An autoethnographic exploration of creative design practice: towards pedagogic implications.

Doctoral degree, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban.I have lectured Jewellery Design at a University of Technology in South Africa for nearly 30 years now. My teaching practice has gradually adjusted over the years to suit the changing needs of the industry, the university and the students. I have become aware of the need to make deliberate adjustments, because the changes happening around me are more complex than I realized, and I feel out of touch with my students. To gain a better understanding of my own creative practice and the intersection with my pedagogic practice, I have undertaken an autoethnographic exploration of my identity as creative artist and designer, and as university educator. I produce numerous objects during the creative design process and my office/studio is filled with these artefacts. It occurred to me that there might be meanings contained within these objects that could influence my creative and pedagogic practice. So I set out to analyse the things that line my office walls. The research questions that guided my research were: a) Which are my significant creative outputs/artefacts, and why do I consider them to be important? b) How does my self manifest in these significant creative outputs/artefacts? and c) What are the pedagogic implications of an enhanced awareness of self in creative practice? As an artist and creative designer, I often stage and participate in exhibitions. So I decided to analyse the objects that I produced for these exhibitions to see what I could find. I developed an autoethnographic self-interview method using denotative prompts and connotative responses, which enabled me to reveal an underlying network of connections that culminated and intersected within the objects. On analysing the significances, I was able to recognise aspects of my creative process and arrive at an understanding of creativity that allowed me to engage fruitfully with factors that could influence the development of creative ability. The elements I identified within my own creative practice, using the self-interview, related to the meandering nature of creativity, the role serendipity plays, and the extent to which I draw on personal experience as a source of inspiration. The primary original contribution of this thesis lies in the development, refinement and use of the autoethnographic self-interview. When I considered these insights in terms of my pedagogic practice I realised that I could pay more attention to the diversity of my students, to the heterogeneity that manifested in the classroom . I recognised that this approach could help me acknowledge the emergent nature of v creativity, particularly if I wanted to encourage my students to use their own personal experiences as a foundation for creative design. By inviting this personalised approach I would, of necessity, have to make them aware of the nature of serendipity, of the ‘happy accidents’ in daily life (and creative design), and the usefulness of this phenomenon when aiming for innovation, or in a better word, creativity.Only available in English

Good practices in cultural heritage management and the use of subsurface knowledge in urban areas

City growth threatens sustainable development of cities. Over the past decades increased urbanization has created more pressure - not only on the suburban outskirts - but also in the inner core of the cities, putting important environmental issues such as water management and cultural heritage under stress. Cultural heritage, either standing monuments or archaeological remains, is internationally recognized as an important legacy of our history. The European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage incorporates concepts and ideas that have become accepted practice in Europe. Conservation and enhancement of archaeological heritage is one of the goals of urban planning policies. One of the key objectives of the European policy is to protect, preferably in-situ, archaeological remains buried in the soil or seabed and to incorporate archaeological heritage into spatial planning policies. Conflicts with prior uses and unappreciated impacts on other subsurface resources, amongst them archaeological heritage, make use of underground space in cities suboptimal. In terms of ecosystem services, the subsurface environment acts either as a carrier of archaeological heritage in situ (stewardship) or supports above-ground cultural heritage. Often, it’s not enough to protect the heritage site or monument itself: new developments outside a specific protected area can lead to changes in groundwater level, and cause serious damage to heritage buildings and archaeological deposits. This paper presents good practices in cultural heritage management and the use of subsurface knowledge in urban areas

