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Microalgae growth in industrial wastewater for the production of hydrocarbons
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Microalgae have demonstrated unique abilities to photosynthesise the conversion of
biodegradable organic materials and inorganic carbon to value-added biomass because
dissolved nitrogen and reactive phosphate are present in the cultivation medium. The
absence of a breakthrough in biomass production that would enable it to meet and
exceed the existing fossil energy demand has elicited research into technologies and
protocols that would yield competing energy output. The financial and energy
implications associated with the technology employed for biomass harvesting would
significantly contribute to the overall cost of the process. Would the microalgae strains
that exhibit high growth rates and lipid content, as well as accommodate culture
conditions, enhance biomass and lipid productivity?
The goal of this study was to provide microalgae with nutrients from industrial
wastewater while also producing hydrocarbon compounds that could have positive
social effects. A tailored airlift-raceway photobioreactor was utilised to grow
microalgae in industrial wastewater after the wastewater was characterised and the
optimum conditions for microalgae development were investigated. The resulting
production of hydrocarbon derivatives was optimised. Wastewater from the sugar
refinery, brewing industry, and dairy industry was characterised by its physical,
chemical, mineral, and biological properties using conventional methods. The different
industrial wastewater sources were tested for microalgal growth rate and biomass
output. The generated biomass was assayed for carbohydrates, lipids, and protein
contents of the microalgae strains, and the wastewater that gave the highest biomass
and lipid yields was used for advanced cultivation techniques. After careful
consideration, the brewery wastewater was found to be the most effective wastewater
for microalgae growth and was thus selected for this investigation. Using a novel
airlift-raceway photobioreactor system, Scenedesmus sp. biomass was produced in
brewery wastewater using optimised conditions. Also, the biomass of a microalgae
consortium, native to Durban, South Africa, was produced, leading to hydrocarbons
and hydrocarbon derivatives using nutrient-enriched brewery wastewater.
This study investigated these capabilities to sequester heavy metals and other
pollutants from brewery wastewater and sparged carbon dioxide gas. The light was
sourced from 40 W fluorescent tubes, which were powered by a 210 V supply and used
at different electromagnetic frequencies ranging from red to blue in a novel airlift raceway system for microalgae cultivation. The microalgal biomass, which was
harvested by filtration, was freeze-dried and the surface morphology was analysed
using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microalgal lipid was extracted
with a hexane-methanol solvent system by the soxhlet technique. The morphology of
the extracted biomass was analysed using SEM, and the composition of the microalgae
oil was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Investigations revealed that the sugar wastewater (SWW) used did not support
microalgal growth. However, dairy wastewater (DWW) only supported microalgal
growth to some extent, while brewery wastewater (BWW) was best suited for the
growth of Scenedesmus sp. and the microalgae consortium. The BWW was nutrients
enriched through the oxidation pond, thus raising the influent NO3
-
-N (4.98±0.13
mg/L), PO4
3-
(13.34±0.48), BOD (35±19), and COD (3979±3) to NO3
-
-N
(15.98±0.91), PO4
3-
(39.93±1.83), BOD (279±10), and COD (5855±4), respectively.
GC-MS analysis of the oil extract of the microalgae biomass showed the presence of
saturated, monounsaturated (MU), and polyunsaturated (PU) fatty acids in both
Scenedesmus sp. and the microalgae consortium, and the presence of an isolated C4
iv
and C8-C38 hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, mostly fatty acid esters, in the
microalgal oils.
Nutrient enrichment of the brewery wastewater enables microalgal growth sustainably,
thus encouraging lipid accumulation. Using the novel airlift-raceway photobioreactor
in this study changed the mass transfer dynamics due to the enhanced hydrodynamics
of the novel reactor. Because of this, it was simpler for light and nutrients to reach
every area equitably, which is what propels the formation of biomass. The dominance
of fatty acid esters in the microalgal oil demonstrates that the protocols adopted in this
study can serve to save on the cost of the transesterification step in the production of
biodiesel and other useful bio-products. This serves as a major contribution to the body
of knowledge on this subject.
