Browsing by Author "Loubser, Noleen Dianna."

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10

An analytical study of the role of Methodist Church in Zimbabwe in reconciliation and healing within the Zimbabwean context of political conflict and violence from 1979 to 2013.
(2018) Muwanzi, Joseph.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
This study analyses how the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) has fostered reconciliation and healing within the Zimbabwean context of political conflict and violence from 1979-2013. It documents and discusses reconciliation and healing processes regarding how the church employed strategies, identified perpetrators and victims who needed reconciliation and healing, as well as worked with civil society organisations in the peace-building process. It also documents how the church conceptualises reconciliation from a social sciences perspective. The study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed-method for its design and worked with a sample size of 240 participants from eight districts of the MCZ within Zimbabwe. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the main source of primary data collection tools. Secondary data were sourced from text books, journals, the Internet, unpublished theses, MCZ Connexional Archives (minutes of conferences) in which conference is the governing board of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe as defined in its constitution as in MCZ (2007) and National Archives of Zimbabwe (newspapers). The quantitative data were analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme while content and thematic analysis was used with qualitative data. The thesis was guided by the theoretical framework of conflict transformation based on Lederach’s peace-building theory. Major findings included that MCZ had actively participated in the peace-building process through multiple initiatives with perpetrators and victims of violence who needed reconciliation and healing. Various civil society organisations worked with the church towards peace-building but there was little support from the government. Major challenges that affected effective participation were the enforcement of draconian laws by the government such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Public Order and Security Act, Broadcast Services Act and Non-Governmental Organisations Act. There was a lack of political will, inadequate funding, lack of public counselling centres, fear and lack of social justice. Hypothetically, the study concluded that the church did not participate as effectively as may have been possible in the reconciliation and healing processes. The study has therefore put forth a number of the recommendations for the church under study as well as for future researchers.
Brief visual memory processes in reading disabled children.
(1980) Loubser, Noleen Dianna.; Murray, C. O.; Sharratt, Pamela Arlette.
The information processing approach was used as a basis for studying some brief visual memory processes in reading disabled children. Three aspects of processing were examined, viz. (i) Duration of icon persistence; (ii) Performance under different backward masking conditions; and (iii) Processing of information into a more durable short-term visual memory store. It was found that there were no differences in the duration of icon persistence in reading disabled children, but that these children exhibited marked impairment in performance in the tasks used in the latter two experiments. The reasons for the reading disabled children's poorer performance in these tasks were not apparent. Speculations about the strategies used by these children in approaching the tasks are made. Possible implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Hate crimes perpetrated against lesbian women and their personal experiences of violence in family and community settings.
(2019) Makhaye, Nandi Michelle.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
The South African Constitution, which has been praised globally for being the most progressive, promised equal rights and protection to every citizen regardless of their sexual orientation. However, it seems the Constitution has failed to fulfil its promise to protect and defend lesbian persons against violence. The current debates about hate crimes against lesbians as part of the widespread of abuse against women in South Africa demonstrate a perfect example of how the South African government has failed to protect lesbian persons. Hate crimes against anyone including lesbian persons are a form of human rights violations. These violations are highlighted together other difficulties that lesbians face. This research argues that South Africa together with other African States has failed to protect lesbian persons from hate crimes. This was demonstrated by engaging the Responsibility to Protect Theory, the Duty of the State to Protect, and the meaning of the South African Constitution. This study also discusses how the structure of the African societies is guided by the concepts of Christianity and religion which perpetuate violence against lesbians, where homosexuality is perceived as “immoral” and “Un-African”. This research details and contextualizes violence and types of hate crimes against lesbians and documents types of hate crimes, including degrading treatment and punishment by the State as well as discrimination, harassment and violence at the hands of families, churches, strangers, co-workers, community members, and so on. The study had two focus areas. The first area gathered statistics from the UKZN Pietermaritzburg LGBTI Forum, the Pietermaritzburg Gay and Lesbian Network, and the Ubumbano LGBTI group. It focused on experiences of violence. 69 lesbians participated, and 96% had experienced violence. In addition, other statistical data and facts of hate crimes against lesbian persons in other countries have been taken from different sources, including books and online journals. The second focus area was conducted at UKZN using a convenience sample which focused on attitudes towards lesbian persons. The results indicated that 80% of heterosexual students who were interviewed had positive attitudes towards lesbian persons. The study also looked at the State’s legal obligation to protect lesbian persons and prevent violence of any kind against sexual minorities using the Social Identity Theory and Responsibility to Protect Theory as theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Lastly, the study provides recommendations for implementing this.
