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University community partnerships for climate change adaptation in Malawi: a human development perspective
No full textThesis(Ph.D.(Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023Although higher education can play a catalytic role in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action), there is less attention given to the role of universities in achieving climate adaptation through partnerships with local communities. In the Malawian context, universities have been credited for partnering with local communities as a pathway towards designing context-specific climate adaptation strategies. For instance, five of the six universities in Malawi are recognised by the government as actively engaged in climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives. However, despite these partnerships, there is a lack of evidence on what they look like in practice, what they can achieve, and whether they create an enabling environment for advancing strategies that are driven by local communities and that advance community well-being. Community well-being is conceptualised from the human development approach as the ultimate goal of development, where communities can be or do what they value in order to flourish. Drawing from the human development paradigm, this study investigates how universities contribute to improving vulnerable communities' adaptation to climate change in Malawi through university-community partnerships. Data from this qualitatively-designed case study of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. University lecturers (10), support staff (2), third-year students (10), community members (18), policymakers (4) and climate change experts (2) participated in this study.
The findings show that university-community partnerships in Malawi, and in Africa more broadly, have the potential to positively influence how global development challenges such as climate change are defined, understood, and addressed in ways that are contextually sensitive. The findings also offer contrasting and critical views, suggesting that while partnerships can enhance sustainable community well-being, they seldom achieve this. This is because partnerships can stimulate innovative ideas for adaptation strategies and capacitate university and community members to broaden opportunities for generating income and to widen their skill set for addressing climate change, but they do not offer adequate space for bottom-up initiatives or allow for inclusive decision-making. These partnerships also tend to advance university interests at the expense of creating more equitable outcomes for local communities. Thus, the study considers what university-community partnerships might look like if they were to be more inclusive and equitable. It identifies four key dimensions of a human development-centred framework: 1) equitable relationships; 2) inclusive decision-making; 3) streamlining resource efficiency; and 4) sustainable community well-being. The study further makes a case for harnessing the role of bounded agency across the four dimensions, as structural and institutional arrangements can affect the interplay of individual motivations for undertaking interventions. Drawing from this framework, implications for the initiation and implementation of future university-community partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa are considered
Analysing the three-fold relationship between corruption, socio-economic rights and social justice in South Africa
No full textDissertation(LL.M (Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law))--University of the Free State, 2023This study analyses the three-fold relationship between corruption, socio-economic rights, and social justice in South Africa. This analysis consists of a review of three concepts and the relationship between these concepts in a South African context. Referred to as the three core concepts, the research problem that this study addresses and the research questions that emanate from it revolve categorically around (a) corruption, specifically governmental corruption; (b) human rights, specifically socio-economic rights; and (c) social justice. The aim of this study is two-fold. First, this study aims to combine academic comprehension of these core concepts.
This study's second and overriding aim is to establish how these concepts relate, this second aim relates directly to the objective of this study which is to analyse the three-fold relationship between corruption, socio-economic rights, and social justice in South Africa. To establish this three-fold relationship between these concepts, each concept is investigated in terms of its attributed meanings, suggested consequences, assigned obligations, and debated achievement views. This investigation is done by analysing ample differing academic views.
As it relates to the first core element of this study, corruption within government in South Africa is probed with the objective possibly to show its extent and gravity as its existence is well documented. The consequences of corruption within government are elucidated due to their potential contribution to understanding this element's role within this three-fold relationship. A commonly suggested consequence of corruption within government is that it adversely affects the fulfilment of human rights. To understand whether anything is undermining human rights fulfilment in South Africa, an assessment of the respect, protection, promotion, and fulfilment of human rights is applicable. Regarding the evaluation of human rights, the scope of this study is limited to the assessment of two socio-economic rights recognised in the , 1996 ( ). Note below the applicable sections of the that guarantee these rights and the limitations of this study.
Sections 27(1)(a)-(c) of the guarantee the following socio-economic rights: (a) everyone has the right to access healthcare (including reproductive healthcare), (b) everyone has the right to access to sufficient food and water, and (c) everyone has the right to access to social security. This study is limited to assessing the right to access healthcare as contained in Section 27(1)(a). This assessment includes the evaluation of the availability of pre-exposed HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) medications for mother-to-child transmission, including nevirapine, but excludes the evaluation of reproductive healthcare. The space limitation of this study does not allow for this subset of rights to be addressed.
