Psychological capital as a moderator of the relationship between workplace conflict and organisational citizenship behaviour among administrative staff at the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Motema, Boiketlo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Employees -- Attitudes Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18565 , vital:42609
- Description: This study investigated psychological capital (PsyCap) as a mediator of the relationship between workplace conflict (WC) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). The study was based on equity theory as well as the social exchange theory. The sample encompassed of 151 administrative staff members from the University of Fort Hare (Alice, Bhisho and East London campuses) in the Eastern Cape Province. Argentero, Cortese, and Ferretti (2008) organisational citizenship behaviour questionnaire was employed to assess OCB; the Interpersonal Conflict at Work Scale (ICAWS) was employed to assess workplace conflict; and Luthans, Avolio, Avey, and Norman’s (2007) psychological capital questionnaire by McGee (2011) was employed to assess psychological capital. In terms of data analysis, a descriptive analysis, correlational analysis together with simple linear regression analysis and multiple linear regression models were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings indicated a negative relationship between workplace conflict and organisational citizenship behaviour. Thus, for the purpose of enhancing extra-role behaviours amongst staff members, the management of the institution needs to ensure equitable compensation, rewards, and benefits amongst workers. This is vital because should the employees perceive that inequity exists, they will fight for fairness and justice, and if they are not heard, it will result in workplace conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Motema, Boiketlo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational behavior Employees -- Attitudes Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18565 , vital:42609
- Description: This study investigated psychological capital (PsyCap) as a mediator of the relationship between workplace conflict (WC) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). The study was based on equity theory as well as the social exchange theory. The sample encompassed of 151 administrative staff members from the University of Fort Hare (Alice, Bhisho and East London campuses) in the Eastern Cape Province. Argentero, Cortese, and Ferretti (2008) organisational citizenship behaviour questionnaire was employed to assess OCB; the Interpersonal Conflict at Work Scale (ICAWS) was employed to assess workplace conflict; and Luthans, Avolio, Avey, and Norman’s (2007) psychological capital questionnaire by McGee (2011) was employed to assess psychological capital. In terms of data analysis, a descriptive analysis, correlational analysis together with simple linear regression analysis and multiple linear regression models were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings indicated a negative relationship between workplace conflict and organisational citizenship behaviour. Thus, for the purpose of enhancing extra-role behaviours amongst staff members, the management of the institution needs to ensure equitable compensation, rewards, and benefits amongst workers. This is vital because should the employees perceive that inequity exists, they will fight for fairness and justice, and if they are not heard, it will result in workplace conflict.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Psychosocial well-being and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males in Bizana local municipality
- Authors: Gqumani, Phumlani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage boys -- Psychology Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18118 , vital:42234
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the psychosocial wellbeing and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males. The rationale of the study was to determine out whether the relationship exists between psychosocial wellbeing of orphaned adolescent males and their sexual behaviour (e.g. multiple sexual partners, sexual debut, and unprotected sex). The sample size of the purposively selected participants constituted 201 participants from Grade 07 to Grade 12. The study took place from Bizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Some of the findings of the study included the following From the hypotheses I drink alcohol and I watch pornography and that is how I learned to have sex, it became apparent that adolescent males who drink alcohol, watched pornography. The alternative hypothesis was confirmed with 8.5% of adolescent males drink alcohol and watch pornography compared to 8.0% who do not drink alcohol but watch pornography. There was no relationship between the hypotheses, my friends are aggressive and commit crime and I started having sex at age 13-16 and 17-20 years as 31. 4% of adolescent males who started having sex at the age of 17-20 years, 1.9% have friends who were aggressive and commit crime compared to 2.9% who started having sex at the age of 13-16 years who have friends who were aggressive and commit crime. Based on the findings of the study, it became clear that some adolescent males are resilient despite their social status and the study may be recommended for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Gqumani, Phumlani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenage boys -- Psychology Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18118 , vital:42234
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the psychosocial wellbeing and the sexual behaviour of orphaned adolescent males. The rationale of the study was to determine out whether the relationship exists between psychosocial wellbeing of orphaned adolescent males and their sexual behaviour (e.g. multiple sexual partners, sexual debut, and unprotected sex). The sample size of the purposively selected participants constituted 201 participants from Grade 07 to Grade 12. The study took place from Bizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Some of the findings of the study included the following From the hypotheses I drink alcohol and I watch pornography and that is how I learned to have sex, it became apparent that adolescent males who drink alcohol, watched pornography. The alternative hypothesis was confirmed with 8.5% of adolescent males drink alcohol and watch pornography compared to 8.0% who do not drink alcohol but watch pornography. There was no relationship between the hypotheses, my friends are aggressive and commit crime and I started having sex at age 13-16 and 17-20 years as 31. 4% of adolescent males who started having sex at the age of 17-20 years, 1.9% have friends who were aggressive and commit crime compared to 2.9% who started having sex at the age of 13-16 years who have friends who were aggressive and commit crime. Based on the findings of the study, it became clear that some adolescent males are resilient despite their social status and the study may be recommended for future studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Remedial program on learners’ proficiency in english second language: a case of two township schools in king William’s town education district.
- Authors: Moyo, Thembekile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Reading -- Remedial teaching Reading (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17910 , vital:41977
- Description: Literature indicates that there is a national crisis about learners who cannot read for comprehension at the primary level. However, there is limited literature that talks about effective remediation programmes in developing countries. This had a negative impact on the Matric results in the past years. Statistics have always shown the rural provinces such as Eastern Cape to be the most affected province with these poor results, due to the low levels of learners’ reading skills. This study focused on the remedial programme on learners’ proficiency in English second language, which was conducted in two township schools in King William’s Town District. This explored the remedial programme that could be used to help learners become proficient readers who could be able to read for meaning and comprehension. A case study research design was used where two township schools were sampled. A qualitative approach located in the interpretive paradigm was used to carry out the study. The purposive and the sampling procedure were used to solicit information from principals, educators, and learners. The data was collected through interviews, observations and focus groups. Its focus was to establish a remedial programme to improve learners’ proficiency in English second language. The findings revealed that a lack of English proficiency has a negative effect on the learners’ performance. The findings also revealed that the repetition of concepts helps the learners to master and increase their vocabulary and comprehension. A need for learner teacher support materials (LTSM) was revealed to equip the educators with knowledge and skills for teaching diversity in the classroom. The study recommends provision for trained remedial educators in all schools to attend to the individual needs of learners appropriately. Universities should include a component of remedial education in the training of educators, as they are the ones expected to remediate the struggling learners. Parents should encourage their children to be actively involved in learning the language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Moyo, Thembekile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Reading -- Remedial teaching Reading (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17910 , vital:41977
- Description: Literature indicates that there is a national crisis about learners who cannot read for comprehension at the primary level. However, there is limited literature that talks about effective remediation programmes in developing countries. This had a negative impact on the Matric results in the past years. Statistics have always shown the rural provinces such as Eastern Cape to be the most affected province with these poor results, due to the low levels of learners’ reading skills. This study focused on the remedial programme on learners’ proficiency in English second language, which was conducted in two township schools in King William’s Town District. This explored the remedial programme that could be used to help learners become proficient readers who could be able to read for meaning and comprehension. A case study research design was used where two township schools were sampled. A qualitative approach located in the interpretive paradigm was used to carry out the study. The purposive and the sampling procedure were used to solicit information from principals, educators, and learners. The data was collected through interviews, observations and focus groups. Its focus was to establish a remedial programme to improve learners’ proficiency in English second language. The findings revealed that a lack of English proficiency has a negative effect on the learners’ performance. The findings also revealed that the repetition of concepts helps the learners to master and increase their vocabulary and comprehension. A need for learner teacher support materials (LTSM) was revealed to equip the educators with knowledge and skills for teaching diversity in the classroom. The study recommends provision for trained remedial educators in all schools to attend to the individual needs of learners appropriately. Universities should include a component of remedial education in the training of educators, as they are the ones expected to remediate the struggling learners. Parents should encourage their children to be actively involved in learning the language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Resource Allocation Framework in Fog Computing for the Internet of Things Environments
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet of things Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18498 , vital:42575
- Description: Fog computing plays a pivotal role in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem because of its ability to support delay-sensitive tasks, bringing resources from cloud servers closer to the “ground” and support IoT devices that are resource-constrained. Although fog computing offers some benefits such as quick response to requests, geo-distributed data processing and data processing in the proximity of the IoT devices, the exponential increase of IoT devices and large volumes of data being generated has led to a new set of challenges. One such problem is the allocation of resources to IoT tasks to match their computational needs and quality of service (QoS) requirements, whilst meeting both task deadlines and user expectations. Most proposed solutions in existing works suggest task offloading mechanisms where IoT devices would offload their tasks randomly to the fog layer or cloud layer. This helps in minimizing the communication delay; however, most tasks would end up missing their deadlines as many delays are experienced during offloading. This study proposes and introduces a Resource Allocation Scheduler (RAS) at the IoT-Fog gateway, whose goal is to decide where and when a task is to be offloaded, either to the fog layer, or the cloud layer based on their priority needs, computational needs and QoS requirements. The aim directly places work within the communication networks domain, in the transport layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. As such, this study follows the four phases of the top-down approach because of its reusability characteristics. To validate and test the efficiency and effectiveness of the RAS, the fog framework was implemented and evaluated in a simulated smart home setup. The essential metrics that were used to check if round-trip time was minimized are the queuing time, offloading time and throughput for QoS. The results showed that the RAS helps to reduce the round-trip time, increases throughput and leads to improved QoS. Furthermore, the approach addressed the starvation problem, a phenomenon that tends to affect low priority tasks. Most importantly, the results provides evidence that if resource allocation and assignment are appropriately done, round-trip time can be reduced and QoS can be improved in fog computing. The significant contribution of this research is the novel framework which minimizes round-trip time, addresses the starvation problem and improves QoS. Moreover, a literature reviewed paper which was regarded by reviewers as the first, as far as QoS in fog computing is concerned was produced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Internet of things Cloud computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18498 , vital:42575
