Studies on soil acidity management strategies for sustainable agriculture
- Authors: Swart, Nicolas
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Soil acidity , Soil fertility , Sustainable agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69475 , vital:77260
- Description: Soil acidity is a widespread problem which reduces plant growth and yield. There are calls for alternative crop and soil management strategies that can be used by farmers to deal with soil acidification in a sustainable manner. Current literature suggests that the benefits of sustainable soil management systems on soil acidity are highly variable, and within the context of conservation agriculture (CA), farmers need recommendations for techniques to improve liming efficiency. Such techniques include acid resistant cultivars and soil amendments such as biochar. However, dedicated scientific research is still needed to increase our understanding of the benefits of integrating various sustainable agriculture approaches on reducing the acidity on cropped lands. A series of experiments were thus conducted to test whether the integration of reduced lime dosages with organic amendments such as biochar, along with acid resistant wheat cultivars could improve nutrient availability and reduce the harms of acidity on plant roots. It was hypothesised that if lower than recommended doses of lime are applied in combination with biochar and acid resistant cultivars, there will be significant improvement of nutrient availability, soil acidity amelioration benefits and crop growth. The first experiment was a 60–day incubation trial to examine the interaction effects of reduced lime application rates and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) biochar on the acidity and plant nutrient availability of a sandy clay loam, acidic podzolic soil. The changes in pH water (pHw) across treatments were monitored at 10-day intervals over the incubation period. Additionally, the initial and final status of each treatment in terms of essential macro-and micronutrients, pH(KCl), extractable aluminium (ext Al), exchangeable acidity (EA) and acid saturation (AS) were also measured. The second experiment examined the genotype × biochar × lime interaction effects on wheat plant root growth in the acid soil. Soil incubation results showed that the interaction effect of lime rate and biochar was not significant (p>0.05) for any of the tested soil nutrient availability and soil acidity parameters, except for pHw. However, lime rate effects were significant (p<0.05) on AS, EA, pH(KCl) and ext Al. As lime rate increased, the acidity decreased. Increasing the lime application rate significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorous (P), but decreased potassium (K) and sulphur (S). The availability of micro-nutrients namely copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) also decreased as the lime rate increased. Biochar effects on EA, AS, pH(KCl) and ext Al were not significant (p>0.05). However, the biochar significantly reduced the availability of Ca and Mn but did not have a significant effecton all the other nutrients at the tested application rates. Unenriched biochar at 10 t ha-1 had an acidifying effect on the soil as it increased EA, when compared to enriched biochar. The significant (p <0.05) biochar × lime × time interaction effect on pHw showed that biochar applied without lime increased pHw, and the benefits were greatest at 10 t ha-1 biochar application rate. Similarly, lime applied without biochar also had a significant positive effect on pHw and the benefit increased at higher lime application rates. After 60 days of incubation, the lime applied at the highest rate of 5 t ha-1 without biochar (0 t ha-1 biochar) had the highest final pHw value. The 3-way interaction of lime, biochar and genotype was not significant (p>0.05). Koonap, the acid tolerant wheat variety outperformed the sensitive variety, Gariep under all treatments in the acid soil, as expected. There was, however, a significant (p<0.05) lime rate × biochar interaction. The highest application rates of lime (5 t ha-1) and biochar (10 t ha-1) were the best combination for root length for both the varieties. Overall, these results suggested a possible buffering effect of biochar at low lime application rates, thus limited benefits of combining reduced lime doses with biochar on reducing soil acidity or enhancing nutrient availability. The null hypothesis was thus rejected, and it was concluded that co-application of reduced lime rates and biochar will not significantly enhance benefits of liming. However, a positive interaction from co-application of biochar and lime on both pH and plant growth is possible at high application rates of both biochar and lime. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science and Management, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
Supramolecular chemistry considerations of fluorenyl-derived host compounds
- Authors: McFarlane, Duncan William
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Supramolecular chemistry , Organic compounds , Chemistry, Organic
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69371 , vital:77227
- Description: This work examined various supramolecular aspects of 9-fluorenone-derived host compounds, namely 4,4’-(9-fluorenylidene)diphenol (H1), 9,9-(1,4-phenylene)bis(fluoren-9-ol) (H2), 9,9- (ethyne-1,2-diyl)bis(fluoren-9-ol) (H3) and 9,9-(biphenyl-4,4-diyl)bis(fluoren-9-ol) (H4). These compounds were successfully synthesized and then screened for their host ability for, and host behaviour in, various organic compounds. At the outset, molecular modelling calculations were carried out on each of the four host compounds. Various structural parameters and the geometries of the low energy conformers that were calculated were then compared with these aspects of the guest-free host molecules obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. The host behaviour of H1 was, furthermore, assessed in the presence of four alkylnitriles, namely acetonitrile (ACE), acrylonitrile (ACRY), propionitrile (PROP) and butyronitrile (BUT). All four guests complexed with H1 with 1:1 host:guest (H:G) ratios. From SCXRD analyses, each of the complexes crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system and the centrosymmetric space group P21/n, and the host packing was isostructural in each instance. The complexes were stabilized by a plethora of short inter- and intramolecular contacts. The thermal stabilities of the four complexes were also examined together with Hirshfeld surface considerations. Finally, lattice energy calculations were carried out and the results of these compared with the relative thermal stabilities of the four complexes. The compounds H2 and H3 were examined for their selectivity behaviour in mixtures of aniline, N-methylaniline and N,N’-dimethylaniline (ANI, NMA and DMA). Both host compounds were able to form complexes with ANI and DMA with various H:G ratios, while only H3 possessed enclathration ability for NMA (H:G 1:1). SCXRD analyses showed that all of the complexes were stabilized by means of classical (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bonds in addition to other short contacts. Equimolar binary guest competition experiments with H2 revealed an extremely high host selectivity for DMA (ANI/DMA and DMA/NMA experiments furnished crystals with > 91% DMA), while the experiment with all three anilines present also resulted in a complex with an , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
Synthesis of two tartaric acid-derived host compounds and their behaviour in mixed pyridines and mixed heterocyclic guest compounds
- Authors: Recchia, Daniella Loridana
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Compounds -- guest/host , Chemistry, Organic , Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69441 , vital:77256
