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Impact analysis of the floating exchange rate on the output, export and employment in the South African red mead industry, 1995-2020
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The rate at which one country’s currency is exchanged for another country’s currency is known as the exchange rate. The external value of each currency is reflected in the country’s economic conditions in general and the purchasing power of the currency relative to that of other currencies in particular. An exchange rate is the main indication signalling the current trends in the economy. The study analysed the impact of a floating exchange rate on production output, exports volume and employment in the red meat industry of South Africa. However, the study prioritised three industries within the red meat industry, which are relevant contributors to agricultural sector in terms of production output, exports volume and employment. The three types of red meat considered for this study are cattle/beef, sheep and goat and pig. The relationship between a floating exchange rate and red meat production is continuously significant, especially with a global increase of red meat consumption and demand. The overarching theoretical framework guiding research on the impact of a floating exchange rate on production output, exports volume and employment is the theory of imperfect competition. The overall aim of the study was to analyse the impact of a floating exchange rate on production output, exports volume and employment in the South African red meat industry from 1995 until 2020. The study had five objectives for the study and they are broken down as follows: profiling the performance of the South African red meat industry in terms of production output, volume of exports and employment; secondly, to analyse the impact of floating exchange rate on production output, volume of exports and employment in the three selected South African red meat industries; thirdly, to analyse the short-run relation among production output, export volume, employment and exchange rate in the red meat industry of South African, fourthly, to determine the causality relationship or effects amongst production output, volume of exports, exchange rate and employment within the three South African red meat industry; and lastly, to determine the effects of red meat consumption on production output, volume of exports and employment in the South African red meat industry.
The study adopted secondary time series data and employ the following numerous and various analytical techniques to address the objectives: Augmented Dicer Fuller (ADF) test for stationarity test data, descriptive statistics, to profile the three prioritised red meat industries; error correction model of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL-ECM), to analyse the impact of floating exchange rate on production output, volume of exports and employment in the selected three South African red meat industries; ARDL bound test was used to analyse the short-run relation among production output, export volume, employment and exchange rate in the red meat industry of South African; granger causality test, to determine the causality relationship or effects amongst production output, volume of exports, exchange rate and employment within the three South African red meat industry; and ordinary least squares (OLS), to determine the effects of red meat consumption on production output, volume of exports and employment in the South African red meat industry. ADF results showed that for the three selected red meat industries, the variables were integrated at different levels I (0) and I (1). ARDL-ECM estimation measured the long run cointegration among production output, volume of exports, exchange rate and employment through the error correction term adjustment speed. The results showed that in the long run, an exchange rate affects production output, volume of exports and employment in the three South African red meat industries. ARDL bound test confirmed the short run relationship among production output, volume of exports, exchange rate and employment for the three selected South African red meat industries. Granger causality estimation indicates single and bi-directional causality effect among production output, volume of exports, exchange rate and employment for the three selected South African red meat industries. Ordinary least squares (OLS) results show that red meat consumption positively and significantly affects total production output, volume of exports and total employment across the three selected South African red meat industries. Conclusively, it is recommended that policymakers should not interfere with a floating exchange rate policy. Since the exchange rate volatility positively impacts on production output, exports volume and employment, it implies that the exchange rate volatility can support growth in small open economies by encouraging international capital inflows, excessive capital inflows into the country. The South African government in collaboration with the red meat industry should undertake more investments aimed at boosting the production of the red meat industry. The recommended investments may include agricultural research and development. Through the adoption of science and technology-based innovations, such as breeding improved livestock that is adaptive to different climatic conditions and improving intensive management methods, the investment on research and development will make the industry to be a sustainable supplier of quality red meat in domestic and various international markets, as South Africa is known to be the leading producer of red meat in the continent of Africa
The effectiveness of business continuity plan during the Covid-19 national state of disaster : a case of the Polokwane Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024The year 2020 has seen the world being plunged into a health crisis due to the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (WHO: 2020). Many South African industries were
faced with unpleasant impact from the COVID-19 National State of Disaster that was
imposed by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 15 March 2020 which
resulted in some businesses ceasing trading permanently (Stats SA, 2020).
Regardless of this situation, the Polokwane Municipality has an obligation to deliver
core or basic services in the face of the COVID-19 national state of disaster. Business
continuity took a center stage during the COVID-19 National State of Disaster in terms
of business survival, meaning that the Polokwane Municipality had to find different
ways to continue to function within the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study evaluated whether the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in the Polokwane
Municipality is practical and realistic and whether BCP was responsive to COVID-19
National State of Disaster and lockdown regulations that were imposed as there is
minimal evidence of evaluating business continuity during pandemics except in the
healthcare sector. The study employed quantitative research method to gather data
from participants.