- Description: Fog computing plays a pivotal role in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem because of its ability to support delay-sensitive tasks, bringing resources from cloud servers closer to the “ground” and support IoT devices that are resource-constrained. Although fog computing offers some benefits such as quick response to requests, geo-distributed data processing and data processing in the proximity of the IoT devices, the exponential increase of IoT devices and large volumes of data being generated has led to a new set of challenges. One such problem is the allocation of resources to IoT tasks to match their computational needs and quality of service (QoS) requirements, whilst meeting both task deadlines and user expectations. Most proposed solutions in existing works suggest task offloading mechanisms where IoT devices would offload their tasks randomly to the fog layer or cloud layer. This helps in minimizing the communication delay; however, most tasks would end up missing their deadlines as many delays are experienced during offloading. This study proposes and introduces a Resource Allocation Scheduler (RAS) at the IoT-Fog gateway, whose goal is to decide where and when a task is to be offloaded, either to the fog layer, or the cloud layer based on their priority needs, computational needs and QoS requirements. The aim directly places work within the communication networks domain, in the transport layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. As such, this study follows the four phases of the top-down approach because of its reusability characteristics. To validate and test the efficiency and effectiveness of the RAS, the fog framework was implemented and evaluated in a simulated smart home setup. The essential metrics that were used to check if round-trip time was minimized are the queuing time, offloading time and throughput for QoS. The results showed that the RAS helps to reduce the round-trip time, increases throughput and leads to improved QoS. Furthermore, the approach addressed the starvation problem, a phenomenon that tends to affect low priority tasks. Most importantly, the results provides evidence that if resource allocation and assignment are appropriately done, round-trip time can be reduced and QoS can be improved in fog computing. The significant contribution of this research is the novel framework which minimizes round-trip time, addresses the starvation problem and improves QoS. Moreover, a literature reviewed paper which was regarded by reviewers as the first, as far as QoS in fog computing is concerned was produced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Sexual behaviour of adolescent females: a case study of st. Wendolins area, kwaZulu Natal
- Authors: Phelako, Ntokozo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenagers -- Sexual behavior Youth -- Sexual behavior|
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11484 , vital:39076
- Description: This study investigated the phenomenon of sexual behaviour of adolescent females, specifically at St. Wendolins in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Adolescence is a critical period for physical, social, and emotional development, and the possibility of adolescents engaging in sexual intercourse is an important social and public health consideration. Sexual intercourse among adolescents is a risk factor for teen pregnancy, clandestine abortions, sexually transmitted infection, school dropouts, and HIV. Adolescents who engage in sexual intercourse may also be exposed to harmful lifestyles, such as use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking. The South African national HIV public health interventions among adolescents have largely been geared towards sexual abstinence; this emphasis in the prevention interventions may be limited as it may not cater for adolescents with diverse experiences. The study intended to achieve the following specific objectives: to examine the challenges faced by sexual adolescent females; to assess the support services from the social network; and to examine the strategies that are put in place by professionals in supporting teenagers who are sexually active. The study was guided by a qualitative research design in the form of a case study. It also employed in-depth one-on-one interviews, complimented by both focus group discussions and key informants as methods of data collection. The study used nonprobability methodology of sample selection, specifically the purposive sampling technique as well as a snowball . A sample of the study comprised of the nonstudent participants, psychologist, teachers, social workers, Nurses, police officers and other community members Data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic data analysis, which used interpretative approaches and textual presentation. The study established the following: the adolescent stage is a critical time for young girls because of the physical, biological as well as the social changes that they face and need to go through. The factors that face young girls are from all aspects of life; from the home, the community as well as individual factors. The most important factor affecting adolescent females to emerge from the study was social media as a tool that young girls used to learn about sexual behaviour as well as communicating amongst themselves as well as with their sexual partners. 6 The study recommended that the family system needed strengthening. The home is the first place that young girls feel protected, and when the family system is broken down the adolescent females start to look outside and start misbehaving, and end up being sexually active. There should be continuous social work services provided to female adolescents as some are staying alone
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Phelako, Ntokozo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Teenagers -- Sexual behavior Youth -- Sexual behavior|
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M (Social Work)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11484 , vital:39076
- Description: This study investigated the phenomenon of sexual behaviour of adolescent females, specifically at St. Wendolins in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Adolescence is a critical period for physical, social, and emotional development, and the possibility of adolescents engaging in sexual intercourse is an important social and public health consideration. Sexual intercourse among adolescents is a risk factor for teen pregnancy, clandestine abortions, sexually transmitted infection, school dropouts, and HIV. Adolescents who engage in sexual intercourse may also be exposed to harmful lifestyles, such as use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking. The South African national HIV public health interventions among adolescents have largely been geared towards sexual abstinence; this emphasis in the prevention interventions may be limited as it may not cater for adolescents with diverse experiences. The study intended to achieve the following specific objectives: to examine the challenges faced by sexual adolescent females; to assess the support services from the social network; and to examine the strategies that are put in place by professionals in supporting teenagers who are sexually active. The study was guided by a qualitative research design in the form of a case study. It also employed in-depth one-on-one interviews, complimented by both focus group discussions and key informants as methods of data collection. The study used nonprobability methodology of sample selection, specifically the purposive sampling technique as well as a snowball . A sample of the study comprised of the nonstudent participants, psychologist, teachers, social workers, Nurses, police officers and other community members Data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic data analysis, which used interpretative approaches and textual presentation. The study established the following: the adolescent stage is a critical time for young girls because of the physical, biological as well as the social changes that they face and need to go through. The factors that face young girls are from all aspects of life; from the home, the community as well as individual factors. The most important factor affecting adolescent females to emerge from the study was social media as a tool that young girls used to learn about sexual behaviour as well as communicating amongst themselves as well as with their sexual partners. 6 The study recommended that the family system needed strengthening. The home is the first place that young girls feel protected, and when the family system is broken down the adolescent females start to look outside and start misbehaving, and end up being sexually active. There should be continuous social work services provided to female adolescents as some are staying alone
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to mitigate the effect of drought on maize production in O.R Tambo District Municipality
- Authors: Masinda, Nasiphi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18709 , vital:42726
- Description: Drought is a normal periodical event that influences the livelihoods of millions of people around the world and it is considered one of the most devastating natural disasters in economic, social and environmental terms. South Africa is considered a semi-arid country vulnerable to water stress, particularly drought. Drought is expected to affect maize production in South Africa in the coming years. Although drought cannot be controlled, producers can adopt adaptation practices to reduce yield loss caused by drought. Maize is a staple crop in South Africa, which makes it the most important grain crop, being both the major feed grain and the staple food of the majority of the South African population. Literature has identified and presented several adaptation strategies that farmers can use however, it has not been conclusively investigated whether vulnerable smallholder farmers affected by drought are able to use or benefit from them. The study examined drought adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers and factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of drought mitigation strategies. This study determined smallholder farmer’s adoption of adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of drought on maize production in O.R Tambo district municipality. The study was carried in ORTDM in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach utilizing qualitative and quantitative data was employed. Both primary and secondary data sources were used for this study. The study gathered data from ORTDM in the Eastern Cape from 200 smallholder maize producers. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire and was complemented by secondary data on maize production, yield and area planted sourced from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, the adaptation strategy index in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and double hurdle model used Statistical package called STATA (version 12. Results from descriptive analysis identified separate livelihood adoptions which were, increase fertilizer, use savings, indigenous knowledge, sell livestock, off-farm income (salary) and reduction of production. The adaptation strategies adopted by maize farmers are mostly shifting planting date, reduction of maize cultivated area and intercropping. The double hurdle model was used to estimate the factors affecting the farmers’ adoption of drought mitigation strategies and factors which were found to be statistically significant were gender of the household head, level of education of the household head, household size, extension services and land ownership. The Adaptation Strategy Index was used in order to establish the relationship between adopting adaptation strategies and maize production. The farmers ranked the adaptation strategies in terms of their useful in adapting with drought and successfully alleviating decline in maize production. Shifting of planting date, reduction of maize cultivated area, planting drought resistant varieties, crop diversification and intercropping were ranked as the most useful respectively. The findings of this study have a number of policy implications since a number of farmers did nothing to adapt to the effects of drought hence supporting smallholder farmers through training on climate change adaption and adapting options is necessary. Training targeting female headed and poor farmers can have significant positive impacts for increasing the implementation of drought adaptation strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Masinda, Nasiphi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18709 , vital:42726
