Managing staff wellness of educators in Nelson Mandela Bay related to their knowledge, perceptions and practices of a healthy lifestyle
- Authors: Coetzee, Jeslyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Educators -- -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46335 , vital:39568
- Description: Non-communicable diseases have become a major cause of mortality, resulting in 55% of deaths in South Africa in 2015. Educators seem to be a high-risk population with high rates of obesity and hypertension. This study, a quantitative descriptive study, was completed with primary school educators in Nelson Mandela Bayas the study population, with the aim of better understanding their knowledge, perceptions and practices with regard to a healthy lifestyle in order to manage and improve their staff wellness, and investigates these areas separately as objectives. A focus was placed on salt and sugar intake in light of recent legislation and taxation on these items in South Africa. The study has three components, namely; anthropometry, a dietary intake assessment via 24-hour dietary recalls and a behavioural questionnaire. Ethics was considered by ensuring the anonymity of participants, using participant numbers and ensuring the written consent of all participants before the commencement of the study. Data collection took place over a period of three days. Educators showed high levels of obesity, with 45,7%(n=21)being categorised as obese class three. Twenty-five percent of the participants reported to have been diagnosed with hypertension. Participants fared well with questions that referred to more general knowledge of nutrition and aspects of staff wellness that was looked at showed that 47,7 % described their job performance as ‘good’, while also noting that 20,5þlt that everything was an effort most of the time. Recommendations include the benefit of an Employee Wellness Programme in order to educate and encourage teachers around different aspects of their health and wellness. Intrinsic motivation is necessary and drastic changes need to be made in order to improve the dire situation in this population of the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Coetzee, Jeslyn
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Educators -- -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46335 , vital:39568
- Description: Non-communicable diseases have become a major cause of mortality, resulting in 55% of deaths in South Africa in 2015. Educators seem to be a high-risk population with high rates of obesity and hypertension. This study, a quantitative descriptive study, was completed with primary school educators in Nelson Mandela Bayas the study population, with the aim of better understanding their knowledge, perceptions and practices with regard to a healthy lifestyle in order to manage and improve their staff wellness, and investigates these areas separately as objectives. A focus was placed on salt and sugar intake in light of recent legislation and taxation on these items in South Africa. The study has three components, namely; anthropometry, a dietary intake assessment via 24-hour dietary recalls and a behavioural questionnaire. Ethics was considered by ensuring the anonymity of participants, using participant numbers and ensuring the written consent of all participants before the commencement of the study. Data collection took place over a period of three days. Educators showed high levels of obesity, with 45,7%(n=21)being categorised as obese class three. Twenty-five percent of the participants reported to have been diagnosed with hypertension. Participants fared well with questions that referred to more general knowledge of nutrition and aspects of staff wellness that was looked at showed that 47,7 % described their job performance as ‘good’, while also noting that 20,5þlt that everything was an effort most of the time. Recommendations include the benefit of an Employee Wellness Programme in order to educate and encourage teachers around different aspects of their health and wellness. Intrinsic motivation is necessary and drastic changes need to be made in order to improve the dire situation in this population of the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Managing the corporate reputation of a transforming organisation: a study of multimedia University of Kenya
- Authors: Mtange, Margaret Mulekani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management , Universities and colleges -- Kenya -- Sociological aspects -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- Research -- Economic aspects -- Kenya -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50837 , vital:42873
- Description: Universities, like other organisations, are challenged to manage corporate identity and reputation to maintain a competitive edge. Few studies in Africa focus on the impact of internal communication on corporate identity and reputation management during organisational transformation. Thus, this study interrogated how a transforming and complex university in Kenya managed the corporate identity, image and reputation for competitive advantage. The purpose of the study was to establish how Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) management communicated with its employees to nurture the corporate identity, image and reputation during a ten-year period of transformation. The study draws insights from in-depth interviews with 23 university management members, 178 self-administered questionnaires through random stratification of MMU employees, and content review of two MMU strategic plans ranging from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that MMU management used formal and interactive channels to create awareness of organisational transformation. These channels included face-to-face engagements, formal meetings and mediated communication through telephone conversations and intranet that facilitated record keeping. The management engaged in top-down and bottom-up communication to build employee trust, while employees expressed reservations of bottom-up information accuracy, suggesting information exclusion. On the contrary, the employees preferred digital and interpersonal channels for internal communication, which included telephone conversations, social media, personal visits by MMU management, and university events. Publicity activities were to disseminate information to prospective students and sponsors through selected private television, vernacular radio, and MMU radio stations, traditional print media, and the MMU website to communicate the MMU brand and image. Employees acknowledged that MMU brands itself as a leader in telecommunication, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, and media training through state-of-the-art equipment, robust faculty, and problem-solving ventures through research. The current study proposes stronger employee involvement, executive packaging and positioning, coaching successful faculty members as brand ambassadors, retraining employees, and employee participation in policy formulation to enhance new culture. In addition, these opositions will enhance the corporate identity, brand, as well as university performance, product quality, policy and processes to enrich the corporate reputation during transformation. The findings challenge university management to actively engage the corporate communication function, emphasise employee participation, and focus on the continual improvement of corporate identity and reputation management practices for competitive advantage. The current study proposes a participative, multi-layered and multi-dimensional communication model for efficient and excellent internal communication. The current study recommends that corporate communication practitioner be strategically positioned to coordinate employee engagement, utilise appropriate communication channels and counsel university management on corporate identity, image and reputation management during organisational transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mtange, Margaret Mulekani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management , Universities and colleges -- Kenya -- Sociological aspects -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- Research -- Economic aspects -- Kenya -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50837 , vital:42873
- Description: Universities, like other organisations, are challenged to manage corporate identity and reputation to maintain a competitive edge. Few studies in Africa focus on the impact of internal communication on corporate identity and reputation management during organisational transformation. Thus, this study interrogated how a transforming and complex university in Kenya managed the corporate identity, image and reputation for competitive advantage. The purpose of the study was to establish how Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) management communicated with its employees to nurture the corporate identity, image and reputation during a ten-year period of transformation. The study draws insights from in-depth interviews with 23 university management members, 178 self-administered questionnaires through random stratification of MMU employees, and content review of two MMU strategic plans ranging from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that MMU management used formal and interactive channels to create awareness of organisational transformation. These channels included face-to-face engagements, formal meetings and mediated communication through telephone conversations and intranet that facilitated record keeping. The management engaged in top-down and bottom-up communication to build employee trust, while employees expressed reservations of bottom-up information accuracy, suggesting information exclusion. On the contrary, the employees preferred digital and interpersonal channels for internal communication, which included telephone conversations, social media, personal visits by MMU management, and university events. Publicity activities were to disseminate information to prospective students and sponsors through selected private television, vernacular radio, and MMU radio stations, traditional print media, and the MMU website to communicate the MMU brand and image. Employees acknowledged that MMU brands itself as a leader in telecommunication, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, and media training through state-of-the-art equipment, robust faculty, and problem-solving ventures through research. The current study proposes stronger employee involvement, executive packaging and positioning, coaching successful faculty members as brand ambassadors, retraining employees, and employee participation in policy formulation to enhance new culture. In addition, these opositions will enhance the corporate identity, brand, as well as university performance, product quality, policy and processes to enrich the corporate reputation during transformation. The findings challenge university management to actively engage the corporate communication function, emphasise employee participation, and focus on the continual improvement of corporate identity and reputation management practices for competitive advantage. The current study proposes a participative, multi-layered and multi-dimensional communication model for efficient and excellent internal communication. The current study recommends that corporate communication practitioner be strategically positioned to coordinate employee engagement, utilise appropriate communication channels and counsel university management on corporate identity, image and reputation management during organisational transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Mechatronics based highspeed rotational piezo actuator
- Authors: Raffler, Oliver
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Piezoelectric materials , Piezoelectric devices Mechatronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:39811