- Description: The host compounds (4R,5R)-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)-2-spiro-1’-cyclopentane-1,3-dioxolane (TADDOL5) and (4R,5R)-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)-2-spiro-1’-cyclohexane-1,3-dioxolane (TADDOL6) were successfully synthesized after initially reacting diethyl tartrate with either 1,1-dimethoxycyclopentane or 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexane to afford the intermediates diethyl 2-spiro-1’-cyclopentane-1,3-dioxolan-4,5-dicarboxylate or diethyl 2-spiro-1’-cyclohexane-1,3-dioxolan-4,5-dicarboxylate. These were then each subjected to a Grignard addition reaction with PhMgBr to furnish TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 in reasonably high yields (77 and 80%, respectively). Computational calculations were performed on TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 using the software programs Avogadro and ORCA. The optimised geometries of these host molecules were obtained using the MMFF94 force field in Avogadro, while ORCA was used to perform the computational modelling at the BLYP level using the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-311G* and 6-311G** basis sets and, also, the B3LYP functional (with the same basis sets) to obtain the three lowest energy conformers. The final geometries of each conformer for both TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 at the B3LYP 6-311G* level were overlaid with the molecules obtained from their crystal structures. Significantly different geometries were thus noted for the calculated conformers compared with the guest-free TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 structures obtained from the SCXRD experiments. When TADDOL5 was crystallized independently from each of PYR, 2MP, 3MP and 4MP, 1:1 H:G inclusion complexes formed in each instance. This host compound was then investigated for its host separation ability of mixed pyridines through supramolecular chemistry protocols. These mixed guest experiments revealed that TADDOL5 possessed a notable selectivity towards 3MP and PYR (in the absence of 3MP) followed by 4MP and 2MP, and it was shown that TADDOL5 is a suitable host candidate for the separation of many of the mixed pyridines employed here. The results of the SCXRD analyses indicated that the only significant (host)π···π(guest) stacking interaction present was between TADDOL5 and the most favoured guest species PYR and 3MP. Furthermore, significantly shorter (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bonds were also observed in the complexes formed between this host compound and 3MP and PYR compared with these bonds involving disfavoured 4MP and 2MP. Hirshfeld surface considerations provided an explanation for the affinity of TADDOL5 for PYR (but not 3MP), while thermal analyses successfully explained this affinity: the 3MP-containing complex with the most preferred guest species was the most thermally stable one, followed by TADDOL5·PYR, as obtained through a consideration of the Ton values (the temperature at which the guest release event initiated) of the four complexes. As with TADDOL5, TADDOL6 formed 1:1 H:G inclusion compounds with each of the four pyridines. TADDOL6 was, furthermore, also assessed for its separation ability for mixed pyridines, and these guest competition experiments showed that the selectivity of TADDOL6 was for PYR and 3MP (in the absence of PYR), followed by 4MP and 2MP. (Interestingly, TADDOL5 preferred 3MP and then PYR, while both host compounds disfavoured 4MP and 2MP.) The results obtained in this work indicated that TADDOL6 may also serve as an efficient host candidate for the separation of many of these pyridyl solutions. SCXRD experiments demonstrated that the only significant (host)π···π(guest) stacking interactions were those between TADDOL6 and preferred PYR and 3MP, as was the case for TADDOL5. These experiments also revealed that the strongest (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bonds were between TADDOL6 and these favoured guest species. A consideration of Hirshfeld surfaces and quantification of the (guest)N···H(host) intermolecular interactions correlated with the host selectivity order, as did thermal analyses, where the Ton values confirmed that the thermal stabilities of these complexes decreased in the guest order PYR > 3MP > 4MP > 2MP. The behaviour of TADDOL5 was further investigated in guest compounds DIO, PYR, PIP and MOR. Each guest solvent formed 1:1 H:G inclusion complexes with the host species, with the exception of DIO, which formed a 2:1 H:G complex. Mixed guest experiments revealed a clear preference for PIP and MOR, while PYR and DIO were less favoured. The host selectivity was demonstrated to be in the order PIP > MOR > PYR > DIO. SCXRD experiments showed that TADDOL5 formed a much shorter (and more linear) (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bond with the most favoured guest, PIP, compared to those involving MOR and PYR. A (host)O‒H···O(guest) hydrogen bond was also observed in the DIO-containing inclusion complex. A consideration of the Hirshfeld surface interactions was not useful in explaining the host selectivity order for these heterocyclic guests, but thermal analyses confirmed that the most stable complex was the one with favoured PIP, followed by those with PYR, MOR and DIO. TADDOL6, on the other hand, formed 1:1 H:G inclusion compounds with all four of the heterocyclic guest solvents. Experiments in mixed guests showed that the selectivity of this host compound for these guests was in the order PYR > PIP > MOR > DIO, which differed from the TADDOL5 (which favoured PIP and then MOR). Interestingly, the strongest classical hydrogen bond was not formed with the most favoured guest PYR, but with PIP instead (this bond with TADDOL5 was also strongest with PIP, but PIP was favoured in that work). Hirshfeld surface investigations again were not useful in understanding the host selectivity behaviour. However, thermal analyses agreed with the observations made in the mixed guest experiments: the most stable complex was with PYR (favoured) and the least stable one was with DIO (least preferred). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
Synthesis of two tartaric acid-derived host compounds and their behaviour in mixed pyridines and mixed heterocyclic guest compounds
- Authors: Recchia, Daniella Loridana
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Complex compounds -- Synthesis , Chemistry , Chemistry, Organic
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69445 , vital:77255
- Description: The host compounds (4R,5R)-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)-2-spiro-1’-cyclopentane-1,3-dioxolane (TADDOL5) and (4R,5R)-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)-2-spiro-1’-cyclohexane-1,3-dioxolane (TADDOL6) were successfully synthesized after initially reacting diethyl tartrate with either 1,1-dimethoxycyclopentane or 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexane to afford the intermediates diethyl 2-spiro-1’-cyclopentane-1,3-dioxolan-4,5-dicarboxylate or diethyl 2-spiro-1’-cyclohexane-1,3-dioxolan-4,5-dicarboxylate. These were then each subjected to a Grignard addition reaction with PhMgBr to furnish TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 in reasonably high yields (77 and 80%, respectively). Computational calculations were performed on TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 using the software programs Avogadro and ORCA. The optimised geometries of these host molecules were obtained using the MMFF94 force field in Avogadro, while ORCA was used to perform the computational modelling at the BLYP level using the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-311G* and 6-311G** basis sets and, also, the B3LYP functional (with the same basis sets) to obtain the three lowest energy conformers. The final geometries of each conformer for both TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 at the B3LYP 6-311G* level were overlaid with the molecules obtained from their crystal structures. Significantly different geometries were thus noted for the calculated conformers compared with the guest-free TADDOL5 and TADDOL6 structures obtained from the SCXRD experiments. When TADDOL5 was crystallized independently from each of PYR, 2MP, 3MP and 4MP, 1:1 H:G inclusion complexes formed in each instance. This host compound was then investigated for its host separation ability of mixed pyridines through supramolecular chemistry protocols. These mixed guest experiments revealed that TADDOL5 possessed a notable