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Media literacy’s role in democratic engagement and societal transformation among university students
No full textBy providing citizens with the knowledge they need to
meaningfully participate in the democratic process, the media
plays a vital role in the growth and consolidation of the
democratic project. Also essential is citizens’ aptitude to critically
examine, assess, produce and understand media and its social
role in a democracy. The current study explores the role of media
literacy in democratic engagement and social change among
South African university students. The paper attempts to
contextualise how students’ levels of media literacy led them to
political participation, critical thinking and overall contribution to
social change in a post-apartheid era. The paper draws on the
cognitive mobilisation theory to argue that better media literacy
helps students think critically about media, and improve their
political knowledge, involvement and contribution to social
change. Data for this study were collected by conducting in-
depth interviews with n = 30 university students who were
selected through a convenience sampling strategy. Results
revealed that media literacy significantly influences university
students’ engagement in democratic processes and societal
transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Media literacy also
enhances their political knowledge, participation and critical
analysis of media messages. These findings have implications for
policy and practice in media literacy education
Application of chitosan-carbon nanotube hydrogel beads composite in the removal of antibiotic compounds and perfluoroalkyl substances from aqueous solution
No full textThis thesis is submitted for the fulfilment of academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.The environmental occurrence of antibiotics and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), particularly in portable
water sources, is very evident that current wastewater treatment plants cannot completely eradicate
these emerging contaminants of environmental concern. On the other hand, long term exposure to these
contaminants poses serious health risks to human and aquatic life. Available literature suggests that
antibiotics and PFAAs can be eradicated by solid-liquid adsorption. Therefore, there is an urgent need
to develop environmentally green and cost-effective adsorbents for the remediation of antibiotics and
PFAAs.
As such, the present study focuses on investigating the treatment efficiency of chitosan-carbon nanotube
(CCNT) hydrogel beads for the removal of antibiotics viz. amoxicillin (AMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and
sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as well as PFAAs i.e., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid (PFOS) from synthetic aqueous solutions. The scope of the present work includes
elucidating the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamic parameters as well as breakthrough
curves for the uptake of AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOS and PFOS on CCNT hydrogel beads. Moreover, Monte
Carlo simulations were performed to elucidate the interaction of PFOA, PFOS and sulfamethazine
(SMT) with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) relative to water.
Herein, CCNT hydrogel beads were synthesised using a two-step precipitation approach and analysed
using Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) technology. From the FTIR results it was evident that the
synthesised model adsorbent was characterised with strong peaks of carboxylic and hydroxyl functional
groups which were essential for the uptake of the model adsorbates i.e., AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOA and
PFOS. Post the adsorption process, band stretches were observed cementing the uptake of the model
adsorbates on CCNT hydrogel beads. Single adsorption kinetics experimental data for the uptake of
AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOA and PFOS were well fitted by the nonlinear pseudo-first order (PFO) kinetic
model recording R2 values of more than 0.9 for all model adsorbates. It is worth noting that the
competing PFO and pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic models were validated by applying the
Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) as a statistical analysis parameter. Furthermore, the findings of
the present study from the Weber-Morris kinetic model suggest that multiple processes were limiting
the overall adsorption rate of AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOA and PFOS on CCNT hydrogel beads.
Adsorption isotherm studies were conducted for a temperature range of 283 K, 293 K and 303 K for a
contact time of 24 hours for AMX, CIP, and SMX, and 168 hours for PFOA and PFOS. The findings of
the present study suggest that AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOA and PFOS single adsorption experimental data
were well fitted by the nonlinear Freundlich isotherm model suggesting the heterogeneity of the surface
as well as the exponential distribution of the active sites of the model adsorbent. On the other hand, the
binary and ternary AMX, CIP, and SMX adsorption experimental data were well fitted by the nonlinear
competitive extended Sips adsorption isotherm model. Furthermore, results for the binary and ternary
adsorption systems explicitly demonstrated that the multicomponent adsorption systems exhibited both
antagonistic and synergistic effects on the uptake of AMX, CIP and SMX. Interestingly, binary
adsorption experimental data for PFOA and PFOS were well fitted by the extended-Langmuir isotherm
model (R2=0.996 for PFOA and R2=0.995 for PFOS) and extended-Sips isotherm model (R2=0.996 for
PFOA and R2=0.997 for PFOS), with the system strictly exhibiting antagonistic effects for the uptake
of one adsorbate in the presence of another adsorbate. From thermodynamic studies, it is evident that
the uptake of AMX, CIP, SMX, PFOA and PFOS is an endothermic process, and it cannot be explicitly
classified as a chemical nor physical adsorption process but as a physicochemical adsorption process.
The presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) and humic acid (HA) demonstrated antagonistic effects on the
uptake of AMX, CIP and SMX by CCNT hydrogel beads due to formation of aggregates with an
increase in ionic strength. Single factor analysis of variance results recorded p-values of less than 0.05
for the uptake of AMX, CIP and SMX indicating that there was a statistical difference between the
means of the independent and depended variables, thus cementing the negative effect of increasing ionic
strength on the uptake of the mode adsorbates. However, NaCl ions exhibited minimal competitive
effects with adsorbate molecules for active adsorption sites on CCNT hydrogel beads compared to HA.
On the other hand, the presence of NaCl as a competing ion exhibited synergistic effects in the uptake
of PFOA and PFOS from aqueous solutions.
Furthermore, for the present work, breakthrough curves from the experimental data were well fitted by
the Thomas model recording R2
and adjusted-R
2 values of greater than 0.9 for all adsorbates investigated
indicating that the breakthrough curves for the present work can be described by a symmetrical function.
Additionally, the breakthrough points time predicted by the Thomas model was aligned with the
experimentally determined breakthrough points time cementing its practical utility and superiority over
the log-Gompertz and Bohart-Adams models. On the other hand, from the Monte Carlo simulation
results, it is evident that, in an aqueous environment, both PFOA and PFOS may be taken up
preferentially by PP and PE, although less strongly by PE. The degree of polymerisation of PE and PP
did not significantly influence the observed behaviour. In terms of sorption affinity, the observed affinity
was PFOA>PFOS>SMT which was consistent for both PE and PP.
Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that CCNT hydrogel beads composites have the
potential to be applied as adsorbents for the removal of antibiotics and PFAAs from aqueous solutions.
Furthermore, the simulation results obtained suggest that Monte Carlo simulations in Material Studio
can be used as an effective tool in elucidating the interaction between antibiotics and PFAAs with
microplastics relative to water as co-existing contaminants. Therefore, the findings of the present work
have successfully addressed the research questions for the current study
Building peace via school peace clubs in Umlazi, eThekwini region
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, Duban, South Africa, 2024.School violence stands is a pressing global concern, notably within the South African
educational framework, with a particular focus on secondary schools. Existing literature
and media representations have attempted to illuminate the disconcerting prevalence of
violence within the high school setting. The causal factors underpinning this phenomenon
are multi-faceted, encompassing aspects such as the geographical context of the school's
location and the internal school environment itself. Additionally, the family and community
setting assume a significant role in exacerbating incidents of school violence. The harmful
repercussions on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being of both
educators and learners have been extensively documented, observed, and experienced.
Consequently, the effect of this issue necessitates the implementation of evidence-based
interventions grounded in developmental principles. This research study, therefore,
adopted an evidence-based approach in its efforts to mitigate the pervasive culture of
school violence within four high schools situated in the Umlazi District of Kwa-Zulu-Natal,
South Africa. To acquire baseline data, a questionnaire was administered to 603 learners.
Subsequently, a series of interviews were conducted with four parents, seven teachers,
and eight security personnel to gain deeper insights into the intricate dynamics of school
violence. Following this phase, a Peace Club for twenty-eight learners was established
within three participating schools, serving as a dedicated platform for learners to articulate
their concerns. Regrettably, one of the four schools opted to discontinue its involvement
in the study. In the remaining three schools, learners were actively engaged in a six-month
series of focus group discussions. The findings unveiled a distressing pattern of recurrent
violence within the vicinity of these schools. Predominantly, manifestations of violence
encompassed threats, physical assaults, and theft. Moreover, learners frequently
reported instances of verbal abuse perpetrated by educators. The causal factors of school
violence were identified as stemming from various sources, including social media, drug
and substance abuse, community, and family-related influences.
Drawing upon the principles of Action Research, participants from two distinct Peace
Clubs voluntarily undertook the task of formulating peace projects tailored to their respective schools. Unfortunately, one school decided to not formulate a peace project.
Through the implementation of these peace projects, heightened awareness concerning
school violence was created, underscored by an increased emphasis on the importance
of a positive learning environment. This process demonstrated that even schools facing
resource constraints can successfully initiate and sustain social initiatives. Notably, an
observable improvement in learner behaviour was reported, thus substantiating the
contention that viable solutions to complex issues can indeed originate at the grassroots
level. Considering these outcomes, it is advisable to consider the effectiveness of Peace
Clubs in mitigating school violence, with the added benefit of requiring relatively modest
resource allocation in these strained economic conditions.
