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Household Waste Management Practices in a Selected Community under Makhado Municipality, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province
No full textMaster of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthPoor household waste management has major health and environmental consequences in everyday life, which affects human welfare in both direct and indirect ways. The aim of this study was to investigate the waste management practices of households in a selected community of Mpheni under Makhado Municipality. This study followed a quantitative approach and adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The total sample was 174 male and female. The researcher ensured reliability by using a stability test-retest. For the purpose of this research, the following ethical considerations were considered: Informed consent, confidentiality, avoidance of harm, maintaining human dignity, and voluntary participation for validity, the researcher used a literature review of related studies to ensure that the questionnaire covered all essential aspects of household waste management. Data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire. The results from the questionnaires show that there were many respondents aged 41 to 63 years. The data indicates a near-equal distribution of genders, with Females (53%) slightly outnumbering males (47%). The majority (98%) of respondents live in households with sizes ranging from 1 to 10 individuals. The study revealed that the most produced wastes were plastics (90%) and bottles (85%). In conclusion, rural areas continue to face challenges in waste management. There is still a need to strengthen this area, especially in rural areas. Education is needed to enhance the knowledge of good waste management practices. The researcher recommends that the community should strengthen the promotion of the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste methods in order to reduce the number of wastes within households
Liturgical Inculturation in the Context of Christian and African Burial Rites within Shikundu Areas in Collins Chabane Local Municipality
No full textM.A. (Theology)Department of Human SciencesReligion plays a crucial role during funerals. It also impacts beliefs regarding death, burial, and mourning. People decide how they prefer to be sent off after death based on their religious beliefs, this includes types of ceremonies and any rituals which need to be done for their souls to be well accepted where they believe souls go after death.
The co-existence of Christian and African burial rites has breed conflicts between the two forms of liturgies. It is undeniable that they call for liturgical inculturation since they both operate in the same context. This study was about the purpose study was to explore was to explore liturgical Inculturation in the Context of Christian and African Burial Rites in Collins Chabane Local Municipality. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature.
An interview schedule was used to collect data from participants. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to sample participants. The study uses qualitative research approach and exploratory research design. A purposive sampling method will be used to select 4 church leaders and 4 traditional doctors from Shikundu areas under Collins Chabane Local Municipality
The major objectives of the study were to explore understanding about liturgical inculturation, to determine conflict between Christian and African practices with regard to burial rites, to determine the differences between Christian and African Burial rites, to determine the process of Christian burial rites and African burial rites, to explore Challenges of collaborating Christian burial rites and African burial rites and to suggest liturgical inculturation between Christian and African burial rites.
The major findings of this study is that liturgical inculturation is when two different are fused to become one in the same context. Again, Christian and African burial rites are conducted in the same context, that is, they are conducted at the same time to the same people. Furthermore there is a conflict between Christian and African burial since the former regards the later as
abomination before God. The study further revealed that the difference between the Christian burial rites and African burial rites is that Christian burial rites are solely founded on the scriptures while the African burial rites are connected with appeasing ancestors.
Again, the study showed that the challenge of achieving liturgical inculturation lies in the reality that the purpose of conducting Christian burial rites is to send the deceased to God as his or her final destination. While on the other hand the purpose of conducting African burial rites is to connect the deceased with his or her ancestors. The study recommended that ministers of the Christian religion should establish forums that would cater to African traditional leaders in order to discuss how liturgical inculturation could be achieved
Student's perspectives on the role of internal communication in students academic performance at highrt learning institutions in South Africa: A case study of University of Venda
No full textM.A. (Communication and Media Studies)Department of English, Media Studies and LinguisticsInternal communication between lecturers and students is increasingly recognised as a key factor influencing academic performance in higher education institutions. Research suggests effective communication contributes to students' understanding of course material, motivation, and overall academic success. However, there is a limited exploration of how this dynamic operates within the South African context, particularly in historically disadvantaged institutions. The gap in the literature lies in a lack of in-depth studies that specifically examine the internal communication structures in place and their direct impact on student outcomes at institutions like the University of Venda, which faces unique socio-economic and cultural challenges.
This study addresses the problem by investigating how internal communication practices between lecturers and students affect students' academic performance at the University of Venda. It seeks to fill the gap by exploring the quality, frequency, and effectiveness of communication between students and lecturers, and how these factors contribute to or hinder students’ academic success.
The main objective of this study is to examine how internal communication impacts students' academic performance, focusing on the experiences and perceptions of students across various faculties at the University of Venda. The study will focus only on students’ perspectives; hence the role of internal communication can be best evaluated from students’ side as they are recipients of academic services facilitated by internal communication. Through a qualitative approach, the study draws on 20 students selected using purposive sampling. An interpretive paradigm guides the research, employing semi-structured interviews for data collection. Thematic analysis is used to interpret the findings, offering insight into the communication strategies that foster or impede academic success. The study is supported by triangulation, System Theory, stakeholder theory, and Constructivist Learning Theory to offer a comprehensive understanding of internal communication in higher education
Understanding the dynamics surrounding women’s participation in traditional leadership among the Vhavenda, in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Full text linkPhD in Gender StudiesInstitute for Gender and Youth StudiesWomen's leadership has historically received little attention from academics. Information on male traditional leaders has historically dominated traditional leadership and leadership in general. Among the Vhavenda, women only participate, to a certain extent, in traditional leadership roles, for there have always been obstacles for them to overcome; men dominate in leadership roles, particularly in traditional settings. Patriarchal barriers, which are still regarded as inviolable in many societies on the African continent, could be the cause of this. Minimum research has been conducted about women in traditional leadership roles, therefore, this study examines the processes of selecting traditional leaders among the Vhavenda. selection processes in South Africa, Limpopo Province. A qualitative research approach was used, and data was gathered through semi-structured interviews; eight male and eight female participants were chosen using non-probability purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The data was analysed thematically analysis method. The study indicated that the traditional selection of the heirs to the throne limited women’s participation in the positions of headmen, chiefs, and kings. The study concludes that cultural barriers, socialisation, the selection process in conferring chieftaincy, and family and societal support are largely patriarchal. The study suggests that government officials and cultural guardians should properly consult with one another, regardless of gender, to create more inclusive communities
Challenges in Teaching and Learning of Reading in English as a Second Language in Ghanaian Basic Schools
No full textPHD in English LiteratureDepartment of English, Media Studies and LinguisticsThis study investigated the challenges pre-service teachers from Accra College of Education encountered when teaching reading comprehension in English as a second language within Ghanaian basic schools. It was conducted in the school environments of six basic schools drawn from the basic schools of Accra College of Education. The participants were Level 400 students (final-year pre-service teachers) from Accra College of Education, learners they instructed during their macro teaching practice, and their mentors (teachers from the basic schools).
The study was an action research design utilizing a mixed-method approach. The sequential explanatory design was adopted to enable the collection of quantitative data (the primary source of data) first, followed by gathering qualitative data to enhance the initial findings. The quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and tests as instruments. One hundred pre-service teachers responded to the questionnaires, while three hundred and sixty learners were assessed through the pre-test and post-test. An intervention interspaced the tests. Then, the qualitative data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with in-service teachers, and focus group discussions involving pre-service teachers and learners. The qualitative data were organized through thematic analysis, highlighting the key themes emerging from the data, with content analysis providing interpretation of these themes, supported by direct quotes from participants. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 21.
The findings identified teaching large classes, limited availability of English reading textbooks in the basic schools, and learners' lack of foundational reading skills, even at the Junior High (Basic Eight) level, as some challenges that pre-service teachers encounter in delivering reading comprehension instruction in the basic schools. The study also highlighted a disconnect between the strategies intended for teaching reading comprehension to basic school learners and the training received by pre-service teachers in college. Based on the findings, suggestions and recommendations were made to policymakers, teacher education curriculum designers, and the Heads of Colleges of Education in Ghana
Judicial Approach to the Application of Section 24(b)(i) of the Constitution on the Duty to Prevent Pollution through ‘Other measures’ in South Africa A
No full textLLM in Human RightsIsmail Mahomed Centre for Human and People's RightsPollution is one of the world’s triple planetary crises. In South Africa, it is no less of a challenge as it continues to disproportionately harm vulnerable populations and pose a threat to their right to quality air, water, and an adequate standard of living. Section 24(b)(i) of the Constitution of South Africa provides that the state must prevent pollution through ‘reasonable legislation’ and ‘other measures’. The state has put in place several reasonable legislation to address pollution, which has been a subject of interpretation in several cases. These include the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA). Yet, legal scholarship is limited on what the phrase ‘other measures’ means in the context of Section 24(b)(i) of the Constitution of South Africa. Courts are vested with interpretive functions and are not neutral concerning theories of interpretation. However, a judicial interpretation has not been placed on this phrase, which signifies that its meaning remains in limbo in the context of environmental pollution. Employing a doctrinal legal research methodology, this study” engages with the challenge of pollution and how key theories of judicial interpretation may assist with applying the phrase ‘other measures’ to address pollution in South Africa.
