UWC Theses & Dissertations

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“Die manskap”: How gender, class and race inform understandings of violence among young ‘coloured men’ in contemporary South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Abrahams, Aneeqa; Clowes, Lindsay
Background: Over the last 30 years, since the publication of FW Connell's seminal work in 1985 research into ‘men’ and the social construction of masculinities has grown exponentially. Today the literature exploring masculinities is vast and this review covers key texts beginning with international research that highlights the theoretical shifts in understanding of masculinity. I then move on to consider writings about the construction of masculinities within the African context and end by considering research in South Africa with a focus in Cape Town on the Cape Flats area. As noted above, perhaps the earliest work that examined the social construction of masculine behaviours and manhood was that of Raewynn Connell back in the 1980s. Connell developed the concept of hegemonic masculinity in 1982, a concept that continues to underpin much contemporary theorizing about masculinity (Morrell, 1994; Lorber, 1994; Connell, 2005; Wedgwood, 2009). Connell’s research deconstructed the biological association of male behaviour as natural to highlight how masculinity is learnt. Connell (1982) noted that what was considered ‘natural’ male behaviour in 1982 was associated with ‘white’, (cis)heterosexual, able-bodied and middle-upper class Australian ‘men’ while other masculine behaviour(s) were (and continue to be) measured against this ‘norm’.
"Genetic variation between two subspecies of reedfrogs in the genus Hyperolius (Anura: Hyperoliidae)"
(University of the Western Cape, 1993) Hess, Anthony Jacobus; Hendricks, Denver
H. m. broadleyi and H. m. verrucosus are not only different in terms of colour pattern, but distinct genetic differences were detected in restriction site maps of their ribosomal DNA. A sequence divergence value of 13,8% was found between the subspecies. This value exceeds the range recorded between separate species of the genus Rana, ie. 2,2 % between Rana pustulosa and Rana tarahumarae, and 10, 1 % between Rana pustulosa and Rana pipiens. The value of 13,8% between the subspecies is also in the same range as that found between was detected between samples from three different localities within the distribution range of H. m. verrucosus. The genetic data associated with the different colour patterns, suggests that H. m. broadleyi and H. m. verrucosus can be regarded as distinct species. However, a similar study should be performed to examine the genetic status of the subspecies forming the gradient along the east coast of southern Africa. Although the effect of concerted evolution (as discussed in Chapter 2) allows for small sample sizes it would be useful to examine a large number of individuals especially from the overlap zones to determine the extent of genetic heterozygosity and to determine if similar genetic differences (found between H. m. broadleyi and H. m. verrucosus) exist between the rest of the subspecies. The current study has shown that genetic evaluation of all the southern African H. marmoratus subspecies could have a positive impact on the taxonomy of this group of frogs which is still unresolved. This study has identified at least two species within the H. marmoratus complex and it is possible that more species exist within the group. Because of morphological homogeneity it will be difficult to use morphological characters, but more than one molecular technique can be utilized to verify results obtained with one technique.
"Development and implementation of ontology-based systems for mammalian gene expression profiling"
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Kruger, Adele; Hide, Winston
The use of ontologies in the mapping of gene expression events provides an effective and comparable method to determine the expression profile of an entire genome across a large collection of experiments derived from different expression sources. In this dissertation I describe the development of the developmental human and mouse e VOC ontologies and demonstrate the ontologies by identifying genes showing a bias for developmental brain expression in human and mouse, identifying transcription factor complexes, and exploring the mouse orthologs of human cancer/testis genes. Model organisms represents fundamental aspects of mammal biology phenomena between model organism is complex and it is to be the meaningful, a simplified representation can be a powerful means for comparison illustrated here in two ways. Firstly, the ontologies have been used to illustrate methods to determine clusters of genes showing tissue-restricted expression in humans. The identification of tissue-restricted genes within an organism serves as an indication of the finetuning in the regulation of gene expression in a given tissue. Secondly, due to the differences in human and mouse gene expression on a temporal and spatial level, the ontologies were used to identify mouse orthologs of human cancer/testis genes showing cancer/testis characteristics. With the use of model systems such as mouse in the development of gene-targeted drugs in the treatment of disease, it is important to establish that the expression characteristics and profiles of a drug target in the model system is representative of the characteristics of the target in the system for which it is intended.
