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The use of gabions as a tool for ecological engineering

- Seath, Jessica Lauren

Authors: Seath, Jessica Lauren
Date: 2024-04-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434987 , vital:73121
Description: Anthropogenic activities are centred in coastal ecosystems, including the development of harbours and/or marinas. The artificial structures used in coastal development typically has a different composition, orientation and level of complexity to that of natural ecosystems contributing to loss of biodiversity and increased incidence of invasive species. Ecological engineering research is attempting to identify different types of structures and materials that can increase species diversity and target species of conservation concern in coastal systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of gabions (rock filled structures) as an ecological engineering tool by comparing community structure on these structures with pre-existing seawall structures within a small harbour and marina in South Africa (Knysna Harbour). The objectives of the study were to compare the differences in; 1) fish and; 2) colonising organisms’ diversity and composition between two artificial structures. Thirteen gabion boxes were deployed in Knysna Harbour and together with corresponding seawalls, monitored quarterly over a period of 12 months (August 2020 – August 2021) to assess taxon and functional richness, diversity, abundance and composition of fish, invertebrate and algal species. Physico-chemical characteristics of the water body were also monitored quarterly. Remote underwater video systems were used to quantify MaxN (maximum number of a fish species in the frame at any one time during each set that gives an indication of relative abundance) and identify fish species. The results of the two-way crossed ANOVAs indicated that gabion habitats recruited greater numbers and more types of fish species and from more functional groups than the seawalls, especially omnivorous and carnivorous fish. Additionally, photoquadrats were used to quantify percentage cover, counts and to identify colonising taxa. The results of the two-way crossed ANOVAs indicated that gabions hosted greater numbers of species resulting in a higher overall diversity and abundance of colonising organisms than seawalls. By contrast, the seawalls supported more types of functional groups of colonising organisms than gabions, largely due to abundances of different algal species. The results from the crossed PERMANOVAs indicated that the composition of fish and colonising organisms were vastly different from one another, and that each habitat was supporting very different functional groups. Results indicate that whilst both gabions and seawalls contain several alien species, that the ratio of native to alien species is higher in gabion habitats. Additionally, this research observed that gabion structures hosted four species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study has highlighted that the use of gabions (with their natural increased complexity) could be important to consider for the future of urban coastal development in harbours such as in Knysna Harbour. Ecological engineering projects using gabions have the potential to be used in South Africa in projects that aim at increasing biodiversity in urban coastal environments. As well as increasing the settlement and abundance of habitat-forming ecosystem engineers to ensure the long-term stability of these ecosystems. They can be used both in the development of new costal development projects as well as in an ad-hoc fashion where they can be interspersed on seawalls in harbours. Additionally, gabions have the potential to be used in projects that target species of conservation concern such as the endangered Knysna Seahorse (Hippocampus capensis). It is, however, important to monitor the invasion by non-native species in future ecological engineering projects in South Africa as well as their potential for creating ecological traps (a situation in which an organism may be convinced to settle in a low-quality habitat) for certain species. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04-04

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Octa carboxy metal (II) phthalocyanine covalent films as pH sensitive electrochemical sensor for neurotransmitters