- Description: Drought is a normal periodical event that influences the livelihoods of millions of people around the world and it is considered one of the most devastating natural disasters in economic, social and environmental terms. South Africa is considered a semi-arid country vulnerable to water stress, particularly drought. Drought is expected to affect maize production in South Africa in the coming years. Although drought cannot be controlled, producers can adopt adaptation practices to reduce yield loss caused by drought. Maize is a staple crop in South Africa, which makes it the most important grain crop, being both the major feed grain and the staple food of the majority of the South African population. Literature has identified and presented several adaptation strategies that farmers can use however, it has not been conclusively investigated whether vulnerable smallholder farmers affected by drought are able to use or benefit from them. The study examined drought adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers and factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of drought mitigation strategies. This study determined smallholder farmer’s adoption of adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of drought on maize production in O.R Tambo district municipality. The study was carried in ORTDM in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach utilizing qualitative and quantitative data was employed. Both primary and secondary data sources were used for this study. The study gathered data from ORTDM in the Eastern Cape from 200 smallholder maize producers. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire and was complemented by secondary data on maize production, yield and area planted sourced from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, the adaptation strategy index in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and double hurdle model used Statistical package called STATA (version 12. Results from descriptive analysis identified separate livelihood adoptions which were, increase fertilizer, use savings, indigenous knowledge, sell livestock, off-farm income (salary) and reduction of production. The adaptation strategies adopted by maize farmers are mostly shifting planting date, reduction of maize cultivated area and intercropping. The double hurdle model was used to estimate the factors affecting the farmers’ adoption of drought mitigation strategies and factors which were found to be statistically significant were gender of the household head, level of education of the household head, household size, extension services and land ownership. The Adaptation Strategy Index was used in order to establish the relationship between adopting adaptation strategies and maize production. The farmers ranked the adaptation strategies in terms of their useful in adapting with drought and successfully alleviating decline in maize production. Shifting of planting date, reduction of maize cultivated area, planting drought resistant varieties, crop diversification and intercropping were ranked as the most useful respectively. The findings of this study have a number of policy implications since a number of farmers did nothing to adapt to the effects of drought hence supporting smallholder farmers through training on climate change adaption and adapting options is necessary. Training targeting female headed and poor farmers can have significant positive impacts for increasing the implementation of drought adaptation strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Socio-economic Impacts of Solar Energy in Rural Communities’ Livelihoods and the Scale/type of Technology Intervention: Case of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Bongoza, Sibulele
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Solar energy Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18610 , vital:42613
- Description: Energy from renewable sources has attracted significant global interest in recent years due to climate change, pollution, extreme environmental impacts and a marked increase in fuel costs for conventional generation methods, which is coal. This has led to major investment in renewable energy sources. Through the lens of sustainable livelihoods framework, the study aims at establishing the socioeconomic impacts brought by the provision of solar energy systems on rural livelihoods at Ingquza Hill Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study adopts an intensive research design in line with the qualitative approach. Data were collected using questionnaires from the households at Mkhamela village and in-depth interviews with the local councillor and the Chief of Mkhamela village at Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. The use of solar energy systems has been found to improve the rural people’s livelihoods. The rural people’s livelihoods have been transformed in terms of creation of employment opportunities, improved levels of education through powering schools and households as well as improved health conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bongoza, Sibulele
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Solar energy Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18610 , vital:42613
- Description: Energy from renewable sources has attracted significant global interest in recent years due to climate change, pollution, extreme environmental impacts and a marked increase in fuel costs for conventional generation methods, which is coal. This has led to major investment in renewable energy sources. Through the lens of sustainable livelihoods framework, the study aims at establishing the socioeconomic impacts brought by the provision of solar energy systems on rural livelihoods at Ingquza Hill Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study adopts an intensive research design in line with the qualitative approach. Data were collected using questionnaires from the households at Mkhamela village and in-depth interviews with the local councillor and the Chief of Mkhamela village at Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. The use of solar energy systems has been found to improve the rural people’s livelihoods. The rural people’s livelihoods have been transformed in terms of creation of employment opportunities, improved levels of education through powering schools and households as well as improved health conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Spatio-temporal variation of the land surface parameters in Temperature, in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Willie, Yanga Adrian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Environmental sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12106 , vital:39152
- Description: The world is currently experiencing unprecedented urban growth. The influx of people into urban areas from rural areas is motivated by both economic and social factors such as increased employment opportunities. The latter is a result of, in part, industrialization, and the perceived higher standard of living that is often associated with access to better infrastructure. Surface Heat Island (SHI) is a phenomenon whereby urban areas experience higher surface temperatures than the surrounding rural areas. The presence of the SHI in urban areas has a negative impact not only on city dwellers, but also on the environment and the economy. The development of SHI is often associated with patterns of land use and land cover in urban areas. Numerous methods exist that can be used to study SHI’s. Literature suggests that Land Surface Temperature (LST), derived from satellite imagery, is a proven method that produces reliable results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SHI in King Williams Town by studying the relationship between land surface temperatures, land cover and land cover indices. The derived indices are the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built up Index (NDBI). These indices were selected because they are representative of the land cover scheme used in the research study. This study was conducted in the King Williams town area between the years 1995 and 2018 the land surface temperature was derived from Landsat ETM + high thermal band data. The findings from this study provide an idea on the correlation between satellite derived land surface temperature and the land modification which occurred during the urbanization of King Williams Town during a 23 year period between1995 and 2018. The built up land category was the most influential in the development of high land surface temperature levels , vegetation had an opposite effect as a series of data sets illustrated that vegetated areas had a iv cooling effect on the surface. Water bodies in the study area had an insignificant effect on the Surface temperature levels while the grass lands weren’t as cooling as the vegetation but provided a cooling environment in the study area .The spatial distribution of areas of high surface temperature (hot spots) was discovered to be concentrated in the urban areas of the study area which is in the northwest region of the study area and correlates to the land cover and land cover indices associated with built up and artificial surfaces. The cooler areas or patches of land with lower values of land surface temperature were distributed on the outskirts of the study area away from the CBD and residential areas. This was the case because of the high concentration of vegetation and thicker grass lands in those regions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Willie, Yanga Adrian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Environmental sciences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12106 , vital:39152
- Description: The world is currently experiencing unprecedented urban growth. The influx of people into urban areas from rural areas is motivated by both economic and social factors such as increased employment opportunities. The latter is a result of, in part, industrialization, and the perceived higher standard of living that is often associated with access to better infrastructure. Surface Heat Island (SHI) is a phenomenon whereby urban areas experience higher surface temperatures than the surrounding rural areas. The presence of the SHI in urban areas has a negative impact not only on city dwellers, but also on the environment and the economy. The development of SHI is often associated with patterns of land use and land cover in urban areas. Numerous methods exist that can be used to study SHI’s. Literature suggests that Land Surface Temperature (LST), derived from satellite imagery, is a proven method that produces reliable results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SHI in King Williams Town by studying the relationship between land surface temperatures, land cover and land cover indices. The derived indices are the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built up Index (NDBI). These indices were selected because they are representative of the land cover scheme used in the research study. This study was conducted in the King Williams town area between the years 1995 and 2018 the land surface temperature was derived from Landsat ETM + high thermal band data. The findings from this study provide an idea on the correlation between satellite derived land surface temperature and the land modification which occurred during the urbanization of King Williams Town during a 23 year period between1995 and 2018. The built up land category was the most influential in the development of high land surface temperature levels , vegetation had an opposite effect as a series of data sets illustrated that vegetated areas had a iv cooling effect on the surface. Water bodies in the study area had an insignificant effect on the Surface temperature levels while the grass lands weren’t as cooling as the vegetation but provided a cooling environment in the study area .The spatial distribution of areas of high surface temperature (hot spots) was discovered to be concentrated in the urban areas of the study area which is in the northwest region of the study area and correlates to the land cover and land cover indices associated with built up and artificial surfaces. The cooler areas or patches of land with lower values of land surface temperature were distributed on the outskirts of the study area away from the CBD and residential areas. This was the case because of the high concentration of vegetation and thicker grass lands in those regions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Synthesis and application of coal fly ash supported C doped TiO2/SnO2 photocatalyst in water treatment
- Authors: Sambakanya, Siyasanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18838 , vital:42869
- Description: Coal fly ash supported carbon doped titanium dioxide/tin oxide (C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA) nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using a sol gel method and calcined at 550 °C. The crystal structure, optical properties, morphology and other properties were analysed using XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, SEM, DRS and EDX. SEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles (NPs) of C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA were quasi spherical. XRD showed that C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA nanoparticles were polycrystalline and consisted of both rutile and anatase phases. TEM analysis also displayed small NPs of C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA (12.62 nm) than TiO2 (16.19 nm) and SnO2 (19.98 nm). DRS revealed reduced band gap of C-TiO2 (2.78 eV) than TiO2 (3.19 eV) after doping. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA nanoparticles was determined using methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue dye (MB) as standard dyes in the photodegradation as well as lead and mercury in the photoreduction of lead and mercury ions in water. The degradation experiments were carried under natural solar irradiation and UV light. The photodegradation experiments carried under visible light showed excellent photodegradation of MO & MB in water. This is a good indication that doping was successful as it imparted visible light activity in the C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA NPs. The photocatalyst efficiency was further tested while varying parameters including photocatalyst load, pH, and initial pollutant concentration in the photodegradation of MO & MB as well as in photoreduction of Pb2+ and Hg2+ in water to establish optimum operating conditions. The degradation rate of MO & MB increased when photocatalyst loading increased. When the pH was increased, the photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared photocatalyst towards methyl orange was reduced; however methylene blue degradation increased with increase in pH. The reduction of Pb2+ also increased with increasing pH whereas that of Hg2+ increased with decreasing pH. It was found that photodegradation was directly proportional to and photoreduction was inversely proportional to initial pollutant concentration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sambakanya, Siyasanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18838 , vital:42869