“A kind of symphony”: new nature in Jeff VanderMeer’s southern reach trilogy
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Reiners, Rustin; Carstens, Delphi
The Anthropocene is the proposed name for a new geological epoch that has come about due to significant human changes to climate and environment. In response to the Anthropocene crisis, this thesis proposes a re-evaluation of the agency of non-human interlocuters – ultimately questioning the place of humans in the natural world. This viewpoint is explored through an examination of the New Weird, a literary genre that blends elements of transgressive horror and speculative fiction, often with an environmental lens. A close reading of Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy reveals an attempt to challenge the conventional boundaries between human and non-human, which is predominantly achieved through an invocation of the ecological uncanny – a blurring of ontological, epistemological, and ethical boundary lines between humans and the environment. The Southern Reach novels present an environment where the fixed laws of nature proposed by reductive science begin to unravel. Therefore, VanderMeer – through elements of the genre of contemporary fantasy and science fiction known as the New Weird – casts doubt on the separation of humans and nature. The critique of the human/nature binary is something that is explored extensively by continental philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, as well as feminist scholars like Stacy Alaimo, Rosi Braidotti, Donna J. Haraway, and Elizabeth A. Povinelli, who can all broadly be termed as ‘new materialist’ thinkers – owing to their insistence on cultivating new modes of thinking about human and non-human relations. It is through the combination of various new materialist theories and New Weird fiction that I am able to formulate an argument for a less anthropocentric reading of the Anthropocene; an interpretation that draws no distinction between nature and the human, and which allows for different forms of existence that exceed the human.
"An investigation of the oral health of a selected group of preschool children in the Western Cape"
(University of the Western Cape, 1987) Yasin-Harnekar, S.; Reddy, J
The dental clinic of the University of the Western Cape provides oral health care for many preschool children. The clinical observation was that these children presented with rampant dental caries. A recent report compi1ed by an international Joint Working Group of the Internationale Dental Federation and the World Health Organisation identified the changes in oral health in children and factors associated with these changes. South Africa presents a unique opportuni ty to study the oral health status of different ethnic and socio-economic groups. A review of the relevant literature indicated that there was a lack of published data, especially on the oral health status of preschool children. A study was designed to investigate the oral health status of a selected group of preschool children ages 2-6 years in the Western Cape. The examinations were conducted at twelve different créches by two calibrated examiners. The examinees' weight and height were also measured. The data was recorded on a revised World Health Organization Basic Oral Health Assessment form. A total of 547 children were examined with an almost equal distribution of males and females. Only 18% of the sample had a compl ete sound primary dentition, dmft = O. The mean dmft was 5.37 which ranged from 2.73 for the 2 year age group to 7.01 for the 5 year age group. The mean dt of 4.09 made up 76% of the dmft, the mean mt of 1.22 made up 23% and the ft was negligible. Seventy-eight percent of the sample had decayed teeth present and 28% had missing teeth recorded. The treatment chosen by or for these children appeared to be extractions. Observations of extensively decayed teeth and the high prevalence of dento-alveolar abscesses suggested that this treatment was of an emergency nature. There was much unmet treatment as only 22% of subjects were free of decay and those with decayed teeth present had an average of 5. The dmft distribution showed 48% had a dmft.)5. There was a statistically significant linear association between the dmf and age for all the tooth types except the cani nes. There was no significant difference in caries prevalence between males and females. The phenomenon of bilateral symmetrical occurrence of dental caries in the primary dentition was