Perceptions and livelihood uses of an invasive alien tree (acacia dealbata) by rural communities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of adolescents and professional on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho child and youth care facilities, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Magoqwana, Yandiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social problems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child care services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12970 , vital:39412
- Description: This research explored the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher cross examined the challenges faced by adolescent in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The research study aimed to explore the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The study was premised by three objectives, firstly to examine the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in the Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. Secondly to investigate the behavioural problems experienced by adolescents in the Bisho Youth Care Centre. Thirdly to examine the kind of support provided by professionals like Social workers, Educators, Professional Nurse, Bricklaying Instructor , Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor and Child and Youth Care Worker . The researcher used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Magoqwana, Yandiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social problems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child care services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12970 , vital:39412
- Description: This research explored the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre, in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher cross examined the challenges faced by adolescent in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The research study aimed to explore the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. The study was premised by three objectives, firstly to examine the perceptions of adolescents and professionals on the psycho-social challenges faced by adolescents in the Bisho Child and Youth Care Centre. Secondly to investigate the behavioural problems experienced by adolescents in the Bisho Youth Care Centre. Thirdly to examine the kind of support provided by professionals like Social workers, Educators, Professional Nurse, Bricklaying Instructor , Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor and Child and Youth Care Worker . The researcher used qualitative method because it provides a deep understanding of
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Sidloyi, Nozitulele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Abortion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4428 , vital:28339
- Description: Adolescent pregnancy is a concern worldwide and has risen at an alarming rate in South African societies. Many teenage pregnancies end up being aborted. Despite the availability of contraceptives free of charge in public institutions, unintended pregnancies among adolescents still persist. These unintended pregnancies result in a high rate of induced abortion, both safe and unsafe. The study was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research study to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the induced abortion. Participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by means of individual interviews using interview guide in order to allow the participants to express their perceptions freely because of the sensitivity of the issue. Data were collected until saturation was reached. Saturation was reached after 24 participants were interviewed by the researcher. Data analysis used Tech’s (1990) steps as outlined by Creswell (2014:198). Themes, categories, and subcategories were identified following the data analysis. All adolescents admitted having consensual unprotected sex. Engagement in early sexual behaviour by the adolescents was evident as their sexual debut was between the ages of fifteen and sixteen years. Adolescents emphasised that they had abortions because they had no choice. Adolescents cited poor-socio economic status as their main reason for having abortions. Some findings were that adolescent men were against abortion and they had to be persuaded by their female counter parts. A recurrent factor in the results was the infrequent use of contraceptives, including condoms by the adolescents. This indicated that adolescents practised unsafe sex, with little or no regard for sexual transmitted diseases including Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS). The results also indicated poor treatment by the nursing staff at the family planning clinics. This poor treatment resulted in adolescents not attending family planning clinics. This led to adolescents using abortion as the only method of contraception. Shortage of staff was a contributing factor to the poor treatment of adolescents in the family planning clinics. Adolescents cited that contraception at the clinics is not prioritised. The participants suggested that they should be reminded when to come to the clinic for family planning. Perceptions of reasons for adolescents choosing induced abortion ranges from psychosocial to socio-economic reasons. The knowledge of participants of what was happening to them and what they were doing seemed adequate. The perceptions of the adolescents regarding induced abortion were that abortion is wrong, against their morals as they are Christians; they use abortion because they have no choice due to their poor socio-economic status. The strategies to reduce the unintended pregnancy through the proper management of the contraception programmes, including the change in negative attitudes of health care providers in the family planning clinics could yield positive results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sidloyi, Nozitulele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Abortion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4428 , vital:28339
- Description: Adolescent pregnancy is a concern worldwide and has risen at an alarming rate in South African societies. Many teenage pregnancies end up being aborted. Despite the availability of contraceptives free of charge in public institutions, unintended pregnancies among adolescents still persist. These unintended pregnancies result in a high rate of induced abortion, both safe and unsafe. The study was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents regarding induced abortion in two public hospitals in East London, South Africa. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research study to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the induced abortion. Participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by means of individual interviews using interview guide in order to allow the participants to express their perceptions freely because of the sensitivity of the issue. Data were collected until saturation was reached. Saturation was reached after 24 participants were interviewed by the researcher. Data analysis used Tech’s (1990) steps as outlined by Creswell (2014:198). Themes, categories, and subcategories were identified following the data analysis. All adolescents admitted having consensual unprotected sex. Engagement in early sexual behaviour by the adolescents was evident as their sexual debut was between the ages of fifteen and sixteen years. Adolescents emphasised that they had abortions because they had no choice. Adolescents cited poor-socio economic status as their main reason for having abortions. Some findings were that adolescent men were against abortion and they had to be persuaded by their female counter parts. A recurrent factor in the results was the infrequent use of contraceptives, including condoms by the adolescents. This indicated that adolescents practised unsafe sex, with little or no regard for sexual transmitted diseases including Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS). The results also indicated poor treatment by the nursing staff at the family planning clinics. This poor treatment resulted in adolescents not attending family planning clinics. This led to adolescents using abortion as the only method of contraception. Shortage of staff was a contributing factor to the poor treatment of adolescents in the family planning clinics. Adolescents cited that contraception at the clinics is not prioritised. The participants suggested that they should be reminded when to come to the clinic for family planning. Perceptions of reasons for adolescents choosing induced abortion ranges from psychosocial to socio-economic reasons. The knowledge of participants of what was happening to them and what they were doing seemed adequate. The perceptions of the adolescents regarding induced abortion were that abortion is wrong, against their morals as they are Christians; they use abortion because they have no choice due to their poor socio-economic status. The strategies to reduce the unintended pregnancy through the proper management of the contraception programmes, including the change in negative attitudes of health care providers in the family planning clinics could yield positive results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of male teachers on under-representation of female teachers in high school management positions in the Queenstown Education District
- Authors: Nyikanyika, Khaya
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women school administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5036 , vital:29018
- Description: The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of male teachers on the under-representation of female teachers in high school management position in the Queenstown Education District and to find the barriers that cause this perception to determine the possible solutions for these problems. To carry out this study descriptive method was employed. Participants of the study were 60 male teachers, selected by using stratified random sampling techniques. The data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were employed in order to turn up at the results. The findings of the study revealed that, despite the male teachers perceptions on the under-representation of female school managers in high school management positon has been changing, but not as expected still they believe that female teachers are reluctant to accept responsibilities of school management positions Some of the challenges which could hinder female teachers representation in high school management positions were for instance; pressure of home responsibilities, men dominance of management position, political appointment, unclear promotion procedures or informal recruitment selection and discrimination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nyikanyika, Khaya
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women school administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5036 , vital:29018
- Description: The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of male teachers on the under-representation of female teachers in high school management position in the Queenstown Education District and to find the barriers that cause this perception to determine the possible solutions for these problems. To carry out this study descriptive method was employed. Participants of the study were 60 male teachers, selected by using stratified random sampling techniques. The data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were employed in order to turn up at the results. The findings of the study revealed that, despite the male teachers perceptions on the under-representation of female school managers in high school management positon has been changing, but not as expected still they believe that female teachers are reluctant to accept responsibilities of school management positions Some of the challenges which could hinder female teachers representation in high school management positions were for instance; pressure of home responsibilities, men dominance of management position, political appointment, unclear promotion procedures or informal recruitment selection and discrimination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of nurse educators regarding the information required by undergraduate nursing students for clinical decision making at the point of care
