21838 research outputs found
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Implications of carbon tax regulations for greenhouse gas reduction in South Africa
No full textThe purpose of this research was to explore the implications of South Africa’s carbon tax regulations on greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emission reduction. This study employed a mixed-method approach, via the application of semi-structured interview method, to the total population of the study. Interviews were conducted with 10 Power Stations Managers of fossil fuel power stations, 10 Environmental Managers within various Power Stations as well as one specialist responsible for climate change. Additional data was collected from six participants from relevant Government Authorities and one Non-Governmental Organisation. Interview questions were informed by the assumption of the study, considering the gaps between emission reports versus Carbon Tax Policy. The quantitative approach was applied where numerical data was collected from industries and government authorities’ online air emissions compliance-monitoring reports. The thematic method was applied to analyse qualitative data. The student t-test method was applied to assist in the comparison of the case before and after the promulgation of the Carbon Tax Act.
The study found that SA government's Carbon Tax Act undoubtedly has the potential to enforce the polluter pay principle better by holding major air polluters responsible for their GHG emissions. It was also undertaken while the country experienced significant challenges such as Covid 19 lockdowns and load shedding. This study recommends a framework to provide carbon emission management pillars that are cornerstone of carbon emissions interventions.Ph. D. (Agriculture and Environmental Sciences)Environmental Science
Addressing Gender Diversity in the Cybersecurity Profession to Enhance Business Value
Get PDFBusinesses require a skilled workforce to define and implement innovative digital solutions and to protect them from incidents and cyber-attack. However, a major cybersecurity skills gap exists globally, with a significant underrepresentation of women in the profession. This chapter provides an overview of the barriers women experience and proposed interventions to enter and progress in the cybersecurity profession. The chapter concludes with the Cybersecurity for Women (CybSec4W) framework and checklist to foster a culture where women can enter and advance in the cybersecurity workforce, whilst incorporating the requisite organisation theory. Management can implement the framework with the outlined interventions to attract, retain, create and support a conducive and equitable culture in the organisation’s cybersecurity workspace to enable a strong capability to become cyber resilient, which will benefit the adoption of digital technologies for business growth.College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
An evaluation of the national strategy for community participation in primary school management in Malawi : a theory-driven approach
No full textUsing a theory-driven approach to evaluation, this study analyses the implementation and outcomes of the National Strategy for Community Participation in Primary School Management in Malawi. The country has been aligning with global commitments towards quality education, which is critical considering the challenge of declining education quality. The strategy was developed to provide policy direction for community participation in primary education management, governance, and development. The study was situated in the pragmatic paradigm to align with the theory-driven approach while allowing for practicality and plurality of methods. It adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative key informant interviews and focus group discussions with a quantitative survey. The thesis concludes that although the strategy was being implemented, it was done so suboptimally. Communities primarily participated through school management structures, such as School Management Committees, Parents-Teachers Associations and Mother Groups, and functionality of these structures varied. Capacity building and awareness were key in facilitating community participation but were not adequately provided. The understanding of community participation and practice was mostly limited to providing labour and resources for infrastructure development. Despite challenges with implementation, there were some positive outcomes, including enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, increased ownership and decision-making by communities, as well as accountability by school administrators. Besides, participation of communities enhanced community empowerment. Participation, in addition, improved education quality, equity, relevance and access.
The study offered several recommendations, including the need to revise the national strategy along with its guidelines and manuals to align with policy and ensure they are fit for purpose; increase capacity-building efforts; improve coordination; leverage mother groups; and strengthen the management of School Improvement Grants. The study concludes by proposing a programme theory that could be used as a conceptual framework for research and evaluation related to the strategy and community participation in education.PhD. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Developing an international framework for countering hate victimisation and violence: A context design approach to guide organised psychology
No full textComplex societal issues like hate victimisation resist simplistic remedies, necessitating a nuanced approach. Research from a Global South study revealed that 68% of victims of hate
experience compounded psychological trauma from systemic re-victimisation, while only 12% receive adequate psychosocial support. The complex nature of hate victimisation requires a
multifaceted approach that integrates psychological insights within a broader complex systems framework if we are to succeed in stemming the sharp escalation of hate-related incidents
worldwide. As a human science, psychology is uniquely positioned to contribute within and between disciplines and to serve as an expert and global voice that not only condemns such
behaviour but proactively informs, teaches and guides professionals practical and applied ways to combat the spread of hatred. One premise of critical community psychology is that
psychology as a discipline, science, profession, and practice cannot be neutral or detached from societal challenges. Rather than act as an internal regulator serving the discipline and its
subdisciplines, both national and international bodies of organised psychology represent and serve not only the profession but society as a whole. Unlike other disciplines like law, there is no
known existing framework in psychology to draw from to combat hate victimisation. The significance of this study is its contribution to a framework that will raise the dialogue in
organised psychology, highlight a common goal to combat hate victimisation and encourage collaboration. This study proposes an international framework to address hate victimisation
through a context design approach, integrating psychological science with complex systems strategies. The research highlights critical gaps in current institutional responses to hate-based
violence. The model operationalises organised psychology's capacity to counter hate through 1) structural power (policy advocacy and legislative reform), 2) cultural power (changing societal narratives via media partnerships), 3) interpersonal power (community-based restorative justice programmes), and 4) personal power (trauma-informed victim support systems). The framework
emphasises context-sensitive design principles for psychological associations. This framework hopes to contribute to reducing the suffering of those individuals, communities and societies that are affected by hate.Komplekse samelewingskwessies, soos viktimisering op grond van haat, is weerstandbiedend teen
simplistiese remediëring, derhalwe, word 'n meer genuanseerde benadering genoodsaak.