Public perceptions regarding the management and corporate governance of State-Owned Companies (SOCS) in South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences specialising in
Business Law at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.State-owned companies (SOCs) play a crucial role in the economy of South Africa,
serving as strategic assets and instruments of public policy. Statistics reflected that
in 2023 South Africa had over 700 state-owned companies, which contributed
approximately 17% to the country's GDP. These SOCs operated across a wide
range of sectors, including utilities, transportation, finance, and strategic industries.
However, many of these SOCs have been plagued by governance issues, financial
mismanagement, and poor service delivery, leading to a growing public mistrust and
negative perceptions.
The aim of this study was to investigate the public perception of corporate
governance practices in state-owned companies and the role they play in
contributing to socio- economic development in eThekwini Metropolitan area,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. By drawing on existing literature and analysing the
current state of corporate governance in SOCs, the study sought to identify the key
challenges and proposed a conceptual framework for enhancing governance
practices and improving public trust. Furthermore, several theories have been
proposed to understand the dynamics of corporate governance in SOCs, including
the Agency theory, the System theory, the New Public Management theory and
Stakeholder theory.
This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and
quantitative data collection and analysis. The qualitative component involved in-
depth interviews with key stakeholders, including 15 academics and experts in
corporate governance. The interviews aimed to gather insights on the current state
of corporate governance in SOCs, the key challenges, and potential solutions to
enhance public perception and trust. The quantitative component involved a survey
of the general public within the eThekwini municipal area to assess their perceptions
of the corporate governance practices, service delivery, and overall performance of
state-owned companies. The population of the study consisted of 400 respondents.
The data collected from the interviews and survey were analysed using appropriate
qualitative and quantitative techniques, including thematic analysis, descriptive and
inferential statistics, and regression analysis. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative survey results, which revealed
that a significant proportion of the public were dissatisfied with the overall
performance and service delivery of state-owned companies. This was done
through convergence analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data. This study
has contributed to the existing literature on corporate governance in state-owned
enterprises, particularly in the context of developing economies like South Africa.
The proposed strategic corporate governance framework provides a
comprehensive approach to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in
the management of state-owned companies, ultimately improving public perception
and trust.
Implementing community peacebuilding in an electoral battlefield : Epworth, Zimbabwe
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences
Specialising in Public Administration-Peace Studies at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.This study investigates the role of community-led social innovation and social entrepreneurship
in transforming electoral violence into peacebuilding efforts in Epworth, Zimbabwe. It examines
the extent to which collective entrepreneurial ventures can foster dialogue, political tolerance, and
conflict transformation. It adopts a participatory action research (PAR) approach underpinned by
Lederach’s conflict transformation theory. Data was collected through participant observation, in
depth interviews, focus group discussions, and analysis of financial records and meeting minutes.
A community-driven peacebuilding intervention, the Peace Rabbits project, was implemented to
explore the potential of social innovation in addressing political violence.
The findings reveal that social innovation and entrepreneurship contribute significantly to
peacebuilding by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and economic empowerment. The Peace
Rabbits project created a neutral platform where community members from different political
affiliations worked together towards a shared economic goal. Over time, this collaboration
facilitated conflict transformation, improved political tolerance, and mended fractured community
relations. The study also highlights that localised, stakeholder-driven initiatives are more effective
in addressing political tensions than externally imposed interventions. The study recommends the
expansion of grassroots entrepreneurial peace initiatives as viable conflict resolution strategies.
It advocates for policy support from government and non-governmental organizations to
institutionalize community-led peacebuilding efforts. Further research is needed to assess the
long-term sustainability of such interventions and their broader applicability in other conflict-prone
communities.
