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Profile of pedestrian road traffic crash fatalities on the R71 road admitted at Polokwane forensic pathology
Get PDFThesis (M.Med. (Forensic Pathology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Introduction and background: Road traffic fatalities remain a worldwide
burden with more than half of those fatalities comprising of vulnerable road
users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists). This prompted the World Health
Organization and United Nations to establish Sustainable Developmental Goals
aimed at reducing road traffic crashes. The study explored factors relating to
pedestrian fatalities on the R71 road, which may inform future interventions to
enhance pedestrian safety.
Aim: The study aimed at profiling pedestrian road traffic crash fatalities on the
R71 road admitted at Polokwane Forensic Pathology Services.
Methodology: A quantitative descriptive study utilising total population
purposive sampling of pedestrians that demised because of R71 road traffic
crashes over a 3-year period was done. There were 65 cases studied.
Results: The study revealed that the fatalities were more male adult
pedestrians than females, who were between 20 -39 years old. Majority of those
pedestrians were wearing dark coloured clothing with no reflectors on. The
pedestrian fatalities were mostly seen over the weekend and between evening
and midnight. The fatalities peaked in December and February (summer
season). The common locality of the pedestrian fatalities was Mankweng and
Mentz village (Area 3). Most of those pedestrians sustained head injuries.
Conclusion: Contributory factors and injuries of those pedestrian fatalities that
demised because of R71 road traffic crashes were identified, which some were
similar to those already highlighted in literature
A phenomenological study of University of Limpopo students following the death of a parent
Get PDFThesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The study sought to explore the sequel of bereavement on parentally bereaved
students at the University of Limpopo. The study was qualitative in nature. Ten
bereaved students (4 Males & 6 Females) were purposefully sampled and interviewed.
Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using a reflexive
thematic data analysis method.
The major themes that emerged from the data were isolated and outlined. The results
showed that post-parental bereavement, students experienced and expressed their
loss distinctly. Notably, their grief was expressed both emotionally, cognitively,
behaviourally, physically and spiritually. In spite of the grief having been experienced
and expressed diversely, the findings revealed that factors such as - a) circumstances
surrounding the death of a parent, b) religious beliefs and cultural practices, c)
meanings attached to the death, and, d) lack of support post-bereavement, all
influenced participating students’ grief trajectory.
On the one hand, the results highlighted that students relied on diverse strategies
(e.g., bereavement rituals, counselling services) which helped in their processing and
coping with the death of a parent. In particular, psychological counselling was found
to be beneficial, although it was associated with mental health stigma. The study
findings therefore suggest that parental bereavement can result in the experience of
grief, which is an emotionally painful experience that can be complicated secondary
to a myriad of factors. A complicated grief experience could lead to academic
underachievement in the student population. This therefore suggests that complicated
bereavement needs to be treated as earliest as possible in order to avert its
interference with the academic work of affected students. It is recommended further
that higher institutions of learning need to invest more efforts to educate students on
bereavement and its potential impact on their studies. Additionally, efforts should be
directed at addressing the stigma of mental illness on-campus so as to help improve
the user friendliness of on campus student psychological counselling services. The
study is concluded by, amongst others, recommending that future research needs to
look closely into university students’ meaning making process in bereavement
Analysis of socio-economic factors influencing informal and formal market participation by beef cattle farmers in Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020The purpose of this study was to analyse socioeconomic factors influencing formal and informal market participation by beef cattle farmers. Cattle production plays an important role in the provision of food worldwide. It important for farmers to participate in the market to improve their income and livelihood. Globally, it was discovered that livestock production contribute value to the economic development of various countries. Ethiopia is one of the countries that generate more income from the livestock production. In the study area farmers participate in the lower level of market participation. They sell at informal market than formal market because of insufficient market channel. The farmers seldom sell since their sale depends on the availability of the market. Hence it was important to analyse socioeconomic factors influencing informal and formal market participation by small-scale beef cattle farmers at Makhado Local Municipality. The aim of the study was to analyse socioeconomic factors influencing informal and formal market participation of small-scale beef cattle farmers in Makhado Local Municipality. The objectives of the study were to identify, describe the socioeconomic characteristic of beef cattle, determine the level of market participation of the beef cattle and analyse the influence of socioeconomic factors in the participation of the beef cattle farmers in both the formal and informal market in Makhado local municipality. Structured questionnaires were used to interview 82 cattle farmers who participate in both informal and formal markets. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse socioeconomic characteristics of the cattle farmers. The logistic regression model was used to analyse factors that influence the participation of small-scale cattle farmers in both formal and informal markets. Lastly, market participation index tool was used to analyse the percentage of each farmer’s participation in different markets. The descriptive statistic results were showing men dominating participation in the market than women. The findings illustrate that farmers participating in the market were mostly pensioners who depend on social grant. Most of them are married and
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have low level of education. The study also revealed that most beef cattle farmers are engaged in cattle farming for the purpose of sale instead of consumption. The logistic regression model results shows the coefficients for the independent variables such as gender, family size and farming experience to be significant at 1%. Age, marital status, monthly income, and distance to the market were found to be significant at 5%. Membership association were found to be significant at 10%. Educational level, extension services as well as the market information were found to be insignificant. The market participation index tool results revealed that the participation of beef cattle farmers in level 1 was 74.39%, level 2 18.29%, level 3 3.66% and lastly, in level 4, it was 3.66%. Additionally, the study revealed that only 1 farmer had a minimum score of participation of 3 and another farmer scored the highest participation of 23 out of all 82 farmers who participated in different market channels namely, homestead, village market, auctions, town market and fresh produce market. The study indicated various constraints faced by cattle farmers in both formal and informal markets. However, for a farmer to be a full participant all farmers should be able to participate in all the above-mentioned market channels. Additionally, for a farmer to increase his/her level of market participation, there is a need for each farmer to sell many cattle per year in different marketing channels mentioned above. It is also vital to increase the cattle productivity and to decrease identified constraints that negatively influence market participation of beef cattle farmers. Furthermore, constraints influencing market participation of beef cattle farmers need to be addressed to increase the sale of cattle by farmers. This requires assistance by both government and non-governmental stakeholders. Government stakeholders include extension officers, agricultural experts and veterinaries, while nongovernmental stakeholders include meat quality experts, agricultural cattle commercial farmers, and cattle farm managers.Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisherie
Evaluation of teacher development programmes : perspectives on professional learning communities in Siyabuswa Circuit-Mpumalanga Province
Get PDFThesis (M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The effective delivery of quality education depends, to a greater extent, on the quality of teachers. These teachers need to keep pace with the continuous growth of professional knowledge, skills and competences. This study evaluates teacher development programmes in Siyabuswa Circuit, Mpumalanga Province. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is one of the initiatives that support and improve teacher knowledge and competences. Hence this study seeks to obtain teachers’ perspectives of the PLCs as a teacher development programme. This will probably shed more light into challenges faced by teachers in participating and benefitting from these developmental programmes. Scharmer (2009) states that when a new development unfolds, people may respond to it in two ways: they muddle through or fight back. Scharmer’s Theory U is thus reflected upon in this study as well to help explain and clarify these perspectives so that appropriate strategies can be found to improve teacher development and quality performance in turn
Comparative analysis of the relationship between the producer and consumer price index of beef and chicken meat in South Africa from 1991to 2018
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Beef and chicken meat play a very crucial role in providing food to South African consumers. However, the rise of food prices in South Africa is viewed to curtail progress and drives consumers into debt and forgone opportunity to access food. Hence, it is of importance to understand the consumer price index (CPI) of meat and the disaggregate components of beef and chicken meat producer price indexes (PPI) as they give a clear insight into how individual commodities contribute to the general and food price inflation.
The study aimed to comparatively analyse the relationship between PPI beef and CPI meat as well as PPI chicken meat and CPI meat in South Africa from 1991 to 2018. The objectives of the study were to compare the indexes’ variability, correlation, and causality between the different PPI and CPI components. The objectives were analysed using the Coefficient of variation (CV), the Pearson coefficient correlation, the Granger causality test, and the Vector Error Correction model.
