Pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical evaluation of helichrysum petiolare hilliard & b.l. burtt - an indigenous plant traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes in the eastern cape province of South Africa
- Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Authors: Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Alternative treatment , Traditional medicine , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22787 , vital:52755
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, and it has already placed significant stress on the country’s health sector and economy. The orthodox hypoglycaemic drugs are not only ineffective in the management of the disease and its complications, but they also possess unwanted side effects. The need for alternative non-toxic drugs is therefore imperative. Various studies have listed several medicinal plants that can be successfully used in the herbal treatment of diabetes and have investigated them for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro. Out of the different potential herbal species, plants belonging to the Asteraceae family possess highly potent hypoglycaemic properties with negligible toxicities. Five Asteraceae plants widely used in different parts of South Africa for the treatment of diabetes were reviewed. The review provided an update of scientific evidence on the hypoglycaemic properties of the plants. However, Helichrysum petiolare was studied extensively in this study for its antidiabetic activity H. petiolare has been listed in many ethnobotanical surveys as a plant with potent hypoglycaemic potential, this, however, has not been properly verified in scientific literature and there has hardly been any study on the essential oil and nutritional composition, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxicity potentials of the plant. The effects of hydro-distillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) methods on the chemical constituents of H. petiolare-derived essential oils were evaluated. The SFME method had a higher yield of essential oil than the HD. There were substantial amounts of monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols in both essential oils obtained, but these compounds were more profound in the SFME derived essential oil which has 62 compounds compared to the 52 derived through HD. The SFME derived essential oil can therefore be said to be of better quality than the HD method. The compounds obtained in the essential oils have high pharmaceutical and cosmetic value, and as observed in this study, their quantity is dependent on the method of extraction (Ibáñez and Blázquez, 2021; Kaur et al., 2021). The proximate analysis of the whole plant of H. petiolare showed high levels of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), vitamins (A, C and E), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and minerals. The high ADF level is believed to be responsible for the low energy, fat and carbohydrate levels observed in the study. The result showed a high level of oxalate and therefore suggests cooking of the plant before human consumption. Overall nutrition and mineral compositions of the plant showed that H. petiolare is immensely rich in vital nutrients that are of great importance to health and metabolism; these nutrients are suggested to be partly responsible for the plant’s useful medicinal properties. The phytochemical contents of the acetone (ACQ), ethanol (ETQ), and boiled (BAQ) and cold (CAQ) aqueous whole-plant extracts of Helichrysum petiolare were determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. ABTS, DPPH, NO and TAC assays were used to evaluate their antioxidant properties. The highest total phenolic content (212,963 mg/g) was reported in the BAQ extract, while the ETQ had the highest flavonoid (172.393 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin contents (65.855 mg/g). Alkaloids, flavonols, and saponin were highest in the ACQ extract, while the CAQ had the lowest phytochemical content. Among the extracts, the BAQ had the highest DPPH•+ (IC50 0.02 mg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC50 0.07) inhibition capacities, while the ETQ exhibited the highest NO• Inhibition (IC50 0.41 mg/mL) and TAC (IC50 0.19 mg/mL). These findings justify the use of H. petiolare in traditional medicine and further recommend the ETQ and BAQ extracts of the plant as more effective extracts for medicinal treatment. The hepatotoxicity (cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and lipotoxicity) potential of the BAQ, CAQ and ETQ extracts of Helichrysum petiolare was evaluated using standard procedures. The results showed negligible BAQ and CAQ cytotoxicities, which were further, corroborated by stability in the mitochondrial membrane potentials and were congruent with the CAQ and BAQ results for steatosis and phospholipidosis. The data suggested favourable CAQ and BAQ toxicity profiles with limited risks for hepatotoxicity. The ETQ extract, however, showed significantly high levels of cytotoxicity and lipotoxicity, and a low level of mitotoxicity. Our result suggested a potential risk of the ETQ extract for hepatotoxicity but appears partly independent of direct mitochondrial involvement. Glucose uptake assay showed significantly increased glucose uptake in the BAQ and CAQ treated L6 and C3A cell lines. The CAQ extract enhanced glucose uptake more in the L6 myocytes than in the C3A cell-lines hepatocytes. The BAQ extract showed higher levels of inhibition on α–amylase and α-glucosidase activities as compared to CAQ. The BAQ and CAQ extracts of H. petiolare may, therefore, contain pharmacologically active and relatively non-toxic hypoglycaemic chemicals, which may be effective substitutes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study provides up to date scientific information on the use of H. petiolare in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It justifies the use of this plant in herbal medicine and sheds more light on its previously vaguely understood nutritional and medicinal potentials. More studies, however, need to be done to isolate, identify and purify the constituent bioactive compound(s). Their dosage of application and mode of action also needs to be understood. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Alternative treatment , Traditional medicine , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22787 , vital:52755
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, and it has already placed significant stress on the country’s health sector and economy. The orthodox hypoglycaemic drugs are not only ineffective in the management of the disease and its complications, but they also possess unwanted side effects. The need for alternative non-toxic drugs is therefore imperative. Various studies have listed several medicinal plants that can be successfully used in the herbal treatment of diabetes and have investigated them for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro. Out of the different potential herbal species, plants belonging to the Asteraceae family possess highly potent hypoglycaemic properties with negligible toxicities. Five Asteraceae plants widely used in different parts of South Africa for the treatment of diabetes were reviewed. The review provided an update of scientific evidence on the hypoglycaemic properties of the plants. However, Helichrysum petiolare was studied extensively in this study for its antidiabetic activity H. petiolare has been listed in many ethnobotanical surveys as a plant with potent hypoglycaemic potential, this, however, has not been properly verified in scientific literature and there has hardly been any study on the essential oil and nutritional composition, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxicity potentials of the plant. The effects of hydro-distillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) methods on the chemical constituents of H. petiolare-derived essential oils were evaluated. The SFME method had a higher yield of essential oil than the HD. There were substantial amounts of monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols in both essential oils obtained, but these compounds were more profound in the SFME derived essential oil which has 62 compounds compared to the 52 derived through HD. The SFME derived essential oil can therefore be said to be of better quality than the HD method. The compounds obtained in the essential oils have high pharmaceutical and cosmetic value, and as observed in this study, their quantity is dependent on the method of extraction (Ibáñez and Blázquez, 2021; Kaur et al., 2021). The proximate analysis of the whole plant of H. petiolare showed high levels of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), vitamins (A, C and E), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and minerals. The high ADF level is believed to be responsible for the low energy, fat and carbohydrate levels observed in the study. The result showed a high level of oxalate and therefore suggests cooking of the plant before human consumption. Overall nutrition and mineral compositions of the plant showed that H. petiolare is immensely rich in vital nutrients that are of great importance to health and metabolism; these nutrients are suggested to be partly responsible for the plant’s useful medicinal properties. The phytochemical contents of the acetone (ACQ), ethanol (ETQ), and boiled (BAQ) and cold (CAQ) aqueous whole-plant extracts of Helichrysum petiolare were determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. ABTS, DPPH, NO and TAC assays were used to evaluate their antioxidant properties. The highest total phenolic content (212,963 mg/g) was reported in the BAQ extract, while the ETQ had the highest flavonoid (172.393 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin contents (65.855 mg/g). Alkaloids, flavonols, and saponin were highest in the ACQ extract, while the CAQ had the lowest phytochemical content. Among the extracts, the BAQ had the highest DPPH•+ (IC50 0.02 mg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC50 0.07) inhibition capacities, while the ETQ exhibited the highest NO• Inhibition (IC50 0.41 mg/mL) and TAC (IC50 0.19 mg/mL). These findings justify the use of H. petiolare in traditional medicine and further recommend the ETQ and BAQ extracts of the plant as more effective extracts for medicinal treatment. The hepatotoxicity (cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and lipotoxicity) potential of the BAQ, CAQ and ETQ extracts of Helichrysum petiolare was evaluated using standard procedures. The results showed negligible BAQ and CAQ cytotoxicities, which were further, corroborated by stability in the mitochondrial membrane potentials and were congruent with the CAQ and BAQ results for steatosis and phospholipidosis. The data suggested favourable CAQ and BAQ toxicity profiles with limited risks for hepatotoxicity. The ETQ extract, however, showed significantly high levels of cytotoxicity and lipotoxicity, and a low level of mitotoxicity. Our result suggested a potential risk of the ETQ extract for hepatotoxicity but appears partly independent of direct mitochondrial involvement. Glucose uptake assay showed significantly increased glucose uptake in the BAQ and CAQ treated L6 and C3A cell lines. The CAQ extract enhanced glucose uptake more in the L6 myocytes than in the C3A cell-lines hepatocytes. The BAQ extract showed higher levels of inhibition on α–amylase and α-glucosidase activities as compared to CAQ. The BAQ and CAQ extracts of H. petiolare may, therefore, contain pharmacologically active and relatively non-toxic hypoglycaemic chemicals, which may be effective substitutes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study provides up to date scientific information on the use of H. petiolare in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It justifies the use of this plant in herbal medicine and sheds more light on its previously vaguely understood nutritional and medicinal potentials. More studies, however, need to be done to isolate, identify and purify the constituent bioactive compound(s). Their dosage of application and mode of action also needs to be understood. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines at selected primary health care facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan, Eastern Cape Province
- Mazwembe-Hoho, Andiswa Zimkitha
- Authors: Mazwembe-Hoho, Andiswa Zimkitha
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Vaccines , Pharmaceutical policy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27942 , vital:70902
- Description: Background The World Health Organization has a standardized tool for assessing vaccine handling and management. South Africa has adopted WHO tools to suit its own conditions of supply and storage of vaccines, the WHO tool is a guideline for managing vaccines. Importantly, every person handling or supervising handling of vaccines should own this manual (s) and use it as a reference for the handling, storage, and management of vaccines and related items. Aim The aim of this study was to examine safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines by health care workers in PHC facilities of BCM Municipality. Methodology A quantitative research approach and descriptive design was used to assess the safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines in PHC facilities in BCM in EC. Results The results showed that safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines in PHC facilities in BCM does not comply fully on safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines. The overall compliance rate was 86%, and this indicated that healthcare workers have knowledge of what is required to be compliant with safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines. Conclusion Safe handling, storage, and management ovaccines in PHC facilities in BCM is conditionally compliant as the healthcare workers have moderate-to-satisfactory knowledge. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mazwembe-Hoho, Andiswa Zimkitha
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Vaccines , Pharmaceutical policy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27942 , vital:70902
