ResearchSpace
ResearchSpace is the institutional repository of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, unlocking knowledge, empowering impact, and preserving UKZN's research legacy.
Recent Submissions
Human germline enhancement technology and the Zulu ontology on the sanctity of life: an ethico-cultural inquiry.
(2025) Shandu, Nothando Happy-Girl.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
Human germline enhancement is one of the most transformative yet controversial scientific developments of the twenty-first century. By enabling the modification of genetic material in human reproductive cells, this technology introduces the possibility of producing heritable and potentially irreversible biological changes. While germline enhancement offers prospects such as eliminating inheritable diseases and improving human traits, including intelligence, physical appearance, and longevity, it simultaneously raises profound ethical, cultural, and existential concerns about the nature and future of humanity. These concerns become even more pronounced in societies where cultural and spiritual worldviews shape understanding of life, identity, and continuity of generations. In South Africa, for instance, the Zulu community’s conception of life as sacred and intrinsically connected to ancestors and future generations provides a unique moral framework for evaluating germline enhancement. Unfortunately, global bioethical discussions often overlook such perspectives, resulting in ethical discussions that are detached from African ontologies. This study critically examines how the Zulu understanding of the sanctity of life shapes ethical and cultural responses to human germline enhancement. Using a qualitative research design, the study collected primary data through one-on-one interviews supported by secondary literature. The study’s theoretical framework combines Principlism and African Communitarian Ethics, offering a dual perspective for interpreting ethical and cultural responses to human germline enhancement. The findings indicate that participants had diverse opinions, expressing concerns about social inequalities, threats to genetic diversity, and potential compromises to human dignity, ancestral relationships, and Christian beliefs about creation. At the same time, they recognize the potential benefits for community health and the collective good that could arise from enhanced cognitive abilities. The analysis explored how participants interpreted germline enhancement in relation to Zulu cultural values, identifying areas of alignment and tension. A key contribution of the study is the development of a culturally grounded ethical paradigm for human germline enhancement that integrates African communitarian values to guide responsible and culturally sensitive governance of emerging genetic technologies.
Exploring end-of-life care during reintegration from the perspectives of correctional social workers and caregivers providing after-care services to elderly parolees released on medical parole in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
(2025) Nduli, Sethenjwa Bonny.; Mthembu, Maud Nombulelo.
Legislation that governs the medical release of offenders in South Africa remains a contentious issue, particularly concerning the reintegration and end-of-life care of elderly parolees. Despite the growing discourse on end-of-life care, there is a critical gap in understanding the lived experiences of elderly parolees and the challenges faced by their caregivers. Guided by Caregiver Dynamics Theory and Ecosystems Theory, this study adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore how end-of-life care is experienced during reintegration from the perspectives of family caregivers and correctional
social workers. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data were generated using in- depth semi-structured interviews. The sample comprised 15 caregivers and six (n=6) correctional social workers (who were responsible for delivering social work programmes to parolees). All ethical standards including informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and sensitivity to participant vulnerability were strictly observed. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis, allowing for an in-depth interpretation of experiential meanings. Based on the interview guide, the researcher was able to gather data which revealed that reintegration is hindered by inadequate institutional care, limited caregiver support, insufficient training, and weak community linkages. The study identifies systemic failures, including the lack of specialised end-of-life care services within correctional frameworks, leading to increased physical confinement, isolation, and emotional distress for elderly parolees. Spiritual practices emerged as an essential coping mechanism, yet they remain an underutilised resource. Family caregivers reported experiencing compassion fatigue, ambiguous loss, and difficulty balancing caregiving responsibilities with personal wellbeing. The absence of training on medication management and polypharmacy further complicated caregiving, leading to ineffective medical support. Many caregivers expressed feelings of resentment and regret, exacerbated by their emotional and physical
burdens. Conversely, prior experience in caring for relatives that are now deceased enabled some caregivers to better navigate the demands of end-of-life care, highlighting the role of experiential learning in improving caregiving outcomes. Correctional social workers were found to be largely ill-equipped to support elderly parolees, with findings indicating a lack of structured aftercare programmes. This deficiency resulted in the exclusion of ill elderly parolees from essential reintegration services, straining family relationships and diminishing the effectiveness of reintegration efforts. Furthermore, inadequate collaboration between custodial and non-custodial correctional social workers severely compromised service delivery, undermining the quality of end-of-life care for elderly parolees. This study underscores significant deficiencies in training, policy, and resource allocation within the correctional system, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reform and targeted advocacy. The findings call for a comprehensive approach that includes specialised training for caregivers and social workers, improved interdepartmental collaboration, and enhanced institutional support for elderly parolees in end-of-life care.
Recommendations are directed at policymakers, programme coordinators, correctional social workers, and managers within the Department of Correctional Services to ensure effective reintegration and dignified end-of-life care for elderly parolees.
Exploring the dynamics influencing team functioning of the district clinical specialist teams in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2025) Gumede, Nhlanhla Marco.; Voce, Anna Silvia.
Introduction: Since 1994, South Africa embarked on a decentralization of the health system, with the adoption of the Primary Health Care approach as a central strategy for delivering health services via a District Health System. The District Clinical Specialist Teams (DCSTs) were part of a PHC re-engineering strategy and were introduced concomitantly during the first phase of implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
Background: DCSTs were conceptualised as a multi-disciplinary team aimed at strengthening the quality of care and health outcomes for mothers, newborns and children. They were meant to first function as a team and second as individuals within their respective disciplines.
