21623 research outputs found
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An exploration of experiences of elderly women caring for non-biological children without a statutory mandate: Mnquma Local Municipality, Eastern Cape.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In many African cultures, childrearing is a collective responsibility. Extended family members, particularly elderly women, have traditionally played a significant role in nurturing and raising children. This practice is deeply rooted in African values like Ubuntu, which emphasizes interconnectedness, compassion, and collective well-being. Rapid urbanization, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and other social challenges have disrupted traditional family structures. This has resulted in an increase in the number of children who require alternative care arrangements. Guided by the Ubuntu and resilience theories, this qualitative study explores the experiences of elderly African women in the Mnquma Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, who are caring for non-biological children without a statutory mandate. The research investigates the motivations, challenges, and support systems utilized by these elderly African women and establishes the recommendations that they attach to address their challenges. The study employed an interpretivist paradigm and thematic analysis to analyse the data that was collected through semi-structured interviews with women aged 60–80 years.
Findings reveal that cultural values, community-driven caregiving, and a sense of moral obligation drive their commitment despite significant socio-economic and health-related challenges. The research highlights the urgent need for policy recognition, inclusion, and support for informal care systems to improve the well-being of both elderly African women and children. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on indigenous caregiving practices, offering culturally sensitive recommendations for social work and policy reforms. By understanding the experiences of these elderly African women, implicated parties can develop more effective and culturally sensitive interventions to support the well-being of both non-biological children and the elderly in African communities. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and two sampling methods: purposive and snowball sampling
Environmental social engagement praxis: exploring the implementation of socio-ecological documents by the national episcopal conference of Cameroon.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.From Pope Pius XII (1948) to Pope Francis (2023), the Catholic Church has issued socio-ecological documents emphasising the common good, ecological preservation, sustainable development, and human dignity, paralleling global initiatives such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and COP29 in addressing sustainability, inequality, poverty, health, human rights, and food security. Despite this, theological perspectives on how the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) implements these documents remain underexplored, particularly concerning environmental and social engagement praxis at the community level. This study aimed to propose a socio-eco-theological (SET) framework to support the implementation of socio-ecological documents within the NECC and beyond the wider Catholic Church. Adopting an interpretivist philosophy and qualitative exploratory design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty participants engaged in social justice, peace, and ecological action within the NECC. Findings reveal blocked projects, limited institutional support, absent ecological awareness in pastoral letters, weak grassroots connections, and poor dissemination of documents, highlighting the urgent need for a guiding framework. Accordingly, the study recommends integrating the SET framework into pastoral practice and training, including diocesan ecological zones, interfaith collaboration, eco-catechesis, and the inclusion of creation care in seminarian, religious, and lay formation. This study advances theological and ecological scholarship by introducing the SET framework as a novel foundation for understanding and guiding socio-ecological pastoral engagement within and beyond the Catholic Church in Cameroon
Reimagining dominion: eco-theological critiques to care for our common home.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.study examines the biblical-theological concepts of Dominion Theology as an alternative form of criticism based on Critical Theory and Eco-Theology, and the ecological problems that the world is facing are also addressed. For a creation narrative, which is sometimes human-centered, Dominion Theology has served as a ground for exploitive control over creation by defining human beings as having power over creation and not as caregivers- which is, i.e., the anthropocentric view /misinterpretation of Genesis 2. Given the extent of this inadequate lens in the understanding of ecological sustainability, the dissertation seeks to transform dominion and its theological implications in light of a contemporary eco-theological perspective.
Conducting a qualitative research inside a critical research paradigm that integrates the theoretical frameworks to deconstruct hegemonic ideologies embedded in traditional theological narratives using a qualitative methodology. At the same time, Eco-Theology serves as a constructive framework, advocating for an ethic of care, interconnectedness, and responsibility toward the environment. Table 1 identified the historical and theological foundations of dominion theology, and the study in green found evidence of ecological degradation contributed by visions of this type of theology and discussion that implies alternatives and sustainability.
