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A framework for information technology governance auditing in the South African local government: a case of Nkangala District Municipality
Full text linkService delivery in a municipal environment relies on correct information and the whole IT infrastructure that records, stores and distributes information. IT plays an imperative role in organisations and, over the years, IT has evolved such that it does not only make provision for transactional support, but it is also an enabler of competitive advantage for organisations. Advances in the utilisation of IT in different organisations has created a need for robust governance structures and processes. Information currently plays a critical part in the survival of organisations through their transition into the industrial economy. Therefore, the importance of Information Technology in organisations, including in municipalities, requires that it be governed appropriately through robust IT governance frameworks. Auditors are required to provide reasonable assurance on the IT governance processes and practices. However, the frameworks that can be utilised by auditors are generic and require adaptation for specific organisations. A certain degree of customisation is required to apply the IT governance audit framework. The objective of this study was to develop an IT governance audit framework (ITGAF) that will assist assurance providers in conducting assurance on the Nkangala District Municipality’s governance processes. Data was collected through a single questionnaire. The research study found that there were gaps in the IT value delivery as there were no requirements for development of business cases for IT investments and it was also not covered in the audit of IT governance. The study identified several good practices that were implemented for the IT strategic alignment aspect. The research study contributes to an improved audit coverage of IT governance through the ITGAF that clearly outlines aspects and sub-aspects that should be covered in an IT governance audit, furthermore it provides for a framework that can be used by other municipalities with little or no adaptation.Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Information Technology, 202
Increased access to electricity and economic growth in South Africa from 1994 to 2022
Full text linkThis study looks at the impact of electricity access on economic growth in South Africa from 1994 to 2022, noting differences between rural and urban areas. Prior to 1990, electricity was primarily available in urban areas, leaving rural and informal settlements underserved. Since the advent of democracy in 1994 and the earlier electrification programme, efforts have been made to improve access to electricity in these historically disadvantaged communities. Access increased from 34% of households in 1994 to more than 85% in 2018 and 90% by 2022, with notable gains in rural electrification. The study used an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and found that gross fixed capital formation and an effective labour force significantly impact economic growth. Access to electricity stimulates economic growth in both urban and rural areas but has a more pronounced impact in rural areas. In rural areas, electricity substantially enhances the quality of life, productivity, and business prospects. However, in urban areas, where electricity is more readily available, the economic effect is minimal with additional access. Higher electricity consumption per capita and rising electricity tariffs, on the other hand, have a negative impact on growth, highlighting the need for improved energy efficiency and cost management. Recommendations from the report emphasise the importance of targeted infrastructure investments and policy reforms for achieving balanced and long-term economic growth in rural and urban areas. In this regard, expansion of electricity access in rural areas should remain a priority, although with a focus on off-grid solutions over conventional grid expansion due to their cost-effectiveness and their practicality in remote rural areas.Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Vulnerability of marine macroalgae of the Port Elizabeth coast to marine heatwave events
Full text linkThis study aimed to analyse the vulnerability of marine macroalgae from the coastline of Algoa Bay to different marine heatwave scenarios. The occurrence, intensity, and duration of marine heatwaves (MHWs) have globally increased, with a concomitant increase in the damaging impacts caused by these extreme marine events. Among the coastal flora impacted are marine macroalgae. Analysis of historical data records of seawater temperatures for eight sites inside and along the outside of Algoa Bay was first conducted. The historical temperature regime and marine heatwaves from each site was analysed. Descriptions of the historical temperature and analysis of the characteristics of heatwaves was done. Along with the historical analysis, a mesocosm experiment designed to simulate different heatwave scenarios with increasing temperature up to 26 °C was used to determine thermal stress and potential recovery to the thermal stress events. The most dominant species of seaweeds from three selected sites were analysed for stress through photosynthetic efficiency measurements and chlorophyll a concentration quantification as indicators of stress and damage. The results found that the eights sites analysed were unique and no two adjacent sites were identical. Sites such as Noordhoek posed large risk to seaweed assemblages should heatwaves occur in this area and others, such as Cape Padrone, experience low heatwave intensities with long durations. Ulva spp., Stypopodium zonale, and Zonaria subarticulata showed high resilience to the different heatwave scenarios. Ulva spp. was particularly resilient to increased temperatures year-round in both the photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll a concentration. Amphiroa ephedraea was mildly impacted to heatwaves during summer, becoming brittle and decreased chl a. Plocamium corallorhiza was found to be severely impacted by the MHW scenarios investigated in this study. This study also serves as the first steps into marine heatwave research within Algoa Bay on the vulnerability of macroalgae to heatwaves and into understanding the thermal tolerance of macroalgae in and around Algoa Bay. Some of these species are vital as shelter, nurseries, ecosystem engineers, and vital to South Africa’s abalone industries.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 202