Section 29 of the guarantees that everyone has the right: (a) to basic education, including adult basic education and (b) to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible. This study is limited to assessing the right to a basic education as contained in Section 29(a). This assessment excludes the evaluation of adult basic education due to the space limitation of this study. Therefore, the assessment of corruption within government in national departments in South Africa focuses on the Department of Health and the Department of Education as these departments are arguably the national departments responsible for enabling the realisation of the rights contained in Sections 27(1)(a) and 29(a) of the .
Considering modernity and the aim of providing an updated viewpoint, it must be acknowledged that governments have ever changing variables, when assessing a government, ongoing changes and challenges must be considered. The inclusion of current events does this. Befittingly, corruption in state-owned enterprises as it relates to the investigation into state capture in South Africa carried out by the , , (the Zondo Commission) is included because it is the most recent investigation into corruption within government in South Africa. The findings of the Zondo Commission are included to demonstrate that it is not only corruption in national departments that has a potential plummeting effect on government funding in South Africa. Arguably, it is also corruption in state-owned enterprises that erodes the availability of government resources.¹ Although there are other variables that impact the availability of government resources this study is limited to the assessment of the above mentioned.
Given the last core element of this study, the conceptual idea of social justice and what is believed to be necessary to achieve social justice is analysed to understand whether it is possible to achieve social justice in South Africa if socio-economic rights are not respected, protected, promoted, and fulfilled for everyone. An idea of social justice is to see all people be equal under the law and have equal opportunities to develop their potential.² Social justice includes the fair distribution of rights, resources, and opportunities.³ The achievement of social justice within a society is necessary because its potential to enable and promote human rights fulfilment including the fulfilment of socio-economic rights, redress injustices, ensure equality, create opportunities and an overall better standard of living.
“I Mainly Rely on the Textbook:” a call for teacher enhancement in agricultural sciences
No full textUniversities play a crucial role in teachers' professional development. This study aims to examine the following research question: How can universities enhance the teaching of agricultural sciences in schools? Previous research has focused on the university’s collaboration with stakeholders, such as parents, to enhance teaching, but without a specific focus on the teaching of agricultural sciences. In response to this question, a transformative theoretical framework anchors this study. This study employed a participatory action research design involving focus group discussions to determine the need for improving the teaching of agricultural sciences. Eleven participants were involved in this research, and pseudonyms were used to ensure privacy and protect their identities. The study findings from the three schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District of the Free State Province, included in the study, revealed that there is an inability to meet curriculum requirements, accompanied by a reluctance to implement continuous professional teacher development. The findings emphasize the need for extended university involvement in the implementation of teacher development policies to address the teachers’ needs.Publisher's versio
Exploring guidelines to improve the existence and efficay of whole school evaluation at a Free State secondary school
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Education Leadership and Management))--University of the Free State, 2023The study was aimed at exploring the guidelines to improve the implementation of whole-school evaluation (WSE) at Free State secondary schools. The study is underpinned by socio-constructivist theory and collaboration theory, as hybrid theoretical frameworks. The two hybrid theoretical frameworks were chosen for their support of stakeholder collaboration in addressing the social challenges that impact communities. The study is located in interpretivism as a research paradigm, which gives a voice to a range of participants’ subjective beliefs and lived experiences. A qualitative approach underpinned by the interpretive paradigm was utilised to explore the perceptions of the stakeholders regarding the implementation of the whole-school evaluation guidelines. The study was located in participatory action research design to prioritise an ownership of the research project by the stakeholders. A purposive sample of twelve participants selected from one secondary school in the Motheo District, Free State province was utilised. Individual probes and the focus group discussions were used to generate data. The findings reveal an inadequate application of WSE guidelines and minimal training, poor commitment, lack of parental involvement in policy implementation and an inadequate funding from the trusted stakeholders in positions of authority as sources of underperformance in the implementation of the whole-school evaluation guidelines. It is recommended that stakeholder collaboration and social interactions that encompass motivation, teamwork, empowerment and critical reflection be adhered to at the school to ensure effective implementation of the WSE guidelines
