A case study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the commercially produced South African wool clip 2010 – 2017
- Authors: Zietsman, Jolandrie
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55445 , vital:52002
- Description: No formal study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres has been performed in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the validity of the claims that there has been an increase in the production of wool contaminated with medullated and coloured fibres. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip have changed over time. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres have a distinct geographic distribution. This study explored eight years of wool production records (2010 to 2017) obtained from BKB, the largest wool broker in South Africa. For the purpose of this research, the wool-producing areas of South Africa were divided into 6 regions, according to average annual rainfall, vegetation type and major farming practices applied in the area. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post-hoc tests, as well as regression analyses. This study succeeded in quantifying the extent and prevalence of contamination with medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip. The overarching conclusions were: • Floating kemp is the most important contaminant of wool in South Africa, with the incidence of harsh kemp and coloured fibres being very low. • Generally, the most important areas that need attention in combatting contamination in the South African wool clip, are the Mixed Farming Summer Rainfall Region, the Semi-Arid Grassveld and the High Rainfall Grassland. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Zietsman, Jolandrie
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55445 , vital:52002
- Description: No formal study on the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres has been performed in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the validity of the claims that there has been an increase in the production of wool contaminated with medullated and coloured fibres. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip have changed over time. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether the incidence and extent of medullated and coloured fibres have a distinct geographic distribution. This study explored eight years of wool production records (2010 to 2017) obtained from BKB, the largest wool broker in South Africa. For the purpose of this research, the wool-producing areas of South Africa were divided into 6 regions, according to average annual rainfall, vegetation type and major farming practices applied in the area. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post-hoc tests, as well as regression analyses. This study succeeded in quantifying the extent and prevalence of contamination with medullated and coloured fibres in the South African wool clip. The overarching conclusions were: • Floating kemp is the most important contaminant of wool in South Africa, with the incidence of harsh kemp and coloured fibres being very low. • Generally, the most important areas that need attention in combatting contamination in the South African wool clip, are the Mixed Farming Summer Rainfall Region, the Semi-Arid Grassveld and the High Rainfall Grassland. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An information privacy compliance model based on configurable software objects
- Authors: Kandeh, Agbor Takang
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Software protection , Software configuration management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58374 , vital:59052
- Description: South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013 requires that organisations enforce information privacy rules in technology systems handling personally identifiable information (PII). This is in line with other national and regional information privacy legislations across the world. However, the absence of a coherent way to implement this legislation, in the form of software objects in technology systems, has created a gap in organisations around the world. To bridge this gap, this thesis proposes a compliance model based on a conceptual framework, a design framework, and a software-based prototype. The objective of this model is to test how best to enforce information privacy regulations in technology systems handling personally identifiable information. The proposed conceptual framework views information privacy compliance as a context-driven reality enforced by configurable software objects. To refine the conceptual framework, a design framework and a software-based prototype was developed using the design science research methodology as the theoretical construct and the UML ontology language and object-oriented programming paradigms as the underpinning practical construct. This prototype will assist organisational stakeholders in understanding and visualising the theoretical and practical constructs of handling personally identifiable information as software objects in technology systems. The design and implementation of this prototype resulted in some practical and theoretical recommendations. These include the adoption of a decision model notation (DMN) as a formal standard to manage privacy rules and the creation of a context-aware privacy compliance zone (CAP). However, the main contribution of this thesis is a reusable conceptual and contextual design framework and a prototype through which POPIA rules, or those of any similar information privacy law, such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), can be encapsulated into software objects used in technology systems to ease compliance with information privacy regulations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Kandeh, Agbor Takang
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Software protection , Software configuration management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58374 , vital:59052
- Description: South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013 requires that organisations enforce information privacy rules in technology systems handling personally identifiable information (PII). This is in line with other national and regional information privacy legislations across the world. However, the absence of a coherent way to implement this legislation, in the form of software objects in technology systems, has created a gap in organisations around the world. To bridge this gap, this thesis proposes a compliance model based on a conceptual framework, a design framework, and a software-based prototype. The objective of this model is to test how best to enforce information privacy regulations in technology systems handling personally identifiable information. The proposed conceptual framework views information privacy compliance as a context-driven reality enforced by configurable software objects. To refine the conceptual framework, a design framework and a software-based prototype was developed using the design science research methodology as the theoretical construct and the UML ontology language and object-oriented programming paradigms as the underpinning practical construct. This prototype will assist organisational stakeholders in understanding and visualising the theoretical and practical constructs of handling personally identifiable information as software objects in technology systems. The design and implementation of this prototype resulted in some practical and theoretical recommendations. These include the adoption of a decision model notation (DMN) as a formal standard to manage privacy rules and the creation of a context-aware privacy compliance zone (CAP). However, the main contribution of this thesis is a reusable conceptual and contextual design framework and a prototype through which POPIA rules, or those of any similar information privacy law, such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), can be encapsulated into software objects used in technology systems to ease compliance with information privacy regulations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The Effects of Alcohol and Sunstance Abuse on Productivity in the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry
- Authors: Fick, Gerard Hendrik
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Substance abuse , Citrus fruit industry , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57654 , vital:58191
- Description: COVID-19 has created a new world to conduct business and few industries were fortunate enough to continue to operate as essential services throughout the pandemic. The South African Citrus Industry was one of these industries. During this pandemic, certain amenities were regarded as dangerous and potentially a contributor to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Alcohol was deemed one of these contributors. During the lockdown regulations implemented in March of 2020, the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry noticed certain interesting developments concerning labour and productivity. Initial review of the effects of alcohol and substance abuse on the productivity of citrus workers, revealed limited research into the broader South African Citrus Industry, with more focus on the Western Cape and related wine farms. The aim of this research study is to identify the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on productivity within the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry. Specifically focusing on absenteeism, workers injuries on duty and workplace incidents pertaining to disciplinary processes. The research further aims to add a monetary value to the implication of these events on the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry and the possible management strategies involved to remediate the potential affects thereof. This study uses the phenomenological and case study research approaches focusing on the workplace of the researcher within the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry. Using qualitative content analysis during the interview process, the themes and findings were evaluated alongside the research questions and was found to be in agreement with the views flowing from the research data. The analysis further revealed that Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry is in need of adequate management strategies due to the seasonal nature of the industry to improve labourer job satisfaction and in turn productivity and efficiency. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Fick, Gerard Hendrik
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Substance abuse , Citrus fruit industry , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57654 , vital:58191
- Description: COVID-19 has created a new world to conduct business and few industries were fortunate enough to continue to operate as essential services throughout the pandemic. The South African Citrus Industry was one of these industries. During this pandemic, certain amenities were regarded as dangerous and potentially a contributor to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Alcohol was deemed one of these contributors. During the lockdown regulations implemented in March of 2020, the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry noticed certain interesting developments concerning labour and productivity. Initial review of the effects of alcohol and substance abuse on the productivity of citrus workers, revealed limited research into the broader South African Citrus Industry, with more focus on the Western Cape and related wine farms. The aim of this research study is to identify the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on productivity within the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry. Specifically focusing on absenteeism, workers injuries on duty and workplace incidents pertaining to disciplinary processes. The research further aims to add a monetary value to the implication of these events on the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry and the possible management strategies involved to remediate the potential affects thereof. This study uses the phenomenological and case study research approaches focusing on the workplace of the researcher within the Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry. Using qualitative content analysis during the interview process, the themes and findings were evaluated alongside the research questions and was found to be in agreement with the views flowing from the research data. The analysis further revealed that Sundays River Valley Citrus Industry is in need of adequate management strategies due to the seasonal nature of the industry to improve labourer job satisfaction and in turn productivity and efficiency. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Spatial modelling of accessibility to tuberculosis treatment: the case of Ngaka Modiri Molema District
