Showing items 121 - 140 of 3700

Towards an effective model for improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) by local authorities in Zimbabwe: a case of Runde Rural District Council (RRDC)

  • Authors: Matunhu, Patience S
  • Date: 2023-03
  • Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- Health and hygiene -- Zimbabwe , Water-supply, Rural -- Zimbabwe , Public health administration
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28617 , vital:74475
  • Description: This study is concerned with public service provision with reference to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming in Runde Rural District in Zimbabwe. This thesis is informed by the Stakeholder theory by Freeman and the Stewardship theory by Donaldson and Davis. The Stakeholder theory emphasises the importance of harnessing the comparative advantages of various stakeholders in rural WASH. Stewardship theorists believe that public administrators and stakeholders have no conflict of interest and that Government creates systems and processes that promote cooperation between them. An anti-positivist or interpretivist case study was conducted. In -depth interviews, observation and documentary analysis were the chief information collection instruments. Twenty (20) participants were purposively selected to participate. The thesis unearthed factors constraining improved WASH services. Local level opportunities for improving WASH programming were identified and used to build a model for effective service delivery in the community. The study recommended establishment of WASH champions at village level, to ensure provision of WASH at household level. The WASH committees at village, community and district level should be inclusive, constituted on the basis of merit and dedication. The thesis ends with the suggestion that further studies that focus on other rural districts in Zimbabwe be carried out. This thesis contributes greatly to this field of study in that it will ensure that the Runde Rural District Council will adopt a stakeholder inclusivity model to address the lack of Water Sanitation and hygiene in their area. The bottom-up approach ensures that all stakeholders have a say in Water Sanitation and Hygiene policy making processes so that the decisions made can be relevant to their challenges in accessing Water Sanitation and Hygiene. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-03

Analyzing agricultural financing for resettled farmers in Zimbabwe: the case of targeted Command Agricultural program in Mutare District

  • Authors: Mafirakurewa, Tariro https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6587-4524
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: Agricultural administration--Finance , Farmers -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Economic aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28255 , vital:73985
  • Description: Agriculture plays a paramount role in the economy of many countries including Zimbabwe where more than 70 percent of the population depends on agricultural activities for their livelihoods. Smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural credit is vital for the development and growth of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, hence agricultural financing is crucial in rural development. Despite the Government’s efforts to provide affordable agricultural credit services to its majority smallholder farmers’ participation is still meager. The aim of this study is to analyze agricultural financing for resettled farmers in Zimbabwe, with special focus on the command agricultural loans in the Mutare district. A multistage sampling technique was employed in this study. Firstly purposive selection of Manicaland province was carried out because it is endowed with the five natural farming regions found in Zimbabwe. The second stage involved a random selection of 4 out of 7 districts with favorable climatic conditions for maize production. Thirdly, the study also carried out a purposive selection of Mutare district among the four districts with favorable climatic conditions, given the time and financial constraints. The last stage involved the use of stratified sampling technique, where the sample was divided into two strata. Stratum 1 with A1 farmers and stratum two consisting of A2 farmers, and a random sample was selected from each stratum. The study involved 301 A1 farmers and 49 A2 farmers, making a total sample of 350 farmers used for this study. Double hurdle was employed to examine the factors influencing A1 and A2 farmers` participation in command agriculture loans in the study area. Multinomial logistic regression model was also applied to investigate the determinants of command agriculture loan repayment, while propensity score matching technique was used to examine the impacts of command agriculture loans on maize productivity and profitability of A1 and A2 farmers. The results revealed that family size, and distance from the market GMB positively influence farmers likelihood to participate in in the command agricultural loan. While family size, farmer type and distance from the market were proven to have a positive significant influence on the extent of participation in command agriculture. Also training on the command agriculture loan and gender were proven to have a negative signification influence on the extent of farmers` participation in command agriculture loan. The maximum likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression revealed that age and output levels significantly influence resettled farmers` likelihood to partly pay their loans. Also, the likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression showed that distance from the market and output levels have a positive influence on resettled farmers` likelihood of fully paying the command agriculture loan. Access to extension services to extension services was proven to negatively influence farmers` likelihood to fully pay the loan. The results also revealed that participating in command agriculture significantly impacted productivity at the 1 percent level, while it was not significant in the participants' profitability. The results show that participating in command agriculture increases productivity by 0.93 tonnes hectare. The study recommends the intensification of extension service supply to ensure that farmers are receiving relevant agricultural training, mainly on climate change adaptation strategies. This will help resettled farmers to adjust and adapt to their new farming environments and, in turn, have a positive impact on their production levels. Also, to improve farmers’ profitability the GMB selling price should be in American dollars USD and not paid in part RTGS and part USD, because the RTGS part is always outstripped by inflation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities

  • Authors: Nicolau, Gary K , Edwards, Shelley
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/461506 , vital:76208 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020306"
  • Description: South Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices are very commonly associated with high temperatures and topographic heterogeneity. Indeed, mountainous biogeography has been a critical driver in the radiation of the family Gekkonidae within the subregion. Here, we assess the species richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species inhabiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, accounting for phylogenetic relationships. We also employ the CANAPE method to identify regions that have neo- and/or paleoendemics. Southern African gekkonids appear to be most diverse and show high levels of endemism in three regions of Southern Africa: the northwestern Richtersveld, the escarpment running west to southeast, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. Implications for conservation priorities are discussed.
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Investigation into response of wheat genotypes to drought and optimum conditions in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Mzileni L S
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: Bonanza farms , Wheat , Drought - tolerant plants
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27732 , vital:69397
  • Description: Wheat is generally one of the dominant crops globally, being mainly used for human food and livestock feed. Due to climate change, drought makes it challenging to produce enough wheat mostly under dryland production regions in South Africa. Drought stress has severely reduced wheat yield by up to 70 percent, and adversely compromised wheat grain quality. The adoption of drought-tolerant cultivars offers a sustainable and low-cost solution for increasing wheat yields and minimise importing the crop to meet national requirements. The main objective of this study was to investigate the response of different wheat genotypes to drought and optimum conditions in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Forty diverse wheat genotypes were evaluated in this study. The specific objectives were: (i) to evaluate the response of wheat genotypes under optimum and drought-stressed field conditions; (ii) to determine the effect of terminal drought stress on wheat grain quality composition; and (iii) to identify appropriate drought tolerance indices that can be used as selection tools under field conditions. This study was conducted in the field using a 5x8 alpha lattice design, replicated twice under two water regimes (drought and optimum) over two consecutive winter seasons of 2020 and 2021 at two different sites namely University of Fort Hare Research Farm in Alice, and Zanyokwe irrigation scheme in Keiskamahoek. Drought stress was imposed from 50% flowering up to physiological maturity. Data on agro-physiological traits such as duration to heading (DTH); flowering (DTF); maturity (DTM); plant height (HT); spike length (SL); number of spikelets per spike (SPS); kernels per spike (KPS); and grain yield (GY (kg/ha)) was subjected to the analysis of variance using Genstat 18th edition. As the study took place over two sites, a combined ANOVA table revealed significant differences (p0.001) among genotypes, and all interactions such as genotype by water regime (GWR); genotype by seasons (GS) for all studied traits. Notably, the extent and severity of drought differed between geographical regions and between seasons. This necessitated the adoption of the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction analysis (AMMI) for the identification of stable genotypes under two different water regimes over two sites. Regarding grain yield, superior and/or stable genotypes included G5 (4334 kg/ha under optimum, and 2871kg/ha under drought), and G22 (4418 kg/ha under optimum, and 2624kg/ha under drought) at the UFH site. G21 (3194 kg/ha under optimum, and 2938 kg/ha under drought), G33 (2552kg/ha under optimum, and 3810 kg/ha under drought), and G35 (2688 kg/ha under optimum, and 3309 kg/ha under drought) at the ZAN site. Stable genotypes across sites included G21 and G33. There were generally weak correlations between agro-physiological traits and grain yield. From the experiment, grain quality traits such as fixed protein (PF); wet gluten (WG); hectolitre mass (HLM); and thousand kernel weight (TKW) were also examined. A combined ANOVA revealed significant differences (p0.001) among the interaction of genotypes by environments (GE) for all traits except PF. This implies that the performance of wheat genotypes across sites was also different, and therefore, necessitated separate analysis of variance for each site. Significant differences (p0.001) among genotypes (G), water regimes (WR), and the interaction of genotypes by water regime (GWR) were observed for all studied quality traits except PF in both sites. GWR showed no significant differences for TKW in the ZAN site. The stability in the performance of genotypes across water regimes was further determined. G38 was stable for wet gluten; G31 and G26 were stable for PF; G36 was stable for HLM; and G11, G15, and G29 were stable for TKW at the UFH site. G6 was stable for both WG and PF; G13 and G15 were stable for HLM; and G35, G21, and G40 were stable for TKW at the ZAN site. These results suggest that the quality of wheat grains was affected under drought stress conditions except PF. Average grain yield data under both stressed (Ys) and optimum (Yp) conditions was used to compute a number of different drought tolerance indices. These include mean productivity (MP); geometric mean productivity (GMP); harmonic mean (HM); Tolerance index (TOL), stress susceptible index (SSI), sensitive drought index (SDI), and stress tolerance index (STI). The aim was to identify appropriate drought tolerance indices that can be used as selection tools under drought stress. MP, GMP, and HM were the more appropriate indices as they had a strong and positive correlation with grain yield under both drought and optimum conditions. However, genotypes G5, G22, G8, and G21 were more tolerant and stable as they showed high mean values. Based on the results, G19, G16, G2, and G20 were more sensitive to drought as they showed low values of MP, GMP, and HM. Overall, genotype: G5, G21, G22, and G33 are recommended for production under drought and optimum conditions, as they showed stable performance across water regimes. Principal component analysis also revealed that MP, GMP, and HM were the only indices that had positive loadings into the first principal component. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Local peoples’ knowledge and perceptions of Australian wattle (Acacia) species invasion, ecosystem services and disservices in grassland landscapes, South Africa