demonstrated in the present study. The maxillary central incisors were the most frequently affected teeth (55%), followed by the mandibular second molars (47%) and maxillary second molars (42%). This is contrary to the findings in European communities where the primary second molars are the most susceptible tooth types. The present study found the fifth year of 1ife to be the critical one for the primary dentition. It was at this age that the greatest increment in dmft was observed, the greatest decrease in the number of caries-free subjects, more than a twofold increase in rampant caries, and a twofold increase in the number of subjects with dento-a1veo1ar abscesses. Few hard tissue anomalies were recorded. Localized enamel hypoplasia was quite common especially of the upper incisors and second molars. Most children claimed their teeth were brushed at least once a day. But soft deposits were present in almost all age groups in all the segments. Sixty percent of the sample had the sole responsibility of brushing their own teeth with no assistance from their parents. Parental assistance with toothbrushing was limited to the younger age group. In the present study soft deposits and gingivitis were recorded mostly on the buccal of the upper posterior segments and on the lingual of the lower posterior segments. The anterior segmentshad less plaque than the posterior segments. Thi s may be due to children finding it easier to brush anteriorly than posteriorly when they do brush. Also, the other areas are less accessible and require greater manipulative skill. There was a weak correlation between the total soft deposits and total gingivits. Although 60% of the sample had six segments of soft deposits present, only 4% had )six segments of gingivitis present. However, it was found that the higher the number of segments of soft deposits present, the greater the tendency for the presence of gingivitis. The association between dmft and soft deposits was not significant but between dmft and gingivitis was significant. This may be more preci se as these two are both cumulative measures. Soft tissue lesions were generally uncommon in this age group. The children in this community were generally lighter in weight and shorter in height compared to the NCHS (1979) percentiles. Recommendations regarding ways of redressing the obviously inadequate general and oral health of this sample of children were made.
“Exploring challenges experienced by female footballers’ in a higher education institution in the Western Cape”
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Nsibande, Lungile Nicollette; Titus, Simone
Sport activities are important and helpful for the general development of its participants without unfairness. Women have the same right as men to take part in the sports activities, but women face challenges of inequality throughout the world. The South African female football team has been competing at a high level and have become inspirational role models for many women and girls. Internationally, football and sport has revealed a positive effect on highlighting issues related to gender in sport. This includes a chance for women to earn self-esteem and confidence, have constructive interactions with men, and challenge unequal gender norms. However, little is known about the experiences of female footballers in institutions of higher learning with regards to some of the challenges. Therefore, this study aims to explore challenges experienced by female footballers at a HEI in the Western Cape. This study will use a qualitative method to explore a case of female footballers at a higher education institution in the Western Cape. Data was collected from 10 female footballers in two focus group discussions, as well as key informant interviews with the sport managers, sport officer and coaches of the football team. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. To ensure confidentiality and anonymity, the respondents were given codes/ pseudonyms instead of using their real names. All data was treated with the strictest confidentiality and all ethics protocols have been observed. The interviews were transcribed by the researcher while raw data was coded and clustered into categories and themes as they emerge from the data. The main finding of this study reveals that there is inadequate funding for women’s football. In addition to receiving less support than that their male counterparts, there appears to be a negative attitude towards female footballers.
