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Genotyping antibiotic resistance properties of escherichia coli and campylobacter jejuni associated with diarrhoea in young children in the Vhembe District
No full textPhD (Microbiology)Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyBackground: Diarrhoea continues to threaten the lives of young children in Sub-Saharan Africa. While antibiotic resistance among enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Campylobacter spp. is increasing, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) is limited in Africa. The need for such studies in Africa was demonstrated by our published review of the literature on surveillance of molecular resistance mechanisms like blaCTX-M. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the genotypic (blaCTX-M and gyrA) antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria causing diarrhoea in young children in the Vhembe district.
Methods: A cross-sectional surveillance was done between August 2020 and August 2021. Diarrhoeal (lose, watery) and non-diarrhoeal (normal, solid) stool samples were collected from children under the age of five at selected hospitals and clinics around the Vhembe District. The Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion technique was used to screen for antibiotic susceptibility, and PCR and sequencing were used for molecular characterization of antibiotic resistance genes.
Results: Of the E. coli positive samples, 39% (18/46; 12 diarrhoeal and 6 non-diarrhoeal) had multi-drug resistance (MDR) to at least three antibiotics, with 33% (6/18) and 11% (2/18) having fluoroquinolone (gyrA) and ß-lactam (blaCTX-M) resistance mechanisms, respectively. Five percent (1/18) of the samples carried both gyrA and blaCTX-M genes. The prevalence of Campylobacter in diarrhoeal stools was 13.8% and gyrA gene was partially detected.
Conclusion: Children under the age of two in the Vhembe District continue to be at risk from diarrhoea due to antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli and Campylobacter. This study raises awareness of the prevalence of MDR, and aids medical professionals in implementing the appropriate treatment. Future research should consider concurrent studies on clinical and environmental samples to determine the possible role of livestock and river water as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes.National Research Foundation (NRF
A learning domain-based training approach for smallholder irrigated maize farming in Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe
No full textPHDRDVInstitute for Rural DevelopmentThe study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of training approaches for smallholder irrigated maize farmers in Zimbabwe, particularly their crucial role in national food security and rural livelihoods. Despite irrigation's potential to boost productivity of maize, many farmers encountered challenges in adopting improved practices partly due to inadequate training methods. Thus, the study sought to evaluate current training frameworks and propose a comprehensive model integrating Bloom's taxonomy of learning domains to enhance knowledge acquisition and practical skills among farmers.
The objectives of the study were 1) to identify the key learning domains for effective use of irrigation technologies in smallholder maize farming in Mashonaland Central Province 2) to propose a training approach that is tailored to the identified learning domains and the specific needs and constraints of smallholder farmers in Mashonaland Central; 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed training approach on the productivity and income of smallholder maize farmers in Mashonaland Central Province; and 4) to assess the effectiveness of the developed training approach in improving the knowledge and skills of smallholder farmers in the use of irrigation technologies for maize farming. Three irrigation schemes that focused on maize production and located in two natural regions, that is, II and IV within Mashonaland Central Province were purposively selected. Proximity to the Harare, the capital city or extent of the scheme’s rurality was considered. The census method of data collection was applied. All the 472 farmers involved in irrigation in the three schemes were earmarked for the questionnaire-based survey.
Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with farmers and agricultural extension officers across the three irrigation schemes. Key findings indicated that Farmer Field Schools (FFS) significantly outperformed traditional Master Farmer Training (MFT) in promoting effective learning and adoption of sustainable practices (P < 0.05). The study underscored the importance of participatory training methods, which resonate more effectively with farmers' needs and educational backgrounds. Using the results of the study, a framework that includes the following as the key components was proposed:
a)
Incorporation of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning domains
b)
Prioritization of hands-on training with visual aids
c)
Promotion of sustainable farming practices
d)
Strengthening of farmer-extension linkages
e)
Investment in teaching materials and monitoring mechanisms
This study advocated for a paradigm shift in agricultural training methodologies. Adopting the recommended framework would enable policymakers and practitioners to significantly enhance the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers, thereby contributing to improved food security. Furthermore, the study highlighted the need for deploying participatory and practical training, addressing key skills gaps, in addition to developing robust farmer-extension relationships to achieve these goals. Integration of Bloom's learning domains into farmer training curricula is a strategic roadmap for designing more effective and impactful training of smallholder irrigated maize farmers
First principle study of Nax[TiyZnzMnw]O2 as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries
No full textPhD (Physics)Department of PhysicsThe fast-growing energy generation from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and waves is calling for reliable energy storage technologies with high energy density, high power, and low cost, because the energy harvested from these renewable energy sources is intermittent. Currently, the leading technology in energy storage is the lithium-ion battery (LIB), While lithium possesses numerous electrochemical advantages that make it a critical component in modern energy storage technologies, its continued viability is increasingly challenged by the rapid depletion of accessible lithium reserves and its uneven geographical distribution, which pose significant constraints on sustainable and equitable resource utilization. The development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has raised everybody’s expectations as well as requirements for the materials employed. That is why there is an urgency to find alternative technologies which would replace LIBs. In search of alternative technology, sodium-ion batteries are a promising solution for large-scale electrochemical energy storage, owing to their low cost, materials abundance, good reversibility, and decent energy density. For sodium-ion batteries to achieve comparable performance to current lithium-ion batteries, significant improvements are still required in cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials. In this study, first- principles method based on the density functional theory was used to investigate the structural, electronic, mechanical and thermodynamics properties of Na intercalated electrode material NaxMnO2 electrode materials doped with Titanium (Ti) and Zinc (Zn) using random substitution doping method. The investigation was based on the effect of Na atom de-intercalation on the 2 X 1 X 1 NaxMn0.5Ti0.5O2 and 2 X 1 X 1 NaxMn 0.5Zn 0.5O2 supercells. The effects of dopants Ti and Zn on the NaXMnO2 stretch the lattice
v
parameters, resulting in volume expansion, this is because the atomic radii of the dopants are not the same as those of the host Mn. The electronic properties of the two doped systems show that the band gap is reduced by the effect of the dopants. The calculated elastic constants for the NaxMn0.5Ti0.5O2 and NaxMn0.5Zn0.5O2 bulk structures, as well as the NaxMn0.5Ti0.5O2 and NaxMn0.5Zn0.5O2 supercells, indicate mechanical stability for this compound as they meet the monoclinic structure mechanical stability criterion. In further investigation, the voltage window for the Ti-doped system was found to be between 3.410 V and 4.132 V. We found the voltage window for the Zn-doped system to lie between 2.221 V and 4.337 V. The calculated formation energies are negative, indicating that the material is thermodynamically stable and potentially amenable to synthesis under standard conditions. This inherent stability, coupled with favorable electrochemical characteristics such as appropriate voltage profiles, sufficient capacity, and adequate ionic conductivity, positions the material as a promising candidate for cathode applications in sodium-ion batteries.
Furthermore, the cluster expansion formalism was used to investigate the NaxMnTiO2 and NaxMnZnO2 phase stabilities. The method determines stable multi-component crystal structures and ranks metastable structures by the enthalpy of formation while maintaining the predictive power and accuracy of first-principles density functional methods. The findings predict that all nickel-doped LMO structures on the ground state line are most likely stable. Relevant structures are NaMnO2, NaTiO2, NaTiMn2O2 and NaTi2MnO2 for NaxMnTiO2 CE-predicted structures and NaMnO2, NaZnO2, Na3Mn2ZnO6, Na6MnZn5O12, Na6Mn2Zn4O12, Na2MnZnO4 and Na5Mn4ZnO10 for NaxMnZnO2 CE-predicted structures. They were selected based on how well they weighed the cross-validation score (CVs) of 1.7 meV for NaxMnTiO2 CE-predicted structures and 1.9 meV NaxMnZnO2 CE-predicted structures, which is a statistical way