Navorsing wat in die Globale Suide uitvoer is, het bevind dat 68% van die slagoffers van haat
sielkundige trauma as gevolg van sistemiese herviktimisering ervaar, terwyl slegs 12% voldoende
psigososiale ondersteuning ontvang. Die komplekse aard van viktimisering op grond van haat
vereis 'n veelvlakkige benadering, wat sielkundige insigte in 'n breër komplekse sisteemraamwerk
integreer, indien sielkundiges daarin wil slaag om die skerp toename in haatverwante voorvalle
regoor die wêreld te stuit. As 'n menswetenskap, is sielkunde uniek geposisioneer om tot en met
ander dissiplines by te dra en as 'n kundige en globale stem te dien wat nie net sulke gedrag
veroordeel nie, maar ook professionele persone proaktief inlig, onderrig en lei in terme van
praktiese en toegepaste strategieë om die verspreiding van haat te bekamp. Kritiese
gemeenskapsielkunde is van mening dat sielkunde, as 'n vakgebied, wetenskap, beroep en praktyk,
nie neutraal teenoor of van samelewingskwessies geskei kan wees nie. Georganiseerde sielkunde
verenigings, nasionaal en internasionaal, verteenwoordig en lewer dienste, nie net aan die professie
nie, maar ook die samelewing as geheel, en funksioneer nie bloot as 'n interne gesag wat aan die
dissipline en sy sub-dissiplines steun bied nie. Anders as die ander dissiplines, soos die regte, het
sielkunde geen gesaghebbende bestaande raamwerk aan die hand waarvan haatviktimisering
bekamp kan word nie. Die belangrikheid van die studie lê in die bydra daarvan tot 'n raamwerk
wat gesprek in georganiseerde sielkunde sal aanmoedig en die gemeenskaplike doelwitte, om
haatviktimisering te bekamp en transnasionale samewerking aan te moedig, sal uitlig. Die
kwalitatiewe studie het tien semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met leiers van twee internasionale
en vier nasionale sielkundeverenigings en onderhoude met drie sleutelinformante behels. Die navorser stel 'n internasionale raamwerk voor om viktimisering op grond van haat te mitigeer deur
'n verbandhoudende ontwerp-benadering, wat sielkundige wetenskap met komplekse
sisteemstrategieë integreer. Die navorsing belig die kritieke leemtes in die huidige institusionele
reaksies op haatgebaseerde geweld. Die model operasionaliseer die vermoë van georganiseerde
sielkunde om haat teen te werk deur: 1) strukturele mag (beleidsvoorspraak en wetgewende
hervorming); 2) kulturele mag (ommekeer in die sosiale vertellings via vennootskappe met die
media); 3) interpersoonlike mag (gemeenskapsgebaseerde programme); en 4) persoonlike mag
(trauma-ingeligte ondersteuningstelsels vir slagoffers). Die raamwerk beklemtoon kontekssensitiewe
ontwerpbeginsels vir sielkundige verenigings en word aangebied met die doel om tot
die vermindering van die lyding van daardie individue, gemeenskappe en samelewings, wat deur
haat geraak word, by te dra.Izinkinga zomphakathi eziyinkimbinkimbi njengokuhlushwa noma uhlukunyezwe
ngokuzondwa zimelana namakhambi alula futhi esikhundleni salokho zidinga indlela
eguquguqukayo. Ucwaningo oluvela ocwaningweni lwe-Global South luveze ukuthi ama-68%
wezisulu zokuhlangenwe nakho kwenzondo kwandisa ukuhlukumezeka kwengqondo ngenxa
yokuvuselelwa okuhleliwe, kuyilapho aba-12% kuphela othola ukwesekwa okwanele
kwengqondo. Imvelo eyinkimbinkimbi yokuhlukunyezwa kwenzondo idinga indlela enezici
eziningi ehlanganisa ukuqonda kwengqondo ngaphakathi kohlaka olubanzi lwezinhlelo
eziyinkimbinkimbi ukuze izazi zokusebenza kwengqondo ziphumelele ukunqanda ukwanda
okubukhali kwezigameko ezihlobene nenzondo emhlabeni wonke.Njengesayensi yabantu,
isayense yengqondo ibekwe endaweni ehlukile yokuba neqhaza ngaphakathi naphakathi
kwezifundo futhi isebenze njengochwepheshe nezwi lomhlaba elingagcini nje ngokulahla
ukuziphatha okunjalo, kodwa futhi elazisa, lifundise futhi liqondise ochwepheshe
ngokuqhubekayo mayelana namasu asebenzayo nasetshenziswayo ukulwa nokusabalala
kwenzondo. ISayikholoji yomphakathi ebucayi iveza ukuthi isayikholoji njengenkundla,
isayensi, ubungcweti kanye nokwenza akukwazi ukungathathi hlangothi noma kuhlukaniswe
nezindaba zomphakathi. Izinhlaka zesayensi yezengqondo ezihleliwe zikazwelonke nezamazwe
ngamazwe azimeleli futhi zisebenzele hhayi kuphela umsebenzi, kodwa umphakathi uwonke,
futhi azisebenzi njengegunya langaphakathi elisekela isiyalo kanye nemithetho engaphansi
kwayo. Ngokungafani nezinye iziyalo ezifana nomthetho, isayikholoji ayinalo uhlaka olukhona
olwaziwayo okumele kuthathwe kulo ukuze kuliwe nokuhlushwa inzondo. Ukubaluleka kwalolu
cwaningo kulele ekunikeleni kwalo ohlakeni oluzokhuthaza ingxoxo kusayensi yezengqondo ehlelekile futhi lugqamise izinjongo ezifanayo zokulwa nokuhlukunyezwa kwenzondo
nokukhuthaza ukubambisana kwamazwe ngamazwe.