- Authors: Mganto, Nolwandle Gloria
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Nurse educators -- South Africa Nursing students -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14080 , vital:27415
- Description: The researcher observed that some nursing students lacked the necessary knowledge and confidence in the clinical practice areas whilst accompanying students. The researcher was therefore of the opinion that the aforementioned gaps needed to be addressed to ensure that students developed more confidence in their clinical decision making skills. The researcher was of the opinion that the nurse educators would be the ideal persons to identify the information required by undergraduate nursing students at the point of care for clinical decision-making, because they are the primary teachers of nursing students and are the experts with regard to the content needed for clinical decision making at the point of care in the clinical areas. The aim of the study was therefore to explore and describe the perceptions of nurse educators regarding the information required by the undergraduate nursing students for clinical decision making at the point of care. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this research. The study was conducted among the nurse educators who are employed by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, lecturing and accompanying students for at least 12 months. In-depth interviewing was conducted to obtain the data. The data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of the text and data. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness and a high ethical standard were implemented throughout the study. Three themes with eight sub-themes emerged, namely, the importance of students having sound basic knowledge of theory and practical skills before entering the practical field, students to have available, accessible and up to date information at the point of care and importance of mentorship when students are seeking information. Recommendations were made pertaining to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mganto, Nolwandle Gloria
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Nurse educators -- South Africa Nursing students -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14080 , vital:27415
- Description: The researcher observed that some nursing students lacked the necessary knowledge and confidence in the clinical practice areas whilst accompanying students. The researcher was therefore of the opinion that the aforementioned gaps needed to be addressed to ensure that students developed more confidence in their clinical decision making skills. The researcher was of the opinion that the nurse educators would be the ideal persons to identify the information required by undergraduate nursing students at the point of care for clinical decision-making, because they are the primary teachers of nursing students and are the experts with regard to the content needed for clinical decision making at the point of care in the clinical areas. The aim of the study was therefore to explore and describe the perceptions of nurse educators regarding the information required by the undergraduate nursing students for clinical decision making at the point of care. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this research. The study was conducted among the nurse educators who are employed by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, lecturing and accompanying students for at least 12 months. In-depth interviewing was conducted to obtain the data. The data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of the text and data. Strategies to ensure trustworthiness and a high ethical standard were implemented throughout the study. Three themes with eight sub-themes emerged, namely, the importance of students having sound basic knowledge of theory and practical skills before entering the practical field, students to have available, accessible and up to date information at the point of care and importance of mentorship when students are seeking information. Recommendations were made pertaining to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of nurses with regard to staffing in the operating rooms of a private hospital
- Authors: Kriel, Dora Jenice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Nursing services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18014 , vital:28560
- Description: Despite a number of research studies showing the correlation between higher nurse staffing levels and improved outcomes, RCN members continues to report lower nurse-to-patient ratios than what research results suggests (RCN, 2011:1). This reflected a general concern within the nursing profession. The operating room requires appropriate staffing which is critical to the safety of surgical patients and quality of patient care. The research study was motivated by the researcher’s own experiences while working in an OR in a private hospital where continuous discussions were held with management about the shortage of skilled staff; and where a shortage of OR nurses resulted in the use of Central Sterilizing Department (CSD) staff to do OR duties. The objective of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurses regarding staffing in the operating rooms of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The researcher used qualitative methods and designs to explore and described the perception of nurses regarding staffing in the operating room (OR) of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The research population of the study included all the nurses working in the OR of a private hospital. The total number of 20 OR nurses was individually interviewed by means of semi-structured interviews. Three main themes emerged that includes nurses ‘perceptions with regard to the implications of inadequate staffing in the OR; nurses experiences towards top management with regard to staffing in the OR and recommendations from participants to improve staffing in the OR. Research findings concluded that nurses have a perception that shortage of OR nurses causes lack of communication, physical, emotional and psychological strain. They also perceived OR nurses to work under unrealistic conditions and to receive added responsibilities due to staff shortages, which affect the overall delivery of quality patient care. Comments included failure of management to attend to staff complaints and the perception of high staff turnover due to a lack of recognition and acknowledgement of overworked staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kriel, Dora Jenice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Nursing services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18014 , vital:28560
- Description: Despite a number of research studies showing the correlation between higher nurse staffing levels and improved outcomes, RCN members continues to report lower nurse-to-patient ratios than what research results suggests (RCN, 2011:1). This reflected a general concern within the nursing profession. The operating room requires appropriate staffing which is critical to the safety of surgical patients and quality of patient care. The research study was motivated by the researcher’s own experiences while working in an OR in a private hospital where continuous discussions were held with management about the shortage of skilled staff; and where a shortage of OR nurses resulted in the use of Central Sterilizing Department (CSD) staff to do OR duties. The objective of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurses regarding staffing in the operating rooms of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The researcher used qualitative methods and designs to explore and described the perception of nurses regarding staffing in the operating room (OR) of a private hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The research population of the study included all the nurses working in the OR of a private hospital. The total number of 20 OR nurses was individually interviewed by means of semi-structured interviews. Three main themes emerged that includes nurses ‘perceptions with regard to the implications of inadequate staffing in the OR; nurses experiences towards top management with regard to staffing in the OR and recommendations from participants to improve staffing in the OR. Research findings concluded that nurses have a perception that shortage of OR nurses causes lack of communication, physical, emotional and psychological strain. They also perceived OR nurses to work under unrealistic conditions and to receive added responsibilities due to staff shortages, which affect the overall delivery of quality patient care. Comments included failure of management to attend to staff complaints and the perception of high staff turnover due to a lack of recognition and acknowledgement of overworked staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of rural households about the role and effect of biogas production on rural household income in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
- Authors: Ngcobo, Lindiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4694 , vital:28494
- Description: Rural development efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security and generally improve livelihoods in developing countries continue to be constrained by high energy cost. For that reason, renewable energy has been identified as a possible panacea to fill this gap. Renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible and environmentally sustainable and promotes inclusivity. Biogas is a renewable energy that is readily available and easy to use by poor rural households. The use of biogas digesters among households in rural areas of developing countries is a well-known technology. The potential for biogas in these areas has been demonstrated and a strong economic case has been made. However, its adoption and use have been lower than expectations possibly as result of non-economic considerations, including social issues about which rural people hold different perceptions. Perceptions of rural households are important because they influence the behaviour to a large extent. Since limited access to affordable energy in rural areas has encouraged government and private organisations to initiate biogas projects to overcome the challenge, it is important to ascertain the factors that affect attitudes towards the technology. The present study sought to explore perceptions of rural households about biogas production towards rural household income in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Specifically, this research investigated the state of biogas project being implemented by the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Technology (FHIT), the perceptions of respondents towards biogas production and determine the contribution of biogas consumption to rural income. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting the adoption of biogas production in the study area. The study was carried out in Melani village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 48 households who were enumerated to identify their perceptions on biogas production, with special emphasis on the role and effect contributed to rural income of Melani village. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used in data collection. Data were collected and captured in Excel and then analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 24 Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics of households and state of biogas production in the area, Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the key elements of perceptions of household towards biogas adoption, binary logistic model was used to estimate factors influencing adoption of biogas technology by households. The results show that women were dominant for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas. The majority of households were young with mean age of 40 years while for non-adopters were 65 years old on average. The results showed high levels of literacy amongst household adopters. Majority of the households for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas technology were married and unemployed and household size ranged from one to five persons, with social grants being dominant source of income. The bivariate correlation analysis suggests a positive effect of green pepper production and livestock ownership on biogas technology adoption. Age and level of education were negatively correlated with adoption of biogas. The cross tabulation analysis suggests that water scarcity, lack of knowledge about biogas technology, cattle ownership, lack of maintenance and repairing, flooded biogas digesters during rainy season are negatively associated with the uptake of biogas technology. The empirical results from binary logistic model suggest that land size was the key determinant of adoption behaviour towards biogas technology while age of the household head, source of income and level of education may have a negative influence on adoption of biogas technology. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends strategies to encourage households to adopt biogas technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ngcobo, Lindiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4694 , vital:28494
