Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Taung (Vryburg, South Africa)'

Emphasis in the study is on the prevalence of poverty especially in the so called third world developing countries. Poverty as a social problem is caused by a number of factors, viz: Over population, unemployment, illiteracy, etc. In the case of the study the focus is the rapid population growth or "population explosion" as it is commonly known. Family planning is sen as important, but not the only strategy in combatting the interrelated problem of population growth and development. The relevance and importance of social workers, as members of a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of family planning programmes is emphasised. There is evidence in the study to support the observation that Black African people in particular are reluctant to use family planning methods. Based on this evidence, the basic assumption arrived at is that there is a general unfavourable attitude to family planning in the Taung area. The research design used is exploratory-descriptive. Of the 75 areas in the district, 10 areas were included In the investigation. A stratified random sample was used, with a sample size of 200 respondents. The interview schedule was used to collect data. It was structured and consisted primarily of close-ended questions, and was analysed using the Biomedical Data Programme (B.M.D.P.). The problem is formulated from literature concerned with population growth in the Republic of South Africa as well as Bophuthatswana. The following sub-problems were described: illegitimacy; health and economic problems associated with large families; abortion; malnutrition and malnourishment; and the absence of services of the National Family Planning Programme In the Taung area. Compatibility between social work and family planning is a central concern, with community development as a significant method of intervention. The three important concepts in the study were broadly defined, viz: Overpopulation, family planning and attitude. It was established that: -the use of family planning follows rather than precedes the process of modernisation and rising economic standards; -no family planning programme can be practised universally - because of factors such as culture, need and habit. Attitudinal change is considered based on the basic assumption arrived at. Little has been done on the subject of family planning in south Africa. With regard to the role of social work in family planning, there have been impediments along the following lines: lack of firm tradition; emphasis on treatment rather than on preventive work; a view of family planning asa health measure and to be offered solely in the medical and health services. To be active in this field social workers need formal education and training. Taung: - the area of study is predominantly rural with almost all characteristics of rural areas, those of: Irregular transport services to and from remote areas; corrugated roads; primitive sanitary conditions; poor communication system; absence of electricity in villages; illiteracy and unemployment. On the other hand, development is evident especially in the health, education and welfare fields. The central findings in the study are those arising from resistances to family planning usage - politically; culturally; morally and psychologically. The general conclusions are: The high rate of unemployment is present in the sample and there is financial dependence on partners (men); the importance of social workers in family planning is emphasised; there is a desire to have large numbers of children (children feature prominently in the area and are regarded as an asset in various ways); and lastly, improved education does lead to an increase in motivation to adopt family planning practices. Against the highlighted findings, recommendations were made, viz that: Community development be used as a strategy for change; social workers be involved as team members in family planning - in policy formulation and planning of population programmes at various levels, using different methods of intervention; paramedical aides beused - because of inter alia shortage of qualified manpower and lastly formal education and training to be granted to prospective change agents in family planning delivery programmes.<br>KMBT_363<br>Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

Thesis (D. Tech. (Business Administration )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013.<br>A major concern for developing countries including South Africa is the high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequity. Developing countries have accordingly been pre-occupied with finding solutions to these problems. Drawing on the success of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) from the developed countries such as the US and the UK, developing nations have embraced the idea of promoting development through SMMEs. But the overall performance of the small business sector in most developing countries has rather been dismal and as such have not been able to contribute optimally to the development agenda. Adopting a strategic management perspective, this study hypothesised that an integration of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and market orientations (MO) glued together by innovativeness (INNO) would yield superior outcomes than the stand-alone effects of these strategic postures. To test the hypothesis, a sample of 198 small scale agricultural enterprises (SSAEs) in the Vryburg region was surveyed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed on the data generated. The empirical findings showed that EO + MO + INNO interactively exhibited positive and significant correlation with the performance (sales growth and profitability) of SSAEs in the Vryburg region. However, the inter-correlations of EO + MO + INNO with business performance were practically moderate. The moderate correlations create opportunities for strengthening the entrepreneurial and market orientations and innovativeness of SSAES and in fact small businesses in general. An intensive and co-ordinated intervention of government and NGOs in transforming the small business sector into the real engine of growth of the economy is imperative. The study also attempted to predict firm performance holding EO + EO + INNO as predictor variables. Multi linear regression and multinomial logistic regression analysis however did not yield significant predictions of performance of SSAEs. This outcome provides a launch pad for further research into the proposed model in different settings because this study was mainly exploratory and executed in a rural and agricultural environments. Notwithstanding, the study made important contributions to the literature. It showed that it was possible to integrate EO + MO + INNO (previously viewed by many authors as exclusive constructs) into a single business model for the synergic enhancement of small business performance. It is hoped this would stimulate economic growth and development especially in developing countries.

