An implementation model: photovoltaic application for sustainable energy in South Africa
- Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Energy development -- South Africa , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Sustainable engineering -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64511 , vital:73743
- Description: South African electrical grid faces significant risks that the state produced electricity supply from electricity network to premises for consumption will not meet the electricity demand. Certain sectors of the economy and essential social services such as the hospitals, the telecommunications networks, and water companies are heavily impacted on by load management, through load shedding by rotating power outages or reducing power consumption from primary sources until demand decreases. Eskom, as the major electricity supplier in South Africa's aging infrastructure, with declining reliability, substandard quality coal and large gaps between generating capacity and demand, leaves the country vulnerable to electricity blackouts. The consequences of such power outages are devastating, but no single technology solution can meet the demand. Localised backup solutions such as solar power and battery backup limit the risk of power outages and provide power security during the periods of load shedding. Quantitative research method is pursued as a systematic survey to collect quantitative data by means of sampling and submitting online survey questionnaires. After receiving the data, statistical techniques were performed through structural equation modeling to analyse the structural relationship between the measured variables and the underlying variables. This research focuses on photovoltaic applications as a means of harnessing solar energy to convert solar energy into electricity. Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells made of semiconductors or materials that respond to the action of photons of light. Energy availability to all can promote economic development and human well-being. Without the improvements in energy efficiency and development costs of new energy technologies such as photovoltaics, the global energy system will come under even more pressure. Therefore, changes in the global trend towards a decentralised low-carbon energy system are inevitable to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access for all. This research seeks to contribute to the present challenges that are facing South Africa’s electricity supply industry by increasing the energy mix of renewable energy as compared to the fossil fuel-based electricity supply. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Energy development -- South Africa , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Sustainable engineering -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64511 , vital:73743
- Description: South African electrical grid faces significant risks that the state produced electricity supply from electricity network to premises for consumption will not meet the electricity demand. Certain sectors of the economy and essential social services such as the hospitals, the telecommunications networks, and water companies are heavily impacted on by load management, through load shedding by rotating power outages or reducing power consumption from primary sources until demand decreases. Eskom, as the major electricity supplier in South Africa's aging infrastructure, with declining reliability, substandard quality coal and large gaps between generating capacity and demand, leaves the country vulnerable to electricity blackouts. The consequences of such power outages are devastating, but no single technology solution can meet the demand. Localised backup solutions such as solar power and battery backup limit the risk of power outages and provide power security during the periods of load shedding. Quantitative research method is pursued as a systematic survey to collect quantitative data by means of sampling and submitting online survey questionnaires. After receiving the data, statistical techniques were performed through structural equation modeling to analyse the structural relationship between the measured variables and the underlying variables. This research focuses on photovoltaic applications as a means of harnessing solar energy to convert solar energy into electricity. Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells made of semiconductors or materials that respond to the action of photons of light. Energy availability to all can promote economic development and human well-being. Without the improvements in energy efficiency and development costs of new energy technologies such as photovoltaics, the global energy system will come under even more pressure. Therefore, changes in the global trend towards a decentralised low-carbon energy system are inevitable to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access for all. This research seeks to contribute to the present challenges that are facing South Africa’s electricity supply industry by increasing the energy mix of renewable energy as compared to the fossil fuel-based electricity supply. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Balancing an educator’s right to strike and a child’s right to basic education.
- Authors: Maluleke, Mongwena John
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Educational law and legislation , Children's right to education , Basic education
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66128 , vital:74400
- Description: This thesis examines how a fair balance can be realised between the educator’s right to strike and the child’s right to education. International and constitutional frameworks are analysed to uncover South Africa’s position on the two opposing rights and the various balancing approaches available. The study recommends a consensus-based approach to balance the rights of educators with that of the child’s right to education. It further proposes the establishment of a structured and organised forum or institution with the sole purpose of dealing with the rights of educators that compete with the rights of learners. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, Department of Mercantile law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Maluleke, Mongwena John
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Educational law and legislation , Children's right to education , Basic education
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66128 , vital:74400
- Description: This thesis examines how a fair balance can be realised between the educator’s right to strike and the child’s right to education. International and constitutional frameworks are analysed to uncover South Africa’s position on the two opposing rights and the various balancing approaches available. The study recommends a consensus-based approach to balance the rights of educators with that of the child’s right to education. It further proposes the establishment of a structured and organised forum or institution with the sole purpose of dealing with the rights of educators that compete with the rights of learners. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, Department of Mercantile law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Economic complexity and inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross country analysis
- Authors: Maxwele, Chuma
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Gross domestic product , Economic development -- Africa , International trade , Balance of trade -- Africa Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65142 , vital:74037
- Description: The concept of economic complexity is a relatively new term in economics literature, it is used to refer to the magnitude of productive knowledge or capabilities embedded in society. However, because of its potential impact on national prosperity, it is hypothesized that differences in the degree of economic complexity are major factors of inequalities in the growth rates of nations. The approach of economic complexity makes use of fine-grained data on thousands of economic activities to learn both abstract factors of production and the way they combine into thousands of outputs. However, it is only in recent years that studies have started to consider the association between economic complexity and economic growth. As such, there is a lack of robust, vigorous literature that examines the association between economic complexity and inclusive growth, particularly in the context of Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The extant literature focuses on the relationship between economic complexity and isolated cases of some macroeconomic indicators of growth. As a departure from the existing studies and as a contribution to the field, inclusive growth, in this study, is measured as a composite index from various growth indicators as postulated in the inclusive growth theories and then each indicator is viewed separately. Thus, the general purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between economic complexity and inclusive growth in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa from 1996 to 2019 2019, which is the primary objective of the study. The first objective of the study is to examine the effect of economic complexity on welfare indicators in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. In examining the effect, the study employed a Pool Mean Group – Autoregressive Distributive Lag (PMG PMG-ARDL) model. The results of the study reveal that economic complexity, economic growth rate, and terms of trade have a positive and statistically significant long-run impact on welfare in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The short-run dynamics reveal that economic complexity negatively and significantly affects welfare. The study's second objective examines the impact of economic complexity on economic indicators in Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. To examine the impact, the study employed the Panel Ordinary Least Square (POLS) model. The results of the study demonstrate that economic complexity, foreign direct investment, inflation, and population growth have a negative and significant impact on the economic index. However, government expenditure demonstrates a positive and significant effect on economic indicators. The third objective of the study examines the effect of economic complexity on human development in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. In examining the effect, the study employed the Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) model for the long-run relationship, and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) for the short-run relationship. The results of the long long-run relationship show that economic complexity has a negative impact on human development which is significant at 1 percent. Short Short-run relationships reveal that economic complexity has a positive and insignificant impact on human development. The fourth objective of the study investigates the effect of economic complexity on good governance in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. The study employed the Pool Mean Group – Autoregressive Distributive Lag (PMG PMG-ARDL) model to investigate the relationship. The PMG PMG-ARDL model results reveal that economic complexity, foreign aid, and the Gini coefficient have a positive and statistically significant long-run impact on good governance in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The fifth and last objective of the study investigates the effect of economic complexity on inclusive growth in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from year 1996 to 2019. To investigate the relationship, the study applied the Panel Vector Autoregressive (P-VAR) model. The results from the grangerGranger-causality test show a unidirectional relationship running from economic complexity to inclusive growth, the panel VAR model reveals that economic complexity has a negative and significant effect on inclusive growth at 10 percent level of significance in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study investigated five objectives, and out of the five objectives, only two (i.e., Welfare and Good Governance ) have a positive and significant relationship with economic complexity in the long long-run. This implies that with more productive structures, these countries would be in a better position to promote institutional quality and later advance welfare regimes in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. However, for that goal to be realized, the Sub-Saharan African region should first achieve, or have, a certain level of economic development. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Maxwele, Chuma
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Gross domestic product , Economic development -- Africa , International trade , Balance of trade -- Africa Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65142 , vital:74037
- Description: The concept of economic complexity is a relatively new term in economics literature, it is used to refer to the magnitude of productive knowledge or capabilities embedded in society. However, because of its potential impact on national prosperity, it is hypothesized that differences in the degree of economic complexity are major factors of inequalities in the growth rates of nations. The approach of economic complexity makes use of fine-grained data on thousands of economic activities to learn both abstract factors of production and the way they combine into thousands of outputs. However, it is only in recent years that studies have started to consider the association between economic complexity and economic growth. As such, there is a lack of robust, vigorous literature that examines the association between economic complexity and inclusive growth, particularly in the context of Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The extant literature focuses on the relationship between economic complexity and isolated cases of some macroeconomic indicators of growth. As a departure from the existing studies and as a contribution to the field, inclusive growth, in this study, is measured as a composite index from various growth indicators as postulated in the inclusive growth theories and then each indicator is viewed separately. Thus, the general purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between economic complexity and inclusive growth in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa from 1996 to 2019 2019, which is the primary objective of the study. The first objective of the study is to examine the effect of economic complexity on welfare indicators in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. In examining the effect, the study employed a Pool Mean Group – Autoregressive Distributive Lag (PMG PMG-ARDL) model. The results of the study reveal that economic complexity, economic growth rate, and terms of trade have a positive and statistically significant long-run impact on welfare in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The short-run dynamics reveal that economic complexity negatively and significantly affects welfare. The study's second objective examines the impact of economic complexity on economic indicators in Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. To examine the impact, the study employed the Panel Ordinary Least Square (POLS) model. The results of the study demonstrate that economic complexity, foreign direct investment, inflation, and population growth have a negative and significant impact on the economic index. However, government expenditure demonstrates a positive and significant effect on economic indicators. The third objective of the study examines the effect of economic complexity on human development in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. In examining the effect, the study employed the Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) model for the long-run relationship, and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) for the short-run relationship. The results of the long long-run relationship show that economic complexity has a negative impact on human development which is significant at 1 percent. Short Short-run relationships reveal that economic complexity has a positive and insignificant impact on human development. The fourth objective of the study investigates the effect of economic complexity on good governance in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from 1996 to 2019. The study employed the Pool Mean Group – Autoregressive Distributive Lag (PMG PMG-ARDL) model to investigate the relationship. The PMG PMG-ARDL model results reveal that economic complexity, foreign aid, and the Gini coefficient have a positive and statistically significant long-run impact on good governance in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The fifth and last objective of the study investigates the effect of economic complexity on inclusive growth in Sub Sub-Saharan African countries from year 1996 to 2019. To investigate the relationship, the study applied the Panel Vector Autoregressive (P-VAR) model. The results from the grangerGranger-causality test show a unidirectional relationship running from economic complexity to inclusive growth, the panel VAR model reveals that economic complexity has a negative and significant effect on inclusive growth at 10 percent level of significance in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study investigated five objectives, and out of the five objectives, only two (i.e., Welfare and Good Governance ) have a positive and significant relationship with economic complexity in the long long-run. This implies that with more productive structures, these countries would be in a better position to promote institutional quality and later advance welfare regimes in Sub Sub-Saharan Africa. However, for that goal to be realized, the Sub-Saharan African region should first achieve, or have, a certain level of economic development. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Enabling legislative coherence in the Eswatini construction industry
