University of South Africa

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    E-grocery supply chain innovation and financial inclusion: A framework

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    This paper explores the contextual influences of financial inclusion on e-grocery supply chain innovation. In particular, we explore how diverse financial models spur e-grocery supply chain innovations in a historical apartheid context of South Africa's township and rural communities. The unique context of e-grocery retail companies and the inherited structures of apartheid townships in South Africa present a peculiar context where unfamiliar economic models and prohibited business activities present deep insights into how such markets function. Using the multi-case study approach, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with grocery retailers that use mobile applications. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti. The findings show that bank payment options have not been designed with e-grocery adoption and supply chain innovation in mind. The evidence further shows that the financial inclusion options given specific enablers provide a platform for e-grocery markets to adopt e-business, innovate their business models, subsidize payment infrastructural costs, and minimize e-customers’ transactional trust and privacy concerns. This according to the findings, enables small firms to reach the digitally challenged market, whilst bridging the digital divide.Colleges of Economic and Management Science

    The impact of licensing on selected hazardous waste disposal facilities in South Africa

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    This research evaluates the impact of waste licensing conditions on the operations of three selected hazardous waste disposal facilities, particularly in terms of compliance with conditions of the issued waste management licences (WML). Furthermore, the costs that are associated with complying with WML conditions, the difficulties encountered by the landfill operators when complying with the WML conditions and the impact of licenced waste disposal on groundwater, was also evaluated. In South Africa, at the time of this study only seven commercial hazardous waste disposal facilities were licensed. However, construction at one of these facilities had not commenced, operations had just commenced at another, and one site was being decommissioned. Therefore, three waste disposal facilities were selected for this study when access to the fourth facility was withdrawn. Qualitative research methods were used to collect data, to evaluate difficulties encountered by landfill operators while ensuring compliance and the costs that were incurred while ensuring compliance. An open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data on difficulties, while a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the costs that were incurred, and the responses to the questionnaires were provided during site visits conducted by the researcher. The effects of licenced waste disposal facilities on groundwater and the evaluation of landfill compliance with waste management licence conditions were assessed by reviewing external audit reports for the past three years. The findings of the study revealed that the landfill operators have largely been able to comply with WML conditions even though there were difficulties with some of the WML conditions. The study revealed that the costs of complying with conditions of a WML for a hazardous waste disposal site were very high. The study also revealed that the impact of waste disposal activities on groundwater quality was minimal at all three facilities at the time when the external auditors conducted the audits. The study recommends that authorities should work on improving efficiency when processing WML variation applications and there is an opportunity for future research on how authorities should improve efficiency in decision making.M.A. (Environmental ManagementEnvironmental Science

    Perceptions of nurse educators towards online education in a public nursing college in the KwaZulu Natal province

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    Background: The 4th industrial revolution has brought about a plethora of changes in the educational landscape. While online education is growing at a tremendous rate in higher education, in South Africa, its use in Nursing Education is a relatively new phenomenon. The purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurse educators have towards online education. Methodology: An explorative, descriptive, qualitative research design was used to collect data in the form of individual face-to-face semi structured interviews from nurse educators at 3 selected campuses that form part of the greater public nursing college in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Data saturation was reached after 21 interviews. The sampling method used was convenience sampling. The interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed verbatim before the data was analysed using a computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS), namely NVivo. Findings: The four themes that emerged from the study included: perceived advantages of online education; perceived disadvantages of online education; perceived barriers for effective implementation of online education; and the perceived measures that can be used to promote the use of online education. Conclusion: The study concludes that online education is perceived by nurse educators to have both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, in order to promote the use of online education modalities in the province, it is vital that institutions attend to those perceived disadvantages whilst enhancing perceived advantages. The study determined that the perceived barriers to the effective implementation of online education included lack of infrastructure, inadequate technology skills as well as little or no support. Therefore, successful implementation of online education is dependent upon collaboration amongst all stakeholders. Recommendations: It is recommended that nursing education institutions provide adequate infrastructure and equipment; proper training and support; improves the attitudes of nurse educators; reduces the potential for dishonesty during online assessments; encourages innovative ways of teaching and learning; have procedures and policies in place that support online education; and have clear predetermined working arrangements to make online education suitable to the practical component.M.A. (Nursing Science)Health Studie

