List of Titles

Assessing rural senior primary school natural science teachers’ TPACK: a case study

Authors: Silvanus, Secilia Tulikefo
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423902 , vital:72103
Description: In today's world, technology has changed how people live and behave. The influence of technology contemplates a similar change in the education processes of teaching and learning. Many governments worldwide invest hugely in providing technological tools and facilities and training teachers to improve teaching and learning. The availability and access to technologies in schools seem to offer teachers opportunities to develop technological knowledge and integrate technology into teaching. Literature indicates that teachers must possess technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) to integrate technology into teaching and learning processes effectively. However, other scholars have also suggested that teachers' TPACK develops and is shaped by many contexts. This study, therefore, sought to assess the rural senior primary Natural science teachers' TPACK. This qualitative case study was conducted with senior primary Natural science teachers in the educational circuit of Endola. An interpretive paradigm underpinned the study. The study employed semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and observation to collect the data. The study used the TPACK as a theoretical and analytical framework. The study results showed that participants had a firmer grasp of subject content (CK) and traditional teaching methods (Pedagogical Knowledge - PK and Pedagogical Content Knowledge - PCK) compared to technological knowledge (TK) and technology-based pedagogies (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge - TPK, Technological Content Knowledge - TCK, and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). Findings support that the participants draw upon sources of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) closely aligned with Content Knowledge (CK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) to integrate technology. The study included inadequate professional development, teachers' attitudes, insufficient hardware and internet connectivity, limited technological knowledge, time constraints, and restricted access to technology tools and resources as obstacles for teachers attempting to incorporate technology into their classrooms effectively. Furthermore, the data highlights ICT training and teachers' interest as enablers that motivated participants to integrate technology into their teaching practices. Therefore, the study recommends professional development programs focusing on providing science teachers with practical skills to utilise different technologies and address common technical issues. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

Exploring senior phase teachers’ use of kahoot! Gamification as a formative assessment tool to scaffold mathematical understanding

- Balele, Silence

Authors: Balele, Silence
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423891 , vital:72102
Description: In South Africa, digital technology, particularly gamification, continues to become an important teaching and learning tool. Its importance lies in scaffolding mathematical understanding, improving the quality of assessment, and developing twenty-first-century technological skills for effective mathematics assessment. To explore this importance, senior phase mathematics teachers are encouraged to adopt gamification technology such as Kahoot! in assessment. The study adopted a case study research design with a interpretivist research paradigm, as this method allows detailed exploration and understanding of a specific context through a close connection with the participants. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group interviews, non-participant observations, and reflective journals. The research involved ten purposively selected senior-phase mathematics teachers from two schools in the Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study drew upon Vygoysky's Sociocultural Theory for its theoretical framework, while the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge was used for analysis. The data analysis pursued an inductive approach. Adopting a thematic analysis included coding participant responses, organizing codes into concepts and categories, and developing a theoretical framework from the resultant categories. A four-phase process was involved: coding, conceptualizing, categorizing, and theorizing, was employed. This process and using NVivo software for data organization and management helped identify patterns, themes, and significant concerns surrounding the study's core subject. The findings from the study were as follows: Firstly, it was revealed that most teachers have a positive perception and attitude towards using Kahoot! for formative assessment, believing that it enhances teaching and learning quality. However, they showed scepticism due to insufficient Information and Communication Technologies knowledge and training. Second, teachers' pedagogical and technological experiences were predominantly enjoyable. Kahoot! was accepted as beneficial for promoting collaboration, interaction, and immediate feedback. Third, the study identified enabling and constraining factors in using Kahoot! for formative assessment. The enabling factors include Kahoot!, which was convenient and accessible, promoted immediate feedback and fostered collaboration and interaction. The constraining factors include Information and Communication Technologies and network interference, which posed limitations. The research concluded that Kahoot! as a platform for formative assessment indeed scaffold mathematical understanding. The study recommends increasing teachers' access to educational technology, incorporating continuous professional development programs, providing subject-specific training, and encouraging teachers to adapt to emerging technologies. The study also provided recommendations for future research to explore learner perceptions, employ a mixed methods approach to help quantify learner performance and investigate the pedagogical and technological experiences of senior phase mathematics teachers regarding formative assessment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK): investigating senior primary mathematics teachers’ integration of technology in the classroom in Okahao educational circuit

- Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela

Authors: Shikesho, Hilya Ndahambelela
Date: 2024-04
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423913 , vital:72104
Description: The overwhelming advancement of ICT devices in the contemporary Namibian education system has led to their praise for supporting differentiated instruction, fostering collaboration, and engaging multiple intelligences in teaching and learning. Consequently, the compulsory incorporation of ICTs into the teaching and learning process becomes imperative across various fields of study, including Mathematics. However, the integration of technology-based teaching proves to be a complex and challenging issue, often considered a wicked problem. To explore this matter, a qualitative case study was conducted to investigate how Senior Primary Mathematics Teachers integrated technology to develop their TPACK. The study was conducted among the twenty-seven senior primary mathematics teachers in the Okahao educational circuit in the Omuasti region. The study utilized Vygotsky‘s (1978); Socio-cultural Theory, together with Mishra and Koehler (2006), and; the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework was used as a lens to analyse the data. The data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and lesson observations. The study findings indicate that senior primary mathematics teachers utilize the available resources at their respective schools during their classroom instruction. The study further reveals that mathematics teachers exhibit a positive attitude toward the integration of technology. The study uncovers the intricate interplay between technological knowledge, pedagogical expertise, and content knowledge within the context of mathematics education. The findings reveal that while participants demonstrate a high level of proficiency in certain TPACK components such as CK, TK, PK, TPK, and PCK, they expressed a moderate level of expertise in TCK and TPCK. The study also identified challenges in TPACK development, particularly the need for subject specific technology training, lack of technological infrastructure, particularly advanced technology, as well as a deficiency in ICT knowledge. The importance of access to various technologies was emphasized, enabling teachers to seamlessly integrate technology into their practices and address diverse learning styles. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
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Date Issued: 2024-04

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Medication adherence: a review of policy and education in South Africa

- Nyoni, Cynthia Nomagugu

Authors: Nyoni, Cynthia Nomagugu
Date: 2023-10-31
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419548 , vital:71653
Description: Medication adherence is a patient's active and voluntary participation in following all the recommendations and instructions agreed upon with a health care provider such as a pharmacist. Adherence is a multidimensional phenomenon determined by the interplay of five factors: patient-related factors, socioeconomic factors, condition-related factors, health system-related factors, and therapy-related factors. Medication non-adherence is a problem in many countries, especially low to middle-income countries, including South Africa (SA). In low to middle-income countries, non-adherence is often worse due to insufficient health resources and inequities in access to health care. Medication adherence is a global problem and has raised the need for research and review. Many healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, have an essential role in promoting medication adherence. This study described, explained and evaluated the policies in SA relating to the pharmacist's role in promoting medication adherence. Furthermore, it described medication adherence-related education at four universities in South Africa. The study was qualitative, and a two-phased approach was employed. In the first phase, a document analysis of the pharmacist’s role in supporting medication adherence was conducted as described in national policies and guidelines in SA. A total of 38 documents were analysed, including critical documents such as the South African Pharmacy Council Good Pharmacy Practice Manual and Associated SAPC rules (GPP) manual, National Drug Policy (NDP), Standard treatment guidelines (STGS) and Integrated Adherence Guidelines. The READ approach was used in conducting the document analysis and involved (1) preparing materials, (2) extracting data, (3) analysing data, and (4) distilling findings. The critical roles of pharmacists in medication adherence that were identified were in drug use, supply and management, dispensing, therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacovigilance, pharmaceutical care, and special programmes like antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) care and antiretroviral treatment (ARV) and chronic conditions. In the second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with lecturers to investigate and report on the inclusion of medication adherence and the teaching thereof in the curriculum of the Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree (BPharm) in pharmacy institutions in SA. Purposive sampling was used, and seven lecturers from four different institutions participated in the interviews. The interviews were conducted via Zoom® and were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The teaching of medication adherence in the BPharm curriculum of the respective interviewed pharmacy institutions was explored. It was found that the topic of medication adherence was integrated into all subjects throughout the curriculum and not taught as a formal course. Although medication adherence is taught in many disciplines, it is predominantly in pharmacy practice in all institutions. The teaching methods identified included lectures, case studies, workshops, tutorials, practicals, readings, tasks, assignments and videos. The perceived effectiveness of the teaching methods was explored; also the time spent teaching medication adherence and the time efficiency. Student understanding, interest and engagement with the topic were explored and determined through their assessment performance and class attendance. In conclusion, from policies, the pharmacist's role concerning adherence is indirectly integrated into many other roles. It is often not distinguishable from that of other healthcare professionals and is often implied as part of a more generic role. Pharmacy students are educated on medication adherence and the skills and knowledge required to identify, monitor and support patient adherence to therapy. However, there is scope to increase the course content on medication adherence. There is a need to identify effective strategies for preparing pharmacists to assist patients in medication adherence. , Thesis (MPharm) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-31

