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Exploring the political and economic effects of xenophobia on South Africa’s foreign policy toward other countries: 2008 – 2019.
No full textDoctoral Degrees. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The economic and political landscape, both globally and domestically, profoundly influences a
nation's well-being, a reality keenly felt in South Africa. Persistent tensions between citizens and
foreign nationals have erupted into violent conflicts, demanding a comprehensive and strategic
response. Xenophobia remains a critical and life-threatening challenge for foreign nationals within
contemporary South Africa. Despite not being a donor country, South Africa's engagement in
development cooperation across Africa is central to its foreign policy. However, the scourge of
xenophobic violence has tarnished its international reputation and strained diplomatic ties even
within the African continent, thus, affecting the potency of its foreign policy.
Drawing from Realism, Constructivism and Securitization theory, this dissertation investigates
how security issues are framed through political elites' speech acts, shaping perceptions of
existential threats requiring protection. By delving into the root causes of Xenophobia and its
economic and political implications for foreign policy, this study contributes to understanding the
underlying motivations behind anti-foreign sentiments, particularly towards black foreign
nationals. Realism provides insights into the state's role and national interests amidst
Xenophobia and foreign policy challenges.
Through structured questionnaires and interviews with diverse stakeholders across South Africa,
this research identifies policy gaps and institutional avenues for the state to address underlying
conflict drivers and mitigate violent outbreaks. Additionally, it fills a literature gap by exploring
the significance and applicability of constructivism and securitization theory within the South
African context.
In conclusion, this study confirms the presence of Xenophobia within South Africa and emphasizes
the need for tailored frameworks to foster peace both nationally and internationally. Effective
peace initiatives must prioritize comprehensive economic and political strategies aimed at
resolving conflicts and promoting coexistence among culturally diverse populations. With the aim
of bridging the divide of ‘us versus them’ this study further recommends and encourages the
deliberate practice of the spirit of Ubuntu, increasing empathy, with the aim of arriving at a more
cohesive community. Thereby, enhancing South Africa’s reputation internationally
Effects of land restoration on the habitat integrity of rivers based on biological water quality and habitat condition assessments with a focus on the eThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Riparian ecosystems are natural areas that offer an extensive range of ecosystem services. Their functionality aids in diverting and mitigating the impacts of surface water runoff, thereby reducing soil erosion. Riparian ecosystems also play an important role in sequestering nutrients and organic matter. The degradation of river systems impairs riparian ecosystem health and results in dysfunction, lack of ecosystem services provision and other deleterious effects. This study examined the effect of restoring riparian habitats across two study sites in Durban, Ethekwini Municipality, South Africa. The study aimed to a) measure and assess habitat integrity across three river systems as a result of reforestation efforts, and b) monitor the
biological water quality using the Mini Stream Assessment Scoring System (MiniSASS) and the Index of Habitat Integrity indices. In addition, a systematic review was undertaken to provide an introduction and background to ecological restoration work involving freshwater ecosystems in the general South African context. The Index of Habitat Integrity and MiniSASS data were collected over ten months at two sites reforested by eThekwini Municipality, which were compared with data collected from a third river site used as the reference. Two sampling points were selected per site (namely upstream and downstream). It was predicted there would be a significant difference in MiniSASS scores between river sites under reforestation and reference sites not exposed to reforestation. However, it was found that MiniSASS and Index of Habitat Integrity scores differed between and across sites. The reference site had the highest scores. The sites with greater habitat integrity had improved ecological conditions based on macroinvertebrate responses to anthropogenic disturbances. This study highlighted the important role of naturally functioning riparian habitats in cleaning water and provides a baseline for reforestation impact monitoring, as well as informing local governance strategies for restoring degraded rivers in urban areas