Effective intercultural communication : a case of radio Al Ansaar
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment for the requirements of the Masters in Management Sciences, specialising in Public Relations and Communication Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Organisations are becoming more multicultural due to internationalisation and migration in a globalised world. Intercultural communication, crucial for diverse workplaces, involves sending and receiving messages among employees from different cultural backgrounds. Intercultural communication can lead to varied interpretations of verbal and non-verbal cues, particularly in countries with high immigrant rates, resulting in communication challenges. The aim of this study is to examine the cultural barriers among employees at Radio Al Ansaar. The objectives of the study are to identify barrier types and specific problems and suggest solutions. The study employed a quantitative research approach. A census method was considered appropriate for this study and adopted. Data were collected via structured questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed and administered to 55 employees; of whom 45 employees participated. The findings of this study revealed that verbal and nonverbal cultural differences, cultural stereotyping, ethnocentrism and personal characteristics such as age, gender, home language and nationality were the main cultural barriers. To address cultural barriers and challenges, practical recommendations include advocating for employees to cultivate patience, understand diverse perspectives, promote open communication, enhance language skills and foster empathy. Additionally, the study suggests that broadcast media can play a pivotal role in this context by supporting intercultural sensitivity training, encouraging cross-cultural activities and facilitating open communication initiatives.
Media literacy's role in democratic engagement and societal transformation among university students
No full textBy providing citizens with the knowledge they need to meaningfully participate in the democratic process, the media plays a vital role in the growth and consolidation of the democratic project. Also essential is citizens’ aptitude to critically examine, assess, produce and understand media and its social role in a democracy. The current study explores the role of media literacy in democratic engagement and social change among South African university students. The paper attempts to contextualise how students’ levels of media literacy led them to political participation, critical thinking and overall contribution to social change in a post-apartheid era. The paper draws on the cognitive mobilisation theory to argue that better media literacy helps students think critically about media, and improve their political knowledge, involvement and contribution to social change. Data for this study were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with n = 30 university students who were selected through a convenience sampling strategy. Results revealed that media literacy significantly influences university students’ engagement in democratic processes and societal transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Media literacy also enhances their political knowledge, participation and critical analysis of media messages. These findings have implications for policy and practice in media literacy education
Development of a face mask detection and masked facial recognition model based on a hybrid convolutional neural network
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master’s in Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2024.In the context of enhancing security authentication, facial recognition technology has become
pivotal, replacing conventional authentication methods such as passwords, security tokens and
PINs across various sectors. However, the rapid growth of facial recognition technology faced
hindrances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where mandatory face mask usage obscured facial
features, challenging existing authentication methods. Regardless, the existence of several
methods for face mask detection and recognition highlighted prevalent issues such as poor lighting,
varied angles, failed detection for improper use of face masks, computational complexity,
difficulty in detecting smaller faces and low-resolution targets have led to suboptimal accuracy
rates. Hence, this study aims to address these challenges by introducing a hybrid Convolutional
Neural Network (CNN) architecture tailored for Face Mask Detection (FMD) and Masked Facial
Recognition (MFR). The models used MobileNetV2 and FaceNet InceptionResNetV1 respectively
for FMD and MFR. The proposed models leverage advanced FMD and MFR technologies,
contributing to the real-world need for enhanced security in scenarios where traditional methods
are insufficient. The models underwent training using five distinct datasets, comprising a total of
10,980 images for FMD across two datasets, and 26,523 images for MFR across three datasets. In
the FMD phase, the model achieved exceptional results, attaining a perfect 100% across evaluation
metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and the f1-score within a training timeframe of an hour.
Transitioning to the MFR phase, where the model required approximately one hour and 30
minutes, maintained an outcome of 99.68% across the aforementioned metrics, surpassing the
accuracy level of existing models within the meta-analysis. Furthermore, the model underwent
testing on a real-time custom dataset designed for MFR evaluation, consisting of 5500 images (i.e.,
4400 for training, 550 for validation and 550 for testing) in real-life scenarios. Robustness was
assessed under various conditions, resulting in an impressive 99.82% accuracy. The model
demonstrated high accuracy in real-time testing. Notably, both the models excel in detecting and
recognising masked participants from diverse angles and lighting conditions with minimal
computational complexity. Leveraging the pre-trained MobileNetV2 for FMD and FaceNet
InceptionResNetV1 with CNN for MFR, the CNN models provide a comprehensive solution. The
proposed models surpass existing methods, excelling in accuracy under challenging conditions.
This study contributes a versatile and efficient solution, addressing limitations in current
approaches and providing robust models for FMD and MFR in diverse sectors.
