11613 research outputs found
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Islamist violent extremism and the fragile African state: the case in Kenya
No full textThesis (Ph.D. (Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2022What we know, and how we know about state fragility, Islamist violent extremism (IVE), and countering Islamist violent extremism (CIVE), is fiercely contested. It is no different in the case of state fragility, IVE, and CIVE, in the context of Kenya. The research aim was therefore to critically examine the relationship between state fragility, IVE, and CIVE (the case), in Kenya (the context). The Fragile States Index (FSI) was used as an analytical measuring instrument of state fragility. The research design is an explanatory, single-embedded, longitudinal, and contextualised case study, enabling a theory-based, empirical, retroductive, and deductive-inductive analysis. Three purposeful and snowball sampling-based research methods (elite interviews, field research, and a literature and data study) enabled triangulation within and between data sources. Kenya, as a veritable setting, was purposefully selected for being representative of the case. State fragility is defined by underperformance, misperformance, insecurity, violence (structural, direct, and cultural), fault-lines, and institutional failure at macro, meso, and micro levels of the state. The properties of state fragility, inclusive of the social structures that subsist in the fragile state, have causal capacity and tendency, providing not only the context and opportunity for, but actively generating Islamist violent extremism and impediments to CIVE, hence the failure of CIVE. The conduct of IVE and CIVE, in turn, help to compound state fragility. The combined observable outcome in Kenya are the persistent insecurity dilemma, the fragility trap, and the conflict trap. True to the new-wars paradigm and entangling a congeries of state and non-state actors, IVE and CIVE are a mixture of ‘war, crime, and human rights abuses’, which both add division and deepen division in an already divided society. True to its intractable nature, the long-war in Kenya will not be won by hard power. Much rather, it may be resolved by a negotiated social contract founded on inclusive social structures, institutions, norms, and values. In placing the fragile African state, in this case Kenya, at the centre of the discourse on state fragility, IVE and CIVE, the study makes a significant and original scientific contribution. It reveals the debilitating and conflict-generating properties of state fragility that initiate the causal chain that yield both IVE and impediments to CIVE. CIVE must therefore first account for and weigh the conditions and constraints created by state fragility. The study has also exposed the dangers of ineffective and counterproductive CIVE that privilege regime survival and bolstering state institutions over social cohesion and state legitimacy. Kenya reveals causal sequences (with causal patterns and causal mechanisms) that shed light on similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa. This is greatly significant given the growing levels of state fragility and Islamist violent extremism, and the persistent challenges of CIVE in this subregion
Geochemical evolution in defunct gold mine tailings and modelling of seepage water quality: an investigation of a typical tailings storage facility in the East Rand, Johannesburg, South Africa
No full textThe geochemical evolution in a defunct tailings dam was investigated in the East Rand
Basin of the Witwatersrand. The research aimed to geochemically characterise the tailings,
quantify oxygen infiltration into the tailings dam and develop a numerical geochemical model to
simulate the geochemical evolution within the dam over the past 60 years. Two holes (3.4 and 6 m deep, respectively) were hand-augured into the tailings dam to
geochemically characterize the tailings. Tailings samples were collected at roughly 15 cm intervals.
On selected samples from the 6 m hole, the whole-rock elemental composition (using X-ray
Fluorescence and a Leco Element Analyser) was performed, as well as acid-base testing, X-ray
diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscope. Field measurements of pH, Electrical Conductivity
(EC) and Oxidation-reduction Potential (ORP) were performed on drilled-out samples of the 3.4 m
hole. The oxygen concentration in the tailings gas phase was measured to correlate the oxygen
ingress with the other measured geochemical parameters and for later use in the geochemical
model. Air chambers were installed in the 6 m hand-augered hole. Each air chamber comprised a
perforated 7 cm high plastic container wrapped in a geotextile that is then connected with an
8 mm silicon pipe. Air collection chambers were installed at depths of 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m,
2.5 m, 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m. Based on the oxygen concentration in the gas phase, the top of the
tailings dam was subdivided into three geochemical environments, namely the Oxic Zone (0-2 m),
the Transition Zone (2-4 m), and the Anoxic Zone (>4 m). The data shows that oxygen penetrates
slightly deeper during the winter than in the summer months. The seasonal effect could be
attributed to the higher rainfall in the summer than in winter. A conceptual model of the geochemical evolution within the tailings dam was developed.
