The feasibility and acceptability of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD at a community trauma centre in Cape Town: a qualitative analysis
- Authors: Markham, Kate Emily
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478339 , vital:78178
- Description: South Africa deals with pervasive trauma stemming from its history of political violence, high crime rates, and social challenges, ultimately contributing to a significant burden of trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among its population. Despite the prevalence of PTSD, evidence-based psychological treatments (EBTs) such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) remain underutilised, particularly in low-resourced areas. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of PE among social workers at The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town. This study used a qualitative research design, with special emphasis on Implementation Science. The study used the concepts of feasibility and acceptability to guide the research. The results revealed several key themes. Social workers’ pre-implementation themes included the perceptions around PE and implementation in South Africa, with three subthemes emerging. First, the impact of South African socioeconomic and political factors on The Trauma Centre. Second, perceptions surrounding the implementation of PE. And finally, the improvements and feasibility of PE; the social worker’s post-intervention findings focused on the feasibility and improvement of PE, post-treatment views, and the hurdles and limitations to implementation. The client's post-intervention findings explored refugee struggles, associated psychological distress, with two sub-themes of self-worth and suicidal ideation, and second, a lack of support and helplessness, loneliness, and isolation. The final theme looked at the experiences of PE, more specifically the positive client experiences with PE, and the challenges of PE. The implementation of PE at The Trauma Centre revealed both successes and challenges. Findings from this study suggest that PE can be effectively administered through task-shifting in low-resource settings. However, this study also highlighted significant challenges in the feasibility of implementing PE long-term in this context. Clients revealed ambivalent feelings regarding PE. Those who experienced positive outcomes demonstrated the potential for PE to be utilised in resource-limited settings. Those who did not find PE beneficial, highlight the need for future research to adapt PE to be culturally specific and feasible for a resource-constrained setting. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Markham, Kate Emily
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478339 , vital:78178
- Description: South Africa deals with pervasive trauma stemming from its history of political violence, high crime rates, and social challenges, ultimately contributing to a significant burden of trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among its population. Despite the prevalence of PTSD, evidence-based psychological treatments (EBTs) such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) remain underutilised, particularly in low-resourced areas. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of PE among social workers at The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town. This study used a qualitative research design, with special emphasis on Implementation Science. The study used the concepts of feasibility and acceptability to guide the research. The results revealed several key themes. Social workers’ pre-implementation themes included the perceptions around PE and implementation in South Africa, with three subthemes emerging. First, the impact of South African socioeconomic and political factors on The Trauma Centre. Second, perceptions surrounding the implementation of PE. And finally, the improvements and feasibility of PE; the social worker’s post-intervention findings focused on the feasibility and improvement of PE, post-treatment views, and the hurdles and limitations to implementation. The client's post-intervention findings explored refugee struggles, associated psychological distress, with two sub-themes of self-worth and suicidal ideation, and second, a lack of support and helplessness, loneliness, and isolation. The final theme looked at the experiences of PE, more specifically the positive client experiences with PE, and the challenges of PE. The implementation of PE at The Trauma Centre revealed both successes and challenges. Findings from this study suggest that PE can be effectively administered through task-shifting in low-resource settings. However, this study also highlighted significant challenges in the feasibility of implementing PE long-term in this context. Clients revealed ambivalent feelings regarding PE. Those who experienced positive outcomes demonstrated the potential for PE to be utilised in resource-limited settings. Those who did not find PE beneficial, highlight the need for future research to adapt PE to be culturally specific and feasible for a resource-constrained setting. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
The process of translating the Experiences in Close Relationship (ECR) Scale into isiXhosa
- Authors: Hadebe, Mandisa Zandile
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478306 , vital:78175
- Description: Intimate relationships are highly influenced by each individual’s attachment style. These attachment styles play a significant role in how romantic partners engage with each other and yet there are few tools that measure them. Not only are the tools few but also, they are not easily available in South African languages. Implementing isiXhosa language screening tools widens and enhances mental healthcare access for isiXhosa-speaking populations. This study aimed to develop an isiXhosa language version of the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR). The ECR is a 36-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess adult attachment styles in the context of close relationships. The scale evaluates the presence of anxious and avoidant attachment styles in adult romantic relationships. Anxious attachment is characterized by heightened anxiety about the relationship and a constant need for reassurance, while avoidant attachment involves a tendency to distance oneself emotionally from partners, often leading to difficulties in forming close connections. By measuring these styles, the scale provides deeper insights into how individuals relate to their partners and navigate intimacy in their romantic lives. The ECR was translated into isiXhosa using a four-stage translation design, which included: 1. Forward translation, 2. Back translation, 3. Committee meetings, and 4. Qualitative piloting of the resultant translation in a small sample of first language isiXhosa speakers. A quantitative pilot will follow this study. The results indicate that while broad concept equivalence was easier to achieve, participants struggled with understanding some of the items due to the difference in academic, written language and spoken language. The questions about emotions proved more difficult to translate. South African languages differ in dialect across different areas of the country. The isiXhosa terms chosen for this translation often conveyed distinct meanings or could be interpreted differently, depending on the specific geographical region and local dialect. This rich linguistic diversity posed a considerable challenge throughout the translation process, as it required careful consideration of context and cultural nuance to ensure accurate communication. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Hadebe, Mandisa Zandile
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478306 , vital:78175
- Description: Intimate relationships are highly influenced by each individual’s attachment style. These attachment styles play a significant role in how romantic partners engage with each other and yet there are few tools that measure them. Not only are the tools few but also, they are not easily available in South African languages. Implementing isiXhosa language screening tools widens and enhances mental healthcare access for isiXhosa-speaking populations. This study aimed to develop an isiXhosa language version of the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR). The ECR is a 36-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess adult attachment styles in the context of close relationships. The scale evaluates the presence of anxious and avoidant attachment styles in adult romantic relationships. Anxious attachment is characterized by heightened anxiety about the relationship and a constant need for reassurance, while avoidant attachment involves a tendency to distance oneself emotionally from partners, often leading to difficulties in forming close connections. By measuring these styles, the scale provides deeper insights into how individuals relate to their partners and navigate intimacy in their romantic lives. The ECR was translated into isiXhosa using a four-stage translation design, which included: 1. Forward translation, 2. Back translation, 3. Committee meetings, and 4. Qualitative piloting of the resultant translation in a small sample of first language isiXhosa speakers. A quantitative pilot will follow this study. The results indicate that while broad concept equivalence was easier to achieve, participants struggled with understanding some of the items due to the difference in academic, written language and spoken language. The questions about emotions proved more difficult to translate. South African languages differ in dialect across different areas of the country. The isiXhosa terms chosen for this translation often conveyed distinct meanings or could be interpreted differently, depending on the specific geographical region and local dialect. This rich linguistic diversity posed a considerable challenge throughout the translation process, as it required careful consideration of context and cultural nuance to ensure accurate communication. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
Translation of the Composite Abuse Scale (Revised) Short Form (CASR-SF) into isiXhosa
- Authors: Mankantshu, Buncwanekazi
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478328 , vital:78177
- Description: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common occurrence in South Africa, yet appropriately validated tools that screen for IPV are not easily available, particularly in African languages. Establishing isiXhosa language versions of screening tools broadens and improves access to mental healthcare services for isiXhosa-speaking groups. This study aimed to develop an isiXhosa language version of the Composite Abuse Scale Revised Short Form (CASR-SF). The CASR-SF is a self-report measure designed to gauge the presence, intensity, and severity of IPV across three domains: physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Previous translations of this questionnaire indicated its transportability across different languages and contexts, which in addition to the cost and time effectiveness of adapting instead of developing a new questionnaire, led to the decision to translate and adapt it into isiXhosa. The CASR-SF was translated using a four-staged translation design, which included: 1. Forward translation, 2. Back translation, 3. Committee discussion, and 4. Qualitative pilot in a small sample of first language isiXhosa speakers. Four independent translators worked independently to produce the forward and back translation in stages 1 and 2 and the translations team met in stage 3 to discuss and resolve challenging items with the goal of producing an equivalent final isiXhosa version of the CASR-SF. The resulting preliminary version was piloted on a sample of 7 first-language isiXhosa speakers who partook in cognitive interviews as a confirmatory step. The results indicated that for the most part broad concept equivalence was easier to achieve than linguistic equivalence, and participants generally did not struggle with understanding the items. However, questionnaire items on emotions and relatively new terms such as social media were far more complex to translate. African languages such as isiXhosa use metaphors as more respectful/acceptable expressions for topics such as sexual acts, which complicated the translation process at times. There were also various terms that could be used for different English concepts and the aim of this translation was to find one term that would be appropriate and meaningful across different isiXhosa language dialects, which proved challenging at times. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Mankantshu, Buncwanekazi
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478328 , vital:78177
- Description: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common occurrence in South Africa, yet appropriately validated tools that screen for IPV are not easily available, particularly in African languages. Establishing isiXhosa language versions of screening tools broadens and improves access to mental healthcare services for isiXhosa-speaking groups. This study aimed to develop an isiXhosa language version of the Composite Abuse Scale Revised Short Form (CASR-SF). The CASR-SF is a self-report measure designed to gauge the presence, intensity, and severity of IPV across three domains: physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Previous translations of this questionnaire indicated its transportability across different languages and contexts, which in addition to the cost and time effectiveness of adapting instead of developing a new questionnaire, led to the decision to translate and adapt it into isiXhosa. The CASR-SF was translated using a four-staged translation design, which included: 1. Forward translation, 2. Back translation, 3. Committee discussion, and 4. Qualitative pilot in a small sample of first language isiXhosa speakers. Four independent translators worked independently to produce the forward and back translation in stages 1 and 2 and the translations team met in stage 3 to discuss and resolve challenging items with the goal of producing an equivalent final isiXhosa version of the CASR-SF. The resulting preliminary version was piloted on a sample of 7 first-language isiXhosa speakers who partook in cognitive interviews as a confirmatory step. The results indicated that for the most part broad concept equivalence was easier to achieve than linguistic equivalence, and participants generally did not struggle with understanding the items. However, questionnaire items on emotions and relatively new terms such as social media were far more complex to translate. African languages such as isiXhosa use metaphors as more respectful/acceptable expressions for topics such as sexual acts, which complicated the translation process at times. There were also various terms that could be used for different English concepts and the aim of this translation was to find one term that would be appropriate and meaningful across different isiXhosa language dialects, which proved challenging at times. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
