Movement patterns of the iconic giant kingfish Caranx ignobilis from Southern Africa
- Authors: Dixon, Russell Bruce
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Caranx Africa, Southern , Caranx Migration , Underwater acoustic telemetry , Carangidae Africa, Southern , Fish tagging
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362797 , vital:65363
- Description: Giant kingfish Caranx ignobilis, the largest species in the family Carangidae, are global icons as apex marine predators. They are widespread in tropical to subtropical regions globally, where they are of high importance to ecosystems and fisheries. During summer, adults aggregate for spawning, making them vulnerable to overfishing. The world’s largest recorded C. ignobilis aggregation is in southern Mozambique. Some of these aggregating individuals (an unknown proportion) have been recorded passing into South African waters. Furthermore, a unique aggregation of adult C. ignobilis in South Africa’s Mtentu Estuary has attracted global attention but remains unexplained, hence warranting investigation. Research on C. ignobilis globally has shown relatively small home ranges. Research in southern Africa has been limited and inconclusive. Thus, the broad aim of this study is to describe the movement patterns of C. ignobilis from southern Africa. Long-term (36 years) mark-recapture data from the Oceanographic Research Institute’s Co-operative Fish Tagging Project, comprising 3 729 tagged C. ignobilis and 144 recaptures, were analysed. While 74% of recaptures were recorded < 1 km from the tagging location, long-distance movements of up to 419 km were also recorded (mean = 15 km). Although adults moved significantly (p < 0.01) greater distances than juveniles, they also displayed high levels of site fidelity. Seasonal trends included evidence of a summer migration; however, there was still considerable uncertainty regarding exact movements. Therefore, 43 C. ignobilis were acoustically tagged and subsequently monitored along the east coast for over five years with the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform’s passive receiver array. All acoustically tagged adult C. ignobilis migrated to southern Mozambique each year (with minor exceptions), from distances of up to 632 km. When not migrating, South African-based fish showed consistent inter-annual fidelity to individual home ranges. Although coastal home range length (excluding migrations) varied considerably between individuals, even the mean length (92 km) was greater than any previously recorded C. ignobilis home range, globally. In contrast to the southern Mozambique aggregation, the Mtentu Estuary aggregation seems to comprise of individuals showing fidelity to that region. The passive tracking of eight acoustically tagged individuals in the Mtentu Estuary revealed clear trends. Statistical modelling showed that estuarine presence was strongly associated with periods of cold coastal upwelling. Diel movement patterns showed that the utilisation of warm surface waters ~ 4 km upstream during the day was followed by nightly departures to the mouth or sea. Thus, it is likely that this majestic aggregation is for thermal refuge; specifically, for daily re-warming after feeding in cold waters at night. Findings from this study are of global ecological interest and have direct applications for local fisheries management and the development of sustainable eco-tourism. Protecting these vulnerable aggregations is of the utmost importance for the future of this species in southern Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Dixon, Russell Bruce
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Caranx Africa, Southern , Caranx Migration , Underwater acoustic telemetry , Carangidae Africa, Southern , Fish tagging
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362797 , vital:65363
- Description: Giant kingfish Caranx ignobilis, the largest species in the family Carangidae, are global icons as apex marine predators. They are widespread in tropical to subtropical regions globally, where they are of high importance to ecosystems and fisheries. During summer, adults aggregate for spawning, making them vulnerable to overfishing. The world’s largest recorded C. ignobilis aggregation is in southern Mozambique. Some of these aggregating individuals (an unknown proportion) have been recorded passing into South African waters. Furthermore, a unique aggregation of adult C. ignobilis in South Africa’s Mtentu Estuary has attracted global attention but remains unexplained, hence warranting investigation. Research on C. ignobilis globally has shown relatively small home ranges. Research in southern Africa has been limited and inconclusive. Thus, the broad aim of this study is to describe the movement patterns of C. ignobilis from southern Africa. Long-term (36 years) mark-recapture data from the Oceanographic Research Institute’s Co-operative Fish Tagging Project, comprising 3 729 tagged C. ignobilis and 144 recaptures, were analysed. While 74% of recaptures were recorded < 1 km from the tagging location, long-distance movements of up to 419 km were also recorded (mean = 15 km). Although adults moved significantly (p < 0.01) greater distances than juveniles, they also displayed high levels of site fidelity. Seasonal trends included evidence of a summer migration; however, there was still considerable uncertainty regarding exact movements. Therefore, 43 C. ignobilis were acoustically tagged and subsequently monitored along the east coast for over five years with the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform’s passive receiver array. All acoustically tagged adult C. ignobilis migrated to southern Mozambique each year (with minor exceptions), from distances of up to 632 km. When not migrating, South African-based fish showed consistent inter-annual fidelity to individual home ranges. Although coastal home range length (excluding migrations) varied considerably between individuals, even the mean length (92 km) was greater than any previously recorded C. ignobilis home range, globally. In contrast to the southern Mozambique aggregation, the Mtentu Estuary aggregation seems to comprise of individuals showing fidelity to that region. The passive tracking of eight acoustically tagged individuals in the Mtentu Estuary revealed clear trends. Statistical modelling showed that estuarine presence was strongly associated with periods of cold coastal upwelling. Diel movement patterns showed that the utilisation of warm surface waters ~ 4 km upstream during the day was followed by nightly departures to the mouth or sea. Thus, it is likely that this majestic aggregation is for thermal refuge; specifically, for daily re-warming after feeding in cold waters at night. Findings from this study are of global ecological interest and have direct applications for local fisheries management and the development of sustainable eco-tourism. Protecting these vulnerable aggregations is of the utmost importance for the future of this species in southern Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Oversight mechanisms and service delivery: a case study of municipal public accounts committee oversight of electricity services in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
- Authors: Mpofu, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Municipal services South Africa , Local government South Africa , Local service delivery , Public sector , Oversight , Economics Sociological aspects , Government accountability South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408671 , vital:70515
- Description: Over the last few years, there has been a notable increase in popularity in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a form of alternative medicinal treatment for various illnesses. CBD, a by-product of the cannabis plant, is an isolate and does not contain the psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are chronic reproductive health sicknesses that are increasingly experienced by women. In the absence of cures, biomedical treatment for these diseases aim to manage symptoms, for example; heavy bleeding, heightened levels of pain, and insomnia. CBD offers an alternative to women who feel that biomedical interventions are no longer able to maintain their health and well-being. CBD positions itself as a natural remedy claiming to be safe and effective. This research study, mainly through qualitative data collection, focused on experiences of Zimbabwean and South African women living with endometriosis and/ or PCOS, who have turned to CBD to manage their symptoms. The importance of this study was to position itself within patients’ lived experiences. The research study found that CBD indeed has numerous benefits, including pain management, alleviating stress, and anxiety. Through the emergent themes from the data, it became clear that women are marginalised and treated unequally in the biomedical healthcare sphere. Feminist Anthropology and Structural Violence was applied to analyse the data collected to explore the patriarchal nature of the biomedical healthcare system and the experiences that women have, which has led them to turn to alternative treatments. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Mpofu, Sibabalwe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Municipal services South Africa , Local government South Africa , Local service delivery , Public sector , Oversight , Economics Sociological aspects , Government accountability South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408671 , vital:70515
- Description: Over the last few years, there has been a notable increase in popularity in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a form of alternative medicinal treatment for various illnesses. CBD, a by-product of the cannabis plant, is an isolate and does not contain the psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are chronic reproductive health sicknesses that are increasingly experienced by women. In the absence of cures, biomedical treatment for these diseases aim to manage symptoms, for example; heavy bleeding, heightened levels of pain, and insomnia. CBD offers an alternative to women who feel that biomedical interventions are no longer able to maintain their health and well-being. CBD positions itself as a natural remedy claiming to be safe and effective. This research study, mainly through qualitative data collection, focused on experiences of Zimbabwean and South African women living with endometriosis and/ or PCOS, who have turned to CBD to manage their symptoms. The importance of this study was to position itself within patients’ lived experiences. The research study found that CBD indeed has numerous benefits, including pain management, alleviating stress, and anxiety. Through the emergent themes from the data, it became clear that women are marginalised and treated unequally in the biomedical healthcare sphere. Feminist Anthropology and Structural Violence was applied to analyse the data collected to explore the patriarchal nature of the biomedical healthcare system and the experiences that women have, which has led them to turn to alternative treatments. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Population dynamics, fire, and reproductive ecology of Oldenburgia grandis (Asteraceae), an unusual fynbos tree endemic to the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mostert, Emma Charlotte
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365268 , vital:65722
- Description: Thesis embargoed. Possible release date set for early 2024. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Mostert, Emma Charlotte
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365268 , vital:65722