Methods: This was a descriptive exploratory qualitative study with the following objectives: to explore understandings of the construct teamwork in relation to the DCSTs; to explore influences on team functioning of DCSTs; and to explore team effectiveness (i.e. team performance and viability) within DCSTs. The study was guided by an adaptation of the ecological framework for analysing work-team effectiveness by Sundstrom et al.
Study findings: DCST members from four KZN districts were included in the study. Two district directors and one provincial specialist were also interviewed. The DCSTs constructed the concept of teamwork in their context as having a common goal and each person in the team having their own roles and responsibilities contributing towards the common goal. Cooperation and interdependent collaboration were identified by the DCSTs as key features of teamwork. Joint planning, delegation of activities and mutual accountability were identified as important components of teamwork within the DCSTs. Factors influencing team functioning were reported to be external (i.e. those related to the organizational context), those related to team boundaries, as well as internal (i.e. those related to team development and individual attributes). Team effectiveness explored factors related to team performance and team viability.
Discussion: With teamwork being viewed internationally as an important strategy for delivering quality healthcare services, concerted efforts should be made at all levels to strengthen teamwork interventions within the health system. The organizational context within which DCSTs are functioning exerts influence in a variety of ways. The DCSTs, being an inherently hierarchical multi-disciplinary team, present important dynamics that require a change of culture and commitment at various levels. Limitations of the study included limited achievement of data saturation and limited exploration of the broader health system context and its influence on team dynamics. Recommendations included strengthening of supervision and leadership, implementation of teamwork strengthening interventions, as well as establishing a platform for regular feedback, monitoring and evaluation of the DCST innovation.
Exploring parents’ perceptions of intelligence across gender: a systematic review.
(2021) Duntsula, Nolitha.; Mfene, Xoli Precious.
This thesis focuses on the parents’ perception of intelligence. It is important for socialisation of future citizens. Parents’ perception of intelligence changes through the cause of time. The study aims to describe parents' perceptions of intelligence and how parents perceive intelligence today as compared to previous studies. This was a systematic review, that gathered and analyzed existing information from secondary sources. The study employed the social constructionism theoretical framework, in the interpretivist paradigm. The study focuses on discourse analysis and used the inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine the most relevant literature to review. The study sample was one book and ten journal articles were reviewed.
The review was guided by a critical discourse analysis guide. The study finds that on average, females seem to be stronger than males in verbal fluency, writing, and perceptual speed, especially when they turn two years old. However, males tend to be stronger in visual-spatial processing, science, and mathematical problem- solving starting at the age of three. In addition, differences in intelligence are partially caused by factors such as family background, socioeconomic status, school quality, and parental educational background. Even though females seem to be stronger than men in verbal fluency, writing, and perceptual speed. The study concludes that there are no significant differences in intelligence across genders. Therefore, the study recommends that prospective researchers continue with this study through empirical research in a South African context to gain an in- depth insight into how parents perceive intelligence across gender.
Shelf-life studies on sulphated polysaccharides from some south african seaweeds and their protective effect against diabetic hepatopathy in rats with type-2 diabetes.
(2025) Mpungose, Lethiwe Bashadile.; Olaniran, Ademola Olufolahan.; Olasehinde, Oluwatosin Tosin.
Diabetic hepatopathy is among the major contributors to mortality and morbidities associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Sulphated polysaccharides (SPs) from seaweeds have antidiabetic potential, however, their effects on diabetic hepatopathy, a major diabetic complication is yet to be investigated. This study sought to investigate the protective potential of SPs from Ecklonia maxima and Gracilaria gracilis on diabetic hepatopathy of rats with T2D. Two groups of T2D rats were administered 150 and 300 mg/Kg bodyweight (bw) of E. maxima SPs, respectively. Another two groups administered similar doses for G. gracilis SPs. Water was administered to the T2D and negative control groups, while metformin served as the standard antidiabetic drug. Normal rats administered 300 mg/Kg bw SPs served as the toxicology group. The effect of storage temperature and time on the stability and antidiabetic properties of both SPs were investigated, by storing them at 4, 25 and 37 °C for 6 months. There was significant depletion in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, while concomitantly exacerbating malondialdehyde level, fructose-1.6biphosphatase, glucose 6- phosphatase, glycogen phosphorylase, and acetylcholinesterase activities in hepatic tissues, on induction of T2D. Furthermore, T2D dysregulated glucose, lipid and amino acid metabolic pathways, and their metabolites. Treatment with SPs from E. maxima and G. gracilis significantly reversed the glutathione and malondialdehyde levels, and enzymes activities, while concomitantly upregulating metabolic pathways and their metabolites. In the stability study, there were no significant changes in the glucose and sulphate levels of SPs stored at 4 and 25 °C. However, these levels were significantly reduced in SPs stored at 37 °C at the 5th and 6th month. Storage at 4 and 25 °C, had no significant effect on the α-glucosidase and αamylase inhibitory activities of the SPs throughout the storage period. However, there was a time dependent decline in the inhibitory activities of these enzymes at 37 °C. These results indicate the hepatoprotective effect of SPs from E. maxima and G. gracilis against diabetic hepatopathy in T2D rats. This is depicted by their ability to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation and lipotoxicity, while improving glucose and amino acid metabolisms. Furthermore, the stability of the SPs and
their antidiabetic activities may be temperature dependent, influenced by storage time.