Contributions of the pars lateralis, pars basilaris and femur to age estimations of the immature skeleton within a South African forensic setting:
- Thornton, Roxanne, Edkins, Adrienne L, Hutchinson, E F
- Authors: Thornton, Roxanne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Hutchinson, E F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165451 , vital:41245 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1007/s00414-019-02143-9
- Description: Dental development and eruption sequences have prevailed as the gold standard in age estimations of previously unidentified immature individuals within a legal context. However, in the absence of the dentition, skeletal assessments have served as a frequently applied alternative. While various cranial and postcranial skeletal elements have been used in estimating age of the immature skeleton, little is known about the anthropometric value of the pars basilaris, pars lateralis and femur as skeletal age estimation tools. Thus, this study aimed to assess if these bones of the immature human skeleton were useful elements in estimating the age of prenatal and postnatal individuals. These bones were excised from the remains of 74 unclaimed human immature individuals and evaluated using traditional anthropometric methods. The study sample was sourced from the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (JFPS) and the Johannesburg Forensic Paediatric Collection (JFPC), University of the Witwatersrand and subdivided into an early prenatal (younger than 30 gestational weeks); late prenatal (30 to 40 gestational weeks) and postnatal (birth to 7.5 months) age ranges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Thornton, Roxanne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Hutchinson, E F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165451 , vital:41245 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1007/s00414-019-02143-9
- Description: Dental development and eruption sequences have prevailed as the gold standard in age estimations of previously unidentified immature individuals within a legal context. However, in the absence of the dentition, skeletal assessments have served as a frequently applied alternative. While various cranial and postcranial skeletal elements have been used in estimating age of the immature skeleton, little is known about the anthropometric value of the pars basilaris, pars lateralis and femur as skeletal age estimation tools. Thus, this study aimed to assess if these bones of the immature human skeleton were useful elements in estimating the age of prenatal and postnatal individuals. These bones were excised from the remains of 74 unclaimed human immature individuals and evaluated using traditional anthropometric methods. The study sample was sourced from the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (JFPS) and the Johannesburg Forensic Paediatric Collection (JFPC), University of the Witwatersrand and subdivided into an early prenatal (younger than 30 gestational weeks); late prenatal (30 to 40 gestational weeks) and postnatal (birth to 7.5 months) age ranges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Contributions to the systematics and ecology of Tulista Raf(Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae)
- Authors: Molteno, Steven Martin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Plant ecology -- South Africa , Plant ecology -- Comparative method Biodiversity , Species diversity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49182 , vital:41608
- Description: The subject of this study is the taxonomy, morphology, distribution and ecology of Tulista Raf. (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), a genus of succulent plants that are endemic to South Africa. A lack of clarity on the taxonomy of this genus, coupled with an incomplete understanding of the distribution, ecology and habitat preferences of the constituent species, risks hampering the conservation of Tulista species, two of which are endangered species. The purpose of this study is therefore to address the need for a more detailed and consistent treatment of Tulista taxonomy and morphology, complemented by a study of the plants’ distribution and ecology. The work first provides a review of the relevant taxonomy and nomenclature, concluding with the presentation of the validly published names referring to Tulista. A detailed morphometric study resulted in strong support for one species, Tulista marginata (Lam.) G.D.Rowley, as well as for a grouping comprising Tulista pumila (L.) G.D.Rowley and Tulista minor (Aiton) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno, with further moderate support for the distinction between the latter two species. The fourth out of the currently recognised species, Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno, was only weakly characterised by the morphometric results, which suggested that its closest morphological affinity may be with hybrid plants that are sometimes found near T. marginata populations. The characterisation of some more controversial taxa was not supported in the results. Some changes to the circumscription of currently recognised Tulista species are also suggested by the results. In addition, field work conducted during the course of the study resulted in an expanded set of distribution data for the genus, together with certain habitat variables identified as potentially significant for the distribution and ecology of Tulista species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Molteno, Steven Martin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Plant ecology -- South Africa , Plant ecology -- Comparative method Biodiversity , Species diversity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49182 , vital:41608
- Description: The subject of this study is the taxonomy, morphology, distribution and ecology of Tulista Raf. (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), a genus of succulent plants that are endemic to South Africa. A lack of clarity on the taxonomy of this genus, coupled with an incomplete understanding of the distribution, ecology and habitat preferences of the constituent species, risks hampering the conservation of Tulista species, two of which are endangered species. The purpose of this study is therefore to address the need for a more detailed and consistent treatment of Tulista taxonomy and morphology, complemented by a study of the plants’ distribution and ecology. The work first provides a review of the relevant taxonomy and nomenclature, concluding with the presentation of the validly published names referring to Tulista. A detailed morphometric study resulted in strong support for one species, Tulista marginata (Lam.) G.D.Rowley, as well as for a grouping comprising Tulista pumila (L.) G.D.Rowley and Tulista minor (Aiton) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno, with further moderate support for the distinction between the latter two species. The fourth out of the currently recognised species, Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno, was only weakly characterised by the morphometric results, which suggested that its closest morphological affinity may be with hybrid plants that are sometimes found near T. marginata populations. The characterisation of some more controversial taxa was not supported in the results. Some changes to the circumscription of currently recognised Tulista species are also suggested by the results. In addition, field work conducted during the course of the study resulted in an expanded set of distribution data for the genus, together with certain habitat variables identified as potentially significant for the distribution and ecology of Tulista species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Convergence effects of African GDP with the rest of the world: Analysis the African continental free trade agreement
- Matonana, Phumelela Ntombiyesibini
- Authors: Matonana, Phumelela Ntombiyesibini
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Gross domestic product -- Africa -- Statistics , Economic development -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50306 , vital:42102
- Description: This study is an investigation of the convergence hypothesis in African countries motivated by the increasing interest to measure disparities in the establishment of an economic union. The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of convergence in Africa by looking at the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) against 6 of its top trading partner groups. This study seeks to establish whether Africa and African countries who belong to the AfCFTA catchup to the growth rates of their more developed trading partners. The data sample spans from 1971- 2018. The method of analysis employed in this study is a unit root testing procedure using the linear ADF and nonlinear KSS unit root tests, the HEGY and Canova and Hansen seasonal unit root tests, the Lee and Strazicich structural break test, and the Flexible Fourier Function (FFF) and Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) unit root tests to account for smooth structural breaks. This study is, as we have reviewed, the first to investigate convergence in the newly established economic union and the first employ the above-mentioned series of unit root tests. The empirical outcomes in this study point towards weak evidence of convergence between Africa and international trade groups when considering the more robust Fourier-based unit root tests. Therefore, we conclude that Africa does not necessarily exhibit catch up effects with a majority of its trading partners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Matonana, Phumelela Ntombiyesibini
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Gross domestic product -- Africa -- Statistics , Economic development -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50306 , vital:42102