- Description: Thesis embargoed. Possible release date set for early 2024. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Reforging Ockham’s Razor: an enquiry into the ontology of parsimony arguments
- Authors: Dichmont, Thomas
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Logic , Metaphysics , Ontology , Knowledge, Theory of , Epistemology , Philosophy and science , Occam's razor
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406736 , vital:70303
- Description: Nearly every philosopher in English-speaking world has heard of Ockham’s Razor, which is given in one of two ways, don’t multiply entities beyond necessity and all things being equal choose the simpler explanation. Yet it is unclear from the scholarship whether the use of Ockham’s Razor is justified in science and philosophy. However, if it can be shown to ‘get’ us truth, it would gain an unequivocal justification, as disputes that are continued after the parties to the substantive truth of one or the other are defined as frivolous. Alternative, one may contend that explanation could have other criteria of success. The implication of a direct connection between the razor and truth comes with ontological commitments, namely a commitment to realism (about universals) and philosophical theism. This is contrary to the razor’s use as a tool of nominalism and naturalism. I argue in this thesis there that the only possible non-circular justification for Ockham’s Razor is truth and that therefore certain philosophical positions are excluded from using the razor to animate their positions. There is an additional, second criteria for the success of our inquiry, namely the justification must in some way be consistent with the razor, which means the chosen explanation for the razor, must be simpler than any of its rivals and not have superfluous entities, otherwise our justification would be contrary to the advice of the razor. We are presented with a Scylla and Charybdis type problem, we avoid a circularity on the one hand and on the other we must not contradict the razor itself, these are contrary intellectual impulses. So firstly I will look at disciplines outside philosophy for some initial inspiration. If we could answer this question in a ‘non’ philosophical way, the problem would have solved itself in a way that require little change of practice. If lawyers or scientist can account for the razor properly, there is not really a problem of justification, at least not a philosophical one. Second, I consider the realist and theist positions, namely an argument of Aristotle’s in the Posterior Analytics and part of Aquinas’ On the Divine Simplicity. Further, I consider the work of Ockham as a nominalist. Lastly, I consider modern and contemporary philosophy, in the form of Hume, Quine and Sober (a modern writer on the razor). The aim here is to ‘stress test’ the philosophical resources of the various systems and analyse the results to see if they can produce a non-circular result. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Dichmont, Thomas
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Logic , Metaphysics , Ontology , Knowledge, Theory of , Epistemology , Philosophy and science , Occam's razor
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406736 , vital:70303
- Description: Nearly every philosopher in English-speaking world has heard of Ockham’s Razor, which is given in one of two ways, don’t multiply entities beyond necessity and all things being equal choose the simpler explanation. Yet it is unclear from the scholarship whether the use of Ockham’s Razor is justified in science and philosophy. However, if it can be shown to ‘get’ us truth, it would gain an unequivocal justification, as disputes that are continued after the parties to the substantive truth of one or the other are defined as frivolous. Alternative, one may contend that explanation could have other criteria of success. The implication of a direct connection between the razor and truth comes with ontological commitments, namely a commitment to realism (about universals) and philosophical theism. This is contrary to the razor’s use as a tool of nominalism and naturalism. I argue in this thesis there that the only possible non-circular justification for Ockham’s Razor is truth and that therefore certain philosophical positions are excluded from using the razor to animate their positions. There is an additional, second criteria for the success of our inquiry, namely the justification must in some way be consistent with the razor, which means the chosen explanation for the razor, must be simpler than any of its rivals and not have superfluous entities, otherwise our justification would be contrary to the advice of the razor. We are presented with a Scylla and Charybdis type problem, we avoid a circularity on the one hand and on the other we must not contradict the razor itself, these are contrary intellectual impulses. So firstly I will look at disciplines outside philosophy for some initial inspiration. If we could answer this question in a ‘non’ philosophical way, the problem would have solved itself in a way that require little change of practice. If lawyers or scientist can account for the razor properly, there is not really a problem of justification, at least not a philosophical one. Second, I consider the realist and theist positions, namely an argument of Aristotle’s in the Posterior Analytics and part of Aquinas’ On the Divine Simplicity. Further, I consider the work of Ockham as a nominalist. Lastly, I consider modern and contemporary philosophy, in the form of Hume, Quine and Sober (a modern writer on the razor). The aim here is to ‘stress test’ the philosophical resources of the various systems and analyse the results to see if they can produce a non-circular result. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The biology of Oreochromis mossambicus and vulnerability to the invasion of Oreochromis niloticus
- Authors: Mpanza, Nobuhle Phumzile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Ecomorphology , Mozambique tilapia , Nile tilapia , Introduced fishes , Predatory aquatic animals , Predation (Biology) , Otoliths , Von Bertalanffy function
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362983 , vital:65380
- Description: Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, a native southern African species now co-occurs with invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus throughout much of the distribution of the former. The spread of O. niloticus in South Africa has been attributed to escapees from aquaculture facilities, placing O. mossambicus at risk through competition for habitat and food resources, as well as through hybridisation. To better manage invasions, a comprehensive understanding of the biology, ecology and behaviour of both native and invasive species is required. The aim of this research was to comparatively assess the biology of O. mossambicus and O. niloticus, their food resource use characteristics and potential competitive interactions to infer impact risks associated with O. niloticus invasion dynamics. In addition to lack of sufficient autecological knowledge on O. niloticus in general, the challenge in the Eastern Cape is that relatively little regional knowledge is available on the biology and ecology of the native O. mossambicus. To address this, a total of 101 O. mossambicus individuals (32 - 297 mm LT) were sampled from the Sunday River catchment and their age and growth determined using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The largest female was 288.8 mm with a parameter estimate of LT (mm) = 272 (1-e-0.331(t=0.772)) and the largest male was 297 mm described as LT (mm) = 331.9 (1-e-0.167(t=1.192)). The growth parameter estimate age for combined sexes was best described as LT (mm) = 322.5 (1-e-0.201(t=1.027)). The growth rate was initially rapid for O. mossambicus and the asymptotic length reached after four years. The length-at-50% maturity was reached at 106.45 mm LT (R2 = 0.57) for the entire population. There was a significant difference (ᵡ2 = 8,047, df = 1, p-value = 0.0045) in the sex ratio between males and females which was skewed towards males 1:1.89 (F:M). Comparisons with O. niloticus were based on literature and these showed that O. niloticus had faster growth rates than O. mossambicus. These results serve as a baseline study in predicting the potential impacts of O. niloticus if it was to be introduced in the Eastern Cape region. Furthermore, although these two species are known to share habitat and food resources, feeding dynamics within the context of relative impact on prey resources, and competition potential between the species, are largely lacking. I used experimental functional response procedures to contrast the food consumption dynamics of each species and to assess for any multiple predator effects (MPEs) between these two closely related fishes. This was done by contrasting functional responses between individual species under single predator scenarios, predicted multiple predator functional response dynamics based on the individual species outputs, and actually observed functional responses under multiple predator conditions. Results showed that both Nile tilapia and Mozambique tilapia depicted a destabilizing Type II functional response. In both single and conspecific pairing Nile tilapia had significantly greater functional responses than Mozambique tilapia, hence greater overall predatory potential than its native congeneric Mozambique tilapia. Attack rates were also greater for Nile tilapia than Mozambique tilapia with both species showing similar handling times in single trials. However, no evidence for MPEs were detected, given lack of differences between predicted and observed functional responses under heterospecific conditions. These results suggest that Nile tilapia do not adjust their food intake in the presence of heterospecific competitors, but do consume more than Mozambique tilapia and are better at finding food when it is present at low densities. Feeding-related morphological characteristics may influence predatory performance of a species and can further provide information on the species’ capacity to locate, attack and consume different prey items. The feeding capacities between O. mossambicus and O. niloticus were compared based on morphological traits in order to determine whether differences existed, and if these differences place the invasive O. niloticus at an advantageous position in terms of resource acquisition and consumption over its native congener. Principal component analysis for functional morphology traits showed overlap between O. niloticus and O. mossambicus. Oreochromis niloticus had distinctively larger lower jaw closing force, gill resistance and gill raker length which facilitated greater feeding capacities for the invasive species over the native O. mossambicus. Trophic profiles depicted high dietary overlap between the two species. Although O. niloticus had a greater feeding capacity towards phytoplankton, plants, fish (ambush), fish (pursuit) and larvae, while O. mossambicus only showed greater feeding capacity towards zooplankton. While dietary overlap and similarities in morphological traits between native and invasive species may result in exploitative competition between the species, O. niloticus seems to be more versatile in its feeding and capable of consuming food web components that O. mossambicus may not be able to handle. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Mpanza, Nobuhle Phumzile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Ecomorphology , Mozambique tilapia , Nile tilapia , Introduced fishes , Predatory aquatic animals , Predation (Biology) , Otoliths , Von Bertalanffy function
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362983 , vital:65380
