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The effect of cost reduction on profitability in Shoprite Holding LTD South Africa
Get PDFThesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This research examined the effect of cost reduction on profitability in Shoprite Holdings Ltd South Africa Ltd South Africa. The objectives of the research were: To analyse the effect of cost of goods reduction on net profit in Shoprite Holdings Ltd South Africa South Africa. To evaluate the effect of operating cost reduction on net profit in Shoprite Holdings Ltd South Africa South Africa. To accomplish these objectives, the study pursued a positivism paradigm since it sought to measure quantitative variables which are cost of goods sold, operational costs and net profit. Data was collected from secondary means of published financial statements for Shoprite Holdings Ltd South Africa and analysed using linear regression models. The results of the study found that there is a positive correlation between cost of goods sold and net profit and that cost of goods sold could account for 80,4% of net profit. The regression for this objective equation was estimated: Y = 256.190 + 0.037X1 + e. Similarly, there was a positive correlation between operating cost and net profit and that operational cost accounted for 79% of the net profit. The derived estimated regression equation was: Y = 356,593 + 0,132X2 + e. The study recommended that the retail industry could benefit from the understanding that cutting back on OPC and COGS can increase net profit. For academics, the study recommended that the limitation of the period considered in the study could be used by others in the academy to learn about shortcomings of limited data in correlational regression. It is expected that future research could address the same study when there is more data generated
"Molar pregnancy in Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa"
Get PDFThesis (M.Med. (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Objectives: To investigate Molar pregnancy [Hydatidiform mole] in Pietersburg
hospital, a part of tertiary hospital Pietersburg – Mankweng hospital complex in
Limpopo Province. South Africa.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study with quantitative
data collection methods, conducted among the patients admitted in Gynaecology ward
in Pietersburg hospital with early pregnancy complications such as miscarriages
including molar pregnancy [Hydatidiform mole] from January 2021 to December 2021.
Consecutive sampling was used to select 280 patients who were admitted with above
mentioned diagnosis and underwent for uterine evacuation. Data was collected on
demography, clinical features, sonographic findings, and laboratory results including
histology results of products conception of the patients diagnosed with confirmed
Hydatidiform mole [HM] by histology. Data was analysed using STATA software and
thematic analysis.
Results: About 280 patients were admitted with early pregnancy complications such
as miscarriages, molar pregnancy at gynaecology ward and underwent for uterine
evacuation during a year from January 2021 to December 2021. Patient with ectopic
pregnancy and Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia [GTN] were excluded from this
study. Twenty-six patients were diagnosed as confirmed Hydatidiform mole [HM] by
histological examination of products of conception, which is the gold standard for
diagnosing HM, the mean age of the patient was 31.7 years and mean parity was 2.6.
Prevalence of Hydatidiform mole was 9.3%. Approximately 85% patient with HM
referred from peripheral hospital around the province and rest came from around
Polokwane city where Pietersburg hospital situated as self-referral or referred by
general medical practitioners. About 85% patient with HM had complete Hydatidiform
mole [CHM] and 15% had partial Hydatidiform mole [PHM] on histological examination
of products of conception. One patient was found to have choriocarcinoma
[Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia] who was excluded from this study. The common
presentation of majority of the patients [81%] was vaginal bleeding mostly during 14
to 20 weeks of pregnancy, only 15% did not have vaginal bleeding rather had the
v
features of HM on routine ultrasound examination. No patient with HM had metastatic
disease and approximately 8% had severe anaemia and preoperative/intraoperative
blood transfusion.
Conclusion: Geography and ethnicity play a factor in the prevalence of Hydatidiform
mole (HM) worldwide. This study was conducted at Pietersburg hospital in South
Africa's Limpopo province, even though it had a small sample size, the results showed
that the prevalence of HM was 9.3% or 1 in every 11 patients admitted to the
Gynaecology ward with miscarriages or molar pregnancies over one year. As women
with HM and miscarriages often present with similar symptoms, clinicians should be
vigilant about the risks and complications of HM. Early diagnosis, treatment, and
follow-up care are critical in managing HM and preventing metastatic disease or
Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN), ultimately preventing fatalities from this
conditio
Multi-scale modelling of O2 and O3-type materials for utilization as core-shell materials
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Physics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The automotive industry is currently prioritizing the development of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles due to the energy crisis and environmental concerns. These batteries rely on breakthroughs in cathode materials to achieve high-energy-density variants. However, the scarcity and cost of raw materials like cobalt and nickel underscore the need for affordable alternatives. Li2MnO3, made with abundant and economical manganese, offers higher capacity than traditional oxides but faces challenges like poor stability and low conductivity. Researchers are addressing these issues through methods such as elemental doping, surface modification, and a newly developed core-shell architecture to enhance electrochemical performance. The core-shell structure improves physical structure and conductivity and prevents undesirable reactions during charge and discharge processes.