An exploration of the learners’ views on the efficacy of information communication technology in improving work performance : The case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health employees registered at a community learning centre in Durban.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study is situated in the context of adult education in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is framed within the national policies of the Skills Development Act No. 31 of 2008 and the
Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa 2010-2030. These policies underscore the importance of providing continuous skills development and education opportunities for adults in the labour market, particularly emphasizing the need for basic education and training. The research focuses on evaluating the views of adult learners from the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the efficacy of the Information and Communication Technology Adult Basic Education and Training (INCT4) programme at a local Community Learning Centre. It examines how this programme impacts their work performance and personal lives. The study employs a qualitative research design within an interpretivist paradigm. Data was
gathered through semi-structured interviews with employees who had participated in the INCT4 program. This methodological approach was aimed at understanding the learners'
perspectives on the skills they acquired and their application in both professional and personal contexts. The findings indicate that learners value the skills gained from the INCT4
programme highly, noting improvements in their work performance and personal life management. These skills enhanced their confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to undertake new tasks and engage more effectively in their professional roles. While the application of these skills varied across different job roles, all learners noted personal benefits, such as increased ability to use digital platforms independently. The study underscores the significance of adult education as a form of lifelong and life-wide learning. It highlights the role of self-directed learning in adult education, drawing on Knowles's theory of andragogy and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The research contributes to the understanding of how adult education can facilitate individual and societal development and underscores the need for adult education programmes to be relevant and responsive to learners' needs. The study concludes with a call for further research into the involvement of adult learners in the planning and evaluation of educational programs and the effectiveness of various learning areas in Community Learning Centers (CLCs)
Exploration of ear biometrics with deep learning = Ukucwaninga ibhayomethrikhi yendlebe ngokufunda ngokujulile.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Biometrics is the recognition of a human using biometric characteristics for identification, which may be physiological or behavioural. Numerous models have been proposed to distinguish biometric traits used in multiple applications, such as forensic investigations and security systems. With the COVID-19 pandemic, facial recognition systems failed due to users wearing masks; however, human ear recognition proved more suitable as it is visible. This thesis explores efficient deep learning-based models for accurate ear biometrics recognition. The ears were extracted and identified from 2D profiles and facial images, focusing on both left and right ears. With the numerous datasets used, with particular mention of BEAR, EarVN1.0, IIT, ITWE and AWE databases. Many machine learning techniques were explored, such as Naïve Bayes, Decision Tree, K-Nearest Neighbor, and innovative deep learning techniques: Transformer Network Architecture, Lightweight Deep Learning with Model Compression and EfficientNet. The experimental results showed that the Transformer Network achieved a high accuracy of 92.60% and 92.56% with epochs of 50 and 90, respectively. The proposed ReducedFireNet Model reduces the input size and increases computation time, but it detects more robust ear features. The EfficientNet variant B8 achieved a classification accuracy of 98.45%. The results achieved are more significant than those of other works, with the highest achieved being 98.00%. The overall results showed that deep learning models can improve ear biometrics recognition when both ears are computed.
Iqoqa.
