Promoting household food security for many poor people globally and more so in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be a challenge today. Ever rising poverty levels, an influx in the prevalence of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic, reduced rainfall accompanied by changing climatic patterns, environmental bankruptcy, the complexities associated with urbanization, globalisation as well as technology shift in the agricultural sector and capitalistic market economies all play a role in the food security debate. This research has highlighted some of the factors that influence the food economy and related these to the household food security of poor informal settlement dwellers. Achieving household food security for poor urban households requires an integrated approach in terms of poverty eradication as well as deliberate efforts with regards to food production and distribution within a framework of ecological integrity, with an aim of empowering the poor and ensuring that their household food security is guaranteed. / Development Studies / Thesis (M.A. (Development Studies))

Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls are denied their right to inherit from their husbands and fathers as a result of the operation of the indigenous law rule of male primogeniture, in terms of which an heir must be male. This violates prohibitions on gender discrimination, as well as other, more specific provisions found in international human rights treaties. However, courts in both South Africa and Zimbabwe have in recent years upheld the rule. States Parties to relevant treaties have an obligation to ensure equal inheritance rights for women and girls. In the case of South Africa, provisions of the Constitution are also relevant. After discussing the operation of the indigenous law of inheritance, the international human rights provisions violated by it, as well as the recommendations of the South African Law Commission and legislative proposals on this issue, the writer suggests that legislation should be adopted to ensure equality for women and girls, while retaining the positive aspects of indigenous law and culture. / Constitutional, International and Indigenous Law / LL. M. (Law)

This study was motivated by a desire to address the challenges of introductory programming courses. Ethiopian universities teach such courses in large classes (80+ students) and students complain about the difficulty of the courses and teaching variation of instructors. The study was set to explore optimum course and learning environment design approaches. The research question raised was: how can a blended learning approach be used to improve large class teaching of programming? In an action design research approach, the study was initiated with redesigning two consecutive courses and a supportive blended learning environment on the basis of existing learning theories and educational design frameworks. Two cycles of action research were conducted for a dual goal of refinement and evaluation of the intervention. The action research was conducted during the 2012/13 academic year with 240 students at the beginning. A predominantly quantitative first cycle of action research produced a mixed outcome. The students’ marks from assessment activities were fairly close to results from two other international universities. A pre- and post-implementation survey of students’ approach to learning showed a slight class level change towards the deep learning approach. Conversely, some students were found at-risk (not progressing well) and certain technologies, particularly program visualisation tools, were found underutilised. The second action research cycle aimed to explain the result from the first round. A grounded action research evaluation of data from focus group discussions, interviews and participants’ memos identified plausible factors for meaningful programming learning in a large class. These factors were use of collaborative and pair programming; alignment of learning and assignment activities; integrated use of e-learning; and use of large class strategies like student mentors and team teaching. A critical realist interpretation of the result of the action research suggested that students can learn programming in large classes, 200+ in this study, with a course and learning environment design that keeps them engaged in learning and assessment activities. The study concludes that improved learning of programming can be possible with the use of students as mentors and changed role-dynamics of instructors, which presupposes adaptation of suitable pedagogical approaches and use of technologies. / School of Computing / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Systems)

