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Sustainable business models and organisational resilience: a case study of Spier Wine Farm in South Africa
No full textThe aim of the mini-thesis titled: “Sustainable Business Models and Organisational Resilience: A Case Study of Spier Wine Farm in South Africa” was to explore the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Sustainability in wine makers extends beyond wine making techniques into other areas of the wine business to include hospitality, choice of glass and selecting suppliers of grapes. Spier Wine Farm, located outside the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape of South Africa, has been making wine since 1692. Spier has made a concerted effort in developing a sustainability strategy and introduction of sustainability into the business model. The South African wine industry is of importance to social and environmental sustainability in South Africa, creating over 270 000 jobs. Sustainability involves taking future generations into account when meeting the needs of the current generation, considering the triple bottom line of: environmental, social and economic value creation. The sustainable business model is thus an adaptation of a traditional business model to include creating and sustaining environmental and social value, in addition to traditional economic value. Resilience theory is centred around change in adaptive systems, focussing both on the role of change and the source of change. Making use of a deductive approach based on existing literature, a case study method allowed for an in-depth understanding of the relationship between sustainable business models and organisational resilience. Through semi-structured interviews and pattern matching data analysis, themes were identified. The research findings determined that a causal linkage between a sustainable business model and improved organisational resilience, in the South African context is likely to exist. The key themes that were considered to be contributing to this finding were: access to more sales markets, improved brand equity, reduced staff turnover and more efficient use of resources. An interdependence between sustainable business models and organisational resilience was found to likely not exist as a causal relationship between organisational resilience and sustainable business models was not found. The findings noted that sustainability was considered a contributing factor towards organisational resilience, but the relationship is not that of dependency as other ways to become resilient exist. Finally, it was recommended that adopting a sustainable business model is likely to lead to improved organisational resilience.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 202
Composition portfolio
No full textCompleting this portfolio has been an incredibly enlightening musical journey for me. From the beginning of my composition studies as an undergraduate student, I found myself captivated by a multitude of musical styles, which fostered a desire to compose in various genres and for a range of voices. However, upon embarking on postgraduate studies, it became apparent to me that I yearned to cultivate a distinctly personal compositional voice that resonated with my own artistic sensibilities, one that I, as a composer, could wholeheartedly embrace and call my own. Upon delving into the depths of my culture and embracing my identity as a Zimbabwean classical musician, I came to the realisation of just how profoundly rich and culturally diverse my background and musical heritage truly is. Kofi Agawu (2023) comments that African composers possess “multiple and eclectic heritages.” He explains that these heritages stem from “community-based traditional music (music with the strongest claims to being of pre-European origin […]), modifications of this tradition into neo-traditional forms; the ubiquitous, popular music of Cuban, American and British origins; and […] selected European repertories”. So, along with other African composers who compose in the African art music tradition, my multiple heritages are reflected in my creativity, and this is evident in this portfolio. This portfolio has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of Zimbabwean music, exploring the nuances of its rhythms and dances as practised by our elders. Gerhard Kubik (1994) stated that in an expansive sense, "African music" encompasses "dance" as well, given that the two are inextricably connected facets of the same cultural complex. Studying the dances shown in this portfolio enabled me to develop a deep admiration for my own culture and the aesthetic appeal of our indigenous musical rhythms and dances. The process has also allowed me to embark on a comprehensive study of these elements, meticulously translating them into original musical compositions. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with some of the most noted musicians of Zimbabwean traditional music, something that has afforded me a profound understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that permeate our musical culture. A fundamental aesthetic element of this portfolio is its deep connection to Zimbabwean dance cultures. For example, the rhythmic ideas located in the Zimbabwean Dance Suite are intimately tied to the original dances of Zimbabwe, reflecting a genuine engagement with my cultural heritage, delineated further through the creation of original melodies and harmonies that replicate those located in Indigenous music-making. My music is, thus, imbued with traditional Zimbabwean artistic practices, though they are placed in a different cultural milieu, one where traditional roots are respected while new creative territories are explored, as Zimbabwean cultural elements are synthesised with Western music techniques. The Western aspects of my musical heritage are explored in-depth in the Clarinet Trio, Ndangariro, where the broad ideas of the twentieth century’s modernist tendencies largely located in post-tonalism are featured in my harmonic stance. Here, dissonant constructions with sometimes merciless, rasping dissonances colour the harmonic landscape. This follows the general trend of that era, which is frequently referred to as “the emancipation of dissonance” (Hinton 2010), where chord construction and treatment of dissonances is antithetical to the norms followed through the common-practice period with the boundaries between consonance and dissonance being blurred (Kostka and Santa 2018). Here, my primary influence is that of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), especially his development of twelve-tone serialism, and my reflexive commentary will outline this impact on my music. Further, the piquant sound world frequently associated with Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is also apparent in Ndangariro. While the piano part frequently shows the influence of post-tonalism the melodic lines played by the violin and clarinet often (though not always) display the influence of Romanticism, especially Romantic-styled gestures. It is the merging of these two expressive domains that goes towards the emergence of this piece’s uniquely hued sound world. These composers' approaches to modernism and their departure from traditional harmony and chord progressions inspired my approach to exploring new musical soundscapes and conveying deep, meaningful ideas. This engagement with twentieth-century Western music opens up new avenues for expressing complex emotional landscapes and philosophical concepts. In this work, I continued to create my own range of ideas to develop unique chord structures and personalised sonic spaces. This portfolio is a deep, introspective look into my personal journey, mirroring significant life events and the evolution of my musical identity; it not only offers a glimpse into my own soul but also showcases the evolving nature of my own creative expression. At its core, this portfolio expresses life in all its manifestations from joy and happiness to the pain of loss and mourning as experienced through my African heritage. It speaks to the universal experiences of hardship and overcoming such hardship through resilience; therefore, the overarching message is one of hope, which, in this case, is expressed through musical and artistic innovation as African and Western elements are merged in musical composition. It is this blending which lies at the core of Tenzi Tinzwireyi Tsitsi, a setting of the Kyrie Eleison using Zimbabwean musical and linguistic features merged with Western choralism.Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 202
Exploring pedagogical translanguaging practices used by ESL primary school teachers to enhance reading comprehension
No full textNamibia has decided to use English as the transitional language and medium of instruction for Grade 4, even though learners have been performing poorly in English Second Language (ESL). Despite various interventions being recommended to address this issue, there has been little success. One teaching approach that experienced ESL teachers may use to enhance reading comprehension is pedagogical translanguaging. However, there is a lack of research exploring the use of this approach in Namibian primary schools, particularly in Grade 4. To address this gap, this study was conducted to investigate the pedagogical translanguaging practices employed by Grade 4 ESL primary school teachers in Namibia to improve reading comprehension. A qualitative exploratory case study oriented to an interpretivist paradigm was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to select five Grade 4 ESL teachers from the Oshikoto region for the study. Data were collected using simulated recall interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. The data were analysed using an inductive thematic framework. The study showed that using simplified language, gestures, and pictures helped ESL teachers communicate with their learners and improve reading comprehension. The use of visual aids such as picture-rich texts, drawings, sketches and concrete materials (realia) also helped Grade 4 ESL learners in their reading comprehension. This visual support helped in vocabulary acquisition and reinforced the meaning of words through associations with images, leading to a better understanding of the language. The study also found that including drawings and sketches in reading lessons added a layer of pedagogical depth that aligned with learners' cultural backgrounds. This helped teachers to engage with their learners more deeply and promoted a sense of cultural inclusivity in the ESL classroom. The study found that teachers use Oshindonga, the learners’ mother tongue, to communicate with those who struggle with English or find it challenging to understand ESL texts. The study revealed that when teachers encouraged learners to use their mother