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Landscapes of literacy: how visually impaired students navigate the academic space
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) abrahams , lauren
My research explores the intersection between disability, linguistic landscapes and academic literacy in an attempt to understand how three visually impaired students at the University of the Western Cape navigate the academic space, and the ways in which this can constrain or enhance their success as students. In addition, it explores the various ways in which signage in spaces of learning is ‘read’ or ‘sensed’ and incorporated into visually impaired students’ personal narratives of place. Furthermore, this research explores how visually impaired students engage with academic literacies. This research makes use of a qualitative approach. The data includes narrated walking interviews and a focus group interview with participants. Using purposive sampling, three participants were selected to take part in twelve narrated walks and one focus group interview. This data was transcribed and analysed thematically. Through thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), I generated three themes that capture patterned meaning across my data: using your senses to orientate yourself, navigation through social engagement, and positioning yourself for academic success. These themes represent my interpretive analysis of how the visually impaired students in my study actively engage with their environment, peers, and academic spaces to create conditions for learning and success. Drawing on the social model of disability (Shakespeare, 2007), the decolonial approach (Canagarajah, 2023), literacy as a social practice (Barton, 1994; Prinsloo and Baynham, 2008; and Hamilton, 2010) and a sensescapes approach (Prada, 2024), my analysis emphasizes the multisensory and embodied nature of navigating the academic space, highlighting the interplay between power, space, and identity in shaping literacy practices. Through their senses, multimodal resources, such as text, audio and assistive technologies, students interact and move through their academic space. They draw on shared knowledge and support networks within the university in order to accomplish navigating both the physical space and their academic work. In addition, these students make use of the multimodal signage in the linguistic landscape in order to move through and navigate the space. Understanding how visually impaired students move through their university and how this intersects with literacy highlights that learning does not occur only in the classroom or within the mind, but through a student’s embodied, social, and sensory engagement with the academic environment.
“The relationship between ART non-adherence and the quality of life, psychological distress and coping strategies of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families in Tripoli, Libya”
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) sasi , abdulbaset
Non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases the risk of adverse medical, psychological, and socioeconomic outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. In Libya, limited research has examined the psychosocial factors associated with ART adherence and quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the relationships between ART adherence status, QoL (Q-LES-Q), psychological distress, coping strategies, and perceived social support among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Tripoli, Libya. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was used. Data were collected from 118 participants receiving treatment at the Libyan National Centre for Disease Control, Tripoli Medical Centre, and Tripoli Central Hospital. Structured questionnaires assessed demographic characteristics, QoL, ART adherence, psychological distress, and coping strategies. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 25) and ethical standards were strictly maintained. Of the 118 participants, 103 (87.3%) were adherent to ART and 15 (12.7%) were non-adherent (12 males and 3 females). The sample was predominantly male (70%) and Arabic-speaking (93%). 58.5% of participants indicated the father as head of the household. Most adherent participants reported receiving social support from family and friends, while a smaller proportion reported limited or no support. Participants experienced moderate psychological distress, with stress (M = 10.73, SD = 4.57) and depression (M = 9.49, SD = 4.80), while anxiety showed relatively higher severity (M = 8.04, SD = 3.80). Emotion-focused coping strategies, particularly acceptance and religious coping, were most frequently used. QoL was highest in family and social domains and lowest in sexual functioning and leisure activities. QoL was negatively associated with stress (r = –.46), anxiety (r = –.54), depression (r = –.60), and maladaptive coping methods particularly substance use (r = –.31) and behavioural disengagement (r = –.21). In contrast, QoL was positively associated with adaptive coping strategies such as active coping, positive reframing, self-distraction, humour, acceptance, and emotional support. The final regression model explained 47% of the variance in QoL. Although the study title refers to families, data on family influence were obtained indirectly through participants’ reports of family relationships and perceived support.
Understanding the experiences of women in senior management positions in the financial services industry in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Dodo, Chanique
Within the past two decades, gender equity has been a major issue in the workplace. Legislation has since been implemented to redress inequalities of the past, which have allowed women to move away from their traditional roles of being child bearers. Although legislation has been implemented by government, the gender equity issue remains a problem since women are still underrepresented in senior management positions. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences of women in top, senior and management positions within the financial services industry in the Western Cape. The gender composition of senior management positons has an impact on the financial performance of an organisation (Campbell, 2007). Thus the importance of female participation in the senior positions. This issue has attracted a growing amount of research, but for the purposes of this research study, the researcher has focused on one industry. The industry chosen for this study was the financial services industry in the Western Cape. Furthermore, a non-probability sampling design was used, based on the method of purposive sampling. Seven participants, namely, women within the financial services industry were selected to participate in the study. For data collection, in-depth interviews were held with each participants. The study design was qualitative in nature and therefore the thematic approach was used to analyse the data. Research has shown that there are various challenges that women within the financial services industry experience. From myths about women in corporate, to stereotyping women with that of the traditional roles of women. The current research findings also indicate that women experience many challenges while trying to move up the corporate ladder within the financial services industry.
The impact of organisational culture on organisational citizenship behaviour within the South African Police Service in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Abrahams, Brian Peter
Research evidence suggests that strengthening the cultural roots of an organisation (Organisational Culture) can lead to the observance of increased behaviours that goes beyond the call of duty (Organisational Citizenship Behaviour) across all sectors within a given organisation. Organisational cultures that encourage innovation, sense of togetherness and positive competition, are ideal in encouraging employees to perform beyond normal expectations in organisations. Organisational culture is therefore a critical element that contributes to organisational success and effectiveness. The focus of this study is to determine the impact that the organisational culture of the South African Police Service, as an organisation, has on the Organisational Citizenship Behaviour of its members in the Western Cape. The empirical study involved the participation of 127 respondents from three of the largest police stations in the Western Cape. A survey was conducted using the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and the Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale (OCBS) to assess the hypothesised relationship between the variables. An analysis of the results suggests that all of the dimensions of Organisational Culture (Clan, Adhocracy, Hierarchy and Market) are positively related to all of the dimensions of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (Altruism, Sportsmanship, Civic Virtue, Conscientiousness and courtesy).
The relationship between organisational commitment and turnover intentions during a restructuring process in a hospitality environment
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Salie, Ricardo
Set against the tenuous relationship between government (public sector), organisations (private sector) and trade unions, employees’ commitment to the success of their respective organisations are of utmost importance. Heugens and Schenk (2004) maintains stakeholders may oppose restructuring efforts as invariably some constituencies will be likely to lose a strategic advantage as a result of drastic change such as a restructure. This reality has resulted in these stakeholders having to find a common ground to ensure economic competitiveness and longevity of South African organisations. Where this common ground has been elusive, organisations need to find the balance between profitability, environment and its people. According to the King III Report (2009, as cited in Du Plooy & Roodt, 2013) this is referred to as the triple bottom line that is profit, planet and people, which are integrally linked to employee turnover and organisational strategy. Organisational commitment is a key factor to success for organisations in order to obtain and maintain a competitive advantage. Coetzee and Botha (2012) posit that organisations in today’s competitive world require each employee to be committed to the organisation’s objectives and function as an effective team. A competitive advantage is needed to achieve high performance (Nienaber & Masibigiri, 2012). The working world has evolved from one where job security is no longer as prevalent as it used to be. Consequently and understandably, employees’ commitment to their organisations has diminished.