- Description: Background The World Health Organization has a standardized tool for assessing vaccine handling and management. South Africa has adopted WHO tools to suit its own conditions of supply and storage of vaccines, the WHO tool is a guideline for managing vaccines. Importantly, every person handling or supervising handling of vaccines should own this manual (s) and use it as a reference for the handling, storage, and management of vaccines and related items. Aim The aim of this study was to examine safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines by health care workers in PHC facilities of BCM Municipality. Methodology A quantitative research approach and descriptive design was used to assess the safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines in PHC facilities in BCM in EC. Results The results showed that safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines in PHC facilities in BCM does not comply fully on safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines. The overall compliance rate was 86%, and this indicated that healthcare workers have knowledge of what is required to be compliant with safe handling, storage, and management of vaccines. Conclusion Safe handling, storage, and management ovaccines in PHC facilities in BCM is conditionally compliant as the healthcare workers have moderate-to-satisfactory knowledge. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The utilization of contraceptives amongst adolescents at Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Ntengo-Kupula, Visisa
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Contraception , Birth control , Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27082 , vital:66272
- Description: Introduction Contraception has been identified as one way in which women can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Contraceptive utilization has been proved to minimize maternal mortality by lowering the risk of pregnancy and its associated life-threatening problems. Therefore, the researcher conducted a study at Stutterheim about the “utilization of contraceptives amongst adolescents at Stutterheim in Eastern Cape Province” with the intentions to explore perceptions of adolescents on utilization of contraceptives and to determine the factors that influence that contraceptive utilization. Methods This study adopted a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design which involved questionnaire tools completed by 436 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 years at Stutterheim health facilities and the surrounding schools, regardless of whether they were sexually active or not. After obtaining ethical clearance from the University ethics Committee and permission from the Department of Health the researcher visited the gatekeepers for obtaining informed consent and data collection procedures. The researcher administered the instruments herself to ensure validity and reliability of the instrument through a pilot study. The respondents of the pilot study did not participate in the major study. Any irregularities with the data instruments were corrected accordingly. Data collection took 3 weeks to complete all the sites. The raw data was captured onto an Excel spread sheet and analysed by the researcher with the assistance of a statistician. Results The data suggests that as much as the parents discuss about sex related issues and pregnancy, they are less likely to educate their adolescent girls about contraceptives probably due to the beliefs they have, lack of knowledge and the fear of introducing them into premarital sex. The 34.4percent of participants indicated that they were scared of contraceptive rumours spreading around the community as well as the stigmatization. Conclusion Due to the results of this study the Department of Health should work together with the department of education to put into effect the optimal utilization of contraceptives amongst adolescents by adding sexual, reproductive and contraceptives health education, as a subject in the school curriculum. Department of health must also make use of main media and social media since they are influential and can be the great sources of information for campaigns and more seminars on contraceptive utilization and its benefits to the adolescents, society and the State. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Ntengo-Kupula, Visisa
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Contraception , Birth control , Teenage pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27082 , vital:66272
- Description: Introduction Contraception has been identified as one way in which women can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Contraceptive utilization has been proved to minimize maternal mortality by lowering the risk of pregnancy and its associated life-threatening problems. Therefore, the researcher conducted a study at Stutterheim about the “utilization of contraceptives amongst adolescents at Stutterheim in Eastern Cape Province” with the intentions to explore perceptions of adolescents on utilization of contraceptives and to determine the factors that influence that contraceptive utilization. Methods This study adopted a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design which involved questionnaire tools completed by 436 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 years at Stutterheim health facilities and the surrounding schools, regardless of whether they were sexually active or not. After obtaining ethical clearance from the University ethics Committee and permission from the Department of Health the researcher visited the gatekeepers for obtaining informed consent and data collection procedures. The researcher administered the instruments herself to ensure validity and reliability of the instrument through a pilot study. The respondents of the pilot study did not participate in the major study. Any irregularities with the data instruments were corrected accordingly. Data collection took 3 weeks to complete all the sites. The raw data was captured onto an Excel spread sheet and analysed by the researcher with the assistance of a statistician. Results The data suggests that as much as the parents discuss about sex related issues and pregnancy, they are less likely to educate their adolescent girls about contraceptives probably due to the beliefs they have, lack of knowledge and the fear of introducing them into premarital sex. The 34.4percent of participants indicated that they were scared of contraceptive rumours spreading around the community as well as the stigmatization. Conclusion Due to the results of this study the Department of Health should work together with the department of education to put into effect the optimal utilization of contraceptives amongst adolescents by adding sexual, reproductive and contraceptives health education, as a subject in the school curriculum. Department of health must also make use of main media and social media since they are influential and can be the great sources of information for campaigns and more seminars on contraceptive utilization and its benefits to the adolescents, society and the State. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
A framework to prepare an information security awareness and training programme for a provincial government department in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Authors: Potelwa, Zandile
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Information technology--Security measures. , Employees--Training of. , Data encryption (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22289 , vital:52016
- Description: Provincial government departments do not have good audit reports on the information security section. The underlying issues are human factors associated with employee interaction with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The problem to be addressed is how a provincial government needs to focus on employees’ information security awareness so that there is a residual improvement in information security culture to realise unqualified government audits for information security. A case study approach that focused on the provincial government departments in the Eastern Cape Province was used. The primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews containing questions related to information security awareness. Microsoft Teams was used to conduct online semi-structured interviews with 12 provincial government IT staff from two identified provincial departments. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and MS Excel for coding. The findings then were used to determine the outcome of this study which is the framework for preparing an information security awareness programme. The outcome of the study was achieved by condensing the themes that emerged in both the primary and secondary data. The framework was then explained as a way of recommending the importance of preparing information security awareness and training programmes in changing information security behaviour. The derived artefact of this study is an information security awareness framework that can be utilised in a provincial government department to increase the awareness of information security amongst government employees. The contribution of this study is a framework based on the Protection Motivation Theory and the Organisational Culture, to ascertain employees’ actions in relation to information risks and threats; requirements for preparing an information security awareness program for public sector employees and to determine the requirements to be considered when building information security culture in provincial government departments. The proposed framework can then be used to establish an information security culture within the government departments, which will mitigate security risks and threats. The significance of this study as per the constructs of ISA and training show that it can challenge thinking of how ISA can be prepared for not only provincial government but also for state-owned entities or local government. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Potelwa, Zandile
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Information technology--Security measures. , Employees--Training of. , Data encryption (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22289 , vital:52016
- Description: Provincial government departments do not have good audit reports on the information security section. The underlying issues are human factors associated with employee interaction with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The problem to be addressed is how a provincial government needs to focus on employees’ information security awareness so that there is a residual improvement in information security culture to realise unqualified government audits for information security. A case study approach that focused on the provincial government departments in the Eastern Cape Province was used. The primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews containing questions related to information security awareness. Microsoft Teams was used to conduct online semi-structured interviews with 12 provincial government IT staff from two identified provincial departments. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and MS Excel for coding. The findings then were used to determine the outcome of this study which is the framework for preparing an information security awareness programme. The outcome of the study was achieved by condensing the themes that emerged in both the primary and secondary data. The framework was then explained as a way of recommending the importance of preparing information security awareness and training programmes in changing information security behaviour. The derived artefact of this study is an information security awareness framework that can be utilised in a provincial government department to increase the awareness of information security amongst government employees. The contribution of this study is a framework based on the Protection Motivation Theory and the Organisational Culture, to ascertain employees’ actions in relation to information risks and threats; requirements for preparing an information security awareness program for public sector employees and to determine the requirements to be considered when building information security culture in provincial government departments. The proposed framework can then be used to establish an information security culture within the government departments, which will mitigate security risks and threats. The significance of this study as per the constructs of ISA and training show that it can challenge thinking of how ISA can be prepared for not only provincial government but also for state-owned entities or local government. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
A mobile based control system for smart homes
- Authors: Tshimanga, Danny Kazadi
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Smart power grids , Home automation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22632 , vital:52606
- Description: A Smart Home Control System can provide a secure home, convenience, comfort, and interactivity of life in a particular home. The system can enable the automatic controlling of a house via a Smart Phone. These systems are becoming vital and widely used in homes to improve conditions of life. Most commercial home automation systems are expensive and their maintenance would require experts who understand the underlying implementation of the systems. This study developed a mobile-based home automation system prototype. The system was developed using the waterfall model methodology. To evaluate the developed system, the study used a simulation method. Ten trials were conducted to determine the performance of the implemented system. The mean time to failure was used to evaluate the system’ reliability. The system’s performance analysis revealed that the developed system performed better than the two other approaches; the Bluetooth and ZigBee. The developed system showed a 0 percent error, while the Bluetooth had 8 percent error and ZigBee 6 percent error. The reliability results showed the average lifespan of assets in the system before they could fail. Knowing the lifespan of an asset before it fails can help in reducing downtime of the system by planning or scheduling maintenance and develop an improved maintenance strategy. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Tshimanga, Danny Kazadi
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Smart power grids , Home automation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22632 , vital:52606
