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The role of municipalities in promoting local economic development : a case of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province
Full text linkThesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The study investigates the understanding of municipalities in promoting Local Economic Development (LED) in Polokwane Local Municipality. The World Bank (2014: online) defines the concept of LED as a process that offers Local Government, the private and not-for-profit sectors, and local communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. It focuses on enhancing competitiveness, increasing sustainable growth and ensuring that growth is inclusive. LED encompasses a range of disciplines including physical planning, economics and marketing. It also incorporates many local government and private sector functions including environmental planning, business development, infrastructure provision, real estate development and finance. The study adopts a qualitative a qualitative research approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. It uses respondents like municipal officials and local economic development beneficiaries. A sample of 10 respondents was selected for the study. The data collection instrument used in the study is interviews. The interviews with the were recorded manually and an audio-taped was used. The data has been analysed using the Thematic analysis which is conducted to identify, organise and report the themes and sub-themes that emerged from the interviews. The study found that local economic development has been introduced globally to achieve four important objectives: to alleviate poverty, to create sustainable jobs, to share important information about government policies and initiatives and to create enabling business environment for investors. Moreover, the findings show that the participants have a common understanding and knowledge of unemployment and poverty. The overall findings show that local economic development interventions contributed to addressing unemployment and poverty in the Polokwane Local Municipality. The study recommends that the municipality invest in research and development, support local businesses, appoint competent personnel and create awareness about the local economic development interventions
A Bayesian statistical evaluation of the competition indices used in eucalyptus tree growth modelling
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc. (Statistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Eucalyptus is the most frequently planted genus tree in the world which is grown in more than 100 different countries. It is a subfamily of the Myrtaceae family with approximately 800 species of flowering evergreen trees and bushes. Since it offers wood for applications such as manufacturing pulp and solid wood, eucalyptus tree farming is especially significant in South Africa, where it is one of the most important sources of income. The study aims to evaluate the individual tree growth as well as competition present in eucalyptus plantations measured as a function of the growth rate during a particular growth period. The study used confidential secondary data, which were collected from a eucalyptus grandis cross with eucalyptus urophylla seedlings planted in the Kwa-Zulu Natal midlands in South Africa. The data were collected from the year 2000 to 2010 by the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) with trial number W184/03. For this study, one plot was randomly selected from all the plots planted for trail number W184/03. This randomly selected plot was plot 9 with a specified planting density of 1959 stems planted per hectare. A re-purposed Bayesian mixed effects variance component model, known as the Sire-Model in animal breeding problems, was used to determine the marginal posterior distributions of unknown parameters and provided the estimates. The re-purposing and subsequent use of the Bayesian Sire Model in individual tree growth modelling, was originally proposed by Kepe, Little and Hugo during the 61st Annual Conference of the South African Statistical Association, held from 27 – 29 November 2019 at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Programme and Abstracts, SASA 2019). Estimated tree growth indices were determined and used to make probability statements in order to rank the individually selected trees based on the amount of growth observed. A tree growth index is a measurement of a tree's average growth performance in relation to the average growth performance of all trees on the same plot. For this study specifically, the growth index was not calculated in relation to all the trees on the same plot, it was calculated in relation to the trees in the selected buffer. The marginal posterior densities were observed using a sampling-based approach known as the Gibbs sampler. MATLAB