- Hlatshwayo, Thandiwe Ncam'sile
- Authors: Hlatshwayo, Thandiwe Ncam'sile
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Law and legislation -- Swaziland , Construction workers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Swaziland , Industrial safety -- Law and legislation -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64544 , vital:73748
- Description: The construction industry is an age-old and highly dynamic sector that contributes to the betterment of human life through the development of infrastructure. The presence of regulations is crucial in ensuring the provision of quality, standardization, efficiency, and effectiveness in service delivery. Inadequate regulation of the construction industry has been identified as the primary cause of construction failures in both developing and developed nations. Eswatini is no exception to this issue of legislative failure. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was established by the Government of Eswatini without initially determining the specific challenges faced by the construction industry in Eswatini. The unique legislative needs pertaining to Eswatini were not explored to ensure that the framework is tailor-made for the Eswatini sector. Given the industry's diverse and intricate nature, a generic approach would not be sufficient to create a unified legislative framework. The study was aimed at developing a coherent legislative framework for the Eswatini construction industry. This study used a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 297 participants were randomly selected from the CIC database for the quantitative survey. A total of 45 interviewees were purposively selected for the semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and inferential analysis were used for the interpretation of the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Exploratory Factor Analysis, using the maximum likelihood method with Varimax Rotation was employed to analyse the factor structure and correlation between items of the quantitative data. Additionally, the KMO and Bartlett's Tests were conducted. The ANOVA Test was used to test the hypothesis. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that contractors in Eswatini recognised the significance of a well-functioning legislative framework and expressed dissatisfaction with the existing legislative measures implemented in the country. The key informant interviews highlighted various challenges, including the absence of regulations for the implementation of the CIC Act, lack of accountability and transparency in the management of funds for CIC operations and inadequate grading criteria. Other challenges that were revealed were insufficient oversight, unfair competition, corruption and limited stakeholder engagement. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Hlatshwayo, Thandiwe Ncam'sile
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Law and legislation -- Swaziland , Construction workers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Swaziland , Industrial safety -- Law and legislation -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64544 , vital:73748
- Description: The construction industry is an age-old and highly dynamic sector that contributes to the betterment of human life through the development of infrastructure. The presence of regulations is crucial in ensuring the provision of quality, standardization, efficiency, and effectiveness in service delivery. Inadequate regulation of the construction industry has been identified as the primary cause of construction failures in both developing and developed nations. Eswatini is no exception to this issue of legislative failure. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was established by the Government of Eswatini without initially determining the specific challenges faced by the construction industry in Eswatini. The unique legislative needs pertaining to Eswatini were not explored to ensure that the framework is tailor-made for the Eswatini sector. Given the industry's diverse and intricate nature, a generic approach would not be sufficient to create a unified legislative framework. The study was aimed at developing a coherent legislative framework for the Eswatini construction industry. This study used a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 297 participants were randomly selected from the CIC database for the quantitative survey. A total of 45 interviewees were purposively selected for the semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and inferential analysis were used for the interpretation of the quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Exploratory Factor Analysis, using the maximum likelihood method with Varimax Rotation was employed to analyse the factor structure and correlation between items of the quantitative data. Additionally, the KMO and Bartlett's Tests were conducted. The ANOVA Test was used to test the hypothesis. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that contractors in Eswatini recognised the significance of a well-functioning legislative framework and expressed dissatisfaction with the existing legislative measures implemented in the country. The key informant interviews highlighted various challenges, including the absence of regulations for the implementation of the CIC Act, lack of accountability and transparency in the management of funds for CIC operations and inadequate grading criteria. Other challenges that were revealed were insufficient oversight, unfair competition, corruption and limited stakeholder engagement. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Exploring the views of selected, unafflicted women from Walvis bay and Windhoek, Namibia, regarding intimate partner killing and its effect on their well-being.
- Authors: Amadhila,Luise Utuhole
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Intimate partner violence , Gender-based violence , Post-traumatic stress disorder in women
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63653 , vital:73575
- Description: Intimate Partner Killing (IPK), popularly known as passion killing in certain regions, such as in southern parts of Africa, Europe, and America, and also referred to as intimate partner homicide, is a global concern. In Namibia, the rate at which men take the lives of their intimate partners due to failed romantic relationships has sparked apprehension within the communities. This study delves into the perspectives of unafflicted women in Namibia, shedding light on the broader impact of intimate partner killing on female well-being. Using a qualitative approach, the study conducted face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants. Grounded theory was applied to analyse the collected data and form categories from it. The data were transcribed and analysed using codes, thematic analysis, and interpretation. The theoretical frameworks intersectionality theory, social feminist theory, structuralist theory and systems theory underpin this study. The findings reveal that intimate partner killing severely affects women’s mental health, leading to vicarious trauma characterised by fear and anxiety. Participants reported difficulty experiencing positive emotions in their romantic relationships due to the pervasive uncertainty of this growing issue. Intimate partner killing leaves women feeling scared, unsafe, and traumatised, often prompting them to exercise extreme caution in their relationships to avoid becoming victims themselves. Symptoms such as feeling unsafe, scared, and traumatised align with post-traumatic stress and generalised anxiety. The study recommends implementing policy interventions and stringent laws in Namibia to prevent or discourage men from resorting to violence against their loved ones. Moreover, establishing assistance centres staffed with social work and mental health professionals is crucial to counselling and supporting women experiencing post-traumatic stress and anxiety resulting from intimate partner violence. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of behavioural Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Amadhila,Luise Utuhole
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Intimate partner violence , Gender-based violence , Post-traumatic stress disorder in women
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63653 , vital:73575
- Description: Intimate Partner Killing (IPK), popularly known as passion killing in certain regions, such as in southern parts of Africa, Europe, and America, and also referred to as intimate partner homicide, is a global concern. In Namibia, the rate at which men take the lives of their intimate partners due to failed romantic relationships has sparked apprehension within the communities. This study delves into the perspectives of unafflicted women in Namibia, shedding light on the broader impact of intimate partner killing on female well-being. Using a qualitative approach, the study conducted face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants. Grounded theory was applied to analyse the collected data and form categories from it. The data were transcribed and analysed using codes, thematic analysis, and interpretation. The theoretical frameworks intersectionality theory, social feminist theory, structuralist theory and systems theory underpin this study. The findings reveal that intimate partner killing severely affects women’s mental health, leading to vicarious trauma characterised by fear and anxiety. Participants reported difficulty experiencing positive emotions in their romantic relationships due to the pervasive uncertainty of this growing issue. Intimate partner killing leaves women feeling scared, unsafe, and traumatised, often prompting them to exercise extreme caution in their relationships to avoid becoming victims themselves. Symptoms such as feeling unsafe, scared, and traumatised align with post-traumatic stress and generalised anxiety. The study recommends implementing policy interventions and stringent laws in Namibia to prevent or discourage men from resorting to violence against their loved ones. Moreover, establishing assistance centres staffed with social work and mental health professionals is crucial to counselling and supporting women experiencing post-traumatic stress and anxiety resulting from intimate partner violence. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of behavioural Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Facilitating language communication in English using “VFL” in English second language (ESL) primary school science classrooms
- Authors: Kemp, Hermione
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching , Science -- Study and teaching -- Methodology , Communication -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63985 , vital:73635
- Description: Many classrooms across South Africa have teachers and learners who are English Second Language (ESL) speakers. As a result, teaching and learning becomes a challenge, especially in science education. Science has its own language, which has concepts, terminology, definitions and more that teachers and learners are expected to engage with. The language issues seem to weigh heavier on the learners’ scale as they are learning the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT), while they are learning science. Likewise, science teachers face their own challenges in that they are trying to teach the language of science while their learners are still in the process of learning the English language. Therefore, this research study addresses the issue of using language as a resource rather than seeing it as a challenge so that it can enhance the learners’ ability to engage with science concepts. In doing so, this study introduces a group of teachers to using VFL to teach science education through a Community of Practice. Through the use of qualitative methods such as questionnaires, video-recorded lessons and a focus group interview discussion, this study explores how VFL enhance the communication of ESL primary school science classrooms. The vehicles that were used in this study are drama, poetry, visual art, stories, and music. This study adds to the conversation around using the arts to teach science as well as the benefits thereof. One of the findings was that the learners were able to recall scientific content. Multilingual classrooms are the order of the day; therefore, language issues will be present. The teachers shared the same domain in this study within the COP. This space enhanced the opportunity for the teachers to create a community, where they were able to learn, share and grow from one another. Thus, this study encouraged teachers to step out of their comfort zone and to restructure how they teach science by including VFL. Therefore, VFL are a platform for teachers to see themselves as change agents. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, School of Postgraduate education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Kemp, Hermione
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching , Science -- Study and teaching -- Methodology , Communication -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63985 , vital:73635
- Description: Many classrooms across South Africa have teachers and learners who are English Second Language (ESL) speakers. As a result, teaching and learning becomes a challenge, especially in science education. Science has its own language, which has concepts, terminology, definitions and more that teachers and learners are expected to engage with. The language issues seem to weigh heavier on the learners’ scale as they are learning the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT), while they are learning science. Likewise, science teachers face their own challenges in that they are trying to teach the language of science while their learners are still in the process of learning the English language. Therefore, this research study addresses the issue of using language as a resource rather than seeing it as a challenge so that it can enhance the learners’ ability to engage with science concepts. In doing so, this study introduces a group of teachers to using VFL to teach science education through a Community of Practice. Through the use of qualitative methods such as questionnaires, video-recorded lessons and a focus group interview discussion, this study explores how VFL enhance the communication of ESL primary school science classrooms. The vehicles that were used in this study are drama, poetry, visual art, stories, and music. This study adds to the conversation around using the arts to teach science as well as the benefits thereof. One of the findings was that the learners were able to recall scientific content. Multilingual classrooms are the order of the day; therefore, language issues will be present. The teachers shared the same domain in this study within the COP. This space enhanced the opportunity for the teachers to create a community, where they were able to learn, share and grow from one another. Thus, this study encouraged teachers to step out of their comfort zone and to restructure how they teach science by including VFL. Therefore, VFL are a platform for teachers to see themselves as change agents. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, School of Postgraduate education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Incorporating emotion detection in text-dependent speaker authentication