selectivity towards 3MP and PYR (in the absence of 3MP) followed by 4MP and 2MP, and it was shown that TADDOL5 is a suitable host candidate for the separation of many of the mixed pyridines employed here. The results of the SCXRD analyses indicated that the only significant (host)π···π(guest) stacking interaction present was between TADDOL5 and the most favoured guest species PYR and 3MP. Furthermore, significantly shorter (host)O‒H···N(guest) iv hydrogen bonds were also observed in the complexes formed between this host compound and 3MP and PYR compared with these bonds involving disfavoured 4MP and 2MP. Hirshfeld surface considerations provided an explanation for the affinity of TADDOL5 for PYR (but not 3MP), while thermal analyses successfully explained this affinity: the 3MP-containing complex with the most preferred guest species was the most thermally stable one, followed by TADDOL5·PYR, as obtained through a consideration of the Ton values (the temperature at which the guest release event initiated) of the four complexes. As with TADDOL5, TADDOL6 formed 1:1 H:G inclusion compounds with each of the four pyridines. TADDOL6 was, furthermore, also assessed for its separation ability for mixed pyridines, and these guest competition experiments showed that the selectivity of TADDOL6 was for PYR and 3MP (in the absence of PYR), followed by 4MP and 2MP. (Interestingly, TADDOL5 preferred 3MP and then PYR, while both host compounds disfavoured 4MP and 2MP.) The results obtained in this work indicated that TADDOL6 may also serve as an efficient host candidate for the separation of many of these pyridyl solutions. SCXRD experiments demonstrated that the only significant (host)π···π(guest) stacking interactions were those between TADDOL6 and preferred PYR and 3MP, as was the case for TADDOL5. These experiments also revealed that the strongest (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bonds were between TADDOL6 and these favoured guest species. A consideration of Hirshfeld surfaces and quantification of the (guest)N···H(host) intermolecular interactions correlated with the host selectivity order, as did thermal analyses, where the Ton values confirmed that the thermal stabilities of these complexes decreased in the guest order PYR > 3MP > 4MP > 2MP. The behaviour of TADDOL5 was further investigated in guest compounds DIO, PYR, PIP and MOR. Each guest solvent formed 1:1 H:G inclusion complexes with the host species, with the exception of DIO, which formed a 2:1 H:G complex. Mixed guest experiments revealed a clear preference for PIP and MOR, while PYR and DIO were less favoured. The host selectivity was demonstrated to be in the order PIP > MOR > PYR > DIO. SCXRD experiments showed that TADDOL5 formed a much shorter (and more linear) (host)O‒H···N(guest) hydrogen bond with the most favoured guest, PIP, compared to those involving MOR and PYR. A (host)O‒H···O(guest) hydrogen bond v was also observed in the DIO-containing inclusion complex. A consideration of the Hirshfeld surface interactions was not useful in explaining the host selectivity order for these heterocyclic guests, but thermal analyses confirmed that the most stable complex was the one with favoured PIP, followed by those with PYR, MOR and DIO. TADDOL6, on the other hand, formed 1:1 H:G inclusion compounds with all four of the heterocyclic guest solvents. Experiments in mixed guests showed that the selectivity of this host compound for these guests was in the order PYR > PIP > MOR > DIO, which differed from the TADDOL5 (which favoured PIP and then MOR). Interestingly, the strongest classical hydrogen bond was not formed with the most favoured guest PYR, but with PIP instead (this bond with TADDOL5 was also strongest with PIP, but PIP was favoured in that work). Hirshfeld surface investigations again were not useful in understanding the host selectivity behaviour. However, thermal analyses agreed with the observations made in the mixed guest experiments: the most stable complex was with PYR (favoured) and the least stable one was with DIO (least preferred). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
Synthesis, X-Ray characterization, spectroscopic and Hirshfeld surface analysis of dimeric metal centers featuring phenacyl-esters
- Authors: Qomfo, Vuyiseka
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Spectrum analysis , Spectroscopic imaging , Diagnostic imaging -- Digital techniques
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69426 , vital:77254
- Description: In this study, the synthesis and characterization of carboxylate paddlewheel copper complexes were investigated and reported. The complexes consist of O-, and N- donor ligands which coordinated in the apical positions of the copper (II) paddlewheel complexes. The primary focus was the investigation of the influence of the incoming substituents on the structure; more especially with regards to the spectral properties and thermal properties of the synthesized compounds. Synthesized complexes ranged from simple mononuclear complexes and dinuclear dimers to supramolecular 1D networks and a tetranuclear copper (II) compound. Characterization of complexes was done using analytical, and spectroscopic techniques such as single crystal diffraction studies, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Structural analysis of the mononuclear complex obtained in the reaction of the Cu2(o-CH3-PhCO2)4(THF)2 with the ligand ,2-oxo-phenylethylnicotinate, revealed a square-planar geometry. The series of dinuclear paddlewheel complexes obtained with ligands (L = THF (1), C4H8O (2), C14H11NO3 (3)) revealed a square pyramidal geometry with the methyl-substituted phenyl carboxylate groups bridging the two copper atoms in the syn-syn coordination mode. Extended supramolecular complexes were synthesized via the reaction of three synthesized structurally bifunctional organic ligands and the tetrakis(μ-carboxylato-O,O)dicopper(II) core. Two of the six reactions synthesized successfully to form paddlewheel cage type structures; resulting in dinuclear paddlewheel complexes with four carboxylate ligands occupying the equatorial positions and the bifunctional ligands coordinating in the apical positions. Four of the nine reactions produced mononuclear copper complexes. Due to the inconsistent power supply because of load-shedding, the other three crystals synthesized could not be confirmed by single-crystal diffraction before the submission of this thesis. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The adoption of developmental local government functions in municipalities of the Eastern Cape: a case of Alfred Nzo District Municipality
- Authors: Kate, Siyanda
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70307 , vital:78338
- Description: The core objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the adoption of Developmental Local Government (DLG) functions in municipalities of the Eastern Cape, with a particular focus on Alfred Nzo District Municipality. More precisely, this study focuses on the changing focus of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) on Local Economic Development (LED) over time. This study argues that the post-1994 entrance of neoliberalism in the South African economic policy discourse has been a stumbling block for rural development. As a consequence, the study also argues that the post-1994 spatial planning (theory), which determines, on the basis of geographical positionality of a particular region, where, why, and how investments should be directed, and produces a continuity of uneven development for the rural municipality which modern capitalism thrives. This study further proclaims that the burgeoning of black leadership (the so-called ‘African National Congress (ANC) elites’) into the mainstream economy through the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy paved the way for the free-market compromise of post-1994, which has maintained the status quo of marginalisation of the Black South African indigenous majority. This study further offers an argument that neoliberalism (neoliberal governmentality) has transmuted the relationship between municipalities and citizens from a people needs-centered approach (espoused in Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to