R2022b was used to obtain the results. Since the DBH is taken at a standard height of 1.37 meters above the ground and is therefore constant across measurements. The study used descriptive statistics analysis using the tree DBH to determine average growth instead of using the circumference of the trees. The findings of a descriptive statistics revealed that plot 9 had maximum DBH of 23.4 cm. According to literature, competition starts to set in after canopy closure (Morley et al., 2008 ). By considering the previously mentioned growth curve, it can be seen that after growth periods 3 (after year 3), the gradient of the growth curve reduced, suggesting that canopy closure took place during, or just after, period 3. The marginal posterior densities of four trees namely tree 182, tree 184, tree 214, and tree 216 for the variance components and random effects were estimated using the Gibbs Sampler where competition between the trees was assumed, as well as for the case where it was assumed that no competition takes place. An identity matrix was utilised in Gibbs sampling when it was assumed that there is no competition between the trees. A distance independent competition index called Lorimer (1983), was used to generate a matrix that was used in Gibbs sampling when it was assumed that there is competition between the trees. Results assuming no competition, revealed that the estimated marginal posterior densities of the error variance and tree variance, were slightly positively skewed and severely positively skewed, respectively. The estimated marginal posterior density for the growth index for trees 182, 184, 214 and 216 were symmetrical and all the equal tails credibility intervals contained zero. This indicated that there was no significant difference in the average growth of these selected trees from plot 9 with a density of 1959. However, the marginal posterior densities of the fixed effects indicated that there was a significant difference in the average growth rates of the selected trees from plot 9 since their equal tails credibility intervals did not contain zero. This therefore indicated that the specific treatment applied, had a significant effect. Results when competition was assumed, revealed that the estimated marginal posterior densities of the error variance as well as tree variance, were again positively and severely positively skewed. The estimated marginal posterior density for the growth indices for tree 182, tree 184, tree 214 and tree 216 were also symmetrical and, similar to the case when no competition was assumed, their equal tails credibility intervals also contained zero. However, when competition between the trees was considered, the growth indices for tree 182, tree 184, tree 214 and tree 216 however appeared to be lower than the case when no competition was assumed. Given that the results were based on a distance-independent competition index, it is advised that an investigation be conducted using a distance-dependent index as well.National Research Foundation (NRF
Computational modelling study on the stability of Li1.2Mn0.8O2 cathode material
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc. (Physics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Lithium-ion batteries are significant rechargeable power sources for use in various electronic devices and electric vehicles due to their high specific energy and high energy density. The cathode material of lithium-ion batteries greatly influences specific energy, lifespan, and safety since they possess a minimised specific capacity and a more unstable structure than anode materials. As a result, it is crucial to develop high performance cathode materials.
Lithium-rich Mn-based layered oxides have been extensively investigated as possible cathodes with high capacity of over 250mAh/g, low cost, safety, and long lifetime for lithium-ion batteries, however, commercial applications of these cathodes are mainly hindered by voltage fade, irreversible oxygen loss, structural transition, and low coulombic efficiency which results in poor cycling performance. To solve these challenges, many approaches have been used, including elemental doping, surface modification, anionic doping, and coating. Nevertheless, finding suitable cathode materials with appropriate characteristics and stable structural compositions is still difficult, and as such, materials such as Li2MnO3, LiMnO2, LiNiO2, and LiCoO2 are being studied for a satisfactory outcome. This study merges computational and experimental methods to study the stability of the Li1.2Mn0.8O2 cathode material which is derived from the promising cathode material Li2MnO3. Firstly, structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of Li1.2Mn0.8O2 were calculated using the density functional theory within the Vienna ab initio simulation package implementing the generalized gradient approximation functionals.
