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Exploring corporate sustainability disruptions in the fast-moving consumer goods retail industry : case of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
No full textHow corporate sustainability is ensured by businesses is a crucial aspect of the twenty-first century business environment. This study explored the perceptions of operations managers in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) retail sector on measures that could be taken to mitigate corporate sustainability disruptions afflicting the industry.
The management of disruptions and risks has become an important topic on the agendas of boards of directors; however, most boards of directors are still not doing enough to mitigate corporate sustainability disruptions afflicting the FMCG sector. For this research, the sustainability theory was adopted to explain corporate sustainability disruptions and the strategies ideal for mitigating these disruptions. Theories of sustainability attempt to prioritise and integrate social responses to environmental and cultural concerns, and sustain an economic model that seeks to uphold natural and financial capital as well as an ecological model that seeks to maintain biological diversity and ecological integrity, together with a political model seeks social arrangements that recognise human dignity. Religion has entered the debate with symbolic, critical, and motivating resources for cultural transformation.
This study is significant to FMCG retail practices because the findings may contribute to knowledge on mitigating corporate sustainability disruptions. It is also relevant for boards of directors, shareholders, academics, and management students because the results may enhance their understanding of risk management and sound corporate governance. The study used a qualitative phenomenological approach that was guided by an interpretivism perspective. For data collection, ten operations managers in the FMCG retail sector in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality were interviewed using semi-structured questions. The sample was collected using non-probability convenient sampling. The major findings revealed that the main corporate sustainability disruptors in the FMCG retail sector are cultural diversity, a lack of top management dedication, a lack of knowledge and understanding, and a lack of information, intelligence, vision, financial resources, and competence. Thus, the study proposes methods for mitigating the corporate sustainability disruptions that plague the FMCG retail business.MBM (Master of Business Management)Business Managemen
Risk management framework for microfinance institutions in Ethiopia: a methodological triangulation approach
No full textText in English with abstracts in English, Tswana and ZuluThe primary challenge of microfinance is that it offers unsecured financial services,
primarily in order to assist low-income households. In the twenty-first century, the
focus on expansion and outreach by microfinance institutions has been accompanied
by crises and failures, mainly due to risk. Risk management is therefore a crucial
concern for microfinance institutions. Currently, only a limited number of studies have
been done on risk management in Ethiopia, the majority of which are master's theses
that focus primarily on selected microfinance institutions and operational-level risk
categories. Too far, few or no studies have explored the function of risk management
foundations in risk management framework.
By using a methodological triangulation approach, this study examines the risk
management strategies and frameworks of Ethiopian microfinance institutions. Using
a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, 610 respondents from 20
microfinance institutions and 15 interviewees who are senior officials and experts in
the microfinance industry were surveyed. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with
AMOS version 23 and SPSS Statistics 26 were employed as the analytical models.
AMOS was used for confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis, while SPSS was
used for descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor
analysis was utilised to assess the reliability and validity of the conceptual model;
SEM, in conjunction with multi-group analysis, was used to test the model’s
hypotheses.
All variables, including risk culture, board effectiveness, internal controls, and internal
audit, have a positive and significant effect on risk management performance. In
addition, the study uncovered the moderating effect of microfinance institution
ownership structure on the connection between exogenous dimensions (risk culture, board effectiveness, internal control, and internal audit) and endogenous dimensions
(risk management performance). The result demonstrated that ownership structure
has a moderating effect on the association between exogenous constructs (risk culture
and board) and endogenous construct (risk management performance).
The study further uncovered a significant indirect effect of internal audit on risk
management performance through the partial mediation of internal control
The findings suggest that foundational aspects like risk culture, board effectiveness,
internal control, and internal audit are crucial to consider in MFI’s risk management.
