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A psychobiography of J.R.R Tolkien: exploring his psychological development and creativity
Full text linkThrough taking a psychobiographical approach, the researcher unpacked the life of John (J.R.R) Tolkien. He is considered an influential wordsmith of the twentieth century whose bestselling creative works have significantly influenced the field of literature and fantasy art. His life and mythology continue to captivate people from across the globe with many readers claiming on public forums that reading his books helped them through hardships and improved their mental health. A wealth of hundreds of letters, poetry, papers, and creative literature reflect Tolkien’s worldview, which provides insight into his personality development when unpacked through the lens of psychological theory. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory (1950, 1968) provides the framework for the analysis of various facets of Tolkien’s personality development within his sociocultural context. The research aimed to provide a detail-rich account of the subject’s whole lifespan and to foster a greater understanding of applied psychological theory. In this way, contributing to the field by unpacking ego strength development within a unique and creative individual, adding to the growing body of psychological research and improving the researcher’s professional and self-development. The findings confirm the applicability of Erikson’s theory to Tolkien’s life, yielding one perspective on his psychological development. Specific attention was given to Erikson’s eight stages and ego strength development, in which it was found that John developed virtues of hope, willpower, purpose, competence, fidelity, love and care. Evidence suggests that play, imagination, and the process of shared creativity offered an opportunity for stage conflict revisitation and resolution. The study of this unique life has proven meaningful in understanding individual factors and development, which hold clinical relevance in terms of theoretical case conceptualisation, perspective taking and professional growth.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 202
Lean-based guidelines for construction and demolition waste minimisation in Zimbabwe
Full text linkThe extremely poor image of the Zimbabwean Construction and Demolition Waste Management leading to the disposal of CDW in watercourses, on roadsides, open spaces, and landfills is well documented in existing literature and visible in various landscapes. Concerted efforts to proffer solutions to the problems of construction and demolition waste disposal have been marginal at best. After an in-depth and thorough literature review, it was established that lean construction approaches and the Theory of Planned Behaviour have been adopted in many different countries for the minimisation of construction and demolition waste. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop lean-based guidelines indicating how contractors should minimise construction and demolition wastes that have become a menace in Zimbabwe. Accordingly, action research, using a sequential, exploratory mixed-methods technique was utilised for the study. The data relating to construction waste, lean construction and the theory of planned behaviour were collected. In the first phase of data collection, the major, dominant, existing construction and demolition waste minimisation techniques and their effects on the environment, society and the construction client’s finances were explored. To achieve this aim, the data were collected using questionnaires administered to 320 construction practitioners and thoroughly tested for internal reliability using the statistical Cronbach’s Alpha. Subsequently, the data were analysed using thematic and descriptive statistics. The results showed that most construction and demolition waste is being dumped on roadsides, transported to landfills, dumped in water courses and used for filling potholes. In the second phase, data were collected during interviews and observations, and analysed thematically using content analysis. The results showed that the application of lean-based guidelines and the theory of planned behaviour could address the problems of construction and demolition waste, as long as extensive training and several well-known and simple techniques, such as recycling, re-use, continuous improvement and huddle meetings, are also integrated. Tax penalties and incentives should be introduced for contractors to encourage effective CDW management practices. Several barriers to the adoption of the lean-based guidelines were identified, including lack of finance, lack of knowledge, cultural issues, lack of designer involvement, and lack of favourable policy frameworks. In view of these findings, in-depth training, designing for lean construction, circular economy, sustainability frameworks, and favourable policy and approval of lean waste minimisation plans are recognised in the study as some of the best techniques for addressing the challenges.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 202
Financial education as a tool to promote financial inclusion of school leavers in Makhanda