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A case study of role conflict experienced by middle management during organizational change

- Sepeng, Mugabe

Authors: Sepeng, Mugabe
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Role conflict , Change management , Middle managers , Middle management , ISO 9001 Standard Implementation of
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419189 , vital:71624
Description: This research investigation is based on continuous improvement changes arising from - and related to - ISO 9001 implementation at Sundays River Citrus Company (SRCC), which is one of the biggest packers, marketers, and exporters of citrus fruit in South Africa. The Board of SRCC adopted ISO 9001 to ensure organizational efficiency and sustainability while improving quality control, customer service, teamwork and leadership. However, research indicates not all organizations that have Implemented ISO 9001 realize the intended benefits. While no research was available on the citrus agriculture industry, research in the tourism industry indicates that not only did some companies not realize the expected benefits, but also incurred substantial investment costs. It is estimated that approximately thirty to ninety percent of change initiatives fail to meet their objectives, and research studies also indicate that middle managers play a critical role that can influence the outcomes of a change project. However, Balogun (2003) indicates that middle managers play a complex role and are exposed to role conflict, which can influence the outcomes of change initiatives. In this context, this research study aimed to investigate the role conflicts experienced by middle managers during the process of an ISO 9001 continuous improvement change. The study draws on role theory, applying it to their management of change. The following role conflict types were investigated: (1) intra-sender conflict, (2) inter-sender role conflict, (3) inter-role conflict, (4) role ambiguity and (5) role strain. The research approach is qualitative, and has adopted a post-positivist paradigm, utilizing a deductive qualitative method. The study adopted a case study approach. Data was gathered mainly from interviews and supported by organizational documents. Semi structured interviews were conducted with questions formulated through the use of the coding manual (See Appendix C) to ensure alignment of data collection with the research propositions derived from literature. A deductive thematic analysis method was used to analyze the interview data. The research findings confirmed that during continuous improvement change, as middle managers strived to satisfy the incompatible expectations of role senders (mainly senior and junior managers), they experienced the five role conflict types. The study findings also indicate that middle managers experience conflicts due to the incompatible expectations of other role senders such as quality and marketing departments. The findings suggest that middle managers are managing these conflicts, but notes that they do require some assistance and support from senior management. The study concludes with managerial and research recommendations. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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A distributed approach to leadership in an academic department in a South African university: an exploratory case study

- Haufiku, Kenneth David

Authors: Haufiku, Kenneth David
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419748 , vital:71672
Description: The Head of Department (HOD) position at a university has traditionally been viewed as an individual construct. However, due to the demanding nature of such a position, it is not sought-after, as it remains exclusive and unappealing to many academics. Moreover, it is a position that does not encourage inclusive leadership. Tension and role ambiguity are known to arise between the scholarly project on the one hand and management and administrative matters on the other. To address challenges associated with this singular leadership position, an academic department at a South African university adopted a distributed leadership approach in their department as a research experiment. My study was based on this research experiment. I designed this research as an exploratory case study, guided by a socio-cultural conceptualisation of distributed leadership that included a leader-plus and a practice aspect, defined as a product of the interactions of school leaders, followers and their situation. This qualitative case study aimed to describe and explain how a distributed leadership approach was understood and practised in an academic department. It also investigated the enablements and constraints of the approach. Data were generated through document analysis, observation, and individual and focus group interviews. The participants in this study included the departmental leadership team and the department’s academic and administrative staff. Unfortunately, my study took place during the global COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns. I had no choice but to adapt my data generation methods due to lockdown restrictions. As a result, most data generation was done via online communication. The study used inductive and abductive analysis to make the data meaningful to the reader. The findings revealed that different participants had different ideas about distributed leadership. Distributed leadership was understood as a socio-cultural practice rather than an individual practice with multiple leaders in relational practice. In addition, this approach was understood as a way of developing and sharing expertise by encouraging teamwork, collegiality and collective decision-making which aligns with the notion of democratic decision-making which creates a platform for the enablement of leadership in others. The study further explored how distributed leadership was practised. The findings were that the HOD position, usually a one-person role, was reconceptualised as a HOD team comprised of three academics and the departmental administrator. The HOD team divided the work among themselves, and this was done according to each individual’s expertise. In addition, leadership within the academic department was not limited to the HOD team but stretched across the department; thus, multiple leaders were evident. Therefore, based on the data, this study discovered that a distributed approach values leadership expertise in others. Consequently, it can be used to promote an inclusive environment in which any organisation member can lead. Inclusivity in the decision-making process was also regarded as a strong practice in the academic department. As a result, this study contends that those in formal positions can develop leadership in others through a distributed leadership approach. Through that, lecturer leadership was enacted through formal faculty and university structures and informally as and when the situation required it. The enablements of this departmental leadership approach included the structural innovation of the Friday check-in as well as the buddy system. These two innovations provided the space for collegiality and the development of voice and leadership. The consultative nature of the HOD team was also viewed as an enablement. Certain factors constrained the distributed leadership approach, one of which was the tension between the hierarchical structure of the university and the more horizontal, distributed leadership approach being piloted in the academic department. In addition to that, another constraint was also very real with the transition to Zoom as an online teaching, learning and supervision platform as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final constraint was experienced concerning the department’s history, as it was within a historically White university in South Africa. The effects of this history impacted the departmental culture and, as we know from the literature, institutional culture is extremely difficult to change. Finally, the study concluded that conceptualising distributed leadership as a sociocultural practice with leader-plus and practice aspects provides descriptive language and a solid theoretical and analytical framework for a distributed leadership study. The study makes an important knowledge contribution in the African Higher Education context as limited research has been carried out in this area. Furthermore, in terms of practice, my study serves as a stimulus for leadership discussions that are beneficial to everyone involved in educational institutions as they promote a level of leadership reflexivity, currently absent in many institutions. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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A grounded theory study of the identity and career decisions of artistic creative entrepreneurs