‘Basadi ba kae? [Where are the women?]: a history of the making of Sepedi (Sesotho sa Leboa) womanhood, 1935 – 1999
- Mahlo, Mathabo Makgare Betty
- Authors: Mahlo, Mathabo Makgare Betty
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Northern Sotho language , Sotho (African people) , Women, Black Africa , Representation (Philosophy) , Missionaries , Berlin Mission Church (Transvaal, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478465 , vital:78189
- Description: This study sought to explore the way an African ethnicity – namely the ‘Pedi’ ethnicity - emerged through literary texts and examined the representations of black African woman in vernacular texts from 1935 to 1990. This thesis is geographically situated in the Northern Transvaal, currently known as the Limpopo Province, the ‘homeland’ of Northern Sotho speakers (‘Sesotho sa Lebowa’ or ‘Basotho’ communities). It began by tracing the various stakeholders who utilised the terms ‘Pedi’ and ‘Bapedi’ to represent a federation of independent chiefdoms within the Lulu (or Leolo) Mountain valley. The noun ‘Pedi’ became - over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth century - an ethnic category, encompassing those who spoke one of the many Northern Sotho dialects. As the Berlin Missionary Society (BMS) expanded their missionary enterprise into the Transvaal in the 1860s, a Northern Sotho language was formalised – with the aid of black African Christian converts from different Northern Basotho’s chiefdoms. The formalisation of Northern Sotho as a language resulted in the creation of an artificial link between Northern Sotho communities and the Northern Sotho language by the Union of South Africa state. The state used this link as marker of ethnic difference, conflating speaking practices with ethnic units. In view of the foregoing, this study discussed the various historical processes that have informed our contemporary understanding of the ‘Pedi’ (henceforth referred to as Bapedi) – as an ethnic category. This study commenced with an understanding of the emergence of the ‘Basotho’ (Northern Basotho) subject, followed by the ways in which missionaries and black African Christian converts added cultural weight to this term through the formalisation of language, the particularisation of a Northern Sotho culture and the production of Northern Sotho print media. Within these texts, ideas around a Northern Sotho ethnicity were circulated. Additionally, within vernacular texts, appeared representations of black African women, which echoed missionary ideals of Christian womanhood and precolonial ideals of womanhood. This study foregrounded the discourse on the formation of the Northern Sotho ethnicity in the light of the representations of women in literary texts. This is because literary works were targeted at black African communities, and these works shaped black Africans’ own ideas of ethnicity and womanhood. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
- Authors: Mahlo, Mathabo Makgare Betty
- Date: 2025-04-25
- Subjects: Northern Sotho language , Sotho (African people) , Women, Black Africa , Representation (Philosophy) , Missionaries , Berlin Mission Church (Transvaal, South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478465 , vital:78189
- Description: This study sought to explore the way an African ethnicity – namely the ‘Pedi’ ethnicity - emerged through literary texts and examined the representations of black African woman in vernacular texts from 1935 to 1990. This thesis is geographically situated in the Northern Transvaal, currently known as the Limpopo Province, the ‘homeland’ of Northern Sotho speakers (‘Sesotho sa Lebowa’ or ‘Basotho’ communities). It began by tracing the various stakeholders who utilised the terms ‘Pedi’ and ‘Bapedi’ to represent a federation of independent chiefdoms within the Lulu (or Leolo) Mountain valley. The noun ‘Pedi’ became - over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth century - an ethnic category, encompassing those who spoke one of the many Northern Sotho dialects. As the Berlin Missionary Society (BMS) expanded their missionary enterprise into the Transvaal in the 1860s, a Northern Sotho language was formalised – with the aid of black African Christian converts from different Northern Basotho’s chiefdoms. The formalisation of Northern Sotho as a language resulted in the creation of an artificial link between Northern Sotho communities and the Northern Sotho language by the Union of South Africa state. The state used this link as marker of ethnic difference, conflating speaking practices with ethnic units. In view of the foregoing, this study discussed the various historical processes that have informed our contemporary understanding of the ‘Pedi’ (henceforth referred to as Bapedi) – as an ethnic category. This study commenced with an understanding of the emergence of the ‘Basotho’ (Northern Basotho) subject, followed by the ways in which missionaries and black African Christian converts added cultural weight to this term through the formalisation of language, the particularisation of a Northern Sotho culture and the production of Northern Sotho print media. Within these texts, ideas around a Northern Sotho ethnicity were circulated. Additionally, within vernacular texts, appeared representations of black African women, which echoed missionary ideals of Christian womanhood and precolonial ideals of womanhood. This study foregrounded the discourse on the formation of the Northern Sotho ethnicity in the light of the representations of women in literary texts. This is because literary works were targeted at black African communities, and these works shaped black Africans’ own ideas of ethnicity and womanhood. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-25
A case study of the internal branding process at Kagiso Media
- Authors: Mchunu, Bonisiwe Purity
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479449 , vital:78314
- Description: This research took the form of a case study of a media company, Kagiso Media (KM), that had been through a process of change. The company adopted a branding approach and used internal branding activities to implement a change intervention, which was unconventional and a unique approach, making it worthy of investigation. The primary aim of the study was, therefore, to analyse how a change in brand ideology (i.e. encompassing the business mission, vision, goals and shared values) shaped the senior leadership behaviour at KM and also led to the development of an improved performance management system. A case study research method was used. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews with the leadership team and combined with relevant company documents. A deductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance if implemented deliberately. When the new CEO was appointed, his starting point was to change the KM brand ideology. The study revealed that, because of greater clarity in brand ideology, leadership behaviour improved. There were shifts in the manner in which leadership behaved and how they handled performance as a result of entrenching the new brand ideology. The study also revealed that the development of brand ideology necessitated changes in the performance management system. Brand-centred performance management systems contributed towards building a performance culture. In essence, developing a clear brand ideology was central to changing leadership behaviour and the revision of the performance management performance system. While limitations of the study are acknowledged, it has contributed by offering a unique perspective of an internal branding driven change and demonstrates how a change in brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance management. Furthermore, the study recommended that further research could be done to include the perspectives of staff beyond the leadership team. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Mchunu, Bonisiwe Purity
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479449 , vital:78314
- Description: This research took the form of a case study of a media company, Kagiso Media (KM), that had been through a process of change. The company adopted a branding approach and used internal branding activities to implement a change intervention, which was unconventional and a unique approach, making it worthy of investigation. The primary aim of the study was, therefore, to analyse how a change in brand ideology (i.e. encompassing the business mission, vision, goals and shared values) shaped the senior leadership behaviour at KM and also led to the development of an improved performance management system. A case study research method was used. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews with the leadership team and combined with relevant company documents. A deductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance if implemented deliberately. When the new CEO was appointed, his starting point was to change the KM brand ideology. The study revealed that, because of greater clarity in brand ideology, leadership behaviour improved. There were shifts in the manner in which leadership behaved and how they handled performance as a result of entrenching the new brand ideology. The study also revealed that the development of brand ideology necessitated changes in the performance management system. Brand-centred performance management systems contributed towards building a performance culture. In essence, developing a clear brand ideology was central to changing leadership behaviour and the revision of the performance management performance system. While limitations of the study are acknowledged, it has contributed by offering a unique perspective of an internal branding driven change and demonstrates how a change in brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance management. Furthermore, the study recommended that further research could be done to include the perspectives of staff beyond the leadership team. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
An analysis of business incubation: case study of Chemin business incubator in East London
- Authors: Mnqokoyi, Zoliswa
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479473 , vital:78316
- Description: This study delves into an in-depth analysis of business incubation practices, focusing on the case study of Chemin Business Incubator located in East London. The primary aim of this research is to explore how Chemin utilizes both tangible and intangible resources to support incubates throughout the incubation process. Through a meticulous examination of resource allocation strategies, this study seeks to uncover the impact of these resources on the success of incubated ventures. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study employed a single case study approach, which enabled the researcher to explore in depth the resource utilization and allocation processes at Chemin. The research was conducted within the interpretivist paradigm, focusing on understanding the experiences of incubates and the management team. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including five entrepreneurs who successfully completed the incubation process, five entrepreneurs currently undergoing incubation, and five members of the management team. Additionally, document analysis of official Chemin documents provided secondary data to supplement the primary data collected through interviews. The research objectives included analyzing the allocation of resources to meet enterprise development goals, exploring the role of resources in determining incubate success at different stages of incubation, and identifying instances where resource allocation posed challenges to incubate success. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data, identifying key themes and patterns related to resource allocation and its impact on incubate success. The findings of this study shed light on the multifaceted nature of resource utilization within the business incubation context. Tangible resources, including physical assets and financial support, were found to be instrumental in providing startups with essential infrastructure and funding networks. Additionally, intangible resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and business advisory services emerged as critical factors in nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering innovation. Moreover, the study identified key areas where resource allocation strategies could be optimized to enhance incubate success. By addressing these challenges, business incubators like Chemin can further bolster their support for startups, contributing to economic development and entrepreneurial growth. Lastly, this research adds valuable insights to the field of business incubation, offering practical recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of resource allocation strategies. Through a nuanced understanding of how tangible and intangible resources impact incubate success, this study aims to inform policymakers, incubator managers, and entrepreneurs alike, fostering a conducive ecosystem for startup growth and innovation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Mnqokoyi, Zoliswa
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479473 , vital:78316