- Description: A Smart Home Control System can provide a secure home, convenience, comfort, and interactivity of life in a particular home. The system can enable the automatic controlling of a house via a Smart Phone. These systems are becoming vital and widely used in homes to improve conditions of life. Most commercial home automation systems are expensive and their maintenance would require experts who understand the underlying implementation of the systems. This study developed a mobile-based home automation system prototype. The system was developed using the waterfall model methodology. To evaluate the developed system, the study used a simulation method. Ten trials were conducted to determine the performance of the implemented system. The mean time to failure was used to evaluate the system’ reliability. The system’s performance analysis revealed that the developed system performed better than the two other approaches; the Bluetooth and ZigBee. The developed system showed a 0 percent error, while the Bluetooth had 8 percent error and ZigBee 6 percent error. The reliability results showed the average lifespan of assets in the system before they could fail. Knowing the lifespan of an asset before it fails can help in reducing downtime of the system by planning or scheduling maintenance and develop an improved maintenance strategy. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Accountability of the police to provincial governments in South Africa: a comparative analysis of law and practice in the eastern and Western Cape Provinces
- Authors: Tyabazayo, Phumlani
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa , Police power , Police administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22456 , vital:52323
- Description: The 2012 Constitutional Court matter between the national minister of police and the premier of the Western Cape (Minister of Police v Premier of the Western Cape 2013 (12) BCLR 1365 (CC)) concerning the exercise of provincial policing powers as provided for in chapter 11 of the Constitution of South Africa laid bare the tension between the national and provincial governments in the exercise of these powers. Despite the Court’s determination of the dispute, there are still grey areas regarding the constitutional obligations of the provinces with regard to policing. The result has been a lack of clarity and uniformity in the exercise of policing powers by various provinces in South Africa. Based on documentary analysis and interviews, this study explores the parameters of the powers of provinces in policing matters as well as the extent of accountability of the police to provincial governments in South Africa by comparing the law and practice in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. The study argues that if provinces are to effectively exercise their constitutional powers in policing matters, there needs to be a degree of uniformity in and a mutual understanding of the extent and parameters of provincial policing powers. Only when they clearly understand their powers in policing matters will provincial governments be able to develop legal and policy frameworks to consolidate their powers and effectively hold the police accountable. The study considers whether the current policing powers afforded to provinces are adequate and if not, whether constitutional reform is needed to afford provinces more and clearer policing powers. Furthermore, within the context of participatory democracy, the study takes an in-depth look into the accountability role of Community Police Forums. The study finds that, generally, provincial governments fall short in fulfilling the obligations imposed on them by the Constitution. The study further finds that, in practice, there is still uncertainty about the role of the provincial governments and the Civilian Secretariat for Police in policing matters. Among the recommendations of this study is that section 206 (1) of the Constitution be amended to give provinces power to formulate policing policy in respect of issues peculiar to a particular province. The study also proposes a model to enhance the exercise of provincial policing powers by provincial governments in South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Tyabazayo, Phumlani
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa , Police power , Police administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22456 , vital:52323
- Description: The 2012 Constitutional Court matter between the national minister of police and the premier of the Western Cape (Minister of Police v Premier of the Western Cape 2013 (12) BCLR 1365 (CC)) concerning the exercise of provincial policing powers as provided for in chapter 11 of the Constitution of South Africa laid bare the tension between the national and provincial governments in the exercise of these powers. Despite the Court’s determination of the dispute, there are still grey areas regarding the constitutional obligations of the provinces with regard to policing. The result has been a lack of clarity and uniformity in the exercise of policing powers by various provinces in South Africa. Based on documentary analysis and interviews, this study explores the parameters of the powers of provinces in policing matters as well as the extent of accountability of the police to provincial governments in South Africa by comparing the law and practice in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. The study argues that if provinces are to effectively exercise their constitutional powers in policing matters, there needs to be a degree of uniformity in and a mutual understanding of the extent and parameters of provincial policing powers. Only when they clearly understand their powers in policing matters will provincial governments be able to develop legal and policy frameworks to consolidate their powers and effectively hold the police accountable. The study considers whether the current policing powers afforded to provinces are adequate and if not, whether constitutional reform is needed to afford provinces more and clearer policing powers. Furthermore, within the context of participatory democracy, the study takes an in-depth look into the accountability role of Community Police Forums. The study finds that, generally, provincial governments fall short in fulfilling the obligations imposed on them by the Constitution. The study further finds that, in practice, there is still uncertainty about the role of the provincial governments and the Civilian Secretariat for Police in policing matters. Among the recommendations of this study is that section 206 (1) of the Constitution be amended to give provinces power to formulate policing policy in respect of issues peculiar to a particular province. The study also proposes a model to enhance the exercise of provincial policing powers by provincial governments in South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
An analysis of the internship programme in the Sarah Baartman Health District of the Eastern Cape: a model for effective implementation
- Authors: Feni, Monde Ludick
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Internship programs , Public service employment , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23359 , vital:57617
- Description: The study’s main purpose was to evaluate the processes for Internship Programme Implementation in the Sarah Baartman Health District of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, to determine a Model that can be postulated for improving the Internship Programme Implementation in the Sarah Baartman Health District, wide Public Service and Private Sector. An empirical Study reveals the process for the Internship Programme Implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. As part of the recommendations, it was highly stressed that the Sarah Baartman Health District must adopt and embrace the Internship Programme Implementation Model in Figure 6.1 to effectively implement the Internship Programme as a means to deal with the challenges. Data was collected by the investigator from four main groups within the Sarah Baartman Health District. These were Senior Managers, Corporate Services Managers, Mentors, current and past interns. All these groups were directly involved in the internships in the Sarah Baartman Health District Health Department. The investigator got accurate and verified reflections, experiences and understandings of four constructs surrounding the internship programme and they include recruitment and employment of Interns using Best Practices, Training and Development Programmes for Interns Training, Performance Management and Development System for Interns and Mentoring as a Tool to Transfer Knowledge, Skills, Competencies and Attitudes required to Perform Optimally. During interviews, the researcher requested permission from the participants to record their responses digitally. This was done to make sure that no data was lost during the writing of responses from the participants. The questionnaires that were distributed to the interns and mentors had closed-ended questions, but the validity of the questionnaire was ensured by having a space for comments under each question to allow participants to support their answers. An analysis of the questionnaire was done by employing Microsoft Excel and statistics that are descriptive and inferential. The study findings revealed that the recruitment and employment of interns using best practices had a mean score above the required mean of 3, meaning that it is applied acceptably. As much as the construct is acceptable and meets the standard, the item in the construct that pertained to security checks for interns was not done and this is a worrying factor, meaning that the recruitment and employment of interns might be at risk of bringing in interns into the programme who are risky for the organisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Feni, Monde Ludick
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Internship programs , Public service employment , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23359 , vital:57617
- Description: The study’s main purpose was to evaluate the processes for Internship Programme Implementation in the Sarah Baartman Health District of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, to determine a Model that can be postulated for improving the Internship Programme Implementation in the Sarah Baartman Health District, wide Public Service and Private Sector. An empirical Study reveals the process for the Internship Programme Implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. As part of the recommendations, it was highly stressed that the Sarah Baartman Health District must adopt and embrace the Internship Programme Implementation Model in Figure 6.1 to effectively implement the Internship Programme as a means to deal with the challenges. Data was collected by the investigator from four main groups within the Sarah Baartman Health District. These were Senior Managers, Corporate Services Managers, Mentors, current and past interns. All these groups were directly involved in the internships in the Sarah Baartman Health District Health Department. The investigator got accurate and verified reflections, experiences and understandings of four constructs surrounding the internship programme and they include recruitment and employment of Interns using Best Practices, Training and Development Programmes for Interns Training, Performance Management and Development System for Interns and Mentoring as a Tool to Transfer Knowledge, Skills, Competencies and Attitudes required to Perform Optimally. During interviews, the researcher requested permission from the participants to record their responses digitally. This was done to make sure that no data was lost during the writing of responses from the participants. The questionnaires that were distributed to the interns and mentors had closed-ended questions, but the validity of the questionnaire was ensured by having a space for comments under each question to allow participants to support their answers. An analysis of the questionnaire was done by employing Microsoft Excel and statistics that are descriptive and inferential. The study findings revealed that the recruitment and employment of interns using best practices had a mean score above the required mean of 3, meaning that it is applied acceptably. As much as the construct is acceptable and meets the standard, the item in the construct that pertained to security checks for interns was not done and this is a worrying factor, meaning that the recruitment and employment of interns might be at risk of bringing in interns into the programme who are risky for the organisation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
An appraisal of strategies to mitigate related to non-communicable diseases of the eye: a case study of Michael Mapongwane Health Clinic in Khayelitsha, Western Cape Metro District
- Authors: Ngcebetsha, Avela Ayanda
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Chronically ill--Care , Ophthalmic nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22908 , vital:53186
- Description: Preventive and curative eye-care services are a critical component of care for patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. The South African constitution guarantees health as a fundamental human right of all citizens. While most chronically ill patients are managed at the primary health care centers, eye care services are currently contracted to private service providers. The extent to which people, especially the chronically ill patients, have access to eye-care service under the current structure is less understood. The study aims to establish the effectiveness and sustainability of the eye-care service delivery model at the Michael Mapongwane CHC, with specific reference to access to eye-care services. Specifically, the study examined the rate and determinants of eye-care service utilisation, assess user’s satisfaction and perspectives of primary health workers and private service providers regarding the current structure of eye-care services. The study adopted a descriptive and explanatory design, which involved a survey and semi-structured interviews. The survey was conducted among 423 patients attending the two primary health centers selected for this study. Patients with chronic illness were recruited over a period of one month. Overall, 365 patients with chronic illness and 58 patients without chronic illness took part in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative date. Purposive sampling was used to select nine health workers and 10 private eye-care service providers for the semi-structured interviews. The data obtained were transcribed and coded. Thematic content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. The results show that less than half of the respondents (n=168) had ever had an eye test, and an even lower proportion (n=115) had had an eye test in the past two years. Age, female sex, formal rural dwelling, marital status, and income were significantly associated with ever having an eye test done. The results reveal a gross inequality in access to eye care test. Only 19.2% of patients diagnosed with hypertension had had their eyes examined. Even fewer proportions of the patients (8.5%) had had their eyes examined during or after diagnosis for hypertension. Likewise, only one in three patients diagnosed with diabetes has had their eyes examined before or after they were diagnosed with diabetes. The majority of patients who had used the services affirmed that it was easy to access eye care services. While most respondents agreed that waiting time to make an appointment was not too long, over half of them affirmed that waiting to see an eye doctor was too long. Most users were reasonably satisfied with the eye care services received. Primary health care providers highlighted challenges such as work overload, poor infrastructure, and patient’s forgetfulness of the appointment dates as factors affecting access to eye care services in their clinic. The primary challenges the private eye-care service providers experienced were small rooms or inappropriate clinic rooms, language barrier and inadequate support from the clinics. In conclusion, this study has shown that access to preventive and curative health care services was among patients attending primary health care centres, and especially those with chronic illness. The current structure of eye care services makes it difficult for patients to access care and for providers to provide quality care. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Ngcebetsha, Avela Ayanda