    Exploring the effects of Housing crisis in developing rural townships: case of Josefa rural township in Soweto, South Africa

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    Text in English with abstracts in English, Sepedi and TsongaThe study investigates issues of housing faced by the community of Josefa. It assesses the impact of housing crisis in this township of Soweto, Josefa, South Africa. It is being conducted against the background of the country’s achievements since democracy in 1994. At the time, people were promised that there will be changes, ranging from equality and good access to service delivery. However, many South Africans including some residents of Josefa, continue to experience housing crisis. In Josefa area, most people are living in backyard shacks. In this study, the researcher used snowball sampling technique, to select a sample from the population. Secondary data collection method entailed reviewing secondary documents such as books and articles from journals, internet, and newspapers. Primary data collection entailed collecting data from selected research participants through conducting in-depth telephonic interviews. The study also discusses the importance of social housing in addressing housing issues in areas of Soweto, Josefa. The result of the study shows that there is still a huge gab in addressing housing provisioning in Josefa area. People still depend on back yard shacks as a primary source of dwelling and paying rent. The residents blame the government for failing fulfil their promise made after apartheid in 1994, to provide good service delivery. In terms of land acquisition, high urbanisation and migration contributed to municipality inability to provide effect service delivery especially housing provisioning. The results of the study will contribute to ensuring access to basic housing service provision by recommending measures to address policy gaps. This will ensure policy responsiveness and promote the citizens’ socio-economic development and empowerment, because their quality of lives will be enhanced.Lolu cwaningo lucwaninga ngezinkinga zezindlu ezibhekene nomphakathi waseJosefa. Luhlola umthelela wenkinga yezindlu eJosefa, ilokishi laseSoweto, eNingizimu Afrika. Ucwaningo lwenziwe ngenxa yempumelelo yezwe kusukela ekuqaleni kombuso wentando yeningi ngo-1994. Ngaleso sikhathi, abantu bathenjiswa ukuthi kuzoba nezinguquko ezifana nokulingana kuya ekulethweni kwezidingo zomphakathi. Nokho, abantu abaningi baseNingizimu Afrika, kuhlanganise nezakhamuzi zaseJosefa, basabhekene nenkinga yezindlu. Endaweni yaseJosefa, abantu abaningi bahlala emijondolo engemuva kwezindlu. Kulolu cwaningo, umcwaningi usebenzise indlela yokusampula yokuthola abanye abantu ngokuyalelwa abanye asebeyiphendulile imibuzo ukuze akhethe abanye. Indlela eqavile yokuqoqa imininingo ifake kuyo ukuyiqoqa ngokuba nezingxoxo ezijulile ngocingo nababambiqhaza abakhethiwe. Indlela yesibili yokuqoqwa kwemininingo ifake kuyo ukubukeza eminye imiqulu efana nezincwadi nemibhalo ekumajenali ahlonishwayo, ku-intanethi kanye nakumaphephandaba. Ucwaningo ludingida ukubaluleka kokubhekana nezinkinga zezindlu ezindaweni ezinjengaseJosefa eSoweto. Imiphumela