- Authors: Ramotsongwa, Karabo Naome
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55435 , vital:52000
- Description: Accessibility to healthcare refers to the availability, or the provision of healthcare-byhealthcare professionals and stakeholders and individuals' ability to obtain care and treatment. It affects overall physical, social, and mental health; disease and disability prevention; detection and treatment of health conditions; standard of living; preventable death; and life expectancy, and it is crucial to the performance of health care systems around the world. If healthcare services are available and are in sufficient supply, people will be able to seek health care, and a population will have access to services. The leading cause of death globally is Tuberculosis (TB) and South Africa is amongst the top 5 countries most affected by TB. This is aggravated by high HIV/AIDS statistics. Children belowthe age of 4, between the ages of 4- 15, and women and men of working ages are highly affected by TB and it is the primary cause of death in these groups in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. This study used study tools like Spatial Modelling, Geographic Information Systems and software like ArcGIS 10.5, TerrSet IDRISI 18.30, and secondary data from the North West Departmentof Health (Tier.net &DHIS) and also TB patients’ home addresses to investigate the accessibility of TB treatment in Ngaka Modiri Molema, in order to spatially visualize the distribution of a communicable disease like TB and public healthcare facilities in the Ngaka Modiri Molema (NMM) District and suggest optimum sites for hospital facilities. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Ramotsongwa, Karabo Naome
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55435 , vital:52000
- Description: Accessibility to healthcare refers to the availability, or the provision of healthcare-byhealthcare professionals and stakeholders and individuals' ability to obtain care and treatment. It affects overall physical, social, and mental health; disease and disability prevention; detection and treatment of health conditions; standard of living; preventable death; and life expectancy, and it is crucial to the performance of health care systems around the world. If healthcare services are available and are in sufficient supply, people will be able to seek health care, and a population will have access to services. The leading cause of death globally is Tuberculosis (TB) and South Africa is amongst the top 5 countries most affected by TB. This is aggravated by high HIV/AIDS statistics. Children belowthe age of 4, between the ages of 4- 15, and women and men of working ages are highly affected by TB and it is the primary cause of death in these groups in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. This study used study tools like Spatial Modelling, Geographic Information Systems and software like ArcGIS 10.5, TerrSet IDRISI 18.30, and secondary data from the North West Departmentof Health (Tier.net &DHIS) and also TB patients’ home addresses to investigate the accessibility of TB treatment in Ngaka Modiri Molema, in order to spatially visualize the distribution of a communicable disease like TB and public healthcare facilities in the Ngaka Modiri Molema (NMM) District and suggest optimum sites for hospital facilities. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Encapsulation of flame retardants for lithium-ion battery safety
- Authors: Ntombela, Nompilo Princess
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55412 , vital:51993
- Description: Lithium-ion technology takes the lead in electric mobility systems, resulting in an increase in the global demand for Li-ion batteries; however, these batteries are associated with numerous safety concerns. Additionally, there are high costs, high energy and power issues which are some of its key limitations. Research efforts are focused on overcoming these obstacles, with different approaches being explored, such as the investigation of more stable salts, modification of active materials and organic solvents, and the use of electrolyte additives. This study focused specifically on electrolyte additives since the electrolyte is one of the most unstable components of the battery. The electrolyte’s decomposition is one of the reactions that occur inside a battery, which may occur due to overcharging or due to an internal short circuit, amongst others. The electrolyte’s decomposition occurs at the early stages of the thermal runaway process and forms part of the reactions that lead to fires and explosions. Thus, this research aims to develop suitable electrolyte additives to improve the safety aspects of Li-ion batteries. Flame retardant additives show great promise in reducing the flammability of the electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, since they serve to suppress the chemical reactions associated with battery ignition. They retard the fires by scavenging the active radical species formed during the decomposition reaction. In this study, the use of flame retardants was investigated. Flame retardant additives have shown to have flame impeding properties inside a battery; however, their direct addition to the electrolyte tends to cause adverse effects on the ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the cells. This study investigated an alternative option - the option to microencapsulate such additives into a neutral compound to ensure that the flame retardant has minimal/no effect on the performance of the battery. This investigation looked at tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBP) and bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) methylphosphonate (BFP) as flame retardant additives for the electrolyte. The TBP and BFP flame retardants were microencapsulated in poly(urea formaldehyde) (PUF) coating material via in situ polymerization method. The capsules were characterized using various analytical techniques - to prove it was successfully encapsulated. Electrochemical studies were further done on the capsules and neat flame retardants inside a coin cell. Self-extinguishing time (SET), which is the flammability test, proved that the additives have flame retarding abilities. Opto-digital microscopy (DSX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did confirm the spherical shape of the microcapsules, where SEM also showed the smooth outer layer of the microcapsules and its hollow inner side. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proved the presence of the TBP and BFP inside the PUF resin by showing that the chemical composition of microcapsules consisted of both the PUF and flame retardant additives. Simultaneous DSC-TGA (DST) was also performed which showed that the microcapsules were stable before 200 °C, which indicates it would not decompose before the thermal runaway events are occurring. TGA analysis did show that the microcapsules underwent multiple decomposition steps upon heating. Additionally, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to quantify the amount of flame retardants additives encapsulated inside PUF shell, and also confirmed the stability of the microcapsules for one month in the electrolyte and at temperatures up to 200 °C. The ionic conductivity was vastly decreased when the flame retardants were added directly to the electrolyte. However, adding the flame retardants in a form of capsules had minimal effect on the ionic conductivity. The cycle capacities of the capsules were also improved when the capsules were added to the cell compared to that of neat flame retardants. The same effect was also noticed when doing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This shows that microencapsulation improves the resistance of the cell caused by the flame retardant in comparison to when added directly to the electrolyte of the cell. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Ntombela, Nompilo Princess
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55412 , vital:51993
- Description: Lithium-ion technology takes the lead in electric mobility systems, resulting in an increase in the global demand for Li-ion batteries; however, these batteries are associated with numerous safety concerns. Additionally, there are high costs, high energy and power issues which are some of its key limitations. Research efforts are focused on overcoming these obstacles, with different approaches being explored, such as the investigation of more stable salts, modification of active materials and organic solvents, and the use of electrolyte additives. This study focused specifically on electrolyte additives since the electrolyte is one of the most unstable components of the battery. The electrolyte’s decomposition is one of the reactions that occur inside a battery, which may occur due to overcharging or due to an internal short circuit, amongst others. The electrolyte’s decomposition occurs at the early stages of the thermal runaway process and forms part of the reactions that lead to fires and explosions. Thus, this research aims to develop suitable electrolyte additives to improve the safety aspects of Li-ion batteries. Flame retardant additives show great promise in reducing the flammability of the electrolyte in Li-ion batteries, since they serve to suppress the chemical reactions associated with battery ignition. They retard the fires by scavenging the active radical species formed during the decomposition reaction. In this study, the use of flame retardants was investigated. Flame retardant additives have shown to have flame impeding properties inside a battery; however, their direct addition to the electrolyte tends to cause adverse effects on the ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the cells. This study investigated an alternative option - the option to microencapsulate such additives into a neutral compound to ensure that the flame retardant has minimal/no effect on the performance of the battery. This investigation looked at tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBP) and bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) methylphosphonate (BFP) as flame retardant additives for the electrolyte. The TBP and BFP flame retardants were microencapsulated in poly(urea formaldehyde) (PUF) coating material via in situ polymerization method. The capsules were characterized using various analytical techniques - to prove it was successfully encapsulated. Electrochemical studies were further done on the capsules and neat flame retardants inside a coin cell. Self-extinguishing time (SET), which is the flammability test, proved that the additives have flame retarding abilities. Opto-digital microscopy (DSX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did confirm the spherical shape of the microcapsules, where SEM also showed the smooth outer layer of the microcapsules and its hollow inner side. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) proved the presence of the TBP and BFP inside the PUF resin by showing that the chemical composition of microcapsules consisted of both the PUF and flame retardant additives. Simultaneous DSC-TGA (DST) was also performed which showed that the microcapsules were stable before 200 °C, which indicates it would not decompose before the thermal runaway events are occurring. TGA analysis did show that the microcapsules underwent multiple decomposition steps upon heating. Additionally, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to quantify the amount of flame retardants additives encapsulated inside PUF shell, and also confirmed the stability of the microcapsules for one month in the electrolyte and at temperatures up to 200 °C. The ionic conductivity was vastly decreased when the flame retardants were added directly to the electrolyte. However, adding the flame retardants in a form of capsules had minimal effect on the ionic conductivity. The cycle capacities of the capsules were also improved when the capsules were added to the cell compared to that of neat flame retardants. The same effect was also noticed when doing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This shows that microencapsulation improves the resistance of the cell caused by the flame retardant in comparison to when added directly to the electrolyte of the cell. , Thesis (MSC) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Usable Security Heuristics for Instant Messaging Application Development
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Craig Michael
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58506 , vital:59655
