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The effects of ecotourism on poverty alleviation in Nyongane Village, Mbombela Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
Get PDFThesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The foundation of ecotourism is associated with poverty alleviation all over the world. That is, ecotourism is believed to be significant in income generation, improvement of people’s standards of living, sustainability of the environment, political enablement of local societies and in educational purposes. However, it has been noted that regardless of the significance of ecotourism, poverty remains a major problem across the world. In some developing countries like South Africa and Botswana, among others, ecotourism could account for about 25% of their Gross Domestic Product. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa relies on ecotourism as a source of income, employment creation and for boosting local economy. In light of this, the purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of ecotourism on poverty alleviation in Nyongane Village. The study reviewed both theoretical and empirical literature on the subject. It also adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches in undertaking the study wherein an interview schedule and questionnaires were used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that the Phabeni Gate Nature Reserve turned a blind eye on community participation by using the industry-oriented approach in ecotourism. They also revealed that the community members of Nyongane Village do not have access to resources in the reserve. Majority of the residents from the village argued that there is no communication from the aforementioned Nature Reserve while others argued that they are hardly communicated with. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for the Nature Reserve to provide employment opportunities for most people who are from Nyongane Village. It also recommended the need for the reserve to consider community participation by allowing the community members to provide inputs during decision making processes at least once in 6 months at the reserve. This could be done by hosting meetings attended by the representatives of the reserve and the community members. Lastly, the study concluded that although ecotourism adversely affects poverty alleviation in Nyongane Village, these negative effects, however, could possibly be addressed by implementing the recommendations of this study
The antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants used for male sexual healing in Venda, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (M. Sc. (Microbiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Sexually transmitted infections represent one of the main health problems related to
reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility.
Plants have been employed traditionally in treating diseases for centuries.
Elephantorrhiza burkei, Securidaca longepedunculata and Wrightia natalensis
medicinal plants were selected for this study based on their use in traditional medicine
to treat sexual health problems in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to
determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the selected plants. Different
extraction procedures coupled with solvents of varying polarities were used in the
extraction of the plant materials. Possible microbial contaminants were identified using
the VITEK 2 instrument. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined using
standard chemical tests and Thin-Layer Chromatography. Total polyphenol content
was quantified calorimetrically. Antioxidant activity was quantified using 2, 2-diphenyl-
1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. In vitro antimicrobial
activities were determined using a broth micro-dilution assay and bioautography.
Combinational effects of the addition of multiple plant species on antimicrobial activity
were investigated for additive, synergistic and antagonistic interactions. The plant
species phytochemical profile contained polyphenols that are known to have
antimicrobial effects against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus
(ATCC 29213) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), a Gram-negative bacterium,
as well as the fungus, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Elephantorrhiza burkei
exhibited high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens,
although most of the interactions were antagonistic and indifferent. Toxicity was found
in the herbal treatment and acute toxicity was found in the selected plants. Based on
the good correlations which were found in E. burkei, it was selected for bioactivity
guided by an isolation of antibacterial compounds. Elephantorrhiza burkei was not
successfully isolated, but the fraction collected showed exceptional biological activity
that validates its usage against disease-causing pathogens related to sexually
transmitted infections, which compromises male sexual health. This study suggests
that the evaluated plants are potential sources of novel anti-infective agents. Further
in vivo and in vitro studies are recommended for all the plants, respectively.University of Limpopo and CSI
Numerical modelling of groundwater flow at Mogalakwane Subcatchment, Limpopo Province : implication for sustainability of groundwater supply
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc.(Geology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The Limpopo Province is largely underlain by crystalline basement rocks, which are characterised by low porosity and permeability. The climate in this province is arid to semi-arid, with scarce surface water for domestic and industrial use. As a result, groundwater is the prime source of fresh water supply for various uses. The complex geology, the impacts of climate change and man-made interactions with groundwater and surface water are the main threat to the availability of a sustainable source of fresh water in the province. In addition, despite substantial research efforts conducted by academic institutions and government organisations, there is still a gap in understanding quantitatively the dynamics of the hydrological systems in large parts of the Limpopo Province. The present study is therefore focused on the investigation of hydrological stresses that are applied to groundwater and surface water in one of the catchments situated in the Limpopo Province.
