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An Exploration of the Effects of Solar Water Heaters on Selected Households in Thulamela Local Municipality: Challenges and Benefits
No full textM. Com. (Economics)Department of EconomicsSouth Africa has abundant coal supplies, so electricity costs are significantly lower
than in other countries, albeit the advantage of lower energy costs is slowly being
eroded. The low electricity costs have l ed to the widespread use of appliances that
almost exclusively utilizes electricity, including heating water through conventional
electric geysers. Electric geysers account for an ything between 25% and 40% of
average household s monthly electricity bi ll th is cost can be prevented through the
use of Solar Water Heaters (SWH), given South Africa s high solar radiation levels.
SWH has high initial costs compared with conventional electric
geysers; however, they
have short buyback periods which is furth er reduced whenever electricity tariffs
escalate. Moreover, they have a relatively long lifespan of around twenty to twenty
five years, which implies that if households can switch from conventional geysers to
SWH s , they can essentially enjoy hot water for free for the remaining lifespan of the
SWH s , thus ensuring significant financial savings and potential additional funds for
household expenditures. Switching to SHW , potentially confers socio
economic, environmental, and health benefits to households
Investigating the Involvement of Teachers in the Curriculum Development of Life Sciences Education in Secondary Schools
No full textDED in Curriculum StudiesDepartment of Professional and Curriculum StudiesThis study aims to examine the involvement of Life Sciences teachers in curriculum development and how their participation influences the effectiveness of Life Sciences education in secondary schools in the Vhembe District. Life Sciences is a key subject in secondary education, yet teachers’ voices in curriculum development remain limited, which may affect teaching practices and learner performance. This study seeks to provide insight into the extent of teacher participation and its impact on curriculum implementation. This study will be underpinned by Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory, which emphasises the role of social interaction and collaboration in learning and knowledge construction, and the Teacher Professionalism Theory, which highlights the importance of teacher agency and participation in curriculum decision-making. A mixed-methods research approach will be employed, using a concurrent triangulation design to collect and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. For the quantitative component, the study will adopt a positivist paradigm, focusing on objective measurement of teachers’ participation through structured surveys. For the qualitative component, an interpretivist paradigm will be used to explore teachers’ experiences, perceptions, and insights through semi-structured interviews. A combination of quantitative surveys and qualitative semi-structured interviews will be used to gather data directly from Life Sciences teachers. Purposive sampling will be employed to select teachers who are directly involved in teaching Life Sciences. The sample will consist of 30 Life Sciences teachers drawn from selected secondary schools in the Vhembe District, which is considered adequate to provide meaningful and context-specific insights. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics for quantitative data to summarise trends and patterns, while qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes, perceptions, and experiences relating to teacher involvement in curriculum development. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to improving curriculum development processes, enhancing teacher participation, and strengthening the overall quality of Life Sciences education in the Vhembe District
Investigating the pollination of African baobab (Adansonia digitata .L) flowers by dayflying insects in South Africa
No full textMSC in Biological Sciences: ZoologyDepartment of Biological SciencesThe African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a versatile tree known for its multiple uses in Sub-Saharan Africa. It provides people and animals with food, shelter and other materials. Many people in African countries sell baobab fruit to generate income. Therefore, assessing factors affecting fruit production, such as pollination, is essential. Baobabs has "chiropterophilous" flowers that are adapted to nocturnal pollination. While established research found that fruit bats pollinate baobab flowers in West and East Africa, recent evidence suggests Hawkmoths to be the likely pollinators in Southern Africa. Observations of diurnal insects visiting baobab flowers prompted questions about the effect of these insects on baobab pollination. However, the impact of dayflying insects has yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study specifically focuses on determining if dayflying insects play a role in the pollination of baobab, particularly their foraging behaviour and activity. The study first provides an overall literature review of the significance of pollination in baobabs, the shift of pollination systems, and determining the role of dayflying insects in pollinating baobab flowers in the morning. Secondly, using camera traps, we recorded all floral visitors and their foraging activity on baobab flowers in the morning between 4 am and 7 am. We determined how time, species and temperature affect the activity of dayflying insects. Hand pollination results indicated that the stigmas were still receptive and the pollen was still viable when the dayflying insects visited the flowers in the morning. Open-pollinated flowers showed that dayflying insects do not pollinate baobab flowers. Hymenopterans visit baobab flowers in the morning to collect pollen but do not function as pollinators. We also observed the changing composition of bee species over the 4 am to 7 am period, indicating the difference in the timing of the foraging activity of different insects. Our results support the hypothesis that daytime insects are unlikely to contribute to baobab pollination and that in South Africa, pollination seems to be dominated by hawkmoths. Nonetheless, diurnal insects still benefit from baobab flowers in terms of food.DSI/NRF South Africa Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve hosted by the University of Vend