The study contributes to existing literature by providing empirical data on the model
under consideration, as well as providing a number of significant theoretical and
practical implications of the research.Kgwetlho e kgolo ya ditirelopotlana tsa ditšhelete e mo go thuseng malapa a a nang
le lotseno le le kwa tlase ka go a neela ditirelo tse di se nang tshireletsotlotlo tsa
ditšhelete. Mo seemong seno, ntlha ya taolo ya matshosetsi e tswelela go nna maleba
thata. Fa e sale go tloga ka tshimologo ya ngwagakgolo ono, kgolo le tlamelo ya
ditirelo tsa ditheo tsa ditirelopotlana tsa ditšhelete (di-MFI) di tsamaya mmogo le
mathata le go palelwa go go amanang le matshosetsi, mme seno se dira gore taolo
ya matshosetsi e nne botlhokwa thata mo ditheong tseno. Go dirilwe dithutopatlisiso
di le mmalwa fela ka ga taolo ya matshosetsi kwa Ethiopia, ntle le ditlhotlhomiso di le
mmalwa tsa maemothuto a mmasetase tse go le gantsi di tsepamisang mo ditheong
tse di rileng tsa ditirelopotlana tsa ditšhelete le mo ditlhopheng tsa matshosetsi a a mo
maemong a tiriso le tiragatso. Ke dithutopatlisiso di le mmalwa kgotsa ga go na
dithutopatlisiso dipe tse di ikaegileng ka maitemogelo a mmatota tse di batlisitseng tiro
ya metheo ya taolo ya matshosetsi e e mo teng ga letlhomeso la taolo ya matshosetsi.
Thutopatlisiso eno e lekotse mekgwatiriso ya taolo ya matshosetsi le matlhomeso a
di-MFI tsa Ethiopia, go dirisiwa mekgwa e mentsi ya go bapisa tshedimosetso e e
kgobokanngwang le go sekasekiwa ka go dirisa netefatso ya tshedimosetso e e
dirwang ka go bapisa metswedi ya yone. Ka ntlha ya seo, baikarabedi ba le 610 go
tswa mo ba le 20 le batlhankedi-bagolwane ba le 15 le baitseanape ba MFI ba
boditswe dipotso go dirisiwa mokgwa o go dirisiwang dikgato tse di latelanang go
kgobokanya le go sekaseka tshedimosetso. Mo dikaong tsa tshekatsheko tse di
dirisitsweng, go akareditswe Sekao sa Tshekatsheko ya Kamano fa gare ga
Ditlhotlhomisiwa (SEM), ka tiriso ya AMOS v. 23 mo tshekatshekong ya tlhomamiso
ya nepagalo ya dikamano (CFA) le tshekatsheko ya tlhotlheletsano ya ditlhotlhomisiwa
mo kamanong ya tsone, fa go dirisitswe SPSS v. 26 mo tshekatshekong e e fokotsang
tshedimosetso e e tlhalosang le e e batlisisang sengwe se se rileng gore e
tlhaloganyesege. Go dirisitswe CFA go tlhatlhoba boikanyego le nepagalo ya sekao
se se ka ga kgopolo nngwe, fa go dirisitswe SEM le tshekatsheko ya ditlhophantsi go
dira teko ya ditshitsinyo tsa sekao. Go fitlhetswe gore tiro ya taolo ya matshosetsi e
amiwa ka tsela e e siameng le ya botlhokwa ke dikarolwana tsotlhe, go akaretsa
megopolo le maitshwaro a a matshosetsi, boto ya MFI, taolo ya yone ya ka fa gare le
boruni jwa ka fa gare. Mo godimo ga moo, go fitlhetswe fa thulaganyo ya go nna mong
wa MFI e sekaseka kamano fa gare ga dikakanyo tse di ikaegileng ka mabaka a kwa
ntle (megopolo le maitshwaro a a matshosetsi, boto, taolo ya ka fa gare le boruni jwa
ka fa gare) le kakanyo ya ka fa gare (tiro ya taolo ya matshosetsi). Tshekatsheko ya
kamano e senotse gore thulaganyo ya go nna mong e sekasekile fela kamano fa gare
ga dikakanyo tse di ikaegileng ka mabaka a kwa ntle tsa megopolo le maitshwaro a a
kotsi le boto, le kakanyo ya ka fa gare ya tiro ya taolo ya matshosetsi. Diphitlhelelo
tseno di supa gore go botlhokwa go akanyetsa dikarolwana tsa motheo tse di jaaka
megopolo le maitshwaro a a matshosetsi, boto, taolo ya ka fa gare le boruni jwa ka fa
gare fa go dirwa taolo ya matshosetsi a MFI. Tiro e na le seabe mo tshedimosetsong
le kitso e e maleba mo porofešeneng e e rileng ka go neela deitha ya mmatota ka ga
sekao se se tlhatlhobiwang, mo godimo ga go lemoga ditlamorago di le mmalwa tsa
botlhokwa tsa tiori le tiragatso.Inselela enkulu yezezimali ezincane isekusizeni amakhaya ahola kancane
ngokuhlinzeka ngezinsizakalo zezezimali ezingavikelekile. Kulo mongo, udaba
lokulawulwa kobungozi luya ngokuya lubaluleka. Kusukela ekuqaleni kwaleli
khulunyaka, ukwanda kanye nokufinyelela ezikhungweni zezimali ezincane (ama-
MFIs) kuhambisane nezinkinga ezihambisana nobungozi kanye nokwehluleka,
okunikeza ukulawulwa kobungozi kubaluleke kakhulu kulezi zinkampani. Kuye
kwenziwa ucwaningo olulinganiselwe ekulawuleni ubungozi e-Ethiopia, ngaphandle