- Description: As instant messaging (IM) applications have become more popular, the privacy and security concerns associated with their usage has become ever more relevant. As with many software programs, IM applications have a history of security vulnerabilities. Although IM application usage is globally increasing, it has been found that currently no generally recognised standards exist to aid IM application developers when developing the usability of the security features they implement. The problem is further exacerbated as research suggests that typical users have neither the requisite understanding of the available IM security features, nor the capacity to make full use of those protection features. The primary objective of this study is to create a set of usable security heuristics to assist developers of instant messaging applications to consider the usability of the security features implemented in these applications. This primary objective is further divided into several secondary objectives, which collectively aim to address the proposed problem. Therefore, the secondary objectives are to determine IM security risks and their related implications on users; to identify and investigate existing security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices for mobile application development; to map the identified security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices to IM applications; and to develop a prototype to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. First, a comprehensive literature study is used to determine and understand the information security threats relevant to IM applications, how IM applications operate, the security features implemented by IM applications and the potential impact the relevant information security threats could have on IM application users. Thereafter, a further literature review and content analysis are used to identify and investigate existing heuristics, guidelines, standards, and best practices for mobile application development. The findings from the content analysis, in combination with the previously identified threats to IM applications, are then mapped to IM applications, and a preliminary set of usable security heuristics for IM application development is established. This preliminary set of usable security heuristics undergoes multiple iterations of refinement to establish the proposed set of usable security heuristics for IM application development. Furthermore, an expert review is conducted to validate the proposed set of usable security heuristics from the perspectives of security, usability, and mobile application development. In addition, the expert review was also used to determine the efficacy, utility, and quality of the proposed usable security heuristics. To further validate the proposed heuristics, a proof-of-concept prototype is used, in addition to the expert review, to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed set of usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. Such a set of usable security heuristics would be useful for IM application developers and would result in the vi improved implementation of usable security, leading to an improvement in the security of IM applications. The proposed set of usable security heuristics therefore adds a further contribution to this research area, providing a solid foundation for future research. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Craig Michael
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Application software -- Development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58506 , vital:59655
- Description: As instant messaging (IM) applications have become more popular, the privacy and security concerns associated with their usage has become ever more relevant. As with many software programs, IM applications have a history of security vulnerabilities. Although IM application usage is globally increasing, it has been found that currently no generally recognised standards exist to aid IM application developers when developing the usability of the security features they implement. The problem is further exacerbated as research suggests that typical users have neither the requisite understanding of the available IM security features, nor the capacity to make full use of those protection features. The primary objective of this study is to create a set of usable security heuristics to assist developers of instant messaging applications to consider the usability of the security features implemented in these applications. This primary objective is further divided into several secondary objectives, which collectively aim to address the proposed problem. Therefore, the secondary objectives are to determine IM security risks and their related implications on users; to identify and investigate existing security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices for mobile application development; to map the identified security and usability heuristics, guidelines, standards and best practices to IM applications; and to develop a prototype to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. First, a comprehensive literature study is used to determine and understand the information security threats relevant to IM applications, how IM applications operate, the security features implemented by IM applications and the potential impact the relevant information security threats could have on IM application users. Thereafter, a further literature review and content analysis are used to identify and investigate existing heuristics, guidelines, standards, and best practices for mobile application development. The findings from the content analysis, in combination with the previously identified threats to IM applications, are then mapped to IM applications, and a preliminary set of usable security heuristics for IM application development is established. This preliminary set of usable security heuristics undergoes multiple iterations of refinement to establish the proposed set of usable security heuristics for IM application development. Furthermore, an expert review is conducted to validate the proposed set of usable security heuristics from the perspectives of security, usability, and mobile application development. In addition, the expert review was also used to determine the efficacy, utility, and quality of the proposed usable security heuristics. To further validate the proposed heuristics, a proof-of-concept prototype is used, in addition to the expert review, to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed set of usable security heuristics to a typical IM application. Such a set of usable security heuristics would be useful for IM application developers and would result in the vi improved implementation of usable security, leading to an improvement in the security of IM applications. The proposed set of usable security heuristics therefore adds a further contribution to this research area, providing a solid foundation for future research. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Factors that influence customers’ spaza shopping experience
- Authors: Yase, Tembelihle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Home-based businesses--South Africa-Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55780 , vital:53877
- Description: Spaza shops, originating in South Africa during the 1970’s, often operate in townships, selling products and services to customers who live mostly within walking distance of the shop. Almost five decades later, and spaza shops abound across most townships in South Africa. These businesses not only provide grocery items and services to customers in the township community but are a means for people to earn a livelihood for themselves and also contribute economically through creating employment opportunities in the informal sector. Research about spaza shops shows that there is a growing customer interest in purchasing products and services from spaza shops, and that if spaza shops are to continue growing, they need to be more competitive. Research by renowned authors in the field of experience marketing, Pine and Gilmore (2013) puts forward that experiences are the new relevant economic offering, and an essential value creating platform for businesses to be more competitive. However, before customer experience can be enhanced in spaza shops, it is important to first identify the factors that influence customer experience in a spaza shop context. Considering the latter, the primary objective of this study was to measure factors that influence customer experience in spaza shops. A descriptive research design was selected for this study, followed by a positivistic research paradigm and quantitative research methodology. Secondary data was collected through articles, journals, books and from newspapers. Primary data was collected using a survey in the form of a self-administered questionnaire. The target population for this study was customers who are older than 18 years, who had bought grocery items (products and services) in spaza shops located in Nelson Mandela Bay townships specifically in Walmer Township, KwaZakhele, Zwide, Motherwell, KwaMagxaki and New Brighton. A non-probability sampling method and convenience sampling technique were used to distribute a total of 200 selfadministered questionnaires. Once the data collection phase was completed, the data from the questionnaires was recorded, coded, and cleaned on a single excel spreadsheet. After the latter was done, a total of 185 questionnaires were deemed useable and considered for data analysis, which was conducted with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 (computer software). , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Yase, Tembelihle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Home-based businesses--South Africa-Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55780 , vital:53877
- Description: Spaza shops, originating in South Africa during the 1970’s, often operate in townships, selling products and services to customers who live mostly within walking distance of the shop. Almost five decades later, and spaza shops abound across most townships in South Africa. These businesses not only provide grocery items and services to customers in the township community but are a means for people to earn a livelihood for themselves and also contribute economically through creating employment opportunities in the informal sector. Research about spaza shops shows that there is a growing customer interest in purchasing products and services from spaza shops, and that if spaza shops are to continue growing, they need to be more competitive. Research by renowned authors in the field of experience marketing, Pine and Gilmore (2013) puts forward that experiences are the new relevant economic offering, and an essential value creating platform for businesses to be more competitive. However, before customer experience can be enhanced in spaza shops, it is important to first identify the factors that influence customer experience in a spaza shop context. Considering the latter, the primary objective of this study was to measure factors that influence customer experience in spaza shops. A descriptive research design was selected for this study, followed by a positivistic research paradigm and quantitative research methodology. Secondary data was collected through articles, journals, books and from newspapers. Primary data was collected using a survey in the form of a self-administered questionnaire. The target population for this study was customers who are older than 18 years, who had bought grocery items (products and services) in spaza shops located in Nelson Mandela Bay townships specifically in Walmer Township, KwaZakhele, Zwide, Motherwell, KwaMagxaki and New Brighton. A non-probability sampling method and convenience sampling technique were used to distribute a total of 200 selfadministered questionnaires. Once the data collection phase was completed, the data from the questionnaires was recorded, coded, and cleaned on a single excel spreadsheet. After the latter was done, a total of 185 questionnaires were deemed useable and considered for data analysis, which was conducted with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 (computer software). , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Assessing the technologies transforming the logistics Industry in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Ruiters, Byron
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58168 , vital:58616