of describing how good the cluster expansion is at predicting the energy of each stable structure. Although the structures have different symmetries and space groups, they were further investigated by calculating the structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamical properties. The results show that all CE-predicted structures have a wide diffusion compared to the parent structure (NaMnO2). The reduction of band gap was also observed which give evidence that the structures are becoming metals and have an improved conductivity. The results showed that all the predicted structures met the stability requirements for monoclinic structures and were stable in terms of thermodynamics. For Ti-doped systems, the ductility was only observed on NaTiMn2O2 CE-predicted structure NaMnO2 doped with Zn found to be ductile which implies that these materials can bend without deformation, resulting in fewer cracks during battery operation. This study enhances the fundamental understanding of dopant-induced effects on NaMnO₂-based cathode materials, providing a prospective option to improve Na⁺ mobility, electrical conductivity, and structural stability. It presents a comprehensive analysis of the beneficial effects of Ti and Zn doping in the enhancement of sodium-ion battery performance. It provides the theoretical framework that underpins the development of advanced, cost-effective, economical, and thermally stable cathode materials which are crucial large-scale energy storage applications.CSIR Next Generation Enterprise
Effectiveness of the internship programme as a strategy to improve graduate employability: case of Thulamela Local Municipality in South Africa
No full textPhDRDVInstitute for Rural DevelopmentInternships have become a unique and innovative approach to help new graduates gain valuable experience for work-based practice. It enables interns to make connections in the fields aligned with chosen career paths and gives employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate the talent of prospective employees. The primacy of internship programmes is made apparent by lack of work experience and skills mismatch which has often been cited as one of the main causes of graduate unemployment globally. The South African government, like other countries, responded to this challenge by introducing an internship programme. However, its effectiveness in South Africa requires investigation. Therefore, this study assesses the effectiveness of the South African government internship programme as a strategy to improve graduate employability. This will be addressed through the following five specific aspects. These are the alignment of the graduate interns’ basic qualification with assigned responsibilities, the mentorship management system put in place by host institutions, views and experiences of interns and mentors, challenges faced by graduate interns in relation to their career path and finally measures that may be enhanced to improve graduate interns’ employability. The target population for the study constituted graduate interns who were currently serving in the internship programme at Thulamela Local municipality, Tshilidzini Hospital (Clinical and Occupational Therapy sections) and Vhembe TVET College (Fashion Design, Technical Support and Business studies sections). Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select research participants for collecting qualitative data in this group. Participants were randomly selected based on availability and willingness to participate in the study. The findings were thematically analysed using Atlas ti.8 computer package. The findings revealed that there was a flaw in the management of the internship programme in public institutions in South Africa. It was discovered that although in some research sites interns were properly placed, other institutions assigned interns responsibilities that overwhelmed them. This caused interns not to acquire the requisite skills that should have promoted their employability. It was also revealed that some institutions did not use the internship policy as a guide while mentoring graduate interns. This resulted in some mentors not assessing and giving interns feedback to know how they were performing. The findings also unveiled that most participants indicated that the government departments did not visit institutions to knowhow the internship programme was managed. As a result, the management system of mentoring graduate interns
varied from institution to institution. In view of the above attributes, a further researches on the causes of the challenges experienced by graduate interns, Implementation of the internship policy in the public institutions and the role of monitoring in the internship programme within the public institutions are recommended
A private sector-inclusive governance framework for local economic development in rural areas of Limpopo Province in South Africa
No full textAGPPRDInstitute for Rural DevelopmentLocal Economic Development (LED) remains globally recognized as a critical instrument for building inclusive and globally competitive local economies by stimulating job creation, diversifying local economies, and broadening municipal revenue bases. The concept of LED was born out of the realisation that while economic development intent and principles (that of constructing and realising a sustainable future) are universal, the outcomes are bounded by national policies and priorities and are determined by specific local societal, environmental, and business characteristics and interactions, which, if not balanced properly, can distort/contradict economic development intent and principles, leading to inefficient economic development. LED therefore seeks to address these distortions by aligning universal principles with localised realities, while maintaining adherence to free-market economic principles and ensuring that local development interventions do not unduly disrupt market dynamics. Its effectiveness hinges on capturing grassroots knowledge—honouring local expertise and traditions—and innovating on these insights to realign local economic outcomes and maximise wellbeing in line with national imperatives and global agendas.
