This dissertation looks at the existence of multiculturalism within the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus after the merger. It also assesses the extent to which there is organisational commitment and job satisfaction within this institution of higher learning. Using frequencies and descriptive statistics, the article provides an overview of the extent of the impact of multiculturalism on organisational commitment and job satisfaction in the identified institution. Furthermore, the article evaluates the extent of relationships between multiculturalism as an independent variable and organisational commitment and job satisfaction as dependent variables. Data collected from 250 respondents using the self-administered questionnaires was analysed using SPSS. The results show that respondents’ self-assessment of their productivity is affirmative. It also indicates that most respondents are satisfied with their work and their responses to the intention to leave the organisation are in the negative. Contrary to the position of most researchers in previous literature, data collected in this study shows that multiculturalism does not result in the sampled employees intending to leave the organisation. It also indicates that the respondents do not show any negative effect of multiculturalism. This positive impact may be attributed to the fact that most respondents indicated their commitment to the institution and satisfaction with their work. The results of this study should be interpreted in the context of academia. In this regard, in a different environment, multiculturalism may be found to result in different findings. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalised to other sectors and industries. In addition, it is safe to generalise the findings only to the Campus at which the study was conducted. Findings of this study show that there is no relationship between multicultural norm and practices and organisational commitment as well as job satisfaction. It nonetheless shows that most employees are productive and satisfied and have no intention to leave the institution. The study recommends that the institution adopts a focused approach to nurturing multiculturalism. In order to improve multiculturalism, it is recommended that the institution creates awareness and trains employees about diversity. It is also recommended that the North-West University enhances job satisfaction through team building activities. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This dissertation looks at the existence of multiculturalism within the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus after the merger. It also assesses the extent to which there is organisational commitment and job satisfaction within this institution of higher learning. Using frequencies and descriptive statistics, the article provides an overview of the extent of the impact of multiculturalism on organisational commitment and job satisfaction in the identified institution. Furthermore, the article evaluates the extent of relationships between multiculturalism as an independent variable and organisational commitment and job satisfaction as dependent variables. Data collected from 250 respondents using the self-administered questionnaires was analysed using SPSS. The results show that respondents’ self-assessment of their productivity is affirmative. It also indicates that most respondents are satisfied with their work and their responses to the intention to leave the organisation are in the negative. Contrary to the position of most researchers in previous literature, data collected in this study shows that multiculturalism does not result in the sampled employees intending to leave the organisation. It also indicates that the respondents do not show any negative effect of multiculturalism. This positive impact may be attributed to the fact that most respondents indicated their commitment to the institution and satisfaction with their work. The results of this study should be interpreted in the context of academia. In this regard, in a different environment, multiculturalism may be found to result in different findings. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalised to other sectors and industries. In addition, it is safe to generalise the findings only to the Campus at which the study was conducted. Findings of this study show that there is no relationship between multicultural norm and practices and organisational commitment as well as job satisfaction. It nonetheless shows that most employees are productive and satisfied and have no intention to leave the institution. The study recommends that the institution adopts a focused approach to nurturing multiculturalism. In order to improve multiculturalism, it is recommended that the institution creates awareness and trains employees about diversity. It is also recommended that the North-West University enhances job satisfaction through team building activities. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study investigated the factors that affect the job satisfaction of principals of previously disadvantaged secondary schools in the North West Province. The aims of the study were to determine empirically, through quantitative and qualitative means, the factors that influence the job satisfaction of the principals, and to make recommendations of ways to improve their job satisfaction. In the quantitative phase the research design was a survey. Data were collected from a purposefully selected sample of 30 principals of 30 secondary schools conveniently situated and accessible, in rural villages and townships. Thereafter a phenomenological approach was used to select eight principals from the same sample. The aim was to, by means of interviews, find clarity on the trends observed in the quantitative phase. The researcher purposefully selected participants representing a maximum variation regarding gender, geographical location, and years of experience as a teacher or a headmaster. The results indicated that the factors that enhanced the job satisfaction of the selected principals related to the nature of their work in the sense that it was stimulating, important and varied. Their interpersonal relationships were also gratifying. These relationships referred to cooperative staff, appreciative colleagues and supervisors, well-behaved learners, and supportive parents. Specific factors also brought about job dissatisfaction. In particular, the majority of the principals were frustrated with poor management on the part of the Department of Education. This was linked to a lack of autonomy of the principals, excessive bureaucracy, and poor policies. The principals believed that these policies exacerbated the problems they already had with ill-disciplined learners, the poor work ethics of some educators, unsatisfactory matriculation results, pitiable physical working conditions, and uninvolved parents.Results from the research also showed that the principals thought their workloads were not aligned to their salaries, and that reward systems were needed. Recommendations to enhance the job satisfaction of the principals of the identified secondary schools were made to the SGB and other school managers, as well as to the Department of Education, and recommendations for future research were also put forward. Finally, a number of limitations of the study were pointed out. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Introduction: Land reform is one of the consistently debated, complex and contested subjects in the South African development discourse. Many impoverished communities have been dispossessed of their land during the colonial past. Indicators, measures and evidence of success in land reform are scant, anecdotal and poorly documented. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine whether land reform in South Africa can indeed yield positive development outcomes. In the absence of clear indicators to measure successful land reform, the researcher uses case study methodology to evaluate the impact of land reform on a particular community, the Barolong-Balemirui Project in the North West Province. Methodology: Generic Qualitative methods are used to collect and analyse data collected from (n=45) participants. Within this, multiple data collection approaches that include document analysis, informal discussions and unstructured interviews were utilised to gain insights into the role played by South African land reform across a range of developmental outcome areas. Findings: The study found that land reform could indeed, produce positive development among the impoverished communities in South Africa. This empirical exploration also highlights that the success of land reform programmes and projects depends on many interlinked variables which include enabling policies; the availability of support from development institutions; the private sector and the state, the commitment of the beneficiaries in utilising the land for development purposes as well as the appropriateness of the identified development objectives. The development inputs and outputs of a successful land reform project are therefore multifaceted and complex. Conclusion: This study emphasises the importance of the participation of beneficiaries in the evaluation of land reform projects to determine real and lasting developmental impact. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

The study seeks to examine the role of mentoring and how it could be used in the process of professional development of mathematical literacy teachers in the Greater Taung area. The study attempts to flag the importance of mentoring in professional development, especially for mathematical literacy teachers. To obtain data for the study sixteen mathematical literacy teachers from Taung area (within Ruth Mompati District) were purposively selected. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect relevant data. Literature review, based on previous studies on mentoring also provided data for the study. The following findings emerged from the study: a) that mentoring has over the years has been an effective process for developing early-career teachers’ practices b) that there are no formal mentoring programmes to assist mathematical literacy teachers in the Greater Taung area c) there is a need for effective communication between the mentor and the mentee, since the learning that takes place in a mentoring relationship is usually through regular interaction.From the findings, a collaborative form of mentoring is recommended.Both parties in this relationship are considered as a source of knowledge that can contribute to the learning that occurs within the context of mentoring. / Mathematics Education / Ph. D. (Mathematics Education)

Prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in adult and child populations during the last two to three decades in both developed and developing countries. Childhood obesity is common in the United Kingdom and has become a major public health issue. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the development of overweight and obesity in children has its roots in early life, with evidence of increasing weight over time in pre-school children. The study explored the early development of overweight in infants in Halton, an area of Northwest England. It was a mixed methods study comprising a quantitative analysis of routinely collected infant weight data and a longitudinal qualitative study of the process of weaning. Phase one - patterns of weight in Halton infants: The retrospective quantitative study utilised birthweight, and weight and length/height at eight weeks, eight months and 40 months of age from Halton infants born between 1994 and 2006 (16,328 singleton births). Analysis of these data provided further evidence of the early development of overweight, and highlighted patterns of infant overweight at eight months of age not previously reported. Phase two - longitudinal qualitative study of the process of weaning: Given the findings of phase one, factors that may influence early weight gain were considered. Therefore, the second phase focussed upon weaning, which has been little researched in terms of the way in which mothers manage the process. The aim was to explore weaning as a social process, focussing on the experience, knowledge, perceptions and actions of mothers as they weaned, in order to consider whether this could shed light on infant growth and development in general and the early development of overweight in particular. A grounded theory approach was utilised. Twenty one women were recruited and interviewed antenatally and then up to three times after their babies were born. A total of 67 interviews took place. A grounded theory, or ‘plausible account’, of the weaning process was developed. The centrality of the baby, and the way in which mothers talk about following the lead of the baby as they wean was highlighted, along with the ways in which this focus may falter or shift because of the complexity of influences on mothers’ lives. The primacy of embodied knowledge, that is the knowledge that mothers built up through the experience of feeding and weaning their infant, and the significance of being a mother in terms of being an ‘authority’ on feeding and weaning, were evident. In addition, the limitations of providing information, such as the feeding and weaning guidelines, without taking account of the individual mother, infant and their context was indicated. This is how some mistrust of the advice of health professionals, and possibly other ‘health messages’ emerged, as mothers did not see the advice as appropriate to them, their infant, or circumstances. Mothers did recognise babies as ‘bigger’ or ‘smaller’, but through valuing weight and weight gain were particularly aware of having small babies, which may have limited their capacity for recognising the significance of early signs of overweight in their infants. Final conclusions: Using mixed methods in this study allowed a broad picture of patterns of weight and overweight in Halton infants, and what some of the contributory factors to those patterns might be, to emerge, than if a single research method had been used. A number of implications for policy and practice: at an individual level in terms of the way in which women are supported to feed and wean their babies; and at a population level in terms of the monitoring of weight, were identified.

