11613 research outputs found
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Conceptualisation of miss hominum as an expression of imago Dei: from missio Dei to missio hominum
No full textAcademic data show little evidence that the concept of the missio hominum was ever
explored beyond its context as developed by Nico Smith. There is little to no research that has conceptualised this phenomenon in light of imago Dei and the role it should play in fulfilling missio Dei’s mandate. It uses the relational nature of the Union of the Divine Trinity derived in imago Dei to conceptualise the idea of the missio hominum in the broader context of missio Dei. It aims to examine the role of missio hominum in fulfilling the objectives and scope of missio Dei. Missio Dei here means the mission of God, which uses human relationships as an instrument to achieve the eternal goal of missio Dei. Nico Smith’s account is used here to support the need for missio hominum within the broader understanding of missio Dei. This research is a first step towards a deeper understanding of the missio hominum in service to missio Christos and missio spiritus and the collective participation of missio ecclesiae towards the goal of missio Dei. The academic focus on missio hominum from Smith’s perspective is lacking or neglected by missiology scholars.Publisher's versio
Challenges of pre-service teachers' classroom participation in a rurally located university in South Africa
No full textDespite the enriched curriculum and pedagogical practices that expose everyone enrolled to be trained as professional teachers to teaching skills, the number of incompetent teachers produced by many higher learning institutions is still increasing. There is an outcry from the general public in South Africa. In order to gain insight into this concern, this study examined the challenges of pre-service teachers’ classroom participation in a rurally located university in South Africa. A qualitative research design of a case study approach was employed to collect data from ten years 3 and 4 pre-service teachers and five lecturers. A semi-structured and focus group discussion (FGD) was organised to collect data on a thematic analysis. The findings revealed that lack of preparation from both lecturer and student, the use of teacher-centred approach, difficulty in understanding English language, teaching workload, large classes, student background and tribalism are major challenges limiting pre-service teachers’ classroom participation in a rurally located university in South Africa. Pertinent recommendations were made, including student-centred and collaborative teaching and learning approaches that could encourage students to participate actively in classroom activities. This would also catalyse the pre-service teachers' involvement in the teaching and learning process.Publisher's versio
Assessing small-scale fisheries potential of Gariep Dam, South Africa's largest impoundment
No full textSouth African inland fisheries are considered poorly developed and fish resources are mainly utilised by recreational and subsistence fishers. The South African government has identified inland fisheries as an opportunity to contribute to food security, job creation and economic development, and has established a mandate to develop this sector. The Gariep Dam is South Africa’s largest freshwater reservoir, and its fish resources can potentially be utilised by the small-scale fisheries sector. The objectives of this study were to assess the fisheries potential of Gariep Dam by determine the viability of small-scale fisheries development by establishing up-to-date utilisation rates, determining fish abundance and catch rates, and assessing the viability of various harvest strategies. To assess resource status, a fisheries-independent multi-method approach was applied using gillnets, fyke nets and longlines to determine relative abundance, population structure and harvest potential. Fisheries-dependent roving creel surveys and angler counts were conducted to assess the recent utilisation of fish resources. To complement previous biological assessments of other species, Clarias gariepinus was studied to understand the biology, ecology, and population dynamics of this species in Gariep Dam. To assess potential development, a fisheries management plan that determined harvest costs, fish prices and financial viability was included. Labeobarbus aeneus dominated gillnet catches, with an average catch per unit effort of 5.7 ± 4.1 kg.net-1.night-1, which comprised 63% of the species composition. The remainder of gillnet catches comprised C. gariepinus (16%), Labeo capensis (10%), Labeobarbus kimberleyensis (10%) and Labeo umbratus (1%). Longlines proved to be successful in harvesting C. gariepinus, with an average catch per unit effort of 35 ± 24 kg.20-hooks-1.night-1, with very low catch rates for fyke nets. The longline catches were dominated by C. gariepinus (99%) with low numbers of L. kimberleyensis (1%). Roving creel surveys revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic had a major effect on the current hook-and-line fishery that was dominated by subsistence anglers, while recreational fishing disappeared during this period. A large proportion of the subsistence fishing sector were found to be out of work with unemployment rates of 70.9% and 34.5% in the two angling areas. Angler catches were dominated by L. aeneus (37.3%), followed by Cyprinus carpio (32.7%), C. gariepinus (13.7%), L. capensis (14.1%) and L. kimberleyensis (1.4%). The angling effort was estimated at an average of 42 ± 1 anglers.day-1 for the Gariep Dam which harvested an estimated 27 tonnes.year-1 during the sampling period.
Clarias gariepinus from the Gariep Dam represents a stable population that matures late (5.2 years for males and 3.3 years for females), is dominated by old fish (Amax = 32 years) and exhibits slow growth (Lt = 1 013.28 (1-e0.092(t+7.78)) and a low natural mortality rate (0.369 year-1). These characteristics point towards a species that is likely to be utilised by inland fishers; however, spawning stock should be protected through special refuge areas. e study has revealed that the existing hook-and-line fishery is very important to the local communities surrounding the Gariep Dam and should be recognised and protected from future inland fisheries development. Results of the study indicate that a sustainable small-scale fishery is possible in the form of a longline fishery harvesting 40 tonnes.year-1 of C. gariepinus and a gillnet fishery using a 100 mm mesh size to harvest L. aeneus if they are separated by area to protect the current fishery. The financial analysis, however, indicated that substantial fishing effort will be required to harvest the projected amount of fish. With the recent price of freshwater fish (ZAR 13.50–16.00), a longline fishery is likely to be feasible, but a gillnet fishery is unlikely to generate sufficient revenue based on catch rates for a small-scale sector. The results of this study have been used to inform specific recommendations to develop inland fisheries for Gariep Dam, which can be used by government for decision-making.Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
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With the continuing increase in Sub-Saharan African countries, will Sustainable Development Goal 1 ever be achieved by 2030?
No full textThe poor in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in a worse predicament than their counterparts in other regions. The goal of this study was to establish the key drivers of poverty in SSA by looking at how economic variables affect growth and poverty. Data from ten SSA nations—upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), and low-income countries (LIC)—were analyzed based on historical values from 2015 to 2019. From the six economic variables studied, the best model reveals that 78% of the differences in poverty can be accounted for using a methodical, statistical approach. Poverty and unemployment rates have a substantial positive relationship (p = 0.001662). The gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate and poverty have a slight link, which is significant at the 10% level (p = 0.067) but is not a significant contributor to poverty alleviation. The secondary school enrolment rate has no bearing on poverty variation (p = 0.33). Increased GDP does not necessarily correspond to poverty reduction. Unemployment, on the other hand, is a major contributor to poverty in the region. Moreover, education (secondary school ennoblement) plays a less important role in reducing poverty, whereas per capita personal consumer spending and GDP growth rate have a bigger impact on poverty reduction. The proposed theoretical and numerical model works on general indicators and trends; it does not guarantee that people in the UMIC, LMIC, and LIC countries may not fall below the international poverty line ($1.90 per day). The poverty rates are predicted to climb by more than 2% by 2030, postponing poverty elimination in the SSA region by almost five years. This signifies that more than half of the SSA population will remain poor
On the predictors of loan utilization and delinquency among microfinance borrowers in Zimbabwe: A Poisson regression approach
No full textMicrofinance institutions (MFIs) are a prominent financial inclusion initiative in many developing countries. In Zimbabwe, however, less is known about microfinance borrowers, determinants of loan utilisation and borrowers’ repayment behaviour. Demonstrating that MFIs serve those who are economically marginalised and traditionally excluded from the formal financial system is useful in a country where most of the economic activities are in the informal sector. This study investigated the factors associated with the utilisation of microfinance loans and delinquency among microfinance borrowers using the Poisson, logit and the zero-truncated Poisson regression models on 6165 unique borrowers in Zimbabwe. The study findings revealed that microfinance loans were significantly more likely to be accessed by low-income individuals, who took small loans with relatively high instalments. Women were less likely to access microfinance loans, and reliable borrowers were more likely to access repeat loans. The level of income, number of previous loans and loan terms explained the delinquency among borrowers. Largely, the findings suggest that microfinance in Zimbabwe serves the needs of the low-income group. However, policies that seek to improve access to credit for women and youth remain a priority.Publisher's versio
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
Aequoreal mediation
No full textDissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2022There is something beautiful about the ocean, the intense blueness of it... so tranquil, gliding, and calming. The serene brutality, the sense of awe at the sight of it, the feeling of unknownness. For some, the ocean sparks joy and excitement; for others, fear and unease. There is a certain beauty to the diverse experiences of the ocean. Considering that more than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with the ocean, one would believe that humans would have explored it thoroughly. However, under 20% is mapped and explored. There is also a multitude of life within the ocean that is not widely discussed. Thus, the essence of this project lies in educating people about the ocean and the marine life and how architecture can promote it. The title of the thesis – Aequoreal Mediation – can be broken into two core parts. Aequoreal is an archaic word that means marine or oceanic. In this thesis, mediation is architecture’s intervention to resolve the disconnection between land and sea. The title frames the thesis and alludes early on to the mediation between man and nature. This thesis aims to capture and frame the beauty of the ocean, allow people to experience it, and to bridge the gap between land and sea. Furthermore, it aims to educate people on what is happening within the ocean and the different marine life in the area. It also aims to encourage a positive experience of, and connotation to, the ocean. Therefore, through this research, this project hopes to uncover a better understanding of the ocean and marine life and explore ways architecture can promote education specifically about the ocean. This research also hopes to assist in diffusing the boundaries set between land and sea
Public financial management reforms and service delivery in the Northern Cape department of Health
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Public Administration and Management))--University of the Free State, 2022Since becoming a democratic country in 1994, the South African government has implemented various public financial management reforms that aimed to improve financial management and enhance service delivery. However, twenty-eight years later this aim has not yet been achieved as the public sector still faces poor financial management, along with inadequate service delivery. The Northern Cape Department of Health is one of the public sector provincial government departments that has implemented multiple public financial management reforms with the aim of enhancing the provision and quality of public healthcare services to the citizens of the Northern Cape. This study investigates the relationship between public financial management reforms and service delivery, with the aim of understanding why, despite the implementation of the reforms, a disconnect remains between these two concepts, with little or no evidence of improved service delivery. The study employed a qualitative case study research design in its quest to achieve the research aim. Data was collected from the identified sample using an interview guide, which allowed the researcher to ask relevant questions relating directly to the research phenomenon. The analysis provides a detailed understanding of the challenges that negatively affect the effective implementation of public financial management reforms, which subsequently results in poor service delivery. The analysis shows that the public financial management reforms implemented within the Northern Cape Department of Health do not directly result in improved service delivery due to influences, interferences, and incompetency that can be linked to the "human factor". The role of the executive authority, senior management, and middle management in the management and functional operations of the department is the key reason for the disconnect between public financial management reforms and service delivery within the department. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in order for public financial management reforms to be effective and enhance service delivery within the department, it has to implement drastic and necessary measures that focus on eliminating political interference, strengthening administrative leadership, and appointing skilled and competent personnel. Effective service delivery is possible but requires officials who understand the importance of fiscal discipline, quality service delivery, and strong leadership
A good ancestor
No full textIn The Good Ancestor, Roman Krznaric presents a compelling argument about our responsibility to future generations. He highlights that in order to be good ancestors to the future generations we need to make a shift from short-term thinking, shorttermism, to long-term thinking, long-termism. He notes that most of our decisions have been usurped by short-termism without any regard for their effect in the long term, a term whose horizon is centuries, millennia or even multiple generations in the future. There is also a six-pronged prescription of how we can overcome the grip of short-termism and begin to think long-term. These six aspects of the prescription are: deep-time humility, legacy mindset, intergenerational justice, cathedral thinking, holistic forecasting, and transcendent goal (242).Publisher's versio
Families' experiences on safety needs of children with intellectual disability
No full textBackground: Children with intellectual disability (ID) are known to have a deficit in self-care, social interaction, and learning abilities. Families raising these children experience a range of difficulties that require supportive systems to meet the physical, psychological, and social safety rights of children with ID. The study explored the safety of children with ID through the experiences of their families in the rural Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: In-depth individual interviews and focus group discussion were conducted with 26 families directly involved in raising the children with ID. An inductive thematic analysis of data on the experiences of raising children with ID was undertaken with the aid of ATLAS.ti 8 computer programme. Results: The study revealed that children with ID lack safety at home, schools, and day care centre environments due to a lack of active involvement by nuclear family members, neighbours, and communities, including interaction with their peers and professional service providers in facilities. Safety of children with ID is compromised through exploitation and injuries, leading to marginalisation as they feared further humiliation. Conclusion: The study highlighted that active involvement of family members, communities, and governmental and non-governmental organisations is crucial in ensuring safe environments for children with ID.Publisher's versio