21623 research outputs found
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Examining Municipal Procurement Practices with Rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in uMhlabuyalingana.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study examines how the procurement policies of uMhlabuyalingana Municipality impact small and medium-sized rural businesses (SMEs). The study intended to evaluate the perceptions of local businesses in terms of their relationship with the municipality as well as the extent to which the municipality integrates SMEs into its procurement procedures. Using a qualitative research methodology, data was gathered by interviewing SME owners and municipal procurement officials. This allowed for a detailed analysis of the dynamics opportunities and challenges affecting this relationship. Despite the efforts made by uMhlabuyalingana Municipality to promote SME inclusion through its policies such as lot-sizing streamlined tender documentation and targeted training initiatives, the research findings demonstrate that significant barriers still exist. Resource constraints, a lack of administrative capacity and compliance issues are some of the ongoing obstacles. However, the initiatives have strengthened the local economy and increased SME participation in public procurement despite the ongoing challenges. Respondents emphasized the importance of communication, continuous feedback mechanisms and collaborative policy that are design to close implementation gaps and improve outcomes. It is highlighted in this study that in order to fully realize the potential of inclusive procurement policies, strategic interventions like enhanced digital infrastructure, public-private partnerships and increased administrative efficiency are required. By balancing policy objectives with practical realities, uMhlabuyalingana Municipality can create a sustainable business ecosystem that promotes economic growth, community development and rural SMEs. In addition to contributing to the body of knowledge about inclusive procurement practices this study offers useful insights to practitioners and policymakers committed to supporting rural economies
Investigation of temporal and spatial variation of carbon monoxide in the southern hemisphere.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. It is also poisonous. CO is a trace gas in the Earth's atmosphere, with typical concentrations of the order of hundreds of parts per billion and a lifetime of 2 months. CO concentration, which is monitored by the Terra satellite, varies with location and time. This study focused on the Southern Hemisphere (SH), particularly South America, southern Africa and Australia, between 2005 and 2019. It had two aims: The rst was to investigate the sources and seasonal concentrations of CO over these regions, and to analyse whether meridional and zonal winds play a role in CO distribution. It is believed that biomass burning, both natural and anthropogenic, is responsible for the vast majority (99%) of CO emissions. This was tested by comparing distributions of burned areas and CO concentrations. Winter months had more burned areas than summer months, with an average burned area of 1:51 107 m2 compared to 8:19 106 m2. Total column CO concentrations measured by the MOPITT sensor were also found to be higher during winter and spring months. Over southern Africa CO levels reached 36 1017 mol=cm2 in winter, compared to 26 1017 mol=cm2 in summer. Correlation analysis using Pearson coe cients and p-values showed a general positive correlation between CO emissions and burned areas, supporting the earlier conjecture. Trend analysis showed a steady decline in CO concentrations over the study period, likely due to decreases in burned area. Overlaid maps supported the idea that winds play a role in CO distribution in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, westward CO transport from Africa to South America was observed in July- August close to the equator. Then in September-October at latitudes higher than 20° S, eastward transport from South America to southern Africa and from southern Africa to Australia was observed. The second aim of this study was to investigate whether El Ni~no/La Ni~na events played a part in the distributions of CO in the SH between 2005 and 2019. These events are climate patterns related to irregular warming/cooling of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Paci c Ocean. A La Ni~na phase, an El Ni~no phase and an intermediate neutral phase were identi ed during the study period, and their CO distributions, burn areas and precipitation levels were compared. In the SH El Ni~no causes below-average rainfall and the drier conditions lead to increased burning and above-average CO levels. La Ni~na causes above-average rainfall and the wetter conditions lead to reduced burning and below-average CO levels. The neutral phase displayed near-average conditions as expected
Is the Transnet National Ports Authority due for corporate restructuring?: a study of the imperatives for the authority’s corporate structure and functions.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This mini dissertation critically analyses the corporate structure and functioning of the Port Authority, which is responsible for the South African port system, which is key to trade, and the country’s economy. The current Port Authority is known as the Transnet National Ports Authority (“TNPA”), because it is a division within Transnet SOC Limited. This study considers how this state of affairs came about, looks at the performance of the TNPA, examines the founding legislation for the Port Authority followed by a critical analysis focused on literature and best practices.
The findings point to the legislation, the National Ports Authority Act 12 of 2005 not being aligned with the Commercial Ports Policy in terms of which it was drafted. They also point to the non-implementation of the legislation, specifically in terms of the corporate structure that the Ports Authority should have. Thirdly, the findings are that the TNPA, in its current form, results in a conflict of interest in its relationship with Transnet Ltd and the sister divisions. Thus, the incorrect corporate structure is a contributing factor to the sub-par performance of the TNPA.