It was found that the Li1.2Mn0.8O2 material is thermodynamically stable with a negative heat of formation, it was also found to be a semi-conductor with a band gap of 0.269eV at the Fermi level. Moreover, the structure was found to be mechanically stable under a strain of 0.001 and mechanically unstable under larger strains 0.005 and 0.025. In addition, the Pugh ratio predicted the material to be brittle. Secondly, the material was doped with Nickel on the manganese sites and also doped with fluorine on the oxygen sites to study the effects of these elements on the material Li1.2Mn0.8O2. First-principles calculations coupled with cluster expansion simulations were performed on the doped structures to generate new phases of the doped material. The cluster expansion generated 12, 78, and 165 new phases for the Ni-doped Li1.2Mn0.8O2, F-doped Li1.2Mn0.8O2, and F-doped Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 structures respectively. It was observed that doping Li1.2Mn0.8O2 with Ni enhances the thermodynamic stability of the material and improves the material’s conductivity as it led to a magnetic metal with no bandgap. We further observed that the presence of Ni in the structure does not compromise the mechanical stability of the material as the generated phases were found to be mechanically stable. However, the Ni-doped phases are more brittle than the pristine structure suggesting that introducing Ni into the material reduces the ductility of the material. From the F-doped materials it was found that the presence of fluorine in the material increases the thermodynamic stability of the material. Consequently, the generated materials retain the pristine structure’s electronic conductivity as they show metallic behaviour. Furthermore, it was found that only a minimum concentration of fluorine is required for the material to be mechanically stable, in addition, the presence of fluorine has the potential to improve the ductility of the material. Experimentally a co-precipitation method was used to generate precursors for the Li1.2Mn0.8O2, Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2, and Li1.2Mn0.4Ni0.2Co0.2O2 structures using the semi-batch technique. Morphology of the samples was studied with the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM analysis of the material Li1.2Mn0.8O2 showed spherical shaped particles. With Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 the morphology analysis revealed primary particles with irregular shapes, and which agglomerate into secondary particles with spherical shapes. The Li1.2Mn0.4Ni0.2Co0.2O2 particles also showed spherical particles and empty spaces in between the agglomerated particles. The measured tapped density (1.43g/cm3) of the Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 material was consistent with the tapped density value reported in literature, and this suggests the accuracy of the synthesis method. Furthermore, particle size distribution analysis was performed on the Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 material and it was found that D10=14.29μm, D50=22.95μm, and D90=33.16μm
Debt overhang paradox and public investment on economic growth in indebted countries : a Southern African
Full text linkThesis (M. Com. (Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024A multitude of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) receive debt relief under the HIPC initiative. As a result, there has been a stimulating debate regarding the effect of elevated levels of external borrowing on economic growth. Over the years, there has been an ever-increasing level of unemployment, price instability, and inequality in the SADC region reflecting rapid declines in economic growth and inefficiency. This study was aimed at investigating the impact of the debt overhang paradox of external debt and debt service cost, and public investment on economic growth in Highly Indebted Countries (HIC) and Less Indebted Countries (LIC) in the SADC region. Panel Vector Error Correction Model (PVECM) and Impulse Response Function (IRF) were employed to determine the short and long-run relationship and to forecast the behaviour of economic growth during the period 2004 to 2020.
The PVECM test was conducted which indicated that in HIC debt service cost and public investment have a negative long run relationship with economic growth. The opposite was realised for external debt. In the short run, all the variables were found to have a negative impact on economic growth with the exception of public investment in HICs. The relationship between the explanatory variables and economic growth was found to be statistically insignificant in the short run. Comparably, external debt and public investment in LICs had a positive long run relationship with economic growth, though, a negative relationship was realised between debt service cost and economic growth. The IRF indicated that in HIC, changes in GDP yield either a negative or positive response to past values of GDP. Interestingly, GDP responded positively to debt service cost and public investment while, on the contrary, GDP responded negatively to external debt. Conversely, in LICs, changes in past values of GDP yielded a positive impact on GDP. In contrast, GDP responded negatively to external debt and debt service costs but responded positively to public investment.
The results implied that governments in the selected SADC countries spend more than they are able to generate for the average spending needs. Thus, dependency on external borrowing has brought about growth limitations. It is imperative for policymakers to redirect policy to rethink current means of sourcing revenue into more fundamental strategies that enable economic growth and debt repayment simultaneously
A phenomenological study of parents with adolescents abusing nyaope in Mokopane, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (Ph. D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Parenting an adolescent who abuses nyaope drug is a difficult task fraught with
several difficulties. The present study explored the lived experiences of parents with
adolescents who abuse nyaope with the aim of developing a research informed Help-
Seeking Model around the rural areas of Mokopane in the Limpopo Province, South
Africa. Parents’ subjective experiences were gathered through the qualitative
approach using the Hermeneutic phenomenological design. Data were analysed using
the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The study found nyaope to be a
potent yet easily accessible drug of choice for teenagers in rural and township settings.