- Moyo, Iphithuli

Authors: Moyo, Iphithuli
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Thin films , Neurotransmitters , Carboxylic acids
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424525 , vital:72161
Description: Octa acyl chloride metallophthalocyanines of cobalt (CoOAClPc) and iron (FeOAClPc) were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The metallophthalocyanines were fabricated as thin films onto phenylethylamine (PEA) pre-grafted Au electrode following a covalent amide reaction. The spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization confirmed the modification of the bare Au with PEA monolayer thin film (Au-PEA) and the covalent immobilization of MOAClPc to yield Au-PEA-MOAClPc (where M is Co and Fe). The acyl chloride functional groups were hydrolyzed forming pH sensitive thin films of terminal carboxylic acid (-COOH) functional groups (Au-PEA-MOCAPc). The Au-PEA-MOCAPc electrode exhibited pH selectivity and sensitivity properties towards the negatively charged [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and positively charged [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+ redox probes. The Au-PEA-MOCAPc electrodes were studied for their electrocatalytic and electroanalytical properties towards the detection of catecholamine neurotransmitters; dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NOR). The electrodes were further investigated in the screening of ascorbic and uric acids by means of pH sensitive functional groups. The modification process exhibited good reproducibility. Excellent electrocatalytic and electroanalytical properties were observed. The limits of detection (LOD) determined using 3σ/m was found to be 64 nM, 0.22 μM and 0.17 μM for DA, EP and NOR respectively using Au-PEA-CoOCAPc. For Au-PEA-FeOCAPc, the LOD was found to 0.24 μM, 0.45 μM and 0.34 μM for DA, EP and NOR respectively. The Au-PEA-MOCAPc electrodes screened off the strong interferents, ascorbic and uric acid. The Au-PEA-FeOCAPc electrode was evaluated for its potential application in real sample analysis using new born calf serum, and it showed excellent percentage recoveries. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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The influence of site characteristics on growth and wood properties of Pinus radiata and Pinus elliottii in the Southern and Eastern Cape forestry regions of South Africa

- Sigcau, Chulumanco

Authors: Sigcau, Chulumanco
Date: 2023-04
Subjects: Forests and forestry -- Environmental aspects , Pine – Growth -- South Africa , Pinus radiata
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61234 , vital:69828
Description: The intensive nature of plantation forestry in South Africa requires efficiency and financial viability in production systems, amidst a complex growing environment subjected to changing macro-climatic patterns. The success of plantation forestry operations depends, amongst others, on our understanding of tree growth and wood formation patterns in response to variable growing conditions in both space and time. This study was conducted on the two most commonly used species in the southern and Eastern Cape forestry regions, i.e., Pinus radiata and P. elliottii. The region is regarded as highly suitable for plantation forestry in terms of climatic conditions, but soil characteristics pose several challenges due to nutritional disorders and poor drainage. The study focused on investigating the influence of both soil and climatic conditions on the growth and Wood Density properties of the two species, and to establish functional relationships where possible. The two species showed comparable growth rates at the reference age of 13 years on the range of sites sampled in the study area. An analysis of variance showed greater differences in Site Index between than within sample plots, pointing towards the possible influence of site on growth variation. Correlations between climatic variables and the growth of both species were generally weak and contradictory. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed. It is proposed that the general favourable climatic profile of the region and hydromorphic nature of soils reduce the chances of significant correlations between variables influencing moisture availability and tree growth. The analysis of correlations between soil parameters and tree growth revealed some influence of soil organic C and Na on the growth of P. elliottii. This is discussed in terms of our understanding of the influence of soil parent material and soil ecology. The absence of any correlations between soil chemical parameters and the growth of P. radiata was conspicuous. This is in contradiction with earlier studies on the species in the region and can possibly be explained in terms of the site-specific fertilizing policy of the industry, as well as the less diverse range of sites sampled than in the past, which can mask or reduce nutrient limitations for tree growth. However, P. radiata did show a high level of sensitivity towards effective soil depth. Site-quality prediction models are proposed for the two species, but with variable application value due to the limited options of significant control variables that can be considered for inclusion in the models. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science and Management, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-04

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Pharmaco-chemical investigation of Erythrina caffra: extracts, isolated compounds and their biological activities

