Masculine performance and enactment in the Rhodes University Rowing Club

Drawing on the interactions between gender and power in the South African context, this study explores how masculinities are produced, reproduced and contested in one particular realm of social life, namely organised university sport. The study focuses on a rowing club at a historically white South African university (RURC). The narratives of ten male participants (aged between 19 and 23) who self-identified as heterosexual and were recruited from RURC, were utilised to make meaning of the process of identity construction of young males who participate in organised sport within the higher education sphere. The ethnographic aspect of the study, which spanned over three months, provided a window into the norms, values and rituals of the club and how these variously reinforce or interrupt the prevailing gender order. Employing Connell’s typology of masculinities as a lens, the study traces the lived construction of masculinity in the individual lives of the members of RURC as one sphere of university life in which masculinities are produced and contested. Within a wider culture that has been characterised as white, heteronormative and patriarchal, the study argues that although masculinities and masculine performances in the RURC are highly contested the practices of the club ultimately perpetuate an exclusionary, orthodox masculinity

Searching for new relevance in the 1990s: the Organization of African Unity as an instrument of conflict resolution

The 1960's and the 1970's marked a great Pan-African movement in Africa, that saw the liberation of most African states. This Pan-African movement, was spearheaded by a quest to unite Africa, and to abate foreign occupation. Amidst the spirit of unity, lay a promise of an organization that would embody the hopes and aspirations of a continent undergoing a re-birth; a progression towards self-determination, economic development and integration, and the maintenance of peace. Therefore, the inception ofthe Organization of African Unity (OAD) was not only a symbol of a unifying force for Africans, but a diplomatic platform that would promote African needs on the international arena. In effect the OAU, at its inception, was for specific ideals that would guarantee liberation and unity of African states. The outcome of these ideals would be greater regional economic integration and the achievement of peace and stability. These ideals mirrored the structural definition of regional organization, with the inclusion of a Commission for Mediation Arbitration and Conciliation under the OAU Charter, to handle disputes among member states. However, the mere fact that this commission lacked the political wherewithal to resolve conflicts, by its sheer lack of a standing peacekeeping force, contributed to the inefficiency of the organization to play an effective role in conflict management. This study attempts to examine the role ofthe OAU in settling disputes. The study sought to accomplish this, in the following manner. Firstly, an investigation into the nature of conflict and why it persists in Africa was conducted. Further, an examination ofthe tools that practitioners utilize not only to study conflict, but to prevent, manage and resolve it, was done. During the investigation it was found that, although the OAU's greatest successes have come from preventive diplomacy, its structural foundations limit the capabilities of the organization to become more relevant. The Charter of the OAU alludes vaguely to the settlement of disputes, but without an executive political decision-making body able to deploy peacekeepers, its principles are largely meaningless. Amidst the growing concerns, the OAU as a matter of survival, developed initiatives it hopes will make it more effective and relevant. The focus ofthe study was the evolving role ofthe OAU, from its inception to its new role as an instrument of conflict resolution. Most of the scholarly work conducted on the OAU, is concerned with depicting a terminal organization, with little or no hope of surviving. Little emphasis is placed on prescribing remedies on how to improve and restructure the organization. The findings included, inter alia, that the organization is faced with enormous challenges, as the sources of conflict are varied and complex. Africa is now the landscape of collapsed states, economic stagnation, environmental degradation, disease and chronic conflicts. The OAU shoulders much ofthe responsibility for not sanctioning governments that contribute to the decay and suffering of the African peoples. Most ofthe criticism of the OAU, stem from the inability of the organization to play an effective role in resolving conflicts in Africa. Most of Africa's conflicts stem from a lack of political legitimacy, lack of democratic institutions, uneven distribution of resources, ethnic tensions and economic stagnation. Until such problems are addressed, Africa will continue to host the world's deadliest conflicts

Perceptions of radiographers regarding establishing a self-regulatory body for radiation safety in Eswatini