Full text linkFinancial education is essential globally, yet it remains insufficient despite the efforts of countries to implement and provide it. South Africans, particularly school leavers, face challenges regarding understanding personal finance concepts such as saving, debt management, and budgeting. While financial education boosts literacy, studies indicate that financial education concepts are addressed by only a limited number of available programmes. Hence, by addressing the lack of financial education, school leavers can make informed financial choices. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of financial education as a tool to promote the financial inclusion of school leavers in Makhanda. Specifically, the study sought to identify the components of financial education, assess the financial education levels of school leavers, evaluate their financial inclusion levels, and examine the impact of financial education on their transition into active participation in the financial system. The study adopted an interpretivist research philosophy with an inductive approach to gain an in-depth understanding of participants' experiences and perceptions. A qualitative research design was utilised, with data collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with fourteen (14) school leavers in Makhanda. A purposive sampling method was applied to select participants, ensuring they met the study criteria. The collected data was thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights. The study findings revealed that school leavers lack financial confidence and access to affordable financial products. Essential skills such as budgeting and saving should be taught by schools and by family members. Additionally, there is a lack of practical applications in curricula to enhance financial literacy. The study recommends that the government, policymakers, business owners, mentors, educators, and parents or guardians should be involved in addressing these challenges. Additionally, the study recommended that financial education workshops and training for the low financially confident participants would help them to understand the fundamentals of saving, investing, and budgeting. It is recommended that schools collaborate withThesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 202
The asymmetric relationship between credit cycle and business cycle in South Africa
Full text linkUnderstanding the relationship between credit cycles and business cycles in South Africa is essential due to their significant impact on economic growth, financial stability, and employment. Given the country's history of financial volatility and structural economic challenges, analysing how private and public sector credit fluctuations influence business cycles provides crucial insights for policy formulation, risk management, and sustainable economic development. This study investigates the asymmetric relationship between credit cycles and business cycles in South Africa, focusing on both private and public sector credit. The objective is to understand how credit dynamics interact with business cycles and inform monetary and fiscal policies aimed at mitigating procyclicality and enhancing macroeconomic stability. To achieve this objective, this study used quarterly data from 1980Q1 to 2024Q1 from the South African Reserve Bank and employed the Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), Non-linear ARDL (NARDL), and Three-Regime Threshold ARDL (TARDL) models to analyse both long- and short-run dynamics. Stationarity tests, the Hodrick-Prescott filter for cyclical components, and the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman (BDS) test for nonlinearity were also applied. The key findings are that a strong long- and short-term relationship exists between credit and the business cycle in South Africa. Private sector credit significantly drives business cycle fluctuations, but its impact is temporary. Credit expansions are procyclical, boosting growth during upswings, while contractions deepen downturns. Public sector credit has a limited influence, with occasional countercyclical effects. Bidirectional causality between credit and the business cycle underscores the need for policy interventions to manage credit-driven volatility. The procyclical relationship between credit and business cycles amplifies economic vulnerabilities, threatening financial stability by creating feedback loops that may lead to defaults, liquidity crises, and widening income inequality as vulnerable groups face restricted access to credit. To mitigate these risks, policymakers must adopt countercyclical measures, such as tightening credit during booms and providing stimulus during recessions, while reinforcing regulatory frameworks to safeguard financial stability. Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancing South Africa’s economic and financial stability by addressing procyclical credit cycles. Key measures include strengthening countercyclical capital buffers for banks, establishing fiscal stabilization funds, and investing in advanced financial monitoring systems for timely interventions. Additionally, promoting financial literacy can help reduce over-indebtedness, encourage responsible borrowing, and foster long-term stability and inclusive growth.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
The role of ‘ulwaluko’ in the construction of masculine identity amongst amaXhosa males in South Africa