- Description: Supply chain disruptions such as those emanating from the current Covid 19 pandemic have made the logistics industry to undergo fast and unprecedented change. In such unpredictable times, innovation and technology adoption has emerged as one of the major trends and key solutions to lead the way for the future of logistics. This is also because a successful and efficient logistics strategy requires the use of technology, as well as the strategic value derived from a firm's capacity. This in turn enables firms to recognise possibilities and challenges resulting from technological advancement in order to attain long-term competitiveness. The industry is implementing these technologies with caution in order to provide faster, cheaper, more dependable and long-term supply. This study sought to investigate whether Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) is keeping up with the current logistics technology trends and systems that are transforming logistics firms in South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world. To achieve this primary objective, the study also sought to achieve the following sub-objectives, namely: to identify the logistics technologies transforming logistics firms in NMB; to assess the role of logistics technologies affecting logistics firms in NMB. The study also sought to ascertain the challenges of using logistics technologies transforming the logistics firms in NMB; and examine the effect of logistics technology adoption and use on business performance of logistics firms in NMB. The study used an online closed-ended questionnaire distributed via google forms to collect primary data from a sample of 132 respondents across all the logistics firms (which consisted of warehousing, transport and packaging firms) in NMB. The study targeted those respondents involved in the management of the targeted logistics firms. The empirical results show that technology use in logistics firms has advanced a lot to vehicle tracking, packaging, inventory control, and communication systems, as well as robotics among logistics firms in NMB. The results also identified logistics technologies such as the Internet of Things, Robotic Process automation, Digital Supply Chain Twins, Vendor managed system and RFID as some of the major technologies currently transforming the logistics firms in NMB. The study found that many challenges exist with logistics technology adoption, and cited lack of investment towards logistics technology; the fear of iii losing jobs as people get replaced by technology such as machines and robots; high logistics costs as some of the major challenges. More so, the study results reveal that logistics technology adoption and use play a positive and significant role in logistics firms. The study further reports a significant and positive effect of logistics technology adoption and use on business performance of logistics firms. This study concludes that though still at infancy stage, logistics firms in NMB are keeping upbreast with the current logistics technological trends. The study suggests that firms need to speed up the adoption of the needed logistics technologies available to their respective business in order to remain efficient and effective. , Thesis (MA) --Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Ruiters, Byron
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58168 , vital:58616
- Description: Supply chain disruptions such as those emanating from the current Covid 19 pandemic have made the logistics industry to undergo fast and unprecedented change. In such unpredictable times, innovation and technology adoption has emerged as one of the major trends and key solutions to lead the way for the future of logistics. This is also because a successful and efficient logistics strategy requires the use of technology, as well as the strategic value derived from a firm's capacity. This in turn enables firms to recognise possibilities and challenges resulting from technological advancement in order to attain long-term competitiveness. The industry is implementing these technologies with caution in order to provide faster, cheaper, more dependable and long-term supply. This study sought to investigate whether Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) is keeping up with the current logistics technology trends and systems that are transforming logistics firms in South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world. To achieve this primary objective, the study also sought to achieve the following sub-objectives, namely: to identify the logistics technologies transforming logistics firms in NMB; to assess the role of logistics technologies affecting logistics firms in NMB. The study also sought to ascertain the challenges of using logistics technologies transforming the logistics firms in NMB; and examine the effect of logistics technology adoption and use on business performance of logistics firms in NMB. The study used an online closed-ended questionnaire distributed via google forms to collect primary data from a sample of 132 respondents across all the logistics firms (which consisted of warehousing, transport and packaging firms) in NMB. The study targeted those respondents involved in the management of the targeted logistics firms. The empirical results show that technology use in logistics firms has advanced a lot to vehicle tracking, packaging, inventory control, and communication systems, as well as robotics among logistics firms in NMB. The results also identified logistics technologies such as the Internet of Things, Robotic Process automation, Digital Supply Chain Twins, Vendor managed system and RFID as some of the major technologies currently transforming the logistics firms in NMB. The study found that many challenges exist with logistics technology adoption, and cited lack of investment towards logistics technology; the fear of iii losing jobs as people get replaced by technology such as machines and robots; high logistics costs as some of the major challenges. More so, the study results reveal that logistics technology adoption and use play a positive and significant role in logistics firms. The study further reports a significant and positive effect of logistics technology adoption and use on business performance of logistics firms. This study concludes that though still at infancy stage, logistics firms in NMB are keeping upbreast with the current logistics technological trends. The study suggests that firms need to speed up the adoption of the needed logistics technologies available to their respective business in order to remain efficient and effective. , Thesis (MA) --Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Measuring the effectiveness of road Infrastructure support in the OR Tambo Region
- Authors: Malotana, Sinesipho
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Roads -- Maintenance and repair , Municipal services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57819 , vital:58273
- Description: The term "road infrastructure" refers to the roads and structures that are used to convey commuters and goods. In the numerous road facilities, structures, road classifications, electronic traffic systems, signage, and markings, the mission of road infrastructure is to assist efficiency by providing safety and trouble-free transportation. There are fundamental elements that determine the availability of resources required in society and the efficiency with which they are used to accomplish economic growth. Investment in public capital, such as road infrastructure, which is a major economic engine, is critical because infrastructure helps an economy thrive. The importance of road infrastructure and the major role it plays in economic growth can be seen in studies in developed European nations, New Zealand and the Slovak Republic, where road infrastructure is regarded as a catalyst for economic progress. Investment in public capital, such as road infrastructure, has economic benefits since it acts as the economy's backbone. The Eastern Cape's growth has been acknowledged and included in South Africa's national development strategies and efforts; nonetheless, based on deliverables and results, the province ranks among South Africa's least developed provinces. The Eastern Cape has long been designated by development programmes such as the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) as an area that will not only generate development and progress for the province, but also for South Africa as a whole. This is sought to be achieved by the Spatial Development Initiative for the Wild-Coast in OR Tambo District Municipality, which states that "integrated sustainable rural development in the context of community, public, and private partnership initiatives.”, p. 2) This research contributes to the goal of research, which includes testing, the identification of causes and consequences, the building of a foundation for future research, and the growth of knowledge (Apuke, 2017, p. 40). The study follows a quantitative research approach and uses two main methodological procedures in order to complete this study; namely a literature review and questionnaire survey. Employees of the South African Department of Transport's National Road Infrastructure implementing agent SANRAL make up the research population in this study. The study concludes that the delivery of an effective road network in the OR v Tambo Region can serve as the base for the establishment of innovative PPP policies, the pillar of socio-economic development and transformation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Malotana, Sinesipho
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Roads -- Maintenance and repair , Municipal services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57819 , vital:58273
- Description: The term "road infrastructure" refers to the roads and structures that are used to convey commuters and goods. In the numerous road facilities, structures, road classifications, electronic traffic systems, signage, and markings, the mission of road infrastructure is to assist efficiency by providing safety and trouble-free transportation. There are fundamental elements that determine the availability of resources required in society and the efficiency with which they are used to accomplish economic growth. Investment in public capital, such as road infrastructure, which is a major economic engine, is critical because infrastructure helps an economy thrive. The importance of road infrastructure and the major role it plays in economic growth can be seen in studies in developed European nations, New Zealand and the Slovak Republic, where road infrastructure is regarded as a catalyst for economic progress. Investment in public capital, such as road infrastructure, has economic benefits since it acts as the economy's backbone. The Eastern Cape's growth has been acknowledged and included in South Africa's national development strategies and efforts; nonetheless, based on deliverables and results, the province ranks among South Africa's least developed provinces. The Eastern Cape has long been designated by development programmes such as the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) as an area that will not only generate development and progress for the province, but also for South Africa as a whole. This is sought to be achieved by the Spatial Development Initiative for the Wild-Coast in OR Tambo District Municipality, which states that "integrated sustainable rural development in the context of community, public, and private partnership initiatives.”, p. 2) This research contributes to the goal of research, which includes testing, the identification of causes and consequences, the building of a foundation for future research, and the growth of knowledge (Apuke, 2017, p. 40). The study follows a quantitative research approach and uses two main methodological procedures in order to complete this study; namely a literature review and questionnaire survey. Employees of the South African Department of Transport's National Road Infrastructure implementing agent SANRAL make up the research population in this study. The study concludes that the delivery of an effective road network in the OR v Tambo Region can serve as the base for the establishment of innovative PPP policies, the pillar of socio-economic development and transformation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The impact of financial literacy on financial performance of SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Malgas, Sergio Duncan
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: small and medium-zised enterprises , Financial literacy -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58276 , vital:58888
- Description: In extant literature small and medium-zised enterprises (SMEs) are widely recognized for their contribution to economic development which has led to them being described as the backbone of national economies across the world. Although these are several potential benefits of a healthy SMEs sector, stimulating economic growth through job creation, increased market competition and innovation are among the more the commonly reported benefits. Despite this, SMEs owner-managers, particularly those operating in the South African Market, are faced with several obstacles that impede their success, thus contributing to the high and persistent failure rates among SMEs. When considering that SMEs are often comprised of the owner-manager as the principal decisionmaker, their ability to make decisions are crucial to the sustainability and long term success of their businesses. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to determine the influence of the owner-managers on the financial performance of SMEs operating in the Nelson Mandela Bay. The failure of SMEs are often attributed to the prevalence of financial literacy among owner-managers. While broadly cited in extant literature, few studies have focused on financial literacy from the perspective of small business. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Malgas, Sergio Duncan
