UWCScholar

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The role of governments in the fight against HIV/ AIDS in Southern Africa: a case study of South Africa.
(University of the Western Cape, 2005) Mngomezulu , Skhumbuzo; Williams , John
HIV/ AIDS is a deadly disease that needs to be addressed with immediate effect before serious damage can occur. Because the government has a responsibility over the health of its citizens, everybody expects the government to take a lead in the fight against this epidemic and from the look of things the government's strategies are not making the desired impact on the epidemic. The author attempts to highlight that the South African government has not played a satisfactory role in the fight against this pandemic, which threatens to alter history to a degree not seen in the world. Antenatal data and recent mortality rate bear testimony to this argument. The researcher has used a mixture of informal and formal unstructured and semi-structured, open-ended interviews with students who come from different provinces and relevant government officials. Secondary sources were also used in this study. The impact of poverty on HIV/ AIDS is clearly explained. The study recommends that the programmes on HIV/AIDS be reviewed immediately. The responses to the epidemic must take into account circumstances under which the majority of the population lives. Failure to tackle situations that worsen poverty will make HIV/AIDS even more severe.
Origins of congregationalism in the cape, 1799 - 1849
(University of the Western Cape, 1992) Van der linde, Henry William Daniel; De Jonngh, P.S
The study of the Congregational Union of South Africa as a Protestant Church of the Reformed tradition has been largely neglected in this country. True enough, detailed research on aspects of the London Missionary Society (L.M.S.) as the pioneer missionary society out of which South African Congregationalism developed, has been done.
A study of the problems and possibilities of using the marine intertidal zone for teaching principles of ecology in 'senior secondary schools: a survey of biology teachers in the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 1994) Reddy, Chris
In this study I investigate the attitudes of a group biology teachers in the western Cape, to using the marine intertidal zone for teaching principles of ecology in senior secondary schools, by exploring the problems experienced and solutions envisaged. The study investigates the problems perceived/experienced by means of a semi- structured interview and seeks solutions via teacher workshops and an excursion to the seashore. as, Teachers mentioned many constraints and school based problems such as time-tabling, teacher attitudes, lack of ethos, lack of funds, large numbers in classes and collectively found useful answers which reduced the emphasis of many of the problems mentioned. Problems such the lack of knowledge of the marine environment, limited experience of fieldwork technique and management, could only be solved by pre and in-service teacher education programmes. The workshops produced useful solutions and suggestions for implementation by teachers, education departments and governmental and non-governmental agencies that would assist in making this a reality. These include resource development, t.eacher- networking, peer teaching, in-service and pre-service programmes with a marine emphasis, and funding of appropriate programmes.
A systematic review: student and supervisor variables affecting completion of postgraduate research requirements
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Rae ,Nicolette
South Africa has one of the highest postgraduate dropout rates in the world. One of the main contributing factors to the high number of unfinished Master's and Doctorate degrees is incomplete theses and dissertations. Frequently postgraduate students complete all other course requirements, but are unable to complete the independent research component. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Senate research committee at UWC. This study used a systematic review methodology to identify appropriate literature on the personal characteristics and demographic variables of postgraduate research students and supervisors and the impact that these variables have on completion rates. The study evaluated the literature for methodological quality in order to enable comprehensive identification, evaluation and meta-synthesis of the current best evidence regarding personal and demographic factors which may affect the supervisory relationship and help or hinder completion rates. This resulted in an evidence base of filtered information which can be used by individuals, institutions of higher education, and government or non-government organisations to inform individual practice, specialised training programmes and general psycho education. The results indicated that there is empirical evidence from good quality research that personal and demographic variables impact the working alliance between students and supervisors, and ultimately the completion of the research. Race, gender, spirituality, isolation, and socio-economic status were among the more prominent factors identified.
The constitutional and contractual implications of the application of chapter 19 of the children's act 38 of 2005
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Lewis, Samantha Vanessa; Sloth-Nielsen, Julia
In this research, I carefully and coherently examine Chapter 19 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 as the first legislation to afford surrogate motherhood agreements legal recognition in South Africa. I argue that the application of Chapter 19 imposes a number of unwarranted limitations on several of the constitutional rights of the parties to a surrogacy agreement. In addition, I propose that Chapter 19 is not in accordance with the principal of the best interests of the child. I examine the history of surrogate motherhood in South Africa and establish that, prior to the enactment of Chapter 19, no legislation expressly afforded surrogate motherhood agreements legal recognition. Hence, prior to the enactment of Chapter 19, parties who entered surrogacy agreements could, first, not rely on the agreement to enforce contractual obligations, and secondly, the legal positions of the parties to the agreement were uncertain. Thirdly, a child born of a surrogacy agreement was seen as the child of the surrogate mother and not of the commissioning parents. Thereafter, I critically investigate the 1999 recommendations of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee on Surrogate Motherhood, in light of the Constitution and in light of the general law of contract. In this, I conclude that several of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee are constitutionally suspect and may give rise to future constitutional and contractual implications. In light of these recommendations, I then direct the reader's attention to the impugned recommendations of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee which were incorporated into Chapter 19. This leads to a detailed examination of these provisions (and exclusions) and a determination of whether the application of these provisions (and exclusions) may impose an unreasonable and unjustifiable limitation on the rights of all the parties to the surrogacy agreement. Whilst investigating surrogacy agreements in terms of the general law of contract, I establish that Chapter 19 of the Children's Act, although it affords expression to the right to make decisions regarding reproduction, limits the rights of persons who choose surrogacy as a form of assisted reproduction. Parties are not permitted to choose with whom they wish to contract and what obligations will arise as a result of the agreement. I conclude that breach of contract in the case of surrogacy agreements cannot be redressed by the primary remedies provided by the general law of contract. In addition to this, I argue that commercial surrogacy, if adequately regulated, can be used to protect the interests of all the parties to a surrogacy agreement, as well as to economically uplift the life of the surrogate. Lastly, I suggest recommendations for amendments to Chapter 19 which would create legislation which truly gives effect to the right to make decisions regarding reproduction, as well as providing greater contractual certainty for the parties to the surrogacy agreement.