Profiling momentum in equity markets

Includes summaries in Afrikaans and isiZuluThis study created a customised model and a custom index to profile momentum in equity markets. The customised model used a momentum term structure grouped into different entry zones to create visual profiles for individual equity shares or stocks. A momentum profile describes a particular equity market in terms of the composition of its momentum cycles. Profiling shifts the focus onto the holding period while differentiating between false, neutral, negative, and positive momentum cycles as determined by the eventual outcomes. The composition of the momentum cycles and average hold per cycle type provide a unique description of the momentum effect in a market. The customised model identifies the stocks with momentum cycles in progress while the custom index quantifies the collective outcome to show the progression of momentum in a market over the years. Therefore, each equity market has a different profile related to the composition of its momentum cycles and the performance of its custom index. These profiles can be compared in terms of the number of momentum cycles, composition, basic profiles (average holds, price ranges, sectors, and entry zones), average parameter scores, and performance. This study created momentum profiles for three different equity markets – the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and the TSX Venture Exchange. The settings of the model parameters (momentum, volatility, quality, and activity scores) were calibrated on data from the JSE to enable direct comparison between the three exchanges. These exchanges or markets are distinct in size, the number of qualifying listings, and the number of listings that generated momentum cycles. The composition or configuration of the momentum cycles is unique to each market. The overall outcomes, in terms of average hold and compound return per average hold, favoured the emerging market represented by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The developed market, represented by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) generated the largest number of momentum cycles and outperformed the JSE based on positive cycles. The venture market, represented by the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), underperformed the other two markets overall but produced the best results in terms of positive cycles. The positive cycles ultimately determined the performance of the respective momentum indices with the TSXV Momentum Index (TSXV MI) outperforming the other two indices, the JSE Momentum Index (JSE-MI) and the TSX Momentum Index (TSX-MI) over the 13-year period (2009-2021) of analysis.Hierdie studie het 'n doelgemaakte model en 'n pasgemaakte indeks geskep om momentum in aandelemarkte te profileer. Die doelgemaakte model het 'n momentumtermynstruktuur gebruik wat in verskillende toetreesones ingedeel is om visuele profiele vir enkelaandele te skep. 'n Momentumprofiel beskryf 'n besondere aandelemark in terme van die samestelling van sy momentumsiklusse. Profilering verskuif die klem na die houtydperk terwyl daar onderskei word tussen vals, neutrale, negatiewe en positiewe momentumsiklusse soos bepaal deur die uiteindelike uitkomste. Die samestelling van die momentumsiklusse en gemiddelde houtyd per siklussoort verskaf 'n eiesoortige of unieke beskrywing van die momentumeffek in 'n mark. Die doelgemaakte model wys die aandele met ontwikkelende momentumsiklusse uit, terwyl die pasgemaakte indeks die gesamentlike uitkoms kwantifiseer om die vordering van momentum in 'n mark oor die jare weer te gee. Elke aandelemark het daarom 'n anderse profiel wat verband hou met die samestelling van sy momentumsiklusse en die vertoning van sy pasgemaakte indeks. Hierdie profiele kan vergelyk word in terme van die aantal momentumsiklusse, samestelling, basiese profiele (gemiddelde houtye, prysklasse, sektore en toetreesones), gemiddelde parametertellings en vertoning. Hierdie studie het momentumprofiele vir drie verskillende aandelemarkte geskep – die Johannesburg Aandelebeurs (JSE), die Toronto Aandelebeurs (TSX) en die TSX Waagkapitaalbeurs. Die stellings van die modelparameters (momentum, volatiliteit, kwaliteit en aktiwiteit tellings) is op data van die JSE ingestel om direkte vergelyking tussen die drie beurse moontlik te maak. Hierdie beurse of markte is verskillend in grootte, die aantal geskikte noterings en die aantal noterings wat momentumsiklusse ondergaan het. Die samestelling of konfigurasie van die momentumsiklusse is eiesoortig aan elke mark. Die algehele uitkomste, in terme van gemiddelde houtyd en saamgestelde opbrengs per gemiddelde houtyd, het die ontluikende mark soos deur die Johannesburg Aandelebeurs (JSE) verteenwoordig bevoordeel. Die ontwikkelde mark, verteenwoordig deur die Toronto Aandelebeurs (TSX), het die grootste aantal momentumsiklusse voortgebring en het beter as die JSE gevaar op grond van positiewe siklusse. Die waagmark, verteenwoordig deur die TSX Waagkapitaalbeurs (TSXV), het oor die algemeen swakker gevaar as die ander twee markte, maar het die beste uitslag gelewer in terme van positiewe siklusse. Die positiewe siklusse het uiteindelik die vertoning van die onderskeie momentumindekse bepaal met die TSXV Momentum Indeks (TSXV MI) wat die ander twee indekse, die JSE Momentum Indeks (JSE-MI) en die TSX Momentum Indeks (TSX-MI), oor die 13-jaar tydperk (2009-2021) van ontleding oortref.Lolu cwaningo ludale imodeli eyenziwe ngokwezifiso kanye nenkomba yangokwezifiso ukuze kuphrofayili umfutho ezimakethe zokulingana. Imodeli eyenziwe ngendlela oyifisayo isebenzise ukwakheka kwethemu lomfutho eliqoqwe ezindaweni zokungena ezihlukene ukuze kwakhe amaphrofayili abonakalayo wamasheya angawodwana okulingana noma amasheya. Iphrofayili yomfutho ichaza imakethe ethile yezabelomali ngokuya ngokwakheka kwemijikelezo yayo yomfutho. Ukwenza iphrofayela kushintsha ukugxila kunkathi yokubamba kuyilapho kuhlukanisa phakathi kwemijikelezo yamanga, engathathi hlangothi, engemihle, kanye nenhle njengoba kunqunywa imiphumela yokugcina. Ukwakheka kwemijikelezo yomfutho nokubamba okumaphakathi kohlobo ngalunye lomjikelezo kunikeza incazelo ehlukile yomthelela womfutho emakethe. Imodeli eyenziwe ngendlela oyifisayo ikhomba amasheya anemijikelezo yomfutho eqhubekayo kuyilapho inkomba yangokwezifiso ilinganisela umphumela ohlangene ukuze ubonise ukuqhubeka komfutho emakethe phakathi neminyaka. Ngakho-ke, imakethe yezabelomali ngayinye inephrofayili ehlukile ehlobene nokwakheka kwemijikelezo yayo yomfutho kanye nokusebenza kwenkomba yayo yangokwezifiso. Lawa maphrofayili angafaniswa ngokwenani lemijikelezo yomfutho, ukwakheka, amaphrofayili ayisisekelo (ukubanjwa okumaphakathi, ububanzi bentengo, imikhakha, nezindawo zokungena), isilinganiso semiphumela yepharamitha, kanye nokusebenza. Lolu cwaningo ludale umfutho ezimakethe ezintathu ezahlukene zamasheya – iJohannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), iToronto Stock Exchange (TSX), kanye ne-TSX Venture Exchange. Izilungiselelo zamapharamitha wemodeli (umfutho, ukuguquguquka, ikhwalithi, namaphuzu omsebenzi) zilinganiswa ngedatha evela e-JSE ukuze kuvunyelwe ukuqhathanisa okuqondile phakathi kwalokhu kushintshana okuthathu. Lokhu kushintshana noma izimakethe zihlukile ngosayizi, inombolo yokufakwa kuhlu okufanelekayo, kanye nenani lokufakwa kuhlu okukhiqize imijikelezo yomfutho. Ukwakheka noma ukucushwa kwemijikelezo yomfutho bekuhlukile emakethe ngayinye. Isiyonke imiphumela, ngokwesilinganiso sokubamba kanye nembuyiselo ehlanganisiwe ngokwesilinganiso sokubamba, ivune izimakethe ezisafufusa ezimelwe yiJohannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Imakethe ethuthukisiwe, emelwe yi-Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) ikhiqize inani elikhulu kakhulu lemijikelezo yomfutho futhi yadlula i-JSE ngokusekelwe emijikelezweni emihle. Imakethe yezohwebo, emelwe yi-TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), yenza kabi ezinye izimakethe ezimbili zizonke kodwa yakhiqiza imiphumela engcono kakhulu ngokwemijikelezo emihle. Imijikelezo eqondile igcine inqume ukusebenza kwezinkomba zomfutho ngokulandelana kwazo ne-TSXV Momentum Index (TSXV-MI) idlula ezinye izinkomba ezimbili, i-JSE Momentum Index (JSE-MI) kanye ne-TSX Momentum Index (TSX-MI) phakathi neminyaka 13 unyaka inkathi (2009-2021) yokuhlaziya.Business ManangementD. Phil. (Management Studies