- Description: Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, a native southern African species now co-occurs with invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus throughout much of the distribution of the former. The spread of O. niloticus in South Africa has been attributed to escapees from aquaculture facilities, placing O. mossambicus at risk through competition for habitat and food resources, as well as through hybridisation. To better manage invasions, a comprehensive understanding of the biology, ecology and behaviour of both native and invasive species is required. The aim of this research was to comparatively assess the biology of O. mossambicus and O. niloticus, their food resource use characteristics and potential competitive interactions to infer impact risks associated with O. niloticus invasion dynamics. In addition to lack of sufficient autecological knowledge on O. niloticus in general, the challenge in the Eastern Cape is that relatively little regional knowledge is available on the biology and ecology of the native O. mossambicus. To address this, a total of 101 O. mossambicus individuals (32 - 297 mm LT) were sampled from the Sunday River catchment and their age and growth determined using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The largest female was 288.8 mm with a parameter estimate of LT (mm) = 272 (1-e-0.331(t=0.772)) and the largest male was 297 mm described as LT (mm) = 331.9 (1-e-0.167(t=1.192)). The growth parameter estimate age for combined sexes was best described as LT (mm) = 322.5 (1-e-0.201(t=1.027)). The growth rate was initially rapid for O. mossambicus and the asymptotic length reached after four years. The length-at-50% maturity was reached at 106.45 mm LT (R2 = 0.57) for the entire population. There was a significant difference (ᵡ2 = 8,047, df = 1, p-value = 0.0045) in the sex ratio between males and females which was skewed towards males 1:1.89 (F:M). Comparisons with O. niloticus were based on literature and these showed that O. niloticus had faster growth rates than O. mossambicus. These results serve as a baseline study in predicting the potential impacts of O. niloticus if it was to be introduced in the Eastern Cape region. Furthermore, although these two species are known to share habitat and food resources, feeding dynamics within the context of relative impact on prey resources, and competition potential between the species, are largely lacking. I used experimental functional response procedures to contrast the food consumption dynamics of each species and to assess for any multiple predator effects (MPEs) between these two closely related fishes. This was done by contrasting functional responses between individual species under single predator scenarios, predicted multiple predator functional response dynamics based on the individual species outputs, and actually observed functional responses under multiple predator conditions. Results showed that both Nile tilapia and Mozambique tilapia depicted a destabilizing Type II functional response. In both single and conspecific pairing Nile tilapia had significantly greater functional responses than Mozambique tilapia, hence greater overall predatory potential than its native congeneric Mozambique tilapia. Attack rates were also greater for Nile tilapia than Mozambique tilapia with both species showing similar handling times in single trials. However, no evidence for MPEs were detected, given lack of differences between predicted and observed functional responses under heterospecific conditions. These results suggest that Nile tilapia do not adjust their food intake in the presence of heterospecific competitors, but do consume more than Mozambique tilapia and are better at finding food when it is present at low densities. Feeding-related morphological characteristics may influence predatory performance of a species and can further provide information on the species’ capacity to locate, attack and consume different prey items. The feeding capacities between O. mossambicus and O. niloticus were compared based on morphological traits in order to determine whether differences existed, and if these differences place the invasive O. niloticus at an advantageous position in terms of resource acquisition and consumption over its native congener. Principal component analysis for functional morphology traits showed overlap between O. niloticus and O. mossambicus. Oreochromis niloticus had distinctively larger lower jaw closing force, gill resistance and gill raker length which facilitated greater feeding capacities for the invasive species over the native O. mossambicus. Trophic profiles depicted high dietary overlap between the two species. Although O. niloticus had a greater feeding capacity towards phytoplankton, plants, fish (ambush), fish (pursuit) and larvae, while O. mossambicus only showed greater feeding capacity towards zooplankton. While dietary overlap and similarities in morphological traits between native and invasive species may result in exploitative competition between the species, O. niloticus seems to be more versatile in its feeding and capable of consuming food web components that O. mossambicus may not be able to handle. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The implementation of a mobile application to decrease occupational sitting through goal setting and social comparison
- Authors: Tsaoane, Moipone Lipalesa
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sedentary behavior , Sitting position , Feedback , Mobile apps , Behavior modification , Agile software development
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365544 , vital:65758
- Description: Background: Feedback proves to be a valuable tool in behaviour change as it is said to increase compliance and improve the effectiveness of interventions. Interventions that focus on decreasing sedentary behaviour as an independent factor from physical activity are necessary, especially for office workers who spend most of their day seated. There is insufficient knowledge regarding the effectiveness of feedback as a tool to decrease sedentary behaviour. This project implemented a tool that can be used to determine this. To take advantage of the cost-effectiveness and scalability of digital technologies, a mobile application was selected as the mode of delivery. Method: The application was designed as an intervention, using the Theoretical Domains Framework. It was then implemented into a fully functioning application through an agile development process, using Xam- arin.Forms framework. Due to challenges with this framework, a second application was developed using the React Native framework. Pilot studies were used for testing, with the final one consisting of Rhodes University employees. Results: The Xamarin.Forms application proved to be unfeasible; some users experienced fatal errors and crashes. The React Native application worked as desired and produced accurate and consistent step count readings, proving feasible from a functionality standpoint. The agile methodology enabled the developer to focus on implementing and testing one component at a time, which made the development process more manageable. Conclusion: Future work must conduct empirical studies to determine if feedback is an effective tool compared to a control group and which type of feedback (between goal-setting and social comparison) is most effective. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Tsaoane, Moipone Lipalesa
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sedentary behavior , Sitting position , Feedback , Mobile apps , Behavior modification , Agile software development
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365544 , vital:65758
- Description: Background: Feedback proves to be a valuable tool in behaviour change as it is said to increase compliance and improve the effectiveness of interventions. Interventions that focus on decreasing sedentary behaviour as an independent factor from physical activity are necessary, especially for office workers who spend most of their day seated. There is insufficient knowledge regarding the effectiveness of feedback as a tool to decrease sedentary behaviour. This project implemented a tool that can be used to determine this. To take advantage of the cost-effectiveness and scalability of digital technologies, a mobile application was selected as the mode of delivery. Method: The application was designed as an intervention, using the Theoretical Domains Framework. It was then implemented into a fully functioning application through an agile development process, using Xam- arin.Forms framework. Due to challenges with this framework, a second application was developed using the React Native framework. Pilot studies were used for testing, with the final one consisting of Rhodes University employees. Results: The Xamarin.Forms application proved to be unfeasible; some users experienced fatal errors and crashes. The React Native application worked as desired and produced accurate and consistent step count readings, proving feasible from a functionality standpoint. The agile methodology enabled the developer to focus on implementing and testing one component at a time, which made the development process more manageable. Conclusion: Future work must conduct empirical studies to determine if feedback is an effective tool compared to a control group and which type of feedback (between goal-setting and social comparison) is most effective. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The meanings of the social media practices of African women engaged in multi-level marketing in Makhanda
- Authors: Tembani, Khuselwa Anda
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Neoliberalism South Africa Makhanda , Humanism , Social media and society South Africa Makhanda , Discourse analysis , Precarity , Subjectivity , Multi-level marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365588 , vital:65762
- Description: In their efforts for a place in the economy, many South African women have embraced opportunities in the informal sector such as selling products for big Multi-Level Marketers (MLMs), who generally operate on a pyramid structure of commissions. This qualitative study investigates the meanings African women engaged in MLMs in Makhanda make of such work and examines how they construct notions of progress and success through their social media practices. The study was conducted in the strictest lockdown period and pioneered a research method that used Zoom to facilitate screen sharing on mobile phones to create an online version of the scroll-back method for Facebook. As expected for women working in a society increasingly integrated in a global neoliberal order, many of the meanings the women construct are rooted in neoliberal discourses that celebrate hyper-individualism and competition. This firstly includes constructing success through personal stories of self-appreciation, through which these women embody the MLM’s brand, while simultaneously improving their position in the market as sellers. Secondly, the women invest considerable effort on social media in constructing MLM work as epitomising stability in the context of the growing precarity that characterises their everyday lives. However, other meanings draw on the local African context. Here the women make sense of the inequalities that characterise the MLM pyramid structures, by constructing top players in the upline as a symbolic vanguard trailblazing freedom from a racist past through showcasing paths out of poverty. More interestingly, success is constructed as both resulting from and serving collective ways of being rooted in the discourse of African humanism. Here success is recognised as emerging from dense place-based networks in the neighbourhood built on trust and obligation, now replicated on social media. In conclusion, the study speculates that the worlds of meaning facilitated by MLMs might provide ways for neoliberal and traditional discourses to find points of synergy, and so serve as entry points into a neoliberal order that interestingly nevertheless draws on communal cultures of obligation and patronage. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Tembani, Khuselwa Anda