The CV findings highlight that PPI beef had high variability (65%) compared to CPI meat (56.7%), whereas PPI chicken meat had low variability (49.2%) compared to CPI meat(56.7%). There was evidence of a positive correlation (0.99) between PPI beef and CPI meat as well as PPI chicken meat and CPI meat using Pearson coefficient correlation. In addition, a long-run relationship was found between PPI beef and CPI meat as well as between PPI chicken meat and CPI meat by using the VEC model. Granger causality results indicated that there was a unidirectional relationship from PPI chicken meat to CPI meat, and independent relationships were found from PPI beef to CPI meat, CPI meat to PPI beef as well as CPI meat to PPI chicken meat.
Based on the findings, the study recommends that policymakers, through evaluation of monetary policies, should continue maintaining a specific inflation target range as that will assist in stabilising meat prices in the economy. At the same time, protect meat producers against input price inflation using instruments such as input subsidies, grants, and the provision of modern technologies.National Research Foundation (NRF
The role of leadership on service delivery in South African municipalities : a case of Greater Giyani Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (M.Admin. (Administration and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The local government is the first level of government closest to the people, and it is required under the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to meet the needs of the people in their designated areas. Political and administrative leadership in the municipalities is entrusted with the responsibility of providing public services and managing government resources. Existing literature exhibits that municipal leaders possess certain characteristics that if effectively implemented, may effectively meet the needs of the people. With a distinct focus on Greater Giyani Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, the current study investigates the role of leadership in service delivery in South African municipalities. This study adopts “theory triangulation” as the theoretical points of departure due to its utilisation of four leadership theories (Servant, Transformational, Situational & System leadership theories). Municipal leadership in the Greater Giyani is expected to serve the public by providing high-quality service to the communities.
To fulfil the purpose of this study, a mixed method research approach is adopted, which incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data whereas interviews and document analysis were utilised to collect qualitative data. The collected data was then analysed through statistical package for social science. The findings of the study reveal that political and administrative leadership play a role in facilitating service delivery. However, there are also government issues that have to be considered in relation to service delivery, such as insufficient development training programs, and unqualified administrators. Aspects such as lack of understanding and compliance, poor public participation, and lack of adherence to work ethics are found to be amongst factors which hamper service delivery. This study submits that policy makers and managers in the municipalities should be trained in managerial skills. Additionally, the municipal leadership should always adhere to policies related to work ethics and procurement processes. The study also concludes that policy makers and senior managers in the municipalities need to develop relevant policies and strategies to enhance the role of leadership in service delivery in the municipalities
The potential of putrescine postharvest dips and cold storage temperature on fruit quality and shelf-life of 'solo' papaya (carica papaya L).
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022Cold storage is commonly used to prolong papaya fruit storability. Furthermore, the
optimal recommended storage temperature is below 10℃ for export and distant
market. However, chilling injury (CI) occurs at 10℃ or lower during prolonged cold
storage. This condition hampered consumer acceptance, resulting in economic losses
for producers and exporters. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the potential of
postharvest polyamine dips and storage conditions to improve the quality and shelf
life of ‘Solo’ papaya fruit. The experiment was conducted as 4 x 2 factorial arranged in
a completely randomised design (CRD) with eight replications. The fruits were treated
with putrescine (PUT) (0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 mM) before storage for 21 days at 7.5
and 13℃ plus 5 days storage at ambient temperature. Additionally, the PUT effect on
quality attributes and shelf-life were studied. The results showed that physiological
and pathological disorders increased with progressive storage, irrespective of storage
temperature. However, PUT treatment reduced the incidence of chilling injury and
anthracnose at both 7.5 and 13℃. Additionally, the interaction of treatment and cold
storage temperature significantly affected ‘Solo’ papaya fruit physical and biochemical
quality attributes. Furthermore, treatment with 2 and 3 mM PUT concentration reduced
changes in colour, mass, firmness, TA, and TSS compared to control. In conclusion,
postharvest PUT improved ‘Solo’ papaya fruit quality and prolonged shelf-life.AgriSETA (Agricultural Sector Training Authority
Selfhood, identity and culture in selected Tshivenda poetry
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Tshivenda)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The issue of African identity in African literature has been receiving considerable attention in recent times. However, comparatively speaking, the focus has largely been on texts written in English, whereas texts written in (African) indigenous languages have received minimal attention. Moreover, critics who cannot understand the language of indigenous writing ignore such writings in their criticisms, which culminates in the treatment of indigenous writings as palimpsests on which the other records their story. Consequently, perspectives and philosophies shared by indigenous literature are marginalised and only those conveyed in European languages are considered. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to, firstly, attempt to draw Tshivenḓa poetry from the periphery to the ‗centre‘ of conversations on issues of selfhood, identity and culture in the postcolonial context. Secondly, it sought to show that a representative selection of Tshivenḓa poetry can provide indices into the trajectories and nuances of the Vhavenḓa people‘s selfhood, identity and culture.