- Nogqala, Simnikiwe

Authors: Nogqala, Simnikiwe
Date: 2023-03-29
Subjects: Coast coral tree , Traditional medicine South Africa , Antibacterial agents , Antineoplastic agents , Organic compounds
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/422459 , vital:71944
Description: In this study, secondary metabolites isolated from Erythrina caffra, a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa, were investigated. E. caffra is well-known for its healing properties and it is traditionally used for treating bacterial infections like tuberculosis (TB), abscesses, tooth aches and ear infections. Its extracts have also been used to treat cancer. Though many studies have been done on this plant, most of them tended to focus solely on the isolated compounds. In the present study however, extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from E. caffra were evaluated for their anticancer, anti-oxidant, anti-enzymatic, antibacterial and cytotoxicity. The methanol crude extract (B1) from the stem bark of E. caffra was used to extract alkaloidic fractions (B2 and B3) using ethyl acetate and n-butanol respectively, a third fraction (B4) was also extracted using ethyl acetate this fraction was called a neutral fraction. The neutral fraction (B4) was fractionated and through a sequence of column chromatography three active secondary metabolites were isolated. The isolated compounds included Lupeol (1), stigmasterol (2) and 5,7-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-3',5'-diprenylflavanone (3). These isolated compounds were characterized and identified using spectroscopic techniques including IR, NMR and high-resolution Mass Spectrometry. Using the cell line HCC-70, isolated from a primary ductal carcinoma, in vitro anticancer assays were carried out on the crude extract from the bark, fractions, isolated compounds and an unseparated mixture of two compounds. These samples were also evaluated for their anti-oxidant, anti-enzymatic, antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities. The crude extract inhibited the cell viability by over 30% and had no effect on the HeLa cells at concentrations of 20μM. Abyssinone V’ 4-methyl-ether (3) and the mixture of stigmasterol (2) and an unidentified compound exhibited potent anticancer activity against the HCC-70 cell line with IC50 of 18.05μM and 9.04μM respectively. Antibacterial assays were also carried out on the crude extracts, fractions and concoctions made from the fractions with the best activity combined with the ones that performed poorly. The concoctions were prepared as two separate series (S and N series). The crude extract inhibited more than 80% of the Staphylococcus aureus cells at a concentration of 20μM with only minimal damage to the HeLa cells. In the concoctions however, the N series managed to inhibit over 96% of the S. aureus while exhibiting no cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells. The extract and its fractions also showed good anti-oxidant activities. Molecular docking of these compounds was done on the Human estrogen receptor (PDB ID:3ERT) and Abyssinone V’ 4-methyl-ether (3) showed the best docking score of -6.6 Kcal/mol, for the simulation against Epidermal growth factor receptor (PDB ID: 1M17) Stigmasterol (2) showed the best docking score of -3.8 Kcal/mol. In silico docking on 3ERT and 1M17 were done to test the binding affinity of the isolated compounds to the proteins which are well known to be overexpressed in some types of cancer. Flavonoids isolated from Erythrina species have been reported to possess good antiplasmodial activity. However, due to the minute amounts isolated in the present study in-vitro assays could not be carried out. Nevertheless, in-silico assays were conducted on the most prominent protozoal parasite which causes malaria in the majority of African countries. In-silico simulations were done against Plasmodium falciparum protein (PDB ID: 7KJH), of the tested compounds Abyssinone V’ 4-methyl-ether (3) was found possess the best docking score of -4.4 Kcal/mol. The molecular docking of 7KJH was done to assess the inhibitory potential of the isolated compounds on protozoal parasites. Pharmacokinetic properties of the isolated compounds were also assessed in silico to assist in evaluating the drug likeness of these compounds. The compounds showed a percent human oral absorption of 100% except for Abyssinone V’ 4-methyl-ether (3), which showed 93.83%, this indicates a remarkable oral bioavailability. Stigamsterol (2) exhibited a Caco-2 cell permeability (QPPCaco) greater than 500 which indicates outstanding results for good intestinal absorption. The compounds also displayed a blood-brain partition co-efficient (QPlogBB) ranging from -1.433 to 0.128 suggesting they will have less potential to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus reducing any CNS related toxicity. Molecular networking of the crude extracts and the fractions was done through GNPS which allowed the identification of known compounds including one isolated in the present study, Abyssinone V’ 4-methyl-ether (3). Possible derivatives that have not been isolated from this plant before were also putatively identified. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-03-29

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Infuence of green marketing mix on sustainable consumption and customer loyalty in Polokwane, South Africa

