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The effects of body image trends on the students at a rural based University in Limpopo Rovince, South Africa
No full textM.A. in Youth DevelopmentDepartment of Youth in DevelopmentBody image is a worldwide trends among the youth, which is putting them under extreme pressure to change their bodies so that they can fit into their peer groups.
There was a lack of information about body image in rural-based universities in South Africa therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of body image trends on the students at a rural-based University in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study aimed to investigate the types of body image trends among the students, and body image trends affected the students, and what experiences have they encountered. This study further looked at what measures can be taken to mitigate body image trends among the students. The study was exploratory qualitative research in nature. The research used a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions administered face-to-face. Data was analysed through qualitative thematic data analysis. After transcription, the interviews were analysed using ATLAS.ti. The study used the following theories to integrate in the study: social comparison, objectification, social identity, sociocultural, and sociometer theory. The study revealed that body shaming, social media, and societal beauty standards influenced student body dissatisfaction. The findings emphasise how factors like lack of self-confidence, stress, anxiety, and even depression can be significant barriers, which is concerning given how central body image issues can be to overall well-being. The identification of coping strategies like acceptance, self-care, and a healthy diet suggests that there are effective ways students can improve their body image perceptions and manage stress. Encouraging timely professional help is also crucial, as early intervention could prevent further emotional distress and better support students' mental health. The study revealed that body image affects an individual’s self-esteem, confidence and mental health. Cultural and social influences significantly impact eating habits and body image. This study could serve as a baseline for policymakers at the rural-based university and other educational institutions by drafting policies related to body image. The media could assist by advocating for body positivity and changing the narrative in social media
The involvement of school management teams and teachers in managing work-related stress in selected schools, in Soutpansberg North Circuit, in Vhembe District Municipality
No full textMaster of Public ManagementDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThis study was based on the involvement of School Management Teams and teachers in managing work-related stress in selected schools in Soutpansberg North Circuit, in Vhembe District Municipality. The South African Department of Education has been undergoing different challenges which compel an employer to play a dynamic role in improving and preserving the wellbeing of employees. School Management Teams have the responsibility to understand the causes and effects of work-related stress so that they can strategize on how to overcome them. The main aim of the study was to assess the involvement of School Management Teams and teachers in managing work-related stress in selected schools in Soutpansberg North Circuit in Vhembe District Municipality and to propose recommendations to enhance their involvement. A qualitative research approach was used to assess the involvement of School Management Teams and teachers in managing work-related stress. The study adopted a qualitative approach because it is deemed appropriate when collecting and analysing non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions and experience. Non-probability sampling through purposive sampling was adopted to allow the researcher to focus on in-depth issues essential to the study. The population of this study comprised - School Principals, Heads of Departments (HODs), and senior teachers - of three purposively-selected primary schools in Soutpansberg North Circuit in Vhembe District Municipality. Twelve participants were selected for the study due to their experience and familiarization with the study phenomenon. Self-administered open-ended questionnaires were utilized to allow for unlimited responses and to offer qualitative data, while using thematic analysis on the data. The findings of the study shows that School Management Teams and teachers do not consult the Employee Assistance Practitioners because the former have not experienced challenges that may need such services, while others have no idea of the Employee Assistance Programme. The researcher recommends that senior managers need to initiate sub-branches of the Employee Assistance Practitioners in circuits to ease the programme’s access by all employees in an area
Popular Music, Student Activism and Contestations of Power in Post- Apartheid South Africa: The Case at a Rural University
No full textMaster of Arts (Communication and Media)Department of English, Media Studies and LinguisticsThis qualitative study examines the dynamic interplay and intersection between popular music,
student activism and power contestations in post-apartheid South Africa using the University of
Venda as a lens of analysis. It examines how students use music to contest institutional power,
forge solidarity and articulate their collective identity. Deploying Habermas’s Communicative
Action Theory and Gregory Bateson’s Cultural Framing Theory the study addresses three core
questions: what type of music is used by students at the University of Venda during their political
activism, why do students at the University of Venda sing during student activism, and how does
popular music used during student activism shape the identity of student activists at the University
of Venda? Empirical data for the study were gathered through in-depth interviews, with nine (9)
purposively selected student activists from the University of Venda, a Focus Group Discussion
with five (5) different student activists and a discursive analysis of 37 songs that are sung by
students during activism at the University of Venda. Findings from the study revealed that students
draw on a wide variety of musical forms, such as Struggle Songs, such as Gwijo, Afropop, Gospel
and Amapiano, which are used during political activism to articulate their grievances and to sustain
morale in the face of institutional repression. Traditional struggle songs, which are frequently
modified and contemporised, remain particularly central and fundamental. Findings indicated that
what might appear violent in lyrics is, in fact, a symbolic assault on oppressive systems rather than
the individuals or officials themselves. Most fundamentally, the study demonstrates that music
does more than accompany activism; it is activism. It was also demonstrated that music fosters
collective identity, shaping personal narratives into a shared soundtrack of resistance. Contrary to
narratives of youth political apathy, students are profoundly engaged, compelled into musical
activism by academic and financial exclusion, poverty and administrative shortcomings. The study
contributes to an understanding of postcolonial student activism by highlighting how popular
music becomes an interactive setting where power is contested
The assessment of the role of Vhembe District Municipality in the provision o water resources: the case of Mphambo Community
No full textMaster of AdministrationDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThe study aimed at assessing the role of Vhembe District Municipality in the provision of water services at Mphambo Community. The Free Basic Water Policy of 2002, which seeks to address poverty and affordable access to basic water service to the indigent, requires that all municipalities should provide at least 25 litres of free basic water to poor persons within 200 meters of where the person resides and at a flow rate of at least 10 litres per minute. The study used a prospective mixed method research design, in which primary data was collected from 100 Mphambo community members and 50 municipal workers using a questionnaire and interviews. Collected data was coded, captured, and cleaned before subjecting it to rigorous statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, figures and tables were used to describe and understand data. The study produced results that summarises the relationships between water service provision related variables and socio-demographic variables. In particular, the analysis of water services provision data will help in exposing the relationship between dependent variable and several independent variables e.g., gender, age, participant type (community member or municipal worker). The strategies and the recommendations from this study will help to improve the provision of water services by the Municipality to the communities. The study will also assist the local government sector in ensuring the importance of working closely with communities to deliver the water services to the communities
Africentric Historical Study of Farming Cooperatives in Strengthening the Livelihoods of Rural Communities: The Case Study of Matangari Village, Limpopo: C. 1990-2020
No full textMA in HistoryDepartment of Human SciencesThe study sought to examine the role of African-centered historical research in understanding the impact of Farming Cooperatives on the livelihoods of the rural communities in Matangari village. A review of the historical context for the establishment of Farming Cooperatives and the extent to which indigenous knowledge was incorporated was done. As such, the literature surveyed for this study reveals a gap in academia regarding studies on the Africentric approach to rural Farming Cooperatives in strengthening the livelihoods of communities. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate the African strategies the Farming Cooperatives of Matangari used to strengthen the livelihood of communities from 1990-2020. The study was qualitative, and a case study was conducted, using semi-structured interviews involving 21 participants, amongst them important stakeholders such as local leaders and Farming Cooperative members. The data were analysed thematically because the strategy helps in coding and reducing information to the required and relevant data aligned to the phenomenon. Preliminary study findings demonstrated how crucial Farming Cooperatives are to maintaining the livelihoods of rural communities and how Africentric historical research can help us comprehend the effects more comprehensively and contribute to fighting epistemic violence against rural and African indigenous knowledge, using the case study of Matangari Village Farming Cooperatives in Limpopo. As such, the findings of the study indicated that the Farming Cooperatives, during the period under study, employed both Africentric and Western farming techniques to strengthen the livelihood of the rural community of the Matangari Village. The results of this study will contribute to the existing literature on decolonisation of history in general. Specifically, this transcends to cultural history, economic history, and other disciplines like anthropology, Indigenous knowledge, politics, sociology, and community development. Such transformation is attained through ensuring rural community development, and the capacitation of sustainable Farming Cooperatives, indigenously. I was highly recommended by the study that Cooperatives need to continue integrating traditional practices such as the davha system of collective farming, using Indigenous fertilisers, and water management techniques into their farming method
Synthesis and Characterization of Pillared Graphene and Holey Graphene
No full textMSc (Chemistry)Department of ChemistryPillared graphene (pG) and holey graphene (hG) are derivatives of graphene designed to overcome issues with agglomeration and restacking between graphene sheets, which limit surface area and ion diffusion. These two types of graphenes have enhanced catalytic properties due to holes and pillars between the sheets. Graphene oxide (GO) is synthesized from graphite using Tour’s method and then reduced to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. Pillaring agents (maleoyl chloride, fumaryl chloride, oxalyl chloride) are inserted using Friedel–Crafts acylation, and holes are created using gradual thermal annealing. The infrared spectroscopic data confirmed the presence of polar groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on GO and rGO indicating that both GO and rGO were synthesized successfully. On IR analysis of the pillared graphenes synthesized using the three pillaring agents (maleoyl chloride, fumaryl chloride, oxalyl chloride) and the holey graphenes, it reveals the various vibrational stretches such as C-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O stretches at specific wavenumbers. The functionalized holey graphenes also showed similar vibrational bands. Overall, the results indicate successful synthesis of both pillared and holey graphenes using three different pillaring agents. XRD confirms the reduction of GO to rGO, this is evidenced by a decrease in interlayer spacing and the absence of an OH functional group in the IR spectra. It also reveals that the pillared graphene and holey graphene materials are fairly crystalline and also shows that the materials are amorphous. SEM showed that the holey graphenes comprise grains that are very tightly packed and compact. The low-resolution SEM micrographs confirm the XRD results, that the materials are amorphous. TEM analysis confirmed the presence of pores in the holey graphene - hrGOFC0.15, hGOMC0.15, and hrGOOC0.15 layers; therefore, the holey graphenes were successfully synthesized
Techno-Economic Analysis of Microgrids with Distributed Energy Resources in Rural Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textMSC in PhysicsDepartment of PhysicsThe United Nations' sustainable energy development portfolio indicates that around 1.3 billion people globally still lack access to grid-based electricity, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about 13% of the population faces limited electricity access due to challenging terrains, inadequate energy policies, and insufficient investment. High costs of extending the electrical grid further complicate the issue. Regions with potential for renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind, offer opportunities to improve energy access. In South Africa's Limpopo province, while the electrification rate is 96%, some rural areas remain without electricity due to poor grid infrastructure and unreliable supply caused by load shedding and load reduction. Even where electricity is available, rising energy costs pose a significant burden on economically disadvantaged communities. This deficit of energy supply in rural areas needs attention through microgrid optimisation.
This research aims to techno-economically analyse the feasibility of optimising microgrids in rural Limpopo province, focusing on adopting a system with the least net present cost and levelized cost of energy. Three objectives are the main drive to achieve the aim of this research. The first objective is to provide a review of available and potential renewable energy resources in Limpopo province, focusing on their operational status. Currently, solar PV, biomass, and biogas are available, while geothermal, hydropower, and wind are potential resources. The second objective is to analyse the technical and economic aspects of microgrid optimisation to assess its implementation feasibility without hydrogen production. The third objective evaluates the same elements to determine the feasibility of microgrid implementation with hydrogen production.
The Herman-Beta method was employed for peak load estimation, while Homer Pro analysed maximum daily consumption, developed load profiles, and simulated microgrid configurations. The analysis comprised two parts: one focused on microgrids without hydrogen production and the other with it. The first part evaluated PV/Grid and PV/BES/Grid configurations to identify the optimal microgrid solution for each region. For the hydrogen production configurations, three types of PV modules (250 W, 375 W, and 500 W) with a 48V, 14.4 kWh lithium battery were tested, including PV/H2/Grid and PV/BES/H2/Grid setups.
Microgrid optimisation results without hydrogen production show that the PV/Grid configuration is the most cost-effective option across all areas. For Ga-Masekwa, the LCOE is 2.356 R/kWh with an NPC of R 5.4 M. For Ka-Dzingidzingi, the LCOE is 1.292 R/kWh and NPC R 76 M; for Duthuni, 1.216 R/kWh and R 138.7 M; and for Mookgophong NU, 1.197 R/kWh and R 250.3 M. The findings on microgrids with hydrogen production show that the
PV/H2/Grid configuration is the most cost-effective, offering the lowest NPC and LCOE, and a high return on investment. However, producing green hydrogen requires significant energy, increasing the overall system cost.
Conducting a techno-economic analysis of microgrids with distributed energy resources is essential for assessing their feasibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This study aids in cost-benefit evaluations, system optimisation, financial risk assessments, and the development of resilient alternative energy systems.University of Venda and Department of Higher Education's Nurturing Emerging Scholarship Programm
Biochemical and biophysical characterization of PFF1010c, a Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein
No full textMSC in BiochemistryDepartment of Biochemistry and MicrobiologySince time immemorial malaria remains a health concern despite the extensive interventions to
eliminate the disease. Plasmodium falciparum, the agent for the most lethal form of the disease,
survives insults imposed by the human host response and the adverse effects of antimalarial drugs,
thereby building resistance against this intervention. Amongst other means, the parasite employs the
heat shock protein (HSP) machinery in response to the imposed hostilities. Compared to other malaria
parasites, P. falciparum expresses a large complement of an HSP family known as the J domain
proteins (JDPs). Hsp70 is a prominent molecular chaperone whose chaperone function is coordinated
by JDPs. While several JDPs have been characterized, the role of PFF1010c, a JDP of P. falciparum
remains unknown. This study explored the structural and functional features of PFF1010c using in
silico approaches (BLASTP, PSIPRED, CLUSTALW, MEGA11, SOPMA, CDD/SPARCLE ESPRIPT, Alphafold,
GalaxyHomomer, ProtParam, PlasmoDB, and STRING). A plasmid construct expressing recombinant
PFF1010c was expressed using E. coli XL1 Blue. The secondary structure of the protein was
investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy. PFF1010c thermostability was assessed by ANS
probe based extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. The functional cooperation of PFF1010c with
PfHsp70-1 was investigated by monitoring refolding of heat-denatured luciferase in vitro. PFF1010c
appeared to assume a fold constituted by two domains: the SVN motif-containing J domain and the Cterminal
domain. PFF1010c was found to be thermostable. Biochemical and in silico studies suggested
that the protein self-associates through the C-terminal domain. Also, PFF1010c abrogated the
refolding activity of PfHsp70-1. Although PFF1010c appeared to interact with PfHsp70-1, it
wasincapable of stimulating PfHsp70-1 chaperone function. This suggests that PFF1010c may interact
with PfHsp70-1 possibly to improve the holdase chaperone function of PfHsp70-1 as well as to
conserve the energy economy of the parasite cell
Factors affecting the phasing out of Accounting as a subject area at the FET Level in Limpopo Province