The aim was to outline the major mechanisms that influence the geochemical evolution in the
dam to include them in the numerical model. Batch reactor testing was performed at three different pH's (pH ~3, pH ~5 and pH ~7) to
back-calculate the effective surface area of the pyrite in a tailings sample based upon its reaction
during the experiment. The experiments were performed over about 14 days. Except for the last
few days, samples were collected twice a day. The sulphate production was the lowest in the
pH ~3 experiment and the highest in the pH ~7 experiment. This is because pyrite oxidation by
oxygen is inversely proportional to hydrogen activity. The modelled pyrite reaction rate fitted the
results for all three experiments. The optimal surface area was determined at 1046.26 g/cm².
A numerical geochemical model was performed to simulate the geochemical evolution
within the dam over the past 60 years. The primary objective of the modelling was to improve the
understanding of the mechanisms that control the geochemical reactions and dispersion of
chemicals. A secondary objective of the model was to match the model results with the
observations 60 years after closure
Accessing small business support programmes in Maseru, Lesotho
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2022The terms small and medium enterprise (SME) and entrepreneurship were developed in the late 1940s. In developing these terms, policies emerged that included grants, subsidised credits, and special taxes for SMEs. It also included the establishment of small business support agencies funded by governments for the benefit of SMEs. The agencies were established in Japan, the United States of America (USA), India, Tanzania and Turkey in 1948, 1953, 1954, 1966, and 1976, respectively (Keskin et al., 2010, p. 189). According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), SMEs are essential participants in the economy and the broader business ecosystem (OECD, 2022, p. 19). SMEs play a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, providing employment and decent work for all, promoting sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation, and reducing income inequalities across countries at all stages of development (OECD, 2017, p. 8). In 2016, the government of Lesotho developed the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) policy, aiming to address the issues and problems affecting the development of MSME in Lesotho (Masupha, Beharry-Ramraj and Amolo, 2017, p. 7). The policy identified challenges to MSMEs as access to finance, market access, technological development and innovation, entrepreneurial training, skills development, infrastructural development, and business working space (Molebatsi, 2021, p. 20). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the small business support programmes in Maseru, Lesotho, by establishing the types of small business support programmes available, determining the barriers for small businesses to access the SMEs support programmes, and lastly, determining what needs to be done to improve existing small business support programmes to ensure that they address SME challenges
Religious perspectives on vaccination: Mandatory Covid-19 vaccine for SA churches
No full textIn public health history, vaccinations have been seen as very helpful as they help protect societies from preventable diseases and save many lives around the world. Despite the fact that few religious groups oppose vaccination for a variety of reasons, almost all major religions in the world support vaccination as long as it complies with religious precepts for the preservation, protection, or well-being of livelihoods. However, during the surge of Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa and elsewhere, governments witnessed unprecedented hesitancy and opposition to the Covid-19 vaccination by the general public. Those who opposed the Covid-19 vaccine cited multiple concerns or reasons, ranging from possible side effects, adverse events, vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, conspiracy theories, and religious or cultural reasons. Based on a literature search, this paper attempts to discuss various religious views on the subject of vaccination in general and subsequently make use of such perspectives to support calls for a compulsory Covid-19 vaccination, especially for South African churches. This is a timely topic of central concern as it seeks to politely dispel religious misunderstandings and confusion that could arise as a result of debates on mandatory vaccines for Covid-19. Health and religion will be brought together to shape the ongoing discussions about the moral urgency of a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination in South Africa.Publisher's versio
Skin microbiome diversity of batrachochytrium dendrobatidis-challenged phofung river frogs (amietia hymenopus) in the Drakensberg mountain range