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Neoliberalism South Africa Makhanda , Humanism , Social media and society South Africa Makhanda , Discourse analysis , Precarity , Subjectivity , Multi-level marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365588 , vital:65762
- Description: In their efforts for a place in the economy, many South African women have embraced opportunities in the informal sector such as selling products for big Multi-Level Marketers (MLMs), who generally operate on a pyramid structure of commissions. This qualitative study investigates the meanings African women engaged in MLMs in Makhanda make of such work and examines how they construct notions of progress and success through their social media practices. The study was conducted in the strictest lockdown period and pioneered a research method that used Zoom to facilitate screen sharing on mobile phones to create an online version of the scroll-back method for Facebook. As expected for women working in a society increasingly integrated in a global neoliberal order, many of the meanings the women construct are rooted in neoliberal discourses that celebrate hyper-individualism and competition. This firstly includes constructing success through personal stories of self-appreciation, through which these women embody the MLM’s brand, while simultaneously improving their position in the market as sellers. Secondly, the women invest considerable effort on social media in constructing MLM work as epitomising stability in the context of the growing precarity that characterises their everyday lives. However, other meanings draw on the local African context. Here the women make sense of the inequalities that characterise the MLM pyramid structures, by constructing top players in the upline as a symbolic vanguard trailblazing freedom from a racist past through showcasing paths out of poverty. More interestingly, success is constructed as both resulting from and serving collective ways of being rooted in the discourse of African humanism. Here success is recognised as emerging from dense place-based networks in the neighbourhood built on trust and obligation, now replicated on social media. In conclusion, the study speculates that the worlds of meaning facilitated by MLMs might provide ways for neoliberal and traditional discourses to find points of synergy, and so serve as entry points into a neoliberal order that interestingly nevertheless draws on communal cultures of obligation and patronage. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The practical implications of taxing the informal sector in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mashate, Fredy
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Zimbabwe , Small business Taxation Law and legislation Zimbabwe , Tax administration and procedure Zimbabwe , Taxpayer compliance Zimbabwe , Taxation Public opinion , Zimbabwe. Revenue Authority , Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Tanzania , Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357594 , vital:64758
- Description: The taxation of informal sector business is increasingly becoming a topical issue in many developing countries, and Zimbabwe is no exception. The Zimbabwean government has been experiencing shrinking revenue in the wake of an increased informal sector and a declining formal sector. In an effort to broaden the tax base and increase revenue for government in Zimbabwe, presumptive tax levied against certain informal sector activities was first introduced in 2005 and later expanded to other sectors. Despite the effort, the informal sector has responded with low tax morale and non-compliance, which creates the need to reassess the current administrative strategies in a bid to build a successful tax system for the informal sector. The main goal of the research is to establish clear, innovative and practical administrative strategies that can be adopted by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in taxing the informal sector in Zimbabwe. An initial investigation was done to identify the current state of affairs in relation to informal sector taxation in Zimbabwe. A number of challenges were recorded and the research the sought to learn from examples of recent innovation in administrative strategies successfully applied in taxing the informal sector in other jurisdictions like Tanzania and Ghana. Learning from these examples, a number of practical administrative strategies that are mindful of the Zimbabwean economic context were proposed. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Mashate, Fredy
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Zimbabwe , Small business Taxation Law and legislation Zimbabwe , Tax administration and procedure Zimbabwe , Taxpayer compliance Zimbabwe , Taxation Public opinion , Zimbabwe. Revenue Authority , Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Tanzania , Informal sector (Economics) Taxation Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357594 , vital:64758
- Description: The taxation of informal sector business is increasingly becoming a topical issue in many developing countries, and Zimbabwe is no exception. The Zimbabwean government has been experiencing shrinking revenue in the wake of an increased informal sector and a declining formal sector. In an effort to broaden the tax base and increase revenue for government in Zimbabwe, presumptive tax levied against certain informal sector activities was first introduced in 2005 and later expanded to other sectors. Despite the effort, the informal sector has responded with low tax morale and non-compliance, which creates the need to reassess the current administrative strategies in a bid to build a successful tax system for the informal sector. The main goal of the research is to establish clear, innovative and practical administrative strategies that can be adopted by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in taxing the informal sector in Zimbabwe. An initial investigation was done to identify the current state of affairs in relation to informal sector taxation in Zimbabwe. A number of challenges were recorded and the research the sought to learn from examples of recent innovation in administrative strategies successfully applied in taxing the informal sector in other jurisdictions like Tanzania and Ghana. Learning from these examples, a number of practical administrative strategies that are mindful of the Zimbabwean economic context were proposed. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The role of Facebook in a survivor’s post-assault life: rape on campuses, women activists, and mental health
- Authors: Witi, Sinethemba Juliet
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Online social networks , Rape in universities and colleges South Africa Makhanda , Student movements South Africa Makhanda , College students Mental health South Africa Makhanda , Sex crimes South Africa Makhanda , Social media and college students South Africa Makhanda , Intersectionality (Sociology) , Womanism
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405952 , vital:70222
- Description: The rise of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has raised concerns about the negative impact social media platforms, and in particular Facebook, has on their users. Research has linked the excessive use of Facebook with mental health challenges such as loneliness, depression, and stress. This research examined how Yolanda Dyantyi, a gender rights activist registered as a student from 2015 to 2017 at Rhodes University, used Facebook as an outlet following the #RUreferencelist protests and her subsequent permanent exclusion from the institution for her role in the protests. The study explored Dyanti’s use of Facebook, examining in particular her ongoing activism, her mental health challenges, and her struggles to re-establish herself in a community after the exclusion from Rhodes. The study employed an intersectional feminist theoretical framework and drew on a qualitative content analysis, a semi-structured interview, and the scroll back method to review the Facebook posts she had made. A thematic analysis of the data showed that Dyantyi is a multifaceted, and evolving Facebook user and contrary to existing research her prolific use of Facebook has had positive effects on her mental health and has enabled her to build social capital. The study suggests that activism is an important component to research alongside studies of mental health on such media platforms. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Witi, Sinethemba Juliet
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Online social networks , Rape in universities and colleges South Africa Makhanda , Student movements South Africa Makhanda , College students Mental health South Africa Makhanda , Sex crimes South Africa Makhanda , Social media and college students South Africa Makhanda , Intersectionality (Sociology) , Womanism
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405952 , vital:70222
- Description: The rise of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has raised concerns about the negative impact social media platforms, and in particular Facebook, has on their users. Research has linked the excessive use of Facebook with mental health challenges such as loneliness, depression, and stress. This research examined how Yolanda Dyantyi, a gender rights activist registered as a student from 2015 to 2017 at Rhodes University, used Facebook as an outlet following the #RUreferencelist protests and her subsequent permanent exclusion from the institution for her role in the protests. The study explored Dyanti’s use of Facebook, examining in particular her ongoing activism, her mental health challenges, and her struggles to re-establish herself in a community after the exclusion from Rhodes. The study employed an intersectional feminist theoretical framework and drew on a qualitative content analysis, a semi-structured interview, and the scroll back method to review the Facebook posts she had made. A thematic analysis of the data showed that Dyantyi is a multifaceted, and evolving Facebook user and contrary to existing research her prolific use of Facebook has had positive effects on her mental health and has enabled her to build social capital. The study suggests that activism is an important component to research alongside studies of mental health on such media platforms. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The trade and poverty nexus in South Africa: investigating the transmission mechanism and the associated challenges
- Authors: Bhebhe, Nonceba Fikile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Commerce , Free trade , International trade , Poverty South Africa , Poverty Prevention , South Africa Economic conditions 1991-
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357515 , vital:64750