In this study, a three-dimensional steady-state numerical model of groundwater flow was carried out at Mogalakwena Subcatchment, which is situated in the western sector of the Limpopo Province. The area is situated approximately 40 km northwest of Mokopane and 50 km west of Polokwane town. The research aims to understand the dynamics of the exchange between surface water and groundwater, and to assess the influences of these processes on the sustainability of water supply in the area. Hydrologically, the area falls within the boundaries of the Mogalakwena River Catchment, which forms part of the Limpopo River Basin.
Previous studies suggest that there is a continuous decline in groundwater levels in the study area due to extensive use of groundwater for mining, irrigation, and domestic purposes. Furthermore, continued climate changes have altered the rainfall events during the last couple of decades, which consequently had an impact on groundwater recharge, quality, and availability. In addition, the complex geology of the area has an impact on the aquifers’ productivity resulting in variability in borehole yields throughout the study area.
To achieve the aims of the research project, a three-dimensional steady-state numerical model of groundwater flow was implemented using MODFLOW NWT and ModelMuse
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graphical user interface. The model domain covers an area of 5896 sq. km and was discretised with a grid cell size of 200 m by 200 m. The MODFLOW Packages used include DIS, UPW, RCH, EVT, WEL, GHB, RIV and UZF as well as the ZONEBUDGET. The conceptual model of groundwater flow consists of two layers, and it was developed based on drillhole logs, hydrochemical data, environmental isotopes, geological, digital terrain models, and other spatial data relevant for the conceptualisation of boundary conditions and hydrological stresses.
The results of the steady-state simulation of groundwater flow show that recharge contributes 99.6% of inflow, followed by river leakage (0.36%) and GHB (0.08%). Among the outflow components, surface runoff takes the lion’s share (83.3%), followed by evapotranspiration (16.6%) and river leakage 0.02%. The zone budget was implemented to evaluate the interaction between surface water and groundwater by quantifying the amount of water that flows from one zone to the other. This was achieved by assigning zone numbers to the objects that represent boundary conditions (e.g., aquifer, river and dam). Zone 1, 2 and 3 were assigned to the aquifer, river and dam, respectively. The results indicate that the rivers gain more water than they supply to the aquifer. Similarly, the Glen Alpine Dam gain more water from the aquifer than it supplies to the aquifer. This implies that the interaction between surface water bodies such as rivers and dams have a significant impact on the aquifer, which consequently partly contributed to the shortage of water in the area.
A predictive analysis of the aquifer’s response to an increase in abstraction rate, evapotranspiration rate and a decrease in recharge was carried out to investigate the future fate of water availability in the study area. The results suggest that as recharge decreases, the river inflow slightly increases to compensate for the declining water level due to the river stage exceeding the piezometric surface. In addition, the decrease in recharge rate is accompanied by a slight decrease in both surface runoff and evapotranspiration rate. Thus, a decline in recharge causes a significant drop in piezometric surface relative to the evapotranspiration extinction depth, which ultimately decreases the rate of evapotranspiration. Similarly, a decrease in recharge rate lowers the depth of the water level below the river stage, which consequently triggers water
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exchange from Mogalakwena River to the aquifer. In general, the water balance shows that as recharge decreases by 20% or more, the outflows exceed the inflows resulting in a continuous drop in water level, which may ultimately risk the availability of groundwater in the area.Council for Geoscience (CGs
Time series modelling of water evaporation from selected dams in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Statistics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Water is a precious natural resource and one of the most vital substance
for sustainability of life . The increase in water evaporation is a major prob lem where factors such as high temperature and minimum rainfall are the
contributing factors. The aim of the study was to perform time series mod elling of water evaporation from the selected dams in the Limpopo province
South Africa. A daily evaporation time series data was used in the study
with variables such as temperature and rainfall. Daily water evaporation
rate time series data was differenced to make the data series stationary and
Dickey-Fuller test was used to test the stationarity of the data series. The
Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskasticity (ARCH) and Generalized Au toregressive Conditional Heteroskasticity (GARCH) model was performed
on the water evaporation time series data from the selected dams. Vec tor Autoregression (VAR) was used to determine the relationship between
the variables evaporation, rainfall and temperature. Identification of time
series models was done using the autoregressive integrated moving average
(ARIMA). The best ARIMA models were selected based on the autocor relation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF), and
the smallest value of Bayseian Information (BIC). The best models selected
for each dam are: Mokolo dam, ARIMA (1, 1, 2) model; Ga-Rantho dam,
