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Prediction of evapotranspiration for optimum water use in agriculture: a case study of Keiskamma irrigation scheme, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (Master: Engineering: Civil Engineering)--Central University of TechnologyEvapo-transpiration (ET) is one of the crucial elements of the hydrological cycle which expedites constant precipitation through the process of condensation. The accurate prediction of ET is essential for irrigated agriculture as it informs appropriate planning and contributes positively to the daily supervision of the irrigation scheme. However, because of the limited data in arid and semi-arid regions, which have been used widely in the traditional Penman-Monteith approach, alternative, reliable and more powerful techniques are used to predict ET. South Africa is one of many countries that fall under the semi-arid zones where the degree of evapo-transpiration is more than the rainfall rate. The aim of this study was to predict evapo-transpiration in the Keiskammahoek Irrigation Scheme located in Eastern Cape, South Africa, using three, time series, prediction models, namely, Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Hybrid (ARIMA-ANNs). ARIMA and ANNs models have been used mostly over the years to predict the linear and non-linear time series, and the Hybrid model, developed by Zhang was also applied because of its ability to capture both the linear and non-linear time series. The 18 years (2001 to 2018) ET time series data was extracted from Google Earth Engine, using java script, at Keiskammahoek Irrigation Scheme. Prior to the prediction of ET time series, the time series data were analysed to understand the behaviour of the time series. A detailed time analysis of Keiskamma River Streamflow and Sandile Dam monthly volume, which are water supply sources close to the study area, were analysed, using time series analysis methods such as: the Break for Additive Seasonal (BFAS) and Trend, Wavelength Analysis, Wavelet Coherence, Correlation Statistics, Theil-Sen plots, Man-Kendall Test, Sequential Mann-Kendall Test and Multi-Linear Regression Analysis. Furthermore, tele-connection analysis between the satellite-derived et time series for the study area and other parameters, such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalised Difference Drought Index (NDDI), and Precipitation(P), was performed. Through use of the Mann-Kendall Trend Test, it was noted that et has increased over the years with the z-score reaching +3.898 which is greater than +1.96 which indicates the significance of the trend, in contrast to the z-score for precipitation which is equal to - 2.6134, indicating a significant decrease in P in the study area over the 18-year period. This trend, and its significance, were noted also using the Sequential Mann-Kendall method. Using the Multi Linear Regression, a statistically significant relationship was also noted between ET, with p-value < 2X10-16 and NDVI, p-value equal to 7.89 x 10- 11, for Stream Flow p-value equal to 2.32X10-06, for P p-value equal to < 2Ex10-16 and for NDDI p-value equal to 0.0208. The significant relationship between these variables is indicated by a p-value less than 0.05.. Using ARIMA, ANNs and Hybrid(ARIMAANNs), the ET at Keiskammahoek Irrigation Scheme was predicted successfully for 3 years (2015 to 2018). Furthermore, the three models were combined to assess the quality of prediction further and ET was once more predicted successfully. To select the best performing model for prediction of ET, the predicted results for three applied modelling techniques were evaluated using four, well accepted, model performance statistics, namely, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (R). The results of this study shows that, the hybrid (ARIMA-ANN) model outperformed both the ARIMA and ANN consecutively with less values of the statistical performance evaluation show-ing RMSE = 33.80, MAE = 27.02, MAPE = 17.31, and R = 0.94 compared to higher values of ARIMA and ANN In general, these forecasting results show the superiority of the Hybrid (ARIMA-ANN) model over ARIMA and ANN
Critical analysis of the role of the school management teams in enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in selected schools in Ellisras circuit
Full text linkThesis (Master: Education: Education Leadership and Management)--Central University of TechnologyGlobally, school leaders and managers are pressured to show their contribution towards achieving the educational outcomes prioritised by an educational system. As a management structure, the School Management Team is ultimately responsible and accountable for the results of the learners. Previous studies have shown that school leadership is second only to teaching when it comes to the achievement of the learners. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explain and analyse how the different Principals, Deputy Principals, and Departmental Heads perceive, experience, and perform their leadership roles in selected schools in Ellisras Circuit. Furthermore, the researcher investigated their ability to function as a team, and how the role affects the culture of teaching and learning. The 12 SMT members that were purposely sampled are directly involved in leading and managing schools. Data on the role of the SMT was collected by relevant documents, semi-structured interviews, and observation of leadership practices of at least three participants. Themes and subthemes such as role knowledge and understanding, teamwork, leadership theories, and leadership preparation were identified. The study found that role ambiguity was strong among the Deputy Principals and Departmental Heads. Furthermore, induction and mentorship of the SMT was insufficient, which directly impacted their performance in the role. There is no concrete evidence to show that teamwork is