Ucwaningo lwekhwalithi lubandakanya izingxoxo eziyishumi ezihlelekile nabaholi
bezinhlangano ezimbili zamazwe ngamazwe nezine kazwelonke kwezengqondo, kanye
nezingxoxo ezintathu ezibalulekile zabanolwazi. Umcwaningi uhlongoza uhlaka lwamazwe
ngamazwe lokunciphisa ukuhlukunyezwa nenzondo ngokusebenzisa indlela yokuklama umongo,
ukuhlanganisa isayensi yengqondo namasu ezinhlelo eziyinkimbinkimbi. Ucwaningo lugqamisa
izikhala ezibucayi ezimpendulweni zamanje zezikhungo zodlame olusekelwe enzondweni.
Imodeli isebenzisa amandla okusebenza kwengqondo ehleliwe ukulwa nenzondo ngokusebenzisa
1) amandla esakhiwo (ukumela inqubomgomo kanye nokuguqulwa kwemithetho), 2) amandla
amasiko (ukushintsha ukulandisa komphakathi ngokusebenzisa ubudlelwano bemidiya), 3)
amandla okusebenzelana nabantu (izinhlelo ezisekelwe emphakathini), kanye 4) namandla
omuntu siqu (izinhlelo zokusekela izisulu ezinolwazi ngokuhlukumezeka). Uhlaka lugcizelela
izimiso zokuklama ezizwelayo komongo wezinhlangano ezingokwengqondo futhi zinikezwa
ngenhloso yokubamba iqhaza ekwehliseni ukuhlupheka kwalabo bantu, emiphakathi kanye
nezakhamuzi ezithintwa inzondo.D. Phil. (Psychology)Psycholog
Constructing a model for predicting entrepreneurial intent
No full textAbstract in English, IsiZulu and AfrikaansThe general aim of this research was to construct an empirically tested model to predict the formation of entrepreneurial intent among a random sample (N = 365) of South African young (including emerging) adults in their final year of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) studies in the South African KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. The research investigated the relationship dynamics between participants’ psychological capital (independent variable), emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (mediators), and entrepreneurial intent (outcome), while exploring whether the participants differed significantly in terms of these variables based on their age, gender, and perception of the South African economic conditions as moderators of the relationship dynamics. The study was motivated by current changes in the world of work, such as global digitisation, as well as the present economic climate in developing countries like South Africa. These changes have necessitated a modification in how career counsellors and young adults view career development. Therefore, a model that predicts entrepreneurial intent was investigated as a potential aid to assist young adults in their exploration and navigation of career options. The research design employed a cross-sectional, quantitative survey approach, utilising standardised, valid, and reliable measuring instruments for data collection. Empirical research hypotheses were tested by means of descriptive, correlational, and inferential (multiple regression, mediation, moderation, structural equation modelling) statistics. The empirical analyses yielded two models: a linear prediction model and a mediated prediction model of entrepreneurial intent. The linear prediction model revealed psychological capital (resilient hope) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (planned implementation) as significant positive predictors of entrepreneurial intent (self-efficacious entrepreneurial readiness and self-assured entrepreneurial intent). The mediated prediction model highlighted planned implementation (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) as mediating mechanism in the link between psychological capital and self-assured entrepreneurial intent. Gender acted as a significant moderator of this link. Male and female participants differed in terms of their levels of overall entrepreneurial self-efficacy and self-regulated optimism. Older participants (26–34 years) exhibited higher levels of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and planned implementation attributes than their younger (emerging adult) counterparts (22–25 years). The findings extend entrepreneurship theory by highlighting the psychological attributes that promote entrepreneurial intent among emerging and late young adults. The empirical results inform TVET career development interventions aimed at advancing the success of young adults as prospective entrepreneurs by enhancing their psychological capital and entrepreneurial self-efficacy.Inhloso esobala yalolu cwaningo ukuqhamuka nohlelo oluvivinywe ngokujulile ukuze siqagule ngenhloso yokuqalwa kwebhizinisi uma sibheka isampula elitholakale kungazelele (N = 365) kubantu abasha baseNingizimu Afrika (kuhlanganise nabangena esigabeni sobudala) onyakeni wabo wokugcina weMfundo Nokuqeqeshwa Ngomsebenzi Wezandla (iTVET) esifundazweni iKwaZulu-Natali (KZN) eseNingizimu Afrika. Lolu cwaningo luphenya ngokuguquguquka kobudlelwano phakathi kwesimomqondo sezezimali zababambiqhaza (ukuguquguquka okuzimele), ubuhlakani bemizwa kanjalo nokusebenza kahle kwebhizinisi (abalamuli), kanye nenhloso yokuqalwa kwebhizinisi (umphumela), kanjalo nokuhlola ukuthi ababambiqhaza bahluke kakhulu yini ngokwemibandela yalezi ziguquko ngokweminyaka yabo yobudala, ubulili, kanye nombono wezimo zomnotho waseNingizimu Afrika njengabameleli bezinguquko kulobu budlelwano. Lolu cwaningo lugqugquzelwe izinguquko ezikhona njengamanje emhlabeni wezemisebenzi, njengokusetshenziswa kwedijithali emhlabeni, kanye nesimo somnotho esikhona emazweni asathuthuka njengeNingizimu Afrika. Lezi zinguquko zenze kwaba nesidingo sokuguqulwa kwendlela abeluleki bemisebenzi kanye nabantu abakhulayo ababuka ngayo ukuthuthukiswa komsebenzi. Ngakho-ke, kuye