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Perceptions and knowledge of community members regarding mental health disorders in Matsafeni Village, Ehlanzeni
Get PDFThesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Background Mental health disorders and illnesses are common across the world, but individuals struggling with their psychological health find it difficult to disclose or discuss their conditions with other people. This results from a fear of being stigmatised, isolated and discriminated against by their communities. The researcher’s observations of people seeming dejected and bereft sparked an interest in exploring the perceptions and knowledge of the Matsafeni community on mental health disorders. Methodology The study employed a qualitative research method combined with a descriptive exploratory research design as these methods allowed the researcher to accurately and systematically describe, examine and explore information about the targeted community, including related factors that might be influencing their perceptions of the subject matter. Data collection was done using unstructured open-ended interviews, where participants were sampled through the convenience method. Results The study highlighted the understanding and perceptions of mental health disorders, perceived causes of mental health disorders, social support and involvement of mentally ill individuals in community activities. The study’s findings exhibited that participants were able to describe of mental illnesses, including their understanding of different types of disorders. Elements of stigmatisation, misconceptions and discrimination against individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses were evident. This resulted from lack of mental health education programmes, awareness campaigns and social support services. Family and community support were identified as imperative for individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Social inclusion was also highlighted as significant for mentally ill individuals. Conclusion This research offers valuable insights about the understanding and perceptions of mental health disorders, social support, and involvement in community activities among participants. Furthermore, the findings highlight the difficulties and distinctions connected with mental health diagnoses. It is envisaged that the conclusions of the study might serve as a starting point from which interventions aimed at assisting and supporting individuals affected by mental health disorders can be developed. Policymakers may use the information acquired from this study to develop strategies on best practices to promote mental health awareness
Resource description and access utilization by cataloguers in selected academic libraries of previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Resource Description and Access (RDA) is defined as a cataloguing tool consisting of new rules derived from the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules II (AACR2). The aim of the study was to explore RDA utilisation among cataloguers in selected academic libraries of previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. The study was conducted at the University of Limpopo, University of Venda and University of Fort Hare. The study used the interpretivist paradigm, descriptive design and a qualitative research approach. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from 13 participants, while content analysis was used for the evaluation of 15 catalogue records obtained from the participated academic libraries of the researched universities. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and direct quotations. The findings revealed that the participants were using RDA to catalogue information resources in the academic libraries. It was further revealed that two universities started using RDA in 2013 and one university started using it in 2016. Data from the catalogued records also revealed that the majority of the catalogue records were created using RDA, However, few catalogue records were still recorded using AACR2. The study concluded that RDA is highly utilized at the universities; however, not entirely, because some catalogue records were still recorded in AACR2. The study recommended, among others, the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as MarcEdit to convert the AACR2 catalogue records to RDA, since AACR2 records were still found in the catalogues of the investigated universities. The study also recommended that universities should ensure that the participants attend continuous RDA workshop/training opportunities to ensure that they are up to date with the recent changes made to RDA rules, since its rules are continuously updated
The compulsion of environmental and mining laws in South Arica : tools to curb illegal mining in South Africa
Get PDFThesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025Illegal mining, often called illicit mining, is an activity that involves the process of
expropriating minerals from the environment, in a manner that does not comply with
the law. And in South Africa, that is termed ‘zama-zama’. It has in the past years
escalated in such a way that the President had to deploy the South African National
Defence Force (SANDF), indicating that this is no ordinary crime, but a crime that
affects the economy, people’s lives, and livelihoods.
It does however extend deeper in that illegal mining is connected to other crimes such
as gang crimes, rape, and murder. These will be discussed in this research and indicate
real life reported cases of such crimes in the illegal mining sphere. This study will
further investigate the three categories of persons who are potentially the main causes
or facilitators of illegal mining, and further provide how they facilitate or cause illegal
mining.
The study will further examine how the existing mining and environmental laws, such
as inter alia, the Mineral & Petroleum Resources Development Act & National
Environmental Management Act may be compelled by the judiciary to ensure that
these laws are complied with in order to curb illegal mining in South Africa.
In conclusion, this research will seek to propose what it believes to be applicable and
practical recommendations in this regard.
In order to properly report on the findings of this research, real life illegal mining
activities and related matters thereto, this research will give a study on the mines
community of Burgersfort, which is an area in the northern part of South Africa, in the
Limpopo province. This area is predominantly occupied by mines and has been under
tremendous reported illicit activities and attack
Predicting customer churn in telecom companies through a machine-learning approach
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (E-Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The research inspects the application of machine learning approaches to forecasting
customer attrition in telecommunication companies. Machine learning
models such as extreme gradient boosting, random forest, k-nearest neighbour,
adaptive boosting, support vector machine, and logistic regression were
used to forecast and compared the best model and analysed churn behaviour.
