Working with Mophato: interrogating and shifting representations of black women in Botswana during performance

Thesis (M.A.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Arts (Dramatic Arts), 2012The voices of women have not been absent or silent, in fact, the struggle to be heard has been constant, but ‘seemingly absent’ because the receiver was not actively present, or possibly, the listener chose not to ‘hear’ (Singer, 2008: 1). My experience in theatre and performance has led me to conclude that representations of black women often fail to give voice, or allow them to give voice, to their experiences of life in their individual societies. Instead, they are often represented as a homogenous black female, an exoticised, sexualised and/or impoverished entity that is often spoken for or about, but who never speaks for herself. This paper is a reflection on the process I underwent with Mophato Dance Theatre to use performance to interrogate and shift representations of black women. In so doing, I chose to use Physical Theatre as an approach to theatremaking as it draws on different performance modes, providing an inclusive approach that uses physical, vocal and written texts to explore ways of re-presenting black women. I have taken as my starting point the idea that binary oppositions create a framework for the marginalisation of certain groups in favour of others. The process focused on collapsing the distinctions between audience and spectator as well as performance space and viewing space, treating these as symptomatic of a society that emphasizes separation for the sake of simplicity in categorizing subjects. This has included an exploration around the reorganisation of the theatrical performance space to challenge the existence of these binaries. In this way I hope to call attention to the use of binaries in setting up unfavourable and simplistic categorisations of people which, I believe, have resulted in the objectification and marginalisation of women in general and black women in particular. Thus, I have endeavoured to reconfigure performance space and create conversations to challenge existing binaries in the theatre in order to re-present black women. This has been in an effort to develop a theatremaking approach for myself that will allow me to interrogate and shift representations of subjugated identities

PREDICTORS OF POST-SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION AMONG KENTUCKY TRANSITION-AGED YOUTH WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

The State of Kentucky has a high and increasing number of reported cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI), mostly attributed to motor vehicle crashes, falls, and being struck by or against an object. Young adults are among those most at-risk for experiencing a TBI through motor vehicle crashes. Using existing data from the Kentucky Post-School Outcomes Center (KyPSO), 90 youth with TBI were identified within a period of 6-years of the longitudinal study (2012-2017). The majority were males and White. Descriptive statistics, chi square, and logistic regression were used to examine the post-secondary outcomes for youth with TBI, using four demographic variables: gender, ethnicity, residence, and rural or urban status. None of these were associated with post-secondary outcomes for the sample. The results indicated that more than 50% of the youth with TBI had positive outcomes, yet they rarely used the services provided for them in the schools or at the workplace. This study suggests that, although the demographic characteristics did not predict post-secondary outcomes, other variables within education and employment yielded interesting results that could benefit rehabilitation counselors

The comparative efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the treatment of chronic lumbar facet syndrome

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether a single treatment approach of extracorporeal shockwave therapy or chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy, compared to a combined treatment approach of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy with extracorporeal shockwave therapy is effective with regards to pain, disability and lumbar range of motion in individuals with chronic lumbar facet syndrome. The results were based on the use of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) to assess subjective pain and disability as well as the Digital Inclinometer to assess objective lumbar range of motion. This study also aims to provide chiropractors and other health care practitioners with an alternative/additional modality in treating and managing chronic lumbar facet syndrome. Method: This was a comparative study utilising convenience sampling and random group allocation methods to split thirty male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years into three groups of ten participants each. All the recruited participants presented with low back pain due to chronic lumber facet syndrome. Group one received spinal manipulative therapy, Group two received extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and Group three received a combination of both interventions. Procedure: Each participant recruited in this study was required to attend six treatment consultations and a seventh consultation that was for obtaining the final measurements/data only. All the participants were individually assessed over a four-week clinical trial period. Objective data was obtained using a Digital Inclinometer to assess lumbar spine range of motion. Subjective data was obtained using two methods which were the NPRS and the ODQ. The subjective and objective data was recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations. Results: The subjective and objective data that was collected by the researcher was analysed by statisticians from STATKON at the University of Johannesburg. With regards to the intragroup and intergroup analysis of this study, non-parametric tests were used to analyse the raw data obtained by the researcher as the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality indicated that the data was not normally distributed. The intragroup analysis was done using the non-parametric Friedman test and post-hoc Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. The intergroup analysis was done using the Kruskal-Wallis test. vi With regards to the intragroup analysis, the numerical pain rating scale and the Oswestry low back pain and disability questionnaire data showed clinically and statistically significant results for all three groups. The Digital Inclinometer data showed clinically and/or statistically significant results for some ranges of motion for certain groups. Lumbar spine flexion, extension, left lateral flexion and right lateral flexion ranges of motion were tested for each group. However, with the intergroup analysis, all three groups showed no statistically significant results with all the data collection methods. Conclusion: Based on the subjective results obtained in this study, all three groups were effective with regards to the numerical pain rating scale and the Oswestry low back pain and disability questionnaire, with group one showing the largest overall clinical improvement in both. Therefore, the participants of all three groups benefitted from the restoration of their ability to perform normal daily activities. However, spinal manipulative therapy was the most effective in decreasing pain and disability. Based on the objective results obtained in this study, the Digital Inclinometer results for the three groups made it difficult to establish the best treatment protocol for the restoration of the lumbar spine range of motion. This is due to the fact that most of the results were clinically significant and statistically insignificant. However, group two had the most clinically significant results, but group three demonstrated the most clinically and statistically significant results out of the three groups. This suggests that the combination treatment protocol was the most effective in the treatment of LBP due to chronic lumbar facet syndrome with regards to lumbar ROM.M.Tech. (Chiropractic