- Description: International trade plays an essential role in economic development strategies. In literature, foreign trade is identified as a driver of economic growth. In recent times there has been an expansion in the scope of investigations around the role of international trade to include its links with poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation is explicitly identified as the first goal on the 2030 agenda for sustainable development under the Sustainable Development Goals and implicitly defined in goal 10. International trade is seen as the engine behind achieving the goal. South Africa records excessive poverty and inequality levels by international standards for a middle-income country. The most recent Poverty Trends Report for 2006 - 2015 reports 55.5% of the population living in poverty. Inequality statistics reported a per capita expenditure Gini coefficient of 0.65 in 2015, evidence that the country has high levels of inequality. The country's severe poverty, unemployment, and inequality prompt policymakers to formulate developmental policies around the underlying structural challenges. Trade openness has increased since the end of the Apartheid era. Despite the increased trade openness, economic growth has been insufficient in reducing the high unemployment and poverty levels, presenting a challenge for economists, who argue that trade openness is pro-growth and pro-poor. In the South African case, the lack of change in the structural challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality has raised concerns over whether the trade policy reforms made since 1994 interfere with development objectives. This study aims to investigate the impact of trade liberalisation on poverty, using the three channels, namely enterprise, distribution, and government that have been researched within the McCulloch, Winters and Cirera framework. Specifically, it investigates the linkages via the transmission mechanism in which trade affects poverty in South Africa by mapping the transmission mechanisms from trade liberalisation to poverty alleviation, whilst identifying the possible challenges to the transmission mechanisms and lastly, analysing the stylised facts around trade and poverty in South Africa. To answer the question of this study, quantitative data from National Income Dynamic Study (NIDS) was merged longitudinally and aggregated with the industry tariff data sourced from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) statistics. A path analysis was undertaken to map the transmission mechanism, whilst descriptive statistics were used to identify the possible associated challenges. The results show that the most significant channel of transmission are the enterprise and distribution channel. However, the effects are of a small margin and a more comprehensive trade policy yield a higher margin of poverty alleviation. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Bhebhe, Nonceba Fikile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Commerce , Free trade , International trade , Poverty South Africa , Poverty Prevention , South Africa Economic conditions 1991-
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357515 , vital:64750
- Description: International trade plays an essential role in economic development strategies. In literature, foreign trade is identified as a driver of economic growth. In recent times there has been an expansion in the scope of investigations around the role of international trade to include its links with poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation is explicitly identified as the first goal on the 2030 agenda for sustainable development under the Sustainable Development Goals and implicitly defined in goal 10. International trade is seen as the engine behind achieving the goal. South Africa records excessive poverty and inequality levels by international standards for a middle-income country. The most recent Poverty Trends Report for 2006 - 2015 reports 55.5% of the population living in poverty. Inequality statistics reported a per capita expenditure Gini coefficient of 0.65 in 2015, evidence that the country has high levels of inequality. The country's severe poverty, unemployment, and inequality prompt policymakers to formulate developmental policies around the underlying structural challenges. Trade openness has increased since the end of the Apartheid era. Despite the increased trade openness, economic growth has been insufficient in reducing the high unemployment and poverty levels, presenting a challenge for economists, who argue that trade openness is pro-growth and pro-poor. In the South African case, the lack of change in the structural challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality has raised concerns over whether the trade policy reforms made since 1994 interfere with development objectives. This study aims to investigate the impact of trade liberalisation on poverty, using the three channels, namely enterprise, distribution, and government that have been researched within the McCulloch, Winters and Cirera framework. Specifically, it investigates the linkages via the transmission mechanism in which trade affects poverty in South Africa by mapping the transmission mechanisms from trade liberalisation to poverty alleviation, whilst identifying the possible challenges to the transmission mechanisms and lastly, analysing the stylised facts around trade and poverty in South Africa. To answer the question of this study, quantitative data from National Income Dynamic Study (NIDS) was merged longitudinally and aggregated with the industry tariff data sourced from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) statistics. A path analysis was undertaken to map the transmission mechanism, whilst descriptive statistics were used to identify the possible associated challenges. The results show that the most significant channel of transmission are the enterprise and distribution channel. However, the effects are of a small margin and a more comprehensive trade policy yield a higher margin of poverty alleviation. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The use of simulators and artificial intelligence in leadership feedback
- Authors: Ntombana, Sixolile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Artificial intelligence , Leadership , Employees Rating of , Communication in industrial relations , Qualitative reasoning Technological innovations , Chatbots
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357685 , vital:64767
- Description: Leadership is a key factor in team success. For leadership to succeed, leaders need to possess the requisite competencies that can facilitate their performance. Team skills is identified as a leadership competency that is prioritised and most sought after by leaders. This follows studies that confirm that team skills are vital for leadership and team success. For leadership to develop team skills, feedback must be provided. Feedback is identified as information that is provided by an observer on a particular performance. The role of feedback in leadership development serves the purposes of engagement and self-reflection and evaluation of a leader’s performance. In this light, feedback cannot be separated from leadership as it is an essential part of communication in a leadership context. The nature and source of feedback can affect how the feedback is received, as shown by studies that suggest that the effectiveness of feedback goes beyond the content or nature (good/bad feedback) of the feedback. This study looks at two feedback sources: humans and artificial intelligence (AI) using students as the population. Humans have been the traditional source in feedback provision. Thus, in a team setting peers provide feedback on their peers’ performances. Unprecedented technological advancements have seen the improvement of AI capabilities to being able to give feedback. This has made AI a feedback source. Following these developments, this research assessed the way in which humans and AI provide feedback and the way in which students react to feedback provided by humans and AI. The research used chatbot AI, a Skills Simulator Assessment, launched by Kotlyar (2018). Students registered for Management One at Rhodes University in 2021 were the population for this research. The research was comprised of two phases where in phase one they were assessed by the Skill Simulator Assessment and in phase two they were assessed by their peers. This research found that students are not averse to feedback from AI, although they prefer peer feedback. It was further found that peer feedback tends to be tainted by lenience, while AI is not affected by lenience. This finding marked a significant development of AI in feedback provision. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Ntombana, Sixolile
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Artificial intelligence , Leadership , Employees Rating of , Communication in industrial relations , Qualitative reasoning Technological innovations , Chatbots
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/357685 , vital:64767
- Description: Leadership is a key factor in team success. For leadership to succeed, leaders need to possess the requisite competencies that can facilitate their performance. Team skills is identified as a leadership competency that is prioritised and most sought after by leaders. This follows studies that confirm that team skills are vital for leadership and team success. For leadership to develop team skills, feedback must be provided. Feedback is identified as information that is provided by an observer on a particular performance. The role of feedback in leadership development serves the purposes of engagement and self-reflection and evaluation of a leader’s performance. In this light, feedback cannot be separated from leadership as it is an essential part of communication in a leadership context. The nature and source of feedback can affect how the feedback is received, as shown by studies that suggest that the effectiveness of feedback goes beyond the content or nature (good/bad feedback) of the feedback. This study looks at two feedback sources: humans and artificial intelligence (AI) using students as the population. Humans have been the traditional source in feedback provision. Thus, in a team setting peers provide feedback on their peers’ performances. Unprecedented technological advancements have seen the improvement of AI capabilities to being able to give feedback. This has made AI a feedback source. Following these developments, this research assessed the way in which humans and AI provide feedback and the way in which students react to feedback provided by humans and AI. The research used chatbot AI, a Skills Simulator Assessment, launched by Kotlyar (2018). Students registered for Management One at Rhodes University in 2021 were the population for this research. The research was comprised of two phases where in phase one they were assessed by the Skill Simulator Assessment and in phase two they were assessed by their peers. This research found that students are not averse to feedback from AI, although they prefer peer feedback. It was further found that peer feedback tends to be tainted by lenience, while AI is not affected by lenience. This finding marked a significant development of AI in feedback provision. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Stakeholder engagement in social enterprise: designing a sustainable business model for the ‘Food for Us’ mobile application
- Authors: Tantsi, Idah Thato
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Business planning South Africa , Sustainability South Africa , Mobile apps South Africa , Social responsibility of business South Africa , Social entrepreneurship South Africa , Food for Us (Application software)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/317141 , vital:59904
