ResearchSpace
ResearchSpace is the institutional repository of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, unlocking knowledge, empowering impact, and preserving UKZN's research legacy.
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Recent Submissions
Exploring the Skills Challenges of Robotics at Anglo American Platinum.
(2023) Sesoko, Jill Carol.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah
The research focuses on investigating the skill challenges related to a people centric approach to adoption of advanced technologies in the mining industry, particularly a people centric robotics technology adoption. Given the reality that the South Africa idealises a people-centric approach to robotics technology adoption, the research investigates how Critical Systems Thinking (CST) can facilitate this people-centric adoption of robotics technology, ensuring alignment with responsible mining practices. The study aims to explore how the required skill sets for robotics adoption can be developed through an early talent development strategy using the Anglo-American Platinum Schools Project as a case study. The research provides important insights to influence policymaking that can ensure the successful adoption of robotics technologies in the mining industry. It primarily contributes insights into the theories concerned with the use of critical systems thinking in the adoption of emerging technologies. The research contribute to the need for expanding literature on how the mining industry can adopt robotics technologies in a relevant and responsible manner.
An examination of the role of leadership in fostering employee engagement during times of crises: A case study of the commercial property sector in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Grant, Jacqueline.; Proches, Cecile Gerwel.
The South African commercial property sector has experienced substantial hardship in the past few years. Significantly, the retail component of the sector is the second largest employer behind the government and is a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown, and restriction of trade caused financial distress and heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty in an already turbulent economy. The civil unrest in July 2021 where mass destruction and looting of retail outlets and warehouses added pressure to an industry still attempting to recover from the pandemic. This took place primarily in KwaZulu-Natal, which, despite being the third smallest province, is the second highest contributor to the country’s GDP. Whilst embarking on repair and recovery efforts, the province experienced severe flooding in April 2022, which caused immense damage to infrastructure and buildings. Existing research advocates that employee engagement is a crucial factor of organisational success, with some scholars suggesting that workplace engagement is even more significant during times of crises for the survival of the business. Moreover, leadership is a critical driver of employee engagement. This lends itself to the overarching research question that this study seeks to address – the role of leadership in fostering employee engagement during times of crises in the commercial property sector in KwaZulu-Natal. To this end, a qualitative single case study of eleven leaders comprising of executive, senior and middle managers in a property management company in the province was carried out. Key findings that emanated from the thematic analysis of the data suggest several roles that leaders play in fostering employee engagement during times of crisis. The cornerstone of employee engagement is communication, and the quality of the employer/employee relationship is the foundation for employee engagement. Future research could explore changes needed in areas like leasing policies and office space usage to support the viability of this important industry. The study was limited by only obtaining the perspectives of property management company leaders. Future research could compare leader and subordinate viewpoints for a more holistic understanding. The effects of crises on leaders themselves is another potential area of study, as the participants experienced pressure and inadequate upper-level support. Though leaders must demonstrate resilience in crises, they too need compassion. This study will be of value to leaders in terms of how to better engage with employees in times of crisis.
Exploring perceptions of service delivery in Umzumbe Local Municipality, South Africa.
(2023) Ngcobo, Emmanuel Sibusiso.; Proches, Cecile Naomi.; Singh, Nikita.
Post-1994, the current South African government shifted its efforts and policies toward development to address the country’s economic and social needs, such as job creation, poverty eradication and promotion of equality. Despite the several reforms initiated by the government, poor service delivery remains a critical challenge facing South Africa, leading to several protests. Therefore, this research explored the perceptions towards poor service delivery in South African local governments to identify possible solutions. The study adopted interpretivism as the research philosophy to explore the participants’ perceptions towards service delivery in Umzumbe Local Municipality, located within the Ugu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A qualitative research method was used to gain an adequate understanding of the participant’s perceptions towards service delivery. The study involved fourteen participants (ward committee chairpersons and officials) from Umzumbe Local Municipality. The data was collected through focus group discussions. The collected data was transcribed and analysed using NVivo (Version 14). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify, organise and report both the main themes and sub-themes identified from the dataset. The findings revealed that the stakeholders’ (ward councillors, ward committee and municipal managers) roles in service delivery included ensuring accountability, managing resources, monitoring and evaluating municipal and service providers’ performance, meeting quality standards, supplying raw materials and observing service delivery protests. Also, the findings revealed that the community expected the municipality to provide accessible, affordable, sustainable, and quality services. Furthermore, the study identified the challenges that hampered service delivery in the municipality, including funding, capacity/staff shortages, lack of accountability, corruption, political deployment and political coalitions. Based on the findings, recommendations were proposed to increase the quality of service delivery in the municipality, including the appointment of competent staff, the introduction of a good customer-care system, close monitoring of municipal service delivery and performance, encouraging of teamwork, renewal of political will to fight corruption, employee training, effective communication, and avoidance of political interference. Overall, the findings provided in-depth knowledge of the stakeholders’ (i.e., ward councillors, ward committees and municipal senior managers) perceptions toward service delivery in the Umzumbe Local Municipality