kwacwaningwa ngendlela yokuqagula ngokuziqalela bhizinisi njengokuyiyona ndlela yokulekelela abantu abakhulayo ngesikhathi besabheka behlola imisebenzi abangayenza. Indlela yocwaningo ilandele uhlelo lokuhlola oluhlanganisile, kusetshenziswe uhlelo lokuhlola amanani ngokezilinganiso ezimisiwe, ezisebenzayo nezithembekile ekuqoqeni idatha. Imicabango ngezinto ezikhona ngocwaningo ihlolwe kusetshenziswa izibalo ezichazayo, ezihlobeneyo, nezinobufakazi (izimo zokuguquka kwamanani, ukulamula, ukulinganisela, ukuhleleka kwezibalo zesakhiwo). Lokhu kuhlaziya kuveze ukuqondana nokulingana endleleni yokuqagula ngenhloso yokuqalwa kwebhizinisi. Uhlelo lokuqagula ngokuqondile lusivezela isimomqondo sezimali (ukuba nethemba) kanye nokuzithuthukisa kwezamabhizinisi (ukuqaliswa okuhleliwe) njengeziqaguli ezinhle ezibalulekile ngokwenhloso yezamabhizinisi (ukulungela ukuhweba ngempumelelo kanye nokuqinisekiswa kwenhloso yokuqala ibhizinisi). Uhlelo lokuqagula oluyisisombululo lugqamisa ukuqaliswa okuhleliwe (kokuhweba ngempumelelo) njengendlela yokulamula ekuxhumaneni phakathi kwesimomqondo wezimali kanye nokuqinisekiswa kwezinhloso zokuqalwa kwebhizinisi. Ubulili busebenze njengendlela ebalulekile yokwengamela lokhu kuxhumana. Ababambiqhaza besilisa nabesifazane babe nokwehluka ngokwamazinga abo okusebenza ngempumelelo kwezamabhizinisi kanye nethemba lokuzilawula. Ababambiqhaza asebekhulile (abaneminyaka engama-26–34 ubudala) babonise izinga eliphezulu lokusebenza ngempumelelo kwezamabhizinisi kanye nezindlela ezinhle ekuqaliseni ukusebenza uma kuqhathaniswa nabantu abasha (abasesigabeni sobudala) (abaneminyaka engama-22–25 ubudala). Imiphumela iveza okuningi ngokufunda ngokuqalwa kwebhizinisi ngokugqamisa imithelela yesimomqondo ekukhuthazeni inhloso yokuqalwa kwebhizinisi kubantu abasha (abasesigabeni sobudala). Imiphumela enobufakazi iveza ukuthi ukungenelela ekuthuthukisweni kwemisebenzi yeTVET kungasiza ukuze kuphumelele abantu abasha babe ngosomabhizinisi ngokwesimomqondo ekusebenziseni imali yabo kanye nangokuzithuthukisa kwezamabhizinisi.Die algemene doel van die hierdie navorsing was om ’n empiries getoetste model te konstrueer om die vorming van entrepreneursbedoeling te voorspel onder ’n ewekansige steekproef (N = 365) van Suid-Afrikaanse jong (insluitende opkomende) volwassenes in hulle finale jaar van Tegniese en Vakonderwys en -Opleidingstudies in die KwaZulu-Natal-provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die navorsing het die verhoudingsdinamiek ondersoek tussen deelnemers se sielkundige kapitaal (onafhanklike veranderlike), emosionele intelligensie en selfdoeltreffendheid van entrepreneurs (bemiddelaars), en entrepreneursbedoeling (uitkoms), terwyl daar ondersoek word of die deelnemers beduidend verskil het wat hierdie veranderlikes betref gebaseer op hulle ouderdom, geslag en waarneming van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomiese toestande as middelaars van die verhoudingsdinamiek. Die motivering vir die studie was die huidige veranderinge in die wêreld van werk, soos globale digitisering, asook die huidige ekonomiese klimaat in ontwikkelende lande soos Suid-Afrika. Hierdie veranderinge het ’n wysiging genoodsaak van hoe loopbaanberaders en jong volwassenes loopbaanontwikkeling beskou. Dus is daar navorsing gedoen oor ’n model wat entrepreneursbedoeling voorspel as ’n opsie om jong volwassenes by te staan in hulle verkenning en navigasie van loopbaanopsies. Die navorsingsontwerp het ’n kruisseksionele, kwantitatiewe opname-benadering gevolg met die gebruik van gestandaardiseerde, geldige en betroubare meetinstrumente vir data-insameling. Empiriese navorsingshipoteses is getoets deur middel van beskrywende, korrelasie- en inferensiële (meervoudige regressie, bemiddeling, moderasie, strukturele vergelykingsmodellering) statistiek. Die empiriese ontledings het ’n liniêre en bemiddelde voorspellingsmodel van entrepreneursbedoeling opgelewer. Die liniêre voorspellingsmodel het sielkundige kapitaal (veerkragtige hoop) en selfdoeltreffendheid van entrepreneurs (beplande implementering) getoon as beduidende positiewe voorspellers van entrepreneursbedoeling (selfdoeltreffende entrepreneursgereedheid en selfversekerde entrepreneursbedoeling). Die bemiddelde voorspellingsmodel het beplande implementering beklemtoon (selfdoeltreffendheid van entrepreneurs) as bemiddelingsmeganisme in die skakel tussen sielkundige kapitaal en selfversekerde entrepreneursbedoeling. Geslag was ’n beduidende moderator van hierdie skakel. Manlike en vroulike deelnemers het verskil wat betref hulle vlakke van algehele doeltreffendheid onder entrepreneurs en selfgereguleerde optimisme. Ouer deelnemers(26–34 jaar) het hoër vlakke van selfdoeltreffendheid van entrepreneurs en beplande implementeringseienskappe getoon as hulle jonger (opkomende volwassene) eweknieë (22–25 jaar). Die bevindings brei uit op entrepreneurskapsteorie deur die sielkundige eienskappe te beklemtoon wat die entrepreneursbedoeling van jong (insluitende opkomende) volwassenes bevorder. Die empiriese resultate lei tot Tegniese en Vakonderwys en -Opleiding-loopbaanontwikkelingsintervensies vir die bevordering van jong volwassenes se sukses as voornemende entrepreneurs deur hulle sielkundige kapitaal en selfdoeltreffendheid vir entrepreneurs.PhD. (Psychology)Psycholog
Reactivation of p53 by dual targeting of HDM2/HDM4 : insights from in silico studies with ezetimibe analogues