one that is more focused on who can pay for municipal services, which resulted in the pressure for municipalities to charge for service for them to be self-sustainable. The study equally addresses the role of international pressure, which dictated the post-1994 economic policy through the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization). The study argues that the re-entry of the (WB) and (IMF) in South Africa’s economic policy debate was fashioned through the so-called ‘secret meetings’ with the likes of Mandela in the early 80s and 90s. This pressure from international actors is evident even in the evolution of the (IDP) via the international trends in planning discourse, including the New Public Management (NPM) theory closely associated with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the United Kingdom (UK) New Labour administration, the integrated planning and performance monitoring idea promoted in New Zealand (NZ) the combined regional policy in Switzerland, the integrated area planning in Europe, and the multi-sectoral investment planning advocated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The researcher achieves this by employing decoloniality as the theoretical framework of the study. Based on this critical lens, the study argues that Eurocentric and Western hegemony in the developmental and planning discourse pose as universal, and because of this universality the development of the people in the global South is viewed with its parameters and impends the successful implementation of (DLG) functions in rural municipalities of South Africa. Central to the decolonial tradition, the study makes use of the Grosfoguel's model of coloniality, which draws a correlation between coloniality of being, power, and knowledge. This analysis is a qualitative descriptive case study design, employing documentary analysis methodology which relies on documentary sources, including (official documents, policy reports, newspapers, journal publications, and available research articles) to achieve the above-stated analysis. Thematic analysis (with the assistance of NVivo software) is adopted to ascertain how (IDP) presents a changing focus on (LED) over time. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The dangers of neglecting indigenous games: the case of Zimbane village
- Authors: Sobantu, Zizo
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Indigenous peoples -- Social life and customs , Indigenous peoples -- Social conditions , Games -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70420 , vital:78348
- Description: This study is significant as it delves into the neglect of Indigenous games in the Zimbane Village in Mthatha. Its objectives are to investigate the challenges facing these games and contribute to the Anthropology of Sport, particularly regarding the Zimbane Village in the Eastern Cape. Furthermore, this study aims to provide recommendations to address the challenges related to these games, thereby contributing to the preservation of the cultural heritage. The study follows a qualitative approach, incorporating interviews, semi-structured interviews, and participant observations. To supplement these data techniques, relevant secondary data, including scholarly texts and journals, were used to validate indigenous game issues. The researcher adhered to the ethical protocol from the start to the end of this research project. Cultural preservation was used as a conceptual framework to understand the perspectives of the participants in Zimbane Village. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The Economic impact of electricity crisis on retail small businesses in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Nkohla, Nwabisa Sinazo
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Small business -- Management , Stores, Retail -- South Africa -- East London , Electric power distribution
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69989 , vital:78256
- Description: Energy supply problems have persisted in South Africa since 2007, with the roll-out of electricity blackouts (known as “load shedding”) to reduce the load on ageing infrastructure. The demand and availability of electricity have been worsened by a developing economy and a growing population, set against a backdrop of decreasing energy generation. South Africa is among the countries that place a high value on the development and advancement of the SMME (small, medium and micro enterprises) sector. Many businesses in the country depend on Eskom for a steady supply of electricity necessary for their optimal operations. Nevertheless, some businesses will not be able to thrive due to concerns about the sustainability of electricity and price hikes, and business owners may be compelled to downsize their operations or completely shut down. The study focused on East London’s small businesses that form part of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to better understand how the electrical crisis affected them and whether owners and the government have taken any proactive steps to prevent failure. Motivation for the study: Understanding the load shedding restrictions that prevent small business owners from fully engaging in the business model, is necessary to realise the full potential of the small business retail sector. This will help entrepreneurs and policymakers to make evidence-based choices that will foster the development of small enterprises, create jobs, and advance economic progress. To achieve the research goal, a qualitative approach was used. The necessary respondents were found using a purposive sampling technique. A total of 18 small businesses were interviewed to obtain data, which were then subjected to a thematic analysis. The results revealed that small business owners are confronted by numerous barriers from running successful businesses, due to several factors, ranging from revenue loss, customer behaviour, loss of production and operations to unavailability of capital/funding to purchase reliable energy sources, that would help them expand their business activities and provide reliable commodities. The research will contribute towards the retail sector’s efforts to capacitate and fully support small business owners in the Eastern Cape; even more so for businesses that do not have adequate returns or operating income, to source sustainable renewable energy sources. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The effect of the 2020 to 2021 alcohol ban on alcohol consumption and consumer preferences
- Authors: Dullabh, Curtis
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Drinking customs , Alcoholic beverages , Consumer behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69565 , vital:77714
- Description: This study examines the effect of the alcohol ban from 2020 to 2021 on consumer preferences and consumption habits. The COVID-19 virus was first detected in China, in 2019. The virus spread rapidly, crippling health care systems across the world. As the disease spread, countries began looking at ways to reduce the strain on the health care system caused by other factors (Gu, 2020). The first case in South Africa was recorded on 5 March 2020. South Africa reacted quickly and decided to implement a hard lockdown on alcohol, 22 days after the first case was recorded (Murhula & Nunlall, 2021). Due to the high number of trauma-related cases, which affected the healthcare system and South Africa’s reputation for being a country that consumes high volumes of alcohol, the government needed swift action. This alcohol ban sent shock waves across the country and alcohol consumers began to panic (BBC, 2020). In addition, the alcohol ban caused people to alter their consumption behaviours and some even resorted to homebrewing alcohol during the lockdown. Alcohol was available through the illicit market, which came at a premium price with limited options. This study originated from the alcohol ban, as consumers were exposed to brands, they otherwise would not have considered if all alcohol beverages were available. The scarcity of alcohol products, the excessive prices of alcohol and the effort it took to obtain alcohol, played a major role in altering drinking behaviours and brand preferences post the alcohol ban. Results from the study indicated that age and gender played no significant role in alcohol consumption, brand preference across categories were affected with two of nine alcohol categories experiencing a decline in consumption, from before to after the ban. During the ban, the majority of respondents consumed alcohol with some resorting to homebrewed alcohol, which showed a significant increase in consumption during the ban. The opportunity to further this study would be to investigate the increase in low alcoholic beverages and non-alcohol beverages as key avenues for organisations within the alcohol industry. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The emergence of financial technology firms in the South African financial services industry