However, in South Africa, particularly in the rural context of the Limpopo Province, LED implementation continues to face significant challenges. These are primarily rooted in systemic governance shortcomings, the exclusion of private sector participation, and the enduring legacy of state-centric approaches that have perpetuated poverty, high unemployment, and spatial inequalities stemming from apartheid-era development patterns. Rural Limpopo reflects these conditions acutely, with unemployment exceeding 45%, inequality exceeding Gini coefficient of 0.59, poverty levels surpassing 67%, less than 8% of municipalities received clean audits, and municipalities being heavily reliant on subsidies & bailouts, further exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and weak institutional capacity.
To counter these challenges, South Africa has consistently looked to Local Economic Development (LED) as a solution and has recently developed an innovation-driven National Framework for LED 2018–2028. The 2018–2028 LED Framework is robust in principle, anchored on forward-looking pillars designed to spur innovation, inclusivity, and institutional resilience at the municipal level. Yet, in practice, few municipalities have successfully implemented it, particularly the enabling pillars. This disconnect stems from weak institutional capacity, poor integration into municipal planning, and the low prioritisation of LED by local governments. Crucially, there has also been significant under-inclusion of the private sector, despite its vital role
in driving innovation, investment, and job creation. Without active collaboration with private businesses—especially SMMEs—municipalities struggle to leverage innovation-driven strategies effectively, leaving the framework’s transformative potential largely untapped. Moreover, failure to implement the LED framework hinders the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), weakening multi-stakeholder partnerships—including government, civil society, and the private sector—that are essential for achieving the SDGs.
To investigate these challenges, this study employed a mixed-methods research approach, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group discussions conducted across all five districts of Limpopo Province to develop a private sector-inclusive governance framework. The research identified three critical governance failures that inhibit LED outcomes: (i) persistent ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of key ecosystem actors—government, private sector, and civil society; (ii) misalignment between national strategic frameworks and local operational realities; and (iii) epistemic disparities that result in the underutilisation of private sector expertise, capital, and entrepreneurial capacity. These governance failures are further compounded by a fundamental conceptual ambiguity surrounding LED itself. Within the South African context, LED is frequently conflated with adjacent paradigms such as socio-economic development, socio-political development, social entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship development. This lack of definitional clarity contributes to fragmented interventions, duplication of efforts, and missed opportunities for integrated and inclusive local development. As a result, LED implementation remains inconsistent, often disconnected from territorial needs, and inadequately aligned with the potential contributions of the private sector.
To redress these deficiencies, the study developed a Private Sector-Inclusive Governance Framework for LED, structured around three interrelated platforms. The first platform—the Multi-Stakeholder Platform ("WHO")—formalizes the roles of stakeholders, institutionalizes collaboration within economic principles, and establishes shared decision-making structures. The second platform—allows setting of objectives and the respective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Capacity Platform ("WHY")—anchors LED processes in objective-based continuous learning, performance tracking, and adaptive management, aligning with the six pillars of the South Africa’s National LED Framework (2018–2028) and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The third platform—the Standardization and Implementation Platform ("HOW")— allows for the selection of appropriate LED elements, it applies a project management-oriented approach to guide LED operationalization, including value chain optimization across all sectors
and industries. Crucially, the framework asserts that the actors (government, private sector and civil society) must operate within the principles of a free-market economy, wherein the state plays an enabling rather than interventionist role. Accordingly, local governments are encouraged to institutionalise mechanisms that promote inclusive Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), leverage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and invest in Public Goods Services (PGS) to stimulate sustainable economic growth.
The framework reconceptualises LED governance not as a substitute for market processes but as a catalyst. Free-market principles—fair competition, limited distortion, and entrepreneurial innovation—are foundational to the proposed model. The framework mandates the use of market diagnostics and cost-benefit analysis to determine the most efficient delivery mechanism—prioritising private sector-driven hybrid approach where viable, and public provision only where market failure exists. Wherefore, municipalities are repositioned as enablers of competitive innovative ecosystems, investing in public goods and unlocking market participation through regulatory clarity, digital access, and transparent procurement. This approach discourages the state from running parallel or competing programmes that undermine private sector participation, and instead calls for a governance model that incentivises market-based solutions and fosters long-term enterprise development.
The proposed framework allows stakeholders to systematically select development objectives (the WHY) from multiple typologies (including innovation-driven, infrastructure-led, social cohesion, and sustainability objectives), choose the leadership style (the WHO) from among state-led, private sector-led, private sector-driven hybrid, state-driven hybrid, and civil society-driven hybrid models, and implement LED through specific elements (the HOW) such as anchors, intermediaries, infrastructure, governance networks, and citizen engagement
Empirical findings demonstrate that only 35% of rural municipalities currently engage private sector actors meaningfully in LED governance, despite the private sector’s essential role in mobilizing financial resources, driving innovation, and facilitating scalable development. This study proposes an innovation-driven, private sector-driven hybrid approach, and knowledge-based governance framework for Local Economic Development (LED) in rural Limpopo, South Africa. Engaging 366 respondents—including 47.5% from the private sector and over 70% with post-school qualifications—it revealed that despite 92.4% awareness of municipal institutions,
only 37.9% participated in LED processes, underscoring the limited leadership role of local businesses. A review of 27 global LED frameworks showed universal emphasis on sustainability and equity, but fewer than 50% integrate innovation and adaptive governance elements.
The study further illuminates recurring local impediments included corruption (14.8%), funding shortages (11%), and skills gaps (12.3%). Sectors like mining and agriculture exhibited strong value-chain comprehension, whereas digital integration and advanced manufacturing capabilities remain weak. Despite 60.8% of respondents recognizing corporate support for SMMEs, only 24.1% reported tangible engagement, indicating missed opportunities for public–private synergy. These findings carry significant implications for Limpopo and broader South African LED strategies. An innovation-driven LED model would leverage private sector dynamism and foster knowledge-based value chains, aligning with Limpopo’s development objectives to become more industrialised, labour-absorbing, and globally integrated.
To unlock this potential, LED policy must embed mechanisms for strengthened collaborative governance, streamlined funding, targeted capacity-building, and proactive private sector participation. Such a transformation could drive inclusive growth, reduce rural inequalities, and align with national priorities articulated in South Africa’s LED Framework and Limpopo Development Plan.
The proposed framework conceptualises LED as a multi-objective optimisation problem, where local maxima are identified, filtered through Pareto dominance, and integrated into a global Pareto front—thus transforming local successes into globally relevant solutions. Accordingly, it incorporates a mathematical modelling component designed to operationalise this optimisation process and guide decision-making. Essentially, the framework proposes that LED strategy design should be systematic and iterative—a process optimization exercise that begins by selecting desired outcomes (e.g., innovation, jobs, sustainability) in the “WHY” Platform. From there, leadership style (state-led, private-led, community-led, or hybrid) is chosen in the “WHO” platform, and lastly the enabling elements (anchors, intermediaries, infrastructure, networks) are chosen in the “HOW” platform, considering local capacity and realities. Importantly, the approach remains adaptive, acknowledging that desired elements may not always be present, necessitating either phased development or immediate pragmatic choices.
The framework offers a cohesive blueprint for South African municipalities to effectively implement the national innovation-driven LED Framework 2018-2028. South Africa having chosen innovation to drive LED, this proposed governance framework allows a logical selection of the innovation-driven, private sector-driven hybrid, and knowledge-based approach, positing that a sustainable Local Economic Development (LED) governance process must recognise the interdependent triad of innovation, private sector leadership, and knowledge intensity to be succesful. Innovation, as a driver of LED, requires an enabling environment that fosters private sector leadership, which, in turn, presupposes a knowledge-based economic governance architecture. This ensures LED is not aspirational but practically executable, grounded in clear mechanisms, data-informed strategies, and cross-sector collaboration.
Moreover, the proposed governance framework offers a replicable pathway for translating policy into practice, unlocking LED’s full transformative potential, which is locally grounded, but globally relevant. Wherefore, from the policy perspective this study provides a comprehensive blueprint to transform South Africa’s rural LED by addressing critical shortcomings in the National Framework for Local Economic Development (LED) 2018–2028. First, it identifies the need to reposition the private sector as lead co‑creators—rather than peripheral participants—by formally embedding business chambers and forums into Integrated Development Plan (IDP) processes and making private sector consultation and leadership mandatory. Second, it introduces a practical governance framework aligned with the DST’s Innovation‑for‑LED (ILED) initiative and which must be piloted through the District Development Model (DDM). This model incorporates multi‑stakeholder platforms, standardized project tools, and performance monitoring systems, offering municipalities a scalable structure to boost coherence and accountability.