Undergirded by a trifocal theoretical framework, namely Afrocentricity, the hermeneutical approach and postcolonial theory, the study shored up various aspects that were thematised by the selected poets as indices into the Vhavenḓa‘s selfhood, identity and culture. The study employed a qualitative research approach and the descriptive method to analyse sixteen (16) purposively sampled poetry texts. Textual and thematic analyses were relied on in the analysis of the selected texts. The study found that Tshivenḓa poetry demystifies the meta-narratives propounded by colonialists and exponents of apartheid about African people‘s selfhood, identity and culture. Tshivenḓa poetry attains this, firstly, by demonstrating that the indigenes have always had ways through which they expressed their selfhood, identity and culture, and secondly, by agentively challenging hegemonic discourses on selfhood, identity and culture.
The analysis of the selected texts also revealed that the Vhavenḓa poets derive their sense of selfhood, identity and culture from two main sources: God (Ṅwali) and their ancestors. It was noted that most of the modern Vhavenḓa poets‘ concept of ‗God‘ gravitates more towards the Judeo-Christian worldview, while those who espouse ‗ancestor veneration‘ promote the Africanist traditional religion as their base for
identity formation and articulation. The former observation in particular should be ascribed to the influence of Christian missionaries. Other themes, such as Tshivenḓa mythology, religion, agitations for self-identification and representation, marriage, socio-cultural traditions, selenology, cosmology, cosmogony, dance, and ritual, are mainly anchored to the Vhavenḓa‘s notions of theocentricity and anthropocentricity. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on politics of identity and discourses interested in how the formerly colonised indigenes seek to assert their presence and agency after decades of marginalisation and repression. The study recommends that aspects of selfhood, identity and culture that are encapsulated in Tshivenḓa poetry should form part of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) that need to be studied in institutions of basic and higher education. For the sake of knowledge preservation and perpetual transmission, communities should be proactive in passing this knowledge to the younger generations.National Institute for the Humanities and Social
Sciences (NIHSS) and
South African Humanities Deans
Association (SAHUDA
A comparative study of the limnology of two small dams in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Aquaculture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022The aim of this study was to provide baseline limnology data that can be used in the
management of small dams, Molepo Dam and Hout River Dam. Physico-chemical
parameters were assessed to determine the water quality and the effect of water level
fluctuations on water quality. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity,
electrical conductivity, nitrate, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and chlorophyll-a were
assessed during the dry season (May-Oct) and wet season (Nov-Apr). Physico chemical parameters showed seasonal variations with the exception of pH. The mean
total phosphorus (1.06 and 0.98 mg/L), total nitrogen (1.27 and 1.56 mg/L) and
chlorophyll-a (2.97 and 3.32 µg/L) were higher in the dry season than wet season in
Molepo Dam and Hout River Dam respectively. Water level fluctuations had a
significant effect on total nitrogen, total phosphorus and turbidity in Molepo Dam and
total nitrogen in Hout River Dam.