Thesis M. Med.(Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2010.<br>Background The use of HAART in HIV/AIDS patients has been recognised worldwide to improve the quality of life and survival prospects. Neverthess, factors such as WHO clinical stage III-IV, CD4< 200, VL> 100,000, anaemia, blood transfusion, malnutrition, male gender, intravenous drug use, drug toxicity, HAART experienced by patients, hospitalization, older age and depression have been reported to be associated with negative outcomes whereas, in contrast, white ethnicity, adherence > 90%, antiretroviral naïve subjects, longer period of viral suppression, younger age, and female gender have been reported to be associated with positive clinical outcomes. Methods The researcher conducted a descriptive retrospective study of 78 systematically selected patients who initiated HAART during the period of 5 June 2007 to 5 December 2008. Data regarding demographics, nutritional status, patients’ opportunistic infections, patients’ use of ARV drugs and HAART regimens, side effects and adverse events, baseline and follow up measurements of CD4 cell count, VL, ALT and Hb were collected at initiation, 6 and 12 months of HAART and analysed, utilizing descriptive statistics. Results Of the 78 patients recruited for the study, 60 (77%) were females and 18 (23%) males, 77 (98.8%) black and 1 (1.2%) coloured. The majority of patients belonged to the two age-groups 26-35 years (35.9%), and 36-45 (37.2%). The majority of patients [73/78 (93.4%)] were unemployed and residents of Vryburg town. Nutritionally, 17/78 (21.8%) patients were underweight. Clinically, 79.4% were classified as WHO clinical stage III - IV. The mean weight improved in both sex at 6 and 12 months of HAART respectively, from 57.5kg (SD 8.0) to 63.0kg (SD 13.0) and 65.2kg (SD 4.5) for males. 12 Conclusion The administration of HAART to patients attending ARV clinic at Vryburg District Hospital was followed by better clinical outcomes in terms of weight gain, correction of anaemia, increase in CD4 and achievement of virological suppression. Female gender, VL > 100,000 copies/ml, Younger age (< 46 years) and good adherence were found to have positive influence on clinical outcomes.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate plant growth, grain yield and symbiotic N contribution by 32 cowpea genotypes, at Taung in South Africa. The data from a 2-year field study conducted in 2005 and 2006 showed that genotypes Fahari, Pan 311 and Glenda exhibited the highest dry matter yield and N contribution as they produced 2.9-, 2.7- and 3.5-fold more dry matter than cv. ITH98-46 and yielded 2.7-, 2.2- and 3.2-fold more N than cultivar ITH98-46 from IITA. Except for Benpila, all the 32 cowpea genotypes derived between 52.0 and 80.9% of their N nutrition from symbiotic fixation in 2005, with IT82D-889, Botswana White, IT93K-2045-29 and Ngonji exhibiting the highest %Ndfa values. The genotype Fahari showed the highest amount N-fixed (182 kg N-fixed/ha), followed by Pan 311, Glenda, TVu11424 and Mamlaka which contributed 160, 146, 130 and 125 kg N/ha, respectively. Genotypes Pan 311, Fahari and Glenda were among those that produced highest grain yield in 2005 and except for CH14 and IT86S-2246 (which produced 131 kg N/ha each), Fahari, Glenda and Pan 311, were again the highest in symbiotic N contribution (112, 106 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively). Grain yield was similarly high in Glenda, Pan 311 and Fahari (3.3, 3.1 and 2.9 t/ha, respectively) in 2006. In general, these data show that genotypes that fixed more N also produced more biomass and grain yield and are therefore, the best candidates for inclusion in cropping systems as biofertilizers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate plant growth, grain yield and symbiotic N contribution by 32 cowpea genotypes, at Taung in South Africa. The data from a 2-year field study conducted in 2005 and 2006 showed that genotypes Fahari, Pan 311 and Glenda exhibited the highest dry matter yield and N contribution as they produced 2.9-, 2.7- and 3.5-fold more dry matter than cv. ITH98-46 and yielded 2.7-, 2.2- and 3.2-fold more N than cultivar ITH98-46 from IITA. Except for Benpila, all the 32 cowpea genotypes derived between 52.0 and 80.9% of their N nutrition from symbiotic fixation in 2005, with IT82D-889, Botswana White, IT93K-2045-29 and Ngonji exhibiting the highest %Ndfa values. The genotype Fahari showed the highest amount N-fixed (182 kg N-fixed/ha), followed by Pan 311, Glenda, TVu11424 and Mamlaka which contributed 160, 146, 130 and 125 kg N/ha, respectively. Genotypes Pan 311, Fahari and Glenda were among those that produced highest grain yield in 2005 and except for CH14 and IT86S-2246 (which produced 131 kg N/ha each), Fahari, Glenda and Pan 311, were again the highest in symbiotic N contribution (112, 106 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively). Grain yield was similarly high in Glenda, Pan 311 and Fahari (3.3, 3.1 and 2.9 t/ha, respectively) in 2006. In general, these data show that genotypes that fixed more N also produced more biomass and grain yield and are therefore, the best candidates for inclusion in cropping systems as biofertilizers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-concept and academic achievement. The subjects were 10th grade male and female pupils in the Taung Central Education circuit in the Northwest Province of South Africa. All the eight secondary schools in the circuit participated in this study. The researcher administered a self-designed 5-point Likert type self-concept scale to a sample of 296 respondents, to measure of both general and academic self-concept. The subjects' academic scores were extracted from the schools' examination records. The Pearson product-moment coefficient of correlation was used to measure the size of the relationship between the research variables. Research findings revealed that: There is a positive relationship between academic achievement and self-concept. There is a positive relationship between academic achievement and academic self-concept. The relationship between academic achievement and general self-concept is stronger than the relationship between academic achievement and general self concept.<br>Theses (M. Ed.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

