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Managing challenges faced by South African higher education institutions in implementing preservice teacher education curricular
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies in the Faculty of EDucation, University of Zululand, 2020.This study was informed by the persistent challenges faced by South African higher education institutions in implementing pre-service teachers’ programmes. The main purpose of this study was to investigate how challenges faced by South African higher education institutions in implementing curriculum for pre-service teachers’ preparation are managed. Briefly, objectives of the study were to (a) identify the challenges faced by South African higher education institutions in the curriculum implementation for preservice teachers’ preparations; (b) find out how the South African higher education institutions address the challenges they face in implementing the curriculum for preservice teachers’ preparations; and (c) investigate the views of academic staff on continuous curriculum review for pre-service teachers’ preparation.
To achieve the objectives of the study, an interpretive paradigm was well suited to the study that used a qualitative approach and case study method. Purposive sampling was also used to select Sixteen (16) academics as participants to this study. In-depth interviews and document analysis were used as instruments in data collection. Thereafter, the researcher developed the themes and categories that were used without any comparison for data analysis and presentation. All these were done while university research ethics and national protocols for research were observed.
Furthermore, this study was underpinned by a constructivist learning and experiential design as its theoretical framework to review assorted and related literature that revealed challenges faced in implementing teacher education in general. Amongst the findings, lack of contemporary material and equipment were noted while the rapid evolution of technology and lack of technical support were identified. Weak internet access, staff shortages, inadequate mentoring of pre-service teachers during teaching practice; unruly behaviour of students during teaching practice; the physical condition of facilities at schools where teaching practice takes place, and the lack of formal training for curriculum review and implementation, were among the chief findings of the study
Factors affecting grade 12 learner’s performance in life sciences at Luvuvhu Circuit
Get PDFA thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Zululand, 2019.The challenge of underperforming learners undermines the intention of the government to see that each and every child is educated. Underperformance in some subjects, including Life Sciences, in Grade 12 in the Luvuvhu Circuit is still a problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting performance of Grade 12 learners at Luvuvhu Circuit. The performance of the learners is not acceptable to the level of contributing to quality overall results. A qualitative research design was used in this study and data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were tape-recorded and notes-taking done to add the interviews. Purposive sampling procedure was followed in selecting participants for this study. Data was collected from teachers who teach Life Sciences in Grade 12 at Luvuvhu Circuit. The results showed that learners’ performance was due to lack of labs, late arrival of the common tasks, absenteeism, substances abuse, location of schools and others. It is recommended that the Department should make provision of laboratories at various schools within the circuit, common tasks to be distributed and administered simultaneously at various circuits. The findings provided recommendations that will be shared not only at Luvuvhu Circuit but also throughout the entire education system to reduce the high failure rate in Grade 12 learners in Life Sciences. Areas of focus identified might also be shared with the subject advisors at district level.National Research Foundatio
Data, information and knowledge for development in Africa: Proceedings of 20th annual conference of the Department of Information Studies held on18-20 September 2019 at the University of Zululand, South Africa.
No full textProceedings of 20th Annual Information Studies Conference held on the
18th-20th September 2019 at the University of Zululand, South Africa.The purpose of the conference is to explore and share current research results and
experiences of data, information and knowledge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
(4IR). The conference is divided into twenty three sessions that focus on the
highlighted themes in the programme including: 157 papers consisting of 34 full
papers (FP), 123 research in progress (RIP) papers, 10 posters, and one panel
session. The conference is expecting 120 participants, largely postgraduate students
and faculty/academics, from countries such as: Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia,
Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Swaziland, Uganda, USA and Zimbabwe. In addition,
20 institutions, largely universities from Africa and particularly South Africa, are taking
part in the 2019 conference.
