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Exploring challenges of Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA): the case of a selected primary school in Bindura Urban in Zimbabwe
Full text linkJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning Journal Issue 1, Volume 8, 2024The study examined the nature and extent of challenges faced during the implementation of Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA), particularly focusing on one primary school in Bindura urban in Zimbabwe. The researchers employed the Centre-periphery model of curriculum change as the bedrock of the study. A qualitative research approach was adopted, which utilised the
case study conducted at one selected primary school. The purposive and stratified sampling procedures were used, and yielded a sample of forty learners, four facilitators and four administrators. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were employed as the data collection instruments. The results of the study revealed that learners and facilitators encountered challenges such as lack of materials,
lack of training, large workloads, high teacher-to-pupil ratio, lack of knowledge and skills, lack of parental support, and too many tasks given. The results also revealed that stakeholders provided materials, and organised staff development workshops. These findings led to a conclusion that availability of resources, CALA awareness training programs, supervision of both learners and facilitators, involvement of all stakeholders, especially facilitators and parents in curriculum change could enhance the effectiveness of CALA implementatio
Elevation of postgraduate research status at South African universities: a systematic literature review
Full text linkJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning Journal
Issue 2, Volume 8, 2024According to reports, a crisis is brewing in South African postgraduate education for the same reasons that tertiary education is in turmoil today. Since the dawn of democracy, governments and universities have sought equity in higher education within the constraints of limited public funds, resulting in difficult decisions and trade-offs. Thus, this study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) to explore postgraduate research status at South African universities. The researchers used the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” (PRISMA) guidelines as their research methodology. The researchers used Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, Sabinet and ResearchGate, as well as other databases, to retrieve and analyse information from journal articles, conference papers, and reports. To that end, this study identifies three (3) key themes associated with the enhancement of postgraduate research status at South African universities. The themes are (1) the importance of postgraduate research at South African universities; (2) challenges to postgraduate research at South African universities; and (3) strategies for improving the status of postgraduate research at South African universities. The collected data ranged from 2006 to 2024. The human capital theory (HCT) was chosen as the theoretical lens because it proposes that people invest in education for future benefits. The findings revealed numerous academic challenges affecting postgraduate research. These include issues with funding, training, and supervision, among other things. The paper recommends that universities invest in academic support programmes, training, and funding for postgraduate studies
Rural households' perceptions and willingness to participate in the socio-economic benefits of non-timber forest products in the face of climate change : a case study of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Forests, as critical ecosystems, have played an important role in both reducing climate change and promoting sustainable development. However, anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, industrial operations, and fossil-fuel burning have had a considerable impact on these natural dynamics. These disturbances have changed the distribution and availability of the Non-Timber Forest Products(NTFPs). In view of that, this study attempts to fill the gap that says less about the impact of climate change on the NTFPs and the dependent rural communities. The main aim of the study was to assess the perceptions of rural households and their willingness to participate in the socio-economic benefits of NTFPs in the face of climate change. The specific objectives were to profile the socio-economic characteristics of rural households, assess their level perceptions towards the socio-economic benefits of NTFPs in the face of climate change, and analyse the socio-economic factors influencing their willingness to participate in the socio-economic benefits of NTFPs in the face of climate change. Hence, despite numerous studies documenting the impacts of climate change on the NTFPs and the adaptation strategies of rural households, little is known about the value that rural households place on these resources and how they perceive their role in sustaining their livelihoods. This study aimed to fill this gap by giving a thorough analysis of these elements. Data collection employed a simple random sample technique to select 110 rural households in three villages in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, namely Mpenyatsatsi, Marite and Masana. Based on structured questionnaires comprehensive data were collected. Descriptive statistics were employed to profile the socioeconomic features of the households, with 57% predominance being female-led households and a high unemployment rate at 56%. On average, respondents' age was about 51 years old. To measure perceptions on the 5-point Likert scale, the study used the Chi-square test, which indicates that the majority (87%) of households recognised that NTFPs provide benefits in socio-economic terms, especially with regards to generating income. Moreover, 69% of households agreed with the statement that in recent decades, the climate has changed markedly enough to affect both NTFPs availability and quantity. The binary regression model was employed to successfully address the third objective of the study, which was to analyse the socio-economic factors influencing rural households’ willingness to participate in the socio-economic benefits of non-timber forest products in the face of climate change in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. In this study, willingness to participate is defined as a state that determines whether an individual will take action in deriving the benefits offered by NTFPs, such as generating income, for consumption and used as a safety net during times of hardship. The results indicated that majority (67%) of the sampled rural households reported that they were willing to participate in the socio-economic benefits of NTFPs in the face of climate change. In comparison, minority (33%) of the sampled rural households indicated that they were unwilling to participate. The study revealed that socio-economic factors that were found to be significant in influencing households' willingness to participate include age, educational level, market access, experience, awareness, rainfall perception, household size, and employment status.
The results emphasise the necessity of increasing the level of awareness about NTFPs and the ways to manage and benefit from them in rural communities. The issue of market access and the overall improvement of its infrastructure, as well as the training and educating in new marketing methods, remains decisive for the enhancement of the community’s involvement in NTFPs-related work. Additionally, the development of strategies that will help enhance the level of climate resilience seems to be a must, with their focus on the utilisation of technologies of adaptation and sustainable practices in order to address the climate affecting the target region. Furthermore, the policy and educational implications of the results may be summarised as the introduction of educational campaigns in order to promote an increased level of awareness and education of the rural populations, the focus on the improvement of the market infrastructure, and the development of strategies aimed at their adaptation to the existing climate conditions. By addressing these areas, the potential of NTFPs for enhancing the living standards of rural populations and preserving biodiversity will remain high, and the economic development of rural communities may be supported in the context of existing climate alterations.National Research Foundation (NRF
The future of collective bargaining in the South African public sector employment relationship
Full text linkThesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Refer to documen
Factors contributing to low uptake of cervical cancer screening among women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Lesotho
Full text linkThesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is a public health concern as a vast number of women are dying of it in Southern Africa. The study embarked on factors related to the low numbers of women screening for cervical cancer among women living with HIV as they are at increased risk of developing it. The utilisation of services seems low, although diagnosis and mortality rate continue to be high. METHOD A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Maseru, Lesotho. Though cross-sectional studies are valuable for identifying potential relationships between variables, it's important to note that they cannot establish causality. Correlation does not imply causation, and other factors or variables not accounted for in the study may influence the observed relationships. A questionnaire was administered to 346 women living with HIV impending for their clinical services at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital were enrolled in the study. Data was analysed using SPSS V22. The following analyses were employed, descriptive, inferential statistics and logistic regression.
RESULTS Sociodemographic data shows majority of study participants were between 30 and 34 years old, married, and had attained secondary qualifications. In addition, the data shows that women were cognisant of screening services for cervical cancer at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. The chi-square test indicates a significant association between married participants and cervical cancer awareness (p-value < 0.001). The odds of being aware of cervical cancer are 1.43 times higher for individuals who are married compared to those who are not married. CONCLUSION A high percentage of knowledge on screening for cervical cancer among women taking ART in this facility might be credited to the fact that the screening has been integrated into routine ART services. Furthermore, marital status, age and living in urban areas are sociodemographic variables linked to knowledge or awareness of cervical cancer screening services. Therefore, more emphasis and exploration can be placed on rural areas to strengthen and cascade knowledge and awareness among populations
The lived experiences of cluster foster parents in Mhluzi Area in Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (M. Social Work) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The emergence of cluster foster parents occured as a growing number of children in need of care and protection due to a lack of responsible parents or the loss of their original parents. Cluster foster parents end up caring for children from diverse origins and with varying needs. Cluster foster parenting is an alternative care option for children who demand attention and protection. Furthermore, it offers cluster foster parents an environment that acknowledges their economic, social, educational, health, and cultural needs without bias. In summary, the primary purpose of cluster parenting is to protect children while they grow up in a safe, healthy, and accommodating setting. Regardless of the great impact made by cluster foster parenting, it has been established globally that cluster foster parenting has major shortcomings to the point that foster parents’ rights are not valued and ignored.
Cluster foster parents are overwhelmed with high challenges daily, hence this study sought to explore the lived experiences of cluster foster parents. To achieve the study's main aim, the researcher used a qualitative approach as well as a phenomenological research design. Furthermore, within the non-probability sampling, the purposive sampling technique was followed to select fifteen cluster foster parents in Middelburg Mpumalanga Province. Data for the study were collected through a literature review and semi-structured interviews guided by an interview schedule with open-ended questions. Data were analysed thematically with the assistance of the NVivo programme.
Guided by the social development approach the study explored the experiences of cluster foster parents fostering children with special needs, such as lack of knowledge in caring for cluster foster children, mental health issues encountered by cluster foster parents in caring for foster children, and a lack of support system. The findings revealed that cluster foster parents lack sufficient knowledge to work with foster children with special needs. The findings also indicated that working with children with uncontrollable behaviour drains cluster foster parents physically and emotionally and their mental health is at times compromised. One of the findings was that for cluster foster parents to perform their duties daily, they need a variety of support systems, including support from the undersigned social workers, churches, the Department of Social Development (DSD),
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and family members. This collaboration enables them to cope, debrief, and carry out their daily obligations. Therefore, the study advanced recommendations that working with foster children and children with special needs requires a more effective working relationship between the cluster foster parents, designated social workers and in collaboration with various stakeholders. It is possible to conclude that caring for foster children with special needs is a reality that comes with a lot of good attitudes, responsibility, and accountability. However, cluster foster parents cannot execute such duties independently. Moreover, there is a need for a support system, and training and capacitating of cluster foster parents
Analysing price behaviour and forecasting of orange prices in South Africa from 2001 to 2021
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The citrus sector in South Africa exports more than 60% of the citrus produced in the Southern Hemisphere, making it the leading citrus exporter in the region. After Spain, South Africa is the country that exports the most citrus. However, the increased trend in orange pricing over the past 20 years is a sign of a strong sector with room to expand as demand outstrips supply. The forecasting of agricultural commodity futures prices has a significant impact on the stability of the market economy and is essential to economic progress.
The study aimed to analyse price behaviour and forecasting of orange prices from 2001 to 2021. The objectives were to determine trends in the price behaviour of oranges in South Africa from 2001 to 2021 and forecast orange prices from 2022 to 2026. The study used secondary time series data from 2001 until 2021 of price measured in rands and yield in tonnes. The first objective was addressed by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and descriptive statistics and results revealed that there are upward and downward trends in price of oranges.
Objective two was to forecast future orange prices. Supplemental the study went on to determine the values of p, d, and q in addition using Dickey-Fuller Test to assess stationarity at first. The average price was found to be 275.81 in million rands, while the average yield was found to be 14839830 in tonnes. Moreover, ARIMA 512 was estimated to be fit for forecasting because it had the highest adjusted R squared value of 0.272978 than other identified models. Therefore, the study recommends that farmers work with agricultural advisors to make fruitful decisions and farmers also need to understand and learn models of forecasting to be aware of future prices of goods and services. The state should also make sure there is flow of information in the agricultural sector
Perceived parental reactions to coming out, attachment, and coping in Ga-Sekororo, Limpopo, South Africa : a qualitative study
Full text linkThesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The global discourse surrounding sexual orientation remains a sensitive topic, particularly presenting challenges for sexual minority youth (SMY) when navigating the process of disclosure. Coming out to family, particularly parents, is especially difficult. While the disclosure process may yield both rejection and adversities, it can concurrently offer a liberating opportunity for individuals to authentically embrace their identity. Nevertheless, parental rejection can engender mental health problems and foster maladaptive coping mechanisms among sexual minority individuals. Conversely, those encountering parental acceptance and support tend to exhibit enhanced mental well-being and employ more adaptive coping strategies. A qualitative study was carried out in Ga-Sekororo, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study specifically centered on cisgender females identifying as lesbians. Data collection employed semi-structured interviews, with participants selected through snowball sampling method. The data collected was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), with interviews conducted in Sepedi and subsequently translated into English. The findings indicated that parental attitudes towards lesbians can be influenced by factors such as culture and religion. Moreover, the findings also indicated that lesbians employ different strategies to deal with coming out and parental reactions. The research highlights the significance of educational initiatives targeting parents, such programs may improve parental reactions and provide support during the coming out process for lesbians and other sexual minorities
Weighing in on mandatory vaccinations in the workplace : a constitutional scrutiny
Full text linkThesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The study investigates the constitutionality of the mandatory vaccination in the
workplace, drawing lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. In essence, the study
scrutinises mandatory vaccination from a constitutional and labour law perspective, so
as to determine whether constitutional rights are violated when vaccinations are
mandatory in the workplace. The study sets out the nexus between mandatory
vaccinations in the workplace, and the employer’s obligation to provide a safe working
environment, as set out in the Constitution and the Occupation Health and Safety Act
85 of 1993. The enquiry emanates from the enactment of the Consolidated Direction
on Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Certain Workplaces 2021 by the
Department of Employment and Labour, issued in response to the quest to ensure
safety in the workplace during the Covid-19 pandemic, in an attempt to minimize the
spread of Covid-19 infections. The implication of the findings is that although not all
rights are absolute, during pandemics, disaster management regulations must adhere
to constitutional values and principles. Furthermore, there are conflicting interests in
as far as protection of rights is concerned in a national state of disaster, such as Covid 19 pandemic. Therefore, the study establishes and makes a great contribution to the
debate on the significance and constitutionality of mandatory vaccinations in the
workplace
Throughput maximization and latency optimization in fifth-generation networks using a multistage machine learning for early hybrid automatic repeat request
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The physical layer Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) protocol efficiently
achieves low error-rate transmission and high network reliability in the fifth generation
(5G) Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) network. However, this
retransmission protocol suffers from increased transmission latency resulting mainly
from the delay caused by channel decoding. This problem is caused by the fact that
the sender has to wait for acknowledgement of the transmission which is generated
after the decoding process at the receiver, resulting in increased latency. To address
the latency problem, this study proposed the multistage machine learning Early HARQ
(E-HARQ) which uses machine learning algorithms for predicting the
acknowledgement before the decoding process. Furthermore, the proposed scheme
uses the multistage decision to mitigate the throughput loss resulting from incorrect
predictions of the acknowledgement. The multistage decision controls the
transmission bandwidth in a multilevel manner depending on channel conditions
measured by the Channel State Information (CSI). The study used jupyter notebook
and MATLAB for developing the proposed scheme and then evaluating its
performance. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme improves the
achievable trade-off between the transmission latency and throughput which
contributes to the performance of 5G URLLC networks