- Description: This study is an investigation of the convergence hypothesis in African countries motivated by the increasing interest to measure disparities in the establishment of an economic union. The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of convergence in Africa by looking at the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) against 6 of its top trading partner groups. This study seeks to establish whether Africa and African countries who belong to the AfCFTA catchup to the growth rates of their more developed trading partners. The data sample spans from 1971- 2018. The method of analysis employed in this study is a unit root testing procedure using the linear ADF and nonlinear KSS unit root tests, the HEGY and Canova and Hansen seasonal unit root tests, the Lee and Strazicich structural break test, and the Flexible Fourier Function (FFF) and Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) unit root tests to account for smooth structural breaks. This study is, as we have reviewed, the first to investigate convergence in the newly established economic union and the first employ the above-mentioned series of unit root tests. The empirical outcomes in this study point towards weak evidence of convergence between Africa and international trade groups when considering the more robust Fourier-based unit root tests. Therefore, we conclude that Africa does not necessarily exhibit catch up effects with a majority of its trading partners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Coping and support needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the Nelson Mandela Bay health district
- Authors: Kave, Yekiswa Victoria
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Perinatal death
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46365 , vital:39573
- Description: Midwives are part of the multidisciplinary team in maternal units and have the bulk of the obstetrical and midwifery responsibilities. The responsibilities being referred to include provision of perinatal care and support to grieving women who have lost their babies at birth and to their families. The care referred to in this study is focused mainly on the grieving women and not on the midwife. By virtue of midwives being present in the event of perinatal loss or caring for a woman who experienced perinatal loss, midwives are compelled to be involved and are bound to experience deep emotions. Furthermore, there is little formal support available for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) and South Africa at large. The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of coping and support needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD. The objectives developed for this study were: explore and describe the facilitating conditions that will enable midwives to care for women with perinatal loss in the in NMBHD; explore and describe the inhibitory conditions that prevent midwives from caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD; identify and describe support needs for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD and develop coping and support recommendations for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD. After permission had been granted by the Nelson Mandela university and approval from other relevant authorities had been received data collection was conducted between November 2018 and January 2019, using qualitative research design and interviews. The research population included all midwives working in Midwife Obstetric units (MOUs) and referral hospitals in NMBHD. Purposive sampling was used, and the data collection method was semi-structured and audio-taped in one-on-one interviews with midwives. Sample size was determined by data saturation. The number of participants was thirteen and two of these participants formed part of the pilot study. The collected data was analysed using the seven steps of Framework Analysis from which three themes emerged namely: Midwives rely on their own coping mechanisms vi to deal with perinatal loss; Midwives expressed how management influenced the way they coped with perinatal loss events; Midwives expressed the need for psychological and emotional support. Trustworthiness was maintained by observing Lincoln and Guba’s principles of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The researcher ensured that the Belmont Report ethical principles were maintained throughout the study. Three main coping and support recommendations for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD were developed using an adapted version of the AGREE II Tool. The recommendations were: Recommendation 1: Facilitate various forms of peer assistance to prepare and support midwives caring for women with perinatal loss; Recommendation 2: Provide formal support systems in the labour unit to assist midwives to care for women with perinatal loss; and Recommendation 3: Strengthen existing EAPs and provide unit-based psychological and emotional support in order to accommodate the needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kave, Yekiswa Victoria
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Perinatal death
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46365 , vital:39573
- Description: Midwives are part of the multidisciplinary team in maternal units and have the bulk of the obstetrical and midwifery responsibilities. The responsibilities being referred to include provision of perinatal care and support to grieving women who have lost their babies at birth and to their families. The care referred to in this study is focused mainly on the grieving women and not on the midwife. By virtue of midwives being present in the event of perinatal loss or caring for a woman who experienced perinatal loss, midwives are compelled to be involved and are bound to experience deep emotions. Furthermore, there is little formal support available for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) and South Africa at large. The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of coping and support needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD. The objectives developed for this study were: explore and describe the facilitating conditions that will enable midwives to care for women with perinatal loss in the in NMBHD; explore and describe the inhibitory conditions that prevent midwives from caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD; identify and describe support needs for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD and develop coping and support recommendations for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD. After permission had been granted by the Nelson Mandela university and approval from other relevant authorities had been received data collection was conducted between November 2018 and January 2019, using qualitative research design and interviews. The research population included all midwives working in Midwife Obstetric units (MOUs) and referral hospitals in NMBHD. Purposive sampling was used, and the data collection method was semi-structured and audio-taped in one-on-one interviews with midwives. Sample size was determined by data saturation. The number of participants was thirteen and two of these participants formed part of the pilot study. The collected data was analysed using the seven steps of Framework Analysis from which three themes emerged namely: Midwives rely on their own coping mechanisms vi to deal with perinatal loss; Midwives expressed how management influenced the way they coped with perinatal loss events; Midwives expressed the need for psychological and emotional support. Trustworthiness was maintained by observing Lincoln and Guba’s principles of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The researcher ensured that the Belmont Report ethical principles were maintained throughout the study. Three main coping and support recommendations for midwives caring for women with perinatal loss in the NMBHD were developed using an adapted version of the AGREE II Tool. The recommendations were: Recommendation 1: Facilitate various forms of peer assistance to prepare and support midwives caring for women with perinatal loss; Recommendation 2: Provide formal support systems in the labour unit to assist midwives to care for women with perinatal loss; and Recommendation 3: Strengthen existing EAPs and provide unit-based psychological and emotional support in order to accommodate the needs of midwives caring for women with perinatal loss.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Coping mechanisms of unemployed registered counsellors in the South African context
- Authors: Mogatosi, Ntsako Emmah
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Counselors--Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46375 , vital:39585
- Description: ivABSTRACTThe Registered Counsellorcategory has been a developing profession since its inception in 2003. There havebeen few studies done on the coping mechanisms of unemployed Registered Counsellors in the South African context. This field of study is particularly important as Registered Counsellors are the primarymentalhealth care professionals;therefore,their role in psychology is of utmost importance. This study focused on exploring the coping mechanisms of unemployed Registered Counsellors. A qualitative research approach was followed in order to gaina comprehensive understanding regardingthe perceived coping strategies. A combination of purposive,non-probability and snowball sampling techniques was employedto select participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them to explore and describe their coping mechanisms. Lazarus and Folkman’stheorywas utilised to provide a theoretical understanding of the coping mechanisms. Unemployment is perceived to cause stress and may lead to maladaptive coping strategies. It was perceived to have an impact on the professional’s goalsand increased financial strain in their lives. However, communication, social and family support, positive attitudes, availability to opportunities and advocacy for the profession were identified as effective coping mechanisms. The majority of the participants perceived good communication about the situation and supportive relationships to be the most effective strategies to be utilised in their lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mogatosi, Ntsako Emmah