Enhancing ethical conduct in the codification and education options: A case of Vhembe District Municipality
No full textMSMMADepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThe study examined the importance of the ethical conduct of municipal officials in promoting a code of conduct for municipal officials through education. In strengthening the code of conduct for Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, chapter 12, Schedule 1, and Schedule 2 provide the code of conduct for municipal employees; the Code of Conduct for municipal employees is similarly described in Schedule 5 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. Its objective is to promote an environment rich in ethical and moral standards and behaviour. Unethical behaviour is delinquent conduct that affects organizations locally and globally, with ill implications for the societies they serve. Unethical conduct manifests in various forms, including coercive, destructive, deceptive, intrusive, secretive, manipulative, and exploitative conduct. The Limpopo Province has an eminent, recent history of unethical public service conduct involving large-scale tender-related corruption. Based on this concern, this study aimed to enhance ethical conduct regarding coding and education options in the Vhembe District Municipality. An integrated mixed-method research method was used in this study. The target population is municipal officials, and 30 VDM officials were sampled. Simple random sampling was employed in this study. Data collection was based on a Likert scale, and self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were adopted. The data analysis was based on descriptive and inferential quantitative methods, while the qualitative data was thematically analysed. Digital support from the latest SPSS and Microsoft Excel software was used to manage the statistical data and compute standard deviations, whereas NVIVO was used to build themes. The findings of this study revealed that while the municipality has a code of ethics in place, codification and education are effective options to enhance the ethical conduct of municipal officials. This study concludes by recommending strategies to promote ethical codes in municipal setting
The effect of political interference on the performance of senior managers in Local Government: a case of Greater Giyani Local Municipality
No full textM. AdminDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThis study sought to evaluate the effect of political interference on the performance of senior managers in local government with special reference to the Greater Giyani Local Municipality. Section 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 provides for a government that is constituted of national, provincial, and local spheres. The local sphere is the one closer to the people and tasked with the provision of basic services to members of the local communities within its jurisdiction. The structure of municipalities is such that it provides for politicians and senior managers to work together to address challenges facing local communities in relation to service delivery. This set up often creates challenges of political interference in administrative issues, and this give rise to tensions between politicians and senior managers. This study therefore, sought to assess the extent to which political interference affect senior management adversely in the performance of their duties. Previous studies on political interference, politics and administrative interface, and politics-administration dichotomy have proven that these are challenges still worth exploring in a quest to further expand knowledge on strategies to be used to navigate through the politics and administration relationships and still be administratively and/or politically competent. The study employed a mixed research methodology in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were instrumental. Non-probability sampling, in particular the purposive sampling method was utilised to select participants for this study. Questionnaire and interview schedule were used as data collection methods. The analysis thereof was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0.1 for data collected through questionnaire and using thematic analysis for data collected through interviews. The findings of the study were presented in pie chart format, frequencies, and percentages and in narrative form, in a manner that is responsive to the research questions; and the recommendations were provided to aid municipal senior management in dealing with challenges of political interference. The major findings and recommendations are as follows:
The Municipality’s workforce is not representative of the population’s demographics and promotes speculation about disregard for merit-based assessment when making administrative appointments; there is an overlap of roles between political
and administrative officials; political interference compromises organisational expertise and accountability and reduces trust between politicians and managers; and lastly, politicians and managers play an important part in ensuring that legislative requirements and municipal policies are complied with. The recommendation is that the demographics of the Municipality’s workforce should be representative of all community members regardless of their political affiliation; the political and managerial roles should be plainly defined to eliminate elements of ambiguity; the Municipality should develop policies that ensure the protection of administrative officials who disregard political interference and remain administratively competent; and finally, the Municipality should promote collaboration between politicians and managers through training workshops
An investigation of the challenges of the Reconstruction Development Programme in the provision of low-cost houses: A case of Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textM. Admin.Department of Public and Development AdministrationThe study focuses on the challenges facing Makhado Local Municipality in the provision of RDP houses. Housing plays a major role in the lives and development of citizens. Access to adequate housing is a basic human right. Delivery of houses satisfies the basic needs of the people, and houses were provided with the intention to completely destroy the apartheid. The provision of housing has remained a big challenge among the poorest communities. The study used a convergent parallel mixed method approach, which consists of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The reason for choosing this method is that it can be combined in such a way that quantitative and qualitative mixed methods retain their original structures and procedures. To achieve the objective of the study, non - probability sampling and its sub-type, the purposive sampling method were used by the researcher to select the samples. Interviews and questionnaires were utilised to collect data. Data collected through the questionnaires was analysed through: International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) latest version and the information was presented using graphical tabular form, frequencies and percentages. The data collected through interviews was analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form.
The Major findings of the study are:
The Municipality does not have enough financial and human resources to provide RDP houses
There is no transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,
The Municipality does not interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP houses.
Community members are not aware of the matters related to the delivery of RDP houses.
The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study:
The researcher recommends that there must be enough financial and human resources for the provision of RDP houses,
Training should be provided to municipal officials so that they can know their responsibilities in the provision of RDP houses,
The study recommends that there should be transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,
The study recommends that the Municipality should fully interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP house
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the sustainability of community radio stations: the case of Vhembe FM and Makhado FM
No full textM. A. (Communication and Media Studies)Department of English, Media Studies and LinguisticsThe study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the viability of community media in South Africa. Focusing on Vhembe FM and Makhado FM in Limpopo's Vhembe District, it draws on media development and sustainability theories to analyse the negative impacts the pandemic has had on these local media organisations. The research sheds light on the challenges these community outlets face in maintaining their operations and the strategies they've implemented to tackle these issues. Community media are essential in addressing inequalities by providing a voice for marginalised groups and filling the information gaps often overlooked by mainstream media, which is vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 10, aimed at reducing inequalities both within countries and globally. A qualitative case study method was employed to conduct this research, gathering insights through detailed interviews and document reviews. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings, results, and recommendations were made