Effectiveness of Institutional Flood Adaptation Actions and Plans in Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa
No full textMENVSCI in GeographyDepartment of Geography and Environmental SciencesThe increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, including floods, can be attributed to a complex connection of environmental and anthropogenic factors. Proactive adaptation actions and plans are crucial for reducing flood risks and consequences, particularly in vulnerable rural communities. South Africa has made significant progress in flood risk reduction but face challenges in balancing structural measures with local adaptation strategies. Vhembe District Municipality experiences heavy rainfall, leading to floods, particularly in low-lying areas. This study, therefore analysed the perceived effectiveness of existing flood adaptation actions and plans used in response to flood disasters in Vhembe District Municipality and provide recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the adaptation actions and plans. This study utilised a mixed-method approach, combining questionnaires, key informants interviews, and document reviews to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of flood adaptation actions and plans.The study identified various adaptation actions, measures, legal frameworks and acts used in response to flood disasters; this encompasses a range of measures, including structural, non-structural, and institutional approaches, such as the construction of flood barriers, and levees, early warning systems, and community response teams. The findings show that the nature of flood adaptation planning within Vhembe District Municipality is not inclusive; community members are not involved when planning, designing, and decision-making of the adaptation plans. The findings reveal that the perceived effectiveness of the existing adaptation actions and plans is inadequate and ineffective, which highlights that there is a significant need for improvement in the flood adaptation actions and plans. The findings suggest that Vhembe District Municipality improves its level of community engagement by including traditional leaders, local stakeholders, and residents in decision making. There is a need for improvement, which includes enhancing flood infrastructure, early warning systems, and drainage systems. These measures can strengthen communities' ability to withstand and recover from flood events
The effects of teachers workload on learners academic performance in secondary schools Hlanganeni Circuit, Vhembe District
No full textMED in Curriculum StudiesDepartment of Professional and Curriculum StudiesThe effectiveness of teaching and learning in the classroom is correlated with teachers' workload. The kind of burden teachers have affects the academic performance of their learners. Due to a lack of staff, access to resources, and multi-grade teaching, teachers in secondary schools with low learner enrolment face the significant challenge of a workload that is above the teacher-pupil ratio. In contrast, teachers in schools with high learner enrolment deal with overcrowded classes that are challenging to manage. Therefore, the goal of this study is to examine how a teacher's workload affects secondary school learners' academic performance. A phenomenological research design will be used in this research. Data will be gathered using focus groups and face-to-face interviews. All ten secondary schools in the Hlanganani North circuit will make up the study population. There are 5246 learners and 165 teachers. The criteria for selecting secondary schools will be based on school enrolment. One secondary school with high enrolment and the other with lower enrolment in the Hlanganani North circuit will be chosen for this study. The study's participants will be chosen using a purposeful sampling method. Interviews will be conducted with 14 teachers (seven from each school), two department heads, and two school principals. The acquired data will be analysed via thematic data analysis. The study will concentrate on enacting change and finding solutions for the identified issue. Hopefully, the study will be advantageous to the Department of education and the schools' principals, teachers, and learners
The Impact of Career Guidance on Career Choices of Grade 12 Learners: A Case Study of Vhuronga 1 Circuit,
No full textMED in Guidance and CounsellingDepartment of Educational StudiesThis lack of structured career guidance also contributes to academic challenges for first-generation students in higher education. Poor performance in their first year may result in them switching courses or, in some cases, dropping out entirely. The study explored how career guidance affects the career choices of Grade 12 learners in Vhuronga 1 Circuit. It focused on seven secondary schools in Vhuronga 1 Circuit in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study draws from the Theory of Career choice which suggests that individuals’ abilities can be measured and matched with suitable careers. The study followed the positivist paradigm, which assumes that reality is objective and can be identified and measured. A descriptive research design was used, with a quantitative approach. Data was collected through questionnaires from teachers, Grade 12 learners, and school principals in Vhuronga 1 Circuit. The study used non-probability sampling, specifically purposive sampling, to select 151 respondents based on the researchers’ judgment and their availability. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.
