Doctoral Degrees (Philosophy)
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Item An analysis of pre-service mathematics teachers’ geometric thinking and classroom discourse using a commognitive lens.(2022) Larbi, Ernest.; Mudaly, Vimolan.Abstract five keywords from the following Abstract: Learning geometry equips learners with cognitive skills such as visualisation, critical thinking, spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities, that are necessary for learning mathematics in general. However, geometry is noted to be difficult for learning as well as teaching. An investigation of this difficulty, especially with teachers, will help address its teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was to analyse pre-service teachers’ geometric thinking and classroom discourse using the commognitive lens. The study was guided by three objectives, which were to analyse the pre-service teachers' discursive thinking in geometry; the nature of their routine thinking in solving the geometric tasks, and how these informed their classroom geometric discourse. The study aligned itself to the qualitative approach and was underpinned by the interpretivist research paradigm. Eight pre-service teachers who were second-year university students and had taken geometry as part of their programme modules, participated in the study. The study site was conveniently selected, whilst the participants were selected on purposively. Geometry worksheet (test), interview and classroom observation, were used to generate written, verbal (oral) response, and visual data in relation to the study objectives. The data was analysed using the themes of the commognitive framework. The results show that both literate and colloquial word use were found in the discourses of the pre-service teachers. Many participants in Group A used more literate words to define and explain geometric concepts and how they solved the geometry problems, than the participants in Group B, who used both literate and colloquial words. Also, the routine solution strategies of many in Group A showed more of an explorative way of thinking compared to those in Group B, who demonstrated more of a ritualised way of thinking. In addition, multiple solutions to tasks were found by many of Group A participants than those in Group B. Generally, many of the study participants demonstrated limited geometric thinking. Misconceptions were evident in the discourses of some pre-service teachers in both groups. Other key findings from the classroom observation were that, many participants in Group A demonstrated an explorative instruction that is characterised by developing learner understanding and using different kinds of visual mediators as compared to participants in Group B, whose classroom geometric discourse was ritualised in nature. In other words, their teaching was more procedure-driven than conceptual. The study concludes that many of the PSTs possess limited geometric thinking. In addition, those who possessed good geometric thinking were more capable of engaging learners in explorative instruction compared to those with limited geometric thinking. These findings may have an influence on mathematics teacher educators’ efforts to develop teaching competence among pre-service teachers.Item Exploring cultural norms, masculinities and sexual behaviours of black South African male students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal = Ukuhlola amasiko, ubudoda kanye nokuziphatha kocansi kwabafundi besilisa abamnyama baseNingizimu Afrika eNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natal.(2021) Khumalo, Sinakekelwe Khanyisile.; Mabaso, Musawenkosi.; Taylor, Myra.Background: Research evidence indicates that African male students are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour than their female counterparts. Sexual behaviour among male students is to a large extent influenced by their individual decisions and the social environment including immediate family and surrounding communities. It is therefore important to understand the context under which sexual behaviours are constructed and shaped. For many young people, the university environment period provides a critical developmental transition from adolescence to adulthood, during which young people establish patterns of behaviours and make lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health. It is within this setting that young men interrogate their masculinities and sexual behaviours. The explanation of male students’ sexual behaviours can be determined through understanding the meaning and influence that they attach to the cultural norms related to sexual behaviours. Using the social constructionist paradigm that examines the development of masculinities as a mutual construct of individual, social, cultural, and historical contexts, the study aimed to explore cultural norms, masculinities and sexual behaviour of Black male students. This understanding is essential in order to develop recommendations to promote positive sexual behaviour messaging for university male students. The specific objectives of this study were (1) to explore how Black African male university students construct their sexual behaviours, (2) to explore the cultural norms associated with Black South African male students’ sexual behaviours, and (3) to explore the influence of the university behavioural intervention programmes on the sexual behaviours of male students. Methods: The study population was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using four focus group discussions with 36 participants and three key informant interviews. Focus group discussions consisted of 8-10 participants and were conducted according to the current year of study of the students. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify the key patterns and the themes that emerged from the data. Results: The results of the study reveal that versions of masculinities at institutions of higher learning are socially constructed, fluid over time and plural. An individual has multiple masculinities which are often exerted to suit their current discourse at any given point. The university setting appeared to be a space where a lot of toxic masculinities and sexual risk-taking occurred, which potentially exposed the young men in the study to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. The results further reveal that the other influences on the sexual behaviours of the young men included family, peers and community. It was also discovered that poor knowledge and awareness, negative perceptions and attitudes, fear and lack of privacy, and negative experiences are the factors that lead to poor access and utilization of campus health services. Conclusion: The university space is an important space that allows young men from different cultural backgrounds to explore their masculinities, sexualities and sexual behaviours. The cultural norms of black male students studying at university which are associated with masculinities, sexualities and sexual behaviours are influenced by an array of factors such as family, peers, community, and individual decisions. These factors shape and ultimately inform the behaviours of young men regarding their masculinities and sexual behaviours. A number of male students continue to delay or avoid seeking health care even with the available sexual health programs at the university. It is therefore essential that the university’s HIV and AIDS programs infuse socio-cultural norms and notions of masculinity in their health communication strategy to create more effective HIV prevention programs for young men. Iqoqa Isendlalelo: Ukuziphatha ngokocansi kwabafundi besilisa ngokwezinga elikhulu kuthonywa izinqumo zabo ngabanye kanye nendawo yenhlalo kubandakanya umndeni oseduze kanye nemiphakathi ebazungezile. Ngakho-ke kubalulekile ukuqonda umongo lapho ukuziphatha kocansi kwakhiwe futhi akheke ngaphansi kwaso. Intsha eningi, isikhathi sendawo yasenyuvesi sihlinzeka ngoshintsho olubalulekile lwentuthuko ukusuka ebusheni kuya ekubeni abantu abadala, lapho abantu abasha besungula amaphethini okuziphatha futhi benze ukukhetha kwendlela yokuphila okuthinta impilo yabo yamanje neyesikhathi esizayo. Kukulesi simo lapho izinsizwa ziphenya khona ngobudoda nokuziphatha kwazo ngokocansi. Izindlela: Inani labantu bocwaningo likhethwe kusetshenziswa amasampula okuhlosiwe. Imininingo yaqoqwa kusetshenziswa izingxoxo zamaqembu amane okugxilwe kuwo nabahlanganyeli abangama-36 kanye nezingxoxo ezintathu ezibalulekile zabanolwazi. Izingxoxo zeqembu okugxilwe kuzo bezinabahlanganyeli abangu-8-10 futhi zaqhutshwa ngokonyaka wamanje wokufunda wabafundi. Ukuhlaziywa kwendikimba kusetshenziswe ukuze kutholakale amaphethini abalulekile nezindikimba ezivele emininingweni. Imiphumela: Imiphumela yocwaningo iveza ukuthi izinhlobo zabesilisa ezikhungweni zemfundo ephakeme zakhiwe ngokwenhlalo, zishintshashintsha ngokuhamba kwesikhathi kanye nobuningi. Umuntu unezinto eziningi zesilisa ezivame ukusetshenziswa ukuze zivumelane nenkulumo yakhe yamanje nganoma yisiphi isikhathi. Imiphumela iphinde iveze ukuthi amanye amathonya ekuziphatheni kocansi kwezinsizwa kwakuhlanganisa umndeni, ontanga kanye nomphakathi. Kuphinde kwatholakala ukuthi ulwazi olubi nokuqwashisa, imibono engemihle nezimo zengqondo, ukwesaba nokuntula imfihlo, kanye nolwazi olubi yizinto eziholela ekufinyeleleni okubi nasekusetshenzisweni kwezinsizakalo zezempilo zesikhungo. Isiphetho: Indawo yasenyuvesi iyindawo ebalulekile evumela izinsizwa eziqhamuka ezindaweni ezahlukene zamasiko ukuthi zihlole ubudoda bazo, ubulili kanye nokuziphatha kwazo ngokocansi. Idlanzana labafundi besilisa liyaqhubeka nokulibazisa noma ligweme ukufuna usizo lwezempilo ngisho nezinhlelo zezempilo zocansi ezikhona enyuvesi. Ngakho-ke kubalulekile ukuthi izinhlelo zenyuvesi ze-HIV ne-AIDS zifake imikhuba yezenhlalo namasiko kanye nemibono yobudoda esu labo lezempilo lokuxhumana ukuze bakhe izinhlelo ezisebenza ngempumelelo zokuvikela i-HIV ezinsizweni. Amagama asemqoka: amasiko, ukuziphatha kocansi, ubudoda, abafundi besilisa abasebasha, inyuvesi, eNingizimu AfrikaItem Intimate partner violence against women living with and without HIV: contexts and associated factors in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia.(2021) Koyira, Mengistu Meskele.; Khuzwayo, Nelisiwe.; Taylor, Myra.Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are overlapping or intersecting public health challenges. Intimate partner violence is considered to be strongly related to HIV infection among women in Africa. However, the evidence is not conclusive. Women who are abused physically by their partners seek medical treatment in public institutions, yet, in Ethiopia, the experience of healthcare workers (HCWs) in screening IPV among HIV-positive and HIV-negative clients is not fully understood Purpose: This study aimed to map the evidence of IPV in Sub-Saharan Africa, to measure the factors associated with IPV, to explore the experience of IPV against women living with and without HIV, and the health care workers' IPV screening experience in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Objectives 1. To conduct a scoping review of IPV among women living with HIV/AIDS in Sub- Saharan Africa. 2. To explore the lived experience of IPV against women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone. 3. To explore the experiences and challenges in screening for IPV among women who use ART and other health services in Wolaita Zone. 4. To measure the prevalence and associated factors of IPV among women living with and without HIV in Wolaita Zone. Methods: This is a mixed-methods study. I conducted both qualitative and quantitative studies.. Initially, I mapped the evidence of IPV among HIV-positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa using a scoping review. Then, I conducted an exploratory sequential design of mixed-methods research. An interpretative (hermeneutic) phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of women who were living with and without HIV. Additionally, I used a descriptive phenomenological study design to explore the IPV screening experiences of 16 HCWs. I also used a comparative cross-sectional study comprising 816 women between 18-49 years who were living with and without HIV for the quantitative study. I used the standard questionnaire of the World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women (translated). The scientific rigour, dependability, and credibility relating to this sensitive subject were maintained. I used STATA software, version 15 for the quantitative data analysis; NVIVO 12 assisted us in developing a framework, and Colaizzi's analysis for the qualitative data. I used the binary and multivariable logistic regression model for the quantitative analysis. Results: The scoping review provided a summary of the evidence of IPV experiences among women with HIV/AIDS. As this review has shown, the HIV-positive women were at considerable risk of IPV after disclosure of their serostatus to a male partner. Psychological and emotional abuse was the most common form of violence reported by the review. Subsequently, in the quantitative study, we found a high lifetime prevalence of IPV among all women in Wolaita Zone, 487 (59.68%, [95% CI:56.31%-63.05%]. It was slightly higher among women living with HIV, 250 (61.3%), than among those who were HIV negative, 238 (58.09%). Factors associated with IPV were the controlling behaviour of husband/partner [AOR=8.13; 95% CI: 4.93-13.42], poor wealth index [AOR=3.97; 95% CI:1.81-8.72], bride price payment to bride‘s family[AOR=3.46; 95% CI:1.74-6.87], women‘s decision to refuse sex [AOR=2.99;95% CI:1.39-6.41], age group of women [AOR=2.86; 95% CI:1.67-4.90], partner‘s family choosing a wife [AOR=2.83; 95% CI:1.70-4.69], alcohol consumption by partner [AOR=2.36; 95% CI:1.36-4.10], number of sexual partners [AOR=2.35; 95% CI:1.36-4.09], and if a partner ever physically fought with another man [AOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.05-3.19]. Inappropriate legal punishment of the perpetrator and the lack of a supportive women's network to avert IPV were perceived as limitations by the women. There were HCW and health system-related challenges in screening for IPV. These challenges comprised a gap in the medico-legal report provision, absence of separate record-keeping for IPV cases, lack of client follow-up, and lack of coordination with an external organisation. Conclusions and recommendations: There was a high prevalence of IPV among women, both living with and without HIV. The extent of IPV and its presentation in the different forms (physical, sexual and psychological), which frequently overlapped, highlights the urgency of intervention measures. Women reported terrifying experiences of violence, which affected their health physically, mentally, and psychologically. There are also challenges concerning HCWs, health systems, and the clients, relating to screening for IPV. Scoping review revealed evidence of IPV experience among women with HIV/AIDS, evidence of how HIV status disclosure influences IPV, and proof of the association of socio-demographic characteristics with IPV. It was concluded that marriage arrangements should be by mutual consent of the marriage partners rather than being made by parents; it is advisable to involve males in all programmes of genderbased violence prevention to change their violent behaviours; there is a need for the arrangement of separate record-keeping of IPV cases at the health facilities and for standardising the medico-legal reporting system. Finally, this study emphasises the importance of executing more gender-equitable policies.Item Developing an intervention to manage professional isolation among emergency nurses working in Lesotho: an action research approach.(2023) Kutoane, Mahlomola.; Brysiewicz, Petra.; Tricia, Scott.Introduction: Professional isolation is described as a deficiency in one’s network of social relations at work and is associated with compromised health service delivery and quality of life among health professionals, particularly those working in low-resource environments. Aim: to develop an intervention for managing professional isolation among emergency nurses working in Lesotho. Method: A mutually collaborative action research study, with an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design, was conducted in the emergency departments of five selected hospitals in Lesotho, with 25 purposively sampled registered nurses. A needs assessment was conducted through a scoping review and focus group discussions, followed by the establishment of a three-member research team (Cycle One). Thereafter, 13 individual interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions of professional isolation among emergency nurses (Cycle Two). The intervention, a Digital Community of Practice, was developed (Cycle Three) and facilitated through WhatsApp platform, then was implemented and evaluated in Cycle Four. Results: The scoping review highlighted there is limited literature on professional isolation among health professionals and the focus group discussions revealed that participants acknowledged that there was a need for such a study. Qualitative interviews exploring professional isolation resulted in an overarching theme of ‘feeling like an island’ and three categories; lack of interprofessional collaboration and consultation, skills mismatch, and enforced loneliness. Following consultation with the research team, a digital community of practice was developed for emergency nurses using the WhatsApp platform and then implemented. Conclusion This study revealed that emergency nurses in Lesotho do experience professional isolation and a digital community of practice developed using social media, such as WhatsApp, as a communication tool, could be considered as an intervention strategy for managing professional isolation among emergency nurses working in low-resource environments. However, it is recommended that a larger-scale study be undertaken to encourage the motivation for developing contextual interventions for addressing professional isolation in emergency care settings.Item Trichinella infections in wildlife in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa: unravelling epidemiological gaps with special emphasis on infectivity of Trichinella zimbabwensis in selected tropical fishes.(2020) La Grange, Louis Jacobus.; Mukaratirwa, Samson.Trichinella species are widely distributed on all continents with the exception of Antarctica, although the full spectrum of Trichinella species found in sub-Saharan African countries and their hosts has not been fully documented. This study was conducted to review reports on Trichinella infections in wildlife in the Kruger National Park and also to identify species and/or genotypes of Trichinella larvae isolated from muscle tissues of wildlife from Kruger National Park and adjacent areas of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa referred to as the Greater Kruger National Park using molecular techniques. A review of Trichinella spp. isolates and their wildlife hosts from the Greater Kruger National Park covering the period 1964–2011 was conducted and the results were compared with recent findings where isolates collected between 2012 and 2016 were identified to genotype/species level using molecular techniques. In the first 15 years the prevalence of infection was only reported twice in scientific publications and the reports included only four carnivorous mammal species and one rodent species. However, since the last report of Trichinella in an African civet (Civettictis civetta) other wildlife species were tested in the KNP and one new host was identified. Advances in molecular techniques allowed scientists to identify two isolates, collected in 1966 and 1988 respectively as Trichinella T8. Another isolate collected in 1991 was described as T. nelsoni. All of the other isolates found before 1991 were erroneously identified as T. spiralis. Ninety samples collected during the 2012–2016 period representing 15 mammalian, two avian- and three reptilian species were screened for Trichinella infection using artificial digestion. Isolates detected were identified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification of the ITS1, ITS2 and ESV regions of ribosomal DNA followed by molecular analysis of the sequences. Twenty (20) samples from seven wildlife species were positive for Trichinella spp. larvae with an overall prevalence of 21.1% (20/90). The prevalence was higher in carnivores (18.9%, 18/90) than in omnivores (2.2%, 2/90). Analysis of sequences showed