Ibhayomethrikhsi ukubona umuntu kusetshenziswa okwebhayomethrikhi ukuhlonza okungaba okomzimba noma ukwenza. Sekuhlongozwe amamodeli ehlukene ukuhlukanisa okwebhayomethrikhi kusetshenziswa izinhlobonhlobo zohlelokuxhumana njengophenyonzulu kanye nezinhlelo zokuphepha. Ngesikhathi sobhubhane i-COVID-19, izinhlelo zokuhlonza umuntu ngobuso zehluleka ngoba abantu babesebenzisa izifonyo; kepha-ke ukuhlonza umuntu ngendlebe kubonakala kungokulungile ngoba kuyabonakala kahle. Lolu cwaningo luhlola amamodeli agxile ekufundeni okudephile ukuze kutholakale amabhayomethrikhi endlebe okuhlonza. Izindlebe zathathwa zabe sezihlonzwa kumaphrofayli e-2D kanye nezithombe zobuso, kugxilwe kuzona zombili izindlebe, eyangakwesokudla neyangakwesobunxele. Ngezinhlobonhlobo zamadathasethi asetshenziswa, ikakhulukazi izizindalwazi i-BEAR, i-EarVN1.0, i-IIT, i-ITWE kanye ne-AWE. Kwazanywa izinhlobo eziningi zamasu okufunda ngemishini njengeNaïve Bayes, iDecision Tree, i-K-Nearest Neighbor, kanye namanye amasu okufunda ngokugxilile aphuculayo: iTransformer Network Architecture, iLightweight Deep Learning eneModel Compression kanye ne-EfficientNet. Imiphumela yokuhlola yaveza ukuthi iTransformer Network yaba nokusondela okukhulu okungama-92.60% kanye nama-92.56% enkathi yama-50 neyama-90, ngalolo hlelo. IModeli iReducedFireNet ehlongoziwe yehlisa ubungako bokungenayo bese inyusa isikhathi sekhompyutha, kepha ihlonza okuningi kwendlebe. I-EfficientNet variant B8 izuze ukuhlelwa kokusondela ngama-98.45%. Imiphumela ezuziwe isemqoka ngaphezu kweyeminye imisebenzi, ngezinga lokuzuza elingama-98.00%. Imiphumela isiphelele yonke ikhombise ukuthi amamodeli okufunda ngokugxila angaphucula amabhayomethrikhi okuhlonza ngendlebe uma zombili izindlebe zifakwe kukhompyutha
Reflections on the experiences of pastoral caregivers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe-central diocese during the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The tragic COVID-19 outbreak from Wuhan, China, prompted governments to enact public health measures to stem the virus's spread after the World Health Organization proclaimed it to be a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The epidemic had a devastating global impact that forced Governments to implement public health measures to stop the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 lockdown laws prohibited in-person gatherings which traditionally served as the foundation for Christian worship. In order to develop pastoral care strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the main goal of this research study was to reflect in depth on the experiences of pastoral caregivers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe-Central Diocese (ELCZ-CD) during the lockdown restrictions. Using qualitative research methodologies, the researcher collected data from forty (40) purposively selected pastoral caregivers. Desktop research was utilized to supplement field research. Moyo’s 2015 pastoral care theology formed the principal underpinning theoretical framework complemented by Martin Luther’s neighborliness care and the indigenous Karanga social philosophy of ukama (related and interrelatedness) propounded by Hungwe and Ndofirepi (2021). Two major findings that emerged were: first, the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions killed the tried and tested physical gathering coping mechanisms of the church. Second, although it posed several social challenges, COVID-19 lockdown restrictions provided opportunities for the church to learn new ways of doing traditional things differently (Moyo, 2016). Recommendations are that the church should embrace technology and invest in the media ministry for effective pastoral care during lockdowns
A highly efficient, low-cost, and sustainable method of water purification and desalination using solar-driven interfacial evaporation.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban.Water scarcity has become one of the most daunting global challenges, and as a result, a continuous supply of potable water has become a bane to most societies. Techniques such as distillation and reverse osmosis have been adopted in the production of potable water but these processes are energy-consuming and highly expensive making them less attractive to many households. A viable economical technique is the removal of salt from seawater or brackish water through a solar distiller. This research was based on the design of a low-cost and new improved solar distiller which was made up of a wooden basin and an inclined glass cover. In the basin is contained sea or brackish water and photothermal materials which include recycled materials that act as an insulation material, an evaporation structure, and a solar absorber. These photothermal materials were designed and fabricated to meet with the current state-of-the-art method of evaporation which is solar interfacial evaporation. The fabricated materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The solar distiller and photo thermal materials were evaluated for their efficiencies via real-time outdoor experiments using solar energy. The rate of evaporation was calculated, while parameters such as pH, conductivity, Total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity were analyzed on the freshwater collected and compared with the standard of drinking water by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and South African National Standard (SANS241). Heavy metal concentration in the water samples and remediated water collected were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and compared with the WHO and SANS241 standards as well. The findings could provide adequate and affordable potable water to all households irrespective of societal status and it will reduce the cost of health management, as many diseases associated with consumption of untreated water can be drastically reduced. This is
in-line with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Silent no more: religion engaging with gender-based violence in South Africa: a case study on the “We Will Speak Out South Africa” Coalition.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Pietermaritzburg.GBV (gender-based violence) remains a pervasive and multifaceted issue globally affecting individuals across diverse socio-cultural and religious contexts. FBOs (faith-based organisations) have emerged as significant actors in combating GBV due to their influential presence and moral authority within communities. This dissertation will outline religion engaging with GBV in south Africa with a specific focus on a case study on the We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA) coalition
FBOs engage in GBV prevention and response efforts through a range of strategies, including awareness-raising campaigns, community education and the provision of support services. Their interventions often integrate theological perspectives, emphasising the principles of dignity, equality and compassion to challenge harmful gender norms and to promote respectful relationships.