kwemibhalo yeziqu zobumpetha ezimbalwa ezigxile kakhulu ezinkampanini ezincane
zezimali ezikhethiwe kanye nezigaba zobungozi ezisezingeni lokusebenza. Zimbalwa
noma azikho izifundo ezicwaningayo eziphenye umsebenzi wezisekelo zokulawula
ubungozi ngaphakathi kohlaka lokulawula ubungozi. Lolu cwaningo luhlole amasu
okulawula ubungozi kanye nezinhlaka ze-Ethiopian MFIs, kusetshenziswa izindlela
ezingunxantathu. Ukuze kufezeke lokho, abaphenduli abangu-610 bezikhulu
eziphezulu ezingu-20 kanye ne-15 kanye nochwepheshe be-MFI babuzwa imibuzo
kusetshenziswa indlela yokulandelana exubile. Izifanekiso zokuhlaziya
zisetshenzisiwe, zihlanganisa Isifanekiso Sokuhlola Okuguquguqukayo Okuningi
(SEM), kanti i-AMOS v. 23 isetshenziselwa ukuhlaziywa kwesici sokuqinisekisa (i-
CFA) nokuhlaziywa kwendlela, kuyilapho i-SPSS v. 26 isetshenziselwa ukuhlaziywa
kwezinto ezichazayo nezihlolayo.
I-CFA yaqashwa ukuze ihlole ukwethembeka nokuba semthethweni kwesifanekiso
somqondo, kuyilapho i-SEM nokuhlaziywa kwamaqembu amaningi
kwasetshenziselwa ukuhlola okucatshangwayo kwesifanekiso. Ukusebenza
kokulawulwa kobungozi kutholwe kukuhle futhi kuthinteke kakhulu kuzo zonke izici,
okubandakanya isiko lobungozi, ibhodi le-MFI, ukulawula kwayo kwangaphakathi
kanye nocwaningomabhuku lwangaphakathi. Ukwengeza, isakhiwo sobunikazi be-
MFI sitholakale silinganisa ubudlelwano phakathi kobukhulu bangaphandle (isiko
lengozi, ibhodi, ukulawula kwangaphakathi kanye nocwaningomabhuku
lwangaphakathi) kanye nokwakhiwa okungapheli (ukusebenza kokulawulwa
kobungozi). Ukuhlaziywa kokulinganisela kuveze ukuthi ukwakheka kobunikazi
kwengamele kuphela ubudlelwano phakathi kokwakhiwa kwangaphandle kwesiko
lengozi kanye nebhodi, kanye nokwakhiwa okungapheli kokusebenza kokulawulwa
kobungozi. Lokhu okutholakele kukhombisa ukuthi izingxenye eziyisisekelo ezifana
nesiko lobungozi, ibhodi, ukulawulwa kwangaphakathi kanye nocwaningomabhuku
lwangaphakathi kubalulekile ukuthi kubhekwe lapho kwenziwa ukulawulwa kobungozi
kwe-MFI. Umsebenzi unikela endikimbeni yolwazi ngokunikeza imininingwane
yangempela yesifanekiso ngaphansi kokuhlolwa, ngaphezu kokuhlonza inani
lemiphumela ebalulekile yombono nengokoqobo.PhD. (Management Studies)Centre for Business Manangemen
Ukuphatha ukufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi emakolishi e-TVET eMpumalanga
No full textText in English with summaries and keywords in English, Afrikaans and ZuluTechnology today plays an ever-increasingly important role in society than ever before. Back then, teaching and learning were conducted face-to-face in classrooms only. There has been an increasing use of online teaching and learning through the integration of information and communication technologies since the outbreak of Covid-19, which challenged the education system worldwide to shift to an online mode of teaching overnight. This is why the quality of online teaching and learning may have been disrupted. Hence, this study sought to examine the management of virtual teaching and learning in TVET colleges in the Mpumalanga Province and propose strategies to enhance the quality of virtual teaching and learning. This study developed a conceptual framework comprising key ideas on managing online teaching and learning, including learner achievement, personnel involvement (human resources), technology in education, teaching and learning, and management. The study adopted the narrative research design and the qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three (3) campus managers, two (2) e-learning managers, and six (6) lecturers who were purposively selected. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis method, which emerged with five themes. The study found that the online teaching and learning process is managed through e-learning platforms, including GS Academy, GS4ME, Student Hub, LMS, Google Classroom, and social media. It was also established that the college management experiences challenges in managing virtual learning, such as the lack of training for lecturers and students, lack of confidence in lecturers, lecturers’ negativity, and a lack of resources. The college management responds to these challenges by providing resources, training lecturers, and motivating the students. The study also found that the transition from face-to-face to virtual learning had effects such as frustration for the lecturers. The type of training offered to the lecturers to assist with online teaching and learning includes training in digital literacy. The study recommends that to enhance the quality of virtual teaching and learning, there should be the training of lecturers and students in ICT use, provision of resources, recruitment of special lecturers for e-learning, the appointment of an administration team, benchmarking with other TVET colleges, and the lecturers taking ownership of virtual teaching and learning.Tegnologie speel vandag ’n toenemend belangrike rol in die samelewing. In die verlede is onderrig en leer slegs van aangesig tot aangesig in klaskamers gedoen. Sedert die uitbreek van Covid-19, het aanlyn onderrig en leer ’n sentrale plek ingeneem deur die integrasie van inligting- en kommunikasietegnologieë (IKT’s) wat die onderwysstelsel wêreldwyd uitgedaag het om oornag na ’n aanlyn modus van onderrig oor te skakel. Dit het moontlik die gehalte van aanlyn onderrig en leer ontwrig. Daarom het hierdie studie gepoog om die bestuur van virtuele onderrig en leer in Tegniese en Beroepsgerigte Onderwys en Opleiding- (TBOO)-kolleges in die Mpumalangaprovinsie van Suid-Afrika te ondersoek en strategieë voor te stel om die gehalte van virtuele onderrig en leer te verbeter. ’n Konseptuele raamwerk is ontwikkel wat sleutelidees oor die bestuur van aanlyn onderrig en leer, insluitend leerderprestasie, personeelbetrokkenheid (menslike hulpbronne), tegnologie in onderwys, en bestuur bevat. ’n Narratiewe navorsingsontwerp en kwalitatiewe metodologie is gebruik. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer met drie (3) kampusbestuurders, twee (2) e-leerbestuurders, en ses (6) dosente wat doelbewus gekies is. Data is ontleed deur die tematiese ontledingsmetode te gebruik wat vyf temas opgelewer het. Daar is gevind dat die aanlyn onderrig- en leerproses bestuur is deur e-leerplatforms, insluitend GS Academy, GS4ME, Student Hub, LMS, Google Classroom, en sosiale media. Daar is ook vasgestel dat kollegebestuurspanne probleme ondervind het met die bestuur van virtuele leer, soos ’n gebrek aan opleiding vir dosente en studente, ’n gebrek aan vertroue in dosente, negatiwiteit onder dosente en ’n gebrek aan hulpbronne. Hulle het op hierdie uitdagings gereageer deur hulpbronne te verskaf, dosente op te lei en die studente te motiveer. Daar is ook gevind dat die oorgang van aangesig-tot-aangesig na virtuele leer frustrasie vir die dosente veroorsaak het. Die tipe opleiding wat aan dosente gebied word om hulle met aanlyn onderrig en leer te help, het opleiding in digitale geletterdheid ingesluit. Daar word aanbeveel dat om die gehalte van virtuele onderrig en leer te verbeter, dosente en studente opgelei moet word in IKT-gebruik, dat hulpbronne verskaf moet word, en dat spesiale dosente vir e-leer gewerf moet word. Die aanstelling van ’n administrasiespan, normering met ander TBOO-kolleges, en dosente wat verantwoordelikheid neem vir virtuele onderrig en leer, word ook aanbeveel.Ubuchwepheshe namuhla budlala indima ebaluleke kakhulu emphakathini kunanini ngaphambili. Ngaleso sikhathi, ukufundisa nokufunda kwakwenziwa ubuso nobuso emakilasini kuphela. Kube nokusetshenziswa okwandayo kokufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi ngokuhlanganiswa kobuchwepheshe bolwazi nokuxhumana selokhu kwaqubuka i-Covid-19, okuphonsele inselelo uhlelo lwezemfundo emhlabeni wonke ukuthi lushintshele kumodi yokufundisa ku-inthanethi esikhaleni. Yingakho izinga lokufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi kungenzeka ukuthi liphazamisekile. Ngakho-ke, lolu cwaningo lwalufuna ukuhlola ukuphathwa kokufundisa nokufunda okubonakalayo emakolishi e-TVET esifundazweni saseMpumalanga futhi luphakamise amasu okuthuthukisa ikhwalithi yokufundisa nokufunda okubonakalayo. Lolu cwaningo lwakha uhlaka lomqondo oluqukethe imiqondo esemqoka ekuphatheni ukufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi, kubandakanya impumelelo yabafundi, ukubandakanyeka kwabasebenzi (izinsiza zabantu), ubuchwepheshe kwezemfundo, ukufundisa nokufunda, kanye nokuphatha. Lolu cwaningo lwamukela umklamo wokucwaninga oxoxayo kanye nendlela yokuhlola. Kwaqhutshwa izingxoxo ezihlelwe ngokwengxenye nabaphathi bekhampasi abathathu (3), abaphathi ababili (2) be-e-learning, kanye nabafundisi abayisithupha (6) abakhethwe ngenhloso. Idatha yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa indlela yokuhlaziya ngokwezihloko, eyavela ngezihloko ezinhlanu. Lolu cwaningo luthole ukuthi inqubo yokufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi iphathwa ngokusebenzisa amapulatifomu okufunda nge-inthanethi, kufaka phakathi i-GS Academy, i-GS4ME, i-Student Hub, i-LMS, i-Google Classroom, kanye nemithombo yezokuxhumana. Kwatholakala futhi ukuthi abaphathi bekolishi babhekana nezinselelo ekuphatheni ukufunda okubonakalayo, njengokuntuleka kokuqeqeshwa kwabafundisi nabafundi, ukungabethembi abafundisi, ukungabi nandaba kwabafundisi, kanye nokuntuleka kwezinsiza. Abaphathi bekolishi babhekana nalezi zinselele ngokunikeza izinsiza, ukuqeqesha abafundisi, nokukhuthaza abafundi. Lolu cwaningo lwathola nokuthi ukuguqukela ekufundeni ubuso nobuso kuya ekufundeni okubonakalayo kwaba nemiphumela efana nokukhungatheka kwabafundisi. Uhlobo lokuqeqeshwa olunikezwa abafundisi ukusiza ngokufundisa nokufunda ku-inthanethi lubandakanya ukuqeqeshwa kwe-digital literacy. Ucwaningo lutusa ukuthi ukuze kuthuthukiswe izinga lokufundisa nokufunda okubonakalayo, kufanele kube nokuqeqeshwa kwabafundisi kanye nabafundi ekusebenziseni i-ICT, ukuhlinzekwa kwezinsiza, ukuqashwa kwabafundisi abakhethekile be e-learning, ukuqokwa kwethimba labaphathi, ukuqhathanisa namanye amakolishi e-TVETM. Ed. (Educational Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Search for a new heavy scalar particle decaying into a Higgs boson and a new scalar singlet in final states with one or two light leptons and a pair of τ-leptons with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
A search for a new heavy scalar particle X decaying into a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson and a new singlet scalar particle S is presented. The search uses a proton-proton (pp) collision data sample with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb−1 recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of
s
= 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The most sensitive mass parameter space is explored in X mass ranging from 500 to 1500 GeV, with the corresponding S mass in the range 200–500 GeV. The search selects events with two hadronically decaying τ-lepton candidates from H → τ+τ− decays and one or two light leptons (ℓ = e, μ) from S → VV (V = W, Z) decays while the remaining V boson decays hadronically or to neutrinos. A multivariate discriminant based on event kinematics is used to separate the signal from the background. No excess is observed beyond the expected SM background and 95% confidence level upper limits between 72 fb and 542 fb are derived on the cross-section σ(pp → X → SH) assuming the same SM-Higgs boson-like decay branching ratios for the S → VV decay. Upper limits on the visible cross-sections σ(pp → X → SH → WWττ) and σ(pp → X → SH → ZZττ) are also set in the ranges 3–26 fb and 6–33 fb, respectively
Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities of modified carbocyanine-zinc oxide nanoparticle- and nanoflower-based nanoconjugates
No full textThe continuously rising cases of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic bacterial mutations pose a serious medical problem. Microorganisms are ubiquitous because they can adapt to conditions in any environment. They can colonize all types of environments, including water, air, soils, and the bodies of plants and animals. When pathogenic microorganisms are prevalent in such situations, they are harmful because they promote degeneration and degradation of the matrix, which harms the ecosystem and humans by harming individual health. This calls for environmental decontamination efforts to protect the ecology and human health.
