Showing items 281 - 300 of 4236

Your selections:

Investigating Funding Challenges Experienced by SMMEs in Komani, South Africa

  • Authors: Doku, Daniel Korku
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Economic development projects--Finance
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61165 , vital:69790
  • Description: All around the world there are small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) that help by creating jobs and contributing to gross domestic product. However, funding is a major problem that limits the growth and development of SMMEs. Funding challenges have increased, hence the need for research to be conducted in Komani, in South Africa‟s Eastern Cape Province, to see how the challenge can be overcome. This research aims at investigating the funding challenges experienced by SMMEs in Komani. The objectives of the research were to: evaluate the effect of funding challenges on the number of people employed in SMMEs; establish reasons why SMMEs fail to obtain funding from major financial institutions; to examine the avenues available for funding SMMEs; and to recommend to policymakers and SMMEs how to solve the problem of funding. However, previous research in Komani has not managed to investigate this problem with regard to the research process and the method used. This research is based on the positivistic paradigm and used the quantitative method to investigate the funding challenges. The research population was 441 SMMEs; of them 82 SMMEs were sampled using questionnaires. Data collected was analysed using Excel and Stata. Pearson Chi-square test of association from Stata and Excel Analysis ToolPak were used. The study found that most SMMEs use retained earnings and informal funding to finance their operations. It also found that most SMMEs were unaware of government support agencies like SEFA. The research recommends that more must be done to raise awareness on a regular basis to make sure that all SMMEs are aware of the financial support system that the government has for the SMMEs. Financial institutions will need to lower their requirements when SMMEs apply for finance. Finally, SMMEs are supported financially by both the government and the private sector to employ more people. However, the government could also create a guarantee scheme for SMMEs to ensure successful credit applications , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Investigating the role of UAVs and convolutional neural networks in the identification of invasive plant species in the Albany Thicket

  • Authors: Wesson, Frank Cameron
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Drone aircraft -- Control systems , Drone -- South Africa , Albany Thicket -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61097 , vital:69755
  • Description: The study aimed to determine whether plant species could be classified by using high resolution aerial imagery and a convolutional neural network (CNN). The full capabilities of a CNN were examined including testing whether the platform could be used for land cover and the evaluation of land change over time. A drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to collect the aerial data of the study area, and 45 subplots were used for the image analysis. The CNN was coded and operated in RStudio, and digitised data from the input imagery were used as training and validation data by the programme to learn features. Four classifications were performed using various quantities of input data to access the performance of the neural network. In addition, tests were performed to understand whether the CNN could be used as a land cover and land change detection tool. Accuracy assessments were done on the results to test reliability and accuracy. The best-performing classification achieved an average user and producer accuracy of above 90%, while the overall accuracy was 93%, and the kappa coefficient score was 0.86. The CNN was also able to predict the land coverage area of Opuntia to be within 4% of the ground truthing data area. A change in land cover over time was detected by the programme after the manual clearing of the invasive plant had been undertaken. This research has determined that the use of a CNN in remote sensing is a very powerful tool for supervised image classifications and that it can be used for monitoring land cover by accurately estimating the spatial distribution of plant species and by monitoring the species' growth or decline over time. A CNN could also be used as a tool for landowners to prove that they are making efforts to clear invasive species from their land. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Investigating thermoregulatory responses of rhabdomys pumilio at high wet-bulb temperatures

  • Authors: Hartley, Oliver
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Heat stress physiology , Small mammal thermoregulation -- South Africa , Climate change - Wet-bulb temperature
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60873 , vital:68916
  • Description: As the Anthropocene continues to be characterised by ever rising temperature highs, increasingly sporadic and extreme climatic events, and their accompanying mass mortality events, climate scientists now warn that the continued climate destabilisation may for the first time in recorded history prevent terrestrial homeothermic endotherms from being able to thermoregulate. Having evolved to maintain body temperatures (Tbs) well above their ambient (Ta) conditions, these endotherms have evolved a suite of adaptations to a colder environment to allow for homeothermic thermoregulation to occur. However, by the same vein, having evolved in a colder climate to stay warm also has led to a reduced capacity to prevent heat stress when temperature conditions are elevated. In absence of behavioural counter measures, the only physiological means available to thermoregulation to prevent such heat stress is that of evaporative water loss (EWL). If still inefficient, the endotherm will risk becoming hyperthermic. Literature has established that excessive heat exposure or reduced evaporative cooling capacities strain or retard thermoregulatory processes. If an endotherm experiences severe heat exposure, the rate at which passive heating is experienced will increase. Should an endotherm be in a humid environment, evaporative cooling efficiency is reduced. As a result, these two abiotic factors are therefore known to contribute towards heat storage, and therefore thermal stress. However, should both factors occur in the same environment, the heat stress effects are compounded, creating an environment dangerous for thermoregulating endotherms. For this reason, authors have emphasised that future wet-bulb (Tw) conditions may pose a penultimate threat to thermoregulating endotherms. Being a measure of coldest temperature attainable as a result of evaporative cooling, Tw has been proposed to represent a lower temperature thermal limit to endothermic thermoregulation. Once reaching a 2°C differential below an endotherms Tb (Tb – Tw = 2˚C), Tw is believed to impede the evaporative cooling process and, consequentially, commit endotherms to becoming hyperthermic. Considering that most mammals defend constant Tbs within the range of predicted Tw maxima increases that future Tw conditions may pose a significant threat to mammalian thermoregulation. However, to date, despite being well supported in the literature, ii empirical investigations into how extreme Tw conditions will affect endothermic thermoregulation are scant. Therefore, understanding of the proposed inhibitory nature of extreme Tw conditions is lacking. Considering that such conditions are to have a profound effect of endothermic survival, this dearth in understanding could prove fatal. As such, this thesis sought to provide evidence on how extreme Tw conditions may affect thermoregulatory processes in homeothermic endotherms. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Isolation, characterization and functionalization of cellulose fibres derived from the waste pineapple leaf fibres by hydrolysis to produce cellulose acetate