- van Rensburg, Ebenhaeser Otto Janse, Von Solms, Rossouw
- Authors: van Rensburg, Ebenhaeser Otto Janse , Von Solms, Rossouw
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Automatic speech recognition , Biometric identification , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Access control
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64566 , vital:73767
- Description: Biometric authentication allows a person to access sensitive information using unique physical characteristics. Voice, as a biometric authentication method, is gaining popularity due to its unique characteristics and widespread availability on smartphones and other devices. It offers a secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional password-based authentication and allows a less intrusive authentication method than fingerprint authentication. Furthermore, a vast amount of information is portrayed through voice, such as age, gender, health, and emotional state. Gaining illegitimate access to information becomes significantly more difficult as biometrics are difficult to steal, and countermeasures to techniques such as replay attacks are constantly being improved. However, illegitimate access can be gained by forcing a legitimate person to authenticate themselves through voice. This study investigates how the emotion(s) carried by voice can assist in detecting if authentication was performed under duress. Knowledge is contributed using a three-phased approach: information gathering, experimentation, and deliberation. The experimentation phase is further divided into three phases to extract data, implement findings, and assess the value of determining duress using voice. This phased approach to experimentation ensures minimal change in variables and allows the drawn conclusions to be relevant to each phase. The first phase examines datasets and classifiers; the second phase explores feature enhancement techniques and their impact; and the third phase discusses performance measurements and their value to emotion detection. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty Of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information Technology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: van Rensburg, Ebenhaeser Otto Janse , Von Solms, Rossouw
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Automatic speech recognition , Biometric identification , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Access control
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64566 , vital:73767
- Description: Biometric authentication allows a person to access sensitive information using unique physical characteristics. Voice, as a biometric authentication method, is gaining popularity due to its unique characteristics and widespread availability on smartphones and other devices. It offers a secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional password-based authentication and allows a less intrusive authentication method than fingerprint authentication. Furthermore, a vast amount of information is portrayed through voice, such as age, gender, health, and emotional state. Gaining illegitimate access to information becomes significantly more difficult as biometrics are difficult to steal, and countermeasures to techniques such as replay attacks are constantly being improved. However, illegitimate access can be gained by forcing a legitimate person to authenticate themselves through voice. This study investigates how the emotion(s) carried by voice can assist in detecting if authentication was performed under duress. Knowledge is contributed using a three-phased approach: information gathering, experimentation, and deliberation. The experimentation phase is further divided into three phases to extract data, implement findings, and assess the value of determining duress using voice. This phased approach to experimentation ensures minimal change in variables and allows the drawn conclusions to be relevant to each phase. The first phase examines datasets and classifiers; the second phase explores feature enhancement techniques and their impact; and the third phase discusses performance measurements and their value to emotion detection. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty Of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information Technology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Investigation of four roof-shaped host compounds for their separation potential of mixtures of guest Isomers and related compounds
- Authors: Senekal, Ulrich
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Grignard reagents , Optical isomers -- Analysis , Supramolecular chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64368 , vital:73684
- Description: The inclusion ability of four roof-shaped host compounds, namely trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid (H1), dimethyl trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylate (H2), trans-α,α,α’,α’-tetraphenyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dimethanol (H3) and trans-α,α,α’,α’-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)-9,10- dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dimethanol (H4), were investigated when presented with numerous guest series (eight in number), including the xylene isomers and ethylbenzene, pyridine and the methylpyridine isomers, structurally related toluene, ethylbenzene and cumene, the dichlorobenzenes, six-membered heterocyclic ring compounds (dioxane, morpholine, piperidine and pyridine), anisole and the methylanisole isomers, anisole and the bromoanisole guests, and phenol and the methoxyphenol isomers. The four host compounds were synthesized via Diels-Alder (H1), esterification (H2) and Grignard addition (H3 and H4) reactions, producing yields of product of up to 93%. The yields for the Grignard reactions were lower, 54 and 37%, for the corresponding procedures using phenylmagnesium bromide or 4-chlorophenylmagnesium bromide. Computational molecular modelling studies were conducted on all four host compounds, and the resultant molecular geometries compared with the apohost (guest-free) crystal structures, when available. The geometries of the lowest energy conformers were in close correlation with the observed host structures as obtained from the apohost crystal structures (unfortunately, H3 and H4 were not able to form adequate quality crystals for SCXRD analyses). Interestingly, H1–H4 displayed intramolecular non-classical C–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds, while only H1 and H2 demonstrated intermolecular interactions of this type. H3 and H4 assumed one of two forms depending on the guest that was employed: the “active” form presented a strong intramolecular O–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bond, while the “inactive” form possessed weak π∙∙∙π and O–H∙∙∙π interactions. All of the host compounds were subjected to crystallization experiments from each of the guest species, as well as from mixtures of guests from each series (the guest competition experiments), where 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS and/or GC-FID were used to analyse any resultant solids formed, as applicable. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) experiments were carried out on each single solvent complex produced in this work, where the crystal quality was suitable, while thermal analyses were also employed on these to determine their relative thermal stabilities. During the single-guest crystallization experiments, H4 was found to be remarkable in its inclusion ability, forming complexes with all but p-dichlorobenzene, typically with a 1:1 host:guest (H:G) ratio. H1 was more selective in its inclusion behaviour, not enclathrating cumene, 3-bromoanisole, phenol or the three methoxyphenol isomers (favouring 1:1 or 2:1 H:G ratios where complexation was successful). Interestingly, H1 formed salts when presented with 2- and 3-methylpyridine, and morpholine and piperidine. H2 and H3 were less remarkable in their inclusion ability, furnishing apohost crystals or gels in some experiments (typically a 3:1 H:G ratio was favoured for both when complexation occurred). Of the four roof-shaped host compounds, H1 and H4 displayed enhanced selectivities for certain guest species, showing near-complete affinity for a specific guest compound when presented with a guest mixture. H1 was able to include 100.0 and 98.8% p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) (from m-DCB/p-DCB and o-DCB/p-DCB mixtures), 96.6 and 93.6% p-xylene (p-Xy) (from m-Xy/p-Xy and o-Xy/p-Xy), 99.3% 4-methylanisole (4-MA) (from 2-MA/4-MA) and 97.1% 4-bromoanisole (4-BA) (from ANI/2-BA/3-BA/4-BA, where ANI is anisole). Host compound H4 was able to include ≈ 90% of selected meta-substituted guests, while H2 and H3 demonstrated moderate preferences for the guest compounds employed in this work (< 60%). It was concluded that some xylene guest mixtures may be purified using all but H2, whereas only H1 and H2 showed potential in separating the pyridines. All but H2 may also be employed in the separation of selected dichlorobenzene mixtures, while H2 showed potential for the separation of the six-membered heterocyclic guest compounds (dioxane, morpholine, piperidine and pyridine), were these ever required to be separated. Both H1 and H4 exhibited an overwhelming affinity for the methyl- and bromoanisole guest compounds, and this work has shown that these are likely host candidates for the purification of a variety of these guest mixtures through supramolecular strategies. SCXRD analyses showed that H1 experienced intermolecular host···host hydrogen bonding interactions between the carboxylic acid functional groups, while H2 typically demonstrated intermolecular non-classical hydrogen bonds in its complexes, forming sheets of host molecules along the c-axis. H4 preferred the “inactive” form whereas H3 assumed either an “active” or “inactive“ form. Various host···guest interactions such as π∙∙∙π, C–H∙∙∙π, C–O∙∙∙π, hydrogen bonding and other short contacts were responsible for guest retention in the crystal structures. Thermal analyses were conducted on all of the successfully formed complexes. Ton (the guest release onset temperature) and Tp (the temperature at which the guest release was most rapid) were recorded, when possible, while the mass losses associated with the guest release event were compared with those mass losses expected, in most cases. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Senekal, Ulrich
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Grignard reagents , Optical isomers -- Analysis , Supramolecular chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64368 , vital:73684
- Description: The inclusion ability of four roof-shaped host compounds, namely trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylic acid (H1), dimethyl trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboxylate (H2), trans-α,α,α’,α’-tetraphenyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10- ethanoanthracene-11,12-dimethanol (H3) and trans-α,α,α’,α’-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)-9,10- dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dimethanol (H4), were investigated when presented with numerous guest series (eight in number), including the xylene isomers and ethylbenzene, pyridine and the methylpyridine isomers, structurally related toluene, ethylbenzene and cumene, the dichlorobenzenes, six-membered heterocyclic ring compounds (dioxane, morpholine, piperidine and pyridine), anisole and the methylanisole isomers, anisole and the bromoanisole guests, and phenol and the methoxyphenol isomers. The four host compounds were synthesized via Diels-Alder (H1), esterification (H2) and Grignard addition (H3 and H4) reactions, producing yields of product of up to 93%. The yields for the Grignard reactions were lower, 54 and 37%, for the corresponding procedures using phenylmagnesium bromide or 4-chlorophenylmagnesium bromide. Computational molecular modelling studies were conducted on all four host compounds, and the resultant molecular geometries compared with the apohost (guest-free) crystal structures, when available. The geometries of the lowest energy conformers were in close correlation with the observed host structures as obtained from the apohost crystal structures (unfortunately, H3 and H4 were not able to form adequate quality crystals for SCXRD analyses). Interestingly, H1–H4 displayed intramolecular non-classical C–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds, while only H1 and H2 demonstrated intermolecular interactions of this type. H3 and H4 assumed one of two forms depending on the guest that was employed: the “active” form presented a strong intramolecular O–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bond, while the “inactive” form possessed weak π∙∙∙π and O–H∙∙∙π interactions. All of the host compounds were subjected to crystallization experiments from each of the guest species, as well as from mixtures of guests from each series (the guest competition experiments), where 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS and/or GC-FID were used to analyse any resultant solids formed, as applicable. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) experiments were carried out on each single solvent complex produced in this work, where the crystal quality was suitable, while thermal analyses were also employed on these to determine their relative thermal stabilities. During the single-guest crystallization experiments, H4 was found to be remarkable in its inclusion ability, forming complexes with all but p-dichlorobenzene, typically with a 1:1 host:guest (H:G) ratio. H1 was more selective in its inclusion behaviour, not enclathrating cumene, 3-bromoanisole, phenol or the three methoxyphenol isomers (favouring 1:1 or 2:1 H:G ratios where complexation was successful). Interestingly, H1 formed salts when presented with 2- and 3-methylpyridine, and morpholine and piperidine. H2 and H3 were less remarkable in their inclusion ability, furnishing apohost crystals or gels in some experiments (typically a 3:1 H:G ratio was favoured for both when complexation occurred). Of the four roof-shaped host compounds, H1 and H4 displayed enhanced selectivities for certain guest species, showing near-complete affinity for a specific guest compound when presented with a guest mixture. H1 was able to include 100.0 and 98.8% p-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) (from m-DCB/p-DCB and o-DCB/p-DCB mixtures), 96.6 and 93.6% p-xylene (p-Xy) (from m-Xy/p-Xy and o-Xy/p-Xy), 99.3% 4-methylanisole (4-MA) (from 2-MA/4-MA) and 97.1% 4-bromoanisole (4-BA) (from ANI/2-BA/3-BA/4-BA, where ANI is anisole). Host compound H4 was able to include ≈ 90% of selected meta-substituted guests, while H2 and H3 demonstrated moderate preferences for the guest compounds employed in this work (< 60%). It was concluded that some xylene guest mixtures may be purified using all but H2, whereas only H1 and H2 showed potential in separating the pyridines. All but H2 may also be employed in the separation of selected dichlorobenzene mixtures, while H2 showed potential for the separation of the six-membered heterocyclic guest compounds (dioxane, morpholine, piperidine and pyridine), were these ever required to be separated. Both H1 and H4 exhibited an overwhelming affinity for the methyl- and bromoanisole guest compounds, and this work has shown that these are likely host candidates for the purification of a variety of these guest mixtures through supramolecular strategies. SCXRD analyses showed that H1 experienced intermolecular host···host hydrogen bonding interactions between the carboxylic acid functional groups, while H2 typically demonstrated intermolecular non-classical hydrogen bonds in its complexes, forming sheets of host molecules along the c-axis. H4 preferred the “inactive” form whereas H3 assumed either an “active” or “inactive“ form. Various host···guest interactions such as π∙∙∙π, C–H∙∙∙π, C–O∙∙∙π, hydrogen bonding and other short contacts were responsible for guest retention in the crystal structures. Thermal analyses were conducted on all of the successfully formed complexes. Ton (the guest release onset temperature) and Tp (the temperature at which the guest release was most rapid) were recorded, when possible, while the mass losses associated with the guest release event were compared with those mass losses expected, in most cases. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Learners’ understanding of their linguistic resources as a basis for learning natural sciences