- Chiwenga, Lillian

Authors: Chiwenga, Lillian
Date: 2023-00
Subjects: Retail Green Marketing
Language: English
Type: Masters theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9948 , vital:74929
Description: Marketers throughout all industries are investing enormously towards developing and promoting green products and the retail sector is not exempted from this growing trend. The study aimed to investigate the influence of green marketing mix elements (green product, green price, green promotion and green distribution or place) on sustainable consumption and customer loyalty. To achieve the objective, the research study employed a positivist research paradigm anchored by a quantitative approach using descriptive research design. A structured self-administered survey questionnaire was randomly distributed to retail customers of a sample size of 265 respondents. The data was analysed using SPSS for descriptive statistics and Smart PLS for Structural equation modelling. The key findings reveal that all five hypothesised relationships are positive, however, only four are significant. The strongest relationship was found between sustainable consumption and customer loyalty (β=0.432) while the weakest (yet positive) relationship was between green place and sustainable consumption (β=0.078). The study equips the retailers about the key predictors of consumers’ green sustainable consumption behaviour enabling them to tailor their product offerings and formulate marketing strategies to encourage green buying behaviour. The current study can further assists policymakers to ground their discussions when developing regulations that govern how retail industries should promote, price and distribute their green products. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and financial Sciences, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-00

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The assessment of degradation state in Ecological Infrastructure and prioritisation for rehabilitation and drought mitigation in the Tsitsa River Catchment

- Mahlaba, Bawinile

Authors: Mahlaba, Bawinile
Date: 2022-04-06
Subjects: Environmental degradation South Africa Eastern Cape , Restoration ecology South Africa Eastern Cape , Climate change mitigation South Africa Eastern Cape , Droughts South Africa Eastern Cape , South African National Biodiversity Institute , Sustainable development South Africa Eastern Cape , Watersheds , Ecological Infrastructure (EI)‎ , ‎Tsitsa River Catchment
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/202138 , vital:46470
Description: Ecosystem degradation is a serious concern globally, including in South Africa, because of the potential adverse impacts on food security, livelihoods, climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Ecosystem degradation can result in flow alteration in the landscape through changes in the hydrological regime. The study adopts the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Framework of Investing in Ecological Infrastructure (EI) to prioritise the restoration of degraded ecosystems and maintain ecosystem structures and functions. This study aims to assess how EI (specifically wetlands, grassland, abandoned cultivated fields, and riparian zone) can facilitate drought mitigation: to assess land degradation status and identify priority EI areas that can be restored to improve the drought mitigation capacity. Two assessment methods were used in this study. Firstly, the Trends.Earth tool was used to assess degradation and land cover change from the year 2000-2015 in Tsitsa catchment, through assessment of Sustainable Development Goal degradation indicator (SDG15.3.1) at a resolution of 300 m. The degradation indicator uses information from three sub-indicators: Productivity, Landcover and Soil Organic Carbon to compute degraded areas. The degraded areas need to be restored and rehabilitated to maintain the flow of essential ecosystems