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: small and medium-zised enterprises , Financial literacy -- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58276 , vital:58888
- Description: In extant literature small and medium-zised enterprises (SMEs) are widely recognized for their contribution to economic development which has led to them being described as the backbone of national economies across the world. Although these are several potential benefits of a healthy SMEs sector, stimulating economic growth through job creation, increased market competition and innovation are among the more the commonly reported benefits. Despite this, SMEs owner-managers, particularly those operating in the South African Market, are faced with several obstacles that impede their success, thus contributing to the high and persistent failure rates among SMEs. When considering that SMEs are often comprised of the owner-manager as the principal decisionmaker, their ability to make decisions are crucial to the sustainability and long term success of their businesses. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to determine the influence of the owner-managers on the financial performance of SMEs operating in the Nelson Mandela Bay. The failure of SMEs are often attributed to the prevalence of financial literacy among owner-managers. While broadly cited in extant literature, few studies have focused on financial literacy from the perspective of small business. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods: A Case of Insiza District, Matabeleland
- Authors: Nyoni, Sibusisiwe Ruth
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Climatic change -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58112 , vital:58579
- Description: Owen Jones’ famous article “Why don’t we treat climate change with the same urgency as Coronavirus” puts forward an intriguing dimension to the climate change phenomenon. Despite the threat it presents to millions of people as well as the world economy, little has been done to prevent countries from being overwhelmed by its effects. Due to the fact that climate change is happening now, the purpose of this study provides insight into climate change and rural livelihoods in Insiza district, Matabeleland. In this study, an interpretivist paradigm was adopted as it gave the researcher adequate information that embodies an account of the participants’ understanding of livelihood assets. The qualitative research approach was adopted as it allowed the researcher to classify the findings into broad themes in order to tell a story. Farmers in Insiza district who depend on agriculture for subsistence were interviewed to provide insight into this phenomenon. The findings of the study revealed that climate stresses, non-climate stresses as well as institutional constraints together contribute to the vulnerability of farmers. Additionally, the findings unveiled that the inconsistent weather patterns as well as the recurrent droughts in the area have pushed most farmers to find alternative means of livelihood. Therefore, farmers over time have resorted to other self-taught means of making a living such as building, small scale mining, buying and selling of clothing items, running grocery stores, baking, owning backyard vegetable gardens, welding, fishing, selling firewood and growing chickens for sale. On the same note the findings showed that farmers in Insiza district employ different coping strategies in attempting to deal with climate change. The most common method in the area of study is conservation farming which has to do with digging pits to store water. More so, the findings displayed that NGOs have been of great assistance in equipping farmers at such a time as this. The study recommends that the government needs to ensure financial and institutional mechanisms to assist the Insiza community. Also, the NGOs must continue to support the communities through equipping them to diversify their portfolios and through developing tailor made capacity building programmes. To the farmers it is recommended that they continue to move in unity and form relationships with other farmers from other districts and provinces so that they can continue to share information. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Nyoni, Sibusisiwe Ruth
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Climatic change -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58112 , vital:58579
- Description: Owen Jones’ famous article “Why don’t we treat climate change with the same urgency as Coronavirus” puts forward an intriguing dimension to the climate change phenomenon. Despite the threat it presents to millions of people as well as the world economy, little has been done to prevent countries from being overwhelmed by its effects. Due to the fact that climate change is happening now, the purpose of this study provides insight into climate change and rural livelihoods in Insiza district, Matabeleland. In this study, an interpretivist paradigm was adopted as it gave the researcher adequate information that embodies an account of the participants’ understanding of livelihood assets. The qualitative research approach was adopted as it allowed the researcher to classify the findings into broad themes in order to tell a story. Farmers in Insiza district who depend on agriculture for subsistence were interviewed to provide insight into this phenomenon. The findings of the study revealed that climate stresses, non-climate stresses as well as institutional constraints together contribute to the vulnerability of farmers. Additionally, the findings unveiled that the inconsistent weather patterns as well as the recurrent droughts in the area have pushed most farmers to find alternative means of livelihood. Therefore, farmers over time have resorted to other self-taught means of making a living such as building, small scale mining, buying and selling of clothing items, running grocery stores, baking, owning backyard vegetable gardens, welding, fishing, selling firewood and growing chickens for sale. On the same note the findings showed that farmers in Insiza district employ different coping strategies in attempting to deal with climate change. The most common method in the area of study is conservation farming which has to do with digging pits to store water. More so, the findings displayed that NGOs have been of great assistance in equipping farmers at such a time as this. The study recommends that the government needs to ensure financial and institutional mechanisms to assist the Insiza community. Also, the NGOs must continue to support the communities through equipping them to diversify their portfolios and through developing tailor made capacity building programmes. To the farmers it is recommended that they continue to move in unity and form relationships with other farmers from other districts and provinces so that they can continue to share information. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Recruitment disruptors: an exploratory study on the perception of artificial intelligence amongst selected Eastern Cape Province recruiters
- Authors: Sobekwa, Sinazo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232238 , vital:49974
- Description: Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Sobekwa, Sinazo
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232238 , vital:49974
- Description: Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
An assessment of broadband infrastructure investment as a primer for inclusive growth in South Africa
- Authors: Dhlamini, James Tapiwa
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Investment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57623 , vital:58187
- Description: This study investigated the impact in the telecommunication and broadband sectors on growth, employment creation, and poverty alleviation. It employs micro-simulation techniques and an economy-wide Leontief-based social accounting matric multiplier model to assess empirically the influence that fiscal injection into these sectors has in achieving South Africa's macroeconomic objectives. The study found positive but declining trends in output multipliers in the telecommunication sector over the past recession period (2009-18), signifying the enervation of the intersectoral multiplier effect over the post-recession period. Fiscal injection into the telecommunication and broadband sectors led to poverty reduction and to job creation in South Africa. However, the overall findings of this study highlight gender biases, spatial imbalances between urban and non-urban, an age gulf between young people and adults and further imbalance between formal and informal employment. The study commends that the government follows a priorities- weighted state spending policy which concurrently targets projects generating high gross value added and employment multipliers and with high capacity to address the disparity caused by the legacy of aparthied , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Dhlamini, James Tapiwa
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Investment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57623 , vital:58187
- Description: This study investigated the impact in the telecommunication and broadband sectors on growth, employment creation, and poverty alleviation. It employs micro-simulation techniques and an economy-wide Leontief-based social accounting matric multiplier model to assess empirically the influence that fiscal injection into these sectors has in achieving South Africa's macroeconomic objectives. The study found positive but declining trends in output multipliers in the telecommunication sector over the past recession period (2009-18), signifying the enervation of the intersectoral multiplier effect over the post-recession period. Fiscal injection into the telecommunication and broadband sectors led to poverty reduction and to job creation in South Africa. However, the overall findings of this study highlight gender biases, spatial imbalances between urban and non-urban, an age gulf between young people and adults and further imbalance between formal and informal employment. The study commends that the government follows a priorities- weighted state spending policy which concurrently targets projects generating high gross value added and employment multipliers and with high capacity to address the disparity caused by the legacy of aparthied , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Household food waste generation, disposal and minimisation in two South African towns
- Authors: Mtakati, Sinako
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Food waste South Africa Cradock , Food waste South Africa Middelburg (Eastern Cape) , Sanitary landfills Environmental aspects South Africa , Greenhouse gases Environmental aspects South Africa , Income distribution South Africa , Socio-economic status South Africa , Waste minimization South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232159 , vital:49967