The study found out that, there was sufficient implementation of the BCP during the
COVID-19 National State of Disaster as confirmed by 67% respondents. The study
further revealed that the Polokwane Municipality did not communicate its BCP to all
employees regularly. Considering these findings, the study recommends that the
Municipality should conduct workshops or training on the BCP to ensure that relevant
key officials clearly understand all aspects of the BCP and sharpen their skills.
Although the Polokwane Municipality have the BCP, they should ensure that there is
sufficient funding and other resources to ensure that implementation of the BCP is
effectless and further do research to benchmark and learn from what has worked in
other Municipalities for effectiveness of the BCP
Factors contributing to obesity among healthcare workers in primary health care facilities in Lepelle-Nkumpi Sub-District, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2024Background: Obesity is a significant public health issue worldwide, affecting various populations including healthcare workers. This research aims to look into the factors contributing to obesity among healthcare workers in primary health care facilities in the Lepelle-Nkumpi sub-district of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Method: Data were gathered from a sample of 174 healthcare workers using self-administered questionnaires as part of a quantitative and cross-sectional study design. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and workplace-related factors. Based on their Body Mass Index, participants were categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Science version 28 and descriptive statistics. Relationships were calculated at a 95% confidence level using the Chi-square test, and a p-value of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Results: The study found that 9.8% participants were severely obese, 38.5% were obese, and 27.6% were overweight. Several factors contribute to obesity amongst healthcare workers in the clinics of the Lepelle-Nkumpi sub-district. These factors include inadequate physical activity, poor habits and lifestyle behaviours, sedentary behaviour during leisure time, exposure to restaurants, unhealthy dietary habits, and workplace environmental factors or a demanding profession.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for interventions targeting healthcare workers' obesity in clinics in the Lepelle-Nkumpi sub-district. Strategies such as workplace wellness programs, promoting physical activity during working hours, providing healthy food options in the workplace, and enhancing awareness and education on healthy lifestyle choices are recommended. A weight management program is also neede
A longitudinal investigation on the effects of sodium and potassium intake have on the development of hypertension and abdominal obesity from childhood to young adulthood amongst Ellisras rural population, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Physiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Background: Hypertension (HT) and obesity have both been on the rise in children. Each is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease risk and both track into adulthood. Objectives: Hence, this study aimed to identify the association of sodium intake (Na), potassium (K) intake, and sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio with the development of HT and abdominal obesity amongst the Ellisras rural population over time. Methods: In this longitudinal study, data on dietary intake of Na and K were collected using a 24-h recall questionnaire from a total of 325 participants tracking them from 1999 (5–12 years), 2001 (7–14 years) and 2015 (18–30 years). Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements [waist circumference (WC) and height] Parametric (independent t-test) and Chi-square/Fishers’ exact tests were conducted to determine the difference between the years for numerical data and categorical variables. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was conducted to assess the association of Na intake, K intake; and their ratio on BP, WC and WHtR. Results: Our results indicate a significant positive association between K intake and WHtR [β= 0.019, (95% CL: 0.004, 0.034) p-value= 0.012], and even the model was adjusted for age and sex there was still an association with WHtR. Na/K ratio was associated with SBP [β= 4.326, (95% CL: 2.056, 6.595) p-value= < 0.001], DBP [β= 2.028, (95% CL: 0.703, 3.353) p-value= 0.003], WC [β= 4.191, (95% CL: 2.080, 6.302) p-value= < 0.001] and WHtR [β= 0.014, (95% CL: 0.003, 0.026) p-value= 0.015], respectively. Furthermore, Na/K was shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing HT [Exp = 1.603, (95% CL: 1.164, 2.207) p-value= 0.004] and abdominal obesity [Exp = 1.797, (95% CL: 1.207, 2.677) p-value= 0.004]. Conclusion: In our study we observed that an increase in Na/K it’s a predictor of HT and abdominal obesity over time compared to Na and K alone. However, more studies are required to further prove this
