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Teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Limpopo primary and high schools.
No full textWith this study we aimed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education in South African primary and high schools in the Mopani district of the Nkowankowa circuit in the Limpopo
province. Simple, random sampling was used to select 101 teachers from 25 rural schools. The quantitative method was employed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education. A
questionnaire was used to collect data on the teachers’ attitude towards entrepreneurship education. In this article, 2 factors –teachers’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship education challenges within school constructs –are discussed. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), with the aid of descriptive statistics, was used to analyse the data. The Cronbach alpha scores for all internal consistency scales were 0.90. The reliability test indicates that 0.80 and above is more reliable, and 0.90 offers the best scores. Face validity was established by determining the factor structure of the instrument. Concerning Bartlett’s test of sphericity, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was found to be 0.805, and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Literature reports that KMO values between 0.7 and 1 indicate that the sampling is adequate. The results show that 96% of teachers felt that the challenge with regard to the implementation of entrepreneurial education was a lack of training. The results disclose that the majority of teachers (93.1%) indicated that entrepreneurship education was relevant in schools. Based on these findings, we propose that entrepreneurship should be implemented as a standalone subject within the basic education curriculum. In support of this vision, financial and physical resources are a vital propellant in achieving this trajectory
Effectiveness of information technology controls on financial performance management: Evidence from South African municipalities.
No full textPurpose This study assesses the effectiveness of information technology controls on financial management and performance in South African municipalities, as measured by their audit outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a positivist paradigm and quantitative technique. For data analysis, STATA Special Edition version 16 software was used to conduct a multinomial logistic regression analysis.
Findings The study found that 34.3% of municipalities in South Africa had ineffective internal controls for financial performance and management, contrasting with only 27% that had effective internal controls. The study concludes that municipalities with better IT controls tend to have more effective financial management and performance outcomes.
Practical implications This study recommends that municipalities continuously invest in improving their IT controls as this will improve effectiveness of financial performance and strengthen management oversight.
Originality/value This study provides insights into the relationship between IT controls on the one hand, and financial management and performance on the other, particularly in municipalities as these organisations face perennial challenges of unaddressed audit findings related to ineffective financial management and performance
Thickness variation effects on the efficiency of simulated hybrid Cu2ZnSnS4-Based solar cells using SCAPS-1D.
No full textThis study presents the simulations of a hybrid Cu2ZnSnS4-based solar cell with a planar heterojunction structure in a hybrid model (n-FTO/n-ZnO/p-PSCS/p-CZTS/p-PSCS/p-HTM) using a One-Dimensional Solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D). . The configuration "121" of the hybridizing absorber layers of the device was simulated and related with as-Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide (CZTS). The simulation used an absorber layer with a step-length thickness of 25 nm and thicknesses ranging from 100 nm to 500 nm. The bandgap diagram, I-V characteristics curve, percentage conversion efficiencies, and the quantum efficiencies of the simulated solar cells were calculated and constructed from simulated results. The percentage conversion efficiency of 22.57%, fill factor of 49.99%, open-circuit voltage of 0.80V, and short circuit current of 25.12 mAcm-2 were obtained. The obtained photon conversion efficiency shows that the hybridization of different absorber layers was achievable. It was also established that the performance efficiencies of hybrid CZTS structure in terms of optimum thickness and sandwiched Perovskite Solar cells model (FTO/ZnO/CZTS/PSCS/CZTS/HTM) has the same efficiencies for "121 configurations". On the other hand, the efficiencies of as- CZTS structures were higher than the PSCS configuration, which might be due to SCAPS-1D as it was originally designed for Thin Films Solar cells
Analytical insights into short‑chain chlorinated paraffins in consumer products, leachates, and sediments in Gauteng, South Africa.
No full textShort-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants, are of growing concern due to their toxicity, environmental persistence, and ability to undergo long-range transport. At the end of their lifecycle, SCCP-containing consumer products often end up in landfills, where they leach into the environment, contributing to contamination. This study investigates the presence and concentrations of SCCPs (51.5 and 55.5% chlorine content) in selected consumer products, landfill leachate, and sediment samples from Gauteng Province, South Africa. SCCPs were detected across all matrices, with concentrations in consumer products ranging from 12.03–439.58 ng/g (51.5% Cl) to 87.77–344 ng/g (55.5% Cl). Sediment and leachate concentrations varied between sites, with higher levels observed in Goudkoppies compared to Hatherly. These findings highlight the pervasive presence of SCCPs and underscore the need for stricter environmental monitoring and management to mitigate their potential risks. Therefore, consumer products waste need to be monitored as relevant potential source of SCCPs worldwide, even where the national industry strictly follows the restriction of such chemicals
Derivatives of pyrazole-based compounds as prospective cancer agents.