The impact of government and non-government organizations’ economic empowerment programmes with respect to poverty reduction and gender equality in Manonyane rural community in Lesotho between 2010 and 2015.
(2016) Hapazari, Josphine.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
Poverty, unemployment and gender inequality remain huge global problems despite measures to eliminate the scourges. In Lesotho, poverty and unemployment are particularly endemic in the rural areas. Economic empowerment is a phenomenon that is fundamental for combating the above mentioned social problems, among others. This study set out to evaluate the impact of Government and Non-Government Organizations’ economic empowerment programmes with respect to poverty reduction and gender equality in Manonyane rural community between 2010 and 2015. The study mainly employed quantitative approach while qualitative approach was used only to collaborate it. Quantitative data were collected from a sample of 120 unemployed adults aged between 21 and 64 years with the use of a questionnaire. On the other hand, qualitative data were collected from six Government officials and six NGOs officials using an interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and qualitative data were organized into information by sorting it into emerging themes. The study unearthed that the impact of economic empowerment by both the Government and NGOs was very low since an overwhelming majority (80%) reported that they received very little assistance and no assistance at all. Notably, gender equality was ensured when enrolling beneficiaries in those few programmes undertaken in Manonyane as the ratio of unemployed males (57%) to unemployed females (43%.) established in this study agrees very well with the male to female ratio of beneficiaries (56% to 46%). The study also revealed that the unemployed people were facing numerous challenges, including lack of access to the most basic human needs - food, water and sanitation. Moreover, the poverty levels were shown to have increased over the 6 year period, 2010 to 2015. The study recommends that Government needs to institute more stringent measures to monitor the implementation of the economic empowerment programmes in place and to add more such programmes. Unemployed people should use local resources and be more proactive by approaching the Government and NGOs for assistance to tackle poverty and unemployment.
The influence of prevailing managerial leadership style on employee engagement, job satisfaction and organisational commitment: a South African public health sector perspective.
(2020) Teffu, Matome Edward.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
There are many commonalities in public policy implementation areas. In South Africa there are many public policies which, though well developed, face challenges such as poor leadership, shortage of resources including human resources, inadequate finance, and poor infrastructure, specifically at implementation levels, in most of sectors including the public health sector. This study was conducted to explore the leadership styles of managers working at Public Hospitals in Vhembe District of the Limpopo Department of Health (LDoH) in South Africa. The study was conducted in support of the pilot implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Public Policy which is being piloted in some districts (including Vhembe District) in South Africa, and also to prepare the South African public health sector, in particular the LDoH, for countrywide implementation of a NHI policy. The LDoH, like any other organisations in the world, is faced with the challenges of an ever-changing environment such as an increasing burden of disease, high attrition rates, difficulty to retain employees with scarce skills, and increased demand for health care services, to mention a few. These challenges necessitate the urgency to have good leaders in public hospitals to ensure the smooth running of the hospitals and achievement of the organisational goals. The study’s aim therefore was to investigate managerial leadership styles adopted by managers employed at public hospitals with the aim of identifying the dominant style of leadership and evaluate its influence on employee engagement, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Additionally, the study was undertaken to identify challenges, obstacles and problems faced by managers working at public hospitals of the LDoH, particularly when executing their daily tasks or responsibilities. There have been limited studies on the influence of the managerial leadership style on employee engagement, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment, especially in the South African Public Health Sector. Both qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed methods) were employed to understand managerial leadership styles and answer the research questions. For quantitative data collection, the instrument used was a questionnaire and for qualitative data collection, a semi-structured interview was employed. Quantitative data were analysed using Excel spreadsheets and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using narrative thematic analysis. To explore the influence of the prevailing managerial leadership style adopted by managers, the researcher used factor analysis regression analysis. The results of this study identified two leadership styles adopted by managers working at public hospitals in Vhembe district, autocratic, and participative or democratic leadership styles. This study showed that the prevailing managerial leadership style adopted by managers of public hospitals in Vhembe District is an autocratic leadership style. This predominant managerial leadership style was found to have a positive influence on employee engagement in clinical employees, and a negative influence on employee engagement in non-clinical employees. The study also revealed a negative influence of the prevailing leadership style on clinical employees’ job satisfaction, and a positive relationship between the prevailing managerial leadership style and non-clinical employees’ job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study findings indicated a negative correlation between clinical employees’ organisational commitment, and a positive relationship between non-clinical employees’ organisational commitment. With regard to challenges faced by managers working at public hospitals in Vhembe district, the findings revealed the greatest challenges as acting in higher posts, bad attitude by some employees, poor communication, absenteeism and lack of respect as key challenges faced by managers. In view of the NHI’s main objective which is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), this research recommends democratic or participative and transformational leadership styles as suitable leadership styles for managers working at public hospitals.
