Every reader will respond to and think in a different way about a book. They will have different interpretations of the book. It is not possible to say with scientific certainty in what way a reader will interpret a book. To address this issue, this study focuses on the reader response theory as explained by Iser and Jauss. However, the reader response theory is at present supported by research from the cognitive theory to narratology. This study attempts to understand how a reader reasons with regards to a certain text. A further aim is to understand why a specific reader will think about and interpret the text in the way he or she does. In this study the books 30 Nagte in Amsterdam (30 Nights in Amsterdam) by Etienne van Heerden and Swartskaap (Black Sheep) by Odette Schoeman is used to test the hypothesis. Qualitative research methods were used and the data was processed in different stages as is displayed in the addendum DVD. Cognitive theory wants to explain how the reader will respond to the book as a whole, characters, events and the places and spaces represented in the novel. In this study, it was found that a reader's response will always be influenced by his/her background. Readers use their background either to make sense of the book and the story it tells or to make sense of what has happened in their own lives in order to accept and understand it. On account of the results reached in the study it can be argued that readers should be taken into account when books are reviewed and discussed, because they are the ones that have to do the actual reading. Because of this finding, this study puts forward the suggestion that a review model is developed so that readers can make informed decisions as to which book will be best suited to them. / Thesis (M.A. (Afrikaans and Dutch))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Every reader will respond to and think in a different way about a book. They will have different interpretations of the book. It is not possible to say with scientific certainty in what way a reader will interpret a book. To address this issue, this study focuses on the reader response theory as explained by Iser and Jauss. However, the reader response theory is at present supported by research from the cognitive theory to narratology. This study attempts to understand how a reader reasons with regards to a certain text. A further aim is to understand why a specific reader will think about and interpret the text in the way he or she does. In this study the books 30 Nagte in Amsterdam (30 Nights in Amsterdam) by Etienne van Heerden and Swartskaap (Black Sheep) by Odette Schoeman is used to test the hypothesis. Qualitative research methods were used and the data was processed in different stages as is displayed in the addendum DVD. Cognitive theory wants to explain how the reader will respond to the book as a whole, characters, events and the places and spaces represented in the novel. In this study, it was found that a reader's response will always be influenced by his/her background. Readers use their background either to make sense of the book and the story it tells or to make sense of what has happened in their own lives in order to accept and understand it. On account of the results reached in the study it can be argued that readers should be taken into account when books are reviewed and discussed, because they are the ones that have to do the actual reading. Because of this finding, this study puts forward the suggestion that a review model is developed so that readers can make informed decisions as to which book will be best suited to them. / Thesis (M.A. (Afrikaans and Dutch))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

People counting system involves the process of counting and estimating the number of people in a scene. The counting system has a number of useful applications, ranging from pedestrian traffic surveillance and monitoring the number of people that enters and leaves shopping malls to commercial buildings, vehicles and a number of other security-related applications. Over the years, significant progress has been made. However, people counting systems still have not overcome a number of challenges such as occlusions, human pose and direction, multiple people detection, varying lighting and weather conditions. The aim of this research is to present an optimal solution that is invariant to the challenges. That is, the outcome of the results will not be affected by the challenges. Also, the solution will handle the trade-off between the counting accuracy and the time it takes to implement the counting process. As a result, a new background subtraction method known as single pixel method is proposed. This is where useful features are collected from each scene using frame difference method. Then, these features are reduced into single pixels. The single pixels are then used to estimate the total number of people in the scene. Furthermore, a virtual-line direction-estimation method is presented where the directions in which the people are heading are estimated prior to counting. AFRIKAANS : Mense-telstelsels behels die proses van die tel en die beraming van die aantal mense op ’n toneel. Die telstelsel het ’n aantal nuttige toepassings wat wissel van voetgangerverkeer toesig en die monitering van die aantal mense wat binnekom en verlaat tot winkelsentrums, kommersiële geboue, voertuie, en ’n aantal ander sekuriteit-verwante programme. Oor die jare is beduidende vordering gemaak. Daar is egter ’n aantal uitdagings wat mense-telstelsels nog nie oorkom het nie, soos afsluiting, menslike inhou en rigting, die opsporing van veelvoudige mense, wisselende beligting en weerstoestande. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om ’n optimale oplossing aan te bied, wat invariant is teen die uitdagings. Met ander woorde, die uitdagings sal nie die resultate affekteer nie. Die oplossing sal ook die uitruil tussen die tel akkuraatheid en die implementeringstyd van die telproses hanteer. As gevolg hiervan, is ’n nuwe agtergrondaftrekkingsmetode, wat bekend staan as ’n enkele beeldelement metode, voorgestel. Dit is waar die nuttige funksies van elke toneel, met behulp van die raamverskilmetode ingesamel word. Dan word hierdie eienskappe in enkele beeldelemente verminder. Die enkele beeldelemente word dan gebruik om die totale aantal mense in die toneel te skat. Verder is daar van ’n virtuele-lyn rigting-skatting metode gebruik gemaak wat die rigtings waarin die mense beweeg vooraf beraam. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

Hierdie studie is toegespits op die samestelling van 'n seksopvoedingsprogram vir skole in Suid-Afrika. Snelle verandering binne sosiale strukture in die samelewing en die blootstelling van die jeug aan kultuur- en godsdiensvreemde seksopvoeding. idees noodsaak die dringendheid van Seksopvoeding word vanuit verskillende waardestelsels aangebied. Die gevolgtrekking is dat beproefde waardes 'n integrale deel van die seksopvoedingsprogram moet uitmaak. Die kind moet begelei word tot seksuele volwassenheid deur gebruik te maak van opvoedkundig-verantwoordbare beginsels en metodes sodat die kind effektief weerstand kan bied teen bederwende invloede uit die samelewing. Die ouers is die aangewese bran van seksopvoeding aan hulle kinders maar weens hulle onbetrokkenheid neem die skoal die verantwoordelikheid op hom. Dit is egter belangrik dat die skoal die ouers as vennote aanvaar. Ten slotte word riglyne verskaf vir die samestelling van 'n seksopvoedingsprogram. / This dissertation considers the composition of a sex education program for schools in South Africa. Rapidly changing social structure within society and the exposure of the youth to foreign cultural and religious ideas necessitate the urgency of sex education. Sex education is presented from different value systems. The conclusion reached is that values must be an integral part of the sex education program. The child must be accompanied to responsible sexual adulthood by means of educationally accountable principles in order that he/she may be able to withstand the demoralizing influences from society effectively. The parents are the appropriate sex educators of their children but, due to their being unconcerned the school accepted this responsibility. It is however of importance that the school accepts the parents as partners. In conclusion guidelines are presented for the compiling of a sex education program. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Hierdie studie is toegespits op die samestelling van 'n seksopvoedingsprogram vir skole in Suid-Afrika. Snelle verandering binne sosiale strukture in die samelewing en die blootstelling van die jeug aan kultuur- en godsdiensvreemde seksopvoeding. idees noodsaak die dringendheid van Seksopvoeding word vanuit verskillende waardestelsels aangebied. Die gevolgtrekking is dat beproefde waardes 'n integrale deel van die seksopvoedingsprogram moet uitmaak. Die kind moet begelei word tot seksuele volwassenheid deur gebruik te maak van opvoedkundig-verantwoordbare beginsels en metodes sodat die kind effektief weerstand kan bied teen bederwende invloede uit die samelewing. Die ouers is die aangewese bran van seksopvoeding aan hulle kinders maar weens hulle onbetrokkenheid neem die skoal die verantwoordelikheid op hom. Dit is egter belangrik dat die skoal die ouers as vennote aanvaar. Ten slotte word riglyne verskaf vir die samestelling van 'n seksopvoedingsprogram. / This dissertation considers the composition of a sex education program for schools in South Africa. Rapidly changing social structure within society and the exposure of the youth to foreign cultural and religious ideas necessitate the urgency of sex education. Sex education is presented from different value systems. The conclusion reached is that values must be an integral part of the sex education program. The child must be accompanied to responsible sexual adulthood by means of educationally accountable principles in order that he/she may be able to withstand the demoralizing influences from society effectively. The parents are the appropriate sex educators of their children but, due to their being unconcerned the school accepted this responsibility. It is however of importance that the school accepts the parents as partners. In conclusion guidelines are presented for the compiling of a sex education program. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Sections 15 and 16 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amended Act 32 of 2007 regulate consensual sexual acts between children. Both these sections criminalised children engaging in consensual sexual acts. The constitutionality of sections 15 and 16 of the Act where tested before the Constitutional Court by the Teddy Bear Clinic and RAPCAM. The Constitutional Court held that both articles are unconstitutional and ruled that these articles violate children's right to human dignity, privacy and the best interest of the child. The objective of this dissertation is to investigate whether children’s best interests are protected by law when they are involved in consensual sexual conduct. In order to answer this question, the historical background of legislation that regulated consensual sexual acts between children is analysed. Legislation that gives and protects children’s right to