A model of the value provided by smartwatches related to physical activity
Full text linkAdopting smartwatches for personal physical activity (PA) management has become a popular trend. Prior research has investigated the factors that impact the continued usage of smartwatches. However, studies have yet to focus on the value that smartwatches provide to their users, the factors that impact smartwatch value and the data management (DM) techniques that enable the collection of PA data. DM techniques and frameworks usually relate to Internet of Things (IoT), wearable, or smartwatch datasets. However, these techniques and frameworks do not provide sufficient detail related to the specific techniques and standard practices to manage smartwatch PA data, the value provided by the smartwatches related to PA and the factors influencing the value experienced by the end-users. Data management ensures that value is derived from data; in this case, PA data collected by smartwatches. The research attempts to answer the main research question: What value is provided by smartwatches related to the physical activity of users? Three research objectives guided the study: (1) Determine the factors that influence the value that smartwatches provide to users relevant to their PA; (2) Evaluate the success and value that smartwatch platforms provide related to the DM techniques of PA data and (3) Investigate the value that smartwatches provide to users related to their PA data. A mixed-method approach using the Framework for an Integrated Methodology (FraIM) was used to collect the data for this study. A combination of quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (narrative) data was collected to assist in determining the factors that impact smartwatch value and how PA data in smartwatches is managed. The numerical data was collected using online surveys and PA data that was collected autonomously from participant smartwatches over a 28-day period. The narrative data was collected from secondary sources and analysed using document and comparative analyses of the smartwatch manufacturers’ documents and websites. The Smartwatch Value Model (SVM) for PA was developed based on underlying theoretical frameworks related to continued usage intention models for smartwatches. The model consists of five constructs: Demographics, Smartwatch Usage, PA, Smart Device Features and Value; and illustrates how the first four impact the fifth construct, Value, which is provided by smartwatches for PA. Value is further classified into utilitarian, hedonic and social value. The SVM was evaluated using document and comparative analysis for the narrative data, and statistical methods for the numerical data.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Science, School of Mathematical & Computational Sciences Cluster, 202
Mature nursing students’ experiences of psychosocial support from significant others while studying at a private nursing education institution
Full text linkMany men or women who enter private and public nursing education institutions are mature students who have multiple roles, such as being parents, partners, spouses, and carers. They have to divide their attention and energy between their existing roles and the academic requirements to obtain their qualification. Adaptation, support, and cooperation of their significant others is therefore necessary. Nurses are the largest portion of the health workforce across the world; thus the shortage of nurses in the health workforce is a major concern. Nursing education institutions have to support students effectively to reduce attrition from courses and ensure that skilled competent professionals enter the healthcare workforce. This requires an understanding of the factors that influence students’ academic engagement and success in nursing training. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of mature nursing students regarding the psychosocial support provided to them by significant others with the intention of using the information to make recommendations for nursing education institutions to enhance the psychosocial support of mature nursing students. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design, with purposive sampling and semi-structured in-depth interviews, were used as the research method. Rich data was collected on two campuses of a private nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape. The researcher provided an in-depth discussion of the findings and validated the participants’ accounts with verbatim quotes. She also placed the findings in current literature related to the topic. All ethical principles and aspects to ensure trustworthiness were upheld during the study. Five main themes emerged from the data: Theme one related to the emotional support students received from their significant others. Theme two addressed the different forms of financial support that students received form their significant others. Theme three described the instrumental support significant others provided. Theme four described the coping mechanisms students developed, and theme five described the suggestions students made to enhance their educational experience. Recommendations for the private nursing college were derived from the findings and evidence-based research about the topic. The three primary recommendations were as follows: PNEI to develop strategies to facilitate the psychosocial support of students by nurse educators. PNEI to develop strategies to assist students in managing their workloads. 3) PNEI to include significant others in college orientation programs to facilitate their understanding of the students’ needs. Limitations of the study were identified, and general recommendations were made with regard to improving nursing practice, nursing education, and future research.Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
Financial implication of down referred patients at primary healthcare facilities in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