No full textReactivating the tumour-suppressing protein p53 by inhibiting HDM2 and HDM4, is a promising approach in cancer treatment. This research explores the potential of using ezetimibe, a cholesterol uptake inhibitor, as a lead compound to target HDM2 and HDM4, through in silico studies. The methods used included molecular docking, pharmacokinetic prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations. By utilizing the Schrödinger software suite, we compared the structural properties of the p53-binding domains of HDM2 and HDM4, and we evaluated the pharmacokinetic properties of ezetimibe. Consequently, the sequence identity and similarity of the domains was 54% and 70%, with the structural surface analysis indicating that the HDM2 binding pocket is an easier druggable target compared to HDM4. However, docking studies revealed that ezetimibe could bind effectively to HDM2 and HDM4, prompting further optimization to improve its affinity and pharmacokinetic profile. New ezetimibe analogues were developed and showed enhanced predicted anti-cancer properties through increased HDM2/HDM4 affinity, through docking and molecular dynamics simulation study. and metabolic stability was confirmed through QikProp and QSAR predictions. QSAR models were used to assess the glucuronidation susceptibility of these analogues, and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the optimized ligands in complex with HDM2/HDM4. According to the MMGBSA predictions, analogue 36 exhibited a ΔGbind of -60.73 kcal/mol and -61.45 kcal/mol towards HDM2 and HDM4 respectively – an improvement compared to ezetimibe’s -51.01 kcal/mol and -46.04 kcal/mol, respectively. This study shows the potential of the generated ezetimibe analogues as dual inhibitors of HDM2/HDM4 and highlights their promise as novel anticancer agents targeting the p53 pathway.M. Sc. (Life Sciences)Life and Consumer Science
Exploring the use of community based natural resource management in thermal spring development : a case of the KwaShushu Hot spring, Kranskop, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
No full textCommunity-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is recognised as a strategy for improving resource sustainability while also enhancing the livelihoods of local communities. However, its implementation in low- and middle-income countries has often been limited and lacks sufficient empirical evaluation. This study delved into the potential of CBNRM as a development and management tool for the KwaShushu Hot Springs. This natural resource is located on tribal land within the Maphumulo Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The hot springs have ecological, cultural, and economic significance, but they remain underused due to the lack of a formal management plan, controlled access, or organised benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities.
Using a qualitative case study design, the research aimed to explore community attitudes, perceptions, and levels of involvement in the conservation and use of the KwaShushu Hot Springs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 community members, 3 government representatives, and 7 tourists. Thematic analysis identified themes that included current uses, community perceptions and attitudes, and benefits related to CBNRM implementation.
The findings showed that while community members see the ecological and economic potential of the hot springs, they gain limited direct benefits because of informal and uncoordinated use. Participants stressed the need for structured management systems, formal tourism infrastructure, and inclusive decision-making processes that bring together municipal and traditional authorities. The study highlighted that the community is willing to take part in conservation if they can receive tangible benefits, such as jobs, improved livelihoods, and cultural preservation.
The research concludes that CBNRM can be a catalyst for sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, and local economic development in KwaShushu when implemented effectively. It recommends creating a platform for ongoing dialogue among stakeholders, offering training programs on tourism management for community members, and marketing the hot springs. A co-management framework would help balance environmental protection with livelihood opportunities, making KwaShushu Hot Springs both a priority for conservation and a source of community empowerment.M. Sc. (Environmental Management)Environmental Science
The nature and impact of translation strategies in the fiction of Eswatini (1970 to 2000)
No full textAbstracts in English, Swati and AfrikaansTranslation plays a vital role in enhancing communication amongst people of different cultures and languages worldwide. It has influenced the production of fiction in eSwatini and South Africa, whereby a triad pattern of translation involving siSwati, isiZulu and English occurred. This study seeks to analyse the translation strategies used to translate selected fiction of eSwatini from isiZulu into siSwati, from siSwati into English and from English into siSwati, and the impact of those strategies on the target texts. The data comes from eSwatini fiction translated and published between 1970 and 2000 and interviews of translation studies experts. The research is qualitative and utilises the Descriptive Translation Studies framework in conjunction with Even-Zohar’s Polysystem Theory, Decoloniality Theory and Venuti’s foreignisation and domestication concepts. This work shows that translation strategies used to translate the fiction of eSwatini involving siSwati, isiZulu, and English were not