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The impact of entrepreneurship education on tourism students’ entrepreneurial intention in South Africa
Get PDFThe impact of entrepreneurship education on tourism students’ entrepreneurial intention in South AfricaThis paper explores the impact of entrepreneurship education on tourism students’ entrepreneurial intention, and insights of the desirability and feasibility of starting a tourism-related business upon graduation. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 154 randomly selected tourism students in a comprehensive University in South Africa. Data analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to address research objectives. The results indicate that entrepreneurship education influences tourism students’ entrepreneurial intentions, including students’ perceptions of the desirability and feasibility of starting tourism-related businesses. The findings further suggest that some respondent profile variables have influences on how tourism students perceive entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior. The study recommends that the university that is studied implement a variety of reform programmes aimed at increasing employability or self-employment among university tourism graduates. Among them is the addition of a new entrepreneurship track to the undergraduate curriculum. Students, as from their first year of study should be invited to apply for the entrepreneur-ship education track, which includes business training as well as individualized coaching sessions with industry mentors. This will aid in the formation of professional networks, increased entrepreneur-ship process knowledge base, and self-efficacy among tourism students who want to become tourism entrepreneurs
Presence and Virulence Characteristics of Shiga Toxin Escherichia coli and Non-Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O157 in Products from Animal Protein Supply Chain Enterprises in South Africa
Get PDFPresence and Virulence Characteristics of Shiga Toxin Escherichia coli and Non-Shiga Toxin–Producing
Escherichia coli O157 in Products from Animal Protein Supply Chain Enterprises in South AfricaConsumption of food that is contaminated with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has been linked to serious foodborne disease outbreaks. Our aim was to provide a descriptive study on the presence and virulence factors of STEC and non-STEC O157 isolates recovered from 2017 diverse meat and meat product samples from all provinces of South Africa (n = 1758) and imported meat from South Africa’s major ports of entry (n = 259). A crosssectional study was undertaken to analyze raw intact meat, raw processed (nonintact) meat, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meat from cattle, game, sheep, pork, and poultry. Isolation was performed using International Organization for Standardization-based microbiological techniques, while detection and characterization were performed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and conventional PCR targeting the stx1,stx2, eae, and ehxA genes. A total of 28 of 1758 (1.59%; confidence interval [CI] 1.1–2) samples from the domestic market tested positive (n = 10 Escherichia coli O157:H7; n = 14 Escherichia coli O157: non-H7; and n = 4 non-O157 STEC), while 4/259 (1.54%; CI 0.4–4) samples from ports of entry tested positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7 based on RT-PCR. On average, diverse samples from domestic
meat and meat products from cattle showed the highest number of positive samples (22/1758; 1.3%; CI 0.8–2). RTPCR detected more positive samples (n = 32) compared with culture (n = 17). Sixteen different virulence factor combinations were observed. Our findings demonstrate a relatively low presence of diverse STEC strains along the meat value chain. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive report in South Africa to analyze STEC and non-STEC O157 from local and imported samples from many animal species. This is important as it reveals virulence factors in STEC strains circulating in meat and meat products in South Africa, which contribute to the risk of infection
Web Information Seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand
Get PDFWeb Information Seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students of Library and Information Studies at the University of ZululandBackground: In the 21st century, higher institutions of learning have completely
transformed their teaching and learning by adopting the web and it related
technologies due to the change of scenery in terms of information searching. Notably
the new generation of students is highly dependent on the internet for their academic
and personal activities. However, the internet contains a vast array of information,
some of this information is not suitable for scholarly use. Thus it is crucial for new
undergraduates to have necessary competences that will allow them to efficiently
search and retrieve information online. Therefore, this transformation encouraged the
examination of Web Information Seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students of
Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand. This research project
aimed to enlighten curriculum designers about the importance of including more IT
related modules on the first year students’ curriculum, furthermore it aimed at assisting
academic libraries to realise challenges facing undergrads regarding using their
services on the web.
Methodology: The study employed a quantitative research approach using closeended questionnaire as a data collection tools.
Results/findings: The study found that the web is the major source of information
amongst library and information studies undergraduates’ students. The study also
found that the web is used by students for academic purposes like: assignment
completion, research and study purposes. Further findings indicate that the Google
search engine was found to be the most used tool for information searching
University lecturers’ perceptions of the value, availability and accessibility of prescribed study material in South Africa
Get PDFUniversity lecturers’ perceptions of the value, availability and accessibility of prescribed study material in South AfricaThis study explored the pedagogical dimension of the new NSFAS book allowance funding model focusing on the availability of prescribed textbooks, the perceived impact on teaching and learning, and student's academic achievement. The study applied the human activity system approach (HAS) and the activity systems model within this approach as its theoretical framework. A sample of 10 lecturers drawn using convenience sampling participated in semi-structured inter-views designed within a phenomenology research framework. In the findings, lecturers reported a significant decline in the availability of prescribed textbooks among students and generally unsuccessful attempts to replace these with open educational resources. Consequentially the lecturers said the suboptimal academic performance was a direct output of the new NSFAS book allowance system. It was recommended that NSFAS engage lecturers in decisions relating to book allowance funding as their pedagogical approaches strongly relied on prescribed textbooks' availability. Universities should support policies and strategies that support the development, evaluation, and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) to increase the benefits of these resources while minimizing their risks to students' performance
University students’ perspectives on an English-only language policy in Higher Education
Get PDFUniversity students’ perspectives on an English-only language policy in Higher EducationThe study aimed to determine students’ perspectives on a shift from a dual-medium (English and Afrikaans) language policy to a monolingual (English-only) language policy at a University of Technology in South Africa and to establish whether the shift had any impact on student learning at the institution. The study used a quantitative method of inquiry, with a questionnaire used for data collection. The findings revealed that language-related challenges vary amongst
students, and these can be categorized as low, medium and high language learning problems. The article concludes that the language policy shift does not reflect the multilingual nature of the country, student demographics or their language needs at the institution. Instead of addressing the real challenge facing the majority of students who speak Sesotho, it merely dropped a second medium of instruction (MOI), Afrikaans, instead of developing a dominant
indigenous language (Sesotho) for educational use alongside English and Afrikaans. Transdisciplinary Contribution: The article lays bare the access paradox in higher education owing to the misalignment between the country’s progressive language policies and learning institutions’ language policies. The students’ perspectives bring a much-needed dimension to the ongoing debate on the use of the learners’ home languages as languages of learning and teaching
The role of women in water governance: the case of Mtubabuba rural areas, Kwazulu Natal
No full textThesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2022]Globally, women in rural areas are active in water supply policymaking, preparation and implementation. However, women are often excluded from water management activities; this can cause failed water projects. African cultures assume that women are only concerned about water for domestic purposes and men are responsible for productive water use. This patriarchal approach has not only led to several unsustainable development interventions around water and lack of access to water but has also underestimated women’s role.
Moreover, it is a historical fact that water is a vital resource not only for life survival but also for human development. However, several challenges have a larger influence on our lives and our natural environment including the governance of this precious resource. This therefore demands unlimited determined hard work, financial and knowledge resources to manage water resources for the benefit of all South African citizens.
The importance of women in water has been recognized in the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach. IWRM is a set of ideas to help manage water holistically. It is an integrated approach with more coordinated decision-making across women who face various challenges that hinder them from effectively performing their decision-making roles. Hence, the main aim of this study was to examine the nature of women’s roles in water governance, with a focus on Mtubatuba Municipality of the KwaZulu Nata Province, South Africa. In most rural areas, women are predominantly recognized as the ones primarily responsible for the management of domestic water supply and sanitation. In these societies, women also play the role of family caregivers in terms of the provision of food and nutrition.
The study found that although women are active participants and managers of water use at the household level, their participation, leadership, and professional careers in the national and municipal continue to be minimal. Therefore, women's central role in the provision, management and safeguarding of water must be recognised, prioritised, and planned and enforced at the municipal level. Cultural constraints to women's participation such as exclusion from decision-making and excessive domestic responsibilities are also noted.
The study found that policies and guidelines aiming to empower women in governance have been long established at the national level, the issue is at the local level where some societal norms and values prohibit some societal norms and values prohibits women from making decisions regarding water. Beyond that women often lack confidence in themselves to be led by other women, and some pay attention to their house duties and have limited time to contribute to decision-making even if opportunities prevail.
The study examined the nature of women’s roles in water governance, with a focus on Mtubatuba rural areas, in South Africa. The study was based on the premise that the literature related to women’s role and their governance in the water sector has side-lined the Dublin principles to achieve productivity, decision-making, and equity in water governance. The design of the study was quantitative; the research was grounded in Ecological Economics and African Feminism theory. Close-ended questionnaires were used for data collection. The population size was (271=n) respondents from Mtubatuba rural communities, in South Africa.
Furthermore, the study discovered that South Africa has policies and guidelines that speak to the involvement of women in decision-making, but the implementation of the guidelines is confronted with challenges. As a result of these challenges, there have been several negative impacts such as water scarcity for rural people, failure of water projects and drought and financial wastage. Rural women as a marginalised group do not develop in such a way that even today, they carry a great part of the burden of providing water for household domestic uses. Therefore, the voice of women in water supply should be seriously taken since they represent the most experienced persons with indigenous knowledge of water and household sanitation. Water is essential for agricultural productivity at the rural level. Since women are paramount stakeholders in agricultural production, their involvement in water resources management is key
HIV-Seropositive Patients’ Experiences with Social Workers: A South African HIV+ Social Worker’s Reflective Log
No full textHIV-Seropositive Patients’ Experiences with Social Workers: A South African HIV+ Social Worker’s Reflective LogSocial workers play a pivotal role in HIV-seropositive patients’ treatment and care within South African public antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs. This
article is a reflective log of an HIV-seropositive social worker’s observations and reflections on her positionality during a study on HIV-seropositive patients’
experiences of the public ART program in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The primary investigator (PI) utilized various tools and techniques
including reflexive bracketing, participatory action research and a reflexive diary to navigate a sensitive study. This was while being cognizant of the
fluidity of her insider/outsider positionality. The disclosure of the PI’s HIV seropositive status culminated in all the participants accepting her despite some
social workers’ wariness of a study interrogating patients’ experiences. Such disclosure was aimed at creating a warm, transparent research environment
where participants felt comfortable sharing significant and sensitive information on their experiences while interacting with social workers. In conclusion, the
PI’s disclosure and transparency on her positionality could facilitate opportunities for other HIV-seropositive social workers to openly engage in
trustworthy HIV research studies. This is aimed at facilitating and promoting patient-centered care, destigmatizing the disease, and bridging research gaps
Factors affecting mathematics teaching to grade 10 learners in rural schools of the mutale cluster in the Vhembe District
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2022.In South Africa, the secondary school learners generally perform poorly in Mathematics, rather than in the other subjects. The Mathematics pass rate at National Senior Certificate level (NSC, Grade 12) in 2019 was 54.6%. Ironically, other subjects had a 70% + pass rate in Grade 10. This study was grounded on the idea that Mathematics teaching is concerned with the acquisition of aspects such as Mathematical facts, concepts and principles, inter alia. It was underpinned by the constructivism theory, while positivism had been its paradigmatic inclination. The model was used for the understanding of the context-specific meanings regarding the factors affecting Mathematics teaching at Grade 10 in rural schools. This study was done quantitatively, and this methodology enabled me to investigate the phenomenon through the use of figures. The population of this study were all Grade 10 Mathematics teachers in the Mutale Cluster, in the Vhembe District. The simple random sampling technique was applied in selecting its sample. Its findings indicated that teachers still facilitate Mathematics lessons using ‘traditional approaches’, namely the ‘telling and showing’. Needless to say that the teaching of Mathematics especially at Grade 10- level, should strictly be based on using different methods so that learners could end up having understood it properly, and also indicate that the teaching of Mathematics to Grade 10 learners should be improved by using different types of teaching methods when teaching it. Teachers experienced challenges that prohibited them from incorporating modern Mathematics approaches, with the old methods known to them. Overall, through using the different methods when teaching Mathematics as explained, might lead to our learners performing well in the same Grade 10-level. This study recommends that further studies should be done in South Africa’s public schools in Mathematics teaching, so that learners’ poor performance in Mathematics, could be improved. On the other hand, a survey research design was also used for data collection, as it helps to minimise error in the data collection. In so doing, it also would also further assist to enable that the findings of this study are valid and reliable. The misuse of Mathematics’ objectives in Grade 10 learners’ teaching especially in the Mutale Cluster, appeared to be a contributing factor leading learners not to understand it well. Additionally, teachers seemed to be changing teaching paces to the new topics faster, having learners not understood them. In most schools, found in the Mutale v Cluster, no suitable textbooks appeared to be used by Grade 10 learners in schools. A clarion call might be that the recently prescribed textbooks and all the necessary stationaries have to be used so that the rate of Mathematics teaching in Grade 10- level could be drastically changed. As a concluding remark, I then urge all the concerned stakeholders in schools, to strictly make a combination of both the old and new methods of teaching Mathematics at Grade 10-level. For example, the old method of using the collected sticks while teaching the counting of numbers, and even letting learners know the multiplication process through memorisation, especially of numbers less than ten (10) without calculators. At that point, it could lead learners to understand the Grade 10-level Mathematics at the level of their abilities in schools. In addition to this, the tendency of conducting the extra Mathematics classes could assist to strengthen its teaching to the Grade 10-learners. In so doing, the best ever seen results might simply be obtained in Mathematics Grade 10-level at least every year. Once again, the strictly use of the basic knowledge due to be explained later in this study, would also without any further doubt enable the learners to understand Mathematics at Grade 10-level properly well
Can Infopreneurship be an Employment Option for Library and Information Science Students?
Get PDFCan Infopreneurship be an Employment Option for Library and Information Science StudentsThe study aimed to determine if infopreneurship can be an employment option
for Library and Information Science (LIS) students and graduates in KwaZuluNatal (KZN), South Africa. Specifically, it investigated LIS graduates involved
in infopreneurship, the requisite competencies, areas of infopreneurship, and
challenges. Guiding the research was the interpretive paradigm. Employing a
qualitative methodology, the study used the case-study design. Data were
collected through triangulation of interviews, content analysis and observations.
Non-probability sampling methods were used, i.e., purposive sampling and
snowball sampling. A total number of 60 infopreneurs from KZN were
interviewed. The results of the study revealed that infopreneurship is practised
in South Africa, though a minimal number of graduates from LIS practise it.
Furthermore, infopreneurship is constantly developing, as are the
infopreneurship activities that infopreneurs can perform. Notwithstanding its
challenges, the majority of the infopreneurs identified have been practising it
for over five years. These results suggest that infopreneurship can be an option
for employment for LIS students and graduates. Ultimately, there is a need for
a curriculum review and development to best prepare students to be
infopreneurs. Furthermore, there is a need to include infopreneurship policies
for the fight against unemployment among graduates
FRW cosmological models with barrow holographic dark energy in Brans-Dicke theory
No full textFRW cosmological models with barrow holographic dark energy in Brans-Dicke theoryIn this paper, we have generalized the behaviors of transit cosmological model under the observational data with Barrow holographic dark energy. We consider the scale factor field as φ = φ0(tβeαt)m to get exact solutions for the field equations in a non-flat FRW universe in Brans–Dicke theory. The values of the model parameters α and β are obtained by best fitting of 46 observational Hubble data (OHD) points in the range 0 ≤ z ≤ 2.36. The derived model exhibits a transition scenario for open, flat and closed universe. The EoS parameter shows a quintom-like behavior, lies both quintessence (ω > −1) and phantom (ω < −1) regions and crosses the phantom divide. The matter and dark energy density parameters (ρD, ρm), scalar field φ and other cosmological parameters provide the results consistent with the recent observational datasets. Some other physical and geometrical behaviors of BHDE are also described and satisfactory behaviors are found with current observations (OHD+JLA)