- Description: Rural development efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security and generally improve livelihoods in developing countries continue to be constrained by high energy cost. For that reason, renewable energy has been identified as a possible panacea to fill this gap. Renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible and environmentally sustainable and promotes inclusivity. Biogas is a renewable energy that is readily available and easy to use by poor rural households. The use of biogas digesters among households in rural areas of developing countries is a well-known technology. The potential for biogas in these areas has been demonstrated and a strong economic case has been made. However, its adoption and use have been lower than expectations possibly as result of non-economic considerations, including social issues about which rural people hold different perceptions. Perceptions of rural households are important because they influence the behaviour to a large extent. Since limited access to affordable energy in rural areas has encouraged government and private organisations to initiate biogas projects to overcome the challenge, it is important to ascertain the factors that affect attitudes towards the technology. The present study sought to explore perceptions of rural households about biogas production towards rural household income in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Specifically, this research investigated the state of biogas project being implemented by the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Technology (FHIT), the perceptions of respondents towards biogas production and determine the contribution of biogas consumption to rural income. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting the adoption of biogas production in the study area. The study was carried out in Melani village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 48 households who were enumerated to identify their perceptions on biogas production, with special emphasis on the role and effect contributed to rural income of Melani village. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used in data collection. Data were collected and captured in Excel and then analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 24 Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics of households and state of biogas production in the area, Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the key elements of perceptions of household towards biogas adoption, binary logistic model was used to estimate factors influencing adoption of biogas technology by households. The results show that women were dominant for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas. The majority of households were young with mean age of 40 years while for non-adopters were 65 years old on average. The results showed high levels of literacy amongst household adopters. Majority of the households for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas technology were married and unemployed and household size ranged from one to five persons, with social grants being dominant source of income. The bivariate correlation analysis suggests a positive effect of green pepper production and livestock ownership on biogas technology adoption. Age and level of education were negatively correlated with adoption of biogas. The cross tabulation analysis suggests that water scarcity, lack of knowledge about biogas technology, cattle ownership, lack of maintenance and repairing, flooded biogas digesters during rainy season are negatively associated with the uptake of biogas technology. The empirical results from binary logistic model suggest that land size was the key determinant of adoption behaviour towards biogas technology while age of the household head, source of income and level of education may have a negative influence on adoption of biogas technology. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends strategies to encourage households to adopt biogas technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of school stakeholders towards the use of English as a language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in grade 9 Social Sciences
- Authors: Soya, Nongesiba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Usage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6447 , vital:29720
- Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa led to the development of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) as one of the pieces of legislations that promote languages in schools where parents, learners, who have come of age may choose a language for instruction. LiEP, together with the Constitution of South Africa, promote equal value of all eleven official languages spoken in this country. The promotion of language policies clearly shows that language is the bedrock of the academic development of every child. Unfortunately, Spaull, Van der Berg, Wills, Gustafsson and Kotzè (2016) found that South African Foundation Phase learners lack the most basic skill needed for academic achievement, reading for meaning. Spaull et.al (2016) findings show that language problems start during the early years of schooling. This study aimed at finding out the perceptions of school stakeholders about the use of English as LoLT in Grade 9 Social Sciences, and it is located in the Interpretivist Paradigm. In this study, stakeholders are learners because they are central to learning, parents, as they have the responsibility of choosing LoLT for their children and assist them in their schooling career. Lastly, teachers are stakeholders because of their critical role of imparting knowledge and skills during classroom interaction. The researcher uses a Qualitative approach to identify data-collecting tools suitable for this research, and chooses semi-structured interviews and observations. Semi-structured interviews are flexible and allow deeper probing during the interview. The sample consists of nine Grade 9 learners, three teachers of Grade 9 Social Sciences and six parents from the School Governing Body (SGB). The aim of conducting observations was to find out the language used by learners and teachers during classroom interaction. This study found out that most participants prefer learning Social Sciences in English than in isiXhosa. They are aware of the challenges experienced in the classroom when learning in English but they still choose it. From the sample used, participants clearly indicate that learning in English causes some barriers in the learning and teaching process. However, it also became clear that the benefits associated with learning in English make it difficult to put it at the same level as other languages and participants do not link mother tongue to career opportunities. It is also evident that English will enjoy its hegemony until such time that all stakeholders in Education view the mother tongue as a foundation for learning other languages and as a resource as well so that they can use it in the classroom to understand the content. Policy developers must look deeply into the question of LoLT so that learners receive instruction in a language that will assist them in improved academic performance. Teachers must be equipped with adequate skills to assist learners in developing reading and comprehension skills in the classroom. There is a dire need to develop the culture of reading in rural school learners; and teachers must expose learners to a variety of English reading material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Soya, Nongesiba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Usage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6447 , vital:29720
- Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa led to the development of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) as one of the pieces of legislations that promote languages in schools where parents, learners, who have come of age may choose a language for instruction. LiEP, together with the Constitution of South Africa, promote equal value of all eleven official languages spoken in this country. The promotion of language policies clearly shows that language is the bedrock of the academic development of every child. Unfortunately, Spaull, Van der Berg, Wills, Gustafsson and Kotzè (2016) found that South African Foundation Phase learners lack the most basic skill needed for academic achievement, reading for meaning. Spaull et.al (2016) findings show that language problems start during the early years of schooling. This study aimed at finding out the perceptions of school stakeholders about the use of English as LoLT in Grade 9 Social Sciences, and it is located in the Interpretivist Paradigm. In this study, stakeholders are learners because they are central to learning, parents, as they have the responsibility of choosing LoLT for their children and assist them in their schooling career. Lastly, teachers are stakeholders because of their critical role of imparting knowledge and skills during classroom interaction. The researcher uses a Qualitative approach to identify data-collecting tools suitable for this research, and chooses semi-structured interviews and observations. Semi-structured interviews are flexible and allow deeper probing during the interview. The sample consists of nine Grade 9 learners, three teachers of Grade 9 Social Sciences and six parents from the School Governing Body (SGB). The aim of conducting observations was to find out the language used by learners and teachers during classroom interaction. This study found out that most participants prefer learning Social Sciences in English than in isiXhosa. They are aware of the challenges experienced in the classroom when learning in English but they still choose it. From the sample used, participants clearly indicate that learning in English causes some barriers in the learning and teaching process. However, it also became clear that the benefits associated with learning in English make it difficult to put it at the same level as other languages and participants do not link mother tongue to career opportunities. It is also evident that English will enjoy its hegemony until such time that all stakeholders in Education view the mother tongue as a foundation for learning other languages and as a resource as well so that they can use it in the classroom to understand the content. Policy developers must look deeply into the question of LoLT so that learners receive instruction in a language that will assist them in improved academic performance. Teachers must be equipped with adequate skills to assist learners in developing reading and comprehension skills in the classroom. There is a dire need to develop the culture of reading in rural school learners; and teachers must expose learners to a variety of English reading material.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of social and living conditions and quality of working life: a study of border-post employees
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Linda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Quality of work life , Work environment Work and family -- South Africa Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14289 , vital:27520