self-determination is examined. International instruments are also analysed. The High Court and the Constitutional Court judgements relating to children involved in consensual sexual conducts are discussed. The negative consequences of both these articles are discussed. The best interest principle is discussed according to case law. Ultimately a conclusion is reached. / LLM (Comparative Child Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Sections 15 and 16 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amended Act 32 of 2007 regulate consensual sexual acts between children. Both these sections criminalised children engaging in consensual sexual acts. The constitutionality of sections 15 and 16 of the Act where tested before the Constitutional Court by the Teddy Bear Clinic and RAPCAM. The Constitutional Court held that both articles are unconstitutional and ruled that these articles violate children's right to human dignity, privacy and the best interest of the child. The objective of this dissertation is to investigate whether children’s best interests are protected by law when they are involved in consensual sexual conduct. In order to answer this question, the historical background of legislation that regulated consensual sexual acts between children is analysed. Legislation that gives and protects children’s right to self-determination is examined. International instruments are also analysed. The High Court and the Constitutional Court judgements relating to children involved in consensual sexual conducts are discussed. The negative consequences of both these articles are discussed. The best interest principle is discussed according to case law. Ultimately a conclusion is reached. / LLM (Comparative Child Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The second fully democratic election in South Africa is scheduled to take place in May 1999. In the five years since the first election, it appears that very little attention has been paid to the political literacy of the electorate in general, and the youth in particular. The purpose of this study was to establish adolescents' level of political knowledge and whether they are able to think critically about political issues or not. The first part of the literature study which was concerned with critical thinking revealed that the major aspects of critical thinking are: deductive reasoning, inductive inference, recognition of assumptions, credibility, and problem solving. The second part of the literature study was an analysis of which factors may play a role in the development of critical thinking of an adolescent. with particular reference to a political context. The third part was an examination of important current political and social issues. These were: the new Constitution. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, housing, land redistribution, education, labour, health, crime, political violence, environment, and the next election. A reliable measuring instrument was developed in order to measure adolescents' knowledge of political issues, and their ability to think critically about these issues. The results of the empirical study revealed that intellectual potential and academic achievement were significantly related to critical thinking ability, while gender, environment, and personality appeared not to play a role. There was a significant correlation between political knowledge and critical thinking in a political context, implying that critical thinking is subject-specific. Cultural background also played a significant role in critical thinking in a political context. In terms of political knowledge, boys were found to be at a significantly higher level than girls. The subjects from urban areas were also at a significantly higher level than those from rural areas. There was also a positive correlation between intellectual potential, academic achievement, and political knowledge. Finally, some recommendations for improving the levels of political knowledge and critical thinking abilities with regard to political issues of South African adolescents were given. / Die tweede ten valle demokratiese verkiesing in Suid-Afrika is geskeduleer om in Mei 1999 plaas te vind. In die vyf jaar sedert die vorige verkiesing is baie min aandag gegee aan die politieke geletterdheid van die verkiesingspubliek in die algemeen en die jeug in besonder. Die doel van hierdie studie was om adolessente se vlak van politieke kennis te bepaal en om vas te stel of hulle in staat is om krities oar politieke kwessies na te dink. Die eerste deel van die literatuurstudie wat verband hou met kritiese denke het uitgewys dat die hoofaspekte van kritiese denke die volgende is: deduktiewe redenering, induktiewe inferensies, herkenning van aannames, geloofwaardigheid en probleemoplossing. Die tweede deel van die literatuurstudie behels 'n analise van die faktore wat 'n rol kan speel in die ontwikkeling van die kritiese denke van die adolessent, met spesifieke verwysing na 'n politieke konteks. Die derde deel is 'n ondersoek na belangrike teenswoordige politieke en sosiale kwessies. Hierdie kwessies sluit in: die nuwe Grondwet, die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie, behuising, herverdeling van grand, opvoeding, arbeid, gesondheid, misdaad, politieke geweld, die omgewing en die volgende verkiesing. 