- Authors: Ngwenya, Thabani Raymond
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Technological innovations , Banks and banking -- Data processing , Financial institutions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70012 , vital:78273
- Description: Since the 2008 financial crisis, FinTech firms have played an increasingly important role in addressing the needs of the financial services industry. Moreover, investors' increasing appetite to capitalise on FinTech technologies demonstrates a shifting paradigm in the perspective of traditional FSPs and their future role in the industry. To this end, there is cautious optimism about the long-term implications of the successful emergence of FinTech firms as mainstays of the industry. On the one hand, FinTech firms are considered the solution to facilitating an era of financial services that allows financially excluded or underbanked individuals to participate in the ecosystem in order to build wealth. On the other hand, their novelty and highrisk appetite are deemed disruptive to industry incumbents, who have sought to reign them into their sphere of control. A comprehensive review of secondary sources was conducted to gain insight into what is already known about FinTech firms and their role in the financial services industry. In particular, South African FinTech firms were investigated by interviewing employees and owners of these entities. A non-probability sampling approach was implemented, which involved purposive and snowball techniques to identify participants. In total, 14 participants took part in the study, which was enough to ensure sufficient data redundancy. The data collected were analysed in a two-stage process, initial and final coding, by applying incidentby- incident coding. Subsequently, nine themes were derived from the data analysis process, which described the practices and processes of South African FinTech firms and their environment. Although the study findings indicate that FinTech firms can be disruptive innovators, there is also a consensus that some market segments require disruption and could benefit from leveraging the innovative nature of FinTech firms. Moreover, the findings indicate that where appropriate, traditional FSPs and FinTech firms are more likely to achieve better collective outcomes through the exploration of collaborative opportunities as opposed to fierce rivalry. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences , 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The impact of international debt on taxation & economic growth on five SSA countries
- Authors: Mpompi, Liyema
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Taxation , Economic development -- South Africa , International finance
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70044 , vital:78282
- Description: This study investigated the effect of international debt on taxation and economic growth in five selected sub-Saharan African countries (SSA): Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana. The study employed panel data, and the data sample spans from 1990 to 2021. A unit root testing procedure utilising the Levin-Lin-Chu test, the Pearson and Shin test, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, the Breitung test, and the Hadri test was applied to test for stationarity among variables. Cointegration analysis was used to test the long-run association among variables, including Mean Group (MG), Pooled Mean Group (PMG), and Dynamic Fixed Effects (DFE) models for ascertaining if long-run coefficients vary across individual units, allowing for individual-specific short-run dynamics and capturing time-varying factors that affect the relationship between the dependent and independent variables in the study. The empirical results for the long-run relationship showed a strong correlation between GDP and external debt in all the countries. A unit increase in external debt reduces GDP growth by 0.628394%. This indicates that high levels of external debt have a significant negative impact on economic growth over time. The short-term relationship showed country-specific effects of debt on economic development, where an increase in the eternal debt-to-GDP ratio by one unit decreases GDP by 0.009029%. SSA countries differ significantly in how foreign debt and economic development are related. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana, which have large amounts of foreign debt, have experienced economic instability and uncertainty. Due to its heavy debt load, Kenya has faced periods of negative economic growth. However, South Africa has consistently seen GDP growth while maintaining constant levels of external debt. There is also a great deal of variation in how taxes affect economic development across the five selected SSA countries. Countries such as South Africa and Ghana, which have more consistent and large tax revenues, have made significant expenditures in economic development, boosting economic growth. Conversely, economic growth has been unequal in nations such as Nigeria, where tax revenue is subject to fluctuations. Furthermore, countries with low tax revenues, such as Ethiopia and Kenya, have seen their economic growth impeded due to their limited capacity to fund necessary development initiatives. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The impact of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) management systems in improving organisational performance: a case of Coega Sez
- Authors: Maluleke,Jabulani Felix
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: ISO 9000 Series Standards , Organisational effectiveness , Performance (Management)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70144 , vital:78304
- Description: This study investigates the impact of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) management systems on improving organisational performance, with a specific focus on the case of Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The ISO standards are globally recognised frameworks that aim to enhance organisational effectiveness, efficiency, and overall performance across various industries. The Coega SEZ serves as a strategic hub for economic development and investment attraction in South Africa, making it an ideal case study to explore the benefits and challenges of implementing ISO management systems. The study was quantitative in nature adopting a positivist approach. Closed ended questionnaires with 13 questions were distributed to 30 respondents and 25 were completed and returned to the researcher, thus amounting to 83,33%response rate, and this rate was adequate to make generalised findings for the whole targeted population. Through a comprehensive literature review, empirical research methodology and analysing data from surveys and organisational performance metrics, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the outcomes of adopting ISO management systems in public sector organisations such as Coega SEZ. The study found that leadership commitment, process standardisation, continuous improvement, risk management, and customer satisfaction are key factors in ISO management systems that significantly influence organisational performance at Coega SEZ. The participants perceived these systems as impactful, with both benefits and challenges. Implementing ISO management systems in Coega SEZ has significant benefits. The study recommended that Coega SEZ should prioritise and invest in the effective implementation and maintenance of ISO management systems to enhance performance and ensure sustained growth. Key recommendations include strong leadership commitment, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, developing robust risk management strategies, emphasising customer expectations, allocating resources, retaining ISO certification and staying informed about market trends. These recommendations aim to improve customer satisfaction, investor attraction, employee retention, and overall performance. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The impact of risk management maturity level on the performance and accountability within select Eastern Cape provincial government departments