Cette thèse a comme objectif d’évaluer comment les investissements et les dépenses militaires de la sécurité intérieure a influencé la croissance économique de l'Angola, de 1975 à 2013. Divisée en trois essais, en se concentrant principalement sur les conséquences économiques des conflits armés (des belligérants intra-angolaises et externe) qui est arrivé dans le pays, surtout après l'indépendance en 1975. Tout cela bien encadré dans le contexte de l'Afrique sub-saharienne et au milieu de la guerre froide entre les puissances mondiales majeures de l’époque: États-Unis et l'URSS. Nous avons apporté ici les apréciations de la participation de trois grands mouvements qui ont participé à la lutte de libération contre le colonialisme portugais, et comment ces trois se sont affrontés dans plusieurs conflits armés, tout particulièrement entre le MPLA et l'UNITA après la défaite du FNLA en 1975 et l'exil de son leader. Aussi nous nous sommes concentrés sur la bataille de Cuito Cuanavale, dans un contexte de conflit "global", à laquelle ont participé, entre autres forces intervéniants (Angola et Afrique du Sud), les États-Unis, Cuba et l'ex-URSS, dont les coûts furent élevés, aussi matériaux, qu’ humains. Pour donner fondation et répondre aux questions on fait une régression non-paramétrique (régressions du Kernel) en utilisant le Bootstrap, pour trouver une réponse significative dans la période 1975-2001 et une autre non significative à partir de 2002 jusqu'à 2013, avec l'analyse des effets dépenses militaires dans le développement économique de l'Angola, approchant des estimations de 32 pays d'Afrique subsaharienne. / O objetivo desta tese é avaliar como os investimentos ou gastos militares para a segurança nacional influenciaram o crescimento econômico de Angola, desde 1975 até 2013. Dividimo- la em três ensaios, tendo como foco principal as consequências econômicas dos conflitos armados (intra-angolana e com beligerantes externos) que aconteceram no país, principalmente depois da independência em 1975. Estes conflitos armados estão inseridos num contexto africano subsaariano, como extensão da Guerra Fria entre as Grandes potências mundiais da época: EUA e URSS. Trouxemos aqui não só as associações da participação dos três principais movimentos (MPLA, FNLA, UNITA) que participaram da luta de libertação contra o colonialismo português, mas também relatos de como estes três se enfrentaram em vários conflitos armados, essencialmente entre o MPLA e a UNITA, depois da derrota da FNLA em 1975 e o exílio do seu líder. Também focamos a Batalha do Cuito Cuanavale, num contexto de conflito “mundial”, da qual participaram, além das duas forças intervenientes (Angola e África do Sul), também os Estados Unidos da América (EUA), Cuba e a ex-União das Repúblicas Socialistas Soviéticas (ex-URSS), e cujos custos foram altos, tanto materiais, quanto humanos. Para dar fundamento e responder a pergunta da tese “se os gastos militares para a segurança do país são fatores determinantes para o crescimento ou estagnação econômica de Angola, no período de 1975 até 2013?” fizemos uma regressão não-paramétrica (Regressões de Kernel), com o uso do Bootstrap, num enfoque da economia da defesa, sendo que encontramos significância no período de 1975 até 2001 e não-significância no período de 2002 até 2013, ao analisarmos os efeitos dos gastos militares no crescimento econômico de Angola, aproximando-o a partir de estimações de 32 países da África subsaariana. / The objective of this thesis is to evaluate how investment and military spending for homeland security influenced the economic growth of Angola, from 1975 to 2013. We divided it into three essays, focusing primarily on the economic consequences of armed conflict (intra- Angolan belligerents and external) that happened in the country, especially after independence in 1975. These armed conflicts are housed in sub-Saharan African context, as an extension of the Cold War between the major world powers at the time: U.S.A and USSR. We bring here not only the associations of the participation of three major movements that participated in the liberation struggle against Portuguese colonialism, but also reports at how these three clashed in several armed conflicts, primarily between the MPLA and UNITA, after the defeat of the FNLA in 1975 and the exile of its leader. We also focus on the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, in a context of "global" conflict, which was attended, besides the two intervening forces (Angola and South Africa), by the United States of America (USA), Cuba and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (ex - USSR). The costs were high, both material and human. To give plea and answer the thesis question "whether the military spending to the country's security is crucial to the development of economic stagnation in Angola, from 1975 until 2013?" We made a non-parametric regression (kernel regressions), using the Bootstrap, and found significance in the period from 1975 to 2001 and not significance from 2002 until 2013, when analyzing the effects of military spending on economic development of Angola, approaching it from estimates of 32 sub-Saharan countries. / El objetivo de esta tesis es evaluar cómo la inversión y el gasto militar para la seguridad nacional