21623 research outputs found
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The role of the fourth industrial revolution technologies’ adoption on the competitiveness of companies in the South Durban basin.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This research addresses the critical issue of how companies in the South Durban Basin have embraced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and the implications for their operations and the local economy. The South Durban Basin is a significant industrial hub in South Africa, and the adoption of the 4IR technologies has both practical and theoretical implications. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which companies in the South Durban Basin have integrated 4IR technologies into their operations and the potential impact on their competitiveness and the broader community. The research also investigates the associated challenges and opportunities for businesses in this context. To accomplish this research objective, a mixed-method approach was employed. Data was collected from forty (40) small and mediumsized companies in qualitative research and hundred and sixty (160) small and medium-sized companies using quantitative research. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, and analysis encompassed coding, labelling, and descriptive and inferential statistics to derive meaningful insights from the gathered information. The analysis revealed that companies in the South Durban Basin have made significant strides in adopting 4IR technologies, particularly in areas such as automation, data analytics, and the Internet of Things. The research also found that these technologies have positively impacted operational efficiency, product quality, and competitiveness. However, challenges such as the digital divide, skills gaps, and infrastructure limitations have been identified as barriers to more widespread adoption of the 4IR technologies. Notably, the study encountered various limitations, including disruptions caused by major events such as the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa, as well as devastating floods in April 2022, leading to the closure of some businesses. Despite these challenges, the study remains valuable to various stakeholders seeking insights into the 4IR ‘s impact in the region. Companies that have successfully integrated these technologies into their operations have experienced tangible benefits. The findings of this study contribute to the broader discussion on technology adoption in industrial regions and provide insights into the South Durban Basin’s unique context
Cultivating learner leadership: experiences of teacher liaison officers in selected secondary schools, KwaZulu-Natal.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The purpose of the study was to explore the role of Teacher Liaison Officers (TLOs) in ensuring meaningful representation of learners in the Learner Representative Council (LRC) in schools. The study explored the perspectives of four Teacher Liaison Officers at four secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal province. The study was located appropriately within the interpretive paradigm whose philosophy is that knowledge is socially constructed. The study adopted a case study research design and generated data through semi-structured interviews, which data was thematically analyzed. The transformational leadership theory was used as the theoretical framework of the study. The study found that, TLOs understanding of their role in LRC included (a) ensuring that the LRC was well constituted and that they held quarterly meetings with the members; (b) Supporting school electoral officers with class representatives and LRC elections (c) bridging the gap between the SMT, staff, and LRC. The study also found that, TLOs cultivated LRC learners’ leadership skills by (a) attending regular training workshops (b) giving LRCs three full terms in leadership, and (c) training them on the code of conduct. The study therefore recommends that the Department of Basic Education has an important role to play in ensuring that all the schools fully constitute LRC through the TLOs who are responsible for cultivating learner leadership. The Department of Basic Education may consider sending their officials quarterly to schools to monitor the activities of the LRC and ensure that they are actively participating in the management body of the school
Exploring the localisation of COVID-19 prevention messages in eThekwini communities.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted communities and healthcare systems worldwide. In early 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended a range of preventive measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 which included regular handwashing or sanitising, social distancing and the use of face masks. These measures were adopted by governments around the globe including South Africa. However, these strategies were predominantly based on biomedical and behavioural approaches, with limited consideration of the socio-cultural context in which health decisions and preventive actions are taken. Evidence from past and ongoing pandemics, such as Ebola and HIV, demonstrates that excluding local knowledge, cultural norms, and community-based insights in health messaging can limit the effectiveness and uptake of these interventions. Adopting a photovoice methodology embedded within the community-based participatory approach, this study explored the local interpretation, adaptation and reconstruction of the dominant COVID-19 prevention messages that included regular hand washing and sanitising, the use of face masks and social distancing in three eThekwini communities (including Umbumbulu - a rural community, Cato Crest - an informal settlement and Umlazi a township). Participants were recruited purposively in each community. Data was collected in two phases with the first phase taking place between March and April 2021 during the adjusted level 2 lockdown, and the second phase was during the adjusted level 1 lockdown, between October and November 2021. The study adopted a three-staged data collection process which included (1) the introductory sessions with participants to inform them about the study and data collection methods (2) the photovoice data collection stage in which participants went out to their communities to capture photos that reflected their understanding, interpretation and adaptation of the COVID-19 prevention messages within their local contexts and (3) the focus group discussion which included detailed discussions on the photos collected and explored other related themes. Data was analysed thematically.
