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The development of a cloudlet business model based on stakeholder’s service guarantees
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2020In this study, a Service Level Agreement (SLA)-based Cloudlet business model was developed to facilitate the easy deployment of a Cloudlet instance by Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that ensures service guarantees by the edge. The development of the model is due to the lack of Cloudlet Business Models to assist and guarantee SMEs that the deployment of a Cloudlet can yield desired profits.
The model consists of three role-players or stakeholders namely, the Cloudlet consumer, Cloudlet owners and Internet Service Providers (ISP) or Cloud Providers. The roles and interactions between the role-players are captured in an SLA. The SLA facilitates the provisioning and management of Cloudlet resources to ensure service guarantees and avoid deployment failures. The management and provision of Cloudlet resources can result in high throughput in the network, improving consumer Quality of Experience (QoE). The SLA defines the service description, service objectives, cost, and penalties and is imposed on consumers using a disclaimer page.
The feasibility study of the developed model based on a coffee shop scenario was conducted using a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) tool. The findings show that a coffee shop can gain about 164 cents per rand spent on Cloudlet operational costs over a period of 3 years. This can surely help SMEs gain financial stability and profit. Also, to demonstrate the effectiveness of an SLA on the Cloudlet Business Model, a coffee shop-based SLA simulation was conducted using CloudSim Plus tool. The results indicated that the provisioning of efficient resources in the network had a direct impact on the success of the SLA. The SLA’s success had an impact on both service guarantees and operational cost minimisation. Therefore it is concluded that an SLAbased Cloudlet business model proposed in this research ensures that stakeholders’ service guarantees are delivered
Assessing the collaboration between traditional leadership and ward councillor towards community development in (Ward 4) eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Commerce in the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law, at the University of Zululand, 2020.The coexistence of traditional leaders and ward councillors in South Africa has birthed contestations within the sphere of local government. Debates have emerged in relation to the powers, functions of both lines of leadership and how they ought to coexist and cooperate in service delivery. The collaborations in the delivery of services to the citizenry between these two lines of leadership remains understudied, particularly in the eThekwini Municipality ward 4. The study conducted face-to-face interviews with a sample of 9 participants, utilising qualitative methods in its approach. To analyse the data that was collected through the semi-structured interview guide, the study employed the thematic content analysis. The results of this study revealed that traditional leaders mainly play cultural roles but have a strong hold on land as a factor of development. The two structures generally did not collaborate very well towards development, even though they communicated with each other. This was because of negative perceptions on the education levels of traditional leaders, lack of developmental budgetary support for traditional leaders and different political orientations between the two structures. Overall, interviewed community members viewed poor collaboration between the two structures as having a negative impact on social, economic and infrastructural community development. The study recommended a collaboration framework enforcing the inclusion of traditional leaders in municipal and ward forums. The study also recommend that it is crucial to provide training for both offices on how they can work together for the benefits to the communit
An analysis of the sustainability of small-scale farming in Dukuduku, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, at the University of Zululand, 2020.Redressing the injustices of the past apartheid government has been the core-focus of the South African government since the birth of democracy in 1994. The variety of rural based policies, like land restitution have been introduced in order to restore the dignity of people and by these means economically empower them (to productively utilise the land and by these means attain rural and agrarian transformation) in the former homelands who were forcefully removed from their land due to racially discriminatory laws of the apartheid government. However, this has been met with several challenges such as poor monitoring and evaluation by the state in certain areas, which has resulted in the maladministration of resources, poor market access as well as poor access to credit. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the sustainability of small-scale farming (with emphasis on the credit access, market access, improved infrastructure as well as state intervention) in Dukuduku, an area in which the community benefited from land restitution. The aim was achieved through four objectives. First, to map the spatial extent of small-scale farming in the study area from 20012019. Second, to examine the nature of economic opportunities arising from smallscale farming in the study area. Third, to explore perceptions of small-scale farmers in Dukuduku towards land restitution programme. Fourth, to assess the sustainability of small-scale farming in relationship to agrarian transformation in the study area. The study employed the convergent parallel mixed method design to collect and analyse the data. The findings suggest that, while small scale farming has increased significantly in the study area, the farmers continue to face challenges relating to inadequate agricultural support and extension services. This has undermined the sustainability of small scale farming activities and by extension agrarian transformation. The study recommends that, this calls for proactive and effective agricultural support and extension services by the government so that the utilisation of restituted land for agricultural purpose (small-scale farming in this study), is productive, sustainable and transformational.National Research Fun
Comparative structural analysis of cytochrome P450 family CYP51 in the genus Cryptococcus
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2020Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP51 (sterol 14α-demethylase) is a well-known
target of the azole drug fluconazole for treating cryptococcosis, a life-threatening fungal
infection in immune-compromised patients in poor countries. Studies indicate that
mutations in CYP51 confer fluconazole resistance on cryptococcal species. Despite the
importance of CYP51 in these species, genome data mining, annotation and
phylogenetic analysis of CYPs has not been reported. Furthermore, few studies on the
structural analysis of CYP51 and its interactions with different azole drugs have been
reported. This study is aimed to address these two research gaps.
