- professional development through a living theory action research methodology ? (2010- 2013) 3.2 How can I improve my own learning and practice, as a Superintendent of Education Management (SEM) in relation to academic-personal-professional development? (2014) 3.3 How do I as a Circuit Manager, engage in the educational practice of self-construction and make a special contribution to the existing body of knowledge in relation to underperforming public schools? (2015- 2017). A further three research questions emerged from this key research question: How can I, as the Circuit Manager, exercise my educative influence on the provisioning of new schools to accelerate service delivery to the poorest of the poor in this rural community? How can I, as the Circuit Manager, improve curriculum management and delivery in my schools in the Babanango circuit? How can I provide a new perspective on bullying and whistle-blowing in the workplace, based on my personal experience?’ In order to address these questions I have generated my own living educational theory called the ‘Menzi Effect’ in tribute to the achievements of Menzi High School that confirm the fact that effective or quantum schools (top-ranking schools in the public school system in South Africa) are an extended shadow of a transformative principal supported by transformative educators, who go that extra-mile to uplift the standard of education and of the lives of those in the community of their learners. Until this study, the achievements of Menzi High School were totally unrecognized. However, this auto-ethnographic account is the self-study’s core exploration: the writer is the principle subjective voice whose self-reflective journey, as detailed in the thesis through scholarly engagement and practitioner narratives and self-reflection, articulates a modus operandi for professional development.

Browse

Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Philosophy) by Issue Date