- Description: This study delves into an in-depth analysis of business incubation practices, focusing on the case study of Chemin Business Incubator located in East London. The primary aim of this research is to explore how Chemin utilizes both tangible and intangible resources to support incubates throughout the incubation process. Through a meticulous examination of resource allocation strategies, this study seeks to uncover the impact of these resources on the success of incubated ventures. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study employed a single case study approach, which enabled the researcher to explore in depth the resource utilization and allocation processes at Chemin. The research was conducted within the interpretivist paradigm, focusing on understanding the experiences of incubates and the management team. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including five entrepreneurs who successfully completed the incubation process, five entrepreneurs currently undergoing incubation, and five members of the management team. Additionally, document analysis of official Chemin documents provided secondary data to supplement the primary data collected through interviews. The research objectives included analyzing the allocation of resources to meet enterprise development goals, exploring the role of resources in determining incubate success at different stages of incubation, and identifying instances where resource allocation posed challenges to incubate success. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data, identifying key themes and patterns related to resource allocation and its impact on incubate success. The findings of this study shed light on the multifaceted nature of resource utilization within the business incubation context. Tangible resources, including physical assets and financial support, were found to be instrumental in providing startups with essential infrastructure and funding networks. Additionally, intangible resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and business advisory services emerged as critical factors in nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering innovation. Moreover, the study identified key areas where resource allocation strategies could be optimized to enhance incubate success. By addressing these challenges, business incubators like Chemin can further bolster their support for startups, contributing to economic development and entrepreneurial growth. Lastly, this research adds valuable insights to the field of business incubation, offering practical recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of resource allocation strategies. Through a nuanced understanding of how tangible and intangible resources impact incubate success, this study aims to inform policymakers, incubator managers, and entrepreneurs alike, fostering a conducive ecosystem for startup growth and innovation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
An analysis of the impact of financialisation on commodity futures and spot prices
- Authors: Calitz, Geoffrey George
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479528 , vital:78321
- Description: The debate on the commodity financialisation phenomenon was triggered in response to the steep rise in commodity futures and spot prices during the 2000-2011 super cycle. The two schools of thought regarding the underlying causes of such dramatic price increases are divided between those attributing the super cycle to fundamental drivers, and those who suggest that fundamental drivers alone are an insufficient explanation, and that other non-fundamental drivers are important. Fundamental drivers commonly cited in the literature include the sustained growth in demand for commodities throughout the early 2000s from emerging economies, such as China and India, and shocks to supply chains such as crop failures, export bans, and other factors such as macroeconomic dynamics. However, an alternative school of thought found empirical evidence which suggested that in addition to fundamental drivers, non-fundamental drivers such as key regulatory changes in commodity and financial markets in 1999/2000, and the subsequent changes to the trading activities in commodity derivative markets and the resultant historic growth in the participation of purely financial investors, significantly impacted the structure and price dynamics in commodity markets, in a phenomenon known as the financialisation of commodity markets. This study contributes to the empirical literature by expanding compared with previous studies the time period under investigation, as well as expanding the range of commodities examined. The most recent 2020-2024 period of rising prices is included, and the behavior of both cross-sector and same-sector pairwise return correlations of futures and spot prices in this period is compared to the pre-financialisation period. The study contributes to the literature by examining how the cross market and cross asset return correlation structure has behaved throughout the entire post-financialisation era. The study makes a further contribution by establishing the statistical significance of futures market returns as a predictor of spot market returns. It is found that the financialisation phenomenon impacted both commodity futures and spot markets. Pairwise return correlation is substantially greater throughout Period 2 (post-financialisation) compared to Period 1 (pre-financialisation) for same-sector and cross-sector pairs of futures and spot prices. The structural change in return correlation between these two periods was found to be especially pronounced for cross-sector pairs of futures and spot prices. The financialisation hypothesis is further supported by the findings of persistent structural changes in cross market and cross asset return correlation, which has become even more pronounced in the later stages of financialisation. The most recent period of rising commodity prices, Period 2(c) (2020-2024), is found to show elevated pairwise return correlation for futures and spot prices levels when compared to Period 1 (pre-financialisation), but the increase in correlations is less than in earlier financialisation periods such as Period 2(a) (2000-2011) and Period 2(b) (2012-2019). These findings suggest that index buying may be less important in the later stages of commodity financialisation. It was found that futures market returns are statistically significant predictors of spot market returns. Furthermore, the causal effect of futures market returns on spot market returns under the effect of financialisation (2000-2024) is found to be statistically significant in all five examples (WTI crude oil, gold, silver, LME copper and aluminium) examined in the study. The study finds that a clear structural change occurred in commodity spot and futures markets in the post-financialisation period. The consistency of this structural change is evident when analysing both cross sector and same sector pairwise return correlation behavior of commodity spot and futures prices, and when analysing cross market and cross asset return correlation between commodity markets and financial market benchmarks. The implication for investors is that commodity markets no longer offer certain portfolio diversification benefits and downside protection to drops in equity markets previously found in the empirical literature, and investors need to recalibrate strategies to account for these structural changes. The study concludes that the commodity market financialisation hypothesis is sound, and this implies that further research is required to better understand the impact of such structural changes on commodity futures and spot markets. In addition, because futures market returns are found to be a statistically significant predictor of spot market returns, it is imperative that further research be undertaken which investigates the explicit relationship between futures and spot markets so that policy makers and market regulators better understand the links between these two markets so that policy decisions are better informed. Furthermore, it is necessary that future research investigates how the transmission of information occurs between futures and spot markets, and how this matters for consumers, and addresses what welfare implications may be associated with this. Lastly, the author has advocated for increased transparency and restrictions in commodity markets, suggesting that all trading occurs on open regulated exchanges and that position limits are implemented, so as to prevent any market distortion which may come from institutional speculators taking excessively powerful and large positions. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Calitz, Geoffrey George
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479528 , vital:78321
- Description: The debate on the commodity financialisation phenomenon was triggered in response to the steep rise in commodity futures and spot prices during the 2000-2011 super cycle. The two schools of thought regarding the underlying causes of such dramatic price increases are divided between those attributing the super cycle to fundamental drivers, and those who suggest that fundamental drivers alone are an insufficient explanation, and that other non-fundamental drivers are important. Fundamental drivers commonly cited in the literature include the sustained growth in demand for commodities throughout the early 2000s from emerging economies, such as China and India, and shocks to supply chains such as crop failures, export bans, and other factors such as macroeconomic dynamics. However, an alternative school of thought found empirical evidence which suggested that in addition to fundamental drivers, non-fundamental drivers such as key regulatory changes in commodity and financial markets in 1999/2000, and the subsequent changes to the trading activities in commodity derivative markets and the resultant historic growth in the participation of purely financial investors, significantly impacted the structure and price dynamics in commodity markets, in a phenomenon known as the financialisation of commodity markets. This study contributes to the empirical literature by expanding compared with previous studies the time period under investigation, as well as expanding the range of commodities examined. The most recent 2020-2024 period of rising prices is included, and the behavior of both cross-sector and same-sector pairwise return correlations of futures and spot prices in this period is compared to the pre-financialisation period. The study contributes to the literature by examining how the cross market and cross asset return correlation structure has behaved throughout the entire post-financialisation era. The study makes a further contribution by establishing the statistical significance of futures market returns as a predictor of spot market returns. It is found that the financialisation phenomenon impacted both commodity futures and spot markets. Pairwise return correlation is substantially greater throughout Period 2 (post-financialisation) compared to Period 1 (pre-financialisation) for same-sector and cross-sector pairs of futures and spot prices. The structural change in return correlation between these two periods was found to be especially pronounced for cross-sector pairs of futures and spot prices. The financialisation hypothesis is further supported by the findings of persistent structural changes in cross market and cross asset return correlation, which has become even more pronounced in the later stages of financialisation. The most recent period of rising commodity prices, Period 2(c) (2020-2024), is found to show elevated pairwise return correlation for futures and spot prices levels when compared to Period 1 (pre-financialisation), but the increase in correlations is less than in earlier financialisation periods such as Period 2(a) (2000-2011) and Period 2(b) (2012-2019). These findings suggest that index buying may be less important in the later stages of commodity financialisation. It was found that futures market returns are statistically significant predictors of spot market returns. Furthermore, the causal effect of futures market returns on spot market returns under the effect of financialisation (2000-2024) is found to be statistically significant in all five examples (WTI crude oil, gold, silver, LME copper and aluminium) examined in the study. The study finds that a clear structural change occurred in commodity spot and futures markets in the post-financialisation period. The consistency of this structural change is evident when analysing both cross sector and same sector pairwise return correlation behavior of commodity spot and futures prices, and when analysing cross market and cross asset return correlation between commodity markets and financial market benchmarks. The implication for investors is that commodity markets no longer offer certain portfolio diversification benefits and downside protection to drops in equity markets previously found in the empirical literature, and investors need to recalibrate strategies to account for these structural changes. The study concludes that the commodity market financialisation hypothesis is sound, and this implies that further research is required to better understand the impact of such structural changes on commodity futures and spot markets. In addition, because futures market returns are found to be a statistically significant predictor of spot market returns, it is imperative that further research be undertaken which investigates the explicit relationship between futures and spot markets so that policy makers and market regulators better understand the links between these two markets so that policy decisions are better informed. Furthermore, it is necessary that future research investigates how the transmission of information occurs between futures and spot markets, and how this matters for consumers, and addresses what welfare implications may be associated with this. Lastly, the author has advocated for increased transparency and restrictions in commodity markets, suggesting that all trading occurs on open regulated exchanges and that position limits are implemented, so as to prevent any market distortion which may come from institutional speculators taking excessively powerful and large positions. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
An analysis of the role of tax legislation in promoting sustainability in the mining industry: a South African, Australian and United Kingdom perspective
- Authors: Murahwi, Tadiwanashe Don
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479506 , vital:78319
