African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
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Exploring the Knowledge and Practice of Water Conservation Measures: A Case of Low-Cost Housing Setting in South Africa
Get PDFThe water crisis has reached a fever pitch in South Africa, with threats of ground zero and disruption of water supplies. The paper focuses on household knowledge and awareness of the water crisis and conservation efforts to reduce water consumption in a low-cost housing setting within the eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed method that consists of qualitative and quantitative phases was adopted to explore water practices. Focus group discussions were conducted with a representative sample of 22 people residing in the Waterloo area, situated north of Durban. Subsequently, the results from the discussions were used to design a questionnaire which was administered to 304 residents in the same location. Data was collected through an anonymised research questionnaire. The qualitative data was analysed using content analysis by generating codes to theme the data while descriptive analysis was performed on the quantitative data. In synthesising the results, three recurring key issues are identified, namely (1) access to knowledge; (2) community engagement as part of the solution; and (3) allocation of incentives. While participants had knowledge of water conservation practices, there was, however, a high amount of water consumption and high unaccounted water losses in the area. Although some of the participants held the view that providing incentives like free airtime and electricity could help influence water conservation, many were, however, in favour of installing water-harvesting facilities such as JoJo tanks. The study conclusively proposes economic nudging in the LCH areas as a cost-effective measure towards water conservation
Deconstructing the Challenges of COVID-19 on First-Year Rural University Students in South Africa
Get PDFAssumptions and facts exist about the various challenges rural learners face when transitioning into university education in South Africa due to the pedagogical differences between secondary and university education. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the transitioning challenges of students because most of the universities, especially the selected university, utilise online learning, which is alien to first-year students who are transitioning from rural high schools to the university. This study explores the challenges and solutions associated with first-year students transitioning to a new level of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. An asset-based approach was used to theorise the study within the Transformative Paradigm (TP), while Participatory Research (PR) was used to design the study. These are relevant because both TP and PR are targeted towards transforming people’s predicaments. The participants consisted of ten first-year students selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using electronic interviews such as email, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that first-year rural university students’ inability to use online learning tools effectively and unstable internet connections in the rural community are major challenges. The study, therefore, concludes that the provision of internet access and students’ readiness for adaptability are the possible solutions
Identity Politics and National Integration in Nigeria: The Sexagenarian Experience
Get PDFNigeria celebrated sixty years of political independence in 2020 despite sustaining an array of gains and losses, especially regarding the nation’s inability to manage the several identities it houses and the potential they portend for national integration. Although, having plural identities should provide an opportunity for diversity-induced development, especially having stayed together since the cultural amalgamation 106 years ago (1914-2020), and since the country’s independence sixty years ago (1960-2020). This should have provided enough time frame to enable the region to solidify its cultural, lingual, ethnic, and religious differences to move towards national integration. However, the reality is contrasting, wherein peaceful coexistence and respect for rule of law are conspicuously inconsistent. This paper, thus, adopts a descriptive approach to dissect Nigeria’s sixty years of independence and the role identity politics has played in instituting national integration. The paper concludes that identity politics is as a result of colonial amalgamation and is indeed the bane of national integration in Nigeria. As a result, it is recommended that the arrangement of Nigeria’s governance should be restructured to represent a more united front, where the views, demands, choices, dreams, cultures, and aspirations of all groups are captured through a constitutional conference
The Role of Creative Industries in Economic Development: The Human Factor Development Approach
Get PDFIn most cases economic development is measured using monetary value, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDPs), Gross National Product (GNPs), and per capita income. Economic development cannot only be associated with monetary figures. Against this aspect, creative industries are also a driving force in economic development. This paper demystifies the notion that economic development is hardly measured through art. Using the human factor development approach, this article debates the role of creative industries in economic development. This model assumes that human beings are an important component in enhancing economic development through the creative industry as it is a more sustainable approach. Sustainability is enhanced by incorporating personal and human efforts to define standards in terms of creativity, hence, contributing to sustainable economic development. Further, the article argues that the employment of human factor development to enhance economic development through creative industries is of paramount importance as it allows indigenous people to take part in the developmental process of their economies. Data were collected using a qualitative research methodology and a purposive sampling of selected art industries to establish the contribution of the creative industry to economic development
Developing Transformational Leadership Model to Effectively Include Persons with Disabilities in the Workplace
Get PDFThe South African government has enacted various employment laws intended to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace. The legislation and policies are not, however, always effectively implemented, resulting in the exclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace. Within this context, a multidisciplinary study incorporating leadership and the law is conducted to address the rationale behind the non-compliance with disability legislation. In addition, this study examines the role of transformational leadership and its contribution towards effective implementation of disability provisions. This study was conducted in a local government sector of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data was collected through interviews with senior leaders responsible for implementing disability laws and to develop strategies to include persons with disabilities in the workplace. Employees with disabilities were also interviewed. A thematic analysis was utilised to discuss the data that arose from the interviews. Various themes have been created as a result thereof. This study finds that transformational leadership is an important approach to adopt in order to include and promote the participation of persons with disabilities in the workplace. The study therefore contributes to the development of a transformational leadership model to include persons with disabilities in the workplace
Factors Influencing the Ethical Conduct of Public Relations Practitioners in Commercial Banks in Namibia
Get PDFThis study examines factors that influence the ethical conduct of practising Public Relations (PR) practitioners in commercial banks of Namibia. Such factors relate to the ethical behaviour of Public Relations professionals working in commercial banks. The factors include the presence of binding codes of ethics and conduct, individual moral compasses, pressure from top management, a sense of duty towards humanity, and knowledge of ethics and professionalism. This analysis reveals that PR practitioners face ethical challenges and dilemmas from the banks’ dominant coalitions, ambiguous codes of ethics, speedy communication to the public necessitated by the news media, and the clash between the core values that inform the duty of PR professionals and those that prop up organisational culture. Ultimately, the challenges and dilemmas they confront in their work determines the way they conduct themselves ethically. The study conceives that PR practitioners are torn between upholding PR values that inform their duty and standing up for organisational values as advocated for by the dominant coalition. Ironically, PR practitioners are regarded as the ethical conscience of the commercial banks who, as per recommendations of the study, are expected to practise ethically and live up to their mandate of being custodians of ethical communication
Job Demands and Burnout – The Moderating Effect of Psychological Capital amongst Call Centre Employees in Windhoek, Namibia
Get PDFThe call centre industry has been growing each year. Growth in the industry puts pressure on call centre employees as the job becomes highly demanding and their tasks increase. Introducing the positive aspects of psychological capital allows for someone to better deal with the daily challenges of a highly demanding job. The relationship between job demands and psychological capital is lacking in literature as it has not been extensively studied. The paper explores the moderating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between burnout and job demand amongst a selection of call centre employees in Windhoek, Namibia. Questionnaires were distributed to call centre employees and n=156 employees participated in the study. Results showed that job demand was significantly negatively correlated to burnout (r= -1.79; p= 0.028); Psychological Capital (PsyCap) was significantly positively related to job demands (r= 0.425; p= 0.000); psychological capital and burnout (r= 0.013; p= 0.873) did not yield a significant difference; the linear regression model yielded a significant level of F statistics (F= 2.888; df= 2; P=.046; R2=0.39.). The researchers recommend that organisations and human resource managers invest in these intangible resources in order to enhance employee coping mechanisms to counter burnout in highly demanding occupations
Teachers’ Characteristics and Instructional Quality in Public Secondary Schools in Nigeria
Get PDFWorldwide, the importance of quality instruction in schools cannot be underestimated. However, over the years, the instructional quality in Nigerian public secondary schools seems persistently low, and worrisome based on the academic performance of students in external examinations. This has continued to be a subject of concern to individuals, the public, government, and other stakeholders. This study investigates teachers’ characteristics and the instructional quality in public secondary schools in Nigeria. A hypothesis was formulated and tested in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers and principals, as well as to assess the instructional quality in Nigerian public secondary schools. A total of 2,222 respondents (1,548 teachers and 774 principals) were sampled using both simple random and census sampling techniques respectively across the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. The results show that teachers’ characteristics have a significant influence on the instructional quality in public secondary schools in Nigeria. The study recommends that government should prioritise teacher professionalism and employ only certificated teachers to teach in secondary schools in Nigeria geared toward achieving an improved instructional quality
Impact of Multimedia Technology on the Teaching and Learning of Oral English in Osun State Secondary Schools, Nigeria
Get PDFThe paper sets to examine the impact of multimedia technology in the teaching and learning of oral English in secondary schools in Osun State. The researchers’ main objectives are to determine the availability of multimedia technology in secondary schools and also find out the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills possessed by oral English teachers. Further, the study explores strategies to improve on the usability of multimedia technology in secondary schools. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed among 80 teachers in Osun State central senatorial district. The results and discussions of findings are presented based on the demographic information of the respondents as well as their views towards the utilisation of ICT. Recommendations are made to the language planners, government, and the relevant agencies in the education sector as it was observed that challenges in pronunciation were not limited to students alone; it also affected teachers. This study further suggests that refresher courses be organised periodically for oral English language teachers and particularly, that the teaching of oral English should start at a primary school level
Entrepreneurship or Paid Employment: The Post-School Job Preference of Undergraduates in Nigerian Public Universities
Get PDFPost-graduation employment has been of great concern to students, teachers, and parents. This is because of the stiff competition in the contemporary labour market. The job preference of students informs their post-graduation expectations and interests. This study, therefore, assessed the post-school job preference of undergraduates in Nigerian public universities using the survey approach of quantitative design. The population was the six south-west states of Nigeria having 17 public universities in the zone, and comprising of 12,890 male and 13,966 female final year undergraduates of the universities. Using the simple random sampling technique, three public universities were selected. Furthermore, 1,500 final year undergraduates were selected using the criterion purposive sampling technique. The Undergraduates’ Job Preference Scale (UNJOP-S), a 20-item questionnaire, was designed and administered. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to answer the research question and hypothesis respectively. The study found that paid employment was the most preferred job of undergraduates. It equally showed a significant relationship between entrepreneurship education and measures of undergraduates’ job preference. Consequently, entrepreneurial content should be incorporated in every discipline to shape the undergraduates’ job preference towards entrepreneurial endeavours after graduation, as this will change their orientation for entrepreneurial activities and facilitate the school-to-work transition