Nyaope abuse risk factors were isolated and ranged from being of a psychosocial and
spiritual nature. The deleterious nature of the condition meant parents’ quality of life
and well-being were compromised, including due to social stigma. Parents relied on
religious, psychological, and social strategies for coping. It was discovered that several
paths or trajectories, i.e., a combination of the medical, psychiatric, social-welfare, and
spiritual services pathways, were necessary for the treatment of their affected youth.
Based on the study findings, an adapted nyaope Help-Seeking Model is proposed for
early identification and management of affected adolescents. The study also has
several implications for clinical practice, further research, and policy development. It
is concluded that nyaope abuse is a potent drug, which early identification of signs
and symptoms indicative of use, is necessary towards sustainable interventions. Key
in its management is addressing the risk as early as possible to lessen teenager
vulnerability to the drug.National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and
South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA
Verbs of drinking in Northern Sotho
Full text linkThesis (M.A. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The main objective of this study was to examine verbs of drinking in Northern Sotho. The qualitative research method was employed, and the data were collected through interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis technique. The findings of the study revealed that Northern Sotho verbs of drinking have a much broader scope than their simple meaning of imbibing liquids. They are also used to express practices, social dynamics, and individual attitudes towards drinking. Additionally, specific beverages carry distinct social and societal connotations, highlighting the significant cultural importance of verbs of drinking in Northern Sotho. This study recommends a further exploration of the semantic features of drinking verbs, and variation across different dialects of Northern Sotho. Additionally, the interaction between verbs of drinking and cultural practices should be given more attention. Overall, the study offers insights into the multifaceted nature of drinking verbs in Northern Sotho, extending the understanding of this topic beyond its linguistic context
The effect of witnessing domestic violence among children in Tafelkop, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Background: Domestic violence is a widespread problem that has serious consequences, especially for children who experience it. When children see or go through these upsetting situations, it leaves them with emotional scars that affect different parts of their lives. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the effect of witnessing domestic violence among children in Tafelkop, Limpopo Province.
Methodology: This study used a qualitative approach and an exploratory research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 13 children between the age of 8-18 years from Matsepe Drop-in Centre to participate in this study. The sample size was depended on data saturation. One-on-one interviews were conducted with participants using semi-structured interview guide. Data was analyzed using Tesch‘s 8 steps of open coding method. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The study was approved by TREC (University of Limpopo Ethics Committee), and permission to conduct the study was granted. Confidentiality, anonymity and privacy of participants were assured. Informed consent was obtained from participants prior their participation.
Results: This study found that children who see domestic violence get scared, and this causes problems like wanting to run away from home, avoiding arguments, and feeling emotions like being really mad or sad. Additionally, the study found that when children witness domestic violence, they might develop issues with anger. This can show up as bullying or being aggressive, feeling frustrated a lot, acting out in a mean way, and having big tantrums. The research also showed that children feeling shame or guilt during domestic violence might face long-term effects. They might isolate themselves, struggle to focus, lose interest in things they liked before, and even skip school to cope with these feelings of shame or guilt.