Intra-political infighting versus service delivery: assessing the impact of intra-political infighting on service delivery in uMsunduzi local municipality.
(2017) Dlamini, Nomaswazi Portia.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
This study is concerned with assessing the impact of intra-political infighting on service delivery in Msunduzi municipality. Essential to this study are the challenges facing service delivery in the municipality, as well as the role and impact of political parties in the municipality’s performance on service delivery. In addition, the study analyses national government policies on local government municipalities. Another aim is to understand the role of the South African Local Governance Association (SALGA) in the operation of municipalities. The study was qualitative in nature. The research used purposive sampling to collect and analyse data and questionnaire interviews from 18 respondents from Msunduzi local municipality and SALGA. Using Easton and Almond’s systems theory and structural functionalism, this research concluded that political systems, when applied to patterns of power and authority, expose the unequal relationship between the governors and the governed and can help to understand the impact of intra-political infighting on service delivery. The findings show that intra-political infighting has a negative impact on service delivery. When internal squabbles take precedence, services take a back seat; time spent trying to resolve squabbles results in delays in providing services. Finally, this research suggests the promotion of good governance as one of the tools to strengthen oversight bodies in order to ensure better accountability and provision of services in local government, and to strengthen communication between the communities and the municipality, particularly in Msunduzi municipality.
Political corruption in post-1994 South Africa: implications for development and justice.
(2015) Zondi, Nduduzo Syprian.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
In the dawn of democracy, the ANC led democratic government has committed itself to transforming the country from the past injustices created by the apartheid system towards a better life for all. It has done so through development and justice in terms of delivery and just distribution of services, goods and resources, which were inaccessible during the apartheid system, particularly in the rural homelands. In achieving this goal, the government has formulated and implemented socio-economic policies like Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) which was more socialist in nature, and recognized the state as the primary actor in bringing development. Moreover, the government has deemed the public procurement, an arena of hiring, purchasing and attaining goods, services and resources, as the means through which it can bring development to its citizens. It is this policy, coupled with the reformed procurement system that saw millions of South Africans having access to clean and safe drinking water, electricity, schools, hospitals, tarred roads, and other forms of physical infrastructural development, particularly in the previous homelands. The ANC government deserves credit for such achievements which have at least provided conditions conducive for better life on the part of its subjects. However, this study contends that the ANC transformation efforts through development and justice have been largely undermined by corruption in the public sector, particularly procurement irregularities and financial embezzlement. Regardless of the above-mentioned achievements by the government, it is evident that the country continues to experience issues of service delivery, especially in rural areas, and this is best illustrated by the prevalence of service delivery related public protests. It is evident that huge amounts of government funding attached to procurements have been converted to the pockets of tender holders entrusted with those funds to bring development to the intended targets. Such conversion of funds has perpetuated the class division in South African society, widening the gap between the rich and poor (inequality), and also undermining the constitutionally envisioned goal of social justice. This issue calls for an increased attention by the government, civil society groups, and citizens at large, to fight jointly against this cancer.
Post conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding in Africa’s Great Lakes Region : the role of transitional justice.
