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Co-creating a pedagogy of care for our hydrocommons in South Africa
Full text linkMy research focuses on watery relations in a South African context. Our planet, predominantly covered by water, relies on healthy oceans to sustain life by producing oxygen. Oceans, rivers, and wetlands constitute our natural water resources, integral to the hydrological cycle, collectively forming what Neimanis (2009) terms as hydrocommons. Hydrocommons encompass the shared water bodies and resources vital for human and more-than-human inhabitants alike. Caring for our hydrocommons is imperative for the well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants. Yet, the notion of responsibility for their upkeep sparks debate, as it intertwines with concepts of justice, extensively explored in academic discourse (Bozalek & Zembylas 2023). In South Africa, historical patterns of privilege tied to skin colour significantly influence perceptions of responsibility and care. This doctoral research engages with the enduring impacts of the apartheid legacy, which continues to shape notions of belonging, especially for Black and Brown South Africans who were forcibly displaced and restricted from accessing various areas, including urban spaces and natural environments such as beaches and game reserves. My perspective stems from my background as a scientist in the conservation field for over two decades, and transitioning into an educational doctorate with an emphasis on feminist, posthumanist, and care frameworks to address environmental and social justice concerns. Furthermore, I am a Brown Creole woman who was raised as a Muslim in Camissa, South Africa. The overarching question this dissertation seeks to address is; How can reparative care pedagogies reshape the hydrocommons for Black and Brown communities in post-apartheid South Africa? In order to respond to this question, I think diffractively with theory from feminism(s), posthumanism, research-creation and Slow scholarship - all of these are predicated on relational ontologies which embrace diverse ways of knowledge production in caring and meaning-making ways (Springgay & Truman, 2018; Stengers, 2011; Taylor et al, 2020). The research question I have posed is addressed through two key methods of enquiry namely strandlooping (beach walking) and hydro-rugging (stitching and mending). While there has been some literature on walking and mending methodologies from Northern contexts, I have opted to contextualise them within a South African framework with indigenous origins. By developing such methodologies in the local context, I aim to understand their application and relevance within South Africa's diverse cultural and environmental landscape. I have deliberately incorporated indigenous perspectives and practices in order to contribute to a more holistic and nuanced exploration of watery relations through iterative and collaborative events with participants. Chapter One provides an overview of my positionality and research practice by giving voice to those who have been marginalised, silenced and erased for three decades. The 30th anniversary for our first democratic elections was celebrated on the 27th April 2024 whilst I have been finalising my manuscript. The silence and erasure persist today, even though apartheid laws and regulations are no longer in effect. This lingering silence continues to permeate our lives and linger as a haunting presence. Consequently, strandlooping and hydro-rugging emerge as methods of enquiry that foster and provide avenues for care and healing. Chapter Two shares the stories of four Brown bodies and a tidal pool each of whom have a relationship with False Bay. The chapter shows how watery stories are shared through the process of hydro-rugging at the tidal pools. Chapter Three unravels the practice of strandlooping and develops propositions or watermarks to assist other researchers with this practice in their own contexts. Chapter Four articulates hydro-rugging as a method of enquiry and elucidates how the individual hydro-rugs are stitched alongside each other to create the Mother Hydro-rug. Chapter Five introduces three experiential research-creation events with fourth year students to meander and learn from them with regards to care for our hydrocommons. Drawing on relational ways of understanding and engaging with the world, this research culminates in several key implications for reparative care pedagogies in reshaping the hydrocommons. It underscores the importance of not only acknowledging but including diverse modes of knowledge and existence, particularly within Black and Brown communities marginalised by apartheid's racial and ethnic divisions. Additionally, it highlights the significance of challenging traditional educational paradigms entrenched in colonial and apartheid legacies. By prioritising embodied, experiential, and inclusive methodologies, the doctoral thesis advocates for a pedagogical shift toward relationality and process-oriented learning. This thesis prompts a reevaluation of extractive and exploitative educational practices, advocating instead for conviviality and the exploration of relational and embodied meanings and approaches.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 202
The acceptability of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Primary Care (PE-PC) for the treatment of PTSD in a low resourced community in the Eastern Cape