Implementation hinges on building institutional capacity in rural municipalities. The study recommends targeted training programs for LED officials covering stakeholder engagement, value‑chain facilitation, project management, and digital monitoring tools. It further proposes institutionalizing public‑private dialogue (PPD) platforms co‑chaired by private sector actors and universities, guided by clear protocols on frequency, scope, and follow‑up. These platforms would serve as engines for knowledge management and innovation.
On the fiscal front, the study advocates for performance‑linked grants and competitive LED innovation funds to incentivize municipalities to achieve measurable private sector participation,
such as procurement localization rates, co‑infrastructure investments, and job creation via PPPs and CSIs. It also underscores the role of development partners and civil society in supporting framework adoption, recommending targeted piloting in Limpopo districts with international donor and institutional technical assistance.
Institutional realignment is another key finding: responsibility for LED must shift from CoGTA and CoGHSTA to an economic development ministry—either via reinstating the Department of Economic Development or a reassignment to DTIC. At provincial level, LED oversight should align with Economic Development, Tourism, and Environment departments, with formal coordination mechanisms to link provincial, municipal, and national policy. Further, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and its agency Small Enterprise and development Agnecy (SEDFA) currently perform welfare-style interventions—providing equipment and starter goods to micro/informal enterprises—which aligns more with social protection than market-based enterprise development. These micro-targeted supports overlook medium and large firms, which are vital for CSI, PPPs, and value chain integration critical to local economic development. Consequently, DSBD and SEDFA’s current mandate is misaligned with the NFLED’s private-sector growth objectives. Their national coordination role would be better housed under a re‑established Economic Development department or within DTIC, which has stronger linkages to industrial strategy and larger enterprises essential for transformative LED.
Finally, the study links LED reform to the SDGs—particularly Goals 8, 9, and 17—by embedding SDG‑aligned indicators into municipal LED metrics and enhancing transparency, innovation, and data‑driven decision‑making. This positioned framework supports inclusive, private‑sector-driven hybrid growth, transforming LED from a bureaucratic process into a dynamic engine of rural transformation
Effects of learner disruptive behaviour on teaching and learning in Intermediate Phase schools in Vhembe East District, Limpopo Province
No full textM. Ed. (Educational Management)Department of Educational StudiesThis study assessed the nature and effects of learner disruptive behaviour among nine intermediate phase learners at three schools of Vhembe East District in Limpopo Province. The main objective of the study was to explore the effects of learner disruptive behaviour on educational activities in the Intermediate Phase. This study was motivated by the realisation that disruptive behaviour in the educational field has been on the increase, and this study explored types, factors, and effects of disruptive behaviour on teaching and learning. The study used face-to-face interviews with 12 teachers from three schools and observations on nine sampled disruptive learners, their behaviour in class, achievement, and attendance registers to gather data. The findings indicate that learners’ disruptive behaviour include, any form of ill-discipline and naughty behaviour that occur in the classroom, which affect the classroom process of learning, including the teacher and other learners. Disruptive behaviour included disrespect, threats of violence, bulling, attention seeking, late coming, making noise, swearing, disturbing others, fighting, and moving from one desk to the other, aggression, unacceptable behaviour and refusing to take instructions from the teachers. To handle learners showing disruptive behaviour, teachers used methods such as isolating in the classroom or reprimanding them. The teachers indicated that it is difficult to handle disruptive learners because most of these learners repeated the same behaviour after being corrected and even punished. The most common observation from the study was that disrupters usually underperformed and were not interested in class activities. From the study findings, it is recommended that novice teachers must be workshopped by the school management teams (SMT) on identification and handling learners who disrupt classroom activities. Teachers should have clear classroom rules to direct learners. Further, SMTs should come up with strategies for more parental involvement
Population Ecology of Rhabdomys dilectus dilectus in the Western Soutpansberg Mountains
No full textMENVSCDepartment of Geography and Environmental SciencesThis thesis explores the population ecology of the four-striped grass mouse (Rhabdomys dilectus dilectus) at the Lajuma Research Centre, within the Luvhondo Nature Reserve in the Western Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa. Conducted from July 2020 to November 2021, the study examined the species' population dynamics, habitat preferences, and reproductive patterns across three distinct ecological sites: Wetland, Wilderness Camp, and Patches. Specifically, it aimed to assess how environmental variables, such as rainfall and habitat characteristics, influence the distribution, abundance, and reproductive success of R.d. dilectus in these diverse habitats.
