This thesis explores the National Film Board's Cultural Diversity in Action Initiatives (1997-- ) whose aim is to redress the under-representation of filmmakers of colour in the English Program's documentary film production streams. Focusing on how these strategies and objectives have broadly tried to promote racial diversity (for instance, one way is through the goal of having one of four filmmakers be a person of colour), this thesis proposes that these initiatives represent the NFB's most prominent and socially progressive raison d'etre for the late 1990s and the new millennium.

There have been good arguments made for the development of aggressive affirmative action policies with the end goal of quickly moving black South Africans into corporate and high ranks within management of organisations. One of the central arguments in favour of aggressive AA policies is the risk of racial polarization post-apartheid should a quick fix not be initiated. It makes good business and economic sense for AA policies to be implemented as black consumers coupled with black managers will have the eventual end point of lower unemployment and crime, through job creation and security of the representative majority.

This dissertation reviews the implementation of the Vukuzakhe Emerging Contractor Development Programme. The Vukuzakhe Emerging Contractor Development Programme was initiated by the KwaZulu Department of Transport to fulfil the South African democratic government's mandate of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).The dissertation identifies and describes the barriers to, and problems of the implementation of the Vukuzakhe programme. Rossi and Freeman's (1989) approach to program monitoring/process evaluation is used as an analytical framework. The study examines how emerging contractors view the admission, progression and exiting strategies of the Vukuzakhe programme. The triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used to try and overcome issues of validity and bias. The qualitative method employed was in-depth interviews (ie face to face interviews) with the KwaZulu Department of Transport officials. These are officials from the DOT's Economic Empowerment Directorate who are directly responsible for the implementation of the Vukuzakhe programme. Three out of five officials agreed to participate in the interviews. Nevertheless, the data that was gathered from those three officials was very informative as far as the Vukuzakhe programme is concerned. Therefore the sampling that was used was purposive. The quantitative method employed was a structured, self administered questionnaire used to gather data from the emerging contractors. For this dissertation a sample of 20 emerging contrators who were in different stages of the Vukuzakhe programme were randomly selected from the database. Out of the 20 selected emerging contractors only 10 agreed to participate in the interviews. The results of the interviews was not generalised to all emerging contractors. However, the findings gathered were informative as far as the implementation process of the Vukuzakhe programme is concerned. Since both qualitative and quantitaive data were collected, content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data and the descriptive statistics using the SPSS programme was used to analyse the quantitative data. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2010.

Proposition 209 banned the consideration of race or ethnicity in admission decisions to the University of California (UC). The UC “clarified” their policy in 2008, recognizing that Native Americans enrolled in a federally recognized tribe enjoy a political status that enables them to be offered affirmative action, even when the consideration of race or ethnicity is banned. The Clarification led to a statistically significant surge in the Native American applicant share, acceptance rate, admit share, and enrollment share. Enrollment share increased by 56% from 2008 to 2010 at the UC, even as the three-tiered California system of higher education saw a 40% drop in Native American enrollment. The study also finds that Prop 209 shifted Native American students from the more selective to the less selective campuses. The results suggest that affirmative action is a strong determinant of both the number and the location of Native Americans at the UC.

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between selected variables (age, sex, years of preparation and experience, size of school district, existence of an Affirmative Action plan, type of position) and the expressed opinions of superintendents and boards of education presidents in Indiana concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts.An Opinionnaire developed by the author at Ball State University was used to measure the opinions of superintendents and boards of education presidents concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts. A background data questionnaire was used to elicit data pertaining to the identification of selected variables such as age, sex, years of preparation and experience, existence of an Affirmative Action plan, and type of position.The One-way Analysis of Variance and associated F-test was utilized to statistically analyze twelve null hypotheses formulated to test the relationship between expressed opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts and the variables identified with the background data questionnaire.Three of the twelve F-tests were significant at the .05 level. Nine of the twelve F-tests were not significant at the .05 level.Findings of the study indicated that superintendents expressed significantly different opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations when grouped according to size of school district as measured by average daily membership and having or not having an Affirmative Action plan. Superintendents expressed significantly different opinions when compared to school board presidents.The following conclusions were drawn from the data collected:1. Superintendents in large school districts ranging in size from 38,840 to 11,640, as measured by average daily membership, expressed more positive opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations that did superintendents in smaller school districts.2. The Eta Square value of .72 suggested that 72 percent of the variation in the dependent variable, expressed opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts, could be explained by knowing what category--large, medium, or small--the superintendent's school district was in. 3. The Scheefe Posteriori test suggested that although statistically significant difference was found when the three groups of superintendents representing school districts in categories--large, medium, and small--were compared, none of the possible two-way comparisons were statistically significant. Moreover, each group mean score exceeded the average mean score of 54.0000, which suggested each group of superintendents expressed positive opinions. 4. Superintendents in school districts having a boardapproved Affirmative Action plan expressed more positive opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations than did superintendents in school districts not having a boardapproved Affirmative Action plan. 5. The Eta Square value of .03 suggested that only 3 percent of the variation in the dependent variable, expressed opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts, could be explained by knowing whether or not a superintendent worked in a school district that had a board-approved Affirmative Action plan. The Eta Square value further suggested that although superintendents in school districts having a board-approved Affirmative Action plan expressed more positive opinions, the existence of the plan itself was not the reason.6. Superintendents expressed more positive opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations than did school board presidents. 7. The Eta Square value of .04 suggested that only 3 percent of the variation in the dependent variable, expressed opinions concerning the effect of Affirmative Action laws and regulations on public school districts, could be explained by knowing if the respondent was a superintendent or a school board president. The Eta Square value further suggested that although superintendents expressed more positive opinions than did school board presidents, the type of position itself was not the reason.