actively being promoted within the SMT or the school. The study found that SMT members were not aware of DL, but were aware of the instructional and transformational leadership perspectives. The study confirmed that there is a relationship between the quality of leadership and the quality of teaching and learning. The lack of time limited the pursuit of deeper insight on the role played by the SMT. This study recommends that the Circuit Office develop a mentorship and induction programme for newly appointed SMT members. Given their critical roles, the professional development of the Deputy Principals and Departmental Heads must be prioritised. Furthermore, it is recommended that an SMT should subscribe to at least two theories that inform its leadership practices. In a dynamic environment, school leadership should be aligned to educational reforms, community development, and technology
Do numbers make sense: an investigation on how foundation phase learners engage with multiplicative thinking in Motheo district, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (Master: Education)-- Central University of TechnologyThe study investigated how the multiplicative thinking of Grade 3 learners develops and how ensuring inclusivity of all learners during the number learning process enhances learning in mathematics Grade 3. This study used a qualitative methodology to explore these two complex phenomena: multiplicative thinking and gender-sensitive pedagogy for teaching and learning mathematics in early grades. Interviews and classroom observations are employed as tools for data collection, and data was analysed qualitatively. The participants were 30 Grade 3 learners and three educators at three schools, of which two were in a township, and one in a suburban area. The findings of the study are that learners in the early grades need to be proficient in their home language, to help facilitate meaning and development of abstraction of number concepts; procedural teaching still dominates teaching and learning in mathematics practice of early grades; use of manipulatives mediate meaningfulness in mathematical ideas; multiplicative thinking of learners is impeded by procedural knowledge; COVID-19 has transformed homes with a low socioeconomic background to supportive learning environments; and that inequalities still disrupt the possibility of quality teaching and learning, through a lack of resources (physical and human). This study recommends improving foundation phase teacher training, enhancing mother tongue instruction, making more meaningful use of concrete manipulatives to encourage fluent conceptual understanding, and nurturing mother tongue use for mathematics to promote learners’ language proficiency. The results of the study also call for a full implementation of gender-sensitive pedagogy in classrooms, to accommodate all genders and diverse teaching methods during instruction of mathematics from the early grades. There is a need for inter-sectoral and interdepartmental fora to address issues of early childhood education, focussing on developing and establishing solid knowledge of mathematics from an early age
Engineering Innovative Ways To Sustain Learning For Pre-Service Economic And Management Science Teachers In Curriculum Practice
Full text linkRemote learning is the future of teaching and learning. The inception of Covid 19 has disrupted the
traditional face to face teaching and learning and raised a need for scholars to investigate innovative
ways to adapt to global disruption. Remote learning was the preferred option as it is effective and
efficient to sustain learning even post the disruptions. In recent years, extensive research has been
conducted on how to use the industrial revolution in curriculum reform. Remote learning is one of the
recent initiatives in the curriculum and pedagogy reform package in South Africa that involves the use
of remote learning to improve teaching and learning. This article investigates innovative ways to
engineer a shift to remote learning for pre-service economic and management science teachers and the
use of remote learning curriculum practice to achieve pedagogy mastery. The aim of the article is to
answer the research question: what innovative ideas can be generated to engineer shift to remote
learning in curriculum practice. Architecture theory is used as the main lens for the study. Connectivism
learning approach as a form of education science is used to generate data in this study. Connectivism
is immersed in the narrative that knowledge is distributed across networks through connections and
connectivity, and learning is guided by connections and connectedness. Based on technology,
connectivism is a learning approach that emphasizes knowledge acquisition focused on the future,
rather than the past. Connectivism is relevant to this study because it encourages and changes the
essential nature of building knowledge. Connectivism empowers teacher educators as well as preservice
students through using collaboration in learning. Critical discourse analysis was used to arrive
at the following broad findings: Pre-service economic and management science teachers should
participate in diverse learning spaces indicated by the varying standards of learning embodied in the
existing context of the South African society embracing educational inequalities. Implementation of the
three c`s of remote learning: connectivity, content and capacity will enhance possibilities for economic
and management sciences pre-service teachers to use remote learning in their practice of the
curriculum. The paper concludes with expected recommendations that the prefigured remote learning
for professional teaching practices be reconfigured
Constraints and opportunities for increased livestock production in the communal areas of Lejweleputswa district, Free State
Full text linkThesis (Master: Agriculture)--Central University of TechnologyThe purpose of this study was to investigate the constraints and current status of livestock production in the communal areas in the Lejweleputswa district in the Free State province of South Africa, and to provide possible opportunities to alleviate these problems. The survey was conducted in three (3) municipalities (Tswelopele, Matjhabeng and Masilo) in the communal areas of the Lejweleputswa district. A total of sixty (60) communal livestock farmers from these municipalities were randomly selected as respondents for the study, but only fiftythree (53) questionnaires were selected for statistical analysis because of the reliability of the answers. The findings indicated that all respondents were African farmers, with the majority being between the ages of 50-70 years (57%) and were predominantly males (83%). This shows a lack of participation in livestock farming from the youth and women. The low female participation rate can be attributed to the fact that most women stay at home and perform domestic chores, while others work full-time in other fields of life. Semi-intensive (66%) farming system was the most recorded practice. De-horning (78%), castration (90%), and de-worming (100%) were the most frequently conducted livestock management practices on the farms. Most farm infrastructures (55%) were in reasonably good condition (broken but repairable) and only 20% were in a poor state. This means that farmers in the study areas face limited infrastructural constraints. Access to land is a barrier to communal livestock farming in the study area. The farmers lack title deeds and the financial capacity to lease land or obtain loans. Small grazing land, overstocking, and overgrazing are the primary (17.5%) factors affecting livestock grazing. The results showed that the communal livestock farmers in the study area were facing feed shortages, the majority were able to provide lick supplements to their animals, with salt being the most frequently provided, and the animals relied heavily on the natural veldt. A number of respondents had access to extension services, which invariably had an impact on production. Farm records were not mostly kept (67.9%), and this negated the knowledge of farm profitability for most farmers. It was also concluded that farmers’ low educational level may have contributed to record keeping failures. Lumpy skin disease (23.4%), heartwater and bluetongue (12.7%) were the most prevalent livestock diseases in the study area. Pour-ons (87.2%) were used to combat external parasites. The communal livestock farmers practiced the natural method of breeding. Breeding season recorded a significant positive correlation (r =0.16, p<0.05) with farmers' educational levels. Thus, the more educated farmers are, the more likely they are to adhere to breeding seasons. Current technological innovations (96.2%) especially information sharing, up-to-date training (42.3%), lack of animal health service (84.9%) and livestock breeding management (93.3%) were amongst the most prevalent constraints expressed. Communal livestock farmers faced significant challenges in pursuing sustainable and profitable agriculture due to a lack of transportation, low market prices and access to relevant market information. Farmers’ poor livestock conditions and high transport costs forced them to sell their animals on the black market. Despite this, some farmers did not market their animals because were either still young, in poor condition, or they were very few. The results of the study support the hypothesis that increased production can be achieved by training and introducing new technologies and advanced agricultural methods to the farmers. The study concludes that communal livestock farmers should receive regular training on relevant topics such as animal nutrition, animal health, breeding and selection, and producing to market specifications in order to obtain higher market prices
The influence of using mobile technologies during project execution on perceived managerial competencies of emerging construction firm owners/ managers in the Free State province
Full text linkThesis (Master: Management Sciences)--Central University of TechnologyThe exponential growth in the utilisation of mobile technologies (MTs) for cost reduction and improving organisational efficiency is widely acknowledged in entrepreneurship literature. Despite this promise, the exact effect of MTs on the managerial competencies of small, micro, and medium enterprises is yet to be fully comprehended by emerging construction firms (ECFs). To address this gap, the current study drew on a quantitative approach and survey conducted on 252 emerging construction firms' owners/managers in the Free State province of South Africa to establish how mobile technology adoption during project execution impacted the perceived managerial competencies (MCs) of these entrepreneurs. The results indicate that the adoption of MTs during project execution has a positive and statistically significant effect on the communicative and social competencies of ECF owners and managers, with MT adoption during project execution explaining 65.1% of the variance of communicative competencies and 71.2% of social competencies. The results further demonstrate that the type of device used (laptops and tablets) used moderated the strength of the MT adoption-MC relationship. The study recommends the wider rollout of other mobile technologies to improve managerial competencies in ways that optimise the efficiency of project-related operations. The study contributes to the broad project management theory and literature, especially project execution, by exploring how mobile technology adoption facilitates enhanced communication and social competencies that improve organisational efficiency of ECFs
Contemporary risk factors associated with ischemic heart disease in central South Africa: a single center study
Full text linkThesis (Master: Health Sciences: Clinical Technology (Cardiology))--Central University of TechnologyIntroduction: The study aimed to investigate modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in central South Africa. Methods: Patients with angiographically confirmed CAD evaluated in the catheterization laboratory for the first time over a two-year period (2016-2017) were included. Data was extracted from the patient’s medical records. Results: Four-hundred-and eighty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, presenting at a mean age of 58.4±10.8 years and were predominantly male (66%). Female patients presented significantly older than males (60.3±9.6 vs 57.4±11.1 years; p<0.05). The mean age at presentation was comparable between ethnic groups, with only Asians presenting significantly younger than Caucasians (49.8±10.5 vs 59.1±10.8; p<0.05). Hypertension (91%) was the most common risk factor, followed by smoking (67%) and obesity (40%). Black Africans demonstrated a higher incidence of hypertension when compared to Caucasians (96% vs 87%; p<0.05). Smoking was more prevalent in Caucasians than Black Africans (68% vs 54%; p<0.05) and occurred more commonly in males than females (73% vs 55%; p<0.05). Most patients presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (72%), mainly with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) (36%). The majority of patients presenting with ACS were in the age interval 51-60 years. The ACS risk factor profile was similar to the total study group. Conclusion: CAD is present in all ethnic groups, and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are similar to the classical risk factors described worldwide. Minor interracial differences were observed and hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor recorded in central South Africa. Most patients with CAD presented with ACS, particularly STEMI
Effects of social media-mediated customer engagements on purchase decisions and competitive advantage: mediating role of brand equity in full-service restaurants
Full text linkThesis (Master: Management Sciences: Marketing Management)--Central University of TechnologyDespite the prominence of customer engagements with brands, as occasioned by latest technology developments, small businesses are yet to fully comprehend how they can tap into this dominant phenomenon to increase their market share, growth and profitability. This organisational inertia is unfortunate as, in the past decade and lately during the Covid 19 pandemic, customer consumption of brands and interaction with small firms has become significantly social media mediated due to the prevalence of emerging social technologies. The social media platforms’ power to influence consumers’ purchase intentions and decisions can no longer be ignored by firms if their competitiveness is to be sustainable. However, the disconcerting evidence from literature suggests that the restaurant businesses’ adoption of social media has not been accompanied by an in-depth grasp of how such technology can be harnessed for the economic benefits of these firms, a research problem this study sought to address. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of social media mediated customer engagements on brand equity attributes, purchase intentions and competitive advantage of graded full-service restaurants in the Free State Province. The study drew on a positivist epistemology and quantitative research approach with an online and one-on-one survey conducted on 241 owners/managers of these restaurants and 379 of their customers. A total of 144 restaurant owners/managers and 307 customers successfully responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 72.7%. The statistical package for the Social Sciences was employed to conduct descriptive statistics and some inferential statistics, especially correlations and regression, for the study. The study’s main statistical technique for testing the relationship in the model was the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results of this study revealed that social media engagements positively impact brand equity dimensions and exerted a positive impact on purchase intentions. The findings further revealed that restaurateurs are not using social media as their main strategy for gaining competitive advantage against their rivals. The study recommends the adoption of some targeted interventions to improve social media and ensure its enduring benefits for full-service restaurants. These include the mainstreaming of content creation, enhanced customer relationship management, greater emphasis on on-the-job digital skills training for employees, the development of a social media marketing strategy, and promotion of greater digital integration in hospitality education
Improving the performance of high occupancy vehicle infrastructure to alleviate city congestion
Full text linkThesis (Master: Engineering: Civil Engineering)--Central University of TechnologyThe rate of rural-urban migration has increased demand on the infrastructural facilities in cities and towns and resulted in traffic congestion. Transportation enables the movement of people and facilitates trade thereby boosting the economy, social and political relations in South Africa. There is however, a higher vehicle ownership in South Africa which makes traffic congestion one of the major problems South African cities are facing. Traffic congestion results in long journey times and a rise in road accidents which impacts negatively on economic growth. Traffic congestion also has impacts on the environment as cars then produce a large volume of carbon emissions which cause respiratory problems and global warming. Various mitigation measures have been proposed to reduce traffic congestion which among others include improving parking facilities, increasing lanes, introduction of congestion fees, park and ride facilities, high occupancy vehicle infrastructure and ridesharing. It is even so, crucial to combine the engineering factors with the economic when devising a traffic mitigation plan for a particular city. An investigation was conducted to explore high occupancy vehicles (HOV) infrastructure, and how it can be better promoted and introduced to drivers and vehicle owners. Bloemfontein which is a medium-sized city experiencing rapid growth and located in the Free State of South Africa was used as a case study. Data was collected through traffic surveys and interviews administered to drivers to. The interviews and traffic surveys were meant to determine vehicle occupancy, the nature of traffic flow as well as areas experiencing the most congestion. 150 interviews were distributed electronically and physically to drivers residing in Bloemfontein using the systematic stratified random sampling process. The intersections where the traffic surveys were conducted were selected based on the responses from the interviews which indicated where the most congestion is experienced during morning and afternoon commutes. This were intersections of roads entering the central business district (CBD) from various suburbs and locations in Bloemfontein. Traffic counts were done on weekdays in the morning and evening during peak times as reflected in the interview responses. Findings from the study showed that congestion is caused by private vehicles especially those having commuters traveling alone. Most of these commuters travel to work in the CBD resulting in arterial routes to the CBD being the most congested roads. The study also indicated that even though private vehicle owners commute alone most of them use motor cars which can carry up to 5 people. Most commuters took 6 to 14 trips per week and the peak travel times were found to be between 06:30 and 08:30 in the morning and 15:30 and 17:30 in the afternoons. Respondents showed that they are eager for introduction of HOV infrastructure with 85% of commuters indicating that they may be open to ridesharing which may significantly reduce peak hour traffic. The simulated scenarios revealed that traffic congestion decreases as vehicle occupancy increases. In turn vehicle occupancy may increase with incentives such as provision of high occupancy vehicle infrastructure which gives ridesharing commuters an opportunity to use the priority lanes. The most reduction is seen when most vehicles are full to capacity. This may be somewhat possible when HOV infrastructure is introduced in the busiest streets going to the CBD and private vehicles having more than one occupant are permitted to use HOV lanes
Influence of blended cements on rate of steel corrosion in reinforced concrete structures in a marine tidal zone
Full text linkThesis (Master: Engineering: Civil Engineering)--Central University of TechnologyTo minimise the impact of early deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in the marine environment, blended cements made using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are used. However, the physical, chemical, and mineralogical composition of these materials varies, hence, there is variation in their performance. This study therefore investigated the influence of selected SCMs on the corrosion rate of RC structures in a marine tidal zone, in correlation with some influencing parameters of reinforcement corrosion such as cover depth, oxygen availability, and concrete resistivity. This was achieved through an automated cycle change system, simulating the natural tide change in the marine tidal zone. Accordingly, three binders (100%PC, 70%PC/30%FA, and 50%PC/50%SL), 2 water to binder ratios (w/b) (0.45 and 0.65), and 2 cover depths (20 mm and 40 mm) were used to manufacture corrosion specimens. A total of 12 specimens were cast, each reinforced with one high tensile mild steel to act as an anode and 2 stainless steels (316 grade) which served the function of cathode. The corrosion specimens were exposed to a simulated marine tidal zone in the laboratory, which consisted of 6 hours of cyclic wetting with 5% NaCl solution and 6 hours of air-drying for a period of 3 months. All corrosion specimens were connected to a data logger which measured the voltage across a 100-ohm resistor between the working and counter electrodes on a weekly basis. The resulting current was calculated as the corrosion rate indicator. The results of this experimental study indicate that, at the early age of RC structures in the marine tidal zone, the rate of reinforcement corrosion is mostly influenced by the concrete quality and concrete cover depth. The increase in concrete cover depth reduced the corrosion rate of all the specimens, irrespective of the w/b. This was because of the increased travel path for chlorides and oxygen. In addition, higher cover depth prolongs the drying rate of the concrete pore structure, causing low oxygen availability, especially at low w/b, and thus low corrosion risk. Furthermore, a higher w/b 0.65 was found to increase the corrosion risk of the specimens, especially at lower cover depth. Nevertheless, due to the denser microstructure of blended cement concretes, Portland cement (PC) exhibited the highest corrosion rate. Hence, it can be inferred that high w/b can be used in the application of blended cements, provided relatively higher cover depth is used. Blended cement concretes, overall, showed relatively high concrete resistivity compared to PC concretes. In relation to the refinement of the exposure classification used in SANS guidelines, the findings of this study support the notion of adopting the classification of RC structures with a concrete cover depth ≥ 30 mm in the same category as the submerged zone. However, a further laboratory investigation over a longer period of exposure is required to further clarify the corrosion performance of blended cement concretes in a marine tidal zone