5975 research outputs found
Sort by
Speech to speech translation with translatotron : a state of the art review
Get PDFA cascade-based speech-to-speech translation has been considered a benchmark
for a very long time, but it is plagued by many issues, like the time taken to
translate a speech from one language to another and compound errors. These
issues are because a cascade-based method uses a combination of methods such
as speech recognition, speech-to-text translation, and finally, text-to-speech trans
lation. Translatotron, a sequence-to-sequence direct speech-to-speech translation
model was designed by Google to address the issues of compound errors associated
with cascade model. Today there are 3 versions of the Translatotron model: Trans
latotron 1, Translatotron 2, and Translatotron3. The first version was designed as a
proof of concept to show that a direct speech-to-speech translation was possible, it
was found to be less effective than the cascade model but was producing promising
results. Translatotron2 was an improved version of Translatotron 1 with results sim
ilar to the cascade model. Translatotron 3 the latest version of the model is better
than the cascade model at some points. In this paper, a complete review of speech
to-speech translation will be presented, with a particular focus on all the versions
of Translatotron models. We will also show that Translatotron is the best model
to bridge the language gap between African Languages and other well-formalized
languages
Exploring the employment opportunities through social networking platforms for black South African millennials at selected Universities in KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree: Doctor of Philosophy of Management Sciences: Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University Of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.This study was conducted to explore the employment opportunities available to Black South
African millennials through social networking platforms (SNSs). The study was motivated by the
existing gap in literature regarding studies focusing on Black South African millennials, their SNS
use behaviours, as well as contextual challenges.
The study aim was to explore employment opportunities for Black South African Millennials
through LinkedIn. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Six hundred and nine (n = 609)
students from Durban University of Technology, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and
Mangosuthu University of Technology participated in the survey. Eleven interviews were also
conducted with personnel from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and
two separate recruitment agencies. The participants for both samples were recruited using
purposive sampling and the data that was gathered from them was analysed using the Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), including Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
The findings revealed that SNSs especially LinkedIn provide a convenient and effective way for
Black South African millennials to access employment opportunities. This study provide valuable
insights to equip Black South African millennials to effectively leverage SNSs to secure
employment opportunities. It also provides recruiters with knowledge to enhance the appeal of
their recruitment strategies for this population group.
This study contributes towards combating youth unemployment in South Africa by offering
strategies for securing employment that are effective even on the global market.
Workplace violence towards emergency medical services staff in Gauteng
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science Emergency Medical Care at Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Paramedics are a crucial component of South African public health, medical and
emergency services systems. While some interventions have been tried, it seems that
violence against paramedics just keeps getting worse. In recent years, there have
been an increasing number of newspaper reports suggesting that the rate of violent
incidents against emergency medical services personnel in South Africa may be
accelerating. With these acts of hostility and violence growing, job satisfaction
amongst paramedics will invariably decline and further push them to consider leaving
the profession. The aim of this study was to investigate workplace violence among
paramedics during emergency call outs in Gauteng, South Africa. The study used a
mixed-method approach, gathering data from paramedics through surveys and
interviews. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were used to gather the
data. For the quantitative data, thematic analysis was used, and for the qualitative data,
descriptive statistics. The results indicated that the number of women who took up the
profession as paramedics was lower than that of men. The quantitative data revealed
that workplace violence the emergency medical services was largely reported during
on emergency assignments. Workplace violence exists and most of the employees
have experienced it at some point while on duty. Verbal abuse was the most frequent
kind of workplace violence, followed by physical violence, while sexual abuse was the
least frequent. Very little has been done to safeguard emergency medical services
employees from workplace violence and reporting the violence is met with a number
of limitations. The study also found that the majority of emergency medical services
workers did not know where or were not sure how to report workplace violence. In light
of the above results, the study recommended a collaborative effort between regional
and South African health organisations in providing site-specific education and policies.
In addition, awareness programmes should focus on empowering victims to report
workplace violence, as well as strategies to handle cases of workplace violence.