Evaluating the impact of prescribed burning and herbivore grazing on soil nutrients and carbon dynamics in a savanna grassland in Satara, Kruger National Park
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Savanna grasslands in South Africa are well adapted to fire and herbivory, yet these land management practices modify vegetative biomass and overtime affect forage productivity. Fire-herbivory interaction effects offer a more credible explanation for the occurrence of sporadic changes in savanna ecosystems and are crucial for maintaining tree-grass coexistence. Although, fire and herbivory have often been studied independently, they both act together in savanna ecosystems to influence soil quality leading to a depletion in soil nutrients and soil organic carbon (SOC). There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the underlying mechanisms controlling the decline in soil nutrients and little is known on the destabilization mechanisms involved in SOC depletion in grassland soils. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify the effect of late burning and herbivore grazing on soil nutrients in the topsoil of a savanna grassland, (2) to determine the effect of late burning and herbivore grazing on soil aggregate stability and distribution of carbon (C) within micro-and-macro-aggregates in a savanna grassland. To achieve these goals, topsoil from Satara experimental sites in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa were examined where late burning plus grazing and fire-grazing exclusion (control) experiments had been conducted annually for 7 years. Within the 25-ha experimental plot, three 10 × 10 m sub-plots were laid out randomly and soil samples were collected in the 0-10 cm depth for laboratory analysis. Results revealed that late burning and herbivore grazing depleted SOC in loamy sand soils at the KNP site. The depletion of SOC associated with late burning and herbivore grazing were accompanied by a reduction in total C and nitrogen (N) by 26% and 18%, respectively. This led to a further decrease in soil aggregate stability and concomitant decrease in calcium (Ca) by 6%, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) by 3% and zinc (Zn) by 5%. The alteration of the soil structure and depletion of SOC and some nutrients was ascribed to the disruption in the physical and chemical nature of the soil associated with the disaggregating effects linked to fire and grazing disturbances. Collectively, the findings obtained in this study demonstrates that 7-years of frequent burning and herbivore grazing in savanna grasslands leads to in a decline in micro- and macronutrients, which overtime may reduce overall soil fertility.National Research Foundation( NRF
The role of herbal medicine in mental health care among VaTsonga traditional healers
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Mental disorders are fast becoming a global health concern, with one in eight people
living with some form of mental illness. People respond to mental illness in a variety
of ways, including the use of professional, religious, and/or traditional interventions.
This study explored herbal medicinal products used by Tsonga traditional healers
and their psychopharmacological benefits in mental health care. The study has been
guided by the qualitative phenomenological research design. A total of seven
traditional healers (female = 86%; between 35–88 years of age) were purposively
sampled and qualitatively interviewed. The collected data were analysed using
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Several plant species and herbal
concoctions were identified as some of the medicinal products used to treat diverse
mental health conditions. Some herbs are prescribed therapeutically as sedatives
while others are prescribed for the treatment of stress, depression, psychosis, and
substance abuse. The findings further reveal that herbal medicinal products are
reported to be effective, non-toxic, and without adverse side effects. In conclusion,
the study recommends that professionals and traditional healers collaborate in
mental health-care research and practice. Collaboration between the two
stakeholders could also improve mental health care by enriching training in each
field.
Association between attachment and psychological health of first year students at the University of Limpopo
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The transition to university has been linked to social and academic stressors that trigger attachment dimensions and various psychological health problems. This study sought to assess the association between attachment and the psychological health of first year students at the University of Limpopo. The study adopted a correlational design and 233 respondents participated in the study. The association between students’ attachment and psychological health was assessed using canonical correlation. The study used the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale-Revised (ECR-R) and General Health Questionnaire - 28 (GHQ-28) to assess attachment and psychological health.