- Description: Research problem: Yadav and Khanna (2015) argue that the quality of work life defines the life at work and at home with family members. There is no existing definition of social and living conditions in the literature although it can be considered to include dimensions such as recreation, accommodation, health, education, family, religion and food (SLCB questionnaire). The social and living conditions of employees in rural towns situated close to borders is unique and, in order to offer suggestions with regard to what and how to improve the social and living conditions, their relationship with the quality of work life was investigated. Research objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the possible relationship between the social and living conditions of employees in rural areas situated close to the South African border and the quality of work-related life. To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were formulated.Research questions: Four research questions were formulated:- What is the relationship between the overall quality of working life (WRQoL.Ovl1) and that of the social and living conditions (SLCB.Ovl1)?, -What is the relationship between the seven dimensions of social and living conditions and the seven dimensions of quality of working life? -Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall social and living conditions? Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall quality of working life? -Research design: This study is descriptive in nature, and used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on work-related quality of life and social and living conditions from employees from rural towns close to the border posts. Major findings: The results showed a significant correlation between social and living conditions and the quality of working life. Furthermore, they revealed that accommodation, food and health are the three dimensions of social and living conditions that have the strongest relationship with quality of working life, with accommodation bearing the most significant relation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Linda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Quality of work life , Work environment Work and family -- South Africa Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14289 , vital:27520
- Description: Research problem: Yadav and Khanna (2015) argue that the quality of work life defines the life at work and at home with family members. There is no existing definition of social and living conditions in the literature although it can be considered to include dimensions such as recreation, accommodation, health, education, family, religion and food (SLCB questionnaire). The social and living conditions of employees in rural towns situated close to borders is unique and, in order to offer suggestions with regard to what and how to improve the social and living conditions, their relationship with the quality of work life was investigated. Research objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the possible relationship between the social and living conditions of employees in rural areas situated close to the South African border and the quality of work-related life. To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were formulated.Research questions: Four research questions were formulated:- What is the relationship between the overall quality of working life (WRQoL.Ovl1) and that of the social and living conditions (SLCB.Ovl1)?, -What is the relationship between the seven dimensions of social and living conditions and the seven dimensions of quality of working life? -Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall social and living conditions? Are there differences among the groups regarding the dimensions and overall quality of working life? -Research design: This study is descriptive in nature, and used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on work-related quality of life and social and living conditions from employees from rural towns close to the border posts. Major findings: The results showed a significant correlation between social and living conditions and the quality of working life. Furthermore, they revealed that accommodation, food and health are the three dimensions of social and living conditions that have the strongest relationship with quality of working life, with accommodation bearing the most significant relation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London health services
- Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
- Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bengu, Phindiwe Faith
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13597 , vital:39683
- Description: The South African Nursing Council requires registered nurses to have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to render an efficient service (Morolong and Chabeli, 2005:39). The South African Education and training system, through its policy of outcomes- based education and training, has tabled competency as a national priority. In support of this, the South African Nursing Council (SANC) requires that the newly qualified registered nurse possess competency on the core functions of a registered nurse. The health system also demands competent nurse practitioners to ensure quality nursing care. Due to the fact that competency is a national priority and a statutory demand, the research question that guided the study is what are the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in East London Health Care services. The study was aimed at describing the perceptions of unit managers regarding the competencies of newly qualified registered nurses in order to propose the recommendations to improve the competencies of such newly qualified registered nurses and to provide quality patient care. A quantitative descriptive non experimental design was used to evaluate the perceptions of unit managers regarding competencies of newly qualified registered nurses from a public nursing college. The sampling method of probability convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to ninety unit managers and only eighty one unit managers participated in the study. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. Statistical methods enabled the researcher to reduce, summarize, organise, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and communicate quantitative data. Data were cleaned and coded and spoilt data were checked. Findings from the software were displayed in graphs or tables. Concerning the eighty one unit managers who participated in the study, age and sex matched respondents were selected according to their availability.The results showed that there is agreement that competence of the nurses affects the image, mission and staff utilisation in their units and/or institutions. There was no dominant opinion on the possible association between competency and environmental, physical and technological factors. There was unanimous agreement that newly qualified nurses need constant supervision and in-service training. There was moderate agreement on the use of acquired knowledge and skills by nurses and there was no dominant opinion about how newly qualified nurses tolerate differences and handle misunderstandings and shortcomings of other professions. In conclusion newly qualified registered nurses need coaching, mentoring, n-service training and constant supervision. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to improve competencies of newly qualified registered nurses included exit evaluations of community service practitioners, stipulating the competency framework of newly qualified nurses and assessment criteria of competency. Mentoring and coaching of newly qualified registered nurses during community service, monthly or quarterly meetings with the community service candidate in order to identify their challenges were also recommended. Motivation strategies in order to boost their morale so that they can deliver quality patient care. The newly qualified registered nurses should hold meetings with the unit managers regarding the challenges the unit managers face when assessing competencies of newly qualified registered nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions regarding the impact of ubuntu and servant leadership on employee engagement in the workplace
- Authors: Muller, Roger Joseph
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership Management -- South Africa , Management -- Africa -- Philosophy Employees -- Attitudes Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19409 , vital:28868
- Description: South Africa have some of the lowest employee engagement scores in the world. Leadership is a key determinant of employee engagement, but existing leadership theories and practices are often ineffective in more humanistic and collectivistic cultures like South Africa. To this end, Ubuntu and servant leadership is posited to positively influence organisational performance by increasing employee engagement. The primary objective of this study is to investigate perceptions regarding the impact of Ubuntu and servant leadership on employee engagement in private organisations of the Eastern Cape. A quantitative research design was utilised and yielded 428 usable questionnaires through nonprobability sampling. The empirical results revealed that the spirit of solidarity dimension of Ubuntu leadership influenced significantly and positively. Furthermore, it was found that survival and spirit of solidarity had a significant and positive influence on organisational performance as measured through the balanced scorecard (BSC). Servant leadership positively and significantly influenced employee engagement and organisational performance. In addition, it was found that employee engagement mediates the relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance. This study has made several significant empirical and theoretical contributions, and can be classified as one of the pioneering attempts to gather empirical evidence on how Ubuntu manifests in the workplace. The high convergent validity of the dimensions of Ubuntu leadership and comparisons to Servant leadership established in this study, provides some proof of its novel contribution towards leadership theory. A highly reliable and valid measuring instrument was developed to evaluate Ubuntu from a leadership perspective. This is a major empirical contribution as, at the time, there were no reliable scales available in South Africa to measure Ubuntu leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Muller, Roger Joseph
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership Management -- South Africa , Management -- Africa -- Philosophy Employees -- Attitudes Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19409 , vital:28868
- Description: South Africa have some of the lowest employee engagement scores in the world. Leadership is a key determinant of employee engagement, but existing leadership theories and practices are often ineffective in more humanistic and collectivistic cultures like South Africa. To this end, Ubuntu and servant leadership is posited to positively influence organisational performance by increasing employee engagement. The primary objective of this study is to investigate perceptions regarding the impact of Ubuntu and servant leadership on employee engagement in private organisations of the Eastern Cape. A quantitative research design was utilised and yielded 428 usable questionnaires through nonprobability sampling. The empirical results revealed that the spirit of solidarity dimension of Ubuntu leadership influenced significantly and positively. Furthermore, it was found that survival and spirit of solidarity had a significant and positive influence on organisational performance as measured through the balanced scorecard (BSC). Servant leadership positively and significantly influenced employee engagement and organisational performance. In addition, it was found that employee engagement mediates the relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance. This study has made several significant empirical and theoretical contributions, and can be classified as one of the pioneering attempts to gather empirical evidence on how Ubuntu manifests in the workplace. The high convergent validity of the dimensions of Ubuntu leadership and comparisons to Servant leadership established in this study, provides some proof of its novel contribution towards leadership theory. A highly reliable and valid measuring instrument was developed to evaluate Ubuntu from a leadership perspective. This is a major empirical contribution as, at the time, there were no reliable scales available in South Africa to measure Ubuntu leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance and throughput rates of quantity surveying students: a cohort analysis