that eight of the isolates; two from spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) (2/8), three from lion (Panthera leo) (3/13), one from leopard (Panthera pardus) (1/6), one from small spotted genet (Genetta genetta) (1/2) and one Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) (1/2) conformed to Trichinella zimbabwensis. One isolate from a hyaena was grouped under the encapsulated species clade comprising T. nelsoni and genotype Trichinella T8 reported to be present in South Africa. This is the first report confirming natural infection of T. zimbabwensis in hyaena, leopard, genet and Nile monitor lizard, adding to the body of knowledge on the epidemiology of Trichinella infections in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Ten Trichinella-like larvae recovered after digestion from four wildlife species in this study (2012–2016) revealed inconclusive results due to DNA degradation from poor storage or too few larvae for analysis in comparison to 20 isolates from five wildlife species not identified to species during the 1964–2011 period. Knowledge on factors influencing the infectivity, epidemiology and survival of Trichinella spp. in different climatological environments is scanty. Availability of this knowledge will allow for the elucidation of epidemiology of Trichinella infections and the prediction of probable host-parasite cycles within specific ecological niches. The recent identification of new host species infected with three Trichinella taxa within the Greater Kruger National Park prompted a revision of previously published hypothetical transmission cycles for these species. Using data gathered from surveillance studies spanning the period 1964– 2016, and the recently obtained data from molecular identification of isolates from the Greater Kruger National Park, the previously hypothesized transmission cycles were revised. The new hypothesized transmission cycles were established in consideration of epidemiological factors and prevalence data gathered from both the Greater Kruger National Park and similar wildlife protected areas in Africa where the same host- and parasite species are known to occur. The anecdotal nature of some of the presented data in the hypothesized transmission cycles confirms the need for more intense epidemiological surveillance in the rest of South Africa and continued efforts to unravel the epidemiology of Trichinella infections in this unique and diverse protected landscape. Furthermore, to determine the role of fish in the epidemiology of T. zimbabwensis in the Greater Kruger National Park, experimental infections were conducted to assess the infectivity of this species to catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus). Twenty-four catfish (581.7 ± 249.7 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups and experimentally infected with 1.0 ± 0.34 T. zimbabwensis larvae per gram (lpg) of fish. Results showed no adult worms or larvae in the gastrointestinal tract and body cavities of catfish euthanized at day 1, 2 and 7 post-infection (p.i.). These results suggest that African sharp tooth catfish does not play a role in the epidemiology of the parasite irrespective of the fact that the fish cohabit with crocodiles and Nile monitor lizards in the Greater Kruger National Park. Forty-one tigerfish (298.6 ± 99.3 g) were randomly divided into three separate trials (T). Each trial (T) was divided into groups (G) as follows; Trial 1 (T1G1); Trial 2 (T2G1, T2G2) and Trial 3 (T3G1, T3G2, T3G3) infected with 2.12 ± 1.12 lpg of fish. An additional 7 tigerfish were assessed for the presence of natural infection. Two tigerfish from T1G1 yielded T. zimbabwensis larvae in muscle tissues on day 26 p.i. (0.1 lpg) and 28 p.i. (0.02 lpg), respectively. No adult worms or larvae were detected in the fish from trials 2 or 3 on days 7, 21, 28, 33 or 35 p.i. or from the control group. Results from this study suggest tigerfish to be generally unsuitable hosts for T. zimbabwensis. However, results from this study suggest that some individuals could, under very specific, and as yet to be elucidated circumstances, maintain the larvae of T. zimbabwensis but it could not be confirmed whether the parasite can fully develop and reproduce in this host. These results preclude any definitive conclusion in respect of the potential of African sharp tooth catfish and tiger fish to serve as potential hosts for T. zimbabwensis. The influence of temperature on T. zimbabwensis larval development and survival in fish remains inconclusive. It is possible that these fish could only become infected during warmer seasons and in warmer climates. It is also not clear whether potentially infected fish would retain the infection in subsequent colder seasons. Variability of temperatures between different geographic regions may additionally influence the susceptibility of these fish to T. zimbabwensis infection. However, the plethora of biological-, geographical- and climatic factors that could potentially influence the infectivity of T. zimbabwensis to certain fish host species precludes any definitive conclusion on the role of fish in the parasite’s natural ecosystem. Results from this study do suggest that tigerfish could, under very specific and as yet unknown circumstances, sustain the development and establishment of T. zimbabwensis.Item An analysis of nonverbal communication between nurses and hospitalised older adults in selected hospitals in Cameroon.(2023) Keutchafo, Esther Lydie Wanko.; Kerr, Jane.Background: Nurse-patient communication has been recognised as one of the most important aspects of successful patient outcomes. In relation to older adults, whose numbers are growing worldwide, nurses’ communication with older adults is essential because older adults will seek medical assistance more than before. Since most rely on nonverbal communication because of hearing deficits, and changes in attention and coding of information – all restrictions in interaction and effective verbal communication – nurses’ nonverbal communication will be a vital skill to develop good nurse-older patient relationships. In a context where there are no long-term care settings, nurses will be required to achieve effective nonverbal communication when older adults are admitted to the wards. Aim: This study aimed at analysing nonverbal communication between nurses and hospitalised older adults in selected hospitals in Cameroon, to develop a model for effective nonverbal communication between nurses and older adults. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used in this study. A total of 372 participants were included through overt, theoretical, and convenience sampling. To collect the qualitative data through participant observations and individual interviews, twenty-seven (27) nurses were observed, of which 13 nurses were interviewed, and 29 older adults were observed, of which eight (8) were interviewed. In addition, 316 nursing students participated in the survey. Qualitative data analysis was composed of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, which were intertwined as the researcher moved back and forth between data collection and data analysis. Additionally, comparative analysis, theoretical sensitivity, and memos were used during the process of analysing the qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using SPPS version 25, where descriptive and inferential analyses were run. Additionally, an explanatory factor analysis based on the principal component analysis method with varimax rotation was conducted, to determine the common factors that explain the order and structure among measured variables. Results: Firstly, the results showed that there was limited evidence of studies on nonverbal communication between nurses and cognitively intact hospitalised older adults in clinical settings. Secondly, the results showed that hospitalised older adults made both positive and negative interpretations of nurses’ nonverbal communication. They also had specific nonverbal communication needs. Thirdly, the results showed that nurses mainly used haptics, kinesics, and proxemics to communicate nonverbally with hospitalised older adults to build relationships with them, convey affection, reassure them, and support verbal communication. Further, the results showed that nursing students held slightly positive attitudes towards older adults; yet, the tool used to assess their attitudes showed moderate psychometric properties and two factor loadings. Finally, the results showed that the proposed model for effective nonverbal communication with hospitalised older adults, which emerged from the data, encompassed all six categories of Strauss and Corbin’s framework, which are: causal conditions, contextual conditions, core phenomenon, action/interaction strategies, intervening conditions and expected outcomes. Conclusions: This study revealed that nurses mainly use few nonverbal communication techniques to communicate with hospitalised older adults, which cannot achieve effective communication, vital in nurse-patient relationships. The proposed model provides a guide for effective nonverbal communication with older adults and acknowledges that older adults’ interpretations and needs of nonverbal communication, as well as attitudes towards them, all influence effective nonverbal communication with hospitalised older adults. It is hoped that nurses will consider these to improve their nonverbal communication with hospitalised older adults for better patient outcomes such as: patient satisfaction, shorter lengths of stay in hospitals and improved quality of care.Item Analysing conceptions of Zulu kinship system in present times and their influence on orphaned children’s education in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.(2021) Jonathan, Lorna.; Buthelezi, T.M.The kinship care system is the preferred option, should it become necessary for a child to be removed from home and placed within a safe environment. It is the least restrictive and most family-like out-of-home placement. This study explored the lives of children in KwaZulu- Natal, who have been orphaned or are otherwise vulnerable, in relation to the Zulu kinship care system. Orphanhood has become widespread because of the HIV&AIDS pandemic, though there are also other contributing factors. The main purpose of the study was understanding how the children adapt to a life living with extended family because of being orphaned. The second purpose of the study aimed to find out why the children who have extended families are sent to live in an institution and how they understand both their family circumstances and their present context. The study design is a qualitative case study, designed with an interpretive paradigm. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems framework provided the lens for this study. This examines a child’s development within the complex “layers” of environment, each influencing a child’s development. The framework provided a way of approaching and analysing the data. There were 45 orphaned child participants, primarily girls, between the ages of 15 and 18, who were living with their caregivers, 25 of whom were also interviewed. The orphaned children were selected from three high schools in KwaDukuza area of KwaZulu- Natal; selection was undertaken on a systematic sampling basis. In addition, nine children were selected from a childcare facility in Durban, as well as a social worker from the same facility. The data collection strategies included focus group discussions with caregivers, individual interviews with participating teachers and a social worker as well as drawings and interpretation with children. Interviews with caregivers in a township revealed that the families themselves were poor and humble yet had been open to accepting yet another child to care for. The most significant finding is that the Zulu kinship system continues to operate but is under severe stress, and at times is not serving to protect children to the extent needed. The pattern of families intervening to protect and care for children in difficulties still continues, as indicated in the township settings; the caregivers report on their care as a labour of love that entails sacrifice. However, there is evidence from children that, while that is true of some situations, other placements are subject to abuse and exploitation. In many cases the care is inadequate simply because of the poverty of the family. The impact of poverty on schooling, and the degree of ostracism within schools, is a constant problem. In some families, the system has failed to the point that the only option for vulnerable and orphaned children is institutional care. Children in care report fully on the abuse and neglect that led to their placement, while most of those who had been placed with the extended family had enjoyed family life before the loss of parents. An additional finding was on the central role of mothers and on the frequent absence of fathers, before the loss of parents, as well as the major role played in the extended families by grandmothers. Significantly, despite the evidence of abuse and despite the evidence that institutional care was supportive and warm, children in care expressed a longing for family, even some children from families that had failed them completely. There is clearly, as recommended, a pressing need for ongoing visits by a social worker to orphaned children placed with extended families, given the extent of abuse revealed. In terms of further research, proposals are made to explore areas that would buttress the capacity of the kinship system in relation to social work and school, and to understand the possibilities for intervening before families lose their capacity for care.Item Grounding african political theory on afro-communitarianism: arguments and implications.(2023) Adeate, Tosin Blessing.; Clare, Julia.This thesis critically analyses Afro-communitarianism as a philosophical foundation for modern African political theories and practices. The thesis links the reception of Afro-communitarian political philosophy in modern African political philosophy with its long-standing tension between community and individual as well as the conflict between rights and duty in modern African political philosophy. The attempt to resolve this tension in literature has mainly focused on the ideas of personhood. The thesis shows how development of the personhood approach to resolving this tension was manifested in three senses, i.e. duty-based, rights-based, and Afro-communitarian rejectionism. These three senses are both interrelated and independent discourses in African political philosophy. The duty-based personhood approach holds that personhood is defined solely by the structure of the community and not the self. It contends a notion of the self whose definition of meaningful life is generated outside the reference to community dependency. According to this approach, an ideal individual is a communal conformist, one that prioritises the duty to the community over the self. As a result, this approach defends a political society where concerns of rights, especially individual rights, do not matter. Following this approach is the rights-based personhood response. The rights-based approach responds to the lacunae in the duty-based personhood approach. Rights-based personhood approach is also an independent position at resolving the tension in Afro-communitarian political thought. This approach seeks to defend the compatibility of rights with Afro-communitarianism and its equal status with communal obligation. It argues for certain features of humans that suggest the partial dependency of the self on the community in the definition of human personhood. Grounding on these features, the approach established the place of rights, autonomy, and freedom in the Afro-communitarian discourse. However, what stands clear in this account of personhood is the persistence of the community and its overwhelming nature in framing the functions of the political virtues of rights, autonomy, and freedom believed to be individual properties. Rights only matter to the extent of their coherence with communal values. It becomes apparent that the idea of individual rights remains vague, especially in the face of specific human expression in communitarian African societies. vi The conflicts between individual and community and rights and duty in the idea of personhood in Afro-communitarian thought stirred up the third response and the third sense of the personhood approach, which I refer to as Afro-communitarian rejectionism. Scholars in this camp suggest the need to have a conversation on modern African politics without Afro-communitarian ideas. This position rests on the claim that modern African philosophy will be influenced by diverse orientations, which are sometimes incompatible with the ideas of Afro-communitarianism. However, the challenge with this conception of personhood is that it ruled out the possibility of a developed modern Africa profiting from the merits of Afro-communitarianism. While the tension between the individual and community persists, the thesis argues that attention should be given to the analysis of the community. In analysing the idea of community, the thesis identified the various forms of community that undergird the various ideas of personhood in Afrocommunitarianism, namely cultural community and community as self-interested individuals. The first form of community is the Afro-communitarian notion of community. I show how the idea of humiliation is inherent in the ideal notion of community in Afro-communitarianism and the conception of self it informs. The question of humiliation is omitted in the various conceptions of personhood. For Afro-communitarianism to ground modern African political ideas and practices, its notion of the community must be non-humiliating. Achieving a non-humiliating community involves a review of the norms of the cultural community. I attempt this review with what I call the doctrine of cultural permissibility. This thesis redirects Afro-communitarian debates by arguing for a shift to the community. The thesis concludes that postcolonial African politics can only benefit from Afro-communitarianism preoccupied with the desire for a ‘non-humiliating’ community that accommodates plural conceptions of personhood. This thesis would provide nuanced views on the ongoing conversation among Afro-communitarian theorists.Item Phylogenetics and phylogeography of the Hipposideros commersoni (Chiroptera) species complex with special reference to Malagasy populations.(2015) Rakotoarivelo, Andrinajoro Rianarivola.; Lamb, Jennifer.ABSTRACT Hipposideros commersoni is endemic to Madagascar and is relatively common in the western portion of the island, where it is found in different habitats from sea level to 1325 m. A previous study on patterns of morphological variation within the species highlighted the presence of two distinct morphotypes larger individuals in the north of Madagascar and smaller individuals in the south. Molecular techniques using DNA sequence data in combination with morphology have been previously used to identify cryptic hipposiderid species. This thesis presents the results of analyses based on molecular data and craniodental measurements in H. commersoni occurring on Madagascar, and related African forms. The molecular analyses suggest that H. commersoni with respect to Madagascar is paraphyletic, with strong support for the presence of independently evolving lineages. Two individuals amongst those sequenced from areas in the south of Madagascar represent a unique evolutionary lineage (Clade A), distinct from other H. commersoni, and has been recently named as a new species, H. cryptovalorona. This species is sister to H. gigas and H. vittatus, both restricted to Africa. Within H. commersoni, the molecular data support two geographically distributed clades -- one in the south (Clade B) and the other in the north (Clade C). Morphometric data were consistent with the molecular analyses, suggesting a north–south break within H. commersoni. Bayesian clustering analysis showed that H. commersoni comprised four main lineages: B1, B2, B3 and C. The most recent common ancestor of H. commersoni was dated to 3.33 million years ago or the mid-Pliocene. Population expansion events were inferred for groups B1, B2 and B3 from approximately 127,600 (group B1) to 6,870 years BP (group B2). Conflicting results were obtained from Bayesian clustering and AMOVA analyses; strong population genetic structure was obtained from the former but not the latter. Sequence data indicated that genetic subdivisions failed to support an isolation-by-distance model. Lineage dispersal, genetic divergence and expansion events of H. commersoni are likely to be associated with Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations. Our data indicate the northern and the central western regions of Madagascar may have acted as refugia for this species during the Plio-Pleistocene.Item Reclaiming setbacks and open spaces for greening and sustainable landscape development in state capital cities: A case study of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.