  • Authors: Yapi, Thozamile S , Shackleton, Charlie M , Le Maitre, David C , Dziba, Luthando E
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/399791 , vital:69559 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2177495"
  • Description: Many alien tree species were introduced into grassland ecosystems in South Africa by the commercial forestry industry for paper and timber for furniture. Over decades some of these introduced species escaped into neighbouring farms and community land. Adult trees from these alien species now provide other ecosystem services, notably fuelwood. Depending on the spatio-temporal context, many of these species can also negatively affect ecosystem services. We collected interview data from commercial and communal farmers in the upper Umzimvubu catchment in South Africa to compare farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of invasive wattle species invasion and their associated ecosystem services and disservices. Fuelwood and fencing poles were the most common uses of wattle by commercial (83%; 67%) and communal (99%; 49%) farmers. On the other hand, the reduction of grass cover and loss of grazing land were the most commonly mentioned negative impacts of wattles by commercial (83%; 75%) and communal (92%; 80%) farmers. Although both groups recognise the importance of wattles in providing ecosystem services, most communal farmers perceived wattles to have more negative effects than benefits. The findings demonstrate that both farmer groups highly depend on ecosystem services and are affected by disservices of wattles. However, while large-scale commercial households favour the presence of wattles in the landscape, communal households prefer complete removal of the wattles from the landscape. This may be due to lack of locally available alternative options or inability to replace or purchase ecosystem services affected by wattles from other sources or markets like commercial farmers.
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Persistent effects of historical sea levels on the population structure of a temporary wetland copepod

  • Authors: Emami-Khoyi, Arsalan , Jooste, Candice M , Wasserman, Ryan J , Dalu, Tatenda , Raath-Krüger, Morgan J , Jansen van Vuuren, Bettine , Teske, Peter R
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/445115 , vital:74348 , https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.14139
  • Description: Temporary wetland ecosystems are common in arid and semi‐arid envi-ronments, and are inhabited by diverse invertebrate communities. Little is known about the dynamics of genetic connectivity in the geograph-ically scattered populations of these wetland specialists. The current study investigated the spatial genetic structure and dispersal history of a recently described calanoid copepod, Lovenula raynerae, reported from temporary wetlands in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We tested whether the species represents a single, well‐connected population or comprises different regional genetic groups, some of which may be rare or endangered.
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Rhodes University Calender 2023