Full text linkThe appropriate allocation of health budgets in the levels of care in a district health system is often controversial, and with constant increases in the cost of medicine, it is well known that the expenditure on medicine accounts for an appreciable proportion of these costs. The movement and supply of medication in the down referral process from higher-level health facilities to primary health care are addressed in the Referral Policy for South African Health Services. The Nelson Mandela Bay Health District is unique in that there is no district hospital in Gqeberha with a medicine budget that is able to support primary health care in rendering Level 1 health care services to the community through the provision of Level 1 medicines and additional higher-level medicines for patients referred from higher levels of care. The primary aim of the study was to determine the financial implications of the down referral system on Primary Health Care in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District by quantifying the cost of Level 1 medicines. The study was conducted as a quantitative, retrospective, non-experimental study, comprising a research design framework that adopted aspects of drug utilisation and pharmacoeconomics to achieve the research aim. Data was collected over a two-month period, April and May 2023. The total cost of the Level 1 medicines issued by PHC for the down referred patients, amounted to 13% and 14% of the entire PHC medicine budget, respectively. While South Africa moves toward the implementation of a National Health Insurance system that is designed to reform how health is financed, the results of the study revealed that, as a health care intervention, the down referral system placed additional pressure on an already constrained primary health care medicine budget and was a contributing factor to over expenditure.Thesis (MPharm) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
Exploring principles for translating vulgar lexical items from English to Sepedi in literary texts and fictional films
Full text linkThis study explores translation principles for effectively rendering vulgar lexical items from English to Sepedi, with a focus on strategies and procedures applied in literary texts and fictional films. It investigates how linguistic and cultural competence contribute to achieving functional equivalence while preserving Sepedi’s stylistic and cultural integrity. Drawing on functional equivalence and the Skopos theory, the research examines strategies such as direct and oblique methods and procedures including cultural substitution, euphemistic expression, neutralisation and semantic modulation. The study contextualises vulgarity within the Bapedi culture, where principles of mutual respect and adherence to social norms often require careful handling of offensive language. It addresses the challenges of authentically translating vulgar expressions while respecting cultural sensitivities, particularly in a globalised context where the prevalence of vulgar lexical items in media and literature continues to grow. Using a multi-case study design, the research analyses examples of vulgar lexical items in various literary genres and film subtitles. Through comparative analysis and translation with commentary it identifies shortcomings in existing translations, such as over-reliance on euphemism or neutralisation, which can dilute meaning and emotional impact. The findings highlight the importance of balancing cultural appropriateness with the source text's intended meaning to maintain its functional equivalence. This study contributes to translation studies by offering a robust framework for translating culturally sensitive content in ways that respect both the source and target cultures. It advances practical translation methodologies for subtitling, literary translation and educational materials, supporting the preservation of Sepedi and aligning with South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and constitutional goals of language equality. The research underscores the translator’s pivotal role in bridging linguistic and cultural divides, providing critical insights into the complexities of translating vulgar lexical items while fostering the growth and standardisation of South Africa’s indigenous languages.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 202
The career development of Walt Disney: a psychobiography
Full text linkThe concept of career development has evolved over the years. This evolution has brought about multiple theoretical frameworks that share characteristics that were designed to achieve the same purpose. In an attempt to alleviate the use of multiple theoretical frameworks, especially stage-based frameworks, that serve the same purpose, the Career Development Framework was created. The Career Development Framework is a synthesised theoretical framework created from the developmental tasks and the career development views from three existing frameworks. Through the application of the psychobiographical approach, the Career Development Framework lens was utilised to explore, describe and interpret Walt Disney’s career development. Disney was noted to have engaged in multiple jobs, roles, and responsibilities throughout his career, some of which were engaged in simultaneously. He was also noted to have aggressively committed to career goal attainment even at the expense of his health and relationships. The findings demonstrated the complex career of an entrepreneur who spent the majority of his life forging a career that garnered recognition and respect from the entertainment industry as well as the world. Even though Disney began working in his late teens, he only attained success, respect and recognition after the success of Disneyland in 1955. However, his joy and satisfaction were short-lived as he succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 65. In his quest for greatness, Disney faced many challenges and overcame many obstacles. As a result, his career behaviours reflected an individual who engaged in numerous developmental tasks across multiple phases consistently and simultaneously. This finding therefore suggested that his career developed in a non-linear manner. Despite several challenges, the study yielded valuable findings. Through the use of the Career Development Framework, the psychobiographical study on Disney’s career development inferred that career is a unique experience for each individual and therefore develops in a unique manner. It also alluded to the finding that a set number of tasks and a rigid view on career development can fail to illustrate the career development of an individual holistically. Moreover, the study found that individuals engage in behaviours that are shaped by their experiences, thus not all tasks are relevant to every individual. Therefore, it is inferred that incomplete tasks and tasks not attempted, do not necessarily have negative outcomes. Likewise, the successful completion of tasks does not necessarily result in positive outcomes. Thus, through the use of the Career Development Framework, Disney’s career behaviours and development allude to his legacy and his status as an extraordinary individual who impacted the lives of many. While this is the first psychobiographical study to use the Career Development Framework, the study supports the view that a synthesised framework is more beneficial. Therefore, the researcher recommends further use of the theoretical framework on various extraordinary individuals, across an array of careers.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 202