The conference theme, “Data, information and knowledge for development in
Africa”, is unique because of the importance of digitization in our daily life and the
value of e-things such e-learning, e-scholarship, e-science, e-resources, e-data, elibraries
and e-resources among others, and resonates well with the 4IR paradigm. It
is also unique because of the magnitude of the event that has attracted some of the
prominent information, knowledge and library and information science scholars from
Africa, and the USA. For example, the conference in our midst has attracted four
Keynote speakers and eight Guest Speakers from Africa and USA; consists of nine
plenary sessions and 14 parallel sessions; 81 participants from 20 universities/
Institutions and 11 countries
Simulation of catchment runoff, erosion and sediment transport using a transient numerical model for Mlalazi catchment
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Hydrology in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2019.Catchments and estuaries are fragile systems that are prone to serious degradation from many different anthropogenic impacts. Much research has been conducted on developing an understanding of the fluvial processes in river catchments and in estuary dynamics. Many of the anthropogenic impacts on estuarine systems are generally derived from subjective expert opinion in South Africa. The Mlalazi Estuary is one of the best conserved estuaries in KZN. As a result of the changing state of the marine and fluvial conditions there is a possibility that such changes may trigger management interventions. There is therefore a need to derive reliable flows from the Mlalazi Catchment as it is a driver of sediment deposition and erosion processes which may impact on the opening or closing of the Mlalazi Estuary. The latest Reserve Determination study for Mlalazi Estuary was based on rapid assessment with low confidence (<40%) in simulated monthly streamflow. The study illustrated a need for further detailed assessment of catchment hydrology using appropriate and calibrated models. In an ungauged catchment where there is limited observed data, numerical models are useful tools to derive best estimates of flow, erosion and sediment transport. In this study the HEC-HMS hydrological model was developed, calibrated, validated and applied for simulation of runoff, erosion and sediment transport from the Mlalazi Catchment into the estuary. Calibration and validation was done at delineated sub-catchments with observed flow records. An event based calibration approach and a continuous approach were used in the development of the model. For the event model the initial and constant loss method was used for simulating rainfall loss from the catchment surface, while the Soil Moisture Accounting (SMA) Model was employed for the continuous simulations. The event calibration was based on two selected extreme storm events, namely the Domoina (31 Jan 1984) and Imboa (17 Feb 1984) cyclonic events; and the validation was done on two storm events in February 1985 and September 1987. The calibration and validation for continuous simulations of flows were from 1977-1986 and 1986-1999 respectively. The Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and overall Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the model performance. The continuous flows for the catchment were then simulated from 1950 to 2017 incorporating erosion and sediment transport. The erosion was simulated using the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE), and the Ackers-White method was chosen for sediment transport potential. The erosion and sediment transport models
SIMULATION OF CATCHMENT RUNOFF, EROSION AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT USING
A TRANSIENT NUMERICAL MODEL FOR MLALAZI CATCHMENT
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were not calibrated due to limitations of observed data, but parameter values were estimated from other studies available in literature for this region. The simulated sediment yield from the catchment was evaluated by comparison to sediments yield found by other studies in this region.