yocwaningo ikhombisa ukuthi kusenesidingo esikhulu sokuhlinzekwa kwezindlu endaweni yaseJosefa. Abantu basancike ekukhokheni irenti emijondolo engemuva kwezindlu njengokuyiyona ndlela eqavile yokuba nendawo yokuhlala. Izakhamuzi zisola uhulumeni ngokwehluleka ukufeza izithembiso zakhe zokuhlinzekwa kwezidingo zomphakathi ezenziwa ngenkathi kuqedwa uBandlululo ngo-1994. Izinga eliphakeme lokushintshela kumadolobha nokufuduka linomthelela ekuhlulekeni komasipala ukuhlinzeka izidingo ngempumelelo, ikakhulukazi ukuhlinzeka izindlu. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo izoba negalelo ekuqinisekiseni ukufinyelela kwabantu ekutholakaleni kwezindlu eziyisisekelo ngokuncoma izinyathelo okumele zithathwe ukubhekana nezinkinga zenqubomgomo. Lokhu kuzoqinisekisa ukusabela kwenqubomgomo futhi kukhuthaze ukuthuthukiswa kwenhlalomnotho yezakhamuzi kuphinde kunikeze amandla ngoba izingabunjalo lezimpilo zazo lizothuthuka.Dyondzo yi lavisisa timhaka ta tindlu leti langutaneke na vaaki vaka Josefa. Yi hlela ntshikelelo wa swiphiqo swa tindlu eka Josefa, dorobatsongo leri kumekaka Soweto,e Afrika Dzonga. Dyondzo yi endliwile ehenhla ka xiyimo xa ku humelela ka tiko ku sukela ku sungula ka xidimokirasi hi 1994. Hi nkarhi wolowo, vanhu va tshembhisiwile leswaku ku ta va na ku cinca loku ku nga ta sukela eka ndzingano ku ya eka mphakelo wa vukorhokeri. Hambiswiritano, MaAfrika Dzonga votala, ku katsa vatshami va ka Josefa, va ya emahlweni va hlangana na swiphiqo swa tindlu. Eka ndhawu ya ka Josefa, vanhu va tshama emikhukhwini ya le handle ka majarata. Eka dyondzo leyi, mulavisisi u tirhisile thekiniki ya sampulu yo lava vanhu ku hlawula sampulu ku suka eka tlawa wa vanhu. Maendlelo ya nhlengeleto wa datara ya masungulo ya katsile ku hlengeleta datara hi ku endla tiinthavhiyu to burisana hi riqingho na vatekaxiave lava hlawuriweke. Maendlelo ya nhlengeleto wa datara yavumbirhi ya katsile ku langutisisa hi vuntshwa tidokhumente ta vumbirhi to fana na tibuku na tiatikili to huma eka tijenali leti tekeriwaka enhlokweni, inthanete na maphephahungu. Dyondzo yi kanela nkoka wa ku ololoxa swiphiqo swa timhaka ta tindlu eka tindhawu to fana na le ka Josefa eSoweto. Mbuyelo wa dyondzo wu kombisa leswaku ka ha ri na xilaveko xa mphakelo wa tindlu eka ndhawu ya ka Josefa. Vanhu va ha hakela rhente ya mikhukhu ya le handle ka majarata tanihi tindlu ta vona. Vatshami va sola mfumo eka ku tsandzeka ku hetisisa switshembhiso swa wona swa mphakelo wa kahle wa vukorhokeri leswi endliweke loko ku herisiwa Xihlawuhlawu hi 1994. Mimpimo yo ya emadorobeni hi xiyimo xa le henhla na ku rhura swi nghenisa xiave eka ku tsandzeka ka timasipala ku va ti nyika vukorhokeri lebyi hetisekeke, ngopfu ngopfu bya mphakelo wa tindlu. Mbuyelo wa dyondzo leyi wu ta nghenisa xiave eka ku tiyisisa mfikelelo wa tindlu hi ku bumabumela magoza yo ololoxa mavangwa ya pholisi. Leswi swi ta tiyisisa ku hlamula ka pholisi na ku phuromota nhluvukiso wa ikhonomi ya vaaki na ku nyikiwa matimba hikuva nkoka wa vutomi bya vona wu ta tlakusiwa.M.A. (Development Studies)Development Studie

    Spiritual Fathering in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Southern and Western Africa Toward an Inclusive Model