- Authors: Thorne, Rochelle Eugenia
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Linguistic analysis (Linguistics) , Science -- Study and teaching -- Methodology , Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64049 , vital:73646
- Description: With eleven official languages, South Africa is known for its multilingual environment. Despite this, the country's educational system heavily favours English and Afrikaans. Despite the varied linguistic backgrounds of learners, English continues to be used as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT), which raises questions regarding fair access to education. Within the context of South Africa's constitution and policy frameworks, particularly the Language in Education Policy (LiEP), this study aims to investigate how group work activities in a Natural Sciences classroom can give learners an opportunity to mobilise their multilingual repertoires. Three formerly Afrikaans-medium high schools in the Northern Areas of Gqeberha, were the sites for this research which focuses on Grade Nine Natural Sciences learners. Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods such as questionnaires, classroom observations, and focus groups, the study explores how learners make use of their language resources to navigate science instruction in English. The results contest the idea that languages are distinct entities and show that learners use language interchangeably as a learning tool, a practice known as translanguaging. Group work becomes an important space in which learners exercise agency in language selection, enabling the link of dialogical, multilingual, and cultural responses. Sociocultural theory offers insights into group work relationships and provides the theoretical foundation for understanding how learners use language to understand scientific topics. Building on Gibbons' mode continuum (2003), which maps the shifts in discourse in classroom contexts from every day talk at the “here and now” to more specialized talk, the study also explored an expanded continuum which aimed at clarifying the nuances of language and cognitive progression among learners working in collaborative groups. This study adds to the conversation about language ideologies by recognising the ideologies of inclusion, access and identity which informed learners’ thinking and attitudes to language choice in education. Thus, the study emphasises the importance of a sophisticated comprehension of multilingual repertoires in the classroom. In order to better accommodate the changing linguistic patterns of multilingual learners, the study recommends re-evaluating language policies and encouraging educators to exploit the potential of group work to develop understanding of scientific concepts. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Graduate Education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Thorne, Rochelle Eugenia
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Linguistic analysis (Linguistics) , Science -- Study and teaching -- Methodology , Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64049 , vital:73646
- Description: With eleven official languages, South Africa is known for its multilingual environment. Despite this, the country's educational system heavily favours English and Afrikaans. Despite the varied linguistic backgrounds of learners, English continues to be used as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT), which raises questions regarding fair access to education. Within the context of South Africa's constitution and policy frameworks, particularly the Language in Education Policy (LiEP), this study aims to investigate how group work activities in a Natural Sciences classroom can give learners an opportunity to mobilise their multilingual repertoires. Three formerly Afrikaans-medium high schools in the Northern Areas of Gqeberha, were the sites for this research which focuses on Grade Nine Natural Sciences learners. Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods such as questionnaires, classroom observations, and focus groups, the study explores how learners make use of their language resources to navigate science instruction in English. The results contest the idea that languages are distinct entities and show that learners use language interchangeably as a learning tool, a practice known as translanguaging. Group work becomes an important space in which learners exercise agency in language selection, enabling the link of dialogical, multilingual, and cultural responses. Sociocultural theory offers insights into group work relationships and provides the theoretical foundation for understanding how learners use language to understand scientific topics. Building on Gibbons' mode continuum (2003), which maps the shifts in discourse in classroom contexts from every day talk at the “here and now” to more specialized talk, the study also explored an expanded continuum which aimed at clarifying the nuances of language and cognitive progression among learners working in collaborative groups. This study adds to the conversation about language ideologies by recognising the ideologies of inclusion, access and identity which informed learners’ thinking and attitudes to language choice in education. Thus, the study emphasises the importance of a sophisticated comprehension of multilingual repertoires in the classroom. In order to better accommodate the changing linguistic patterns of multilingual learners, the study recommends re-evaluating language policies and encouraging educators to exploit the potential of group work to develop understanding of scientific concepts. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Graduate Education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Micro-insurance and rural micro-enterprises in the North West Province of South Africa
- Authors: Molefe, Samuel Seabelo
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Insurance -- South Africa -- North West Province , Small business -- South Africa -- North West Province , Business enterprises -- Insurance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65208 , vital:74049
- Description: The Provision of micro-insurance in developing countries' rural areas is quite important, but not without its share of challenges. Among those challenges are logistics and demand. Several problems experienced by developing countries, including moral hazards, adverse selection, correlated risks, high transaction costs, and lack of data, negatively impacting access to insurance, were identified. Other researchers are, however, hard at work trying to come up with solutions to address those challenges. The selective coverage by insurance providers leaves a large segment of the world’s poor population in the hundred poorest countries with limited or no access to micro-insurance. North West province of South Africa, was identified as one of the top four rural provinces, with a higher percentage of people living in poverty. The province was selected for the study, with the purpose of determining the relationship between micro-insurance and micro-enterprises. The study followed a mixed methodology design, with pragmatism as a research paradigm. The research instruments used were interviews focus group discussions (18 participants), and survey questionnaires (112 respondents). Data was collected using concurrent triangulated mixed methods from both strands, qualitative and quantitative were analyzed, and the results were merged and corroborated. The main finding is that micro-entrepreneurs do not have business micro-insurance and would be willing to have one if it existed. What emerged from other findings is that there is a positive relationship between trust and willingness to purchase insurance, as well as a positive relationship between risk and insurance demand. Furthermore, there are negative relationships between shocks and insurance demand, demand and prevalence, and the inclusion and demand for insurance. This is contrary to what is in literature. There is further, evidence of more dependence on funeral and death benefits, other than on investment and savings micro-insurance policies. This study recommended that there should be a national policy in place to address challenges experienced by micro-entrepreneurs in terms of access to insurance. Also, potential micro-insurance service providers deserve leniency through the lowering of entry barriers such as capital adequacy requirements. Furthermore, the issue of illegal or unregistered service providers must be addressed to protect consumers. It was also recommended that more awareness be created through tribal administrations, by micro-insurance regulators and service providers, to promote inclusion among micro-entrepreneurs and other rural low-income earners in general. In conclusion, it is envisaged that this exploration will lead to an applicable model that can assist insurance service providers and other stakeholders in coming up with innovative micro-insurance product packages. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Molefe, Samuel Seabelo
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Insurance -- South Africa -- North West Province , Small business -- South Africa -- North West Province , Business enterprises -- Insurance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65208 , vital:74049
- Description: The Provision of micro-insurance in developing countries' rural areas is quite important, but not without its share of challenges. Among those challenges are logistics and demand. Several problems experienced by developing countries, including moral hazards, adverse selection, correlated risks, high transaction costs, and lack of data, negatively impacting access to insurance, were identified. Other researchers are, however, hard at work trying to come up with solutions to address those challenges. The selective coverage by insurance providers leaves a large segment of the world’s poor population in the hundred poorest countries with limited or no access to micro-insurance. North West province of South Africa, was identified as one of the top four rural provinces, with a higher percentage of people living in poverty. The province was selected for the study, with the purpose of determining the relationship between micro-insurance and micro-enterprises. The study followed a mixed methodology design, with pragmatism as a research paradigm. The research instruments used were interviews focus group discussions (18 participants), and survey questionnaires (112 respondents). Data was collected using concurrent triangulated mixed methods from both strands, qualitative and quantitative were analyzed, and the results were merged and corroborated. The main finding is that micro-entrepreneurs do not have business micro-insurance and would be willing to have one if it existed. What emerged from other findings is that there is a positive relationship between trust and willingness to purchase insurance, as well as a positive relationship between risk and insurance demand. Furthermore, there are negative relationships between shocks and insurance demand, demand and prevalence, and the inclusion and demand for insurance. This is contrary to what is in literature. There is further, evidence of more dependence on funeral and death benefits, other than on investment and savings micro-insurance policies. This study recommended that there should be a national policy in place to address challenges experienced by micro-entrepreneurs in terms of access to insurance. Also, potential micro-insurance service providers deserve leniency through the lowering of entry barriers such as capital adequacy requirements. Furthermore, the issue of illegal or unregistered service providers must be addressed to protect consumers. It was also recommended that more awareness be created through tribal administrations, by micro-insurance regulators and service providers, to promote inclusion among micro-entrepreneurs and other rural low-income earners in general. In conclusion, it is envisaged that this exploration will lead to an applicable model that can assist insurance service providers and other stakeholders in coming up with innovative micro-insurance product packages. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Multi-purpose community centres as catalysts for socio-economic development in Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Gobe, Cynthia Bongiwe Ntombikayise
- Authors: Gobe, Cynthia Bongiwe Ntombikayise
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Community centers -- South Africa , Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- South Africa , Sustainable construction -- Economic aspects , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64533 , vital:73747
- Description: The central issue facing African society, especially underdeveloped countries is that most of the population lives below the poverty line, experiences high levels of unemployment and unsustainable livelihoods. The poor and marginalised groups in many communities are deprived access to infrastructure and socio-economic amenities, this includes accessibility to government services, information, and developmental opportunities. The development of Multi-purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) is viewed as a value-adding solution to several challenges facing unequal societies, such as inadequate infrastructure, remote settlement patterns, poor access to basic services, poor access to technology, poor access to information, increased unemployment rate, increased poverty rate, and many others. The study examines the socio-economic impact of MPCCs on municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and explores how these centres, as built environment outputs can become a stimulus for sustainable livelihoods in urban, rural, and peri-urban human settlements, including informal settlements. The study falls under implementation evaluation research methodologies which assesses whether a programme has been adequately implemented before making inference on its effectiveness. Anchored in a Social Constructivism knowledge paradigm and leaning on a Systems and Development Theories, the study adopted a Mixed Method Research approach. In view of the data required document reviews, field observations, interviews and questionnaire surveys were employed. The research findings revealed that despite the delivery of MPCCs by the Department of Human Settlements, these centers have not provided much socio-economic opportunities to members of the communities where they are built. The MPCCs under study are facing many challenges that render them ineffective to fulfill their mandate of improving the lives of residents. The study yielded an inclusive and responsive human settlements development model for the creation of well-functioning socio-economic impactful MPCCs within existing and forth-coming housing projects and informal settlements. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Gobe, Cynthia Bongiwe Ntombikayise
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Community centers -- South Africa , Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- South Africa , Sustainable construction -- Economic aspects , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64533 , vital:73747