No full textInfectious diseases are pressuring amphibian populations globally, especially threatened frog species occurring in restricted areas. Chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is arguably the most devastating panzootic disease confronting wildlife today and was determined to be a major driving force of the current amphibian extinction crisis. A healthy amphibian host has a symbiotic relationship with its cutaneous microbial community that benefits the host in many ways including the protection against malicious microbes. The current trend in amphibian skin microbiome studies concentrate predominantly on its bacterial component, while other components of the microbiome such as filamentous fungi and eukaryotes have been neglected. In this study Amietia hymenopus, a Bd-challenged frog population of southern Africa, was sampled from remote locations of the frog?s natural distribution on the Drakensberg mountain range. The cutaneous microbiome diversity was analysed using next generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools, investigating both the bacterial and fungal components of the frogs? skin microbial community. Results indicated high diversity dissimilarities in both alpha and beta diversity when comparing individual specimens, and sampling areas, respectively. This study touched on an important topic regarding the microbial biodiversity found on frogs, and sheds light on the complex interaction between host and microbial communities in amphibian populations. Knowledge on this intricate relationship between host and their microscopic cutaneous symbionts could help inform amphibian conservation efforts against infectious disease
Data of electronic, reactivity, optoelectronic, linear and non-linear optical parameters of doping graphene oxide nanosheet with aluminum atom
No full textWe have established a design to increase the absorption capacity, optoelectronic, linear and nonlinear optical prop- erties of the graphene oxide nanosheet (GON) based on the coronene molecule [C 24 H 12 ] with the help of doping, using the aluminum atom. The attachment of functional groups to the coronene surface was defined according to the Lerf-Klinowski model, based on experimental predic- tions [1] . Two GON structures (GON1 and GON2 with for- mula (C 24 H 11 )(O)(OH)COOH)) have been proposed for this purpose, and it should be noted that each of them is dis- tinguished by a different distribution of functional groups within their honeycomb lattice. A series of substitutions of the carbon atoms of the two isomers considered GON1 and GON2 were performed with the aluminum atom, resulting in the abbreviated derivative systems GON1-Alx and GON2- Alx ( x = 1–6), respectively to each of the GON1 and GON2 units. In this work, we provide data carried out in the gas phase, from density functional theory (DFT) methods that al- lowed us to understand the effects of aluminum atom dop- ing on the circular graphene oxide nanosheets. First, we report the wavenumber data related to the IR spectrum peak characteristics computed at the B3LYP, B3LYP-D3 and ωB97XD/6–31 + G(d,p) levels of theory, that allowed us to val- idate the designs of both proposed graphene oxide models. Then, we provide electronic, reactivity, optoelectronic, linear and nonlinear optical data parameters of both graphene ox- ide nanosheets and their aluminum-doped derivatives com- puted at the B3LYP, B3LYP-D3 and /6-31 + G(d,p) levels of the- ory. Finally the UV-vis spectra of the investigated compounds evaluated from time-dependent (TD) B3LYP and B3LYP-D3/6- 31 + G(d,p) levels of theory and the HOMO & LUMO orbitals of the derivatives of graphene oxide isomers computed at the B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory are provided. In addi- tion, the raw data of UV-vis spectra, optoelectronic parame- ters, Cartesian coordinates of all studied compounds and also those of IR spectra of both studied graphene oxide models are provided as supplementary file. The data reported in this work are useful to expose some specific positions of alu- minum within circular model of graphene oxide nanosheet that improve its electronic, reactive, optoelectronic, linear and nonlinear optical characteristics. All the formulas and de- tails of calculation performed to obtain the data reported in this work are provided in our previous work (Foadin et al., 2020) and summarized in the experimental section of this paper. To learn more about the ideal doping positions of the aluminum atom within both proposed graphene oxide de- signs that increase their electronic, reactivity, optoelectronic, linear optical and nonlinear optical properties, respectively, please see the corresponding main research paper (Foadin et al., 2022).Publisher's versio
Factors influencing the satisfaction and behavioural intentions of restaurant consumers