While the core-shell architecture has been investigated in the context of Li2MnO3, this study aims to pioneer the use of Li2MnO3 as the core material. The research delves into the intricate process of modelling and developing core-shell systems intended to serve as electrode materials with coating interfaces. Before creating these systems, the study investigates the electrochemical performance of Li2MnO3 through the delithiation process of Li2-xMnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) to gain a better understanding of its electrochemical behaviour before coating. The research utilizes density functional theory to investigate the structural and electronic characteristics of both the bulk structure of Li2MnO3 and delithiated structures of Li2-xMnO3. Calculations reveal that the material has a monoclinic structure, with lithium contributing the least to the overall density of states. Electronic band structures indicate a shift in conductivity during the delithiation process, transitioning from semiconductive to magnetic metal behaviour.
Subsequently, two core-shell systems, consisting of 1434 and 435 atoms, were generated by coating O3-type Li2MnO3 with O2-type Li0.69MnO2, chosen for its high ionic conductivity and resistance to spinel transformation during cycling. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to optimize the conditions for these core-shell systems using the Nose-Hoover thermostat under NVT, NST, and NPT ensembles. The simulations involved varying parameters such as steps, timesteps, and temperature to investigate their effects on the core-shell systems. It is observed that
the larger system outperforms the smaller one. Disordered behaviour was noted after 150,000 steps and 0.0001 timesteps, and temperature variations resulted in disorder, with the system regaining its crystalline form at 1500 K for both NVT and NPT ensembles after initial disorder at 1200 K and 900 K, respectively.
Progress in this work has shown that the core-shell system is adequate for prevention of simultaneous oxygen and lithium loss during analysis of the structural snapshots when subjected to temperatureNational Research Foundation (NRF) and
Materials Modelling Centre (MMC
Factors contributing to TshiVenda home language grade 7 learners' poor performance problem at Khavhambe Primary School, Vhembe East District, in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors that contribute to the problem of
poor performance by grade 7 learners in the Tshivenḓa Home Language subject at
Khavhambe Primary School with the aim to improve their performance. The approach
that was adopted is a qualitative approach with interviews, document analysis and
observation as the chosen data collection instruments. A focus group research design
was chosen to complement the qualitative approach. In this study the researcher used
a social critical theory as the research paradigm to support the overall undertaking of the
study. Six participants, namely five learners and one educator, were randomly sampled
and the two data analysis techniques that were used are coding and interpretation.
Amongst the overall findings of the study, are the following main findings: most learners
struggle to read and write, some learners undermine the Tshivenḓa Home Language
subject and they do not study it, neither do they prepare themselves when going to write
a test or examination. Learners do not write their given schoolwork, instead they copy
from other learners and lastly, parents/guardians fail to support their children in their
studies (the Tshivenḓa Home Language subject or any other subject for that matter) as
they are not helping them with their homework or show any interest in their children’s
education.
The researcher recommends the following: The Tshivenḓa Home Language educators
are advised to allocate time in their weekly periods to train their learners to read and
write. Parents/guardians are urged to develop a habit of reading stories to their children
so that children will be fascinated and also encouraged to read for themselves. Learners
should be encouraged to value their Home Language so that they take it seriously and
study it as they do other subjects. Educators must identify learners who do not write
schoolwork and try to discover the reasons behind that so as to help them.
Parents/guardians must be part of their children’s studies by helping them with
schoolwork, encouraging them to work hard and trying to provide them with the necessary help for their studies
The use of digital resources to enhance graphical communication and techniques in grade 7 technology classroom
Get PDFThesis (M.Ed. (Technology English)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) has significantly impacted the educational sector, thus providing an array of digital resources such as YouTube videos, PowerPoint slides, WhatsApp, eBooks, and audio recordings, which have become effective and innovative media for transmitting knowledge and skills in this day and age. The need to understand pedagogical practices when digital resources are integrated has become indispensable. Hence, this study aimed to explore the use of digital resources to enhance graphical communication and techniques in Grade seven (7) Technology classrooms. Two questions guided the study: 1. How do Technology teachers use digital resources to enhance the understanding of graphical communication and techniques in Grade seven (7) Technology classrooms? 2. What are Technology teachers’ reflections on the use of digital resources to enhance learners’ performance in graphical communication and techniques in Grade seven (7) Technology classrooms? Non-participant observation was used for research question 1. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were subsequently used for research question 2.