Key findings from this study highlighted that people's understanding and interpretation of COVID-19 prevention messages evolved over time. During the first phase of data collection, people focused on making sense of these messages within their local cultural contexts. Whereas, the second phase found that there was more familiarity with the dominant messaging and localised interpretation of these messages to fit specific contexts. While there were mixed reactions to adopting COVID-19 prevention messages, cultural beliefs and values often conflicted with full compliance, challenging widespread acceptance of these measures within local communities. This study highlighted the importance of integrating community perspectives and contextual nuances in the development of health communication strategies to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability in managing future pandemics. These insights can guide the design of culturally grounded public health interventions and strengthen future pandemic communication strategies to ensure greater trust, uptake, and long-term adherence to prevention measures
Assessing cyanobacteria in a small reservoir using unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAVs): a case study of High Flight Farm Dam.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Monitoring water quality, particularly chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations, is critical for managing irrigation water, as excessive chl-a can degrade aquatic ecosystems and reduce water availability. While multispectral satellite-based remote sensing is widely used, its spatial resolution is inadequate for small water bodies, which are crucial to smallholder farmers. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer high-resolution, near-real-time data, presenting a promising solution. This thesis investigates UAV-based multispectral imaging for chl-a estimation in small reservoirs through an empirical study in South Africa, supported by a background systematic review of existing literature. The empirical study integrates UAV-based multispectral data from April, June, and July 2024 with in-situ measurements of chl-a, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and dissolved oxygen (DO). The machine learning models tested include Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), with ANN consistently outperforming the others and achieving the highest R² values across the three sampling periods: 0.949 (April), 0.991 (June), and 0.734 (July). The green, red, and red-edge bands were the most sensitive for chl-a estimation. Seasonal patterns emerged, with high chl-a concentrations in April and June, followed by a decline in July due to reduced water levels. Strong correlations were found between chl-a and nutrient parameters, particularly TP (R² = 0.879) and TN (R² = 0.711) in July. This study highlights the potential of UAV-based remote sensing for high-resolution chl-a monitoring in small water bodies. This study demonstrates the
potential of UAV-based remote sensing for accurate, localized, and detailed chl-a monitoring in small water bodies, offering valuable insights for water resource management in smallholder
agricultural systems worldwide
Grade 12 English second language learners’ attitudes towards studying Macbeth and changes: an anthology of short stories at a South African township school.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study explored the attitudes of Grade 12 English Second Language (ESL) learners toward studying Macbeth and Changes: An Anthology of Short Stories in a South African township high school. Employing a qualitative, interpretive case study methodology, the research investigated how learners’ perspectives influence their engagement with these prescribed texts. Drawing on Motivation Theory and Sociocultural Theory, the study examined key factors such as language accessibility, cultural relevance, learner confidence, and Educator influence. Data were generated through semi-structured questionnaires with an art-based element, individual interviews, and a reflective diary, with thematic analysis employed to identify patterns and trends. Findings indicated that while Changes resonated with learners due to its cultural familiarity and accessible language, Macbeth presented significant challenges owing to its archaic language and perceived lack of relevance. The study underscored the need for pedagogic strategies that bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, ensuring that prescribed literary texts foster meaningful engagement and academic success. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on literature instruction in ESL contexts and offers insights that prioritise learner motivation and inclusivity
Sacred place and sacred presence: a conversation between the Njelele shrine in Zimbabwe and the action of Jesus in the temple in John 2:13-22.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The Shona people of Zimbabwe who have found a new home in Christian churches, generally carry with them their cultural and social identities in terms of sacredness. These Africans sometimes have difficulties appropriating biblical realities connected to sacred space and sacred presence. This research project is aimed at creating a bridge between the Shona understanding of sacred places and the biblical interpretation. The purpose of this study is to assist the Shona people who have embraced Christianity, to appropriate the biblical sense of sacredness using their cultural heritage as a steppingstone. This study is steeped in African biblical scholarship, that utilizes the tri-polar theoretical framework. The framework is composed of three poles: the reader’s context (the Njelele shrine in Zimbabwe), the biblical text (John 2:13-22) and the ideo-theological pole (inculturation hermeneutics). A literature-based investigation on the socio-anthropological contexts of the Jews and the Shona people will be carried out. Inculturation hermeneutics will be used as a bridge to bring the two poles into a dialogue. This interpretation will point out their similarities, dissonances and aspects that the biblical text and the Shona people can learn from each other. The Shona Christians who are the ordinary readers of the Bible will appreciate the personal and societal transformation that is brought about by this kind of engagement. This method of interpretation will enhance the quality of their Christian lives