- Description: The mining industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, but is fraught with controversies due to its negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Although tax measures are established to offset these negative externalities, the role of tax provisions in promoting sustainability within South Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored. The goal of this study is to analyse the tax provisions aimed at promoting sustainability in the mining industry in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom, in order to identify tax provisions applying in Australia and the United Kingdom that could be introduced into South African tax legislation to strengthen the sustainability of the mining industry. In addressing the goal of the research, the thesis outlines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining in South Africa, discusses the sustainability discourse surrounding the industry, and analyses and compares tax provisions promoting sustainability in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. An interpretative qualitative research methodology was applied in the study. The research highlighted the significant environmental degradation caused by mining, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also noting the socio-economic consequences, particularly for local communities and vulnerable groups. South African tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the Carbon Tax Act, aim to promote mine rehabilitation, fair taxation, contribution to the fiscus, and a reduction in emissions. What is evident from the analysis of tax provisions in Australia and the United Kingdom is that tax measures go beyond mine rehabilitation, and address issues such as tax transparency, energy consumption, and community investments, promoting sustainability by balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The study concludes that current tax interventions primarily address environmental degradation while neglecting the social impacts of mining. Optimizing tax policies to enhance sustainability requires a comprehensive, balanced approach that addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects, including adopting practices from Australia and the United Kingdom to promote tax transparency, community investment, and environmental protection. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Murahwi, Tadiwanashe Don
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479506 , vital:78319
- Description: The mining industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, but is fraught with controversies due to its negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Although tax measures are established to offset these negative externalities, the role of tax provisions in promoting sustainability within South Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored. The goal of this study is to analyse the tax provisions aimed at promoting sustainability in the mining industry in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom, in order to identify tax provisions applying in Australia and the United Kingdom that could be introduced into South African tax legislation to strengthen the sustainability of the mining industry. In addressing the goal of the research, the thesis outlines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining in South Africa, discusses the sustainability discourse surrounding the industry, and analyses and compares tax provisions promoting sustainability in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. An interpretative qualitative research methodology was applied in the study. The research highlighted the significant environmental degradation caused by mining, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also noting the socio-economic consequences, particularly for local communities and vulnerable groups. South African tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the Carbon Tax Act, aim to promote mine rehabilitation, fair taxation, contribution to the fiscus, and a reduction in emissions. What is evident from the analysis of tax provisions in Australia and the United Kingdom is that tax measures go beyond mine rehabilitation, and address issues such as tax transparency, energy consumption, and community investments, promoting sustainability by balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The study concludes that current tax interventions primarily address environmental degradation while neglecting the social impacts of mining. Optimizing tax policies to enhance sustainability requires a comprehensive, balanced approach that addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects, including adopting practices from Australia and the United Kingdom to promote tax transparency, community investment, and environmental protection. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Composition portfolio
- Authors: Jera, Tinashe Donaldson
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479548 , vital:78323
- Description: Completing this portfolio has been an incredibly enlightening musical journey for me. From the beginning of my composition studies as an undergraduate student, I found myself captivated by a multitude of musical styles, which fostered a desire to compose in various genres and for a range of voices. However, upon embarking on postgraduate studies, it became apparent to me that I yearned to cultivate a distinctly personal compositional voice that resonated with my own artistic sensibilities, one that I, as a composer, could wholeheartedly embrace and call my own. Upon delving into the depths of my culture and embracing my identity as a Zimbabwean classical musician, I came to the realisation of just how profoundly rich and culturally diverse my background and musical heritage truly is. Kofi Agawu (2023) comments that African composers possess “multiple and eclectic heritages.” He explains that these heritages stem from “community-based traditional music (music with the strongest claims to being of pre-European origin […]), modifications of this tradition into neo-traditional forms; the ubiquitous, popular music of Cuban, American and British origins; and […] selected European repertories”. So, along with other African composers who compose in the African art music tradition, my multiple heritages are reflected in my creativity, and this is evident in this portfolio. This portfolio has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of Zimbabwean music, exploring the nuances of its rhythms and dances as practised by our elders. Gerhard Kubik (1994) stated that in an expansive sense, "African music" encompasses "dance" as well, given that the two are inextricably connected facets of the same cultural complex. Studying the dances shown in this portfolio enabled me to develop a deep admiration for my own culture and the aesthetic appeal of our indigenous musical rhythms and dances. The process has also allowed me to embark on a comprehensive study of these elements, meticulously translating them into original musical compositions. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with some of the most noted musicians of Zimbabwean traditional music, something that has afforded me a profound understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that permeate our musical culture. A fundamental aesthetic element of this portfolio is its deep connection to Zimbabwean dance cultures. For example, the rhythmic ideas located in the Zimbabwean Dance Suite are intimately tied to the original dances of Zimbabwe, reflecting a genuine engagement with my cultural heritage, delineated further through the creation of original melodies and harmonies that replicate those located in Indigenous music-making. My music is, thus, imbued with traditional Zimbabwean artistic practices, though they are placed in a different cultural milieu, one where traditional roots are respected while new creative territories are explored, as Zimbabwean cultural elements are synthesised with Western music techniques. The Western aspects of my musical heritage are explored in-depth in the Clarinet Trio, Ndangariro, where the broad ideas of the twentieth century’s modernist tendencies largely located in post-tonalism are featured in my harmonic stance. Here, dissonant constructions with sometimes merciless, rasping dissonances colour the harmonic landscape. This follows the general trend of that era, which is frequently referred to as “the emancipation of dissonance” (Hinton 2010), where chord construction and treatment of dissonances is antithetical to the norms followed through the common-practice period with the boundaries between consonance and dissonance being blurred (Kostka and Santa 2018). Here, my primary influence is that of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), especially his development of twelve-tone serialism, and my reflexive commentary will outline this impact on my music. Further, the piquant sound world frequently associated with Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is also apparent in Ndangariro. While the piano part frequently shows the influence of post-tonalism the melodic lines played by the violin and clarinet often (though not always) display the influence of Romanticism, especially Romantic-styled gestures. It is the merging of these two expressive domains that goes towards the emergence of this piece’s uniquely hued sound world. These composers' approaches to modernism and their departure from traditional harmony and chord progressions inspired my approach to exploring new musical soundscapes and conveying deep, meaningful ideas. This engagement with twentieth-century Western music opens up new avenues for expressing complex emotional landscapes and philosophical concepts. In this work, I continued to create my own range of ideas to develop unique chord structures and personalised sonic spaces. This portfolio is a deep, introspective look into my personal journey, mirroring significant life events and the evolution of my musical identity; it not only offers a glimpse into my own soul but also showcases the evolving nature of my own creative expression. At its core, this portfolio expresses life in all its manifestations from joy and happiness to the pain of loss and mourning as experienced through my African heritage. It speaks to the universal experiences of hardship and overcoming such hardship through resilience; therefore, the overarching message is one of hope, which, in this case, is expressed through musical and artistic innovation as African and Western elements are merged in musical composition. It is this blending which lies at the core of Tenzi Tinzwireyi Tsitsi, a setting of the Kyrie Eleison using Zimbabwean musical and linguistic features merged with Western choralism. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Jera, Tinashe Donaldson
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479548 , vital:78323
- Description: Completing this portfolio has been an incredibly enlightening musical journey for me. From the beginning of my composition studies as an undergraduate student, I found myself captivated by a multitude of musical styles, which fostered a desire to compose in various genres and for a range of voices. However, upon embarking on postgraduate studies, it became apparent to me that I yearned to cultivate a distinctly personal compositional voice that resonated with my own artistic sensibilities, one that I, as a composer, could wholeheartedly embrace and call my own. Upon delving into the depths of my culture and embracing my identity as a Zimbabwean classical musician, I came to the realisation of just how profoundly rich and culturally diverse my background and musical heritage truly is. Kofi Agawu (2023) comments that African composers possess “multiple and eclectic heritages.” He explains that these heritages stem from “community-based traditional music (music with the strongest claims to being of pre-European origin […]), modifications of this tradition into neo-traditional forms; the ubiquitous, popular music of Cuban, American and British origins; and […] selected European repertories”. So, along with other African composers who compose in the African art music tradition, my multiple heritages are reflected in my creativity, and this is evident in this portfolio. This portfolio has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of Zimbabwean music, exploring the nuances of its rhythms and dances as practised by our elders. Gerhard Kubik (1994) stated that in an expansive sense, "African music" encompasses "dance" as well, given that the two are inextricably connected facets of the same cultural complex. Studying the dances shown in this portfolio enabled me to develop a deep admiration for my own culture and the aesthetic appeal of our indigenous musical rhythms and dances. The process has also allowed me to embark on a comprehensive study of these elements, meticulously translating them into original musical compositions. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with some of the most noted musicians of Zimbabwean traditional music, something that has afforded me a profound understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that permeate our musical culture. A fundamental aesthetic element of this portfolio is its deep connection to Zimbabwean dance cultures. For example, the rhythmic ideas located in the Zimbabwean Dance Suite are intimately tied to the original dances of Zimbabwe, reflecting a genuine engagement with my cultural heritage, delineated further through the creation of original melodies and harmonies that replicate those located in Indigenous music-making. My music is, thus, imbued with traditional Zimbabwean artistic practices, though they are placed in a different cultural milieu, one where traditional roots are respected while new creative territories are explored, as Zimbabwean cultural elements are synthesised with Western music techniques. The Western aspects of my musical heritage are explored in-depth in the Clarinet Trio, Ndangariro, where the broad ideas of the twentieth century’s modernist tendencies largely located in post-tonalism are featured in my harmonic stance. Here, dissonant constructions with sometimes merciless, rasping dissonances colour the harmonic landscape. This follows the general trend of that era, which is frequently referred to as “the emancipation of dissonance” (Hinton 2010), where chord construction and treatment of dissonances is antithetical to the norms followed through the common-practice period with the boundaries between consonance and dissonance being blurred (Kostka and Santa 2018). Here, my primary influence is that of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), especially his development of twelve-tone serialism, and my reflexive commentary will outline this impact on my music. Further, the piquant sound world frequently associated with Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is also apparent in Ndangariro. While the piano part frequently shows the influence of post-tonalism the melodic lines played by the violin and clarinet often (though not always) display the influence of Romanticism, especially Romantic-styled gestures. It is the merging of these two expressive domains that goes towards the emergence of this piece’s uniquely hued sound world. These composers' approaches to modernism and their departure from traditional harmony and chord progressions inspired my approach to exploring new musical soundscapes and conveying deep, meaningful ideas. This engagement with twentieth-century Western music opens up new avenues for expressing complex emotional landscapes and philosophical concepts. In this work, I continued to create my own range of ideas to develop unique chord structures and personalised sonic spaces. This portfolio is a deep, introspective look into my personal journey, mirroring significant life events and the evolution of my musical identity; it not only offers a glimpse into my own soul but also showcases the evolving nature of my own creative expression. At its core, this portfolio expresses life in all its manifestations from joy and happiness to the pain of loss and mourning as experienced through my African heritage. It speaks to the universal experiences of hardship and overcoming such hardship through resilience; therefore, the overarching message is one of hope, which, in this case, is expressed through musical and artistic innovation as African and Western elements are merged in musical composition. It is this blending which lies at the core of Tenzi Tinzwireyi Tsitsi, a setting of the Kyrie Eleison using Zimbabwean musical and linguistic features merged with Western choralism. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Evaluating the effectiveness of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) from the perspective of its key stakeholders: a case study of a TVET college
- Authors: Madabane, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479437 , vital:78313
- Description: This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme from the perspective of its key stakeholders, using stakeholder theory as the framework. Stakeholder theory suggests that organisations should consider the interests and needs of various stakeholders who have a vested interest in or are affected by the organisation's activities (Freeman 1963;1984). In the context of WIL, stakeholders include students, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training College, and host employers. The study uncovers the experiences, perceptions, and recommendations of students, educators, employers, and institutions involved in the WIL programme by collecting data through interviews, focus groups, and documents. Through evaluation research, valuable insights emerge regarding the success and potential areas for improvement of WIL within TVET Colleges. The findings indicate issues like inadequate resources and uneven student readiness, and they offer helpful suggestions for better communication, resource distribution, and support systems. Additionally, this calls for more research on curriculum integration, industry collaborations, and long-term career outcomes evaluation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Madabane, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479437 , vital:78313
- Description: This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme from the perspective of its key stakeholders, using stakeholder theory as the framework. Stakeholder theory suggests that organisations should consider the interests and needs of various stakeholders who have a vested interest in or are affected by the organisation's activities (Freeman 1963;1984). In the context of WIL, stakeholders include students, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training College, and host employers. The study uncovers the experiences, perceptions, and recommendations of students, educators, employers, and institutions involved in the WIL programme by collecting data through interviews, focus groups, and documents. Through evaluation research, valuable insights emerge regarding the success and potential areas for improvement of WIL within TVET Colleges. The findings indicate issues like inadequate resources and uneven student readiness, and they offer helpful suggestions for better communication, resource distribution, and support systems. Additionally, this calls for more research on curriculum integration, industry collaborations, and long-term career outcomes evaluation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Investigating the factors influencing the resilience of medium-sized commercial fishing enterprises in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Mfono, Vuyisa Nomkhitha
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479462 , vital:78315
- Description: This research took the form of a case study of a media company, Kagiso Media (KM), that had been through a process of change. The company adopted a branding approach and used internal branding activities to implement a change intervention, which was unconventional and a unique approach, making it worthy of investigation. The primary aim of the study was, therefore, to analyse how a change in brand ideology (i.e. encompassing the business mission, vision, goals and shared values) shaped the senior leadership behaviour at KM and also led to the development of an improved performance management system. A case study research method was used. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews with the leadership team and combined with relevant company documents. A deductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance if implemented deliberately. When the new CEO was appointed, his starting point was to change the KM brand ideology. The study revealed that, because of greater clarity in brand ideology, leadership behaviour improved. There were shifts in the manner in which leadership behaved and how they handled performance as a result of entrenching the new brand ideology. The study also revealed that the development of brand ideology necessitated changes in the performance management system. Brand-centred performance management systems contributed towards building a performance culture. In essence, developing a clear brand ideology was central to changing leadership behaviour and the revision of the performance management performance system. While limitations of the study are acknowledged, it has contributed by offering a unique perspective of an internal branding driven change and demonstrates how a change in brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance management. Furthermore, the study recommended that further research could be done to include the perspectives of staff beyond the leadership team. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Mfono, Vuyisa Nomkhitha
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479462 , vital:78315
- Description: This research took the form of a case study of a media company, Kagiso Media (KM), that had been through a process of change. The company adopted a branding approach and used internal branding activities to implement a change intervention, which was unconventional and a unique approach, making it worthy of investigation. The primary aim of the study was, therefore, to analyse how a change in brand ideology (i.e. encompassing the business mission, vision, goals and shared values) shaped the senior leadership behaviour at KM and also led to the development of an improved performance management system. A case study research method was used. Data was collected through face-to-face and online interviews with the leadership team and combined with relevant company documents. A deductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance if implemented deliberately. When the new CEO was appointed, his starting point was to change the KM brand ideology. The study revealed that, because of greater clarity in brand ideology, leadership behaviour improved. There were shifts in the manner in which leadership behaved and how they handled performance as a result of entrenching the new brand ideology. The study also revealed that the development of brand ideology necessitated changes in the performance management system. Brand-centred performance management systems contributed towards building a performance culture. In essence, developing a clear brand ideology was central to changing leadership behaviour and the revision of the performance management performance system. While limitations of the study are acknowledged, it has contributed by offering a unique perspective of an internal branding driven change and demonstrates how a change in brand ideology can impact leadership behaviour and performance management. Furthermore, the study recommended that further research could be done to include the perspectives of staff beyond the leadership team. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Resource-based view of barriers and drivers to the survival of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas of Centane in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Fadana-Dumani, Akhona Pumza
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479427 , vital:78312
- Description: This research study set out to analyse the barriers and drivers of small business survival in rural areas of Centane. Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) are considered a crucial element in achieving economic growth as well as job creation. These businesses play a pivotal role in the improvement of rural economy and livelihood and their existence is intricately linked to the survival of the local communities. Hence, the study seeks to analyse the barriers experienced by rural SME’s, resources and interventions required to be successful, was conducted in Centane, a rural town situated in Mnquma Local Municipality, Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, The Resource based theory framework was employed to better understand the selected case study. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed in English then translated into isiXhosa the local vernacular to easy the information flow and ensures the respondent confidence during the face-to-face interview. The interviews were randomly conducted to fourteen (14) key informants (SME’s). The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results indicated that the inadequate infrastructure, lack of skills and training as well as funding and support from the government are the key barriers experienced by the SME’s. Furthermore, results showed that critical skills such as business, records, financial management as well as marketing are required to ensure the sustainability of the SME’s in this area. Through the integration of Resource-Based-Framework, the study revealed the significance, and the availability of both the tangible and intangible resources in shaping the competitive-edge, survival and the sustainability of SME’s in Centane. The involvement of local government and other related development agencies is recommended to actively participate and play a more active role in ensuring the development, survival, sustainability and success of the SME’s in this area. Their intervention should be through facilitation of trainings and skills development initiatives with special focus on financial, marketing and business-related skills. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Fadana-Dumani, Akhona Pumza
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479427 , vital:78312
- Description: This research study set out to analyse the barriers and drivers of small business survival in rural areas of Centane. Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) are considered a crucial element in achieving economic growth as well as job creation. These businesses play a pivotal role in the improvement of rural economy and livelihood and their existence is intricately linked to the survival of the local communities. Hence, the study seeks to analyse the barriers experienced by rural SME’s, resources and interventions required to be successful, was conducted in Centane, a rural town situated in Mnquma Local Municipality, Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, The Resource based theory framework was employed to better understand the selected case study. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed in English then translated into isiXhosa the local vernacular to easy the information flow and ensures the respondent confidence during the face-to-face interview. The interviews were randomly conducted to fourteen (14) key informants (SME’s). The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results indicated that the inadequate infrastructure, lack of skills and training as well as funding and support from the government are the key barriers experienced by the SME’s. Furthermore, results showed that critical skills such as business, records, financial management as well as marketing are required to ensure the sustainability of the SME’s in this area. Through the integration of Resource-Based-Framework, the study revealed the significance, and the availability of both the tangible and intangible resources in shaping the competitive-edge, survival and the sustainability of SME’s in Centane. The involvement of local government and other related development agencies is recommended to actively participate and play a more active role in ensuring the development, survival, sustainability and success of the SME’s in this area. Their intervention should be through facilitation of trainings and skills development initiatives with special focus on financial, marketing and business-related skills. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Sustainable business models and organisational resilience: a case study of Spier Wine Farm in South Africa
