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The relationship between financial inclusion and economic well being in South Africa
Get PDFFinancial inclusion has been regarded as a solution to the problem of poor economic well-being by providing quality access to financial services. It also contributes to resource and income distribution and boosts consumption and investment, which lead to an overall stimulation in economic well-being. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between financial inclusion and economic well-being in South Africa. To achieve this, the study examined the long-run and short-run relationships between financial inclusion and economic well-being in South Africa using quarterly time-series data from 1992 to 2020. The data was obtained from World Bank economic indicators and a SARB statistics enquiry. The study used the Autoregressive Distributed lag bound test and the Error Correction Model to examine the long-run and short-run relationships of the variables. The Granger causality test was conducted to identify the directional causality amongst the variables. The variables used in this study were GDP per capita (GDPPC) as a measure of economic well-being, which is the dependent variable, whereas bank account holders, access to credit, and insurance were used as major explanatory variables. The study discovered that in the long-run, bank account holders and access to credit have a positive significant relationship with GDP per capita, whilst inflation rate indicated a negative relationship with GDP per capita. However, in the short-run results, the study revealed that insurance and inflation rate have a positive relationship with GDP per capita, whereas access to credit presented a negative relationship with GDP per capita. The Granger causality test only indicated a bi-directional causality between inflation rate and GDP per capita. A diagnostic test was conducted in the model and the results revealed that all instruments used in the model are valid and reliable. Based on these findings, the existence of a positive relationship between financial inclusion and economic well-being can be confirmed, hence validating the hypothesis in South Africa. This study recommends that government and policy-makers should focus more on accelerating the expansion of access to credit and insurance at lower transactional costs and management fees, especially for the poor and most vulnerable population in the country. Furthermore, the access to credit, insurance and economic well-being relationship should take place in an inflation framework-sensitive environment.Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 202
The portrayal of migrants and liminality in Nadifa Mohamed’s Black Mamba Boy, The Orchard of Lost Souls and The Fortune Men
Get PDFThis thesis argues that the characters in Nadifa Mohamed’s oeuvre exhibit both vulnerability and agency and that their position in society oscillates as if between two poles, as they cross social and spatial boundaries. There is no existing scholarly research that focuses on child migrants in Mohamed’s texts specifically. Here, Black Mamba Boy, The Orchard of Lost Souls and The Fortune Men are analysed and compared with a central focus on the child migrant characters to examine her portrayal of conflict-induced migration and its impact on vulnerable communities. In Black Mamba Boy, Mohamed portrays Jama’s exilic journey where he leaves his homeland of Hargeisa and migrates across territorial borders in Northeast Africa to find his father. His quest brings him from Somaliland to Sudan as he walks through countries that are devastated by the war between the British and Italian colonial forces in the 1930s. As Jama attempts to cross the spatial distance between himself and his father he also treads the invisible line between life and death. Along his journey, Jama is exploited and abused by colonial troops and traumatised by the conflict he witnesses. Mohamed revisits her father’s precarious journey not to portray him as a victim but to make him “a hero, not the fighting or romantic kind but the real deal, the starved child who survives every sling and arrow that shameless fortune throws at them” (1). Thus, the text is an account of Jama’s strength as he miraculously survives the brutalities of war. Similarly, in The Orchard of Lost Souls, the child protagonist, Deqo, is a refugee with parents. She internally migrates through Hargeisa at the moment the region breaks out into the Somali Civil War. Deqo attempts to keep herself out of harm’s way as the town is destroyed by soldiers and rebel groups who have opened fire against civilians. As a female child migrant Deqo occupies a particularly vulnerable position as she navigates a space where gender-based violence is used as a method of war. Despite the dangers around her, Deqo actively seeks out safety and a path that will free her from the tightening grip of the war. The Fortune Men depicts Mahmood’s journey of migration as an adult. When he attempts to cross the border into Wales he is ostracised, abused, and dehumanised because of his difference. Jama and Deqo’s exilic journeys are compared to Mahmood’s unsuccessful migration and the children cross borders that adults cannot cross because they use their vulnerability to seek out opportunities and change their environment. This thesis is situated within the theoretical framework of transnational and diasporic literature with a specific focus on the impact of forced migration on child migrants. Through close engagement and comparison of the three primary ii texts mentioned, this thesis demonstrates the vulnerabilities and fluctuating agencies of characters to highlight their liminal positioning.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Literary Studies in English 202