- Authors: Dent, Sharon Peta
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cohort analysis Quantity surveying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17581 , vital:28382
- Description: Performance and throughput rates at South African tertiary institutions are low, especially within the science, engineering and technology fields of study. The causes of this poor performance and throughput are difficult to predict, and incorrect assumptions are often made on which students are most likely to fail. The need to investigate this issue is vital in South Africa, where the contributing factors to poor performance and throughput are exacerbated by recent political and economic disparities in the diverse population. In order to better understand the issue within the built environment sector, this study evaluated the performance and throughput rates of fifteen first-year cohorts within the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the student population within the department, and to develop a framework for the future prediction of a student’s likelihood of success or failure. In order to achieve this objective, a retrospective longitudinal approach, i.e. a cohort study, was adopted. The study plotted the trends in performance and throughput rates over a period of time; it measured the strength of the relationships between several variables and performance and throughput; and it culminated in the establishment of predictors of performance and throughput rates. Ultimately, the prediction variables could be utilised in the development of influence diagrams as prediction frameworks. The research revealed that the performance and throughput rates of students in the department are improving. This highlights the importance of undertaking a narrow, departmental level analysis; as the findings in this smaller sphere do not match the general theory and assumptions covered in the literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dent, Sharon Peta
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cohort analysis Quantity surveying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17581 , vital:28382
- Description: Performance and throughput rates at South African tertiary institutions are low, especially within the science, engineering and technology fields of study. The causes of this poor performance and throughput are difficult to predict, and incorrect assumptions are often made on which students are most likely to fail. The need to investigate this issue is vital in South Africa, where the contributing factors to poor performance and throughput are exacerbated by recent political and economic disparities in the diverse population. In order to better understand the issue within the built environment sector, this study evaluated the performance and throughput rates of fifteen first-year cohorts within the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the student population within the department, and to develop a framework for the future prediction of a student’s likelihood of success or failure. In order to achieve this objective, a retrospective longitudinal approach, i.e. a cohort study, was adopted. The study plotted the trends in performance and throughput rates over a period of time; it measured the strength of the relationships between several variables and performance and throughput; and it culminated in the establishment of predictors of performance and throughput rates. Ultimately, the prediction variables could be utilised in the development of influence diagrams as prediction frameworks. The research revealed that the performance and throughput rates of students in the department are improving. This highlights the importance of undertaking a narrow, departmental level analysis; as the findings in this smaller sphere do not match the general theory and assumptions covered in the literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance comparison of iron pillared montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolites sorption for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in water
- Authors: Madigoe, Marakeng Rhudolf
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment Adsorption Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8078 , vital:31516
- Description: The higher concentration of heavy metals and pollutants is toxic to human health and the environment. It is essential to remove these toxics from contaminated water. There are several methods developed for water treatment. These include adsorption, reverse osmosis, precipitation, coagulation and cation exchange. Adsorbents of various characteristics are considered for removal of heavy metals and pollutants. The study investigated the performance of iron pillared Montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolite (acid and base) for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in artificially contaminated water. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) instruments. The percentage removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) after adsorption process were determined. Iron pillared Montmorillonite showed efficient removal for lead and zeolite for copper and nickel.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Madigoe, Marakeng Rhudolf
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment Adsorption Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8078 , vital:31516
- Description: The higher concentration of heavy metals and pollutants is toxic to human health and the environment. It is essential to remove these toxics from contaminated water. There are several methods developed for water treatment. These include adsorption, reverse osmosis, precipitation, coagulation and cation exchange. Adsorbents of various characteristics are considered for removal of heavy metals and pollutants. The study investigated the performance of iron pillared Montmorillonite, raw and modified zeolite (acid and base) for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) in artificially contaminated water. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) instruments. The percentage removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) after adsorption process were determined. Iron pillared Montmorillonite showed efficient removal for lead and zeolite for copper and nickel.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance of a residential swimming pool air source heat pump water heater installed in Fort Beaufort, South Africa
- Authors: Mqayi, Singatha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water heaters Heat pumps Swimming pools -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4835 , vital:28532
- Description: Globally, there is growing concern about energy consumption and its diverse effects on the environment. In South Africa, the current status quo is unfavourable in the domain of energy, hence the Department of Energy, Eskom and NERSA have embarked on supporting energy efficiency technologies nationwide as a strategic goal in reducing demand on the national grid. Due to the non conservative consumption of electricity from the grid and the insufficient supply to meet its demand, the importation of crude oil is very certain. In addition, the current and most popular technology for pool water heating in the said country is the resistive element which is inefficient and non-cost-effective. The energy consumption of residential swimming pool water heating is very massive, and tariff structure shows a constant rise. Furthermore, there's a current electricity crisis during the Eskom evening peak. Hence, a reliable, efficient, cost-effective and renewable energy technology such as an air source heat pump is required as a retrofit to the existing resistive element. Furthermore, mathematical modelling is a tool that can be used to mimic the dynamic behaviour of a physical or process system. It is a computational language or mathematical equation used to predict the dynamic behaviour of physical systems [Tangwe et al., 2015]. Various methods such as numerical methods have been considered as the particular types of mathematical modelling which have been employed to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. However, they were unreliable and expensive. Consequently, this research focused on the experimental determination of the viability and development of a mathematical model to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. The benefit of the development and building of this model was attributed to its low cost and credibility to forecast the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. Also, this robust mathematical model can be used by an energy service company and system manufacturer to compute the dynamic coefficient of performance of the swimming pool ASHP water heater. Following the above-mentioned information, the research sought to provide a permanent solution to the Eskom evening peak constraint. This is because energy-efficiency, serves as the bridging block between conventional and renewable energy sources needed by Eskom in a bid to provide a balance energy mix and sustainable energy. The implementation of a swimming pool ASHP water heater guaranteed a conducive environment for the population due to the reduction in environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mqayi, Singatha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water heaters Heat pumps Swimming pools -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4835 , vital:28532
- Description: Globally, there is growing concern about energy consumption and its diverse effects on the environment. In South Africa, the current status quo is unfavourable in the domain of energy, hence the Department of Energy, Eskom and NERSA have embarked on supporting energy efficiency technologies nationwide as a strategic goal in reducing demand on the national grid. Due to the non conservative consumption of electricity from the grid and the insufficient supply to meet its demand, the importation of crude oil is very certain. In addition, the current and most popular technology for pool water heating in the said country is the resistive element which is inefficient and non-cost-effective. The energy consumption of residential swimming pool water heating is very massive, and tariff structure shows a constant rise. Furthermore, there's a current electricity crisis during the Eskom evening peak. Hence, a reliable, efficient, cost-effective and renewable energy technology such as an air source heat pump is required as a retrofit to the existing resistive element. Furthermore, mathematical modelling is a tool that can be used to mimic the dynamic behaviour of a physical or process system. It is a computational language or mathematical equation used to predict the dynamic behaviour of physical systems [Tangwe et al., 2015]. Various methods such as numerical methods have been considered as the particular types of mathematical modelling which have been employed to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. However, they were unreliable and expensive. Consequently, this research focused on the experimental determination of the viability and development of a mathematical model to predict the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. The benefit of the development and building of this model was attributed to its low cost and credibility to forecast the performance of swimming pool ASHP water heater. Also, this robust mathematical model can be used by an energy service company and system manufacturer to compute the dynamic coefficient of performance of the swimming pool ASHP water heater. Following the above-mentioned information, the research sought to provide a permanent solution to the Eskom evening peak constraint. This is because energy-efficiency, serves as the bridging block between conventional and renewable energy sources needed by Eskom in a bid to provide a balance energy mix and sustainable energy. The implementation of a swimming pool ASHP water heater guaranteed a conducive environment for the population due to the reduction in environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance of isiXhosa-speaking adults on Tower of London-Drexel University 2nd edition : development of a South African normative database