Full text linkPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a global mental health concern, especially in low- resourced communities that are characterised by limited access to health professionals, limited healthcare infrastructure, and limited access to evidence-based mental healthcare at primary care level. Over the last decade, several psychological trauma-focused therapies (TFTs), such as prolonged exposure therapy (PE) have been developed to treat PTSD. In the context of the existing literature, studies done in HICs have explored the implementation and acceptability of prolonged exposure therapy at primary care level (PE-PC) as a first-line treatment for PTSD. Contrary to this, there is little to no implementation studies done to date that have examined the acceptability of empirically supported treatments (ESTs), such as PE in low-resourced countries, such as South Africa. Using the Implementation Science framework, ten participants were recruited to be interviewed, using semi-structured interviews, about their experiences and perceptions of PE-PC as a treatment for PTSD, and to also share their experiences of living with PTSD. The interview data was analysed using the reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) method to determine whether PE-PC is an acceptable treatment for PTSD that can be administered at community level and highlights the importance of integrating mental health within primary healthcare practice. Based on the analysis four superordinate themes were identified, namely, lack and absence of social support; factors preventing trauma survivors from accessing EBTs; lack of knowledge regarding mental health literacy, and adaptation of a brief trauma-focused therapy in a low-resource community. The evidence this study shows that some of the factors that hinder the acceptability of trauma-focused therapies (TFTs) at community level, include stigma and discrimination, the absence of social support, limited resources, and inadequate knowledge on mental health and illness. Therefore, it makes sense of the urgency to implement evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in LMICs. Findings of this thesis suggest that (a) PE-PC should be adopted at community level, and that (b) PE-PC is an acceptable treatment for PTSD in low-resourced communities.Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 202
Exploring the experiences of female nurses on emotional labour and the labour process in the public healthcare sector in eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu-Natal
Full text linkThe dissertation explores female nurses’ experiences of emotional labour and labour process concerning their interactions and relationships with management, doctors, and patients at their workplace. This paper introduces some key concepts of the labour process theory in exploring emotional labour in the workplace contributing to the emotional labour process. Moreover, the study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal’s public healthcare sector, focusing on female nurses with a working experience of four years and above. The dissertation used a qualitative method, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and a schedule technique to gather data. The research was analysed using thematic analysis and was assessed in line with the objectives of the dissertation. The nursing profession requires positive displays of emotions and characteristics such as smiling, compassion, being kind and caring. The findings show that gender plays a role in the nurse-patient interaction and nurses feel undermined by some professional doctors and respected by student doctors. Whilst the nurse-nurse manager relationship is viewed positively. Further findings show that nurses experience harsh working conditions such as long working hours and low wages that leave them dissatisfied. However, nurses are motivated by their contribution to improving their patients’ health, which keeps them committed to their jobs and produces good performance. In addition, nurses experience managerial control and concerns of power dynamics are revealed but they have also had agency to resist through strikes and individually. Although emotional labour is a requirement in the nursing profession, nurses are found to experience consequences such as stress and anxiety.Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 202
The effect of an alkyl chain and β-diketonato-metal moiety on the photochromic behaviour of azobenzene compounds as materials for solar thermal fuels
Full text linkScientists have been studying the development of renewable energy technologies in detail to create a sustainable energy supply. Among many new advanced material classes being researched recently are photo functional and photo responsive materials. These classes include azobenzene derivatives which are characterized by azo linkage (N=N) sandwiched by two phenyl rings. The trans-to-cis isomerization of azobenzene is a highly efficient and reversible process, making it an ideal candidate for solar thermal energy storage. This research investigates the impact of alkyl chain modifications and the incorporation of a β-diketonato-copper(II) complex on azobenzene derivatives, aiming to optimize their performance as efficient components in solar thermal fuel cells (STFs). The study focuses on a comprehensive analysis of these materials' ability to capture, convert, store, and release solar energy for enhanced sustainability in renewable energy applications. Experimental methodologies include synthesis of azobenzene derivatives with varying alkyl chain length, n (where n =8 & 10) and coordination of these compounds with a β-diketonato-copper(II) complex. Standard analytical techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H and 13C NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV/vis) were employed for chemical analysis of the synthesized material. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Polarised Optical Microscope (POM) were used to study the thermal properties and morphology. The photostationery states were determined using NMR spectroscopy and the kinetic parameters of the cis-to-trans relaxation process determined by a UV spectroscopy study. The cis-to-trans isomerisation had a longer half-life than the trans-to-cis isomerisation. The band gap of the isomers is within the range of semiconducting inorganic materials. DSC and POM thermograms showed that the compounds are liquid crystalline. Finally, the study reports that the synthesised azobenzene derivatives show potential as material for solar thermal fuel cells because of their photo-isomerization ability. Furthermore, the synthesised compounds contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient solar energy utilization technologies, addressing the growing demand for clean energy solutions in the face of global environmental challenges. Because solar energy may be stored and used without causing direct emissions or pollution, they are considered clean energy. If solar thermal fuels fulfil sustainability standards, they may qualify as green energy. This entails minimising adverse effects on the environment, using non-toxic chemicals and procedures.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 202
Understanding heat energy conservation: using traditional brick making in a Grade 7 Natural Sciences class in a rural school
Full text linkLearners seemed to experience cognitive dissonance on the topic of the conservation of heat energy. My assumption is that this might be due to cognitive dissonance or conflict that learners seem to experience in science classrooms. This means the way science teachers teach science does not form part of learners’ contexts and hence has no relevance to them. To ameliorate this dilemma, the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) document requires teachers to integrate indigenous knowledge into science teaching and learning but does not provide explicit methods on how to do it. It is against this backdrop that this study explored how the use of traditional brick making method can support learners to make sense of the topic of conservation of heat energy. Underpinned by the interpretivist and Indigenous research paradigms, a qualitative case study design was employed. Twenty-four Grade 7 Natural Sciences learners, four indigenous knowledge custodians (IKCs) (who were all women), and a critical friend participated in this study. Data sets were generated through several methods: learner group activity; participatory and lesson observations; a sharing circle; and learners’ reflective journals. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory and Ogunniyi’s Contiguity Argumentative Theory were used as theoretical lenses to analyse data. The findings revealed that during the demonstration by the IKCs, learners were able to identify science concepts related to the conservation of heat energy which means they understood the science concept. Learners’ argumentation and sense-making of the aforementioned topic and related concepts greatly improved. Based on the research findings, I thus recommend that teachers should tap into IKCs’ cultural heritage to contextualise and make science relevant and more meaningful to learners.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 202
IT business consulting competencies to address business intelligence and analytics challenges in South African organisations
Full text linkBackground: In today's dynamic environment, the importance and popularity of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) has increased due to the rise in big data being generated across the globe. BI&A is an essential emerging business competency area and dynamic capability that serves as an enabler for organisations to harvest value from their big data. When implemented correctly, BI&A is a powerful tool that leads to increased competitive advantage. However, organisations in South Africa are facing major challenges when it comes to adopting and harnessing it. As such, it is IT business consultants that South African organisations turn to for acquiring BI&A expertise. Objective: Using the Theory of Dynamic Capabilities as an underpinning lens, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relevant competencies IT business consultants need to address BI&A challenges in South African organisations. This study focuses on developing a BI&A competency framework based on these competencies that IT business consultants can consider when addressing the BI&A challenges in South African organisations. Methods: A qualitative research approach was utilised in this study by making use of an interpretive paradigm, abductive reasoning, qualitative description research strategy, as well as semi-structured interviews and questionnaires as data collection methods to elicit feedback on this study’s BI&A competency framework. Content analysis was conducted to categorise and code the interview data, and descriptive analysis was conducted to rank the competencies in order of relevance. Findings: It was found that the relevant business competencies to consider are business acumen, industry knowledge and strategic conceptual abilities. The relevant technical competencies are categorised into three categories: analytical skills (logical thinking, problem-solving, statistical analysis and what-if analysis), data engineering (data modelling skills, data warehousing, database management, data governance, data interpretation, data stewardship, data visualisation tools and data processing languages) and supplementary skills (project management, consulting skills and artificial intelligence). The relevant values and behavioural competencies to consider are integrity, communication, teamwork, resilience, commitment, creativity, emotional intelligence, humility, behavioural analysis, curiosity, leadership and social intelligence.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 202