- Gibson-Tessendorf, Jacoba Cornelia

Authors: Gibson-Tessendorf, Jacoba Cornelia
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Creative entrepreneurship , Personality and creative ability , Career choice , Creative industries , Identity (Psychology)
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419208 , vital:71625 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419208
Description: This research, in the field of creative careers, identity and entrepreneurship, aims to develop a grounded theory to explain the interaction between the phenomena of identity and career decision-making, focusing on Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Artistic Creatives have unique characteristics and creative identities, presenting unique career opportunities. This research is interested in the different values of Artistic Creatives compared to those of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs, who often experience a tension between their creative identity and their entrepreneurial identities The methodology used is the Straussian Grounded Theory. A Qualitative Research Approach used interviews to collect data on the careers and identity of Artistic Creative entrepreneurs in an area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Creative entrepreneurs work in the fields of fine art, design and crafts. The research procedure was recorded in detail, which enhances dependability. Ethics approval was obtained prior to the data collection. The data was analysed through open coding, axial coding and using a Straussian paradigm model. The findings present the values and identity of the Artistic Creative with Artistic Creative Archetypes and the entrepreneurial identities as Artistic Creative Entrepreneur Profiles. The Thesis by JC Gibson-Tessendorf effects of identity and contextual factors on their career patterns, especially as entrepreneurs, are analysed. The contribution that this study makes towards the creation of new knowledge is through, firstly, presenting aspiring creatives with career opportunities that relate to individual values. Secondly, it provides a model of Career Stage Options and Strategies that Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs may follow to either become part-time creative entrepreneurs or use the model as a guide for career planning. The study also developed a substantial theory proposing that the identities of Artistic Creative Entrepreneurs are 1) firstly multiple, 2) flexible and open to change, 2) driven by their values, 3) enacting across the tripartite identity framework, being personal identity, role identity and social identity. The concept of a tripartite of identities was taken from Brewer and Gardner (1996). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Benchmarking tax practitioner regulation in Zimbabwe and South Africa against German best practice