Short Course Handouts Bundle for the Training of Trainers Course: Introductory course to facilitating social learning and stakeholder engagement in natural resource management contexts

Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges of Small-Scale Fisheries: Prognosis for Sustainable Fisheries Management in Lake Kariba, Zambia

  • Authors: Imbwae, Imikendu , Aswani, Shankar , Sauer, Warwick H H
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391422 , vital:68650 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043179"
  • Description: The Lake Kariba fishery is of regional importance; it accounts for 35% of the total Zambian fish production. However, emerging evidence in the recent decades suggests that the fishery is facing socio-economic and environmental challenges. Using Ostrom’s framework for analysing socio-ecological systems, we examined the social, economic, and environmental problems faced by the fishing communities in Lake Kariba. The framework links various social, economic, and ecological factors to devise a sustainable fisheries management plan. A combination of survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations, and key informant interviews were used to assess this sustainability challenge. The data collected were subjected to bivariate and descriptive analysis. The results obtained did not show a significant decline in fish production over the past 13 years (R2 Linear = 0.119, p = 0.248). However, the experts and the fishers have reported declining trends in valuable fish species such as Oreochromis mortimeri, compounded by the increased fishing efforts (X2 = 180.14, p value = ˂ 0.00001). The key threats identified include: overfishing, weak institutions, and the introduction of invasive fish species such as Oreochromis niloticus. This situation has raised fears of fish depletion among the stakeholders. Based on these results, we recommend stronger institutional collaboration among the stakeholders in the riparian states and education that illustrates the global value of fisheries for food security and biodiversity conservation in pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Supporting social learning and knowledge management withing the ecological infrastructure for water security project

The dynamics in implementing Inclusive Education in South Africa: Case studies of four Primary Schools in KwaZulu-Natal