- Authors: Naidoo, Rumaine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16291 , vital:40708
- Description: Introduction: The transportability and utility of international neuropsychological assessment measures on South Africa’s multicultural population highlights the well-documented concern of test validity and reliability. In South Africa, the endeavor of accurate assessment has been long-standing and is not only an ethical but legal requirement in the field of Psychology. The selection of appropriate normative data provides an opportunity for valid clinical interpretations. This research forms a part of a larger cross-cultural normative project, which elucidates the impact of a number of pivotal sociocultural factors on test performance. This specific study is aimed at producing normative indications for the Tower of London- Drexel University 2nd Edition. In addition, it investigates the effect of quality of education, age and sex on test performance. Method: The sample consisted of Black isiXhosa- speaking adults (N= 40) proficient in English aged between 19-40 years whom had obtained the highest scholastic education of Grade 11 or 12 in disadvantaged educational setting at either urban or rural former Department of Education and Training (ex- DET) schools. Results: The Independent t-test analyses revealed a significant effect of quality of education on the Total Execution Time index in the direction of urban participants outperforming rural participants. Significant results for sex were also documented on the Total Rule Violation index with females engaging in more Rule Violations than male participants. No significant differences were found between age groups. Conclusion: The findings of this research confirm the need for demographically specific normative data. This will allow for the development of more accurate and reliable indices of neurocognitive abilities among culturally and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Naidoo, Rumaine
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16291 , vital:40708
- Description: Introduction: The transportability and utility of international neuropsychological assessment measures on South Africa’s multicultural population highlights the well-documented concern of test validity and reliability. In South Africa, the endeavor of accurate assessment has been long-standing and is not only an ethical but legal requirement in the field of Psychology. The selection of appropriate normative data provides an opportunity for valid clinical interpretations. This research forms a part of a larger cross-cultural normative project, which elucidates the impact of a number of pivotal sociocultural factors on test performance. This specific study is aimed at producing normative indications for the Tower of London- Drexel University 2nd Edition. In addition, it investigates the effect of quality of education, age and sex on test performance. Method: The sample consisted of Black isiXhosa- speaking adults (N= 40) proficient in English aged between 19-40 years whom had obtained the highest scholastic education of Grade 11 or 12 in disadvantaged educational setting at either urban or rural former Department of Education and Training (ex- DET) schools. Results: The Independent t-test analyses revealed a significant effect of quality of education on the Total Execution Time index in the direction of urban participants outperforming rural participants. Significant results for sex were also documented on the Total Rule Violation index with females engaging in more Rule Violations than male participants. No significant differences were found between age groups. Conclusion: The findings of this research confirm the need for demographically specific normative data. This will allow for the development of more accurate and reliable indices of neurocognitive abilities among culturally and educationally disadvantaged individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance of magnetic nanocomposites for the removal of some selected contaminants from aqueous solution
- Authors: Ojemaye, Mike Onyewelehi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8746 , vital:33508
- Description: In this thesis, the performances of magnetic nanoparticles based materials were assessed for the removal or reduction of heavy metals in aqueous solutions. The successful synthesis of a novel adsorbent, azomethine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-Maph) by covalent bonding between the amine group (-NH2) of amine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-NH2) and carboxylic group (-COOH) of 4-{[(E)-phenylmethylidene]amino}benzoic acid (Maph-COOH) was achieved. This adsorbent was examined for the removal of di and trivalent ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+) from aqueous solutions. Also, magnetic photocatalyst with silica interlayer (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) was synthesized and employed for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic reduction efficiency of this material was compared with that of magnetic titanium dioxide (NiFe2O4-TiO2) photocatalyst and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to ascertain the material with the best photocatalytic efficiency and ease of separation. All synthesized materials were characterized by using XRD, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, TGA and VSM before application. For the adsorption processes, the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature were examined to ascertain the experimental condition necessary for the optimal removal of metal ions from solution. The data obtained from all experiments were fitted into four kinetic models; pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, elovich and intra particle diffusion models to determine the mechanism involved in the adsorption of these di and trivalent ions while two isotherm models were employed in the adorption processes; these include: Langmuir and Freudlich models. Also, for the photocatalytic experiment, the effects of pH, contact time and photocatalyst dose were investigated to determine the experimental conditions necessary for the optimal reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. MNP-Maph showed excellent removal capacities of 34.08, 35.83, 50.08, 58.24 and 59.24 mg g-1 for Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ respectively compared to data previously reported in literature. This is as a result of the high affinity of azomethine group towards metal ions which tremendously enhanced removal of metal ions by adsorption. The incorporation of azomethine to magnetic nanoparticles improved the affinity towards metal ions removal forming strong electrostatic interaction between the adsorbent active sites and adsorbates. Also, the utilization of NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO4, NiFe2O4-TiO2 and TiO2 for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution showed a good photocatalytic performance with NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 showing to be better in terms of both photocatalytic reduction and magnetic separation. TiO2 was observed to have 96.7percent reduction efficiency within 240 min while NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 has 96.5percent reduction efficiency within 300 min and NiFe2O4-TiO2 gave 60percent reduction efficiency within 300 min of UV irradiation. This magnetic photocatalyst composite (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) gives the advantage of avoiding the problem of separation often encountered with most photocatalyst materials including TiO2 by allowing separation with the aid of a magnetic field. The adsorption processes were all described by pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models while the photocatalytic process was described by Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model. Furthermore, thermodynamic experiment studied for the adsorption processes showed that all metal ion adsorption except Hg2+ by MNP-Maph were endothermic in nature, rapid and spontaneous indicating the feasibility of the sorbent material for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Also, regenerability study conducted to determine the reusability of sorbent material after seven cycles showed the potential to reuse sorbent material seven times or more. The reusability of the sorbent material was observed to show a percentage of an average of 78percent using 50:50 mixture of 0.1 mol dm-3 HNO3 and HCl for all adsorption processes. For the photocatalytic experiment, regenerability using 0.1 mol dm-3 for 1 h was observed to be very impressive after 3 runs for all synthesized photocatalytic materials. This thereby implies that the removal of metal ions by these materials will not in any way introduce secondary pollutants into the environment. Rather, it will avert the production of secondary pollutants. Also, the use of simple conventional chemicals for the regeneration of synthesized materials showed that regeneration in this study is cost effective as regeneration has been known to cost about three quarter of the total operation and maintenance of an adsorption or photocatalytic process. Application of MNP-Maph to real wastewater sampled from five different wastewater treatment plants in Eastern Cape Province for the removal of Cu2+, Zn2+ and As3+ showed that removal efficiencies of approximately 80 percent were achieved for all three metal ions upon adsorption by MNP-Maph. These therefore show that the introduction of metal loving ligand such as Maph-COOH improved the efficiency of MNP towards the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Also, silica positively influenced the performance of magnetic titanium dioxide towards Cr(VI) reduction and separation from aqueous solution. This study therefore showed that these materials should be considered for future applications in the area of water/wastewater decontamination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ojemaye, Mike Onyewelehi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8746 , vital:33508
- Description: In this thesis, the performances of magnetic nanoparticles based materials were assessed for the removal or reduction of heavy metals in aqueous solutions. The successful synthesis of a novel adsorbent, azomethine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-Maph) by covalent bonding between the amine group (-NH2) of amine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-NH2) and carboxylic group (-COOH) of 4-{[(E)-phenylmethylidene]amino}benzoic acid (Maph-COOH) was achieved. This adsorbent was examined for the removal of di and trivalent ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+) from aqueous solutions. Also, magnetic photocatalyst with silica interlayer (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) was synthesized and employed for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic reduction efficiency of this material was compared with that of magnetic titanium dioxide (NiFe2O4-TiO2) photocatalyst and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to ascertain the material with the best photocatalytic efficiency and ease of separation. All synthesized materials were characterized by using XRD, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, TGA and VSM before application. For the adsorption processes, the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature were examined to ascertain the experimental condition necessary for the optimal removal of metal ions from solution. The data obtained from all experiments were fitted into four kinetic models; pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, elovich and intra particle diffusion models to determine the mechanism involved in the adsorption of these di and trivalent ions while two isotherm models were employed in the adorption processes; these include: Langmuir and Freudlich models. Also, for the photocatalytic experiment, the effects of pH, contact time and photocatalyst dose were investigated to determine the experimental conditions necessary for the optimal reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. MNP-Maph showed excellent removal capacities of 34.08, 35.83, 50.08, 58.24 and 59.24 mg g-1 for Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ respectively compared to data previously reported in literature. This is as a result of the high affinity of azomethine group towards metal ions which tremendously enhanced removal of metal ions by adsorption. The incorporation of azomethine to magnetic nanoparticles improved the affinity towards metal ions removal forming strong electrostatic interaction between the adsorbent active sites and adsorbates. Also, the utilization of NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO4, NiFe2O4-TiO2 and TiO2 for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution showed a good photocatalytic performance with NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 showing to be better in terms of both photocatalytic reduction and magnetic separation. TiO2 was observed to have 96.7percent reduction efficiency within 240 min while NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 has 96.5percent reduction efficiency within 300 min and NiFe2O4-TiO2 gave 60percent reduction efficiency within 300 min of UV irradiation. This magnetic photocatalyst composite (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) gives the advantage of avoiding the problem of separation often encountered with most photocatalyst materials including TiO2 by allowing separation with the aid of a magnetic field. The adsorption processes were all described by pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models while the photocatalytic process was described by Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model. Furthermore, thermodynamic experiment studied for the adsorption processes showed that all metal ion adsorption except Hg2+ by MNP-Maph were endothermic in nature, rapid and spontaneous indicating the feasibility of the sorbent material for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Also, regenerability study conducted to determine the reusability of sorbent material after seven cycles showed the potential to reuse sorbent material seven times or more. The reusability of the sorbent material was observed to show a percentage of an average of 78percent using 50:50 mixture of 0.1 mol dm-3 HNO3 and HCl for all adsorption processes. For the photocatalytic experiment, regenerability using 0.1 mol dm-3 for 1 h was observed to be very impressive after 3 runs for all synthesized photocatalytic materials. This thereby implies that the removal of metal ions by these materials will not in any way introduce secondary pollutants into the environment. Rather, it will avert the production of secondary pollutants. Also, the use of simple conventional chemicals for the regeneration of synthesized materials showed that regeneration in this study is cost effective as regeneration has been known to cost about three quarter of the total operation and maintenance of an adsorption or photocatalytic process. Application of MNP-Maph to real wastewater sampled from five different wastewater treatment plants in Eastern Cape Province for the removal of Cu2+, Zn2+ and As3+ showed that removal efficiencies of approximately 80 percent were achieved for all three metal ions upon adsorption by MNP-Maph. These therefore show that the introduction of metal loving ligand such as Maph-COOH improved the efficiency of MNP towards the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Also, silica positively influenced the performance of magnetic titanium dioxide towards Cr(VI) reduction and separation from aqueous solution. This study therefore showed that these materials should be considered for future applications in the area of water/wastewater decontamination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance of project management units (PMUS): the case of Sarah Baartman District Municipality
- Authors: Monare, Thabang
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19081 , vital:28771
- Description: The Municipal Infrastructure Grant programme (MIG) is South Africa’s largest local government infrastructure development funding. Designed to improve service delivery through financing the cost of eradicating basic services backlogs created by Apartheid’s legacy of ‘separate development’, MIG is also intended to be part of government’s overall strategy to eliminate the ‘triple challenge’ of poverty, unemployment and growing inequality. Through government’s active policy which sought to transform and enhance the municipal infrastructure service delivery capacity, effective project management was identified as an integral function of municipalities with a developmental role in terms of the Constitutional mandate. This led to the establishment of Project Management Units (PMUs) tasked with administering the MIG funds and managing the infrastructure projects effectively. Whilst MIG’s overall key principles were clearly defined in the MIG policy framework, the attainment of project success has proved elusive for most municipalities and this manifestation has only been partially examined. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting project success with the establishment of PMUs in Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, with the aim of contributing to the refinement of best-practice for project implementation. A multiple case study approach was preferred, preceded by an extensive review of relevant literature on the basic tenets of project success. This exercise culminated in the refinement of research questions which were then posed in interviews to a purposive sample of PMU managers within SBDM. The findings from the study revealed the centrality of the dominant features required to influence the probability of positive outcomes such as institutional capacity, organisational culture and infrastructure governance. The research concludes by proposing ways of improving on these three components in the delivery of municipal infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Monare, Thabang
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19081 , vital:28771
- Description: The Municipal Infrastructure Grant programme (MIG) is South Africa’s largest local government infrastructure development funding. Designed to improve service delivery through financing the cost of eradicating basic services backlogs created by Apartheid’s legacy of ‘separate development’, MIG is also intended to be part of government’s overall strategy to eliminate the ‘triple challenge’ of poverty, unemployment and growing inequality. Through government’s active policy which sought to transform and enhance the municipal infrastructure service delivery capacity, effective project management was identified as an integral function of municipalities with a developmental role in terms of the Constitutional mandate. This led to the establishment of Project Management Units (PMUs) tasked with administering the MIG funds and managing the infrastructure projects effectively. Whilst MIG’s overall key principles were clearly defined in the MIG policy framework, the attainment of project success has proved elusive for most municipalities and this manifestation has only been partially examined. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting project success with the establishment of PMUs in Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, with the aim of contributing to the refinement of best-practice for project implementation. A multiple case study approach was preferred, preceded by an extensive review of relevant literature on the basic tenets of project success. This exercise culminated in the refinement of research questions which were then posed in interviews to a purposive sample of PMU managers within SBDM. The findings from the study revealed the centrality of the dominant features required to influence the probability of positive outcomes such as institutional capacity, organisational culture and infrastructure governance. The research concludes by proposing ways of improving on these three components in the delivery of municipal infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance of Xhosa-speaking adults on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test : an extension of a prior South African normative database
- Mabusela, Ntombizanele Tebello Iris
- Authors: Mabusela, Ntombizanele Tebello Iris
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16313 , vital:40709
- Description: The aim of the study was to develop preliminary normative indications for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex figure test (ROCF). The ROCF was administered in English on the performance of Xhosa-speaking, unskilled workers (N=40), from the Eastern Cape Province. As a mode of collecting data, the research study made use of convenience sampling which ultimately led to snowball sampling. The ROCF was administered and scored according to Rey Osterrieth’s initial standardised administration instructions (Meyers & Meyers, 1995a). For all trials of the ROCF (Copy, Immediate and Delayed Recall), a score of 0-2 points were allocated to each of the 18 structural elements of the figure. The total scores were calculated out of 36, as originally defined by Osterrieth. There was no statistically significant difference in performance for the quality of education for any of the ROCF test trials (p≥0.05 in all instances). Similarly, no significant difference is indicated for the Copy and Immediate Recall (IR) trial for sex indications, whilst the Delayed Recall (DR) trial shows statistically significant differences. Age effects appeared to have an influence on test performance on all ROCF test trials, as a significant difference was identified for all instances. Descriptively and statistically, the present local sample’s mean performance was compared to a demographically equivalent local study (de Kock’s study, which the present study is doing an extension on) and non-local normative studies. The results indicate the need for culturally-relevant South African psychological assessment measures. It also emphasises the importance of making a psychological measure more applicable and relevant to a specific context. Consideration of socio-cultural factors for norm purposes is strongly recommended by this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mabusela, Ntombizanele Tebello Iris
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neuropsychological tests Neuropsychological tests--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Counselling Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16313 , vital:40709
- Description: The aim of the study was to develop preliminary normative indications for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex figure test (ROCF). The ROCF was administered in English on the performance of Xhosa-speaking, unskilled workers (N=40), from the Eastern Cape Province. As a mode of collecting data, the research study made use of convenience sampling which ultimately led to snowball sampling. The ROCF was administered and scored according to Rey Osterrieth’s initial standardised administration instructions (Meyers & Meyers, 1995a). For all trials of the ROCF (Copy, Immediate and Delayed Recall), a score of 0-2 points were allocated to each of the 18 structural elements of the figure. The total scores were calculated out of 36, as originally defined by Osterrieth. There was no statistically significant difference in performance for the quality of education for any of the ROCF test trials (p≥0.05 in all instances). Similarly, no significant difference is indicated for the Copy and Immediate Recall (IR) trial for sex indications, whilst the Delayed Recall (DR) trial shows statistically significant differences. Age effects appeared to have an influence on test performance on all ROCF test trials, as a significant difference was identified for all instances. Descriptively and statistically, the present local sample’s mean performance was compared to a demographically equivalent local study (de Kock’s study, which the present study is doing an extension on) and non-local normative studies. The results indicate the need for culturally-relevant South African psychological assessment measures. It also emphasises the importance of making a psychological measure more applicable and relevant to a specific context. Consideration of socio-cultural factors for norm purposes is strongly recommended by this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Personality and self-esteem as predictors of employability among final year students at a previously disadvantaged South African University