- Description: The aim of this thesis is the development of a novel mechatronics-based high speed piezo actuator for rotational and linear motion. Mainly, the thesis deals with the development of a system for mechanical coupling of any number of piezostacks. This mechanical coupling allows the actuator to achieve a significantly increased deflection compared to current approaches. The developed concept offers the possibility of a linear or rotary motion. It is also possible to combine the two types of movement. In the first step, in order to gain a better understanding of the topic, the piezo technology and especially the existing piezo actuators and -motors are examined. Currently, the force generated by the piezo actuators is mainly transmitted by friction. The only exception is the PAD-Actuator, which transmits force by means of form locking. The concept developed here also transmits its force by means of form locking and, in addition to that, offers a novel and unique drive concept in the field of piezo actuators. In the course of this thesis a new concept for the mechanical coupling of piezo actuators was developed, simulated and subsequently manufactured. Thus the system could be examined under real conditions. The investigations carried out mainly dealt with quasi-static and dynamic investigations. In addition to that, the emission of the airborne and structure-borne noise of the system was analysed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Raffler, Oliver
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Piezoelectric materials , Piezoelectric devices Mechatronics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:39811
- Description: The aim of this thesis is the development of a novel mechatronics-based high speed piezo actuator for rotational and linear motion. Mainly, the thesis deals with the development of a system for mechanical coupling of any number of piezostacks. This mechanical coupling allows the actuator to achieve a significantly increased deflection compared to current approaches. The developed concept offers the possibility of a linear or rotary motion. It is also possible to combine the two types of movement. In the first step, in order to gain a better understanding of the topic, the piezo technology and especially the existing piezo actuators and -motors are examined. Currently, the force generated by the piezo actuators is mainly transmitted by friction. The only exception is the PAD-Actuator, which transmits force by means of form locking. The concept developed here also transmits its force by means of form locking and, in addition to that, offers a novel and unique drive concept in the field of piezo actuators. In the course of this thesis a new concept for the mechanical coupling of piezo actuators was developed, simulated and subsequently manufactured. Thus the system could be examined under real conditions. The investigations carried out mainly dealt with quasi-static and dynamic investigations. In addition to that, the emission of the airborne and structure-borne noise of the system was analysed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Microfinances efficiencies in promoting sustainability of women owned SMMEs in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Koti, Kundai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women owned business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49870 , vital:41811
- Description: Microfinance is considered to be a vital catalyst for the sustainability of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).The low economic growth of South Africa emerging from the 2008 Global Financia Crisis makes the contribution made by microfinance is of particular importance. However, the SMME sector of the economy is plagued by a high rate of business failure. In an effort to improve the current situation, the purpose of this study was to identify which aspects of microfinance are vital and which business practices are essential to enhance business performance and achieve sustainability. The effectiveness of microfinance, with a deeper insight into what other factors aid in enhancing the sustainability of women owned SMMEs, were investigated. The study was carried out as an explorative, multiple, case study using qualitative methods of data collection. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with three managers of microfinance institutions (MFIs), and open-ended questionnaires with 21 female owners of SMMEs in Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay. Nonprobability, purposive sampling was used. Data were analysed by means of thematic analysis and coding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Koti, Kundai
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women owned business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49870 , vital:41811
- Description: Microfinance is considered to be a vital catalyst for the sustainability of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).The low economic growth of South Africa emerging from the 2008 Global Financia Crisis makes the contribution made by microfinance is of particular importance. However, the SMME sector of the economy is plagued by a high rate of business failure. In an effort to improve the current situation, the purpose of this study was to identify which aspects of microfinance are vital and which business practices are essential to enhance business performance and achieve sustainability. The effectiveness of microfinance, with a deeper insight into what other factors aid in enhancing the sustainability of women owned SMMEs, were investigated. The study was carried out as an explorative, multiple, case study using qualitative methods of data collection. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with three managers of microfinance institutions (MFIs), and open-ended questionnaires with 21 female owners of SMMEs in Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay. Nonprobability, purposive sampling was used. Data were analysed by means of thematic analysis and coding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Mothers’ perceptions of the effects of the babies in mind programme on maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment: a South African narrative study
- Naicker, Samantha, Cronje, Johan
- Authors: Naicker, Samantha , Cronje, Johan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mother and infant
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46414 , vital:39590
- Description: The focus of this study is on mothers, motherhood and the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention strategy for mothers in South Africa. The rate of maternal mental ill health in our country is alarming. Research consistently confirms that maternal mental health directly affects infant and child mental health. One of the major determinants of mental health is mother-infant attachment. Studies have indicated the range of deleterious effects that maternal mental ill-health and mother-infant attachment issues have on offspring from infancy to adulthood. This has implications for the mental health of future generations and society at large. Researchers have called for evidence-based interventions that address maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment, especially in developing countries. South Africa has no national prevention or treatment programme to address these needs. This study investigated the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention option to address the gap in promoting maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment. A social constructionist, narrative study was employed to meet the objectives of the study. The aim was to explore mothers’ perceptions of the impact of the Babies in Mind programme, with particular reference to their mental health and their relationships to their infants. Focus was placed on understanding the social constructions of motherhood at the community level and how these constructions were reconstructed through the programme. Purposive sampling was employed and focus groups were conducted to collect the relevant data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that mothers’ experiences of the Babies in Mind programme were positive and there were improvements in their mental health and relationships to their infants. A relationship model for mothers was developed based on the themes that emerged from the data analysis. A platform for continued support and discussion was organised via a social media (Whatsapp) support group. Twelve 7guidelines were suggested for the implementation of intervention programmes such as the Babies in Mind programme at the community level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Naicker, Samantha , Cronje, Johan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mother and infant
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46414 , vital:39590
- Description: The focus of this study is on mothers, motherhood and the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention strategy for mothers in South Africa. The rate of maternal mental ill health in our country is alarming. Research consistently confirms that maternal mental health directly affects infant and child mental health. One of the major determinants of mental health is mother-infant attachment. Studies have indicated the range of deleterious effects that maternal mental ill-health and mother-infant attachment issues have on offspring from infancy to adulthood. This has implications for the mental health of future generations and society at large. Researchers have called for evidence-based interventions that address maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment, especially in developing countries. South Africa has no national prevention or treatment programme to address these needs. This study investigated the Babies in Mind programme as an early intervention option to address the gap in promoting maternal mental health and mother-infant attachment. A social constructionist, narrative study was employed to meet the objectives of the study. The aim was to explore mothers’ perceptions of the impact of the Babies in Mind programme, with particular reference to their mental health and their relationships to their infants. Focus was placed on understanding the social constructions of motherhood at the community level and how these constructions were reconstructed through the programme. Purposive sampling was employed and focus groups were conducted to collect the relevant data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that mothers’ experiences of the Babies in Mind programme were positive and there were improvements in their mental health and relationships to their infants. A relationship model for mothers was developed based on the themes that emerged from the data analysis. A platform for continued support and discussion was organised via a social media (Whatsapp) support group. Twelve 7guidelines were suggested for the implementation of intervention programmes such as the Babies in Mind programme at the community level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Narratives of the commuter: experiences of commuting in the Port Elizabeth Northern Areas
- Authors: Lingham, Rochin Shelley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa --Port Elizbeth , Traffic Safefty -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46911 , vital:39731
- Description: Transportation is a fundamental element of human existence. As urban areas continue to grow at a rapid speed public transport increasingly takes on the role of providing citizens with access to participate in activities of the city. Research has shown that individual perception of public transport is influenced by passenger response to collective mobility when on board modes of transport. This study aimed to investigate the minibus taxi commuters’ constructions and relevance of their taxi commuting experiences in the Port Elizabeth Northern Areas. Building on existing work it asks: How do commuters in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth describe and narrate their taxi commuting experiences? This thesis is interested in the experience of public transport as told by those who make use of the industry. The study focuses on both commuters and drivers and the way they characterize the social experience of commuting in taxis. These individuals provide first-hand experience and insight of the industry. The purpose of this study is to foreground the voices of those who have first-hand experience of dependency on the public transport industry.It is these voices that must be heard and considered in policy formation. The study found simultaneous vulnerabilities exist between taxi drivers and taxi commuters resulting in both groups being held captive by the taxi industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Lingham, Rochin Shelley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa --Port Elizbeth , Traffic Safefty -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46911 , vital:39731
- Description: Transportation is a fundamental element of human existence. As urban areas continue to grow at a rapid speed public transport increasingly takes on the role of providing citizens with access to participate in activities of the city. Research has shown that individual perception of public transport is influenced by passenger response to collective mobility when on board modes of transport. This study aimed to investigate the minibus taxi commuters’ constructions and relevance of their taxi commuting experiences in the Port Elizabeth Northern Areas. Building on existing work it asks: How do commuters in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth describe and narrate their taxi commuting experiences? This thesis is interested in the experience of public transport as told by those who make use of the industry. The study focuses on both commuters and drivers and the way they characterize the social experience of commuting in taxis. These individuals provide first-hand experience and insight of the industry. The purpose of this study is to foreground the voices of those who have first-hand experience of dependency on the public transport industry.It is these voices that must be heard and considered in policy formation. The study found simultaneous vulnerabilities exist between taxi drivers and taxi commuters resulting in both groups being held captive by the taxi industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
National Wool Growers Association programme for communal farmers in Amahlathi local Municipality
- Authors: Yeki, Precious Nomantande
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry – South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50676 , vital:42331
- Description: By 2030, the majority of the world's population will live in urban areas and the farming populations we see today will be less. For the foreseeable future, meeting the needs of the future means confronting the problems that small farmers face in their daily struggle. The South African experience in relation to the agricultural sector is still principally dualistic, comprising of the large-scale commercial farming dominated by white farmers as well as small-scale sectors dominated by black farmers and this is distinctive in the local context of writings on agricultural and rural development. As a result, the government has adopted various approaches to promote Transformation in the sector, with mixed results. The well-known are the agricultural development programmes and black farmer empowerment programmes which also include land reform. This paper reviews one of the agricultural development programmes which seek to empower small holder farmers. The study assesses the impact of the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) Wool Programme on the communal farmers productivity and agricultural income in Amahlathi Local Municipality. The NWGA has been the custodian for transformation and it has been a good vehicle to represent all wool producers in South Africa. The research discovered that the programme has a positive influence on productivity and agricultural income, yet there is a room for improvement both for the NWGA and the government. It was highlighted that the programme offers extension services, infrastructure for shearing shed, wool and carcass competition, shearing training to both shearers and wool farmers. The study also found that women and youth need to be included, in the programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Yeki, Precious Nomantande
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry – South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50676 , vital:42331
- Description: By 2030, the majority of the world's population will live in urban areas and the farming populations we see today will be less. For the foreseeable future, meeting the needs of the future means confronting the problems that small farmers face in their daily struggle. The South African experience in relation to the agricultural sector is still principally dualistic, comprising of the large-scale commercial farming dominated by white farmers as well as small-scale sectors dominated by black farmers and this is distinctive in the local context of writings on agricultural and rural development. As a result, the government has adopted various approaches to promote Transformation in the sector, with mixed results. The well-known are the agricultural development programmes and black farmer empowerment programmes which also include land reform. This paper reviews one of the agricultural development programmes which seek to empower small holder farmers. The study assesses the impact of the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA) Wool Programme on the communal farmers productivity and agricultural income in Amahlathi Local Municipality. The NWGA has been the custodian for transformation and it has been a good vehicle to represent all wool producers in South Africa. The research discovered that the programme has a positive influence on productivity and agricultural income, yet there is a room for improvement both for the NWGA and the government. It was highlighted that the programme offers extension services, infrastructure for shearing shed, wool and carcass competition, shearing training to both shearers and wool farmers. The study also found that women and youth need to be included, in the programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Noise pollution at sea
- Authors: Karomo, Adelaide Aquiline
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Marine pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48091 , vital:40470
- Description: Marine species heavily rely on sound to perform day to day functions and, since the advent of industrialisation, anthropogenic noise in the marine environment has been on the increase and is expected to increase further as countries continue to develop. The impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine species have been deeply scrutinised especially by the international community and it has been established that this humaninduced noise at sea must be reduced to conserve marine biodiversity. A background of the major contributors to anthropogenic noise is discussed, as well as the international instruments regulating them. For instance the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter referred to as “the UNCLOS”),1 is discussed because it is the primary instrument regulating activities at sea and the protection of the marine environment and the species therein. South Africa has ratified the UNCLOS and is under a legal obligation to comply with its provisions by implementing them into domestic rules and regulations. Furthermore, the applicable global and regional instruments dealing with marine environmental protection from anthropogenic noise are weighed against the national South African legislation and this assessment serves the purpose of ascertaining the extent to which South Africa has complied with its international law obligation. The dissertation goes a step further by identifying and assessing the efforts made by foreign jurisdictions, specifically Australia, Greenland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. This determination is meant to determine whether there are lessons South Africa can learn, if any, from these jurisdictions in order to improve its current marine environmental protection legislation in fulfilment of international law. The dissertation also shows that there is need to improve the South African environmental protection legislation by taking into account some of the developments made by international organisations, such as the International Maritime Organisation (hereinafter referred to as “the IMO”) and by foreign jurisdictions. These improvements to South African legislation would comprise of adopting activity-specific regulations, such as the IMO’s guidelines on minimising noise emitted by commercial shipping vessels and the United Kingdom’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “JNCC”) guidelines on seismic surveys. The regulations adopted by the international community are especially essential to fill the gap as far as the South African regulation of noise emitted by offshore renewable energy processes and naval operations are concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Karomo, Adelaide Aquiline
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Marine pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48091 , vital:40470
- Description: Marine species heavily rely on sound to perform day to day functions and, since the advent of industrialisation, anthropogenic noise in the marine environment has been on the increase and is expected to increase further as countries continue to develop. The impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine species have been deeply scrutinised especially by the international community and it has been established that this humaninduced noise at sea must be reduced to conserve marine biodiversity. A background of the major contributors to anthropogenic noise is discussed, as well as the international instruments regulating them. For instance the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter referred to as “the UNCLOS”),1 is discussed because it is the primary instrument regulating activities at sea and the protection of the marine environment and the species therein. South Africa has ratified the UNCLOS and is under a legal obligation to comply with its provisions by implementing them into domestic rules and regulations. Furthermore, the applicable global and regional instruments dealing with marine environmental protection from anthropogenic noise are weighed against the national South African legislation and this assessment serves the purpose of ascertaining the extent to which South Africa has complied with its international law obligation. The dissertation goes a step further by identifying and assessing the efforts made by foreign jurisdictions, specifically Australia, Greenland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. This determination is meant to determine whether there are lessons South Africa can learn, if any, from these jurisdictions in order to improve its current marine environmental protection legislation in fulfilment of international law. The dissertation also shows that there is need to improve the South African environmental protection legislation by taking into account some of the developments made by international organisations, such as the International Maritime Organisation (hereinafter referred to as “the IMO”) and by foreign jurisdictions. These improvements to South African legislation would comprise of adopting activity-specific regulations, such as the IMO’s guidelines on minimising noise emitted by commercial shipping vessels and the United Kingdom’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “JNCC”) guidelines on seismic surveys. The regulations adopted by the international community are especially essential to fill the gap as far as the South African regulation of noise emitted by offshore renewable energy processes and naval operations are concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Non-standard employment in terms of the labour relations act
- Authors: Tatchell, Veronique
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa -- Labour Relations Act, 1995 , Flexible work arrangements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49027 , vital:41594
- Description: Historically, employers utilised non-standard or atypical forms of employment in order to avoid statutory obligations in respect of these employees, and in turn justify differential treatment of said employees.1 As a result, non-standard employees were not on the same footing as their permanent counterparts. They were not remunerated on the same level, were not privy to advancement and training opportunities, and did not enjoy a sense of job security due to the ease at which their employment could be terminated, rendering them a vulnerable class of workers.2 There was pandemonium in the employment sphere of society due to the abusive practices faced by employees employed in terms of Temporary Employment Services, this was accompanied by a call to ban labour broking. The legislature, while acknowledging the important role that this form of employment plays in the labour market and broader economy, opted for increased regulation of this and other types of non-standard employment; instead of an outright ban. As a result thereof, the Labour Relations Act3 was amended by the Labour Relations Amendment Act,4 with a view of improving the regulation and protection of employees engaged in these forms of non-standard or atypical employment. This study seeks to determine whether the amendments have achieved the purpose of enhancing the job security of these employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Tatchell, Veronique
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa -- Labour Relations Act, 1995 , Flexible work arrangements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49027 , vital:41594
- Description: Historically, employers utilised non-standard or atypical forms of employment in order to avoid statutory obligations in respect of these employees, and in turn justify differential treatment of said employees.1 As a result, non-standard employees were not on the same footing as their permanent counterparts. They were not remunerated on the same level, were not privy to advancement and training opportunities, and did not enjoy a sense of job security due to the ease at which their employment could be terminated, rendering them a vulnerable class of workers.2 There was pandemonium in the employment sphere of society due to the abusive practices faced by employees employed in terms of Temporary Employment Services, this was accompanied by a call to ban labour broking. The legislature, while acknowledging the important role that this form of employment plays in the labour market and broader economy, opted for increased regulation of this and other types of non-standard employment; instead of an outright ban. As a result thereof, the Labour Relations Act3 was amended by the Labour Relations Amendment Act,4 with a view of improving the regulation and protection of employees engaged in these forms of non-standard or atypical employment. This study seeks to determine whether the amendments have achieved the purpose of enhancing the job security of these employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Occurrence of early stage fishes associated with Anaulus australis in a temperate South African surf zone, with notes on feeding ecology and incidental microplastic consumption in a dominant species
- Authors: McGregor, Steven
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Estuarine fishes -- Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48489 , vital:40881
- Description: Surf zones are important fish nursery areas, however, microhabitats and threats to fishes within them remain understudied. Diatom accumulations in surf zones are a worldwide phenomenon on certain beach types and discolour the water, offering refuge from visual predators and feeding opportunities for fishes, thus providing a microhabitat for early stage fishes. Surf diatom accumulations require long lasting rip current-entrained gyres to occur, which also entrap buoyant microplastics. These microplastics may then be consumed by filter feeding fishes such as the Southern mullet Chelon richardsonii. This work aimed to assess the extent of association of early stage fishes with diatom Anaulus australis accumulations and the feeding ecology and incidence of microplastic ingestion in the commercially important and dominant surf zone mugilid C. richardsonii. Early stage fishes were sampled within and outside of A. australis accumulations in the Sundays Beach surf zone on the southeast coast of South Africa, using a 4.5 x 1.5 m modified larval seine net with 500 µm mesh. Later developmental stage C. richardsonii were captured using a cast net. A total of 338 replicate larval fish seine hauls were done, capturing 1074 fishes including 33 taxa from 19 families. To assess ontogenetic shifts in diet of the dominant species C. richardsonii, stomach contents of 150 fish were categorised and assessed by prey abundance, frequency of occurrence, volume, index of relative importance and dietary niche breadth and compared across all developmental stages, excluding flexion and preflexion. Dominant families of early stage fishes were Sparidae, Soleidae, Mugilidae and Clupeidae that comprised 93 % of the catch, with dominant species including Heteromycteris capensis, Rhabdosargus holubi, Solea turbynei, Diplodus capensis and Chelon richardsonii. Species diversity and catch per unit effort (CPUE) were significantly higher within accumulations compared to outside, as was the CPUE of postflexion larvae and early juveniles. Generalized Linear Models showed that temperature, dissolved oxygen (mg l-1 ), turbidity and A. australis biomass (µg Chl a l -1 ) were the most significant factors affecting the overall CPUE and that of dominant species. It was suggested that after reaching the postflexion stage of development, fishes utilise diatom accumulations opportunistically when and where they are present. A diet study of the dominant species showed an ontogenetic dietary shift in C. richardsonii using A. australis accumulations as a feeding area, with postflexion larvae feeding mostly on copepods and microplastic fibres, while later developmental stages consumed predominantly A. australis cells and sand. Microplastic fibres were present in 40 % of fish sampled and microplastic fragments in 5 %, with both types found in all developmental stages assessed. It was suggested that C. richardsonii were unable to distinguish microplastics from their natural prey and incidentally ingested them. This presents a conservation concern, because chemicals associated with microplastics could bioaccumulate and biomagnify up the food chain if key baitfish species such as C. richardsonii are ingesting plastic. This study was the first to assess the association of early stage fishes with surf diatom accumulations, and the first to record microplastic ingestion in C. richardsonii. Understanding the function of microhabitats for early stage fishes and threats within them is needed to understand the life history strategies and survival of fishes in key coastal nursery and feeding areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: McGregor, Steven
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Estuarine fishes -- Ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48489 , vital:40881
- Description: Surf zones are important fish nursery areas, however, microhabitats and threats to fishes within them remain understudied. Diatom accumulations in surf zones are a worldwide phenomenon on certain beach types and discolour the water, offering refuge from visual predators and feeding opportunities for fishes, thus providing a microhabitat for early stage fishes. Surf diatom accumulations require long lasting rip current-entrained gyres to occur, which also entrap buoyant microplastics. These microplastics may then be consumed by filter feeding fishes such as the Southern mullet Chelon richardsonii. This work aimed to assess the extent of association of early stage fishes with diatom Anaulus australis accumulations and the feeding ecology and incidence of microplastic ingestion in the commercially important and dominant surf zone mugilid C. richardsonii. Early stage fishes were sampled within and outside of A. australis accumulations in the Sundays Beach surf zone on the southeast coast of South Africa, using a 4.5 x 1.5 m modified larval seine net with 500 µm mesh. Later developmental stage C. richardsonii were captured using a cast net. A total of 338 replicate larval fish seine hauls were done, capturing 1074 fishes including 33 taxa from 19 families. To assess ontogenetic shifts in diet of the dominant species C. richardsonii, stomach contents of 150 fish were categorised and assessed by prey abundance, frequency of occurrence, volume, index of relative importance and dietary niche breadth and compared across all developmental stages, excluding flexion and preflexion. Dominant families of early stage fishes were Sparidae, Soleidae, Mugilidae and Clupeidae that comprised 93 % of the catch, with dominant species including Heteromycteris capensis, Rhabdosargus holubi, Solea turbynei, Diplodus capensis and Chelon richardsonii. Species diversity and catch per unit effort (CPUE) were significantly higher within accumulations compared to outside, as was the CPUE of postflexion larvae and early juveniles. Generalized Linear Models showed that temperature, dissolved oxygen (mg l-1 ), turbidity and A. australis biomass (µg Chl a l -1 ) were the most significant factors affecting the overall CPUE and that of dominant species. It was suggested that after reaching the postflexion stage of development, fishes utilise diatom accumulations opportunistically when and where they are present. A diet study of the dominant species showed an ontogenetic dietary shift in C. richardsonii using A. australis accumulations as a feeding area, with postflexion larvae feeding mostly on copepods and microplastic fibres, while later developmental stages consumed predominantly A. australis cells and sand. Microplastic fibres were present in 40 % of fish sampled and microplastic fragments in 5 %, with both types found in all developmental stages assessed. It was suggested that C. richardsonii were unable to distinguish microplastics from their natural prey and incidentally ingested them. This presents a conservation concern, because chemicals associated with microplastics could bioaccumulate and biomagnify up the food chain if key baitfish species such as C. richardsonii are ingesting plastic. This study was the first to assess the association of early stage fishes with surf diatom accumulations, and the first to record microplastic ingestion in C. richardsonii. Understanding the function of microhabitats for early stage fishes and threats within them is needed to understand the life history strategies and survival of fishes in key coastal nursery and feeding areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Ocean dynamics of the shelf and bays of the eastern Agulhas bank: a process-oriented numerical modelling study
- Authors: Bailey, Dylan Francis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Oceanography -- Research , Marine biology , Marine meteorology , Hydrography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49038 , vital:41595
- Description: There is a general need for a broader base of information on the finer detail of ocean processes in the Eastern Agulhas Bank region. In this thesis, the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) was applied to resolve high resolution (~1km) bay and shelf scale ocean processes along the south eastern coastline of South Africa using an offline multi-nested approach. Experimental and reference ocean model runs were used with in situ instrument mooring data to investigate how currents and temperature in the bays and the adjacent shelf are affected by the bathymetry, Agulhas Current (AC), regional winds, and coastal trapped waves (CTW). Focus was given to temperature, circulation, and coastal trapped waves, given the abundance of hourly in situ mooring data for these variables, making them suitable for comparison with the ocean model. SST variability trends were seasonally and spatially predictable, being greatest in the summer months and smallest in the winter months. A region of high SST variability extended from Port Alfred toward the south-west, indicating entrainment of nearshore upwelled water and instabilities in the inshore front of the AC. Shelf bottom temperature variability had a more spatially diverse seasonal trend, with coastal variability the highest (lowest) and offshore variability the lowest (highest) during the summer (winter) months. A distinct asymmetry in mean seasonal shelf bottom temperatures evident to the south of Algoa Bay and St Francis Bay was shown to be dependent on the profile of the shelf margin in relation to the inshore front of the AC using an experimental model run. Bay-scale anti-cyclonic circulation patterns dominate the bays throughout the year, with regions of strong mean surface currents occurring south of Cape Recife and Cape St Francis. General circulation patterns over the shelf are strongly governed by regional wind regimes, with the strongest flows being south-westward occurring during north-easterly wind events. Shelf bottom flows typically follow the expected Ekman-veering response, apart from near coastal flows that are topographically steered. A region of consistently strong south-westward shelf bottom flow extends from the east of Port Alfred to the shelf margin south of Bird Island. This flow is predominantly driven by the AC, although its velocity is strongly governed by regional winds. Circulation patterns during powerful eastward moving wind systems are strongly governed by the passage of associated CTW. Comparisons with an experimental model run where surface winds were removed revealed that the shelf wave was responsible for 61% of water volume displacement during a CTW event, and that the coastal shear turbulence caused by this displacement has a direct effect on the mixed layer depth. The links made between the complex shelf and bay ocean processes indicate that subtle changes to the ocean state will have far reaching effects on the regional ocean environment and its biota. Given the challenges of climate change, this is of paramount importance if we are to quantify these effects and mitigate their impacts, particularly with respect to the socio-economic dependency of those who rely on the ocean for its living resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bailey, Dylan Francis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Oceanography -- Research , Marine biology , Marine meteorology , Hydrography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49038 , vital:41595
- Description: There is a general need for a broader base of information on the finer detail of ocean processes in the Eastern Agulhas Bank region. In this thesis, the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) was applied to resolve high resolution (~1km) bay and shelf scale ocean processes along the south eastern coastline of South Africa using an offline multi-nested approach. Experimental and reference ocean model runs were used with in situ instrument mooring data to investigate how currents and temperature in the bays and the adjacent shelf are affected by the bathymetry, Agulhas Current (AC), regional winds, and coastal trapped waves (CTW). Focus was given to temperature, circulation, and coastal trapped waves, given the abundance of hourly in situ mooring data for these variables, making them suitable for comparison with the ocean model. SST variability trends were seasonally and spatially predictable, being greatest in the summer months and smallest in the winter months. A region of high SST variability extended from Port Alfred toward the south-west, indicating entrainment of nearshore upwelled water and instabilities in the inshore front of the AC. Shelf bottom temperature variability had a more spatially diverse seasonal trend, with coastal variability the highest (lowest) and offshore variability the lowest (highest) during the summer (winter) months. A distinct asymmetry in mean seasonal shelf bottom temperatures evident to the south of Algoa Bay and St Francis Bay was shown to be dependent on the profile of the shelf margin in relation to the inshore front of the AC using an experimental model run. Bay-scale anti-cyclonic circulation patterns dominate the bays throughout the year, with regions of strong mean surface currents occurring south of Cape Recife and Cape St Francis. General circulation patterns over the shelf are strongly governed by regional wind regimes, with the strongest flows being south-westward occurring during north-easterly wind events. Shelf bottom flows typically follow the expected Ekman-veering response, apart from near coastal flows that are topographically steered. A region of consistently strong south-westward shelf bottom flow extends from the east of Port Alfred to the shelf margin south of Bird Island. This flow is predominantly driven by the AC, although its velocity is strongly governed by regional winds. Circulation patterns during powerful eastward moving wind systems are strongly governed by the passage of associated CTW. Comparisons with an experimental model run where surface winds were removed revealed that the shelf wave was responsible for 61% of water volume displacement during a CTW event, and that the coastal shear turbulence caused by this displacement has a direct effect on the mixed layer depth. The links made between the complex shelf and bay ocean processes indicate that subtle changes to the ocean state will have far reaching effects on the regional ocean environment and its biota. Given the challenges of climate change, this is of paramount importance if we are to quantify these effects and mitigate their impacts, particularly with respect to the socio-economic dependency of those who rely on the ocean for its living resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Older people’s perspectives on the effectiveness of eye movement integration (emi) therapy as treatment intervention for their trauma symptoms
- Authors: Visagie, Andrea
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder in old age
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46389 , vital:39601
- Description: Many research studies propose that we have an ageing population with an increased number of people living past the age of 85 years. Ageing is accompanied by a gradual decline in physical, mental and sensory abilities. Older people may have experienced trauma throughout their lives, and very often, their symptoms of trauma are regarded as part of the ageing process rather than actual symptoms of trauma. In addition, older people often do not seek help throughout their lives for various reasons. While there is research available about older people and trauma, little is known about Eye Movement Integration(EMI)therapy as a treatment intervention in treating symptoms of trauma in older persons. The purpose of this research was an explorative and descriptive study of older people’s responses to EMI therapy as a treatment intervention for their symptoms of trauma. More specifically, the study was designed to determine how older people process their symptoms through EMI therapy and whether they view it as valuable. This qualitative study used an exploratory-descriptive research design with a non-probability, purposive sampling method. The EMI therapy sessions were offered to older adults in the Knysna area who presented with symptoms of trauma. From this group, only those who were able and willing to engage in therapeutic interviews formed part of the research. As part of the study, they consented to the use of their inventories from the EMI sessions as a qualitative document analysis and taking part in qualitative interviews to explore their views on the usefulness of EMI therapy to deal with their trauma. The findings emphasise that older people are not familiar with EMI. However, they view their experience of it in a positive light and regard it as a useful treatment intervention for treating their symptoms. Moreover, EMI seems to be a brief and cost-effective trauma intervention with practical benefits for older adults. The results from this study can assist social work professionals, specifically those working with older people, to address and improve the overall health and emotional wellbeing of older people. Data verification methods ensured the validity of this study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Visagie, Andrea
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder in old age
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46389 , vital:39601
- Description: Many research studies propose that we have an ageing population with an increased number of people living past the age of 85 years. Ageing is accompanied by a gradual decline in physical, mental and sensory abilities. Older people may have experienced trauma throughout their lives, and very often, their symptoms of trauma are regarded as part of the ageing process rather than actual symptoms of trauma. In addition, older people often do not seek help throughout their lives for various reasons. While there is research available about older people and trauma, little is known about Eye Movement Integration(EMI)therapy as a treatment intervention in treating symptoms of trauma in older persons. The purpose of this research was an explorative and descriptive study of older people’s responses to EMI therapy as a treatment intervention for their symptoms of trauma. More specifically, the study was designed to determine how older people process their symptoms through EMI therapy and whether they view it as valuable. This qualitative study used an exploratory-descriptive research design with a non-probability, purposive sampling method. The EMI therapy sessions were offered to older adults in the Knysna area who presented with symptoms of trauma. From this group, only those who were able and willing to engage in therapeutic interviews formed part of the research. As part of the study, they consented to the use of their inventories from the EMI sessions as a qualitative document analysis and taking part in qualitative interviews to explore their views on the usefulness of EMI therapy to deal with their trauma. The findings emphasise that older people are not familiar with EMI. However, they view their experience of it in a positive light and regard it as a useful treatment intervention for treating their symptoms. Moreover, EMI seems to be a brief and cost-effective trauma intervention with practical benefits for older adults. The results from this study can assist social work professionals, specifically those working with older people, to address and improve the overall health and emotional wellbeing of older people. Data verification methods ensured the validity of this study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
On the association of graphs to rings
- Authors: Mzulwini, Sboniso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Categories (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47060 , vital:39779
- Description: Let R be a commutative ring with nonzero identity, and let Z (R) be the set of its zerodivisors. There exists an association between a simple graph (R) and the set Z(R) of nonzero zero-divisors of R. In this dissertation we investigate how the properties of R a⁄ect the properties of (R) and vice versa. There are other graphs that are associated with R. Some of these are shown to be special cases of the congruence-based zero-divisor graph.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mzulwini, Sboniso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Categories (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47060 , vital:39779
- Description: Let R be a commutative ring with nonzero identity, and let Z (R) be the set of its zerodivisors. There exists an association between a simple graph (R) and the set Z(R) of nonzero zero-divisors of R. In this dissertation we investigate how the properties of R a⁄ect the properties of (R) and vice versa. There are other graphs that are associated with R. Some of these are shown to be special cases of the congruence-based zero-divisor graph.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Optical diamond turning of rapidly solidified aluminium alloy grade - 431
- Authors: Oyekunle, Funsho Adekunle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46860 , vital:39670
- Description: The high demand for ultraprecision machining systems is increasing day by day. The technology leads to increased productivity and quality manufactured products, with an excellent surface finish. Therefore, these products are in demand in many industrial fields such as space, national defence, the medical industry and other high-tech industries. Single point diamond turning (SPDT) is the core technology of ultraprecision machining, which makes use of single-point crystalline diamond as a cutting tool. This technique is used for machining an extensive selection of complex optical surfaces and other engineering products with a quality surface finish. SPDT can achieve dimensional tolerances in order of 0.01um and surface roughness in order of 1nm. SPDT is not restricted, but mostly applicable, to non-ferrous alloys; due to their reflective properties and microstructure that discourages tool wear. The focus of this study is the development of predictive optimisation models, used to analyse the influence of machining parameters (speed, feed, and depth of cut) on surface roughness. Moreover, the study aims to obtain the optimal machining parameters that would lead to minimum surface roughness during the diamond turning of Rapidly Solidified Aluminium (RSA) 431. In this study, Precitech Nanoform 250 Ultra grind machine was used to perform two experiments on RSA 431. The first machining process, experiment 1, was carried out using pressurized kerosene mist; while experiment 2 was carried out with water as the cutting fluid. In each experiment, machine parameters were varied at intervals and the surface roughness of the workpiece was measured at each variation. The measurements were taken through a contact method using Taylor Hobson PGI Dimension XL surface Profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was employed as a precision sensing technique – to optimize the machining quality process and provide indications of the expected surface roughness. The results obtained revealed that better surface roughness can be generated when RSA 431 is diamond-turned using water as a cutting fluid, rather than kerosene mist. Predictive models for surface roughness were developed for each experiment, using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Moreover, RSM was used for optimisation. Time domain features acquired from AE signals, together with the three cutting parameters, were used as input parameters in the ANN design. The results of the predictive models show a close relationship between the predicted values and the experimental values for surface roughness. The developed models have been compared in terms of accuracy and cost of computation - using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Oyekunle, Funsho Adekunle
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46860 , vital:39670
- Description: The high demand for ultraprecision machining systems is increasing day by day. The technology leads to increased productivity and quality manufactured products, with an excellent surface finish. Therefore, these products are in demand in many industrial fields such as space, national defence, the medical industry and other high-tech industries. Single point diamond turning (SPDT) is the core technology of ultraprecision machining, which makes use of single-point crystalline diamond as a cutting tool. This technique is used for machining an extensive selection of complex optical surfaces and other engineering products with a quality surface finish. SPDT can achieve dimensional tolerances in order of 0.01um and surface roughness in order of 1nm. SPDT is not restricted, but mostly applicable, to non-ferrous alloys; due to their reflective properties and microstructure that discourages tool wear. The focus of this study is the development of predictive optimisation models, used to analyse the influence of machining parameters (speed, feed, and depth of cut) on surface roughness. Moreover, the study aims to obtain the optimal machining parameters that would lead to minimum surface roughness during the diamond turning of Rapidly Solidified Aluminium (RSA) 431. In this study, Precitech Nanoform 250 Ultra grind machine was used to perform two experiments on RSA 431. The first machining process, experiment 1, was carried out using pressurized kerosene mist; while experiment 2 was carried out with water as the cutting fluid. In each experiment, machine parameters were varied at intervals and the surface roughness of the workpiece was measured at each variation. The measurements were taken through a contact method using Taylor Hobson PGI Dimension XL surface Profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was employed as a precision sensing technique – to optimize the machining quality process and provide indications of the expected surface roughness. The results obtained revealed that better surface roughness can be generated when RSA 431 is diamond-turned using water as a cutting fluid, rather than kerosene mist. Predictive models for surface roughness were developed for each experiment, using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Moreover, RSM was used for optimisation. Time domain features acquired from AE signals, together with the three cutting parameters, were used as input parameters in the ANN design. The results of the predictive models show a close relationship between the predicted values and the experimental values for surface roughness. The developed models have been compared in terms of accuracy and cost of computation - using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Parents’ perceptions of the content of pre-school lunch boxes following a nutritional programme in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Midigo, Odwour Erich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Children -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46429 , vital:39587
- Description: Rationale: Lunchboxes that parents prepare for preschool children have been noted to fall short of the recommended paediatrics dietary standards. No research has been done in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) to describe the perceptions of parents preparing the lunch boxes, particularly in underprivileged communities, and if nutrition education strategies can improve these practices. This study answered the following research question: How can nutrition education programmes play a role in parents’ perceptions about the content of the lunchboxes of children attending early childhood development centres (ECD) in underprivileged communities of NMB metropole? Aim: The research aimed at describing and exploring parents’ perceptions of the content of pre-school children’s lunch boxes following a nutrition programme.Methods: This descriptive, explorative study adopted a qualitative approach. Twenty-five participants were selected conveniently while five pre-schools were purposively sampled. Following the nutrition programme, data was collected through five Focus Group (FG) discussions and five interviews and was thematically analysed. The ethical principles that guided the study included justice, beneficence and autonomy. Results and Discussion: Five major themes and seventeen sub-themes emerged (1) Participants described the typical foodstuff in children’s lunch boxes which included both high quality and lower-quality foods and fluids; (2) Participants provided views (such as food preferences) on lunch box choices; (3) Principals appraised lunch box rules and the significance of revised rules to improve the lunch boxes;(4) Challenges such as poverty limited healthy food choices; (5) Participants commented on initiatives noted following the nutrition training; for instance, some schools commenced the cultivation of vegetable gardens. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study highlights that specific parent programmes helped to improve healthy lunch box choices in the study population. There is a need for parent programmes tailored to fathers. Dieticians and nutritionists in NMB can train practitioners as change agents in their respective schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Midigo, Odwour Erich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Children -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46429 , vital:39587
- Description: Rationale: Lunchboxes that parents prepare for preschool children have been noted to fall short of the recommended paediatrics dietary standards. No research has been done in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) to describe the perceptions of parents preparing the lunch boxes, particularly in underprivileged communities, and if nutrition education strategies can improve these practices. This study answered the following research question: How can nutrition education programmes play a role in parents’ perceptions about the content of the lunchboxes of children attending early childhood development centres (ECD) in underprivileged communities of NMB metropole? Aim: The research aimed at describing and exploring parents’ perceptions of the content of pre-school children’s lunch boxes following a nutrition programme.Methods: This descriptive, explorative study adopted a qualitative approach. Twenty-five participants were selected conveniently while five pre-schools were purposively sampled. Following the nutrition programme, data was collected through five Focus Group (FG) discussions and five interviews and was thematically analysed. The ethical principles that guided the study included justice, beneficence and autonomy. Results and Discussion: Five major themes and seventeen sub-themes emerged (1) Participants described the typical foodstuff in children’s lunch boxes which included both high quality and lower-quality foods and fluids; (2) Participants provided views (such as food preferences) on lunch box choices; (3) Principals appraised lunch box rules and the significance of revised rules to improve the lunch boxes;(4) Challenges such as poverty limited healthy food choices; (5) Participants commented on initiatives noted following the nutrition training; for instance, some schools commenced the cultivation of vegetable gardens. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study highlights that specific parent programmes helped to improve healthy lunch box choices in the study population. There is a need for parent programmes tailored to fathers. Dieticians and nutritionists in NMB can train practitioners as change agents in their respective schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Patterns and Pattern Languages for Mobile Augmented Reality
- Authors: Munro, Donald
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Augmented reality , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48510 , vital:40883
- Description: Mixed Reality is a relatively new field in computer science which uses technology as a medium to provide modified or enhanced views of reality or to virtually generate a new reality. Augmented Reality is a branch of Mixed Reality which blends the real-world as viewed through a computer interface with virtual objects generated by a computer. The 21st century commodification of mobile devices with multi-core Central Processing Units, Graphics Processing Units, high definition displays and multiple sensors controlled by capable Operating Systems such as Android and iOS means that Mobile Augmented Reality applications have become increasingly feasible. Mobile Augmented Reality is a multi-disciplinary field requiring a synthesis of many technologies such as computer graphics, computer vision, machine learning and mobile device programming while also requiring theoretical knowledge of diverse fields such as Linear Algebra, Projective and Differential Geometry, Probability and Optimisation. This multi-disciplinary nature has led to a fragmentation of knowledge into various specialisations, making it difficult to integrate different solution components into a coherent architecture. Software design patterns provide a solution space of tried and tested best practices for a specified problem within a given context. The solution space is non-prescriptive and is described in terms of relationships between roles that can be assigned to software components. Architectural patterns are used to specify high level designs of complete systems, as opposed to domain or tactical level patterns that address specific lower level problem areas. Pattern Languages comprise multiple software patterns combining in multiple possible sequences to form a language with the individual patterns forming the language vocabulary while the valid sequences through the patterns define the grammar. Pattern Languages provide flexible generalised solutions within a particular domain that can be customised to solve problems of differing characteristics and levels of iii complexity within the domain. The specification of one or more Pattern Languages tailored to the Mobile Augmented Reality domain can therefore provide a generalised guide for the design and architecture of Mobile Augmented Reality applications from an architectural level down to the ”nuts-and-bolts” implementation level. While there is a large body of research into the technical specialisations pertaining to Mobile Augmented Reality, there is a dearth of up-to-date literature covering Mobile Augmented Reality design. This thesis fills this vacuum by: 1. Providing architectural patterns that provide the spine on which the design of Mobile Augmented Reality artefacts can be based; 2. Documenting existing patterns within the context of Mobile Augmented Reality; 3. Identifying new patterns specific to Mobile Augmented Reality; and 4. Combining the patterns into Pattern Languages for Detection & Tracking, Rendering & Interaction and Data Access for Mobile Augmented Reality. The resulting Pattern Languages support design at multiple levels of complexity from an object-oriented framework down to specific one-off Augmented Reality applications. The practical contribution of this thesis is the specification of architectural patterns and Pattern Language that provide a unified design approach for both the overall architecture and the detailed design of Mobile Augmented Reality artefacts. The theoretical contribution is a design theory for Mobile Augmented Reality gleaned from the extraction of patterns and creation of a pattern language or languages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Munro, Donald
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Augmented reality , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48510 , vital:40883
- Description: Mixed Reality is a relatively new field in computer science which uses technology as a medium to provide modified or enhanced views of reality or to virtually generate a new reality. Augmented Reality is a branch of Mixed Reality which blends the real-world as viewed through a computer interface with virtual objects generated by a computer. The 21st century commodification of mobile devices with multi-core Central Processing Units, Graphics Processing Units, high definition displays and multiple sensors controlled by capable Operating Systems such as Android and iOS means that Mobile Augmented Reality applications have become increasingly feasible. Mobile Augmented Reality is a multi-disciplinary field requiring a synthesis of many technologies such as computer graphics, computer vision, machine learning and mobile device programming while also requiring theoretical knowledge of diverse fields such as Linear Algebra, Projective and Differential Geometry, Probability and Optimisation. This multi-disciplinary nature has led to a fragmentation of knowledge into various specialisations, making it difficult to integrate different solution components into a coherent architecture. Software design patterns provide a solution space of tried and tested best practices for a specified problem within a given context. The solution space is non-prescriptive and is described in terms of relationships between roles that can be assigned to software components. Architectural patterns are used to specify high level designs of complete systems, as opposed to domain or tactical level patterns that address specific lower level problem areas. Pattern Languages comprise multiple software patterns combining in multiple possible sequences to form a language with the individual patterns forming the language vocabulary while the valid sequences through the patterns define the grammar. Pattern Languages provide flexible generalised solutions within a particular domain that can be customised to solve problems of differing characteristics and levels of iii complexity within the domain. The specification of one or more Pattern Languages tailored to the Mobile Augmented Reality domain can therefore provide a generalised guide for the design and architecture of Mobile Augmented Reality applications from an architectural level down to the ”nuts-and-bolts” implementation level. While there is a large body of research into the technical specialisations pertaining to Mobile Augmented Reality, there is a dearth of up-to-date literature covering Mobile Augmented Reality design. This thesis fills this vacuum by: 1. Providing architectural patterns that provide the spine on which the design of Mobile Augmented Reality artefacts can be based; 2. Documenting existing patterns within the context of Mobile Augmented Reality; 3. Identifying new patterns specific to Mobile Augmented Reality; and 4. Combining the patterns into Pattern Languages for Detection & Tracking, Rendering & Interaction and Data Access for Mobile Augmented Reality. The resulting Pattern Languages support design at multiple levels of complexity from an object-oriented framework down to specific one-off Augmented Reality applications. The practical contribution of this thesis is the specification of architectural patterns and Pattern Language that provide a unified design approach for both the overall architecture and the detailed design of Mobile Augmented Reality artefacts. The theoretical contribution is a design theory for Mobile Augmented Reality gleaned from the extraction of patterns and creation of a pattern language or languages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Perceived success of staff retention strategies in South African businesses
- Authors: Cannon, Leoline Advardo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee retention--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47527 , vital:40129
- Description: To remain competitive, organisations must continuously adapt to their global environment. Hill, Schilling and Jones (2018:81) identifies various key factors with human capital being a key contributor to attaining a competitive advantage. Against this background, the focus of this study was to investigate the organisational factors that impact on the success of employee retention strategies. The drivers in the model adopted for this study included: staff compensation, organisational culture, leadership, career development, staff empowerment and value-based staff recognition. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived effectiveness of retention strategies in South African businesses. An overview of the literature was provided whereby the importance of retention as a source of competitive advantage was highlighted. The literature identified six strategies that would reduce turnover, and thus have a positive effect on the perceived success of staff retention. The six independent variables, namely organisational culture, staff empowerment, value-based staff recognition, staff compensation, leadership and career development formed the foundation of the theoretical framework.The research paradigm adopted for this research was positivistic and the methodology was quantitative research. The primary data was collected via a survey in a self-administered questionnaire format. Non-probability convenienceand snowball samplingwas used,and the questions were formulated from existing measuring instruments in the literature. A sample size of 237 respondents was surveyed.The statistical data analysis methods included frequency distribution, correlation and multiple linear regression to evaluate the relational aspects of the model to measure the determinants of the success of staff retention.The findings of the study revealed that five variables, namely strategies related to value-based staff recognition, staff compensation, organisational culture, leadership and career development, were significantly related to employee retention. A positive relationship between all the variables and retention was proved in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Cannon, Leoline Advardo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee retention--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47527 , vital:40129
- Description: To remain competitive, organisations must continuously adapt to their global environment. Hill, Schilling and Jones (2018:81) identifies various key factors with human capital being a key contributor to attaining a competitive advantage. Against this background, the focus of this study was to investigate the organisational factors that impact on the success of employee retention strategies. The drivers in the model adopted for this study included: staff compensation, organisational culture, leadership, career development, staff empowerment and value-based staff recognition. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived effectiveness of retention strategies in South African businesses. An overview of the literature was provided whereby the importance of retention as a source of competitive advantage was highlighted. The literature identified six strategies that would reduce turnover, and thus have a positive effect on the perceived success of staff retention. The six independent variables, namely organisational culture, staff empowerment, value-based staff recognition, staff compensation, leadership and career development formed the foundation of the theoretical framework.The research paradigm adopted for this research was positivistic and the methodology was quantitative research. The primary data was collected via a survey in a self-administered questionnaire format. Non-probability convenienceand snowball samplingwas used,and the questions were formulated from existing measuring instruments in the literature. A sample size of 237 respondents was surveyed.The statistical data analysis methods included frequency distribution, correlation and multiple linear regression to evaluate the relational aspects of the model to measure the determinants of the success of staff retention.The findings of the study revealed that five variables, namely strategies related to value-based staff recognition, staff compensation, organisational culture, leadership and career development, were significantly related to employee retention. A positive relationship between all the variables and retention was proved in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Perceptions of employees at an automotive-manufacturing company regarding the use of hearing -protection devices
- Authors: Ngcipe, Thanduxolo Kemsley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hearing aids
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46360 , vital:39592
- Description: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) develops as a result of continuous excessive noise-exposure levels above 85 dB(A) occupational exposure limit (OEL), over an average period of eight hours per day. Many employees incur hearing loss during a period of five to ten years of employment. Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented and even be eliminated if the exposed employees adhere to the proper and consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, non-compliance makes it impossible to eliminate NIHL. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of employees working in an automotive manufacturing company with regard to the use of HPDs and to make recommendations to the company’s management in relation to the findings of the study. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this study. The research sample comprised all employees working in noise-zone areas above 85 dB(A). Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. The data were collected by using in-depth interviews. The data analysis was conducted by using Tesch’s method of data analysis. A pilot study was conducted before the main study. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. The main findings revealed that the participants at the automotive manufacturing company were knowledgeable about the use of different types of HPDs that are used in their work environment even though some participants do not use it all the time. Most employees were aware of the hazardous noise levels emitted by hydraulic presses in their areas, however, some employees become accustomed to the level of noise and ignore using HPDs. Some employees reported use of their preferred types of HPDs. However, issues like comfort design and work-related communications were factors influencing the use of HPDs. In conclusion, it is evident that the people were knowledgeable about the types of hearing protection devices that are used in their areas and the reasons for them. However, the study findings revealed that the employees are not directly involved in selecting the type of HPDs with which they are comfortable. This could have a negative effect on the employees’ morale and their compliance with the use of HPDs. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were made, according to training and future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ngcipe, Thanduxolo Kemsley