ARIMA (1, 1, 2) model; Leeukraal DeHoop dam, ARIMA (1, 1, 1) model
and Luphephe dam, ARIMA (2, 1, 3) model. The correlation coefficient,
coefficient of determinant (R2
) and root mean square (RMSE) were used to
determine the performance of the model. The water evaporation time series
data from the selected dams was forecasted using the best selected ARIMA
models from the selected dams and then predicted for the next 3 years, where
the results showed a positive constant water evaporation rate
Exploration of facebook as a tool for improving marketing services at the University of Limpopo
Get PDFThesis (M. A. (Media Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Social networking became a common international trend which has spreads and reached almost every corner of the world. The use of social media platform has developed and exploded into an online platform where individuals can generate content, share it, bookmark it and network at an enormous rate. Amongst the users of social media, students and youth are the main users of social media sites. The research explored Facebook as a tool for improving marketing services at University of Limpopo. Institution of higher learning utilise Facebook for various reasons such getting more followers, maintain existing relationship between the university and its audience and also to communicate with the university audience. Social media can have a great impact on the university and its audience depending on the usage as a two-way communication platform.
The main objectives of the study are to identify the manner in which institutions of higher learning use Facebook for marking purposes; examine the performance of Facebook for marketing; and establish the challenges and opportunities of using Facebook as a marking tool. The study employed Nick Couldry’s practice theory and Marketing communication mix theory which are highlighting the relationship between the media, people and organisations. The study also analysed other literature that supports the aim and objectives of the study.
A qualitative method was used in the study and results obtained through the use of online observation and semi-structured interview. Content and thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data collected. The population used as a sample were marketing and communication department employees at the University of Limpopo who are working with the university social media pages. With online observation of the University of Limpopo’s Facebook page the findings show that the university’s social media portray specifically Facebook as a one-way communication which they convey messages on the platform without taking into consideration the comments, criticism and queries of the students or audience at large. The empirical findings of the study indicate that Facebook is the most used social media platform at the University of Limpopo. Moreover, participants have highlighted that the purpose of all social media platforms are used to market the institution and as platforms to convey messages to their followers, staff members and university community.
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The findings expose the various opportunities and challenges in using social media. However, it is proved that the opportunities outweigh the threats. Some institutions of higher learning use more than one social media platform. However, Facebook was proven to be the most widely used social media followed by YouTube, Twitter and Instagram
An assessment of the implementation and management of the National School Nutrition Programme in Bakenberg North Circuit Secondary Schools, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a poverty alleviation strategy, which was introduced in 1994 by the Government of South Africa as part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). Studies of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), show that hunger, nutrition, and poverty, are strongly correlated. The same studies note that in the world as a whole, hunger impacts negatively on the Millennium Development Goals, such as universal primary education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, and environmental stability. Hunger, specifically, has been shown to contribute to reduced school attendance, impaired cognitive capacity, high child mortality rates, high maternal death rates, increased migratory labour that increases the spread of HIV, and the unsustainable use of forest lands and resources.
The National School Nutrition Programme aims at providing meals to mostly needy learners, who come from poor families. Healthy food provides energy for the brain. The meals that are provided at schools are, therefore, intended to give energy for mental and physical activities for the body, for the brain to function, to make learners alert and receptive during lessons. Initially, meals in South African Schools were provided to all learners in Quintile 1, 2 and 3 public primary schools from Grades R to 7. The programme was extended to Quintile 1 secondary schools in April 2009. All Quintile 2 and 3 public secondary schools were included in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
To collect information for research purposes, the researcher used an interview questionnaire. This approach, which is used by the researcher, seeks to identify the impediments that pose challenges to effective and efficient implementation and management of the NSNP in the Bakenberg North Circuit of the Department of Education in the Limpopo Province.
The sample covered three secondary schools participating in the NSNP in the Bakenberg Circuits. In each school, the principal, the heads of departments and the teacher, formed part of the sample of the study.