- Description: The central issue facing African society, especially underdeveloped countries is that most of the population lives below the poverty line, experiences high levels of unemployment and unsustainable livelihoods. The poor and marginalised groups in many communities are deprived access to infrastructure and socio-economic amenities, this includes accessibility to government services, information, and developmental opportunities. The development of Multi-purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) is viewed as a value-adding solution to several challenges facing unequal societies, such as inadequate infrastructure, remote settlement patterns, poor access to basic services, poor access to technology, poor access to information, increased unemployment rate, increased poverty rate, and many others. The study examines the socio-economic impact of MPCCs on municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and explores how these centres, as built environment outputs can become a stimulus for sustainable livelihoods in urban, rural, and peri-urban human settlements, including informal settlements. The study falls under implementation evaluation research methodologies which assesses whether a programme has been adequately implemented before making inference on its effectiveness. Anchored in a Social Constructivism knowledge paradigm and leaning on a Systems and Development Theories, the study adopted a Mixed Method Research approach. In view of the data required document reviews, field observations, interviews and questionnaire surveys were employed. The research findings revealed that despite the delivery of MPCCs by the Department of Human Settlements, these centers have not provided much socio-economic opportunities to members of the communities where they are built. The MPCCs under study are facing many challenges that render them ineffective to fulfill their mandate of improving the lives of residents. The study yielded an inclusive and responsive human settlements development model for the creation of well-functioning socio-economic impactful MPCCs within existing and forth-coming housing projects and informal settlements. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in the South African transport state-owned enterprises
- Authors: Calvert, Candice
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa , Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Government ownership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64896 , vital:73944
- Description: The transport sector is critically important for economic growth and sustainability of a country and therefore requires carefully crafted strategical policies aimed at social enhancements. Employees who are employed in the major South African transport sector’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) carry the responsibility of providing quality and effective services, thus, they are executing the mandate of the National Department of Transport (NDoT). Therefore, their willingness to contribute positively to the goals of the sector, is critically important. Extra-roles and positive behaviours displayed by employees ensure that organisations gain competitive advantage over competitors. These special behaviours are documented in literature as organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB). OCB is referred to as voluntary positive behaviours displayed by employees, which benefit the organisation and improve the overall performance of employees and the organisation but are not recognised by the reward system of the organisation. The scarcity of literature pertaining to OCB in SOEs and in particular, the transport sector globally indicates that OCB is not entrenched in organisational cultures in this sector. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the views of management and employees regarding the influential factors and the outcomes of OCB in South Africa’s major SOEs in the transport sector. A hypothetical model and a questionnaire were developed to establish the influential factors of OCB and its outcomes on the performance of South Africa’s major transport SOEs. Eight independent variables (leadership styles, organisational culture, management support, personal importance, transparency, job autonomy, employee trust and organisational commitment), the intervening variable (organisational citizenship behaviour) and the dependent variables (employee performance and employee retention) were investigated. Primary data was collected by means of electronic questionnaires, which were distributed to five provinces via a QuestionPro link that was emailed to the contact person nominated by the HR department of the two major transport SOEs. Hard copies of the questionnaire were also physically distributed to prospective participants by the researcher. Non-probability sampling was used, specifically convenience sampling technique. The study targeted 500 respondents and 318 questionnaires were usable which amounts to a response rate of 64%. The reliability of the measuring instrument was determined by means of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Content validity for the measuring instrument was validated by experts in the fields of organisational behaviour and change management, prior to the distribution of the questionnaire to participants. EFA, descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis were determined. A STATISTICA computer programme 14.0 was used. The results of the study showed that OCB, which was tested as a seven-dimensional construct, namely, altruism, sportsmanship, loyalty, individual initiative, civic virtue, courtesy, and self-development, was perceived by respondents as two constructs, namely, OCB-selflessness (OCB-S) (altruism, sportsmanship, individual initiative, courtesy and self-development) and OCB-reliability (OCB-R) (civic virtue and loyalty). The empirical results revealed that personal importance is significantly related to OCB-S, but is not significantly related to OCB-R. Furthermore, the findings showed that transparency is not significantly related to OCB-S, however, there is a significant positive relationship between transparency and OCB-R. It was also found that job autonomy is not significantly related to OCB-S, and has a significant negative relationship with OCB-R. In addition, the research findings showed that employee trust and organisational commitment are significantly related to both OCB-S and OCB-R. OCB-S and OCB-R were found to be significantly related to employee performance and employee retention. This study contributed to the body of knowledge in the fields of organisational behaviour and human resources. Furthermore, the study will contribute to policy makers and management within the transport sector of South Africa and globally in order to develop policies and devise strategies to combat negative workplace environments, stimulate service delivery, and improve the competitive advantage of the organisation and the economic sustainability in the transport sector globally, through employee performance and employee retention. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Calvert, Candice
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa , Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Government ownership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64896 , vital:73944
- Description: The transport sector is critically important for economic growth and sustainability of a country and therefore requires carefully crafted strategical policies aimed at social enhancements. Employees who are employed in the major South African transport sector’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) carry the responsibility of providing quality and effective services, thus, they are executing the mandate of the National Department of Transport (NDoT). Therefore, their willingness to contribute positively to the goals of the sector, is critically important. Extra-roles and positive behaviours displayed by employees ensure that organisations gain competitive advantage over competitors. These special behaviours are documented in literature as organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB). OCB is referred to as voluntary positive behaviours displayed by employees, which benefit the organisation and improve the overall performance of employees and the organisation but are not recognised by the reward system of the organisation. The scarcity of literature pertaining to OCB in SOEs and in particular, the transport sector globally indicates that OCB is not entrenched in organisational cultures in this sector. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the views of management and employees regarding the influential factors and the outcomes of OCB in South Africa’s major SOEs in the transport sector. A hypothetical model and a questionnaire were developed to establish the influential factors of OCB and its outcomes on the performance of South Africa’s major transport SOEs. Eight independent variables (leadership styles, organisational culture, management support, personal importance, transparency, job autonomy, employee trust and organisational commitment), the intervening variable (organisational citizenship behaviour) and the dependent variables (employee performance and employee retention) were investigated. Primary data was collected by means of electronic questionnaires, which were distributed to five provinces via a QuestionPro link that was emailed to the contact person nominated by the HR department of the two major transport SOEs. Hard copies of the questionnaire were also physically distributed to prospective participants by the researcher. Non-probability sampling was used, specifically convenience sampling technique. The study targeted 500 respondents and 318 questionnaires were usable which amounts to a response rate of 64%. The reliability of the measuring instrument was determined by means of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Content validity for the measuring instrument was validated by experts in the fields of organisational behaviour and change management, prior to the distribution of the questionnaire to participants. EFA, descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis were determined. A STATISTICA computer programme 14.0 was used. The results of the study showed that OCB, which was tested as a seven-dimensional construct, namely, altruism, sportsmanship, loyalty, individual initiative, civic virtue, courtesy, and self-development, was perceived by respondents as two constructs, namely, OCB-selflessness (OCB-S) (altruism, sportsmanship, individual initiative, courtesy and self-development) and OCB-reliability (OCB-R) (civic virtue and loyalty). The empirical results revealed that personal importance is significantly related to OCB-S, but is not significantly related to OCB-R. Furthermore, the findings showed that transparency is not significantly related to OCB-S, however, there is a significant positive relationship between transparency and OCB-R. It was also found that job autonomy is not significantly related to OCB-S, and has a significant negative relationship with OCB-R. In addition, the research findings showed that employee trust and organisational commitment are significantly related to both OCB-S and OCB-R. OCB-S and OCB-R were found to be significantly related to employee performance and employee retention. This study contributed to the body of knowledge in the fields of organisational behaviour and human resources. Furthermore, the study will contribute to policy makers and management within the transport sector of South Africa and globally in order to develop policies and devise strategies to combat negative workplace environments, stimulate service delivery, and improve the competitive advantage of the organisation and the economic sustainability in the transport sector globally, through employee performance and employee retention. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Scenarios for re-imagining the digital landscape of South African organizations
- Authors: Watson, Storm Brandon
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Cyberinfrastructure , Sustainability -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66116 , vital:74356
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to develop and evaluate scenarios for re-imagining the digital landscape of South African organizations. This study aimed to re-imagine the future of South African organizations, focusing on developing a framework for the re-imagination of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to create a generic framework that could be incorporated by other organizations or sectors in South Africa to re-imagine their digital landscapes. The Council of Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa identifies the core functions of HEIs as teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. For this study, primary data was collected through the analysis of the 2021 annual reports and official websites of the 26 public universities in South Africa, which are known as HEIs. An environmental scan was conducted through content analysis of these sources to identify current trends and key uncertainties affecting the institution's core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as community engagement concerning their digital landscape of South African HEIs, with separate scenarios crafted for each function. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2024
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Watson, Storm Brandon
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Cyberinfrastructure , Sustainability -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/66116 , vital:74356
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to develop and evaluate scenarios for re-imagining the digital landscape of South African organizations. This study aimed to re-imagine the future of South African organizations, focusing on developing a framework for the re-imagination of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to create a generic framework that could be incorporated by other organizations or sectors in South Africa to re-imagine their digital landscapes. The Council of Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa identifies the core functions of HEIs as teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. For this study, primary data was collected through the analysis of the 2021 annual reports and official websites of the 26 public universities in South Africa, which are known as HEIs. An environmental scan was conducted through content analysis of these sources to identify current trends and key uncertainties affecting the institution's core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as community engagement concerning their digital landscape of South African HEIs, with separate scenarios crafted for each function. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2024
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Seagrasses in Mozambique: distribution, people’s perceptions and restoration best practice
- Mabuto, Manuela Elisa Manuel Amone, Hollander, Johan
- Authors: Mabuto, Manuela Elisa Manuel Amone , Hollander, Johan
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Seagrasses -- Mozambique , Seagrasses -- Southern Hemisphere , Coastal zone management -- Mozambique , Restoration ecology -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64126 , vital:73655
- Description: This thesis investigated the restoration of seagrass meadows and their associated biodiversity thus contributing to their conservation and to people's well-being. A mixed methods approach was used, and results presented in five chapters. Chapter I is a general introduction to the study outlining relevant information, research objectives and hypotheses. Chapter II investigates coastal community’s perceptions on the role of seagrass ecosystems, local impacts of coastal erosion and the need for seagrass restoration in Mozambique. It showed that there is a high awareness of the studied communities to seagrass importance for their livelihoods. Communities supported restoration and identified community engagement as a fundamental component for a successful implementation of restoration projects in their area. Chapter III conducted a mapping inventory for seagrass using open access data sources and investigated change detection in seagrass extent in southern Mozambique using Satellite imagery. In addition, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) were used to map seagrass to the species level at Inhaca Island. The results showed that seagrass habitats have been losing extent in recent years mainly in Bairro dos Pescadores at northwest Maputo Bay, due to sedimentation from flooding and inappropriate gleaning / clam collection practices. Around Inhaca Island seagrass extent has changed in response to natural causes and from anthropogenic disturbance near the main village and port area. For the first time for this area drones were used to rapidly and effectively acquire high- resolution data for detailed seagrass mapping and monitoring. The different mapping approaches were critically analyzed, and a way forward discussed. In Chapter IV, two different field experiments were conducted simultaneously. One, mimicked disturbance of meadows in terms of digging to collect clams, a common practice in northeastern Maputo Bay to assess the time of natural recovery and another replanted Zostera capensis using different plug sizes. The results indicated that once anthropogenic impacts are ceased, Z. capensis meadows are restored 12 months after impact exclusion. There was a 75% survival rate for the mechanical plug restoration approach; positive implications for seagrass transplantation projects that are both time consuming and financially costly. It was clear from the study that a combination of both impact exclusion and active restoration is needed for seagrass survival. Chapter V investigated the influence of seagrass restoration on the abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates. After two years of observations, replanted seagrass areas had not recovered compared to natural established seagrass beds. However, a strong linear relationship existed between the abundance of seagrasses and the quantity of associated macrofauna species. Chapter VI provided recommendations on better ways to perform seagrass restoration and management. The main findings of this thesis provide new knowledge on the mapping of seagrass on a local to a regional scale as well as on better restoration practice of the seagrass Zostera capensis, an IUCN Red List vulnerable species. Communities’ perceptions on seagrass were investigated contributing to an understanding of the socio-ecological conservation and management of these critical and yet threatened ecosystems. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Mabuto, Manuela Elisa Manuel Amone , Hollander, Johan