influyeron en el crecimiento económico de Angola de 1975 a 2013. Nos dividimos en tres ensayos, centrándose principalmente en las consecuencias económicas de los conflictos armados (beligerantes intra Angola y externo) que sucedió en el país, sobre todo después de la independencia en el año 1975. Los conflictos armados están alojados en contexto africano al sur del Sahara, como una extensión de la guerra fría entre las grandes potencias mundiales de la época: EUA y la URSS. Traemos aquí no sólo las asociaciones de la participación de los tres grandes movimientos que participaron en la lucha de liberación contra el colonialismo portugués, pero también informa de cómo estos tres se enfrentaron en varios conflictos armados, sobre todo entre el MPLA y la UNITA, después de la derrota del FNLA en 1975 y el exilio de su líder. También nos enfocamos en la batalla de Cuito Cuanavale, en un contexto de conflicto "global", al que asistieron, además de las dos fuerzas que intervienen (Angola y Sudáfrica), por los Estados Unidos de América (EE.UU.), Cuba y la antigua Unión de la República Socialista Soviética (ex - URSS). Los costos eran altos, tanto materiales como humanos. Para dar declaración y responder a la pregunta de la tesis "si el gasto militar para la seguridad del país es crucial para el desarrollo de un estancamiento económico en Angola, desde 1975 hasta el año 2013?" Hicimos una regresión no paramétrica (regresiones del kernel), utilizando el Bootstrap, y encontramos significado en el período de 1975 a 2001, y no importancia desde 2002 hasta 2013, cuando se analizan los efectos de los gastos militares en el desarrollo económico de Angola,, acercarse a ella de las estimaciones de 32 países del África subsahariana.

Cette thèse, sur la traite des esclaves noirs en Libye, dans les temps modernes, en particulier aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles, a nécessité une recherche à partir de questions telles que : quelles sont les origines et les catégories des esclaves noirs qui arrivèrent en Libye ? Les divers prix pratiqués ? Les stations commerçantes les plus importantes du Sahara ? Les routes caravanières empruntées pour le transport des esclaves vers l’Afrique du Nord et plus particulièrement la Libye ? La thèse porte sur les principaux marchés libyens, les méthodes d’achat et de vente, les prix des esclaves, les impôts, les douanes. La Libye a servi, en premier lieu, de plaque tournante pour l’exportation des esclaves vers d’autres destinations et notre étude s’est attachée à ses ports d’où partaient les esclaves en direction de l’Egypte, de l’Empire ottoman, du Levant et des pays du Maghreb. La thèse met aussi l’accent sur la vie sociale des esclaves, leurs rituels religieux, leurs traditions et coutumes, leur habitat, leurs relations avec leurs maîtres, leur intégration dans la communauté libyenne et musulmane jusqu’à en faire partie, le point de vue de la société libyenne sur ce phénomène de l’esclavage. La dernière partie de la thèse aborde la diminution du phénomène de l’esclavage en Libye, puis l’interdiction et l’abolition du commerce à partir de la pression internationale exercée sur l’Empire ottoman. Une évaluation est faite sur la qualité des mesures gouvernementales à cet égard, à travers un récit historique des évènements jusqu’à la fin du commerce à partir de l’occupation italienne, en 1911. / This thesis is about the black slaves’ trade in Libya in the modern era especially in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It illustrates a range of research issues such as, the sources of black slaves which came to Libya, its types and prices, the important commercial stations in the desert, the routes of the caravans which carried the slaves to North Africa and to Libya in particular. The research study comes across the most important markets on the Libyan soil, the methods of purchasing and buying, the slaves’ prices, the taxes and the customs. Hence, Libya was the area of re-exporting the slaves in the first place, the theses will mention the important exporting harbours and the important destinations such as Egypt, the Ottoman State (Turkey), and the Levant and the Maghreb countries. The thesis extends its scope to cover the social life of the slaves, their religious rituals, their customs and traditions, their houses, their relationships with their masters, the perception of the Libyan society to the slave phenomenon until they become an important component of the Libyan society and the Islamic societies in general. The last part of the thesis deals with the history of abolition of the slave trade and the disappearance of the slave phenomenon totally in Libya. This will be done by following the sequence of events starting with the international pressure on the Ottoman Empire for the abolition of slavery, the assessment of the seriousness of the governmental measures (procedures) and recalling the historical events until the end of the slave trade by the Italian occupation to Libya in 1911.

No description available.