- Authors: Van Staden, Kurt Martin
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479495 , vital:78318
- Description: The aim of the mini-thesis titled: “Sustainable Business Models and Organisational Resilience: A Case Study of Spier Wine Farm in South Africa” was to explore the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Sustainability in wine makers extends beyond wine making techniques into other areas of the wine business to include hospitality, choice of glass and selecting suppliers of grapes. Spier Wine Farm, located outside the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape of South Africa, has been making wine since 1692. Spier has made a concerted effort in developing a sustainability strategy and introduction of sustainability into the business model. The South African wine industry is of importance to social and environmental sustainability in South Africa, creating over 270 000 jobs. Sustainability involves taking future generations into account when meeting the needs of the current generation, considering the triple bottom line of: environmental, social and economic value creation. The sustainable business model is thus an adaptation of a traditional business model to include creating and sustaining environmental and social value, in addition to traditional economic value. Resilience theory is centred around change in adaptive systems, focussing both on the role of change and the source of change. Making use of a deductive approach based on existing literature, a case study method allowed for an in-depth understanding of the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Through semi-structured interviews and pattern matching data analysis, themes were identified. The research findings determined that a causal linkage between a sustainable business model and improved organisational resilience, in the South African context is likely to exist. The key themes that were considered to be contributing to this finding were: access to more sales markets, improved brand equity, reduced staff turnover and more efficient use of resources. An interdependence between sustainable business models and organisational resilience was found to likely not exist as a causal relationship between organisational resilience and sustainable business models was not found. The findings noted that sustainability was considered a contributing factor towards organisational resilience, but the relationship is not that of dependency as other ways to become resilient exist. Finally, it was recommended that adopting a sustainable business model is likely to lead to improved organisational resilience. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Van Staden, Kurt Martin
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479495 , vital:78318
- Description: The aim of the mini-thesis titled: “Sustainable Business Models and Organisational Resilience: A Case Study of Spier Wine Farm in South Africa” was to explore the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Sustainability in wine makers extends beyond wine making techniques into other areas of the wine business to include hospitality, choice of glass and selecting suppliers of grapes. Spier Wine Farm, located outside the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape of South Africa, has been making wine since 1692. Spier has made a concerted effort in developing a sustainability strategy and introduction of sustainability into the business model. The South African wine industry is of importance to social and environmental sustainability in South Africa, creating over 270 000 jobs. Sustainability involves taking future generations into account when meeting the needs of the current generation, considering the triple bottom line of: environmental, social and economic value creation. The sustainable business model is thus an adaptation of a traditional business model to include creating and sustaining environmental and social value, in addition to traditional economic value. Resilience theory is centred around change in adaptive systems, focussing both on the role of change and the source of change. Making use of a deductive approach based on existing literature, a case study method allowed for an in-depth understanding of the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Through semi-structured interviews and pattern matching data analysis, themes were identified. The research findings determined that a causal linkage between a sustainable business model and improved organisational resilience, in the South African context is likely to exist. The key themes that were considered to be contributing to this finding were: access to more sales markets, improved brand equity, reduced staff turnover and more efficient use of resources. An interdependence between sustainable business models and organisational resilience was found to likely not exist as a causal relationship between organisational resilience and sustainable business models was not found. The findings noted that sustainability was considered a contributing factor towards organisational resilience, but the relationship is not that of dependency as other ways to become resilient exist. Finally, it was recommended that adopting a sustainable business model is likely to lead to improved organisational resilience. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
The effect of organisational citizenship behaviour and unethical pro-organisational behaviour on the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture
- Authors: Nkosi, Nicholus Pontsho
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479484 , vital:78317
- Description: Leaders have an impact on followers' ethical behaviour at lower levels by ingraining their standards and presumptions into the visible indicators of an ethical culture. Put differently, when a leader demonstrates ethical behaviour, it is reasonable to assume that followers will follow suit and create a shared understanding of what constitutes proper behaviour. This study investigates the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture, focusing on the mediating roles of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and unethical pro-organisational behaviour (UPB) within the context of a financial services company in Africa. In this context, the research aims to address the significant gap in the literature. To this end, the literature review evidenced, amongst others, that no empirical study has been performed on how OCB and UPB mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. The study employs a quantitative research methodology, utilising a survey distributed electronically to a diverse sample of participants from a financial services company. To this end, the results of the research affirm that ethical leadership is positively and significantly related to organisational culture, where ethical leadership is posited to enhance organisational culture by fostering trust and collaboration among employees. Furthermore, OCB was found to mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. This indicates that promoting OCB is essential for fostering a favourable organisational culture. On the other hand, the study’s results show that UPB does not mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. This research contributes to the understanding of how ethical leadership influences organisational culture and highlights the importance of fostering OCB in organisational settings. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Nkosi, Nicholus Pontsho
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479484 , vital:78317
- Description: Leaders have an impact on followers' ethical behaviour at lower levels by ingraining their standards and presumptions into the visible indicators of an ethical culture. Put differently, when a leader demonstrates ethical behaviour, it is reasonable to assume that followers will follow suit and create a shared understanding of what constitutes proper behaviour. This study investigates the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture, focusing on the mediating roles of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and unethical pro-organisational behaviour (UPB) within the context of a financial services company in Africa. In this context, the research aims to address the significant gap in the literature. To this end, the literature review evidenced, amongst others, that no empirical study has been performed on how OCB and UPB mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. The study employs a quantitative research methodology, utilising a survey distributed electronically to a diverse sample of participants from a financial services company. To this end, the results of the research affirm that ethical leadership is positively and significantly related to organisational culture, where ethical leadership is posited to enhance organisational culture by fostering trust and collaboration among employees. Furthermore, OCB was found to mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. This indicates that promoting OCB is essential for fostering a favourable organisational culture. On the other hand, the study’s results show that UPB does not mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture. This research contributes to the understanding of how ethical leadership influences organisational culture and highlights the importance of fostering OCB in organisational settings. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
The relationship between student satisfaction and online learning interaction at a South African Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)
- Authors: Zindove, Problem
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479517 , vital:78320
- Description: Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) are key providers of skilled labour that drive economic growth. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that students are satisfied with their interaction in the learning environment, including interaction with peers, instructors, and course content. This satisfaction is vital for positive learning outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift from traditional face-to-face to online learning, significantly affecting student interaction. This research aimed to explore the relationship between online learning interaction and student satisfaction at a selected South African IHL. A comprehensive review of the South African higher education landscape, online learning interaction, and student satisfaction literature was conducted. Based on this review, a hypothesised model was proposed, identifying the independent variable (and its constructs namely, learner-to-learner interaction, learner-to-instructor interaction, and learner-to-content interaction) that may influence the dependent variable- student satisfaction (encompassing both expectations and experience). The research employed a positivistic approach using a deductive reasoning and quantitative methodology. A survey strategy, consisting of self-administered online and paper-based questionnaires, was used to gather data from a convenience sample of students registered at an IHL in South Africa. A total of 268 usable responses were analysed statistically. The validity and reliability of the measurement instrument were confirmed. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including standard deviation, Pearson`s correlation coefficients, regression analysis, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied in the data analysis. The results revealed a statistically significant relationship between online learning interaction (independent variable) and student satisfaction (dependent variable), leading to the acceptance of the hypotheses. No modifications were necessary, as the hypothesised model provided a good fit. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on student satisfaction in online learning interaction within South African IHLs. Its use of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has provided a comprehensive perspective of the online learning interaction variable. Also, this research is among the few that juxtaposed student expectations and student experience in student satisfaction discourse. Furthermore, it was found that the constructs of learner-to-learner interaction and learner-to-instructor interaction have an equally strong and statistically significant relationship with student satisfaction, compared to the learner-to-content interaction construct. It also offers practical, methodological recommendations for IHLs to adopt and implement online learning courses effectively. Among others, the adoption of online learning at IHLs should be encouraged as it leads to student satisfaction. Tangent to this is the need for instructor training programmes on online pedagogy. Future research should also consider qualitative research design to get rich insight into Why and How the relationship between online learning interaction and student satisfaction exists. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Zindove, Problem
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479517 , vital:78320