- Munkuli, Charles

Authors: Munkuli, Charles
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419621 , vital:71660
Description: The regulation of professionals who offer any type of service to the public is a critical intervention towards protecting the public from unscrupulous behaviour. The regulation of tax practitioners is no exception as it is a critical element in protecting the taxpaying public and the fiscus against improper conduct by tax practitioners, as well as preventing revenue leakages due to inaccurate or incorrect declarations made by taxpayers. A major contributor of regulation would be strengthening or improving compliance. This study analyses the frameworks that regulate tax practitioners in Zimbabwe and South Africa and evaluates them against best practice as is found in Germany. Germany has been regulating tax practitioners for 50 years and can rightly be recognised as best practice. This is achieved by reviewing and evaluating institutional and legislative mechanisms in the regulatory frameworks adopted in the three countries in order to identify possible areas of improvement in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The research is situated in the interpretative paradigm and the research methodology is qualitative in nature, involving the critical review of documentary data. The study concludes that both South Africa and Zimbabwe have room to improve in certain areas and makes recommendations aimed at strengthening their respective regulatory frameworks. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe could promulgate a law that deals exclusively with the regulation of tax practitioners, and institute an independent body that deals exclusively with tax practitioner related issues. In Zimbabwe, the Public Accountants and Auditors’ Board should be replaced with a body dedicated to serving tax practitioners. Informing the taxpaying public is important and, particularly in Zimbabwe, measures should be adopted to inform taxpayers about their rights and obligations, the role of tax practitioners, and the interface with the tax administration. The Zimbabwean regulatory model should also recognise other non-accounting and auditing-oriented professions, such as the law profession, as tax practitioners. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Corporate failure and ethical resources: a case study of Steinhoff and Carillion

- Mthombeni, Seyijeni Koos

Authors: Mthombeni, Seyijeni Koos
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Corporate governance , Business ethics , Steinhoff International (Firm) Corrupt practices , Carillion (Firm) Corrupt practices , Business failures , Accounting fraud
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419165 , vital:71621
Description: This study aimed to investigate the impact of disregarding ethical resources on company performance, with a particular focus on Carillion and Steinhoff as case studies. A pragmatist research philosophy was employed using a mixed methods approach, utilizing deductive inferencing to produce archival research. Data was collected from annual financial statements and existing literature on Steinhoff and Carillion's corporate failures. Both content analysis and statistical analysis were employed to analyse the data. The study found that both Carillion and Steinhoff were at the top of their respective industries when they began to underperform due to poor governance. On the part of Carillion, much of its failure can be attributed to aggressive bidding, while for Steinhoff, its failure was due to unscrupulous accounting practices. Corruption and fraud at the top echelon of each of these respective companies began to trickle down to the bottom of the hierarchy. Additionally, Steinhoff used a two-tier board system that promotes information asymmetry between a management board and a supervisory board. This gave Steinhoff’s management board leverage to manipulate company reports and hide information from the supervisory board. Steinhoff equally violated the board’s independence by making former management executives part of the supervisory board, who could potentially be lenient to the management board due to past relationships. This was further exacerbated by the CEO duality, which contributed to Steinhoff’s lack of board independence. Furthermore, Steinhoff’s board was reported to have served as board members for a long time, eventually leading them to create a group culture that negatively affected its board’s independence. Different from Steinhoff, which lacked board independence and board diversity, at face value, Carillion appeared to have a predominantly independent board with diverse experience and external commitments. However, Carillion also lacked board independence in a different way, as some of its board members were previously employed by KPMG. KPMG was also the external auditor of Carillion. This created a scenario where Carillion and KPMG were conniving, which may have affected the objectivity of the external audits on financial performance. Further to this, the CEO held outsized power over the board, which could have also resulted in a lack of independence. This, in turn, facilitated corrupt behaviour within the organisation, which may have contributed to its corporate failure. iv The findings of the study highlight the following three conclusions: i) profits that are premised on reckless, irregular, and fraudulent business and accounting practices are not sustainable; ii) governance structures that do not adhere to sound corporate governance principles result in impaired board independence and negatively affect firm performance; and iii) companies that reach the pinnacle of their success through unethical conduct are ultimately short-lived. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Developing a socio-economic framework for assessing the effectiveness of Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP): The case of the Prosopis mesquite Working for Water clearing project in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