The South African Schools' Act No 84 (SASA 1996) replaced Parents, Teacher and Students' Associations ( PTSAs) with School Governing Bodies whose members are democratically elected to perform mandated duties. The study focused on the role of SGBs in improving school performance in rural areas. The purpose was to investigate the role SGBs play in improving school performance in the rural areas of Taung. The SGB, as a concept and praxis, emanated from the need to involve communities, especially parents, in education. The assumption was that school improvement is dependent on responsibilities delegated to community members, especially parents, in the affairs of public schools. The study investigated the topic by a literature review on school governance, observation and interviews conducted with SGB members in three selected schools. Six focus group interviews were conducted on parents and educator components of the SGBs. The principals of the three selected schools were interviewed individually for the views on the topic. The data collected were arranged under selected themes and manually analysed and interpreted. The study reveals that * community members, particularly parents, caregivers and guardians are beginning to see themselves as equal partners with educators in education of children * the improvement in learner performance is the co-responsibility of the home and the school * community members (parents and guardians) must be empowered with relevant skills to enable them perform their tasks as school governors. The study recommends further research into greater representivity and involvement in Education.<br>Educational Studies<br>M. Ed (Education Management)

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.<br>Mathematics Education<br>Ph. D. (Mathematics Education)

Since 1994 a number of health reforms took place in furthering democracy. These changes included the decentralisation of Primary Health Care Services. This study is a phenomenological research that chronicles the Primary Health Care decentralisation experiences in the Bophirima District of the North-West Province. Using a descriptive phenomenological orientation, the purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of participants associated with decentralisation in the Bophirima District. Also, to illustrate how the participants perceive these experiences in relation to Primary Health Care services. Furthermore, to provide scientific evidence regarding factors related to the decentralisation of PHC services in the Bophirima District. These and other issues remain of paramount importance given the current state of health care in the South Africa. This study took place in the outskirts of the semi-rural area of Bophirima and Central District in the North-West Province. The investigation followed qualitative research design that was descriptive, exploratory, contextual and phenomenological in nature. The sampling procedure involved non-probability purposive, sampling technique with a sample size of five participants. Data was collected by using an unstructured interview technique. The modified Giorgi method of analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. These are contained in Burns and Grove (2001:596) and Polit and Beck (2004:394) are fully explicated in Chapter Four. Guba model (in Babbie & Mouton, 2001:180) was utilised to ensure the trustworthiness of the study. Ethical requirements were considered throughout and these are reflected in chapter four of the thesis.Three forms of decentralisation: deconcentration, delegation and devolution were identified in the findings. The investigation further indicated that the integration of primary health care services was also underway at the time of decentralisation. This integration triggered different psychological and emotional states amongst research participants. Most importantly, the research revealed that the interest of leadership across three spheres of government played a key role in the decentralisation of PHCs and integration of PHCs, while highlighting the importance of community participation in health service delivery (CP). In conclusion, the decentralisation process was generally perceived as empowering although, nationally, leadership needs to be strengthened to support provinces and districts regarding major policy issues such decentralisation. Key recommendations were made and further research was suggested.<br>Health Studies<br>D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the underutilisation of the restored farmlands in the Taung area of the North West province, South Africa. The study was based on the two communal property institutions: the Sebuemang-Khaukhwe Communal Property Association (CPA) and Rethabile Mosimane Trust. This study was grounded in the theory of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). A qualitative research methodology was used to guide the study, while the SLF was used to guide the study, relevant data gathering methods, and the selection of measuring instruments led to the acceptable findings. The findings of the research study have confirmed that there were some effects of the underutilisation of the land in the two communal property institutions (CPIs). The underlying factors of the underutilisation of the land were found to be the institutional weaknesses of the state, and to a lesser extent, the institutional weaknesses of the CPIs. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the effects on the beneficiaries of the two CPIs, were not as massive as contemplated due to the contribution of the state’s social welfare programme on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. Some of the effects identified were namely: no farm production, no sale and income of farm production, no home consumption of farm produce surplus and no employment. Additional to that host of the factors of vulnerability there are that rose from them i.e.: poverty, destitution, and emotional effects (frustration and anger) and ultimate conflict eruption in the CPIs. In conclusion, the study made recommendations based on key issues which some are: Adequate livelihoods and technical support by state, state’s policies review, retention of the state’s social welfare support, requesting of the private sector to contribute to land reform and rehabilitation of the old gravel road by a relevant state organ (Dept: Public works).<br>Development Studies<br>M.A. (Development Studies)