R.d. dilectus is known to inhabit mesic environments, favoring continuous vegetation cover while avoiding bare soil. However, findings from this study suggest that its habitat range may be slightly broader than previously documented. Extensive bi-monthly trapping sessions using PVC live traps baited with peanut butter, oats, sunflower seeds, and salt were conducted to capture individuals, which were then identified, measured, marked, and released. Habitat characteristics, including vegetation cover and composition, were assessed alongside local weather conditions. Statistical analyses, including non-parametric and parametric tests, Jaccard Similarity Index for vegetation comparison, and rarefaction curves for species diversity, were used to evaluate trapping success, the influence of environmental factors, and the composition of the small mammal community.
Results indicate that R.d. dilectus was the most abundant species across all study sites, with the highest population density observed in the Wetland due to its mesic conditions. Rainfall significantly influenced trapping success, with a delayed response linked to increased vegetation growth and resource availability, particularly in the Wetland. The Wilderness Camp exhibited greater species diversity, while the Patches had higher diversity indices despite lower overall species richness. Microhabitat conditions, such as grass cover and predation risk, played a crucial role in shaping the spatial distribution of R.d. dilectus and other small mammal species. Reproductive activity varied across sites, with continuous breeding observed in the Wetland, whereas the Wilderness Camp and Patches exhibited more sporadic reproductive patterns.
This research provides valuable insights into the ecological flexibility and habitat preferences of R.d. dilectus, expanding current knowledge of its population dynamics in heterogeneous environments. The findings highlight the role of environmental factors in shaping small mammal communities and offer important implications for the conservation management of rodent populations in fluctuating ecosystems
The Russo-Ukranian War: implications on the right of access to sufficient food in South Africa
No full textM. A. (Human Rights Law)Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples RightsAs the Russo-Ukrainian war rages on, its effects are felt far beyond the battlefield, threatening the fundamental right of access to sufficient food in South Africa. This study analysed the adequacy of instruments for the protection of the right of access to sufficient food. The analysis includes an in-depth study of international, regional, and national legal instruments, from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to South Africa’s Constitution, legislation, and policy frameworks. Global conflicts. Calamities have demonstrated, particularly in the case of South Africa, their ability to unravel even the most well-intentioned protections. South Africa’s food system, precariously balanced on about 30% import reliance, continues to teeter on the brink of crisis even at around thirty-four (34) months since the war began in February 2022. The war has laid bare the vulnerabilities created by trade liberalisation laws and policies. Trade liberalism seeks to increase interconnectedness and exportation by promoting free trade and reducing barriers, too much dependence on it leads to increased dependence on exported foods. This focus can undermine local food production, making countries more reliant on global markets. Once hailed as progressive, these frameworks now stand as potential barriers to food security in the face of global shocks such as the Russo-Ukrainian war. The study used a doctrinal research methodology, consisting of an analysis of the legal and policy landscape, including the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act 47 of 1996, the Competition Act 89 of 1998, the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (2014) Integrated Food Security Strategy (2022), Agricultural Policy Action Plan (2015) and the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture (2001). The study examined how legal and policy frameworks have unintentionally hindered local food production, exposing the nation to international market fluctuations. It assessed the “reasonableness” of these measures, as required by Section 27(2) of the Constitution, which mandates reasonable steps to protect the right to access sufficient food. Using Constitutional Court cases like Grootboom and Mazibuko as benchmarks, the study has shown the inadequacy of these frameworks. Drawing from international best practices in a comparative aspect from countries such as Singapore, Finland, Brazil and India, the study recommended legal and policy reforms to protect the right of access to sufficient food amid global market instability
The Career destination of Office Administration Graduates in Labour Market: A Case Study of Selected TVET College in Limpopo Province of South Africa