tongue, they became more active and asked questions for clarity. Moreover, the study revealed that code-switching and language brokering, where Grade 4 emergent ESL learners and the ESL teacher translate or interpret using both the learners' native language and ESL, helped increase learner engagement and comprehension. The findings suggest that using translanguaging practices can enhance comprehension, support learners with special needs and assist in the overall learning and understanding of ESL. Furthermore, the study concluded that Grade 4 ESL teachers employ translanguaging procedures in an unplanned manner, perceiving the use of the mother tongue as a spontaneous action carried out when circumstances require it. This study recommends incorporating translanguaging into the official language policy and the National Curriculum for Basic Education as a means of instruction in ESL classrooms. This official endorsement would guarantee the integration of translanguaging across schools and support consistent language learning. The formalisation and endorsement of translanguaging in the official language policy would prove its success and encourage ESL teachers to utilise it.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 202
Enhancing the effectiveness of the Thaumatotibia Leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) sterile insect technique release programme
Full text linkThe false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key phytosanitary pest in the South African citrus industry. Due to its cryptic nature and its endemic presence in sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of host plants, and eradication is not possible. However, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has been incorporated into an Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management (AW-IPM) programme to induce widespread population suppression. The successful implementation of the SIT programme required a series of well-researched phases, with one key phase being the determination of an effective overflooding ratio, previously established at 10:1. Despite this, various studies of T. leucotreta SIT programmes have reported higher release ratios than 10:1 in orchards, necessitating an investigation into their efficacy. This thesis aimed to understand the effects of higher release ratios, different combinations of sterile and fertile T. leucotreta of both sexes, compatibility of SIT and the egg parasitoid Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae, and the pre-release mating levels during production and release stages to improve the effectiveness of the T. leucotreta SIT programme. This study initially investigated the impact of different ratios of sterile and fertile adults on fruit damage, sterile male competitiveness, and population growth in laboratory cages using Washington Navel oranges. Sterilised to fertile T. leucotreta adults at ratios of 0:1 (control), 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, and 60:1 were placed inside insect-rearing cages and allowed to mate, oviposit and infest the fruit. Treatment cages receiving sterile T. leucotreta produced significantly fewer damaged fruit, larval entries, and F1 adults compared to the control. The number of damaged fruit, larval entries, and F1 adults negatively correlated with the increase in the overflooding ratio of sterile to fertile T. leucotreta. Control cages had significantly higher fecundity and fertility compared to treatment cages. The 60:1 ratio exhibited the lowest per generation rate of increase (<1× from the parental [P1] to the F1 generation) compared to the 10:1 ratio (current release ratio). The effects of different combinations of both treated (T) and untreated (U) male (M) and female (F) adult T. leucotreta: UM×UF (control), TM×UF, UM×TF, TM×TF, and UM×UF×TM×TF on fruit damage, mating competitiveness, and per-generation rate of increase were tested. The treatments were housed in insect-rearing cages containing Navel oranges and allowed to mate, oviposit, and infest the fruit. Treatment cages with both treated male and female T. leucotreta had significantly fewer damaged fruit, larval entries, and emerged F1 adults compared to the control cages, except for the UM×UF×TM×TF combination. Similarly, control cages and UM×UF×TM×TF treatments had significantly Higher fecundity and fertility compared to other treatments. The TM×UF combination exhibited the lowest rate of increase per generation (<0.57× from the parental [P1] to F1 generation). A field cage study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various overflooding ratios and different combinations of sterile and fertile male and female T. leucotreta. However, the results were limited, and inconclusive due to collection of insufficient data, as the fruit infestation level was low. This could be attributed to the low quality of the moths released or effects of environmental variables on the moths. A laboratory study explored the susceptibility of T. leucotreta eggs resulting from various pairings of sterile and fertile moths to parasitism by Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae. The ratios of sterile to fertile T. leucotreta used were: 0:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, and 60:1. The resulting eggs were then exposed to T. cryptophlebiae for parasitism, and the parasitism rates of newly laid (24 h), 48 h and 72 h old eggs were evaluated. Overall, eggs from all