INTRODUCTION : Eswatini remains one of the countries in Southern Africa without a regulating authority for radiation safety in the radiography departments. Quality control (QC) tests and radiation protection practices are unmonitored. This study sought to explore radiographers’ perceptions regarding establishing a self-regulatory body that will formulate, implement and monitor compliance of standardised guidelines for radiation safety. METHODS : A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research approach was undertaken. Radiographers currently registered and practicing in Eswatini were purposively selected and invited to participate. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Audiotapes and field notes were used. Audio taped interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS : Six themes emerged from the analysis of data, namely; a) awareness of the need for QC tests, b) radiation protection and safety in the radiography departments, c) radiographers’ responsibility towards radiation protection, d) education and training in radiation safety for radiographers and other stakeholders, e) support from governmental and management structures and f) the need for the self-regulatory body in the radiography departments. CONCLUSION : The study demonstrated that there is awareness among radiographers in Eswatini that radiation safety practices are necessary in the radiography departments. Continuous education and training were deemed as imperative to improve radiation safety in the radiography departments. There is also support for the idea of establishing the self-regulatory body. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE : The need for monitoring structures in order to ensure radiation safety in the radiography departments is highlighted in this study. Government officials and hospital management are crucial in ensuring radiation safety in radiography departments.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/radihj2022Radiograph

Social security and older people in Swaziland.

Doctor of Philosophy in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2018.This study explored the lived experiences of older people in Swaziland who are recipients of the Old Age Grant in Swaziland (OAG). It sought to understand their views on being old in an environment where there is insufficient social security coverage and disintegration of the extended family structure. The study sought to examine older people’s ways of life on a daily basis, the levels of independence and ability to care for themselves as well as other forms of care, in which they are involved in based on the Active Ageing Framework, the Notion of Care and Human Rights Based Approach. The Policy Implementation Theory was used to understand the context, content, nature of the policy process, actors involved in the formulation process and how all these components influence the implementation of OAG in Swaziland. This theory therefore, showed the dynamics of implementation and how each component is important in the effective policy implementation of the grant. The study utilized indepth interviews and focus group discussions in order to strengthen the methodological vigor of the study. A qualitative research methodology was used in order to gain a rich and detailed account of the social security experiences of older people. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study who were recipients of OAG and who live in different geographical regions of Swaziland (Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni). Qualitative methods included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with older people and a questionnaire was used with government officials and implementing partners (local and non-government organization representatives) involved in social protection and ageing issues. In total, there were 172 participants for the study, including sixty-one in-depth interviews and one hundred focus group participants. Eleven questionnaires were distributed to five government officials and six representatives of local and international NGOs working in social security issues or as implementing partners for the government of Swaziland. Further, there were some differences in terms of overall needs, educational levels, previous employment, perceptions and overall understanding of the issues, which they face based geographic on location (whether urban, peri-urban or rural). The overall perception of participants in the study was that government and non-governmental organizations have been slow in responding to the urgent needs of the ageing population in Swaziland. The study further revealed that there is lack of understanding of the experiences of the ageing population in Swaziland, and that their needs are not known or inadequately addressed because there is no platform to discuss the issues of older people in the country. Overall, the older people perceived social security as a right which government must award to them since they are citizens of the country. From the participants’ responses, it was clear that HIV/AIDS had caused significant strain for older people as they had assumed caregiving duties in old age. All these experiences were well captured under the Notion of Care, Human Rights Based Approach and Active Ageing Framework. Regardless of all their caring responsibilities, older people desire to live in an environment free of ageism, abuse and social exclusion. At a policy level, the study revealed numerous implementing challenges of the OAG and that Swaziland needs a programme that is more responsive to the daily needs of older people. HIV/AIDS is a significant factor in the lives of older people and as such need to be weaved into programmes targeting this population. The study further revealed the importance of designing programmes that take into account Swaziland’s specific socio-political and cultural heritage. From the study, it emerged that in Swaziland formal and indigenous social systems co-exist and both play an equally important role in an environment where the majority of the ageing population is not protected or supported by formal social security. Indigenous social security mechanisms cover the gaps created by lack of adequate coverage from state provided social security. Community-based and neighbourhood welfare practices have somewhat assisted older people in maintaining their social networks which are built on reciprocity and Ubuntu in meeting some of their needs. Conclusions and inferences from this study suggest that the current State social security systems (SSS) have not adequately responded to the day-to-day needs of older people. Older people in the study were more heterogeneous than homogenous therefore, makers need to factor in these differences during policy formulation and implementation. The study proposed a more inclusive, collaborative and bottom-up approach to implementing programmes targeting older people. Improvement on the current safety net could be realised if the input of the recipients is solicited. The study further proposed strengthening of indigenous social security systems (ISSS) to supplement State based social security in an effort to improve the livelihood of older people in Swaziland. Lastly, a one-stop comprehensive model in the delivery of the old age grant was proposed in order to improve the quality of services and to encourage cooperation between the different agencies working with older people in Swaziland