Towards guidelines for effective diversity management in South African organisations

In the current day and age, South African organisations are faced with many unique challenges in striving to manage an increasingly diverse workforce. The purpose of this study was to develop guidelines for effective diversity management in South African organisations. In order to understand what effective diversity management means in South African organisations as well as the various contextual factors at play, a qualitative approach to the research was utilized through the core methodology of Grounded Theory. In the first stage of the research, relevant literature on the subject was scrutinized. This included an overview of the conceptualization of workforce diversity, theoretical models for the management of diversity, barriers to effective diversity management and best practice methodology in the field of diversity management. After identifying key points from the literature relevant to the study, a semi-structured in depth interview schedule was developed and the elements from literature used to guide the discussions with participants during the data collection phase. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants and criteria defined by which participants were selected. Participants were approached for the purposes of obtaining their inputs to the study in their capacity as subject matter experts within the field of diversity management. Interviews were conducted until a point of data saturation was reached. Data was analyzed according to coding methodology and with the use of a systematic coding tool, ATLAS.ti. Three main themes were identified from the data, namely Diversity philosophy, Contextual factors influencing diversity and Diversity actions. During the discussion of results, findings were compared with the most prominent elements identified from literature. Subsequently, the researcher was able to identify guidelines for effective diversity management in South African organisations. The aim of the guidelines is to assist diversity practitioners in South African organisations in understanding effective diversity management, prioritizing diversity initiatives and making decisions that will enhance the effect of diversity on the business.Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Human Resource Managementunrestricte

3D modelling of geological and anthropogenic deposits at the World Heritage Site of Bryggen in Bergen, Norway

The landscape of many historic cities and the character of their shallow subsurface environments are defined by a legacy of interaction between anthropogenic and geological processes. Anthropogenic deposits and excavations result from processes ranging from archaeological activities to modern urban development. Hence, in heritage cities, any geological investigation should acknowledge the role of past and ongoing human activities, while any archaeological investigation should be conducted with geological processes in mind. In this paper it is shown that 3D geological and anthropogenic models at different scales can provide a holistic system for the management of the subsurface. It provides a framework for the integration of other spatial and processmodels to help assess the preservationpotential for buried heritage. Such an integrated framework model is thus contributing to a decision support system for sustainable urban (re)development and regeneration in cities, while preserving cultural heritage. A collaborative approach is proposed to enhance research and implementation of combined geological and archaeological modelling for sustainable land use planning and heritage preservation, using York and Bryggen as prime examples. This paper presents the status of 3D framework modelling at Bryggen in Norway as an example

Church planning in the South African Indian Community, with reference to the Reformed Church in Africa

The spice route around the Cape of Good Hope established links between the refreshment station in the Cape and India. This foreshadowed the official involvement between South Africa and India. By 1700 up to 50% of the slaves in the Cape were of Indian descent. As early as the 17th century, the DRC had been involved in outreach work to the Muslim community in the Cape. It took a considerable length of time after the Indians had settled in Natal in 1860, however, before the DRC became involved in this new field. It was only in 1946 that the church officially began mission work among the Indian people and more specifically the Hindus. A number of factors however hampered the outreach work, such as political antipathy, the English language, fear of economic competition, the foreign culture, and their religion. The Mission Boards of the DRC, in time, acquired not only the necessary funds, but also the manpower for the task. In the sixties they commenced to work in Natal, as well as in the Cape and Transvaal. A number of important issues landed on the desk of the Mission Board, such as membership of ministers, the form of baptism, the period of catechism for older believers, aspects of organizational questions regarding the formation of a new church, the training of evangelists and ministers, and a church order for the newly established church. The first missionaries, being pioneers in the work among the Indian people, were all white ministers either from the DRC, the DRC Missions Church (NGSK) or the DRC Church in Africa (NGKA). These early missionaries were determined to ensure that the Gospel was brought to this neglected community in a clear and forceful way. The challenges involved were obviously enormous. The first evangelists were all Indians and by and large workers belonging to other churches. The appointment of evangelists proved to be a great asset. As co workers of the missionaries, they opened doors to Hindu homes that would have been closed to the foreign missionaries. By 1962 four congregations had been established and in 1968 the Indian Reformed Church was formed. Two years later the use of evangelists in the IRC was discontinued. Six years later the name of the church was changed to 'Reformed Church in Africa', establishing the church as an open community. Strong resolutions were taken against any form of racism. The church was now established as an open church where all races would be welcome. In the seventies it was the RCA that took the initiative to call upon the NG Kerk, the NG Kerk in Afrika and the NG Sendingkerk to consider possible unification. The RCA remained strongly focussed on reaching Muslims and Hindus. The resolution of the WARC in 1982 to suspend the NGK and the denouncement of apartheid as heresy by certain members of the RCA led to a serious confrontation with the NGK and a schism in the RCA. The reconstruction of the RCA began in 1986 and in 1990 the RCA adopted the Laudium Declaration, affirming that the church was Reformed, and an Evangelical Reformed Church. A period of remarkable rebuilding and growth ensued. The Laudium Declaration became the hallmark of the RCA. The specific reformed, evangelical and mission orientated qualities had to be met. Evangelists were again trained and sent out. The RCA offers important insights to all believers in a pluralistic community. In spite of a flood of liberal theological thinking, the RCA holds zealously to her Reformed Evangelical position as expressed in the Laudium Declaration.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010.Practical Theologyunrestricte

