Implementation of grade progression policy and its implications for progressed grade 12 learners’ identities
- Authors: Mdingi, Khayalethu Chris
- Date: 2023-06
- Subjects: Grade repetition , Education -- Standards
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28524 , vital:74380
- Description: The aim of progressing learners is to allow them to move with their age cohort, thereby boosting their motivation levels. It is believed that this would encourage these learners to study hard and produce good academic results. The Grade Progression Policy also assumes that the dropout rate caused by learners’ academic underperformance would be reduced. Despite the existence of the Grade Progression Policy, it seems that there is still high failure and dropout rates among progressed Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape Province. This qualitative case study was premised on the interpretivist paradigm and explored the implementation of the Grade Progression Policy and its implications on progressed Grade 12 learners’ identities. Twelve teachers (four principals, four Departmental Heads, four Post Level One teachers), and four learners were purposively selected in four secondary schools in the Amathole East Education District. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The data was analysed by means of thematic approach. The data showed that the implementation of Grade Progression Policy brought about learner-teacher adversarial relations. Findings also showed that teachers had a negative attitude to the Grade Progression Policy and were unwilling to adapt to change. They had low morale and blamed the Department of Education for not giving them support. With regards to the implications of grade progression on Grade 12 learners’ identities, it emerged from the data that these learners were negatively affected by the implementation of this policy as their self-esteem was reportedly low. They felt stigmatized and regarded themselves as learners who could not achieve academically. Although most of the selected learners reported that it enhanced their motivation levels, it also transpired from the data that progressed Grade 12 learners were not achieving academically and were inadequately given support by the teachers. The study concluded therefore that the policy did not sufficiently address the intention of the DoE in terms of improving learners’ academic performance and enhancement of learners’ psychosocial identities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mdingi, Khayalethu Chris
- Date: 2023-06
- Subjects: Grade repetition , Education -- Standards
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28524 , vital:74380
- Description: The aim of progressing learners is to allow them to move with their age cohort, thereby boosting their motivation levels. It is believed that this would encourage these learners to study hard and produce good academic results. The Grade Progression Policy also assumes that the dropout rate caused by learners’ academic underperformance would be reduced. Despite the existence of the Grade Progression Policy, it seems that there is still high failure and dropout rates among progressed Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape Province. This qualitative case study was premised on the interpretivist paradigm and explored the implementation of the Grade Progression Policy and its implications on progressed Grade 12 learners’ identities. Twelve teachers (four principals, four Departmental Heads, four Post Level One teachers), and four learners were purposively selected in four secondary schools in the Amathole East Education District. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The data was analysed by means of thematic approach. The data showed that the implementation of Grade Progression Policy brought about learner-teacher adversarial relations. Findings also showed that teachers had a negative attitude to the Grade Progression Policy and were unwilling to adapt to change. They had low morale and blamed the Department of Education for not giving them support. With regards to the implications of grade progression on Grade 12 learners’ identities, it emerged from the data that these learners were negatively affected by the implementation of this policy as their self-esteem was reportedly low. They felt stigmatized and regarded themselves as learners who could not achieve academically. Although most of the selected learners reported that it enhanced their motivation levels, it also transpired from the data that progressed Grade 12 learners were not achieving academically and were inadequately given support by the teachers. The study concluded therefore that the policy did not sufficiently address the intention of the DoE in terms of improving learners’ academic performance and enhancement of learners’ psychosocial identities. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
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Knowledge, awareness, and molecular epidemiology of fasciolosis in dairy cattle slaughtered in three commercial abattoirs in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mpisana, Zuko
- Date: 2023-06
- Subjects: Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fascioliasis
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28173 , vital:73792
- Description: Flukes and snail-borne diseases present significant challenges to livestock production, particularly impacting the dairy industry in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Despite the challenges faced by the dairy sector, the level of knowledge and awareness among dairy farm personnel regarding the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis is unknown in Eastern Cape Province. Additionally, the genomic sequence of Fasciola spp. in dairy cattle slaughtered under abattoir conditions remains undisclosed. The primary objective of the titled study is to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and molecular epidemiology of fasciolosis in dairy cattle slaughtered in three commercial abattoirs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire was prepared and randomly administered to 152 dairy farm personnel to investigate the knowledge and awareness of the aetiology, risk factors, and clinical signs of bovine fasciolosis among dairy farm personnel in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A higher proportion of respondents from coastal regions were knowledgeable about the aetiology P equals 0.001 and the intermediate host P equals 0.000 of fasciolosis than those from the inland farms. A higher proportion of dairy farm personnel were not knowledgeable about the clinical signs of fasciolosis P equals 0.000 and the zoonotic potential P equals 0.001 of the disease. All farm personnel knew that season P 0.001 is a risk factor associated with snail-borne disease and occur throughout the year. However, the majority 63.2 percent of farm personnel agreed that fasciolosis was more prevalent in the summer followed by spring 27.6 percent, autumn 4.7 percent and winter 4.7 percent. Experiment 2 examined the body condition scores, fluke intensity, liver pathology, and carcass quality of various dairy cattle genotypes affected by Fasciola spp. infection, within three high-capacity abattoirs located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Milder infections were significantly noted to occur at a higher rate P 0.05 in Cross-bred cattle 46.9 percent followed by Holstein Friesian 39.5 percent and Jersey 30.9 percent cattle. Conversely, moderate infections were more prevalent P 0.05 among Jersey cattle 28.0 percent followed by Holstein Friesian 15.4 percent and Cross bred 1.9 percent cattle. Severe infections were more frequent P 0.05 in Holstein-Friesian 45.1 percent, followed by Jersey 41.9 percent and then Cross-bred 31.7 percent cattle. Heavy infections were observed in cattle with poor body condition scores in CA3. Mild infections were observed more in cattle with moderate body condition scores in CA3 and CA1 and less in CA2. Chapter 5 compared the detection rate of Fasciola infections using four different methods real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR faecal sedimentation, antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Ab ELISA and post-mortem liver examination among naturally infected cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 145 slaughter cattle were screened for Fasciola infestation by liver examination, and corresponding samples from individual animals were analysed in the laboratory using Ab ELISA faecal sedimentation, and qPCR. The detection rate by liver inspection gold standard was significantly P 0.0001 higher than that by sedimentation and Ab ELISA but not significantly P 0.05 different from that by qPCR P equals 0.198. Post-mortem liver examination 94.5 percent and qPCR 90.4 percent had higher detection rate compared to Ab ELISA 22.6 percent and sedimentation 3.53 percent, respectively. The agreement between Ab ELISA and sedimentation was poor to slight kappa equals to minus 0.09 and with qPCR it was 0.008. The fourth experiment investigated genomic sequence of Fasciola spp. from faecal sample of slaughtered dairy cattle in Eastern Cape Province South Africa. Sequential and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to detect the presence of Fasciola spp. from the faecal samples obtained at the high throughput abattoirs. Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica ITS 2 sequences were obtained by amplifying the 364 bp and 300 bp genes, respectively using species specific conventional PCR assays followed by cloning and sequencing. The phylogenetic tree revealed the presence of Fasciola hepatica as the only aetiological agent infecting dairy cattle in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The study concluded that dairy farm personnel lacks knowledge about zoonotic potentials, aetiological agents of fasciolosis high fluke intensity and its impact on carcasses sensitivity and suitability of detection methods. The study observed Fasciola hepatica as the only trematode spp. present in Eastern Cape Province South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpisana, Zuko
- Date: 2023-06
- Subjects: Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dairy cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fascioliasis
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28173 , vital:73792
- Description: Flukes and snail-borne diseases present significant challenges to livestock production, particularly impacting the dairy industry in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Despite the challenges faced by the dairy sector, the level of knowledge and awareness among dairy farm personnel regarding the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis is unknown in Eastern Cape Province. Additionally, the genomic sequence of Fasciola spp. in dairy cattle slaughtered under abattoir conditions remains undisclosed. The primary objective of the titled study is to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and molecular epidemiology of fasciolosis in dairy cattle slaughtered in three commercial abattoirs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A structured questionnaire was prepared and randomly administered to 152 dairy farm personnel to investigate the knowledge and awareness of the aetiology, risk factors, and clinical signs of bovine fasciolosis among dairy farm personnel in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A higher proportion of respondents from coastal regions were knowledgeable about the aetiology P equals 0.001 and the intermediate host P equals 0.000 of fasciolosis than those from the inland farms. A higher proportion of dairy farm personnel were not knowledgeable about the clinical signs of fasciolosis P equals 0.000 and the zoonotic potential P equals 0.001 of the disease. All farm personnel knew that season P 0.001 is a risk factor associated with snail-borne disease and occur throughout the year. However, the majority 63.2 percent of farm personnel agreed that fasciolosis was more prevalent in the summer followed by spring 27.6 percent, autumn 4.7 percent and winter 4.7 percent. Experiment 2 examined the body condition scores, fluke intensity, liver pathology, and carcass quality of various dairy cattle genotypes affected by Fasciola spp. infection, within three high-capacity abattoirs located in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Milder infections were significantly noted to occur at a higher rate P 0.05 in Cross-bred cattle 46.9 percent followed by Holstein Friesian 39.5 percent and Jersey 30.9 percent cattle. Conversely, moderate infections were more prevalent P 0.05 among Jersey cattle 28.0 percent followed by Holstein Friesian 15.4 percent and Cross bred 1.9 percent cattle. Severe infections were more frequent P 0.05 in Holstein-Friesian 45.1 percent, followed by Jersey 41.9 percent and then Cross-bred 31.7 percent cattle. Heavy infections were observed in cattle with poor body condition scores in CA3. Mild infections were observed more in cattle with moderate body condition scores in CA3 and CA1 and less in CA2. Chapter 5 compared the detection rate of Fasciola infections using four different methods real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR faecal sedimentation, antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Ab ELISA and post-mortem liver examination among naturally infected cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 145 slaughter cattle were screened for Fasciola infestation by liver examination, and corresponding samples from individual animals were analysed in the laboratory using Ab ELISA faecal sedimentation, and qPCR. The detection rate by liver inspection gold standard was significantly P 0.0001 higher than that by sedimentation and Ab ELISA but not significantly P 0.05 different from that by qPCR P equals 0.198. Post-mortem liver examination 94.5 percent and qPCR 90.4 percent had higher detection rate compared to Ab ELISA 22.6 percent and sedimentation 3.53 percent, respectively. The agreement between Ab ELISA and sedimentation was poor to slight kappa equals to minus 0.09 and with qPCR it was 0.008. The fourth experiment investigated genomic sequence of Fasciola spp. from faecal sample of slaughtered dairy cattle in Eastern Cape Province South Africa. Sequential and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to detect the presence of Fasciola spp. from the faecal samples obtained at the high throughput abattoirs. Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica ITS 2 sequences were obtained by amplifying the 364 bp and 300 bp genes, respectively using species specific conventional PCR assays followed by cloning and sequencing. The phylogenetic tree revealed the presence of Fasciola hepatica as the only aetiological agent infecting dairy cattle in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The study concluded that dairy farm personnel lacks knowledge about zoonotic potentials, aetiological agents of fasciolosis high fluke intensity and its impact on carcasses sensitivity and suitability of detection methods. The study observed Fasciola hepatica as the only trematode spp. present in Eastern Cape Province South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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Effect of Nitrogen application , leaf age, and drying method on growth, yield and quality of sweet potato
- Joko, Lungisa Banathi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-7146
- Authors: Joko, Lungisa Banathi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-7146
- Date: 2023-05
- Subjects: Nitrogen in agriculture , Sweet potato leaves , Sweet potatoes -- Harvesting