Accessing audiology: epistemological experiences of newly qualified audiologists.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Audiology was introduced in South Africa in 1936, originally to train exclusively White, Afrikaans, and English-speaking students to serve hearing-impaired patients from the same demographics. Although South Africa’s democratic transition has expanded access to higher education, including Audiology training for Black African First Language Speaking (BAFLS) students, the extent of epistemological access (the ability to engage with knowledge, meaningfully) remains largely unexplored empirically. As a result, this study addressed this gap by examining the experiences of newly qualified BAFLS Audiologists as they navigated undergraduate Audiology curriculum and the subsequent impact of those experiences on their professional practice. Guided by the hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this qualitative study drew on semi structured interviews with 10 newly qualified Audiology graduates from a South African university. These graduates were purposively selected to reflect their diversity in terms of linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. Through content analysis, data were analysed into pre-existing parent themes derived from the theoretical framework. Thereafter, thematic analysis was used to identify emergent themes. Participants reported significant barriers to epistemological access during their undergraduate studies. These barriers included linguicism, racism, classism, and a Eurocentric curriculum that excluded Afrocentric perspectives. Teaching and assessment practices were often perceived as biased against the BAFLS students, leading to surface learning. Hence, the BAFLS students felt underprepared for a more Afrocentric clinical practice, citing insufficient theoretical grounding and difficulty bridging academic knowledge with professional skills. Participants also highlighted positive experiences with BAFLS lecturers, who, in their experiences, exercised more relatable mentorship and teaching approaches. In professional settings, they continued to face systemic exclusion, particularly in private practice, alongside ongoing racism, and classism. The persistence of Eurocentrism in both academic and clinical environments was a dominant theme. Overall, the undergraduate Audiology curriculum at the University of Interest (pseudonym) remains predominantly Eurocentric, limiting the epistemological access for BAFLS students and their preparedness for Afrocentric or contextually relevant practice. Although existing models of transformation have been proposed to recontextualise the profession, they largely remain unimplemented. As a result, this study calls for a Radical Implementation of Fundamental Transformation (RIFT) framework, which emphasises enforcing and operationalising these models to ensure a more inclusive and Afrocentric Audiology curriculum. Such transformation is critical for equipping BAFLS students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the diverseneeds of South Africa’s population
Exploring the lived experiences of women with disabilities and policy response toward mitigating challenges faced during coronavirus pandemic alert levels 5-3: a case study of the city of Johannesburg.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Pandemics and outbreaks have different impacts on vulnerable groups, particularly those with disabilities. From the risk of exposure to biological and physical vulnerability to infection to the economic and social implications, individuals’ experiences are likely to vary according to their physical and gender characteristics and their interaction with other social determinants. Women with disabilities stand a higher risk of suffering the consequences of any global pandemic. These challenges faced by women with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic include issues related to their health and well-being, profoundly impacting barriers already faced while creating new ones as well. In addition, some women with disabilities were at a higher risk of becoming infected or experiencing complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, global and national strategic plans for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response needed to be grounded in solid gender and disability analysis. Through the national government’s response to curb the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there were no specific policies aimed at addressing issues faced by women with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, their challenges persisted, leaving them in dire situations. The study laid a foundation for this qualitative inquiry and employed the feminist disability theory, agenda setting, policy formulation, public participation, and policy implementation. This qualitative study seeks to bridge the gap between the challenges and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on women with disabilities. This attempt aims to add other aspects of disability from a marginalized population. In examining this issue, the study seeks to lay the