The Reformed Church in Africa’s Laudium declaration. a gift to the ecumenical community

The author provides a brief overview of the history of the Reformed Church in Africa (RCA), a church that is rooted in the South African Indian community, from its birth in 1968 till the present day. He then proceeds to discuss the content and the impact of the Laudium Declaration, which was adopted at the synod of the RCA in 1990. The declaration was widely welcomed in the RCA, defining the evangelical character of the church. The reaction of other churches in the Dutch Reformed Church Family to the Laudium Declaration is discussed, together with an appraisal of the role that the declaration may play in the current unification process in the Dutch Reformed Family in South Africa. The article ends with a heartfelt prayer that the declaration will be accepted as a gift from God not only by the Reformed churches in South Africa, but by the wider ecumenical community.http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/am2013mn201

Organisation team sport interventions to overcome diversity constraints in the workplace

Particular organisations which implement formal organisational team sport participation, do not know whether the specific sport intervention contributes to the diversity management objectives of the organisations. A qualitative study was done to determine whether organisation team sport interventions have an impact on the participating employee’s relationships, trust and respect towards each other despite their differences. The diversity constraints relevant in this study are race, ethnicity, generation gaps, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, parental status, education and income. The study was conducted among 26 employees employed at two financial organisations in South Africa and participating in organisation team sport. The data was collected by means of focus group interviews and individual interviews where open-ended questions and probing questions to participants were asked. Data analysis was used to make sense of, formulate and arrange the data so that it can be presented in a clear and logical account. Lastly, a conclusion of this study and discussion of the limitations and recommendations for organisations in terms of the implementation of organisation team sport interventions to overcome diversity barriers in an organisation, as well as further research was made

Experiences of employees who participate in organisational team sport activities

More than a third of an employee’s time is often spent in a stressful environment – the workplace. The stress can be alleviated when employees treat each other with trust and respect and when friendships are forged. Relationships are necessary for effective teamwork in organisations and will not develop without mutual trust and respect. The purpose of this research was to explore the employees’ experiences regarding relationships, trust and respect related to participation in organisational team sport. Improved relationships, trust and respect among employees should enhance the competence in the organisation because the organisation works towards mutual goals. Once the goals of the organisation are aligned, the organisation can move forward through strong leadership. The qualitative exploration study was conducted among 26 employees of two financial organisations that engage in organisational team sport. The data were collected by means of focus group interviews. The results indicated that a strong bond was established between employees in the organisation during organisational team sport. Organisational team sport should be considered as a vehicle for improving cohesion and increasing trust and respect in a workforce, since it enhances friendships among employees. The contributions that organisational team sport makes to an organisation are all requirements for an effective workforce. The findings contribute valuable new knowledge to the literature on the influence of organisational team sport on relationships, trust and respect between employees.http://jetems.scholarlinkresearch.or