21623 research outputs found
Sort by
Using selected popular music to teach and learn prescribed poetry in a grade 10 English language high school classroom.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Globally, learners are expected to study various genres of poetry; however, previous research highlights persistent negative attitudes toward poetry in English classrooms. This study, grounded in Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory, explores how popular music can be used as a pedagogical tool to teach poetry. Social constructivist theory emphasises interactive, supported, engaging, and contextually relevant learning experiences. Employing a five-cycle qualitative action research design within an interpretivist paradigm, this study utilised thematic analysis to examine the impact of integrating music into poetry instruction. Each cycle incorporated popular music to scaffold learners’ understanding of prescribed poetry. The purposive sample comprised 82 Grade 10 English Home Language learners from a secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, documentary research, visual methods, poetic inquiry, and a research journal maintained by the researcher-educator. The findings reveal that while learners initially expressed negative attitudes toward poetry – reflected in their poor academic performance – these attitudes shifted as the study progressed. Learners reported increased enjoyment and engagement in poetry lessons, attributing this change to the incorporation of music. While music effectively facilitated the understanding of poetic elements such as tone, themes, and message, certain elements, including hyperbole and enjambment, remained challenging for some students. As each research cycle progressed, learners’ academic performance improved, emphasising the significance of scaffolding, the presence of a More Knowledgeable Other (in the form of both the educator and the music), and active learner-educator interaction. Moreover, the supportive classroom environment, which lowered learners’ affective filter, further enhanced their comprehension of poetry. Overall, this study contributes to ongoing discourses on poetry instruction, advocating for music as an effective pedagogical tool and emphasising the need for interactive and learner-centred approaches to teaching poetry
Information security education, training, and awareness within the mobile financial services sector.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Previous research has underscored the critical role of integrating technology, processes, and human factors in ensuring the resilience and security of Information Technology (IT) systems. Often, failures in IT systems within organizations stem not from technological weaknesses, but from insufficient user awareness regarding security protocols. This study delves into the significance of Information Security Awareness (ISA) in fostering secure behaviours among users of Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Kenya. Through an examination of factors contributing to effective cybersecurity awareness initiatives, this research offers valuable insights for organizations evaluating the role of ISA in enhancing the cybersecurity practices of MFS users.
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that merges insights from financial services and information systems disciplines, this study draws on data collected from five counties in Kenya using questionnaires. The study encompasses 1159 MFS users and 23 professionals engaged in providing financial services through mobile channels. Results reveal that 52% of respondents experienced financial losses due to fraudulent mobile money transactions, while a significant 69% had never participated in any awareness sessions on mobile security. These findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive training programs to instil secure behaviours among MFS users, particularly in light of the escalating adoption of MFS.
To establish a robust framework for cybersecurity awareness tailored to MFS, the study adopts the NIST and MediaPro Adaptive awareness frameworks. Through thorough analysis, the research proposes the Adaptive Governance Awareness Model (AGAM). This model offers strategic guidelines for planning, evaluating, and implementing cybersecurity awareness initiatives targeting MFS users, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience within the MFS ecosystem
Democracy approaching crossroads: a South Africa’s crises of the rule of law.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The concept “rule of law” is essential to global legal and political discourse, often referenced in various sectors of society, including politics, media, and government structures. However, what seems prevalent is that different groups often interpret the concept inconsistently. It is no exaggeration to state that there are myriad ways in which the rule of law is interpreted and understood. Hence, the divergent interpretations among ordinary people, politicians, and contribute to both theoretical and practical crises surrounding the concept. Against this backdrop, this thesis aims firstly to demonstrate the pervasive theoretical disagreements regarding the concept of the rule of law. Secondly, it seeks to highlight the emerging crisis of the rule of law in South Africa. In other words, it will present evidence suggesting that South Africa is currently facing a crisis in the rule of law. This will be achieved through a conceptual analysis of what the concept of ‘Rule of Law’ entails
