16918 research outputs found
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Unpacking the entrepreneurship education conundrum: lecturer competency, curriculum, and pedagogy
No full textThis qualitative study explores the complex landscape of entrepreneurship education by focusing on lecturer competency, entrepreneurship curriculum, and pedagogy. This study addresses critical gaps in the current literature by investigating key questions: ideal instructional approaches for entrepreneurship, essential components of the curriculum, providers of entrepreneurial knowledge, and overarching strategies to foster entrepreneurship in higher education. Employing the Gioia methodology, this research adopted a qualitative inductive approach by collecting data from 14 participants actively engaged in entrepreneurship education and development across various South African universities. The findings highlight the diverse perspectives of academics and underscore the importance of collaborative and interactive teaching methods in preparing students for entrepreneurial challenges. This research contributes valuable insights to inform policy and practice in enhancing entrepreneurship education within South African higher education institutions (HEIs)
The anti-politics of food in South Africa: transformation, accountability and the nutrition policy subsystem
No full textObjective: To examine power and governance arrangements in food and nutrition policy formulation and agenda-setting in South Africa Design: Analysis of the policy implementation environment and in-depth interviews were conducted focussing on: existing policy content and priorities across food system sectors; institutional structures for cross-sectoral and external stakeholder engagement; exercise of power in relation to food system policies; and opportunities to strengthen action on nutrition. Setting: South Africa Participants: Interviews were conducted with 48 key stakeholders involved in the food and nutrition policy sphere: government sectors relevant to food systems (n=21), the private sector (n=4), academia (n=10), NGOs (n=11) and farmers (n=2). Results: This study found that there are power dynamics involved in shaping the planning agenda that is inadvertently generating a food system that undermines the right to food. The concept of nutrition governance remains poorly defined and applied in different ways and usually based on a relatively narrow interpretation - therefore limiting policy coherence and coordination. South Africa has strong legal institutions and practices, and social policies that support public provisioning of food, but a non-interventionist approach to the food system. Conclusions: The right to food and nutrition, as outlined in the South African Constitution, has not yet been effectively utilized to establish a robust normative and legal basis for tackling the dual challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition. Currently, the governance of the food system is grappling with substantial obstacles, balancing the influence of powerful stakeholders who uphold the status quo against its responsibilities for food justice
Phytofabrication of silver nanoparticles using ehretia rigida leaf aqueous extract, their characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
No full textThe green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) offers a sustainable, rapid, and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical and physical methods, with diverse applications across various fields. This study reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Ehretia rigida (Er) leaf aqueous extract and evaluates their biological activities. The formation of the NPs was confirmed by the change in colour from clear to dark brown. The synthesis parameters, such as pH, temperature, Er extract and silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentrations, reaction ratio, and incubation time, were optimized for high yields, controlled size, and stability of the NPs. The optimized Er-AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR–TEM). The Er-AgNPs sample presented a characteristic absorbance peak at 408 nm, a hydrodynamic size of 74.02 ± 0.19 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.39 ± 0.05, and a zeta potential of −25.4 ± 6.26 mV. FTIR analysis revealed the nature of the biomolecules responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the NPs. HR–TEM revealed that the Er-AgNPs were spherical, with core sizes ranging from 6 to 18 nm. The Er leaf aqueous extract and Er-AgNPs possessed antioxidant activities, with the Er leaf extract having higher activity than Er-AgNPs. The Er leaf extract did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity, whereas the Er-AgNPs demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against all the tested pathogens. This study provides a sustainable, easy and cost-effective method to produce AgNPs for biomedical applications
The development of a scale to measure doctoral graduate attributes in the South African higher education context
No full textDoctoral education is an area of strategic focus in South Africa. The recent review of doctoral education at South African higher education institutions, and subsequent discussions of the findings, have highlighted doctoral graduate attributes as an area needing substantial focus. This study aimed to develop a scale to measure doctoral graduate attributes in the South African higher education context. The study was framed using scale development theory, as it provides clearly defined steps to ensure rigorous processes in test development. The study employed a multi-method approach with four phases, each with distinct methodologies guiding the development of the Doctoral Graduate Attributes Scale (DGAS-10). Phase 1 consolidated international literature through a systematic review of the attributes that doctoral graduates possess, providing conceptual clarity of the construct of doctoral graduate attributes and identifying relevant subdomains and definitions of attributes for consideration in the construction of the scale. Phase 2 explored the contextual relevance of the construct, subdomains and definitions of doctoral graduate attributes in the South African context, through stakeholder consultations with doctoral students, graduates and academic staff. The findings from Phase 1 and 2 informed the construction of the draft DGAS-10 in Phase 3. The draft scale was refined in Phase 4 through a Delphi study with local and international experts, establishing the scale’s face and content validity. The DGAS-10 includes ten domains, namely: knowledge, research, academic literacy, higher-order thinking, communication, interpersonal skills, global citizenship, organisational skills, self-management and personal attributes. The use of the scale is recommended with doctoral scholars as the target group, to enable reflection upon doctoral graduate attributes attained and/or with doctoral students, enabling reflection upon graduate attribute development during doctorate studies
Balancing yields and sustainability: an eco-friendly approach to losartan synthesis using green palladium nanoparticles
No full textThis study presents a sustainable, environmentally friendly synthetic route for the production of key intermediates in losartan using palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) derived from a brown seaweed, Sargassum incisifolium, as a recyclable nanocatalyst. A key intermediate, biaryl, was synthesized with an excellent yield (98%) via Suzuki–Miyaura coupling between 2-bromobenzonitrile and 4-methylphenylboronic acid, catalyzed using bio-derived PdNPs under mild conditions. Subsequent bromination using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) under LED light, followed by imidazole coupling and tetrazole ring formation, allowed for the production of losartan with an overall yield of 27%. The PdNP catalyst exhibited high stability and recyclability, as well as strong catalytic activity, even at lower loadings, and nitrosamine formation was not detected. While the overall yield was lower than that of traditional industrial methods, this was due to the deliberate avoidance of the use of toxic reagents, hazardous solvents, and protection/deprotection steps commonly used in conventional routes. This trade-off marks a shift in pharmaceutical process development, where environmental and safety considerations are increasingly prioritized in line with green chemistry and regulatory frameworks. This study provides a foundation for green scaling up strategies, incorporating sustainability principles into drug synthesis
Information and communication technology (ICT) for accountable service delivery in informal settlements: A case study of Imizamo Yethu, Cape Town
No full textInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) can potentially transform service delivery, uplifting living and socio-economic standards and fighting poverty (Ahmed, 2020, p. 9; Mashamaite, 2014, p. 231). In South Africa, metros like the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, and City of Tshwane have been using some ICTs to help improve the quality of services provided in order to improve the quality of life for citizens; however, the benefits have not reached all. The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of using ICT for enhancing local government accountability in the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu. This study used a qualitative methods approach employing semi-structured interviews, WhatsApp diaries and document analysis. This thesis uses an analytical framework that combines the E Participation Ladder and social accountability to assess the effectiveness of residents' use of ICT for local government accountability. The findings of this study indicated that residents’ use of ICT is effective to a certain extent in generating local government accountability for public service delivery. The findings indicate that there are various ICT channels available for the residents of Imizamo Yethu to use to engage with the City of Cape Town indicating frequent use of the fault reporting channels and social media as tools to hold the City accountable for public service delivery. Its effectiveness is influenced by factors such as access to actionable information, access to digital infrastructure, and the level of participation by residents in Imizamo Yethu. The findings show that several crucial factors influence residents of Imizamo Yethu to transition from simply having the information (passive participation) to taking deliberate action based on that information (active participation). These factors include the level of digital literacy, access to information, and access to digital infrastructure, as well as perceptions about the City of Cape Town, the effectiveness of ICT, and who benefits from it. However, when these channels become ineffective, residents opt to protest as a means of enacting accountability
Emotional social screening tool for school readiness – revised: isiXhosa adaptation
No full textBackground: The need for the adaptation of instruments to other native languages to promote culture-fairness framed this study. Aim: This article reports on the adaptation of the locally developed Emotional Social Screening Tool for School Readiness (E3SR-R) into isiXhosa. Setting: This adaptation study was conducted in South Africa. Methods: The study was executed in five steps based on the Sousa and Rajjanasrirat model. The quality of the processes for translation and establishing linguistic equivalence were evaluated using the Quality of Translation and Linguistic Equivalence Checklist (QTLC). Results: A high level of inter-rater agreement was reported. A high level of compliance with International Test Commission (ITC) guidelines for translation and linguistic equivalence was achieved. An expert reviewer (ER) concluded that the isiXhosa version of the E3SR-R demonstrated content validity. Conclusion: The E3SR-R English version was successfully adapted to isiXhosa. Contribution: The resultant isiXhosa translation extends the availability and utility of the E3SR-R to isiXhosa speakers
Strengthening theoretical assessment design in nursing education: advancing SDG 4
No full textBackground: Quality theoretical assessments in nursing education are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all). However, misalignment with National Qualification Framework (NQF) standards, an overreliance on recall-based questions and inadequate educator training undermine the fairness of assessments and students’ ability to demonstrate clinical competence. Aim: This study explores theoretical assessment design in nursing education, evaluating its alignment with NQF standards, competency-based assessments and Sustainable Development Goal 4. Setting: Conducted at a South African nursing school offering undergraduate nursing programmes. Methods: A multimethod approach integrated educator interviews, document reviews of moderation reports, a scoping review and a student survey to investigate assessment practices. Results: While educators valued Bloom’s Taxonomy, over-reliance on recall-based questions limited critical thinking, clinical decision-making and competency development. Misalignment with NQF standards caused inconsistencies in cognitive demand, while gaps in moderation processes impacted assessment validity and fairness. Educators faced challenges because of limited training and support, and students struggled with ambiguous and linguistically complex assessments that hindered their ability to demonstrate competency. Conclusion: Strengthening assessment design, moderation and educator training is essential to improving competency-based assessment practices in nursing education. Policy reforms promoting fair, transparent, and competency-driven assessments will enhance graduate preparedness, ensure alignment with NQF standards and support SDG 4’s goal of quality education. Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence supporting assessment policy improvements, promoting structured, competency-based assessments that enhance fairness, deepen learning and align with nursing education standards
Mangrove population dynamics in relation to disturbance and recruitment within South African estuaries
No full textMangroves uniquely regulate their changing environment; however, as they complete their life cycle in this dynamic ecosystem, continuous monitoring is essential to determine if they are selfsustaining, regenerating sufficiently, and managing threats. This study evaluated the status of four mangrove sites on the eastern coast of South Africa. Observational quantitative data was used for disturbances, disease indicators and the population structure and recruitment status of the forests and respective species. Disturbance was quantified by ranking it on a scale from 0 to 4 (four being the highest) for each site. The presence was noted for disturbances (per estuary), disease indicators (canker, fungi, and gummosis) and reproductive structures (flowers, propagules, and calyxes) for each individual within our sampling sites. To quantify and assess the population structure of each estuary, various indices were used to establish the importance of different species, while also looking at different regeneration classes (RC) to evaluate their stocking densities and recruitment. The disturbance levels in the Eastern Cape are moderate (17-25 out of a possible 48), with specific emphasis on resource use as the source of disturbances. Of the disease indicators, fungal growth was present on the majority of all trees (> 90%), while gummosis showed the least incidences. Of the three prevalent species in South Africa, Avicennia marina was the most affected by both gummosis and canker, while B. gymnorrhiza and R. mucronata displayed reduced incidences. The likelihood of canker also increased with the age (DBH) of trees. This study shows that A. marina has the lowest reproductively active population, while the less abundant R. mucronata has the highest
A review and comparison of methods of testing for heteroskedasticity in the linear regression model
No full textThis study reviews inferential methods for diagnosing heteroskedasticity in the linear regression model, classifying the methods into four types: deflator tests, auxiliary design tests, omnibus tests, and portmanteau tests. A Monte Carlo simulation experiment is used to compare the performance of deflator tests and the performance of auxiliary design and omnibus tests, using the metric of average excess power over size. Certain lesser-known tests (that are not included with some standard statistical software) are found to outperform better-known tests. For instance, the best-performing deflator test was the Evans-King test, and the best-performing auxiliary design and omnibus tests were Verbyla's test and the Cook-Weisberg test, and not standard methods such as White's test and the Breusch-Pagan-Koenker test