- Description: This study aimed to develop a sustainable business model that is cognisant of the fundamental principles of social enterprises that can sustain the operation of the Food for Us mobile application that links farmers with buyers in Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa. The Food for Us mobile application lacks a supporting sustainable social business model to sustain its continued operations, hence the need to develop one. In the study, data was generated qualitatively underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, in three workshops guided by the Delphi method. A stakeholder salience model was applied to identify key stakeholders and their salience. Three key stakeholders, namely users (farmers and buyers), Experts (App developers) and the consortium were identified. The study concluded that developing a sustainable social, innovative business model requires substantive consultation with multiple stakeholders in society. Every stakeholder is important and possesses varying salience, hence stakeholder mapping is an important exercise. The study further concluded that financial sustainability and social inclusion are critical social enterprise elements to consider in the process. The undertaking to enhance financial sustainability opens an understanding on the importance of income streams, the key activities, and value propositions offered by the mobile application. The need to remain socially inclusive brings forth questioning of value propositions, accessibility, user friendliness towards stakeholder diversity and needs. The study offers a solution for the Food for Us mobile application in the form of a prototype which is ready for testing, and if desired results are achieved, this can enhance the much needed continued operations of the mobile application. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10
- Authors: Tantsi, Idah Thato
- Date: 2022-10
- Subjects: Business planning South Africa , Sustainability South Africa , Mobile apps South Africa , Social responsibility of business South Africa , Social entrepreneurship South Africa , Food for Us (Application software)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/317141 , vital:59904
- Description: This study aimed to develop a sustainable business model that is cognisant of the fundamental principles of social enterprises that can sustain the operation of the Food for Us mobile application that links farmers with buyers in Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa. The Food for Us mobile application lacks a supporting sustainable social business model to sustain its continued operations, hence the need to develop one. In the study, data was generated qualitatively underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, in three workshops guided by the Delphi method. A stakeholder salience model was applied to identify key stakeholders and their salience. Three key stakeholders, namely users (farmers and buyers), Experts (App developers) and the consortium were identified. The study concluded that developing a sustainable social, innovative business model requires substantive consultation with multiple stakeholders in society. Every stakeholder is important and possesses varying salience, hence stakeholder mapping is an important exercise. The study further concluded that financial sustainability and social inclusion are critical social enterprise elements to consider in the process. The undertaking to enhance financial sustainability opens an understanding on the importance of income streams, the key activities, and value propositions offered by the mobile application. The need to remain socially inclusive brings forth questioning of value propositions, accessibility, user friendliness towards stakeholder diversity and needs. The study offers a solution for the Food for Us mobile application in the form of a prototype which is ready for testing, and if desired results are achieved, this can enhance the much needed continued operations of the mobile application. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10
Exploring black South African men’s lived experiences of being fathered
- Authors: Rasebitse, Karabo
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Fatherhood South Africa , Fathers and sons South Africa Psychological aspects , Masculinity Social aspects South Africa , Hegemony South Africa , Social constructionism South Africa , Culture , Men, Black Attitudes South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294504 , vital:57227
- Description: There is a lack of research studies in South Africa that explore young men’s lived experiences of being fathered. The aim of this study focused on exploring how Black South African men construct and understand their own lived experiences of being fathered by their biological father. This research study is situated within a social constructionism methodology and theoretical framework. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with young men between the ages of 18-24. Data were analysed using thematic analysis as a way of analysing participants’ stories. Three central themes with subthemes emerged. The main themes regarded the father behaviour, fatherly roles and participants’ constructions of fatherhood. The study argues that fatherhood is a social construct based on participants’ lived experiences. Participants in this research still view fatherhood from cultural discourses, such as the provider/protector and a moral guider/role to construct fatherhood. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
- Authors: Rasebitse, Karabo
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Fatherhood South Africa , Fathers and sons South Africa Psychological aspects , Masculinity Social aspects South Africa , Hegemony South Africa , Social constructionism South Africa , Culture , Men, Black Attitudes South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294504 , vital:57227
- Description: There is a lack of research studies in South Africa that explore young men’s lived experiences of being fathered. The aim of this study focused on exploring how Black South African men construct and understand their own lived experiences of being fathered by their biological father. This research study is situated within a social constructionism methodology and theoretical framework. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with young men between the ages of 18-24. Data were analysed using thematic analysis as a way of analysing participants’ stories. Three central themes with subthemes emerged. The main themes regarded the father behaviour, fatherly roles and participants’ constructions of fatherhood. The study argues that fatherhood is a social construct based on participants’ lived experiences. Participants in this research still view fatherhood from cultural discourses, such as the provider/protector and a moral guider/role to construct fatherhood. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
The assessment of degradation state in Ecological Infrastructure and prioritisation for rehabilitation and drought mitigation in the Tsitsa River Catchment
- 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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
- 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
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
A systematic review of published literature examining the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety
- Amos-Brown, Alexa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-3176
- Authors: Amos-Brown, Alexa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-3176
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Adolescent psychopathology , Teenagers -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23677 , vital:58295
- Description: Aim: Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges in adolescents, specifically anxiety and depression. There has thus been concern around what could be causing this increase. The present study therefore aimed to examine the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety. Methodology: The research was conducted using a qualitative systematic review as the methodological approach. The sample included ten academic journal articles. These articles were searched using Google Scholar and The University of Fort Hare’s library database search engine. Final articles were selected based on the systematic review process of ensuring that the articles matched the inclusion criteria, centred on the main research question and sub-questions. Findings and Results: At the end of the systematic review process, the final literature articles were analysed using thematic analysis, which identified, analysed, and reported emerging themes. The study revealed that secure attachment and sensitive parenting buffer and protect against the risk and onset of anxiety and adolescent internalizing behaviours. The thematic analysis findings identified emerging themes based on the data analysis, which include: ‘Sensitive parenting as a buffer’, ‘Quality attachment protects’, ‘Safe haven’, ‘Insecure attachment precedes emotion regulation difficulties’, ‘Insecure attachment is associated with anxiety’, ‘Social problems,’ and ‘Negative parental-control undermines attachment security’. Conclusion and recommendations: The extracts provided by the literature were able to successfully give sufficient information to meet all of my study’s research objectives. The findings revealed that very few articles spoke about interventions that can be applied to assist in the development of healthy maternal attachment. Therefore, it is recommended that research be conducted on attachment-based interventions and building restorative adolescent attachment bonds. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Amos-Brown, Alexa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-3176
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Adolescent psychopathology , Teenagers -- Mental health
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23677 , vital:58295
- Description: Aim: Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges in adolescents, specifically anxiety and depression. There has thus been concern around what could be causing this increase. The present study therefore aimed to examine the link between maternal attachment and adolescent anxiety. Methodology: The research was conducted using a qualitative systematic review as the methodological approach. The sample included ten academic journal articles. These articles were searched using Google Scholar and The University of Fort Hare’s library database search engine. Final articles were selected based on the systematic review process of ensuring that the articles matched the inclusion criteria, centred on the main research question and sub-questions. Findings and Results: At the end of the systematic review process, the final literature articles were analysed using thematic analysis, which identified, analysed, and reported emerging themes. The study revealed that secure attachment and sensitive parenting buffer and protect against the risk and onset of anxiety and adolescent internalizing behaviours. The thematic analysis findings identified emerging themes based on the data analysis, which include: ‘Sensitive parenting as a buffer’, ‘Quality attachment protects’, ‘Safe haven’, ‘Insecure attachment precedes emotion regulation difficulties’, ‘Insecure attachment is associated with anxiety’, ‘Social problems,’ and ‘Negative parental-control undermines attachment security’. Conclusion and recommendations: The extracts provided by the literature were able to successfully give sufficient information to meet all of my study’s research objectives. The findings revealed that very few articles spoke about interventions that can be applied to assist in the development of healthy maternal attachment. Therefore, it is recommended that research be conducted on attachment-based interventions and building restorative adolescent attachment bonds. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
An analysis of the link between monetary policy, exchange rate pass-through effect and domestic prices in South Africa.