Framing VBS: a textual analysis of Daily Maverick’s coverage of the VBS Mutual Bank heist in the years 2018-2020
Get PDFThis study investigates how Daily Maverick framed the VBS Mutual Bank scandal for its readers in the years 2018-2020. It utilises framing theory as the guiding theoretical framework in trying to understand how Daily Maverick portrayed the corruption case for its readers. This study also leans on social responsibility and normative theories of the press to analyse whether Daily Maverick fulfilled its role of facilitating dialogue between the elite and ordinary citizens of Limpopo affected by the corruption at the bank. Using a qualitative textual analysis, the thesis discusses how elite sources were quoted more than ordinary citizens who are affected the most by the corruption scandal. This allowed the elite to turn the VBS matter into a political spectacle whereas, because it is an example of failure in the financial sector, the heist caused further failures in municipalities already failing in Limpopo, North-West and Gauteng.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 202
A framework for the design of online course induction components
Get PDFStudents from all over the world now have the opportunity to access a wide variety of high-quality educational resources thanks to the rise of online learn- ing. In recent years, there has been a rise in popularity of online education among both students and teachers. This pattern has only continued to in- crease with the occurrence of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many people to work and study from home. Therefore, it is crucial that online courses are presented in a manner that is suitable for a diverse range of potential students. Many educators lack the necessary experience to move their physical courses to an online environment, which has become a recent trend. Ed- ucators tend to teach in the manner in which they were taught, which may not translate well to online learning delivery. Moreover, many learners today are assumed to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in online learning without much thought. The combination of assumed learner knowledge and lack of online-specific teaching experience can result in the introduction of artificial barriers to the student’s learning by educators. If left unaddressed, these artificial barriers or artificial learning thresholds can cause the student to experience anxiety, a lack of engagement, and a lack of motivation to complete the course for which they are enrolled in. The global expansion of online education has increased the demand for professional training and specialised knowledge to help teachers instruct stu- dents and create online course materials. First, this dissertation highlights some of the success and challenge factors of online learning. It discusses threshold concepts and suggests that artificial barriers or artificial thresholds can hinder online learning. The dissertation ii ABSTRACT iii demonstratesasimpleexampleofwhatanartificiallearningthresholdcan beandpresentsthedevelopmentofaframeworkthatcanguideaneducator toconstructcourseswiththeaimtoeliminateartificiallearningthresholds. Second, the dissertationverifiesanddiscussestheresultingframeworkby presentinganddiscussingfeedbackbasedonanexperteducatorreviewof the framework. Thisdissertationproposesthateducatorscanbeguided,byfollowingthe developedframework,onhowtodesigncourseswithnoartificiallearning barriers.Itistheresearcher’scontentionthatdoingsowillreducestudent anxietyandincreasemotivationandengagement.Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Information Technology, 202
Blended Agile Learning of Computer Architecture under COVID
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges. 2021 was an interesting year because we had overcome the worst of the teething problems of remote learning but were able to resume some in-person activities. I present experiences from a second-year computer architecture course that I have taught since 2014 to illustrate that some lessons from operating under pandemic conditions can apply to running courses under more normal conditions. 2021 was an interesting year because we reintroduced in-person pracs partway through this course, allowing students to reflect on the difference this made. Reflection on what did and did not work in the course points to possible improvements in pedagogy in more “normal” times. In isolation, the very positive feedback in a course survey may be flattering but there are useful insights to be drawn from what worked. Drawing on ideas from the social construction model of education, where students should be actively involved in learning, and agile software development, results in some insights that may generalize. The kind of feedback that is part of agile development can be layered on top of formative assessment. Empathy with difficulties faced by a class can make a class more involved in the strategy for course delivery. In 2022, without COVID constraints, some of the lessons were applied with positive outcomes
Role of leader initiated innovated triggers in motivating employees to innovate in the public sector at a provincial government department in the Western Cape province
Get PDFThe South African public sector has become known for poor service delivery due to a number of factors; these factors include a lack of innovation, or inadequate innovation, which could be as a result of the compliance requirements of various laws and regulations. As a result, the public sector must find ways to innovate within its operating context, even as efforts are being made to reform its structure and manner of operation. This research followed a case study approach, focussed on a provincial government department in the Western Cape province of South Africa, in order to investigate the role of leader-initiated innovation triggers in motivating employees to innovate. The premise was that staff would be motivated to innovate if public sector top leadership demonstrate that it is possible to do so within the current operational framework; this would, potentially, lead to the successful establishment of an innovation culture within the organisation. The methodology employed in this empirical study was exploratory sequential mixed methods research. Senior management from the case subject organisation were interviewed in order to obtain their views on pertinent issues relating to the research topic. Themes that emerged from the interviews were combined with key elements from the literature review in order to formulate a model of how leader-initiated innovation triggers can potentially motivate employees to innovate. The model was subsequently tested, quantitatively, using a questionnaire survey. The study responded to the primary research objective by establishing the existence of moderately positive relationships between leader-initiated innovation triggers and employee motivation to innovate; this confirmed that leaders' display of certain practices, actions and behaviours can motivate employees to innovate and, subsequently, help build an innovation culture within a bureaucratic public sector environment.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 202
Community involvement in Coastal and marine tourism at Nelson Mandela bay, South Africa
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to understand the local communities’ involvement in CMT in Nelson Mandela Bay NMB, Gqeberha and to monitor government information sharing platforms for local communities about the ocean’s economy. A qualitative research approach and a purposive sampling strategy derived from a non-probability sampling approach were utilised in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants in Nelson Mandela Bay from the CMT business operations, marine NGOs and local community members and a document analysis was utilised to monitor government information sharing platforms for local communities about the oceans’ economy. The study adopted the exploratory approach in investigating CMT inclusivity of local communities at Nelson Mandela Bay. The exploratory approach enabled the research to meet its objectives as there are limited number of studies that address this issue at Nelson Mandela Bay, Gqeberha. The findings revealed that both CMT business operations and marine NGOs experience difficulty in obtaining funding, there is limited funding available, and no clarity is drawn if whether CMT operations can benefit or not. The findings further revealed that due to numerous entry barriers it makes it difficult for new entrants to get into the sector and lastly there is lack of community involvement for two stakeholders namely the CMT businesses and local community members. It was also revealed that this sector tends to be exclusive because it is costly to enter this industry. In terms of limitations the sample size of the study was small, namely 20 participants comprised of five CMT business operators, two NGOs representatives and thirteen local community members. Initially, the maximum number targeted was 27 and the minimum number was 17 in this study. Coastal and marine tourism at Nelson Mandela Bay is still at its infancy stages. Therefore, the significant role of this study is to enhance value to the existing body of knowledge in this area with specific reference to the local community involvement in CMT at Gqeberha, South AfricaThesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 202
Every gig counts: understanding the livelihood strategies of Zimbabwean platform food delivery workers in Makhanda, Eastern Cape
Get PDFZimbabweans are often faced with several obstacles upon their arrival in South Africa. This thesis seeks to understand the lives and livelihoods of Zimbabwean gig economy workers in Makhanda using the case of Platform food delivery workers. Drawing from Chambers and Conway (1991) Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and existing literature the study explores the livelihoods of ten Zimbabwean gig workers in Makhanda using non-random purposeful sampling. Using qualitative methodology, the study examines their demographic backgrounds; pathways to employment in the gig economy; the economic and social livelihood strategies at their disposal, the daily challenges they face; and the livelihood outcomes they acquire as a result of their livelihood strategies. A case study involves an in-depth examination of a single individual, group, organization, or event. It is particularly useful for understanding complex phenomena in their real-world context. The study took on a case study approach which involved an in-depth examination of Zimbabwean Platform food delivery workers in Makhanda. The study found that there are complex connections between the gig economy and migrants' livelihoods. From one perspective in the context of South Africa’s constricted labour markets, gig work offers migrant workers quick pathways to employment and self-sufficiency. From another perspective gig work is precarious and technology companies misclassify gig workers as independent contractors, which leaves gig workers in vulnerable positions. Further findings show that migrant gig workers often combine gig work with other livelihood strategies in pursuit of secure and sustainable livelihoods.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 202
Just stories?: Epistemic (in)justice and everyday resistance in the digital stories of family literacy practices by Grade 1-5 workers at a South African University
Get PDFThis thesis sets out to establish in what ways digital storytelling (DST) revealed instances of epistemic (in)justices inherent in the family literacy intervention experiences of four Black, working-class parents employed at a South African University1. Additionally, it explores how DST might be used by the participants (self-labelled the Storytelling Family Literacy - SFL Advocates) to correct any harm done. The context for the research is based on the deep-rooted harms of Bantu education in which Black South Africans were denied equal access to resources such as literacy practices. I investigated these aims by using the theories of DST, Communication for Social Change (C4SC) and epistemic (in)justice. As a participatory media practice supporting communications in marginalised communities, DST’s broad purpose is to assist these communities in telling stories of their lived experiences in ways that change dominant and, therefore, unchallenged views about them (Servaes & Malikhao 2014). In facilitating DST workshops with the SFL Advocates, I searched for evidence of epistemic (in)justice to enhance our (all stakeholders) understanding of their literacy experiences in ways that addressed their credibility status as ‘knowers’ (Fricker, 2007). Viewed through this lens, utilising DST provided a mechanism for understanding the impact of social interventions in a university setting that aimed to correct past injustices. The process involved online and face-to-face workshops with the participants during the Covid-19 Lockdown. The online format hampered data collection processes, and I resorted to face-to-face interactions for the workshops and interviews. These interactions were distinctly different from those I had experienced with participants in previous workshops, and they became a key focus in my analysis. Using narrative inquiry with critical realist and interpretive analysis techniques to interrogate the data, I discovered DST has both weaknesses and strengths as a C4SC communication tool. My findings revealed participants who, in the moment of leading their children and communities through the family literacy intervention, could claim to have redressed epistemic harms from the legacy of Apartheid education. However, by reflecting on this moment, the participants brought to light an epistemic harm that had been previously left unspoken: their sense of restored credibility as knowledge-bearers during the intervention was deeply shaken when the programme ended because they felt abandoned by the university. Therefore, the epistemic (in)justice lens unveiled hidden injustices that curtailed the participants’ ability to participate fully in the DST workshops. They described suffering the effects of pernicious and arbitrary acts of epistemic injustice at the hands of the University. Their participation in my workshops was erratic, and their stories were incomplete. As a result, I experienced difficulty analysing what I perceived as a lack of data. Moreover, despite my independent researcher status, my positionality as participant-observer was problematic as the participants may have perceived me as representative of the University and its institutional power. I responded to the problematic data by including a new theoretical framework in my analysis: the theory of everyday resistance (Vinthagen & Johansson, 2013). Combined with epistemic (in)justice theory and Vivienne’s ideas of using DST for everyday activism, I theorised how the participants negotiated their expressions of identity in epistemically unjust spaces. To put institutional epistemic injustice in perspective in the context of the University, I drew on Fricker’s three models of epistemic justice that enable fair and free conditions for marginalised workers to communicate for social change.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 202
Investigating the effect of peptide-functionalized gold nanoparticles on colon cancer cells
Get PDFColon cancer like any other cancer is a condition in which cells grow uncontrollably and may even spread to other regions of the body through metastasis. Colon cancer was ranked the second leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide in 2018. Research to advance treatment of cancer keeps advancing daily, However, a big challenge is drug-induced side effects due to toxicity against normal body cells. Therefore, the development of controlled release technologies in conjunction with targeted drug delivery may provide a more efficient and less dangerous approach to overcome the limits of traditional chemotherapy. Including the creation of nanoscale delivery vehicles capable of directing the release of chemotherapeutic drugs into cancer cells only. This study aims to investigate p14 peptide that would specifically target colorectal cancer cells and not normal body cells to develop a targeted drug delivery system using gold nanoparticles. This study serves as a pilot study of the primary aim. To achieve this, the effect of the peptide p14 and peptide functionalized gold nanoparticles (p14-AuNP) on colon cancer cells (HT-29) and normal epithelial cells (KMST-6) was determined. Firstly, gold nanoparticles were chemically synthesised and then functionalized with p14 peptide through Polyethylene glycol. Then assessment of their effect through in vitro cytotoxicity assay (MTT) and gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) was conducted. Nanoparticles’ synthesis and functionalization was performed and confirmed: In vitro cytotoxicity through MTT assay was successfully conducted and p14-AuNP showed toxicity against colon cancer cells and lesser toxicity towards normal cells as compared to 5-Flourouracil (commercially approved drug for colon cancer treatment). Gene expression analysis revealed that apoptosis was induced in both cell lines by p14-AuNP either through upregulation of caspase 3, 7 and/or BCL2. A cell survival gene, AKT1, also had significant effect on this. CDC42 was downregulated which indicates that cell proliferation was inhibited.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 202