- Authors: Muzerengwa, Cedric
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Psychological aspects Personality and occupation Self-esteem in young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4594 , vital:28464
- Description: Orientation: The high unemployment level in South Africa has caused even graduates to be unemployed and yet they hold university degrees. This has increased pressure on the job seeking students to develop factors that influence employability, hence the study seeks to identify whether personality and self-esteem act as predictors of employability among final year university students. Research purpose: The objectives of this investigation were to examine whether personality, as is typically found in personality type research tool such as the, (Myers Briggs personality indicator) and self-esteem positively predict employability among final year university students. Secondly, to determine the personality types that significantly predict employability among final year university students. The last objective was to determine whether self-esteem significantly predicts employability among final year university students. Motivation for the study: This investigation is particularly important because it looks at the non-academic attributes that make job-seeking students able to attain a job and also sustain that job. The 21st century workplace is ever changing, and students are required to build proactive personalities that help them increase their employability level and stand a higher chance of getting employed. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative survey research design was used and a questionnaire was self-administered to a stratified simple random sample consisting of 238 Management and Commerce final year students at the university of Fort Hare. The study used quantitative approach and a positivism paradigm. To measure personality, TIPI scale was used and had 10 items. Employability was measured using the student self-perceived employability scale and self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Main findings: The results of this study showed a similarity with others obtained in prior studies. The results drawn from the statistical analysis of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between personality types such as perceiving, extraversion and feeling with employability among final year management and commerce students at the university of Fort Hare. However, the results showed that there is no positive relationship that exists between self-esteem and employability among final year job-seeking students. Practical implications: The research findings provided evidence that personality had a positive relationship with employability in an academic context. This makes it clear that student career exploration process can only be successful when special attention is given to developing individual’s human capital skills and proactive personalities. Institutions of higher learning should take advantage of some career experts in their countries and in their universities to provide students with employability lessons and guidelines. Contribution: The most important contribution of this study is that it helps to extend knowledge and understanding on the issues concerning the relationship between personality, self-esteem and employability in an academic setting. The research magnified the frame of information in the area personality in relation to employability in academic contexts. It makes available more literature that looks into these two variables (personality and self-esteem) in an African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Muzerengwa, Cedric
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Psychological aspects Personality and occupation Self-esteem in young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4594 , vital:28464
- Description: Orientation: The high unemployment level in South Africa has caused even graduates to be unemployed and yet they hold university degrees. This has increased pressure on the job seeking students to develop factors that influence employability, hence the study seeks to identify whether personality and self-esteem act as predictors of employability among final year university students. Research purpose: The objectives of this investigation were to examine whether personality, as is typically found in personality type research tool such as the, (Myers Briggs personality indicator) and self-esteem positively predict employability among final year university students. Secondly, to determine the personality types that significantly predict employability among final year university students. The last objective was to determine whether self-esteem significantly predicts employability among final year university students. Motivation for the study: This investigation is particularly important because it looks at the non-academic attributes that make job-seeking students able to attain a job and also sustain that job. The 21st century workplace is ever changing, and students are required to build proactive personalities that help them increase their employability level and stand a higher chance of getting employed. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative survey research design was used and a questionnaire was self-administered to a stratified simple random sample consisting of 238 Management and Commerce final year students at the university of Fort Hare. The study used quantitative approach and a positivism paradigm. To measure personality, TIPI scale was used and had 10 items. Employability was measured using the student self-perceived employability scale and self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Main findings: The results of this study showed a similarity with others obtained in prior studies. The results drawn from the statistical analysis of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between personality types such as perceiving, extraversion and feeling with employability among final year management and commerce students at the university of Fort Hare. However, the results showed that there is no positive relationship that exists between self-esteem and employability among final year job-seeking students. Practical implications: The research findings provided evidence that personality had a positive relationship with employability in an academic context. This makes it clear that student career exploration process can only be successful when special attention is given to developing individual’s human capital skills and proactive personalities. Institutions of higher learning should take advantage of some career experts in their countries and in their universities to provide students with employability lessons and guidelines. Contribution: The most important contribution of this study is that it helps to extend knowledge and understanding on the issues concerning the relationship between personality, self-esteem and employability in an academic setting. The research magnified the frame of information in the area personality in relation to employability in academic contexts. It makes available more literature that looks into these two variables (personality and self-esteem) in an African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Perspectives of social media's influence on university students' social lives : a case study of the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus
- Mazaiwana, Tanyaradza Sandra
- Authors: Mazaiwana, Tanyaradza Sandra
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: University of Fort Hare Social media Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13128 , vital:39467
- Description: The main purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of social media‘s influence on students‘ social life and the study made use of the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus as a case study. The internet and new media technology has brought about communication systems such as social media which has taken over the communication media world and is seen as an important socializing agent that students make use of. The study was therefore based on the premise that social media is enhancing the social interaction of people. It has become clear that most studies look at how social media enrich the life of students but little information is there on the kind of influence that it has on their social life. The study employed a quantitative approach to find out the effects of social media on social lives. The population was drawn from the four faculties at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and the sample size was 190. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire and proportioned stratified random sampling was used to ensure a representative sample. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and descriptive statistics was used to analyse the demographical and general factors on the perceptions of students‘ social life. The perceptions of the respondents about social media and their social life was that it plays a great role in improving their social life as they are able to maintain relationships, they are always up to date with what is going on in their environment and it makes communication a lot more easier. In addition the results and discussion of this study confirmed that there is another dark side of social media which is hardly acknowledged by most scholars. Social media has a negative side towards students‘ social life which include isolation, depression, and distraction from reality, cyberbullying and low self- esteem. The study confirmed that students spent most of their time on social media and that their social life is affected as they have little or no time to socialise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mazaiwana, Tanyaradza Sandra
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: University of Fort Hare Social media Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13128 , vital:39467
- Description: The main purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of social media‘s influence on students‘ social life and the study made use of the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus as a case study. The internet and new media technology has brought about communication systems such as social media which has taken over the communication media world and is seen as an important socializing agent that students make use of. The study was therefore based on the premise that social media is enhancing the social interaction of people. It has become clear that most studies look at how social media enrich the life of students but little information is there on the kind of influence that it has on their social life. The study employed a quantitative approach to find out the effects of social media on social lives. The population was drawn from the four faculties at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus and the sample size was 190. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire and proportioned stratified random sampling was used to ensure a representative sample. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and descriptive statistics was used to analyse the demographical and general factors on the perceptions of students‘ social life. The perceptions of the respondents about social media and their social life was that it plays a great role in improving their social life as they are able to maintain relationships, they are always up to date with what is going on in their environment and it makes communication a lot more easier. In addition the results and discussion of this study confirmed that there is another dark side of social media which is hardly acknowledged by most scholars. Social media has a negative side towards students‘ social life which include isolation, depression, and distraction from reality, cyberbullying and low self- esteem. The study confirmed that students spent most of their time on social media and that their social life is affected as they have little or no time to socialise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017