neutral, rather, some advanced language hegemonies at the expense of siSwati, and promoted linguistic and epistemological erasure. However, siSwati translational norms and translators gave pushback through hybrid strategies. Hence, the study contributes to the on-going postcolonial debate about the linguistic and cultural effacement of the so-called minority languages. Placing translated eSwatini fiction at the centre of these arguments will develop its scholarship and motivate researchers to accord the fiction of emaSwati the scholarly attention it deserves. More importantly, uncovering the patterns occurring in the translation of eSwatini fiction should enable scholars to theorise on the translation strategies used to translate eSwatini fiction. It is hoped that the findings of this research will add new knowledge to the scholarship of siSwati fiction.Kuhumusha kudlala indzima lebalulekile ekutfutfukiseni kukhulumisana kwebantfu betilwimi nemasiko lehlukahlukene mhlabawonkhe. Kuhumusha siSwati, siZulu nesiNgisi kufake sandla lesikhulu ekubhalweni kwemibhalo y-fiction yaseSwatini naseNingizimu Afrika. Lolucwaningo luhlose kuhlatiya emasu ekuhumusha lasetjentiswe kuhumusha i-fiction yaseSwatini isuka esiZulwini iya esiSwatini, isuka esiSwatini iya esiNgisini nasesiNgisini iya esiSwatini. Lulolucwaningo luphindze luvete imiphumela yaleto tindlela tekuhumusha. Kutawuhlatiywa i-fiction lehunyushwe yabuye yashicilelwa kusukela emnyakeni wa-1970 kuya ku-2000, kuphindze kucociswane netingcweti kutekuhumusha. Lolucwaningo luluhlobo lwe-qualitative, futsi lusebentisa imibono ye-Descriptive Translation Studies, i-Polysystem ya-Even-Zohar, i-Decoloniality, i-foreignisation ne-domestication leyacanjwa nguVenuti. Lolucwaningo luveta kutsi lamanye emasu ekuhumusha lasetjentiswa kuhumusha i-fiction yaseSwatini letsintsa siSwati, siZulu nesiNgisi bekatfutfukisa futsi anika letinye tilwimi ligunya, bese anyatsela siSwati nelwati lwemaSwati. Noma kunjalo, lolucwaningo lubuye luvete kutsi lulwimi lwesiSwati nebahumushi bamelana naloku basebentisa emasu ekuhumusha la-hybrid. Ngako-ke, lolucwaningo lujika litje esivivaneni etinkhulumeni letimayelana nekutsikabeteka kwetilwimi nemihambo yetilwimi letitsatfwa njengaletincane. Kugcila ku-fiction lehunyushiwe yaseSwatini kutawutfutfukisa lucwaningo lwalemibhalo kuphindze kugcugcutele bacwaningi kutsi bacubungule kabanti nge-fiction yemaSwati. Ngetulu kwaloko, kutfola kufana lokubakhona ekuhunyushweni kwe-fiction yaseSwatini kutawusita bosolwati bekuhumusha kutsi babhale ema-theory lahambisana netindlela letisetjentiswe nakuhunyuswa i-fiction yaseSwatini. Setsemba kutsi loku lokutfolakale kulolucwaningo kutawubalwati lolusha kutekuhumusha letiphatselene ne-fiction yaseSwatini.Vertaling speel ‘n kardinale rol om kommunikasie tussen mense van verskillende tale en kulture wêreldwyd te versterk. Dit het die produksie van fiksie in eSwatini en Suid-Afrika beïnvloed, soos waargeneem in die drieledige patroon van vertaling tussen siSwati, isiZulu en Engels. Hierdie studie se doelstelling is om die vertalingsstrategieë te ontleed wat gebuik is in die vertaling van geselekteerde fiksiewerke in eSwatini van isiZulu na siSwati, van siSwati na Engels en van Engels na siSwati, en om die impak van daardie strategieë op die teikentekste te bepaal. Die data is afkomstig van eSwatini fiksie wat vertaal en gepubliseer is tussen 1970 en 2000 en van onderhoude met deskundiges in vertalingsstudies. Die navorsing is kwalitatief en maak gebruik van die ‘Descriptive Translation Studies’ raamwerk in verbinding met Even-Zohar se ‘Polysystem Theory’, ‘Decoloniality Theory’ en Venuti se konsepte van vervreemding en inburgering. Hierdie studie demonstreer dat vertalingsstrategieë wat gebruik is om fiksie in Eswatini te vertaal waarby siSwati, isiZulu en Engels betrokke was, nie onpartydig was nie, maar eerder taaloorheersing bevoordeel het ten koste van siSwati en linguistiese en epistemologiese uitwissing bevorder het. Om hierdie rede dra die studie by tot die voortgesette na-koloniale debat oor die linguistiese en kulturele uitwissing van die sogenaamde minderheidstale. Deur vertaalde eSwatini fiksie in die middelpunt van hierdie argumente te plaas sal vakkundigheid van die taal bevorder word en dit sal navorsers motiveer om die fiksie van emaSwati die wetenskaplike erkenning te gee wat dit toekom. Belangriker nog, die blootlegging van vertalingspatrone wat in eSwatini fiksie voorkom, behoort vakkundiges in staat te stel om te teoretiseer oor die vertalingsstrategieë wat gebruik word in eSwatini fiksie. Daar word gehoop dat die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing nuwe kennis tot die bestaande kennis oor siSwati fiksie sal voeg.D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages and Literature)African Language
Preservice teachers conceptual and procedural understanding of fractions : Ethiopia as a case study
No full textAbstracts in English, Zulu and Northern SothoThis study investigates Ethiopian preservice teachers’ procedural and conceptual knowledge of fractions, examining their capacity to execute mathematical operations and interpret underlying principles. Despite the foundational importance of fractions in mathematics, challenges persist in bridging the gap between procedural competence and deep conceptual understanding among educators. Using APOS (actions, processes, objects, and schemas) Theory as a framework, this research examines how preservice teachers progress through the action, process, object, and schema stages when solving fraction problems.
A mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative analysis of the test performance of 90 preservice teachers with qualitative insights from interviews and focus-group discussions involving 5 preservice teachers. The study explored preservice teachers’ understanding of fractions, revealing progression from performing procedures (Action) to recognising patterns (Process), with few reaching abstract conceptualisation (Object). This highlights cognitive gaps and emphasises the need for instruction supporting transitions across APOS stages. The participants were good at following steps, but they did not fully understand important ideas like the equivalence of fractions, division, and part-whole relationships. Common problems included confusing numerator and denominator roles, misinterpreting fraction division as the division of whole numbers, and relying on memorised algorithms without contextual understanding. These knowledge gaps were made worse by cultural and educational factors, such as a focus on memorisation and a lack of visual or real-world applications in the curriculum.
Collaborative learning environments and reflective discussions are proposed to foster schema development by connecting fractional concepts to broader mathematical systems. These recommendations aim to enhance teacher preparation programmes, thus addressing Ethiopia’s systemic challenges in mathematics education and improving classroom outcomes.
By highlighting the interplay between cognitive development, cultural context, and instructional practices, this research contributes to global efforts to strengthen mathematics teacher education.Lolu cwaningo luhlola ulwazi lwabafundisi base-Ethopia ngaphambikokuqeqeshelwa ubuthisha mayelana nezingxenye (fractions), lugxile ekuhloleni ulwazi lwabo lwenqubo yezibalo (procedural knowledge) kanye nolwazi lwabo lomqondo wezibalo(conceptual knowledge). Nakuba izingxenye ziyisisekelo emfundweni yezibalo, kusekhona izinselelo ekuxhumaneni kokusebenza kahle kwekhono lenqubo nokuqonda okujulile kwemicabango phakathi kwabafundisi. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzisa uhlaka lwe-APOS Theory (okuyizinyathelo: Action, Process, Object, ne-Schema) ukuze kuhlolwe ukuthi abafundi abangakaqali ukusebenza abaqeqeshelwa ubuthisha bathuthuka kanjani kulezi zigaba uma bexazulula izinkinga zezibalo zezingxenye.
Kusetshenziswe idizayini yezindlela ezixubile ehlanganisa ukuhlaziya izinombolo zenhlolovo ehlola izinga lokusebenza kothisha abangakaqali ukusebenza abangama-90 kanye nemininingwane esezingeni eliphezulu evela ezingxoxweni kanye nezingxoxo zamaqembu okugxilwa kuzo ezibandakanya othisha aba-5. Ucwaningo luthole ukuthi abafundi abaningi bangena esigabeni sokuqala sokwenza (Action) baze bafike ekuboneni inqubo (Process), kodwa bambalwa abafinyelela ezingeni eliphezulu lokucabanga (Object). Lokhu kubonisa izikhala ezingqondweni zabo futhi kugcizelela isidingo sokufundisa esisekela ushintsho phakathi kwezigaba ze-APOS.
Ababambiqhaza benze kahle ekulandeleni izitebhu kodwa abazange baqonde ngokugcwele imibono ebalulekile efana nokulingana kwezingxenye, ukuhlukanisa, kanye nobudlelwano phakathi kwezingxenye nezinhlobonhlobo (part-whole relationships). Izinkinga ezivamile zifaka phakathi ukudideka phakathi kwe-numerator ne-denominator, ukuqonda okungalungile kokuhlukanisa izingxenye njengokuhlukanisa izinombolo eziphelele, kanye nokuncika ezinhlelweni ezifundwa ngekhanda ngaphandle kokuqonda umongo.
Lezi zikhala zolwazi zenziwe yizinto eziphathelene namasiko nezemfundo, njengokugxila ekufundeni nasekwazini ngekhanda kuphela kanye nokuntuleka kwezibonelo ezibonakalayo noma ezisuselwa empilweni yangempela ohlelweni lwezifundo.
Kuphakanyiswa izindawo zokufunda ezibambisanayo kanye nezingxoxo ezikhuthaza ukuzindla ukuze kwakhiwe ukuqonda okujulile (schema) ngokuxhumanisa imibono yama-fraction nezinye izingxenye zesistimu yezibalo. Lezi ziphakamiso zihlose ukuthuthukisa izinhlelo zokuqeqesha othisha ukuze kubhekwe izinselelo ezinkulu zemfundo yezibalo e-Ethiopia futhi kuthuthukiswe imiphumela ezifundweni.
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Ngokugqamisa ukuxhumana phakathi kokukhula kwengqondo, isimo senhlalo namasiko, kanye nemikhuba yokufundisa, lolu cwaningo lunikela emizamweni yomhlaba yokuthuthukisa ukuqeqeshwa kothisha bezibalo.Thuto ye e hlahloba tsebo ya ditlwaedi (procedural knowledge) le kutlwisiso ya kgopolo (conceptual understanding) ya barutiši ba Ethiopia bao ba lego ka gare ga thuto ya borutiši (preservice teachers) mabapi le difaerekšene, ka go lebelela bokgoni bja bona bja go dira mešongwana ya dipalo le go hlalosa melao ye e lego ka tlase ga mešongwana yeo. Le ge difaerekšene di le bohlokwa kudu mo dithutong tša dipalo, go sa na le bothata bja go kopanya bokgoni bja go dira mešongwana (procedural competence) le kutlwisiso e tseneletšego ya kgopolo (deep conceptual understanding) gare ga barutiši.
Go šomišitšwe Theory ya APOS (Actions, Processes, Objects, le Schemas) bjalo ka motheo, moo thuto e lebelelago kamoo barutiši ba bago ka gare ga borutiši ba fetelago mekhahlelo ya Action, Process, Object, le Schema ge ba rarolla mathata a difaerekšene.
