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A Few Critical Observations Of Current Oversight And Accountability Challenges Of Financial Management of Municipalities In The Free State Province: An Ethical Dilemma
Get PDFArticleEthics, oversight and accountability forms part of the founding principles
of public administration which needs to be espoused and practice by
the leadership and officials in South African public sector of which local
sphere of government cannot be excluded. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (hereafter refers to as the Constitution,
1996) set out the constitutional democratic values and principles that
require all political and public officials (functionaries) to behave in an
ethical and accountable manner. The Local Government: Municipal
Financial Management Act, (Act 56 of 2003) (hereafter refers to as the
MFMA, 2003) compels municipalities to establish internal Audit Units
and Audit Committees to promote control, ethics and accountability in
the management of municipal financial affairs. Section 79 of the Local
Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998) provides for
the establishment of Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs)
responsible to exercise oversight on behalf of the municipal council.
Despite of these, the recent Auditor-General General Report on local
government audit outcomes of 2018-2019 confirms that there is continued
breakdown in internal controls due to poor leadership responses towards
improving accountability, capacity and stability in municipalities in the
Free State province (AGSA 2020:10). The Auditor-General further
cautioned that municipalities in the Free State province will not be able
to continue on the current downward spiral of financial maladministration
as their financial performance has continuously deteriorated over the last
five years, as a result of this 80% of municipalities are now in a vulnerable
financial position (AGSA 2020:39). The article provides a critical
overview of the current oversight and accountable challenges related
to financial management of municipalities in the Free State province. It
is argued in the article that there is an interconnection between ethics,
oversight and accountability. It is further argued that the lack of municipal
financial oversight and accountability encourages, unethical behaviour of
municipal functionaries (political and administrative municipal officials),
that subsequently lead to a culture of limited or no consequences which
in turn harms public trust in local government
Humanity, Expectations, Access And Transformation (HEAT): Revisiting South African Higher Education Entrance Assessment In A postcolonial contex
Get PDFArticleEntrance assessment and standardized testing is a feature of the South
African higher education landscape, with many universities using
assessment and testing as benchmarking, placement or, in some
instances, gatekeeping exercises. Entrance assessment practices seek to
inform universities about the capabilities of students. In this paper we
examine current entrance assessment paradigms and practices through
our frame of humanity, expectations, access and transformation (HEAT)
embedded in a broader lens of postcolonialism. We claim that current
practices do not lay a foundation for meeting the larger goals of higher
education – they do not transform human relationships, ignore ways of
being in the world, fail to sufficiently embed learning-centred teaching,
nor promote metacognitive development, self-efficacy, resilience or lead
to transformation. In so doing, we contribute a new way of thinking
about the transformation of higher education today and the way in
which diagnostic assessment could be re-visited to meet broader goals
Variability Analysis Of Dry Spells For Improving Agribusiness Management In Lesotho
Get PDFArticleIn sub-Saharan Africa, rain-fed agriculture remains one of the major sources of food,
employment for low-skilled and rural community members and income for both commercial
and subsistence farmers. Understanding problems posed by dry spells variability on
agribusinesses is one of the critical challenges of our time. This study characterised dry spells
in Lesotho for the improvement of agribusinesses using standardised precipitation (SPI) and
standardised precipitation evapotranspiration (SPEI) drought indices. This study was found
imperative mainly because Basotho’s livelihood is dependent on rain-fed agriculture and this
study further aimed to provide an early warning system that could be used for policymaking
against adverse effects of drought events in the area. A 30-year-long rainfall and average
monthly temperature data were collected from 10 administrative districts of Lesotho and
used to compute SPI and SPEI values. Three dry spell parameters – frequency, duration and
intensity – were derived from SPI and SPEI time series. The main findings of this study were
that all candidate stations experienced similar dry spell conditions in both duration and
frequency and all the selected stations throughout the country experienced extreme drought
intensity levels from both SPI and SPEI. Two of the 10 districts showed a statistically significant
decrease in Mann Kendal’s trend from both SPI and SPEI time series. This implied that
farmers must be encouraged to grow drought-resistant cultivars in order to sustain and
support agribusiness in Lesotho. Rangeland policies and legislations must be enforced for
livestock production, especially in the periods when extreme dry spell events are expected.