- Ntsonge, Sinazo

Authors: Ntsonge, Sinazo
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419219 , vital:71626 , DOI 10.21504/10962/419219
Description: The EPWP functions as a bridge between unemployment and entry into the labour market by providing work readiness skills training to its beneficiaries who receive below-market rate stipends for the short- term duration of their participation. The EPWP combines service delivery issues with social development objectives by promoting intensive manual labour in its projects. As a social protection strategy, public works programmes cater to those who do not meet the criteria to receive government social grants. As one of the programmes under the EPWP dealing with the control and eradication of invasive alien plants, the Working for Water (WfW) programme also uses intensive manual labour methods for clearing alien plant species. Although the clearing successes of WfW are well documented, the programme has focused little attention to the longer-term livelihood impacts of the temporary work and skills training provided to beneficiaries. This study suggests this could be due to a lack of the appropriate indicators to measure these outcomes. Therefore, an evaluation framework for environmental public works projects is proposed, which consists of outcome indicators to track the livelihood impact of the work experience and skills training on the beneficiaries post-participation, since the aim of these EPWP interventions is to improve beneficiaries’ labour market outcomes. The Northern Cape province’s Prosopis mesquite clearing project was used as the case study to develop and test the evaluation framework. The outcome indicators were informed by the key stakeholders’ interviews and the beneficiaries’ survey, specifically since the beneficiaries were well placed to give feedback on the benefits of the work experience and training post-participation. The combined strengths of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and the Capability Approach were useful for formulating the outcomes indicators, while the indicators for the inputs, activities and outputs were formulated from the key stakeholder interviews and online EPWP reports. A mixed methods approach was used and primary data were collected through key stakeholder interviews with the Prosopis mesquite clearing project managers and an online survey with some of the beneficiaries. Online EPWP reports and records obtained from WfW were used as secondary data. Data analysis used RStudio, Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism. The data analysis and evaluation framework indicators constituted the results section and aimed to highlight the factors that managers should focus on to achieve the desired livelihood outcomes. The proposed outcome indicators can be used to gauge the effectiveness of environmental public works’ social development interventions. The results revealed that the project budget fluctuations resulted in the Working for Water managers adopting a myopic view in administering the workdays and skills training, which diminished the livelihood impact of the Prosopis mesquite clearing project to merely a ‘make work’ project with no observable longer-term livelihood benefits. The selection input indicators and their utilisation during project activities needs to be better aligned with the desired longer-term livelihood outcomes that these environmental public works projects seek to achieve, mainly that of preparing beneficiaries for jobs in the labour market. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Examining the expenditures and retention of money of recreational fishing along the Wild Coast, South Africa

- Pyle, Michael Jonathan

Authors: Pyle, Michael Jonathan
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419673 , vital:71665
Description: Developing countries and rural communities rely heavily on the ocean for food, transport, and the sustainability of their livelihoods. While the economics of small-scale fisheries in rural areas have received much attention, there is generally less information on the economic contributions from recreational fisheries in these areas. South Africa’s marine recreational fishery is large and contributes to a significant amount of economic activity. However, the retention of money from recreational fishing activities in local rural economies is unknown and thus the potential developmental benefits from this sector remain unquantified. This study examined the economic contributions from recreational fishing along the Wild Coast and retention of expenditures within the local economy. A total of 109 face-to-face economic surveys were administered during the peak recreational fishing season in December 2021. Based on the results, recreational fishing in the Wild Coast has the ability to generate R 415 446 098 in economic activity annually, however only 9.5% of this is retained within local coastal economies, which diminishes the economic contributions of the fishery to the Wild Coast region. Expenditures on items stemming from the informal collection and selling of bait and seafood, domestic work and guiding were the highest locally retained expenditures within the region. 98% of all bait and seafood was harvested and sold by local gillies, with 2% being bought through hotels (n=109). The total direct economic contribution in terms of informal harvesting was estimated at R 16 077 711 for 2021 (n= 9 601). The identification of these contributions can be used to provide recommendations for local economic development strategies which can support the recreational fishery while uplifting coastal communities that should be benefitting more from the activity. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Investigating teachers’ perceptions on translanguaging pedagogy in a multilingual intermediate ESL classroom: a comparative study of two primary schools in Namibia

- Rheeder, Veneza Memory

Authors: Rheeder, Veneza Memory
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419760 , vital:71673
Description: International literature has tested the effectiveness of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in a bilingual classroom; however, with the recent curriculum reform and education sector policy, there is no direct claim in the National policy frameworks on the prominence of translanguaging as an effective tool in classroom pedagogy in Namibian schools. This research attempted to investigate the role of translanguaging as a pedagogic tool to enhance learning in the multilingual intermediate English Second Language (ESL) phase as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) for the intermediate phase, Grades 4-7, in the Erongo Region, Namibia. The study is within the interpretive paradigm and adopts a qualitative methodology using a qualitative multi-case study approach of exploring and understanding differences and similarities between cases. Data collection consisted mainly of open-ended interviews and observations (purposive sampling) of the participating teachers. The research sites and study participants were purposely selected as both schools, diversely located in urban and rural contexts of the region, are enacting the National Language Policy as proposed. This entails using Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI) from Grades 0-3 and then transitioning to English-monolingual instruction from Grades 4 onwards. The study was designed to investigate the role of translanguaging pedagogy in enhancing learning in the Second Language (L2) classroom, without prejudice of social classes - the elite and marginalized communities. It investigated the extent to which teachers’ use of translanguaging pedagogy enhances ESL learning as the LoLT to intermediate phase learners transitioning from MTI to English-only instruction. The main theories underpinning this study are the Vygotskian and Translanguaging theories supported by Krashen and Cummins’ Cognitive Underlying Proficiency (CUP) Model. The outcomes of the study reveal that in both schools translanguaging was supported by content subject teachers and English LoLT teachers and that it positively contributed to improving learner understanding of important concepts in several subjects. However, Mother Tongue (MT) teachers did not support the use of translanguaging and believed that it slowed down the learning of English. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes in Africa, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Learning to make a difference: Small-scale women farmers in social learning spaces for climate action