'n Betroubare meetinstrument om adolessente se kennis van politieke kwessies asook hul vermoe om krities daaroor na te dink, is ontwikkel. Die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek het aangetoon dat intellektuele potensiaal en akademiese prestasie betekenisvol verband hou met kritiese denkvermoe, terwyl geslag, omgewing en persoonlikheid klaarblyklik nie 'n rol speel nie. Daar is ook 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen politieke kennis en kritiese denke in 'n politieke konteks wat impliseer dat kritiese denke vakspesifiek is. Kulturele agtergrond speel ook 'n betekenisvolle rol in kritiese denke in 'n politieke konteks. Ten opsigte van politieke kennis is daar bevind dat seuns op 'n betekenisvolle hoer vlak is as dogters. Respondente uit stedelike gebiede is oak op 'n betekenisvolle hoer vlak as diegene uit plattelandse gebiede. Oaar is oak 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen intellektuele potensiaal, akademiese prestasie en politieke kennis. Ten slotte is aanbevelings gemaak om die vlakke van politieke kennis en kritiese denkvermoens met betrekking tot politieke aangeleenthede by Suid-Afrikaanse adolessente te verbeter. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The second fully democratic election in South Africa is scheduled to take place in May 1999. In the five years since the first election, it appears that very little attention has been paid to the political literacy of the electorate in general, and the youth in particular. The purpose of this study was to establish adolescents' level of political knowledge and whether they are able to think critically about political issues or not. The first part of the literature study which was concerned with critical thinking revealed that the major aspects of critical thinking are: deductive reasoning, inductive inference, recognition of assumptions, credibility, and problem solving. The second part of the literature study was an analysis of which factors may play a role in the development of critical thinking of an adolescent. with particular reference to a political context. The third part was an examination of important current political and social issues. These were: the new Constitution. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, housing, land redistribution, education, labour, health, crime, political violence, environment, and the next election. A reliable measuring instrument was developed in order to measure adolescents' knowledge of political issues, and their ability to think critically about these issues. The results of the empirical study revealed that intellectual potential and academic achievement were significantly related to critical thinking ability, while gender, environment, and personality appeared not to play a role. There was a significant correlation between political knowledge and critical thinking in a political context, implying that critical thinking is subject-specific. Cultural background also played a significant role in critical thinking in a political context. In terms of political knowledge, boys were found to be at a significantly higher level than girls. The subjects from urban areas were also at a significantly higher level than those from rural areas. There was also a positive correlation between intellectual potential, academic achievement, and political knowledge. Finally, some recommendations for improving the levels of political knowledge and critical thinking abilities with regard to political issues of South African adolescents were given. / Die tweede ten valle demokratiese verkiesing in Suid-Afrika is geskeduleer om in Mei 1999 plaas te vind. In die vyf jaar sedert die vorige verkiesing is baie min aandag gegee aan die politieke geletterdheid van die verkiesingspubliek in die algemeen en die jeug in besonder. Die doel van hierdie studie was om adolessente se vlak van politieke kennis te bepaal en om vas te stel of hulle in staat is om krities oar politieke kwessies na te dink. Die eerste deel van die literatuurstudie wat verband hou met kritiese denke het uitgewys dat die hoofaspekte van kritiese denke die volgende is: deduktiewe redenering, induktiewe inferensies, herkenning van aannames, geloofwaardigheid en probleemoplossing. Die tweede deel van die literatuurstudie behels 'n analise van die faktore wat 'n rol kan speel in die ontwikkeling van die kritiese denke van die adolessent, met spesifieke verwysing na 'n politieke konteks. Die derde deel is 'n ondersoek na belangrike teenswoordige politieke en sosiale kwessies. Hierdie kwessies sluit in: die nuwe Grondwet, die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie, behuising, herverdeling van grand, opvoeding, arbeid, gesondheid, misdaad, politieke geweld, die omgewing en die volgende verkiesing. 'n Betroubare meetinstrument om adolessente se kennis van politieke kwessies asook hul vermoe om krities daaroor na te dink, is ontwikkel. Die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek het aangetoon dat intellektuele potensiaal en akademiese prestasie betekenisvol verband hou met kritiese denkvermoe, terwyl geslag, omgewing en persoonlikheid klaarblyklik nie 'n rol speel nie. Daar is ook 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen politieke kennis en kritiese denke in 'n politieke konteks wat impliseer dat kritiese denke vakspesifiek is. Kulturele agtergrond speel ook 'n betekenisvolle rol in kritiese denke in 'n politieke konteks. Ten opsigte van politieke kennis is daar bevind dat seuns op 'n betekenisvolle hoer vlak is as dogters. Respondente uit stedelike gebiede is oak op 'n betekenisvolle hoer vlak as diegene uit plattelandse gebiede. Oaar is oak 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen intellektuele potensiaal, akademiese prestasie en politieke kennis. Ten slotte is aanbevelings gemaak om die vlakke van politieke kennis en kritiese denkvermoens met betrekking tot politieke aangeleenthede by Suid-Afrikaanse adolessente te verbeter. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)