No full textThe aim of the study was to investigate factors influencing the phasing out of Accounting as a subject area at both FET level and schools in the Limpopo Province. In this study, a qualitative approach was adopted, and data was collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of one (1) Provincial Subject Coordinator, ten (10) subject advisors, ten (10) principals, ten (10) SGB members, ten (10) teacher union members and nine (9) teachers at FET level. The collected qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study revealed that factors such as poor performance of learners in Accounting, a decline in the number of learners studying Accounting, and a negative attitude of Circuit Managers and Principals towards Accounting have influenced principals to phase out the subject. The study recommends that stakeholders, such as parents, SGBs, teachers’ unions, and learners, be well-informed about the significance of accounting in career matters. In addition, people in the community, who are knowledgeable about what is happening in the economy, should be invited to participate in the discussions on issues like the potential of different subjects, career options, and combining of subjects that are taking placeNRF Thuthukha Research Gran
Corporate Governance and Water Crisis: A Study of Water Boards in South Africa
No full textPHD in Public ManagementDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThe concept ‘Corporate Governance’ has been investigated intensively by academics and policy makers in the past two to three decades. This is mainly because of number of reasons, namely, global corporate governance outrages, global financial crisis in 2007 to 2008 and introduction of best code of practice for corporate governance globally and locally. The relationship between corporate governance and the water issue as a governance crisis is a topic of debate despite the wealth of study on the subject. Therefore, the study's goal was to examine the relationship between corporate governance and water crises from the viewpoints of three distinct governance scenarios: water boards that are experiencing a crisis in governance, those that are not, and those that follow strong governance practices.
Similar to earlier research, "board size, board independence, board committees, board diversity, board activity, and leadership structure were measured as independent variables in corporate governance." The dependent measurements were, namely, asymmetric information; transaction cost; and Capability, Accountability and Responsiveness (CAR) including transparency which are the measurements of water crisis. A pragmatism research paradigm, which request simultaneous gathering and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data on the same time, was employed. A Stratified Sampling technique was also employed. A questionnaire was used to gather primary data from the former Board Members of the Water Boards, former Ward Councillors and former Mayoral Executive Committee members for water and sanitation and Ward Committee members.
This study utilised corporate governance models to establish the association that exist between corporate governance and water crisis. To this date, a sample of nine (9) water boards with various governance situations were examined with the combination of structural equation model and regression analysis. Two crucial facts come out from the results of the study, firstly, corporate governance variables performed differently in different governance situations. To certain extent, some corporate governance variables had a positive effect on water crisis through non-governance crisis and provided evading mechanisms during governance crisis. The results of the study also indicated a key issue, which motivated the needs to reassess corporate governance not only during non-governance crisis, but also during the governance crisis situations.
Second, the stewardship theory appeared to be supported by capability, accountability, and responsiveness (CAR), including transparency, whereas the agency and resources reliance theories appeared to be supported by asymmetric knowledge and transaction costs. This showed that CAR including transparency viewed self-governed boards as adding no value to the water boards, while both asymmetric information and transaction cost viewed independent boards as a means of bring new skills and resources that the Executive Management of the water boards does not have. On the same note, independent boards ensured good governance practice and reduces the corporate governance problems between agents and principals. Furthermore, good corporate governance practice “perceived large board, board activity, board committee and leadership structure to be structures that could provide adequate monitoring and reduce agency problems”.
Like some of the previous studies in corporate governance literature that documented diverse results for asymmetric information and transaction cost, this study also proved that, in some instances, asymmetric information and transaction cost provided conflicting outcomes as the two pointers used to measure governance from different situations. In case of nature of governance, the findings of both regression analysis and factor analysis concluded that the relationship between corporate governance and water crisis differs based on the nature of governance. For example, in consistent with the stewardship theory in the case of water boards without governance crisis, board independence ad an insignificant relationship with water crisis. These results imply that independent non-executive directors did not add any value to the improvement of day-to-day operation of the water boards as executive directors knows better than them. In this case and contradictory to the King IV report, it would be logical to more administrative staff than independent oversight structure