This study concludes with recommendations on what the appropriate corporate structure is for the Port Authority, and the corrective measures that government must take, which may not necessarily include introducing new legislation before the policy issues are resolved
Investigating groundwater and surface water interactions in the Uthukela Catchment, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interactions are not fully explored in South Africa. This study investigated the interaction between GW-SW in the uThukela Catchment, located in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Understanding the complex interactions of the GW-SW is very important for water resources and water quality management, thus making it essential to investigate the factors that control these interactions. The widely referred factors include topography, geology (lineament and dykes), climate and land use. The research employed stable isotopes of oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) and deuterium (δ²H), piezometric analysis, baseflow analysis, in situ measurements of radioactive radon isotope (222Rn), and hydrochemical parameter of Temperature, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Rainfall δ¹⁸O and δ²H were sampled across altitudinal transect and precipiation gradient at five locations; Catchment 6 (1921 masl, 1273 mm), Mike Pass (1621 masl, 1236 mm), Winterton (1103 masl, 833 mm), Pietermarzitburg (627 masl, 825 mm), and Eshowe (522 masl, 800 mm). The δ¹⁸O and δ²H revealed a weak altitude effect limiting its use to trace regional scale movement of groundwaters.The role of groundwater was investigated across three spatial scales: hillslope, catchment, and regional. A total of 470 samples were collected and analysed during the dry and wet seasons. These included 39 groundwater samples, 28 wetland samples, 363 surface water samples, and 40 spring samples. At the hillslope scale, stable isotope data and EC measurements indicate that groundwater plays a dominant role in runoff generation both during rainfall events and periods of no rainfall. At the catchment scale, stable isotopes and EC measurements shows mountain front aquifers are recharged from losing streams. Additionally, at the regional scale, ²²²Rn and baseflow analysis indicate substantial groundwater contributions to streamflow in the upper uThukela Catchment. However, there is no clear evidence of deep regional groundwater flow
Determinants and welfare impact of market participation and marketing channel choice among smallholder rice farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigates the determinants of market participation, marketing channel choice, and their implications for the welfare of smallholder rice farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Drawing on
primary data from 200 rice-producing households, the analysis employs a Double Hurdle model to assess participation and intensity of commercialization, a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model to
evaluate marketing channel selection, and a Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESR) model to estimate the welfare effects of different marketing channels. Results reveal that 83% of respondents participated in rice markets, with millers being the dominant channel (64%), followed by wholesalers (26%) and brokers (10%). Market participation was significantly influenced by demographic factors and institutional and transaction cost variables, including age, gender, education, household size, access to credit, ownership of storage facilities, and satisfaction with market prices. The intensity of commercialization was further shaped by farm size, farming experience, access to extension, non-farm income, and transaction cost-related factors such as market distance and transport. Marketing channel choice was determined by a combination of household demographics, farm characteristics, institutional access, and transaction costs. Notably, male farmers and those with larger farms were more likely to sell to wholesalers, while farmers with higher education levels were more inclined to engage brokers. The MESR model confirmed that market participation significantly improved net farm income and food security, with the greatest benefits accruing to farmers who sold directly to millers.