An exploration of the exposure of high school teenagers to gender-based violence with specific focus on intimate partner violence: a case study of a selected school in Inchanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2024) Sibisi, Noxolo Peaceful.; Ngubane, Londeka Princess.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as abuse or aggression that occurs within a romantic relationship. It is a pervasive issue affecting individuals across various age groups and demographics. It falls under the umbrella of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and is a global pandemic which is also prevalent in South Africa. This study focuses on exploring high school teenagers' exposure to intimate partner violence in a selected school at Inchanga, KwaZulu-Natal. From the data gathered, it is evident that intimate partner violence (IPV) exists in a vicious cycle among teenagers, and there is limited research on the experiences of high school teenagers who have been exposed to IPV. This study aims to shed light on the prevalence of intimate partner violence among high school teenagers at Inchanga. Therefore, to gain insight into the exposure of high school teenagers on IPV specifically at the selected school in Inchanga. A qualitative study was conducted using individual interviews with participants. The participants were purposively sampled from different grades and genders to ensure representation. The participants included 5 males and 5 female high school learners aged between 15 and 18 years, four teachers, and a school principal. The findings were then thematically analysed and they revealed that IPV is influenced by various dynamics, including historical patriarchal cultural factors, socio-economic factors, the misconception that violence demonstrates love, and peer influence. It is also evident that domestic violence contributes significantly to the perpetuation of this phenomenon. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the school should implement comprehensive education programs that focus on healthy relationships, conflict resolution, and the prevention of IPV. These programs can help raise awareness among teenagers about the dynamics of healthy relationships and empower them to recognise and address signs of abuse. Furthermore, it is also recommended that there should be Collaboration with community organisations that specialise in intimate partner violence prevention to enhance their efforts in addressing this issue.
Natural Polymorphisms at gag cleavage sites and their potential impact on the substrate envelope structure of HIV-1 Subtype C.
(2025) Mqhaba, Laurinda Vuyolwethu.; Gordon, Michelle Lucille.
Limited studies have investigated the natural variations within the gag gene of HIV-1 subtype C, particularly at the cleavage sites (CSs), with most existing research focusing on subtype B.
This study extended prior findings by comparing the natural variability at the CSs between HIV-1 subtypes B and C, extending the analysis from 5AA to 10AA and 15 AA on either side of the scissile bond, highlighting differences that may contribute to protease (PR)-substrate interactions and viral fitness. In addition, this study provided a more comprehensive understanding of how natural polymorphisms at the CSs (5AA) influence the substrate envelope, the substrate's consensus volume, which serves as a template that the PR uses to recognize and bind to a specific CS. The findings revealed distinct patterns of CS variability between subtypes B and C. Notably, subtype C sequences exhibited high variability at the P2/NC and P1/P6 CSs. The P2/NC CS showed the highest variability, with 100% of sequences in subtype C being polymorphic at this site. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the increase in sequence length from 5AA to 15AA amplified the variability, particularly at the P2/NC and P1/P6 sites. While this was expected, it was interesting to note that the greatest variability was seen where the extended sites overlapped. This suggests that subtype C may have a more diverse and mutable PR CS profile. However, this requires further investigation.
The structural analysis of the CSs showed that strong binding affinities were linked to extensive hydrogen bonding and π-alkyl interactions, often involving conserved residues, while unfavourable interactions such as steric clashes weakened binding. Subtype B generally had more diverse and distributed interactions, including extensive hydrophobic contacts (e.g., Val32, Ile50), salt bridges, and favourable hydrogen bonds involving the D25, Asp29, and Asp30 residues. Subtype C often formed fewer but stronger hydrogen bonds (shorter distances), with specific π interactions (e.g., with Val82), but also displayed unfavourable donor–donor clashes, especially in MA/CA and NC/P1 complexes. For P2/NC, subtype B had a wider interaction network, while subtype C relied on localized binding. Although subtype C sometimes showed slightly higher binding affinities (e.g., -8.3 kcal/mol), subtype B’s interactions were more varied and involved more structural and catalytic residues, suggesting potentially more stable binding overall.
In conclusion, natural polymorphisms at the gag CSs impacted the structure of the substrate envelope of HIV-1 subtype C which could impact the cleavage by PR. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the distinct mutation profiles of HIV-1 subtypes B versus C, which is important for the advancement of effective therapeutic strategies to combat HIV-1 globally.