- Description: Food waste is becoming an important issue considering greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. However, data on the quantities of food disposed remains limited, especially for developing, countries including South Africa. Global food waste estimates suggest that households in developed countries waste more food than those in developing countries. Further, research shows that lack of food waste management impacts negatively on the global efforts to combat food waste generation. I therefore set out to present primary data relating to household food waste generation and minimisation within a South African context. The case study covers two towns in the Eastern Cape province, namely Cradock and Middelburg, with a combined population of 55 352 people. Household food waste assessment and quantification was undertaken using two methods, 1) questionnaires to explore quantities of different types of food wasted by households, and 2) kitchen scales to measure the amounts of food discarded by households. Participating households in each suburb were selected randomly. Differences in shopping and household food waste behaviour in households from different income suburbs is vital to understand as it sets an effective approach to food waste interventions that might have a positive impact in minimising food waste generation. In this thesis, differences in shopping and household food waste behaviour across households in the affluent, middle and low-income suburbs is uncovered. A questionnaire was conducted and households in the affluent suburbs purchased food more frequently and had the highest percentage of respondents that used shopping list when buying food than those in the middle and low-income suburbs. The thesis also indicates that households in the low-income suburbs were more attracted to food special offers and had a higher proportion of respondents who could not distinguish between “Use by” and “Best before” dates than those in the affluent and middle- income suburbs. The reasons to food waste generation overlap between the towns. However, between the suburbs, the respondents from households in the affluent suburbs pointed that they were mainly generating and disposing food waste because they did not think it is an issue. Excessive cooking and food expiring before being consumed were found to be the most common reasons for food waste generation and disposal among households in the low and middle-income suburbs. The times which households are likely to generate more food waste were investigated. Nonetheless, only a few households indicated that there were times that they generated and disposed more food in the bins. The most cited times in the affluent suburbs were during Christmas (54%) and in summer (41%). Festive season (65%) and traditional ceremonies (37%) were the most cited times in the middle-income suburbs, while festive season (46%) and the summer season (36%) were the most cites among households in the low- income suburbs. The dimensions of shopping and household food waste behaviour is reflected in the types and quantities of food waste generated. The results reveal that vegetables were the most wasted food type in Cradock (26%) and in Middelburg (30%), while tinned food and dairy were the least discarded food types in both study towns with no significant differences in proportions of households discarding all six food types. One of the key results is that the average self-reported and weighed food waste generated per capita per annum for the two towns was 23.40±47.20 and 202.60±128.30 kg/capita/year, respectively as compared to the estimated 6-11 kg per annum in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia. Between the towns, Cradock generated more food waste (5.05±2.68 kg) than those in Middleburg (3.84±2.59 kg) in the previous 48 hours. It was also evident that each household and each person in Cradock generated more food waste at breakfast and the least at lunch, while in Middelburg the highest average amount of food waste generated was observed at supper and the least at lunch. The results indicate that household size and employment status were negatively correlated to food waste generation, while wealth status and gender were positively correlated to food waste generation. Majority of households (74% in Cradock and 73% in Middelburg) had no household food waste minimisation strategies implemented. The most cited strategies in place were cooking less frequently, cooking small portions and chopping and freezing vegetables as an anti-food waste strategy. Worth noting is that the small proportion of households with strategies in place are faced with a challenge of some household members showing unwillingness to effectively implement the strategies. The results also reveal that children wasted more food than adults, particularly girls. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mtakati, Sinako
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Food waste South Africa Cradock , Food waste South Africa Middelburg (Eastern Cape) , Sanitary landfills Environmental aspects South Africa , Greenhouse gases Environmental aspects South Africa , Income distribution South Africa , Socio-economic status South Africa , Waste minimization South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232159 , vital:49967
- Description: Food waste is becoming an important issue considering greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. However, data on the quantities of food disposed remains limited, especially for developing, countries including South Africa. Global food waste estimates suggest that households in developed countries waste more food than those in developing countries. Further, research shows that lack of food waste management impacts negatively on the global efforts to combat food waste generation. I therefore set out to present primary data relating to household food waste generation and minimisation within a South African context. The case study covers two towns in the Eastern Cape province, namely Cradock and Middelburg, with a combined population of 55 352 people. Household food waste assessment and quantification was undertaken using two methods, 1) questionnaires to explore quantities of different types of food wasted by households, and 2) kitchen scales to measure the amounts of food discarded by households. Participating households in each suburb were selected randomly. Differences in shopping and household food waste behaviour in households from different income suburbs is vital to understand as it sets an effective approach to food waste interventions that might have a positive impact in minimising food waste generation. In this thesis, differences in shopping and household food waste behaviour across households in the affluent, middle and low-income suburbs is uncovered. A questionnaire was conducted and households in the affluent suburbs purchased food more frequently and had the highest percentage of respondents that used shopping list when buying food than those in the middle and low-income suburbs. The thesis also indicates that households in the low-income suburbs were more attracted to food special offers and had a higher proportion of respondents who could not distinguish between “Use by” and “Best before” dates than those in the affluent and middle- income suburbs. The reasons to food waste generation overlap between the towns. However, between the suburbs, the respondents from households in the affluent suburbs pointed that they were mainly generating and disposing food waste because they did not think it is an issue. Excessive cooking and food expiring before being consumed were found to be the most common reasons for food waste generation and disposal among households in the low and middle-income suburbs. The times which households are likely to generate more food waste were investigated. Nonetheless, only a few households indicated that there were times that they generated and disposed more food in the bins. The most cited times in the affluent suburbs were during Christmas (54%) and in summer (41%). Festive season (65%) and traditional ceremonies (37%) were the most cited times in the middle-income suburbs, while festive season (46%) and the summer season (36%) were the most cites among households in the low- income suburbs. The dimensions of shopping and household food waste behaviour is reflected in the types and quantities of food waste generated. The results reveal that vegetables were the most wasted food type in Cradock (26%) and in Middelburg (30%), while tinned food and dairy were the least discarded food types in both study towns with no significant differences in proportions of households discarding all six food types. One of the key results is that the average self-reported and weighed food waste generated per capita per annum for the two towns was 23.40±47.20 and 202.60±128.30 kg/capita/year, respectively as compared to the estimated 6-11 kg per annum in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia. Between the towns, Cradock generated more food waste (5.05±2.68 kg) than those in Middleburg (3.84±2.59 kg) in the previous 48 hours. It was also evident that each household and each person in Cradock generated more food waste at breakfast and the least at lunch, while in Middelburg the highest average amount of food waste generated was observed at supper and the least at lunch. The results indicate that household size and employment status were negatively correlated to food waste generation, while wealth status and gender were positively correlated to food waste generation. Majority of households (74% in Cradock and 73% in Middelburg) had no household food waste minimisation strategies implemented. The most cited strategies in place were cooking less frequently, cooking small portions and chopping and freezing vegetables as an anti-food waste strategy. Worth noting is that the small proportion of households with strategies in place are faced with a challenge of some household members showing unwillingness to effectively implement the strategies. The results also reveal that children wasted more food than adults, particularly girls. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
A Talent Retention Framework for the South African Information Technology Sector
- Authors: Swart, Jean-pierre
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information Technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58212 , vital:58728
- Description: The South African Information Technology (IT) sector is experiencing a chronic skills shortage, and the skills gap is widening. South African organisations try to retain existing skilled IT professionals in order to compete on a global platform, whilst simultaneously competing against international organisations who poach IT professionals from South Africa in what is referred to as “brain drain”. The South African IT sector is an increasingly important contributor to South Africa’s GDP, with several international corporates investing and creating opportunities in South Arica, including IBM, Dell, Microsoft and Intel. The retention of skilled IT professionals in South Africa is complex and costly due to the high demand for these professionals. An overview of the literature was provided that commenced with a broad analysis of strategic talent management frameworks in order to present a holistic view of talent management. From this broad analysis, the literature review narrowed the focus to the retention of talent. This section focused on the impact of organisational culture and employee engagement, whilst considering the critical roles that managers and leaders play in culture and employee engagement pertinent to the South African IT sector. The research paradigm adopted for this research was interpretivist and the methodology was qualitative research. The empirical data was collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with six IT professionals with extensive experience in the sector, and who directly play a role in the management and retention of skilled IT professionals. Various themes were developed from the interviews, with a focus on the extent of the skills gap and considerations regarding organisational culture, employee engagement and expectations from leaders and managers detailed in the themes. Finally, a talent retention framework for the South African IT sector was developed from the emerging themes. The themes included culture and the work environment, remuneration and benefits, continuous growth and employee engagement. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Swart, Jean-pierre
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Information Technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58212 , vital:58728
- Description: The South African Information Technology (IT) sector is experiencing a chronic skills shortage, and the skills gap is widening. South African organisations try to retain existing skilled IT professionals in order to compete on a global platform, whilst simultaneously competing against international organisations who poach IT professionals from South Africa in what is referred to as “brain drain”. The South African IT sector is an increasingly important contributor to South Africa’s GDP, with several international corporates investing and creating opportunities in South Arica, including IBM, Dell, Microsoft and Intel. The retention of skilled IT professionals in South Africa is complex and costly due to the high demand for these professionals. An overview of the literature was provided that commenced with a broad analysis of strategic talent management frameworks in order to present a holistic view of talent management. From this broad analysis, the literature review narrowed the focus to the retention of talent. This section focused on the impact of organisational culture and employee engagement, whilst considering the critical roles that managers and leaders play in culture and employee engagement pertinent to the South African IT sector. The research paradigm adopted for this research was interpretivist and the methodology was qualitative research. The empirical data was collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with six IT professionals with extensive experience in the sector, and who directly play a role in the management and retention of skilled IT professionals. Various themes were developed from the interviews, with a focus on the extent of the skills gap and considerations regarding organisational culture, employee engagement and expectations from leaders and managers detailed in the themes. Finally, a talent retention framework for the South African IT sector was developed from the emerging themes. The themes included culture and the work environment, remuneration and benefits, continuous growth and employee engagement. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