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Seagrasses -- Mozambique , Seagrasses -- Southern Hemisphere , Coastal zone management -- Mozambique , Restoration ecology -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64126 , vital:73655
- Description: This thesis investigated the restoration of seagrass meadows and their associated biodiversity thus contributing to their conservation and to people's well-being. A mixed methods approach was used, and results presented in five chapters. Chapter I is a general introduction to the study outlining relevant information, research objectives and hypotheses. Chapter II investigates coastal community’s perceptions on the role of seagrass ecosystems, local impacts of coastal erosion and the need for seagrass restoration in Mozambique. It showed that there is a high awareness of the studied communities to seagrass importance for their livelihoods. Communities supported restoration and identified community engagement as a fundamental component for a successful implementation of restoration projects in their area. Chapter III conducted a mapping inventory for seagrass using open access data sources and investigated change detection in seagrass extent in southern Mozambique using Satellite imagery. In addition, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) were used to map seagrass to the species level at Inhaca Island. The results showed that seagrass habitats have been losing extent in recent years mainly in Bairro dos Pescadores at northwest Maputo Bay, due to sedimentation from flooding and inappropriate gleaning / clam collection practices. Around Inhaca Island seagrass extent has changed in response to natural causes and from anthropogenic disturbance near the main village and port area. For the first time for this area drones were used to rapidly and effectively acquire high- resolution data for detailed seagrass mapping and monitoring. The different mapping approaches were critically analyzed, and a way forward discussed. In Chapter IV, two different field experiments were conducted simultaneously. One, mimicked disturbance of meadows in terms of digging to collect clams, a common practice in northeastern Maputo Bay to assess the time of natural recovery and another replanted Zostera capensis using different plug sizes. The results indicated that once anthropogenic impacts are ceased, Z. capensis meadows are restored 12 months after impact exclusion. There was a 75% survival rate for the mechanical plug restoration approach; positive implications for seagrass transplantation projects that are both time consuming and financially costly. It was clear from the study that a combination of both impact exclusion and active restoration is needed for seagrass survival. Chapter V investigated the influence of seagrass restoration on the abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates. After two years of observations, replanted seagrass areas had not recovered compared to natural established seagrass beds. However, a strong linear relationship existed between the abundance of seagrasses and the quantity of associated macrofauna species. Chapter VI provided recommendations on better ways to perform seagrass restoration and management. The main findings of this thesis provide new knowledge on the mapping of seagrass on a local to a regional scale as well as on better restoration practice of the seagrass Zostera capensis, an IUCN Red List vulnerable species. Communities’ perceptions on seagrass were investigated contributing to an understanding of the socio-ecological conservation and management of these critical and yet threatened ecosystems. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
South Africa’s regulation of mineral mining activities in the area: lessons from the United Kingdom
- Authors: Karomo, Adelaide Aquiline
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Mineral mining activities , Mining law , Deep Sea mining Act
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64411 , vital:73700
- Description: As they anticipate the benefits associated with mining polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides and ferromanganese crusts, several States are currently exploring or sponsoring State-owned enterprises and private persons to explore for these mineral resources in the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil beyond national jurisdiction (the Area). However, Africa remains the only region that is not actively participating. To guide South Africa in developing a deep seabed mining regime the thesis begins by identifying the international law regulating the Area and the activities therein. Since the mineral resources in the Area have been declared the common heritage of mankind, this principle as regulated by Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and modified by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 forms an essential component of this study. As such, the thesis determines, amongst others, the requirements for participating in mining activities in the Area (as set out in Part XI of UNCLOS) and establishes that developing a legislative framework is crucial to exempt UNCLOS States parties from liability associated with the damage caused by sponsored activities. Based on the obligations in international law, the thesis zooms in on three aspects concerning the regulation of the activities in the Area: (i) mining concessions, (ii) the relevant payment system, and (iii) environmental protection measures. In terms of these aspects, how the United Kingdom’s deep seabed mining regime regulates activities in the Area is examined. For this assessment, the thesis pays particular attention to the Deep Sea Mining Act and the domestic licences granted to UK Seabed Resources Ltd (UKSRL). In identifying lessons for South Africa, the thesis assesses the extent to which the United Kingdom’s regime complies with the international law framework and highlights the inconsistencies and legislative gaps. Thereafter, the thesis examines the South African legislative instruments regulating mining activities at sea, such as the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the National Environmental Management Act, to determine whether their scope should be amended to regulate mining activities in the Area. As per the observations from international law and the lessons learnt from the United Kingdom's regulatory framework, the thesis argues that South Africa’s current mining framework should not be amended; separate deep seabed mining-specific legislation must be adopted. The thesis concludes by setting out the recommendations for developing such legislation. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Karomo, Adelaide Aquiline
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Mineral mining activities , Mining law , Deep Sea mining Act
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64411 , vital:73700
- Description: As they anticipate the benefits associated with mining polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides and ferromanganese crusts, several States are currently exploring or sponsoring State-owned enterprises and private persons to explore for these mineral resources in the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil beyond national jurisdiction (the Area). However, Africa remains the only region that is not actively participating. To guide South Africa in developing a deep seabed mining regime the thesis begins by identifying the international law regulating the Area and the activities therein. Since the mineral resources in the Area have been declared the common heritage of mankind, this principle as regulated by Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and modified by the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 forms an essential component of this study. As such, the thesis determines, amongst others, the requirements for participating in mining activities in the Area (as set out in Part XI of UNCLOS) and establishes that developing a legislative framework is crucial to exempt UNCLOS States parties from liability associated with the damage caused by sponsored activities. Based on the obligations in international law, the thesis zooms in on three aspects concerning the regulation of the activities in the Area: (i) mining concessions, (ii) the relevant payment system, and (iii) environmental protection measures. In terms of these aspects, how the United Kingdom’s deep seabed mining regime regulates activities in the Area is examined. For this assessment, the thesis pays particular attention to the Deep Sea Mining Act and the domestic licences granted to UK Seabed Resources Ltd (UKSRL). In identifying lessons for South Africa, the thesis assesses the extent to which the United Kingdom’s regime complies with the international law framework and highlights the inconsistencies and legislative gaps. Thereafter, the thesis examines the South African legislative instruments regulating mining activities at sea, such as the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the National Environmental Management Act, to determine whether their scope should be amended to regulate mining activities in the Area. As per the observations from international law and the lessons learnt from the United Kingdom's regulatory framework, the thesis argues that South Africa’s current mining framework should not be amended; separate deep seabed mining-specific legislation must be adopted. The thesis concludes by setting out the recommendations for developing such legislation. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Sustainable management of the back sourcing of service functions at South African universities
- Authors: Hashatse, Lebogang
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Contracting out -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Universities and colleges -- Management Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Employees
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64996 , vital:74004
- Description: This study employed a three-phase qualitative case study research method to determine whether backsourcing and reintegration of previously outsourced services and workers could be managed in ways that contributed to the long-term sustainability of institutions. To achieve this goal, the study developed a framework for the sustainable management of university-based resources. The framework was a response in support of institutional sustainability after South African public universities were compelled to implement involuntary backsourcing in response to the ongoing #FeesMustFall (#FMF) and #OutsourcingMustFall (#OMF) protests that commenced in the latter part of 2015. An extensive literature review was conducted as part of the study’s phase one. The goal was to obtain insight into management practises used in outsourcing and backsourcing as well as to gain a thorough grasp of the concept of sustainability and its application in resource management in the settings of operations, organisations and universities. The literature demonstrated that there were well-established theoretical frameworks supporting the concepts of backsourcing and sustainability management. These frameworks provided clear outlines of how successful backsourcing and remunicipalisation processes could be effectively managed. Moreover, they highlighted that these management processes could be used by profitable sustainable businesses. This contributed to the development of a theoretical framework for the study. A conceptual framework together with the outcome of the literature review, served as a guide for conducting a qualitative case study at a selected Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa, which was chosen as the primary research site. This constituted phase two of the study. The selected HEI case study established its efficacy in managing the process of backsourcing and reintegration. Furthermore, it demonstrated sustainable ways that contributed to the institution’s overall sustainability. In conjunction with the established theoretical framework and the developed conceptual framework, the selected HEI , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Hashatse, Lebogang
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Contracting out -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Universities and colleges -- Management Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Employees
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64996 , vital:74004
- Description: This study employed a three-phase qualitative case study research method to determine whether backsourcing and reintegration of previously outsourced services and workers could be managed in ways that contributed to the long-term sustainability of institutions. To achieve this goal, the study developed a framework for the sustainable management of university-based resources. The framework was a response in support of institutional sustainability after South African public universities were compelled to implement involuntary backsourcing in response to the ongoing #FeesMustFall (#FMF) and #OutsourcingMustFall (#OMF) protests that commenced in the latter part of 2015. An extensive literature review was conducted as part of the study’s phase one. The goal was to obtain insight into management practises used in outsourcing and backsourcing as well as to gain a thorough grasp of the concept of sustainability and its application in resource management in the settings of operations, organisations and universities. The literature demonstrated that there were well-established theoretical frameworks supporting the concepts of backsourcing and sustainability management. These frameworks provided clear outlines of how successful backsourcing and remunicipalisation processes could be effectively managed. Moreover, they highlighted that these management processes could be used by profitable sustainable businesses. This contributed to the development of a theoretical framework for the study. A conceptual framework together with the outcome of the literature review, served as a guide for conducting a qualitative case study at a selected Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa, which was chosen as the primary research site. This constituted phase two of the study. The selected HEI case study established its efficacy in managing the process of backsourcing and reintegration. Furthermore, it demonstrated sustainable ways that contributed to the institution’s overall sustainability. In conjunction with the established theoretical framework and the developed conceptual framework, the selected HEI , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Synthesis of gatifloxacin, an important fluoroquinolone antibiotic using continuous flow technology
- Authors: Moyo, McQuillan
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Chemical processes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64204 , vital:73664
- Description: Gatifloxacin belongs to an important class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones (the fourth generation). Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) introduced gatifloxacin to the market in 1999 under the brand name Tequin® for treating respiratory tract infections. It has recently been widely employed as an ophthalmic solution for treating bacterial conjunctivitis. There is limited literature describing the complete synthesis of gatifloxacin; however, ciprofloxacin, a similar fluoroquinolone, has received much attention recently and is a good guide in the synthesis. Even though there are several similarities between ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin, key reactions towards the synthesis of gatifloxacin have not been reported, which forms a knowledge gap, for instance, the three steps leading to the synthesis of the benzoyl chloride intermediate. It is estimated that 70-90 % of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in drugs consumed in sub-Saharan Africa are imported, mainly from India, China and Europe. To reduce dependence and improve access to life-saving drugs, Africa needs to develop cutting-edge technology that is more advanced than traditional means. We envisage that employing continuous flow technology in synthesising gatifloxacin, previously developed in a batch setup, will offer an improved, future-proof process. Thus, this research aimed to create a more efficient multi-step continuous flow process for synthesising gatifloxacin compared to the current batch methods. The first chapter of this thesis provides an extensive literature review on the synthesis of gatifloxacin and its sister drug, ciprofloxacin. The foreground is based on the manufacture and consumption of APIs, particularly antibiotics. Continuous flow technology is also introduced and discussed as the solution to bridging the gap in Africa’s demand for API manufacturing, which significantly lags. Chapter two describes the results and discusses findings on the continuous flow synthesis of gatifloxacin. A seven-step process is described with reaction optimisation studies for each step, starting from 2,4,5-trifluoro-3-hydroxybenzoic acid. An alternative shorter route (with six steps) is also offered, incorporating microwave-assisted technology instead of the traditional batch process. We also describe several elegant multistep processes for synthesising gatifloxacin and its intermediates, achieved by combining several compatible, optimised steps. Subsequently, Chapter 3 describes all the experimental details of our research. In this study, efficient continuous flow procedures were developed to synthesise gatifloxacin. The seven-step continuous flow procedure we developed afforded gatifloxacin (54 % overall isolated yield) in a total residence time of 15.6 mins, a significant improvement from the reported batch process (52 % overall yield and over 103 hours reaction time). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Moyo, McQuillan
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Chemical processes
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64204 , vital:73664
- Description: Gatifloxacin belongs to an important class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones (the fourth generation). Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) introduced gatifloxacin to the market in 1999 under the brand name Tequin® for treating respiratory tract infections. It has recently been widely employed as an ophthalmic solution for treating bacterial conjunctivitis. There is limited literature describing the complete synthesis of gatifloxacin; however, ciprofloxacin, a similar fluoroquinolone, has received much attention recently and is a good guide in the synthesis. Even though there are several similarities between ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin, key reactions towards the synthesis of gatifloxacin have not been reported, which forms a knowledge gap, for instance, the three steps leading to the synthesis of the benzoyl chloride intermediate. It is estimated that 70-90 % of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in drugs consumed in sub-Saharan Africa are imported, mainly from India, China and Europe. To reduce dependence and improve access to life-saving drugs, Africa needs to develop cutting-edge technology that is more advanced than traditional means. We envisage that employing continuous flow technology in synthesising gatifloxacin, previously developed in a batch setup, will offer an improved, future-proof process. Thus, this research aimed to create a more efficient multi-step continuous flow process for synthesising gatifloxacin compared to the current batch methods. The first chapter of this thesis provides an extensive literature review on the synthesis of gatifloxacin and its sister drug, ciprofloxacin. The foreground is based on the manufacture and consumption of APIs, particularly antibiotics. Continuous flow technology is also introduced and discussed as the solution to bridging the gap in Africa’s demand for API manufacturing, which significantly lags. Chapter two describes the results and discusses findings on the continuous flow synthesis of gatifloxacin. A seven-step process is described with reaction optimisation studies for each step, starting from 2,4,5-trifluoro-3-hydroxybenzoic acid. An alternative shorter route (with six steps) is also offered, incorporating microwave-assisted technology instead of the traditional batch process. We also describe several elegant multistep processes for synthesising gatifloxacin and its intermediates, achieved by combining several compatible, optimised steps. Subsequently, Chapter 3 describes all the experimental details of our research. In this study, efficient continuous flow procedures were developed to synthesise gatifloxacin. The seven-step continuous flow procedure we developed afforded gatifloxacin (54 % overall isolated yield) in a total residence time of 15.6 mins, a significant improvement from the reported batch process (52 % overall yield and over 103 hours reaction time). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The curious case of Albert Ellis: a psychobiographical case study
- Authors: van Rensburg, Philip
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Ellis, Albert -- Interviews , Rational emotive behavior therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63928 , vital:73627
- Description: Although much has been written on the life and work of American psychologist Albert Ellis, none of the literature adopts a specific psychobiographical framework and no instrumental case studies on the life of Ellis exist. The primary aim of this psychobiographical case study is to provide a psychobiographical exploration and description of aspects of Albert Ellis’ life within his sociohistorical context. More specifically, Ellis’ upbringing with an immigrant past and the role this has played relating to Ellis’ curiosity towards issues of sex and women. The findings of this psychobiographical case study will also be conveyed to inform on the role that culture and cultural diversity has on how an individual experiences and deals with conflict in their life. A specific area of interest in this study is the culture of the twentieth century, with a special focus on the relationship individuals had with sex, as well as examining the lived experience of immigrants during this time. Aspects of Albert Ellis' life within the sociohistorical context of the twentieth century is illustrated by using certain psychological techniques to the available biographical data. This is accomplished by looking at Ellis' experiences and how they influenced the creation of his own paradigm of rational emotive behaviour therapy. Furthermore, Ellis is conceptualised using Karen Horney’s theory of the dynamic relationship, which exists between cultural processes and conflicting human character traits and their impact on behavioural motivation. This study adopts an inductive research approach. Therefore, it implements an instrumental, single-case research design and is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling and data will be analysed utilising three linked subprocesses theorised by Miles and Huberman. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: van Rensburg, Philip
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Ellis, Albert -- Interviews , Rational emotive behavior therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63928 , vital:73627
- Description: Although much has been written on the life and work of American psychologist Albert Ellis, none of the literature adopts a specific psychobiographical framework and no instrumental case studies on the life of Ellis exist. The primary aim of this psychobiographical case study is to provide a psychobiographical exploration and description of aspects of Albert Ellis’ life within his sociohistorical context. More specifically, Ellis’ upbringing with an immigrant past and the role this has played relating to Ellis’ curiosity towards issues of sex and women. The findings of this psychobiographical case study will also be conveyed to inform on the role that culture and cultural diversity has on how an individual experiences and deals with conflict in their life. A specific area of interest in this study is the culture of the twentieth century, with a special focus on the relationship individuals had with sex, as well as examining the lived experience of immigrants during this time. Aspects of Albert Ellis' life within the sociohistorical context of the twentieth century is illustrated by using certain psychological techniques to the available biographical data. This is accomplished by looking at Ellis' experiences and how they influenced the creation of his own paradigm of rational emotive behaviour therapy. Furthermore, Ellis is conceptualised using Karen Horney’s theory of the dynamic relationship, which exists between cultural processes and conflicting human character traits and their impact on behavioural motivation. This study adopts an inductive research approach. Therefore, it implements an instrumental, single-case research design and is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling and data will be analysed utilising three linked subprocesses theorised by Miles and Huberman. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The horizontal application of the environmental right to juristic persons at sea
- Authors: Maseka, Ntemesha Mliwa
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Economic zones (Law of the sea) , Law of the sea , Criminal liability of juristic persons -- South Africa , Environmental Law , Territorial waters
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65739 , vital:74233
- Description: Due to its vast resources, the ocean has been designated the new “economic frontier”. States are focusing on unlocking this potential to boost economic growth, employment and innovation. Because of their substantial resources, corporations are key actors in driving the development of the ocean economy. Although corporations undeniably contribute significantly to realising the ocean economy’s potential, their main activities—including offshore oil and gas exploration and production and fishing—pose great threats to marine ecosystems. This harm to the marine environment may also threaten and adversely impact many people’s lives, health, well-being, livelihood, culture and traditions. In the South African context, this reality is notably seen through Operation Phakisa. This government initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of the ocean economy to expedite the implementation of solutions to poverty, unemployment and inequality. This race to utilise the oceans and its resources brings to the fore the interaction between the right to have the environment protected and socio-economic development anticipated in section 24 of the South African Constitution. The South African Constitution through section 8(2) acknowledges that non-State actors such as corporations can abuse human rights in horizontal relationships. However, unlike the State, non-State actors are only bound in certain circumstances. Therefore, this thesis examines whether and, if so, to what extent section 24 of the Constitution binds juristic persons at sea. This thesis examines the direct application of international norms to non-State actors to determine how international human rights law addresses non-State actors' conduct that impairs an individual’s guaranteed rights. It was determined that international human rights law has an indirect horizontal effect. This means that in cases where a non-State actor impairs an individual’s human rights, international law permits the victim to hold the State responsible for the violation rather than the non-State actor who was the perpetrator. For a non-State actor to incur direct obligations to uphold certain human rights, the State must create these obligations in its domestic law. The thesis explored how the South African Bill of Rights imposes direct human rights obligations on non-State actors in a horizontal dispute. It was found that whether an entrenched right binds a non-State actor depends on a multi-factor enquiry confirmed by the Constitutional Court. Based on that enquiry, it concluded that the environmental right is capable of and suitable for horizontal application. Furthermore, non-State actors can bear positive and negative constitutional human rights obligations arising from the environmental right. A failure to comply with these obligations would violate this constitutional right. The most significant findings of this thesis pertain to the applicability of South Africa’s human rights law framework at sea. This is because the legal regime applicable at sea differs from that on land. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea assigns jurisdiction to States in the different maritime zones for different purposes. To elucidate South Africa's rights and obligations as delineated in the LOSC, the thesis focused on two examples: the exploitation of marine living resources and the prospection, exploration and exploitation of marine non-living resources. Subsequently, the extent to which South Africa has taken measures in its domestic law to implement those rights and duties was assessed. In addition, this approach was appropriate because questions concerning the horizontal application of the South African Bill of Rights necessitate contextual analysis and cannot be answered a priori and in the abstract. Using the multi-factor enquiry, the study showed that, in principle, section 24 of the Constitution might bind juristic persons within South Africa’s territorial jurisdiction, exclusive economic zone jurisdiction, continental shelf jurisdiction and under South Africa’s personal jurisdiction. Furthermore, juristic persons who control vessels registered in South Africa or control a vessel entitled to be registered in South Africa but has departed to a place outside South Africa without being registered might also be constitutionally bound based on flag State jurisdiction. The sole means of preventing South Africa from exercising its authority this way requires severing the jurisdictional connection between South Africa and the juristic person. It was recommended that in ocean-related matters, the connecting factor between South Africa and the juristic person must be considered as an additional factor in the enquiry to determine whether a particular right binds that juristic person. Additionally, since the scope of corresponding rights-holders are “everyone”, even people outside South Africa present in places where the juristic person who is the corresponding duty-bearer operates or where their conduct is felt can hold these actors accountable for their constitutional human rights obligations. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, Department of Public Law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Maseka, Ntemesha Mliwa
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Economic zones (Law of the sea) , Law of the sea , Criminal liability of juristic persons -- South Africa , Environmental Law , Territorial waters
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65739 , vital:74233