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Counselors--Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46375 , vital:39585
- Description: ivABSTRACTThe Registered Counsellorcategory has been a developing profession since its inception in 2003. There havebeen few studies done on the coping mechanisms of unemployed Registered Counsellors in the South African context. This field of study is particularly important as Registered Counsellors are the primarymentalhealth care professionals;therefore,their role in psychology is of utmost importance. This study focused on exploring the coping mechanisms of unemployed Registered Counsellors. A qualitative research approach was followed in order to gaina comprehensive understanding regardingthe perceived coping strategies. A combination of purposive,non-probability and snowball sampling techniques was employedto select participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them to explore and describe their coping mechanisms. Lazarus and Folkman’stheorywas utilised to provide a theoretical understanding of the coping mechanisms. Unemployment is perceived to cause stress and may lead to maladaptive coping strategies. It was perceived to have an impact on the professional’s goalsand increased financial strain in their lives. However, communication, social and family support, positive attitudes, availability to opportunities and advocacy for the profession were identified as effective coping mechanisms. The majority of the participants perceived good communication about the situation and supportive relationships to be the most effective strategies to be utilised in their lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Corruption elimination within the public infrastructure sector in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mvandaba, Nosicelo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business logistics , Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Procurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46794 , vital:39662
- Description: The study aimed to reveal the existence of corruption within the public sector and to propose strategies to eliminate it within the supply chain management procurement processes and infrastructure within the public sector in the Province of the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data analysis. For the quantitative approach, a series of structured questionnaires were issued to employees within the public sector, many of whom are involved in the procurement process. The officials were asked to rate the views on the importance of the Batho Pele principles in the public sector, risks that may result to the project failure in the public infrastructure sector and the most prevalent causes of corruption For the qualitative method of the study, interviews were conducted for both civil servants and non-public servants who have been involved in procurement processes and coordinating projects. Also, the investigation units were interviewed to determine their views on corruption in the public sector. In addition, the study involved 92 officials within the Eastern Cape Province, and eight interviews were carried out. Initially, 101 public officials were to participate in the study. According to the information that was gathered qualitatively and quantitatively, the most effective methods of eradicating corruption within the procurement department of the public sector are the following: transparency in rules and policies, strengthening of internal audit, management of domestic politics, the emphasis of government focus on preventative rather than curative methods of eliminating corruption, strengthening of consequence management and introduction of anti-corruption committees. Giving monopolistic powers to one person was seen as a gateway to fraud. The research was limited to the views of the officials who are involved in procurement processes in the Province. Not only does the study uncover the possible causes of corruption and its level in the public service but offers constructive recommendations to eliminate it with the hope that economic development will be fostered and the infrastructural climate of the Eastern Cape enhanced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mvandaba, Nosicelo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business logistics , Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Management -- Procurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46794 , vital:39662
- Description: The study aimed to reveal the existence of corruption within the public sector and to propose strategies to eliminate it within the supply chain management procurement processes and infrastructure within the public sector in the Province of the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data analysis. For the quantitative approach, a series of structured questionnaires were issued to employees within the public sector, many of whom are involved in the procurement process. The officials were asked to rate the views on the importance of the Batho Pele principles in the public sector, risks that may result to the project failure in the public infrastructure sector and the most prevalent causes of corruption For the qualitative method of the study, interviews were conducted for both civil servants and non-public servants who have been involved in procurement processes and coordinating projects. Also, the investigation units were interviewed to determine their views on corruption in the public sector. In addition, the study involved 92 officials within the Eastern Cape Province, and eight interviews were carried out. Initially, 101 public officials were to participate in the study. According to the information that was gathered qualitatively and quantitatively, the most effective methods of eradicating corruption within the procurement department of the public sector are the following: transparency in rules and policies, strengthening of internal audit, management of domestic politics, the emphasis of government focus on preventative rather than curative methods of eliminating corruption, strengthening of consequence management and introduction of anti-corruption committees. Giving monopolistic powers to one person was seen as a gateway to fraud. The research was limited to the views of the officials who are involved in procurement processes in the Province. Not only does the study uncover the possible causes of corruption and its level in the public service but offers constructive recommendations to eliminate it with the hope that economic development will be fostered and the infrastructural climate of the Eastern Cape enhanced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Counting waterbirds on holiday: a snapshot for one Eastern Cape estuary
- Mullins, R Lorraine G, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Mullins, R Lorraine G , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449375 , vital:74815 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1783383
- Description: Over a ten-year period, each December the same observer counted waterbirds on the same stretch of the Kariega River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The site surveyed is dominated by waders, with variable numbers of other feeding guilds. Piscivorous birds in particular are poorly represented. Differences in the numbers of birds and species recorded, both within a single month and between years, are only partly explicable by environmental conditions on this permanently open estuary. From our comparison with nearby sites, we conclude local movements between rivers and pans in the region must occur regularly over short time intervals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mullins, R Lorraine G , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449375 , vital:74815 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1783383
- Description: Over a ten-year period, each December the same observer counted waterbirds on the same stretch of the Kariega River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The site surveyed is dominated by waders, with variable numbers of other feeding guilds. Piscivorous birds in particular are poorly represented. Differences in the numbers of birds and species recorded, both within a single month and between years, are only partly explicable by environmental conditions on this permanently open estuary. From our comparison with nearby sites, we conclude local movements between rivers and pans in the region must occur regularly over short time intervals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Covalent attachment of cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine onto pre-grafted gold electrode for the determination of catecholamine neurotransmitters:
- Tshenkeng, Keamogetse, Mashazi, Philani N
- Authors: Tshenkeng, Keamogetse , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163521 , vital:41045 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137015
- Description: The fabrication of electroactive thin films onto gold electrode surfaces yields very interesting surfaces with excellent electrocatalytic activity. Cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc) was successfully synthesized and fully characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The CoTCPhOPc was immobilized onto phenylethylamino (PEA) pre-grafted gold electrode surface, Au-PEA, using amide coupling reaction to obtain Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Tshenkeng, Keamogetse , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163521 , vital:41045 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137015
- Description: The fabrication of electroactive thin films onto gold electrode surfaces yields very interesting surfaces with excellent electrocatalytic activity. Cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc) was successfully synthesized and fully characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The CoTCPhOPc was immobilized onto phenylethylamino (PEA) pre-grafted gold electrode surface, Au-PEA, using amide coupling reaction to obtain Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Creating Citizen-Science for Groundwater Monitoring prior to potential Shale Gas Development in Cradock (South-Eastern Karoo, South Africa)
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Nyaradzo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Natural gas -- Prospecting -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48224 , vital:40526
- Description: Citizen Science is an integral tool for community engagement in scientific project design, implementation, data interpretation and reporting, in the quest to promote local capacity development as well as scientific knowledge. Based on the relevance of public engagement in aspects of the natural environment and associated scientific issues associated with the risks and opportunities of potential Shale Gas Development (SGD), a Citizen-Science (CS) study was designed in the Eastern Karoo region of South Africa linked to a Shale Gas Baseline Study initiated by the Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON). As the pilot area of the baseline study, the town of Cradock was chosen to be the study area for this research; and CS was used to facilitate the identification of the Cradock community’s abilities to monitor the effects of potential SGD in this region. The development of new knowledge, skills and support, as well as a deeper understanding of the community’s role in Citizen Science studies, was also facilitated by this process. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating Citizen Science into existing community structures in Africa, thereby encouraging community engagement in the developmental programmes through participatory methods. Using a collaborative Action-Research Approach, consistent community roundtable meetings and key informant interviews served as invaluable platforms for the establishment of a 7-member community working group, that played the liaison role between the researcher and the Cradock community in the CS implementation process. Coupled with this was the recruitment and the training of eight young citizens in conducting a hydro-census and groundwater sampling for six boreholes within the identified Cradock commonage farms, as well as two boreholes on the farm of an identified emergent farmer. The engagements between the researcher, AEON scientists, the community working group and the community at large, enabled the successful implementation of CS training in two groundwater monitoring aspects and the testing of eleven water quality parameters. The training process was combined with the design and the development of a customised ‘Xoras’ Online Application, which was used to capture and share the hydro-census data recorded. Experiential learning in hydro-census and groundwater sampling resulted subsequently in an increased understanding and awareness of these aspects (Figure A). Even if SGD does not materialise in the South-Eastern Karoo, CS training will enable communities in the Shale-Gas Development precincts to participate in local decision-making forums on ground water, health, or on any related regional development projects. It is anticipated that the adoption of CS will ix promote future community engagements, especially about water across this water-scarce region, allowing for greater community-voice representation in resource-policy decisions related to potential Shale-Gas and related natural resource industries in the Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Nyaradzo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Natural gas -- Prospecting -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48224 , vital:40526
- Description: Citizen Science is an integral tool for community engagement in scientific project design, implementation, data interpretation and reporting, in the quest to promote local capacity development as well as scientific knowledge. Based on the relevance of public engagement in aspects of the natural environment and associated scientific issues associated with the risks and opportunities of potential Shale Gas Development (SGD), a Citizen-Science (CS) study was designed in the Eastern Karoo region of South Africa linked to a Shale Gas Baseline Study initiated by the Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON). As the pilot area of the baseline study, the town of Cradock was chosen to be the study area for this research; and CS was used to facilitate the identification of the Cradock community’s abilities to monitor the effects of potential SGD in this region. The development of new knowledge, skills and support, as well as a deeper understanding of the community’s role in Citizen Science studies, was also facilitated by this process. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating Citizen Science into existing community structures in Africa, thereby encouraging community engagement in the developmental programmes through participatory methods. Using a collaborative Action-Research Approach, consistent community roundtable meetings and key informant interviews served as invaluable platforms for the establishment of a 7-member community working group, that played the liaison role between the researcher and the Cradock community in the CS implementation process. Coupled with this was the recruitment and the training of eight young citizens in conducting a hydro-census and groundwater sampling for six boreholes within the identified Cradock commonage farms, as well as two boreholes on the farm of an identified emergent farmer. The engagements between the researcher, AEON scientists, the community working group and the community at large, enabled the successful implementation of CS training in two groundwater monitoring aspects and the testing of eleven water quality parameters. The training process was combined with the design and the development of a customised ‘Xoras’ Online Application, which was used to capture and share the hydro-census data recorded. Experiential learning in hydro-census and groundwater sampling resulted subsequently in an increased understanding and awareness of these aspects (Figure A). Even if SGD does not materialise in the South-Eastern Karoo, CS training will enable communities in the Shale-Gas Development precincts to participate in local decision-making forums on ground water, health, or on any related regional development projects. It is anticipated that the adoption of CS will ix promote future community engagements, especially about water across this water-scarce region, allowing for greater community-voice representation in resource-policy decisions related to potential Shale-Gas and related natural resource industries in the Karoo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Creating learning and action space in South Africa’s post-apartheid land redistribution program:
- Authors: Kepe, Thembela , Hall, Ruth
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163842 , vital:41075 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/1476750317705966
- Description: This paper uses the case of South Africa’s latest land redistribution strategy known as the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy, to explore whether, and how, research can have direct and positive impacts on beneficiaries of land reform. The study is situated within the practice of action research: to explore how it can generate knowledge that can be shared back and forth between stakeholders, as well as how it may ignite changes that the participants desire.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kepe, Thembela , Hall, Ruth
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163842 , vital:41075 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1177/1476750317705966
- Description: This paper uses the case of South Africa’s latest land redistribution strategy known as the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy, to explore whether, and how, research can have direct and positive impacts on beneficiaries of land reform. The study is situated within the practice of action research: to explore how it can generate knowledge that can be shared back and forth between stakeholders, as well as how it may ignite changes that the participants desire.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Creative production and existential thought: a feminist existential analysis of South African visual artist Berni Searle’s artwork
- Authors: Mokwena, Palesa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Women artists -- South Africa , Women artists, Black -- South Africa , Existentialism and art , Feminism and art -- South Africa , Searle, Berni
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148005 , vital:38701
- Description: Through an analysis of the work of South African artist Berni Searle, my study will investigate feminist existential ideas and concepts that have been explored by various creative producers in and outside of Europe/South Africa through different forms of creative productions and under different epistemological categories. ‘Canons’ of European existentialist/feminist thought often exclude the existence of feminist existential knowledge productions and producers outside of Europe. In conducting this study, I am responding to the past and present separatist and identitarian categorisations of creative productions from black/African creative producers, particularly women creative producers in South Africa, creating an alternative canonisation around their selected works. Although canons have been and can be used to drive separatist and identitarian categorisations, it is my hope to elucidate a discourse around the preservations and acknowledgements of South African creative and knowledge productions through a feminist existential framework that canonises important black feminist existentialist works and thereby brings to light their intellectual contributions over and above their identities. My development of a South African feminist existentialism is an attempt to graft a more intersectional, holistic framework to introduce in the feminist and existential discourses, and to proffer a new intersectional holistic paradigm of discussing categories that do not limit creative productions. To frame this research, I will reflect on the politics of historical and contemporary South African society as it is reflected in the works of the chosen creative producers and theorists and to question how we respond as creative feminist existentialists to contemporary South African struggles and how such a lens can be activated as a creative-theoretical tool of investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mokwena, Palesa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Women artists -- South Africa , Women artists, Black -- South Africa , Existentialism and art , Feminism and art -- South Africa , Searle, Berni