Capacity of extension and advisory services in supporting farmers to adapt to climate change in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Sustainable Agriculture))--University of the Free State, 2023This study investigates the capacity-building needs of agricultural extension practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, focusing on their awareness and understanding of climate change and their ability to effectively communicate climate change adaptation strategies to smallholder farmers. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions, to gather data from a sample of 126 extension practitioners and managers selected using random sampling. The findings reveal that while most practitioners are aware of climate change and its impacts on agriculture, there are significant knowledge gaps due to limited formal and informal training on climate change. Furthermore, the study identifies a lack of capacity-building initiatives, with the majority of practitioners (80.2%) having never received formal or informal climate change training. The study highlights the need for a coordinated strategy for capacity-building and climate change adaptation to enhance practitioners' understanding and communication skills. Additionally, the study explores farmers' perceptions of extension practitioners' capacities related to climate change adaptation. Data from 175 farmers indicate that 72.6% perceive practitioners as knowledgeable about climate change and value the information they receive from them. Farmers also emphasize the importance of technical climate knowledge and continuous training for practitioners. The study recommends regular engagement with practitioners, ongoing training focusing on technical skills, and renewed attention to the management and education of indigenous knowledge. Furthermore, the study examines the channels used by extension practitioners to deliver services and the factors influencing the use of these channels. It finds that 60.3% of practitioners prefer interpersonal channels for communication, such as in-person visits and farmer-to-farmer interactions, over mass media and ICTs. The study suggests expanding written communication as a source of information and using mass media as communication channels to enhance practitioners' preparedness for climate change communication. Overall, the study underscores the need for targeted capacity-building initiatives, ongoing training, and improved communication channels to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change in the Eastern Cape Province. These findings have important implications for policy and practice, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development and training for extension practitioners to effectively address climate change challenges in agriculture
Birds of a feather flock together: a dataset for Clock and Adcyap1 genes from migration genetics studies
No full textBirds in seasonal habitats rely on intricate strategies for optimal timing of migrations. This is governed by environmental cues, including photoperiod. Genetic factors affecting intrinsic timekeeping mechanisms, such as circadian clock genes, have been explored, yielding inconsistent findings with potential lineage-dependency. To clarify this evidence, a systematic review and phylogenetic reanalysis was done. This descriptor outlines the methodology for sourcing, screening, and processing relevant literature and data. PRISMA guidelines were followed, ultimately including 66 studies, with 34 focusing on candidate genes at the genotype-phenotype interface. Studies were clustered using bibliographic coupling and citation network analysis, alongside scientometric analyses by publication year and location. Data was retrieved for allele data from databases, article supplements, and direct author communications. The dataset, version 1.0.2, encompasses data from 52 species, with 46 species for the Clock gene and 43 for the Adcyap1 gene. This dataset, featuring data from over 8000 birds, constitutes the most extensive cross-species collection for these candidate genes, used in studies investigating gene polymorphisms and seasonal bird migration.Publisher's versio
Corporate governance and corporate collapse: the failure of Steinhoff
No full textThesis(LL.D.(Laws))--University of the Free State, 2023This research will evaluate the corporate governance practices of Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. from December 2017, when the scandal started, until 30 April 2023. The assessment contains several newspaper articles that reflected the timeline of the events as they unfolded. The annual reports of Steinhoff are the most important documents that were produced by the company reflecting the corporate governance policy and practices during a specific financial year.
The research aims to examine the role of corporate governance measures in South African company law to prevent future corporate collapses. The failure of Steinhoff International N.V.¹ ("Steinhoff") will serve as a case study to indicate the success or failure of corporate governance measures in South Africa. This study investigates corporate governance and the board of directors’ responsibilities in South African companies with specific reference to Steinhoff to investigate whether the directors of Steinhoff fulfilled these responsibilities. Therefore, the thesis's primary objective is to investigate and evaluate corporate governance measures and interventions in order to determine why the measures do not prevent corporate collapses. Secondly, the thesis aims to evaluate legislation and other measures in South Africa, Germany, Australia and the United States of America to make recommendations for preventing future corporate catastrophes. The global corporate governance failures were severe. It seems as if fraud and corruption may be the major sources of these corporate collapses. In most instances, there is either the active involvement of the directors and managers in these fraudulent or corrupt practices, or there is either a negligent or even intentional failure to act by directors to prevent these activities.
The study shows that the prevention of corporate failure remains a complex endeavour. Legislation, codes of conduct, structures, and processes cannot resolve all problems on their own. The ethical and responsible behaviour of company directors, managers, and officers is crucial. Regardless of the outcome of any legal proceedings, the collapse of Steinhoff demonstrates the crucial role of the companies’ board, company secretary, auditors, directors, shareholders, and other stakeholders in assuring compliance with all applicable legislation and it operates with integrity and transparency. I believe that, similar to Enron, Steinhoff will become the new benchmark for corporate governance failures
Numerical groundwater modelling as a tool to quantify shallow aquifer water ingress through mining-related open voids
No full textDissertation (M.Sc.(Geohydrology))--University of the Free State, 2023The quantification of water ingress volumes and rates from different aquifer systems through open voids can aid in related studies concerning water quality, decanting potential, and stability evaluations especially in areas where historic mining has played a significant role in altering the groundwater environment. The objective of the research and approach is to evaluate if numerical groundwater modelling can be used as a tool to quantify ingress rates from shallow aquifer systems during rapid recharge events when these aquifer systems become saturated and water seeps through individual mine related open voids on a regional scale, eventually reaching historic mining infrastructure and deeper hard rock aquifers.