  • Authors: Seyisi, Thulethu
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Nonwoven fabrics -- Technological innovations , Pineapple fiber -- South Africa , Fibrous composites
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61248 , vital:69844
  • Description: This thesis forms part of the Nelson Mandela University biomass and nanotechnology project, which aims at using agricultural waste for many applications, including biomedical applications, water treatment, and agricultural films. Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is one of the natural fibers with the highest cellulose content (about 80%), and they produce about 2.5–3.3% of the weight of green leaves. However, the other parts of the pineapple fruit, such as the leaves and crown, are still treated as waste due to a lack of understanding of the benefits and risks of these parts of the pineapple fruit. The transformation of PALF as a renewable and abundantly available natural residue into cellulose fibers (CFs) will reduce the waste accumulated in the atmosphere, and it will add value to the cultivation of pineapple. In the biomedical industry, CF is very promising in terms of drug delivery. Cellulose acetate is a remarkable biomaterial extensively used in biomedical applications due to its properties such as being non-toxic, non-irritant, biodegradable, heat resistant, and less hygroscopic. In this research, the isolation, functionalization, and characterization of cellulose from PALFs were conducted. The PALFs were dried and ground into small particles before being alkali treated with sodium hydroxide to remove the non-cellulosic components. Moreover, the remaining lignin in the residue was removed using sodium chlorite and acetic acid; this process is known as the bleaching process. The bleaching process resulted in white CFs, which was an indication of the successful removal of the non-cellulosic material. The obtained CFs were further functionalized using acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and sulfuric acid, and this reaction is known as the acetylation reaction. Subsequently, both treated, untreated, and functionalized CFs were characterised using the following instruments: FTIR, SEM, SPM, TGA, XRD, and XPS. In the FTIR data of raw PALFs, the following functional groups were more pronounced: C-O, C=C-O, and C=O, whereas peak C-O-C disappeared and peak CH2, C-O, were less pronounced. These FTIR results confirmed the successful removal of non-cellulosic components. The SEM and SPM images visually suggested the partial removal of hemicellulose and lignin from the raw PALFs after the chemical treatment, which are the cementing materials around the fiber bundles. The TGA studies revealed good thermal stability for the isolated CFs from PALFs. The XRD diffractograms of the PALFs showed a cellulose I crystal pattern where the peaks were located at angular positions (2θ) of around 18°, 26°, and 41°. Lastly, after the functionalization of CFs, the cellulose structure remained intact (not damaged); instead, the newly ix introduced functional groups (the acetyl group) were attached at the ends of the cellulose structure. These results are therefore confirmation of the successful removal of non-cellulose material from the PALFs after the chemical treatment. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science and Management, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Legal aspects of fairtrade objectives and socio-economic development in South Africa

  • Authors: Young, Lindsay
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Law--Psychological aspects , Balance of trade , Socio-economic status -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , Thesis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60901 , vital:69016
  • Description: This dissertation aims to draw connections between Fairtrade and the socio-economic development objectives for South Africa in order to identify whether Fairtrade can contribute to socio-economic development in South Africa. In order to draw these connections, Fairtrade is examined in the context of the international trade system, Fairtrade is analysed in terms of socio-economic development in Africa, and the specific socio-economic development objectives for South Africa are outlined. Thereafter, in chapter 5, connections are drawn between Fairtrade and the socioeconomic development objectives for South Africa. Finally, the research is concluded by summarising the main finding of whether Fairtrade can contribute to socioeconomic development in South Africa, and setting out the key findings that were reached in answer to the sub-questions posed. This research is conducted by way of a literature review that draws from various research fields due to the nature of the socio-economic issues involved. The findings indicate that Fairtrade is sufficiently aligned to the socio-economic development objectives for South Africa to be used as a tool to contribute towards socio-economic development in South Africa. The research also suggests ways in which the connections between Fairtrade and South Africa’s socio-economic development objectives can be strengthened. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Public Law, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Marine spatial planning by the state as trustee of coastal public property