Several chemical and physical methods have been applied for the treatment of different environments where pathogenic microbes have been contaminated. The use of physical methods includes the employment of heat and filtrations, whereas chemical methods include chlorination, antibiotics and photocatalyst. Although these methods have been used more often, they are associated with limitations, including a lack of effectiveness that contributes to the problem of the development of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Furthermore, using physical agents does not eradicate all the microbes since some are suitably adapted to extreme conditions through mutation phenomena.
Due to these drawbacks, scientists and researchers have embarked on research to find alternative methods and approaches that can eliminate the microbes while avoiding mechanisms that can develop resistance within the strains.
However, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) has been reported to be an attractive alternative method that can be employed to counter the limitations of the classical approaches for dealing with microbial contaminants in the environment. Among the pathogenic bacteria are Gram-negative bacteria. These Gram-negative bacteria are less likely to be denatured by chemical treatment because of the intricate construction of their bacterial cell membrane, it functions as an efficient barrier to the penetration of many photosensitizing compounds like dyes. For them to be effectively denatured, only cationic dyes can cause effective photo-induced inactivation of Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, nanostructures have been used as drug delivery platforms for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and as strategies to improve photosensitizers' efficiency in producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to light. Thus, in this dissertation, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy has been employed to study the photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities of functionalized zinc oxide-based nanomaterials and nanoconjugates against E. coli.
This dissertation, thus, reports on the fabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and nanoflowers (ZnO-NFs), their functionalized forms (GSH-ZnO-NPs and GSH-ZnO-NFs), as well as the modified carbocyanine (SHBS-IR-791 iodide). It also reports on the conjugations of GSH-ZnO-NPs and GSH-ZnO-NFs with SHBS-IR-791 iodide, labelled as follows: GSH-ZnO-NPs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide and GSH-ZnO-NFs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide conjugates. The analysis of the materials mentioned above using various instruments is also presented in this dissertation. The resulting GSH-ZnO-NPs, GSH-ZnO-NFs and SHBS-IR-791 iodide, as well as GSH-ZnO-NPs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide and GSH-ZnO-NFs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide conjugates, were used for PACT against E. coli. The PACT activities of the as-prepared materials show that the ranking of photo-inactivation depends on the attentiveness of the complex and the presence of light. The results show that GSH-ZnO-NFs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide has higher phototoxicity against E. coli than the other complex, with the trend observed as follows: GSH-ZnO-NFs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide > ZnO-NPs-SHBS-IR-791 iodide > SHBS-IR-791-iodide > GSH-ZnO-NFs> GSH-ZnO-NPs.M. Sc. (Chemistry)Chemistr
Stokvel investment: A tourism SMME enabler in South Africa
Get PDFThe growth of the global tourism industry has resulted in the emergence of several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), and their significance continues to attract the attention of various governments and other industries, such as hotels, airlines, ground transport, etc. Although the industry experienced a halt due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, tourism is still identified as a critical sector for the international economy. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of SMMEs and the need for enterprise development that will transform the economy of Africa. Entrepreneurship has been documented as crucial for the improvement of the South African economy and the best way that employment can be created in South Africa. Stokvels are introduced as an investment alternative that could bring about socio-economic development in the tourism industry. The primary objective was to explore how stokvels can be utilised as an alternative form of investment to enhance tourism entrepreneurship. A positivist epistemology and quantitative research approach was followed. IBM SPSS V28 and AMOS V28 were used to analyse the data, resulting in a multi-mediation Tourism Stokvel Model for Social Entrepreneurship and Transformation. Tourism authorities and governments could use the model as a guideline on how to plan budgets for investment and funding of tourism entrepreneurship for the transformation of the tourism industry. Future research is needed on how women-led initiatives in the form of stokvels and SMMEs can contribute to the national and social economy
Exploring the effects of organisational culture on learners living with disabilities in primary schools at Malelane Circuit