To achieve this study’s goal, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) was used as its framework. The TPACK framework assisted teachers in considering how their knowledge domains intersect to teach and engage learners with educational technologies effectively. The relevance of the TPACK framework was drawn from the fact that Grade 7 Technology teachers used digital resources (Technology) to teach (Pedagogy) graphical communication and techniques (Content). When brought together, these three domains could be explored so much better under the TPACK framework.
This study employed a qualitative research approach to explore the use of digital resources to enhance graphical communication and techniques in Grade 7 Technology classrooms. The population of the study were schools located in the Capricorn South District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hence, the study purposively sampled five (5) Grade 7 Technology teachers – one Technology teacher per school. The findings of the study indicated that Grade 7 Technology teachers used PowerPoint slides that are mostly embedded with pictures, diagrams, drawings, animations and video clips (YouTube videos) to effortlessly teach the concept of graphical communication and techniques. Grade 7 Technology teacher’s choice of using PowerPoint as a digital resource was associated with its accessability and usability. From the study's findings, it was apparent that Grade 7 Technology teachers focused more on curriculum coverage than achieving learning outcomes. The findings also revealed teachers’ reflection that their learners were not performing well in graphical communication and techniques despite the use of digital resources. In their reflection, these Grade 7 Technology teachers did not hide the lack of formal training and deficiency of continuous professional development as a stern problem in their deprived use of digital resources to enhance learners' performance in graphical communication and techniques. Therefore, the study concluded that insufficient TPACK skills among Grade 7 technology teachers did not enable them to enhance the teaching and learning of graphical communication and techniques. Hence, the study made several recommendations that could enhance the teaching and learning of graphical communication and techniques in Grade 7 Technology classrooms. These recommendations include a TPACK based lesson plan, innovative instructional methodology model and an SET model for advancing equity and inclusion in the teaching and learning that Technology teachers can adopt in Grade 7 to address challenges in their pedagogies and uphold good practices and/or enhance performance in their classrooms
Integrated and automated demographic surveillance data quality systems for rural areas
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science)) -- University of Limpopo,2024The Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is a data collection system
that can track crucial events such as births, deaths, and migrations in well-defined geographic
areas, particularly in low- and middle-income households. HDSS tracks the
life events of approximately three million people in 18 low- and middle-income African,
Asian, and Oceanian nations. Having HDSSs strategically located within a country can
provide a more complete picture of health-related and other social problems affecting
the public. The HDSS keeps tabs on vital demographic and health indicators as well
as other metrics to help shape national policies and programmes for departments of
basic education, home affairs, social development, and health. However, their establishment
was plagued by several difficulties, including the difficulty of obtaining high-quality
data because of the use of antiquated methods or systems. The cornerstone of a wellfunctioning
HDSS is high-quality, and timely health data, which is often lacking in lowand
middle-income countries. There is a paucity of high-quality, disaggregated data to
monitor health inequities and promote the equitable delivery of health services. HDSSs
are confronted with data quality-related problems due to how data is acquired and managed.
This study addresses these problems by building a data system that integrates
a novel framework known as the 3-Tier Total Data Quality Management Framework
(3TTDQMF). The framework manages the quality of data from the point of collection
through to the storage in the database. At the core of the framework, is an automated
data quality control methodology to autonomously validate and control the quality of
data. Open source technologies such as Pentaho data integration (PDI), R application
programming interface (R-API), Windows task scheduler, Bash and Python programming
languages were used to automate and quality control the data. The experiment
was set up in Hyper-converged IT infrastructure running the Windows 2016 server operating
system. The results have shown that the proposed approach greatly improved
the overall efficiency of the system and the quality of data. The efficiency in dealing
with data quality issues was ensured through the implementation of an automated system.