No full textDissertation (M.Com.(Business Management))--University of the Free State, 2022The increasingly competitive rivalry within the restaurant industry creates immense pressure among those within the industry. Many restaurants fail to survive or thrive in this industry, even though it is such a lucrative industry. There are many restaurants, differentiation becomes difficult, and competition is intense. The study sought to predict factors influencing the satisfaction and behavioural intentions of restaurant consumers through a blended approach by identifying factors that can help stimulate customer satisfaction, such as service quality factors (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance) and hygiene factors(personal hygiene, cleanliness of equipment and surfaces, cleanliness of restrooms), and the study further predicts that the successful application of these factors by restaurants can lead to post-behavioural intentions, such as restaurant attachment, willingness to pay price premia, return patronage intention and positive word of mouth. Data was collected from 300 restaurant customers in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the results, and Smart-PLS to test and assess the validity of the hypothesised relationships in the model. It was precisely found that assurance positively and significantly impacted customer satisfaction. However, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy were insignificant and did not influence customer satisfaction. In addition, only cleanliness of restroom under hygiene was found to have a positive and significant influence on customer satisfaction. However, personal hygiene and cleanliness of equipment and surfaces did not have a statistically significant influence on customer satisfaction. It was also found that customer satisfaction positively and significantly impacts restaurant attachment. Moreover, it was found that restaurant attachment has an impact on willingness to pay price premia, return patronage intention and positive word of mouth. This study recommends that a restaurant should use a blended approach of high service quality and proper hygienic conditions to secure and enhance customer satisfaction which ultimately leads to positive behavioural intentions. This study broadens the knowledge base currently in marketing and customer satisfaction in the restaurant industry. Lastly, the study concludes with identifying the limitations of the study and presents future research opportunities
Using hydropedological characteristics to improve modelling accuracy in Afromontane catchments
No full textStudy region: Three Afromontane catchments in the Cathedral Peak experimental research site,
within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Study focus: Gaining insight into the hydropedological behaviour of catchments enables a deeper understanding of the unique lateral flow dynamics of a landscape and how these affect the hydrological
cycle. This study aimed to highlight the importance of understanding the hydropedological behaviour of soils to improve modelling accuracy.
New hydrological insights: Two sets of SWAT+ models were set up for each catchment. The default lateral time, which is the measure of the time required for water to flow through the catchment before being discharged into the stream, was used in the first set up. Specific lateral time inputs, derived from hydropedological soil maps, were utilised in the second model set up and the results compared against observed streamflow. The specific lateral time inputs were based on measured hydraulic properties of the soils coupled with the location of hydrological response units within hydropedological soil maps created for each catchment. The specific lateral time inputs improved modelling accuracy in all statistical parameters used, R2 (i.e., 0.550–0.903), PBIAS (i.e., 19.742–18.239), ST DEV (i.e., 63.42–51.81), NSE (i.e., 0.316–0.864) and KGE (i.e., 0.630–0.807). This study has highlighted that relevant soil information, based on reliable site-specific data, is essential in hydrological modelling.Publisher's versio
Sustainability of lower-grade construction based SMME's in the Free State Province
No full textThesis (Ph.D (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2022In the year 2010, the South African government, through its soccer body namely South African Football Association, hosted the first Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) soccer world cup in the African continent and invested heavily in infrastructures such as roads, rail networks, and sports facilities. This was seen as an opportunity to help eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment, and achieve high economic growth. However, the construction industry, despite its performance in global economic growth and job creation to skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workforce, is still faced with the central quandary of a high failure rate in the early stages of operation due to contributing factors such as low barriers to entry, deficiency of skills, formal qualifications, relevant industry experience, and management and leadership skills. Moreover, the government has several initiatives, such as institutions providing financial assistance to Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), but these have not resulted in a tangible improvement in upgrading to upper grades that address the congestion in the construction industry. Therefore, these challenges impede the growth, development, and sustainability of construction SMMEs, which mostly remain congested in the lower-grades. Thus, this research aimed to develop recommendations that will assist lower-grade construction-based SMMEs in the Free State province to become sustainable in