“Half a loaf is better than nothing”: The risks and resilience of day labourers in Cape Town
(Stellenbosch University, 2019) Mapendere; Schenck, Catherina; Blaauw, Derick
According to Worthington and Scherer (2004), resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or other significant sources of stress. The concept of resilience draws upon previous work in the area of psychology in which resilience is conceptualised not as an individual trait or characteristic, but as a dynamic process in the lives of people who encounter adversity or significant hardships (Van Breda, 2018; Walker, Anderies, Kinzig & Ryan, 2006). Similarly, in Van Breda’s (2018) critical review of the concept resilience, he widens the scope or definition to incorporate both the process and outcomes components. Van Breda (2018) views resilience as “multilevel processes that systems engage in to obtain better-than-expected outcomes in the face or wake of adversity”. This implies that people are seen as resilient when they respond better than expected in dealing with adversity. These ‘multilevel’ processes not only occur in the individual but also in the context of the person, which explains that there can be different pathways to resilience, depending on the unique person and his or her context. People do not respond the same way to the same adverse experience. A different pathway is referred to by Van Breda (2018) as distal-onset chronic adversity, which involves coping in the face of the adversity while it is on-going. This helps to explain how people can respond better than expected under continuous adverse circumstances such as chronic poverty and unemployment. It is in terms of this view of resilience that the risks and resilience of the day labourers at a hiring site in Parow in Cape Town were explored to understand what kind of adversity they face on a daily basis and how they deal with the difficulties on a daily basis. The results of the study will also provide direction to the social workers responses toward vulnerable groups.
“Compliance and enforcement: The Legal Suitability of the Utilisation of Criminal Sanctions in South African Environmental Law”
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Davids, Fuad Aldred; Scholtz, Werner
In this thesis I analysed the suitability and effectiveness of the criminal sanction with regards to compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law. My central argument is that the criminal sanction is not the perfect mechanism to address compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law sufficiently. Compliance and enforcement of South African environmental law has been a stumbling block for years since the implementation of the first piece of environmental legislation. Thus I explored compliance and enforcement in South Africa and identified the various issues that might be the reasons why compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law is not up to standard. I also analysed criminal environmental enforcement and came to the conclusion that criminal law is not suitable for the exclusive enforcement of environmental law. The conclusion was drawn by also analysing the criminal environmental enforcement statistics and the administrative compliance and civil action statistics of 2014-2019 in South Africa. Criminal law possesses too many inherent weaknesses and with our overcrowded criminal justice system there is no capacity for presiding officers to properly apply their mind when adjudicating environmental offences Thus I explored the alternatives to the criminal sanction and discussed and evaluated the different compliance and enforcement mechanisms in our legislative framework. I came to the conclusion that our legislative framework is sufficient to deal with environmental offences and that no new pieces of legislation need to be passed. There are various other compliance and enforcement mechanisms within our legislative framework that are better suited to deal with environmental offences.I came to the conclusion that the reasons for South Africa’s failure in compliance and enforcement in environmental law is due to those responsible for compliance and enforcement lacking the necessary capacity, skill and resources to firstly ensure that the laws are complied with and enforce it when it is not complied with. I also argue for the resurrection of environmental courts in South Africa in light of the successes in foreign jurisdictions. My concluding argument is that the criminal sanction still has a role to play in environmental compliance and enforcement in South Africa, however not as a primary mechanism.
“Compliance and enforcement: The Legal Suitability of the Utilisation of Criminal Sanctions in South African Environmental Law”
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Davids, Fuad Aldred; Scholtz, Werner
In this thesis I analysed the suitability and effectiveness of the criminal sanction with regards to compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law. My central argument is that the criminal sanction is not the perfect mechanism to address compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law sufficiently. Compliance and enforcement of South African environmental law has been a stumbling block for years since the implementation of the first piece of environmental legislation. Thus I explored compliance and enforcement in South Africa and identified the various issues that might be the reasons why compliance and enforcement in South African environmental law is not up to standard. I also analysed criminal environmental enforcement and came to the conclusion that criminal law is not suitable for the exclusive enforcement of environmental law. The conclusion was drawn by also analysing the criminal environmental enforcement statistics and the administrative compliance and civil action statistics of 2014-2019 in South Africa. Criminal law possesses too many inherent weaknesses and with our overcrowded criminal justice system there is no capacity for presiding officers to properly apply their mind when adjudicating environmental offences Thus I explored the alternatives to the criminal sanction and discussed and evaluated the different compliance and enforcement mechanisms in our legislative framework. I came to the conclusion that our legislative framework is sufficient to deal with environmental offences and that no new pieces of legislation need to be passed. There are various other compliance and enforcement mechanisms within our legislative framework that are better suited to deal with environmental offences.I came to the conclusion that the reasons for South Africa’s failure in compliance and enforcement in environmental law is due to those responsible for compliance and enforcement lacking the necessary capacity, skill and resources to firstly ensure that the laws are complied with and enforce it when it is not complied with. I also argue for the resurrection of environmental courts in South Africa in light of the successes in foreign jurisdictions. My concluding argument is that the criminal sanction still has a role to play in environmental compliance and enforcement in South Africa, however not as a primary mechanism.