Evaluating the Kenya health policy 2014-2030: towards equity and financial protection
Full text linkThe government of Kenya in 2014 developed and implemented the Kenya Health Policy 2014-2030 to improve the welfare of its citizens. This was done through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that was piloted from December, 2018 to December 2019 in Nyeri, Kisumu, Isiolo and Machakos Counties in Kenya. These were the counties with a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), communicable diseases (CDs), poverty rates and accidents and injuries respectively. In February 2022 the government rolled out UHC targeting the elderly, as well as infants which was only 3.9 % and 12.8 % of the total population respectively. This was done without first evaluating the impact of the pilot. Literature shows that the achievement of UHC is quite elusive in Kenya. The study evaluated the design, implementation and impact of the Policy on equity and financial protection in piloted (Machakos and Kisumu) and non-piloted counties (Nakuru and Busia). The study also a baseline comparative analysis of the equity and financial protection in the sampled counties, establish the impact of the policy on the equity and financial protection in 2018-2019 (post analysis) and finally determined the cost effectiveness of equity and financial protection by comparing the cost of the health outcomes in the study counties. Exploratory and cross-sectional designs using both qualitative and quantitative data guided by the theory of change and logic model were used. The study used both secondary data from the Kenya Health Expenditure and Utilisation Survey (KHHEUS) (2018) and from primary survey data of 591 households in both piloted and non-piloted counties. Purposive, cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study Counties. The qualitative data collected was analysed thematically through content analysis. The quantitative data was analysed descriptively and through the use of inferential statistics (logistic regression and zero truncated model). Health outcomes measured by number of visits (Access) and catastrophic health expenditures were subjected to propensity score matching and incremental cost effectiveness ratio computed. The findings indicated that the life expectancy increased from 60 to 63 years in 2021-2022. There was a reduction in the prevalence of CDs such as Malaria from 4.3% in 2021 to 3.7% in 2023, and HIV from 11.4% in 2021 to 5.8% in 2023. Injuries reduced by 1.9%, maternal mortality as well as infant and under five mortality rates reduced with an increased uptake of antenatal care services. However, prevalence of NCDs increased from 39% in 2020 to 44% in 2023. Baseline analysis revealed that households in the piloted Counties had relatively more hospital visits and a reported lower percentage of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). Propensity score matching revealed that the treated Counties had a statistically significant greater number of hospital visits as compared to the control Counties. There was statistically significant difference in the number of households in the control Counties that suffered CHE as compared to the treatment Counties. Lastly, the incremental cost effectiveness ratio revealed that to improve on the number of visits by 1%, the government should invest an additional of Ksh 1,225.87 million in Kisumu. Equally, to reduce the number of households likely to suffer CHE by 1%, the government should invest additional Ksh 80.775 and 165.82 million in Kisumu and Machakos respectively. The study revealed that UHC played a vital role in influencing hospital utilisation and cushioned households against CHE. The study recommends that 100% inclusivity in any government social heath insurance is necessary in order to reduce CHE among households. In addition, to enhance equity, the government should invest more in healthcare human resource and infrastructure across the Counties.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
The influence of psychological capital on the work engagement of employees selling insurance in South Africa
Full text linkEmployees who sell insurance work in a challenging work environment. Job demands include having to recruit and convince potential clients to buy insurance products so that the employees are able to achieve sales targets. Employees who sell insurance face diverse people and are often subjected to rejection and criticism. These demanding work-related conditions can result in stress, burnout, a lack of job satisfaction, and a decrease in productivity; with these issues impacting both the employee and the organisation. The concepts of psychological capital (PsyCap) and work engagement offer valuable insight into how employees can not only cope with a stressful work environment but also thrive in a high-pressure environment. Both constructs have been applied in research in various work settings in South Africa, but not in the insurance industry. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate PsyCap among employees who sell insurance in South Africa and to determine how it influences their work engagement. A non-experimental research design, specifically a correlational and descriptive design, was used for this study. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling were employed in the study, with 113 respondents completing an online questionnaire as the data-collecting tool. The Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) was used to measure PsyCap and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) was used to measure work engagement among the sample of employees who sell insurance in South Africa. The study found that the respondents had high levels of PsyCap and experienced work engagement. Furthermore, the study found a positive relationship between PsyCap and work engagement, with PsyCap being a predictor of work engagement. It was evident that the respondents used their personal resources to cope with job demands and that this led to work engagement. Future research can consider personal resources other than PsyCap that employees can use to deal with high job demands.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 202