(2017) Olufemi, Joseph Ojo-Fajuru.; Ambrose, Adeyemi Adebayo.The rapid rate of urbanization in developing countries generates various socio-economic and environmental challenges. In Nigerian urban centres, high rate of rural-urban drift aggravates population growth rate, and increasing space demand for land use and human activities put pressure on land resources. In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the study area, land is continuously fragmented, resulting to densely populated areas and inequitable use. This syndrome culminates in vegetal depletion, urban sprawl, environmental degradation and increasing poverty levels. Uncontrolled development, excessive hard landscaping and informal sector activities along transportation corridors, water bodies, utility lines, and the inner core areas deprive the city of adequate greenery. The research examines the city‘s spatial structure, socio-economic attributes of residents, setbacks and open space characteristics, pattern of encroachment, and the efficacy of development control legislations. The challenges posed by the inadequacy of greenery and excessive hard landscaping, government‘s effort in reclaiming lost spaces to create inclusive green areas for sustainable urban landscape were evaluated. The research methodology utilise relevant data from secondary sources to build literature and compliment socio-economic baseline data collected from primary sources by multi-stage technique across three morphological zones. Research findings expose devegetation, hardening, gross inadequacy and abuse of setbacks and air spaces, lack of organised open spaces and green areas. There is a disconnection between relatively high literacy level and contravention of development regulation laws. Informal development, mostly commercial, is rampant and driven by high poverty level and people‘s instinct to sustain their socio-economic needs. Ignorance of good quality environment, desire for economic benefits, and ineffective governmental control are other factors responsible for the disruption of public spaces. The study argued that the people engage in space contestation to survive, while the uncontrolled informal sector is neglected by government. Recommendations are hinged on the Strategic Urban Greening Intervention Model developed to encapsulate key systematic elements in the negative aspects, and how intervention strategies, tools and methods are deployed for positive transformation. Based on the Model, the proposed Ado-Ekiti Urban Greening Master Plan was prepared as policy directives and programmes for stakeholders‘ synergy to establish, monitor and maintain inclusive green areas in the city. Informal sector integration to strengthen livelihood strategy, inclusiveness and green economy is germane to successful greening programme, failing which the people will return to the streets and continue to aggravate carbon footprints. Socio-economically, the research is guaranteed to diversify local economy, boost investment generation, and enhance living standards. Physical impacts include improved environmental quality, global warming abatement and climate change mitigation in the city. The Model developed out of this research and contribution promotes landscape sustainability in Ado-Ekiti and can be replicated in Africa cities.Item A political ecology approach to understanding the implications for rural development in drought prone savannah: a case study of land and forest use in Chivi district, southern Zimbabwe.(2017) Macheka, Mavis Thokozile.; Maharaj, Pranitha.Given the role that natural resources play in the development of rural communities, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the reasons why communities abuse the same resources that sustains their livelihoods. This thesis specifically analyses land and forest resource access and use in rural Zimbabwe through political ecology lens. Political ecology has widely been discussed globally and used even in most recent analyses of interactions between humans and the environment. The study therefore explores resource access and use in Chivi District, Southern Zimbabwe, where the communities are struggling to maintain their natural resources in a context where immediate survival needs outweigh any concerns for ecological sustainability. Deriving from this background, the main objective of the thesis is to assess through political ecology lens, the implications of land and forest access and use, for rural development in drought prone areas such as Chivi District. To achieve this objective, the study adopts Chivi District, a drought-prone area in Southern Zimbabwe as its case study. The choice is based on the fact that Chivi District is an area already overstretched in terms of natural resources, especially land and forest resources which are continuously depleting as a result of indiscriminate exploitation by local communities. The data was gathered from the field through interviews, transect walks and focus group discussions. Data was gathered from government departments, non-governmental organisations, traditional leaders, farmers, traditional artifact sellers and other community members. Data collected from the field was analysed thematically. The presentation and analysis is in the form of detailed descriptions, using narrative vignettes and direct quotes where necessary. The study established the relationship between political ecology and livelihoods strategies. The livelihood strategies adopted by the Chivi District community are influences by external influences. While most of the focus of literature on environment and development is on natural causes of vi environmental degradation, this study focused more on the linkages between environmental conservation, local communities and possible drivers of land and forest resource extraction. The study established the existence of a politicised environment in which the relationship between state actors, traditional leaders, local community, non-governmental organisations and the physical environment is conditioned by power relations. The existence of prescribed governance system in natural resources represent attempts by the state to restrict local communities from overexploiting natural resources but despite the existence of state actors and NGOs in the management of land and forest resources, natural resources in Chivi District are severely deteriorating and degrading. There are several flaws and shortcomings in the allocation of responsibility and authority over management of these resources. It also established that the destruction of resources is due to unsustainable livelihood strategies and there is competition for survival on a declining natural resource base. The unsustainable activities are firewood selling, craft industry, farm brick moulding and selling, illegal mining, stream bank cultivation, destruction of wetlands among others. These practices heavily depend on unsustainable exploitation of the natural resources and hence contribute to the destruction of its natural resource base such as gully development, siltation, deforestation and land degradation. The study further established that widespread deforestation and degradation is attributed to a number of factors that influences Chivi District to exploit resources. This thesis presents political, legal, economic, social and environmental factors as drivers of environmental degradation in Chivi District. The factors have a bearing on sustainable rural development because the people of Chivi depend on their immediate environment for survival and development. The study, thus, concludes that resource use and power dynamics in everyday interactions go beyond the local community. Political, economic, social, environmental and legal factors interacted in complex ways in bringing about the current state of land and forest resources in drought prone Chivi District.Item From looking-glass self-metaphor to self-reflective practice: self-study for professional development.(2017) Zakwe, Thisha Peter.; Pillay, Kriben.This autobiographical self- study explores and reflects on the socio-political and historical antecedents of the situation we face as educators and as the people of Msinga, which is an integral part of the Umzinyathi District in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The core challenge facing all circuit managements in the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department pertains to underperformance reflected in the grade 12 Results. This thesis will discuss the multiple causes of the poor performance in public schools and as a practitioner researcher self-study, examines the dynamics of enacting a radically different leadership model that seeks to promote a more productive and peaceful environment in this region and beyond. The possibility of attaining a sustainable curriculum delivery in public schools lies at the heart of this enquiry and the key research question (RQ) is: How do I, as a Circuit Manager, engage in the educational practice of self-construction in order to make a special contribution to the existing body of knowledge in relation to underperforming public schools? My research project life cycle started in 2009 until 2017 (nine years). As a result, in pursuing my research logic framework, I have crafted the key research question as informed by the title of my thesis in order to set the direction of entire narrative self-study inquiry. Observation and critical reflection shows that my research question evolved over time: 3.1 How can I improve my own learning and the learning of others in relation to academic-personal- professional development through a living theory action research methodology ? (2010- 2013) 3.2 How can I improve my own learning and practice, as a Superintendent of Education Management (SEM) in relation to academic-personal-professional development? (2014) 3.3 How do I as a Circuit Manager, engage in the educational practice of self-construction and make a special contribution to the existing body of knowledge in relation to underperforming public schools? (2015- 2017). A further three research questions emerged from this key research question: How can I, as the Circuit Manager, exercise my educative influence on the provisioning of new schools to accelerate service delivery to the poorest of the poor in this rural community? How can I, as the Circuit Manager, improve curriculum management and delivery in my schools in the Babanango circuit? How can I provide a new perspective on bullying and whistle-blowing in the workplace, based on my personal experience?’ In order to address these questions I have generated my own living educational theory called the ‘Menzi Effect’ in tribute to the achievements of Menzi High School that confirm the fact that effective or quantum schools (top-ranking schools in the public school system in South Africa) are an extended shadow of a transformative principal supported by transformative educators, who go that extra-mile to uplift the standard of education and of the lives of those in the community of their learners. Until this study, the achievements of Menzi High School were totally unrecognized. However, this auto-ethnographic account is the self-study’s core exploration: the writer is the principle subjective voice whose self-reflective journey, as detailed in the thesis through scholarly engagement and practitioner narratives and self-reflection, articulates a modus operandi for professional development.Item An exploration of the conceptualisation and enactment of regional economic development through an analysis of the Durban aerotropolis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.(2017) Luthuli, Nomkhosi Hlengiwe.; Houghton, Jennifer Alice.This study explores the conceptualisation and enactment of regional economic development (RED) through an analysis of the Durban Aerotropolis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study is undertaken during a time where the process of globalisation is progressively increasing the importance of regional processes and the role of local actors in shaping development trajectories (Ascani, Crescenzi & Iammarino, 2012). These regional processes imply practical action going beyond the limits of traditional local economic initiatives (Amin, 1999) commonly referred to in the South African context and in other parts of the world as local economic development (LED). In this regard, the major problem prompting the enquiry in this study is the tendency of vagueness and ambiguity in the discourse of policy documents and government strategies relating to regionally inclined processes. More specifically, while the Durban Aerotropolis Strategy alludes to the impact of the Durban Aerotropolis on the development of the region and connecting regional economies, the conceptual vagueness of such allusions has consequences for both theoretical and empirical RED research as well as implications for economic development policy development and implementation. This calls for deconstruction of the relevant development discourse to provide a clearer conceptualisation of RED. The problems just mentioned are further compounded by a nomenclature shift in South African practitioner circles with incorporation of issues pertaining to the ‘region’ and associated difficulties, in what was hitherto confined to more specifically local issues of economic development. These difficulties relate to the way economic development practitioners proceed with their work in the absence of a context-specific conceptualisation of RED, coupled with lack of understanding of the nature of RED projects and of how they are implemented. To find solutions to these problems, the study examines the conceptualisation of the region inherent in RED through the Durban Aerotropolis. It seeks to understand the enactment of RED through collaborative and cooperative governance mechanisms and through agglomeration and clustering of business activity, and it explores coordinated investments for regional marketing within the Durban Aerotropolis. This was done using exploratory qualitative research within a social constructivist paradigm in which respondents were selected using a purposive sampling approach. The data was collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis technique. The findings of the study reveal that function, form and scale are central characteristics of the way that the region is conceptualised in the case of the Durban Aerotropolis as an instance of RED. Here, function is the purpose of a RED project, form refers to the kind of economic development mechanism or strategy that could assist in fulfilling that purpose, and the scalar characteristics establish the extent, reach and magnitude of the project—factors that have a direct bearing on the practical enactment or implementation of RED projects. It also emerged from the study that regional conceptualisation should be done by the various stakeholders of the project who have a responsibility to see it succeed through collaborative and cooperative governance. Furthermore, RED enactment entails agglomeration and clustering of business activity which can be achieved by attracting people and investment. This, however, requires coordination of efforts for regional marketing in which stakeholders work on the competitive advantage of their region through development of infrastructure, skills development and capacity building, and provision of incentives. Overall, the study establishes that conceptualisation of RED entails defining the objectives of RED and that it precedes RED enactment. However, RED enactment requires two facilitative mechanisms which are collaborative and cooperative governance, together with coordinated investments and collaborative efforts for regional marketing – to achieve the desired outcome of RED, which is an agglomeration and cluster economy with its associated externalities. The study has thus contributed to the conceptual clarification of regionally inclined processes of the Durban Aerotropolis. This will subsequently assist in theoretical and empirical RED research as well as economic development policy development and implementation. The study will also help to establish clearer and simpler nomenclature shift and will impact the work of economic development practitioners by making provision for a context-specific conceptualisation of RED and will provide new knowledge that will add significantly to understanding of the nature of RED projects and their implementation.Item Secure requirements engineering in a constrained agile environment.(2017) Naicker, Nalindren Kistasamy.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.Requirements Engineering (RE) is a software engineering process that takes place early in the software development life cycle namely, during the planning phase of software development. A list of highly refined requirements that is the blueprint for the system, is the output of this process. It is vital to address critical issues such as security within RE, to prevent patching and hot fixing later. Exorbitant losses can be prevented through secure systems development. The purpose of this research study was to delineate the Agile RE practices through a sequential explanatory mixed methods study approach to explicate the relationship between RE practices and the security of an application. An in-depth literature review was undertaken to understand RE processes and security approaches during application development. This mixed methods research study was contextualised at seventeen software development companies in South Africa. Data was collected in three phases. In the first phase, the researcher used a field survey questionnaire as the primary research instrument to gather data on Agile RE practices such as elicitation, security approaches and requirements prioritisation. In phase two of the data collection, interviews were used as a qualitative data gathering tool to explain, triangulate and strengthen the survey results. The security of live Agile Software Development artifacts were then randomly evaluated using a dynamic analysis security testing (DAST) tool. To contribute to the body of knowledge, the researcher used fuzzy logics and fuzzy sets to develop an automated fuzzy tool that assists requirements engineers to control client requirements. The Design Science Research Methodology, an Information Systems (IS) theoretical framework, guided the development of the automated fuzzy software tool. The automated fuzzy tool was evaluated in phase three of data collection and showed positive results for ranking client requirements in Agile RE. The major finding of this study was that although Agile RE practices in the real world are aligned to mainstream RE, proper security approaches are lacking. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of web application security knowledge and insufficient application security training by requirements engineers. The study concludes that poor security practices in Agile RE are having a negative impact on the security of the Agile Software Development product. As an implication of this study, the researcher suggests stricter adherences by practitioners to Agile Software Development principles and values as outlined in the Agile Manifesto and Agile Security Manifesto.Item Mobile money as a strategy for financial inclusion and improving livelihood of rural consumers in Zimbabwe.(2018) Dube, Thulani.