Get PDFThere is a national concern that learners living with disabilities are unable to cope in mainstream schools where they must compete with learners who have no disabilities. Despite several studies pointing to these challenges, there have been no tangible strategies to mitigate challenges faced by learners living with disabilities at schools. There is a paucity of research on the influence of organisational culture and how it influences the learners living with disability at schools. There is a high number of learners living with disabilities dropping out since they cannot cope with the culture and infrastructure of mainstream schooling, which usually does not cater for physically challenged students. If this challenge is not addressed, it poses dire consequences for equal education provision in South Africa. To address these challenges, this qualitative study explored how the school’s culture as an organisation influences the behaviour of learners living with disabilities in Malelane Circuit primary schools. Twelve participants (school principals, departmental heads, and educators) were purposefully selected, qualitative research was deemed the appropriate design for this study and the interpretive-constructive paradigm approach. Findings revealed that most of the principals, departmental heads, and educators do not understand organisational culture; hence their schools did not correctly implement morally based policies, school-based support team policies and assessment policies. Disciplinary or code of conduct policies are used to address the behaviour of learners learning with disabilities and integration of all learners. The lack of understanding organisational culture of schools resulted in poor performance of learners living with disabilities and worsened their behaviour. Therefore, among other recommendations, the study recommended that departmental policies that contribute to positive schools be implemented in schools to accommodate learners living with disabilities. The school management and other stakeholders be informed about the concept of the school’s culture and how it can affect the behaviour of the learners living with disabilities.Inclusive Educatio
An analysis of the processes, kinetics and equilibrium of iron’s biosorption on immobilized green microalgae
Get PDFMetals including Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, Fe and Cr can be found in significant concentrations in acid mine drainage effluent from previous gold mining operations. Even at very low levels, heavy metals and their compounds are very toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Acid mine drainage discharge must therefore be
properly treated before disposal. In this study, iron removal from acid mine drainage effluent using immobilized green microalgae is explored. The impact of pH on iron metal concentrations was studied at multiple pH values between 2 and 12 using 0.1 M HCl or NaOH solutions. At pH 6, the optimal value, 82% and 90% of Fe (II) were
removed from Ca-alginate beads and immobilized Desmodesmus sp., respectively. It was shown that Fe (II) ions were biosorbed by immobilized microalgae cells in a pseudo-second-order manner. This study demonstrated how immobilized green microalgae showed potential to remove iron from acid mine drainage effluent
Representations of home and displacement in Kopano Matlwa’s Coconut and Noviolet Bulawayo’s We need new names
Get PDFThis study discusses how the concepts of home and displacement are portrayed in the
selected novels of two Southern African writers: We Need New Names (2013) by
Zimbabwe born and USA based author, NoViolet Bulawayo, and Coconut (2007) by
South African writer, Kopano Matlwa. The study argues that the themes of home and
displacement are recurring in African literature because of the enduring trauma that
colonialism visited on the continent. The analysis of both primary texts reflects that the
process of migration, whether voluntary or forced, inevitably leaves the affected
individuals and communities displaced as they not only struggle to fit into their newfound
homes but also suffer from various malaise, such as alienation, identity loss and lack of
belonging among others. To this end, the study also argues that displacement is not only physical, but also psychological because migration distorts the characters’ sense of home
and leaves them perpetually struggling to recover both their senses of self and
community. The study thus further contends that the process of migration is life-altering
because it presents a turning point in the lives of the characters as they battle with
numerous challenges in the new spaces that they find themselves in. The study draws
on postcolonial theory to conceptualise its arguments.English Studie
Sesotho riddles in the fourth industrial revolution : dynamism, development and digitisation
No full textAbstracts in English and Southern SothoThis study investigated the status quo of Sesotho riddles in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The researcher realised that the practice of riddling among Basotho was not as popular compared to when she was growing up. It is imperative that riddling, as part of Sesotho discourse and, given the current technological development in digital communication, be preserved. The researcher attempted to collect and classify the riddles into pre-modern, modern and the Fourth Industrial Revolution riddles (FIR). Basotho’s perception on riddles and their value were questioned to determine if and why the riddling practice is not as popular as before. The dynamism of riddles as a genre, was also interrogated to assess if new Fourth Industrial Revolution riddles are being coined by millennial Basotho or not.