The influence of HIV/AIDS prevention marketing communication campaigns on young adults in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master in Marketing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to plague the world, with
the virus continually spreading in many regions. The latest published HIV/AIDS
statistics indicate that 38 million individuals were living with HIV globally in 2019. In
South Africa, HIV-infected individuals were estimated at 8.2 million in 2021, with a
prevalence of 19.5% within the 15-49 age group. Reducing HIV incidence is imperative
as a potential catalyst for decreasing HIV prevalence in young adults.
The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of HIV/AIDS prevention
marketing communication campaigns on young adults; to determine the level of
awareness of HIV prevention marketing communication campaigns employed by the
government and NGOs; to investigate the influence of HIV marketing communication
campaigns in reducing HIV risky sexual behaviour; to determine the challenges that
young adults face in reducing risky sexual behaviour; and to develop HIV/AIDS
marketing communication prevention strategies.
The study was conducted in Imbali, a peri-urban area in the uMsunduzi Municipality in
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study using
a quantitative research approach amongst young adults. The data was analysed using
SPSS version 29. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy.
Validity was ensured by using a validated questionnaire, which measured the impact
of communication campaigns and the contributions of knowledge and attitudes
towards HIV to reduce risky behaviour.
A key study finding was noting participants reporting a positive change in risky sexual
behaviour, including adopting safe sex practices and halting engaging with multiple
partners after hearing or seeing an HIV prevention marketing communication advert,
highlighting the effectiveness of these campaigns in some of the participants. Also, a
significant proportion of participants recognised HIV as a serious problem within the
community.
The study highlighted the need for more advocacy programs focusing on males, to
encourage more HIV testing to potentially change risky sexual behaviour. Men reported reluctance to access HIV testing services. The significance of this study was
identifying the benefit of HIV prevention marketing communication campaigns in
changing risky sexual behaviour. Although this was from a sample that was
purposively selected, there is merit in determining such a benefit in a large sample,
that would be randomly selected. Generally, awareness regarding HIV infection is a
major preventive tool for reducing the spread of the HIV pandemic.
The influence of government business development programmes on the innovativeness of women entrepreneurs in selected rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFSubmitted 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.Women entrepreneurs in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, face numerous challenges
that limit their business growth and innovation despite government efforts to empower them.
This study investigates how government business development programmes influence the
innovativeness of these women entrepreneurs.
This study aimed to evaluate how effectively these programmes foster innovation among
women-led businesses in rural areas. Specifically, to identify key factors that contribute to the
success of these initiatives, including the training and support provided, and the overall impact
on business growth and sustainability. By analyzing these aspects, we seek to understand how
these programmes can be improved to meet the unique challenges faced by women
entrepreneurs in rural settings, ultimately leading to increased innovation and economic
development in these communities.
A mixed-method approach was used, combining semi-structured interviews, questionnaires,
and focus groups with women entrepreneurs selected from various rural communities in KZN.
Findings reveal that while 80% of participants had registered businesses, many still faced
barriers such as limited access to resources and inadequate programme support, which
hindered their innovativeness.
The study highlights key factors that affect programme success and identifies gaps in policy
implementation. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how government
initiatives can be tailored to support rural women entrepreneurs more effectively. The research
recommends a new model to enhance women’s innovativeness, ultimately promoting their
empowerment and economic development in rural KZN. Overall, this study provides valuable
guidance for policymakers and programme designers aiming to improve the impact of business
development interventions in rural settings.