The research evaluated the system’s capacity to generate high-quality data using
measures such as data accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, and validity. All
quality metrics exhibited an increasing trend, indicating that the proposed approach led
to a substantial improvement in data quality. The results further demonstrated that
the use of Pareto analysis and Process control techniques in data quality management
can greatly improve the quality of data by identifying and monitoring the causes of data
quality issues.South African Population Research Institute Network (SAPRIN
The effects of post covid-19 in adults with regard to oxygen-carrying capacity after infection
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Physiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Aim and background: COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that is characterised by ARDS and hyperinflammation. The lungs are the primary organs affected and this results in difficulty breathing. Invasion of cells induces cell apoptosis, and can lead to haemolysis, thereby altering the transport of gases. Individuals with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have compromised innate immune systems, which is characterised by low-grade chronic inflammation that might aggravate the inflammation caused by COVID-19. This puts them at increased risk of severe infection and complications. COVID-19 symptoms can persist a few months after the viral load has decreased. There is an 80% prevalence of individuals having longCOVID. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of post COVID19 on the oxygen-carrying capacity in these adults. Method: This was a case-COVID-19 naïve cross-sectional study that included an COVID-19 positive (n=28) and a COVID-19 naïve group (n=196) with all participants older than18 years. Questionnaires were administered to acquire participant details. The oxygen carrying capacity (haemoglobin and haematocrit), and variables of COVID-19 risk factors such as blood glucose (BG), blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Furthermore, a food frequency assessment was done to determine the daily intake of nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12). Results Males who had COVID-19 presented with significantly higher BG levels than those who never had COVID-19 (p=0,003). Males who had COVID-19 also presented with significantly high DBP (p=0,023), as well as significantly high HR (p=0,021). Obesity has a 47,6% prevalence in females who had COVID-19. Iron and folic acid intake was below the recommended daily allowance (RDA); however, that of vitamin B12 exceeded the RDA. The participants consumed less than the RDA iron and folic acid but consumed more than the RDA vitamin B12. Conclusion: Comorbidities decrease oxygen-carrying capacity in individuals who had COVID-19. Most comorbidities are more prevalent in males than females There was deficiency of iron and folic acid caused by participants not consuming RDA
A critical analysis of the sustainability of the Social Relief Distress grant in South Africa
Get PDFThesis (LL.M. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024One of the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa was a lockdown. This led to a massive loss of income and financial support for South Africans. Consequently, there was an increase in unemployment rates due to the lockdown restrictions, leading to lack of social and economic sustainability for many individuals. As a result, the government saw it fit to assist as section 27(2) of the Constitution enjoins the state to assist those who were unable to support themselves and their dependants through the provision of social assistance. The issue is that the Social Relief Distress grant was implemented as a temporary measure; however, the current plans is to make it a permanent grant. The study aims to analyse the socio and economic sustainability of the SRD grant to its beneficiaries and the country. Thus, the main objective of the study was to examine the current state of unemployment and job opportunities and the impact they make to the social and economic standard of the country and its citizens. While establishing the effects of social grants in addressing unemployment and how refocusing the attention from grants implementation to job creation can ensure social and economic sustainability. This study adopted a qualitative research method and a comparative research analysis. As a result, it finds that the SRD grant is not socially and economically sustainable as a temporary or permanent measure to relief unemployment. Therefore, making recommendations on how the government can breach the gap between poverty and social welfare and implement measures, programmes and policies that will positively impact and sustain the social and economic standards of the unemployed and the country
An analysis of the interaction between the right to strike and promotion of access to essential services
Get PDFThesis (LLM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Before the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA) was enacted in 1995, there were
many laws regulating workers especially during apartheid in South Africa. The term
essential service did not have quite a clear definition. This research will broadly focus
on the limitation of the right to strike in essential services and the obligation to provide
essential service to the nation. Consequently, upon the adoption democracy, and the
implementation of the Constitution, 1996, numerous legal reforms were implemented
in South Africa. Despite the fact that the right to strike in the essential service is
prohibited, the right to strike generally remains poorly developed in South Africa. Given
the uncertain access to this right, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and
Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) continues to play the role in the
development of labour laws in the country as well as other countries. Interestingly, the
ILO motivates that the right to strike must not be allowed to public service or private
service workers who are serving their services on behalf of the state and are genuine
essential service workers. Essential service workers need to uplift the lives, safety and
health of individuals in that particular community. The governing laws need to come
with ways to resolve conflict between the employer and employee in situations where
collective agreements fall apart. This can also be done by enforcing different methods
of dispute resolution that prevent individual’s abandonment during strikes
Imprisonment of children with their mothers : a comparative analysis
Get PDFThesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025Refer to documen