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28244 , vital:73957
- Description: Root crops, such as sweet potatoes, are important sources of carbohydrates in the pacific region where soils are generally of inferior quality. Sweet potato leaves are said to be more nutritious when compared with storage roots, therefore can be used as a source of nutrition by human beings. Sweet potatoes like other vegetables are perishable and therefore they need to be processed in order to increase storage life. The shelf life of perishable vegetables can be increased by the use of drying methods. This brings an opportunity area for research to realize the full potential of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be developed as a sustainable crop for diverse nutritionally enhanced and value-added food products to promote human nutrition. Thus, the study sought to develop nitrogen level that could result in maximum yield of tubers while the green leaves are harvested for human consumption. The study also sought to find the best suitable drying method to extend the shelf life of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes OFSP leaves. The research was conducted at the University of Fort Hare glasshouse, Alice, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. OFSP plants were grown at the UFH research farm, harvested and sorted according to their different age groups. The leaves were then taken to the glasshouse for the experiment to be conducted. The first experiment followed CRD 4x3 factorial replicated 3 times, with 4 levels of leaf age (upper, middle, lower, basal) and 3 levels of drying sun, shade, oven. The second experiment followed a RCBD replicated five times, with 4 levels of N 50 100 150, and 200 kgha randomly allocated. All the nutritional analysis was done based on the recommendations by the Association of Official Chemists A.O.A.C. Statistical analysis was done using SAS, Version 9.1. Where a significant difference was detected, variable means were separated using Fisher’s protected least significant difference p 0.05. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Joko, Lungisa Banathi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-7146
- Date: 2023-05
- Subjects: Nitrogen in agriculture , Sweet potato leaves , Sweet potatoes -- Harvesting
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28244 , vital:73957
- Description: Root crops, such as sweet potatoes, are important sources of carbohydrates in the pacific region where soils are generally of inferior quality. Sweet potato leaves are said to be more nutritious when compared with storage roots, therefore can be used as a source of nutrition by human beings. Sweet potatoes like other vegetables are perishable and therefore they need to be processed in order to increase storage life. The shelf life of perishable vegetables can be increased by the use of drying methods. This brings an opportunity area for research to realize the full potential of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be developed as a sustainable crop for diverse nutritionally enhanced and value-added food products to promote human nutrition. Thus, the study sought to develop nitrogen level that could result in maximum yield of tubers while the green leaves are harvested for human consumption. The study also sought to find the best suitable drying method to extend the shelf life of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes OFSP leaves. The research was conducted at the University of Fort Hare glasshouse, Alice, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. OFSP plants were grown at the UFH research farm, harvested and sorted according to their different age groups. The leaves were then taken to the glasshouse for the experiment to be conducted. The first experiment followed CRD 4x3 factorial replicated 3 times, with 4 levels of leaf age (upper, middle, lower, basal) and 3 levels of drying sun, shade, oven. The second experiment followed a RCBD replicated five times, with 4 levels of N 50 100 150, and 200 kgha randomly allocated. All the nutritional analysis was done based on the recommendations by the Association of Official Chemists A.O.A.C. Statistical analysis was done using SAS, Version 9.1. Where a significant difference was detected, variable means were separated using Fisher’s protected least significant difference p 0.05. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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Billing system, communication strategies, and organisation change in Zimbabwe: the case of telone customers’ postpaid to prepaid migration
- Authors: Dube, Sizalobuhle
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Communication , Organizational change , Organizational change -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27336 , vital:66942
- Description: This study investigated the effectiveness of the communication strategies used to implement the migration of telephone services from post-paid to prepaid billing at TelOne Zimbabwe. This study adopted the Freeman‟s stakeholder theory and the Lewin‟s change model to analyse the factors that influenced the effectiveness of the communication strategies used by TelOne before, during and after the change implementation as a way to communicate the initiative with its stakeholders. A qualitative approach was utilised and the key research methods used included document analysis, participant observation, as well as 21 face-to-face and 79 telephonic semi-structured interviews conducted with respondents from among TelOne managers, employees and the customers. The documents and respondents were purposively sampled based on the researcher‟s knowledge of their relevance in the study. The findings revealed several factors that mired effective change communication strategies such as company image, stakeholder recognition and communication centralisation. To curb these communication challenges, the study proposes Thrive organisational communication change model TOCC that encourages organisations to communicate the initiative to its relevant internal and external stakeholders considering their views and addressing factors that might hinder effective communication as a strategy to enhance successful change management. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Sizalobuhle
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Communication , Organizational change , Organizational change -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27336 , vital:66942
- Description: This study investigated the effectiveness of the communication strategies used to implement the migration of telephone services from post-paid to prepaid billing at TelOne Zimbabwe. This study adopted the Freeman‟s stakeholder theory and the Lewin‟s change model to analyse the factors that influenced the effectiveness of the communication strategies used by TelOne before, during and after the change implementation as a way to communicate the initiative with its stakeholders. A qualitative approach was utilised and the key research methods used included document analysis, participant observation, as well as 21 face-to-face and 79 telephonic semi-structured interviews conducted with respondents from among TelOne managers, employees and the customers. The documents and respondents were purposively sampled based on the researcher‟s knowledge of their relevance in the study. The findings revealed several factors that mired effective change communication strategies such as company image, stakeholder recognition and communication centralisation. To curb these communication challenges, the study proposes Thrive organisational communication change model TOCC that encourages organisations to communicate the initiative to its relevant internal and external stakeholders considering their views and addressing factors that might hinder effective communication as a strategy to enhance successful change management. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
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Experiences of youths participating in combination social protection and HIV prevention programme in resource constrained settings of Gauteng Province in South Africa: a collective case study design
- Authors: Zibengwa, Enock
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Prevention , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27347 , vital:66944
- Description: South Africa continues to experience unacceptably high Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV incidence rates among youths aged 15 to 24 years. Remarkably, this is despite the numerous youth HIV prevention programmes that have been implemented in the country. Unfortunately, the programmes have not significantly curbed the spread of HIV due to the partial and fragmented nature of their implementation. The programmes are also observed to be weak in addressing complex economic factors recognised as important structural drivers for vulnerabilities that put youths at risk of HIV infection. To address this challenge, there is increased adoption and implementation of the Combination Social Protection introduced in this research as the CSP by Non-Governmental Organisations NGOs. The CSP is a youth empowerment programming strategy whose critical foundations are entrenched in combining economic strengthening interventions and HIV prevention education. CSP could provide youths with a set of indispensable life skills that enhance their competencies and agency to make informed and effective decisions regarding their health and economic lives. Despite its growing traction, little is known regarding links between the CSP and its abilities to improve HIV prevention outcomes for youths. Given the paucity of research, this study aimed to explore the experiences of youths participating in the CSP and HIV prevention programme, with a particular focus on the resource-constrained settings of Gauteng Province in South Africa. This study employed a collective case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 30 youths from six established NGOs in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. Focus groups were separately with six practitioners from the same six NGOs, and five officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD). Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned with the objectives of the study. The findings of the study point to the fact that the CSP’s innovative and holistic approach offered numerous transformative and empowering benefits to youths. It equipped them with basic informational resources, capabilities, and social assets to safeguard their health and aid their economic advancement. The programme’s mixedgender sessions provided space, freedom, and support for youths to engage on issues of gender, differential access to health and socio-economic opportunities. Another major finding of the study was that improvement of economic aptitude (brought about by financial literacy education), employability, and entrepreneurship training stirred a sense of agency and purposefulness among youths, which in turn, prompted them to be more focused on achieving long-term objectives instead of indulging in risky sexual practices. Conversely, findings revealed that the programme had limited opportunities and did not create an adequate supportive environment for youths to develop successful entrepreneurial or income-generating projects. There was also no structure to assist youths to access apprenticeship and employment markets. The study specifically recognised that the programme’s efforts to develop youths’ entrepreneurship and employability capabilities were curtailed by a lack of mentorshipnand access to financial capital for start-up costs. With these findings in mind, recommendations are made for the creation of an enabling environment by purposefully engaging youths, establishing collaborative relations with communities, and building networks with businesses and financial institutions that can help youths with capital, mentorship, and linkages to internship and wage employment. Such collaborations could be fundamental in unravelling the impact of the programme on building livelihoods and reducing HIV among youths. Hence, this study proposes a model with strategies to support the successful implementation of economic strengthening interventions for youths. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zibengwa, Enock
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Prevention , HIV (Viruses) , HIV infections -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27347 , vital:66944
- Description: South Africa continues to experience unacceptably high Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV incidence rates among youths aged 15 to 24 years. Remarkably, this is despite the numerous youth HIV prevention programmes that have been implemented in the country. Unfortunately, the programmes have not significantly curbed the spread of HIV due to the partial and fragmented nature of their implementation. The programmes are also observed to be weak in addressing complex economic factors recognised as important structural drivers for vulnerabilities that put youths at risk of HIV infection. To address this challenge, there is increased adoption and implementation of the Combination Social Protection introduced in this research as the CSP by Non-Governmental Organisations NGOs. The CSP is a youth empowerment programming strategy whose critical foundations are entrenched in combining economic strengthening interventions and HIV prevention education. CSP could provide youths with a set of indispensable life skills that enhance their competencies and agency to make informed and effective decisions regarding their health and economic lives. Despite its growing traction, little is known regarding links between the CSP and its abilities to improve HIV prevention outcomes for youths. Given the paucity of research, this study aimed to explore the experiences of youths participating in the CSP and HIV prevention programme, with a particular focus on the resource-constrained settings of Gauteng Province in South Africa. This study employed a collective case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 30 youths from six established NGOs in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. Focus groups were separately with six practitioners from the same six NGOs, and five officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD). Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned with the objectives of the study. The findings of the study point to the fact that the CSP’s innovative and holistic approach offered numerous transformative and empowering benefits to youths. It equipped them with basic informational resources, capabilities, and social assets to safeguard their health and aid their economic advancement. The programme’s mixedgender sessions provided space, freedom, and support for youths to engage on issues of gender, differential access to health and socio-economic opportunities. Another major finding of the study was that improvement of economic aptitude (brought about by financial literacy education), employability, and entrepreneurship training stirred a sense of agency and purposefulness among youths, which in turn, prompted them to be more focused on achieving long-term objectives instead of indulging in risky sexual practices. Conversely, findings revealed that the programme had limited opportunities and did not create an adequate supportive environment for youths to develop successful entrepreneurial or income-generating projects. There was also no structure to assist youths to access apprenticeship and employment markets. The study specifically recognised that the programme’s efforts to develop youths’ entrepreneurship and employability capabilities were curtailed by a lack of mentorshipnand access to financial capital for start-up costs. With these findings in mind, recommendations are made for the creation of an enabling environment by purposefully engaging youths, establishing collaborative relations with communities, and building networks with businesses and financial institutions that can help youths with capital, mentorship, and linkages to internship and wage employment. Such collaborations could be fundamental in unravelling the impact of the programme on building livelihoods and reducing HIV among youths. Hence, this study proposes a model with strategies to support the successful implementation of economic strengthening interventions for youths. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