- Description: Coal fly ash supported carbon doped titanium dioxide/tin oxide (C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA) nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using a sol gel method and calcined at 550 °C. The crystal structure, optical properties, morphology and other properties were analysed using XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, SEM, DRS and EDX. SEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles (NPs) of C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA were quasi spherical. XRD showed that C doped TiO2-SnO2/CFA nanoparticles were polycrystalline and consisted of both rutile and anatase phases. TEM analysis also displayed small NPs of C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA (12.62 nm) than TiO2 (16.19 nm) and SnO2 (19.98 nm). DRS revealed reduced band gap of C-TiO2 (2.78 eV) than TiO2 (3.19 eV) after doping. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA nanoparticles was determined using methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue dye (MB) as standard dyes in the photodegradation as well as lead and mercury in the photoreduction of lead and mercury ions in water. The degradation experiments were carried under natural solar irradiation and UV light. The photodegradation experiments carried under visible light showed excellent photodegradation of MO & MB in water. This is a good indication that doping was successful as it imparted visible light activity in the C-TiO2-SnO2/CFA NPs. The photocatalyst efficiency was further tested while varying parameters including photocatalyst load, pH, and initial pollutant concentration in the photodegradation of MO & MB as well as in photoreduction of Pb2+ and Hg2+ in water to establish optimum operating conditions. The degradation rate of MO & MB increased when photocatalyst loading increased. When the pH was increased, the photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared photocatalyst towards methyl orange was reduced; however methylene blue degradation increased with increase in pH. The reduction of Pb2+ also increased with increasing pH whereas that of Hg2+ increased with decreasing pH. It was found that photodegradation was directly proportional to and photoreduction was inversely proportional to initial pollutant concentration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary palladium alloys for use as alternative counter electrode catalysts in dye sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Synthesis and characterization of MXS (M = Mo & V) and carbon supported MXS nanocomposites as Pt-free counter electrodes for electrode for DSSC application
- Authors: Bede, Asanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Voltammetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18599 , vital:42612
- Description: It has been reported that the morphology, crystalline phase composition and electrochemical properties of counter electrode materials such MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials was of considerable importance because it governs the efficiency of many photon assisted chemical and physical reactions in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs with composite counter electrode materials is reliant on the stability of the photochemistry reactions which can be optimized by appropriate doping levels of the composite materials. Moreover, the microstructure such as surface area, distribution of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials, and the stability of the electrostatic bonds between the MxS (Mo, V) with the carbon support also play a significant role in the performance of the DSSCs. This work evaluates the effect of different mole ratios of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials on the morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite materials. MoS2 nanoflakes nanostructures have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique using sodium orthovanadate (Na2MoO4) as precursor. In this work Carbon supported MoS2 NFs have been prepared by physically/chemically mixing different mole ratios of MoS2 NFs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyvinylidene in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite counter electrode materials have been investigated using SEM, XRD FTIR, TEM, RS and CV. SEM analysis has revealed the presence of large MoS2 nanoflakes (NFs) as synthesized. SEM analysis has also revealed significant change in the surface morphology of carbon supported MoS2 composite nanostructures with the change in the mole ratio of the MoS2 NFs and carbon support multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Structural analysis through HRTEM analysis revealed a d-spacing of 0.65 nm with a corresponding (002) lattice plane belonging to a trigonal crystalline phase of MoS2. Also, HRTEM analysis has revealed d-spacing of 0.291 nm corresponding to 002 plane of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy has revealed Characteristic Raman vibration frequencies and symmetries at 264.6 cm-1(Eg), 354.2 cm-1 (Ag ) belonging trigonal phase of MoS2 (1T-MoS2). FTIR analysis has revealed a narrow peak at 457.6 cm-1 due Mo-S vibration bond. This observation confirms the success of synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have revealed that the ratio 6:3:1 have shown to be optimum ratio due to its large reduction rate compared to pristine MoS2 NFs and other carbon supported MoS2 NFs. Calculated Rreduction for the carbon supported MoS2 NFs is the order 3:6:1>1:8:1>6:3:1>8:1:1 indicating the trend of ratio 3:6:1 appeared to have higher reduction rate than the rest of the material and it had far less ΔEpp than the rest of other ratios. All CV curves for both pristine MoS2 NFs and carbon supported MoS2 NFs confirmed a distinct Faradic characteristic. The VS2 nanosheets (NSs) and carbon supported VS2 NSs were also effectively synthesized via hydrothermal method. The SEM micrographs for VS2 NSs and carbon supported VS2 NSs samples reveals level increased. Furthermore, SEM-EDX analysis have confirmed the presence of V and S as well as C and O on carbon supported VS2 nanocomposites, and it clearly shown a gradually blending as the ratios increases. The structural studies through XRD analysis have revealed peaks at 2θ angles of 15.4◦, 28.2◦, 34.2◦, 36.2◦, 43.3◦,48.3◦, 54.4◦, 57.7◦ and 66.2◦ which correspond to the lattice planes (001), (002), (100), (011), (102), (003), (110), (103) and (201) belonging to hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) crystalline phase as per JCPDS card 36-1139. The HRTEM have revealed that the VS2 NSs have an edge to edge length of ~ 0.294 – 1.248 µm. Also, HRTEM micrographs of VS2 NSs have revealed interplanar d spacing of 0.571 nm belonging to the (001) lattice plane of hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) structure. FTIR analysis have shown a peak at 558 cm-1 attributed to V-S which is evident that sulfur has bonded with the metal (V) and is in agreement with EDS. CV, CD and EIS measurements have shown that the ratio 1:8:1 is more superior to VS2 NSs and other carbon supported VS2 NSs. Based on Rreduction for the carbon supported nanosheets VS2 nanosheets are ordered as 1:8:1>3:6:1>6:3:1>8:1:1. Carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 showed a small resistance of 0.32 Ω. This is further evidence that the carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 in addition to revealing excellent catalytic behaviour is also more chemically stable and has good conductivity properties._________
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bede, Asanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Voltammetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18599 , vital:42612
- Description: It has been reported that the morphology, crystalline phase composition and electrochemical properties of counter electrode materials such MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials was of considerable importance because it governs the efficiency of many photon assisted chemical and physical reactions in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs with composite counter electrode materials is reliant on the stability of the photochemistry reactions which can be optimized by appropriate doping levels of the composite materials. Moreover, the microstructure such as surface area, distribution of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials, and the stability of the electrostatic bonds between the MxS (Mo, V) with the carbon support also play a significant role in the performance of the DSSCs. This work evaluates the effect of different mole ratios of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials on the morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite materials. MoS2 nanoflakes nanostructures have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique using sodium orthovanadate (Na2MoO4) as precursor. In this work Carbon supported MoS2 NFs have been prepared by physically/chemically mixing different mole ratios of MoS2 NFs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyvinylidene in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite counter electrode materials have been investigated using SEM, XRD FTIR, TEM, RS and CV. SEM analysis has revealed the presence of large MoS2 nanoflakes (NFs) as synthesized. SEM analysis has also revealed significant change in the surface morphology of carbon supported MoS2 composite nanostructures with the change in the mole ratio of the MoS2 NFs and carbon support multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Structural analysis through HRTEM analysis revealed a d-spacing of 0.65 nm with a corresponding (002) lattice plane belonging to a trigonal crystalline phase of MoS2. Also, HRTEM analysis has revealed d-spacing of 0.291 nm corresponding to 002 plane of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy has revealed Characteristic Raman vibration frequencies and symmetries at 264.6 cm-1(Eg), 354.2 cm-1 (Ag ) belonging trigonal phase of MoS2 (1T-MoS2). FTIR analysis has revealed a narrow peak at 457.6 cm-1 due Mo-S vibration bond. This observation confirms the success of synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have revealed that the ratio 6:3:1 have shown to be optimum ratio due to its large reduction rate compared to pristine MoS2 NFs and other carbon supported MoS2 NFs. Calculated Rreduction for the carbon supported MoS2 NFs is the order 3:6:1>1:8:1>6:3:1>8:1:1 indicating the trend of ratio 3:6:1 appeared to have higher reduction rate than the rest of the material and it had far less ΔEpp than the rest of other ratios. All CV curves for both pristine MoS2 NFs and carbon supported MoS2 NFs confirmed a distinct Faradic characteristic. The VS2 nanosheets (NSs) and carbon supported VS2 NSs were also effectively synthesized via hydrothermal method. The SEM micrographs for VS2 NSs and carbon supported VS2 NSs samples reveals level increased. Furthermore, SEM-EDX analysis have confirmed the presence of V and S as well as C and O on carbon supported VS2 nanocomposites, and it clearly shown a gradually blending as the ratios increases. The structural studies through XRD analysis have revealed peaks at 2θ angles of 15.4◦, 28.2◦, 34.2◦, 36.2◦, 43.3◦,48.3◦, 54.4◦, 57.7◦ and 66.2◦ which correspond to the lattice planes (001), (002), (100), (011), (102), (003), (110), (103) and (201) belonging to hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) crystalline phase as per JCPDS card 36-1139. The HRTEM have revealed that the VS2 NSs have an edge to edge length of ~ 0.294 – 1.248 µm. Also, HRTEM micrographs of VS2 NSs have revealed interplanar d spacing of 0.571 nm belonging to the (001) lattice plane of hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) structure. FTIR analysis have shown a peak at 558 cm-1 attributed to V-S which is evident that sulfur has bonded with the metal (V) and is in agreement with EDS. CV, CD and EIS measurements have shown that the ratio 1:8:1 is more superior to VS2 NSs and other carbon supported VS2 NSs. Based on Rreduction for the carbon supported nanosheets VS2 nanosheets are ordered as 1:8:1>3:6:1>6:3:1>8:1:1. Carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 showed a small resistance of 0.32 Ω. This is further evidence that the carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 in addition to revealing excellent catalytic behaviour is also more chemically stable and has good conductivity properties._________
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Technological domination and the future of workers in the labour market in the face of automation: a study of the automobile sector in South Africa
- Authors: Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Office practice -- Automation Employees -- Technological innovations Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17954 , vital:41996
- Description: This exploratory work investigated the principal aim of this study: the rate of technological domination in South Africa and the future of workers in the labour market in the face of automation. It also explored collaborative experiences between technology and human workers and how employees in the automobile sector compete with technologies in their work environment. The future-readiness of workers in this automation age and union influence with regards to technology adoption in the world of work were also examined. The study utilized a qualitative research method with in-depth interviews of data collection with 30 respondents consisting of two managers and five auto plant workers from Mercedes Benz; two shop stewards from Toyota Motors; two union representatives and nineteen workers working in the auto plant in Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). A desktop data collection process was also employed in this study. Evolutionary Economics Theory, Labour Process Theory and Corporate Social Responsibility drove the whole analysis to explain the technological outcome in the workplace. The central argument of this study is that robots and human employees must each efficiently interface where they can best be put to good use. However, in an attempt to minimise product imperfection due to human inconsistencies and to increase productivity, the automobile industry has adopted more technologies to meet the needs of its customers and remained competitive. Nonetheless, the rate at which the technologies are adopted has increased the rate of job automation in the automobile sector and has also led to the deskilling of the auto workforce. Additionally, technology is outcompeting human workers because it has changed and evolved more rapidly than workers. The study argues that despite that automation increases productivity, it is a threat to low skilled workers in the sense that workers might end up underemployed or unemployed although highly skilled workers might be further upskilled. The findings further revealed that the workers are not ready for this change. Another revelation is that there is a unilateral workplace restructuring decision making, which neglects the input of workers and their union with regards to how work should be restructured. The findings call for sustainable corporate responsible management. The largest adopter of industrial robots in manufacturing processes is the automobile sector since global competition in the labour market commands uninterrupted modernisation and automation of production processes in the automobile industry. Each production process is not imaginable without automation today. In the quest to transform the workplace, improve iv productivity, the economy and develop communities with technological adoption, it is imperative to consider the short and long-term sustainable socio-economic development for all. It is argued that almost all sectors and working classes are vulnerable to automation. KozulWright (2016) during the United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development concurs with other scholars that job disruption from automation affect routine tasks and its negative impact is much in the developing countries. It was recommended that a professional qualification should be incorporated with an academic qualification that aligns with technical and non-technical unautomable skills. Transparency and accountability are a must on the part of all the stakeholders involved in the automobile industry, particularly from management, to make a more sustainable economic decision that will benefit the development of workers. It is equally important for organisations, policymakers, workers, union and societies to develop feasible strategies to manage added concerns of job automation such as polarisation in the societies, the workforce and which may create societal breakdowns and conflicts. At the same time, as these machines will evolve in decades to come, we should expect to see a drastic transformation in workforce development. This study contributes to satisfactory ways to facilitate job automation transition to counteract any negative outcome with reference to those workers who might be affected by the changes in order to achieve a better society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Office practice -- Automation Employees -- Technological innovations Organizational change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17954 , vital:41996