Cross-validation techniques were applied to enhance model performance, revealing
critical predictors of churn such as contract length, customer tenure,
and service usage patterns. The results emphasised the effectiveness of machine
learning in accurately identifying potential churners. Furthermore, the
study emphasises the importance of leveraging predictive analytics to proactively
address customer attrition, enabling telecommunication companies to
devise targeted retention strategies and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.National e-science Postgradaute Teaching and Training Platform (NEPTTP
Effect of feed restriction on performance, stress and clinical welfare indicators of ross 308 broiler chickens
Get PDFThesis (M. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study investigates the effect of feed restriction on the growth performance, stress, and welfare indicators of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 1 to 35 days. The experiment aimed to determine the impact of feed restriction on (1) growth performance, (2) welfare clinical indicators, and (3) gut morphometrics, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and sensory evaluation. A total of 270-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with two replications per group. Each treatment group consisted of two separate sets of chicks ,which were independently managed and subjected to the same experimental conditions. The data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), with significance considered at the 5% level. The results showed that feed restriction improved daily feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (P0.05). Feed restriction also influenced (P<0.05) gut organ weight and length, as well as carcass weight and chicken pieces, but had no effect on pluck weight or dressing percentage. Meat quality analysis revealed no significant changes in color or pH, while tenderness and juiciness were positively influenced (P<0.05), with no impact on flavor or shear force. In conclusion, feed restriction in Ross 308 broiler chickens improved growth performance, affected specific welfare indicators, and influenced certain carcass and meat quality traits. The results suggest that feed restriction can be used to optimize growth and meat quality while maintaining reasonable welfare standards, although it has mixed effects on certain welfare indicators
The implementation of teaching, learning and assessment policy in English First Additional Language : towards an intervention strategy, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Inconsistencies in the English First Additional Language (EFAL) teaching, learning and
assessment policy implementation have brought frustration to policymakers, policy
mediators, and policy implementers. The purpose of this study was to explore the
implementation of teaching, learning, and assessment policy in English First Additional
Language. The researcher adopted an explorative qualitative approach in conducting the
study. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from UL TREC and the Department
of Basic Education (DBE). Participants were given consent forms for their voluntary
participation in the study. Four English First Additional Language educators and four
Departmental Heads were purposefully selected to participate in the study. They were
selected because of their expertise in teaching EFAL. The three subject advisors were
selected as responsible for EFAL in the FET band. Data was collected through in-depth
interviews, observations, and document analysis. Educators were observed on the EFAL
policy implementation through lesson presentations, while one departmental official was
observed on EFAL policy mediation. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis into
emerging themes following the six stages of thematic approach. The findings show that
excessive administration duties, lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient
planning and preparation, lack of interest, time management, shortage of staff,
disorganization of stakeholder responsibilities, and inadequate professional development
are causes of the discrepancies in the implementation of the EFAL policy. The
recommendations are to increase contact time, develop a resource pack for informal
assessment activities, improve infrastructure, strengthen support, monitoring and
moderation of teaching, learning and assessment activities
Teaching Xitsonga home language reading in Grade 8 at Shiluvane Circuit, Mopani West District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The primary objective of this study was to investigate the challenges encountered by Grade 8 teachers when teaching reading in the Xitsonga Home Language at Shiluvane Circuit in the Mopani West District, Limpopo province in South Africa. The study holds significance as many students in the participating schools exhibit little to no interest in reading for pleasure, often perceiving reading as solely a study tool. A qualitative approach was employed to explore the difficulties experienced by intermediate teachers when teaching reading. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, observations, and writing tasks, and analysed thematically within an interpretive paradigm. The study utilised the Psycholinguistic Theory as a framework to comprehend why learners struggle with reading and to ascertain if learners possess the necessary prior knowledge of the text they read in the classroom. The study's findings suggest that establishing community libraries positively fosters a reading culture. The study further revealed that teachers face significant challenges in teaching reading. The study recommends that regular workshops be conducted to equip subject advisors with effective reading strategies that can be used to support educators
Investigation of grade 10 learners' essay writing in English First Additional Language in Eensaam Circuit, Sekhukhune South District , Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M. Ed. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study reflects on the experiences of Grade 10 learners’ essay writing in English First Additional Language in Eensaam Circuit, Sekhukhune South District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Since the study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the strategies that teachers use to improve essay writing, a qualitative methodology was used. It is within this methodology that a case study was adopted, whereby two methods of data collection were used, namely: interviews and observation. Two schools were purposively selected as sites for the study. The interviewed participants were the Departmental Head, Senior education specialist, teachers and learners. Learners in grade 10 are not performing exceptionally well in essay writing and this results in high failure rate in English first Additional language. The study discussed the contributory factors to the findings and, therefore, recommends that the Department of Education should provide Grade 10 English FAL teachers with in-service training and support programs. The programmes should aim at equipping teachers with skills to use when teaching essay writing in Grade 10. The Department of Education should also provide materials and strategies that will help all learners develop writing skills