Urban isiZulu meets African storytelling: narrative structure in 10-12 year old children’s narrations of two wordless picture books.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This research looks at the narrative structure of bilingual (L1-isiZulu/L2-English) 10-12year old children and their use of “Conflict-Resolution Pairs” to advance the plot of a narrative, an element in Stein and Glenn’s (1979) story grammar. It seeks to help build our youth in the foundation phase, aims at humanising our education system, to enhance literacy development and thus academic achievement alongside a preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity in South Africa by reducing the misalignment between the language(s) of teaching and learning and the learners’ home language(s). The curriculum and assessment tools in South Africa are modelled on the basis of a ‘Western’ narrative text structure. This research seeks to highlight, that narratives which do not follow this structure are not necessarily incoherent and that the children are not limited in their storytelling capacities, but that perhaps the techniques being used to test these children are not tailored to accommodate their narratives, which may instead follow a language specific narrative text structure as proposed by Tappe and Hara (2013). Our language backgrounds influence our storytelling skills. The employ of cultural familiarity in the selection of educational materials can assist with interpretation, understanding and the formulation of proficient narratives. This research and many other pieces of research may serve as stepping stones and building blocks in the foundation towards the common goal to create new assessment tools and curricula in South Africa that take into consideration the specific language background of all South African children
Afro-textured hair and the policing of black girlhood: race, gender, and resistance in a desegregated school in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The study presented in this dissertation examined how Black African schoolgirls experience, understand, and resist the policing of Afro-textured hair in a racially desegregated secondary school — Dundee Comprehensive Secondary School (a pseudonym) — in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Despite the legal and political shift toward educational inclusion post-1994, the study reveals that discriminatory school practices rooted in colonial and apartheid ideologies persist. Focusing on 16 purposively selected Black girls who wear their hair in styles such as Afros, braids, dreadlocks, and fade haircuts, the study explored how school-based regulation of hair becomes a mechanism for racialised, gendered, and cultural exclusion. Using African Feminist and Black Feminist theoretical frameworks and employing participatory drawings alongside focus group discussions (FGDs), the research foregrounds the girls’ voices and lived experiences. The findings unveil the covert yet pervasive ways in which hair-based discrimination manifests in desegregated schools. Verbal, undocumented rules disproportionately target Black girls, with teachers, often non-Black, employing language and punitive actions to deem natural African hairstyles as “untidy,” “unacceptable,” or “ugly.” These practices contribute to the policing of Black girlhood, the erasure of cultural and religious identities, and the reinforcement of Eurocentric aesthetic norms. Participants also described how such scrutiny resulted in psychological harm, diminished self-worth, and, at times, exclusion from school spaces. However, the study also reveals powerful forms of resistance. The girls challenged the informal policies through visual storytelling, group solidarity, and affirmations of cultural pride. Their refusal to conform to oppressive beauty standards signals a broader demand for transformation. The study proposes a conceptual framework that maps the intersection of institutional power, cultural identity, resistance, and policy opacity, offering a lens for addressing racialised aesthetic control in South African schools. The dissertation concludes with urgent recommendations for inclusive policy reform, teacher sensitisation, and learner protection aligned with the South African Constitution and the South African Schools Act (84 of 1996)
Assessing the utility of drone technology in estimating surface water temperature, total suspended solids (TSS) and Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in reservoirs: a case study in the uMngeni Catchment.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Over the past few decades, South Africa has faced severe water shortages, primarily due to the declining quality of its natural water supplies. This decline has further strained irrigation standards, directly impacting crop yields, livestock health and soil fertility. This has emphasised the need for advanced, near-real-time approaches to assess and monitor key water quality parameters affecting irrigation water quality, such as water temperature, total suspended solids (TSS), and Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). This research explores the utility of UAV-based remote sensing for monitoring water quality parameters in small reservoirs to address the limitations of traditional remote sensing and ground-based methods, which are often labour-intensive, costly and lack sufficient spatial and temporal coverage. Chapter 1 introduces the research problem, highlighting the increasing pressure on water resources in southern Africa’s resources due to climate change, population growth and land-use changes. It outlines the study's objectives, which include developing a robust methodology for using UAV-derived data to monitor key water quality parameters and improving decision-making in water resource management at the farm scale. Chapter 2 presents a global systematic review of the literature for UAV-based remote sensing for water quality monitoring. It critically evaluates advancements in sensor technology, machine learning algorithms and