This study examined the effects of white's opposition to race targeted policies. Using the 1998 General Social Survey this paper investigated self-interest and racial attitudes theories to help explain levels of opposition to giving government aid to blacks, preference in hiring blacks and the amount of assistance given to blacks. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Logit, and Ordered Logit regression models are used to test these two theories of white's opposition. The self-interest hypothesis states that whites who have higher levels of self-interest are less likely to support race targeted policies. Findings do not have strong support for the self-interest hypothesis. However, the racial attitudes hypothesis, which states whites who believe that African Americans' have lower levels of ability are less likely to support race targeted policies, was supported. Based on this study's findings; individuals who possess racist attitudes are more likely to oppose race based policies than self-interest attitudes. / Department of Sociology

On the basis of descriptive and prescriptive ethics and by means of literature study and exegesis of the Scriptures, this study poses an answer to the question: "How should factors that define labour compensation in South Africa since 1994 be judged according to theological ethics?" Since the subsistence farming of the seventeenth century in South Africa labour compensation has changed to a mainly capitalistic system with money as the most important compensation to labourers for services rendered. Since the seventeenth century a period of unfolding and development of careers has taken place mainly as a result of the influence of colonists from Europe. Gradual development taking place in the economic field has made subsequent factors in lieu of labour compensation more relevant for labourers. Various factors with regard to compensation of labour after 1994 - when the first fully-fledged democratic voting took place in South Africa - defines that it must be seen against the developmental background before 1994. In this study thirteen factors that have an influence on compensation since 1994, will be identified. Some factors tend to lean towards underpayment and others to overpayment. Interior factors relating to insufficient payment are unemployment, child labour, HIV/Aids and gambling. Foreign factors relative to insufficient payment are illegal immigration and cheap imports. Relevant to this, there are also factors resulting in higher remuneration of labourers. Labour laws with regard to affirmative action and minimum wages have a positive influence on payment for labourers. Illegal conduct of labourers gives rise to theft, robbery and corruption. Positive reactions are also in place with regard to remuneration of labourers. In view of this, over-pay, strikes and emigration play an important role. The factors that influence payment since 1994 are being judged according to the Scriptures, pertaining labour and remuneration. God created mankind serving as inhabitants and workers of the earth. He also decreed that mankind will live from the fruit of his labour. This decree forms the basis by which labourers receive remuneration for their efforts. Through fellowship man shows that he is sewing God and fellow-country men and does not labour only for his own advantage. The fall of man has far-reaching influences on mankind, his labours, place of labour and the consequent remuneration be receives for services rendered. One cannot fatalistically accept the influence of the fall of mankind. The recreation of mankind, started by Jesus Christ also affects the area of labour. This study demonstrates how remuneration for labour does not comply to Bible principles. Guidance will be given to how, especially believers, be they employers or employees, portray God's image through their conduct. Believers should execute their labours in such a way, that they are worthy of decent remuneration. Christian employers ought to be reasonable when paying employees, create and protect job opportunities and where possible, employ more labourers. Maximum opportunity should be granted by the ruling authority in order that as many people possible have the opportunity to labour without being exploited. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