No full textMED in Guidance and CounsellingDepartment of Educational StudiesCareer paths have long been a subject of interest across various academic disciplines, with many studies focusing on graduate employment outcomes. However, limited research has explored the career destinations of graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, despite the sector receiving significant investment and experiencing high student enrolment. This study investigated the career destinations of National Certificate (Vocational) [NCV] Office Administration graduates from TVET College in Limpopo, South Africa. The study was guided by Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), which aligns with the focus on graduate employability. A qualitative research approach was adopted within the constructivist paradigm, which views knowledge as socially constructed through human interaction. Data was collected using a qualitative survey that included a semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire and an interview schedule. The questionnaire was completed by academic lecturers and student support services (SSS) staff within the college, while interviews were conducted with NCV Office Administration graduates. Purposive sampling was used to select participants: 20 NCV graduates, 10 lecturers, and 10 SSS staff. Thematic analysis was then employed to interpret the data and identify key themes and sub-themes aligned with the study’s objectives. The study reports a mismatch between the skills acquired by graduates and the jobs they obtained. Experiential learning, a vital practical component of vocational education, was not effectively implemented to prepare students for the labour market. The findings also shows that there is little to no alignment between the programme and industry needs, which negatively affected graduates’ job prospects. Although students received training in entrepreneurship, the lack of practical experience or business simulations limited their ability to apply this knowledge meaningfully. To address these issues, the study recommends the establishment of a career guidance unit at the college to help students make informed decisions about their programme choices. Experiential learning should place greater emphasis on business-related activities to instil a sense of self-reliance and entrepreneurship in students. Also, stronger links between the college, lecturers,
and the business sector should also be fostered to ease students’ transition into the labour market. Furthermore, the development of programmes should be informed by research based on current labour market needs. To this end, the study offers valuable insights into enhancing graduate employability in the TVET sector and suggests directions for future research
Predictive modelling of student progression at the University of Venda using statistical and machine learning techniques
No full textMSc in StatisticsDepartment of Mathematical and Computational ScienceOne of the challenges facing higher education is the steadily rising number of university
dropouts. Over the years, survival analysis has been used in order to address
the issue of student’s dropout. In developed countries, machine learning methods have
gained more attention on solving the problem of student’s dropout. The main motivation
is the lack of application of both the discrete time statistical and discrete time
machine learning methods when analysing student academic outcomes. This study built
both the discrete time competing risk model and discrete time machine learning models
for the time from registration until graduation or dropout for students at the University
of Venda. These two approaches were compared(in terms of calibration and discrimination)
to check which one works best. The proposed methodology implemented the
application of statistical methods (discrete time survival model for single risk and competing
risk) and the machine learning models(Classification trees for competing risk)
using the R Statistical Software. For the competing risk models, we considered the time
intervals 3 up to 6, since the possibility of graduation starts ate the third year. This
study used comparison measures like Brier Score and C-Index to evaluate the models.
Results show that the discrete cause-specific model and decision tree for competing
risks showed a higher discrimination ability about the students progression. However,
the decision tree model seemed to be the best model than the cause-specific model since
the C-index is higher. While the results showed that male students are more likely to
dropout and less likely to graduate, They also showed that female students are more
likely to graduate. Students with an average mark of 70+ have 48.2% higher odds
of graduating compared to those with an average below 50. Students in the faculty
of Human and Social Sciences are less likely to dropout as compared to those in the
faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture. However, HSS students do not significantly
differ from FSEA students in graduation odds(SE = 0.073, OR=0.904, 95%
CI(0.784; 1.042) and p-value= 0.165). The Faculty of Commerce, Management, and
Law (FMCL) does not significantly differ from FSEA in either dropout(p-value=0.766)
or graduation(p-value=0.072). This study found that older students are more likely to
dropout than younger ones. This study suggests that using a decision tree model is
more efficient than standard approaches for analyzing student dropout and academic
results and recommends that it should therefore be used for analysing academic outcomes.
Interventions for reducing dropout rates and shortening the time from first
registration to graduation should target the identified high risk groups such as male
and older students