  • Authors: Nzuza, Zakhele Dennis
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: Inclusive education
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26219 , vital:64974
  • Description: The study explored the implemention of inclusive education in primary schools in the uMgungundlovu area, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Locally and globally, the notion of inclusive education has presented various difficulties relating to the understanding stakeholders have of inclusive education and also in terms of embracing it and implementing it in schools. Stakeholders in South Africa have experienced similar challenges regarding a clear and common understanding of inclusive education and ensuring effective implementation. Despite various reforms adopted by the South African government, learners experiencing barriers to learning have persistently suffered inadequate access to quality education and equal learning opportunities. The reviewed literature has highlighted numerous challenges that have constrained effective implementation of inclusive education in South African schools. The reviewed literature also indicated that some teachers had negative attitudes towards inclusive education, and that such attitudes were linked to the lack of clear understanding of what inclusive education was about. At the core of this study is the fact that very little is known in South Africa about the implementation of inclusive education. Therefore, this study sought to unravel how chools implement inclusive education and, in that process, contribute to a deeper understanding of this phenomenon. The study utilised the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a theoretical framework and inclusive pedagogy as a conceptual framework to explore the implementation of inclusive education in four study schools. A qualitative approach underpinned by an interpretive research paradigm was adopted. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select twenty educators, four learners experiencing barriers to learning and four parents of learners experiencing barriers to learning to participate in this study. Four techniques were used to produce qualitative data, namely, semi-structured interviews, observations, documents’ review, and focus group discussions. Semi-structured interviews with educators and learners experiencing barriers to learning were utilised to generate data in the four selected primary schools. In addition to semi structured interviews, learners were also observed during lessons. Relevant documents kept in the schools were also reviewed to augment data generated through interviews. Focus group discussions were held with four parents of the learners experiencing barriers to learning. Data were analysed employing qualitative content analysis to come up with themes. The findings revealed that there was no common understanding amongst the teachers about what constituted inclusive education. Most educators understood inclusive education as referring to accommodating all learners in the classroom to reach their potential. These educators would help all learners, including those with barriers to learning thus contributing to the implementation of inclusive education in their schools. However, the findings also revealed that some educators understood inclusive education as referring to a situation where all learners received quality education, but those with barriers to learning being accommodated in special schools or special classrooms separate from their counterparts. The findings indicated that there was a lack of knowledge about inclusive education and such a lack contributed to misunderstandings about the essence of inclusive education. In addition, teachers lacked skills in dealing with learners experiencing barriers to learning, resulting in inefficient and ineffective implementation of inclusive education. It was evident from the findings that the curriculum was inflexible and the teachers lacked capacity to customise the content to the needs of all the learners, especially those experiencing learning barriers. Therefore, for teachers to implement inclusive education, it was necessary that content had to be flexible to meet the educational needs of all learners. The findings further revealed that using various teaching methods, such as visual objects and demonstrations was helpful in adapting the rigid curriculum and making it user friendly for learners experiencing barriers to learning. In addition, the research findings revealed that group work and peer learning assisted educators to implement inclusive education. Research findings also revealed that implementing inclusive education was hindered by various systematic factors, such as lack of parental support, overcrowding in classrooms, and socioeconomic challenges. I concluded that there is a remarkable knowledge deficit that can be addressed by training, including pre-service and ongoing professional development activities for teachers. I can also conclude that based on the findings educators require training on inclusive education, beginning with teachers currently in the system. The training can then be included in the curriculum of pre-service educators so that they can obtain a clear understanding of inclusive education and thus develop positive attitudes towards inclusive education. Similarly, school management teams require training on their own so that they can be able to provide adequate and effective support to the teachers in the classrooms. Another recommendation is that educators should be capacitated and developed in inclusive education to enhance their confidence in delivering the curriculum and to handle learners experiencing barriers to learning. Similarly, it is recommended that there be a collaboration between schools, homes, and other stakeholders to assist learners experiencing barriers to learning on their education journey, thus effectively implementing inclusive education in schools. Finally, a model for the improvement of inclusive education is proposed. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Using Citizen Science to Protect Natural Untreated Drinking Water Sources: Natural Springs in Rural Catchments and B3 Municipalities in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mtati, Nosi , Chetty, Preven , Norman, Yondela , Mvulane, Paulose , Libala, Notiswa , Weaver, Matthew J T , Wolff, Margaret M , Cockburn, Jessica J , Mazibuko, Thembalani
  • Date: 2023
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425732 , vital:72279 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0550-2 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/3097 final.pdf
  • Description: Citizen science is a well-known mechanism used by researchers to col-lect scientific data working together with citizens. It can also be used by interested and concerned citizens (social activists regarding environ-mental threats) to protect natural occurring things like biodiversity, rare species that are threatened extension and much more. It can be a natu-ral occurring process that evolves with time but it can also have some guidelines of how to monitor, collect, analyse and disseminate data. In this project we used participatory action research processes to co-develop tools (co-create being one of the types of citizen science) with local communities, using their knowledge of their area to monitor and protect natural springs. Springs are useful for providing drinking water for people but also for livestock. In rural areas and small towns where service delivery is not reliable, natural occurring water sources become the reliable supply for these communities. Springs also provide ecosys-tem services as they are a keystone ecological infrastructure. These natural water sources can be threatened by pollution, especially that of livestock which is mostly unattended, because they are sometimes shared by people and animals. This poses health risks to the users. This study co-developed the “spring protection and sustainable use” tool/s that can be used to guide communities and local government on how to protect these important water sources. Citizen science also cre-ates opportunities for learning to take place among the participants as well as the researchers involved.
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  • Date Issued: 2023

Investigating the determinants of economics growth in South Africa

  • Authors: Dudumashe, Nomsindisi
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Economic growth determinants in South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9986 , vital:74931
  • Description: Economic growth is regarded as one of the prime macroeconomic objectives of any economy. The study aimed to investigate the determinants of economic growth in South Africa for the period 1994 to 2021 using yearly data obtained from World Bank and IMF. The analysis of all the variables has been provided to show the relationship that the variables have with economic growth in the South African economy. The independent variables used were capital stock, financial development, employment and inflation. In achieving this aim, an Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) was used since it examines both the short-term and the long-term dynamics of the determinants of economic growth. In addition, Granger causality was used to determine whether the explored variables were causally related to one another. In the long run, the results point out that financial development was significant at 5%, while capital stock and employment were significant at 10%. In the short run, all variables were significant at 1%. The study recommends employment stimulation, investment in capital stock and financial development in order to boost economic growth. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-00