This thesis describes an in-depth study of limestone pavements across North West England and North Wales. The aim was to combine elements of geodiversity and biodiversity in order to create a holistic limestone pavement classification to inform future management. A field-based research protocol was used to assess a stratified random sample (46 pavements), accounting for approximately 10% of the limestone pavements in the geographical area. Detailed analyses of key elements are presented, along with important issues that continue to pose threats to this Annex One Priority Habitat. This research resulted in a comprehensive classification, using TWINSPAN analysis and Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling, identifying six distinct holistic functional groups. The prime factors driving limestone pavement morphology, and hence the classification, were established to be lithology, proximity to structural fault, altitude and human intervention, particularly in terms of grazing intensity. Three upland, open limestone pavement classes were formed. Of these, the richest in terms of geodiversity and biodiversity was the group with the thickest bedding planes and hence the deepest grikes, typically greater than 1m. The class that was most species-poor was "at the highest altitude (above 450m), formed on the thin limestones of the Yoredales. These were characterised by shallow, wide grikes. The third upland limestone pavement group had mid-range grikes, generally 0.5-1m in depth, and small clints. Two wooded classes were identified. One was a lowland 'classic' wooded limestone pavement group with deep, narrow grikes and shallow soils. Indicator species included Juniperus communis and Taxus baccata. The second wooded group was situated proximal to a major structural fault. In this group the pavement dip ranged between 10°-40° with well-runnelled clints that were heavily moss-covered. The sixth group was low altitude, proximal to the coast, characterised by low moss growth, un-vegetated clints and the presence of Ulex europaeus. Conservation management was identified as key to the quality of the limestone pavement habitat and this thesis identifies best management practises and links these to the holistic limestone pavement classification. Finally, as a sample case study, this thesis presents mollusc species and diversity from eleven of the Yorkshire limestone pavements. Analysis establishes significant links between geodiversity and mollusc populations, with key drivers for mollusc communities echoing those of plant species on limestone pavement.

M.Cur. / The problem of relapsed psychiatric patients is global, it is high in rural areas where services are not readily available. Lack of knowledge of psychiatric conditions and the management by family of patients play a part in psychiatric patients relapsing. Families reject their family members (patients) when they are in hospital, for what they did when their illness started. Some patients assaulted people, stripped naked in the street. The family then disassociate themselves from the patient because of that behaviour. Studies have indicated that the following reduce the rate of relapse of psychiatric patients: • psycho-education for families regarding the causes of mental illness and its management; and • active involvement of families of patients in the treatment plan of these patients. The researcher’s interest was triggered by the high rate of psychiatric patient relapses in the institution where she works. The researcher decided to investigate the experiences of patients who have relapsed. An investigation was done whereby an explorative, descriptive, contextual and qualitative design was used to find out what the experiences of patients are who have relapsed. Phenomenological interviews were done with seven participants who were purposively selected. Permission was first obtained from the gatekeepers and participants. Thereafter, a pilot study was done with one patient who met the selection criteria for the study. This was done to help the researcher to discover the strong and weak points of the research and to make corrections where necessary. Following Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991:214-222) strategies ensured trustworthiness. Data analysis was done following Tesch’s method of data analysis (Creswell, 1994:154-156). The results showed that patients’ basic needs are neglected in some areas. Emotional dimensions of participants were not catered for by health workers, which resulted in participants getting frustrated and angry. After the data analysis guidelines for psychiatric nurses were described to assist psychiatric patients to mobilise their resources. Recommendations were made regarding the application of the results of the study in psychiatric education, nursing practice and research and for family members. It was concluded that the questions of the study were answered and the objectives were achieved.