"Have we no right to organise?" Black political organisations and farmworkers struggles in the Western Cape: 1912 - 1930
(University of the Western Cape, 1991) Taft, Trevor; Keegan, T.
This study is primarily a history of black political organisations and their attempts to organise farmworkers in the rural Western Cape (1912 1930) with special reference to the Boland. The attempts made by these organisations to organise farmworkers in the Boland between 19:2 1930 raises a number of important issues which will be addressed in this study. Firstly, there is the issue to what extent capitalist agriculture existed in this area before and during the period under observation. On a general level there is a question to what extent capitalist relations of production existed in the agricultural production in the Boland. This would clearly have an effect on organisations attempting to organise farmworkers as well as the nature and form farmworkers struggles would develop into. Secondly, it is clear that the attempts at organisation the ANC(WC) was more successful than the A.P.O. and the I.C.U. put together. This raises a whole series of issues concerning the nature and form of these organisations, for example the strategies and organisational methods that were used, the issues that were addressed and the discourse and ideology of the A.P.O., I.C.U. and ANC(WC). Lastly, an attempt is made at evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the three organisations under consideration with a view to draw important lessons from these struggles for the organising of farmworkers in the future.
"A survey of the critical factors affecting CAPITAL ACCOUNT LIBERALISATION."
(University of the Western Cape, 2007) Hosking, Kevin Errol; Kahn, Brian
The increase in trade, the increasing internationalisation of production and the improvements in communications, coupled with legalisation of foreign currency instruments have led to a liberalisation of the capital account in a growing number of countries. In line with this trend towards greater reliance on the open market, many governments of developing countries too, have considered the possibility of fully opening their capital accounts. In South Africa the issue was raised again in October 1991 when the financial rand discount dropped to 5.5 percent. This paper will attempt to provide a background to capital account liberalisation in general, and South
"Half a loaf is better than nothing": The risks and resilience of day labourers in Cape Town
(Social Work (South Africa), 2019) Mapendere; Schenck, Catherina; Blaauw, Derick
According to Worthington and Scherer (2004), resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or other significant sources of stress. The concept of resilience draws upon previous work in the area of psychology in which resilience is conceptualised not as an individual trait or characteristic, but as a dynamic process in the lives of people who encounter adversity or significant hardships (Van Breda, 2018; Walker, Anderies, Kinzig & Ryan, 2006). Similarly, in Van Breda’s (2018) critical review of the concept resilience, he widens the scope or definition to incorporate both the process and outcomes components. Van Breda (2018) views resilience as “multilevel processes that systems engage in to obtain better-than-expected outcomes in the face or wake of adversity”. This implies that people are seen as resilient when they respond better than expected in dealing with adversity. These ‘multilevel’ processes not only occur in the individual but also in the context of the person, which explains that there can be different pathways to resilience, depending on the unique person and his or her context. People do not respond the same way to the same adverse experience. A different pathway is referred to by Van Breda (2018) as distal-onset chronic adversity, which involves coping in the face of the adversity while it is on-going. This helps to explain how people can respond better than expected under continuous adverse circumstances such as chronic poverty and unemployment. It is in terms of this view of resilience that the risks and resilience of the day labourers at a hiring site in Parow in Cape Town were explored to understand what kind of adversity they face on a daily basis and how they deal with the difficulties on a daily basis. The results of the study will also provide direction to the social workers responses toward vulnerable groups.