Monitoring strategies used for teaching and learning in selected scondary schoolsof OR Thambo Inland Education District, Eastern Cape Provice, South Africa

  • Authors: Tswane, Patience Nomampondomise
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Monitoring strategies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10769 , vital:75218
  • Description: This study was meant to investigate monitoring strategies used for teaching and learning in selected secondary schools of OR Tambo Inland Education District in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study mainly concentrated on collecting the analysed data from principals, deputy principals and heads of departments of secondary schools of Qumbu magisterial district on the basis of my proximity to their schools. A case study research design was adopted as only principals, deputy principals and HODs officially employed by the Department of Education to teach in geographically located secondary schools in Qumbu magisterial district were used as subjects to collect data. The qualitative research approach was employed in this study. A sample of 15 participants who were chosen using purposive sampling were interviewed face-to-face adopting semi-structured interviews to gather data for this study. The findings supported SMTs' use of monitoring curriculum implementation methodologies, but their actual implementation was characterised by a lack of rigour and decisiveness. Evidently, a number of contextual circumstances influenced to what extent the methods that had been decided upon were carried out. It emerged that in some SMTs’ strategies to manage and monitor the quality of teaching and learning in their secondary schools, teacher unions disrupts such systems. This implies that the teacher unions play a detrimental role in limiting effective intervention strategies by management. As long as teacher unions plays a powerful role in tying the hands of management in quality control oversight, management will find it very difficult to make inroads into improving commitment by teachers and progress of learners. The Department of Basic Education and government need to review and revise the powers of teacher unions. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Education, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2023-00

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Traumatic Lumbar Puncture in Children at Nelson Mandela Central Hospital, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Ghu, Pumza
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9879 , vital:74636
  • Description: Traumatic lumbar puncture signals improper procedural and proceduralist factors working on existing patient attributes. Occurrence is very common though believed to be overestimated and cut-off definitions are vague. Complications that follow incurs economic implications to the hospital setting due to high admission rate, long hospital stay and unnecessary use of antibiotics. None of these concepts around this topic is known in the present setting thus necessitating this research. The findings thereof would cause a fundamental change in the manner in which this procedure is performed in the present setting. Aim To determine the prevalence and risk factors of traumatic lumbar punctures, with the secondary goal of developing a protocol for performing appropriate lumbar punctures in order to reduce the rate of traumatic lumbar punctures. Methods An analytical cross-sectional data using retrospective data of 82 lumbar punctures performed over a four (4) month period from March to June 2022 at the paediatric emergency department of Nelson Mandela Central Hospital. Results Demographics characteristics: The median age was two (2) years (IQR = 0.83 – 3.35 years) and the highest proportion (53.66%) was observed for the age group two years and younger. Males constituted more than half (63.41%) of the population. Clinical features: Most of the children presented with seizures (56.10%) and high fever (46.34%). The top three conditions diagnosed were febrile seizures (40.24%), meningitis (17.07%) and acute gastroenteritis (9.78%). More females (20% p=0.047) suffered from acute gastroenteritis than males (3.8%). , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-00

Synthesis and characterization of high energy milled silicon nanoparticles for electronic applications

  • Authors: Mnguni, Nomvula Bianca
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Chemical and Physical Sciences
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9936 , vital:74651
  • Description: This study demonstrates that high energy milling using a planetary disc mill offers a new simple route to the production of polycrystalline silicon nanoparticles which are suitable for electronic applications. By manipulating process variables such as milling duration and mass of the feedstock load, the microstructure of the nanoparticles can be tuned to meet requirements. The internal structure of the nanoparticles prepared by high energy milling was found to predominantly consist of nanocrystalline silicon and their surfaces are characterised by a disordered layer of silicon sub-oxides and an insignificant proportion of fully oxidized silicon. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Raman spectra were used to calculate the average crystallite size and correlating it to the milling process variables. The surface chemistry of the nanoparticles was elucidated using X-ray photo spectroscopy (XPS) and was also related to the milling parameters. The internal structure, agglomeration and aggregation of the particles were tested using high resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM) and complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Conductivity tests were done on the particles to ascertain their suitability for electronic applications. It is demonstrated that the longer the milling time, the smaller the sizes of particles and crystals. The sizes also depended on the mass of feedstock load. 30 g feedstock loads resulted in average nanoparticle size which were 30 - 40 % larger than for 10 g loads. The average size of nanoparticles produced were in the range 50 – 80 nm as measured by SEM. The distribution of the size of particles became less polydisperse with increase in milling time and a reduction in feedstock load. The particles were devoid of significant SiO2 layer and hence were confirmed by conductivity tests to be electrically active. Data from XPS indicate that the silicon nanoparticles have a unique surface chemistry which is consistent with the silicon surfaces being dominantly oxygen terminated. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Commerce and Administration, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2023-00