foundation for understanding the lived experiences of women with disabilities during a pandemic. The study utilized a case study approach; data was collected through semi-structured interviews with women with disabilities, state actors, family members, and non-government organizations of Gauteng, the City of Johannesburg. Augmented by extensive literature and policy reviews, the research findings reveal that women with disabilities are more likely to face various challenges during times of emergency, like the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirm the feminist disability theory’s view that the functioning of women with disabilities is determined by broader contextual, social, historical, and gendered power relations. Therefore, the study recommends that it is crucial for the government to take an intersectional and disability-inclusive approach to mitigate the impact of disasters and should be aware of the effects of their mitigation regulations on vulnerable members of society
Assessing techniques for selecting a climate driver station for a study catchment.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The accurate assessment and modelling of hydrological processes relies heavily on comprehensive and reliable climate data. In South Africa, the alarming decline in the number of climate monitoring stations and the poor quality of observed data (i.e. missing records) present a significant challenge to reliable hydrological modelling. In addition, it is crucial to select climate driver stations as representative as possible of the catchment being studied. Climate driver stations are essential for capturing representative climate conditions necessary for water resources management and planning. This study assessed existing techniques used for selecting climate driver stations for a catchment. Available daily rainfall and temperature datasets were infilled and extended to create a 70-year record for quaternary catchments C41A to C41E, which are situated in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality (Free State Province, South Africa). The Inverse Distance Weighting method was used to infill rainfall data, whilst the Mean Temperature Difference method, Difference in Standard Deviation method and a ranking algorithm method were used to infill missing temperature data. Rainfall driver stations were selected using the common Driver Station (DS) method as well as the Adjustment Factor (AF) method which is closely related to the CalcPPTcor approach. Pseudo temperature driver stations were selected for each selected rainfall driver station using a revised ranking algorithm. The Dent et al. (1989) median, Lynch (2004) median, Lynch (2004) mean and Pegram et al. (2016) mean gridded rainfall datasets were compared for their performance in estimating rainfall adjustment factors using the R2 , Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency and Root Mean Square Error statistics. Each gridded dataset was then used to verify the methods for selecting a climate driver station DS and AF methods. The ACRU model was used to simulate inflow to the Erfenis Dam, which was then compared to a dam water balance as a means of verifying which method performed better. Key findings showed that the Pegram mean gridded datasets (monthly and annual) perform better in enhancing the representativeness of station rainfall for the study catchment. The results for the AF and DS methods were inconclusive due to various challenges, i.e. having no observed streamflow for the study catchment. It is recommended that the Pegram mean grids be considered when deriving rainfall adjustment factors, which are applied to the rainfall driver station to improve the representativity of catchment rainfall. It is recommended that the DS and the AF methods be re-evaluated in another study catchment with more climate stations and a reliable streamflow monitoring network
Ukuhlaziya iqhaza lesichazamazwi esilimilunye sikaMbatha (2006) nesilimimbili sikaDent noNyembezi (2009) ekufundweni nasekuthuthukisweni kwesiZulu.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Pietermaritzburg.Kunezinhlobo ezahlukene zezichazamazwi, kubalwa isichazamazwi esilimilunye, isichazamazwi esilimimbili, isichazamazwi esiliminingi kanye nesichazamazwi esisubject specific. Zonke lezi zichazamazwi zenza umsebenzi ofanayo wokunikeza izincazelo zamagama kodwa umsebenzi wazo awupheleli lapho. Izichazamazwi zinikeza ulwazi oluningi lolimi isibonelo, uhlelo lolimi, ukusebenza kwegama emushweni kanye nendlela yokuphimisa. Uhlobo lolwazi olutholakala esichazamazwini lunqunywa uhlobo lwesichazamazwi kanye nenhloso yaso isichazamazwi. Ucwaningo lubhalwe ngenxa yenkinga etholakele yokuthi abantu abakuqondi ngokuphelele ukuthi izichazamazwi ziyini kanye nomsebenzi eziwenzayo. Ucwaningo lolu luhlose ukuveza umsebenzi owenziwa izichazamazwi zesiZulu kanye nokugqugquzela ukusetshenziswa kwazo njengamathuluzi okufunda ulimi lwesiZulu.
Ukuze lufeze inhloso ebhalwe ngenhla, ucwaningo luhlaziye izichazamazwi ezimbili zesiZulu ezivame ukusetshenziswa esikhathini samanje. Isichazamazwi sokuqala Isichazamazwi SesiZulu esilimilunye sikaMbatha (2006), isichazamazwi sesibili iScholar’s Zulu Dictionary esilimimbili sikaDent no Nyembezi (2009). Ucwaningo luhlaziye ukuchazwa kwamagama, ukusetshenziswa kwezibonelo, ukufakwa kolwazi lohlelo lolimi kanye nokuchazwa kwendlela yokuphimisa kulezi zichazamazwi ezikhethiwe ngenhloso yokuveza ukuthi lolu lwazi lubalekelela kanjani abasebenzisi balezi zichazamazwi abafunda ulimi lwesiZulu. Imiphumela yocwaningo ikhombisa ukuthi lezi zichazamazwi ezikhethiwe ziyizincwadi ezifanelekile ukuba zisetshenziselwe ukufunda nokuthuthukisa ulimi lwesiZulu. Ziqukethe ulwazi olumqoka oluhlomulisa abasebenzisi bazo izichazamazwi ngolwazi oluyisisekelo lokufunda ulimi lwesiZulu