No full textFive pyrazole-based compounds, 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole, L1; 3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole, L2; 3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole, L3; 3-(trifluoromethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole, L4; and 3,5-ditert-butyl-1H-pyrazole, L5 were synthesized from a typical condensation reaction of β-diketone derivatives with hydrazine hydrate reagent and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, UV–vis, 1H and 13C NMR, and LC–MS spectroscopy. L1 was further analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the N1–N1′ bond distance was found to be 1.361(3) Å and correlated well with other pyrazole-based compounds. The short-term cytotoxicity of 10 μM pyrazole compounds (L1–L5) was evaluated against pancreatic (CFPAC-1 and PANC-1), breast (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), and cervical (CaSki and HeLa) cancer cell lines using the MTT cell viability assay. Cisplatin and gemcitabine were included as positive control drugs followed by the determination of the half-maximal effective concentrations of prospective compounds. L2 and L3, respectively, displayed moderate cytotoxicity against CFPAC-1 (61.7 ± 4.9 μM) and MCF-7 (81.48 ± 0.89 μM) cell lines
Creating story worlds through sound design in selected South African films from 2014 TO 2024.
No full textSubmitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree, Master of education in the department of visual communication, Faculty of Arts and design at the Tshwane University of Technology.Sound has been a part of the motion picture industry since its earliest beginnings. Although the use of music during the silent film era did not necessarily originate from its artistic applications, but rather as a method of drowning out the noise from the early film projectors, the effect that music had on the audience’s reaction to the film was noticed early on. Similarly, as scholar David Sonnenschein states, modern sound
designers have the same responsibility of enhancing the experience of the viewers and enrapturing them in the story world (in terms of time, place and space). Yet, no academic research has been published on South African sound design. In this study, I investigated how South African sound design artists use sound design to craft effective story worlds in their films. This research uses a case study approach to investigate and analyse examples of effective and ineffective story world creation through sound design. After sampling a number of South African feature films from the decade between 2014 and 2024, I selected and analysed two South African feature films within the genres of drama, thriller/horror, and romance. I used Álvaro Barbosa’s Film Sound Analysis Framework (FSAF) to conduct my analysis and to explain why I argued that these films used sound design efficiently or poorly in creating story worlds. Finally, based on this research, I give guidelines to sound designers in the South
African context on how to design effective story world(s) for films. The dissertation ends with recommendations for the education and training of student sound designers
Band gap tuning and enhanced photosensitivity of nitrogenated TiO2 via graphene incorporation for low-voltage UV photodetectors.
No full textThe emergence of metal oxide-based photodetectors has been on the rise in recent years, owing to the tunability of their optical band gap and photosensitivity. The current study focuses on tuning the band gap of nitrogenated TiO2 (N–TiO2) using reduced graphene oxide. The incorporation of low doses of graphene (0.0394 and 0.0432 g) into the N–TiO2 shows widening of the band gap (2.52 / 2.79 / 2.95 eV). The electrical conductivity properties obtained from the current–voltage sweep show a decrease as the graphene concentration increases and are consistent with the widening of the band gap. The photosensitivity properties of a high concentration of graphene-supported N–TiO2 depict improved response at low voltage (0.5 V) in comparison to pristine N–TiO2 by 14.7%, which suggests that graphene incorporation supports photodetection at low voltage. The study proposes that incorporating graphene into N–TiO2 nanostructures can be used to enhance the sensitivity of low-voltage UV photodetector devices
Investigation of the knowledge and understanding of hygiene practices amongst small-scale farmers producing ready to eat vegetables in the three regions of the Gauteng Province. Gauteng Province THE GAUTENG PROVINCE
No full textSubmitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Maters in Environmental Health in the Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science at the Tshwane University of Technology.Introduction:
Ready-to-eat vegetables are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. They provide significant nutritional benefits; however, they also pose serious challenges due to their susceptibility to contamination. These vegetables are usually eaten without further processing, making food safety a major concern. Most fresh produce used in ready-to-eat dishes, such as salads, undergoes minimal handling, often just washing before consumption. This limited processing increases the risk of contamination and emphasizes the importance of stringent hygiene measures during production, handling, and distribution.
This study aims to establish the current state of knowledge regarding hygiene practices and their application among small-scale farmers in the three regions of
Gauteng, South Africa. This study aimed to describe the current understanding of food hygiene in the handling and preparation of ready-to-eat vegetables. The objective was achieved through farm inspections and observational visits, as well as interviews with small-scale farmers. These methods were used to gather information on their knowledge, perceptions, and application of hygiene practices during the production of ready-to-eat vegetables in the study areas.
Materials and methods:
This study followed an empirical investigation setup, where a data-based collection approach was used to determine the population size (n=75) and the sample size from each region as follows: City of Tshwane (n=25), Ekurhuleni (n=25), and West Rand (n=25). Existing literature was consulted to compare and contextualise the observations made regarding hygiene practices. The participants were as follows: eighty percent (80%) came from the City of Tshwane, seventy-two percent (72%) from the City of Ekurhuleni, and eighty percent (80%) from the West Rand district. All interviews were conducted at the farms using a structured questionnaire, along with observations and inspections of each farm. All participants in all three regions answered the same questions. To ensure informed consent, each farmer was asked to sign a consent form indicating their agreement to participate in the investigation. To ensure participants fully
understood the study, consent forms were translated into Nguni languages (Zulu and Swati), which are commonly spoken by the target population. Farmers who agreed to take part in the investigation were also asked to grant permission for the researcher to capture still images as part of the data collection process. This was also clarified in the research participants' leaflet provided to the researcher during data collection.
Results:
The results of this study were as follows: eighty-six percent (86%) of the farmers indicated that they had been trained in basic food hygiene by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, with ² =37.4533 and p=0.0001. During the inspection, the following was observed: eighty percent (80%) of the farmers adhered to the hygiene application, with ² =3.8533 and p=0.0001. Ninety percent (90%) of the participants had a stage in the process flow for the removal of physical hazards prior to packaging, with ² =111.4400 and p<0.0001. Participants used water to wash the products to remove dirt and soil, while the other ten percent (10%) did not use water, believing that it interferes with the shelf life of the ready-to-eat vegetables.
Conclusions:
The findings of this study revealed that small-scale farmers producing ready-to-eat vegetables in the three regions had predominantly received training in food hygiene and demonstrated a sound understanding. Farming support plays a significant role in equipping small-scale farmers, indicating that such interventions are effective in enhancing agricultural practices. However, there is still much more to be accomplished across the country, particularly in rural areas. The overall results indicated that most of the small-scale farmers producing ready-to-eat vegetables were trained in food hygiene, and that hygiene practices were observed. However, the minority that was not compliant had attitudes based more on beliefs than a lack of knowledge
Ab Initio investigation of graphene−polythiophene nanocomposite as electrode material for Mg-Ion batteries: A computational perspective.
No full textBy using the ab initio computational methods, this study delves into the feasibility of utilizing graphene−polythiophene (G/PTh) nanocomposites as electrode materials for magnesium-ion (Mg-ion) batteries. The research employs the
DMol3 and CASTEP modules within Materials Studio software to systematically analyze the electronic and structural characteristics of G/PTh nanocomposites, shedding light on their potential to enhance energy storage in Mg-ion batteries. The investigation encompasses an in-depth exploration of the interaction between Mg adatoms and the nanocomposites, focusing on the electronic properties, specific capacity, Mg adatom diffusion kinetics, structural and thermal stability, and the underlying mechanisms that govern energy storage. The loading of Mg atoms onto the G/PTh nanocomposite yields a notable maximum specific capacity of 815 mAh/g, indicative of weak adsorption energy (−1.51 eV) and highlighting the potential of the resulting battery as an efficient energy storage device. The nanocomposite exhibits a remarkably low Mg diffusion barrier of 5 meV, facilitating a rapid Mg ions diffusion across its surface. A bandgap of 0.019 eV suggests the
promising potential of G/PTh nanocomposites as suitable electrode materials for Mg-ion batteries
Optimising the mechanical properties of concrete for non-structural applications through partial replacement of fine aggregates with wastewater sludge.
No full textThis study investigated the potential of wastewater sludge (WWS) as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in non-structural concrete to optimise its mechanical properties while mitigating environmental impacts. WWS from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), Mankweng, Polokwane, and Seshego, in Limpopo Province, South Africa, was used to replace sand at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% by weight. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to characterise the organic compositions of the sludge and sludge-based concrete. The environmental safety of the sludge-based concrete was then assessed through the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) at 28, 90, and 140 days, ensuring compliance with heavy metal leaching limits. The results demonstrate that at a 5% replacement level, the concrete maintained an average compressive strength of 25 MPa after 90 days, meeting general construction standards for non-structural and low load-bearing applications. The incorporation of wastewater sludge had low leachable heavy metals, with TCLP results confirming all tested metals remained below regulatory limits throughout. However, increasing WWS content beyond 10% resulted in higher porosity, reduced compressive strength, and increased water absorption, which compromise durability. The findings highlight the importance of optimising replacement levels and mix design to balance sustainability, mechanical performance, and regulatory compliance