- Authors: Ndamase, Asisipho Zingisa
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Monetary policy. , South Africa--Economic policy.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22165 , vital:51992
- Description: The study seeks to analyse the link between monetary policy, domestic prices and exchange rate pass-through effect in South Africa. South Africa’s imports are more than its exports. Therefore, given a higher PTE associated with the importation of necessities, the poor are always left worse off since they are faced with imported inflation that is depreciating exchange rate driven. The Johansen co integration for the long run and the Vector Error Correctional Model for the short run were used to analyse monthly data obtained from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the World Bank from 1990 to 2019. The study consisted of five separate but closely linked models, which are the price equation, excess demand equation, the monetary policy equation, pass through equation and the money demand equation. The results revealed that all models are cointegrated meaning that a long run relationship exist in these equations. However, the VECM short-run results show that two of the models have an ECM term which is negative and significant. The results indicated that there is evidence of the passthrough effect. In this case, a positive pass-through effect of 222 per cent was established between domestic prices and import prices. A pass-through effect of 39 per cent was also identified between imports and exchange rate and lastly a pass-through effect (PTE) of 30 percent was established between oil prices and import prices. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Ndamase, Asisipho Zingisa
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Monetary policy. , South Africa--Economic policy.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22165 , vital:51992
- Description: The study seeks to analyse the link between monetary policy, domestic prices and exchange rate pass-through effect in South Africa. South Africa’s imports are more than its exports. Therefore, given a higher PTE associated with the importation of necessities, the poor are always left worse off since they are faced with imported inflation that is depreciating exchange rate driven. The Johansen co integration for the long run and the Vector Error Correctional Model for the short run were used to analyse monthly data obtained from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the World Bank from 1990 to 2019. The study consisted of five separate but closely linked models, which are the price equation, excess demand equation, the monetary policy equation, pass through equation and the money demand equation. The results revealed that all models are cointegrated meaning that a long run relationship exist in these equations. However, the VECM short-run results show that two of the models have an ECM term which is negative and significant. The results indicated that there is evidence of the passthrough effect. In this case, a positive pass-through effect of 222 per cent was established between domestic prices and import prices. A pass-through effect of 39 per cent was also identified between imports and exchange rate and lastly a pass-through effect (PTE) of 30 percent was established between oil prices and import prices. , Thesis (MCom) (Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
Causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in Kwazulu-Natal Province
- Mabaso, Sindisiwe Carol Catherine
- Authors: Mabaso, Sindisiwe Carol Catherine
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21838 , vital:51822
- Description: BACKGROUND: Staff turnover, defined as the total separations from employment, is expensive, can result in lost capacity, and can limit local health departments’ ability to respond to public health needs. Despite the importance of workforce capacity in public health, little is known about workforce turnover in local health departments. This study sought to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province and to identify corrective measures. Professional nurses are a critical staff category in any health organisation and make up the backbone of health care system. It is thus vital to ensure that this category is retained for the benefit of health services and its ultimate beneficiary, the patient. Furthermore, Personnel and Salaries System (PERSAL) statistics have shown that the hospitals selected for this study viz., Nkandla Local Municipality (LM) has more that two times (28%) the turnover rates (TORs) for PNs when compared to the district target of 11%, thus the decision to conduct this study at this particular municipality. METHODOLOGY: This research adopted a mixed methods retrospective study where both quantitative and qualitative approach was used to analyse data. The primary data source was the Exit Interview forms completed when a staff member resigns. It consists of three sections viz., section one contained demographics of each respondent with variables such as name PERSAL number, gender, rank, appointment and termination dates; section two contained closed ended statements on potential causes of termination where the respondent answered yes or no to statements such as offered senior position; and section three which was mostly qualitative information where respondents stated own additional views and comments regarding other causes of termination and recommended solutions. Both sections one and two were analysed using quantitative analysis while section three was analysed using qualitative analysis. Qualitative data from comments sections of the exit interview forms was thematically presented and analysed. These results were grouped into five themes namely; Career Progression, Management, Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service, Remuneration and Personal Issues. These previously completed exit interview forms were manually analysed in order to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, during the period 2015-2016. Exit interview forms, previously completed by professional nurses for the period 2015 to 2016, were collected from both Nkandla LM district hospitals namely Ekombe and Nkandla. A self-designed spread sheet was used to collate the quantitative data from the exit interview forms which contained personal and demographic data (names, gender, PERSAL numbers, appointment and termination dates, rank, etc.), type of exit, and causes of exit, comments and proposed changes, following which it was manually analysed. RESULTS: A total of 54 participants completed the exit interview forms and selected the causes of service termination which were relevant to them. Ekombe Hospital participants were twelve (12) and Nkandla Hospital participants were forty two (42). Not all professional nurses who exited the service during the study period completed the exit interview form. The exit interview form completion rate was 78% (54/69). Twenty-four percent (13/54) of participants did not complete the exit interview form in full. The quantitative analysis revealed that the gender distribution of participants was mostly female, making 80% (43/54). The majority of participants, 30% (16/54), had 21-25 years’ service prior to exiting. On qualitative data analysis, the majority of participants selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination 65% (35/54) participants. This trend was also similar when each hospital participants’ selections were examined. In Ekombe Hospital 83% (10/12) participants’ selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination and in Nkandla Hospital this was 60% (25/42) participants. The majority of participants, 78% (42/54), stated that they still intended to re-join the department, and most were seeking employment in the public service. Furthermore, 70% (38/54), of the participants stated they would have stayed had their expectations been met. Further examination of themes and sub-themes derived from the qualitative data of the exit interview forms, the majority of comments, (20 comments), were related to Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service as the cause of termination. Sub themes analysis further identified resource shortages as the most common comments related to this determination. CONCLUSION: The leading causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province was determined to be unacceptable or poor conditions of service. On thematic analysis of qualitative data that emerged from the exit interview forms, the key areas that contributed to this determination included mainly resource constraints issues such as shortage of staff, shortage of equipment, shortage of funds, as well as poor infrastructure. Recommendations for staff retention and improvements in service conditions have been proposed. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Mabaso, Sindisiwe Carol Catherine
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21838 , vital:51822
- Description: BACKGROUND: Staff turnover, defined as the total separations from employment, is expensive, can result in lost capacity, and can limit local health departments’ ability to respond to public health needs. Despite the importance of workforce capacity in public health, little is known about workforce turnover in local health departments. This study sought to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province and to identify corrective measures. Professional nurses are a critical staff category in any health organisation and make up the backbone of health care system. It is thus vital to ensure that this category is retained for the benefit of health services and its ultimate beneficiary, the patient. Furthermore, Personnel and Salaries System (PERSAL) statistics have shown that the hospitals selected for this study viz., Nkandla Local Municipality (LM) has more that two times (28%) the turnover rates (TORs) for PNs when compared to the district target of 11%, thus the decision to conduct this study at this particular municipality. METHODOLOGY: This research adopted a mixed methods retrospective study where both quantitative and qualitative approach was used to analyse data. The primary data source was the Exit Interview forms completed when a staff member resigns. It consists of three sections viz., section one contained demographics of each respondent with variables such as name PERSAL number, gender, rank, appointment and termination dates; section two contained closed ended statements on potential causes of termination where the respondent answered yes or no to statements such as offered senior position; and section three which was mostly qualitative information where respondents stated own additional views and comments regarding other causes of termination and recommended solutions. Both sections one and two were analysed using quantitative analysis while section three was analysed using qualitative analysis. Qualitative data from comments sections of the exit interview forms was thematically presented and analysed. These results were grouped into five themes namely; Career Progression, Management, Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service, Remuneration and Personal Issues. These previously completed exit interview forms were manually analysed in order to determine the causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province, during the period 2015-2016. Exit interview forms, previously completed by professional nurses for the period 2015 to 2016, were collected from both Nkandla LM district hospitals namely Ekombe and Nkandla. A self-designed spread sheet was used to collate the quantitative data from the exit interview forms which contained personal and demographic data (names, gender, PERSAL numbers, appointment and termination dates, rank, etc.), type of exit, and causes of exit, comments and proposed changes, following which it was manually analysed. RESULTS: A total of 54 participants completed the exit interview forms and selected the causes of service termination which were relevant to them. Ekombe Hospital participants were twelve (12) and Nkandla Hospital participants were forty two (42). Not all professional nurses who exited the service during the study period completed the exit interview form. The exit interview form completion rate was 78% (54/69). Twenty-four percent (13/54) of participants did not complete the exit interview form in full. The quantitative analysis revealed that the gender distribution of participants was mostly female, making 80% (43/54). The majority of participants, 30% (16/54), had 21-25 years’ service prior to exiting. On qualitative data analysis, the majority of participants selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination 65% (35/54) participants. This trend was also similar when each hospital participants’ selections were examined. In Ekombe Hospital 83% (10/12) participants’ selected unacceptable or poor conditions of service as the cause of service termination and in Nkandla Hospital this was 60% (25/42) participants. The majority of participants, 78% (42/54), stated that they still intended to re-join the department, and most were seeking employment in the public service. Furthermore, 70% (38/54), of the participants stated they would have stayed had their expectations been met. Further examination of themes and sub-themes derived from the qualitative data of the exit interview forms, the majority of comments, (20 comments), were related to Unacceptable or Poor Conditions of Service as the cause of termination. Sub themes analysis further identified resource shortages as the most common comments related to this determination. CONCLUSION: The leading causes of high staff-turnover amongst professional nurses at selected health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal province was determined to be unacceptable or poor conditions of service. On thematic analysis of qualitative data that emerged from the exit interview forms, the key areas that contributed to this determination included mainly resource constraints issues such as shortage of staff, shortage of equipment, shortage of funds, as well as poor infrastructure. Recommendations for staff retention and improvements in service conditions have been proposed. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
Complaints and service recovery responses on South African banks’ facebook fan pages: a netnographic study.