- Description: This exploratory work investigated the principal aim of this study: the rate of technological domination in South Africa and the future of workers in the labour market in the face of automation. It also explored collaborative experiences between technology and human workers and how employees in the automobile sector compete with technologies in their work environment. The future-readiness of workers in this automation age and union influence with regards to technology adoption in the world of work were also examined. The study utilized a qualitative research method with in-depth interviews of data collection with 30 respondents consisting of two managers and five auto plant workers from Mercedes Benz; two shop stewards from Toyota Motors; two union representatives and nineteen workers working in the auto plant in Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). A desktop data collection process was also employed in this study. Evolutionary Economics Theory, Labour Process Theory and Corporate Social Responsibility drove the whole analysis to explain the technological outcome in the workplace. The central argument of this study is that robots and human employees must each efficiently interface where they can best be put to good use. However, in an attempt to minimise product imperfection due to human inconsistencies and to increase productivity, the automobile industry has adopted more technologies to meet the needs of its customers and remained competitive. Nonetheless, the rate at which the technologies are adopted has increased the rate of job automation in the automobile sector and has also led to the deskilling of the auto workforce. Additionally, technology is outcompeting human workers because it has changed and evolved more rapidly than workers. The study argues that despite that automation increases productivity, it is a threat to low skilled workers in the sense that workers might end up underemployed or unemployed although highly skilled workers might be further upskilled. The findings further revealed that the workers are not ready for this change. Another revelation is that there is a unilateral workplace restructuring decision making, which neglects the input of workers and their union with regards to how work should be restructured. The findings call for sustainable corporate responsible management. The largest adopter of industrial robots in manufacturing processes is the automobile sector since global competition in the labour market commands uninterrupted modernisation and automation of production processes in the automobile industry. Each production process is not imaginable without automation today. In the quest to transform the workplace, improve iv productivity, the economy and develop communities with technological adoption, it is imperative to consider the short and long-term sustainable socio-economic development for all. It is argued that almost all sectors and working classes are vulnerable to automation. KozulWright (2016) during the United Nation’s Conference on Trade and Development concurs with other scholars that job disruption from automation affect routine tasks and its negative impact is much in the developing countries. It was recommended that a professional qualification should be incorporated with an academic qualification that aligns with technical and non-technical unautomable skills. Transparency and accountability are a must on the part of all the stakeholders involved in the automobile industry, particularly from management, to make a more sustainable economic decision that will benefit the development of workers. It is equally important for organisations, policymakers, workers, union and societies to develop feasible strategies to manage added concerns of job automation such as polarisation in the societies, the workforce and which may create societal breakdowns and conflicts. At the same time, as these machines will evolve in decades to come, we should expect to see a drastic transformation in workforce development. This study contributes to satisfactory ways to facilitate job automation transition to counteract any negative outcome with reference to those workers who might be affected by the changes in order to achieve a better society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Teenage care by the Methodist church of Southern Africa :The case of Port Elizabeth North circuit (TPT 900)
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Church work with teenagers Teenagers -- Pastoral counseling of Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Theology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17884 , vital:41973
- Description: The research study sought to acknowledge that there was a need of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as majority of them responds to their adolescent stage with bad behaviour. This was a critical stage that challenged teenagers and required much more attention both from home, schools and church. A teenager is a young person whose age falls within the range from 13 to 19. They are called teenagers because their age number ends with "teen" (Ausubel 2002: 12). This study sought to investigate whether the impact of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and had to achieved the intended mission statement of MCSA which is “A Methodist called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ healing and transformation” in the New Brighton and KwaZakhele areas that formed Port Elizabeth North Circuit. The study would achieve its goal by looking at the needs of a teenager such as caring which includes love, food, medication, accommodation and educational expenses required in a month. The teenage stage is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. The teenage years, though it’s physical, psychological and cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later (Heine, 2016: 14). This is a critical stage for a child because sometimes children change their behaviour during this period, others manage to go through this stage and behave well but others struggle and falling into substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. 2 But this stage followed a puberty stage. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) stresses that puberty is a period of several years in which rapid physical growth and psychological changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at 10 or 11 for girls and age 11 or 12 for boys. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) argued that every person's individual timetable for puberty is influenced primarily by inheritance, although environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, also apply some influences. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) further says during puberty body growth accelerates, the reproductive organs become functional, sexual maturity is attained and secondary sexual characteristics appear. Therefore, teenagers could fall into early sex activity that leads to teenage pregnancy. Brewster (2011:183–185) stresses the consideration to the issue of the Bible as a book that contains signs in his interpretation of the theological significance of children. Moreover, the fundamental theological rationale for the notion of children is that Jesus presented child as a sign of the kingdom of God (White 2011:55). Bunge (2011: 24) argues that particular perspectives on children from the Bible should be held in creative tension. Those perspectives are comprising the notions that children are gifts of God, sources of joy, sinful creatures and moral agents, developing beings in need of instruction and guidance, are fully human and made in the likeness and image of God, they are models of faith and sources of revelation, lastly they are in need of justice. Choudhury, Blakemore & Charman (2006: 1) stated that adolescence is the transitional period between late childhood and the beginning of adulthood, and marks the beginning of the reproductive lifespan in humans. Eastman (2010: 2) argued that this phase of human development is “defined by cultural practices and 3 biological occurrences - a period by which behavioural abilities and expectations change. All societies and cultures devise means of marking and handling the realities of human existence which is Birth, Death and Procreation”. The onset of puberty is one such. The transition from dependency as children to the maturity of full adulthood is a journey common to humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Jibiliza, Xolisa Terrance
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Church work with teenagers Teenagers -- Pastoral counseling of Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Theology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17884 , vital:41973
- Description: The research study sought to acknowledge that there was a need of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as majority of them responds to their adolescent stage with bad behaviour. This was a critical stage that challenged teenagers and required much more attention both from home, schools and church. A teenager is a young person whose age falls within the range from 13 to 19. They are called teenagers because their age number ends with "teen" (Ausubel 2002: 12). This study sought to investigate whether the impact of caring for teenagers by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and had to achieved the intended mission statement of MCSA which is “A Methodist called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ healing and transformation” in the New Brighton and KwaZakhele areas that formed Port Elizabeth North Circuit. The study would achieve its goal by looking at the needs of a teenager such as caring which includes love, food, medication, accommodation and educational expenses required in a month. The teenage stage is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. The teenage years, though it’s physical, psychological and cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later (Heine, 2016: 14). This is a critical stage for a child because sometimes children change their behaviour during this period, others manage to go through this stage and behave well but others struggle and falling into substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. 2 But this stage followed a puberty stage. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) stresses that puberty is a period of several years in which rapid physical growth and psychological changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity. The average onset of puberty is at 10 or 11 for girls and age 11 or 12 for boys. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) argued that every person's individual timetable for puberty is influenced primarily by inheritance, although environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, also apply some influences. Gouws and Kruger (2014: 3) further says during puberty body growth accelerates, the reproductive organs become functional, sexual maturity is attained and secondary sexual characteristics appear. Therefore, teenagers could fall into early sex activity that leads to teenage pregnancy. Brewster (2011:183–185) stresses the consideration to the issue of the Bible as a book that contains signs in his interpretation of the theological significance of children. Moreover, the fundamental theological rationale for the notion of children is that Jesus presented child as a sign of the kingdom of God (White 2011:55). Bunge (2011: 24) argues that particular perspectives on children from the Bible should be held in creative tension. Those perspectives are comprising the notions that children are gifts of God, sources of joy, sinful creatures and moral agents, developing beings in need of instruction and guidance, are fully human and made in the likeness and image of God, they are models of faith and sources of revelation, lastly they are in need of justice. Choudhury, Blakemore & Charman (2006: 1) stated that adolescence is the transitional period between late childhood and the beginning of adulthood, and marks the beginning of the reproductive lifespan in humans. Eastman (2010: 2) argued that this phase of human development is “defined by cultural practices and 3 biological occurrences - a period by which behavioural abilities and expectations change. All societies and cultures devise means of marking and handling the realities of human existence which is Birth, Death and Procreation”. The onset of puberty is one such. The transition from dependency as children to the maturity of full adulthood is a journey common to humankind.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The characteristics and trends of rainfall on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and associated air circulation patterns
- Authors: Mapuka, Fortunate Nomsa
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc(Geography)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18698 , vital:42725