statistical approaches, identifying key research gaps. The chapter emphasizes the potential of UAVs to provide high- resolution, real-time data but notes challenges such as cost, regulatory constraints and the lack of standardized validation protocols. Chapter 3 provides a case study of the High Flight Farm dam in the uMngeni catchment, illustrating the application approach of UAV-derived data in monitoring water temperature, TSS, and CDOM. The study demonstrates the integration of UAV-based observations with machine learning techniques and model development to produce high-accuracy predictive spatial maps that inform sustainable agricultural practices. Finally, Chapter 4 synthesises the findings, addressing limitations such as weather and operational constraints while offering recommendations for future research. These include expanding research on underrepresented water bodies and promoting interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance the accessibility and scalability of UAV technology in water quality monitoring
Investigating the effect of overcrowding on the application of Covid-19 rules and regulations at Westville Correctional Facility.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Correctional centres in many countries, globally, are notorious for constant overcrowding, unhygienic, and lacking necessary facilities that allow for a dignified existence. In South Africa, it is speculated that inmates in each correctional facility have 2m2 of space between them, which contributes significantly to the transmission of diseases and viruses such as HIV, AIDS, TB, and even COVID-19 in correctional centres. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a viral infection presumed to be developed by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 also mainly known as SARS-Cov-2. This viral infection is considered to be predominantly circulate between people via close contact, aerosols and particles from the air expelled when talking, breathing, or just exhaling, in addition to those generated when coughing or sneezing. In an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19, governments in different countries worldwide introduced protective COVID-19 protocols to which its citizens are to abide by in order to prevent as well as stop the spread of the virus, such as: individuals ought to practice social distancing at all times by avoiding crowded areas, encouraged the normalisation of no-contact greetings, and physically distancing themselves from others; quarantines should one encounter the virus; and travel restrictions. Unfortunately, such rules and regulations may not be easy to practice in correctional facilities due to overcrowding. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of overcrowding on the implementation of the
COVID-19 rules and regulations at the Westville Correctional Facility, with the objective of gathering inmates' and administrators' perspectives on the different detrimental effects of overcrowding.
Key findings: The COVID-19 rules and regulations were entirely impossible to be appropriately practiced due to the non-permitting environment in correctional facilities, such as the high density
population which does not allow for Social Distancing; lack of resources to cater for those who those inmates who needed to be isolated for quarantine purposes; and but not least the inefficient medical assistance as not all inmates test and/or vaccinated.
Recommendations: The main issue in correctional facilities is the number of inmates detained in each correctional institution and largely impacts the successes of the inmate’s rehabilitation stages as well as health and mental wellbeing. Therefore, to ensure subsequent housing of inmates, more correctional facilities ought to be built. Also, focus on increasing the availability of mental and physical health services in correctional facilities since COVID-19 brought attention to how vulnerable people in custodial environments are to health hazards, particularly those who already have a medical condition. Building strong healthcare systems in facilities ought to be a primary concern
The role of pork meat traceability and processing along the value chain to ensure meat safety from farm to fork in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Meat safety remains crucial to public health, consumer confidence, and economic sustainability in the livestock sector. This study evaluated the role of meat traceability and processing along the
value chain to ensure meat safety from farm to fork in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research investigated key factors influencing meat quality, including on-farm animal management, preslaughter handling, microbiological safety, and consumer perceptions of meat from informal markets. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the study identified contamination risks, and proposed strategies to enhance transparency and accountability within the meat industry. Microbiological analysis, observational studies, and consumer surveys were conducted to determine the influence of farm management, transportation, and slaughterhouse practices on meat safety. The findings highlighted critical contamination points within the supply chain, particularly in feed, water, faeces, and carcass handling. Poor hygiene practices, environmental management, and inadequate biosecurity measures were identified as significant contributors to microbial contamination, including pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. The study further explored the impact of pre-slaughter stress on meat quality, emphasizing
that poor handling, rough transportation conditions, and inadequate animal welfare practices resulted in physiological changes that compromised carcass integrity and increased microbial load.