Using a blended learning approach to encourage course interaction in a first-year business communication module
No full textThe aim of the study is to examine the effectiveness of blended learning in encouraging course interaction amongst first-year students studying a business communication module. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the increased use of blended learning as a teaching approach to encourage learning regardless of the location. Existing research on blended learning suggests its value in promoting increased student engagement, ultimately contributing to positive educational outcomes. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey whereby a questionnaire was distributed to the respondents using Google Forms. Data was analysed on the same platform. Cross-tabulation was used to understand the relationships between factors in participants’ responses to the questions. Results indicate that blended learning successfully drives course interaction because the combination of class-based and online engagement positively impacts how likely students are to engage in course content. This paper makes a valuable contribution in the form of underscoring a pressing need for research that is aimed at understanding how blended learning shapes the experiences students have with their modules, as well as how these factors may shape current practices in blended learning. Most students indicated that they would recommend blended learning as it increased participation and engagement with their course content. </jats:p
Cheminformatics identification and validation of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV modulators from Shikimate pathway-derived phenolic acids towards interventive type-2 diabetes therapy
No full textRecently, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) has become an effective target in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). The study aimed to determine the efficacy of shikimate pathway-derived phenolic acids as potential DPP-IV modulators in the management of T2D. The study explored in silico (molecular docking and dynamics simulations) and in vitro (DPP-IV inhibitory and kinetics assays) approaches. Molecular docking findings revealed chlorogenic acid (CA) among the examined 22 phenolic acids with the highest negative binding energy (-9.0 kcal/mol) showing a greater affinity for DPP-IV relative to the standard, Diprotin A (-6.6 kcal/mol). The result was corroborated by MD simulation where it had a higher affinity (-27.58 kcal/mol) forming a more stable complex with DPP-IV than Diprotin A (-12.68 kcal/mol). These findings were consistent with in vitro investigation where it uncompetitively inhibited DPP-IV having a lower IC50 (0.3 mg/mL) compared to Diprotin A (0.5 mg/mL). While CA showed promising results as a DPP-IV inhibitor, the findings from the study highlighted the significance of medicinal plants particularly shikimate-derived phenolic compounds as potential alternatives to synthetic drugs in the effective management of T2DM. Further studies, such as derivatisation for enhanced activity and in vivo evaluation are suggested to realize its full potential in T2D therapy
Challenges faced by women in leadership positions : a case study on selected government departments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Management Sciences (Business Administration), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Women in the workplace are hindered by a patriarchal system that has been
transferred from domestic society to the working environment. This patriarchal system
has not yet accepted leadership by women, consequently there is a diminished
percentage of women in executive positions. Therefore, fundamental attitudinal
transformation is required in the workplace to dislodge the patriarchal system that
currently prevails. The government has already created the required legislative
framework of rules and regulations. This framework now needs to be implemented in
a practical, visible and tangible manner.
The aim of this study is to examine the challenges encountered by women in
leadership positions within selected government departments in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN),
South Africa. To minimize the challenges faced by women leaders the policies of the
government must be firmly, and consistently, applied in the workplace environment.
This will result in fair and equitable treatment for all, thus levelling the playing fields for
women.
The research employed a qualitative research approach for the study. The research
design allowed the respondents of the study to furnish in-depth, and fact-based,
experiences. Questions were posed to individual respondents regarding the
challenges faced by women in leadership positions within the selected government
departments. The data was analysed to extract specific findings. Data analysis was
done by means of thematic analysis methods. Themes and sub-themes emerging from
the study were classified to understand the data.
The research found that, despite the government’s legislative interventions to address
inequality, and other challenges encountered by women leadership, there is still
evidence of discriminatory practices being visited upon women in the workplace.
Based upon the conclusions and findings that emerged from the research, the study
made recommendations to address the challenges that were identified as impediments
facing women holding leadership positions within selected government departments in
KZN, South Africa.
A literature review on teaching and learning database normalisation : approaches and tools
No full textDatabase normalisation encompasses the process of arranging data in a recognised and structured way by increasing relations based on identified dependencies. Ineffective normalisation can lead to incompetent and inaccurate database systems. The worth of normalisation in improving and dealing with database systems is a topic of dispute in the studies of information systems. However, there is a dearth of exploration on the active teaching and learning aspects of database normalisation, principally on students’ independent enthusiasm and learning success in grasping the essential concepts. Teaching and learning database systems, particularly for novel students, have been acknowledged as a contest in the field. Instructors face problems in shaping what and how to successfully explain this subject. A systematic review methodology was used to explore the approaches and pedagogies utilised in teaching and learning database normalisation. The analysis intended to categorise, choose, and critically assess appropriate studies to gather and analyse data. The preliminary results propose that various studies rely on online applications for teaching and learning database normalisation. However, most of these studies emphasise more on the procedure of normalisation itself rather than the fundamental concepts. This study highlights the quest for more research on teaching and learning database normalisation, with precise attention to understanding the conceptual aspects. The recommendation stresses the reputation of exploring the essential concepts of normalisation relatively merely focusing on the technical aspects