Aspects of the sustainability of the wild honeybush industry
Full text linkHoneybush products are uniquely South African, derived from plants of the fynbos genus, Cyclopia. Cyclopia intermedia is the most widespread species, distributed across 11 496 km2 of the Cape Fold Mountains, and provided the bulk of supply for the industry until 2022. While the industry is small, it is a locally significant industry affecting the livelihoods of harvesters, farmers and processors in the greater Langkloof region of the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The industry has evolved from a cottage one, to a commercial scale, and concerns have been raised over the sustainability of the wild resource specifically, and the industry in general. The research aimed to improve our understanding of aspects of the sustainability of the wild honeybush industry. A mixed methods design was adopted, which allowed for the inclusion of data collection approaches and analysis which tell a richer story than one with a singular modus. Four objectives were identified, which entailed: (i) mapping the resource to establish the distribution range of C. intermedia; (ii) recording of local ecological knowledge (LEK) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) around best practice harvesting; (iii) assessing the sustainability of harvest enterprise types through analysis of yield history and harvester loads; (iv) identifying differences between harvested and unharvested C. intermedia populations. Mapping of the resource drew on a variety of existing data sources, field mapping, GIS-based analysis, species distribution modelling and expert mapping to create a comprehensive and accurate map of the species distribution. The species is estimated to occupy a distribution range of 11 496 km2, 49% of which occurs in formally protected areas. Based on local scale mapping by experts, 100km2 is estimated to be in use for wild harvesting in the production area of the Langkloof. Information on best practice harvesting was collected through in-depth interviews with harvesters, harvest managers, processors and farmers (in the field at harvest events) and through questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions at a honeybush stakeholder workshop. In combination with harvest event surveys at which harvester practice was observed and recorded, and surveys were conducted of the harvest yield and of plants in the harvested population, the information was used to produce the first formal account of best practice for sustainable harvesting of wild honeybush. To assess the sustainability of harvest enterprises and associated harvester livelihoods, harvester managers were interviewed to create profiles of typical harvesting enterprises based on their practices and harvest yield histories. Of the three harvest enterprises considered, two showed sustained yields over time, while those of a large contract type enterprise were less sustainable with declining yields on three out of six farms. From a statistical analysis of the records it was found that the most effective team size was 10 or less harvesters in terms of livelihood sustainability. They could earn a fair livelihood (ZAR67 680.00) per annum, based on a 94 kg load per daily harvest event, sold to the processor at ZAR 5.00, for nine months of the year, working a four-day week. For a team to operate sustainably, it was found that it should consist of experienced harvesters harvesting conservatively, at intervals of at least four years, and be responsive to local environmental conditions. Detailed field surveys of C. intermedia plants at 38 sites representing harvested and unharvested populations were carried out to understand the impact of harvesting on the plants. A statistical analysis of the plant's dimensions related to the physical environment, fire and harvest history using generalised linear models revealed that while unharvested plants were slightly larger, only crown diameter and stem counts were significantly so. Seedlings were noticeably scarce at all sites, including recently burnt sites. A significant finding of the research was that in a fecundity survey, unharvested plants produced significantly more pods. The impact of this is unknown, but it has implications for management and the sustainable use of wild resources in the long term. Further understanding of the impact of harvesting came from surveys of cultivated stands of C. intermedia (different ages and harvest histories, but all harvested at three-year intervals) and surveys of a wild population, which was subjected to unregulated harvesting. For the cultivated stand: after 12 years, plants declined in all measured dimensions, while in the wild population, 45% of the plants died over a seven-year period. The surveys proved that a three-year interval or frequent, unregulated harvest is unsustainable. The research was used to produce the wild harvesting guidelines, which have become the accepted standard for the industry. It has demonstrated that under the right circumstances, harvesting of the wild C. intermedia resource is broadly sustainable. However, there needs to be informed management of the use of the resource in terms of harvest team types and their protocols, particularly with regard to harvest intervals and possible interventions to improve seed production to achieve sustainable use of the resource in social, economic and ecological terms.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 202
Potential futures: land management decision making in the Albertinia-Herbertsdale area of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Full text linkLand use change drives biodiversity losses, and UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as laboratories for solving complex problems in the uncertain Anthropocene geological era. Land users' decisions form turning points for land use, biodiversity conservation and future trajectories of land management. This qualitative study used grounded theory, one-on-one interviews and a futures thinking workshop to explore land user decision making in the mixed agricultural Herbertsdale- Albertinia area of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve. The study included participants using a variety of land management approaches, ranging from conservation to intensive agriculture. This study found that land managers in the study area interact with multiple complex social-ecological systems, and land management outcomes can be unpredictable for diverse reasons. Informed by learning and risk mitigation as well as their motivation for their present and future, land users are integrating sustainable land management practices in their commercial land management decisions. Their risk adaptation strategies tend to be hands on, independent and practical, as well as action oriented. This can be limiting when adaptation requires abstract, collective or systemic changes. All the participants know that they are dependent on natural resources. They all value their community and social networks. They have a strong appetite for learning, and combine an understanding of the historical context of their land management with an understanding that positive futures will require dynamic and extensive changes at multiple scales. They desire more integrated land use planning at catchment and landscape scales. Collaboration and collaborative strategies emerged as important pathways to the desired future. These include landscape level planning, lobbying for political and legal change, building community, learning, sustainable land management and social integration. It emerged that giving people time to think about abstract or large scale issues is appreciated, and not currently routine. This provides a potential leverage point for collaborative environmental stewardship in this highly biodiverse region.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 202
Carnivory submerged: aspects of the ecology and ecophysiology of the aquatic Utricularia stellaris L. fil. (Lentibulariaceae) in South Africa
Full text linkThe trapping structures produced by aquatic species of Utricularia have traditionally been interpreted to function as adaptations to capture and break down zooplankton prey, as in other carnivorous plants, to overcome nutrient limitations. However, an increasing number of studies have found that these plants may also rely on benefits derived from living mutualistic microbial communities contained within traps. This study documents aspects of the environmental, growth and physiological characteristics of U. stellaris to inform and to form a basis for future investigation into the plant-microbe interaction. The environmental conditions in which U. stellaris grows were documented to identify potential adverse conditions plants are subject to in situ, from which nutrient limitation was identified as a primary limitation. Plant growth and trapping structures were then assessed to identify possible adaptations of plants to overcome these limitations. The production of trapping structures likely constitutes an adaptive trait, with 30% of total biomass per node allocated to the production of these structures. Based on their capture function, traps may aid plants based on their contents, possibly supplementing plants with nutrients. Although assessments of the habitats of U. stellaris indicate that dissolved CO₂ concentrations in the ambient water are high, CO₂ may still be limiting to the photosynthetic rates of these plants due to viscous water resisting the diffusion of CO₂. The primary site of photosynthesis in U. stellaris is leaves and trap tissue’s contribution to photosynthetic output is negligible. U. stellaris plants are subject to CO₂ limitations in natural pond conditions, making the substantial allocation of resources to non-photosynthetic trapping tissue even more costly. Therefore, benefits gained from trapping structures are likely to be derived from trap contents; having ruled out the possibility that the trap tissue itself is photosynthetic. Trap contents of U. stellaris were assessed. The proportion of traps containing living microbial communities greatly exceeded the proportion containing zooplankton prey. In addition, these communities were found to be diverse, stable, and self-sustaining. These results suggest that trapping structures may be beneficial for both the carnivorous capture of prey and the housing of living microbial communities. These results indicate the plantmicrobe interaction in U. stellaris warrants further study.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Botany, 202
Development of efficient protocols to generate breast cancer spheroids for application in drug discovery
No full textRestricted access. Expected release in 2026.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 202