However, FBO engagement in GBV work also presents challenges, including the potential for reinforcing patriarchal structures or encountering resistance from conservative interpretations of religious doctrine. Effective collaboration between FBOs and secular organisations is crucial for navigating these complexities, ensuring holistic and inclusive approaches to GBV prevention and response.
The abstract underscores the importance of recognising the diverse roles and experiences of FBOs in addressing GBV. By harnessing the moral authority and community networks of FBOs, concerted efforts can be made towards creating safer and more equitable societies for all individuals, irrespective of gender or faith affiliation
The effect of edible coatings and ZnO nanoparticles based on Moringa extracts on the postharvest quality of avocado (persea americana mill.) fruit.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Abstract available in PDF
Extraction of pesticides using selected analytical methods from soil and maize segments : cumulative and health risks assessment = Ukukhishwa kwezibulala zinambuzane ngokusebenzisa izindlela zokuhlaziya ezikhethekile zikhishwa ezingxenyeni zomhlabathi kanye nombila: ukuhlola okunwabelanayo kanye nobungozi bezempilo.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Increased agricultural operations result in increased usage of various pesticides to safeguard agricultural crops, however this is done without paying attention to the effects of the amounting potential harm both humans and the environment are exposed to. In this present study, a structured study was conducted to investigate the uptake of atrazine, mesotrione, 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and glyphosate herbicides from contaminated soil and their translocation into different maize segments. Soil profile and quality of irrigation water were also assessed as they are crucial resources required in agricultural crop production due to their ability to influence the yield and quality of the agricultural products. Various physicochemical parameters were measured in an attempt to monitor the soil profile, irrigation water and maize quality harvested from Buhle farm located in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The irrigation water physicochemical parameters considered were the pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity and chloride concentration. The soil physicochemical parameters considered were moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, texture, total nitrogen as well Mg, Na, K, Zn, Mn, P and N elements. Maize was analysed for nutrition content and medicinal health promoting compounds. Based on the attained results, the soil texture contained high clay content (56.4%), followed by sand (40.6%) and silt (2.98%). The concentrations for total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which were translated to high soil fertility were 2700, 19 and 222 mg L-1, respectively. These particular elements are essential for agricultural plantation processes and consequently maize quality and maize yield. The levels of sodium, sodium adsorption ratio and electrical conductivity found in irrigation water were 0.05 mg L-1, 2 and 1.81 μS m-1, respectively. The findings showed that maize harvested from Buhle farm had high starch content of 58.6%. Fibre, protein and fat contents in maize were 23.4, 9.01 and 4.55%, respectively. Furthermore, the total anthocyanin, total flavonoids and total phenolic acid content were 8.5, 49.5 and 100 mg L-1, respectively. High amounts of phenolic acid detected indicated therapeutic ability of the maize since phenolic acids are essential for cancer prevention to the consumer. The presence of anthocyanin, flavonols and phenolic acids in maize crop is associated with its quality that could benefit livestock and human after consumption. The analysis of herbicides in soil and maize samples require sample pre-treatment due to their low concentration and complex matrix hence an ultrasonic extraction, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), Soxhlet extraction (SE) and QuEChERS methods were investigated. The optimization and application of ultrasonic extraction, MAE, SE and QuEChERS methods were conducted for the effective extraction of pesticides from maize and their corresponding soil samples. The analysis of pesticides (atrazine, glyphosate, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and mesotrione) was done with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Factors influencing the efficiency of the extraction methods such as the extraction solvent, extraction time, solvent volume, sample wetting and spiking concentration were assessed. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD), coefficient of determination (R2), limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and percentage recoveries were the quantitative characteristics of the current methods assessed. All calibration curves showed a high correlation coefficient (R2) ≥0.996, indicating good linearity. The LODs and LOQs ranged between 0.22-0.32 μg L-1 and 2.0-2.9 μg L-1 for SE , 0.1-0.25 μg L-1 and 1.1-2.2 μg L- 1 for MAE, 0.02 – 0.15 μg L-1 and 0.2 - 0.5 μg L-1 for UE and 0.01 – 0.23 μg L-1 and 0.13 – 0.8 μg L-1 for QuEChERS. The maize and soil analytes recoveries for SE, MAE, EU and QuEChERS ranged between 62-80% and 70-81%, 80-98% and 85-101%, 100-104% and 91- 97 % and 94-115% and 92-101%, respectively with the repeatability, articulated as RSD values of which are within the acceptable range as they are lower than 20%. MAE method showed higher sensitivity compared to SE while, UE and QuEChERS both showed high sensitivity for the extraction and quantification of the target analytes at low concentrations found in soil and maize cob. It was observed that 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.4-D) was least absorbed by the soil, however, all the studied herbicides showed high absorption in the leafy segment of the maize plant due to the high polarity of the leaf cuticle. Glyphosate showed high absorption rate in soil, roots, stalk and leaves while mesotrione was highly absorbed in corn and tassels in all treatments. The absorption rate of analyte increased with increasing growth days. The higher treatment concentration (0.75 g L-1) showed elevated accumulation with the highest concentration (1.02 μg L-1) observed for glyphosate in leaves after 140 days and high mesotrione in corn (0.51 μg L-1) and tassel (0.42 μg L-1) observed after 120 days. Even though all maize treatment showed a pesticide toxicity index (PTI) values of <1, the health risk index (HI) data were below 100% threshold as well indicating no possible health risk linked with the intake of these crops by both adults and children.
Iqoqa.
Imisebenzi yezolimo eyenyukile iba nemiphumela ekusetshenzisweni okwenyukile kwezibulala zinambuzane ezahlukene ukuqinisekisa ukulondolozeka kokudla kanye nokwenganyelwa kwezivuno ekudingakaleni okukhulayo kokudla, yize lokhu kwenziwa ngaphandle kokunaka imithelela yobungozi obungaba khona kokukhulayo kukho kokubili abantu kanye nemvelo. Ukwahlukaniseka okunqwabelene kanye nokuphikelelayo kanye kanye nomthelela wobutha ngendlela abantu abadla ngayo, kukhomba ekuhlolweni kwezinkomba zezivuno kanye nemihlabathi yazo ngokuqhathanisa nezinga lamazwe ngamazwe. Ukuhlolwa kwakho emhlabathini kanye namasampula ombila kudinga isampula yokuhlolwa kokwandulela ngenxa yokuzinza kwakho okuphansi kulenxakanxaka enkimbinkimbi yezikali njengoba ukukhishwa kwe-ultrasonic, ukukhishwa okwelekelewe isishisisi, i-microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ukukhishwa kwe-Soxhlet, i-Soxhlet extraction (SE) kanye nezindlela ze-QuEChERS kwaphenywa kulolu cwaningo. Ukwenza kahle kokusebenza kwala masu okukhipha kwenziwa ukuhlola ubungakho bokukwazi ukukhipha kahle kwawo embileni kanye namasampula enhlabathini ehambisana nakho. Indlela yeMAE yaveza ukuzwelana okuphezulu uma kuqhathaniswa ne-SE, i-UE kanye ne-QuEChERS, njengoba kwakukhethwe njengethuluzi elisebenza kahle ocwaningweni. Ukuhlukaniseka ngokomsebenzi kanye nobungakho kwakho ngezibalo kwalezi zinkomba ezibulala izinambuzane kwenziwa ngomshini wegesi oyi-chromatography-flame ionization. Kulolu cwaningo, ucwaningo oluhlekile lwenziwa ekukwazini ukuthatha i-atrazine, i-mesotrione, isimuncwana se-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic kanye ne-glyphosate herbicides enhlabathini enobuthi futhi yesuswa yayobekwa endaweni eyehlukile ezingxenyeni ezahlukene zombila. Kwabonakala ukuthi i-2.4-D yayimuncwe okungenani inhlabathi, yize noma kunjalo, ama-herbicide acwaningiwe aveza ukumunca okuphezulu engenxyeni enamahlamvu yesitshalo sombila ngenxa yokuqembuka kwesivikeli sohlamvu. I-glyphosate yaveza ukumunca okuphezulu ezingeni lenhlabathi, izimpande, isiqu kanye namahlamvu ngesikhathi i- mesotrione yayumunceke kakhulu ohlamvwini kanye nasetshakazeni kukhona konke ukusetshenzwa kwakho. Izinga lokumunceka lokuhlaziya ikhemikhali lenyuka ngokwenyuka kokuphakama kwezinsuku. Uzinzo lokusetshenzwa okuphezulu (0.75 g L-1) kwaveza ukunqwabelana okuphakeme kokuzinza okuphezulu kakhulu (1.02 µg L-1) okwabonakala kwi-glyphosate emahlamvwini emva kwezinsuku eziyi-140 futhi i-mesotrione ephezulu ohlamvini (0.51 µg L-1) kanye nentshakaza (0.42 kwabonakala emva kwezinsuku eziyi-120. Ukusetshenzwa kombila kwaveza ubungako be-PTI be- <1 nemininigo ye-HI engaphansi kuka-100% okukhomba ukungabibikho nhlobo kobungozi bezempilo obuhlobene nokuthatha izivuno ngabantu abadala noma abantwana
Three decades of South African democratic experiment : consolidating or retreating?
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.South Africa’s transition from colonialism and apartheid to a constitutional democracy was fraught with many complex challenges which included several difficult phases. During apartheid, the National Party minority government enacted laws that promoted and advanced the democratic, political and civil rights of a few to the detriment of the black Africans that constituted the vast majority of the country’s population. This triggered a challenging and protracted fight for an inclusive democratic system of government where a person’s social standing, race and gender would not serve as a factor determining their rights and their treatment by the state. Over time, and with the support of international organisations and governments, South Africans embraced a need for a dialogue that culminated in the 1994 democratic breakthrough which brought with it many political opportunities. This study uses the pragmatic paradigm to assess the role of both apartheid and the post-1994 democratic era in serving or hindering the country’s democratic consolidation. Whereas the theoretical framework underpinning this study facilitates both the analytical and conceptual constitution of the research on the state of South African democracy with specific concern over its consolidation or retreat. To this end, the research appropriates the institutional approach. This study first assesses the institutionalisation, legalisation, and entrenchment of the political, racial, social and economic stratification of South Africa. Later it assesses the role of the post-1994 democracy in strengthening institutions, values and practices that are geared towards democratic deepening. The study concludes by arguing that South Africa’s democratic experiment although facing challenges, has overall shown the resilience of the South African society, even though equality remains an unfulfilled promise for many.Abstract on available in English in PDF document