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148005 , vital:38701
- Description: Through an analysis of the work of South African artist Berni Searle, my study will investigate feminist existential ideas and concepts that have been explored by various creative producers in and outside of Europe/South Africa through different forms of creative productions and under different epistemological categories. ‘Canons’ of European existentialist/feminist thought often exclude the existence of feminist existential knowledge productions and producers outside of Europe. In conducting this study, I am responding to the past and present separatist and identitarian categorisations of creative productions from black/African creative producers, particularly women creative producers in South Africa, creating an alternative canonisation around their selected works. Although canons have been and can be used to drive separatist and identitarian categorisations, it is my hope to elucidate a discourse around the preservations and acknowledgements of South African creative and knowledge productions through a feminist existential framework that canonises important black feminist existentialist works and thereby brings to light their intellectual contributions over and above their identities. My development of a South African feminist existentialism is an attempt to graft a more intersectional, holistic framework to introduce in the feminist and existential discourses, and to proffer a new intersectional holistic paradigm of discussing categories that do not limit creative productions. To frame this research, I will reflect on the politics of historical and contemporary South African society as it is reflected in the works of the chosen creative producers and theorists and to question how we respond as creative feminist existentialists to contemporary South African struggles and how such a lens can be activated as a creative-theoretical tool of investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Critical success factors for sustainability governance in transport infrastructure delivery in the City of Johannesburg Metropole
- Nemutandani, Tshimangadzo Mulisa
- Authors: Nemutandani, Tshimangadzo Mulisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSBE
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49540 , vital:41734
- Description: In many engineering sectors, sustainability is a matter of concern. The construction sector is no exception, this is because of its ability to cause harmful effects to the environment through waste generation, energy and water consumption and several other forms of damage to the environment. This has led to experts in the sustainability field calling for a need of sustainable ways of carrying out construction. In this study, information about the sustainability culture and perceptions that exist in Johannesburg was extracted from data gathered from questionnaires based on various types of qualifications, knowledge, and experience of respondents in transport infrastructure delivery. A transportation official understanding the need for sustainable transportation and wishing to do something about it may likely be unable to do so. This is due to the fact that authorities do not always have the mandate, responsibility, power, or support to make decisions that are consistent with sustainable development. It can be said that key issues to sustainability governance of transport infrastructure delivery are: a lack of policy; and a lack of awareness in government, private, and consulting organisations that focus on the delivery of transport infrastructure. The lack of sustainable infrastructure delivery models creates the need to determine the important factors impacting on the governance of sustainable delivery of transport infrastructure in Johannesburg. The matrix has revealed that there is a ‘Moderate’ familiarity and ‘Average’ understanding of sustainability governance as a concept. From the data collected, it is also clear that the current transport infrastructure in Johannesburg is ‘Moderately’ effective at serving its sustainability purpose. This study hopes to be the basis upon which ground-breaking methods to encourage sustainability governance strategies for transport infrastructure projects and further studies are predicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nemutandani, Tshimangadzo Mulisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSBE
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49540 , vital:41734
- Description: In many engineering sectors, sustainability is a matter of concern. The construction sector is no exception, this is because of its ability to cause harmful effects to the environment through waste generation, energy and water consumption and several other forms of damage to the environment. This has led to experts in the sustainability field calling for a need of sustainable ways of carrying out construction. In this study, information about the sustainability culture and perceptions that exist in Johannesburg was extracted from data gathered from questionnaires based on various types of qualifications, knowledge, and experience of respondents in transport infrastructure delivery. A transportation official understanding the need for sustainable transportation and wishing to do something about it may likely be unable to do so. This is due to the fact that authorities do not always have the mandate, responsibility, power, or support to make decisions that are consistent with sustainable development. It can be said that key issues to sustainability governance of transport infrastructure delivery are: a lack of policy; and a lack of awareness in government, private, and consulting organisations that focus on the delivery of transport infrastructure. The lack of sustainable infrastructure delivery models creates the need to determine the important factors impacting on the governance of sustainable delivery of transport infrastructure in Johannesburg. The matrix has revealed that there is a ‘Moderate’ familiarity and ‘Average’ understanding of sustainability governance as a concept. From the data collected, it is also clear that the current transport infrastructure in Johannesburg is ‘Moderately’ effective at serving its sustainability purpose. This study hopes to be the basis upon which ground-breaking methods to encourage sustainability governance strategies for transport infrastructure projects and further studies are predicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Critical success factors in implementing projects on restituted land parcels in South Africa
- Authors: Whiting, Christoper Whiting
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Community development -- Management -- South Africa , Community development -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Economic development projects -- Management -- South Africa , Economic development projects -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Land reform -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa -- Case studies , Restitution -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167697 , vital:41504
- Description: Currently there is a perception in South Africa that projects undertaken on parcels of restituted land are experiencing a much higher failure than success rate. There are, however, a few projects that are reaping the rewards and uplifting their communities, as intended by the land redistribution program. One community in particular, located in Mpumalanga, called community A, is presently undertaking a development project. This development project is one of the most successful restituted land parcel projects ever in South Africa. The purpose of the study is to determine the critical success factors in this community development project that have allowed it to enjoy such high levels of success. Are these critical success factors different from the generic industry critical success factors and, if so, what are they? As informed through literature, the critical success factors focused on in this study are as follows: the influence of management, project communication, knowledge management, the role of senior management, business strategy, project success measurements, and training and development. For the empirical study, a physical questionnaire was handed to 35 management members currently employed in the community development project. The questionnaire requested the demographics of all participants and asked them to rate, using a five-point Likert scale, their perceptions of the present project activities and of the importance of the project activities mentioned in making the project successful. Participants had to indicate the extent to which they agreed with each statement in the questionnaire. The responses obtained from the survey were presented and analysed. The study found that the critical success factor “role of senior management” was the largest problem area in the restituted land development project. “Training and development opportunities” came in second, with both factor areas showing large variances. Recommendations have been given on how to address both these problematic areas in the development project and how future restituted land parcel projects can better utilize these factors to ensure successful project implementation and long-term project success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Whiting, Christoper Whiting
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Community development -- Management -- South Africa , Community development -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Economic development projects -- Management -- South Africa , Economic development projects -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Land reform -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa -- Case studies , Restitution -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167697 , vital:41504
- Description: Currently there is a perception in South Africa that projects undertaken on parcels of restituted land are experiencing a much higher failure than success rate. There are, however, a few projects that are reaping the rewards and uplifting their communities, as intended by the land redistribution program. One community in particular, located in Mpumalanga, called community A, is presently undertaking a development project. This development project is one of the most successful restituted land parcel projects ever in South Africa. The purpose of the study is to determine the critical success factors in this community development project that have allowed it to enjoy such high levels of success. Are these critical success factors different from the generic industry critical success factors and, if so, what are they? As informed through literature, the critical success factors focused on in this study are as follows: the influence of management, project communication, knowledge management, the role of senior management, business strategy, project success measurements, and training and development. For the empirical study, a physical questionnaire was handed to 35 management members currently employed in the community development project. The questionnaire requested the demographics of all participants and asked them to rate, using a five-point Likert scale, their perceptions of the present project activities and of the importance of the project activities mentioned in making the project successful. Participants had to indicate the extent to which they agreed with each statement in the questionnaire. The responses obtained from the survey were presented and analysed. The study found that the critical success factor “role of senior management” was the largest problem area in the restituted land development project. “Training and development opportunities” came in second, with both factor areas showing large variances. Recommendations have been given on how to address both these problematic areas in the development project and how future restituted land parcel projects can better utilize these factors to ensure successful project implementation and long-term project success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Critical Success Factors to Motivate Citizens to Participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project
- Authors: Tuswa, Mbali
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures City planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18974 , vital:43004
- Description: Currently more people reside in urban areas than previously. The population shift from rural to urban results in increased problems with Public Safety. Public Safety initiatives were introduced to address such issues and help reduce the increasing number of urban problems. It is the citizen's responsibility to report the Public Safety issues they observe or experience for authorities to respond quickly in emergency situations, thus maintaining a safer living environment for all citizens. A Public Safety Smart City Project was introduced in the city of East London, South Africa to help improve Public Safety in the city. However, for this to be successful citizens need to contribute by reporting Public Safety issues and suspicious activities. This study is therefore focused on motivational factors to improve citizen participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. The Design Science Methodology and a mixed method approach guided this research study. Keller’s (2010) Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) Theory of Motivation provided the theoretical base for this study. A questionnaire was used to gather data on the motivational factors for participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. Five Critical Success Factors were developed to motivate citizens to participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project. These Critical Success Factors are: Ensure user satisfaction by providing a toll-free number, Citizens should be able to participate due to their concerns of safety for others, Citizens should be given the opportunity to make a difference in their community, Public Safety initiatives must provide adequate response to citizens and Citizens should be given incentives after participating. The Critical Success Factors were refined and verified through two rounds of expert review. Five factors were identified in the findings as factors that contribute towards motivating citizens participate. These factors include User Satisfaction, Making a difference, Response from Public Safety initiatives, Concern of safety for others and Incentives. The factors were included on the Critical Success Factors
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Tuswa, Mbali
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Information technology -- Security measures City planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18974 , vital:43004
- Description: Currently more people reside in urban areas than previously. The population shift from rural to urban results in increased problems with Public Safety. Public Safety initiatives were introduced to address such issues and help reduce the increasing number of urban problems. It is the citizen's responsibility to report the Public Safety issues they observe or experience for authorities to respond quickly in emergency situations, thus maintaining a safer living environment for all citizens. A Public Safety Smart City Project was introduced in the city of East London, South Africa to help improve Public Safety in the city. However, for this to be successful citizens need to contribute by reporting Public Safety issues and suspicious activities. This study is therefore focused on motivational factors to improve citizen participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. The Design Science Methodology and a mixed method approach guided this research study. Keller’s (2010) Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) Theory of Motivation provided the theoretical base for this study. A questionnaire was used to gather data on the motivational factors for participation in a Public Safety Smart City Project. Five Critical Success Factors were developed to motivate citizens to participate in a Public Safety Smart City Project. These Critical Success Factors are: Ensure user satisfaction by providing a toll-free number, Citizens should be able to participate due to their concerns of safety for others, Citizens should be given the opportunity to make a difference in their community, Public Safety initiatives must provide adequate response to citizens and Citizens should be given incentives after participating. The Critical Success Factors were refined and verified through two rounds of expert review. Five factors were identified in the findings as factors that contribute towards motivating citizens participate. These factors include User Satisfaction, Making a difference, Response from Public Safety initiatives, Concern of safety for others and Incentives. The factors were included on the Critical Success Factors
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Cross-sectional study of prevalence and determinants of uncontrolled hypertension among South African adult residents of Mkhondo municipality
- Masilela, Charity, Pearce, Brendon, Ongole, Joven Jebio, Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent, Benjeddou, Mongi
- Authors: Masilela, Charity , Pearce, Brendon , Ongole, Joven Jebio , Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent , Benjeddou, Mongi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blood pressure control , Dyslipidaemia , Uncontrolled hypertension
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4481 , vital:44124 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09174-7
- Description: Achieving the blood pressure treatment target in individuals with hypertension is a serious global health challenge. Furthermore, the actual burden of uncontrolled hypertension is poorly understood, especially in the developing countries. Therefore, this study comprehensively examined the prevalence and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in individuals receiving care at the primary healthcare facilities in the rural areas of Mkhondo Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 329 individuals attending care for hypertension were recruited from January 2019 to June 2019 at three primary healthcare centres, namely, Piet Retief hospital, Mkhondo town clinic and Thandukukhanya community health centre. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg in accordance with the South African Hypertension Society guideline (2014). Multiple logistic regression (Forward LR method) analysis was used to identify the significant determinants of uncontrolled hypertension. Results: The majority of the participants were 55 years old and above (69.0%), Zulus (81.2%), non-smokers (84.19%) and had been diagnosed with hypertension for more than a year prior to the study (72.64%). The overall prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 56.83% (n = 187) with no significant difference between sexes, 57.38% male versus 56.88% female, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression model analysis after adjusting for confounding variables, obesity (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI 1.66–5.05), physical activity (AOR = 4.79; 95% CI 2.15–10.65) and HDL-C (AOR = 5.66; 95% CI 3.33–9.60) were the significant and independent determinants of uncontrolled hypertension in the cohort. Conclusion: The high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in the study setting can be largely attributed to obesity, physical activity and dyslipidaemia. Treatment will require the collaborative efforts of individuals, clinicians and health authorities. All these determinants should be addressed decisively so as to achieve the treatment blood pressure targets in the study population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Masilela, Charity , Pearce, Brendon , Ongole, Joven Jebio , Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent , Benjeddou, Mongi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blood pressure control , Dyslipidaemia , Uncontrolled hypertension