The application of the prescription act in labour disputes
- Authors: Mncanca, Siyamthanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55498 , vital:52375
- Description: It is inevitable that in an employment relationship grievances and conflicts may emerge.1 This is attested to by the large volume of 193 732 disputes that were referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) during the 2018/19 financial year.2 In the event where an employee is dismissed from work and he decides to challenge the dismissal, section 191 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) grants the employee a right to refer the matter to the CCMA for conciliation or arbitration.3 The purpose of referring the disputes to the CCMA is to support an establishment of a voluntary, free of charge and expeditious mechanisms for labour disputes settlement and allow parties to resolve their disputes through a consensus based process before taking the route of a court process.4 There are time frames that are provided for the referral of disputes to the CCMA. Section 191 determines these time frames by stating that an employee must refer their alleged unfair dismissal to the CCMA within 30 days or 90 days when a dispute relates to an unfair labour practice in accordance with section 191(1)(b)(ii) of the LRA.5 The rationale behind these time frames was outlined in the Constitutional Court (CC) judgement of Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd v CCMA,6 as a means to bring about the expeditious resolution of labour disputes which by their nature, require speedy resolution. , Thesis (L.L.M.) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Mncanca, Siyamthanda
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55498 , vital:52375
- Description: It is inevitable that in an employment relationship grievances and conflicts may emerge.1 This is attested to by the large volume of 193 732 disputes that were referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) during the 2018/19 financial year.2 In the event where an employee is dismissed from work and he decides to challenge the dismissal, section 191 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) grants the employee a right to refer the matter to the CCMA for conciliation or arbitration.3 The purpose of referring the disputes to the CCMA is to support an establishment of a voluntary, free of charge and expeditious mechanisms for labour disputes settlement and allow parties to resolve their disputes through a consensus based process before taking the route of a court process.4 There are time frames that are provided for the referral of disputes to the CCMA. Section 191 determines these time frames by stating that an employee must refer their alleged unfair dismissal to the CCMA within 30 days or 90 days when a dispute relates to an unfair labour practice in accordance with section 191(1)(b)(ii) of the LRA.5 The rationale behind these time frames was outlined in the Constitutional Court (CC) judgement of Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd v CCMA,6 as a means to bring about the expeditious resolution of labour disputes which by their nature, require speedy resolution. , Thesis (L.L.M.) -- Faculty of Law, Mercantile Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Career counselling in the context of Industry 4.0: A systematic literature review
- Authors: Chintokoma, Kudzai Ashley
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Career development , Career changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57589 , vital:58102
- Description: The researcher’s main aim was to summarise and evaluate the existing body of knowledge of career counselling practices, theory and models that can be used as a tool to help individuals cope or manage change in a contemporary work environment. The findings show that the world of work has changed due to technological advancement associated with Industry 4.0, resulting in careers becoming short term. More so, given the increasing speed at which current occupations are changing, people are forced to familiarize themselves with new occupations and industries that might offer new employment opportunities and career prospects. Based on a systematic literature review, the study holds the practical implication that with the help of evolving career counselling practices and HR processes, organisations can help employees attain a meaningful career and wellbeing in the digital era, through paying more attention to enabling interventions that help individuals develop self-regulatory future fit career self-management capabilities. This support system can be of assistance if they understand how employees’ identity in the demonstration of self-management capability can be developed and sustained both in the short and long run. Overall, the literature was effective and quite convincing in its call to discuss the pressing issues that come as a result of industry 4.0. The proposition is that career support should be promoted more and become an important policy within organisations in the digital era. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Chintokoma, Kudzai Ashley
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Career development , Career changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57589 , vital:58102
- Description: The researcher’s main aim was to summarise and evaluate the existing body of knowledge of career counselling practices, theory and models that can be used as a tool to help individuals cope or manage change in a contemporary work environment. The findings show that the world of work has changed due to technological advancement associated with Industry 4.0, resulting in careers becoming short term. More so, given the increasing speed at which current occupations are changing, people are forced to familiarize themselves with new occupations and industries that might offer new employment opportunities and career prospects. Based on a systematic literature review, the study holds the practical implication that with the help of evolving career counselling practices and HR processes, organisations can help employees attain a meaningful career and wellbeing in the digital era, through paying more attention to enabling interventions that help individuals develop self-regulatory future fit career self-management capabilities. This support system can be of assistance if they understand how employees’ identity in the demonstration of self-management capability can be developed and sustained both in the short and long run. Overall, the literature was effective and quite convincing in its call to discuss the pressing issues that come as a result of industry 4.0. The proposition is that career support should be promoted more and become an important policy within organisations in the digital era. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Design, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of Chitosan-based hydrogel for controlled drug delivery system
- Authors: Safari, Justin Bazibuhe
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Chitosan , Drug delivery systems , Drugs Controlled release , Tenofovir , Colloids , Hepatitis B Chemotherapy , Hydrogel
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232182 , vital:49969
- Description: Hepatitis B infection is a deadly infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus and is responsible for many deaths every year worldwide. Despite medication and vaccines against hepatitis B infection, it still presents high morbidity and mortality among populations. This is partly due to factors such as a long medication period of the existing treatments, resulting in poor patient compliance and leading to treatment failure. In addition, this situation can be responsible for the observed emerging drug resistance. Hence, novel drugs and drug delivery systems are needed to tackle this matter. Many strategies have been used to develop long-acting drug delivery systems treatment for several infectious diseases. Hydrogel drug delivery systems have shown interesting results as controlled drug delivery systems for several drugs. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop chitosan grafted poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel and apply it as a pH-sensitive controlled delivery system of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TDF is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used as first-line treatment of hepatitis B chronic infection and in the treatment of other viral infections. The free-radical polymerization method was utilized to modify chitosan by grafting acrylamide and acrylic acid and using N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent to prepare the hydrogel, followed by an optimization of parameters that could affect the swelling capacity. The prepared chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel was characterized using Fourier Transmission Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and was evaluated for cytotoxicity using a HeLa cell assay. TDF was used as a drug model, it was loaded by the swelling equilibrium method, following by the investigation of the release profile of TDF-loaded hydrogel at pH 1.2 and 7.4. A successful synthesis of chitosan grafted poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier Transmission Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Optimization results showed that the ratio of monomers impacted the swelling ratio of the hydrogel and both the concentration of the crosslinking agent, and the reaction initiator also affected the swelling ratio. The synthesized hydrogels were sensitive to pH and ionic strength. Hydrogel swelling was lower in acidic solutions and higher in neutral and basic solutions and decreased with the increasing ionic strength. Furthermore, SEM results revealed that hydrogel have a rough and fibrous surface structure with numerous pores. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the hydrogel was non-cytotoxic at 50 μg/ml against HeLa cells which suggested a good biocompatibility of the material. TDF was loaded and released from the hydrogels and showed an encapsulation efficiency and drug loading percentage ranging from 81-96% and 8-10%, respectively. TDF release profile was found to be low in buffer solution of pH 1.2 (in the range of 5-10%) and much higher (38-53%) at pH 7.4 within 96 hours. TDF maintained its chemical integrity after release and the hydrogels can therefore be proposed as a new controlled-release drug delivery system for hepatitis B treatment. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Safari, Justin Bazibuhe
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Chitosan , Drug delivery systems , Drugs Controlled release , Tenofovir , Colloids , Hepatitis B Chemotherapy , Hydrogel
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232182 , vital:49969