The findings show that a new vision of dominion theology, which is influenced by eco-theological principles, can be an appropriate concept for dealing with environmental difficulties. These are contained in changing the theological discussion from human exceptionalism to a comprehensive comprehension of creation as a community of life. On top of that, the research reveals the role of faith communities in cultivating ecological consciousness and action, so the potential to play a central role in environmental advocacy and care is highlighted.
This study is a significant part of the constantly developing interdisciplinary dialogue between theology, critical theory, and environmental ethics. It presents the latest theological notions that the global movement of “care for our common home” is urged to follow. Therefore, in addition to the explanations of the theoretical framework, the book opens the vistas of a green theology oriented to practical implications already implied by academic criticism and lays the groundwork for the future eco-theological research and practical implications to actions and biodiversity, vegetable experimentation, and energy sources efficiency, which allows ecofeminism, which is an intersection of ecological and feminist theories, to be explored
The role of social capital in building climate change resilience amongst smallholder farmers in Bergville.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study examines the influence of social capital on the climate change adaptation strategies and resilience-building of smallholder farmers in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected from 150 purposively selected farmers through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 29). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a probit regression model were employed to assess the effect of social capital variables on adaptive behaviour. Qualitative data were thematically analysed to explore farmers’ perceptions of the benefits and constraints of using social networks to build resilience." Findings indicate that trust in peer information, participation in collective action, access to extension services, and frequent community interaction are strong positive predictors of climate adaptation. Farmers embedded in active social networks had significantly higher odds (P < 0.05) of adopting climate-smart practices, while those excluded from group activities or decision-making faced greater vulnerability. Despite the strength of bonding social capital, bridging and linking forms essential for accessing external resources and knowledge remain underutilized. The study highlights the transformative potential of social capital in strengthening climate resilience, while noting the institutional and structural barriers that limit its effectiveness. Strengthening inclusive and functional social networks, alongside enhanced extension support, is vital for building sustainable adaptation pathways in rural farming systems
The perspectives on the impact of corruption on service delivery: a case study of a KwaZulu Natal municipality.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.KwaZulu-Natal, which is one of South Africa's largest provinces in terms of population density, is home to numerous municipalities which are local government structures that are mandated to ensure basic service delivery to all the citizens in its area of responsibility. However, this province has reportedly faced unique challenges in its ability to ensure equitable and sustainable service delivery. While the municipalities in this region are tasked with improving the quality of life for their residents, the pervasive nature of corruption undermines their efforts. Corruption poses a significant challenge to effective governance and service delivery in many municipalities across South Africa, including iNdumiso Municipality1 in KwaZulu-Natal. Corruption in local governance has emerged as a significant barrier to effective service delivery by municipalities across South Africa. Acts of corruption do not only redirect essential resources away from critical community needs, but also reinforce inequality and impose the marginalisation of certain groups in the population. Due to the broad nature of corruption as an academic topic, it was deemed important and instructive to narrow down the scope of this investigation to a particular case to ensure that contextual factors would be suitably considered. In this instance, the case on the impact of corruption in service delivery was the iNdumiso Municipality.
