scholarly journals Assessing challenges to ineffective communication in government institutions: A case study of Vuwani area, Limpopo, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard N. Rasila ◽  
Mavhungu E. Musitha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Government Institutions ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Media Reports

Twenty-five schools were burnt. Others were damaged. This is during the protest at Vuwani area. Five houses were also torched. Businesses were brought to complete shutdown for more than three months.The protests followed lack of effective communication and consultation between Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), government and communities on matters of municipality boundaries. The MDB took a decision that parts of Vuwani would be incorporated into the Malamulele villages to establish a new municipality, LIM 345. This angered Vuwani communities allegedly because they were not consulted. The MDB denied the allegations.A qualitative study was conducted in the area where there were interactions with government, and community members. Media reports were also used to substantiate the findings. It was revealed through the study results that although there was some communication between government institutions including the MDB and community members, this was not effective, hence violent protests. This paper is intended to provide strategies for future effective communication by state functionaries to avoid violent protests caused by ineffective communication.

scholarly journals Contextualisation: A case study of a team within an international missional order

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasebwe T.L. Kabongo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Community ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Bias ◽  
Good News ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Incarnational Ministry ◽  
Biblical Values

Contextualisation is a process of seeking meaning and relevancy in a constantly changing world. It is a theological imperative if biblical values were to be relevant to everyone in the world. This research is a case study of InnerCHANGE South Africa (ICSA) efforts to be contextual. InnerCHANGE South Africa is part of an international missional order called InnerCHANGE, which was started in 1984 in the United States of America. International organisations face the danger of coming up with uniform principles and practices. Such uniformity is never innocent of cultural bias. It rendered their principles and practices relevant in some contexts and irrelevant in others. InnerCHANGE is an incarnational ministry that focuses on identification in communities of poverty. It described incarnational ministry as a model of Christ, a method, a message and a spiritual discipline. This study investigated how ICSA has been able to contextualise these four elements of incarnational ministry. It concluded that these contextualisation efforts are still work in progress. It pointed out the encouraging signs of seeing many local community members aligning themselves behind ICSA vision of seeing the gospel as the good news made visible. It finally pointed out the challenges of contextualisation it is still facing.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article is based on the field of missiology. It engaged development studies, specifically grassroots community development, to point out one of the roles of the church in society, which is to participate in improving the quality of life of the vulnerable.

scholarly journals Internationalization in Canadian Higher Education: A Case Study of the Gap between Official Discourses and On-the-Ground Realities

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 101-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne A. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
East African ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Canadian Higher Education ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Perceived Impact

This case study about one university’s internationalization initiative, known as North Goes South, provides a nuanced and finely grained understanding of what internationalization looks like in practice. The study was guided by a desire to probe the perceived impact of a Canadian–East African internationalization initiative on students, faculty, and Tanzanian community members. The article begins with a brief review of the literature on internationalization and higher education in Canada. The rationale for using a case-study methodology is presented, along with the background and context of the case. Following an outline of the research methods, the study results are reviewed to show the complex and contradictory ways in which this internationalization initiative played out in one higher education setting, pointing to the gap between official discourses of internationalization and on-the-ground realities.  

Complexities of Leading Rural Schools in South Africa: Learning from Principals’ Voices

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-253
Author(s):  
Phumlani Erasmus Myende ◽  
Selaelo Maifala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
What Works ◽  
Interpretive Paradigm ◽  
Encounter Complex ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Administrative Tasks

This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined what it means to be a principal in the context of rurality. We argue that principals in the 21st century encounter complex work situations that make it hard for them to manoeuvre. Furthermore, for principals in the context of rurality, such complexities pose multiple dilemmas, given that rurality exposes principals to multiple challenges. Using a case study within an interpretive paradigm, we interviewed and observed five principals from rural schools in the Limpopo province. The study found that principals’ leadership focuses dominantly on administrative tasks. It further identified social and institutional complexities that principals encounter and argues that these complexities compel to treat rural schools as systems. While we hail this view of schools, it emerged that some units of the system appear to be thwarting the progress of principals in leading rural schools. We conclude that, at times, principals’ leadership in the context of rurality can be defined as a leadership that shuns policies and issues of social justice for the purpose of finding what works in their contexts.

scholarly journals The impact of cross-boundary electoral demarcation disputes in South Africa after 1994: the case study of Moutse

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-96
Author(s):  
Beauty Vambe ◽  
Sipho Mantula
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Constitutional Democracy ◽  
Community Members ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Institutional Planning ◽  
Democratic Principles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Administrative Boundary

The article investigates the impact of cross­boundary electoral demarcation disputes between the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces after 1994. The article further examines how the electoral demarcation disputes can be resolved by negotiating with the dissatisfied communities. Moutse is located within a community that straddles north­western Mpumalanga and southern Limpopo provinces in South Africa. In 2005 the community members of Moutse wards 5 and 6 were dissatisfied by the decision of the South African national government, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provincial governments for relocating them under a newly demarcated administrative boundary without hearing the views of the community. The article used community dialogues for its research. This approach is explained predominantly by qualitative and quantitative approaches to indicate processes of data collection, to explain the nature of the problem and explore the findings of communitybased research. The study reveals that violent disruptions and protests by community members can be avoided if community voices are taken into consideration. The article recommends that state institutions that support constitutional democracy need to show the administrative and political will to transform electoral demarcation challenges and implement effective democratic principles. In conclusion, advanced institutional planning and its transparent application must be emphasised.