Plankton were used as indicators of water quality. Phytoplankton and zooplankton
were sampled using nets of 71 µm and 132 µm mesh respectively and identified to
genus and species at both Molepo Dam and Hout River Dam. Individual species,
number per litre for phytoplankton groups that contributed significantly in terms of
abundance were Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria sp. in both Molepo Dam and
Hout River Dam during the dry season months. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index
was high during the wet season in these small dams. The abundance of Cyanophyta
was greatest during the dry season followed by Desmids in Molepo Dam and Hout
River Dam. During the wet season, Bacillariophyta were not recorded for Hout River
Dam. The highest composition for Chlorophyta (15.4%) in Molepo Dam was recorded
during the wet season months. Phytoplankton abundance was highest in Molepo Dam
as compared to Hout River Dam throughout the sampling period. Zooplankton was
dominated by Cladocerans (Bosmina longirostris) in both small dams. This study
showed that plankton can be used as indicators of water quality. Zooplankton
communities were dominated by Bosmina longirostris which was present throughout
the sampling period possibly indicating clear water in Molepo Dam and Hout River
Dam. Copepoda were sub-dominant phyla mainly represented by Cycloid sp. which
are also indicators of clean water.
The study determined the abundance and composition of fish species and growth
parameters of the most abundant fish species (Oreochromis mossambicus) in the two
small dams. Scales were successfully used for the age determination of O.
mossambicus. The rings on the scales were validated as being true annuli by marginal
increment analysis which indicated that the distance between the last annuli and the
scale edge was shortest in the wet season months in Molepo Dam and Hout River
Dam. This is the time in which annulus formed. Annulus formation of O. mossambicus
at these small dams coincided with the onset of increased water temperature and
rainfall (increased water levels and increased water inflow into the dams) in this region.
Furthermore, the growth performance index (ϕ) of male O. mossambicus was higher
than that of female O. mossambicus in both Molepo Dam and Hout River Dam. The
study provides the first record of limnology baseline data of Molepo Dam and Hout
River DamNational Research Foundation (NRF) and
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF
The development of a user-friendly support programme for adolescents living with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Public Health)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022There has a significant rise in the number of HIV-infected adolescents who were missed as children and are diagnosed with perinatally acquired HIV as teenagers. In 2013, perinatally
acquired HIV was estimated at around 10 000 infections globally, a figure which ballooned to38 000 by 2017. Adolescents living with perinatal HIV experience emotional upheaval as a result of their positive HIV diagnosis, which is exacerbated by real or perceived negative effects
on their relationships, career, and family aspirations. They face the same challenges as other
adolescents, along with the added complexity of personal decisions relating to their sexual
conduct having a direct impact on the global cause to eradicate HIV/AIDS. An extensive body
of literature indicates a need for emotional and psychosocial support as existing management
focuses mainly on the physical aspects of infection and treatment.
Aim of the study
The aim of the study was to explore the challenges faced by adolescents living with perinatal
HIV infection and to evaluate the designed user-friendly support programme in response to
formative findings of the research in selected clinics and community health centres in the
Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province in South Africa.
Methodology
A mixed-methods sequential exploratory design was employed to fulfil the purpose of the study.
Data was collected in two phases. In qualitative phase- a total of 21 participants were
interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The sample was purposefully selected from
adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. In quantitative phase a total of 213 people participated in data
collection using a questionnaire. Thematic approach was used to analyse qualitative data using
Tesch’s eight steps of qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS
version 25. Descriptive statistics was used to explain and summarize data. Fischer’s test was
done to establish significance of association between alcohol used, condom use and between
age and gender.
The results
The results revealed that adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV face more challenges. They
had psychosocial, emotional and economic challenges more than their peers. The current
HIV/AIDS management and care has not yet recognised the specific needs these adolescents
have related to their care. They have been incorporated into the general adulthood HIV/AIDS
making their transition from childhood adolescence difficult. Suggestions for a mentor, and ARV
modification were made and a need for a support programme emerged as one of the major
theme