their business. Following the literature study, the study adopted the quantitative research approach, and a self-administered questionnaire was designed based on information emanating from an extant literature review. District-based enumerators were appointed and inducted in all Free State province district municipalities to assist with the distribution and collection of questionnaires to construction SMMEs in possession of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading one to four in both Civil Engineering and General Building classes of works. The probability stratified random sampling method was adopted for the study and the self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 485 participants, of which 431 were received back, representing an 89% response rate. Findings from the study indicated that corrupt activities within the construction industry and use of political connections to gain an unfair advantage on government contractor development programmes with few benefiting from the programme were major challenges. Along with these challenges are also the importance of effective and efficient use of cash flow to improve and sustain the business operations; the need for investing in right construction equipment to improve business success; recruiting and retaining qualified, competent and experienced personnel which is key in the improvement and the sustainability of the business. The study further revealed that the critical barriers to the sustainability of construction SMMEs in the Free State are; high competition and limited access to projects/work opportunities; higher entry due to lack of regulations; political influence in awarding contracts and lack of industry experience were the main critical factors hindering the sustainability of lower-grade construction based SMMEs in the Free State province. To attain this required objective based on these findings, the literature review and a quantitative research method recommends that, although many construction SMMEs are stagnant on lower-grades, the establishment of a panel of experienced, qualified and competent professional registered experts in all engineering fields to monitor progress and quality; national blacklisting of all stakeholders involved in corrupt activities within government and a minimum period of 10 years be imposed as well as instituting criminal charges against all responsible individuals; recruitment process for the interested contractors in Contractor Development Programmes(CDPs) be stringent, yet done in an objective, fair, and transparent manner; compulsory 30% subcontracting to local based SMMEs clause be included in every government tenders; for all work opportunities seeking CIDB grading of 1 or 2 within local government, only local SMMEs are allowed to bid to alleviate the congestion and improve their sustainability
The strategic plan implementation in the public sector: the case of a provincial government department in the Free State
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2022This study was undertaken to evaluate strategic plan implementation in the public sector with a focus on the Provincial Government Department in the Free State. The study also pursued to investigate the barriers and drivers for strategy implementation in the department, the linkage between strategy formulation and its implementation in the department and the strategy implementation of the department and its alignment to the Medium-Term Strategic Framework of Government. For this study, an exploratory research design and qualitative research methodology were employed. Senior and middle management representatives from the department made up the sample population. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used to collect data to meet the study's objectives. Grounded theory was used to analyse the collected information using categories and themes to analyse data. The findings revealed that a lack of finance, human resources, and internal communication amongst others are barriers for strategy implementation in the department. Additionally, organisational culture and structure, and training and development are drivers for strategy implementation, amongst others. Furthermore, they also revealed that the strategy formulation in the department is not fully linked to its implementation and that there is no proper alignment between the departmental strategies and the MTSF (Medium-Term Strategic Framework). The study established the following as the key findings in the department: lack of financial resources, unskilled workforce and personnel appointed in strategic posts, the linkage of individual performance agreements with the strategy of the department, and inclusive internal communication. The study's conclusions will be helpful to other public sector stakeholders, academics, strategy consultants, and public sector strategists and practitioners. Furthermore, this study can help the development of models and approaches for strategic planning implementation in the public sector. It is also possible to investigate how well strategies are implemented in the public sector in general as this study only focused on one provincial department