Full text linkThe Xhosa term "ulwaluko" describes an initiation ritual used for maturing boys into men. This includes circumcision and a time away in the mountains, where elder men teach boys what it means to be a man. According to Ntombana (2011), Ulwaluko is a rite of passage into manhood that entails the presenting of moral and societal ideals. These young men usually spend one or two weeks under the watchful supervision of their assigned traditional nurse, Ikhankatha. As a result, this study will identify and discuss the various stages that initiates go through as they complete their rite of passage into manhood. It is uncommon for certain initiates to face challenges throughout their rite of passage into manhood. According to News24 (2020), eleven initiates died in the Eastern Cape as a result of difficulties in initiation schools. Ayanda Nqeketo (2024) further reported that in year 2023, a total number of thirty-five families were saddened as their sons’ met deaths while undergoing Ulwaluko ritual. He added that in the same period of the previous year (2022), there were forty-six fatalities of newly initiates in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Furthermore, those who recovered from difficulties generate distress in communities since they are frequently criticized and marginalized, perceived as weak, because they used western medical treatment. Ntombana (2009), claims that this tradition has been around for over a millennium in the amaXhosa tribe however, some initiation schools have lost its cause and the intended purpose of moral teachings, it has instead been taken by less traditional elements. Therefore, this study aims to discover the purpose of Ulwaluko ritual in the building of the hegemonic and the subordinated masculinity type and the solidifying of 7 such identities as well as the psychological and emotional consequence of part taking in the Ulwaluko ritual.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 202
The influence of social responsibility on the transgenerational success of family businesses in South Africa
Full text linkIt is well documented that family businesses play a significant role in the global and South African economies. Despite the importance of these businesses, they are faced with high failure rates. One of the contributing factors to this high failure rate is their lack of social responsibility (SR) involvement. Several research studies show that SR is of utmost importance to any form of business, because when SR is implemented successfully into their business activities, these businesses tend to perform better than those who do not. Behaving in a socially responsible manner can increase a business’s competitive advantage (in strengthening their brand image, reputation and ongoing stakeholder involvement and commitment), ultimately leading to improved financial performance (by reducing costs and increasing revenue) and potential for transgenerational success. Therefore, this study investigates the family influence on the choice, implementation and outcomes of SR practices in successful transgenerational family businesses in South Africa. In this study, socioemotional wealth (SEW), the non-financial emotional remuneration earned when owning a family business, served as a proxy for family influence. The theory of SEW has been proven to be a reliable scientific lens to explain several family business phenomena (e.g. SR practices), due to its width and vigour. Furthermore, SEW was considered an appropriate theoretical perspective because as a theory it was developed from actual family business phenomena. The theory contends that the family’s efforts to make affective endowments (and increase their SEW) explain many of their strategic and operational business decisions. Therefore, it can be argued that, as with all decisions, family business decisions relating to why and how to engage in SR are greatly influenced by the extent to which the outcomes of those decisions contribute to increasing SEW. The research design and methodological framework commonly known as the “research onion” was used to describe the procedures followed and the choices made by the researcher when conducting the study. By positioning this research study in the interpretivism paradigm, it was possible to study a family in their own environment in order to gain a deeper understanding of the research topic at hand. In addition, an abductive approach to theory development was adopted in which a conceptual framework was developed from existing literature explaining the role of SEW (as a proxy for family influence) on the SR practices of family. A qualitative research method was chosen as it enabled the researcher to address the research objectives with strategies that provided a descriptive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. As the aim of this study was to investigate SR in a natural setting, namely successful transgenerational South African family businesses and to investigate how the family influences the choice and execution of SR practices, a case study research strategy was adopted. By using a multi-case study strategy, data collected from eight family businesses and 25 key informants were thematically analysed. Based on the practices adopted by the participating families and their family businesses, this study provides a holistic framework outlining how the family, through striving to uphold their values, protect their reputation and build relationships with stakeholders, as well as the operational and social context in which their businesses operate, influences their SR practices. Family business owners are provided with a comprehensive guideline to understand how their SR decisions influence both their financial and non-financial (social) performance outcomes and ultimately their transgenerational potential and success.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 202
Unsupervised encoding and extraction of video sequences using Beta-Variational autoencoders