An essential focus of the research was the role of traceability systems in ensuring meat safety. The study revealed that while commercial supply chains have structured monitoring mechanisms,
informal meat markets often lack regulatory oversight, making them highly susceptible to contamination and foodborne illnesses. The absence of standardized record-keeping and quality control measures in these markets poses a significant challenge to consumer health and food safety compliance. To address these challenges, the study recommended an overall approach incorporating improved farm management, robust biosecurity protocols, optimized transportation systems, and enhanced slaughterhouse hygiene. Additionally, consumer education and awareness programs are necessary to promote demand for safe meat products and encourage compliance with meat safety regulations. The findings emphasized the need for cost-effective traceability technologies that can be adopted in both formal and informal markets to enhance food safety and consumer confidence. It was concluded that strengthening the meat value chain through the integration of traceability, improved handling practices, and regulatory enforcement is vital for reducing contamination risks and ensuring sustainable meat production. Future research should explore innovative and affordable traceability solutions tailored for small-scale and informal markets, while also investigating alternative strategies to mitigate pre-slaughter stress and microbial contamination. By addressing these factors, the meat industry can enhance resilience, protect public health, and support the economic viability of meat producers and retailers in South Africa and beyond. Overall, this study demonstrates that strengthening the meat value chain through the integration of effective traceability systems, improved management practices, and stronger regulatory enforcement is essential for reducing contamination risks, ensuring meat safety, and promoting consumer confidence. The findings offer valuable guidance for developing practical interventions that can enhance the resilience and sustainability of both formal and informal meat markets in KwaZulu-Natal
Unveiling female students' experiences in engineering disciplines at a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The engineering profession plays a crucial role in the economic and industrial development of South Africa. However, the country faces a critical shortage of engineers, exacerbated by the persistent underrepresentation of women in engineering disciplines. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have been identified as vital to addressing these gaps by equipping students with the skills needed for the workforce. The purpose of this study was to explore and unveil female students' experiences in engineering disciplines at a technical and vocational education and training college. In constructing a suitable framework for this study, Schlossberg’s (1981) Transition Theory and Tinto’s (1987) Theory of Student Departure were used.Using a qualitative methodology, the study investigated barriers to female enrolment and retention, including cultural biases, lack of female role models, and systemic inequities. The findings highlight institutional practices that hinder gender inclusivity and explore the resilience of female students in navigating these challenges. The study also provides actionable recommendations to improve gender representation in engineering, such as enhancing pedagogical approaches, implementing targeted support programmes, and fostering an inclusive learning environment. The insights gained contribute to the broader discourse on gender equity in STEM fields and align with the objectives of the National Development Plan to cultivate a more diverse and skilled workforce. • Engineering Profession - A career field that involves the application of scientific principles to design, innovate, and maintain infrastructure and technology essential for societal development.• STEM Fields - Disciplines encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, critical for economic innovation and industrial growth. • TVET Colleges - Institutions providing technical and vocational education to equip students with practical skills for employment in various sectors, including engineering.
• Retention Challenges - Factors contributing to female students leaving engineering programmes, including workplace discrimination, lack of mentorship, and institutional biases.
• Pedagogical Approaches - Teaching methods and strategies employed to improve female student experiences and outcomes in engineering disciplines
Post-coronavirus disease resilience of cooperative financial institutions in Kenya.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Globally, Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs) suffered enormously from the unprecedented havoc and disruptions of the coronavirus disease 2019, which resulted in insurmountable and unimaginable public health, social and economic impacts and has continued three years postpandemic. The CFIs are grappling with rebuilding and bouncing back from the negative impact of the pandemic that resulted in unpredictable cash flows, reduced fixed deposits through continued withdrawals, dormant membership, massive layoffs, and a decline in profits and savings. This study aimed to investigate the resilience of CFIs post the pandemic in Kenya to formulate an improved resilient business model for systemic economic shocks and crises. The study was conducted in Nairobi Metropolis and Nairobi City County. An exploratory, descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied with a mixed methods approach—the study population comprised operations, finance, marketing, and chief executive officers. Probability and non-probability approaches were employed. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the study population and study area. Data collection tools included a semi-structured questionnaire distributed among 35 respondents and a Key Informant Interview schedule among 11 executives. Secondary data was generated from the existing documents in the respective institutions. Pearson’s Chi-square test and logistic regression showed the associations between the dependent and independent variables using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for quantitative data and content analysis using themes in NVivo version 12 for qualitative data. The study recommends an all-inclusive model to inform better planning and implementation by stakeholders in the cooperative movement in the face of the next pandemic. This model for the future should anchor risk-based leadership and organizational culture with sustainability at the core of people, profit formula, key processes, and resources within CFIs. Cooperative financial institutions must adopt a broad-based liquidity avenue, including exploring alternatives for equity. This should include private sector capital mobilization in addition to informing global, regional and national in synergy while preparing for the next pandemic. Finally, the government, executive and legislature are challenged to rethink the policies and laws governing CFIs to enable them to become future-fit institutions