The government and all other relevant stakeholders are, therefore, encouraged to devise
means to support farmers with irrigation systems to maintain agricultural production,
revenue and employees’ employment status
Relationship Marketing For Enhancing Customer Retention: A Case Of Small Grocery Retail Shops In Mangaung Metropolitan Area, Free State
Get PDFDissertationBased on the significant role played by small grocery retail shops in social economic development, the increase in the renovation and building of new malls in South Africa in which big chain grocery shops are moving their branches, on one hand creates jobs, and the other hand, has created fierce competition among these big chain grocery stores and small grocery retail shops. As a result, many of these small grocery retail shops have closed within one year from the onset of the business. Observations show that small grocery retail shops lack effective marketing practices such as relationship marketing, which has the potential to enhance customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and ultimately, customer retention. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship marketing practices used to enhance customer retention among small grocery retail shops in the Mangaung Area of Free State province, South Africa. Using descriptive correlational research design, a population of 250 small grocery retail shops provided the data for the research. Simple random sampling method was used to select a sample size of 152 small grocery retail shops. A structured questionnaire with items measured on a likert scale of (1) Strongly Disagree to (5) Strongly Agree, and some from (1) To a Very Small Extent to (5) To a Very Large Extent was used to collect the data from the respondents using the self-administered method. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, median, correlation and regression. A Pearson and Spearman test was done to determine the relationships. The result from this study shows that many of the small grocery retail shops do not practise relationship marketing in their business operation. The findings further revealed that some of them who practise it do not practise it as effectively as it ought to be, by adopting all the components indicated. The implication for the improvement of relationship marketing among small grocery retail shops was discussed
The Influence Of Work-Integrated Learning On Job Satisfaction And Motivation: Profiling The Hospitality Management Alumni Of Central University Of Technology, Free State (Cut)
Get PDFDissertationA large and growing body of literature has investigated work-integrated learning, job satisfaction and motivation among hotel employees. However, far too little attention has been paid to the link between university alumni, work-integrated learning, current job satisfaction and motivation.
Work-integrated learning provide students with the opportunity to learn generic employability skills, which are also highly valued by the industry and employers. To be relevant, the generic employability skills should be contextualised and situated in the appropriate industry and professional workplace setting. Work-integrated learning directs students to be intentionally exposed to real work situations that translates into social and economic value. Job satisfaction and motivation is of extreme importance in the hospitality industry that is a very demanding and labour-intensive industry.
The study applied a quantitative research approach and a structured questionnaire was administered to the hospitality alumni of CUT. Ninety-four respondents completed the questionnaire and the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to investigate the relationships between the variables.
The main objective of the study was to report on the effect of WIL on the job satisfaction and motivation of hospitality alumni. The findings confirm that WIL is an effective strategy for graduates to cultivate the soft skills they need to work in industry as well as to prepare them for the world of work. The study also confirms that WIL had a positive effect on both the job satisfaction and motivation of alumni that studied hospitality management
Optimising Conventional Radiographic Imaging of the Odontoid Process
Get PDFThesisIntroduction
Plain conventional radiography of the cervical spine involves special attention to the upper most portion of the cervical spine. The attention is directed towards an anatomical feature found in this specific upper most region of the cervical spine, the odontoid process. The reason for the odontoid process being the centre of attention for radiographers and reporting radiologists when it comes to radiographic imaging of the cervical spine is due to its known susceptibility to injury.
Background
The open-mouth view is used as the first preferential method for demonstrating the odontoid process optimally and free of superimposition where specialised modalities are unavailable. This comment is based on the observed practice from several radiology departments in South Africa. When optimal radiographic images of the open-mouth view cannot be achieved after multiple attempts, a conventional tomogram of the odontoid process is performed as an alternative imaging technique of preference; thus, resulting in a questionable radiation dose to the patient.
Aim of study
This research study intended to optimise conventional radiographic imaging of the odontoid process with reference to two specific conventional radiographic imaging methods: the open-mouth view and the conventional radiographic tomogram of the odontoid process. The research study focuses on improving conventional radiography as one of the most homogeneously available radiological imaging modalities in South Africa and the African continent.
Objectives
The objectives that had to be met included respectively evaluating each one of the methods for image quality, repeat rate, reasons for repeat rates and the radiation dose (effective dose) associated with the repeat rates. Establishing a checklist that would help capture all the date during the evaluations. The last objective was to use the results from each of the conventional radiographic methods that were assessed to compare their eligibility in the overall goal for optimising the conventional radiographic imaging of the odontoid process.
Methodology
The research study was conducted in the Free State, Bloemfontein, at two radiology departments. Data was retrospectively collected from three X-ray machines for X-ray images of patients between the ages of 15 to 75 years. The patients included in the study had both the open-mouth view and the conventional tomogram of the odontoid process, or either one of the two methods as part of the neck examination. 385 examinations, adding up to 421 X-ray images, were evaluated for image quality, repeat rate and radiation dose (effective dose).
Data was collected from the computer systems and the radiology information systems to successfully complete a checklist for each examination. The checklist was specifically designed for capturing data on image quality evaluation, repeat rates and technical exposure factors used on a dedicated software programme called PCMXC20 Monte Carlo software© for effective dose calculations.
Findings
The open-mouth view had the highest repeat rate of 71.7% between the two methods with tilt being the most common error observed throughout. There was a significant difference for tilt (p=0.0019) and motion (p= 0.0001) between the two conventional radiographic methods. The upper spine received the highest effective dose mean (0.875797 mSv) for imaging of the open-mouth view, while the thyroid received the lowest effective dose mean (0.248419 mSv) for conventional tomography imaging.
Limitations
Limitations to the study included the availability of patients adhering to the inclusion criteria and accessing the PCMXC20 Monte Carlo software© for the effective dose calculations.
There were no previous studies precisely associated with the current research study, including any effective dose baselines that could be referenced when reporting back on the effective dose for the research study, nor studies investigating the radiation dose associated with the high repeat rates from the open-mouth view. The age of the participants was not reported on. This addition could have added more depth to the results. The checklist did not capture gender, which places a limitation for it to be used for studies aiming to report back on gender. Lastly, the data collection process was only performed by the researcher.
Conclusions
Conventional tomography can be recommended as the first method of preference for optimised conventional radiographic imaging of the odontoid process in the absence of special modalities. This approach aligns with literature findings.
Recommendations
A study comparing the effective dose to existing standard effective dose references for the listed tissues reflected on in the current study, can also be conducted. Furthermore, studies investigating the positioning lines that can be used for different patients to overcome tilt as a common positioning error for the open-mouth view, can be conducted. Lastly, a similar study can be done, but with a higher conventional tomography examination sample size.
Although outside the context of this research study, a future study dedicated to investigating the conversion efficiency (as a contributing factor to varying exposure factors) for similar examinations, for different X-ray units with similar specifications can be explored
Efficacy Of Oral Iron Therapy In Geophagic Women With Iron Deficiency Anaemia Residing In Botshabelo, South Africa
Get PDFArticleBackground: Iron deficiency anaemia is the most commonly encountered form of anaemia in females worldwide. This form of
anaemia is, amongst others, associated with geophagia that is defined as the consumption of soil. The two main reasons for the
association of geophagia with anaemia are that soil is thought to supplement mineral deficiency and geophagia is seen as a symptom
of the anaemia. However, it is hypothesised that soil consumption interferes with iron absorption instead of supplementing it. The first
line of therapy for iron deficiency anaemia is oral iron. Therefore, if soil consumption interferes with iron absorption it could interfere
with oral iron therapy leading to patients being burdened with symptoms of anaemia as treatment is not effective. The aim of the
study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral iron therapy in female participants afflicted with iron deficiency anaemia associated with
geophagia.
Methods: In this prospective randomised intervention study, 84 geophagic women with iron deficiency anaemia were divided into
two groups. One group continued with soil consumption while the other stopped consumption. Oral iron therapy was administered
for ten weeks at increasing therapy doses for both groups. Red cell and iron study parameters were evaluated at different time intervals
to ascertain the efficacy of iron replacement therapy.
Results: The group that stopped soil consumption showed a statistically significant change in haemoglobin (9.4 to 10.0 g/dL,
p = 0.029), mean corpuscular volume (73.6 to 75.7 fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (23.7 to 24.6 pg), serum iron (22.5 to 28 μg/dL,
p < 0.001, transferrin saturation (4.8 to 6.9%, p < 0.001) and total iron-binding capacity (467 to 441 μg/L, p = 0.001). These findings
were contrary to the group that continued with consumption, where the statistical changes were only observed for the iron study
parameters (serum iron: 21 to 28 μg/dL, p = 0.038; transferrin saturation: 4.3 to 6.9%, p = 0.011; total iron-binding capacity: 496 to
421 μg/L, p = 0.002). Nevertheless, the changes for both groups were clinically insignificant. Oral iron therapy did not correct the
anaemia in geophagic females of both groups, this could be explained by two hypotheses where soil affected the gastrointestinal
lining and soil directly interfered with therapy iron absorption. This is evidenced by the group that continued with consumption
showing fewer changes than the group that abstained from soil consumption. These results were consistent with a case study where
oral iron therapy was implemented.
Conclusion: Oral iron therapy was not effective in geophagia cases of iron deficiency anaemia
Morphology, Thermal Stability, and Flammability Properties of Polymer-Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Nanocomposites: A Review
Get PDFArticleThe utilization of layered nanofillers in polymer matrix, as reinforcement, has attracted
great interest in the 21st century. This can be attributed to the high aspect ratios of the nanofillers and
the attendant substantial improvement in di erent properties (i.e., increased flammability resistance,
improved modulus and impact strength, as well as improved barrier properties) of the resultant
nanocomposite when compared to the neat polymer matrix. Amongst the well-known layered
nanofillers, layered inorganic materials, in the form of LDHs, have been given the most attention.
LDH nanofillers have been employed in di erent polymers due to their flexibility in chemical
composition as well as an adjustable charge density, which permits numerous interactions with
the host polymer matrices. One of the most important features of LDHs is their ability to act as
flame-retardant materials because of their endothermic decomposition. This review paper gives
detailed information on the: preparation methods, morphology, flammability, and barrier properties
as well as thermal stability of LDH/polymer nanocomposites
Crystallographic Texture Analysis of As-Built and Heat-Treated Ti6Al4V (ELI) Produced by Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Get PDFArticleThis paper reports on an investigation of crystallographic texture of as-built and heat-treated
Ti6Al4V (ELI) produced by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). The texture analyses were conducted
using electron backscatter di raction (EBSD). The -phase texture from the obtained EBSD data
was ascertained based on a reconstruction method using the Automatic Reconstruction of Parent
Grain for EBSD data (ARPGE) program. A significant improvement of the maximum intensity of the
texture from the pole figure was also noted upon heat treatment. The as-built samples and samples
heat-treated just below the ! transformation temperature showed a stronger fibrous texture of the
reconstructed -grains with the h100i directions almost parallel to the build direction. The alignment
of the fibrous texture in the build direction disappeared after heat treatment above the ! -grain
transformation temperature
Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities
Get PDFArticleGrowing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions