List of Titles

Assessing rural senior primary school natural science teachers’ TPACK: a case study

Authors: Silvanus, Secilia Tulikefo
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423902 , vital:72103
Description: In today's world, technology has changed how people live and behave. The influence of technology contemplates a similar change in the education processes of teaching and learning. Many governments worldwide invest hugely in providing technological tools and facilities and training teachers to improve teaching and learning. The availability and access to technologies in schools seem to offer teachers opportunities to develop technological knowledge and integrate technology into teaching. Literature indicates that teachers must possess technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) to integrate technology into teaching and learning processes effectively. However, other scholars have also suggested that teachers' TPACK develops and is shaped by many contexts. This study, therefore, sought to assess the rural senior primary Natural science teachers' TPACK. This qualitative case study was conducted with senior primary Natural science teachers in the educational circuit of Endola. An interpretive paradigm underpinned the study. The study employed semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and observation to collect the data. The study used the TPACK as a theoretical and analytical framework. The study results showed that participants had a firmer grasp of subject content (CK) and traditional teaching methods (Pedagogical Knowledge - PK and Pedagogical Content Knowledge - PCK) compared to technological knowledge (TK) and technology-based pedagogies (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge - TPK, Technological Content Knowledge - TCK, and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). Findings support that the participants draw upon sources of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) closely aligned with Content Knowledge (CK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) to integrate technology. The study included inadequate professional development, teachers' attitudes, insufficient hardware and internet connectivity, limited technological knowledge, time constraints, and restricted access to technology tools and resources as obstacles for teachers attempting to incorporate technology into their classrooms effectively. Furthermore, the data highlights ICT training and teachers' interest as enablers that motivated participants to integrate technology into their teaching practices. Therefore, the study recommends professional development programs focusing on providing science teachers with practical skills to utilise different technologies and address common technical issues. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

Exploring senior phase teachers’ use of kahoot! Gamification as a formative assessment tool to scaffold mathematical understanding

- Balele, Silence

Authors: Balele, Silence
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423891 , vital:72102
Description: In South Africa, digital technology, particularly gamification, continues to become an important teaching and learning tool. Its importance lies in scaffolding mathematical understanding, improving the quality of assessment, and developing twenty-first-century technological skills for effective mathematics assessment. To explore this importance, senior phase mathematics teachers are encouraged to adopt gamification technology such as Kahoot! in assessment. The study adopted a case study research design with a interpretivist research paradigm, as this method allows detailed exploration and understanding of a specific context through a close connection with the participants. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group interviews, non-participant observations, and reflective journals. The research involved ten purposively selected senior-phase mathematics teachers from two schools in the Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study drew upon Vygoysky's Sociocultural Theory for its theoretical framework, while the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge was used for analysis. The data analysis pursued an inductive approach. Adopting a thematic analysis included coding participant responses, organizing codes into concepts and categories, and developing a theoretical framework from the resultant categories. A four-phase process was involved: coding, conceptualizing, categorizing, and theorizing, was employed. This process and using NVivo software for data organization and management helped identify patterns, themes, and significant concerns surrounding the study's core subject. The findings from the study were as follows: Firstly, it was revealed that most teachers have a positive perception and attitude towards using Kahoot! for formative assessment, believing that it enhances teaching and learning quality. However, they showed scepticism due to insufficient Information and Communication Technologies knowledge and training. Second, teachers' pedagogical and technological experiences were predominantly enjoyable. Kahoot! was accepted as beneficial for promoting collaboration, interaction, and immediate feedback. Third, the study identified enabling and constraining factors in using Kahoot! for formative assessment. The enabling factors include Kahoot!, which was convenient and accessible, promoted immediate feedback and fostered collaboration and interaction. The constraining factors include Information and Communication Technologies and network interference, which posed limitations. The research concluded that Kahoot! as a platform for formative assessment indeed scaffold mathematical understanding. The study recommends increasing teachers' access to educational technology, incorporating continuous professional development programs, providing subject-specific training, and encouraging teachers to adapt to emerging technologies. The study also provided recommendations for future research to explore learner perceptions, employ a mixed methods approach to help quantify learner performance and investigate the pedagogical and technological experiences of senior phase mathematics teachers regarding formative assessment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK): investigating senior primary mathematics teachers’ integration of technology in the classroom in Okahao educational circuit

- Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela

Authors: Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423913 , vital:72104
Description: The overwhelming advancement of ICT devices in the contemporary Namibian education system has led to their praise for supporting differentiated instruction, fostering collaboration, and engaging multiple intelligences in teaching and learning. Consequently, the compulsory incorporation of ICTs into the teaching and learning process becomes imperative across various fields of study, including Mathematics. However, the integration of technology-based teaching proves to be a complex and challenging issue, often considered a wicked problem. To explore this matter, a qualitative case study was conducted to investigate how Senior Primary Mathematics Teachers integrated technology to develop their TPACK. The study was conducted among the twenty-seven senior primary mathematics teachers in the Okahao educational circuit in the Omuasti region. The study utilized Vygotsky‘s (1978); Socio-cultural Theory, together with Mishra and Koehler (2006), and; the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework was used as a lens to analyse the data. The data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and lesson observations. The study findings indicate that senior primary mathematics teachers utilize the available resources at their respective schools during their classroom instruction. The study further reveals that mathematics teachers exhibit a positive attitude toward the integration of technology. The study uncovers the intricate interplay between technological knowledge, pedagogical expertise, and content knowledge within the context of mathematics education. The findings reveal that while participants demonstrate a high level of proficiency in certain TPACK components such as CK, TK, PK, TPK, and PCK, they expressed a moderate level of expertise in TCK and TPCK. The study also identified challenges in TPACK development, particularly the need for subject specific technology training, lack of technological infrastructure, particularly advanced technology, as well as a deficiency in ICT knowledge. The importance of access to various technologies was emphasized, enabling teachers to seamlessly integrate technology into their practices and address diverse learning styles. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Medication adherence: a review of policy and education in South Africa

- Nyoni, Cynthia Nomagugu

Authors: Nyoni, Cynthia Nomagugu
Date: 2023-10-31
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419548 , vital:71653
Description: Medication adherence is a patient's active and voluntary participation in following all the recommendations and instructions agreed upon with a health care provider such as a pharmacist. Adherence is a multidimensional phenomenon determined by the interplay of five factors: patient-related factors, socioeconomic factors, condition-related factors, health system-related factors, and therapy-related factors. Medication non-adherence is a problem in many countries, especially low to middle-income countries, including South Africa (SA). In low to middle-income countries, non-adherence is often worse due to insufficient health resources and inequities in access to health care. Medication adherence is a global problem and has raised the need for research and review. Many healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, have an essential role in promoting medication adherence. This study described, explained and evaluated the policies in SA relating to the pharmacist's role in promoting medication adherence. Furthermore, it described medication adherence-related education at four universities in South Africa. The study was qualitative, and a two-phased approach was employed. In the first phase, a document analysis of the pharmacist’s role in supporting medication adherence was conducted as described in national policies and guidelines in SA. A total of 38 documents were analysed, including critical documents such as the South African Pharmacy Council Good Pharmacy Practice Manual and Associated SAPC rules (GPP) manual, National Drug Policy (NDP), Standard treatment guidelines (STGS) and Integrated Adherence Guidelines. The READ approach was used in conducting the document analysis and involved (1) preparing materials, (2) extracting data, (3) analysing data, and (4) distilling findings. The critical roles of pharmacists in medication adherence that were identified were in drug use, supply and management, dispensing, therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacovigilance, pharmaceutical care, and special programmes like antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) care and antiretroviral treatment (ARV) and chronic conditions. In the second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with lecturers to investigate and report on the inclusion of medication adherence and the teaching thereof in the curriculum of the Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree (BPharm) in pharmacy institutions in SA. Purposive sampling was used, and seven lecturers from four different institutions participated in the interviews. The interviews were conducted via Zoom® and were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The teaching of medication adherence in the BPharm curriculum of the respective interviewed pharmacy institutions was explored. It was found that the topic of medication adherence was integrated into all subjects throughout the curriculum and not taught as a formal course. Although medication adherence is taught in many disciplines, it is predominantly in pharmacy practice in all institutions. The teaching methods identified included lectures, case studies, workshops, tutorials, practicals, readings, tasks, assignments and videos. The perceived effectiveness of the teaching methods was explored; also the time spent teaching medication adherence and the time efficiency. Student understanding, interest and engagement with the topic were explored and determined through their assessment performance and class attendance. In conclusion, from policies, the pharmacist's role concerning adherence is indirectly integrated into many other roles. It is often not distinguishable from that of other healthcare professionals and is often implied as part of a more generic role. Pharmacy students are educated on medication adherence and the skills and knowledge required to identify, monitor and support patient adherence to therapy. However, there is scope to increase the course content on medication adherence. There is a need to identify effective strategies for preparing pharmacists to assist patients in medication adherence. , Thesis (MPharm) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-31

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A distributed approach to leadership in an academic department in a South African university: an exploratory case study

- Haufiku, Kenneth David

Authors: Haufiku, Kenneth David
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419748 , vital:71672
Description: The Head of Department (HOD) position at a university has traditionally been viewed as an individual construct. However, due to the demanding nature of such a position, it is not sought-after, as it remains exclusive and unappealing to many academics. Moreover, it is a position that does not encourage inclusive leadership. Tension and role ambiguity are known to arise between the scholarly project on the one hand and management and administrative matters on the other. To address challenges associated with this singular leadership position, an academic department at a South African university adopted a distributed leadership approach in their department as a research experiment. My study was based on this research experiment. I designed this research as an exploratory case study, guided by a socio-cultural conceptualisation of distributed leadership that included a leader-plus and a practice aspect, defined as a product of the interactions of school leaders, followers and their situation. This qualitative case study aimed to describe and explain how a distributed leadership approach was understood and practised in an academic department. It also investigated the enablements and constraints of the approach. Data were generated through document analysis, observation, and individual and focus group interviews. The participants in this study included the departmental leadership team and the department’s academic and administrative staff. Unfortunately, my study took place during the global COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns. I had no choice but to adapt my data generation methods due to lockdown restrictions. As a result, most data generation was done via online communication. The study used inductive and abductive analysis to make the data meaningful to the reader. The findings revealed that different participants had different ideas about distributed leadership. Distributed leadership was understood as a socio-cultural practice rather than an individual practice with multiple leaders in relational practice. In addition, this approach was understood as a way of developing and sharing expertise by encouraging teamwork, collegiality and collective decision-making which aligns with the notion of democratic decision-making which creates a platform for the enablement of leadership in others. The study further explored how distributed leadership was practised. The findings were that the HOD position, usually a one-person role, was reconceptualised as a HOD team comprised of three academics and the departmental administrator. The HOD team divided the work among themselves, and this was done according to each individual’s expertise. In addition, leadership within the academic department was not limited to the HOD team but stretched across the department; thus, multiple leaders were evident. Therefore, based on the data, this study discovered that a distributed approach values leadership expertise in others. Consequently, it can be used to promote an inclusive environment in which any organisation member can lead. Inclusivity in the decision-making process was also regarded as a strong practice in the academic department. As a result, this study contends that those in formal positions can develop leadership in others through a distributed leadership approach. Through that, lecturer leadership was enacted through formal faculty and university structures and informally as and when the situation required it. The enablements of this departmental leadership approach included the structural innovation of the Friday check-in as well as the buddy system. These two innovations provided the space for collegiality and the development of voice and leadership. The consultative nature of the HOD team was also viewed as an enablement. Certain factors constrained the distributed leadership approach, one of which was the tension between the hierarchical structure of the university and the more horizontal, distributed leadership approach being piloted in the academic department. In addition to that, another constraint was also very real with the transition to Zoom as an online teaching, learning and supervision platform as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final constraint was experienced concerning the department’s history, as it was within a historically White university in South Africa. The effects of this history impacted the departmental culture and, as we know from the literature, institutional culture is extremely difficult to change. Finally, the study concluded that conceptualising distributed leadership as a sociocultural practice with leader-plus and practice aspects provides descriptive language and a solid theoretical and analytical framework for a distributed leadership study. The study makes an important knowledge contribution in the African Higher Education context as limited research has been carried out in this area. Furthermore, in terms of practice, my study serves as a stimulus for leadership discussions that are beneficial to everyone involved in educational institutions as they promote a level of leadership reflexivity, currently absent in many institutions. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Benchmarking tax practitioner regulation in Zimbabwe and South Africa against German best practice