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Chronically ill--Care , Ophthalmic nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22908 , vital:53186
- Description: Preventive and curative eye-care services are a critical component of care for patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. The South African constitution guarantees health as a fundamental human right of all citizens. While most chronically ill patients are managed at the primary health care centers, eye care services are currently contracted to private service providers. The extent to which people, especially the chronically ill patients, have access to eye-care service under the current structure is less understood. The study aims to establish the effectiveness and sustainability of the eye-care service delivery model at the Michael Mapongwane CHC, with specific reference to access to eye-care services. Specifically, the study examined the rate and determinants of eye-care service utilisation, assess user’s satisfaction and perspectives of primary health workers and private service providers regarding the current structure of eye-care services. The study adopted a descriptive and explanatory design, which involved a survey and semi-structured interviews. The survey was conducted among 423 patients attending the two primary health centers selected for this study. Patients with chronic illness were recruited over a period of one month. Overall, 365 patients with chronic illness and 58 patients without chronic illness took part in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative date. Purposive sampling was used to select nine health workers and 10 private eye-care service providers for the semi-structured interviews. The data obtained were transcribed and coded. Thematic content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. The results show that less than half of the respondents (n=168) had ever had an eye test, and an even lower proportion (n=115) had had an eye test in the past two years. Age, female sex, formal rural dwelling, marital status, and income were significantly associated with ever having an eye test done. The results reveal a gross inequality in access to eye care test. Only 19.2% of patients diagnosed with hypertension had had their eyes examined. Even fewer proportions of the patients (8.5%) had had their eyes examined during or after diagnosis for hypertension. Likewise, only one in three patients diagnosed with diabetes has had their eyes examined before or after they were diagnosed with diabetes. The majority of patients who had used the services affirmed that it was easy to access eye care services. While most respondents agreed that waiting time to make an appointment was not too long, over half of them affirmed that waiting to see an eye doctor was too long. Most users were reasonably satisfied with the eye care services received. Primary health care providers highlighted challenges such as work overload, poor infrastructure, and patient’s forgetfulness of the appointment dates as factors affecting access to eye care services in their clinic. The primary challenges the private eye-care service providers experienced were small rooms or inappropriate clinic rooms, language barrier and inadequate support from the clinics. In conclusion, this study has shown that access to preventive and curative health care services was among patients attending primary health care centres, and especially those with chronic illness. The current structure of eye care services makes it difficult for patients to access care and for providers to provide quality care. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
An assessment of the impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme on youth empowerment in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Ntamo, Banele
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Public works.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22220 , vital:51999
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the government of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) has launched numerous development programmes. These include youth empowerment initiatives aimed at developing the capacity of the youth in order for them to contribute to the economy. Optimistic prospects for any country depend on developing its young people. The measures to drive youth-focused delivery and to ensure youth development ought to move further than the establishment of structures and the delivering of policy statements. Government departments and municipalities are expected to implement meaningful youth empowerment programmes and ventures that are visible and that are adequately monitored. This study explored and assessed the effects of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) on youth empowerment. It used a case study of Amathole District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa province. The study utilised the qualitative technique to provide solutions to the research problem and to provide responses to the research hypothesis of the study. The sample comprised ten public representatives and thirty youth beneficiaries. In line with the purposive sampling approach, two sets of data were generated: the first set from public managers of the programme, and the second from programme beneficiaries. The researcher made use of the qualitative thematic content analysis approach, where data was analysed to arrive at emerging themes. The study was delimited to the effects of EPWP on youth empowerment. It was also limited to Amathole District within the Eastern Cape province. The results showed that most of the beneficiaries were engaged on a period of 1 to 12 months. This shows that most of participants were not engaged for viable and long periods, which they would need to truly increase their financial or monetary position in their households and have ample time to attain expertise. The results further indicated that in some cases the EPWP provides financial and income support to beneficiaries, but in some it does not. In general, the results showed that the EPWP reduces poverty because participants are able to look after their families and relatives after taking part in the EPWP. However, the training and skills participants attained in the EPWP interventions did not help them find employment elsewhere. This is linked to the findings that showed that beneficiaries were not provided with training certificates. Therefore, to enhance the execution of the EPWP and speed up poverty reduction, equity and joblessness in South Africa, the study recommends that ECDPW in ADM Area should design projects/programmes that are attractive to youth and that will equip them with necessary skills to empower youth to participant in the job market after the leave the programme. Furthermore, the study also recommends that the ECDPW in ADM Area consider public private partnership (PPP) for additional funding for the provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to participants. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Ntamo, Banele
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Public works.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22220 , vital:51999
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the government of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) has launched numerous development programmes. These include youth empowerment initiatives aimed at developing the capacity of the youth in order for them to contribute to the economy. Optimistic prospects for any country depend on developing its young people. The measures to drive youth-focused delivery and to ensure youth development ought to move further than the establishment of structures and the delivering of policy statements. Government departments and municipalities are expected to implement meaningful youth empowerment programmes and ventures that are visible and that are adequately monitored. This study explored and assessed the effects of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) on youth empowerment. It used a case study of Amathole District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa province. The study utilised the qualitative technique to provide solutions to the research problem and to provide responses to the research hypothesis of the study. The sample comprised ten public representatives and thirty youth beneficiaries. In line with the purposive sampling approach, two sets of data were generated: the first set from public managers of the programme, and the second from programme beneficiaries. The researcher made use of the qualitative thematic content analysis approach, where data was analysed to arrive at emerging themes. The study was delimited to the effects of EPWP on youth empowerment. It was also limited to Amathole District within the Eastern Cape province. The results showed that most of the beneficiaries were engaged on a period of 1 to 12 months. This shows that most of participants were not engaged for viable and long periods, which they would need to truly increase their financial or monetary position in their households and have ample time to attain expertise. The results further indicated that in some cases the EPWP provides financial and income support to beneficiaries, but in some it does not. In general, the results showed that the EPWP reduces poverty because participants are able to look after their families and relatives after taking part in the EPWP. However, the training and skills participants attained in the EPWP interventions did not help them find employment elsewhere. This is linked to the findings that showed that beneficiaries were not provided with training certificates. Therefore, to enhance the execution of the EPWP and speed up poverty reduction, equity and joblessness in South Africa, the study recommends that ECDPW in ADM Area should design projects/programmes that are attractive to youth and that will equip them with necessary skills to empower youth to participant in the job market after the leave the programme. Furthermore, the study also recommends that the ECDPW in ADM Area consider public private partnership (PPP) for additional funding for the provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to participants. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
An assessment of the role of Education Development (EDO) officers in promoting quality teaching and learning in selected secondary schools in the King Williams Town (KWT) District
- Mbande - Kwayini, Busisiwe Grissel
- Authors: Mbande - Kwayini, Busisiwe Grissel
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Education, Higher--South Africa. , School management and organization--South Africa. , Effective teaching.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22099 , vital:51983
- Description: Globally, concern have been raised against the quality of teaching and learning driven by international institution such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and agenda of the Education for All policy. In South Africa, the QTL in secondary school remains low and compromised despite the implementation of EFA policy and use of EDOs in South Africa generally and King Williams Town (KWT) in particular. The drive of this study is to assess the role played by EDOs in supporting QTL in selected secondary schools in King Williams Town District. The study used a qualitative approach, a case study design was followed and the case in point for this study is EDOs in KWT district. Their roles where assessed between two secondary schools namely Enoch Sontonga high school and Nosizwe high school. Ten (10) interviews using face-to face and telephonic method. The study managed to conduct five face-to-face interviews among EDOs as they were conveniently located during a period of workshops in the circuit and two educators and three principals were interviewed electronically. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select participants. Using the Popper’s theory of learning perspective the study found out that quality teaching and learning in KWT schools is dependent on factors such as time on task, scope of learning, learning environment, teaching methods and strategies, support and monitoring programmes, the teacher preparedness and their motivation and availability of attractive incentives to retain quality practitioners in their classrooms. The study found out that presently the EDOs are performing various roles such as offering support to the SMT through helping them understand their function within the school and the broader education system and helping in developing systems for monitoring and recording progress made by learners towards achievement of targets set. However, there are challenges encountered by EDOs when supporting schools to improve the QTL that were discussed namely, lack of human resources and material resources; educator resistance; non-academic activities; learner and teacher absenteeism; programmes alignment; and work overload. These challenges can be addressed using strategies such as human resources training and recruitment; programmes coordination and stakeholder cooperation; transport provision; consequence management; attitude change and policy alignment and implementation. The study recommends investment in leadership, Monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement and training. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Mbande - Kwayini, Busisiwe Grissel