Comprehensive genome-wide CYP analysis revealed the presence of 203 CYPs
(excluding 16 pseudo-CYPs) in 23 species of Tremellomycetes that can be grouped into
38 CYP families and 72 CYP subfamilies. Twenty-three CYP families are new and three
CYP families (CYP5139, CYP51 and CYP61) were conserved across 23 species of
Tremellomycetes. Pathogenic cryptococcal species have 50% fewer CYP genes than
non-pathogenic species. After successful identification of CYPs, in silico structural
analysis of 12 CYP51s from cryptococcal species and other Tremellomycetes were
carried out. Interactions of 12 CYP51s with nine ligands (three substrates and six azoles)
performed by Rosetta docking using 10 000 combinations for each of the CYP51-ligand
complex (12 CYP51s x 9 ligands =108 complexes) and hierarchical agglomerative
clustering were used for selecting the complexes. A web application for visualization of
CYP51s’ interactions with ligands was developed (http://bioshell.pl/azoledocking/).
The study results indicated that Tremellomycetes CYP51s have a high preference for
itraconazole, corroborating the in vitro effectiveness of itraconazole compared to
fluconazole. Amino acids interacting with different ligands were found to be conserved
across CYP51s, indicating that the procedure employed in this study is accurate and can
be automated for studying P450-ligand interactions to cater for the growing number of
P450s. The results of this study will serve as reference for future annotation and
characterization of CYPs in species of Tremellomycete
Investigating small-scale commercial afforestation in quaternary catchment W70A area, Manguzi, KwaZulu-Natal: livelihoods, policy and conflict
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, at the University of Zululand, 2020.The study investigates the nature and dynamic of the conflict over small-scale commercial afforestation for livelihood sustainability between the local communities of Manguzi and the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation (DWS). The source of the conflict is the divergent priorities of the two parties involved. The rural communities practice small-scale commercial afforestation to earn and achieve sustainable livelihood, on the other hand the DWS perceives such practice as illegal because of the legislation such as Water Use License Application (WULA) which were not followed by these farmers. The study used mixed methods to get to the deepest understanding of the conflict. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with the DWS` official and with the rural communities. The study also used statistical data from the DWS to draw a correlation graph in order to understand the impact of this afforestation on water resources in Manguzi.
The study found that small-scale commercial afforestation in Manguzi is the main economic activity and some farmers have been involved in it for more than 20 years. This afforestation has physically contributed to the rural livelihoods through improved housing quality in this settlement area. It has also contributed socially through the improved state of health and a variety of skills gained. Lastly it continues to improve their socio-economic life through creating job opportunities, and the establishment of other businesses which serve as income diversification to the rural communities as per the Sustainable Rural Livelihood Framework which was employed as the theoretical framework guiding the study.
The DWS has an enforcement tool to deal with any non-compliance and illegal practices in South Africa. The DWS has proposed to use this enforcement tool to control this increasing development of afforestation. The enforcement tool will force rural people to refrain from these plantations and the existing plantations will be removed. This is the cause of the conflict because the DWS as the custodian of the country`s water resource, has a mandate to control any water-related activities, but this is the only economic activity that has proven to be successful in Manguzi. This has caused the rural communities to be highly dissatisfied with the governance of forestry in Manguzi
Investigating the Feasibility of Using the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) Technique to Measure Industrial Pollution in Soil and Water in the Richards Bay Area
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2020The Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique is one of the reliable and most sensitive analytical techniques for analyzing materials. The technique has unique capabilities that are not found in other analytical techniques. For instance, it is relatively faster as it does not require much sample preparation, if the instrumental approach is to be used, and can analyze bulk samples.
In this study, the feasibility of using NAA to measure industrial pollution in the environmental samples (soil and water) was investigated, with Richards Bay being the area of interest. Although chemical elements are naturally present in the environment as major and trace elements, their content can increase due to anthropogenic activities. This leads to various issues that negatively affect the environment. Richards Bay is one of the towns that consist of various industries, among which are heavy industries. Thus, there is a need for routine pollution measurement, more especially in the sediments and water bodies of the area. Since the NAA technique has never been employed to measure pollution in this area, this study is aimed at investigating its sensitivity to Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd) and Strontium (Sr), which are some of the typical pollutants from the various industries present in the area.
The experiments were conducted at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where two neutron sources - the Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) neutron generator and the Americium-Beryllium (AmBe) source - and a γ-ray spectrometer are available. The soil and water samples collected from the study area were irradiated and their spectra were measured using the High-purity germanium (HPGe) detector system. In addition, CRMs were also irradiated, with only the water CRM being irradiated using both sources. To complement the experiments, predictions of dominant reactions and those of interest were made using Monte Carlo method, FLUKA. The simulation results showed that NAA is more sensitive to elements in the soil than in water, thus leading to the conclusion that elements need to be present in concentrations higher than those in the water CRM. This was also observed in the experimental resultsNational Reseach Foundation (NRF
Evaluation of an HIV/AIDS peer education programme at two Universities of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal: dual perspectives of students and peer educators
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology in the Arts, University of Zululand, 2020.Peer education is a peer-driven approach to information-sharing and promotion of behavioural change amongst groups, including youth in schools and young adults in tertiary institutions. Peer education is based on the recognition of youth as potentially powerful agents of change and due to their shared similarities and accessibility to targeted populations, are deemed particularly effective in promoting positive behaviours, healthy lifestyle choices and encouraging social awareness and responsibility. The reported study investigated the perceived impact and efficacy of peer education programmes at two universities of technology in KwaZulu-Natal, namely Durban University of Technology (DUT) Midlands Campus and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in Umlazi. The research sample comprised twenty-four peer educators, ten students who had participated in peer education programmes and two health promoters. Focus groups and individual semi-structured qualitative interviews were the methods used to collect data.
The research findings suggest that the notion of peer educator identity is a distinct identity connected academically and developmentally to the broader student population, yet, unique in its responsibilities and range of practices. The findings also advance peer education as a novel ‘community of practice’ uniquely positioned within higher education to drive social awareness and responsibility and to effect tangible shifts in student identity and behaviour, particularly with respect to sexuality and HIV/AIDS. Highlighted by programme recipients was holistic personal growth and skills development, perceptual shifts in sexual and gender-role assumptions and stereotypes, increased awareness of sexual diversity, assertiveness and boundary-setting with respect to the handling of peer pressure, and an enhanced awareness of collective social responsibility to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recommendations include the development of a national HIV/AIDS peer education policy for the South African post-school education and training sector. Among other goals, to design and implement standardised peer education programmes with critical generic components that are sufficiently inclusive to address all aspects of social relevance to students and that are sufficiently flexible to be adapted to different institutional contexts. Recommendations for future research include targeting student leaders’ (political, religious, sport and recreation) perceptions and involvement in peer education programmes at tertiary institutions, with a view to optimising its accessibility, impact and efficac
Teaching philosophy and the making of an intellectual : a personal reflection - short communication
No full textPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso Volume 12 Number 1, Aug 2020, p. 110 - 113Academic institutions are regarded as centres of intellectual moulding. At the centre are students who through consultations or class attendance interact with lecturers or professors in intellectual exchanges. In the same vein, lecturers and professors are viewed as custodians of the intellect, to whom students must pay obeisance and glean on the crumbs that fall off their lofty intellectual tables. Perhaps, these are the images that aspiring students have when they apply for spaces in academic institutions. Notwithstanding such a glorious picture, academic institutions are workplaces where fellow colleagues meet in corridors for the exchange of either hastily or meticulously composed emails; attend departmental or institutional meetings; support and or degrade others; like and dislike certain activities, etc
Ukuziphatha kwabafelokazi kugxilwe emanovelini ka- A. Shange: Ifa lenkululeko neka N. Zulu: Umshado / The behaviour of widows based on A. Shange’s novel: Ifa lenkululeko and N. Zulu’s novel: Umshado
No full textLwethulwa ukufeza izidingo zeziqu ze- Doctor of Philosophy Emnyangweni Wezilimi Zomdabu Namasiko Enyuvesi yaseZululand, 2020.Abesifazane emhlabeni wonke jikelele banezindlela ezahlukene zokuziphatha. Ezinye zezindlela abaziphethe ngazo azamukelekile, zithunaza isithunzi sabo. Lolu cwaningo lubheka indlela abaziphethe ngayo emibhalweni ecwaningwayo okungumbhalo ka-N.Zulu no-A.Shange. Isahluko sokuqala:
Lesi sahluko sihlahla indlela nenqubo ezolandelwa ngesikhathi kwenziwa lolu cwaningo. Siveza amaphuzu abalulekile asetshenziswe ngesikhathi kwenziwa lolu cwaningo. Kubhekwe izinhloso zocwaningo, intshisekelo yocwaningo, izingqinamba zocwaningo, umklamo wocwaningo, izindlela zokuqhuba ucwaningo kanye nemibono yongoti.
Isahluko sesibili: Kulesi sahluko ilapho ucwaningo luzoveza khona ukubuyekezwa kwemibhalo eseyenziwa mayelana nesihloko nokuziphatha kwabafelokazi.
Isahluko sesithathu: Lesi sahluko siqukethe izinjululwazi nezinsizakuhlaziya nezindlela zokuqoqa ulwazi ezisetshenzisiwe.
Isahluko sesine: Lesi sahluko sibheka ukuziphatha kwabesifazane kuyona yomibili imibhalo ecutshungulwayo okungumbhalo ka-N. Zulu no-A.Shange.
Isahluko sesihlanu: Kulesi sahluko kwethulwa lonke ulwazi ngokufanayo nokwehlukile emisebenzini yababhali okucutshungulwa ngayo. Kuphindwe kwahlahlwa kabanzi ngesiko lokuzila nesiko lokungenwa.
Isahluko sesithupha: Lesi sahluko imiphumela yocwaningo, izincomo nesiphetho
Teacher conceptualisations of pedagogical content knowledge in relation to meaningful learning in the context of teaching of mathematics in primary schools
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2020.Teachers play a critical role in mathematics classroom. For the most part, learning mathematics is more than just learning concepts and skills. The indispensable goal of teaching at all levels is to involve learners in meaningful learning, which occurs when learners are making meaning. Teaching is a mutual procedure that is centered on learner's learning. The current research problem is identified in finding out teacher’s knowledge of teaching mathematics that may try to stimulate learners' meaningful learning. The aim of this study was to identify levels of IP teacher’s Mathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge and their associated operational manifestations in the context of mathematics teaching and learning at Sibasa circuit in the Vhembe District. This study adopted a Mixed-method research design to understand teacher’s conceptualisations and facilitations of mathematics learning. The population of this study constitutes of teachers from intermediate phase at Sibasa circuit in the Vhembe district in Limpopo province, South Africa. Two instruments, questionnaires and interviews were to collect data for this study. Teacher’s questionnaire distributed to 120 Intermediate Phase mathematics teachers, and in qualitative method, 10 participants were interviewed to ensure that the researcher collected data from people who have the relevant information.
The results showed that teachers’ Mathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge is generally quite weak which fundamentally limit meaningful learning. Drawing from these findings, the author proposed Tshisi model (Figure 3.3), as a model to facilitate meaningful mathematics practice at the intermediate phase. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will give teachers and curriculum developers’ new insights into emerging issues on meaningful teaching in mathematics classroom. The study gave general recommendations for improving teacher’s mathematical knowledge towards teaching Mathematics