ratios were suitable for T. cryptophlebiae development and acceptable for oviposition. Significantly higher number of parasitised eggs were recorded between the control (0:1) and ratios 40:1 and 60:1 at 48 h old eggs. Additionally, a higher proportion of flying T. cryptophlebiae emerged across the ratios, with a higher proportion of female-to-male sex ratio. Pre-release mating levels were studied during the production and release stages, divided into three stages: moth eclosion, irradiation, and release. A significantly higher number of spermatophores and percentages of mated female T. leucotreta were recorded at the eclosion and irradiation stages in January. Similarly, in May, a significantly higher number of spermatophores and percentages of mated female T. leucotreta were recoded post-irradiation and release stages in the Sundays River Valley region (SRV). Overall results indicated more spermatophores and percentages of mated female T. leucotreta at the irradiation and release stages in the SRV region. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that a release ratio exceeding 40:1 and different combinations of sterile and fertile T. leucotreta, especially the TM×UF combination, has a suppressive effect against T. leucotreta and integrating SIT with T. cryptophlebiae, shows potential for enhancing the effectiveness of the T. leucotreta SIT programme. Additionally, the mating competitiveness of sterile insects in dual-sex releases can be improved by controlling the level of pre-release matings.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 202
Beyond prose: Review of 'Poetic Inquiry for the Humanities and Social Sciences: Voices from the South and the North'
Full text linkThe 54 authors of this book reflect on the use of poetic inquiry at a time when feminist, decolonial, and post-humanist researchers are raising concerns about the ways in which qualitative data collection and dissemination can silence some and reduce the experiences of others by adhering to the often-arbitrary restrictions of academic texts. Poetic inquiry, the authors of this book argue, should be welcoming, invite new perspectives, and make possible alternative interpretations of the social world. Sadly, as Pithouse-Morgan indicates, poetry is often associated with negative rather than positive educational experiences (p.201). For many of us, poetry is about mysterious meanings that our schoolteachers berated us for being too dense to access. While my own interest in poetic inquiry is in how we can use it to create and disseminate research, many authors in this book, such as Hough, Peté and Ndlovu, suggest that poetry can also be used “to teach complex topics from different points of view, make people more self-aware, encourage dialogue and empathy, grow social awareness, and raise ethical questions” (p.169). Badenhorst and McLeod point out that this can be challenging when working in neoliberal universities that turn us into human capital in service of competition and efficiency over social justice and equity. They suggest that poetry can help us to shift to a world “of senses and feeling [that] can provide a way to resist the tendrils of neoliberalism” (p.126)
Interpretations of a contemporary transgender representation as encountered in the South African soap opera, Generations: The Legacy by Ndakane’s rural audience
Full text linkThe study investigates how people from Ndakane, a rural community in the Eastern Cape, interpret a transgender narrative in the soap opera Generations: The Legacy. Located within the theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on how Ndakane residents bring their understanding of gender and sexuality, derived from their lived sociocultural experiences, to their decoding of the transgender narrative. The study is contextualised against the backdrop of prevalent hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in South Africa, particularly in rural and township areas, where such violence is reported to be more severe. This study contributes to the broader discourse on media representation, audience reception, and the role of cultural narratives in shaping societal attitudes toward marginalised identities. The research highlights the significance of media representations of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in soap operas like Generations: The Legacy, in fostering visibility and potentially enhancing acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ communities. By examining the sociocultural factors that influence audience interpretations, the study investigates how the portrayal of a transgender character offers viewers an opportunity to challenge and rethink their preconceived notions of gender and sexuality. Using Stuart Hall's (1980) Encoding/Decoding model, the study analyses the audience's dominant, negotiated, and oppositional reading positions when engaging with the transgender narrative. A qualitative research approach was employed to gather and analyse data. The findings reveal that the interpretation of the transgender storyline among Ndakane residents aligns with Hall’s (1980) concept of polysemy, indicating that viewers derived varied meanings from the narrative. While some viewers embraced the storyline as an opportunity to explore new perspectives on gender and sexuality, others adopted negotiated readings. Although these viewers did not entirely align with the ideological stance of the producers, they nonetheless accepted the narrative and its implications to some extent, acknowledging it as an acceptable representation. These findings underline the critical role of media in shaping public discourse on LGBTQ+ issues, especially in culturally conservative spaces. By offering a nuanced exploration of audience interpretations, the study underscores the transformative potential of media to challenge deeply rooted social biases and foster inclusivity in communities that may otherwise remain resistant to change.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalism and Media Studies, 202
On β-Normal Spaces
Full text linkThis thesis revisits some types of normal spaces, namely, β-normal spaces and α-normal spaces, which were introduced by Arkhangel’skii and Ludwig in 2001. We study some properties of these spaces with a focus on improving some of the already existing properties and exploring new properties that are not available in the literature. Under β-normal spaces, among other things, we characterize these spaces using some types of open sets. We use the ultrafilter space to answer Murtinova’s question about the existence of a β-normal and regular space which is not Tychonoff. α-normal spaces are described in terms of countable open sets, a result imitating that of normality. It turns out that continuous functions which are onto, open and closed preserve β-normality, while those which are injective, open and closed reflect α-normality. The notion of β-normal spaces is extended to the category of bitopological spaces where we characterize these bitopological spaces simultaneously in terms of i-open sets, (i, j)-preopen and (i, j)-α-open sets. We study the interrelations of these spaces with other bitopological spaces.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 202
The isolation and characterisation of secondary metabolites from Brachylaena ilicifolia
No full textAccess restricted. Expected release date 2027.Thesis (MSc (Pharm)) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 202
Simplified Taxation in Africa: What We Know – and Need to Know
No full textMost economic operators in Africa are small and informal firms that fall under the purview of presumptive or simplified tax regimes (STRs). These taxes are expected to fulfil a range of functions, from raising revenue to facilitating formalisation and improving revenue authorities' data, and yet their effectiveness and impact are surprisingly under-researched. Meanwhile, emerging evidence suggests that STRs often raise little revenue, disproportionately impact low-income earners, and are inconsistently applied. This policy brief summarises what we know about simplified taxes in Africa, who pays them, and why they matter, while highlighting gaps in existing knowledge. It makes the argument that there is a need for a new policy conversation on simplified taxation, and one that is data-driven and evidence-based
An analysis of the role of tax legislation in promoting sustainability in the mining industry: a South African, Australian and United Kingdom perspective
Full text linkThe mining industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, but is fraught with controversies due to its negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Although tax measures are established to offset these negative externalities, the role of tax provisions in promoting sustainability within South Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored. The goal of this study is to analyse the tax provisions aimed at promoting sustainability in the mining industry in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom, in order to identify tax provisions applying in Australia and the United Kingdom that could be introduced into South African tax legislation to strengthen the sustainability of the mining industry. In addressing the goal of the research, the thesis outlines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining in South Africa, discusses the sustainability discourse surrounding the industry, and analyses and compares tax provisions promoting sustainability in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. An interpretative qualitative research methodology was applied in the study. The research highlighted the significant environmental degradation caused by mining, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also noting the socio-economic consequences, particularly for local communities and vulnerable groups. South African tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the Carbon Tax Act, aim to promote mine rehabilitation, fair taxation, contribution to the fiscus, and a reduction in emissions. What is evident from the analysis of tax provisions in Australia and the United Kingdom is that tax measures go beyond mine rehabilitation, and address issues such as tax transparency, energy consumption, and community investments, promoting sustainability by balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The study concludes that current tax interventions primarily address environmental degradation while neglecting the social impacts of mining. Optimizing tax policies to enhance sustainability requires a comprehensive, balanced approach that addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects, including adopting practices from Australia and the United Kingdom to promote tax transparency, community investment, and environmental protection.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 202