- Description: Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) are key providers of skilled labour that drive economic growth. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that students are satisfied with their interaction in the learning environment, including interaction with peers, instructors, and course content. This satisfaction is vital for positive learning outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift from traditional face-to-face to online learning, significantly affecting student interaction. This research aimed to explore the relationship between online learning interaction and student satisfaction at a selected South African IHL. A comprehensive review of the South African higher education landscape, online learning interaction, and student satisfaction literature was conducted. Based on this review, a hypothesised model was proposed, identifying the independent variable (and its constructs namely, learner-to-learner interaction, learner-to-instructor interaction, and learner-to-content interaction) that may influence the dependent variable- student satisfaction (encompassing both expectations and experience). The research employed a positivistic approach using a deductive reasoning and quantitative methodology. A survey strategy, consisting of self-administered online and paper-based questionnaires, was used to gather data from a convenience sample of students registered at an IHL in South Africa. A total of 268 usable responses were analysed statistically. The validity and reliability of the measurement instrument were confirmed. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including standard deviation, Pearson`s correlation coefficients, regression analysis, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied in the data analysis. The results revealed a statistically significant relationship between online learning interaction (independent variable) and student satisfaction (dependent variable), leading to the acceptance of the hypotheses. No modifications were necessary, as the hypothesised model provided a good fit. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on student satisfaction in online learning interaction within South African IHLs. Its use of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has provided a comprehensive perspective of the online learning interaction variable. Also, this research is among the few that juxtaposed student expectations and student experience in student satisfaction discourse. Furthermore, it was found that the constructs of learner-to-learner interaction and learner-to-instructor interaction have an equally strong and statistically significant relationship with student satisfaction, compared to the learner-to-content interaction construct. It also offers practical, methodological recommendations for IHLs to adopt and implement online learning courses effectively. Among others, the adoption of online learning at IHLs should be encouraged as it leads to student satisfaction. Tangent to this is the need for instructor training programmes on online pedagogy. Future research should also consider qualitative research design to get rich insight into Why and How the relationship between online learning interaction and student satisfaction exists. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
A critical microethnographic investigation of anomalies in a grade 4 reading comprehension activity
- Authors: Kitchen, Tracy Lee
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478526 , vital:78194
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2027. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Kitchen, Tracy Lee
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/478526 , vital:78194
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2027. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
A large multiscale detailed modelling of aptamers as anticancer therapeutics
- Authors: Mokgopa, Kabelo Phuti
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479174 , vital:78267
- Description: Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and spread. The challenge of effectively treating cancer has spurred interest in novel therapeutic strategies that target specific biological or biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer progression. Although many enzymes have been labelled as inducers of cancer development, microRNAs (miRNAs) are also emerging as significant contributors to cancer progression. This is because miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, while cancer develops and grows due to genetic mutations, variations, and alterations. Among these miRNAs, miRNA-10b is notable for its involvement in promoting cancer cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis across various cancers, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, we propose inhibiting miRNA-10b using RNA aptamers as a novel and promising approach for developing new anti-cancer therapeutics. RNA aptamers are short, non-coded, synthetic, and single-stranded nucleic acid molecules capable of binding to a wide range of targets, including metal ions, chemical compounds, proteins, cells, and microorganisms. They are used for a range of applications due to their well-known specificity and selectivity, starting from drug delivery to diagnostics. In this project we aimed to design and discover novel RNA aptamers that can effectively inhibit miRNA-10b using advanced computational methods. However, major challenges were encountered due to the lack of databases or tools available to design and predict secondary and tertiary structures of RNA aptamers at a large scale. Furthermore, no tools were available to perform high throughput virtual screening of these aptamers against macromolecular targets at a large scale. Prompted by that, we developed the T_SELEX program, which encompasses the various algorithms and tools dedicated to designing RNA aptamer sequences, predicting their secondary and tertiary structures, and, lastly, virtually screening aptamers. These algorithms and advanced tools are designed to handle the complexities of aptamer selection and virtual screening. By employing virtual screening methods, the aptamer discovery process was streamlined, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional SELEX techniques. Prior to the main purpose application, the T_SELEX program was tested by designing aptamers for targeting HIV-1 protease, and a few applications were also done to assess its aptamer design approach. The study explored RNA aptamer sequences, revealing important insights into nucleotide composition, sequence patterns, and their role in aptamer efficacy and design. Analysis of secondary and tertiary structure predictions showed that Minimum Free Energy (MFE) values do not always correlate with structural compactness or complexity, with aptamers of similar MFE values exhibiting variations in attributes like loop size and guanine content. A novel Sequence Similarity Check (SSC) algorithm is introduced focused on internal sequence comparisons and secondary structures, revealing that aptamers with similar base compositions could have distinct folding states and stability. The Base Randomization Algorithm (BRA) generated RNA aptamer libraries was further benchmarked, highlighting a critical threshold for aptamer length and demonstrating Gaussian distribution in base compositions. Virtual screening of aptamers using the T_SELEX program against pre-miRNA-10b and their mature 5p and 3p arm, identified aptamers557 and 899 as effective binders for the 3p and 5p arms, respectively. Extensive quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the aptamer-RNA complexes. Due to the understanding of the flexibility of these RNA-RNA complexes, we further proposed the stability matrices method as a calculus-based method to evaluate the relative stability of the complexes without being biased during MD analysis. MM-GBSA calculations supported docking results, identifying aptamers like aptamers557, aptamer274 and aptamer734 as strong inhibitors of the 3p arm. Overall, this project has proposed novel approaches for aptamer in silico design and validation, particularly in targeting miRNA-10b for cancer therapy. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Mokgopa, Kabelo Phuti
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479174 , vital:78267
- Description: Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and spread. The challenge of effectively treating cancer has spurred interest in novel therapeutic strategies that target specific biological or biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer progression. Although many enzymes have been labelled as inducers of cancer development, microRNAs (miRNAs) are also emerging as significant contributors to cancer progression. This is because miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, while cancer develops and grows due to genetic mutations, variations, and alterations. Among these miRNAs, miRNA-10b is notable for its involvement in promoting cancer cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis across various cancers, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, we propose inhibiting miRNA-10b using RNA aptamers as a novel and promising approach for developing new anti-cancer therapeutics. RNA aptamers are short, non-coded, synthetic, and single-stranded nucleic acid molecules capable of binding to a wide range of targets, including metal ions, chemical compounds, proteins, cells, and microorganisms. They are used for a range of applications due to their well-known specificity and selectivity, starting from drug delivery to diagnostics. In this project we aimed to design and discover novel RNA aptamers that can effectively inhibit miRNA-10b using advanced computational methods. However, major challenges were encountered due to the lack of databases or tools available to design and predict secondary and tertiary structures of RNA aptamers at a large scale. Furthermore, no tools were available to perform high throughput virtual screening of these aptamers against macromolecular targets at a large scale. Prompted by that, we developed the T_SELEX program, which encompasses the various algorithms and tools dedicated to designing RNA aptamer sequences, predicting their secondary and tertiary structures, and, lastly, virtually screening aptamers. These algorithms and advanced tools are designed to handle the complexities of aptamer selection and virtual screening. By employing virtual screening methods, the aptamer discovery process was streamlined, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional SELEX techniques. Prior to the main purpose application, the T_SELEX program was tested by designing aptamers for targeting HIV-1 protease, and a few applications were also done to assess its aptamer design approach. The study explored RNA aptamer sequences, revealing important insights into nucleotide composition, sequence patterns, and their role in aptamer efficacy and design. Analysis of secondary and tertiary structure predictions showed that Minimum Free Energy (MFE) values do not always correlate with structural compactness or complexity, with aptamers of similar MFE values exhibiting variations in attributes like loop size and guanine content. A novel Sequence Similarity Check (SSC) algorithm is introduced focused on internal sequence comparisons and secondary structures, revealing that aptamers with similar base compositions could have distinct folding states and stability. The Base Randomization Algorithm (BRA) generated RNA aptamer libraries was further benchmarked, highlighting a critical threshold for aptamer length and demonstrating Gaussian distribution in base compositions. Virtual screening of aptamers using the T_SELEX program against pre-miRNA-10b and their mature 5p and 3p arm, identified aptamers557 and 899 as effective binders for the 3p and 5p arms, respectively. Extensive quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the aptamer-RNA complexes. Due to the understanding of the flexibility of these RNA-RNA complexes, we further proposed the stability matrices method as a calculus-based method to evaluate the relative stability of the complexes without being biased during MD analysis. MM-GBSA calculations supported docking results, identifying aptamers like aptamers557, aptamer274 and aptamer734 as strong inhibitors of the 3p arm. Overall, this project has proposed novel approaches for aptamer in silico design and validation, particularly in targeting miRNA-10b for cancer therapy. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
An evaluation of commercially available and extemporaneously prepared topical cannabidiol products within the context of the South African regulatory framework
- Authors: Bennett, Alyson Sebastiane
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479208 , vital:78270
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2026. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmcy, Pharmacy, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Bennett, Alyson Sebastiane
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479208 , vital:78270
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2026. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmcy, Pharmacy, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
An investigation on the effects of Afrocentric missense variations on the structure and function of CYP2A6 protein
- Authors: Makombe, Chipo Perpetual
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479119 , vital:78262
- Description: Pharmacogenomics, the foundation of personalized medicine distinguishes patients into different categories based on their response to the risk of a disease. Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) proteins are a family of enzymes critical in the metabolism of drugs and other substances. Genetic polymorphisms in CYPs can result in different enzymatic activity in individuals influencing the efficacy and toxicity of drugs. One of the CYPs which primarily metabolizes nicotine and other pharmaceutical drugs such as Artemisinin and Artesunate, Pilocarpine, Valproic Acid and Letrozole is CYP2A6. The gene encoding the protein is highly polymorphic and this can affect the rate of metabolism of drugs in individuals. Previously most studies unveiled connections between CYP2A6 variants and nicotine. Implications concerning the effects of specific missense variations in CYP2A6 drug metabolism have deficiencies. This study aimed to critically examine the structural and functional implications of 13 CYP2A6 allele variations on CYP2A6 protein using Bioinformatics techniques. Methods used were template selection, mutagenesis, parameter assignment and protonation. Molecular Dynamics to get insights regarding protein behavior at an atomic level, clustering to identify conformations during a simulation and DSSP for secondary structure analysis to monitor how secondary structures evolve. Berendsen and Parinello-Rahman barostats at production run were used for comparison. A global analysis was conducted to identify structural transitions (RMSD, RMSF, and Rg), clustering, and secondary structure prediction. Results from Berendsen barostat were inconsistent compared to Parrinello-Rahman barostat implying that CYP2A6 is sensitive to the pressure coupling parameter for precise and accurate results. Our clustering results showed each system in one conformation, fluctuations and shifts on the C-D, H-I loops and F, G, and L helices on variants I149M, F118l, K476R, and E390K_N418D_E419D. This indicated a potential loss of function limiting the protein’s ability to conformational flexibility for catalysis and substrate recognition. Certain regions of CYP2A6 became more rigid due to variations, which could have a negative impact on the catalytic activity, regulatory interactions, and general function of the enzyme in metabolism. Globally the variations did not cause large changes to the protein, there is need for a local analysis using Dynamic Residue Networks to study how residue interactions affect the function of CYP2A6. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Makombe, Chipo Perpetual