- Chanyau, Ludwig

Authors: Chanyau, Ludwig
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Social learning South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Value creation , Environmental education South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Climatic changes Study and teaching South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Communities of practice , Crops and climate South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Women farmers South Africa Amathole District Municipality , Farms, Small South Africa , Agricultural ecology South Africa
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402944 , vital:69908 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402944
Description: How do women farmers in Africa learn about climate change? What is quality climate change learning for farmers? How do farmers interface new knowledge with their long-held and trusted traditional knowledge? How do we evaluate learning at farm level and beyond? Using Okoli’s theory mining review, I untangled a tripartite knot of social learning literature to find Social Learning Theory (SLT) suitable for a study to explore my practical and scholarly curiosity as reflected in the above questions. Wenger’s theory of Social Learning emerged as the most appropriate for my research. The second phase of my study explored the climate change learning and practice terrain for small-scale women farmers, analysing the connection between learning, practice, and the resultant value in two case study areas, municipalities in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to a paper on SLT mining review that unravels and chooses between the strands of social learning, the two case studies resulted in three articles that responded to the study’s objectives and the research questions. The thesis is introduced and synthesised through five 'book-end' chapters, as well as through these four articles. What were my findings? In the first case study, in the drought-stricken Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, I gathered the data through individual semi-structured interviews with farmers, extension officers and representatives of the involved organisations. I also conducted a group interview with farmers and analysed documents to supplement interview data. I analysed the data using concepts of Communities of Practice (CoP) and SLT to map out the learning and practice landscape. I discovered a constellation of CoPs interconnected by the shared drive for adaptive water management. The constellation is made up of tertiary institutions, government departments, non-governmental organisations and farmers of varying experiences and competencies, with women emerging as the more proactive gender, and state-led extension services being willing but overstretched and under-resourced. SLT effectively traced the apparent fragmented learning within and outside the CoPs and the sudden and extensive shifts in the CoP boundaries, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the increased adoption of digital learning platforms. Despite the richness and diversity brought by the emergent new learning networks that involve participants in the province and further afield, the adoption of digital learning platforms worsened the existing generational digital divide among farmers. iii In the second case study, in the water scarce Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, I adopted the Value Creation Framework (VCF) to conduct an ethnographic evaluation that used semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis of the learning experiences of women farmers in a social movement on agroecology. I found that the farmer-centred learning approach of the movement has created value for the farmers involved, evidenced by the adoption of agroecology by over 2700 members (including new urban farmers who are occupying open spaces typically used as dumpsites). The learning approach has facilitated expansive learning, enhanced resource mobilisation, new collaborations, partnerships, and seed sharing networks. Additionally, it necessitated context-appropriate and transformative changes to intersectional justice issues associated with historical inequalities in access to land and water and gender discrimination, leading to improved practices, new access to markets and improved quality yields. These are examples of immediate, potential, applied, realised, orienting, enabling and transformative as well as strategic value, as defined by the VCF. In reflecting on how women farmers learn in these social learning spaces I elucidate the learning impact pathways and local contextual influences in shifting CoP boundaries, domains, and practices during the climate crisis as it intersects with other compounding factors. I generated insights that could be useful for stakeholders in the agricultural (extension) sector to build better pathways for emancipatory and empowering expansive social learning in contexts characterised by resource constraints, but also by strong women-led agency. Such learning could make a difference and cushion small-scale farming from collapse especially in times of unprecedented changes. The agroecology movement and associated communities of practice explored in this study create transformative social learning spaces that are able to respond to climate change, and hence a model that state-led extension might want to adopt in other resource-constrained contexts. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Liquidity shocks and capital market efficiency in South Africa