A case study that focused on the East Rand Basin was used to evaluate if numerical modelling can be used to produce quantified ingress rates from shallow aquifer systems through mine-related open voids. The East Rand Basin has a rich history of mine related activities which still has a large influence on the regional aquifer systems.
The research included gathering spatial and site-specific data required to construct and represent a numerical groundwater model in FEFLOW groundwater modelling software. The representative model was used to simulate a scenario that included monthly rainfall records that indicated elevated rainfall events and applied as time dependant recharge to the shallow aquifer systems identified along the Blesbokspruit and associated tributaries. The mapped mine-related open voids that fell within the shallow aquifers systems were assigned as discrete features to represent open voids leading to the mapped historic underground mine workings. The simulation included hydraulic head raises with each consecutive rainfall event to saturate the shallow aquifer systems and the ingress rates were recorded at each individual open void.
The outcome of the numerical modelling assessment proved that ingress rates can be quantified with results indicating that a maximum of 12 000 m³/d can flow from the shallow aquifer systems during heavy rainfall events through 33 (out of 69) mapped open voids. The results were compared to a similar study (Waal, 2013), that indicated a good comparison in inflow rates. The model illustrated that roughly 16% of surface-related water (including ingress through shallow aquifer systems) could come from 46% of mine related open voids.
Numerical groundwater modelling proved to be a valuable tool to quantify ingress rates from aquifer systems through open voids, however data availability and data quality add major limitations to the result accuracy and model confidence
Competency-based education and training for technical and vocational education training in Namibia: an evaluation of the technical teacher training programme
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Higher Education Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023Since 2008, with the establishment of the Namibia Training Authority (NTA), there has been an unprecedented focus on vocational education and training (VET) in the country. The establishment of the NTA reflects the government's commitment to addressing issues such as high youth unemployment, economic struggles, and the need for (re)industrialisation as well as revitalising the economy through technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Quality TVET depends heavily on the competencies and performance of TVET teachers, trainers, and instructors, which includes their theoretical knowledge, technical and pedagogical skills, and positive attitudes as well as staying up to date with new technologies in the workplace. Recognising the need for competent TVET teachers in a knowledge-based society undergoing technological transformation is crucial to producing skilled artisans and craftsmen in the country. This research addressed this gap by reconsidering the training and competence of TVET teachers in technical settings through assessing the adequacy, appropriateness, effectiveness and relevance of the DTVT qualification in training vocational teachers and trainers in Namibia. Bridging this gap is essential for TVET teachers to effectively prepare students and trainees for the world of work and the demands of the modern workforce. This new approach requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and it is acknowledged that many TVET teachers currently lack these integrated abilities, which confirms the study’s relevance and contemporariness.
The study conducted in Namibia used a qualitative phenomenological case study approach to evaluate the DTVT programme offered at NUST. This approach was selected due to its ability to provide in-depth insights into the lived experiences within the TVET context, enabling a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. To guide its activities, the study adopted a dual theoretical framework that focused on Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) model and the Capability Approach (CA). These models aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TVET teacher training programme’s effectiveness and to identify areas for improvement.
By using these evaluation frameworks and conducting further research, the study aims to identify strategies and recommendations to transform TVET teachers’ education in Namibia. The ultimate goal is to either enhance, amend, or replace the existing programme to transform and equip TVET teachers with the necessary skills to effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Overall, this study emphasises the importance of TVET in addressing Namibia’s socioeconomic challenges and highlights the need to invest in quality TVET teachers to ensure the successful transformation of the TVET industry in the country. Two of the major findings were DTVT programme was inappropriate as it was not preparing student-teachers to effectively fulfil the demands of a dual profession. This encompassed the necessity for them to possess both practical/technical skills, and a comprehensive understanding of methodological approaches as well as work integrated learning (WIL) that affected its appropriateness.