- Description: Due to its vast resources, the ocean has been designated the new “economic frontier”. States are focusing on unlocking this potential to boost economic growth, employment and innovation. Because of their substantial resources, corporations are key actors in driving the development of the ocean economy. Although corporations undeniably contribute significantly to realising the ocean economy’s potential, their main activities—including offshore oil and gas exploration and production and fishing—pose great threats to marine ecosystems. This harm to the marine environment may also threaten and adversely impact many people’s lives, health, well-being, livelihood, culture and traditions. In the South African context, this reality is notably seen through Operation Phakisa. This government initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of the ocean economy to expedite the implementation of solutions to poverty, unemployment and inequality. This race to utilise the oceans and its resources brings to the fore the interaction between the right to have the environment protected and socio-economic development anticipated in section 24 of the South African Constitution. The South African Constitution through section 8(2) acknowledges that non-State actors such as corporations can abuse human rights in horizontal relationships. However, unlike the State, non-State actors are only bound in certain circumstances. Therefore, this thesis examines whether and, if so, to what extent section 24 of the Constitution binds juristic persons at sea. This thesis examines the direct application of international norms to non-State actors to determine how international human rights law addresses non-State actors' conduct that impairs an individual’s guaranteed rights. It was determined that international human rights law has an indirect horizontal effect. This means that in cases where a non-State actor impairs an individual’s human rights, international law permits the victim to hold the State responsible for the violation rather than the non-State actor who was the perpetrator. For a non-State actor to incur direct obligations to uphold certain human rights, the State must create these obligations in its domestic law. The thesis explored how the South African Bill of Rights imposes direct human rights obligations on non-State actors in a horizontal dispute. It was found that whether an entrenched right binds a non-State actor depends on a multi-factor enquiry confirmed by the Constitutional Court. Based on that enquiry, it concluded that the environmental right is capable of and suitable for horizontal application. Furthermore, non-State actors can bear positive and negative constitutional human rights obligations arising from the environmental right. A failure to comply with these obligations would violate this constitutional right. The most significant findings of this thesis pertain to the applicability of South Africa’s human rights law framework at sea. This is because the legal regime applicable at sea differs from that on land. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea assigns jurisdiction to States in the different maritime zones for different purposes. To elucidate South Africa's rights and obligations as delineated in the LOSC, the thesis focused on two examples: the exploitation of marine living resources and the prospection, exploration and exploitation of marine non-living resources. Subsequently, the extent to which South Africa has taken measures in its domestic law to implement those rights and duties was assessed. In addition, this approach was appropriate because questions concerning the horizontal application of the South African Bill of Rights necessitate contextual analysis and cannot be answered a priori and in the abstract. Using the multi-factor enquiry, the study showed that, in principle, section 24 of the Constitution might bind juristic persons within South Africa’s territorial jurisdiction, exclusive economic zone jurisdiction, continental shelf jurisdiction and under South Africa’s personal jurisdiction. Furthermore, juristic persons who control vessels registered in South Africa or control a vessel entitled to be registered in South Africa but has departed to a place outside South Africa without being registered might also be constitutionally bound based on flag State jurisdiction. The sole means of preventing South Africa from exercising its authority this way requires severing the jurisdictional connection between South Africa and the juristic person. It was recommended that in ocean-related matters, the connecting factor between South Africa and the juristic person must be considered as an additional factor in the enquiry to determine whether a particular right binds that juristic person. Additionally, since the scope of corresponding rights-holders are “everyone”, even people outside South Africa present in places where the juristic person who is the corresponding duty-bearer operates or where their conduct is felt can hold these actors accountable for their constitutional human rights obligations. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, Department of Public Law, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The impact of Basel III higher capital and liquidity requirements on the profitability of South African banks
- Authors: Mdandalaza, Zuko Ludwig
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Basel III , Bank capital , Banks and banking, International , International finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65153 , vital:74038
- Description: This study employs a robust quantitative research design meticulously tailored to investigate the nuanced impact of Basel III capital and liquidity requirements on the profitability of South African banks. The data collection process is anchored in a rigorous approach, driven by the acquisition and meticulous review of financial statements sourced from a carefully curated sample of South Africa’s banks. Ensuring the sample’s representativeness is of paramount importance for bolstering the study’s findings. To this end, a purposive sampling technique, distinguished for its deliberate selection methodology, was applied judiciously. This method yielded the selection of 10 banks, chosen carefully to encapsulate a cross-section of the South African banking landscape, thus enhancing the research’s validity and robustness. The analysis of this intricate dataset is underpinned by advanced statistical techniques, with regression analysis as the principal analytical tool. Specifically, the study harnesses the Arellano-Bond generalized method of moments (GMM), a sophisticated yet versatile statistical methodology appropriate for disentangling complex relationships in longitudinal data. This analytical approach is perfectly suited to trace the nuanced interactions between Basel III’s capital and liquidity requirements and the profitability trajectories of South African banks. Spanning a 12-year timeframe, 2010 to 2022, this study attempts to encapsulate the evolution of the banking landscape in the wake of Basel III’s implementation. This extensive temporal scope enables the research to capture both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends, enriching its insights and lending depth to the analysis. The first objective of this study was to unravel the intricate web of macro-specific and bank-specific factors influencing the profitability of banks in South Africa. Net interest margin (NIM), a pivotal metric reflecting bank profitability and efficiency, was central to the investigation. Empirical insights gleaned from the analysis revealed several key determinants of NIM for South African banks. Notably, NIM displayed a high degree of persistence over time. This suggests that South African banks do not adjust swiftly to changes in market conditions, emphasizing the importance for bank managers of considering the long-term repercussions of their decisions on interest, income, and expenses. The results also illuminated a set of critical variables closely linked to NIM. These include credit loss, non-interest income, market concentration, stability (Z-score), and inflation. These variables collectively underscored the banks’ ability to navigate the multi-faceted landscape of risks and uncertainties in the banking sector, including credit risk, operational risk, market risk, and inflation risk. The positive relationship between these variables and NIM indicated the banks’ adeptness at passing on costs and risks to customers through higher interest rates or fees, all while leveraging their market power and diversification strategies. Conversely, a negative and significant association emerged between NIM and bank size, GDP per capita, private credit, and the repo rate. These variables underscored the competitive pressure and macroeconomic dynamics influencing the demand for and supply of credit in the banking sector. In this context, the negative relationship suggested that larger banks, those operating in more developed and competitive markets, and those encountering lower policy rates, tend to exhibit lower NIM. These banks, due to heightened competition and lower demand for credit, face diminished interest income and narrower margins. Notably, variables like cost-to-income ratio, funding structure, and loan-to-deposit ratio did not emerge as significant in explaining NIM for South African banks. This implies that these variables exert a relatively weaker influence on the profitability and efficiency of South African banks, or that their effects are subsumed by other variables in the model. The second objective examined the effect of higher capital buffers on bank profitability. Empirical findings revealed a negative yet statistically insignificant co-efficient for the CET1 variable in the regression analysis. This observation indicated that there is no substantial relationship between Basel III Tier 1 capital ratio (CET1) and bank profitability, as measured by NIM, among South African banks. This suggests that Basel III capital requirements do not have a significant influence on the profitability and efficiency of these banks, or their effect varies depending on other bank-specific or macroeconomic variables. The third objective focused on the effect of Basel III liquidity regulations, epitomized by the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), on bank profitability in South Africa. Empirical results revealed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship between LCR and NIM. This observation indicates that Basel III liquidity regulations exert no discernible effect on the net interest income of South African banks. This finding could be attributed to the fact that South African banks had already fortified their liquidity positions before Basel III implementation, adhering to stringent regulatory requirements and prudent liquidity management practices. As a result, the introduction of LCR did not pose a significant alteration or constraint on the liquidity standing and profitability of South African banks. It also implies that other factors, like market conditions, funding structures, or asset compositions, play more pivotal roles than the LCR in shaping the profitability of South African banks. These factors may influence the net interest spread, cost of funds, or risk-adjusted returns of these banks. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Mdandalaza, Zuko Ludwig
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Basel III , Bank capital , Banks and banking, International , International finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65153 , vital:74038
- Description: This study employs a robust quantitative research design meticulously tailored to investigate the nuanced impact of Basel III capital and liquidity requirements on the profitability of South African banks. The data collection process is anchored in a rigorous approach, driven by the acquisition and meticulous review of financial statements sourced from a carefully curated sample of South Africa’s banks. Ensuring the sample’s representativeness is of paramount importance for bolstering the study’s findings. To this end, a purposive sampling technique, distinguished for its deliberate selection methodology, was applied judiciously. This method yielded the selection of 10 banks, chosen carefully to encapsulate a cross-section of the South African banking landscape, thus enhancing the research’s validity and robustness. The analysis of this intricate dataset is underpinned by advanced statistical techniques, with regression analysis as the principal analytical tool. Specifically, the study harnesses the Arellano-Bond generalized method of moments (GMM), a sophisticated yet versatile statistical methodology appropriate for disentangling complex relationships in longitudinal data. This analytical approach is perfectly suited to trace the nuanced interactions between Basel III’s capital and liquidity requirements and the profitability trajectories of South African banks. Spanning a 12-year timeframe, 2010 to 2022, this study attempts to encapsulate the evolution of the banking landscape in the wake of Basel III’s implementation. This extensive temporal scope enables the research to capture both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends, enriching its insights and lending depth to the analysis. The first objective of this study was to unravel the intricate web of macro-specific and bank-specific factors influencing the profitability of banks in South Africa. Net interest margin (NIM), a pivotal metric reflecting bank profitability and efficiency, was central to the investigation. Empirical insights gleaned from the analysis revealed several key determinants of NIM for South African banks. Notably, NIM displayed a high degree of persistence over time. This suggests that South African banks do not adjust swiftly to changes in market conditions, emphasizing the importance for bank managers of considering the long-term repercussions of their decisions on interest, income, and expenses. The results also illuminated a set of critical variables closely linked to NIM. These include credit loss, non-interest income, market concentration, stability (Z-score), and inflation. These variables collectively underscored the banks’ ability to navigate the multi-faceted landscape of risks and uncertainties in the banking sector, including credit risk, operational risk, market risk, and inflation risk. The positive relationship between these variables and NIM indicated the banks’ adeptness at passing on costs and risks to customers through higher interest rates or fees, all while leveraging their market power and diversification strategies. Conversely, a negative and significant association emerged between NIM and bank size, GDP per capita, private credit, and the repo rate. These variables underscored the competitive pressure and macroeconomic dynamics influencing the demand for and supply of credit in the banking sector. In this context, the negative relationship suggested that larger banks, those operating in more developed and competitive markets, and those encountering lower policy rates, tend to exhibit lower NIM. These banks, due to heightened competition and lower demand for credit, face diminished interest income and narrower margins. Notably, variables like cost-to-income ratio, funding structure, and loan-to-deposit ratio did not emerge as significant in explaining NIM for South African banks. This implies that these variables exert a relatively weaker influence on the profitability and efficiency of South African banks, or that their effects are subsumed by other variables in the model. The second objective examined the effect of higher capital buffers on bank profitability. Empirical findings revealed a negative yet statistically insignificant co-efficient for the CET1 variable in the regression analysis. This observation indicated that there is no substantial relationship between Basel III Tier 1 capital ratio (CET1) and bank profitability, as measured by NIM, among South African banks. This suggests that Basel III capital requirements do not have a significant influence on the profitability and efficiency of these banks, or their effect varies depending on other bank-specific or macroeconomic variables. The third objective focused on the effect of Basel III liquidity regulations, epitomized by the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), on bank profitability in South Africa. Empirical results revealed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship between LCR and NIM. This observation indicates that Basel III liquidity regulations exert no discernible effect on the net interest income of South African banks. This finding could be attributed to the fact that South African banks had already fortified their liquidity positions before Basel III implementation, adhering to stringent regulatory requirements and prudent liquidity management practices. As a result, the introduction of LCR did not pose a significant alteration or constraint on the liquidity standing and profitability of South African banks. It also implies that other factors, like market conditions, funding structures, or asset compositions, play more pivotal roles than the LCR in shaping the profitability of South African banks. These factors may influence the net interest spread, cost of funds, or risk-adjusted returns of these banks. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04