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.Mobile financial services have posed as a potential remedy to the financial inclusion challenge for the disadvantaged communities. The main aim of the study was to assess whether the deployment of mobile money services has increased the accessibility, financial inclusion and led to improved economic well-being through the development of a structural model demonstrating how mobile money service usage impacts on the livelihoods of rural households in Zimbabwe. To accomplish the above stated objectives, the study used a composite approach, a partially mixed sequential dominant design, with the quantitative approach dominating the research design. The quantitative method, together with the qualitative approach, was employed for the comprehensive research design (mixed methods) where the use of focus group discussions (FGD) was utilised to gain an understanding of users’ experiences in using mobile money in the study area. The FGD results were then used to develop measurement scales for mobile money impact variables / factors. To select the sample size of 367 respondents in Kwekwe Rural District, also known as ZIBAGWE, a multi-stage random sampling method was used in this study. To gather data for the study, a questionnaire developed and used as a research instrument targeted rural household heads. The findings of the study revealed that on the access and usage of financial services, there was great improvement in accessing financial services with the emergence of mobile money services compared to bank access in terms of distance walked to the nearest branch by the rural people before the mobile money alternative. Education had a strong bearing on mobile money usage as shown by a Chi-square value of 62.80 and a p-value of 0.000. To analyse data, structural equation modelling was employed to test and validate the model. The structural equation modelling was performed in two stages, where the first step entailed the estimation of the measurement model through the confirmatory factor analysis and the second step involved the estimation of the structural model by examining the structural relations as hypothesized in the model. The results showed that the measurement model fits data satisfactorily and the proposed model fits well the observed data as shown by the goodness of fit indices (CMIN/df = 2.798, GFI = 0.842, CFI = 0.954, TLI = 0.947 and RMSEA = 0.072). Similarly, on the structural model, the results showed that the structural model fits the data well, attaining the fit indices CMIN/df = 2.631, GFI = 0.846, CFI = 0.956, TLI = 0.951 and RMSEA = 0.068. Given these fit indices, the model can be used with confidence to conclude on the stated research hypotheses. Most of the relationships in the structural model were significant at least at the 95% confidence interval. Overall, the study concludes that mobile money has potential positive impacts on the rural livelihoods as demonstrated by positive effects of the factors in the structural model. The study recommends that mobile network operators and financial regulators need to continue with the promotion and encouragement of mobile financial services usage by all economic players in the different sectors of the economy. Consequently, if total adoption and acceptance were to be achieved in all customers, businesses and service providers, the demand for cash will be reduced, especially in the rural communities where adoption by businesses and service providers is lagging behind. The study findings have far reaching implications with regards policy making on rural livelihoods. The study provides evidence on how mobile financial services impact on rural livelihoods. Therefore, policy makers can craft policies (financial inclusion) that will promote and improve access and delivery of financial services to the rural people.Item The relationship between career plateaus and career stages of the university of KwaZulu-Natal academics.(2018) Ramsaroop, Anisha.; Subban, Mogesperie.The study focused on the relationship between career plateaus and career stages of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) academics. The research included the University’s five campuses: Westville, Howard College, Edgewood, Medical School and the Pietermaritzburg campus. A complement of 253 academics across all levels from Tutors, Senior Tutors, Developmental Lecturers, Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Associate Professors and Research Fellows constituted the sample. Through a mixed methods approach, the quantitative aspect included questionnaires electronically and personally administered to academics, and the qualitative component was undertaken through a cohort of academic leaders interviewed across campuses. The study was theorised through the Protean career, viewed as awareness of one taking responsibility and independence to adapt and foresee current trends, skills and attitudes. The Career Choice and Career Management models further located the framework of the study regarding decisions in one’s career. Various dynamics such as promotion, tenure in a specific position, age, job content, personal plateauing, professional plateauing, and most recently life plateauing have impacted on academics at various career stages. The changing landscape of higher education aligned with the government’s vision has compelled higher educational institutions to ceaselessly drive academics to deliver, despite numerous obstacles they faced in higher education. In addition, academics are faced with huge workloads, poor and possibly no work-life balance including stringent criteria for promotion. A negative impact on academics in some instances inadvertently contributed to employee turnover and demotivation. Hypotheses of the study focused on a significant relationship between career plateau dimensions (structural/hierarchical, content/job content, personal, professional and life) and career stages (exploration, establishment, maintenance and disengagement). A significant difference in the perceptions of employees differing on each of the respective biographical variables (age, marital status, job status, tenure, race, gender, education level) and the respective career stages (exploration, establishment, maintenance and disengagement) with the career plateau construct was highlighted. Variance in career stages was significantly explained by the career plateau status. Results of the study reflected a high level of agreement from respondents regarding structural plateauing and limited opportunities for advancement at the University, amongst other key findings. A framework for effective management of the various types of career plateaus across career stages in an academic environment was advocated. A model depicting career plateaus strategies for relevant stakeholders in academia at various career stages was put forward through the study, whilst a comparative study on national and international institutions of higher learning on career plateaus is further suggested to gauge similarities in career plateaus.Item Information assurance within supply chains’ structures and processes.(2017) Abimbola, Ajayi Nurudeen.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.Organisations are challenging the traditional linear-based market model which is characterised by a straight line movement of goods and services. As a result, they are increasingly forming and moving towards a value web of supply chain network that connects a whole ecosystem of trading partners. These networks, which are mostly complex and dynamic, are creating a global market environment in which organisations no longer focus only on their immediate suppliers and customers, but also on the optimization and the smooth flow of information, funds and materials, within their respective direct and remote trading networks. The large number of participants within most supply chain networks has necessitated that these networks be agile and resilient. For supply chain networks to be agile and resilient, and for supply chains’ structures, processes and resources to be synchronized and integrated, the organisations within the supply chain must share information. Hence, in today’s supply chains, interests are moving towards obtaining the most benefits from information. In order to obtain these benefits from information, organisations are making use of information systems and their related technologies to acquire, process and adequately share information. These systems are making it possible for organisations to form strategic partnerships within the supply chain networks. The global market environment is causing supply chains to expand, and the expansion is exposing information to various security vulnerabilities and risks. The exposure of information to different vulnerabilities and risks is forcing trading partners to seek assurance that the information within their supply chain network is adequately protected and also performs as advertised. To understand how the assurance sought by trading partners can be provided, this study investigated information and information systems’ security within supply chains’ structures and processes. The study also investigated how information assurance objectives (i.e. confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication and non-repudiation) can be achieved optimally within supply chains. Finally, the study proposes an information assurance model, which if adopted by decision makers, could enable them sustain their respective functions and processes within the supply chain network. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the exploratory design and the case study approach were adopted in this study. The study also adopted the qualitative research method, and hence, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and served as the primary means of data collection. Participants in this study were drawn from two categories of organisations, which are supply chain and logistics organisations, and Information Technology (IT) consulting organisations. Therefore, the purposive sampling method was adopted in this study. An inductive approach was adopted in the analysis of data, and as a result, thematic analysis was adopted as the analysis method. The main outcome of the study is the proposed information assurance model that can enable decision makers sustain their respective functions and processes within the supply chain network.Item The role of intergovernmental relations in local economic development planning at local government level: uMkhanyakude district municipality.(2018) Biyela, Andile Clifford.