- Authors: Mbedhli, Tonie Moses
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Risk management , Strategic planning , Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70100 , vital:78298
- Description: This research study delves into the impact of risk management maturity levels on the accountability and performance of select provincial departments in the Eastern Cape. Through a comprehensive analysis of data gather from interviews, empirical literature, and various sources, the study explores the intricate dynamics between risk management practices and organisational outcomes. Key findings highlight the positive correlation between risk management maturity and improv project efficiency, budget adherence, and overall service delivery. The study also emphasises the transformative influence of risk management maturity on organisational culture and accountability. Recommendations include strategic alignment of risk management with performance agreements, cultivation of a risk-aware culture, and continuous capacity-building initiatives. The research contributes valuable insights to the field of enterprise risk management, guiding organistions toward optimising their risk management frameworks for long-term success. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The impact of social capital on SMMEs in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Makubalo, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Small business -- Management -- South Africa , Economic development -- Social aspects , Social capital (Sociology)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70166 , vital:78307
- Description: Small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) are crucial in economic growth and development, particularly in emerging economies like South Africa. The networks and connections between people that promote cooperation and trust are known as social capital. The role of social capital as an intangible asset is becoming more widely acknowledged. This study investigated how social capital impacts SMMEs in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The research utilised quantitative methods for gathering and analysing data. A survey of a representative group of owners and managers of SMMEs was used to gather the quantitative data. The sample size used was 155 respondents. Using the Chi-square test of association, revealed that social capital does impact SMME performance. However, social capital was found not to have an impact on the sustainability of SMMEs. It also emerged that to enhance social capital in SMMEs, several interactive factors need to be considered. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The influence of board member competency on the organisational performance of private sector companies in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Dumalisile, Tutula
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Directors of corporations -- South Africa , Performance , Competency-based education
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70275 , vital:78335
- Description: This study investigates the significant influence that board member competency has on the organisational success of South African companies. Employing a quantitative analysis, the study concentrates on key areas of board competence, such as finance, policy interpretation, human resource management, and educational backgrounds. The results show that board members with expertise improve the effectiveness of governance, the calibre of financial reporting, and the choice of strategic investments. Furthermore, there is a correlation between enhanced decision-making procedures to better organisational results and the board members' proficiency in personnel management. The study also emphasises the critical role that board members have in interpreting policies, stressing their impact on the strategic direction and operational efficacy of businesses. Diverse perspectives and critical thinking are fostered by a board membership with a range of educational backgrounds, which has a favourable effect on return on investment and corporate governance. Overall, this study highlights how crucial a diverse board of directors is to advance organisational success and accomplish strategic goals in the ever-changing environment of South African private sector businesses. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The influence of coaching on an insurance company productivity during VUCA (Volatile, Uncertainty, Complex and Ambiguity) conditions
- Authors: Kruger, Mark
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Executive coaching , Executive ability , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70198 , vital:78310
- Description: Coaching is becoming a more strategic tool for insurance businesses to increase productivity and efficiently handle problems in the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) business environment of today. Information from prior studies and current data, this paper investigates the effect of coaching on insurance business productivity in VUCA environments. Qualitative research methodology was applied to collect qualitative data in this study as well as the participant views and opinions from their environment. Additionally, this method allowed more flexibility in terms of data collection and participant interaction. In insurance companies dealing with VUCA circumstances, coaching - which is acknowledged as a potent developmental intervention - plays a critical role in promoting effective leadership. By providing personalised guidance and feedback, coaching equips leaders with the adaptive skills necessary to make informed decisions in rapidly changing market landscapes. This improves strategic agility and gives managers the ability to successfully manage risks and seize new opportunities. Additionally, coaching fosters a culture of constant creativity and learning, which greatly increases organisational resilience. Employees improve their ability to solve problems and feel more in control of their own learning through organised coaching sessions. This enhances not only individual performance but also fosters departmental collaboration and cohesive teamwork, which are all critical for handling the intricate problems that the business sector presents. Research results highlight how coaching can have a revolutionary effect on staff retention and engagement in volatile times. Coaching creates a sense of purpose and dedication in workers by coordinating personal goals with company objectives, which raises worker productivity. A healthy corporate culture with open communication, trust, and shared accountability, is further helped by coaching interventions. These qualities are essential for maintaining high performance in the face of outside challenges. Within insurance firms, well-executed coaching initiatives support succession planning and employee development as well. Coaching promotes organisational stability during uncertain times and helps maintain leadership continuity by identifying and developing high-potential workers. This proactive strategy protects long-term corporate sustainability by strengthening the management team and preparing upcoming managers to navigate VUCA situations. The practical implications highlight how insurance companies must strategically prioritise investing in coaching as a core skill. Through the integration of coaching into their organisational culture, insurance companies may develop strong staff that can thrive in volatile and uncertain times. Proactive coaching interventions also help businesses stay ahead of the competition in the ever-changing insurance industry by helping them to innovate ahead of time and anticipate market trends. To summarise, the factors above emphasise the important influence of coaching on insurance company productivity in volatile and uncertain times, by combining the most recent research with practical data. Coaching appears as a strategic enabler for managing uncertainty and generating long-term success in insurance companies, through strengthening leadership efficacy, building organisational resilience, and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The influence of leader intellectual humility on employee engagement and retention in an academic environment