Local governments play a vital role in managing the delivery of basic services such as sanitation, water, and housing and form the government tier that is closest to communities (Sekibuule, 2012). Poor governance in municipalities can greatly affect public service delivery, either directly through higher pricing or indirectly through lower quality or frequency of available services. However, the high levels of corruption in local governments are associated with service delivery, therefore it was important to examine irregularities in service delivery to determine how a local community was affected by such malpractices, which unnecessarily impoverish citizens. The choice of iNdumiso as the study location was significant due to recent reports of corruption within this local government structure. These reports raised concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of public service provision in this area. By focusing on this municipality, the study aimed to gain a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by residents in accessing quality services and the role of corruption in exacerbating these issues. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, a pseudonym is used to refer to the municipality under study. The research aimed to explore the prevalence, forms, and drivers of corruption within the municipality and analysed how these factors hindered the provision of essential services. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews involving 18 participants, including 10 municipal workers and 8 community members. The findings revealed that corruption in the iNdumiso Municipality manifested in several ways, including bribery, nepotism, and embezzlement. These corrupt practices had a direct and detrimental impact on the quality and accessibility of services such as water, sanitation, and infrastructure. Economic pressures, weak institutional frameworks, and cultural norms that tolerate unethical behaviour were identified as the key drivers of corruption. While the study found that some efforts had been made to address corruption, it was highlighted that these initiatives had been largely ineffective due to weak governance and lack of accountability. The research therefore emphasises the need for a more robust and collaborative approach to service delivery through initiatives that involve local government, community members, and civil society. It seems essential to combat corruption and improve service delivery in iNdumiso Municipality, and possibly other municipalities that experience similar challenges
Community responses to floods: case study of Thornwood Township in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The overall aim of this study is to explore and examine the community’s response to floods in the Thornwood area. Particular focus was paid to the flood that occurred in 2022 in Thornwood township in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This study adopted a qualitative method. In order to achieve its objectives, this study used both in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. 13 participants were selected and interviewed for the in-depth semi-structured interviews, and 4 groups were interviewed, whereby each group comprised of 5 participants each. In total, there were 33 participants selected and interviewed for both the in-depth semi-structured interview and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that floods affected the community of Thornwood township severely. The findings also indicated that there were many serious challenges posed by floods in the study area. In addition, this study also found that the community in the study area used different coping strategies, whereby most participants indicated that those strategies were helpful. However, it was also discovered that the same coping strategies also had some limitations and disadvantages. This implies that even though these strategies were so helpful to a certain extent, but on the other side of the coin, this community was still vulnerable and unable to resist the flood effects. Furthermore, the findings again revealed that this community did not receive any external support, specifically, from the government
Racial discrimination among high school learners: a case of a selected high school, Durban.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In South Africa, many parents choose to enrol their children in multiracial schools where they believe that they will learn more about diversity and celebrate the freedom to study where they desire. However, this study was conceptualized in the belief that the Rainbow Nation is facing an undesirable occurrence among learners in such schools, as various reports and studies have claimed that racial discrimination continues to persist in high schools. Media reports have also affirmed that this widespread issue is prevalent across the country in multiracial schools. This means that learners are suffering because there are persistent incidences of racial discrimination among them. Schools are meant to be a secondary home for learners where they feel safe and learn more about the rich history of South Africa, and here they are educated not to make the same mistakes that our forefathers did. This study explored the extent, causes, and effects of racial discrimination among learners in a selected high school located on the Bluff in Durban. A qualitative research approach was adopted to understand the causes of racial discrimination in the 21st century, and data were collected using semistructured one-on-one interviews. The study recruited eighteen (18) participants: 6 teachers and 12 learners. The social learning, the ecological systems, and the racial trauma theories were used to support the research questions. The findings in this study show that Black learners are not the only race facing racism as White learners are equally exposed to racial discrimination. The study exposed what is commonly referred to as ‘reverse racism’, and the White learners found it hard to raise their concerns. Most scholarly works and the literature support the notion that it is Black learners, or learners of colour, who are exposed to racist slurs, while White learners are the perpetrators. Furthermore, the learners were more outspoken than the teachers. When the teachers were asked to comment on cases of racism in the school, most of them said they had not witnessed any such incidents. However, the learners confidently said that racial discrimination was everywhere and that it was not only prevalent among learners. They argued that teachers discriminated against learners when they said, “I see no colour”. This made them feel invisible and unrecognised. It is evident that racial integration and tolerance should be encouraged among learners and teachers alike
Library and information science students’ perceptions and use of library services post-COVID-19 at the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigated Zimbabwe’s National University of Science and Technology (NUST) library and information science students’ perceptions, expectations, and use of library services during the COVID-19 pandemic. While COVID-19 still exists, it is no longer a pandemic. Libraries were affected by the pandemic. As such, exploring students’ perceptions regarding library services in the post-COVID-19 era is necessary. The study focused on how the pandemic has affected the use of library services and students’ perceptions of the changes made in response to the pandemic, using the NUST Library as a case study. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilising a survey design based on the LibQUAL model, which measures service quality across three dimensions: Affect of service, Information control, and Library as place. A census sampling technique was applied to incorporate the entire group of 60 students. The survey was conducted online using Google Forms, and 54 responses were received, yielding a 90% response rate.