The role of entrepreneurship education in preparing future entrepreneurs : a case of third-year diploma students at a selected university of technology
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Management: Administration and Information Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Many developing countries, such as South Africa experience high levels of unemployment
rate (32.1%), with an unemployment rate among graduates sitting at 44.3%. This has led to
entrepreneurship education emerging as a crucial tool for economic empowerment and job
creation. Despite this, the current entrepreneurship programmes in South African
universities often fall short in providing students with the essential skills needed to thrive in
today's competitive business environment.
Tertiary institutions have the responsibility of offering entrepreneurship courses to equip
students with the necessary skills and knowledge. One major issue in South Africa is the
lack of sufficient entrepreneurship qualifications to develop students with abilities for the
entrepreneurial sector. To address this issue and combat unemployment among South
African graduates, there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship
programmes currently in place at a selected university of technology.
This research aimed to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship education on enhancing
students' entrepreneurial skills and aspirations. A quantitative research approach was
followed in this study, aligning with the positivism research philosophy. The sample for the
study was 269 undergraduate students who were registered for entrepreneurial modules,
which were chosen using a nonprobability purposive sampling method. The research
findings revealed shortcomings in the university's entrepreneurial education programmes,
particularly in adequately supporting students' entrepreneurial aspirations and providing
them with the necessary access to modern technological tools essential for succeeding in
a digitally driven business environment.
The study recommended that educational institutions pay more attention to nurturing
students' entrepreneurial development to enhance their skills and ambitions, ultimately
playing a more significant role in addressing the escalating unemployment rates in South
Africa. The study further recommended that it is the importance of maintaining a conducive
environment that fosters entrepreneurial abilities and equips students with the necessary
tools and resources to thrive in the competitive business landscape. Universities should
update their entrepreneurship syllabuses to help students succeed in acquiring
entrepreneurship knowledge. In addition to improving the curriculum, new teaching methods
in line with current industry trends should be employed. This will ensure that students have the practical skills they need for business. By incorporating innovative teaching
methodologies and practical experiences, higher education institutions can empower
students to develop a robust entrepreneurial mindset and be ready to enter the dynamic
business world.
The study underscored the importance of integrating entrepreneurship modules into a full
academic qualification to ensure that students receive comprehensive training and
guidance in realising their entrepreneurial ambitions. This holistic approach transforms
students into proactive and resourceful individuals capable of leveraging opportunities and
overcoming obstacles in the cut-throat business environment. Therefore, the study
concluded that a paradigm shift should be considered where higher education institutions
prioritise student entrepreneurial growth and fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.
By addressing the current gaps in entrepreneurial education, universities can play a pivotal
role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs who are well-equipped to drive
economic growth and development in South Africa.
An examination of the impact of outsourcing on operational efficiency and effectiveness at a fast-moving consumer goods company
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Management Sciences Specialising in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The study investigated the impact of outsourcing on operational efficiency and effectiveness at
Pioneer Foods, determining the effect of outsourcing on enhancing the outcome of operations. The
objectives involved analysing the drivers of outsourcing, understanding the challenges involved,
and ascertaining the effect of outsourcing on operational efficiency and effectiveness.
The literature review covered fundamental concepts such as resource-based view theories and
transaction cost economics, which illustrated that outsourcing has indeed allowed organisations to
focus their attention on competencies by gaining greater flexibility while driving down costs. Such
a theoretical framework forms the basis of how outsourcing contributes to an operational advantage
within highly competitive markets. The research design was quantitative in nature, and the
respondents were surveyed through a structured questionnaire. The target population was 30, and
a representative sample was obtained by using probability sampling with a sample size of 28.
The findings show how outsourcing provided positive effects in matters of operational efficiency
and effectiveness. In essence, businesses are better placed in leveraging their resources in specific
strategic manners. However, other less-than-ideal factors were a loss of control concerning the
outsourcing functions and over-reliance on suppliers.
Ultimately, outsourcing can create huge value for FMCG firms in operational results. The study
provides actionable insights for Pioneer Foods and other similar companies on how strategic
outsourcing of non-core activities will make a company more competitive and productive. These
insights are useful for industry stakeholders who are interested in optimising operational
performance through better outsourcing decisions.