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    This article studied the metaphor of spiritual fathering within Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in southern and western Africa. In these churches, the pastor of a congregation is not only perceived as a shepherd of the flock but also as a spiritual father. The main study findings revealed three challenges of spiritual fathering: exclusion of women, illtreatment of spiritual children, and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Spiritual fathering neglects the role of women pastors and women church founders in spiritual parenting. Similarly, some imbalances exist in the relationship between spiritual fathers and spiritual children. Some “spiritual fathers” use spiritual fathering to perpetuate GBV and other types of abuse. The main objective of this article is to redefine the metaphor of “spiritual fathering” in the religious community through the parenthood model as a theoretical framework. The article recommends inclusive metaphor in contrast to the current challenges of spiritual fathering in popular religion.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog

    Connecting the dots: uncovering the relationships between challenges confronting Africa's organ transplant supply chain systems

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    Abstract Purpose – This study aims to develop a hierarchical model that uncovers the relationships between challenges confronting Africa’s organ transplant supply chain systems. Design/methodology/approach – Eleven challenges (variables) were identified after a comprehensive review of the existing literature. The contextual interactions among these variables were analysed from the perspectives of health-care stakeholders in two sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries (Nigeria and Uganda), using Delphi-interpretive structural modelling-cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) techniques. Findings – The findings reveal that weak regulatory frameworks, insufficient information systems and a lack of necessary skills make it challenging for critical actors to perform the tasks effectively. The interaction effects of these challenges weaken organ supply chains and make it less efficient, giving rise to negative externalities such as black markets for donated organs and organ tourism/trafficking. Research limitations/implications – This paper establishes a solid foundation for a critical topic that could significantly impact human health and life once the government or non-profit ecosystem matures. The MICMAC analysis in this paper provides a methodological approach for future studies wishing to further develop the organ supply chain structural models. Practical implications – The study provides valuable insights for experts and policymakers on where to prioritise efforts in designing interventions to strengthen organ transplantation supply chains in developing countries. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to empirically examine the challenges of organ transplant supply chains from an SSA perspective, including theoretically grounded explanations from data collected in two developing countries.Colleges of Economic and Management Science

    Exploring instructional leadership practices of campus managers in influencing students’ academic achievements in TVET colleges in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, provinces of South Africa

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    The South African Constitution (RSA, 1996), Section 29, states that “everyone has a right to basic education, including adult basic education, and to further education, which the State, through reasonable measures, most make progressively available and accessible”. It was on this basis that TVET colleges were established to accommodate young school leavers and adults with skills, knowledge, and good attitude in preparing them for the world of work. Studies on leadership at TVET colleges and poor performance revealed that poor performance was some of the main findings in TVET colleges. This study therefore aimed to explore instructional leadership practices of campus managers in influencing students’ academic achievement at TVET colleges in the Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces. A qualitative research approach with a case-study design method was used in this study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select participating TVET colleges and at each TVET college, ten people participated. This included campus managers, two HoDs (one NCV and one NATED), two lecturers (one NCV and one NATED) and five students (two NCV, two NATED and one SRC). Data analysis for this study was done through coding and organised into categories and themes which were interpreted. The findings of the study linked to the literature revealed that there are weaknesses concerning the instructional leadership practices of campus managers in executing instructional leadership roles to ensure that the teaching and learning process is effective. Campus managers are not aware of the roles they should play as instructional leaders in monitoring the entire process of teaching and learning. They believe that HoDs can play those roles and provide reports to campus managers concerning the teaching and learning process. Campus managers further highlighted that their work overload and insufficient time were some of the factors that made them not execute their instructional practices as they are expected to. This led them to delegate their instructional tasks to HoDs, and them focusing more on administrative duties. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to assist campus managers. One of the recommendations was to advise the DHET or TVET colleges’ head offices to give campus managers intensive trainings on instructional leadership. These training, workshops, courses, or seminars would assist in making campus managers know their roles as instructional leaders and this would enable them to support, monitor and develop lecturers for the improvement of students’ academic achievement.D. Phil. (Education (Education Management))Educational Leadership and Managemen