South Africa is experiencing a process of formidable and fundamental change. Public administrators as well as politicians are under tremendous pressure as heavy demands are being placed on them. These demands include coping with interventions such as Affirmative Action, Employment Equity, and the importance of managing diversity in the workplace. Despite improvements in race relations in the past twenty years, dysfunctional and ineffective behaviour still occur. This may be a reflection of the discomfort and anxiety experienced by employees in the work setting. In order to comply with legislation, organisations created opportunities for Black, Asian and Coloured males and females, White females and disabled people. This, in return, leads to perceptions of preferential hiring. The view that Affirmative Action involves preferential hiring and treatment based on group membership creates resistance to its implementation and original purpose. The reason for this resistance might be linked to the fact that people still perceive discrimination and injustice in the workplace. These perceptions seem true in public organisations even though public organisations have taken a positive stance with regard to implementing Equal Employment and Affirmative Action plans. A qualitative design with an availability sample (N = 20) of employees working in a public organisation was used. The qualitative research makes it possible to determine the subjective experience of employees in a public organisation. Semi-structured interviews based on the phenomenological method were conducted with employees working in different sections and different positions in a public organisation. Non-directive questions were asked during the interview. The tape-recording of the interview was transcribed verbatim in order to analyse the information. Content analysis was used to analyse and interpret the research data in a systematic, objective and quantitative way. A literature-control has been done to investigate relevant research in order to determine the comparativeness and uniqueness of the current research. Results indicated that Affirmative Action has been used as a tool in achieving its goal by focusing on preferential hiring. From the responses it was clear that the majority of the participants are of opinion that preferential hiring led to the appointment of incompetent candidates. It appears from the interviews that appointments are made without basing it on merit. This is against the basic principle of the public organisation of hiring and promoting employees by set standards. Due to the fact that previous disadvantaged groups are being placed in positions of which they have no experience or are not trained in, job related knowledge seems to present a problem. From the interviews it appeared that employees felt that poor customer service increased across the organisation due to the appointment of incompetent candidates. This also seems to have an effect on the workload being handled. It seems that predominantly white employees tend to be ambivalent towards Affirmative Action. Part of the reason for this ambivalence is the fear of change, especially when that change involves a radical re-thinking of past strategies. White employees, employed by the old apartheid system, feel alienated and/or marginalised in the new Affirmative Action process. White employees are also leaving organisations because they seem not to be part of the Affirmative Action process. This leads to loss of expertise occurring in organisations. Though organisations show a considerable amount of improvement on relationships between black and white, discrimination still seems to present itself through the implementation of Affirmative Action. Managing diversity is crucial for the effective management and development of people. It is important not to focus only on cultural differences but also concentrate on individual needs and perceptions. Unfortunately, it appears that South Africa is in the process of making the same mistakes as other countries in focusing on a power game and corruption. Black employees in particular, seem to be actively recruited, placed in senior positions and given the related finishing. In other words top management are using their 'power' to enforce Affirmative Action. There are also those who want to abuse the system or maybe understand the system incorrectly. Corruption coming from top management tends to make employees negative. In order to address these issues, a succession and career planning process needs to exist which is closely tied to the organisations' strategic plan. Employment Equity, as a strategic objective, is managed by the organisation, but needs the Human Resources function in a support and consultancy role. As such, it requires translation into practical objectives for departments, managers and employees. Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

South Africa is no longer trapped in an apartheid era and is now perceived as a multinational state, implying that not only the composition of labour forces have changed, but all other institutions have developed into being more representative of all races. Thus whilst the workplace demographics are rapidly changing, more individuals are preparing themselves to enter the workplace. As a result more diverse cultures also prevail within hostels of higher educational institutions. The objectives of this study were to investigate individual preferences in terms of acculturation strategies as utilised by students in hostels of a higher education institution. Another important objective was to understand the effect of acculturation strategies has on the general well-being and health of individuals. In order to achieve these objectives, Berry's bi-directional Acculturation Model, as well as the Interactive Acculturation Model was used. A cross-sectional survey design with an availability sample (N = 245) was used, taken from hostel students of 3 higher education institution in South Africa. The questionnaire consisted of various items on the acculturation scale, as well as a biographical questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, factor analyses, Cronbach alpha coefficients, MANOVAs, Multiple Regression Analysis, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were used to analyse the data. The results pointed out that females preferred Separation or Assimilation, while males preferred Integration as acculturation strategy. Female hostels preferred Separation as acculturation strategy and male hostels preferred Integration as acculturation strategy. Acculturation strategies in terms of race showed that White groups preferred integration and African groups preferred Separation. Regarding the effect that acculturation strategies have on health, males experienced high levels of physical health problems. Recommendations were made for further research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

South Africa's business environment is changing dramatically. Companies are continuously placed under pressure to reform. Government introduced clear guidelines in the form of transformation strategies to assist companies in moving towards a more democratic, non-racial and fully representative organisational structure. The two major strategies are coined Black Economic Empowerment and Affirmative Action. The aim of the strategies is to empower and uplift the previously disadvantaged communities of the Apartheid era. These communities include black people; who consist of Africans, Coloureds and Indians; women and disabled individuals. However, these strategies are perceived with mixed emotions. A sense of negativity is evident within the attitudes of all race groups. This may give rise to a new problem in the workplace: pessimism. Pessimism is associated with undesirable characteristics such as external, unstable and specific explanations for bad things and has emotional links to depression. Pessimists view problems as long lasting and inescapable, and tend to blame all misfortunes on their own ineptness and incompetence. On the other hand, optimism is associated with characteristics such as positive mood and good morale, happiness, perseverance and effective problem solving, achievement and health and even a long life and freedom from trauma. It is characterised by internal, stable and global explanations for bad things. A cross-sectional design with an availability sample (N 68) of junior and middle management workers working in a multinational industry was used. Nonprobability purposive sampling was applied in the selection of the study population. The results indicated that males experience more dispositional pessimism than women. Black employees also experienced more dispositional pessimism and optimism than white employees, and employees who attended Affirmative Action induction programmes displayed higher levels of optimism than those who have not attended such programmes. If the tendency towards pessimism increases the result may have devastating effects on the organisation as a whole. It is possible that performance will decline and organisational targets will not be reached. To address these issues organisations may need to change their structural planning in order to utilise males more productively, and to enhance a sense of empowerment. Companies should formulate clear goals with regard to what they want to gain from Affirmative Action programmes. Programmes should also be constantly revised and continuing evaluations must be carried out in order to track the effect of the programmes on the workforce. Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.