The empirical findings were analysed and interpreted, and in presenting the findings, special reference to the research questions was made, namely: “An assessment of theimplementation and management of NSNP in the Bakenberg North Circuit secondary schools.” The study shows that the Department of Education in the Limpopo Province has not managed the NSNP efficiently and effectively. The findings of this study reflect that there are still challenges that continue to plague the NSNP after so many years since inception of the programme by the Department of Education. The empirical findings of this study have revealed that the challenges confronting the implementation of the NSNP could be attributed to poor governance and corruption by the Department of Education officials. Some pockets of excellence of the NSNP are noted in the study. Recommendations are made to mitigate the problem situation. The study therefore recommends the: Menu supplied by the department to be followed, Monitoring to be done at schools, Storage facilities to be improved, Issues of myth to be cleared among learners regarding the programme
Knowledge of radiation safety amongst paediatric doctors in Pietersburg and Mankweng Hospitals
Get PDFThesis (M.Med. (Diagnostic Radiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation is detrimental to growing cells. The potential risk of any dose of radiation in growing cells can lead to permanent damage of basic cellular structure resulting in a high risk of developing cancer in children. Therefore, paediatric doctors need sufficient knowledge to protect their patients from late effects of radiation resulting from medical use. Most studies report poor knowledge of radiation safety measures among doctors.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of radiation safety and radiation doses among paediatric doctors in Pietersburg and Mankweng Hospitals, Limpopo province, South Africa.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the paediatric doctors’ knowledge of radiation doses used in radiological diagnostic imaging examinations, as well as their knowledge of radiation safety measures.
METHODOLOGY: This is a survey of paediatric doctors in the paediatrics general ward, paediatric oncology, intensive care and neonatal units, and paediatric surgery department, at Pietersburg and Mankweng Hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire with 23 items on knowledge of radiation safety and radiation doses emitted during normal radiological examinations is used to collect the data in May 2021. Data are analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSPS) version 26.0 software. Chi-squared test is used to analyse the relationship between variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to analyse the differences between variables. A p value of <0.05 is considered statistically significant. A total score of 50% in each section is used to denote adequate knowledge. The result are presented in charts and tables.
RESULTS: Out of 52 paediatric doctors, 47 completed the questionnaire achieving a 90.4% response rate. Majority of participants were females (n = 31; 66%). Overall, only 10 (21.2%) of the participants scored 50% and above, including three consultants, two registrars, two medical officers and one medical officer intern. Twenty-five (53.1%) participants scored 50% and above on knowledge of radiation safety. Nearly half (44.7%) of the doctors were familiar with the concept of ALARA principle in radiation dose optimisation. Three participants scored more than 50% in the knowledge of radiation doses section. Only five (10.6%) and 17 (36%) participants correctly identified MRI and ultrasound, respectively, as the radiological diagnostic modalities that do not utilize ionizing radiation.
CONCUSION: The level of knowledge of radiation safety and radiation doses among the paediatric doctors are poor. A very small number of the paediatric doctors were able to identify non-ionizing radiation modalities that can be used as an alternative to reduce radiation exposure to paediatrics during radiological investigations. Paediatric doctors will benefit from courses on radiation safety and radiation doses to improve their knowledge and/or eliminate unwarranted exposure of their patients to ionizing radiation
Sexual harassment in the workplace : a gendered inequality
Get PDFThesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Sexual harassment remains an issue in the workplace as result of ineffective legislative and other measures that fail to recognise sexual harassment as a form of discrimination that is gender orientated. Gender inequality is credited as one of the contributors of sexual harassment, as more women than men suffer sexual harassment in the workplace. Moreover, sexual harassment has adverse effects on the individual who is on the receiving end of it, which are psychological in nature. This alone may lead to the abuse of substances as a form of coping mechanism, to arriving late to work or quitting which also affects productivity. In an attempt to confront the issue of sexual harassment, laws were created over the years, both at national and international level. Although some countries show efficiency in the creation of these laws by responding with urgency, some countries have had a more difficult time formulating appropriate and effective laws, with some countries having very little laws aimed at combatting sexual harassment in the workplace. At the same time workplace sexual harassment policies have proven to be an effective weapon against the gendered inequality that is sexual harassment if implemented effectively
Breast cancer classification according to immunohistochemical markers : clinicopathologic features in women treated at Pietersburg hospital, Limpopo
Get PDFThesis (M.Med. (Radiation Oncology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Background
Breast cancer is known to be a heterogeneous disease that demands patient centered
care. Establishing the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patients is a vital
step in an effort to individualize their treatment.