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Financial sector development, financial innovation and economic growth: case of a selected SADC countries
- Mpukumpa, Siphosethu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7342-8751
- Authors: Mpukumpa, Siphosethu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7342-8751
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern , Investments -- Africa, Southern , Economic development -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26852 , vital:66036
- Description: The financial sector plays a pivotal role in an economy of a country; hence the importance of financial sector development cannot be underestimated. Financial sector development is widely regarded as another conduit through which financial innovation and economic growth can be alleviated. The study firstly empirically examines the effect of financial sector development on financial innovation and also the impact of financial sector development and financial innovation on economic growth in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, employing the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1990 to 2020. Empirical results revealed that financial sector development overall does have an impact on financial innovation in the selected SADC countries. And also, financial sector development together with financial innovation does have an impact on economic growth in the selected SADC countries. However, on the relationship between financial system stability, financial innovation and economic growth, results reveal that a stable financial system is beneficial to new technological advancement and improved economic growth. Therefore, the overall findings from the study indicate that financial access or financial inclusion and financial stability is what increases financial innovation and boosts economic growth instead of mere financial sector development at a broader level. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
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- Authors: Mpukumpa, Siphosethu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7342-8751
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern , Investments -- Africa, Southern , Economic development -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26852 , vital:66036
- Description: The financial sector plays a pivotal role in an economy of a country; hence the importance of financial sector development cannot be underestimated. Financial sector development is widely regarded as another conduit through which financial innovation and economic growth can be alleviated. The study firstly empirically examines the effect of financial sector development on financial innovation and also the impact of financial sector development and financial innovation on economic growth in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, employing the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique for the period 1990 to 2020. Empirical results revealed that financial sector development overall does have an impact on financial innovation in the selected SADC countries. And also, financial sector development together with financial innovation does have an impact on economic growth in the selected SADC countries. However, on the relationship between financial system stability, financial innovation and economic growth, results reveal that a stable financial system is beneficial to new technological advancement and improved economic growth. Therefore, the overall findings from the study indicate that financial access or financial inclusion and financial stability is what increases financial innovation and boosts economic growth instead of mere financial sector development at a broader level. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
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Integration of digital media and pedagogy in the twenty first century classroom: a survey of selected high schools in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mhlomi, Yolisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Teaching , Digital media , Classroom learning centers
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27369 , vital:66952
- Description: The essence of this thesis was to study the effectiveness of integrating digital media technologies within the pedagogical approaches adopted and implemented in private and public high schools in a comparative manner. The study looked closely at private and public high schools of the Eastern Cape Province, to study the gaps of accessibility to technology by schools. The study identified the Eastern Cape Province as having a problem of poor performance in matric results at the end of each year as compared to other South African provinces. In order to select the relevant sample for the study, the researcher has utilized two secondary schools private and public in Makhanda Grahamstown and one public secondary school in Alice. The pragmatic paradigm was used to inform the study and used the mixed methods approach to data collection. The researcher distributed closed ended questionnaires to the learners in the three selected secondary schools and semi-structured interviews for the principals of the schools. The key findings reveal that the digital media tools are used for the teaching and learning purposes as well as communication to the schools’ stakeholders. The findings also revealed that various online platforms are utilized for teaching and sharing of information. For example, D6 and Ibambisa School Communicator app, WhatsApp groups for learners, Facebook, Instagram and School website for potential stakeholders. Hence, the results of this study should contribute to the field of ICTs and education in the country to solve the problems facing the teaching and learning systems of private and public schools of the Eastern Cape. Most schools (especially the public) do not have access to digital media tools in their classrooms. Thus, they still depend heavily on the textbooks, which may be outdated or not enough for all learners. In response to the issues faced by the Eastern Cape secondary schools and the findings, the researcher has suggested a model named the Digital Media and Pedagogy Integration DMPI Model of Communication. This model will contribute to the body of knowledge by providing advice to the Department of Basic Education on how teachers and learners can utilize digital media tools effectively. Also, the study has recommended that there is a need for provision of computer literacy training for teachers in secondary schools in this digital age. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mhlomi, Yolisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Teaching , Digital media , Classroom learning centers
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27369 , vital:66952
- Description: The essence of this thesis was to study the effectiveness of integrating digital media technologies within the pedagogical approaches adopted and implemented in private and public high schools in a comparative manner. The study looked closely at private and public high schools of the Eastern Cape Province, to study the gaps of accessibility to technology by schools. The study identified the Eastern Cape Province as having a problem of poor performance in matric results at the end of each year as compared to other South African provinces. In order to select the relevant sample for the study, the researcher has utilized two secondary schools private and public in Makhanda Grahamstown and one public secondary school in Alice. The pragmatic paradigm was used to inform the study and used the mixed methods approach to data collection. The researcher distributed closed ended questionnaires to the learners in the three selected secondary schools and semi-structured interviews for the principals of the schools. The key findings reveal that the digital media tools are used for the teaching and learning purposes as well as communication to the schools’ stakeholders. The findings also revealed that various online platforms are utilized for teaching and sharing of information. For example, D6 and Ibambisa School Communicator app, WhatsApp groups for learners, Facebook, Instagram and School website for potential stakeholders. Hence, the results of this study should contribute to the field of ICTs and education in the country to solve the problems facing the teaching and learning systems of private and public schools of the Eastern Cape. Most schools (especially the public) do not have access to digital media tools in their classrooms. Thus, they still depend heavily on the textbooks, which may be outdated or not enough for all learners. In response to the issues faced by the Eastern Cape secondary schools and the findings, the researcher has suggested a model named the Digital Media and Pedagogy Integration DMPI Model of Communication. This model will contribute to the body of knowledge by providing advice to the Department of Basic Education on how teachers and learners can utilize digital media tools effectively. Also, the study has recommended that there is a need for provision of computer literacy training for teachers in secondary schools in this digital age. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
Play-based approaches in teaching and learning in selected early childhood development centres in Buffalo City
- November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Authors: November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Activity programs , Play
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26042 , vital:64785
- Description: This study endeavoured to investigate the perspectives of principals and practitioners working in selected early childhood development (ECD) centres in the Buffalo Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, on the use of play-based techniques in educational and pedagogical practices of 3 to 4 years age group. Although most practitioners are aware of the significance of play-based learning, many report experiencing challenges when attempting to incorporate play-based strategies into their teaching of, and lessons aimed at, young children ages 3 to 4 years. For the purpose of ECD, it is recommended that the teaching of, and learning by, young children take the form of play (NCF, DBE, 2015). In this particular research undertaking, a qualitative design approach was adopted. A descriptive case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the key method of data generation was used to study play-based approaches between practitioners and children ages birth to four years at three ECD centres located within the Buffalo City Municipality District. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the three principals of the ECD centres and six practitioners, during the data-collection phase. Recording of the interviews was done then they were transcribed and thematic coding employed before the data were analysed for themes. The study participants’ responses revealed that the insufficient professional training of practitioners, on play-based approaches, presented a challenge. Play as a way of teaching and developing young children is further hampered by a variety of issues such as poor infrastructure, unqualified practitioners, funding of the ECD centres and lack of relevant resources prevalent in the ECD sector. As the findings indicate, government intervention will facilitate the training of practitioners for in-depth knowledge and understanding of play methodology in ECD, while the sector will benefit from additional funding and infrastructure provision as this has impact on indoor and outdoor play-based activities, as well as the appointment of qualified human resources instead of job seekers. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: November-Mbebe, Faith Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6192-785X
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- Activity programs , Play
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26042 , vital:64785
- Description: This study endeavoured to investigate the perspectives of principals and practitioners working in selected early childhood development (ECD) centres in the Buffalo Municipal District in the Eastern Cape, on the use of play-based techniques in educational and pedagogical practices of 3 to 4 years age group. Although most practitioners are aware of the significance of play-based learning, many report experiencing challenges when attempting to incorporate play-based strategies into their teaching of, and lessons aimed at, young children ages 3 to 4 years. For the purpose of ECD, it is recommended that the teaching of, and learning by, young children take the form of play (NCF, DBE, 2015). In this particular research undertaking, a qualitative design approach was adopted. A descriptive case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the key method of data generation was used to study play-based approaches between practitioners and children ages birth to four years at three ECD centres located within the Buffalo City Municipality District. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the three principals of the ECD centres and six practitioners, during the data-collection phase. Recording of the interviews was done then they were transcribed and thematic coding employed before the data were analysed for themes. The study participants’ responses revealed that the insufficient professional training of practitioners, on play-based approaches, presented a challenge. Play as a way of teaching and developing young children is further hampered by a variety of issues such as poor infrastructure, unqualified practitioners, funding of the ECD centres and lack of relevant resources prevalent in the ECD sector. As the findings indicate, government intervention will facilitate the training of practitioners for in-depth knowledge and understanding of play methodology in ECD, while the sector will benefit from additional funding and infrastructure provision as this has impact on indoor and outdoor play-based activities, as well as the appointment of qualified human resources instead of job seekers. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
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The analysis of social networking sites usage by the public relations management students from Walter Sisulu University: Buffalo city campus (Chiselhurst site)
- Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
- Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kwinana, Zingisa. N
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27589 , vital:69318
- Description: This study analysed the use of social networking sites by undergraduate Public Relations Management students from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. The reason for this study was to seek student’s opinions on what drove them to open SNs accounts, use social networking sites and examine these motivations in relationship to the building blocks of the uses and gratification theory, which are information search or education, selfactualization, socializing and entertainment. A qualitative online questionnaire was employed in this study. 218 questionnaires were sent through to the participants WhatsApp class groups, 168 questionnaires were answered and returned back to the researcher. The discovery of the study was that the participants are diverse in many different ways and made use of social networking sites for many various reasons. Furthermore, this study indicated that the participants were motivated to use social networking sites because they wanted to interact and stay connected with their family, peers and loved ones, and to meet people or create connections. The study argued that the participants’ reasons for use of social networking sites was not only for socialising but also for entertainment, self-actualization get academic and general information. This study concluded that SNs have a meaningful role in the life of a student’s life doing public relations management from Walter Sisulu University, Chiselhurst site. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
Unleashing the nexus between climate change and food security in rural South Africa: role of three community radio stations in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Bamigboye, Foluke Bosede
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security , South Africa -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27325 , vital:66939
- Description: This study investigates the role of Forte FM, Mdantsane FM and Rhodes Music Community Radios in disseminating the different kinds of messages on the nexus between the impacts of climate change and food security in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Therefore, the study aims to investigate how these community radio stations play their informative, educative and entertainment roles regarding climate change and food security awareness programmes to their listeners. The study employed the qualitative research approach and convenience, and non-probability samplings techniques were subsequently used to select samples for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted individually for Forte FM, Mdantsane FM and Rhodes Music community radio programme managers respectively, who serve as the key informants. One focus group discussion each was held with residents of Golf Course, Mdantsane and Grahamstown areas where these radio stations broadcast from, with eight participants in each focus group. The total number of participants for the focus group discussions was 24 participants. The collected data were coded into themes using NVivo 12 software to generate the theme nodes and case nodes as key findings, analysis and then interpreted. The findings of this study confirmed that these three community radio stations do contribute to climate change communication through their programmes that focus on climate change and food security related issues. Another vital finding from the study showed that listeners do benefit immensely from these climate change and food security related programmes of the under-study community radio stations. Hence, listeners physical, social, and cognitive well-being of their climatic environment have been greatly impacted. In the same vein, the findings of this study further revealed that the rural communities who are mostly affected by the impacts of climate change on food security have been well informed and enlightened on the suitable ways to enhance a sustainable food security and climate adaptation system through Forte FM, Mdantsane FM, and Rhodes Music community radio stations. Significantly, this study has been able to come up with two suggested models and the conceptual frameworks, which are the Local Action Adaptive Communication (LAAC) Model and the Indigenous Behavioral Change Conceptual (IBCC) Model. These models are focused on increasing listeners interests, adaptation, and behavioral change on climate change issues. The models are also aimed at ensuring better climate change and food security communication Author. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bamigboye, Foluke Bosede
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security , South Africa -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27325 , vital:66939
- Description: This study investigates the role of Forte FM, Mdantsane FM and Rhodes Music Community Radios in disseminating the different kinds of messages on the nexus between the impacts of climate change and food security in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Therefore, the study aims to investigate how these community radio stations play their informative, educative and entertainment roles regarding climate change and food security awareness programmes to their listeners. The study employed the qualitative research approach and convenience, and non-probability samplings techniques were subsequently used to select samples for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted individually for Forte FM, Mdantsane FM and Rhodes Music community radio programme managers respectively, who serve as the key informants. One focus group discussion each was held with residents of Golf Course, Mdantsane and Grahamstown areas where these radio stations broadcast from, with eight participants in each focus group. The total number of participants for the focus group discussions was 24 participants. The collected data were coded into themes using NVivo 12 software to generate the theme nodes and case nodes as key findings, analysis and then interpreted. The findings of this study confirmed that these three community radio stations do contribute to climate change communication through their programmes that focus on climate change and food security related issues. Another vital finding from the study showed that listeners do benefit immensely from these climate change and food security related programmes of the under-study community radio stations. Hence, listeners physical, social, and cognitive well-being of their climatic environment have been greatly impacted. In the same vein, the findings of this study further revealed that the rural communities who are mostly affected by the impacts of climate change on food security have been well informed and enlightened on the suitable ways to enhance a sustainable food security and climate adaptation system through Forte FM, Mdantsane FM, and Rhodes Music community radio stations. Significantly, this study has been able to come up with two suggested models and the conceptual frameworks, which are the Local Action Adaptive Communication (LAAC) Model and the Indigenous Behavioral Change Conceptual (IBCC) Model. These models are focused on increasing listeners interests, adaptation, and behavioral change on climate change issues. The models are also aimed at ensuring better climate change and food security communication Author. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
Viability of government funded broiler production : lessons from Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
- Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2668-0193
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2668-0193
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) -- Economic aspects , Broilers (Poultry) , Broilers (Chickens) -- Breeding
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27843 , vital:69947
- Description: Generally, rural areas continue to experience high poverty levels and low incomes, which seem to be occasioned by high unemployment rates, limited educational attainments, and devastating floods and droughts. This situation is further exacerbated by increase in crime rates, making livelihoods even more difficult. To mitigate such adverse situations, rural households employ diverse strategies, including maintaining community gardens, one-home-one-garden schemes, as well as livestock and poultry production. The most prevalent livelihood strategy in South Africa or KwaZulu-Natal is broiler production, since it needs less space and a short production cycle compared to other livestock or crop enterprises. At the same time, income is generated over a short period. Besides, the government of KwaZulu Natal has actively intervened in the sector as part of its broader poverty reduction strategy and farmer support programmes. In KwaZulu-Natal Province, the provincial government has been supporting broiler producers for many years. While substantial research work has been done in the province on livelihood strategies, including livestock production on a province-wide basis, there is no information about how successful the broiler production funded by the government has being. Broader concerns about production problems have not been assuaged based on systematic studies and evidence. It is this wise that this study was initiated. The objective is to assess the economic viability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa and determine the implications for poverty reduction and food security. Data were collected from the government-funded small-scale broiler producers that are residing in Northern KwaZulu-Natal districts uThungulu, Zululand and uMkhanyakude. A total of 75 small-scale broiler projects 25 broiler projects in each district were selected by probability sampling procedure for the interviews. Questionnaires that combined both close-ended and open-ended questions were used to collect primary data, which include production and marketing, as well as the factors that influence the profitability of the small-scale broiler projects. After collection, data were captured and encoded on spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software version 26 and STATA for analyses. Descriptive statistics applied include frequencies and means. In addition, a gross margin (GM) and gross profit margin (GPM) analysis were employed to assess the profitability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects. Both profitability and gross margin analyses were used as proxies for farmers’ motivation and incentives to participate in broiler production. Further analyses were conducted to determine the model that best explains the underlying relationships. Initially, the Multiple Linear Regression Model was applied to determine the factors influencing the profitability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects. The indication was that while positive profits were revealed, the system seemed to fall short of its potential. In light of that, it was decided to fit another model to estimate the technical efficiency of the system and gain an understanding of the causes of any inefficiency that might exist in the production system. In that regard, the one-step Stochastic Frontier Model was employed to show that the technical efficiency of broiler production systems in the project area was positively and significantly influenced by flock size, the quantity of feeds and labour costs, while medication played no role possibly because of weak extension coverage. An inefficiency model fitted as part of the one-step model suggested that age, gender and educational level were significant influencers of technical inefficiency, with the possibility that the older the farmers, the more technically inefficient the system possibly because of the strenuousness of commercial poultry production. In addition, it was found that the more educated the farmer, the less inefficient the farm, which conversely means that the system becomes more efficient as the farmer receives more education. The negative coefficient of the gender variable also implies that for farms managed by female farmers, the system was less inefficient, which is more technically efficient, and this can be explained by women’s propensity to be more gentle, caring and sensitive in managing the chickens than their male counterparts. Heteroskedasticity tests and corrections were conducted in the one-step estimation technique to show that variations in the inefficiency term (μ) and the stochastic error term were explained by age and educational level for the most part. Clearly, improvements in the broiler industry in KwaZulu-Natal will depend to a large extent on the knowledge and experience of the farmers and substantial enlargement of the flock size of adequately fed birds. Attention to these elements is expected to have important practical implications for sustainable broiler poultry development and food security in the project area, as well as locations possessing identical features and characteristics. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2668-0193
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) -- Economic aspects , Broilers (Poultry) , Broilers (Chickens) -- Breeding
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27843 , vital:69947
- Description: Generally, rural areas continue to experience high poverty levels and low incomes, which seem to be occasioned by high unemployment rates, limited educational attainments, and devastating floods and droughts. This situation is further exacerbated by increase in crime rates, making livelihoods even more difficult. To mitigate such adverse situations, rural households employ diverse strategies, including maintaining community gardens, one-home-one-garden schemes, as well as livestock and poultry production. The most prevalent livelihood strategy in South Africa or KwaZulu-Natal is broiler production, since it needs less space and a short production cycle compared to other livestock or crop enterprises. At the same time, income is generated over a short period. Besides, the government of KwaZulu Natal has actively intervened in the sector as part of its broader poverty reduction strategy and farmer support programmes. In KwaZulu-Natal Province, the provincial government has been supporting broiler producers for many years. While substantial research work has been done in the province on livelihood strategies, including livestock production on a province-wide basis, there is no information about how successful the broiler production funded by the government has being. Broader concerns about production problems have not been assuaged based on systematic studies and evidence. It is this wise that this study was initiated. The objective is to assess the economic viability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa and determine the implications for poverty reduction and food security. Data were collected from the government-funded small-scale broiler producers that are residing in Northern KwaZulu-Natal districts uThungulu, Zululand and uMkhanyakude. A total of 75 small-scale broiler projects 25 broiler projects in each district were selected by probability sampling procedure for the interviews. Questionnaires that combined both close-ended and open-ended questions were used to collect primary data, which include production and marketing, as well as the factors that influence the profitability of the small-scale broiler projects. After collection, data were captured and encoded on spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software version 26 and STATA for analyses. Descriptive statistics applied include frequencies and means. In addition, a gross margin (GM) and gross profit margin (GPM) analysis were employed to assess the profitability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects. Both profitability and gross margin analyses were used as proxies for farmers’ motivation and incentives to participate in broiler production. Further analyses were conducted to determine the model that best explains the underlying relationships. Initially, the Multiple Linear Regression Model was applied to determine the factors influencing the profitability of government-funded small-scale broiler projects. The indication was that while positive profits were revealed, the system seemed to fall short of its potential. In light of that, it was decided to fit another model to estimate the technical efficiency of the system and gain an understanding of the causes of any inefficiency that might exist in the production system. In that regard, the one-step Stochastic Frontier Model was employed to show that the technical efficiency of broiler production systems in the project area was positively and significantly influenced by flock size, the quantity of feeds and labour costs, while medication played no role possibly because of weak extension coverage. An inefficiency model fitted as part of the one-step model suggested that age, gender and educational level were significant influencers of technical inefficiency, with the possibility that the older the farmers, the more technically inefficient the system possibly because of the strenuousness of commercial poultry production. In addition, it was found that the more educated the farmer, the less inefficient the farm, which conversely means that the system becomes more efficient as the farmer receives more education. The negative coefficient of the gender variable also implies that for farms managed by female farmers, the system was less inefficient, which is more technically efficient, and this can be explained by women’s propensity to be more gentle, caring and sensitive in managing the chickens than their male counterparts. Heteroskedasticity tests and corrections were conducted in the one-step estimation technique to show that variations in the inefficiency term (μ) and the stochastic error term were explained by age and educational level for the most part. Clearly, improvements in the broiler industry in KwaZulu-Natal will depend to a large extent on the knowledge and experience of the farmers and substantial enlargement of the flock size of adequately fed birds. Attention to these elements is expected to have important practical implications for sustainable broiler poultry development and food security in the project area, as well as locations possessing identical features and characteristics. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
Developing a regulatory framework for electronic commerce in the Southern African Development Community: the prospects and challenges
- Chimeri, Vongai https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2490-2497
- Authors: Chimeri, Vongai https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2490-2497
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation , Electronic funds transfers -- Law and legislation , Electronic contracts
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28433 , vital:74326
- Description: The adoption of international instruments namely, the Model Law on Electronic Commerce, the Model Law on Electronic Signatures and the United Nations Convention on the use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts was mainly necessitated by the need to remove unnecessary obstacles to the development of e-commerce. However, many years later, countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are grappling with the effective regulation of e-commerce. Globally, e-commerce has been embraced as an instrument for boosting economic growth to achieve various developmental goals including employment creation and poverty alleviation, among others. Given its significance and transnational nature, a comprehensive harmonised regulatory framework that enhances regulatory certainty remains a sine qua non to the development of e-commerce. This study examines the SADC’s regulatory approach to e-commerce and questions whether it has successfully harmonised e-commerce laws in a way that enhances legal certainty in e-commerce transactions. It observes that, notwithstanding the adoption of the SADC Model Law on Electronic Transactions and Ecommerce, the regulation of e-commerce in most SADC countries remains archaic, fragmented and unpredictable. In order to draw lessons for the development of an e-commerce regulatory framework that enhances legal certainty and predictability in e-commerce transactions, the study explores the regulatory approach to e-commerce of various Regional Economic Communities (REC) namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU). In the end, the study proposes the development of a community law on e-commerce in SADC. It recommends some pertinent changes in the legal formulation and institutional framework of the SADC Treaty to ensure that the community law on e-commerce is adopted and implemented effectively by Member States. The study further advances that there is a need for SADC Member States to have the necessary political will and commitment to adopt and implement a community law on e-commerce. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chimeri, Vongai https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2490-2497
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Law and legislation , Electronic funds transfers -- Law and legislation , Electronic contracts
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28433 , vital:74326
- Description: The adoption of international instruments namely, the Model Law on Electronic Commerce, the Model Law on Electronic Signatures and the United Nations Convention on the use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts was mainly necessitated by the need to remove unnecessary obstacles to the development of e-commerce. However, many years later, countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are grappling with the effective regulation of e-commerce. Globally, e-commerce has been embraced as an instrument for boosting economic growth to achieve various developmental goals including employment creation and poverty alleviation, among others. Given its significance and transnational nature, a comprehensive harmonised regulatory framework that enhances regulatory certainty remains a sine qua non to the development of e-commerce. This study examines the SADC’s regulatory approach to e-commerce and questions whether it has successfully harmonised e-commerce laws in a way that enhances legal certainty in e-commerce transactions. It observes that, notwithstanding the adoption of the SADC Model Law on Electronic Transactions and Ecommerce, the regulation of e-commerce in most SADC countries remains archaic, fragmented and unpredictable. In order to draw lessons for the development of an e-commerce regulatory framework that enhances legal certainty and predictability in e-commerce transactions, the study explores the regulatory approach to e-commerce of various Regional Economic Communities (REC) namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU). In the end, the study proposes the development of a community law on e-commerce in SADC. It recommends some pertinent changes in the legal formulation and institutional framework of the SADC Treaty to ensure that the community law on e-commerce is adopted and implemented effectively by Member States. The study further advances that there is a need for SADC Member States to have the necessary political will and commitment to adopt and implement a community law on e-commerce. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, 2023
- Full Text:
Effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring and evaluation system in municipal infrastructure grant projects: a case study O.R Tambo District Municipality
- Authors: Dlelaphantsi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa , Municipal services -- Finance -- South Africa , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28534 , vital:74398
- Description: The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) was established in order to alleviate poverty and provide the environment for local economic development by providing financial assistance to municipalities for the construction of infrastructure. Many municipalities, including the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, have failed to deliver infrastructure that is adequate and long-lasting, as seen by the numerous protests that have taken place around the metropolis. With this study, the effectiveness and efficiency of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects supported by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality was evaluated (ORTDM). The data for this study was gathered through the use of a mixed-method research strategy. 15 people of the community completed a structured questionnaire on a Likert scale, and 13 ORTDM experts completed a semi-structured questionnaire. For analysing quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised, and when analysing qualitative data, a theme analysis was used. The findings of this study revealed that: • There is a disparity between theory and practice regarding the achievement of the objectives of the MIG and the implementation of M&E Systems in ORTDM. Whilst the professionals at ORTDM are knowledgeable of the processes or frameworks to ensure that all work plans and budgets are being maintained, community members are adamant that the objectives of the MIG projects are not being achieved, and M&E Systems are poorly applied at ORTDM. • There is a great disparity between the views of the professionals who believed that many strengths or merits are associated with the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for MIG Projects at the ORTDM and the community members who revealed many inefficiencies and weaknesses in current M&E systems in MIG projects in ORTDM. • It is possible that the ORTDM is falling behind in the provision of services to its communities. • Projects that are well managed and provide economic advantages as well as better quality of life to all dwellers within their poor communities, as is the case at ORTDM, elicit greater interest and satisfaction from community members. The supply of essential utilities including drinking water, sanitary facilities, roadways, and public lighting are all included in these projects. Professionals at ORTDM had divergent views regarding compliance by ORTDM with existing M&E policy and the condition attached to MIG Funding. The professionals at ORTDM believe that ORTDM can address issues of infrastructure backlog, and the project management structure, current projects, key players and their roles, policies and guidelines that guide the overall monitoring and evaluation work are well defined. On the other hand, feedback from the community members revealed a lack of compliance by ORTDM with existing M&E policies and the condition attached to MIG Funding. In general, inadequate governance coexists with an extensive and complex regulatory framework designed to enhance outcomes in MIG projects at ORTDM. As a result, it's possible to conclude that ORTDM's generally weak governance of MIG projects is due to a lack of compliance rather than any serious regulatory deficiencies. That is, rather than a lack of legislation, governance problems are the result of officials failing to implement legal regulations. Considering the myriads of service delivery challenges that have been identified in MIG projects at ORTDM, the proposed recommendations for enhancing transparency and accountability in MIG projects at ORTDM are very significant. Recommendations such as intervention by the national treasury, enhancing community participation, physical verification of projects, strengthening of political oversight committees, etc., are crucial and extremely relevant because they emanated from the actors (ORTDM professionals) who are conversant with the challenges of the MIG projects at ORTDM. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dlelaphantsi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa , Municipal services -- Finance -- South Africa , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28534 , vital:74398
- Description: The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) was established in order to alleviate poverty and provide the environment for local economic development by providing financial assistance to municipalities for the construction of infrastructure. Many municipalities, including the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, have failed to deliver infrastructure that is adequate and long-lasting, as seen by the numerous protests that have taken place around the metropolis. With this study, the effectiveness and efficiency of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects supported by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality was evaluated (ORTDM). The data for this study was gathered through the use of a mixed-method research strategy. 15 people of the community completed a structured questionnaire on a Likert scale, and 13 ORTDM experts completed a semi-structured questionnaire. For analysing quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised, and when analysing qualitative data, a theme analysis was used. The findings of this study revealed that: • There is a disparity between theory and practice regarding the achievement of the objectives of the MIG and the implementation of M&E Systems in ORTDM. Whilst the professionals at ORTDM are knowledgeable of the processes or frameworks to ensure that all work plans and budgets are being maintained, community members are adamant that the objectives of the MIG projects are not being achieved, and M&E Systems are poorly applied at ORTDM. • There is a great disparity between the views of the professionals who believed that many strengths or merits are associated with the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for MIG Projects at the ORTDM and the community members who revealed many inefficiencies and weaknesses in current M&E systems in MIG projects in ORTDM. • It is possible that the ORTDM is falling behind in the provision of services to its communities. • Projects that are well managed and provide economic advantages as well as better quality of life to all dwellers within their poor communities, as is the case at ORTDM, elicit greater interest and satisfaction from community members. The supply of essential utilities including drinking water, sanitary facilities, roadways, and public lighting are all included in these projects. Professionals at ORTDM had divergent views regarding compliance by ORTDM with existing M&E policy and the condition attached to MIG Funding. The professionals at ORTDM believe that ORTDM can address issues of infrastructure backlog, and the project management structure, current projects, key players and their roles, policies and guidelines that guide the overall monitoring and evaluation work are well defined. On the other hand, feedback from the community members revealed a lack of compliance by ORTDM with existing M&E policies and the condition attached to MIG Funding. In general, inadequate governance coexists with an extensive and complex regulatory framework designed to enhance outcomes in MIG projects at ORTDM. As a result, it's possible to conclude that ORTDM's generally weak governance of MIG projects is due to a lack of compliance rather than any serious regulatory deficiencies. That is, rather than a lack of legislation, governance problems are the result of officials failing to implement legal regulations. Considering the myriads of service delivery challenges that have been identified in MIG projects at ORTDM, the proposed recommendations for enhancing transparency and accountability in MIG projects at ORTDM are very significant. Recommendations such as intervention by the national treasury, enhancing community participation, physical verification of projects, strengthening of political oversight committees, etc., are crucial and extremely relevant because they emanated from the actors (ORTDM professionals) who are conversant with the challenges of the MIG projects at ORTDM. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
Evaluation of spatial distribution and health risk of pesticide residues in the environmental matrices of buffalo river estuary and their removal using nanosponges and modified cyclodextrins
- Authors: Mdeni, Nonkululeko Landy
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Chemicals , Hazardous substances , Dangerous chemicals
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27629 , vital:69321
- Description: The contamination of lotic ecosystems caused by agricultural, industrial, and anthropogenic activities has attracted the attention of researchers, authorities, and scientists because these waterbodies are of social and economic importance to human livelihoods. Pesticides and insecticides are a group of compounds that are toxic to pests and insects, respectively. Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) can be released into different environmental matrices through several sources including agricultural and urban runoff. They are one of the three main classes of synthetic organic pesticides that are used in agricultural sector and very often end up in other destinations than their target sites. In this study, four OPs, namely, ronnel, malathion, parathion and Durban were investigated. The Buffalo River Estuary, located in East London, is one of most popular areas and the river is a major source of raw water abstraction for three municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Sediment samples were collected from six points in the estuary and soil samples were taken from a nearby dumpsite in winter and spring seasons of 2021. The physicochemical parameters of the samples including particle size, moisture content, oil and grease and organic carbon were determined. The samples were then extracted by ultra-sonication, the final extracts were analyzed using GC-μECD and the risk quotient (RQ) method was used to evaluate the risk of OP exposure to aquatic organisms. Polymer modified cyclodextrin (β-CD) for the removal of parathion in sediment and soil was synthesized and the morphology of the modified β-CD and vibrations of the synthesized material were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the OPs investigated were in the range of 0.09 to 2.99 and 0.274 to 9.06 μg/L, respectively. OPs gave a good recovery except for malathion, which had a recovery percentage lower than 70%. Calibration curves were plotted for the four OPs and were linear with relative standard deviations (RSD) ranging from 1.02 to 3.50, and correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.9935 to 0.9972. The mean concentrations for sediments and soil in both seasons varied from 0.00231 to 63.8 μg/g in winter and from 0.0017 to 36.6 μg/g in spring, with malathion being the predominant congener and dursban being the least dominant in both seasons. In winter, the particle size percentages of the sediment and soil samples ranged from 34.4 to 79.4 percentage, 15.4 to 23.9 percentage and from 7.77 to 38.3 percentage for coarse, medium, and fine fractions, respectively. While in spring, the particle size for the course, medium and fine mesh fractions ranged from 37.4 to 74.6 percentage, 14.1 to 25.1 percentage and 12.4 to 35.0 percentage respectively; the percentage moisture content varied from 43.0 to 73.1 in winter, and from 57.1 to 63.4 in spring. In the soil samples, the physicochemical properties were lower in winter except for the n- hexane extractable material (HEM), which significantly decreased in spring from 2.6 to 1.63 mg/kg; while for sediments, the oil and grease ranged from 1.77 to 10.3 mg/kg in winter and from 1.63 to 4.28 mg/kg in spring. The risk quotient method was used to determine the risk of OP exposure to sediment-dwelling organisms and the results obtained indicated that the levels of OPs in this study, especially dursban, can pose a high risk to the organisms in sediments, with RQs higher than ten (˃10) in both winter and summer. The Pearson product-moment correlation showed that parathion had a weak correlation with every other variable except for malathion in winter, whereas in spring, parathion correlated very weakly with malathion; suggesting that products containing parathion are mostly used to control pests found in crops, such as corn and mosquitos, which are most active in the spring season. There was a very strong correlation between dursban and ronnel in spring and winter, implying that an increase in dursban concentration resulted in an increase in the concentration of ronnel. To determine the efficiency of the synthesized adsorbent CD-chitosan-alginate for the removal of Parathion from soil and sediment, different parameters such as concentration, time, pH and dose were varied. The adsorption capacity was found to be highest at pH 2 (99.19 percentage), when 3 mL of the adsorbent was used for 30 minutes. , Thesis (Msci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mdeni, Nonkululeko Landy
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Chemicals , Hazardous substances , Dangerous chemicals
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27629 , vital:69321
- Description: The contamination of lotic ecosystems caused by agricultural, industrial, and anthropogenic activities has attracted the attention of researchers, authorities, and scientists because these waterbodies are of social and economic importance to human livelihoods. Pesticides and insecticides are a group of compounds that are toxic to pests and insects, respectively. Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) can be released into different environmental matrices through several sources including agricultural and urban runoff. They are one of the three main classes of synthetic organic pesticides that are used in agricultural sector and very often end up in other destinations than their target sites. In this study, four OPs, namely, ronnel, malathion, parathion and Durban were investigated. The Buffalo River Estuary, located in East London, is one of most popular areas and the river is a major source of raw water abstraction for three municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Sediment samples were collected from six points in the estuary and soil samples were taken from a nearby dumpsite in winter and spring seasons of 2021. The physicochemical parameters of the samples including particle size, moisture content, oil and grease and organic carbon were determined. The samples were then extracted by ultra-sonication, the final extracts were analyzed using GC-μECD and the risk quotient (RQ) method was used to evaluate the risk of OP exposure to aquatic organisms. Polymer modified cyclodextrin (β-CD) for the removal of parathion in sediment and soil was synthesized and the morphology of the modified β-CD and vibrations of the synthesized material were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the OPs investigated were in the range of 0.09 to 2.99 and 0.274 to 9.06 μg/L, respectively. OPs gave a good recovery except for malathion, which had a recovery percentage lower than 70%. Calibration curves were plotted for the four OPs and were linear with relative standard deviations (RSD) ranging from 1.02 to 3.50, and correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.9935 to 0.9972. The mean concentrations for sediments and soil in both seasons varied from 0.00231 to 63.8 μg/g in winter and from 0.0017 to 36.6 μg/g in spring, with malathion being the predominant congener and dursban being the least dominant in both seasons. In winter, the particle size percentages of the sediment and soil samples ranged from 34.4 to 79.4 percentage, 15.4 to 23.9 percentage and from 7.77 to 38.3 percentage for coarse, medium, and fine fractions, respectively. While in spring, the particle size for the course, medium and fine mesh fractions ranged from 37.4 to 74.6 percentage, 14.1 to 25.1 percentage and 12.4 to 35.0 percentage respectively; the percentage moisture content varied from 43.0 to 73.1 in winter, and from 57.1 to 63.4 in spring. In the soil samples, the physicochemical properties were lower in winter except for the n- hexane extractable material (HEM), which significantly decreased in spring from 2.6 to 1.63 mg/kg; while for sediments, the oil and grease ranged from 1.77 to 10.3 mg/kg in winter and from 1.63 to 4.28 mg/kg in spring. The risk quotient method was used to determine the risk of OP exposure to sediment-dwelling organisms and the results obtained indicated that the levels of OPs in this study, especially dursban, can pose a high risk to the organisms in sediments, with RQs higher than ten (˃10) in both winter and summer. The Pearson product-moment correlation showed that parathion had a weak correlation with every other variable except for malathion in winter, whereas in spring, parathion correlated very weakly with malathion; suggesting that products containing parathion are mostly used to control pests found in crops, such as corn and mosquitos, which are most active in the spring season. There was a very strong correlation between dursban and ronnel in spring and winter, implying that an increase in dursban concentration resulted in an increase in the concentration of ronnel. To determine the efficiency of the synthesized adsorbent CD-chitosan-alginate for the removal of Parathion from soil and sediment, different parameters such as concentration, time, pH and dose were varied. The adsorption capacity was found to be highest at pH 2 (99.19 percentage), when 3 mL of the adsorbent was used for 30 minutes. , Thesis (Msci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
Evaluation of water and sanitation challenges in informal settlements: a case study of Duncan Village, East London, South Africa
- Authors: Munyai, Khodani Keith
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Squatter settlements , Water quality management , Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27721 , vital:69396
- Description: Water and sanitation are basic human needs. It is also a constitutional right for all citizens in South Africa to have access to both water and sanitation. Supply of water and sanitation services in South Africa is characterised by both achievements and challenges. As informed by literature, in South Africa it is evident that water and sanitation still hold many challenges in poor communities, particularly in informal settlements. This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating water and sanitation challenges in the informal settlements of Duncan Village and make recommendations, where applicable, to the local municipality for possible remedies. Despite the provision of water and sanitation by the Buffalo City Metro Municipality, the study reveals that there are serious water and sanitation challenges in Duncan Village. High water losses, illegal water connections, illegal sanitation connections causing sewer spillages, vandalism of both water and sanitation service infrastructure, and lack of operations and maintenance are identified as the key water and sanitation challenges. According to the findings, the causes of these challenges include the municipality's lack of proper planning for informal settlements; lack of visibility of municipal water and sanitation officials in informal settlements; lack of awareness; lack of public participation; overpopulation; lack of monitoring; and lack of operations and maintenance budget to help keep the provided facilities intact and usable. The study's key recommendations include intense involvement of the municipality and the ward councillors, ownership by the residents, monitoring of water and sanitation facilities, operations and maintenance, and formalising Duncan Village informal settlements. This was accomplished using questionnaires to gather, analyse, and interpret the collected data. The study targeted residents, ward councillors, and a municipal officer from the municipality's Water and Sanitation section as respondents , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Munyai, Khodani Keith
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Squatter settlements , Water quality management , Sanitation, Rural
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27721 , vital:69396
- Description: Water and sanitation are basic human needs. It is also a constitutional right for all citizens in South Africa to have access to both water and sanitation. Supply of water and sanitation services in South Africa is characterised by both achievements and challenges. As informed by literature, in South Africa it is evident that water and sanitation still hold many challenges in poor communities, particularly in informal settlements. This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating water and sanitation challenges in the informal settlements of Duncan Village and make recommendations, where applicable, to the local municipality for possible remedies. Despite the provision of water and sanitation by the Buffalo City Metro Municipality, the study reveals that there are serious water and sanitation challenges in Duncan Village. High water losses, illegal water connections, illegal sanitation connections causing sewer spillages, vandalism of both water and sanitation service infrastructure, and lack of operations and maintenance are identified as the key water and sanitation challenges. According to the findings, the causes of these challenges include the municipality's lack of proper planning for informal settlements; lack of visibility of municipal water and sanitation officials in informal settlements; lack of awareness; lack of public participation; overpopulation; lack of monitoring; and lack of operations and maintenance budget to help keep the provided facilities intact and usable. The study's key recommendations include intense involvement of the municipality and the ward councillors, ownership by the residents, monitoring of water and sanitation facilities, operations and maintenance, and formalising Duncan Village informal settlements. This was accomplished using questionnaires to gather, analyse, and interpret the collected data. The study targeted residents, ward councillors, and a municipal officer from the municipality's Water and Sanitation section as respondents , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
Participation dynamics in the management of protected areas: the case of Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve and its adjacent communities, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Nyamahono, James Donald https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1391-9126
- Authors: Nyamahono, James Donald https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1391-9126
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Protected areas , Natural resources conservation areas -- South Africa , National protected areas systems
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27358 , vital:66947
- Description: In many parts of the developing world, participation in the management of ‘protected areas’ is among the most tangible indices of how the rural population encounters formal conservation policies, strategies and ideologies. However, some scholars have argued that the sharing of the burdens and benefits of participation is devoid of equity. While some analysts have emphasised the imperative of multi-stakeholder participation in nature conservation, citing this as a crucial socio-ecological investment, others have highlighted the inherent contradictions in the process, describing it as an avenue for manipulation, tokenism and exploitation. This study is located in this debate and focuses on narratives around the participation of different stakeholders in the management of Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve and its adjacent communities in the rural Wild-Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The researcher notes that research on the degrees and participation dynamics among various role players involved in the management of protected areas in South Africa, Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve in particular is limited. Against this background, this study contributes to ongoing discussions on protected area management in South Africa but seeks to expand this discussion by interrogating the nature and degrees of participation within the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve - to deepen intellectual understanding on the significant role played by protected areas in engendering participatory democracy, equity, justice as well as meeting the needs of marginalised communities. Primary data for the thesis were collected using in-depth and key-informant interviews with officials from government institutions and parastatals, politicians and traditional authority figures. Focus group discussions were held with ‘youth’ participants as well as ‘elders’ in the Reserve’s adjacent communities. An analysis of policy and other government documents sought to outline the institutional attributes of protected areas management in South Africa and the underpinning ideas. A thematic analysis of the corpus of empirical information helped to show how these institutional attributes inhere in Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve as well as the epistemic challenge these attributes pose vis-à-vis indigenous ecological ideas and practices in the adjacent ‘indigenous’ communities. The study revealed that participation is perceived differently by various stakeholders due to multiple, mutually contradictory impulses. While institutional stakeholders attached great importance to the structural role of institutional frameworks, hence the vigorous reliance on formal conservation strategies, narratives from community members drew attention to ‘equity deficits’. The study also found that while the selected Reserve may have fostered cooperation between government and the adjacent communities, conflict and distrust ran deep between these stakeholders. From these and other findings, the study concluded that ecological participation in the study area was characterised by clusters of stakeholders who regard one another as ‘epistemic outsiders’ and related to one another as such, with practical consequences – especially for the long-term sustainability of the Reserve. In the main, the thesis rests on the argument that in the face of epistemic differences, dominance and marginalisation could become a defining feature of protected area management that cannot be readily resolved through the mere process of participation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyamahono, James Donald https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1391-9126
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Protected areas , Natural resources conservation areas -- South Africa , National protected areas systems
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27358 , vital:66947
- Description: In many parts of the developing world, participation in the management of ‘protected areas’ is among the most tangible indices of how the rural population encounters formal conservation policies, strategies and ideologies. However, some scholars have argued that the sharing of the burdens and benefits of participation is devoid of equity. While some analysts have emphasised the imperative of multi-stakeholder participation in nature conservation, citing this as a crucial socio-ecological investment, others have highlighted the inherent contradictions in the process, describing it as an avenue for manipulation, tokenism and exploitation. This study is located in this debate and focuses on narratives around the participation of different stakeholders in the management of Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve and its adjacent communities in the rural Wild-Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The researcher notes that research on the degrees and participation dynamics among various role players involved in the management of protected areas in South Africa, Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve in particular is limited. Against this background, this study contributes to ongoing discussions on protected area management in South Africa but seeks to expand this discussion by interrogating the nature and degrees of participation within the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve - to deepen intellectual understanding on the significant role played by protected areas in engendering participatory democracy, equity, justice as well as meeting the needs of marginalised communities. Primary data for the thesis were collected using in-depth and key-informant interviews with officials from government institutions and parastatals, politicians and traditional authority figures. Focus group discussions were held with ‘youth’ participants as well as ‘elders’ in the Reserve’s adjacent communities. An analysis of policy and other government documents sought to outline the institutional attributes of protected areas management in South Africa and the underpinning ideas. A thematic analysis of the corpus of empirical information helped to show how these institutional attributes inhere in Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve as well as the epistemic challenge these attributes pose vis-à-vis indigenous ecological ideas and practices in the adjacent ‘indigenous’ communities. The study revealed that participation is perceived differently by various stakeholders due to multiple, mutually contradictory impulses. While institutional stakeholders attached great importance to the structural role of institutional frameworks, hence the vigorous reliance on formal conservation strategies, narratives from community members drew attention to ‘equity deficits’. The study also found that while the selected Reserve may have fostered cooperation between government and the adjacent communities, conflict and distrust ran deep between these stakeholders. From these and other findings, the study concluded that ecological participation in the study area was characterised by clusters of stakeholders who regard one another as ‘epistemic outsiders’ and related to one another as such, with practical consequences – especially for the long-term sustainability of the Reserve. In the main, the thesis rests on the argument that in the face of epistemic differences, dominance and marginalisation could become a defining feature of protected area management that cannot be readily resolved through the mere process of participation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
The nexus between capital inflows, financial sector development and domestic investment in selected southern African development community countries
- Zulani, Sihle https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7067-5793
- Authors: Zulani, Sihle https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7067-5793
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Capital movements -- Africa, Southern , Saving and investment -- Africa, Southern , Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28872 , vital:75154
- Description: The study seeks to examine the nexus between foreign capital inflows as proxied by foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance, financial sector development as measured by domestic credit to private sector and broad money supply (M3) and domestic investment [gross fixed capital formation] in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Panel data model, specifically the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag technique given the order of integration of the variables utilised in the study was employed from 1980 to 2019. The results revealed that there is cointegration among the variables utilised. After confirming cointegration, the long-run and short run models were estimated to establish the relationship between the variables. The long-run results revealed that about 67% of domestic investment in the SADC region is generated through foreign direct investment. These results suggest that domestic investment is boosted by foreign direct investment in the SADC region. However, financial sector development was found to have a negative effect on domestic investment in the SADC region. The findings from this study suggest that countries should pursue policies aimed at attracting FDI into the SADC region given the positive effect it has on investment. On the part of financial sector development, this could be attributed to the sector not supporting most of the domestic investment given that most of them are small and do not access bank finance. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zulani, Sihle https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7067-5793
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Capital movements -- Africa, Southern , Saving and investment -- Africa, Southern , Financial services industry -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28872 , vital:75154
- Description: The study seeks to examine the nexus between foreign capital inflows as proxied by foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance, financial sector development as measured by domestic credit to private sector and broad money supply (M3) and domestic investment [gross fixed capital formation] in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Panel data model, specifically the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag technique given the order of integration of the variables utilised in the study was employed from 1980 to 2019. The results revealed that there is cointegration among the variables utilised. After confirming cointegration, the long-run and short run models were estimated to establish the relationship between the variables. The long-run results revealed that about 67% of domestic investment in the SADC region is generated through foreign direct investment. These results suggest that domestic investment is boosted by foreign direct investment in the SADC region. However, financial sector development was found to have a negative effect on domestic investment in the SADC region. The findings from this study suggest that countries should pursue policies aimed at attracting FDI into the SADC region given the positive effect it has on investment. On the part of financial sector development, this could be attributed to the sector not supporting most of the domestic investment given that most of them are small and do not access bank finance. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
Towards an effective model for improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) by local authorities in Zimbabwe: a case of Runde Rural District Council (RRDC)
- Authors: Matunhu, Patience S
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- Health and hygiene -- Zimbabwe , Water-supply, Rural -- Zimbabwe , Public health administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28617 , vital:74475
- Description: This study is concerned with public service provision with reference to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming in Runde Rural District in Zimbabwe. This thesis is informed by the Stakeholder theory by Freeman and the Stewardship theory by Donaldson and Davis. The Stakeholder theory emphasises the importance of harnessing the comparative advantages of various stakeholders in rural WASH. Stewardship theorists believe that public administrators and stakeholders have no conflict of interest and that Government creates systems and processes that promote cooperation between them. An anti-positivist or interpretivist case study was conducted. In -depth interviews, observation and documentary analysis were the chief information collection instruments. Twenty (20) participants were purposively selected to participate. The thesis unearthed factors constraining improved WASH services. Local level opportunities for improving WASH programming were identified and used to build a model for effective service delivery in the community. The study recommended establishment of WASH champions at village level, to ensure provision of WASH at household level. The WASH committees at village, community and district level should be inclusive, constituted on the basis of merit and dedication. The thesis ends with the suggestion that further studies that focus on other rural districts in Zimbabwe be carried out. This thesis contributes greatly to this field of study in that it will ensure that the Runde Rural District Council will adopt a stakeholder inclusivity model to address the lack of Water Sanitation and hygiene in their area. The bottom-up approach ensures that all stakeholders have a say in Water Sanitation and Hygiene policy making processes so that the decisions made can be relevant to their challenges in accessing Water Sanitation and Hygiene. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matunhu, Patience S
- Date: 2023-03
- Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- Health and hygiene -- Zimbabwe , Water-supply, Rural -- Zimbabwe , Public health administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28617 , vital:74475
- Description: This study is concerned with public service provision with reference to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming in Runde Rural District in Zimbabwe. This thesis is informed by the Stakeholder theory by Freeman and the Stewardship theory by Donaldson and Davis. The Stakeholder theory emphasises the importance of harnessing the comparative advantages of various stakeholders in rural WASH. Stewardship theorists believe that public administrators and stakeholders have no conflict of interest and that Government creates systems and processes that promote cooperation between them. An anti-positivist or interpretivist case study was conducted. In -depth interviews, observation and documentary analysis were the chief information collection instruments. Twenty (20) participants were purposively selected to participate. The thesis unearthed factors constraining improved WASH services. Local level opportunities for improving WASH programming were identified and used to build a model for effective service delivery in the community. The study recommended establishment of WASH champions at village level, to ensure provision of WASH at household level. The WASH committees at village, community and district level should be inclusive, constituted on the basis of merit and dedication. The thesis ends with the suggestion that further studies that focus on other rural districts in Zimbabwe be carried out. This thesis contributes greatly to this field of study in that it will ensure that the Runde Rural District Council will adopt a stakeholder inclusivity model to address the lack of Water Sanitation and hygiene in their area. The bottom-up approach ensures that all stakeholders have a say in Water Sanitation and Hygiene policy making processes so that the decisions made can be relevant to their challenges in accessing Water Sanitation and Hygiene. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
Design and development of mobile-based e-Marketing application for communal farmers in Eastern Cape. South Africa.
- Authors: Fatumo, Dare Ebenezer
- Date: 2023-02
- Subjects: Food security , Agriculture , Agriculture -- Technology transfer
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27511 , vital:67421
- Description: The application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in agriculture can augment farmers' production capabilities, this is a perception for all farmers worldwide, but there are some in communal areas who may not be as exposed to ICT tools as their commercial counterparts in urban areas, especially in developed communities. Food security in any society is a vital measure that should always be treated with high priority since humankind's existence is based on food availability. One major challenge with farmers in communal areas has been the marketing of their farm produce effectively to avoid wastage, get more value, and bridge the gap between themselves and urban commercial farmers. This challenge includes food wastage, untimely information, and market accessibility due to distance restraint. ICT can beused to bring a functional platform to assist this challenge. In this context, communal farmers have a challenge. The aim of this research was to design and develop an easy-to-use mobilebased e-marketing application for marketing farm products for communal farmers in Alice community, South Africa. Before design and development, review of challenges of farmers on the reception and communication of sensitive information pertaining to food security. Effective communication of farm produce baseline information on awareness and adaptation of mobile ICT technology of communal farmers was investigated. A mixed method was used through reviews of literature and as well distribution of questionnaires to get an understanding of the present state of communal farmers’ marketing problems. Furthermore, a prototyping methodology was used in the development of the mobile-based application for this research. The result of this research demonstrated the need for communal farmers to market their farm products at their convenience. An easy-to-use mobile-based e-market application was then developed; the application is an android application that will assist communal farmers in marketing their farm products as soon as they are available to avoid food wastage. The application performance and evaluation assessment indicated that the tool would maximize farm productivity and profitability and, facilitate concise and effective access to the market, as well as eliminate the need for an intermediary. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fatumo, Dare Ebenezer
- Date: 2023-02
- Subjects: Food security , Agriculture , Agriculture -- Technology transfer
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27511 , vital:67421
- Description: The application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in agriculture can augment farmers' production capabilities, this is a perception for all farmers worldwide, but there are some in communal areas who may not be as exposed to ICT tools as their commercial counterparts in urban areas, especially in developed communities. Food security in any society is a vital measure that should always be treated with high priority since humankind's existence is based on food availability. One major challenge with farmers in communal areas has been the marketing of their farm produce effectively to avoid wastage, get more value, and bridge the gap between themselves and urban commercial farmers. This challenge includes food wastage, untimely information, and market accessibility due to distance restraint. ICT can beused to bring a functional platform to assist this challenge. In this context, communal farmers have a challenge. The aim of this research was to design and develop an easy-to-use mobilebased e-marketing application for marketing farm products for communal farmers in Alice community, South Africa. Before design and development, review of challenges of farmers on the reception and communication of sensitive information pertaining to food security. Effective communication of farm produce baseline information on awareness and adaptation of mobile ICT technology of communal farmers was investigated. A mixed method was used through reviews of literature and as well distribution of questionnaires to get an understanding of the present state of communal farmers’ marketing problems. Furthermore, a prototyping methodology was used in the development of the mobile-based application for this research. The result of this research demonstrated the need for communal farmers to market their farm products at their convenience. An easy-to-use mobile-based e-market application was then developed; the application is an android application that will assist communal farmers in marketing their farm products as soon as they are available to avoid food wastage. The application performance and evaluation assessment indicated that the tool would maximize farm productivity and profitability and, facilitate concise and effective access to the market, as well as eliminate the need for an intermediary. , Thesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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Analyzing agricultural financing for resettled farmers in Zimbabwe: the case of targeted Command Agricultural program in Mutare District
- Mafirakurewa, Tariro https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6587-4524
- Authors: Mafirakurewa, Tariro https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6587-4524
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: Agricultural administration--Finance , Farmers -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28255 , vital:73985
- Description: Agriculture plays a paramount role in the economy of many countries including Zimbabwe where more than 70 percent of the population depends on agricultural activities for their livelihoods. Smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural credit is vital for the development and growth of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, hence agricultural financing is crucial in rural development. Despite the Government’s efforts to provide affordable agricultural credit services to its majority smallholder farmers’ participation is still meager. The aim of this study is to analyze agricultural financing for resettled farmers in Zimbabwe, with special focus on the command agricultural loans in the Mutare district. A multistage sampling technique was employed in this study. Firstly purposive selection of Manicaland province was carried out because it is endowed with the five natural farming regions found in Zimbabwe. The second stage involved a random selection of 4 out of 7 districts with favorable climatic conditions for maize production. Thirdly, the study also carried out a purposive selection of Mutare district among the four districts with favorable climatic conditions, given the time and financial constraints. The last stage involved the use of stratified sampling technique, where the sample was divided into two strata. Stratum 1 with A1 farmers and stratum two consisting of A2 farmers, and a random sample was selected from each stratum. The study involved 301 A1 farmers and 49 A2 farmers, making a total sample of 350 farmers used for this study. Double hurdle was employed to examine the factors influencing A1 and A2 farmers` participation in command agriculture loans in the study area. Multinomial logistic regression model was also applied to investigate the determinants of command agriculture loan repayment, while propensity score matching technique was used to examine the impacts of command agriculture loans on maize productivity and profitability of A1 and A2 farmers. The results revealed that family size, and distance from the market GMB positively influence farmers likelihood to participate in in the command agricultural loan. While family size, farmer type and distance from the market were proven to have a positive significant influence on the extent of participation in command agriculture. Also training on the command agriculture loan and gender were proven to have a negative signification influence on the extent of farmers` participation in command agriculture loan. The maximum likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression revealed that age and output levels significantly influence resettled farmers` likelihood to partly pay their loans. Also, the likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression showed that distance from the market and output levels have a positive influence on resettled farmers` likelihood of fully paying the command agriculture loan. Access to extension services to extension services was proven to negatively influence farmers` likelihood to fully pay the loan. The results also revealed that participating in command agriculture significantly impacted productivity at the 1 percent level, while it was not significant in the participants' profitability. The results show that participating in command agriculture increases productivity by 0.93 tonnes hectare. The study recommends the intensification of extension service supply to ensure that farmers are receiving relevant agricultural training, mainly on climate change adaptation strategies. This will help resettled farmers to adjust and adapt to their new farming environments and, in turn, have a positive impact on their production levels. Also, to improve farmers’ profitability the GMB selling price should be in American dollars USD and not paid in part RTGS and part USD, because the RTGS part is always outstripped by inflation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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- Authors: Mafirakurewa, Tariro https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6587-4524
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: Agricultural administration--Finance , Farmers -- Zimbabwe , Agriculture -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28255 , vital:73985
- Description: Agriculture plays a paramount role in the economy of many countries including Zimbabwe where more than 70 percent of the population depends on agricultural activities for their livelihoods. Smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural credit is vital for the development and growth of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, hence agricultural financing is crucial in rural development. Despite the Government’s efforts to provide affordable agricultural credit services to its majority smallholder farmers’ participation is still meager. The aim of this study is to analyze agricultural financing for resettled farmers in Zimbabwe, with special focus on the command agricultural loans in the Mutare district. A multistage sampling technique was employed in this study. Firstly purposive selection of Manicaland province was carried out because it is endowed with the five natural farming regions found in Zimbabwe. The second stage involved a random selection of 4 out of 7 districts with favorable climatic conditions for maize production. Thirdly, the study also carried out a purposive selection of Mutare district among the four districts with favorable climatic conditions, given the time and financial constraints. The last stage involved the use of stratified sampling technique, where the sample was divided into two strata. Stratum 1 with A1 farmers and stratum two consisting of A2 farmers, and a random sample was selected from each stratum. The study involved 301 A1 farmers and 49 A2 farmers, making a total sample of 350 farmers used for this study. Double hurdle was employed to examine the factors influencing A1 and A2 farmers` participation in command agriculture loans in the study area. Multinomial logistic regression model was also applied to investigate the determinants of command agriculture loan repayment, while propensity score matching technique was used to examine the impacts of command agriculture loans on maize productivity and profitability of A1 and A2 farmers. The results revealed that family size, and distance from the market GMB positively influence farmers likelihood to participate in in the command agricultural loan. While family size, farmer type and distance from the market were proven to have a positive significant influence on the extent of participation in command agriculture. Also training on the command agriculture loan and gender were proven to have a negative signification influence on the extent of farmers` participation in command agriculture loan. The maximum likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression revealed that age and output levels significantly influence resettled farmers` likelihood to partly pay their loans. Also, the likelihood estimates of the multinomial logistic regression showed that distance from the market and output levels have a positive influence on resettled farmers` likelihood of fully paying the command agriculture loan. Access to extension services to extension services was proven to negatively influence farmers` likelihood to fully pay the loan. The results also revealed that participating in command agriculture significantly impacted productivity at the 1 percent level, while it was not significant in the participants' profitability. The results show that participating in command agriculture increases productivity by 0.93 tonnes hectare. The study recommends the intensification of extension service supply to ensure that farmers are receiving relevant agricultural training, mainly on climate change adaptation strategies. This will help resettled farmers to adjust and adapt to their new farming environments and, in turn, have a positive impact on their production levels. Also, to improve farmers’ profitability the GMB selling price should be in American dollars USD and not paid in part RTGS and part USD, because the RTGS part is always outstripped by inflation. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
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