These findings underscore the critical role of structured marketing channels and institutional support in enhancing smallholder welfare. The study recommends targeted policy interventions to
strengthen market linkages, reduce transaction costs, expand rural infrastructure, and improve farmer access to extension services and marketing literacy. Gender-sensitive approaches and the
adoption of digital marketing tools are also highlighted as key strategies to promote equitable and efficient market participation
Understanding the status consumption of food among black gay men to counter homophobia in a KwaZulu-Natal urban community: implications for community education initiatives.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This dissertation explores the status consumption of food among Black gay men in the urban community of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It examines how this marginalised group chooses food and foodscapes as means of identity construction, social status assertion, and resistance against discrimination. Using a qualitative methodology grounded in social identity and critical consciousness theories, the study sought to unravel the complexities of how Black gay men navigate and resist marginalisation through their culinary practices. Specifically, ten Black gay men were individually interviewed using an unstructured interview schedule. In addition, various online platforms where these men and others often post their visits to restaurants and food markets were identified and analysed., including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and others. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of identity construction and social dynamics within marginalised communities. The findings highlight the interplay between race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status in shaping the food consumption behaviours of Black gay men. Like other marginalised groups, Black gay men often use status consumption as both a way to elevate their social status and as a form of resistance against their marginalisation. The study has implications for advocacy and programming for enhancing the safety, visibility, and recognition of Black gay men’s diverse experiences in contemporary society
The impact of public procurement on business success of small micro medium enterprises: case of Greater Kokstad Municipality.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa are struggling to survive. However, improving their success rate in public procurement will significantly enhance their business growth and success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of public procurement on the success of SMMEs within the Greater Kokstad Municipality (GKM). The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of how effective public procurement can be in assisting SMMEs in becoming successful businesses that can contribute to the local economy. The study employed a qualitative research method, utilizing a case study design. Twelve (12) participants were selected for the study, which consisted of municipal officials and local SMMEs. In-depth semi-structured interviews served as the primary data collection method to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of public procurement on the business success of local SMMEs. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The thematic analysis was conducted on the information received from interview transcription. The study findings revealed that public procurement in the GKM can enhance the profitability of local SMMEs and contribute to building their reputation and experience. However, several barriers such as limited access to finance, competition from larger firms, delayed payments, lack of transparency and corruption continue to hinder the growth and success of SMMEs within the GKM procurement system. Although government policies do exist to support and develop SMMEs in public procurement, their effective implementation remains a challenge in supporting local SMMEs in the GKM, as these policies lack practical support to address the needs of these enterprises. The study highlights the need for a more pragmatic approach to supporting local SMMEs, including strengthening training programs, improving access to finance, having more inclusive procurement measures and greater transparency within the procurement process. The outcome of the study contributes to a broader understanding of the dynamics of local SMMEs operating within the public procurement market. The findings collectively enhance knowledge on SMME development and public sector reform, while also enriching the existing literature on public procurement, small business growth, and local economic development. It bridges theory and practice in promoting inclusive growth, opening opportunities for future research aimed at improving procurement systems to better support local enterprises
Teachers’ perspectives regarding the factors that influence job performance at an independent school in the Umlazi district.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study sought to investigate teachers’ perspectives on the factors that influence their job performance at an Independent school in the uMlazi District. The rationale for the study considered the various roles and responsibilities required of teachers. By providing informative factors that affect teacher job performance, it is hoped that teachers would be provided with the necessary assistance and support from management and stakeholders within the Independent School so that teachers may overcome current challenges that they face and encourage increased job performance. The study suggests that, as a result of supportive conditions, teachers would be better equipped to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively, thereby contributing to a positive transformation of the school work environment. This study employed a qualitative research design and applied an interpretivist paradigm to explore the meaning that participants place on social situations under investigation, the study adopted the purposive sampling process when selecting participants. The study was conducted at an Independent School within the uMlazi School District in KwaZulu-Natal. Six participants were selected within the school; all participants were permanently employed at the school. Three Foundation Phase teachers and three Senior and FET Phase teachers were selected through purposive sampling. The data was generated through a series of semi-structured interviews that lasted for a duration of over 60 minutes, including probing questions. Using the Thematic analysis approach, the data was then coded and organised into themes, categories and sub-categories. The findings revealed that there are various factors that influence teacher job performance. Positive factors such as adequate resources and freedom to teach content in unique ways influenced teachers’ job performance. Conversely, negative factors that influenced job performance, such as poor salaries and incentives, workload and lack of communication from management within the school. It was discovered that managers within the school and stakeholders play a vital role in providing support and guidance in motivating teachers in the work environment. The study also revealed that motivation and recognition strategies are vital in enhancing teacher job performance