Conclusion: This study highlights the severe impact of domestic violence on children, causing fear and various negative outcomes such as anger issues, bullying, and emotional struggles. The findings indicate the importance of early interventions led by professionals such as social workers and school counsellors. Community-wide
awareness campaigns are also recommended to educate the public about the harmful effects of domestic violence on children and the crucial role of intervention and support
Exploring the linkages among foreign direct investment, financial development, economic complex
Full text linkThesis (M. Com. (Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Nations across the world are striving to achieve and maintain sustainable rates of growth. This study investigated the linkages between foreign direct investment, financial sector development, economic complexity and economic growth in five SADC member states namely, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The study made use of the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) method to explore the long run association between the chosen variables namely, foreign direct investment, financial sector development, economic complexity and economic growth in SADC. Annual panel data spanning from 2000 to 2017 was employed. The results indicated the existence of a significant long run association between foreign direct investment inflows, financial sector development as measured by broad money growth; domestic credit to the banking sector, economic complexity as measured by economic complexity index and economic growth as measured by GDP in the long run. On the contrary, the results indicated an insignificant relationship between domestic credit to the private sector and economic growth in the short run. In addition, the results reflected the non-existence of causality between FDI and economic growth as well as between economic complexity and economic growth. With that being emphasized, the present study suggests that the selected SADC member states should enforce growth-oriented macroeconomic policies through fiscal policies, monetary policies, and policies that attract FDI that will on average lead to economic growth. It is also imperative to place more focus on reforms that widely contribute to the maintenance and development of the financial system since improved economic growth implies the need for financial services will rise thereby leading to the development of the financial sector.Feerix Organisatio
Exploring challenges of teaching and learning map work in grade 12 : a case of Mankweng Circuit, Limpopo Province
No full textThesis ( M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Geography map work teaching in South Africa has been a serious challenge. The
poor performance in map work in recent years is evidence that a lot still needs to be
done to address this problem. Mankweng Circuit in Capricorn District of Limpopo is
no exception. Hence the purpose of this study was to explore challenges associated
with the teaching and learning of Grade 12 map work in secondary schools in Mankweng Circuit in Limpopo Province. The researcher used the qualitative research approach. The study followed the Interpretivism research paradigm and the exploratory research design. The study was guided by Lev Vygsky’s constructivism theory. To gain access to participants, the researcher obtained ethical clearance from the University’s Ethics and Research Committee. All participants in this study were required to sign the consent form and were informed of the purpose of the study. Parents were involved for children under the age of 16 and all participants were informed that participation in this study was voluntary. Furthermore, the researcher ensured that identities of all participants remained confidential. The sample of this study consisted of twelve participants comprising three teachers, three HODs and six learners from three schools, who were selected because interviews, Observations and Document Analysis were used as method of data collection. Data was analysed thematically. The findings showed that map interpretation is still a
challenge to learners. Findings further showed that both teachers and learners struggle with GIS. The study further recommended that the Department of Education should arrange regular GIS workshops where they provide teachers and learners with specialists to assist them with the GIS section
Will gay men self-objectify based on communities' expectation of a traditional-masculine ideal?
Full text linkThesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study explored gay men’s viewpoints about their tendency to self-objectify based
on societal expectations of what a masculine ideal ought to be. Q methodology was
deployed to enable gay men to share their own perceptions of what a masculine ideal
is, and at the same time engage in and share their self-perceptions of being gay. A
concourse of 394 statements was produced from recorded interview sessions.
Hegemonic masculinity and self-objectification frameworks were utilised to construct
a matrix to be used to extract two Q samples (that is, final sets of statements), each
consisting of 32 statements. Each Q sample was accompanied by a unique set of
sorting instructions. The first Q sort instruction required gay men to sort statements
according to how they perceived a masculine ideal. The second instruction required
the same gay men to sort the statements according to the perceptions of themselves
as gay. Two viewpoints were identified and interpreted: (1) the masculine ideal is
considerate, masculine ideal is non-existent; and (2) self-appreciation, physical
appearance contentment. Together, the results revealed that a masculine ideal is not
perceived in relation to societal hegemonic masculine characteristics and beliefs; and
the gay men perceived themselves as self-appreciative with no hints of selfobjectification tendencies. In contrast with the extant empirical evidence, the study
found that gay men in traditional rural communities do not possess any form of selfobjectification tendencies