- Authors: Phambuka, Nomfundo
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Online social networks. , Consumers--Research. , Marketing research.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22266 , vital:52011
- Description: The internet transformation over the past decade has changed the way businesses and consumers communicate. Instead of face-to-face transactions, businesses can now interact with their customers online, not just by marketing new products and services, but also by providing added value services in the online environment. The internet has become a dominant aspect in assisting businesses to attract and retain customers. One of the fastest growing platforms for this communication is through social networking sites. Many consumers are preferring to use social media platforms such as Facebook to express their views on the products or service of a business. In fact, the business’s Facebook page has become a preferred channel for customers who wish to voice concerns or complaints about the service they have received. As a result, many businesses are using that same platform for service recovery, and to make amends with their customers following a service failure. The aspect of online customer complaints and service recovery on social media, has not been well researched in the South African banking industry, which highlights both a gap and an opportunity. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis and categorisation of the types of customer complaints and service responses on the top five South African banks’ Facebook pages. These banks are; ABSA bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank. A qualitative approach known as netnography was adopted, as it provided an insider’s perspective on what customers complain about on a social media platform and how the banks responded to these complaints. 1250 complaints and the corresponding responses were extracted from each of the banks’ Facebook pages over a period of three months through a qualitative research software known as Nvivo 11. Using the framework provided by the justice theory, complaints and the corresponding responses were categorised. Customer complaints were categorised as either process, outcome or random and the banks’ responses were categorised as either procedural, interpersonal, distributional or informational dimensions. The main finding across all the banks, was that 1050 of the total number of complaints were related to the outcomes of the services provided; such as the banking app , the ATM machine and the general service the customers received. On average, the banks responded to around 70 percent of the 1250 complaints, with Nedbank having the best response rate (196/250) and Standard having the worst response rate (138/250). In addition, most of the banks responded in an interpersonal manner, dealing with customer’s problems directly. Once again, Standard Bank had the least number of interpersonal responses. On the whole, all the banks were mindful of the importance of explaining the reasons for service failures and explaining how the problem was going to be solved. Findings from this study indicate that consumer expectations of service failures and recovery are context driven, which requires companies to modify their recovery strategies to improve the customer’s personal experience. It can also be noted that many customer complaints stem from a general lack of understanding of banking systems and that banks should therefore be utilising their online platforms to keep customers well informed regarding common and frequent customer complaints. The main recommendation from the study is that banks should be entirely transparent during online service recovery and utilise their social media pages to do so. , Thesis (MCom) (Business Management) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Phambuka, Nomfundo
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Online social networks. , Consumers--Research. , Marketing research.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22266 , vital:52011
- Description: The internet transformation over the past decade has changed the way businesses and consumers communicate. Instead of face-to-face transactions, businesses can now interact with their customers online, not just by marketing new products and services, but also by providing added value services in the online environment. The internet has become a dominant aspect in assisting businesses to attract and retain customers. One of the fastest growing platforms for this communication is through social networking sites. Many consumers are preferring to use social media platforms such as Facebook to express their views on the products or service of a business. In fact, the business’s Facebook page has become a preferred channel for customers who wish to voice concerns or complaints about the service they have received. As a result, many businesses are using that same platform for service recovery, and to make amends with their customers following a service failure. The aspect of online customer complaints and service recovery on social media, has not been well researched in the South African banking industry, which highlights both a gap and an opportunity. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis and categorisation of the types of customer complaints and service responses on the top five South African banks’ Facebook pages. These banks are; ABSA bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank (FNB), Nedbank and Standard Bank. A qualitative approach known as netnography was adopted, as it provided an insider’s perspective on what customers complain about on a social media platform and how the banks responded to these complaints. 1250 complaints and the corresponding responses were extracted from each of the banks’ Facebook pages over a period of three months through a qualitative research software known as Nvivo 11. Using the framework provided by the justice theory, complaints and the corresponding responses were categorised. Customer complaints were categorised as either process, outcome or random and the banks’ responses were categorised as either procedural, interpersonal, distributional or informational dimensions. The main finding across all the banks, was that 1050 of the total number of complaints were related to the outcomes of the services provided; such as the banking app , the ATM machine and the general service the customers received. On average, the banks responded to around 70 percent of the 1250 complaints, with Nedbank having the best response rate (196/250) and Standard having the worst response rate (138/250). In addition, most of the banks responded in an interpersonal manner, dealing with customer’s problems directly. Once again, Standard Bank had the least number of interpersonal responses. On the whole, all the banks were mindful of the importance of explaining the reasons for service failures and explaining how the problem was going to be solved. Findings from this study indicate that consumer expectations of service failures and recovery are context driven, which requires companies to modify their recovery strategies to improve the customer’s personal experience. It can also be noted that many customer complaints stem from a general lack of understanding of banking systems and that banks should therefore be utilising their online platforms to keep customers well informed regarding common and frequent customer complaints. The main recommendation from the study is that banks should be entirely transparent during online service recovery and utilise their social media pages to do so. , Thesis (MCom) (Business Management) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
Exploring socio-economic factors influencing incidences and outcome of multidrug resistance tuberculosis among patients and facility staffs in Makana Sub-District, Eastern Cape
- Cannon, Lesley-Ann https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7635-277X
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7635-277X
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26706 , vital:65958
- Description: Background Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. Methodology The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. Results There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7635-277X
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26706 , vital:65958
- Description: Background Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. Methodology The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. Results There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
Exploring socio-economic factors influencing incidences and outcome of multidrug resistance tuberculosis among patients and facility staffs in Makana Sub-District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann Lynnath
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Multidrug-resistant -- tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23471 , vital:57896
- Description: Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR-TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR-TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02
- Authors: Cannon, Lesley-Ann Lynnath
- Date: 2022-02
- Subjects: Multidrug resistance , Multidrug-resistant -- tuberculosis
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23471 , vital:57896
- Description: Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the main causes of global public health crisis, due to the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. This DR-TB is a complex illness having direct and indirect impact on finances, social functioning, and quality of life of infected individuals. Major research advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB. However, minimal information exists on the socio-economic factors influencing the incidence and outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap by exploring the socio-economic factors from both the health care professional and patient perspective in particular settings to gain insights into developing context-specific strategies against the burden of DR-TB. The study applied a qualitative method to explore the socio-economic factors influencing MDR-TB through key-in-depth interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study enrolled a total of thirty-two (32) consenting participants. The KIIs was conducted for ten (10) healthcare workers and nine (9) MDR-TB patients. Two focus group discussions were done involving seven (7) MDR-TB patients and six (6) MDR-TB patients, respectively. The study targeted healthcare workers working in the MDR-TB field and TB patients with the following: GeneXpert Rifampicin resistance and patient confirmed as MDR TB. Eligible participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from the hospitals` routine data electronic records (EDR-WEB database) and hardcopy registers (drug-resistant TB register) on MDR-TB patients enrolled in care at the study site. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants after thoroughly explaining the purpose. No personal information of participants was used. All responses from respondents were coded during analysis for autonomy and the respondents were not identifiable in any published or unpublished work following this research. The interviews were transcribed, some translated into English, where necessary, and analysed until saturation was reached. Data was coded and analysed using both thematic and content analysis technique. There were 3 main themes identified in the study: social factors, economic factors, and other contributing factors. 7 sub- themes were recorded under social factors and 2 subthemes under economic factors. Two independent factors that were also considered to impact MDR-TB were the attitude of healthcare workers, as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic. MDR-TB is a major public health concern in the Makana Sub-district of the Eastern Cape. The findings of this study highlight the impact of socio- economic factors on the incidence, spread, defaulter rate and outcomes of MDR-TB. The social areas highlighted by the study participants as affecting the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB were housing and relocation, decreased immunity, stigma, patients’ attitude and lack of support, alcohol and other substance usage and prison/ incarceration. The economic factors identified by the participants were unemployment and job loss and health related expenses. Other factors are those factors contributing to the increased incidence and possible poor outcomes of MDR TB. Healthcare workers impact and attitude and the effects of the covid-19 pandemic were highlighted as additional factors influencing the incidence and outcomes of MDR TB. The management of MDR-TB requires rigorous efforts that should be directed at addressing the socio-economic factors. Therefore, future quantitative studies and important programmatic strategies should be considered to tackle the socio-economic challenges that contribute to the burden of MDR-TB infection in the Makana community. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-02