No full textThis research addresses two significant challenges in sequential task understanding from video data: the requirement for extensive labelled data in supervised learning approaches and the need for specialised neural architectures to differentiate between highly similar states. This research proposes an unsupervised learning approach utilising a disentangled β-Variational Autoencoder (β-VAE) to identify and differentiate steps in sequential tasks without requiring labelled data. The approach was evaluated on both synthetic and real-world datasets of increasing complexity, demonstrating high accuracy in state identification (88-100%) using only eight training examples. The encoder network successfully reduced high-dimensional visual data to eightdimensional latent vectors, enabling effective comparison between current frames and expected task states (waypoints) extracted through unsupervised motion detection. Results show that the system can accurately identify task progression and detect deviations from expected sequences while maintaining robustness to moderate noise and environmental variations. This research contributes a practical solution for operator training and automated quality control in sequential tasks, significantly reducing the manual labelling burden while maintaining high accuracy in state identification and deviation detection.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 202
Evaluating peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles as an anti-cancer treatment using HT29 cells
Full text linkColorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health concern with rising incidence and mortality rates, with current treatments for advanced stages often limited by adverse effects and low specificity. The advancement of targeted nanotechnology offers a promising alternative. To investigate the efficacy of peptide-conjugated gold nanoparticles for the targeted treatment of CRC, c-AuNPs were synthesised using the Turkevich-Frens method and capped with various ligands to create BSA-AuNPs, PEG-AuNPs and p.14-PEG-AuNPs. The nanoparticles were characterised using UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cytotoxic potential of the nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT, fluorescent microscopy and electron microscopy with a primary focus on p.14-PEG-AuNPs. PEG-AuNPs and BSA-AuNPs were included for comparative purposes, and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) was used as the positive control. The results indicate successful synthesis and characterisation of BSA-AuNPs, PEG-AuNPs, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs with hydrodynamic sizes between 20 and 30 nm, and a core size of 14.455 ± 1.001 nm. Of the nanoparticles tested, p.14-PEG-AuNPs demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity. At 50 μg/mL, p.14-PEG-AuNPs reduced the cell viability to 59.83% ± 12.97%. Whereas a similar viability for PEG-AuNPs and BSA-AuNPs (56.64% ± 7.266% and 58.66% ± 0.517%) was only reached at much higher concentrations of 200 μg/mL and 150 μg/mL, respectively. Fluorescent microscopy analysis inferred that p.14-PEG-AuNPs and PEG-AuNPs treatments caused increased mitochondrial activity and chromatin condensation, which are common signs of apoptosis. Additionally, microscopy analysis of PEG-AuNPs treatment revealed morphological characteristics consistent with apoptosis. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of p.14-PEG-AUNPs as an anticancer agent for the treatment of CRC.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Life, Earth, Environmental & Agricultural Sciences Cluster, 202
Prevalence, associated risk factors and diagnostic biomarkers of schistosomiasis among school going children in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
Full text linkSchistosomiasis is a significant parasitic infection impacting children in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors, including knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), associated with schistosomiasis among school-going children aged 5 to 14 years in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), South Africa. Additionally, the research assessed the diagnostic efficacy of conventional and advanced methods to improve detection accuracy. Methods: A comprehensive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic biomarkers associated with schistosomiasis among school-going children aged 5–14 years in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The study was structured into three distinct phases: phase 1 included assessing risk factors and knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), phase 2 evaluated the prevalence of schistosomiasis, and phase 3 profiling diagnostic urinary biomarkers. In Phase 1, structured, close-ended, interview-administered questionnaires were used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, environmental risk factors, and KAP related to schistosomiasis. Data were analysed to identify factors influencing KAP and their associations with demographic and behavioural variables. In Phase 2, urine and stool samples were collected to diagnose urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis. Urine analysis involved the use of dipsticks to detect haematuria, followed by urine filtration to identify S. haematobium eggs. Haematuria-positive samples (2+ and 3+) underwent molecular diagnostics (cPCR) targeting the Dra1 repeat sequence for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) confirmation. Stool analysis focused on detecting S. mansoni infections using Kato-Katz and POC-CCA tests, with cPCR targeting the cox-1 gene performed on POC-CCA-positive samples to confirm S. mansoni. In Phase 3, urinalysis was conducted using Siemens Multistix 10SG dipsticks to measure urinary biomarkers such as proteins, leukocytes, bilirubin, ketones, and glucose. Correlations among these biomarkers were evaluated to explore their potential association with schistosomiasis. A total of 759 children (58% males, 42% females; mean age 11 ± 1.5 years) participated in the study. In Phase 1, the study revealed poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among participants, with only 11% demonstrating knowledge about schistosomiasis. Key risk factors included swimming (44%), living near water bodies (21.1%), using bush toilets (5.1%), lacking access to household tap water (4.3%), and fishing (0.3%). Knowledge scores were significantly influenced by gender (p = 0.015) and grade level (p = 0.045), with females scoring lower than males (β = -0.15; p = 0.018). Attitude (p = 0.023) and practice (p = 0.001) scores improved in higher grades, though children in grades 4–7 displayed fewer positive attitudes (β = 0.07; p = 0.038) and practices (β = 0.11; p = 0.001). Unawareness of disease transmission was associated with lower knowledge (β = -0.24; p = 0.091) and attitude scores (β = -0.22; p = 0.001). Using a neighbour’s toilet was linked to significantly lower knowledge (β = -0.55; p = 0.020). In Phase 2, haematuria was detected in 33.6% of urine samples, but traditional urine filtration identified only one egg-positive case (0.1%). Molecular diagnostics confirmed S. haematobium in 31.4% of haematuria-positive samples. For S. mansoni, no infections were detected using Kato-Katz, but POC-CCA indicated a prevalence of 3.2%, with 32.1% of these confirmed by cPCR. In Phase 3, haematuria (33.6%) was the most prevalent biomarker, followed by leukocytes (21.3%) and proteins (15%). Other biomarkers, including bilirubin and ketones, were detected at lower frequencies. A strong correlation was observed between haematuria and leukocytes. Conclusion: This multi-phase study highlights poor KAP and significant environmental risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission. Molecular diagnostics proved more sensitive than traditional methods in detecting schistosomiasis, emphasizing the underestimation of disease burden in lowtransmission settings. Urinalysis provided additional insights into biomarkers potentially linked to schistosomiasis, paving the way for targeted control measures and further research in endemic areas. This study highlights the limitations of traditional diagnostic techniques in lowtransmission settings, emphasizing the need for sensitive molecular methods like cPCR to detect low-intensity infections. The significant prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis identified through advanced diagnostics underscores ongoing transmission risks in NMB especially among school-going children. The findings stress the necessity for targeted educational programs to improve KAP, public health interventions tailored to mitigate risk factors, preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel and water sanitation and hygiene practices interventions among the school-going children in the study area. Urine reagent strips show promise as cost-effective initial screening tools, yet further validation with comprehensive diagnostics is recommended to enhance early detection and use in monitoring control efforts.Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 202
Students’ perceptions of online teaching at a private nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of online teaching within nursing education as part of a blended learning approach. While online teaching presents both advantages and challenges, it is crucial for nurse educators to understand students’ perceptions to implement strategies that enhance learning effectively. As a nurse educator at a private institution, the researcher observed concerning levels of student disengagement during online teaching, potentially impacting learning outcomes negatively. However, little is currently known about South African nursing students’ perceptions of online teaching at private nursing education institutions. Moreover, the institution under study lacks a formal policy or guidelines for implementing and facilitating online teaching. The study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of online teaching at a private nursing education institution to develop evidence-informed recommendations for improving online teaching practices. It is grounded in the connectivism and constructivism theories. The research involved undergraduate nursing students from a private institution in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design with both open- and closed-ended questions. Purposive sampling targeted a minimum of 59 students enrolled in the R171 Diploma in Nursing and R169 Higher Certificate in Nursing programmes. A total of 93 students participated, completing a self-administered questionnaire. A statistician assisted with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel, while the research supervisor guided thematic analysis of two open-ended questions. The questionnaire findings covered three main areas: demographic data and technological infrastructure, students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of online teaching modalities, technology, and instructional activities, and students’ perceptions of the online environment and support, including learning, educator engagement, academic and social self-perception, and the overall learning environment. The study developed three evidence-informed recommendations: implementation of online teaching with consideration for year of study and infrastructure, (2) effective use of teaching applications and instructional activities, and enhancement of the online learning environment and student support. Recommendations were developed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2012) seven-step process and reviewed by nurse educators, programme managers, e-learning specialists, and online teaching experts using the AGREE II tool. These recommendations aim to assist nurse educators in enhancing online teaching practices effectively.Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202