- Description: Marion Island (46°54ʹS, 37°45ʹE) located in the Southern Ocean possesses one of the most oceanic climates on earth and sensitive to climate change. Climatologically, the sub-Antarctic is inadequately represented in the climate literature and this research therefore attempts to establish the recent changes that have occurred on Marion Island with regards to annual rainfall totals, monthly rainfall, rain days and non-rain days during the period from 1980 to 2018. This study found that annual rainfall has decreased by 24% from 2196.7 mm to 1678.57 mm from 1980 to 2018 and that the last decade (2010-2018) is the driest on record. The decrease in annual rainfall on Marion Island can be directly linked to the decreases recorded in monthly and daily rainfall. Rainfall in autumn has reduced by 35% over the last 40 years and the decrease in autumn rainfall is in part directly related to an increase in anticyclonic air circulation during which Marion Island is not influenced by any mid-latitudinal depressions. The frequency of rain days measured on Marion Island significantly decreased. Daily rainfall measuring less than 5 mm of rain a day contribute 50% of the total number of rain days. However, these high frequency low depth rainfall days contribute very little rainfall to annual totals. On Marion Island rain days that measure 10 mm and above contribute 65% of the total annual rainfall and it is also these type of high magnitude rain days that have significantly decreased since 1980. Multi-day consecutive rain events contribute the greatest proportion of rainfall to the annual rainfall totals (~40%). Linear statistics shows that the contribution to rainfall amount from these multi-day rainfall has halved since 1980. The frequency of non-rain days and consecutive non-rain days have significantly increased. The increased frequency of anticyclonic air circulation over Marion Island and the decrease of the traveling low-pressure systems affecting Marion Island are the probable cause of the increase in non-rain days. It is suggested that this increase in consecutive non-rain days has the most significant impact on the island’s biodiversity and landscape
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mapuka, Fortunate Nomsa
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc(Geography)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18698 , vital:42725
- Description: Marion Island (46°54ʹS, 37°45ʹE) located in the Southern Ocean possesses one of the most oceanic climates on earth and sensitive to climate change. Climatologically, the sub-Antarctic is inadequately represented in the climate literature and this research therefore attempts to establish the recent changes that have occurred on Marion Island with regards to annual rainfall totals, monthly rainfall, rain days and non-rain days during the period from 1980 to 2018. This study found that annual rainfall has decreased by 24% from 2196.7 mm to 1678.57 mm from 1980 to 2018 and that the last decade (2010-2018) is the driest on record. The decrease in annual rainfall on Marion Island can be directly linked to the decreases recorded in monthly and daily rainfall. Rainfall in autumn has reduced by 35% over the last 40 years and the decrease in autumn rainfall is in part directly related to an increase in anticyclonic air circulation during which Marion Island is not influenced by any mid-latitudinal depressions. The frequency of rain days measured on Marion Island significantly decreased. Daily rainfall measuring less than 5 mm of rain a day contribute 50% of the total number of rain days. However, these high frequency low depth rainfall days contribute very little rainfall to annual totals. On Marion Island rain days that measure 10 mm and above contribute 65% of the total annual rainfall and it is also these type of high magnitude rain days that have significantly decreased since 1980. Multi-day consecutive rain events contribute the greatest proportion of rainfall to the annual rainfall totals (~40%). Linear statistics shows that the contribution to rainfall amount from these multi-day rainfall has halved since 1980. The frequency of non-rain days and consecutive non-rain days have significantly increased. The increased frequency of anticyclonic air circulation over Marion Island and the decrease of the traveling low-pressure systems affecting Marion Island are the probable cause of the increase in non-rain days. It is suggested that this increase in consecutive non-rain days has the most significant impact on the island’s biodiversity and landscape
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effect of feeding varying inclusion levels of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) seed meal on growth performance and physicochemical attributes of broiler chicken
- Authors: Mthana, Makiwa Simeon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Legumes Broilers (Chickens) Chickens -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , MSc (Animal Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12032 , vital:39129
- Description: This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding varying inclusion levels of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) seed meal (VBSM) on growth performance and physicochemical attributes of broiler chicken. Mucuna pruriens seed is an indigenous legume seed commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical areas; however, it can also be planted and cultivated. It is a viable source of dietary protein with an average concentration of 33.4%. Soybean is expensive. In addition, the South African production levels do not meet the current demand; hence the majority of soybean oilcake is imported. Recently, consumers have been conscious of the quality of chicken meat from both local and international producers. Therefore, there is a need to explore velvet bean that can grow in poorly fertilised and low rainfall areas. The study was conducted at Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute. One hundred and twelve (112) Cobb broilers were used, with an average weight of 45.2g. Four diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous comprising velvet beans at 0, 10, 15 and 20 % (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The broilers were reared for 42 days with 35 days on experimental diets. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality, final body weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage were determined. At day 42, twenty birds per treatment were randomly selected and fasted for five hours with water offered ad libitum. After slaughter the meat pH24, colour (L*, a*, b*), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), thawing loss (TL), and cooking loss (CL) measurements were performed on 80 breast and 80 thigh muscles. The data for growth performance and physicochemical parameters was analysed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS (SAS, 2006), mean separation was done using LSD test option of SAS. Daily feed intake, body weight gain, final weight and carcass weight of broilers from T1 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) from other iii treatments. Daily feed intake (DFI), and body weight gain (BWG) in T1 were also higher (P < 0.05) in both phase 1 and phase 2 compared to other treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not influenced by diets (P > 0.05). High (P < 0.05) mortality was observed on broilers fed diet with 0% VBSM compared to those fed diets comprising of VBSM. The diets did not have an effect (P > 0.05) on thigh meat pH24, lightness, redness, and WBSF. Cooking loss (25.69%) was higher (P < 0.05) in thigh meat of broilers fed the control diet. Breasts shear force (14.20) was higher in T4. Cooking loss of breast meat from broilers on T1 and T2 was higher (P < 0.05) than those from other treatments. Breast meat colour (P > 0.05) was not influenced by diets. It can be concluded that the VBSM has an effect on feed intake, growth performance and mortality of broilers, except on FCR and dressing percentage. It was also concluded that the VBSM can be included in broiler diets up to the level of 15% without negatively affecting the quality of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mthana, Makiwa Simeon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Legumes Broilers (Chickens) Chickens -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , MSc (Animal Science )
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12032 , vital:39129
- Description: This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding varying inclusion levels of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) seed meal (VBSM) on growth performance and physicochemical attributes of broiler chicken. Mucuna pruriens seed is an indigenous legume seed commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical areas; however, it can also be planted and cultivated. It is a viable source of dietary protein with an average concentration of 33.4%. Soybean is expensive. In addition, the South African production levels do not meet the current demand; hence the majority of soybean oilcake is imported. Recently, consumers have been conscious of the quality of chicken meat from both local and international producers. Therefore, there is a need to explore velvet bean that can grow in poorly fertilised and low rainfall areas. The study was conducted at Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute. One hundred and twelve (112) Cobb broilers were used, with an average weight of 45.2g. Four diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous comprising velvet beans at 0, 10, 15 and 20 % (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The broilers were reared for 42 days with 35 days on experimental diets. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality, final body weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage were determined. At day 42, twenty birds per treatment were randomly selected and fasted for five hours with water offered ad libitum. After slaughter the meat pH24, colour (L*, a*, b*), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), thawing loss (TL), and cooking loss (CL) measurements were performed on 80 breast and 80 thigh muscles. The data for growth performance and physicochemical parameters was analysed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS (SAS, 2006), mean separation was done using LSD test option of SAS. Daily feed intake, body weight gain, final weight and carcass weight of broilers from T1 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) from other iii treatments. Daily feed intake (DFI), and body weight gain (BWG) in T1 were also higher (P < 0.05) in both phase 1 and phase 2 compared to other treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not influenced by diets (P > 0.05). High (P < 0.05) mortality was observed on broilers fed diet with 0% VBSM compared to those fed diets comprising of VBSM. The diets did not have an effect (P > 0.05) on thigh meat pH24, lightness, redness, and WBSF. Cooking loss (25.69%) was higher (P < 0.05) in thigh meat of broilers fed the control diet. Breasts shear force (14.20) was higher in T4. Cooking loss of breast meat from broilers on T1 and T2 was higher (P < 0.05) than those from other treatments. Breast meat colour (P > 0.05) was not influenced by diets. It can be concluded that the VBSM has an effect on feed intake, growth performance and mortality of broilers, except on FCR and dressing percentage. It was also concluded that the VBSM can be included in broiler diets up to the level of 15% without negatively affecting the quality of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The Effect of Household Income on Public Transport Demand in South Africa
- Authors: Moss, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa Local transit -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12469 , vital:39266
- Description: High transport expenditure by the low-income households has for a long time been a problem in South Africa. This expenditure consumes a big proportion of their income which limits these households’ accessibility to basic services such as health services, employment opportunities and education. Therefore, the study reviewed the effect of household income on public transport demand in South Africa. The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of public transport demand, through specifically investigating the impact household income has on public transport demand. This study adopted the quantitative approach. The analysis was based on data from the 2017 General Household Survey. Descriptive analysis was conducted to address the objectives of the study. The Probit model was utilised in establishing the relationship between mode choice and household income. The results indicated that household income has a negative effect on public transport demand. The distance to means of transport has a negative relationship on public transport demand, indicating that accessibility plays a significant role in the demand for public transport. The location of a household significantly affects the demand for public transport, more so in peri- urban and rural-farm areas where low-income households reside. Furthermore, variables such as age, social grants and the economically active individuals presented a positive relationship with public transport as a modal choice. Individuals with some form of disability indicated statistical insignificance. The study recommended that, a properly planned coordination of current and new policies for the development of urban planning could be more practical in improving the high transport expenditure through affordability measures by low-income households in South Africa. Furthermore, these spatially targeted developments will enable increases in the accessibility of affordable public transport modes in the peri- urban areas which in turn will manage these high transport expenditures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Moss, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa Local transit -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12469 , vital:39266
