21623 research outputs found
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The effect of community policing forums within Glenmore and Umbilo communities in Durban, South Africa.
No full textResearch Articles. Criminology and Forensic Studies.This study explores the value and effectiveness of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) in Glenmore and Umbilo communities, in Durban, South Africa. Drawing upon both Broken Windows Theory (BWT) and Social Disorganisation Theory (SDT), the research investigates diverse community and CPF member perspectives through a qualitative approach. Findings reveal variations in CPF awareness, with some participants demonstrating strong knowledge while others lacking familiarity. This disparity aligns with the potential "information disorder" suggested by BWT and social fragmentation identified by SDT. The study highlights the importance of multi-pronged communication strategies, including social media, local media, and posters, to bridge awareness gaps and foster broader engagement. However, acknowledging SDT's insights, the research emphasises tailoring communication to reach diverse segments and address potential digital divides. Beyond awareness, the study underscores the need for deeper collaboration between communities and police, addressing root causes of crime, and empowering residents to participate in safety efforts actively. By moving beyond the limitations of BWT and embracing the holistic perspectives offered by SDT, CPFs can contribute to sustainable solutions for safer and more inclusive communities
Reviewing literature, theories and approaches of the influence of Christian evangelical activities in Nigeria and South Africa.
No full textResearch Articles. Criminology and Forensic Studies.This study investigated the complex effects of Christian evangelism in South Africa and Nigeria. The paper challengedmodernisation theories that predict a fall in religion with development by using liberation theology and deprivation theory to analyse the social implications and attraction of evangelical groups. Although these movements provide a sense of community and social support in areas with low government services and poverty, liberation theology offers a critical perspective on the "prosperity gospel" and how it could conflict with social justice. Drawing on contemporary literature, the study tried to go beyond basic narratives by investigating the social, economic, political, and gendered components of evangelicalism's effect. The goal of the paperwas to have a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of these movements on Nigeria and South Africa by examining how they engage with current systems and address social justice issues on contemporary issues such as prosperity gospel, and gender. The paper concluded that it is important for evangelical Christians to employ scriptures asa language of communication review how they engage with current social structures, and address social justice issues so that evangelical missions, activities, and evangelism will be impactful
A phytochemical and elemental analysis of senecio serratuloides DC, and its antidiabetic potential.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban.Senecio serratuloides DC, from the Asteraceae, has been widely used in South African traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions such as swollen gums, chest pains, sores, cuts, burns and ulcers. This study was conducted to determine a chemical profile of the plant, both in terms of the secondary metabolites and essential and toxic elements contained in the plant. The plant extracts were further tested for their antibacterial (minimal inhibitory concentrations) and antidiabetic potential (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity). The phytochemical analysis of the leaves and stems resulted in the isolation of the sterols, β- sitosterol (S1) from the stems, and stigmasterol (S2) and stigmasterol glucoside (S3) from the leaves. A further rare sterol, 18α-ursa-12,20(30)-dien-3β-ol (S4) was also isolated from the leaves. Three flavonoids, quercetin (S5), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (S6) and hesperidine (S7) were also isolated from the leaves, along with an aromatic acid, caffeic acid (S8). Extracts of the plant showed good in vitro antidiabetic activity, with the methanol extract from the leaves exhibiting the highest activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. However, the extracts did not exhibit any significant antibacterial activity in the assays carried out. The elemental analysis of the plant indicated a decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Zn > Fe > Co > Cu > Cr > Mn > Ni > As > Se. The leaves also showed good quantities of vitamin C, with an appreciable amount being extracted during the cooking phase. The results also show that moderate consumption of the leaves pose no probable threats of metal poisoning. The extracts obtained from S. serratuloides DC were found to have no antibacterial activity. This is surprising, since some of the isolated compounds were reported to have shown some antibacterial properties, however, these may have been too low to have any significant effect in the crude extracts
The emotional experiences of teachers teaching learners with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Inclusive education is legislated under the White Paper 6 policy which focuses on special needs education with the aim of addressing the barriers to learning for learners with disabilities. However, research consistently shows that inclusivity has been a slow-moving process and there has been little success in implementation. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed existing inequalities in schools for learners with disabilities. If anything, further inequality was revealed where inadequate provision of resources and curriculum planning was made for learners with disabilities. This study aimed to explore the emotional experiences of teachers teaching learners with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was able to gain insight into the factors that influenced their emotions at this time of upheaval for all in the country. This study adopted a qualitative narrative style as I wished to get rich in-depth data from the participants. To do this, semi-structured interviews and collages were used where teachers’ stories could be heard and centralised. This was in keeping with the critical paradigm which sought to hear the voices of teachers teaching learners with disabilities. Narrative inquiry allowed me to delve deeply into the emotions that teachers encountered when teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven participants were randomly selected in one special school in the King Cetshwayo District. In getting to understand teachers’ emotions, Hargreaves’ theory of emotions and teaching and learning was used to analyse data that were provided by the participants. The data were analysed both inductively and deductively using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that teachers teaching learners with disabilities during the pandemic encountered mostly negative emotions, revealing that emotions are intricate to teaching. Under broad themes of relationships with colleagues, principals, learners and the school context, findings revealed that relationships were complex and arduous and influenced the emotional well-being of teachers. The overriding concern for teachers was to ensure that learners achieved academically. The findings also revealed that teachers navigated their emotions, drawing on support from family and colleagues. They were resilient and proactive in making decisions about how to ensure the right to education for their learners were assured
The Diasporean I: the Southern African perspectives.