"Access to tertiary education": Exploring the experiences of women with physical disabilities in Kamwala, Zambia
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Matambo, Luyeye Hope; Ngabaza, Sisa
Women with disabilities are marginalised in many aspects of societal participation. The majority of women with disabilities in Zambia do not have access to education and this has placed them amongst the poorest of people in the country. The study focuses on the experiences of women with physical disabilities and investigates the challenges they encounter in accessing education at tertiary level. The study comes at a time when the fight for gender equality has gained momentum and aims at promoting economic participation for all members of society without discrimination on the basis of sex or disability. The study engaged ten participants from a tertiary institution in Kamwala, Lusaka. I conducted a feminist qualitative research, which focused on the experiences of 19-30 year old female students with physical disabilities. I used semi-structured interviews in order to collect the data and drew on a qualitative thematic analysis to analyse the data. All standard ethical procedures were adhered to, including anonymity and confidentiality with respect to participants. The results of the study revealed that women with disabilities were often 'othered' due to myths and misconceptions that surrounded disability especially in the African- traditional context. The study also revealed that families played a very important role in ensuring that women and young girls with disabilities had a strong self-image, strong self-esteem and a strong sense of self and ensuring that they felt included within the homes and especially when accessing education. The study further revealed that where family support was lacking, participants faced challenges in accessing education compared to participants who received such support. More so, that educational opportunities in Zambia are generally gendered with more males than females in the education system, across the multiple levels. Access to the tertiary level for this group of women is compromised because challenges in accessing education start at the lower levels and have spill over effects in to the higher levels of education. Financial challenges experienced by women with disabilities and their families also led to fewer women with disabilities being able to participate in schooling. This is because where there were limited resources within the family, women, and girls with disabilities getting an education was not an option.
"Access to tertiary education": Exploring the experiences of women with physical disabilities in Kamwala, Zambia
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Matambo, Luyeye Hope; Ngabaza, Sisa
Women with disabilities are marginalised in many aspects of societal participation. The majority of women with disabilities in Zambia do not have access to education and this has placed them amongst the poorest of people in the country. The study focuses on the experiences of women with physical disabilities and investigates the challenges they encounter in accessing education at tertiary level. The study comes at a time when the fight for gender equality has gained momentum and aims at promoting economic participation for all members of society without discrimination on the basis of sex or disability. The study engaged ten participants from a tertiary institution in Kamwala, Lusaka. I conducted a feminist qualitative research, which focused on the experiences of 19-30 year old female students with physical disabilities. I used semi-structured interviews in order to collect the data and drew on a qualitative thematic analysis to analyse the data. All standard ethical procedures were adhered to, including anonymity and confidentiality with respect to participants. The results of the study revealed that women with disabilities were often �othered� due to myths and misconceptions that surrounded disability especially in the African- traditional context. The study also revealed that families played a very important role in ensuring that women and young girls with disabilities had a strong self-image, strong self-esteem and a strong sense of self and ensuring that they felt included within the homes and especially when accessing education. The study further revealed that where family support was lacking, participants faced challenges in accessing education compared to participants who received such support. More so, that educational opportunities in Zambia are generally gendered with more males than females in the education system, across the multiple levels. Access to the tertiary level for this group of women is compromised because challenges in accessing education start at the lower levels and have spill over effects in to the higher levels of education. Financial challenges experienced by women with disabilities and their families also led to fewer women with disabilities being able to participate in schooling. This is because where there were limited resources within the family, women, and girls with disabilities getting an education was not an option.
"Co-management agreements with subsistence fishing communities as a means for promoting sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources in South Africa"
(University of the Western cape, 2011) Hara, Chimango; van Reenen, T.P.
“An investigation into the MicroRNA-gene interactions involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus”
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Pitts, Stephanie Julia; Tiffin, Nicki; Gamieldien, Junaid
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterised by the production of autoantibodies which target particularly the nuclear components of multiple cell types throughout the body. MicroRNA’s have been well-established to regulate gene function by partial-, or complete binding to the 3’-UTR of the target genes, causing repression or complete degradation of the target gene. As a result, proteins normally produced by the targeted mRNA would exhibit a decrease in production.The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between genes and microRNAs implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objectives included curating lists of miRNAs and genes associated with lupus pathogenesis, to identify regulatory targets of miRNAs and genes targeted by miRNAs, and to find the intersections of these outputs. By examining the intersections of the resultant targets, we aimed to identify novel interactions using Pathway Analysis, which have not been previously reported in scientific literature, to be associated with the pathogenesis of SLE. Understanding the miRNA-gene target interactions in the progression of SLE may provide us with essential biomarkers and targets for disease diagnosis and therapy.
"A molecular investigation of the prevalence of suspected periodontopathogens and their association with preterm birth"
(2010) Bayingana, Claude; Africa, Charlene
More than 20 million infants in the world (15.5 % of all births) are born with low birth weight. Ninety-five % of them are in developing countries. Oral colonization of Gramnegative anaerobes has been implicated as a risk factor for preterm delivery of low birth weight (PLBW) infants. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between periodontal pathogens and pre-term delivery of low birth weight (PLBW) infants. The study sample included 200 randomly selected women admitted to the department of obstetrics-gynecology of the teaching hospital of Butare in Rwanda. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to identify factors which might pose a health risk to them and their infants. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from each quadrant of the mother’s month (using paper points) within 24 hours of delivery. Ten ml of foetal cord serum samples were collected at delivery and 10 ml of maternal serum samples were collected within 48 of delivery. GCF was examined by PCR for the presence of 5 periodontopathogens and ELISA was used for the evaluation of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) and immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG) in foetal cord and maternal blood against the periodontopathogens. P. intermedia showed significant associations either on its own or in combinations with most indicators of periodontal disease used in this study, while Aa and members of the red complex were significantly associated with gum bleeding and reduced frequency of tooth brushing. A strong association between PLBW and maternal and foetal cord serum sample levels of IL-10 was observed. Also, a good association was observed between PLBW and FCB sample levels of IL-6. Significant associations were observed between PLBW and maternal IgG against the different peridontopathogens. The findings of this study may suggest that the levels of maternal IgG and foetal IgM against the different periodontopathogens are associated with dissemination of maternal periodontopathogens to the foetus thereby illiciting an inflammatory response which contributes to PLBW.
"A comparison of the Cotonou Agreement and the AGOA: trade creating or trade diverting?"
(University of the Western Cape, 2005) Klostermann, Eva Amelie; Lenaghan, Patricia; Faculty of Law
This thesis has attempted to provide an analysis of two legal instruments; the Cotonou Agreement and the AGOA. Specific attention was directed to these instruments impact on trade between the European Union and the United States, respectively, and beneficiary African countries.
"An exploration into children's and adolescents' perceptions of community violence"
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Amos, Taryn; Savahl, Shazly; Dept. of Psychology; Faculty of Arts
This study ultimately aimed to explore children' and adolescents' perceptions of exposure to community violence. More specifically, the study investigated the meanings that adolescents assign to personal safety and security and the extent to which these assignations explain child and adolescent well-being. At a methodological level, the study followed a qualitative methodological framework and collected data from 14 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 15. Two focus groups were used to collect the data which consisted of seven participants each. Participants were purposively selected from a high school located in a low income community in Cape Town. Thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the findings and the study was framed using Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework and the theoretical perspectives of Bulhan's theory of violence, social identity theory, psychological theories, social learning theory, and social disorganization theory. Key findings indicated that the participants were exposed to violence, both through witnessing and being subjected to it within their school, home, and community. Some children perceived a lack of safety within the environments with which they interacted. Data further indicated that exposure to violence created feelings of insecurity, such as fear and anxiety. Similarly, exposure to violence was perceived to have various detrimental effects on the well-being of a child and adolescent. These effects included injury, poor academic performance, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, fear, hopelessness, and many others. In addition to this, and based on these results, this study is significant because it taps into the realities faced by many children so that an awareness can be created and a safe space provided for these children to be children.