services provided by EI. The second assessment used the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which integrates stakeholder inputs into a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The AHP is a useful decision support system that considers a range of quantitative and qualitative alternatives in making a final decision to solve complex problems. As part of the AHP analysis, participatory mapping using Participatory Geographic Information System was conducted to obtain stakeholder inputs for prioritising restoration of the key EI categories (wetlands, grassland, abandoned cultivated fields, and riparian zone) in the catchment. During the participatory mapping, communities prioritised the key EI based on three criteria: (1) ecosystem health, (2) water provisioning and (3) social benefits. The AHP method was used in ArcGIS to prioritise suitable key EI restoration areas with high potential to increase water recharge and storage, contribute to drought mitigation and ecosystem services for the catchment. The prioritisation of EI for community livelihoods in the AHP analysis included all three main criteria. In comparison, the prioritisation of suitable key EI restoration areas for flow regulations was based on two criteria: ecosystem health and water provisioning. The land degradation indicator showed that approximately 54% of the catchment is stable, 41% is degraded land, and 5% of the area has improved over the assessment period (15 years). The degradation status in the EI suggests that more than half (>50%) of each EI category is stable, but there are areas showing signs of degradation, including 43% of grasslands degraded and 39% of wetlands, cultivated lands, and riparian zones also degraded. Degradation is dominant in the upper (T35B and T3C) and lower (T35K, T35L and T35M) parts of the catchments. The three criteria used by the stakeholders in the prioritisation process of the key EI were assigned 12 spatial attributes (the catchment characteristics about the study area in relation to the criteria) to indicate relevant information needed for selecting suitable restoration areas to enhance flow regulation. The AHP analysis results identified approximately 63% (17,703 ha) of wetlands, 88% (235,829 ha) of grasslands, 78% (13,608 ha) of abandoned cultivated fields and 93% (3,791 ha) of the riparian zones as suitable areas for restoration to mitigate drought impact through flow regulation. Also, the suitability results showed 63% (17,703 ha) of wetlands, 58% (2,203 ha) of riparian zones, 68% (11,745 ha) of abandoned cultivated fields and 46% (122,285 ha) of grasslands as suitable restoration areas for improving ecosystem services for community livelihoods. The AHP analysis identified more than 39-43% (of the degraded EI indicated by the Trends.Earth analysis) areas that are suitable for restoration, because key EI plays a significant role in flow regulation and people’s livelihoods, especially when they are managed, maintained, and restored to good health conditions. Therefore, the prioritized EI areas should be either maintained, managed, rehabilitated or restored. The major distinct causes of land degradation are woody encroachment in grasslands, invasion of alien plants on abandoned cultivated fields and soil erosion in the catchment. The most suitable EI areas recommended for restoration are those natural resources near local communities, which provide essential ecosystem services to sustain their livelihood. Therefore, degraded EI in the T35 catchments should be restored and maintained to improve livelihood and mitigate drought impacts. The study pointed out how the key selected ecological infrastructure can help mitigate the impacts of droughts and improve human livelihood. The study contributes towards the important concept of investing in ecological infrastructure to improve the social, environmental, and economic benefits. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-04-06