  • Authors: Chasakara, Rachael Sharon
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Marine spatial planning , State committee , Coastal Public Property
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60818 , vital:67845
  • Description: The world is facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis, endangering human wellbeing, human rights, and the future of life on Earth. This is because the state of the ocean is deteriorating due to increased human activities, which have resulted in the destruction of limited marine resources in terms of space, time, and quantity. Marine spatial planning (MSP) and the public trust doctrine are two concepts that have been proposed to address this ecological crisis. The relatively new notion of MSP has emerged as a comprehensive way to allocate ocean use in space and time to improve coordination and deliver a more sustainable use of the ocean space. While different States have utilised the public trust doctrine to manage trust resources for the exclusive benefit of their current and future citizens. The thesis examines the MSP process and the public trust doctrine in international law to determine international obligations that can be relied on to ensure State compliance at a domestic level. It was determined that MSP and the public trust doctrine are only implicit in certain international law instruments. The thesis further sets out to examine whether both approaches must be explicitly mentioned in binding international law instruments. The thesis is expected to determine whether the South African environmental law regime includes the public trust doctrine – expressly or impliedly. The public trust doctrine is not expressly provided for in the Constitution since section 24 contains an implicit duty. The implicit duty is a constitutional human rights imperative applicable to all environmental management statutes. The picture in South Africa’s environmental legislation differs because the public trust doctrine is expressly mentioned, albeit in different terminology in several environmental law statutes dealing with specific natural resources. However, the legislature failed to include an express public trust provision in the Marine Spatial Planning Act (MSPA). 1 The thesis then embarks on a journey of statutory interpretation. It examines the applicable canons of interpretation to determine whether the MSPA supports or contradicts the public trust doctrine. An implicit public trust duty was found in the MSPA. This exercise also led to the conclusion that the trusteeship clause in National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (NEM: ICMA) also applies in the same geographical area as the MSP Act. Moreover, there is no provision in NEM: ICMA requiring its provisions to be applied or read in accordance with MSP regulation. However, a thorough examination of the NEM: ICMA and MSPA provisions leads to the conclusion that there will be no conflict if both instruments are read together. The most significant finding of this thesis is that, due to the provisions of both statutes, the State, a trustee in NEM: ICMA, is also a trustee in the MSPA. Finally, the combination of MSP and the public trust doctrine in MSP regulation may have several positive impacts, which include useful intervention for the existential crisis that underpins South Africa’s maritime domain and the promotion of sustainable development of the ocean space for both current and future generations. MSP and the public trust doctrine should be used in tandem to ensure that the ocean space is developed sustainably for current and future generations. This thesis demonstrated that the ultimate impact of the State’s implementation of MSP on the relevant State actors is that they must constantly remind themselves of the full implications of their role as trustees of coastal public property to avoid violating their public trust duties. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, School of School of Public Law, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Microstructural based creep life assessment of 1CrMov Turbine rotor steels after long-term service

  • Authors: Nyembe, Hlanganani Siphelele
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Materials – Creep –South Africa , Steel -- Creep
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61380 , vital:70622
  • Description: Creep-resistant 1CrMoV steels are used for high-pressure turbine rotors in fossil fuel power stations operating at steam temperatures up to 565 °C in the creep regime. The upper bainitic microstructure of 1CrMoV rotors changes when exposed to high temperature service over long periods. The aim of this study was to relate these microstructural changes for service exposed 1CrMoV rotor steels to the remaining creep life as determined using existing methods. Analytical electron microscopy was used to quantitatively study the microstructural evolution of service-exposed 1CrMoV steel rotors. 1CrMoV rotor steel samples were characterised in the initial state, and three long-term (272 h to 300 kh) service exposed states. Detailed microstructural investigations were conducted to analyse the cavities; bainitic laths and packets; dislocations; carbide phases and their size, population, composition. The creep life fractions were estimated using conventional life assessment methods based on creep cavitation and hardness. The creep life fraction consumed of the rotors, estimated based on the creep cavities and hardness data, ranged from ~0.5 to 1. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was used to analyse the bainitic packets, laths, misorientations, and dislocations, which showed that the bainitic lath surface area to volume (SV) correlated with service time. The precipitates were extracted from the Fe-matrix using extraction replication and were further investigated using transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). STEM-EDS and TKD identified M3C, MC, M2C, M7C3, and M23C6 (M = Fe, Cr, Mo, V, Mn) in the 1CrMoV steels. STEM-EDS measurements revealed that Fe/Cr ratios in M3C decreased from 4.5 (initial state) to 2.5 (>272 kh). The Fe/Cr and Fe/Mo ratios in overall carbides decreased from 5 and 10 (initial state) to 1 and 2 (>272 kh), respectively. The TKD analysis indicated that the relative phase proportion of M2C and M7C3 carbides, relative to the total extracted carbides, is positively correlated with service exposure. These microstructural features correlate with the creep life fraction consumed and could potentially be used as another indicator of the remnant creep life. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Modelling the dynamics of Breast Cancer disease with hormone therapy and surgery controls