"A critical comparison of Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza's notion of Christian ministry as a 'Discipleship of Equals' and Mercy Amba Oduyoye's notion as a 'Partnership of both men and women
(University of the Western Cape, 2005) Abrahams, Lutasha Ann-Louise; Conradie, Ernst M.; Dept. of Religion and Theology; Faculty of Arts
This thesis is based on the recognition that there are similarities and differences between two notions of Christian ministry, that is, a �discipleship of equals� as defined by Elizabeth Sch�ssler Fiorenza (1989) and a �partnership of both men and women� as defined by Mercy Amba Oduyoye (1990). In this thesis, Christian ministry is assessed through the perspectives of both feminist theology and African women�s theology. The question which is addressed here is how the similarities and differences between Elizabeth Sch�ssler Fiorenza�s notion of Christian ministry as a �discipleship of equals� and Mercy Amba Oduyoye�s notion of Christian ministry as a �partnership of both men and women� should be understood and assessed. The main purpose of this thesis is to offer a critical comparison of these two female theologians so as to encourage new visions of Christian ministry in the contemporary church and society. To accomplish this task, a literature survey of books, essays, and articles published on the subject of Christian ministry in feminist and African women�s theology by African and Western theologians, between 1960 and 2003, was conducted. Two notions of how Christian ministry should be understood are offered. Fiorenza emphasizes that both women and men need to be recognized as disciples of Christ who can equally, yet within diversity, minister to God�s people by virtue of their baptisms. Oduyoye notes that reciprocity and mutuality is crucial for both men and women who minister to God�s people by forming strong partnerships through their respective vocations and ministries, by virtue of their baptisms. This thesis argues that a comparison of the views of Elizabeth Sch�ssler Fiorenza and Mercy Amba Oduyoye on Christian ministry reveals similarities based on a shared experience of being women within a male-dominated Christian church and differences emanating from the different contexts within which they practice theology, namely, that of Euro-American feminist theology and that of African women�s theology. It is argued that there are significant differences between feminist theology and African women�s theology, with reference to their context, rhetoric, experiences and modes of expression. A critical assessment of Oduyoye�s notion of Christian ministry as a �partnership of both men and women� reveals that there is an internal problem within African theology. The predicament within which African women theologians find themselves is that they have to struggle not only against patriarchy in church and society but also against the remaining distortions within what is deemed to be a more progressive theology. African women theologians acknowledge their solidarity with African theologians but also identify fundamental flaws within African theology. African women theologians are therefore engaged in a battle on more than one side. They need to unmask and support at the same time. On the other hand, it is clear that Fiorenza is far less critical of the feminist movement, from which she derives the term �feminist hermeneutics�. She is, of course, quite aware of the various and successive strands of the feminist movement, but she remains at least sympathetic to this movement and seeks to explore its significance for biblical scholarship and especially the Roman Catholic Church, of which she is a member. She recognises the need to complement the (sometimes reductionist) secular manifestations of feminism by highlighting the oppressive but also the potentially liberative role which religious traditions may still have in a secularised civil society. One may therefore conclude that African women�s theology remains distinct from other feminist theologies. In a similar way, African-American womanist theologians have insisted that their situation is distinct from that of Euro-American women in what is described as the �triple� oppression of black women: being women, relatively poor, black and formerly enslaved. This calls for further reflection on the similarities and differences between African-American womanist theology and African women�s theology. Important differences which come to mind here are the legacy of slavery, differences in economic status, and military power. African women are often engaged in a struggle to secure a sustainable livelihood in ways that African-American women are not. More importantly, the relationship between American black theology and womanist theology deserves further attention in this regard.

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