This thesis examined the influence of Western paternalism on the adoption of gay rights by Nigeria and the Republic of Niger. It seeks to provide an answer to the research question: How has Western paternalism determined Nigeria and the Republic of Niger's positions on the adoption of gay rights? The opposition of gay rights is widespread among African countries, and existing research is yet to provide an encompassing explanation for the trend. This study used the Linkage and leverage theory of Levitsky and Way (2010) to expand on research gaps found in previous literature. This thesis argues that the position of African nations on gay rights depended on their Western Linkage and Leverage from Western and non-Western external powers. A comparative, qualitative analysis of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger showed that both countries have strong Western Linkage and Leverage from Western countries. However, Nigeria has been able to resist the pressure to adopt gay rights because of its alternative leverage with non-Western countries like China and its vast oil reserve. The findings also provide further theoretical insights into the linkage and leverage concept, and it makes recommendations for further studies.

Dissertation submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Education in the Department of Foundation of Education, Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2019. / This study investigated the effects of curriculum changes on Mathematics teaching and learning in foundation phase, in Sibasa circuit, in Limpopo province. The study made use of a qualitative approach by means of interviews. Purposive sampling was utilised to select participants for this study. Results show that: policy makers failed to involve different stakeholders before introducing the new curriculum, the department did not regularly convenes workshops, seminars, and conferences and even continued trainings for Mathematics teachers; there is lack of teacher learner support materials that makes changes in curriculum and affects teaching and learning in a negative way.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Objective: To determine if a prediabetes lifestyle intervention program, tailored to rural adults from Southwestern Ontario, could decrease the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) development through positive lifestyle changes. Methods: Forty-nine intervention participants and 34 controls partook in the study. At baseline individuals diagnosed with prediabetes chose the lifestyle intervention group (6 sessions) or control group (1 session). Intervention participants were provided with tailored education which promoted positive lifestyle changes known to help prevent or delay the development of T2D. Results: Lifestyle changes and long-term improvement of T2D modifiable risk factors were achieved by the intervention participants from baseline to post-program, unlike their control counterparts, such as increasing their average daily intake of vegetables and fruit servings (p<0.001) and reducing their fasting glycemia (p=0.003). Conclusion: Positive lifestyle changes through this 6-month tailored community-based intervention was successful in helping many rural adults with prediabetes prevent the development of T2D

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2019 / Tropical cyclones are becoming more intense and the locations at which they form and attain their lifetime maximum intensities are migrating poleward, exposing more regions to tropical cyclone impacts. This study investigated a new climatology for Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones, aimed to update and re-examine the previous tropical cyclone climatology from the canonical works of Gray (1968, 1979). The optimal and minimum ranges of thermodynamic and dynamic climate variables during tropical cyclogenesis were determined, to define the conditions at which the majority of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones are generated. The change over time of tropical cyclone activity and the magnitude of the climate drivers at the 1000and 850mb levels was also examined. The sea surface temperatures of 27.5-28.5°C is observed as the optimal range at which a majority of storms undergo genesis. However, the lowest observed magnitude at which genesis was possible is 24°C. This challenges the 26.5°C threshold for genesis in the Southern Hemisphere. Based on factor analysis weightings and multivariate regression, sea surface temperature, air temperature and relative humidity also account for a relatively large amount of variability in the formation process of tropical cyclones, compared to the other climate variables examined. Over 1980-2016, an increase for Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone maximum intensity of 2.4 m.s-1 per decade is observed. Of the climate drivers measured at the point of genesis; omega, meridional shear, sea surface temperature and solar flux display statistically significant correlations with tropical cyclone intensity. Sea surface temperature, air temperature, solar flux and vertical shear at the point of genesis for Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones, demonstrate statistically significant increases in magnitude, while omega and relative humidity indicate a decreasing trend. The increase in thermodynamic variables and their relationship to storm intensity infers that a warming climate is capable of influencing tropical cyclone intensity. The El Niño Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Annular Mode and volcanic eruption events indicated a statistically significant relationship to metrics of tropical cyclone activity, mainly intensity and longitude of storm genesis. The tropical cyclone climatology established here by providing an up to date seasonality and background of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone activity, can assist impact and risk assessment studies in areas potentially vulnerable to tropical cyclone impacts within the Southern Hemisphere. / TL (2020)

Submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s in Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2018. / This study sets out to investigate the teaching of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) as a subject in the context of curriculum change. The main aim of this study is to identify the challenges teachers face in teaching EMS, determine the suitable teaching strategies to be used to teach EMS and explore the effect of curriculum change in teaching EMS in schools at Umhlathuze Circuit. This study is located within the interpretivist-positivist paradigm and falls within mixed method research approaches. The research instruments used were questionnaires administered to EMS teachers, interviews, learner activities and teacher portfolios. The results show that EMS teachers are facing challenges with regards to the integrated teaching of Accounting, Business Studies and Economics. The results of the study reveal that EMS teachers are still teaching more of Business Studies and Economics while sacrificing the Accounting content. The time allocated to teach EMS is not enough which causes teachers to focus on curriculum coverage rather than ensuring that learners master the content taught. The shortage of textbooks and calculators was also identified as a major challenge in many schools. Many EMS teachers are either trained for at least a combination of two disciplines in EMS. Even the Heads of department are not fully equipped in all three disciplines within the EMS. It is recommended that time allocation for EMS be reviewed. There is a need for sufficient resources in schools to ensure effective teaching and learning. EMS teachers should be able to teach all three disciplines within the EMS effectively. There is also a need for teacher training and development. Teachers should use a variety of teaching strategies and should adapt their teaching practice as a result of curriculum change. Accounting within the EMS should be a stand-alone subject.

This dissertation research addresses the question of whether the issuance of the FASB and SEC proposals had any effect on the common stock values of oil and gas producers. Of primary interest is a determination of the differential impact of these proposals on stock values of full-cost versus successful efforts firms.