It was concluded that a physically based, numerical simulation model provides a pragmatic method for the derivation of reliable hydrodynamic data and information in catchments with limited observed data like the Mlalazi Catchment. Furthermore, this study allowed a smooth linkage with the study of the Mlalazi Estuary that employed the HEC-RAS model
Antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activity of ethyl acetate extract of Protorhus longifolia stem bark
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master if Science in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2019.Blood clotting related disorders are the major underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases, which are the major cause of premature deaths globally. Despite great efforts made in the discovery of antithrombotic agents, ischemic events continue to claim more lives. Thus, there is a need to discover and develop new and more effective antithrombotic drugs, preferably from natural sources. The study is aimed at investigating the anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Protorhus longifolia stem bark. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the crude ethyl acetate was evaluated against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals. Its reducing power and metal ion chelating potential were also determined. A chromogenic substrate was used to determine the antithrombin activity of the extract. While the thrombolytic activity of the extract was determined in rat whole blood clot, the antiplatelet aggregation activity was evaluated on rat platelet rich plasma. The carrageenan induced rat paw edema and rat tail bleeding time models were used to investigate the anti-acute inflammatory and antithrombotic activity of the extract, respectively. The experimental rats were orally pre-treated with the extract at 100 and 350 mg/kg for 8 consecutive days. While the water displacement method was used to measure the rat paw edema, the time it took for the rat tail to stop bleeding following a 5 mm amputation was taken as the bleeding time of the rats. At the end of the experiments, all the rats were euthanized and blood and the hind paws of the rats were collected for biochemical analysis of some inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. The extract showed, to a varying degree of efficacy, concentration dependent scavenging activity on DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals. While the plant extract showed a strong reducing power, only a moderate metal ion (Fe2+) chelating activity was observed. The extract also exhibited concentration dependent antithrombin and antiplatelet aggregation activities. At the highest concentration of 10 mg/ml, the extract exhibited up to 35.7% thrombolytic activity. While a marked decrease in tail bleeding time (3.18 min) was observed in the untreated inflammation induced rats when compared to the normal control group, prior oral administration of the extract (at 100 and 350 mg/kg) to the rats seemed to prolong the bleeding time up to 8.8 min. The animals pre-treated with the extract also displayed anti-inflammatory activity as they effectively reduced the rat paw swelling. Even though no significant
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changes were observed in the tissue levels of IL-6 and TNF-α on the extract treated groups, a marked decrease in COX-2 and TGF- β1 was observed. Increased tissue levels of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant status were also observed in the inflammation induced rats pre-treated with the extract at both 100 and 350 mg/kg in comparison to the untreated control group. Even though lower serum levels of some kidney and liver function biomarkers (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT and ALP) were observed in the group treated with the extract at 100 mg/kg, relatively higher serum levels of BUN and AST were observed in the rat group administered with the extract at a higher concentration of 350 mg/kg. The results obtained suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of P. longifolia stem bark possess antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities. The observed increases in serum levels of BUN and AST at the higher dosage of the extract indicate its potential nephro-and hepatotoxicity and that it be used as a treatment with caution.National Research Foundatio
An appraisal of the recruitment and selection process of the judiciary (chief justice) in Zimbabwe
Get PDFPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 11 Number 1, p.39-49, November 2019Societies that have accepted the notion of liberal modern democracy respect the
role of the judges or the judiciary in making such democracies a success. As such,
the drafting of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe was a particularly significant
event because, amongst other things, it set out the judicial selection process to be
followed in the future. Following the recent appointment of the new chief justice
(Justice Malaba, appointed in 2016) there has been controversy regarding the
Zimbabwean judicial recruitment and selection appointment process. While some
renowned legal practitioners expressed the opinion that the process itself was
somewhat commendable, the reality is that there were some major flaws, which
must be addressed for future judicial selection and appointment. This study
analysed documents to appraise the recent recruitment and selection process of
the chief justice in Zimbabwe. This study collated data from the Zimbabwe
Constitution, Zimbabwe Legal Information Institute, Zimbabwe Case law, legislation
and journal articles. The findings from this study suggest that there were some
flaws in the last recruitment and selection process of the Chief Justice that were
conducted by the Judicial Service Commission. The paper demonstrates some of
these flaws. Broadly, the results of this work suggest that the recruitment and
selection process require the expertise of those who are skilled in the procedure to
do it with utmost proficiency, with limited acrimony and as little hindrance from the
public as possible
Investigation of Interaction between heat shock protein 70.14 (Hsp 70.14) and RBBP6 RING finger domain
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree
Masters in Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, 2019.Despite improvement in cancer treatment modalities, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Studies show that in 2012, about 14.1 million new cancer cases resulting in 8.2 million deaths were reported worldwide according to the WHO. Over the years, several unsuccessful attempts to completely eradicate cancer diseases from human life has led to variety application of therapies (such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody based therapy, chemotherapy, surgery) aimed at finding treatment and radical cure for this disease. Although, there have been major improvements in the application of these therapies, however, challenges of non-specificity, as well as several side effects, resulting from killing of normal cells by chemotherapeutic agents are still widespread. This has led to urgent and continuous need for alternative therapies aimed at finding alternative drugs, or improving the current available treatment modalities. In the same vein, researchers have exploited therapeutic potential of heat shock proteins (Hsps) as an alternative intervention against cancer because of their ever-presence in the pathology of different facets of cancer development. Studies have shown that tumour cells require Hsp chaperonin activities for survival and proliferation than normal cells, because most oncoproteins in invading cells are often unfolded, therefore require chaperonage protection of Hsps for survival. Hsp70.14, alternatively known as HSP70L1, is an Hsp70 variant that lacks the c-terminal domain but contains substrate binding domain and the ATPase domain. The postulated interaction of this protein with the RING finger domain of RBBP6, suggested their role in protein quality control system and chaperone-mediated ubiquitination. Therefore, this study aimed to recombinantly express, purify, characterize and investigate the interaction between Hsp70.14 and RING finger domain of RBBP6. In silico analysis using homology modelling and subsequent validation by Ramachandran plot revealed that modelled structures were of good quality. Molecular docking studies show a strong interaction between the two proteins with a high binding score (KD) of 16038. The recombinant proteins were successfully expressed in BL21 cells and subsequently purified
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using GSH-agarose and on cobalt-recharged Nikel affinity chromatography columns. Structural characterization of the proteins using far UV, CD spectroscopy, tryptophan fluorescence and SE-HPLC showed that proteins were properly folded, predominantly α-helices, absorbs light at 280 nm and contain no impurities or protein aggregates. ANS binding studies reveals more hydrophobic patches in Hsp70.14 than RING and complex. The binding results obtained from this study using molecular docking, size exclusion high pressure liquid chromatography and ANS binding assay revealed there was indeed an interaction between Hsp70.14 and RING finger domain of RBBP6, which holds a major therapeutic potential towards the development of alternative cancer drugs
An investigation into the child rearing practices of parents and alcohol abuse by black children
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Community Psychology in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2019The Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health (2014) reported that alcohol is the third highest risk factor contributing to the large scale of disability and disease, and an eighth contributor to global deaths. Significant public health problems in South Africa result from excessive consumption of alcohol (Morajele & Ramsoomar, 2016). Schneider (2007) reported that in South Africa alcohol is responsible for 7% of deaths and 7.1% of the burden of diseases. In their study, Peltzer, Davids and Njuho (2011) assert that in South Africa, it is mostly the young that are most prone to extreme levels of alcohol consumption, therefore exposed to alcohol-related burden of diseases. The South African numbers are disproportionately high to those of peers globally (WHO, 2011, 2014). Hazardous behaviours including binge drinking as well as drinking to intoxicate, are on the rise.
Despite all this, very few studies investigating alcohol abuse have been conducted in South Africa; except for the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 1998 and 2003. In South Africa as in most countries, a gap has been observed in the literature on parental role and/or influence in their children’s self-destructive behaviours (i.e. including the abuse of alcohol) (Chapman & Werner- Wilson, 2008; Lamborn, Mounts, Steinberg & Dornbusch, 1991; Sprecher, Harris & Meyers, 2008). Most studies and intervention programmes deal with behaviour change on an individual; parents who have to deal with the ever-changing landscape of teenagers and young adults are left out as spectators; untrained to deal with parenting teenagers in the era of excessive substance abuse.
The aim of this study is to bridge this gap by looking into the child-rearing practices and perceptions of parents on alcohol abuse of their adolescent children. Investigating Child Rearing Practices and Perceptions of Parents on Alcohol Abuse of their children will assist to find out what can be included in intervention programmes for parents. The focus of the study was on Black adolescents in Empangeni.
The study consisted of a sample of 54 parents that were divided into five groups. Three groups consisted of ten people each, and then two groups of 12 people each. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems and Family Systems Theories formed the central theories for the study. The study followed a qualitative design that adopted phenomenological approach principles in data collection and analysis i.e. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as presented by Lester (1999).
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Findings indicate a sense of helplessness and inadequacy on the part of the parents and/or caregivers regarding the appropriate parenting skills and strategies. These emanate from the disintegration of family structure, and from the fact that some parents blame the government for interfering on how they should raise their children. Parents therefore expressed a need for parent-oriented intervention programmes and support from the government and communitybased organisations.
A Psychosocial Parenting Framework based on the themes (results) from this study is suggested for developing intervention programmes
In-service training needs of educators in the teaching of writing skills: a case study of primary schools at eSwatini
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2019.Writing is dominant in schools and continues to be important for effective communication. Therefore, learners need to be up- skilled in writing skills as their everyday activities. This study was conducted to investigate the in-service training needs of educators in teaching writing skills in primary schools at eSwatini. The study responded to the questions: (a) To what extent are educators teaching languages, trained in teaching writing skills to primary school learners? (b) What in-service training needs do educators have in teaching writing skills of primary school learners? (c) What competencies do educators possess for teaching writing skills?
The mixed method design was adopted for this study which triangulated focus group semi structured interview, documentary analysis and lesson observation. Purposive sampling was used to sample N=56 educators in eight primary schools and N= 6 trainers from three teacher training colleges. The mixed-method approach was used to collect data. Quantitative data were analysed using the statistics, frequencies and percentages as well as cross tabulation. Qualitative data from focus group interviews were analysed by identifying patterns and themes.
The study revealed the lack of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in the teaching of writing skills. The findings imply that there no methods of teaching employ in teaching writing skills. In addition, the study findings imply that among other things, there was lack of parental involvement and lack of support from school administrators and government. Recommendations made from this study were that: in-service training department should strengthen workshops with regard to writing skills, there should be preparation of lessons, setting of test, scheme of work and marking of learners’ work. Furthermore, the training colleges should have comprehensive writing skills programmes for all pre-service educators, and not only those who major in languages
Angular correlation measurements with a segmented clover detector
Get PDFA thesis submitted for the Degree of Master of Science in Physics, in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2019.Gamma-gamma angular correlation measurements are an important tool to
determine (amongst other nuclear properties) the multipolarity and the mul-
tipole mixing ratio of a gamma-ray transition. In this work we use for the rst
time a segmented clover detector placed at close geometry to measure angular
correlation functions. Gamma-gamma angular correlation analysis was carried
out for the transitions of 133Ba and 60Co. It allowed to determine the angular
correlation coe cients, a2 and a4, and to establish the multipole mixing ratios
of several gamma-ray transitions. Codes to sort and analyze gamma-gamma
angular correlation data were developed and a technique to deduce the mix-
ing ratios was established. It was shown that the iThemba LABS segmented
clover detector has an excellent capability for gamma-gamma angular correla-
tions measurements, allowing one to determine multipole mixing ratios with
high precision. The analysis of the gamma-gamma cascades of 133Ba proved
that with this detector one can determine the M1+E2 multipole mixing ratios
for gamma-ray transitions with precision similar to that listed in the Nuclear
data tables, where the results of many di erent experiments are combined and
averaged. Note that our results were produced from 12 hours of data collec-
tion for each sources that were used namely 60Co and 133Ba. The analysis of
the 1173 �� 1332 keV cascade in 60Co showed that using the segmented clover
one can easily distinguish a stretched dipole from an unstretched quadrupole
transition. Moreover, new results on the signs of the multipole mixing ratios
for some transitions in 133Ba were obtained. In addition to measuring the
multipole mixing ratios for the transitions in 60Co and 133Ba, an analysis was
performed in order to investigate the possibility of a new 437 keV transition
in 133Ba but no evidence supporting such a transition was found.National Research Foundation