- Matapuri, Dexter Tinotenda Kushinga

Authors: Matapuri, Dexter Tinotenda Kushinga
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419610 , vital:71659
Description: Financial markets are dynamic in nature. As such, one way to keep up with their plethora of variables is to conduct research and seek understanding on how they all work together. Understanding financial market mechanics is the key to achieving and maintaining efficient capital markets. The goal of many economies is to have efficient capital markets mainly because they entail economic growth. One of the common avenues here being foreign direct investments. Therefore, over the years, a lot of financial economics research has been conducted on how best to attain financial market development which ultimately yields capital market efficiency. The opposite is also true. This research therefore set out to study the impact of liquidity shocks on capital market efficiency, more specifically stock market efficiency. As such, the overarching research goal was to determine the link between liquidity shocks and stock market efficiency in South Africa. Furthermore, the research also tested whether there is a homogenous impact exerted by liquidity shocks on the JSE Financial 15, JSE Industrial 25 and JSE Resource 20 indices. The arguments and thus conclusions of the research were constructed based on existing theories such as the Efficient Market hypothesis, Behavioural Finance and the Adaptive Market Hypothesis. Literature and existing empirical evidence related to the topic were also analysed and used for the same purpose. Econometric methods used to achieve these research goals include the time series and panel ARDL, impulse response and variance decomposition tests and the Granger Causality tests. The research found that liquidity shocks do impact stock market efficiency in South Africa in both the short run and long run. The direction of the impact was noted to vary with time and dependent on the liquidity shock proxy. Key findings here were that liquidity shocks lower JSE All-Share index efficiency in the short run thus allowing market participants to beat the market in the initial phases of a liquidity shock. Adding on, it was also found that illiquidity shocks lower efficiency for the JSE Financial 15 and Industrial 25 indices in the short run. In the long run, stock market efficiency is enhanced no matter the source of the shock. As such, the research recommended that regulatory policies should focus on liquidity shocks in the short run for the JSE All-Share index and on illiquidity shocks in the short run for the Financial 15 and Industrial 25 indices. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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Quinolone-Pyrazinamide derivatives: synthesis, characterisation, in silico ADME analysis and in vitro biological evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

- Rukweza, Kudakwashe Gerald

Authors: Rukweza, Kudakwashe Gerald
Date: 2023-10-13
Subjects: Uncatalogued
Language: English
Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419588 , vital:71657
Description: Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide caused by an infectious species, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Some of the factors that contribute to the prevalence of this disease include the complexity of diagnosis, prolonged period of therapy, side effects associated with current TB drugs, the prevalence of resistance against the current treatment options and a high incidence of co-infection with HIV/AIDS. Thus, there is a need for new alternative drugs to provide safer and shorter treatment therapy options that are not susceptible to the development of drug resistance. In this project, we focus our attention on the quinolone pharmacophore. Quinolones are currently used as alternative options in the treatment of resistant strains of Mtb. Previous work pertaining to quinolone-isoniazid hybrid compounds showed promising in vitro activity against the H37Rv strain of Mtb and served as the inspiration to pursue this project. The journey commenced with the synthesis of quinolone-pyrazinamide hybrid compounds (Figure 3.1). These compounds were synthesised, through the attachment of the quinolone and the pyrazinamide entity through a hydrazine linker. The synthesised compounds were purified, and their structural identity confirmed using common spectroscopic techniques including 1H and 13C NMR, infra-red (IR) and mass spectrometry. In vitro biological assays were performed by testing for the activity against the H37RvMA strain of Mtb. The bioassays were performed in triplicates to ensure the accuracy of the results. Moxifloxacin and isoniazid were tested as control compounds. Finally, the resultant compounds were profiled in silico for physicochemical and ADMET properties using open access software SwissADME. All the synthesised compounds 3.8a-f showed no activity against H37RvMA. In most cases, the resulting compounds showed minimal to no activity (MICs ≥ 57.3 μM) in all three media. During the in vitro studies, the compounds showed significant precipitation in the media over time suggesting poor aqueous solubility. The SwissADME analysis of these compounds indicated poor solubility in aqueous media, which is likely linked to their molecular size and complexity. Despite poor aqueous solubility, compounds 3.8a-f showed acceptable physicochemical properties and ADME parameters. No PAINs (Pan-assay interference compounds) were observed. Minimal to no interaction with CYP enzymes were predicted. Most of the compounds were compatible with the Lipinski’s rules of five. , Thesis (MSC Pharm) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, 2023
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Date Issued: 2023-10-13

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