The role that principals play in the functionality of South African Schools: A case study

  • Authors: Mahlathi, Mcebisi
  • Date: 2023-00
  • Subjects: Educational Leadership and Development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10501 , vital:75185
  • Description: The aim of the study was to explore the roles that principals play in the functionality of the South African schools. The Instructional Leadership Theory was used, and a case study design was followed. Detailed individual and group discussions were done to get rich data from 5 participants from 5 purposively carefully chosen high schools. Through thematic analysis of the interviews, three major findings emerged. One of the key findings was that school principals in this study relied overwhelmingly on the old knowledge they acquired from their junior degrees, and from observations, to lead the schools. As such, there was a leadership gap in their daily execution of roles. This study concludes that school principals are not as capacitated and well developed to perform their everyday roles in South African schools. It was recommended that the Department of Education offer on-going development plans to up-skill the school principals so that they can be professional and administratively ready for their roles. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
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  • Date Issued: 2023-00

A best practice model for international Financial feasibility in property Development

  • Authors: Adendorff, Ryan Gregg
  • Date: 2022-12
  • Subjects: Built environment , Real estate development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59348 , vital:62073
  • Description: Property development is a sector which provides economic benefits to many countries worldwide. Such economic benefits are employment provision and GDP contribution to the economy. Interestingly, financial feasibility is one of the tools that can be used to ensure property development projects’ success. It has been therefore recognised that some of the property development entrepreneurs lack financial feasibility know-how which could position their property development businesses into a competitive edge and sustainability in this continuous fluctuating property market. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the key factors and variable that drive financial feasibility in property development and generate a financial feasibility model which can be used by property development entrepreneurs to analyse the financial feasibility of property development projects. Based on the aim of this study, an extended review of the literature relating to property business, property development, demand planning and risk management within the built environment discipline was conducted in identifying factors affecting the perceived success of financial feasibility for property development projects internationally. The research reviewed literature in the property development industry by identifying the variables for profitability, outside advice, trend analysis and real estate strategies. The research methodology approach that was used for this study, a qualitative explanatory multi-case study where embedded unit of analysis and valuable insight was provided for the success of financial feasibility in property development internationally. Semistructured interviews were conducted with various industry experts as indicated below: • Project Manager at Property Company; • Project Manager at developer; • Development Manager; • Owner of Property Group; • Part time lecturer at NMU Built Environment; • Development consulting company CEO; vi • Trustgro Developments (Pty) Ltd: Managing Director; • Tswaranang Consulting – Managing Director; • Capelo Development Company (Property Development) Director; and • NMBM - Senior Director: Land Planning and Management. The interview questions and primary and secondary propositions were defined together with the validity and reliability of the research. The purpose of the qualitative research was to unravel key factors that determine the perceived success of international financial feasibility of property development projects. Replication logic was used to generalise the results and the findings of this research effort suggested that the following variables emerging from qualitative themes, positively influences the perceived success of the financial feasibility in property development projects: profitability, risk management, outside advice, trend analysis, property cycles and demand planning. The implication arising from this study is that the perceived success of international financial feasibility in property development projects has the following positive influencing factors: profitability, risk management, outside (specialist) advice, trends analysis, property cycles and demand planning which must be considered by property developers and investors to ensure the success of their property development interventions. The curriculum of property development and real estate management practice should equally take into account the afore-mentioned factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-12

A systematic review of published literature examining the impact of father absence on adolescent identity formation

  • Authors: Fata, Hope Aneliswa
  • Date: 2022-12
  • Subjects: Absentee fathers , Adolescent analysis , Adolescent psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27039 , vital:66239
  • Description: One of the major developmental crises an adolescent must overcome before becoming an adult is identity formation. Many studies focused on how the family influences the identity formation of adolescents, but little emphasis has been made specifically on how the absence of a father impacts the adolescent’s development of identity. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to examine the impact of absent fatherhood on the identity formation of adolescents. Several studies, from the year 2010 to date, have explored the impact of father absence on the identity formation of adolescents. The majority of studies conducted have been mostly quantitative and failed to explore the experiences of adolescents raised in absent-father households during this crucial stage of development. This study sought to add to the body of knowledge and bridge that gap by exploring the possible (negative or positive) impact of absent fatherhood in the identity-formation period of adolescents. This was a systematic review study that included a qualitative research design, whereby published literature and studies were identified through searching electronic databases. To synthesize and analyse the data, thematic analysis was used. This study’s exploration discovered that absent fatherhood can be experienced both positively and negatively by adolescents. Positively, it was found that a sense of independency developed in the adolescent and strengthens family relations and unity, with extended family members or external role models becoming more involved in the upbringing of the adolescent. Significantly, on the negative side, adolescents developed anger and resentment towards their absent fathers, questioning their absence and the individual’s sense of who they are and where they belong. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-12

An integrated training and client service guidance framework for professional Accountants of SMES

  • Authors: Beck, Tracy Geraldine
  • Date: 2022-12
  • Subjects: Training , Accountants -- Professional ethics
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59467 , vital:62120
  • Description: Small and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) are vital to the accounting profession and represent most accounting practices globally. It is commonly assumed that SMPs employ the majority of professional accountants within the accounting field whose clients are typically small and medium-sized business entities (SMEs). SMEs account for most of the businesses around the world and play an important role in the development of economies as well as job creation. In a rapidly changing business environment, SMEs require a wider range of services and support from their professional accountants, thus, the needs and expectations of SMEs are constantly changing. Given the important contribution SMEs make to economic development, job creation, growth and innovation to communities globally, the success and survival rates of these businesses are of the utmost importance. Professional accountants of SMEs need to possess the relevant knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience to provide professional business advisory services (non-accounting services) to create more value for the SME client. Research suggests that the SMEs decision to outsource business advisory services from their professional accountants is influenced by the relationship between the professional accountant and SME including the manner in which traditional compliance accounting services are provided (client services). In response, the objective of this study was to propose a graphical and narrative integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework provides guidance in respect of the knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience a modern-day professional accountant should obtain during the various phases of learning and training whilst pursuing a career as a professional accountant. The framework further enhances the understanding of the traditional accounting services, client services and non-accounting services SME clients desire from their professional accountants as well as the role of professional accountants in providing or obtaining such services to ensure that the expectations of the client are met and, more importantly, contribute to the success of the SME. ABSTRACT vi An interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodological approach were deemed most suitable for the current study. The interpretivist research paradigm approach enabled the researcher to understand the phenomena being studied by sharing the participants’ experiences in their own words thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the desires, services, skills and competencies they required or provided. The research population consisted of two population groups, firstly, professional accountants, accountants or bookkeepers who were either owners or were employed at SMPs and, secondly, SME owner-managers or the persons responsible for the accounting function employed at the SME. The research instrument used to guide the key-informant interviews in this research were two semi-structured interview schedules, one for each identified population group, which were divided into sections based on the themes and sub-themes. Based on key findings, the study proposes an integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework includes seven components, namely, formal higher education accounting programmes, workplace training, professional accountant, traditional accounting and client services, trust relationships, non-accounting services as well as networks of experts and other professionals. An important recommendation of the study is that professional accountants must effectively communicate and market their services to current as well as prospective SME clients to ensure that clients are aware of the potential services which can be provided or obtained from a trusted expert. The professional accountant could thus be regarded as a one-stop professional practice. The survival of the accounting profession in a constantly changing business environment is dependent on how the profession adapts to change including technological advancements. Professional accountants need to be able to provide value-added and specialist services to their SME clients as well as enhance the current quality level of client services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-12
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