Teachers' and learners' perceptions towards translanguaging pedagogy in English First Additional Language among Grade 7 Tshivenda learners in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (English Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024This study reports on a study conducted among bilingual Grade 7 teachers and learners in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of teachers and learners regarding their use of the translanguaging pedagogy in the teaching and learning of English FAL. The study comprised 9 Grade 7 English FAL teachers and 90 Grade 7 learners who registered for English FAL and Tshivenḓa Home Language (HL) at 3 different primary schools situated in the Luvuvhu Circuit, Vhembe District. A multiple case study of three primary schools was conducted using the mixed method to collect data concurrently using the four instruments, that is, classroom observation schedules, closed-ended questionnaires, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews. The overall results of the study revealed that the majority of Grade 7 teachers and learners have a positive outlook on the translanguaging pedagogy in the teaching and learning of English FAL. Alternation and flexible use of Tshivenḓa HL and English is permitted, and HL was used to scaffold and accelerate the learning of English FAL. On the other hand, the study revealed that some of these Grade 7 teachers and learners objected to the use of the translanguaging approach to promote the use of an English-only approach to accelerate the learning of English FAL in their classrooms. As the strict language isolationist belief is still widely accepted and utilised by some Grade 7 teachers and learners, the researcher was prompted to recommend an awareness of the cognitive and affective benefits of the translanguaging pedagogy in the second language (L2) classrooms and the need to value the learners' full linguistic repertoire that they bring to their classrooms for learning purposes.University of South Africa Department of Human Resource Managemen
Understanding the interface interactions between biological molecules and precious metal nanoparticles
Get PDFThesis (Ph. D. (Physics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Interface interactions of Au- and Ag-nanoparticles with fibrin protein molecules have been investigated using both computational and experimental approaches. Computational approach used Monte Carlo, density functional theory, and classical molecular dynamics simulations. Sampling of Au(19)/Ag(19), Au(38)/Ag(38), Au(55)/Ag(55), and Au(79)/Ag(79) nanospheres against different possible combinations of 1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin protein chains were explored for possible Au/Ag-nanosphere+fibrin corona formations. Negative adsorption energies were recorded for some possible Au(19)/Ag(19)+1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin; Au(38)/Ag(38)+1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin; Au(55)/Ag(55)+1, 2, 3, and 4-firbin; and Au(79)/Ag(79)+1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin corona complexes. Au(55)+1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin corona complexes recorded the most energetically stable adsorption energies of -2.99, -2.73 and -3.00 eV. Similarly, Ag(55)+1, 2, 3, and 4-fibrin corona complexes also recorded the most energetically stable adsorption energies of -2.99, -2.72 and -3.27 eV. Radial distribution functions approximations showed Au-H having the shortest bond lengths of 2.37, 2.47, 2.57, and 2.37 Å respectively relative to Au(19), Au(38), Au(55), and Au(79) nanospheres. Likewise, Ag-H registered the shortest bond lengths of 2.11, 2.45, 2.57, 2.47 Å respectively relative to Ag(19), Ag(38), Ag(55), and Ag(79) nanospheres. Mean square displacements and diffusion coefficients constant hint on H, C, N, and O functional group atoms having good diffusion probabilities onto Au- and Ag-nanospheres. H, C, and N functional group atoms recorded the highest diffusion coefficient constants onto the Au(55) nanosphere whilst H, C, N, and O functional group atoms further recorded the highest diffusion coefficient constants onto the Ag(79) nanosphere. Mülliken charges analysis lead to either enhanced negative or positive charges onto specified carbon (C1, C2, and C3) atoms after Au-nanosphere+fibrin or Ag-nanosphere+firbin corona formations. Radius of gyration further suggest a tighter packing on the adsorption of fibrin molecules onto Au(38)/Ag(38), Au(55)/Ag(55), and Au(79)/Ag(79) nanospheres in the following preference: Au(79)/Ag(79) > Au(55)/Ag(55) > Au(38)/Ag(38). Experimentally, Au- and Ag-nanoparticles were synthesised using sodium citrate induced method, thereafter, conjugated with fibrin proteins for adsorption studies. Average spherical diameter sizes 11, 18, 45 and 50 nm of Au-nanoparticles and 12, 14, and 26 nm of Ag-nanoparticles were considered for the conjugation process. Possible adsorption and formation of Au/Ag-nanoparticle+fibrin protein corona complexes were verified using UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopies, Zeta potential, and TEM imaging. UV-vis blue shift was observed on fibrin conjugated Au-nanoparticles relative to the unconjugated Au-nanoparticles, confirming the formation of Au/Ag-nanoparticle+fibrin protein corona complexes. FTIR spectra provided a trace of possible fibrin functional group atoms bonding with Au- and Ag-nanoparticles surface atoms in the possible formation of Au/Ag-nanoparticle+fibrin protein corona complexes. TEM imaging was also utilised to observe and estimate nanoparticles distribution and sizes chronologically. Unconjugated Au-nanoparticles materialise as agglomerates of nano-clusters whilst fibrin conjugated Au-nanoparticles appear as dispersed individual random nanoparticles. On the other hand, unconjugated Ag-nanoparticles occur as scattered irregular individual nanoparticles which agglomerate into nano-clusters upon conjugation with fibrin protein molecules