Teachers’ use of computer-based simulations in teaching electrolysis : a case study in Eswatini

This study aimed to understand teachers’ classroom practices using computer-based simulations (CBS) when teaching electrolysis. The study was framed by the Consensus Model of Pedagogical Content Knowledge. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to select three experienced chemistry teachers from three schools in Eswatini (Swaziland). Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and classroom observations were used in the data collection. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis in terms of six emergent themes. The findings of this study reveal how the teachers’ views and knowledge about CBS and electrolysis relate to the way they integrate CBS into their lessons while teaching this topic. The teachers all believed that CBS enhances learners’ understanding of electrolysis because it enables learners to visualise abstract processes, and because the simulations raise learners’ interest and enhance critical thinking. Two of the teachers valued learners’ involvement in the manipulation of the CBS, while the remaining teacher believed that it was adequate for learners to ‘see’ the movement of ions and electrons. During classroom discussions following the simulations, the teachers sometimes displayed poor content knowledge, thus reducing the value of the learning experience. All of the teachers were concerned that the shortage of equipment, large class sizes and the poor socio-economic background of the learners may affect the effective use of CBS. Although the schools participating in this study had computers, they were reserved for use by the ICT departments, adding to the obstacles faced by the teachers. It is recommended that teachers are made familiar with the pedagogy of using CBS, and that teachers’ content knowledge should be prioritised during their training to enhance the effective use of CBS.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rmse202020-11-22hj2020Science, Mathematics and Technology Educatio

Perceptions and short-term experiences of newly qualified radiographers performing compulsory community service

INTRODUCTION : Compulsory community service (CCS) is a concept that was adopted by many countries as a strategy to address the shortage of health workers. CCS was initiated in 1997 in the South African healthcare system to alleviate improper distribution of health workers in the public sector. CCS experiences of various health professions excluding radiographers were explored where debates regarding the impact, experiences and perceptions of the CCS year are ongoing. This study aimed to describe the perceptions and short-term experiences of newly qualified radiographers performing CCS in Gauteng, South Africa. METHODS : A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire distributed to 81 newly qualified radiographers who had started CCS in the Gauteng province in 2017 across 11 radiology departments. A response rate of 48.1% (n = 39) was obtained. RESULTS : Newly qualified radiographers understood the objectives of CCS and felt adequately prepared for their roles as CCS radiographers in terms of education skills acquired and role expectations. Participants felt confident to commence their duties and were not intimidated by their work environments. Orientation, mentoring and supervision were identified to be the main challenges during the CCS year. CONCLUSION : The concept of CCS is widely accepted and regarded beneficial by CCS radiographers. Similar challenges emerged as reported by other health professionals despite the presence of role models. The development and implementation of structured guidelines regarding orientation and mentoring of CCS health professionals is strongly recommended to address the needs identified by this study.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/radi2020-05-01hj2019Radiograph