The South African Police Service is seen as inseparable cornerstone of the society. To render effective and efficient service to the communities depends largely on the human source. The satisfaction of police officers with the jobs, will affect the quality of service they render to the general public. In this respect, the question of how satisfied are they with their jobs gains importance. The general aim of this study is to investigate job satisfaction, stress and burnout of members of the South African Police Service in Mmabatho and Vryburg area in the North-West Province. To reach this objective, that is, investigating job satisfaction, stress and burnout of members of the South African Police Service in Mmabatho and Vryburg area in the North-West Province, questionnaires consisting of the following measuring instruments were used: the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Survey (MSQ), Police Stress Survey (PSS), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MEI-GS) and the Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Stratified random samples of the police members (N=227) were taken from Mmabatho and Vryburg area of the North-West Province. The results, indicates amongst other things that members of the police are dissatisfied with aspects that are extrinsic to their work, e.g. working . conditions and pay. Also experiencing stress emanating from mainly two sources, namely: job demands e.g. increased responsibilities and job resources e.g. lack/inadequate resources to perform their duties. As a result of stress experienced, they feel burned out but engaged to their work.<br>(M. Com.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2003

The American Defense Institute for Medical Operations (DIMO) states that deaths associated with disasters have increased by 50 percent each decade and as Alexander (2002) notes, although disasters require special organization, coordination and resources, they are not exceptional events. Disasters tend to be repetitive; often re-occurring in the same places and as such, are sufficiently frequent and predictable enough to plan for. Disasters are occurring more frequently due to industrialization and rapid development, and as the world’s population has grown, large numbers of people are “vulnerable”; living in less desirable, less ‘safe’ areas. “Natural” disasters hit developing countries perhaps harder, where more people are vulnerable, infrastructure is lacking to begin with and resources are already stretched. Many countries including South Africa are challenged by the increasing number of natural disasters and how to protect the most vulnerable who are without basic infrastructure and largely without access to media. Thus effective public health communication and promotion has become of critical importance particularly in high risk communities and is possible since disasters often occur in the same places. Purpose Literature exists on the efficacy of using media channels to reach people with critical public health messages during disasters, but no studies have focused specifically on other means of communicating public health messages during disasters in places where media doesn’t reach or people can’t justify the cost of batteries for their radios. No research has been done to determine if the people affected recall life saving lessons imparted during disasters; why or why not. Similarly, there is little in the way of documentation detailing the following during past disasters that have occurred both on the African continent and worldwide: who communicated public health messages; what messages were communicated and how messages were imparted. Media – specifically radio and television are used in developed countries to communicate warnings and evacuation messages for example. At best there are reports from the different NGO’s that operate in communities affected by a disaster or NGO’s that arrived to provide humanitarian assistance. It can be surmised that communication is done by those that take the JENNIFER HESLOP/ Student ID No. 0516028Y 6 initiative using whatever channels exist; this may likely include the affected country’s own resources, NGO’s and responders. Coordination to prevent duplicating messages or groups operating in the same areas has in the past been lacking. As such, there is a need to look critically at vulnerable places and people, the value of the information imparted during disasters, why messages may or may not be heeded and if communities would apply the information in future without outside assistance. The study looks at a community that was affected by a specific disaster in South Africa; what proportion of the sample learned life-saving information for the first time during the disaster and whether they would recall these life-saving mechanisms, unaided, in similar future scenarios. Another objective was to determine if gender, age, education or employment status was of any significance against the portion of the study population that learned the information for the first time during the floods. The research leads one to question whether messages are in context with people’s realities and what would prevent them from applying the principles imparted. Broader questions arose, like, do disasters provide an opportunity for learning where there was no learning yet established; and is there an opportunity for engagement between “outsiders” (those with expertise) and “insiders” (affected community) that is truly beneficial to those in need of the information – beneficial in the sense that the information could be applied in future without outside assistance? Design/ methodology The research included two key groups of people: those