    Search for Majorana neutrinos in same-sign WW scattering events from pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s}=13 s = 13  TeV

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    Abstract A search for Majorana neutrinos in same-sign WW scattering events is presented. The analysis uses s=13\sqrt{s}= 13 s = 13  TeV proton–proton collision data with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb 1^{-1} - 1 recorded during 2015–2018 by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis targets final states including exactly two same-sign muons and at least two hadronic jets well separated in rapidity. The modelling of the main backgrounds, from Standard Model same-sign WW scattering and WZ production, is constrained with data in dedicated signal-depleted control regions. The distribution of the transverse momentum of the second-hardest muon is used to search for signals originating from a heavy Majorana neutrino with a mass between 50 GeV and 20 TeV. No significant excess is observed over the background expectation. The results are interpreted in a benchmark scenario of the Phenomenological Type-I Seesaw model. In addition, the sensitivity to the Weinberg operator is investigated. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are placed on the squared muon-neutrino–heavy-neutrino mass-mixing matrix element VμN2\vert V_{\mu N} \vert ^{2} | V μ N | 2 as a function of the heavy Majorana neutrino’s mass mNm_N m N , and on the effective μμ\mu \mu μ μ Majorana neutrino mass mμμ|m_{\mu \mu }| | m μ μ |

    Structural and luminescence properties of NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ and NaGdF4:Yb3+/Nd3+ powder nanocrystals for possible application in photovoltaic solar cells

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    NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ and NaGdF4:Yb3+/Nd3+ nanocrystals were prepared using a solution combustion (SC) method and their properties were evaluated for potential use as photon harvesters in photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). The dopant concentrations were varied (10–30 mol% Yb3+, 1–3 mol% Er3+/Nd3+), and the samples went through an annealing process at 600 and 700 °C. The effect of doping and annealing on their structure, morphology, photon absorbance, photoluminescence (PL), and thermoluminescence (TL) was investigated. The α-cubic and β-hexagonal phases of the nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Changing the dopant concentration and annealing temperature, respectively caused a distinct change in morphology (cubic to hexagonal and rod-like). It was observed that photon absorption occurred in the range from visible to near infrared (NIR), and bandgap values were greatly reduced. PL demonstrated upconversion (UC) and effective transfer of energy from Yb3+ to Er3+ ions, and also from Yb3+ to Nd3+ ions. The UC luminescence was boosted by annealing the nanocrystals. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the nanocrystals shed light on their stable temperatures, while the defects within the materials were investigated using TL. The kinetics involved in the electron trapping centres were found to be that of first order, and the depth of the electron trapping centres was determined using the initial rise (IR) method.M. Sc. (Physics)Physic

    Development and validation of a cultured meat neophobia scale: Industry implications for South Africa

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    Interest in evaluating cultured meat neophobia is growing as the development of this product continues to progress. As the available evaluation tools have imprecise wording and fall short of providing critical information, this study endeavoured to develop a neophobia scale that captured product-specific nuances of cultured meat. The developed scale was tested using data collected in South Africa. Factor and correlation analyses were conducted to determine the dominant consumer concerns and the groups in society that would face the greatest psychological hinderances to adopting of cultured meat. The study's findings show generally low neophobia in the South African market. Negative sentiment was dominated by meat quality concerns while health, food safety, social and cultural concerns, which normally form stronger objections to food acceptance, were low. The study predicts that market penetration would be hardest among older consumers, due to their relatively higher neophobia. However, if marketing efforts are targeted at addressing consumers’ social concerns, marginal increases in acceptance may be experienced among meat-eaters, people reducing their meat consumption, household heads and consumers from high-income provinces. The study concludes that collaboration between the public and private sectors in the provision of legislation guiding food safety and the setting of quality standards will be key to addressing consumer concerns in the evolving protein supply market.Graduate School of Business Leadershi

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