Extraction and processing of bioactive phytoconstituents from widely used South African medicinal plants for the preparation of effective traditional herbal medicine products : a narrative review
Get PDFMedicinal plants are sources of crude traditional herbal medicines that are utilized to reduce the risk of, treat, or manage diseases in most indigenous communities. This is due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is estimated that about 80% of the population in developing countries rely on herbal traditional medicines for healthcare. This signifies the need for traditional herbal medicines, which are polyherbal formulations prepared by traditional health practitioners. This review examines preparatory steps to extract bioactive phytoconstituents and post-extraction processes to increase the potency of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents. Achieving this will allow for the reduced use of plant materials and promote the sustainable use of the limited resource of medicinal plants, especially in our South African context. Electronic ethnobotanical books and online databases were used to find studies that focus on phytoconstituent extraction and post-extraction processing to enhance the potency of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents. Modification of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents to synthesize daughter compounds facilitates an enhancement in their potency and bioavailability. Based on the data collected through this review, the importance of understanding the properties of the targeted phytoconstituents is essential in selecting the required extraction method. This determines the quality and yield of extracted bioactive phytoconstituents
A framework of a cooperative approach between parents and teachers in reducing violence among high school learners in Lamontville, eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Philosophiae Doctor in Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Background
Violence among school learners is a serious public health, human rights, and social
issue with far-reaching consequences. It negatively affects learners’ academic
performance, social development, and mental well-being. The alarming rate of school
violence has become a major concern at both national and international levels, as it
undermines the core purpose of schools as places of safety, learning, and growth.
Schools should provide a welcoming environment where both teachers and learners
can engage without fear of victimization or harm. However, the current prevalence of
violence indicates that many schools are failing to offer such protection. Ensuring a
secure and supportive school environment is therefore crucial for promoting academic
success and holistic development.
Aim
The aim of this study was to explore and describe violence amongst high school
learners in order to develop a framework of a cooperative approach between parents
and teachers to reduce violence amongst high school learners and ultimately enhance
the management of school violence at Lamontville Township in eThekwini District,
KwaZulu-Natal.
Methods
A mixed-method participatory action research approach was employed, combining
both quantitative and qualitative research methods to provide a comprehensive
understanding of school violence. The theoretical foundation of the study was based
on Bronfenbrenner's (1994) Ecological Systems Theory of Development, which
highlights the complex interactions between individuals and their surrounding
environments, including home, school, and community. The data collection process
involved multiple methods: a questionnaire survey with 260 parents, semi-structured
in-depth interviews with 18 teachers, and focus group interviews with 12 School
Governing Body (SGB) members. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and
inferential statistics for the quantitative component and Tesch’s eight-step thematic
analysis for the qualitative data.
iii
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that violence is a pervasive issue in many schools,
significantly affecting learners' ability to achieve academic and personal success.
Learners are exposed to various forms of violence, including peer conflict, learner teacher disputes, and other disruptive incidents, all of which contribute to an unsafe
school climate. The causes of violence are multifaceted, originating from home,
school, and community contexts. Factors such as negative peer influences,
inadequate parental supervision, and poor school environments exacerbate the
problem.
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers
in addressing school violence. Both groups play a crucial role in shaping learners'
behaviour and fostering positive attitudes towards education. By working together,
parents and teachers can create a supportive and accountable environment that
encourages learners to invest in academic excellence and self-discipline.
Furthermore, partnerships with external stakeholders, including community
organizations and government bodies, are essential in implementing sustainable
programs to reduce violence and promote peace within schools.
An evaluation of green human resource management practices as an approach to environmental/organisational sustainability : a case study of a private tertiary institution, in Durban South Africa
No full textSubmitted in Fulfilment for Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the green human resource management
practice of green recruitment and selection as an innovative approach to
environmental/organisational sustainability and to propose a framework for green
human resource management through the lens of green recruitment and selection.
The problem to be examined in this study is that the organisation under study conducts
an induction and orientation program for newly hired employees but fails to provide
instruction regarding their work and responsibilities in terms of environmental and
organisational sustainability. In addition, the organisational management is equally not
providing any awareness programs about the green environment, thus leading to the
lack of knowledge on green environmental practices such as green recruitment and
selection - a significant function of green human resource management that has the
potential to leverage environmental and organisational sustainability. Furthermore, it
is evident that for recruitment and selection purposes, the company is applying various
tests rather than using e-selection or telephone interview/video conferencing, thereby
increasing the usage of carbon footprints, high costs, and more time to conduct the
recruitment and selection process. The three main objectives of the study were to
examine green human resource management practices; describe factors that enable
and constrain green human resource management practices such as green
recruitment and selection in leveraging organisational sustainability; analyse the effect
of the green recruitment and selection of human resource management practices on
environmental/organisational sustainability; and propose a framework for the
development implementation of green recruitment and selection to enhance
organisational sustainability. The research was quantitative, and a pre-coded
structured close-ended questionnaire plotted on a five (5) Point Likert Scale was used
to administer the instrument to the chosen sample respondents. The questionnaire
covered three (3) Sections, each premised on a topic related to the research problem.
The target population consisted of two thousand and two hundred (n=2200)
employees of a private tertiary educational institution in Durban from which three
hundred and twenty-four (n=324) were selected as the sampling population. This
embodied a high response rate for a quantitative study. After the study was completed,
the thesis was subjected to anti-plagiarism software turnitin program to test for
plagiarism, and this proved useful. The quantitative data were clustered into input and output variables which were regressed with SPSS version 29.0. descriptive and
inferential statistics encompassing factor analysis and structural equation modelling
(SEM) were equally used to further explore the data. A relevant test for assessing
reliability was recognised in this study. Following these processes, some important
findings were as follows: Findings from the study confirmed that green recruitment
and selection is a critical component in fostering a sustainable organisational culture.
The findings further indicate that effective green recruitment practices not only attract
environmentally conscious candidates but also enhance overall organisational
awareness and commitment to sustainability. Furthermore, environmental
consciousness emerged as a vital element in the organisation’s sustainability efforts.
The positive relationship between environmental consciousness and both green
recruitment and selection and sustainable leadership suggests that fostering an
environmentally aware culture within the organisation is crucial. The findings posit
that sustainable leadership was found to be significantly influenced by both green
recruitment and selection and environmental consciousness. The study demonstrates
that leadership plays a pivotal role in driving sustainability initiatives and shaping the
organisational culture. It was also revealed that biographical Influences are significant.
The study also revealed that demographic factors such as age, tenure, and position
within the organisation significantly influence perceptions of the three key dimensions.
Younger employees, those with shorter tenure, and those in teaching roles generally
had more positive perceptions of the organisation’s sustainability practices.
With these findings, a proposed exploratory framework for the private tertiary
educational institution will benefit and help in increasing efficiency, cost reduction,
eliminating environmental waste, and fostering green behaviour among selected job
candidates eventually leading to environmental and organisational sustainability. The
study completes with recommendations and areas for further search in this green
human resource management an emerging area in the human resource management
domain.
Employment equity in the South African retail sector: legal versus competence and the business imperatives
No full textIn 2013/14 a study entitled “Interventions to achieve employment equity objectives
in the wholesale and retail sector” was conducted by the Wholesale and Retail
Leadership Chair (WRLC) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on
behalf of the W&RSETA (Sector Education and Training Authority). Objectives
included assessing the impact of implementation of the Employment Equity Act
(EEA) on retail organisations, and determining what supportive action regulatory
authorities (the Department of Labour and the W&RSETA) and businesses could
take to achieve employment equity (EE) goals. The study is therefore useful
across the spectrum of the W&R industry, especially for employment relations
practitioners and those tasked with EE implementation. The study followed a
mixed-methods approach, using questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews, case
studies, focus groups and secondary data. Results indicated that EE tends to be
numbers-driven at the expense of competence and talent management. Most
respondents’ perceptions of EE implementation were negative, with the implication
that a different approach is needed because the pace of change and transformation in the South African workplace is too slow. Although the small sample
size limits generalisation of the findings, the study provides insight and direction
for further research. This paper acknowledges that because EE is currently driven
largely by meeting mandated targets for demographic change, the development of
talent – in essence, competence – is lacking or inadequate. Thus, the recommendations
propose a competency model linked to a performance management system,
which could lead to an efficient EE talent management process. This process will
enable organisations to develop, within the shortest possible period, competent
individuals able to perform adequately in their positions, thereby maintaining or
improving productivity; it also addresses effective succession planning
Methanation of CO2 over nickel and molybdenum bi-metallic catalyst system supported on activated carbon
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The escalating environmental impact of CO₂ emissions has driven the demand for innovative
solutions to capture and convert CO₂ into useful energy forms, with CO₂ methanation standing
out as a viable approach for generating methane (CH₄) as a clean fuel. This research focuses
on developing and evaluating bimetallic Ni–Mo catalysts supported on activated carbon (AC)
for CO₂ methanation, exploring the effects of Mo concentration and synthesis techniques on
catalytic performance. The catalysts, synthesized with a Ni base of 13 wt.% and Mo as a
promoter (5–11 wt.%), were prepared using three distinct methods: incipient wetness
impregnation (IWI), sol-gel (SG), and mechanical mixing (MM). These methods provided a
range of catalyst properties, allowing for a thorough investigation of how synthesis conditions
influence activity, stability, and CO₂-to-CH₄ conversion efficiency.
Advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to reveal the structural, morphological, and
electronic properties of the catalysts. The introduction of Mo significantly modified the Ni/AC
catalyst, enhancing pore size, and active site dispersion. Results indicated that optimal Mo
concentration, specifically 7 wt.%, improved Ni dispersion and electron transfer properties,
reducing the catalyst’s activation energy for CO₂ methanation to 54.6 kJ/mol, compared to 115
kJ/mol for undoped Ni/AC. This facilitated superior catalytic activity, with Ni-7%Mo/AC
achieving a high CO₂ conversion rate of 92% and CH₄ selectivity of 80% at a moderate reaction
temperature of 250 °C.
Among the preparation techniques, the incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) method yielded
the most promising results, with the Ni-7%Mo/AC catalyst synthesized via IWI showing the
highest CO₂ conversion (56%) and (>95%) CH₄ selectivity at 350 °C. This enhanced
performance is attributed to improved metal dispersion, stronger metal-support interactions,
and structural stability, resulting from the IWI method. The sol-gel and mechanical mixing
methods, while effective, demonstrated lower CO₂ conversion rates of 51.4% and 51.2%,
respectively, under similar conditions. These variations highlight the critical role of synthesis
techniques in optimizing catalyst performance for CO₂ methanation.
To complement the experimental findings, an informetric analysis was conducted on global
research trends in molybdenum-enhanced Ni-based catalysts for CO₂ methanation. This
analysis utilized VOSviewer and RStudio to identify publication trends, collaboration
networks, and research focus areas across highly cited studies from 1994 to 2023. The results
highlighted an increasing interest in Mo-doped Ni catalysts, particularly for their ability to
enhance CO₂ methanation activity, stability, and resistance to deactivation through sintering
and coking. The bibliometric insights highlighted the relevance of Mo in creating efficient,
long-lasting catalysts and identified key contributors and leading publications in the field.
A review of AC-based materials further illustrated their potential for sustainable CO₂
methanation applications, emphasizing AC’s large surface area, porosity, and cost effectiveness as a catalyst support. The role of AC in enhancing catalyst stability and
facilitating CO₂ adsorption positions it as an ideal material for carbon capture and utilization
(CCU) technologies. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in optimizing the catalyst
formulation for industrial-scale applications, particularly in maintaining stability and
minimizing energy requirements.
Conclusively, this study demonstrates that Ni-7%Mo/AC, synthesized via incipient wetness
impregnation, is an optimal catalyst for CO₂ methanation, achieving high efficiency in
converting CO₂ to CH4. These findings not only advance the understanding of CO₂ methanation
over Ni-Mo catalysts but also establish a foundation for scaling up this process to support
global sustainability goals.