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Seasonal changes of metals in the salt marsh and seagrass beds of the Swartkops Estuary

- Nel, Marelé Annette

Authors: Nel, Marelé Annette
Date: 2022-04
Subjects: Salt marshes--Effect of heavy metals on--South Africa--Swartkops River Estuary , Estuarine ecology --South Africa --Swartkops River Estuary
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55734 , vital:53411
Description: Estuaries are historically convenient places to build industries, as it was deemed a suitable place to dispose of large quantities of urban and industrial waste into the ocean. At the time it was judged to be appropriate, as rivers can transport and deposit waste into the ocean, which was considered so vast that it is insurmountable. Therefore, metal pollution in estuaries is a well-known occurrence. Coastal wetlands play an important role in the cycling of metals, and act as effective metal sinks. They provide an important ecosystem service acting as accumulators and phytostabilisers, which make toxic levels of the metals unavailable to the rest of the food chain. The overall aim of this study was to assess the metal pollution in the salt marsh (Salicornia tegetaria and Spartina maritima) and seagrass (Zostera capensis) of the heavily developed Swartkops Estuary. Assessing the metals in the estuary will provide information on effective environmental management strategies. Metal concentrations were measured in the rhizosediment of the three wetland plants, bare sediment, and in the tissues (leaves, shoots, and roots) of the selected plant species. Sampling occurred during one seasonal cycle (2019-2020), and in 5 sites along the middle and lower reaches of the estuary. Metal concentrations were not the highest closest to the point sources in the middle reaches, but the metals rather accumulated downstream in Site 3 (Tiger Bay launch site close to the WwTW) and Site 4 (Tippers’ Creek), which were depositional sites. Although these two sites generally displayed the highest metal concentrations, they also had the most seasonal fluctuations in their metal concentrations and sediment characteristics. Flushing events in spring/summer were likely the determining factor of these fluctuations. The mouth of the estuary (Site 5) consistently had much lower metal concentrations, with distinctly more sandy, low organic content sediment, due to marine-influenced flushing. Thus, spatial differences were distinct in the estuary, however seasonal differences did not play an important role in the metal concentrations, indicating that seasonal sampling was not as important as sampling in different sites. Assessing the metal concentrations in different rhizosediment gave important insights on intertidal accumulation and contrasted with the unvegetated (bare) sediment. The metals generally accumulated more, higher up the intertidal range, due to less frequent tidal inundation and flushing — so that metal accumulated in the vegetation in the following order: Z. capensis > S. maritima > S. tegetaria. Moreover, unvegetated (bare sediment) showed much lower metal concentrations compared to the rhizosediment, indicating that the vegetation trapped small particles, and changes the physical environment to concentrate metals in their rhizosphere. Lastly, the plant species all displayed good accumulation of metals in their roots, while Z. capensis also showed remarkable uptake to its leaves. The study identified S. maritima and S. tegetaria as good phytostabilisers, particularly the latter with its vi high metal stocks and slow root turnover rate. The compartmentalization in these plants were unique to each species, corroborating previous assessments that compartmentalization cannot be compared between similar life forms and genera. These results contribute to local and international research on biogeochemistry in wetlands, and assessment of pollution in developed estuaries. Of note is Z. capensis, an endemic Southern African species, which has not been analysed for compartmentalization of metals before. All three of the studied species have potential as metal accumulators, and therefore a sink of metals. They localize the metals, limiting bioaccumulation to the rest of the food chain, which reduces the ecotoxic effect of metals in the environment. Higher accumulation in vegetated (rhizosediment) over bare sediment, make these habitats valuable metal sinks. This increases their importance in estuaries receiving high pollution loads, and they should be prioritized in conservation efforts. Two sites within the Swartkops Estuary, Tippers’ Creek (Site 4) and the Launch Site (Site 3), are potential sites for long-term monitoring due their capacity to trap and accumulate metals. The results of this study will inform local management on the state of metals in the Swartkops Estuary, providing crucial information on the importance of preserving local wetlands for the purpose of regulating toxic levels of metals in the ecosystem. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2022
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Date Issued: 2022-04

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A framework to improve social media as a communication tool in technical vocational education and training colleges in South Africa: a case of twitter.

- Nyamanhare, Sangudzayi Innocent

Authors: Nyamanhare, Sangudzayi Innocent
Date: 2021-02
Subjects: Social media , Education, Higher , Universities and colleges
Language: English
Type: Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20495 , vital:46008
Description: South Africa uses social media as a communication tool. The use of Twitter as a communication tool in Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) in South Africa is a crucial factor for efficient and effective communication between TVET College administration and stakeholders such as prospective students, students, prospective employers, prospective employees and the Twitter community which follow various Twitter accounts. Literature has found that TVET Colleges use Twitter in a monologic manner which promotes one-way information flow. Twitter is also used in a limited fashion and within silos within TVET Colleges that have incorporated this social media platform into their communication strategy. The main purpose of this research study was to develop a framework to improve social media as a communication tool in TVET Colleges in South Africa. The Social Media-Integration- Theory-Model was used as the theoretical framework to evaluate the use of Twitter in TVET Colleges in South Africa, thus enabling the development of critical success factors to improve the use of social media as a communication tool. The Interpretivist paradigm and qualitative research approach was chosen for this study. Netnography was used to collect the online data from Twitter that was analysed in the study. Data was collected from 36 TVET Colleges in South Africa that have a Twitter account over a one-year period (April 2019 – March 2020). After the data collection, content and thematic analysis were used to analyse the date. The study developed a framework from the analyses of tweets which incorporated the four constructs from the Social-Media-Integration-Theory-Model. The study also developed five critical success factors, namely, procuring and maintaining of ICT infrastructure; implementing a policy that guide the use of social networks for communication purposes in TVET Colleges; raising awareness on the use of Twitter as a tool for communication; intensive training to manage administration of Twitter accounts and appointing champions to promote Twitter as a communication tool in TVET Colleges. , Thesis (MCom) (Information Systems)-- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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Date Issued: 2021-02

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