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4481 , vital:44124 , https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09174-7
- Description: Achieving the blood pressure treatment target in individuals with hypertension is a serious global health challenge. Furthermore, the actual burden of uncontrolled hypertension is poorly understood, especially in the developing countries. Therefore, this study comprehensively examined the prevalence and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in individuals receiving care at the primary healthcare facilities in the rural areas of Mkhondo Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 329 individuals attending care for hypertension were recruited from January 2019 to June 2019 at three primary healthcare centres, namely, Piet Retief hospital, Mkhondo town clinic and Thandukukhanya community health centre. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg in accordance with the South African Hypertension Society guideline (2014). Multiple logistic regression (Forward LR method) analysis was used to identify the significant determinants of uncontrolled hypertension. Results: The majority of the participants were 55 years old and above (69.0%), Zulus (81.2%), non-smokers (84.19%) and had been diagnosed with hypertension for more than a year prior to the study (72.64%). The overall prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 56.83% (n = 187) with no significant difference between sexes, 57.38% male versus 56.88% female, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression model analysis after adjusting for confounding variables, obesity (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI 1.66–5.05), physical activity (AOR = 4.79; 95% CI 2.15–10.65) and HDL-C (AOR = 5.66; 95% CI 3.33–9.60) were the significant and independent determinants of uncontrolled hypertension in the cohort. Conclusion: The high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in the study setting can be largely attributed to obesity, physical activity and dyslipidaemia. Treatment will require the collaborative efforts of individuals, clinicians and health authorities. All these determinants should be addressed decisively so as to achieve the treatment blood pressure targets in the study population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Crossing shades
- Authors: Singh, Shareen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145049 , vital:38404
- Description: This collection of stories draw on culture, history, memory, musings and imagination. The stories are set primarily in South Africa but includes travels to other countries. I explore journeys to different worlds and minds. I challenge the reader to see how place and time influence our ways of seeing, living and evolving. I use different forms and tones that resonate with the subjective nature of each creative piece. My writing includes formal prose as well as works that experiment with fragments, vignettes and flash fiction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Singh, Shareen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145049 , vital:38404
- Description: This collection of stories draw on culture, history, memory, musings and imagination. The stories are set primarily in South Africa but includes travels to other countries. I explore journeys to different worlds and minds. I challenge the reader to see how place and time influence our ways of seeing, living and evolving. I use different forms and tones that resonate with the subjective nature of each creative piece. My writing includes formal prose as well as works that experiment with fragments, vignettes and flash fiction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Cryptocurrencies in the future of money and monetary policy
- Authors: Brown, Henry Brandon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47495 , vital:40122
- Description: The idiosyncratic allure of cryptocurrencies, in particular Bitcoin, has attracted widespread, if reticent, attention in the financial markets. Since Bitcoin’s introduction in 2008 there has been a growing interest in digital assets possibly supplanting traditional payment methods. Two conceptual questions raised regarding cryptocurrencies are firstly, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money; secondly, what is the future of cryptocurrencies? This dissertation seeks to examine the future of cryptocurrency by reference to money and monetary policy. The further question, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money, is tested via a combination of theoretical and empirical analysis. The study explores both statistical and empirical models, in illustrative comparative detail, provided by analysis which included ADF and KPSS test models, alongside an ARMA(p,q)-GARCH(1,1) model. Cryptocurrencies present both significant benefits, alongside immense shortcomings. They provide the novel ability to conduct anonymous international transactions on a decentralised platform with lower transaction fees. However, the very nature of that anonymity could provide their downfall as much as they open a market for illicit activities. In addition, cryptocurrency’s significant energy consumption through the mining of cryptocurrencies is of concern to environmentalists. The empirical section of the dissertation consists of a comparative analysis between Bitcoin/USD time series to the Rand/USD time series, with specific attention devoted to the level of volatility of each time series. This was important in determining whether cryptocurrencies fulfil the store of value function of money. The dissertation concluded that Bitcoin/USD time series exhibited identifiable adverse characteristics of autocorrelation and ARCH effects, thus suggesting that Bitcoin/USD is strongly associated with volatility. The Rand/USD signified the same effects although of significantly lesser order than that of Bitcoin/USD. Consequently, cryptocurrencies are seen to act more as an asset than a currency. Nonetheless, cryptocurrencies seem likely to grow as a medium of exchange as more and more businesses gain knowledge of the innovation and seek to adopt innovative ways to become more efficient and follow technology trends. Currently, fiat currencies remain superior in the financial market, simply because cryptocurrencies are perceived not to fulfil the traditional functions of money. However in the future, the market share of cryptocurrencies is likely to increase, and so the future of the financial markets will surely include a coexistence of both fiat and cryptocurrencies, as people’s preferences determine where they feel safe to hold their money.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Brown, Henry Brandon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47495 , vital:40122
- Description: The idiosyncratic allure of cryptocurrencies, in particular Bitcoin, has attracted widespread, if reticent, attention in the financial markets. Since Bitcoin’s introduction in 2008 there has been a growing interest in digital assets possibly supplanting traditional payment methods. Two conceptual questions raised regarding cryptocurrencies are firstly, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money; secondly, what is the future of cryptocurrencies? This dissertation seeks to examine the future of cryptocurrency by reference to money and monetary policy. The further question, whether cryptocurrencies meet the traditional functions of money, is tested via a combination of theoretical and empirical analysis. The study explores both statistical and empirical models, in illustrative comparative detail, provided by analysis which included ADF and KPSS test models, alongside an ARMA(p,q)-GARCH(1,1) model. Cryptocurrencies present both significant benefits, alongside immense shortcomings. They provide the novel ability to conduct anonymous international transactions on a decentralised platform with lower transaction fees. However, the very nature of that anonymity could provide their downfall as much as they open a market for illicit activities. In addition, cryptocurrency’s significant energy consumption through the mining of cryptocurrencies is of concern to environmentalists. The empirical section of the dissertation consists of a comparative analysis between Bitcoin/USD time series to the Rand/USD time series, with specific attention devoted to the level of volatility of each time series. This was important in determining whether cryptocurrencies fulfil the store of value function of money. The dissertation concluded that Bitcoin/USD time series exhibited identifiable adverse characteristics of autocorrelation and ARCH effects, thus suggesting that Bitcoin/USD is strongly associated with volatility. The Rand/USD signified the same effects although of significantly lesser order than that of Bitcoin/USD. Consequently, cryptocurrencies are seen to act more as an asset than a currency. Nonetheless, cryptocurrencies seem likely to grow as a medium of exchange as more and more businesses gain knowledge of the innovation and seek to adopt innovative ways to become more efficient and follow technology trends. Currently, fiat currencies remain superior in the financial market, simply because cryptocurrencies are perceived not to fulfil the traditional functions of money. However in the future, the market share of cryptocurrencies is likely to increase, and so the future of the financial markets will surely include a coexistence of both fiat and cryptocurrencies, as people’s preferences determine where they feel safe to hold their money.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