Cette thèse a comme objectif d’évaluer comment les investissements et les dépenses militaires de la sécurité intérieure a influencé la croissance économique de l'Angola, de 1975 à 2013. Divisée en trois essais, en se concentrant principalement sur les conséquences économiques des conflits armés (des belligérants intra-angolaises et externe) qui est arrivé dans le pays, surtout après l'indépendance en 1975. Tout cela bien encadré dans le contexte de l'Afrique sub-saharienne et au milieu de la guerre froide entre les puissances mondiales majeures de l’époque: États-Unis et l'URSS. Nous avons apporté ici les apréciations de la participation de trois grands mouvements qui ont participé à la lutte de libération contre le colonialisme portugais, et comment ces trois se sont affrontés dans plusieurs conflits armés, tout particulièrement entre le MPLA et l'UNITA après la défaite du FNLA en 1975 et l'exil de son leader. Aussi nous nous sommes concentrés sur la bataille de Cuito Cuanavale, dans un contexte de conflit "global", à laquelle ont participé, entre autres forces intervéniants (Angola et Afrique du Sud), les États-Unis, Cuba et l'ex-URSS, dont les coûts furent élevés, aussi matériaux, qu’ humains. Pour donner fondation et répondre aux questions on fait une régression non-paramétrique (régressions du Kernel) en utilisant le Bootstrap, pour trouver une réponse significative dans la période 1975-2001 et une autre non significative à partir de 2002 jusqu'à 2013, avec l'analyse des effets dépenses militaires dans le développement économique de l'Angola, approchant des estimations de 32 pays d'Afrique subsaharienne. / O objetivo desta tese é avaliar como os investimentos ou gastos militares para a segurança nacional influenciaram o crescimento econômico de Angola, desde 1975 até 2013. Dividimo- la em três ensaios, tendo como foco principal as consequências econômicas dos conflitos armados (intra-angolana e com beligerantes externos) que aconteceram no país, principalmente depois da independência em 1975. Estes conflitos armados estão inseridos num contexto africano subsaariano, como extensão da Guerra Fria entre as Grandes potências mundiais da época: EUA e URSS. Trouxemos aqui não só as associações da participação dos três principais movimentos (MPLA, FNLA, UNITA) que participaram da luta de libertação contra o colonialismo português, mas também relatos de como estes três se enfrentaram em vários conflitos armados, essencialmente entre o MPLA e a UNITA, depois da derrota da FNLA em 1975 e o exílio do seu líder. Também focamos a Batalha do Cuito Cuanavale, num contexto de conflito “mundial”, da qual participaram, além das duas forças intervenientes (Angola e África do Sul), também os Estados Unidos da América (EUA), Cuba e a ex-União das Repúblicas Socialistas Soviéticas (ex-URSS), e cujos custos foram altos, tanto materiais, quanto humanos. Para dar fundamento e responder a pergunta da tese “se os gastos militares para a segurança do país são fatores determinantes para o crescimento ou estagnação econômica de Angola, no período de 1975 até 2013?” fizemos uma regressão não-paramétrica (Regressões de Kernel), com o uso do Bootstrap, num enfoque da economia da defesa, sendo que encontramos significância no período de 1975 até 2001 e não-significância no período de 2002 até 2013, ao analisarmos os efeitos dos gastos militares no crescimento econômico de Angola, aproximando-o a partir de estimações de 32 países da África subsaariana. / The objective of this thesis is to evaluate how investment and military spending for homeland security influenced the economic growth of Angola, from 1975 to 2013. We divided it into three essays, focusing primarily on the economic consequences of armed conflict (intra- Angolan belligerents and external) that happened in the country, especially after independence in 1975. These armed conflicts are housed in sub-Saharan African context, as an extension of the Cold War between the major world powers at the time: U.S.A and USSR. We bring here not only the associations of the participation of three major movements that participated in the liberation struggle against Portuguese colonialism, but also reports at how these three clashed in several armed conflicts, primarily between the MPLA and UNITA, after the defeat of the FNLA in 1975 and the exile of its leader. We also focus on the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, in a context of "global" conflict, which was attended, besides the two intervening forces (Angola and South Africa), by the United States of America (USA), Cuba and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (ex - USSR). The costs were high, both material and human. To give plea and answer the thesis question "whether the military spending to the country's security is crucial to the development of economic stagnation in Angola, from 1975 until 2013?" We made a non-parametric regression (kernel regressions), using the Bootstrap, and found significance in the period from 1975 to 2001 and not significance from 2002 until 2013, when analyzing the effects of military spending on economic development of Angola, approaching it from estimates of 32 sub-Saharan countries. / El objetivo de esta tesis es evaluar cómo la inversión y el gasto militar para la seguridad nacional influyeron en el crecimiento económico de Angola de 1975 a 2013. Nos dividimos en tres ensayos, centrándose principalmente en las consecuencias económicas de los conflictos armados (beligerantes intra Angola y externo) que sucedió en el país, sobre todo después de la independencia en el año 1975. Los conflictos armados están alojados en contexto africano al sur del Sahara, como una extensión de la guerra fría entre las grandes potencias mundiales de la época: EUA y la URSS. Traemos aquí no sólo las asociaciones de la participación de los tres grandes movimientos que participaron en la lucha de liberación contra el colonialismo portugués, pero también informa de cómo estos tres se enfrentaron en varios conflictos armados, sobre todo entre el MPLA y la UNITA, después de la derrota del FNLA en 1975 y el exilio de su líder. También nos enfocamos en la batalla de Cuito Cuanavale, en un contexto de conflicto "global", al que asistieron, además de las dos fuerzas que intervienen (Angola y Sudáfrica), por los Estados Unidos de América (EE.UU.), Cuba y la antigua Unión de la República Socialista Soviética (ex - URSS). Los costos eran altos, tanto materiales como humanos. Para dar declaración y responder a la pregunta de la tesis "si el gasto militar para la seguridad del país es crucial para el desarrollo de un estancamiento económico en Angola, desde 1975 hasta el año 2013?" Hicimos una regresión no paramétrica (regresiones del kernel), utilizando el Bootstrap, y encontramos significado en el período de 1975 a 2001, y no importancia desde 2002 hasta 2013, cuando se analizan los efectos de los gastos militares en el desarrollo económico de Angola,, acercarse a ella de las estimaciones de 32 países del África subsahariana.

La présente thèse est composée d’un ensemble de travaux de recherche en économie appliquée qui s’inscrivent dans le champ contemporain de l’économie de l’assurance. La thèse s’interroge sur comment les pays en développement pourraient développer davantage le secteur d’assurance afin de bénéficier des effets sur l’économie domestique. La première partie de la thèse analyse les déterminants macroéconomiques du développement du secteur d’assurance. Premièrement, les résultats montrent que l'augmentation du revenu par habitant conduit à une augmentation des primes d'assurance-vie et l’assurance-vie est un bien de luxe en Afrique Subsaharienne (chapitre 2). On trouve également des preuves que l’impact marginal du revenu dépend de la qualité de l'environnement juridique et politique. Deuxièmement, l’analyse de l’effet des IDE montre que, ceux-ci constituent un facteur clé dans l'augmentation des primes d'assurance non-vie à la fois dans les pays d’Afrique Subsaharienne (ASS) et dans les autres pays en développement (chapitre 3). Troisièmement, les activités d’assurance-vie et bancaire sont substituables en ASS, cependant les résultats indiquent une causalité unidirectionnelle allant du crédit bancaire au secteur privé vers le développement des activités d’assurance-vie (chapitre 4). La deuxième partie de la thèse analyse l’impact du développement du secteur d’assurance sur l’économie des pays en développement. Premièrement, il apparaît que le développement de l'assurance-vie a un effet positif sur la croissance économique dans les pays en développement d'une part et d'autre part, l’effet marginal de l’assurance-vie est influencé par les caractéristiques structurelles des pays (chapitre 5). Les primes d'assurance augmentent de façon significative la valeur des titres négociés sur le marché financier aussi bien avant et après la crise de 2007(chapitre 6). Troisièmement, la thèse a montré qu’il existe une relation à long terme entre le développement de l’assurance non-vie et l’ouverture commerciale et que les primes d'assurance non-vie améliorent l'ouverture au commerce international aussi bien dans les pays en développement que spécifiquement dans les pays à faible et moyen revenu (chapitre 7). / This thesis is composed of a set of research in applied economics that enroll in the contemporary field of economics of insurance. The thesis analyses how developing countries could develop more the insurance sector and benefit from these effects on local economy. The first part explored the determinants of insurance development from a macroeconomic perspective. First, the results show that increase of income per capita leads to an increase in life insurance premiums and that life insurance is a luxury commodity in Sub-Saharan Africa (chapter 2). We also find