D.Ed / Communities in a society consist of individuals within those communities. There are many individual members in those communities who are not effectively involved in serving that society. This study focuses on guiding individual members in a society to effective service in their community. Individuals who report for service in a community are referred to as volunteers. Many people don’t experience full spiritual health because they live selfcentred lives. People don’t realize that there is value in community service. Making a difference in the community by voluntary service leads to inner fulfilment and meaning. To accompany volunteers in finding their places of service, the following research question was asked: “What can be done to further voluntary community service?” The aim of this study was the description, implementation and evaluation of a Psycho-Educational Program to mobilize service in individuals to thereby further mental health. From a methodological viewpoint a qualitative research strategy was applied to realize the purpose mentioned above. A method of scouting and describing was further applied. The field - work was done by means of semi-structured interviews with volunteers. The results obtained were analysed and categorized. The findings of the data were justified by means of literature control. The trustworthiness of the findings was assured in this way. The following main themes were identified: · Points of departure to discover your place of service · Establishing healthy relationships The results of the data analysis show that the volunteer wants to know what value community service has to offer before he makes his time available for service. The volunteer’s involvement in the community should benefit his spiritual health by his experiencing meaning, peace and even health. The research indicated the fact that the volunteer should move through a process of self-discovery to find his place of service. When the volunteer discovers who he is and organizes his life accordingly, it should promote meaning to life. In the research it surfaced that volunteers in many cases experience that human relationships are inadequate. People from different backgrounds and with different types of personality form part of the community team. Therefore an effort should be made to further healthy inter-personal relationships. It is necessary that volunteers develop the social skills to promote healthy inter-personal relationships. In the research it also became clear that the facilitator plays an important role in the volunteer’s guiding process. He must guide the volunteer to find his place of service and to make him part of the community. Subsequently a service program for volunteers was developed. The program was developed out of the themes and categories. The program’s intent is to guide the volunteer in discovering his place of service. By being involved in the field of service which compliments his true “I” or identity, mental health will be attained. Secondly the program’s intent is to equip facilitators so that volunteers can be empowered for service. In conclusion the implementation and evaluation were discussed. Regard to the implementation, it was recommended that community leaders be trained during workshops to implement the service program in their communities. Thereafter they should develop facilitators in their respective communities who will guide volunteers in the process of finding their own places of service. The program was facilitated to a number of volunteers. Their experience was related during a focus - group interview. The data collected were analysed and categorized. The following conclusions were made: The program led to the fact that they realized the value of community service. The partakers discovered their true “I” or identity. This knowledge could be used to determine which type of service would lead to the greatest mental health. They also learned the necessary interpersonal skills for effective community service. The thesis therefore puts a community service program in place that will guide volunteers to find their place in service and to live to the full. In that way they will contribute effectively to society and will also benefit in mental health.

M.A. / This dissertation examines the fear that surrounds death as a consequence of AIDS. It focuses on the relationship that exists between two kinds of deaths, namely the ‘good death’ and the ‘wild death’. The aim of this dissertation is two-fold. It specifically investigates the existence of a ‘good death’, posing the question whether dying ‘wildly’ is necessarily inhumane or unnatural. Secondly, it seeks to emphasise the fact that the stigma surrounding AIDS increases the fears of dying and death. In this dissertation, investigation is confined to workers on the Impala Platinum Mines on the western limb of the bushveld complex, near the towns of Phokeng and Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province. The dissertation focuses on mineworkers, among whom – as a consequence of an excessive use of prostitution, single sex hostels, strenuous working conditions, and a lack of knowledge – there is a high level of HIV infection. The dissertation consists of two critical parts. The first aims at understanding the ideas of the fears of dying and death, with a specific focus on the theory of good and wild death, while the second analyses these fears in relation to HIV-positive miners. My methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation were ethnographic, providing a description of death and AIDS in concrete circumstances, rather than an abstract and hypothetical analysis of the phenomenon of dying and death. Information was acquired from 25 selected HIV-positive mine respondents during the period November 2002 to March 2003. This dissertation deals with a topic on which little has been written in relation to AIDS sufferers in South Africa. Its objectives are to clarify the meaning of a ‘good death’ by drawing on the South African approach of a ‘good death’ and to also examine what would be required in trying to help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to achieve this ‘good death’. / Prof. P. Alexander Dr. Ria Smit