IMPACT OF ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE ON INTERNAL KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF THE AFRICA INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Shingi Muzondo ◽  
Ezra Ondari-Ekemwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Think Tank ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Internal Knowledge

This article reports on a study that investigated the impact of organisational culture on internal knowledge production and assessed the challenges of producing knowledge at the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), which is seen as a model knowledge producing think tank in sub-Saharan Africa. The broad objectives of the study were: identifying AISA’s achievements in knowledge production; finding out the challenges AISA confronts in producing knowledge; examining how AISA’s organisational culture impacts on internal knowledge production; and suggesting ways in which knowledge production at AISA and other think tanks may be improved. A case study was conducted and self-administered questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, document analysis, and observation were used to collect data. The findings showed that AISA’s knowledge production efforts are confronted by several challenges, including: organisational culture and employees’ negative attitudes towards sharing knowledge freely, and employees encountering difficulties in finding the information and knowledge they need. If these challenges could be identified and clearly confined, it is argued that AISA would be in a better position to effectively produce and utilise knowledge, enabling it to achieve its objectives more efficiently. It is recommended that AISA acquire knowledge from external sources; produce knowledge internally which it uses and is used by its clientele; and establish itself as a knowledge-based organisation by creating a knowledge friendly culture as a framework for addressing the issue of organisational culture. The study results will hopefully lay a foundation for understanding ways of improving knowledge production at AISA and thus influence positive public policy in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Institutional vulnerabilities, COVID-19, resilience mechanisms and societal relationships in developing countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-307
Author(s):  
Mary Assumpta Nalwoga Kiwanuka
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Institutional Reform ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Government Institutions ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Resilience Mechanisms

In this article the author submits that COVID-19 pandemic challenges could be utilised as an opportunity to reform government institutions to develop resilience measures that would potentially meet contemporary and future challenges. It will highlight that the current approach of institutions has failed to meet societal need. It focuses on developing countries, particularly the continent of Africa, drawing on results from a qualitative study of a justice institution of Uganda as a case study that explored how institutions coped to maintain societal relationship during the pandemic. Results suggested that, despite the pandemic challenges, institutions suffer epistemic issues that require critical examination for states to develop policies that would facilitate institutional reform to gain resilience mechanisms needed to meet contemporary and future societal challenges. A vulnerability theoretical framework is introduced and suggested as the remedy.

Entrepreneurial public leadership: 5As framework for wellness promotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1443-1456
Author(s):  
Grant Beebe ◽  
Milorad Novicevic ◽  
Ifeoluwa Tobi Popoola ◽  
Joseph (Jody) Holland
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wellness Promotion ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Community Wellness ◽  
Public Leaders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a 5As framework for entrepreneurial nudge public leadership for health and wellness promotion based on two exemplary cases in Mississippi. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a “case within a case” study design to develop the 5As public influence framework for entrepreneurial public leadership. Findings Based on the investigated cases of healthcare and wellness promotion in Hernando and Charleston, Mississippi, the authors developed the 5As framework for wellness promotion dimensions of awareness, assistance, alignment, association, and assessment. This framework is applicable to the lived experiences of community members, leaders, healthcare providers, and government. Research limitations/implications The study results provide a compelling insight into early-stage formation of entrepreneurial public leadership. However, the study results lack generalizability due to the case study approach used. Practical implications This study can assist entrepreneurial public leaders and policy-makers align their strategic wellness goals, initiatives, and policies that motivate community members to seek and receive supporting services. Originality/value Developing an original framework for wellness promotion useful to both healthcare practitioners and public leaders, this study contributes to the extant literature on public health leadership and proposes mechanisms for addressing community wellness needs. The framework is designed to address public health concerns by integrating public leadership strategies aimed at linking with existing community wellness and healthcare services.

scholarly journals The Potential in Preparing Community Health Workers to Address Hearing Loss

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (06) ◽  
pp. 562-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisey Sánchez ◽  
Stephanie Adamovich ◽  
Maia Ingram ◽  
Frances P. Harris ◽  
Jill de Zapien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Hearing Health

Background: In underserved areas, it is crucial to investigate ways of increasing access to hearing health care. The community health worker (CHW) is a model that has been applied to increase access in various health arenas. This article proposes further investigation into the application of this model to audiology. Purpose: To assess the feasibility of training CHWs about hearing loss as a possible approach to increase accessibility of hearing health support services in an underserved area. Research Design: A specialized three-phase training process for CHWs was developed, implemented, and evaluated by audiologists and public health researchers. The training process included (1) focus groups with CHWs and residents from the community to raise awareness of hearing loss among CHWs and the community; (2) a 3-hr workshop training to introduce basic topics to prepare CHWs to identify signs of hearing loss among community members and use effective communication strategies; and (3) a 24-hr multisession, interactive training >6 weeks for CHWs who would become facilitators of educational and peer-support groups for individuals with hearing loss and family members. Study Sample: Twelve Spanish-speaking local CHWs employed by a federally qualified health center participated in a focus group, twelve received the general training, and four individuals with prior experience as health educators received further in-person training as facilitators of peer-education groups on hearing loss and communication. Data Collection and Analysis: Data was collected from each step of the three-phase training process. Thematic analysis was completed for the focus group data. Pre- and posttraining assessments and case study discussions were used to analyze results for the general workshop and the in-depth training sessions. Results: CHWs increased their knowledge base and confidence in effective communication strategies and developed skills in facilitating hearing education and peer-support groups. Through case study practice, CHWs demonstrated competencies and applied their learning to specific situations related to effective communication with hearing loss, family support, availability of assistive technology, use of hearing protection, and making referrals for hearing health care. Needs were identified for ongoing training in the area of use of assistive technology and addressing situations of more severe hearing loss and its effects. Conclusions: Initial results suggest it is feasible to train CHWs to engage community members regarding hearing loss and facilitate culturally relevant peer-health education and peer-support groups for individuals with hearing loss and their family members. In efforts to increase access to audiological services in rural or underserved communities, application of the CHW model with a partnership of audiologists deserves further consideration as a viable approach.

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