The study found that while most schools offer career guidance, 60.3% of learners receive it only once per term, limiting its impact. Teachers' confidence and training levels varied, with 34.78% rating their confidence as average. Only 40.43% of teachers viewed the programmes as effective, highlighting the need for improved structure and support. The results provide insights into the current state of career guidance and its impact on learners’ career decisions. While career guidance programmes exist, they are often inconsistent and lack sufficient resources, making them less effective. The study emphasises the need for comprehensive and consistent career guidance programmes that are accessible to all learners, regardless of their socio-economic background. The study recommends enhancing career guidance in secondary schools by improving teacher training, establishing regular programme assessments, allocating sufficient resources, involving the community, and strengthening policy implementation to ensure consistent and effective support for learners’ career development
Effects of Conflicts of Interest on the Appointment of Principals: Perceptions on the Quality of Leadership in the Vhuronga I Circuit, Vhembe East District, Limpopo Province
No full textMED in Educational ManagementDepartment of Professional and Curriculum StudiesThis study aimed to determine the effects of conflicts of interest on the appointment of school principals. Specifically, it sought to find out teachers’ views regarding the extent to which conflicts of interest affect the appointment of quality school principals; to determine teachers’ perceptions regarding the impact of the appointment of poor-quality school principals on the delivery of effective teaching and learning at schools; and to recommend strategies that would help educational authorities eliminate conflicts of interest from appointment processes for school principals. The explanatory mixed-method research design was employed. The population comprised teachers, principals, School Governing Body (SGB) members, and union leaders from secondary schools in the Vhuronga 1 Circuit. Simple random sampling was used for the quantitative phase of the study, and the purposive sampling method was used for the qualitative phase of the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the quantitative phase of the study, and an interview schedule was used to collect data for the qualitative phase of the study. The data from the questionnaires was analysed using a computer programme called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Data reduction and data display were used to analyse the qualitative data. Data from the qualitative phase was used to explain, refine or extend the results from the quantitative phase. Thereafter, both quantitative and qualitative data were integrated into a coherent whole. The study found that conflicts of interest exist in the appointment processes for principals and that the appointment of poor-quality principals compromised the achievement of school outcomes, thereby negating the delivery of quality education to learners. Recommendations were made to all important stakeholders in the appointment process to help eliminate the conflicts of interest
A Multi-level Model for a Vector-Borne Organ to Tissue life Cycle Dynamics
No full textMSC in Applied MathematicsDepartment of Mathematical and Computational SciencesIntroduction: Malaria is among the World’s most lethal infectious disease. It is
caused by a parasitic pathogen transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, which
inoculates sporozoites into the human host during a blood meal. The population
dynamics of malaria are well-known for their complexity, stemming not only from
the parasite’s lifecycle, which involves two hosts (humans and mosquitoes)but
also from the intricate replication and transmission cycles across different levels
of the infectious disease system organization. Like other infectious disease systems,
malaria infections inherit multilevel and multiscale systems, which pose significant
challenges to efforts aimed at eliminating and ultimately eradicating the
infection in a malaria-endemic population.
Methodology Mathematical modeling in the study of complex system has proven
to be an invaluable tool for understanding and predicting the behaviour and dynamics
of a complex system within the domain of complexity science. Thus, in
this study, we propose a multiscale modelling framework that captures the dynamics
of malaria across three organizational levels within infectious disease
systems implicated in the spread of malaria in a community. We begin by formulating
a mathematical model to describe the development and progression of
malaria parasites within the liver and tissue(blood) stages of an infected human
host. This is followed by the formulation of a multiscale model that integrates both
the inside(i.e.,the organ-tissue level)host and the outside (i.e., the host level) host
malaria dynamics.
Results Mathematical analysis for both the malaria models presented in this
study was carried out and proved that all the models are mathematically and
epidemiologically well-posed. We also compute the basic reproduction number
R0 for both models and use the R0 to determine the local and global stability of
the disease-free equilibriumas well as the local stability of endemic equilibrium
of both models, respectively. We demonstrate that if R0 < 1, then the diseasefree
equilibrium pointy of both models is locally and globally asymptotically stable,
respevctively. However, if R0 > 1 the endemic equilibrium point of both models
is locally asymptotically stable. The numerical results for both the models have
demonstrated that the goal of intervention during malaria infection should be to
reduce the rates at which merozoites and gametocytes invade healthy liver tissue
as well as the blood cells. Hence it is recommended that interventions during malaria
infection be directed on reducing the pace at which merozoites infect healthy
blood cells and the density of merozoites in circulation.
Conclusion The study presents a method that incoporates the complexity of malaria
pathogens which is significant not only for malaria treatment but also for other
vector-borne disease system control treatment strategies
Complementary feeding education programme for caregivers of infants aged 3-12 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province
No full textPhD (Public Health Nutrition)Department of NutritionBackground
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with the introduction of Complementary feeding (CF) and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding and a smooth transition to balanced and informed complementary feeding has been reported. However, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding whether this information is practiced at the caregiver level. An appropriate complementary feeding has the potential to improve growth and development in infants from six months to two years of age.