Go šomišitšwe mokgwa wa dinyakišišo tša setlwaedi le tša boleng (mixed-methods design), moo tshekatsheko ya dipalopalo e dirilwego go ba 90 ya barutiši ba sa le mo thutong ya borutiši, le dinyakišišo tša boleng tšeo di akaretšago dipoledišano le dinomoro tše 5 tša barutiši ba go swana. Thuto e utollotše gore barutiši ba thoma ka go dira mekgwa (Action), ba be ba lemoge mehuta ya mekgwa (Process), eupša ba mmalwa bao ba fihlelelago kgopolo ya godimo (Object). Se se bontšha mafokodi a monagano gomme se gatelela bohlokwa bja thuto ye e thekgago phetogo gare ga mekhahlelo ya APOS.
Ba tšere gabotse mekgwa, efela ba be ba sa kwešiše gabotse dikgopolo tše bohlokwa tše bjalo ka go lekana ga difaerekšene (fraction equivalence), karoganyo (division), le kamano ya karolo-le-ka moka (part-whole relationships). Mathata a tlwaelegilego a akaretša go hlakanya karolo ya godimo (numerator) le karolo ya tlase (denominator), go se kwešiše karoganyo ya difaerekšene bjalo ka karoganyo ya dinomoro tša go felela (whole numbers), le go šoma ka diphetho tša go gopola (memorised algorithms) ntle le kwešišo ya seemo.
Mafokodi a tsebo a okeditšwe ke ditlhohlo tša setšo le tša thuto, tše bjalo ka go gatelelwa ga go gopola (rote memorisation) le go hloka diswantšho goba tshepetšo ya lefase la nnete mo lenaneong la thuto.
Go šišinywa tikologo ya go ithuta ka tšhomišano le poledišano ya go akanya, gore e thuše ka go hlabolla kgopolo ya schema ka go kgokaganya dikgopolo tša difaerekšene le ditshepedišo tše kgolo tša dipalo. Ditšhišinyo tše di ikemišeditše go matlafatša mananeo a thuto ya borutiši, go lebeletšwe go rarolla ditlhohlo tša thuto ya dipalo Ethiopia le go kaonafatša diphetho tša ka phapošiborutelong.
Ka go gatelela kamano magareng ga tlhabollo ya monagano, seemo sa setšo, le mekgwa ya go ruta, nyakišišo ye e tšea karolo mo maitekong a lefase a go matlafatša thuto ya barutiši ba dipalo.PhD. (Curriculum and Instruction Studies)Curriculum and Instructional Studie
Enhancing urban crime detection with intelligent vision surveillance technologies and machine learning strategies
No full textCrime in urban environments have always been challenging due to inadequate detection of suspicious behaviours and prediction of crime links that have always occurred as a result of many security issues. These challenges have caused significant false alarms and delays in security response time, thereby affecting the accuracy of urban security systems and exacerbating their impact on the economy and people’s lives. There has been research on improving the crime detection. However, little progress has been made in respect of environmental noise on captured image frames, manual analysis of suspicious behavioural patterns such as mob, loitering, break-ins and run away, etc. The problem of improved prediction link accuracy between crime types, and locations and delay in response time have not received attention.
This research develops an intelligent vision surveillance framework with crime link prediction which encompasses a machine learning model to swiftly resolve the issue of environmental noise on captured surveillance image frames, manual detection analysis, and inaccurate crime link predictions for improved and enhanced security services. The machine learning model was tested on these urban security issues at different locations. The suggested models were able to produce optimal detection and prediction accuracies, minimise false alarms and ensure quick security response time.
The link between crime types and locations revealed hidden important (unobserved) information about criminals. This implies that, as the number of dynamically interconnected criminal patterns increases, the crime link increases, which leads to overlooking of some information that has been embedded within the environment. Consequently, it affects the accuracy of crime link prediction technology.
The proposed framework's capacity to identify suspicious activity and forecast crime connections was evaluated using real-world and openly available datasets. The proposed model's suspicious detection abilities were evaluated using a real-world image frame and the openly available UMN and UCSD pedestrian datasets. In terms of precision, recall, F1-score, accuracy, and computation time, the proposed framework's performance was contrasted with that of several similar suspicious detection models. The experimental results show that the proposed model performs well using the
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real-world image dataset, with an overall average precision of 0.99, recall of 0.99, F1 score value of 0.99, and accuracy of 99.45%. The proposed model outperforms other detection models used in the experiments, with an overall average precision of 0.99, recall of 0.99, F1-score value of 0.99, and accuracy of 99.52% on publicly available UCSD.
The proposed models were evaluated for crime prediction using publicly available crime datasets from America and Canada as well as a real-life crime dataset from the South African Police Services (SAPs). The proposed model's accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were evaluated against those of other relevant crime link prediction models. In an experiment using a real-world crime dataset, the suggested model was shown to have an accuracy of 99.99%, recall of 0.99, precision of 0.99, and F1-score of 0.99. According to the publicly available crime dataset for Canada, the proposed model's accuracy is 99.88%, recall is 0.99, precision is 0.99, and F1-score is 0.99. Regarding prediction performance, the proposed model outperforms other prediction models on all datasets used in the experiments.
According to the computation time, the suggested model has an execution time of 6.14ms on average, CNN has a running time of 7.63ms, and CNN with TensorFlow of 6.95ms on GPU. The results generated from this investigation demonstrate that the suggested framework works well in the detection of suspicious patterns that can lead to crime and also improve crime prediction performances. The improved solutions will improve security operatives' and forensic investigation experts’ decisions in making accurate crime detection and prediction, thereby assisting them in effective anticipation and planning on the locations where crime is likely to occur in future before it manifests.School of Computin