Findings indicate outsourcing enhances operational efficiency but poses risks like loss of control. It
is recommended that firms develop robust outsourcing strategies. Future research should explore
outsourcing’s long-term impact on competitive advantage in the FMCG sector.
Rehabilitation of child inmates in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration: Peace Studies, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the rare cases of extreme human rights
violation in all spheres of life, the penitentiary facilities of the country are no exception.
Inmates languish in pain and oftentimes remain without justice, dignity and respect of their
rights. This study investigates the conditions of detention of child inmates in Munzenze Prison,
and the extent to which introducing peace education in that correctional service could help
transform those young offenders. It appears that child offenders come from communities where
they have committed crimes and are in a situation where the relationships between them and
these communities have been broken. The prison conditions where they find themselves are
not conducive to preparing inmates to be reinserted within their respective communities. The
study explores peace education programmes for juvenile inmates and their effectiveness to
prepare inamates for better future life after prison life. The study was conducted in North Kivu
province where data was collected from different stakeholders. The major aim of the study was
to investigate life conditions behind bars and the needs that arise under those conditions. Two
trends emerged as ways of dealing with criminal behaviours of youths and their delinquency
in the DRC; those are incarceration and the National Service (NS) programme. While many
youths and children are imprisoned in normal penitentiary facilities while others are sent to
Kanyama Kasese NS where they receive vocational training to become productive in active
life after their release. This second strategy appears to be the best alternative to imprisonment.
The absence of a given educational scheme for child inmates in the Democratic Republic of
Congo can compromise the smooth return of children into their communities and recuce
recidivism. Three theories were used in this study: (1) peace education, (2) restorative justice
and (3) the theory of change. These theories helped to understand the context of children’s
delinquency and incarceration. They also demonstrate the extent to which they can serve as
pathways to the rehabilitation and re-integration of child inmates into their communities while
preparing them to become law-abiding citizens. Such programmes can inspire change in
incarcerated children and prepare them for a bright future. The theoretical frameworks were
evaluated as interventions within a qualitative participatory action research design. The
research findings revealed that the main causes of children’s incarceration and being sent to
prison are sexual abuse, stealing and murder. The results also unravel a critical lack of
rehabilitation and reeducation programmes in correctional institutions in the DRC.
Furthermore, the findings reveal that peace education mechanisms are needed in the prison’s
settings, especially in the country. After the implementation of a suggested peace education programme and evaluation of its short-term evaluation, this thesis recommends and advocates
the use of restorative justice, peace education and noational service as instruments of child
inmates’ transformation and their social reinsertion. It is imperative to vulgarise these
programmes across the country and substitute the inhumate incerceral conditions of children
with reeducation services such as the national service.
The implications of performance appraisal on organizational effectiveness for basic education department in iLembe District
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master in Public Management/ Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The research investigated ILembe District of Basic Education’s appraisal system,
specifically focusing on its implications on organizational effectiveness. In order to
improve performance in the workplace, performance appraisals serve as a measurement
of employee performance and help employees upgraded their competencies based on
the gaps identified during the performance appraisal. Performance appraisals enable
managers and supervisors to identify performance gaps, and then introduce training to
address the gaps. In this way, the overall effectiveness of the organization and the service
delivery continue to improve. A performance appraisal can also be an effective way of
motivating employees to do better than expected as part of Human Resources
Management. Providing rewards for good performance can be a good way to recognize
employees. The main aim of this research was to understand critique and recommend
effective strategies for the employees appraisal system at iLembe District of basic
education. In order to achieve this, the study had four objectives, that is, to establish the
department appraisal system; to determine the extent of implementation in the district; to
ascertain the level of effectiveness; and to recommend effective strategies. The study
uitilised quantitative research methodology on a target population of 200 employees
permanently employed at ILembe Department of Education District office. Purposive
sampling was used to select participants of the study and S.P.S.S software was used to
perform data analysis.
A review of artificial intelligence applications in predicting faults in electrical machines
No full textThe operational efficiency of many industrial processes is greatly affected by condition monitoring, which has become more and more important in the detection and forecast of electrical machine failures. Early identification of possible problems and prompt and precise diagnosis reduce unscheduled downtime, lower maintenance costs, and prevent catastrophic failures. Traditional human-dependent diagnostic techniques are changing as a result of advances in artificial intelligence (AI), opening the door to automated and predictive maintenance plans. This paper provides a detailed examination of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the prediction of electrical device failures, with a focus on techniques such as fuzzy systems, expert systems, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and complex machine-learning algorithms. These methods use both historical and present data to identify and predict problems and allow timely actions. The study looks at implementation challenges for AI-based diagnostic systems, including data dependencies, processing demands, and model interpretability, in addition to highlighting recent advances such as digital twins, explainable AI, and IoT integration. This review highlights the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving the sustainability, efficiency, and dependability of electrical machine systems, especially in the context of rotating machines, by addressing existing constraints and suggesting future research routes
Biochemical and in silico structural properties of a thermo-acid stable β-glucosidase from Beauveria bassiana
No full textβ-glucosidase hydrolyses the glycosidic bonds in cellobiose and cello-oligosaccharides, a critical step in the saccharification for biofuel production. Hence, the aim of this study was to gain insights into the biochemical and structural properties of a β-glucosidase from Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus. The β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity using salt precipitation, ultrafiltration, and chromatographic techniques, attaining a specific activity of 496 U/mg. The molecular mass of the enzyme was then estimated via SDS-PAGE to be 116 kDa, while its activity pattern was confirmed by zymography using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-glucopyranoside. Furthermore, the pH optima and temperature of the enzyme were found to be pH 5.0 and 60 °C respectively; its activity was significantly enhanced by Mg2+ and Na+ and was found to be relatively moderate in the presence of ethanol and dichloromethane. Molecular docking of the modelled B. bassiana β-glucosidase structure with the substrates, viz., 4-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside and cellobiose, revealed the binding affinity energies of -7.2 and -6.2 (kcal mol-1), respectively. Furthermore, the computational study predicted Lys-657, Asp-658, and Arg-1000 as the core amino acid residues in the catalytic site of the enzyme. This is the first investigation into a purified β-glucosidase from B. bassiana, providing valuable insights into the functional properties of carbohydrases from entomopathogenic fungal endophytes
Enhancing safe mobility using inclusive intelligent infrastructure management system
No full textIn the dynamic realm of urbanization, smart city development, particularly in relation to transportation infrastructure, is gaining momentum. This study addresses a gap in the current strategies by emphasizing effective management over mere expansion. Managing infrastructure systems is essential given the increasing trend of tech-driven transportation and the vehicle-to-capacity ratio. To maximize the current infrastructure in East London, South Africa, the Inclusive Intelligent Infrastructure Management System (IIIMS) is the suggested solution. For more sophisticated transportation system design, the project combines data-driven approaches with intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Demand management, predictive maintenance, route optimization, and real-time data collection are important components of this approach. By offering information on traffic patterns, hotspots for congestion, and possible conflicts, these initiatives support well-informed decision-making for capacity expansion. Focusing on Oxford Street, a congested area in East London, this research employs the smart city wheel and the 15-minute smart city concept. The IIIMS loop incorporates adaptive hypotheses for safe mobility principles in a specific spatial and temporal context. By examining the elements of an inclusive intelligent transportation system, this study considers telematic technologies, data-driven traffic management, and safe mobility principles. Hypotheses related to private vehicle access, worker safety, citizen well-being, and urbanized infrastructure management are discussed, offering solutions for safe mobility. The proposed framework includes an operational level- of-service (LOS) lane change modification for Oxford Street, promoting flow and reducing congestion. Recommendations should focus on competitive measures for delay-time management, congestion patterns, and hotspot identification, contributing to smart city discourse and emphasizing inclusive intelligent infrastructure management for safe mobility and urban transportation competitiveness