Purpose: This study aimed to develop and implement a complementary feeding education programme for caregivers with infants aged 312 months in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province.
Methods A non-randomized, quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted with 187 caregivers at baseline, with 150 completing the study. Initially, the intervention group comprised 95 caregiver-infant pairs, whereas the control group included 94. Post-intervention, 77 caregiver–infant pairs in the intervention group received complementary feeding education and six months of follow-up support from a dietitian researcher, whereas 71 pairs in the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were gathered from caregivers’ households at baseline and postintervention using a pretested, structured questionnaire to ensure consistency across both time points. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s correlation was utilized to measure the strength and direction of monotonic association between variables, whereas chi-square tests were conducted to analyse relationships between variables. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using difference‒in‒differences analysis, which compared changes in anthropometric measurements between the intervention and control groups. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. The study adhered to fundamental ethical research principles, including confidentiality, beneficence, privacy, and minimizing bias. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda, and necessary permissions were secured from relevant gatekeepers.
Results There were no significant differences between the groups regarding sex, marital status, education level, occupation, housing type, or water source. Most caregivers were female and unmarried, with similar employment and housing conditions. Water scarcity was a concern in both
groups, particularly the experimental group. A significant difference was observed in food availability, with nearly 70% of the control group reporting food insecurity (p=0.002). Waste disposal also varied, as more caregivers in the experimental group discarded rubbish in their yards (p=0.048). While most births were through normal delivery, the experimental group had a significantly higher rate of caesarean section (35%) than the control group (p=0.007). The mean(±SD.) age of the infants was 4.4 (±1.1) months in the intervention group and 5.5 (±0.2) months in the control group. At baseline, the mean (±S.D.) of infant weight was 7.37 (±0.83) Kg in the intervention group and 6.69 (±0.13) kg in the control group. The average (±S.D.) length was 61.00 (±0.53) cm for the intervention group and 62.30 (±0.79) cm for the control group. Of 198 participants, 77 in the intervention group and 71 in the control group completed the study. A significant weight increase was observed in the intervention group (DID mean = 1.82 kg, p<0.001), along with a notable length gain (DID mean = 7.78 cm, p<0.01) from baseline. Additionally, the intervention group presented a significant increase in Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) by 1.68 cm (p=0.0465). However, the intervention had a minimal effect on head circumference, with a negligible difference (DID=0.16 cm; p=0.95). At baseline, the mean knowledge score was 29.70±0.83 in the control group and 25.10±0.97 in the intervention group. By the end of the study, the control group's mean score remained at 25.0±0.99, whereas the intervention group’s score significantly improved to 38.10±0.31. Caregivers also demonstrated improvements in key complementary feeding practices.
Conclusion
A community-based nutrition intervention programme implemented through demonstrations can significantly enhance caregivers' knowledge and practices related to complementary feeding while improving the anthropometric nutritional status of children aged three months to one year
Barriers to accessing Public Primary Health care among elderly people in Mpheni village, Limpopo Province.
No full textMaster of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthBackground
As individuals age, their health demands increase compared to younger populations. When these demands are not adequately met by Primary Health Care (PHC) systems, it can lead to the progression of chronic diseases, increased comorbidities, and worsening health outcomes. This, in turn, reduces the overall quality of life for older adults. There is a gap between the ideal PHC policy framework and its practical implementation, especially in rural communities like Mpheni Village, Limpopo Province.
Purpose of the Study
This study aimed to explore and describe the barriers preventing the elderly population of the Mpheni community from accessing and benefiting from PHC services.
Methods
An exploratory qualitative research design was used. Participants were selected through non-probability convenience sampling, focusing on those aged 60 years and above, residing in Mpheni, and self-reporting challenges in accessing PHC services. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants and analysed using thematic content analysis. Ethical principles including informed consent, confidentiality, and trustworthiness were strictly observed.
Results
The study identified several barriers to PHC access, including long waiting times caused by staff shortages, transportation challenges due to poor infrastructure and high costs, and frequent medication shortages. These issues negatively impacted participants’ health, exacerbated chronic conditions, and led to psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of neglect. While clinics were praised for their cleanliness and free services, participants expressed the need for specialised elderly care, improved communication about medication availability, and mobile clinic services.
Recommendations
To improve PHC service delivery for the elderly in rural areas, the study recommends the introduction of mobile clinics, training of PHC personnel in geriatric care, timely medication supply, and enhanced transport services. Policies must be tailored to ensure accessibility and responsiveness to the needs of the ageing population