- Description: Hepatitis B infection is a deadly infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus and is responsible for many deaths every year worldwide. Despite medication and vaccines against hepatitis B infection, it still presents high morbidity and mortality among populations. This is partly due to factors such as a long medication period of the existing treatments, resulting in poor patient compliance and leading to treatment failure. In addition, this situation can be responsible for the observed emerging drug resistance. Hence, novel drugs and drug delivery systems are needed to tackle this matter. Many strategies have been used to develop long-acting drug delivery systems treatment for several infectious diseases. Hydrogel drug delivery systems have shown interesting results as controlled drug delivery systems for several drugs. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop chitosan grafted poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel and apply it as a pH-sensitive controlled delivery system of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TDF is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used as first-line treatment of hepatitis B chronic infection and in the treatment of other viral infections. The free-radical polymerization method was utilized to modify chitosan by grafting acrylamide and acrylic acid and using N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent to prepare the hydrogel, followed by an optimization of parameters that could affect the swelling capacity. The prepared chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel was characterized using Fourier Transmission Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and was evaluated for cytotoxicity using a HeLa cell assay. TDF was used as a drug model, it was loaded by the swelling equilibrium method, following by the investigation of the release profile of TDF-loaded hydrogel at pH 1.2 and 7.4. A successful synthesis of chitosan grafted poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier Transmission Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Optimization results showed that the ratio of monomers impacted the swelling ratio of the hydrogel and both the concentration of the crosslinking agent, and the reaction initiator also affected the swelling ratio. The synthesized hydrogels were sensitive to pH and ionic strength. Hydrogel swelling was lower in acidic solutions and higher in neutral and basic solutions and decreased with the increasing ionic strength. Furthermore, SEM results revealed that hydrogel have a rough and fibrous surface structure with numerous pores. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the hydrogel was non-cytotoxic at 50 μg/ml against HeLa cells which suggested a good biocompatibility of the material. TDF was loaded and released from the hydrogels and showed an encapsulation efficiency and drug loading percentage ranging from 81-96% and 8-10%, respectively. TDF release profile was found to be low in buffer solution of pH 1.2 (in the range of 5-10%) and much higher (38-53%) at pH 7.4 within 96 hours. TDF maintained its chemical integrity after release and the hydrogels can therefore be proposed as a new controlled-release drug delivery system for hepatitis B treatment. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Invasive radiological procedures: patients’ satisfaction with radiographers’ care in public hospitals in Ghana and South Africa
- Authors: Denteh, Derrick Kofi
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Hospitals -- Radiological services , Patient satisfaction -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58772 , vital:60097
- Description: There has been a steady increase in invasive radiological procedures throughout the world. The situation is no different in Ghana and South Africa where the governments have sought to increase the equipment available for such procedures in public hospitals. However, complaints by patients and radiographers at the two public hospitals in Ghana and South Africa suggested that not all patients are satisfied with the radiographers’ care provided during invasive radiological procedures. The study aimed to investigate patients’ satisfaction with radiographers’ care during invasive radiological procedures at two public hospitals in Ghana and South Africa, and thereafter to do a comparison of the two hospitals. The study utilised a quantitative, comparative descriptive design. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Cox’s Interaction Model of Client Health Behaviour. The research population consisted of participants who had undergone various invasive radiological procedures. The data were collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the data collection instrument was enhanced by conducting a pilot study as well as through peer review and the guidance of a statistician. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken and presented in the form of tables and graphs. The study was conducted in an ethical manner by adhering to the principles of beneficence, justice and respect for persons. Overall, there was greater patient satisfaction with radiographers’ care in Ghana than in South Africa. Regarding patient satisfaction and health information, a statistically significant difference was observed between both countries (t = 10.02, df = 218, p = 0.000 and d = 1.36). Concerning patient satisfaction and affective support, a statistically significant difference was observed with a medium effect size (t = -4.34, df = 22, p = 0.000, d = 0.59). Patient satisfaction and decisional control was shown to have a statistically significant difference between the two countries (t = 20.27, df = 218, p = 0.000 and d = 2.73). Regarding professional/technical competencies, a statistically significant difference was observed with large size effect between the two countries (t = -6.77, df = 22, p = 0.000 and d = 0.91). In conclusion, the two countries were shown to differ regarding patient satisfaction in relation to Cox’s domains of health information, decisional control, affective support v and professional/technical competencies. In Ghana, there was greater patient satisfaction in relation to health information and decisional control than in South Africa. Conversely, in South Africa patient satisfaction in relation to affective support and professional/technical competencies was higher than in Ghana. As such, patient satisfaction could be improved if radiography management seeks to find ways to address these aspects in the hospitals under study in Ghana and South Africa. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Denteh, Derrick Kofi
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Hospitals -- Radiological services , Patient satisfaction -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58772 , vital:60097
- Description: There has been a steady increase in invasive radiological procedures throughout the world. The situation is no different in Ghana and South Africa where the governments have sought to increase the equipment available for such procedures in public hospitals. However, complaints by patients and radiographers at the two public hospitals in Ghana and South Africa suggested that not all patients are satisfied with the radiographers’ care provided during invasive radiological procedures. The study aimed to investigate patients’ satisfaction with radiographers’ care during invasive radiological procedures at two public hospitals in Ghana and South Africa, and thereafter to do a comparison of the two hospitals. The study utilised a quantitative, comparative descriptive design. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Cox’s Interaction Model of Client Health Behaviour. The research population consisted of participants who had undergone various invasive radiological procedures. The data were collected by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the data collection instrument was enhanced by conducting a pilot study as well as through peer review and the guidance of a statistician. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken and presented in the form of tables and graphs. The study was conducted in an ethical manner by adhering to the principles of beneficence, justice and respect for persons. Overall, there was greater patient satisfaction with radiographers’ care in Ghana than in South Africa. Regarding patient satisfaction and health information, a statistically significant difference was observed between both countries (t = 10.02, df = 218, p = 0.000 and d = 1.36). Concerning patient satisfaction and affective support, a statistically significant difference was observed with a medium effect size (t = -4.34, df = 22, p = 0.000, d = 0.59). Patient satisfaction and decisional control was shown to have a statistically significant difference between the two countries (t = 20.27, df = 218, p = 0.000 and d = 2.73). Regarding professional/technical competencies, a statistically significant difference was observed with large size effect between the two countries (t = -6.77, df = 22, p = 0.000 and d = 0.91). In conclusion, the two countries were shown to differ regarding patient satisfaction in relation to Cox’s domains of health information, decisional control, affective support v and professional/technical competencies. In Ghana, there was greater patient satisfaction in relation to health information and decisional control than in South Africa. Conversely, in South Africa patient satisfaction in relation to affective support and professional/technical competencies was higher than in Ghana. As such, patient satisfaction could be improved if radiography management seeks to find ways to address these aspects in the hospitals under study in Ghana and South Africa. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Greening Ndlambe Village
- Authors: Vithi-Masiza, Noluthando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58396 , vital:59082
- Description: In 1994 the new democratic government of South Africa introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) which was aimed at massive infrastructure expansion. Tackling the housing crisis has been encountered by growing demands for low carbon footprint, reduced use of non-renewable resources and as part of the green agenda. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the South African government set a variety of objectives aimed at achieving an environmentally sustainable future for all. While South Africa has embraced green economy principles, tested integrated approaches are still to be seen in housing construction. This study sought to explore the greening of Ndlambe green village in the Port Alfred area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. To achieve the study objectives, a qualitative research approach was used, employing the case study research strategy and primary data was collected by means of focus groups. Community members, engineers, environmentalists and town planners constituted the study sample. Secondary data sources were also used in this study, along with field observation. The collected data was analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Findings from the study revealed that community members perceived Green village initiative as important and is required in South Africa given the challenges that are experienced such as energy consumption load shedding, water shortages. The economic value proposition of green building is measured through two different lenses, namely economic profit and social profit. The municipalities must take a leading role in by forming policies supporting environmentally friendly activities, with building being one crucial area. Recommendations from the study proposed that partnerships involving communities, private companies, the government and other various interest groups are imperative in order to accelerating the green building agenda. The government must be challenges to develop sustainable funding solutions for a green economy. Lastly, increased awareness about green building among the society may also drive better acceptability and ultimately, a strong social reputation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Vithi-Masiza, Noluthando
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58396 , vital:59082
- Description: In 1994 the new democratic government of South Africa introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) which was aimed at massive infrastructure expansion. Tackling the housing crisis has been encountered by growing demands for low carbon footprint, reduced use of non-renewable resources and as part of the green agenda. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the South African government set a variety of objectives aimed at achieving an environmentally sustainable future for all. While South Africa has embraced green economy principles, tested integrated approaches are still to be seen in housing construction. This study sought to explore the greening of Ndlambe green village in the Port Alfred area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. To achieve the study objectives, a qualitative research approach was used, employing the case study research strategy and primary data was collected by means of focus groups. Community members, engineers, environmentalists and town planners constituted the study sample. Secondary data sources were also used in this study, along with field observation. The collected data was analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Findings from the study revealed that community members perceived Green village initiative as important and is required in South Africa given the challenges that are experienced such as energy consumption load shedding, water shortages. The economic value proposition of green building is measured through two different lenses, namely economic profit and social profit. The municipalities must take a leading role in by forming policies supporting environmentally friendly activities, with building being one crucial area. Recommendations from the study proposed that partnerships involving communities, private companies, the government and other various interest groups are imperative in order to accelerating the green building agenda. The government must be challenges to develop sustainable funding solutions for a green economy. Lastly, increased awareness about green building among the society may also drive better acceptability and ultimately, a strong social reputation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04