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.Despite several policy interventions that South Africa has introduced post-apartheid, there are still visible traces of the apartheid legacy through the evident fabric of poverty, unemployment and inequality that profiles the lives of many South Africans in general and those in the rural spaces in particular. This phenomenon remains both an administrative and political quagmire that warrants continued research, policy and integrated development planning interventions. In this respect, the study sought to assess the role of intergovernmental relations in local economic development planning within local government as an attempt to dissect intergovernmental relations from the lenses of economic development planning components to better understand local government challenges and address them. As such, the research study focused on the coordination of intergovernmental relations; the legislative and policy framework for intergovernmental relations and local economic development; the role of intergovernmental relations in strategic planning for local economic development planning; the role of intergovernmental relations in private public partnerships for local economic development planning; and understanding the role of intergovernmental relations in regional economic development planning. A qualitative approach was adopted with respondents purposively selected and interviewed to address the aims and objectives of this study. The research study showed the complexity of the challenges inhibiting local economic development planning and growth. The study further showed the reasons owed to these challenges. The study summarily acknowledges that the impact of an inefficient intergovernmental relations system not only defies the purposes and intentions of cooperative government but equally threatens the very foundations of local economic development and its inherent benefits. The study found that local government does not have adequate policies that address the intergovernmental relations and local economic development challenges established in this study. The study further revealed that current legislation does not consider local government performance on intergovernmental relations as an integral part of local government performance management systems. This reduces the value and importance of intergovernmental relations and thus leads to a lack of accountability on the failures and successes of intergovernmental relation systems. Also, the study revealed that whilst the administrative officials employed in local government may have post-matriculation qualification, there is still a great skills shortage on economic development practitioners who have specialised in economic development and able to effectively drive local economic development within a region.Item Challenges facing the delivery of mega projects in Transnet capital projects.(2018) Chetty, Rajan.; Naidoo, Vannie.This study was undertaken to critically identify and analyse the challenges facing mega-project delivery at Transnet Capital Projects (TCP), a project execution wing of Transnet State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). Transnet is the custodian and operator of eight commercial ports, 20 500 kilometres of railway and 3800 kilometres of pipeline network in South Africa. The Department of Public Enterprises regards Transnet as an integral SOE upon which the country is heavily dependent on for economic growth, job creation and socio-economic transformation. In fulfilling its mandate, Transnet continually reviews its strategies to increase operational efficiencies, produce infrastructure ahead of demand, and reduce the costs of doing business. As a specialist project wing, TCP has delivered several mega-projects for the port, rail and pipelines divisions of Transnet, however evidence indicates that almost 55% of railway projects fail and that the New Multi-Product Pipeline (NMPP) project cost has almost doubled from its original estimate of R11.1 billion to R23.4 Billion. Currently TCP is executing several mega-infrastructure projects arising from Transnet’s R300 Billion Market Demand Strategy (MDS). Future mega-projects are anticipated to follow from Transnet’s 30-year long-term framework plan (LTFP). This study uses PMI’s (2013) ‘10 Knowledge Areas of Project Management’ as a model to critically identify and analyse the challenges facing the delivery of mega-projects in TCP. A simple convenience sample and quantitative data collected from 191 respondents in TCP project management teams provided an extensive data set for analysis. Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) was applied to analyse 122 constructs and through principal component analysis determine the main contributing challenges. Inferential statistical calculations were processed to determine correlation of 21 hypotheses. The findings indicate that while TCP has world-class project lifecycle processes and selected tools, there are challenges in upfront planning of mega-projects, inefficient scope and cost control, contract management challenges, inadequate personnel experience and skill, an overwhelmingly large number of stakeholders to manage and weak risk management. This study contributes new data on mega-project challenges, recommends new mega-project management practices, processes, and strategies to address these challenges. A new model to refocus mega-project execution for successful outcomes is presented. Transnet, project practitioners, researchers, stakeholders; public and private sector; and the African continent will benefit from the learnings of mega-project delivery at TCP.Item Adoption and utilisation of e-government systems by citizens in SADC: the case of Zambia and Zimbabwe.(2017) Munyoka, Willard.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewa.Electronic government (e-Government) offers great opportunities for transforming the public service delivery systems by providing an effective, efficient and transparent tool for facilitating the active participation of citizens in government decision making processes and for achieving good governance. However, the success of e-government is not entirely dependent on the provision of excellent e-government systems (supply-driven), but also on other factors like system acceptance and utilisation by citizens. Whilst the United Nations e-Government Surveys have demonstrated the proliferation of e-government initiatives in both developed and developing countries, the implementation, adoption and utilisation of such systems in developing nations is constantly affected by many challenges. Many citizens are hesitant to adopt and use e-government systems for various reasons and in some cases, such decisions are indeed merited. Citizens’ awareness, technical aptitude, confidence and trust in the government and its e-government systems are salient factors that are impacting the acceptance and utilisation of such systems. Similarly, practitioners (decision and policy makers, designers and implementers) of e-government have noted that most of the challenges being encountered by citizens are distinctively pertinent to national and regional socio-economic, cultural, political, and technological circumstances, and thus require a contextual and holistic approach for solutions. This study is driven by the quest to examine and establish the fundamental factors that are affecting citizens’ capacity, effort and behavioural intentions to adopt and continue using egovernment systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region; using Zimbabwe and Zambia as a case study. Thus, this study focuses on the government to citizen (G2C) domain with particular emphasis on the citizen-side. Currently, there are no holistic, people-driven models that could be used to assist and guide practitioners on e-government maters (including guiding citizen-informed designs and implementation, predicting and stimulating adoption and utilisation) for the SADC region and other developing nations with similar socio-economic and technological settings. This study aims to develop a people-driven e-government adoption and utilisation model (PDEGAUM), build upon two long-established theoretical frameworks; the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) (focused on understanding the demand-side) and the ITU E-Government Implementation Toolkit (focused on understanding how the supply-side could be aligned with, and be informed by, the demand-side). An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was considered most appropriate for testing the PDEGAUM conceptual model. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select the 800 respondents (drawn from Zimbabwe and Zambia) for the survey method (selfadministered questionnaires were used). After the pre-analysis screening of the quantitative data, only 736 questionnaires were used for data analysis (comprised of 489 citizens who have used e-government systems and 247 have not used). Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and regression analysis (using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)); and structural equation modelling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (using IBM Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS)) were selected for testing the model fit of the proposed model. All but one of the hypotheses was confirmed by this study. Semi-structured interviews (serving a confirmatory role) were pursued with 8 purposively selected interviewees from the respondents who had participated earlier on in the survey. The Total Quality Framework (TQF) was adopted as the most suitable theoretical lens for guiding the analysis of the qualitative data; thematically using the Nvivo Plus qualitative data analysis software (QDAS). The qualitative results confirmed the quantitative results. Findings of this study confirm the proposed PDEGAUM model as being suitable for the SADC region. The PDEGAUM model is novel in that it places citizens’ demands and input at the centre stage of spearheading e-government initiatives, which in turn informs e-government implementation. This approach contradicts the supply-driven approach by being contextuallyaware of citizens’ concerns in-line with e-government initiatives. Such a holistic gesture by the government is believed to go a long way in fostering and stimulating the adoption and utilisation of e-government systems. Decisively, the findings of this study have demonstrated that a people-driven approach constitutes the basis for rolling-out successful e-government systems, particularly in the context of the SADC region and other developing countries that are plagued by complicated socio-economic and political dynamics.
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