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479119 , vital:78262
- Description: Pharmacogenomics, the foundation of personalized medicine distinguishes patients into different categories based on their response to the risk of a disease. Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) proteins are a family of enzymes critical in the metabolism of drugs and other substances. Genetic polymorphisms in CYPs can result in different enzymatic activity in individuals influencing the efficacy and toxicity of drugs. One of the CYPs which primarily metabolizes nicotine and other pharmaceutical drugs such as Artemisinin and Artesunate, Pilocarpine, Valproic Acid and Letrozole is CYP2A6. The gene encoding the protein is highly polymorphic and this can affect the rate of metabolism of drugs in individuals. Previously most studies unveiled connections between CYP2A6 variants and nicotine. Implications concerning the effects of specific missense variations in CYP2A6 drug metabolism have deficiencies. This study aimed to critically examine the structural and functional implications of 13 CYP2A6 allele variations on CYP2A6 protein using Bioinformatics techniques. Methods used were template selection, mutagenesis, parameter assignment and protonation. Molecular Dynamics to get insights regarding protein behavior at an atomic level, clustering to identify conformations during a simulation and DSSP for secondary structure analysis to monitor how secondary structures evolve. Berendsen and Parinello-Rahman barostats at production run were used for comparison. A global analysis was conducted to identify structural transitions (RMSD, RMSF, and Rg), clustering, and secondary structure prediction. Results from Berendsen barostat were inconsistent compared to Parrinello-Rahman barostat implying that CYP2A6 is sensitive to the pressure coupling parameter for precise and accurate results. Our clustering results showed each system in one conformation, fluctuations and shifts on the C-D, H-I loops and F, G, and L helices on variants I149M, F118l, K476R, and E390K_N418D_E419D. This indicated a potential loss of function limiting the protein’s ability to conformational flexibility for catalysis and substrate recognition. Certain regions of CYP2A6 became more rigid due to variations, which could have a negative impact on the catalytic activity, regulatory interactions, and general function of the enzyme in metabolism. Globally the variations did not cause large changes to the protein, there is need for a local analysis using Dynamic Residue Networks to study how residue interactions affect the function of CYP2A6. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
Applying human factors and ergonomics to a healthcare clinic record-keeping process using a community-based participatory research approach in Makhanda
- Authors: Kingwill, Kirsten Rosemary
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479152 , vital:78265
- Description: Background: Healthcare record-keeping is an important process. However, several challenges associated with taking, storing and maintaining accurate records have been identified as a barrier to the quality and safety of care globally and locally in primary healthcare clinics in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this context, local healthcare providers argue that this stems from the hybrid nature of the system (paper and electronic) and the impact of several systemic challenges. Poor records can result in negative outcomes for patients, healthcare workers and the greater public healthcare system. For example, if patient files are not adequately completed, poor patient care and medico-legal litigation costs may emerge. Furthermore, given that HFE promotes the participation of stakeholders in identifying and resolving workplace challenges, this study adopted a participatory research approach, more specifically a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. This research project, therefore, aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to record-keeping in a primary healthcare clinic in Makhanda, the adequacy of patient file completeness and reasons as to why files may or may not have been adequately completed, following a CBPR approach. Methods: Following a period of pre-data collection embedding in the clinic to become familiar with the system and the staff and to form a relationship with a community collaborator from the clinic, this study was completed in two broad phases. During Phase 1, observations, informal discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clinic staff members to understand the clinic and record-keeping systems through the work system components and barriers of both systems. Phase 1 data was analysed through thematic analysis and presented by work system components, selected SEIPS 101 tools and a Hierarchical Task Analysis to detail the tasks involved in the record-keeping process. During Phase 2, a comparative assessment of a sample of patient files (n=55) was conducted against a local standard checklist, detailing what was to be completed in patient files. This was done to assess the completeness of different file sections which were analysed through a frequency count. This was followed by three interviews with clinicians, which explored their perceptions on why sections of the records may have been better completed than others. The interviews were then thematically analysed. Results: Administrative staff shortages, a lack of file storage space, limited access to technology such as computers, lost files, and the amount of information to complete in files were identified as the major challenges associated with the record-keeping system and influencing the completion of patient files. Through the analysis of patient files, it was found that some patient file sections were completed more adequately than others. For example, administrative details were the most well-completed section, and the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) initiation section was the most poorly completed. The findings also revealed reasons as to why these sections may or may not have been adequately completed. These included the need for the duplication of information, particularly for antenatal care clinicians. Time pressure for clinicians to see and complete patient records and work ethic and accountability were additional emergent themes. Lastly, clinicians argued that having a lack of access to, a shortage of or broken medical and record-keeping equipment that inhibited clinicians from obtaining and recording patient information, were additional reasons for poorly taken records. Conclusions: As the findings revealed, the primary healthcare clinic and its hybrid record-keeping system and process were influenced by a variety of clinic and record-keeping challenges that interacted and ultimately influenced the record-keeping process and completeness of patient files. The system constraints are important considerations as understanding how the clinic functions under them is a starting point for future system improvement. Furthermore, barriers impacting the record-keeping system influence several key steps in the record-keeping process, including the completion of details within patient files. Here it was found that some sections and information details were more adequately completed than others, which impacted the continuity, quality and safety of patient care. Additionally, the discrepancies found between the standard checklist and patient files were highlighted as a point of concern for the Department of Health (DoH) as clinics were being assessed based on a checklist that did not match the patient files, incorrectly representing the completeness of files to the DoH. Throughout the research project, the application and implementation of HFE and CBPR have been shown to be important in the local healthcare record-keeping system in that real-world challenges were identified through the perspective of community members facing the challenges. Therefore, HFE researchers should adopt a CBPR approach and apply these complementary domains in other complex systems and varying contexts to comprehensively understand the barriers, facilitators and opportunities for human-system interaction improvements. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Kingwill, Kirsten Rosemary
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479152 , vital:78265
- Description: Background: Healthcare record-keeping is an important process. However, several challenges associated with taking, storing and maintaining accurate records have been identified as a barrier to the quality and safety of care globally and locally in primary healthcare clinics in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this context, local healthcare providers argue that this stems from the hybrid nature of the system (paper and electronic) and the impact of several systemic challenges. Poor records can result in negative outcomes for patients, healthcare workers and the greater public healthcare system. For example, if patient files are not adequately completed, poor patient care and medico-legal litigation costs may emerge. Furthermore, given that HFE promotes the participation of stakeholders in identifying and resolving workplace challenges, this study adopted a participatory research approach, more specifically a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. This research project, therefore, aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to record-keeping in a primary healthcare clinic in Makhanda, the adequacy of patient file completeness and reasons as to why files may or may not have been adequately completed, following a CBPR approach. Methods: Following a period of pre-data collection embedding in the clinic to become familiar with the system and the staff and to form a relationship with a community collaborator from the clinic, this study was completed in two broad phases. During Phase 1, observations, informal discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clinic staff members to understand the clinic and record-keeping systems through the work system components and barriers of both systems. Phase 1 data was analysed through thematic analysis and presented by work system components, selected SEIPS 101 tools and a Hierarchical Task Analysis to detail the tasks involved in the record-keeping process. During Phase 2, a comparative assessment of a sample of patient files (n=55) was conducted against a local standard checklist, detailing what was to be completed in patient files. This was done to assess the completeness of different file sections which were analysed through a frequency count. This was followed by three interviews with clinicians, which explored their perceptions on why sections of the records may have been better completed than others. The interviews were then thematically analysed. Results: Administrative staff shortages, a lack of file storage space, limited access to technology such as computers, lost files, and the amount of information to complete in files were identified as the major challenges associated with the record-keeping system and influencing the completion of patient files. Through the analysis of patient files, it was found that some patient file sections were completed more adequately than others. For example, administrative details were the most well-completed section, and the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) initiation section was the most poorly completed. The findings also revealed reasons as to why these sections may or may not have been adequately completed. These included the need for the duplication of information, particularly for antenatal care clinicians. Time pressure for clinicians to see and complete patient records and work ethic and accountability were additional emergent themes. Lastly, clinicians argued that having a lack of access to, a shortage of or broken medical and record-keeping equipment that inhibited clinicians from obtaining and recording patient information, were additional reasons for poorly taken records. Conclusions: As the findings revealed, the primary healthcare clinic and its hybrid record-keeping system and process were influenced by a variety of clinic and record-keeping challenges that interacted and ultimately influenced the record-keeping process and completeness of patient files. The system constraints are important considerations as understanding how the clinic functions under them is a starting point for future system improvement. Furthermore, barriers impacting the record-keeping system influence several key steps in the record-keeping process, including the completion of details within patient files. Here it was found that some sections and information details were more adequately completed than others, which impacted the continuity, quality and safety of patient care. Additionally, the discrepancies found between the standard checklist and patient files were highlighted as a point of concern for the Department of Health (DoH) as clinics were being assessed based on a checklist that did not match the patient files, incorrectly representing the completeness of files to the DoH. Throughout the research project, the application and implementation of HFE and CBPR have been shown to be important in the local healthcare record-keeping system in that real-world challenges were identified through the perspective of community members facing the challenges. Therefore, HFE researchers should adopt a CBPR approach and apply these complementary domains in other complex systems and varying contexts to comprehensively understand the barriers, facilitators and opportunities for human-system interaction improvements. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2025
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- Date Issued: 2025-04-02