Aim
The aim is to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of the different subtypes of breast
cancer when classified according to immunohistochemistry markers in women attending
Pietersburg hospital.
Methods
A retrospective review of medical records of women treated at Pietersburg hospital
between 2010 and 2011 was done. Data collection was extracted on a customized data
collection sheet. Chi square was used to determine association between clinicopathologic
features and molecular subtypes. Analysis of variants was used to assess association
between molecular types and age.
Results
The mean age of the population was 55.3 years (+/-14 standard deviation). The majority
of patients were in stage III (46.9%) and IV (33.5%). The ER, PR, HER2/neu positive rate
was 50.6%, 30% and 14,3 % respectively with a negative rate of 13,4%, 19,5% and 23,4%
respectively. ER, PR and HER2/neu was unknown in 18%, 19,
5% and 23,4% respectively. The most common molecular subtype was luminal A (53,6%)
followed by triple negative (27.2%), HER2/neu (11, 4%) and luminal B (7. 9%).There was
no association between the subtypes and tumour stage (p=0.578).The rate of distant
metastasis was similar across the subtypes being 37,9%,35%, 32,4% and 31,9% in
HER2/neu, luminal B ,luminal A and TNBC, respectively. All four molecular subtypes had
high rate of axillary lymph node involvement (p=0.886) Luminal A had the least percentage
of high grade tumours with TNBC having the highest. Five-year overall survival for the
cohort was 25, 6% with luminal A and B having a better 5 year overall survival of 27,2%
and 25% respectively, whereas HER2/neu and TNBC had lower 5 year OS of 24% and
23,3%.
Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that luminal A subtype is the most predominant and the
majority might benefit from hormonal therapy. However, some patients could not be
classified due to missing IHC marker test results. The outcome across all four subtypes is
poor and more effort should be put towards improving the diagnosis and treatment
individualization and follow-up in these patients
Patients'attitides and experiences towards automated pharmacy dispensing units in Johannesburg, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Pharm.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Pharmacy Dispensing Units (PDUs) are automated medicine dispensing systems, which
are the first of its kind in South Africa and are operational in the public healthcare sector.
At present, the application of automated dispensing technology is still evolving, and it is
uncertain how it will impact on pharmacy services and be integrated into different
healthcare systems.
Aim
To determine the attitude and experiences of patients collecting their chronic care
medications at various Pharmacy Dispensing Units.
Methods
A cross-sectional quantitative design using a structured self-administered questionnaire
was used to collect data from the participants at three PDU sites; Alexandra Plaza,
Ndofaya Mall and Bara Mall. The study encompassed chronic stable patients. Participants
were selected based on a simple random sampling method and included 624 participants.
The study period was over two months. The researcher recorded the information that was
present in the study population, and no variables were manipulated. Data was analysed
using the SPSS version 27.0.0. Chi Square Tests, One-way Anova Tests and Microsoft
Excel were used to analyze the data.
Results
Since p<0.05, the results showed that there was an association between responses and
demographic information. The difference in distribution of responses seen across the
participants at the different PDUs was significant. Most participants (85,4%) found the
ATM easy to use as it was a simple system. Majority of the participants (99,6%) were
content with the overall service received at the PDU, and 99,3% were pleased with the
experience they had speaking through the PDU telephonic system. In comparison to the
clinic, 99% of the participants felt they preferred to use the PDU and 99,7% found the
PDU system easier to collect their medication from and follow their treatment plan. A few
participants (2,7%) did have some negative experiences such as the system being down,
network issues, technical challenges, delivery problems and the PDU being too busy.
However, all of the respondents stated that they would recommend the PDU to other
patients, as well as continue to collect their medicines at the PDU.
Conclusion
Overall patients had a positive attitude and experience towards the PDU. This research
will assist in ensuring pharmacies continue to shift their focus to providing a more holistic
approach to healthcare. It will allow for engagement with National and Provincial
Departments of Health and NGOs to expand the number of PDUs. Furthermore, it might
also help to develop new services and allow for changes to be made within the current
models. This study will contribute to the overall improvement in the health sector and
prepare for implementation of NHI.VLIR Foundatio