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Education, Higher--South Africa. , School management and organization--South Africa. , Effective teaching.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22099 , vital:51983
- Description: Globally, concern have been raised against the quality of teaching and learning driven by international institution such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and agenda of the Education for All policy. In South Africa, the QTL in secondary school remains low and compromised despite the implementation of EFA policy and use of EDOs in South Africa generally and King Williams Town (KWT) in particular. The drive of this study is to assess the role played by EDOs in supporting QTL in selected secondary schools in King Williams Town District. The study used a qualitative approach, a case study design was followed and the case in point for this study is EDOs in KWT district. Their roles where assessed between two secondary schools namely Enoch Sontonga high school and Nosizwe high school. Ten (10) interviews using face-to face and telephonic method. The study managed to conduct five face-to-face interviews among EDOs as they were conveniently located during a period of workshops in the circuit and two educators and three principals were interviewed electronically. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select participants. Using the Popper’s theory of learning perspective the study found out that quality teaching and learning in KWT schools is dependent on factors such as time on task, scope of learning, learning environment, teaching methods and strategies, support and monitoring programmes, the teacher preparedness and their motivation and availability of attractive incentives to retain quality practitioners in their classrooms. The study found out that presently the EDOs are performing various roles such as offering support to the SMT through helping them understand their function within the school and the broader education system and helping in developing systems for monitoring and recording progress made by learners towards achievement of targets set. However, there are challenges encountered by EDOs when supporting schools to improve the QTL that were discussed namely, lack of human resources and material resources; educator resistance; non-academic activities; learner and teacher absenteeism; programmes alignment; and work overload. These challenges can be addressed using strategies such as human resources training and recruitment; programmes coordination and stakeholder cooperation; transport provision; consequence management; attitude change and policy alignment and implementation. The study recommends investment in leadership, Monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement and training. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
An investigation of a nexus between employee skill development and competences in the Eastern Cape Department of Education
- Authors: Gcezengana, Gcotyelwa
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Employees--Training of. , Public administration. , Public employees.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21886 , vital:51840
- Description: Better access to high-quality and relevant skills development is essential if South Africa is to achieve its National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 goals. The importance of training opportunities in promoting competence cannot be overstated. Equipping the workforce with the skills needed is a strategic priority for all developing countries’ national growth and progress. This paper seeks to investigate a nexus between employee skills development and competence in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). The paper employed a qualitative research technique and the explanatory research design to achieve its desired objectives. The results of the paper confirmed that skills training and development strategy, when implemented by institutions, ensures that staff is empowered, informed, and taught, which results in better efficiency and effectiveness. In this situation, spin-offs will benefit public organizations since employees’ increased abilities open new opportunities for long-term employment growth and organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, the knowledgeable and well-trained individual would make sound organizational decisions while successfully listening to the clients' problems. The benefits will flow down to the areas where these organizations are headquartered, and the improved image will be the goal for the ECDoE. The conclusion drawn is that Skills Development Act aims to provide skills to the South African workforce, ensure that employees have more opportunities for skill acquisition, provide opportunities for new entrants to gain work experience. The ECDoE should invest more in skills development to increase the competencies of its employees. This will guarantee the achievement of its aims and objectives, through competent employees. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Gcezengana, Gcotyelwa
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Employees--Training of. , Public administration. , Public employees.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21886 , vital:51840
- Description: Better access to high-quality and relevant skills development is essential if South Africa is to achieve its National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 goals. The importance of training opportunities in promoting competence cannot be overstated. Equipping the workforce with the skills needed is a strategic priority for all developing countries’ national growth and progress. This paper seeks to investigate a nexus between employee skills development and competence in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). The paper employed a qualitative research technique and the explanatory research design to achieve its desired objectives. The results of the paper confirmed that skills training and development strategy, when implemented by institutions, ensures that staff is empowered, informed, and taught, which results in better efficiency and effectiveness. In this situation, spin-offs will benefit public organizations since employees’ increased abilities open new opportunities for long-term employment growth and organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, the knowledgeable and well-trained individual would make sound organizational decisions while successfully listening to the clients' problems. The benefits will flow down to the areas where these organizations are headquartered, and the improved image will be the goal for the ECDoE. The conclusion drawn is that Skills Development Act aims to provide skills to the South African workforce, ensure that employees have more opportunities for skill acquisition, provide opportunities for new entrants to gain work experience. The ECDoE should invest more in skills development to increase the competencies of its employees. This will guarantee the achievement of its aims and objectives, through competent employees. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Assessment of soil erosion based on clustered geoinformatics approaches: a case study of Tyume River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mbatyoti, Siyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-5684
- Authors: Mbatyoti, Siyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-5684
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Soil erosion , Geoinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22852 , vital:52969
- Description: This research centres on the holistic assessments of spatial and temporal dimensions of soil erosion zones based on the parameters of geomorphometry, hydro-statistics, and land use/cover dynamics. The study used a case study approach based on a clustered framework model of soil erosion parameters in the Tyume River basin in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The methods adopted for the investigation are, namely; non-parametric time-series assessment of streamflow dataset, semidecadal assessment of land use/cover (LU/C) dynamics, geospatial analysis of geomorphometric variables, vulnerability analysis of soil erosion zones, regression analysis of determination coefficient, and Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC). The delineation of soil erosion zones was based on the integrated analysis of the parameters of geomorphometry, geology, hydrology, and land use/ cover. The result of the hydro-statistical analysis of the Tyume River reports a major decline in the inter-annual regime frequency of storm flow based on the Mann- Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope assessment in 1992 (p-value = 0.031), 1997 (p-value = 0.045), 2003 (p-value = 0.021), 2008 (p-value = 0.003), and 2016 (p-value = 0.002). The MK test depicted a recurrence of peak streamflow acceleration in every three years based on low-flow and highflow transition. The sensitivity of LU/C to temporal dynamics of streamflow trends shown by the coefficient of correlation of trends of the LU/C water bodies with streamflow semi-decadal acceleration indicates a moderately relevant relationship, R = 0.76. The temporal analysis of LU/C and hydro-statistical analysis shows that the Tyume basin was highly vulnerable to soil erosion by water in 1999, 2009, and 2019. The vulnerability of the Tyume River basin in 2019 is exceptional and this is due to the conversion of forested area (woodland) into a built-up environment and farmland, with a high vulnerability in 2019 due to the slump in the rate of change of woodland and precipitation, and the increase in the rate of built-up and agricultural activities. The soil erosion vulnerability mapping divides the river basin into the critical high, high, moderate, low, nonvulnerable zones that cover 40 km2, 135 km2, 209 km2, and 186 km2 respectively. Regression analysis shows that the areas of soil erosion in the Tyume basin are moderately represented by the model (R2 = 56) while the model performance assessment based on success rate and prediction rate estimation from the area under the ROC curve shows that the model is good, Area Under Curve of the ROC = 0.899, and 0.897. The analysis suggests that soil erosion is driven by the impact of land use/land cover change, particularly in areas of high drainage density. Significantly, high vegetation density played a vital role in lowering high-flow on the hill-slope and low topographic wetness area as well as in areas with erodible geologic properties. The study, therefore, recommends the advocacy of crop rotation method of agricultural practice in the highly critical areas of soil erosion and recommends the development of riparian forests around the Tyume River. The study provides important information for environmental stakeholders on degradable areas which may require the urgent implementation of sustainable development measures. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Mbatyoti, Siyanda https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-5684
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Soil erosion , Geoinformatics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22852 , vital:52969
- Description: This research centres on the holistic assessments of spatial and temporal dimensions of soil erosion zones based on the parameters of geomorphometry, hydro-statistics, and land use/cover dynamics. The study used a case study approach based on a clustered framework model of soil erosion parameters in the Tyume River basin in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The methods adopted for the investigation are, namely; non-parametric time-series assessment of streamflow dataset, semidecadal assessment of land use/cover (LU/C) dynamics, geospatial analysis of geomorphometric variables, vulnerability analysis of soil erosion zones, regression analysis of determination coefficient, and Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC). The delineation of soil erosion zones was based on the integrated analysis of the parameters of geomorphometry, geology, hydrology, and land use/ cover. The result of the hydro-statistical analysis of the Tyume River reports a major decline in the inter-annual regime frequency of storm flow based on the Mann- Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope assessment in 1992 (p-value = 0.031), 1997 (p-value = 0.045), 2003 (p-value = 0.021), 2008 (p-value = 0.003), and 2016 (p-value = 0.002). The MK test depicted a recurrence of peak streamflow acceleration in every three years based on low-flow and highflow transition. The sensitivity of LU/C to temporal dynamics of streamflow trends shown by the coefficient of correlation of trends of the LU/C water bodies with streamflow semi-decadal acceleration indicates a moderately relevant relationship, R = 0.76. The temporal analysis of LU/C and hydro-statistical analysis shows that the Tyume basin was highly vulnerable to soil erosion by water in 1999, 2009, and 2019. The vulnerability of the Tyume River basin in 2019 is exceptional and this is due to the conversion of forested area (woodland) into a built-up environment and farmland, with a high vulnerability in 2019 due to the slump in the rate of change of woodland and precipitation, and the increase in the rate of built-up and agricultural activities. The soil erosion vulnerability mapping divides the river basin into the critical high, high, moderate, low, nonvulnerable zones that cover 40 km2, 135 km2, 209 km2, and 186 km2 respectively. Regression analysis shows that the areas of soil erosion in the Tyume basin are moderately represented by the model (R2 = 56) while the model performance assessment based on success rate and prediction rate estimation from the area under the ROC curve shows that the model is good, Area Under Curve of the ROC = 0.899, and 0.897. The analysis suggests that soil erosion is driven by the impact of land use/land cover change, particularly in areas of high drainage density. Significantly, high vegetation density played a vital role in lowering high-flow on the hill-slope and low topographic wetness area as well as in areas with erodible geologic properties. The study, therefore, recommends the advocacy of crop rotation method of agricultural practice in the highly critical areas of soil erosion and recommends the development of riparian forests around the Tyume River. The study provides important information for environmental stakeholders on degradable areas which may require the urgent implementation of sustainable development measures. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Code of conduct for learners: A strategy for enhancing positive discipline in selected township schools in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Authors: Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21711 , vital:51744