- Description: High transport expenditure by the low-income households has for a long time been a problem in South Africa. This expenditure consumes a big proportion of their income which limits these households’ accessibility to basic services such as health services, employment opportunities and education. Therefore, the study reviewed the effect of household income on public transport demand in South Africa. The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of public transport demand, through specifically investigating the impact household income has on public transport demand. This study adopted the quantitative approach. The analysis was based on data from the 2017 General Household Survey. Descriptive analysis was conducted to address the objectives of the study. The Probit model was utilised in establishing the relationship between mode choice and household income. The results indicated that household income has a negative effect on public transport demand. The distance to means of transport has a negative relationship on public transport demand, indicating that accessibility plays a significant role in the demand for public transport. The location of a household significantly affects the demand for public transport, more so in peri- urban and rural-farm areas where low-income households reside. Furthermore, variables such as age, social grants and the economically active individuals presented a positive relationship with public transport as a modal choice. Individuals with some form of disability indicated statistical insignificance. The study recommended that, a properly planned coordination of current and new policies for the development of urban planning could be more practical in improving the high transport expenditure through affordability measures by low-income households in South Africa. Furthermore, these spatially targeted developments will enable increases in the accessibility of affordable public transport modes in the peri- urban areas which in turn will manage these high transport expenditures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effect of muscle type and freezing on the evolution of physico-chemical properties during processing of South African biltong and its final textural properties
- Authors: Ngwendu, Nwabisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biltong Meat -- Quality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12128 , vital:39154
- Description: The study investigated the effect of muscle type and freezing on evaluation of mass transfer during processing physico-chemical of South African biltong and its textural properties. In the first experimental phase of this study, mass transfers, physico-chemical and textural properties (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness) of commercially produced biltong from biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) (n=9) were measured. Biltong was dried at 30oC and 40% relative humidity until it had lost 50% of its initial weight. The initial moisture content, water activity (Aw) of BF muscles (74.3% and 0.992) were significantly lower compared those of ST muscles (75.4% and 0.994%). The fat content of BF (2.3%) muscles was higher (P<0.05) than in ST muscles (1.7%). The salt, weight and water gain for the BF muscle were 2.3%, -2.6% and -7.0% respectively and were significantly higher than those of ST muscles which were 2.1, -0.4 and -4.0, respectively. After drying, the moisture content, Aw, and pH were lower in BF (42.2, 0.886 and 5.29) than those of ST muscles (45.1, 0.911 and 5.42). The salt content was higher (P<0.05) in BF muscle than in ST. Among textural properties, hardness was significantly higher in biltong from the BF (233.0N), while the springiness was significantly lower compared to the ST muscle (178.2N). Therefore, it was concluded that the use of different muscles results in variation of biltong physicochemical characteristics. The second experiment investigated the effect of freezing and muscle type on mass transfers, lipid oxidation, physico-chemical and textural properties of biltong. In this experiment, the iii ST muscles were replaced with semimembranosus (SM) muscles. A total of 12 beef muscles were used, with six BF and six SM muscles frozen in a blast freezer at -40 oC till they reached -20oC; then they were transferred to -20oC for 14 days. The thawing loss for the BF and ST muscles was 1.3 and 2.4% respectively, but there were no significant (P>0.05) differences. The protein and salt content were significantly higher in frozen-thawed (24.3 and 0.13%) muscles than in fresh muscle (20.2 and 0.08%); whereas the fat content and pH were lower (P<0.05) in frozen-thawed (5.36) compared to fresh muscles (5.51). Between muscles, the moisture, salt content, and pH were higher in BF muscles than in SM muscles (73.2, 0.12% and 5.49). Aw was affected by the interaction between freezing and muscle type, with frozenthawed SM having lower Aw (0.990). During salting, salt, weight and water gain did not show any differences (P<0.05). There were no major significant differences after salting. There were lower TBARS and pH in frozen-thawed (1.5mgMDA/kg and 5.15) muscles than in fresh muscles (3.3mgMDA/kg and 5.19) as well as in SM muscles (1.8mgMDA/kg and 5.16) than in BF muscles (3.0mgMDA/kg and 5.19). The moisture was significantly lower in frozen-thawed SM (68.1%) than in fresh SM, BF and frozen-thawed BF (69.3,70.5 and 71.7%) after salting. On the final product, the interaction between muscle type and freezing affected the moisture content, TBARS, chewiness and the springiness of biltong, with the biltong from fresh SM (39.8%) having significantly lower moisture content compared frozenthawed BF and ST muscles as well fresh BF muscles (42.8% in average). The TBARS were higher in biltong from fresh BF muscles (5.1mgMDA/kg) compared to other muscles. Furthermore, the chewiness and springiness were higher (P<0.05) in biltong produced from SM frozen-thawed muscles (327.7N and 1.5). The WBSF was higher in biltong from the BF muscles (108.8N) than in the biltong from SM (80.1) but it was not affected by the freezing effect (P>0.05). Freezing did not show any major differences in biltong. iv The third experiment was conducted to determine the effect of freezing African buffalo carcasses on weight loss during salting, physico-chemical and textural properties of biltong. Five muscles (ST, SM, BF, LTL, and RF) were randomly selected from 30 carcasses (15 frozen-thawed and 15 fresh), cut along the grain, traditionally salted and dried at 26oC till they lost 45-50% of their initial weight. The salting weight loss was higher in frozen-thawed muscles (-1.45%) than in fresh muscles (-0.89%). The freezing treatment affected the physico-chemical properties of the biltong. The biltong produced from frozen-thawed muscles showed significantly higher protein and ash (47.6 and 7.6%) compared to fresh (43.9 and 7.1); whereas the moisture, fat, pH and Aw were lower (43.7, 2.1, 0.870 and 5.30, respectively) compared to those of biltong from fresh muscles (45.5%, 2.9%, 0.890 and 5.38). The moisture, pH and fat content were further affected by muscle type. The interactive effect was observed in salt content, with RF frozen-thawed showing higher salt content (8.2%) compared to all other muscles. The hardness and WBSF were significantly higher (P<0.05) in biltong frozen-thawed (204.1N and 135.0N) than in fresh muscles (146.2N and 113.1N). Moreover, the chewiness and springiness were affected (P<0.05) by muscle type, with RF muscle having higher springiness 0.89 and chewiness 171.1N than all the other muscles. Therefore, it can be concluded that freezing buffalo carcasses significantly influenced the quality characteristics of biltong. The fourth experiment studied the effect of drying methods on physico-chemical properties of traditional biltong produced from African buffalo muscles. The BF and SM muscles were randomly selected from 15 fresh carcasses, cut into strips, salted and divided into two batches per muscle. The first batch of each muscle type was dried in the ambient-air drier at 22oC average and the second batch in the cabinet drier at 26 oC till 45-50% weight loss. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in salting weight loss between the drying method and muscle type. The protein content was significantly higher in SM (46%) muscles compared to v BF (43%) but there was no effect (P>0.05) caused by the drying method. The interactions between the muscle type and drying method affected the fat content, with biltong from airdried BF muscles having significant lower (2.1%) fat content. There were no significant differences in other physico-chemical properties of biltong, with moisture content, salt, ash content, Aw and pH being 45.0%, 5.13%, 44.8%, 7.3%, 2.7%, 0.885 and 5.61 on average, respectively. Overall, the findings of the study show that freezing does have a significant effect on the final quality of biltong. However, it can be concluded that a significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of biltong depends on the changes of mass transfers during salting and drying.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ngwendu, Nwabisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biltong Meat -- Quality -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12128 , vital:39154
- Description: The study investigated the effect of muscle type and freezing on evaluation of mass transfer during processing physico-chemical of South African biltong and its textural properties. In the first experimental phase of this study, mass transfers, physico-chemical and textural properties (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness) of commercially produced biltong from biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) (n=9) were measured. Biltong was dried at 30oC and 40% relative humidity until it had lost 50% of its initial weight. The initial moisture content, water activity (Aw) of BF muscles (74.3% and 0.992) were significantly lower compared those of ST muscles (75.4% and 0.994%). The fat content of BF (2.3%) muscles was higher (P<0.05) than in ST muscles (1.7%). The salt, weight and water gain for the BF muscle were 2.3%, -2.6% and -7.0% respectively and were significantly higher than those of ST muscles which were 2.1, -0.4 and -4.0, respectively. After drying, the moisture content, Aw, and pH were lower in BF (42.2, 0.886 and 5.29) than those of ST muscles (45.1, 0.911 and 5.42). The salt content was higher (P<0.05) in BF muscle than in ST. Among textural properties, hardness was significantly higher in biltong from the BF (233.0N), while the springiness was significantly lower compared to the ST muscle (178.2N). Therefore, it was concluded that the use of different muscles results in variation of biltong physicochemical characteristics. The second experiment investigated the effect of freezing and muscle type on mass transfers, lipid oxidation, physico-chemical and textural properties of biltong. In this experiment, the iii ST muscles were replaced with semimembranosus (SM) muscles. A total of 12 beef muscles were used, with six BF and six SM muscles frozen in a blast freezer at -40 oC till they reached -20oC; then they were transferred to -20oC for 14 days. The thawing loss for the BF and ST muscles was 1.3 and 2.4% respectively, but there were no significant (P>0.05) differences. The protein and salt content were significantly higher in frozen-thawed (24.3 and 0.13%) muscles than in fresh muscle (20.2 and 0.08%); whereas the fat content and pH were lower (P<0.05) in frozen-thawed (5.36) compared to fresh muscles (5.51). Between muscles, the moisture, salt content, and pH were higher in BF muscles than in SM muscles (73.2, 0.12% and 5.49). Aw was affected by the interaction between freezing and muscle type, with frozenthawed SM having lower Aw (0.990). During salting, salt, weight and water gain did not show any differences (P<0.05). There were no major significant differences after salting. There were lower TBARS and pH in frozen-thawed (1.5mgMDA/kg and 5.15) muscles than in fresh muscles (3.3mgMDA/kg and 5.19) as well as in SM muscles (1.8mgMDA/kg and 5.16) than in BF muscles (3.0mgMDA/kg and 5.19). The moisture was significantly lower in frozen-thawed SM (68.1%) than in fresh SM, BF and frozen-thawed BF (69.3,70.5 and 71.7%) after salting. On the final product, the interaction between muscle type and freezing affected the moisture content, TBARS, chewiness and the springiness of biltong, with the biltong from fresh SM (39.8%) having significantly lower moisture content compared frozenthawed BF and ST muscles as well fresh BF muscles (42.8% in average). The TBARS were higher in biltong from fresh BF muscles (5.1mgMDA/kg) compared to other muscles. Furthermore, the chewiness and springiness were higher (P<0.05) in biltong produced from SM frozen-thawed muscles (327.7N and 1.5). The WBSF was higher in biltong from the BF muscles (108.8N) than in the biltong from SM (80.1) but it was not affected by the freezing effect (P>0.05). Freezing did not show any major differences in biltong. iv The third experiment was conducted to determine the effect of freezing African buffalo carcasses on weight loss during salting, physico-chemical and textural properties of biltong. Five muscles (ST, SM, BF, LTL, and RF) were randomly selected from 30 carcasses (15 frozen-thawed and 15 fresh), cut along the grain, traditionally salted and dried at 26oC till they lost 45-50% of their initial weight. The salting weight loss was higher in frozen-thawed muscles (-1.45%) than in fresh muscles (-0.89%). The freezing treatment affected the physico-chemical properties of the biltong. The biltong produced from frozen-thawed muscles showed significantly higher protein and ash (47.6 and 7.6%) compared to fresh (43.9 and 7.1); whereas the moisture, fat, pH and Aw were lower (43.7, 2.1, 0.870 and 5.30, respectively) compared to those of biltong from fresh muscles (45.5%, 2.9%, 0.890 and 5.38). The moisture, pH and fat content were further affected by muscle type. The interactive effect was observed in salt content, with RF frozen-thawed showing higher salt content (8.2%) compared to all other muscles. The hardness and WBSF were significantly higher (P<0.05) in biltong frozen-thawed (204.1N and 135.0N) than in fresh muscles (146.2N and 113.1N). Moreover, the chewiness and springiness were affected (P<0.05) by muscle type, with RF muscle having higher springiness 0.89 and chewiness 171.1N than all the other muscles. Therefore, it can be concluded that freezing buffalo carcasses significantly influenced the quality characteristics of biltong. The fourth experiment studied the effect of drying methods on physico-chemical properties of traditional biltong produced from African buffalo muscles. The BF and SM muscles were randomly selected from 15 fresh carcasses, cut into strips, salted and divided into two batches per muscle. The first batch of each muscle type was dried in the ambient-air drier at 22oC average and the second batch in the cabinet drier at 26 oC till 45-50% weight loss. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in salting weight loss between the drying method and muscle type. The protein content was significantly higher in SM (46%) muscles compared to v BF (43%) but there was no effect (P>0.05) caused by the drying method. The interactions between the muscle type and drying method affected the fat content, with biltong from airdried BF muscles having significant lower (2.1%) fat content. There were no significant differences in other physico-chemical properties of biltong, with moisture content, salt, ash content, Aw and pH being 45.0%, 5.13%, 44.8%, 7.3%, 2.7%, 0.885 and 5.61 on average, respectively. Overall, the findings of the study show that freezing does have a significant effect on the final quality of biltong. However, it can be concluded that a significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of biltong depends on the changes of mass transfers during salting and drying.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effect of social capital on the performance of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMES) in Makana Municipality