CSR, Corporate Heritage Identity and Social Learning
- Ijabadeniyi, Abosede, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Authors: Ijabadeniyi, Abosede , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436841 , vital:73309 , ISBN 978-981-15-6370-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6370-6_8
- Description: Prevailing approaches to the structural challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) tend to be monolithic and skewed towards CSR at the organisational level. Albeit, mirroring CSR at the organisational level with activities of practitioners at the social level can offer new reflexive approaches for identifying capabilities for and understanding thresholds of social learning. This chapter maps out how identity perspectives to CSR can offer new approaches for surfacing emergent properties inherent in the uptake of CSR institutionally and in practice. The chapter also presents an overview of the interplay be-tween structure and agency (prescribed and actual CSR practices) and its underlying in-strumental role for illuminating systemic factors which perpetuate such capabilities and thresholds. Using a morphogenetic theo-ry of change, the chapter offers a framework for approaching CSR-based corporate identity. Empirical evidence from the applied framework is thereafter presented, in the context of the agro-processing industry based on a content analysis of an-nual reports, in-depth-interview data generated from four sus-tainability managers and corporate communication officers and the practices of extension and Local Economic Development (LED) officers. The framework demonstrates that companies with a disintegrated CSR identity inherently have more capaci-ty to be change agents. Similarly, a strong corporate heritage identity is not indicative of a reciprocal link between espoused values and activity. Conversely, an enduring corporate herit-age identity may not necessarily be improvisatory for social learning. In conclusion, the chapter gives an overview of a tax-onomy of agential capabilities and associated cognitive re-sources inherent in the interaction between structural-cultural and personal emergent properties, which can initiate the posi-tioning of social learning at the forefront of organisational de-liberations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ijabadeniyi, Abosede , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436841 , vital:73309 , ISBN 978-981-15-6370-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6370-6_8
- Description: Prevailing approaches to the structural challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) tend to be monolithic and skewed towards CSR at the organisational level. Albeit, mirroring CSR at the organisational level with activities of practitioners at the social level can offer new reflexive approaches for identifying capabilities for and understanding thresholds of social learning. This chapter maps out how identity perspectives to CSR can offer new approaches for surfacing emergent properties inherent in the uptake of CSR institutionally and in practice. The chapter also presents an overview of the interplay be-tween structure and agency (prescribed and actual CSR practices) and its underlying in-strumental role for illuminating systemic factors which perpetuate such capabilities and thresholds. Using a morphogenetic theo-ry of change, the chapter offers a framework for approaching CSR-based corporate identity. Empirical evidence from the applied framework is thereafter presented, in the context of the agro-processing industry based on a content analysis of an-nual reports, in-depth-interview data generated from four sus-tainability managers and corporate communication officers and the practices of extension and Local Economic Development (LED) officers. The framework demonstrates that companies with a disintegrated CSR identity inherently have more capaci-ty to be change agents. Similarly, a strong corporate heritage identity is not indicative of a reciprocal link between espoused values and activity. Conversely, an enduring corporate herit-age identity may not necessarily be improvisatory for social learning. In conclusion, the chapter gives an overview of a tax-onomy of agential capabilities and associated cognitive re-sources inherent in the interaction between structural-cultural and personal emergent properties, which can initiate the posi-tioning of social learning at the forefront of organisational de-liberations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Cultural position and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder
- Authors: Dorfling, Inge-Louise
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46371 , vital:39564
- Description: Trauma exposure and PTSD are widespread health concerns in South Africa. This country is also extremely culturally diverse. The effects of cultural position on PTSD development are unknown. The objective was to explore these possibilities in detail. Individuals eighteen years or older with a stable pre-existing PTSD diagnosis participated in semi-structured voice recorded interviews. Both participants displayed clear conscious changes in cultural position following trauma exposure, some of which are believed to be due to a failure of support and acknowledgement from their collective. This would have contributed to PTSD development. Main themes identified were reactions of others and a paradigm shift. Further, more detailed research is required in this field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dorfling, Inge-Louise
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46371 , vital:39564
- Description: Trauma exposure and PTSD are widespread health concerns in South Africa. This country is also extremely culturally diverse. The effects of cultural position on PTSD development are unknown. The objective was to explore these possibilities in detail. Individuals eighteen years or older with a stable pre-existing PTSD diagnosis participated in semi-structured voice recorded interviews. Both participants displayed clear conscious changes in cultural position following trauma exposure, some of which are believed to be due to a failure of support and acknowledgement from their collective. This would have contributed to PTSD development. Main themes identified were reactions of others and a paradigm shift. Further, more detailed research is required in this field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Curriculating powerful knowledge for public managers and administrators
- McKenna, Sioux, Harran, Marcelle, Lück, Jacqueline
- Authors: McKenna, Sioux , Harran, Marcelle , Lück, Jacqueline
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187160 , vital:44575 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2019.1652103"
- Description: Public Management and Public Administration are important professions for an emerging democracy such as South Africa. They operate as the interface between state and public and are responsible for enacting many of the government's policies and social initiatives. Concerns about a lack of capacity in the sector suggest that those in these roles may be unable to meet the demands of the workplace. This article reports on a study that responded to calls for the curriculum to address such concerns by interrogating the knowledge structures of Public Management and Public Administration programmes in higher education. Interviews, textbooks and course guides were analysed to illuminate the forms of knowledge being legitimated in curricula. The study found that the focus on knowledge, skills and processes might be at the expense of a focus on the development of particular attributes or dispositions in the knowers. Furthermore, the knowledge level focus was limited in that it was highly contextualised and “light” on theory, raising questions about the acquisition of powerful knowledge needed for good governance and critical engagement in the public sector. The study recommends that both programmes include more conceptual knowledge; exposure to critical powerful forms of knowledge; and the development of particular attributes and dispositions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: McKenna, Sioux , Harran, Marcelle , Lück, Jacqueline
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187160 , vital:44575 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2019.1652103"
- Description: Public Management and Public Administration are important professions for an emerging democracy such as South Africa. They operate as the interface between state and public and are responsible for enacting many of the government's policies and social initiatives. Concerns about a lack of capacity in the sector suggest that those in these roles may be unable to meet the demands of the workplace. This article reports on a study that responded to calls for the curriculum to address such concerns by interrogating the knowledge structures of Public Management and Public Administration programmes in higher education. Interviews, textbooks and course guides were analysed to illuminate the forms of knowledge being legitimated in curricula. The study found that the focus on knowledge, skills and processes might be at the expense of a focus on the development of particular attributes or dispositions in the knowers. Furthermore, the knowledge level focus was limited in that it was highly contextualised and “light” on theory, raising questions about the acquisition of powerful knowledge needed for good governance and critical engagement in the public sector. The study recommends that both programmes include more conceptual knowledge; exposure to critical powerful forms of knowledge; and the development of particular attributes and dispositions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020