The role of identity leadership in promoting collective action: a social identity approach

Based on social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and the social identity approach to leadership (Haslam, Reicher, & Platow, 2011), the present research addressed the question of how collective action is coordinated. Three studies are reported, which address the interplay between in-group identification, identity leadership and collective action in three social group contexts (i.e., political parties, civic society and workgroup). The results of Study 1 replicated that identity leadership is a four dimensional construct. However, these four dimensions had strong intercorrelations. Study 2 and 3 supported the hypotheses that the more people identify with the group, the more they will engage in collective action (Hypothesis 1) and in-group identification results in the perception of identity leadership which, in turn leads to collective action in certain group contexts (Hypothesis 2-5). Study 3 demonstrated that the relationship between in-group identification and collective action, via identity leadership is indeed context dependent (Hypothesis 6). Implications of the current research are outlined in relation to the discourse on collective action and identity leadership.Grow-your-own-timber programme at UnisaPsychologyM.A. (Psychology, with specialisation in Research Consultation

The Epidermiology of Hairstyle related african hair disdorders, in and Urban Township in South Africa

The hair of indigenous people of Africa varies from the north to the south of the continent. Although the variation in hair colour from light brown to black occurs, the most significant difference is in the curls which are tightest, and spiral, in indigenous sub Saharan Africans. African hair for the purpose of this thesis refers to the latter hair phenotype. The unique morphology of this hair type is associated with specific responses to grooming. In addition hairstyle preferences may be influenced by politics and fashion. Specific scalp disorders have been anecdotally reported to be more prevalent in Africans. These are acne (folliculitis) keloidalis (AKN), central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) and traction alopecia (TA). For many years all these conditions have been suspected to have a causal association with hairstyles. However, preliminary investigation suggested a lack of population studies demonstrating the latter association. In addition the possible influence of the unique African hair follicle on disease pathogenesis had not been determined. The aims of this thesis were to: Present a systematic 1. literature review of published prevalence and incidence data on the above three conditions. 2. Conduct cross sectional studies to investigate the prevalence of AKN, CCCA and TA in a population of school children and adults and the prevalence of different hairstyles, and to describe any associations between hairstyles and disease. 3. Develop and test for reliability a new severity scoring system for TA the commonest of the above conditions [the marginal traction alopecia severity (M-TAS) scoring instrument]. 4. Evaluate the determinants of both TA presence and severity in African females using data from our cross sectional studies in school children and adults

Exploring policy implementation: the care dependency grant.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The White Paper for Social Welfare of 1997 was created in order to address past inequalities. The main goal was to ensure that all citizens are provided with the equal chance of a better standard of living. The White Paper then gave rise to the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 in order to make provisions for social assistance for the most vulnerable groups in society, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. The Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 covers the disability grant, the care dependency grant, the child support grant, the foster care grant, war veterans grant, old person's grant, as well as relief of social distress. This legislation was then supported by other legislations such as the South African Social Security Agency Act, then gave rise to SASSA which is an agency that is responsible for implementing these grants. The purpose of the study was to explore policy implementation in relation to the care dependency grant. In order to achieve this, the study utilized the systematic approach and secondary data collection techniques from previous studies in order to establish the efficacy of the government's response to the needs of children with disabilities. Policy implementation plays a crucial role in the policy process. There are certain conditions that need to be met so that the policy objectives are implemented successfully. However, the findings suggest that the current disability policy is not sufficiently implemented since these conditions are not met. Some crucial challenges faced here range from failing to align policies between departments to the lack of human resources within government; this subsequently denies a high number of children with disabilities their right to social protection.Author's Keywords: Care Dependency Grant, Disability, Policy Implementation, Accessibility Constitution, SASSA, Social Assistance and Medical Assessment

Health risks of the clean-shave chiskop haircut

The clean-shave haircut known locally as the chiskop is rare among females but popular with black South African men, who are also predisposed to folliculitis keloidalis nuchae (FKN) (keloids on the back of the head). During a previous study, participants described an unexpected symptom of haircut-associated bleeding. As this is not a widely recognised entity, we conducted the present study at an HIV clinic servicing the same population, with the objective of comparing the prevalences of haircut-associated bleeding and FKN in 390 HIV-positive subjects with published data for Langa (Western Cape, South Africa). The results for HIV-positive participants were similar to the population data, but in both groups the prevalence of haircut-associated bleeding (24.5% v. 32%; p =0.17) was much higher than that of FKN (10.2% v. 10.5%), suggesting that the hairstyle increases the risk of bleeding even in people with healthy scalps without folliculitis. This study does not (and was not intended to) prove a higher HIV prevalence in chiskop wearers or in FKN sufferers, but it confirms a history of haircut-associated bleeding in at least a quarter of our male study participants. The risk of transmission of blood-borne infection via haircuts is likely to be low, but requires formal quantification. Public education on adequate sterilisation of barber equipment between haircuts and promotion of individual hair-clipper ownership for chiskop clients should not be delayed. Depilatory creams formulated for African hair offer a non-mechanical means of achieving clean-shave hairstyles

Practices and Spaces (Location): Reflecting on the Contribution of Writing Centres for Decolonisation in Higher Education

The location of writing centres in universities has attracted attention from practitioners and researchers in the field of academic support scholarship. These writing centres, known as spaces where students discuss their writing ideas, have become part of the decoloniality discourse in South African higher education. This study adopts a mixed-method approach and builds upon Grimm's theory of transitional space to examine tutor perspectives on the contribution of writing centres' pedagogical practices and physical location to the decolonisation of education at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). The findings reveal that the writing centres in these contexts contribute to the decolonial agenda by employing various approaches such as multilingualism and one-on-one consultations that are sensitive to the African context. However, despite these positive contributions, it is necessary to initiate decolonial discussions that address historical past injustices. The study recommends that the creation of decolonised spaces is a complex process requiring collaborative engagement between writing centres and the university community, including management. Writing centres have an integral role to play in decolonising the university space, particularly in the South African context.