The findings revealed that the pandemic significantly transformed the landscape of NUST Library services, with remarkable effects on students’ perceptions and expectations of the services rendered. Students’ expectations of service quality exceeded their perceptions throughout the three service quality dimensions, thus revealing significant gaps between expectations and perceptions of service quality. However, the size of the gaps between the different services varied. The most challenging services, that is, those with the largest gaps, were “responsive staff members”, “approachable staff members”, “supportive staff members”, “organised collection”, “diverse materials’’, “comfortable study spaces”, and “safe and secure environment”. However, students were generally satisfied with the library services provided at NUST. Recommendations based on the significant findings were made for library management
Impact on intestinal epithelial and stromal cells in people living with HIV infection.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the largest immune organ in the human body and a critical site for HIV pathology. Dysregulation of gut homeostasis and depletion of GI tissue-resident CD4+ T-cells remain permanent regardless of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and recovery of CD4+ T-cells in circulation. The irreversible depletion of GI tissue-resident CD4+ T-cells may contribute to the dysregulation of gut homeostasis by impacting intestinal stem cells (ISC) and stromal cells through impaired immune signalling. To address this question, flow cytometric analysis of duodenum, colon, and ileum pinch biopsies obtained from uninfected controls and people living with HIV (PLWH) was performed. Flow cytometric analysis of epithelial cells (CD45-EpCAM+) showed an increase in intestinal stem cells (ISC) (CD44+EpBH2+) in the colon, duodenum, and ileum of PLWH. Flow cytometric analysis of stromal cells (CD45-EpCAM-CD235a-CD38-CD19-) showed a significant change in the CD31-PDPN1+ stromal fibroblast population. Across intestinal compartments, PLWH showed increased fibroblast frequencies compared with uninfected controls that were not directly linked to CD4+ T-cell depletion in the gut or blood viremia status. Overall, these results indicate that HIV infection increases the amount of ISCs and fibroblasts in the gut, which may contribute to the overall HIV-associated dysregulation in the GI tract. Further investigation is required to determine the mechanisms by which HIV impacts nonhematopoietic cellular compartments in the gut
Combining ability of maize inbred lines for productivity, agronomics, and nutritional content under different nitrogen fertilizer regimes.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, PietermaritzburgMaize is a staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa with an average per capita consumption of 100 kg per annum. Despite its importance, maize is rich in starch but deficient in other nutrients leading to malnutrition in many people that heavily depend on maize without other nutrient-rich complementary sources of food. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess genetic variation for agronomic traits, yield and nutritional content among maize inbred lines and hybrids under high and low soil nitrogen availability (ii) determine the combining ability of maize inbred lines and their crosses for agronomic traits, grain yield, and nutritional content, and (iii) deduce the gene action controlling the inheritance of these traits under low and high input conditions. Ten maize inbred lines consisting of five quality protein maize (QPM) and five normalendosperm maize (non-QPM) inbred lines were crossed using the Griffing’s diallel mating design. The resultant hybrids, their parental lines and three control varieties were evaluated under low and high soil nitrogen treatments across two seasons at two locations in South Africa. The hybrids and their inbred line parents exhibited significant genetic variation for plant height, ear height, anthesis days, silking days, anthesis to silking interval, grain moisture, shelling percentage, grain yield, protein, oil and starch content. There were significant genotype x environment interaction effects on grain yield, shelling percentage, grain moisture and anthesis to silking interval. On average, yield and agronomic performances were lower in QPM hybrids under low nitrogen conditions confirming their less adaptation to the low input conditions compared to their normal maize endosperm counterparts. The protein, oil and starch contents of maize decreased under low nitrogen conditions. Both the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability effects for grain yield, protein and oil contents were significant across nitrogen management conditions. The significance of GCA and SCA effects suggested that both additive and non-additive gene action were involved in the inheritance of grain yield, agronomic traits, protein, and oil content