  • Authors: Ngalo, Akhona Sunshine , Mbava,Willard
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Cancer -- Molecular aspects , Breast cancer -- South Africa , Hormone therapy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61487 , vital:70688
  • Description: In this study, we discussed a mathematical model that incorporates important interactions between normal cells, tumor cells, immune cells, and estrogen. The mathematical model was revised to include two control measures; namely surgery and hormone therapy to minimize the number of tumor cells. The model was mathematically analyzed with the premise that the two control measures are positive constants. Locally and globally analyses were performed using a variety of analytical methods to investigate the stability of the breast cancer model. Furthermore, an optimal control problem was formulated and used to determine the best strategy for reducing the number of tumor cells by incorporating hormone therapy and surgery, based on the well-known Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. The numerical results indicates combining both optimal control measures (surgery and hormone therapy) simultaneously is more efficacious than using single control measure separately in decreasing the number of tumor cells. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Parental influence on next-generation family members in South African black-owned family businesses

  • Authors: Ntari, Lwando
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Business enterprises, Black , Family-owned business enterprises
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62299 , vital:72376
  • Description: This study focuses on the parental influence on next-generation family members in South African Black-owned family businesses. In both developed and developing countries, the majority of businesses are family-owned and contribute significantly to their country's economic growth. To be sustainable, family businesses should anticipate, recognise and understand the impact parents have on their next-generation family members’ intentions to join the family business. Controlling a family business with the intent to transfer it to the next family generation is often seen as the defining characteristic of family businesses. Transferring the control of a family business to the next generation presents a critical managerial challenge. It has been noted that parents are the most important influence in a child’s life and could therefore have the greatest influence on their career choice. This study discusses parents' impact on their next-generation family members’ career choices in the context of career choice theories: Holland’s theory of vocational personalities in the work environment, Super’s developmental self-concept theory, and social cognitive career theory. Moreover, the important influence that parents have on their children and the impact of the parent is elaborated on; the characteristics of the parent's job, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, parent's relationship, parental expectations, parent's style, and cultural influence are discussed. In addition, career choice theories in the South African context are also briefly discussed. The lack of desire of next-generation family members to join the family business endangers its long-term sustainability. Although numerous factors influence a person's career choice, including the decision to join their family business, parents are by far the most influential. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify the influence parents have on a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. A structured questionnaire was distributed to South African respondents with parents who own a family business. Respondents were identified by means of judgemental sampling. A total of 317 usable questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The validity of the scales measuring the dependent and independent variables was assessed using factor analysis, and the scales’ reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. The family businesses iv associated with the respondents were mostly first-generation owned. The majority of respondents were Xhosa and Zulu speakers and represented family businesses that employed more than five employees. The next-generation family members who participated in this study were predominantly males under the age of 25 years, and most had no post-matric qualification. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the hypothesised relationships. The results indicate that four parental influences (parental style, culture, self-efficacy and parental identification) significantly influence a next-generation family member’s intention to join the family business. It is important for parents to understand which factors influence their children's decision to join the family business, as this allows the parents to manage these factors best. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Perceptions about the role of social entrepreneurship in the provision of employment in South Africa: A case study of buffalo city Metropolitan municipality

  • Authors: Damane, Qaqamba
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Job creation , socioeconomic status , Social integration
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61075 , vital:69722
  • Description: The high rates of unemployment and poverty in South Africa are significant barriers to economic advancement in the country. According to Statistics South Africa (2022), the country’s unemployment rate is 34.5 percent, while it has been reported that the proportion of the population living in poverty was 55.5 percent in 2020. Social entrepreneurship has been recognised as a means of tackling these socioeconomic challenges, by providing innovative social solutions. However, the lack of a universal definition for social entrepreneurship has caused misperceptions regarding its potential for job creation, poverty alleviation and economic development. In order to understand the relationship between social entrepreneurship and job creation, this study focused on existent perceptions of social entrepreneurship as pertaining to job creation in South Africa; the study used the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as a case study. An in-depth literature review was conducted on the relevant literature related to the concept of social entrepreneurship, and its role in job creation. This study employed a qualitative research approach, in this respect, it relied on inductive reasoning. The research design followed the hermeneutic phenomenological method, for which non-probability purposive sampling was used in order to select participants. The study sample comprised of twelve social entrepreneurs registered on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality's Local Economic Development database for social entrepreneurs. For the purpose of data collection, the study employed semi-structured interviews which relied on open-ended questions; in this regard, the study achieved a 100 percent response rate. The primary research findings indicated that the youth of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality participate in, and promote, social entrepreneurship as a solution to the metropole’s high youth unemployment rate. The results of the study support current government policy by encouraging the implementation of local government policy initiatives that support social entrepreneurship, which could eventually result in the creation of jobs, and a decline in the country's unemployment rate. In addition, the study identified the need for government support, specifically in terms of the provision of funding and resources as a perceived government function; this would assist in the creation of social entrepreneurshipbased jobs. The study contributes to the existent body of work on the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, and to further understanding the role this phenomenon plays in job creation in South Africa. Local government should acknowledge and support social entrepreneurship through the improvement of its current systems and the reallocation of government resources, so as to encourage openness and participation, in order to foster an environment that is vi favorable to social innovation. Furthermore, by capitalizing on the commercial aspects of social enterprises, and abandoning reliance on traditional Local Economic Development policies, local government can develop policy frameworks that promote socio-economic development in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Perceptions of mental illness among the residents of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: The influence of culture and religion on their coping strategies.: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual

  • Authors: Sikrweqe, Odwa
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Mental illness , Mental illness--Religious aspects , Mental illness-- Culture aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60445 , vital:65507
  • Description: Mental illness has become a global concern, with consequences that may result in a mental health pandemic. Studies conducted on mental illness suggest that religious and cultural beliefs not only affect the expression of mental illness, but also the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions. South Africa is a country imbued with cultural and religious diversity, which creates different groupings of people, holding diverse beliefs regarding mental illness. In many contexts, supernatural beliefs, traditional healing and indigenous medicines and treatments are considered in the treatment of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses, especially on contexts where there is a reliance on religio-cultural beliefs. Even though there has been a significant increase in the contribution to research focusing on mental health in diverse contexts, much of this research has focused on subjective experiences. Little to no information is available on population-based studies in South Africa regarding mental illness in diverse contexts, thus limiting the generalisation of findings related to cultural and religious influences on mental illness. This dearth of information further limits the development of psychological interventions. The study aimed to explore how mental illness is perceived by the participants and thereafter explored the influence of culture and religion in coping with mental illness by the residents of the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and adopted an exploratory-descriptive design. The researcher made use of a questionnaire as a research tool and QuestionPro was utilized as a platform. A convenience sampling technique was utilised. In ensuring rigour of the study, the researcher ensured maximal validity (accurate representation of the data) and reliability (ability to repeat the research procedure). Ethical principles have been adhered to as per the principles on the Belmont Report, to ensure safety of the participants and this includes anonymity, confidentiality and the right to withdraw from participation in the study. Data has been analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A sample size of 101 participants from the general population of residents of the Eastern Cape completed the online survey. The results of the study revealed that the residents of the Eastern Cape have substantial knowledge pertaining the cause of mental illness and indicated both positive and negative attitudes towards the mentally ill and possess coping strategies to deal with a mental illness. In addition, the results show that there is a relation between religion/culture and coping with a mental illness by the participants of the study. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of public education efforts that understand and respect people's cultural diversity, as well as teamwork among traditional and medical professionals. Future studies should focus on the use of discourse analysis to better investigate indigenous groups' conceptions of mental illness and their views about its aetiology and treatment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural Science, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Performance management of the academic staffs in Ugandan public and private universities

  • Authors: Kansiime, Grace
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Performance--Management , Academic staff , Higher education institutions -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60938 , vital:69246
  • Description: This study, at the outset, seeks to assess the effectiveness of a performance management system (PMS) in determining the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in selected Ugandan public and private universities. The participants of this study comprised full-time and parttime academic staffs from public and private universities located in the four regions in Uganda. The purposive sampling method was used to select the universities for this study. Convenient sampling was used to select the academic staffs in the universities. An online structured questionnaire collected quantitative data and analysed it using descriptive and inferential statistics. The quantitative analysis of the responses showed that many participants were made up of public university academic staffs, lecturers, assistant lecturers, master‟s degree holders and permanent fulltime staffs. Factor analyses were run for each section and sub-section within the questionnaire to explore the dimensionality of the scales and generate composite factor scores to be used for further analyses. While, internal consistency was examined using Cronbach‟s alpha. In addition, descriptive statistics for the factors within sections were determined. Pearson‟s correlation coefficients were calculated for each pair of factor scores for each section and sub-section to explore the relationships between the factors identified in this study. Additionally, the comparison of factor scores across selected demographic variables and independent samples t-tests for the equality of means was used to establish whether there were significant differences between the factor scores of various demographic variables. Finally, one-way ANOVAs were considered to compare the composite factor scores across various demographic variables. Factor score analysis showed that 44.9% of the academic staffs had a moderate attitude towards the PMS process; whereas 84.9% had a high attitude towards PA criteria and 64.2% had a high attitude towards PFPS. The results of the study suggest a high attitude of the academic staffs towards PA and PFP in teaching and research. In addition, the majority (78.0%) of the academic staffs had a high attitude towards their self-performance planning in their institution. The results of the study suggest a high level of self-performance planning of the academic staffs in teaching and research in the selected Ugandan HEIs. A reasonable number (45.4%) of the academic staffs from public universities and 49.1% from private universities had a high attitude towards supervisors‟ participation in performance planning and performance feedback. Moreover, 44.0% of the academic staffs from public universities and 66.7% of the academic staffs from private universities rated the workload as high. The results of the study suggest that the academic staffs‟ workload was high. In xx addition, factor score analysis showed that the academic staffs‟ performance rewards were low. Only 24.9% of the academic staffs had received more than 67% of the available rewards suggesting that the academic staffs‟ managers in the surveyed institutions did not use a variety of performance rewards to compensate for the academic staffs‟ performance. In addition, the average factor score for teaching skills was 94.8%, while perceived teaching abilities were 95.1% high on average. Besides, the factor score analysis results showed that teaching skills were 84.81% and 86.34%, respectively. Only 29.1% of the academic staffs from both public and private universities had high research skills. The results suggested that the academic staffs‟ teaching skills were high while their research skills were low. The findings thus suggested that the academic staffs in Ugandan public and private universities were highly involved in teaching activities, but their involvement in research activities was low. Similarly, results from testing hypotheses suggested that academic staffs in the surveyed Ugandan public and private universities rated PA criteria and PFPS higher than the PMS process. The study results indicated that self-performance planning and supervisors‟ involvement in performance feedback improved academic staffs‟ teaching skills. In contrast, performance planning, review, clarity on feedback, evaluation and rewards increased academic staffs‟ performance in perceived teaching abilities. In addition, an increase in the research workload contributed to an increase in the academic staffs‟ perception of their research knowledge and skills. The study made major conclusions regarding academic staffs‟ PM in Ugandan public and private universities. First, correlation results on performance planning and teaching skills and abilities for public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Therefore, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance planning in the selected Ugandan HEIs positively affected the academic staffs‟ performance in teaching. In addition, correlation results for supervisor involvement in feedback and teaching skills for both public and private universities were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Thus, the study concludes that supervisors‟ involvement in feedback improved academic staffs‟ performance in teaching skills. In addition, correlation results showed that performance reviews and teaching abilities were statistically significant for public universities (p=0.001), and (p=0.034) for private universities. Thus, the study concludes that the academic staffs‟ performance reviews improved academic staffs‟ teaching abilities in selected public and private universities. Equally, correlation results for performance evaluation and perceived teaching abilities for public universities was statistically significant (p< 0.001) for public universities, and (p=0.006) for private universities. Therefore, the study concludes that performance evaluation increased xxi teaching abilities of the academic staffs in both Ugandan public and private universities. In addition, rewards significantly impacted academic staffs‟ perceived teaching abilities in private universities. Correlation results for rewards and perceived teaching abilities for private universities was statistically significant (p< 0.011). Therefore, the study concludes that the more academic staffs were rewarded, the more they participated in setting, administering and marking tests, assisgnments and examinations, and adhering to deadlines set for administering tests and assignments. Similarly, the study made various recommendations to improve academic staffs‟ performance in teaching and research in Ugandan public and private universities. To achieve the required performance in teaching and research, the study recommends that the academic staffs be involved in the entire planning process to be aware of the required performance and the kind of results expected from their performance and work towards achieving the set performance in teaching and research. Additionally, performance reviews and feedback should be one-on-one discussions between the managers and the academic staffs to identify how far the staffs are performing towards the set goals. The study recommends that the academic staffs need information regarding their performance for feedback to be effective. In addition, the study recommends that the academic staffs‟ managers should increase financial and non-financial rewards to motivate the academic staffs to increase their performance in teaching. Correlation results showed that rewards had a significant impact on teaching abilities (p=0.011). Thus, rewards should as well be increased to improve academic staffs‟ teaching abilities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Research and Engagement, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Personal branding as a market tool

  • Authors: Botha, Alylin
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Personal Branding , marketing tool
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60993 , vital:69591
  • Description: Personal Branding is deemed as an unavoidable aspect of entrepreneurship and social acceptance. Individuals should establish, develop, maintain and take advantage of a Personal Brand. The benefits of a Personal Brand should be embraced and used to market themselves and highlight their uniqueness. The aim is to investigate the relationship between Professional Life, Social Media Presence, Values, Competencies, Communication as the independent variables and Personal Branding as the dependent variable. It was concluded that there are important factors that positively influence Interpersonal Personal Brand as well as Intellectual Personal Brand, which are the two components that make up Personal Brand. There is limited research on the factors that influence Personal Branding in South Africa. Through literature review, factors were identified and used to form a conceptual model. This model was tested to measure their relationship with Personal Branding. An online questionnaire was distributed to MBA students, family and friends who made up the study’s respondents. The results obtained after conducting correlation and ChiSquare tests were used to determine the relationship between the identified factors with Personal Branding. This study explores how individuals can use Personal Branding as a marketing tool. These individuals include those who want to create or further expand their current Personal Brand and use it as a marketing tool. This treatise explored the factors needed to be considered for Personal Branding a marketing tool for individuals. Personal Branding can be used at the beginning of a career, during a transition of a career or even when wanting to explore a new career. Personal Brand was initially considered the only factor. However, this study concludes that Personal Branding is made of up of two components: Interpersonal Personal Branding as well as Intellectual Personal Branding. The findings concluded that independent factors, Professional Life, Values, Competencies and Communication all have a positive significant influence on Personal Branding as a whole, as well as the components it is made up of, Interpersonal Personal Branding and Intellectual Personal Branding. The independent factor Social Media Presence positively influences Interpersonal Personal Branding only. v This study makes theoretical contributions by broadening the definition of Personal Branding. The study defines the research methodologies for Personal Branding which could be used for future studies. The Associative Network Theory in relevance to Personal Branding is explored. The practical contribution of this research includes a hypothesised model which was tested. This study should be repeated to include a bigger sample size that is more equally distributed within South Africa. Additionally, for future studies, it would be recommended to incorporate the development of Personal Branding as an independent factor to measure its effect on Personal Branding. Another recommendation for further research is to conduct research on policies, which can be put forward to assist with the managing of Personal Branding for entrepreneurs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Play-based approaches in teaching and learning in selected early childhood development centres in Buffalo City

  • Authors: November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Early childhood education -- Activity programs , Play
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26042 , vital:64785
  • Description: This study endeavoured to investigate the perspectives of principals and practitioners working in selected early childhood development (ECD) centres in the Buffalo Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, on the use of play-based techniques in educational and pedagogical practices of 3 to 4 years age group. Although most practitioners are aware of the significance of play-based learning, many report experiencing challenges when attempting to incorporate play-based strategies into their teaching of, and lessons aimed at, young children ages 3 to 4 years. For the purpose of ECD, it is recommended that the teaching of, and learning by, young children take the form of play (NCF, DBE, 2015). In this particular research undertaking, a qualitative design approach was adopted. A descriptive case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the key method of data generation was used to study play-based approaches between practitioners and children ages birth to four years at three ECD centres located within the Buffalo City Municipality District. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the three principals of the ECD centres and six practitioners, during the data-collection phase. Recording of the interviews was done then they were transcribed and thematic coding employed before the data were analysed for themes. The study participants’ responses revealed that the insufficient professional training of practitioners, on play-based approaches, presented a challenge. Play as a way of teaching and developing young children is further hampered by a variety of issues such as poor infrastructure, unqualified practitioners, funding of the ECD centres and lack of relevant resources prevalent in the ECD sector. As the findings indicate, government intervention will facilitate the training of practitioners for in-depth knowledge and understanding of play methodology in ECD, while the sector will benefit from additional funding and infrastructure provision as this has impact on indoor and outdoor play-based activities, as well as the appointment of qualified human resources instead of job seekers. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossils from the Cape south coast of South Africa: inferences and implications

  • Authors: Helm, Charles William
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Geology, Stratigraphic -- Pleistocene , Vertebrates, Fossil -- South Africa , Paleontology -- Pleistocene
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctor's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60589 , vital:65942
  • Description: Palaeoichnology, the study of fossil tracks and traces, has had a relatively late start on the Cape south coast of South Africa. Since its inception in 2007 the Cape south coast ichnology project has led to the identification of 326 Pleistocene vertebrate ichnosites in aeolianites (cemented dunes) and cemented foreshore deposits between the community of Arniston in the west and the Robberg Peninsula in the east, a distance of approximately 350 kilometres. As a result, significant palaeoevironmental, palaeocological and palaeoanthropological inferences have been made. This thesis brings together this corpus of work, and attempts to answer the question of how ichnology can inform the understanding of the Cape south coast Pleistocene environment, and how the trace fossil record can complement the body fossil record. Achieving this objective involves the development of a definitive regional account. This includes descriptions of the regional geological context, Quaternary sea-level changes, and the state of knowledge of the region’s Pleistocene palaeoenvironment, palaeoanthropology, and body fossil record, along with an understanding of the roles of substrate and taphonomy in regional ichnology. A discussion of geochronology includes the age results from specimens submitted for dating through optically stimulated luminescence – dated deposits range in age from Marine Isotope Stage 11 through Marine Isotope Srage 3. The body of the thesis is formed by systematic descriptions of the vertebrate ichnosites, accompanied by interpretation and comments. Three databases have been compiled: ichnosites, photographs, and photogrammetry images. In synthesizing this data, four underlying questions are addressed: what is the global relevance of the Cape south coast ichnosites, how can these studies complement the vertebrate body fossil record, how can they contribute to the understanding of Pleistocene palaeoenvironments and palaeocology, and how can they contribute to palaeoanthropology? The Cape south coast is of global ichnological importance. Unanticipated findings which augment the sparse reptilian body fossil record include tracks and traces of crocodiles, monitor lizards, very large tortoises (the first of their kind in the global record), and hatchling sea turtles. Two new ichnogenera have been erected to describe the sea turtle tracks, each containing a new ichnospecies: ustralochelichnus agulhasii and Marinerichnus latus. Avian ichnosites are the oldest in southern v Africa, and include the presence of tracks of larger-than-expected birds, which may represent large chronosubspecies or may suggest the possibility of extinctions which are not evident from the body fossil record. Unique examples of the non-hominin mammalian ichnosites include sand-swimming traces that resemble those of the ‘Namib mole’: as a result a new ichnogenus (Natatorichnus) has been erected, containing two ichnospecies, N. subarenosa and N. sulcatus. The first elephant trunk-drag impressions and the first pinniped ichnosites in the global record have been identified. The role of elephant tracks as precursors to coastal potholes was previously unsuspected. Equid tracksites indicate a widespread presence of the extinct giant Cape horse (Equus capensis). The identification of a giraffe tracksite represents a major range extension. In particular, tracks and traces of giraffe, crocodiles, breeding sea turtles, and sand-swimming golden moles have significant palaeoenvironmental implications. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Professional Registration in the engineering industry: The impacts and relevancy

  • Authors: Dlamini, Lunika Sibusiso
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Industrial engineering , Professional Engineering
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61154 , vital:69789
  • Description: In this treatise paper, the focus is on the understanding the relationship between professional registration in engineering, and the success of projects within the engineering sector. It is assumed that if a projects completion time exceeded its due date, or expenses overran the budget, or outcomes did not satisfy a company's predetermined performance criteria, the project was assumed to be a failure. (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) We know that projects in recent rimes have become ever more complex, and their critical factors of success and failure have been previously researched (Belassi & Tukel, 1996) (Jha & Iyer, 2006) , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of business and economic sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

South African plantation forest nursery pesticide -use: current status, pesticide identification for management, and screening of fungicides for pathogen control

  • Authors: Opperman, Ilke
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Forest insects –Control – South Africa , Pesticides -- Environmental aspects , Pest management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61370 , vital:70618
  • Description: Forest nurseries are exposed to many challenges during the production of plant material, with pests and pathogens two of the most important. Management of pests and diseases require the use of multiple methods, including cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies in an integrated nursery pest management plan (IPM). In most nurseries, where hygiene practices and biological controls do not prevent the presence of pests and pathogens, they are managed through the use of pesticides. Forestry companies are regulated by both Government and Forestry Certification bodies. These include South African legislation pertaining to pesticides regulated by the Registrar Act 36 of 1947, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). A limited number of pesticides, with an even more limited range of active ingredients, and not targeting all known plantation forestry pests/pathogens, are currently registered for use against pests and pathogens in plantation forestry in South Africa. Many of these have been in use for more than a decade, posing a serious risk in terms of resistance build-up. There is a major need for the identification and testing of additional/alternative products (biological natural or synthetic) for use against the range of pests and pathogens that occur on the various plantation tree species and hybrid combinations that are raised in nurseries. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science & Management, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

Technology acceptance model perceptions of operational staff on the implementation of advanced radiography equipment

  • Authors: James, Bryan Gerard Anthony
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Medical technology , Radiography--Equipment and supplies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61393 , vital:70634
  • Description: Throughout the recent history of South Africa, the increasing requirements from state and private sector healthcare institutions have relied heavily upon medical imaging technologies for the purposes of improved patient healthcare and service quality standards. Developments in this field of healthcare have seen many interesting and challenging operational changes: from the first implementation and use of X-ray equipment demonstrated in Krugersdorp in 1899; to the current advanced digital systems found in the medical imaging services sector of healthcare. This research study measured the medical imaging operational staff perceptions about new advanced medical imaging equipment and technologies. The theory crossed the academic disciplines through a quantitative survey about technology, operations management and healthcare. Together with staff perceptions about future medical imaging technologies’ usefulness and ease of use, the findings may impact their daily operations within a conducive technology acceptance management paradigm. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

The analysis of social networking sites usage by the public relations management students from Walter Sisulu University: Buffalo city campus (Chiselhurst site)

  • Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
  • Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04

The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government: the case of Raymond Mhlaba local municipality in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Kapayi, Nceba Isaac
  • Date: 2023-04
  • Subjects: Local government , community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61431 , vital:70641
  • Description: The notion of public participation in decision-making processes is one of the mechanisms that seek to entrench equality and transform social coherence between government and citizens. This view relates to the provision of quality and sustainability of goods and services. The individuals, both in their capacity as citizens and consumers of public goods and services should be allowed to participate in the development that affect in terms of the regulatory frameworks. They should be permitted and encouraged to express their views on governance and development matters pertaining to them. Nevertheless, there are number of factors that impede the participation of the local communities in development planning processes, such as a communication gap between government officials and communities, socio-economic inequalities, poor service delivery, unemployment, a lack of capacity building and transparency to mention a few. The planning and implementation of municipal projects should be accepted only after considerable discussion and consultation with communities. This process is seen as allowing deprived groups and individuals to have voices in future development initiatives. As such, public participation enables for full involvement of ordinary members of the community in decision making, planning, designing, organising and executing development initiatives that affect them. The Researcher decided to embark on a study entitled: The assessment of public participation as a model to enhance development in local government. The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Adopting the quantitative research design, data was collected through questionnaires for the key informants consisting of 3 participants, 3 officials from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Data was also collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of the communities from Kataga in Adelaide, Gaga Village in Alice and Magaleni location in Fort Beaufort. Eighteen (18) community members were selected to participate in the study from both communities inclusive of ward councillors. Community members were organised into 1 focus group participants in each location (comprising of 6 people per group).To support the data obtained from focus group 3 key informants from Raymond Mhlaba Municipality participated in the investigation. A heterogeneous population of 21 respondents participated in this study. The thematic analysis was vii used to analyse data. The findings consistently show that the ability of a local government to work effectively dependent on inclusive planning, implementation and decision making processes. This means that local government development is also required for the impartial and efficient operation of public institutions. Public confidence in local municipalities is expressed as one of the main factors that determine the government‘s competitiveness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2023-04
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact