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Value management in government construction projects in South Africa

  • Authors: Mngeni- Nobala, Thandokazi Yvonne
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Construction projects -- Management , Project management -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa , Value analysis (Cost control)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64673 , vital:73845
  • Description: The public sector construction industry aims to deliver infrastructure services to its client satisfactorily. However, the public sector is notorious for delivering projects that are over budget, finish years behind schedule, and are of poor quality. Value management is one way to address these challenges. This research aimed to examine the level of awareness and implementation of value management within the public sector and the benefits thereof. In this qualitative study, interviews were employed to gain insight into the level of awareness of value management within the public sector department in the Eastern Cape. A total of ten professionals in the public sector working for the Department of Public Works were purposively selected to be interviewed and the secondary data was sought through document analysis . The data was thematically analysed. The South African government requires a strategic change that will help improve awareness of value management in government infrastructure projects in South Africa which will pave the way for the full implementation of VM. The study found that the obstacle to adopting value management for public projects was the lack of knowledge and practice of value management. It was also found that the respondents were keen to implement value management and saw it as part of an important step in the planning stage of a project as it would save the department time and money. In order to improve the performance of construction projects, there is a need to adopt innovative ideas and solutions that will work for South African construction industry. Value management is one way to improve the performance of construction projects. VM should be considered at a strategic level in public sector departments to improve its applicability to meet client’s objectives. The major goal of the VM is to ensure that projects are delivered to the best function at the lowest total life cost achievable. The satisfaction of clients is a key factor of construction project success. Value Management strives to address problems which may arise such as budgetary constraints trying to decrease unnecessary costs towards the project but without causing changes to quality of the finished product. Value management is believed to be a cost-cutting exercise as perceived by many but the most importantly it focuses on function of an element or project. This means that the project is procured at the lowest possible cost by utilizing multiple cost control mechanisms without compromising the project's value and function. Value management has proven to be a practical management strategy for improving value for money, creating a better focus on project objectives, working toward more effective design, and identifying wasteful expenses due to unneeded design, material, labor, and machine. To optimise the usage of value management and to improve project performance, there is a need to adopt new concepts like value management that will work for the South African construction sector. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Youth participation in sports: Reconsidering the lost culture of Indigenous games in Libode, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Zide, Lumka
  • Date: 2024-04
  • Subjects: Indigenous peoples -- Sports , Indigenous peoples -- Social life and customs , Minorities in sports
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63595 , vital:73506
  • Description: This research focused on the Youth Participation in Sports: Reconsidering the Lost Culture of Indigenous Games in Libode, Eastern Cape. The study aimed to investigate the challenges facing indigenous games in Libode; to contribute within the anthropology of sport with specific reference to Libode in the Eastern Cape Province and to come up with recommendations with the view of addressing some of the challenges facing indigenous games in Libode. The study employed a qualitative approach and used interviews, questionnaires, observations, and participant observations as data collection methods. Data analysis was done through thematic data analysis. Cultural preservation was used as a conceptual framework for this study to understand the view of the participants in Libode. Furthermore, the literature that was reviewed in this research was based particularly on indigenous games to provide in-depth understanding the issues of indigenous games extinction as well to critique other authors who have written about indigenous games and their challenges. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-04

Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in very and extremly low birth weight infants and determinants of breastfeeding practices at the Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Haughton, Anna-Marie
  • Date: 2024-03
  • Subjects: Brestfeeding Practices
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/11065 , vital:75881
  • Description: INTRODUCTION: Breastmilk provides adequate nutrition for the optimal growth and development of infants globally. Breastfeeding is an incomparable practice that cannot sufficiently be replaced by any other substance. Breastmilk and breastfeeding offer numerous medical and non-medical advantages that influence the welfare not only of infants, but also of women, their families and society. The last few decades have shown a worldwide increase in the birth and survival rate of preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. These infants have an increased risk of adverse outcomes, thus necessitating optimal management including best feeding practices of this vulnerable population. AIM: This study assessed the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate in VLBW and ELBW infants at their corrected six months of age and aimed to identify reasons for premature cessation of EBF as well as appraising the association between maternal socio-demographic variables and breastfeeding practices. This study also investigated the type, volume and preparation of replacement feeds given to infants that were not EBF. iii METHOD: This retrospective, cross sectional descriptive study was conducted between December 2017 to November 2018 at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape. A comprehensive database was compiled with all the infants’ demographics and relevant maternal socio-demographic variables at birth. Information on the changeover of primary caregiver, feeding practices, reasons stated for premature discontinuation of EBF, and the infant’s anthropometry were documented at each follow up visit and included in the database. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBF at the corrected six month follow up was 22%. Insufficient breastmilk supply (23%, 43% and 13% at one, three and six months respectively) and maternal commitments to school or work (35%, 33% and 50% at one, three and six months respectively) were the predominant reasons stated by mothers for discontinuation of EBF. The number of other children a mother had was significantly related to EBF practices at months one and six (p = .029 and .025, respectively), and EBF was also significantly related to the level of maternal education at month three (p = .006). The percentage of mothers who breastfed exclusively was proportional to the number of other children they had, and inversely proportional to the level of their education. The volume of replacement feeds was known to be incorrect in over a third of cases at months one and three (35% and 34%, respectively), and in almost half of cases at month six (48%). Replacement feeds were being prepared most incorrectly at the three month follow up with almost half (46%) of these feeds being prepared iv inaccurately. These replacement feeds comprised of exclusive formula feeds (EFF) for 95% of cases that were not EBF at month one, 88% at month three, and 97% at month six. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EBF in VLBW and ELBW infants at six months in this study remains sub-optimal compared with other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and is much lower than the target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Factors that affected EBF practices in this study include mother’s perception of insufficient breastmilk supply, maternal commitments to work/school, the number of other children in the household as well as the level of maternal education. A combination of various interventions is urgently needed to effectively increase EBF rates in this population. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-03

Bioprospectin of medicinal cannabis from Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Odieka, Anwuli, Endurance
  • Date: 2024-02
  • Subjects: Organic chemistry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9427 , vital:73532
  • Description: Cannabis sativa L. (Family Cannabaceae) has continued to attract much interest among natural product scientists in recent time because of its known medicinal values and remarkable chemical diversity. This study reports the investigation of C. sativa cultivated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with a view to obtaining its chemical fingerprint and isolating compounds from its stem bark for possible biological applications. Fresh and dried leaves, flowers, stem barks and roots of two Cannabis cultivars were obtained under permit NO. PIA-HP-EC-2022-0023. The fresh and dried plant materials were extracted for their essential oils (EOs), using hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus set at optimum extraction condition. The EOs were characterized by a gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The chemical components of the EOs were elucidated based on their retention indices, as well as with reference to literature report. Other portions of the dried leaf, inflorescence and stem bark of each cultivar were extracted with methanol. The methanol extract was profiled for its cannabinoid content using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) based metabolomics approach, with reference to standard cannabinoids (∆9-THC, ∆9-THCA, and CBD). Lastly, the dried stem bark of Cultivar II was investigated for its compounds. The stem bark powder was subjected to sequential extraction at room temperature with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Based on the TLC analysis, the afforded n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts were further individually fractionated on a repeated column chromatography, using silica gel and Sephadex LH20 as stationary phases. The column fractionation process led to the isolation of seven compounds, E1-E4, A20, A21, and A23. The isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to a mass spectrometer, respectively. The results from the study showed that the EOs of the C. sativa cultivars contain majorly sesquiterpenes in their oxygenated and non-oxygenated forms. Caryophyllene (0.6421.4%), caryophyllene oxide (1.27-20.34%), -pinene (0.35-13.21%), D-limonene (0.51-10.99%), humulene (0.37-10.56%), humulene-1,2-epoxide (0.45-5.98%), pinene (0.16-5.22%), nerolidol (0.32-4.99%), -myrcene (0.31-4.23%), -selinene (0.92-2.51%), and trans--bergamotene (0.50-2.70%), were the main terpene constituents of the EOs in both cultivars. Neutral cannabinoids were also detected in both cultivars with cannabidiol found in significant amount up to 85.03% in the fresh stem oil (LSO) of Cultivar I (Lifter). LC-MS fingerprints revealed that Cultivar I had the highest accumulation of cannabinoids with CBDA having the highest amount (88.65%) in the stembark and CBD at about 23% in the leaves. The inflorescence (flower) contained 51.55% of CBDA. Cultivar II had the least number of cannabinoids but contains the highest amount of ∆9-THCA (94.8%) in the leaf sample. Cultivar II showed ∆9-THCA and ∆9-THC dominant profiles with less than 2% of ∆8-THC. ∆9-THC, ∆8- THC were the only neutral cannabinoids detected in Cultivar II while CBD, ∆9-THC, and ∆8- THC were found in significant amounts in Cultivar I. The compounds isolated from the stem bark of Cultivar II were elucidated as five triterpenoids: Sativalenic acid ethyl ester (E1), Phyllanthone (E2), Friedelin (E3), Sativalonone (A20) and Sativaol (A23); an alkaloid, Sativacherine (E4); and a fatty acid ester, Ethyl stearate (A21). Four of these compounds are newly described, while all the compounds are reported for the first time from the Eastern Cape Cultivar (Cherrywine) of C. sativa stem. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2024
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  • Date Issued: 2024-02

1stWeEat! The story of a food gardening intervention in Makhanda’s ECD centres

  • Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne , Green, Nicola , Ntlabezo, Sisesakhe
  • Date: 2024
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401198 , vital:69713 , ISBN 978-0-7961-2949-9 , DOI http://doi.org/10.21504/10962/401198
  • Description: No abstract yet
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  • Date Issued: 2024

A Feasibility Study on the Efficacy of Functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry (fNIRS) to Measure Prefrontal Activation in Paediatric HIV

  • Authors: Zondo, Sizwe , Ferreira-Correia, Aline , Cockcroft, Kate
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/450556 , vital:74960 , xlink:href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/js/2024/4970794/"
  • Description: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with disturbed neurotransmission and aberrant cortical networks. Although advances in the imaging of brain microarchitecture following neuroHIV has added to our knowledge of structural and functional changes associated with HIV, no data exists on paediatric HIV using optical neuroimaging techniques. This study investigated the feasibility of optical neuroimaging in paediatric HIV using functional near-infrared spectrometry (fNIRS). We measured prefrontal brain activation while participants executed a sustained attention task. We specifically tested whether patients living with HIV and study controls could perform the study protocol and whether we could measure the typical fNIRS haemodynamic response associated with neuronal activity. Eighteen participants (10 HIV participants, mean age: 13.9, SD = 1.66 years; 8 controls, mean age: 14.8, SD = 1.28 years), matched for sex, grade, and socio-economic status, were included in the study. All participants completed the Stroop colour word test (SCWT). Oxygenated haemoglobin concentration and the deoxygenated haemoglobin signal were recorded from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the frontopolar area (FA) using fNIRS. The control group performed significantly better in terms of reaction time on the congruent and incongruent condition (congruent: t (16) = −3.36, : incongruent: ). A pooled group analysis of the sample indicated significant activation in the DLPF and FA to the congruent condition of the SCWT (). Although cortical activation was noted in the DLPF and the FA in each of the groups when analysed independently, this neural activation did not reach statistical significance. The results show promise that fNIRS techniques are feasible for assessing prefrontal cortical activity in paediatric HIV. Future studies should seek to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio and consider inter-individual variability when measuring prefrontal activation in paediatric samples.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

A Quest for Ethnic Media: Form and Content in the Case of Muvhango

  • Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/455299 , vital:75419 , ISBN 978-3-031-54914-4 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54915-1_6
  • Description: This chapter studies elements of ethnic media in Muvhango against dominant language ideologies in South African television. This chapter aims to show that Muvhango, through form and content, has offered low-status languages linguistic justice using elements of ethnic media. The intersection of form and content within ethnic media productions offers a unique lens to explore the complexities of representation, cultural preservation, and societal transformation.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

A Socio-Historical Approach to Regional Organizational Relations? NGOs in Gender Security in the SADC Region

  • Authors: Nedziwe, Cecilia L
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/445278 , vital:74370 , https://doi.org/10.22151/politikon.57.1
  • Description: The extant academic literature in the field of regional International Relations has paid little attention to non-state actors’ organizational relations in building region-ness. Yet, the region offers sets of organizational relations outside, alongside, and as part of the formal regional state structures to do with gender, which offer insights into non-state regional relations and thus help to fill the lacunae in the field and facilitate understanding of the regional dynamic of international relations. This article examines how organizational relations of non-state actors in gender security play out in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It highlights the shortcomings of the inter-governmental approach to international relations pursued by various scholars. Drawing on interviews with representatives of NGOs, governments, the SADC, and annual reports, as well as the academic literature, it argues for a socio-historical approach to understanding regional organization and transnationalism, which considers African agency in building region-ness.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Biotic resistance towards Hydrellia egeriae, a biological control agent for the aquatic weed Egeria densa, in South Africa

  • Authors: Moffat, Rosali , van Noort, Simon , Coetzee, Julie A , Hill, Martin P
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451299 , vital:75038 , http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2024/a15718
  • Description: Egeria densa is a submerged aquatic weed that can grow into dense monocultures in rivers and dams in South Africa, which negatively affects ecosystem functioning and services. The biological control agent Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues-Júnior (Diptera: Ephydridae) was first released against Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa in 2018. Biotic resistance in an introduced range can have negative impacts on the ability of a biological control agent to establish and exert top-down pressure. Dipteran and lepidopteran species that are used as biological control agents are often susceptible to higher levels of parasitism in their introduced range than biological control agents from other insect orders. In addition, ecological analogues that are present in South Africa, make H. egeriae particularly vulnerable to biotic resistance. Considering this, post-release surveys were conducted to investigate if native parasitoids will extend their host range to include H. egeriae. Chaenusa seminervata van Achterberg, C. anervata van Achterberg (Braconidae: Alysiinae: Dacnusini) and Ademon lagarosiphonae van Achterberg (Braconidae: Opiinae) were reared from field-collected H. egeriae pupae, within a year of its release. These braconid parasitoids were previously recorded from a native herbivore, Hydrellia lagarosiphon Deeming (Diptera: Ephydridae).
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Black Twitter and Digital Counterpublics in South Africa

  • Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/455188 , vital:75411 , https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v12i2.6540
  • Description: The growth of technology has made the Internet an essential tool in so-ciety. Scholars have argued that the Internet supports a more delibera-tive democracy. However, scholars have also raised concerns about the role of the Internet in political matters. While scholars agree that the Internet has facilitated broader public discussion, in many regards, its ‘virtual public sphere’still mirrors existing social structures. Twitter has become a common social media platform for many South Africans. This has led to a virtual community of Twitter users engaged in real-time dis-courses primarily related to Black South Africans. Black Twitter in South Africa is used for social, political, and economic motivations. This study argues for the practice of Black Twitter as a digital counterpublic in South Africa. The aim is to spotlight how black people in South Africa have used Black Twitter as a digital counterpublic for the marginalized groups within South Africa. The research will investigate the potential challenges and opportunities associated with Black Twitter functioning as a digital counterpublic. Utilizing digital ethnography, the study gath-ered a dataset of tweets from Black Twitter in 2022, focusing on those addressing social, political, and economic issues. More than 700,000 tweets were identified under these specific thematic hashtags.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Building sustainable economies: Navigating contemporary issues in the finance, economic complexity, and interprenuership development

Building sustainable economies: Navigating contemporary issues in the finance, economic complexity, and interprenuership development

Challenges and opportunities of Facebook during bereavement

  • Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/455200 , vital:75412 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2024.1292961
  • Description: Bereavement is something that we experience in one way or another. It involves many steps from one culture to the other. Many scholars have documented the role of social media tools in bereavement processes. In this study, I look at the challenges and opportunities offered by Fa-cebook during bereavement, especially in a community that is still tradi-tional and has yet to fully comprehend the importance of social media, particularly in matters considered sacred. The study used interviews with residents from Taung to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data from the interviews. The study findings indicate some challenges associated with bereavement on Facebook: emotional shock, lack of sensitivity, misinformation, and cultural dilution. There are also opportunities: fast news sharing, ongoing emotional support, and sharing of memories. The study argues that the findings should expand our understanding and knowledge of bereavement in some African cultures and use social media tools to complement and not destroy African beliefs and practices.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species associating with Zea mays

  • Authors: Maússe-Sitoe, Silvia , Dames, Joanna F
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440339 , vital:73775 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1345229
  • Description: Taxonomic identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal spores extracted directly from the field is sometimes difficult because spores are often degraded or parasitized by other organisms. Single-spore inoculation of a suitable host plant allows for establishing monosporic cultures of AM fungi. This study aimed to propagate AM fungal spores isolated from maize soil using single spores for morphological characterization. First, trap cultures were established to trigger the sporulation of AM fungal species. Second, trap cultures were established with individual morphotypes by picking up only one spore under a dissecting microscope and transferring it to a small triangle of sterilized filter paper, which was then carefully inoculated below a root from germinated sorghum seeds in each pot and covered with a sterile substrate. All pots were placed in sunbags and maintained in a plant growth room for 120 days.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Computer Science Education in Selected Countries from Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Authors: Bainomugisha, Engineer , Bradshaw, Karen L , Ujakpa, Martin Mabeifam , Nakatumba-Nabende, Joyce , Nderu, Lawrence , Mduma, Neema , Kihoza, Patrick , Irungu, Annette
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440223 , vital:73758 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3643037"
  • Description: Computer Science education in sub-Saharan Africa has evolved over the past decades. The number of institutions offering distinct undergraduate programs has grown, thus increasing the number of students enrolling in the computer science discipline. Several computer science degree programs have emerged with one of the objectives being to satisfy the growing demand for local talent and skills. In this paper, we provide a snapshot of the evolution of undergraduate computer science education in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 20+ years and an overview of the developments in computer science education and observed trends. The setup of educational institutions in Africa and the operational context requires unique modalities for the design and delivery of computer science education that meets the demands of the industry, amongst others. This paper provides insights into the best practices in the computer science curricula in the selected countries, as well as an overview of the pedagogical and delivery approaches to computer science education. The paper highlights case studies from institutions in the selected countries, namely Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya with a consolidated summary of the current and emerging challenges and opportunities in all these countries. The paper concludes by providing persectives on the future landscape of computer science in Sub-Saharan Africa.Computer Science Education in Selected Countries from Sub-Saharan AfricaBy Engineer Bainomugisha, Makerere University, Uganda, Karen Bradshaw, Rhodes University, South Africa, Martin Mabeifam Ujakpa, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana, Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, Makerere University, Uganda, Lawrence Nderu, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, Neema Mduma, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania, Patrick Kihoza, Mzumbe University, Tanzania and Annette Irungu, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Counting Common Starlings: is Sturnus vulgaris invasive in rural South Africa?

  • Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Edwards, Shelley
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449344 , vital:74813 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2024.2304359
  • Description: The numbers of Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris and indigenous starling species, as well as a subset of other common birds, were recorded from October 2006 to January 2020 at 72 point-count sites along four routes (two urban and two rural) in the Eastern Cape Province of South African. In the rural habitat, Common Starlings were localised at buildings; in the urban habitat, there was no clear indication that their presence influenced the occurrence or abundance of the Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio, a native species which has colonised towns and nests on buildings. In this region there is little evidence that Common Starlings invade areas that have not been heavily modified by human activities.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Data Visualization of Budgeting Assumptions: An Illustrative Case of Trans-disciplinary Applied Knowledge

  • Authors: Cuthbert, Carol E , Pearse, Noel J , Bradshaw, Karen L
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440236 , vital:73759 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.54808/JSCI.22.01.130"
  • Description: Trans-disciplinary research combines different fields into new conceptual and methodological frameworks. In this study, the SECI model of knowledge creation, which consists of Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization conversion modes, is used to analyze the implementation of a structured budgeting visualization system by a trans-disciplinary team. Through applied research in implementing a global budgeting system, budgeting assumptions are made explicit through visualization, transforming the approach to the budgeting process and its accuracy. This visualization, in turn, is enabled by assumptions underlying revenue planning, business services and employee compensation, and a visual process. The system displays a stepped approach, indicated by icons, representing the tasks involved in the budget process. For example, the system requires uploading the previous year’s information, setting the assumptions, calculating the suggested figures based on assumptions, and amending the proposed outcome. As adapted by Rice and Rice (2005), SECI is applied as the socialization of tacit-to-tacit budgeting assumption knowledge is solidified during the design phase of this transformation exercise. The externalization phase, in which budgeting assumptions are transformed from tacit to explicit, is evidenced during the configuration phase of the new system. The systemic collaboration results in the explicit assumptions being collectively leveraged across the regions during and after the “go-live” phase of system development. Finally, the internalization phase involves the explicit assumptions being transformed into new tacit knowledge as the experts evolve new assumptions derived from the transformation process. Semiotics provides variance information through hue, with, for example, darker colours indicating higher variances. This trans-disciplinary communication provides the means for increased efficiency and effectiveness. The resulting budget framework is visually validated through a heatmap by comparing the budgeting accuracy and assumption complexity between the different regions where it was implemented. In summary, value is added in developing a new data visualization process, focusing on the role of budgeting assumptions and using planning process visualizations. This approach improves communication efficiency, effectiveness, and understanding of budgeting while enhancing accuracy.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Decolonizing Journalism Education in South Africa

  • Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/455437 , vital:75430 , ISBN 9781003352907 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003352907-6/decolonizing-journalism-education-south-africa-kealeboga-aiseng
  • Description: The British, French, and Portuguese regimes colonized most African countries. This colonization took away African languages, cultures, religions, and practices, only to replace them with colonial traditions. Decolonization debates are now rife in South Africa: decolonizing higher education, the economy, the law, and the justice system. All these debates and attempts are made to achieve equity and justice in the country. To contribute to these debates, this chapter examines how journalism education can be decolonized in South Africa from a sociolinguistic perspective. To achieve its aim, the chapter will review course descriptions of journalism curriculums at three universities in South Africa that offer journalism education and possible ways to decolonize the curriculums from the sociolinguistics perspectives. The chapter has concluded that sociolinguistics is critical in decolonizing journalism education. Journalism is a verbal medium; it uses language to communicate. Hence, it is essential for journalism curriculums in South Africa to teach students that language and identity can influence journalism practice to reflect its context and speak to its people in a language and forms that they understand.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Demographic correlates of indices of psychological well-being and COVID-19 related distress among South African university students

  • Authors: Coetzee, Bronwyn , Booysen, Duane D , Padmanabhanunni, Anita , Kagee, Ashraf
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/454082 , vital:75308 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2024.2324403"
  • Description: Following the COVID-19 pandemic we sought to determine the relationships between anxiety, hopelessness, alcohol use, perceived vulnerability to infection, resilience, traumatic stress, and satisfaction with life amongst university students at three tertiary higher education institutions in South Africa. Our participants were a convenience sample (N = 803) of South African students attending three universities. Participants completed an online survey that contained a battery of psychological measures that measured fear of COVID-19, Perceived Vulnerability to Disease, Resilience, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Hopelessness, Anxiety, PTSD, Alcohol Use, Traumatic Stress, and worry about infection with COVID-19. The mean age of participants was 25 (SD = 8.22), most of whom were female (51%). An increase in age amongst respondents was significantly positively correlated with hopelessness and life satisfaction, but also significantly negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol use. Multivariate analysis showed that women reported significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, PTSD, and COVID-19 related worries compared to men and those identifying as “other.” Students at the urban university reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, and COVID-19 related worries but lower levels of anxiety compared to those at the peri-urban and rural university. Students at the rural institution reported greater levels of alcohol use compared to those at the other institutions. Psychological distress among students was exacerbated during the pandemic. It may be useful to identify students in the first term who are struggling academically and to direct them to both academic and counseling support services.
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  • Date Issued: 2024

Garden bird ringing at 3 Florence Street, Oatlands, Mkhanda (Grahamstown): the closing chapter

  • Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K
  • Date: 2024
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449836 , vital:74856 , https://doi.org/10.15641/bo.1500
  • Description: This is the third and final report summarizing 42 years of bird ringing in a garden in Mkhanda. In total, 2036 birds of 59 species were ringed, of which 217 individuals (27 species) were recaptured at least once, and 34 birds (17 species) were recovered dead.
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  • Date Issued: 2024
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