evidence that the marginal impact of income varies according to the quality of legal and political environment. Second, analysis of effect of the FDI inflows shows that these are a key factor in increase of non-life insurance premiums in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and in other developing countries (chapter 3). In chapter 4, the results highlighted that the activities of life insurance and banking are substitutable in SSA and, however, there is presence of unidirectional causality running from real private credit density to life insurance and insurance density. The second part of the thesis has analysed effect of development of insurance sector on economy in developing countries. First, it appears that the development of life insurance has a positive effect on economic growth on the one hand and on the other hand marginal effect of life insurance is influenced by the structural characteristics of countries (chapter 5). In chapter 6, the results showed that the insurance premiums significantly increase stock market value traded, before as well and after the 2007's economic crisis. Finally, the thesis showed that there is a long term relationship between the development of non-life insurance and trade openness and that non-life insurance premiums improve openness to international trade as well in developing countries than specifically in low and middle income countries (chapter 7).

No description available.

Background: Child abuse in South Africa is a significant public health concern with severe negative outcomes for children; however, little is known about risk and protective factors for child abuse victimisation. This thesis investigates prevalence rates, perpetrators, and locations as well as predictors of physical, emotional and sexual child abuse victimisation. It also examines the influence of potential mediating and moderating variables on the relationships between risk factors and child abuse. Methods: In the first study, a systematic review of correlates of physical, emotional and sexual child abuse victimisation in Africa was conducted. The review synthesised evidence from 23 quantitative studies and was used to inform the epidemiological study. For study two to four, anonymous self-report questionnaires were completed by children aged 10-17 (n=3515, 57% female) using random door-to-door sampling in rural and urban areas in two provinces in South Africa. Children were followed-up a year later (97% retention rate). Abuse was measured using internationally recognised scales. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multivariate logistic regressions, and mediator and moderator analyses. Results: The first study, the systematic review, identified high prevalence rates of abuse across all African countries. It identified a number of correlates which were further examined using the study data from South Africa. The second study found lifetime prevalence of abuse to be 54.5% for physical abuse, 35.5% for emotional abuse, 14% for sexual harassment and 9% for contact sexual abuse. Past year prevalence of abuse was found to be 37.9% for physical abuse, 31.6% for emotional abuse, 12% for sexual harassment and 5.9% for contact sexual abuse. A large number of children experienced frequent (monthly or more regular) abuse victimisation with 16% for physical abuse, 22% for emotional abuse, 8.1% for sexual harassment and 2.8% for contact sexual abuse. Incidence for frequent abuse victimisation at follow-up was 12% for physical abuse, 10% for emotional abuse and 3% for contact sexual abuse. Perpetrators of physical and emotional abuse were mostly caregivers; perpetrators of sexual abuse were mostly girlfriends/boyfriends or other peers. The third study found a direct effect of baseline household AIDS-illness on physical and emotional abuse at follow-up. This relationship was mediated by poverty. Poverty and the ill-person’s disability fully mediated the relationship between household other chronic illnesses and physical and emotional abuse, therefore placing children in families with chronic illnesses and high levels of poverty and disability at higher risk of abuse. The fourth study found that contact sexual abuse in girls at follow-up was predicted by baseline school drop-out, physical assault in the community and prior sexual abuse victimisation. Peer social support acted as a protective factor. It also moderated the relationship between baseline physical assault in the community and sexual abuse at follow-up, lowering the risk for sexual abuse victimisation in girls who had been physically assaulted from 2.5/1000 to 1/1000. Conclusion: This thesis shows clear evidence of high levels of physical, emotional and sexual child abuse victimisation in South Africa. It also identified risk and protective factors for child abuse victimisation which can be used to inform evidence-based child abuse prevention interventions.