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Experiences of Unemployed Indigenous people Living with Disabilities in Soshanguve Township, South Africa - An Exploratory Study
No full textDepartment of SociologyThis study explores the experiences of unemployed indigenous people living with disabilities (PWD) in post-apartheid South Africa. The promise of a better life for all made by the government of national unity in 1994 remains a pipe dream as most South Africans are still living on the margins of the economy where unemployment and poverty are rampant. This study examines the experiences of PWD in Soshanguve Township, Tshwane, South Africa. It employs the symbolic interactionist (SI) theory as a lens for gaining insights into the experiences of black women and men living with disabilities in their quest to access employment opportunities. The study is exploratory and uses a case study design approach. Data was collected from 15 purposively sampled black men and women living with disabilities in Soshanguve Township, with whom in-depth interviews were held. A focus group discussion was conducted with four purposively selected respondents who met the selection criteria. Findings revealed that PWD are the worst affected group in terms of unemployment as their poverty levels remain high. Despite the implementation of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) Number 55 of 1988, employment opportunities for black PWD are scarce in South Africa. This is due to, among other reasons, the fact that employers are reluctant to employ PWD. PWD were missing employment opportunities in Soshanguve Township due to employers who refused to employ them. However, the study also established that there are a few opportunities available for PWD. These include opportunities for training, social assistance support, disability grants and social protection, access to social services and cash transfer programmes. The study expands knowledge on the experiences of black men and women who live with disabilities, thereby contributing toward the design of policies and other social security interventions that alleviate the plight of marginalised communities living with disabilities.NR
The sociocultural perceptions of adult caregivers regarding status disclosure to children living with HIV in the Capricorn Dostrict of Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textMPHDepartment of Public HealthBackground: Due to advancements in the mission to increase accessibility to antiretroviral
drugs, HIV-infected children and adolescents are now living longer. The World Health
Organization, which has indicated that most children are unaware of their HIV status,
developed guidelines in 2011 regarding HIV status disclosure for children up to 12 years of
age. Children reach adolescent stage unaware of their HIV status due to non-disclosure and
this place them at risk of reinfections as majority engage on sexual activity and may spread
the disease. They default treatment , become viral unsuppressed and develop psychological
stress due to unintended disclosure. The study may improve disclosure rates in the study
setting through study recommendation.
Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to explore the sociocultural perceptions
of adult caregivers regarding HIV status disclosure to children living with HIV in the Capricorn
district of Limpopo Province in South Africa.
Methodology: The study deployed a qualitative research approach utilizing an exploratory
descriptive design to explore the sociocultural perceptions of adult caregivers regarding the
disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV. The study was conducted within the
Polokwane municipality of the Capricorn district in Limpopo province, South Africa.The study
population consisted of adult caregivers providing care to children living with HIV. Nonprobability
purposive sampling was used to select adult caregivers of children living with HIV
and the study area, A semi-structured interview guide containing open-ended questions was
applied and individual in-depth interviews were used to gather information from participants.
An interview guide was pre-tested in the nearby clinic to test the interviewer’s skills and ensure
that participants would understand the questions. A thematic data technique approach was
used to analyse data using an open–coding method. Measures were taken to ensure that
trustworthiness and ethical principles were adhered to.
The results: The study yielded themes, namely: social challenges regarding HIV disclosure
to children and strategies that can enhance managing HIV status disclosure to children living
with HIV.The findings revealed that adult caregivers face social challenges regarding status
disclosure to children living with HIV and used several strategies to manage these challenges.
Out of the twelve (12) adult caregivers interviewed, only five (5) had disclosed the HIV status
of the children to them. Among those who had disclosed, the disclosure process was a onceoff
event. Adult caregivers’ decision not to disclose the HIV status of the children was
influenced by the fear of stigma and discrimination, secrecy, and the children’s age and
cognitive maturity. They believed the children were too young to understand their HIV
diagnosis.NR
Exploring the use of information and communication technology for enhancing the delivery of continuous professional development for teachers
No full textMSc (Education)Department of Professional StudiesContinuous Professional Teacher Development is one of the effective ways of enhancing the quality of education throughout the world. With that attainment of Democracy in 1994, South African government incorporated this innovative strategy in its educational policies. To enhance the effectiveness of the CPDT, the government buttressed it with the incorporation of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning among secondary schools. However, the incorporation of ICT is associated with both benefits and challenges. As such, this study explores the use of ICT in implementing CPDT in Tshinane Circuit in Vhembe East District. A positive paradigm underpinned this study. This informed the adoption of a quantitative approach to the study. The population of the study comprised of all ICT secondary teachers in the circuit. The respondents of this study were selected from four secondary schools under Tshinane circuit based on the implementation of CPDT using nonprobability sampling technique. Following a descriptive study design, a structured survey questionnaire was developed for collecting data. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 software was used to analyse data. It is anticipated that recommendations drawn from the findings of the study will demonstrate the use of ICT in the implementation of CPDT in schools despite the existence of challenges such as limited internet connectivity, negative attitudes of teachers and the lack of technical support. The study’s findings revealed that there are shortages of ICT and lack of internet to enhance CPDT. For further studies, there is a need to evaluate the use of ICT to enhance the delivery of CPDT to determine its effectiveness and efficiency in a broader sphere.NR
Perspectives of staff members on recruitment and hiring processes: a case study of Molemole Local Municipality
No full textMPMO. R. Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy StudiesThe study investigates the perspective of the staff members on the recruitment and hiring process in Molemole Local Municipality. The objectives of the study were to gather the perceptions of the staff members on the recruitment and hiring processes, to investigate factors that influence recruitment and hiring processes, examine the effects of the factors influencing recruitment and determine measures for transparent and fair recruitment and hiring processes in Molemole Local Municipality. The non-probability purposive sampling was used to select participants for the qualitative phase of the study and probability simple random sampling was used for the quantitative phase. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaires with close-ended questions for the quantitative data collection. The collected data was coded and captured on the latest vision of SPSS, pie charts, tables and bar graphs to describe the results. The qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis through Atlas.ti. The study findings revealed that factors such as nepotism and corruption play a major role in the lack of transparency and unfairness of the recruitment and hiring processes at the municipality. These factors have a severe impact on the recruitment and hiring processes as they lead to incompetencies which affect the quality of service rendered by the municipality to the people. The study concludes that there is poor adherence, fairness and transparency in the recruitment and hiring processes at the municipality.National Research Foundation (NRF
Efficacy of fraud triangle model in the detection of fraudulent financia reporting in South African Municipalities
No full textM. Com (Accounting)Department of AccountancyThe purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the - Fraud Triangle Model - in the detection of fraudulent financial reporting in South African Municipalities. Fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets tend to undermine investors’ confidence in audited financial statements. Prior studies have reported the high financial cost of fraudulent financial reporting from municipalities and the subsequent impact on capital and financial markets. The Auditor General, South Africa, (AGSA) has lamented over the high number of irregular, fruitless and wasteful as well as unauthorised expenditure in South African municipalities, over the past decade. This study uses the fraud triangle model as the theoretical framework to investigate the underlying causes of fraudulent financial reporting in all 257 municipalities - Local, District and Metros - in South Africa over a six-year period - 2015/16 to 2020/21 financial years; the data was analysed using the binary regression model. The findings revealed that the fraud risk factors are correlated with the occurrence of fraudulent financial reporting. Additionally, the study found that the three fraud risk factors - pressure (proxied by financial leverage and liquidity), opportunity (measured by capital expenditure), and rationalization (proxied by total accruals and quality of external audit ) - have significant positive associations with the occurrence of fraudulent financial statements. The findings of the study provide new insights into the existing body of knowledge on financial statement fraud in the context of South African municipalities.NR
An investigation of the potential of branding a city through culture: A case of Thohoyandou town in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
No full textMURPDepartment of Urban and Regional PlanningLiterature review reveals that little effort has been made from a South African perspective to
assess how marketing of cities through branding might be a source of enhancing
competitiveness, attracting tourists and investments. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to
investigate the potential of branding Thohoyandou city through culture. Specifically the research
sought to analyze the extent to which city managers have used local culture to brand
Thohoyandou as a unique town; to explore how Thulamela municipality has used branding as a
creative and innovative tool to market the town; to determine factors which are critical to
transforming Thohoyandou into a competitive town through cultural branding and to recommend
a branding framework strategy that will incorporate the potential of branding the city through
culture. Data was collected from 384 respondents in Thohoyandou through a questionnaire
survey and 14 municipal officials from Thulamela municipality. Qualitative data was collected
using pattern recognition and pattern matching; and the Goal Achievement Matrix (GAM)
technic. Quantitative data analysis tools include Pearson correlation-coefficient, multiple
regression analysis, proportions and analysis of mean score values. Collected data was analyzed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Data was presented through the
use of tables, graphs, and charts.
The study findings highlight that Thohoyandou city managers have used local culture to brand
the town as unique town. The results from the goal achievement matrix show that the spatial
development framework (SDF) and the local economic development (LED) as policy
instruments have performed well in terms of promoting Thohoyandou as unique town. Results
further revealed that the municipality has used branding as a creative and innovative tool to
market the town. The Pearson Correlation-Coefficient was used to depict the association between
the brand communication platforms and beneficial attributes of a well marketed town. Multiple
regression analysis results revealed that selected study predictors are significant in to
transforming Thohoyandou into a competitive town through cultural branding. The study also
recommended a branding framework strategy suitable for branding Thohoyandou through
culture.NR
An exploration of COVID-19 testing care and vaccination among people living with HIV in Vhembe District, Makhado Local Municipality
No full textMPHDepartment of Public HealthThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is far-reaching, with worrying effects on people, communities, and societies worldwide. People with chronic health conditions pose a greater risk of contracting or experiencing difficulties from COVID-19. In addition to illness or death for those who contract the virus, the physical distancing required to flatten the curve of new cases is negatively impacting the economy, the effects of which intersect with mental health and other existing health concerns, thus affecting marginalized communities. The study aimed to explore barriers associated with COVID-19 testing, care and vaccination amongst people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Vhembe District, Makhado Local Municipality.
This study employed a quantitative approach guided by a cross-sectional descriptive design. Participants in the study were purposely selected, and questionnaires were used to collect data. In total, three hundred participants completed questionnaires. The collected data was then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 29.0. Ethical issues, such as anonymity and confidentiality, were considered throughout the study.
The review identified four themes that showed PLHIV being severely affected by covid 19, and the study revealed that not over 75% of PLHIV had received the covid 19 vaccine. Drawing from the result, the researcher concluded that despite the widespread availability and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine hesitancy persists, influenced by diverse concerns and misconceptions. Two manuscripts have resulted from the study and are due for submission.NR
Teachers’ and Learners’ Perspectives on using Blended Teaching and Learning in Economics During COVID-19: A case of Vhembe East District Secondary Schools in Limpopo Province
No full textM.A. (Curriculum Studies)Department of Professional and Curriculum StudiesMost institutions, including those involved in education, were forced to close because of the COVID-19 epidemic's continuing threat to humanity. The mixed learning platform was useful since it mixed in-person and online learning. The unexpected shifting from the traditional face-to-face to e-learning created some problems especially in South Africa, a country which is developing, where teachers and learners rely on traditional classroom teaching method. The study employed a qualitative research approach underpinned by the learning theory of connectivism to understand the perspectives of teachers and learners in blended learning in Vhembe East District. Data were collected purposively from 30 participants, 10 teachers and 20 learners through individual interviews and were analysed thematically. The findings indicated that the flexibility of online learning provided the insight into the importance of e-learning. However, poor internet connectivity, the high cost of data, lack of appropriate devices, inability of effective time management, and family interruptions were some of the challenges experienced by both teachers and learners. From the findings it was recommended that teachers should be continuously capacitated on the use of technology and be provided with technological gadgets for them to teach effectively and learning to take place even during unforeseen crisis.NR
An Epilepsy Awareness Programme for Rural Communities of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Province: Development and Validation
No full textPhD (Psychology)Department of PsychologyEpilepsy is widely recognised as a global health challenge. However, within South Africa, stigmatisation of people living with epilepsy and misconceptions amongst communities persist, largely attributed to inadequate communication and education. This study aimed to develop and validate an epilepsy awareness programme for rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The study employed a participatory action research method comprising four phases: a systematic review; an empirical phase (explanatory sequential mixed method); meta-inference and conceptualisation; and the development and validation of an awareness programme. The empirical phase entailed two stages: Stage 1 (quantitative), and Stage 2 (qualitative). Meta-inferences and conceptualisation were performed to derive meaning and connection between the two stages in the first phase which revealed that there is a general awareness of epilepsy in communities, but a significant portion lacks knowledge, leading to low awareness and poor practices. Healthcare providers and caregivers, despite being the patient’s first contact for epilepsy care, have shown discrepancies in practice, knowledge, and attitudes toward epilepsy. Furthermore, existing knowledge amongst participants is distorted by persistent misconceptions and stigma, revealing a collective understanding shaped by societal education rather than a comprehensive grasp of epilepsy. The outcome of these phases informed the epilepsy awareness programme and reinforced the need for epilepsy education and awareness to improve the quality of life of people living with epilepsy and their families. Both internal and external ethical considerations were adhered to. Rigour was ensured by establishing study dependability, transferability, conformability, piloting, and ensuring the study was reliable.NR
Implications of African Pianism on the arrangement and Orchestration of mmino
No full textPh. D. (African Studies)Department of Human and Social SciencesAfrican songs generally find their origins in social, cultural, and political interactions,
primarily stemming from community-centric activities. Communal and social
engagements deeply influence the shaping and preservation of African knowledge,
cultural traditions, artistic expressions, and songs. Additionally, systematic cultural
codes play a significant role in shaping performance styles, song structures, and the
usage of musical instruments. As a result, songs become a repository of cultural
identity, reflecting an artistic sense of logic and embodying cultural lore, ethos, and
ways of understanding. The dissemination of indigenous knowledge predominantly
relies on oral tradition and systems, which align with African societies' natural modes
of knowledge transmission. Traditional songs persist in an oral context, playing a
crucial socio-cultural role. Despite the challenges of colonialism, imperialism, and
urbanisation, these songs have resiliently resisted modern Eurocentric cultural
influences. Reading and writing have become integral to knowledge storage,
exchange, and development in the contemporary landscape. This study's main
research question is: "How can African pianism influence the transcription,
arrangement, and orchestration of mmino (indigenous African music) to incorporate
non-indigenous instruments while preserving traditional performative techniques?"
The study aims to achieve three primary goals: firstly, the development of a systematic
method for transcribing, notating, arranging, and orchestrating indigenous music;
secondly, the incorporation of non-indigenous African instruments; and thirdly, the
arrangement of music for the piano as a principal instrument in the ensemble while
maintaining an indigenised performative technique (Africanism). These approaches
underscore the symbiotic relationship between orality and literacy. Utilising a practiceled
methodology, defined as an approach rooted in or centred around where the
practice itself is the focal point of the investigation, this study presents an African
children's game song for adaptation, notation (creation of music scores), and a studiorecorded
performance. The sections encompass rhythm, brass, woodwinds, strings,
and percussion. Consequently, the study provides music scores and audio files for
further analysis and theorisation, serving as a blueprint for the future adaptation,
transcription, and notation of Indigenous African songs for modern instruments.The University of Venda Research and Publications Committee, Phela Re Phele Music Academy and The Office of the Dean of School Humanities, Social Science and Educatio