- Description: Dealing with misbehaving learners remains a significant challenge for teachers in South African schools. As the use of corporal punishment and other punitive measures to deal with misbehaving learners is now illegal, alternative positive disciplinary measures have been put in place. The prohibition of negative disciplinary measures has left teachers feeling powerless and frustrated, not knowing how to manage learner behaviour, despite the fact that they are the viable agents tasked with ensuring that positive disciplinary measures are implemented in schools. This study sought to examine how best a code of conduct for learners can be used to enhance positive discipline in schools. To that end, the study offers insights into how positive disciplinary measures may be used, in dealing with learner indiscipline. This is a qualitative study, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm. The study employed a phenomenological design as a strategy for data collection, to examine how a code of conduct for learners can be used to enhance positive discipline in selected township schools. As this is a qualitative study concerned more with the depth than the breadth of information, the researcher deemed it necessary to focus on two schools, to obtain deep insight into the participants’ lived experiences. Two schools, in Pinetown in Durban, participated in the study. Interviews, observations and document reviews were used as data-collection instruments. In each school, interviews were conducted with the school principal, teacher representatives serving on the school governing board, disciplinary committee members, and members of the representative council for learners. Disciplinary hearings and disciplinary committee meetings were observed, and documents of relevance to the study were reviewed. The findings, as reported on here, revealed that the code of conduct is the most important strategy that schools can use to enhance positive discipline. Other strategies in enhancing positive discipline include the use of a research-based positive classroom management approach; positive reinforcement; integrating community support services; modelling good behaviour; parental involvement; preventive, supportive and corrective discipline; detention; communication (incorporating professionalism and cooperation); the creation of an environment conducive to teaching and learning; and the withdrawal or withholding of privileges. The findings further revealed that positive discipline is an alternative to negative disciplinary measures, such as corporal punishment in schools. Teachers are expected to comply with, and adhere to, disciplinary policies, and to assist learners in unlearning bad behaviours and developing the necessary life skills, values, and attitudes. The participants’ understanding of the use of a code of conduct for positive discipline successfully assisted them, as teachers, in dealing with misbehaving learners, and, in turn, in developing learners’ positive self-control and self-esteem, helping them to become responsible citizens, and courageous and respectful learners, not only in the school environment, but also as members of society at large. The research findings also revealed that many participants believed using a code of conduct (positive discipline) to enhance positive behaviour was a waste of time, and ineffective. As the findings indicate, learners were found to become impervious or immune to positive disciplinary measures put in place to assist them with behavioural problems. The findings also revealed that the ineffectiveness of such a code in enhancing positive discipline could be attributed to the fact that the teachers themselves were not, to a certain degree, fully trained with regard to positive disciplinary measures. A lack of parental support and teacher professionalism, the continued use of (the prohibited) corporal punishment, poor communication, a lack of stakeholder involvement in formulating codes of conduct, a lack of positive modelling and power struggles were found to impede the use of a code of conduct to enhance positive discipline in schools. Based on the research findings, the study recommends that schools ensure that there is a sufficiently detailed code of conduct to assist teachers in addressing learners’ bad behaviour. There should also be advocacy from the Department of Basic Education, for support programmes to be put in place to assist teachers with alternative ways of enhancing positive discipline in the classroom. Awareness of how teachers are to be upskilled as regards positive disciplinary strategies, active parental involvement, and increased support for teachers, are amongst the recommendations. Ultimately, the researcher concluded that the code of conduct was a strategy that schools can use to enhance positive discipline. To this end, teachers must adhere to that code (and other positive disciplinary measures), for positive discipline to flourish in schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21711 , vital:51744
- Description: Dealing with misbehaving learners remains a significant challenge for teachers in South African schools. As the use of corporal punishment and other punitive measures to deal with misbehaving learners is now illegal, alternative positive disciplinary measures have been put in place. The prohibition of negative disciplinary measures has left teachers feeling powerless and frustrated, not knowing how to manage learner behaviour, despite the fact that they are the viable agents tasked with ensuring that positive disciplinary measures are implemented in schools. This study sought to examine how best a code of conduct for learners can be used to enhance positive discipline in schools. To that end, the study offers insights into how positive disciplinary measures may be used, in dealing with learner indiscipline. This is a qualitative study, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm. The study employed a phenomenological design as a strategy for data collection, to examine how a code of conduct for learners can be used to enhance positive discipline in selected township schools. As this is a qualitative study concerned more with the depth than the breadth of information, the researcher deemed it necessary to focus on two schools, to obtain deep insight into the participants’ lived experiences. Two schools, in Pinetown in Durban, participated in the study. Interviews, observations and document reviews were used as data-collection instruments. In each school, interviews were conducted with the school principal, teacher representatives serving on the school governing board, disciplinary committee members, and members of the representative council for learners. Disciplinary hearings and disciplinary committee meetings were observed, and documents of relevance to the study were reviewed. The findings, as reported on here, revealed that the code of conduct is the most important strategy that schools can use to enhance positive discipline. Other strategies in enhancing positive discipline include the use of a research-based positive classroom management approach; positive reinforcement; integrating community support services; modelling good behaviour; parental involvement; preventive, supportive and corrective discipline; detention; communication (incorporating professionalism and cooperation); the creation of an environment conducive to teaching and learning; and the withdrawal or withholding of privileges. The findings further revealed that positive discipline is an alternative to negative disciplinary measures, such as corporal punishment in schools. Teachers are expected to comply with, and adhere to, disciplinary policies, and to assist learners in unlearning bad behaviours and developing the necessary life skills, values, and attitudes. The participants’ understanding of the use of a code of conduct for positive discipline successfully assisted them, as teachers, in dealing with misbehaving learners, and, in turn, in developing learners’ positive self-control and self-esteem, helping them to become responsible citizens, and courageous and respectful learners, not only in the school environment, but also as members of society at large. The research findings also revealed that many participants believed using a code of conduct (positive discipline) to enhance positive behaviour was a waste of time, and ineffective. As the findings indicate, learners were found to become impervious or immune to positive disciplinary measures put in place to assist them with behavioural problems. The findings also revealed that the ineffectiveness of such a code in enhancing positive discipline could be attributed to the fact that the teachers themselves were not, to a certain degree, fully trained with regard to positive disciplinary measures. A lack of parental support and teacher professionalism, the continued use of (the prohibited) corporal punishment, poor communication, a lack of stakeholder involvement in formulating codes of conduct, a lack of positive modelling and power struggles were found to impede the use of a code of conduct to enhance positive discipline in schools. Based on the research findings, the study recommends that schools ensure that there is a sufficiently detailed code of conduct to assist teachers in addressing learners’ bad behaviour. There should also be advocacy from the Department of Basic Education, for support programmes to be put in place to assist teachers with alternative ways of enhancing positive discipline in the classroom. Awareness of how teachers are to be upskilled as regards positive disciplinary strategies, active parental involvement, and increased support for teachers, are amongst the recommendations. Ultimately, the researcher concluded that the code of conduct was a strategy that schools can use to enhance positive discipline. To this end, teachers must adhere to that code (and other positive disciplinary measures), for positive discipline to flourish in schools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Code of conduct for learners: A strategy for enhancing positive discipline in selected township schools in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Authors: Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21736 , vital:51747
- Description: Ddeleting thos one delete 2 , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Zondo, Sindiswa Silindokuhle
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21736 , vital:51747
- Description: Ddeleting thos one delete 2 , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investments into the Southern African Development Community Region: The case of financial sector development, institutional quality and financial openness
- Authors: Makalima, Sisonke
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Africa , International finance , Monetary policy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21954 , vital:51855
- Description: The SADC region is a 15-member states grouping. Countries in the region have experienced low growth coupled with high levels of poverty and inequality. Attracting FDI to the region has been top priority. However, much is still to be realised. The study employed the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1980 to 2019. Empirical results show that financial sector development and financial openness are important determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The results also showed that institutional quality is also a very important variable in determining the inflow of FDI, even though its effect is conditional on financial sector development and financial openness. These results imply that countries with good institutional framework, as well as a developed financial sector and are financially open tend to attract more capital inflows in the form of FDI, thereby creating adequate conditions to boost private sector and investment abroad. Countries in the SADC region should therefore pursue policies which are aimed at improving the institutional framework, the level of financial sector development and further enhance the openness of their financial openness. , Thesis (MCom,) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Makalima, Sisonke
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Africa , International finance , Monetary policy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21954 , vital:51855
- Description: The SADC region is a 15-member states grouping. Countries in the region have experienced low growth coupled with high levels of poverty and inequality. Attracting FDI to the region has been top priority. However, much is still to be realised. The study employed the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1980 to 2019. Empirical results show that financial sector development and financial openness are important determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The results also showed that institutional quality is also a very important variable in determining the inflow of FDI, even though its effect is conditional on financial sector development and financial openness. These results imply that countries with good institutional framework, as well as a developed financial sector and are financially open tend to attract more capital inflows in the form of FDI, thereby creating adequate conditions to boost private sector and investment abroad. Countries in the SADC region should therefore pursue policies which are aimed at improving the institutional framework, the level of financial sector development and further enhance the openness of their financial openness. , Thesis (MCom,) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Determinants of foreign direct investments into the Southern African Development Community Region: the case of financial sector development, institutional quality and financial openness.