___________________________________________________________________Sedert 2008, met die totstandkoming van die Namibiese Opleidingsowerheid (NTA), is daar ’n ongekende fokus op beroepsonderrig en opleiding (VET) in dié land. Die totstandkoming van die NTA weerspieël die regering se verbintenis om kwessies soos hoë jeugwerkloosheid, ekonomiese probleme en die behoefte aan (her)industrialisering aan te pak, asook om die ekonomie deur tegniese en beroepsonderrig en opleiding (TVET) te laat herleef. Die gehalte van TVET hang baie af van die bevoegdhede en prestasie van TVET-onderwysers, -opleiers en -instrukteurs, wat hul teoretiese kennis, tegniese en pedagogiese vaardighede en positiewe houdings insluit, asook om op hoogte te bly met nuwe tegnologie in die werkplek. Die erkenning van die behoefte aan bekwame TVET-onderwysers in ’n kennisgebaseerde samelewing wat tegnologiese transformasie ondergaan, is noodsaaklik om geskoolde ambagslui en vakmanne in die land op te lei.
Hierdie navorsing het hierdie leemte uitgelig deur die opleiding en bevoegdheid van TVET-onderwysers in tegniese omgewings te heroorweeg deur die toereikendheid, toepaslikheid, doeltreffendheid en relevansie van die DTVT-kwalifikasie in die opleiding van beroepsonderwysers en -opleiers in Namibië te assesseer. Om hierdie gaping te kan oorbrug is noodsaaklik vir TVET-onderwysers om studente en leerlinge doeltreffend te kan voorberei vir die arbeidswêreld en die eise wat aan die moderne arbeidsmag gestel word. Hierdie nuwe benadering vereis ’n kombinasie van teoretiese kennis en praktiese vaardighede en daar word erken dat baie TVET-onderwysers tans nie oor hierdie geïntegreerde vermoëns beskik nie, wat die navorsing se relevansie en eietydsheid bevestig. Die navorsing wat in Namibië uitgevoer is, het ’n kwalitatiewe fenomenologiese gevallestudiebenadering gebruik om die DTVT-program te evalueer wat by NUST aangebied word. Hierdie benadering is gekies vanweë sy vermoë om in-diepte insigte te verskaf oor die geleefde ervaringe binne die TVET-konteks, wat ’n genuanseerde en omvattende begrip moontlik maak van die verskynsel wat ondersoek word. Om sy aktiwiteite te stuur het die navorsing ’n dubbele teoretiese raamwerk aangeneem wat gefokus het op die Konteks-, Inset-, Proses- en Produk- (CIPP)-model en die Bekwaamheidsbenadering (CA).
Hierdie modelle het ten doel om ’n omvattende begrip van die TVET-onderwyseropleidingsprogram se doeltreffendheid te verskaf en om areas vir verbetering te identifiseer. Deur hierdie evalueringsraamwerke te gebruik en verdere navorsing te doen, beoog die navorsing om strategieë en aanbevelings te identifiseer om TVET-onderwysers se opleiding in Namibië te transformeer. Die uiteindelike doelwit is om die bestaande program of te verbeter, te wysig of te vervang om TVET-onderwysers te transformeer en toe te rus met die nodige vaardighede om die gaping tussen teorie en praktyk effektief te oorbrug. Oor die algemeen beklemtoon hierdie studie die belangrikheid van TVET om Namibië se sosio-ekonomiese uitdagings aan te pak en dit werp lig op die behoefte om in gehalte TVET-onderwysers te belê om die suksesvolle transformasie van die TVET-industrie in die land te verseker. Twee van die belangrikste bevindings sluit in dat die DTVT-program onvanpas was, aangesien dit nie studente-onderwysers voorberei het om effektief aan die eise van ’n dubbele beroep te voldoen nie. Dit behels die noodsaaklikheid dat hulle oor beide praktiese/tegniese vaardighede en ’n omvattende begrip van metodologiese benaderings moet beskik, asook oor werkgeïntegreerde leer (WIL), wat die toepaslikheid daarvan beïnvloed.
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Articulating the real and the numinous: a Flood Control and Research Centre at the historic St. Helens Pump Station on the banks of the uMzimkhulu river
No full textDissertation (M.Arch.(Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023There is potential magic within a hybrid “third space” of science and divination where the past omens and present practises can be tied together by string to aid the current flooding crisis. , , , ree ? Past efforts to address the South African flooding crisis have led to many quantitative and scientific approaches that evaluate rainfall, water management and infrastructure but seldom approach the crisis by way of divination, through which a higher realm of information can be tapped into. This dissertation introduces a new way of approaching flooding by designing a Flood Control and Research Centre that highlights the potential within the intertwined relationship between science and divination in an attempt to respectfully articulate the two where the roles of divination and the roles of science meet and work together in a hermeneutic relationship. Further investigation included analyzing the existing context regarding the project theme, testing three different theoretical stances and studying appropriate precedents. This design approach is able to broaden and challenge the dweller’s perspective of seemingly opposite practices and provide a paradigm for future flood crisis approaches