Isolation, characterization, and cargo-loading of small extracellular vesicles.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are natural lipid-enclosed vesicles that are secreted from living cells and act as mediators of intercellular communication. They are biocompatible nanovesicles that can transport a range of bioactive molecules, including nucleic acids, to target tissues. mRNA-loaded sEVs deliver functional expression of encoded proteins in vitro and in vivo. They are therefore emerging as promising alternatives to synthetic lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic compounds such as mRNA. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize sEVs generated from human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and evaluate their potential to delivery mRNA in vitro. Vesicles were isolated from the conditioned media of HEK293 cells using a polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) based precipitation approach and characterized using tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and western blotting. sEVs with a mean diameter of 119 ± 16 nm and an average concentration of 349,14 x 109 particles/ml were successfully isolated and found to have a cup-shaped morphology and contain specific sEV proteins, including CD63, TSG101, and flotillin-1. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTS assay to confirm lack of vesicle toxicity for subsequent mRNA delivery. Lipofectamine, a widely used transfection reagent, was used as a positive control to introduce eGFP mRNA into HEK293 cells and compare GFP expression to that following incubation and delivery with sEVs. sEVs were able to deliver mRNA as evidenced by GFP expression in recipient cells at 24-hour post-incubation; strong expression was evident until 48 hours. In conclusion, HEK293-derived sEVs represent a feasible and minimally cytotoxic mRNA delivery system. The use of PEG 6000 for sEV isolation provided a scalable and costeffective
approach, enabling further exploration of sEV therapeutic potential. The characterization methods and optimized mRNA loading protocols in this study provide valuable insight for advancing sEV-based therapeutic applications. Further studies should focus on optimizing cargo loading to improve delivery efficiency and evaluating long-term in vivo safety
Use of environmental isotopes to investigate groundwater and surface water interaction in the South Phuthiatsana Catchment, Lesotho.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Lesotho, often referred to as the "Water Tower of Southern Africa," plays a crucial role in regional hydrology due to its high-altitude water sources, which significantly contribute to the Orange-Senqu River system. Despite its importance, comprehensive data on the country's catchment hydrology remains limited. This underscores the need to enhance understanding of Lesotho’s water resources to support sustainable management under the pressures of population growth and climate change. Isotopic techniques provide valuable insights that complement conventional hydrological methods and are critical in identifying groundwater recharge, essential for effective policy development and implementation.
This study investigates groundwater and surface water (GW-SW) interactions in the South Phuthiatsana catchment, addressing a significant knowledge gap in Lesotho’s hydrology. A multi-parameter, multiscale approach was applied, employing stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H), the radioactive isotope ²²²Rn, baseflow separation, and in-situ electrical conductivity (EC) measurements to systematically analyse flow dynamics. Over 21 months from April 2022 to January 2024, water samples were collected from 50 springs, five precipitation stations, four rivers, five wetlands, and 11 boreholes. These were supplemented by additional datasets collected between 2018 and 2023, offering a comprehensive hydrological snapshot of the catchment.
Stable isotope analysis led to the development of Lesotho’s Local Meteoric Water Lines (OxLMWL, Ms-LMWL, and Abia-LMWL), which revealed key isotopic signatures associated with the amount effect, altitude effect, and seasonal variability in precipitation. These LMWLs served as essential baselines for assessing recharge processes and determining the origins of water sources.
The results show that highland wetlands are recharged primarily by precipitation and groundwater (subsurface) inflows, playing a critical role in sustaining upstream rivers with baseflow. Downstream river segments exhibited significant evaporative fractionation, marked by enriched δ¹⁸O and δ²H values, indicating prolonged residence times, warmer temperatures, and wider channel areas. Moreover, river classification using δ¹⁸O, 222Rn and EC revealed a systematic altitudinal trend: isotopic depletion at higher elevations and enrichment downstream, alongside decreasing ²²²Rn concentrations, highlighting reduced groundwater discharge with decreasing elevation. However, elevated ²²²Rn near the confluence of the Liphiring and South Phuthiatsana Rivers suggests localised zones of increased subsurface inflow. Boreholes, plotting above the LMWL, displayed isotope signatures consistent with rapid recharge from meteoric water. In contrast, spring samples exhibited more varied isotope values and plotted below the Abia-LMWL, suggesting evaporation before recharge, possibly due to shallow flow paths or delayed infiltration.
While ²²²Rn measurements were intentionally excluded from boreholes and springs to avoid groundwater contamination during isotope sampling, EC was measured across all water
sources. Although no consistent spatial pattern emerged in EC values for boreholes and springs, some localised areas exhibited elevated EC levels, warranting further investigation. Importantly, all EC readings remained below 1000 µS/cm, indicating generally low mineralisation and limited salinity issues within the catchment. Overall, the study demonstrates strong interconnectivity between GW-SW in the catchment, with hydrological processes governed by elevation, geology and climate. Key contributions include the establishment of local isotopic baselines, enhanced understanding of wetland recharge mechanisms and identification of spatial variability in GW-SW interactions. The findings provide a robust scientific foundation for integrated water resource management
in Lesotho. By illustrating the hydrological connectivity between GW-SW water systems, the research supports a shift from isolated to joint resource management approaches. The insights
gained can inform catchment planning, protection of the highlands recharge zone and adaptive water allocation strategies in response to environmental change. This study thus strengthens the
evidence base necessary for safeguarding Lesotho’s water security through informed decisionmaking and sustainable resource governance