(2016) Shabangu, Promise Thembelihle.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
Peacebuilding has become a bridging tool through the use of justice processes in order to reconstruct peaceful societies. Increasingly the international community within the last five decades has also become rigorous in its approaches to build global peace and to harness reconciliation. Peacebuilding is formulated in response to a given state’s post genocidal or post-conflict situation it incorporates short, medium and long-term goals that will enable the society to emerge from the conflict and further sustain peace while also spurring development. The contemporary international system is characterized by intra-state conflict, as such post conflict reconstruction should be formulated in such a way that reconciliation is achieved, national identities are created and peace is sustained. Increasingly in an attempt to address the above, the international community has taken into using transitional justice as a means not only of reconciliation, but also to address the impunity which accompanies most intra-state conflicts as well as the spill over effects of conflicting parties to other states within a region. The Great Lakes region in Africa has been a region prone to conflict for well over four decades. The region is made up of countries that have Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria passing within their territories, they are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Republic of Tanzania and Rwanda. It is evident that the efforts of achieving sustainable peace for each states in that region has been compromised by factors external to their territory therefore regional factors. With violence rampant in the region during 1990 to early 2000’s with inter-state conflict and inter-state violent conflict raging particularly in Rwanda the DRC and Burundi and Uganda sustainable peace seemed to be a distant goal for these states. Peacebuilding supposes sustainable peace by emphasizing the need to address conflict in a manner that will prevent a recurrence of conflict. With the advent of globalisation and the increased interdependence among states, sustainable peace has itself become an international priority and as such global peace is kept and advocated for by organisations such the United Nations. Sustainable peace is therefore no longer just limited to a state and its territories but also essential for global peace and regional cooperation.
Post migration experiences of Zimbabweans in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
(2012) Mutambanengwe, Fadzai Angela.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
Generally globalization has increased the number of the mobile populace making displacement and migration a common phenomenon in the narration of contemporary civilization. Over the past decade a vast number of Zimbabweans have migrated to different countries and still continue to do so, mainly due to the economic and political instability that has been present. This case study is an enquiry into the challenges Zimbabweans face when trying to settle or after settling in a foreign country. In spite of the difficulties Zimbabweans have faced in their native country, a large number of migrants may possibly be swapping old problems for a different array of extraneous and traumatic challenges. In order to understand the challenges that contemporary migrants face when settling it was essential to have a brief understanding of the reasons of migration as well as have a background nature of where they are coming from. Consequently this study begins by explaining the push and pull theory and the social inclusion theory which explain the migration patterns migration and post-migration experiences of Zimbabweans are likely to encounter. The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The triangulation research technique was incorporated to heighten the level of interaction between the researcher and the subjects during the survey. It would appear that the declining level of education standards and lack of employment prompted much of the migration by Zimbabweans. The findings also revealed some discrepancies in perceptions and experiences of student and non-student migrants particularly in in how they perceive South Africans and in settling challenges. The biggest challenge encountered which still continues to pose as a problem is the language barrier.
A search for an integrated peace framework for Angola : the case of Kuito-Bié and Viana.
(2016) Naufila, Marmiliano Keyse de Oliveira.; Loubser, Noleen Dianna.
The 2002 ceasefire agreement in Angola represented an unprecedented achievement as far as building peace is concerned. With the belligerents able to talk, the country had a great opportunity to embark on a full reconciliation process. However, the situation in the country is in the status of unresolvedness. The peace is still negative. There are no avenues for open dialogue for positive change. This thesis presents the various phases of the Angolan peace process, its shortcomings and success. Further, a suggestion for a full framework for Angola based on John Paul Lederach´s Integrated Framework for peacebuilding is given for the Angolan grassroots to embark on peace process starting from the bottom. The researcher selected 200 hundred respondents with experience of the war. One hundred from Kuito- Bié and the other hundred from Viana. Through snowball and purposive sampling participants were identified. Furthermore, the researcher interviewed with one member of MPLA, one from UNITA, one from the civil society and one from the Catholic Church. The results showed that the civil society is not satisfied with the current peace, and urges for a new era. Thus, Lederach´s peace structural framework fits well in Angola.