- Authors: Veldkornet, Ophelia Yolande
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Employee motivation , Employee retention
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69880 , vital:78140
- Description: In a knowledge economy, higher education institutions play a critical role in the development and dissemination of knowledge and skills. These institutions are centres of teaching, research, innovation and critical thinking, essential in addressing the complex challenges posed in a world characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). In South Africa specifically, higher education institutions are challenged to transform, democratise and decolonise, as well as to elevate the voices of historically marginalised and diverse groups. While academic leaders may be considered as experts in their fields, the complexity of our current world requires new solutions, diversity, critical thinking, innovation, and therefore also intellectual humility. This study explored intellectual humility in an academic environment, and specifically the influence of leader intellectual humility on the engagement and retention of academics. To attain the purpose of the study, a literature study was conducted that explored the academic environment in South Africa, leadership, humility, intellectual humility, engagement and retention. A cross-sectional, mixed methods empirical study was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews with ten early career academics and a survey with an online questionnaire administered to academics at an institution of higher learning. The qualitative analysis revealed that intellectual humility was perceived as a desired competency for all academics in higher education as it cultivated a culture of respect and openness, diverse perspectives, diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness. Descriptive statistics revealed a relatively high level of intellectual humility among the academics surveyed, while no significant differences were found based on whether or not the participants were in a leadership position. The only differences were found in terms of rank, and interestingly, results for associate professors/professors revealed higher levels of intellectual humility than for lecturers/associate lecturers. No significant correlations were found between intellectual humility and engagement, nor between intellectual humility and retention, but a significant correlation was found between engagement and retention. Structural Equation Modelling confirmed a relationship between the sub-factors of intellectual humility and sub-factors of work engagement, except for Lack of Intellectual Overconfidence, which was found to relate to vigour only. Intellectual humility was not related to retention at the institution, while vigour and dedication, as sub-factors of work engagement, were found to be related to retention at the institution. Academics in their unique role as facilitators of knowledge creation and dissemination have a responsibility to embrace intellectual humility as it is of value for themselves, their colleagues, students and society. The study contributed to a better understanding of the importance of intellectual humility in an academic environment, the perceptions of academics and intellectual humility and the relationships between intellectual humility, work engagement and retention. The study accumulated into a framework for intellectual humility among academics in an academic environment , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The inhibitory effects of cannabinoids from cannabis sativa on the enzymes dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, sucrase and maltase as a new therapeutic treatment for type 2 diabetes
- Authors: Viljoen, Zenobia
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Treatment , Cannabinoids -- Therapeutic use , Medical Marijuana -- therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69516 , vital:77264
- Description: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The treatments used to manage diabetes often have severe side effects and patients develop resistance to traditional treatment. The project aimed to test if phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa inhibited key enzymes involved in glycaemic homeostatic regulation, namely dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4), sucrase, and maltase. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of 3 M-128 M cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CD spectroscopy was used to investigate the changes in the secondary structure of DPP-4 with interacting inhibitors. The effect of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg rat THC cannabis extract on the activity of DPP-4 in blood plasma and rat pancreatic tissue of the diabetic rat model and obese rat model. The effect of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg rat THC cannabis extract on glucagon concentration in the blood plasma of the diabetic rat model and obese rat model was investigated. The carbohydrate digestive enzymes namely -amylase, -glucosidase and maltase are not inhibited by any of the cannabinoids. CBN had inhibitory effects on sucrase. CBN, CBG, and CBD are mixed inhibitors of DPP-4, thus they can inhibit DPP-4 competitively and uncompetitively depending on the concentration of the cannabinoid. THC was shown in kinetic and rat model studies to be a very weak inhibitor of DPP-4. CD spectroscopy showed that sitagliptin (FDA-approved drug and competitive inhibitor) and CBG mimic the denatured structure of DPP-4. CBD, CBN and THC mimic the free (active) form of DPP-4. A reduction in pancreatic DPP-4 activity was observed with 2.5 and 5 mg/kg rat THC (diabetic model). This study showed that diet plays a role in glycaemic dysregulation (obese rat model) and that insulin-resistant rats had four times higher glucagon levels compared to the lean control (diabetic model). 1.25 mg/kg rat THC reduced blood plasma DPP-4 activity and blood plasma glucagon. Cannabis sativa can be a feasible treatment to help manage type 2 diabetes by inhibiting DPP-4, especially medical strains of Cannabis sativa with high concentrations of CBD and CBG. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The legality of euthanasia conducted by medical practitioners
- Authors: Davids, Sesam Isipho
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Euthanasia -- Law and legislation , Assisted suicide -- Law and legislation , Euthanasia -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/68681 , vital:77081