- Authors: Klaas, Anesipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12373 , vital:39258
- Description: The small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) are essential drivers to the social and economic growth. These enterprises have an essential role in employment creation and eradication of poverty in South Africa. SMMEs in South Africa are comprised of heterogeneous groups of businesses in various sectors including services, manufacturing and agriculture. This study investigated the effect of social capital on the performance of SMMEs. Thus, the primary objective of the study was is to investigate the impact of social capital on the performance of SMMEs in Makana Municipality, and the secondary objectives were to determine the effect of bonding social capital on the performance of SMMEs and determine the effect of bridging social capital on the performance of SMMEs. This study discovered that all three forms of social capital, namely: bonding, bridging and linking social capital have a positive effect on the performance of SMMEs. In order to collect data, the researcher distributed questionnaires to the sampled SMMEs in the towns within the Makana Municipality. All the questionnaires were completed by the respondents. The researcher did not interfere in this process but helped where necessary. Prior to the distribution of questionnaires, validity and reliability were ensured in order to eliminate problems in the questionnaires. A total of 126 questionnaires were distributed. To scale the responses in the questionnaires, Likert scale was used in this study. The sections in questionnaires were measuring the extent to which social capital contributes to the performance of SMMEs. Of the 126 questionnaires that were distributed, only 98 questionnaires were returned and used in this study. Thus, the response rate was 71% which is high. Because social capital affects the performance of SMMEs, this proves further the need for government to support these businesses. This study made a theoretical contribution to the literature on social capital and its important on the performance of SMMEs. The researcher recommends that all SMMEs across the world consider the effect of social capital on their performance. Given the importance of successful SMMEs in the growth of the country’s economy and, also the role they play in addressing the unemployment problem, it is recommended that all SMMEs consider the positive impact of social capital in their growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Klaas, Anesipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Small business Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Business Management)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12373 , vital:39258
- Description: The small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) are essential drivers to the social and economic growth. These enterprises have an essential role in employment creation and eradication of poverty in South Africa. SMMEs in South Africa are comprised of heterogeneous groups of businesses in various sectors including services, manufacturing and agriculture. This study investigated the effect of social capital on the performance of SMMEs. Thus, the primary objective of the study was is to investigate the impact of social capital on the performance of SMMEs in Makana Municipality, and the secondary objectives were to determine the effect of bonding social capital on the performance of SMMEs and determine the effect of bridging social capital on the performance of SMMEs. This study discovered that all three forms of social capital, namely: bonding, bridging and linking social capital have a positive effect on the performance of SMMEs. In order to collect data, the researcher distributed questionnaires to the sampled SMMEs in the towns within the Makana Municipality. All the questionnaires were completed by the respondents. The researcher did not interfere in this process but helped where necessary. Prior to the distribution of questionnaires, validity and reliability were ensured in order to eliminate problems in the questionnaires. A total of 126 questionnaires were distributed. To scale the responses in the questionnaires, Likert scale was used in this study. The sections in questionnaires were measuring the extent to which social capital contributes to the performance of SMMEs. Of the 126 questionnaires that were distributed, only 98 questionnaires were returned and used in this study. Thus, the response rate was 71% which is high. Because social capital affects the performance of SMMEs, this proves further the need for government to support these businesses. This study made a theoretical contribution to the literature on social capital and its important on the performance of SMMEs. The researcher recommends that all SMMEs across the world consider the effect of social capital on their performance. Given the importance of successful SMMEs in the growth of the country’s economy and, also the role they play in addressing the unemployment problem, it is recommended that all SMMEs consider the positive impact of social capital in their growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes in tertiary institutions of higher learning: the case of the University of Forte Hare
- Authors: Chiwara, Emmanuel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV infections AIDS (Disease)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18085 , vital:42228
- Description: This study explored the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes in tertiary institutions in South Africa, and used the University of Forte Hare as a research domain. The study entailed making a cross-examination of the UFH HIV/AIDS programmes in an attempt to test the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes in South African Universities. The study had three objectives, which were to establish the perceptions of the UFH stakeholders pertaining HIV/AIDS programmes; to document the HIV/AIDS programmes offered at UFH; and to determine the resources available to implement the HIV/AIDS Programmes at UFH. The study used mixed methods, that is, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used combined methods of data collection and instruments, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups interviews, key informants, and a questionnaire. The study adopted Structural Functionalist Theory. The researcher drew a sample of forty (40) participants from the UFH community. Thirty-three (33) student respondents were provided with questionnaire interview; while 5 (five) members of the staff; two (2) members of the UFH HIV/AIDS managers; and two (2) members of administration were interviewed. The study used a combination of both probability and non-probability sampling methods, specifically purposive sampling and systematic sampling methods to select the participants. The data was analyzed using a qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study established that there was inadequacy of financial and material resources to support the implementation of the programmes; inconsistency in condom distribution on campus; limited and unprofessional HIV/AID workers at the UFH campus; availability of various HIV/AIDS programme activities; adequate support structures but failing to be responsive towards HIV/AIDS; and adequate HIV/AIDS knowledge among the students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chiwara, Emmanuel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV infections AIDS (Disease)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18085 , vital:42228
- Description: This study explored the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes in tertiary institutions in South Africa, and used the University of Forte Hare as a research domain. The study entailed making a cross-examination of the UFH HIV/AIDS programmes in an attempt to test the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS programmes in South African Universities. The study had three objectives, which were to establish the perceptions of the UFH stakeholders pertaining HIV/AIDS programmes; to document the HIV/AIDS programmes offered at UFH; and to determine the resources available to implement the HIV/AIDS Programmes at UFH. The study used mixed methods, that is, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used combined methods of data collection and instruments, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups interviews, key informants, and a questionnaire. The study adopted Structural Functionalist Theory. The researcher drew a sample of forty (40) participants from the UFH community. Thirty-three (33) student respondents were provided with questionnaire interview; while 5 (five) members of the staff; two (2) members of the UFH HIV/AIDS managers; and two (2) members of administration were interviewed. The study used a combination of both probability and non-probability sampling methods, specifically purposive sampling and systematic sampling methods to select the participants. The data was analyzed using a qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study established that there was inadequacy of financial and material resources to support the implementation of the programmes; inconsistency in condom distribution on campus; limited and unprofessional HIV/AID workers at the UFH campus; availability of various HIV/AIDS programme activities; adequate support structures but failing to be responsive towards HIV/AIDS; and adequate HIV/AIDS knowledge among the students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The effects of liberalisation and regulation of cellphone companies from 2007 - 2018: a study of Buffalo city municipality
- Malobola, Nomvuyo Ursula Vuyokazi
- Authors: Malobola, Nomvuyo Ursula Vuyokazi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Communications)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18153 , vital:42237
- Description: This study focuses on the effects of liberalisation and regulation of the telecommunications sector in South Africa. A qualitative research method was adopted and the researcher conducted focus group interviews with participants that were purposely selected to collect data from different suburbs around the Buffalo City Metropolitan area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The areas were Mdantsane, Selborne and Southernwood, which have large populations and obviously enjoy high cell phone usage. In addition, an in-depth interview was conducted with an official of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which is the monitoring body for telecommunications in South Africa. The findings of this study have shown that despite the airtime and data being expensive, the telecoms sector is critical to the people of South Africa, and the failure by the government to regulate and liberalise the telecoms sector has led to expensive cell phone charges on the public. As such, it can be noted that the majority of the urban poor, especially in the Buffalo City Metropolitan, endure expensive charges. More so, the study found that there has been frustrating slow progress of transformation of the telecommunications industry and associated key national policy objectives. In addition, the study also recognises that as a member of WTO South Africa had to adopt policies of globalisation or risk isolation should it operate outside it. In addition, this study revealed that in spite of the challenges that are related to regulation and liberalisation, progress can still be made in reducing price hikes, especially when strategic investments are made in the telecommunication sector in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Malobola, Nomvuyo Ursula Vuyokazi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Communications)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18153 , vital:42237
- Description: This study focuses on the effects of liberalisation and regulation of the telecommunications sector in South Africa. A qualitative research method was adopted and the researcher conducted focus group interviews with participants that were purposely selected to collect data from different suburbs around the Buffalo City Metropolitan area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The areas were Mdantsane, Selborne and Southernwood, which have large populations and obviously enjoy high cell phone usage. In addition, an in-depth interview was conducted with an official of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which is the monitoring body for telecommunications in South Africa. The findings of this study have shown that despite the airtime and data being expensive, the telecoms sector is critical to the people of South Africa, and the failure by the government to regulate and liberalise the telecoms sector has led to expensive cell phone charges on the public. As such, it can be noted that the majority of the urban poor, especially in the Buffalo City Metropolitan, endure expensive charges. More so, the study found that there has been frustrating slow progress of transformation of the telecommunications industry and associated key national policy objectives. In addition, the study also recognises that as a member of WTO South Africa had to adopt policies of globalisation or risk isolation should it operate outside it. In addition, this study revealed that in spite of the challenges that are related to regulation and liberalisation, progress can still be made in reducing price hikes, especially when strategic investments are made in the telecommunication sector in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020