Research was conducted in the towns of Sebokeng in Gauteng Province; Qwaqwa, Ficksburg, Welkom in the Free State Province and Malealea village in Lesotho. The qualitative research method of non-probability sampling techniques were applied to identify research participants for the data generation of the study. The Analytic Comparison method was used to analyse and make inferences from the collected data. The researcher looked at commonalities from the participants by applying the method of agreement. The method of difference contrasted the participants’ inputs on research questions posed. The results revealed Basotho’s thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, values and perceptions of Sesotho riddles in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Critical Discourse Analysis theory was used to analyse the societal power relations that impact negatively on Sesotho riddling. The Ethnography of Communication confirmed that Basotho are coining new riddles that contextualise them in this Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This study considered the ways of incorporating Sesotho riddles in Basotho’s everyday life, especially at home and school – not just being played during Heritage month. It also weighed the possibilities of ensuring that this important practice is preserved for future generations by creating an online gaming application accessible to technocratic Basotho. Repopularising riddles among all Basotho age groups will ensure that the generational gap is bridged, leading the way to more tribal linguistic and cultural teaching and sharing of Sesotho-centrism.Phuputso ena e ne e batlisisa maemo a jwale a dilotho tsa Sesotho nakong ena ya Kabo ya Bone ya Mesebetsi. Mofuputsi o elelletswe hore papadi ya dilotho ha e sa tumme jwalo ka nakong eo a ntseng a hola. Ho bohlokwa hore dilotho tsa Sesotho di bonahale marangranng mme di bolokwe hoba ke karolo ya puo ya Sesotho mme di kenyelletswe diphetohong tsa thekenoloji ka ho etswa dijithale. Mofuputsi o lekile ho bokelletsa le ho hlophisa dilotho ka mefuta ya i) nakong tsa kgale, ii) nakong e mahareng (modern) le iii) tsa Kabo ya Bone ya Mesebetsi. Phuputso e ne e fuputsa hore na Basotho ba nahana eng ka dilotho le hore boleng ba tsona ho bona ke bofe. Dikarabo di hlaloseditse mofuputsi mabaka a etsang hore senannapo se se tume matsatsing a jwale. Mofuputsi o sekasekile ho fetofetoha ha dilotho e le mofuta wa sengolwa sa boholoholo le hona ho lekola hore Basotho ba qapa dilotho tsa Kabo ya Bone ya Mesebetsi kapa tjhe.
Phuputso e thakgotswe Sebokeng, profensing ya Gauteng ya ya Qwaqwa, Ficksburg le Welkom, profensing ya Freistata mme ya phethelwa Malealea, Lesotho. Hwa sebediswa mokgwa wa khwalitheithife ka tsela ya non-probability techniques ho hlwaya bankakarolo ba phuputso hore e kgone ho jenereita datha bakeng sa patlisiso.
Mokgwa wa Analytic Comparison o sebedisitswe ho manolla le ho etsa diqeto ka datha e bokelleditsweng. Mofuputsi a sheba dintlha tse tshwanang tse tswang ho bankakarolo ka ho sebedisa mokgwa ona. Hwa boelwa hwa sebediswa mokgwa wa dintlha tse fapaneng ho bapisa dikarabo tse sa tshwaneng tse neng di botswa bankakarolo. Sephetho se utullotse menahano, maikutlo, ditumelo, boitshwaro, boleng le ditjhebeho tsa Basotho ka dilotho tsa Sesotho nakong ena ya Kabo ya Bone ya Mesebetsi. Theori ya Critical Discourse Analysis e manollotswe ho pepesa dikamano tsa matla tse ipatileng setjhabeng mme di beha papadi ya dilotho ka mosing. Ha theori ya Ethnography of Communication yona e manollotswe ho toboketsa hore ka nnete Basotho ba qapa dilotho tse ntjha tse setletseng ho Kabo ya Bone ya Mesebetsi. Phuputso ena e file mofuputsi ditsela tsa ho kenyelletsa dilotho tsa Sesotho maphelong a letsatsi ka leng ho Basotho, haholoholo lapeng le sekolong – e seng feela ka kgwedi ya Botjhaba. Hape mofuputsi o nahanne ka botebo menyetla ya ho netefatsa hore papadi ena e bohlokwa e bolokelwe meloko e tlang ka tsela ya ho sibolla Epo (Appplication) marangranng eo Basotho ba thekenoloji ba ka e fihlellang. Qetellong, mofuputsi o tshepa hore Epo ena ya papadi ya dilotho e ka hopotsa le ho tumisa dilotho hape ho Basotho ba dilemo tse fapaneng, ho netefatsa hore sekgeo se teng pakeng tsa meloko se a fela. Ka sena, puisano le nehelano tsa thuto le setso tsa Sesotho le Bosotho ho Basotho di tla phethahala.D. Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature (African Languages))African Language