The attachment dimensions measured by the ECR-R had a positive linear relationship with the subscales of the GHQ. This relation was however significant between the anxiety attachment dimension and social dysfunction subscale (r= .14, p ˂ .05), as well as the avoidance attachment dimension and depression subscale (r=.13, p˂ .05). A correlation between ECR-R and GHQ-28 was found (r = .24, p˂ .05), implying a positive relationship. Given the literature that exists linking attachment and the psychological health of students particularly first year students who are adjusting to a new university environment, it is recommended that universities should consider implementing programmes that foster social integration among students. Faculties are also encouraged to participate in programmes that support students’ transition to the academic programmes. Further, health professionals are encouraged to consider students’ attachment dimensions that may be triggered by university adjustment when providing psychological services.National Research Foundation (NRF
Linguistic challenges faced by assistant teachers of English in South Africa : a case of two primary schools in Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (English Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Recently, many countries, including South Africa, have recognised Assistant Teachers as the essential members of the teaching staff in schools. However, this process has not been without challenges. There is already a myriad of evidence in the literature to show that this South African government initiative of recognising assistant teachers is plagued with challenges due to a number of reasons. This study explored the linguistic challenges faced by Assistant Teachers of English in the classroom with specific reference to two primary schools in the Limpopo province, South Africa. The study also investigated the perceptions of English teachers and learners on the support received from Assistant Teachers in English classrooms. The study used a mixed method research approach. Interviews were used to investigate and explore various linguistic challenges faced by Assistant Teachers. Data was also collected using questionnaires which were designed to compare perceptions of English teachers and learners who received support from Assistant Teachers. Data from questionnaires was analysed quantitatively, and data from interviews was analysed qualitatively. This study was prompted by the increasing number of Assistant Teachers required in South African schools. Furthermore, several research studies found that Assistant Teachers struggle to assist learners in Mathematics, English, and Science. Amongst other things, the study revealed that Assistant Teachers of English have inadequate English language competency to assist in English classrooms. Challenges in grammar, sentence structure, word formation, comprehension, and difficulty to express themselves in English contributes to Assistant Teachers’ incompetence in the English language. Although learners find the support of Assistant Teachers in the English classroom helpful for the teaching and learning process, English teachers are concerned with the quality of education received by learners since they are aware of the lack of English competency amongst Assistant Teachers of English. The overall findings of this study revealed that there is a need to appoint well-trained Assistant Teachers that will not only benefit teachers but be able to provide learners with the quality education they deserve. findings from this study could contribute to improving the quality of education in primary schools
The effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas : a case of Motantanyane Village, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas at Motantanyane Village. Despite the 29 years of democracy, local governments in South Africa, particularly those in rural areas, have endured challenges due to a dualistic government, which has led to fragmented and distorted spatial distribution, impeding service provision and societal development. Some of these challenges arose because of the existence of traditional leadership institutions and their practices on the spatial planning, distribution and management in rural areas. Local authorities have allocated land to people in areas that are not habitable such as wetlands, flat plains and land designated as agricultural land. Traditional leaders have been criticised for using traditional spatial allocation systems such as the customary patrilineal approach that have been in place since the 1800s. As a result, the municipal and traditional systems often act autonomously, making it difficult for local governments to deliver basic services when land is given or leased without their consent. The study was undergirded by the Collaborative Learning Theory and the Great Man Theory. The study employed a mixed methods research approach to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the research topic. A combination of purposive sampling and systematic sampling techniques was adopted to solicit the information needed for the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from the Chief, Traditional Councils and Household Heads in Motantanyane Village. On the other hand, an unstructured interview schedule was employed to collect qualitative data from the Municipal Officials at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The study consisted of 86 participants sampled from the target population. The study used a thematic analysis tool to analyse the qualitative data, and the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data. The research findings revealed that traditional leadership is still a crucial form of government in rural areas, although it is founded on inefficiencies surrounding the spatial development affairs of rural areas. It has become evident that the independence of traditional leadership in spatial administration has created an insurmountable barrier to sustainable rural development. Local governments are unable to provide basic services such as water and electricity due to spatial fragmentation, which has hampered rural development. The poorly organised spatial settings make service delivery more expensive for municipalities, and the allocation of land in areas that are not habitable. In conclusion, due to the fragmented landscape, traditional leaders were found to be a contributing factor to the underdevelopment and poor service delivery in rural areas. Thus, the study recommended that local government and traditional leadership should collaborate in the administration of land to promote sustainable spatial development. Additionally, the local government should assign land experts who can collaborate closely with traditional leaders in rural communities. The cooperation between these two institutions must be guided by a single spatial distribution plan that will specify how the land in villages will be arranged.National Research Foundation (NRF
Investigating reading challenges experienced by grade 10 learners in sepedi home language classrooms at Mphahlele Circuit
Get PDFThesis (M. Language Education (Sepedi)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023This research is about the reading challenges faced by rural Grade 10 learners in the
Mphahlele sub-district, Southern Capricorn sub-district, Limpopo province of South
Africa. The challenges of reading more in the home language are global. The study was
conducted with a focus on two high schools, with a focus on grade 10 learners. The
researcher used the interview and observation method for the learners after reading the
novel selected for grade 10. It was revealed that most teachers and learners agree that
there are challenges in reading Sepedi literature. It was revealed that reading
challenges are caused by the following problems lack of library, lack of education for parents of learners, lack of skills in teaching reading by teachers, lack of learning aids
for learners such as books, and the need for textbooks to teach reading. The researcher recommended that the National Education Department should build libraries and facilities in rural schools and their villages. Schools should have policies that involve parents in their children’s education. The Department of Education should recruit qualified teachers to teach Sepedi Home Language, equip schools with textbooks for learners to improve their reading skills. Also, the DBE should put in place guidelines and workshops to guide teachers on best practices for teaching learners to
read well