responsible for the decision making around the communication and public health response to the disaster, and the affected communities. The research design included qualitative key informant interviews accessed through snowballing technique and quantitative face-to-face interviews with 100 community members. The qualitative study was a descriptive, semi-structure interview outline designed to provide a framework to describe the situation, the health risks, priorities, health promotion messages that were communicated and how they were communicated. Key informants were made up of members of the disaster response team as well as others that played a role during the floods. The interviews were transcribed; reoccurring themes were identified and distilled to get the three most critical public health messages that were communicated during the floods. The recurring themes formed the basis of the quantitative questionnaire. JENNIFER HESLOP/ Student ID No. 0516028Y 7 The quantitative study, a cross sectional descriptive study, relied on one hundred community members living in the broader Qho area during the floods and provided they met the criteria (they lived in the area during the floods and could recall what happened), they were asked for their consent before the interview commenced. The data were captured and analysed using Epi Info 6, frequencies were run to describe the sample, and then cross tabulations were performed, looking for associations between the outcome variables and demographic and media variables; chi square tests were performed to test for significance. The three most critical public health messages were: water purification, oral re-hydration therapy for diarrhea and warnings not to eat an animal that had died of unknown causes during the floods. Findings The findings of the research indicate that across two public health messages more than half of all respondents learned the information that may have saved their lives for the first time during the floods. Forty-eight percent learned how to purify water for the first time during the floods; 54.2 percent learned about oral re-hydration therapy during the floods; and 55.6 percent learned not to eat an animal that has died of unknown causes during the floods. Determining whether the sample population would apply the same lessons learned, unaided, in future similar circumstances, is harder to prove since it is self-reported. Nearly 100 percent across the three questions said categorically that they would and most could name ways to purify water, stop diarrhea and said that they knew not to eat an animal that has died of unknown causes. One hundred percent of responders said they would know what to do to make dirty water clean and some cited ways they would do this by boiling and/ or the use of ‘Jik’ (brand of bleach; in South Africa, the word ‘Jik’ has become synonymous with ‘bleach’). Ninety percent of the sample said they would use “the salt and sugar mixture in water” to treat diarrhea and 90 percent knew they should not eat an animal that has died of unknown causes. It is perhaps of interest to note that significantly more men learned during the flood to use OTR for diarrhea than women. Thus disasters may likely provide an opportunity for men to learn health practices that normally women would be more likely to have learned. There was also a significant difference between those that learned about ORT during the floods and those that learned before the floods by level of education, with 63 percent of those that learned about ORT before the floods, having completed primary school. Also of interest was the fact that while only 15 percent of the total sample population has access to television, of the 55.6 percent that learned not to eat an animal that has died of an unknown cause during the floods, 24.5 percent had access to television, and 86 percent of those with access to TV learned about this during the flood. Practical implications Disasters provide opportunities to fast-track development and public health goals. However, based on the research, for communication to have the desired response, communities and public health experts should be involved in dialogue with broader stakeholders before, during and after disasters. It is important to include “locals” (experts from the broader community) and community healthcare workers on an on-going basis, in public health promotion and preparedness strategies and to involve men in the community; a group that has largely been absent in communities and not historically involved in family health care. When a disaster is declared, an injection of resources – human, physical and financial assists significantly in making things happen, from providing and / or upgrading infrastructure to getting critical information and resources to affected populations. Just as critical is education – teaching people how to respond and why, as opposed to just telling people. Knowledge is more sustainable than physical resources, although both are often required. People need to truly understand the information in their own contexts, as well as the “why’ and “how” if they are going to be able to replicate the lessons unaided in future. Concurrently, affected people are more open to information and changing behaviours that may now seem foolish or outdated. Electronic media channels cannot be relied upon as the sole means of communication but need to be incorporated despite low penetration, due to the powerful effect the mediums have in stimulating word-of-mouth transmission of messages, particularly messages that may lead to social discomfort. Alternative means of communication like face-to-face dialogue and use of cell phone messaging, and understanding how communication must be done to ensure effectiveness is imperative - and these guidelines are applicable across cultural, political and socio-economic JENNIFER HESLOP/ Student ID No. 0516028Y 9 boundaries. It is imperative that those providing assistance understand the affected population and their realities as if they were his or her own. This includes local resources like media; literacy levels; beliefs and values; as well as who is trusted by the community.