- Authors: Makalima, Sisonke
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign (International law)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21948 , vital:51856
- Description: The SADC region is a 15-member states grouping. Countries in the region have experienced low growth coupled with high levels of poverty and inequality. Attracting FDI to the region has been top priority. However, much is still to be realised. The study employed the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1980 to 2019. Empirical results show that financial sector development and financial openness are important determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The results also showed that institutional quality is also a very important variable in determining the inflow of FDI, even though its effect is conditional on financial sector development and financial openness. These results imply that countries with good institutional framework, as well as a developed financial sector and are financially open tend to attract more capital inflows in the form of FDI, thereby creating adequate conditions to boost private sector and investment abroad. Countries in the SADC region should therefore pursue policies which are aimed at improving the institutional framework, the level of financial sector development and further enhance the openness of their financial openness. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Makalima, Sisonke
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign (International law)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21948 , vital:51856
- Description: The SADC region is a 15-member states grouping. Countries in the region have experienced low growth coupled with high levels of poverty and inequality. Attracting FDI to the region has been top priority. However, much is still to be realised. The study employed the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1980 to 2019. Empirical results show that financial sector development and financial openness are important determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The results also showed that institutional quality is also a very important variable in determining the inflow of FDI, even though its effect is conditional on financial sector development and financial openness. These results imply that countries with good institutional framework, as well as a developed financial sector and are financially open tend to attract more capital inflows in the form of FDI, thereby creating adequate conditions to boost private sector and investment abroad. Countries in the SADC region should therefore pursue policies which are aimed at improving the institutional framework, the level of financial sector development and further enhance the openness of their financial openness. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Development of a strategy to promote prenatal physical activity participation among women in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa
- Okafor, Uchenna Benedine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0435-2041
- Authors: Okafor, Uchenna Benedine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0435-2041
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Prenatal care , Exercise for pregnant women
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22919 , vital:53218
- Description: Research has proven that prenatal physical activity practice is associated with multiple health benefits; however, most women in South Africa rarely participate in prenatal physical activity. In contrast to more developed countries, there is dearth of research focusing specifically on prenatal physical activity and exercise among South African women. Nevertheless, in order to effectively, and strategically promote such prenatal activity, such information is important to plan for an intervention strategy. The main aim of this study was to assess the level, patterns, and associated factors of prenatal physical activity; beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and sources of information women received during pregnancy; and, furthermore, to develop an effective and relevant intervention strategy to facilitate the participation in this particular activity in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods The study was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses. The sequential explanatory design was adopted to merge and mix different datasets to be collected and analysed. The quantitative data involved a convenient sample of 1082 pregnant women in 12 randomly selected primary healthcare clinics offering antenatal health services in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was interviewer-administered to women at each antenatal health clinic on pre-specified days, in a designated room allocated to the primary researcher by the health facility manager. The descriptive statistics were frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Furthermore, the bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed on two categories of participants, namely inactive or active, to determine the factors affecting prenatal physical activity behaviour. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between physical activity and the predictor variables during pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were applied to estimate factors associated with physical activity levels, and the associations between prenatal physical activity levels and socio-demographic, lifestyle, and obstetrics characteristics were determined using a chi-squared analyses. The significance level was set at p = 0.05. In addition, a qualitative descriptive approach was applied, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 15 purposively selected pregnant women, as well as 17 midwives offering antenatal health-care services to pregnant women in the 12 selected healthcare clinics. Qualitative data were analysed using a thematic content analysis. To develop the physical activity strategy for the promotion of prenatal physical activity practice, three frameworks were applied, namely the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT), the Political, Economic Growth, Socio-Cultural, Technological, Laws and Environmental (PESTLE), and, lastly, the Build, Overcome, Explore and Minimise (BOEM) analytical frameworks. To facilitate the validation of the strategy, the findings were additionally analysed, after which, appropriate intervention strategies promoting prenatal physical activity were developed by again using the SWOT and PESTLE analytical strategic frameworks. This process involved a purposive sampling of seven experts with knowledge of and a proven academic and scholarly background in prenatal physical activity and maternal health. Next, the developed physical activity strategy was presented to various stakeholders, which included six primary healthcare managers, two midwives, and pregnant women purposively selected in each of the 12 chosen antenatal health clinics for the validation process. The stakeholders discussed, deliberated on, and provided comments and opinions of the feasibility and implementation of the developed prenatal physical activity for promotion of physical activity practices in the Eastern Cape Province. Results The findings of this particular study demonstrated low levels of prenatal physical activity among pregnant women, and, further indicated that the most preferred form of activity was light-intensity and household activities. Only 278 of the women (25.7%) met recommendations for prenatal activity (≥150 min moderate intensity exercise per week). The average time spent in moderate–vigorous physical activity was 151.6 min (95% CI: 147.2– 156.0). Most of the women participated in light exercises with a mean of 65.9% (95% CI: 64.8–67.0), and 47.6% (95% CI: 46.3–48.9) participated in household activities. The majority of the women did not receive physical activity advice during prenatal care sessions (64.7%). Lower age (<19 years) (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 0.3; CI: 0.16–0.76), semi-urban residence (AOR = 0.8; CI: 0.55–1.03), lower educational level (AOR = 0.5; CI: 0.20–0.71), unemployment (AOR = 0.5; CI: 0.29–0.77) and nulliparity (AOR = 0.6; CI: 0.28–1.31) were negatively associated with prenatal physical activity, while prenatal physical activity was positively associated with starting physical activity in the first trimester (AOR = 1.9; CI: 1.06–3.31) compared to other trimesters. In addition, the pregnant women were aware of the safety (88.2%) and benefits of physical activity for both mother and baby (79.6%), improved labour and delivery (93.1%), promote energy (89.0%), and should be discontinued when tired (76.6%). However, they also held the contradictory belief that pregnancy is “a time to rest” (56.5%). Furthermore, the most common sources of information about prenatal physical activity were the media, television, the radio and Internet-based websites (70.2%). Most women affirmed that prenatal physical activity reduced infant weight (61.4%), lessen moodiness (90.4), decreased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (92.9%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (92.5%), and complications at birth (97.8%), while common negative perceptions included musculoskeletal discomfort (82.7%), and back pain (85.7%). The majority of women indicated that prenatal physical activity improved self-image (95.7%), sleep patterns (94.2%), and respiratory function (95.8%). The results from the quantitative data revealed that the major modifiable barriers to prenatal physical activity were tiredness (73.3%), lack of advice from healthcare professionals (nurses/midwives) (64.7%), low energy (64.5%), and non-accessibility to physical activity facilities (63.0%). The results were confirmed in the qualitative data, based on the Ecological Model, in which women also mentioned tiredness, work and household responsibilities, a lack of motivation, and the lack of physical activity advice and information on the relevant recommendations and guidelines. Overall, 62.4% women had high knowledge regarding prenatal physical activity; and half of the women showed a positive attitude toward it (50.1%). Whilst participants had knowledge of other types of antenatal exercises, 80.9% of the women had no knowledge of swimming exercise. Negative attitudes towards physical activity included the feeling of tiredness (67.7%), lack of interest (64.8%), and inadequate information on physical activity (59.5%). In addition, the study highlighted that midwives rarely educate and counsel pregnant women about prenatal physical activity during scheduled antenatal visits, which was attributed largely to the shortage of midwives handling many responsibilities at clinics. Nevertheless, the midwives did express a willingness to provide effective physical activity education and counselling on prenatal physical activity, if supported by relevant training and workshops. Furthermore, they further recommended the use of the Mom Connect application, which is a technological device designed by the National Department of Health, to distribute relevant information about maternal and child health. The prenatal physical activity strategies developed to address the above-mentioned and other barriers associated with prenatal physical activity include the use of scientific and technological innovations to provide basic information on prenatal physical activity to pregnant women by means of Mom Connect, and, by collaborating with the various cellphone and network companies in South Africa. Another strategy was to integrate prenatal physical activity training into the curricula of the existing higher institutions of learning that provide teaching of maternal health in the Eastern Cape Province. Additional strategies included the documentation and subsequent clarification of misconceptions about the safety concerns often associated with prenatal physical activity by making the documents accessible to all women at the clinics in the form of a small pamphlet or booklet. Lastly, stakeholders suggested that the government offer periodic prenatal physical activity campaigns, which should be presented in local community town halls and clinics and by other stakeholders to address the current lack of awareness and effectively eliminate misrepresentations and falsehoods around the safety of prenatal physical activity within geographical setting of the Eastern Cape Province. Conclusion Despite the advantages of prenatal physical activity practices, most pregnant women in South Africa do not participate in moderate-intensity physical activity. Notably, while women perceive prenatal physical activity as beneficial to both mother and baby, such theoretical knowledge is not easily translatable into practice. The predominant sources of information on prenatal physical activity are the television, the radio, and other media, which may be potentially misleading or contradictory to evidence-based physical activity practice. Furthermore, tiredness, a lack of time, work and household responsibilities, and a lack of motivation were major modifiable barriers to prenatal physical activity by the women. In addition, pregnant women rarely receive information on prenatal physical activity. Consequently, to address the needs of the pregnant women as highlighted in this study, a prenatal physical activity intervention strategy was developed and validated by key stakeholders to promote prenatal physical activity and exercise practice among women, taken in account the local context. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Okafor, Uchenna Benedine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0435-2041
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Prenatal care , Exercise for pregnant women
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22919 , vital:53218