- Munkuli, Charles

Authors: Munkuli, Charles
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419621 , vital:71660
Description: The regulation of professionals who offer any type of service to the public is a critical intervention towards protecting the public from unscrupulous behaviour. The regulation of tax practitioners is no exception as it is a critical element in protecting the taxpaying public and the fiscus against improper conduct by tax practitioners, as well as preventing revenue leakages due to inaccurate or incorrect declarations made by taxpayers. A major contributor of regulation would be strengthening or improving compliance. This study analyses the frameworks that regulate tax practitioners in Zimbabwe and South Africa and evaluates them against best practice as is found in Germany. Germany has been regulating tax practitioners for 50 years and can rightly be recognised as best practice. This is achieved by reviewing and evaluating institutional and legislative mechanisms in the regulatory frameworks adopted in the three countries in order to identify possible areas of improvement in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The research is situated in the interpretative paradigm and the research methodology is qualitative in nature, involving the critical review of documentary data. The study concludes that both South Africa and Zimbabwe have room to improve in certain areas and makes recommendations aimed at strengthening their respective regulatory frameworks. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe could promulgate a law that deals exclusively with the regulation of tax practitioners, and institute an independent body that deals exclusively with tax practitioner related issues. In Zimbabwe, the Public Accountants and Auditors’ Board should be replaced with a body dedicated to serving tax practitioners. Informing the taxpaying public is important and, particularly in Zimbabwe, measures should be adopted to inform taxpayers about their rights and obligations, the role of tax practitioners, and the interface with the tax administration. The Zimbabwean regulatory model should also recognise other non-accounting and auditing-oriented professions, such as the law profession, as tax practitioners. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Developing a socio-economic framework for assessing the effectiveness of Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP): The case of the Prosopis mesquite Working for Water clearing project in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

- Ntsonge, Sinazo

Authors: Ntsonge, Sinazo
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419219 , vital:71626 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419219
Description: The EPWP functions as a bridge between unemployment and entry into the labour market by providing work readiness skills training to its beneficiaries who receive below-market rate stipends for the short- term duration of their participation. The EPWP combines service delivery issues with social development objectives by promoting intensive manual labour in its projects. As a social protection strategy, public works programmes cater to those who do not meet the criteria to receive government social grants. As one of the programmes under the EPWP dealing with the control and eradication of invasive alien plants, the Working for Water (WfW) programme also uses intensive manual labour methods for clearing alien plant species. Although the clearing successes of WfW are well documented, the programme has focused little attention to the longer-term livelihood impacts of the temporary work and skills training provided to beneficiaries. This study suggests this could be due to a lack of the appropriate indicators to measure these outcomes. Therefore, an evaluation framework for environmental public works projects is proposed, which consists of outcome indicators to track the livelihood impact of the work experience and skills training on the beneficiaries post-participation, since the aim of these EPWP interventions is to improve beneficiaries’ labour market outcomes. The Northern Cape province’s Prosopis mesquite clearing project was used as the case study to develop and test the evaluation framework. The outcome indicators were informed by the key stakeholders’ interviews and the beneficiaries’ survey, specifically since the beneficiaries were well placed to give feedback on the benefits of the work experience and training post-participation. The combined strengths of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and the Capability Approach were useful for formulating the outcomes indicators, while the indicators for the inputs, activities and outputs were formulated from the key stakeholder interviews and online EPWP reports. A mixed methods approach was used and primary data were collected through key stakeholder interviews with the Prosopis mesquite clearing project managers and an online survey with some of the beneficiaries. Online EPWP reports and records obtained from WfW were used as secondary data. Data analysis used RStudio, Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism. The data analysis and evaluation framework indicators constituted the results section and aimed to highlight the factors that managers should focus on to achieve the desired livelihood outcomes. The proposed outcome indicators can be used to gauge the effectiveness of environmental public works’ social development interventions. The results revealed that the project budget fluctuations resulted in the Working for Water managers adopting a myopic view in administering the workdays and skills training, which diminished the livelihood impact of the Prosopis mesquite clearing project to merely a ‘make work’ project with no observable longer-term livelihood benefits. The selection input indicators and their utilisation during project activities needs to be better aligned with the desired longer-term livelihood outcomes that these environmental public works projects seek to achieve, mainly that of preparing beneficiaries for jobs in the labour market. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Examining the expenditures and retention of money of recreational fishing along the Wild Coast, South Africa

- Pyle, Michael Jonathan

Authors: Pyle, Michael Jonathan
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419673 , vital:71665
Description: Developing countries and rural communities rely heavily on the ocean for food, transport, and the sustainability of their livelihoods. While the economics of small-scale fisheries in rural areas have received much attention, there is generally less information on the economic contributions from recreational fisheries in these areas. South Africa’s marine recreational fishery is large and contributes to a significant amount of economic activity. However, the retention of money from recreational fishing activities in local rural economies is unknown and thus the potential developmental benefits from this sector remain unquantified. This study examined the economic contributions from recreational fishing along the Wild Coast and retention of expenditures within the local economy. A total of 109 face-to-face economic surveys were administered during the peak recreational fishing season in December 2021. Based on the results, recreational fishing in the Wild Coast has the ability to generate R 415 446 098 in economic activity annually, however only 9.5% of this is retained within local coastal economies, which diminishes the economic contributions of the fishery to the Wild Coast region. Expenditures on items stemming from the informal collection and selling of bait and seafood, domestic work and guiding were the highest locally retained expenditures within the region. 98% of all bait and seafood was harvested and sold by local gillies, with 2% being bought through hotels (n=109). The total direct economic contribution in terms of informal harvesting was estimated at R 16 077 711 for 2021 (n= 9 601). The identification of these contributions can be used to provide recommendations for local economic development strategies which can support the recreational fishery while uplifting coastal communities that should be benefitting more from the activity. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Investigating teachers’ perceptions on translanguaging pedagogy in a multilingual intermediate ESL classroom: a comparative study of two primary schools in Namibia

- Rheeder, Veneza Memory

Authors: Rheeder, Veneza Memory
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419760 , vital:71673
Description: International literature has tested the effectiveness of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in a bilingual classroom; however, with the recent curriculum reform and education sector policy, there is no direct claim in the National policy frameworks on the prominence of translanguaging as an effective tool in classroom pedagogy in Namibian schools. This research attempted to investigate the role of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in the multilingual intermediate English Second Language (ESL) phase as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for the intermediate phase, Grades 4-7, in the Erongo Region, Namibia. The study is within the interpretive paradigm and adopts a qualitative methodology using a qualitative multi-case study approach of exploring and understanding differences and similarities between cases. Data collection consisted mainly of open-ended interviews and observations (purposive sampling) of the participating teachers. The research sites and study participants were purposely selected as both schools, diversely located in urban and rural contexts of the region, are enacting the National Language Policy as proposed. This entails using Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) from Grades 0-3 and then transitioning to English-monolingual instruction from Grades 4 onwards. The study was designed to investigate the role of translanguaging pedagogy in enhancing learning in the Second Language (L2) classroom, without prejudice of social classes - the elite and marginalized communities. It investigated the extent to which teachers’ use of translanguaging pedagogy enhances ESL learning as the LoLT to intermediate phase learners transitioning from MTI to English-only instruction. The main theories underpinning this study are the Vygotskian and Translanguaging theories supported by Krashen and Cummins’ Cognitive Underlying Proficiency (CUP) Model. The outcomes of the study reveal that in both schools translanguaging was supported by content subject teachers and English LoLT teachers and that it positively contributed to improving learner understanding of important concepts in several subjects. However, Mother Tongue (MT) teachers did not support the use of translanguaging and believed that it slowed down the learning of English. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Liquidity shocks and capital market efficiency in South Africa