The study investigated the nature and quality of in-service education and training programmes organized for Further Education and Training (FET) mathematics teachers in the Greater Taung Area. The researcher is of the contention that more could be done to improve the process and the effectiveness of in-service training in the area. An extensive literature study provides a theoretical foundation and exposes some critical issues for effective in-service training programmes. The qualitative approach is used in the case study. The data were analysed through inductive analysis. The major research findings are that there are no formal processes of identifying the needs of mathematics teachers and further, teachers are not monitored and supervised after in-service sessions. It is recommended that the needs of teachers be identified by the school before inset. For effective monitoring and supervision of mathematics teachers after inset, it is recommended that each cluster within the Area Project Office (APO) should have a subject specialist for mathematics.<br>EDUCATIONAL STUDIES<br>MED (MATHS EDUC)

The central argument that underpins this thesis is that the Bataung, Bafokeng and the Bakuena lineages are found across all the Basotho groups of Basotho (Southern Sotho), Batswana and Bapedi. The thesis concerns itself with the similarity of the Sotho groups, a topic that has seldom received a sustained scholarly attention. Scholars have devoted much attention in discussing Sotho groups of Batswana, Basotho (Southern Sotho) and Bapedi, but their concern has mostly been to describe one group at the time discussing their cultural, social and political dimensions.The thesis aim investigates the oneness of Sotho by discussing the cultural, social and political similarities of the Batswana, Basotho (Southern Sotho) and Bapedi. The thesis drew on a range of semi-structured interviews with academics, senior people with knowledge of Sotho culture and literature to crystallise the information from the narrative analysis of documents, media and secondary literature. The thesis maintains that Basotho (Southern Sotho), Batswana and Bapedi are similar people. Their cultural dimension shows they have similar languages that share the same collection of words (langue) that indicates the same same origin. They also share the name ‘Basotho’ ~ Abeshundu that emanates from their similar way of dressing. The Sotho groups’ social dimension shows that they have similar practices of birth, raising children, lebollo (initiation school) and handling of death. They share similar games, folktales and taboos that reflect the aforementioned four cycles of human experiences in similar narratives across the groups. The thesis finds that Sotho groups have similar way of governance. They come together in the hierarchy of similar clans (e.g. Bafokeng, Bataung and Bakuena), chiefdoms and a group. These subdivisions in a group help with the allocation of resources for each individual and maintaining status quo in governance. The Sotho groups have similar proverbs and idioms to counsel proper leadership. The thesis discusses Sotho groups together as they come from the same origin although they have gone their separate ways. The thesis uses Gellner and Smith theories of ethnicity to explain the similarity of the Sothogroups. Gellner’s view is that one chooses to belong to a particular culture and associates oneself with people who practice this culture. Ethnicity is socially constructed due to experiences and people’s circumstances. Smith complements the description of the Sotho in forming different groups by saying that in these groups, there are memories of shared historical past. There is a continuum of the original culture where the groups have resemblance in their ways of life and symbolical elements, although adapted to their new environments and time. The variations of the groups’s practices are not their differences but they are changes caused by a quest to adapt to the new environment.<br>African Languages<br>D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)