The case of Johannesburg Development Agency officials, Johannesburg

Honours Research Report 2016Public participation is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa, and it is at the local government that most of the community engagement is undertaken. However with this being said there are a number of signs that indicate that South African people are unsatisfied with how the state engages with them. This paper looked at public participation from the official’s perspective, as it attempted to understand some of the challenges they face, the complexities of undertaking community as well how they navigate these challenges and complexities. The research study was conducted on officials of the Development Facilitation Unit at the Johannesburg Development Agency. Two dimensions of community engagement were presented. Firstly community engagement meetings and how they were conducted, and secondly what officials do with the information that is received from communities, this is what the research refers to as ‘the behind the scene work’.Post Graduate Merit AwardJJ201

Botswana’s Prosperity Diamonds: Minerals and Energy Exports and Revenue Projections

This report is on the basis of studies by Fichani and Freeman undertaken in 2012 entitled ‘Minerals and Energy Exports and Revenue Projections’ that looked at the prospects of the development of the known new mines in Botswana. This includes coal, Coal Bed Methane (CBM), uranium base metals including iron ore, copper and nickel. Significantly, the study concludes that even if all these new mines are developed it is unlikely to compensate for the losses that were expected as a result of the decline in revenues from the diamond sector. This means that, on their own and without further beneficiation, the new sectors are unable to act as either a revenue or export replacement of the important revenues from diamonds which make up some one third of government revenue on an annual basis. This report was predicated on a resource estimate for diamonds which has now been replaced in late 2014 and it would now appear that diamond production will not decline significantly from current levels before 2050. While this new assessment is highly fortuitous for Botswana it means that the dates of diamond decline have been delayed for what is effectively a whole generation. Keywords: Botswana, Diamonds, Energy exports, Mineral revenue

Microbial hazards associated with meat processing in butcheries within Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal area

Thesis (M. Tech. (Environmental Health)) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014In the battle to sustain and produce quality food that is safe and affordable, the limited legislative and regulatory environment continues to allow opportunities for food to become contaminated during processing. The degree of contamination distributed over the final food product (including meat products) depends upon several factors that include knowledge and behaviour of the food handlers, equipment, the hygiene habits of personnel, and the monitoring that takes place at food processing plants (including butcheries). The current study was conducted in five selected butcheries (forming 15% of the registered butcheries at the time the study was conducted) in the Mangaung Metropolitan municipal area, purposely targeting the ones registered with the municipality. The hygiene practices of meat handlers were assessed (through self-administered questionnaires) because meat is a perishable product that requires labour intensive processing for production of quality products. Thus, mishandling by food handlers may create and maintain conditions favourable to microbial contamination. Furthermore, the study assessed and characterised microbial contamination on working surfaces and utensils through swabs as well as bioluminescence instrument [Adenosine Tri-phosphate (ATP) Hygiena] for cleanness of the working environment. Concomitant to the above, meat handlers’ hands and aprons were also assessed for possible microbial contamination as well as their characterisation. Lastly, aerosolised microbes [through an air sampler (Surface Air System) SAS Super 90] were also collected for iv quantification and identification during working hours as airborne microbes can settle on working surfaces and/or utensils as a result of movement of workers and other related working processes. Statistical points such as correlations, standard deviations, group standard deviations as well as significant differences were captured per respective chapter where necessary. Data reported in this study is over 3 month period with two weeks intervals during sampling and thus reported as either weekly or rounds between sampling periods. The results of the current study indicate that the food safety objectives are negligibly achieved, indicating a need for proper food safety training which is audit based. On administration of a questionnaire, food handlers showed poor knowledge of food safety awareness coupled with poor attitude and behaviour in terms of food safety. The five butchery premises were further examined regarding the airborne and surface microbial loads, as well as that of the food handlers’ hands, during processing. The microbial loads in the air appeared to comply with the suggested limits at all the sampled butcheries. Microbial loads on meat contact surfaces showed levels conforming to the South African standard or guideline of 1 × 102 cfu.m-2. Total Coliforms on hands and on aprons were compared to the general microbial target value of <2.5 cfu.m-2 as suggested by literature. In this study, Matrix Laser Desorption Time of Flight Mass Spectrophotometer (MALDI-TOF MS) was found to be an accurate, rapid and cost effective method towards v identifying of foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria including yeast. Moreover, in recent years South Africa’s meat scandals have increased consumer awareness and the demand for food safety. Section 11 of the Meat Safety Act (Act no. 40 of 2000) stipulates that every abattoir must utilize an independent inspection service appointed by the department of agriculture to ensure that meat of high quality and wholesomeness is produced. However, once the meat and meat products leave the abattoir, they are under the jurisdiction of the local authorities who rely only on visual assessment as opposed to microbiological inspection in the maintenance of their hygiene and quality. Despite the high incidence of foodborne illnesses in both developed and developing countries; South African data on foodborne illness incidents is still insufficient. This could be attributed to the fact that in South Africa, legislation governing the acceptable standards of the levels of microbiota in the air and on food handlers’ hands is still inadequate. Additionally, lack of obligatory usage of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures in the meat premises poses a risk for economic productivity. In conclusion, the identification of airborne bacteria in the butcheries strongly suggests that in the planning of the existing establishments, the building layout, control of the traffic flow of personnel, the durability and imperviousness of floors, the ventilation system and the placement of the equipment were not carefully considered. This may play a role in the prevalence and proliferation of airborne microbes as the resulting establishments provide an environment conducive to the breeding of microbes. vi In regard to swabs, it was concluded that floors may present a high point of contamination possibly through aerosolization of microbial communities. Moreover, cleaning materials and hygiene practices need to be reviewed. The results of the administered questionnaire showed that food handlers should be sufficiently trained with regard to food quality management tools such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems and food safety. The evaluation of meat contact surfaces for organic soils to determine their cleanliness using the rapid ATP bioluminescence testing can be convenient for everyone involved in the food chain since visual and touch inspection cannot be conclusive enough to meet regulatory requirements in terms of microbial counts

Academic readiness of students for higher education: a case for academic support at Rhodes University

The worrying existence of incidences of student retention, poor pass rates and an increase in repetition rates is a cause for concern for institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The problem of student retention is not new in our institutions of higher learning. Support structures, strategies, and policies need to be developed for different academic and social challenges that students face daily. This study explores the need for academic support at Rhodes University; it also explores the internal and external problems that students face, the perceptions and experiences of students on academic support available to them. The study implemented a narrative research approach implanted within a qualitative research framework. Data was collected through a questionnaire, and narrative interviews. Tinto’s Student Integration Model was used to analyse the data in this study and was supplemented by Louw’s conceptual framework model and Swail’s Geometric Design of Student Persistence. These three models position the student experience as the foundation for academic support programmes and development. The study argues that as long as effective and adequate academic support is lacking, students will continue to experience difficulties in completing their studies. The findings from the study reveal that at present, Rhodes University provides support to students who are in extended studies. However, this support system disadvantages many students, notably those not in the extended studies programme. As a result, such students are not supported through strategies and structures that extended studies students receive. Furthermore, the data generates internal and external problems that student face daily, as a result, the findings showed that there is a need for academic support at Rhodes. The study recommends that Rhodes University must establish an academic unit that will provide academic support to all students registered in the university

A review of the book Kasinomic Revolution: The rise of African Informal Economies. Written by GG Alcock

The author restates the need for Afrocentric systems such as building modern villages to accommodate Africa’s uniqueness. He condemns the practices of marginalising the informal economy as it contributes to countries’ Gross Domestic Production (GDP). GG alludes that jobs are now beyond the conventional “8 to 5 job with a payslip”&nbsp;and that communities of ordinary people should not be treated as “breeding grounds for employees”.&nbsp;Moreover, he highlights that the colonial and Western systems are unjust to the masses in developing countries. Africa needs no “bicycle lanes&nbsp;but&nbsp;hawker lanes”&nbsp;where they can trade closer to their clientele without being fearful of municipalities chasing them

Sputum culture and drug sensitivity testing outcome among X-pert MTB/RIF positive, rifampicin resistant sputa: a retrospective study

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Internal Medicine Johannesburg, 2016Background The introduction of the X-pert MTB/Rif has shortened the time to detection of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis, which is assumed to be a surrogate for multidrug resistant tuberculosis. In practice, therefore MDR TB treatment is usually initiated soon after a rifampicin resistance result on X-pert MTB/Rif, simultaneously with a second sputum specimen, taken for confirmatory culture and further drug susceptibility testing. In this retrospective review, we report the outcome of further drug susceptibility testing performed on the second sputum specimen. Methods This study was based at the Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex. We retrospectively reviewed clinical files of patients admitted to the hospital MDR unit with rifampicin resistant TB on X-pert MTB/Rif between April 2011 and February 2014. Data from 384 patients were analysed. Only drug susceptibility testing result on the first sputum after admission was considered. Results Of 384 individual patient files with X-pert Rif resistance, MDR TB was confirmed in the subsequent culture isolates of 182(47.4%) patients (this means 176 on MTBDR plus and 6 on phenotypic DST) and on raw sputa (MTBDR plus on a sputum smear) of 5(1.3%) patients. Therefore the total number of confirmed MDR TB cases was 187(49%). Rifampicin mono-resistance, isoniazid mono-resistance and drug sensitive TB were detected in 137(36%), 12(3%) and 48(13%) patients respectively. Half [37/74(50%)] of patients with a CD4 count less than 50 cells/mm3 had rifampicin mono-resistance on culture and 4/74(5.4%) patients had isoniazid mono-resistance. Whereas patients with higher CD4 counts between 50 and 350 cells/mm3, 58/181(32%) had rifampicin mono-resistance and 4/181(2.2%) had isoniazid mono-resistance (p-0.012). Conclusion Rifampicin resistance on X-pert MTB/Rif does not always mean multidrug resistant tuberculosis will be confirmed on sputum culture. Patients with lower CD4 counts who have rifampicin resistant TB on X-pert MTB/Rif may benefit from adding INH to the standardised MDR TB regimen while awaiting confirmatory tests to confirm or rule out MDR TB.MT201

Seasonal characteristics of phytoplankton bloom phenology in the northern Benguela Upwelling System

Seasonal phytoplankton blooms in the Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) play a crucial role in ecosystem services and driving climate change through air-sea gas exchanges. Upwelling systems are particularly are sensitive to effects of climate change including the transport of nutrients, which influence the composition of phytoplankton communities. This is important because species composition affects a number of key processes that have significant climate feedbacks. This study uses historical long-term in situ data (at 10 and 70 NM stations) as well as OC-CCI satellite ocean colour data to investigate seasonal phytoplankton bloom phenology and community structure of diatoms, dinoflagellates and coccolithophores in the northern BUS. The seasonal cycle of satellite chlorophyll was used to determine the timing of bloom initiation at inshore and offshore boxes that overlapped the in situ stations. An ocean colour algorithm to detect coccolithophore presence and absence was used to determine the inshore-offshore seasonal cycle of coccolithophores. Results indicate a gradual decrease in chlorophyll concentration further offshore as well as high intra-seasonal, inter-annual and spatial variability. Offshore blooms initiate later and last longer than inshore blooms which have a higher magnitude. Diatoms are dominant over dinoflagellates and coccolithophores throughout the northern BUS, with higher concentrations observed at the inshore station (10 NM) for all three phytoplankton groups. However, satellite results show a higher presence of coccolithophores in the offshore region during spring and summer that is associated with periods of strong stratification. This study provides a better understanding of the characteristics of the phytoplankton seasonal cycle in the northern BUS which is useful for detecting trends and possible change associated with climate change forcing in response to global warming