- Description: Research has proven that prenatal physical activity practice is associated with multiple health benefits; however, most women in South Africa rarely participate in prenatal physical activity. In contrast to more developed countries, there is dearth of research focusing specifically on prenatal physical activity and exercise among South African women. Nevertheless, in order to effectively, and strategically promote such prenatal activity, such information is important to plan for an intervention strategy. The main aim of this study was to assess the level, patterns, and associated factors of prenatal physical activity; beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and sources of information women received during pregnancy; and, furthermore, to develop an effective and relevant intervention strategy to facilitate the participation in this particular activity in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods The study was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses. The sequential explanatory design was adopted to merge and mix different datasets to be collected and analysed. The quantitative data involved a convenient sample of 1082 pregnant women in 12 randomly selected primary healthcare clinics offering antenatal health services in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was interviewer-administered to women at each antenatal health clinic on pre-specified days, in a designated room allocated to the primary researcher by the health facility manager. The descriptive statistics were frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Furthermore, the bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed on two categories of participants, namely inactive or active, to determine the factors affecting prenatal physical activity behaviour. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between physical activity and the predictor variables during pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were applied to estimate factors associated with physical activity levels, and the associations between prenatal physical activity levels and socio-demographic, lifestyle, and obstetrics characteristics were determined using a chi-squared analyses. The significance level was set at p = 0.05. In addition, a qualitative descriptive approach was applied, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 15 purposively selected pregnant women, as well as 17 midwives offering antenatal health-care services to pregnant women in the 12 selected healthcare clinics. Qualitative data were analysed using a thematic content analysis. To develop the physical activity strategy for the promotion of prenatal physical activity practice, three frameworks were applied, namely the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT), the Political, Economic Growth, Socio-Cultural, Technological, Laws and Environmental (PESTLE), and, lastly, the Build, Overcome, Explore and Minimise (BOEM) analytical frameworks. To facilitate the validation of the strategy, the findings were additionally analysed, after which, appropriate intervention strategies promoting prenatal physical activity were developed by again using the SWOT and PESTLE analytical strategic frameworks. This process involved a purposive sampling of seven experts with knowledge of and a proven academic and scholarly background in prenatal physical activity and maternal health. Next, the developed physical activity strategy was presented to various stakeholders, which included six primary healthcare managers, two midwives, and pregnant women purposively selected in each of the 12 chosen antenatal health clinics for the validation process. The stakeholders discussed, deliberated on, and provided comments and opinions of the feasibility and implementation of the developed prenatal physical activity for promotion of physical activity practices in the Eastern Cape Province. Results The findings of this particular study demonstrated low levels of prenatal physical activity among pregnant women, and, further indicated that the most preferred form of activity was light-intensity and household activities. Only 278 of the women (25.7%) met recommendations for prenatal activity (≥150 min moderate intensity exercise per week). The average time spent in moderate–vigorous physical activity was 151.6 min (95% CI: 147.2– 156.0). Most of the women participated in light exercises with a mean of 65.9% (95% CI: 64.8–67.0), and 47.6% (95% CI: 46.3–48.9) participated in household activities. The majority of the women did not receive physical activity advice during prenatal care sessions (64.7%). Lower age (<19 years) (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 0.3; CI: 0.16–0.76), semi-urban residence (AOR = 0.8; CI: 0.55–1.03), lower educational level (AOR = 0.5; CI: 0.20–0.71), unemployment (AOR = 0.5; CI: 0.29–0.77) and nulliparity (AOR = 0.6; CI: 0.28–1.31) were negatively associated with prenatal physical activity, while prenatal physical activity was positively associated with starting physical activity in the first trimester (AOR = 1.9; CI: 1.06–3.31) compared to other trimesters. In addition, the pregnant women were aware of the safety (88.2%) and benefits of physical activity for both mother and baby (79.6%), improved labour and delivery (93.1%), promote energy (89.0%), and should be discontinued when tired (76.6%). However, they also held the contradictory belief that pregnancy is “a time to rest” (56.5%). Furthermore, the most common sources of information about prenatal physical activity were the media, television, the radio and Internet-based websites (70.2%). Most women affirmed that prenatal physical activity reduced infant weight (61.4%), lessen moodiness (90.4), decreased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (92.9%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (92.5%), and complications at birth (97.8%), while common negative perceptions included musculoskeletal discomfort (82.7%), and back pain (85.7%). The majority of women indicated that prenatal physical activity improved self-image (95.7%), sleep patterns (94.2%), and respiratory function (95.8%). The results from the quantitative data revealed that the major modifiable barriers to prenatal physical activity were tiredness (73.3%), lack of advice from healthcare professionals (nurses/midwives) (64.7%), low energy (64.5%), and non-accessibility to physical activity facilities (63.0%). The results were confirmed in the qualitative data, based on the Ecological Model, in which women also mentioned tiredness, work and household responsibilities, a lack of motivation, and the lack of physical activity advice and information on the relevant recommendations and guidelines. Overall, 62.4% women had high knowledge regarding prenatal physical activity; and half of the women showed a positive attitude toward it (50.1%). Whilst participants had knowledge of other types of antenatal exercises, 80.9% of the women had no knowledge of swimming exercise. Negative attitudes towards physical activity included the feeling of tiredness (67.7%), lack of interest (64.8%), and inadequate information on physical activity (59.5%). In addition, the study highlighted that midwives rarely educate and counsel pregnant women about prenatal physical activity during scheduled antenatal visits, which was attributed largely to the shortage of midwives handling many responsibilities at clinics. Nevertheless, the midwives did express a willingness to provide effective physical activity education and counselling on prenatal physical activity, if supported by relevant training and workshops. Furthermore, they further recommended the use of the Mom Connect application, which is a technological device designed by the National Department of Health, to distribute relevant information about maternal and child health. The prenatal physical activity strategies developed to address the above-mentioned and other barriers associated with prenatal physical activity include the use of scientific and technological innovations to provide basic information on prenatal physical activity to pregnant women by means of Mom Connect, and, by collaborating with the various cellphone and network companies in South Africa. Another strategy was to integrate prenatal physical activity training into the curricula of the existing higher institutions of learning that provide teaching of maternal health in the Eastern Cape Province. Additional strategies included the documentation and subsequent clarification of misconceptions about the safety concerns often associated with prenatal physical activity by making the documents accessible to all women at the clinics in the form of a small pamphlet or booklet. Lastly, stakeholders suggested that the government offer periodic prenatal physical activity campaigns, which should be presented in local community town halls and clinics and by other stakeholders to address the current lack of awareness and effectively eliminate misrepresentations and falsehoods around the safety of prenatal physical activity within geographical setting of the Eastern Cape Province. Conclusion Despite the advantages of prenatal physical activity practices, most pregnant women in South Africa do not participate in moderate-intensity physical activity. Notably, while women perceive prenatal physical activity as beneficial to both mother and baby, such theoretical knowledge is not easily translatable into practice. The predominant sources of information on prenatal physical activity are the television, the radio, and other media, which may be potentially misleading or contradictory to evidence-based physical activity practice. Furthermore, tiredness, a lack of time, work and household responsibilities, and a lack of motivation were major modifiable barriers to prenatal physical activity by the women. In addition, pregnant women rarely receive information on prenatal physical activity. Consequently, to address the needs of the pregnant women as highlighted in this study, a prenatal physical activity intervention strategy was developed and validated by key stakeholders to promote prenatal physical activity and exercise practice among women, taken in account the local context. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Disquieting high school learners’ indiscipline behaviour: A systematic review exploring the impact of learner indiscipline on learning and teacher’s impetus
- Vuyolwetu Soni https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7306-0368
- Authors: Vuyolwetu Soni https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7306-0368
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: High school students -- Conduct of life , School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23829 , vital:60913
- Description: High school teachers in South Africa have been voicing out their distress to the government, caused by the indiscipline of learners. The indiscipline became evident after the South African government scrapped punitive behaviour modification methods such as corporal punishment. Although the government had introduced alternative forms of behaviour modification, the teachers still maintain that these are not effective hence the rife indiscipline behaviour among high school learners. This study reviewed 14 articles on the impact of the alternative forms of punishment on high school learners’ indiscipline and the teachers’ motivation. Further, the studies highlight several factors involved in developing the learners’ indiscipline. This review indicates that high school learners’ indiscipline continues to be rife in South African schools and negatively affects high school teachers’ motivation. This is regardless of the government's introduction of alternative forms of punishment. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Vuyolwetu Soni https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7306-0368
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: High school students -- Conduct of life , School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23829 , vital:60913
- Description: High school teachers in South Africa have been voicing out their distress to the government, caused by the indiscipline of learners. The indiscipline became evident after the South African government scrapped punitive behaviour modification methods such as corporal punishment. Although the government had introduced alternative forms of behaviour modification, the teachers still maintain that these are not effective hence the rife indiscipline behaviour among high school learners. This study reviewed 14 articles on the impact of the alternative forms of punishment on high school learners’ indiscipline and the teachers’ motivation. Further, the studies highlight several factors involved in developing the learners’ indiscipline. This review indicates that high school learners’ indiscipline continues to be rife in South African schools and negatively affects high school teachers’ motivation. This is regardless of the government's introduction of alternative forms of punishment. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Effectiveness of Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation system: case of the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Poti, Mthetheleli
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness--Evaluation. , Employees--Rating of. , Public administration--Evaluation.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22312 , vital:52018
- Description: Monitoring and evaluation have gained popularity due to the rising demand for the public sector to enhance both policy and project outcomes. A rising number of countries are pursuing outcomes orientation by establishing and enhancing their government's monitoring and evaluation system. The researcher discovered that the E.C DEDEAT lacks a thorough mechanism for monitoring and evaluating government performance and the effect of service delivery. As a result, the researcher set out to investigate the implementation of the GWM&E system. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were used to collect data, and a content analysis was adopted to analyze data. The study revealed that South Africa had set various legislative frameworks to support monitoring and evaluation. There is a significant shift from traditional methods of accountability towards public sector monitoring and evaluation. While this is true, the study also found out that monitoring systems are still faced with various challenges within the department. Lastly, the study proffered recommendations on how public sector monitoring and evaluation can be enhanced. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Poti, Mthetheleli
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness--Evaluation. , Employees--Rating of. , Public administration--Evaluation.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22312 , vital:52018
- Description: Monitoring and evaluation have gained popularity due to the rising demand for the public sector to enhance both policy and project outcomes. A rising number of countries are pursuing outcomes orientation by establishing and enhancing their government's monitoring and evaluation system. The researcher discovered that the E.C DEDEAT lacks a thorough mechanism for monitoring and evaluating government performance and the effect of service delivery. As a result, the researcher set out to investigate the implementation of the GWM&E system. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were used to collect data, and a content analysis was adopted to analyze data. The study revealed that South Africa had set various legislative frameworks to support monitoring and evaluation. There is a significant shift from traditional methods of accountability towards public sector monitoring and evaluation. While this is true, the study also found out that monitoring systems are still faced with various challenges within the department. Lastly, the study proffered recommendations on how public sector monitoring and evaluation can be enhanced. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Effects of climatic variability on maize productivity in South Africa from 1937-2018
- Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03