- Matapuri, Dexter Tinotenda Kushinga

Authors: Matapuri, Dexter Tinotenda Kushinga
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419610 , vital:71659
Description: Financial markets are dynamic in nature. As such, one way to keep up with their plethora of variables is to conduct research and seek understanding on how they all work together. Understanding financial market mechanics is the key to achieving and maintaining efficient capital markets. The goal of many economies is to have efficient capital markets mainly because they entail economic growth. One of the common avenues here being foreign direct investments. Therefore, over the years, a lot of financial economics research has been conducted on how best to attain financial market development which ultimately yields capital market efficiency. The opposite is also true. This research therefore set out to study the impact of liquidity shocks on capital market efficiency, more specifically stock market efficiency. As such, the overarching research goal was to determine the link between liquidity shocks and stock market efficiency in South Africa. Furthermore, the research also tested whether there is a homogenous impact exerted by liquidity shocks on the JSE Financial 15, JSE Industrial 25 and JSE Resource 20 indices. The arguments and thus conclusions of the research were constructed based on existing theories such as the Efficient Market hypothesis, Behavioural Finance and the Adaptive Market Hypothesis. Literature and existing empirical evidence related to the topic were also analysed and used for the same purpose. Econometric methods used to achieve these research goals include the time series and panel ARDL, impulse response and variance decomposition tests and the Granger Causality tests. The research found that liquidity shocks do impact stock market efficiency in South Africa in both the short run and long run. The direction of the impact was noted to vary with time and dependent on the liquidity shock proxy. Key findings here were that liquidity shocks lower JSE All-Share index efficiency in the short run thus allowing market participants to beat the market in the initial phases of a liquidity shock. Adding on, it was also found that illiquidity shocks lower efficiency for the JSE Financial 15 and Industrial 25 indices in the short run. In the long run, stock market efficiency is enhanced no matter the source of the shock. As such, the research recommended that regulatory policies should focus on liquidity shocks in the short run for the JSE All-Share index and on illiquidity shocks in the short run for the Financial 15 and Industrial 25 indices. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Quinolone-Pyrazinamide derivatives: synthesis, characterisation, in silico ADME analysis and in vitro biological evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

- Rukweza, Kudakwashe Gerald

Authors: Rukweza, Kudakwashe Gerald
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419588 , vital:71657
Description: Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide caused by an infectious species, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Some of the factors that contribute to the prevalence of this disease include the complexity of diagnosis, prolonged period of therapy, side effects associated with current TB drugs, the prevalence of resistance against the current treatment options and a high incidence of co-infection with HIV/AIDS. Thus, there is a need for new alternative drugs to provide safer and shorter treatment therapy options that are not susceptible to the development of drug resistance. In this project, we focus our attention on the quinolone pharmacophore. Quinolones are currently used as alternative options in the treatment of resistant strains of Mtb. Previous work pertaining to quinolone-isoniazid hybrid compounds showed promising in vitro activity against the H37Rv strain of Mtb and served as the inspiration to pursue this project. The journey commenced with the synthesis of quinolone-pyrazinamide hybrid compounds (Figure 3.1). These compounds were synthesised, through the attachment of the quinolone and the pyrazinamide entity through a hydrazine linker. The synthesised compounds were purified, and their structural identity confirmed using common spectroscopic techniques including 1H and 13C NMR, infra-red (IR) and mass spectrometry. In vitro biological assays were performed by testing for the activity against the H37RvMA strain of Mtb. The bioassays were performed in triplicates to ensure the accuracy of the results. Moxifloxacin and isoniazid were tested as control compounds. Finally, the resultant compounds were profiled in silico for physicochemical and ADMET properties using open access software SwissADME. All the synthesised compounds 3.8a-f showed no activity against H37RvMA. In most cases, the resulting compounds showed minimal to no activity (MICs ≥ 57.3 μM) in all three media. During the in vitro studies, the compounds showed significant precipitation in the media over time suggesting poor aqueous solubility. The SwissADME analysis of these compounds indicated poor solubility in aqueous media, which is likely linked to their molecular size and complexity. Despite poor aqueous solubility, compounds 3.8a-f showed acceptable physicochemical properties and ADME parameters. No PAINs (Pan-assay interference compounds) were observed. Minimal to no interaction with CYP enzymes were predicted. Most of the compounds were compatible with the Lipinski’s rules of five. , Thesis (MSC Pharm) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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The adoption of international financial reporting standards and foreign direct investment inflows: the moderating effect of the institutional environment in Africa

- Simbi, Chipo

Authors: Simbi, Chipo
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419230 , vital:71627 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419230
Description: Globalisation has created a need for an international accounting language to facilitate the smooth flow of trade across countries. In 2003, in an effort to establish a global financial reporting language, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) developed a single set of high-quality accounting principles known as the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Over the last decade, several African countries have adopted IFRS, and Africa has become the second-largest adopting continent after Europe. IFRS promotes improved quality of disclosure of accounting transactions, reduces information asymmetry between preparers and users of financial information, lowers the cost of investing, and breaks down information barriers to cross-border investment. Researchers suggest many benefits of IFRS adoption for macroeconomic indicators such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The reduction in information acquisition and processing costs which translates into the reduction in investment costs, has been cited by most researchers. Researchers have argued, however, that the economic benefits of IFRS in Africa depend on the strength of the institutional environment. They also argue that the Western environment in which the IFRS was developed differs from the African environment. Thus, the universal approach of the IASB may not be appropriate due to the historical, social, economic and political context of African countries. The impact of the adoption of IFRS by African countries requires further examination, particularly as a weak institutional environment confronts many African countries. Three research questions are designed for this study; (1) Is there a significant change in FDI inflows for IFRS adopters in selected African countries after the adoption? (2) Is there a significant change in FDI inflows due to the institutional environment? (3) Does the institutional environment in IFRS-adopting countries moderate the effect of IFRS on FDI in selected African countries? The present study is underpinned by the new institutional theory, the information asymmetry theory, the eclectic theory and the signalling theory, each of which provide reasons why African countries have adopted IFRS. Nine hypotheses are developed, based on the research questions, and tested using the Systems General Method of Moments and the Difference-in-Difference method. The study uses data from 26 African countries, 15 adopting and 11 non-adopting countries, over the period 1996 - 2018. First, the study establishes that the adoption of IFRS positively and significantly affects FDI inflows into the selected sample of African countries. Second, the study concludes that legal enforcement, accounting and auditing standards enforcement, and language origin positively and significantly impact FDI inflows into these countries. Legal origin, however, has a positive but insignificant association with FDI inflows. Third, legal enforcement, historical ties, accounting and auditing enforcement and the quality of the institutional environment are found to moderate the effect of IFRS adoption on FDI inflows. These results indicate that IFRS is a crucial determinant of FDI inflows into African countries, but a supportive institutional environment is needed for African countries to attract FDI inflows after adoption. The results contribute to the accounting and finance literature on FDI into African countries, and may assist the investment community to assess the institutional risk associated with investing in IFRS adopting African countries. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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The complexities of transfer pricing methods and the role of advance pricing agreements and tax audits in addressing disputes

- Ndou, Wavhudi

Authors: Ndou, Wavhudi
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419631 , vital:71661
Description: Base erosion and profit shifting is defined as the use of tax planning strategies by multinational enterprises, often through exploiting gaps and mismatches between the countries in which they operate (OECD, 2021: p. 1). Multinational enterprises exploit these gaps through the use of transfer pricing. Goods and services are exchanged between connected persons or associated enterprises at prices that do not reflect their arm’s length price, in order to shift profits from high tax to low tax jurisdictions. In terms of section 31 of the Income Tax Act, transactions between connected persons or associated enterprises must be reflected at their arm’s length price. Transfer pricing has become an issue due to the difficulties in determining an appropriate arm’s length price. Disputes arise between a taxpayer and a tax administration on the methods to use to determine an appropriate transfer price. The use of Advance Pricing Agreements prevents these disputes from arising and provides tax certainty on the treatment of transactions for both the taxpayer and the tax administration. While the OECD recommends the use of Advance Pricing Agreements as a method to prevent disputes from arising, the OECD also argued that if a country has the resources to conduct an audit, an Advance Pricing Agreement will not lead to increased revenue collection. The research therefore analyses the problems faced in determining an appropriate arm's length price and compares the role that Advance Pricing Agreements and audits play in addressing transfer pricing issues. The possible role of Advance Tax Rulings is also explored, but they are found not to be suitable, except for the most simple transactions. The research applies a legal interpretative, doctrinal research methodology and a qualitative research method. The data comprised of relevant South African tax legislation, OECD Guidelines, the World Bank Handbook, and the UN Manual, together with the writings of acknowledged experts in the field. The study establishes that a proper functioning audit system is crucial to increasing revenue collection once a country implements an Advance Pricing Agreement. The research therefore recommends the adoption of Advance Pricing Agreements in South Africa as a dispute prevention measure. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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The effects of inclusive education policies and administrative circulars on small schools in Namibia

- Hamutumua, Teopolina Ndilina-Laudika

Authors: Hamutumua, Teopolina Ndilina-Laudika
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419737 , vital:71671
Description: The achievement of the right to education for all children in Namibia is fundamentally dependent upon the quality of education provided to these learners irrespective of their social circumstances. Being a sparsely populated region, nearly half of the primary schools in the Kavango West region have fewer than 100 learners; thus, these small schools are regarded as not economically viable. The educational development in rural regions is shaped by limited access to quality, inclusive education and the persistence of low-quality primary education which has resulted in high repetition rates and dropouts. This research is a Critical Discourse Analysis of the education policies and regulations. As a case study, it unpacks Formal Education Circulars on staffing norms and on the closure of small schools, looking at their affordances/constraints on the provision of inclusive quality education for children schooling at small schools in Namibia. Interviews and document analysis were used to gather data. Critical Theory frames the process of ideological critique which, among other things, identifies inequalities and factors that limit human freedom and how such factors can be alleviated. The research asks the question: what are the explicit and implicit underlying realities experienced at one-man schools, which depict the varied situations in which these schools survive? Factors emerging from the study showed that small schools in Namibia are symbols of inequity and the exclusion of educationally marginalised children and their poor communities. Small schools are hardly able to sustain and draw in the resources required to meet the education needs of marginalised communities which fall under the multidimensional poverty index in Namibia. The study found that at the moment there are no deliberate efforts from the Ministry of Education to bring about the necessary changes to small schools, and therefore one-man schools have continued to operate as isolated sections of an inflexible system. It is my contention that deliberate efforts are still needed to improve small schools. Policy decisions that respond to the current challenges faced by one-man schools may be sufficient to bring about noteworthy changes in the operations of one-man schools and these changes could effectively impact the learners learning. The decision to drive change requires a multilayered approach that articulates a clear vision, which is systematically implemented to improve one-man schools in Namibia. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Primary and Early Chilhood Education, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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The political economy of industrial policy in post-apartheid South Africa: a comparative case study analysis of Brazil and South Korea

- Modisaotsile, Botlhale Phurulla

Authors: Modisaotsile, Botlhale Phurulla
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419703 , vital:71668
Description: South Africa is a country that has experienced premature deindustrialisation due to its inability to move out of middle-income status. The role of industrial policy in South Africa is pivotal to taking the country to greater economic heights and a higher-income status. South Africa’s historical context indicates that the country experienced its highest GDP growth rates during the apartheid economy. Since the demise of apartheid, the post-apartheid economy has experienced poverty and economic inequality that the South African government cannot eradicate. This thesis addresses the failure of South Africa to overcome premature deindustrialisation, and it discusses the state of the political economy and economic growth in a pre-apartheid and post-apartheid context. The thesis also addressed the significance of industrial policy through the establishment of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). The shortcomings and successes of IPAP form a critical part of the research and present an analysis of different economic sectors. This thesis also assesses the state of industrial policy using two countries as case studies: Brazil and South Korea. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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