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hearing aids
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46360 , vital:39592
- Description: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) develops as a result of continuous excessive noise-exposure levels above 85 dB(A) occupational exposure limit (OEL), over an average period of eight hours per day. Many employees incur hearing loss during a period of five to ten years of employment. Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented and even be eliminated if the exposed employees adhere to the proper and consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, non-compliance makes it impossible to eliminate NIHL. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of employees working in an automotive manufacturing company with regard to the use of HPDs and to make recommendations to the company’s management in relation to the findings of the study. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this study. The research sample comprised all employees working in noise-zone areas above 85 dB(A). Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. The data were collected by using in-depth interviews. The data analysis was conducted by using Tesch’s method of data analysis. A pilot study was conducted before the main study. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. The main findings revealed that the participants at the automotive manufacturing company were knowledgeable about the use of different types of HPDs that are used in their work environment even though some participants do not use it all the time. Most employees were aware of the hazardous noise levels emitted by hydraulic presses in their areas, however, some employees become accustomed to the level of noise and ignore using HPDs. Some employees reported use of their preferred types of HPDs. However, issues like comfort design and work-related communications were factors influencing the use of HPDs. In conclusion, it is evident that the people were knowledgeable about the types of hearing protection devices that are used in their areas and the reasons for them. However, the study findings revealed that the employees are not directly involved in selecting the type of HPDs with which they are comfortable. This could have a negative effect on the employees’ morale and their compliance with the use of HPDs. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were made, according to training and future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Perceptions of health care professionals at the Nelson Mandela University of the Auntie Stella sexual and reproductive health education toolkit
- Authors: Ndlangalavu, Siyasanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sexual health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46419 , vital:39589
- Description: Sexual and reproductive health education in South Africa appears to be failing young people as evidenced by the numbers of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases resulting from poor sexual health decision making. High-risk behaviours amongst youth are likely to be a product of the interplay of multiple risk factors on individual and interpersonal levels. The Auntie Stella: Teenagers Talk about Sex, Life and Relationships, is a sexual and reproductive health education toolkit with developmentally timed interventions for sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents. This tool kit has been successfully utilized in such countries as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. The study aimed to establish if the University health care professionals, including HIV counsellors and nurses, perceive Auntie Stellato be a useful sexual health and reproduction education programme to generate knowledge and prompt and promote safer sexual behaviour. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was be utilized, and purposive sampling was employed. Data was collected via focus groups where the toolkit was administered and discussed. Six focus groups were conducted with 12 participants from the Nelson Mandela University’s Campus Health Clinics. The data obtained was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step method of thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the Nelson Mandela University health care professionals perceived the Auntie Stellatoolkit as being useful and applicable to the university context in terms of relatability. They expressed thatthe programme is ideally youth-friendly and appropriate for university students. The findings of this small study may have important implications for future research of implementation of sexual and reproductive health education programmes in Higher Education Institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ndlangalavu, Siyasanga
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sexual health
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46419 , vital:39589
- Description: Sexual and reproductive health education in South Africa appears to be failing young people as evidenced by the numbers of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases resulting from poor sexual health decision making. High-risk behaviours amongst youth are likely to be a product of the interplay of multiple risk factors on individual and interpersonal levels. The Auntie Stella: Teenagers Talk about Sex, Life and Relationships, is a sexual and reproductive health education toolkit with developmentally timed interventions for sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents. This tool kit has been successfully utilized in such countries as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. The study aimed to establish if the University health care professionals, including HIV counsellors and nurses, perceive Auntie Stellato be a useful sexual health and reproduction education programme to generate knowledge and prompt and promote safer sexual behaviour. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was be utilized, and purposive sampling was employed. Data was collected via focus groups where the toolkit was administered and discussed. Six focus groups were conducted with 12 participants from the Nelson Mandela University’s Campus Health Clinics. The data obtained was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step method of thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the Nelson Mandela University health care professionals perceived the Auntie Stellatoolkit as being useful and applicable to the university context in terms of relatability. They expressed thatthe programme is ideally youth-friendly and appropriate for university students. The findings of this small study may have important implications for future research of implementation of sexual and reproductive health education programmes in Higher Education Institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Perceptions of the preparedness of pharmacy graduates for internship responsibilities in the industrial pharmacy
- Putsoane, Mathabelo Maliboche
- Authors: Putsoane, Mathabelo Maliboche
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmacy students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46395 , vital:39593
- Description: Pharmacy graduates in South Africa are expected to undertake a compulsory one-yearinternship in diversepharmacy settings. These settings includethe industrial pharmacy sector,where they are expected to integrate furtherthe knowledge and skills they have acquired during their undergraduate training before entering into the pharmacy profession. The success of graduatesduring the internship,therefore, depends amongst other thingson their perceptions of preparedness. However, the perceptions of South African pharmacy graduates preparedness for the industrial pharmacy settingis not reportedin light of the shift in global pharmacy education from product-based to patient-based education which thus provided the impetus for this study.Semi-structured interviews with individual pharmacy graduateswere utilised to explorethe perceptions of the preparedness regarding the technical and generic skills required of an industrial pharmacy intern. Inductive data analysisculminated in thedevelopment of themes and subthemes. A lack of preparedness as perceived by graduateswas a result of a lack of industrial pharmacy experientialwork-basedpractical training and patient-focused education. Graduates perceived themselves to be fairly prepared with communication and teamwork skills; however, their problem-solving skills werenot clear due tothe scope of work ofanintern pharmacist which hinders them from solvingproblems.Though graduates expressed that they had acquired adequate theoretical training, the lack of practical application resulted in inadequate technical skills preparedness. Graduatespreparedness for the industrial pharmacy can be improved by work-based placements of students in the industry pharmacy setting which will assist students to integrate theory with practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Putsoane, Mathabelo Maliboche
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Pharmacy students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46395 , vital:39593
- Description: Pharmacy graduates in South Africa are expected to undertake a compulsory one-yearinternship in diversepharmacy settings. These settings includethe industrial pharmacy sector,where they are expected to integrate furtherthe knowledge and skills they have acquired during their undergraduate training before entering into the pharmacy profession. The success of graduatesduring the internship,therefore, depends amongst other thingson their perceptions of preparedness. However, the perceptions of South African pharmacy graduates preparedness for the industrial pharmacy settingis not reportedin light of the shift in global pharmacy education from product-based to patient-based education which thus provided the impetus for this study.Semi-structured interviews with individual pharmacy graduateswere utilised to explorethe perceptions of the preparedness regarding the technical and generic skills required of an industrial pharmacy intern. Inductive data analysisculminated in thedevelopment of themes and subthemes. A lack of preparedness as perceived by graduateswas a result of a lack of industrial pharmacy experientialwork-basedpractical training and patient-focused education. Graduates perceived themselves to be fairly prepared with communication and teamwork skills; however, their problem-solving skills werenot clear due tothe scope of work ofanintern pharmacist which hinders them from solvingproblems.Though graduates expressed that they had acquired adequate theoretical training, the lack of practical application resulted in inadequate technical skills preparedness. Graduatespreparedness for the industrial pharmacy can be improved by work-based placements of students in the industry pharmacy setting which will assist students to integrate theory with practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020