- Description: Euthanasia remains a contentious subject of debate in countries around the world and in South Africa. The South African court system has been faced with requests for the decriminalisation of euthanasia. However, it remains illegal to practice euthanasia in South Africa. This is set by common law as there is no legislation formally regulating euthanasia. Euthanasia provides relief from suffering for patients with terminal illnesses that cause severe suffering and a decrease in their quality of life. Individual autonomy is recognised as patients are given the ability to choose how to end their lives once they make the decision to terminate their lives. In this study, an examination on physician-assisted euthanasia and its current legal position in South Africa will be conducted. Key terms are defined, such as euthanasia - distinguishing active and passive euthanasia as well as physician-assisted suicide. South African law permits the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments which may be viewed as passive euthanasia. This is done with the consent of the patient and the medical practitioners involved are not held criminally liable should the withholding of treatment cause the death of the patient. Relevant constitutional rights will be examined to make a case for the legalisation of physician-assisted euthanasia. These rights include the right to dignity, the right to life, the right to equality, the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion, and the limitation clause. Common law, case law and statutory law will also be considered. The recommendations of the South African Law Commission in its report (project 86) will be examined as well. An analysis will be conducted on how foreign jurisdictions have accepted physician-assisted euthanasia and implemented legislative measures to safeguard and regulate how medical practitioners practice it. Canada is an example of such a jurisdiction and an analysis has been conducted on how courts in Canada have made a case for the decriminalisation of physician-assisted euthanasia. Canadian courts relied on rights such as the right to life and freedom of opinion. viii When arguing for or against the legalisation of euthanasia, the ethical perspectives of both arguments must be considered. The ‘slippery slope’ will be discussed to demonstrate an ethical argument against euthanasia. The ethical framework of utilitarianism will be discussed as an argument for euthanasia. In line with the title of this research, the physician’s role in the process of euthanasia will also be discussed. After weighing the key arguments, this research concludes that physician-assisted euthanasia ought to be legalised in South Africa. Recommendations are further suggested on how euthanasia ought to be regulated should it be legalised. The recommendations serve as a means of addressing the possibility of abuse and illegal conduct from medical practitioners and the public. Through this study, the aim is to contribute to the debate on physician-assisted euthanasia and to advance the development of a euthanasia-related legislation in South Africa. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Criminal and Procedural Law, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12
The lived experiences of final-year undergraduate diagnostic radiography students applying radiation protection measures during clinical practice
- Authors: Campbell, Sydney Samuel
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Radiographers , College students -- South Africa , Experiential learning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/68311 , vital:76973
- Description: Radiographers use ionising radiation to produce radiographic images and the use of ionising radiation in healthcare has both benefits and risks for patients and healthcare professionals. It is therefore important that radiographers mitigate the risks associated with ionising radiation. It is for this reason that radiation protection measures are applied to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and the public. Furthermore, radiographers are also responsible for mentoring radiography students and inculcate the use of radiation protection measures when students undergo their workplace learning. This mentoring takes place in the clinical setting with its characteristics that may or may not advance the application of radiation protection measures. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of final-year undergraduate radiography students applying radiation protection measures in the clinical setting and to propose strategies to foster the integration of radiation protection theory into clinical practice. This study was located in the interpretivist paradigm using phenomenology as a research method and theoretical framework to achieve the stated aim. The target population for this qualitative study included all registered final-year undergraduate radiography students at the local university who perform their WPL at the accredited training hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province as this cohort of students have more clinical experience than the first-, second- and third-year students. The target population comprised 28 students. Purposive sampling was employed to select the group of radiography students to interview. The study used phenomenological interviews as a data collection tool and the collected data was explicated using a self-developed method. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured by applying Guba’s model of trustworthiness that includes credibility, transferability, confirmability, dependability and authenticity and was further enhanced by reflecting on the balanced integration, openness, concreteness, and resonance of the study. This study employed an ethical framework referred to as principlism that includes the notions of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.Data explication was conducted using three cycles of explication. Cycle one produced interpretive profiles for each participant. The interpretive profiles revealed the life histories of each participant as well as the utterances of participants related to the three sub-questions. Cycle two produced four themes. Theme one described participants’ being with others such as radiographers, clinical supervisors, medical doctors, and patients and revealed the tension between participants’ belonging and being unwanted. Theme two characterised the clinical setting as a place where several factors flow together to provide participants with their individualised experiences. Theme two revealed the emotional distress; the learning through trial-and-error; the independent learning; learning that is coupled with humiliation as experienced by participants. The clinical space was also characterised as a place to be survived, a place where students have to be inconspicuous and understand the acceptable levels of engagement with others. It is also a place where theory and practice at times is in alignment at other times not in alignment. The clinical setting could also be a place of self-doubt and insecurity, a place of personal growth, and a place where historical events are significant. Theme three disclosed the unspoken lessons that were conveyed through the actions and behaviours of individuals in the clinical environment. Unintended lesson one is that radiation protection measures are not important. Lesson two suggest that classroom teaching about radiation protection is not valid in the clinical setting, and finally that incivility towards radiography students is acceptable. Theme four revealed the difficulties experienced by radiography students when navigating ethical dilemmas. The theme revealed radiographers’ and radiologists’ indifference towards radiation protection, the non-application of radiation protection measures, and the inconsistency and apathy towards radiation protection measures. Cycle three viewed the experiences of participants through the lens of Dasein’s disclosedness. This revealed the exclusive language used by participants, the largely negative mood and participants’ disconnection from the imaging department.Finally, the study presented new and important insights by probing the topic of radiation protection in a novel way by using phenomenology to focus on the lived experiences of final-year undergraduate students applying radiation protection measures in the clinical setting. The findings of the study also allowed for the development of Enhancement strategies that could be used by institutions of higher education to promote the integration of the theory and practice of radiation protection measures in the clinical setting. It is recommended, though, that a study that includes all South African institutions of higher learning offering radiography be conducted using phenomenology. Furthermore, the views of South African radiographers and clinical supervisors should also be elicited to corroborate the views of participants in this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Secondary Education, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-12