No full textBook. School of Management, IT and Governance
Effectiveness of audio-visual aids in the teaching of listening comprehension in Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, Nigeria.
No full textResearch Articles. Criminology and Forensic Studies.This study examined the effectiveness of audio-visual aids in the teaching of listening comprehension in Government Day Secondary Schools, Gwagwalada, Abuja. The quasi-experimental design was adopted. Three research objectives, questions, and hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The population comprised all the 630 SS2 students in Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. One hundred (100) students were sampled for the study. The Students’ Listening Comprehension Test (SLICOT) was used as the instrument, and the instrument was pilot-tested with a reliability index value of 0.75. The chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. The research revealed that there is significant difference between the performance of students taught with audio-visual aids and those taught without the aids in the three levels of listening comprehension: literal, inferential, and critical. The study concluded that audio-visual aids help in the teaching and performance of students in listening comprehension. The study, therefore, recommended that audio-visual aids such as radio, cassette, flash card, speaker, television, projector, and other audio-visual materials should be made adequate and accessible for the effective teaching and learning of listening comprehension in secondary schools during the teaching and learning period
Cybersecurity for industrial Internet of Things: a case study of the South African transport sector.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.There is an increasing drive for the fourth industrial revolution, which has resulted in increasing deployments of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT deployments have led to multiple security incidents. This study focuses on determining the factors influencing cybersecurity for IIoT and the pressing need to secure IIoT devices and networks in South Africa’s transportation sector, which is crucial to the nation’s economy. Examples include maritime, ports, railways, airports, trains, and road transportation. A mixed-method approach is used. Quantitative methods include questionnaires, and qualitative methods include the analysis of documents (industry best practices, standards, and frameworks) used to identify and assess the technological, organisational, procedural and people factors influencing cybersecurity for IIoT in the transport sector of South Africa (SA). The population for this study consisted of 58 participants with knowledge of IIoT security in the transport sector of SA. Questionnaires are analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and inferential statistics. Data collected from documents are analysed using thematic analysis. The conceptual research framework underpinning this study is the Design Science Research combined with Business Model for Information Security (BMIS) framework. The areas of BMIS that guided the study are technology, organisation, procedure, and people.
The findings of this study bring to light significant organisational and procedural challenges, including the crucial role of cybersecurity staff for IIoT, the necessity for robust incident response plans, and the looming technological threats such as ransomware and cyber espionage. From a people factor, the lack of training, communication, and employee satisfaction emerges as a significant concern, underscoring the need for immediate attention and action. Through the data triangulation from the qualitative and quantitative methods, the relationship between the four BMIS factors is determined, and a framework for IIoT cybersecurity in the SA transport sector is developed. The cybersecurity framework is evaluated against the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Future research includes exploring control breakdowns, implementation feasibility, use of a honeypot to simulate IIoT device vulnerabilities, and alignment with legal requirements, thereby offering the potential for enhanced security measures for organisations in the South African transport sector
Teacher perceptions of inclusion in early childhood care and education in an informal settlement.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The purpose of this dissertation is to understand teacher perceptions of inclusion in early childhood care and education (ECCE) in an informal settlement using the case study design. ECCE is the period from birth to age four before formal schooling begins. This has been identified as a critical period to optimise learning and development, with ripple effects throughout the human lifespan. However, mere access to ECCE services is not enough, as low-quality programmes cannot achieve what high-quality programmes achieve in terms of early learning and development. Creating inclusive ECCE learning spaces is one way to ensure high-quality early learning experiences. Despite the need for quality in this sector, ECCE in South Africa remains marginalised with poor funding, low salaries, poor infrastructure, and unqualified personnel. This plight of ECCE is further exacerbated in poor communities such as informal settlements with makeshift homes, poverty, lack of municipal services, pollution, and inadequate health facilities for children. This study, therefore, attempts to investigate teacher perceptions of inclusion in ECCE in an informal settlement. The study was located within the interpretive paradigm, and a qualitative case study design was adopted. Data were generated from four ECCE teachers in an informal settlement in KwaZulu-Natal, through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Findings show that teachers have both myopic and broad understandings of inclusion. The findings also reveal that although research participants stated that they did not receive any training on inclusion, they did attempt to implement inclusion. The study also highlights that the implementation of inclusion in an informal settlement is a challenge for teachers, as they do not receive support to create an
inclusive programme for all children. Furthermore, the findings highlight limited learning resources to accommodate all children’s educational needs and the lack of necessary skills to
implement inclusion. The study highlights the plight of children attending an ECCE in an informal settlement and the urgent need for government intervention to improve the quality of education and care to the most vulnerable members of our society
Type I, II, and III interferon responses in the female genital tract.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Abstract available in PDF
Effects of livestock theft on the livelihood of people in rural communities: a case study of AmaCwerha Traditional Authority in Alfred Ndzo District, Eastern Cape Province.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Abstract available in PDF